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"Stop fidgeting, Kim Dokja."
Han Suyeong lightly slaps Kim Dokja's bicep, sighing as she clips the other end of Kim Dokja's collar chain to Kim Dokja's white shirt collar. A sheepish grin shows on Kim Dokja's face in response, but his fidgeting does stop.
The barely-concealed nervous glint remains in his eyes.
Han Suyeong takes a step back, black heels clicking against the marble floor of the dressing room. She gives a long, good look at Kim Dokja's overall appearance from head to toe. Opting for a completely white set of attire, the shirt, tie, vest, suit jacket, belt, pants, shoes, and overcoat Kim Dokja is wearing seems to fit him to a T. All the time spent to take his measurements and find the right outfit has finally borne its fruit.
Han Suyeong clears her throat. "You look ... stunning."
A soft, spontaneous chuckle leaves Kim Dokja's lips. "Must be the colour white."
Han Suyeong merely shrugs, uninterested to pursue and correct the matter further. It's not her role anyway. Best let the other insufferable bastard take care of this.
"Uh," Kim Dokja starts, facing the mirror one last time to make sure that nothing embarrassing is stuck on his face and that his hair is immaculate enough, "I'm done, right?"
Han Suyeong nods. "Yep." The make-up and hairdo artist left ten minutes earlier after making sure Kim Dokja looks as fresh and bright as possible for his big day, leaving only Han Suyeong and Kim Dokja inside the dressing room.
Kim Dokja takes out the pocketwatch connected to his waist by a gleaming silver chain and checks the number pointed by the long and short arrows.
It's time.
Kim Dokja takes a deep breath and then exhales slowly. Han Suyeong heads for the door first and opens it, her hand carrying a black velvet box. Upon meeting the person the box is meant to be given to, Han Suyeong claps his shoulder before handing the box over.
"Behave nicely today."
Yu Junghyeok's eyebrow raises slightly, but he ends up just nodding. Han Suyeong knows that it's a well-known, blatant fact that Yu Junghyeok is one hell of a gorgeous man. Nevertheless, for his special day, the way Yu Junghyeok presents himself is ... simply breathtaking.
But that's not for her to say. Or write. After all, this is no longer her story. They are all way beyond and past that point in time.
"See you down there." After Yu Junghyeok accepts the box, Han Suyeong turns around to walk away.
Kim Dokja shows up just seconds after. With eyes blown wide and breaths caught in his throat.
Lips parted, a whisper of reverent filters out, "Yu Junghyeok."
The man wearing attire the complete opposite of Kim Dokja's colour turns his head towards the origin of the sound. Black high neck, open shirt, overcoat, belt, pants, and matching shoes don't seem to drown Yu Junghyeok's equally black hair and eyes. They seem to enhance the light in Yu Junghyeok's dark pupils instead. And make Kim Dokja warm on his cheeks and the inside.
The corners of Yu Junghyeok's eyes soften ever-so-slightly. "Kim Dokja," he greets back, voice rumbling beneath his ribcage.
To say that Yu Junghyeok is affected by how radiant Kim Dokja looks is an understatement of the year. It's only through sheer willpower that Yu Junghyeok is not kissing Kim Dokja senselessly on the wall right now.
Yu Junghyeok walks closer to Kim Dokja and opens the black velvet box once he is in front of Kim Dokja. Stored inside is a brooch with the shape of a big silver six-pointed star lying over another smaller six-pointed star attached to it and decorated with beads threaded through two thin chains.
Kim Dokja's eyes widen, unbelieving and mesmerized.
It's a gift Yu Junghyeok procured through Han Suyeong for the one and only star who accompanied him tirelessly through thousands of regressions. For the one reader he and everyone managed to bring back after enduring countless trials, tribulations, and heartache.
A gift he has carefully prepared and chosen. For the man that Yu Junghyeok falls in love with, madly and deeply.
"For the man I am marrying today," Yu Junghyeok murmurs under his breath, hands moving to attach the brooch to Kim Dokja's overcoat lapel.
When Yu Junghyeok finishes, he looks up and is met with Kim Dokja's beet-red face. How beautiful.
Yu Junghyeok steps away and keeps his thoughts to himself. It seems that the distance is what brought Kim Dokja out of his reverie. Kim Dokja coughs once and steals a glance at Yoo Joonghyuk's exposed forearm adorned by the black wristwatch he's given as Yu Junghyeok's birthday gift this year. And at the silver chain connecting Yu Junghyeok's waist to what Kim Dokja is sure of is the pocketwatch he's given to Yu Junghyeok a lifetime ago.
