one toke over the line (gwangchul/injoon)
title: one toke over the line
pairing: gwangchul/injoon
etc.: 7120 words; R; au
Injoon takes a deep breath as he stands outside the door, and his lungs immediately start filling with an unfamiliar scent he can assume is pot smoke. He begins coughing and heaving, falling to his knees as he tries to regain his composure. Hyunchul opens the door and sees him, shaking his head in amusement. "You'll get used to that." He helps Injoon up onto his feet and inside the apartment, throwing his jacket onto the crumb-coated couch and standing, arms crossed, in front of him.
"So you're sure you're cool with living here, knowing what goes on?"
Injoon sighs, feigning nonchalance. "Oh sure, living with a drug dealer can't be so bad, right?"
Hyunchul laughs and rolls his eyes, striding past Injoon across the living room. "Two bedrooms. This is mine, you can sleep here. The other is Suhoon and Hyunmin's room, but I wouldn't suggest going in there unless you're invited." Injoon nods and throws his bag into his room, taking a heavy sigh as he takes note of his surroundings. "Alright, Hyunmin is in charge, and in his mind he's always right. Agree with him always and do whatever he says. At first, anyway. Suhoon doesn't talk a lot so he shouldn't bother you too much. Anything else?"
Injoon blinks, rubbing at the back of his neck. "So what do you do?"
Hyunchul points toward a small door in the corner of the apartment. "That room holds all money and paperwork we deal with. I'm in charge of all of that."
Injoon doesn't have time to respond, because seconds later the bedroom door bursts open and Hyunmin slumps out, cell phone in one hand and a beer in the other.
"Fuck," he growls. "I got a deal to make in a few minutes but I have to take this call." He shakes his fingers through his hair in frustration and tosses his empty bottle onto the floor. "Hyunchul, could you take care of this one?"
"Me? Are you kidding, you know I don't do that shit Hyunmin." He pauses a moment, looking off at nothing as if he's debating something in his head. "Have Injoon do it."
Injoon quietly squeaks behind him and Hyunmin scoffs. "Who the hell is Injoon?"
Hyunchul grabs Injoon by his hood and shoves him forward, and Injoon just grits his teeth and forces a smile. "I told you he'd be staying here from now on, remember?"
Hyunmin takes one glance and Injoon and cringes. "He looks twitchy." Suhoon slumps out of the bedroom, takes one look at Injoon and laughs out loud, and lazily flops onto the couch.
Hyunchul groans at both of them and lightly shoves Injoon to the side. "Come on Hyunmin, what's the worst that could happen?"
Injoon's mind races with possible worst-case scenarios, but neither Hyunmin nor Hyunchul looks overly concerned.
"Fine." Hyunmin digs in his pocket and jots down an address. He hands hands Injoon the piece of paper and a brown paper bag, rolled up tight with a rubber band wrapped around it. "Make sure this gets in the hands of my buyer. He's tight with his money but he's got a lot of it. Don't mess this up."
Injoon stuffs the small bag deep into his pants pocket, patting the outside for at least thirty seconds to ensure its safety. He shoves his hands in after, trying his best to seem as casual as possible but he can tell the awkwardness he's feeling on the inside is showing on the outside. He pulls his sweatshirt hood over his head and pulls the laces at tight as they will go so only his eyes can be seen.
He turns to Hyunchul, nearly tripping over his own feet because his legs are shaking. "So...do I look suspicious?"
"Extremely." Hyunchul shakes his head and flops back onto the couch, landing on a thick layer of various snacks that crunch underneath him. "Don't try so hard." He stands and yanks the hood of Injoon's head, nearly choking him in the process. "Better. Keep the hood off until you're three blocks from your destination."
"How will I know when I'm three blocks from my destination?"
Hyunchul blinks and sighs. "Just put it on when you're close, okay?"
Injoon groans and drops his head into his hands, rubbing his temples with his index fingers. "I'm going to screw this up. I'm going to get caught and I'll go to jail. Or worse, I'll get shot or stabbed or something. Hyunchul I don't want to die!"
Suhoon slumps over from his chair and smacks Injoon upside the head, immediately trudging into the kitchen without a word. Injoon doesn't think anything of it, just bites his lip and shakes his head violently. "Okay. I'm ready."
Hyunchul takes him by the shoulders and shakes a few times, just enough to snap him back into reality. "You'll be fine if you don't panic. Stop panicking." Injoon nods and straightens his back, and Hyunchul quickly pushes him out the door and into the alleyway. Injoon stumbles out into the street and Hyunchul calls after him, but he can't make out whether he said to keep his hands in his pockets or out of them.
He tries not to think about it and takes off right away, clearing the first several blocks within minutes, nearly passing out on the sidewalk when he's run out of breath. He looks up at the street signs and scoffs. Three blocks from your destination.
He pulls his hood over his head and stuffs his hands in his pockets, marching off down the street. When he reaches the address he was given, his palms start to sweat. He sticks his hand deep in his pocket to grip the small package, and he turns down the alley with determination and adrenaline running though his veins. There's a boy leaning against a dumpster. He's taller than Injoon, wearing a sweatshirt almost identical to his. Target sighted.
Injoon clenches his fist and shuffles toward the boy sideways, silently and slowly, his level of inconspicuousness decreasing with every move. He coughs lightly into his hood and glances around a few times, intentionally looking everywhere but at his face. He inches closer and closer and keeps his voice low. "You here for the stuff?"
The boy freezes for a moment, eying Injoon from under his hood. "What?" Injoon's heart rate triples and the voice in the back of his mind tells him he's about to be killed. But instead the boy starts laughing. His laugh is quiet and genuine and Injoon doesn't know whether or not he should feel intimidated.
Injoon cringes a little and wipes a sweatdrop from his forehead. "Man, Hyunmin's going to kill me if I don't go back with money."
"You work for Hyunmin?" His voice is softer but brighter, and Injoon's nerves begin to slip away. Injoon nods and swallows the growing lump in his throat. "Where is he?"
"Said he had to take care of something. I... I didn't really want to ask questions."
He yanks Injoon's hood off his head, stepping back and staring at him for a moment. He shakes his own hood off and Injoon sees his face - and the light smirk tracing his lips - for the first time. "Come with me."
He winks and turns down a crevice in the alley, and Injoon follows without thinking. He pulls out a lighter and a joint - Injoon recognizes them easily now - and holds them out for Injoon. Injoon shakes his head, laughing nervously as he pushes them away. "I don't smoke."
He raises an eyebrow and Injoon can feel the nerves come back. "It's not hard. Just try, it'll help you relax." He lights the tip and hands it over to Injoon, who takes it warily.
Injoon closes his eyes and takes one puff, immediately coughing furiously and handing the joint back to him. "That's tastes horrible."
The boy laughs and smiles almost condescendingly, and Injoon feels like an idiot. He lights it up again and takes a long whiff, but doesn't let the smoke escape from his mouth. Instead, he leans forward and takes Injoon's chin in his hand.
Injoon pushes him away and clears his throat. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you, chill out." He takes another puff and leans in again, pressing his lips to Injoon's and blowing the smoke into his mouth. He pulls away slowly and watches as Injoon calmly inhales and exhales a few times. "I'm Gwangchul, by the way." He sighs without hesitance.
Injoon sighs in sudden content and leans back against the brick wall. "Injoon." Gwangchul nods and hands the joint back to him, and Injoon inhales on his own. Gwangchul sticks his lighter back in his pocket and throws a bundle of bills into Injoon's lap, promptly standing and walking off without a word.
Injoon shoots up to follow, his sobriety still intact. "Wait, but I didn't give you anything." He pulls the package he was given out of his pocket and tries to hand it to Gwangchul, along with the flimsy white joint burning his hand, but Gwangchul rejects them both.
"Keep it. There's always next time."
When Injoon walks in the door of their apartment, it only takes Hyunchul four seconds and one look at his face to figure it out. "You didn't..."
Injoon doesn't get a chance to say anything before Hyunmin charges out of his room and grabs Injoon by the shoulders, staring into his eyes so hard Injoon thinks flames might start shooting from them. Hyunmin shoves him away and runs his hand through his hair. "Damn Injoon, I told you to sell my shit, not smoke it."
Injoon fumbles through his pockets and pulls out the wad of cash and the bag and tosses them onto the kitchen table. "I brought back the money and the stash."
Hyunmin stops mid-step and turns to Injoon with a glare in his eyes. "How did you manage to swing that?" He picks up the money and the weed, making sure of the legitimacy of both, then looks Injoon in the eye once more. "And then what have you been smoking?"
Injoon's eye twitches slightly and he wrings his hands together nervously as they stare at him. "Uh... long story?" Hyunmin shakes his head and stuff the money in his pocket, pulling out a lighter.
"Whatever, I got money and an extra stash, I don't really care how you did it."
Injoon flounces over to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water, downing it within seconds. He wipes his mouth and glances over at Hyunmin, who sits counting his bills with pride. "So, Hyunmin? Do you... work with that guy a lot?"
Hyunmin shoves a blunt in his mouth and continues counting. "Yeah he's a regular customer. Why?"
