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[ Yeah, Krampus is winning. Dokja's not sure what he'd been expecting when he'd walked through his door, but it certainly wasn't a looming figure rummaging through his things. The panic he'd felt from before had returned tenfold, his precious tethers in too close of a vicinity to this stranger, and so he'd acted on pure instinct alone.

... And promptly had his ass handed to him.

He grimaces as he holds his side where he thinks he might have some broken ribs while his other hand wipes at the blood dripping down his face and obscuring his vision. Krampus had vanished soon after handing him some stupid coin, and now Dokja's not sure he wants to open his door and treat Sooyoung to this sight. ]

I'm okay, [ he rasps, voice sounding very much not okay. ] I just... You should check on your room.

[. . . . .]

[in a very uncharacteristic moment for han sooyoung, she does not, in fact, immediately blow her top and yell about all the ways Dokja sucks at lying and that she won't move a foot from this door until he comes out of it.

maybe she really has grown wiser with age? that, or maybe she just knows that Dokja's stubborn as an ox and twice as aggravating, and that he'll literally bleed to death in his room if it meant not running into her, or not letting her see inside.

so instead, she moves away a little, making her steps as audible as possible.]

Fine. I'll be back, so don't even think of leaving first.

[and sooyoung leaves....

in that she just sits behind a bush and waits for dokja to come OUT]

[ Can he come out when he feels like he's been beaten to a pulp? There might be a longer wait time than usual as Dokja takes some time to catch his breath and not pass out from the pain. He thinks he even slips in and out of consciousness a couple of times before finally coming to his senses.

And coming to his senses means he takes note of the quiet from behind his door. Maybe if he were more clear-headed, he might've grown suspicious at how readily Sooyoung had agreed and left, but right now his thoughts are mired in how much pain he's in.

So he hoists himself up to his feet with a great deal of effort before reaching up to twist the knob and open his door.

When he steps outside, he definitely looks like he got the shit kicked out of him. He's limping, there's blood on his face, and he's still holding on to his side. Truly a pathetic sight to behold, but very classic Dokja of him. ]

[SHE HATES THIS BINCH SO MUCH WHY DID JOONGHYUK RUN INTO THE LABYRINTH THAT WHORE

Sooyoung watches Dokja stumble along, bleeding and limping, while the voice in her head tells her that she should really put Dokja out of his misery, that this is the only way she's ever been able to save him -- that killing him is the one thing she's managed to do for his sake and nothing else, none of what she's ever tried to do has ever succeeded, so what does she expect could be so different now?

She rises from the bushes like an angry specter, then stalks over and loops one of his spindly arms over her shoulder, to help better support him,]

Dumbass. What did I say about leaving first?

[ LIAR!!!!

He should have known. Dokja mentally chastises himself for being so stupid, but it's hard to really mind the sudden support he's receiving when he's in so much pain. For now, because they're already like this, he leans against Sooyoung, a grimace on his face as he shuffles forward to who knows where as he ignores her question. ]

It was some kind of monster messing around in there. Almost looked like a demon.

[ The hand that had been held against his ribs now reaches down to press against one of his coat pockets to feel the shape of a coin there that Krampus had tossed to him after kicking his ass, though he doesn't mention it just yet. ]

[strangles him bart simpson style]

Wow, imagine if I was there with you. Maybe then you'd look less dead.

[Sooyoung's goal is the pile of rocks near the trees in the distance. not too far, and it should provide enough coverage so that a reaper doesn't drag them both off. also it's a handy dandy place to trap Dokja in while all of his bones ache.]

Was it trying to break your tethers?

[ The thought of Sooyoung being in there with him, getting equally as hurt, sure is a distressing mental image. No, he'd prefer her how she is now, nagging at him and in good health.

But does he say this? ]

You wouldn't have been able to do anything.

[ They make their slow crawl over to the rocks where Dokja winces all the way down into a sitting position, back leaned up against the formation. ]

It wasn't after my Tethers. I think it was waiting for me.

[if it was anyone other than Dokja saying this then Sooyoung would be so offended. But it's Dokja, and while she knows he's a lying liar who lies -- he doesn't lie about this. not about their enemies and their chances.

she's still fairly frustrated though as she kneels down next to him, prodding at Dokja's hand none-too-gently so she can take a look at the side he's favoring,]

So it was snooping around your room just to kick your ass?

[it didn't sound too farfetched, if this was still the star stream.]

No villain speeches or anything?

[ Ow, his hand?? Looks like that's bruised too. But he moves it aside because Sooyoung's bedside manner is going to get him even more internal bleeding.

He shakes his head at her questions, then immediately regrets it when he's struck with a sudden bout of dizziness. Don't tell him he has a concussion on top of everything else he's suffered. ]

No...

[ Dokja could mention that it had given him some strange coin, but until he figures out what it is, he doesn't bring it up. ]

You should really check on your own room.

