Chapter Text
At sunrise in Joong's bedroom, and Dunk is warmly wrapped up in blankets and in the weight of Joong's arm draped over his waist. He opens his eyes slowly, taking a moment to remember where he is- Joong's place, because he stayed over last night after they watched a movie and he fell asleep on the couch like he always does, and Joong must have carried him to bed like he always does.
Dunk feels the rise and fall of Joong's chest against his back and the way Joong's breath puffs warm against his hair, and for a long, lovely moment he just stays there, soaking in the safety of it, and the comfort of being held.
He stretches his legs out under the blanket, pointing his toes, and then he turns around and sinks back into Joong's chest with a happy little sigh, burrowing deeper.
"You need to get up," Joong suddenly speaks. "If you don't leave now, you'll be late."
"Five more minutes," Dunk mumbles, because five more minutes of this feels like something he deserves and has earned just by existing. He presses his cheek into the pillow and closes his eyes again.
Joong's arm tightens around him, just a little, just enough to make Dunk feel held, and then he says, "You don't want to be late for the first day of work."
Dunk wraps one arm around Joong's waist and squeezes. "I'm sweet and cute," he’s grinning against the pillow. "They'll be too busy loving me to be upset."
Joong chuckles then his lips press against Dunk’s forehead in a kiss so quick and gentle that Dunk almost misses it. "Pretty sure that's not how that works," Joong states. "Come on. Get up. I'll help you get ready."
Dunk sits up reluctantly and pouts. "You don't have to leave for another few hours, though. Stay in bed. I'll manage by myself."
Joong is already swinging his legs off the mattress, running a hand through his messy hair, and he looks back at Dunk with an expression that is somehow both fond and completely unimpressed. "I don't trust you," Joong says flatly. "You take an hour in the shower alone if you're left unsupervised."
Dunk's pout deepens, but he knows Joong is right, so he gets out of bed and pads toward the bathroom, dragging his feet the whole way just to be difficult.
While Dunk stands under the hot spray of the shower, letting the water wake him up properly, Joong freshens up then goes about doing things around the apartment with the kind of competence that Dunk has always admired. Joong irons the outfit Dunk picked out the night before, and then he lays the clothes out on the bed in a neat little arrangement that makes the whole thing feel like a gift. He moves to the kitchen next, pulling out eggs, ham and left over rice and whatever else he can find, and he makes them both breakfast.
Joong isn't great at cooking but he can manage without setting off the smoke alarm. He wouldn’t win any awards but there's something about the way Joong does things that makes even simple food feel like there’s care, effort and love.
Dunk steps out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair still dripping, and he finds the clothes waiting for him on the bed, ironed, folded and ready. He smiles, thinking about how sweet Joong is, the way he notices the little things about Dunk that nobody else ever seems to see, and especially how Joong takes care of him without ever making it feel like a burden.
Dunk dries himself off and pulls on the clothes, then he spots the speaker system in the corner of Joong's bedroom, the one Joong spent way too much money on because he cares about sound quality more than any person reasonably should. Dunk connects his phone and picks a playlist, something upbeat to start the day, and he starts dancing as he finishes dressing.
He sings along under his breath while he tucks in his shirt, and then louder because the song is good and the morning is good and he feels good and ready for whatever comes next.
Joong comes to check on him, just to make sure Dunk hasn't gotten distracted or ended up back in bed, and he pauses at the door. He peeks through the gap, just enough to see Dunk dancing in front of the mirror, singing into a hairbrush like he's performing on a stage, and Joong smiles with his teeth and all.
He doesn't interrupt and just stands there for a moment, watching, feeling a sort of admiration. He swears that Dunk is the only person he has ever met who wasn't nervous on the first day of a new job, who can face something new and choose to meet it with music instead of worry, and Joong finds himself fascinated by that, the way Dunk moves through the world like it has never occurred to him to be afraid.
Dunk finishes buttoning his shirt and turns to look at himself in the mirror, tilting his head one way and then the other. He hums, considering that the jacket he brought feels a little lackluster, like it doesn't quite match the energy he wants to bring into the office on his very first day. He thinks about it for a few seconds before his eyes move to Joong's closet, which is slightly open…. and full of possibilities.
He raids Joong's closet all the time. It's practically a habit at this point. Dunk checks Joong's closet to see if there's anything new or anything old that he hasn't borrowed yet. He loves Joong's sense of style and the way Joong puts things together. Joong has the coolest collection of leather jackets and baseball jackets and hoodies and even blazers that somehow all look effortlessly good.
Dunk pulls out a leather jacket, a piece that’s worn-in that already smells like Joong, and puts it on. The jacket is quite loose fitting on him, the shoulders a little too wide for his smaller frame, and he loves it. He loves how it looks on him, the way it makes him feel wrapped up and protected and just a little bit dangerous, like he could walk into any room and belong there.
Afterwards Dunk heads to the kitchen, and the smell hits him before he enters the room, and his mouth waters with anticipation. He walks in and finds Joong plating their breakfast, and Dunk sighs, dramatic and sincere all at once.
"Could you be any more perfect?" Dunk croons. "I will never understand how you're still single. I wish I had an alpha like you, seriously."