Somehow, knowing Yu Junghyeok is wearing two different devices capable of tracking time, both given by him, brings a satisfied smile to Kim Dokja's face and rids the hanging cloud of nervousness above his head.
"It's time," Yu Junghyeok voices, earning a soft chuckle from Kim Dokja which confuses Yu Junghyeok a little.
"Ah, no." Kim Dokja curves the corners of his lips upward. "Nevermind."
He loops his arm around Yu Junghyeok's sturdy one and Yu Junghyeok reciprocates by doing the same, establishing a link between their bodies. It's something that they have agreed upon together before; to walk down the aisle together as the life-and-death companions that they are. Debates happened; their friends and family fighting over who would be walking who down the aisle. Ultimately, it was Yu Junghyeok who suggested forgoing the traditional norm and instead walking along with Kim Dokja.
"It's our wedding, our decision," Yu Junghyeok reasoned at that time. And frankly, Kim Dokja absolutely adores that idea. To walk side by side with the man he has given his heart fully to, the man he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
Or even an eternity with.
They walk together towards the lift that will bring them to the ground floor, where they will then be heading over to the private beach area reserved only for their wedding ceremony and reception. Friends and family have waited for them at the respective guest tables, already standing by to welcome them as they walk down the aisle decorated with fragrant flowers and sparkling lights.
Kim Dokja darts his eyes around as he walks. His eyes first land on Jeong Huiwon who is smiling so warmly at him with one hand on her swelling pregnant stomach and the other hand intertwined with Lee Hyeonseong who is about to burst into tears. Smiling back at the couple who had just gotten married six months earlier, Kim Dokja's attention then lands on Lee Gilyeong and Shin Yuseong who have all grown up in his absence, flourishing as late teens and now standing confidently on their own. At least, in the past three years since he woke up, Kim Dokja has tried to fulfil all his kids' bucket lists and do a whole lot more with them.
Kim Dokja catches a glimpse of Jang Hayeong and Eileen standing near each other. When they met up, Kim Dokja still teased Jang Hayeong about his Demon King of Salvation persona. And they do meet up quite a lot, now that there are no more scenarios interrupting the meagre spare time they had like before.
On the other side, there are Lee Seolhwa and Lee Jihye. In terms of closeness, Kim Dokja knows he is not that close to Lee Seolhwa, or will ever be able to be. But he does feel very grateful to have her help him during his recovery, especially as he went through his physiotherapy. As for Lee Jihye, the now young adult will always be closer to Yu Junghyeok than Kim Dokja, but Kim Dokja has come to like and even look forward to another outing with Lee Gilyeong and Shin Yuseong that Lee Jihye will suddenly join in.
The constellations trio are also there; with Uriel already crying and sniffing, Sun Wukong grinning brightly, and Abyssal Black Flame Dragon with whatever weird expression on his face. On several occasions, Kim Dokja went to their band concerts along with Yu Junghyeok. He even has their lightstick at home. Uriel fainted the moment she knew that Kim Dokja bought their lightstick.
It's the least Kim Dokja can do, given everything that his earliest and most supportive constellations had done to help him and his companions. And to help bring him back to his happy ending.
Han Myungoh comes with his now adult daughter. More than twenty years in this worldline passed when the rest of the Company went through the group regression, and for those that chose to not go through the regression, that meant growing up and getting older. As Kim Dokja sees his former boss, he could no longer recall the ill feelings he felt towards him. The scenarios, and beyond on that damned train for Kim Dokja, have changed both of them. They are no longer the same people as before. No one in the Kim Dokja Company is. That includes Gong Pildu who somehow got closer to Han Myungoh and his daughter after he went back from the 1865th worldline. Perhaps due to being reminded of the family he once had, perhaps for other reasons.
There are also Selena Kim, Ranveer Khan, and Anna Croft. Last Kim Dokja heard, they are a part of the new UN-like organization board members, representing their respective countries. But the attendance of Anna Croft does make Kim Dokja turn his head towards Yu Junghyeok and sends him a questioning look. Waiting for a few seconds and getting no answer, Kim Dokja decides to just let the matter go.
