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Baek Saheon was irked. It was all because of a singular stupid darkness that managed to mess up his coworker and now the other wouldn't stop talking to him as if they were actually close.
Earlier, Baek Saheon was eating takeout at the table before he practically leaped out of his seat when the door creaked open, signifying his crazy roommate's return.
'Should I just take the food and run?' Saheon debated, fully intent on leaving the premise alive along with his warmed food.
Baek Saheon quickly got up and shoved his food into a container before the figure stood right next to him. Baek Saheon refused to have a glimpse back as he sped up to get away. Kim Soleum tapped him on the shoulder, making him pause as Kim Soleum blankly stared like the total freak he was. Baek Saheon's heart was going to squeeze itself to death if he didn't get away now.
'He doesn't usually talk with me either. What did I do to deserve this?' Baek Saheon lamented.
"Hello sir," Baek Saheon's voice almost cracked. "Do you need something?"
If his heart was already beating rapidly from nerves, it was definitely disastrous enough for a seizure. Baek Saheon inwardly mourned, 'Why doesn't he just ignore me like he usually does?!'
Baek Saheon realized the other wasn't saying anything, just staring like the weirdo Kim Soleum was. Baek Saheon gritted his teeth, annoyed as he repeating the question, "Do you need something?"
Kim Soleum didn't show any particular reaction to his rude behavior other than a eyebrow raise. Baek Saheon inwardly scoffed, unknowingly fighting invisible battles, 'Mad because I'm not kissing up to your every need like a servant?'
"Are you my roommate, Saheon-ssi?" Kim Soleum asked, interrupting Baek Saheon's internal monologue. The question was so average that Baek Saheon almost didn't register it.
Baek Saheon blinked. "Huh.?"
Seeing Saheon's confusion, the other continued, becoming apologetic and unlike the psychopath that Baek Saheon was used to. He pinched his wrist to see if it was a dream.
"I'm sorry if I offended you in any way," Kim Soleum explained. "I got caught up in a B-grade darkness and I can't remember much." To make things worse, Kim Soleum actually looked guilty and regretful? That psychopath? Did Baek Saheon wake up on the wrong side of his bed?
"It's fine." Baek Saheon replied, evidently uncomfortable. He just wanted this conversation to end already. Interacting with the guy that made him lose his eye and dilapidate his entire life made Baek Saheon somewhat impatient and irritable.
Kim Soleum's expression turned to one of concern and Baek Saheon felt annoyance creep up. How irritating.
"Uhm.." Kim Soleum hesitantly reached out. Baek Saheon felt his heart rate speed up as the other lightly held onto his arm. Baek Saheon stared unnervingly, fingers itching to yank it off.
"Actually, when I said I couldn't remember much, I really meant it. I don't remember how I got this job, what happened before, or what type of person I was," Kim Soleum waits a bit before rambling more to make sure Baek Saheon has processed all the shock bombs coming out of the other's mouth. "I'm sorry if I was a bad person to you. You must've been special to me if we live together."
"Huh?" Baek Saheon gapes.
'No, we aren't! We literally hate eachother!' Baek Saheon twitched to pull on his hair in frustration. Before he actually had time to perform that action, a grand idea descended angelically into his brain.
Baek Saheon's previously dejected face morphed into a smirk. Seemingly noticing something was different, Kim Soleum tilted his head towards Baek Saheon's direction.
"Don't worry about the memory loss. You're good." Baek Saheon said, contemplating the profits he would gain after taking the opportunity from his roommate's amnesia.
How stupid are the higher-ups or the people who oversaw whatever darkness Kim Soleum went to? Wasn't his roommate supposed to go to security for this? Why would they release him without checkup? Ah, but he could use this to his benefit, Kim Soleum was normal enough when he didn't always look like he would murder him in his sleep.
Besides, his colleague without the crazy aspect..
Baek Saheon peeked back at the other's clueless countenance.
Kim Soleum was strangely vulnerable. Baek Saheon felt that he could really bully his tormentor into oblivion. Maybe it could be payback for all the stress that has been gained and accumulated. Baek Saheon didn't address the stray thought that he was probably on the same level as insane too for willingly interacting with the other but it was high-risk, high-reward.
How much did the other actually remember anyway? There's no way his colleague forgot everything that's happened between them from a darkness out of all dangers. This was like an early birthday gift. Wasn't Kim Soleum the top rookie of their patch too? How lucky could he get?
