Chapter Text
Two months. That's how long Ricky has lived here, in this pulsing, beautiful hell: Seoul. It seemed like the perfect place on paper with its tall buildings and coloured lights that somehow never turn off. In some ways, it is. He isn’t pessimistic; he can find joy in life if he ignores everything else. The hardest to ignore is the teachers. How can all of them have some sort of complex? Ricky swears they make up rules just to feel some power. Since when was dyed hair not allowed? The whole thing is stupid.
Ricky moved around his whole life, but this place is final. He made his mother promise that her ‘soul searching’ would stop uprooting them at night, dragging her and him in tow. He liked America though, LA. It suited Ricky, and no one cared about his forever-changing hair or eyeliner. "Don’t focus on the past," his mother would say, "what’s done is done."
Finally, he opens his eyes. If he stayed in bed any longer, Ricky would miss school, which would mean another trip to the office. Mr. Choi probably sees him more than his kids at this point. He's not the worst, he's just sick of seeing me , Ricky thinks.
Ricky groans at the box he's yet to unpack and walks to his wardrobe. He likes the uniform, it's fashionable and comfy and he doesn’t have to worry about looks from other students. (That's because of his incredible fashion, nothing else.)
“Ricky, are you awake?” His mother calls from the kitchen.
He quickly buttons his shirt and strides out of his room, not forgetting to take his bag and phone with him. She’s making pancakes? Hell yeah.
“Can you do my tie?” Ricky asks. No, I cannot do it myself , and he doesn't wish to learn; no one wears ties nowadays. Still, she sighs and gives him a look of playful contempt before helping the boy. “You have to learn to do this someday.” The number of times Ricky has heard this is truly something else. “Sure.” Also, the number of times he responds with this.
With a perfectly tied tie, he sits down and digs into his breakfast. It’s not every day his mother cooks; her job keeps her busy, but every time it’s one of the best meals he's tasted. “Why aren't you a chef? This is so good,” he remarks. She just smiles and places a kiss on his freshly blonde hair. “Glad you like it.” She slips on her shoes. “I have to go now; don't be late for school. I do not want another call.” And the sweet moment is over. Ricky just hums in response as she grabs a bag and heads out the door.
What time is it?
Stop asking questions.
7:30? Shit . Ricky quickly grabs his hoodie, school blazer, and backpack. Why does he need so many things? He walks out the door after putting his plate in the sink. Korean winter is hell, since December the numbers have only gotten lower. LA was never this cold , Ricky thinks as he starts walking, throwing on his hoodie, not realizing he grabbed a graphics one over his plain black one. See you soon, Mr. Choi. Ricky slips on his headphones, letting the music shuffle as he relaxes a bit. Walking is fun sometimes, and the scenery is pretty, filled with potted plants on windowsills and the odd cat coming to say hello.
Cause you make my earthquake
Oh, you make my earthquake
Riding around, your love is shakin' me up and it's making my heart break
Cause you make my earthquake (earthquake, ooh)
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8:00 AM. Right on time, his class is on the third floor. This hall is always empty, it's almost eerie to walk down. As if no one else exists, just him and his music. Peaceful.
“Shen Quanrui!” Oh god, talk about spoke too soon. He turns around and faces Mrs Moon. This woman is the devil incarnate. She can't be a happy person, no way, there is always something she finds to hate. “Yes, Mrs?” He says putting on his best ‘good student’ voice, whatever that means.
“Dyed hair. Graphic hoodie. Headphones.” Headphones? Really? He needs to start carrying the rule book around; imagine the look on her face when he tells her there's no rule on headphones. But Ricky’s too tired to argue at this point though, so he just responds, “Go to the office, I know”.
At least he can skip most of the morning study, he usually just sits there waiting.
As he walks past her, she gives him a look of complete disdain. Like how a mother would look at you. Which she isn't, so her ability to make him feel like a small child who got into the biscuits is almost impressive. Ricky doesn’t get scared easily, but that is chilling.
He reaches the familiar office, tells the man at the desk he’s been sent here and sits on the bench outside. This bench is his home, every dent and crack embedded in Ricky’s mind. Leaning back, he closes his eyes. Thinking about nothing, just wanting peace. It usually takes 10 minutes for Mr Choi to come collect someone. A long 10 minutes, especially without music. He’s not risking making anyone else mad.
“Are you asleep?” Ricky opens his eyes, startled by the sudden voice. Looking to his left, he sees a familiar face. Kim Gyuvin. How did this 6-foot-tall guy get here silently? Now, Gyuvin’s not the worst guy, just popular, and most popular kids are assholes. Ricky doesn't respond, just sitting up and looking at the wall in front of him.
“You should respond when people ask you questions, ya know” Why is he speaking again? What's happening? Never has Kim Gyubin spoken to Ricky and now he’s borderline lecturing him about manners.
“Maybe, I don’t want to talk to you”. Ricky responds coldly. He doesnt talk to people like this normally, he’s soft-tempered and sweet but something about this guy is… strange?
