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There is traffic, so I’ll be about thirty minutes late. I’m sorry.
Dongsik’s heart pounds as he exits the car, the desolate location silent and still in a way that hangs heavy in the air. Save for the asphalt crunching beneath his shoes, not a sound could be heard.
I will wait just thirty minutes. Be sure you have the money ready.
Dongsik doesn’t respond to the message, slipping the burner back into his pocket. There is no money, never will be, but that doesn’t matter. He isn’t here to fulfil orders. Only one of them will be leaving this place alive, and what is a dead man going to need ten billion for?
The piano wire Dongsik had managed to acquire, gains more weight inside his pocket. Becoming hyperaware of its existence, feeling it move with each step he takes.
At the point that he’s reached the old boat factory building, his mouth has gone completely dry, and his palms sweat profusely. What was this nervous reaction all about? It’s hardly the first time he’s killed, and with his latest three attempts there had been no nerves of any kind, just an animalistic need to see a life extinguished. Sure, it’ll be the first time he’s gone through with a killing since the amnesia, but with at least seven different instances under his belt, should his body not be acting like it’s used to this?
Is this time different because it’s his own life on the line as well? If he doesn’t kill this former detective, Park Mooseok, his identity will be revealed to the authorities – no, to Shim Bokyung. Strange as it is, Dongsik has come to think of her as a friend, and he can’t have a friend knowing what he is, let alone a detective. He would need to kill her if she ever found out, which he doesn’t want. This must be why his nerves are alight.
Dongsik’s fingers brush the cool metal of the door handle, noticing it’s been left ajar. How strange, he thinks, retracting his hand. Was Park Mooseok possibly expecting an ambush? Then it would be idiotic to waltz right through the front door and into any trap that could have been set on the other side. There will be an alternative way inside, so Dongsik steps back to re-examine the exterior of the building.
Off to the left is a vent duct, Dongsik hurries over. Hoists himself up, legs flailing behind him like he’s trying to swim as he pulls himself inside. The duct itself is ice-cold under his fingertips, laid thick with dust that turns his skin grey and tickles his nose as he crawls through.
At the other end, he is about to kick the grate out of its place, before thinking better of it at the last second. The sound would undoubtedly draw attention, alerting Park Mooseok of his arrival, then this little scheme will be water down the drain. Instead, Dongsik shimmies himself around, pokes his fingers through the square gaps in the grate and pops it off its place.
It takes a moment to decide exactly what is best to do with it, going back and forth between trying to pull it inside the vent of lower it gently to the ground. Eventually, he settles on keeping hold of it as he slips himself out, sticking it back in place once he’s made it. Thinking that way it won’t be obvious that he snuck inside, should Park Mooseok come across it.
From there, Dongsik creeps through the dusty concrete building, light on his feet to minimise echoes and crunching. Heart thumping violently inside his chest, drowning out most other sound anyway. Up the flight of stairs to the right, he hugs the wall along the way towards the opening that looks like it leads to a bigger room of sorts. Back stuck to the wall, tucked in the corner, he peaks inside, scanning the area. His gaze lands on a conspicuously placed armchair, a person’s head poking over the top.
That, Dongsik concludes, must be Park Mooseok.
His heart jumps into his throat, breath cutting short. This man knows who and what Dongsik is. Aware of everything, the heinous, violent crimes he has committed, but instead of being afraid like any other person would be, he had the gall to collate evidence and use it to exploit Dongsik. The lunatic threatened the true Predator Killer, and would now face his demise.
An ear-piercing creak erupts from the old step as Dongsik puts weight onto it, bouncing off the walls of the largely empty space. Panic grips him still, but only for a moment as he is quick to come to his senses and realises Park Mooseok didn’t even flinch. Must not have heard anything, miraculously.
Reigning in his quickened breath, Dongsik goes to leap down all four steps to avoid any other loud creaks, gracefully landing on his toes, position curled to reduce noise emission. He ducks behind the metal cannisters, stealthily dive-rolling across the ground, attracting more dust and filth to his clothes. He stops, sheltered behind one of the cannisters, peaking over the side to assess the situation.
The life of Park Mooseok must be ended while he’s this defenceless. Unsuspecting, he will have no chance to fight back, a working advantage. Dongsik slides the black faux leather gloves over his hands, pulling them to fit tight. He takes the piano wire out of its snug hiding spot, wrapping it around his now gloved fingers, so it’s straight and taut. Ready for use.
Slowly, Dongsik inches his way closer to the vulnerable fool. Seems he hadn’t been preparing for an ambush after all, working much to Dongsik’s favour. What sort of idiot threatens a deadly serial killer and doesn’t even prepare to be snuck up on? And he thought he could blackmail Dongsik. Absurd.
Wire at the ready, Dongsik lowers it down, level with Park Mooseok’s neck and set to pull it against the exposed flesh. The life will leave him before he even knows what is happening to him, and Dongsik can forget about this whole ordeal. Go home and continue with going straight.
Except… Is this how it will really play out? Realistically, would it be this easy? Someone so gutless as to threaten a serial killer would not put themself in such a dangerous predicament without insurance. No, the photographic evidence in Park Mooseok’s possession alone is not enough to ensure that Dongsik would not get away with pulling any tricks. There must be an accomplice, and more.
Groaning, hushed, through his grit teeth, Dongsik moves the wire away. This man is smart, if he is this fearless, he will most certainly be prepared in case things don’t go his way. Dongsik walks around to stand directly in front of the sleeping Park Mooseok. Why would he even be asleep at a time like this, when he should be expecting Dongsik’s arrival at any point? This just further enforces the idea that he has back-up plans.
Dongsik extracts the knife he’d brought along from his backpack. A simple kitchen knife, because he couldn’t get his hands on anything else. Losing his memories also meant losing the location of his weapons stash, which he knows he has, because how else would he carry out murders? No location was noted in the diary either. His past-self had been stupidly unprepared for this kind of event happening, but also intelligently careful.
Not to worry, kitchen knives were at least good for cutting, slicing. Not designed for stabbing, but things shouldn’t come to that.
Exhaling a deep breath, clutching the weapon tight, Dongsik pokes the man’s cheek. To no response, he does it again with a little more force. Then again, and eventually resorts to shouting at him.
“Yah, wake up!”
This successfully startles Park Mooseok into consciousness, inhaling sharply, eyes darting all around before landing on Dongsik. Falling down to the sharp steel blade that gets held up to him before he can try and do anything.
“I bet you think you’re so smart, huh? But I figured you out. The only way I get to walk free is by giving you money, right? Otherwise, you’ll unleash the evidence you have on me.”
“What-"
“Sshh!” Dongsik presses a finger to the man’s lips, pressing the knife closer to his throat. His heartbeat becomes deafeningly loud in his ears. “Hand over the evidence, all of it, so I know you won’t try and pull any tricks. It’ll be on a disk drive, right? Where?”
By this point, Dongsik is sure there is no more blood circulating in his hands. They’ve gone ice cold, drenched in sweat inside the gloves making it irritatingly uncomfortable.
The man under the knife is either tremendously brave, or plain stupid. He sends Dongsik to the ground by kicking his knees so they give out, earning him a thin nick across his throat. A groan escapes Dongsik as he collides with the ground, head hitting the concrete below, causing stars to flood his vision. While he’s down, Park Mooseok makes a break for it, rushed heavy footfalls echoing through the deserted building. Requiring a moment to compose himself after the head trauma, Dongsik can’t immediately make chase.
