Joong walked down the hall, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest.
His mind told him not to go.
His heart told him to open that door.
Room 110.
He took a slow, shaky breath.
Then, he knocked.
Silence.
No answer.
His fingers twitched.
Joong:
Hello? Is anyone here?
No response.
His pulse raced.
Something in his chest tightened.
He reached for the knob his hands cold, trembling
And pushed the door open.
The room was dim.
Empty.
Except
A boy stood there, facing away from him.
His back was to Joong.
His silhouette was familiar.
Too familiar.
Joong felt his breath hitch.
His body froze.
His heart screamed.
He knew that frame.
Those shoulders.
That hair.
It couldnât be
Joong:
H-heyâ¦
The boy stiffened.
Slowly too slowly he turned.
Joongâs knees nearly gave out.
His world spun.
His breath stopped.
His heart
It shattered.
Because there, standing in front of him
Was Dunk.
His Dunk.
Joong laughed.
It was bitter.
Shaky.
A broken sound.
Joong:
Iâm dreaming again, right?
The words fell from his lips like a plea
Then
Dunk smiled.
That same smile.
Soft.
Warm.
Everything Joong had ached for.
Dunk:
Youâre not dreaming, Joong
His voice that voice.
Joongâs tears fell.
But his body refused to believe.
He stepped forward.
His hands trembled as he reached out
And grabbed Dunkâs wrist.
Warm.
Real.
Joong gasped.
A choked, broken sound.
His Dunk was here.
Here.
Joong didnât hesitate.
He turned and dragged Dunk with him.
Proof That It Wasnât a Dream
Joong burst into Thaâs office.
Tha looked up, startled.
Tha:
Oh, Joong-
Joong:
Phi, look
He stepped aside his hands gripping Dunkâs wrist tightly.
Tha blinked.
His eyes widened.
He stared.
Then
Tha:
Yes? This is Dunk...the one I was telling you about.
Joong's heart stopped.
He felt the ground shift beneath his feet.
The world tilted.
Joongâs grip on Dunk tightened.
Joong:
W-what?
Tha nodded.
Tha:
Yes. Heâs my friendâs son. As i told you
Joongâs chest ached.
His mind spun.
His Dunk.
His soulmate.
The one he searched for, cried for, begged the universe for
He had been here all along. Joong dragged him outside the office
Joong turned his eyes wild, desperate.
His voice broke.
Joong:
That means⦠I wasnât dreaming?
Dunkâs eyes softened.
His own tears shimmered in the light.
Dunk:
No, Joong.
He reached out, cupping Joongâs face gently.
Dunk:
You werenât dreaming last night either
That was it.
Joong shattered.
A sob ripped from his throat.
His legs gave out.
He fell forward straight into Dunkâs arms.
And Dunk held him.
Tightly.
Like he was never letting go.
Like he never wanted to disappear again.
Joong sobbed.
His body shook, his fingers clutching Dunkâs shirt desperately.
Joong:
Dunk-Dunk I missed you-I missed you so much
He was shaking.
Crying so hard that his chest hurt.
Dunk:
I know, Joong. I missed you too
He held Joong tighter.
Joong pulled back his hands cupping Dunkâs face.
His eyes wild, red, swollen.
Joong:
Youâre not leaving this time?
Dunk:
Never again.
Joong let out a shaky laugh his hands still trembling.
He leaned in.
Pressed his forehead against Dunkâs.
Joong:
Promise?
Dunk smiled, tears slipping down his cheeks.
Dunk:
I promise, Joong. Iâm here forever. With my soulmate
Joong's heart clenched.
His soul ached.
Then
He kissed Dunk.
Hard.
Desperate.
Like he was afraid to let go.
Like he was afraid it was another dream.
Dunk melted into him.
He clutched Joongâs shirt his fingers trembling.
The world faded.
It was just them.
Only them.
Joongâs heart hammered.
His soul burned.
Dunk was here.
He was real.
And Joong would never let him go again.
Joong lifted Dunk into his arms.
Dunk gasped, laughing.
Dunk:
Joong what are you-
Joong:
Weâre going out there
Joong kicked open the door
holding Dunk in his arms
Every staff member froze.
Eyes widened.
The fans outside gasped.
And then
Joong put Dunk down.
Took his hand.
And turned to the crowd.
His voice rang loud and clear.
Joong:
Everyone- listen to me!
The fans held their breath.
Joong smiled.
His heart felt whole.
Joong:
THIS IS DUNK-MY NEW PARTNER-
AND MY BOYFRIEND!
The crowd exploded.
Fans screamed.
Cameras flashed.
Thaâs jaw dropped.
The staff froze.
No one could believe what just happened.
