Chapter Text
It's never a good idea to fall in love with a friend. A friend of 6 years, a friend that obviously hates you, a friend that is.. 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
As unfortunate as it is, it happens. Whether you contracted feelings when you were assigned partners in group project and they went to your house, or way before that.
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If evidence is needed, then come to Kim Dokja. Someone who has lived (?) through this exact scenario — 𝘩𝘢𝘴 been living this exact scenario.
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"Fuck. Really?"
Kim Dokja groaned as he held the diagnosis letter, his jaw tight. It felt rough against his hand, the piece of paper ugly on his skin, so is the handwriting on it. Probably from a pen that went through years of telling people their chronic illnesses through ink.
The words "𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙝𝙖𝙠𝙞 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 — 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙡' highlighted with scribbly Doctor handwriting.
Kim Dokja had read enough novels to know what it was. He'd seen it actually being diagnosed to a patient once, but that was on Television. That was a big discovery for Scientists, apparently. He never thought he himself would get it. It wasn't devastating. I mean, he's dying. Thats what he used to wish for.
But the hanahaki disease? Really? Thats such a dumb way to die. Kim Dokja's eyes closed as he calmed himself down. That was what he got from liking a guy. He should have known to immediately keep distance when he felt his heart beat the slightest bit faster. Still, dying sounded good. But because of love? Ridiculous.
Ah. Will his mind ever stop fighting itself? He didn't even know whether he wanted to die this way or not.
With the paper now in his pocket, his hand hovered on Han Soo Young's contact number. Dumb, since he knew Han Soo Young would probably write a tragic romance novel if he told her. Still. He trusted his friend. He dialed Han Soo Young's number, it rang for a few minutes before someone answered.
"..Dokja? Whats up with the sudden call?" The girl says, voice hoarse; definitely just woke up.
"I'm Dying." Dokja says.
"..? Dont kill yourself again I swear."
"What? No not suicide, I'm sick."
Silence stretched for a few seconds.
"YOU? Sick? I never knew you could get sick anywhere else other than the head—but seriously, this isn't a funny joke."
"I'm not joking—!"
"Where are you at? Ill be there." Han Soo Young's voice sounded off.
"You really don't have to go her—" Dokja just watched as a black car pulled up in front of him. "How..??"
"That isn't relevant, Besides!. Whats the matter with the I'm dying thing? I swear, if you were pranking me.." She said, interrupting Kim Dokja's earlier statement.
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An hour of explanation later...
"So—You're telling me you have the famous angst storyline from every fantasy hurt no comfort romance ever? And it's to Yoo Joonghyuk?! And you're just now telling me about about this?!"
"I just found out too okay? Besides, it's not that serious!" Dokja exclaimed.
Han Soo Young immediately replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It 𝘐𝘚 that serious! Gosh, I sometimes wonder how you can keep calm with all this happening.. Still, at least you told me unlike last time."
"That was a lost cause!" He argued weakly.
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"So? Are you gonna confess? Knowing you, you'd probably die before Yoo Joonghyuk gives his answer. You definitely would combust simultaneously... Or something."
"I want to, but that's probably true. So what better answer than to fake the surgery and get his answer from his reaction? At least it isn't embarrassing.."
Han Soo Young walked up to Kim Dokja, holding his collar tightly.
"Did you get that from a novel? If he's happy you moved on you might die yknow!?" She inclined, concern etched on her face although desperately hidden.
"Thats like better than nothing okay? I'd rather die with that than actually confess or lose feelings. It's not about dying, what if he looks at me differently if I do? I don't want to die like that!"
"Yeah, you'd rather die because thats all you want to do. I guess it's still your decision but don't leave me alone, no matter how annoying you are."
"Gosh don't be so sentimental, this is not Han Soo Young. It feels so weird y'know?" Dokja chuckled.
"God forbid a girl express her thoughts once. Besides, it only feels weird because you refuse to acknowledge emotion. Anyway—this isn't important! Lets just.. Spend time together okay?"
"You would really want that? Wow... I never knew you cared that much for me." He teased.
It felt like a day to day conversation, although that was far from what it actually was. Maybe it was because they didn't want it to end awkwardly.
Besides, Han Soo Young didn't want Dokja to leave seeing her cry.
Like what he originally thought, Han Soo Young planned to write about this. Still, when she did come to write about it, it was sculpted into a happy ending. Because even if bad endings were her specialty, she just couldn't bring herself to imagine Kim Dokja actually dead.
...It was bad enough to feel the panic once.
