Work Text:
1. Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest
The white stick with two lines sat innocently on the kitchen countertop as the little cat, the robot, and the monkey stared at it.
Jeong Jihoon: “What the fuck, Siwoo hyung, you have COVID?!”
Lee Seungyong: “Your husband’s last team was sponsored by Durex, by the way.”
Son Siwoo threw his hands up in rage.
“I HATE YOU BOTH!”
-
The trio huddled together on the couch, with Seungyong absentmindedly turning on some old sitcom from the US called Three Men and a Baby (oh, the irony). They sat in awkward silence, bodies leaning into one another, until Jihoon finally spoke.
“But…you don’t look pregnant?”
…
Siwoo facepalmed.
“Oh my god, Jihoon-ah!” Seungyong groaned.
“What?!” The youngest flailed in panic. “I’m right!”
Siwoo sighed, wondering how this cat still had a hollow brain at age thirty. “It’s been two weeks, ya little dumbass; my belly wouldn’t turn into a watermelon that quickly!”
Jihoon opened then closed his mouth like a fish.
“Ohhhhh…”
Siwoo and Seungyong exchanged glances in amused exasperation.
“You told Dohyeon, right?” Seungyong asked.
Siwoo nodded. “Yeah, I left a message, so hopefully he’ll see it when he gets a break from training. Haaah, maybe we should have timed this better. It’s already hard enough to see him. Dohyeon isn’t released from the military until a month before the due date…”
He once again felt like going back in time to smack his past self for getting too excited during his birthday, but at the same time he couldn’t blame himself—it was one of the rare breaks Dohyeon got during service. Still…
His damn pregnancy hormones made him droop in uncharacteristic sadness, and within a few seconds, a line of moisture began to line his eyelashes.
Siwoo’s brothers immediately scrambled around him in alarm.
“Don’t worry, hyung! Who needs that Park Dohyeon anyway!” Jihoon declared, always happy to throw his brother-in-law under the bus.
“I’ll come visit more, Siwoo, I swear!” Seungyong promised. “We’ll take you to your doctor’s appointments, make you whatever food you want, anything you need!”
Through his sniffles, Siwoo can’t help but smile at the two idiots who frantically fussed over him. He put a gentle hand on his lower abdomen.
Good for you, my little one. You get to call those headless chickens over there your uncles. They may be a little strange—but their hearts are in the right place.
*
“FUCKING HELL—SEUNGYONG HYUNG, SLOW DOWN!”
Nine months later, on an unsuspecting date in late September, a Hyundai SUV zoomed down the streets from Siwoo’s new Ilsan apartment. Destination? The NHIS Hospital.
Jihoon screeched again from the backseat as the car bolted past another yellow light turning red.
“HYUNG! YOU’RE GONNA GET US ARRESTED!” The lanky cat held back a hiss of pain as his hand was nearly crushed by his other, very much in labour, hyung.
“IT’S FINE!” Seungyong roared back, gripping the wheel with white knuckles.
“BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Siwoo yelled angrily, lifting his head from Jihoon’s shoulder.
Silence quickly fell in the car.
“Hiiii, Siwoo hyung,” Jihoon whispered guiltily to the man leaning on him. “You okay?”
Siwoo shot him a glare, his body tense with pain as another contraction hit. “What do you think, Jeong Jihoon!”
“Sheesh, sorry for asking! Jeez!”
Siwoo pressed a hand firmly against his stomach, focusing on breathing.
“It’s ok, hyung, with how many TRAFFIC LAWS—“ Jihoon half-reassured, half-yelled to the front seat, “—Seungyong hyung is breaking, we’ll be there soon.”
Siwoo let out a pained chuckle.
“Do you even have a Korean license, Lee Seungyong?”
Their driver smiled slyly and winked at them through the rear-view mirror. “Don’t ask unnecessary questions, hyung.”
(“Oh my god,” Jihoon groaned.)
Siwoo gritted his teeth as the contraction passed, getting somewhat ahold of his senses.
“Dohyeon?” He asked weakly.
“On his way from Camp One. We’ll meet him there,” Jihoon assured.
“Hospital bag?”
Seungyong waved a hand at the passenger seat.
Siwoo sighed in relief and relaxed against the seat headrest.
