Chapter Text
As Junghyeok followed Dokja to their room, Junghyeok used Midday Tryst again.
--You know what the third match entails.
--Yes.
“You never made it this far, right?” Dokja said aloud. Junghyeok tended to ignore this scenario or kill all his opponents, winning by default.
Junghyeok nodded.
“Well that’s okay,” Dokja said as they kept walking. “We’ll get through it like we always do.”
[The constellation, Demonic Judge of Fire, is grinning.]
[The constellation, Prisoner of the Golden Headband, is curious about your plans.]
Junghyeok still had a suspicious look on his face, and Dokja asked, “Do you trust me?”
“On what?” Before Dokja could reply, Junghyeok stiffened and looked up ahead at a turn in the hall.
Dokja frowned. An ambush? It made sense, particularly given the upcoming third match. Horus’ information had been specific about the requirements for the third match, and noted that this would happen, and help fulfill the requirements for Dokja and Junghyeok to win. They rounded the corner, and there before them were four teams, all incarnations of Papyrus, gazing ahead at the pair.
Dokja scanned the teams briefly, noting that they were all pretty powerful. These were all groups who hadn’t attacked Seth earlier, and focused on building boats. The woman in front was short and muscular, and carried an impressive spear in her hands. Her eyes were lined with kohl, and she glittered with jewelry. Her character profile said her name was Halima. She was the most powerful of them all. Her teammate, Salih – a tall and thin man with long dark hair tied back behind him – was a nearly equally powerful man. Green energy sparked in his hands.
Junghyeok didn’t have his hand on his sword. He simply gazed at the groups, ready for whatever they had.
“The match doesn’t start yet,” Dokja said to the groups. “You should rest before the last big day.” It could be dangerous to tangle with Papyrus’ incarnations technically outside the matches. Papyrus was already in an iffy territory when it came to Kim Dokja’s Company.
But that didn’t mean Dokja was just going to back down from this. Besides, it would help them win the match, and that was the end goal.
“We’ve heard of you,” Halima said, her voice low but pitched far. “You’re dangerous. It’s a shame you didn’t bring more back-up.”
Dokja smirked. “I brought all the help I need.”
Junghyeok leapt forward, and Halima raced forward to meet him. The other incarnation teams stepped forward, too. Multicolored light and smoke filled the air.
Dokja had to activate Way of the Wind to dodge a few attacks: Papyrus incarnations were powerful. Even with Junghyeok cutting through them, they were a force to be reckoned with. Dokja wondered why they hadn’t gone up against Seth. Surely, with their abilities, they’d have been able to take him?
A dark, boomerang-like weapon flew right at Dokja’s head moments before Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint warned him Head and he ducked down. The weapon buried itself in a wall behind him. The incarnation aiming for him lifted two more of them. Their edges were sharp and glinted in the torchlight of the hall.
Dokja activated miniaturization and raced forward across the floor, dodging arrows made of light and a giant cat’s paw. He didn’t have time to take in the sight of one of the incarnations who’d transformed entirely into a black cat. He pulled out Unbroken Faith and leapt towards the incarnation throwing weapons at him, and cut the man down before he could throw more.
There was a yowl and Dokja turned to see Junghyeok tossing aside the limp body of the cat shifter. Two more incarnations lay unconscious on the floor, leaving four more incarnations standing.
Halima stood before the group still, bleeding cuts covering her arms. She glared at them both. “What are you?!”
“We’re just competitors here for the story,” Dokja said with a smile. “You could let us go and return to your rooms if you want.” But would they just try to attack the pair in their room? The tension of the scenario was pushing them all to kill each other. And judging by the character profiles he was seeing, different constellations from Papyrus had stakes in these incarnations winning the story. It would be embarrassing for Papyrus if they lost a story to outsiders.
“Afraid you’ll lose?” Halima demanded as she hefted her spear. The other incarnations were weary.
“Why would I be?” Dokja replied, glancing around. “Three of your teams are disqualified.”
Halima blinked and looked at their fallen members. It was true: Junghyeok and Dokja’s actions had gotten rid of one team entirely, and the partners of two others.
“Unless this is a ploy to cut down each other before the final match,” Dokja said with a smile, glancing between the remaining incarnations. “I’m sure whatever your constellations promised you didn’t involve actually sharing the prize.”
