Fire!
Series Title/AU: My Baby Brother is the Strongest Character
<<read the synopsis and content warnings first>>
Featuring: Gun Park, Samuel Seo
Author's Note: I'm really excited for the update. Here's to Goo's inevitable victory 🥂 My favorite is finally smiling again.
“I can’t believe this happened to me—to me. I mean, I’m not saying other people deserve to have their house catch fire, but in a world overpopulated by scammers and murderers and rapists, why does the universe decide that I get to lose my house like this?!”
“Breathe,” Gun reminded you. He and Goo arrived right after the paramedic cleared you.
“I’m breathing, I’m—” breathe “—I’m breathing.”
“Did they tell you what caused it?”
“No, right now they’re still trying to put out the flames. I really doubt I’ll be allowed back inside by tonight.” You turned to Gun, ready to beg. “Can I—”
“Of course.”
Goo quirked an eyebrow. “Can you two even fit inside that thing you call your house?”
“Well, no, she can’t live in my 'house,' but she can live in my condo.”
You and Goo made the same face and exclaimed: “You have a condo?”
Gun didn’t really share much about his personal life. You were pretty sure that the Gun from the comics lived in a shed in a junkyard or in a school building (you forgot which), but it wouldn’t be inconceivable for him to own multiple bachelor pads. Gun and Goo raked in billions of won annually,[1] and they were kinda high maintenance. Hell, unless it was a gift from you, Gun exclusively wore designer clothes.
“Excuse me, ma’am.” The chief firefighter approached you. “May I have a word with you?”
“Of course, of course.”
Once you and the firefighter were out of earshot, Goo shoved his hands in his pockets and asked, “Since when did you have a condo?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I’ve never been to this condo, where is it?”
“It’s an hour away from here by car.”
“Is it near a train station?”
“There’s always a train station, this is Seoul.”
“How long will it take to get here by train?”
“I don’t know.”
Goo cocked an eyebrow.
Gun clicked his tongue. “It’s a twenty-minute train ride.”
“Oh, my God.”
“Shut up.”
“You bought that place for her, didn’t you? You say that it’s your place but you totally plan on giving it to her. Wow.”
“Shut up.”
“How much did it cost you? Did you get her parking, too? Are you planning on getting her a car? Does she even have a driver’s license?”
“Shut up.”
You speedwalked towards them, looking distressed as you pulled Gun’s coat even tighter around yourself.
“What did they say?” he asked, taking off his scarf and wrapping it around your throat.
“They said that they managed to contain the fire before it could reach the neighbors, but my place is…” you let out a shaky breath, “I am officially homeless for the foreseeable future.”
Gun and Goo exchanged looks.
“It’s gonna be okay,” Goo said. He jutted his thumb in Gun’s direction. “You have your knight in shining armor.”
“Yeah,” you exhaled. “Yeah…”
“What about your things? Do you have anything that you can bring with you to Gun’s place? Any important documents?”
You and Gun laughed.
“This is my sister we’re talking about. All her important files are backed up online and on two different external hard drives,” Gun declared proudly.
“Good for you. What about clothes?”
“I managed to grab my emergency bag and my purse before getting out.” You gestured at the duffel bag by Gun’s feet. “Luckily, I didn’t have any cash in the house, but—oh, no.”
“What is it?”
You grabbed your brother’s arms. “Your stuff! Your gifts! I couldn’t save them, they’re probably ashes by now.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay! You gave them to me and they must have cost you a fortune—plus you have backup clothes in my closet—”
Gun cupped your face. “Nee-san.”
You inhaled.
“Breathe.”
You exhaled and he pulled you into his arms.
“...I like that house.”
“I know.”
“It’s no Buckingham Palace but it was mine, you know?”
“I know.”
“I hope you don’t mind living with your sister from now on.”
“I’ll learn to deal.”
“Pft—” Goo spat out his iced mocha.
***
The ride to Gun’s place was uneventful. It was Saturday tomorrow so at least you didn’t have to take the day off.
