Work Text:
Go Hyuntak was pretty sure that when he got hired for a "high-status and well-paying security role," "routinely chasing down a high schooler" was not included in the job description.
Hyuntak rushed out the entrance of the apartment building and turned the corner, but Juntae was already nowhere to be seen.
Shit. We don't have time for this.
Hyuntak took off running again, though he didn't quite know where he was going. He fumbled his phone out of his jacket pocket and brought it close enough to his face to see the screen clearly while he ran. According the location tracking app, he was headed in the right direction—Juntae's blinking blue dot was few hundred metres ahead.
That kid could run fast. In times like these, it made his job extremely difficult.
Luckily, Juntae didn't know Hyuntak had his location—his father secretely had it installed onto his phone. Juntae probably thought he had outsmarted them both, but there would be no escaping this time.
Hyuntak kept running, ignoring the startled expressions of their neighbours, afronted that such a undignified act was occuring in their distinguished neighbourhood. Every so often, he checked Juntae's location to make sure he was still going in the right direction. Eventually, the blue dot stopped moving; its final destination was the closest park to the apartment.
Got you.
Soon, Hyuntak arrived at the park. He swept his eyes around frantically as he caught his breath—across the playground, the field, the picnic tables. But Juntae wasn't there.
Confused, Hyuntak checked his phone again. His red dot overlayed Juntae's blue one almost perfectly. He zoomed in to find the discrepancy between their locations and turned on the spot until he was facing the right way.
That's weird, he thought. It says he's right in front of me.
Hyuntak walked forward until his thighs hit a picnic table. He glanced around again—even checked under the tables for good measure—but nothing.
Just as he was about to refresh his app, he noticed a familar shape wedged in between one of the gaps in the seats of the picnic tables. Uncertain, he pocketed his phone and approached the object.
It was wedged quite well in there. He grabbed it and carefully wriggled it out.
It was a phone, with a white 3D case. Juntae's phone.
Just to make sure, Hyuntak turned it on. Sure enough, Juntae's Jujutsu Kaisen background lit up the screen.
Hyuntak dragged a palm down the side of his face with a groan. Seriously? How did Juntae find out he was tracking him? And why would he leave his phone in a place like this?
Hyuntak dusted the phone off before sliding it into his jacket pocket. Now what? He still had to find Juntae and the time Mr. Seo was expecting them was approaching.
A couple of tables ahead, there was a family enjoying the late afternoon. Would they have seen him? Might as well give it a shot.
He jogged up to their table. "Excuse me." His voice was airy as he still slightly out-of-breath. "May I interrupt?"
The table of four looked up at him, mildly perplexed. A young couple, a slightly older women and a small girl were all sharing sandwiches—white bread with the crust cut off.
"Yes?" The young man smiled politely.
Hyuntak continued, urgency creeping into his tone. "Did you happen to see a high schooler run past here? White jacket, glasses."
The couple looked at each other blankly. Just as the man started shaking his head and was about the respond, the older woman leaned forward and pointed emphatically.
"Young man—" she gave him an enchanted look. Hyuntak held his breath expectantly.
"—you're quite handsome, aren't you?" she continued.
Internally, Hyuntak groaned. Now is definitely not the time. Can you just answer the question?
Externally, he gave a charming smile. "You flatter me. Though, this is a little urgent. Can you tell me if you've seen him?"
She held her chin. "Hmm, High schooler?" Hyuntak nodded. "Running?" He nodded again. "I can't say I…"
"I saw him, I saw him!"
The little girl, who had been thus far occupied with her iPad, spoke up.
"I was playing on the monkey bars before—those monkey bars over there—when he zoomed past my legs! He was going so fast, I felt the air on my legs like 'woosh!'"
Hyuntak bent down in front of her. "Wow, he must have been running really fast! Did you get to see the direction he went?"
"That way!" The kid pointed to a line of trees about 50 metres from the playground. Behind the rows of leaves, Hyuntak could barely make out a grassy mound .
Hyuntak ruffled her hair playfully. "Thanks, kid."
With a perfunctory nod to the rest of the family, Hyuntak took off again in the direction the kid pointed.
Amongst the expanse of green, Juntae wasn't hard to spot. His fluffly white jacket stood out on the horizon. His back was towards Hyuntak, and he sat staring at the field and the path on the other side of it—his legs drawn up to his chest. Hyuntak climbed up the hill slowly as if approaching a skittish cat—who knew when Juntae would run off again?