Yu Junghyeok replying with a murmur does surprise him, "I want more people to know."
That I managed to bring you back. That I am marrying you.
Oh, Kim Dokja knows without Yu Junghyeok ever needing to speak out loud. Those honest dark eyes are now transparent to see to Kim Dokja. Maybe it's because he went through so much, and experienced even more with Yu Junghyeok. Maybe it's because Kim Dokja never stopped reading his stories on that accursed train for thousands upon thousands of years.
Maybe it's because he loves Yu Junghyeok too deeply, too desperately.
Yu Junghyeok's teacher, Namgung Minyeong, and Kim Dokja's own master, Kyrgios Rodgraim, are also attending their wedding. His time in Peaceland and the First Murim feels like several lifetimes ago. Mayhap they truly are, given everything that's happened after and beyond. Their presences here fuel Kim Dokja's heart with more warmth, as he is sure Yu Junghyeok also appreciates the presence of his swordsmanship teacher.
Nearing the altar, Lee Sukyeong and Persephone stand tall with smiles on their face. Both of Kim Dokja's mothers, here to see their son get married. These past three years, tears were shed and feelings poured as best as they could through meetings and words exchanged. Kim Dokja tried, and he knew that Lee Sukyeong also tried. It's not a smooth road, but Kim Dokja likes to think that their collective efforts and will to mend their relationship count the most. As for Persephone, the loss of Hades will never cease to hurt, but with Kim Dokja's presence, the former Queen of the Underworld looks towards the future, to what life after the scenarios has in store for them.
It will be a bright one, Kim Dokja would like to think of.
Yu Sangah is the guest standing the closest to the altar with her beautiful, beatific smile. The person he knew before the first scenario commenced. One of his former librarians. The friend who for the past three years lent him an ear and listened to him talk about everything and nothing over a cup of coffee or tea, the friend who made him realize that this is the reality he wants to have and never wants to leave behind anymore.
Arriving at the altar, Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok come face to face with Han Suyeong who is officiating their wedding. A small smile on her face, relief in her eyes. Once, she had asked herself; where's their happy ending? After everything, a happy ending is the least that they're owed.
Getting Kim Dokja back three years ago was but a small step in their path to the ending she envisioned. The aftermath of Kim Dokja spending thousands of years taking the mantle of the Oldest Dream was not pretty at all. The first year was the hardest, with Kim Dokja being Kim Dokja, running away from them, too deep inside his mind and thinking how undeserving he was. The second year was the transition year, with some lapses in Kim Dokja's psychological state and him being more accepting of the world that he had come back to.
In the third year, Kim Dokja began a romantic relationship with Yu Junghyeok. If anyone in their Company asks, it is a long time coming. The two of them moved in, leaving the big house they lived in together with everyone from the moment Kim Dokja came back, to a more private apartment. Han Suyeong knew that it was inevitable for them; and yet, she was still quite surprised when her best friend and the protagonist of her story that's no longer a character anymore decide to settle down seriously with a marriage.
We've come so far. Han Suyeong can say that she is proud of that fact.
"We are here to celebrate the union of Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok. Our dear friends, family, brothers to some, uncle, son, and father to another."
Everything seems to narrow to a point, sounds vanishing, scenery blurring and focusing on the man in front of him. Kim Dokja stands face to face with Yu Junghyeok, gazing at his attractive look, sharp cheekbones, the slope of his nose, and his strong jaw. His enchanting, deep black eyes and their softening corners.
Kim Dokja wants to hold Yu Junghyeok close and never let go.
The main character of the story that kept him going through years of despair, resentment, and the harsh world of his life before scenarios. The hero that came to reality and raced together with him until they reached beyond the Wall. The fool that underwent a suicide mission to visit countless worldlines just for a tiny chance to save him and get him back.
The person that cooked him breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day without fail after he was discharged from the hospital. The friend that accompanied him to every physiotherapy session he had to attend. The companion that accepted his punches, his shouts, his anguish in not understanding how everyone just welcomes the being that caused all of the misery they went through with open arms.
The man that threw all his ego away and was the first to ask for a chance to go on a date if Kim Dokja felt up to it. The man that Kim Dokja chose to move in with. The man who expressed his wish to marry him on one knee and spend the rest of his life with Kim Dokja.
"Kim Dokja," Han Suyeong calls, words filtering back into Kim Dokja's ears, "do you take Yu Junghyeok as your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Kim Dokja can't help chuckling hearing the end of the question. At this point, not even death can separate the two of them from each other.
