Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Research

Kim Soleum was fucked. After the incident in the elevator, Kim Soleum had been avoiding Baek Saheon like the plague.
And Baek Saheon hadn’t said anything either.

Now the problem was that Kim Soleum liked Baek Saheon, unfortunately. When you like someone, you want to spend time with them.
His desire to spend time with Baek Saheon and his desire to avoid confronting him unless he got stabbed in the back had been fighting for the last three days.

Today, the latter won. Seeing Baek Saheon sleeping on the couch as he entered the apartment made his heart do a triple flip.

Kim Soleum just wanted to sit near him and stare at him like a creep.

But who could blame him?

Baek Saheon, while sleeping, looked so cute. Unguarded, his hair was ruffled, with red streaks on his cheeks. He was in a deep sleep.
Small snores could be heard, but Baek Saheon barely moved. Kim Soleum, who was now standing in front of the sofa, staring at Baek Saheon like a creep, smiled.

-"Roe deer, you are in a much better mood now.”

Kim Soleum barely heard Braun as he nodded his head.

-”I guess this good friend is not good enough to bring a smile to your face.”

This made Kim Soleum snap out of the weird trance. Feeling sweat form in his hands, Kim Soleum immediately answered Braun.

“Of course you make me happy, Braun. You are my only good friend. Why wouldn’t I be happy?” Kim Soleum walked away from Baek Saheon, or he might end up staring at him again.

-”Of course, roe deer, you are also my only good friend.”

Kim Soleum ignored how pitiful it was that his only friend was a monster with a TV head.

-”A position is always open at this one friend’s TV show.”

Kim Soleum refused as politely as possible. He did not want to work on a show. He put Braun in his room and grabbed some comfortable clothes.

“Braun, I am going to take a shower; I will be back soon.”

-"Alright, friend, I will be waiting for you.”

Leaving the room, Kim Soleum glanced at Baek Saheon, who was still sleeping on the sofa.

He seemed a little uncomfortable. Should I…?

No, bad idea. What if he wakes up?

With a frown, Kim Soleum looked at Baek Saheon.

Before he could fall into another trance, Kim Soleum walked to the bathroom. A warm shower after work helped him relax, making sleep come easier. Although it barely came, at least Kim Soleum could try. And he knew that he wouldn’t be able to watch his nightly cartoons, since a certain someone was occupying the sofa.

Baek Saheon had a good plan. Now, he wasn’t so sure. He was aware that the psycho liked him.

But how much did he like him? And did he actually like Baek Saheon, or was it just a temporary interest? Like a little kid intrigued by a new toy—but after some time, the kid gets bored and throws it away.

Who knew what a psycho would do when he got bored of Baek Saheon?

And Baek Saheon didn’t want to find out either.

That was why he had been thinking and contemplating for the last three days. He couldn’t let Kim Soleum lose interest in him.

From the research he had done, psychopaths usually got rid of things they got bored of.

It was better if Baek Saheon made Kim Soleum fall for him, even though it almost made him want to puke.

If that psycho could even fall in love, Baek Saheon was going to make Kim Soleum fall head over heels.

That was the only way to ensure Baek Saheon’s survival. It was actually a good thing the top rookie had taken an interest in him.

That also explained why Kim Soleum had never used Baek Saheon as bait and had even saved him—many times when he didn’t even need to.

From his understanding, Psychopaths have a rather peculiar taste.

Vulnerable and pathetic.

Baek Saheon was going to be the perfect prey.

First, he needed to see what Kim Soleum would do if he found him vulnerable and alone.

That was why Baek Saheon was found asleep when Kim Soleum returned from work. Of course, Baek Saheon wasn’t stupid enough to actually sleep on the sofa.

Baek Saheon put on his best sleeping face as he lay on the sofa. His heart thumped faster and faster as the psycho stared at him.

Finally, he left. Baek Saheon didn’t move until he heard the door close. Relieved, he sat up.

Ugh.

The staring.

Baek Saheon felt goosebumps. His future seemed rather dark.

The psycho seemed to enjoy seeing him asleep.

Maybe because people were most vulnerable while they were sleeping—or it could be for another reason. Baek Saheon was no psycho. He didn’t know how the mind of an insane person worked, nor did he want to know.

Baek Saheon was about to make his way to his room when suddenly the door opened.

He immediately lay back down and closed his eyes.

Fuck, why is the bastard out?

Cursing in his mind, Baek Saheon calmed his nerves before that bastard suspected that he wasn’t actually sleeping.

Ears tensed, Baek Saheon breathed slowly. Even without seeing, he could feel that piercing gaze.

Then he heard footsteps walking away, this time in the opposite direction of where Kim Soleum’s room was.

The bathroom.

As soon as the bathroom door locked, Baek Saheon got up and rushed toward his room. But then he saw him.

Kim Soleum was looking at him.

