Work Text:
Baku sat sprawled on the couch in the clubroom, not with a basketball but with a wildflower in his hand. He was plucking off its yellow petals, mentally counting down as he went… He loves, me he loves me not, he loves me… His brow was furrowed in concentration as if his entire future depended on the outcome. Almost there… He loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not, he…
“Ya Baku! You in here?” Gotak’s voice cut through the quiet before he stepped into the room. Baku jumped and hid the flower in his coat pocket.
“Yeah, hey man,” Baku greeted him weakly, trying to bring his thoughts back to the present moment.
Gotak looked at him suspiciously. “Gwenchana? You okay? Why are you sitting here by yourself?”
“Yeah, yeah… I’m fine,” Baku said, recovering his composure. “Actually, I’m great! Since you said you would treat me to dinner today,” he grinned, standing up to sling an arm around Gotak.
“When did I say that, you idiot?!” Gotak exclaimed, allowing Baku to steer him out of the room.
Baku found the wilted flower in his jacket pocket later that day. Only a single petal was hanging on to the stem. He frowned, unable to remember where his count had stopped.
It was an apt reflection of Baku’s mental state these days.
On a random Tuesday, while sitting idly on the bleachers during a free period, watching Gotak as he tried to demonstrate the finer points of Taekwondo to Juntae, he was hit by a revelation. He was in love with his best friend.
He might as well have been hit by a thunderbolt. His breath caught, his eyes widened and his heart felt like it was racing. The sound of Gotak’s laughter echoed across the field, his eyes curling into crescent moons, the sunlight seemed making him glow like a god – Baku felt faintly stunned. It was sudden, this awareness, like a door opening to a room he hadn’t known was there.
A thrill shot through him, light and dizzying. The kind of joy that comes with discovering something beautiful, something real.
"Hey, Baku? What’s the matter?" Sieun’s voice beside him, broke through his daze. Baku blinked, realizing he’d been staring at Gotak for far too long. Sieun’s sharp gaze flicked between him and the scene unfolding on the field. A knowing look crept across his face.
"It’s nothing, Sieun-ssi!" Baku blurted hurriedly, trying to cover up the fact that the ground beneath his feet had just shifted. "Just... just watching those two goofs is frying my brain cells. What are you studying? Teach me something so I can get a little smarter just by sitting next to you.”
Sieun raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the issue. “I’m analysing some data points to check if a hypothesis can be proven. It’s for my Statistics paper…” he began explaining as Baku’s mind slowly fled the scene.
His initial happiness faded, replaced by a creeping, suffocating doubt. What if Gotak didn’t feel the same way? He glanced over at Gotak, who was smiling at him from across the field, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside him. Baku felt a lump form in his throat.
Over the next few days, Baku stewed in his own thoughts. On one hand, his love for Gotak threatened to explode out of him unless he confessed his feelings. But on the other hand, what if confessing ruined their friendship, everything they had built over the years? He felt his stomach twist at the thought of losing this, of risking it all for something that might not even be returned.
One night, as he lay awake looking at a photo of Gotak on his phone and pining, he recalled the moment he had realised he was in love. That day on the bleachers… Sieun trying to explain statistics to him while he struggled in throes of love! What was it he had said? Something about analysing data points to arrive at a conclusion.
Wait a minute! That’s what he could do. Be like Sieun and be scientific about this whole dilemma. He needed to carefully observe Gotak like an experiment, maybe provide some triggers, study his reactions. And the data could help him understand whether his love confession would be welcome or not, Baku thought excitedly, his mind a confused mix of statistics, biology and psychology.
Experiment Gogo was a go!
**********
Observation 1:
Reaction to physical contact was an obvious starting point. After all, any potential romantic relationship was surely dead if his very touch was unwelcome to Gogo.