Injoon bites his tongue and plops into Suhoon's chair, not caring about the bitching he's sure he'll receive. "Can I maybe go next time too?"
Hyunchul writes down the final dollar amount for Hyunmin to read because he couldn't count it himself, and Hyunmin nearly chokes. He looks at Injoon with wide eyes and throws a ten-dollar bill in his lap. "Deal."
When Hyunmin tells Injoon he has another job the next day, he's surprised it came so early. Surprised, but not unhappy. This time, however, the meeting place is Gwangchul's house, and that sends Injoon into another slight panic. He finds himself screaming at Hyunchul, "I can't go to a drug dealer's house!"
Hyunchul merely deadpans. "You're in one right now." And before Injoon has time to re-process that fact and re-evaluate his life, Hyunmin is shoving a slip of paper in his hands and pushing him out the door. "Just give him the stash you were supposed to give him last time."
When the door is slammed in his face, Injoon pulls out the slip of paper and makes his way to Gwangchul's house as fast as he can, believing that running will somehow calm his nerves. But when he arrives at the front door, he finds he's full of them. He stands there, staring for far too long, and eventually Gwangchul figures out he's there, he opens the door with a raised eyebrow. "You know, you can come inside."
Injoon attempts, tripping in the doorway and falling towards the floor, hitting his forehead on Gwangchul's shoulder as he goes down. Instead of helping him up, Gwangchul laughs and walks back into the kitchen, immediately going for the fridge.
"Do you want something to drink?"
Injoon shakes his head, unable to understand how Gwangchul does all of this so casually. Injoon finds that even though he was, admittedly, excited to come, he just wants to get out of there as soon as possible. He stands and slinks onto a chair anyway, ignoring the drink that Gwangchul sets in front of him.
He feels a pang of guilt in the pit of his stomach when he's handed the envelope this time, because as much as Hyunmin appreciates the easy money, Injoon has too much of a conscience to let cash be passed without even trade. He lays the money back on the countertop and shoves his hands in his sweatshirt pocket. "I can't take this. I didn't give you anything in return."
Gwangchul sets down his drink and closes the refrigerator, laying his hands flat on the counter and meeting Injoon's eyes with his own. "You want to pay me back somehow?"
Injoon sighs, pushing in his chair and reaching his hand in his pocket and pulling out a small brown bag. "This stash is pretty small, but I can get more if you want."
Gwangchul takes it out of Injoon's hand and stuffs it back in his pocket himself. "I don't need it."
Injoon wrinkles his eyebrows, his mind still mildly impaired from the drugs, as he watches Gwangchul's every move as if it were in slow motion. Gwangchul steps closer again, his legs on either side of Injoon's knees, which he has pressed closely together. Gwangchul hooks his fingers in the belt loop of Injoon's jeans and leans in. He does so nonchalantly, wrapping his hand around Injoon's wrist and feeling his heart rate go up with every centimeter. Injoon's eyes twitch closed when Gwangchul's breath hits his face, the faint hint of pot smoke lingering and pulling at Injoon's senses. Gwangchul stops mere millimeters away, watching Injoon as the breath hitches in his throat when he slides a hand under his shirt. He traces shapes and lines lightly over the skin above Injoon's stomach, and chills run through every inch of his body.
Gwangchul kisses the side of Injoon's mouth and makes his way down past the nape of his neck, meanwhile running his hand up the side of Injoon's leg. When Gwangchul reaches his waist and begins ripping off his belt buckle, the blood in Injoon's face quickly rushes downward and his temporary trance is half-broken. His eyes flicker open and he slowly pushes up from his stool and lightly pulling out of Gwangchul's grip. His voice wavers as he attempts to mutter an objection, and he clasps his hands to Gwangchul's shoulders - both to steady himself and to hold Gwangchul at a distance. He clears his throat a few times, but when Gwangchul raises a suggestive eyebrow and tugs at Injoon's zipper, Injoon forgets what it was he was objecting to. He closes his eyes and bites his lip, letting his hands drift down from Gwangchul's shoulders to his forearms.
Gwangchul smirks, appeased, and warily lifts Injoon's sweatshirt, dropping to his knees and using his tongue to trace a line down Injoon's stomach. He wastes no time in pulling down Injoon's pants and taking his length in his mouth. Injoon tries his hardest not to grab onto Gwangchul's hair, and instead clutches the counter-top behind him, the sweat on his hands almost causing him to slip. He pants lightly and bites his lip in agitation, trying to suppress all noises from escaping his mouth. Then all it takes is a swipe of Gwangchul's tongue and Injoon has nearly reached his peak. Gwangchul stops abruptly, and Injoon grips the counter so hard his knuckles turn white. Gwangchul stands and grabs the back of Injoon's neck, pulling him close and kissing him square on the mouth. He uses his free hand to finish Injoon off, gently biting and sucking at his ear as he listens to Injoon's rapid breathing and sporadic moans. Injoon climaxes and lethargically collapses to the floor, and Gwangchul chuckles and follows suit.
They simmer in silence for a few moments before Gwangchul finally helps Injoon up and forces the envelope into his hands once more. "Hyunmin will be pissed if you're late." is all he says before disappearing into the back room without a sound. Injoon opens the envelope and counts his earnings, hoping for the sake of his own pride that Hyunmin will be too stoned to ask questions.
Hyunmin's jaw drops when Injoon lays the new stack of 20-dollar bills on the table, but this time Injoon feels no pride. His insides churn as he watches Suhoon count his ill-gotten gains and Hyunchul looks on with a smirk because he knows something's up. And Injoon knows he's going to spill his guts when Hyunchul pulls him off to the side and out of Hyunmin's earshot.
"You tell me how you're getting all this money or I'll break your leg."
Injoon cringes and backs up a few feet. "Y-you wouldn't really, right?" Hyunchul deadpans and smacks Injoon on the arm, and Injoon pouts and steps closer. "Okay but you have to promise not to tell Hyunmin." Hyunchul nods, and Injoon hesitantly begins to tell him everything. His breath hitches in his throat a few times, but he manages to choke out an explanation of how he was able to come home with so much cash.
He bites his lip when he's finished, and stares at Hyunchul as he blinks four times before speaking. Hyunchul wrinkles his nose - in disbelief rather than disgust - and finds difficulty in his attempt to form a response. "So...you smoked weed and then he-"
"Yeah." Injoon cuts him off, trying to avoid making this situation any more awkward than it already is.
"Man." Hyunchul sighs, almost laughing. "That guy'll put anything in his mouth." Injoon cringes and looks to his shoes, wondering how in the world this happened in the first place. "You're a fucking prostitute." Hyunchul crosses his arms as he smirks, and Injoon leans his head back against the door frame and tries not to cry. This time Hyunchul has to force himself not to crack a smile. "Hyunmin is your pimp and doesn't even know it."
Injoon never has a revelation, never goes through an am I gay? phase, because the second Gwangchul put his hands on him Injoon knew that yes yes, he is very, very gay.
Injoon shuffles his feet as he trudges toward the convenience store counter, struggling to hold the many items he's collected. He drops one box from the top of his pile, cringing and gritting his teeth. But he doesn't hear it hit the ground. Instead, he opens his eyes and sees Gwangchul smirking in front of him, holding the box of junk food in his hands. Injoon's initial reaction is to scream, drop everything and run away, but instead he just freezes in place. "What are you doing here?"
Gwangchul coughs into his shoulder and rocks back on his heels, shoving his free hand in his pocket. "I followed you." Injoon's face turns an unfamiliar shade of red and he's thankful he's half-hidden behind a pile of boxes. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Injoon dumps everything onto the counter and wipes his forehead, grateful to have his hands free. "The guy Hyunmin steals cable from decided not to pay his bill this month so he got high out of boredom and...sent me out with a ridiculously long list of junk foods to pick up for him."
Gwangchul chuckles because he can picture it perfectly, and finds himself all too amused. He nods and helps Injoon pack everything up, carrying a few of the bags out the door for him. Once they're outside, Gwangchul pauses because he hadn't really thought past this point. Injoon does too, realizing he can't carry everything home by himself.
"You know," Gwangchul sighs, unsure. "I have cable?" Injoon has no idea what he's supposed to say, but without thinking he follows Gwangchul back to his place without question.
They dump all of the food on the couch and Gwangchul quickly disappears down the hall, reappearing within seconds with two lit joints, offering one to Injoon, who takes it warily. He hesitates, but Gwangchul glances at him so sincerely he has a hard time refusing. A few tokes and he's calm, and Gwangchul smiles and flops onto the couch. Feeling less timid, Injoon follows. Twenty minutes later, they're surrounded by half-empty food containers, still devouring every ounce.
It's a small, accidental act of rebellion, but Injoon's never felt so liberated. He laughs out loud at the thought of Hyunmin's face when Injoon shows up without his food, even though that image would normally instill fear in him. He looks over at Gwangchul, who seems more calm than amused.
"You knew we weren't going to watch t.v., didn't you?"
Gwangchul laughs, eyes half-lidded. "Maybe."