Please let this be the end of this weird encounter.
“Maybe, If you just followed the rules you wouldn't be here with me” Gyuvin responds, no, bites back. The annoyance in his tone seems fake but they aren’t on joking terms. Ricky takes back what he said immediately, Kim Gyubin is the worst guy.
Twice in 2 minutes, this guy has told me what to do , Ricky thinks. Well he did say everyone in Seoul has a complex of sorts, this guy’s an authoritarian.
“You’re sat here too, don't act better than me.” I just need to not respond, this is furthering it. He’s playing a part in his own misery, this is just like that Smiths song.
Gyubin chuckles to himself slightly, shaking his head, but he doesn't respond. That’s what matters.
Then, Mr Choi waltzes out of his office. Literally, like a dancer. He’s not bad to be fair.
“Ah, Ricky and Gyubin” Why is he saying both our names? Ricky thinks.
“Both of you come in”. What’s going on right now? Whatever I did in a past life, I'm so sorry. But I don't deserve this. Now Ricky isn't a dramatic person. Thank you . Don't talk while I’m narrating. Ahem. He isn’t. His reaction is completely normal and not exaggerated at all. Still confused, he stands and follows in the teacher's footsteps, Gyubin walking alongside him. Somehow that annoys the blonde further. Just walk behind me, he thinks.
“Sit down, I have fun news” Oh joy, Ricky has never been more excited. But, Ignoring that horrifying sentence, the two boys sit down. Stealing a glance at Gyuvin, he doesn't seem as confused as Ricky. Is he in on it? Have they conspired against me? I didn’t do anything THAT wrong, surely. As Ricky spirals further, Mr Choi clears his throat while shuffling a few papers, clearly getting ready to talk.
“Mr Choi, what’s going on?” Ricky beats him to it, asking confidently. I can’t let them smell weakness.
Are they sharks?
You can never be too certain.
“Well Ricky, you have continuously broken the rules” Ricky has heard this hundreds of times in the 4 months he’s lived here. “So, I decided to give you an advisor” Damn, I should study Korean more, what the hell is that? Ricky thinks to himself while trying his best to hide the confused expression plastered on his face, but clearly, he wasn't quick enough as Mr popular spoke up.
“An advisor”, The blonde is silently taken aback, and offended, 1. what if he did know the word? Gyuvin has no right to assume. 2. Why does Gyuvin speak English?
“I know the word” A complete lie. But no one has to know that.
“Sure.” Ricky truly considers violence for a moment. But Gyuvin looks like he punches back, so Ricky just shoots him a glare instead.
“Sorry Sir, but I don’t need an advisor” Ricky feels like he’s in shock, this is traumatic enough for that. He didn’t do anything that bad, aside from piercings, hair dye, the wrong uniform and back talk. But it’s not like he killed someone. Exactly.
Of course, Mr Choi doesn’t relent, “Mr Shen, this is standard practice. Kim Gyubin is a model student, you could learn a lot from him” Model student is a strong choice of words, Ricky sees the parties he goes to with his asshole friends. “You and Mr Kim are in the same class, so starting today, Gyubin will keep you out of trouble”. He hopes the earth opens up and swallows him whole, and takes Gyubin down with him.
With that the conversation, if you can even call it that, is over. Ricky is left standing outside the office proving the devil is real. Honestly, Ricky was afraid of this. His individuality is very important to him, it took years to gain the confidence to be who he is and now it feels like it’s being stripped away from him, leaving only claw marks.
In the depths of Ricky’s spiral, a voice reaches down and pulls him out instantly,
“Well, since I’m in charge of you now” I beg your pardon .” You should take that hoodie off, the graphics can be offensive”
“It is a Frank Ocean hoodie,” He says slightly too loud, gaining a look from the same guy at the desk.
“Doesn’t matter, You don't have a locker yet, right?” There’s no point in fighting it anymore. This is the life he lives, dwelling over this one depressing aspect isn’t good for anyone. With a sigh, Ricky breathes out every last bit of remaining frustration, “No, I don’t”.
“Follow me, you can store it in mine” Perfect. “Remind me at the end of the day to get it for you”.
Why has he been given the responsibility? This is Gyuvin’s locker after all.
Still, the two begin to walk and Ricky somehow comes up with an awful counterattack. No this is brilliant. If Ricky has to suffer with an advisor, he should at least have some fun with it. If he breaks all the rules in the school, Gyuvin’s bound to get in trouble too. He is in charge of the blonde after all. His words, not Ricky’s.
They arrive at the taller boy's locker. By like an inch asshole. Folding the hoodie slightly before placing it aside of one of Gyuvin’s, well Ricky guesses it's his. Maybe he just lets anyone put hoodies in his lockers, who is he to care?
Silently, they start to walk down the hall to the classroom, some passing students send a greeting Gyubin’s way. Others, send a slightly confused look at the two walking together. Ricky has worked very hard to keep a low profile here, and this weird situation is not helping.
