Chapter Text
Soleum smooths down his old black tie, checking his appearance in an ornate bathroom mirror. Agent Choi had insisted—8 PM sharp, a fancy hotel restaurant overlooking the peak of Namsan. A thrill rises through Soleum as he recalls their conversation. Choi's body pressed close to his in Hyunmu Team 1's waiting room, third ever kiss shared together light on Soleum's lips.
It's just a date, Soleum reminds himself. Their second, to be accurate. He pulls out his phone, sweaty hand slipping against the case. 7:54 PM. Time to head back to the lobby and meet Choi.
Several groups of people mill about the space, voices echoing around the high ceiling. Soleum feels excessively aware of the clacking of his shoes on the polished marble floor. Nobody spares Soleum a second glance. He considers standing behind a tasteful seasonal flower display when he spots Choi, breezing in through the hotel's front doors.
Soleum realizes he's never seen Choi outside of his government-issued jacket and standard work uniform until this moment. Apparently, Choi owns at least one different outfit, with a tailored navy wool overcoat that highlights his slender waist. Choi is chatting with the host at the entrance to the restaurant. Soleum approaches and taps Choi gently on the shoulder.
Choi turns around and his eyes light up when he sees Soleum, whose hand is still raised to keep tapping if necessary.
“Grapes-ya! You're right on time,” Choi says, smiling brilliantly as ever.
Soleum lets his hand fall on Choi's shoulder. He wants to pull down on that jacket collar for a kiss, but remembers himself and their audience.
“Hello, sunbae-nim,” Soleum responds. He can feel the chill from outside rolling off Choi, refreshing in his overheated state.
The host clears his throat. Their table is ready.
Choi gestures for Soleum to follow their host, winding through the intimate restaurant. They're seated at a table next to a floor-length window. The city lights glisten between the dark, forested hills interspersed throughout. Menus and water and anything else they might need materialize faster than Soleum can anticipate.
Soleum had briefly browsed the menu online, quickly aghast at the prices. He didn't want to second-guess his sunbae's choice, but even the smallest items have eye-watering price tags. Does a tenured government agent make enough to afford this? Perhaps a permanent career change is in order, if only…
“Soleum-ah? Did you decide already?” Choi asks, snapping Soleum out of his thoughts.
Right.
“I think I'll have this course,” Soleum says, pointing at his choice.
“Is that all? It's on me tonight, you know!” Choi says and places his hand over Soleum's on the table.
“Ah, thank you, sunbae-nim,” Soleum says, a wave of heat rising up to his cheeks. Choi's gaze on him makes Soleum flush even deeper.
“I wouldn't want our maknae to be hungry, after all,” Choi responds as he strokes the back of Soleum's hand with his thumb, warmth sinking into his skin.
I'll buy him coffee all month for this… Soleum thinks. Their romantic relationship, so new, is barely a month old. The thought of two months together makes something ache in his gut. Soleum could get used to this, spending his days in the sun with his favorite agent.
Their dinner unfolds slowly, with just the right amount of time between each set of dishes.
Choi offers Soleum extra bites from his own plates, seemingly uncaring if anyone else in the restaurant sees. Soleum feels warmed from the inside and tries to let himself bask in Choi's care. Their conversation flows gently. Soleum learns just enough about Choi and shares what he safely can in return. Though it's been so long since Soleum entered this world, he can still remember his old life. The details are fading and some days Soleum barely thinks about it. Time only flows in one direction. It's best to make use of how much Soleum has left.
Lingering over their perfectly portioned sweets with tea, Choi intertwines his fingers with Soleum's. Choi is beaming, his other hand propping up his chin.
I wonder what we'll do after this? Soleum thinks. He doesn't have to wonder for long.
A new server walks up to their table, holding out a small envelope.
“Congratulations, gentlemen!” says the employee, just a bit too loud for the environment. “You're our lucky winners!”
Choi frowns and looks at Soleum. This restaurant isn't the type to hold impromptu prize drawings.
