After finishing their meal, the group stepped outside into the cool air. Dunk took a deep breath, stretching his arms with a happy sigh.
Dunk:
Joong, the air is so fresh!
Joong turned toward him and chuckled softly.
Without a word, Joong reached up and pulled Dunkâs jacket cap over his head, covering his ears with the fluffy lining.
Dunk blinked in surprise, looking up at Joong with wide eyes as the soft hood framed his face perfectly. His nose was pink from the cold, and his lips looked even rosier against his fair skin.
Joongâs heart skipped a beat.
He looked like a tiny, fluffy bear.
Pond:
Hey, letâs go somewhere else now
Phuwin:
Yeah, letâs go for a walk. Itâs still early.
Everyone agreed.
Joong:
But sleep early, okay?
As they began walking through the busy street, suddenly-
A small child ran right into Joongâs legs.
Joong immediately knelt down, ruffling the little boyâs hair with a soft chuckle before lifting him into his arms.
Joong:
Hey, little guy. Where are you running off to?
The boy, no older than four, blinked up at Joong before shyly responding
Kid:
My mommy is waiting for me in the mall
Joong:
Ohhh, I see. And whatâs your name?
As Joong continued to chat with the little boy, completely focused on making him comfortable, Dunk stood frozen in place.
His heart was pounding.
seeing Joong like this so soft, so gentle, so effortlessly warm.
The way Joong smiled, the way he held the child with ease, the way his voice softened to match the little boyâs tone it was mesmerizing.
Dunk wasnât just looking at Joong.
He was admiring him.
Completely, utterly lost in the sight before him.
Pond nudged Phuwin, whispering as he noticed Dunkâs dazed expression.
Pond:
Look at Dunk
Phuwin glanced at Dunk, who was staring at Joong with dreamy eyes and an unconscious smile.
Phuwin:
Heâs in love. You can see it, right?
Pond:
Obviously
At that moment, Gemini also noticed Dunkâs expression.
Gemini:
Phi Pond, look at Phi Dunk. Heâs just smiling at Phi Joong like that
All three of them exchanged knowing glances, suppressing their laughter as they watched Dunk completely fall for Joong in real-time.
After a few minutes, the little boyâs mother finally arrived.
Mom:
Oh my! Thank you so much for holding him.
Joong:
No worries. Heâs really sweet
The boy waved his tiny hand at Joong.
Kid:
Bye-bye, phi!
Joong:
Bye, Nong. Stay safe!
As the mother and child walked away, Joong turned back to his friends
only to find Dunk staring at him with the biggest smile Joong had ever seen.
Joong raised an eyebrow.
Joong:
What happened, Dunk?
Dunkâs smile only widened as he shook his head.
Without saying a word, he immediately grabbed onto Joongâs arm, tugging at it softly.
Joong blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden clinginess.
Meanwhile, Pond and Phuwin exchanged glances before bursting into silent laughter.
Phuwin:
Joongâs in trouble. Dunk is completely gone for him
Pond nodded, smirking.
Pond:
He just doesnât realize it yet
Joong, on the other hand, had no idea why Dunk was acting so affectionate all of a sudden.
Butâ¦
He really didnât mind.
Dunk was leaning against the railing of the bridge, staring at the reflection of the moon in the river below. and for a moment, he felt like he was back home back on the moon.
Joongâs voice broke his trance.
Joong:
Dunk, stay here. Iâll be back Iâm just going to talk with Pond for a bit.
Dunk nodded, still gazing at the water as Joong walked away.
A few feet away, Pond had pulled Joong aside, his expression serious.
Pond:
Joong, I think Dunk loves you the way you want. Maybe he hasnât fully realized it yet, but itâs there
Joong bit his lip, unsure.
Joong:
I⦠I donât think so
Phuwin smirked and leaned in.
Phuwin:
I have a plan. Maybe after this, Dunk will confess
Joong narrowed his eyes.
Joong:
What do you mean?
Phuwin:
You need to disappear for a bit. Just long enough for him to feel what itâs like to lose you.
Joongâs heart clenched.
Joong:
No, no, I donât think thatâs a good idea-
Pond:
It is! Do you want him or not?
Joong hesitated, glancing back at Dunk, who was still looking at the river, completely unaware.
Joong:
But this is wrong. Heâll be scared
Phuwin:
Only for a little while. Trust me itâll work.
Joong sighed heavily but eventually nodded.
Phuwin:
Good. Now, go. Hide wherever you want. Leave everything else to us.