Finally, the two arrive; the teacher already inside. Godammit. Mr Park is a true hater, and Ricky knows haters (cough Miss Moon cough). Mr Park isn't as bad, he’s just thoroughly annoyed by kids…and he chose to be a teacher.
“Why are you two late?” Oh great now the class is aware they arrived together.
“We were at the office, Mr Park. We apologise” We? Ricky does not apologise, and it’s barely 8:45. Still he says nothing and just walks to his seat, terrifying footsteps follow shortly behind. The thing is, the footsteps don’t stop, they keep going and then the squeak of a chair being pulled is heard. Where in the agreement did it say Gyuvin and Ricky have to sit together? There wasn’t even an agreement, he was forced into this.
“Why are you sitting next to me?” Ricky whispers in English, the classroom is far too quiet and the embarrassment of everyone knowing about this is too much to bare. Thankfully, Gyubin gets the memo responding in English too, “I have to keep an eye on you”. A shush from the teacher is heard followed by the giggles of some students.
Just 15 minutes and then It’s Mrs Choi, no relation to Mr Choi. Mrs Choi is an angel, always complimenting his hair when he touches up the roots. Ricky grabs his notebook, scribbling down in Korean ‘What trouble could I possibly get into right now?’ There’s no need to continue using English, and he doesn't know how fluent the other is, his accent sounds like he must be partially fluent though.
He slides it over to the boy, feeling oddly juvenile. He hasn’t passed notes in years, It’s nostalgic. Gyuvin chuckles a little, reading it. Why does he think everything is funny? He then takes out a pen and writes his own message down.
‘I don’t know, that's the point’ Is he trying to sound pretentious? Cause he’s succeeding. Plus, this asshole corrected Ricky’s spelling mistakes.
Ricky doesn’t bother talking to him anymore. Deciding to rather tough out the awkward silence. Gyuvin clearly doesn’t find it awkward, he’s just sat there on his phone, texting no less. Of course, the ‘model student’ isn't caught either. Soon enough, Mrs Choi arrives and a wave of comfort washes over the blonde. She sends a smile his way, which Gyubin sees, copying the same smile, looking at me.
The next few classes go by like usual, boring, long, and painstaking. The gruelling constant of looking at the board, taking notes, listening to the teacher, taking notes. Ricky now understands that quote about how repetition is the definition of insanity.
However, he did get a chance to think about what rule to break next.
You see, Ricky has always loved tattoos but he’s always put it off since he's too young to get one legally. Even if he may be a high school delinquent, he’s not about to get involved with criminals. Luckily, he knows someone.
This is a bad idea.
But a fun one.
In Ricky’s mind, this is a win-win, he gets a tattoo and Gyubin will surely get some shit for letting it happen. That’s where his best friend comes into play. Hao has a boyfriend, a tattoo artist. Hao was his first friend when he arrived here. Ricky had bumped into him at the neighbouring college campus when he got lost and Hao took him back to school, they exchanged numbers and the rest is history.
Even though they haven’t been friends for long, it’s almost like they’re brothers.
Plus his boyfriend, Hanbin, is super cool.
Ricky’s sure he could convince Hanbin to give him a tattoo. Next week school is cancelled, for some holiday so he could get it done then. The stars have truly aligned and you can’t fight with destiny.
The blonde must’ve been deep in thought, as a certain brunette is now full-on shaking him.
“Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, Ricky-”. “Yes, I hear you, What is it?” This better be important, Ricky was in the middle of concocting his master plan to ruin Gyuvin’s reputation and get a sweet tattoo.
“You have to eat lunch with me” Now, we’ve all heard the saying, when it rains it pours but this is getting ridiculous.
“No, and it's not lunchtime time” Gyuvin’s expressions change so fast, it's almost scary. Sad like a kicked puppy to the most confused person to a mischievous grin. Definitely scary.
“The bell rang 5 minutes ago” Damn, how focused was he? “And you have to eat with me”
Ricky has given up on fighting this. He cannot beat this guy, he’s the final boss and the game is rigged. “Fine follow me,” He says reluctantly, grabbing his bag and starting to walk, after a slight scuffle, Ricky hears footsteps behind him.
“Where are we going?” It’s a very genuine question, Ricky hasn’t said a word, just marching forward. “To the roof” Suddenly, Gyuvin’s in front of him. Ricky pauses at the intrusion, looking at the other with a confused expression, he’s met back with a shocked one. As if Ricky’s confusion to his aversion is absolutely insane.
“We cannot eat on the roof, what if we fall?” This is a valid worry, but Ricky won't give him that, and it’s not like they’ll stand on the edge, teetering as they eat gimbap.
“It’s where I always eat, just stay away from the edge” Ricky moves around the pillar of a boy and continues walking. He doesn’t hear footsteps behind him for a few seconds, but they soon pick up again. He can’t stop a slight smile from crawling up his face. Only because it means the plan can go ahead.
Sure.