With clarity, he answers as he holds Yu Junghyeok's gaze, "I do."
Turning her attention towards Yu Junghyeok, Han Suyeong starts to speak, "Yu Junghyeok, do you—"
"I do."
Kim Dokja's mouth ticks upward, amusement dancing in his eyes. It's just so Yu Junghyeok to do this. Han Suyeong looks annoyed, though, because this is not a part of their rehearsal.
"Yu Junghyeok," Han Suyeong repeats, "do you—"
"I do," Yu Junghyeok intercepts louder, "I do, in sickness and health, for better or worse. I take Kim Dokja as my husband for all time and eternity, and not even death can do us part."
Slightly fuming, Han Suyeong is muttering You sunfish bastard or something along the way, but Kim Dokja can't hear more because he lets himself succumb to his desires and throws his arms around Yu Junghyeok's neck to then kiss him deep in the mouth. How could he hold back when Yu Junghyeok is swooping his heart up with his declaration?
The crowd cheers, some even shout, but all are drowned noises to Kim Dokja as Yu Junghyeok holds his waist tight and close, lips meeting and tongues warming each other. It's not supposed to go like this at all, but both he and his favourite sunfish have never been a stickler to the rules. Besides, like what Yu Junghyeok expressed before, this is their wedding and thus their decision to make.
The need to breathe in and the faint awareness that their wedding ceremony hasn't ended is what pulls Kim Dokja away from Yu Junghyeok, breaking their heated kiss. Kim Dokja's lips glisten with their shared spit and Yu Junghyeok lets himself indulge a little more by pressing a peck on Kim Dokja's mouth.
Han Suyeong forcefully clears her throat. "Now, both of you can exchange your wedding rings."
Yu Mia carries the ring box containing the wedding ring that Yu Junghyeok is going to put on Kim Dokja's finger and gives it to her brother. Yu Junghyeok gives a loving pat on his little sister's head. As for the ring Kim Dokja is going to put on Yu Junghyeok's finger, it's Biyu who brings it for him. Like Yu Junghyeok with his sister, Kim Dokja can't help squeezing Biyu, who is essentially his daughter, in a brief hug before she and Yu Mia leave the altar area.
Yu Junghyeok goes first, opening the box and taking out the gleaming gold ring. Gently and carefully, Yu Junghyeok slides the ring onto Kim Dokja's left ring finger. When Kim Dokja looks up after the ring fits in, he is greeted by Yu Junghyeok's faint, fond smile.
It's now Kim Dokja's turn to put the other wedding ring on Yu Junghyeok's finger. He can't help chuckling as he knows that Yu Junghyeok's right hand is already adorned with two black rings Kim Dokja gave him on Valentine's day and Christmas day.
"Who could have thought that the mighty Yu Junghyeok is a collector of watches and rings?" Kim Dokja whispers, mostly teasing, with a volume that only the both of them can hear.
With a shrug, Yu Junghyeok replies, "They're all from you."
Sliding the matching gold ring onto Yu Junghyeok's finger, Kim Dokja smiles wordlessly. He looks up, later on, registering something that sounds like a pronouncement about them being husbands and husbands, but that too is thrown out to the wind the moment Yu Junghyeok crashes his lips against Kim Dokja's, teeth sinking into Kim Dokja's bottom lip and coaxing him to part his mouth. This time, they kiss with ten times more ferocity; Kim Dokja gripping tightly onto Yu Junghyeok's shoulder and Yu Junghyeok's hug around his body crushing and unrelenting.
And it's perfect.
***
After the ceremony, the guests are treated to rows of food that Yu Junghyeok and Kim Dokja had picked during the food tasting a month prior. Right now, Yu Junghyeok is cutting a steak into pieces with a knife, spearing them with a fork, and lifting it to the front of Kim Dokja's lips. Kim Dokja eats the steak cut Yu Junghyeok feeds him, munching on the meat and thinking about the taste.
"Yours still taste better," Kim Dokja says after swallowing. Yu Junghyeok hums in response.
"I know."
Their close friends and family come and go to their table, chatting with the stars of the day and sharing their joys on this happy day. Most of the guests talk to Kim Dokja while Yu Junghyeok who generally speaks less feeds Kim Dokja between conversations, making sure his husband is eating properly. Eventually, their table clears out of people, as now everyone is busy with their desserts on their tables.
