Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja adopted his older two children only a few months ago, which meant he hadn’t celebrated either of their birthdays as of yet. Lee Gilyoung’s was soon and he didn’t even know if their father was the type to celebrate those things, especially for an older kid. He thought at best his dad would stick to celebrating the day he was adopted. They weren’t related so why would he care about his birthday? He wasn’t really looking forward to sharing the adoption day with Shin Yoosung though, he was technically adopted first but she copied him. But things wouldn’t be the same without his sister, he supposed. 

“Mia, does your brother celebrate your birthday?” He asked one day in the playground while they were competing to see who can swing the highest. 

“I don’t like parties so he just buys me cake and then we take photos.” 

“He doesn’t get you a gift?”

“He buys me whatever I want all year round anyway.” She shrieked as she swung high, while Lee Gilyoung’s planted his feet on the ground in deep thought. “Stop talking to me about your birthday. You know I’m not good with keeping surprises.”

“Ok I’ll stop talking about it. About my birthday. On April 19th. Which is tomorrow.”

“STOP!” 

They walked back home and Lee Gilyoung groaned at Shin Yoosung watching her favourite movie for the 3rd time on the TV. He was getting tired of the songs already, unlike Shin Yoosung who started singing along happily each time. At least it made Biyoo happy so he didn’t say anything for now, but if she watched it one more time he swore he’d make fun of her for it. 

He walked to the kitchen to get a snack, which was classic milk and cookies, then sat by the counter.

“Hello Gilyoung,” Yoo Joonghyuk said from the stove.

“Don’t look at me.” 

“What?” He turned around, confused.

“Don’t look at me! I’m going to eat.”

“Why can’t I look at you?”

“Because you’re going to say “Gilyoung what are you doing don’t eat it like that!”” He mimicked his voice.

“Like what?” He raised eyebrow sceptically.

Lee Gilyoung gave him one last look before shoving 2 cookies in his mouth and then drowning it with milk straight from the carton.

“Gilyoung what are you doing don’t eat it like that.” Yoo Joonghyuk murmured, his expression turning into a mixture of shock, horror and confusion.

“SEE!”

“Stop talking you’re going to choke.” 

Lee Gilyoung continued his monstrous way of eating his snacks. Then Yoo Joonghyuk walked over to him, still disgusted but decided to leave him be.

“Also, do you like cake?”

“Whaf?” 

“Swallow your food before you speak.” 

He wiped his mouth. “I only like chocolate cake.” 

“In the shape of a bug?”

The boy looked horrified. “No- why would I eat that?” 

“Ok that’s a relief.” Yoo Joonghyuk sighed then walked off.

Lee Gilyoung wondered what the sudden question was about, but it immediately left his mind when he focused on his snacks again. 

At night, he showed Biyoo photos of his favourite bugs, trying to get her to like them before Shin Yoosung taught her to be disgusted of them. He needed at least one member of the family to also like bugs. Yoo Mia only tolerated it if they were toys or drawings and Kim Dokja didn’t mind as long as he didn’t need to hold one directly in his hands. But Biyoo, the baby who’d grab a pile of dirt and shove it in her mouth, had to be the one. 

“This is a caterpillar.” He pointed at the detailed diagram.

Biyoo squealed, excited by the colourful photo. 

“Can you say it Biyoo? Cat-er-pill-ar.”

“AAAAAAAAA.”

“Close enough.” He patted her head. 

“Bed time~!” Kim Dokja sang, taking Biyoo in his arms. 

Lee Gilyoung complained. “But she doesn’t have school or a job!”

“Well she does have a fussy mouth and I want to be able to sleep tonight.” Lee Gilyoung frowned at him. “Don’t worry bug you’ll see her in the morning… and she’ll have a lot to say.” He ruffled his hair then walked off, leaving Lee Gilyoung feeling betrayed. 

The boy went to the couch, feeling like he was going to die of boredom. It was 7pm, an hour from bedtime. He wondered if he would be given permission to stay up late tonight, even though he was feeling a bit tired. And a bit sad.

He yelped when the TV turned on, and Shin Yoosung was rewatching the same movie she had already finished earlier that day.

“Yoosung! Stop watching the same thing all the time!”

“You stop talking about the same things all the time!” She blew her tongue at him.

Lee Gilyoung gasped. “Dad! Yoosung blew her tongue at me!”

“Dad Gilyoung called my movie stupid!”

“No I didn’t!”

“Well you think it is!”

“Yes I do!”

“See!” 

They kept arguing until the TV was then switched off, and Kim Dokja held the two apart from each other, looking very tired.

“I think all of us should go to bed early.” He said, trying to keep his sanity.

“That’s not fair!” Shin Yoosung complained.

“Yoosung, we don’t blow tongues at people.”

She stared at the ground annoyed before muttering an apology to Lee Gilyoung.

“Gilyoung, let your sister like what she likes and she’ll do the same for you.”

Lee Gilyoung stared off to the side, not saying anything. Kim Dokja let go of Shin Yoosung who went to her room, probably to complain to Yoo Mia about what happened. Kim Dokja still held onto Lee Gilyoung but softly.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” Lee Gilyoung mumbled. 

Kim Dokja sighed, feeling too tired to keep his eyes open. “Okay, I’ll let you talk to me when you want to talk to me.” He settled then left the room, leaving Lee Gilyoung sulking to himself. 

He went to bed, staring at a poster on the wall of a superhero he admired, daydreaming a bit about becoming like them. The door creaked open and Shin Yoosung stepped in the room holding a book.

“Why are you here?” He asked, thinking she was still mad at him.

“You can’t fall sleep alone,” she said like it was obvious, and sat on the chair next to the bed, opening the short story she had written. 

“Aren’t you mad at me?” 

“It was just for a bit.” She shrugged, then held the book up with a smile. “This story is about a bug who has to prepare for their friend’s birthday party.” 

He smiled and she started reading. 

Lee Gilyoung stirred in his sleep when he felt a hand softly brush his hair. He opened his eyes and Kim Dokja was sitting by his bed, his eyes shining like the stars outside. He looked a bit sheepish when he accidentally woken the boy up. 

“Dad…?” Lee Gilyoung rubbed his eyes, sitting up. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” 

“Why aren’t you in bed? Isn’t it bedtime?” 

“Yes, it is. I just got excited about tomorrow.”

Lee Gilyoung looked at him confused. “Why?”

Kim Dokja chuckled. “Because of your birthday, what else?”

“Oh.” He blinked. “That matters?”

“What? Of course it matters.” He smiled at him, “It means I’ve taken care of you for another year of your life. And I’ll get to take care of you every year after this. That matters so much to me.” He brought him into a hug. 

“But you didn’t know me when I was a baby.” He was really confused. 

“I know you now. And I’m glad you were brought into the world.” He kissed his messy hair. “Is that what’s been bothering you today?”

”A bit…”

He frowned, guiltily. “I’m sorry I made you think I didn’t care. I didn’t mean to do that. I tried not to talk about it in front of everyone because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise… I won’t do that next time.” He softly stroked his hair. “We’re all excited for tomorrow.” 

Lee Gilyoung didn’t respond as he felt his eyelids getting heavy. He laid against Kim Dokja’s chest and closed his eyes. Kim Dokja smiled and held him until he fell asleep. He looked at the time. 11:37pm. He really wanted to wish him a happy birthday at midnight but this felt just as special. 

Chapter Text

Biyoo opened her eyes and yawned, her sparkling eyes adjusting to the mobile crib in front of her. It had stars hanging down from it and she stared as it slowly moved in circles for a while. From the corner of her eye she saw something sparkling outside the window and sat up to get a better look at it. 

The sound of the crib shaking eventually alerted Kim Dokja who was at his desk. She smiled when she saw her father walking over to her.

“Good morning Biyoo~” he sang, then picked her up and after changing her, he set her down on the bed to look for an outfit. She sat up and peered at what he was doing. She was hoping he’d pick something shiny for her to wear. 

He took out a plain pink dress to her disappointment so she hoped from the bed and crawled across the soft carpet to grab at the shinier dress. Kim Dokja gasped when he noticed her next to him.

“How- how did you- how did you get down from the bed?” He looked at the bed behind him with wide eyes. It was low enough on the ground but she’s never done it on her own before. 

His thoughts were interrupted by Biyoo squealing and excitedly touching the sparkling, rainbow patterned dress. 

“Look at you, picking your own clothes.” He chuckled and let her wear it, then gave her rainbow socks and a bow on her head.

“Your hair is getting long… I liked the way it was before,” he mumbled. 

Biyoo stared crawling away, tripping on her dress a bit.

“Woah, what’re you in such a rush for?” He chuckled, picking her up. “Do you have a list of things to do today?”

As a matter of fact she did. She needed to scream as loud as she can at her other father Yoo Joonghyuk otherwise how would he know she still loves him? Then she had to bite Kim Dokja as hard as she could before breakfast and she also had to play with all her siblings. 

“Biyoo’s awake!” Lee Gilyoung said cheerfully when the two arrived at the living room. 

“And she’s very hungry.” Kim Dokja reminded before her brother tried to play with her. He set down on her high chair. 

Then the worst thing that could happen to a baby happened. Her schedule was changed. 

“Here, I can feed her today.” Yoo Joonghyuk said, getting her food. 

“Thank you, love.” Kim Dokja smiled.

This was bad. Biyoo needed to bite Kim Dokja right now, and she couldn’t scream at Yoo Joonghyuk yet, not until she had energy from her food. 

“Are you okay?” Yoo Joonghyuk said wearily, staring at her tense face. “Please don’t do what I think you’re about to do, your father just changed you.” 

He offered the spoon towards her but she quickly turned her head. There was something sparkling outside the window. She squealed as she stared at it. 

“Biyoo, come on.” Yoo Joonghyuk said, pushing the spoon towards her. 

She panicked. This was all wrong. Before she knew it, she bit down on Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand as hard as she could.

Yoo Joonghyuk hissed, and stepped back, inspecting his hand. “I think she’s teething.” He checked her gums. 

Kim Dokja looked up from the other end of the table, where he was helping Yoo Mia with a puzzle. “Already?” He mumbled. 

Yoo Joonghyuk tried to resume feeding her, which went well as she got what she wanted. 

“Nom nom nom,” she mumbled as she chewed. 

Yoo Joonghyuk let out a small chuckle. “Did you get that habit from Mia?” 

“Soon I’ll turn her into a monster.” Yoo Mia cackled.

“God I hope not.” Yoo Joonghyuk mumbled.

Once she was done eating, he cleaned her up then spent a while trying to burp her. As he did, she stared out the window of the garden, trying to look for the sparkling thing. Once she burped, he left the kitchen and set her down on the floor with Lee Gilyoung who was colouring.

“Biyoo do you want to draw a picture?” He asked with a big smile.

Except Biyoo had something on her mind. Since she bit Yoo Joonghyuk, she needed to scream at Kim Dokja to even it out. She looked around and noticed he was all the way on the other side on the room. She tried to crawl but Lee Gilyoung grabbed her.

“Come on Biyoo, let’s draw a butterfly! I’ll make it look like your dress!” 

He held her on his lap and coloured on his page. She watched, entranced by the colours and let out a squeal of joy. 

“Do you like butterflies Biyoo? I need you to like at least one bug!” 

“Baa.”

“I agree with you. Don’t you, dad?”

“What?” Kim Dokja looked up from the book he was reading.

“It’s not fair that everyone who hates bugs says that butterflies are so pretty, what about all the other ones?”

“Did Biyoo say that?” Kim Dokja smiled.

“Yes.” 

“Well I think Biyoo has a very strong point.” 

“I don’t! Butterflies are the prettiest bugs!” Shin Yoosung said, looking away from the TV for a moment, “That’s why fairies have butterfly wings! They don’t have fly wings.”

“Fairies aren’t real.” Lee Gilyoung huffed. 

“Yes they are, I saw one.” Yoo Mia said from the kitchen, still working on her puzzle.

“Not this story again.” Yoo Joonghyuk sighed into his hands.

As Yoo Mia went on, Biyoo didn’t listen, or it was a bit difficult for her to really understand what Yoo Mia was talking about, and she stared at the window again. 

The sparkling thing flew around, and Biyoo crawled to the garden door. 

“Biyoo wants to play in the garden!” Shin Yoosung said and picked her up. “Come on let’s find a raccoon!”

“If you do find a raccoon please don’t touch it.” Yoo Joonghyuk said, exhausted. He saw Kim Dokja absorbed in his book so got up to keep an eye on the two outside. 

Shin Yoosung sat on the grass with Biyoo and made a cake out of dirt with her. 

“Gilyoung can you get us sticks!” 

“Ok!” He ran outside and looked around the edges of the garden.

“The sticks are going to be the candles.” Shin Yoosung explained to Biyoo who grabbed a handful of dirt.

“Make sure she doesn’t eat the dirt.” Yoo Joonghyuk sighed. 

Biyoo stared at the dirt in her hands. This, this was food. Whatever her dads tried to feed her was awful. But this, it was like a banquet to her. She opened her mouth.

“Biyoo…” Yoo Joonghyuk muttered. “Biyoo think about this.”

She did think about it. Very thoroughly in fact. 

“BIYOO!” 

Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed her and pulled her away from the grass. He went to the kitchen to wash her hands before she ate any remains of the dirt. Yoo Mia giggled as she watched her brother wrestle to clean the baby. He set her next to Yoo Mia when he was done.

“You wouldn’t eat puzzles would you, Biyoo? They’re not very tasty, I tried.” 

Biyoo giggled as she listened to her, she really liked the way Yoo Mia talked. She watched her complete the puzzle, interested in seeing the final picture. Until she was distracted by the sparkle at the corner of her eye, and stared at the window again. 

“Biyoo I need your help!” Lee Gilyoung snatched her from the table.

He set her on a pile of pillows.

“You’re the princess of the pillow castle for our game! I’m the knight.”

“And I’m the dragon!” Shin Yoosung screamed, holding a red blanket to resemble herself breathing fire. 

“Hey Joonghyuk-ah does Han Sooyoung sort of remind you of a dragon?” Kim Dokja asked, as he watched their little game.

“…What?” 

The game started and it was mostly just Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung play fighting, with Yoo Joonghyuk observing to make sure it didn’t get too violent. Yoo Mia eventually left her puzzle to watch them. She changed her cheers depending on who was winning. 

Biyoo stared at her dad from her pillow castle. He was smiling as he watched the kids play, a sparkle in his eyes similar to one she’s been chasing all day. She still needed to scream at him.

She climbed down from the pillow fort, no one noticing as they watched the fight. She began crawling across the room. 

“I win!” Lee Gilyoung yelled as Shin Yoosung huffed.

“I knew you would!” Yoo Mia said despite cheering for Shin Yoosung a second ago. Yoo Joonghyuk rolled his eyes.

“You almost saved the princess, Gilyoung.” Kim Dokja chuckled.

“Almost?” He turned and noticed she left her castle. “Princess no- it’s not safe out there!” 

Kim Dokja smiled as Biyoo crawled towards him. He stood up and kneeled a few feet away from her. “Do you need to tell me something, Biyoo?” 

She grabbed onto the side of the couch to lift herself up. She’s stood up before but liked crawling and rolling around much more. Kim Dokja expected her to reach her hands out like she always did when she wanted to be picked up. Before he could move towards her, she lifted her foot and took a step forward.

His eyes widened.

Shin Yoosung gasped but covered her mouth quickly, not wanting to throw Biyoo off. Everyone watched in anticipation as Biyoo stood frozen for a second. 

“Come on, you can do it.” Kim Dokja encouraged with a warm smile.

Then the sparkling thing reappeared and flew directly on top of his head. She squealed and went forward, reaching her hands out. Kim Dokja stood where he was, holding his breath as she took more steps forward. 

The sparkling thing flew away but Biyoo still needed to get to her dad. She was getting tired but felt as though she needed to get there on her own. 

“Are you crying?” Yoo Mia mouthed to Yoo Joonghyuk, who shoved her in response. 

Lee Gilyoung tightly held onto Shin Yoosung’s shoulder as the two watched in anticipation.

Then Biyoo fell a few centimetres away from Kim Dokja, who went forward and caught her. She opened her eyes and saw the big smile on his face. 

“You did it Biyoo! You did it!” He gasped out, lifting her in the air. 

She smiled then grabbed his hair and screamed as loud as she could.

“I think she knows she did something good.” Shin Yoosung said excitedly. 

Kim Dokja hugged her tightly as the others crowded around to praise her. She smiled at all the sudden attention. She didn’t really know what they were so excited about but enjoyed seeing them smiling so much at her. Then the shiny thing returned right in front of her. 