Once he reached the top, Hyuntak tossed Juntae's phone on the grass.
"Juntae-ssi. Even if you run away, can you not leave your phone just anywhere? It was expensive."
Juntae shot him a irritated expression—like he knew it was inevitable for Hyuntak to find him but he had been dreading every moment waiting for it.
"I knew you were using it to follow me. I'm not an idiot."
Hyuntak sighed. He sat down slowly, letting his exhausted legs spread out in front of him.
"Juntae-ssi. I understand you are reluctant to visit your father, but you can't avoid all your issues by running away all the time."
"I'm not angry at him."
Hyuntak raised an eyebrow, disbelieving. "Then, what is it?"
Juntae turned away, and the only noise that laid between them were the faint noises of the park.
"Hm? Juntae-ssi?"
There were a few more moments of silence while he waited for Juntae to respond.
"Hyung." When Juntae finally spoke, he didn't quite meet Hyuntak's eyes.
"Yes?"
"Call me Jun-ah like you used to," he said faintly, his tone a little demanding.
Hyuntak pressed his lips together. He couldn't deny, he had a soft spot for Juntae—ever since they met a few years ago. That was why he referred to Juntae so familiarly. The nickname was a term of endearment that fit Juntae perfectly. Even when he was being childish, or stubborn, he was so endearing.
Hyuntak let out a sigh. “You know I can’t do that. Your father emphasised the importance of maintaining a professional relationship. I agree with him.”
There were a lot of things Hyuntak felt powerless to fight Juntae on—he felt this would be another one of those things. But, until Hyuntak inevitably caved in, he would continue to pretend Juntae didn't have that power over him.
Juntae narrowed his eyes, pouting. “Then, I'm not going," he stated stubbornly. "If this is such a professional relationship, why do I have to listen to you? Shouldn't it be the other way around?”
Hyuntak rolled his eyes,exasperated. "Juntae-ssi—”
"I already told you, stop calling me that!” Juntae threw him a dirty look.
"Look, I really don't know what you expec— Juntae-ssi!"
Juntae stood up off the grass and darted off without even pausing to dust the dirt off his pants.
"Shit," Hyuntak cursed before getting up to chase after him.
In the end, they didn't go to see Juntae's father.
Mr Seo lived in a different part of Seoul, far from Eunjang. He got his son an apartment a street down from the private school once Juntae entered high school, and hired Hyuntak to keep an eye on him.
On the surface, Mr Seo's business handled logistics and raw material transportation. In reality, he had dealings in many black markets, helping them enter Seoul's ports. It was a business that made him many enemies.
Hence, the bodyguard and seperate apartment for his son.
(Not that Hyuntak ever really felt like a bodyguard; he was basically a glorified babysitter at this point.)
Mr Seo said it was more efficient this way—plus, Juntae didn't need to be commuting for so long every morning to school.
It felt more like he would rather place Juntae as far as possible, so he could he could ignore his responsibility of raising his son without any guilt.
But, who was Hyuntak to pry?
He still invited Juntae over to eat dinner once in a while. Just them two, an expensive wooden dining table in a room with cold, dim mood lighting, and Hyuntak standing in the corner, waiting for them to be finished so he could eat his own dinner.
"Juntae-ssi. Seo Juntae."
There didn't take an expert to understand why Juntae didn't like going to see him. His father was rather distant and their dinners were usually eaten in silence—Mr Seo was too practical of a man to engage in small talk and Juntae was too stubborn to try to get along with his father. Half the time, Juntae would keep glancing to Hyuntak, begging with his eyes to let them go home.
When Hyuntak told him his father had asked to see him tonight, he flat-out refused. When Hyuntak pointed out he should see his father at least once in a while, he left the apartment, escaping into the elevator and out the front entrance before Hyuntak could catch up.
"Why are you pretending not to hear me? You need to eat."
The dining table in Juntae's apartment was much more homely in comparison. At the very least, Hyuntak could eat with him instead standing in a sad corner. Tonight, he made a sundubu jjigae that Juntae was resolutely refusing to eat.
"I don't know a 'Juntae-ssi.'" Juntae folded his arms. "Call me Jun and I'll think about it."
Hyuntak sighed, "Stop being childish." He pushed Juntae's plate closer to him. "If you eat, I'll think about it, okay?"
Juntae just rolled his eyes, pouting.