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Kim Dokja arranged the fake surgery. He wasn't actually dumb enough to go to a doctor on duty. Real medical help should be given to those who really need it. Using the hospital for something like this is stupid. But! It wasn't like Kim Dokja didn't need the treatment. He'd just need to fake the surgery, but he didn't need to fake treatment. Easy enough, right?
He was eventually able to find a doctor that could help him fake one. It was the only way the doctor could help. Because if thats what a patient wants, it's what a patient gets. Devastating story to hear, unlike any novel ever seen. So the doctor figured, if it would make things easier, he would try to help. Ease the pain his patient had.
Because thats what a doctors responsibility is.
Kim Dokja lay on a hospital bed, it hasn't even been long since he last slept here, but he had to go again. It wasn't the worst experience though. The doctor was nice.
Han Soo Young spoke from the seat besides Kim Dokja. "..Are you sure this is really what you want? Maybe I should call our other friends? Sangah, Hyunsung, Gilyoung.. Joongh—"
"I'm fine Han Soo Young. You don't need to do anything."
"But—" Han Soo Young tried to batter but
"No buts, it's my decision." Kim Dokja ended it immediately. Smiling gently as he did.
Seeing Han Soo Young's concerned expression, as well as her fists clenched, Kim Dokja melted.
".. Fine. Call one person."
"..! Then.." Kim Dokja pulled the phone away.
"Anyone but the kids or.. Joonghyuk."
In the end, Han Soo Young chose to call Sangah. Why? Well.. She didn't know either. The others probably would have broken down if they told them. It wasn't even guaranteed Sangah would be okay. Though Kim Dokja thought they would definitely care, he thought they'd cry at most.
Sangah kept quiet the whole time they told her what was happening. She didn't mutter a single word, not one single word. Until—
".. How can I help?" She said with a face that screamed determination
"Huh?" Kim Dokja Smiled, confused.
"There has to be some way I can help! Whether its small or—just.. I can't just know this suddenly and 𝙣𝙤𝙩 do 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨!" Sangah clenched her fist. Staring at him.
Startled, Dokja hurriedly tried to divert her attention. Saying it was fine, and to keep it secret. It was a good thing Sangah had a great mentality since anyone else would've pushed. Besides, the only reason Dokja let Han Soo Young tell someone was because he didn't want her to need to keep it to herself, possibly worsening her mental health—It's always better to have someone to vent to.
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Everything had been done. It's all faked, arranged, and scripted. Kim Dokja wasn't an actor but he was good at 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, so it really wasn't that bad. All thats left was too call Yoo Joonghyuk. Everyone 𝘣𝘶𝘵 Joonghyuk was there.
Kim Dokja hadn't called him for a long time. He didn't even notice that Joonghyuk texted him.
>Hey.
>Get me some water on your way here. I'll pay later.
>Hey
>Squid.
>Stupid squid. Why won't you reply?
>Dokja.
>Dokja? Where are you?
>Why aren't you at your house?
10:51
Oh. It was already 04:49. Kim Dokja was really busy, I guess. Well, it's fine. Time to fake it.
?? Who r you??<
Sent.
Kim Dokja put the phone down. But just a few seconds later, it dinged.
>?
That flabbergasted?
I don't know you. <
>fck. Dont joke about this, I need water.
Oh so thats the only reason? Would you care? What even are we, really?
Dokja left it on seen. That must've been annoying. Joonghyuk would probably text Han Soo Youn— talk of the devil.
"It's here, he texted me. Be ready—dont break." She said as she typed.
Dokja smiled, knowing she sent the coordinates. It was up to him now. He looked at the window's off putting prettiness, then back at his phone.
Act natural.
Act natural.
Act Natural.
Act— he's here. So fast? Kim Dokja swore it had only been 5 minutes, time really runs fast when you don't want it to. Someone knocked on the door, a face with a complicated expression when Han Soo Young twisted the door knob.
The sound of Han Soo Young explaining blurred in Kim Dokja's ears. The sunset really was pretty. Dokja could feel someone staring daggers at him. But he wasn't supposed to remember who Joonghyuk was.
"..This better not be a prank." Yoo Joonghyuk stated coldly. Half right half wrong, Kim Dokja thought. He walked up to Dokja, gripped his shoulders, and asked.
"𝘋𝘪𝘥 you like me?.." Joonghyuks grip was firm, not moving. But Dokja could feel the shake in his arms.
"...what? Who are you?" Dokja said, acting as good as an actor. His eyes were empty, devoid of any emotion or—he just made it look like that.
It all depends on how Yoo Joonghyuk reacts.