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Soleum slowly made his way around the dining table, taking in all the little details the staff were adjusting. He was a little nervous that it was too much, that his friend would be scared away by the sheer extravagance of it all—he had asked for outside input and consulted a couple of books in order to see what would be the best designs, and tried to use all of the tips. His friend had just passed the one-month anniversary of working with him on his new show, and he wanted to show how grateful he was for all the help he had given and for sticking around as long as he had so far.
He shook his head at the plate that a staff member passed by his eyes. He may be a little fuzzy on the exact details he had once read from a book he perused while waiting around in his greenroom one day, but he didn’t think that humans would eat something like that. It looked fine to him, but he knew his friend was quite particular with things, so he didn’t want to risk disappointing him. The meal needed to be perfect, the decorations needed to be perfect, the whole meal needed to be perfect.
He glanced off to the side after he adjusted the plates and silverware—something ornate and surprisingly heavy—where he sensed his friend was sitting, watching over all of the preparations as if watching his favorite show. He smiled as he began to make his way over to the front of the audience seating; he always knew where his friend was, both in the sense of feeling something akin to the shine of admiration and in the literal sense that his friend was always one step behind him, perpetually in step ever since he agreed to work with him. Not to mention the literal tether that connected them through the Good Friend plush, but that was simply a given.
“Soleum-ssi! You’re putting on such a delightful show, I couldn’t bear to look elsewhere!” His friend turned to look at him as he approached, smile growing wider once Soleum joined him in sitting, not minding when he tilted his head to look at the staff still working. That was another wonderful thing about his friend, he knew how much he cared for his staff—and how much his staff cared for him in return—and never begrudged him for splitting his attention.
[Thank you.]
He inclined his head, turning his attention fully onto Braun and trusting in his staff’s last-minute fixes. He wanted to spend some time with his friend and, hopefully, successfully invite him to the private dinner being set up in front of his eyes
“The show earlier was really something!” Braun clapped his hands, “Mixing in the hunting aspect with that gorgeous camerawork? Incredible!”
[I’m glad you liked it. If you liked it, then the audience must have as well.]
Braun scoffed, waving a hand, “Of course they liked it! My taste in entertainment is impeccable! ” He narrowed his eyes playfully, “Are you just fishing for compliments, Soleum-ssi?”
[I would never.]
Soleum shook his head, antlers swaying.
[If you really liked it that much… I’ll treat you to dinner tonight, if you would like to eat with me.]
“Whatever for? There’s more to be done with the setup for tomorrow’s show! I know you were planning on adding something new, and the positioning for that needs to be double-checked-”
[It will be alright.]
Soleum interrupted him, tapping Braun on the head briefly. His friend was prone to succumbing to his perfectionist tendencies, which was just one of many reasons why he was so delighted by successfully convincing Braun to work with him. He wanted to make sure his friend was able to rest, and being by his side all the time now meant that he could watch over him and make sure that he wasn’t working too much. That other company of his just encouraged those worrysome tendencies and made him work so much-
“Really?” Braun raised an eyebrow and looked at the staff moving around on stage. His friend was never quite able to trust his staff, so Soleum could excuse the doubt he had in regard to the running of his show.
[Yes. The whiteboard in the staffroom is full of all the notes that the staff will review. If not for your doubt in my staff , I sense a yes for joining me?]
His friend grimaced, “I would never doubt you! And, neither do I doubt your staff…”
Soleum felt the mist surrounding him slightly move in amusement. His friend was trying his best to reassure him about the opinion he had of his staff, but he saw right through it, just like he had when his friend started working for him at the very beginning of their show. He didn’t take much offense, seeing as he knew it was his friend showing how much he cared.
[I haven’t heard a no.]
“Well, alright.” His friend took one last look at the stage before rising from the seat, grabbing the hand that was extended towards him. The two made their way up the stairs at the side, and Soleum felt like he was glowing brighter than usual. He had been worried that his hand would be rejected, but it seemed as if his friend knew that he would be upset if he didn’t. Truly, he sighed in admiration, Good Friends were always connected!
[What would you like to eat? Any favorite foods you’ve hidden from me?]
Braun startled a bit as he sat down, as if caught off guard by the question. Soleum frowned to himself, sitting slowly. It wouldn’t be very nice to just force his friend to eat what he wanted without asking. No, he wanted to make Bruan feel comfortable while eating with him.
“I grew up eating Western foods, but I’ve had food from around the world. But, I suppose, Western is what I was used to. At home.”
[Would you like to eat that?]
Soleum asked a question, but Braun didn’t seem to hear him. That was a little upsetting, he supposed. His friend knew how to be polite, so there must be a reason why he would, seemingly, ignore the question. Friends didn’t ignore each other, after all.
