Chapter Text
The night before had been weird, a woman appeared in his dream, her long silvery hair fluttering in the wind as he sat up in his bed, the sound of waves flowing from the horizon, she had touched his shoulder gently, her wise blue eyes looking calmly at him as the shock on his face made its presence. Her white dress showered her frame, making her look younger than she was.
"Oh my God, you are such a pervert" Juyeon stared at him in disbelief, fake falling to the shelf behind her and pushing her glasses up as they fell from the usual spot on her nose. “You have weird tastes Mun” she said, smiling at the disgusted face So Mun made, but still he let out a smile shaking his head in disbelief.
In response she turned around to face the bookshelf behind her with a playful smile not leaving her features.
He shook his head again at his friend’s comment, the thing popping up on his mind without permission "Aish, my goodness" he sweared, also turning to lock eyes on the other bookshelf, examining the colorful titles on the thick and sometimes thin covers of the books, his fingers brushing softly against them unaware of the mess happening behind.
"Doesn't your family have an inn?" His expression scrunched up, loud voices interrupted his search, as he felt the wooden shelves tremble with the impact on the other side, a familiar pleading voice after it. "Book a room for fifteen people for three nights. That will be the fees.”
"No” the voice said “I m-mean, t-the inn is too o-old" the other people laughed.
His feet hurriedly walked to the place, his hand gripping the crutch that supported his bad leg, ignoring the questioning voice behind him, trying to reach as quickly as possible to the scene, some people close by, sitting in thematic calming white tables and chairs, their eyes on their respective books, ignoring, or at least trying to, the unfair fight. Right in front of him he stumbled upon his friend Woong-min, cheek being pinched mockingly by one of his bullies as he laughed with him in clear discomfort, his hands shaking in fear, as he tried to get on their good side, letting them get away with their annoying fits.
"Woong-min" he let out in recognition, his expression stunned. The faces turned to him in a second, calling all the attention to him inadvertently, and even one more than the others, a pair of dark brown eyes curiously burning through him "Why do you let them do this to you?" he frowned.
The other trembled with fear, his eyes diverting to him quickly "Please...j-just go, don't come any closer, it's n-not worth it" he answered weakly, flinching when the arm causing him harm slightly moved. So Mun questioned why him, why did such amazing human being deserve being treated like he wasn't one?
His mind clicked, he realized something about his friend, one thing that he didn't know before, the way his speech carried his emotions, his pain and affection for who he cared, he was thinking all the times he refused help from anyone...he was protecting them...from suffering the same gruesome destiny as him.
The unwanted fury inside him grew with realization, as he saw his friend being slapped, eyes prickly with tears being shadowed by his flinching.
"Come here" the man called, his tone alarmingly playful as his hand extended gesturing with a thumb to come closer, a smirk was plastered on his sadistic face.
"Stop!" So Mun begged, his hand going up in reflex. As if it was going to help, but that's all he could do. He itched to move forward, his mouth threatened to spill brave words but all he did was beg. He screamed for them to stop in panic, his face showing despair, as his hand gripped tightly on his crutch.
"Please stop!" he shouted. People tried to glance at the fight, eyes slightly peeking from their pages in fear of being caught, just to get repressed once again, being rudely treated by their reaction.
"Aish, you bastard" one of the bullies grabbed him by his shoulder, preventing him the freedom to move as the other arm was supporting his body with the crutch.
Exasperated he breathed angrily through his teeth. A distant laugh sounded at his struggle, but So Mun ignored it, the worryingly unhealthy reddened cheek of his friend grabbing all of his attention, getting even worse by the minute, as the slaps ruthlessly continued.
"I told you to stop!" he repeated, closing his eyes in rage as he pushed the man who had his arm confined and once again begged for the other to put an end to it all, eyes panicky for his friend's sake. His efforts seemed to fall short, for a long time, at least it felt like it, watching as the pain came to Woong-nim, the awful sound they made being the only thing hearable.
"Who's talking so loudly in the library?" until a masculine voice filled the room asking for the cause of unacceptable noise happening in the room. An adult, he signed in relief, his salvation for the day.