Hyuntak had had enough. He grabbed a spoonful of tofu and gripped Juntae's chin harshly.
"Open."
Juntae's mouth fell open and Hyuntak fed him the soup. Juntae chewed slowly, his eyes blown wide in shock.
"Good job," Hyuntak praised. "Now, finish the rest."
Hyuntak had caught Juntae off-guard. In a daze, he obediently pulled his bowl towards him and picked up his utensils without a word of protest. He kept his gaze down, his face visibly reddening.
Hyuntak smirked to himself as he watched Juntae eat. So, he does know how to listen?
Lately, Juntae had been getting really annoyed at Hyuntak.
Professional relationship? What kind of dumb excuse is that? He sounded like Juntae's father.
If he wanted to put more distance between them, he coud just say that instead of acting all indirect about it.
"You don't have follow me all the time."
Hyuntak stopped in his tracks. He had met Juntae at the Eunjang gates and was walking him back to the apartment, like he always did.
Hyuntak gave him that look which meant he thought Juntae was, yet again, being stupid. "Huh?"
"It's just walking home." Juntae scuffed the footpath with the toe of his sneaker. "What are you even guarding me from?"
Hyuntak carded a hand through his head. "It's better to be safe than sorry, no?"
Juntae huffed and turned away, grabbing the straps of his backpack tightly.
"Sieun invited me out earlier today and I said no. You know why?"
Hyuntak waited for him to tell him why, until he realised Juntae genuinely wanted him to ask.
Rolling his eyes, he asked, "Why, Jun?"
"Because I knew you'd come too, and that would be awkward."
Hyuntak's brows knitted together. "I make you uncomfortable around your friends?"
Truthfully, he didn't. Not at all. Their age gap wasn't that big and Juntae always liked spending time with Hyuntak—Sieun never minded either.
He wasn't too sure why he felt the need to lie. But, he didn't like how it seemed that he enjoyed Hyuntak's company more than Hyuntak's enjoyed his. If Hyuntak wanted to create distance, Juntae could create distance too.
He crossed his arms. "Yeah. Yeah, you do." His eyes darted away. "At least let me walk home by myself. I can meet you at the apartment."
"Jun-ah—"
You know I can't let you do that. Those words were at the tip of his tongue.
Juntae pulled out the weapon he knew would work. He stepped closer, until he was staring up at him with round eyes. He pleaded, "Please. Hyung." He tapped Hyuntak's arm with his phone. "It's not like you won't know where I am."
Hyuntak cleared his throat. "I'll have to ask your fath—"
"Hyung, don't. You know what he'll say."
Hyuntak had been pointedly avoiding his gaze, turning his head to the side. But now, he looked into Juntae's eyes and his shoulders eased of their tension at once.
"You really want to walk home by yourself?"
Juntae nodded.
Hyuntak exhaled. He patted Juntae's head. "Okay, Jun. Whatever you say."
[BAEKJIN BIRTHDAY BASH ‼️🎉🥳]
9:28pm
[Baku]: THIS saturday night
dazed, be there or be square[Suho]: dazed?
isnt that a nightclub
we're not getting in bro[Baku]: shhh what do you know
baekjin knows the owner
theyll let us in[Sieun]: Underaged drinking is against the law.
[Baku]: sieun-ah, are you going to call the police on us if we do? lolll
[Baekjin]: if you guys aren't comfortable, you don't have to come
this was all humin's idea anyway[Suho]: oh so now we're uninvited 😒
whatever, me and sieun have better things to do anyways[Juntae]: ill come!!
[Suho]: JUNTAE WHAT
[Sieun]: Juntae, you're going??
[Sieun]: What about your dad, you won't get in trouble?
[Juntae]: …he doesnt have to know
since when did he care what i do anyways[Suho]: what abt that overprotective guard dog of yours
go hyuntak[Juntae]: …
he wont know either
hes not around this weekend~[Baku]: why am i getting a bad feeling…?
[Juntae]: 😑
why should you get a bad feeling baku[Baku]: hyuntak hyung is scary idk
i wouldnt want to see him mad[Juntae]: why should he get mad??
he doesnt gaf abt me anyway
and he SHOULDNT
if i go out with my friends once in a while whats the problem
he doesnt control my every move[Baku]: okaaay
wtv u say bro
[Sieun-ie]
Juntae-yah.
yes, sieun?