Getting outside has dread sinking deep inside, weighing down his bones. The car that had been there, the one he assumed belonged to the former detective, is now gone. Dongsik is about to break down in fear over it, but the sound of a crash and a car horn blaring saves him from the spiral. Making haste, he goes down the road, spotting the aforementioned car that had managed to collide with a utility pole. Was that man a reckless driver or something? How does that even happen, it’s like something out of a movie.
Strange as it is, Dongsik wasn’t about to stop and ruminate. He drags Park Mooseok out of the smoking wreck, dumping him on the ground. Taking the opportunity to rummage around in search of some kind of storage device, or other form of evidence. Though, the entire car is void of anything, even the camera appears to have been scrubbed. Patting down Park Mooseok yields nothing. Either the evidence is safely stored at his home or with a mystery accomplice Dongsik is now certain must exist.
The equipment Dongsik finds stashed in the trunk of the car gets put to good use. After dragging the man back inside, Dongsik uses some rope and cloth to securely bind him. Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be any better alternative weaponry in the car as well, meaning the simple kitchen knife will just have to cut it.
An undetermined duration of time passes, but it’s grown darker outside, sky turning navy grey, by the time Park Mooseok regains consciousness. If Dongsik didn’t need to get his hands on this evidence, he would have ensured there would be no waking up for the man. He could be disposing of a body right now, but no, he is smarter than this fool thinks.
“Did you have to do that?” Dongsik asks from his hunched position, fixing his hollowed gaze on the bound former detective. “There was no need to complicate things, you just had to tell me about the evidence.”
Squirming on the ground, Park Mooseok begins trying to speak. Each word unintelligible through the gag in his mouth, coming out in muffled rasps. But, Dongsik can make an excellent guess as to what he’s trying to say.
“I didn’t want it to come to this either, but you’ve left me no choice! You created this mess, expecting a lowly salaryman like me to get that much money. And on such short notice!” Dongsik scurries closer, drowning out the man’s pleas. “Did you know, I was done with killing? I realised that life just isn’t suited to me anymore, and repressing my killer instincts has been so hard. Why did you have to do this to me?”
Dongsik takes a moment to gather himself, pushing back the tears of fury that sting his eyes. Because that’s what he is feeling, fury, absolutely not anything else. He is not terrified to tears of having to kill someone.
Letting out a deep breath, Dongsik continues, “Make this easy for us both. Tell me where you’ve hidden the evidence, and I’ll give you the money. There doesn’t need to be any bloodshed.” It’s a lie, of course, Dongsik has to spill this man’s blood once he can ensure his own life’s safety.
Wait. Does that mean he will also need to kill the mystery accomplice?
Irritated, Dongsik clicks his tongue. He equips the knife again, tilting the blade, causing light to glint off it. “Tell me. And I will also need the name of whoever you’re working with so I can be sure they won’t reveal anything, either.” Doesn’t that sound like Dongsik is going to hunt them down and kill them? Hopefully that goes right over Park Mooseok’s head.
He just continues to look confused, only making noises that sound like “What?”. Irritated further, Dongsik raises the knife to remind this idiot of the immediate danger. Is he truly afraid of nothing? Or… It could be that he’s caught on to the fact Dongsik can’t kill him until he gives away the location of the evidence.
Well, maiming is still on the table. Dongsik doesn’t think he’s ever tortured anyone before. At least, it was never mentioned in the diary. But as a psychopath, that’s the sort of thing he enjoys, so it’s likely he has done it at some point, for the sake of it. The thought makes him shudder. He may have no memories of doing it, how hard could it be?
“I guess by now you’ve figured out that I can’t really kill you. But, don’t forget, I can hurt you.” The knife is levelled closer to Park Mooseok’s body for emphasis, and Dongsik stares at his own reflection. His hand is shaking like a leaf in the wind, he tells himself it’s because resisting the kill is becoming exponentially difficult. “What do you think, shall we try that?”
The answer presents itself before Dongsik can do a thing. His phone starts to vibrate in his pocket, startling him and throwing him off balance, almost ending up on his back before catching himself. The caller happens to be Seo Inwoo, and a little relief enters Dongsik, though the timing could have been a bit better. He rips off one glove with his teeth, accepting the call while backing away from his tied-up victim lest he try screaming for help.
“What are you doing right now?” Seo Inwoo asks in lieu of a greeting. Was that a hint of annoyance to his tone?
“Well…” Dongsik considers Park Mooseok, who tugs on his restraints. “To be honest, I’m kind of in the middle of something.”
“Really? Well, drop whatever it is. I have the money you wanted, so let’s meet.”
“Uh-um, o-ok, that’s no problem…” Dongsik hangs up, slips his phone safely away and pulls his bottom lip between his teeth.
He doesn’t need or want the money anymore, he has found a better solution to the issue, but maybe it could be useful for making Park Mooseok compliant. Show him what he wants, and he’ll return the favour. Dongsik won’t need to inflict unnecessary pain upon him, and then he can die easily. Then, Dongsik can give Seo Inwoo his money back and only hope the miniscule time frame doesn’t look suspicious in the slightest.
Sounds like a plan. Dongsik nods to himself and stands up properly. Pointing the knife at Park Mooseok, who freezes with the attention being returned to him, Dongsik says, “Don’t go anywhere. I’m going to bring you what you want, and you can consider what you’re going to do.”
On his way to leave, Dongsik hesitates. There isn’t really any way he could garuntee Park Mooseok won’t try to flee. Or even that this accomplice won’t arrive to rescue him. Should Dongsik just take him along, shove him in the trunk of Chilsung’s car? Then drag him back here to be dealt with…
Both options come with their own risks. Leaving him here may lead to an escape attempt, or a rescue, or Shim Bokyung finding him. Taking him along may also result in a rescue as well, if he makes enough noise to attract attention of a passer-by while Dongsik meets with Director Seo. Unless, of course, he got knocked unconscious.
No sedative of any kind was within Dongsik’s possession, so it would need to be done the old-fashioned way. He is almost certain there is a specific area of the skull that, if hit hard enough, would instantly turn somebody’s lights out. That will have to do.
“On second thoughts!” Dongsik spins around, approaching Park Mooseok with a pace quickened with enthusiasm. “I hope you’re up for a little road trip!”
/ / / /
It sure is an interesting feeling, trying to act as casual as possible around other people whilst having a man unconscious and bound in the trunk of his car. Trying to be natural but clearly coming across as antsy, wracked with paranoia that somebody will discover the tied-up Park Mooseok and let him free. Dongsik doubts he will be getting himself out of the car should he wake up at all, with how cramped the space is and how elaborately tied the ropes around him are. Some part of his mind hopes the former detective isn’t a claustrophobic, but what sort of pitiful thought is that?
Dongsik’s hands tremble as he clutches a glass between his palms, liquid rippling from the vibrations. He can feel the watchful gaze of Seo Inwoo burning into the side of his skull, adding to the pressure of the fear buzzing around inside. There wasn’t any way that Seo Inwoo would be able to piece together the fact that Dongsik had practically abducted a living man and hidden him away in the car from analysing his behaviours alone, right? It still made him uneasy, Seo Inwoo was apparently highly perceptive, so quick to catch on to something if it isn’t right. Much like Shim Bokyung.
Would it do Dongsik any favours to simply cut them out of his life and spare himself potential trouble? They could come to realise any dark truth about him if they pick up enough clues and could ruin him for eternity. But they’re so kind to him, how could he do such a thing without explanation?