-
With the same concentration he devoted to clearing jungle camps, Seungyong managed to cut the fifteen-minute drive to ten minutes, then drifted into an empty parking spot as if auditioning for the next Fast and Furious movie.
As the next wave of contractions hit, Siwoo slowly marched his way into the hospital, with the other two carefully hovering over him.
Inside, near the front desk, a nurse stood by with a wheelchair, while a familiar figure paced back and forth.
“Dohyeon-ah!” Seungyong called out, “He’s here!”
The ADC practically flashed over, and Siwoo had to bite back a laugh. Dohyeon had clearly come from scrims: feet still in slippers, head to toe in sweats, the team jacket—even his hair was flattened from headphones.
“Well, at least you shaved.” Siwoo teased weakly, “I wouldn’t want our baby to be scared to see a bearded monster instead of their dad.”
His husband rolled his eyes fondly and took Siwoo into his embrace.
“I’m sorry I didn’t take this week off too,” Dohyeon said, placing a gentle hand on the rounded belly. “With how excited the baby’s been, I probably should have predicted a little earlier than the due date.”
Their little bean was certainly energetic—they had kicked so much inside Siwoo’s stomach that the parents had wondered if their child was setting up for a future in taekwondo. Or perhaps too much of Siwoo’s genes went into the pot and not enough of Dohyeon’s.
“It’s fine. Just means the kid’s eager to meet us,” Siwoo smiled as Dohyeon guided him into the wheelchair.
“Sir, how far apart are your contractions?” The nurse asked kindly.
“I think about six minutes?”
“We’ll be wheeling you to the room and start the procedure now, then.”
As they left, Siwoo and Dohyeon waved back to Jihoon and Seungyong, who were heading back to the apartment until the baby was allowed visitors.
“Bye, Siwoo hyung,” Siwoo heard Jihoon yell from behind. “Make sure to name the baby Jihoon Junior!”
-
“Congratulations, the boy is very healthy!!” The nurse announced, carefully passing the newborn to Siwoo after a checkup.
He gently nestled that tiny body snugly in his arms. The infant let out a small yawn accompanied by gurgles, way cuter than when he was wailing as he entered the world. Siwoo beamed and proudly presented the bundle to Dohyeon, who wore a similar haggard smile.
“How can someone be this tiny…” Dohyeon reached over to run a finger over the baby’s bubble-like cheeks. As if their son could sense his father’s movement, that little face split into a wide grin.
Ka-boom!
Lightning struck as both men had the same thought:
Loopy???
They leaned in to peer more closely at their boy’s facial features.
Siwoo’s jaw dropped.
An exact carbon copy of the pictures of baby Park fucking Dohyeon that he would see hung up at his in-laws' place. He had been completely wrong; the opposite had happened—too much of Dohyeon’s genes had gone into the pot and not enough of the Son family’s.
The aforementioned genetics thief glanced at Siwoo sheepishly as a death glare was shot his way.
“I’m gonna get you, you little sh—” Siwoo paused. “Turd. How dare you outdraft me on our own child!”
*
The two of them lounged on the hospital bed together, scrolling through Coupang for baby toys while their youngest recovered from an exhausting crying session.
“Wait, Siwoo.” Dohyeon sat up suddenly. Siwoo stopped his methodical patting of the sniffling infant. “Hmmm?”
“We didn’t choose a name yet.”
The couple stared at each other. Unfortunately, both of them were from esports, where creativity outside of gameplay was not the norm.
“Uh.” Siwoo looked down at Dohyeon’s phone. A Kakao message from Seungyong had popped up.
Where u at? Hoon and I are in the waiting room.
“Jihyong,” He blurted out, smartly smushing together their friends’ names.
“Jihyong?” Dohyeon repeated, confused.
Siwoo nodded.
“Jihyong. Son—no, Park Jihyong,” He tested the name out in his mouth. “That sounds better, Park Jihyong.”
“Park Jihyong…” Dohyeon pondered it too. Then gently lifted the baby from Siwoo’s arms to hold him in the light.
“What do you think? Do you like the name Jihyong?”
The infant let out a string of drool in response, making his parents laugh.
“I think that’s a yes,” Dohyeon said with a chuckle, wiping Jihyong’s mouth with his shirt.