This employee stares between their heads, never meeting Soleum's eyes. The envelope shakes in their hands. Soleum sees Choi glancing around the room, but suddenly the restaurant is deserted.
Soleum gulps. Something isn't right.
The strange employee appears to be wearing clothing that even Soleum can tell is at least a decade out of date. Choi reaches for something in his pocket but Soleum taps Choi's foot under the table in warning.
Soleum recalls this ghost story and its associated manual. The clearance strategies and known facts from the wiki itself blur together in his mind, but Soleum remembers more than enough.
======================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story / Miscellaneous
[I'll Have What They're Having]
:A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>
Daydream Inc. Identification code: Qterw-D-1430
A D-Class Darkness with myriad entry points. This Darkness only manifests in hotels with maximum occupancy over ◼️◼️◼️.
Requirements to enter this Darkness are as follows:
- Physical presence inside a qualifying hotel with one's significant other
- Jointly consuming food on premises
The exact algorithm to determine what else triggers this Darkness is not known. Current total: ◼️9 logged Exploration Records.
Upon satisfying the entry conditions, a hotel representative will arrive shortly. Do not refuse the packet (contains hotel keys, ◼️◼️ information, and room number) this employee offers. If the room number suddenly changes, please contact the Security Team and help may be dispatched.
Upon entering the room, a number appears over each individual's head. In order to exit this Darkness, the exact number of orgasms as this number must* be achieved by the affected individual. Qualifying methods to reach orgasm include, but are not limited to those documented in this file. There is no observable logic for number assignment.
*If the number cannot be lowered to zero (0) by hotel check-out time, affected parties will require rescue. Call the Security Team for more information and hourly rates.
======================
Unknown to the Disaster Management Bureau, this Darkness has been mined by Daydream Inc. for years. All employees in relationships disclosed to HR can expect to be sent on a mission to clear it at least once. However, the conditions to trigger its appearance don't always materialize, leading to numerous date night dinners expensed to corporate for effectively no reason. A small perk for dating amongst their own ranks, as most companies don't actively encourage that.
Choi's eyes widen as Soleum reaches out an unsteady hand for the envelope.
“Thank you,” Soleum says to the employee, as politely as possible.
“You are most welcome, Sir,” comes the almost robotic response. The employee backs away without looking in reverse, then fades away. Normal dinner conversation and the sound of utensils returns in a rush.
“Soleum-ah…what was that?” asks Choi.
“We've been selected,” Soleum responds. “We've won a free night at this hotel.”
“And if we didn't plan to stay the night?” Choi continues. Soleum can feel his foot tapping right next to his own underneath the table.
“We don't have a choice,” Soleum says. “Anyone who ignores this prize disappears.”
Choi's mouth flattens into a thin line. “How do you know so much about this?”
“I…heard about it from former colleagues,” Soleum says, paraphrasing. “The entry locations and conditions are seemingly random.”
“So you've never experienced it yourself?” Choi asks. He's smiling but Soleum can tell that he's on edge.
With a sigh, Soleum admits that he never did. Nobody around him at Daydream ever seemed worth the trouble.
“I see,” Choi says simply. He sounds relieved.
The less Soleum shares right now, the better. Frankly, the thought of spending the night with Choi and fulfilling the exit requirements of this Darkness fills him with equal parts desire and nervousness.
The only way out is through, Soleum reminds himself.
Soleum flips through the envelope contents: two room keys and a small pamphlet listing resort amenities.
“The most important thing to note is check-out time,” Soleum shares. He doesn't wish to reveal much about this phenomenon yet while they're still in public.
Patiently waiting, Choi looks like he has dozens of questions but lets Soleum continue. Soleum reaches across the table for Choi's hand, settling over it with his own.
“Ours is 11 AM. It would be best to follow the rules,” Soleum adds. “This Darkn–phenomenon is fairly simple, but we should still be cautious.”
Lifting up his wrist, Choi checks his watch.
Since when does he wear a watch? Soleum notices.
“In that case, it's getting late, Grapes-ya,” Choi says quietly, a faint smirk forming on his lips. “Shall we go up to our room?”