Kim Soleum waved confusedly infront of him, realizing he was staring. Ah, Saheon forgot he was supposed to be chatting with this crazy lunatic. He didn't know the bastard could actually have emotions other than eternal stoicism and tyranny but seeing the other wave cluelessly to him.. Maybe he really was going crazy.
"Although, my memories are fuzzy and I don't exactly remember you," Baek Saheon was dreaming. "I have the feeling we're close?"
Kim Soleum almost sounded embarrassed which shouldn't be possible at all. If that didn't make Baek Saheon gleeful, he didn't know what would. He kind of wanted to see that emotion a little more on the other's face, it was a bit addicting.
'This is my chance! I have to steal his items and figure out how he clears darknesses so fast!' Kim Soleum wouldn't know a thing. Well. Atleast until his memory comes back. By then, it would be too late to recover and Baek Saheon would've already leeched everything.
Baek Saheon guffawed at his brilliant plan like a total psychopath before turning to Kim Soleum.
"We're super close actually. Really close," Baek Saheon emphasized for great measure. "I was just figuring out how deep your amnesia went."
Yes, any other person could likely see he was lying but he felt his roommate was strangely easy to lead on.
"I see.." Kim Soleum was clearly concerned, "I hope my memory doesn't hinder our relationship, Saheon-ssi."
Baek Saheon slightly shuddered at the formalness and waved at him, "No worries, it's really nothing." He was never associated with this crazy lunatic to begin with. Of course, he wouldn't be offended.
"Alright," Kim Soleum was thoughtful for a moment before glancing back at him. "I'll see you later then. I'm still a bit overwhelmed so we can talk more tomorrow, Saheon-ssi."
With that, Kim Soleum walked away to his room and clicked the door close. Baek Saheon was left alone with his half packaged food.
There was four seconds of silence before Saheon released his breath heavily.
'I survived,' Baek Saheon mentally cheered, 'I really did it!'
He somehow survived a talk with his psychotic roommate and didn't lose any body parts in the meantime! It was horrifying but Saheon passed!
With more happiness in his mental well-being, Baek Saheon picked up his container a little more vigorously and strolled to his room. He placed it down and flopped on his bed, tiny smile breaking out on his face.
Baek Saheon was rejuvenated and giddy as he kicked his legs excitedly. 'I will figure out you out, you crazy lunatic! I almost have you!'
For the next few days, people would notice that Baek Saheon was more vicious and gleeful than usual.
Baek Saheon would come home to find Kim Soleum already there. It scared him to no end in the beginning but Saheon figured that it was an attribute to his amnesia since Kim Soleum's schedule seemed to change subtley. Of course, Kim Soleum was still watching cartoons with his rabbit plush like a weirdo but the tension between both of them definitely lessened.
Baek Saheon once wondered, 'How is he even able to do tasks with amnesia?' But of course, crazy people obviously can do darknesses with half their memory wiped, Baek Saheon should've known.
Baek Saheon tried convincing him to reveal what he does to finish so fast but all he got was a shake of the head. It was frustrating, really. He even changed to a more affectionate calling!
Baek Saheon smiled but if one stared closely, it was strained. The harmonious atmosphere between Baek Saheon and Kim Soleum was so foreign, some of the other employees glanced at them as if they couldn't believe their eyes.
"You're so good, Soleum-ah! What are your secrets? What do you do to finish them so fast?"
Baek Saheon's eyebrow twitched as he said all of this but atleast Kim Soleum seemed to treasure his praise, judging on how the other's face was embarrassed and a bit red. Baek Saheon kind of wanted to see it more.
"It's nothing," Kim Soleum brushed off, regaining composure as the people around them watched with growing interest. "I'm just lucky."
'What a self-absorbed bastard,' Baek Saheon thought.
Kim Soleum then decides that now was the right time to drop a bomb. "
I actually think you're way cooler than me." Baek Saheon's jaw dropped but the other didn't know or just kept going on.
"I hear a lot about your group and your usually the one who I hear about the most. You're really popular and near the top all the time."
"What."
Ever since, Baek Saheon had no choice but to do idle chatter. Though, it was somewhat enjoyable knowing that this amnesiac version of his psychopath roommate looked up to him. It was very addicting. Everyone always scuttled past him like a bunch of terrified mice when they caught him near them.
