Chapter Text
"You're late"
Na Baekjin looks as pristine as ever, not a hair out of place, his leather jacket snug over his cream coloured turtle-neck shirt. He is working on his school work as usual, writing away clinically, hand gliding over the paper fluidly. It grinds on Seongje's nerve -how unbothered he seems to be about all of this and he wants to pluck the pen and stab the bastard right on his fucking hand - maybe that will stop him from scribbling away. Maybe he won't, Na Baekjin is the kind of crazy fucker to keep going, even with a hole on his hand, Seongje wonders morbidly.
Seongje shifts his glance to the basic ass wall clock hanging above where Baekjin is seated. 7.06 pm.
He just scoffs and pulls out a cigarette in response to Baekjin. He walks over to the couch and drops himself onto it, before simply cutting to the point saying. "I heard Baku challenged you to fight"
Of course Seongje knows about this, he's never been out of the loop. Even during his self imposed break from the union, he has his own rats inside to keep tabs and update him on everything.
Baekjin doesn't react to that with more than a noncommital hum. What a bummer. And the guy has not once looked up since he walked in, his eyes still focused on his worksheet. Seongje feels the beginning of a familiar itch building behind his eyes -he doesnt say anything further, just takes a deep drag letting it out slowly, and sinks further into the couch, arms spread out, and one leg propped up on the table in front. It's silent for a while between them, the atmosphere filled with weird tension.
"Have you eaten?"
Seongje shifts his head slightly towards Baekjin, mind still processing what he has just been asked. "What?"
"I heard you fancy hot, chicken noodles the best." He continues, eyes still focused on his work.
Seongje let's out a crazed laugh, he just can't help it. He can't help the rage that's bubbling up either. It's a sudden, sharp sound cutting through the silence, one that immediately dies in his throat. Seongje's expression is wild when he speaks, eyes blazing with barely restrained fury. "Ah, you're such a cute fucker." Seongje's face forms a smile though, one that promises blood, pain and more. "Baekjin-ah, are you fucking threatening me now?"
Baekjin finally looks up at him, eyes meeting his -dark and calculating, like they have always been. His hand comes to a halt, pen pausing over the paper, and he leans forward a bit.
"So?" Baekjin doesn't even blink, eyes boring into him."Have you eaten, Seongje-yah?"
Seongje can't believe this. At this point, he shouldn't be surprised, he's not, however he can't stop the disgusting feeling of disappointment rising.
Seongje can't believe he came running back here starving like he's really some fucking lapdog waiting for Baekjin to order around. Seongje's so sick of this. He's done, he decides. Today, he'll walk out of here without Na Baekjin's shadow haunting him. He will fucking just pull his brain out and carve Na Baekjin out with his own hands if he has to. He's done playing loser for this asshole.
Seongje is almost shaking with how much he's holding himself back. He gets up, quietly walking over to the other till he's right in front of Baekjin, separated by the table. Not breaking eye contact, Seongje blows the smoke onto Baekjin's face, presses the butt of his cigarette on the worksheet, leaving burnmark and ash at the contact.
"Fuck you. You are a pathetic asshole, Na Baekjin. Till the end.. you're still.." Seongje shakes his head, then huffs. "Fuck. Just do what you want, you bastard." He shoves his fists into his jacket and turns back walking away towards the door. His hand closes around the knob when Baekjin speaks up again.
"Seo Juntae."
Seongje stills at the name. It's not like Seongje hasn't considered that Baekjin might already know of his fixation on the other boy. But actually hearing it, confirms Seongje is not the only one keeping tabs here.
"What exactly are you playing at, Seongje?"
Seongje doesn't answer, he doesn't owe shit to this fucker. Seongje's grip on the knob tightens, he turns around blood boiling, the itch grown into something that's full on pounding his skull now. "None of your damn business." He warns through gritted teeth, glaring right at him "So stay the fuck away from him."
Baekjin somehow seems to find this funny, his lips curling into a smirk, tone acidic, "Oh, but it is. When you're going around fraternizing with people who oppose the union."
