Chapter Text
Na Baekjin is in his office with Seongmok and Dongha in the Union headquarters finalizing the reports of the day. They are discussing about the events of the day, places that need to be inspected and people to keep in place. Their normal routine before the day ends. Until Seongmok drops a question that changes the atmosphere completely.
The leader stiffened a little in the mention of his name, but it was barely visible and he quickly maintained his composure. His facial expression remaining calm but his gaze sharp and calculating, as if studying the other's intention for asking the question.
But Seongmok oblivious to the fact that he has struck a nerve in his leader, continued as if he was truly innocently curious. "I mean- he plays a huge role here and I'm- we tr- tried to I'm- we tried to do twice the job to cover enough ground and it’s still not enough, I don't even know how he did it but he sure did make it look easy. He really-"
"Seongje will return soon" The leader replied with a calm voice "Now. if there are no more questions, you can leave" he said with the look that said I dare you.
They both shook their heads in unison and bowed to their leader and left the office. Leaving Na Baeklin with his thoughts.
After they left Na Baekjin tried to continue working but he couldn't, his thoughts were occupied by him and how they left things. It bothered Na Baekjin knowing that he is to blame for all this. He is the one who wrongly accused Seongje of being a snitch. Of course, he knew Seongje was trustworthy and he wouldn't snitch on Na Baeklin even if his life depends on it, he knew that. But he still had to make sure, he had to ask the only person who he also trusted with his whole life a very difficult question.
Which he regrets till this day because if he had just picked up Seongje from the police station and dropped him off that his place. This wouldn't have happened. Seongje will still be here with his cocky self, making his days a living hell. Because the truth is, he enjoyed Seonge's company, not only for willingly getting his hands dirty for him but because he made Na Baekjin feel things that he doesn’t want to put a name on them. He misses those provocations that made Na Baekjins heart stutter. He misses the way Seongje will say the most stupid things like its normal, like asking him if he has ever kissed a guy before or making silly comments about how good-looking Na Baekjins looks in his school uniform.
But he had to. He had to ask to make sure they are both safe. He knows that Seongje also knows that Choi is always watching and there is no place for mistakes, because in their line of work you must always be three steps ahead. He wanted to know because even if Seongje did say something to the police he had to know so that he can fix it before Choi chop both their heads off, literally. So. Yes. He fucked up big time, and this is the first time ever where he doesn't know how to fix things.
It been two weeks without a trace of Seonge, some of Na Baekjins lackeys said they have seen him go to school which is good. Some said they have seen him in the convenience store still limping. And every time Baekjin must convince himself to not go check up on him or text him, anything that can show that he still cares about his well-being. He knows Seonge is an arrogant bustard who won't ask for help even if his life depended on it.
He was coming from cram school going to the union headquarters in afternoon as usual for his daily routine. When he got to the blowing alley, he heard a familar voice laughing in the background. Usually by this time of the day the people who stay till late and was him, the Mokha duo and-
"Seongje" there he was leaning against the wall, cigarette in his month and that lazy cocky smirk he always had on. He looks healthy, he looks good, very goo-
He shouldn't be thinking about how good Seonge looks right now. He needs to keep his composure and remain unfazed. Na Baekjin managed to keep calm on the outside, but his inside was a mess, his thoughts racing. He wanted to offer apologies show that he cared but he couldn't, his pride wouldn't let him.
"Welcome back" he said instead and moving past them, making his way into his office.
It been a week since Seonge came back, and Baekjin has been noticing certain things about him. Like how he has not been in Baekjins office without being summoned, and even with that he doesn't say or do things the way he used to. Like NOT complaining if given boring tasks that does not involve fighting or try to get on Na Baekjins nerves on purpose. Hell, he doesn't even smoke in Baekjins office anymore, their communication is straight forward. Na baekjin gives orders, Seonge gives reports and that all.
It not like Na Baekjin doesn't know the reason for the strange behaviour, he does. He is the reason and it hurts more than it should. He understands that Seonge is still angry at him and he needs some time, and he was willing to give Seongje that time. Until he noticed something else.
Seongje and Seongmok.
The two have been close lately. Yes, Seongje and Seongmok talk but lately they have been doing more than just talking. Baekjin could have sworn with his life that Seongje wasn't gonna be able to make friends besides him in his life. As much as he wasn't going to describe what they have as friendship, they just got each other. Maybe it the shared hatred for people or just life itself but Na Baekjin got Seongje as different as he is and Seongje got Na Baekjin.
Baekjin has noticed the amount of time these two spend together. They do their missions together sometimes Dongah tags along but most of the time Seongje is with Seongmok. It seems as if Seongmok has taken Baekjins place in Seongjes life and that’s hurts. As much as these two don’t do anything outside of work or do anything that shows that they are real friends, Baekjin still doesn’t approve of the idea of Seongje getting close with someone else.
