Off Script (JoongDunk)

Chapter 17: Between the lines

Joong froze, Dunk's whispered "Then show me" ringing in his ears. His body burned with desire, but his mind held him back, the realization hitting him hard-they hadn't truly talked. Not about their suppressed feelings, nor why they had finally crossed the line from friendship to something more. Maybe that was why Dunk was still holding back, masking their connection behind moments of lust to avoid the deeper meaning of what they shared.

A pang of guilt struck Joong. He'd been so caught up in his own confusion and the relief of finally opening up to Dunk that he hadn't stopped to consider how much Dunk might have been struggling too-or how Dunk truly felt about everything.

Joong rested his forehead against Dunk's before gently gripping his shoulders and easing him back to meet his eyes.

"Dunk," Joong began softly, his voice laced with sincerity. "I'm sorry."

Dunk froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden shift. "Sorry? For what?" he asked, sounding confused.

"For lying to you," Joong admitted, his gaze locked on Dunk's.

"About what?" Dunk pressed, anxiety creeping into his tone.

Joong sighed, brushing his thumb over Dunk's cheek. "For pretending that every time I touched you or kissed you, it was just as a friend."

Dunk's breath caught as he leaned back slightly, processing Joong's words.

"To be honest, you really confused me at times," Dunk said, his voice wavering slightly. "And I hated it," he continued, suppressed emotions finally breaking through.

"You did?" Joong asked, regret flashing across his face.

Dunk glanced away briefly, taking a deep breath to steady himself before meeting Joong's eyes again. "One moment you'd kiss me so gently, or look at me with those eyes, and the next, you'd act like none of it meant anything."

Joong shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping for a moment. "I know... I was confused. I didn't understand why I felt so drawn to you at first," he admitted, looking a bit embarrassed.

Dunk's brow furrowed. "So when did you figure it out, then?" Dunk asked, his voice sharper than intended.

"That I love you?" Joong asked, without even pausing.

Dunk shook his head with a frustrated laugh. "You say it so easily now. But this-this is all kind of sudden, don't you think?"

Joong smiled faintly, his eyes holding Dunk's with an honesty that was hard to doubt. "I guess I just don't want to hold it back anymore. I don't know the exact moment when it started, but... it really hit me after Safe House."

Dunk froze, disbelief flashing across his face. "Safe House? Are you serious?"

Joong frowned slightly, tilting his head. "Why does that upset you?"

"I felt like a puppy chasing after you, only getting treats now and then. And everyone kept saying you were just fan service," Dunk admitted, not bothering to hide the unease in his voice.

Joong sighed, his hand gesturing as he tried to explain. "I can't believe you felt that way, really. And there were cameras everywhere. I didn't know how to act... and honestly, I was way too caught up in what people thought of us back then."

Dunk stayed quiet, watching Joong, clearly waiting for him to say more.

Joong picked up his glass of champagne, taking a sip to ease his dry throat before continuing. "But after the show ended I realized how much I missed you. Not seeing your face every day-and especially not waking up next to you-hit me hard. And also I started to get jealous-"