Work Text:
AU
The night is cold when Jake’s feet trudge down the new streets of the place he had to now call his home.
There’s a faint light flickering from a dying streetlamp, streets slick with rain that had fallen only minutes ago and there’s a faint whoosh of cars on the roads that is a stark difference from the one pedestrian who makes his way down towards what could only be called as a change from the dark to the light.
Sim Jaeyun was no stranger to that dark.
Not when his earlier days had been spent in underground circuits and the passing of money between fingers which he didn’t need- not really. Not when his skin still cracked at the knuckles and that smirk that he wore every time he got cornered on his way out after winning never left his face as the people who came after him never moved again.
But all it had taken was one mistaken ride home- one ill timed appearance into a marble decorated living room with a black hoodie, steaming engine and eyes far too dead to belong to someone so young that had made two faces pale, had made shaky hands clean bruised fingers and the vase had crashed in the background before plane tickets were thrust into his hands.
“A fresh start Jaeyun-ah,” his maid had spoken shakily, watching the detached way the boy she had raised as her own packed his bag. “You need it”
His father stood with his hands clasped at the door, and even as he tried to remain emotionless Jake could see the storm that delved in them. Ofcourse he blamed himself, the son of a Sim could only escape that violence that surrounded him for so long before he drowned in it- did his father really think his son would escape it?
“Its for your own good,” the door opens with a sharp click, doors closing to the house that had always been his home and yet Jake couldn’t find it in himself to care. “I wouldn’t do it otherwise,”
“Alright,” One word. Cold and indifferent. It was six hours later that Jaeyun checked into Business class and settled for a twelve hour plane ride to a new life.
The next turn lands Jake away from dingy streets and straight into a stone paradise. The houses that line of the path scream of wealth, trimmed lawns and decorated statues shining of sports cars that line the driveways- and Jaeyun doesn’t spare them a second glance before he steps right into the one that now belongs to him.
“Welcome back Sir,” The butler bows, mahogany doors opening in reverence and yet his gaze doesn’t linger- not on the obvious dust that coats the designer jacket Jake wears, not on the way he shrugs it off in the living room and reaches for the coffee kept ready for him before the door to his door clicks shut.
Its called detachment, all the servants know. They had been briefed the second the news of the heir’s arrival had been announced. Detachment for there was something in the boys past that was far too hard for him to bear, emotional inviolability for if he gave in it would turn to something his mind would not bear- and so they said nothing.
Not when Sim Jaeyun walked in on the first night at two in the morning, bags in the trunk and asked only where his room was before disappearing in it. Not when his college started and Jake walked in alone and walked out the same, and especially not when a month later he started disappearing at odd times at night only to reappear right before dawn broke.
Its not fights, that much they can tell. Not when the boys hands are not bloodied, not when there’s not a single scratch on his body- but he is still gone.
Inside the shower runs and Jake’s head thuds against the glass wall.
There’s that itch in his skin again, burrowing deep in his bones with that violent urge to just hit something.
Do something.
It won’t stop hurting otherwise.
“Idiot,” the words cut across the steam that floats in the bathroom, clinging to the edges of the mirror as wet hair falls over his eyes as he steps out.
He knows he shouldn’t have gone to that road, knows that his late night walks by the river would attract the exact crowd he had one revelled in- should have known when the first slip of paper had been slipped into his pocket and car headlights had blinked expectedly before revving off into the fogged roads.
“You running?” Its not the first time they’ve met. Its a repeated coincidence, a walk of to strangers at midnight by the river.
The person had spoken with a cigarette between his fingers, fox like eyes sharp leaning against cold rails all while Jake only tilted his head from the calculated distance of six metres in between them.
“I already did”
It didn’t take him a shift in his glance to know that the boy had his eyes lingering on the car that was parked in the corner, navy blue in the dark parking lot all while the river rushed behind them.
A McLaren Senna. He knows the boy sees the way the floor is way lower than the allowed standard, sees the slightly raised hood with its gleam of silver below- and it doesn’t shock him when the whistle follows.