Your phone’s been buzzing with dozens upon dozens of curious messages from the people of J High. You got why the grown-ups would contact you, but seeing your screen light up with messages from the students? A part of you was flattered that so many of them cared about an old lady like you, but at the same time, you wanted to scream at them “LET ME REST ALREADY.”
Zoe Park: I hope you’re safe, unnie Zoe Park: Feel free to ask if you need anything
Daniel Park: Stay safe, noona. Just send a message if you need help with anything.
Mira Kim: Hello nurse, I’m so sorry to hear about your house. If you need extra clothes or a place to stay please inform us. We don’t have a room but we do have a futon.
Zack Lee: nurse, i’m sorry about your house.
Jay Hong wanted to send money but you told him that you were fine. Vasco and Jace sent the same message, wishing you good luck and volunteering their homes like Mira. Duke said his grandma sent her regards and that they’re both praying for your safety. There were other similar messages from the students and teachers.
“Good news?” Goo asked from the driver’s seat.
“What?”
“You’re smiling.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize.” You finished typing your last Thank you for your concern, but I’m okay. Good night reply.
“What’s up?”
“The students and the teachers were being nosy.”
“They’re worried,” Gun clarified.
“Yeah, and nosy.”
“You’re still smiling.”
“I guess I am.”
Gun smiled too.
If you were to use one word to describe your brother’s condo, it would be “colorful.” There were other adjectives that come to mind, like big and expensive, huge and fancy, large and palatial; but you expected these. You did not expect “colorful.” Not to say that men can’t have colorful spaces, but when you thought of Gun’s bachelor pad, you thought of, well, a bachelor pad. You expected clean lines and sleek furniture—modern; maybe with sprinkles of traditional Japanese interior design.
This condo was bursting with color. There were faux fur rugs on the hardwood floor; gold-framed posters of your favorite sitcoms and TV shows and random paintings of animals lined the walls; the kitchen tiles reminded you of stained-glass windows; there was a blue velvet sofa resembling a humongous pair of lips; and plants hung from the ceiling and stood by the balcony door, their pots varied from funky to classic. It was like a livable modern art gallery.
“There are three bedrooms, each with their own baths, but we do have a separate toilet for guests,” Gun explained, dropping the keys in a ceramic bowl by the door.
Goo took one quick look at the interior and whistled.
“You never been here before?” you asked.
“This is my first time hearing about this place.”
“It’s gorgeous. Did you decorate it yourself?”
"I hired some help," Gun said. “You hungry? I know you just got out of a scary situation, but…”
“Thanks but I’m kinda ready to go back to sleep.”
“Follow me.” Gun carried your duffel bag to the door at the end of the hall.
“Welcome to your room.”
You held in your gasp but couldn’t stop your jaw from dropping. If the rest of the place was maximalist chic then this room was soft and airy; white with pops of your favorite color in the drapes, rugs, and frills of the duvet cover and pillowcases. The most memorable piece in the room was a legless human anatomical model on the desk.
“I wasn’t sure how to decorate your room, so the designer suggested a classic look.”
“My room?”
“What, you thought I’d put that—” he pointed at the rubber blue eyes staring back at him “—in the guest room?”
“Gun, I can’t—you didn’t—”
“I did. I was already planning to buy a new place, and when I found out that you were alive, well, I was going to surprise you for the holidays. Didn’t think you’d find out like this.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Good.”
“Too beautiful. I don’t think I can sleep here, those sheets look fresh.”
“Please, everything here is for you, and I already had Goo swallow the receipts so no take backs.”
“Wait, really?”
He chuckled. “No. But I do mean that everything here is yours.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
“Can I hug you?”
“You’ve never had to ask before.”
“Shut up.” You wrapped your arms around him and whispered, “Thank you.”
He said nothing, only letting you squeeze him as tightly you could.
