Melodious Fate

Part 23

That night, Joong didn’t come back to the dorm. Dunk stayed awake, staring at Joong’s empty bed, his heart heavy with worry. He tried to convince himself that this was for the best, that keeping Joong at arm’s length was the only way to protect him. But as the hours dragged on and there was still no sign of Joong, Dunk’s resolve began to crack.

When Joong finally stumbled in around dawn, his eyes bloodshot, his clothes disheveled, Dunk couldn’t hold back anymore. He jumped up from his bed, grabbing Joong by the shoulders.

Dunk:
Where the hell were you?

Dunk demanded, his voice cracking with fear.

Joong:
Why do you care
Joong just looked at him with a bitter smile.
he whispered, his voice barely more than a broken breath

Joong:
You said there was nothing between us, right? So just... leave me alone

And with that, Joong pulled away, leaving Dunk standing there, hollow and broken. As Joong retreated into the bathroom, Dunk sank to the floor, tears streaming down his face

Morning:

Joong had locked himself in the bathroom for nearly an hour, leaving Dunk pacing anxiously outside the door. The faint sound of water running was the only indication that Joong was still inside. Dunk’s mind was racing with regret, self-loathing, and worry. He could no longer deny the truth: pushing Joong away had only driven him to the brink, and it

As Dunk stood there, his forehead pressed against the bathroom door, he could hear Joong’s muffled sobs mixed with the sound of the shower. Each broken gasp was like a dagger to Dunk’s heart. He couldn’t take it anymore.

Dunk:
Joong.. please let me in
Dunk whispered, his voice cracking. But there was no response, just the steady rush of water. Dunk’s hands trembled as he clenched them into fists, struggling to hold back his own tears. He had been trying so hard to protect Joong, but now all he could see was the damage he had done

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of the water finally stopped. Dunk’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited, his ear pressed to the door, hoping to hear any sign that Joong was okay.

Joong stepped out of the bathroom, and Dunk's breath hitched at the sight of him. Joong looked vulnerable, his bare shoulders slouched, his skin still flushed from the hot shower. His face was etched with exhaustion, the remnants of dried tears visible beneath his damp lashes. He didn’t meet Dunk’s eyes; instead, he looked past him, his expression unreadable yet filled with quiet pain.

Dunk:
Joong..

Dunk’s voice was barely a whisper. He took a tentative step forward, wanting so desperately to reach out, to close the distance, but the way Joong’s shoulders stiffened stopped him in his tracks.

Joong brushed past Dunk without a word, moving over to his dresser to grab a shirt and some sweats. His movements were slow, almost robotic, as though he were on autopilot. Dunk felt his heart twist painfully, the guilt settling like a weight on his chest. This wasn’t the Joong he knew—the Joong who used to light up every room, who laughed easily, whose presence was filled with warmth and comfort. Now, Joong seemed hollow, like he’d pulled himself inward, his warmth hidden behind a wall Dunk couldn’t break.

Dunk forced himself to speak

Dunk:
Joong, please… talk to me. I… I didn’t mean for things to be like this.