But the calm doesn't last too long because just a few minutes later, Han Suyeong is calling both Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok to the platform in the centre front of the wedding venue. Yu Junghyeok raises an eyebrow while wiping Kim Dokja's mouth with a napkin.
"Is this part of your plan?"
Kim Dokja shakes his head. "No...."
Han Suyeong didn't tell them anything about this development at all. With a sigh, Kim Dokja rises along with Yu Junghyeok and walks towards Han Suyeong. There are two chairs on the platform, sitting back to back with each other. Han Suyeong pushes them to sit on each chair, then she hands Kim Dokja two sticks with a white circle made of board tacked to the end of each stick. One circle is filled with a cartoonish picture of a squid, while an equally cartoonish sunfish is drawn on the other circle. Han Suyeong gives the same sticks to Yu Junghyeok.
"What is this?" Yu Junghyeok asks, genuinely confused.
With a shark-like grin, Han Suyeong says, "We are going to play a game! I will be asking a few questions about your habits. Raise the sunfish stick if you think the answer to the question is Yu Junghyeok and raise the squid stick if it's Kim Dokja. If your answers don't match, both of you must receive the punishment of having to drink a shot!"
Kim Dokja's jaw slacks slightly, expression incredulous. "What the...."
"Come on, Kim Dokja! Do it!" It's Jang Hayeong who shouts first, followed by a chorus of other guests encouraging them to begin the game. Seems like they are excited to see the grooms get drunk on their wedding day.
Surprisingly, Yu Junghyeok just nods. "Okay."
Kim Dokja asks immediately, "Are you sure—"
"It's once in a lifetime, right?" Yu Junghyeok replies, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face.
Oh, well. What Yu Junghyeok just said is not wrong. May as well go crazy wild for the night that would never be repeated.
Kim Dokja laughs shortly first before he says, "Bring it on, Suyeong-ah."
"Alright!" Han Suyeong takes a look at her cue card first, then speaks to the mic, "This one is easy. Who cooks the most?"
Both Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok lift the sunfish stick so fast, earning a round of applause because their answer matches. "Nice, nice. But that was easy," Han Suyeong says. "Okay, second question, who does the laundry the most?"
Kim Dokja easily lifts the sunfish stick—while Yu Junghyeok lifts the squid stick. The venue goes quiet at the different answers, making Kim Dokja look behind to see Yu Junghyeok's answer as the latter also does the same.
Han Suyeong cackles instantly. "Both of you, take a shot!"
"Huh, what—" Kim Dokja fumbles with his words, "hey! Both of us take turns and do the laundry just as often as one another!"
"This is cheating," Yu Junghyeok joins in, lips curling with displeasure.
Han Suyeong merely shrugs. "If the answer is you both, then you can just lift both the sticks."
"You purposely didn't let us know," Yu Junghyeok accuses this time, eyes murderous towards Han Suyeong. Han Suyeong lifts her hands.
"Your fault. You didn't ask."
Yu Junghyeok is about to stand up, but Kim Dokja grips his arm. "Hey, hey. Sit down. This is just a game, Junghyeok-ah. We know the rules better now."
Huffing, Yu Junghyeok chooses to let the matter go. Not long after, Yu Sangah comes to give a glass of shot to both Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok, looking apologetic. Yu Junghyeok snatches the glass and drinks the content in one shot while Kim Dokja drinks a bit slower than him.
"Ahem. That aside, let's move on to the next question." Han Suyeong glances at her cue card, and then asks, "Who sings in the bathroom the most?"
Yu Junghyeok quickly lifts the squid stick. As for Kim Dokja, his face goes red but he does lift his squid stick.
"In my defence, in the years I was ... incapacitated, there were many good songs released that stuck to my head," Kim Dokja says immediately. He can faintly hear Lee Jihye snickering hearing his answer.
Han Suyeong just smiles at that, no mockery leaving her mouth. "Well, you both escape punishment this time. Let's move on to another question. Who takes the longest in showering?"
Kim Dokja spontaneously lifts the sunfish stick. Unfortunately for them both, Yu Junghyeok lifts the squid stick, and that means their answers don't match.
"A shot it is!"
Yu Junghyeok whips his head around and frowns. "You always took the longest in the bathroom, Dokja."