Seongje turns to face him fully. Now Seongje is amused. Bullshit. "Is that what you said to your yourself when you broke Gotak's knee as well?" Baekjin's jaw ticks, eyes darkening. Seongje feels a sense of sick satisfaction at the reaction, "You don't know how to make friends, Baekjin" Seongje smiles at him the crazy glint back in his eyes, "I don't think you even deserve to."
"And you think you do? Don't pretend for a second that you're approaching the kid with pure intentions. Of being friends." Baekjin sneers at him. "I know you, Geum Seongje. And I know you won't stop till the kid is under you and wrapped up your finger. So, if it keeps you in line, I will break him."
Seongje has had enough of Baekjin's nonsense. How dare this bastard sit here, like he's all above and holier than Seongje and talk about touching, hurting, breaking what is his like it's a fucking promise. Seongje will tear him apart, show him hell before his death. Seething, he marches right over and grabs Baekjin by his collar. Seongje pulls him around the desk and shoves him hard.
Baekjin doesn't look fazed by his explosion. He crashes onto the table near the couch, the glass top breaking into pieces, some scratching his face and hands, red blooming immediately on them.
Seongje doesn't wait a second more, grabbing the front of Baekjin's shirt and roughly pulling him up. He's in his face then, "I am warning you, don't even think about touching him. I will personally make sure to fucking bury you alive." He tightens the grip, his hold almost choking the bastard, before slowing letting go. With that he backs away, shoving the other back harshly.
"Don't try to contact me. Ever."
Seongje flings the door open, almost pulling it off its hinges, doesn't bother closing it, before storming out of the bowling alley and into the cold night.
__
Seongje walks all the way back to the noodle shop, trying to calm down. He's not doing a great job, but he hasn't dislocated any arms bumping into him, neither has he broken anyone's windpipe for breathing wrong in his direction. Yet. So he counts it as a win.
By the time he reaches, his temper is on a low simmer and he is smoking lazily, thoughts slowing a bit. Just a bit. His mind is still a mess and there is a dull ache around his heart, he can't identify the reason for.
Seongje puts out his cigarette and enters the almost empty restaurant, mind already on the spiciest thing he can shove down his throat, when he spots him.
Seo Juntae .
Seongje is stunned, he comes to stand still at the entrance. His heart gives a dull thud, then the ache around it easing slowly. Juntae is seated right near the cooking station, only his profile visible to Seongje. He's smiling brightly at the old woman, both talking animatedly -was the old woman always this talkative? Huh. Then Juntae shifts, and the light catches his wide smile so prettily, Seongje just stares for a moment.
thud. Thud. Thud.
There's a different type of ache now clawing at his heart, Seongje almost bringing his hand upto his chest to soothe it. He doesn't know how long he stood there simply drinking in it all, once again etching every little detail of the scene onto his mind.
Far too soon to his liking, Juntae's eyes land on him, finding Seongje just rooted to the spot, playing store mannequin. Juntae's smile dims then -not completely gone but his face turns serious. They don't talk, don't greet, just look at each other for a while as if in a trance.
Then the old woman breaks it by opening her mouth, "Ya, brat. How long have you been just standing there?"
Seongje tears his gaze away from Juntae with visible effort. He puts on his signature smirk, lips quirking up and makes his way over to them, perching on the seat next to Juntae.
"Wow, wow, I have been away only a week, and you have already found a substitute mouth to feed."
Seongje simply grins at her. Her eyes twitch and she bites out, "You have some nerve, punk, showing up here and spouting your nonsense after disappearing like that. Watch what you eat today, kid"
"Do your worst." He whispers at her waving his fingers playfully, grin widening further. Then he turns towards the little lamb.
Would you look at that? The little lamb is trying so hard to look totally disinterested though the hint of curiosity in his eyes is apparent as he is observing them. His lips are pulled in an unconsious pout, the sight too captivating, that has Seongje's eyes locking onto them. Juntae clears his throat, and Seongje drags his eyes back to meeting the other's eyes.