It wasn't like he actually found the other's company entertaining.. or how Baek Saheon nearly found himself actually wanting to talk to Kim Soleum. This was the same person who made his life a living hell, why would he have feelings of positivity towards them?
Baek Saheon peered at Kim Soleum clomping on rice. Kim Soleum snuck in while he used the bathroom to eat some of the food he attained.
Baek Saheon stared blankly and squashed down the impulse to go swat the rice away. He lightly tapped on the table so Kim Soleum could notice him. How dare this psychopath eat his hard-earned nourishment. It was takeout.
Honestly, the sight of the other — cheeks puffed up with rice and eyes clearly clueless — was kind of a cute sight if it weren't for the fact it was the same absurd colleague who made his life a living hell. No, Baek Saheon wasn't insane for thinking this of this. He wasn't on the same level as Kim Soleum.
'…' Kim Soleum blinked confusedly.
"..You do know, that's my food you're eating, right?" Saheon crossed his arms and suppressed the urge to groan. The other simply looked down, emotion surprisingly concealed on the other's face compared to his usual amnesiac self before trailing back to him.
Ah, Baek Saheon had to check if Kim Soleum was eating the old version of his takeouts too. He placed both on the table, planning to throw the bad one out before he decided to use the restroom first.
"Get that out of your mouth. Stop eating." Baek Saheon began to slap Kim Soleum's back with the grace of an awkward kid, definitely unused to assisting others with getting rotten food out of their mouth before Kim Soleum eventually folded, coughing the gross remains out.
'Eugh,' Baek Saheon almost gagged. Right when he thought this new version of his roommate could be less insufferable and more gullible..
'It's more like.. he is gullible in all the wrong ways!' Was the obvious ominous stench not enough for his roommate to know that the food was obviously not good enough to eat anymore? How did the other even get past darknesses still with this memory loss if his brain was that damaged? Was Kim Soleum just plain stupid?
Baek Saheon sighed and Kim Soleum dodged his gaze guiltily. His time spent on trying to gain information out of his tormentor was wasted but surprisingly, Baek Saheon wasn't angr . The other still was normal enough that Baek Saheon was confident he could try again.
'I wouldn't mind hanging out more.' Baek Saheon nodded to himself before his face scrunched up. Kim Soleum was still looking at him, curious on what he was thinking to make such a face.
Baek Saheon shivered, 'Why would I want to hang out with that freak?' Not that Baek Saheon actually enjoyed a crazy person's presence! That would make him as crazy too!
It was just.. fun poking around with his colleague. The look on everyone's faces when they realized Baek Saheon held the power in their strange shifted dynamic didn't go unnoticed either. It was funny.
Go Yeongeun held Kim Soleum's hands firmly as if that bastard freak actually wanted help from her.
"Soleum-ssi… If the other man is scaring you, please let me know. I just want to help."
"Ah, Yeongeun-?.. I'm sorry, I don't—" Kim Soleum didn't finish his sentence before a strong arm yanked him away from Go Yeongeun.
Go Yeongeun instinctively tried to grab the other back before glaring at the perpetrator. Baek Saheon sneered as he snaked an arm around the other.
"You!" Go Yeongeun said, "I thought you hated him. Why are you trying to take advantage of his kindness?"
Go Yeongeun was actually so perplexed at the thought of Baek Saheon willingly hanging out with Kim Soleum that Saheon wanted to laugh. A wave of triumph rushed over him as she glared, narrowing his eyes as Baek Saheon held onto Kim Soleum tighter.
Kim Soleum was puzzled at their weird eye wars they had going on.
Baek Saheon attempted to sidestep her and walk away before Go Yeongeun gripped onto his more free arm.
"What do you think you're doing?" Go Yeongeun asked, face wary. She seemed to also be trying to signal at Kim Soleum to get away from him as if Baek Saheon was the crazy one. How annoying.
"Nothing," Baek Saheon responded but Go Yeonggun knew better than to trust him as she gritted her teeth. Saheon grinned, razor sharp, "I just need to borrow Soleum-ah for a while."
Go Yeongeun cringed at the last part before Baek Saheon cackled like a maniac, bolting off somewhere with Kim Soleum in his arms. Baek Saheon could hear the sheep's hurried footsteps after him, shouting as he ran off in the distance.
Kim Soleum beat at his chest, before sighing in finality. "You know, if you like her, you don't have to do all of this. I don't have a crush on her."
