[ This might possibly be the worst conversation he's ever had with Joonghyuk. His bewilderment splinters off into even more confusion at the answer he receives, Dokja squinting his eyes as he stares at the other man like he can gleam all the answers just by staring hard enough. ]
She wasn't forced to see it.
[ The incredulity of his tone pitches it higher than usual and then he's pacing. He's pacing because he needs something to do in this moment that isn't just standing there looking like a dumbfounded idiot. ]
I didn't even know she was there. Ugh, what kind of useless things is she saying...
[ Sorry, Joonghyuk, but there it is again. Dokja is mostly talking to himself now as he moves back and forth in the small space offered to them. ]
[ Joonghyuk thinks back on the communion... Sooyoung was upset for other reasons, more important things, than whatever they're talking about. Rightfully so—he feels the same way as her, but he was never as vocal. Instead, he allowed his emotions to emanate from his very person, for his actions and his blade to speak for him. Until today, of course. This is his first using a different approach.
He doesn't know if Sooyoung ended up doing something nice to Dokja with her name attached, but he won't ask. As much as they are at odds, Joonghyuk is her ally and he won't jeopardize her plans to mend their relationship. This includes if she ruins it herself. That's her problem.
The kitchen countertop is clean, so he's left to stand. Turning his body toward Dokja, he leans back against counter with arms crossed. It's very casual and laidback. ]
She was curious about your budding relationship.
[ This part he will divulge because it's not important. ]
[ Pump the brakes. Dokja stops in his pacing to shoot Joonghyuk an incredulous stare. ]
Budding...?
[ That's the part he focuses on, because the "relationship" here clearly means in a purely platonic sense. It's almost impressive how much Dokja doesn't even consider what else it could mean. ]
She's being ridiculous. I've known Eustace for almost a year now.
[ It doesn't feel like a long time... Especially when he considers the countless years he'd spent before arriving in Horos, but saying it out loud has Dokja's expression twisting, as if everything's become a little more real than previously just by acknowledging how long he's been part of this "save your worlds" mess. ]
[ A year means nothing to Joonghyuk, but he understands that is still long... He knows that his and Sooyoung's arrival is relatively new. His eyebrows arch to his bangs as he fits the timeframe in to the narrative. ]
So you fell long ago?
[ Dokja. Why are you stupid? Joonghyuk uses a phrase that should make it obvious what they're talking about... He doesn't outright say it because he's giving the other man way too much credit here. However, Dokja is not. Instilling a lot of confidence in him. In hindsight, he wonders why he assumed back then that Sangah and Dokja were a couple.
[ Ah, here it is. The slow realization as Dokja's head slowly tilts to the side while he narrows his eyes like something's on the verge of clicking in his head. Fell? Fell for what? Fell for Eustace?
The idea is so shocking that he thinks he's misheard. Or misunderstood. In fact, the surprise comes across with such a hitting force in their Exalt connection that it's enough to make it plainly obvious that Dokja is completely flabbergasted by the idea. Sure, he likes Eustace, but... in the way that's being assumed?? ]
... Yoo Joonghyuk, tell me you don't think I'm in some kind of romantic relationship with Eustace.
[ PLEASE. He's mentally in shambles while he outwardly presents himself in as composed of a manner as possible. ]
[ The anguish of having to explain himself is real. Normally this kind of thing wouldn't be worth a conversation and Dokja would have brushed it aside as just another dumb misunderstanding, but with it having already gotten this far, he figures he might as well nip it in the bud. ]
We weren't ourselves that day. Something about the flowers blooming and their pollen had us acting differently.
[ He drops down on the nearest chair with a sigh. Really, how did it come to this. ]
I like spending time with Eustace, but we're not like that.
[ More silence like he expects Dokja to add more for some reason? Honestly, this is the most he has ever divulged to him on a personal level aside from that time where they were divorced during the War of Saints and Demons.
