10,000 Hours (A Dotae Valentine's Day Short- Fanfiction)

And Ten Thousand More

Taeyong's eyes fluttered open to the soft gray light of dawn seeping through his curtains. The world outside was quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil that churned within him. He lay still for a moment, allowing himself to feel the weight of his heartache. It had been weeks since Jaehyun had left, but the pain was as fresh as if it were yesterday.With a deep breath, Taeyong pushed himself out of bed. 

The floor felt cold under his feet, a reminder that he was alone now. He missed the warmth of Jaehyun's presence, the way his laughter could fill a room, the gentle touch of his hand. But life had to go on.

 As he made his way to the cafe where he worked, Taeyong let his thoughts wander. He thought of Doyoung, his best friend, who had been his rock through it all. He thought of Jennie, Park Jisung, and Dahyun, his colleagues who had become like family. And he thought of Jungkook, the new server, whose shy smile had been a small light in these dark times.The cafe was a buzz of activity, the air rich with the scent of coffee and baked goods. Taeyong slipped into his role seamlessly, the familiar tasks a welcome distraction

. He greeted each customer with a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes."Rough night?" Jungkook asked, appearing beside him with a tray of pastries. 

 Taeyong shrugged. "Just the usual," he replied, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest.

 Jungkook nodded, understanding in his gaze. He offered a small, encouraging smile before moving on. Taeyong watched him go, a flicker of gratitude warming him. It was the small moments of kindness that helped him through each day.As the day wore on, Taeyong found himself reflecting on the breakup. He had loved Jaehyun, truly and deeply, but perhaps it was time to accept that some things just weren't meant to last. Maybe it was time to let go, to learn from the pain and grow stronger.He realized that struggle was an inevitable part of life, but it was also a chance to discover one's resilience. 

Taeyong was more than his relationship with Jaehyun; he was a friend, a colleague, a dreamer. He had his whole life ahead of him, and this heartbreak was but a chapter in his story.As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Taeyong felt a sense of peace settle over him. He had survived another day. And he would survive many more, each one a step towards healing, towards new beginnings.And so, with the closing of the cafe and the goodbyes to his friends, Taeyong walked home under the twilight sky, his heart a little lighter, his spirit a little stronger. 

The road ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face it, one step at a time.