Kim Dokja wrinkles his forehead and frowns hard. "What? No! It's usually you, Junghyeok! The only times I took a few minutes more than usual is when I cleaned up after we—"
"Whoa, whoa!" Han Suyeong immediately interjects, looking horrified this time. "Keep the spicy bits for later, Lovebirds. There are still kids here."
"We are not kids anymore!" Voices that sound like they belong to Lee Gilyeong, Shin Yuseong, and even Lee Jihye can be heard.
Conveniently ignoring them, Han Suyeong asks for the shots to be given to Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok, this time by an apologetic-looking Lee Hyeonseong. With a deep sigh, Kim Dokja drinks again and Yu Junghyeok does the same.
"Alright, next question. Who usually waters the plants?"
It's an easy question with an equally easy answer. Yu Junghyeok and Kim Dokja raise the sunfish stick at the same time, earning claps from the guests and even Han Suyeong at how in sync they are. Exchanging glances with each other, Kim Dokja looks bright and Yu Junghyeok offers him a small smile.
"Next, who usually does the grocery?"
This time, Yu Junghyeok lifts both sticks, the same as Kim Dokja. It's true, they do grocery shops just as often as the other, sometimes doing it together. More confident with his answers, Kim Dokja relaxes more. As for Yu Junghyeok, he also looks a lot less irritated and even enjoys the game a little more.
Who usually falls asleep while reading? The answer is undoubtedly the squid stick.
Who usually sweeps, mops the floor, and brushes the bathroom floor? Both raise the sunfish stick because Yu Junghyeok likes to clean up and make sure their apartment looks pristine and clean.
A few more questions are asked, with Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok giving the same answers and thus getting everything right. Cheers are heard, and smiles and grins show up as their friends and family are excited and invested in the game.
Now curving her lips, Han Suyeong declares, "Last question, folks!"
"Woo-hoo! Get it right, Master!"
"You can do it, Ahjussi!"
"Hyung, you got this!"
"Dokja-ssi, fighting!"
"Oppa, don't lose!"
"Alright, alright~ Quiet, please," Han Suyeong says. "Last question," the venue goes dead still, waiting with bated breath, "who often feels lonely the most?"
Yu Junghyeok lifts the squid stick.
And Kim Dokja lifts the sunfish stick.
Pin-drop silence. Nobody says anything about the mismatched answers the grooms give.
He already expects this the moment he heard the question. Thus, it's Kim Dokja who speaks first to the air, adamant about not looking back, "It's inevitable, right, Junghyeok? In my eyes, I used to see that your back was the loneliest one in the entire world. Carrying the weight of your thousands of regressions all by your lonesome.
"Even in this now-peaceful world, I can still see traces of that. Or maybe that's from the years you spent spreading those stories with Biyu, I don't know. There is a lot we don't say to each other, maybe you withhold more from me, but the fact that I will always want to hug you tightly to chase away your dark days remains."
A soft, rumbling chuckle escapes Yu Junghyeok's lips.
"Your tongue is better suited to spew nice words. But I want to say that, although I will never understand the time you spent by yourself on that ... train, I can somehow grasp a portion of that feeling as I reflect on the time I spent drifting alone in space. It was a terribly lonely time for me. I imagined you must be feeling similarly.
"I am glad now you have your friends and family back with you, but there's a part of me that wants to be the one who erases that loneliness that remains behind in the corner of your heart. Me only, and no one else."
In a blur of movement, Kim Dokja dumps the sticks to the floor, stands up, and goes to hug Yu Junghyeok who is already standing up like he expects this to happen. They lock themselves in each other's tight embrace, face buried in the other's shoulder.
Han Suyeong smiles, deciding to not give the last punishment to the grooms, and just proceeds to the next session once Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok untangle themselves.
As a slow, romantic song filters into the venue, Han Suyeong announces that it's time for the wedding dance. The grooms are to take their place in the centre while others are free to join in.
Kim Dokja puts his hand on Yu Junghyeok's shoulder while his other hand is holding his husband's. Yu Junghyeok loops his arm around Kim Dokja's waist, chest brushing against each other with how close they are standing in front of each other. With his lips just a few centimetres apart from Yu Junghyeok's ear, Kim Dokja murmurs, "That was quite possessive of you ... Husband."