The Egyptian incarnations glanced at each other suspiciously. The aggression of the scenario lent itself in Dokja’s favor here. For a while, they had Junghyeok and Dokja as their enemy, but now that Halima’s team was the only intact one, and the remaining solo incarnations weren’t familiar with each other, it was a question of if they would team up still to take out Kim Dokja’s Company.
“We have them!” Salih cried, raising his sparking hands. “Just stay focused!” He had a tiny boot print on his cheek from where Dokja had launched off to avoid an attack, and knock him out of Yu Junghyeok’s way.
“No,” one of the solo incarnations said, reaching down to pick up the half-transformed cat incarnation. “We’re done. I’m not putting my life on the line for some stupid cheat.”
Halima snarled, “Coward!”
The solo incarnation ignored her. The other solo incarnation picked up his teammate too.
Halima glared at Junghyeok and Dokja. She and her teammate were still ready to fight. She raised her spear and rushed forward.
Dokja stretched as he walked into their room. “Well that was a wake-up, wasn’t it?” Between the two of them, Halima and Salih were left unconscious in the hallway. Papyrus wouldn’t be happy about this, but it was a choice of “beat the incarnations or die”, so what else could they do?
Junghyeok shut the door behind them, looking none the worse for wear. “You’re strangely confident. You think we won’t get ambushed again?”
“The constellations bet a lot with that move,” Dokja said with a smile, glancing around the room. There was a whole table of fresh food for them. “They wanted to take us out before we could take the story. They’ve been paying attention to us.” He hadn’t noticed Papyrus in Biyu’s channel too often, but given Horus knew about Dokja, likely they were all keeping themselves aware of powerful incarnations. They’d be upset at the beatdown Dokja and Junghyeok gave their incarnations. “But it’s unlikely they have enough for a second wave.” Though there were still other teams, perhaps they were all focused on preparing for the next day.
[The constellation, Prisoner of the Golden Headband, is pleased with your confidence.]
[The constellation, Demonic Judge of Fire, is nodding.]
Dokja grinned at Junghyeok, knowing things were about to change in the chat. “What we should be focusing on instead is how you owe me for the good job I did today.”
Junghyeok frowned. “What do you mean? I did most of the work.”
Dokja sighed dramatically, and then said, “Biyu, dumpling time.”
Biyu said, “Baa!” There was a small ding sound. That was the signal that she was doing a temporary hand-off to Bihyeong, who could better monopolize “dumpling time”. The channel wouldn’t be off or entirely paywalled, but it would be more limited, with specific messaging and pointed blurring requiring coin payments. Dokja had set up the system with Bihyeong, and eventually Biyu, in advance.
“Here?” Junghyeok asked, confused. “Really?” He was clearly surprised, but not angry or backing off.
Dokja stepped forward and grabbed Junghyeok’s collar. “Why not? It’s the end of a scenario tomorrow. We might as well celebrate while we can.” Then Dokja pushed forward and kissed Junghyeok.
Junghyeok wrapped his arms around Dokja’s back and leaned into the kiss, before pulling them both back to stand near the bed.
--This is not planning for tomorrow.
Despite Junghyeok’s annoyed tone, Junghyeok didn’t pull away. In fact, he held Dokja a bit tighter.
--Just indulge me.
“The good job you did, hmm?” Junghyeok said after he broke the kiss and looked down at Dokja thoughtfully. “While you mostly sat and watched me do everything?”
Dokja pouted a little. “I got us all the items we needed! I set up the engine! I took care of two incarnations on my own and helped with others!” It was a bit too whiny, but the constellations liked when he was extra bratty. The coin sponsorship notifications were decently regular in his ears.
Junghyeok scoffed and pushed him away. “Undress.”
Dokja raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re giving me orders now?”
Junghyeok smiled back at Dokja. “It’s good for you to remember your place.”
Dokja rolled his eyes even as he shuffled off his white jacket and set it aside, glad his chat was turned off so he couldn’t hear whatever the constellations were saying. The coin sponsorship messages were coming in a little faster, so the channel was doing well, anyway. “Remind me what our nebula is called again?”
Junghyeok scowled at Dokja, but his eyes were glued to the man’s chest as Dokja removed his shirt, revealing his pale skin covered in mostly old scars. Even after he’d restored his constellation body, it was a bit of a mess. Moving through scenarios and everything related to them was wearying.
