Dlbn: Hello everyone! Since Last update, I've gotten the flu twice, a stomach bug, been in the hospital twice, went to an awesome anime con (which is where the second flu came from) and been going through excruciating back pain.

Nbld: So, we obviously haven't been updating. Oops.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, auntie and uncle, and some names. Everyone/everything canon to Killing Stalking belongs to Koogi. I'm going to go see if there's an update yet. Probably not. You enjoy!

000

Bum hated the rain. The school buses were his own personal hell, so he was left to walk home for forty-five minutes. When it rained, it made his walk home that much more miserable; the bus was almost a better option. At least it wasn't snow, he thought about a month after the new kid showed up. Still, he stood on the front steps of the school under the awning to prevent himself from getting wet. He looked around, hoping maybe Seungbae or Kyung would see him and offer him a ride, since he knew Seungbae drove.

"Ugh, this rain's going to destroy my hair." Jieun complained as she exited the school. "I'm so glad you drive, babe."

"Yeah, me too…" The new guy responded.

It was well established after about a week and a half that they were together. Since no one really talked about him, and Jieun only ever called him pet names, Bum had no idea what his real first name was. It was annoying, but he'd had no reason to need to know it. It wasn't like they had classes together or anything.

"Oh, look. It's Bum." Jieun dragged him over. "What are you doing? Staring like some kind of creeper?"

"I'm looking for Seungbae and Kyung…" Bum replied softly, looking away when she got in his face.

"Why?" She asked. "Oh, right, you walk home like an idiot and don't want to be caught in the rain. How silly of me. Well, enjoy standing here all night while I'm getting a nice warm ride home from my boyfriend. Right, babe? You're going to bring me home?"

"I guess." He replied.

"What do you mean you guess?" She gaped.

"I'm kidding...relax…" He put an arm around her waist. "How far do you have to walk?"

"Forty-five..."

"Who cares?" Jieun interrupted. "I know you're new around here, honey, but Bum is kind of the biggest loser the school has to offer." She made an L on her forehead with her fingers. "Isn't that right, Bum?" She pinched his cheek.

He pushed her hand away. "Come on, Jieun, I don't want to deal with this...you've left me alone since he came here...can't you just ignore me again…?"

She pouted. "God, you're no fun. Stopped being fun a long time ago. Boring."

Bum rolled his eyes. "You just say that because I'm not your personal errand boy anymore." He accused. "Can you just take her away, so she'll leave me alone...please…?"

Her boyfriend cocked an eyebrow. "Errand boy?" He asked. "Come on, Jieun, he wants to be left alone. Don't be mean."

"Oh, stop it. You're silly." She giggled at him.

"Once again, I didn't say anything funny..."

"Well, have fun walking home in the rain. Alone. Just like you'll always be. Alone."

"Thanks for the free clairvoyance." Bum rolled his eyes again. "I should put in a good word for you, hang posters or something. Get the word out."

"You should. Make yourself useful for once." Jieun giggled. "Though that would require a photo of me, and I wouldn't want to give you something to fantasize over." She poked his chest. "Oh, wait...you're not into women...I forgot." She flipped her hand around.

"I'm not…" Bum sighed in frustration. "I'm not gay, Jieun. I'm not attracted to anyone, alright? I don't like other people…"

"And other people don't like you. Feeling's mutual."

"I'm glad you speak on behalf of everyone. Saves them the time and effort."

"I'm just a nice person like that." She pat his shoulder. "If you'd stayed on my good side, you'd have known that, too."

"I wasn't aware you had a good side."

Her boyfriend snickered, stopping and whistling innocently when he realized she noticed and glared at him. Bum gave a small smile. For being with Jieun, he was a decent guy. At least, he seemed like one. Then again, he could be doing what Jieun did as a kid and trying to get him to let his guard down. The idea twisted Bum's stomach into an ugly knot.

"I should get going…" He muttered, starting down the stairs.

"You want a ride?"

"Huh?" Bum looked back up at the couple. "M…Me…?"

"Yeah."

"Hold on a second." Jieun complained. "Babe, he's a loser. It would kill our reputations to be seen with him!"

"Wouldn't it also destroy your good citizenship for the squad to ignore a classmate in obviously desperate need?" He asked her, tilting his head sideways. "Come on, it's just one ride. It can't hurt. I'd feel bad; making him walk that long in this..."

"I-I don't need…"

"He's right, he doesn't!" Jieun huffed. "Honey, it's really cute that you think it's a good idea, but it's not. Just pretend you didn't see him; that's what everyone else does."

"Well, I'm not everyone else."

