Chapter Text
Gaon had not been pleased with how dangerous his new court room ended up being. Okay, it was technically a paid internship that his professor had helped him get, because they needed someone good looking for tv. Gaon needed the final credit for his degree and a job for what his students loans wouldn't cover. He didn't think that would mean that as an associate judge he saw people rioting, screaming and even dying.
That wasn't what he had wanted out of something that was supposed to be an office job. Still, the money was good enough that he just breathed deeply through his noise and tried desperately to not see what was happening around him. He had things that were more important to him and would try his best to stay out of trouble for that reason. It wasn't a good mind set for someone who should be solidly focused on the law, but not everyone was a single father. He was doing his best for himself and his son.
His boss or Chief Kang, had laughed when he was a bit distraught over the riots. Like Gaon was new blood to the office that would soon be tainted and used to it. That's thought made Gaon feel a bit sick to his stomach. How many times had the people in this building witnessed people protesting, charging forwards in vehicles or guns? Was this what the Korean law system really like? Gaon had once had a dream to make the world a better place with helping make the system better. Now, he wasn't sure what to think about anything.
His parents had been failed by the system and the rich got away with everything. Those riots did nothing but paste targets on those poor people. They'd lose their jobs, houses and eventually family's for acting desperately enough. Gaon didn't want to be like that. He wanted a better world, but his son had to remain what was most important to him. A little ray of sunshine that he loved by himself. The thought of someone turning and finding out that he had such a weakness was terrifying.
Then again, he'd saw first hand the way that Chief Kang had expertly handled such a situation. When the riots had turned violent, they invited the man down like it was a normal occurrence. The way that a guard had just handed a powerful weapon to him, like they'd done that many times before, was more then a bit nerve wracking. Seriously, did he have training or even a license to use that kind of weapon? Gaon thought it was terrifying to even see.
He'd shook as it was fired, but his feet still carried him to save a young girl on the side walk. He'd seen his own son, crying and terrified in that moment and hadn't been able to stop himself. Gaon had probably been lucky to not die right there. That should have been the end of it, but suddenly reporters were twice as interested in him. They called him a courageous sweetheart, as he tried to dodge away from talking to them.
He'd unfortunately been unable to slip away from Chief Yohan, as the man invited him to have lunch after the incident. The older man was dignified and significantly less scary when he wasn't holding a loaded assault weapon. So honestly, lunch wasn't that bad. He did get the fact that Chief Kang didn't trust him, but Gaon was still very new. Nobody ever trusted the new guy.
It didn't help that later in the week they held the first televised conference and courtroom. The entire building was tense about it, and with good reason. Gaon had been nervous about so many thing beforehand and afterwards quickly noticed how he couldn't let his guard down. He hadn't even known that many people worked with or were hired for press in the city. Hundreds of them swarmed the outside and lower floors of the building, trying for any words or pictures. It was nauseating.
They'd labeled him a pretty boy with attentive eyes. Not exactly what he would like to be known for, but also not the worst. Some people called Chief Kang a devil and some called him a saint for all his help. Gaon wouldn't want the burden of being either of those things.
Judge Oh was called many things as well; a righteous woman, a hardworking lady-boss and a bitch. The things women had to deal with made Gaon's skin crawl and he counted himself lucky to not be one with today's society. They knew more about her personal life then anyone should ever and therefore the world knew. Gaon was so passed by that they didn't even know he had a son. That was probably for the best in his case.
It was Judge Oh who he normally worked with throughout his week, and they got along fine. He had a corner of her office and took all calls a bit like a secretary. Working with her was nice, and he was interested in all the research parts of the job she seemed to favor. Weeks in he believed them to be friends and they even had things they would tease each for. The office floor was nearly a dystopian world above the riots and press, where they focused on cases and justice for people.
Judge Oh and Chief Kang were both well adjusted and put together people. It's honestly nice to work with them and they both gave Gaon their numbers incase he needed anything. That was a nice have, though Gaon hadn't planned on using them. He really appreciated the gesture, considering that he thought Chief Kang hadn't liked him at first. There was worst people that he could have worked with. Even though he was younger then the both of them, he felt like one of the group. The one who sat to he left.
The work continued to the end of his final semester, where had took his final exams and did the bar exam as well. Gaon succeeded in doing so, and was even awarded time off besides when they'd been physically booked for the television screen. Chief Kang took a special interest and made sure he'd had enough time to study, which warmed Gaon's heart. The man might be scary with a weapon, but apparently could be a softy too.
