Oneiric Tryst

7. Pirate Ship

"Did you know that insomnia is hereditary? Maybe Park's parents experienced the same issue."

Hissing, Hongjoong set his steaming hot plate down on his desk and blew on his reddened fingertips. Not even his comfy sweater paws had been thick enough to keep the heat of the microwave at bay.

"Maybe. I doubt they had any great tips for him if he still struggles with it that much. I suppose in that job it also feels different," Hongjoong grumbled. His finger poked at the squishy crust of his heated pizza. Still too hot.

Whining, he stuck his finger in his mouth. Not any cooler, but he pretended it helped.

San typed speedily at his computer. As always, he was far more distracted with anything but work. Hongjoong had yet to ask why he had styled his hair so prettily today. It was slicked back for once, only a few pink strands falling into his forehead to tease a dishevelled look.

San even wore a suit. San never wore a suit. Luckily, Mingi came in big comfortable hoodies to work, so Hongjoong didn't feel too underdressed with his other two coworkers.

"I think every remedy the internet gives me is old nonsense. Nothing he wouldn't have tried before. Well, guess you have to remember that once you start making babies with him. They might sleep badly." Nonchalant, San rose from his chair to walk over to the printer. No response came from him as Hongjoong spluttered and yelped. Instead, he just stood classically at the old device with one hand in his pocket and his broad shoulders stretching his shirt taut.

"Hey!"

San threw a smirk over his shoulder. One brow had risen mischievously.

"What, am I wrong?"

Hongjoong glared him down witheringly. Then he went back to poking his pizza to punish San with silence. He already had seen too much. Things San didn't know about. Things that haunted Hongjoong's dreams.

"As if I respect the opinion of one who joined the Jongho team. I thought we made a pact! Never to listen to a thing he says!" Hongjoong threw his hands in the air. He wore black nail polish today that fit his nightly outfits. He had wanted to dress up for Seonghwa just a little.

"I didn't join his team. I just have a date later."

"A date?" Hongjoong perked up. "Who makes the mistake of dating you? Relay them my condolences."

San threw an eraser at him. Giggling, Hongjoong ducked under the offending item.

"It's Wooyoung," San said simply as he neatly stacked his papers once he sat down. In five minutes, they would be strewn all over their working station and the ground.

"Wooyoung?! Already? It's been what, a week?" Gaping, Hongjoong stared at him. He fought the impressed awe off his face as much as possible.

San grinned smugly as he pushed his hair back. From lidded eyes, he looked down at the papers in his lap, gloating.

"Well, if you use the hours of your day wisely, a week means a lot of flirting. And he's hot, I'm hot, nothing holds us back."

Hongjoong facepalmed. His only friend the pizza gave him a sympathetic peer.

"But hey, him going out with me means he isn't with Park. Win-win I'd say," San said more cheerfully. As if Hongjoong actually had a chance or would even dare to approach Seonghwa like that. Not only was he horribly awkward, but they also had literally no reason to get close. Neither Seonghwa nor he were as straightforward as Wooyoung and San.

Even weirder if Seonghwa found out that Hongjoong stalked him in his dreams.

"Just have fun on your date. And don't you dare mention me."