Soleum nods. Choi insists on settling their bill as promised, despite Soleum trying to slip him a wad of cash. Once that's done, Soleum leads Choi to the elevator noted in their welcome envelope. It's situated off the lobby and designated for maintenance use only. Soleum presses the button and the indicator light dings immediately. Fortunately, no other guests are visible inside. There's no need to enter a floor number as the interior of the elevator lacks any buttons. The door closes and the pair are left to face one another.
“Agent, don't look at the mirrors in this elevator,” Soleum says cryptically.
“I'll just look at you instead,” Choi says, pulling him close.
The rich scent of warm incense that trails Choi everywhere fills Soleum's lungs. Soleum holds on to the lapels of Choi's coat, letting their mouths meet for the fourth time. All too soon, the elevator chimes again and the door opens on their floor.
Soleum breaks their kiss, laughing at Choi's tiny pout. He grabs Choi's hand and leads them to their designated room, number 0461. This floor doesn't officially exist at this hotel, so Soleum treads with caution.
Despite being trapped in a Darkness even on a date, Soleum feels remarkably good, aside from his building nerves at what he knows will follow if they are to escape successfully. And with a known escape success rate of nearly 100%, he is certain they will.
***
The lock beeps and Soleum cautiously opens the door. A tastefully appointed room greets him, soft light highlighting its features. A large bed is centered against the far windows. Two doors lead elsewhere within the suite. He silently thanks Choi for selecting a nice hotel for their rendezvous point. The room even smells fancy, scented with a subdued smoky floral that Soleum can't quite place.
Choi enters the room behind Soleum, tutting at their surroundings.
“So, what's the catch?” he blurts out into the still air between them.
Soleum turns around as Choi hangs the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door handle.
“Hey, might as well!” Choi explains with a shrug.
Soleum figures it can't hurt as he really wouldn't like encountering any of this floor's denizens either. But there's something more pressing gathering Soleum's attention.
Upon turning around, Soleum sees a glowing number 3 above Choi's head. Not bad. It won't be impossible to handle once Soleum finds his courage.
“Agent, the catch is…” Soleum starts and stops. He gapes at his fellow agent, unsure how to continue.
Encouraging him to elaborate, Choi gestures for Soleum to complete his thought.
“Is there a number above my head?” Soleum asks instead.
Choi looks up and nods.
“Great. The only way to escape this Darkness is to have the exact amount of orgasms as that number,” Soleum says all in one breath, finishing with his face half-covered in his hands.
Choi's eyebrows rise. He glances back up above Soleum's head.
“This is…are you sure?” Choi asks, incredulous. A light blush forms high on his cheeks.
“I'm certain,” Soleum replies. “There's no other known escape method.”
Sneaking another furtive glance at Soleum's number, Choi hums at this answer.
“What number do I have, Soleum-ah?”
“Three,” Soleum says simply.
Choi nods. “You can take my shoelaces and go,” he says. “I'll see you tomorrow at the office.”
Confused, Soleum grumbles at this, “No, that's not fair. Trust me, it's not a matter of life and death. Plenty of my former colleagues repeat this Darkness for greater rewards!”
“I'm sure they do!” Choi snorts at that.
What Soleum is about to propose feels a bit awkward.
“I'll show you how easy it is, even,” Soleum offers to Choi. “I don't want you to waste a pair of shoelaces on this when we can…”
Choi perks up when Soleum trails off. “When we can do what, Soleum-ah?”
Embarrassment fires through Soleum. Having no experience in this area, he really feels out of depth with someone as attractive as Choi.
“Ah? I don't know,” Soleum evades the question.
Choi narrows his eyes. He knows, even if Soleum pretends not to know.
“How do we know that's the right thing to do?” Choi asks, leading Soleum in a direction they evidently both want to go. “About the escape method, I mean.”
Mentally scrambling for an idea, Soleum tries to assure his sunbae.
“The signs are all here, Agent, I'm sure of it,” Soleum says. “I can't think of any similar Darknesses.”
