Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been at least a week since Eungyeol had came back to 2023. Memories of the current timeline had came back bit by bit, mainly in dreams or whenever he closed his eyes for a brief moment. Sometimes he missed his old timeline, he never had to worry about half the stuff he had to now, mostly regarding SPINE9. Eungyeol was hoping the band would be a lot like watermelon sugar was, but he was wrong. Certainly not as fun, but his bandmates were practically family. Plus, he now had a girlfriend they approved of so that’s a win.

Speaking of which, Eunyoo was probably one of the most important people in his life now, they really connected and bonded those few months in 1995. He was so relieved when he found out she wasn’t some middle aged woman in 2023. Another perk was that in this timeline Eunho didn’t know about her until now so he didn’t have to deal with his crush on her. (That would be severely awkward)

Lost in thought, Eungyeol didn’t even realize the violent knocking coming from his door, closer to pounding if you asked him. How? That’s a good question. At first he thought it was some “casual” outside noise until he heard a female voice call, “EUNGYEOL OPEN THE FREAKING DOOR!” yeah it was Eunyoo. He opened the door just as she was about to “knock” again. “What is it Eunyoo?” he tried to not burst out laughing when he saw her face, which had a look of surprise. “What could possibly be so shocking?” he teased, which made her look up at him. “Oh shut up. I should’ve stayed in 1995,” she joked, rolling her eyes playfully. “Speaking of which, I think your dad finally put two and two together.” Eungyeol nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “What makes you say that?” Eunyoo let a soft chuckle escape her mouth, smirking at Eungyeol. “Oh, no I lied. I just forgot, I saw something the day we came back.”

Eungyeol grasped her shoulders, his eyes widening. “What, tell me Eunyoo!” he demanded, shaking her for a good five seconds. “Not judging or anything but did you not notice the tape magically appear on your desk?” the statement made him whip his head back to look at his desk that he hadn’t even bothered to touch. He rubbed his temples, looking at the tape that still lay on the surface. Slowly, he approached the desk, picking up the tape and flipping it over. And there it was, the title clear as day, A Song For You.

Eungyeol rushed into the living room with Eunyoo following close behind, cursing under her breath. “Dad!” he signed, face to face with his father. He was sitting on the couch, and after he saw the tape in his youngest son’s hand, he smiled sweetly and patted the seat next to him. “I see you finally retrieved the tape, took long enough. Wouldn’t want to lose it, it sure is one of a kind.” Eunyoo giggled, which made Eungyeol elbow her side. “How long have you known?”

Yichan looked him in the eyes, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I’m guessing the day you got back. You started acting strange that day, and then I saw the tape fall out of your pocket and everything clicked,” he sure was dramatic with his signing there, which made Eungyeol take a glance at Eunyoo, who found this amusing. “I also figured out the truth about you too, all on my own.” he pointed to Eunyoo with pride. Eunyoo pointed to herself and raised an eyebrow. “Me? How?” Yichan raised his hands once again, silently laughing. “I thought it was strange how you both disappeared at the same time, and once i found out the truth about Eungyeol, I was able to realize you looked the same as…” Yichan pondered, obviously confused and questioning his previous thoughts. “I pretended to be my mom, that’s why my name is different.” she assured. Yichan nodded his head slowly.

“The band should be coming over in a moment, what a strange way to reunite.” he joked, motioning to the door as if they were to come in that very second. “We should show some pictures and see how long it takes them to realize.” Eunyoo laughed, which Yichan obviously also found funny. For some reason Eunyoo, who’s apparently addicted to caffeine now, made a cup of coffee and came back just in time. She sat next to Eungyeol with a soft smile forming on her face. When a knock echoed throughout the house, Yichan approached the door and turned the doorknob swiftly, and his former bandmates took seats across from the three of them.