The two idiots immediately stopped their actions, giving a 'friendly' slap on his friend's back like nothing happened, strolling away smugly and greeting the man from the library swiftly, one of them even reaching close to So Mun just to vomit threats while patting forcefully his shoulder.
After they went away, So Mun noticed that they were actually a trio. He remembered now, the disgusting almost silent laugh from earlier. It was him, a man he'd never seen, or maybe he didn't pay attention, appeared with a book on his hand, placing the same on the shelf behind him and using it as an excuse to do a weird kabedon on him, his face reached close to his own as the other opened his mouth.
"You're funny" he whispered, leaning away, revealing his lean body as he smirked, his steps almost made no noise as he stepped aside and walked away, greeting the new man in the scene just like the others and disappearing as fast as them.
There he met him, Hyeok-Woo, he heard. His mind was screaming, a warning, a feeling, he didn't know but that wasn't the last time he was going to see him, he was sure, like he just set a plague on himself. He stared at nothing, his breath calming down as the threats went away, his brain setting the priority straight, focusing on his friend, who had his back turned to him, hunched in shame. He wanted to reach out but once again, his mouth did the work he was afraid to do "Woong-nim..."
The figure trembled as he stared in worry "Just... go back to your studies" he muttered, walking away at a fast pace, disappearing too in the middle of the big wooden shelves stacked with books. Again, he looked back at the lonely path behind. He wasn't sure why.
...........
His friends had warned him, the threats were true, and here they were, right on the path he walks everyday to go home, conversing between each other. The loud words passed by him like a breeze, the stupid laughter made him mad but So Mun gathered his courage, one hand gripping his backpack, as his eyes avoided the problem looking at the ground as he paced forward, yet smug smiles reached closer, spotting him in an instant. They were absolutely waiting for him to arrive.
He couldn't even be surprised. The usual bullying occurred, they punched him, robbed his crutch and mocked him with it, they verbally abused him, kicked him without mercy as he groaned in pain, his arms the only shield he had. His eyes closed in endurance, making himself think that he could take this, for his friends, he needed to be strong in this moment and someday he would learn to fight back, make them pay.
Hyeok-Woo, the reddish brown haired just watched, a nasty smirk once again plastered on his face as he made eye contact with him, his dark orbs conecting with his own. It seemed to be a mistake, he thought as he watched the other come over to step on his injured leg, bending over to take his bag and rummage through it, grabbing his most precious possession from his tiny pocket, the zipper warning him through sound, his eyes shining in recognition.
His face fell, his eyes widened with panic "Don't touch that!" he struggled, the pain on his leg making wonders to stop him. He remembered it was the one he almost forgot to take in the morning. He wondered now if it had been a sign.
The leg was released from the painful jail, but to no avail as he was without his crutch to even get up. His hands supported his body to look up, his elbows hurt from scraping against the hard floor, but his eyes immediately spotted his special gray belonging.
The other laughed, his head shaking in disbelief "Oh what is this?" his long fingers turned it around with no care, to get a better look at it "Isn't this a seniority?"
"Let me go! Give me that!" he screamed, an unknown force pushing him up, his good leg lifting him without a struggle as his arms catched the rich boy's uniform jacket pushing him against the stone wall on the other side, his head clashing against it, receiving a groan in return. The taller one seemed surprised for a moment, even letting himself be shoved without fighting back, or even his lackeys, that seemed to be stopped in time, their laughter burning down. But the smirk recovered quickly, his dark eyes shined, returning the prick to his normal self.
"Ownn, are you mad?" he mocked, laughing at him, grabbing the player right in front of his face. So Mun's eyes burned with rage, his hands clenched on the jacket, his leg hurt too much to touch the ground, but he still had the strength to pin Hyeok-Woo to the wall.
'What was happening?' He should have looked like a fool and nothing else. Either way, the taller one didn't seem threatened, still mocking him in full force, as he looked down on him gripping his shirt in return "Don't look at me like that." he snarled "You're going to die" pushing him away to the ground easily, making him fall painfully on his butt, as he lost his balance with just one leg working.
