Dangerously Yours [JEONGCHEOL]

09: The Unlikely Saviour

The bustling street hummed with life—vendors shouting out their prices, the aroma of sizzling street food filling the air, and families weaving through the chaos. Joshua walked with measured steps, his expression calm but his gaze ever-watchful. Despite the cacophony around him, he found a rare solace in observing these simple, untainted moments. For a fleeting second, he let himself believe in the innocence of it all.

Then he spotted him.

Joshua’s steps faltered as his eyes locked onto a ridiculous sight. Dokyeom—yes, that Dokyeom—stood amidst a small crowd, embroiled in what could only be described as a war over a teddy bear.

The cafeteria cook was clutching the plush toy with the desperation of a man holding onto the last lifeboat on a sinking ship. Opposing him, a group of children wailed and tugged at the bear, their cries amplified by an irate parent who gestured angrily in Dokyeom's direction.

“I won it!” Dokyeom yelled, his voice breaking with indignation, as though he were pleading his case to a jury.

Joshua closed his eyes, exhaling a long, steady breath before striding toward the chaos.

“Seriously?” he muttered under his breath, weaving through the throng of onlookers.

As he approached, the mother of one of the kids was mid-rant, pointing an accusatory finger at Dokyeom. "You’re a grown man! Let it go already! My child is crying because of you!"

Dokyeom, now sporting a pout that rivaled the kids', shook his head vehemently. “I played fair! I earned this teddy bear!”

The children’s whining escalated into full-on bawling, and the parent looked ready to explode.

Joshua stepped in, his presence cutting through the noise like a knife. Without a word, he grabbed Dokyeom’s arm, yanking him behind him as if shielding him from the angry mob.

“What’s going on here?” Joshua asked coldly, his voice laced with authority.

The parent turned to him, exasperated. “This man—if you can even call him that—won a toy at the claw machine and is refusing to let my daughter have it. It’s a toy! He’s acting like a child!”

Joshua glanced at Dokyeom, who was now clinging to the teddy bear like it was a national treasure.

“I won it,” Dokyeom mumbled, avoiding Joshua’s sharp gaze.

Joshua turned back to the parent, his tone ice-cold. “He won it. You heard him. Teach your child some patience and try winning another one yourself instead of blaming others for your shortcomings.”

The parent’s mouth opened, likely to retort, but Joshua’s piercing glare stopped them in their tracks. His gaze was sharp enough to silence the crowd, the tension crackling like static in the air.

With a huff, the parent grabbed her child’s hand and stormed off, muttering under her breath. The other kids followed, and soon the crowd dispersed, leaving Dokyeom and Joshua standing amidst the aftermath.

“Yeah, that’s right! Run along!” Dokyeom shouted after them, lifting the bear triumphantly above his head.

Joshua gave him a sidelong glance, his lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval.

As he turned to leave, Dokyeom grabbed his sleeve.

“Hey! Thanks—” Dokyeom started, but his words died in his throat as he finally looked up and recognized Joshua. His expression soured instantly. “Wait a second! You’re the guy who trashed my food!”

Joshua smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Critique. Not trash. There’s a difference.”

Dokyeom’s grip on the teddy bear tightened as he glared at Joshua.