Work Text:
Math problems aren't the most challenging for Baekjin right now, but financial and accounting documents need to be examined. Both the actual balance and the embezzled amount are used for necessary purposes unknown to anyone except the person sitting on the black leather sofa, smoking a cigarette.
Seongje puffed out a puff of smoke before leaning back in his seat and picking up his phone to play a game. The previously quiet room was interrupted by the sound of a racing game that didn't last long. But the word ‘game over’ caused the cigarette, once a stress reliever, to be crushed in an angry ashtray.
"What a trash game."
Baekjin looked up at the swearing man, but the tip of his pencil continued to scribble down the numbers and account numbers to be transferred to. Aside from the central account, which no one knew about, there were four separate accounts that Baekjin could remember the numbers of: Seongje's, Seongmok's, Dongha's, and his own. What they did with it was up to each person's intentions.
"Seongje."
"Uh-huh."
"Go check on Humin."
The fingertip that was about to enter the game suddenly stopped. Seongje turned to look at the person who had given the order, his face calm, but his eyes filled with displeasure.
"Right now? Are you crazy? That guy's probably at school."
"Today is Saturday."
Seongje laughed. "Baku has basketball practice. Did you forget?"
Silence returned as the game was restarted. Baekjin looked away from Seongje to the pile of documents. Next to him, a call screen had been sent to an automated answering machine, indicating the caller was unavailable at the time. It wasn't unusual for Baku to always have something to do, even on his days off from school.
Unless lately, it's been happening too often.
Baekjin had a hard time contacting his boyfriend over the past few months. His calls either went unanswered or went straight to an answering machine telling him to leave a message. Baekjin's solution was to send someone from the union to let Humin know he missed him, like once sending a freshman to the Park family's fried chicken restaurant and getting a dozen calls from Baku trying to make up.
Baekjin picked up the call on the twelfth call, not because he was busy; he always had time when it came to Baku, but he just let it ring and watched his boyfriend's anxiety, calling and texting countless questions, worrying, whining, and pleading, until he finally had to pick up the call.
And it wasn't long before Baekjin's apartment was filled with that person, just like his hips, which were almost overflowing with Baku's hot love.
──────────
Seongje lit up a cigarette in a highly inappropriate place, but who could stop him? When the students in navy blue uniforms saw who was releasing the carcinogen, they all averted their eyes and walked away. Some even walked to a crosswalk further away than the one in front of the school, where the mad dog of The Union was standing. Although Eunjang's students weren't hurt as badly lately, but if they did something unpleasant, they would always go home hurt.
Many people wondered how Baku managed to convince the cold-blooded Baekjin to relent and make a peace agreement.
A deep, shouting voice could be heard before the person was seen, followed by three other members, one of whom resembled Baekjin so much that Seongje thought that if he were stupid enough and someone had lied to him that Sieun was Baekjin's brother, he would have believed them. His quiet, emotionless expression and uncanny intelligence made him believe it.
The only problem was that Baekjin was taller than Sieun.
Much taller.
Seongje walked in the opposite direction the four had gone. The cigarette was thrown to the ground, crushed by the tip of his foot, turning it into a worthless nicotine stick, even though it was a foreign cigarette he had gotten from Baekjin. Chewing gum was used in place of cigarettes. The nicotine tasted awful, but it was much better when used in this situation.
Seongje snorted after seeing something he shouldn't have. He captured the image not only in his memory, but also on his exorbitantly expensive phone.
──────────
The monthly reports were submitted, and the numbers and amounts matched flawlessly, leaving no evidence for anyone to investigate.
Because Baekjin was incredibly smart.
Even the accountants couldn't detect that everything they saw had been embezzled. The vast sums of money had been laundered through donations and other assets. Even a smart person like Yeon Sieun could only suspect it.
Baekjin was not only smart but also cunning. Otherwise, people would have known long ago that Mr. Choi had only a one-way ticket abroad and would never return, because he was unable to do so.
"What's Humin doing?"
Seongje wanted to blurt out that he wasn't that guy's father. How would he know? But he could only report the truth: besides studying with such a dull mind, the only thing Baku knows is playing basketball with his friends.
Even a few photos on his phone reminded him of something.
"But it's strange, because I've seen him on his phone almost all the time, and he's even more attached to his friends than usual."
Baekjin stared, sensing something Seongje wanted to say but hadn't said it directly.
"Why don't you go see your boyfriend if you miss him that much?"
"Didn't you say Humin was busy with basketball practice?"
