Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kim Dokya tends to be very quiet person. He's antisocial and has self-deprecating attitude. In fact, his favorite hobby is reading. Watching the stories of world-saving adventures, famous heroes trying to accomplish their goals and, of course, villains trying to get in their way.

Kim Dokya liked being in his own world, filled with fantasy. 

"Still, reality can't be avoided forever." Kim Dokya thought, while dramatically looking at the passing scenery from behind the glass, his reflection stared back. 

Why did he agree to this again? 

Simple, his mother asked him to do it, and just like his adoptive parents never tried to pressure him into anything, he himself tried to return the favor from time to time and play the part of good son. Which is why he agreed to come to this party.

He already knew he'll soon come to regret going there.

His uncle, Zeus, already married six time, and this is his seventh time. Along side his other uncle, Poseidon, they both couldn't keep it in their pants and often cheated on their wives. 

So it isn't that suprising they would divorce and remarry every couple of years.

In fact, Kim Dokya grew so accustomed to it, it became a tradition for them to hold a grand party celebrating his uncle's newly formed marriage, a tradition Kim Dokya would rather skip. But he knew that lack of his [appearance] would bring more trouble then it would avoid.

So, grudgingly, he would always agree. But really, he would never miss a chance to avoid them. They were too creepy for him to endure. 

* * *

It was already noon when he woke up next morning. Still half-asleep, he moved through his hotel apartment to freshen himself.

By the time he came out his parents already had someone deliver him a suit to wear for today's party. He already expected that, they already confirmed his sanse of fashion - or lack therefore, was a disaster. 

When he got dressed, he looked himself up and down in the mirror.
Kim Dokja has a thin face and pale skin. His hair is thin and black; he has long eyelashes and dark circles from his terrible sleeping schedule. He has a slender physique, skinny but still holding some muscles from the rare times he does some workout. 

He is not ugly. 

However, due to his previously mentioned non-existent fashion sanse, he's always scolded for wearing plain clothes and making himself look like, in his friend's words, "old man in this late thirties," which hurts if you're still in your mid-twenties.

Soon he's already in the car sent by his parents, being driven to his place of torture for today.

* * *

"Why did I agree to this?" He grumbles, glancing around with frown.

People were chatting happily to each other, as if they were old friends who knew each other for years, and some might have been, but Kim Dokya knows the Olympus family and yet recognized only a handful of people. Those he saw on tv.

Zeus always goes all out with his parties, welcoming variety of people with any kind of social status. This year was no different.

Han Sooyoung rolls his eyes next to him. Han Sooyoung is petite, thin, and nicely proportioned, always described as beautiful girl. She has a small face with sharp canines. Her eyes are large with their corners angled upwards, with a beauty mark underneath one eye. Her hair is short and silky, black to match her eyes, just reaching her shoulders. Not only that, but she was dressed in beautiful dress with open back, showing of her flawless white skin.

She's writer. Very famous one, with many fans and enough of a social status to be let inside the party. Also, one of few people Kim Dokya confidently calls his friends.

Dokya was very thankful to have her here. Although she has eccentric personality. 

"Just pick one and go snag a guy." She replies shamelessly. Kim Dokya turns to glare at her. She flatly ignores him "A passionate night with hot stranger. Just enough to spice up your boring day, and bonus points for losing your virginity." Before he can even retort something she bids him good bye, heavily implying he will listen to her.

Kim Dokya takes another gulp out of his drink.

And another, and then he takes new glass from the passing waitress and that continues for a while. 

He goes with his parents to greet the bride and the groom, splits ways soon after so he dosen't have to entertain those business partners of theirs, and then takes another drink.

And then he sees him.

The man has wide black eyes with thin double eyelids and thick eyebrows.

His hair is black and slightly wavy, cut short. He has tan skin, a sharp nose ridge, and a strong jawline. He is extremely muscular, in particular having well-toned biceps and thighs.

Half-open black vest and tight black pants. 

Enchantingly Handsome. That was how Han Sooyoung would have described him, and Kim Dokya would have agreed with her.