If you really go on Saturday
Don't do anything stupid.what does that meaannnn sieun-ah
i wont i promise
ill barely even drink i swearYou shouldn't drink at all.
You'll get in trouble.with who? the police? or my dad?
…
or go hyuntak?Any. All. I don't know.
Hyuntak kept his promise; after their conversation, when the school bell rung and Juntae walked out of the entrance of Eunjang, Hyuntak and his intidimating prescence were nowhere to be seen at the front gates. Not only that, but Juntae noticed he had started to put more distance between them in general—as if his presence was actually a bother.
Juntae was much more bothered now that he was gone so often. This would be the second weekend in a row Hyuntak wouldn't be around, and Juntae wasn't planning on spending it moping in his room.
Earlier in the week, Hyuntak had told him to enjoy the weekend with his friends without Hyuntak "breathing down his back." So, that was exactly what Juntae was going to do.
Dazed was a popular nightclub in the area—favoured by university students and mature-looking high schoolers (and even the not-mature-looking ones, the staff weren't very strict on security). The students of Eunjang particularly enjoyed it; mixing teenage rebellion with more allowance than a high schooler could even fathom how to spend meant half the student body was sneaking in every weekend.
Juntae had never been there. Obviously. He was never the partying type. Plus, if his father found out, he would be in so much shit.
He only knew about Dazed from overhearing the conversations of his classmates. Every Monday, there would be a new story about who threw up where or who went home with who.
Standing in front of the actual place felt a bit surreal, like he was standing in front of some kind of mythical creature he had only read in story books.
There was a long line, moving at a shuffling pace. Juntae joined the end of the queue and brought out his phone.
When Baku picked up the phone, all the ambient sounds of the club came through the speakers along with his voice. "Oh, Juntae, what's up," he answered loudly, speaking over the noise in the background.
"Baku. I'm here."
"Oh, for real? I'm coming down now!"
Juntae spotted Baku as soon as he came out. He craned his head, looking for Juntae and waved enthusiatically when he spotted him.
With an arm around his shoulder, he pulled Juntae to the front of the line.
The bouncer nodded at him. "Humin-ah, another one of your friends?"
"Mhm. This is Juntae."
The bouncer waved them inside. "Don't make too much trouble, alright?" he asked, clapping Baku on the shoulder.
Juntae had never been to a club before, but it was much like he had expected—a dark room with coloured lights and the faint smell of alcohol and sweat, filled with so many young people, Baku had to shoulder their way through the crowd.
Maybe it was slightly warmer than he anticipated. And the music was quite loud. Encompassing, almost, enveloping him and suffocating him from every angle.
Baekjin's group had a booth to themselves, next to the balcony of the upper floor on the club. Since Sieun and Suho weren't showing up, Baku and Baekjin were the only people Juntae recognised. The rest of the party were from Yeo-il, and seemingly already quite drunk.
Juntae took in his surroundings—sticky floor, stains on the walls, and a couple grinding against each other in the corner.
If Hyuntak-hyung saw me here…
Juntae plopped onto the couch were everyone was gather. "I want something to drink," Juntae declared, to no one in particular.
One of Baekjin's friends—the one he was sitting next to—handed him a shot. Juntae sniffed it cautiously and scrunched his nose.
"Is it very strong?"
Baku waved his hand dismissively. "No, not at all. It's average."
Juntae sniffed it once more—to him, it smelled as astringent as hand sanitiser. He looked at Baku in doubt, doubtfully. "Are you just saying that?"
"I'm telling the truth, seriously!"
"Baku. This smells like hand sanitiser."
"It's fine! Trust me, it's not that bad."
"But, Baku, you're taller than me so your tolerance should be bigger, right?"
"If you're that worried, why don't you taste it and find out?"
"I'd rather know before I drink it, this is my first time!"
"It's really not that—"
"Ugh, you guys are so loud!" Baekjin's friend whined. "If you want it, drink it. If you don't, give it back, I'll have it instead," she complained, making a clumsy gesture towards the glass.
Juntae leaned away from her. Shooting Baku a sharp look, he downed the drink. The shot tasted like how an alcohol swap smelt, leaving a tingling, burning trail down his throat as he swallowed.
Wathing how he screwed up his face, Baekjin's friend giggled. "You don't like that one?"
Juntae shook his head. She smiled and pulled him closer to the table.
"It's okay," she said with a wink, "we have more."