Yu Junghyeok lightly shudders. Husband. Kim Dokja is now truly his and he is Kim Dokja's. As he glances to the side, he catches a look at Kim Dokja's warming cheeks, a bit embarrassed to utter that word for the first time.
Yu Junghyeok takes a deep breath and hums. "Everything I said, it's true."
"Likewise," Kim Dokja replies readily. A step to the front, a step to the back. Words wisp away with the air, leaving behind only rhythmical steps born out of quite many practices. With ease, Yu Junghyeok dances with Kim Dokja, moving to the left and right, lifting his hand and twirling Kim Dokja before dipping him to the back and pulling him back to his embrace.
The song picks up, slow beats slowly changing into more energizing ones. It's Kim Dokja's turn to bring his hand up and twirl Yu Junghyeok, earning a quiet laugh from the breathtakingly handsome man.
And then it happens:
Yu Junghyeok's black overcoat glows and is now smattered with nebulae-like patterns, stars and sparkles sprinkled all over the fabric. Shining and dazzling underneath the night sky. And when Yu Junghyeok twirls Kim Dokja's body again, Kim Dokja's inner white overcoat lights up with a matching pattern, his more sky blue-ish.
Both Yu Junghyeok and Kim Dokja's eyes widen as they realize the crackling noise and the smell of ozone come from probability being used.
Quickly darting his eyes, Kim Dokja searches for an intruder or even a threat—
And that's how he finds them.
In Secretive Plotter's arms, the Oldest Dream is smiling widely and waving in their direction. The boy is wearing a white shirt, brown knee-length pants, black suspenders and shoes, and a red bowtie. The man with a face identical to Yu Junghyeok except for the scar below his eye and his golden eye is dressed in a black shirt, striped suit jacket, and a black overcoat, neck adorned with a four-pointed star necklace.
The 999th's turn Uriel, Lee Jihye, Kim Namwun, and Lee Hyeonseong also wear clothes befitting a wedding. Kim Dokja doesn't know how long they have been here as he didn't sense their presence at all. Or maybe they are here from the start and only now have they revealed themselves.
Yu Junghyeok follows Kim Dokja's line of gaze, looking just as surprised as his husband.
"It's a gift from us!" the Oldest Dream shouts with childlike enthusiasm, the hollowness and pitiful form Kim Dokja met back in that station a long time ago now gone completely.
I guess they take care of him well, huh?
No one seems to hear the Oldest Dream's voice. Nor realizes the existence of their 999th counterpart. It appears that only Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok are privy to this.
With matching smiles on Uriel, Lee Hyeonseong, Kim Namwun, and Lee Jihye's faces, they then turn around. Secretive Plotter's quiet and content smile as he carries the still-grinning Oldest Dream in his strong arms is the last thing they see before the group disappears into the night.
"Oppa, your coat glows!" Yu Mia points out, pulling Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok out of their trance.
Yu Junghyeok puts on a small smile and replies, "Yes, indeed."
***
They dance for two more songs before sneaking out of the wedding venue. Kim Dokja figures that as the hours go by, his friends will probably go drunk except for a few responsible people to who he entrusts his kids.
Kim Dokja has forgone his shoes and socks and is now walking by the shore with bare feet and rolled-up pants. Yu Junghyeok is in a similar state as he walks side by side with his husband.
"Did you realize they were there?" Kim Dokja asks, head looking up at the faraway stars flickering above the dark sky.
Yu Junghyeok shakes his head. "No. Not at all."
"I guess the kid me is still more powerful than me? Or even the both of us combined," Kim Dokja replies, tone humorous.
"There's also the Secretive Plotter with him," Yu Junghyeok says as if that could explain everything. And maybe it does.
Kim Dokja walks some more, feeling his feet sinking into the sand and going wet when the wave licks them. His hand is holding onto Yu Junghyeok's, fingers interlocked with each other.
"I'm glad they all look happy. They deserve it."
Yu Junghyeok gives no objection. He believes it so, too.
Kim Dokja stops walking, and then stands face to face with Yu Junghyeok. A teasing smile graces his lips as he calls, "Husband."
Reciprocating the jibe, Yu Junghyeok easily rolls out from his tongue, "Husband."
Kim Dokja giggles softly. He leaves a peck on the corner of Yu Junghyeok's lips before he starts walking again.
Around five minutes pass with comfortable silence before Yu Junghyeok opens his mouth to say, "I was jealous of him."
Kim Dokja cocks his head to the side. "Of ... the Plotter?"