Seo Inwoo slides a case towards Dongsik under the cover of the bar. After checking the contents, anxious to see such an enormous amount of money, Dongsik is eager to get out of there. He gives Seo Inwoo hurried gratitude, promising to do it properly later on and get the money back as quick as he could. On his feet, he is ready to bolt, but Seo Inwoo grabs his hand, halting him before he could even get three steps away. Tingles shoot through Dongsik’s entire arm, which he chalks up to the overload of nerves.
Getting touched by the Director always has him feeling a funny sort of way.
“Hold on,” Seo Inwoo says, tugging on Dongsik and inviting him to sit back down. “You’re being blackmailed, aren’t you?”
“W-well…” Yes, but how is he supposed to say that it’s nothing to worry about? The situation is under complete control, the blackmailer is going to die, and Seo Inwoo will get every last penny back before he knows it.
“If I’m lending you ten billion, can’t I know what it’s for?” Seo Inwoo asks. A fair question, at that. Why hadn’t Dongsik considered that it would be raised? Thinking that Seo Inwoo would not wonder why the hell Dongsik would ever need ten billion. Nobody gives away this much without wanting to know what it would be used for.
Dongsik sits back down, preparing himself for a difficult admission. Takes another drink, then nods in affirmation. “Yes. That’s it. Blackmail.” It’s weird to confess to. What could pushover extraordinaire Yook Dongsik possibly be keeping a secret that someone would deem damning enough to exploit?
“I knew it. I could tell, from experience.” Seo Inwoo pours Dongsik another drink. He doesn’t want it, though. He has an abducted man to get back to and has to drive them back to that old boat factory, then deal with murder and clean-up. But it would be discourteous to not drink it, so Dongsik grips the glass tight, raising it to his lips to take a small sip.
“However, from experience I have to wonder; would paying the person really resolve it?”
“Pardon?”
Seo Inwoo hums. “Well, if it were a proper transaction, that would be the case. But this person is extorting money from someone using his weakness, so can you honestly expect them to hold up their end?”
How interesting. “I thought the same… I do doubt they will be true to their word and leave me alone. That’s why I’ve got to-… T-to ensure that they can’t pull any tricks.”
For a split second, the corners of Seo Inwoo’s mouth quirks up, so fast Dongsik almost doesn’t notice. “Ensure they never blackmail you again,” he surmises, seeming to approve of it with how satisfied he sounds. What sort of conclusions will he come to when Dongsik returns his money, then? Is there any possibility that he would believe Dongsik the Chump was able to persuade the blackmailer to leave him alone without receiving the desired payment?
That will be a bridge to cross when he gets to it. For now, there are much more pressing issues to be resolved. The idea of someone finding Park Mooseok is raining pins of nerves into Dongsik, he can’t focus on much else.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve really got to get going. Thank you for your help, Seo Inwoo-ssi.” The glass is set on the bar top, Dongsik bows several times before grabbing the case in a death grip and darting off.
He’s sure Seo Inwoo tried to say something else, but Dongsik has his priorities, and though he feels bad he doesn’t care to listen in that moment. Only getting back outside to the car, finding it untouched and no police swarming the area, brings peace of mind. Chucking the case inside, double checking the trunk remained locked, Dongsik heaves a sigh of relief. He had been fretting over nothing, good. Now, he could go and set this entire ordeal to rest.
/ / / /
Arriving back at the old boat factory, dragging the still unconscious Park Mooseok (he’d maybe been hit harder than intended) inside turns out to be a lot more difficult than dragging him out had been. Dongsik is short on breath by the time he’s dumped the man on the dusty ground inside, swaying on his feet as he pants. After going back out to retrieve the case of money, he feels about ready to collapse. Unfortunately, this night remains far from over. There is the murder to deal with and then the cleaning up.
To speed things up, Dongsik doesn’t wait around for Park Mooseok to wake up. What he does is tap the man on the face repeatedly until he opens his eyes, wishing he had a source of water he could throw instead to make life easier. He doesn’t want to hit the man incredibly hard, knocking him out in the first place had been challenging enough. Dongsik ignores the panic from his bound victim, kicking the case of money closer to him.
“I got what you asked for, so now you can return the favour.” Dongsik sounds as bone tired as he feels, the events of the day laying exhaustion heavy upon him. Park Mooseok’s untrusting gaze flits between Dongsik and the case, likely judging the authenticity. “It’s not a trick, look.”
To prove this statement, it gets opened up enough so that the former detective can clearly see the contents. Maybe he isn’t convinced, because he doesn’t appear at all glad. This would of course be over already if it were to be that easy. Dongsik re-equips the trusty kitchen knife, holding it loosely in his hand.
“Come on, can’t you tell me already? Why have you got to go and complicate things for us both?” The stress is pushing him to the brink of tears. Going to show the extremity of the situation; Dongsik does not cry over silly things.
Still, despite being presented with the money requested and having a knife pointed at him, Park Mooseok remains silent. Breathing heavily, looking along the lines of dumbfounded, shaking his head in minuet movements. What is this jerk’s deal, anyway? How can he be so fearless in the immediate presence of a serial killer?
Fine. Seems as though Dongsik will have to backstep. Lunging forwards, he positions the knife deadly close to the man’s body. To instil fear, remind him of the danger Dongsik poses, and if necessary, cause harm. The only available area of showing skin is the face, the neck being too vulnerable. One wrong move could end up killing him before Dongsik has what he needs. There is already a thin red line, blood clotted and dried, from where the former detective had been nicked during his attempted escape.
“I guess this means we’re going back to plan B. B? Yes, that’s right. I can hurt you if you continue being silent. Ah, did you think I was going to hand you the money and let you be on your way? What would be stopping you from telling Shim Bokyung everything anyway?” The pure idiocy makes Dongsik laugh.
With the knowledge that he has, Park Mooseok should be all too aware of how smart and cunning Dongsik is. He truly must be feeling too brave, too comfortable. There has to be a back-up plan. Maybe he’s waiting on Shim Bokyung to arrive, or even the accomplice to swoop in and save him. Whatever the case, his ease with the situation is nothing but frustrating.
“Let’s try this again.” Heart thundering away, Dongsik presses the tip of the knife against the man’s skin. “Tell me where you have the evidence, and don’t say in your car because I already checked. There is no use in pulling a trick, can’t you see that?”
By this point, Park Mooseok appears as annoyed as Dongsik feels. Clenching his jaw more than it already is, glaring daggers at Dongsik as if it’s supposed to intimidate him or something.
“Ok, clearly you don’t understand the severity of the situation. But you did threaten a serial killer, so I suppose you really are just an idiot.” Dongsik realises how his hands have returned to shaking, attempts to still them but ends up needing to clutch the knife with both hands. Applying more pressure feels impossible, like there is an invisible barrier between the tip of the knife and Park Mooseok’s skin, preventing Dongsik from pushing harder.
The hesitance – because what else could this be called? – is used against him. First getting out of the way of the knife, Park Mooseok headbutts Dongsik, using enough strength to leave him winded. It sends him meeting the ground with his back, knife clattering down beside him. Momentarily paralysed from both the shock and force of impact, Dongsik is powerless to prevent Park Mooseok from using the knife to cut the rope binding his hands.
“What’s your fucking problem, you lunatic?” He delivers a kick to Dongsik’s ribs. “Why are you doing this?”
