Baek Suryong is literally just a mean-ass older brother and I love it. His relationship with Gang Heonwon is literally the funniest shit ever, 'cause he's constantly bullying him but he's also teaching him how to get stronger and also how to navigate the world in his own weird way.
Watching Gang slowly become more and more like him personality-wise is hilarious, he's literally a miniature version of Suryong at this point. Their sadistic streak, violent tendencies, always looking for things to tease each other and the other students about. Oh, and they're both kinda hypocrites who've made a lot of terrible mistakes in the past and are trying to make up for it and become better people.
They literally care so much about each other. Gang wants to win the martial arts tournament because he knows it's Suryong's goal (although that's not the only reason) and he wants to repay the debt he feels he owes to Suryong. And Suryong, when he still only had him and Cheon as students, decided that he didn't just want to be the best teacher with the best track record, he also wanted to be a good teacher, different from the cruel but efficient teacher he was in the past.
Suryong also goes out of his way to protect Gang, even when he knows Gang can handle it because he doesn't want Gang to suffer on his own and it's unnecessarily sweet. He's so protective of all his students but then he'll turn around and kick their asses; he's a mean-ass older brother that constantly bullies his younger siblings into shape.
I love this boi with all my heart, he’s so precious T^T be warned, this is a really rushed piece rip I wrote it in less than an hour and haven’t bothered trying to improve it cuz I’m just too lazy T^T
I hope you can enjoy! <3
You weren’t really planning on going to the festival this year. Being a student under Mr Baek’s riveting teachings made your motivation to become the star pupil of the academy stronger than ever before. Focusing on strengthening yourself and honing your skills was all that consumed your mind most days.
Yet, here you were, allowing your sister to pin up your clothing covered in floral prints and style your hair in a way that would catch anyone’s eye, pushing a golden decorative hairpiece in the shape of a folding fan into your bun as she readied you for a night out amongst food stalls and chattering crowds.
“What made you decide to go, anyways?” She asked, looking at you through the mirror. You glanced away from her then, a burning heat spreading through the skin of your face.
“I was invited. To go with someone.”
She audibly gasped, then reached towards a drawer on her vanity, pulling it out to reveal various small pots of coloured paints, mostly in variations of rouge. Picking up a thin paintbrush, she moved to stand in front of you and gently cupped your chin, instructing you to keep your lips slightly parted.
She began slathering the striking red paint onto your lips evenly. Looking into the mirror once she was done, you noticed how it made your lips shine, the glossy look plumping your lips into an alluring pout.
“Try not to ruin it, okay?” She had told you as she ushered you out the door, a cheeky grin on her face as she waved you away.
—————
Kang couldn’t stop staring at your lips.
It was the first thing he noticed about you when you had teetered up to the festival. Yes, you looked lovely, the clothes suited you well and your hair complimented your features wonderfully, but your lips…
He gulped, looking away. Damn it, he was the one who had invited you out so lamely, and now he couldn’t look at you because of some shiny lipstick you had on!
“Are you okay, Kang?”
Hearing his first name coming from you sent his heart into a frenzy.
“Y-Yeah! I’m fine! Why wouldn’t I be??” He was so loud, so awkward , he wanted to crawl into a hole and wither away. You were peering up at him closely, a worried look on your face that made your brows scrunch up and lips pout, accentuating the paint.
“Your face is all red. Are you sure you aren’t sick? I don’t mind if we head home early—“
“ No!! ” He yelped. He froze, as did you, surprised at his outburst. Clearing his throat, he stood up tall and repeated: “No, no. It’s fine, really. I’m fine. Let’s just look around the festival, yeah?”
Hesitantly complying, you followed behind him as he showed you the sights, knowing this was your first festival in a while. He took you to his favourite food stands, played some games to win some prizes for you (his proudest moment being when he had hit all the can targets down on the first try and got you a floral bracelet, to which he swore he had never seen you smile so brightly), and so on until he took you to a secluded are to sit down and enjoy some sweets.
“So… Having fun?” He asked after a few moments of silence. You nodded gleefully, eyes bright.
“Yes! It really has been fun!” You took a small bite of your food, carefully closing your lips around the wooden spoon. Though he blushed at the sight, Kang couldn’t help but to ask:
“Why’ve you been taking such small bites like that? Isn't it faster to just take bigger spoonfuls?”