However, Baku was well aware that he was a very tactile person. He high-fived, back slapped and patted heads on a regular basis. And the person most often on the receiving end of these touches was Gotak. Gotak never seemed bothered by it, and sometimes, he even returned the gesture. Hell, just the other day, Gotak had slapped his butt!
So given how touchy-feely they were in general, it was hard to read too much into it. Maybe, he needed to try the opposite. Stop touching Gotak for a bit and see his reaction, if any. In any case, Baku was finding it a little hard to nonchalantly pull Gotak to his side these days. He became conscious of Gotak’s body heat, the closeness of his beautiful face and his own pressing desire to kiss it.
The next day, Baku avoided getting physically close to Gotak – no arms around shoulders, no ruffling his hair, not even slapping his back. Interestingly, he then felt Gotak bumping up against him when they walked together, as though unconsciously waiting for his arm to be wrapped around him.
Feeling encouraged with that data point, the next morning, Baku decided to change up the strategy. He slipped his arm around Gotak’s shoulders again and felt Gotak move almost imperceptibly closer. They bickered as usual while they grabbed their snacks and stood chatting with Juntae and Sieun.
Baku decided to make his move for science.
He lifted his hand from Gotak’s shoulder to the soft shell of his ear, tracing it lightly with a finger. Gotak’s eyes flicked to Baku, but he didn’t pull away, still talking about some manhwa with Juntae.
“...Yeah, and then the main character totally…” Gotak faltered, as Baku rubbed his ear lobe gently, pulling it just slightly. After a beat, he swallowed and continued talking.
Feeling reckless, Baku let his hand wander down to Gotak’s nape and ran his thumb across the soft, short hair there, savouring the sensation. Gotak didn’t flinch. He did, however, sound... breathless. Interesting. Baku’s thumb dipped lower going below the neck of Gotak’s T-shirt. Gotak had turned pink but he still didn’t push him away.
Just as Baku started to feel the heat rise in his own body, he caught Sieun eyeing him with that calculating look again. In a snap, he pulled his arm away, shifting away from Gotak. But when he did, Gotak leaned toward him almost instinctively, closing the gap until they were unnervingly close again.
**********
Observation 2:
Most people thought of Gotak as hot-headed and impulsive, and perhaps that was true. But Gotak was a meticulous person in his own way - always remembering the little details, always thinking ahead. Especially when it came to Baku.
He kept track of when Baku mentioned something even offhandedly. And it was almost like Gotak had a sixth sense when it came to knowing what Baku needed, even when Baku didn’t realize it himself. Baku had always known Gotak as a reliable friend but now, he began to notice the smaller, more tender things Gotak did - how he seemed to care for him, not just as a friend, but as someone whose well-being mattered deeply.
At their last basketball match, when the buzzer sounded, Baku had felt the rush of relief as the game finally ended. His team had won and everyone was in a celebratory mood. But Baku’s arm was starting to act up again, especially after all those overhead shots.
Baku rubbed his shoulder absently, as they jogged off the court, heading for the locker room.
Gotak, walking next to him, raised his eyebrows and gave Baku a pointed look, probably already sensing that something was off.
Baku rolled his shoulder again and just smiled. He took a long, hot shower hoping it would help with the pain. When he got dressed and stepped out, he found Gotak waiting for him as usual, though most of the others had left. Without a word, Gotak reached into his backpack and pulled out a small, sealed packet of painkiller patches.
“Your shoulder’s been hurting for a while,” Gotak said. “I figured you’d need it after today’s match.”
Baku blinked, caught off guard by his thoughtfulness. “I’m good, seriously,” he protested weakly, but his voice faltered when Gotak gave him a flat look. He sighed and held out his arm, pulling up his sleeve to indicate where it hurt. “Okay. Fine...”
With quick, practiced movements, Gotak slapped the patch onto Baku’s arm. It felt soothing, almost instantly. The warmth from the patch spread through the muscle, and the pain started to ebb away. Baku’s shoulders relaxed a little as the tension melted.