“Me?” Dongsik laughs through the pain blooming within his chest. From his scrunched-up eyes, he can’t see the disturbed expression on Park Mooseok’s face. “Are you really stupid or what?”
“Christ, he’s insane.” Another kick is sent to Dongsik’s gut, then his jaw, and Dongsik continues to laugh about it while Park Mooseok starts walking away.
Leaving. He’s leaving, and not even taking the case with him. Has he changed his mind because Dongsik did not comply? Played games and consequently all of the evidence will be revealed anyway. To be put bluntly, that won’t be good. He cannot leave this building alive, or Dongsik’s life is over.
Dongsik stumbles after Park Mooseok, taking the wire back out of his pocket. Catching up to the former detective, Dongsik hooks it around his throat and yanks as hard as he can. A choked sound emits from Park Mooseok, he falls back a step, and he struggles. Unfortunately, Dongsik has not been keeping himself in prime shape since suffering his amnesia, so getting overpowered isn’t difficult. Swung off balance, tossed to the side, the knife still in the hand of Park Mooseok getting thrust towards him. Instead of trying to dodge, Dongsik catches the blade.
The dull pain developing, sending ribbons of tingles through his arm, barely registers. Being too lost in the feeling of his rushing blood and the lightness in his aching chest. Wrapping his fingers around the knife and the manic grin spreading Dongsik’s lips, predictably, startles Park Mooseok further. He gets freaked out enough that his hold on the knife loosens, an opportunity Dongsik seizes to snatch his weapon back.
His entire being is practically vibrating from the thrill. Riding the adrenaline rush that makes him feel so alive as he comes close to ending someone’s life. All sound is drowned out over his own heartbeat echoing in his ears, pounding through his skull. Maybe one more kill before quitting won’t be such a bad idea. But is that not any addict’s excuse to keep going?
At the same time Dongsik is preparing for an attack, Park Mooseok pounces forward with a clenched fist. The mutual movement results in a collision. Of the kitchen knife right into the abdomen of Park Mooseok, producing a horrid squelch. That sound is enough to wash away that of Dongsik’s heartbeat and suddenly it’s all that plays through his head.
“Oh dear.” Dongsik gulps, retracting the knife sluggishly, a stream of blood following suit. This doesn’t even seem to deter the former detective, who moves to try and attack again. Resulting in the knife sinking back into him.
Then again. And again. Until Dongsik isn’t even aware of his arm moving of its own volition. Muscle memory, instinct, or something. Each of his senses are blocked out as he drives the knife in over and over again, movements mechanical. Until Park Mooseok’s legs have given out beneath him, and his knees collapse to the ground, fingers digging hard into Dongsik’s arms, holding on for dear life. As more blood and energy flees his system, his grip slips away, and he crumbles into a limp heap at Dongsik’s feet. He stares up at Dongsik, making it possible to watch the light slowly reduce to embers, fading away completely.
“Oh, dear,” Dongsik breathes again. Unsure if the sound that follows is a laugh or a sob. Looking down at the lifeless body makes it happen again. Then to the crimson stained knife, then the glistening on the glove, streaks and splodges over his coat, and Dongsik loses himself in a fit of hysterical laughter. Hot tears stream down his face.
Never before have his senses been this overloaded. Feeling too much of everything has him feeling nothing at all. A lightness in his chest that feels tight, a sickness settled in the pit of his stomach, pins of numbness vibrating through his whole body. Ending up on the ground, body wracked with laughs and sobs, having no strength to get back to his feet.
He isn’t sure how long it takes, maybe hours of minutes, but eventually he calms down enough to become fully aware of the mess. First of all, Dongsik just killed somebody and is lying next to the corpse in a pool of blood. Second, he never got to learn the location of the evidence against him. Third, Shim Bokyun could find this place at any moment. He’s got to gather himself, push aside these feelings and clean this all up.
This would take hours on his own, making him wish that he hadn’t refused Chilsung to accompany him. Would it even be safe to leave and bring him back here?
Dongsik wipes the tears off his face, replacing it with some other dampness that could only be blood. Trying to stand ends up being a challenge, discovering the weakness of his legs due to the numbed senses. When he is finally on his feet, he chokes back bile, using the wall as support while he takes a minute to prepare himself to move.
The circumstances right now feel surreal. One glance down at Park Mooseok’s paled body acts as a sufficient reality check, another laugh forcing itself out of Dongsik’s throat. He killed somebody, violently. His eighth victim in total, and the first since losing his memories.
Clean up, then process feelings. This gets repeated in his head like a mantra as he drags Park Mooseok’s body to the car while struggling on legs that feel like jelly. At least if Dongsik takes this corpse with him, it leaves less evidence to be worked with if Shim Bokyung does happen across the building, and the bloody scene of the crime.
The lack of acquired evidence Park Mooseok had of Dongsik will need to be worried about later. As well as the potential of an accomplice tracking him down. The night, it seems, is still far from over yet.
/ / / /
Returning to work the following day also turns out to be an interesting experience. Similar to how it had been walking into the office after attempting to kill Seo Jihoon and failed miserably. They hadn’t any idea what Dongsik had done, blissfully unaware of the killer in their midst. This time, walking around is much better having actually gone through with the act and them all being none the wiser. Though he is completely on edge, and thrumming with elation because no-one knows.
Last night, Dongsik killed his eighth victim and got away with it. He is almost giddy about the fact. Almost, because of the underlying fear that someone will figure him out.
The potential that Shim Bokyung or any of the forensics crew found something from the scene also has his nerves alight. Dongsik had never got enough time to return to clean up after himself, before Bokyung called to inform him of what they’d found. Only mentioning the mysteriously crashed car, the pool of blood and red stained footsteps. At least the body itself had been taken care of, so they wouldn’t know who their tipper was or that he was most definitely deceased. Of course, with the help of Chilsung, who worried about it, or worried about Dongsik, but remained taciturn.
All Dongsik has to hope for, is that no evidence of himself was left behind. Tongue between his teeth throughout the day, he keeps wondering if someone will come for him. Or… Could they even? If they had found something, wouldn’t they need a sample of his DNA to test it against? He doubts that they already have a record of him saved to their database.
So, even if they had found a fingerprint or anything like that, they would first need to suspect him, then take a sample to be tested. And who is going to suspect him? Everyone sees him as the National Hero who helped to stop the Predator Killer, a lovely and sweet individual, incapable of hurting anything. A perfect alibi that Dongsik never even utilised until now.
A lot of the paranoia weighing Dongsik down alleviates. The thrill of getting away with murder again becoming his primary drive for the rest of the day. He wonders why he had even wanted to give up on this extraordinary feeling. Because he couldn’t remember what it was like? Now that he does, he isn’t sure if giving up that life is still what he wants.
The tactics could be switched up, just like he was going to do while helping Shim Bokyung track that serial killer that turned out to be himself. Go after people who deserve it, meaning he won’t need to repress anything and live with that emptiness, that agony that going without a kill leaves him with. He won’t feel guilty of the person deserved to be killed, the pure liveliness rushing through his veins won’t need to be given up on…
“Dongsik-sunbae.”
His entire body goes rigid, gaze darting around to locate the source. Standing behind him is Oh Mijoo, smiling softly if a little nervously.
“Ah! H-hello, Mijoo-ssi. Did you need something?”
“Would you like to join us for a coffee? We did already ask, but I don’t think you heard. Is everything ok? You seemed a little different yesterday, and today you’re very distracted.”
