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Kim Dokja had come to a very unexpected revelation approximately two seconds ago.
He might be in love with Yoo Joonghyuk.
That bastard.
How did Yoo Joonghyuk manage to make him fall in love with him?! Well, not really because he could be wrong!! But still!! That sunfish must’ve done something to him! There’s no way he (possibly) fell in love with Yoo Joonghyuk just like that!
If he was in love with Yoo Joonghyuk he would’ve known a long time ago. He couldn’t have just gotten that revelation out of nowhere.
These feelings that he has for his best friend can’t just appear out of nowhere! This has to be a bad joke being played on him.
Kim Dokja laughs out loud. He finds his current panic funny, his internal monologue is truly hilarious.
He was reading his web novels that had been updated a few hours ago. Everything was good, he enjoyed the new chapter of his web novel and he went to read the next chapter of another novel.
While Kim Dokja was on the homepage of the app where he reads his web novels, he saw that there was a banner for a new web novel being promoted.
It was a romance novel which was nothing out of the ordinary. Many people are interested in romance and enjoy reading it. There was nothing wrong with that. Everyone had a different taste that they catered to.
But the male lead of the novel caught Kim Dokja’s eyes. He looked similar to Yoo Joonghyuk. He had black, slightly wavy short hair, black eyes that resembled the night sky, and thick eyebrows, but the only thing that was not like Yoo Joonghyuk was that the male lead wore a love-struck look.
The male lead was holding the main character close to his chest. He made sure to keep her close to him, his grip seemed immovable. He looked at her as if she was the only girl that mattered to him in this world. As if she was his only priority, so much so that he would kill for her.
“I wish Yoo Joonghyuk looked at me like that,” Kim Dokja thought. “If he looked at me like that I would instantly melt like an ice cream. Oh my... If he held me like that God knows I wouldn’t ever let go, I’d stay in his company forever. But that’s only wishful thinking... Joonghyuk-ah would never see me like that-“
Wait. What?
Just what exactly was Kim Dokja on? Why was he thinking about Yoo Joonghyuk like this?!
Even though what his thoughts were about were correct, he shouldn’t be thinking such things in the first place!
It’s not right. He shouldn’t like his best friend. He’s never going to look at him like that or hold him like that either.
He shouldn’t have these feelings for his best friend. For Christ's sake, this man is obviously not in love with him! They’re just friends!!
Even though every time he was busy doing something like work, reading, or even eating, his mind would wander to Yoo Joonghyuk.
Every time this would happen it would catch him off guard and he immediately would cut off any other thoughts that could form.
Yet, even though he would ultimately stop thinking about Yoo Joonghyuk. He could feel a feeling of what felt like melancholy (?) form in his stomach. It was weird.
This had gone on for a while. He couldn’t pinpoint when exactly this feeling and these thoughts started to form, but they would hit him like a wave.
He couldn’t possibly understand why he would feel like this. Yoo Joonghyuk was his best friend, what else could he want?
They’re just friends. Best friends. That’s it. He’s someone that he likes to be around with at all times. Either privately or with their other friends. That meant nothing. It was just how friends felt. Friendships were like this.
It was really nothing. Just like how he felt comfortable in Yoo Joonghyuk’s presence and could let go of all his worries. He liked the feeling of having something that he considered a safe space.
He liked the feeling of his presence being enjoyed by someone else. He liked the way Yoo Joonghyuk would treat him. Making extra food every day just for him to eat a proper meal and taking him out to places he’s never been to before.
Was this just him confusing friendship for love? Was he just deluding himself into thinking he’s in love with Yoo Joonghyuk because he wants to be loved? Or was he actually in love with him?
Before Kim Dokja could continue with his mind rambles he felt his phone buzz next to him. He picked it up and saw it was a text message from the devil himself.
Yoo Joonghyuk
Are we still going together to the park tomorrow?
Kim Dokja read the message over and over again. He engraved those words in his mind. He chuckled at his friend's obliviousness. How stupid of him to even ask such an obvious question.
Kim Dokja
Always.
The park is bustling with people and tourists enjoying the beautiful weather. “This place is always so full of life, it never seems to die out,” Kim Dokja thought.
Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk agreed to meet up at the park a few days ago to hang out and chat with each other.
