[ It looks like they somehow got scent back home... Having to do whatever they needed to do. For Joonghyuk, he went through the scenarios all over again with the rest of the company, desperately chasing after the glimmer of hope that they will find Dokja again. On that quaint island, he told Dokja to wait for them. He told him to hold on. He told him to survive, but did it pad any of the heartache that waited for both of them. Again, the company lost Dokja in such a way that crushed them.
The world itself moved on. They all had to try to move on. Joonghyuk did his best, too... He got a job as a professional gamer again despite his age and yet he wondered. Is this the life he was supposed to lead? Most of his companions are alive, but there's a void. Something is missing and it has left them corpses waking up every day, fondly remembering the old days again. Much like when Dokja lived because of their story, now they live because of a story about the person they all loved.
He still goes through the craze of becoming a terrorist, searching for the purpose of his life, then volunteering to spread their story through the scenarios. All in hope that somewhere pieces of Dokja will read them. They will read then dream of a happy ending where they can all finally be happy. It may not be perfect. The Dokja depicted in Sooyoung's novel might not give them the one they've lost, but Joonghyuk held on because in the end they had that piece that would make him who he is.
Miracles happen. Joonghyuk has seen it and finally it has gone their way. It has been some months since Dokja woke up and the company has been hoarding all his time in the hospital, then his time when he's released. The industrial complex is large, vast, and yet he always finds everyone crowding Dokja wherever he is... There are worries that he might still fee woozy or weak, so they watch him like vultures.
Today, it's Joonghyuk's day to take care of Dokja, so here he is leaning against the door frame on this fine morning with his arms crossed like the thug or handsome husband he is. ]
Kim Dokja.
[ It's been years for Joonghyuk since they last met. Grey strands can be found across his hair, then there are more wrinkles, but his voice and demeanor is still the same. They haven't talked about their time in other worlds outside their universe, so he isn't... Sure if this is the same one. Still, his chest swells with warmth at the sight of him and at this point he can only have faith.
[ in the beginning, it was hard to say what he remembered and what he didn't. he remembered them all. he recognized each of their faces, even tried to make light of the situation by questioning who Han Sooyoung was but that.. went rather poorly. and by that, he got punched for it. well deserved, of course.
however, every moment after that, he found himself remembering more and more. as each fable softly spoke their story to him and Dokja.. he listened. with the same interest and rapture attention he had as a boy growing up reading a newfound series. shared some comments from time to time to those accompanying him.
he was never left alone and.. in hindsight, maybe that was a good thing. he never felt the sheer emptiness or silence of loneliness. and if he was alone, he had his thoughts to distract him. moments to just take the time to think. think about everything that's happened, about the events leading up to this day and events before that.. events perhaps from another universe.
Dokja finds himself looking out the window, taking in the glow of the sunlight from outside and sound from distant chirping of quite vocal birds. it almost distracts him enough to not hear the door to the room opening. however, he cannot mistake the presence lingering there, only turning once his name reaches his own hearing and he gives a light smile. ]
Good morning, Joonghyuk-ah.
[ it sounds in soft amusement, even showing in the crinkle at the corner of his eyes but there's something about that gaze that watches his companion. how older Joonghyuk looks compared to how he last saw him as he takes him in. new wrinkles telling a story, the almost look of exhaustion that seems to cling to his bones. the reader's hand twitches at his side, as if wishing to reach out and take hold of the other's but he doesn't move. stays where he is. because of course he's going to tiptoe around it. he isn't sure where they stand. (despite everything, yes.idiot ) ]
[ To think that it has been months since they saved Dokja and they haven't talked... At all. Idiots. Fools. Today is the day though, hopefully.
There may be grey streaks in his hair now, but he doesn't feel too different from before. His aging is the last thing on his mind in comparison to Dokja's state. The reader looks frail, like the wind can blow him away or break his bones. His spine might even snap if he falls. Those thoughts make Joonghyuk frown, then he brushes them away because it's ridiculous and yet the worry lingers. Dokja's voice smooths the concern out, at least... ]
Breakfast first. [ He goes quiet, carefully watching. ] You need to eat more.
[ Come, come. Still leaning against the door frames, he waits for Dokja to take some steps to see if he can make it on his own. If the other man can handle himself, he isn't going to help. Cultivating autonomy... That's what Dokja needs now after being pampered and spoiled for months, right? That's what Joonghyuk thinks. ]
[ it's too much like them. you would think they would have learned by now, but so much comes up and there are plenty of distractions. whether people are dancing or skirting around certain topics.. it's obvious when they are, and of course Dokja won't bring it up.
at the mention of breakfast does he nod. only taking a moment to stretch, get rid of any soreness in his muscles. it's one thing if he'd actually been working out but it's more like he's been sleeping too much. his back is complaining from his bad posture. ]
I'm eating enough? Don't overthink it.
[ Dokja has to bite back the "stop worrying" comment almost every time. the first time he said it he had come to regret it, earning such looks from his friends. his legs still feel a little weak- it happens with being bedridden for so long, but it's been months and he's recovering well he'd say. so, he does well in not missing a step, moving over and patting the taller man's shoulder. ]
I know what you're thinking, I don't need you to be like Hyunsung-ssi offering to carry me. I'm fine.