Dokja stepped forward and gazed down thoughtfully at Junghyeok. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Your pants are still on,” Junghyeok said, glaring up at him. “You didn’t follow my order.”
“Only if you take yours off, too.”
“I’m not going to,” Junghyeok said as he gazed down at Dokja with heated eyes. “I’m going to fuck you just like this. It’s what you like best, after all.”
Dokja’s cheeks warmed. It was true. Junghyeok just looked really good in those clothes.
“Now take your pants off.”
Dokja met Junghyeok’s glare with one of his own.
Junghyeok smiled. “Fine then.” He grabbed Dokja’s shoulders and spun them around, pushing Dokja down on the bed on his stomach. Junghyeok leaned forward and said, “Leave this spot and you’ll regret it.”
Dokja scoffed, but stayed still.
Junghyeok reached down and grabbed Dokja’s pants before yanking them and his underwear down, revealing his ass. The skin was a bit reddened from Dokja’s pants being yanked off in such a manner. “If you’re going to be impertinent, this is what you get.” Junghyeok let Dokja’s pants pool around his lower legs, keeping him trapped.
Dokja pushed himself up for a more comfortable position, and then felt a pair of wet fingers push inside him. He was somewhat loose from their recent moments together before the scenario, so it didn’t hurt, but it was still a bit surprising. It didn’t help that Junghyeok was brutal as he pumped his fingers in and out, making Dokja rock back and forth on the bed.
Junghyeok kept his right hand on Dokja’s hip as he worked. He brought his left leg up onto the bed to spread Dokja’s legs wider. “I’ve clearly been too lax lately.”
Dokja scoffed and pushed back on Junghyeok’s hand, trying to get him to go deeper. “What makes you say that?”
“You’re still talking back to me,” Junghyeok chided. He pulled his fingers out and undid his belts, then unzipped his pants.
Dokja turned off the coin sponsorship notifications: they were coming in too fast and getting to be too overwhelming. He’d asked Junghyeok once if he turned them off during dumpling time, to which Junghyeok had simply glared, clearly deeply unimpressed with the question.
Junghyeok grabbed Dokja’s right leg and moved it farther to his right. Then Junghyeok pressed his cock into Dokja’s ass, making Dokja grunt softly. Then Junghyeok took hold of Dokja’s hips and began yanking him back and forth. On every thrust, Junghyeok’s cock moved deeper and harder into Dokja, making Dokja gasp. Junghyeok leaned down and said, “Better.” Dokja could hear the grin in his voice.
Dokja decided that Junghyeok was far too smug about all this, even if he always was. The truth was, Junghyeok’s smiles were also just terrifying, and Dokja wasn’t sure what to do whenever he experienced them. His soft ones were cute, but his voracious ones… Dokja felt a shiver down his spine of danger whenever he saw them. And weirdly, that made him harder.
--Are you going to tell me what the third match is?
Dokja panted as Junghyeok’s fingers squeezed his hips.
--I’m a bit preoccupied!
--Really?
And that was when Junghyeok picked up his pace, making Dokja bounce even more on the bed.
That wasn’t encouragement! Dokja thought as he scrabbled for balance. He knew he must look desperate and overwhelmed, and they’d barely done anything yet! Will this be enough…?
--I can see you thinking.
--How can you even see that when I’m bouncing this much!
--Maybe if you tell me what the third match is, I’ll slow down.
Dokja stayed stubbornly silent, and Junghyeok laughed and thrust even harder. It made every push just on the edge of too painful, but shoved Dokja just that much closer to delicious release. He was sweating, and the breeze from the window wasn’t helping. They’d come in right from fighting the Papyrus incarnations, and hadn’t bathed or eaten. The bed was a mess of sand and salt water, and the sheets, soft as they were, scraped a little because of the mess.
But somehow they’d survived battling a narrative-grade constellation and fighting some powerful incarnations. They’d won one match. And if this worked, then…
Junghyeok grunted and shoved deeper into Dokja, squeezing him tightly and decreasing his pace as he came deep in Dokja’s ass.
Dokja was close to the edge, but not that close, and the filling sensation of Junghyeok’s come only made his closeness more frustrating. He couldn’t help a whine escaping his lips. He was pathetic.