He moved forward, his back leaving the wall behind "Why do you want this so much?" he asked frowning, looking at the thing on his hand as his head twitched slightly to the side, he seemed genuinely curious, opening his mouth to say something but was interrupted.
The pretty lady from the noodle shop twisted his wrist to get to the player, retrieving it easily, the other hissing at the unwanted pressure, his mouth opening as he let out a straining 'ah' "Are you So Mun?" she asked stoic, her eyes showing boredom at the situation, as she spared a glance at the trio.
The other bullies tried to attack her but to no effort, being kicked on the legs or other specific places, in seconds they were groaning in pain on the ground sporting a fecal position, unable to get up.
The brunette had to be special, of course, his body was slammed against the drawn brick wall, a hand by his throat gripping his windpipe and his hand behind his back as his cheek was pressed against the cold surface, staring right at Mun. Their eyes met once again, his teeth grinding as he tried to escape from the straining position.
The girl whispered in his ear, his eyes fluttering for a moment, immediately breaking their eye contact, Hyeok-Woo's eyes looking down in shame as he struggled. He wondered what she said.
In not even a second, she turned him around and sent him flying, grabbing So Mun's things and giving it to him as he stared shocked at the trio groaning on the ground "You're So Mun, follow me" and so he did, trying to keep up with the fast walker. Another adult, he sighed, his salvation for the second time this day.
"G-Grab her! Go after her. Go!" he heard in the distance, as he ran away from the scene.
The two of them entered a taxi, the destination wasn't that far, but the car was silent and the radio was off, the dominant sound being the engine, not even the driver was up to a talk, the air feeling awkward around them as neither really knew each other or was willing to start a conversation.
In the end, he finally decided to ask, breaking the uncomfortable mood "Uhm sorry, you are...the lady that works in the noodle shop, right?"
She stared at him disinterested "What if I am?" she replied, looking away at the window in a second.
He still stared at her, a curious look evading his face "What did you say to him? He... Uhm seemed very shaken with your– knowledge?" he asked, his hands sitting calmly on his lap.
Once again she stared at him, moving her head without losing contact with the seat "The brown haired kid?" she asked, but not really, rolling her head to face the mirror again still looking stoic to it all "You act like a king at school, but at home you are barely treated like a human" she replied.
So Mun frowned with the information, he looked down at his hands in thought but his sight returned to the woman "What? Is it true? How do you know?" he asked again, eyes wide. She sighed, barely moving at all "Why don't you figure it out yourself?"
He wanted to reply really, opening his mouth but he gave up, sighing through his nose. So she shut him up for good, at least in that topic, the rest of the way they talked about the afterlife and about his dream, replying to his questions about it and informing him about them. Kinda of. Just a little half explained. In the end she talked with the driver, for some reason, but she seemed to want to maintain a good reputation, justifying their conversation.
After it, he got to know everything after he met the others, the counters with special abilities, and Wi Gen, the woman he had met in his not so dream? He had learned about evil spirits, their levels, how they would become stronger the more people they killed, and he got to witness one unfortunately. It was overall confusing and overwhelming but he had to one week decide if he wanted to join them or not. Which he had already denied, to their discontent.
The three counters stared at him through the door's window, the door closing as he limped out, the black night's stars brightening the sky as tried to make his way home. But he felt his jean's pocket vibrate. He reached out, Woong-min.
"Ohh right" he remembered, his thumb pressing the bright green button "Hey, I'm sorry Woong-min, I haven't made the storyboard yet. Something came up"
The other end was weirdly quiet, ragged breathing sounded out of the speaker "So M-mun..." the voice responded, silent cries followed it.
"Woong-min... What's the problem?" he asked, his face plastered with concern.
"Come to the school gym now!" another voice joined, So Mun could swear he heard that voice before... The library... The street... his lips let out familiar threats as the phone pressed against his ear.
"Where are you?" he demanded "Where are you now?!" once again, his heart beating loudly in his ears as the silence returned his questions, his mind still not processing the words.
"And bring that brat with you"
.........