[ don't mind if he tries to squeeze past like a scurrying rat. the quicker they get to the kitchen, the faster he's able to sit down and relax. ]
[ Overall, he’s unimpressed. Overthink? He doesn’t voice that he disagrees because he’s sure Dokja knows that already. There’s not even a noise or a grumble. At the very least, telling him not to overthink doesn’t upset him versus saying he’s worrying too much. Congratulations. Good job.
Joonghyuk cocks an eyebrow when Dokja approaches him and the pats come his ways. It feels frail. ]
I was curious to see if you’d fall flat on your face.
[ The last thing Joonghyuk would do is carry Dokja around the complex unless he’s injured, so no offer! Even if, yeah, he was thinking about it. In the depths of his words and demeanor, he is no different from the rest of the group in watching over Dokja like a newborn hatchling. It’s the remnants of trauma and heartache.
He lingers at the doorframe to watch Dokja a little longer... As if he’s studying him as he tries to weasel through, then he turns away and walks off. There’s no verbal cue or signal, no physical signs, but he expects the other man to follow him to the cafeteria. It’s a bit of a walk since SOMEONE wanted a big house. ]
Did you dream about anything?
Edited (me makes 800 edits at almost 2 am ) 2021-04-24 08:48 (UTC)
[ Dokja has learned, he's an expert after all when it comes to avoiding certain topics. brows knit just slightly as he gives the man a flat look at his comment. ]
It's been months now- most people don't reuse the same joke. But unsurprisingly your humor has always been a lack of.
[ the feeling of eyes watching him from the shadows never really left him since he first woke up. it's like no matter where he was, someone from the company was there worried and fretting. even so, he bites back his tongue, raising a brow at Joonghyuk when he doesn't move right away despite his own insisting.
lips twitch when the man finally does without a single utter or gesture. which earns a roll of the reader's eyes before he follows suit. he does raise another brow after at the inquiry, gaze lingering on his companion's back until looking slightly down. as though expecting something to be there by his feet. a hand twitching until his palm opens, head tilting with thought. ]
Not sure. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Why do you ask?
[ of course Dokja knows what he last dreamt. of a world with creatures from a video game, the familiar sensation of ribbons wrapped around his arm. the feel of feathers that brush against his head. the time before that? nothing but a pitch darkness. darkness and the distant sound of a train. ]
[ Joonghyuk has some humor! But unfortunately he's a big critic or no one knows when he thinks something is funny. Joonghyuk doesn't turn to look at him, though he can imagine his posture and expression by the tone of his voice. He has spent years with this man, some years with only 49% of him. He's been in his thoughts more than he would like to admit.
When they reach the cafeteria, he does have to face Dokja when he leads him to his table. Small saucers of side dishes are strewn next to the stone pot filled with tofu soup and beef with a cup of rice beside it. Joonghyuk takes the opposite seat, though there's nothing for him to eat. That's fine. He ate earlier. Finally, his gaze rests on the reader, thoughtful... Inquisitive. ]
I want to hear it.
[ A dream. He wants Dokja to tell him a story. What has he been thinking about when he's asleep? When he was away from them... ]
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no subject
The world itself moved on. They all had to try to move on. Joonghyuk did his best, too... He got a job as a professional gamer again despite his age and yet he wondered. Is this the life he was supposed to lead? Most of his companions are alive, but there's a void. Something is missing and it has left them corpses waking up every day, fondly remembering the old days again. Much like when Dokja lived because of their story, now they live because of a story about the person they all loved.
He still goes through the craze of becoming a terrorist, searching for the purpose of his life, then volunteering to spread their story through the scenarios. All in hope that somewhere pieces of Dokja will read them. They will read then dream of a happy ending where they can all finally be happy. It may not be perfect. The Dokja depicted in Sooyoung's novel might not give them the one they've lost, but Joonghyuk held on because in the end they had that piece that would make him who he is.
Miracles happen. Joonghyuk has seen it and finally it has gone their way. It has been some months since Dokja woke up and the company has been hoarding all his time in the hospital, then his time when he's released. The industrial complex is large, vast, and yet he always finds everyone crowding Dokja wherever he is... There are worries that he might still fee woozy or weak, so they watch him like vultures.
Today, it's Joonghyuk's day to take care of Dokja, so here he is leaning against the door frame on this fine morning with his arms crossed like the thug or handsome husband he is. ]
Kim Dokja.
[ It's been years for Joonghyuk since they last met. Grey strands can be found across his hair, then there are more wrinkles, but his voice and demeanor is still the same. They haven't talked about their time in other worlds outside their universe, so he isn't... Sure if this is the same one. Still, his chest swells with warmth at the sight of him and at this point he can only have faith.
Today is the day. ]
Good morning.
no subject
however, every moment after that, he found himself remembering more and more. as each fable softly spoke their story to him and Dokja.. he listened. with the same interest and rapture attention he had as a boy growing up reading a newfound series. shared some comments from time to time to those accompanying him.
he was never left alone and.. in hindsight, maybe that was a good thing. he never felt the sheer emptiness or silence of loneliness. and if he was alone, he had his thoughts to distract him. moments to just take the time to think. think about everything that's happened, about the events leading up to this day and events before that.. events perhaps from another universe.