Fuck!

“Baek Saheon…”

This bastard knew. The way Kim Soleum didn’t even look shocked proved that.

Baek Saheon didn’t move. He stared at Kim Soleum, who was standing there, staring back at him.

He could feel his mouth go dry. Those eyes with red hues looked truly terrifying. If someone told Baek Saheon that Kim Soleum was darkness, he would have believed them.

Baek Saheon waited, ready to run if that bastard did anything. Suddenly, Kim Soleum shut the door, leaving Baek Saheon stunned in front of the bathroom door.

Baek Saheon had a sudden urge to kick the door. But Baek Saheon liked living.

So instead, he went to his room.

Kim Soleum almost screamed. While opening the door, he remembered he had forgotten his towel. So, closing the door, he turned to go back to his room when he noticed something… no, someone sprinting toward him.

It was Baek Saheon.

Well, his room was near the bathroom. It seemed Baek Saheon was either acting, or he had woken up some time ago and was trying to go to his own room.

Kim Soleum’s instincts told him it was the first option. Now, as to why Baek Saheon had acted like he was sleeping, Kim Soleum had no idea.

But it was fun to see Baek Saheon caught in the act. The way his eyes widened when he saw Kim Soleum, and the way he tried his best not to curse out loud, made Kim Soleum want to tease him more.

But he couldn’t let Baek Saheon know that he was more into him than he had let on. It was basically telling Baek Saehon to kill him.

After taking a short shower, Kim Soleum remembered the reason why he hadn’t entered the bathroom properly in the first place.

His towel…

Looking around, there was nothing he could use to dry himself, and he didn’t want to wet his clothes. It would definitely feel uncomfortable.

What should he do?

Kim Soleum was out of options.

Maybe Baek Saheon wasn’t asleep. Kim Soleum hadn’t been in the bathroom for long.

Seeing no other options, he sighed.

Grabbing his phone, he opened KakaoTalk. Scrolling through his contacts, he found the one he was looking for.

Kim Soleum wrote,

Grab me a towel.

Then he waited.

While waiting, Kim Soleum’s mind wandered to the upcoming Darkness they were going to enter.

The [Hungry Hangman] was a B-Class ghost story controlled by Daydream Inc.

Kim Soleum could only hope that he wouldn’t get chosen to be the hanged man. Knowing his luck, all he could do was hope.

Maybe if there were a way to trick the Darkness, the hanged man could live. But from all the records he had read, the hanged man always died.

At last, Kim Soleum heard a knock.

“Sir… your towel.”

It was Baek Saheon. Relieved that he no longer had to stand in the cold, Kim Soleum spoke, “Leave it outside.”

“Yes, sir.” Kim Soleum frowned slightly. In the beginning, the sir had been fun to hear. But now it sounded rather distant.

Even though Kim Soleum had decided not to get close to Baek Saheon, emotions didn’t work logically.

A small part—alright, who was he kidding, a large part—of him wanted to get closer to Baek Saheon.

Learn about his hobbies, his likes, and his dislikes. Kim Soleum didn’t know a lot about him. All he knew was Baek Saheon’s future and his viper-like personality.

But that personality was there while he was working. What was Baek Saheon like when he was at ease? With his family? Did he even have a family?

Stepping out of the shower, Kim Soleum walked toward the door. Hearing nobody in front of it, he slowly opened it—only wide enough to grab the towel outside.

Ever since he found out about Kim Soleum’s interest in him, he has been planning.
Baek Saheon had some ideas, but he was not sure if they would work. Today, seeing his reaction to Baek Saheon sleeping, he now knows what to do.

Opening the notes app on his phone, where he had been making a list of potential ways to seduce a psychopath, Baek Saheon added "act vulnerable" to the small list.

Now the problem is Baek Saheon has no knowledge about romance and even less about romance with psychopaths.

And like any modern person, he looks it up online.

Only to find some really crazy people. Why the fuck are these people wishing to be choked and stepped on?

After scrolling through thousands of people wanting to be enslaved and tortured, Baek Saheon came across an interesting post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Psychopathy/comments/lrguaj/can_psychopaths_fall_in_love/

Can psychopaths fall in love?

Freak02_love
I have done quite a bit of research on this topic, as I was married to a psychopath. My understanding is this: psychopaths can have positive feelings and behaviors towards people—they care, or “love,” in their own way. Many have long-term relationships and children. But the feelings are always tied up in utility. For example: you can have a favorite pair of shoes or a sweatshirt that you love dearly, but when they get worn out, are not useful anymore, or something new and shinier comes along, you eventually discard the old item. Psychopaths love people in a similar fashion. It’s definitely not like neurotypical love, because as you’ve pointed out, without empathy, you can’t have true love. But it’s not true that psychopaths lack the capacity for positive feelings towards someone. One of the biggest misconceptions is that psychopaths lack emotion. They feel. It’s just that no one else’s feelings matter—only their own.