Siwoo sighed, “Your uncles are going to be so annoying about this for the next few years, though…”
He could already see Seungyong and Jihoon’s triumphant, pesky grins from here.
2. Congrats, it’s a…jungler?!
For Jihyong’s doljanchi celebration with their friends, Siwoo and Dohyeon decided to do something more lighthearted for the doljabi than the one they did for their parents:
Instead of the typical gavel, stethoscope, or soccer ball, they placed Jinhyong in front of the dolsang that held a Teemo hat, Siwoo’s Tarzan photocard, a Faker jersey, Dohyeon’s mouse, and a Singed plushie.
Jihyong crawled forward at Siwoo’s urging, at first moving towards the Faker jersey—
(“Daesanghyeok~,” Jihoon chortled.
“Sanghyeok hyung’s aura is still too strong,” Yechan laughed.)
—before stopping to babble and paw at his rainbow durumagi. Jihyong happily clapped his hands, causing the entire room to coo.
Definitely my personality, thought Siwoo proudly, completely missing his son’s eyes light up in recognition.
“Saam!” The baby mumbled and scooted forward.
Everyone watched in shock as Jihyong grabbed the Tarzan photocard and popped it into his mouth.
“WOOHOO!” Seungyong cheered amidst the stunned crowd, “GOOD JOB, NEPHEW!”
Siwoo put his head in his hands. “We forgot that Jihyong can recognize faces now.”
Dohyeon could only laugh helplessly.
“Well, at least our wish for no bot lane came true…”
*
Dohyeon thought of that memory as he watched the on-screen Aphelios, his Worlds skin equipped, race into top lane to gank the opposing Gwen.
Their family had gathered on the sofa to watch the LPL Grand Finals match between AL and BLG, a huge milestone for Jihyong’s first year playing in China. However, they soon sported matching expressions of confusion as the eldest son locked in Aphelios….
Jungle.
“What the fuck,” Siwoo had sworn in baffled awe, “Does Seungyong want Jihyong to get torn apart online?!”
Their younger son could only laugh incredulously.
“Hyung did text me to check after the match if he was still allowed in the house…” Jaeho revealed.
Dohyeon couldn’t even find words as he saw his Aphelios skitter around topside to continue his jungle rotation.
“But come on, if anyone could pull it off, it’s Jihyong hyung,” Jaeho argued.
Siwoo sighed, “I guess your brother is a little crazy—
“Dad, you of all people cannot be talking.”
“Oi, Park Jaeho, watch your mouth—
“Oh no!” Jaeho reached over and shook Dohyeon’s shoulder. “Appa’s soul left his body! Stay with us! Appa!”
-
Thankfully, with the skills that earned him the title of “Prince of the Jungle” during his T1 academy days, Jihyong played wonderfully. He successfully ganked, took objectives, and had a lucky day with his smites.
It was a close game, 2-2. Game 5 had started with an early disadvantage as AL’s bot lane fell behind but recovered thanks to Jihyong; the teams were now neck and neck. The family sat at the edge of their seats as BLG geared up for a Baron that could make or break the game. They watched Jihyong push up his sleeves in the player cam, his usual upbeat expression sliding into a cold concentration that emphasized his perfect resemblance to Dohyeon.
The Aphelios crept up to the pit, staying at the very edge of ward range. The rest of his teammates encircled the perimeter, staring off with BLG.
“Go! Go! GO!” Dohyeon could see Jihyong’s lips yell.
A Moonlight Vigil coupled with Infernum was cast in tandem with AL’s top laner closing in with Kennan. BLG’s jungler dropped Smite in panic as a double-kill notice for AL’s ADC rang out, leaving a sliver of the Baron’s health. In a split second, Jihyong fired off a Calibrum shot and flashed away from the enemy top laner.
Blue Team has stolen Baron Nashor.
“CHIMERA!” The casters roared, “THE PRINCE OF THE JUNGLE STRIKES GOLD! THE BARON GOES TO AL!”
Siwoo collapsed backward into the cushions, while Jaeho happily pumped his fist in the air. Dohyeon released the breath he had been holding in for so long in pure relief.
“This kid…I swear,” He muttered with a fond smile.
