Work Text:
Today was weird. Not the day: it was relatively sunny with a light breeze and subtle clouds in the sky, threatening the coming of autumn. What was strange was the people— or entities perhaps was a better word. It started with his eyes cracking open to a small stuffed rabbit hovering over his face…
Kim Soleum drew a sharp breath. He hated when Braun moved around while he wasn’t looking. It always gave him the creeps.
[ Good morning, friend! ]
“…Good morning, Braun.”
Sitting up, he carefully held the plush doll to his chest, making sure it didn’t slip off the bed and onto the ground. He placed Braun back on the night stand.
[ The weather is quite lovely today, don’t you think so? We should put on an outdoor performance! Something special. ]
“I have work today,” he sighed, pulling back his comforter and swinging his legs off the side of the bed. “Maybe another time.”
Braun hummed but didn’t say anything more.
Usually he would chat away or sing Kim Soleum’s ear off as he was getting ready, but today the Good Friend was silent.
It unnerved him. It was weird.
As he dried his hair off in the bathroom after showering, he glanced at where the plush sat still.
“Is everything alright, Braun?” It would be bad if he was in a bad mood.
[ Yes, do not worry. It just seems I’ve misunderstood something. ]
Kim Soleum sighed inwardly. What a cryptic answer. Well, as long as everything was alright.
He continued to dry his hair. Something told him today would be a long day.
—-
He entered the Disaster Management Bureau with the same air he alway did: politeness, exhaustion, and forfeit.
As usual, the people scurried around the lobby, being way too loud and way too energetic for the morning. Kim Soleum squeezed his way through the crowd, scanning his badge and finally finding freedom in the empty elevator.
Getting off at his floor, he couldn’t wait to collapse into the office chairs. Everything had been so hectic recently, he just wanted the weekend to come quickly. He silently wished to himself that it would be an easy day.
But, when was Kim Soleum ever lucky.
As he opened the door to Hyunmoo 1’s office, he was met with an explosion in his face.
His heart practically leapt out of his mouth as the streamers and confetti rained down on him, dropping over his shoulders and spelling his hair.
“Happy Birthday, Agent Grapes!” Came Agent Choi’s voice from behind the used confetti popper that was still pointed at the top of the door frame.
“Ah…, yes, thank you.”
The words stumbled from his mouth and he gave a slight bow, a long blue falling off of his head.
Agent Choi grinned, pulling him into the office. “Don’t worry, even if you have other work on your birthday, Agent Bronze and I will make it super fun for you.”
Ryu Jaekwan, who was scrolling through some article on his computer, glanced up and nodded. “Yes, Agent Choi always makes sure to go all out on birthdays.”
His voice held a hint of something akin to resignation and it made a shive run down Kim Soleum’s spine.
Wait, birthday?
He quickly pulled out his phone. Ah, right. The date September 13th glowed dimly in white text. It was indeed his birthday.
Putting his phone away, a strange feeling settled in his chest. He had never celebrated his birthday much as an adult. He couldn’t quite remember if his friends had ever taken him out but he was sure his work had never done anything.
The Bureau sure was weird.
Braun was silent in his pocket.
He usually loved celebrations but it seemed he wasn’t feeling well today. Kim Soleum ignored it, brushing the confetti off of his shoulders. He’d said he was fine so there was nothing to worry about.
He sat down at his desk and Ryu Jaekwan tossed some papers over onto his desk.
“Here, pick which one you like the best. It’ll be an easy day today.”
Glancing over the pages, he could tell what Ryu Jaekwan meant. None of them were rescue missions. Rather, they were recon, making sure that older ghost stories hadn’t evolved or changed. Was that even within their team’s designation?
He shook his head. Whatever, he was the new one, he wasn’t going to question how the team was run. After all, it wasn’t his that would be getting in trouble if they did something wrong.
Reading over the first couple Darknesses, he sighed. They seemed… scary. He could tell why they were non-lethal—it was all psychological—but that’s what he really didn’t want. The third one involved a lot of physical activity, which he wasn’t too keen on, which only left the fourth one. The Pop-Up Carnival.