"Yeah," a puff of cigarette smoke wafted through the air before Seongje met his gaze. "Or you should pass the time by doing something else, like going back to your room and watching a movie."
──────────
It's not often that someone gets to step into the private space of the most feared man in the Union. Aside from his boyfriend Baku, only Seongje has the chance to spend his free time in the luxurious apartment.
The digital numbers kept increasing as the elevator took the two of them up until they reached their destination. The silence of the wide corridor made Seongje chuckle, the contrast between the inside and the bustling bowling alley.
However, he wasn't surprised that Baekjin chose this place. The quietness, the luxury, the good security system, and the orderliness, everything seemed to be made just for Baekjin.
"Aren't you going to invite your boyfriend to watch it with us?"
Baekjin paused as he was about to tap the keycard to unlock the door.
"You said Humin had basketball practice?"
"Uh huh."
Something told Baekjin that Seongje was hiding something, and it had something to do with him. But the indifferent expression on his face, as if he had nothing else to say, made Baekjin stop worrying and push the door open to the apartment.
Baekjin paused.
The smell
It wasn't the scent of room fresheners.
It wasn't the smell of cigarettes coming from Seongje.
But it was a scent with a hint of familiarity. A premonition pushed Baekjin to change his destination from the living room to the most private room.
The bedroom
The hand that gripped a pencil and calculator more often than his lover's pushed open the fine wooden door, and everything around Baekjin stopped. His ears were ringing with a rustling sound. His eyes fixed on what he saw on the bed.
Park Humin is on his bed
with Go Hyuntak
sweaty and naked
"Baekjin?!"
A deep voice blurted out when his boyfriend discovered he had just made love with his best friend, Go Hyuntak.
"I can explain, Baekjin-ni."
Eunjang's Top Dog eyes trembled with utter terror. What he was facing was even more terrifying than his father's rage.
This was Baekjin, Na Baekjin, the formidable leader of the Union. He was a powerful and intelligent man, capable of reading every move as if using a cheat code.
And Baekjin, overflowing with rage, was unstoppable.
But what Baku feared didn't happen.
Baekjin didn't throw punches or beat Hyun Tak nearly to death, but the icy aura and cold air sent chills down his spine. Baku was more willing to deal with Baekjin, who used more force than the silent, yet vengeful Baekjin.
And everything was in Seongje’s sight.
He chewed on a nicotine gum, stared at the three people in front of him with a mischievous smile, and then picked up his phone to look at the photos he had taken that day in his photo album.
A photo of Hyuntak kissing Baku.
Seongje had known for a while that Baku and Hyuntak had long since crossed the line of friendship, just not sure how long.
Before Baku started dating Baekjin? Or after they'd been together for a while?
He just knew he didn't like how someone like that would make Baekjin look like a fool.
"Bringing a lover to have fun in bedroom?"
"And it's actually your boyfriend’s room, Wow."
"Shut up, Seongje—"
Smack!
The sound of a palm hitting his cheek was loud enough to make Baku's face numb, and he held back his words. He slowly turned his head to look at the love of his life standing beside the bed. His expression was indifferent, but his eyes were like blue flames, ready to burn anything, even the thing he loved most. The one he loved the most.
"Since when?"
"Baekjin—"
"I asked you, since when, Park Humin?"
Baku swallowed hard when his full name was called. It meant Baekjin was serious.
"Two months ago was the first time I saw them kiss."
It was Seongje who spoke up, stepping closer and showing Baekjin the first photo in his special album. The date the photo was taken was the day before their anniversary, but Baku still had time to have a passionate kiss with his best friend.
"The best friend you told me not to worry about," Baekjin smirked at himself for foolishly believing it. "The best friend you secretly had sex with behind my back?"
"Park Humin, Go Hyuntak."
The two best friends exchanged a glance before looking away, sitting quietly under the thick blanket Baekjin had carefully selected to ensure it wouldn't irritate his skin. But now, it was being used to cover up their promiscuity, which was like gasoline on a fire. Their proximity was unstoppable.
“Seongje”
The obedient dog walked straight to the other silent basketball player. He slipped his hand under his hair and yanked it, forcing Hyuntak's face up to meet his gaze. He cursed at the stinging pain in his scalp, but kept his mouth shut when Baekjin approached him.
"Do you like it that much? Doing little dirty things behind my back like this."
His fingertips traced Hyuntak's face, down to his chin, neck, and chest, and then he paused before turning his face towards his boyfriend, who looked extremely agitated.