The replay with voice comms showed on screen. Jihyong’s rancorous laughter rang out as his Baron steal was announced, his eyes filled with pure elation. The coaches cam came next, and the entire family laughed as Seungyong jumped out of his chair in celebration.
“As expected of Head Coach Tarzan’s godson, Chimera is clearly the monster under every team’s bed during this split.”
Jihyong regrouped with his team and executed a red-white combo to complete the ace. They scurried down mid lane as a pack, and the game was neatly wrapped in a bow delivered to AL.
The camera panned to Jihyong, who smirked and struck his father’s iconic finger gun pose.
“Bang!”
-
“Congratulations, Chimera, on winning POM for your first-ever LPL Playoffs!”
“Thank you, thank you!”
“Many fans are wondering what the idea was behind your Game 5 Aphelios pick. Could you tell us more?”
“Ah, that?! Well, it started with my dad looking a little miffed when he realized none of his kids would use any of his Worlds skins because both Jaeho and I main jungle. I jokingly worked out jungle Aphelios gameplay with Uncle Seungyong, and since Aphel is meta right now, I thought: ‘Why not?’”
“Is there any chance we’ll see Singed jungle in the future?”
“Hahahaha, absolutely not! Do you want Caster Lehends to kill me?”
“Shen jungle?”
“Hmm…no comment!”
3. A child of winter and autumn
Dohyeon’s 31st birthday was the coldest one yet, as a wave of icy wind spread through Korea. They dressed Jihyong up in a cute indoor vest that made him look like a starfish and made hoedeopbap for birthday dinner.
Their son, now 13 months old, faced the world with his whole heart and chest. Speeding around the apartment, napping, crying, yapping away–-Jihyong did it all with the bright halo of youthfulness.
“Dada,” Their son would babble excitedly at the sight of him, perched on Siwoo’s lap. His hyung leaned down to press kisses onto those soft tufts of hair, making Jihyong giggle. Dohyeon’s heart squeezed at the sight. He was blessed with two suns in his life now; both filling him with a warmth that felt far greater than any trophy or medal.
Later that night, after tucking in a worn-out Jihyong, Dohyeon gently laid Siwoo on the sheets and slowly indulged in the other’s naked form. Their bodies intertwined naturally, even after weeks of abstinence caused by their new family member’s sleeping tendencies. He laced their fingers together, savouring the sweet melody of Siwoo’s breathless moans and racing heartbeat.
Ten years ago, Dohyeon would have never imagined being here: the love of his life safely by his side with a future bountiful of happiness and the freedom to want—
“Dohyeon-ah.”
He raised his head from between Siwoo’s thighs.
“What are you thinking about so intensely?” His husband asked, eyes drooping like a lazy cat.
The answer slipped out before Dohyeon could process it.
“Hyung…do you want to give Jihyong a sibling?”
They were both stunned by the question. However, to Dohyeon’s surprise, Siwoo didn’t shoot him down immediately.
“I thought you said one kid was enough?”
“I did, but that was more because of the pregnancy,” Dohyeon explained, pressing a kiss on Siwoo’s abdomen. “I didn’t want to put you through that again.”
“Hmmm,” Siwoo pursed his lips. “It wasn’t bad, though. Jihyong kicked me a lot, but morning sickness, swelling— those were minimal.”
“Plus…” He grinned cheekily. “I have a handsome husband who always keeps me satisfied.”
Dohyeon smiled, pulling himself up to wrap an arm around Siwoo’s waist. Their lips met easily,y and he felt so, so lucky.
“I was thinking about another too,” Siwoo admitted. “It would be nice to have someone Jihyong can play with.”
“We’ll get them a bunk bed once both are old enough,” Dohyeon added. “With a tent with lots of stars on top.”
“Yes, yes!” Siwoo laughed. “After that we can save, move into a bigger apartment—
“And finally give them separate rooms.” They said in unison, their experience of coming from households with siblings peeking through.
The two of them shared kisses and giggled like little kids, already envisioning the pitter-patter of an additional set of feet weaving in between their legs.
Dohyeon then felt a smile widen against his lips. He pulled back to see that beautiful mischievous sparkle in his husband’s stare.
“Yeobo,” Siwoo whispered, wrapping his arms around his neck—
“I’m cold.”
