[ Fridays always crawl and by the time Dokja makes it back home, he's completely checked out both mentally and physically. It's been a long week of surviving the grind, and with the weekend upon him, he's ready to sleep like the dead until Monday forces him back on his feet.
On top of the exhaustion, he's got a persistent headache that won't quit. It had started out as a minor enough thing, something to get annoyed at, but over the course of days it's become harder and harder to ignore. It stays with him, a dull ache at times and a sharp pain during others, like there's something in his head that keeps banging on the inside of his skull as if trying to get out.
He'd thought it would go away on its own, but... well. Maybe it'll still go away on its own??
As he punches in the code on the keypad of his front door, he can hear the familiar click clack of nails on the floor and it brings a smile to his worn face. Swinging open the door, he's greeted by a very excited fluffy white dog, and he reaches down to pick her up to immediately bury his face in her fur. ]
Hey, Biyoo.
[ His number two favorite living thing in this world. ]
[ When Dokja opens the door, there’s a wafting aroma… Food must be waiting for him, alongside homemade side dishes because store bought will never suffice for Yoo Joonghyuk and maybe some alcohol because it’s Friday.
And in view Joonghyuk is here, wearing an apron, ignored by his partner for their co-parented dog. He should be used to this, seeing that this happens almost every day, but he continues to haunt this space in the foyer with a dark aura and brooding expression. While Biyoo emits the most innocent and blissful rays of elation, Joonghyuk is sending waves of indignation.
[ A-and of course, his number one favorite living thing in the world is also right here!
Dokja sheepishly places Biyoo back down on the ground (very gently because she's a precious princess) so he can properly greet Joonghyuk with a quick peck on the cheek. It's clumsy and awkward, but he's bad at physical affection... And just affection in general so this is him trying, okay. ]
It smells great in here.
[ Like it always does. Always does. Always? Hm. That thought doesn't feel right, but whatever. Dokja kicks off his shoes and haphazardly shoves them to the side with his foot before dumping his bag on the ground, too. ]
[ He thinks a kiss would solve it all? One so awkward like an elementary schooler giving their baby crush a little peck? Well, it does work because Joonghyuk understands that Dokja isn’t the most affectionate. He deflates some, but his frown is perpetual and everlasting. ]
Dokja—[ There’s a short pause as he notices how strange that rolls off his tongue. Familiar yet unfamiliar. Odd…
But then he hears the sound of a bag dropping onto the wooden floor. Instantly, his gaze darts to it, left eyebrow twitching, then back to the offender. Annoyed… ]
There is a place for your bag. [ But he isn’t so overbearing and coddling that he’ll take the bag and store it. ] Dinner is ready.
[ Follow him to the kitchen joint living room. Biyoo is already doing that. ]
[ Don't expect Dokja to notice anything, he's blind. Also if he stops by the couch to stare at it longingly like he wants to fall face first into it and knock out, then think nothing of it. Shit, his head really hurts.
And he doesn't have much of an appetite... ]
I'll hang it up later.
[ He sounds distracted as he follows Joonghyuk and Biyoo into the kitchen slash living room, one hand coming up to lightly rub at his temple. It's like the more he moves around, the worse his headache gets. He'll have to WebMD this later... ]
[ Joonghyuk knows... Dokja in every single instance is some degree of idiot, especially when it comes to human relationships. There's a huff at the reassurance. ]
Biyoo ate already.
[ A warning that he doesn't want to see him giving her table scraps. It isn't proper and it would be bad if she were to become too round. On the table is a simple dinner... Rice, a large grilled fish, the side dishes around it, two small bowls of soup (it is prob anchovy base), and glasses of water. Joonghyuk takes a seat, but doesn't start eating until Dokja joins him.
[ it's okay that's not going to stop him biyoo..... ]
I'm just tired.
[ Dokja brushes off the mean brand of concern(?), dropping his hand from his head as he hurriedly slides into his seat. He most certainly does look horrible with how especially pale he is, and the dark circles under his eyes are darker than ever.
It's fine? He's fine. Let's focus on the food. ]
This looks good, [ he says, not at all hungry. ] Did it take you long to make everything?
No. I prepared most of the sides a couple of days ago.
[ Less cooking today, but... Still frowning. It has always been genuine concern, but Joonghyuk is more... I suppose open about it now, despite how he feels like every fiber of his being fighting against it. He goes silent, staring at Dokja, then abruptly leaves the dinner table without another word.
Not too long after, he returns and places a container on Dokja's side of the table, hovering over him. ]
A tablet every day. [ They're iron supplements. ] You haven't been sleeping well?