You hummed, nodding again. “I know, it’s just that my sister told me not to ruin this lipstick. I wouldn’t know how to fix it, either, since I don’t have any extra with me, so I’m just trying to be careful.”
“It looks good on you.”
Your heart jumped. You swore it was so loud it could be heard in the silence between the two of you. Kang seemed just as surprised as you, his face aflame and mouth trembling, though after a moment, he straightened his posture and looked you in the eyes, determined.
“I have something to tell you.” He reached into his pocket, opening his palm to reveal a white hair tie, a butterfly ornament entwined onto the band.
“I really like you!” He barked, his lone fist resting on his thigh clenching. “You’re- You’re really pretty, and smart! And amazing with your sword skills and qi! And I like hearing you talk and seeing you smile! It…” he paused, taking a deep, shaky breath.
“It makes me happy to see that you’re happy, and makes me sad to see you sad. And, my heart — Uh, it gets all jumpy whenever you’re around, and.. Ah, shit I’m no good at this!” He grumbled, the flush on his face now spread down to his exposed upper chest. “I just really like you! Please go out with me!”
He had squeezed his eyes shut by then, sweat dripping down his temple as his body fidgeted with anticipation. In all honesty, he was waiting for the rejection. Who in their right mind would want to go out with the delinquent of the school? He was known mostly for his bad reputation and idiocy, bad temper and bullying-nature. A girl like you would not want a guy like him, but… he just needed to hear your answer.
A sudden brush of skin against his open palm startled him, causing him to open his eyes. He watched as you gently picked up the hair tie, inspecting it with a soft look on your face. You ran a thumb over the butterfly, smiled, then turned to him shyly.
“I really like you, too. I’d be honoured to go out with you.”
He felt as if he could breathe again, letting out a long sigh as he rubbed a hand down his face. Chuckling in relief, he couldn’t stop the smile spreading widely across his cheeks.
“I should be the one saying that,” he spoke into his palm. “What do you see in a guy like me, anyways?”
“The same you see in me.” You were quick with your response, carefully placing a hand over his and pulling it away from his face so that you could see him. “And you have such a kind heart, Kang. I want to see more sides of you, if you’ll let me.”
“I will!” He grasped your hand with both of his, determined. “You can see as much as you want!” Realising what he had said, he blushed further, stammering over his words. “I mean— That’s not what I meant to say! I mean, it is, but— not like that! Well, unless you wanted to—“
“May I kiss you, Kang?”
He wasn’t sure this was reality anymore.
He stared at you, mouth agape. Swallowing thickly, he looked away. “I’ve.. never… um…”
“Neither have I.” You were flushed, too, your hands clammy around his own, but neither of you pulled away, relishing in the skin to skin contact for as long as you could.
“And you’re okay? With me?”
“Yes.”
He blinked. He really did want to kiss you…
“O-Okay, then… close your eyes?” You did so, lightly licking your red lips, and he shivered. He cupped your warmed cheek with his hand, seeing just how big he was compared to you, then leaned in close. He could feel your breath stutter against his skin, smell the sweetness of candy from it, and his heart thundered in his chest.
Closing his eyes, he brushed his lips lightly against your own, the both of you jumping at the contact, before he closed the gap, laying his lips wholly into your own.
Your lips were so smooth, so soft. A little slippery thanks to the lipstick, but he didn’t mind. He held his mouth there for a moment before pulling back an inch, only to go back in for another. He held you closer, shakily placing his free hand onto your waist whilst yours grasped into his shoulders, tightly clutching at his clothes.
It was clumsy and inexperienced, neither of you moving too much, nor did either of you want to remove yourselves from one another, but it was all the both of you had dreamed of. So sweet, so innocent, so full of love. He could feel your pulse thundering under his fingertips as could you his under yours.
And when you finally pulled away to peer at each other, panting and in a daze, you noticed how Kwang’s lips were smudged with a red tint, and he ran a thumb over your lower lip.
“I think your sister might get angry later,” he mumbled, and you couldn’t help but to grin.
＠𝓛.𝐔𝐗𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀 2023 | please do not copy/re-post! <3