“That’s a beauty”
“I built it”
“Want to put it to good use?”
“No”
The boy only tilts his head, that smirk back on his face before he steps closer and suddenly there’s a slip of paper in Jake’s hand. “Let me know if you change your mind”
He won’t do it though, he promised- he has work due, assignments piling up fast and there’s no time for this- not anymore.
But old habits die hard, Jake knows it far too well.
The piece of paper flutters off its place on the desk, pink slip levitating in the wind all while his hands freeze on the pen he clutches.
1:30am, Friday- The Pier.
You’re with me mystery boy ;)
There’s no name because ofcourse there isn’t, but the last addition says something much more personal than what Jake was used to.
His fingers catch it right before it hits the carpeted floor, rough paper at the edges from where its been sliced off roughly- and it stares right back at him, black ink hypnotising eyes that could already imagine the shriek of burning rubber and crowds gathered around smoking hoods and gasoline.
One look around wouldn’t hurt.
And that’s how he found himself there. Feet crushing broken concrete beneath his feet and hands pushing through the crowd and straight towards the centre of the pier where four cars headlights lit up the night sky.
Jake can smell the weed, the sweat and the crowd around him hollers at anything that the cars do in front of them. He’s pushed himself to the front, hands in his pocket with the practiced ease of someone whos been in this situation but just doesn’t want to show it- the trading chips are being passed all around, and its through the tinted visors that he can make out just some of the competitors.
“I knew you’d come mystery boy,” the hand that falls around him shoulders makes Jake flinch before relaxing slightly at the familiar voice. “Name’s Sunoo”
“Just wanted to look around” his voice is rough, hands shoved in the jacket and yet he can see how the fox-like boy’s eyes only squint as he smirks.
“Are you liking what you see?”
Ofcourse I am
I have always loved this
“Not sure”
The boy- Sunoo pouts, and its then that Jake realises hes holding far too much cash in his hand for a mere watcher. He’s obvious, the curiosity winning the act of pretence and the boy notices- smirk ever widening on noticing the direction of Jake’s gaze.
“Got my own one racing this time,” the boy tilts his head in the opposite direction, towards the cars lining up at a spray painted start line and Jaeyun follows- and its right at the second he sees a far too familiar car pull up with its headlights stark white, that he knows something is going to go very wrong tonight.
The Mclaren Senna that revs its engine is dark black, the tint is black and yet its windows are rolled down and an elbow props itself lazily on it. The car itself is lowered the same way his is- a sign of far too much racing expertise, there’s something done to the wheels to- far too close to the exterior than how they had been developed.
“Number 7 over there- everyone know’s hes winning when he comes around”
And almost like that car can hear them, over the cheers of the crowd and the music that thuds painfully loud from the nearby parking lot- the driver himself peeks his head out of the window with his gaze scanning quickly over the crowd before it somehow, locks straight onto him.
Number 7’s hair is as fiery red as his car’s own colour is subtle, slicked back ever so but a stray strand still falls over his forehead to highlight crystal green eyes that gleam in the harsh headlights. The window is small, and yet the boy doesn’t look away- not when Jake only stares back, impassive.
He’s curious, Jake can tell- from the way that the boy only tilts his head as he rests it against the leather seats of his car- can tell from the way his hand curls slightly from where its rested on the window all while his gaze doesn’t leave his own.
And for some reason, there’s a buzz creeping up Jake’s neck- an electric signal he can’t decipher every second that the boys eyes are locked on his own to the point where he doesn’t understand there’s someone talking to him till theres a harsh tug on his jacket and he wrenches his head away.
“You alright?” Jaeyun feels like something was ripped from his chest at the second he loses the attention of 7, but he pulls it down.
“Yeah”
It looks like the one to his right wants to say something, and yet its at that second that the first horn blares and Jake turns right back to the starting line.
Its a tough lineup. A GT3 with obvious modifications to its front, a Porsche with its front gleaming of silver, then there’s a beauty Honda with its driver even more nervous than its wheels which scrape on the tarmac continuously- and then ofcourse, there is the Senna.