The funny thing is that there's DISAPPOINTMENT? in their Exalt channel. ]
[ Disappointment?? Oh, maybe Joonghyuk is understandably disappointed that this whole thing has been a giant waste of time! Dokja agrees! It was stupid to have thought this of him in the first place!
[ There's a sharp pang... Because what has him staying here is that he worries if he were to leave him without another person's gaze, Dokja would disappear into nothing. Like this is a dream, one that he should wake up from, but hasn't and refuses to.
...
The silence continues, grumpily as Joonghyuk usually is. His eyes shift elsewhere as he returns to his original thought. ]
[ The silence that descends on them is deafening, and Dokja struggles for a moment because what? Did he hear that right? He almost believes he had an auditory hallucination over whatever the heck it is that Joonghyuk just said.
Dokja leans back in his seat, though his gaze remains fixed on the other man. ]
[ STOP LOOKING AT HIM!! HE ISN'T GOING TO LOOK BACK!!! ]
They'd be by your side.
[ And maybe Dokja would allow them to be... He doesn't know? There is bristling envy at the thought because—why must he and Sooyoung be pushed away? They've known him longer. They've suffered so many trials together. To leave room for someone else, someone whom Dokja trusts and confides in, is an strange thought.
But ultimately, Dokja could be happy, couldn't he? Have you ever felt someone struggle with contentment but also emptiness before. It's fine. People move on when you let them. ]
[ It's the awkwardness of the situation that punches an uncomfortable, incredulous laugh out of him, though it sounds more like a huff of a single breath. How strangely funny that Dokja had once wished the very same for Yoo Joonghyuk. ]
I've never even kissed anyone before coming here. I don't need something like that, besides I always had...
[ —Ah, he catches himself there, eyes going wide as he quickly looks away, though the embarrassment at nearly slipping lingers on in their connection. Dokja clears his throat as he shifts his attention to the material of his seat, fingers picking at something that isn't there. ]
Anyway, it's good that we cleared up this misunderstanding.
[ Joonghyuk chose not to think too deeply about how Dokja really shipped him with Seolhwa and did everything he could to get them married. It was nice... And he remembers he was happy. Happiness is the topic, in the end.
His attention shifts back. When was the last time he has seen Dokja awkwardly fidget and fiddle? ]
... You can at least try to finish your sentences.
[ Loser. Idiot. Curiosity comes with criticism, attempts at masking it. ]
[ Finish his sentence and say something as gay as "I always had you"?? Dokja would rather die.
So he stands up and stretches his arms over his head, pretending very much like he hadn't heard Joonghyuk as he readies himself to leave since the house chores are done. But oh, he almost forgot. ]
Let's check out the libraries together one of these days.
[ Yeah, he's returning to that subject now that they've cleared up the fact that Dokja is still as single as he's always been. ]
[ Dokja... Most of those years were one-sided until recently.
Joonghyuk doesn't respond... But based on the vibe, emotionally tangent with being Exalt and the overall atmosphere, he isn't against it, but the usual grumbly and huffy bristling is there with the knit of his eyebrows.
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She wasn't forced to see it.
[ The incredulity of his tone pitches it higher than usual and then he's pacing. He's pacing because he needs something to do in this moment that isn't just standing there looking like a dumbfounded idiot. ]
I didn't even know she was there. Ugh, what kind of useless things is she saying...
[ Sorry, Joonghyuk, but there it is again. Dokja is mostly talking to himself now as he moves back and forth in the small space offered to them. ]
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He doesn't know if Sooyoung ended up doing something nice to Dokja with her name attached, but he won't ask. As much as they are at odds, Joonghyuk is her ally and he won't jeopardize her plans to mend their relationship. This includes if she ruins it herself. That's her problem.
The kitchen countertop is clean, so he's left to stand. Turning his body toward Dokja, he leans back against counter with arms crossed. It's very casual and laidback. ]
She was curious about your budding relationship.
[ This part he will divulge because it's not important. ]
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Budding...?