Baek Saheon glanced down at him incredulously. "Huh? Hell no! Why would you think I have a crush on her?" he yelled, pissed at such a statement coming from Kim Soleum. "How did you ever think of that?!"
Kim Soleum narrowed his eyes. Even when carried in someone's arms, it didn't restrict his clear speech. "You had that weird eye tension with her earlier."
"No-!"
Baek Saheon felt a touch on his cheek before he reflexively swatted it away. Kim Soleum poked him out of his memory. Weird enough, Baek Saheon felt heat rush up to his face.
Baek Saheon stomped in frustration to the door, whipping it open and stumbling inside. Kim Soleum was still watching his cartoons with that little plush bunny of his and it made Baek Saheon irritated.
Kim Soleum shouldn't even remember it if he got his memories erased but here he was, enjoying his sweet time on the couch while Baek Saheon got blasted by some dumb rookie in a C-grade darkness. He got hit, obviously. But he came back relatively and mostly unscathed enough to return back to the dorm.
Typically, the other was too busy engrossed to acknowledge anything else but ever since his little memory mishap, he talked to Saheon more. Well, he still really ignored him when watching the television for some reason but this time, it seemed different?
"Ah, Saheon-ssi! You're here." Baek Saheon held back a flinch at his own name getting called. He still wasn't used to a lunatic calling him with such familiarity that it almost felt special. He remembered the first time Soleum said "Saheon-ah", he was so scared, he told the other to just address him like he does with other people. Truly terrifying.
Soleum's head turned over to where he stood from behind the couch. "Want to watch with me? I know we haven't interacted a lot but I was thinking," Kim Soleum lowered his gaze slightly to the floor, expression obviously fond. "I could maybe remember something if you joined me."
'Why today?!' Baek Saheon wanted to mentally clutch his hair and bang his head on the wall, anything to not watch those cursed cartoons. The other even had the audacity to look bashful and diffident! Baek Saheon couldn't lose yet. This was a chance to extract secrets and get close to his target. This was a chance to properly examine the other— even if his previous attempts oddly dwindled recently.
Baek Saheon cautiously observed Kim Soleum's innocent expression before accepting his fate with finality. If he's going to do this, might aswell take advantage early. A deceiving smile tugged at Saheon's mouth as he walked over to the couch space that Soleum moved over for.
"Sure. Let's watch together."
Actually sitting next to a psychopath and attempting to pry secrets was like lockpicking a vault door. It was impossible as you can't even pick open a vault door, making it a complete waste of time. Of course, Kim Soleum didn't seem to share the same sentiment as him and even slightly leaned his body towards Saheon affectionately. As if he didn't torment his very well-being with serial killers and hidden threats.
'That must mean he trusts me atleast.' Even if his roommate seemed normal, it was all a lie. Way too normal that Baek Saheon almost let down his guard.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell me how you beat that darkness? That was so cool of you!" Saheon lied straight through his teeth, slightly cringing at his own tone. Even if the other lost his memory, Soleum still remembered darknesses and performed perfectly. As expected of an adrenaline crazed junkie.
Though, it was whiplash seeing his dreaded coworker actually enjoy his company.
To be honest, it almost felt nice.
"…"
Saheon slapped himself and Soleum glanced at him worriedly.
No!
It was not nice. Baek Saheon, are you unknowingly contaminated? This is the same person who would kill you over a damn bunny plush and the same person who would get off to the thrill of death!
Baek Saheon shook his head before quietly gazing at Soleum's face.
The once sharp features on Soleum's face softened now that Saheon wasn't distracted by the feeling of terror and stress constantly. The light of the television left an enhanced afterglow that somehow highlighted Soleum's features in the darkened room. It annoyed Saheon that Soleum was so lax despite getting caught up in a darkness. He wanted to wipe that dumb expression off his stupidly handsome and cute face. Baek Saheon would make sure it hurt.
('Why is he staring at me so intensely?' Kim Soleum sweated. 'Did I do something wrong?')
Saheon's attention slowly retreated back to the screen. He could see Kim Soleum in his peripheral, confused on why he would slap himself before reluctantly continuing to watch the television. Saheon questioned himself too because there was no way he would attribute his terrible roommate to good-looking.
There was no way he would think of his roommate as…
"…going to have an aneurysm.." Baek Saheon muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Saheon yawned. He could barely focus. He was fading in and out of the dreamworld. As he was about to doze, a voice rang out beside him.