“Aaa!” She reached out and it landed on her hand.

Lee Gilyoung gasped. “A dragonfly! Biyoo you made friends with a dragonfly!” He jumped up and down excited. 

“Oh it’s pretty.” Shin Yoosung mumbled. 

“Biyoo, I’m begging you to not put it in your mouth.” Yoo Joonghyuk said. 

“I think Biyoo likes shiny things.” Yoo Mia giggled. 

Kim Dokja smiled at the way his baby admired the insect in her tiny hands. 

“Well done Biyoo.” He whispered, kissing her cheek.

Kim Dokja rocked Biyoo back and forth in his arms, humming a quiet lullaby. 

“I was scared a bit...” He whispered to himself. “…of you growing up. But I think I’ll be okay, because you’ll always be Biyoo to me.” He smiled at her sleeping face then put her down in the cot gently. 

He turned on the crib mobile, and the stars began moving in a circle, casting a gentle light onto her. 

“Goodnight, Biyoo.” He whispered, leaving the room.

”Night night.” Biyoo mumbled.

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja wondered if flipping a burnt pancake will unburn it. The answer was no but it was worth the shot. He ignored the glare he could feel from Yoo Joonghyuk as the kitchen began filling with smoke.

“Dad can you open this for me?” Shin Yoosung tried to hand him a rock.

“Yoosung, what? Ah one minute-“ he tried to get all the smoke to leave out the window.

“Because Mia said, when we were outside today, when Mia- I mean Gilyoung hurt his knee because he fell because he was trying to climb a tree and I told him he can’t do it and then he really couldn’t.”

“Is that the end of the story?”

“No. Mia told me gave me a rock and told me to open it and I said I can open it but only when you’re not looking so I ran away.”

“You what?”

“So now I need you to open this for me.”

“Why did you tell her you could open it? Why does she even want you to open it?”

“Because we were outside and then Gilyoung tried to climb a tree-“

Kim Dokja put the burning pan in the sink and gave Shin Yoosung a smile. “Maybe ask your dad to open it? He’s stronger than me.”

“But this is a time sensitive situation.”

“He’s literally right there!” He pointed to Yoo Joonghyuk who was at the kitchen table pretending he couldn’t hear the conversation. 

“But he’ll say no.”

“She’s right.” Yoo Joonghyuk muttered.

“Are you still mad?” Kim Dokja huffed to which Yoo Joonghyuk ignored him. He looked at his daughter again. “Listen, Gilyoung-“

“Yoosung.” Yoo Joonghyuk corrected.

Kim Dokja glared at him. “Yoosung, just tell Mia the truth.” 

Shin Yoosung puffed her cheeks in frustration then ran to Yoo Joonghyuk. “Can you open this for me?”

“I really can’t,” he said.

“I thought you said you’d do anything for our daughter.” Kim Dokja said dramatically, and Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t entertain him with a response.

“YOOSUNG!” They heard Yoo Mia cry out, probably when she noticed Shin Yoosung ran away from her.

Shin Yoosung let out a yelp then ran away from the kitchen to hide. 

“Yoosung you can’t hide from your problems forever you need to talk things out!” Kim Dokja said loudly while looking at Yoo Joonghyuk. 

“Dad?” Shin Yoosung walked into the bedroom only to see Yoo Joonghyuk organising Kim Dokja’s desk. “Where’s original dad?”

“What did you just call him- and I don’t know.” 

“Yes you do! You can read each other’s minds!” She waved her arms dramatically. 

“We… can?”

“One time dad was going to drink 3 coffees for breakfast and you called him on the phone and yelled at him even though you couldn’t see him.”

“That was because he’s predictable…”

“What do you think he’s doing right now?”

“It’s the middle of the afternoon so he’s probably reading something.” 

Shin Yoosung ran out the room and saw it was true, Kim Dokja was reading in the living room. She ran back and scared Yoo Joonghyuk with a scream.

“See you read his mind!”

“Are you going to ask him what you wanted to ask him now?” 

Shin Yoosung walked over and sat at the desk chair. “Second dad?” 

“…Yes?” He replied even though he didn’t agree with her labelling system. 

“Please don’t make me celebrate my birthday,” she mumbled. 

He looked at her, confused. “We wouldn’t make you do anything? …And why not?”

She looked at the floor and swayed her legs. “I don’t like it.” 

Not wanting to push her, he turned back to organising the messy desk and said, “Then we won’t celebrate it. It’ll be a normal day.”

“Will dad be mad?”

“No, he wouldn’t get mad over that. He really wouldn’t.” 

He stared at her and wondered how to comfort her. For Yoo Mia he’d usually cook her favourite food but that might not work with Shin Yoosung, who’d get bored before the food was finished. He hesitated then patted her head a bit more roughly than intended. She looked stunned and confused, before giggling from how silly it was.

“Do you still want to celebrate your adoption day?” He asked quickly, trying to push down his embarrassment. 

“Yes but can we put Lee Gilyoung inside a box on the road and then come back for him later so we will have different days?” 

“Sure.”

She giggled. “You’re so different than short dad.” 

He gave her a small smile. 

“Why are you cleaning the desk?” She spun around the chair.

“I hate how messy he leaves it.”

“Then make dad clean it?”

“I… don’t want to make him do that.”

“That’s so weird,” she mumbled. She hopped out the chair and handed him something from her pocket. “Can you open this?” 

“…This is a spoon.”

“Yes.” 

“…Yoosung I can’t OPEN something that’s not even closed.” 

She huffed and took it back. “Ok, grumpy dad.” She fled the room before she could get scolded. 

“Dad!” Shin Yoosung called out, running into the dark bedroom. She was confused to see Yoo Joonghyuk sleeping in the bed alone.

“Yoosung?” Kim Dokja appeared behind her from Lee Gilyoung’s bedroom, rubbing his eye tiredly. 

She turned and followed him into the other room. Lee Gilyoung was asleep and Kim Dokja sat back at the spare bed on the other side of room, also where Biyoo’s cot was placed. 

“Why are you here? Did Gilyoung have a nightmare?” Shin Yoosung whispered.

“Well… no I just wanted to sleep in here.” He decided not to lie to her. “What did you want to tell me?”

She sat on the bed with him. 

“Dad, do I have to celebrate my birthday?” 

He blinked. “You don’t want to?”

She shook her head.

“Then no, you don’t.” 

“Are you mad?” 

He softly stroked her hair. “No, no I would never be mad at that.” 

“And can I put Gilyoung in a box-“

“No and I don’t want to know why you want to either.” 

“You’re so different to tall dad.” She giggled.

“…Am I short dad?” 

“Yes, duh.”

“I don’t like that.”

“Then get taller.”

“I’ll try my best.” He smiled. “Is that what’s been keeping you up? You know we won’t make you do anything, okay?”

“That’s what tall dad said.”

“I really am not liking these labels.” 

She went to lay her head on the pillow and Kim Dokja smiled, not having the heart to tell her to leave. 

In the other room, Yoo Mia woke up with a gasp and looked around. 

“Yoosung…?” She mumbled and climbed to the top bunk, only to see it was empty. She shivered as she left the bed and walked into the hallway. 

Yoo Joonghyuk woke up as he felt something climb the bed drastically like a little monster.

“Mia?” He guessed, sitting up tiredly. 

“I had a nightmare,” she mumbled and collapsed on the pillow. 

“Aren’t you too old to be- OW?” 

She kicked him. “Where’s not-dad?” 

“In the other room.”

”I think Yoosung is too.” She yawned. “Is this going to be for forever?”

”No, no it won’t.” Yoo Joonghyuk mumbled, hiding his worry from her. 

“Can you open this?” Shin Yoosung handed Han Sooyoung a spoon. 

“…Was that in your pocket the whole time?” She panted exhausted from carrying the young girl on her back. 

She sighed in relief when she made it to the door and set down Shin Yoosung on the welcome mat. 

“Ok this is the part where you tell me I’m the coolest aunt ever.”

She giggled. “Am I your favourite niece?” 

“Uhhhhhh- hey what’s that?” Han Sooyoung ran off.

Shin Yoosung pouted then went inside the house. She decided to surprise her dads who didn’t know she was coming back early. 

She sneaked inside then heard them in the kitchen and peered from the door. 

She froze when she realised they were arguing about something. Out of her ranked list of things she hated, people arguing had to be third. First was the colour orange, and she was still holding a spot for second. She frowned and held onto her sleeves anxiously. She couldn’t tell what it was about but they looked really upset. 

Is this because she didn’t want to celebrate her birthday? That’s why her last caretakers got angry at her, it had to be that. 

She held back tears and ran into the kitchen, clinging Kim Dokja’s wrist. 

“S-stop fighting!” 

They both stared at her surprised, not realising she was home until now. 

“Oh, Yoosung… you heard all that?” Kim Dokja said guiltily. He panicked at the way she teared up. “It’s okay it’s okay we’ll stop.” He tried to calm her down. 

He frowned and held her hand to lead her to the other room, not missing the quiet apology he heard from Yoo Joonghyuk. 

He sat her down and wiped her tears.

“W-why are you fighting?” She mumbled.

“Don’t worry, it’s not important,” he said softly.

“Is it because of me?”

“What?”

“I-I’m sorry-“

“No Yoosung you didn’t do anything.” He hugged her. “We’re just being silly, that’s all.”

“Well you need to stop.” She scolded. 

“You’re right, we do.”

“Because if you fight then you don’t love each other anymore.”

“That’s not true, you fight with your siblings all the time.”

“That’s my job,” she said in a serious voice. 

“Ok sure…” he smiled, “It’s just a little fight that’s all, I still love him.”

Yoo Joonghyuk smiled from the kitchen, despite pretending to not overhear the conversation. 

“Ew.” Shin Yoosung gagged.

He scoffed then smiled. “Do you feel better?”

“You have to promise to never fight ever again.”

“I can’t do that.” He patted her head. “But I do promise fighting doesn’t mean we hate each other.” 

“That’s weird,” she mumbled. 

“I think this whole family is weird.” 

“No only tall dad and Gilyoung are.” 

“Can you please give us different labels?” 

“I think they fit.” Yoo Joonghyuk said from the kitchen and Kim Dokja hid his smile from that. 

Shin Yoosung waited for Yoo Mia to fall asleep, which took a while because the girl was ranting about a really terrible episode from a show she watched. She fell asleep in the middle of a sentence even though Shin Yoosung got invested. 

Once she heard the girl snoring, she climbed down the bed and quietly walked to her parent’s bedroom to check if they were both in there. 

Kim Dokja was asleep in the bed while Yoo Joonghyuk was rocking Biyoo in his arms. 

“Nightmare?” He asked.

Shin Yoosung shook her head and walked to him. 

“Why were you fighting?”

”It really doesn’t matter.” He sighed. “…Sorry you saw it.”

”Are you still fighting?”

”No. We talked it out.”

”Why didn’t you do that in the first place?”

”I’ll try that next time. Now go to sleep.” He patted her head, lighter this time. She smiled and left the room. 

“Dad, can you open this?” Shin Yoosung handed Yoo Joonghyuk a jar of pickles.

”Finally something normal,” he muttered and took it. 

Kim Dokja laughed at the way he struggled to open it. 

“You try it then.” He glared.

The shorter walked over confidentially and took the jar. Then he struggled to open it.

”At least I tried.” He said with a smile. 

“So did I?!” 

Kim Dokja grinned at how pressed he was getting. 

“Are you fighting?” Shin Yoosung mumbled.

”Technically yes…” Kim Dokja said gently. “But it’s funny.”

She giggled. “It is funny.” 

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja regretted trying to get Yoo Mia into reading. Their other kids weren’t interested (unless Biyoo secretly enjoyed it but didn’t want to tell him) so he tried to get at least one kid to read with him. He shouldn’t have chosen Yoo Mia.

“Gilyoung would love this!” She beamed, flipping the pages.

Kim Dokja looked at the cover and realised she was reading The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. He gave a weary smile. “I… sure maybe he might?”

It became worse one day where she announced she didn’t exist anymore, which scared him to death until he realised she read a book about a person becoming invisible.

“I can’t have dinner, I don’t exist,” she insisted.

“I guess I’ll just leave this spare plate.” Kim Dokja played along, turning his back so she could take the food when she got hungry. He smiled when he heard the plate clatter until he turned around. “YOOSUNG STOP STEALING YOUR SISTER’S FOOD!” 

At night he tiredly read instructions on building his new desk. The last one collapsed after he added a third stack of papers on it. He yawned, trying to tighten the screws until he heard something from the hallway. He walked out the room and noticed Yoo Mia was sitting on the top of the stairs playing with her toys.

“Mia? It’s bed time.”

“I don’t exist, I don’t have a bed time.” She smiled. 

“Oh right, I forgot about that.” He decided not to send her to bed just yet. “Can you tell me what not existing is like?”

She made a concentrated face and thought for a while. “It’s like no one can see you or remember you and you can’t do anything about it.” 

“I can see and remember you though.” 

“Not for long!” 

Despite her treating it like a game, Kim Dokja couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. 

“Do you like not existing?”

“It’s fun!” She swung her legs.

“Don’t you miss playing with your siblings?”

“I don’t get their games.” She huffed. 

“What do you mean?”

“They’ve been playing the same game for so long and I don’t get it. All I know is Gilyoung died in the game or something. Even Biyoo knows more about the game than me!”

Kim Dokja sat next to her on the stairs. “Did you tell them you’re feeling left out?”

“I’m not! Their game just doesn’t make sense and it’s annoying!”

“Did you tell them that?”

“No they’re having fun,” she mumbled. 

“I think they’d have more fun if you joined,” he said gently but she didn’t look convinced. “You wouldn’t ruin their fun at all, they love playing with you.” Then he paused when he realised something. “Oh… Are you upset they knew each other longer?”

She let out a grumbled sound. “I think we’re all friends and not all siblings... It’s your fault for marrying my brother instead of my dad.” 

Kim Dokja blinked. “Okay first of all-“ he sighed. “Ok forget that. But they call you their sister all the time.”

“They’re just saying it…” 

He put his hand on her shoulder. “Have you talked to them about it?”

“No…”

“They can’t guess how you feel. Just talk to them. And if they don’t listen, I’ll talk them. But I think they’ll listen, because they love you.”

“Ok…” she nodded, “I’ll tell Biyoo everything.”

“…Just her?”

“She’s a great listener.” 

He smiled, ruffling her hair. “I guess so.” 

He sat on the stairs with her for a while until she finally fell asleep, then picked her up to put in her in the bedroom. He checked the top bunk and noticed Shin Yoosung wasn’t there, until he walked out and saw her playing a board game with Lee Gilyoung.

“It was his idea!” Shin Yoosung said immediately when she noticed him.

“Why are you two up so late?” He sighed.

“Are we in trouble?” Shin Yoosung mumbled. 

“That’s not fair, Mia was up late!” Lee Gilyoung complained. 

“And I sent her to bed. And I need to send you two to bed so it’ll be fair.” 

“Ok…” Shin Yoosung groaned. “I still won.” She put away the board game.

“No you didn’t! You don’t know how to keep score.” Lee Gilyoung argued. 

“Yes I do!”

They went back and forth until Kim Dokja sighed.

“I’ll referee tomorrow?” He suggested.

“Ok!” They both said at the same time. 

“Finally…” he muttered. 

After giving them a goodnight kiss he collapsed in his bed. The front door opened and a few minutes later Yoo Joonghyuk was in the room after arriving late from work.

“Did you set up the new desk by yourself? I told you I would help.” He scolded, annoyed at how tired Kim Dokja made himself again. 

“You need to talk to Mia,” he mumbled incoherently. 

“About what?” 

He sighed when he noticed he already fell asleep. 

Yoo Joonghyuk stared from the kitchen window at the kids playing in the garden. It looked like Yoo Mia was leading the game for once, and the other two looked excited as they played. 

She came in the kitchen later for a snack, then stared at her brother.

“Oppa, how would you feel if I didn’t exist?”

He paused for a bit before continuing what he was doing. “If you didn’t exist I wouldn’t have to wake up so early in the morning for you, or pick you up from places, or cook your favourite foods all the time.”

She slumped a bit, getting quieter. “Oh…”

Then he turned around and put a plate of her favourite snack in front of her. “And I would hate not having to do all of that.” 

She smiled then stood up. He expected her to take the plate but instead she hugged him, tightly. He wasn’t expecting that but then patted her head gently. 

“MIA!” Lee Gilyoung called from outside. 

