Chapter Text
“Are you really Eunjang’s top dog? That little loser over there seemed more like one.”
Seongje has never had this happen before. He’s never stepped in to save someone getting beat up. He’s always the one beating people up. He’s also never quite respected someone like he respects Juntae.
It’s strange. Seongje knows that he’s not the strongest, objectively Baekjin or Baku could beat him in a fight. Hell, even that psycho Yeon Sieun proved he could. But Seongje doesn’t respect them just because they’re stronger than him. He only follows Baekjin because it’s fun, not out of respect or loyalty.
But this fucking tiny nerd… so weak, so beaten and bloody, he earned Seongje’s respect the moment he refused to give up.
Seongje still thinks he should’ve given up. He could’ve died if he got beaten worse. What kind of crazy fucker is actually willing to die for his friends?
Seo Juntae, apparently.
“Fuuuuuuck,” Seongje exhales, leaning back in his chair.
He likes that little wimp. He actually does. He’s just so loyal, in a selfless way that people claim to be but rarely are. It’s romantic, and irrational.
Seongje likes that because he’s the same way.
In fact, Seongje bets that Juntae would even fight Baekjin or Seongje himself for his friends, and still not give up.
At that thought, Seongje gets excited. He wants to find out. He wants to know more about what Seo Juntae would do, in a wide variety of situations Seongje is having fun imagining.
For the first time, someone is actually holding his interest.
Seongje takes a drag of his cigarette and smiles.
Juntae feels horrible.
His entire body hurts, he can barely move. Thankfully he got home late enough that his mom didn’t see his injuries, and she believed his excuse of being sick to let him stay home from school today.
The pain is awful, but Juntae’s used to it. He’s been beaten up before, he’ll stay home a few days then go back to school with his friends.
What’s really bothering Juntae, making him curl up in bed with discomfort, is Geum Seongje.
He’s an unstable lunatic, everyone knows that. He fights people just for fun, and he’s good at it. Juntae can’t get his crazed smile out of his head.
Seongje isn’t a good person. So why did he help Juntae?
Why did he suddenly decide to beat up his own Union guys to save Juntae, going directly against what Baekjin wanted? Juntae thought Seongje was Baekjin’s right-hand man, his feral dog to let loose when Baekjin couldn’t be bothered to fight himself. Why, then, did he help Juntae?
Juntae can’t stop thinking about it. He likes when things make sense — Union = bad, and Eunjang = good. But Geum Seongje isn’t fitting into a category.
He’s like a force of nature; unpredictable, sudden, and lethal. Juntae’s always been afraid of, yet fascinated by, natural disasters.
He doesn’t know the reason why Seongje chose to help him last night. Was it something he said?
Whatever it was, Juntae hopes it doesn’t happen again.
It happens again. Or more accurately, Geum Seongje happens again.
Juntae’s walking home after school, his first day back since recovering from his injuries. He’s still bruised, but the pain has receded and he can walk. He’s fine.
What’s not fine, is turning a corner and smacking right into someone. Someone tall with a lithe but strong frame. Someone wearing a red jacket over a black shirt. Someone who smells like cigarettes.
“Hi,” Geum Seongje grins.
“Um, s-sorry,” Juntae stutters. “Sorry, I didn’t see you. I’ll just be going — ”
“Not so fast,” Seongje says, grabbing hold of Juntae’s shoulder. “Don’t you know it's rude to ditch someone waiting for you?”
Juntae blinks. “You were… waiting? For me?”
Seongje grins wider. “Of course, baby.”
Juntae’s face contorts at the pet name. Whatever this is, whatever Seongje wants, he doesn’t like it. Not one little bit.
“What do you want?” Juntae asks, exasperated.
Seongje’s grin fades as he tilts his head to the side, studying Juntae. “You’re still afraid of me.”
“Of course I am,” Juntae sighs. He’s not stupid. Seongje acting out of character one time by saving Juntae wasn’t going to change that.
Although now, Juntae considers that there’s more to Seongje than he initially thought.
Suddenly, Seongje grabs hold of Juntae and shoves, pushing him flush against the nearby wall. Juntae grunts, his body still sore and bruised, and Seongje isn’t gentle. Nothing about him is.
Seongje crowds him, leans down so that their faces are inches apart. Juntae stares at his wild eyes behind his glasses, feeling afraid but also intrigued. Seongje still hasn’t answered his question. Why is he here? What does he want?