"So, did the little lamb miss me so much, that he couldn't even wait a day, hm?" Seongje tilts his head supporting it with his fist, smirking down at the shorter. Juntae has started fidgeting at Seongje's attentive gaze and he seems to be gathering his thoughts. Seongje waits patiently, absolutely no protests on his part, because what would he be complaining about, when he gets to shamelessly stare at the other.
Juntae licks his lips once, twice, -none of the actions escaping Seongje, who is devouring everything he offers like the starved man he is, before visibly steeling himself and starts talking.
"It's about earlier."
"Hm, what about earlier?" Seongje hums, acting clueless.
"You know. That thing, you did earlier." Juntae presses, and he keeps glancing towards the old woman, checking if she's listening in, but she looks busy preparing their food. Seongje knows better though.
"Do I?" Seongje puts on a show of thinking, scratching his chin and squinting his eyes.
Now Juntae is getting annoyed, and he let's out harshly, "Stop being obtuse on purpose! I know you know what I am talking about"
Seongje is loving every second of this he wants to tease the boy further, how can he not when Juntae keeps reacting so deliciously, but he decides to take small mercy on him.
"Aha!" He exclaims slightly slapping his thigh, like he just had a eureka moment and goes louder than necessary, "You mean when I confessed my undying love to you"
Juntae's eyes go wide and he snaps his head towards the old woman so fast Seongje kinda worries he might have broke his neck. Seongje sees her shoulders trembling, indicating she's has been listening to every word of their conversation. He didn't doubt her for a second anyways.
Looking mortified and now thoroughly irritated, Juntae glares at Seongje face all red, "You did not confess your- your undying love" He finishes voice low, like it physically pains him to say that.
"I didn't? I remember it though, you know, right after I-"
"Stop talking. Just shut up." Juntae hisses at him, looking ready to pull Seongje by his hair if he dares to continue that. It's cute.
Seongje wants to swallow Juntae whole and burrow him inside himself. He relents hands up in air, "Okay fine. You're the one who brought it up but whatever, little lamb"
Juntae lets out an exasperated sigh indicating he's already regretting coming here. Speaking of, "How did you know to find me here?"
Seongje is actually quite surprised to see him here. It's not a secret exactly, that Seongje visits this place regularly, but he didn't think it's well known enough for Juntae to find him so easily, especially he's not here on a daily anymore, maybe twice or thrice a week. Which has to mean Juntae was actively looking around for him, searching for places Seongje might frequent at. The thought sends a deep satisfaction through him, nerves buzzing with excitement.
Juntae seems to realize this, giving him the stink eye and says, "I just happened across this information, accidentally, while researching about.. the union.. for the upcoming ..fight, yeah."
Well that does makes sense, not by much though. That's a little disappointing. Tch, why are people so invested in his life and publicizing it, he will never understand it.
"Alright, back to my point." Juntae straightens up and his voice us stern when he continues, "I don't know why you saved me and frankly, I think I am better off not knowing anyway. The reason I am here is, to tell you to stay away from me and my friends. I don't care about your intentions. Good or bad, I don't want to involve with you. I don't want to have anything to do with you, and nothing will change that. Now, or in the future" the words are tumbling out of his mouth, like they have been practiced and rehearsed several times.
And Seongje just stares at him for a while, then chuckles "Ya, you look so cute and innocent. But your words are a little cruel, little lamb" It's true, if this was directed to a lesser person, they might have been sweeping the floor with their tears by now. But this is Seongje, like some fucking words can hurt him. And the only reason, his heart feels pinched is because he's not eaten all day and his stomach might eat itself, if he goes on longer. Yeah, that's fucking it.
Juntae presses his lips together, but doesn't say anything further. He thinks he has made his point clear, huh. Like Seongje gives a flying fuck about what he thinks. Juntae's fate has been sealed with Seongje the moment he saved him at Daesung workshop. Seongje has already decided where Juntae would belong. What Juntae thinks or tells him is completely irrelevant. Fuck.