"Baek Saheon."
Saheon almost shot off the sofa with how utterly terrifying it was before he remembered there was an audience. His heart beat out of his chest. Hopefully the other didn't catch that.
"The truth is.."
'What's going on?'
"I'm-" Kim Soleum paused, hesitant. His eyes were still on the screen but they were a little glazed over. "Im a coward. I'm not all that you're thinking of me."
Saheon bit his tongue to stop himself from showing a reaction to that.
"What are you talking about?"
Kim Soleum continued on, staring into the distance as if the bastard was actually embarrassed to say it. "I'm deathly afraid of horror. I can barely handle gore and ghosts."
'What??' Baek Saheon woke up two minutes ago. Why were bombs getting dropped.
"I actually think you're more admirable than me. You're not scared at all and you're kind too."
Saheon would've snorted if it weren't for the fact his stressful life was caused by the very same person who described themselves as a coward. Was Kim Soleum still making fun of him?
"You tried my cooking," Kim Soleum listed.
Baek Saheon didn't want to die in his sleep if he refuted.
"Baek Saheon, you offered to eat lunch together."
Baek Saheon didn't want other people reaping the benefits of his roommate's amnesia before he did.
"You're the only one who talks to me casually."
Baek Saheon was the only other normal person who could see that Kim Soleum was crazy. Of course, he would be the normal one.
"Everyone looks up to me as if I had done some great thing when I'm doing what any other person working would do. It's a little overwhelming."
Baek Saheon was definitely now annoyed at the blatant flex of admiration and goodwill people had for the other if it weren't for the fact that Kim Soleum supposedly still had amnesia.
"There's a lot of things I haven't told you but we're close, right?"
If he could use this information to his benefit..
Kim Soleum didn't reveal exactly how he beat darknesses so fast but he talked about his fears. Baek Saheon almost would've thought he was poking fun at him because there would be no way a top ranked rookie would be this scared. Especially when they've already been through tons of darknesses with most of said things he was apparently afraid of.
The other was being dubiously quiet before Kim Soleum leaned in, hand touching his arm. Baek Saheon felt his heart skyrocket. Kim Soleum's face was so close to his, tint of red blending into his eyes like an actual devil.
Before Baek Saheon could even say anything, Kim Soleum got up abruptly, slightly scratching Saheon's skin and walked away to his own bedroom.
"…"
What does he even do with the revelation that his petrifying coworker was actually scared this whole time? What about the threats sent at night? Why would he send him 'beware of serial killers' and make his life a living labyrinth if he was a scaredy cat? Baek Saheon had to observe more. There was a good chance he was getting tricked right under his nose.
'I need to confirm whether those fears were truly unfounded. This is embarrassing already.' Kim Soleum wouldn't share a weakness so easily to someone he's known for like a week. It felt too easy. Was this even amnesia? Was this a personality disorder?
'I'll think about it tomorrow.'
Who could even focus after finding out the biggest personality gap known to mankind. In the morning, Baek Saheon will make sure to haunt his colleague for the rest of his life.
Kim Soleum jolted up and immediately clutched his head. There was someone in his bedroom.
Kim Soleum almost looked startled at the sight of Baek Saheon before flattening it out into a familiar stoic expression.
'What? Why is Baek Saheon here??'
"What are you looking at?" Kim Soleum shot out, tense. Baek Saheon halted.
"You.." Baek Saheon trailed.
Kim Soleum interrupted him. "Did anyone tell you to speak informally?"
Kim Soleum's eyes shook and Saheon barely caught it. A burst of glee erupted in and an ambiguous smirk slowly formed on Saheon's face.
"Ah." Baek Saheon smiled, though it didn't reach Kim Soleum's eyes.
'What is his goal?' Kim Soleum was worried.
"Sorry, sir," Baek Saheon replied, "I was just wondering if you remember anything from this week?"
Kim Soleum tried to dig into his memories to figure out if anything happened recently. Baek Saheon almost looked amused..?
Baek Saheon got up and close with a growing feeling of suspense and exhilaration in his chest. Kim Soleum tracked his movements and subconsciously leaned away. Kim Soleum felt his palms get sweaty.
"What happened?"
"Do you know how many nights I've lost sleep because of you?" Baek Saheon clenched his fist as if holding back. His grievances were like a total joke. Kim Soleum tracked his frustrated movements, tense and guarded.
