Work Text:
"Something's wrong with that guy." The words are quiet, to himself, but someone hears him still. Sieun.
Sieun doesn't acknowledge him with a verbal response, but his chin tilts and his eyes are level with Hyuntak's.
"Hm? What'd you say, Tak-ah?" Juntae's eyes are round with curiosity, quickly swallowing the mouthful of pancake.
"He…" Hyuntak shakes his head, makes a dismissive noise.
That guy.
Keum Seongje.
He thinks about him. A lot.
Not in a vengeful way, nor admiration. Disdain yes, perhaps interest too, curiosity?
His eyes aren't right, his teeth are too white.
Hyuntak doesn't say more, doesn't really know how to. Juntae gives him a small smile, Humin hasn't even acknowledged the conversation, or lack thereof, Sieun…looks at him, like he always does. Always assessing, making connections but keeping his lips sealed, concealing his scary perception.
One night, when faced with Keum Seongje again, he remembered Sieun's expression, tried to guess what hid behind it. Had he known? Seen too how something just wasn't right with that boy.
The air's cold, cooling the sweat on Hyuntak's body, muscles sore and blood thrumming from the late-night run to try to clear his head. He takes a turn he's not accustomed to, and it's not long before he sees him. He smells the cigarette smoke first, next sees its grayish cloud. Then finally the pink in his teeth.
There's blood on his mouth, his chin, it's not splattered on his hands, his knuckles aren't split. And the contrast makes him choke as his breath involuntarily hitches, his lungs still demand oxygen from his run. The noise pulls attention to him.
When those eyes slowly lift to lock onto him, his heart thumps out of beat. The glare of his glasses makes them shine, and his smile is sharper, predatory.