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Donghyuck is not nervous.
He can’t be nervous, he’s done this a million times now. Being the host of the Late Night Punch Punch Show is like breathing for him, easy and natural.
It’s easy. Except when it’s not. Not when tonight’s guest is Na Jaemin.
Na Jaemin. Actor, model and amateur photographer. The same age as Donghyuck. They have known each other — of each other basically from the start of their careers.
When Donghyuck barely started his career he accidentally made friends with Lee Jeno, son of a famous movie producer. He was a nepo baby but didn’t actually make use of that. The idiot.
They became close one drunken night outside a bar, when Jeno was on all fours on the sidewalk looking for his glasses that fell off his face. Donghyuck stumbled out drunk, barely being able to stand and crouched to pet his head like he was a puppy.
“Who’s a good boy?” He slurred.
Jeno had been mildly offended at the time, but also the scratches on my head felt good, okay? He said in his defense, since he had leaned into Donghyuck’s touch before he could stop himself.
Anyways, he’s getting sidetracked.
Being Jeno’s friend meant his chances to network multiplied, and thanks to Jeno, he started going to parties where a lot of celebrities were invited.
The comedy industry was hard and Donghyuck had to go through a lot to get to where he was today. All the time he invested in connections, free comedy shows, poorly paid commercials, and a few very bad movies that will never see the light of day— all to finally be the youngest host this show ever had.
Hanging out with Jeno for years meant he got to know his friends as well. Through Jeno, he met his other best friend and actor, Huang Renjun. With Renjun, came his boyfriend Kim Doyoung, who later became his husband.
Jaemin was another story.
Donghyuck didn’t know about Jaemin’s existence until one of Renjun’s annual New Year's Eve parties. They were not introduced to each other, as the party was big. But he did ask Jeno who Jaemin was.
Jeno said Renjun and Jaemin go way back. To the very start of their acting careers, having met in the first year of school, a prestigious acting academy they both studied at.
That’s how he found out Jaemin was an actor as well, who had been in a couple of projects already. Actually Donghyuck watched one of them and loved the character Jaemin played.
Donghyuck felt attraction from the start. But it was also the mysterious —and sometimes off putting aura surrounding Jaemin, that drew Donghyuck in.
Which meant he had to act like Jaemin didn’t exist. Like Jaemin was the most boring and uninteresting person Donghyuck had ever met. That way he would obviously pay attention to Donghyuck, and eventually would fall in love with him. His plan was foolproof.
Except that never happened, of course. The one and only opportunity Donghyuck had of having an actual one on one conversation with Jaemin happened years ago, at Donghyuck’s birthday party. A party Donghyuck had very little recollection of.
He was on cloud nine that day, since he was also celebrating having scored a gig that would later change his life. But knowing Jaemin was coming to his apartment had put him on edge so bad that he had drunk way more than he intended to.
That night was blurry and fun, but mostly blurry. He invited so many people to his tiny apartment, and he doesn’t remember any interaction with Jaemin. He has one faint memory of offering Jaemin a PlayStation controller, but he definitely hallucinated that. Surely, he would not ask Jaemin to game with him when they could be kissing. With tongue.
Time passed, Donghyuck had his big break and so did Jaemin. Not only did he succeed, but Jaemin also eventually married Jeong Jaehyun, another actor he met through Doyoung.
Donghyuck pretended he wasn’t disappointed when he saw the news. After all, he never actually tried to pursue Jaemin.
(ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎
If you think about it, this is Jeno’s dad's fault. Which technically makes it Jeno’s fault. His dad produced Jaemin’s new movie, giving him a reason to promote it. Which is why he’s coming to Donghyuck’s show. Tonight.
It’s funny really, how Jaemin is coming to the show now. Now that Donghyuck is single again. Having ended his last relationship a year ago. Donghyuck thinks he would not be this nervous if he wasn't single.
Either way, single or not, Donghyuck had been trying to interview Jaemin for a few years, but his schedule never allowed him to come. Jaemin rose to fame very quickly. Between filming foreign films, shooting magazine covers, attending fashion shows, and even being the new face of a popular beverage, Jaemin was everywhere. Except where Donghyuck wanted him to be. At his studio, of course.
