Archive of Our Own ^beta

The hallways were busy as Dongheon strode past his coworkers towards the interrogation room. The narcotics department finally arrested a key suspect linked to their investigation on one of Korea’s biggest drug trade operations. It wasn’t going to be easy getting the facts from whoever this punk was, but Dongheon would make him talk. He’d been working on this case for so long and he’d be damned if his efforts were reduced to waste.

When he reached the room, he stopped right outside of the door instead of going right in. As eager as he was about the next big step in the investigation, he needed to steel himself before entering. He’d seen way too many of his fellow detectives blow off unnecessary steam while suspects pleaded the fifth for all of eternity. Dongheon wanted to keep his cool if he was already expecting this interrogation to take a few hours, maybe even a couple of days while they kept him detained.

He took one deep breath and turned the doorknob to enter the room. A pair of fox-like eyes raked over him as he entered, and the uninterested look in the suspect’s eyes quickly lit up in sly amusement. Dongheon, as if his efforts to strengthen his resolve was for naught, balled his hands up into fists. He used one hand to slam the door shut before approaching the table where he was lazily seated.

Dongheon didn’t have to look at the suspect profile to know that the man sitting before him was none other than Bae Hoyoung in all his smug glory. It took everything within him to stay civil as he took a seat across from him and opened the laptop to keep note of any information he got out of Hoyoung.

“Bae Hoyoung.”

Sweet laughter filled the otherwise bland room. “Aw, you remember me!”

“Fess up. I already know everything that takes place in that club.” Dongheon ignored Hoyoung’s obvious attempt to irk him. And to be exact, Dongheon didn’t remember Hoyoung.

He remembered Hoyoung’s calculated deception that reduced his last investigation’s efforts to dust. He didn’t forget the months he spent alongside him, happily oblivious to his hard work being destroyed little by little to chase after what he believed was love. But no, he didn’t remember Hoyoung. What could he possibly remember from a person who was everything but genuine?

His heart stung from the memories flowing back to him, but it made him all the more determined. He didn’t expect Hoyoung to be a key figure in his investigation, but that didn’t matter. He would succeed in this investigation.

He had to make Hoyoung pay no matter what.

Hoyoung tutted and his smile disappeared like it hadn’t even been there in the first place. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah? Well, we can sit here all day until you do know something.” Dongheon crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I’ve got plenty of time.”

He didn’t feel as relaxed as the way he was posed, but he was determined to put Hoyoung behind the bars himself. Truth be told, he wanted to turn around and leave as soon as he saw Hoyoung in the room, but he was stronger than this. He had no other choice but to stay strong if he was to achieve his goal. He’d play Hoyoung’s little game if he had to.

Dongheon watched as Hoyoung’s smile returned and kept himself on edge, unable to figure out what he was thinking. God, he wanted to punch that pretty smile off of his face.

Goddammit, I’m going to punch you for still thinking of him that way, he said to himself right before Hoyoung opened his mouth to speak.

“Okay, since you have plenty of time, let’s talk.” Hoyoung stood up and walked around to Dongheon’s side of the table.

Dongheon tried his best not to react and only raised his eyebrows at the unexpected action. He stayed still to act like he was unbothered while he heard Hoyoung position himself right behind his seat. This made him nervous. Was he making the right move by feigning nonchalance?

What he was met with, however, was the familiar feeling of Hoyoung’s fingers carding through his hair. The motion was a bit restricted due to handcuffs keeping his hands together, but it didn’t stop him from immediately dropping his facade. Dongheon could play detective just fine, but he sucked at playing off his emotions.

He immediately stood up and distanced himself, eyeing suspiciously at Hoyoung. For a moment, Dongheon swore he saw Hoyoung’s smile waver. He didn’t get a chance to dwell on it for long as Hoyoung spoke again.

“I thought we could talk about the old times.” Hoyoung strutted back to his original seat. “You said we could sit here until I knew something. That’s something I know.”

Dongheon was either pissed off or flustered, but he couldn't tell which. Both made his mind messy all the same, so he supposed it didn’t really matter right now.

“I don’t know who you’re trying to fool,” Dongheon paused to clear his throat before continuing, “but whatever you’re doing isn’t working.”

Not even a fly would be convinced by his words. Nonetheless, Hoyoung nodded at his words as if he accepted them for what they meant to be.

A knock sounded from the door, saving Dongheon from progressing further down his emotional turmoil. He opened the door to reveal his partner leading the case with him.

He stepped out to the hallway to conceal their conversation from Hoyoung. “What do you need?”

His partner heaved out a long sigh, scratching the back of his head roughly. “Hoyoung’s being released for insufficient evidence.”

“Insuff… We know exactly what he’s been doing! If we could just use some of the facts against him–”

His partner cut him off with a shrug. “Listen, I’m with you on this. But you know as well as anyone in this building that we can’t keep him here without justification.”

Dongheon swiped his hair back in frustration. His team should’ve found something during their search of the club. Insufficient evidence? Bullshit.

He quickly thanked his partner and sent him on his way. He forced himself to return to the interrogation room to inform Hoyoung of his freedom. No signs of surprise showed on Hoyoung as Dongheon uncuffed him. His blood boiled with double its usual force at the look on Hoyoung’s face that told him he knew things would play out this way.

He stopped on his way out, a hand coming to rest on Dongheon’s shoulder as he said, “I would say see you never, but I think we’ll meet again sometime soon.”

With a few pats on his shoulders, Hoyoung was out of the room, and that left Dongheon alone to mull over everything in frustration.