He’ll have to pull back on the throttle at the start, map out the turn and brake to the right. The GT will be fast on the curve with that spine- Jake knows, a furrow forming on his face as he tracks the path they’d have to take like its second nature.
The window to the McLaren’s pulled up now, that face hidden behind a black screen and yet Jake can feel a phantom gaze locked on his own skin however hard he tries to ignore it.
Number 7
I’m curious too
When the first horn blares Jake doesn’t even blink before he sees the blurs zip past the place hes standing, eyes catching the exact way the tyres lift off while theres a smell of burning rubber on to asphalt staying behind.
He doesn’t dig his feet in when the boy mysteriously reappears next to him, hand catching his own elbow and allows himself to be dragged up from the parking lot and onto the bridge that overlooks a larger part of the supposed track.
“Hes second” Sunoo shouts, hands curling on the metal rail and Jake doesn’t bother asking who- because he can see exactly where the Senna starts gaining speed as it turns the corner to race right back down the same bridge.
“Won’t be for a long time” its supposed to be said to himself, but his friend(?) Turns with a grin far too menacing for the warmth in his eyes.
“You’re catching on fast”
And he’s not wrong.
Number 7 takes the outside lane, letting the car in front of him cut across his turn in what looked like a casual mistake- a slip- and yet it makes a smile crawl onto Jake’s lips as he notices the soft glow of LED lights show the layout of where they were going next.
Cheeky.
Next to him Sunoo shakes his head in shock.
It takes two more turns and the smallest of straits till the tyres squeal closer to Jake’s ears, and his eyes lock onto the hairpin turn that he knows exactly what the racer is planning on doing.
The crowd yells the exact moment Jake sees the car carry out exactly what it had planned from five minutes ago- a clean switch, late on the brakes and a dive down the inside till the hood of the Senna flashes bright white from how close the headlights of the Nissan are behind him.
The other cars shocked, and he sees the way it slams on the brake and heads straight into the barriers while the Senna pulls ahead with the casual ease of a predator finally done toying with its prey.
“That’s twenty thousand for me- yes!” The hand that catches his own takes him by surprise right before the McLaren crosses the finish line and does a burnout round the open circle that people crowd around it with. “Ofcourse hes showing off”
Jaeyun finds himself shoved in close, feet cracking on a broken beer bottle before suddenly the crowd dissipates to his sides and hes right in the centre of the circle with the car in front- windows still rolled up- and a buzz in his skin which he doesn’t know how to place.
Its almost hypnotic, the way his eyes stay latched onto that car- eyes trailing over its smooth paintwork while an itch builds into his skin to just reach over to touch those modifications- and then somewhere deep down, to see the face of its owner too.
And its in that haze, with hands crowding far too close and cheers far too loud as money is thrown into the sky that Jake doesn’t realise the exact second theres a different hand clasped around his wrist, before the other one covers his eyes and pulls.
His hands catch ribs with a satisfying punch followed by a groan just as the hands fly off his face. “Who-“
“Hello to you too Princess”
Jake’s eyes squint for a second before latching onto the person whos dragged him out from the crowd and towards the empty part of the parking lot that he had seen while entering- but its when Jake raises his hand to punch his way out of here yet again that he freezes.
Red hair
Green eyes
A smirk that screamed of arrogance far more than it did of spite.
“I’m taking from the lack of a second hit you’ve realised who I am?” Number 7 leans against a concrete slab with far more confidence than he should have.
“I’m taking it that you’ve never learned manners if you’re out kidnapping people?” His own voice comes out like a breathe given out in a rush of a touch still lingering on his wrist before the incredulousness sets in.
Number 7 only laughs, and its only then that Jake registers the low register that echoes in his bones. “Why?” Jaeyun gaze shifts upwards just as blue eyes lock onto his own, “You want to punch me again?”
Jake lets his gaze drift to the place where the racer holds his hand across his rib, lingering far too long before rising again. “Do you want me to?”