But more then that. He seems to be made for the role of hot stranger Han Sooyoung mentioned earlier.

Before Kim Dokya even realizes it, his feet move in his direction. 

* * *

After an hour of Kim Dokya's one-sided conversation with the mysterious handsome stranger, both of them grew more and more agitated with interruption flooding in from all around them.

Be it a man or a woman, they circled around Yoo Jonghyuk like hawks, trying to capture his attention the way Kim Dokya surprisingly managed to. 

After twentieth time someone approached them, even Kim Dokya had enough.

"You know what, screw it! I came here to have some good time, and there's too many people here for that.

"Come, Mr.Moody. Let's get out of here." Jonghyuk looks up and Kim Dokya takes it as a sign to continue "Aren't you bored too?" He asks.

"Not enough to follow a stranger to who-knows-where."

Kim Dokya gave him the look. The one his mother says he got from his adoptive father in times when she forgets Kim Dokya is actually adopted. The one that is strange mix of daring amusement. Half smirk that is meant to infuriate people.

"You sure about that?" He cocks his head and moves his hands to motion to group of people staring directly at them, at Yoo Jonghyuk to be exact. They were whispering among each other, looking at man as if he was piece of meat in their plate and they were starved.

"Where?"

"Come on." Kim Dokya takes his arm and winks.

* * *

They were both leaning on Jonghyuk's car, overlooking the beautiful city and the sky growing darker with every passing minute.

Both with a drink in their hands. Kim Dokya was rambling, continuing to talk about most randomly weird things Yoo Joonghyuk ever heard in one day.

Before either realized it, they were back in the car, sitting at the backseats.

Shorter man made himself comfortable on Yoo Jonghyuk's lap, quietly laying down, twitching his fingers in light caress the latter's knee every other minute.

"Nothing is working alright these days... but you keeping me company so I'm not lonely, it's greatest thing that happened to me since I came here." 

"It's not fair, you're too charming for your own good. You know?" Kim Dokya said, snuggling closer to his chest. 

"Are you already drunk?" 

"Drunk? Nah. You're just drop dead gorgeous." He said, running his fingers through Yoo Jonghyuk's thick hair. 

Joonghyuk stills for a moment, the other dosen't notice. 

They stay like that for long enough for Kim Dokya to realize what he just said. Immediately, he sprung up and moved towards the doors of the car 

"Its getting late, we should go back." Yoo Joonghyuk takes a hold of his arm.

"How about you stay with me.

"What for?"

"You don't want to be lonely." Yoo Jonghyuk whispers. "Neither do I."

He gently tugs him closer by his tie to reel him in closer.

Insistent, warm lips press against his. Kim Dokja makes a startled noise in his throat. 

Yoo Jonghyuk makes him tilt his head in a way that invites his tongue deeper inside him. 

His whimpers are swallowed by Yoo Joo
nghyuk's lips. Their kisses get sloppier; excess saliva trickles down the corner of his mouth.

He retracts his mouth and Kim Dokja stays there, limp and panting.

He slicks back the curls from his face, and looks at him. His back muscles flex as he sinks down to kiss his neck.

"Hey, that- Wait." 

"Let me. You came here to have good time." Jonghyuk murmurs, directly in his ear. Kim Dokya internally freaks out even more. His voice was one of the best things he heard, it was smooth and deep enough to make Kim Dokya blush just at hearing it and even more so when distance between him and his ear was so short he could feel his breathes on his neck, a shiver ran down his spine. 

As if to tempt him even more, Yoo Jonghyuk unbuttons a button on his shirt and Kim Dokya stares at the sight of tanned chest before gulping and looking up, only to see him smirking. 

He shouldn't. 

This wasn't like him. 

But the man was looking at him, his eyes staring at him in predatory manner. Following his every move, waiting for him to come back to him, letting him choose to close the distance between them or to leave while he's still letting him. 

So almost naturally and without any second thought, Kim Dokya climbs on his lap shamelessly, his clouded eyes watched the man under him and his lips stretched into daring smirk. 

