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When Gangok opened the door to his seat, Jiyong was not impressed. Why, because apparently Gangok's idea for their “first anniversary”—definitely Gangok's words and not his—was to celebrate at the place where they had their first fistfight.
Literally.
“Doesn't this bring back memories?” Gangok asked, face beaming with delight, it's blinding. “The very place where we first met.” At that, Gangok spun gracefully with his hands held out like he's some sort of Disney princess.
Jiyong was absolutely not impressed. “You mean, the very place where we tried to kill each other?”
Gangok put a hand on his chest, looking every bit offended. “What do you mean we tried to kill each other? I never did that. If anything, you're the one who tried to kill me. And in my defense, it was an act of self-defense.” Gangok smiled his cheeky smile.
Jiyong rolled his eyes.
“Also, you literally left me hanging off this building for hours. Do you know how cramped my arms had been after that?”
Jiyong simply raised his eyebrows in response, unbothered.
“But don't worry, I still like you.” Gangok winked. “Anyway! Feel free to choose any spot you like. I'll go get the mat and food ready.” Gangok made a happy noise as he turned around, body shivering with excitement. “You did it, Cho Gangok! You fucking did it! You're actually celebrating your one-year anniversary working together with Kim Jiyong! Good job, me!”
A heavy sigh escaped Jiyong's mouth as he watched Gangok walked with a spring in his step toward the car. They hadn't begun yet, but already his head ached. Then again, it's way better than having some weird expensive food at some weird expensive restaurant. Good thing Gangok had listened and agreed, though a little too enthusiastically, to his—yes, it was his—idea. It's just that he should've picked the location, too, instead of letting Gangok choose it. He should've known Gangok was a hopeless romantic. It was painfully obvious.
Jiyong heaved another sigh and contemplated. He must've been crazy. He must've been crazy to have said yes in the first place. He must've been out of his mind to have agreed to Gangok's invitation to begin with. Hell, they're not even in a romantic relationship or anything (he didn't even like Gangok), but here he was, here they were, having an anniversary dinner, of all things, a year later.
However the hell did he reach this point?
Jiyong thought, long and hard, and eventually arrived at the most plausible conclusion he could've ever thought of.
He was desperate.
That's right. He was desperate. The police was hot on his trail and he was desperate. And Gangok had appeared before him during a dire moment, it was enlightening, and also kind of creepy, frankly speaking. Even though he'd never entertained the thought of working together with the man, he had to admit that Gangok had been a huge help and enabler, so he should at the very least say his thank you in return. (Because manner.)
He did not, however, plan to show his gratitude this way.
It was rather seamless, Jiyong had to say, how it all began and then spiraled into... whatever this was. Gangok had asked him out to dinner one day during one of their “business” meetings, and while the invitation had sounded casual and nonchalant, Jiyong knew Gangok was secretly hoping for him to say something along the lines of “Okay.” (The man was too easy to read.)
So, he did just that.
Jiyong had said something along the line of “Okay” in response and Gangok had gasped in surprise, eyes wide and bright it made him look stupid. It was nothing serious on Jiyong's part, though. He'd simply wanted to say thank you for all the help Gangok had given him without having to explicitly say the words to the man's face, and seeing that he had no money, much less expensive goods, to offer Gangok as a compensation, the only thing Jiyong could do was say yes to Gangok's invitation to a meal and no, he did not really give it any more thought than necessary.
Because it was just that. A meal.
Jiyong, however, had not even the slightest idea that a single dinner would multiply itself into more which then turned into a shower of useless gifts that only added more problems on his already overfilled plate and, before he knew it, everything was under Gangok's control.
It's too late now, but still, Jiyong regretted his decision to have ever realized Gangok's dream that day. If he knew it'd end up like this, he would've rejected him outright before the guy was even done talking.
Then again...
“Jiyong-ah! Jiyong-ah!” Gangok called just then, both hands full of stuff for their picnic-dinner. “Have you picked a spot?”
“Mm. Here.” Jiyong shot Gangok a look, noticed the change on the man's expression. “Why? You don't like it?”
Well, he was standing near the edge of the building. And he remembered vaguely the fight they'd had here once, and how it had ended for Gangok in particular.
Gangok stammered a bit, eyes wavering. “It's not that I don't like it. It's just... You're not going to throw me off this building and leave me hanging for my dear life again, right? It would very much upset me if you actually do.”
Jiyong almost huffed out a small laugh at that. But he maintained his usual stoic face and said, “No, I'm not going to throw you off the building and leave you hanging for your dear life again.”
“Really?”
“Mm.”
“Pinky promise?”
“Mm.”
“Lie and you'll cut off your pinky?”
“Bye.”
“Waitwaitwait! Jiyong-ah! Okay, okay, I understand, I get it, so don't go and let's eat, okay? These are actually heavy, by the way.” Slightly raising the bags in his hands, Gangok gave him a sheepish grin.
Jiyong sighed. He helped Gangok out before long, carrying some of the food over to the spot of his choice. Gangok was excited all over again, and Jiyong had a hard time believing that this man beside him was already in his thirties.
Anyway, if he were to be honest, it's not so bad, though.
This.