Injoon stares forward, thinking about how acting on impulse for the first time in his life actually did him some good. Without thinking, he leans over and grabs the back of Gwangchul's neck, pulling him into a kiss. Gwangchul doesn't kiss back, half because he's surprised and wasn't expecting it, half because he was no problem letting Injoon take the lead.
Despite Injoon's newfound love for impulse, his conscience starts poking at him and he pulls away, laughing a little out of embarrassment. "Sorry."
Gwangchul clears his throat, equally embarrassed. "You...definitely don't need to apologize."
As soon as Injoon walks in the door empty-handed, Hyunmin clicks his teeth and lights a cigar, striding towards him. And by the smug look on his face, Injoon can guess that Hyunmin somehow knows exactly where he was and what he was doing. But he doesn't say anything, only crosses his arms and flicks his head in the direction of his office. Injoon isn't sure what that means at first, but when Hyunmin shuffles back towards the room, Injoon knows he's supposed to follow.
"Lock the door." Hyunmin snaps as soon as they're both inside. Warily, Injoon does as he's told. Hyunmin leans back on the couch, blowing smoke out of the corners of his mouth and into Injoon's face. "So," he sneers with a long drag from his cigar. "Gwangchul tells me you're good with your mouth." Injoon coughs - at the smoke and at the shock of Hyunmin's statement - and stutters without any words. Hyunmin stands and steps closer and closer into Injoon's personal space, making Injoon's palms sweat and his eyes dart around the room. Hyunmin bends over so he's facing Injoon eye-to-eye, staring him down and hoping to get some sort of rise out of him. "So," he drawls. "Did he bite your ear?"
Injoon's eyes flicker across Hyunmin's face. "H-how did you-?"
Hyunmin laughs at the crack in Injoon's voice, slowly slipping a hand behind his neck so subtlety that Injoon almost doesn't notice. "Who do you think taught him to do that?" Injoon doesn't have time to process exactly what that piece of information implies because within seconds Hyunmin has Injoon's back against the cold wood of the table, shifting awkwardly on top of him. He doesn't seem to be phased when the table breaks underneath them.
Injoon tries to sit up, fortuitously kneeing Hyunmin in the groin, lightly enough to cause Hyunmin's arousal rather than pain. Hyunmin promptly picks Injoon up by his sweatshirt and throws him against the wall, pinning Injoon's thighs and hands to the concrete with his own. For the first time in a while, Injoon has no words, and Hyunmin seizes the opportunity to close the small distance between them, trapping Injoon's mouth in his own. The kiss is rougher than Injoon's experienced before, but he enjoys it more than he'd like to admit to himself. Hyunmin moves from Injoon's mouth to his ear, biting down and flicking his tongue just enough to make Injoon yelp. Hyunmin struggles not to show the great pleasure he gets from hearing it. "Bet Gwangchul never made you make that sound."
Injoon suddenly realizes that Hyunmin could easily view this as a competition, and he isn't sure whether he's the prize or the plaything, but Hyunmin grinds his hips in a way that makes Injoon's pants tighten and his train of thought is instantly lost. Hyunmin pulls away and rapidly starts undoing the button and zipper of his pants.
"I know that mouth can talk." he breathes. "Let's see what else it's good for." Hyunmin pushes his pants to his ankles and grabs Injoon by the shoulder, pushing him onto his knees. Injoon is wary and hesitant at first, but one shove of Hyunmin's hand and Injoon is bobbing and licking at a pace Hyunmin almost can't follow. So instead he just throws his head back and enjoys. He's not sure how long it lasts, because every flick of Injoon's tongue seems to last for hours.
Injoon accidentally bites down on Hyunmin's head just a little too hard, making Hyunmin jerk at the slight pain. Injoon expects Hyunmin to stop immediately and kick his ass, but instead Hyunmin responds - though not necessarily by choice - by coming in his mouth. Not having done this before, Injoon immediately pulls away and spits all over the floor.
Hyunmin doesn't even notice as he pants a little heavier than expected and rubs at his forehead, surprised at how quickly Injoon made that happen, and Injoon wipes his mouth clean on his sleeve. "Shit," Hyunmin sighs, finally having caught his breath. "I don't pay you enough."
Injoon coughs and leans his head back against the wall, his mind processing everything that just happened. Hyunmin pulls up his pants but doesn't bother re-doing his belt as he heads out of the room.
"By the way," he chirps, halfway out the door. "Gwangchul likes to bottom."
Injoon anxiously plays with the baseball in his hands, passing it back and forth between his palms. "I think I'm going to run away."
Hyunchul scoffs lightly but doesn't flinch. "Okay, make sure to pack a juice box." Injoon scowls at him, and Hyunchul knows even though he's not looking. "Come on Injoon, what are you, five?" Injoon rolls over onto his stomach and presses his face into his pillow. "No offence, but you could never survive on the streets."
"I'm not going to live on the streets!" He pauses, sits up. "I'm going to live with Gwangchul."
Hyunchul almost chokes on his tongue from laughing so hard. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?"
Hyunchul sighs and halts his task, pulling over a chair and sitting so he faces Injoon head-on. "Again, not offence, but what makes you think you're the only one?"
Injoon clears his throat and twitches a little, unconsciously. "What do you mean?"
"Look, you know what kind of person Hyunmin is. Gwangchul isn't much different, he's just... nicer about it." Injoon scrunches his face and looks to his hands, and Hyunchul can tell he still isn't fully comprehending. "They're both horny stoners who have nothing better to do than smoke weed and sleep with everything that moves."
Injoon cringes at this internally, taking everything Hyunchul says with a grain of salt. "I think you're exaggerating." Hyunchul rolls his eyes, shaking his head at Injoon's naivety. "I don't think Gwangchul is like Hyunmin at all."
Hyunchul giggles. "Of course you don't." Injoon grits his teeth and throws his head back in agitation. "Why are you so set on going to stay with him anyway?"
Injoon stutters, scratching his head and awkwardly looking back and forth between Hyunchul and his feet. "Well... I kind of-"
"Oh." Hyunchul has no idea what Injoon was going to say, but he could tell where his thought process was headed. Injoon stares and reads his expression as a mix of amusement and concern. "Well, I hope for your sake that's mutual."
Injoon laughs nervously, as if to say me too and rubs at his forehead. He starts tapping his feet, and Hyunchul raises an eyebrow. Injoon bites his lip and blinks. "I could really use a smoke right about now."
Injoon finds himself attempting to sneak out the window one night, but his bag doesn't quite fit and he ends up banging his head on the windowsill. The light flickers on and Injoon's eyes shoot to the doorway where Suhoon stands, hands on his hips. "Where are you going?"
Injoon gulps a little too loudly, utterly disproving his innocence. "Um..."
Suhoon closes in on him, pulling on his sweatshirt so he falls back onto the floor, and shuts the window, clicking the lock loudly enough for Injoon to hear. "Maybe it wasn't clear." He kneels down and gets close into to Injoon's face so that he is the only one who can hear him. "You work for Hyunmin now, remember? You're practically property. Leaving is not something you have a choice about." He laughs, and it seems sincere but it still makes Injoon shake with fear. Suhoon pats Injoon on the head and smirks before leaving the room, and Injoon sits in silence for a good five minutes before climbing into his bed and hiding his face under his pillow.
Despite everything in his brain that tells him not to, Injoon continues with these rendezvous for weeks, though he grows less nervous and more casual with every meeting. At some point, he finds himself so comfortable that he walks into Gwangchul's house unannounced. Gwangchul doesn't seem to think much of it, just throws him a light and a blunt and the two of them slumps onto the floor.
As Injoon takes a long drag from his joint, he can't help but think about how different it is from his first time. There's no hesitation anymore, no pain and no coughing. The drugs take effect faster now too, which is Injoon's biggest relief. He thinks he can give Gwangchul credit for this, and he's thankful, but he can't help but wonder if he would have been better off never starting to smoke in the first place.
He lays back as he blows the smoke from his mouth, feeling the cold concrete against his back. He lets his arms fall to his sides and slowly lifts them above his head, noting the slight tingling sensation he gets from the icy floor against his skin. He lets out a long sigh of contentment as he closes his eyes.
Lightly biting on the end of his cigar, Gwangchul watches Injoon out of the corner of his eye. He tries to keep his head straight however, because watching Injoon only reminds him of the growing weakness he has for the boy. And Gwangchul never admits to being weak. When Gwangchul smoked alone, he always felt jumpy, agitated. But with Injoon, he always finds himself feeling calm and content.
Gwangchul sets his cigar on the ground and leans over and throws a leg over Injoon, straddling him as he sits on his abdomen. In his dazed state, Injoon barely notices, but is brought to full attention when Gwangchul leans forward, hovering over him right above his face. Injoon's eyes flicker open, and instead of being nervous he smiles at the close proximity. "What?"
"I like you. Just so you know."
Injoon giggles a little, though he finds it difficult with Gwangchul sitting on top of him. "You mean you like the things I do for you. Or should I say to you."
Gwangchul can't help the slight smirk that traces his lips, but he quickly holds it in and backs away just a bit, almost as if he's offended. "It's not like I do this for everyone, Injoon."