Joong looks over his shoulder, and there is something and there’s a look that flickers across his face, that Dunk is too distracted to notice. Joong just shakes his head and turns back to the food, putting the plates onto the small kitchen table.
Dunk is always complaining about being single. It's practically his favorite topic of conversation at this point. He complains to his friends who aren't Joong's friends, he complains to Joong, he even complains to his mom on the phone when she calls to check on him.
He complains that alphas never ask him out or even look his way when he walks into a room, that he could be wearing his nicest clothes and his sweetest scent and still nobody notices him. He has even asked Joong to smell him before and tell him whether his scent is maybe too strong or too weak or somehow not inviting enough for other alphas to approach.
Joong knows exactly what the problem is. He has known for a long time, and he knows it every time Dunk walks out of his apartment wearing something that smells like Joong, every time Dunk burrows into his side on the couch and falls asleep with his nose pressed against Joong's neck, every time Dunk complains about being alone while wearing Joong's hoodie or Joong's jacket or Joong's scent soaked into his skin so thoroughly that no other alpha would ever dare to approach.
Joong just hasn't figured out when to tell him. Or maybe he hasn't figured out how. Maybe he keeps hoping that Dunk will figure it out on his own, that one day Dunk will look at him and see what everyone else seems to see, that the obvious will finally land in that sweet, oblivious head of his.
***
Two weeks pass and Dunk's excitement about the new job starts to curdle into something less bright. He comes over to Joong's apartment on a Wednesday evening, and Joong knows something is wrong before Dunk even says a word because his scent is off in a way that makes Joong's alpha instincts spike with instant concern. Dunk flops onto Joong’s couch without his usual energy, pulling his knees up to his chest, and then he starts complaining, all frustrated.
His new coworkers are nice, he says, they're so nice, and that's the problem because Dunk cannot seem to say no to anyone who is nice to him. They asked him to stay late on his third day to help with a project that wasn't even his, and he said yes because he wanted to make a good impression, and then they asked him to cover someone's shift on Friday night even though he had plans, and he said yes to that too.
The today someone asked him to pick up coffee for the whole team, which is fine, he doesn't mind getting coffee, except nobody offered to pay him back and he was too embarrassed to ask, so he just bought twelve drinks with his own money and smiled through it. He hasn’t even got his first salary yet.
Dunk buries his face in his hands and groans. "I know I'm being stupid," he says, voice muffled. "I know I should say something or whatever, but they're all so nice to me, Joong, and I don't want them to think I'm difficult or greedy or anything like that."
Joong gnashes his teeth so he doesn’t curse as his protective instincts flare up. He expects this, honestly. Dunk is simply the gentlest person there is, the kind of person who gives without thinking and helps without counting the cost, and there are so many people in the world who see that gentleness and decide to take advantage of it. That is why Joong sticks close to him, always has one eye on whoever is standing too close to Dunk, and has wordlessly made it his mission to be the person who protects Dunk from any hurt.
"You're not being stupid," Joong is quick to reassure him because he never wants Dunk to feel stupid for being kind. "You're being you and some people are going to take advantage of that no matter what you do."
Dunk looks up at him, eyes so sad, and Joong's chest aches. “What do I do, Joong?”
“You’ll burn out and grow resentful if you give into their every request. You’re not responsible for other people’s comfort. If you’re overwhelmed or stretched thin, you say no. they won’t be happy but you’ll live.”
Dunk pouts a bit and sighs, “Sounds so easy. I’m not strong and stern like you.”
That makes Joong smile a bit, “You’re strong too, in a different way. You can do this, little by little with practice.”
"The next time it happens," Joong says, "you tell me. And I'll handle it."
Dunk sniffles and nods, and Joong pulls him into his side, “Should we have samosas for supper? That always makes you happy.” Joong offers
Dunk accepts without hesitation.
***
Dunk goes out with his friends on Saturday, and he sweetly asks Joong to come with him, and Joong agrees immediately because he never says no to Dunk. Dunk’s friends are not bad people. They’re just not Joong’s friends. Joong has his own.
They meet at a restaurant in the middle of the city. Dunk's friends are already there when they arrive, their drinks half-empty.
Dunk and Joong join the table and the chatter. Joong doesn’t talk much but it’s barely visible because all the others are talking so much. Dunk buys a round of drinks for everyone.
When the server comes to take their orders, the usual pattern appears immediately. One of the friends- the loudest one, the one who seems to think he is running the whole table- starts listing food for the group, and then he looks at Dunk and says, "You're getting this round, right? Since you're the one with the fancy new job now?"
Dunk laughs, a little nervous, and reaches for his wallet without hesitating, and Joong frowns.
Before Dunk can pull out his card, Joong reaches over and covers Dunk's hand with his own, stopping him. Joong looks at the friend with a reproaching look that makes alphas twice his size step back without knowing why.
"Dunk got the last round," Joong keeps his tone pleasant and effortlessly reasonable. "Surely the rest of you can cover this one. Or maybe you can all contribute together and split it evenly." He tilts his head slightly, as if he is truly curious. "That's how it usually works, isn't it?"