One of the metal double doors creaked as he went in, three men surrounded an individual laying on the ground, his face covered with bruises and blood, laughter echoed in the big establishment as meaningless words were shared around. "Why did you come alone? I told you to bring that brat!"
"What do you think you're doing?!" his voice spread out as he shouted "You can't do this, you can't be doing this, right?" he walked forward, his crutch clanking against the ground as he got closer to the group. His friend was laying down on the ground, his arms trying to support his body as he got up.
"S-so Mun, n-no. S-stop, what are y-you doing?" blood dripped from his mouth as his eyes widened with fear.
"Woong-min has nothing to do with this, please let him go. I-I'll take his place, please" he proposed, his breath ragged, his eyes pleading to the leader as stood.
The reddish brown haired, looking darker than normal as the lighting was minimal, stared at him back. His eyes seemed conflicted, his lips parted as he frowned, taking a thought of the deal. The other two were laughing like idiots, mocking him for his pitiful words.
Hyeok-Woo signed grinding his teeth, his hands flying to his waist as he stomped his foot lightly looking to his side "You two, take him outside" he pointed, his eyes looking down on the bloody teen as he signed with his head slightly, his eyebrow lifting a bit in the process.
'What?'
The bullies stared at their leader like they were offended "What? Are you serious?" one of them said, turning around, letting out an indignant puff of air as he smiled in disbelief, his hand briefly scratching his head. "Aish..."
"Are you deaf? Move!" he responded, the two scrambled off asking no more questions as they grabbed Woong-min carelessly, pulling him by his legs out of the gym. His arms struggled as he tried to grab the floor.
"So Mun! So Mun, n-no! Stop!" the door closed.
As the metal door creaked shut once again, the silence was louder than the cars that sometimes passed on the street. Hyeok-Woo was uncharacteristically looking at the ground, he had that face once again, his teeth showing in a disgusted expression, as he sighed.
So Mun stayed still but decided to start "I– I came to ask for forgiveness on behalf of that girl too."
The taller glanced at him, so he walked forward "If you– If you've been injured, I'll also pay the bills. I'm sorry, forgive me"
"So please leave Woong-min alone" he ended. Calm steps sounded in his direction, his face expressed nothing unlike before. The curly haired stepped back, his leg almost catching itself on its support, his eyes opening in distress, as annoying breaths started to fall from his lips.
"Forgiveness?" he asked. "Tch– I don't want that" his fist connected with his face, burning pain spreading through his cheek as he stumbled back with the knock back. Instead of falling his jacket was grabbed, a fisted hand making its presence.
"Who is that girl?" he demanded, face close to his, as his own hands grabbed the arm on him trying to pull it away, his finger unintentionally touching the other's palm.
"I can't say" he responded, his expression fearful as he shrank. The face in front of him trembled with rage, shiny sweat forming on his forehead.
"Then don't. I'll force you to say it!" another punch landed on his face, his jacket finally being released as he fell onto the ground.
His determination rose again, he wasn't going to get beat up again, he pulled himself up as the other strode towards him, regaining his footing. As much as he could he tried to run in his direction, like a human version of the game of chicken, the sound of their heavy steps getting closer to one another waiting for one to give up.
The taller smirked at his attempt, stopping where he was readying his fist for another round. What he didn't expect was So Mun tackling him over with his shoulder like a rugby player, sending them both to the ground, his crutch now abandoned on the ground.
His head smashed against the ground "Arhg–" the pointy shoulder dug into his enemy's chest as they fell, but the other wasted no time to strike, his closed fist smashing against his collar bone.
So Mun groaned in pain, closing his eyes for a moment, grabbing whatever he could as he tumbled down from the other's body. Apparently it had been his hair. Hyeok-Woo hissed in response, both of his hands trying to wank the grip on his curls. The shorter staggered to his feet, his fingers still clutching on there as the other had been pulled along, now being on his knees.
"You fuc– I'll kill you" the teen dropped his hands on the ground, sticking out his leg to surprisingly kick the other foot that wasn't his vulnerable injured foot. Bad choice.
