Chapter Text
Jongwoo is sure that his neighbors are crazy. Twins, one better than the other — the older one, always gloomy and seemingly scared, and the younger one, who definitely has some kind of mental problems, always with that annoying smile that Jongwoo’d be happy to wipe off his face. The man from 302, too calm, and therefore frightening. There’s no need to even explain about the guy from 312 — he walks around with a knife and clearly threatens to kill, and it’s probably not for nothing that he’s under house arrest. The overfriendly hostess of the dormitory — an old and probably very lonely woman — always makes inappropriate comments in his direction, and insists on her strange food, just one look at which is going to make Jongwoo puke. But the most terrifying of these weirdos is his neighbor from 304, a handsome young man with an attractive appearance and an overly polite smile. What could a person with a good job and probably a lot of money forget in this dump? If he were even a little bit adequate, he would never live with these freaks. And the worst of all is that he seems to belong here. At first glance, it may seem that he doesn’t fit into this gloomy atmosphere at all, but if you look closer, you can see that it is he. The creator, the leader, the real Devil, who shows considerable interest in Jongwoo. And Jongwoo is tired of this. Tired of being afraid. And he intends to escape from this hell as soon as possible.
***
“Hello, mom. I’m fine, I just moved into the dormitory. No, I haven't eaten yet...“
“Hey, kid! Go talk somewhere else, the walls are thin, I don't want to hear your mom wipe your ass!“ came from behind the wall.
Indeed, it’s thin, because it seemed as if the bandit had just said that, standing next to him.
“Wait a minute...“ he whispered into the receiver, getting up from the bed and immediately finding himself at the door. Maybe a tiny room also has its advantages? “Tell me, how are you? How is brother?“
Climbing up to the roof, Jongwoo's gaze fell on the shabby walls, broken windows and several chewing gums stuck to the railing.
“Disgusting’’ he thought, opening the last door.
As soon as he left the room, a warm summer breeze suddenly hit his face, and his eyes immediately squinted from the sunlight. Summer in Seoul this year was very hot and wet, which could not but be unpleasing. At least some good moments in this cruel and mad world.
“What were you asking? No, I haven’t seen Jieun yet, she has a lot of work, and I just arrived, I want to have some rest... It’s okay, mom, the neighbors are nice, Seoul is greeting me well,“ Jongwoo breathed out, running his free hand through his hair. “Maybe we can talk later? I’m really tired, and I am meeting Jaeho in the evening... Yes, okay, I’ll thank him again... Okay, I won’t forget to eat... Love you to, say hello to brother from me.“
When the receiver heard short beeps, Jongwoo lowered his hand with the phone down, throwing his head back and looking at the city from above. Seoul, busy as always, lived its own life.
His gaze smoothly moved to the roof of the dormitory. Unlike the rooms, it looked quite tidy. No garbage, lots of plants. This place is about to be his favorite here.
He glanced around until he saw a dark figure standing on the other side of the roof. A man, perhaps a little older than Jung Woo, with long dark hair, pale skin, wearing a black sweater and pants—how can he not be hot?
This must be another neighbor. Jongwoo should try to be polite.
“Hello! My name is Yoon Jongwoo, I’m a new resident, I just moved in! I live in room 303!” the boy shouted, squinting. The man’s face showed no emotion. “Do you live here too?”
Not a muscle in the man’s face moved, and there was no hint that he was about to speak.
“He’s strange,” the boy thought, and felt a sharp desire not to be alone with this freak for another second.
“Well, I guess I’ll go! It was nice to meet you!” Jongwoo finally shouted, quickly heading for the door.
“What’s wrong with him?” the boy muttered, descending the stairs. “I wish I never met him again.”
***
Jeong Woo woke up from the sunlight hitting his face. And when did he manage to fall asleep? The clock said 6:03. The meeting was scheduled for 6:30. He had to hurry.
He got out of bed and stretched. His muscles ached after several hours of sleep on the old spring bed. Approaching the small mirror hanging near the door, the boy looked at his reflection. His short hair was disheveled and sticking out in different directions, his wrinkled T-shirt stuck to his sweaty body.
“That’s bad,” he thought, opening his suitcase in search of fresh clothes. His choice fell on a green short-sleeved shirt and black pants.