Injoon clears his throat and sits up, lightly leaning his weight on his elbows. "What about Hyunmin?" Gwangchul leans back into Injoon's knees with a look of distaste. "He sort of gave me the impression that you two had-"
"Once." Gwangchul interrupts. Injoon raises his eyebrows in mild surprise, because he still had a smidgen of hope that Hyunmin was messing with him. But Gwangchul is quick to continue. "I used to work for him. Did a lot of things I regret, and that was one of them." Injoon looks a bit bothered, but slightly more relaxed. "If it makes you feel any better, alcohol was involved and I barely remember it."
"So... You don't-"
"I hate Hyunmin." Gwangchul snaps. Injoon wants to laugh a little but Gwangchul is leaning forward again and all he can do is gulp. "I like you." He says it slowly, and Injoon instinctively turns away as the distance between their faces lessens. He looks to the floor, only to see Gwangchul's unlit cigar and notices he doesn't smell a trace of alcohol or pot on Gwangchul's breath. For once, Gwangchul is the level-headed one. Gwangchul laughs and hangs his head with a scoff. "If you don't believe me that's fine, I guess. But it'd be a shame."
He begins to sit up, but Injoon immediately panics and pulls on his shoulder. "N-no," he stutters. "I... I like you too?" It sounds like a question, but the look on Injoon's face tells Gwangchul he's genuine. Gwangchul leans in first, so gradually and gently that Injoon has time to count the number of beats his heart pounds too heavily.
When their lips finally meet, Injoon can feel it in his toes. Gwangchul kisses even more slowly, and Injoon can't decide whether it's the most relaxing or the most thrilling kiss he's ever had. Either way, he can definitely say it's the best. For once Gwangchul's hands don't roam; he has one hand on the floor to hold himself steady and keeps the other plastered to Injoon's neck until Injoon leans back and pulls Gwangchul with him.
As clothing is removed and everything goes black, Injoon hopes like hell he remembers this when he's sober.
He takes the walk of shame alone a few hours later, hoping to sneak back to the apartment while it's still dark out and everyone is sleeping, hoping he will be able to convince them in the morning that he'd been there all night. He wakes to see Hyunchul huddled at the door, peeking through small crack he has open. Injoon gets out of his bed slowly, tiptoeing over to Hyunchul with the intent to surprise him. But Hyunchul clears his through, "Good morning, Injoon." before he even gets a chance. Injoon groans and Hyunchul quickly shushes him and pulls him down onto the floor. "Be quiet, I'm trying to listen."
"To what?" Hyunchul shushes him again and points out into the living room at Hyunmin on the phone. Hyunmin hisses in agitation and throws a beer bottle onto the floor, seemingly unphased by the smashing that follows.
Injoon taps his foot as he watches, nervously biting his lip as he struggles to listen through the crack in the door. Hyunchul sits watching too, but he's without nerve since he's probably seen this before.
"That's a pretty big investment." Hyunmin growls into the phone. The conversation gets a bit quieter and Hyunmin looks offended by whatever the person on the other line is saying.
Injoon closes the door and looks back at Hyunchul with a wrinkled brow. "Is he always this tense on business calls?"
Hyunchul sighs in a way that makes Injoon think he knows more than he's telling. "Only if it's really important."
Injoon clicks his tongue out of pure anxiousness. "Who's he talking to?" But Hyunchul only shrugs. There's a loud noise and Injoon opens the door to see Hyunmin surrounded by papers and snacks from the table he just kicked over.
Hyunmin's face is red and he's practically fuming. "I don't think you understand how much money I'm going to lose." Injoon sits idly by, listening to every word but understanding very little since he can only hear one side of the conversation. Hyunmin suddenly stops in his place, eyes wide, and grins wider than Injoon has ever seen. He sighs and sits back on the couch, taking the cigarette from behind his ear and shoving it in his mouth. "That's a lot of money, Gwangchul."
Injoon and Hyunchul are both taken slightly aback because this conversation has gone much more smoothly than they would have predicted between the two of them.
After a moment, Hyunmin sighs again, this time more calmly, and runs a hand through his hair. "Alright. You bring it here right now and you've got a deal."
Injoon can't help but pace the floor as he waits for Gwangchul's arrival, even though Hyunchul continues to assure him that there's nothing to worry about. He flinches when the doorbell rings, partly because he's panicking inside and partly because it's the first time he's heard it since he's been here. He and Hyunchul continue to observe from their room when Gwangchul steps inside, still unable to hear most of the conversation.
"Hyunchul," Injoon inserts, confused. "I thought it was safer to make exchanges elsewhere."
Hyunchul bites at the inside of his cheek. "Not if it's such a large amount that it would look suspicious to come out of an alleyway with."
Injoon watches closely as Gwangchul pulls a tightly stuffed paper bag out of his backpack and sets it in Hyunmin's hands, leaning against the wall with an expectant look on his face. Hyunmin opens the bag and smiles, nodding at Gwangchul as if in approval. He gestures for Hyunchul to come out and tosses him the bag, instructing him to count the money Injoon can assume is inside, and sends Gwangchul on his way.
Hyunchul drags Injoon to the back room with him, where he dumps the cash onto an empty table. But before Injoon can take a look, Hyunchul shoves him towards the window. "Go." Injoon halts, shaking his head.
"What about Hyunmin?"
"He's in a good mood right now, this may not happen again. I'll take care of it." Injoon smiles at him with a thanks and jumps out the window, stumbling onto his knees. He curses to himself and Gwangchul laughs from his spot against the wall.
Injoon stands and shakily brushes himself off, but when he looks up he's alone. He spins around and sees Gwangchul already half a block away. Gwangchul looks back over his shoulder and smiles, knowing already that Injoon is going to follow. When Injoon does finally catch up, Gwangchul indiscreetly hands him a cigarette and a lighter, but Injoon quickly pushes Gwangchul's hand away.
A laugh. "Smoking cigarettes isn't illegal, Injoon."
They spend most of their walk in silence, not because there's nothing to say - Injoon can think of a million things he wants to ask - but Gwangchul's never been fond of speaking much in public. When they get close enough for Injoon to start recognizing where they are, his curiosity comes flooding back. But once they're inside, Gwangchul is the first one to speak. Injoon makes himself comfortable on the couch, but Gwangchul chooses to hover near the doorway.
"It's cool if you stay by the way."
Injoon looks up with a flinch and awkwardly pulls at his shirt. "How did you know I-"
"Hyunchul had your stuff sent over last night."Injoon feels a bit confused and surprised, but mostly relieved. He reminds himself that he'll have to find a way to thank Hyunchul again later. Gwangchul tosses his backpack onto the ground and heads over to the kitchen to grab a drink, and Injoon notices for the first time that Gwangchul never took anything in exchange for his money.
"Gwangchul," he squeaks, his voice higher than intended. "What was it you bought from Hyunmin?"
Gwangchul sets down his drink and sighs, rubbing at the back of his neck as he slowly sits down next to him. "You."
Injoon almost chokes on the air he's breathing, looking at Gwangchul with an expression even he can't label. "Excuse me?"
Gwangchul clears his throat and nervously shifts in his seat. "I bought...you." A pause. "You don't have to work for Hyunmin anymore."
Injoon's eyes are wide and he lays back and sinks deep into the couch cushion. He's relieved and happy enough to overlook the fact that he was just paid for in the same manner he'd been selling drugs in only days earlier, but he isn't sure whether he's supposed to thank Gwangchul or what.
"Just...out of curiosity." he laughs. "How much am I worth?"
Gwangchul laughs along, finding the situation more humorous than awkward. "Much more than I paid." he pauses after he speaks, holding back a smile and turning away, almost embarrassed. Injoon is a bit shocked because it's a look he's never seen on Gwangchul before now. Gwangchul clears his throat and Injoon can tell he hadn't intended for those words to leave his mouth. "Sorry." Injoon chuckles at his apology and Gwangchul says the first thing that comes to mind. "Anyway. I don't have to buy from Hyunmin anymore, I've got another guy. And now that you're here, I have no reason to go back." He rushes the last part, trying to ignore the flip in his stomach as he hangs his head and apologizes again. Injoon has never been so happy to witness Gwangchul putting his foot in his mouth.
"Well," Injoon chokes, trying to change the subject without forcing it. "Can you afford to just cough up money like that?"
Gwangchul chuckles, low and sincere, and leans back against the couch. "I'll be fine. Although..." He stretches his arms and smirks. "I won't be able to pay the cable bill this month, so we'll have to find other ways to entertain ourselves." His expression of slight guilt is genuine, but he's unable to hide a suggestive half-grin.
Injoon turns away and smiles to himself, trying not to show his honest amusement. He closes his eyes and bites his lip for a moment, then slowly turns back and grabs Gwangchul by the shoulders, pinning him to the couch. Leaning in close to Gwangchul's personal space, Injoon whispers in his ear. "I think we'll manage."
yeah um idk this is all jisang's fault and i'm only posting it because it's her birthday present. 8| happy birthday my love ♥ yes it's early but i panicked thinking 'oh shit this is never gonna be done in time for her birthday!' and then suddenly i was done. so. ;__; sorry!
and to those of you who i've caused trouble for these last few days - you know who you are - consider this an apology. ♥
pairing: gwangchul/injoon
etc.: 7120 words; R; au
Injoon takes a deep breath as he stands outside the door, and his lungs immediately start filling with an unfamiliar scent he can assume is pot smoke. He begins coughing and heaving, falling to his knees as he tries to regain his composure. Hyunchul opens the door and sees him, shaking his head in amusement. "You'll get used to that." He helps Injoon up onto his feet and inside the apartment, throwing his jacket onto the crumb-coated couch and standing, arms crossed, in front of him.
