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Joong sat on the couch in his living room, scrolling through Instagram with a scowl on his face. Dunk’s stories had been full of him hanging out with their mutual friends. Happy, laughing, looking like he didn’t have a care in the world. Except, apparently, one care and that is Joong.
It wasn’t like Joong had asked for much. Just a simple, “Come over, let’s hang out.” But Dunk had hesitated. Hesitated.
“Can’t tonight,” Dunk had said, his tone light, but his eyes shifting. “I’m busy.”
Busy doing what , exactly? Dunk hadn’t explained, and Joong hadn’t pressed. He’d just nodded and let the moment pass. But now, hours later, his frustration bubbled over.
Joong’s phone buzzed. A text from Dunk.
Dunk: “Hey, are you okay?”
Joong stared at it. He could reply. He could be mature. But no. He tossed the phone to the other side of the couch and folded his arms, sulking.
On the other side of the city, Dunk sat in his car, staring at his phone. The three dots indicating Joong was typing had appeared… and then disappeared. Nothing.
“Seriously?” Dunk muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. Joong was mad. He could feel it. Joong always got like this when things didn’t go his way silent, brooding, impossible.
Dunk sighed. “What does he want me to do? Cancel everything?”
But deep down, guilt ate at him. He had avoided going to Joong’s house. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to be there it was because lately, things between them had felt… complicated. Too many lingering looks, too many teasing smiles that left Dunk’s stomach in knots. Joong’s touches felt different at the same time.
He wasn’t sure what they were anymore. And he wasn’t sure he was ready to find out.
The next day at a fan event, the tension between them was palpable. Joong barely looked at Dunk, his usual teasing banter replaced with curt nods and one-word answers.
The fans noticed immediately.
“Why is Joong ignoring Dunk?” one tweet read.
“They look so distant today… what’s going on?” another said.
Dunk felt the weight of every glance, every murmur from the crowd. He tried to brush it off, but Joong’s cold shoulder stung more than he wanted to admit.
That night, Dunk scrolled through Twitter, heart sinking as fans speculated about their “rift.” Some even blamed him, accusing him of not appreciating Joong enough.
And then it happened.
Joong, notoriously quiet online, posted a series of tweets defending Dunk.
“Saw on TikTok that you guys broke up?
Answer: We’re just teasing each other. We haven’t talked yet, and both of us are acting stubborn. Once things are back to normal, everyone will notice on their own.”
“Don’t worry, it’s completely normal. Things will get better soon.”
Dunk’s breath caught. He stared at the tweets, rereading them over and over. He always did that when he was ready to make up with him. But Dunk also knew that was his way of protecting him. It made his heart swell at the thought.
Later that night, Dunk showed up at Joong’s door.
Joong opened it, his expression guarded. “What are you doing here?”
Dunk didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped inside, his hands shoved into his pockets. “I saw your tweets.”
Joong shrugged. “They were being unfair.”
“Thank you,” Dunk said softly, meeting Joong’s eyes. “For standing up for me.”
Joong’s gaze softened. “You don’t have to thank me for that. I’ll always have your back.”
The air between them shifted, heavy with unspoken words.
“I’m sorry,” Dunk blurted out. “For avoiding you. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to see you. It’s just… I didn’t know how to act around you lately.”
Joong frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” Dunk hesitated, then sighed. “I think about you too much. And it scares me. Because I don’t know if you… if we…”
Joong stepped closer, his eyes searching Dunk’s. “If we what?”
“If we’re just friends anymore,” Dunk finished in a whisper.
Joong’s lips curved into a small smile. “We’re not.”
Before Dunk could respond, Joong closed the distance, pulling him into a tight hug. Dunk froze for a moment, then melted into the embrace, his arms wrapping around Joong’s waist.
“I’ve been waiting for you to figure that out,” Joong murmured against his hair.
“Guess I’m slow,” Dunk replied, a shaky laugh escaping him.
“Yeah, but I love you and all your flaws” Joong teased, pulling back just enough to look at him.
Dunk smiled, looking at his cheesy man. “I love you too idiot.” He laughed leaning to wrap his arms around Joong’s neck
“Mmmmmm.” Joong smiled into Dunks neck sniffing him.
For the first time in weeks, they weren’t sulking anymore.