Not that Donghyuck kept up with him all these years. No. That would be, frankly, a little pathetic. It’s not like he has secretly, well secretly tried — to attend all of Jaemin’s movie premieres or anything.
Also, it’s not like they haven’t seen each other at all since they met, after all they run in the same circle of friends. He would see Jaemin sporadically at events or at friend’s birthdays, always accompanied by his husband. Which made Donghyuck keep his distance.
But there's nothing wrong with thirsting over a married man. No one had to know. Jeno doesn't count.
Jaemin and Jaehyun have been married for 4 years now. The media’s favorite couple. Donghyuck has actually interviewed Jaehyun a few times before. He hates to admit it, but Jaehyun is a nice guy.
Donghyuck gets himself ready in his dressing room, trying not to freak out over the interview. It’s just another celebrity guest. Practically a friend.
Nothing to be afraid or nervous about, he has a script. It’s not like it can go wrong.
(ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎
“Jaemin-ssi, it’s nice to have you here for the first time ever.” Donghyuck smiles. He can feel his hands start to clam up. But if there’s one thing he can do, it’s fake it until he makes it.
He tries to relax as much as he can, but Donghyuck knows he’s a little off his game. Jaemin’s eyes not moving from his face is making him really nervous. He’s looking at Donghyuck like he’s three seconds away from pouncing on him and attacking.
What kind of attack would it be? Donghyuck doesn’t know and he’s half scared-half excited to find out, if he’s honest.
Jaemin smiles back, sitting back on the couch like he owns it. Confidence is oozing from him, smothering Donghyuck with it, like an ice-cold bath.
“It’s good to be here, Haechan-ssi. I know we both have been trying to align our schedules to meet, so it’s great that we finally managed to do so.”
Donghyuck hums and nods. “So, Jaemin-ssi. You just finished filming your new movie titled Unknown.” Donghyuck pulls out a still photo from the movie, showing Jaemin smiling directly into the camera, blood all over his face. He looks really creepy but also… cute . “It’s described as a thriller with a really unexpected twist. Could you tell us more about it?”
“Gladly! But first, is it okay if we talk about something I wanted to bring up?” He sits up, and leans forward towards Donghyuck, his face and smile turning mischievous.
Donghyuck freezes. “Oh. Of course, Jaemin-ssi,” Donghyuck chuckles and puts the photo down on his desk.
“I don’t think the audience knows this, but we’ve met before,” Jaemin starts, looking at the audience.
“That is correct. We met years ago through a mutual friend.” Donghyuck nods. He has no idea where the story is going. The night they met for the first time is a blur to him.
“Yes. Our mutual friend, Jeno, invited me to your birthday party. I believe you were also celebrating something else.” Donghyuck chuckles.
“Yes, yes. It was my birthday but I was also celebrating scoring my first big job. It was in my first apartment actually. I remember it was very very crowded.”
“It was,” Jaemin laughs, “I could barely walk inside. I didn’t realize you were so popular even back then,” he winks. Donghyuck feels himself flush. “I could not get a moment with you besides Jeno introducing us.”
“Ahh,” Donghyuck tsks. “What a pity, truly. That was the last time we saw each other in that kind of setting, right? You also had your big break around that time.” Donghyuck remembers seeing the news about an upcoming actor scoring his first protagonist role.
“Yes, that’s right. Today is the first time we meet in person since. Isn’t that funny?” Jaemin makes this face at him, like there’s something Donghyuck is missing.
“Honestly I am a little embarrassed about how we met. My apartment was so tiny back then, and there were a lot of people inside. I didn’t even buy snacks or drinks. I just offered some crackers and cheese, I think.” He tries to refresh his own memory.
Jaemin laughs. “It was brie cheese,” he adds.
“Well, at least it wasn’t a really cheap one.” The audience laughs.
“You know what I remember, though? I remember I was really excited when Jeno invited me to your party. Because... I had a huge crush on you back then, when I was still single.” Jaemin chuckles and Donghyuck freezes all over again.
Smile dropping from his face, he can feel himself go pale at the realization. He can see in his peripheral vision, people in the audience gasp and start to laugh.
“What?!”