"What?"
'That crazy Goat!' Kim Soleum truly cried for his life. Did the rooming rules not apply anymore? What even happened? He only remembered getting hit in a darkness and waking up oddly refreshed in his bed. Was there anything in the wiki that hinted to his condition of memory loss?
Baek Saheon suddenly backed off and turned away. "It's. Nothing." Baek Saheon bit out before stomping off, leaving a confused Kim Soleum behind.
"…"
Kim Soleum shivered. 'Why did the Viper even lean in so close? A total jumpscare!'
For the next few days, Baek Saheon acted differently. Way too different and Kim Soleum was honestly terrified. It reminded Kim Soleum of the records in DER.
In darknesses, there would even be an extra set of eyes burning on him whenever their teams would cross paths. He would tilt around to see Baek Saheon staring straight into his soul, effectively creeping him out. Generally, Kim Soleum would hold eye contact until the other broke away but Baek Saheon would now keep his gaze to the point he had to break away first. Baek Saheon had the nerve to look triumph at his victory and smirk smugly. This happened for a few days until Baek Saheon vanished for a while. It was practically a blessing arriving back to a peaceful dorm.
'So tiring..' Kim Soleum sighed, drudging back to his dorm after work. Everyone acted so different compared to before, it scared him. Especially Baek Saheon. 'Though I wonder what he is gone for. Probably assigned to go to a darkness at night.'
It was a good thing for him. Peacefulness was rare nowadays.
'Seriously, I can't wait to go to sleep.' He didn't even feel like eating. His appetite was long gone and his brain was scattered in fog. A long nap sounded nice, maybe he should take a day off. The wish potion could wait with how many points it required.
As soon as he shut the entrance door to the dormitory, he was abruptly slammed to the wall and his arms were held onto like a vice. Kim Soleum almost screeched like a turbo washer.
Baek Saheon's stare was way more intense than usual. "Kim Soleum."
"Baek Saheon?" Kim Soleum held his voice from shaking.
Baek Saheon looked like he was contemplating whether to continue as if he was leaking important information. "What happened to me?"
"What do you mean?" Kim Soleum's heart trembled out of his chest and he felt like he would die of heart attack. Braun was still in his pocket too and he didn't want to get in a fight while still holding the fragile plushie. Braun has been awfully quiet too.
"I can't remember anything." Baek Saheon said, hurriedly and tone a little strange. "Why or how I got this job, how I even got this housing, I don't remember anything."
This wasn't in the wiki?
"The only thing I can barely remember is last week." Baek Saheon says—tense, and Kim Soleum feels his blood freeze. What really happened for it to be so serious?
"Infact, here was one day that stood out." Baek Saheon stated. "What happened?"
'Last week?" Kim Soleum responds as natural and poised as possible. 'I don't even know what happened last week, there's a huge gap in my memory! Why are you hounding me, just ask someone else?!'
Kim Soleum opted for stiffly shaking his wrist to snap him out of it. He could hardly move his arm with how strong the other's grip was. Kim Soleum gave him the best stare-down he could and held disgust in his tone. "Why are you gripping onto me? Are you contaminated? Get your hands off of me."
It obviously didn't work for whatever reason because Baek Saheon began to hold him tighter, almost making Kim Soleum wince. Kim Soleum already reflected on the ways he would die but dying because of the Viper hugging him certainly was a way to go.
Baek Saheon stared, distraught at his words. Kim Soleum's body was still squished between the wall and Baek Saheon even looked a bit like a dejected puppy.
"Aren't we boyfriends..?" Baek Saheon asked. "Why are you saying that?"
Kim Soleum's jaw dropped. No amount of stoicism could save that one. He did not know what was happening and what Baek Saheon was saying. Screw his facade because what was his terrifying roommate even thinking about? Shit, is Baek Saheon gay?
"Boyfriends?" Kim Soleum tried to weasel out of the hold but it only got tighter. His hands became clammy as he struggled more. "I'm afraid you've gotten the wrong person. I think there's something wrong with your head, you should go get it checked out."
Baek Saheon regarded him with sudden blank eyes before placing his head onto Kim Soleum's chest near his beating heart. Kim Soleum tensed momentarily but the heavy arms trapping him loosened, allowing him to breathe.
"Ah,.. but didn't.." Saheon bit his lip, gazing up tearfully at Kim Soleum. What the hell. What. Was this even Baek Saheon?