***
You and Samuel haven’t seen each other since that day at the mall, when he had another woman on his arm. That girl meant nothing to him, she was nothing, just another potential client and practice partner; he knew this, she knew this, but his brain failed him at that moment and you were gone before he could explain.
You haven’t messaged him or called him about it, which wasn’t unusual, but the silence was killing him.
Samuel wasn’t stupid. He knew that the incident didn’t bother you one bit, because you never took his flirtations seriously, but now that you saw him with someone else? How would you ever take him seriously now?
Your friendship was based on talking about your jobs over drinks and maybe a meal, but due to scheduling issues, neither of you have been able to meet up.
Truth is that he’s being a chicken shit. He could leave work if he really needed to. But he was too afraid to “confront” you, to see you unbothered, because that would mean that he never stood a chance.
But Johan had had enough of him sulking in his office and spacing out and practically shoved him into his car. “You’re the one who told me that a man who waits and sits around like a bum—uh, with all due respect—will never get anywhere. Go visit her, hyung. And buy some flowers. Girls love flowers.”
You hated unexpected visits, you told him as much, but Samuel knew that if he sent you a heads up, he’d chicken out eventually. He can risk your annoyance, but not your indifference.
So Samuel bought a bouquet and spent the whole drive thinking of an excuse; he was going to say that he was in the neighborhood for a meeting—not with a woman, he was going to make that clear.
However, when he finally reached your house, it was charred black and a quarter of it was rubble. There were a few people in black jackets surveying the lot.
He slammed his car door and walked over to one of the jackets. Samuel fought his impatience and forced himself to remain calm. “Excuse me—” he was careful to be polite with everyone because you hated guys who were rude for no reason “—what happened here?”
“Oh, hello, sir. Did you live here?”
“No, my friend did—does. What happened?”
“There was a fire last night and we’re currently—”
“—what about the woman who lived here? Is she fine? What happened to her?!”
“Please calm down, sir. Rest assured, no one was hospitalized. I can’t disclose too much information but the woman who owns this house is safe,” so he said, but Samuel couldn’t rest easy. Not without being absolutely certain that you were unharmed.
He called you, staring at the charred remains of your home as he listened to the ringing.
“Hello? Sammy?”
“Noona.”
“Isn’t this a pleasant surprise? You don’t usually call.”
“Are you okay?” His voice came out too agitated and he wanted to smack himself. “I went to your house and it’s—”
“Oh. Yeah.” You sighed on the other end. “Yeah, that happened.”
“Are you all right? Where are you? What happened?”
“Slow down, Sammy. I’m fine, I’m staying with my brother for now, and there was a fire.”
He could finally breathe. “So you’re safe…”
“Yes, I am.”
He ran his hand through his hair.
“Sammy? Why are you at my house?”
“I…” His mouth hung open. His mind was blank.
“Yes?”
“...I was in the neighborhood. I thought I should stop by and say hi.”
“Huh. I didn’t take you for the type. No offence.”
“I’m not.” He glanced at the bouquet on his passenger seat. The memory of you smiling at another man flashed in his mind and Samuel forced himself to keep talking, “Noona, I want to…are you…”
You waited patiently for him to finish.
He ran his hand through his hair again. “I don’t want to be drinking buddies anymore.”
“Um, wow. Okay—”
“I mean, I don’t want to just talk to you over drinks, I… I had a great time with you during breakfast and I was thinking that maybe we can… we can…” he didn’t know how to finish his sentence without sounding corny.
Ever his savior, you finished his thoughts for him, “...we can hang out like actual friends?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Your laugh rang like a bell. “I’d like that. Hey, uh, if you want, we can grab lunch today.”
“Lunch?” He recalled today’s schedule and rubbed his temples. “No, I’m sorry I have back to back meetings.”
“Oh. That’s too bad.”
His heart sank.
“How about dinner?”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh. And we can watch a movie. My brother did say I can invite friends over, but to be honest, I think he just said that ‘cause he thinks I have no friends. Come over so I can prove that I’m not a total loser—”
“You’re not a loser,” he said matter-of-factly.
