Work Text:
I don’t know where I am or why I’m here right now. The last thing I remember was driving down the freeway, heading home. I need to feed Pretzel. If I don’t get home, he’ll starve to death.
It’s a peculiar thing. We all die, but what happens after you die? Have you ever thought about it? Will a chariot come for you and take you to a party of the afterlife? Will pearly gates open to accept you? How about the gates of hell? Maybe we all just cease to exist when we die?
I don’t know. I never really thought about it. But right now, something doesn’t feel right. I say feel, but I can’t feel anything. I’m not cold or hot. I don’t know where I am, actually. I know my eyes are open because I touched them, but I can’t see anything but blackness. Just black.
I can’t see anything.
I can’t hear anything.
I can’t feel anything.
I can’t smell anything.
I can’t taste anything.
Something really doesn’t feel right. And I think I’m starting to become nervous? I mean, it would be the perfect feeling to describe this, but I just can’t feel anything. I think I’m confused?
Wait! Now I’m cold! I can feel the air on my skin! It’s really cold. Did I forget to grab my coat today before I left? Oh! And I hear something… Are those footsteps? The soft pounding is getting louder with every second. I think someone is coming towards me?
-
“Hello?” I don’t even know if someone is even there, but I ask anyway. “Hello?” I ask again because I failed to receive a response to the first greeting.
“I heard you. I’m not deaf. And you talk a lot. And ask a lot of questions.” The voice that responds is loud and clear. And of course it’s unfamiliar.
“Who are you?” I ask as I wrap my arms around myself. I don’t feel like he’s dangerous, but I can’t help but want to protect myself. The world is a scary place. Better to be safe than sorry. Right?
“Right.” He responds to the question I didn’t ask him, and suddenly I can feel emotions again. I’m confused, but not scared. “And you shouldn’t be. I can’t hurt you.”
“You can’t?” I ask to no one, but the voice. I can’t see him still, but I know he’s close.
“I am close.” He says and then snaps what I think are his fingers and suddenly the lights are on. I mean I can’t see any lights, but now I can see. They must be around here somewhere.
“Nope, no lights. I just gave you back your vision.” He clarifies for me. His voice sounds different. It’s still close, but it doesn’t sound distant anymore. “That’s because I’m right behind you.”
Upon hearing that, I immediately turn around to see the voice of the guy that has been reading my thoughts and answering the questions I don’t voice. And when my eyes land on him, I’m surprised.
He’s gorgeous. He’s smiling right now and has the deepest dimples I’ve ever seen. I think I could drink from them. I mean if he would let me. Fuck, he’s gorgeous!
“I might if you promise not to bite.” He answers back. And I forgot that he can hear me. This is weird. I am so embarrassing. My face must be lit up like a Christmas tree. I must look stupid and red because I feel stupid and red. Fucking hell. And he’s laughing. That deep voice is laughing and his plump lips are opened and shining from the stretch. I think I’m going to have a heart attack – he’s so beautiful.
“Thanks,” he chuckles, “you’re not so bad yourself Hoseok. But rest assured, you can’t have a heart attack. You’re already dead.”
I think he just said I’m dead. But how could I be dead if I’m right here? And we are talking to each other. How can a dead person talk? I don’t understand. My head feels funny, but it’s probably because I’m shaking my head and my brain can’t take that kind of movement without taking on some damage. Mom always said I exaggerate too much. I should call her. I haven’t talked to her in a while.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Jung Hoseok, as of Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 17:37, you are officially dead. Don’t worry, you didn’t feel any pain. You left pretty quickly.”
“What? What do you mean I’m dead? You can’t just throw that at somebody, uh, who even are you?” Why am I even talking to you? I don’t know you. You’re probably crazy. Maybe I’m crazy? Fuck knows I’ve been called crazy more times than I could count.
“You're not crazy, and neither am I. I’m Reaper Kim Namjoon and you’re my corpus.”
“Your what?!”
“My corpus. My body. My new shadow – I mean if we had shadows. Now, you’re to follow me and I’ll teach you the ways of the reaper. Teach you how to do what I do.”
“Wait, okay? Just hold on – I need a minute.” What the fuck is going on? A reaper? A corpus? What the fuck is a corpus anyway?!
“Sure, take your time. And a corpus is-”
“Stay the hell out of my head!”
“Sorry.”
At least he looks somewhat apologetic. But I still don’t get it. I don’t understand what this is or what he means. I’m a reaper now because I’m dead? Then why do I feel alive? I mean, I think I feel alive? My skin is cold, but its fall. It’s supposed to be cold. I can talk and think and feel. Dead people can’t do those things, right? Are you listening to me right now?
“You are! I saw your ear twitch!”
“I can’t help it! You’ll be able to hear me too once you accept being a reaper. It’s one of the perks.”
“I’m sure it is. Fine, if you insist on the reaper stuff. Am I really dead? Like this isn’t some prank or something? Am I dreaming? I could be dreaming right? Why are you shaking your head? Stop shaking your head!”