She grabbed the plate and ran off quickly to join the game again. 

Chapter Text

Lee Gilyoung woke up with one thought in the morning.

“Munch. Crunch.”

That was odd because his usual morning thought was “I’m so excited for breakfast.” 

He tried to get up but couldn’t, strangely. He wobbled a bit but was stuck on his back, no matter how much his little legs kicked the air. Wait- what happened to his legs? They were so tiny and… there were six of them?!

That shock made him roll over just enough to be able to walk, or well crawl. This was really odd, and why was his bed suddenly massive? He tried to crawl down from it but it was really difficult, and he was scared of falling, the floor seemed so much more far away now than it was the previous night. Did everything in this house turn massive overnight? 

“Gilyoung! You’re late for breakfast! Gilyounggggggg.”

He heard Shin Yoosung’s voice. Maybe she could help him? 

She screamed and ran away. 

Or maybe not…

“DAD THERE’S A GIANT BUG IN THE HOUSE!” She cried from downstairs. 

Gilyoung perked up. A bug? Why was she scared that was the best thing ever to happen in the morning (besides breakfast). He scurried around trying to find it. When he tried to call out for it, he couldn’t find his voice. 

Shin Yoosung lingered behind the door afraid as Kim Dokja walked in the room.

“Is there actually a bug or are both of you pranking me again?”

“There is! And it’s massive!” Shin Yoosung insisted. 

“Where is your brother then? If just say the word “bug” he usually materialises from nowhere…” Kim Dokja wondered.

I’m here dad! Lee Gilyoung tried to say, but all that came out was a loud buzz. Kim Dokja flinched when he heard it, then he gently lifted the blanket to reveal a beetle. He smiled.

“Yoosung, this bug is tiny.”

“No it isn’t!” She cried.

“Where’s Gilyoung? He’d love it.” Kim Dokja grabbed one of the containers from Lee Gilyoung’s shelf to store the bug in. The beetle tried to scurry away but wasn’t used to his new legs so was picked up easily. He relaxed when he saw his dad’s soft smile at him. 

“Get rid of it!” Shin Yoosung whined.

“No Gilyoung would be sad if I did. Let’s just show it to him first.” 

Then he went around the house calling out for him as Shin Yoosung ran off, annoyed at the situation. Kim Dokja was starting to get worried, Gilyoung wouldn’t… run away again… would he? He shook his head. No of course not, he was fine the previous night. And there hasn’t been any incidents recently… right? His thoughts were interrupted by the beetle tapping against the walls of the container. 

“Are you hungry? I don’t know what to feed you.” Kim Dokja said, amused. 

He sat on his desk with a sigh, and stared at it. Was Lee Gilyoung pranking him? Did he plant a bug in his bed to pretend he turned into one? That did sound like something the boy would do. Kim Dokja smiled at the thought. 

He let the bug out to crawl around the desk for a bit, and he went to a framed photo of the family. 

“Do you have your own bug family?” He asked, not sure why he was talking to the bug but Lee Gilyoung may have influenced him a bit.

The bug seemed to be tapping at Lee Gilyoung in the photo, which was strange… like he was trying to tell him something- 

Kim Dokja’s head snapped up in realisation.

“G-Gilyoung?”

The bug excitedly crawled to him at the sound of his name. Kim Dokja stared at it in shock.

“Gilyoung! Is that really you? Or- did you just train a bug really well to prank me?”

The bug tried to crawl on his hands and despite not liking touching them, Kim Dokja let it this time. He brought it up to stare at it then lightly petted the small bug’s head.

“Are you happy like this?” He asked with a smile, already knowing the answer.

The bug seemed to nod his head.

“Then that’s fine by me. I’ll always love you, no matter what you look like.” 

He brought his tiny son back downstairs and explained the situation to Shin Yoosung.

“So now we set him free in the wild?” She suggested.

“No Yoosung, this is still your brother.”

“But he’s so gross!’

“You called him gross when he was a human.” Kim Dokja said flatly.

“Why couldn’t he turn into something cute, like Biyoo?”

“Biyoo is always-“ he blinked. “Wait, what happened to Biyoo?”

Then he saw something blurry fly across the room. He looked up and floating in front of him was a puffy cloud with a unicorn horn.

“…WHAT?”

“I don’t know, I woke up and found her like that” Shin Yoosung shrugged, strangely unaffected by it. 

“What’s happening…” Kim Dokja muttered, trying not to lose his sanity. 

Biyoo floated over with a smile and he couldn’t help but smile at how adorable she was, petting her head softly, despite how much he was panicking.

“Yoosung, please don’t turn into anything weird as well.” He muttered desperately. He looked over and now she was glowing and much older. “GODDAM-“

Kim Dokja woke up. He put his hands in his face and muffled a scream. Why did his dreams have to be so weird?

He got up groggily and went downstairs. His kids were sitting at the table, all normal, thankfully. 

“Morning.” He muttered, giving Yoo Joonghyuk a kiss on the cheek, who was cooking breakfast.

“Dad you’re up late!” Shin Yoosung said.

“Yeah… I had a strange dream…” he muttered, still half asleep.

The family chatted while eating, then Kim Dokja noticed Lee Gilyoung was oddly quiet. 

“Is everything okay?” He asked gently.

“I had a nightmare,” Lee Gilyoung muttered. 

“Aw, do you want to talk about it?”

“I turned into a bug.”

Kim Dokja blinked. One, what a coincidence. And two, nightmare?

“I thought you’d enjoy a dream like that?” He asked.

“But you kept trying to get rid of me…” Lee Gilyoung said with such a sad expression that broke Kim Dokja’s heart.

“I’d never do that,” he said, giving him a small hug. “I’d keep you forever and feed you leaves and make you a tiny bedroom on my desk.” 

Lee Gilyoung smiled, feeling a lot better, then he turned to his other dad. “What would you do if I was a bug?”

“Why are you asking me something that will never happen.” Yoo Joonghyuk said blandly. Kim Dokja gave him a look. “…I’d find a way to also turn into a bug so I can cook you bug breakfast.” 

Lee Gilyoung chuckled, happy with that answer. 

“Do you ever have weird dreams?” Kim Dokja asked his boyfriend.

“Once I dreamt you turned into a squid.”

“…Why a squid?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t choose the dream.”

“Did you give me a true love’s kiss and turn me back to normal?” Kim Dokja teased, which either had the kid’s going “ew” or “AAAA” if you were Biyoo. 

“No I cut you up and cooked you into a stew.” Yoo Joonghyuk said with the most neutral expression. 

Yoo Mia burst into laughter and Shin Yoosung gasped, completely offended he’d ever do that. Kim Dokja stared at him in shock.

“WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?”

“I was hungry.” Yoo Joonghyuk teased. “And how am I meant to look after a squid?” 

“You couldn’t release me into the wild with tears in your eyes?” Kim Dokja mumbled, feeling genuinely betrayed. 

“This was before we were dating.”

“…You had dreams about me back then?”

Yoo Joonghyuk looked away with a blush. “They were all nightmares.”

Kim Dokja grinned and ruffled his hair. “Sure.”

“I’m going to vomit.” Shin Yoosung gagged at them. 

“Baa.” Biyoo said which probably meant “way ahead of you” because she spat out all the food Kim Dokja was feeding her. 

Chapter Text

The kids tugged on either end of Kim Dokja's arm, trying to force him to stay.

"I'll do all my homework right now!" Shin Yoosung pleaded.

"Have you not already been- woah!" He was pulled to the side by Lee Gilyoung.

"Please don't go!" 

"It's just for a few- HEY-!" Yoo Mia gripped his arm so tightly it probably cracked. 

"I'm not as clingy as them this just looked fun." She smiled. 

Kim Dokja rolled her eyes at her antics. "Look I- OW!"

Biyoo bit his leg, affectionately of course. Yoo Joonghyuk made his way downstairs, to hand him his bag. He paused at the way they all crowded around him.

"Help." Kim Dokja begged. 

Yoo Joonghyuk smiled and picked Biyoo up and then bribed Yoo Mia with her favourite snack. 

"I don't want you to go either," he said.

"THAT'S NOT HELPFUL!" Kim Dokja sighed and pulled away from the children's grasp, but they didn't get to complain when he gave them a tight hug. "I'll call you every night, okay?" 

They stared at him with puppy dog eyes. He looked away.

"No stop- that's not going to work." 

"Can I come with you?" Shin Yoosung begged. 

"No because I can only bring one of you- and I'm NOT choosing." 

"Ok fine Gilyoung can go." Shin Yoosung mumbled.

"No you can go I'd feel bad." Lee Gilyoung said.

Kim Dokja blinked. They're getting along for once?! And when he’s leaving of all times?

"I wanna go." Yoo Mia said just to stir chaos, earning a light smack from Yoo Joonghyuk. 

"It'll be okay, your dad will take care of you." Kim Dokja said gently.

"You're our dad." Shin Yoosung frowned.

"Your other dad." 

"I don't have a dad." Yoo Mia said.

"MIA!" 

Shin Yoosung suddenly panicked and sputtered. "I forget to get you your goodbye gift!" She yelled and ran up the stairs. 

Lee Gilyoung followed her. "That's not fair I didn't think of making one!" 

Yoo Mia chuckled and followed them to watch the argument. 

"Ba-bye." Biyoo waved her small hand at her dad.

Kim Dokja giggled and kissed her forehead. "Ba-bye Biyoo." 

"I don't think they want me to take care of them." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered.

"What- no of course they do! They're just not used it being just you." He reassured. "And it can be a great bonding experience." Yoo Joonghyuk didn't look too convinced. "You can always call Sooyoung if you're struggling. She has no life anyway it'll be fine." 

"Heard you were talking shit about me." 

Kim Dokja yelped, and Han Sooyoung was behind him in the doorway. She smacked his head and entered the house.

"Language." He scolded, covering Biyoo's ears. 

"It's not like she'll understand." Han Sooyoung waved her hand flippantly. "But yeah I'm like the best babysitter so you can just leave them all with me."

"I can take care of them." Yoo Joonghyuk mumbled.

"Oh- I thought you were both leaving? Well time for a bonding experience," she said, putting an arm around Yoo Joonghyuk who pushed her away immediately. She laughed. "You have so much "don't touch me energy"."

"Because I DON'T want you to touch me." 

"I've dealt with cats before, I got this." 

He glared. Biyoo copied his glare. "What did you just call me?"

Just then Shin Yoosung rushed down the stairs and presented a large goodbye poster to Kim Dokja, it being decorated with flowers petals. He smiled and ruffled her hair. 

"You're so sweet, Yoosung. You made it just for me?"

She nodded with a big smile, feeling very proud of herself. Lee Gilyoung was behind her, sulking that he didn't get to make one.

"I'll hang it in the hotel wall and look at it every night." 

"Are you looking after us?" Shin Yoosung asked Han Sooyoung. 

"No I don't know why she's here." Kim Dokja jabbed which made Han Sooyoung scoff. 

"I offer you a ride to the airport and this is what I get?"

"It's payback for the time you offered to pick me up from the airport and then FORGOT."

"I DIDN'T FORGET! I JUST DIDN'T CARE."

"THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY BETTER???" 

The kids giggled at the bickering. Kim Dokja looked at the time and quickly went to hug the kids again, then kissed Yoo Joonghyuk's cheek. Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung watched sadly from the window as the car left, Biyoo was waving with a smile. 

"Look on the bright side! You guys can eat as many cookies as you want." Yoo Mia reassured.

"No, they can't." Yoo Joonghyuk scolded.

"You don't notice when I do it behind your back." She shrugged.

"You what?" 

She ran off quickly without a word. 

That afternoon, Yoo Joonghyuk made sure all the children stayed in one room to keep better track of them. It worked at first, until they all wanted to do separate things.

"Why can't you just play the same game?" 

"I don't like puzzles." Shin Yoosung complained.

"Mia, solve your puzzles in this room."

"No! The vibes!" She complained from the kitchen. 

"I want to go to Yoosung's room." Lee Gilyoung complained. 

"You mean your room?" She asked.

"No, your one has better lighting."

"For what?"

"I'm doing a fashion show with my bugs."

She gagged. "NO! YOU ARE NOT DOING THAT IN MY ROOM!"

"Mia can I do a bug fashion show in your room?" Lee Gilyoung yelled.

"Yes!" She replied from the kitchen.

"Why do bugs even need a fashion show?" Shin Yoosung complained. 

"Let them have confidence!"

"You know you might also give them insecurities too." Yoo Joonghyuk mentioned. 

"Bug beauty standards is crazy." Yoo Mia mumbled. 

Before Lee Gilyoung could complain, Yoo Joognhyuk's phone rang. The moment they saw the contact, the two kids fought each other to get to the phone. 

"Stop fighting." Yoo Joonghyuk scolded, trying to pull them apart. 

They were interrupted by Biyoo chewing on the phone, which answered it.

"Hello?" 

Biyoo squealed when she heard her dad's voice on the other line.

He chuckled. "Is that you, Biyoo?"

"DADA DADA DADA!" She continued to bite the phone. 

"Biyoo, no." Yoo Joonghyuk mumbled, prying it from the mouth. The moment he did, it was snatched from his hands by Lee Gilyoung.

"DAD! BUG FASHION SHOW, YES OR NO?" 

"Yes, definitely yes. Send me photos." 

Shin Yoosung snatched the phone. 

"DAD DID YOU PUT UP MY POSTER?" 

"I haven't even boarded my flight yet." He chuckled. "It's in my bag, don't worry." 

Yoo Mia snatched the phone. "How many cows did you see on the drive to the airport?"

"Officially, I counted 13, unofficially, over 50." 

She nodded, satisfied and handed the phone back to her older brother. 

He sighed. "Hi."

"Is that it? No "I love you please come back to me"?" Kim Dokja teased. 

"...I miss you," he mumbled.

Kim Dokja smiled. "I miss you too. All of you." He added loudly at the end.

"Dad can you walk back home?" Shin Yoosung asked, trying to take the phone.

"I think I'd get tired." 

"I'll walk with you!" She insisted.

"Thank you Yoosung but I don't want to get fired. Ok, goodnight everyone-"

"NO!" Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung yelled. 

"I really need to go, we can talk longer tomorrow I promise, ok?" 

The two kids sighed, upset. 

"Goodnight, I love you all," he said, gently.

"BAAAAA!" Biyoo screamed into the phone and he chuckled. 

Then he hung up.

"What if the plane crashes?" Shin Yoosung broke the silence.

"Don't-" Yoo Joonghyuk sighed, stopping himself from scolding her. He patted her shoulder. "Nothing bad will happen, he'll back before you know it." 

She walked off, sulking. Lee Gilyoung felt a bit bad so distracted himself by playing with Biyoo. Yoo Joonghyuk wondered if he should leave her alone or try to comfort her to same way Kim Dokja did, except he wasn't sure what to say, or if anything he says will even help. 

"Oppa I need help!" Yoo Mia interrupted his thoughts.

He braced himself as he entered the kitchen. His sister always meant two things by that, either "I need help tying my hair back up" or "I need help I think I broke all of my bones." 

Thankfully, she dropped a puzzle piece somewhere and just wanted to find it. They searched for it together.

"Mia, do you miss Dokja?"

"Yeah the house is quieter. Remember when we didn't live with them? It's like that. It's so depressing." She rambled, then saw his face. "I mean- it wasn't bad when it was just me and you! It was still fun!" She tried to fix.

"It's fine." He sighed. 

"Oh no you're doing that thing where you pretend you're not about to cry."

"I'm... not about to cry?" He said, confused. 

She hugged him. "Shh it's okay let it all out." 

"Tall dad I'm hungry." Shin Yoosung said, entering the kitchen. She paused at the sight. "I'm sorry for being hungry...?"

He sighed, pushing Yoo Mia away. "Don't apologise for that- I'm not sad." He got up quickly to cook.

At dinner the house was much louder as the kids chatted on the table. And Yoo Joonghyuk decided not to scold them, even if they were eating too slowly. He listened to their odd conversations for a bit, until he felt Biyoo tugging on his sleeve.

"Sorry Biyoo," he said, feeding her another spoonful.

She pointed at the empty chair. "Dada?"

"No, he's not here today." 

She stared at the empty chair confused as the dinner continued. 

The next day Yoo Joonghyuk spent most of the afternoon trying to soothe Biyoo, who was crying uncontrollably. He checked everything, or thought he did. She wasn't hungry, or tired, or gassy. 

"Come on, what's wrong?" He muttered, trying to rock her back and forth, which didn't quieten her much. 

