Work Text:
"C'mon, don't be a coward"
The morning starts with Han Sooyoung trying to persuade Dokja into one of her idiotic ideas again, which is rather common in their friendship, but still gives him a headache.
"I bought you ice cream yesterday. You owe me this".
"No, I owe you like three dollars, not..." Kim Dokja can't even say it out loud. "He won't do it".
"He will. I bought him ice cream too".
Dokja sighs. He contemplates the possibility of standing up and leaving the cafe, but he's pretty sure Han Sooyoung would punch him in the face.
"Look" Sooyoung doesn't give up. "It's only one time, okay? It's no big deal. I've made you do worse things".
Is that supposed to improve the situation?
"Please" his best friend looks at him with pleading eyes. Disgusting manipulation technique. "I really like her. I have to show her that I'm single, we're not dating and you have no interest in me"
"And for that I have to fake-date Yoo Joonghyuk?" Kim Dokja rubs his temple. It even sounds ridiculous. Why would Yoo Sangah believe that their relationship is real? Yoo Joonghyuk is way out of Dokja's league.
But then again she thinks —for some disturbing reason— that he and Sooyoung are dating, which is actually worse.
"Do you have a better idea? No, you don't" Sooyoung answers her own question before Dokja can think of another option. "Please say yes. I'll invite you to our wedding".
"Fine" Dokja budges, cause aparrently he's a bigger idiot than Han Sooyoung.
"Yes! Thank you so—".
"I'll do it" he interrupts, with the last shreds of dignity left on his body, "only if Yoo Joonghyuk agrees".
A mischievous smile grows on Sooyoung's face.
"Oh, he definitely will".
It's later that day, when Dokja is on his way home from work, that Han Sooyoung texts him.
Menace to society (Han Sooyoung)
Joonghyuk said yes ㅋㅋㅋ
Kim Dokja (derogatory)
Did you threaten him?
Menace to society (Han Sooyoung)
Shut up.
Tomorrow at lunch. It's a double date. Don't be late!!!
Kim Dokja (derogatory)
I won't.
He's 15 minutes late. In his defense he couldn't find a nice shirt to wear.
When he arrives, Yoo Joonghyuk is outside of the restaurant waiting for him. The women that pass by stop for a second to gaze at the man, as if Joonghyuk's a piece of art exhibited in a museum. Dokja will never admit that he stares too.
"Honey~" Dokja greets him, getting into character. Joonghyuk frowns. "Did you miss me?~"
"You're late" Joonghyuk replies. "Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung are inside".
"Don't be so grumpy" Kim Dokja pinches his cheek, which makes Joonghyuk frown more. "C'mon. I'm starving".
"It's because your diet lacks nutrients" Yoo Joonghyuk starts to explain. "You shouldn't eat ramen from the convenience store".
Dokja ignores him and leads both of them to the door of the restaurant. He finds Sangah and Sooyoung sitting at a table near the window, smiling at each other.
"Alright" Dokja says. "Remember to act natural".
"Why wouldn't I act natural?" Joonghyuk asks, his tone of voice mildly confused and concerned at the same time.
"I mean, don't mention the thing" Dokja implies, giving Joonghyuk a meaningful look. The bastard raises an eyebrow.
"What thing?"
"Woah, you're really good at this".
They walk towards the table and they sit beside each other, Dokja right in front of Han Sooyoung, who smiles smug at him as if saying 'see? I told you Joonghyuk would do it'.
To be honest, Dokja never thought Yoo Joonghyuk would be on board with the whole fake-dating situation, considering the fact that he hates Han Sooyoung's ideas and dating Dokja, even if it's fake, is probably one of his worst nightmares.
"Nice to meet you, Yoo Joonghyuk" Yoo Sangah greets him with a kind smile. "Han Sooyoung has told me a lot about you. You are a pro-gamer, right?"
"Yes" Dokja's not surprised by Joonghyuk's dry reply. His social skills are below zero.
"You should watch some of his videos" Kim Dokja finds himself saying. "He's pretty good. His followers call him the Supreme King".