Sad_hi^^
This is true. I dated a psychopath who really believed he loved me in his own mind. He was empathetic in the sense that he could understand me and mirror my behavior. He just didn't give a shit about my feelings, even though he easily recognized them. When I did not live up to his idealized version of me, he discarded me as useless, only coming back for his supply and to try to regain control of me.

It’s similar to what Baek Saheon had thought. Kim Soleum “loves” him because of the dopamine rush he gets from Baek Saheon’s suffering.

So, Baek Saheon has to make himself interesting, or he might end up becoming real bait.

And that’s what Baek Saheon did—or rather, what he was going to do if Kim Soleum had come back after the latest Darkness. Kim Soleum had disappeared after the Hangman Darkness.

From rumors, he found out that Kim Soleum had become contaminated and was being held in the contamination room.

At the news, Baek Saheon had rejoiced. No longer living in fear.

He was a little disappointed that his source of survival, no matter how unhinged, was no longer available.

Still, happy that he didn’t have to sacrifice his dignity and seduce that psycho, he returned to his apartment, only to find black dress shoes at the entrance.

It didn’t take long for Baek Saheon to figure out that his psycho roommate had yet again survived.

Because of course he would survive.

For some reason, that fact didn’t make Baek Saheon despair as much as he thought it would.

Instead, with a sigh, he slowly entered the apartment, making as little noise as possible—but when was luck ever on his side?

There he was—Kim Soleum, in all his glory, sitting on the sofa.

Kim Soleum immediately looked up, like he had been waiting for Baek Saheon.

“Sir, you are back?” Baek Saheon politely smiled.

“Ah, Baek Saheon-ah, welcome back.” The man looked so at ease, as if he hadn’t just returned from near death. Now that he thought about it, Kim Soleum had been contaminated. Contamination was actually worse than death.

How did that bastard even come back with no trace of contamination?

Did he have an item? At that thought, Baek Saheon’s eyes filled with greed.

If an item like that existed, Baek Saheon would even sell his soul. Okay, maybe not his soul, since he did want to live. Baek Saheon was doing all of this to live.

But you get the point. He would do anything for such an item. So before he could hesitate, Baek Saheon immediately knelt near the sofa, still keeping a one-meter distance.

“Sir, have you already eaten?” Baek Saheon asked in the most polite tone ever. And that caused one of Kim Soleum’s brows to rise.

Indeed, it was surprising that Baek Saheon was acting like that—but how could he give up on such a priceless item?

Also, it would be bad if Kim Soleum had lost interest in Baek Saheon during his disappearance.

Kim Soleum, his lifeline, was back, and Baek Saheon had no reason to let go of this chance.

“Sure, I look forward to trying your food, Baek Saheon-ah,” Kim Soleum finally said, with a glint of amusement—and something else.

Baek Saheon didn’t think too hard about this. Instead, he got up and made his way to the kitchen, ready to cook the best food that bastard had ever eaten. He would make this man fall in love with his cooking if he didn’t fall in love with Baek Saheon himself.

Kim Soleum was surprised, to say the least. He was contemplating what to do during his paid leave when suddenly the viper knelt before him. And asked, in a rather sickeningly sweet tone that made Kim Soleum’s skin crawl—but also made his heart beat faster—if he wanted to eat.

Now Kim Soleum would have said no, but he was curious. He knew there was a high chance that Baek Saheon was going to poison him. But who in their right mind would refuse their crush’s home-cooked food?

Also, it had been a really long time since he last ate a home-cooked meal made by someone else.

Kim Soleum really missed his mother’s cooking. He didn’t remember how it tasted, but he did remember the warm feeling in his chest whenever his mom cooked for him.

And Baek Saheon is not stupid enough to poison a psycho’s food unless he wants to die, Kim Soleum tries to reason with himself. Furthermore, how can Baek Saheon poison him if Kim Soleum is keeping an eye on him?

Standing up, Kim Soleum makes his way to the kitchen where Baek Saheon is washing his hands.

He was still wearing his work suit. A frown made its way to Kim Soleum’s face.

“Are you going to cook in your suit?”

At that, Baek Saheon flinches. “Sorry, sir. I will go change.”

Like a kitten, the man flees from Kim Soleum.

Cute.

With a small smile, Kim Soleum looked at the current ingredients Baek Saheon had put on the counter.

Some leftover rice, kimchi, and soybean sprouts.

Well, Kim Soleum was now looking forward to the meal. Sitting at the small dining table facing the kitchen, he waited for Baek Saheon to return.

It didn’t take long for him to return in much more comfortable clothes—a T-shirt and sweatpants.

Kim Soleum was also wearing an anime T-shirt with knee-length shorts. 

Baek Saheon seemed to hesitate when he noticed Kim Soleum sitting at the dining table.