"Didn't we hangout and even sleep together on the couch last week?"
Kim Soleum was petrified. "Sleep together?"
This was absurd. This was absolutely insane.
Kim Soleum would've thought he was contaminated too right now if it weren't for all the memories promptly rushing in from last week for some unknown reason. Of cooking for the other, watching cartoons together, even looking for Baek Saheon actively? Kim Soleum even talked normally with him at work as Baek Saheon tried convincing him to spill his cheat codes to ghost stories.
"Why else would I feel such strong emotions when I look at you?" Baek Saheon explained, even nodding along as if his analysis of the situation was actually good. "When I look at everyone else, I don't feel anything. When I see you, I feel different. You must be my boyfriend."
'What type of logic is that?! Is he mad?' Kim Soleum held his breath.
Oh my god— Does he have to play along and somehow convince Baek Saheon to go see security? Just acting as a boyfriend to the other would be enough reason for Kim Soleum to jump off a roof.
"Ah, uhm." Kim Soleum cringed at his own words, unexpectedly bad at lying in the current moment. "I was just worried."
Baek Saheon straightened his back to be at the height of Kim Soleum before deeply focusing on his coworker's face. Kim Soleum felt his face heat up at Baek Saheon's incessant gaze.
"I think you're lying." Baek Saheon backed off, smiling ominously. Kim Soleum felt his heart rate spike. There was a hint of mischief in Baek Saheon's tone as he said, "Do you really want to kiss me so bad? Is that why you're pretending?"
'Who's pretending?! What do you mean?'
Baek Saheon's face leaned closer and Kim Soleum shut his eyes in fear before a peck was felt on his lips.
'Huh?'
Another kiss was felt this time, more firm on his lips. Kim Soleum's eyes flew open. He felt like he would combust in the worst way possible.
"Let me help you," Saheon even yanked to bite down onto his cheek, so unlike his general self that Kim Soleum really began to cry, speechless and a little flustered. Despite the height difference, Kim Soleum wanted to hunch in on himself as fat tears threatened to befall. Hey, isn't this a little too fast?! He still hasn't processed all his memories yet!
Wait— doesn't this mean Baek Saheon also went into the same darkness as him? Or was it something else? How did Kim Soleum even get out of his contaminated state?
Baek Saheon, seeing him complacent as he was lost in his thoughts, dragged him away from the entrance frustratedly.
"Ah? Hey, let go!"
'What is this darkness even about?!'
Saheon plopped him onto the couch and started crawling on him. Kim Soleum was completely frozen as Baek Saheon amusedly came forward.
"Baek Saheon.." Kim Soleum drifted.
"Yes?" Baek Saheon gently smiled and hugged Kim Soleum, feeling as Kim Soleum awkwardly squirmed. Baek Saheon slotted his head against the crook of the other's neck.
The fear factor in Kim Soleum's heart could only take so much before it ended up exploding. It was obvious what Kim Soleum had to do like any other person in this situation. He kicked. Kim Soleum looked away, squeezing his eyes shut as he kicked as hard as he could blindly.
Baek Saheon recoiled as Kim Soleum scrambled to regather his bearings.
"Hey—!"
Kim Soleum bolted out as Baek Saheon shouted and clutched at himself. Kim Soleum, very smartly, did not take a single glance at the other as he ran out of there with his dignity and life on the line. His heart quavered.
'The next time Baek Saheon sees me, it's going to be awkward.' Kim Soleum thinks.
The next time Baek Saheon comes back to himself— which Kim Soleum hopes it comes soon— Kim Soleum will ignore him. He hopes Baek Saheon can figure it out himself to go cure whatever is contaminating him. If you don't see your problems, your problems don't see you.
[That's certainly one way to put it, my Good Friend!]
'Braun?!’
Kim Soleum optimized a way to avoid Baek Saheon even more.
'Agh..'
Saheon tried getting up before a sharp pain shot through his body.
'What happened? All I remember was some stupid idiot pushing me towards something in a dark room before I blacked out.'
Saheon held his hand to his temple as he tried to remember what happened. The door to their dorm was swinging wide open as if something escaped.
Escaped?
'Wait..!' Baek Saheon's brain hurt as his thoughts lagged. 'Last week!'
Has Baek Saheon never moved this time? Or did he just happen to come back after recovering? What happened? Did he get some weird disease after interacting with Kim Soleum so much?
