Chapter Text
Seongje had been wandering lost ever since he parted from the Union. It was a desperate, but futile attempt to regain control after Baekjin tore through his, supposedly, indestructible pride. He highly doubted that it had affected that bastard in any way, but Seongje was sure as hell starting to feel the effects of his departure.
The consequences had weaved themselves into the cracks of his life, and they gnawed at him in ways he hadn’t expected.
There weren’t any regular fights anymore. Nothing was done to subdue that lingering urge.
No more paychecks.. not that he really needed them.
No more Dongha, no more Seongmok, no more Baek— Shit… who else was in the Union?
He trudged through the packed streets of Yeongdeungpo, kicking at the thick blanket of snow to pave himself a narrow path. There was not one clear thought occupying his mind: maybe he’d wander until he found himself in a fight? Or at the very least, wander until his thoughts cleared up enough for him to think straight. Even though it was obvious which one he would’ve preferred, he wouldn’t have minded either in his situation.
He continued walking, and wandering… until he had managed to step into the threshold of Baekjin’s apartment complex. Seongje blinked once, confused — had he really walked forty minutes? — and looked up towards his window.
A sudden thought emerged.
He shouldn’t do it,
It wasn't logical to do.
…
Since when did he care about ‘logic’?
———
Seongje’s suppressed chuckles drifted through the air as he pressed two handfuls of snow together, his hands clasped tightly to form a sturdy ball of snow. Once satisfied, he raised his hand behind his head and tossed it towards Baekjin’s window with all his might. He didn’t wait to see if it had landed, he just continued packing snow together, laughing so erratically to the point where passersby glanced at him with barely masked concern.
Minutes passed, and he was just starting to build the momentum for another throw when a familiar face emerged from the window. Seongje’s movements stuttered before coming to a complete stop, and his string of laughter faltered as he stared right back at that deadpan face.
“Seongje,”
Seongje remained silent when Baekjin called out his name, as if staying still would allow the ground to swallow him whole. The ball of snow continued to melt against the warmth of his palm, now coating his already numb fingers in cold water.
“…Seongje,” Baekjin repeated, his voice dropping an octave.
Seongje opened his mouth to speak, his brain working desperately to make up an excuse. What do you tell your former boss after you’re caught mercilessly throwing snow at their window?!
“I—”
“It was open,”
Silence.
“…My window was open.”
Baekjin turned his head towards the mess of liquid and slush on his linoleum floor, the snow melting further with each passing moment. He didn’t get an answer from Seongje when he looked back, and didn't get one either when he stared at him.
Finally, Seongje managed to squeeze out a response. A pathetic one at that.
“…There was a bug on your window.”
They both stared at each other, as if Seongje wasn’t the culprit behind that pathetic excuse, as if Baekjin was the one who made up such a ridiculous reason.
Baekjin’s jaw dropped maybe an inch or so, and for once, the Na Baekjin seemed caught off guard…
And all of a sudden, Seongje didn’t feel so embarrassed about his excuse after all. The corner of his lips curled in satisfaction, and just as he was about to smile—
“Come up and clean it.”
Seongje’s grin dropped.
Clean?
Did he look like a maid to him? Did he somehow dress in ‘cleaner attire’ before leaving his apartment?
“What?! I’m not a fucking mai—”
———
Seongje scrubbed at the floor angrily, doing more to spread the mess than actually clean it. His brows were furrowed tightly, lips pressed into a thin line as he wiped the linoleum. It wasn’t his fault that Baekjin’s window was open, why would it be considering that it’s winter? If anything, Baekjin should be the one cleaning it up, not him.
Seongje was so lost in his train of thoughts that he had somehow missed Baekjin’s entry, even with the shadow that had cast itself over him.
“With how hard you’re frowning, I’m surprised you don’t have any wrinkles.”
Seongje’s intense scrubbing came to a halt, his frown deepening despite Baekjin’s comment. Irritation bubbled up inside of him for what seemed like the fifth time this week — and it was only Tuesday! Before his mind could interrupt with something rational, he snatched the soaking rag off the floor and hurled it straight towards Baekjin’s face.
…But to nobody's surprise, the bastard caught the sopping cloth before it had a chance to breach his personal space. Seongje didn’t even attempt to hide his disappointment, letting out a loud groan at the lack of reaction.
Baekjin stared at him with an unamused expression. And yet, instead of tossing that dirty cloth right back at him, he threw a fresh towel at Seongje’s chest.
“Dry your hands,” Baekjin murmured, his eyes closing momentarily. “When you’re done with the tantrum, there’s kimchi ramen in the kitchen. Eat it if you want.”
He spared a glance in Seongje’s general direction, inhaled deeply, and turned towards the living room.
Seongje narrowed his eyes at Baekjin’s retreating figure, a brow quirking upwards as a wave of suspicion hit him. Baekjin didn’t even like ramen, let alone ones that were kimchi flavored…
And coincidentally, he was the one who had a liking towards…
A sharp gasp followed, as if something had clicked in that empty brain of his:
The bastard was trying to poison him!
How ‘generous’ of Baekjin to offer him a last meal before he dies, and from his doing too.
…Well whatever. It wouldn’t make much of a dent on his iron stomach anyways. Besides, the loud growl that had followed his train of thought seemed far more important than a conspiracy on Baekjin’s motives. Poisoned or not, he would’ve died from starvation anyways.
He dragged his hands along the material of the towel, blindly drying his rough palms whilst sniffing the air like some rabid dog.
Surprisingly, the smell alone was enough to ease that persistent ache in his chest.
And even though it was just by a little, Seongje found himself smiling ever so slightly.