nonnie · 8mo
Kim Dokja is the older Hyung next door who got paid by his neighbor to watch over their son, Yoo Joonghyuk. Kim Dokja is okay with it, little Joonghyuk-ie is docile, a cute boy who'd glomp onto him and wrapped his little arms around Dokja's waist. Joonghyuk would tell Dokja about games, and even though he's younger, he insists on being the one cooking for the both of them (Dokja stands nearby in case the boy got hurt), and overall, it's a joy to spend time, whether silently or not. Of course, Joonghyuk can be a cheeky brat, saying how "Hyung is hopeless" and how he'll take responsibility and take care of Dokja once he's older. The innocent babble of a child, really, but Dokja play along, asking why should he choose Joonghyuk. Joonghyuk stands proud, hands on his hips and proudly declare how he can cook and clean, plus he's smart! The tallest in class and number one in sport! Yoo Joonghyuk proudly declare that he's the best suitor for his Hyung. Kim Dokja is in his first year of high school, and Yoo Joonghyuk is... Ten? So young and already so ambitious. "Hmm, but if you have everything, then what can I do?" Dokja teases, lightly tapping on the boy's nose. "...make money?" Yoo Joonghyuk says, pursing his lips in serious thoughts, probably thinking on how to delegate chores so his future spouse won't feel too useless. It seems little hyuk-ah sees him as the provider, Kim Dokja chuckles, assuming it's probably because in the child's eyes, Dokja has enough money (allowances and savings) to buy Joonghyuk favorite dumplings or pay for things whenever they go play outside. "Then, will Joonghyuk-ie be my bride?" Kim Dokja asks, resting his head on his hands, fond. "Why am I the bride?" Joonghyuk crosses his arms, and well, Kim Dokja admits that it's very likely that his hyuk-ie will grow to be a manly and handsome one in the future, but... "Because if you're marrying me, then you'll be my wife." Dokja shrugs, not really bothering with details. Yoo Joonghyuk makes this cute contemplating face before nodding, "Yeah, then Hyung will be my husband!" The boy decided, ecstatic. It's all make-believe though and that's all Kim Dokja considered it to be, and he thinks Joonghyuk is into playing house afterwards.
Naturally, Dokja consider it a simple phase that Joonghyuk will grown out of. He accepted the engagement ring Joonghyuk made during arts and crafts, finding it precious and genuinely treasuring the adorable moment. Who knows, he can use it to tease his little neighbor once Joonghyuk got a girlfriend.
...
It's just a phase, right?
Needless to say, it was not a phase. KDJ's little Hyukie stayed close by his side, clinging to this idea of becoming KDJ's future bride, until the end of the school year, when YJH's parents suddenly had to move. Their tearful parting tugged hard on KDJ's heartstrings, especially when YJH demanded that KDJ not forget him or their promise. KDJ didn't exactly promise to marry YJH, but with how clearly devastated YJH was, KDJ didn't have the heart to do anything but to pinch YJH's reddened, chubby little cheek and reassure him that there was no way that KDJ could ever forget such an adorable face.
It's not like KDJ was totally unaffected by the loss of YJH, either. He might not have as much spending money, but the part that really affected him was how quiet it was without YJH, and how he was a bit lonely...not many kids wanted to be around the son of a murderer, like KDJ, but YJH had been, if not a friend his own age, still a close companion who followed KDJ everywhere.
He never did hear from YJH after that, and as the years passed by, every once in a while KDJ would wonder what ever happened to that cute little kid next door...imagine his surprise when nearly two decades later, the most attractive man he's ever seen bumps into him at Minosoft...and after a moment of mutual staring, a deep voice rumbles, "...hyung?"
YJH grew up even more handsome than KDJ had ever imagined, now even a bit taller than KDJ himself...but the last thing that KDJ expects is for YJH to grab KDJ by the arm and say that he won't let KDJ go this time...that KDJ better make good on his promise. His promise, KDJ thinks, frantically—surely he's not expected to take this tall, well-build man as his wife??
(He was expected to do that. In fact, YJH was very adamant about it, obviously all too happy to play the part of malewife and feed his new malnourished husband the best food KDJ had ever tasted......and YJH was more than willing to fulfill the other duties of a wife as well, but more on that later....😏)
