Off Script (JoongDunk)

Chapter 11: Can you try?

While Pond was in the shower, the doorbell rang. Dunk glanced at the security screen, assuming it was the food delivery—though it felt surprisingly fast. But when Joong's face appeared on the monitor, he froze, heart pounding.

Dunk stood there for a moment, gathering his composure before unlocking the outer gate. He waited by the front door, and just as Joong raised his hand to ring the bell again, Dunk opened it.

Joong stepped forward immediately, placing a hand on Dunk's forehead, then his cheek. "Are you okay? Do you have a fever?" he asked, his eyes clouded with concern.

Dunk blinked, caught off guard by Joong's sudden closeness.

"I'm fine... what brought you here? Weren't you supposed to be at the YSL dinner?" he asked, his tone tinged with accusation.

Joong frowned. "How could I stay there, knowing you were sick and alone?" Without noticing, his hand had drifted to Dunk's waist, unconsciously holding him closer.

Just then, Pond came down the stairs, casually whistling, wearing only Dunk's joggers, his hair damp and a T-shirt thrown over his shoulder.

Joong's expression shifted, his gaze hardening with something darker. He liked Pond as a friend, but seeing him half-dressed in Dunk's house stirred a raw, unfamiliar jealousy that flared in his chest. Forcing himself to stay calm, he managed, "Hey, are you here to check on Dunk too?"

Pond raised an eyebrow, uncertain. "Is Dunk sick?" he asked. Dunk hadn't mentioned anything about faking being unwell, but Joong's jealousy was obvious, which amused Pond more than he'd expected. Sensing there was something more between them, Pond decided to stick around, secretly entertained by the tension in the room.

Joong took a deep breath, walking into the living room. His eyes fell on the whiskey bottle, two glasses, and snacks scattered on the table. His mind raced. "What the hell is going on here?", he asked himself.

Keeping his face neutral, Joong sat on the couch, crossing his legs and resting an arm over the back—a casual yet assertive pose that said, I'm waiting for an explanation. The air grew thick with tension.

"Mind if I have some Yamazaki too?" he asked, his voice calm, though Dunk could feel the intensity in his gaze.

"Uh, yeah... sure, I'll get you a glass," Dunk mumbled, heading to the kitchen to steady himself.

Pond, ever the tease, took his time slipping on his T-shirt, as if purposely annoying Joong with his perfect abs. Once dressed, he strolled to the couch, sitting a little away from Joong. They exchanged a look, both full of unspoken questions and silent challenges.

Dunk returned with the glass, poured some whiskey, and handed it to Joong. Joong brushed Dunk's hand with a lingering, possessive touch, his gaze never leaving him. Dunk's heart raced as he fought to keep his composure.

Dunk straightened up and forced a smile. "How awesome! It's been a while since the Omakase gang hung out together. Good to see you both!" Dunk said, raising his glass.

"Cheers," Pond said, playing along, trying to help Dunk lighten the mood.

Dunk sat next to Pond and turned on the movie, avoiding Joong's eyes, though he could feel Joong's steady gaze on him.

Then the doorbell rang—it was their food. Pond got up to pick it up, and shortly after Dunk followed him into the kitchen, grateful for a moment away from Joong.

Pond looked at Dunk, clearly expecting an explanation. "So, what's this about you being sick?" he almost whispered.

Dunk's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I... I pretended to be sick so I wouldn't have to go to Japan," he admitted, not realizing Joong was standing right behind him.

Joong's voice, tinged with frustration and hurt, startled him. "Were you ever planning to tell me you stayed, or were you just going to hide out for three days until we met on set?" He didn't seem to care that Pond was there to witness it all.

After some hesitation Pond, choosing to be a good friend, excused himself to the bathroom, leaving them alone.

As soon as Pond left, Joong stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Dunk from behind. Despite the frustration still lingering, his worry for Dunk had taken over, and he couldn't help but feel a wave of relief as he held him. Resting his chin on Dunk's shoulder, he breathed in the scent of his hair, a quiet happiness bloomed—he didn't have to wait three long days to see him after all.

"I don't know what's going on, but I'm just glad you're okay. I was worried sick when I got that text from your sister," he said, his voice low and tender.

Dunk shivered as Joong whispered in his ear, his eyes closing as he savored the moment. "Dnie texted you? I didn't know..." he murmured.

Joong gently turned Dunk around, placing his hands on Dunk's shoulders and looking deeply into his eyes. "Tell me honestly, did you fake being sick just to spend some time alone with me?"

Dunk's cheeks reddened, his lips pressing together as if to keep himself from speaking. But his eyes betrayed him, confirming Joong's suspicions.

Joong's face softened, a smile breaking through as he threw his head back with a relieved laugh. "You're so adorable... I can't even be mad at you." He leaned in, kissing Dunk gently on the forehead, then his eyes, and finally his cheek. Even these innocent kisses made Dunk's breath grow shaky, sparking something inside Joong. For a moment, Dunk seemed to let go of the jealousy and frustration he'd felt earlier, allowing himself to melt into Joong's touch.

Joong's eyes drifted to Dunk's lips, and he placed a hand on Dunk's cheek, brushing his thumb over his lips.

"You're such a bad boy, lying to your mom to do... naughty things with your boyfriend," he teased.

The sensation of Joong's thumb on his lips and his words sent a jolt down Dunk's spine. His eyes closed, lips parting slightly.

"Boyfriend?" The word snapped him back to reality, hitting him harder than he expected. He stpped Joong's hand, looking directly into his eyes. "Nothing more than a fake," he muttered, his voice edged with frustration. "I saw you today, flirting and touching her. You can go back to your sexy girlfriend and seduce her all you want," he burst out, bitterness lacing his tone.

As he turned to walk away, Joong grabbed his wrist, pulling Dunk back toward him. "Stop saying nonsense, or I'll have to punish you for real," Joong said, his voice low and firm, making Dunk's knees weaken.

"I don't know what you think you saw, but I expected you to trust me more than this. Can you try?" Joong's hands held Dunk's arms tightly, his grip conveying both frustration and a glimmer of hope.

Dunk couldn't respond, his eyes darting between Joong's as he struggled to find words. "Then... make me trust you," he whispered, leaning back slightly, challenging Joong.

"Like this?" Joong asked, one hand slipping behind Dunk's head as he pressed his lips firmly onto Dunk's, the pressure so intense it bordered on roughness. "Like this?" he murmured again, before sliding his tongue into Dunk's mouth, his fingers tangling in Dunk's hair and giving it a gentle tug—just enough to make Dunk's pulse race. A wave of desire crashed over him, pulling a stifled moan from his lips, a little too loud.

They both pulled back abruptly, hearing Pond's exaggeratedly loud footsteps approaching.

"How come there are only two steaks? What am I supposed to eat?" Joong asked, joking to cover up Dunk's flustered expression.

"Don't worry, bro, we'll share everything equally," Pond replied, grinning.

"Let's hurry up; it's already getting cold!" Joong said, rubbing his palms together. "I'm starving!"

They plated the food, cutting the steaks into equal portions, and returned to the living room, chatting casually as if nothing unusual had happened. The evening seemed to settle back into a relaxed rhythm, but both Dunk and Joong knew the tension between them had shifted to a new level after their exchange in the kitchen. Neither could fully ignore it for too long.