Chapter Text

Due to probability storm rising in the air, both earth and sky was shaking with fear. No one knew what caused it, no one knew how to stop it. The Star Stream itself was close to it's destruction. Yoo Joonghyuk should be glad, this was what he spent his three lifetimes to archive, and yet he wasn't. One by one, the stars was disappearing from the sky, and people continued to lose their lives.

Yoo Joonghyuk was stuck in between all that. He had no time to think about anything at the moment, the star was falling little away from him. Kim Dokya's star was falling. He was trying to find a way to stop the upcoming disaster but made no explanation on how he's planning to do it. Yoo Joonghyuk needed to get back to him, or else he might slip away from his grasp again.

He always does.

Makes them worry over him, traumatize them with his each and every death, and yet, he comes back with his unlucky smile again. But, his luck will run out sooner or later, and they all dreaded to see that moment. It took Kim Dokya three years for him to return to Yoo Joonghyuk last time. No one wanted to find out how long it would take him this time.

Yoo Joonghyuk turned to run after him, only to come face to face with hideous creatures lurking all around him, preventing him from moving forward. They stood in his way. They stood on the way of him getting back to Kim Dokya. They had to die. He quickly started slaying them down, their blood dripped on the floor as their lifeless bodies fell down without much of resistance, they never stood a chance after him, unlike what hey were told. His bloody sword continually slashed at them, not even a hint of hesitancy in his dark eyes.

He needs to get to Kim Dokya.

He didn't stop until all of them were down, and he immediately started running forward. His path was cleared by his companions, each of them shouting pleas for him to hurry onward, so he did. He ran and activated his skill to jump upwards, holding his outstretched to catch the falling light. When he landed, in his bloody arms, he holds a small but bright star.

He cradles it closer and sighs at the warm feeling coming from it. Suddenly, a light grows bigger, forcing Yoo Joonghyuk to look away, and when he looks back, a man with black wings and smile is holding his bloody hands in tight grip.

His usually white coat was stained by his stories stardust, now slightly purple with dirt patches on it. Yoo Joonghyuk let's out relived sigh when their eyes meet. 

   "I'll kill you next time you leave, Kim Dokya."

   "Got it." The man murmurs back, followed by quiet laugh.

Chapter Text

He laughed, hands shaking and blood covering every inch of his body. The force of his laughter caused him to hunch over and it turned hysterical, hot tears streamed down his face and he clutched at his hair, sword long abandoned on the ground.

Now, it was his fault again.

Rage mixed with hysterical despair at the thought of Kim Dokya never waking up again.

He brought his sword up.

He halted at the memories of his --- now deceased, companion. "Don't think that after regression something can change, live now!" Kim Dokya said those words to him, but now he's laying emotionlessly on the dirt next to Yoo Joonghyuk's feet.

His first death had left him devastated, so deep in his repressed emotions that the only thing on his mind at the time was to kill the 41st round Shin Yoosung, kill her for taking him away so soon.

His other deaths never got easier and each time Yoo Joonghyuk would be left wondering if he'll ever see Kim Dokya again, some hollow gold coins left to him from constellations who were trying to refuse their obvious responsibility in what happened to their Nebula's founder.
When three years passed Yoo Joonghyuk was already giving up, waiting for his death to naturally come, trying to respect his companion's wish to at least attempt to live his life properly.

And Yoo Joonghyuk never decided to try it, he was a coward. He was scared of not knowing if he will be able to meet Kim Dokja again or not. Kim Dokya was a one-time thing, something that became so precious to Yoo Joonghyuk for the very same reason.

All Yoo Joonghyuk could do was wait and hope Kim Dokya would find a way to come back, but he knew this time is the last chance he got and lost.

But, he also knew a chance can be made again.

[Constellation 'Secretive Plotter' is looking at Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk']

Kim Dokya wanted him to live.

"Not without you." He plunged the sword into his chest, just like he did once to Kim Dokya, and fell, his gaze landing on the man beside him whose faith he chooses to follow with his death.

[Stigma 'regression' is activating.]

