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

And, I Might Never Get There

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the quiet suburban streets. Taeyong trudged along the familiar path, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. The day had been relentless, with deadlines looming, and office politics gnawing at his sanity. But now, as the streetlights flickered to life, he found solace in the rhythm of his own breath.

Jisung, the eternal optimist, had grinned over their cubicle divider earlier. "Taeyong, you know what they say about best friends, right? They're just one heart flutter away from being something more."

Taeyong had scoffed, dismissing it as Jisung's usual romantic musings. But then Jungkook, the brooding artist from the floor above, had leaned against the water cooler. His eyes, always hidden behind unruly bangs, had held a knowing glint. "Sometimes, the heart doesn't listen to promises, Taeyong. It just... feels."

Dahyun, the office gossip, had cornered him in the break room. "Taeyong, have you noticed how Doyoung looks at you? Like you're the last piece of chocolate in a world full of vanilla."

And finally, Jennie, the enigmatic receptionist, had whispered as he signed out for the day, "Best friends can become lovers, Taeyong. It's a beautiful tragedy waiting to unfold."

He shook his head, trying to dispel their words. Doyoung was his anchor, the one who laughed at his terrible jokes, who knew when to bring coffee on rough mornings, and who shared secrets under the moonlight. They'd vowed to protect their friendship, to never let anything jeopardize it.

>>>>>

The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of autumn leaves as Taeyong approached the familiar outline of his parents' home. The windows glowed warmly, a stark contrast to the cool blue of the evening sky. Inside, the house was filled with the comforting sounds of family; the soft murmur of conversation, the clink of dishes being set on the table, the faint laughter from the living room where his parents were watching their favorite evening show.

Taeyong's steps slowed as he reached the door, his hand hovering over the handle. He could feel the weight of the day's work on his shoulders, the mental fog of countless hours spent in front of a computer screen. But it wasn't just physical exhaustion that burdened him; his heart was a tangle of emotions, raw and aching from the recent breakup with Jaehyun.