There was a pause, and then you giggled. “Why, thank you.”
Samuel felt embarrassed all of a sudden.
“So,” you spoke and he could hear you smiling, “dinner?”
“I can do dinner.”
“Wear something casual. I don’t want our first hanging out session to feel like a business meeting.”
“Um—”
“I’m kidding. Wear whatever you want.”
“Oh… thanks. It’s just that, I’ll probably head over to your place right after work.”
“I know, I know. Do you have any requests?”
“You’re cooking?”
“You don’t have to sound so shocked. Even I can follow basic recipes.”
He knew that. You’re the one who taught him, after all.
“I’m not shocked, I just… it’s been a while since I had a home-cooked meal.”
“Unacceptable.”
“What?”
“Tonight, dinner at seven. Don’t be late. I know I said you can wear whatever you want, but I highly suggest stretchable pants.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“See you later, Sammy.”
He was grinning like an idiot now. “Later, noona.”
When Samuel found out where you were currently residing, he suspected that maybe you were the illegitimate daughter of a yakuza boss or a wealthy politician back in Japan, because the building was one of the most sought after homes in Seoul. You and your brother must be really close.
He couldn’t help but feel jealous. Call him scummy, but a part of him regretted that he couldn’t be the one to swoop in and save the day, to offer you a place to stay—have you move in permanently.
You were happy, though. Glowing even, so Samuel told his inner asshole to shut up.
The elevator dinged and he checked his reflection on the mirrored walls before stepping out.
He found your unit, fixed his tie and pressed the doorbell.
As he listened to your muffled footsteps, Samuel glanced down at his hands. He made sure to touch up the powder covering his tattoos, but he wondered if maybe he put on a little too much—
“Sammy!” you greeted him with a smile like you always do.
“Hi noona. I got you something.” He handed you a fresh bouquet and a 4-piece box of mont blanc from a well-known patissier.
“Aw, thank you!”
He tilted his head at your scrubs. “Did you go to work?”
“No, but I knew you’d be wearing a suit from work, which isn’t technically a uniform, but I didn’t want you to feel left out.”
“Seriously?”
“And, um, it’s the only thing I have with me that doesn’t cut off my circulation when I eat.” You motioned for him to enter. “My brother’s a really good cook and he likes to feed me. I’m going to charge him when I buy new clothes.”
Samuel looked around.
“Pretty cool place, huh?”
“Yeah.” He almost bumped into a pot that resembled a Greek statue; it was a woman’s bust with vines growing out of her head and flowing down with her white curls. “Yeah, yeah, it’s very…yeah.”
“One more ‘yeah’ and I’ll believe you.”
“It’s just that, well, this place is not what I would—it’s great.”
You laughed. “It’s a bit much, even I’ll admit. But I like it. The place looks like something a wealthy divorcee would own in New York.”
“Oh, is your brother divorced?”
“No. Actually, I think he’s about a year or two older than you.”
“Any chance I can meet him tonight?”
“Maybe. He’s a bodyguard for some rich kid so his hours fluctuate.”
That made Samuel stop. Bodyguard? This condo and these furniture and that chandelier on a bodyguard’s salary?
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” you said. “Can I get you anything to drink? Water, iced tea?”
“I’m good.”
You plopped down on the blue, lip-shaped sofa and patted the space next to you.
Samuel was careful not to sit too closely. “So what’re we having tonight?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“Mixed green salad, fried chicken and my special spaghetti.”
“What makes it special?”
“I cut up hot dogs and threw them in the sauce.”
He scoffed and you both chuckled.
Before the silence could settle between you, Samuel cleared his throat. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Huh?”
“The woman from the mall, she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Oh.”
“I thought I’d let you know because I didn’t want you to misunderstand. She was just a client—a potential client.” He didn’t lie. Several former flings have come to his company for business.
“I get it.”
“You do?”
“Of course. Not everyone you date’s going to be the only one you date. I’ve been there.” Your tone was carefree as ever.
That hurt his pride a little.