He looked at the time and sighed, grabbing his phone.

Han Sooyoung was in the middle of trying to lift a heavy box to impress her girlfriend (she was struggling) until her phone rung. Relieved, she rushed to answer it.

"This is the first time you've called me."

"Are you busy?" He asked, tiredly.

"Wow, the only time you want me is when you need favours."

"And you don't?"

"Fair. What favour?"

"Can you pick the kids up from school?"

"Holy shit I haven't done that in a hot minute."

"Language," he muttered. 

"She's crying her eyes out she can't hear me. Why is she crying so much?"

"I wish I knew." Yoo Joonghyuk sighed. 

"Ok I'll kidnap the kids in five." She hung up. "Sangah do you want to come with me? I'll impress you with my driving skills."

She chuckled. "As long as they're law abiding, I'll be very impressed."

Han Sooyoung went to get her keys. "One day I'll learn to drive a motor bike and you'll be so in love with me."

"Oh, I know how to drive one."

She gaped at her.

"EXCUSE ME?"

"And don't worry, I'm already so in love with you." Yoo Sangah walked out the door.

"DON'T JUST DROP THAT ON ME OUT OF NOWHERE?" 

Meanwhile, Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung waited outside of the school, as all their friends had already gotten picked up. They were starting to worry they'd been forgotten until a car parked quickly in front of them, and the window rolled down.

"Get in losers, we're going shopping." Han Sooyoung said. 

"We are?" Shin Yoosung asked excitedly.

"What? No." Han Sooyoung sighed, thoroughly disappointed. "I can't believe you didn't get the reference."

"Darling, they're 12." Yoo Sangah said, making sure they put on their seatbelts. 

"Would Dokja get mad at me if I watched the movie with them?"

Yoo Sangah stared at her flatly.

"Ok we'll watch the musical instead."

"That's not any better!" 

She drove to Yoo Mia's school and they immediately saw her uniform was completely covered in paint.

"I didn't even have an art class today," she said ominously.

Han Sooyoung didn't question it. "Mia do you know Mean Girls?"

"That's my favourite movie!" She hopped into the car.

"Of course it is." Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Don't tell my brother." She added quickly.

When they arrived home, they could hear Biyoo's cries before even entering the house. Lee Gilyoung ran inside quickly, worried for her, Shin Yoosung following after him. Han Sooyoung grabbed Yoo Mia before she could move.

"If you go in like that I'm dead. I'm hosing you down."

"We'll give her a bath back at ours." Yoo Sangah corrected sternly.

"Then you'll buy me new clothes?" Yoo Mia asked.

Han Sooyoung sighed, and texted Yoo Joonghyuk that Yoo Mia will be with her for a while. "Yes, we'll buy you new clothes." 

Meanwhile, even Shin Yoosung or Lee Gilyoung couldn't soothe Biyoo, which made Yoo Joonghyuk panic a bit as he assumed she was upset that they went to school. 

"I think she misses dad..." Shin Yoosung mumbled.

"But she was fine yesterday?" Lee Gilyoung said.

"Yeah because she thought he'd be back by now!" 

"So, she's just going to cry the entire time?" Yoo Joonghyuk said, feeling defeated. 

Then, the phone rang and Lee Gilyoung answered it quickly.

"Hello-"

"DAD YOU NEED TO COME BACK BIYOO IS MAD!" 

"She's… mad? What? Why is she crying so much?"

Biyoo stopped momentarily the moment she heard Kim Dokja's voice. She reached out her hands desperately to the phone and Lee Gilyoung gave it to her. She whimpered sadly.

"Oh Biyoo, do you miss me?" Kim Dokja said, feeling guilty. 

"AAAAAAAAA."

"I miss you too." 

"AAAAAAA."

"I know, I'll be back soon I promise."

"a."

"Oh don't say that."

"Dad come back early!" Shin Yoosung begged.

"I'll... try? No promises," he added quickly. "Aren't you having fun with dad? Eating too many cookies even though I told you not to?"

Everyone went silent.

"That never happened." Yoo Joonghyuk lied. 

Kim Dokja chuckled. "Yoosung, I hung up your poster, a lot of people complimented it."

"Really?" She beamed. 

"And Gilyoung I took a picture of every bug I've seen so far."

"Really?" He also said, excitedly.

"Mia's not here." Yoo Joonghyuk said before he added anything.

"You lost her? I was gone for one day."

"No- she's with Sooyoung."

"...So, you lost her?" 

He groaned and the kids giggled. 

"Tell her I found a 3000 piece puzzle for her."

"That's like 2900 more pieces than what she's used to." Yoo Joonghyuk mumbled.

"Let her have a challenge! Ok you two need to sleep now." 

"By "two" do you mean Gilyoung and Biyoo?" Shin Yoosung asked.

"Close, I meant you and Gilyoung." 

"By "you" do you mean "yoo" as is Yoo Mia and Gilyoung?" Shin Yoosung asked. 

"No I meant Yoosung and Gilyoung." 

"Is Yoosung as a new nickname for Biyoo?" She asked.

Kim Dokja groaned. "Yoosung."

"Ok fine." She huffed. "Goodnight dad."

"Goodnight dad!" Lee Gilyoung said. 

"Goodnight, I love you." He said and they left the room. 

"Dada," Biyoo said, biting the phone. 

Kim Dokja smiled. "Yes Biyoo, I'm still here." 

"I'm not good at this." Yoo Joonghyuk said.

"Biyoo don't say that." 

Kim Dokja could just feel Yoo Joonghyuk's glare from miles away.

"You're doing great, trust me." Kim Dokja said gently. 

"I'll never know how you managed to raise three kids on your own for so long." 

"I mean, I had a lot of help from my friends. And then you came along, and it's been easier." He smiled. "Also Biyoo gets sad when you're at work for too long, I just manage to get her asleep by the time you're back."

"I don't think she'll be sleeping tonight." Yoo Joonghyuk said, until he looked at his lap and noticed she was sound asleep. "Oh- never mind."

"See! You did it."

"No, I think she fell asleep to the sound of your voice."

"You have no evidence for this."

Yoo Joonghyuk huffed. "Anything interesting happen to you yet?" 

"Well a guy tried to hit on me."

"What's his full name?"

Kim Dokja giggled. "As if I care enough about him to know his name. Don't worry, I dealt with it."

"Have you?"

"Yeah I gave him my number and when he called I played ASMR of demonic chanting and he's never spoken to me again. He wasn't ready for the real me." 

"I wouldn't be either." 

"WOW." 

Yoo Joonghyuk smiled. 

"I miss you." Kim Dokja added. 

"I miss you too."

They talked on the phone for most of the night until Yoo Joonghyuk convinced Kim Dokja to get some rest. He looked at the date and was unconsciously counting the days for his partner to return home.

Chapter Text

Usually Yoo Joonghyuk hated getting interrupted in the kitchen, although this time he let the area get messy to help the kids bake a cake. There was no occasion, he just wanted to occupy them with the only thing he was good at. 

"Don't over-whisk it." Yoo Joonghyuk warned Lee Gilyoung. 

"Can I eat this?" Yoo Mia asked as she stirred the melted chocolate.

"Mia last time I cooked with you, you ate all the ingredients and then cried." 

"It was worth it." 

Biyoo giggled as she played with the parchment paper. Shin Yoosung was the only one taking the baking seriously. 

"What happens after we're done?" Lee Gilyoung asked.

"We eat it?" Yoo Joonghyuk said.

His eyes lit up. "Really? All of it?"

"It's going to be a small cake." 

"I don't want to eat it I just want to decorate it." Shin Yoosung complained.

"I'm not going to force you to eat it?" He never understood the kid's odd questions. 

They continued and at one point, Lee Gilyoung noticed Biyoo had disappeared. They panicked and searched the house for her, wondering where the small child went. 

"Oh!" Yoo Mia said, opening the cold oven to see Biyoo napping in there. 

Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes widened and he almost forgot how to breathe. He quickly grabbed her and hugged her.

"What were you doing in there...?"

"I found her!" Yoo Mia cheered, not as worried. 

The kids continued following the recipes while Yoo Joonghyuk held Biyoo tightly, his mind going to horrible scenarios. 

"We would've found her before using it!" Yoo Mia said when she noticed his worry. She was right but he still couldn't help but feel awful about it. "I used to crawl into the washing machine all the time and I turned out okay." She added.

"No, no you didn't." Yoo Joonghyuk teased and she pouted. 

After they set the cake in the oven, Yoo Joonghyuk cradled a sleeping Biyoo as he tried to help Lee Gilyoung with his homework, who seemed oddly shy to ask. 

"I don't get it." He mumbled after Yoo Joonghyuk explained it to him a second time.

"Do you know what you don't get?"

"Uhm, all of it?" 

"I know you can do some of it. Write down everything you know." He passed the paper back.

Lee Gilyoung concentrated as he crossed out numbers and wrote rules he remembered, weary if he was taking too long, then gave the paper back.

"No, you understand all of it. You just don't know how to use it in questions.” 

"Oh." He was not expecting that.

"You can't do it if you keep telling yourself you're bad at it."

He took the paper back and retried, then held it up after a few minutes. 

"No, still wrong."

He groaned.

"You're getting better." Yoo Joonghyuk encouraged.

He leaned on the table, tired. "Are you mad?"

Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him confused. "No?" 

"My teacher gets mad at me."

"Well, she shouldn't. Is that why you don't ask for help?"

He nodded. 

"We can find you a tutor, and if they yell at you I'll yell back." 

Lee Gilyoung smiled. "Ok." 

"Yoosung, did you do your homework?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked her as she walked into the kitchen.

"...Mia ate my homework." She said before running.

Yoo Joonghyuk quickly made Lee Gilyoung hold Biyoo before rushing up the stairs. "MIA I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH MONEY SHE GIVES YOU, DON'T EAT IT!" 

The chaos woke Biyoo up, who immediately smiled when she noticed her brother. 

"Aaaa!"

"I hate math too Biyoo."

"AAAAA."

"Science is good though."

"a."

"Biyoo I'll make sure you never get sent to school don't worry." 

"I hope not." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered when he returned. He smiled at the way the siblings played. "We can continue later." He said, putting away Lee Gilyoung's books.

The boy smiled and rushed out the kitchen with Biyoo. Then Yoo Joonghyuk's phone rang. 

"I messed up." He said before Kim Dokja even opened his mouth.

"Well that's a weird way to say "I miss you I love you I wish we were surgically glued together."" Kim Dokja responded. 

"Biyoo crawled into the oven."

"...WHAT?"

"I mean- Biyoo crawled into the oven when it wasn't on and I found her and now she's safe."

Kim Dokja groaned. "Why didn't you say that first?! I was going to run over there and murder you."

"I'd deserve it."

Kim Dokja calmed down. "But she's okay, right?" 

"Yes."

"You would've found her anyway, you check the washing machine like a hundred times before turning it on."

"That's instincts." 

Kim Dokja chuckled. "Anything else happen that didn't involve the kids trying to give us a heart attack?" 

"We need to get Gilyoung a math tutor."

"Hmm really? But he doesn't struggle?"

"He does, he just doesn't tell you."

"Oh... I didn't know that." 

"Don't feel bad, he was just embarrassed about it." 

"We should get rid of schools."

Yoo Joonghyuk rolled his eyes. "Yes because that's very easy. Did anyone else hit on you?"

"Are you still jealous about that?"

"I'm not-"

"And no but a dog did break in the other day and we spent the rest of the meeting petting it." 

"Who's dog?"

"We still don't know. I wanted to kidnap it." 

"I'm surprised you didn't have a pet back then."

"I had three kids running around you think I had time for one?"

"You would now."

"...I suppose." He smiled. "And the kids would be happy. Let's get a deer."

"No." Yoo Joonghyuk said flatly. 

"You're so lame." 

"I'm practical."

"Practically boring."

"I'm trying."

Then Kim Dokja felt bad. "No I was- I was joking-"

"I know you were, sorry." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered.

"Are you okay?" 

"I miss you."

Kim Dokja smiled. "Well, besides that." 

"That's all."

Kim Dokja hummed, not convinced. "...Did you ever uhm..."

"Ever what?"

"Well, get annoyed to date me?"

He wasn't expecting that. "No. Why would I?"

"Because I already had three kids? Did that ever annoy you?" 

"...How long have you been thinking that?" 

"Mmmm would you believe me if I said I've never been worried about that at all ever?"

"No."

Kim Dokja chuckled. "Fair enough..."

"I was never annoyed. You made a great family." He looked over and smiled at the kids bickering in the living room. "I love being apart of it."

The other line was silent.

"Dokja?"

"You can just drop something like that..." he mumbled, sounding embarrassed. 

"I have more."

"NO! No that's enough for now... Can I talk to the kids?" 

Yoo Joonghyuk went to prep dinner as the kids excitingly told their dad about the cake they made, except none of them wanted to show him what it looked like as it turned out a mess. After he said goodnight, they agreed to make him an even better cake for when he returned.

"He hates cake, actually." Yoo Joonghyuk interrupted.

"How can anyone hate cake?" Lee Gilyoung gasped.

"I hate cake." Shin Yoosung said.

"No one asked you."

She shoved him.

"Well just make him dumplings." Yoo Joonghyuk said.

"Can we make a dumple?" Shin Yoosung suggested with stars in her eyes.

Yoo Joonghyuk heaved a sigh. "Not this again..."

The next day Yoo Joonghyuk messed up, again. He woke up Yoo Mia and Lee Gilyoung for school as they usually woke up late on their own. Meanwhile, Shin Yoosung enjoyed starting her day early. He was pretty confused seeing her still in bed while the others were dressed. 

“Yoosung?” He tried to wake her up. 

She blinked at the light and rolled back to sleep.

He sighed. “Yoosung come on it’s time for school.”

“No…”

“You can’t just not go, come on get up.” He took the blanket away from her and she groaned. 

“I feel sick.” She complained as she sat up. 

“You aren’t sick, come on don’t get your siblings late,” he said sternly, walking off.

Shin Yoosung coughed and slowly walked out of the bed. 

They waited awhile by the door and Yoo Joonghyuk checked the time annoyed. 

“Go sit in the car.” He told the others, then walked back upstairs. “Yoosung-“ he paused at the top of the stairs and stood shocked when he saw her passed out on the ground. 

Han Sooyoung (who deemed herself the best aunt ever) drove the kids to school while Yoo Joonghyuk anxiously watched Shin Yoosung. He put her back in bed and put a wet cloth to her forehead, waiting for her to wake up so she could eat soup. 

After 30 minutes, she opened her eyes again, then coughed a bit. He stared at her, guiltily. 

“Are you okay?”

“No.” She croaked out, turning to her side to face away from him. 

“…I’m sorry Yoosung.”

She didn’t respond. 

“I should’ve believed you, I’m sorry.” 

“Dad would’ve believe me…” she bitterly spat out.

“I know. I’m sorry,” he said softly.

She didn’t respond so he got up.

“I left food for you.” He said quietly before leaving the room. 

He went downstairs to clean up the messy house as a distraction. It didn’t work much as his brain spiralled a bit, of the thought that the kids would hate him forever and by that addition Kim Dokja would also hate him. And even worse, Yoo Mia would have to deal with the choosing him or them. She’d be happier with them, except he hated the idea of losing her. Of losing any of them. 

 His thoughts weee interrupted by Biyoo’s cries and he walked over to her cot. She smiled seeing him, and reached her arms out. 

“Good morning Biyoo.” He mumbled, smiling back at her. “You’re doing well, even if you miss your dad.” He cradled her and went to the kitchen to feed her breakfast. 

Even she noticed how dazed her seemed as he fed her. She bit his hands a few times to cheer him up.

“Why do you keep biting me?” He grumbled, rubbing his hand. He sighed. “I’m not doing well, Biyoo.”

“Aaa?”

“I upset your sister.”

“AAA.”

“I know. I’m terrible.” 

“a.”

“Language, Biyoo. You’re right though.” 

She bit him again.

“I deserve that. I think your dad made a mistake with me.”

“Dad doesn’t make mistakes.”

He jolted and saw a very tired Shin Yoosung in the doorway with a blanket around her.

“Yoosung- you should go back to bed.” 

She ignored him and sat on the chair next to Biyoo, watching how the baby nibbled on his hand.

“Biyoo loves you.”

“I hope so.” He mumbled. 

“And Biyoo makes the best judgments.” Shin Yoosung added. 

He smiled. “I agree.”  

She leaned on the table. “Why did you think I was lying?” 

“A lot of kids lie to get out of going to school.” 