He groaned with pain at the hit, losing his footing with nothing to support him, his body falling down, collapsing once again on top of the other. Thankful for his reflexes actually working, as he caught himself with his arms, hands slapping against the ground avoiding the collusion of their heads, saving their noses from disaster. "Ah- that... was so dumb-" he breathed.
The one below him stared moon-eyed, but rage took over as he bared his teeth "Shut up!" he pushed him away, climbing on top of him to give him another slap. So for the first time he punched back. Then they stopped. For some reason.
'What's happening? Why did he stop?'
His back was laid on the hard floor, the corner of his lips were bleeding from the cut he got and his cheek was getting numb from the punches he received. The lean man above him was panting, his nose also bleed from a punch he received while they were rolling around trying to hit each other, his hands on his chest as he stranded So Mun's hips, his ass making delicious pressure on his crotch, the other's waist moving to get his position right and more comfortable.
'Not now. That wasn't his intention at all. What was wrong with him? The man above him hit his friend, bullied him and what he wanted to do the most was to do the same thing to him, hit him, embarrass him, punish him' He bit his lips in exasperation, grabbing the shoulder of the enemy and flipping them around.
Hyeok-Woo was now pinned against the floor, arms restrained, his legs open to fit the other's ones, light hair sprawled on the dark flooring, the shadowed bodies lonely in the unlit room, as he looked up at him in obvious shame "What the fuck are you doing?" he struggled, his head turning to the right trying to avoid his eyes. Unfortunately with all the moving, two sticks rubbed each other roughly. The taller's eyes widen as he stared at him again "You–"
But the body beneath him bucked up seeking pressure as he tried to shift away, the soft and flexible pants of their uniform helping them too much for his taste, the taller's face hiding itself from him, the reddish locks doing almost all the work, covering half of his eye as he bit his red lip too, masking whatever sound wanted to come out. He had no idea what he was doing, but his body moved forward again, his hands leaving the restrained arms so he could support himself, setting a gentle rocking against the other.
Their clothed dicks rubbed on each other, his enemy's arms surprisingly remaining where they were, framing his face in a erotic image, as the long fingers closed themselves in.
So Mun opened his mouth in a silent moan, his body moving forward trying to get closer to the other, his hips thrusting more and more, pressing more, their hardness now obvious to each other. His hands tried to grip the floor, his hand almost closing in a fist.
Hyeok-Woo spread out his legs, as if seeking for more, reaching even closer puffs of air shared between them, but they don't dare to talk or make a sound. They shared both pleasure and hate, but no intimacy nor a thought. Their hips swayed together, So Mun's eyes scrunched up, quick breaths sounded out of his mouth trying to keep his composure, their movement making him feel incredible.
His enemy was biting his lips harder, those threatening to spill indecent noises, his nails digging on his own palm begging to have something to grab. His nose respired rapidly, his legs twitched sometimes and his eyes closed with embarrassment, as his ears were showing a cute red blush, spreading quickly through his hidden cheeks.
'Let me... hear it, let me–' his hand moved on its own, one arm supporting his whole body as he rocked harder, his fingers twitched with pleasure, slowly reaching for the defined collarbone of the man beneath him wanting to release his trembling lips.
A hand grabbed his wrist with force, making him stop all movement in shock, his eyes opened in surprise "Don't fucking touch me"
So Mun looked at him, Hyeok-Woo finally stared back, his eyes had harden significantly, he was baring his teeth like a wild animal in danger and his breathing was still erratic, the hand once framing his head pushed him away violently, the other released his pained wrist, as he fell backwards at the force. His head knocked against the ground making an ugly thumping noise as the heavy breather sat up defensively.
He breathed too, his lungs catching a break for the first time, but his brain still processing the moment. He sat on the ground, not leaving the place he was pushed to and stared at the other confused, not a word being exchanged. The lean man, with the same expression on his face, turned around and spat on the floor walking away through the gym door, a loud metal sound was heard until everything went quiet.
His body gave up, slumping itself on the ground. His arms and legs sprawled out as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath through his nose and exhaling through his mouth, the silence closing itself on him. He sat up, his hands grabbed his head comically and he looked down at the ground "Aaahh, what have I done... I must be crazy"