𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐈 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐘 | Bakujin

“I was never really insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched.”

― Edgar Allan Poe

With his fingers, Baekjin cupped her chin. She was soft and warm underneath his brims. Amber eyes sparkled in the dim lights. He leaned in slowly, easing into the kiss. Her lips were supple, moving in unison against his. Pitch-black hair, soft and thick. Curled between his fingertips. Baekjin lifted his gaze, penetrating straight into Humin’s.

Humin’s jaw clenched. Hands curled into fists by his side. Humin’s eyes darkened into a pitch-black. A tremor passed over his frame; tightly controlled. Yet ready to snap at any moment.

Baekjin’s palm smoothly rolled over her grey uniform━A Yeoil high school one, with its thick woolen fabrics and its vertical dark blue stripes. His fingers smothered the materials, tugging her closer. His tongue danced across her underlip. The entire time, his stare bore into Humin’s. Hues sharpened, as a knife’s edge. Probed into the depths of Humin’s unwavering gaze.

He finally released her, inhaling air. Baekjin didn’t remember much of her after that. Other than adding her number with the name of Lee Chaewon on his phone.

As the silence laid thick by her absence, Humin cracked in front of his eyes; his feet moved fast over the pavement. The fist connected to his chin. Baekjin stumbled a few steps backwards, covering his cheek. It burnt. Pain crawled up his skin.

Humin’s palms jabbed him forward, face centimeters from his own. His hold tightened. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The blow hit hard.

Baekjin’s breath caught in his throat. An ache spread across his cheek. His lips twitched involuntarily. A razor-sharp edge. Twisted and amused. His hands wrapped around Humin’s. Each touch was a blessing; a prayer answered. He licked off the blood from his lips. Humin’s gaze darted downwards briefly. “I had a date,” Baekjin answered softly. His smile widened.

Humin held his stare, a million questions within. Palms shivered from the self-control that begged to be released. “Why?” Humin’s voice shook. “Why do you keep doing this?” A sense of desperation clung to Humin’s words. Etched into the wind.

“You know why,” Baekjin stood his ground. Humin’s scent filled his nostrils, of cheap restaurant food and sweat. It took every fibre of his being to resist against the pull of leaning closer. To just take a little more. Seongje’s words echoed in his ears, you already know you can’t own him, not with power. Right?

“I don’t get you,” Humin hissed, releasing his grip. He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “These girls have done nothing to you.” A sigh left his lips. A dark flood filled Humin’s gaze. Unflinchingly. “Keep whatever the hell you’re doing to yourself━”

Baekjin’s eyes trailed Humin’s fingers, that were twitching by his sides. He had gotten what he came for. “No.” Baekjin spoke plainly.

“What?” Disbelief colored Humin’s expression, mouth ajar.

His jaw clenched. Lips curled into a snarl, “I won’t stop.” Baekjin turned on his heels, drifting into the abandoned streets. A part of him wanted Humin to follow, to slam his fist into his face. All that remained was silence. And the few calico cats that ran across the street.

Baekjin put his black backpack beside the white clothing hanger. Easy access━Should he need anything at immediate notice. He turned, eyes casted over his grey desk with its black lamp to match the leather furniture. One of the lights toward the exit were nonfunctional. It had been for some time. I need to get it fixed. Partly across the walls, a turquoise color meshed with the grays.

He organized his desk with some light homework; Advanced Algebra. His pencil case neatly a few centimeters away from the papers. However, none of the math questions were answered. As Baekjin settled down on the chair, eyes locked on the entrance.

With a casual tilt of the door handle, it unlocked. To reveal Seongje on the other side. He wore his orange sports jacket. With black pants and a white t-shirt. Seongje’s signature glasses were on. The older’s footsteps were light over the tiles. “What’s so important? I was about to win a major League of Legends match.” A cigarette lit in his mouth.

The chemical stench of smoke reached his nostrils. He gave a short glance at the couch. A minor gesture. Seongje tossed himself onto the sofa, his brown eyes never left his. As if to dissect his intentions. Or play with him. It was of no matter, not for Baekjin. He could’ve Seongje whimpering underneath his polished shoe, should he chose so.

“You have to handle Choi-ssi.” Baekjin’s voice was soft. Like velvets over water streams. “I need you to check in with him.”

Seongje grimaced, taking a long drag of his cigarette. The puffs of white air rose from his lips. “That motherfucker?” The disgust flared over Seongje’s face. “Didn’t he try to steal some of your blueprints last month?” A smirk curled across his lips. “Piece of shit.”

“He failed,” Baekjin said without missing a beat. Each word chosen carefully. A calculated maneuver. He tapped his pen onto the paper. “He’s still trying.”

“What?” Seongje’s laughter didn’t reach his eyes. His shoulders tensed slightly. The older tipped on the couch, until both his feet landed on the floor. Hands rested on his knees. “Bringing an Union member into the Cheongang is a fucking death sentence.”