“I wouldn’t. Gilyoung would though.”

“Mia has, a lot of times.”

Shin Yoosung chuckled. 

“But you’re not like Mia. And neither is Gilyoung… I think I’m still used to only taking care of Mia.” 

“Dad said taking care of Mia is the same as taking care of 5 kids.”

“He’s not wrong.” 

“Do you like Biyoo the most?” 

“Are you still worried about the favourite thing? We don’t have favourites.”

“Hypocrite!” She accused.

“…What-“

“You’re all mopey because you think original dad is our favourite dad.” She complained.

“…Stop reading me you’re 10.”

“12!” 

He sighed. “You don’t have to worry about that. And I’m not worried- it’d make sense. He had you longer, of course you like him more.” 

She frowned and went silent for a bit. She opened her mouth but couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Stop, you’re not supposed to comfort me.” He scolded. “Does your throat still hurt? I’ll make you a warm drink.” 

“Ok.” She mumbled. 

He stirred her drink silently and she watched, then he turned around. “Why did you think Biyoo is my favourite?”

“Biyoo liked you first. Remember when I hated you?”

“Yes, very clearly, yes.” He set her drink in front of her. “But I’m glad you don’t, anymore. Or I hope.”

She smiled and took the drink. “I don’t hate you. You’re my dad. Because my dad likes you. And dad never makes mistakes.” 

“Yes he does.” Yoo Joonghyuk complained.

“No he doesn’t!”

“He rocked a pillow to sleep once thinking it was Biyoo.” 

“That was on purpose. You wouldn’t understand.” 

He rolled his eyes and refilled her drink. “What do you usually do when you’re sick?”

“I just watch cartoons all day. And dad lets me because he feels bad.” 

“Of course he does.” He noticed her giving him puppy dog eyes. “Fine you can, but you’re going to bed early.”

She smiled and slowly walked to the living room, collapsing on the couch. After about 30 minutes she was fast asleep, so he put a blanket over her. He hesitated before kissing her forehead and telling her to rest well. 

After school, Yoo Mia excitedly ran to her brother. 

“Oppa! My art project is finished!” 

He did recall her rambling about making something in class a few weeks ago, except she insisted it was a secret.

“Can I see it now?” 

She showed him a bowl that had a messy paint of the word’s “my favourite brother.” 

“Sorry Gilyoung, you’re my favourite little brother.” She said to him.

“I’m older than you-“

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the bowl. 

“You can’t eat from it because you’ll die. I think. I can’t remember what my teacher said but you can’t eat from it.” 

Yoo Joonghyuk patted her head.

“Thank you, Mia. I love it.”

She grinned. “Of course you do! I’m your favourite sister.” She rushed off to talk to update Shin Yoosung on classroom drama (to which Yoo Joonghyuk still wondered why children even had this much drama.)

Then he noticed Lee Gilyoung awkwardly walking up to him. “My teacher told me to give this to you.” He mumbled, handing a maths test paper.

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the 31%. “What did you get last time?”

He didn’t expect that question so thought for a bit. “20 something percent? I think?”

“So you improved. Well done.” 

His eyes lit up and he smiled. 

They ate dinner together until the door opened, Han Sooyoung bursting in. 

“Hold your applause!” She declared, immediately sitting down on a chair. 

“Where’s the poor soul that has to be your girlfriend?” Yoo Joonghyuk jabbed, earring a kick under the table.

“She’s working late. So I have to bother my second favourite person.”

“Don’t call me that ever again.”

She ignored him and helped herself to the dinner he cooked. “You’re crankier than usual. Miss your boyfriend that much?”

“What are you talking about? I’m always like this around you.”

The kids watched the two argue back and forth, finding it entertaining. Han Sooyoung dropped her phone at one point and frowned when it cracked.

“Shit, not again.”

Yoo Joonghyuk glared at her.

“Right yeah, language. Don’t swear kiddos.” She rolled her eyes. 

Biyoo giggled. 

“So, a few more days and you’re finally no longer single.” Han Sooyoung mused.

“I’m not single.” Yoo Joonghyuk scoffed. 

“This was like a divorce role play if you think about it.”

“Do you ever think before you open your mouth? Ever?” 

“Nope and I’m not planning too~! Got too many great ideas in my smart brain.” 

Yoo Joonghyuk rolled his eyes. 

“Anyway get ready for tomorrow.” She winked, getting up from the table.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Why…? What’s tomorrow?”

She chuckled and left the house ominously. That same night Kim Dokja apologised and texted Yoo Joonghyuk that he didn’t have the energy to call them. Yoo Joonghyuk told him to rest and sighed, wishing he’d come back by now.

The next day was unusually calm. It was a Saturday and Shin Yoosung had recovered from her flu. She was playing a game with Lee Gilyoung in the living room while Yoo Mia worked on another puzzle with her brother, this time agreeing to sit in the same room as the kitchen was too cold. Biyoo was sound asleep, not as fussy that day.

That all changed when the door opened.

“What happens when a frog’s car breaks down?” Han Sooyoung yelled out, waiting for an answer.

“Are you a frog?” Yoo Joonghyuk said, breaking the silence. 

“It gets…” Yoo Sangah continued. 

They all waited. 

“I don’t know what you want me to say, you still haven’t told me the punchline.” Kim Dokja said, entering the house with a tired expression. 

Shin Yoosung shrieked and rushed to him, immediately hugging him. Kim Dokja smiled and hugged her back, lifting her into the air. 

“DAD!!!” Lee Gilyoung yelled, appearing next to him. 

He smiled and set Shin Yoosung down to give both of them a tight squeeze. 

“YOU LIAR!” Yoo Mia yelled, but also hugged him.

He chuckled. “I did my best to come home early and you’re mad?” 

“You didn’t tell us you would.” Yoo Joonghyuk muttered.

“It’s called a surprise!” He complained. 

Yoo Joonghyuk walked over to kiss his forehead, smiling at him softly. 

“You can thank me, I’m the one who yelled at his boss over the phone.” Han Sooyoung said, sitting on the couch where Yoo Joonghyuk was sat. 

“And almost got me fired until Sangah apologised.” Kim Dokja muttered.

“Why do you need a job? Joonghyuk is set for life.” Han Sooyoung complained. 

They were interrupted by Shin Yoosung rambling about all the things she wanted to tell her father that she’s kept in her head, with Lee Gilyoung trying to talk over her. Kim Dokja smiled and calmed both of them down as he sat with them. 

After a lot of chatting, the door creaked open. Everyone looked over to see a very tired Biyoo holding her small blanket. She locked eyes with Kim Dokja. Before he could say anything she whined and wobbled over to him, still feeling sleepy. Then she tripped and didn’t get up from the floor, starting to cry loudly.

“Oh no, Biyoo-“ Kim Dokja gently lifted her up.

She looked at him then cried louder, trying to get away from him to his confusion. Yoo Joonghyuk walked over and Biyoo immediately jumped to his arms instead, hiding her face and wailing, feeling utterly betrayed.

“She’s mad at you!” Han Sooyoung cackled.

“…Oh god.” Kim Dokja said, horrified. He’s never had a baby mad at him before.

“She’ll get over it in like 5 minutes.” Yoo Sangah reassured.

And sure enough, Biyoo was happily sitting on Kim Dokja’s lap soon enough. He stroked her hair and continued to apologise to her, fussing over whether she got hurt earlier when she tripped. 

“Did you have fun with dad?” Kim Dokja asked the other three, to which they all responded positively. “Anything interesting happen?” 

He was interrupted by Biyoo dropping her toy onto the floor. Before he went to pick it up, she squealed out,

“Shit!”

Everyone stared at her. 

Han Sooyoung awkwardly looked away as she felt Yoo Joonghyuk burn a glare at her. 

“…So.” Kim Dokja said in a quiet, yet deadly tone. 

“Oh look at the time, we gotta go!” Han Sooyoung said, grabbing Yoo Sangah’s hand and rushing out the house.

“I’m so tired.” Yoo Mia blurted, running off. 

“Me too!” Shin Yoosung said, grabbing Lee Gilyoung and heading upstairs. 

Yoo Joonghyuk wearily stared at Kim Dokja.

He started chuckling. “Don’t say that Biyoo.” He teased, stroking her hair.

“…You aren’t mad?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked.

“Oh I’m livid.” He smiled at him. Then walked over and leaned on his shoulder. “Let’s hope she forgets.” He cuddled his giggling baby. 

Yoo Joonghyuk held the man closer to him.

“I really missed you.” Kim Dokja said, kissing his cheek. “But I think it was good I left for a bit, right?” He guessed.

Yoo Joonghyuk stroked Biyoo’s hair and smiled. “Yeah. I think so too.” 

Chapter Text

Kim Dokja was still jet lagged and sleep deprived, although instead of collapsing onto his bed, he dug through his suitcase (leaving a mess everywhere) and took out Shin Yoosung’s poster. He smiled and went up to hang it on the wall, in a place where he could wake up to in the morning. 

After admiring it, he went to open his window, then saw a moth on the curtain. It startled him but he had to take a photo of it for Lee Gilyoung before getting rid of it.

Then he heard knocking on his door. He opened it and had no idea who it was, other than the fact they were a co-worker. He was usually good at remembering them, but not this person.

“We have a meeting tomorrow at 7.” The person told him.

Kim Dokja, too tired to switch to his professional brain, let out a groan. “What the fuck.”

The other man laughed. “Yeah I feel you.” He peered into the room, noticing the poster. “That’s a nice poster.”

Kim Dokja lit up and walked to the poster. “My daughter made it for me before I left, isn’t it the cutest work of art you’ve ever seen? You have to agree with me,” he gushed, already missing his family.

The man stepped into the room even though he wasn’t really invited. 

“Who’s taking care of them? I’m surprised you didn’t bring them with you.” 

“Believe me I wanted to.” Kim Dokja sighed. “And my boyfriend is.”

“…When did that happened?”

“Like last year. It was a whole thing. Anyway I need to sleep.” Kim Dokja yawned, stretching, but the other man didn’t leave. 

“You just left him for two weeks to take care of annoying kids?” 

Kim Dokja frowned at the way he insulted his family but didn’t say anything.

“And you’re trusting a guy you just met with them? You think he wouldn’t get bored and annoyed at you?”

He glared at the man, knowing what he was trying to do but didn’t let it get to his head. “I’m going to bed now,” he repeated, trying to get him to leave. 

“Ok no need to get annoyed, I’m just worried for you.” He made a soft expression but Kim Dokja didn’t fall for it.

Kim Dokja tried hard not to roll his eyes. “Thanks for the concern,” he said, dryly. 

“Look just, imagine-“

Before the man could create an anxiety inducing scenario to fuel Kim Dokja’s insecurities, he cut him off quickly. “Dragons.” 

“…What? Ok whatever as I was saying-“

Then Kim Dokja decided to try his favourite tactic. “If I give you my number will you leave me alone?”

The man agreed weirdly desperately. After he finally kicked the man out of the room, he glared at him as he walked down the hallway.

“Aww that’s such a cute poster!” His other co-worker said as she walked down the hall.

He smiled brightly. “MY DAUGHTER MADE IT!” He yelled happily.

“CUTE!” She yelled back. 

“Your baby made that?” Another co-worker said, peering into his room.

“No, my 12-year-old.”

“Oh cute.” He walked off.

Another co-worker walked over to see what they were talking about. “Oh that is really cute.”

Kim Dokja smiled, feeling proud of Shin Yoosung. 

The next day, Kim Dokja slumped onto his bed, tried from socialising all day. He looked for his phone to call his family, but then stopped when he saw an unknown contact. Who on Earth was “incel co-worker?” 

Oh now he remembered. 

He decided to call him before he was called first to get it over with.

The man was in his own room about to sleep, until his phone rung. He wanted to ignore it but picked it up quickly when he saw the contact. The moment he answered it… he had no idea what to make of it.

Kim Dokja tried not to laugh as he turned up the volume on his laptop playing a video of ASMR demonic chanting. The other line was silent.

He heard a very faint and confused, “Chat?”

Kim Dokja rolled his eyes. Of course that weirdo was a gamer… oh wait, Kim Dokja’s dating a gamer. That was different though, Yoo Joonghyuk was the best man on the planet, according to Kim Dokja’s very unbiased opinion. Eventually the phone call was cut and Kim Dokja burst into laughter. He dealt with that well, he thought. Especially as the next day the co-worker refused to make any eye contact with him. 

By day three Kim Dokja was really feeling lonely. That might be because he was locked in his room and refusing to spend time with his work friends, although he didn’t have the energy. He really wanted to cuddle his baby, and listen to Lee Gilyoung ramble about bugs, or listen to Shin Yoosung trying to explain a story to him, and Yoo Mia inventing an overly complicated game for him to review, and he really hated sleeping alone in his bed and not with his boyfriend. 

He opened his phone to look through his photos of his kids, but then realised his had 50+ messages. It turned out Lee Gilyoung stole Yoo Joonghyuk’s phone so he could send his dad multiple photos from the bug fashion show. He smiled, looking at all of them.

He texted back to compliment Lee Gilyoung’s photography skills. At least that cheered him up enough to sleep. 

It was 5 days in and Kim Dokja was overly worried for Biyoo, who was crying uncontrollably seemingly every moment he wasn’t with her. His heart ached and he really wanted to run back home himself and tightly hold her in his arms. Next time he leaves he’s definitely taking her with him even if it gets him in trouble. He stared to feel guilty of leaving Yoo Joonghyuk alone on short notice, and started feeling like terrible boyfriend. What if Yoo Joonghyuk got sick of the kids? He shook his head quickly. No, that wouldn’t happen, he loved spending time with them.

He tried to stop worrying as he knocked on his boss’s door, who called him in to discuss something, nothing bad at least. Still, he sat down anxiously, not liking getting confronted. 

Then, a phone call cut his boss off. 

“One second,” he mumbled, answering it. “Hello?”

“Listen shithead why’re you tearing a family apart? How do you sleep at night?”

Kim Dokja froze, recognising that voice. He was going to die.

“Who is this?” His boss scowled.

“I-I think you should just hang up it’s probably no one important-“ Kim Dokja sputtered.

“Oh good you’re here!” Han Sooyoung said on the other line. “Listen, if you don’t let him go home-“

“What? What will happen?” His boss challenged.

Kim Dokja sinked down in his chair, wanting to run and hide forever. 

“I’ll give you a bad review?” Han Sooyoung tried, not really knowing what to say.

Everyone went quiet. Kim Dokja wanted to bang his head on the table. 

“I’m- I’m so sorry-“ Kim Dokja said quickly, “I don’t know who she is-“

“Hey!”

“Just please don’t fire me, please?” He begged.

His boss stared at him. “You can go home.”

“Wait no-“

“You’re not fired. But you can go home.”

“…Really?”

“Do you want me to change my mind?”

“I’m such a genius,” Han Sooyoung said.

“Hang up already!” Kim Dokja yelled at the phone. Then he apologised, embarrassed, and scurried out of the office. Once he got to his room, he called Han Sooyoung to yell at her. 

“You should be thanking me!” 

“I almost got fired!”

“Would’ve done you good. Listen, don’t tell the others you’re coming early.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“It’ll be a surprise! They’ll love it.”

“…Fine. Only because I don’t want them to do nothing all day but wait for me.”

“You have no hope for them.” She laughed then hung up.

Kim Dokja resumed packing his clothes. He went up to take down the poster, and he smiled at it. He was so excited to see them all again. 

Chapter Text

Yoo Joonghyuk finished setting up Biyoo’s new play area in the living room. He made sure to include lots of rainbows and unicorn dolls, as well as blankets in case she fell asleep as she was starting to hate her cot. 

When he was done, he covered her eyes then smiled at the way she squealed when it was revealed. She excitedly walked to it and clapped at how colourful it was. 

Kim Dokja watched from the kitchen table with a smile. The pile of picture books was his idea, even if she didn’t know how to read. He watched the two play together and looked at the time, knowing the kids were about to return from school soon. He always felt lonely on weekdays when he didn’t work, and dreaded the idea of when Biyoo would start school. Who else was he supposed to cuddle all day? When Yoo Joonghyuk was live streaming he wasn’t even allowed in the room. He didn’t listen of course, he loved messing with him when he was live. He was surprised none of the kids burst into the room during one of them yet. 

He looked back at his book but was still distracted. Shin Yoosung and Lee Gilyoung were getting their report cards today, and he never liked getting graded, personally. 

