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Joonghyuk is frowning.
This was his default expression in front of others, so normally, this wouldn’t mean anything.
But this was in Dokja’s vicinity. And Dokja had learnt by now that when Joonghyuk frowned in front of him, it meant he wanted to say something but was reluctant to bring it up himself.
So he sits on the couch next to Joonghyuk, his arms slipping around the latter’s shoulders in a loose circle. So he presses into Joonghyuk, his cheek resting on top of his messy black hair. So he sighs, tickling a few strands of hair into flying in the process, and asks, “What’s wrong, Joonghyuk-ah?"
And Joonghyuk’s lips slowly form a pout.
“Secretive Plotter.”
Dokja blinks. “Pardon?”
“Secretive Plotter.” The corner of Joonghyuk’s mouth pulls down the tiniest bit. “He kept trying to take you.”
Dokja had thought about this a lot.
“Why, why is it not me, but you??”
If he thought like the Secretive Plotter, it was indeed unbearably unfair that Joonghyuk had Dokja in his timeline to be his companion and change his life. It was indeed unbearably unfair that Joonghyuk still had Mia, Jihye, Uriel, Hyunsung and all his original companions, let alone more. It was indeed unbearably unfair that Joonghyuk could live happily with Dokja and his company for the rest of his life…
…but the Secretive Plotter had to live with the painful memories of every round, only recently comforted with the 999th versions of his companions and the Oldest Dream.
It could not be helped. Time was a construct, as they’d discovered. A never-ending loop. Nigh inevitable and unbreakable; they’d sacrificed so much just to bring Dokja back. And even then, it was not something that could ever be achieved twice.
“I didn’t want him to take you.”
Oh, Joonghyuk’s pained whisper is so precious. Dokja wants to wrap him in flowers and soft cloth to protect him from shattering. Tears tremble along Joonghyuk’s eyelashes, crystalline and clear.
He’s beautiful, gentle and delicate with Dokja, and the latter treasures it.
Dokja presses a kiss to Joonghyuk’s crown. “You stupid sunfish,” he murmurs fondly. “I’m pestering you for all eternity. You’re stuck with me.”
What they both know he means is "I will never leave you."
A cute little ‘mmph’ comes from somewhere in Dokja’s arms, pretty dark eyes fluttering closed.
At that, Dokja can only sigh in contentment, nestling his chin in Joonghyuk’s hair once again.
