Work Text:
"Is it ok for friends to be involved in relationships?"
"How to set personal boundaries?"
"My friend knows too much about my partner"
....
— Ha...
Soleum turned off his smartphone screen with a heavy sigh. He was reclined at a table in a chain coffee shop, typing these strange questions into the search bar. Braun was apparently trying to respect his privacy, because he didn't comment on what was happening, pretending he wasn't there.
About six months had passed since he and his dorm roommate began a romantic relationship. Yes, they had fought for a long time, but now Soleum found Saheon's arrogance even... cute. After all, it stemmed from a will to live; it was hard to blame someone for something so fundamental.
They complemented each other better than it might have seemed. Saheon brought a sense of selfishness into Soleum's life that he clearly lacked, while Soleum had a positive influence on the ethics of the Goat.
Unfortunately, this arrangement didn't suit everyone. Another participant had been involuntarily drawn into their harmonious relationship, and he was categorically not pleased. Braun — the one who is always there, whether convenient or not... Sometimes it was just awkward, and sometimes it was downright a nightmare. For all persons involved.
***
Wednesday, 14:20
— Soleum. Did you keep your agent form? Yes? Yes?
[Ha, how cliché. No imagination at all! Friend, are you okay with this? Aren't you also tired of his obsession with that form?]
— ...
— ...Yes.
— What time are you coming home? 😊
— I'm staying late at the office today.
— Uh-huh, sure. Just get here as fast as you can.
[This mediocrity doesn't even listen to you, Mr. Roe Deer! He doesn't appreciate what he has at all! You are like a shining precious gem, and this clump of dust has stuck to you, ha!]
— Braun... How about not reading our chats? It would make life easier for everyone...
[How about finding yourself a more suitable match, Mr. Roe Deer?!]
— Ugh...
***
Thursday, 17:55
— So- Supervisor, a moment.
— Yes?
The two, along with their constant companion, stepped into the emptiest part of the corridor, maintaining serious expressions as they discussed matters in low tones.
— Pack your things and come with me. The workday is over; there's no point hanging around for days. Or are you avoiding me?
[As if someone like him could tell a friend what to do! No one would dare do that at the studio, not even this host! A star like Mr. Roe Deer will naturally be willful. This fool doesn't even realize—]
Soleum's previously calm face contorted more and more as he struggled to stay engaged in the dialogue...
— Yeah, yeah, I'm almost done, but your complaining isn't speeding up the process.
Saheon's hands reached for his waist, but they were ruthlessly swatted away.
— Patience.
Braun spat venom all evening, and Saheon demanded attention, so Seul-eum developed a migraine.
***
Monday, 15:45
Soleum was urgently trying to finish a report on a recently encountered darkness, while simultaneously extracting necessary information from the squad leader through leading questions.
This time, the research was strange, and everyone was giving different readings, so he gathered a few of the most familiar participants in the team office.
Amidst all this commotion, he missed lunch again; however, it didn't hinder his work much. But then, a curly head appeared in the doorway, followed by the rest of The Goat's body.
— Hey, Kim Soleum! No wonder I haven't seen you; skipping lunch? You'll have no strength left for anything. — Saheon said loudly, a look of extreme cunning on his brazen face.
— ...Sorry? — Soleum tried to reprimand him sharply.
Maybe Braun was right, that Saheon was getting bolder... But strangely, he remained silent, offering no indignant comments.
— Oh, right, Supervisor Kim Soleum. Don't forget, okay. — Saheon practically ran up to Soleum and shoved a bun into his jacket pocket.
For a second, a few curling short locks tickled the Roe Deer's face, but by the time he processed it, Saheon was gone. Only the rustle of the bun's plastic packaging remained in his pocket.
Soleum snorted and went back to his work. Honestly, it felt a bit like an attempt to appease him... or perhaps a doubt in his competence? But he received no answer to that unspoken thought.
As he worked, however, he couldn't help but notice the intense stares from his colleagues. In the evening, Yeongeun stopped him for a quiet word.
— Um, Mr. Soleum. You and Mr. Goat... well...
— What 'we'? Miss Goral, do you have a question?
— Well, I mean... — She lowered her voice to a whisper, as if doubting her own sanity. "The way you two acted today... I thought... you looked like a couple... And not just today!
Go Yeongeun rushed to provide more evidence, sounding almost apologetic.
— I-I mean, or at least he seem to like you... But I would advise you to be careful with him, you know?
Soleum was speechless. Seriously, what did he just hear? So, was that how they had been looking this whole time?
— Braun, can we talk for a moment?..
***
[Listen, friend. Things are tough right now. But don't worry! This Braun is happy to support you.]
— ...Haah... Thank you.
[You're welcome! In difficult situations, you can rely on your friend.]