Jaemin looks delighted, and laughs again. “Yeah, it was a little embarrassing for me too. Jeno had called to invite me. I was really excited because I was a fan of your work on Sun & Moon.” Donghyuck feels the color coming back to his face, blushing to the tip of his ears.
“Oh my god, what?” Jaemin did it. Jaemin has broken him. He cannot articulate a single thought. Jaemin laughs again. He looks like he’s enjoying Donghyuck’s suffering. Bastard.
“Yes. Jeno introduced us but I think you had more than a few drinks. You offered me the crackers with the brie cheese while we sat together on your couch.” Donghyuck remembers that couch. It was a horrible thing. Uncomfortable to sit on.
“I literally do not have any recollection of this. Jaemin-ssi, what do you mean?” He asks, hysterical. At this point the audience has gone crazy, giggling at the story. Jaemin is working the audience like this is his show.
“We were sitting on the couch while I tried to talk to you, but you weren’t really… responsive. ” He needs Jaemin to stop before his life is ruined forever. But before he can think about what to say next, Jaemin speaks again.
“And then you pulled out your Playstation, and asked me if I wanted to play.”
Okay. That’s enough. Donghyuck groans and stands up, covering his ears. It’s time to play it up.
“Jaemin-ssi, please stop. I’m begging you. You’re ruining my cool guy image here. What will the ahjummas think ?” He laughs and shakes his head. Jaemin laughs along, a smirk still present on his face.
“I have to say, though. I came with a little revenge plan today. I felt so embarrassed that night. I liked you a lot, but with the way you acted I thought to myself, ‘he’s not interested at all .’” Donghyuck groans again, and the audience laughs for the nth time that night. “Obviously I am married now, so I thought it would be a fun anecdote to tell your audience. A small TMI about Lee Donghyuck.”
Jaemin is smiling with his million teeth, and Donghyuck is still standing, now with his arms crossed. Fake sulking, but not really.
“Oh, so you thought you could be funnier than me on my show? Try to embarrass me?”
“I am probably a better host,” Jaemin shrugs, and the audience gasps once again. Donghyuck recognizes the challenge.
“Oh. Then by all means, let’s switch seats.” Donghyuck walks around his desk and comes to the front, urging Jaemin to go sit on his chair.
They play around for a while like that, going back and forth, cracking jokes and going off script. If he forgets about the huge embarrassment from Jaemin’s little story, it’s a very successful and fun interview. They go back to talking about the movie and eventually switch seats again. Jaemin occasionally brings the story up again, making Donghyuck groan and blush again and again.
“Seriously, Jaemin-ssi, I don’t know if I will ever recover from this. You’re telling me I could have dated Na Jaemin? ” Donghyuck tsks. “It would've saved me a lot of trouble, I could've used your fame for my benefit… What a shame,” Donghyuck says, shooting Jaemin an innocent smile.
Jaemin smiles back, clearly amused. “I could have used the fame too, you know. Haechan-ssi was practically a mini celebrity back then.”
“Let's agree that it was a missed opportunity to network.” Donghyuck winks.
“Indeed.” Jaemin nods.
“Well, Jaemin-ssi, as much as I would love to keep reliving the embarrassing history you and I have, the night must end.” Donghyuck fake laments. The audience and Jaemin laugh, and he cannot wait to get out of here.
“Thank you for having me, Haechan-ssi. It’s been a pleasure.” Jaemin bows slightly.
“The honor is mine, Jaemin-ssi. Everyone, please give it up for Na Jaemin! Please look forward to his movie Unknown coming to theaters this April 19th.” Donghyuck holds up a printed poster of the movie for the camera to zoom in, and he ends his segment with a smile.
Once his producers announce the cut, Donghyuck sighs and relaxes. He turns to Jaemin, who is already watching him.
“I never imagined you would tell that story. I really don't remember that night well,” he admits sheepishly.
Jaemin smirks at him. “I assumed you didn't—that’s why I brought it up. I thought our first meeting after years should be… something to remember.” God. He definitely succeeded on that.
Donghyuck stands up, ready to go. He motions Jaemin to follow him to the booth to take their picture, a tradition from the show.
They quickly take their pictures. Donghyuck admits they look good together. But he reminds himself that Jaemin is married . Definitely off limits.