"If you two are going to fight over it; don't." Bum told the new guy, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "I can make it home. If the rain gets too much, I'll hide out in a shop."

"See? He's got a plan. Let it go." Jieun complained. "And by it, I mean him."

"Hey!" Bum shouted.

The boyfriend rolled his eyes. "Don't be so mean, Jieun. Just this once. Please? So, I don't feel like an asshole for not helping?"

"Fine, if it makes you feel better…"

The boy smiled. "My car's this way. Silver Toyota."

Bum waited until they passed and followed at a decent distance. Jieun quickly climbed into the passenger seat and threw her bag behind the driver's side. He took that as his cue to get in behind her and did so. The car roared to life and the boy hastily backed out of his spot so fast that Bum fell over, not having a chance to put on his seatbelt. He fixed himself and buckled up.

"Drop me off first." Jieun stated, checking her phone. "Mom needs me."

"Alright." He nodded. "Do you mind, Bum…?"

"No…she probably wants to get away from me anyway."

"That wouldn't be wrong, no." She giggled annoyingly and adjusted her hair in the mirror hidden in the visor. "But when I tell you to, close your eyes. I don't want you knowing where I live."

"I don't care where you live, Jieun."

"Good. Because I don't want you knowing."

Her boyfriend sent Bum a sympathetic look in the rearview mirror that made his heart stop. Oh god, he was not attracted to Jieun's boyfriend. No way.

"Close um!" She whipped around to make sure he did, staring at the closed-eyed boy until the car stopped. "Don't let him open them until you drive away."

"Fine." The boyfriend rolled his eyes. "See you tomorrow."

"I'll text you later." She kissed his cheek, leaving behind a bright pink sparkly kiss mark.

He watched her leave. "You can open your eyes; she's gone...do you wanna sit up front…?"

"No, no, I'm fine."

"Sure?"

"I guess I could...but then she'll know I opened my eyes and…"

"Climb over the seat. She won't be any wiser. Come on." He pat the seat.

"O-Okay…" Bum did as told, unsure of why he was following the other's orders.

Was he going to fall into the same trap of doing what was asked of him in a pathetic attempt to get friends? No. He had Seungbae and Kyung. He didn't need other friends; especially not people that associated with Jieun and her merry band of assholes. He watched the other male rub off Jieun's kiss mark, seeming disgusted.

"I hope this comes out of my clothes…" He complained.

"I don't see why it wouldn't…" Bum muttered.

"I guess."

The ride continued in silence.

"Oh...I forgot to tell you where I live…"

"I know where you live."

"You do…?" Bum swallowed hard.

This was it. He was going to be tossed into the garbage dump or something ridiculous like that, wasn't he?

The boyfriend nodded. "Mhm." He stated.

"O-Oh…"

"Aren't you going to ask how I know?"

"H-How do you know…?" Bum closed his eyes tight, prepared for whatever might come his way.

"You think I don't see you leaving your house every morning? Rushing out while your Uncle screams after you? Sneaking out to throw away the trash in the middle of the night?"

"You've been stalking me…? But...but why…?"

"Nah, not stalking." The boy responded, chuckling as he turned up the car's heat. "Just things you notice when you live next door to someone."

"Oh...but how did you know about my...my uncle…?"

"Seriously? It's not clicking yet, Bum?"

"What isn't clicking?"

"Bumi...come on…"

Did he just hear what he thought he heard?

"Wh-What did you call me…?"

"I said, come on, Bumi. It's gotta be obvious now." There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as looked out the corner of them at Bum. "Or has someone else been calling you that while I've been away? I'm a bit jealous, I must admit. I thought that was our thing."

"S-Sangwoo…?" Bum wondered. "Is it...is it really you…?" He leaned closer to get a better look at the young man next to him.

"As I said...who else calls you that, hm…?" He asked. "One of those guys you sit with at lunch? Your new friends? You couldn't have...forgotten about me, could you have…? Because I never forgot…"

Bum resisted the urge to launch himself at the driver. "It's really you…" He touched the side of his face instead. "It's you, all grown up…" He laughed. "I can't believe it...you're back...but...how…?"

"I live with auntie and my uncle now." Sangwoo admitted.

"F-For real...? Not just for the summer…?"

"It's not summer, is it?"

"You know what I mean!" Bum covered his mouth at his outburst. "I just...you're home…"

"Home?" Sangwoo cocked an eyebrow. "I guess I would call this place my home, sure."

"They didn't...didn't tell me you were coming…"

"I asked auntie not to." Sangwoo admitted. "I wanted to surprise you, but I'm a grade ahead of you, so I don't see you."

"Oh, right, you're older." Bum flushed.