"Really? That's amazing"
Yoo Joonghyuk's ears turn red. Dokja has never seen Joonghyuk get shy over compliments —it's cute.
They have already ordered when Yoo Sangah drinks a sip of water and breaks the silence again.
"So, how did you two meet?"
Of course, the imminent question Dokja was waiting for. It makes sense that Sangah wants to know that, it's common for couples to narrate their story. He already had a few ideas on the way to the restaurant.
"We met in high school".
Dokja's confident smile crumbles when he realizes he didn't say that.
"Dokja and I were in the same class" Joonghyuk continues, which is weird cause it's... true. Although they do say that the more truth is in a lie, the more believable it is.
Good. Dokja had his doubts about Joonghyuk's ability to pretend they're in a relationship, but he's doing great.
"I used to ignore everyone around me, but" Joonghyuk stares at the table contemplative, as if he's reminiscing his high school years. There's a small smile growing on his face, it's barely there, but it's soft, "Kim Dokja was really annoying".
Bastard, Dokja wants to say —he contains himself, as that is not a cute name to call your significant other.
"You grew fond of me eventually" Kim Dokja tries to save the situation. Yoo Joonghyuk doesn't answer. "Right?" The silence extends. "Right?"
"I must admit your horrible personality was quite endearing" Yoo Joonghyuk says after a moment of consideration. Dokja would take it as a compliment if it weren't for the 'horrible' part.
For some reason Yoo Joonghyuk finds Dokja's anger amusing. Joonghyuk softly chuckles looking at him and his gaze turns affectionate, tender even. It makes Kim Dokja's heart flutter. Dammit. The bastard is really good at this.
"Food's here" Sooyoung announces as the waiter approaches their table. Joonghyuk steals Dokja's plate in a second.
"Wait, that's mine" Kim Dokja complains, watching Joonghyuk add salad from his own to plate to Dokja's dish.
"Fix your diet" it's the only response he gets from Yoo Joonghyuk before he returns his plate to Dokja. Now the steak is covered in lettuce and carrot —great.
The worst part is that Yoo Joonghyuk really behaves like the perfect boyfriend. It's infuriating. The bastard is good at everything, even at lying about his feelings towards Kim Dokja.
At some point Joonghyuk cleans Dokja's mouth with a napkin. Yoo Sangah fails to hide a smile, while Dokja tries his best not to suffer a cardiac arrest.
What's with this guy and his acting skills?
When they finish eating, Kim Dokja doesn't get a chance to run away.
"We should play a game before we leave" Yoo Sanga proposes with a kind, enthusiastic smile. Han Sooyoung raises an eyebrow.
"A game?"
"It's a game we used to play in high school with my friends" she explains. "You tell one truth to the person to your left. It's to know each other better and since this is our first lunch together I think it would be nice".
Kim Dokja has never heard of that game. For a second, he is sure that Han Sooyoung or Yoo Joonghyuk will refute, but neither of them do.
On the contrary, a wicked smile appears on Sooyoung's face. Dokja has a bad feeling about this.
"You should go first" Sooyoung says to Kim Dokja, resting her elbows on the table.
He belatedly realizes that the person on his left is Yoo Joonghyuk.
Burn in hell, Dokja communicates to Han Sooyoung through telepathy. It doesn't work.
What is he even supposed to say? Dokja has known Yoo Joonghyuk for ages, there's only one truth he's been hiding from him and he's too much of a coward to admit it.
"I..." Dokja looks at Joonghyuk, at his stupidly handsome face and his slightly red ears. "I... I didn't eat breakfast today".
There's silence —not a comfortable one. Dokja fears no one is going to speak until Yoo Joonghyuk opens his mouth to scold him.
"Your eating habits are—".
"Shut up" Han Sooyoung intervenes. The amused tone in her voice has disappeared. "It's your turn, Yoo Joonghyuk".
"You're a very nice person" Joonghyuk says to Yoo Sangah. She smiles and thanks him. The exchange is so natural it makes Kim Dokja want to pull his hair out.
"Well, um" There's a touch of pink in Sangah's cheeks when it's her turn. "I have always thought you're very pretty, Sooyoung-ssi".
