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“We’re never going to get along.”
Jake had said it carelessly. Easily. As if he knew it to be a fact long before Samuel even crossed paths with him. And that had been fine by Samuel. He didn’t want to get along anyway. He’d originally come looking for Jake Kim to kick his ass.
The most Samuel does is tolerate people. The only way he gets along with anyone is if he wants something from them. And he doesn't want anything from Jake Kim. Jake has nothing to offer him. Nothing that would benefit Samuel. No power or money or anything really. Not even anything tangible that he can put his hands on. Nothing but Jake himself, of course.
But Samuel doesn't want him.
So it boils down to this: Samuel did not want to get along with Jake Kim because to Samuel that would be like wanting him. And even if he’d wanted to - which he hadn't - he wouldn’t have been allowed to.
Because no one is allowed to want Jake Kim.
You can respect him. You can admire him. But you can’t want him. It's a silent understanding. Doesn't need to be said.
But Samuel was never one for following the rules.
And even if he had been, Jake never gave him a fair chance.
Since Jake kissed him that day in the alley while trying to escape The Black Bear Gang, Samuel hasn't been able to stop thinking about it. It's been weeks since the incident - but it's still at the forefront of Samuel's mind.
A lot has happened since then. They're officially a part of Big Deal now. Samuel has climbed the ranks - all the way up to No. 3. Calls some shots. Keeps the men in line.
Most of them anyway, if you don't count Jerry, Brad, and Jason. Despite Samuel being a higher rank, they still only answer to Jake. Which is how they've ended up on the run again.
This time around is inevitable.
They did their duty. Protected the street. But then three vans drove up packed with Black Bear Gang members and that was a no no. And after the last time where the six of them ended up surrounded and kidnapped and almost tossed into Black Bear, it was better to go back.
Last time they were just kids claiming to be part of Big Deal. This time they are Big Deal.
And like last time, Jake had grabbed him by the collar and prompted him to run.
And like last time, Jake is laughing - his voice carrying in the air as they run down the street.
Unlike last time, night has already fallen. The street lights and storefronts illuminating the streets.
And unlike last time, they pass the alley way. Jake doesn't grab his arm. He doesn't tug Samuel into the direction of the alley.
This time, they head right to the roof of the Gangseo Cinema. And Samuel, despite his better judgment, follows Jake.
He can't say why. Jake is an idiot.
Samuel stops running as they make it to the roof, glancing around to note that they are the first ones to make it. Last time, they were the last two.
"There is no way you thought hiding out up here again would be our best bet," Samuel scoffs with a shake of his head. This is where they'd gotten surrounded and kidnapped last time they had to make a mad dash to escape The Black Bear Gang.
Surely the idiot hasn't forgotten that?
"They wouldn't think we would come hide here again," Jake responds as he leans over the edge of the roof, glancing down at the street below.
Samuel sighs and pulls out his lighter and his carton of cigarettes. He sure hopes The Black Bear Gang thinks they're smarter than they actually are.
"Doesn't this remind you of last time, Sammy?" Jake asks, disrupting Samuel's thoughts.
"What?" Samuel glances up at Jake as he shoves the carton back into his coat pocket, a cigarette between his fingers.
"Last time we had to make a run for it," Jake clarifies, turning to face Samuel. "I got us out of that one too. You suck at escaping."
Samuel huffs and rolls his eyes, "Cause I'm not a coward."
"Knowing when to fall back is not being a coward," Jake chastises lightly, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's called self-preservation and being smart."
Samuel waves a hand dismissively, "Call it what you want." He turns his attention to his lighter, igniting his cigarette.
"You really just love to fight," Jake shakes his head, the playful grin still present on his features. "Gotta learn to pick your battles, Sammy."
"Don't have to pick any if I win them all," Samuel retorts dryly, taking a drag from his cigarette. "And that's not my name."
"Not all battles can be won swinging fists," Jake points out matter-of-factly, wagging a finger in front of him as if he's actually trying to lecture Samuel. "Some involve analyzing your opponent and quick thinking."
Samuel scoffs, pointing his lit cigarette towards the other teen, "If I recall, we ran into a dead end. Commendable quick thinking."
Jake at least has the sense to glance away and reach up to rub the back of his neck, a sheepish smile replacing his previous grin, "No, that wasn't my finest idea," he admits. He stops rubbing the back of his neck then, head tilting to the side before his gaze flickers up to meet Samuel's, "But kissing you was."
Samuel feels his heart jump up into his throat. He didn't think Jake would actually bring it up again. Because ever since that day - it had never been brought up. Not by Jake and certainly not by Samuel. Jake had seemed unbothered, as if he'd completely forgotten it had even happened, while Samuel would toss and turn every night thinking about the feel of Jake's lips against his own.
"Admit it, thanks to my quick wits, I got us out of there in one piece," Jake continues, as if he hadn't just brought up the secret kiss. Except it's not really a secret - but they had sure both acted like it had been. They had both walked out of the alley with a silent understanding that it won't be brought up again. Yet here is Jake, just casually bringing it up. "Got us out of this one too."
Samuel takes a little too long to respond - his brain trying to keep up with Jake's assertion. He takes another drag of his cigarette and scoffs as he asks, "What quick thinking got us out of trouble this time?"
Jake just dragged him into running and they made their way up here onto the roof of the cinema. Nothing happened.
Jake blinks at him before a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, "Did you want another kiss, Samuel?"
Samuel almost drops his cigarette, "What?" And maybe Samuel should have taken another moment to properly think through Jake's words because how did they get here and why is Jake asking him that?
"Did you want me to drag you into the alley back there?" Jake asks as he moves away from the edge of the roof and steps closer to Samuel.
Samuel stares at Jake. Is Jake... trying to make a move on him? Or is Samuel completely reading this all wrong? Samuel isn't sure - but he's eager regardless. For what? And maybe a little nervous too. Why?
"You're the one with the quick wits," Samuel responds quietly. Positively. "It's your call."
Jake smiles. He's standing right in front of him. If Samuel were to take another drag of his cigarette, he'd blow the smoke out into Jake's face. If he'd wanted Jake to back up, he would have said so by now. Would have probably shoved him back too. And Jake must know that. Must know that Samuel is allowing him to be in his personal space. Is daring him, even.
And Jake does take the unspoken dare. He leans in, just enough that he can pull back if Samuel doesn't reciprocate. Just enough that Samuel can close the space between them if he wanted to.
Samuel wants to.
Cause maybe a part of Samuel does want them to get along.
So Samuel leans in. They kiss. Nothing grand. Nothing spectacular as far as second kisses go. A chaste press of lips that barely lasts more than five seconds.
But it sure feels heavier than their first kiss. Maybe the word Samuel is looking for is meaningful. Because this time something definitely shifted between them. And this time it wasn't due to some half-baked idea from Jake's part - but something they both wanted.
And as Samuel looks into Jake's eyes, he knows the other teen felt it too.
The sound of huffing and footsteps coming up the stairs prompts the two teens to take a few steps back from each other. Samuel brings the cigarette back up to his mouth as Brad and Jason come up onto the roof, Jerry in tow.
Jake, for his part, tries to appear nonchalant as he runs a hand through his hair, but his shy gaze keeps flickering back to Samuel. With the lights coming up from the streets below, it's hard to make out the flush of his cheeks, but Samuel can tell.
Yeah, Jake never gave him a fair chance.
But that's ok, because Samuel was never one for following the rules anyway.