The gist of it was that you participated in carnival games and could only leave if you won the majority. It seemed that there wasn’t any penalty for not winning which rubbed him the wrong way, but what did he know?
“Here, let’s do this one,” he said, handing the stack back to Ryu Jaekwan, the fourth one on top.
“Alright, we’ll head out after Agent Choi finishes his paperwork.”
Kim Soleum nodded. He had some paperwork to do as well.
—-
The three agents walked through the empty trailer lot, tickets in hand.
“Alright, here we are. Now, everyone close your eyes and spin to the left three times.”
Kim Soleum put a hand over his breast pocket to protect Braun from the wind and then started spinning.
The air slowly started to warm up and he could smell cotton candy and campfire smoke in the air. A fun festive tune starts to trickle into his ears. When he cracked his eyes open, the sky had turned dark and before them stood a red and white stripes carnival game store front, a bunch of different games scattered around, bright warm white cabochon lights shone, inviting them to come closer.
Kim Soleum gulped.
There wasn’t anyone running the pop-up, and yet, as they approached and placed their tickets on the counter, the tickets disappeared and were replaced with three white balls in the blink of an eye.
Agent Choi laughed. “Looks like it wants us to play tin can alley, first.”
Taking one of the balls, he approached the counter and threw his ball, knocking down all of the towered cans that were against the back of the store.
All the lights flashed and a sweet tune played.
Victory! A robotic voice said over the speakers, and Agent Choi grinned. “See if you can beat that, agents.”
Ryu Jaekwan rolled his eyes, grabbing his own ball as the ball Agent Choi used magically showed up again on the counted. “You got it first try, it’s—“ He rolled his shoulder and slammed the ball against the back wall, knocking the cans everywhere. “—impossible to beat you. We can only tie.”
Agent Choi seemed pleased.
“You’re turn, Destruction King Rookie. Show us what you’ve got!”
Kim Soleum really wanted to strangle him right then and there.
Taking a deep breath, he picked up his first ball, feeling its smooth and slightly rubbery exterior. He had never been the best at physical games—in fact, gym class had been the bane of his existence—but after watching his seniors complete the game easily, he was feeling slightly more confident.
Rolling the ball in his palm, he pressed his lips into a thin line and then there.
Ah.
A choking sound came form his left as both other agents’ faces contorted with was looked like pain as they tried to hold back their laughter.
His ball—poor, innocent ball—received the end of Kim Soleum’s burning glare as it rolled along the floor of the store, not a single can down with it.
“I-it’s alright, Agent Grapes.” Ryu Jaekwan cleared his throat, placing a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. “You have two more tries.”
Kim Soleum nodded. Yeah, he was just rusty. When was the last time he played carnival games?
Picking up the second ball, he squeezed it hard, the surface bending under his force. He could do it.
…
Clenching his teeth, he could feel the heat rising in his face.
“It’s alright, not everyone has good aim,” Agent Choi comforted him with an exaggerated head shake.
He was actually going to kill him one day.
“I still have one more try,” he said with a polite smile.
Turning back towards the counter, he grabbed the last ball. His palms were sweating.
Sure, he wasn’t going to die if he didn’t do well, but he really didn’t want to be cursed with bad luck, either.
Another deep breath. He could do this.
[ Oh my, friend, you really have no talent for this. ]
Kim Soleum stared at his own hand with a look of betrayal.
Even Braun was laughing at him.
He could feel the bad luck weigh down on his shoulder already. He could already tell he wouldn’t be winning any other games.
While the robotic voice said, Too bad… Try again next time!, Kim Soleum received another shoulder pat from Ryu Jaekwan.
“Don’t feel too disheartened, there are a lot of other games to play.”
“Right….”
Agent Choi on the other hand didn’t even attempt to mask his amusement. “I guess we’ve found out what out genius rookie can’t do. Carnival games.”
The darts booth lit up and Kim Soleum only felt dread, even as a jolly melody floated through the air. This was going to be a long ghost story.
