You and I |work In Progress

Chapter Five: Unlikely Alliances and Rising Tensions

Joong sighed and tapped out a response.

*I'm working on it, Mother. It's just... not exactly how I thought it would be.*

He stared at the message for a while, his fingers resting lightly on the screen. The truth was, he had no idea how to handle the situation with Dunk. He wasn't used to people not needing him. Dunk's indifference was almost... alien to Joong. He wasn't used to being rejected, and it irritated him more than he wanted to admit.

At the library later that evening, Dunk was sitting in his usual spot, surrounded by books, his mind focused on his work. He was already swamped with assignments, tutoring sessions, and an ever-growing list of responsibilities, and the last thing he needed was Joong showing up to make things more complicated.

He hadn't expected Joong to follow him around like a lost puppy, but there he was again, standing just outside the library doors, watching him. Dunk ignored him at first, hoping he'd get the hint and leave, but of course, that didn't happen.

Joong sauntered inside with the kind of quiet arrogance that only he could manage, slipping into the seat next to Dunk without so much as a word of greeting. Dunk kept his gaze on his textbooks, refusing to acknowledge Joong's presence.

"I don't need your help," Dunk muttered.

Joong didn't seem phased. He was too used to being the center of attention. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and observed Dunk, his gaze sharp. "I know you don't."

Dunk shot him a sideways glance, unable to keep the irritation from his voice. "Then why are you here?"

"I'm just... *curious*," Joong said, his voice smooth as silk. "Curious about how someone like you gets by without the *advantages* I have."

Dunk didn't respond immediately, his fingers tapping nervously against the desk. He hated how Joong could so easily provoke him.

"Well," Dunk finally said, his voice hardening, "maybe you should stop wondering and just leave me alone."

Joong chuckled, but there was an edge to it now, something sharper than usual. "You know, Dunk, you're more interesting than I give you credit for. Most people would be thrilled to have the chance to spend time with me."

Dunk turned fully toward him now, his voice steady and calm. "I'm not like most people."

Joong raised an eyebrow. "That's obvious. But it's almost... *refreshing*."

Dunk narrowed his eyes. "If you think this is some game, you're wrong."

"Isn't everything a game?" Joong countered, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Dunk leaned back in his chair, his expression cool and unamused. "Not for me."

By the end of the evening, Dunk had packed his things, ready to leave the library, but Joong wasn't quite done. He stood in front of Dunk as he moved toward the door, blocking his path.

"I'm not some charity case," Dunk said, voice steely. "I don't need your pity or your attention."

Joong watched him for a long moment, something unreadable in his gaze. "I don't pity you, Dunk," he said quietly. "I just... don't understand you."

Dunk's face softened, but only slightly. "Good," he said, before stepping around Joong and heading for the door.

That night, as Dunk lay in bed, he replayed the encounter over and over in his mind. Joong's words, his presence, his arrogance,it all grated on Dunk's nerves. But there was something else too, something that Dunk couldn't ignore, despite his best efforts.