[ That's the part he focuses on, because the "relationship" here clearly means in a purely platonic sense. It's almost impressive how much Dokja doesn't even consider what else it could mean. ]
She's being ridiculous. I've known Eustace for almost a year now.
[ It doesn't feel like a long time... Especially when he considers the countless years he'd spent before arriving in Horos, but saying it out loud has Dokja's expression twisting, as if everything's become a little more real than previously just by acknowledging how long he's been part of this "save your worlds" mess. ]
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So you fell long ago?
[ Dokja. Why are you stupid? Joonghyuk uses a phrase that should make it obvious what they're talking about... He doesn't outright say it because he's giving the other man way too much credit here. However, Dokja is not. Instilling a lot of confidence in him. In hindsight, he wonders why he assumed back then that Sangah and Dokja were a couple.
He truly was foolish years ago, he thinks. ]
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The idea is so shocking that he thinks he's misheard. Or misunderstood. In fact, the surprise comes across with such a hitting force in their Exalt connection that it's enough to make it plainly obvious that Dokja is completely flabbergasted by the idea. Sure, he likes Eustace, but... in the way that's being assumed?? ]
... Yoo Joonghyuk, tell me you don't think I'm in some kind of romantic relationship with Eustace.
[ PLEASE. He's mentally in shambles while he outwardly presents himself in as composed of a manner as possible. ]
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And for some reason HE THINKS HE'S RIGHT? ]
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We weren't ourselves that day. Something about the flowers blooming and their pollen had us acting differently.
[ He drops down on the nearest chair with a sigh. Really, how did it come to this. ]
I like spending time with Eustace, but we're not like that.
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The funny thing is that there's DISAPPOINTMENT? in their Exalt channel. ]
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... The silence is unnerving, though. ]
What?
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What?
[ Repeats what he says like he wasn't semi-distracted. ]
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Where did you go just now?
[ Since he is no longer a mind reader... ]
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[ WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHERE DID HE GO? HE DIDN'T PHYSICALLY GO ANYWHERE. ]
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[ This is why they can't have conversations with each other. ]
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[ This is a surprise? There is surprise. ]
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[ Aren't they both just filled with surprises. ]
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...
The silence continues, grumpily as Joonghyuk usually is. His eyes shift elsewhere as he returns to his original thought. ]
It would be nice if you found someone.
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Dokja leans back in his seat, though his gaze remains fixed on the other man. ]
... Seriously?
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They'd be by your side.
[ And maybe Dokja would allow them to be... He doesn't know? There is bristling envy at the thought because—why must he and Sooyoung be pushed away? They've known him longer. They've suffered so many trials together. To leave room for someone else, someone whom Dokja trusts and confides in, is an strange thought.
But ultimately, Dokja could be happy, couldn't he? Have you ever felt someone struggle with contentment but also emptiness before. It's fine. People move on when you let them. ]
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I've never even kissed anyone before coming here. I don't need something like that, besides I always had...
[ —Ah, he catches himself there, eyes going wide as he quickly looks away, though the embarrassment at nearly slipping lingers on in their connection. Dokja clears his throat as he shifts his attention to the material of his seat, fingers picking at something that isn't there. ]
Anyway, it's good that we cleared up this misunderstanding.
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His attention shifts back. When was the last time he has seen Dokja awkwardly fidget and fiddle? ]
... You can at least try to finish your sentences.
[ Loser. Idiot. Curiosity comes with criticism, attempts at masking it. ]
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So he stands up and stretches his arms over his head, pretending very much like he hadn't heard Joonghyuk as he readies himself to leave since the house chores are done. But oh, he almost forgot. ]
Let's check out the libraries together one of these days.
[ Yeah, he's returning to that subject now that they've cleared up the fact that Dokja is still as single as he's always been. ]
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Joonghyuk doesn't respond... But based on the vibe, emotionally tangent with being Exalt and the overall atmosphere, he isn't against it, but the usual grumbly and huffy bristling is there with the knit of his eyebrows.
Fine. ]
If there's free time.