[Hyuntak-hyung]
00:58
juntae where are you?
im at the apartment
are you still out with your friends? its late
hahahaa
hyung
gues where i am
where are you?
guessssss
idk, sieuns place?
nope!
illgive you a hint
[Voice Message]
Juntae left the dance floor, waving to the random group of people he was dancing with—not that any of them likely noticed he was leaving.
He clumsily leaned against a table, cupped the bottom of his phone—as if that would stop any of the music from entering the microphone—and yelled over the background noises.
"Hyung!" he laughed. "Guess where I am!"
Juntae sent his message with a giggle and watched the screen as Hyuntak reacted to his message. It was listened to instantly. Not long after, Hyuntak's typing bubble appeared.
Before he even finished typing his message, he called Juntae.
"Yah, Seo Juntae. Where are you?"
"I told you, guess!" he shouted.
Hyuntak hissed. "Don't tell me, are you at a fucking club?"
The club was so fun. Juntae didn't know how Baekjin knew the owner, but it was apparent that he did. All night, their party got special treatment from staff—essentially, a non-stop supply of drinks.
And, Juntae was enjoying himself. More than he anticipated. He had always liked making friends, and Baekjin had a lot of them to meet, the alcohol shedding his inhibitions and allowing him to mingle freely without awkwardness.
Though, it was unlikely that he would remember many of their names. He didn't even know if he had asked for any of them. They mostly just danced. And drank. Then, went back to dancing.
"No," Juntae answered sarcastically. "What makes you say that?"
"Juntae, tell me where you are right now."
Juntae snorted. "Hyung, you really sound like my dad."
"Juntae, do you think this is a joke?"
"A little? It's funny," he answered, laughing so hard, it was hard to stop.
"Juntae, just tell me the name of the club. If you don't know, ask someone and text me."
"Hmm—" Juntae caught his breath, then feigned thinking "—I don't wanna."
"You don't—?"
"Come and find me, hyung."
"Juntae, what—"
Juntae hung up and placed his phone into his jacket pocket. Sighing, he slid onto a chair at the table he was leaning on and rested his eyes for a moment.
As he felt the bass pulse through his skull, he smiled in satisfaction. Right now, Hyuntak should be frantically searching from him. From how urgently he was speaking on the phone, he must have been genuinely worried. About Juntae. About the fact he was at a club.
It scratched an itch Juntae hadn't even realised was bothering him.
Seriously. These past few weeks, his job had been creeping above his pay grade more and more every day.
Honestly, he should have called the police and let them drag Juntae out of the club, along with whatever underaged hooligan brought him there.
Instead, Hyuntak called the Seo family driver, Mr Lee. They usually don't have any use for him—Juntae just mainly went to school and whatever restaurants or cafes that were nearby—but this club was far (and there was no way Hyuntak would let Juntae catch the bus in whatever state he was in).
"I'll message you the address. Don't tell Mr Seo."
He couldn't let Juntae's father find out about this; he would lose it. Not only would Hyuntak be out of a job, but Juntae would probably be grounded for the rest of his life.
By the time Hyuntak arrived at the club, there were a few people already leaving and there was no line to get in. After impatiently showing the bouncer his ID, he rushed inside.
Hyuntak had to aggresively shoulder his way through a press of people jumping and dancing around, earning more than a few annoyed looks. He was aiming to climb up to the second floor to look down from the balcony—he would likely have a better view from there—but he didn't need to. He spotted Juntae sitting in a booth off to the side dance floor.
He looked so, so out of place—his cream, woolen jacket amongst the sea of black and leather made him look like a fluffy sheep, sleeping in a wolves' den.
Speaking of wolves, just as Hyuntak was about to approach him, a random man with all the sleaziness of one slid into the chair next to Juntae.
Hyuntak paused in his approach, trying to make out if the man was one of Juntae's friends. He didn't look like a high schooler—he was at least Hyuntak's age or even older.
He held two shot glasses in his hands, offering one. Juntae didn't make any movement towards it—just stared at him with a half-lidded gaze.
Hyuntak watched as the stranger placed a hand under Juntae's chin, lifted it up slightly while bringing the glass to his lips. Juntae gave zero resistance and the man's grin grew, pleased with himself.
Hyuntak seen enough. He stormed over and yanked the strange man out of his chair away from Juntae. The vodka spilled over the man's front as he fell to the club floor.
Juntae blinked up at him. "Hyung?"