Junghyeok leaned over his back, kissing his spine. Then Junghyeok murmured against Dokja’s skin, “You’re so pathetic, you couldn’t come yet? Fine.” He reached out and almost delicately brushed Dokja’s cock, which was leaking on the bedspread.
Dokja grunted. That was far from enough! And Junghyeok was being rude about it!
Junghyeok chuckled against him, and then grasped Dokja’s cock and squeezed.
Dokja jerked as his orgasm was practically choked out of him. It was a brutal way to come, but it got the job done, and he shuddered through his release, falling boneless on the bed.
[You have met the conditions to clear the sub scenario!]
“…What?” Junghyeok said. He must have seen the message, too. His grip slackened.
[You have earned 4000 coins.]
Dokja shut his eyes, relieved. Good.
[You have earned 4,000,000 coins as a reward for completing ‘Contendings’.]
[You have earned the giant story!]
[The giant story, ‘Together to Combat Enemies’ is responding to your level!]
“What is going on?” Junghyeok demanded.
“Domination,” Dokja said, breathing easily on the bedspread, even in a loose pile of spent limbs as he was. “That was the end of the third match.” Together to Combat Enemies? What does that do? Hopefully it makes us stronger…
“…That was the third match?” Junghyeok was clearly still skeptical.
“It was the second part of it. The first was defeating the incarnation attack. And the second, well… You know some of the scenarios involve sex. You just always avoid them.”
Dokja could practically feel Junghyeok’s discomfort. Back when they’d begun a relationship, he’d agreed to the concept of dumpling time because it meant some extra coins, even if they didn’t really need it (and he didn’t mind making it clear to others just who owned Dokja’s ass). Most of the time, though, they had the stream turned off, which was unusual for incarnations to be allowed. But they had enough push for Bihyeong to deal with it. And Biyu was happy to do it for them.
This was a little different, though Junghyeok had to be aware that it was likely Papyrus would have been watching them. Still, Dokja felt a little bad about it.
--I’m sorry. If I’d told you, the constellations would have been suspicious. We might have lost the match.
--You didn’t trust me.
Dokja winced.
--I trusted you. But I also… didn’t exactly believe our other backer.
--Our other what?
--Horus approached me before the matches started officially. He’s been feeding me info about them.
--Why?
--It’s complicated.
Junghyeok sat for a minute, thinking it over, and then he repositioned himself. “The constellations can wait a bit.”
Dokja’s face burned. “You can’t be ready to go again!”
--Then you should start explaining quickly.
He was annoyed, but not truly angry. He always disliked when Dokja kept information back. But this wasn’t too major, which Dokja knew, and it was why he’d taken the risk, to make their performance more realistic.
Dokja groaned as Junghyeok started working him over, but he was glad to know that they still had each other’s backs, even if Dokja was likely to not have a backside at all at the end of this.
After Junghyeok finished, and Dokja managed to figure out walking once more, they cleaned themselves up, ate a quick meal, and then went to the front hall to meet with the constellations, who were gathered together to wait for them.
Horus and Seth stood on either side of Maat again, and the other constellations were assembled beyond them, on thrones again.
Ra had a sharp expression on her face, and her golden eyes glowed. Some of the other constellations looked annoyed. One constellation in particular was glaring at Dokja. Doubtless she disliked that their attack had failed. A green fire burned in a brazier before her. The anger from the whole group was somewhat palpable.
Dokja wondered just what Papyrus would do against him now.
Horus’ expression, however, was neutral, but this time he met Dokja’s gaze. There was knowing in there. Dokja knew Horus couldn’t admit to cheating with them on the story acquisition, but still. This was cutting it. Perhaps Papyrus had stepped in to help with that attack in the hallway, but it’s not like Dokja hadn’t been prepared, too.
Seth had his arms crossed and was glaring at Junghyeok and Dokja as they approached. [So you’re the winners?] Seth scoffed. His stories were out and burning the air around him.
[Calm yourself, Uncle,] Horus said, gazing at him. [They won. That’s all.]
Seth shook his head but didn’t say anything else.
[You have successfully won two matches,] Maat said. She didn’t seem particularly pleased, either, but she kept herself focused on the task at hand. [You have received your rewards and may go if you wish.]
