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“Here you go!” The woman gently hands Joonghyuk a plastic bag, he accepted it and nodded curtly before leaving the store.
Ring ring!!
Joonghyuk halts, holding the plastic bag high in the sky and moments later, a bike passes through him, barely missing him by an inch.
Joonghyuk frowns, but his attention quickly diverted from the reckless young boy to the bag he was holding. He breath a sigh before continuing to walk slowly, holding the bag in front of him where his eyes could always see it. He would flick between the bag and the road before his peaceful walk was rudely interrupted by a tune.
He checks his phone, seeing it was Han Sooyung who was calling for him, he rolled his eyes before clicking the end call button.
The tune repeated multiple times and at this point, he was too tired to deny it so he decides to simply ignore it.
In his next stop, he enters a flower shop, he browsed for a couple of minute before eventually deciding to make a bouquet of rose and tulip.
He happily wrapped it and paid before leaving. Checking his watch, he tsk before quickening his steps.
Right in front of the industrial complex, he sees a crowd of people covering the entrance. He frowns yet despite not making a single sound, they all looked behind and ran towards him.
Not wanting to waste his time any longer, he drew out his sword and pointed it at the reporters running at him. He glared and spoke in a deep voice, “Move.”
Some brave souls still tried to come closer to him but as soon as Joonghyuk slice their cameras and mics in halves, the crowd of people backed off, making a clear way for him. Waste of time.
He climbed the stairs quickly, bursting through the door just to see flashing lights covering the room.
Everyone had their attention preoccupied, singing happy birthday, the music accompanying their singing drowning out his steps. He stood still, not knowing what to do.
He had woken up especially early to visit the shop as soon as it opened, rushed home before the usual time Dokja would wake up and yet, there he was. Still in his pajamas, smiling brightly with their companions.
Someone must’ve thrown cake at him because there were some pieces on his hair and cheeks. Biyoo threw herself into his arms with Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung following her close behind.
The first to notice him was Han Sooyung, who was staring at them from further away. Her bright expression quickly switched as she stomped forward. Much like an angry cat, Joonghyuk could almost see her claws pointed at him.
“You bastard, where the hell were you! I called you multiple times but you never answered!!” Han Sooyung waved her arms around, pointing at Joonghyuk like she wanted to make sure he knew she was furious with him.
Her gaze lower to the bag he held and the beautiful flowers that seem far too big to be held. Even with Yoo Joonghyuk size, it was covering half of him.
Han Sooyung’s previous insults stuck to her throat before she shakes her head, “Sometimes I wonder how you and that dumbass is the strongest people back then.”
Joonghyuk didn’t say anything. Simply stared at the flowers he had picked, perhaps if I had chose faster I wouldn’t have missed it.
“Bastard. You know he’s not dead! Stop looking at like you just lost your wife!” Han Sooyung kicked the air before stomping back towards Dokja.
She manages to clear the crowd to give Dokja a clear view of Joonghyuk, who seem like a kicked puppy.
“Joonghyuk-ah?” He stared, eyes wide, his gaze flicking between Joonghyuk’s face and the flowers he held.
“Kim Dokja…” He said, his voice could barely be heard. He sighs in defeat, and closed their distance. Each step felt like a life time.
Every step he took, he thinks back to all the time he should have acted faster. Back when they first met on the bridge, in theater dungeon, during the war for the throne, peace land, the demon realm, the saint and demon war, and on that subway.
Everything seem to slow him down, preventing him from reaching him. Despite how close he may be, he couldn’t stand the distance they are in.
He stood right across from him, their distance still separated by a table that held a large cake with the words “Happy Birthday Kim Dokja!”
He placed the plastic bag on the table, and reached out towards him. Dokja said something, his mouth moved yet Joonghyuk couldn’t hear him. Almost like there was still a wall separating them.
He rest his hands on Dokja’s cheeks. With his thumb, he rubs away the smudge on his face, his eyes never left Dokja’s and finally when all the bustling noises came back, he spoke, “I’m sorry I’m late.”
Dokja sweat, giving a smile, “You bastard—I thought something was wrong! You weren’t saying anything!”
“I wanted to be the first one to gift you something.”
Dokja froze. He looks at Joonghyuk, his expression resembles that of ‘happy memories.’ He buries his cheeks on Joonghyuk’s hand, nudging it before holding his palm, “It doesn’t matter if you’re the first or the last. What matters is you’re here now.”
“BARF!” Lee Gilyoung broke the silence, getting everyone’s attention, Before he could continue on his distraction, Shin Yoosung smiled and shoved her hand to cover his mouth.
“Geez… Now I feel like we’re intruding…” Jung Heewon was the second to speak, not being able to bare the silence any longer.
She looks to her right, a weird noise infiltrating her ears.
EEEKEASJEAEAJDNKD
Uriel, who haven’t left her eyes from the hand that touches Dokja so gently, was holding in a squeal that most likely would explode everyone’s ear drums if she hadn’t held back. Soon enough, she fainted with nose bleed, having decided she would rather fall to the ground rather than disturbing this beautiful couple.
The party continued until evening, Joonghyuk—despite wishing everyone would leave sooner didn’t want to ruin Dokja’s special day. He stood as close as he could beside Dokja, his eyes never leaving his face. Wishing to save that smile in his memories.
Once the sun fall, everyone started to leave one by one. Han Sooyung being the first, saying she was getting sick of looking at Joonghyuk’s oogly eyes. Yoo Sangah followed her, saying she was her ride so she couldn’t stay longer.
Lee Hyunsung diligently took the kids away while Jung Heewon drag Uriel who have fainted multiple times by now to a guest room.
Lee Seolhwa, Aileen, and Jang Hayoung ushered Dokja and Joonghyuk away, telling them to get some rest while the rest of them clean up.
Finally having some peace and quite, Dokja finally looked at Joonghyuk and reached to grab his hand, “So… You left me alone in bed to get me flowers and cake?”
Joonghyuk grumbled, Dokja could barely make up him saying “I knew I should have baked it myself.”
He smiled involuntarily, seeing Joonghyuk looking like this making him feel a bit mischievous, “So…” He wraps his arms around Joonghyuk’s neck, his face close to his. “Was there anything else you were doing behind my back?”
Joonghyuk stared at him, his arms unconsciously wrapping around Dokja’s, “I got you coins for that app you love to use.”
Dokja’s eyes widen, not expecting this fool to actually indulge him, but he seem to be more susceptible at this moment.
“You did?” His face became hot, and Joonghyuk’s gaze became too heavy for him to bear.
He coughs a couple of time, “Thank you… Joonghyuk-ah.” He says through a cracked voice.
Joonghyuk’s eyes narrow, his arms tightening around him, and something that resembles a smile finally covered his face, “Happy Birthday Kim Dokja.”
Extra:
As the night only grew darker and darker, Dokja lay awake. His hands holding his phone, the light illuminating his features.
Joonghyuk’s face softened, he draped a blanket over him before getting under it himself. He lay his head on Dokja’s chest, wrapping his arms around him. His gaze lingered on Dokja’s face, on the way his brows drew together in tension then immediately changed into shock. He revelled in every little change it made. Each shift puts a smile in Joonghyuk’s face, he buries himself deeper into Dokja until his vision blur into darkness.
⸢Ha p py Bi rth d ay, Ki m Do kja⸥
Ckckckckck