"Man, what the fuck?"
"Get up, we're leaving," Hyuntak ordered, pulling Juntae harshly by the arm.
The stranger block their way. "What the actual fuck? What's your problem? I wasn't doing anything."
"This kid is underage," Hyuntak spat. "Get out of my fucking way, or I'll call the police."
The man stepped to the side, swiping at his drenched t-shirt, while Hyuntak stomped out of the club, dragging Juntae behind him.
"But, hyung," Juntae slurred, "I haven't said bye to Baekjin and Baku yet."
Hyuntak ignored him, his jaw stiffening in anger. Mr Lee was already waiting at the curb for them so Hyuntak wasted no time stuffing him into the back seat and they were on their way.
The only way Hyuntak could guarantee Juntae would follow him up to their apartment was to carry him. So he did. He goaded a flushed and even-more-stubborn-than-usual Juntae onto his back. He didn't let him down even when they were in the elevator—who knew what kind of tricks he would pull— until they arrived safely through the front door.
Hyuntak laid Juntae on the couch, while he went to the kitchen. Juntae looked like he was asleep—his limbs were all loose and his eyes were shut—but Hyuntak knew he'd wake up and start bothering him eventually.
"Hyung."
Lo and behold. Hyuntak pulled the cooled pitcher out of the fridge and placed it on the counter, next to a large glass cup. Then, he started rummaging around for leftovers.
"Hyung."
Hyuntak rolled his eyes. "What?"
"Can—Can I have another shot?"
"You absolutely cannot have another shot." Hyuntak found the bulgogi he was looking for. He grabbed the container along with some banchan and stacked them atop each other on the counter. "You can drink some water and sober up."
"Water's boring."
"I don't care," he said resolutely, shutting the fridge. "You're drinking some."
He plated the food and put the beef in the microwave. Then, Hyuntak marched over the the couch, took him by the arm and guided him to the table (less guided and more dragged). Once he sat down, Hyuntak loomed above him, holding out the glass of water.
"Drink."
Juntae looked like he wanted to refute, but after noticing Hyuntak's hardened expression, he just took the water and drank it without a word. He finished it in one go.
"Thirsty, huh?"
Juntae shot him a sullen look. At that moment, the microwave finished, its beeps ringing and bouncing around the walls of the apartment. Hyuntak brought the plates in front of Juntae.
He pushed the bowls of banchan closer to him and nodded with his chin. "Eat."
Juntae gazed up at him, pouting.
"I'll only eat it if you feed me."
Hyuntak groaned, "I'm not feeding you, Jun. You can eat by yourself."
Hyuntak swore Juntae scowled at him for that, as if Hyuntak had said something outrageous.
"Metabolism… Food is good for…" he started but couldn't quite finish his thought, his usual encyclopedia of knowledge evidently slowed by the alcohol in his system. "It's better to eat when you drink, so your body can metabolise the alcohol." He seemed proud of being able to finally get this piece of knowledge out—a smile toyed at his lips. "You want me to sober up, so feed me."
Hyuntak sighed, sliding into the chair opposite him. "There really is no saying 'no' to you, is there?"
"Nope," Juntae replied, pleased with himself. "There isn't."
Hyuntak picked up the chopsticks and grabbed a piece of beef, bringing it up to Juntae's mouth. He followed Hyuntak's movements with his eye—from the plate to the chopsticks—until the food was too close to his face to focus on properly; at that point, his focus switched to Hyuntak.
His gaze did something to Hyuntak he wasn't ready to (and, truthfully, couldn't) admit. Those glossy eyes, his flushed cheeks, the thin satin layer of sweat sticking to his skin. Hyuntak thought about the way he nearly let that stranger at the club feed him a random shot; Juntae looked like Hyuntak could do anything to him right now and he'd let it happen.
(Hyuntak wouldn't do anything. Would never. Couldn't. He had to be the adult here.)
"Can you give me some vegetables too?" he asked, mumbling around the food in his mouth.
Hyuntak sighed dramatically but ultimately did as he was told. “Do your friends know you're so demanding?”
Juntae shook his head, his cheeks still half-full. “I'm only like this with you, hyung. Because, I know you'll indulge me.”
Hyuntak wanted to pinch his cheeks. But, right now, Juntae didn't deserve being to dote on—lest Hyuntak encourage his behaviour.
"Seo Juntae." Hyuntak said his name sternly. "Why the fuck were you at Dazed?"