"So you're sure you're cool with living here, knowing what goes on?"
Injoon sighs, feigning nonchalance. "Oh sure, living with a drug dealer can't be so bad, right?"
Hyunchul laughs and rolls his eyes, striding past Injoon across the living room. "Two bedrooms. This is mine, you can sleep here. The other is Suhoon and Hyunmin's room, but I wouldn't suggest going in there unless you're invited." Injoon nods and throws his bag into his room, taking a heavy sigh as he takes note of his surroundings. "Alright, Hyunmin is in charge, and in his mind he's always right. Agree with him always and do whatever he says. At first, anyway. Suhoon doesn't talk a lot so he shouldn't bother you too much. Anything else?"
Injoon blinks, rubbing at the back of his neck. "So what do you do?"
Hyunchul points toward a small door in the corner of the apartment. "That room holds all money and paperwork we deal with. I'm in charge of all of that."
Injoon doesn't have time to respond, because seconds later the bedroom door bursts open and Hyunmin slumps out, cell phone in one hand and a beer in the other.
"Fuck," he growls. "I got a deal to make in a few minutes but I have to take this call." He shakes his fingers through his hair in frustration and tosses his empty bottle onto the floor. "Hyunchul, could you take care of this one?"
"Me? Are you kidding, you know I don't do that shit Hyunmin." He pauses a moment, looking off at nothing as if he's debating something in his head. "Have Injoon do it."
Injoon quietly squeaks behind him and Hyunmin scoffs. "Who the hell is Injoon?"
Hyunchul grabs Injoon by his hood and shoves him forward, and Injoon just grits his teeth and forces a smile. "I told you he'd be staying here from now on, remember?"
Hyunmin takes one glance and Injoon and cringes. "He looks twitchy." Suhoon slumps out of the bedroom, takes one look at Injoon and laughs out loud, and lazily flops onto the couch.
Hyunchul groans at both of them and lightly shoves Injoon to the side. "Come on Hyunmin, what's the worst that could happen?"
Injoon's mind races with possible worst-case scenarios, but neither Hyunmin nor Hyunchul looks overly concerned.
"Fine." Hyunmin digs in his pocket and jots down an address. He hands hands Injoon the piece of paper and a brown paper bag, rolled up tight with a rubber band wrapped around it. "Make sure this gets in the hands of my buyer. He's tight with his money but he's got a lot of it. Don't mess this up."
Injoon stuffs the small bag deep into his pants pocket, patting the outside for at least thirty seconds to ensure its safety. He shoves his hands in after, trying his best to seem as casual as possible but he can tell the awkwardness he's feeling on the inside is showing on the outside. He pulls his sweatshirt hood over his head and pulls the laces at tight as they will go so only his eyes can be seen.
He turns to Hyunchul, nearly tripping over his own feet because his legs are shaking. "So...do I look suspicious?"
"Extremely." Hyunchul shakes his head and flops back onto the couch, landing on a thick layer of various snacks that crunch underneath him. "Don't try so hard." He stands and yanks the hood of Injoon's head, nearly choking him in the process. "Better. Keep the hood off until you're three blocks from your destination."
"How will I know when I'm three blocks from my destination?"
Hyunchul blinks and sighs. "Just put it on when you're close, okay?"
Injoon groans and drops his head into his hands, rubbing his temples with his index fingers. "I'm going to screw this up. I'm going to get caught and I'll go to jail. Or worse, I'll get shot or stabbed or something. Hyunchul I don't want to die!"
Suhoon slumps over from his chair and smacks Injoon upside the head, immediately trudging into the kitchen without a word. Injoon doesn't think anything of it, just bites his lip and shakes his head violently. "Okay. I'm ready."
Hyunchul takes him by the shoulders and shakes a few times, just enough to snap him back into reality. "You'll be fine if you don't panic. Stop panicking." Injoon nods and straightens his back, and Hyunchul quickly pushes him out the door and into the alleyway. Injoon stumbles out into the street and Hyunchul calls after him, but he can't make out whether he said to keep his hands in his pockets or out of them.
He tries not to think about it and takes off right away, clearing the first several blocks within minutes, nearly passing out on the sidewalk when he's run out of breath. He looks up at the street signs and scoffs. Three blocks from your destination.
He pulls his hood over his head and stuffs his hands in his pockets, marching off down the street. When he reaches the address he was given, his palms start to sweat. He sticks his hand deep in his pocket to grip the small package, and he turns down the alley with determination and adrenaline running though his veins. There's a boy leaning against a dumpster. He's taller than Injoon, wearing a sweatshirt almost identical to his. Target sighted.
Injoon clenches his fist and shuffles toward the boy sideways, silently and slowly, his level of inconspicuousness decreasing with every move. He coughs lightly into his hood and glances around a few times, intentionally looking everywhere but at his face. He inches closer and closer and keeps his voice low. "You here for the stuff?"
The boy freezes for a moment, eying Injoon from under his hood. "What?" Injoon's heart rate triples and the voice in the back of his mind tells him he's about to be killed. But instead the boy starts laughing. His laugh is quiet and genuine and Injoon doesn't know whether or not he should feel intimidated.
Injoon cringes a little and wipes a sweatdrop from his forehead. "Man, Hyunmin's going to kill me if I don't go back with money."
"You work for Hyunmin?" His voice is softer but brighter, and Injoon's nerves begin to slip away. Injoon nods and swallows the growing lump in his throat. "Where is he?"
"Said he had to take care of something. I... I didn't really want to ask questions."
He yanks Injoon's hood off his head, stepping back and staring at him for a moment. He shakes his own hood off and Injoon sees his face - and the light smirk tracing his lips - for the first time. "Come with me."
He winks and turns down a crevice in the alley, and Injoon follows without thinking. He pulls out a lighter and a joint - Injoon recognizes them easily now - and holds them out for Injoon. Injoon shakes his head, laughing nervously as he pushes them away. "I don't smoke."
He raises an eyebrow and Injoon can feel the nerves come back. "It's not hard. Just try, it'll help you relax." He lights the tip and hands it over to Injoon, who takes it warily.
Injoon closes his eyes and takes one puff, immediately coughing furiously and handing the joint back to him. "That's tastes horrible."
The boy laughs and smiles almost condescendingly, and Injoon feels like an idiot. He lights it up again and takes a long whiff, but doesn't let the smoke escape from his mouth. Instead, he leans forward and takes Injoon's chin in his hand.
Injoon pushes him away and clears his throat. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you, chill out." He takes another puff and leans in again, pressing his lips to Injoon's and blowing the smoke into his mouth. He pulls away slowly and watches as Injoon calmly inhales and exhales a few times. "I'm Gwangchul, by the way." He sighs without hesitance.
Injoon sighs in sudden content and leans back against the brick wall. "Injoon." Gwangchul nods and hands the joint back to him, and Injoon inhales on his own. Gwangchul sticks his lighter back in his pocket and throws a bundle of bills into Injoon's lap, promptly standing and walking off without a word.
Injoon shoots up to follow, his sobriety still intact. "Wait, but I didn't give you anything." He pulls the package he was given out of his pocket and tries to hand it to Gwangchul, along with the flimsy white joint burning his hand, but Gwangchul rejects them both.
"Keep it. There's always next time."
When Injoon walks in the door of their apartment, it only takes Hyunchul four seconds and one look at his face to figure it out. "You didn't..."
Injoon doesn't get a chance to say anything before Hyunmin charges out of his room and grabs Injoon by the shoulders, staring into his eyes so hard Injoon thinks flames might start shooting from them. Hyunmin shoves him away and runs his hand through his hair. "Damn Injoon, I told you to sell my shit, not smoke it."
Injoon fumbles through his pockets and pulls out the wad of cash and the bag and tosses them onto the kitchen table. "I brought back the money and the stash."
Hyunmin stops mid-step and turns to Injoon with a glare in his eyes. "How did you manage to swing that?" He picks up the money and the weed, making sure of the legitimacy of both, then looks Injoon in the eye once more. "And then what have you been smoking?"
Injoon's eye twitches slightly and he wrings his hands together nervously as they stare at him. "Uh... long story?" Hyunmin shakes his head and stuff the money in his pocket, pulling out a lighter.
"Whatever, I got money and an extra stash, I don't really care how you did it."
Injoon flounces over to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water, downing it within seconds. He wipes his mouth and glances over at Hyunmin, who sits counting his bills with pride. "So, Hyunmin? Do you... work with that guy a lot?"
Hyunmin shoves a blunt in his mouth and continues counting. "Yeah he's a regular customer. Why?"