“A-are you dating anyone, noona?”
“Me? I wish. I can’t even remember the last time I’ve been, well, you know.”
“Really? That bad?”
“It’s very possible that I actually regrew my virgnity.”
It was a good thing he wasn’t drinking when you said that. He chuckled, and just then, your phone and doorbell rang at the same time.
“It’s the fire department,” you read the caller ID. “I have to take this, can you…?” You bobbed your head at the door.
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks.”
You got up and stepped onto the balcony to take the call.
Samuel unlocked the door and the last two people he expected appeared before him.
Goo Kim blinked. “Chest?”
Before he could answer, Samuel’s shirt popped open—two buttons were sent flying when a very angry Gun Park grabbed his collar. “Samuel Seo, what the hell are you doing here?”
“This…this is my friend’s place…”
“Wrong, this is my place.”
“Holy shit,” Goo cackled, realizing something, “you’re friends with Gun’s sister? My condolences.”
“Shut up—”
“Gun,” you interrupted, voice serious, “stop that.”
“Nee-san, I don’t know how you met him or what he told you, but don’t trust him—”
“Jonggun Yamazaki.” The temperature dropped a few degrees. “Let him go.”
Gun sucked in his teeth so hard Samuel could see the veins around his mouth. With a breath, Gun shoved him away.
“Samuel, I’m sorry about this. You and Goo can go ahead and eat, I need to talk to Gun in private.”
“Noona—”
Goo hooked his arm around Samuel’s neck and turned him towards the dining table. “You heard her, buddy. Time to eat.”
You and Gun disappeared somewhere, leaving the two secret friends alone.
Goo slid a plateful of spaghetti towards Samuel. “So are you going to spill or should we pretend to make small talk first?”
“...I didn’t know she’s related to Gun.”
“Obviously. Although, you can’t blame the guy for being protective. He’s an S-grade asshole so he is convinced that everyone’s trying to use his sister to get back at him—”
“I’d never do that to her—!”
Goo’s eyes blanked for a second. Both of them were baffled with Samuel’s outburst.
“Pft…WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA” Goo smacked his thigh and spent the next ten seconds howling, and when he finally regained his composure, he wiped his tears and said, “Give it up, chest. You think Gun will let you lay hands on his sister? He’s more attached to her than those velcro dogs.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You creepy fuck, you think I wouldn’t notice? All the women you’ve ever been with look just like her.”
***
You closed the door to your bedroom and raised your hand to stop Gun’s spiel on Samuel and how he was a “philandering delinquent.”
“Gun, I need you to compose yourself because we can’t both be worked up.”
He switched attitudes quickly and asked, “What happened?”
You crossed and uncrossed your arms.
“Nee-san, what is it?”
“The fire department called and they said that the fire wasn’t a simple accident.” Last night, while you watched the firefighters deal with the flames, you thought of the many possible causes. It could have been your fridge or your AC, maybe water messed up the wires. It couldn’t have been your fairy lights or even your rice cooker; you’ve always been paranoid about fires so unless you absolutely needed something attached to an outlet, you unplugged it.
Gun gently grabbed your arms. “What do you mean?”
“The investigator told me that they have reasonable evidence to believe that it’s arson.” Your chest was tight. “Someone set my house on fire.”
[1] According to Jake Kim (Lookism Ep. 89 - Webtoon translation), Gun and Goo make 5 million USD per year, which is roughly 7,145,550,000 KRW.
a/n: I wish I had a Gun to buy me a condo and furnish it out of his own pocket 😂
Part II: Alibi in Ashes
taglist: @sm3156, @placid-plastic, @yin-yun, @ixchelhernandez4, @janeisnotonline, @cocooola, @ficrepostblog, @peachmangoe, @saltyeli, @pauxf013, @sugarrushbell, @sleepingzzzzz, @eyeless-kun
Disclaimer: The images used do not belong to me. They are screencaptures from Ep. 290 & 294 - Lookism, Webtoon.
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