"Do you like it that much? Having to betray me like this."
"Baekjin, please listen to me.”
Smack!
A heavy punch sent Baku's head spinning. He could taste the rust in his mouth, and the pain was being turned into rage.
"Because you're so preoccupied with stupid things! You're so obsessed with Union shit that you don't have time for me!"
Baekjin snorted.
"I don't have time. Or are you not planning on making time for me, Park Humin?"
"The many times I contacted you, you said you were busy with school or sports practice."
"Now I know what you're really busy with."
"Gotak isn't like you!" Baku interrupted quickly.
Baekjin's sneer shattered when he heard those words from his boyfriend.
"Oh, really?"
Baku was silent for a moment, then began to make excuses. But Baekjin wasn't listening. He began rummaging through whatever belongings belonged to Baku, picking them up, piling them up, and throwing them on the floor when he realized there were more than he remembered.
The clothes, dolls, stationery Baku bought him, Polaroid photos they took together, and even the special occasion gifts made Baku stop talking and ask curiously.
"What are you doing?"
Baekjin remained silent, and Seongje, who had thrown them clothes to wear, didn't give them a chance to escape. He stood in front of the bedroom door, which had just closed with the click of a latch.
"Anything worthless is considered trash, right, Go Hyuntak?"
Hyuntak flinched, his hands clenched tightly but his face dared to look up at anyone but the ground he was standing on.
It was a terrible mistake. Hyuntak knew it better than anyone. But his heart was hard to resist. When Baku's warmth radiated through him, he felt good, too. He knew the line between friendship and morality had been crossed.
"I don't want this trash anymore. Please take it."
The brown envelope was unsealed. A single, important piece of paper was lifted, and the flame from Seongje’s lighter burned it to shreds.
The truce between Eunjang and The Union was nullified, and peace would no longer be with Eunjang.
"Take out your trash, Park Humin."
"Please, Baekjin. Give me one more chance."
"I can forgive you for everything, Humin."
Baekjin tried to keep his voice from trembling. "Except for betrayal. I really can't accept that."
Baku's eyes were red with grief, his face visibly confused and stressed as he bent down to pick up the most important item. It was the black cat doll he'd bought as a birthday present and had the initials BJ embroidered on it. It had been by Baekjin's side, a precious possession that no one could touch. But now, it had been discarded like trash.
And Baku felt a tightness in his chest, aching all over.
Baekjin didn't want him anymore.
Baekjin didn't love him anymore.
"Take this with you."
The blanket, bedsheet, and pillow were ripped from the bed and thrown at the two of them. Baekjin's face was filled with disgust, and his eyes were filled with anger, disappointment, and sadness.
"It's disgusting."
"Oh, and return the key card to the apartment building management."
Baku stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his lover with a puzzled expression. Just a moment ago, he had thought he had a chance to ask Baekjin for forgiveness, but returning the key card to the lobby meant only one thing.
"You... are you trying to run away from me?"
"Run away?" Baekjin snorted. "It's a severance, Humin."
"I'm leaving you. I'm walking away from this dishonest fool and cutting you out of my life forever."
"From now on, there will be no more of us, not even our friendship."
Baekjin immediately walked to the other bedroom after finishing his sentence, leaving Baku, Hyuntak, and Seongje in the midst of the awkward moment. Seongje started speaking first, urging his two best friends to stay away from Baekjin.
From now on, it would be just him and Baekjin.
──────────
But things don't end easily. Baekjin's vengeance never fades, and Seongje’s amusement grows stronger every day.
After that incident, Eunjang's students couldn't wear their school uniforms again. Every time they wear them, someone from The Union leaves them with bruises or wounds as a gift after school every day.
And Hyuntak is about to face this soon.
The basketball court, which should have been deserted late at night, was filled with only the team's vice-captains relieving stress by repeatedly practicing their shots, hoping to lead the team to victory again in the next match.
Unless someone disagrees.
Seongje advanced with a mischievous grin. The first punch was thrown, but Hyuntak dodged it. The second also missed, as the athlete's speed was second to none, even Seongje's.
But the madness was different. Seongje enjoyed seeing his victim keep dodging. He sped up his punches and used his cheating and brutal fighting skills against Hyuntak, who was so determined to be good. Several punches struck his face, leaving him with bruises.
Finally, the athlete collapsed, his body and face bruised. Hyuntak gasped, leaning against a pillar, his face looking up at his attacker with a mixture of confusion and incomprehension.
What right did Seongje have to hurt him?
Moreover, why did he do it?