Injoon bites his tongue and plops into Suhoon's chair, not caring about the bitching he's sure he'll receive. "Can I maybe go next time too?"
Hyunchul writes down the final dollar amount for Hyunmin to read because he couldn't count it himself, and Hyunmin nearly chokes. He looks at Injoon with wide eyes and throws a ten-dollar bill in his lap. "Deal."
When Hyunmin tells Injoon he has another job the next day, he's surprised it came so early. Surprised, but not unhappy. This time, however, the meeting place is Gwangchul's house, and that sends Injoon into another slight panic. He finds himself screaming at Hyunchul, "I can't go to a drug dealer's house!"
Hyunchul merely deadpans. "You're in one right now." And before Injoon has time to re-process that fact and re-evaluate his life, Hyunmin is shoving a slip of paper in his hands and pushing him out the door. "Just give him the stash you were supposed to give him last time."
When the door is slammed in his face, Injoon pulls out the slip of paper and makes his way to Gwangchul's house as fast as he can, believing that running will somehow calm his nerves. But when he arrives at the front door, he finds he's full of them. He stands there, staring for far too long, and eventually Gwangchul figures out he's there, he opens the door with a raised eyebrow. "You know, you can come inside."
Injoon attempts, tripping in the doorway and falling towards the floor, hitting his forehead on Gwangchul's shoulder as he goes down. Instead of helping him up, Gwangchul laughs and walks back into the kitchen, immediately going for the fridge.
"Do you want something to drink?"
Injoon shakes his head, unable to understand how Gwangchul does all of this so casually. Injoon finds that even though he was, admittedly, excited to come, he just wants to get out of there as soon as possible. He stands and slinks onto a chair anyway, ignoring the drink that Gwangchul sets in front of him.
He feels a pang of guilt in the pit of his stomach when he's handed the envelope this time, because as much as Hyunmin appreciates the easy money, Injoon has too much of a conscience to let cash be passed without even trade. He lays the money back on the countertop and shoves his hands in his sweatshirt pocket. "I can't take this. I didn't give you anything in return."
Gwangchul sets down his drink and closes the refrigerator, laying his hands flat on the counter and meeting Injoon's eyes with his own. "You want to pay me back somehow?"
Injoon sighs, pushing in his chair and reaching his hand in his pocket and pulling out a small brown bag. "This stash is pretty small, but I can get more if you want."
Gwangchul takes it out of Injoon's hand and stuffs it back in his pocket himself. "I don't need it."
Injoon wrinkles his eyebrows, his mind still mildly impaired from the drugs, as he watches Gwangchul's every move as if it were in slow motion. Gwangchul steps closer again, his legs on either side of Injoon's knees, which he has pressed closely together. Gwangchul hooks his fingers in the belt loop of Injoon's jeans and leans in. He does so nonchalantly, wrapping his hand around Injoon's wrist and feeling his heart rate go up with every centimeter. Injoon's eyes twitch closed when Gwangchul's breath hits his face, the faint hint of pot smoke lingering and pulling at Injoon's senses. Gwangchul stops mere millimeters away, watching Injoon as the breath hitches in his throat when he slides a hand under his shirt. He traces shapes and lines lightly over the skin above Injoon's stomach, and chills run through every inch of his body.
Gwangchul kisses the side of Injoon's mouth and makes his way down past the nape of his neck, meanwhile running his hand up the side of Injoon's leg. When Gwangchul reaches his waist and begins ripping off his belt buckle, the blood in Injoon's face quickly rushes downward and his temporary trance is half-broken. His eyes flicker open and he slowly pushes up from his stool and lightly pulling out of Gwangchul's grip. His voice wavers as he attempts to mutter an objection, and he clasps his hands to Gwangchul's shoulders - both to steady himself and to hold Gwangchul at a distance. He clears his throat a few times, but when Gwangchul raises a suggestive eyebrow and tugs at Injoon's zipper, Injoon forgets what it was he was objecting to. He closes his eyes and bites his lip, letting his hands drift down from Gwangchul's shoulders to his forearms.
Gwangchul smirks, appeased, and warily lifts Injoon's sweatshirt, dropping to his knees and using his tongue to trace a line down Injoon's stomach. He wastes no time in pulling down Injoon's pants and taking his length in his mouth. Injoon tries his hardest not to grab onto Gwangchul's hair, and instead clutches the counter-top behind him, the sweat on his hands almost causing him to slip. He pants lightly and bites his lip in agitation, trying to suppress all noises from escaping his mouth. Then all it takes is a swipe of Gwangchul's tongue and Injoon has nearly reached his peak. Gwangchul stops abruptly, and Injoon grips the counter so hard his knuckles turn white. Gwangchul stands and grabs the back of Injoon's neck, pulling him close and kissing him square on the mouth. He uses his free hand to finish Injoon off, gently biting and sucking at his ear as he listens to Injoon's rapid breathing and sporadic moans. Injoon climaxes and lethargically collapses to the floor, and Gwangchul chuckles and follows suit.
They simmer in silence for a few moments before Gwangchul finally helps Injoon up and forces the envelope into his hands once more. "Hyunmin will be pissed if you're late." is all he says before disappearing into the back room without a sound. Injoon opens the envelope and counts his earnings, hoping for the sake of his own pride that Hyunmin will be too stoned to ask questions.
Hyunmin's jaw drops when Injoon lays the new stack of 20-dollar bills on the table, but this time Injoon feels no pride. His insides churn as he watches Suhoon count his ill-gotten gains and Hyunchul looks on with a smirk because he knows something's up. And Injoon knows he's going to spill his guts when Hyunchul pulls him off to the side and out of Hyunmin's earshot.
"You tell me how you're getting all this money or I'll break your leg."
Injoon cringes and backs up a few feet. "Y-you wouldn't really, right?" Hyunchul deadpans and smacks Injoon on the arm, and Injoon pouts and steps closer. "Okay but you have to promise not to tell Hyunmin." Hyunchul nods, and Injoon hesitantly begins to tell him everything. His breath hitches in his throat a few times, but he manages to choke out an explanation of how he was able to come home with so much cash.
He bites his lip when he's finished, and stares at Hyunchul as he blinks four times before speaking. Hyunchul wrinkles his nose - in disbelief rather than disgust - and finds difficulty in his attempt to form a response. "So...you smoked weed and then he-"
"Yeah." Injoon cuts him off, trying to avoid making this situation any more awkward than it already is.
"Man." Hyunchul sighs, almost laughing. "That guy'll put anything in his mouth." Injoon cringes and looks to his shoes, wondering how in the world this happened in the first place. "You're a fucking prostitute." Hyunchul crosses his arms as he smirks, and Injoon leans his head back against the door frame and tries not to cry. This time Hyunchul has to force himself not to crack a smile. "Hyunmin is your pimp and doesn't even know it."
Injoon never has a revelation, never goes through an am I gay? phase, because the second Gwangchul put his hands on him Injoon knew that yes yes, he is very, very gay.
Injoon shuffles his feet as he trudges toward the convenience store counter, struggling to hold the many items he's collected. He drops one box from the top of his pile, cringing and gritting his teeth. But he doesn't hear it hit the ground. Instead, he opens his eyes and sees Gwangchul smirking in front of him, holding the box of junk food in his hands. Injoon's initial reaction is to scream, drop everything and run away, but instead he just freezes in place. "What are you doing here?"
Gwangchul coughs into his shoulder and rocks back on his heels, shoving his free hand in his pocket. "I followed you." Injoon's face turns an unfamiliar shade of red and he's thankful he's half-hidden behind a pile of boxes. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Injoon dumps everything onto the counter and wipes his forehead, grateful to have his hands free. "The guy Hyunmin steals cable from decided not to pay his bill this month so he got high out of boredom and...sent me out with a ridiculously long list of junk foods to pick up for him."
Gwangchul chuckles because he can picture it perfectly, and finds himself all too amused. He nods and helps Injoon pack everything up, carrying a few of the bags out the door for him. Once they're outside, Gwangchul pauses because he hadn't really thought past this point. Injoon does too, realizing he can't carry everything home by himself.
"You know," Gwangchul sighs, unsure. "I have cable?" Injoon has no idea what he's supposed to say, but without thinking he follows Gwangchul back to his place without question.
They dump all of the food on the couch and Gwangchul quickly disappears down the hall, reappearing within seconds with two lit joints, offering one to Injoon, who takes it warily. He hesitates, but Gwangchul glances at him so sincerely he has a hard time refusing. A few tokes and he's calm, and Gwangchul smiles and flops onto the couch. Feeling less timid, Injoon follows. Twenty minutes later, they're surrounded by half-empty food containers, still devouring every ounce.
It's a small, accidental act of rebellion, but Injoon's never felt so liberated. He laughs out loud at the thought of Hyunmin's face when Injoon shows up without his food, even though that image would normally instill fear in him. He looks over at Gwangchul, who seems more calm than amused.
"You knew we weren't going to watch t.v., didn't you?"
Gwangchul laughs, eyes half-lidded. "Maybe."
Injoon stares forward, thinking about how acting on impulse for the first time in his life actually did him some good. Without thinking, he leans over and grabs the back of Gwangchul's neck, pulling him into a kiss. Gwangchul doesn't kiss back, half because he's surprised and wasn't expecting it, half because he was no problem letting Injoon take the lead.