“You’re a weak little nerd,” Seongje murmurs. “But you’ve got guts, babe.”
Seongje leans in impossibly closer, close enough for their noses to brush together. Juntae’s eyes are wide in anxiety and confusion, whereas Seongje’s are wide in fevered excitement.
“Punch me,” Seongje coaxes.
“What?” Juntae squeaks.
“Punch me,” Seongje repeats. “Come on. I want to see what you’ve got. You can take a punch, but can you give one?”
Juntae pushes Seongje away, finally able to breathe again.
“I don’t want to.”
“But I want you to,” Seongje grins. “Or would you rather I go after your little friends? I’m sure they’d love to fight me.”
Juntae knows they would, but he doesn’t want that. Seongje is crazy, and although Sieun or Baku could win against him, Juntae doesn’t want them to get hurt.
“Why?” Juntae asks again, exasperated.
“Why anything?” Seongje says. “Because I want to.”
Juntae already knew that was Seongje’s reason for doing whatever he does, but he wants to get deeper. He wants to know why Seongje wants to.
“Well, are you going to punch me or not?”
Not letting himself think about it anymore since there’s no point, Juntae clenches his fist the way Gotak taught him, and swings.
He hits Seongje across the face, below his glasses. Pain immediately explodes from Juntae’s hand, and he whimpers. How do they all do this regularly??
Seongje touches his cheek where Juntae punched him, and bursts out laughing.
Juntae frowns. Was his punch really that pathetic?
“Wow, you actually did it!” Seongje laughs. “Amazing. You’re great, baby.”
Juntae’s gut lurches. He doesn’t know what Seongje wants from him, but this attention… it does something to Juntae. It started that night when Seongje chose to save him from Baekjin’s thugs, and it’s happening again. He feels funny in his stomach and chest, and is rooted in place watching Seongje laugh instead of just turning around and walking away.
“More,” Seongje demands. “Hit me again.”
“Uh, no thanks,” Juntae swallows. “I’m good.”
Is that what this is? Seongje gauging his skills? Juntae thinks it's pretty obvious that he’s embarrassingly bad at fighting. Seongje must be a masochist.
Seongje doesn’t seem fazed by his refusal. “I want more, baby. Fight me.”
Juntae blushes, but stands his ground. If he fights Geum Seongje, he’s just going to get beat to a pulp again. But it doesn’t seem like Seongje will let him refuse.
“Tomorrow,” Juntae says desperately. “Okay?”
Seongje bursts out laughing again.
Juntae’s starting to get annoyed. “What’s so funny?”
“Delay all you want,” Seongje laughs, seeing right through him. “You can’t get rid of me. I won’t leave you alone.”
It’s clearly a threat, but for some reason Juntae’s blush burns brighter. He shivers.
“Run along, puppy,” Seongje says, patting his head and stepping out of his way. “I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Slowly, Juntae starts walking. Seongje doesn’t move, but Juntae feels his gaze prickling the back of his neck all the way home.
What has he got himself into?
Seongje can’t stop smiling.
When that little nerd punched him, Seongje swore he felt lightning strike his body. Juntae’s punch was pathetic, of course, but the strength of it didn’t matter. The fact that he did it, that’s what Seongje loved.
Seongje is used to getting what he wants. He’s used to taking what he wants.
But with Juntae, Seongje doesn’t want to take. He wants to receive. He wants all that Juntae can possibly give him — his anger, his stubbornness, his fear, his fists. Seongje is fascinated by the little wimp, and he wants to know everything about him.
He hasn’t been this fixated on someone before, but then again nobody’s earned his respect and interest before. Yeon Sieun is interesting, can take a punch, and fight dirty which Seongje has fun with, but there’s nothing about him that Seongje respects.
Juntae, on the other hand, earned his respect without trying to the moment he refused to give in. Seongje likes that someone so weak and pathetic could still, even when beaten to a pulp, practically ask for more hits because he wants to protect his friends.
Seongje imagines what it would be like to have a friend like that. He’s never really had friends in the first place, he didn’t see the point.
Selfishly, Seongje wants Juntae all to himself. He wants all that fire, all that loyalty, directed at him.
