Chapter Text
“Pass the ball!” Humin screamed across the basketball court. He watched the ball fall from Hyuntak's hands, confused and angry. “You didn't learn to play basketball yesterday, did you Gotak?”
When Hyuntak finally snapped back to reality, he met concerned gazes from his friends. Sieun asked with an effortlessly calm voice, “Are you okay?”
Hyuntak shook his head. “I'm fine, I'm fine. Let's just play.” He dodged all the questions and pretended like nothing happened.
But the truth was… he was seeing things.
Things like a boy wearing an ugly orange jacket, with a messy haircut that sometimes hides his dangerous gaze and who has a grin that… makes his heartbeat so damn fast that he sometimes feels like it's getting out of its cage.
But why would he be there? Hyuntak really thought about it. Thought about the last time he saw his face. When he saved Juntae. And he also thought about the time he started to get some weird messages from an unknown number that he ignored.
But why would it be him? It's not like he mattered to Keum Seongje. He wondered if Seongje really cared about anything at all. But why am I thinking about him? Why am I curious about him? Why do I-
“Gotak! Are you gonna play or not?” Baku yelled again, this time he was definitely mad. Basketball was his redline for sure. So Hyuntak tried to collect himself and focus on the game this time.
They played until the sun went down and left a trace of gold lines after it. Hyuntak and Humin accompanied Juntae to the bus stop, along with Sieun who was probably going to visit Suho again. After they parted their ways, Humin decided he was hungry and he needed something to eat.
“Let's go eat some chicken wings.” Humin suggested, a hand on Hyuntak's shoulder. He was no therapist but he would always find a way to cheer people up.
Hyuntak nodded. “Let's go!”
When they arrived at Humin's father's place, he surprisingly welcomed them. Hyuntak observed Humin and his father, and he couldn't help but smile. Maybe things started to go well for Humin meanwhile they were falling apart for Hyuntak. Fair exchange, he thought. His smile got brighter, and bittersweet at the same time.
“What's with the cheesy smile, dumbass?” Humin spoke with his mouth almost full.
“You got sauce all over your face.” Hyuntak threw a pack of wet wipe at him.
“Open it for me, my hands are all greasy.”
“Ugh, you can't do anything on your own.” Hyuntak groaned and opened the pack of wet wipe and handed it to Humin. “Do you want me to wipe your mouth too? Are you a little kid?”
“Shut up.” Humin chuckled, throwing the dirty tissues back at him. Hyuntak started laughing as well. “What are you? Seven years old?”
He suddenly felt something. A gaze on him.
Seongje. A name flashed in his mind. He immediately turned around, his eyes searching for someone behind the windows. In pitch darkness, he saw a figure.
It's him. His heart started to race. Keum Seongje.
“Baku.” He helplessly called out. Humin let out a small humming noise as he took a bite from his wing again.
“Baku, look.” Humin looked at the direction Hyuntak was staring at like he was hypnotised.
Humin spoke, confusion in his voice. “Look at what? What did you see?”
“I-” It was definitely not a good time to mention Seongje. He suddenly remembered about his knee. And Baekjin. Better not make him remember all of that too.
"Nothing.” Hyuntak couldn't find a lie to tell at that moment and luckily, Humin just pouted and kept eating.
When they were done, Humin decided to walk Hyuntak home. Maybe he was searching for a certain moment to ask Hyuntak if he was okay.
They stood in front of Hyuntak's house in silence while Hyuntak was searching for his keys.
“By the way, you don't have to come to practice tomorrow.” Humin stated, suddenly stopping Hyuntak seconds before he closed the door.
“What do you mean?” Hyuntak asked in confusion.
“You… you look tired and- you've practiced enough. You're enough for this tournament anyway. No need to push yourself.”
Hyuntak would've laughed so hard if he didn't stop himself. “You sound hilarious when you try to be affectionate.”
“Gotak!” Baku yelled in anger, “I'm just being an amazing friend, okay?”
Hyuntak nodded. “I know. I got it.”