The table falls silent for a beat too long. The friend's smile tightens in a way, and the other two exchange glances as if they’re wondering why Joong is butting in. meanwhile Dunk is smiling and already moving on to the next topic without any awareness of the tension that just happened. He is too bubbly to notice and too eager to enjoy the evening. Joong notices that the friend group doesn’t seem as cheerful as before towards him.
It’s fine. Joong doesn’t need them to like him. He just needs them to stop using Dunk's money like it grows on trees. As his friends they should protect him, not take advantage of his kindness.
***
His older brother’s birthday party is in full swing when Joong arrives at his family home. He pastes on a smile before he even steps inside. His mother hugs him first, ten his father greets him, then his brothers. He tells everyone that he invited Dunk who will arrive a little later because he’s held up at work.
For a few minutes everything seems alright, like a regular family gathering where everyone is just happy to see each other.
Like usual, the peace doesn’t last. It never does.
It starts as a small thing that then escalates as usual. His older brother- the pilot and star son- asks about work, and Joong tells him about the new arrangements he has been working on, the way he has been experimenting with different color palettes and textures, and his brother looks like he’s trying not to laugh.
Joong’s younger brother is standing nearby, arms crossed over his chest, and Joong can see the exact moment they decide to make it a thing.
"Have you thought about another career path you could take?" his older brother asks. "We would even support it. Mom and Dad said so, right?"
His mother looks uncomfortable, but she doesn't say no.
"Flowers are fine for a hobby," his younger brother adds, adjusting his glasses, already sounding like the prosecutor he is studying to become. "But you're an alpha, Joong. You should be doing something that actually matters. Something that commands respect."
Joong gets defensive in a way he’s not bothered to control. His older brother used to mock him when they were kids, calling him soft and weird, and his younger brother learned it from him, the two of them teaming up to make Joong feel like the odd one in the family. A flower arranger, they say, like it’s a joke, something beneath them or as if being an alpha means he should be flying planes or prosecuting criminals instead of making things grow.
"Is it necessary to make my career the topic at every gathering?" Joong snaps. "None of you has ever tried to understand."
His older brother retorts and suddenly everyone is talking back then at the same time and tensions rise in the house.
The front door opens, and Dunk's voice rings out through the hallway, all cheerful and completely oblivious to the storm he is walking into.
He walks into the room, holding a cake in his hands and wearing a big smile…and wearing one of Joong's hoodies under his coat, the scent clinging to him. He greets everyone and wishes the birthday boy a happy birthday. At first everyone is awkwardly silent, having been interrupted during a fight, but Dunk continues talking to them and spreading some cheer.
The tension doesn’t disappear exactly, but it reduces some. Dunk has that effect on people. He walks into a room and suddenly everyone remembers that they are supposed to be having a good time. He sets the cake down on the counter and immediately starts complimenting the decorations, asking Joong's mother where she got the juice jar, telling Joong's father that he looks so distinguished in that sweater, and somehow the fight leaves the room.
Joong watches it happen, seeing his family ease up with Dunk’s presence, and he feels himself relax a little bit as well. He doesn’t realize how tense he has been until his shoulders start to sag and his hands uncurl from the fists they have made at his sides.
Dunk catches his eye across the room, and he smiles for a moment, just long enough for Joong to see that Dunk has noticed the tension in the room and how upset Joong is. Dunk might be oblivious to many things but not to Joong’s discomfort.
Dunk walks over to stand beside him, "It's okay," he whispers, putting his hand on Joong's arm and rubbing gently and soothingly, back and forth. "Let's have some cake. It's delicious."
Dunk takes his hand and leads him away from the living room and into the kitchen, away from his family for a little while. Dunk cuts two slices of cake, and then he picks up a fork and scoops up a bite and holds it up to Joong's mouth.
Joong opens his mouth and lets Dunk feed him, the cake sweet and moist on his tongue.
"Yeah, it's good," Joong manages a small smile, probably the first genuine one this evening.
Dunk grins. "Mom made it,"
Dunk sets the fork down and looks at Joong, his head tilted, and wearing a thoughtful expression that makes Joong feel like he is being seen all the way down to his bones.
Then Dunk speaks again, voice gentler now. "Don't mind them. The world needs more enigmas who are brave enough to be more than just their basic element of alpha, beta, or omega. I love that you're strong but also gentle with plants. Do you know how rare that is? Or how special?"
Joong doesn’t know what to say to that, because no one has ever put it that way before.
Dunk takes Joong's hands and lifts them to his mouth and presses a kiss to Joong's knuckles softly. Joong feels heat rush to his cheeks. He is freaking blushing and it’s all because of the man standing in front of him.
Dunk laughs, "I knew that little random romantic gestures would work on you. You're so shy about that stuff, it's cute."
Before Joong can respond, Dunk leans in and presses a kiss to Joong's cheek then he pulls back with a satisfied little nod.
"Thanks," Joong says, meaning it deeper than Dunk could ever understand. The one word says; thanks for noticing, thanks for showing up, thanks for making the tension go away when I couldn’t, thanks for seeing me and deciding I am worth defending.
Dunk just smiles and reaches for another piece of cake.