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,  But as the hours dragged on and there was still no sign of Joong,

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.

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 sat on 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 regrets

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, Dunk 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, the remnants of dried tears visible. He didn’t meet Dunk’s eyes  instead, he looked past him.

Dunk:
Joong

Joong brushed past Dunk without a word, moving over to his dresser to grab a shirt and some sweats. Dunk felt his heart twist painfully, This wasn’t the Joong he knew the Joong who used to light up every room, who laughed easily, Now, Joong seemed hollow

Dunk forced himself to speak

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

Joong paused, his hand frozen on the fabric of his shirt

Joong:
Didn’t mean for what, Dunk?

Joong:
Didn’t mean to push me away? To make me feel like… like I was nothing to you?

Dunk:
That’s not true… you’re everything to me. I was trying to protect you…

Joong finally turned to face him

Joong:
Protect me? By breaking me? By pretending I don’t matter to you?

His voice trembled, and he looked away, biting his lips

Joong:
I trusted you, Dunk. I thought… I thought we were in this together