That was why he didn't see Sangwoo anywhere. His schedule was completely out of line. Jieun or one of her friends had probably been tasked with guiding him around, so that was why he was with them although they were in Bum's grade.

"Imagine my surprise to see you today, all grown up." Sangwoo chuckled, looking Bum dead in the face for the first time as they stopped at a red-light. "Still the same overly skinny kid I grew up with, aren't you? Pardon Jieun's bitchiness...I wasn't aware she was this bad when I agreed to go out with her…"

"Why did you…?"

"I don't know...I'm bored, I guess...but seeing how she treats you…"

"No, don't think that!" Bum ordered as a car honked when the light changed.

"Think what?" Sangwoo wondered. "That I don't like how she treats you, and it's making me see what a total bitch she is?"

"That's...not where I thought you were going with that…"

"Where did you think I was going?"

"That you don't like it, so you were gonna...I don't know...dump her or something…"

"Nah, she's too entertaining to kick to the curb." Sangwoo shrugged. "Yet, anyway. You're far more interesting than she is; always have been."

"Sangwoo...you know she's one of the ones that I told you about, right…? That made me do things for her and then got me in trouble for it?"

"I…thought her name sounded slightly familiar." Sangwoo admitted. "But no matter...talking about her bores me."

"Everything bores you, Sangwoo."

"I suppose." He chuckled. "Except you."

"Yeah, except me…"

"How have you been, Bumi…?"

"I-I've been okay...I've got friends...we don't hang out outside of school or anything, but I'm not alone in classes anymore…"

"The ones you were with today?"

"Yeah. They went to a different elementary school."

"I see."

"And they're together."

"Oh?" Sangwoo asked. "Hm, interesting, I guess."

"Not really. Just a fact."

"How are...things at home…?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary...uncle still overreacts about everything and beats the shit out of me, but I'm pretty sure you knew that…"

"Yeah…"

"How about you…? How are things with Auntie and your uncle…?"

"Fine. I'm adjusting, I guess. No different than when I spent summers there."

"Makes sense…"

"Aren't you going to ask me the obvious question, Bumi?"

"And what is that, Sangwoo?"

"If I have to tell you, it's not obvious."

"..." Bum paused. There was always one question on his mind concerning the other. "Why didn't you come back…?"

"There you go." Sangwoo praised, patting Bum's knee. "Using your head."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Your answer, Sangwoo…? Why didn't you come back?"

"Uncle and my dad got into a fight. Something about dad thinking it was pathetic that auntie ordered him around once and a while. I don't quite remember. All I know is father said I won't be going to live with someone who can't learn to keep his broad in line."

"That's...that's awful...they didn't get along, so he didn't let you go…? That's horrible...it's not your fault! Or mine, for that matter! Why were we punished?"

"My father will inflict suffering on anyone he can, even when the full blame rides on his shoulders." Sangwoo scowled. "Or, should I say, he would inflict suffering?"

"Past tense?" Bum questioned. "If he didn't want you here for summers anymore...why send you now...?"

"I'd say I finally pissed him off enough to make him want to get rid of me, but even you would see that was a lie." Sangwoo replied. "He's dead."

"What?" Bum blinked. "Since when? What happened? Oh, Sangwoo..."

"That's my name, yes." Sangwoo laughed at his own joke. "Mother went off the deep end; finally got sick of my father beating the fuck out of her...raping her…" He paused. "I came home to find them both dead. Mom shot dad, then herself, they said."

"Dear god." Bum covered his mouth and looked away. "Sangwoo, I'm so sorry…"

"I guess she had written a will that had me going to my aunt and uncle if I wasn't eighteen yet when she died." Sangwoo shrugged. "They didn't know, but that's what the city said, and they weren't going to question it. Auntie's been up my ass, asking questions, checking in on my mental state every day." He ran a hand through his hair. "Annoying…"

"At least she cares…" Bum paused. "Granny says it's my fault uncle beats me…"

"What?" Sangwoo scowled. "Are you kidding me?"

"Says that if I learned my lesson, he wouldn't do it. That he's had a hard life, so I should forgive his anger."

"Yeah, because your life has clearly been all sunshine and rainbows." Sangwoo sneered. "I'm sorry, Bumi…" He put the car in park on the side of the road and ran a hand through his friend's hair. "I should have been here with you…"

"You didn't have a choice…" Bum leaned into the other's touch.

It had been such a long time since anyone had touched him in such a gentle manner. Granny hadn't hugged him after the day he started living with her and his uncle, and his uncle only knew how to hurt him. He missed this.

