Work Text:
The manuscripts were fluttering along with the breeze that was coming in through the open window. Fables continued to pour into the room as the group of individuals stood by the threshold.
Amid all the ensuing chaos of papers and letters was a man on top of the only hospital bed inside.
Dark bags were visible under his eyes, his skin was that of a sickly pale complexion, and his hair that was as black as the night sky was sticking out towards various directions.
Even with the mess swirling around him, the atmosphere that was wrapping his frail-looking body in a hospital gown was solemn and was filled with exhaustion.
Despite all that, he managed to give a smile with his chapped lips towards the group huddled together by the door, staring at him with different kinds of emotions evident on their faces.
"I'm back," the man managed to croak out as he continued to show a smile that is all too familiar to the group.
It was the smile they saw during the time of their tribulations, the smile that gave them comfort and anxiety; the smile that they believed to have disappeared, and the smile that they truly wanted to witness once more.
The owner of such smile--the person who was the main reason why they traveled back in time to save, the one who helped them clear the trials and scenarios that resembled hell, the individual who became their most treasured yet frustrating comrade who created a series of crazy plans filled with self-sacrifices; the guy who led them and supported them, the being whom they've known to disappear and disintegrate to the worlds they couldn't reach.
He was their leader, their manual, their guide, their parent, their friend, and their companion.
He was the single star that they desperately yearn for.
That existence that was long gone--but never forgotten--was right before their very eyes and is a few steps away from them.
Slowly, one by one moved forward and entered the hospital room. Their hearts drumming inside their chests as they ignored the surrounding pandemonium and only gazed at the man in front of them. Each one of them reaching out their hands towards him, hoping and praying with everything that they have that this time will be different than the last.
This time, they'll be able to touch that single star.
Maybe this time, their prayers are finally answered. Desperately, they hold onto the light of hope that once again appeared.
"Stop that," the man chuckled, awkwardly, as he watched them approach him. "You remind me of the zombies that chased after me on the bridge during the beginning of the scenarios."
They ignored his words and continued to reach towards him.
Please. Let it be real. Don't let it be an illusion. Let this be true.
Pat. Pat.
Their hands finally landed on him. They could feel the fabric of the hospital gown he was wearing and the warmth of his skin underneath the clothes. They could also sense his breathing and beating heart.
He's real. He's alive!
The man tried to say something to them to calm them down but immediately halted as he witnessed what was happening before him.
Drip. Drip.
Like a rainstorm pouring from the sky or a waterfall flowing non-stop, tears started to fall from their eyes that never left their sights on him.
He's alive. This is not a dream, nor is it an illusion. They thought as they pinched themselves to verify their beliefs. They felt pain--physical pain on their skins.
This is not a lie. He's really in front of us. He's breathing. He's here. He came back. He returned.
"Kim Dokja."
The utterance of his name was soon followed by wails and the rushing of people to envelope one man in their arms filled with scars and battle marks.
Surrounded by the fluttering papers, floating letters, hospital equipment, and the sterilized odor, they wept to let out the overwhelming surge of emotions inside them. Their cries filled with sorrow and celebration. Joy and agony intermingled as they reunited with their shining star once more.
Never will they let go of him again. Their endings are incomplete without Kim Dokja. Now that they're together...
They finally reached the epilogue they truly wanted.