“Okay,” Baku admitted, surprised. “That’s actually... really nice. You’re like a walking pharmacy, man.”
Gotak smirked, but there was a quiet softness in his eyes. He pulled something else from his bag: a small bag of chocolate-covered almonds. “You mentioned them last week - said you were craving them, remember?” Gotak grinned, holding them out. “I’m your pharmacy and your snack dealer now.”
Baku’s eyes widened. “No way. You really remembered that?”
Gotak shrugged, a little smug. “What can I say? I have a good memory. And you’re lucky.”
Baku couldn’t help but laugh, a bit stunned at how much attention Gotak paid to him. He smiled, tearing open the bag and popping a few almonds into his mouth. They were perfect, the sweetness melting on his tongue and comforting him. “Thanks, Gogo. What would I do without you?”
Gotak looked at him with an inscrutable expression. Then he smirked and gave him a nudge. “Now let’s get out of here. You’re having dinner at my place, alright? Eomma is making that pork stew you like.”
Baku chuckled, his mood lifting even more. “Oh great! It’s been a while since I had that.”
There was a strange warmth in his chest as they headed out of the gym together. Gotak’s care for him - so natural, so effortless - wasn’t something he took for granted.
And maybe, just maybe, it was something more than friendship.
**********
Observation 3:
Baku had always known Gotak had his back. It was one of the things that made their friendship so solid. He’d heard enough stories from their friends about Gotak losing his temper whenever someone made even a half-hearted jab at Baku. Baku understood that kind of loyalty but lately, he’d started to wonder if it went deeper than that.
Gotak had always been protective, that much was clear, but something had shifted. Lately, it wasn’t just about looking out for him anymore. No, it felt different now - almost possessive, territorial. As though Gotak thought of Baku as his own, and no one was allowed to touch what belonged to him. This felt like Gotak was staking a claim, and that made Baku’s pulse quicken with a kind of hope he wasn’t sure he could suppress.
For one thing, he needed to know where Baku was at all times, even if he was just going to the bathroom. The moment Baku began walking away from him, Gotak would stop what he was doing and ask where he was heading. Baku wondered if this was just another side effect of the worry the Union had put them through.
But then, Gotak also seemed to seek out ways to spend alone time with him. Every other day, he’d find some excuse to drag Baku off somewhere: "Let’s play some hoops," "Come grab dinner with me," or "I got a new game; you should come try it." The more Baku thought about it, the more he realized that Gotak always made sure it was just the two of them.
For instance, just the other evening, Gotak had called, suggesting they go see the new action movie that they had both been looking forward to. Baku mentioned it to Juntae when they spoke and he wanted to see it too, so he invited him along. Sieun’s extra class got cancelled, so he tagged along too. When the three of them arrived at the theatre, Baku thought Gotak would be happy to see the others, but Gotak’s reaction caught him off guard. The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a shadow of irritation. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and his usual teasing nature was sharper.
But despite his subtle displeasure, when they entered the cinema hall, Gotak quickly pushed past Juntae to slide into the seat next to Baku. “He gets too excited during action movies and flails all around… so uh, it’s best I bear the brunt of that. I’m used to it,” he told his amused friends.
Baku tried to hide the smile that crept onto his face. It was a gesture he’d never read so much into before, but tonight it felt different. Too possessive, too intentional, maybe.
Throughout the movie, Baku found himself leaning in closer, muttering excitedly in Gotak’s ear. They shared a tub of popcorn, laughing and shouting at the screen together.
“Woah!” Baku exclaimed, as an explosion went off, bouncing in his seat in excitement. Gotak just patted his hand, smiling at his childish enthusiasm.
Baku shifted, but Gotak’s hand didn’t move for a long while, keeping its steady hold on him.
**********
Observation 4:
When Baku thought of confessing to Gotak, he also thought about what the future would hold for them if Gotak reciprocated his feelings. Because this was definitely not casual for Baku. How could it be when it was built on a decade-long friendship?