His lips twitched. “I know.” Baekjin held Seongje’s gaze. Entirely still.

Seongje’s glare hardened━Yet a flicker of intrigue swam in their depths. Grasping for answers, like a desperate man. Clawed and screamed for relief━That were choked through insecurity. “You’re crazy.”

“Be ready by the end of the week.” Baekjin lifted his finger at Seongje’s cigarette. “Correspond to me as usual,” Baekjin said gently. “I’ll send some of the Ganghak students to same area.” To keep you line, went unsaid. If Seongje failed; Baekjin would be aware. The threat clung tightly in the air.

Seongje muttered underneath his breath. He dropped the cigarette, smashing it with his sneakers. The sparks of fire flew in all directors. Glowing for a brief second, before it died. Ash dirtied the otherwise pristine clean floor.

Baekjin inhaled slowly through his nose. He bit back the correction that laid ready on his tongue. Ready to whip Seongje with a few well-placed words. Aimed at where it could hurt the most. The tension briefly crossed his lips. “Don’t believe you can do it?” Baekjin pressured.

“It’s a pain in the ass,” Seongje fumbled with his back pocket, until he found a new cigarette. “Just annoying I’m missing out on a gaming weekend.”

He recognized the heavy footsteps; certain ones. Baekjin headed for below the bridge. Darkness swallowed the lights. Only a few showed the way to the exit. The familiar grapple of Humin’s hand in his uniform. As the impact of the wall crushed into his back. Baekjin let out a small gasp. Jolts of pain rushed up his veins.

“Stop messing with my dating life!” Humin’s words hurled like knives, harsh and cutting. His hand clutched around the uniform, twisting the delicate materials. His face centimeters from his own; brown eyes blown wide. Covered most of his irises. “Stay out of it.”

Baekjin cherished the moment of touch; the warmth of Humin’s presence. His fingers lingered for a second on Humin’s. Baekjin resisted against Humin’s iron-tight grip. “You came earlier than I expected.” The soft tone of his voice contrasted against his nonchalant facial expression.

Humin’s hold grew slack against his uniform. His mouth hang open. Shoulders lowered. Humin’s lips pressed into a thin line. A plump red against skin. “Is this some sort of game to you?” Humin stepped away, eyes cast to the ground. His words hung thickly in the air between them.

Baekjin gave a minor tilt of his head. He brushed out the creases on his grey uniform. The dark blue stripes perfectly sown across the fabrics as he adjusted the white cuffs. He stepped away from the wall, fixing his hair with his fingertips. Annoying. “It could be,” Baekjin said. “However, you’re missing the point, Park Humin.”

Humin snorted. A laugh that stung. Unlike the ones from Baekjin’s memories━It was bitter, jaded, and void of happiness. “Say what you want,” Humin snarled. “I don’t want to be here longer than I’ve to.”

“It’s about Eunjang.” As Baekjin anticipated━That captured Humin’s attention. The school. The oceans that shoved their proximity apart. A story as ancient as time itself. A scar that ripped open every time Baekjin attempted to sleep; he could only see Humin. “It’s a simple deal,” Baekjin continued softly. He spread out his arms. “You hve to pretend to be in love with me━Only in public. Considering your lack of skills,” he paused.

Humin’s brown eyes narrowed. Hands clenched by his sides. A tint of pink colored his cheeks.

“I’ll train you,” Baekjin ignored Humin’s penetrating glare. “As long the agreement is in effect, no Union members will hurt Eunjang students.” His lips twitched. Baekjin returned Humin’s gaze with intrigue.

The older moved on his feet. His eyes, even in the darkness, as a void into the sun. A glint of want in the depths. To cling into Baekjin’s suggestion. The kind people couldn’t refuse. “For how long?” Humin spoke quietly.

“Until I say you can stop,” Baekjin answered matter-of-factly. “If your friends finds out, the deal is off.” He rose one finger. “For them, I’ll be your ‘girlfriend’ or whatever you prefer to call me.” Baekjin rose a second finger. Blood rushed in his ears. Adrenaline sung in his veins. The undercurrent of desire that threatened to choke him alive. Baekjin’s lips slightly parted. He wanted.

“Is it a guarantee The Union won’t seek out Eunjang students?” Humin pressed. His steps secure as they came closer to his own. “Do I’ve your word?” Another step.

Baekjin remained glued to the floor. “Yes.” A part of him wanted to reach out━cup Humin’s handsome face. Lean their foreheads together like they used to. To feel his warm skin underneath his; to breathe in Humin. Yet, Baekjin didn’t move a muscle. Another side of him, wanted to crush anyone that stopped their reunion. Crash their bones into dust. Watch the light dim from their eyes. Only Park Humin matters; and always had. The sting of loss echoed unsaid words on Baekjin’s lips.

“I’ll think about it.” Humin ruffled his dark brown locks, until they were a mess. He inhaled through his nose. Eyes closed, with sparks of tensions. The slight hint of shortness of breath. The slimmer of disbelief in Humin’s voice.