Dokja's dumb best friend blushes furiously. "Oh. I... Thank you".
Then it's Han Sooyoung's turn. On the bright side, Sooyoung never softens truths to Kim Dokja, so he's very much prepared for whatever she has to say.
"It's a secret" Sooyoung dictates suddenly. Kim Dokja frowns.
"Is that even how this game works...?"
"I'm going to whisper it to you" Han Sooyoung asks him to lean over the table, to which he doesn't react right away. "Dokja".
Dokja complies.
It's probably a bad idea. Sooyoung could stab him with a fork, maybe bite his face.
Still, he leans over the table and Han Sooyoung does it too, to place her mouth near his ear. Kim Dokja fears for his own life.
"Joonghyuk doesn't know it's a fake date" Sooyoung whispers.
At first, Kim Dokja doesn't understand.
That doesn't make sense. Sooyoung told him Joonghyuk had accepted.
But to what exactly?
Dokja's mind races, trying to search for an answer, only to realize that Sooyoung's words are not a lie.
Yoo Joonghyuk always treats him the same way he did that day. Worrying over Dokja's eating habits, taking care of him, hiding compliments behind lame insults...
"Dokja-ssi, your face is really red. Are you okay?" Yoo Sangah's voice rings in his ears. Dokja blinks.
"I'm... It's fine" he mumbles. Kim Dokja stands up, looks at Han Sooyoung and then at Yoo Joonghyuk, whose eyes are fixed on Dokja. His face turns redder. "I have to... I need some air".
As soon as the excuse stumbles out of his lips, Dokja rushes for the door. Once he's outside, he let's out a shaky breath.
It's impossible. It would mean... Dokja closes his eyes, with his face burning and his heart pounding against his chest. It can't be...
Have they always behaved that way? He wants to scream.
"Kim Dokja" Yoo Joonghyuk calls for him. Kim Dokja turns around, just to find him frowning with concern. "Is everything alright?"
No. No, it's not, and it's your fault.
"It's nothing" he mutters, unable to meet Yoo Joonghyuk's gaze. God, he is the biggest coward on earth.
"What did Han Sooyoung say to you?" Joonghyuk asks.
"Really, it's nothing. She just..." Kim Dokja blushes again. "It's embarrassing".
For some reason Yoo Joonghyuk's expression darkens. However Dokja doesn't have enough time to dwell on it, as Joonghyuk proceeds to say the most unexpected thing.
"I'm sorry".
Kim Dokja stills. "What...?"
"I told Sooyoung about it in strict confidence and asked her not to tell you because... I know it's not reciprocated. I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. And I don't—".
"What are you—" Kim Dokja chokes out, barely breathing. "What are you talking about?"
"I know she told you" Joonghyuk frowns. "It's the only thing that would make you react this badly".
"You..." This is... It feels like Dokja is hallucinating. "What did you tell her exactly?"
It's a stupid question. Kim Dokja knows Yoo Joonghyuk doesn't have feelings for him, and yet... He can't help getting his hopes up.
Yoo Joonghyuk stares at him. There's a glimpse of hurt behind his steady gaze, almost as if it pains him to say it out loud.
"That I love you".
It's overwhelming.
Dokja has never been the best at dealing with emotions. He's horrible at it. When he realized his own feelings for Joonghyuk, he spent weeks without being able to sleep.
Not even for a second the idea that it wasn't unrequited crossed his mind.
Yoo Joonghyuk tells him something, probably trying to reassure him, but Dokja doesn't listen.
He takes a step forward and hides his face in Joonghyuk's shoulder. His fingers grip the taller man's sweater.
"Me too" Dokja whispers.
He's aware Yoo Joonghyuk can't hear him due to their position. But when Joonghyuk asks him to repeat himself, Dokja blushes, too embarrassed to say it again.
"Kim Dokja" Yoo Joonghyuk wraps his arms around Dokja. It's warm. He could get used to this. "Your heart is beating like crazy".
"Shut up" Dokja whines. Joonghyuk chuckles, low and deep, for his ears only.
When Kim Dokja finally says the three terrifying words, Yoo Joonghyuk's heart beats like crazy too.