He changed clothes and went back to the mirror, examining his new reflection. He tried to smooth his hair, giving it a neater look, and smoothed out the folds in his clothes with his hands. “Better now.”
After taking one last look around the room and checking if he had forgotten anything, Jongwoo left the apartment, immediately locking the door. The neighbors hadn’t made the best first impression, so he wanted to be sure that at least his things were safe.
Leaving the dormitory, he silently thanked the Heavens for finally taking pity on him, because he hadn’t met anyone on his way, and he hoped that such luck would stay with him as long as possible. But the Heavens had other plans for him.
“Hey!” Jung Woo heard behind him and turned to the sound. The man from the roof was walking towards him, waving. “Jongwoo, right? We met this morning. Sorry for my strange behavior, I just didn’t get enough sleep and I’m usually horrible in the morning,” he smiled politely.
“Yeah, it’s fine. And you are?”
“Oh, where are my manners? My name is Seo Moonjo, your next-door neighbor, I live in room 304,“ the man said, holding out his hand to Jongwoo. “Are you going somewhere, or just walking?“
Jongwoo shook outstretched hand, mentally surprised that despite such warm weather it remained cold and dry. “Yes, I have to meet a friend nearby,“ he said, waving his free hand in the direction he needed. “How about you?“
“Oh, it’s on my way too,“ Moonjo grinned. “Don’t you mind going together?“
Jongwoo had nothing against it. After all, it was his neighbor for the nearest future, it would be good to have a good relationship with him. And right now he didn't seem so scary - on the contrary, very attractive and friendly. But despite this, Jongwoo couldn't let go of a slight feeling of discomfort from such close contact. So he just nodded silently, taking his hand away and moving in the right direction.
For a while they walked in silence, but Jongwoo felt Moonjo’s gaze on himself. It seemed strange to him, but he would be lying if he said that he himself didn’t look at his neighbor either. The young man, who looked no more than thirty years old, was truly handsome, everything about him seemed attractive - from the overgrown hair that fell on his pale elongated face, partially covering dark, almost black eyes with bluish bruises under them, to the perfect snow-white smile and plump reddish lips and elegant nose. Moonjo was tall and toned with great body proportions. He looked confident, but his sudden movements revealed the stiffness hidden behind the feigned calm. His eyes kept running around, looking at Jongwoo from head to toe, as if unable to focus on one thing. It was alarming, although maybe it was just a reaction to a new person? Jongwoo himself often didn’t know how to behave with strangers, trying to appear nice but not intrusive.
After a few minutes of such silence, Jongwoo decided to be the first to start a conversation.
“Where are you going?“
“Store“ Moonjo answered and his eyes finally stopped on the one opposite.
“Why? And I guess I saw the store next to the dormitory when I drove in, so why would you go so far?“
“Well... The nearest store doesn’t have the thing I need. I have to get... Cockroach spray...“ Moonjo grinned, and there were notes of nervousness in his grin. ’’Yes, these cockroaches are terrible creatures. So I have to buy a spray for them. Don’t you need one?“
“Um... Yes, I guess so...“ Jongwoo frowned. Great, only cockroaches were missing for complete happiness and comfort.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Jongwoo was thinking about options for moving as quickly as possible, and Moonjo was still shamelessly staring at him.
"Still, this is scary," Jongwoo thought and was glad when he saw the cafe he needed at the opposite side of the street. He stopped, turning back to his neighbor.
“It's here, so... See you later?“ he said and noticed how the smile on Moonjo's face became less sincere.
“Yes, of course, bye, Jongwoo,“ Moonjo held out his hand again. Jongwoo returned the handshake, and felt that this time the grip was stronger. It was as if Moonjo didn't want to let him go so quickly. Jongwoo looked him straight in the eyes, and once again noticed the handsomeness of the man across from him. That's why he didn't immediately feel someone else's thumb caressing his knuckles.
“You have such soft hands,“ Moonjo whispered. “Are you... a writer?“ Jongwoo nodded, and saw the smile on his man’s face grow even wider. "I wonder... I would... write you down..."
Jung Woo finally pulled his hand away, probably more sharply than necessary. It really sounded creepy.
“Yes... Bye“ he said quickly, not waiting for an answer and immediately moving to the needed place.
“Bye, jagiya...’’ said Monjoo with a smirk on his face, but Jongwoo didn’t hear him already, so fast he was moving away from his neigbor