— Um, just no radical measures, okay? I just want an outside opinion...
[I'm offended! I would never harm you, Mr. Roe Deer. Why don't we discuss this together? Mr. Roe Deer, tell me, what is the cause of your distress?]
— You already know... Ah, fine. The thing is, it seems like we're flirting in front of everyone...
[My goodness, it's like you're filming a romance movie! But tell me, friend, who exactly is doing the flirting?]
— A strange question. It takes two.
[True, but one of you is particularly proactive! Believe me, this Brown knows exactly what he's talking about.]
— Well, Saheon has been quite active lately... Um, and maybe crossing the line a bit...
[Ah, it sounds as if the friend is allowing himself to be wooed! And it doesn't look like your partner intends to stop.]
An awkward situation... And Saheon really wasn't being very obedient...
— What am I supposed to do with him? He's clearly not easy to manage.
[But he used to be, didn't he?]
— ?..
Braun had a wonderful, bright, unique friend. In his hands, he held what seemed like raw obsidian — despite his peculiarities and lack of formal training, he was beautiful both as an artist and as a person!
Unfortunately, of all those around his friend, he hadn't chosen Braun as his companion — he had entangled himself with a completely mediocre person. It was outrageous, but Braun couldn't hurt his dear friend. Their relationship couldn't be ruined by a mere extra!
Braun tried to reason with Mr. Roe Deer. After all, wasn't he much happier in his studio? Didn't they spend wonderful time together during exciting broadcasts? It was much more pleasant than that arrogant, boring little man who didn't know his place.
But it didn't work... However, an unexpected opportunity arose that would be foolish not to take. Once Mr. Roe Deer saw how pathetic his "partner" actually was, he would realize that having his friend around was much more fun!
***
— ...Saheon.
— ...
Something was wrong.
Something was really wrong.
Saheon felt it the moment the usually tolerant Soleum called him for a "talk" so seriously. It wasn't even a request... For some reason, his usual urge to argue died in his throat. But Saheon couldn't just let Kim Soleum control him!.. Or could he?
— Ahem. What's the matter?
— Tell me, do you know the meaning of the word 'decency'?
With a dead serious expression, Kim Soleum leaned closer to the Goat, peering into his single open eye.
— Huh? What are you implying? So what if I showed up to work like that once... You were fine with it before!
It was hard to argue... Primarily, Soleum hadn't paid much attention to such actions... However! He found the fact that their relationship was so obvious to be unacceptable. And this constant familiarity...
— Baek Saheon. I am older, after all. Until now, I allowed you to use informal speech.
— Hey—
— But. You know... I'm tired of this. — Kim Soleum refused to let his partner get a word in. — Perhaps...
He smiled with only his lips.
— Will you find another way to attract attention?
Soleum's strange behavior... it stirred memories of their shared past. But was he pretending back then... or not? Or was he pretending now? His mind was a complete mess.
A slight shiver ran through his body.
Cold fingers touched Saheon's face and pulled back the bandage. The eye that Soleum had once "gifted" him was now open as well.
His pupils constricted.
Kim Soleum's gaze finally softened when he noticed his partner's fear, but he had no intention of backing down.
— Be obedient. Saheon-ah.
There was no turning back; as they spoke, they had already reached the closed interior door. One was backing up, the other following close behind. He wanted to just walk away, but...
The hand that gripped the handle stayed there. He instinctively squeezed his left eye shut when a tongue softly brushed against it. It was disorienting. Saheon froze, creating an opening that the other quickly exploited.
A sigh...
Baek Saheon recoiled, gripping the door tighter, expecting anything. But instead of something like a bite, Soleum simply kissed him. His brain was too strained to react; Saheon could only watch the cunning face splitting in two right before his own.
His neck and torso were held firmly, if not forcefully. It was a bit unsettling that the fingers pressed directly against his artery, but... the warm breath on his cheek and the familiar scent of hair conditioner were too pleasant to run away.
Only when he noticed the dubious slapping sounds coming from his own mouth did Baek Saheon try to squirm away, causing his neck to be gripped slightly tighter. But eventually, he was released.
For a few seconds, both remained silent. Soleum burned a hole into the Goat's face with his gaze. Then, having made up his mind, he suddenly loosened his grip. Naturally, with a loud clicking of his tongue, Saheon hurried to the other side of the dormitory, though he was too afraid to slam the door.
"That's enough for him today, he seems to have calmed down... Though it's a pity; I'd forgotten how it feels, but he's so cute when he's malleable."
The Roe Deer hummed a cartoon song under his breath while fixing his hair. Meanwhile, in his room, Braun — who had been kicked out so he wouldn't eavesdrop — had successfully been eavesdropping the whole time... If one concentrated, the crackle of electricity and heavy sighs could be heard near him.