Chapter Text
Donghyuck falters, scared to face his parents after making them worry all night. He takes a deep breath, Mark squeezing his hand lightly.
“Hey,” Mark says, “It’s gonna be okay. I promise.” He flashes a toothy grin at his boyfriend, earning a small smile in return.
“Yeah. Yeah, okay.” Donghyuck squeezes Mark’s hand one last time and walks towards the front door. “Wait here for me?” He drops Mark’s hand.
Mark nods, “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.” He leans back against his car, motioning for his boyfriend to get moving.
Donghyuck smiles, glad to have Mark’s support, Mark’s unwavering smile urging him forward. He feels a twinge of guilt for keeping him up all night, and makes a mental note to make it up to his boyfriend after graduation.
His dads are waiting at the door, Taeyong looking about as rough as Donghyuck feels. As he gets closer he sees Johnny standing to the side, eyes filled with worry. He feels another pang of guilt, realizing how much trouble he’d caused for everyone close to him that night.
Taeyong rushes forward, throwing his arms around Donghyuck before he’s even in the door, “Oh, Hyuckie, thank God.” Donghyuck buries his face in his dad’s chest, taking in the scent of home; His arms at his sides, not sure whether to hug back or not. Taeyong strokes his head, fingers tangling in his son’s hair. “We’re so glad you’re home.”
Donghyuck pulls back, breaking their embrace, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you guys.”
Johnny walks over, putting a hand on his son’s shoulder, “It’s okay, Hyuck. Let’s get you inside, okay?” He tilts his head towards Mark’s car, “Tell Mark to come on in, too. He’s always welcome.”
___
6:34AM
Donghyuck looks down at his phone, checking the time once more. They have to be at his graduation ceremony in three hours, and the adrenaline is starting to wear off. He feels his eyelids growing heavy, exhausted from lack of sleep and crying all night. Mark is rubbing small circles on his hand, a comforting presence, always by his side.
“Alright, sweetie,” Taeyong sits across from the two boys, hands in his lap, “Can we talk about it?”
He looks from Taeyong to Johnny, his stomach in knots. He knows he can’t keep it from them any longer, so he lowers his head, mumbling, “I didn’t get in.”
Johnny’s voice is soft from across the end table, “You didn’t what, Hyuck?”
Donghyuck takes another deep breath, leveling his eyes with Johnny’s, “I didn’t get into UTCU.” He feels the tears building up once more, wiping hastily at the corners of his eyes.
“Oh, baby boy…” Johnny sighs, and Donghyuck can see his dad’s eyes start watering too. He feels sick to his stomach.
“I’m not good enough, okay?” His voice cracks.
“Don’t you ever say that again.”
Donghyuck is swept up into his dad’s arms before he realizes what is happening. Johnny wraps him in a hug, his voice tight, “Hyuckie, I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” He asks pitifully, voice muffled by his dad’s embrace.
Johnny squeezes his son reassuringly, “I put too much pressure on you. I tried so hard to be a good role model, and ended up causing you so much anxiety.”
Donghyuck nuzzles into his dad’s chest, small tears escaping, his voice thick, “You were a good role model. You still are, dad.” He sniffles, “I just wanted to make you proud.”
“Oh, my sweet boy,” Johnny places a soft kiss on Donghyuck’s head, and then another, “You’ve already made me proud. I don’t care what University you go to, or if you even go at all. I just want you to chase your dreams.”
“We both do,” Taeyong chimes in, encircling Donghyuck from behind, his tiny frame barely wide enough to wrap around his son.
Donghyuck feels safe. He feels warmth radiating from within, knowing his parents will always be there to pick up the pieces when he’s fallen apart. His breathing slows, his tears coming less frequently as he takes in a deep breath, the smell of coffee and lavender mixing together- the smell of his home.
Johnny pulls back, wiping his thumb across Donghyuck’s face to collect the few remaining tears. “You’re an amazing writer, Hyuck. And the whole world is gonna see that someday.”