“Mm,” Dohyeon deftly maneuvered the other man onto his back, “I know. Don’t worry.”
*
“Just do a BO3 rock, paper, scissors!” Siwoo raged from the hospital bed as the unwelcome visitors crowded around him and the newborn.
“If Jaehyuk wins, the baby’s name is Jaeho; if Yechan wins, it’s Yeho; if Jinseong wins, it’s Jinho! Anyone else?!”
(Hyeonjoon raised his hand. Seungyong lowered it for him.)
“Wait, why does Wangho get an immediate placement?” Someone asked.
“Because I’m better~,” The man himself sang from the corner of the room.
Siwoo felt a vein throb in his forehead. “GET ON WITH IT!”
While the 98 liners argued amongst themselves, Dohyeon shot an amused glance towards Jihyong sitting in his lap, both of them lounging by Siwoo’s bedside.
“It hasn’t even been a full day since your brother’s birth, and it’s already such a ruckus…”
Jihyong giggled, clapping his hands.
“You’re right,” Dohyeon replied. “At least we know his life won’t have any dull moments.”
In the background, Jaehyuk whooped with victory.
*
Jaeho fidgeted with his bag strap as he walked to the car waiting for him outside the GenG building.
“Jaeho-ya!” A familiar figure waved at him excitedly.
He couldn’t help but smile. His dad always radiated youthful energy that felt like sunrays, even on the coldest of Korean winters. Jaeho let himself fall into that warm embrace.
Congratulations on winning your first CL title! Let’s go home!” Siwoo said.
-
As the streets of Gangnam melted away into the countryside, Jaeho felt as if his phone, especially the message from Jihyong, was weighing down his entire body.
바보 hyung
Just tell them, idiot. I swear on Uncle Faker that everything will be fine
Why are u stressing out ur dramatic ass about this ㅋㅋㅋ
dumb stupid idiot
Read 9:04 PM
He wanted to bang his head against the window.
Would it be okay, though?
Park Jaeho, Ogong, one half of the legendary Park brothers, was currently the most promising jungler from the academy. Uncle Jaehyuk and Uncle Jihoon were eyeing him for the main roster; Uncle Hyukku was hoping to poach him for DRX next season (wrong); Uncle Xuanjun was going to offer a multi-million contract for BLG (dead wrong)—Jaeho had heard all the rumors.
Netizens praised his playstyle, saying it was as if Viper’s precision and Lehend’s insanity had a baby (technically true) and applied it to jungling.
He was the head of a wave of monster next-gen rookies who were expected to bring the World Championship back to Korea.
But…
“Are you listening, Jaeho?” Siwoo’s voice called out.
He blinked, snapping out of his trance. They had pulled into their apartment building.
“I’m sorry, Dad, I didn’t hear you…”
Siwoo thankfully only looked amused.
“I was asking what you wanted for dinner. Your appa said he would pick up some takeout on his way back from match review.”
“Ah.”
An awkward silence filled the car as Jaeho could feel his dad’s eyes studying him.
“Honestly, it’s always a little strange seeing you like this,” Siwoo chuckled. “You have my face, but that expression you make when you’re thinking about something is the same as his.”
“What is it, my baby?”
Jaeho stared down at his hands.
“Is it because of your contract going up? Do you want to meet with Uncle Jihoon?”
His throat itched.
“No, I—”
He took a sharp breath and turned to look at Siwoo properly.
“Dad... I-I don't want to be a pro-gamer anymore!” Jaeho blurted out.
Immediately, all the tension flew off his shoulders, and he felt lighter than he had in months.
Suddenly, a finger flicked his forehead.
Hard.
“Ow! Dad, what was that for?”
“You brat! That’s it?!” Siwoo barked, “I thought you were seriously hurt or something!”
Eh?
“You’re not mad?” Jaeho sputtered, completely perplexed.
Siwoo laughed. “Why would I be mad?”
“...”
“Aren’t you disappointed?” He asked weakly. “I’m Ogong! I just won the playoffs with GenG Academy! I’m the best rookie jungler in the world, even above Jihyong hyung! I’m—
“You’re the son of Park Dohyeon and Son Siwoo, whose only wish in life is for Park Jihyong and Park Jaeho to be happy.”
