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Braun was behaving out of the ordinary for him. He rushed across set and didn't stop to chat with employees. For a guy who was a charming man, just as much as he was a charming boss, it rang alarm bells in his head.
Maybe Soleum had already missed other warning signs. He's been preoccupied with setting up the schedule. What if Braun had been struggling with this for weeks and Soleum had been too busy to pay attention to his friend?
Soleum couldn't stand to mess this up. He waited until the Late Night segment ended. As soon as the camera-shaped employee cut for the night, flapping their arms as a sign, Soleum targeted Braun.
Technically, this was improper. Braun was always boastful and would give a speech of encouragement for all of the employees. However, Soleum decided to ignore that.
If Braun wasn't going to take care of himself, then the rules didn't matter anymore.
Soleum walked across the set, ducking his head whenever other members of the crew swerved around him. Employees of the show could range in size, and Braun was a good employer, so the list of applicants was always in the double digits.
Soleum admired that his good friend managed to create such a large audience and environment to sustain his ideas that were once threatened to be taken off of the air.
Braun deserved this, and more. Soleum hadn't always been there to watch Braun evolve, but he understood how much work went into it. Soleum's only been working behind the scenes for a couple of weeks, but he learned a lot about how complicated running a set was.
Not to mention the different people that Braun interviewed! Soleum couldn't believe how many entities came to awe at Braun and explain their origins.
As Soleum finally approached the host, Braun was focused. His monologue for the night seemed to be long and boastful, as it was at the end of every week.
[Tonight we end things on a high note! We set a new record for our ratings! Thousands watched, and it's not because of me, though I certainly help. It's because of all of you, who keep everything neat, organized, and perfectly sound. Without you by my side, I could never pull off such a feat.]
Braun was too nice, honestly. Soleum wanted to shut him up. He couldn't reach high enough to cover his mouth. Hmm... Braun didn't really have a mouth in the first place. Why did Soleum assume?
He shook his head, and observed the situation.
Braun was standing, so the chair he had sat in previously was now unused. Soleum smiled and nodded to himself, and a moment later, he stepped onto it.
Braun turned to him, a flicker going through his screen, before he continued his speech. [Now, my merry colleagues, to celebrate our latest hits, there is a feast in the staff lounge! Do be good and eat up. No one goes hungry, am I understood?]
"Braun," Soleum said. "Psst, Braun."
Braun ignored him, waving his hands around in the air instead. He was theatrical at all times, even off-camera. Soleum sighed and wondered how to solve this.
[I hope you all fill your bellies, and return to work refreshed! We'll be using the next two days to prepare for the week—]
Soleum had to do what he must. He couldn't let Braun continue on mindlessly when he was clearly troubled.
Soleum stood on his tiptoes, grabbed Braun's antennas, and yanked. Braun turned toward him in record time, static filling the room as Soleum pressed his lips to Braun's screen.
It was hot, having been on for too long. Braun was going to overheat! Did he not care for his well-being? This was why Soleum had to look after him. If he didn't, no one else would!
Soleum's ears bled a little from the noise—he could feel it dripping down his neck—but he didn't care. And soon enough, the static ended, so Soleum was fine.
He smiled as he pulled back, his attempt at getting Braun to calm down having succeeded.
The room was silent, except for the crew who rushed to the staff lounge. Braun's screen was completely black now, too. There was no more wide-grinning emoticon or snow-filled screen. Braun had turned off to rest.
Soleum's job here was done!
Well... maybe not. Soleum wanted to talk to Braun to see if he could help with the host's duties. Should Soleum wait a few minutes before asking? If Braun was going to finally rest, then he didn't want to interfere with that.
But just as Soleum looked down at his feet so he could climb down from the chair, Braun's screen flickered back to life.
[Friend... Did you just—]
"Sleeping Beauty's waking kiss," Soleum confirmed, then cringed. "The opposite of it, I mean! I'm the prick on the wheel, sending you into slumber."
Braun's screen was an emoticon with large eyes and blushing cheeks. Aww, was he embarrassed? Or was he running a fever? Could the host get a fever? Soleum didn't know enough to help his friend as he should.
Braun raised a gloved hand, covering his screen. Soleum smiled gleefully. Braun wasn't speaking in large waves. He spoke to Soleum like regular, and he wasn't rushing off elsewhere.
"I've been worried for you," Soleum admitted after Braun continued to just stare at him.
[You have?] Braun's voice was covered in static, but just a tinge. It didn't hurt Soleum's ears much.
Soleum bobbed his head, and looked back down. He didn't feel the safest from this height. He should get down.
"You've been busy," Soleum said, trying to step down. "Braun makes me worried—he should prioritize himself."
Braun didn't respond verbally, but he did pick Soleum up by the waist, and placed him down onto the ground. Soleum bobbed his head in thanks, smoothing out his suit.
Braun's screen didn't change. You'd think he was scandalized from their exchange.