Title: Grapevine
Fandom: Chief Kim
Rating: G
Length: ~720 words
Note: Seo Yul/Kim Sung-Ryong.
Summary: “I think Seo Yul’s going to call you, but he’s nervous,” said Ha-Kyung.


“I think Seo Yul’s going to call you, but he’s nervous,” said Ha-Kyung. They were having coffee in the café near TQ, catching up on news of the ongoing changes at the corporation under its new management team, and the launch of Sung-Ryong’s nightclub, Dome, but this prediction came out of the blue.

“Nervous why?” Sung-Ryong laughed at the absurdity. He hadn’t seen or heard from Seo Yul since the team’s celebratory dinner a month ago. If Yul wanted to keep in touch, surely he would have.

Ha-Kyung pressed her lips together and shook her head, as if there were some big secret she couldn’t share. “Just promise you won’t make fun of him.”

“But—” Teasing Yul was one of the great pleasures in life. But Ha-Kyung looked oddly solemn. “I promise,” said Sung-Ryong reluctantly.


*


Choo Nam-Ho called. “If Seo Yul calls you, be kind, all right?”

“I’m always kind.” Sung-Ryong felt a little hurt. Was everyone talking about him behind his back? Did they all think he was an asshole?

“You’re always kind underneath,” corrected Nam Ho. “Just make an effort to be kind on the surface too.”

“To Yul?” Why did Yul even need kindness? Sung-Ryong was mystified. “Uh, yeah. Sure.”


*


Gwang-Sook and Sang-Tae came to the nightclub one evening, arriving early so they could have a drink with Sung-Ryong before it got too loud to talk. “It’s our three month dating anniversary,” said Gwang-Sook, snuggling into Sang-Tae’s side.

Sang-Tae filled her glass and Sung-Ryong’s.

“That reminds me, you have to be careful of Seo Yul,” added Gwang-Sook.

“Not you too! Why is everyone obsessed with Seo Yul? I haven’t heard from him. Not even a text message.” It was two weeks since Ha-Kyung had said Yul would call, and Sung-Ryong was keeping his phone within reach at all times. Apparently their obsession was contagious.

“You know you can be a little careless of people sometimes,” said Gwang-Sook, as if she hadn’t heard him. “You don’t want him to turn evil again.”

Maybe it was the music or the alcohol, but none of this made sense. “He won’t turn evil again. Ha-Kyung won’t let him.”

Sang-Tae tilted his head. “Yoon Ha-Kyung?”

“Isn’t she dating Yul?” Sung-Ryong had just assumed. She’d been the first one to mention him.

Gwang-Sook and Sang-Tae exchanged glances, then turned back to him. “They’re not dating.”

“Okay, what is going on?” Sung-Ryong folded his arms. Everyone was in on some secret except him.

But the nightclub had filled up while they’d been talking, and just then a song started that made Gwang-Sook squeal. “We have to dance to this. See you later!” She grabbed Sang-Tae’s wrist and dragged him to the dancefloor.

Sung-Ryong just watched them go.


*


Of course, he could call Yul himself. He went into the backroom where the liquor was stacked and scrolled through his contacts until his finger hovered over Seo Yul’s name. (Actually, the contact still read “Gluttonous Sociopath Seo Yul”.) But the interventions of his friends had made what should be a normal interaction into something complicated and perilous. What if he said the wrong thing and Seo Yul never talked to him again? Maybe it was better to wait and let Yul come to him when he was ready. If he ever was.


*


The next evening Seo Yul himself showed up at his apartment.

Sung-Ryong stared, dumbstruck: Yul was carefully groomed even by Yul’s standards, in a crisp suit, not a hair out of place, and standing straight and tense. He was bearing a bouquet of brightly coloured flowers. And he really did seem nervous.

Sung-Ryong couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing.

Yul scowled and lowered the flowers to his side. “I knew you’d laugh at me.”

Sung-Ryong caught his breath. “I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at literally everyone but you.”

But Yul was already taking a step back.

“I swear.” Sung-Ryong took the flowers before Yul could retract them, then grabbed Yul’s wrist for good measure. “I’m not laughing at you.”

“I don’t know why I thought this was a good idea,” muttered Yul.

Sung-Ryong swallowed several teasing replies. Yul’s pulse was racing under his fingertips, and his own heart began speeding to match. “It’s a good idea,” he said. “A really good idea. Why don’t you come inside.”


END