The exam meant he was finally fully certified and would be looking for a job very soon. It was delightfully helpful that Chief Kang insisted he continue working with them, despite the internship being over. A full time position, with benifits was more then Gaon felt he deserved. Especially after he'd been suspicious of the older man and his way of researching cases before trials. Or feared the way he could handle a gun.
For all that Gaon hadn't liked the danger or craziness of the job, there was stability in it. A good, guaranteed paycheck every two weeks. The television contract was in place for a year and a half as well, but they did more then the program. Still, television was a bonus pay. And it made him a sort of celebrity.
Okay, the celebrity part didn't actually matter as much as the paid benefits. Sick days, weekends, holidays all as long as they didn't mess with broadcast day. Every Wednesday they'd be live on television for 3 hours, in the midday slot. Millions would watch. Gaon knew that one little one would be to young to understand how cool his Papa was, but maybe one day they'd come across it.
It was all very cool, until it wasn't.
Gaon was fully aware that day, that he was being followed on his usual route home. People had always said never take the same route consistently, but as someone who took the bus, that wasn't really an option. It was very unnerving, considering that just last week a bomb had gone off in Chief Kang's office. They'd all been lucky that it was poorly set up and no one had been in the room when it went off.
There was a chance it was just paparazzi trying to get pictures of where he lived, but Gaon couldn't chance it. Not with his son at home. His three year old was more important then anything else. Gaon tried to remain calm to be able to think and execute a plan against something bad happening.
He was on the bus and didn't get off on his regular stop, hoping they would just leave if he sat long enough. That didn't work and honestly they were getting farther away from places that he would know his way around. The expensive looking SUV tailing the bus put him on edge. Did they know that he hadn't gotten off at his stop or was this the first time he'd been followed home? Just how much did they know about him?
Gaon just hadn't wanted to lead them home, that place needed to remain safe and protected. His baby was there after all, looked after by the grandma downstairs like every other weekday. What to do? Gaon took a deep breath to focus and made a play.
Gaon called Chief Kang when he remembered the older man had given him his number. He was getting scared and felt like he needed help. Maybe the police would have been a better call, but honestly he was afraid that Soohyun would go to him and it would be nothing. Please let this just be nothing. The Chief was always so calm throughout everything, maybe he could just convince Gaon that he was being crazy?
"Hello?" A deep and bit confused voice answered the phone on the fourth ring. Gaon figured that his number hadn't been a saved one, and it was lucky he picked up. Thank god he picked up.
"Chief Kang, sorry to bother you." Gaon said and stopped abruptly when the bus stopped and two men got on that looked like they didn't belong. He recognized one of them from the car that had originally been trailing after the bus. Oh, not his imagination then.
"Is something the matter Kim Gaon, you've never called before. I nearly didn't pick up." Gaon could tell the man was teasing, but as the two men divided and sat down his heart rate was picking up and he was trying not to cry. One sat ahead and one just behind, he wasn't going to be able to go anywhere without being caught. All he could do was make a play for a bit more time and hope that his boss would do something for him, anything.
"Oh yes dear, sorry I'm going to be so late today. I missed my stop on the bus." Gaon squeaked out. His acting had never been the best and it was a wonder that these men were still playing that nothing was wrong. They must have not had much information about him then.
"...?" Chief Kang made a confused grunting sound and didn't say anything back. It made Gaon want to cry, what else could he say without tipping off those men? What if Chief Kang just hung up on him, thinking this was some prank? He had to keep trying.
"Since I'm heading that way, would you like me to pick up dinner at The bugulgi Restaurant? You know, that one we loved on Jongno street?" This was the best chance he had. He'd get off at that stop and wait there. If it was nothing, that would be fine. Gaon silently wished that Chief Kang would understand and either meet him there or send the police.
"Gaon, I'll head there. How many people are tailing you and do you think they're dangerous?" It was so comforting to hear that Chief Kang understood what he was getting at.
"2 portions should be enough right? It's- it's pretty spicy." Gaon tried and hated that his voice faltered and hitched. He accidentally made eye contact with the one sitting just a head of him who'd turned around to glare at him. Did they know he didn't have another adult at home with him that he'd call Dear? Gaon was sure he was sweaty and pale with panic by now.
"I'm on my way, stay on the phone for as long as you can." Chief Kang sounded a bit distraught, and it was honestly the first time Gaon had heard him sound that way. That did nothing to help with his panic.
"I..." Gaon had to trail off as he felt a gun press into his shoulder. Oh, so they were dangerous.
His phone was taken from him silently and hung up. He whimpered without the comfort of it. Gaon was feeling so scared, and he didn't know what to do. He thought of Jihoon waiting for him at home, probably upset that he was late. He wanted to see his baby so badly in that moment.