Joong grinned.
His hand tightened around Dunkâs.
Joong:
CHEER AS LOUD AS YOU WANT!! MY BABY IS BACK!
Fans were confused but happy to see their favorite actor is smiling...
Pond and Phuwin rushed towards Joong, eyes wide with shock.
Pond:
Wow, Joong! You already knew your new partner all this time and never told us?
Phuwin:
Yess!! You hide... that you have boyfriend? That's why you were not ready to partner with anyone?? Huh?
Joong smiled softly.
He knew.
He remembered everything. But they don't, they donât even remember that he was searching for Dunk....they forgot everything its like a fresh start
Joong:
Yes, I knew him from the very start
Phuwin turned to Dunk, taking in his soft features and glowing presence.
Phuwin:
Dunk, youâre beautiful
Dunk blushed slightly, nodding.
Dunk:
Thank you.
Joong took Dunkâs hand and led him back to his apartment.
The door opened, revealing the same space that had once felt like home-
But without Dunk, it had been nothing but a hollow shell.
Joong exhaled, stepping inside.
Joong:
Look, Dunk⦠I was waiting for you.
Dunk looked around, his fingers tightening around Joongâs.
Dunk:
This place was so lonely without me?
Joong turned to face him.
His eyes softened.
His voice was thick with emotion.
Joong:
Yes, baby. Without you⦠everything was empty
Dunk tugged at Joongâs arm, like he used to, and leaned his head against Joongâs shoulder.
Dunk:
I hurt you so much, didnât I?
Joong immediately shook his head, cupping Dunkâs face.
Joong:
No, baby. You never hurt me. It was just⦠I never imagined Iâd have to live without you.
Dunkâs eyes glistened.
Slowly, he pulled something from his pocket.
A pendant.
Identical to his own.
He held it out for Joong.
Dunk:
Here. This is for you.
Joong stared at it, eyes flickering between the pendant and Dunkâs face.
Joong:
But-
Dunk smiled.
Dunk:
I requested my dad. After two years, he finally gave me permission
Joong took the pendant in his hands, his fingers trembling slightly.
It was real.
Dunk was real.
Joong held the pendant tightly before looking back at Dunk.
Joong:
Dunk⦠that night. What happened?
Dunkâs smile faded slightly.
His gaze dropped.
Dunk:
That night⦠Jim kicked me off the bridge
Joong stiffened.
His chest ached just hearing those words.
Dunk continued, his voice softer now.
Dunk:
I fell⦠and when I opened my eyes, I was back on the Moon.
Joongâs heart clenched.
His hands curled into fists.
Joong:
Jim is no more
Dunk:
Do you want to know his punishment?
Joong raised an eyebrow.
Dunk stepped closer, lowering his voice.
Dunk:
Heâs there. On the Moon. A slave now.
Joong froze.
Joong:
What?!
Dunk:
He tried to kill a Moon Prince, Joong. My father gave him a fitting punishment.
Joong exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disbelief.
Joong:
Really? But here⦠everyone thinks heâs dead.
Dunk shrugged.
Joong stared at him, his mind spinning.
Then without thinking he pulled Dunk into his arms.
Held him tightly.
As if letting go now would make Dunk disappear again.
His voice trembled.
Joong:
I missed my baby so much.
Dunk buried his face into Joongâs chest.
Dunk:
I know, Joong. I saw you every day.
Joong stiffened, pulling back slightly.
Joong:
What do you mean?
Dunk smiled, pulling Joong towards the balcony.
The cold night air brushed against their skin.
Dunk pointed at the sky.
At the Moon.
Dunk:
From there⦠I was watching you every single day
Joong swallowed hard.
Joong:
I donât believe you.
He huffed, crossing his arms.
Dunk laughed, his eyes twinkling like stars.
He reached for Joongâs face his thumb brushing against Joongâs cheek.
Dunk:
Believe it, Joong. It was so hard for me too.
Joong sighed.
His arms wrapped around Dunkâs waist, pulling him close again.
He cupped Dunkâs face, staring into his deep, mesmerizing eyes.
Joong:
I know, baby
Then softly, gently he leaned in.
Pressed a tender kiss against Dunkâs forehead.
His nose.
His cheeks.
Then his lips.
Dunk melted into him.
His hands curled into Joongâs hoodie, gripping tightly.
Joongâs heart pounded as he deepened the kiss, pulling Dunk
Dunk wrapped his arms around Joongâs neck.
Joong smiled against Dunkâs lips.
Joong:
I love you
Dunkâs voice was a soft whisper against his lips.
Dunk:
I love you too, my fav human
And under the Moon that had once separated them
They kissed.
This time, knowing nothing could ever take them apart again......