His dad’s voice was firm.
“Jaeho-ya. We would never be disappointed in you. You are the farthest thing from a dumbass; any decision you make, we know that you put an enormous amount of thought behind it.”
He could sense tears beginning to form, and quickly glanced up at the car roof.
“I-It just didn’t feel…right,” Jaeho whispered. “Even after all the times we won, I still couldn’t see my future on that stage…”
How many times had he stared at his mouse and keyboard? Or watched old clips of his parents and Jihyong dancing on the Rift, only to feel nothing but emptiness?
“And that’s completely okay,” Siwoo reassured gently. “You’re only a teenager, Jaeho-ya. There are so many different things in the world that you will discover—this is just the first step.”
Jaeho sniffled while a comforting hand appeared above him to give head pats.
“Did you know, Jaeho-ya? I became a pro gamer within a family of solely medical professionals,” Siwoo laughed. “Your old man here has a lot of experience being on the receiving end of these sorts of conversations…although mine had a lot more yelling and cussing…maybe even a few items flung around here and there.”
His dad leaned over, whispering conspiratorially.
“You should have told me this sooner. We could have reenacted a core memory of mine of throwing slippers at each other!”
Jaeho finally cracked a smile.
“That’s not fair,” He chuckled. “Appa would take your side.”
Siwoo shrugged. “You never know. That Park Dohyeon is one strange individual.”
They shared matching grins.
-
“Wait, Dohyeon-ah. Your second son told me something today,” Siwoo said into the speaker.
Jaeho almost spit out his barley tea in alarm.
“Dad,” He choked, “Wait—
“Jaeho wants to retire from the esports life.”
He wanted to curl up in a ball and die. A beat of silence passed. Jaeho could see his appa’s exact expression of bewilderment from here.
“Ok. Good to know,” Dohyeon’s voice crackled through the phone. “So do you guys want tangsuyuk for dinner?”
Oh.
Siwoo fixed him with a stare that screamed I told you so.
Jaeho buried his face in his hands, cheeks red.
“Can you tell him I want sushi instead?” He mumbled.
4. Siblings
[ENG/한 SUB] AL Chimera’s Worlds Celebration Live!!!!!>:3→ Q&A with little bro and skin debate
{TRANSCRIPT:
Two young men sit at a desk in front of a grainy webcam. They both wear matching pajama pants with a cartoon monkey pattern. In the background, a bed and a bookshelf filled with manga are visible.
CHIMERA: Uh, ok, introduce yourself, I guess.
They burst into laughter.
YEHO: Hello everyone, my name is Park Jaeho. I’m this freak’s younger brother. I’m better known by my stage name Yeho. I’m a singer, actor, and sometimes dabble in modeling.
CHIMERA: Dabble? Look at this b*stard trying to be humble; you’re the global ambassador for D*or!
YEHO: Hyung! That’s not out to the public yet!
CHIMERA: Oh sh*t. Sorry.
The brothers look at each other.
CHIMERA: Well, it was gonna release soon regardless...ANYWAY! Lots of fans have been curious about this mysterious beauty that haunts the halls of our headquarters and Camp One, so today we will fulfill my Worlds promise and have a Q&A!
CHIMERA claps, but YEHO just stares at him.
CHIMERA: …I’m gonna kill you, you little punk.
-
Q: u guys seem close…I wish I was like that with my siblings
YEHO: Too close in my opinion.
CHIMERA: Yeah, this kid would text me to come pick him up when he’s drunk, but he's in the US! Like dude, I’m in Shanghai. What in the world could I possibly do for you??
Q: Yeho, do u still play league?
YEHO: I do. I dedicate two to three days during the patch to hit grandmaster. If I’m in a pinch, I lock in Singed top and pull an all-nighter.
Q: was it hard playing against each other during ur cl days? Who’s the better jungler?
YEHO: Oh my god. Don’t even start.
CHIMERA: It was so hard. We knew each other so well that anytime we faced off, it would become a total standstill.
YEHO: If you watched a Gen v. T1 Academy BO5 during those days, you would be blessed with 4 excruciating hours of barely any jungle presence.
CHIMERA: Constant counter-jungling, the bot lane becoming a 3v3 lane, random smite fights—I think one time a coach yelled at us to just 1v1 to decide the game.
