Me: … I'm sure it's not just me, right? Anyway, I also happen to see this tweet about KDJ's waist size while doing my research for this fic. Do with that what you will!
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Normal POV!
It starts with his damn white coat, or the lack thereof.
Before they know it, that coat has become much more recognizable than the wearer's own undecipherable face, so it's really no wonder why things feel off when Kim Dokja is without his signature Infinite Dimension Space Coat.
It is Jung Heewon who notices first, absent-mindedly glancing around as she and her sparring partner, Lee Hyunsung, take a water break, eyes lazily settling on three figures when the squabbling grew loud.
And it's not an uncommon thing to see the children, Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung, arguing with their arms latched around the man who basically took them in. Those kids are always fighting over little things as constantly as they seek approval from their parental figure, like cats and dogs — yet when it counts, those two get along well (just like their stubborn party leaders, who always have each other's backs despite the constant death threats exchanged between the two).
That said, it's not the commotion that draws her in, nor is it the subject of argument between the two taming experts. No, what kept her attention is how the two's arms hung loosely on Kim Dokja's hips, an instinctive decision to loosen their hold so their arms wouldn't get entangled from the action, and this is only necessary because the man's waist is so unnaturally slim. Without the coat, the curves and the dips are more visible in his tight-fitting button-up shirt, a black one that goes well against his pale complexion.
She's seen him without a coat before, met him before he even acquired the damn thing. But in her defense, she was still adjusting to the sudden apocalypse life threw at her and had no time to really notice anyone's fashion statement, let alone her own. So one can't really fault her for only noticing her friend's slender figure now during a rare lull between scenarios.
"Erm, Heewon-ssi, what are you doing?"
She hums thinkingly, not quite a reply nor an acknowledgement to the puzzled question, ignoring the wary yet curious looks the kids are sending her in favor of directing all her attention to the task at hand.
"... Heewon-ssi?"
This time, the question comes out strained, but she pays no mind to it as she gives his slim waist another considering squeeze, and only when his expression contorts into one of discomfort does she stop her ministrations, yet her hands remain on his hips, snorting.
"Uhm, Heewon-ssi?"
Lee Hyunsung, who's been watching since Jung Heewon's curious approach, pipes in timidly as they all watch her eyes narrow in thought.
" ... small…"
"Uh, what…?"
"Your waist," she deadpans, declaring, "it's small."
She couldn't keep the wonder from her voice, a bit impressed at his figure if not for the nagging worry towards his body. She ignores the noise of understanding the onlookers made upon hearing her response in favor of continuing her inspection as Kim Dokja blanches at them.
"... I'm not."
Jung Heewon looks at him with an appraising look, unfazed by the weak reaction. She corrects him, like an adult who knows better chiding a stubborn kid.
"You are."
She takes it further by scanning him from head to toe, striking when he makes a move to deny it.
"In fact, I would say you're smaller than the rest of the girls here. I'm almost jealous, Dokja-ssi."
Jung Heewon nudges him good-naturedly, her expression morphing into a shit-eating grin that could put Han Sooyoung to shame when he starts spluttering in response. To her delight, even with his face unclear, his ears have very clearly reddened.
His eyes search for the others, hoping to find someone on his side.
Lee Hyunsung averts his gaze, sheepishly rubbing his nape while the kids cling to his waist, as though comforting him. To his dismay, even the surrounding bystanders seem keen on pretending they haven't been eavesdropping.
" ... seriously?"
Jung Heewon snickers at the defeated flush on his cheeks.
It doesn't end there, either.
"Sangah-ssi, not you too…"
Jung Heewon hides a smile as Yoo Sangah flashes an innocuous smile in response, amused by the resigned look Kim Dokja is directing at her.
"I've always wanted to know the size of Dokja-ssi's waist."
Kim Dokja gives up then, allowing her to tighten the luminous webs hanging loosely around his waist.
While he busies himself with checking the messages sent by the constellations, Jung Heewon watches on curiously as Yoo Sangah furrows her brows, seeing results from her stigma that makes her adopt a mildly concerned expression on her face.
"Sixty-three centimeters, Dokja-ssi…"
Jung Heewon nearly chokes at the new information, whereas Kim Dokja tries to avoid the disapproving look directed at him.
She did think the man looked too frail to be walking around without a care in this apocalypse, hence why she's always quick on her feet to stand before him at the first sign of danger, but this particular air of fragility seems to disappear when he wears that unlucky smile of his, exuding confidence in a way that makes him reliable and untrustworthy at the same time.
Seeing Yoo Sangah's critical look, he tries for a placating smile.
"I'm really fine. Seriously."
Although unconvinced, they decide to drop the subject when they notice the discomfited expression on his face.
Despite the worrying aspect, some others found it amusing, however.
Lee Jihye, hovering nearby, snorts at him.
"Ahjussi, seriously, maybe you should hide behind us from now on."
The smug grin tells them she's still gloating about the fact that Kim Dokja's shoulder width is found to be smaller than hers, which makes the current discovery all the more concerning, in all honesty, that even Lee Seolhwa herself looks ready to interfere.
Grumbling, Kim Dokja pulls his coat around himself in an attempt to hide his body from view, but the action only serves to emphasize the shape of his figure.
"Hey now, it's not my fault I was born this way."
It's obvious that he doesn't like the attention, amused or otherwise.
Unfortunately for him, this wouldn't be the last time.
"Han Sooyoung, get off."
It's a hot day, and everyone's more lethargic than usual, so of course Kim Dokja would struggle when Han Sooyoung casually wraps her arms around his waist, her face pressing against his back adding to the heat.
"... shut it…"
"Han Sooyoung!"
"Shut up! My arms are tired, and your waist is the best place to hold them up."
Despite herself, Jung Heewon finds herself amused by the adorable scene despite feeling hot and tired just seeing Kim Dokja's predicament.
"That literally makes no sense."
Waving his embarrassment off, he eventually stops squirming when Han Sooyoung makes no move to unlatch herself from him. He opts for paying attention to the kids instead, who look like they are waiting for their turn after Han Sooyoung.
"Can you believe this?"
It gets him a blink, not understanding the question, but they wear agreeing looks anyway just because it's their hyung/ahjussi that's asking and although he didn't expect anything, Kim Dokja can only sigh in defeat.
Then even Yoo Joonghyuk gets involved.
"You need to eat more."
Kim Dokja doesn't even stand a chance before he gets dragged off to be fed.
One day, he asks.
"Why is everyone so fixated on this?!"
At everyone's unimpressed expression, he continues to grumble.
"I'm telling you, I'm not small, and I eat enough, and it's not anything weird at all. I really don't get why you're paying so much attention to my waist."
Nobody answers him, except for Han Sooyoung who is staring at him incredulously.
Almost horrified at his obliviousness, she mouths to him.
'Sixty-three centimeters.'
Much to their exasperation, he doesn't get it.
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Me: It ends so abruptly but I just have nothing else to add anymore. In any case, might post another this month before I focus on a writing event I joined, or maybe not because it's Midterms Week. In any case, go ahead and hang around my discord server (tdNdHA9) anytime. See you!
~~~CHAO!~~~