He’s just so cute too. Seongje wants to squish his pink little cheeks, wants to grab him by the waist and pull him flush against Seongje’s body. He wants to know how red his lips would get if Seongje bites them.
He follows Juntae home, of course. He already knows the route he takes home, which is how he knew where to wait for Juntae. But knowing where he actually lives is different, and thrilling. Seongje usually doesn’t bother to follow people that far, getting bored too quickly.
He hasn’t been bored since the night he saved Juntae.
He watches from the shadows of a nearby alleyway as Juntae enters his flat. He doesn’t call out in greeting and he flips the lights on, so Seongje assumes his parents work late or he lives alone. Perfect.
He promised Juntae he’d see him tomorrow, but he never said anything about not seeing him later tonight.
Juntae had just gotten out of a warm bath when there’s a knock at his door.
Thinking it’s Gotak like usual, Juntae quickly pulls on his pajamas and heads to answer it.
“Tak-ah?” Juntae calls. “I’m tired tonight, I’m just going to stay in — ”
He opens the door, and it’s not Gotak standing there.
It’s Seongje.
Seongje, with a fresh bruise on his cheek from Juntae’s fist that makes him even more attractive.
Juntae gapes at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I followed you,” Seongje says simply.
Juntae stares. Wordlessly, he closes the door.
Seongje’s foot shoots out, forcing the door to stay open.
“Aw, don’t be like that,” Seongje pouts. “Here.”
He holds up a bag, and Juntae leans forward to peek inside.
“Medicine?”
Inside the bag is a bottle of pain pills, antibiotic cream, and some bandages. Did Seongje give this to him for his hand? Is this some sort of intimidation tactic? It does hurt, and Juntae was already planning on putting some cream on his hand before bed.
“I already have all of this…” Juntae mumbles. “...but thank you, Seongje.”
Seongje sticks a cigarette in his mouth and lights it. “Well now you have extra. You’re welcome.”
He turns to go, but Juntae reaches out to catch his sleeve. Seongje looks over his shoulder, eyebrow raised.
“Um… would you like to come inside?”
Seongje’s face lights up in surprise and excitement. “I’d love to, baby.”
Juntae leads him inside, both of them sitting on the couch and Juntae setting the bag on the nearby table to rummage through it. Seongje is quiet, and Juntae watches him nervously out of the corner of his eye as he surveys the small apartment. Juntae’s glad he remembered to close his bedroom door, he doesn’t want Seongje to see everything that’s in there.
“Hold still,” Juntae says, reaching out with a q-tip with antibiotic cream.
Seongje flinches and catches Juntae’s wrist. “What are you doing?”
Oh no, did he make him uncomfortable?
“Putting medicine on your bruise,” Juntae explained softly. “Is that okay?”
Seongje tilts his head. “It’s fine. I’ve had way worse, and I don’t need to tell you that.”
Juntae remembers his fight with Sieun on the rooftop, and shakes his head.
“You’re still hurt,” Juntae responds. “A small bruise is still a bruise.”
Seongje stares at him. “I’m the one who asked you to hit me. You should patch up your hand, don’t worry about me.”
“I will,” Juntae smiles. “But I’d like to help you first. Is that okay?”
Something flickers across Seongje’s face, and he slowly releases Juntae’s wrist.
“Okay.”
Juntae smiles reassuringly, glad that he’s able to help. Although Seongje asked him to punch him, Juntae’s the one who decided to actually do it, so it’s still his responsibility.
“You’re doing that pretty well,” Seongje comments, holding still to let Juntae gently apply the ointment.
“Lots of practice,” Juntae sighs.
He finishes and leans back, and Seongje smiles. “Thanks, nurse.”
Juntae rolls his eyes, then reaches for the ointment tube to start on his knuckles.
His hand is slapped away, and Seongje grabs the bag to start rummaging through it.
“What — ” Juntae starts.
“My turn,” Seongje says, taking Juntae’s hand in his own and starting to dab the antibiotic cream on Juntae’s knuckles.
Juntae can only sit there, speechless.
Seongje has surprised him yet again. First, Seongje saves him from getting beaten to a pulp. Now, he’s taking care of Juntae’s hand? That got hurt because Seongje asked him to hit him?
It just doesn’t make any sense. Since when has Geum Seongje cared about anyone besides himself? Since when did he ask for a fight instead of just jumping in, head-first?
