Work Text:
[A new sub-scenario has arrived!]
Kim Dokja stopped dead in his tracks, dreading the sub-scenario that's yet to come his way. He said he’s going to be away to retrieve something and that his companions are at a camp nearby, but a sub-scenario?
The rest of the company kept their guard up, expecting the details of the scenario. Their star isn’t too far from the camp, but they're sure he got the message too.
———
<Sub-scenario: of warmth in one's embrace>
Category: Sub
Difficulty: ???
Clear conditions: Incarnations and Constellations alike will be free to participate in the scenario. The first to embrace Incarnation ‘Kim Dokja’ will be given the opportunity to have the Incarnation to themselves for 5 days
Duration: 7 days
Reward: 5 days to spend time with Incarnation ‘Kim Dokja’
Penalty for failure: ——
———
Kim Dokja looks at the contents of the sub-scenario, feeling his blood turn cold, he immediately runs far away from the camp, activating way of the wind while he looks for a place to hide.
[Constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ squeals in delight]
[Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ has incarnated into the scenario]
‘shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit’ Kim Dokja ignores the distant calls of his companions, inwardly cursing as he knows they could use this sub-scenario against him.
[Constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ says she will not be outrun by her son]
Kim Dokja pales at that declaration. Even his own adoptive mother joined this goose chase?!
[Constellation ‘Father of the Rich Night’ cheers on for his wife]
[Constellation ‘God of Wine and Ecstasy’ is currently looking for your whereabouts]
“Oh no.” he mutters to himself, hiding himself away from every single person that’s looking for him. He’s going to be very terrified if Yoo Joonghyuk would even bother to actually participate in the scenario.
He wouldn’t possibly do that… right?
“Kim Dok-“ and just before that gruff voice finished calling out his name, Kim Dokja has bolted out of there in a matter of seconds. He’s not sure of Yoo Joonghyuk’s intentions, but he is NOT risking it.
———
Just a few more days, he comforts himself as he attempts to catch his breath.
4 days passed, 3 left before the sub-scenario ends. Just as his breathing calms down, he looks up and gave the sky the nastiest glare. “WHO THE HELL MADE THIS SCENARIO SO LONG?!” He yelled, extremely exhausted.
[Constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ says its ok because he didn’t participate]
‘And how is that supposed to be ok?’ Kim Dokja thought, frustrated. And because of his frustration, he yelled. Meaning, it won’t be long before he’ll be on the run again.
[Constellation ‘Father of the Rich Night’ feels sorry for you but he also wishes to incarnate into the scenario if he could]
Kim Dokja wouldn’t have minded a simple hug. But no, they just had to make a huge fuss about it and made him run miles on miles even though he lacks the stamina.
Sighing, he stood up straight and began making a run for it yet again.
‘This is going to be a long night.’
———
[1 minute remaining before the sub-scenario ends]
Kim Dokja should feel proud of himself, lasting for a week while barely getting away from everyone’s grasp. He’s thankful enough that he manages to escape Yoo Joonghyuk.
Making sure that it's ok to rest even for a moment, he sits down, clearly drained. Until he felt a leathered hand hold his shoulder to keep him in place. Kim Dokja’s eyes shot open to see the indifferent look Yoo Joonghyuk has on his face.
But something seems off. He’s wearing a white coa- … “Fuck.” Kim Dokja curses as Secretive Plotter stares at him in amusement.
Soon enough, he was wrapped into a warm embrace. Kim Dokja had been too tired out and eventually resigned to his fate.
[The sub-scenario has ended]
[Constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ successfully met the conditions of the sub-scenario]
Kim Dokja’s company soon arrived to find their reader in the arms of Secretive Plotter. They were preparing for battle until the outer god spoke, [I won’t lay a scratch on him.]
Han Sooyoung scoffs, “and why should we believe you?”
[He will be staying with me as the reward. I simply played fair.] was the response he left for Kim Dokja’s companions. Glancing at Yoo Joonghyuk with a glint in his eyes, he once again left off with Kim Dokja.
———
“you’re awake.” 999 pointed out the moment Kim Dokja fall back to consciousness. He blinks his tiredness away and immediately panicked once he noticed the familiarity of his surroundings.
“what…” Kim Dokja furrows his eyebrows, 999 looks at him for a moment before looking away. “Hurry along now. The Plotter is waiting for you.”
This has to be some weird sense of déja vu for Kim Dokja. “why am here again?” he asks first. “You’ll have to ask the Great Plotter instead.” Is the only answer he is given before he finds himself in front of Secretive Plotter once again.