[A temporary borrow of Stigma 'Time Travel' is finished]

* * *

An announcement from the speaker could be heard. Yoo Joonghyuk watches the disgustingly familiar sight of the subway while the clock is ticking. The dokkaebi appears, goes on with his instruction

And then the notifications appear out of thin air.

[@BI-7623channel is open]

[The constellation have entered]

Then as always, the first scenario arrives.

[The main scenario has arrived]

+

[Main Scenario #1 - Proof of Value]

Category: Main

Difficulty: F

Clear Conditions: Kill one or more living things.

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Compensation: 300 coins

Failure: Death

Yoo Joonghyuk quickly started killing the terrorists and the people around him.

"Is Kim Dokja at the front?" Kim Dokya was in the same car as Lee Hyungsung and Kim Namwoon who would die after Kim Dokya's decision and instead Joo Sangah and Lee Gilyoung would join them. Not that they were particularly helpful but his companion choose them, even if Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't hesitate to cut their necks off right now.

Kim Dokya suffered because of them.
Kim Dokya chooses to suffer for him too.

And this time, he intended to completely use each one of them to ensure his life and death companion's survival in this ruined world.

After killing every person around him he moves to rearrange the explosive. Only minutes later the loud noise is heard and an explosion happens.

Yoo Joonghyuk walks through blown-up metal doors and looks for Kim Dokya through a small crowd of people who are yet to be killed for not finishing their first scenario. Their gaze meets.

They were finally reunited.

By the time the scenario countdown drops to zero, only six people come out of the subway. Kim Namwoon is left alive and Yoo Joonghyuk --- with greasy blood-soaked clothes, stands among them as they run across the bridge. Kim Namwoon is useful currently, helping Yoo Joonghyuk deal with Zombies abstracting their view.

* * *

Kim Dokja has regained most of his mental capacity at this point, his arms still shook heavily at the sight of Yoo Joonghyuk standing across him though.
They already finished the first two scenarios, now they are on the way to the next station.

Kim Dokya and Yoo Joonghyuk are left to walk behind all of them, just finishing their deal with dokkaebi.

Yoo Joonghyuk briefly and very vaguely explained to him how they already met. Kim Dokya listens until he finishes.

Jonghyuk reaches out with one hand and grabs Kim Dokya before the other can run away. This rat bastard always does.

"Kim Dokja," the deep voice says, displeased. "Why are you always so difficult?"

Kim Dokya stays quiet. Not sure how to respond to something so vague

"Look at me." He clasped his hand over his neck, tightly enough so he can' turn away. Kim Dokya winces and looks up anxiously "That's better."

"I'll protect you," Yoo Jonghyuk says, moving closer to the other men. "You just need to stay with me, yes?"

"Say it Kim Dokya, say you're sorry for leaving me, that you'll stay with me."

"Yo-Yoo Joo-joonghyuk..." his grip is painfully strong on Kim Dokya's frail body.
He shakily moved his hands to gently nudge Yoo Joonghyuk away. The said man looked offended at the thought. "Do you want to leave me?" He accused, sharp rage filling his black narrows eyes.

"No, I've just-"

[Incarnation 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is using skill 'Lie Detection']

[You have confirmed Kim Dokya's words are false.]

Suddenly, the protagonist's eyes completely lose all the emotions in them, his hand becomes even stronger around his companion's neck.

"I don't remember meeting you..." Kim Dokya hurriedly explains, fearing for his life.

"I'll let you know how much I love you even without the pain of our memories. You are my life and death companions after all." Strong calloused hands wrapped around Kim Dokya, bringing him into such a tight passionate embrace full of loving obsession.

Chapter Text

Yoo Joonghyuk stares at familiar but nevertheless unwelcoming sight. He never thought he would come back here again.

Countless years of memories, 1863 futile regressions later, and Secretive Plotter finds himself in this cruel, disgusting scene once again 

Foolishly ignorant people standing in the subway, thinking that this is going to be an average day of their lives.