Now he's here at the park and he can’t find Yoo Joonghyuk anywhere. Bastard. He pulls out his phone to see if he’s gotten a message from said man, but to no surprise there’s no new activity.
Kim Dokja scans the crowd, looking for his friend. It shouldn’t be that hard he’s taller than the average person, he sticks out like a sore thumb.
Kim Dokja walks around the park, his gaze switching from person to person. He’d been searching a little now but to no avail.
Where was this sunfish?!
“Kim Dokja.”
Kim Dokja yelped and jumped back. He landed on a broad chest and he turned around immediately just to see said man he was looking for.
“Joonghyuk-ah! You scared the living crap out of me! I could’ve gotten a heart attack and you wouldn’t have heard from me ever again!” He scowled.
“Don’t be so dramatic. I just happened to see you wandering around and caught up to you.” Yoo Joonghyuk let out a chuckle. It was a nice sound. It sounded like heaven to his ears.
Kim Dokja was still a tad bit startled but he brushed it off. It was just Yoo Joonghyuk, he would never hurt him. He knows that for a fact.
“I was looking for you but it seems as if you found me. I’m glad though.” Kim Dokja said with a light-hearted look.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, idiot.” Yoo Joonghyuk replied with a smile. He shakes his head and starts walking forward.
Kim Dokja stayed there for a moment. Yoo Joonghyuks smile really did something to him. He felt a fuzzy feeling start to form in his stomach for whatever reason. This was normal, right?
Kim Dokja then shook himself out of his thoughts. Not now. He can resolve this later. Right now he should enjoy this day with his best friend. He jogged over to where Yoo Joonghyuk was. Damn him long legs.
Before he knew it he was walking next to his friend. They kept a slow pace and their shoulders would touch with every step they took. Kim Dokja was fine. This totally didn’t seem intimate.
The sun was shining brightly and the greenery of the park was opaque. They continued their stroll through the park. As Kim Dokja walked, he couldn’t help but be amazed by the beauty of the scenery he was surrounded by.
It was spring time so everything just seemed more brighter and beautiful. There were towering trees that seemed to reach the heavens, their branches once again had lush green leaves swaying with the wind.
Everywhere Kim Dokja looked, bursts of vibrant color greeted his eyes. There were flowerbeds, that were overflowing with newly bloomed flowers of every hue. From the noticeable appearance of roses to the pretty faces of daisies, each flower looked as if it was screaming for attention.
“Isn’t the park beautiful Joonghyuk-ah?” Kim Dokja asked while he looked around at the sights. He breathed in the fresh air and exhaled deeply.
“It is. It’s really beautiful.” Yoo Joonghyuk spoke softly. Kim Dokja thought he was hearing things since he barely even heard the reply. Yoo Joonghyuk spoke barely above a whisper. If they weren’t this close he would’ve thought he got ignored.
Kim Dokja looked up to Yoo Joonghyuk just to see that he was already looking at him. He wore an unreadable expression on his face. This kind of looked like the expression that the male lead had on.
No. Who was he kidding? He’s deluding himself. He would never be looked at like that. Not in this life or the next one.
The two continued to walk together embarking in each other’s presence. The air was filled with the soft buzz of bees and the rustle of leaves, which created a sound that was both soothing and invigorating.
Kim Dokja could see the stream flow lazily through the park, its clear waters reflecting the blue of the sky above. He noticed a few ducks paddling along its surface which he thought was cute.
Kim Dokja absorbed the breathtaking scenery before him. He immediately felt a sense of peacefulness wash over him. Anyone could find comfort and beauty in the most simple places. The park was truly a place where anyone could appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
“Kim Dokja, look there’s an ice cream stand. Do you want one?” Yoo Joonghyuk brought him out of his thoughts. He noticed the ice cream stand and he immediately beamed.
“Obviously! It’s not a park outing if you don’t get ice cream! This is like the cherry on top.” Kim Dokja spoke as he approached the ice cream stand.
The stand was settled under a tree where the sun didn’t hit it. The person running the stand was an older lady. She looked like she was in her late fifties. Her hair had started to go slightly grayish with age but it still had its color.
“What can I get you two youngsters?” The old lady asked with a kind smile.