“Is this the one you kissed the night of the show?” Majoo pointed at Eunyoo for a brief moment which made her whole face turn red. “Yes, it was her.” Eungyeol said, keeping his face perfectly straight. Hyunyul let out a low chuckle and sat up. “I knew Majoo was lying about something, he said it wasn’t even you.” Eungyeol just rolled his eyes and propped his head up with one of his arms, the other resting on his leg. For a while the bandmates stared at Eungyeol, and an uncomfortable silence wavered in the atmosphere. “Is it just me or does Eungyeol look like someone? I know I’ve said it before but it feels like i’m getting some serious deja vu.” Hyunyul whispered to Majoo, who nodded in response. Eungyeol’s eyes widened and he slowly turned to Eunyoo, who was still smiling. Her eyes were also slightly widened just not as much, probably because the situation didn’t really concern her. “So how is everyone doing?” he interrupted, trying to change the subject. “You know, same as always.” Siguk responded, and a few of the others nodded in agreement. Just then Chungah entered the room, taking a seat on a nearby chair. “I didn’t know you all were coming today.” she signed with a smile. “You guys seem to be really good at sign language.” Eungyeol thought out loud, completely forgetting they had 28 whole years to learn. Eunyoo elbowed his side harshly, which made him wince.

“Well we’ve been learning since we were 18, haven’t we? Your mom showed us a few signs even before your dad lost his hearing.” Hyunyul responded. Eungyeol slowly nodded and Chungah added on, “It’s practically a band reunion in here, except we’re missing two people.” Eungyeol could see the sadness in her eyes, though he highly doubted she missed Eunyoo from the past. Majoo scratched his head. “I wonder why they never came back, do you think they went to the United States together?” Eungyeol grew stiff. Eunyoo shifted in her seat, obviously uneasy. Yichan was only watching and taking occasional glances at Eungyeol. “What I’m confused about is why they never said goodbye, and why they would travel together?” Sebum shared, looking at Chungah. She looked down slightly and then raised her head again. “That boy was the reason why I learned sign language, I wish I got to thank him.” Eungyeol, who was coincidentally in the middle of sipping water immediately spat it out. “Hahaha,” he forcefully laughed. “Sorry about that, I have to go check something in my room real quick.” Eunyoo followed behind him stupidly grinning back, and when she noticed Eungyeol’s tape had fallen out of his pocket yet again, she quickly picked it up and shoved it in hers. “Eungyeol you idiot stop dropping the damn tape,” she whispered to him, sipping her coffee as she looked at all of the adults staring at her and Eungyeol. When they finally made it into his room, he grunted, face planting on the bed. They sat in silence for a few minutes, before Eungyeol finally decided it was time to head back. The adults were still talking about him without knowing it, which made his stomach queasy. As they walked back in the living room and took a seat, all eyes were on them. “What’s that in your pocket Eungyeol?” Majoo asked, pointing to the tape partially sticking out that Eunyoo must’ve put back. Eungyeol sighed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” he attempted, which just made everyone even more suspicious. Yichan was tense, staring downwards onto the floor. “Is that a tape?” Hyunyul was tilted slightly so he could get a better view. “So Cheongah, what were you saying before?” Eungyeol attempted to change the topic, but then realized he just made the situation worse. He called his mom by her birth name. “Sorry! I mean mom.” he corrected. Eungyeol was so focused on facing Cheongah he didn’t even realize Majoo had snatched the tape from behind. “MAJOO GIVE IT BACK.” Eungyeol shot up, reaching for it.

A mask of shock spread across his face. “How did you get this?” Majoo faced Yichan who was staring at the both of them. He held out his hand and took the tape away. “Yichan I thought you had given the tape to the man at the guitar store,” Sebum pointed out. “Remember when Majoo took it and made you give it to him, the night of the..”
“The night of the accident,” Eungyeol finished. “The night he had lost his hearing.” Eunyoo who was watching all of this and butted in. “That was what happened? I thought you told him to stay inside Eungyeol! You knew it was going to happen. You’re telling me Majoo made him give it away?” Eungyeol covered her mouth before she could continue. “What is going on here, what are you talking about Eunyoo?” Siguk asked. “She’s just making things up.” Eungyeol blurted out. Yichan, trying to change the conversation in sake of his son, started retelling the story like it was Eungyeol’s first time hearing it. “What was that kids name anyways? The boy who left, wasn’t it-“ Majoo turned to Eungyeol with his mouth agape. “ISNT THAT THE GUY IM NAMED AFTER?” Eungyeol signed violently.

