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the evening breeze fills the air as Kim Dokja steps out of Yoo Joonghyuk's car. He felt alive again; Kim Dokja finally recovered and he gets to go have fun with his friends from what it seemed like an eternity.
Yoo Sangah had even prepared a surprise welcome-back party for him, he couldn't have been happier.
–––
The sound of grilling barbeque and talking filled the small booth. He can finally talk to the people he held dearly once more. He may have had one or two many drinks but he couldn't care less. As long as he's alive and able to see everyone's smiles again he's happy.
One by one each of them went home. the night grew darker as Kim Dokja was grilling more meat alone.
But he noticed something off – he couldn't seem to find Han Sooyoung anywhere. Kim Dokja stood up from the table trying to find her. He stumbled his way up to the second floor. His eyes landing on the 2nd floor balcony to see Han Sooyoung smoking a cigarette.
Dokja's steps still unsteady, he dragged his feet towards the balcony. Sooyoung looked back to see Dokja walking towards her, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Mind if I join you, Sooyoung?" Dokja asked, his voice slurry from all the drinks he had.
Sooyoung nodded her head back at Dokja, offering him a cigarette and lighting it. They both smoked in silence, the only thing they could hear were the quiet hums of the city.
Dokja, leaning on the balcony, turned his head towards Sooyoung.
"Hey.. uhm.. how have you been..?" his curiosity getting the better of him
"..I'm doing fine, nothing out of the ordinary." she responded to his question
"What's been going on with the rest of them while I was asleep?" he asked yet again to Han Sooyoung
Sooyoung chuckled "Yoo Joonghyuk, that damn sunfish, stayed as his usual stoic self but I saw a vulnerable side to him when you were in that coma.. and Yoosoung and Gilyoung are In their junior year of highschool, can you believe it?"
"I'm glad that I'll be able to see them grow up.. how about Lee Jihye? I didn't see her today." his curiosity piqued once more
"She's been busy these days; only Joonghyuk knows what she's up to most of the time."
"how about Seolhwa? I saw her today but she had to leave early."
"I think she became a doctor and even build an orphanage. We barely get to see her sometimes."
"An orphanage? it's just like in the TWSA novel..." Kim Dokja pondered as he was lost in thought
Just then he received a slap on the back by Han Sooyoung "You only think about that damn novel, do you? but I'm glad it's really you and not 49%. it's a bit annoying having to listen to you talk about TWSA though."
"Hey! TWSA is an amazing novel..! It's your 1863th rounds writing after all. Honestly, I couldn't really believe you were the author at first."
"I told you I didn't plagiarize it! it's my novel! I'm just such a great writer in all of the rounds" Sooyoung smirked and jabbed her elbow into Dokja
"Don't go bragging now.." shaking his head in mock disappointment.
As they talked more and more, Dokja found himself emotional, maybe because of the sheer amount of liquor he consumed that night but he was so sad – sad that he missed out on so much.
The night wore on, Dokja confessed his admiration to Sooyoung, his longing and long awaited thank you for her.
"Hey, have I ever told you that I admire you? if not, I love you as a person, and as a whole."
Sooyoung smiled faltered just a bit before laughing it off. "I don't quite believe you. You're drunk after all, Dokja." a small smile forming on her lips
"I said I admire you."
"You're drunk, Dokja." she repeated, her voice softer than before
They both awkwardly looked at eachother, the tension between them palpable. Then, Sooyoung spoke up first.
"I should really get going, it's getting late." Sooyoung said a she put out her cigarette with her foot.
"Now that you mention going home, I'm homeless.." Dokja's whispered.
"Y-you.. BAHAHAHA, HOMELESS? DOKJA'S HOMELESS?? HAHAHAHA!?!" She laughed
"Stop shouting it out loud, idiot..!" His voice barely above a whisper, Han Sooyoung continued to snicker as Dokja put out his own cigarette
"I don't even have a ride to anyone's home, they should be asleep by now..." Dokja trailed of trying to think of a solution, would he really have to sleep on the sidewalk?
"Well, you can crash at my place." Sooyoung abruptly said
"Why are you suddenly nice?!" he shouted, his voice a bit too loud
Sooyoung snickered "do you want me to be mean all the time, squid?"
"stop calling me squid, Sooyoung." his face scrunched up in annoyance
"as if!" Sooyoung laughing it off
they bantered back and forth, teasing eachother relentless before deciding to call it tonight and head back to Sooyoung's place.
They drove off to Sooyoung's place, Dokja dozing off in the car whilst she was driving.
Soon they arrived, Dokja stumbled his way out of the car but he was helped by Sooyoung. They're both arm in arm – Sooyoung guiding him to the front door.
They entered her house, Sooyoung gestured to her room. "Make yourself at home."
"You're expecting me to sleep in your bedroom while you're out here on the couch? I'm not that evil. plus, sleeping the couch doesn't do your back any favors, it just adds problems."
Sooyoung's eyes lock on Dokja's, a hint of suprise on her face. "Let's just share a bed, it's won't hurt anyone. Maybe it would hurt your pride but who cares?"
"...I care, but fine" she agreed in response.
–––
They headed to the bedroom together, Dokja sometimes tripping on his own feet, his head spun but Sooyoung caught him by the elbow, steadying his movements
Once they've arrived they both lay down on the soft mattress, but Sooyoung was unable to fall asleep.
Despite Sooyoung feeling heavy fatigue, she couldn't seem to fall asleep. She's wide awake, staring at the ceiling. but suddenly, a pair of arms wrap around her waist.
It was Dokja's, snoring as he clinged onto Sooyoung
"hey.. you reek of alcohol." she whispered to him but Dokja has been long gone asleep.
Sooyoung realized she didn't really mind his drunken clinginess. infact she found it rather cute, he was different from the usual Dokja.
Slowly Sooyoung started to feel her eyelids getting heavy as she was stuck In a warm embrace.
She slowly started to drift away, lost in her peaceful sleep.
Sooyoung hadn't felt this warm in awhile.