“I’ll have a scoop of cookies and cream and he’ll have plain vanilla.” Kim Dokja replied with a grin and watched as the old lady started to prepare their order.
A few seconds later they were handed their cones filled with ice cream, “Enjoy lovebirds!”
Kim Dokja was taken aback by her comment. He was about to correct her until Yoo Joonghyuk stepped in.
“Thank you, have a nice day.”
Yoo Joonghyuk placed his arm around Kim Dokja’s waist and smiled back at the vendor as they walked away.
Kim Dokja was having an internal panic due to this sunfish’s sudden bold move. Why didn’t he correct her? Why did he go along with it? Why does he have his arm around me?! We aren’t even dating!!
“Joonghyuk-ah! Why did you lie to her?!” Kim Dokja gritted out. He tried to look mad, keyword; tried to. (He failed miserably. He looked like a tomato with how hard he was blushing.)
“What do you mean?” Yoo Joonghyuk questioned. How couldn’t he know?! Sly bastard.
“She thought we were dating! You didn’t bother correcting her!” Kim Dokja rubbed his temples in quick succession.
“Okay, and?”
Kim Dokja’s mind screeched to a halt. He turned his head towards Yoo Joonghyuk and stared at him. He was peacefully eating his ice cream while he was a flustered and confused mess.
How could he not look worried?! He’s letting people imply things that should bother him but he’s not letting it get to him! Why??
They’re just friends! He should’ve corrected the lady instead of letting her continue going on with her day with the wrong idea! They weren’t dating, so why is he going along with it?!
Even though Kim Dokja was still in his internal panic due to Yoo Joonghyuk and his decisions. He couldn’t help but admire the man who was at his side.
The sunlight would catch the slight twinkle in his eyes, which would accentuate the beauty of his face.
He noticed how Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips would curve into a small smile and how his eyes would close slightly as he enjoyed the sweetness of the ice cream.
There’s a simplicity to his joy that catches Kim Dokja's eyes. It draws him in like a moth to a flame. Then, his heart flutters. “I wouldn’t mind more days like this, basking in this beautiful man’s presence..” Kim Dokja thinks.
He then realizes that Yoo Joonghyuk’s arm is still holding onto his waist and he knows that he isn’t planning on letting him go anytime soon.
This whole hangout... The whole time they were here together at the park, Kim Dokja hadn't felt more at ease. Kim Dokja likes the feeling of being at peace, no he loves it. He can live with this feeling forever.
It's more than loving the fact that being with Yoo Joonghyuk brings him peace. He likes to bask in Yoo Joonghyuk’s presence because who wouldn't love to be next to Yoo Joonghyuk? But the way Yoo Joonghyuk makes him feel is an otherworldly experience.
He feels at ease. His worries have disappeared in the blink of an eye. He feels more cheerful and bubbly with him at his side. He got to enjoy the sights of the park with a beautiful man. He got to eat ice cream with the man too.
Come to think about it, all he's done ever since he's got here is think about Yoo Joonghyuk. He had forgotten about the outside world and how he's got other things to do after this. It's Yoo Joonghyuk that has been running around his mind this entire time.
Yet this isn't an uncommon occurrence, this has been happening for some time now It's as if every time Yoo Joonghyuk and him are together, all he can do is think about the man that he's currently with. Not to mention the feelings that begin to form inside his body every time.
The fluttering of butterflies in his stomach when he sees Yoo Joonghyuk smile. The way he would be rendered speechless every time Yoo Joonghyuk laughed. The fact that Yoo Joonghyuk would ask when he was free after their hang-out was over just to schedule another one.
Even today, the way his face turned red when Yoo Joonghyuk held him. The way he was panicking when Yoo Joonghyuk didn't bother to correct the old lady when she mistook them for a couple. He had been ignoring everything like a pro.
At this, Kim Dokja starts to giggle out loud. How oblivious could he be?
“What are you laughing at?” Yoo Joonghyuk looks at him with a puzzled expression. Even now, he wants to kiss that face of his.
“I finally figured it out.” Kim Dokja brought a hand up to his mouth and continued to chuckle lightly at his revelation.
“Joonghyuk-ah, I love you.” He said in between giggles.
“Idiot. I love you too.”