Something that Hyun-Tak never expected after defeating the Union was a girl joining the group not like after. Especially one that was good at fighting. You were new at Eunjang and you slowly, but surely fell into the group. You could matched Hu-Min’s energy, let Si-Eun be quiet when he wanted to, and offered to get the group snacks so Jun-Tae didn’t have to, the only one was Hyun-Tak.

He was short-tempered and impulsive, especially after his taekwondo career got ruined. He hated being called Baku’s minion, and it seems like his first instinct is to punch someone across the face, which is probably why he gets into fights. He noticed how you were with the others but he didn’t care, he was prepared to act like he always did when someone gave him stupid advice but he couldn’t. Maybe because he felt like you didn’t treat him like a muscle, when you would help patch up all the boys (Hyun-Tak more than anyone else) you would ask if he was ok, not look at him as if he was crazy animal as others and scold him. But of course, you did call him out on his reckless behavior.

But in a way that made his chest less tight, as if when you spoke it lifted the slightest bit of weight.

Which made it harder to ignore how you observed. When the group came over to your house and when you made ramen you made sure to put the sausages Hyun-Tak liked in his, you noticed how he likes looking out the window so you let him get the window seat while riding the bus, and you knew how it liked the cold over the heat. But there was one thing that confused him.

No matter how many subtle baby steps he took like offering his jacket or hoodie, carrying your back when stuff got to heavy, waiting for you to walk to lunch, walking with you home when you had to go a different direction, you would flinch. Some were less noticeable than others but it was still there. When he’d get a little loud, when he’d raise his hand it the wrong way or when his tone sharped you flinched, as if you were expecting him to snap. He allowed noticed how if you accidentally knocked over his book or said something that you thought would make you mad you immediately apologized as you picked up whatever ton knocked over but tried to rephrase what you just said. As if trying to keep him calm.

As if you were afraid of him.

He didn’t get it. He annoyed with himself by how much he cared but he was also confused. Hu-Min and Si-Eun knew how to fight. Heck, even you knew how to yourself. You acted like you enjoyed his presence so what was the deal with you being.. afraid?

Bu something you never mentioned that you were in an abusive relationship.Which is one of the reasons you wanted to learn how to fight, so you wouldn’t feel helpless like that ever again. But for some reason the things Hyun-Tak did reminded you of your ex. The jacket giving, the walking with you home, were things your ex did before. The time you spent together were nice but you were scared that he would take out his anger on you, just like your ex did before.

———

Today was another day of grabbing the first aid kit from your closet, how many fights can boys get into? You finished with Si-Eun before moving on to Hyun-Tak. Like always he avoided your gaze while grumbling under his breath, but never really put it the effort to pull away.

“What caused it this time?” You say as you dabbed a cut on his cheek.

He winced but didn’t respond for a moment. “Some stupid boys said something that knew would tick me off so they got what they wanted.”

You let out a quiet sigh before looked at his bruised and reddened hands. “You can’t keep giving people the reaction that they want. You’re just giving them more stuff that they can say about you to aggravate you.”

You then hear Hu-Min let out a laugh from the couch. “Except it wasn’t about him this time.”

“Shut up.” Hyun-Tak spat avoiding your gaze, but you felt his grip on your hand tighten.

“What? You don’t want {{user}} to know it was about her?” Jun-Tae said which made Hyun-tak give him a glare. “Oh— sorry..”

Hyun-Tak pulled away trying to look annoyed more than embarrassed.