Right then two bowls of steaming noodles is placed in front of them. Juntae bows and offers a quick thank you, but doesn't move to take the food. Seongje wants to hurl the bowl at the wall, wants to watch the porcelain shatter down to dust, the thick noodles spilling everywhere, with the broth painting the floor red, wants to watch it mirroring his insides.
Seongje picks up his bowl and chopsticks, wrestling out a big chunk of noodles and immediately stuffs them into his mouth. The spice hits his mouth like a truck, and he relishes on the sting it brings. He keeps slurping them with gusto, while Juntae looks half impressed and half like he wants to run out the door.
"Eat."
When Juntae doesn't move, he points his chopsticks at him, "Don't waste it, you will regret it. Trust me."
Juntae picks up the bowl reluctantly and carefully takes a bite. "Good, right?" Seongje inquires, though he already knows Juntae likes it by the way his eyes brightened slightly, and his lips are lifting up. Seongje doesn't let even the tiniest of detail slip through.
Juntae lets out an appreciative nod in response, then they're back to eating. No more words were spoken between them, both just finishing their food in silence.
__
Seongje is laying on one of corner the tables, pushed up against the glass wall facing the street now, one leg on the table and one swinging back and forth. His hands are hovering above him, holding up his phone as he's playing some game, though he's not really paying much attention to it.
Juntae left hours ago, all polite words and sweet smile offering to pay on his mouth, which was waved off by the old woman altogether. Then he left with his belly full, a soft smile on his face to the old woman, praising her food and without so much a glance at Seongje. Oh, his little lamb is so cruel.
The old woman is closing it up for the day, clearing all the tables and her kitchen. She hasn't bothered Seongje once since Juntae has left. Probably knows he's not in his right mind. Seongje is dreading the moment he will be asked to leave, because he can't handle going back home just yet, he just might completely trash his home, and regret it in the morning. Better to stay here.
Seongje's character is getting utterly thrashed, no matter how hard his thumbs jam against those buttons. He's so close to launching his phone across the restaurant, his body feeling so wired and tense.
"How are you feeling?"
Seongje eases the grip on his phone, gives up and drops it onto the table. He answers honestly, "Like dying." Seongje's mouth is on fire, his hands are itching crazy for some chaos, and his heart feels increasingly choked by the minute. And he doesn't know how to deal with all these emotions, without wrecking complete havoc around him.
"I did good with the noodles, right?" Seongje turns to see her smiling smugly at him. He huffs out a short laugh, silently feeling grateful, the pain on his tongue feels familiar enough to actually calm his nerves a bit. She usually never questions him, no matter how destroyed he comes looking, just the same noodles greeting him instead, offering some semblance of comfort. So he is pulled off guard when she asks, "That looked rough, you okay kid?"
And Seongje wonders how fucking pathetic he must be looking right now -compared to looking beaten black and blue, that she's asking this. Maybe it's got nothing to do with how he looks at all.
Seongje giggles at her, "All good." throwing in a okay sign as a extra measure. She's silent, obviously not buying it, but doesn't call out his bullshit either, just stares at him a bit longer before sighing. Seongje startles at something being hurled at his face, but instinctively catches it. The metal glints, the ceiling light bouncing off it.
"Make sure to lock the shop when you leave." Is all she says, before she's gone.
Seongje should stop her, thank her -for now, for earlier and for all these past years. But he doesn't. He doesn't know how, and he doesn't understand why all of a sudden this matters to him. His mind circles back to doe eyes, the face from their earlier conversation haunting him. This is what he wanted, to be consumed wholly by the little lamb, to be haunted by that alluring face and expressive eyes. But why doesn't it make his heart soar like he had imagined? Why instead, his heart burns with a ache he doesn't know how to quell?
Fuck.
He shifts to his side watching the quiet night through the glass, staring unblinkingly at the street light flickering outside and the noise from the game on his phone still blaring, the only sound accompanying him inside.