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

To Learn That Sweet Heart Of Yours

The morning sun tiptoed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on Taeyong's face. He stirred, eyelids fluttering open, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt right. But then he realized something was amiss. Doyoung, his best friend and confidante, was not nestled in the bed beside him. The absence was like a missing note in a familiar melody—a discordant ache that tugged at Taeyong's heart. Doyoung never left before breakfast. It was their ritual—their shared secret. They'd laugh over burnt toast and too-strong coffee, their laughter echoing through the tiny apartment. But today, the silence was deafening. Taeyong sat up, rubbing his eyes, hoping to dispel the fog of confusion. Maybe Doyoung had an early meeting or a surprise planned. Yet, the room held no trace of his presence—no half-empty mug, no crumpled shirt flung carelessly on the chair.

Shrugging his shoulders, Taeyong swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The floor felt colder than usual, as if it, too, sensed the void. He padded to the kitchen, the linoleum cool against his bare feet. The coffee machine sat there, stoic and empty. Taeyong filled it mechanically, the sound of water hitting glass echoing in the quiet room. But the coffee tasted bitter, like unspoken words and missed chances.

Outside, the world buzzed with anticipation. It was Valentine's Day—a day of whispered promises and stolen glances. Couples would exchange chocolates and kisses, their love wrapped in crimson paper. Taeyong had never been one for grand gestures, but Jaehyun loved this day. He'd leave little notes hidden in Taeyong's coat pocket or slip a single rose under his pillow. Today, though, there was no note, no rose. Just an empty space where Jaehyun's laughter used to reside.

Taeyong dressed mechanically, pulling on a faded sweater and worn jeans. The café awaited him—a refuge from the ache that threatened to consume him. As he stepped outside, the chill wind nipped at his cheeks. The streets were alive with hurried footsteps, people clutching bouquets and heart-shaped balloons. Taeyong's heart clenched. He missed Jaehyun's teasing smile, the way he'd ruffle Taeyong's hair and call him "Valentine."

The café door chimed as Taeyong pushed it open. Dahyun, Jennie, Jisung, and Jungkook were already there, aprons tied, faces etched with determination. The morning rush had begun—a symphony of clinking cups and hasty orders. Taeyong joined them behind the counter, the familiar routine grounding him. But every time the door swung open, he half-expected to see Jaehyun's face, eyes crinkling with mischief.

"Taeyong, we're drowning here!" Dahyun called, her ponytail bouncing as she juggled trays of pastries. "Where's your head?"

He forced a smile, the weight of Jaehyun's absence pressing down on him. The café was their sanctuary—a place where dreams brewed in coffee cups and secrets whispered in steam. But today, it felt hollow, like a stage without its lead actor.