“I'm serious though.”
Hyuntak groaned in exhaustion and stepped forward, placing a hand on Humin's shoulder. “I got it. I'm fine. Now go back and help your father. Go. Now.” Hyuntak playfully pushed Humin away.
He waved at Humin as he walked away, leaving a small piece of guilt inside Hyuntak. Before he closed the door, he looked around to see… if he was there. By any chance.
There should be a reason, Hyuntak thought. He couldn't be going crazy, even if he was, his craziness shouldn't be evolving around Seongje.
There should be a reason for the gaze he feels on him. There should be a reason why the air around him smelled like Seongje's cigarettes. No, he couldn't be imagining all of that.
Then he heard footsteps. Familiar ones. His breath got shallow, his heart started to race again. He felt the smoke burn his lungs as he breathed in the heavy air around him.
“Just show yourself!” He screamed into the empty street in pitch darkness.
“Your mom isn't home? Just as I thought.” His voice. That voice. Hyuntak's hands clenched into fists. He turned around to see the face he has been seeing in his dreams- or nightmares to be exact.
There he was, Seongje, leaning against a brick wall near Hyuntak's lovely house. The street lamp partly lightened Seongje's handsome face and flawless skin. His hair was longer than usual, almost a mullet. And his glasses- Hyuntak suddenly saw his own reflection on them.
When did he get that close to him?
Hyuntak took a few steps back as he involuntarily breathed in the cigarette flavored air again, but this time, he could tell Seongje's perfume apart.
“What are you doing here?”
“Just missed my play date.” Seongje grinned again, his cigarette in his mouth as always. “Didn't you miss me?”
“I can miss you when you go to hell.” Hyuntak spat out, the blood in his veins never felt hotter. He felt the injury on his knee burning even though he knew Seongje wasn't the one who hurt him there. Didn't mean he wasn't going to. So he guarded himself, even though Seongje showed no intent of fighting.
“Oh, you wanna fight?”
Next thing Hyuntak saw was Seongje rushing to him, grabbing him by his collar and shoving him to the brick wall. He felt Seongje's breath caress his cheeks as he spoke with that voice tone that drove Hyuntak crazy. “You're no fun. Maybe I should find that newbie.”
Hyuntak felt the blood rush to his head, and he found himself landing a punch on that beautiful face. “Stay away from my friends!” He screamed at Seongje's face, who was caught off guard by that punch. He nonchalantly picked up his glasses from the ground and let out a small chuckle.
“You always seem like a big deal but then-” Seongje kicked his injured knee and added “you end up like this.” He stared at Hyuntak with some stupid greed.
“You only know to hit someone in the weak spot.”
As he attempted to get up, Seongje caught him by his collar again.
“Then show me your strength, Gotak.”
Gotak. Hyuntak felt weird hearing that name coming out of Seongje's mouth. Only his close friends called him Gotak. It was a nickname among them. Just like Baku.
“As you wish.” Hyuntak smashed his head into Seongje and after that he finally found a moment where Seongje was caught off guard. Then he used all of his body weight to keep him on the ground. He placed both of his hands on Seongje's collars and felt the soft fabric of his sweatshirt tickle his palms.
“And get the fuck away from me as well!” He yelled in anger.
“I don't- fucking want to see you around here anymore!” He violently pulled Seongje to himself, making sure his demands and warnings went directly to Seongje's head.
“I don't want to see a glimpse of you! Leave us alone and do your stupid gang shit!” Hyuntak pushed Seongje back, letting his head hit the ground hard. He took a moment to calm down and calculate his next step but when he heard Seongje's giggles, he lost his control again.
“You fucking psychopath!” Hyuntak punched him again, again and again. Then he realised Seongje didn’t look hurt at all, all he had was some bruises on his soft cheeks and a stupid smile on his lips. “What are you smiling at?!”
Hyuntak was truly scared at that moment because he knew Seongje wasn't the one to let anyone punch him just like that.