"What the hell are you doing?"
Seongje laughed. He crouched down to level their gazes, a mischievous smirk on his face before speaking.
"You guys are the ones who started it, and I don't like seeing Baekjin look like such a fool."
Hyuntak snorted. "Isn't it because everyone else chose Baku, not you?”
The Union's mad dog expression instantly turned serious.
Hyuntak continued, "Does it make you jealous? Baekjin chose Baku and I.." He looked at Seongje. "...chose Baku too, even though you and I have slept together."
Seongje's jaw clenched as the truth hit him like a powerful punch, knocking him back. He loved Baekjin—he'd loved him since their first fight.
Seongje had never faced anyone in his rank before. He was Kanghak's top dog, feared even by his teachers. Anyone who tried to challenge him ended up getting hurt. Until the arrival of the so-called "Union," the delinquents said that to be more than just a member, one had to be skilled enough to be accepted by the leader. Seongje thought it was ridiculous until the day someone entered his guild.
The invitation to join the union was heartlessly rejected. Seongje didn't like being outclassed. He was bold and demanded a decisive confrontation instead of a verbal invitation. This was the first time he truly enjoyed a fight.
And the first time he had tasted defeat.
However, he later realized that his admiration for Baekjin didn't stop there. It grew into fondness, infatuation, and ultimately, love. He fled to lick his wounds when he realized that Baekjin's heart never belonged to him or anyone else. It was all given to Park Humin.
And with Hyuntak
At first, Seongje enjoyed messing around, teasing, and making the other person feel stressed every day, both by the orders he received and by doing more than he was told. When he discovered that spending time with Hyuntak was more fun than he had imagined, he had so much fun that he forgot about Baekjin and thought he could finally let go of his mysterious first love.
Until Baku took everything away.
Seongje didn't know when it had begun, a mind game he didn't want to admit stemmed from jealousy, anger, and the thought, "If he can't have it, no one else can," both emotionally and physically.
And it had driven them all to this point, the breaking point where Seongje no longer cared who was hurt. As long as he could enjoy his satisfaction and have Baekjin by his side, that was enough.
"Say whatever you want, princess," he said, standing up and lighting a cigarette. "Because I don't fucking care about anything except him."
It was then that Hyuntak saw a tall figure in black emerge from the dark corner. His heart pounded, and his whole body trembled with fear.
"Go Hyuntak"
These were the last words before the entire basketball court erupted in screams of pain from the taekwondo athlete whose dreams and future had been completely destroyed.
──────────
"Is it worth it?"
Baekjin looked up from his homework on the desk at the man smoking on the couch. The white smoke billowed, contrasting sharply with the orange windbreaker. Baekjin knew exactly what that sentence meant.
"Why?"
Seongje shrugged. "Nothing. I just wanted to know what you were thinking."
As expected, there was no answer as Baekjin returned to his physics homework on the table as usual. However, his mind was filled with thoughts of the past. Being betrayed, being cheated on by the person he loved the most since realizing that his feelings for Baku were more than just friendship, that pain drove him to do a lot of things, ready to destroy anything that got in his way, including Baku himself.
He hated Baku.
At the same time, he still loved and yearned for him so much that he didn't dare touch anything directly related to his ex-lover. He could only play mind games, secretly attacking Baku's surroundings to pressure him into coming back to him and repenting for what he had done to him.
But Baekjin knew that day would never come. He himself was deeply wrong about what he had done to Hyuntak. He had often thought he had overstepped, and every time, it was as if his mind had been read, as Seongje would casually claim that it wasn't entirely his fault.
So the day Baku came to him, holding a lantern up to hit Baekjin and uttering words of hatred, he didn't retort back to the truth about who had betrayed him first. He let the other person leave with a deep wound stabbed by the phrase 'I hate you so much' that seemed like it would never heal.
Seongje looked at Baekjin, who seemed to be focusing on those annoying numbers on the paper, with a mischievous expression and a sly smile on his lips. He knew that behind the indifferent expression, countless thoughts were running tangled up in his mind, showing through his furrowed brows.
But he chose not to say anything. He simply leaned back against the black leather sofa, which he slept on as often as his bed at home, letting the smoke surround him. He smiled when he thought that from now on, Baekjin would be his, and his only, even though he knew deep down that Baku would never leave Baekjin's heart.
Well, even if it's only for a short time and he might have Baekjin, Seongje thinks that being together now is worth it. At least he wants to be able to love Baekjin without anyone getting in his way for a little while longer.
──────────