“I’m guessing it was because your father would always call him son and the first time we met him he called him dad, that dude was sure crazy.” Hyunyul added. “Didn’t he blab about time travel one time? Otherwise he was a pretty cool dude, heard he ran away from home also.” Majoo said. “He ran away from home, why was that?” Cheongah frowned.

“Probably not a really good reason if you ask me. He was a fraud when we first met him. No hard feelings though.“ Before Majoo could finish, Eungyeol interrupted. “No it was a really good reason, his dad was making him quit music so he could become a doctor and translator but he didn’t want that, but he didn’t really have a choice because his whole family was deaf and his dad had pushed away all of his friends so nobody else could help. Then after the boy had an arguement with his dad he ran away and almost smashed his guitar before-“ Eungyeol stopped. “I mean that’s just what Yichan- I mean dad told me.” he slumped back. “Since when did you call your parents by their real names?” Eunyoo unconsciously asked.

“Since 19- EUNYOO!” her eyes widened realizing what she just did, but she couldn’t help but giggle. “Wait a second..” Sebum started, facing the others who were equally shocked. “Yichan go get a picture of watermelon sugar.” Majoo waved his hand after signing, but Eunyoo had already taken one out. “Here, why do you need it though?” Eungyeol wanted to throw her across the room. “Eunyoo I swear I’m going to-“ The other band members huddled around the picture, including Cheongah. “What’s wrong with the photographer of watermelon sugar taking a picture of watermelon sugar, come on now let’s be realistic.” Eunyoo said sarcastically. “WE ARE IN 2023 NOT 1995 EUNYOO!”

The band members just looked back and forth between the picture and Eungyeol and Eunyoo who were fighting like kindergartners. They finally stopped when they saw Eunho who was watching the whole time but wasn’t noticed and the bandmates staring at them with the most shocked faces Eungyeol thinks he’s ever seen. Yichan slowly clapped. “Congratulations, you guys finally figured it out.”

Chapter Text

“There’s no way..” Majoo muttered, looking back and forth between Eungyeol and Yichan. “Did you know Yichan?” Yichan laughed. “Of course I did. How else would he have the tape I made specifically for him back in 1995?” Cheongah had a look mixed with relief, gratefulness, and happiness. “I can’t believe my own son saved me.” she signed, which immediately made Eungyeol flustered. “That’s why Yichan had to stay inside that day, Eungyeol knew,” Hyunyul realized. “What happened before you traveled back into 1995?”

“Well my life was way different than it is now. We weren’t this rich, that’s for sure. Mom and dad didn’t meet until they were 20 in a sign language class originally. When I was young, I met my original guitar teacher, Mr. Viva. My dad from the previous timeline never even touched a guitar, and when he found out years later I played in a band, he got upset. None of you were still friends with him because Yi-Dad had pushed you all away since he was deaf. That means I had to be the translator or ‘the one who connected the family with the world’ I had managed to- well I don’t know quite how to describe it but I managed to go back in time to 1995. That’s when I met young dad, oh that was confusing-“

“Then we all met blah blah blah the end!” Eunyoo fluttered her eyes. She clearly had the attention span of a toddler but Eungyeol wasn’t going to say that out loud. “Since we’re on the topic Eunyoo was also from the future and she impersonated her mom-“ Eunyoo hit him lightly which made him start to giggle.

“I never played music?” Yichan looked somewhat sad, but Eungyeol couldn’t tell if he was 100% serious or not. “That’s beside the point, how did you two even find out you both time traveled? Did you go together?” Sebum asked. “No. You saw how she hated me back then. She tried to get with my dad which was actually weird because she was planning on-“ Eungyeol started before Eunyoo covered his mouth. “Anyways, no hard feelings now that’s for sure.” she smiled sheepishly.

Eunho who was basically watching from the sidelines finally stepped in. “That’s amazing, no wonder why you became less annoying within a day!” Eungyeol rolled his eyes and continued his story. “I had tried for months to try to save dad’s hearing but in the end it didn’t work. I realized the true reason why I went back was to understand my parents more and give them a better future.”

“We thought you abandoned us, at least you’re back now.” Siguk smiled. Eungyeol chuckled, turning to Yichan. “I’m happy I made a better life, for myself, for you, and for my one and only mom.”