—-
By the time they’d gotten to the last game, Kim Soleum had sustained two wins out of nine games and a huge dent in his ego. What kind of person lost at Fish Pond? Fish Pond!?
At least his seniors were enjoying themselves. They’d both doubled over laughing at least thrice at this point, though Agent Choi was much louder about it.
Was this what Ryu Jaekwan had meant by Agent Choi going all out? That he went all out in humiliating the person whose birthday it was?
“Alright, last game and then we’ll leave the pop-up.” Ryu Jaekwan stopped in front of a basin full of shimmering water and unnaturally bright red apples. “Bobbing for apples.”
Kim Soleum could already see the future paperwork Agent Choi would be filling out: Agent Grapes, cause of death, drowning in shallow basin whilst bobbing for apple like a dumbass.
“Agent Grapes, why don’t you go first.”
“Uh, do I have to?”
“Yes, yes, come on, birthday boy.”
Agent Choi pushed him lightly towards the basin.
Just one chance, he would do it, really.
“…Fine.”
Approaching the basin, he gingerly got down onto knees and stared at his warped reflection in the water.
God, this was so dumb. He really should have chosen one of the others, it would have been way less embarrassing.
Grabbing the wooden edges of the basin, he squeezed tightly and took a deep breath.
Okay, he’s got this.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he plunged his face into the cool water, mouth open, trying to bite into one of the apples.
Instead, the apple he had been aiming for hit his lip against his teeth, causing it to split, and forcing him to breach the water.
Spluttering, he blinked furiously, getting the water out of his eyes.
Thankfully, his seniors were standing behind him, but he was sure he looked like a mess as water dripped down his neck and soaked his collar.
“I’ll, um, try again,” he gasped.
With another deep breath, he plunged in again, but this time, no apple hit him.
Darn it.
But then…
Huh?
As he tried to pull out of the basin, the water seemed to curl around his neck, pulling him further down.
Oh, God. He had been right, there was no way the Darkness didn’t have a harsher punishment for people like him.
Engaging his arms, he pushed against the basin, trying the rip his head out of the water’s grasp, but it kept pulling and before he knew it, he’d been pulled in, water soaking into his suit and shoes.
Shit, was he going to be turned into an apple or something??
Panicking, he opened his eyes, the water stinging them.
Dark blue swirling around him, cool and moving in unnatural ways. Squinting, he suddenly saw a form approaching him.
Oh, shit, what was that?
Trying to swim again, he found that he couldn’t move against the harsh current that only propelled him towards the approaching figure that… well, now that he looked at it, it wasn’t that big. It actually looked kind of familiar….
Ah! The Blue Mascot?? What was it doing here?
Kim Soleum suddenly remembered that it was carnival pop-up ghost story. Perhaps the Blue Dragon was able to enter other amusement themes Darknesses.
In any case, the mascot probably wouldn’t hurt him, but he couldn’t be too sure, so his body still tensed as the dragon stopped in front of him, big eyes staring into him.
And then, suddenly, a little box floated down in front of them, bubbled flying off of it as it sunk.
Kim Soleum quickly caught it.
Is this…?
Glancing at the dragon, it nodded, pointing at Kim Soleum.
Ah, it was for him.
He could tell by the yellow bow tied around it that it was a gift. A birthday gift….
“Thank you,” he said, not even wanting to think about how he was breathing and speaking under the water.
The Blue Dragon clapped its little hands, the sound muffled. It looked pleased.
[ Humph. What is it so pleased about? That little gift is nothing to be proud about… and he’s gotten us both all wet. Ugh. ]
Braun had never been a huge fan, had he?
Kim Soleum found a smile playing on his lips.
“I’ll open it when I get home, alright?” He said to the dragon who visibly drooped at that. He waved his hand frantically. “I just don’t want to lose it! It looks quite small.”
The mascot nodded, seemingly understanding.
“Um, would it be alright if I went back to where I was? I need to go back to work so that I can visit the park again.”
The mascot’s eyes shone at the mention of Kim Soleum visiting it again and it quickly nodded, the water slowly spinning.