Juntae chewed his food, looking downwards and refusing to respond.
"Huh? Answer me. Do you know how bad it would be if your father found out I let you go there?"
Juntae's head snapped up. "Is that the only reason you're mad? Because you'll get in trouble with my dad?"
"Do I need any other reason?"
Juntae scowled, brows knitting and lips jutted out.
"Well, it's not like I'm going to tell him," he grumbled. "So, you don't have to worry, hyung."
Hyuntak set the chopsticks down with a sigh.
"I'm mad—" he pinched Juntae's cheek and pulled, earning a groan in protest "—because something could have happened. Look how drunk you are now. If trouble came, could you even protect yourself?"
Juntae freed his cheek from Hyuntak's fingers. "I'm not drunk," he mumbled.
"You are. Stop trying to disagree with everything I say."
Juntae darted his eyes away, still pouting. That was when Hyuntak noticed something on the side of his mouth.
"You have something on your face."
Juntae made no movement to wipe it off—instead, he just tilted his chin towards Hyuntak.
Hyuntak rolled his eyes. With the pad of his thumb, he wiped the food off the corner of his lips.
Then, his thumb got distracted, ghosting over Juntae's bottom lip.
It was puffy. Both of Juntae's lips were soft and pink.
His thumb swiped along Juntae's bottom lip and all of his attention remained trained there, as if there was a magnetic force preventing him from looking away.
Hyuntak shifted his hand to cup Juntae's neck, his thumb now caressing his plump cheek. It was just as soft, only in a different way. Juntae licked his lips. It was a alluring movement—his tongue darted out, catching on his bottom lip before it slowly slid out, glistening. Hyuntak noticed every detail of it, the magnetic pull still drawing him in.
If Hyuntak leaned any more forward, he'd—
Hyuntak flinched away violently, coming back to his senses. His chair screeched against the wooden floor.
"Hyung—"
Hyuntak put his chopsticks down, hard enough to make a noise, before rising from his seat in a hurry.
"Eat the rest on your own," he said and stalked out the room.
Juntae had always had a crush on Hyuntak.
How could he not? When he was 15, his father introduced him to a mysterious, handsome older boy who promised to protect him no matter what.
It didn't help that Hyuntak had much more than his looks. He was kind, strong, and usually indulged Juntae when he was acting rebellious. Even when Juntae's father was angry at him—because he had broken one rule or another—Hyuntak would side with Juntae and try to reduce his punishment.
But, he also had professionalism—far too much, in Juntae's opinion.
Because no matter how much he tried to inch past the boundary of what was acceptable, Hyuntak drew the line distinctly. For a second there, he tried to stop calling him 'Jun.'
But that moment made Juntae realise something.
His silly crush might not be unrequited.
He realised that he had some type of control over the 21-year-old, in more ways than he previously thought.
Juntae was going to start pushing the line again. More aggresively this time, to make sure all the walls between them fell properly.
He'd make Hyuntak fold. Like a piece of paper.
Something was not right.
Something was definitely very wrong.
That was the best way to describe everything that Hyuntak was feeling. Wrong.
It was wrong for him to be attracted to his employer's son. It was wrong for him to be thinking of a high-schooler in that way. So very, very wrong.
But, specifically, something was off about Juntae. He was acting differently.
Like, when they were walking back from Eunjang (Hyuntak insisted, turned out Juntae really couldn't be left with too much freedom), he wrapped his arm around Hyuntak's. When Hyuntak gave him a strange look, he only batted his lashes up at him innocently.
"What? I thought you said I should stick to your side?"
Hyuntak had no words to reply. Plus, feeling Juntae's warmth at his side was nothing to complain about. But, the way it made his stomach feel was slightly concerning.
Then, there was that time they were eating at the dinner table. Hyuntak felt something brush against his leg. He paused, chopsticks half-way to his mouth. The touch travelled upwards, pushing past his pants up his calf.
He looked to Juntae, who was already staring at him, a smile toying at his lips.
"Juntae-yah. What are you trying to pull?"
Juntae tilted his head as if he hadn't done anything. "Nothing. I just wanted to feel you, hyung." Hyuntak jolted at that. "Why are you sitting so far away? Come to my side."
Hyuntak ignored him, pushing Juntae's leg away with his own and focusing resolutely on his food Not the way his skin burned where he felt Juntae's touch, or the way his suggestive words put indecent thoughts in Hyuntak's head, of all the ways Juntae could feel him .