He knew Seongje was planning something while he was lying on the ground, looking all helpless. And the stupid sparkle in his eyes, was he really enjoying this? Was he a masochist or something?
Hyuntak decided to get up and leave it there. But of course he expected a move from Seongje as he was walking away.
“Aww. Gotak.” Stop. Hyuntak begged every god he knew.
“Could you at least hand me my glasses?” Seongje asked with a mischievous smile on his face.
“Are you joking?” Is this guy a joke? How could he pretend like nothing happened? Like Hyuntak didn't almost beat the shit out of him?
Play date. That's all Hyuntak ever meant to Seongje. It was always a game for him. A game he always won. Hyuntak gave Seongje the glasses as these thoughts haunted him. Then suddenly, Seongje grabbed Hyuntak's hand and pulled him, causing Hyuntak to lose his balance. Hyuntak fell onto his knees, face inches away from Seongje's.
“Why do you do everything I ask you to do?” Seongje whispered.
Well, he was right. He wanted Hyuntak to fight better and Hyuntak did so. He wanted Hyuntak to give him his glasses, Hyuntak did that as well.
He somehow ends up giving Seongje exactly what he wants, every single time.
“Why do you talk shit all the time?” Hyuntak aggressively pulled his hand and got up. “Now go.”
“Oh before I go, could you give me that pack of cigarettes?” Seongje waved his hand to get Hyuntak's attention like a small child. “Look, look, over there.” Seongje was truly a walking rage bait.
Hyuntak grabbed the cigarette packet. He opened it, then flipped it down and watched all the cigarettes fall on the ground. He furiously stepped on them until they were all just crumbled pieces of paper.
“Here, Seongje.” Hyuntak let that name out like it was a poison in his veins. He threw the empty packet at Seongje and walked away.
“See you, play mate.”
Hyuntak watched Seongje behind the curtains when he got home. He watched him get up, pick a cigarette that wasn't destroyed under Hyuntak's feet and light it up. Then their gaze met for a second when Seongje turned his head. Hyuntak closed the curtains the moment he caught a glimpse of Seongje's eyes.
He never wanted to see them. He avoided them. He didn't want to remember a single piece of him. Now, Seongje's eyes were going to haunt every mirror and window he'll ever look at. And that devilish grin on his face… How the cigarette was placed in the corner of his mouth like it belonged there- okay. Snap out of it, Gotak.
Then he took a mental note: break his lighter next. Yes. He was going to destroy everything Seongje owned. He was going to break Seongje himself.
Because if you're playing a game you don't want to, you should break the toys.
When Hyuntak woke up, he cringed at himself so hard. He thought he should've probably let Seongje do whatever he wanted to do. He should've probably ignored him.
Well, it was too late.
Unknown
You're paying for my cigarettes.
Hyuntak stared at the notification and let out a sigh. Here we go.
I'm not paying for shit. He typed in the chat box, then he slowly deleted it. He decided to have a peaceful breakfast. He turned his phone off and left it in his room.
When he was done with his breakfast, he took a quick shower to erase the smell of cigarettes lingering on him. He didn't forget to curse Seongje's name several times in the shower as well. Then suddenly something hit him.
The awkward, unnecessary intimacy he felt when Seongje pulled him close-
He grabbed a towel and rushed out of the shower. Unfortunately he had to turn on his phone and look at whatever disaster was waiting for him because he needed to ask Humin where they were going to practice.
He straight up ignored the messages the ‘unknown’ person sent him and called Baku.
“Hey Gotak.” Hyuntak noticed how he sounded a little bit gloomy.
“Hey, Baku, where are we going to practice today? School court or the park?”
“Ugh…” Humin hesitated before he spoke. “There is no practice.”
Hyuntak froze with the keys in his hand. “What? Why?”
“My father. I'll wrap it up soon. Don't worry.”
“Baku!” Beep. He hung up on him? That wasn't very Baku of him. He was now deeply concerned. His father must've started drinking again.
“Hey, Juntae. Where are you now? Can we meet up?” Juntae was also up early for the practice as well so they easily found each other somewhere near the park.