“Thank you. And again, thank you for the gift. I’ll visit soon!”
The water stole the last of his sentence as the whirlpool grew and grew until he was spinning so fast he couldn’t tell which way was up.
Cupping a hand protectively around Braun, he squeezed his eyes shut and suddenly—
“Gasp!”
“Oh, look who finally decided to wake up.”
He found himself back in the empty trailer lot, the sun having moved from the eastern sky to the west. Sitting up, he groaned as his head ached.
“Careful, it’ll probably bruise. You hit your head hard.”
Kim Soleum glanced at where Ryu Jaekwan was standing, hands on his hips.
“What?”
“You passed out. Slammed your head hard against the rim of the basin as you were going in for your second try.”
A chill dan down his spine. He’d actually almost died bobbing for apples.
But he knew there was more to it, after all, he still had the small box held tightening in clenched fist.
“That’s really embarrassing,” he mumbled.
Ryu Jaekwan smiled. “It’s fine. It’s only normal for you to have something you’re not good at.”
“I suppose.” He wasn’t about to try and correct Ryu Jaekwan’s horribly wrong perception of him being good at literally anything else so that’s all he said about that. “How did you two do?”
“Perfect scores for both of us,” Agent Choi called out from behind him, walking back from wherever he had been.
Turning around, he felt his jaw go slack. In the man’s arms was around twenty different trinkets and plush dolls.
“What’s all that?”
“These are our prizes for winning. And—“ he dropped them all into Kim Soleum’s unassuming arms, “—these are your birthday gifts.”
Agent Choi grinned. He looked proud of himself.
Kim Soelum glanced at the stuff spilling onto the dead grass in front of him.
What was he supposed to do with this? He was a grown man and didn’t have time for bubble wands or bracelet making kits or stuffed animals or yo-yos or…
He sighed. “Thank you, agents.”
Agent Choi laughed loudly. “No problem, rookie. Now let’s get going. If we get back to the Bureau in time we might be able to finish everything today.”
“Is there even any paperwork?” He mumbled. But either way, he collected his trinkets into his pockets and let Agent Choi swing an arm over him and drag him to where Ryu Jaekwan was unlocking their bikes.
Oh well, he’d find something to do with them all.
—-
The Bureau lobby was surprisingly calm when they returned. Perhaps all of the rescue teams were out, as he couldn’t see any of them milling about.
Kim Soleum almost flinched when he opened the door to their office but this time, nothing popped out at him.
“Alright, I’ve sent you the paperwork, it’s super quick, trust me. Agent Bronze, come with me, we have something else to do.”
Huh?
As soon as Kim Soleum sat down, the other two agents were gone, leaving him with all the work.
Were they joking?
With a big sigh, he opening the email that Agent Choi had sent him.
It really wasn’t that much, considering it wasn’t the kind of work they usually did, but still… No! He should have expected this. He was the new one, it was normal for him to get the paperwork. And, this is what he was better at, anyway.
Cracking his knuckles, he started typing up all the information.
Around ten minutes had passed by the time he got to the middle of the paperwork and noticed a note.
[ Come to the first floor lounge! ]
He raised an eyebrow. Was that for him?
Scratching his head, he sighed. He would like an idiot if it wasn’t, but, at the same time, he could just say he was taking a quick break.
Stretching, he got up and headed towards the first floor lounge. There was coffee there, if he remembered correctly… he could use some of that.
The elevator was empty again and so well the halls. It was almost eerie.
Shivering, he picked up his pace.
Quickly he opened the double doors to the lounge.
It was like déjà vu.
“Happy birthday!!!!”
He wasn’t even sure he’d gotten all the confetti out of his hair the first time, and now there was more raining down from the sky.
He quick shook off the rigidness in his stance as he was dragged into the room by many hands of seniors from different teams.
He noticed the familiar brown bob and long black hair in the corner but got pulled into the middle of the room before he could go greet them inconspicuously.