“Yes!” Dongsik says to answer both of the questions, jumping out of his seat and heading for the break room. “Everything is fine, you don’t need to worry.”
Everything is, in fact, more than fine, now that a little contemplating has quelled a decent amount of his fear. But Dongsik doesn’t really want to talk about it, having no doubt that more people will ask questions about what happened. Questions that he possesses no appropriate answers to. He can insist that they move on, forget about their concerns, but he may need to start crafting some believable lie for cover. Yesterday, he was antsy like never before, and today he’s all chipper, as if nothing was ever the matter.
Suspicious, Dongsik realises. To anyone with perception skills, at least.
What sort of lie would people eat up without following queries? Family problems, perhaps. Was his past-self also this obvious after killing? If so, it probably didn’t matter, given the likelihood that nobody ever paid any attention to him, ignoring him whenever possible unless they wanted him to do something for them. Coming up with excuses to explain away peculiar behaviour probably had never been a concern on his mind.
Trying to enjoy his coffee, unintentionally tuning out his co-workers as these thoughts race through his mind, Dongsik is faced with another problem he had thought of the previous day. Seo Inwoo pops by, pulls him off to the side to inquire about the status of the situation. How did it go, has it been resolved, is Dongsik in any more trouble, things like that. Dongsik, smiling, tells him the same thing he told Oh Mijoo.
“Good. You look to be in much better spirits today,” Seo Inwoo says, relieved smile on his face.
“Oh, yes! I think, for the first time since losing my memories, I feel like my old self again.” He cannot help grinning at the fact.
It’s taken months to get to this point, Dongsik feels so full of life. He hadn’t even realised he’d been feeling so down, or lacking, until this. A disconnect with his former self that has now been cleared up, despite still remembering nothing. Just to think, he could have had this much sooner if he had gone through with killing the other four people who had quivered below him, held completely at his mercy, beforehand.
Wait, no. He shouldn’t be thinking so dangerously. This was supposed to be the last time, he can’t be wishing he’d done it sooner or be considering resuming the walk down that life path. He wasn’t supposed to… enjoy it.
“Is that so?” Seo Inwoo wonders, getting this look about him. Curious, certainly, with an enthusiastic glimmer in his eyes. The same sort of way he was looking at Dongsik just a few days ago, when questioning him about what had happened with his team leader.
Dongsik nods. “Isn’t that funny?”
“Yes, well, did you ensure it can’t happen again?” The word selection of ‘can’t’ immediately stands out, reminding Dongsik of yet another remaining problem.
The evidence he never got a hold of; the mystery accomplice who could reveal this evidence at any point. How had Dongsik managed to forget? Being too wrapped up in how full of energy he feels, wondering if anyone will figure him out, if any DNA evidence got left at the scene.
“Actually…” Dongsik starts, before thinking better of it, shaking his head. “Can we talk about this later? I don’t really want to discuss it in such an open setting.”
“Yes, of course. I understand,” Seo Inwoo agrees. “Whatever it is you have to say, you can do so over drinks later.”
There is something in Seo Inwoo’s smile that causes an itch in Dongsik’s mind. He’s come to notice, lately, the odd intensity in which Seo Inwoo takes an interest in him. Reasonably, Dongsik would assume that the director is just like that, but he can’t shake the feeling that there is something more to it.
The grind of the workday carries on, everything passing as normal. It really is so much like Dongsik never took a life the night before, feeling so at peace with what he’d done, acting as he usually would around people as he gets more comfortable throughout the day. Shim Bokyung does make one call to inform him that they’ve finished working on the crime scene, asking to meet up at some point so they could talk about it in person.
Nobody asks questions about what Dongsik was certain had been a dramatic shift in attitude. So far, everything is playing out in his favour, and his lingering feelings of guilt are slowly overwritten by the joy of success.
Not quite success, with the issue of the accomplice and evidence Dongsik is trying not to fret too hard about. Wondering if there could be some way to find where the former detective lived and search his home for any storage drives. Search for clues, possibly learn the identity of his accomplice. By now, whoever they are, they will have realised that something hadn’t gone their way last night, and Park Mooseok likely won’t be returning. Dongsik is living with a timer, and the seconds are ticking away into the dust.
It could quite possibly have been a mistake, but he’s suffering from bottling up all that is on his mind, so he loosens his tongue. Explaining the situation as best as he can, skipping the gruesome details, to Seo Inwoo who listens intently. Always listening to every detail Dongsik has to say.
Seo Inwoo nods his head like he’s trying to grasp an understanding of Dongsik’s paranoia. “What makes you so certain that he wasn’t operating alone?”
“It- it just doesn’t make any sense otherwise.” Obviously, opening up about the precise reason he had drawn this conclusion was off the table. Though, vagueness could mean that Seo Inwoo is unable to offer appropriate advice. Which Dongsik could really do with, and who else has he got to turn to?
“Elaborate,” Seo Inwoo encourages, pouring Dongsik another drink.
“W-well, uh. If-if I had a not so good secret, that would be reason enough for him to be afraid of me, don’t you think he would want to ensure his safety? Logically, he would want insurance that things would go his way, and something tells me that just having pictures doesn’t cut it…” Or it could be that Park Mooseok really was just an overconfident idiot who tried to tackle a serial killer without thinking it through properly. Was Dongsik creating an issue where there was none and getting worked up for no good reason?
He throws the entire shot down his throat, keeping the glass clutched tight between his palms. So much to the point his knuckles turn white.
“And even someone like you would have a secret like that?” Seo Inwoo is full of doubt, which is nothing but a good thing. That is the way it should be, nobody having any reason to suspect Dongsik as capable of the evil flowing through his bloodstream, would never see the crimson staining his hands, thinking of him as nothing other than the upstanding citizen that millions of people know him as.
“Maybe you just don’t know me as well as you think,” Dongsik says, absentmindedly.
“On the contrary. I think I know you better than even yourself.”
To that, Dongsik laughs. The idea that anybody could possibly know what he has done, what he is truly capable of underneath that soft exterior, it’s absurd. Only one person alive is aware of the truth, any more than that is ridiculous. No-one has any idea that when they talk to him, they’re talking to a killer. And that fact is almost as thrilling as the act of killing itself.
“So, you suspect that this person wasn’t operating alone because you have a secret he should have been afraid of,” Seo Inwoo surmises, helpfully putting the topic back on track.
“I just don’t think it would have made much sense for him to face me alone. He would have, or should have, been prepared for things not turning out in his favour. And the evidence he had against me… He didn’t have it on him, so he either kept it safe at home, or this possible accomplice is holding on to it. A-ah, sorry, I don’t even know why I’m telling you all of this.”
“Please, I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to confide in me. I’m more than happy to do whatever I can to help.” Seo Inwoo reaches out a hand, placing it atop Dongsik’s, which he hadn’t realised was trembling slightly from the force he holds the glass. The death grip eases slightly.
“Why…” Dongsik doesn’t mean to voice the question aloud. But it’s bothering him, buzzing around his head like a wasp. Unable to make much sense of things regarding Seo Inwoo.
In all the time Dongsik has remembered knowing him, he’s done nothing but display kindness and be helpful. And what had Dongsik ever done to deserve it? Then, the promotion to assistant manager that had come out of seemingly nowhere. It just didn’t add up, he couldn’t think of a reasonable motivating source for Seo Inwoo’s actions.
