NIGHTS → KWON HYUK #Wattys2017

FOUR

4 months prior ...

KRYSTAL JUNG rests her back against the doorframe as she listens to her neighbors argue, for the fifth time that week. So much for happily engaged.

"-out late claiming you're at the studio when you're probably out screwing some bitch!"

"It's not like that Jiyoon and you know it!"

Krystal lets out a small laugh at this. Did she know it? Clearly not since she was accusing him of infidelity. The dark haired girl jumps when she hears the door across from her slam open and she's not sure what possesses her to do it, but Krystal opens her own door. She's greeted with the sight of her neighbor's fiancée with an overnight bag on her shoulder and him trailing behind her, seemingly trying to get her to stay. Pathetic. Upon noticing Krystal standing in the doorway, Jiyoon glares at her.

"You were probably right next door screwing this slut. I wouldn't put it past you or her." She sneers, pointing a freshly manicured finger at the dark haired girl before jerking her thumb back at her Fiancé. Krystal ignores her, instead directing her attention towards Hyuk who looks stressed beyond measures, bags lining his eyes and hair wild as he stares at Jiyoon pleadingly.

"Are you okay?" Krystal asks him but then Jiyoon rolls her eyes in annoyance before storming off angrily, and of course, Hyuk follows.

"Jiyoon wait-"

"Save it, Hyuk! I knew you were screwing that fucking whore! No wonder she's always looking at you!"

Krystal turns and heads back into her own apartment then, slamming the door closed behind her. Her neighbor, Hyuk apparently his name was, was so very fucking pathetic. She just hoped one day he would realize it before it was too late.

†  †  †

"Where are the rest of my clothes, Hyuk?"

"I... threw them out."

"You did what? You can't just throw my things out because you're mad at me-"

"I'm a little more than just mad at you. I'm fucking pissed, Jiyoon! But I haven't even let it show yet because I'm so fucking hurt that I can't even be mad at your ass-"

"That doesn't give you the right to throw my shit away!"

Krystal listens to what sounds like glass breaking and dishes shattering. Jiyoon really was a crazy bitch with a really short temper. But luckily, Krystal was even crazier. After stubbing out the remains of her cigarette, she tightens the belt of her silk robe and yanks her front door open, stepping into the hall before pulling the door open to her neighbor's apartment.

"I didn't throw them away." Hyuk tells Jiyoon rather calmly for someone with a woman ready to throw a vase at his head.

"If you'd didn't, then who the fuck did-"

"That would be me."

The silence that ensues is deadly, as Jiyoon turns to face her, jaw clenched in anger before she hurls the vase at the dark haired woman. Krystal doesn't even flinch, even when the glass shatters on the doorframe beside her. Instead, she tilts her head to the side as she addresses Hyuk's fiancée.

"If you want the rest of your things Jiyoon you can try one of the dumpsters downstairs, though I think you'll have a hard time collecting ashes." She says quietly, though the words seem to resonate in the otherwise silent apartment.

"You-" Jiyoon starts, turning her heated gaze towards her Fiancé, "- let that fucking whore come into our home and burn my things? I guess I was right, you two really are fucking around behind my back."

Hyuk has the decency to look guilty and Krystal hates that she makes him wear such an expression. But she's also happy he didn't deny the claim. Maybe he was finally starting to realize that he deserved better.

"You look hurt Jiyoon, almost as hurt as Hyuk must have felt finding out that his Fiancé was getting fingered by her best friend every other day behind his back."

"Y-You don't get to speak on what I've done. You let greasy, old men cum in your face for a few bucks like the cheap slut you are." Jiyoon retorts angrily, the veins in her neck popping out as she strains her voice.

Krystal isn't even remotely phased. She hadn't been lying that day she told Hyuk she'd heard it all. So of course it didn't hurt to hear it over again- she was used to it. That and nothing Jiyoon said could hurt her, because she didn't hold an ounce of respect for the other woman. So why should she care about Jiyoon's opinion of her? Krystal knew who she was, and she knew what she did- she didn't run from herself anymore. She stopped doing that years ago.

Still, Jiyoon's words had struck something in her, and it made Krystal think- just what the hell was she doing? But then she catches glimpse of Hyuk, who's face is buried in his hands as if wishing he were anywhere else, and she feels her heart do that stupid thing. That thing that makes her step over broken glass and make her way towards him. She ignores Jiyoon's heated glare watching them wearily as she removes his hands obscuring his face gently.

"Remember what I told you." She reminds him, voice softer than usual as she cradles his face in her hands, telling him firmly, "You're better than this, you're better than her."

Hyuk stares at her somberly, looking more exhausted than she's ever seen him. She wondered if Jiyoon knew how badly she broke him. But that was the thing- she didn't care, that much was evident when Krystal released her grip on Hyuk's face and turns only to come  face to face with a smirking Jiyoon, She must have thought Hyuk's silence was a personal victory for her and maybe it was. Maybe once Krystal left he'd turn around and start begging for Jiyoon to stay.

She wouldn't be surprised if he did. But she decides to place her upmost faith into his hands as she brushes past Jiyoon, knocking her shoulder against the shorter girls in the process. She makes sure to close the door behind her, before heading back into her own apartment. When she gets there, she collapses onto the floor and for the first time in years- Krystal wonders.

She wonders why good people like Hyuk begged for people like Jiyoon to love them when they always hurt them in the process. Was he afraid of being alone? Krystal has been alone for the last six years, no matter how many people entered her apartment each month, no matter how many people told her they loved her only to end up hurting her. She's been alone, but she's okay, she thinks. And maybe one day she'd be able to teach Hyuk how to be alone and be okay as well. But first, he had to save himself.

Krystal laughs at the thought, reaching a shaky hand into her robe pocket to pull out a cigarette, lighting it and taking a drawn out puff. She laughs once more while rings of smoke creep from her mouth.

It seemed that was going to take much longer than she thought, but she had faith, faith in Kwon Hyuk, who she barely even knew but already believed in so strongly. It said a lot too, because Krystal Jung didn't believe in anyone, and as pathetic as it sounded- not even herself.