Soleum swaps his shoes for slippers and walks over to the bedside table. Opening the drawer, he motions for Choi to look as well. There's an array of sex toys and anything else that a pair might need to satisfy the requirements to exit this Darkness.
“See?” Soleum says. “This Darkness provides everything for its guests.”
Choi reaches for a toy and Soleum brushes his hand away. For now.
“Still, I can't believe such a widespread supernatural phenomenon with so many entry conditions can escape the Bureau's notice,” Choi says, thinking it over.
Choi continues, “Grapes-ya…if you want to have sex on our second date, just say the word.” He lands a cheeky wink with perfect timing.
Soleum feels himself turning a brand new shade of red. Choi isn't wrong, but being forced into this situation is still awkward. A strategy quickly comes to him that is relatively low stakes.
“I'll bring my own number down,” Soleum offers. “You can confirm it.”
Choi appears intrigued. “And then?”
“One thing at a time, sunbae-nim,” Soleum responds with a little laugh.
Am I really about to do this… Soleum marvels at himself. Out of all the bizarre situations, he thankfully ends up in this one with Choi.
Moving quickly before losing his nerve, Soleum sits down unceremoniously, feet hanging off the edge of the bed. Choi is standing in front of him, looking eager to watch what Soleum does next, but Soleum realizes he can't do anything with Choi's eyes on him. Desire for Choi notwithstanding, his inexperience is critically limiting his brief bravado.
What if I can't put on a good enough show, Soleum thinks. Well, maybe Choi doesn't need to visually confirm his tally falling until afterwards.
“I…please turn around,” Soleum requests.
Tilting his head to the side, Choi asks, “Can I stay in this room?”
Soleum nods. He needs to ease into this night somehow…
“Okay, okay! I'll study this wallpaper for clues,” Choi says with a laugh.
“I'll tell you when I'm…almost finished,” Soleum offers. “Just as a heads-up.”
Soleum sees Choi nod and give a thumbs up.
Does he think I'm a prude? Soleum asks himself.
Though Choi stands a mere few meters away from him, Soleum can almost feel the heat rolling off his body. Maybe he should invite Choi to help, but isn't that too forward?
We are dating, after all… Soleum thinks. He brushes away that thought—he's just not prepared for this situation tonight. Proving to Choi that the exit method is sound sits first in his mind. Anything else will come after.
The mix of arousal and anxiety that flows throughout Soleum's body tonight tips his hand. He loosens the tie around his neck, suit jacket long gone. Trying to remember the last time…
Soleum has had scarce time to fantasize even since joining the Bureau, but when the mood strikes, he thinks of Choi. Imagining coming back from a mission together, high on adrenaline. Getting fucked over the arm of their tatty waiting room couch.
Feeling his pants tighten, Soleum reaches down to undo them. He palms his cock, feeling himself harden further. Sneaking a glance at Choi's back to confirm he hasn't turned around, Soleum sighs. Choi runs a hand through his own hair.
Letting his mind wander and thinking of Choi's strength, how easily he could pick up Soleum to fuck him against that wall. Soleum could reach out and ask for it. Choi would give him what he needs, undoubtedly. But Soleum wants to see how far he can push Choi's restraint.
Soleum feels a hot rush of embarrassment as he takes his own bare cock in hand. Choi is still facing the wall, uncharacteristically quiet.
What is he thinking? Soleum wonders. Surely, this is a strange situation, but Soleum still feels too self-conscious to let Choi watch. Maybe in a minute or two he'll relent and let Choi help after all…
Fuck. Soleum gasps at that thought. Choi stiffens, frozen in place. Heat prickles up Soleum's chest. What would Choi's hand feel like? Rougher than his own, surely. The thought of Choi's calloused palm touching him makes Soleum's heart race. Choi's fingers, thicker than Soleum's own, wrapping around his cock…
Soleum lets out a quiet moan. He watches the slightly unsteady rise and fall of Choi's shoulders as the man breathes, still obediently facing the wall. Soleum pictures himself clutching those shoulders as Choi fucks him. Hopefully on this bed, and soon.