“Have you done this before?” Juntae decides to ask out of all the questions swirling in his mind.
“Mm, not really,” Seongje replies, wrapping Juntae’s hand in gauze. “If I get my shit rocked, I just take a few days to lay low.”
“And you’ve… never done this for anyone else?” Juntae asks.
Seongje laughs loudly, and pats Juntae’s finished hand.
“No, baby,” he answers.
“Why are you bothering now?” Juntae presses. He needs to know what fixation Seongje has on him.
Seongje grins. “I like you.”
Juntae frowns.
“Yah, are you jealous?” Seongje’s grin widens, and he leans forward. “Checking to see if I have anyone else I’m taking care of?”
Juntae blushes at that, but doesn’t lean away.
“I know you don’t,” Juntae bristles. “That’s why I asked.”
Seongje doesn’t seem offended; instead, he reaches out and squishes Juntae’s cheeks.
Juntae immediately leans backwards, but Seongje doesn’t loosen his grip.
“You’re so cute,” Seongje coos. “How can someone so cute be so bold?”
Juntae’s face warms so much he’s certain Seongje can feel it.
“Cute,” Seongje repeats, squeezing Juntae’s face once more before releasing him. He stands up, and takes out a new cigarette. “Rest up. You’ll need it for our fight tomorrow!”
Laughing, he leaves. When the door shuts behind him, Juntae rests his head in his hands.
Seongje’s not going to let this go. Juntae isn’t looking forward to the sure disaster that is their “fight” tomorrow.
Although, if Juntae is honest with himself…
He is looking forward to seeing Seongje again.
The next afternoon, Seongje works his way through a pack of cigarettes in anticipation of fighting Juntae.
He’s waiting exactly where he ran into Juntae yesterday, purposefully making himself predictable. He wants to know if Juntae will actually follow through on his promise to fight Seongje, if he won’t show up, or — worst-case scenario — he shows up with Baku, Gotak, and Sieun.
Seongje’s not interested in fighting them. He’s done that, and gotten bored. Well, maybe not of Yeon Sieun, but Seongje can get to him later.
All he wants right now is Juntae, and he wants Juntae all to himself.
Seongje checks his phone. The school day’s over, so Juntae should be on his way home. Seongje reaches for another cigarette, needing something to take the edge off as he waits.
Seongje wonders what he’s going to do if Juntae doesn’t show up. He won’t be angry, but just thinking of it makes him disappointed. He wants to see Juntae fight. He wants to mess with him.
The more he’s with Juntae, the more Seongje is surprised. He never expected him to invite Seongje into his house, let alone attend to his bruise first. Seongje honestly expected him to refuse the medicine, and spit something like I don’t need your help, you psycho.
But Juntae didn’t. Juntae thanked him and took care of him.
It’s fascinating. It makes Seongje want to bite him.
Seongje’s never been shown consideration like that before. Everyone either fears or hates him, and even Baekjin only cares about Seongje’s usefulness. Seriously, fuck that guy.
Seongje likes the way Juntae treats him just as much as he likes his bold loyalty.
Someone clears their throat then, pulling Seongje out of his thoughts. He looks over, and immediately straightens up and flicks his cigarette away at the sight of Juntae standing there, nervously pulling on the straps of his backpack.
“You actually showed up,” Seongje grins.
“Ah, yeah,” Juntae says, shrugging and avoiding Seongje’s eyes. “So… do we just… fight?”
Seongje steps forward to throw an arm around Juntae’s shoulder. “Loosen up, baby. I won’t hurt you too bad.”
Juntae does not loosen up, his shoulders tense under Seongje’s arm. Seongje shakes him a bit, and Juntae makes a cute noise of protest.
“Is this a one-time thing?” Juntae asks. “You beat me up once, then you leave me alone?”
“I never said anything about leaving you alone,” Seongje smiles. “And I’m not beating you up.”
Juntae looks up at him in confusion.
Seongje’s smile widens. “We’re fighting, baby.”
It’s a very specific difference, but Juntae doesn’t seem like he understands. That’s okay. Seongje will teach him.
With a final squeeze of Juntae’s shoulders, Seongje lifts his foot up and slams it down on Juntae’s.
Juntae gasps in pain. “What — ”
“Your psycho friend taught me that,” Seongje chuckles. “A new part of the body to target!”
Juntae stares at him in disbelief for a moment. Then, he moves.