Taeyong kisses his son’s cheek, “He’s right, you know,” then whispers in his ear, “You might even be a better writer than this one.” He winks, and Donghyuck giggles softly.
Johnny huffs, his upper lip protruding, “Heyyyy, no secrets in this family, remember?”
Taeyong and Donghyuck stick their tongues out simultaneously, breaking into a fit of laughter. Donghyuck feels light on his feet, a heavy weight having finally lifted from him. He can’t stop laughing, the feeling overwhelming. He’s also sure it has something to do with being sleep deprived, but the look on his dad’s face has him in stitches.
Mark clears his throat from the couch, “Erm, Hyuck?”
Donghyuck ceases his laughing fit, “What’s up, baby?”
“Did you ever actually receive a rejection letter? Or any letter from admissions?”
He sighs, “No, they never responded. Plus, it’s already May- they probably forgot to send out my rejection letter or something. It’s not a big deal.” He rubs his eyes, absently wondering if Taeyong left any coffee in the kitchen.
“Hyuck.” Mark is pointing to his most recent pile of plushies won from the arcade; he’s obsessed with those terrible crane machines, always trying to best you. Donghyuck isn’t sure what Mark is getting at until he notices a stack of mail buried beneath two giant Hello Kitty’s; They must have fallen over and been long forgotten, those were from back in February. He notices an envelope thicker than the rest, lying near the bottom; he eyes it nervously, pulling the envelope out from the plushie mound.
“It’s from UTCU,” his stomach drops. Donghyuck shakily sits down next to his boyfriend, staring at the envelope.
“Open it, baby,” Johnny urges. He smiles warmly at his son, giving him a very dad-like thumbs up.
“We’re all here for you, no matter what they say.” Taeyong nods next to him, flashing a small thumbs-up as well.
Mark snatches the enevelope from his hands and begins tearing, “No excuses now, Hyuck!” His eyes are warm and playful despite the lack of sleep, and Donghyuck takes a deep breath.
“Alright, alright. Hand it over.” Donghyuck takes the papers, eyes gliding over the letter intently. He tries keeping a poker face, hoping to prank his parents or even pretend to cry, but he starts laughing. And he can’t stop laughing.
“Uhh, Donghyuck?” Concern laces Taeyong’s voice, given his son’s current state. He thinks the exhaustion might have finally done him in.
“I’m such a moron!” Donghyuck manages to choke out between laughs, tears starting to roll down his cheeks.
Mark frowns, “Hey, come on Hyuck. Fuck this school. It isn’t worth it to beat yourself up.”
“No, no it’s not-” He composes himself slightly, wiping away a stray tear, “The last three months, this acceptance letter has been sitting under a pile of arcade plushies!” He begins cackling again, throwing his head back.
“Hyuckie!” Johnny stands up, rushing to hug his son, Taeyong close behind him. The two take turns kissing his tear streaked cheeks, his laughter contagious. “I knew you could do it!”
Mark can’t help but snort out a laugh next to him, “You idiot, I told you to check your mail everyday.”
“I can’t hear you over the amount of love I am currently receiving!” Donghyuck quips back, caught between his dad’s arms.
“Oh shut up,” Mark rolls his eyes, smiling at his boyfriend. “Proud of you, sunshine.”
Donghyuck’s face feels flush, “Thanks, sweets.” He lets out a long growling yawn and takes a look at the time. “Shit, graduation!”
Taeyong hops up, already in Dad Mode, “Hyuckie, quick shower-now. Mark, you use the one in our room. I’ll brew some coffee to go and we’ll tell your parents we’ll meet them at the ceremony. Johnny, can you whip up some breakfast?”
“On it, toast and eggs coming up,” Johnny ruffles Donghyuck’s hair as he stands, “Proud of you, kiddo. Let’s get you graduated.”
Donghyuck smiles, “Thanks, dad. You sure me and Mark can’t share a shower and save time?”
“SEO DONGHYUCK, I SWEAR TO GOD,” Taeyong shouts from the kitchen. Donghyuck cackles as he makes his way to the bathroom.