His mind took him back to the time his foster parents yelled at him for getting a B instead of an A (which only happened because he was too upset to concentrate during the exam.) He was just glad he’d never have to go back to school again. Except his mind kept taking him back to the environment of his old home… how cold and dark it was. Or that’s how he remembered it. 

Them door opened and he snapped out of his thoughts to greet his kids with a smile. Yoo Mia’s school didn’t hand out her reports yet so she care freely went to look at Biyoo’s new play area. Meanwhile, Shin Yoosung ran to Kim Dokja first, excitedly showing her report card which was full of As, just as he expected. 

“Well done Yoosung.” He hugged her tightly. “You did so well, I’m so proud of you.”

She beamed and ran off to show Yoo Joonghyuk.

Meanwhile, Lee Gilyoung looked a bit nervous, and he held onto his paper tightly, it starting to crumple a bit. Kim Dokja gently put his hand out.

“Do you want to show me yours?”

Lee Gilyoung frowned and quietly gave him the paper. It was mostly Cs, the only A being in science and for maths there was a D. Kim Dokja ruffled his head affectionately. 

“You went up a whole grade in math, well done. And I knew you’d do well in science, my clever boy.” He smiled softly.

The boy’s demeanour immediately brightened. “There’s going to be a science competition-!” He stopped suddenly, trying to think of the words he needed to say.

Kim Dokja tried not to laugh. He didn’t understand why his children talked faster than they could think but he waited patiently. 

“There’s going to be a science project.” Lee Gilyoung stated.

“Yes?” 

“No. There’s going to be a science competition.”

Kim Dokja held back a laugh. “Y-yes?” 

“…Wait.” He made a concentrated face. “There’s going to be a science competition and I’m going to make a project for it!” 

He smiled. “That’s exciting. I think you can definitely win.” 

“I need help.”

“Of course we can help you. But not all the way, it’s your project.” 

Lee Gilyoung nodded in agreement, then he looked over at the corner and gasped. “Is that for Biyoo?”

Kim Dokja nodded. “So now she can play here all she likes without getting bored.” 

He excitedly went over to greet his baby sister. 

Kim Dokja sat back at the table and smiled at his family. He loved his home. 

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Yoo Joonghyuk drove home tiredly at 1am, which was the latest he’s returned from work. He knew Kim Dokja would not be happy about it so planned on apologising with lots of cuddles. Mostly because he also really needed them as well. He parked the car and looked for his keys, looking forward to immediately collapsing in bed with his sleeping boyfriend in his arms.

But with such a chaotic family, his plans were always interrupted. 

He opened the door to see Yoo Mia watching TV in the dark because of course she was. Except she was already fast asleep, and was watching some sort of horror movie. He braced the inevitable of her running to him from having a nightmare, but that’ll happen later in the night for him to worry about.

He took off his coat then gently picked her up as to not wake her, then walked upstairs. She was a lot heavier than when he used to carry the girl to bed in the past. As he walked up the stairs, he noticed a magnifying glass. It was definitely Lee Gilyoung’s. He picked it up with his other hand and went into Yoo Mia and Shin Yoosung’s bedroom first to put her in bed. She squirmed as he tucked her in, then peacefully slept. It reminded him of when she was a baby. Before he got emotionally nostalgic over it, he whispered goodnight and checked the upper bunk, then frowned when he saw it was empty. 

Was everyone awake or something?

His question was answered when he walked into Lee Gilyoung’s room to return his magnifying glass, only to see the boy was holding a flashlight and looking under his bed. 

He sighed. “What did you lose?”

“…Wormy,” the boy mumbled, shy that he was caught still awake.

“Wormy?”

“I need her!” 

Yoo Joonghyuk held back a remark. “Ok, hold the flashlight.” He crouched down next to him and focused. “Your bed is a mess…”

“I have my reasons!” He defended.

He reached his hand inside then retracted it when something bit him. A very large spider was clinging to him.

“Wormy!” Lee Gilyoung said happily, taking his pet.

Yoo Joonghyuk rubbed the bite mark on his hand. “You couldn’t tell me Wormy was a spider…?” He grumbled. “She better not be poisonous.”

“Venomous,” the boy corrected, “poisonous is-“

“Ok ok, is she venomous?”

“Nope! She’s so sweet.” He gushed, petting her.

“Go to sleep, Gilyoung.” Yoo Joonghyuk got up tiredly, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“You were gone all day,” the boy complained. 

“I know… but I’ll be here all day tomorrow.” 

Lee Gilyoung smiled. “Good! Because dad really missed you, but you didn’t hear it from me!” He said quickly, and crawled into his bed, putting Wormy back in her large container on his nightstand.

“Goodnight, Gilyoung.” Yoo Joognhyuk said, patting the boy’s head. He stopped before walking out the room. “Do you know where you sister is? She wasn’t in bed.”

“I think she’s in the kitchen. She asked me if I wanted a midnight snack earlier and I said no because-“ he rambled for 5 minutes. “And that’s why I hate strawberry milk.”

“Yes that’s very interesting thank you Gilyoung go to sleep,” he said quickly and turned off the light.

He went downstairs and was confused on why he didn’t notice Shin Yoosung earlier, but realised of course it was because she’s very sneaky. He turned on the kitchen light and sure enough, the girl was sitting on the table (the tabletop itself, not the chair) eating an entire jar of peanut butter with a spoon.

“…Yoosung,” Yoo Joonghyuk said, horrified.

“I was hungry.” She complained, upset.

“Yoosung.” Yoo Joonghyuk continued to stare in horror. “Didn’t you eat dinner? Did I not cook enough-“

“No you did! I was just hungry…” 

He sighed and took the jar. “Let me make you something with this. Kitchen monstrosities aren’t allowed in this house.”

Shin Yoosung giggled and went to wash her hands and face. She watched as Yoo Joonghyuk made a peanut butter cookies. As they baked in the oven, he made himself tea and poured strawberry milk for her then sat with her on the table. 

“What did you do all day?” He asked.

She drank her milk then began rambling for 5 minutes. “And that’s why I love strawberry milk.” 

“Very interesting.” Yoo Joonghyuk nodded.

“Why were you gone for so long? I had so many questions I couldn’t ask dad because he was too sad! He was pretending he wasn’t but I can practically read his mind.”

Yoo Joonghyuk frowned guilty. “I’ll try not to come this late again.”

“Pinky promise?” She held out her hand.

He smiled and held his hand out. “Pinky promise.” 

The cookies were done. He packed most of them for tomorrow and shared a small plate with her. Even though he wanted to sleep earlier, this was still a nice way to spend his night so far. He sent her to bed with a goodbye, trusting she’ll go to sleep as he cleaned up the kitchen.

When he was done, he went up the stairs and finally to his bedroom, where he could go to bed and hug his boyfriend-

…Why was Kim Dokja still awake?

Why was everyone awake when he wasn’t there for the night? He stared at the man, struggling to stay annoyed from how much he missed him, and he softened immediately. Kim Dokja was slowly walking around the dark room with a tired expression, humming a lullaby, while rocking back and forth a bundle of blankets in his arms. 

Yoo Joonghyuk walked up to him and put his hands on his shoulders. It took a while for Kim Dokja to notice him. When he did, he pouted at him, annoyed.

“I know, I know-“ Yoo Joonghyuk began.

Kim Dokja leaned his head on his shoulder. “Glad you’re back… missed you…” he mumbled.

“You really need to sleep,” Yoo Joonghyuk said, stroking his hair. 

“Not yet…” He straightened back up and rocked his arms again.

“You’re rocking a pillow to sleep.”

Kim Dokja scoffed. “As if I’d-“ he looked down on his arms.

The blankets had nothing in them but a small pillow. He looked over at the bed. Biyoo was sitting there, chewing on her toy mindlessly. Kim Dokja dropped the blankets to the floor and groaned. A second later he gasped when he saw the baby blanket on the floor, already forgetting that Biyoo wasn’t in it.

Yoo Joonghyuk held his hands gently and calmed him down.

“Go to sleep. I’ll take care of Biyoo.” He kissed his forehead. 

“But you’re tired from work-“

“So are you. Go to bed before I force you.”

Kim Dokja smiled at him and kissed his cheek. He collapsed in the bed and fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. Yoo Joonghyuk walked over and smiled as Biyoo giggled when she noticed him. He picked her up and smiled back, kissing all over her small face. She was still wide awake, so this will take him awhile. He looked from the excited baby to his resting boyfriend. He didn’t mind. 

He cradled her in his arms and sat on the edge of the bed, rocking back and forth until she settled down. After 20 minutes, his tired eyes looked down and noticed at last she was asleep. He smiled and put her in her cot. 

It was 2:30 and he went into his bed, smiling at his sleeping boyfriend and brought him into his arms. Kim Dokja mumbled in his sleep and unconsciously shifted closer to him, relaxing in the warmth.

He didn’t let himself fall asleep just yet, as just as he expected the bedroom door opened. He looked up and there Yoo Mia was, a tired and afraid look on her face. 

“Nightmare?” He said, pulling the blanket up.

She nodded and crawled into the bed, clinging onto Yoo Joonghyuk’s arm. He stroked her hair until she fell asleep, and felt Kim Dokja shuffle a bit and cuddle him closer. Yoo Joonghyuk turned to kiss his forehead, finally at rest now that everyone was asleep. 

…That was until an hour later Biyoo started crying. Kim Dokja woke up instantly and sprung his head up. Yoo Joonghyuk groaned and noticed, pushed Kim Dokja back down onto the pillow.

“Sleep,” he said sternly, and got up.

Yoo Mia began waking up from all the shuffling. She yawned and as Yoo Joonghyuk left the bed, she rolled closer to snuggle next to Kim Dokja who smiled and stroked her hair, falling asleep again.

Yoo Joonghyuk picked up Biyoo, gently shushing her. His tired eyes went from the crying baby to his sister and Kim Dokja in the bed. He smiled warmly at them, two of the small group of people he loved most. He rocked Biyoo back and forth again, this time it didn’t take much to soothe her to sleep. He gently placed her back down on the cot and kissed her cheek, because he still couldn’t get over how cute she was. He returned to the bed, staring at the other two, and fondly remembering the midnight snack he shared with Shin Yoosung earlier and the little story Lee Gilyoung told him in the morning before he left for work. 

He wouldn’t give this up for the world. 

Chapter Text

Lee Gilyoung sat on his own at lunch, staring at the food Yoo Joonghyuk made for him. It was a step up from the awful school food he had to eat in the past when his dad was taking care of them on his own, but he hated people asking him why he could suddenly bring in his own lunch. 

At home, he heard knocking on his bedroom door and let in a very annoyed looking Yoo Joonghyuk.

"Why aren't you eating your lunch? Are you eating something else?"

"No," Lee Gilyoung said, not elaborating.

"Then why are you skipping it?"

The boy didn't answer. 

Yoo Joonghyuk tried not to get annoyed. "Do you want a smaller lunch?"

"No."

"Do you know what you want?"

He went silent. 

"Ok, tell me when you know..." he settled and left him alone. 

Lee Gilyoung went back to his desk where he was organising his rock collection on top of his homework, causing the paper to crease, which would get him trouble again. He heard a faint conversation from downstairs.

"...he doesn't have trouble eat at home, right?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked.

"Definitely not, if you say the word "breakfast" he immediately wakes up in the morning," Kim Dokja replied, a smile in his voice. "...I think I know what the problem is." 

Then, footsteps were heading upstairs.

Lee Gilyoung put away his rock jar and went back to him homework. He heard knocking in his door and let his dad in.

"Hey Gilyoung," Kim Dokja said softly, and stood by his desk. "I can tell you heard what we were saying downstairs."

Lee Gilyoung was almost annoyed at how his dad so easily read everyone. He nodded.

"I also hated eating lunch as a kid. Is it also because you don't like everyone looking at you?"

"Oh, yeah." He wasn't expecting him to get it so quickly. 

"I'll see if we can do something about that."

The boy nodded silently.

Kim Dokja looked at him in worry. "Is everything alright? You haven't been talking to anyone much." 

"Too much school."

"Oh, it's tiring you out? Don't worry it's almost the holidays." Kim Dokja patted his shoulder. "You can get through it. Do you want to tell me anything else?"

"No."

"Ok, don't be late for dinner."

With that he left the room. Lee Gilyoung looked at his desk for a while, staring hard at the homework he was struggling so much on. After a while, he tore the paper up. 

Kim Dokja walked home with Lee Gilyoung after picking him up from a detention, which hasn't happened before. 

"I told you to ask for help with your homework when you needed it," Kim Dokja sighed, already tired from getting more hours at work the previous night.

Lee Gilyoung stayed quiet. 

"And I don't know how to help you if you won't talk to me, I've been trying to give you space but you just-" Kim Dokja stopped mid rant when Lee Gilyoung walked ahead of him, annoyed. "...Gilyoung! You can't-" he sighed and decided not to chase him but followed closely behind.

Lee Gilyoung locked himself in his room for the rest of the night while Kim Dokja was ranting about what happened downstairs. Half of his rant was him being annoyed while the other half was him calling himself the worst dad to ever exist. Yoo Joonghyuk eventually threw a slice of a cheese on Kim Dokja's head. It made him freeze, like Yoo Joonghyuk just pressed on off switch on the man. He wished he knew that tactic would work before.

"Stop pitying yourself and fix what happened," his boyfriend said, exasperated.

Kim Dokja blinked at him.

"...Sorry that was harsh-"

"No, you're right." Kim Dokja sighed. "...Why did you throw cheese at my head?"

"Mia showed me videos of cats shutting down when you throw cheese at them."

"I'm not a cat?!"

He smiled at his pout. "It worked though. I think it works on babies too."

"If you throw cheese at Biyoo she'll eat it before it even lands on her." 

Upstairs, Shin Yoosung stood outside Lee Gilyoung's room. She wanted to ask if him they could hang out but something felt off in the house. So she went with her old trick, sending Biyoo in first to be cute.

She set the baby in front of the door and ran out the hallway to hide from view. Biyoo didn't hesitate to chaotically try to break the door down. Lee Gilyoung, recognising the knocking style, immediately let her in the room. He smiled and picked her up, feeling a bit better, especially from her laughter. Shin Yoosung spied from the door and noticed he wasn't rambling to the baby like he usually did, he was just cuddling her and brushing her hair, but he looked happy so she decided to leave him at that and go back downstairs. 

She walked past Kim Dokja who was about to knock on Lee Gilyoung's room, until he heard Biyoo's giggles. He looked through the creak of the door and saw his son tying his baby's hair into pigtails with a smile on his face. Kim Dokja looked at them fondly and decided to leave him be like Shin Yoosung did. 

At night, Kim Dokja couldn't sleep, still worried for Lee Gilyoung. He decided to check on him, assuming he might also be awake. The moment he got out of the bed, Yoo Joonghyuk stole all of the blanket. He stared at him, utterly offended.

"Get cosy bitch I'll have my revenge," he whispered, kissing his sleeping boyfriend's forehead then leaving the room. 

He walked to the room on the other side of the hallway and was right, the lights were on, the door open too. Lee Gilyoung looked up at him from his bed. Kim Dokja walked in the room.

"Can I sit here?" He asked gently, referring to the chair next to the bed. Lee Gilyoung nodded silently, staring at the floor. "I'm really worried for you. I wanted to give you space but you've never been this upset for so long."

Lee Gilyoung didn't respond. 

"You can tell me if I upset you."

Lee Gilyoung shook his head, indicating it wasn't because of him, which made him feel a bit better. 

"Will you tell me what's wrong, eventually? I'll wait, it's okay."

Lee Gilyoung hesitated before nodding.

"Ok, take your time." He stroked his hair, then kissed his forehead. "Goodnight, Gilyoung." 

The boy grabbed his wrist, preventing him from getting up.

"...Do you want me to stay until you fall asleep?" 

He nodded, a bit embarrassed.

Kim Dokja smiled. "Yeah, I can do that." 

He stroked boy's hair, humming a quiet lullaby like he did with Biyoo until he drifted off. He stayed in the room for a bit, thinking silently to himself. 

After a while he left the room and went back to his bed, where he tore the blanket from his boyfriend and stole most of it. He smirked at his boyfriend’s tired, annoyed face. 

“Just wait until the morning,” Yoo Joonghyuk grumbled.

“Do you worst.” Kim Dokja teased.

The next morning Yoo Joonghyuk messed with the boiler in the kitchen and changed the water to cold while Kim Dokja was showering. He smiled when he heard the man shriek.

“…Is he okay?” Yoo Mia asked at the table.

“He’s fine.” 