In the middle of the room, on a white rolling table, sat an obviously store bought, rectangle, vanilla cake with the words “Happy Birthday Disaster Rookie!” in thin red icing. His age in numbers sat as wax candles with little stubs of fire flickering on them, slowly melting in the middle of the cake.
“Here!” The leader of Baekho 2 nudged the cake towards him, a smile on her face. “Make sure to make a wish.”
A wish?
He already knew the only wish he wanted.
He could hear phones taking photos and people chattering excitedly, wanting to taste the cake quickly. He watched the flames dance.
He wanted to leave them all behind, that was his wish, wasn’t it?
“Agent Grapes?”
Quickly, he screwed his eyes shut and blew out the candles.
“Haha, sorry, I really had to think,” he laughed politely.
The leader of Baekho 2 nodded. “Of course, you shouldn’t take wishes lightly. Now, who wants cake?”
He sighed inwardly but accepted the paper plate that was shoved into his hands anyway. It wouldn't hurt to enjoy it while it lasted.
A real smile threatened to spread across his face.
This wasn’t his real job, this wasn’t his real wish, none of this was real, but….
“Agent Garnish, did you buy this cake? It’s shit.”
“Hey! You do it next time!”
“Haha! He’s turning red!”
“All of you shut up!”
Kim Soleum laughed quietly. They were so loud.
He took a bite of the cake.
God, it was really horrible.
—-
As the party cleared out and the agents who hadn’t finished their work yet went back to their work, it quieted down.
“I hope you had a fun time,” Ryu Jaekwan said, coming up the him after helping take all the banners and streamers down from the walls. “I know it might not have been your scene, but I hope it was at least not terrible.”
Kim Soleum smiled. “No, I had quite a lot of fun. I’ve never had a job that did all this so I was a bit shocked but… no, it wasn’t bad.”
“Even the carnival?”
Kim Soleum's face contorted without him meaning to. He could feel his forehead throb. “Uhhh….”
Ryu Jaekwan laughed. “Well, try and not hate us for it.”
“I won’t.”
With a pat on the shoulder, Ryu Jaekwan excused himself to go chase down Agent Choi who had tried to slip out earlier to avoid finishing the paperwork he had pushed onto Kim Soleum.
He let out a heavy sigh. It had even a long day but it hadn’t been as exhausting as he had been dreading that morning.
Suddenly, a finger tapped him on the shoulder.
“Agent Grapes.”
“Ah, Agent Mint.”
Go Yeongeun smiled. “It’s good to see again. Happy birthday, of course.”
“Yes, thank you. It’s nice to see you again, as well.”
And it really was. Unlike when they were working—well, really working at Daydream Inc.—her smile looked genuine.
“Here, I got this for you. From one rookie to another, though we’re quite on different levels, I’d say.”
“Oh, please don’t say that.” He waved his hands frantically until she shoved a small bag into his hands.
“Take it. It might help you.”
And with that, she gave a small bow and left.
It was unfortunate they couldn’t speak longer but he knew better than anyone that they couldn’t take that risk.
Peaking into the bag, he saw what looked like a new pair of glasses. There was also a little card tied to the handle that read, “Just incase they break :) Never hurts to be prepared”. He could guess from what he knew about Go Yeongeun that there was something special about the glasses but he’d have to figure it out himself.
Closing the bag, he raised his head only to make eye contact with Jang Heowoon who, as soon as he looked up, started walking over to him.
“Agent Grapes! Happy birthday!”
“Yes, thank you.”
“It’s always a privilege to life another year, isn’t it.”
“Haha, yes, especially in this occupation.”
Hang Heonwoon nodded and then rummaged in his pocket. “Here, a gift.”
It was a set of pens.
“They really are just normal pens, but I’ve notice you like to take notes, so I figured it was better than coming empty handed.”
“Ah, you shouldn’t have worried, many people came empty handed. I didn’t even know this happening.”
A shadow passed over his face.
“Well, you’ve helped me a lot. So, it only felt right.”
Out of everyone left in the room, only Kim Soleum knew the weight of those words.
“I’ll use these with care. Thank you.”
He accepted the packet with both hands.