“I'm so close, ah,” Soleum says, voice trailing off into a whine.
Choi presses a hand against the wall. Soleum's eyes finally fall closed as he allows the pleasure to overtake him. Spilling into his own hand, he lets himself catch his breath for a moment. Time to prove that this experiment was useful.
“Turn around,” Soleum says, still lightly panting.
Hardly a second later, Choi whips around and Soleum sees just how much he has been holding back. A deep flush covers Choi's cheeks and neck, trailing down into his fitted shirt. Soleum takes in how aroused Choi is, cock straining against his dress pants. Choi takes his time appraising Soleum, gaze slowly moving up his body until reaching the glowing number above Soleum's head.
“Your number went down one, Soleum-ah,” Choi states. Exactly as expected.
“Good,” Soleum says, gathering his courage. “Now come here.”
Ever efficient, Choi wastes no time joining Soleum on the bed. Soleum can't stop staring at Choi, whose eyes are now so dark he can barely see their usual glow. Bringing up his clean hand, Soleum cups Choi's warm cheek. When Choi closes the distance between them and takes Soleum's other hand in his own, Soleum tries tugging away. But Choi's hold is stronger than his, and so Soleum can do nothing but watch as Choi licks his fingers clean, tongue hot between them. It's only a moment before Choi finishes but impatience builds in Soleum.
Barely pausing to let Choi take a breath, Soleum presses their lips together. Choi's tongue slips into Soleum's mouth, bringing the taste of his own release with it. It's so filthy that Soleum moans into the kiss.
It's impossible to think of much while kissing Choi. Soleum envisions multiple futures superimposed over this very point, feeling caught between his duties and his desires. Half of Soleum's mind is elsewhere every moment except those they spend together. Every press of Choi's mouth seems to urge Soleum to just let go.
Choi moves as if he can't hear Soleum's rapid-fire thoughts or sense his lingering self-doubt. Desire begins to tip the balance in its favor. Any remaining shame Soleum feels evaporates with each passing second.
I need to stop thinking so hard, Soleum reminds himself.
Soleum works his way into Choi's lap, the pair still perched at the edge of the bed. Pulling back slightly, he rests his arms on Choi's shoulders.
“Any preference on how I lower your count, sunbae-nim?” Soleum asks, head ducked and looking at Choi through his lashes. It's not an act—he still feels a little shy.
Choi looks as if Soleum offers him an impossible choice. A pleasant one, nevertheless.
“Soleum-ah, I really should be the one taking care of you,” Choi says, sparing a glance above Soleum's head.
“I insist,” Soleum continues. “One for one for both of us is fair.”
Choi hums at that statement.
“It's up to you, then,” Choi says. It's exactly what Soleum doesn't want to hear. If it weren't such a tricky situation, Soleum's nerves might not get the best of him. But right now, he feels unsure of what to do next.
“That's the issue, sunbae-nim, I haven't…” Soleum admits with difficulty.
Choi's eyes light up. He mercifully spares Soleum from finishing that thought. “Don't worry, hyung will teach you anything you need to know.”
Soleum buries his face in Choi's neck, far too embarrassed to respond beyond a nod. His cheek feels even hotter than Choi's skin, which is a feat in itself.
“Besides, I'm so worked up after your little performance that it won't take much,” Choi says low in Soleum's ear.
Is that a challenge… Soleum thinks yet accepts it immediately.
Peeling Choi's clothing off is technically easy, but Soleum purposefully makes it difficult for the other man. Stopping to ask if it feels good after every touch and kiss just to hear Choi oblige him feeds Soleum's desire to watch this man unravel. Make him beg.
As more and more of Choi is revealed, Soleum's need for him spikes dramatically. Looking at Choi's cock, Soleum knows it'll leave him nothing less than satisfied. A couple of tentative strokes already leave Choi gasping and pressing up into Soleum's hand.
“You were right, hyung,” Soleum drawls, stilling his hand. “It really doesn't take much.”
