Melodious Fate

Part 22

Morning

Every morning routine that once felt so comforting now felt like a distraction

He couldn’t stop thinking about Phi Tha’s words, about how he had been called into the office and given that ultimatum. Stay away from Joong. He had no choice now. For the sake of Joong’s career, for his own, for everything. He had to push the one person he cared about more than anyone else away. Dunk sighed, his gaze sliding over to Joong, who sat across the table, lost in his phone

Dunk:
(I have to do this! I have no choice. He can’t be in my life like this anymore)

Joong looked up from his phone, noticing Dunk's odd silence. It wasn’t like him to be so distant, so detached, especially not when Joong was right there

Joong:
Dunk what happen ?

Dunk:
Nothing, Just a bit tired, I guess.

Joong studied him, his eyes narrowing slightly. There was something off about Dunk

Joong:
Are you sure?

He quickly nodded

Dunk:
Yes, i need some rest

Joong stared at him for a moment longer

The rest of the morning passed in awkward silence. Dunk tried his best to stay busy, but he could feel Joong’s eyes on him, and it only made everything worse.

Later that afternoon, when they were heading out for work, Dunk made sure to walk just a little further behind Joong. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to be close to him. He couldn’t afford it.

Joong could see it in the way Dunk’s shoulders were tense, in how he avoided meeting Joong’s gaze.

That night, Dunk came back to the dorm earlier than usual, Dunk entered.

Quickly changing into a loose t-shirt and sweatpants, Dunk climbed into his bed. He made sure to lie on his side

Minutes turned into an hour
Finally, Dunk heard the door open softly. Joong entered the room quietly, trying not to wake Dunk. For a moment, Dunk was tempted to turn around, to look at him, to say something,

Dunk had been avoiding him all day, and it was driving Joong crazy trying to figure out why.

Joong:
Dunk?

Joong whispered softly, almost as if he was testing to see if he was really asleep.

Dunk’s heart ached, he stayed silent pretending to be deep in slumber. Joong lingered by Dunk’s bed, his hand twitching as if he wanted to reach out and touch him, to shake him awake and demand answers. But he held back. If Dunk needed space, Joong would give him

Joong lay there, staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and Joong’s breathing evened out as he drifted off to sleep

Dunk:
(Im sorry Joong)

But it was too late. Joong was already asleep

The next few days were pure agony for Dunk.
Joong, on the other hand, was growing more frustrated with each passing day. Dunk was suddenly cold and distant, treating Joong as if they were nothing more than strangers. It didn’t make any sense