“Well, I should get back to work. Enjoy getting off of work early.”
“I will, I will. Let’s… see each other around.”
“Yes, let’s.”
He took a deep breath as Jang Heonwoon passed him.
He really did get off early thanks to his seniors. He already knew that when he got home he was going to pass out.
[ Shouldn’t you do something the celebrate? ]
He could feel a yawn creeping up his throat already.
Wasn't this enough celebrating for one day?
—-
The commute to home was long but due to it only being 3 in the afternoon, rush hour hadn’t quite hit yet.
He was listening to Braun going on another spiel about one of his most recent shows when his phone buzzed. Not many people texted him so he instantly pulled it out to check who it was.
An unknown number.
Spam maybe, but he instantly recognized the code used. It was the former assistant manger and she was asking him to come to dinner that night.
Kim Soleum raised an eyebrow. There was no way she also knew it was his birthday so something must be up. In addition, why would she want to celebrate?
Shaking his head, he put his phone away. He could get a little nap in before dinner.
—-
The restaurant was hot with people and meat. The smell and sound of sizzling meat wafted over him as he entered. It made his mouth water.
“Kim Soleum! Over here!”
Eun Haje waved him over from her table. He instantly recognized the people around her.
Huh? What were Chief Lizard and Park Minseong doing here? He didn’t mind, but it put him even more on edge.
He quickly sat down in the last spot around the grill.
“So, what’s the problem?” He asked in a serious voice.
Everyone at the table glanced at each other.
“Problem?”
“Yeah, what are we all meeting for?”
Eun Haje sighed. “Oh, I don’t know, your birthday, maybe?”
“Ah.” His body instantly relaxed.
“What did you forget your own birthday?”
Embarrassment pooled in his gut. “No, no, the Bureau actually celebrated it today, I just didn’t know that you all would… you know, what to do that, too.”
Eun Haje sighed again. “Just because we work for an asshole company, doesn’t mean we’re assholes ourselves.”
“J-J3 also sends his regards. I have a box of donuts for you, from him.”
“Oh!” He tired not to let the surprise show on his face but it was hard. Did the security guard like him that much? It was strange.
“The rest of us can’t really go around giving you gifts, so eat and drink as much as you want tonight, alright?” Eun Haje grinned.
He sighed, a smile on his face. “If you insist.”
The night progressed with Eun Haje making sure he was always smiling, Park Minseong making sure he always had meat on his plate, and Lee Jaheon stealthily filling his cup whenever he finished his drink, like some midnight bartender.
“You know, I miss you guys,” his alcohol stained lips blubbered. “I know we didn’t work together long, but hang out like this… I really wish we had longer.”
Eun Haje gave him a soft smile. “Come on, we’re not going anywhere. Sure we can’t meet up all the time, but we’re not gone.”
Park Minseong nodded furiously. “Y-Yeah! And we don’t plan on leaving soon. Even if these two run away to some sunny island after getting their Wish Tickets, I’ll still be here with you.”
“Are you trying to one-up me?” Eun Haje glared.
“W-What? It’s true.”
Lee Jaheon just sighed as the two of them acted like fools on either side of him.
“Kim Soleum. It’s none of our wish to be away from you, remember that, alright?”
He felt his chest tighten at the words. If always felt like Lee Jaheon’s red reptilian eyes could see more than he let on.
“Right….”
“Ah! Whatever! Let’s all drink until we pass out!” Eun Haje slammed down her cup. “Another!”
—-
Waving goodbye as his taxi parted the restaurant, he felt a strange sense of guilt rock from side to side in his heart. He felt a pain in his chest from having so many people care for him and care about his... existence. And yet, here he was, just wishing he didn't exist here. It made him feel like he was stringing them all along with something that didn’t exist.
His warm breath made the window the car fog up. He could see the purple and blue spot on his forehead from that morning.
One year ago… he couldn’t even remember where he was. His memories of his life before his hiring at Daydream Inc. were growing fuzzier and more warped by the day.