At school Lee Gilyoung sat on his own for break as he usually did. He befriended a little beetle that crawled on the bench, and smiled at the small creature, it crawling onto the floor. One of his classmate's walked by and stood in front of him.

"Hello Gilyoung!" He said with fake cheerfulness.

Lee Gilyoung ignored him. He really didn't like him. The other boy followed his gaze and gagged at the bug on the floor. 

"That's so gross, did you actually touch it?" 

He didn't respond. 

"If I step on it, will you cry?" He lifted his foot over it, the bug began to panic under the large shadow.

Lee Gilyoung finally looked up and glared at him. He laughed.

"Calm down, it's just a bug." 

When his foot lowered near it just to scare him, he finally snapped and stood up, pushing the boy onto the floor angrily. Everyone stared at the two. He glared and stood up immediately, pushing him back.

"What's your problem?!" 

Before he knew it, a fight broke out. Except Lee Gilyoung was too focused on making sure neither of them stepped on the bug while the other boy angrily pulled his hair. When his foot landed near it, he snapped again and screamed at him. The sound finally alerted the teachers who broke the two apart. 

Yoo Joonghyuk was walking Lee Gilyoung home this time. They had a meeting with his teacher and the other boy's parents, and Yoo Joonghyuk couldn't really focus, not when the boy next to him was completely silent and not explaining his side of the story while the other kid tried to act like he was completely innocent.

He stared at his son on their way home, he had his hands clenched together in front of him. 

"I know you wouldn't just hit someone for no reason, tell me what happened."

The boy shook his head. 

"Can't lie that I've never had a school fight so I'll let you off this time," he muttered. 

"Will you tell dad?" The boy asked with a sad expression. 

"...Let's make a deal." He proposed even though he knew he shouldn't, "If you tell me what happened then I won't tell him about this." 

Lee Gilyoung uncovered his hands, revealing a small beetle with an injured leg that he planned on healing. He stared at the pained creature with a guilty expression.

"He wanted to squish it," he mumbled. 

"On purpose?"

He nodded.

"Ok." Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the boy. "But you shouldn't hit people. Just walk away next time."

"Ok…”

They arrived at the house. Lee Gilyoung took off his coat and went straight upstairs instead of to his siblings.

Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him sadly. "The bug will feel better now that you're taking care of it." 

Lee Gilyoung looked back at him and smiled. "I want to be like dad."

"I think you're already a lot like him." 

Just as he said that, Kim Dokja hugged him. He hugged back without thinking, until he felt something cold run down his back. Kim Dokja put an ice cube down his shirt to get back at him for the morning, then ran off quickly. 

“DOKJA!” Yoo Joonghyuk yelled out. “SLEEP WITH AN EYE OPEN!”

Lee Gilyoung chuckled from the stairs. 

The next day Lee Gilyoung faked being sick to get out of going to school. Kim Dokja could tell easily but decided to pretend he was fooled, as maybe he'd feel better from having a rest day. 

It did seem to work, as Lee Gilyoung was a lot more talkative, especially to Yoo Joonghyuk when they prepared lunch together. 

"Is he really sick?" The man muttered to Kim Dokja who was feeding Biyoo at the table

He gave a pleading look. "No but please just go along with it." 

And Kim Dokja enjoyed having him at home that day, feeling like he had less time with his kids when they were at school and he had work on the weekends. 

He was listening to Lee Gilyoung explaining his rock collection for a while, until the boy went quiet, deep in thought.

"Uhm..." he mumbled.

Kim Dokja went quiet. This was it, he's finally going to open up. That was until Lee Gilyoung got distracted by a moth flying into the house. He jumped happily and chased it around. Kim Dokja internally groaned. 

At night Kim Dokja typed in his laptop at his desk. He was doing very important work (fixing the ending of a book that made him annoyed) until he heard the floors creak and saw Lee Gilyoung behind him.

"Gilyoung?"

"Uhm..." The boy shuffled. 

He gave a warm smile. "Do you want to tell me anything?" 

"...Can I borrow a coin?"

"A coin? Why?"

"I'm taking pictures of my big rocks so I need to put a coin on them to show how big they are."

Kim Dokja chuckled and reached into his pocket. "You can keep the coin. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"Mmm no." He rushed out the room. 

The day after, Lee Gilyoung stared at Kim Dokja with wide eyes from the corner of the room.

"...Do you need something, Gilyoung?" He asked, putting his book down.

Lee Gilyoung got intimidated by the attention so shook his head quickly and ran off. Kim Dokja sighed. Give him time give him time give him time, he repeated to himself.

Something finally happened on the weekend, when Kim Dokja arrived from work. He hugged his kids as usual, and cradled his baby after getting dressed. 

"A b c... a?"

"No." Kim Dokja giggled.

Biyoo made a concentrated face. "A b... c..."

"D." Kim Dokja mouthed.

"D!"

"Good job!" He kissed her face. 

The talking seemed to tire her out, as she fell asleep quicker than she usually did. Kim Dokja left the room and put her in her cot, and Lee Gilyoung silently followed him. 

He sat on his bed and gently rocked the cot back and forth, thinking they should build a bigger one soon. He looked up and saw Lee Gilyoung outside the door. 

"Sorry bug, Biyoo's asleep now."

"It's not that..." the boy whispered. 

He entered the room, and sat next to Kim Dokja. 

"How was today?" 

"Alright. Yoosung was with her friend all day and so was Mia." Lee Gilyoung complained.

"You can visit yours too," Kim Dokja coaxed. 

Lee Gilyoung went silent for a bit. He leaned on his dad. 

"Hey,” he wrapped his arm around his son and softly held him. “You can tell me anything, ok? Whatever it is, I want to help you.”

Lee Gilyoung struggled to speak, overwhelmed again by the attention. Panicking, he blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

“I miss my parents.”

While that was something that has bothered him, it wasn’t the current thing on his mind, and it was definitely the last thing he ever wanted to bring up to his dad. Especially when he saw his shocked and guilty expression.

“Oh, oh Gilyoung…” he whispered, and began panicking on the inside as he wasn’t prepared for this conversation. “You’ve been wanting to tell me that? I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry.” He hugged him, very tightly. 

“I-I… no I-“ He couldn’t stop his voice from cracking.

“I know I can’t make you feel better about it, but-“

“No!” He pushed him away a bit to look at him. “You do! I-I’m not saying I don’t want to be with you- I-“

“Oh, I know that. Don’t feel bad.” He hugged him again. “It’s okay, you’re allowed to miss them, that’s normal, that’s perfectly normal. I’m not mad about it.”

Lee Gilyoung wasn’t really feeling comforted at all, every passing second made him feel worse on the inside, and he wanted to run away from his dad while also wanting to be held.

So he said, “I-I don’t want to talk about it…” 

“That’s okay, that’s okay. What do you want to talk about?” He soothed. 

“Uhm…” he decided to try and go back to what he really wanted to bring up. He looked at the floor. “…I don’t want to go school.”

“That’s fine, I’ll tell them you’re sick-“ 

“No. I mean, ever. I don’t ever want to go back.” 

“Oh…? Why not?” 

Lee Gilyoung tried to not have his voice crack but couldn’t help it as he spilled out everything on his mind. 

“Because my maths teacher always yells at me and all the kids call me dirty and weird and no one wants to be m-my friend except for Yoosung but her friends don’t like me and if they don’t like me they won’t like her and then she’ll also have no friends because of me-“ 

Kim Dokja stroked his hair until he calmed down. Lee Gilyoung went quiet and tried not to cry. 

“For how long?” He whispered.

“…A while.” Lee Gilyoung mumbled.

“I didn’t know… when you told me you didn’t like school I didn’t know that’s what you meant,” he said guiltily. “…I really hated school as well.” He added with a sad smile. 

“I don’t want to go…”

“What if we transfer you to another school?”

“But what if it’s the same?”

Kim Dokja went silent and thought to himself. “…I’ll figure this out, okay? You don’t need to worry about it.” 

“Then you’ll have to take me and Yoosung and Mia to three different schools.” The boy mumbled.

“Yeah I suppose.”

“That sounds hard.”

“Then I’ll work hard. We’re not changing you so we’ll change the school. Because I’d hate losing my bug loving boy.” He hugged him tightly. 

Lee Gilyoung nodded, leaning on him. The two sat in silence for a while.

“A B C D-“ 

They jumped, looking over at the cot where Biyoo was wide awake and thought this was a perfect time to start screaming her lungs out. Lee Gilyoung began laughing and Kim Dokja smiled at him. 

A month later, Yoo Joonghyuk drove to pick up Yoo Mia and Shin Yoosung, while Kim Dokja walked to Lee Gilyoung’s school, that was a bit closer to his house. It was a lot smaller than his old one which he seemed to like. It took a while for them to find a better suited one, which caused the boy to fall behind in class. That was okay, as he worked well with his tutor.

He smiled as he watched Lee Gilyoung chat with a friend he made. They had entirely nothing in common except that they didn’t judge each other’s interests. He watched as his friend took a rock that the boy gifted him, and despite not getting it, he thanked him anyway and promised to keep it. Lee Gilyoung smiled when he spotted his dad and waved his friend goodbye before rushing to him.

“How was your day?” Kim Dokja asked.

“I got all the questions right on my maths quiz!” Lee Gilyoung said excitedly.

He smiled and ruffled his hair. “Well done Gilyoung, that’s amazing.” 

He held his hand and they walked home together, Lee Gilyoung happily rambling about his day and how he was excited to return to school tomorrow to hand in his science poster. 

Chapter Text

Spring was arriving and the main thing Yoo Mia was excited for was Biyoo’s birthday. It was also close to her birthday but she didn’t like big celebrations about her, although a big celebration for Biyoo’s first birthday was something she was looking forward to.

She held up a clipboard and began asking important questions to the baby.

“What colour would you like the balloons to be?”

Biyoo burped.

“All of them? Good choice. And the general theme?”

“Babababababa.”

“Unicorns, perfect. What about the cake?”

“A.”

“Chocolate it is!” 

Kim Dokja smiled at his daughters from the sink where he was doing dishes. 

“Can you ask her how many people she wants?”

“General guest number, Biyoo?”

“Baa.”

“9? So that’s our family, and Sooyoung-Unnie, Sangah-Unnie and Seolhwa-Unnie? Perfect!”

“Biyoo is such a great planner.” Kim Dokja chuckled. 

He walked over and took his baby in his arms, kissing her face. 

“I can’t believe I’ve almost had you for a whole year.” He gushed as she chuckled from all the attention. 

Yoo Mia felt a hand ruffling her hair. 

“And I’ve taken care of you for half a year.” He smiled, kissing her forehead. 

She didn’t expect that so quickly put on her usual smile. “I’m just excited to start middle school. Then I can see Yoosung everyday!” 

“And it’ll be easier to drop you two off to school.” Kim Dokja mumbled.

“When is Biyoo starting school?”

“Not anytime soon, thank god. I’d miss her all day.” 

Biyoo bit his hands and drooled all over them. 

“Do you have abandonment issues?” Yoo Mia asked.

Kim Dokja looked at the young girl with wide eyes.

“…W-wow okay.” He chuckled awkwardly. “You’re so funny Mia.” 

It was normal morning for Biyoo, as every morning was normal. Even if her dad woke up more upset than usual, or her siblings were in a fight, she couldn’t comprehend any of it.

Although, when she woke up to see a balloon above her cot, she squealed excitedly and tried to grab it, thinking this morning was a bit different this time. Alerted by the noise, her dad’s quickly made way to her cot and picked her up, showering her with love and attention. 

Another indication that today was special was the outfit Kim Dokja prepared for her. She knew something was happening whenever her dad dressed her up extra cute. This time she wore a very colourful and puffy dress as well as her favourite unicorn head band. Then, her siblings excitedly adorned her with hair clips and stickers which she kept grabbing at but also didn’t want to take off.  

She didn’t understand most words, and only remembered “dad”, “Biyoo”, “darling”, “goodnight” and her sibling’s names. Although, she was catching onto a new one, as everyone she’s ever met in her short life kept saying “happy birthday.” She didn’t understand what that one was supposed to mean, but everyone around her was happy so she smiled back at them. She also didn’t understand what Han Sooyoung meant when she grabbed her and said in a very hushed voice,

“You’ve always been my favourite don’t tell anyone, okay?” then put her back down quickly. 

She giggled a lot as everyone happily hugged her and gave her colourful boxes one by one, until she was surrounded by a pile of gifts.

She had a lot of fun tearing apart the wrapping paper, and enjoyed her siblings excitedly explaining to her the gifts they made for her, the three not realising that she was staring more at them than the gifts. 

Her favourite part was destroying a cake she watched Yoo Joonghyuk make for her earlier that day. He didn’t let her touch it before and she didn’t know how she managed to get permission to smash it to pieces now, but either way it was fun. 

Like a little monster she grabbed a handful and stuffed it in her mouth, forgetting to chew. Kim Dokja panicked and carefully took a chunk out of her mouth. 

And of course the family took many photos of the special girl afterwards, most of them chaotic but so was everything else in that house. Once the day ended, Yoo Joonghyuk cradled Biyoo, smiling as he watched her play with her new toys, while Kim Dokja settled the other three for bed. 

He tiredly walked down the stairs and went to do the dishes until his boyfriend stopped him.

“I can do it.”

“No you already cleaned everything else up I’ll-“

Then Yoo Joonghyuk placed the baby on his arms. “Now you’re busy.” He pushed him out the kitchen.

Kim Dokja fondly rolled his eyes at his boyfriend’s stubbornness, then stared at Biyoo who was chewing all over a doll. She smiled when they made eye contact. He lifted her up and kissed her forehead very softly. She squealed, pulling his face as a sign of love. He chuckled, and walked up to their room to rock her to sleep.

He started reminiscing on the first time he’s ever held her. When a family friend urgently called him and said she arrived sooner than expected, being worryingly small at the time. He felt like his life changed completely the moment he cradled her that day, and immediately decided he’ll do everything and anything just for her. 

“Happy birthday my baby, I love you so much. …You changed my life forever.” 

“A… appy baa daaay.” She attempted to say it back.

He chuckled, and rocked her to sleep. 

A few days later was Yoo Mia’s birthday, a lot more casual. She really enjoyed the part where her siblings hide gifts for her around the house and gave clues on how to find them. Biyoo hid hers the best- in her mouth. Which Kim Dokja was not happy about having his baby almost choking on a wrapped gift box.

Either way, the man gifted Yoo Mia an expensive watch, as a joint present from him and Yoo Joonghyuk, that she’s been talking about everyday after she was picked up from school, as her favourite teacher had the same one.

“How did you guys know I wanted this?” She asked excitedly as she unboxed it.

Kim Dokja shrugged with a smile, “Just a wild guess.” 

Then he walked over and gave her a tight hug. “Can I be mushy for a moment?”

“You have 30 seconds.”

He chuckled. “I love you so much Mia, you’re such a sunshine to our family and I’m so glad I can take care of you-“

“Times up!” She said after 6 seconds. 

“Will I get more time next year?”

“You’ll get 31.” 

“I look forward to it.” He gave her another squeeze then let her be.

Her aunts celebrated in different ways. Lee Seolhwa took her to get her hair styled in any way she liked, then dropped her off to Yoo Sangah who took her clothes shopping and bought her anything she wanted, and finally Han Sooyoung pushed her around in a shopping cart in an empty parking lot then gave her a secret stash of candy, a lot more bags than her parents would allow. 

“It’s okay, you don’t need to say I’m your favourite out loud,” the woman bragged.

Yoo Mia giggled. “Am I your favourite niece?” 

“Uhhh- OH GOD THE COPS ARE HERE.” She grabbed the child and dashed out of the parking lot before they were spotted. 

Yoo Mia’s favourite part was the evening, when her older brother walked her around the park and carried her the entire time. It was a tradition they started since she was little. She was rambling nonsensically and he tried hard to follow her train of thought but genuinely couldn’t.

“Then I told them all to leave and that’s why rats aren’t allowed to my tea parties anymore.”

“Thank you for telling me this, Mia.” 

She chuckled and climbed off him for a second, holding his hand tightly to lead him somewhere in the park, despite him telling her to slow down. She stopped by a small pond and threw a small rock at it.

“Remember this? We used to do this all the time!” Yoo Mia said happily, trying to skip the stones but failing.

Yoo Joonghyuk watched her with a small smile. What she didn’t remember was a young Yoo Joonghyuk taking his little sister to a pond just to distract her from everything happening in their childhood home. 

He picked up a small rock and successfully skipped it over the pond, into the reflection of the sunset. She pouted at him.

“It’s my birthday, stop being better than me!”