Joong took one last look at Dunk before walking away, disappearing into the dark alley.
A few minutes passed.
Phuwin casually walked up to Dunk and asked-
Phuwin:
Dunk, did Joong come back yet?
Dunk blinked, turning to face him.
Dunk:
Huh? No⦠he went with Pond, didnât he?
Pond:
Yeah, about that⦠Iâm here, but Joong isnât.
Dunkâs eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Dunk:
What do you mean?
Pond:
Call him
Dunk quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Joongâs number.
The call didnât go through.
Phone switched off.
Dunkâs breath hitched.
His fingers started trembling as he redialed.
Nothing.
Dunk:
His phone⦠his phone is off!
His chest tightened, a sudden fear creeping up on him.
He immediately turned to a stranger, showing Joongâs picture.
Dunk:
Have you seen him?
The stranger shook his head.
Dunkâs heart pounded so hard it felt like it was going to burst.
Pond added fuel to the fire.
Pond:
Dunk, what if something happened to Joong?
Dunk:
NO! Nothing will happen to him. I know heâs okay
But despite his words, his body betrayed him-his hands were trembling, his breaths were uneven, and his legs were already running.
He searched everywhere.
The alleys.
The streets.
The mall.
He ran and ran, screaming Joongâs name, his voice breaking.
His heart ached physically hurt as the possibility of losing Joong crushed down on him.
Dunk:
Joong⦠where are you?
After what felt like hours, Dunk finally returned to the bridge.
And there-
Joong was standing, leaning against the railing, looking at the river.
The moment Dunk saw him-
He ran.
Didnât think. Didnât hesitate. Didnât care about anything except reaching Joong.
He crashed into Joongâs chest, wrapping his arms so tightly around him that Joong stumbled back slightly.
And then-
A hard, heart-wrenching sob ripped out of Dunkâs throat.
Dunk:
Joong⦠Joong⦠JOONG!
Joong immediately wrapped his arms around Dunk, holding him tightly.
His own heart ached-he had done this to make Dunk realize his feelings, but seeing Dunk so broken, so scared, made Joongâs eyes well up with tears, too.
A single tear slipped down Joongâs cheek as he tightened his hold on Dunk, burying his face into Dunkâs neck.
He saw Pond and Phuwin approaching, but he quickly signaled for them to leave.
Understanding, they nodded and quietly walked away, leaving them alone.
Joong closed his eyes, whispering-
Joong:
Letâs go to the hotel, hmm?
Dunk frantically shook his head against Joongâs shoulder.
Dunk:
No. Not yet. Just a little longer
Joong smiled through his tears, hugging him even closer.
Joong:
Okay. As long as you want
When they finally returned to the hotel, Dunk immediately walked to the bed and laid down, pulling the blanket over himself.
Joong frowned, following after him.
He sat beside Dunk, staring at the blanket-covered figure.
Joong:
Dunk? Are you upset with me?
Silence.
Joong sighed and reached forward, pulling Dunk into his arms.
Joong:
Tell me, baby?
Dunk slowly peeked out from the blanket, his eyes red and puffy from crying.
His pendant was glowing black.
Joongâs stomach dropped.
Dunk:
I told you⦠If you leave me again, I wonât forgive you.
Joongâs chest tightened with guilt.
Joong:
Iâm sorry.
Dunk:
Youâre becoming a bad boy, Joong. Day by day.
Joong couldnât help but smile.
He pulled Dunk closer, their faces only inches apart.
Joongâs eyes flickered down to Dunkâs lips, then back to his eyes.
And then
Joong:
Dunk, I love you. And not in a friendly way. I love you as a lover.
Dunkâs lips parted slightly.
His mouth opened as if to say something
But then, he shook his head.
Dunk:
You canât.
Joongâs heart stopped.
Joong:
Why? Am i not enough?
Dunk swallowed, eyes glossy.
He reached up, cupping Joongâs cheek.
Dunk:
Youâre enough, Joong. Youâre the best thing in my life⦠but I canât accept you.
Joong felt his entire world collapse.
Joong:
Why?
Dunk looked away, a single tear slipping down his cheek.
And then, he whispered
Dunk:
What if I told you⦠that no one is made for me?
Joongâs breath hitched.
His hands gripped Dunkâs shoulders.
Joong:
Dunk⦠what does that mean?
Dunk stayed silent.
Joongâs heart pounded in his chest, waiting-praying for Dunkâs answer.
But all Dunk did was close his eyes......