He already knows he's going to kill them all, that he'll see their bodies collapse as if they were nothing but a house of cards who was shaken by passing wind, he'll relive that moment again because he has no choice.

No choice but to live through it.

He's back.

An announcement from the speaker could be heard.

Then the dokkaebi appears, goes on with his instruction and then the notifications appear out of thin air.
So sickening familiar sight.

He doesn't bother reading the notifications and starts beating all people around him to death with nothing but his fists.
The Dokkaebi watches in surprise.

People yell in shock.

He feels no remorse.

He promises himself that he won't make any mistake this time and takes a hidden knife from the terrorist's corpse.

It will be over in a minute.

After 7 or so people he stops for a moment just to see more notifications incoming.

   [@BI-7623channel is open]

   [The constellation have entered]

   [The main scenario has arrived]

   [Main Senario #1 - Proof of Value]

   Category: Main

   Difficulty: F

   Clear Conditions: Kill one or more living things.

   Time Limit: 30 minutes

   Compensation: 300 coins

   Failure: Death

Oh ---

Oh.

He already killed most of them even before the scenario properly started.

It was a mistake he never made before; he foolishly threw away the chance of getting the coins he needs so much.

Still, the constellations pleased with his violent outburst were happy to sponsor him some very much needed but distasteful coins.

He walks to the metal doors that separate compartments 3707 and 3807. There's rage flaming inside his chest as he walks and yet, his steps are calm and collected --- the complete opposite of his mind.

Part of him is in doubt, he's terrified for the first time after so many lifetimes. He is physically holding himself back from walking inside just so he doesn't get the chance to see himself disappointed.

He still has hope.
Hope hurts to have.
He doesn't want to have it.
He still does.

He blames Kim Dokya for returning his hope to him.
Especially when the hope is futile; Kim Dokya was not meant for him to have, he won't be part of his world. Won't be part of his worldline.

   "Hope is futile."

The thought clears his mind from any doubt.
He takes a peek at chaos and terror unfolding at cabin 3807
He uses the sponsored coins and grips on the metal doors, ripping it off as if it's a sheet of paper.

He still has more than 6 minutes to make up for his despair-filled mistake.

He needs more coins. More deaths.

He stepped inside and people continue to scream at the sight of a man covered in blood ripping metal with his bare but bloody fists.

He grabs the nearest person to kill --- some nameless elderly women who were praying to gods that were the reason for all of this, only to freeze in his track.
A man stands away from him.
Wide black eyes filled with fear watch him.

Kim Dokya, alive and uninjured, stands there.

Secretive Plotter had mixed feelings about Kim Dokya.

A fool that somehow managed to shift his entire world and remodeled it into his own viewpoint.

A fool that somehow managed to help him come to the last scenario with all of his companions alive.

A rat that turned the easiest scenarios into 10× harder ones.
Someone who not only never betrayed him but also sacrificed himself for him --- repeatedly, with no hesitation whatsoever, as if it was natural for him to do it.

Yoo Joonghyuk of 3rd regression thought of his as his dearest companion, a companion in life and death.

Someone he never had.

A Kim Dokya.

The man who was the currently cause of his mental condition weakening; or his Regression Depression worsening as Kim Dokya would say, was watching him and Secretive Plotter could practically hear him coming up with the plan behind his trembling form.

Without much of a thought Secretive Plotter walks up to him, tossing away the person he previously was about to kill. He stands before Kim Dokya who takes a step back hesitantly.

   "Yoo Jo-Joonghyuk." Kim Dokya whispered in a dazed state.
Secretive Plotter --- a man who once lost everything to star stream, even his own name, was carefully listening to every word that left his companions mouth.
To be called by that name again only made him remember this was Kim Dokya who is before him.
The man he watched Yoo Joonghyuk bicker with, clear scenarios and fight alongside him. For a long time, he yearned to feel the same.
Kim Dokya was forever out of his reach.

And yet, he was right before him.
Secretive Plotter grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.

Kim Dokya was in his worldline.

This fool that wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice himself for his companions was now within his arms.