YEHO: This is why siblings shouldn’t become active pro players all at once.
CHIMERA: Our relationship at home during our rival days surprisingly wasn’t bad, though.
YEHO: Yeah, Appa drilled that work-life balance into us as soon as we went pro…I still don’t forgive you for stealing my blue during that one game 3.
CHIMERA: You stole my red right after!
CHIMERA: Ah, who’s the better jungler? It’s very close, but we agreed it was Jaeho at the time. He was better at securing objectives and the macro part of it all.
YEHO: Hyung’s being humble. He’s always had those insane ganking skills and clutch factor you see now. I was ahead because you had that old habit of facechecking everything and anything without vision.
CHIMERA hides his face in embarrassment.
CHIMERA: Don’t remind me! Remember when Dad asked me if I was trying to turn LoL into a horror game?
YEHO: And then we did a fake exorcism on you to “get the spirit of Uncle Jinhyeok out”. That was hilarious; I think I still have the video.
Q: Was it awkward having to play against viper’s team at worlds finals?
CHIMERA: YES.
CHIMERA: Every time the coaches walked out after doing drafts, we would accidentally lock eyes, and it was so hard trying not to laugh. It was so strange too; the morning of finals, we met up so I could, ehem, beg for more souvenir money, then a few hours later I was facing off against him and his team! Aaaahhh, complete whiplash in vibes!
YEHO: Did you know Appa was smiling the entire time as he banned all of your favorite champs during Game 1?
CHIMERA: Yeah, I raged with Uncle Seungyong about that in comms. Bot lane really pulled through for that game. Forcing your son on Skarner duty on his first Worlds finals…he’s always so overflowing with parental affection. Aishi, so annoying—
A donation message rang out from LEHENDS: “your father is right next to me watching this btw”
CHIMERA’s face goes pale while YEHO chokes on his water.
CHIMERA: I’M KIDDING! APPA, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU! PLEASE DON’T BAN MY QIYANA AGAIN! I’M BEGGING YOU, HLE HEAD COACH PARK DOHYEON PLEASE!
Q: what’s it like growing up in a pro gamer family?
CHIMERA: Childhood stories? Um…give us a second…
YEHO: Maybe we can talk about Dad and stocks?
CHIMERA: Oh, that’s a good one! For context, Jaeho and I don’t even have a full 2-year age gap, so when he was born, I was still really young. Because of that, Dad decided to take a break from his caster job to take care of us, and during those days he started learning how to invest.
YEHO: For the Son Siwoo fans out there, here’s a fun fact: he’s insanely good at playing the stock market. I think it has to be a support intuition thing—he just knows all the best moves. So there’s a photo of Dad balancing us on his lap while he’s trading stocks, and we’re all laser-focused on the computer screen. He financed a big part of our family trip to Iceland with his investments alone.
CHIMERA: To be honest, I can’t think of anything else. Everyone, our childhood wasn’t that interesting; we were normal kids with loving parents. I guess with a lot more LoL, that's all…
CHIMERA’s face suddenly turns sour.
CHIMERA: Wait, let me vent a little: I saw a lot of sh*t during our academy days, like, ‘oh, Viper and Lehends groomed their children to be pros’—people, that was a choice we made on our own; don’t make stuff up!
YEHO: They never told us once in our lives that we had to follow in their path. It is not a crime to share a game you spent a majority of your life with your children. We loved it, had the skills and talent, and went professional.
YEHO: Actually, our parents were the ones most hesitant about the decision. To get permission to try out for the academy team, we had to study and pass the middle school geomjeong gosi.
CHIMERA: I still can’t believe I scored higher than you on that, heh.
YEHO: Chat, it was by a single point. I missed a word for an answer choice.
*
CHIMERA: I think this was pretty obvious, but my MVP skin is going to be Shen. That champ means a lot; my first main, the game 5 pick—hell, even my first ever memories of LoL are watching Dad play him on his streams.
YEHO nodded in agreement.
CHIMERA: Wait, Jaeho-ya, what do you want for the second one?
YEHO: Me?
CHIMERA: Yeah.
YEHO: ….
YEHO: Skar—
CHIMERA: YA!