“Did we know each other well before I lost my memories?” he has to ask, it being all he can think of to make sense.
“No, you only came up on my radar during that Yuseong Bio situation,” Seo Inwoo replies.
Then, what other reason could there be? And for such a keen interest, at that. With every invitation Seo Inwoo has extended to Dongsik to spend time together outside of work, the ease in his willingness to help. Handing over ten billion like it was nothing, which requires a level of trust higher than any boss should have in a mere employee. Then assuring that Dongsik could always confide in him, seek him out for advice?
Having only one friend to compare experiences to, Dongsik cannot say for certain the normalcy of these actions. Though, it’s clear as day that Seo Inwoo values him to a high extent. But how high does that go?
It’s that itch again, that there is something much more beyond the curtains, Dongsik is certain. Looking behind will bring clarity, but he doesn’t think he could very well ask precisely why Seo Inwoo is so… Fascinated with him. Dongsik now realises it can’t be anything less.
Why is he suddenly pouring so much thought into this? Not once has he paid this level of attention to Seo Inwoo and his regards. Is it only now that this mess is shining new light on Seo Inwoo, how he acts and feels towards Dongsik?
That won’t do, he thinks. Having much bigger, pressing, concerns to ponder than how somebody feels about him and why. As well as study his own growing fascination, desire for answers. This conversation, his trail of thought, must be put back on track.
“So, what do you think I should do about this? The whole, potential accomplice thing and the evidence,” Dongsik asks, clearly his throat and putting his attention on the empty glass in hand.
Seo Inwoo retracts the hand touching Dongsik that he had been putting effort into ignoring. Strangely feeling a sense of sorrow at the loss, cold air washing away the buzzing on his skin.
“I can’t ensure that I won’t be blackmailed again until I have the evidence in my hands,” Dongsik adds. As well as the accomplice dead at his feet. He hopes that Chilsung will have no qualms with helping him dispose of another body in the coming days. If it turns out that Park Mooseok hadn’t been working alone, that is.
“How far are you willing to go to protect your secret?” Seo Inwoo asks in turn.
Without thinking, Dongsik replies, “I’ll do whatever it takes. There is no length I won’t go to, as long as nobody knows.”
A smile slowly spreads Seo Inwoo’s lips, a fire blazing in his eyes. Always so intense. Sometimes, looking into his eyes is like exploring the expanse of the night sky. Being the focus of his gaze can feel like being a microbe under a scope.
“Then do just that. If you’re confident there is an accomplice, find them, and deal with them the same way.”
“I will.” One last kill, it really won’t be so bad. Now that Dongsik has remembered what it’s like, and he has a secret to be preserved at all costs. He’ll take it to his grave. Nobody can know, in this time or the time that comes when he passes, exactly the sort of creature he has residing deep within his core.
Seo Inwoo gets the same look he had the previous night. Exuding eager anticipation, grinning wide and trying to cover it with the back of his hand. It’s no longer just a fire in his eyes, it’s an entire fireworks display. When Seo Inwoo feels, it’s to a high magnitude, and he feels a lot for Dongsik.
Could Dongsik be reading too far into it now that he’s really paying attention? Or just coming to realise things that had been staring him right in the face he’d missed in his ignorance? But he can see it now, and it doesn’t look like just fascination.
So much for thoughts getting back on track.
“Why… You don’t have to say anything, but why is it you care this much? I mean, you leant me ten billion like it was nothing, without worrying if you’d get it back. You’re so willing to help me with anything, you’ve been nothing but good to me in all the time I’ve known you. Nobody else has treated me in the way you do… S-sorry, I just don’t understand.”
“Of course. Dongsik-ssi, we’re friends, of course I want to help you out.”
“I-it’s not just helping me out. Forgive me, but I kind of feel as though you like me as more than a friend.” If he knew the danger, knew what Dongsik was, then he would surely turn around and never look back. Damn Dongsik to a purgatory befitting of his evil nature.
At Seo Inwoo’s stunned, drawn out, silence, heat creeps up Dongsik’s face. Mentally chiding himself for making such an assumption, he bites down on his tongue. A ridiculous assumption at that, given how Seo Inwoo has clenched his jaw and is staring at Dongsik like he’s sprouted a second head.
“Is that what you think?” Seo Inwoo questions, breaking the prolonged silence that had been choking Dongsik slowly.
“A-ah, sorry, I guess that isn’t the case. Forget I said that!” Dongsik laughs nervously, turning away so he doesn’t need to look at the bewildered expression on Seo Inwoo’s face.
“Yook Dongsik.” A hand reaches out clasping Dongsik by the chin, forcing his head back around. Gaze locking with Seo Inwoo’s, heart leaping and breath catching in his throat, he finds himself instantly mesmerised. In that moment, he senses something shift, and his mouth goes dry, pulse skyrocketing.
“Y-yes?”
Seo Inwoo’s eyes are roaming, searching over the surface and under the skin. Burning hot, making Dongsik feel like he’s being ripped open. Viciously cut into to be dissected. Maybe that assumption wasn’t so absurd, after all, Seo Inwoo’s line of focus drops down and Dongsik’s heart palpitates. Waiting, paralysed, in anticipation, nerves buzzing in similar fashion to how threatening Park Mooseok had been, or when Dongsik drove around with the man in the trunk. A thrilling sort of nerve, of which he would like to chase.
And then the distance between them evaporates, Seo Inwoo’s lips come crushing against Dongsik’s so violently he accidentally bites himself. It takes a moment for his brain to catch up, keeping him frozen from the shock as Seo Inwoo kisses him.
From the lack of response, Seo Inwoo rips himself away, mouth twisted with a disappointed down curl. Just as Dongsik enjoys chasing the thrill of killing, he surprises himself by chasing after Seo Inwoo, pulling their mouths back together. Returning it with a feeling he was unaware resided within him, working away with an apparent want. Welcoming in Seo Inwoo, the ferocity, allowing his lips to be worked open. It’s needy, fuelled with as much fire that burns in Seo Inwoo’s eyes.
With heat pooling in Dongsik’s gut the longer it goes on, he finds himself wanting and willing for more. To let this go on forever, mind too fogged up to register just how shocked he is to discover how much he enjoys it. But Seo Inwoo abruptly breaks away, licking Dongsik’s bitten lip first, and leaving him falling forward slightly, panting like he’s just run a mile.
Seo Inwoo is nodding to himself, eyes half closed, lips stained red from the drawn blood. “I think…” He looks directly into Dongsik’s eyes, fire roaring, pouring out that energy into Dongsik and filling him right up. “We should continue this somewhere else. Come with me.”
No more time is wasted as Seo Inwoo hurries to his feet, tugging Dongsik along by the arm. In their rush, the case stacked full of won is almost forgotten, Dongsik breaking free of Seo Inwoo’s vice-like grip in order to retrieve it. Getting discarded in the back of the car, per his demand. Driving along with an electrified silence settled around them, making Dongsik jittery and sick with nerves.
How on Earth had he landed here? Not even an hour ago he was questioning why Seo Inwoo was so fascinated with him, never thinking their relationship went beyond friendship. Even struggling to consider Seo Inwoo as anything other than an acquaintance, an incredibly caring boss. Now Dongsik knows what it’s like to have the man’s tongue in his mouth, being hungry for more.
As if this attraction had come out of nowhere, or he had been too preoccupied with his messed up, post-amnesia life to really pay attention to anything going on. To understand his feelings. And that this very simple act had been the key to unlocking that box.