   "Finally." He muttered quietly. His deep voice made Kim Dokya shudder.

A loud explosion resonates through compartment 3807 where Yoo Joonghyuk came from, right behind them. Kim Dokya clutched onto Yoo Joonghyuk tightly who in turn shielded him away even more.

When he finally released Kim Dokya it was after he saw the countdown getting increasingly smaller and the explosion left trembling office workers covered in blood and litter of dead bodies to cover the subway floor --- those foolish people that were killed by Dokkaebi demonstrating his power. They only had three minutes left and Kim Dokya needs to live.

Yoo Joonghyuk whispers in his ear as he lets go of him "Show me how you cleared this scenario, I want to see it in person this time."

Kim Dokya stares at him for a moment before nodding and scurrying off into Lee Gilyoung's direction.

Within three minutes, Kim Dokya managed to perfectly execute his plan.

Just like the first time Secretive Plotter saw him, he used the same tactic.

There were few changed variables than in his usual regressions:

  1. Kim Namwoon survived (Kim Dokya seemed too scared of him to pick a fight with Kim Namwoon and agreed to "team-up" with him.)

  2. Instead of 2 survivors, 7 people went out of subway cabin 3807 alive

  3. Yoo Joonghyuk was already with them when 1st scenario ended and they ran to the bridge.

And most importantly,
  4. Kim Dokya was with him.

Chapter Text

Ways Of Survival, or shortened WOS, is a television series based on a web novel called "Three Ways to survive in the Ruined World".

During its completion period, the author of the web novel was only known by their pen name tls123.

But, not long after, the author Han Sooyoung has revealed herself as the writer behind the pen name --- shocking her fans while at it, after being accused of plagiarism of her own novel. In fact, she based her new novel SSSSS-grade Infinite Regressor on her old one and people realized the similarities between them.

Not only that, she mentioned that she made many revised versions of WOS.

Her fans were thrilled to hear that, and suddenly, the pitiful novel became an overnight sensation.

Only months later, she announced tv adaption of WOS.

On its pilot episode, called "Season 0" by the fandom, the popularity was higher than any other series at the time.

The cast was handpicked by her and the script was also her own work, and in the years she grew as a writer, Han Sooyoung was proud to proclaim that WOS was her favorite work, which is why she never gave up on it and continued to make revisions, until her third attempt when she finally felt satisfied.

The base of the television show remained the same as her novels.

It focuses on the journey of protagonist Yoo Joonghyuk as he faces the end of the world, and how he must regress in time over and over again in order to reach the end of the "scenarios", deadly challenges posed to those in the universe of Ways of Survival.

In the original Ways of Survival text, Yoo Joonghyuk worked through 1863 regressions before approaching the end of the scenarios. Though the majority of these regressions are skimmed over, some regressions have been described in varying levels of detail. That was one of the reasons the WOS novel wasn't popular. It was repetitive, long, and poorly written even with interesting twists.

But, Han Sooyoung decided to change that.

During the season 1 and 2, Yoo Joonghyuk's journey was always different. Season 0 introduced readers to the plot and what happened to Yoo Joonghyuk and after that, each and every time Han Sooyoung would shock the viewers with some amazing twist she came up with, even if the plot's base remained the same.

Han Sooyoung also revealed that the characters were based on her real friends. Which is why most actors she chooses had the same name as their characters. 

Due to all her efforts, WOS became one of the most widely known series in her country.

And during the third season, a brand new character was introduced.

Kim Dokya, reader, rat bastard, squid bastard or KDJ for short.

Some viewers loved him, some hated him, but they all had one thing in common; they wanted him to stay in the show.

WOS's popularity skyrocketed soon after the new main characters' introduction.

And when Kim Dokya died, the viewers wept. The audience loved him enough to revolt and bully Han Sooyoung into getting him back.

She brought him back.

But also had him killed serval times in an attempt to get rid of him, but each time he came back. Hence, the rat bastard nickname was born.