“This was fun, Haechan-ssi. Please invite me again the next time I promote a movie,” Jaemin says, a soft smile on his face as he bows slightly.
Donghyuck bows back, “Of course Jaemin-ssi. I’ll let you leave now, you must be tired,” he says with a tight smile.
“You must be tired too. Goodbye, Haechan-ssi. See you again very soon.” Jaemin says, and Donghyuck is confused. What does that mean?
Before Donghyuck can question it, Jaemin walks away, leaving him standing in the corridor. What the fuck?
He power walks to the catering room, knowing the person he's looking for is there.
He grabs Jeno’s arm and drags him away from the food.
“Donghyuck, you made me drop my taco,” he grumbles. Donghyuck doesn't give a fuck.
(ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎
"Jeno. Did you let me fumble Na Jaemin?" Donghyuck feels a headache coming. He starts to walk in circles around the couch inside his dressing room. His left eye starts twitching and he can feel his palms starting to sweat. Again . He feels the reality of the whole interview crashing down on him. He has to be dreaming.
He feels like he’s about to lose his mind any second. Jeno looks calm, walking to the bean bag chair in the corner and letting himself fall on it. Still chewing that damn taco. He turns to follow Donghyuck with his eyes, looking amused. What a sicko.
"You were actually winning the game for once! I didn't want to distract you," he shrugs. Like it's not a big deal, like Donghyuck didn't lose a different game. A more important game. That he would have loved winning.
"Oh my god. I'm going to kill myself." His life is over. Na Jaemin wanted him and he was a fucking loser who offered to game . Oh God, he needs a gun. He needs a gun right now . He can hear Jeno starting to giggle.
"C'mon, Hyuck, it's not that big of a deal. Missed opportunity. Oh well." Jeno cannot be serious.
"Jeno, it is absolutely a big deal. I can't believe he brought it up while we were live. He must hate me. Does he hate me?" Jeno opens his mouth to reply, "Don't answer that, I don't want to know. He must've had a reason to bring it up. Is he plotting something?"
Jeno closes his mouth quickly and avoids Donghyuck’s eyes. Donghyuck pauses mid-step to look at him. Huh, well that is not suspicious at all.
"Lee Jeno." Jeno's ears start to turn red and he's still avoiding Donghyuck’s eyes. Oh god. Jaemin is going to murder him in his sleep, isn't he? He's psychologically messing with Donghyuck before he attacks. And Jeno is helping him.
Donghyuck murmurs, "I thought we were friends."
Jeno just says huh like the confused puppy he is 80% of the time. Ugh.
"I know nothing. But, I have something that might cheer you up."
"What could possibly cheer me up right now, Jeno? My life is literally over. Jaemin will murder me in my sleep tonight. I can't do the show anymore. They're going to replace me. They're going replace me and put an old man as a host again, and I will be remembered as that poor guy that got murdered way too young. I can already see the headlines."
He finally stops pacing to throw himself on the couch, face down, hoping that if he pushes his face hard enough, he'll suffocate. "Don't let Jaemin come to the funeral."
Jeno sighs. "Jaemin asked me to give you his number."
Donghyuck springs up from the couch, feeling like he was electrocuted. He looks at Jeno with horror. "Jeno. Oh my god, he's actually going to kill me, isn't he? He's going to track my phone once I text him. Oh God. Jeno please, I haven't lived much yet. I have so much left to see. To experience, " he pleads.
"Lee Donghyuck. Please calm down," Jeno raises his voice. Huh. That was… a little hot, and Donghyuck expresses as much.
"Alright, ew." Jeno makes a face of disgust. Jeno wants Donghyuck so bad. "He gave me a note to pass to you. If you want it."
“What are we, 5 years old?” Donghyuck gets up and rips the note out of Jeno's hand. It's just a white folded piece of paper. Donghyuck sighs, and opens it.
"donghyuck-ssi, this is na jaemin. i wanted to give you my phone number in case you wanted to contact me in the future. let's be friends ~
- jaemin (ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎ "
"What is wrong with him? What is that drawing? Jeno, I'm scared." Donghyuck says while reading the note for the 10th time in one minute.
