Off Script (JoongDunk)

Chapter 8: Longing

Later that night, Dunk finished packing for Osaka and lay on his bed, hoping exhaustion would take over, but thoughts of Joong kept him wide awake. Earlier today, Joong had canceled his plans and risked being spotted just to watch Dunk from afar. An excited thrill ran through him. Would he really come just to see me from a distance? Dunk thought.

Dunk stared at the ceiling as he whispered, "Love..." wondering if what he felt for Joong could really be love. He knew he could technically be attracted to both genders, men more so than women, but he'd never felt anything quite like this before. "He has to feel the same way I do... But can I be sure?"

An unsettling memory crept into Dunk's head. Joong, a little too drunk, had casually mentioned his first experience with a girl back in Turkey just after turning eighteen. Dunk had taken it as a sign that Joong was straight, pushing aside any hope that Joong could feel the same way. But he couldn't waste his energy on unrequited love. The past year had been an intense blur—rising fame, relentless schedules, his new business, and the constant pressure to meet fans' expectations. He'd learned to ignore his feelings to keep himself efficient and focused. But their night together had torn down that self-control, bringing everything he'd been trying to hide back to the surface. Joong hadn't just held him, hadn't just kissed him; every touch had carried both passion and care, making Dunk feel wanted and safe all at once. Dunk's whole body ached to be near him again.

Just then, his phone lit up, vibrating softly. It was a message from Joong: "You're dangerous in crowded places. Can't stop thinking about that kiss." Dunk's cheeks flushed, heart racing. He barely noticed himself smiling as he read it again and again, feeling as if Joong was right there beside him, whispering those words.

Images from earlier flickered in his mind—their kiss in the restaurant bathroom, Joong's back against the wall as Dunk brushed his lips over his. His pulse quickened as he remembered Joong's lips parting under his, both of them carried away by the thrill of being caught, every sensation intensified. He closed his eyes, letting the memories take hold, now intertwined with thoughts of Joong's hands on him, bringing him back to the night they'd shared. Dunk's body tensed with need as he relived the feel of Joong's touch.

Unable to ignore the surge of desire, Dunk slipped off his bed and headed to the bathroom. He stripped off his clothes and stepped under the warm spray, closing his eyes and letting the water wash over him as he imagined Joong with him. He pictured Joong standing behind him, pressing gentle kisses to his neck and shoulders, hands tracing over his chest, sliding lower across his torso. Dunk's hands followed those imagined touches, his breath catching as he let himself sink into the feeling.

Every nerve was alive with thoughts of Joong's hands and mouth exploring him, memories intertwining with fantasy as he slid his hand lower and began to move in rhythm. Dunk's breathing grew heavier as each memory became more vivid, more intense—the shock of Joong's mouth on him, a sensation that had left him trembling. Dunk's mind lingered on Joong's soft gasps, the way his body responded to each touch, giving in so completely. His mind clung to the image of Joong's face at his peak, and it was that memory that finally drove him over the edge. His release hit him fast and hard, a wave of pleasure so intense that he pressed both his forehead and left hand against the shower wall, his mind flashing to what it would feel like if he and Joong reached that peak together at the same time.

After rinsing off and pulling on his pyjamas, Dunk stepped out of the bathroom and nearly bumped into his mom.

"Are you okay, darling? Why did you take another shower?" she asked.

"I think I might be coming down with something... I fell asleep and woke up drenched in sweat," Dunk improvised.

His mom touched his forehead to check his temperature. "You must be getting sick! Go to bed, and I'll bring you some medicine," she said, hurrying away.

Dunk quickly changed into fresh pajamas, tossing the previous set into the laundry. As he waited for his mom, a plan formed. If he was "sick," he wouldn't have to go to Osaka with them tomorrow. He put on his best act to convince her.

"Oh dear, you know what? You should stay home and recover before your next shoot! I'll ask Dr. Charles to check on you tomorrow. Now, get some sleep. I won't wake you in the morning. Make sure to switch off your alarm," she said before leaving.

Dunk felt a little guilty. A grown man lying to his family to get a chance to see his lover, he thought with a mix of excitement and embarrassment. What am I, sixteen?

Dunk picked up his phone to turn off the alarm, and a jolt of panic hit him—he hadn't replied to Joong! His mind raced as he typed and deleted messages. Should he admit how much he'd enjoyed every second with Joong? Or keep it cautious and remind him they'd been a bit too reckless? His heart pounded as he cycled through each possible reply, but exhaustion finally overtook him. Phone still clutched in his hand, he drifted off, Joong's message replaying in his mind.

Meanwhile:

Joong stared at his phone, rereading his unsent message for the third time, debating whether he should follow up. It had been an hour, and still no response from Dunk. He already missed him intensely, even though they'd only parted hours ago. Dunk's actions earlier had left him spinning—pulling him into that reckless kiss in the restaurant bathroom, only to now ignore his message completely.

Joong couldn't make sense of Dunk's intent; the inconsistency stirred a confusing mix of hope and frustration. With a sigh, he set his phone down, feeling the thrill of the day's events begin to fade, replaced by a growing weight of doubt and longing. He had an important YSL photoshoot and event tomorrow and desperately needed sleep to avoid looking worn out. Restless, he picked up his phone again, scrolling through X and reposting random things in a weak attempt to calm his mind. He'd drift off briefly, only to wake up and check his messages again, Dunk's silence driving him nearly to the edge.