He kicks Seongje in the leg, then throws a punch with his bandaged hand. Seongje could easily dodge but he lets Juntae’s hits connect, relishing in the flashes of pain.
“You’re still weak,” Seongje comments, then aims for Juntae’s face.
To his shock, Juntae throws his hands up in front of his face, successfully blocking Seongje’s punch.
Seongje laughs loudly. “Did your shitty friends teach you that?”
He aims lower, and successfully punches Juntae’s kidney. Juntae cries out in pain, clutching his side.
“Come on,” Seongje goads. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Juntae kicks again, hitting Seongje’s shin, then he shrugs his backpack off and swings it into Seongje’s body.
The bag isn’t that heavy and doesn’t cause any pain, but Seongje still likes the attempt. He watches Juntae’s eyes, captivated by the steel shining out of them as he swings the bag again.
Seongje catches the bag, tugs it from Juntae’s hands, and throws it behind him.
“I want your hands, baby,” Seongje grins, stepping closer.
Juntae steps back, but not before punching Seongje in the jaw.
“Good,” Seongje purrs.
Juntae swallows. Seongje is unfairly attractive like this, hair messy and smile crazed.
Juntae’s doing better than he thought. He’s gotten a few hits in, and Seongje hasn’t even tried to block them. He’s obviously not trying very hard to hit Juntae in return either, which makes Juntae even more confused and on edge.
Just what is this whole thing about?
Seongje kicks at Juntae’s knee, causing him to stumble. Seongje grabs him then, and throws Juntae against the alleyway wall.
But instead of backing up to kick at Juntae or punch him again, Seongje doesn’t loosen his grip. He presses Juntae against the wall, close enough that neither of them can really move to throw a hit.
Juntae stares into Seongje’s expressive eyes, breathing heavily. He wonders if Seongje’s about to headbutt him, that would really hurt —
Suddenly, Seongje surges forward. Juntae shuts his eyes to brace for the headbutt, but it never comes. Instead, there is soft, wet pressure on his mouth. Seongje’s kissing him.
Juntae’s eyes shoot open in shock at the same time Seongje’s hand holds his jaw to angle their kiss. Juntae wants to push him away, he really does, but he also…
He also relaxes into Seongje’s hold, and his head goes fuzzy. Seongje is kissing him expertly, making it hard for Juntae to think about anything else. Juntae feels weaker now than he has their entire fight, and he unconsciously starts moving his mouth against Seongje’s in return.
It feels good. Juntae likes this. He wants this.
Seongje’s thumb pulls down Juntae’s bottom lip, giving Seongje’s tongue access to lick into his mouth, and Juntae moans.
“God, you’re so delicious,” Seongje exhales.
Before Juntae can come up with a response, Seongje kisses him again, and Juntae gets lost in the pleasure.
He’s never kissed anyone before. Never really thought he would. And now he’s kissing Geum Seongje.
And he likes it. He likes it so much, he’s not sure if he can survive without it.
Juntae reaches up to grab Seongje’s hair, and tugs. Seongje groans into his mouth, and Juntae wonders what other noises he can pull from him.
“So good, baby,” Seongje whispers between kisses.
Juntae grows hot at the praise, pleasure running through his body in ways he’s never felt before. He shivers, and Seongje nips at his neck.
They kiss for a while longer, long enough that Juntae knows their “fight” wasn’t really a fight to begin with. When they finally pull away from each other to catch their breath, Seongje resting his head in the crook of Juntae’s neck and Juntae pressing his forehead against Seongje’s shoulder, the sun is starting to set.
Juntae slowly regains his thoughts. He doesn’t push Seongje away, although he should. He just… doesn’t want to.
“I’ll teach you how to fight,” Seongje says then, raising his head to look at Juntae. “I’ll teach you better than any of your fucking friends.”
“Sure,” Juntae says, meeting his gaze. “I think I understand what you want now, Seongje-ya.”
“Oh yeah?”
“You want me,” Juntae concludes. “It’s okay. I like you too.”
Seongje smiles, and it’s softer than usual. Juntae isn’t sure when it happened, but what he said was true. He likes Seongje.
“You’re mine now,” Seongje says.
Juntae just smiles.
“Sure,” he says again.
Seongje leans in to kiss him again, and Juntae’s eyes flutter closed.