“Did you tell Sieun?” Juntae took a sip from his chocolate flavoured milk.
Hyuntak nodded and added, “It's not like he's dying to play,” he chuckled. Juntae gave him a warm smile instead of a laugh. “But I'm really worried about Baku.”
“Oh, that…” Juntae nodded with signs of empathy in his eyes. “I thought his dad was all fine, then suddenly he got reported to the police.” Hyuntak froze as he heard the word police.
“What? Police?”
Juntae figured out the change in Hyuntak's expression. “Well, I don't know all the details but we should definitely pay a visit sometime soon.”
Hyuntak nodded, slowly spacing out. Was it Seongje who messed with Baku's dad? Was he doing all of this to complete what Baekjin left? Or did he just want Hyuntak's attention?
He decided to take a look at the messages.
Unknown
Ignoring me?
You asked for it then.
He asked for it? Hyuntak was sure whatever happened to Baku's father was Seongje's doing after that message.
Hyuntak took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. He would've been punching the ground if Juntae wasn't with him.
“Gotak? What happened? Is it Baku?” Juntae was surprisingly good at observing people and figuring out their emotions. Just a merciful version of Sieun.
“Oh, no. It was my mom. She said she wasn't coming home yet.”
“Hmm… Where did she go?”
“My grandma was ill. She went to take care of her for a while.”
Juntae nodded, offering Hyuntak a bite from his onigiri. Hyuntak did take a bite, he couldn't refuse but be grateful. He was always grateful to have Juntae. Baku and Sieun as well. Maybe Suho too.
Then he felt that weird feeling again. The feeling of being watched. The feeling of a gaze stuck on him. Hyuntak stood up after stealing another bite from Juntae's onigiri.
“Uhh, I thought this was the orange one.”
“I'll buy you the orange one later.” Juntae answered joyously. Hyuntak couldn't help but give him a little pat on the shoulder.
“I was joking. This is fine too. Thanks, Juntae. I'll be heading home now.”
Juntae left after telling Hyuntak to get home safely. Such an angel, he thought. Now he was probably going to meet the devil himself.
Unknown
H: Show yourself. Asshole.
He furiously typed. He got the answer as a call.
“Why so mad?” Seongje spoke, pretending to be clueless.
“You did that to Baku's father? Why? Just because I ignored your texts for 10 minutes? Are you a maniac? Do you need to be locked in a fucking mental hospital?”
“Wow, wow. Let's calm down. I did nothing to nobody's father. Why do you think every bad thing that happens to you is my fault?”
“You're the worst thing that happened to me.”
Hyuntak heard footsteps after the small beep sound, meaning that Seongje hung up on him. Simply because he was right in front of him now.
“You made us sound like some broken up couple.” Seongje grinned again. That stupid grin. Hyuntak cursed. He was so close to ripping his hair off and punching some walls. The smug look on Seongje's stupid face was driving him crazy every time he saw it.
“I'm fucking serious. Your job is with me, Seongje.” Hyuntak lowered his voice and took a few steps towards Seongje.
“Leave my friends alone. I'm the one you mess with.”
Seongje burst into laughter. “You? Why should it be you? Do you think you're special to me or something? Hah!”
“Why,” Seongje closed the distance between them in a single step. He lifted up his hand, causing Hyuntak to take his guard.
“Shh. I'm not gonna hit you. Funny right?” Seongje pushed Hyuntak's hands away from his face. Instead, he put a hand on Hyuntak's chin. “Why would you ever be special to me? Go Hyuntak. Answer me.” Seongje moved his hand from Hyuntak's chin and violently grabbed his hair.
Hyuntak groaned in pain. “Just… what the fuck do you want from me?!” He screamed at Seongje's face but it didn't faze him at all.
“Answer.” Seongje whispered in Hyuntak's ear. Hyuntak felt the goosebumps on every inch of his skin.
Hyuntak couldn't understand what Seongje really wanted from him. He made an attempt to push him away, but instead Seongje tightened his grip on Hyuntak's hair. Hyuntak bit inside his cheek, trying to endure the pain.