Yu Junghyeok nods. "He found his happy ending with his Kim Dokja while I lost mine."
Kim Dokja stops walking the moment Yu Junghyeok stops. He holds Yu Junghyeok's gaze quietly.
"... And now? Are you still jealous of him?" Kim Dokja asks.
Yu Junghyeok closes his eyes, opens them to look up, and then faces Kim Dokja again. On his face, a serene smile makes its way to his lips.
"You once asked me whether I'm not happy currently."
Kim Dokja remembers. He may forget things that are now blurry from the thousands of years spent on that train. But this, the memory of reading the 0th turn, will always remain.
"Ask me that again."
Kim Dokja's eyes widen. Yu Junghyeok's words are unexpected and take him aback, but Kim Dokja quickly composes himself and clears his throat. Attempting to replicate the "true voice" he can no longer use in this world, Kim Dokja asks, voice carrying weight and sincerity:
"Are you happy now, Yu Junghyeok?"
This time, Yu Junghyeok answers with, "I am. More than I could ever be."
Yu Junghyeok pulls Kim Dokja into his embrace, forehead meeting Kim Dokja's and breaths mingling with each other.
"I love you, Kim Dokja," Yu Junghyeok professes with the softest, most tender tone he can muster. "Do you love me too?"
Kim Dokja strokes Yu Junghyeok's cheek with his hand. They don't usually speak of this with each other, already knowing that what transpires between them is more than what "love" as a word can ever define. But perhaps because this is their wedding night, all that Kim Dokja wants is to indulge in everything that Yu Junghyeok asks of him. Including this one.
Especially this one.
Lips meeting lips briefly. Eyes impossibly close to each other, the window to their hearts bared true. And he answers:
"For all time, always."
A notification sound rings in the quiet night. Both Kim Dokja and Yu Junghyeok turn their head towards the blue notification window that they both can see. But before he can read every character written there, Yu Junghyeok closes the notification window.
Kim Dokja only manages to get the part [Your ◼️◼️ is — ] before it got cut off by Yu Junghyeok.
Raising his eyebrow in question, Kim Dokja asks, "Junghyeok, why...?"
Yu Junghyeok shakes his head. "I don't need to know anymore."
"Why?" Kim Dokja asks again, curiosity winning the best of him.
"Because," Yu Junghyeok wraps his arms around Kim Dokja's body and lifts him above the ground, drawing a squeal out of Kim Dokja, and with an illuminating smile that's more splendid than any sun or stars could ever be, says, "everything that I've ever wanted, I have them here with me now."
Their lips meet again instantly; Kim Dokja overwhelmed with the urge to taste the blinding smile Yu Junghyeok offers him and Yu Junghyeok overcame with the need to taste the sweetness of Kim Dokja's lips. Yu Junghyeok crushes Kim Dokja's lips, tongue slipping inside his husband's mouth, pulling taut around Kim Dokja's own tongue before licking rows of teeth, sucking, and finally breaking away with a string of connected saliva.
Kim Dokja laughs softly with glistening lips and matching red cheeks. To Yu Junghyeok, this way, he looks so pretty and easy to kiss again.
"Let's go back to our hotel now?" Kim Dokja offers graciously.
Yu Junghyeok nods. He puts Kim Dokja down, only to then carry him in a princess carry. Laughing once again, Kim Dokja circles his arms around Yu Junghyeok's neck. Then, Yu Junghyeok starts walking back towards their hotel.
"Do you think anyone will look for us?"
Yu Junghyeok snorts. "Probably too drunk to care. The kids might, but I know they won't try to disturb us."
Kim Dokja snickers. "True." Hand caressing Yu Junghyeok's nape and eyes focused on his husband's gorgeous face, Kim Dokja asks, "Do you think we'll be able to sleep tonight?"
Raising his eyebrow, lips quirking amusedly, Yu Junghyeok asks back, "Do you?"
Peals of laughter drift in the air, mixing with the sound of crashing rolls of waves. Two figures with glittering matching overcoats walk farther and farther away from the shore, leaving behind dented footprints on the sand with a happy ending seared on their bound souls and tightly held in their own hands.
***
Days like these lead to
Nights like this lead to
Love like ours
You light the spark in my bonfire heart
People like us, we don't
Need that much just someone that starts
Starts the spark in our bonfire hearts
***
for all time, always. — end.