/ / / /
Seo Inwoo’s apartment is about as dark and luxurious as one would expect, not that Dongsik gets much of an opportunity to admire it. Getting his body slammed into a wall as soon as the door clicks locked behind them. They stare at and into each other for a moment, proximity so close their breaths could be felt ghosting skin. The silence, the atmosphere surrounding them, still so charged with something new. Dongsik waits, heart in his throat, daring not to move lest he ruin anything.
Then Seo Inwoo is diving back in, easily returning to the earlier flow, capturing Dongsik’s lips between his own. That flow, like a rapid stream. Desperate and starving. He must have been waiting a while to do this, given the fervour in which his mouth devours Dongsik.
Moving down, Seo Inwoo’s lips latch on to Dongsik’s neck, trailing open-mouthed kisses along. Working up to Dongsik’s ear, biting the skin, and whispering, “You killed him, didn’t you?”
Too engulfed in the raw sense of delight coursing through him, Dongsik hums, words like white noise. But when it clicks, everything crashes to a halt. Horrified, he pushes Seo Inwoo away.
“Wh-what?”
“The man who threatened you.” Seo Inwoo crowds back into Dongsik’s space, one hand reaching to caress his neck and the other working on loosening his tie.
“Why- what- what makes you think that?”
“Dongsik-ssi. You gave everything back to me within a day. You said that he should fear you, for a dark secret you have. Ensure that he could never black mail you again, always speaking of him in the past-tense…” Seo Inwoo considers Dongsik for a second, before planting a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I can put pieces together.”
Dongsik recognises that he should be panicking. Somebody had really figured him out and will know the truth even if Dongsik denies it. Yet, he remains oddly at ease. Staring deep into Seo Inwoo’s eyes, he picks up on the sense that not a word about it will be uttered. Something glints beyond that raging fire of his, inside his dilated pupils, an indication that Seo Inwoo is perhaps not entirely the perfectly sweet person he’s been made out to be. It’s comforting in a way, that this could possibly be someone to see every ounce of the darkness, the evil lurking in the cervices of his very being.
The tension in Dongsik’s body relaxes. “Yes,” he breathes out, shutting his eyes and resting the back of his head against the wall. “I did. He left me no choice…”
The tie around his neck is tugged free. “And, how do you feel about it?”
“I-“ Dongsik chokes on the words. Admitting to murder is one thing, but can he really confess to how much he enjoyed it? How it filled him with the life he didn’t realise he was lacking?
“Come on, you can tell me anything,” Seo Inwoo assures, started to pull off Dongsik’s coat, movements purposefully slow, filling Dongsik’s head with a cottony haze.
Losing himself, apparently not in his right mind, Dongsik gives in. Spilling the details of every last feeling he experienced from killing Park Mooseok. He isn’t even sure why sharing this twisted little secret with Seo Inwoo comes so easily.
“Then, I’m glad you proved me wrong about you.” Seo Inwoo returns to kissing Dongsik with pure want, the coat falls to the ground. Runs his tongue along Dongsik’s bottom lip, over the fresh split, making it sting. Breaks away, sheds his own coat and leads them farther inside his apartment.
“W-wait, you aren’t bothered?” Dongsik manages to force out, body weakened by Seo Inwoo’s mouth on his neck, slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt. “Th-that I killed someone…”
The only response Dongsik gets is a hum, telling him just about everything he needs to know. As well as being unbothered by Dongsik being a killer, there may be a possibility that Seo Inwoo likes that. It would make sense, Dongsik supposes, as he runs over all past interactions. Analysing Seo Inwoo’s peculiar behaviours and comments. That fascination of his, it could all be because he has known all along the truth of what Dongsik is.
Then what does that say about him…
All the buttons are undone, the fabric peeled back to expose Dongsik’s bare skin. Seo Inwoo pushes him back to sit him on the bed, going then to take off his own tie and work on the buttons of his crisp white shirt. Watching him through the haze of pleasure and anticipation, it occurs to Dongsik that he hadn’t actually been doing anything but drink up what Seo Inwoo has been pouring.
He reaches out, taking Seo Inwoo’s surprisingly soft hands into his own and yanks him down. Landing them in an awkward position of Seo Inwoo partially in Dongsik’s lap and partially leaning over him.
Dongsik’s fingers hover over the first pearl button, hesitating. Biting on his lip, he looks up to Seo Inwoo. “How… Far do you want this to go?” he asks, some sense of absurdity of the situation dripping in.
Not all that long ago Dongsik had just realised that Seo Inwoo’s regard for him went beyond platonic. He blames the distractions of memory loss and being a serial killer for how long he had gone without noticing or questioning anything. To Dongsik’s own awareness, he had never even considered Seo Inwoo in that light before. Now, what, he was willing and wanting to go as far as sleeping with the man?
It suddenly feels so rushed. Dongsik is certain this is not usually how these things go. As if it’s something straight out of a romance novel, the lead finally recognises the feelings they had been either repressing or ignorant of for the person who had been yearning for them the entire time.
“Do you want to see how far it goes?” Seo Inwoo asks back, hands clutching at Dongsik’s shoulders, gliding along, upwards, to cup his face with a bizarre tenderness. “I’m willing to go anywhere, I just want to have you.”
It’s all the answer Dongsik needs to shake off the abrupt weirdness and continue, allowing his newfound vehemence to spur him onwards. Ridding Seo Inwoo of the rich fabric caging his torso, Dongsik is pushed down onto his back, the other man’s lips returning to devour him. Seo Inwoo’s hands roam hot over the exposed skin of Dongsik’s chest, causing his heart to flip continuously, the nervous sickness growing heavier in his stomach. Tingles blooming throughout, blood and heat rushing to his groin.
He hooks a leg around Seo Inwoo’s waist, arms wrapping around his neck, pushing him down so their bodies press flush together. The skin to skin causing tendrils of nervous delight to course through him, he would lose his breath if he wasn’t already short on it.
Breaking away from Seo Inwoo’s mouth, Dongsik trails kisses along his jaw as they move together in languid motions. The pace maddening, pushing the feelings of pure ecstasy to the limits and beyond, a haze through his mind. With trembling hands, Dongsik goes for Seo Inwoo’s belt, fingertips gliding along smooth leather to find the buckle.
After a quick contemplation, Dongsik uses what little remains to flip their position. Pressing Seo Inwoo into the mattress, delighting in the positively blissed-out expression on his face. Cheeks burning a furious scarlet, otherwise perfect hair mussed, loose strands laid across his forehead. It’s cute, Dongsik thinks, as well as empowering, to have the Director Seo Inwoo underneath him, open for Dongsik to do as he pleases.
Despite the consuming starvation, crushing desperation for more, Dongsik does need a moment to wonder. Is going further than the devouring kisses and steady, needy, grinding even what he wants? How can he be certain that this isn’t some spur of the moment senselessness, an outburst of passion to alleviate the elation fuelling him from last night’s kill? Again, Dongsik hardly considered Seo Inwoo in such a manner before, is doing anything else going to fill him with shame and regret?
“What is it?” Seo Inwoo asks, voice all rough and deep. Dongsik’s fingers twitch from where they grip Seo Inwoo’s waist, tremor ever uncurable.
“N-nothing…” Dongsik sighs, hanging his head, hair brushing against the other man. “Do you really like me, Inwoo-ssi?”