Despite Injoon's newfound love for impulse, his conscience starts poking at him and he pulls away, laughing a little out of embarrassment. "Sorry."
Gwangchul clears his throat, equally embarrassed. "You...definitely don't need to apologize."
As soon as Injoon walks in the door empty-handed, Hyunmin clicks his teeth and lights a cigar, striding towards him. And by the smug look on his face, Injoon can guess that Hyunmin somehow knows exactly where he was and what he was doing. But he doesn't say anything, only crosses his arms and flicks his head in the direction of his office. Injoon isn't sure what that means at first, but when Hyunmin shuffles back towards the room, Injoon knows he's supposed to follow.
"Lock the door." Hyunmin snaps as soon as they're both inside. Warily, Injoon does as he's told. Hyunmin leans back on the couch, blowing smoke out of the corners of his mouth and into Injoon's face. "So," he sneers with a long drag from his cigar. "Gwangchul tells me you're good with your mouth." Injoon coughs - at the smoke and at the shock of Hyunmin's statement - and stutters without any words. Hyunmin stands and steps closer and closer into Injoon's personal space, making Injoon's palms sweat and his eyes dart around the room. Hyunmin bends over so he's facing Injoon eye-to-eye, staring him down and hoping to get some sort of rise out of him. "So," he drawls. "Did he bite your ear?"
Injoon's eyes flicker across Hyunmin's face. "H-how did you-?"
Hyunmin laughs at the crack in Injoon's voice, slowly slipping a hand behind his neck so subtlety that Injoon almost doesn't notice. "Who do you think taught him to do that?" Injoon doesn't have time to process exactly what that piece of information implies because within seconds Hyunmin has Injoon's back against the cold wood of the table, shifting awkwardly on top of him. He doesn't seem to be phased when the table breaks underneath them.
Injoon tries to sit up, fortuitously kneeing Hyunmin in the groin, lightly enough to cause Hyunmin's arousal rather than pain. Hyunmin promptly picks Injoon up by his sweatshirt and throws him against the wall, pinning Injoon's thighs and hands to the concrete with his own. For the first time in a while, Injoon has no words, and Hyunmin seizes the opportunity to close the small distance between them, trapping Injoon's mouth in his own. The kiss is rougher than Injoon's experienced before, but he enjoys it more than he'd like to admit to himself. Hyunmin moves from Injoon's mouth to his ear, biting down and flicking his tongue just enough to make Injoon yelp. Hyunmin struggles not to show the great pleasure he gets from hearing it. "Bet Gwangchul never made you make that sound."
Injoon suddenly realizes that Hyunmin could easily view this as a competition, and he isn't sure whether he's the prize or the plaything, but Hyunmin grinds his hips in a way that makes Injoon's pants tighten and his train of thought is instantly lost. Hyunmin pulls away and rapidly starts undoing the button and zipper of his pants.
"I know that mouth can talk." he breathes. "Let's see what else it's good for." Hyunmin pushes his pants to his ankles and grabs Injoon by the shoulder, pushing him onto his knees. Injoon is wary and hesitant at first, but one shove of Hyunmin's hand and Injoon is bobbing and licking at a pace Hyunmin almost can't follow. So instead he just throws his head back and enjoys. He's not sure how long it lasts, because every flick of Injoon's tongue seems to last for hours.
Injoon accidentally bites down on Hyunmin's head just a little too hard, making Hyunmin jerk at the slight pain. Injoon expects Hyunmin to stop immediately and kick his ass, but instead Hyunmin responds - though not necessarily by choice - by coming in his mouth. Not having done this before, Injoon immediately pulls away and spits all over the floor.
Hyunmin doesn't even notice as he pants a little heavier than expected and rubs at his forehead, surprised at how quickly Injoon made that happen, and Injoon wipes his mouth clean on his sleeve. "Shit," Hyunmin sighs, finally having caught his breath. "I don't pay you enough."
Injoon coughs and leans his head back against the wall, his mind processing everything that just happened. Hyunmin pulls up his pants but doesn't bother re-doing his belt as he heads out of the room.
"By the way," he chirps, halfway out the door. "Gwangchul likes to bottom."
Injoon anxiously plays with the baseball in his hands, passing it back and forth between his palms. "I think I'm going to run away."
Hyunchul scoffs lightly but doesn't flinch. "Okay, make sure to pack a juice box." Injoon scowls at him, and Hyunchul knows even though he's not looking. "Come on Injoon, what are you, five?" Injoon rolls over onto his stomach and presses his face into his pillow. "No offence, but you could never survive on the streets."
"I'm not going to live on the streets!" He pauses, sits up. "I'm going to live with Gwangchul."
Hyunchul almost chokes on his tongue from laughing so hard. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?"
Hyunchul sighs and halts his task, pulling over a chair and sitting so he faces Injoon head-on. "Again, not offence, but what makes you think you're the only one?"
Injoon clears his throat and twitches a little, unconsciously. "What do you mean?"
"Look, you know what kind of person Hyunmin is. Gwangchul isn't much different, he's just... nicer about it." Injoon scrunches his face and looks to his hands, and Hyunchul can tell he still isn't fully comprehending. "They're both horny stoners who have nothing better to do than smoke weed and sleep with everything that moves."
Injoon cringes at this internally, taking everything Hyunchul says with a grain of salt. "I think you're exaggerating." Hyunchul rolls his eyes, shaking his head at Injoon's naivety. "I don't think Gwangchul is like Hyunmin at all."
Hyunchul giggles. "Of course you don't." Injoon grits his teeth and throws his head back in agitation. "Why are you so set on going to stay with him anyway?"
Injoon stutters, scratching his head and awkwardly looking back and forth between Hyunchul and his feet. "Well... I kind of-"
"Oh." Hyunchul has no idea what Injoon was going to say, but he could tell where his thought process was headed. Injoon stares and reads his expression as a mix of amusement and concern. "Well, I hope for your sake that's mutual."
Injoon laughs nervously, as if to say me too and rubs at his forehead. He starts tapping his feet, and Hyunchul raises an eyebrow. Injoon bites his lip and blinks. "I could really use a smoke right about now."
Injoon finds himself attempting to sneak out the window one night, but his bag doesn't quite fit and he ends up banging his head on the windowsill. The light flickers on and Injoon's eyes shoot to the doorway where Suhoon stands, hands on his hips. "Where are you going?"
Injoon gulps a little too loudly, utterly disproving his innocence. "Um..."
Suhoon closes in on him, pulling on his sweatshirt so he falls back onto the floor, and shuts the window, clicking the lock loudly enough for Injoon to hear. "Maybe it wasn't clear." He kneels down and gets close into to Injoon's face so that he is the only one who can hear him. "You work for Hyunmin now, remember? You're practically property. Leaving is not something you have a choice about." He laughs, and it seems sincere but it still makes Injoon shake with fear. Suhoon pats Injoon on the head and smirks before leaving the room, and Injoon sits in silence for a good five minutes before climbing into his bed and hiding his face under his pillow.
Despite everything in his brain that tells him not to, Injoon continues with these rendezvous for weeks, though he grows less nervous and more casual with every meeting. At some point, he finds himself so comfortable that he walks into Gwangchul's house unannounced. Gwangchul doesn't seem to think much of it, just throws him a light and a blunt and the two of them slumps onto the floor.
As Injoon takes a long drag from his joint, he can't help but think about how different it is from his first time. There's no hesitation anymore, no pain and no coughing. The drugs take effect faster now too, which is Injoon's biggest relief. He thinks he can give Gwangchul credit for this, and he's thankful, but he can't help but wonder if he would have been better off never starting to smoke in the first place.
He lays back as he blows the smoke from his mouth, feeling the cold concrete against his back. He lets his arms fall to his sides and slowly lifts them above his head, noting the slight tingling sensation he gets from the icy floor against his skin. He lets out a long sigh of contentment as he closes his eyes.
Lightly biting on the end of his cigar, Gwangchul watches Injoon out of the corner of his eye. He tries to keep his head straight however, because watching Injoon only reminds him of the growing weakness he has for the boy. And Gwangchul never admits to being weak. When Gwangchul smoked alone, he always felt jumpy, agitated. But with Injoon, he always finds himself feeling calm and content.
Gwangchul sets his cigar on the ground and leans over and throws a leg over Injoon, straddling him as he sits on his abdomen. In his dazed state, Injoon barely notices, but is brought to full attention when Gwangchul leans forward, hovering over him right above his face. Injoon's eyes flicker open, and instead of being nervous he smiles at the close proximity. "What?"
"I like you. Just so you know."
Injoon giggles a little, though he finds it difficult with Gwangchul sitting on top of him. "You mean you like the things I do for you. Or should I say to you."
Gwangchul can't help the slight smirk that traces his lips, but he quickly holds it in and backs away just a bit, almost as if he's offended. "It's not like I do this for everyone, Injoon."