He looks up only to not see Jeno sitting on the bean bag anymore. He turns, and catches him leaving the dressing room with quick steps. Donghyuck yells after him but he just walks faster while shaking his head.
He's so dead.
(ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎
Life goes on, as much as it can after the disaster interview. The video clip of the interview was posted before he could even drive himself home that night. Barely 2 days in, it had garnered millions of views. All of Donghyuck’s friends have been texting him nonstop, making fun of him for blowing up his chances with Na Jaemin.
Yangyang hadn't texted Donghyuck for weeks and he broke his silence only to say "you fumbled the bag real bad, rip".
He doesn't know how he showed his face the next day after that happened. A week has gone by and he still hasn’t texted Jaemin. The knowledge of having his contact saved on his phone makes him feel like his phone weighs a ton. Heavy in his hand and in his mind.
He's been jittery all week, obsessively looking over his shoulder at all times. Scared Jaemin will pop up behind him while he showers with his big scary grin, and his scary million rows of teeth. Just waiting to bite and eat Donghyucik whole. He wouldn’t mind that, but you won't catch him saying that out loud.
Donghyuck is currently lounging on his couch, TV on but he's not watching anything. Scrolling on his iPad, Instagram open and seeing what his friends are up to. He hasn’t touched his phone much, it lays face down next to him, permanently on Do Not Disturb.
He's about to send Yangyang a fire emoji reaction to his story when feels his phone vibrate next to his leg and he freezes, thinking Jaemin could have texted him. But then quickly remembers Jaemin doesn’t actually have his number and he relaxes, reaching for it.
It’s a text from Jeno, being one of the only few contacts Donghyuck allows notifications from.
Puppy Lee 🐶
Hey
Have you seen the news today?
Haechan
You know I'm not on my phone right now
What is it?
Puppy Lee 🐶
Link
Donghyuck clicks the link and it takes him to one of those gossip pages. He quickly reads the headline and he feels his eyes grow impossibly big once he processes what he's reading.
BREAKING NEWS!
Our favorite it couple has called it quits.
You heard it here first. Netizen's favorite actors Jeong Jaehyun, 36 and his beloved husband and fellow actor Na Jaemin, 33, have finalized their divorce settlement.
Na reveals they have been separated for quite a few months, but decided to keep their divorce process private until it was finalized.
Jeong affirms he and Na have split amicably and remain good friends despite the breakup.
We wish them the best in the future!
Oh.
Oh wow. He feels his phone vibrate once more.
Puppy Lee 🐶
Maybe you should finally text Jaemin
Maybe Donghyuck should….
(ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎
He's been pacing back and forth in his living room. Drafting text after text. Not quite knowing how to start a conversation… He knows this could be. Obvious. But maybe not, maybe he's just a concerned friend. Concerned acquaintance. Right.
He drafts another text, thumb hovering over the sending button on the screen.
He decides to go for it. What more can he lose after the interview?
Haechan
Hello Jaemin-ssi, this is Donghyuck
I hope I’m not overstepping, but
I saw the news, so
Sorry to hear about what happened
I'm here if you need anything!
Na Jaemin
Hello Donghyuck-ssi
I would have thought you lost my number
You haven’t texted me since the night of the interview
Haechan
Sorry about that…
I’ve been busy
Na Jaemin
It’s okay, no worries
Thank you for your words!
But
Are you really, though? lol
Haechan
Uhm...
What do you mean?
Na Jaemin
I don’t think you’re really sorry about it
Haechan
Of course I am… Why wouldn’t I be?
Na Jaemin
You know
Jeno loveees to talk when he's drunk
He might have mentioned something
Donghyuck considers lying, but something tells him there's no need.
Haechan
Okay.
Maybe not that sorry.
Na Jaemin
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
You’re really obvious, I hope you know that
See you next weekend for Jeno’s birthday party (ᐢ ɞ̴̶̷ ̫ ɞ̴̶̷ ᐢ₎
Donghyuck blushes furiously, from head to toe. He opens his chat with Jeno.
Haechan
You're dead to me.
Puppy Lee 🐶
Lol, you're welcome~
Maybe at the end, Jaemin will end up eating him. He finds he has no complaints at all.