The most annoying thing about this is that Baekjin knows Seongmoks intentions. Seongje has always made it clear to everyone that he likes guys. And on several occasions Baekjin has overheard the boys in the bowling alley talk about how nice it can be to fuck or be fucked by Seongje. And he always dismisses it as just crazy talk because he knew Seongje was close to him and he will never see other people like that, especially here in the union. Yes, he sometimes hooks up with guys but it was never serious because he was never close to them, they didn’t know him like Baekjin did.
Baekjin was brought back from his thoughts by a knock on the door and without waiting for response Seongje entered.
"These are the reports for the stolen bikes. Some still need to be repaired and painted but the boys are on it." he said, hands in his pockets starring at Baekjin.
It funny how many times Baekjin has imagined Seongje coming back and being around him in his office, talking his ear off. Seongje is back and within reach but still out of reach at the same time. Talking has never been Na Baekjins strongest suit. He has always used his mind as a weapon to solve things. Now, with Seongje it was whole different story because his mind has solved his problem and all he has to do is talk with Seongje. And that was the problem.
"And the gym?"
"Seongmok handled the gym. he should be here any minute now." Baekjin nodded "anything else?"
Yes. there was a lot Na Baekjin wanted to say "No"
When Seongje turns to leave, Seongmok enters the office. “oh sorry to interrupt I can come back later”
“I was already leaving anyways you can come in” Seongje say already out the door and now Baekjin was left with Seongmok. Great.
Seongmok gives his reports to Na Baekjin as per usual, but when he is done, he doesn’t leave, clearly wanting to say something but he hesitates.
“Anything else?” Na Baekjin tries to make the other boy talk
“Yes boss. I’m- “
Na Baekjin raises his eyebrow as tell him to keep talking and the other boy rubs his head looking everywhere but in Baekjins direction.
“Can I take Seongje to the harbour mission tomorrow?"
What the actual fuck. Baekjin anger boils up but he doesn’t show it. He maintains his composure.
“Why?”
“I just need extra hands and Seongjes skills can come handy”
“I gave you that mission because I knew you can handle it by yourself or did I make a mistake?”
“No boss… I can handle it but I wan- “
“Good then.” Baekjin interrupts him “You may leave”
Seongmok bows to his leader and leaves.
If anything, this interaction with Seongmok has confirmed Beakjin worst fear. Seongmok and Seongje are getting closer, and Beakjin doesn’t like that.
The next day, Baekjin finds out from Dongha that Seongje and Seongmok went together on a mission that Baekjin made clear it was a solo mission for Seongmok. To say he is angry is an understatement, he is fuming. Seongmok has disobeyed him and he need to remind him who is the boss.
When the two come back for the report, Baekjin is in his office sitting behind his desk buys with files. His expression is calm as always not even a clue of the fire that is burning inside of him.
“Mission was a success” Seongje says, sitting down in one of the chairs and Seongmok follows suit.
Baekjin lifts his head and his gaze lands on Seongje, then Seongmok and the other avert his eyes from his.
“What did I say to you?” Baekjin asks starring intensely at Seongmok
“He told me you said no, but I insisted” Seongje answers instead of Seongmok.
“Since when are you a babysitter?”
“Since I didn’t have any work to do”
Baekjin stares at Seongmok again and say “Since you both don’t know how to take my orders seriously anymore, I will have to remind you who is in charge”
“I forced him to take me along with him. He did nothing wrong. Take him out of this” Seongje says with a straight face, no lazy smirk, and that is a rare sight for Baekjin. He can count in one hand the number of times when Seongje was this serious. And all those times it was something extremely important for him to take his mask off. Which means protecting Seongmok was important to Seongje. And that just takes Baekjins anger to the next level.
“Leave us Seongmok…. Now”
Seongmok hesitates a little, but with a reassuring nod from Seongje he leaves.
Now it just him and Seongje and the tension in the office is even thicker with just the two of them.
“Why are you doing this Seongje? And since when do you force yourself to these kinds of missions?” Baekjin asks trying to keep his tone as calm as possible.
Seongje just shrugs and says “I was bored”
“Look Seongje, I know you are still angry but disrespecting me is not gonna solve anything. Stop disobeying my orders.”
“Or what Na Beakjin?” Seongje asks leaning forward and doesn’t wait for an answer from the other and continues “are gonna beat me up or fire me?” Seongje asks, tone serious “Be my guest”
And with that Seongje stands abruptly and leaves.
Baekjin feels like someone has twisted a knife in his heart as Seongje slams the door shit behind him. He doesn't know what hurts the most, the fact that Seongje is still truly mad at him or the fact that they just fought because of someone else or it hurts because he can feel Seongje getting further way from him.