Hyuntak had no choice but to put distance between them. This time, noticeable, unneccessary physical distance. He didn't let Juntae touch him for any reason, dismissed himself early at the end of the day, sleeping over at Juntae's apartment considerably less. He kept a least 2 metres between them at all times.
Juntae didn't seem to pleased but he didn't bring it up. Hyuntak deluded himself into thinking it would all be fine.
It all came to a head one Saturday night. Hyuntak was standing next to the table and Juntae leaned closer to grab something. Hyuntak startled and took a pointed step out of the way.
Juntae looked at him, puzzled. As if testing something, he stepped towards him.
When Hyuntak dodged him again, side-stepping out of reach, Juntae narrowed his eyes at him.
"You really are avoiding me," he said matter-of-factly.
Hyuntak scratched his nose. "No, I'm not."
Juntae took a step towards him and Hyuntak stepped back.
"Yes, you are."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Jun."
Juntae took another step forward—Hyuntak retreated once again. Another step—another retreat.
"You are definitely avoiding me."
One more step and Hyuntak's back hit the wall.
"Do I scare that much, hyung?"
Juntae pressed up against him—chest-to-chest—and looked up at Hyuntak, a mischeivous glint in his eyes.
"Are you afraid that if I get too close, something will happen? That you won't be able to hold back?"
Hyuntak's neck strained as he tried to put as much space in between their faces, and to not focus on Juntae's body heat seeping into him.
How can he affect me this much?
This is a high schooler, he told himself. A eighteen-year-old boy.
Hyuntak looked back—Juntae stared up at him with a delighted smirk.
Frustrated, Hyuntak swapped their positions—he pushed Juntae against the wall and tilted his chin up with his thumb and pointer finger.
"Do you think this is funny?"
Juntae smiled even wider.
"Yes. I do."
Hyuntak wasn't a person who enjoyed surrendering to anyone.
But, he liked Juntae so much. It was like all of his defences would disappear, leaving him vulnerable to Juntae's every whim. Losing control wasn't a fun feeling—yet, being around Juntae felt like he was free-falling, every minute of every day. Juntae acted like this—all clingy and flirtatious—and Hyuntak could only sit there and take it. Could only let his feelings consume him from the inside, with no way (no ethical, moral way) of letting them out.
But, Hyuntak could only handle so much. The well containing his feelings had a limit—a limit that was quickly getting crossed. He couldn't handle it anymore.
Hyuntak kissed him—just a light peck on his lips.
Juntae gasped. He placed a hand over his mouth, genuine shock spreading across his face.
"Hyung— did you just—" he choked.
Hyuntak was twisted. Something about catching Juntae off-guard—finally wiping that smug grin off his face for once—was exhilerating. Hyuntak wanted more of this feeling.
Hyuntak pushed Juntae's hand out of the way and kissed him again, deeper.
Hyuntak was the older one, for goodness' sake—why was he constantly at the mercy of Juntae? He kissed his way down his neck while Juntae stammered and gasped.
“What?” Hyuntak breathed, voice deep over the junction where Juntae’s neck meets his shoulders. “I thought this is what you wanted.”
"I-" Juntae took a shuddering breath. I—"
Hyuntak kissed back up his neck to his ear.
“Hyung—” Juntae breathed, winding his arms around Hyuntak's neck, trying to hold himself up while his legs had gone unstable.
He finally went back to his lips. Hyuntak gave him a few light kisses before swiping his tongue over Juntae's bottom lip. Juntae seemed to just be following his lead, so he pulled down on his chin lightly with his thumb.
"Jun-ah. Open."
They kissed for real, tongues grazing over each other. Hyuntak pushed closer instinctively, and Juntae tightened his hold around Hyuntak's neck. He teased Juntae's bottom lip with his teeth and reveled in the hums he recieved in return.
Hyuntak pulled back and watched Juntae sink to the ground slowly, eyes glazed over. It felt so satisfying; Hyuntak definitely learned something about himself tonight.
He bent down and cupped Juntae's cheek softly.
"Did you like it?"
Juntae nodded listlessly.
"Is hyung a good kisser?"
Juntae nodded again, staring up at him in amazement. Hyuntak smirked—a few kisses and Juntae turned this obedient?
"Keep being good—" Hyuntak petted his cheek "—and hyung will do it again, okay? "