But these thoughts also stopped him in his tracks. Because what if Gotak didn’t see a future with him? Maybe he wouldn’t want his 99 IQ friend hanging on to him through college as well? Baku’s presence in Gotak’s life had caused enough damage already and robbed him of his taekwondo dream.
Whenever these dark thoughts suffocated and confused him, there were unexpected moments that made him believe that maybe what Gotak and he wanted wasn’t so different.
It had started casually enough. Baku had mentioned, almost offhand, that he was stressed about his chemistry exam. He wasn’t looking for sympathy - he just wanted to vent, to lament that no one understood the pain of periodic tables.
“I don’t know, man, chemistry is just... it’s just the worst. I’m starting to think the atoms are conspiring against me,” Baku sighed. “I don’t think I’m getting into college at this rate.”
Gotak, instead of responding with his usual taunts of “99 IQ dumbass,” actually looked concerned.
“You should try those practice quizzes online. They help, like, a lot,” he said.
“You do practice quizzes?” Baku asked, surprised.
“Well, yeah. And I sent you a link to them also some time back, you punk,” Gotak said, sounding mildly annoyed.
A few days later, Gotak brought it up again, asking how Baku’s studying is going and if he’s feeling better about the test. Like he’s some kind of concerned guardian angel of chemistry.
“Baku, listen to me. This test is important, okay? We can study together if you want or take help from Sieun-a,” Gotak told him earnestly.
Baku raised an eyebrow. This was new. Gotak wasn’t exactly the studious type, and certainly not one to push Baku to study. “Yeah, okay, okay,” he muttered, taken aback.
There was a brief, pregnant silence where Gotak’s usual bluster seemed to falter. Then he turned his head slightly, avoiding Baku’s gaze for a second before looking back at him with that same serious expression.
“I’m going to college,” Gotak said, his voice aiming for casual, but there was an edge of something more in it. “And you’re coming with me. Understand?”
Baku smiled then and nodded. He thought he understood.
Gotak wasn’t just worried about the test, he was thinking about the future. A future that he wanted to share with Baku like a quiet, steady commitment.
**********
Observation 5:
Baku was almost sure Gotak felt something for him too. They had always been close but now that Baku was actively observing, it felt like they had become even closer. All the data points seemed to be adding up: the lingering glances, the little touches, the care and concern. Baku had been collecting these moments for weeks now, carefully cataloguing every detail, confirming his suspicions.
Still, doubt lingered. They had grown up together. They were best friends. It was easy to confuse affection for something more, especially when there were such few barriers between them. Baku needed one final piece of the puzzle, something irrefutable, before he could confess and break down the last wall between them.
He pondered the question as he sat with Gotak, Sieun, and Juntae at a cafe, the usual banter flowing easily between them. The warm aroma of coffee, the low buzz of conversation and the clinking sound of silverware filled the air. Gotak was halfway through telling one of his exaggerated stories, and the group was laughing along.
But Baku’s mind wasn’t quite on the conversation. He decided to test something, just to see what might happen. Casually, he dropped the bomb.
“By the way, I think I’m gonna study this afternoon with Eunyoo,” Baku said, leaning back in his chair like it was no big deal. “You know, that girl from Buil High I met at the last inter-school basketball match. She’s really smart, better at history than I am… but I guess that’s not hard,” he added with a chuckle, stirring his drink.
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt the table go still. Gotak’s fork, which had been halfway to his mouth, paused in mid-air. His expression went blank for a split second, and then he quickly cleared his throat.
“So, you’ve been in touch with her?” Gotak said, his tone a little too casual. “I mean, since that match?”
Baku's eyes flicked to Gotak’s face, catching the flicker of something in his eyes. A flash of... anger? Frustration? He pretended to sip his drink, but his mind was already racing.
“We just text sometimes,” Baku replied, committing to the bit. “She’s pretty cool. I was telling her about how history is driving me crazy and she said we could have a study date,” he added, throwing caution to the winds.