[What she should really do is help patch him up as much as possible, because her room is the farthest thing from her mind when Dokja's in front of her, hurt and in need of help. But does she say this?]

So I can stagger around bleeding like an idiot? Who do you think is gonna haul your ass back if I do?

[she's busy cutting long strips from her camisole to use as bandages with her knife, if she flashes skin then it's not her fault -- it's a better alternative than cutting up her raggedy sweater or Dokja's bloodstained CLOTHES.]

I'll call Jung Heewon and Uriel so they can meet us halfway.

[ Well, he would have instructed her not to fight the damn thing!!

But his strength to continue arguing about this is waning, and being as low on energy as he is, he decides to admit defeat for now. A sullen silence hangs over him for a moment before he jerks to sit up straighter, then immediately regrets it with a groan. ]

... No. You're just going to worry them.

[ And he already hates the way they all look at him with so much concern in their eyes. ]

I just need to rest. Give me that.

[ Reaches for the strips of camisole like he's about to do this all himself. ]

[She'll slap the knuckles of his OFFENSIVE hand down. Her bedside manner continues to be terrible.]

That isn't resting. Hold still.

[She doesn't dignify his other comment with a response, even though a part of her wants to start a fight, purely because she feels the most normal when she's fighting with Dokja. Despite raring for a fight and her earlier violence, she'll get to work wrapping whatever's bleeding the most, unless Dokja tries her again.]

[ Ouch, his hand? Dokja pulls it back with a frown, another part of him now injured.

And it's kind of hard to tell where all the blood is coming from, but once located, it's mostly some shallow slashes around his head. They'd probably require stitches if either of them were medically trained enough for that, but it's also not a gaping wound so that's good at least?

He falls quiet as she works, exhaustion catching up with him, until he finally breaks the silence. ]

... You don't have to worry about me so much, you know.

[ He says with a head wound and who knows what other injuries. ]

[alright mister head wound. she doesn't carry a needle on hand, but she can at least try and use her Acupuncture skill to slow the bleeding. this is a sandbox now so we can do whatever. her touch lingers after, loathe to lose the warmth of her fingers on Dokja's skin.]

Idiot. This much is normal.

[Look at his head wound and multiple injuries? But she also means it in a broader sense -- that being concerned over Dokja's welfare is now a feeling so intrinsic to her, that she can't muster the energy to deny it and slap Dokja again.]

...You'd do the same if you were in my position.

[ He'll probably start to feel better eventually, but for now, the pain persists, and it's the pain that he'll blame for making him a little delirious, a little more open to some honesty while he tries to focus his vision. ]

You would be dumb enough to end up in this same position.

[ A touch of amusement colors his tone before something more somber takes over, a heaviness to his voice as if all the weight of the world and its extra burdens lie there. ]

... I see the way you guys look at me, you know.

[Wow, okay, she said she can't muster the energy to slap Dokja, not that she won't?

But she doesn't, because the natural ribbing is one of the many things Sooyoung misses, alongside the countless other things. Except for this -- the heaviness she can hear in Dokja's voice, that's not something she missed.

But it's a part of him, and Sooyoung's tired of interacting with a Dokja who already goes without.]

Yeah? [instead of sounding guilty for being CAUGHT, she carefully starts wrapping the next wound,] Looking how?

[ ... Like you can't believe that I'm here.

Like I matter more than I do.

It takes a concentrated effort not to say what he thinks, hesitation clearly written on his face as he mulls over the question and what the benefits would be to answer it honestly. If he's not careful with the road that he treads in this moment, it may just end up causing both of them more harm than anything else.

So a lengthy quiet settles between the two of them, Dokja watching as she works on bandaging his wounds, and an unfortunate tightness wraps itself around his throat. He hadn't asked for help, and yet here Sooyoung is, doing this like it's the most natural thing in the world for them to be by each other's side. ]

Forget it.

[...That isn't something she's missed either. But she's more used to it than anything else -- having conversations with a Dokja who doesn't answer back.

Sooyoung finishes the last knot, tugging firmly. She's more or less done, even if she's dissatisfied with her work. It's all preventative, after all. Nothing she's really done has fixed anything.]

Guess we're just gonna keep looking at you then.

[If she were her old self, then she'd have a healing potion on hand -- or a healing skill of some kind, better than Acupuncture of all things. She glances around, driven by instinct to see if there's something just lying around that will help.]

[

She does see something.

It will not help. a giggle punctuates the ever broadening silence,]

-- Shit.

[ Dokja's distracted as he looks over his bandages, thoughts muddled by the tense air that's taken over, so when he hears that very familiar giggle, he immediately jerks his head up to look for what he knows will be there.

Ah.

That damn sprite again. And as expected, a mistletoe not too far off. Any fight that would have been a part of him has left long ago. He's gone through this song and dance too many times before. ]

What timing, [ he mutters under his breath before punctuating it with a deep sigh. ] Well, it sounds like you already know what this is, then.

