Melodious Fate

Part 16

5 DAYS LATER

Namtan:
But seriously what with you two?

She raised an eyebrow, the teasing glint in her eyes almost playful.

Namtan:
Is this a secret date or something?

Dunk froze. It was a joke, but the mention of the word “date” hit him like a gut punch. He knew that Joong and Namtan had a sibling-like bond, something that had been long established in the public eye. They were constantly seen together, sharing laughs and moments of affection, yet the media—and fans—often blurred the line. They shipped them as a couple, despite Joong’s protests that Namtan was like a sister to him.
Dunk didn’t know why it bothered him so much, but it did. Every time Joong and Namtan interacted, whether it was a simple hug or a laugh, Dunk could feel his chest tighten. It wasn’t jealousy, exactly—Joong was his friend, and Dunk had always supported him. But something about the way fans reacted, the way Joong’s lighthearted moments with Namtan seemed to carry more weight than they were meant to, made him uncomfortable.

Joong grinned, always the playful one.

Joong:
Phi, you know how the fans like to ship us. It's like we’re stuck in some rom-com

Namtan rolled her eyes, though the smile didn’t leave her face.

Namtan:
I still don’t get it. I’m like your sister, for crying out loud

Joong caught Dunk’s slight shift in mood but didn’t comment on it, too used to his friend’s awkwardness around these situations. Instead, he laughed, trying to keep the atmosphere light.

Joong:
Well, Dunk, maybe you should start shipping us too

Dunk let out a low, humorless laugh

Dunk:
I’ll leave that to the fans

he muttered, his gaze slipping away from the two of them.
Namtan noticed the tension in Dunk’s posture and gave him a quizzical look.

Namtan:
Everything is okay?
She asked, a touch of concern in her voice.

Dunk forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes

Dunk:
Yeah. Just a little tired, that’s all

Dunk is lately overthinking too much he don't know why but he's not liking the idea or joong covering Namtan's song

The way Joong’s laughter filled the air, the way he looked at Namtan with that familiar, carefree affection. But recently, it felt like more than just that. They are almost together because she's giving him advice on her song

Joong and Namtan were still laughing, but Dunk could feel the weight of the moment, the way his chest tightened every time Joong and Namtan interacted so easily. The jokes, the teasing, the casual physical closeness between them—it all felt like too much.

Joong nudged him, the laughter still in his voice.

Joong:
Come on dunk,  you're being quite something wrong?

Dunk forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Not now, he thought. Not in front of Namtan. He cleared his throat, feeling the words bubble up against his will.
He offered a tight smile, trying to make it seem casual, but it didn’t quite come off that way.

Joong:
But dunk, we always go together naa

Dunk:
Am sorry its my work but I'm feeling tired please try to understand i have to work with group tomorrow