[Friend?]
His friend shook his head as if trying to clear his head of something, which caused him to frown again. His friend was worrying him a bit, which displeased him. Their partnership was supposed to ensure that his friend never worried—and by extension, never worried him—but, here he was, seemingly failing in that goal.
[No Western. Let’s just go with Korean.]
Soleum motioned to the staff standing in the wings to go find the human food he had set aside. It wouldn’t be a bother to wait a few more moments if he hadn’t set some aside already, but he wanted the dinner to go as smoothly as possible. He reached out to tap his friend on the arm, rustling the fabric to draw his attention back to him. That was how it should be, his friend’s focus all on him.
[Thank you for agreeing to this meal.]
“I’m delighted by your care.” Braun smiled at him, and Soleum felt that glowing in his chest. He tried his best to keep Braun alive while he worked for him, continuously reading books and finding information on how humans lived to make sure he was treating him well. If Braun became healthier while he worked for him, then wouldn’t he want to stay longer?
[I hope the food is to your liking.]
Soleum turned away as he sensed the staff quickly returning, plates held in their hands as they made their way onto the stage. Braun seemed to perk up more as the plates were placed before them, and he looked around at the stage.
“This is a really wonderful dinner setup! I see that the yellow is easily mixed with the golds, and the deep blues are artfully placed around…” Braun continued to look around now that he was closer to the stage, and Soleum just watched, content with his friend’s joy.
[Please start eating whenever. This is a dinner I invited you to, after all. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible.]
“Thank you for this.” Braun didn’t start eating yet, instead choosing to lean over the table a bit, “I noticed you’ve been trying your best to care for me while I work for you.”
[I wouldn’t let my friend be in anything less than the best condition. We are working together, yes, but any proper friend must notice if their friend isn’t doing well.]
Braun just nodded and leaned back, beginning to eat his meal. Soleum just stared, taking in his friend under the spotlights. It was different compared to the lights on his show—usually dim and unintrusive to make sure the animals didn’t spook while they filmed them—and it entranced him deeply that his friend could look so at home underneath all kinds of lights. It seemed like it was something innate, something deep inside him that ensured he would look so bright in any situation, in any circumstances. Something so bright and shiny, was it any question why he wanted to keep him by his side?
“Soleum-ssi, are you alright? You haven’t eaten anything yet.” Braun tilted his head, hand pausing before he set the spoon down beside the bowl. He shook his head, sitting up a little straighter in his seat from where he had started to lean towards Braun.
[Yes, I’m quite alright. I was just observing something. Don’t worry, Braun-ah, keep eating.]
“Oh! Using my name? Color me flattered, Soleum-ssi, looks like this really is a celebratory meal.” Braun rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb, moving his gaze from Soleum down to the bowl in front of him.
[Mmh.]
Soleum felt his chest heat up and turned his gaze to the floor. His mist had spread out to cover the entire stage floor and looked to be inching up the legs of Braun’s chair. What was going on? Braun-ah? To think, he addressed his friend so intimately! Braun was much too kind to him; he just brushed it off as simple flattery. It wasn’t, but what if Braun were to figure that out? Not to mention, the show… No, it was time for the next celebratory item.
[Friend, you like to pair alcohol with your meals, no?]
There really was no polite way to bring up Braun’s relationship with alcohol, but Soleum tried.
“Yes, I do! In fact, there was this one brandy I have been meaning to pair with something, but I haven’t gotten around to doing so yet…” His expression lit up, and it almost made Soleum feel bad about restricting his friend’s alcohol consumption. Almost.
[I found this whisky that I thought you might like to try.]
He motioned off to the side, and a staff member quickly brought out a bottle, placing it gently on the table before returning to the wings. He wasn’t able to sample it, but from the research he did and the complaints that Braun made while he carried him around in plush form, he knew it was at least something others liked.
“Oh?” Braun picked up the bottle and lifted it to his face to read the label, quietly reading it to himself as Soleum looked on fondly.
[I will pass on having a glass, but feel free to open the bottle.]
“Alright!” Braun opened the bottle and poured a little bit out, moving the bottle a little under his nose to smell the alcohol in the bottle. He smiled as Braun seemed to grow even more delighted by the drink, mist slinking back over to his feet. Perhaps it was a bit wrong to distract his friend in such an underhanded way, but the embarrassment over his slip-up was weighed a little more heavily than any guilt.
Apparently, he underestimated Braun’s alcohol tolerance.
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your little endearment earlier, Soleum-ssi.” Braun pointed a fork at him, the dessert for the night—a lovely cheesecake to settle the meal—speared at the end of the prongs.