In return number 7 seems to only shift forward, letting the hand fall before he’s pushed himself off the wall and suddenly two steps closer to Jake- to where he can smell the boys perfume, musk and sharp.
“Nope”
The boy pops the P, lips shining in bright white lights and its almost involuntary the way Jake tongue darts out to wet his own lips.
“You’re new here aren’t you?”
He doesn’t respond. The boy doesn’t seem to care. “To the city I mean- you look far too interested in the cars for a casual observer that Sunoo dragged here to place high bets”
“What gave it away?”
What is he even doing ?
Number 7 blows a strand of hair from his face, that shine back in his eyes as his chest rumbles softly. “I notice things”
But if theres something that Jake knows well, is the subtle implication of what someone being dragged out from the finish line by the winner entails far too well from his own time being in the spotlight.
Its not like he does it. He couldn’t bring himself too even if he tried, but its not uncommon- was it the same here too?
And so when the silence prolongs and Jake pretends not to see catlike eyes trail all of his face as the cheers around them rise even as the police sirens are dim in the midst of it all- he decides to cut the chase.
“What do you want?”
To his surprise, the boy blinks. “What does that mean?”
Is he serious?
“You don’t have to pretend you don’t know”
“Enlighten me then princess” the boy only blows out another breath, hands crossed against his chest with that smirk growing ever wider on his face.
He doesn’t like the nickname.
And Jake would later say he blames it on the adrenaline- on the fact that his skin tingled at the very sight of everything he had been forced to leave behind, and the fact that number 7 stares at him with a face far too much of his type- that he steps forward with the confidence of a predator shifting back to his territory.
The step he takes forward makes glass crunch under the soles of his boots, and the smile that rises on his face is soft as he watches the boy shift a step back in response- blue eyes shifting to something uncertain for the first time in the whole conversation.
“I-“
“I might be new here 7, doesn’t mean I’m new to the scene”
Another step closer, and the thrill finally settles into Jake bones the second he sees red hair hit the concrete wall behind him. They’re close, and this time its Jake who tilts his head to catch the way the others breathe hitches in response.
“Winners privileges” theres a rasp in his voice, blood pumping fast and hard, mind flashing to past flashes of neon lights blaring and gasoline on his gloves as his Mclaren pulled into grime covered alleyways with money already catching in his windshield.
And he sees the exact second the meaning finally dawns in the boys eyes. Sees the way the boy licks his lips, the way that hitch in his breathe evens out and god- hes smirking again.
I’ll take it off his lips
But its when the red that creeps up the red haired boy’s face settles on his neck, that Jake realises with extreme clarity that the hand that grips his waist digs into his hips right as theres a breathe ghosting against his ear. “You think you’re that important princess?”
God Jake’s going to punch him again.
“You telling me you just wanted to talk love?”
The nickname slips out just as his own hand grips against concrete while another cages the other boy in.
“I did”
Two words are enough to make Jaeyun blink.
He snaps his head back.
He supposes the question is prominent on his face, the sudden space between them making something dig into Jake’s chest- “not anymore”
And its then that the racer in front of him’s voice dips right before his hand holds back onto Jake’s jacket and pulls.
The kiss is more of a collision that in it gentle, Jale’s teeth scrape against the others and its on instinct that his eyes squeeze shut. The racers lips are soft just as his hands are rough when Jake feels one pulling at his hair, his own hand presses against the taller’s waist.
And its good.
Jake can’t deny it, not with the way his blood pumps in his ears and all it takes is the slightest bite off his teeth on the red haired boys lip that names the boy groan against his lips right as Jake’s tongue slips in.
Its when he pulls away, chest heaving and lips pink that he finds out just how much the other seemed to like it when the hand in his hair suddenly pulls his neck and hes back to kissing the boy.
Theres no resistance when Jake bites down again, hard this time and its when the red haired boy’s grip tightens on his hair and a moan escapes his lips that he realises just who was taking control right now.
