Zee's POV
The investigation had been all-consuming, and by the time they wrapped up their work for the night, Zee could feel the weight of exhaustion creeping into his bones. They'd made significant progress, uncovering crucial pieces of the puzzle, but it wasn't enough yet. Not until everything was tied together.
"I'll take the couch," Joong had said earlier when Zee offered him the spare bedroom. "No need to make a fuss." Zee had raised an eyebrow at the statement and just told him to take the bedroom. Not wanting to argue, Joong agreed.
Now, as Zee lay in his bed, the quiet hum of the city outside his window felt almost surreal. It had been a long day, and his mind was too busy with thoughts of the case to fully relax. But eventually, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into a deep, restless sleep.
That was, until he woke up.
3:00 a.m.
Zee blinked awake, disoriented for a moment. He glanced at the clock beside his bed and then at the darkened apartment around him. The only light came from the faint glow of the TV in the living room.
Curious, he swung his legs out of bed, slipping into a pair of slippers, and quietly padded down the hallway.
When he rounded the corner, he saw Joong sitting on the couch, his attention fixated on the TV screen. The sound was low, but the flickering light illuminated Joong's face in soft, ghostly tones. He didn't seem to notice Zee approaching.
Zee stood there for a moment, just watching. Joong looked... out of place. He wasn't watching anything particularly interestingâjust an old rerun of a drama seriesâbut there was a tension in his posture, something that told Zee Joong wasn't really watching TV at all.
"Joong?" Zee's voice broke the silence.
Joong stiffened slightly, then turned his head. "Oh, you're awake." He gave a half-smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Zee leaned against the doorway. "What are you doing up? You should be in bed."
Joong shrugged, his eyes flicking back to the screen. "Can't sleep."
Zee raised an eyebrow. "Trouble sleeping?"
Joong didn't answer right away, the words seeming to hang in the air between them. Finally, he spoke, his tone quiet but honest. "Yeah. I keep thinking about everything... the case, my dad... just... stuff."
Zee's gaze softened. Joong wasn't the type to open up easily, but there it wasâhis vulnerability, raw and real. He walked over and sat on the armrest of the couch, careful not to crowd Joong too much. "I get that. This case is a lot. It's been affecting both of us, in different ways. But you know, you don't have to do it alone. You've got me."
Joong chuckled, but it was a hollow sound. "It's not about the case. It's more... personal. I've been carrying it around for a long time." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just don't want to screw this up. You know?"
Zee nodded slowly. He understood that feeling all too well. "We all carry something. But you're not alone in this, Joong. We'll get through it together, alright?"
Joong turned to look at him, and for a moment, Zee caught the glimmer of something in his eyesâgratitude, maybe even a little relief.
"Thanks," Joong said, his voice quieter now. "I really mean it."
Zee gave him a small smile. "You're welcome. Now, come on. We've got a big day tomorrow, and you need rest. You won't be any good to me if you're running on empty."
Joong hesitated, then finally stood up. "Yeah, I'll head to the bedroom."
As Joong walked past him, Zee placed a hand on his shoulder briefly, offering a reassuring squeeze.
Joong looked back at him, a small smile on his lips. "Goodnight, Zee."
Zee watched him head toward the spare room, then turned his attention back to the now-muted TV. The glow from the screen bathed the room in pale light, but Zee's mind was elsewhere, reflecting on what Joong had said.
It wasn't just about the case for Joong. There was more beneath the surfaceâold wounds, unresolved feelings, the shadow of a past he couldn't escape. Zee didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but he was more certain than ever that he was in this with Joong, no matter where it led. With a final look at the empty couch, Zee turned off the TV and headed back to his room, leaving the quiet apartment behind him.