“Yes,” Seo Inwoo replies without missing a beat. Shifting so they sit together, Dongsik on his lap and face between his hot palms.
“How much?”
“A lot. You’re so full of surprises, I can never be sure what to expect from you. I want to have you to myself, completely.”
Dongsik still burns with questions, unsure how to ask them. Recognising the time is inappropriate. He pushes them, and the over-hanging worry about regret, into boxes in the corners of his mind, pulling Seo Inwoo into another searing kiss. Seo Inwoo bites down on Dongsik’s lip, soothes it with the tip of his tongue, peeling off the shirt still clinging to Dongsik’s body.
Teeth nip at the skin of his neck, his breath hitches. As Seo Inwoo bites and licks at the area, Dongsik’s senses overload, a groan rising from his throat. Hands tangling in Seo Inwoo’s hair, always thick with styling product, Dongsik’s head lulls back, allowing the other man more leeway. A hand travels down his scorching flesh, hooking into his waistband, and by this point he aches to be touched.
Gritting his teeth, sucking in breaths, Dongsik fights against the want to urge Seo Inwoo onwards. Muscles tensing from the resistance to shed the final layers of clothing. The slow pace is exhilarating in both a pleasurable and painful way. It’s good to take time, he thinks, the less rushed the more meaningful.
“Do you want this?” Seo Inwoo asks, putting an unbearable one foot of distance between them. With how dazed he appears, it’s a surprise he can get out a coherent sentence so effortlessly.
“What?”
“Tell me right now if you don’t want more, because I won’t stop from this point.”
“A-ah.” Dongsik sucks his lip between his teeth as Seo Inwoo slides his fingers back and forth from between the cloth and Dongsik’s skin. Brain unable to function at normal capacity. Through the heavy desire for more, he can’t properly ponder the potential of regret. Stupidly, he nods his head vigorously.
A pleased hum comes from Seo Inwoo before he moves away completely. The air around Dongsik from his absence freezing. A protest is on the tip of his tongue, but Seo Inwoo presses a finger to his lips to silence him. Pleasure-addled, Dongsik watches on as Seo Inwoo disappears, coming back a minute later with something in hand.
Positioning himself to straddle Dongsik’s lap, Seo Inwoo dives back in to kissing him once again. All tongue and teeth, breathing heavily. He breaks away to lower Dongsik onto his back, then pull his belt from the loops. The release of the zipper is a pleasant relief for the strain, a deep sigh falls from Dongsik’s lips.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” Seo Inwoo mutters into the crook of Dongsik’s neck, trailing more biting kisses before returning to work ridding him of his final pieces of clothing.
Dongsik, almost completely out of it by now, can’t do anything but hum in response.
“You annoy me so much; do you know that? And yet I can’t get enough of you. Why do I ache to have you?”
Dongsik is freed at last, air hitting against his now bare skin, sending shivers through his body. The anticipation, weighty, causing his heart to race and echo in his ears. Breathing sent erratic from gasps bubbling out as Seo Inwoo caresses his legs, making his way back up kiss him more.
“You should be getting what you deserve right now. Why is this happening? Look at you, ruining my plans again.”
Somehow, Dongsik is able to work his fingers, trembling desperate motions to rid Seo Inwoo of his few remaining clothing as well. Pushing him over to slide off his pants, hands settling at his throat, feeling the rapid pulse beat against the skin under his fingertips. Seo Inwoo covers Dongsik’s hands with his own.
“I can never figure you out. But it seems you’ve come out perfect in the end.”
Staring at his hands laid around Seo Inwoo’s neck, it comes back to Dongsik then. “Perfect?” he questions. “I killed someone.”
Seo Inwoo swallows up his words with another kiss, a block from the concerns Dongsik is almost certain he should be having. That itch from before, now a voice screaming a question.
Breaking away, Dongsik puts a hand over Seo Inwoo’s mouth to keep him from cutting him off again. “I killed someone. I’m filled with dangerous, evil urges. And I like it. Do you like that?”
Seo Inwoo struggles to pull Dongsik’s hand away, keeping a tight grip on him as he speaks. “And what if I did? Would you change your mind about this?”
Slowly, Dongsik shakes his head, surprised to find the answer being ‘no’. Logically, he should. Get away from anybody who might encourage him to give in to the darker thoughts, to make it easier giving up on that life.
But, killing felt so good. Having somebody who sees him and wants him anyway? Somebody like him who could enjoy it, too? That just might make it even better.
“You’re not like any other. I think… I want to have you,” Dongsik confesses.
A wide grin spreads Seo Inwoo’s already parted lips, and he presses something into Dongsik’s hand. Curious, he sits back to look at it, the small bottle of lubrication making his heart backflip, nervous anticipation coiling through and wrapping around him.
“Then give me all,” Seo Inwoo says, low, the earlier fervour returning to spur Dongsik back into action.
He, of course, doesn’t remember ever doing this before. Only causing a slight worry he’ll mess up somehow, riding the hope that his body will remember what to do, just as it had done when he killed.
They fall into a languid rhythm of rocking against one another. Leisurely exploring and savouring the first taste. With each movement, they grow in hunger, quick to develop into a mess of gasping breaths and pleads for more.
Seo Inwoo sinks his teeth into and splits the skin of Dongsik’s neck, making him bleed. The blossoming pain only dripping more elation into his bloodstream, powering him and bringing out deep moans from low within his throat.
He bites back, teeth over Seo Inwoo’s collar bone, harsh through the effort of his thrusts.
“So… fucking… perfect…” Seo Inwoo chokes out, thick with pleasure.
Muscles shaking with exertion, Dongsik’s movements become more erratic. Biting into the hot flesh below him, licking over and kissing the wounds. The manicured fingernails of Seo Inwoo dig deep into Dongsik’s back, the additional tingles of pain pushing him over the edge. Groaning as he finishes, movements slowing, he fumbles a hand around to help his partner reach his own climax.
Light-headed, Dongsik collapses into a heap on top of Seo Inwoo, breaths coming out quick and sharp. Completely spent, riding the declining waves of euphoric bliss. Fingers tangle in his hair, running gently and unsteady, tugging before repeating the motion.
“Look at you… What am I to do with you now?” Seo Inwoo says with a shaky voice, breathing steadied already. His stamina must be higher than that of Dongsik. Perhaps he should return to his morning runs, get back into shape.
“Let me keep you.”
“You keep me?”
“I’m the one with the power over you.” Dongsik could take Seo Inwoo’s life at any moment, should he so please.
This causes the other man to laugh. Rough, racking both of their bodies still practically glued together through a mixture of sweat and come. They should clean up.
“Sure,” Seo Inwoo gets out once his questionable laughter has died down. “It could be true. To an extent.”
The exhaustion of everything within Dongsik, from muscles to nerve endings, weighs heavy on his eyes. Laying atop Seo Inwoo, he wonders if there will be more. Questions how he had even reached this point.
That killing somebody is what led him here. Right to Seo Inwoo, thus leading to closer examination, careful consideration and it had been like opening a Pandora’s Box. Things he had buried low, refused to acknowledge, are coming to the surface, now.
As for Seo Inwoo, he had been waiting a while to have this, that much was clear as day. But the ‘why’ remains a mystery, as does whether he's attracted to Dongsik because of his inner darkness. Asking would surely be inapporpriate. And if that does happen to be the reason why, what does that say about Seo Inwoo?
They couldn’t both be psychopaths. Right?