The satisfaction is prominent when he rasps against the boys lips, watching him exhale harshly. “All that talk for someone who likes being led”
The only response he gets is a whine, green eyes hooded with desire he knows is probably reciprocated in his own and yet it makes a buzz strike down his core. “All this and I don’t even know your name.”
Jake only tilts his head to meet the boy who shifts forward again, that haze of heat replacing itself to slow flames that creep up softly- its in that haze that he doesn’t even realise that the boys saying something till the buzz in his ears dies down.
“Heeseung” Red hair’s voice is breathless, lips chapped and hands not leaving their place on Jake.
“Heeseung” Jake tastes the name on his tongue, rolling the last syllabus into a purr right because why is there a sensation of hearing that before? before a laugh breaks out of his lips when Heeseung groans at the sound.
“Heeseung, Hee- you’re a fast racer”
They kiss again, the smirk doesn’t die off of Jake lips.
“Shut up” Heeseung gasps, pulling away before shifting right back in and just for a second, Jake swears he’s heard a voice say that before.
“How did you get them to lower the floor of the Senna?” Its evil, the way Jake dodges the next attempt- toying with the belts on Heeseung’s jeans. “No one noticed yet?”
“No one cares” Another attempt, another tilt of Jake’s head and lips catch onto the edge of his jaw.
Its a sick game and yet Jake loves it.
“What about the wheels? Couldn’t see it properly from where I was-“
He knows he’s pushed his luck the second his vision turns to a blur before his back hits the wall he had cornered Heeseung against. Jake’s head hits the concrete hard, theres something holding his neck in place- but instead of the hurt- it makes him laugh.
Oh he liked this
Heeseung doesn’t seem to find it funny- not with the way his eyes only turn darker against harsh lights and his hand pushes Jake’s head back against the concrete even harder, “Shut up”
This time, Jake complies.
_
“You didn’t tell me your name”
The crowds have died down when they walk back to where Heeseung’s car is parked. The stench of liquor remains in the air, theres plastic on the floor and no one seemed to have bothered to shut the lights and yet Heeseung walks through the mess with the confidence that Jake hadn’t seem moments before.
“You didn’t ask” He knows hes being vague on purpose, knows it the way he walks two steps behind Heeseung’s with his eyes trailed on the exit sign.
“Well now I’m asking you” he clicks the keys of the car and Jake watches the door roll up with the slightest whirr.
“And I’m not telling you”
It makes him laugh when he sees Heeseung whirl around with hurt far too prominent on his face. “Why? I told you mine. That’s not-“
“Fair?” Jake cuts in, hands in his jacket pocket as he ignores the mess of his hair that falls over his eyes from a hand that had run through it far too many times. “Didn’t say it would be”
“Its really not that serious you know?“
“So then why are you asking?”
“A handsome stranger who actually knows his stuff around cars who I’v never heard of before- I’m allowed to be curious no?”
Jake tilts his head, watching the way heeseung shrugs his shoulders- back to the air of attitude he had seen from the window all those hours ago before the Senna’s tyres had gone hot on the asphalt. “Not mentioning the fact that he had you backed up against a parking lot wall?”
Heeseung scowls, “I can return the favour”
Jake hums, taking another step closer till his hand holds the open door of the car just as Heeseung stands at its entrance. “Sure you can”
Heeseung doesn’t offer a drive.
Jake doesn’t ask.
Instead he watches the second the red haired boy realises the cause is lost, realises that the sirens in the background are far closer to allow any more of this masquerade and so his eyes linger hard on Jake’s face.
“I’ll see you around?” Its more of a statement than it is a question, voice rough on the edges while Jake only tilts his head in response, allowing the cool wind blowing to muss up the black strands already haphazard on his head.
The engine revs, louder than from its manufacturing and Jake watches it pull out of the parking lot with mouth numb and a mind far too caught up in what was supposed to be a one time meeting.
Heeseung
The wind whistles harsher the walk back- theres no lights on in the buildings, except for the glow of convenience stores devoid of people which too slowly disappear to a monotone of beige tones as Jake’s feet meet familiar paved pathways of his own house.
Why did he think hes heard that name before?