Cinderella parody AU, except, Yu Junghyeok doesn't want to go to the royal ball despite his siblings insistence. He purposely ruined his own suits all to NOT go. Why? Because Yu Junghyeok wholeheartedly believe that getting entangled with royals to be a pain. If anything, Junghyeok just wanted to be a baker, maybe even a normal cook. He willingly takes charge for housework due to his perfectionist nature, not liking how the others fail to match his standards of cleaning or cooking. His step-siblings, Sooyoung found happiness with Sangah, even Heewon found joy with Hyunsung, they are concerned for him, being the only one in the family who has yet to get a fiance. Which is stupid, because Junghyeok is not interested in romantic love. He's not going to entertain their scheming of hoping Junghyeok find the love of his life by attending the stupid royal ball meant for the prince. Despite his own effort, a weird self-proclaimed fairy that looks identical to him (SP) decided to pull a prank and set him in full dandy high-end suit fitting for ball, and forced Junghyeok to attend the ball much to Junghyeok misery. He's not allowed to leave, stupid magic trapped him and only allow him to skedaddle once the clock turns to midnight. Junghyeok went, hair slicked, handsome, and somehow regal... and much too miserable vine and shadowed face to be there, preventing any ladies from approaching him. Well, whatever. Junghyeok can waste time and feast on the food and have a drink, then just go to the balcony to avoid all the stuffy nobles and royals. Yu Junghyeok doesn't fit with such frolicking. Yu Junghyeok went, food and drink in tow, and just watch the starlight. He's contemplating on how to get his step family to get off his back from marriage. He then heard a rattle, the door opening and closing. Yu Junghyeok looked over his shoulder to a man looking fairly frazzled, as if he just escaped from a bunch of vultures. The stranger was sighing in relief but jumped when he sees he's not alone. "I was here first." Yu Junghyeok states, he won't blame the other for trying to escape the dance floor, God knows how stifling it is. "You can stay, hide, whatever. Just don't bother me." Yu Junghyeok says with finality, going back to emptily gaze on the moon. Well, he would have... had he not heard the loud growling stomach from his new company. Yu Junghyeok gives the other a raised eyebrow, while the stranger laughs awkwardly. Another poor soul forced to attend a royal ball, worse than Junghyeok however, he's starved. Yu Junghyeok can only imagine what the guy had to go through and felt an odd camaraderie. "Here." Junghyeok offer his barely touched plate. Junghyeok prefer his own cooking. The stranger face was surprised, but grateful, if the smile anything to come by.

"Thank you, um..." The stranger, who upon closer look, is surprisingly good-looking in Junghyeok opinion. "Joonghyuk." Junghyeok says, which, isn't exactly his name but close enough. The other blinks, chuckling, and gives Junghyeok a courtesy bow, "You can call me Dokja." oh, okay, so he's also sharing an alias? Maybe he likes reading, or maybe he's an only child. Nonetheless, they warmed up to each other, mostly sharing how they agree that they didn't want to attend the ball. Yu Junghyeok was surprised how similar their situation was, how their family is trying to find them a partner. Yu Junghyeok can understand. He doesn't want to be forced to find something as ridiculous as love, more so in place filled with nobles and royalties when Junghyeok wants nothing to do with them. "Do you hate the royal family?" Dokja asks, which Junghyeok snorts to. It's not hate. He just didn't want to deal with them. He said as much and for some reason, Dokja exhaled in relief. Maybe Dokja family is close to the royals, or a vassal, and he's worried Junghyeok carry treasonous sentiments. Junghyeok doesn't know much about the royals, but the image in his head is a stuck-up arrogant princely bastard. Dokja laughs when he shared this particular tidbits. Then, they heard the orchestra playing the music, another round of dancing. Midnight should be close but he's surprised that it was fun talking to Dokja. He made a friend, a companion, which is an achievement considering how little Junghyeok cares for others. Dokja offers a hand, asking for a dance. Junghyeok laughs, and warns Dokja that he's not much of a dancer... yet he still takes the hand. The two dance, and Junghyeok thinks it's nice. A good memory. It's unfortunate that they won't meet again, but at least, Junghyeok found a little fun in this stupid royal ball.

Yu Junghyeok keeps tabs on the time and reluctantly cut their moment short, excusing himself. Then, before he leaves, Dokja asks Junghyeok to wait and gives him... a pocket watch? Dokja smiles mysteriously, and says "Joonghyuk" can hold on to it. Junghyeok didn't think too much of it, intricate design shouldn't be surprising since he suspected that Dokja is of noble lineage. "I don't have anything to give you." Junghyeok says. Dokja says it's fine, and the two separate like that. There's no drama, no climatic separation whatsoever. No glass slipper dropped by the staircase. Yu Junghyeok returns with no fanfare. It was, a mundane closure.

Yu Junghyeok looks at the pocket watch, recalling that pleasant night where he talks with a strange man with eyes that seemed to holds an entire galaxy. There's little chance they'll meet again, so Junghyeok decided to treasure the memory and gift, of their conversation and dance.

Meanwhile, Kim Dokja, prince of the royal family, hums as he wonder how to plan a coincidental meeting with "Joonghyuk"

Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja, childhood best friend eventual lover. Though they kept their intimate relationship underwraps, not wanting people to butt in and judge them for being same-sex lovers. Then again, since it's pretty well-known that they're childhood friends, tightly attached to the hip, Dokja and Joonghyuk being suspiciously touchy were easily chalked it to them so used to such closeness. The only problem? Well, KDJ still got asked to deliver love letters from shy maidens to Joonghyuk, and while Dokja had a good laugh out of it since he's all too proud about how popular his protagonist-like lover, Joonghyuk wished he could tell people that he's taken. He doesn't have eyes for anyone other than Dokja, and it's foolish for people to even try to drive a wedge between him and Dokja... which, unfortunately happened, and Joonghyuk hated the idea of people getting in their way. Dokja still give affectionate touches here and there, but those can easily be interpreted as friendly affection. Joonghyuk was greedy for more, he wants Dokja to assert his claim, show the rest of the world who Joonghyuk belongs to, Joonghyuk wants Dokja to have his way with him both in private and public, make it clear that Joonghyuk is taken. Joonghyuk felt his cheeks reddening from his own fantasy, wondering if he's an exhibitionist for PDA. Kim Dokja just sips his drink, flipping through another page of... Joonghyuk didn't pay attention what book he's taken from the library shelf, but Joonghyuk fans himself, feeling hot over his own obscene imagination. Kim Dokja steals a glance at Joonghyuk, unaware of Joonghyuk desire while wondering if they should move to a cooler place since his boyfriend seems hot and bothered.