Oneiric Tryst

19. The Secret

Couldn't sleep tonight?

His text was simple and painfully neutral for their affectionate relationship. But Hongjoong didn't want to jump to conclusions.

While he waited for a reply, he graced San with his company. The man looked more concentrated than usual as he typed away on his report.

"What stage are you and Wooyoung at? Just so I have the juicy details down?"

"We skipped all crisis and dispute stages and went straight to moving in stage. Whenever I bring stuff over for sleepovers, he tells me to just leave it there and spread out gradually." San said it with the utmost dreaminess. Hongjoong made a face at him.

"What, so he consumes you like some carnivorous plant? Creepy."

"Hey, don't call Wooyoung creepy!"

"I suppose you don't view it as bad since you are just as creepy... Creep couple."

Offended, San just screeched at him. After a mere second of anger, his face evened out to cold nonchalance again. He rose his chin defiantly.

"What about you, huh? In your romantic little melodrama with Seonghwa, where are you at? And don't tell me you are still strictly professional. All hints point at something else." Pretentiously intelligent, he adjusted his invisible glasses. Hongjoong scoffed at his antics.

"We aren't fucking if that's what you want to know."

"You should! I'm so interested in what that would feel like for us and a dreaming person. If the situation ever comes up, don't hesitate to jump it. Or him. And tell me everything afterwards."

Sorting his empty papers back into their designated places, for now, Hongjoong just shook his head.

"As if. If that ever happens you will be the last to hear about it." Hongjoong's voice lost itself in a mutter when he picked up his phone. Seonghwa had texted back, and San was instantly forgotten when Hongjoong opened the app.

Sorry to leave you hanging, I couldn't sleep.

Hongjoong frowned at the lack of emojis as he typed out a quick reply.

No problem. Will you sleep soon? Or see me next night?

This time, Seonghwa replied faster.

Let's move it to next night. I'll text you if I can't sleep again, so you won't have to drive to work.

Hongjoong didn't know how he should ask what was going on. If he should ask. The only other option was to discuss it in Seonghwa's dreams, but those situations rarely left them the time and the atmosphere for important conferences.

So he didn't ask. Too insecure whether it was his place.

Alright, I hope you find some rest soon.

When he put the phone down with a long sigh, San peeked over the table curiously.

"Seonghwa? What did he say?"

"He couldn't fall asleep."

"Ah, insomnia probably kicked his butt. Poor guy."

Still irked, Hongjoong marked Seonghwa absent.

"I find it weird. Usually, he just takes sleeping pills or battles it for a few hours until he falls asleep. It doesn't feel like he even tried," Hongjoong mumbled under his breath. His concern for the man translated into him gnawing on his lip.

Restless, Hongjoong pulled close the list of symbols that could potentially hint at the source of Seonghwa's suffering. The words he had read countless times before blurred before his eyes.