* * *

   "Welcome back guys. Our first guests today are an astronomically famous trio consisting of a reader, a writer, and a protagonist. Now, let's welcome them with big claps, ladies and gentlemen, Yoo Joonghyuk, Han Sooyoung, and Kim Dokya!" The crowd loudly cheered and clapped as the trio dressed in nice clothes walked on stage.

This was one of their many interviews arranged to promote the 4th season premiere that is scheduled to begin in only a few weeks.
They couldn't get out of it no matter how much they wished to.

It was almost funny how terrible all of them were at this. At talking.
Still, their fans didn't seem to mind it.

   "I'm very glad to have you here and so is the audience-" the woman started only for her words to be muffled by loud cheers of the mentioned people.

She giggles and continues on "We've been anticipating the new season's premiere for weeks already, what are some things you would like to tell us about it?"

   "Watch it." Yoo Joonghyuk answered with a straight face making the audience laugh and his colleagues snort.

   "And what was your reaction when you found out that the 4th season will be the last season of WOS?"

   "Finally." Yoo Joonghyuk lets out a long sigh which causes another wave of laughter through the crowd sitting on their right. Kim Dokya glares at him.

It wasn't a secret how much Dokya loved the story of Ways of Survival.

He read the 1000+ chapters of incredibly boring novels which caused the fans to call him a "reader".

He loves the show equally as much, more than happy to live through it even if it's only an act.

   "Our dear reader doesn't share your opinion, I see." The woman motions at Kim Dokya, her smile growing wide at the sight of lowkey scowling man.

Yoo Joonghyuk turned to look at him, eyebrow raised. Dokya poked his biceps like he was still a middle schooler.
And wow, his muscles were solid 10.

   "Well, would you look at that? Our favorite duo seems to be getting along quite well even off-screen." The reporter giggles followed by cheers and whistles in the crowd.

Kim Dokya looked back immediately, his cheeks turning a shade pinker. "Well, we are together a lot." He laughs awkwardly. Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at him from the corner of his eye.

Thankfully, the reporter hums and pulls out the next card for her to read the question from. "Han Sooyoung, what's your opinion on Kim Dokya's and Yoo Joonghyuk's relationship?"

Kim Dokya takes a sharp breath, his blood now rushing to his cheeks even more.

The woman purses her lips in deep thoughts for a moment before answering "I see them as incredibly overpowered idiots who are also emotionally constipated. And their relationship is doing all of that together."

The duo of the life and death companion's turns to glare at her, she hums in response instead, her grin only growing larger.

She knows.

Knows exactly what their relationship was. When they were still dating back in high school she was there. She was their friend even after Kim Dokya had to go to military service and broke up with Yoo Joonghyuk.

She was there for both of them at the time.
Now, she enjoys watching them give her a death glare, squirms in their seats, or internally panic when asked to explain their relationship.

She says it's their punishment for making her listen to their complaints after their break up.

   "Kim Dokya, how is to know you're the reason WOS became what it is now?" She asks.

Startled, the man looks back at her.
She seems to notice his confusion and elaborates further "You accused Han Sooyoung of being a plagiarist author, not realizing that she was tls123."

Kim Dokya knew that Han Sooyoung was tls123. What he didn't know is that Han Sooyoung was the author of SSSSS-grade Infinite Regressor...

He accused his friend of plagiarizing her own work and thus, forcing her to admit her pen name.

   "Funny and awkward."

Han Sooyoung never planned to expose her real identity as the author of WOS, because she based the novel heavily on her friends. Even going as far as exposing their traumatic experiences in the novel.

Like how Yoo Joonghyuk has amnesia and doesn't remember his own childhood, and woke up one day to see a small child claiming to be his sister at his doorstep.

Kim Dokya was a new character as he was the only one to refuse to be publicized.

He hated how similar he would become with his mother.

And yet, in the third season, he agreed to act as a minor character, just so he could get those old revisions of WOS from Han Sooyoung.

The audience falls in love with him...
They riot to get him back after he's killed off...

So Kim Dokya grit his teeth and came back to do another season with his (secret) ex-boyfriend.

That's when he encountered a problem.

He fell in love with him again.