[ They haven't talked about this... The same way they haven't been talking about anything else. ]

[And unlike the rest of what they haven't been talking about -- the mistletoe won't just go away if they pretend to ignore it.

This is Sooyoung's cue to treat this super casually, like an adult who wouldn't care about this kind of stuff would do. And she's been doing just that! Sucking it up long enough to kiss whichever unlucky sod gets stuck with her, and then moving on with her life.

But that was then and this is now. Now? She feels her first wriggle of something that's definitely not fear. It's just an upset stomach? Or maybe she's gone so numb with cold that now she's being reduced to nerves? Yeah, that must be it. Anyway, she should just kiss Dokja right now and get this over with so they can never talk about anything again. She looks at him, and then immediately looks away. oh my god why didn't whatever beat dokja up also kill him? then she wouldn't be suffering like this.]

-- Close your eyes!!

[SHE'S YELLING AGAIN]

[ STOP YELLING HE'S GOING TO GO DEAF

At least he has to sense to look apologetic, but as the reality of their situation sinks deeper and deeper into him, embarrassment takes hold. Like before, he thinks about how kissing near strangers had been nothing but an inconvenience for him, but kissing... his companions? People he's gone through hell and back with? Han Sooyoung of all people?

If his thoughts flit to the fact that it wouldn't be so bad, he's always thought she was on the prettier side, he forces them to a screeching halt.

It doesn't stop the creeping warmth on his face though, and he clears his throat awkwardly as he glances away to look at anything but her. This isn't a big deal? It's just one kiss. ]

You don't have to yell.

[ He mutters under his breath, but then he does as instructed and closes his eyes because he also really wants to get this over with, even if his own stomach is joining in on twisting itself into nervous knots. ]

[wait

this is actually worse?]

-- I changed my mind. Open them.

[ ?????

Opens his eyes?? ]

What are you doing?

[He'll see her poker face, masterful as always. There isn't a problem? She's just saying, you know? This would probably be more effective if her gaze wasn't averted, and if her ears weren't red at the tips...]

Shut up -- it just feels weird with your eyes closed!

[Is that the problem???? Maybe it is!! Maybe Sooyoung remembers all those hours spent in a sterile hospital room, staring at the flowers (always fresh) framing Dokja's face, and then looking at Dokja himself -- face sunken and eyes shut, always on the precipice of floating away. Maybe she remembers reaching out sometimes, one hand on his slender wrist, the other tentatively holding the fingers of that same hand. Maybe she remembers watching Shin Yoosung or Uriel pressing shaky, tear-stained kisses on Dokja's pale cheek, or Persephone pressing one against his brow. Remembers that she's never tried crossing that line herself, because why should she allowed to be...?

And anyway, it's not like that with her and Kim Dokja. Even if it is love, it's a twisted burdensome version of it, foisted upon this person without asking if he'd ever care for it.

She's thinking too hard and she's aware of the silence, heavy and awkward -- and her face turns redder.]

-- And anyway, why do I have to kiss you? Why can't you kiss me?!

[WHY IS DOKJA SUCH A BOTTOM????]

[ Wouldn't kissing with their eyes open be weirder? He has to fight himself not to ask such a clearly mocking question, falling silent with suspicion as Sooyoung lapses into a quiet of her own. Dokja doesn't know what she's thinking, but there's clearly something complicated here.

Which he would agree on if he knew! He's never thought of her in that... way. And he's not starting now because the idea is so far-fetched and impossible that he's mostly left staring blankly after her.

Truly, all those years of reading and he's still rocks for brains when it comes to people.

But when she lashes out at him with her words, Dokja is taken aback. He pauses, eyes wide for a second before they narrow in consideration. Well, if she can't muster up the courage to do it, then... ]

Okay.

[ He says it so casually, doesn't look at all bothered by the demand as he raises a (bloody) hand to rest it against her shoulder. It briefly stops there for a moment before it slides up, fingers curling around the back of her neck so that he can draw her toward him while he leans forward. His eyes slip shut so as not to get cross-eyed, and then he's pressing his lips gently against her's in a chaste kiss. ]

[Rocks for brains, both of them.

Anyway, maybe Sooyoung really is a bottom, because she goes stock-still when Dokja puts his hand on her shoulder, her neck. She moves only at the pull of his hand, her eyes comically wide even as Dokja shuts his. She can see and feel everything that's happening -- the warmth from his hand, then from his lips -- but nothing seems to register long enough to spark any kind of reaction from her. She just remains statue-stiff, not even lashing out with a hand to push Dokja away -- or do whatever would be most characteristic of her to do.

She just sits here and gets kissed (like a bottom).]

[ HELP why do you have the perfect icon for this

It's not a particularly long kiss, just a press of the lips and then Dokja's pulling away, his eyes opening to see that Sooyoung is just? Malfunctioning? His eyebrows draw together in concern, though his hand remains where it is. Damn, was he that bad?? ]

... Are you okay?

catch-all

why is this gay

it will be

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