Saheon held his face down in despair as he ran through his memories. What sort of luck was this? To push down a psychopath on their couch and proclaim eachother as boyfriends? When did Baek Saheon lose his mind?
Baek Saheon grit his teeth.
Though, the view of his colleague beneath him was a sight he wouldn't mind seeing again.
Baek Saheon punched himself in the face. He could see Kim Soleum cautiously peering at him from afar, glancing weirdly at his actions. Ah, Baek Saheon was at the office. He should remember to not display such acts. It seems even other people took notice.
'Is he okay?' Kim Soleum wondered before focusing his attention back to the conversation he was having with another coworker. He shouldn't care that much about such a crazy person but the incident was still fresh in his mind.
Daydream hardly hands out assignments for multiple squads but somehow Kim Soleum scored unlucky. Squad D and F were handed a task to go into a darkness together and Soleum almost shuddered at the thought of mixing with Baek Saheon.
Baek Saheon.. He has been acting differently even more now. It's like all of Kim Soleum's acts of terrors were nothing but a joke. Baek Saheon stared unnervingly at him while he was eating sometimes too.
Kim Soleum examined the manuals handed out. There was a high chance it was already in the wiki, he just needed to confirm it. He blatantly ignored the burning glare burning through his neck as he scanned the text. He could hear his squad mates conversing about something tensely.
Kim Soleum looked up to see what the commotion was about after finishing reading.
Eun Haje was standing protectively in front of him while Park Minseong was attempting to mediate the ongoing situation. He only saw a brief glimpse of Baek Saheon's darkened face before he bolted straight to Kim Soleum in a blur. Kim Soleum could only describe this as a murderer ensuring their victim wouldn't leave alive the way he instinctively backed away.
Kim Soleum only had a moment to breathe before Baek Saheon promptly slammed his hands against the wall, caging him in. His face was so deathly close that Kim Soleum began to tremble slightly at the startle.
The paper manuals that Kim Soleum held fluttered to the floor as Baek Saheon grinned up like a loan shark scheming to bankrupt.
Kim Soleum could hear his coworkers gasp but he could only watch in horror as Baek Saheon leaned even more closer, hot air blowing on his face that made Kim Soleum twitch.
'What is he doing?' Kim Soleum fought back the urge to shrink away.
"You," Baek Saheon stated and maybe Kim Soleum did sweat a little at the treatment of a cat catching the canary before his blood froze at the next words that came out of the other's mouth.
"Stay with me. Don't even think about leaving my sight."
"…" Kim Soleum used his willpower to not show a reaction that could possibly destroy his own future.
He could even see Park Minseong's puzzled stare, switching between them as Eun Haje's expression grew more incredulous by the second. She was standing as if she was about to pull Baek Saheon away. Chief Lizard was.. just standing there. Kim Soleum couldn't tell what the other was thinking about.
Baek Saheon slammed his hand on the wall again leaving Kim Soleum to focus his attention back.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kim Soleum said as unbothered as possible. When did Baek Saheon gain so much courage? Was Kim Soleum's intimidation tactics not good enough? Was he not doing it frequently enough?
Kim Soleum's heart beat fiercely against his chest while his palms clammed up. A vein popped up on Baek Saheon's face as he stared him down harder. Kim Soleum felt hope swell into his chest but just as fast as it appeared, it vanished. Baek Saheon seemed to have found what he was searching for in his eyes and Kim Soleum was not ready for what that was.
"Whatever you're trying to do, it won't work. Leave it to me, be a good colleague and don't interfere." Eun Haje was positively fuming right behind Baek Saheon and Kim Soleum despaired at how this even came to be. This world truly was unfit for a coward like himself.
Suddenly, Baek Saheon snorted in his face and even Saheon's squad looked confused at what was happening. Kim Soleum was in disbelief as Baek Saheon began to laugh like a maniac weirdo. The other was definitely amused at his plight. What the hell.
Kim Soleum's feet were planted to the floor as he fought the urge to cry.
'Seriously, what happened last week!!' He wanted to wail and vent his troubles.
“Let’s go.” Baek Saheon stormed off, gripping onto Kim Soleum’s wrist. He dragged Soleum with him and walked straight into the darkness, leaving everyone else to simultaneously look at each other knowingly and then go to catch up.
This was going to be a long day, wasn’t it?