[ He can't be watching all the time. Exhibit A: When he suddenly leaves the table (which Dokja does not question because he's used to Joonghyuk coming and going as he pleases), allowing a small piece of fish to quickly be fed to one (1) begging Biyoo.
And then he immediately straightens himself out back in his seat and it's like it never happened. ]
I guess I just have a lot on my mind.
[ Dokja takes the container to peer at its label, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It's just like Joonghyuk to take care of him, the way he has been for...
—Ugh, his head. ]
Joonghyuk-ah, if I ask you a strange question, do you promise not to get mad?
[ Roll a dice to see how loudly Biyoo eats that piece. Joonghyuk's worries rise, wondering if he should drive Dokja to the hospital, but then the other man poses a strange question. Is this related to the headache? If it isn't, then what could be more important?? Than pain and/or dinner?
... He's suspicious and one eyebrow arches to cement that, but when is he ever not thinking Dokja is sus. ]
[ It's simply impossible? Hides all of the other men and women who are attached to him. His leer becomes more intense, but then he sighs and runs fingers through his own hair. ]
... You were in my way at the bookstore, then you decided to harass me for an autograph.
[ I get to make up whatever I want because Dokja doesn't remember shit. The aura coming from Joonghyuk is definitely "what the fuck" as he grips the back of Dokja's chair tighter.
COME AGAIN? WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN? DID YOU LOSE IT? ]
[ His breath picks up and then he quickly tries to tamp it down. It doesn't help to calm his racing heart, though, and his chest feels tight and constricted.
He doesn't remember that. Nothing about it surfaces any memories. ]
Oh, right.
[ Dokja brings his hands together, settling one on top of the other as he tries to stop the faint tremble running through him. ]
It must've just slipped my mind since I've been so tired. And since I haven't been sleeping very well—
[ Kim Dok ja
The sudden voice in his head has him shooting to his feet, his chair forcefully shoved back as he reaches up to grab at his head. What the hell?? There's a panicked look on his face he whirls around in search for that unfamiliar voice. ]
[ When was Joonghyuk ever good at keeping promises that don't benefit him? Joonghyuk was using the chair as an anchor, but he quickly steps aside as Dokja tries to get his bearings... Failing at it, really.
Many thoughts cross his mind, mostly considering taking Dokja to the doctor—maybe to the hospital. ]
... No. [ His fingers twitch, tempted to reach out for Dokja's hand, but he crosses his arms instead. ] What did you hear?
[ Wow, since Joonghyuk won't hold his hand, Dokja will just scoop up Biyoo into his arms and hug her against his chest. His emotional support baby :( ]
I'm okay, Biyoo.
[ Gently pets her... It sounds like he's trying to reassure himself more.
Has he finally lost it? He's hearing voices now? It doesn't return, but his head is back to aching, a rhythmic pounding to match his unsettled heartbeat. ]
It was my name. I thought I heard someone calling me.
[ It doesn't seem right for some reason? Despite how he wants to—he's unsure how to describe the feeling. Biyoo finds when he picks her up, quiets when he seeks comfort in her. She's a soft poof, here to melt those worries away. Dokja may get some puppy kisses.
After another thought, he reaches out to Dokja and skirts fingertips against his neck. Something about this gesture at least feels familiar to him. ]
... If you're not hungry, you can go to bed. [ Does this make it sound like he thinks Dokja is crazy. Should he say more? There's a pause as he figures out words. ] Tell me if you hear the voice again.
[ How can Dokja remain distressed when puppy kisses enter the picture. 🥺
At the brush of contact, he takes a half step toward Joonghyuk but doesn't get any closer than that. It's weird, right? They've been dating as long as they have, but they're still so incredibly awkward with each other. Dokja had blamed it on first relationship jitters in the beginning, and then later just excused it as the two of them being... them...
But now that he thinks about it, really thinks about it, he's not so sure. And maybe that causes him to panic even more. Maybe that's why, at the mention of going to bed, he opens his mouth without thinking to ask, ]
Joonghyuk would have real thoughts and maybe an answer if he wasn't flummoxed, simply thinking about how he would like to wring Dokja's neck? WHO JUST ASKS THAT? WHO DOES THIS? Dokja does. Of course he does. Joonghyuk is used to him blurting whatever on his mind and it drives him insane. ]
Now the gears are ever so slowly turning...... Dokja doesn't remember how they met, they act stupid weird around each other, and they don't even fuck? Like, what kind of relationship is this?? ]
We share a bed. You can't tell me you've never wondered the same.
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