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Ever since the accident at Eden Residence, Jongwoo's life had been tilted on its axis. He was no longer the same man he had been when he first moved to Seoul, desperate to fit in and faking his personality with everyone. There was no going back to the life he had lived before. Not since that freak followed him around like a parasite.
After everything that happened, Jongwoo had chosen to leave Seoul, moving to the outskirts of Korea. Gokseong might have been exceptionally monotonous, but when you're trying to avoid unnecessary attention from everyone, boring was absolutely perfect.
It was perfect, until he came along. The dentist. The serial killer. The freak. The one who shook Jongwoo's world and stepped on it like it was nothing but a mere insect. Seo fucking Moonjo. To be honest, Jongwoo didn’t even know how the man managed to survive the accident, after all, he had died. Jongwoo killed him. His hands had wrapped around the dentist's neck until his face went pale and body limp. Moonjo had been nothing but a lifeless doll on the ground that day.
Jongwoo was sure of it, because even if he would never admit it, the image of Moonjo's stoic body plagued his thoughts like a virus. The way Jongwoo had felt during that excruciatingly endless moment, all the murders he committed in exchange for freedom... burned into the back of his eyelids, a looping film that held his mind captive.
Perhaps that was why Jongwoo ignored the man at first, believing that the shadow of his past was just another trick from his mind. But the hallucination was different from the rest, no matter how many times Jongwoo snapped, snarked, and hissed, he never left. As incredulous as it could be, the man who lurked in the shadows of his new life was real. Real enough to touch and feel. Hell, Jongwoo could even finish the job, make Moonjo suffer the death he deserves.
But, of course, the universe never listened to Jongwoo's wishes. In fact, it had decided to mock Jongwoo at every chance it got because somehow Moonjo ended up wiggling his way into Jongwoo's life (and heart). One night turned into two, then into an entire year of living under the same roof, growing together like mold on a broken pipe.
After living with that freak for a year, Jongwoo stood at a loss for what their relationship was. What had they been to begin with? The pair had too much (unfortunately) history to be strangers but not close enough to be friends. Enemies? While Jongwoo despises Moonjo with his entire being, he doubts that enemies share their living space. What does that leave? Lovers? Lovers was laughable, a thought Jongwoo wished he could kill on the spot, because love with Moonjo existed far beyond the realm of possibility.
They don't even need a label. All Jongwoo knew was that Moonjo grew on you like a zit, or maybe fungus. That's the only reason why he was holding an envelope with dental radiographs of his teeth and not a box of overly decorated chocolates or a bouquet of smelly flowers. That freak didn’t deserve a pretty Valentine’s gift, which was exactly why Jongwoo had chosen something he knew Moonjo would hate.
Moonjo, the serial killer obsessed with collecting teeth, didn't deserve the nice things others give their partners on Valentine's day. He wasn't worthy. That wretched freak deserved only things as vile as he was, and Jongwoo knew it, knew that was why he had spent two hours waiting at the local dentist’s office for the photographs, why he had washed and blow-dried his hair, and why he had chosen a shirt Moonjo once complimented.
Jongwoo wasn’t even nervous as he pushed open the door and kicked off his shoes with the speed of a man driven by misguided motivation before moving deeper into the dimly lit space, his eyes scanning each room in search of his tall, slender roommate. It didn’t take long to find the man perched on the couch, watching a horror movie Jongwoo found irritating, though Moonjo insisted it was the perfect example of love.
Jongwoo stood behind the couch like a creep before bracing himself and slipping into the spot next to Moonjo, tossing the envelope to Moonjo before he lost the courage. Nothing changed. Moonjo remained eerily silent as he glanced at the envelope. The silence between Moonjo and him ensued with the exception of the movie flashing on the television, and for a moment, Jongwoo felt the weight of his actions as Moonjo grabbed the envelope thrown onto his lap.
Moonjo dragged his pointer finger along the seal, filling the room with a rustle. Then he took out the radiographs of Jongwoo's teeth, eyes glued to the sight, observing with precision. The man stayed quiet and stared at each photograph for what felt like donkey's years. Though unwelcomed, dread cruised through Jongwoo's veins and the man had no clue as to why. His plan had been to give the freak a repulsive gift but he had expected a bigger reaction, or at least some type of emotion.
"Not what you hoped for?" Jongwoo asked, a derisive scoff left his lips. "Well, it's what you deserve. A monstrous freak isn't worthy of nice bouquets or chocolates.”
For the first time since he arrived home, Moonjo lifted his gaze to meet Jongwoo's, and suddenly, two dark pools peered at him with such admiration, as if Jongwoo had colored his sky and created all the pretty things that exist. It made all the fight disappear from Jongwoo's soul, heart racing so loud it rang in his ears.
"Such harsh words, Jagiya, but don't worry, I’ll cherish this. Your teeth are almost as pretty and perfect as you are.” Moonjo said it like it meant nothing. Like he hasn't just taken Jongwoo's breath away and caught him completely off guard.
And if that wasn't enough, Moonjo leaned over to graze his chin, thumb brushing over Jongwoo's pink kisser. His eyes found their place on Jongwoo's lips, enticed in the way Jongwoo felt under the dentist's skilled hand.
"Since today is such an important day, our first Valentine's, I picked out a present for you, too."
Moonjo pulled away to fish something out of his pocket and Jongwoo would be caught dead before he openly admits he misses the warmth. However, Jongwoo’s disappointment died on his tongue as Moonjo took out a medium sized knife. The silver blade was shiny and obviously brand new, while the handle was firm, durable. When the lightweight knife fell into his hands, Jongwoo couldn't help the way his eyebrows furrowed. The freak's idea of a gift was aiding him with the supplies needed to commit manslaughter?
Almost as if he could sense the route that Jongwoo's mind had gone, Moonjo placed his hand on the side of his cheek, caressing the flushed skin. His cold hands provided more warmth than the scorching sun ever had and left Jongwoo with a funny feeling, something he had never felt with Jieun.
"Jagiya, I want you to ride the hilt while I watch you, listening to my voice as I guide you through the process."
Jongwoo's breath caught in his throat, pupils dilated with a desire he couldn’t conceal behind caustic words. Moonjo had a knack for saying fucked up shit in a way that painted them as heaven. This was one of those moments. So out of pocket yet so appealing. The mere idea made his blood run hot and rush to places it shouldn't.
"God, you're a freak." Jongwoo huffed out but his tone lacked bite. If he wasn't so stubborn, he'd say that there was something affectionate in the way he called the man a freak. Because Mooonjo, without a doubt, was his freak and only his.