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English
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Yuletide Madness 2024
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Published:
2024-12-24
Completed:
2024-12-24
Words:
1,000
Chapters:
10/10
Comments:
12
Kudos:
54
Bookmarks:
4
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488

Hearing Your Voice, Hearing Your Silence

Summary:

Jian comes back into Donghoon's life. He is in denial about what she means to him. A cycle of ten drabbles.

Notes:

Chapter 1: Empty

Chapter Text

Donghoon had taken Lee Jian to visit her grandmother and Jian had gone to get food, leaving them alone.

Her grandmother started writing on a piece of paper.

“I am so glad you are my granddaughter’s boyfriend.”

Donghoon took the pencil and crossed out “boy,” leaving “friend.”

Her grandmother nodded and wrote, “Jian is sad now, but I hope she will be happy someday.”

He wrote, “I will make sure it happens,” and promised himself he would.

He thought to himself, “But she needs to be happy without me.”

The thought made him feel a bit sad, a bit empty.

Chapter 2: Family

Chapter Text

At the funeral for Jian’s grandmother, Donghoon watched Jian, looking uncomfortable in her black clothing. He realized he had no idea what it would be like to lose so much of one's family. His wife would leave soon, he knew that. But he would always be surrounded by people who loved him, whether related by blood or not.

When Sanghoon presented Jian with the wreaths in memory of her grandmother, Donghoon was almost envious. Jian's expression made his heart ache, and he wished he could spread all the good things in the world out on a table, just for her.

Chapter 3: Dinner

Chapter Text

Jian really did call him to buy him dinner.

He was surprised to hear from her, as he hadn’t been brave enough to give her his new phone number.

She said, “A CEO is easy to find. Pick a nice place and let me know.”

He made the mistake of asking Sanghoon for a restaurant recommendation. His brother started telling him how to dress for his date.

“It’s not a date,” Donghoon said. “I’m a married man.”

Sanghoon rolled his eyes. “Sure you are. Until Monday.”

It’s still not a date, he thought, but he decided to wait until Tuesday.

Chapter 4: Peaceful

Chapter Text

He thought it would be awkward, possibly just another goodbye, but it wasn’t like that. They were peaceful together.

He enjoyed hearing about her job and her roommates, but mostly he was happy just to have the sound of her voice in his ears again.

“It’s good to hear your voice again,” she said, as if she had read his mind. Then her face seemed to close off and she stared at the table.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I’m trying to forget hearing your voice when I shouldn’t have.”

“No, hold on to that,” he said. “I’m glad of it.”

Chapter 5: Soju

Chapter Text

He drank one bottle of soju but held off after that. “I’m more fun when I’m drunk but I won’t subject you to that again,” he said.

“You’re fun when you’re sober too,” she insisted. “You fall over less, for one thing.”

“I suppose there is that,” he said with a laugh.

“I like seeing you happy,” she said.

When she smiled, he couldn’t stop looking at her. He reminded himself not to, and turned his face toward the window.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

He shook his head. Nothing was wrong. He felt happy, and finally he felt whole.

Chapter 6: Silence

Chapter Text

A few days later he noticed her nearby while he was standing near the front door of his company. She walked toward him.

“It’s nice to run into you again,” he said.

“You didn’t. I came looking for you, because it’s your turn to buy me dinner.”

“I wanted to offer last time but I couldn’t think of an excuse,” he admitted.

“You never need an excuse with me,” she said.

It was getting dark and he walked her home, both looking forward with their footsteps matching. He realized he could do this forever, just sharing the silence with Jian.

Chapter 7: Space

Chapter Text

The next dinner was at her apartment when her roommates were out. She made a joke about it, saying they could be back any time so they’d better not get up to anything. At least he thought she must be joking. The idea made his head swim.

After dinner they sat together on the couch watching some silly romance drama about people who wouldn’t say what they really felt. Their hands were an inch apart but to him the space stretched miles.

He thought if he touched her that everything - their peace, their happiness - might collapse like an unstable building.

Chapter 8: Brothers

Chapter Text

It was Gihoon who finally confronted him.

“When are you going to wake up and notice that this girl is throwing herself at you?” he asked.

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“Sanghoon and I thought from the beginning that she liked you.”

Donghoon felt like neither of them should be dispensing relationship advice but he couldn’t say something so cruel about his brothers.

“Do you want to see her move on to someone else?” Gihoon asked.

Though Donghoon knew that would hurt, he only said, “I want what makes her happy.”

Gihoon shook his head. “At least ask her if that’s you.”

Chapter 9: World

Chapter Text

The next time he saw her they were at his apartment. He didn’t do anything ridiculous like announce that he had something important to ask her but she was still looking at him quizzically so he felt his nervousness must show.

“You once told me,” he began, “that you weren’t interested in anyone who could be happy without you.”

“I’ve grown up since then,” she said. “I just want someone I can share a world with.”

He started to speak again but she kissed him instead. It felt as natural as the air. Nothing collapsed but the barriers between them.

Chapter 10: Laughter

Chapter Text

The next Friday night she dared him to walk into the bar with her holding hands.

“Maybe no one will even notice,” she said.

“No chance,” he said. “My brothers have been waiting for this for a long time.”

“Like me,” she said, grinning. He appreciated not having to turn away from her smile anymore.

“They’ll never stop teasing me.”

They went, and as he had predicted people started applauding and buying them drinks. Laughter surrounded them.

It was excruciatingly embarrassing but still wonderful. She leaned against his shoulder and closed her eyes and they sat together, sharing a world.