[Hm.]
He couldn’t help the way his mist reared its unruly head again, rushing out to curl against Braun’s legs under the table.
“Don’t give me that,” Braun softly hit his leg with his shoe, “I think it’s rather nice.”
What? Soleum couldn’t help but blink, yellow light dimming and brightening against the white tablecloth.
“I like to think we’re close, Soleum-ssi,” Braun leaned his head against his palm after putting his elbow on the table, “It’s nice to know it’s reciprocated.”
[I…]
Soleum was at a loss for words, his mist becoming more and more dense as he tried to think of something to say.
“Of course, I wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to think I can address you in a similar manner.” Braun straightened up in his chair, removing his elbow from the table. Soleum felt an odd sense of loss, as if Braun physically pulling back was also a sign of him pulling back in their relationship. That wouldn’t do, that wouldn’t do at all! They were good friends, such Good Friends that Soleum wanted them to be even greater friends-
[You may!]
It was only after he noticed his good friend jolt back a little that he realized he said something. He ducked his head down, feeling the weight of his antlers seemingly grow even heavier. He lifted his head again, bringing back in his mist as he spoke again.
[You may. I would, ah, really like it if you were to address me with an endearment of your own. Braun-ah.]
Braun looked at him in silence, and Soleum felt himself grow a little nervous. Were they really not as good friends as he thought? If it were only one-sided, then why not kil-
“Really?” The response shook him from his thoughts, and Soleum saw Braun look uncharacteristically nervous, as if he was expecting something bad to happen after replying. How silly, of course his good friend was nervous like he was! They really hadn’t ever taken a day for themselves, after all, since that former company of his kept him running back and forth all the time, so no wonder they never discussed the depth of their relationship!
[Yes. Would I lie to you about this?]
“Well, no… Soleum-ssi,” Braun looked at him through his lashes, and Soleum thought he heard a light shatter somewhere on the set, “May I really address you closely?”
[Are you doubting me?]
Soleum didn’t really mean the question of his sincerity, since he was still a little blindsided by Braun’s enthusiastic acceptance of his own address.
“No! But,” Braun scratched his cheek, the skin underneath flushing slightly, “I’m just surprised, really. Thank you, my dear.” Soleum felt his mist engulf the floor and felt a glowing—literal and figurative—sense of joy. My dear… It was part of something that he had heard Braun use when describing his plush form to his coworkers and others in his life: my dear friend.
[I hesitate to say you may use it while filming, but outside is more than welcome.]
“The next thing we should work on is your formality,” Braun tapped his cheek, “I’d like to talk like how we used to when I worked for…” His face twisted up momentarily, as if he was struggling to remember, “my previous employer. I understand drawing boundaries, but at least smudge them when it’s just us talking?”
[Well, I suppose. I mean, okay.]
Soleum had to clear his throat and rework his sentence, but it was worth the slightly awkward adjustment as Braun rewarded him with a wide smile.
“There we go!” Braun cheered. Soleum just looked at him, his chest feeling warmer than usual. The dinner was such a great idea—his friend and he had grown closer, they would address themselves more comfortably, and maybe that meant Braun would hesitate even more if his old employers came to try and bring him back. Such a wonderful outcome all along!
“So, my dear,” Braun’s mouth came up in a smile as he said ‘dear’, delight plain on his face, “would it be alright if I did something?” Soleum tilted his head, but nodded in acceptance. Braun gracefully got out of his chair and walked over to Soleum, before bending down to his face.
“I’ve always wanted to do this, you know?” After saying that, he leaned in and kissed him on the muzzle, even grabbing onto his antlers to tilt his head back as the kiss continued. Soleum startled, arching up at both the surprise kiss and the heat that flashed through his body when Braun’s hands made contact with his antlers, sensitive as they were under the velvet.
Was his good friend-
Did Braun just-
Ah.
After the kiss ended and his Braun moved back, Soleum grabbed onto the back of his neck, tugging Braun close again.
[My Braun-ah.]
Braun slightly shivered in his grasp, eyes dilating.
[Thank you for such a wonderful gift.]
“That’s-” Braun stuttered, face flushing a sweet pink, “I- Well-,”
[I do hope you meant it?]
Braun bobbed his head, still stuck in his hold.
[Good.]
Soleum released him and Braun stumbled back, the gracefulness from earlier wiped out. As his friend sat back down in his chair and stared at the table, Soleum began to think about what paperwork needed to be filled out and filed. After all, since Braun would hopefully be working with him for a while, any relationship needed to be noted, to be permanently spelled out in stark black ink for everyone to see.