Injoon clears his throat and sits up, lightly leaning his weight on his elbows. "What about Hyunmin?" Gwangchul leans back into Injoon's knees with a look of distaste. "He sort of gave me the impression that you two had-"
"Once." Gwangchul interrupts. Injoon raises his eyebrows in mild surprise, because he still had a smidgen of hope that Hyunmin was messing with him. But Gwangchul is quick to continue. "I used to work for him. Did a lot of things I regret, and that was one of them." Injoon looks a bit bothered, but slightly more relaxed. "If it makes you feel any better, alcohol was involved and I barely remember it."
"So... You don't-"
"I hate Hyunmin." Gwangchul snaps. Injoon wants to laugh a little but Gwangchul is leaning forward again and all he can do is gulp. "I like you." He says it slowly, and Injoon instinctively turns away as the distance between their faces lessens. He looks to the floor, only to see Gwangchul's unlit cigar and notices he doesn't smell a trace of alcohol or pot on Gwangchul's breath. For once, Gwangchul is the level-headed one. Gwangchul laughs and hangs his head with a scoff. "If you don't believe me that's fine, I guess. But it'd be a shame."
He begins to sit up, but Injoon immediately panics and pulls on his shoulder. "N-no," he stutters. "I... I like you too?" It sounds like a question, but the look on Injoon's face tells Gwangchul he's genuine. Gwangchul leans in first, so gradually and gently that Injoon has time to count the number of beats his heart pounds too heavily.
When their lips finally meet, Injoon can feel it in his toes. Gwangchul kisses even more slowly, and Injoon can't decide whether it's the most relaxing or the most thrilling kiss he's ever had. Either way, he can definitely say it's the best. For once Gwangchul's hands don't roam; he has one hand on the floor to hold himself steady and keeps the other plastered to Injoon's neck until Injoon leans back and pulls Gwangchul with him.
As clothing is removed and everything goes black, Injoon hopes like hell he remembers this when he's sober.
He takes the walk of shame alone a few hours later, hoping to sneak back to the apartment while it's still dark out and everyone is sleeping, hoping he will be able to convince them in the morning that he'd been there all night. He wakes to see Hyunchul huddled at the door, peeking through small crack he has open. Injoon gets out of his bed slowly, tiptoeing over to Hyunchul with the intent to surprise him. But Hyunchul clears his through, "Good morning, Injoon." before he even gets a chance. Injoon groans and Hyunchul quickly shushes him and pulls him down onto the floor. "Be quiet, I'm trying to listen."
"To what?" Hyunchul shushes him again and points out into the living room at Hyunmin on the phone. Hyunmin hisses in agitation and throws a beer bottle onto the floor, seemingly unphased by the smashing that follows.
Injoon taps his foot as he watches, nervously biting his lip as he struggles to listen through the crack in the door. Hyunchul sits watching too, but he's without nerve since he's probably seen this before.
"That's a pretty big investment." Hyunmin growls into the phone. The conversation gets a bit quieter and Hyunmin looks offended by whatever the person on the other line is saying.
Injoon closes the door and looks back at Hyunchul with a wrinkled brow. "Is he always this tense on business calls?"
Hyunchul sighs in a way that makes Injoon think he knows more than he's telling. "Only if it's really important."
Injoon clicks his tongue out of pure anxiousness. "Who's he talking to?" But Hyunchul only shrugs. There's a loud noise and Injoon opens the door to see Hyunmin surrounded by papers and snacks from the table he just kicked over.
Hyunmin's face is red and he's practically fuming. "I don't think you understand how much money I'm going to lose." Injoon sits idly by, listening to every word but understanding very little since he can only hear one side of the conversation. Hyunmin suddenly stops in his place, eyes wide, and grins wider than Injoon has ever seen. He sighs and sits back on the couch, taking the cigarette from behind his ear and shoving it in his mouth. "That's a lot of money, Gwangchul."
Injoon and Hyunchul are both taken slightly aback because this conversation has gone much more smoothly than they would have predicted between the two of them.
After a moment, Hyunmin sighs again, this time more calmly, and runs a hand through his hair. "Alright. You bring it here right now and you've got a deal."
Injoon can't help but pace the floor as he waits for Gwangchul's arrival, even though Hyunchul continues to assure him that there's nothing to worry about. He flinches when the doorbell rings, partly because he's panicking inside and partly because it's the first time he's heard it since he's been here. He and Hyunchul continue to observe from their room when Gwangchul steps inside, still unable to hear most of the conversation.
"Hyunchul," Injoon inserts, confused. "I thought it was safer to make exchanges elsewhere."
Hyunchul bites at the inside of his cheek. "Not if it's such a large amount that it would look suspicious to come out of an alleyway with."
Injoon watches closely as Gwangchul pulls a tightly stuffed paper bag out of his backpack and sets it in Hyunmin's hands, leaning against the wall with an expectant look on his face. Hyunmin opens the bag and smiles, nodding at Gwangchul as if in approval. He gestures for Hyunchul to come out and tosses him the bag, instructing him to count the money Injoon can assume is inside, and sends Gwangchul on his way.
Hyunchul drags Injoon to the back room with him, where he dumps the cash onto an empty table. But before Injoon can take a look, Hyunchul shoves him towards the window. "Go." Injoon halts, shaking his head.
"What about Hyunmin?"
"He's in a good mood right now, this may not happen again. I'll take care of it." Injoon smiles at him with a thanks and jumps out the window, stumbling onto his knees. He curses to himself and Gwangchul laughs from his spot against the wall.
Injoon stands and shakily brushes himself off, but when he looks up he's alone. He spins around and sees Gwangchul already half a block away. Gwangchul looks back over his shoulder and smiles, knowing already that Injoon is going to follow. When Injoon does finally catch up, Gwangchul indiscreetly hands him a cigarette and a lighter, but Injoon quickly pushes Gwangchul's hand away.
A laugh. "Smoking cigarettes isn't illegal, Injoon."
They spend most of their walk in silence, not because there's nothing to say - Injoon can think of a million things he wants to ask - but Gwangchul's never been fond of speaking much in public. When they get close enough for Injoon to start recognizing where they are, his curiosity comes flooding back. But once they're inside, Gwangchul is the first one to speak. Injoon makes himself comfortable on the couch, but Gwangchul chooses to hover near the doorway.
"It's cool if you stay by the way."
Injoon looks up with a flinch and awkwardly pulls at his shirt. "How did you know I-"
"Hyunchul had your stuff sent over last night."Injoon feels a bit confused and surprised, but mostly relieved. He reminds himself that he'll have to find a way to thank Hyunchul again later. Gwangchul tosses his backpack onto the ground and heads over to the kitchen to grab a drink, and Injoon notices for the first time that Gwangchul never took anything in exchange for his money.
"Gwangchul," he squeaks, his voice higher than intended. "What was it you bought from Hyunmin?"
Gwangchul sets down his drink and sighs, rubbing at the back of his neck as he slowly sits down next to him. "You."
Injoon almost chokes on the air he's breathing, looking at Gwangchul with an expression even he can't label. "Excuse me?"
Gwangchul clears his throat and nervously shifts in his seat. "I bought...you." A pause. "You don't have to work for Hyunmin anymore."
Injoon's eyes are wide and he lays back and sinks deep into the couch cushion. He's relieved and happy enough to overlook the fact that he was just paid for in the same manner he'd been selling drugs in only days earlier, but he isn't sure whether he's supposed to thank Gwangchul or what.
"Just...out of curiosity." he laughs. "How much am I worth?"
Gwangchul laughs along, finding the situation more humorous than awkward. "Much more than I paid." he pauses after he speaks, holding back a smile and turning away, almost embarrassed. Injoon is a bit shocked because it's a look he's never seen on Gwangchul before now. Gwangchul clears his throat and Injoon can tell he hadn't intended for those words to leave his mouth. "Sorry." Injoon chuckles at his apology and Gwangchul says the first thing that comes to mind. "Anyway. I don't have to buy from Hyunmin anymore, I've got another guy. And now that you're here, I have no reason to go back." He rushes the last part, trying to ignore the flip in his stomach as he hangs his head and apologizes again. Injoon has never been so happy to witness Gwangchul putting his foot in his mouth.
"Well," Injoon chokes, trying to change the subject without forcing it. "Can you afford to just cough up money like that?"
Gwangchul chuckles, low and sincere, and leans back against the couch. "I'll be fine. Although..." He stretches his arms and smirks. "I won't be able to pay the cable bill this month, so we'll have to find other ways to entertain ourselves." His expression of slight guilt is genuine, but he's unable to hide a suggestive half-grin.
Injoon turns away and smiles to himself, trying not to show his honest amusement. He closes his eyes and bites his lip for a moment, then slowly turns back and grabs Gwangchul by the shoulders, pinning him to the couch. Leaning in close to Gwangchul's personal space, Injoon whispers in his ear. "I think we'll manage."
yeah um idk this is all jisang's fault and i'm only posting it because it's her birthday present. 8| happy birthday my love ♥ yes it's early but i panicked thinking 'oh shit this is never gonna be done in time for her birthday!' and then suddenly i was done. so. ;__; sorry!
and to those of you who i've caused trouble for these last few days - you know who you are - consider this an apology. ♥