Archive of Our Own ^beta

Yoo Joonghyuk regretted lots of things in his life, though he got used to it. There is no gain in grieving over the past, so he stopped grieving with the 1120th round. But one thing was certain, if Yoo Joonghyuk didn‘t look back that day twice, he would have regretted it for the rest of his life.

Secretive Plotter had vanished together with the other outer gods from the 999th turn. They also took the most ancient dream with them. A crying child.

The picture of the child had carved itself deep into his memories. He hated it and he pitied it. That was the reason why he felt the worst shock and panic imaginable, when he saw Kim Dokja in the subway looking at his companions.

"YOU FOOL!"

Yoo Joonghyuk screamed as he ran towards the closing door of the subway.

Kim Dokja looked at him surprised, though it was quickly replaced with realization and panic.

The subway door was as good as closed when Yoo Joonghyuk finally reached it. The companions, only now understanding the situation, started running towards the closing door too, but there was no way they could reach it in time.

Fortunately Yoo Joonghyuk still had the chance to slip through the small gap between the subway doors and get inside. After that the subway door closed and the train started to move. After a few seconds the companions were already far away.

"…"

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at Kim Dokja in silence for at least 10 minutes. The later was still paralyzed from what just transpired.

"Care to explain."

The ex- regressor finally ended the silence. His voice was calm, though you could clearly see the pure rage in his eyes.

Kim Dokja took a step back, clearly sensing the anger in Yoo Joonghyuk eyes and voice, he did after all spend years reading his story.

"Someone had to replace 'the most ancient dream', or time wouldn‘t continue on."

His choice was the only logical and realistic option, he knew this, but why did he feel so bad while saying it.

"Everybody will get what they want. The scenarios will be over, the constellations survive, you don‘t need to regress anymore-"

"And what about you?!"

Yoo Joonghyuk interrupted him.

"Once again you sacrifice yourself for others, once again we are left behind. Is this really what you want?"

Kim Dokja looked at Yoo Joonghyuk in silence after that. His expression was unreadable, though his breathing uneven. After a while, the now oldest dream started speaking again.

"It‘s the conclusion I as the reader want to see. It‘s the only conclusion possible."

Yoo Joonghyuk didn‘t look at his direction anymore, he was looking out the window. A universe not known to any incarnation within the <Star Stream> was sparkling back at him.

"You saw 'the most ancient dream', do you really wish to become like that?"

A picture of a crying child flashed into Yoo Joonghyuk‘s mind for a second, when he saw the expression of Kim Dokja. He was trying his best to keep a calm expression, but there was still some confusion and sadness visible.

"It doesn‘t matter, someone will have to do it."

"I can do it."

Yoo Junghyuk said without any hesitation.

[ You ca n‘t d o it]

The voice of the fourth wall answered instead of Kim Dokja.

[You d on‘t lov e this sto ry]

Yoo Joonghyuk‘s expression changed into pure anger.

"I don‘t care! That idiot wants to sacrifice himself again and I can‘t let that happen."

Kim Dokja could only listen in awe as Yoo Joonghyuk tried to talk him out of it. Why was he trying so hard to get me with him? I‘m just an abnormally for him…

"Why are you here Yoo Joonghyuk?"

[K im Dok ja is a f ool]

"Kim Dokja, you are a fool."

The fourth wall and Yoo Joonghyuk said at the same time. Only silence followed after that.

Yoo Joonghyuk let out a deep sigh and sat down at the subway bench. He started massaging his forehead and closed his eyes. A deep groan was the only thing you heard from him for a while.

Kim Dokja watched him carefully, not wanting to anger him even more. He slowly approached the seat next to Yoo Joonghyuk and sat down. Soon after Yoo Joonghyuk was resting his head on his shoulder, while his eyes were still closed.

Kim Dokja was shocked for a moment, but quickly recovered from it. To be honest it must have been one of the best things he has ever felt. The protagonist, resting on his shoulder. It was a dream come true.

Kim Dokja smiled sadly at the irony of the thought. Right, this could all be a dream…

"Stop thinking too much."

"Says the one whose head is overheating while thinking."

"That‘s not true."

['Kim Dokja' has used lie detector]

[Lie detector has confirmed your statement to be wrong]

The smug smile Yoo Joonghyuk received after that really shouldn‘t have make him feel so relieved as it did.

Good, he didn‘t lose his horrible sense of humor yet.

"What do we do now?"

Kim Dokja asked, looking at Yoo Joonghyuk with a genuine smile and spark in his eyes.

[Kim Do kja nee ds to-]

"Sleep."

The protagonist ended the sentence of the fourth wall.

Kim Dokja looked at Yoo Joonghyuk in shock before answering.

"But I might not wake up for a long time."

"I can wait."

"I might lose our story."

"Then I‘ll tell you it again."

The oldest dream stared in silence at Yoo Joonghyuk.

"This might go on for eternity."

"…"

Yoo Joonghyuk stared at Kim Dokja for a long time before answering:

"Then I‘ll stay here with you for eternity."

"I don‘t understand-"

Kim Dokja was suddenly pulled downward. He closed his eyes ready for the hard impact, but it never came. When he opened his eyes again, the eyes of the protagonist greeted him. He was lying on Yoo Joonghyuk‘s chest now.

"You don‘t need to."

Dokja felt lips touching his forehead for a moment and he looked up as soon as the sensation left.

"Sleep."

Dokja felt himself getting warm inside. He felt as comfortable as he never did in his life before. The protagonist‘s chest was soft and the steady heartbeat made Dokja realize that he was really there, that he was real.

He closed his eyes soon after and just breathed in the comforting smell of the other man.

It was… nice. He wouldn’t mind spending eternity like this.