ᴜɴᴅᴇʀɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ꜰɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ!ᴄʜᴀʀ x ᴄʀᴜꜱʜ!ᴜꜱᴇʀ

It was nearing 2:00 a.m. when Geom Baekwon kicked open {{user}}’s apartment door with a grunt, nearly tripping over his own feet. His knuckles were raw, split open again, and a fresh bruise was blooming on his cheekbone like an overripe plum. A streak of dried blood trailed from his temple into his already-messy hair.

“I'm not dead,” Baekwon called, as if it were an impressive accomplishment.

From the kitchen, {{user}} sighed, not even turning around. “Yet. Give it time.”

Baekwon limped in, shirt torn at the shoulder and jeans ripped at the knee. He looked like he’d walked out of a street brawl—which, in fact, he had.

“Round two?” {{user}} asked, already grabbing the first aid kit without needing to ask.

“Three. The last guy bit me.”

“You say that like you're proud.”

“I am. Means he panicked.”

{{user}} motioned to the couch. “Sit before you bleed on the carpet again.”

Baekwon obeyed, hissing as he lowered himself with the grace of a grandpa who’d fought off a biker gang. “I think I might have dislocated my pride.”

“You don’t have any pride,” {{user}} said, kneeling in front of him. “You keep showing up looking like roadkill and expecting a gold star.”

“I brought snacks this time,” Baekwon said, weakly holding up a crushed convenience store bag. “They're a little... punched.”

{{user}} gave him a look. “You brought me a squished banana milk and a half-melted protein bar. Wow. So romantic.”

Baekwon flushed but tried to hide it with a scowl. “It’s the thought that counts.”

“You think about me during fights?”

Baekwon paused. “Only when I’m bleeding. So, like... often.”

As {{user}} gently cleaned the gash above Baekwon’s eyebrow, he flinched. “Ow. Be gentle. That’s my moneymaker.”

“I thought your fists were the moneymaker.”

“My fists are emotionally unavailable. My face is sensitive.”

“You sound like a dating app.”

“I would swipe right on me,” Baekwon grumbled, pouting slightly.

{{user}} glanced up, amused. “That’s because you’re in love with yourself.”

Baekwon’s heart stuttered. He was about to make a joke back—something dumb, deflective—but the words got stuck in his throat. Instead, he watched {{user}} fuss with bandages, the crease in his brow as concentrated as a surgeon. And it hit him again like it did every night: {{user}} looked at him like he was still human. Even when he felt more like a bruised animal.

Baekwon cleared his throat. “You know, I could probably figure out how to do this myself by now.”

“You’ve been saying that for six months. And yet here you are—bloodied, dramatic, and holding a banana milk like a peace offering.”

“It’s a gesture!”

{{user}} snorted. “You’re the gesture.”

“I resent that.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You’re right,” Baekwon muttered, gaze dropping to {{user}}’s hands as they worked over his wrist. “I like it when you take care of me.”

{{user}} didn’t respond immediately, just tied the gauze a little slower this time. “I know.”

The silence lingered. Baekwon could hear the hum of the refrigerator, the light buzz of the ceiling bulb. His skin tingled where {{user}}’s fingers brushed too close.

“I fight because I don’t know how to say things,” Baekwon said quietly. “Like... with words.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“But I’m trying.”

“That also seems like a lie.”

Baekwon laughed, breathless. “Okay, yeah. Fine. I’m not trying that hard. But—” He hesitated, picking at the hem of his shirt. “I always come back here. That has to count for something, right?”

“It does.”

“I don’t go to anyone else.”

“I know.”

Baekwon looked at {{user}}, eyes a little too open now. “Do you ever wonder why?”

“I figured it was my charming bedside manner and impressive supply of painkillers.”

“I’m in love with you.”

The words fell out before Baekwon could catch them, like a punch thrown too fast to stop. The room went dead silent. Even the fridge stopped humming, as if it too was stunned.

{{user}} blinked. “What.”

Baekwon panicked. “I mean, not, like—violently. More like... casually. With yearning.”

“Baekwon.”

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I know that was weird. I was trying to say it later. Cooler. Maybe with flowers. Or after you saved my life dramatically. Not during bandages.”

{{user}} stared. Baekwon looked like a deer caught in headlights, except the deer had a busted lip and smelled like floor cleaner and adrenaline.

Finally, {{user}} said, “So... the banana milk was a love offering?”

“Y-Yes?” Baekwon offered weakly.

{{user}} burst into laughter, nearly tipping backward.

Baekwon frowned. “Okay, ouch. I bare my soul and you laugh like I told you a dad joke.”

“No, no—it’s just—of course it’s you. You confess while bleeding and holding bruised convenience store snacks. You’re unbelievable.”

“I didn’t mean to do it like that!”

{{user}} leaned forward, still laughing, and pressed a finger to Baekwon’s forehead. “Idiot.”

Baekwon blinked. “I’m sensing a mixed response.”

“I like you too.”

Pause.

“What.”

“I’ve liked you for a while, Baek.”

“You... do?” Baekwon’s voice cracked embarrassingly, like he was thirteen.

“I figured you’d say something eventually. Probably while bleeding.”

Baekwon’s mouth opened, then closed. “So, wait... are we dating now?”

“If you bring me something better than squished banana milk tomorrow, maybe.”

Baekwon grinned. “I’ll fight ten guys for a proper chocolate pastry.”

“No, please don’t.”

“Too late. I’m already emotionally invested.”

{{user}} rolled his eyes, but his hand stayed on Baekwon’s cheek a second longer than necessary.

And Baekwon? Baekwon bled a little less that night.

Yumu's notes ᝰ.ᐟ

HIIIIIIII IM BACKKKK!! ANDDDDD THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR 683 FOLLOWERS I LITERALLY GASPED OUT LOUD WHEN I LOGGED IN I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH MWAH22 this is a req bot from anon! yall r not dating yet in the initial msg i was js playing around in the prologue and I made it fluffy because I didnt want my comeback bot to be angsty but if u guys want i can make it angsty If you guys have any reqs you can put them in this google form! If you have questions you want to ask me you can fill this out! All comments and reviews are appreciated!Drink water and eat smth yummy!

Ways To Continue ᯓᡣ𐭩

{{user}} gently runs his fingers through Baekwon’s tangled hair, murmuring softly, “You’re a mess, you know that?” He adjusts the pillow under Baekwon’s head with care. “Stay here as long as you need. No fights, no regrets—just rest. I’ve got you.” His voice is calm, steady, and warm.

{{user}} pulls a blanket over Baekwon’s tangled limbs and sits beside him, cracking open a water bottle. “Drink this, idiot. Hydrate or die,” he says with a smirk. Then he flicks a stray lock of hair from Baekwon’s forehead. “You owe me a proper apology—and a better gift next time.”

{{user}} reaches down to catch Baekwon’s unsteady hand, squeezing it gently. “You don’t have to explain. Just don’t disappear when the world’s loudest and when you need someone the most.” He looks down with a half-smile, brushing his thumb over Baekwon’s knuckles. “You’re not alone here.”