“Hoseok, I’m sorry. But you really are dead. This is the place you stay before you take on Reaper duty. That is, if you decide to become one.”
“And if I refuse to become a reaper?”
“Then I clap my hands once and you truly cease to exist. You’re dead, but if you refuse the reaper life, you just vanish from both worlds rather than just the one of the living.”
“How morbid.”
“You’re dead so…”
“Shut up. I don’t need your commentary. And stop rolling your eyes.”
“You’re really bossy.”
“Yeah, and?”
“It’s kind of cute. Hey, look! Your blush is returning!”
“Thanks for the heads up. Wait, are you flirting with me?”
“Am I not allowed to?”
“Well I mean you could I guess. Like are you allowed to flirt with dead people?”
“That’s your concern? If it makes you feel better, we’re both in the same boat. I’m a reaper, remember? I was in your shoes before.”
“This is really weird.”
“You’ll get used to it. I mean, if you accept being a reaper then you’ll have time to get used to it. And me. I mean, if you’re into that.”
“I could be. And I’m flirting with a dead person. I’m flirting with a reaper. This is really, really weird.”
“But you like it, right?”
“Did you just wink at me? You totally did, huh?”
“You have a nice laugh by the way.”
“So do you, but you already know that because you invade people’s thoughts like a weirdo creep.”
“Yes. I can hear your thoughts. It’s pretty cool. I could ask you anything and I would know the answer without even making you say anything. I could even make you imagine something and watch it play in your head. Cool huh? I can show you one day, or night, if you’re interested.”
“Oh my god, you’re a pervert! Dirty boy! And stop winking!”
“I assure you, I’m all man. And I can tell you like when I smile and wink at you. No need to deny it.”
“I take back all the things I said about you being good looking. You’re gross and creepy, and much too perverted for my tastes.”
“You haven’t even sampled the goods yet; I’ve been told I taste pretty sweet. Some even said addicting.”
“What are you a player? Do you flirt with all the bodies you come to snatch?”
“Snatch? I told you, I’m here to offer you training. And no, I only flirt with the cute ones. Ah, there’s that blush again.”
“Shut up! So, I guess I’m really dead then?”
“Afraid so. But it’s not that bad. You can still talk to people – I mean other reapers at least. And you can meet them all if you choose to become one of us. But hey, refusing is always an option. And I swear that it is painless. You won’t feel a thing or even know you’re gone.”
“So if I agree to be a reaper then I’ll like live on in death – the afterlife? – and just follow you around?”
“Pretty much. Training will only take maybe a month or two? But I’ll always be around when you need me.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to wink anymore?”
“What are you my dad? I mean not even he bossed me around as much. But I mean if you’re into that, I could learn to love it. Always open to new things.”
“What did I just say about the winking? Are you sure you’re not suffering from hearing loss or something?”
“Though I like cute Hoseok, I think bossy Hoseok will grow on me if we’re together long enough.”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s do it.”
“What?!”
“Are you blushing? I meant reaper business, not it. Fuck’s sake, I don’t even know you well enough yet. At least buy me dinner first. We still eat right?”
Your laugh will be the death of me, Namjoon.
“I’m flattered, but you’re also already dead, remember? And yes, we still eat, but we don’t have to do it as often. Just when we train, take on a new corpus, or exert a lot of energy at once.”
“Stop winking!”
“You like it though!”
“Fine! I do! So stop doing it every chance you get!” He huffed as a blush of a deep crimson slowly laid itself over his cheeks and neck. “Now, what?”
“You have to say ‘I, Jung Hoseok, accept the position Reaper Kim Namjoon offers with a light heart. I promise to devote my time and body to him.’ And then boom, you’re a reaper in training.”
“My body? Something tells me you added that part in just to get into my pants.”
“And if I did, will it work?”
“Probably. I, Jung Hoseok, accept the position Reaper Kim Namjoon offers with a light heart. I promise to devote my time and body to him.” Now what? I don’t feel any different. Am I a reaper now?
‘More like a reaper in training.’
“Ah! I heard that, but your lips didn’t move!”
‘Does watching my lips move please and entertain you?’
“Don’t get cute with me.” He waved a finger at Namjoon and watched as the reaper stepped closer and closer until he stood right before him, inches from his face.
“But you like it. And I have a good feeling that I’m going to like having you under me.”
Hoseok didn’t say anything, but the furious tint spoke enough words, as did the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth.
“Now who’s the dirty boy? I meant training under me; though I’m not opposed to having you under me in other ways.”
“Stop winking.”
“You really know the way to a man’s heart, Hoseok. Come along, my little Reaper in training. You have a lot to learn.”
Hoseok wasn’t sure what exactly waited for him, but he let the strong, comforting hand in his own guide him to the new life he was about to take on. I can get used to this, and you winking monster.
‘Glad to hear it, dirty boy.’