Hyuntak's trembling hands searched for his phone in his pockets. “Then look!” He showed Seongje all the messages he sent before. The screen was full of white message bubbles sent one after another, with no reply. Hyuntak never replied. Even when Seongje got a new number because he blocked the first one. He would always text him at the most absurd times & places.
Like when he has to pull an all nighter for the math exam, Seongje would text him at 3 AM. He would text him in the early morning, not even something like good morning, instead ‘Take your umbrella with you today.’ or ‘You look ugly in that stupid white sweatshirt.’ Then Hyuntak would be creeped out as hell because how did he even know he was wearing that stupid white sweatshirt?
“Do you do this to everyone? Do you use two numbers and a fake account to text them? Do you stalk them like a fucking creep and show up at their place?” Hyuntak hated how he sounded; pathetic and weak.
Then, Seongje finally let his hair go. Instead he grabbed the phone from Hyuntak's hands. “Did you keep all these messages? How sweet.” He laughed again, typing something in Hyuntak's phone while he chewed the cigarette in his mouth.
“Here you go.” He gave Hyuntak his phone back. Hyuntak couldn't help but gasp at the thing he saw on the screen. Seongje changed his contact name.
One new message from Gotak's eternal love Seongje
He heard Seongje's giggles as he walked away. Of course Hyuntak wasn't going to let him go like that. He would never go down without a fight.
“Asshole-” he cursed before attempting to kick him behind his back. But Seongje turned back the second he was about to land the kick. Seongje dodged it like it was nothing. Hyuntak ended up landing on his feet, in a crouching position.
“Now you're pissing me off.” Seongje's voice was raspy, coming deep from his throat and making Hyuntak sick to his stomach. He watched Seongje throw his half burnt cigarette on the ground and take his glasses off. Something about the way the corner of his lip lifted up and formed that smirk again… it messed Hyuntak up so bad. He repeated in his head: We're going to fight for real this time.
Hyuntak always knew he was no match for Seongje. But he had this stupid urge of resisting and fighting back until he was beaten to death.
“Leave Baku alone. And his father too.”
Seongje sheepishly laughed, slowly taking a few steps towards him. Hyuntak immediately stood up and stepped back knowing Seongje was up to no good.
“Was this all about Baku?” Seongje was really determined to close the distance between them. He kept walking towards Hyuntak every time he walked away. He was following Hyuntak like he was his precious prey.
“Of course it was about Baku. He's my frie-” Before Hyuntak could complete his sentence, a punch hit his stomach. He planted a foot back to prevent himself from falling with the impact of the punch.
Hyuntak felt the pain striking his insides like lightning. He put a hand on his stomach and tried to stand up before Seongje attempted to punch him again. Even though the pain made him a little bit numb, he was capable enough to avoid some punches. Then he tried to hit Seongje in his diaphragm, which was another failed attempt.
“You're like a puppy barking at a wolf.” Seongje spoke with joy after grabbing Hyuntak and throwing him on the ground.
Hyuntak had to admit he was right- Seongje was better than ever.
“And don't ever talk to me about that Humin or your friends,” Seongje towered over Hyuntak and said, “we should talk about us only, Gotak.” His voice got husky and low as he emphasised the ‘us’ part. Hyuntak's heart skipped a beat the moment he heard it.
Hyuntak let out another curse. From the ground; he kicked upward, aiming for Seongje's knee this time. But he kind of miscalculated and kicked Seongje in the balls instead. Well, it was a win for Hyuntak either way.
Seongje growled in pain and then started…. laughing?
“You crazy motherfucker!” Hyuntak rushed over to Seongje and pushed him to the nearest wall. “Why did you do that? Why?!” Seongje didn't stop laughing for a second, which made Hyuntak even more furious.
Seongje slammed his head into Hyuntak and landed a punch on his nose. Hyuntak's eyes teared up, he felt his nerves burn and every fiber of his was trembling with pain. His head was so dizzy and he felt like he was going to pass out anytime.