Gotak was quiet after that. Unnaturally quiet, as though he was tightly holding himself together. He picked at his food, his eyes focused on anything but Baku. Baku could tell Gotak was trying hard to play it off like he didn’t care. But his slightly tense posture, the little muscle tick in his jaw, and the way his gaze kept darting around avoiding Baku’s, made it clear: Gotak was jealous.
Baku glanced over at Juntae and Sieun, and was a little surprised to receive death glares from both of them. Hmm, so they knew or suspected something too…
Suddenly Gotak stood up, pushing his chair back with more force than necessary. “I just remembered I was supposed to help Eomma with something. So, I have to take off… I’ll catch up with you guys later,” he muttered and began walking away, to the surprise of the others. He didn’t look at Baku at all as he walked toward the door, the conversation still hanging in the air.
“Wait, Tak-ah,” Juntae started to rise, but Baku stopped him. “I’ll go after him,” he said with a small smile, hoping they understood.
Yeah, Baku had collected enough data points now.
**********
“Yo, Gotak! Wait up!” Baku called, jogging over to catch up with the boy. Gotak didn’t slow down but Baku caught up easily. “Hey, hey, where are you going in such a hurry, huh?”
“What do you want, Baku? I told you I have to get home,” Gotak snapped, and now Baku could see he was furious. Oh yes, all the unmistakable signs of Gogo’s anger were there – the flashing eyes, the hissing voice, the colour on his cheekbones.
“Gogo, come on, stop. I want to talk to you about something,” Baku said trying to grab his arm.
Gotak just shook him off. “Why don’t you go talk to your girlfriend?” he snapped.
“Aigo! So jealous!” Baku teased, feeling guilty but also enjoying himself a little.
Gotak stopped abruptly and spun around to face him, his eyes blazing. “Am I a joke to you?” His voice thundered. “Yes, I’m jealous. So what?”
“Gogo, listen…” Baku tried to step closer, hands up in a calming gesture.
“No, you listen,” Gotak cut him off, his chest rising with each furious breath. “I like you, okay?! Like romantically, in case it isn’t clear to your 99 IQ brain. And I think… thought… you are finally liking me back too.” He paused, his face flushed, his fists clenched at his sides. “So don’t give me this bullshit about going on dates with other people! Or... or just tell me you don’t like me back, and we can be done with it.”
Baku’s jaw dropped. His heart pounded, but his voice came out light, almost giddy.
“Gogo, baby, you beat me to it!” he laughed, a little breathless. “I like you too. I’ve been dying to tell you for weeks, but I wasn’t sure how you felt. I didn’t want to risk our friendship, so I kept waiting for the ‘right moment.’”
Gotak’s expression faltered, something like disbelief flickering in his eyes. Then, slowly, the fight drained out of him. His shoulders slumped, and he stepped closer to Baku, his voice barely a whisper.
“You mean it?” Gotak asked, his eyes softening.
Baku just beamed and nodded eagerly, opening his arms for a hug. Without another word, Gotak closed the distance between them and Baku wrapped his arms around him tightly. Gotak’s body trembled slightly against him. When they finally pulled away, Gotak’s face was a mix of smiles and tears.
“Who’s the cry-baby now?” Baku teased, wiping away a tear that had escaped down Gotak’s cheek.
Gotak shot him an exaggerated glare, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. “Shut up,” he grumbled, but there was no bite to it. “And about that girl…how could you be texting her while we were…”
Baku cut him off, an indulgent smile on his face. “It was a lie, Gogo. I haven’t been texting anyone.” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. “I’ve been obsessing over you. I’ve had no time for anyone else.”
Gotak’s face lit up then with a pleased smile, like a cat given a saucer of cream. Baku didn’t waste the opportunity. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Gotak’s lips, soft and slow, letting the moment linger.
Experiment Gogo: Concluded.
Result: Very Positive.