the after party

act 1. singularity

❗️IMPORTANT: hello everyone, thank you for reading!

i've been workshopping this fanfic for around 2 years and i've finally put down the words to make it real. this is not an easy story to read; there will be warnings for chapters that have graphic depictions of the topics tagged, but keep in mind that alcohol and substance issues are an overwhelming part of this, and there will be hints throughout. if this isn't for you, then feel free to exit now.

characters may be a little ooc at times and while this is set after Weak Hero, i'll try to keep it as canon compliant as possible.

if you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. that and your kudos are much appreciated!

to those of you that stayed, enjoy!

🎧 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6MbbHVoGQHm5hkDcllQD1D?si=IygQbu0dQ9qjbLOZRNoNcQ&pi=AnlXqJ5fQweqY
(will likely be re-curating over time)

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The first time Seongje tried coke was in the VIP room of a karaoke bar. Some ex-Union fuck with a sly grin offered him a bump, pulling out a dime bag of white. Drunk, and not one to pass up a good time, Seongje (with the slightest hesitation) snorted it like a champ.

The high itself wasn't memorable, but neither was most of the night. All he remembered was throwing back shots to abate the awful taste dripping down his throat and promising himself to never do that again.

All promises break, eventually.

A small bump from a guy in Hongdae opened up a gateway of pure, fuckin' ecstasy that he'd been eager to explore. MDMA, speed, tabs — Seongje thrived off adrenaline, be it by exchanging punches with whoever pissed him off that day or indulging in a different sort of high. Trying to put his Union days behind him, the latter seemed more fulfilling.

College was a lot more boring than movies and TV made it seem — no wild house parties, excessive drinking and drama. You made a few friends and, when you weren't busy stressing over exams, shared a few beers. After four long years you'd go your separate ways, promising to keep in touch but never actually reaching out. It was like high school, but more 'adult' and, for Seongje, too monotonous.

Sieun ended up at a much nicer school, Seongje always knew he would. He chose to major in engineering, catching a train to Busan with teary eyes while vowing to call every night and visit each holiday. Seongje waved him off, holding back his own tears, and hopped on his motorcycle, praying the whole way home that Sieun would still be there. All he returned to was cold leftovers and an empty bed. It was lonelier than he expected, but it wasn't as easy as making friends, either. 'Friendship' was foreign to Seongje, who only recognized two types of people: opponents and the rest of the world. Sieun was the only exception.

Still, he tried to put himself out there. That's why he was at this shitty club.

The bass reverberated through Seongje's veins as Jay Park blasted over a crowd of sloppy, drunk 20-somethings. Looking at the soju in his hand, he realized he wasn't any different and wondered what Sieun would make of it, as Seongje had been trying to live more straight-edge since dating him. Key word: trying.

"Wolf!" A voice calls, pulling him down to earth. Lee Jiyoung, a fourth-year who'd taken Seongje under his wing, waved him over to his booth, surrounded by girls and empty shot glasses. In his hand is a full one that he offers Seongje. "Wanna join us?"

"Don't classes start tomorrow?" Seongje quips, but he takes the shot anyway, sliding into the seat beside another fourth-year, Lim Aruem. Her hair is red to match her lipstick, silver bangles clinking as she puffs on a vape; rarely does he see her and Jiyoung apart. Seongje grimaces, then reminds himself of the Camel menthols he'd bought today.