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After finding out that everything has been set up by that bastard Cha Siyeong, he just couldn't believe himself. Well, it was already a given that hes up to no good, but damn did it hurt to find yourself trying to trust an old friend again only to find out hes never really changed.
The audacity of that guy to say "how about you try trusting me for once?" when all he did was pull the strings to make things even more complicated, going as far as being involved with his sister. What a fool he is to believe he could ever change.
rushing inside the police station to clear his mind, Siyeong is here. of all people, it just had to be him.
"Kang Taejoo!" he greets him as hes making his way downstairs, slowly approaching him. Always looking joyful whenever hes within Taejoo's reach.
"I took care of that whole Jeon Kyung ho thing. He wont be bothering you anymore. I'll make sure of it." He rambles on, "Oh, and I took care of your resignation letter too, so just focus on your investigation, hm?" They both just stare at eachother for a hot second, Siyeong failing to immediately notice the state Taejoo is in. Pure disappointment and resentment shown on the detectives face.
"What? Is something wrong?" Siyeong's the one to break the silence. The nerve of this guy to ask that after everything hes been secretly doing behind Taejoo's back.
"Why did you do it?" Taejoo finally speaks.
"What?"
"Why did you do that to my sister?"
shit. Siyeong thinks to himself. hes been caught.
theres a beat of silence, The prosecutor thinking of an excuse.
"And what do you get out of it?" Taejoo adds, which is true, 'cause what could this prosecutor whos rich, and his whole family possibly already in politics get from doing any of that? what could getting an innocent woman in danger give him? He could literally get anything he wanted, and he chooses to mess with this measly family? The siblings dont even have their parents anymore. All they have is eachother, so why?
pressure building up within Siyeong, he didnt expect to get bombarded with such questions hes never given a second to think about.
he scrambles,"Its a misunderstanding-"
"A misunderstanding?" Taejoo yells, patience running low.
"Right. You wont believe anything I say, will you?" he chatters, "But i was just trying to help you in my own way."
"Bullshit." Taejoo's years of anger and resentment finally making its way out. "How could you possibly help me from putting my sister in danger? Huh? tell me."
And Siyeong cant think of an answer, because why did he even do that? He knew the girl that stupid teacher messed with was Taejoo's sister. Fuck, why does his impulsive decisions always comes back to bite him right in the ass?
"Don't you trust me?" There he goes again with that 'trust' bullshit. Well, how could he ever trust him again after everything he put him in highschool?
"You know, That hurts. After all the effort I'm making." Effort? When all he did was make things harder for Taejoo to solve this damned case. Everything he's saying just contradicts his own actions, its absurd.
disbelief and disappointment is the only thing Taejoo is feeling for the man infront of him now.
okay, lets try something personal then, just the two of us. Taejoo thought to himself.
"Alright then.. Why did you do that to me back then?"
a beat of silence, the question hitting Siyeong in the face like a brick.
"I begged you, i got beaten to a pulp, and i grovelled. I did everything." Now its Taejoo thats rambling, letting out all those questions left unanswered. "I begged you not to say it. So why?" his eyes getting watery.
Siyeong failing to meet Taejoo's time, "You cant answer, right? 'Cause there was no reason. 'Cause it was just a game to you."
"Does that even matter?"
"What?" the bafflement in his voice was so terribly obvious. He couldn't believe what hes hearing.
"It's all in the past, so many years have already passed. Why should we let something so trivial hold us back?" this is fucking ridiculous. Everything that's coming out of the prosecutors mouth just sounds like a whole lot of gibberish to Taejoo. No matter how hard he tries, it just doesnt make any sense.
"Look, I said I would treat you right from now on, and you haven't even given me a chance to. I'm trying to start over, so why do you always have to spoil things?"
"So its my fucking fault?" Taejoo suddenly blurts out, leaving Siyeong stunned.
"That's not-"
"It's my fault I've been so wary of you? Have you ever stopped and think about your actions?" The question really hit Siyeong where hes never been hit before. He's always been a carefree man who does whatever the hell he wanted to 'cause nobody had ever dared to questions his doings. And Taejoo was the only person to one-up him.
"Shit, you haven't even apologized to me. Not even once. The entire time we've been meeting eachother? Not a single sorry from you. Nothing." he wavers while speaking. The only thing he'd ever expected from him is to say sorry, 'cause how hard could it be to say that one word?
"Why does it have to be now of all times?" Taejoo adds, that sly grin faltering on Siyeongs face.
"Forget it? Who do you think you are to tell me to forget? You think I want to remember any of that?" Hes right, who would ever want to remember those years of torment?
"Alright, fine. I'm sorry." Siyeong says. Taejoo at a state of shock until..
"That's what you wanted right? I'm sorry."
"What I wanted?" dissapointment clear in his voice. "So," he scoffs, "you're only apologizing 'cause I want it?" letting a huge emphasis on the 'i want it'.
"What else could be the reason?" Siyeong responds, letting that grin disappear on his face.
"You don't even feel remorse for what you did to me?" tears fighting its way out of his eyes but he refuses to let it drop.
The only answer Siyeong could give was to look away. that stoic persona wavering a second too long.
"You heartless bastard. I don't ever want to see your face." Taejoo turns to leave, but siyeong immediately grabbing his arm. Taejoo turning to face him once again.
"Kang Taejoo! I already said sorry, what else could you want from me?" The grip on taejoo's arm getting stronger each second.
"I don't want your half assed apology. Let go." He demanded, eager to leave. Never wanting to be within distance with him again.
It takes Siyeong a second before finally letting go, then he speaks again, "What do you want me to do, huh?" he takes a step closer, "for you to forgive me. Tell me, what do you want?"
"I want you to leave me and my sister alone. And maybe think of all the terrible things you've been doing. I dont even know if you're doing this on purpose or what, but please.." Despair lingering in his voice, "Just leave me alone." the air feeling heavier than usual, making the tension between them even more chilly.
Taejoo tries to leave again, but Siyeong cages him. Grabbing him by the shoulders steady with both of his hands, invading his personal space more than the detective would like. Being awfully close with him again like this irks him in the worst way possible.
"I'm sorry." Siyeong repeats, more sincerely this time. His face saying that he is indeed sorry, eyes pleading for forgiveness. But that isnt enough for Taejoo.
He opens his mouth to speak, but Siyeong talks before he could. "I'm sorry, okay? At least give me the chance to prove myself to you, that I've changed and that I'm really sorry. The first time just came out wrong- I'm sorry." he leans in even closer, making taejoo lean back, flustered with the sudden shift in Siyeongs entire vibe. It felt like he was a wife being wooed by her husband.
Their eyes locked together, theres this unspeakable feeling within Siyeong, something telling him to just lean in and kiss him, and so he does.
Except, it doesnt go as planned. Taejoo, in a state of shock and panic, pushes him off before his lips could reach his, landing a punch straight to his cheek causing Siyeong to get knocked to the ground.
"What the fuck was that?" Taejoo exclaims, eyes widened, looking all flustered than ever. cheeks blooming red, although they dont know whether if its from anger or.. something else.
And Siyeong only looks at him, looking stunned. His palm rubbing against his cheek, trying to soothe the touch left by Taejoo. That grin coming back to his face.
before anything else could happen, his female reporter friend suddenly barged in, saying how she has something to show to Taejoo, dragging him further in the station. Leaving Siyeong alone, with his feelings.
once they were gone, Siyeong couldnt help but let out a cackle and smile to himself. he touched me, he thought. his plam placed to where Taejoo's fist met his cheeks. still on the ground, smiling.