[Just like that?!] Seth demanded, stepping forward and glaring at Maat. [You’re not even going to inspect them to make sure they’re being truthful?]
[It was on the Star Stream, Uncle,] Horus said. [We saw.]
Dokja’s cheeks warmed to hear someone else say it like that, and he was glad he’d explained more earlier to Junghyeok. There were different versions of this mythology: in some, Seth attempted to assassinate Horus, but sometimes Seth approached Horus in an attempt to seduce him and prove dominance in bed. Horus outplayed him and dominated Seth in turn, proving his right to rule Egypt. So to complete the scenario, Dokja and Junghyeok had to act out the parts of Seth and Horus, and it had to be seen.
[And you’re just going along with this?] Seth demanded of Horus. [This makes us look weak!]
Dokja imagined if the other incarnation teams were present, there would be grumbling from them, too. More incarnation teams had been Egyptian, and he’d wondered how many of them knew about the match details ahead of time or if constellations had helped them, too. But given none of them were here, it seemed that wasn’t the case. The people Dokja and Junghyeok fought were nowhere to be seen.
It also put Horus’ actions in an even worse light, because this meant doubly so that no Egyptian incarnations would be taking their story, which would likely rile up the nebula even more after that devastating loss in the incarnation versus incarnation fight.
Horus stepped forward and grabbed Seth’s arms gently, squeezing them. There was a soft, happy smile on his face. [It doesn’t. It makes us look generous.]
Seth glared up at him. [You’re too sentimental. The other nebulae will laugh.]
[Then let them. They have no idea what to do with themselves.] Horus pulled Seth close to himself, so that Seth leaned on his chest. Horus’ left arm was wrapped around Seth’s back.
Seth didn’t push away, and even seemed to lean into him a little.
The woman who glared at Dokja and Junghyeok was glaring at Horus and Seth before, but rolled her eyes and looked away. Other constellations were avoiding looking at them.
They don’t like Horus and Seth’s relationship, Dokja thought. Perhaps there’s infighting in the nebula?
Horus gazed at Dokja and Junghyeok, who were watching this in confusion. [Thank you for your participation. You may stay and enjoy the palace, or depart. Incarnations in this scenario are liable to still be somewhat hostile until it ends properly.]
“We’ll go,” Dokja said. “Thank you.” He could feel the growing frustration from the other constellations, which was saying something. Even Ra was starting to look more annoyed. He was glad that at least Cleopatra and Benu weren’t around.
Horus nodded, and rubbed Seth’s shoulder as Dokja and Junghyeok turned and headed back to the portal that brought them here.
--So he wasn’t lying.
Dokja agreed, Horus hadn’t been lying when he contacted Dokja and asked for his help to clear the scenario.
[I want someone outside Papyrus to have this story.]
He’d given Dokja all the details about the matches, in a way that would give them a leg up over the other incarnations. He even specifically told Dokja what to buy in the Dokkaebi Bag, and noted that while they’d lose the first match, they’d win the other two.
[Don’t focus on Seth. Focus on winning. Most everyone else will be focused on beating him, and that will give you an advantage.]
But what happens when they attack us?
[Are you doubting your own abilities? You’ll win. So long as you stand by your partner.]
He clearly cared for Seth, and wanted to do this to help Seth. Perhaps to get rid of another giant story that only made a fool out of Seth. Dokja had considered how hard it was to constantly play the villain in a story for the amusement of other people. But what was must it be like to watch someone you cared about suffer over and over, unable to change it? And to be surrounded by constellations who would push hard to keep it that way? No wonder Horus had asked for help, even from something of an enemy of Papyrus, like Dokja. Now the scenario would end faster.
[The nebula ‘Papyrus’ glares at the nebula, ‘Kim Dokja’s Company’]
Well that’s expected, Dokja thought. There were a lot of things they were mad at him for. And he didn’t mind helping someone and taking this story from them.
Junghyeok wrapped his arm around Dokja’s shoulders, making him feel more reassured.
[The constellation, Demonic Judge of Fire, is happy!]
[Constellations have sponsored you 2500 coins.]
“Let’s return to the others,” Junghyeok said, ignoring Uriel.
Dokja smiled. He could feel the new giant story inside him. They’d done what they could here, and he supposed it wasn’t the worst of vacations after all. “Yes. We need to see what trouble they’ve gotten into.”