Happenstance

BOYSHIT

Korn was sitting by himself in the bar. It wasn't just any bar, but the one he and his friends usually went to. Also, where Wai worked. But Korn had decided to ignore that fact and ignored the latter altogether as he drank drink after drink.

Tonight, he was feeling gloomy, something hot brooding under his skin. He couldn't explain it. Perhaps it was because his best friend, Pat, was currently at the hospital after being shot by a mad man to defend Wai. Perhaps it was because Wai, for once, seemed genuinely preoccupied with Pat's condition. Apparently, he even helped with the police's case, giving the officers the CCTV videos necessary to innocent Korn's friend. Or perhaps it was because some guys on the other side of the bar were poking fun at Wai, and the latter wasn't doing anything to defend himself. And that, Korn, could not explain.

He knew Wai for a while. They practically grew up together. That's also how he came to dislike him so profoundly. And Korn knew how hot-headed Wai was, how he could barely control his temper. So, he couldn't explain his placidity as he let the guys at the table walk all over him.

From where Korn sat, he could clearly see Wai's void expression as he kneeled to clean the beer one of the guys had spilt on the floor. To Korn, it looked a lot like a déja-vu.

Korn drank the rest of his drink, slightly grimacing at the bitterness. He wiped his mouth, watching how Wai had his head down as he walked back to the bar's counter.

A new wave of anger hit Korn in the stomach, and he almost threw his glass against the wall. He didn't because that would mean more work for Wai. And it would probably get him expulsed from the place too.

He groaned internally, throwing murdering looks at the guys still loudly chatting and drinking instead.

He stared at his empty glass, wondering if he should get another or go home. None of his friends was here or planning to join. Pat was at the hospital, Pran with him, and the rest of the group dealt with revision for the upcoming exams. Only Korn had decided to go for drinks.

And he had no idea why exactly. Especially when he too had upcoming exams. He should be studying, not brooding in the shadows of a bar.

Sighing, he glanced up, peeking at Wai to see what he was doing.

The other man was serving new clients and had a forced smile on his face. Korn had noticed that since the accident - that's how he had decided to call what happened to Pat - the other had looked tired, his face duller than usual. Not that Korn had spent enough time observing Wai to know about his looks, but he knew enough to know that Wai's skin was pristine and bright. That his hair usually shone lustrously under the sunlight, giving his brown hair a copper glow. He also knew that his dark eyes were brilliant and lively and not surrounded by dark circles like now. The more Korn's eyes stayed on Wai, the more he noticed that the latter looked tired, exhausted even.

It bothered Korn that now Wai looked so close to crying all the time. It bothered him so much that he was now sitting in the bar where Wai worked, by himself, staring at the other man, pondering what he should do precisely with this confession.

It wasn't Korn's habit to be dishonest with himself and his feelings. When, in tenth grade, he had come to realise that when that boy was holding his hand, he felt good, and he wanted to do it again; he hadn't tried to bury the feeling. Or, when he had kissed that boy in the club during his freshman year, he had been fine with it. As fine as when he went on dates with girls. He had never been ashamed of who he was. Never.

Plus, Pat had never allowed him to be ashamed. His best friend was always making sure he felt accepted no matter what.

But, he had always hated Wai. Not just dislike him. No, he despised him. And Wai loathed him too. They were enemies, nemesis, or whatever. They didn't like each other. The many fights they got into with each other were proof enough of their hostility. So, why was Korn so bothered seeing those guys messing with Wai?

It didn't make sense, and the more he thought about it, the hotter he got, his blood rushing through his veins. He was looking for a good ol' fight, now.

Yeah, that was what he needed right now.

So, when the guys called for another round of what they were drinking, Wai came to serve them (because obviously, it had to be him again). Unsurprisingly, the guys started messing with him. Korn stood up from his seat and quickly walked to their table, pushing Wai out of his way.

"Got a problem?" One of the guys asked, his tone snappy but slurring on his words, too drunk to even talk properly.

Korn smirked. He was going to have some fun. He completely ignored Wai's utterly shocked expression and his attempts at making him leave.

"You're too loud. It's fucking annoying," Korn said, his voice dripping with contempt.

His smirk widened when he got the expected reaction. The guys were getting louder in their attempts to make him understand that he was annoying or whatever. Korn couldn't care less. He was just waiting for the fatal 'let's take this outside'.

It came faster than he would have thought when one of the guys - the tallest and broadest, but Korn wasn't afraid - stood up and grabbed him by the collar, spewing threats at his face.

Finally, he thought as he told the man to meet outside. Before walking away, he shoved him away, freeing his poor shirt from his grip.

Surprisingly, Wai was right behind him, a scowl on his face.

"Hell, no," Wai suddenly exclaimed, grabbing his wrinkled shirt before he could step out. "You're not going to fight! Not now, and not during my fucking shift!"

Korn stupidly stared at the other, who was still holding his shirt.

"What's wrong with you? Why do you care if I fight anyway?" He managed to say despite his shock.

Wai's face sobered at his words, but he didn't let go.

"I don't care if you fight, you moron," he spat out. "But you're not going to fight in front of the bar. Bad reputation for us." He said as an explanation.

Korn snorted, jerking his hand away from him.

"Well, too bad for your stupid bar, but I won't back down now. I'm not a coward."

Wai very openly groaned at his words. He looked even more tired now, and Korn wanted to shake him.

"Gosh! Whatever! If you get hurt like your friend, then that's on you!" He yelled before turning away and marching to the counter.

It took Korn a moment to process what Wai had said, but he almost wanted to pull out of this fight when he did. He was suddenly worried because what if that guy outside had a gun? And what if he shot? And what if he was unlucky? And what was it with Wai worrying about this for him? Was he worried about him?

He scoffed at his own thoughts, finding them ridiculous. Wai hated his guts. He loathed him more than he had ever despised Pat. Korn had proof of that, one of them was the scar above his right eyebrow. It was Wai who had given it. A solid right hook. He didn't care about Korn's safety; he only cared about this stupid place and his job.

Exasperated at his own thoughts, Korn rushed outside, where the guy and his friends waited.

Yeah, tonight, he needed some action. No matter what Wai was saying or not saying. Who cared anyway?

Here's the first chapter! Don't forget to comment (so I know what you thought of the chapter!) and like!

I haven't checked for spelling mistakes yet, so I apologised if there's any!

Muck love, A~