But his body endured it all. It resisted despite everything.
“Don't you understand Korean? I didn't do shit to your friend!” Hyuntak sensed a bit of seriousness in Seongje's voice, finally. He seemed pissed off and alarmed. Maybe his balls hurt a lot. Hyuntak couldn't help but giggle at the thought of it.
“Why would I waste my time with them when I can come to you and do this…” Hyuntak felt Seongje's hand on his stomach, where he had punched earlier.
“Does it hurt?” Seongje pressed his hand on Hyuntak's stomach and watched him as he writhed in pain. “Oh. Sorry.”
Seongje stood up and picked up his glasses from the ground, lit another cigarette. “But your knee seems fine.” Then he came back and leaned forward, closing the gap between them. He was so close Hyuntak could feel the warmth of Seongje's cigarette on his face. Then he felt a sharp pain on his cheek, where the ashes of the cigarette was falling.
“Move it- away from me!”
“Excuse my clumsy ass.” Seongje's thumb harshly brushed Hyuntak's cheek and wiped off the ashes. “Oh, it left a little mark on you. Haha.” Last thing Hyuntak heard was Seongje's chuckles before he walked away.
Then Hyuntak spent the next five minutes trying to regain his strength and get up. He tried to find his bag and phone. Juntae had called him twice since he left.
Hyuntak crushed under the weight of his guilt once again when he thought about Baku. Was it really his fault? Would they all be happy and safe if he gave Seongje what he wanted back then?
“Hey. Baku. You didn't call me back?”
“Sorry. I walked my father home from the police station and we… argued again. It took a long time.” Gotak could feel the sulkyness in Baku's voice.
“So…what was the deal?”
“He was drunk and got in a fight with someone on the street.” Baku took a deep breath and continued. “I had to beg them so they could take the report back. But it worked, so there's nothing to worry about. Do you wanna play basketball?”
“Ah, aren't you tired?” Gotak knew Baku probably needed a reason to stay away from the house and his father for a while. So he made another offer. “Why don't you come over?”
“Didn't your mom come back?”
“No, she'll be away for a while and I have to cook for myself. And I choose you as a victim of my cooking.”
“Ugh. I kinda don't wanna be poisoned today…”
“C'mon?!” Hyuntak chuckled.
“Okay, fine. I'll be there in ten minutes.”
Hyuntak rushed to his house because now he had to wash up, cover all his wounds and cook for his dear friend in ten minutes.
When he got out of the shower, he rummaged through his mother's make-up bag.
“Which one covers things up?” Hyuntak looked at all the products and chose the brightest shade he could find.
“Why does it have glitter on it?” He complained while attempting to wipe it off.
Hyuntak was freaking out. Then he saw a small bottle of something- concealer. He trusted the name and put some of it on the bruises on his face. His face looked messy but it did cover the bruises up at the end of the day.
Then he put on a freshly washed sweatshirt. He was ready to meet Baku now. He went downstairs when he heard the bell ring.
“Surprise! My dad actually prepared food for us!” Hyuntak smiled and welcomed him. Baku put the plastic bag full of food in the kitchen.
“So it's all good now?” They sat on the couch and chatted for a while. Then Hyuntak suddenly got serious.
“Baku…” He hesitated but the curiosity was eating him alive. “Do you think it was… Baekjin..? By any chance?”
Baku froze. “Baekjin what?”
“He… maybe got your father in trouble.” Hyuntak just wanted to make sure.
“No, definitely not. My father fought with a damn 60 year old, Gotak. How could it be them?’
“I just want to make sure we don't see those union guys again. You know… go through all of that again.” Hyuntak couldn't help but sound gloomy.
“No. Union doesn't exist anymore. Baekjin… went away, Seongje is in some hell, there's no way they're coming back.”
Hyuntak hated how his heart started to beat faster with the mention of Seongje. God, he hoped he wasn't blushing. Out of frustration. Not that he liked him or anything.
“Are you…” Baku closely studied Hyuntak's face.