But Kim Soleum ignored him and stared at his phone, reading DER once again. 

It had become a daily habit—reading DER and memorizing everything he could. So if one day he might not be able to access his phone, at least Kim Soleum would remember some records.

But he was not fully concentrating on it. His attention was on Baek Saheon.

Baek Saheon was fully focused on the cooking; his usually tense shoulders were relaxed. Kim Soleum has never seen Bake Saheon in such a state. 

And he wanted to see this more.

It seems Baek Saheon liked cooking. Well, it can be relaxing, especially baking. Kim Soleum can bake really well for some reason.

Maybe he can bake something for Baek Saheon. He should do it tomorrow. Kim Soleum had been wondering what to do during his leave. Now he would make delicious, mouthwatering pastries and baked goods.

The sizzling from the kimchi in the pan plays in the background. Kim Soleum’s attention is fully on Baek Sahoen’s back. The records have been long forgotten.

After a while Kim Soleum notices the aroma in the kitchen. The delicious smell causes Kim Soleum’s stomach to rumble.

Good thing Bake Saheon didn't hear him because of the loud sizzling, or Kim Soleum would have died from embarrassment.

He wasn’t even hungry when Bake Saheon had asked if he wanted to eat. But now he could feel how empty his stomach was.

He couldn’t wait for the food. 

The food came 20 minutes later. And Kim Soleum couldn’t help but feel like they were the most agonizing 20 minutes of his life. 

But finally Baek Saheon placed the dishes on the small table. Fried kimchi rice and bean sprouts and scrambled eggs as side dishes. 

It was rather simple, but because it was simple, that made Kim Soleum’s heart stutter. 

A simple home-cooked meal.

He would have cried if Baek Saheon weren't here. 

Composing himself, Kim Soleum grabbed the chopsticks. 

Hmm? Why is he still standing there?

Kim Soleum looked at Bake Saheon, who was standing with a frown on his face. Like he was contemplating something. Bake Saehon kept looking at the food and then at his room.

Kim Soleum would have let him go, but he hasn’t seen Baek Saheon for the last two days. 

He kind of missed this bastard.

“Sit and eat," Kim Soleum said, and then he looked back at the food, but Kim Soleum didn’t start eating until Baek Saehon sat and grabbed his chopsticks. 

The food was slightly hot, so after blowing on it, Kim Soleum took his first bite.

And it was good. The tangy, spicy, slightly sweet food immediately exploded on his tongue. It was really nostalgic, reminding him of home.

Kim Soleum savored every bite like it was his last. Who knows when Baek Saheon will once again suggest making him food?

Baek Saheon did not know if the food was entering through his mouth or his nose; he was silently watching Kim Soleum.

What if he doesn’t like the food? This might be my last meal.

But then he noticed the eyes soften. Those usually cold eyes looked like they had some warmth in them.

Baek Saheon didn’t stare for long; he didn’t want to get caught, or Kim Soleum might just gauge his only remaining eye out for staring.

So he looked back at the food he cooked and took another bite. It was good; well, Baek Saheon has been good at cooking.

Unlike his sister. He still remembers when the elders began telling his sister to begin acting like a proper woman. Doing household chores, cooking, and the like. 

But his sister was not good at it and would always get punished. Baek Saheon, no longer wanting to see his sister in a bad mood and eat almost burnt food, could no longer take it. He began helping her in secret.

That’s where he picked his skills in cooking from. Baek Saheon's sister was bad at cooking, but Baek Saheon was much better at it. After that his sister would secretly help Baek Saheon sneak into the kitchen, and then Baek Saheon would cook. His sister would also help; she was good at cutting vegetables so Baek Saheon wouldn’t have to make a meal for more than 5 people alone. 

After his sister’s…

Well, Baek Saheon would sneak into the kitchen and just sit in the corner for long times. 

But he couldn’t continue like this. So he began cooking when his parents slept or were working.

His cooking skills improved, and after he moved to the city, Baek Saheon would cook when he had time. 

Now he was cooking for his roommate. A psychopath. Whom he has been trying to seduce. 

And cooking, for some unknown reason, has been working. 

It has been three days. And Baek Saheon has been making breakfast and dinner for Kim Soleum. 

For some reason, Kim Soleum has become much better. His eyes had softened, and Kim Soleum was no longer tormenting him. Okay, he was still tormenting him, but it had lessened.

Baek Saheon was happy with the situation. His cooking was working. And his other strategies were also working.

For example, while cooking, he would ask Kim Soleum to open a jar or act like he can’t reach something from a high shelf.

Of course Baek Saheon is capable of doing everything, but Kim Soleum looked so amused when he easily opened the jar and gave it to Baek Saheon.

He also wore light clothes to look soft. And Kim Soleum would always stare at him with a softening gaze and something else. Definitely not affection.