He smiled, ruffling her hair. “Sorry, Mia.” 

“Remember when I told you to throw me into the water?”

“That’s not what happened. You kept running into the water and I had to drag you out, then you’d scream for help and act like I was kidnapping you.” 

“Good times!” She giggled. “But you know… since today is my birthday-“

“I’m not throwing you into the pond for your birthday.” 

“You might as well just say you hate me.” 

“Or I just don’t want my little sister to drown.”

“I’m not little!” She huffed, “I’m going to the big school soon.”

He sighed, a bit sadly. “Yeah, I know.”

“And maybe one day I can be as tall as you.” 

He put a hand on her hair and squished her downwards. “Or maybe you’ll be a shrimp forever.” 

She whined, pushing his hand off. “I’m the third tallest girl in my class!” 

“Try not to get trampled in middle school.” 

“I could get a growth spurt in the summer! Then I can reach the top shelves without asking you for help.”

“You don’t even ask me for help in the first place, you climb the walls like a little monster.” 

“Sooyoung-Unnie said that’s a pro gamer move!”

“That’s not what-“ he sighed. 

He sat on the edge of the pond, Yoo Mia joining him, except he tightly held onto her, genuinely not trusting she wouldn’t try to jump into the water. Instead of resisting, she leaned on him. 

“This was a fun day,” she said.

“Yeah? That’s good.”

“I liked celebrating with everyone.”

He smiled at her. “I’m glad.” 

“But this is my favourite part.” She kicked her feet in the air. 

“The park?”

“No, just being with you.” She said casually as if that statement didn’t make Yoo Joonghyuk feel like someone just tore his heart out and stomped on it. 

Not knowing what to say, he held her tightly against his side. 

“Happy birthday Mia. You changed my life forever.”

“In a good way?”

“The best way.”

Chapter Text

Shin Yoosung hated being a bother, except for when it was funny. When her taller dad asked her if she wanted cereal or pancakes, and she tricked him into making both for her, that was enjoyable. But when she forgot her bag at home and realised she needed to speak up and ask her dad to drive back so should could get it, that sent her brain into a panic. Into the spiralling thoughts that her parents wouldn't love her anymore at the times when she wasn't as best behaved as she could be. 

That's why when she slipped a grade in maths, she did everything she could to hide it from her parents, feeling guilty the entire time. Lee Gilyoung getting low grades was normal, that's why her dad was so nice to him. But if she did it? If she came home with a B instead of an A? What would Kim Dokja think now of his daughter? 

She didn't want to be a bother. She didn't want to waste her dad's time to help her with homework, or make him pay extra for a tutor. She could solve this on her own, she solved so many things on her own. 

Like the time she spilt nail polish on her carpet and couldn't get it out no matter how much she scrubbed. The solution? Put a rug over it, it was practically genius. 

With her disappointing paper in her hands, she walked to her brother's room. He was staring at the ceiling, oddly.

"What are you doing?"

He pointed up. She looked and saw a sticky doll he put onto the ceiling, it slowly falling.

"It's going to fall when I least expect it, but I'll be ready." Lee Gilyoung explained.

"What's the point of it?"

"It'll make me prepared for anything!" 

"Ohhh." She looked up at the ceiling with him. "Gilyoung, I got a bad grade."

"Really?" He looked at her, surprised. 

"I got B..."

He gave her a blank stare. "You call that bad?" 

"It's not an A!"

"I don't get As."

"That's different! I'm always supposed to get As!"

"Who said so?"

"It's just- it's just a rule!"

"Yesterday you said taking off your coat before your shoes is a rule."

"And?"

Lee Gilyoung took her paper from her and stared at it. "This is only a few points from an A, just tell your teacher to regrade it."

"That won't do anything! I still got the answers wrong."

"Then just get them right next time, that's what my teacher says."

"But they were never meant to be wrong..."

Her brother looked at her worried face and felt bad. He sat upright and faced her. 

"Dad said it's okay to make mistakes." 

She sighed. "I know, but I don't feel okay." 

"What's going to happen when you tell him you got a B?"

"He'll be sad."

"No he won't-"

"He will!"

Lee Gilyoung sighed and decided to go along with it. "Ok, dad is sad now. Then what?"

"What?"

"What will happen after that."

"Uhm everything explodes?"

"..."

"I don't know! It'll just be bad!"

"Even if he'll be sad, which he won't, it won't be forever. You can make him happy again."

"What if he doesn't love me anymore?" 

"I get bad grades, and he still loves me.”

"You don't get it..." She lowered her head, her face hidden by her hair.

He frowned at his sister, and tried to think of how to reassure her.

"But dad always says he loves us, why would he stop so suddenly?"

"I know, Gilyoung! I know he wouldn't..." Shin Yoosung mumbled. "But still I... I can't... I don't know..." 

Not knowing what to do, Lee Gilyoung awkwardly patted her back. She was too confused to react. 

"You're my very smart sister," he said with a strained voice.

She chuckled. "And you're my very weird brother." 

"Did I make you feel better?"

"No. But I don't think anyone can."

"Not even dad?"

She shook her head. They stayed quiet, neither knowing how to solve this. Then, Shin Yoosung jumped up, and dashed to catch the sticky toy as it fell from the ceiling and onto her hand. Lee Gilyoung looked at her, shocked and impressed.

"How did you do that?!"

She stared at the toy in her hands, then shrugged. "I was waiting for it to happen."

Then Lee Gilyoung's face lit up. "Yoosung do you want to play a game?"

She smiled. "Ok!"

"I'll put the toy on the ceiling and you have to start telling a story, then when the toy falls it'll be my turn to continue it until it falls again."

"Oh that sounds fun! Let me bring Mia!" She dashed out the room. 

Lee Gilyoung was happy he could cheer her up a little. 

Shin Yoosung sat Kim Dokja's desk, her hand's shaking a little. She let out a gasp when he entered the room.

"Yoosung? What're you doing in my chair?" He asked, amused. "If you're doing my work for me then thank you, that means I can sleep early."

"I could try!" She turned around and looked at the laptop. She turned back around. "Dad..." she frowned.

"It's okay, you don't have to do my work." 

"Oh, good!"

"Is there something you did want?"

"Uhm..." she tugged at the end of her shirt, nervously. "I didn't tell you something..."

Kim Dokja stared at her with a gentle gaze. "I'm listening."

"...I spilt nail polish on my carpet," she mumbled. 

He blinked. "Oh." That wasn't nearly as bad as he thought the news would be. "That's okay."

"Really? It was a lot." 

He smiled. "That means the room is yours now."

She tilted her head in confusion. "But it was always my room?"

"No, I mean you left something there that tells people you were there, that you were having fun because you felt safe to."

"Oh."

"I think it'll be nice if it stays. ...And because it'll be impossible to clean." 

She chuckled.

"What colour was it?"

"It was blue. And very glittery."

"That sounds nice."

"Have you ever spilled nail polish?"

"No but I spilt coffee on my desk a few times. You can still see the stains."

She turned around. She turned back. "I thought... that was the desk pattern..." 

He laughed. "Ok, maybe I spilt it a lot of times." 

"You're so clumsy dad!"

"A little, but it's not the end of the world." 

"Can I work with you?"

"It's late but... just this once."

He sat on his desk while Shin Yoosung was on his lap, watching him type things she couldn't understand onto his laptop. She did like the clicky sound of the keyboard, however.

"Yoosung, why were you scared to tell me you spilt nail polish?"

"Uhm... because it's bad?"

"Did I ever teach you spilling things is bad?" Kim Dokja wondered, not recalling ever doing that.

"No, it's just a rule." 

"Who set that rule?" 

"No one, it's just a rule." 

"I see..." 

He continued working as she began falling asleep from watching him type. 

The next morning, Shin Yoosung succeeded in tricking Yoo Joonghyuk to make both pancakes and waffles for her.

"How... how do you keep doing this?"

She ignored him and shovelled the food down her mouth before anyone stopped her. 

"You scare me." Yoo Joonghyuk muttered.

She giggled, putting a whole pancake in her mouth and eating a spoonful of syrup afterwards.

"Yoosung DON'T eat it like that."

"I'm a free woman." She argued through a mouthful, adopting that phrase from Han Sooyoung.

Yoo Joonghyuk sighed, but before he could argue more he quickly dashed to the table and took out something Biyoo was chewing.

"Why do all of you have such strange eating... habits..." His voice trailed off.

He took out a small red cloth from Biyoo's mouth, and slowly pulled it, and kept pulling, and it kept going. She had an entire red ribbon in her that wouldn't end.

"...YOOSUNG CALL SEOLHWA." Yoo Joonghyuk yelled and Shin Yoosung didn't know if she should laugh or be worried for her sister

Biyoo looked really calm, besides trying to still eat the ribbon the doctor was pulling out of her.

"How are you still breathing?" Yoo Joonghyuk wondered as she continued to slowly pull the ribbon out. 

It ended up being longer than her small body. Lee Seolhwa also found a toy car in her mouth.

"She's like a squirrel storing things in her mouth..." the doctor mumbled. 

"I FED you, what more do you want?" 

Biyoo simply giggled in response like she wasn't close to choking to death. 

“I don’t think Biyoo is a human,” Shin Yoosung chuckled.

“You joke but I genuinely believe she isn’t.” Lee Seolhwa muttered. 

“What if she’s like, an angel?” Shin Yoosung’s eyes sparkled.

“She’s too much of a troublemaker to be one.” Yoo Joonghyuk said, poking the baby’s stomach, causing her to giggle even more. 

He walked off with Biyoo in his arms to give her bath, while Lee Seolhwa packed up, until Shin Yoosung stopped her.

“Seolhwa-unnie, my dad said you’re the best doctor in the world.”

“I don’t think I am but that’s very nice of him.”

“Can you help me?”

“With what?”

“Uhm… I think…” Shin Yoosung tried to find the word’s, she reflected back to something her old caretaker’s told her while they yelled at her. “I think something’s w-wrong with me.”  

The woman’s eyes softened and she kneeled to her level. “Maybe there’s a better way to put it?”

“No. There’s something wrong with me.”

“Would you like to tell me what it is?”

“I don’t know… I just want to be like my brother.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Like… think like him… he doesn’t think like me…”

“Funny because your brother told me he wants to be more like you.”

Shin Yoosung frowned. “Why? Even I don’t want to be like me.” 

Lee Seolhwa put a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you, but if there’s a problem I think we can try to solve it, okay?”

She nodded. 

“I’ll talk to your dad about it.” 

She nodded again and walked off, not feeling any better. 

That night, Kim Dokja found Shin Yoosung at his desk again, staring hard at his laptop, mostly at the large crack going through it.

“I’m beginning to think you’re trying to steal my job.” He joked, pulling the chair away from the desk.

“How did your laptop break?”

“Oh it didn’t, I gave away my old one and picked this one up.”

“But it’s so much worse.”

“I know, I just wanted to give away the old one.”

“Why?”

“I wanted someone else to have it.” Then he mumbled, “I hope he did take it.” He pulled Shin Yoosung off his seat and sat down, placing her on his lap. “Seolhwa told me what happened earlier.” 

“Mhm…”

“Do you want to talk about anything with me?”

“…A bit.”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t know how.” 

“To describe the problem?”

She nodded. 

“That’s okay. We’ll figure it out.” 

She curled up on his lap, trying to fall asleep again that way. She listened to the clatter of the keyboard, not liking it compared to his old keyboard, but couldn’t get the bad grade off her mind, even though it’s been days. She knew she had to bring it up eventually, keeping secrets was hard, and made her feel guilty. But if she revealed it, that would be so much worse, she’d feel so much worse. 

“Yoosung? Are you okay?” 

She opened her eyes and stared blankly at him. Can her dad read her mind?

He shifted and held her upright. “Your heart’s racing, is everything all right?” 

“Is it?” She didn’t even realise. 

“Are you sure there isn’t anything on your mind?” 

“…I’m fine.”

He gave her a worried look. “Ok if you say so. Do you want me to put you in bed?”

She shook her head quickly, holding onto him.

He smiled softly. “Ok, you can stay here a bit longer.” 

She relaxed again, leaning her head on his chest. Kim Dokja continued to work, still a bit worried for her. After a few minutes, he looked down to check if she was asleep, but then was shocked to see tears in her eyes.

“Y-Yoosung? What’s wrong?” 

She whimpered, hiding her face in his chest and crying. He hugged her tightly and stroked her hair. He was reminded of Lee Gilyoung acting the same as her a few weeks ago when he struggled to tell him a problem. 

“Is there a reason you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong?” He asked gently when she stopped crying.

“…You’ll be mad,” she mumbled.

“I don’t think I will be, I’m not usually mad at you… am I?” He asked, more to himself than to her.

“Not really…”

“Why do you think I’ll be mad?”

“Everyone gets mad at me.” She mumbled, covering her face.

“Who’s everyone? Your siblings?”

“No…” she took a deep breath, “Please don’t be mad?”

“I won’t be… but you don’t believe me, do you?” 

She shook her head. 

He stroked her hair. “We’re so similar to each other.”

She perked up. “Really?” She and Lee Gilyoung loved being compared to him. 

“I get scared of people being mad at me as well, even if I do nothing wrong,” he explained.

“Why?”

“It’s just how my brain is.” 

“Oh. Me too.” 

“It’s annoying, isn’t it?”

She chuckled. “Yeah.”

“But it can get better, I promise, we can help you make it better.”

“And go away forever?” 

He smiled sadly. “No, I’m sorry. But you’ll learn how to handle it.” 

“Ok…” she sighed, slumping. “It’s not fair.”

He chucked. “It really isn’t.” 

They sat in silence until Shin Yoosung spoke up again, her voice shaken.

“Dad.”

“Yes, Yoosung?”

“…I got a bad grade in maths.”

He sighed, hugging her again, almost rocking her a bit like he did with Biyoo. “And that made you anxious?”

She nodded.

“It’s okay, everything will be okay, even if your brain tells you it won’t. And, I’m not mad.”

“But you’re happy when I get good grades.”

“I’m happy when you do a lot of things, and it’s not just yours grades that make me happy. It’s okay to mess up, I know I do it all the time.”

“Ok…”

“Did that help?”

She nodded, smiling. “I’m happy you aren’t mad.”

“And I’m happy you told me about it.” He kissed her forehead. 

She relaxed again, closing her eyes as he rocked her to sleep. 

The next morning, she tricked Yoo Joonghyuk into giving her Lee Gilyoung’s breakfast after she finished hers.

Shin Yoosung didn’t know how therapy worked, or if she should trust it. Why should she talk to a stranger about the worst moments of her life when she had her dad? …Who she didn’t want to talk to either. 

Kim Dokja tried to explain she’d learn more about herself that her family couldn’t tell her, which she also didn’t believe. Her family knew her better than anyone, didn’t they?

Although, she did begin to understand what he had meant when her appointments began. And she learnt that being raised by people who yelled at her for every mistake she’s made during most of her childhood did not do good things to a person. She didn’t think it’d be a problem, she wasn’t with them anymore, and her dad promised he’d protect her forever. And she thought she was selfish for not believing him.

She didn’t really like her therapist, either. Even though she was helpful, she was really boring and never laughed at any of Shin Yoosung’s jokes. At least Kim Dokja agreed to look for others if it keeps going poorly. She really wished Lee Seolhwa was a therapist instead of a doctor because she’d love to talk to her… even though she hasn’t before this. 

“Yoosung.”

She looked away from the window and back at her therapist across her.

“You’re getting distracted.”

“I’m boreddddd.” She whined, sliding off her chair.

“We have a whole hour, are you sure you just want to sit in silence?”

She nodded, still refusing to sit upright.

“The door is there if you want to leave.”

“Can I actually?”

“Yes.”

“Actually?”

“Yes.”

“…You won’t stop me?”

“No.”

“Actually?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“There’s no consequences if you leave.”

“I know…”

“You’re still scared to go?”

The girl nodded.

The therapist softened, having waiting for the girl to open up since the session began. “Can we talk about that?”

Shin Yoosung sat upright on her chair again. “Ok.” 

Kim Dokja waited outside the office, then was tackled by a hug. He smiled, patting his daughter’s head.

“Was today good?”

She nodded, unexpectedly. She usually pleaded to go back home.

“Do you think you’re getting settled?”

“Yeah…” the girl murmured. 

“Do you want to see her again next week?” 

She nodded.

“Ok.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I’m so proud of you, Yoosung.”

“But I didn’t do anything.”

“I don’t need a reason to love you.” 

She smiled, and took his hand as they walked home.