“What?!”
“Are you fucking wearing make up?” Baku cracked up the minute he saw the glitter around Hyuntak's eyes. Then he saw the concealer that definitely didn't match Hyuntak's shade.
“What the fuck, Gotak? What did you cover up?” The next thing Baku noticed was the mark on Hyuntak's cheeks. He forgot to cover them up, fuck.
“DID YOU-” Baku shouted in confusion. “Did you get a girl without me? Without telling your best friend? I can't believe you, Gotak.” Baku closed his eyes, playfully hitting him.
“No! It's not anything like that!” Hyuntak went to the kitchen in embarrassment. “Let's- let's just eat and shut up.” He kept mumbling as he put the dishes on the table.
After Baku left, Hyuntak was getting ready to go to bed. When he almost drifted off to sleep, a notification hit his phone.
Gotak's eternal love Seongje
Open the door.
He sighed and decided to ignore him again. He just put his phone away and tried to sleep. But the thought of Seongje being around his house and him falling asleep… didn't feel safe at all.
“What do you want?” Hyuntak asked with an accusing tone he didn't even bother to fix.
He spoke again because he couldn't get an answer. “For fuck's sake, it's 1 AM. Seongje.”
“Hmm.” Seongje pushed the little Hyuntak on his way and forcefully entered the house. “Your house is quite big.” Hyuntak furiously closed the door.
“Hey! I didn't say you could come i-”
Before he could even comprehend what happened, Hyuntak found himself violently pinned to the metal door. He hissed in pain when his head smacked against it and made a dull bang sound.
He wondered why Seongje wanted to be this close to him every time their roads crossed.
No, for real. He couldn't make it up. The way Seongje treated him, it was weird. He was always around him, searching for him, finding him; just to hurt him.
His thought process was interrupted by Seongje's words. “I deserve an apology after you falsely blamed me and ruined my cigarettes, they cost a lot.”
“You crazy freak, I don't owe you anything. You showed your stupid face to me once again.” You're messing with my life. Hyuntak wanted to add, but he couldn't.
“Well then-” Seongje went quiet after he heard some noises. High heels on cobblestones.
“Honey? Are you awake?” It was Hyuntak's mother.
“It's my mom! He can't see you here!” Hyuntak whispered in terror. “Go upstairs. Hide in my room.” He pushed Seongje away and watched him go. “Hurry up!” He silently yelled.
Then he opened the door for his mom, awkwardly hugged her and pretended he wasn't hiding a boy in his house.
“You didn't tell me you were coming? I'd prepare something for you…” He nervously spoke.
“Well, my phone died just when I was about to arrive. You can go back to sleep honey. I'll handle the rest.” Hyuntak smiled and slowly went upstairs, like, real slow.
When he entered his room he saw Seongje shamelessly lying on Hyuntak's bed and playing with his phone- he was smoking in the room!?
“Stop! Smoking! And get off my bed!”
“But I wanna sleep. I can't go out now, can I?”
“Go jump off the window?”
Seongje giggled, he sat up in bed and stared at Hyuntak.
“What if someone sees me?”
“I don't fucking care! You got in my house, you got in my room, you smoked- now it smells like shit- and you lay on my bed without taking your shoes off!”
“Your underwear smells like shit too. You shouldn't leave your laundry to your mom all the time.”
Hyuntak's cheeks turned red in embarrassment, he picked up his clothes from the ground and tucked them in a random drawer.
“Okay, Seongje. Game's over now. You win bla bla. Go.”
“I'll sleep here. I can't risk it.”
“Go sleep in the corner of the room then.”
Seongje suddenly grabbed Hyuntak's wrist and pulled him close, almost causing him to fall on top of Seongje.
“There is plenty of space here.” His voice was dangerously low and husky. Hyuntak froze, he could feel his heart hammering at the base of his throat. He was damn sure Seongje could hear it too.
Anytime Seongje pulled him closer, it felt like there was infinite space between them. It always felt closer than before, but they were never closing the distance.