Smiling bitterly, he mutters to himself, “well, isn’t this nostalgic.”
[You slept in for 3 days. My time with you is shortened because of that.] Secretive Plotter sighs in dissatisfaction. Kim Dokja’s eyebrows knit together in confusion and frowns. “what else would you want from me this time?”
He carefully watches the outer god’s movement before he notices the longing gaze subjected upon him.
‘Could it be..?’
Secretive Plotter stood up from his throne and approached the star that shot him a wary gaze. Just like the first time they’ve talked face-to-face.
[I won’t ask you to stay this time.] He declares, stopping in front of Kim Dokja. Slowly, he opens his mouth again. “then… what do you want?”
Wordlessly, Secretive Plotter opens his arms, expecting Kim Dokja to understand rather than him saying it in words.
Although Kim Dokja still felt wary, he slowly hugged the outer god. There was no room for questions. After all, it was this man’s story that kept him alive.
…this is the least he could do for him.
Is what Kim Dokja convinces himself. He soon felt the Plotter’s arms return the embrace he is currently giving. Feeling Secretive Plotter’s face nuzzled to his neck, hot breath slightly fanning the sensitive pale skin, Kim Dokja couldn’t help but shiver.
Kim Dokja is held tighter, as if Secretive Plotter is trying to hog all of the warmth from his body. His legs gave out as both stumble and collapse on the floor still in each other’s arms.
Kim Dokja knew Secretive Plotter could carry the weight and not make them fall, but it seems that he’s too caught up within the hug.
“It’s because I love you that I can learn to let you go.” Secretive Plotter whispers in Kim Dokja’s ears. Reminding him of the same voice he’s heard from his own Yoo Joonghyuk.
“That doesn’t sound like something even you would say.” Kim Dokja half-heartedly jokes in amusement before he felt moist on his shoulder. The Plotter is crying silently. Kim Dokja frowns, opting to rub the man’s back in soothing circles to comfort him rather than point out his tears.
He holds Secretive Plotter tighter, offering more of his comfort. Pulling away slightly to see the Plotter’s face, he wipes his tears. “You mean a lot to me, but we both know I have my own Yoo Joonghyuk waiting for me.” He coaxes gently. Earning a bitter smile from the man.
“I will never understand what you see in him.” He admits. Kim Dokja chuckles before caressing his thumbs on both of Secretive Plotter's sturdy cheeks. “I don’t, either. But he’s my life and death companion. I can’t leave him now, and I won't.”
Secretive Plotter nods at Kim Dokja’s words, as if he’s begun to accept them. He stares at the outer god, and thought— ‘just this once, maybe…’ leaning closer to press a kiss on the Plotter’s forehead.
“Is this your cruel way of saying goodbye?”
Kim Dokja rolls his eyes and gives him a shit-eating grin. “we still have a few more days- oh, and as much as I’d rather not see you again, I’d like to say we’ll meet again.”
“You talk too much.”
“But you admitted that you love me, and that’s already a weird taste coming from you.”
Secretive Plotter sighs tiredly, yet he kept a small smile on his face. He’s already tried to keep the star to himself, but he knows he’ll never be truly happy in his presence alone.
If only it were him… things would have been different.
Shaking the thought away, he’s only left to enjoy the presence of the star loved and despised by many. He'd like to stay this way with him forever
But Secretive Plotter isn’t the Yoo Joonghyuk in Kim Dokja’s eternity.
———
His companions made sure Kim Dokja has returned to them unscathed, and eventually interrogated him. The day had been nothing but nonsense.
They hugged their star one-by-one. Kim Dokja could’ve sworn he broke a bone with how tight they held him.
[Constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is out for blood for stealing the chances of a hug]
[Constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is salty that he didn’t get the first hug]
[Constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ is urgently inviting you to the Underworld]
As the day almost comes to an end, besides the indirect messages booming in his ears, Kim Dokja is left alone.
…or so he thought.
He felt a familiar warmth wrap around him as he was hugged from behind. Kim Dokja laughs at the protagonist’s antics while Yoo Joonghyuk only frowns at him.
“I can literally smell him on you, Kim Dokja.”
Kim Dokja hums in acknowledgement, “stop being like that, he's literally you.”
“We aren’t the same.”
“There’s some differences yes-“
“Kim Dokja.”
Ah, this is his Yoo Joonghyuk alright. Kim Dokja only smiles at him. Yoo Joonghyuk sighs and drops his head on his shoulder. “You fool.”
Kim Dokja couldn’t help but laugh at him, “I know."