Had he spent his birthday with family? With friends? Or maybe alone, just treating himself. Or maybe, after everything, he had forgotten about it until he saw an email in his inbox from some company trying to give him a birthday discount, and then he’d go and get his favorite take out after a long day of work and eat it while watching a TV show, calling it “treating himself”.
Well, he was sure he hadn’t had this. He hadn’t had so many people who cared, who remembered.
Would they remember him? Once he was gone?
Or, like he was forgetting, would he leave their minds too?
Taking a bite of the donuts J3 had gotten him, he sniffed.
These were much better than the cake, but just as sweet.
—-
He was exhausted as he stumbled through his door that night, something warm and nostalgic settled in his gut. It must have been around two in the morning already and after the long drive back and donuts eaten, he'd started to sober up.
Taking of his jacket, he took Braun out of his pocket and then dumped everything out into his desk from the toys from the carnival to the little bag Go Yeongeun had given him.
“Ah, the present from the mascot.”
[ Ah, yes, that. Quite an ugly color combination, don’t you thing? ]
“Sure, Braun.”
Picking up the little box, he pulled the ribbon loose and placed it on the table. Surprisingly, the box didn’t look like it had even toughed water, much less been submerged in it.
Opening it carefully, his brows furrowed when he saw what was inside.
“A ring?”
He tilted it so that Braun could see inside.
[ What a surprisingly tasteful gift. It seems to let you grant you the ability to breath underwater. ]
“Huh. That’s actually quite useful.”
Taking the ring, he placed it on his index finger when, suddenly, his lungs felt like they were being constricted and tightened.
Gagging, he ripped the ring off of his finger.
“I-I guess I can’t wear it above water,” he gasped.
[ It does seem that way. ]
Sighing, he rubbed his aching chest and placed the ring back in the box and then the box into his desk drawer.
[ Must it be so close to me? I can smell it. ]
“I can’t really risk people finding it….”
Braun didn’t seem too happy but he didn’t say anymore.
Kim Soleum sighed. He was exhausted.
He took a quick shower, rinsing the smell of barbecue and alcohol off of him before flopping down on his bed. Sleep was already pulling at him as he got under his blanket.
As he closed his eyes, Braun spoke up again.
[ This morning, you didn’t seem to remember that it was your birthday. ]
Kim Soleum sighed. “That’s true.”
[ But everyone else did. ]
“Yes, including you, it seems.”
Braun was silent for a moment.
[ I heard it from your coworkers. They spoke about their plans while you were out of the office. ]
“Did you tell the Blue Dragon Mascot?” He wasn’t mad, it was just surprising.
[ Of course not! ]
Kim Soleum let out an airy laugh. Braun seemed disgusted by the mere idea.
[ I assume the dragon found out in a similar way. If anyone spoke about it whilst in a ghost story, word would travel. ]
He hummed. That was interesting. And unnerving, but he tried not to think about it.
“Do ghost stories have birthdays? Like, do you have one?” He asked, a yawn ending his question.
Quiet filled the room for a second.
[ I’m not sure. Celebrations of birthdays seem to be a very human concept, however. ]
“I see. Well, it’s not like that for all humans.”
[ Really? ]
“I mean, I understand saying happy birthday to someone, but… you probably won’t understand, but people don’t really… celebrate the birthdays of people that aren’t their family or close friends. Especially not when they’re older. So this was… this was really special, in a way.”
[ Why? Is celebration not a way of showing appreciation for someone? ]
“I-I guess, but… it’s just different, okay?”
[ Alright. Would that not mean that everyone at your work appreciates you, then? ]
Kim Soleum sighed, furrowing his brows.
“I don’t know, Braun. Let’s just go to sleep.”
[ Of course. Now, I being your closest friend have prepared a very special celebration for you. ]
“What…?” He mumbled, suddenly feeling very groggy.
[ I hope you love acrobatics and ballet and trot singing. Ah, there’s also an escape artist, he’s very good… ]
Braun’s chattering faded into the distance as he fell into a quick and unnatural darkness.
Oh god, he wasn’t sleeping tonight, was he?