Dokja finds himself looking out the window, taking in the glow of the sunlight from outside and sound from distant chirping of quite vocal birds. it almost distracts him enough to not hear the door to the room opening. however, he cannot mistake the presence lingering there, only turning once his name reaches his own hearing and he gives a light smile. ]
Good morning, Joonghyuk-ah.
[ it sounds in soft amusement, even showing in the crinkle at the corner of his eyes but there's something about that gaze that watches his companion. how older Joonghyuk looks compared to how he last saw him as he takes him in. new wrinkles telling a story, the almost look of exhaustion that seems to cling to his bones. the reader's hand twitches at his side, as if wishing to reach out and take hold of the other's but he doesn't move. stays where he is. because of course he's going to tiptoe around it. he isn't sure where they stand. (despite everything, yes.
idiot) ]What's the plan for today?
no subject
There may be grey streaks in his hair now, but he doesn't feel too different from before. His aging is the last thing on his mind in comparison to Dokja's state. The reader looks frail, like the wind can blow him away or break his bones. His spine might even snap if he falls. Those thoughts make Joonghyuk frown, then he brushes them away because it's ridiculous and yet the worry lingers. Dokja's voice smooths the concern out, at least... ]
Breakfast first. [ He goes quiet, carefully watching. ] You need to eat more.
[ Come, come. Still leaning against the door frames, he waits for Dokja to take some steps to see if he can make it on his own. If the other man can handle himself, he isn't going to help. Cultivating autonomy... That's what Dokja needs now after being pampered and spoiled for months, right? That's what Joonghyuk thinks. ]
no subject
at the mention of breakfast does he nod. only taking a moment to stretch, get rid of any soreness in his muscles. it's one thing if he'd actually been working out but it's more like he's been sleeping too much. his back is complaining from his bad posture. ]
I'm eating enough? Don't overthink it.
[ Dokja has to bite back the "stop worrying" comment almost every time. the first time he said it he had come to regret it, earning such looks from his friends. his legs still feel a little weak- it happens with being bedridden for so long, but it's been months and he's recovering well he'd say. so, he does well in not missing a step, moving over and patting the taller man's shoulder. ]
I know what you're thinking, I don't need you to be like Hyunsung-ssi offering to carry me. I'm fine.
[ don't mind if he tries to squeeze past like a scurrying rat. the quicker they get to the kitchen, the faster he's able to sit down and relax. ]
no subject
Joonghyuk cocks an eyebrow when Dokja approaches him and the pats come his ways. It feels frail. ]
I was curious to see if you’d fall flat on your face.
[ The last thing Joonghyuk would do is carry Dokja around the complex unless he’s injured, so no offer! Even if, yeah, he was thinking about it. In the depths of his words and demeanor, he is no different from the rest of the group in watching over Dokja like a newborn hatchling. It’s the remnants of trauma and heartache.
He lingers at the doorframe to watch Dokja a little longer... As if he’s studying him as he tries to weasel through, then he turns away and walks off. There’s no verbal cue or signal, no physical signs, but he expects the other man to follow him to the cafeteria. It’s a bit of a walk since SOMEONE wanted a big house. ]
Did you dream about anything?
no subject
It's been months now- most people don't reuse the same joke. But unsurprisingly your humor has always been a lack of.
[ the feeling of eyes watching him from the shadows never really left him since he first woke up. it's like no matter where he was, someone from the company was there worried and fretting. even so, he bites back his tongue, raising a brow at Joonghyuk when he doesn't move right away despite his own insisting.
lips twitch when the man finally does without a single utter or gesture. which earns a roll of the reader's eyes before he follows suit. he does raise another brow after at the inquiry, gaze lingering on his companion's back until looking slightly down. as though expecting something to be there by his feet. a hand twitching until his palm opens, head tilting with thought. ]
Not sure. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Why do you ask?
[ of course Dokja knows what he last dreamt. of a world with creatures from a video game, the familiar sensation of ribbons wrapped around his arm. the feel of feathers that brush against his head. the time before that? nothing but a pitch darkness. darkness and the distant sound of a train. ]
no subject
[ Joonghyuk has some humor! But unfortunately he's a big critic or no one knows when he thinks something is funny. Joonghyuk doesn't turn to look at him, though he can imagine his posture and expression by the tone of his voice. He has spent years with this man, some years with only 49% of him. He's been in his thoughts more than he would like to admit.
When they reach the cafeteria, he does have to face Dokja when he leads him to his table. Small saucers of side dishes are strewn next to the stone pot filled with tofu soup and beef with a cup of rice beside it. Joonghyuk takes the opposite seat, though there's nothing for him to eat. That's fine. He ate earlier. Finally, his gaze rests on the reader, thoughtful... Inquisitive. ]
I want to hear it.
[ A dream. He wants Dokja to tell him a story. What has he been thinking about when he's asleep? When he was away from them... ]