Chapter Text
It's another train ride, on his way home from work. Lately this has been his thing, going home on the last train. He would never admit it, but it has a certain feeling of satisfaction, being the first one in and the last to leave. Seonghwa is really good at his job.
He's double checking his email as he waits for his connection. Soft words reach him. Someone is singing. He listens for a while, but then his train comes and he is quickly typing out a report, hoping that the others are too busy, giving him the chance to shine.
*
It's late night again. No matter how he tries he never seems to make it out of office until just shy of midnight. It's okay though, one day his pay-check will reflect all the hard work he's put into this. His dream. He just has to go through this rough spot. That person from last night is singing again, backed up by a guitar. He finds it hard to understand how anyone could choose that kind of life. Still he closes his eyes, let's the voice toy with his feelings, but only until his train comes.
*
It's friday night. Normally Seonghwa doesn't really notice. He has this habit of working all week through. But today he's been granted a "perk". While everyone else is still at work Seonghwa has been sent home. Ironically not because he's been misbehaving but the opposite. This is supposed to be an advantage. But it sure doesn't feel like it. This new development has him dumbfounded. He doesn't know anyone outside of work, so figuring out what to do on a friday is not an easy task, so he's waiting for the train home, thinking that an early night will give him the advantage of a early start tomorrow.
That singing resonates through the tunnels again and he decides to investigate in it since his train has apparently been delayed.
He ventures through the underground tunnels, following the sound, and when he finally finds the source he's surprised by the amount of people just standing, listening, as if they haven't got anything better to do. He stops, takes the scene in and that is the first time he sees him. The source of the singing.
He is short, not of a impressive build, more...delicate. His hair is ridiculous. A ashy kind of blonde, long in the neck, unruly bangs in the front. He has several earrings, all silver and all too prominent, but his clothes are worse of all. Ripped jeans covered in specks of color. A sweater, obviously at least two sizes too big and his shoes! It actually looks as if he's been doodeling on them. But his voice. His voice is mesmerising. There is a special quality to it. Something almost daring. Something vulnerable. Seonghwa stands frozen for a moment until he shakes it off and takes his train home.
*
It is far too late. He should be at home. Nausea hits him hard. He's never been intoxicated before, but the new CEO wouldn't let him get away with his usual excuses, calling him out. Making him drink far more than he's comfortable with
He is swaying on the platform, trying to will his mind into control. He looks up, letters dancing before his eyes, and makes out the words saying "cancelled due to electrical problems." Groaning he tries to think of what his next action should be. A taxi probably. So he makes his way up.
He is fumbling for his phone as the voices reach him. "Hey! You need help man?" Next thing he is surrounded by young men. They are talking way too fast, hands in his pockets, saying they'll help him. Something feels off but he can't grasp it. He really needs to sit down. So tired. So tired of trying to keep up with the words, the hands. Someone is shouting. Someone is running. Seonghwa sits down. Lays down. Too tired to care.
*
Harsh light hits him, making him squint. It's obviously morning and he should be at work, the first one there, seeming surprised as he greets the others.
But he is apparently not. His head hurts. Teeth feeling fuzzy. He groans and someone is laughing at him. Reluctantly he pryes an eye open. It is him. The singer. Amused eyes meeting his.
"You're awake" he simply states.
Seonghwa licks his teeth, clearing his voice. "Yeah, apparently" he forces out, earning him the sound of that laughter again.
"What do you remember from last night?" he asks. Seonghwa is frowning at his attempt to remember, telling the only fragments that are clear.
"Uhm, I was waiting for the train. Some guys helped me" he says.
The other one snorts. "That's one way to put it" he says.
Seonghwa's frown grows deeper. "So...how would you put it then?" he asks.
There is a silence and a sigh.
"I would say there was a gang trying to rob you. Or worse." he finally says.
Seonghwas frown deepens as he tries to fathom what the other's saying. It's not possible. Seonghwa is in control! Was he last night though? And where is he now?
He sighs hard.
"Well...thank you if you had any hand in scaring them off" he reluctantly offers.
The other one just snarls. "What was a corporate guy like you even doing there at that time? Don't you realise it's dangerous?"
To his surprise Seonghwa finds himself feeling ashamed. Of course he knew about the dangers. He just never thought he would be the one at risk. He doesn't know what to say so he just says thank you again. The other huffs in annoyance. Seonghwa pryes his eye open and looks at him again. Under the tough facade his features are soft. He looks at Seonghwa with something scared in his eyes.
"What really happened last night?" he asks.