Choi huffs out a half laugh, frustration evident.
“It's because it's y–” Choi attempts to reply, but he’s cut off by his own groan as Soleum picks up his pace again. Soleum wonders how long he can play with Choi before ending up bent over the nearest surface. He resolves to find out. The fun can't end quite so soon, however, so Soleum releases Choi's cock and continues exploring his body. A variety of scars litter Choi's skin, all with varying ages. Soleum runs his tongue over the most interesting ones. He'll have to ask Choi about those later.
Soleum is in the middle of interrogating Choi's hip bone with his teeth when Choi snaps.
“Soleum-ah,” Choi exhales. “Your hand again, anything, please.”
Once Soleum feels that Choi has whined enough, he relents.
“Anything?” Soleum asks, even while sinking to the floor to rest on his knees. The decision has finally been made. Choi watches him, eyes wide.
Still looking up, Soleum takes Choi's cock in hand again and strokes. A quiet moan is the only answer Soleum gets to his question. The anticipation is even getting to Soleum, so he can't imagine Choi's thoughts on the matter. Soleum feels precum drip down his fingers and he can't fight it any longer. Leaning forward, Soleum laps it up for a taste. And another.
Before long, Soleum tests his limits. Every little suck, every flick of his tongue is so rewarding. Choi is vocally appreciative, telling Soleum how good it feels and that he's doing so well. Soleum's so hard again that he's aching.
Choi seems barely able to stop himself from outright fucking Soleum's mouth. It's a testament to Choi's strength that he holds himself back—practically making himself take only what Soleum gives.
It's addictive; Soleum can't think of a single thing but Choi. Not just the heat of his body and Choi's hand gripping his shoulder, but imagining himself doing this under Choi's desk… The thought alone makes Soleum moan around his cock. Soleum's so aroused that he doesn't register Choi tapping on his cheek just before spilling into his mouth.
Soleum's eyes water and he pulls back a bit to catch the rest of Choi's release on his tongue. A part of Soleum wishes that this could have lasted longer. Not just the arousal he feels giving Choi pleasure, but the blank spaces of his mind filled with thoughts of nothing else.
Making sure that Choi has regained enough awareness by poking his thigh, Soleum lets their eyes meet again. He opens his mouth and lets Choi's come drip down onto his chest from his tongue.
Choi groans and collapses backwards on the bed. Soleum leans his head against Choi's leg, panting.
It's a long moment before Choi speaks, sounding winded. “Soleum-ah, you've seriously never done that before?”
Soleum laughs and replies with a simple ‘no’. His voice feels rougher than usual.
Still recovering, Choi loudly exhales. Soleum stands up, shaky on his feet, and settles next to Choi on the bed.
“We're a third of the way done,” Soleum begins, practical as ever. “Any requests for the next round?”
Frowning, Choi shoots Soleum a strange look out of the corner of his eye.
Soleum blinks. Did I say something strange? he thinks.
“Soleum-ah, I might be a third of the way,” Choi starts slowly, looking back up above Soleum's head. “But you are not.”
Soleum freezes.
“What do you mean?” Soleum asks. His heart rate begins to pick up.
“Our numbers don't match,” Choi says. A dusting of red forms anew on his cheeks.
“Then what's my number?” Soleum continues. He feels foolish for not asking earlier, but in the heat of the moment…
Soleum hears the number that Choi states, but static between Choi's mouth and his brain make it incomprehensible.
How can that be… Soleum thinks, stunned.
To be sure, Soleum makes Choi repeat the number again.
“So, do you want my shoelaces after all?” Choi asks, trying to lighten the mood.
Soleum considers it and decides that it's still too early to call. He can do this, no, he wants to do this with Choi.
“No. Let's go get in the bath,” Soleum answers. “We have a long night ahead of us.”
Before Soleum is lured back into Choi's embrace, he stands up to shed any remaining clothing. Though Choi is busy watching, it doesn't take long for him to do the same. Soleum walks toward the bathroom with Choi eagerly following behind him.