"I didn't have to go home with them that year...I never had to. Auntie would have let me stay if she knew what really went on in that house of horrors…"

"Did...did your father hurt you, too…?"

Sangwoo shrugged. "Yeah, he went off on me quite a bit. Mother tried to shield me, but it was pretty hard to when she was ninety-five percent unconscious and he was forcing me to clean her blood off the kitchen floor."

"Sangwoo...I…if I had known, I…"

"You couldn't have helped me, Bumi. Look at you...you can barely help yourself…"

"I don't care enough about myself to help me. But...you…"

Sangwoo leaned a little closer. "Yes, Bumi?"

"You're my only friend, Sangwoo...you always have been...I'd do anything to protect you…"

"You're...my only friend, too, Bum."

"No, I'm not...you've got Jieun and her friends…"

"Disposable." Sangwoo pressed their foreheads together. "I can ditch them in a heartbeat...just say the word…"

"I couldn't ask you to do that, Sangwoo…" Bum's left hand held Sangwoo's cheek. "You'd be a loser like me...they'd turn on you...make your life hell…"

"I don't care...you're worth it…"

"W-Worth it…" Bum tilted his head to the side a little as Sangwoo leaned a bit closer to his lips.

"So worth it…"

Neither moved for a moment until Bum came to his senses and pulled back, pushing Sangwoo away lightly.

"You're…" He took a breath. "You're with Jieun...that automatically disqualifies me as a friend…"

"I told you, I'm willing to ditch…"

Bum placed both hands on Sangwoo's mouth. "Don't...don't say that…" He ordered. "I don't want you giving that up for me...we're neighbors again...isn't that enough…?"

"How did you not realize I was here?" Sangwoo wondered. "You haven't seen the light in my room at night?"

"I don't…" Bum looked away. "Uncle moved my room to the basement...said my room was too nice for a little shit like me…"

Sangwoo grit his teeth. "I see...how are we going to send each other messages now?"

Bum giggled. "I'm not sure…"

Sangwoo brushed bangs from his face. "You still giggle like a girl…"

"I can't help it." Bum informed. "Uncle says he wishes I was a girl so he could put up with me…"

Sangwoo rolled his eyes. "Stop equating everything back to him, would you? Annoying."

"If I annoy you so much, why are we friends?" Bum teased.

"Because you'd be fucking lost without me."

"Oh, and you wouldn't be lost without me, too?"

"I seem to be managing on my own just fine...unlike you." He winked.

Bum giggled. "I guess you have a point."

He should have pulled away when Sangwoo's hand rested on his cheek again, but he didn't. Bum closed his eyes and leaned into the other's touch. It felt so good to have his friend back, to make physical and emotional contact with him was a gift he'd thank God for a thousand times over if he believed in such a thing.

"I missed you, Sangwoo…"

"I missed you, too, Bumi…"

They sat there in silence.

"I should go inside…" Bum muttered.

"What time do you have to be home?"

"Six...dinner is at seven, and I have to help granny cook…"

"Come inside for a bit?" Sangwoo nodded at his own house. "I'm sure auntie would be happy to see you...keeps asking if I found you yet."

"S-Sure...but won't Jieun…?"

"She won't know. It's not her business what I do once she goes home."

"I...er...sure…?"

"Great." Sangwoo beamed, letting him go and grabbing his bag. "Come on."

Bum followed suit, rushing to the front porch with his friend, bag over his shoulder. They both stopped on the top of the steps, leaning onto the poles supporting the roof on either side and laughing. Bum wiped water out of his face, pushing his bangs to the side to frame his face.

"Heh." Sangwoo pulled Bum to the door. "Reminds me of a couple times in the summer…"

"Riding our bikes home in the rain...auntie shouting at us to strip because we were getting her floor wet…" Bum grinned. "G-Good times, Sangwoo…"

"Yeah, you can say that again." He opened the door. "Yo, auntie! I got company!"

"Oh?" She greeted, wiping her hands on a towel as she came out of the kitchen. "You finally brought your girlfriend over…? That's not your girlfriend."

"No, it's not." Sangwoo informed.

"H-Hi, auntie…" Bum greeted.

She dropped her towel. "Bum!" She greeted, rushing to him and pulling him into a hug, "I haven't seen you in such a long time. I was worried something had...no, never mind that." She brushed his hair back. "You've gotten so big...I'm glad Sangwoo finally found you. Sneaky Bum, hiding like that."

Bum laughed. "I didn't exactly know he was here…"

"How did...never mind…" She shook her head. "Not important. What's important now is that you're both here...welcome home, Bum…"

He felt wetness on his face, and it wasn't from the rain. "It feels good to be back, auntie…"