Work Text:
Everyday was the same for Chanyeol. You could say he had a pretty ordinary, boring office job. For the past 20 years everyday he had arrived at the same white building. His shining boots echoed the same everyday throughout the tiles. He was working shifts, however, it felt like he always met the same people. All the customers were the same. His assignments were simple, you just needed to get the job done, no room for flexibility. You just needed to follow the protocols. Everyday he dealt with frustrating customers, and his narcissistic boss Yunho.
By now he was considered a middle aged man, but he still had trouble accepting the white strands in his chocolate brown hair. Wordlessly he observed his eyes in the mirror. The small parts where his skin had missed its elasticity, making visible lines around his eyes. His eyes couldn’t smile anymore. For the past years his feelings had evaporated, he feared he didn’t have any emotions anymore. His body was like a hollow shell. The realization that he was empty left him cold. He sighed, as he proceeded with brushing his perfect teeth.
Even today, his steps echoed the same. His work uniform was the same everyday, black suit pants with a black belt, black polo shirt, and shining black loafers on his feet. Every morning he would iron his pants and polo shirt, it was important to appear professional in order to make sure the customers would feel calm and secure.
“Morning.” He greeted the receptionist. She smiled back at him, but as always she was met by emotionless eyes. Calmly he opened the heavy big door to his boss who had booked him for a meeting which was actually not by the protocol, it was unordinary. The man in black walked in with his hands in his pockets. Sat down on the chair in front of his boss’ desk and crossed his legs.
“Good morning, Chanyeol.” his boss greeted him with his piercing eyes. Silently, Chanyeol greeted him with a nod as he looked back at him with a motionless face. Somehow, he always had a feeling his boss could read him like an open book. Just one look and he could see his core, the one without a soul.
“Not feeling chatty today, are we? You may wonder why you were called here for a meeting. This is your dream come true. He called to tell me that you’ve cleared all your family’s debts. You are hereby released from your position. You may now return your watch and your working ID. Go home, and have a well deserved rest. In the name of the company, I want to thank you for all your hard work. Park Chanyeol, you’ve made the world a better place. Thank you for your service.” his boss extended his hands and proudly did a handshake. Chanyeol’s eyes flickered as he swiftly released the Rolex watch from his wrist. Then he took out his working ID from his wallet, and left the two items on the desk.
“I wish you the best, Chanyeol. May your journey be as smooth and joyful as you have always dreamt it to be.” With this, Yunho, his boss bid him goodbye. Chanyeol gave a silent nod before he went home.
He was a bit taken aback, he had not seen this coming. For the first time in 20 years, he didn’t know what to do. He strolled through his apartment. He sat down on the couch and waited. He looked down to see the time on his Rolex watch before remembering that it was gone now. The silence was disturbed by a knock on the door. He walked over and opened the door, his two best friends and a colleague was by his door.
“I had a hunch you were coming. Come in!” He opened the door wider, and let the men come in.
“Hello Chanyeol, how are you feeling?” his best friend Lay gave him a tight hug.
“I’m not feeling much. Happy the debt is cleared.” Chanyeol simply shrugged.
“What do you think about your life so far? Anything you regret?” Suho, his other best friend, asked with a concerned look. Suho and Lay, as long as Chanyeol had known them, they always came in pairs. The four were actually colleagues, although Suho and Lay worked under a different department where the dress code was white. Hence, they always wore different combinations of white.
“No, nothing. I’m fine. The best thing in my life is Baekhyun, I truly love him. With that kind of love, nothing is difficult anymore.” Chanyeol explained without any hint of sadness in his voice. The concerned faces that his best friends’ wore didn’t ease though.
“Do you want us to contact your family?” Lay pressed on.
“No, they are all dead.” Chanyeol simply answered. His guests looked at each other. The men in white sighed before they nodded at the fourth person in the room, Kai.
“Hyung, you have been a true inspiration to me. You always did your work flawlessly by the protocol. You were my mentor, guiding me in difficult assignments. I’m thankful for that, and I’ll miss you!” his junior said while hugging him. Chanyeol showed a hint of a smile as he nodded.
“It was a pleasure to teach you, Kai.”
“Stay safe, Chanyeol.” his junior said as he placed his hand on his beating chest. Chanyeol nodded as he saw how his junior looked away to hide his emotions.
“Relax, exhale.”
He brushed the snow flakes of his suit as he left the small group of people. His eyes were empty as he walked through the park. A black limousine with tinted windows was waiting for him in the streets. He looked at his Rolex before he walked up to the limousine. With a swift motion he opened the door and entered the car. Inside, he was greeted with a short nod by his boss, Kim Yunho. Chanyeol averted his gaze from his boss’ scrutinizing cold eyes.
”I was waiting for you. Here, this is your next assignment.”
His boss held up a file with his long slender fingers. Chanyeol eyed the dossier while pressing his lips together.
”How much more do you need me to work?”
”Come on kid, you have only done this for two years. You’re done when the higher ups say you’re done. Once your debt is cleared.”
”I want to talk with the higher-ups. Have you ever met Him or are you just bullshitting me?”
”You are not allowed to enter the Kingdom, hence you are not allowed to meet Him. He has a plan for everything. Just do your job.” his boss said with piercing eyes.
”I’m going to talk with the labor union. No other job has these awful working conditions. Do you know how much psychological stress I’m dealing with everyday?”
”Your kind of people have no labor union. Talk to your mentor Kim Heechul, you need to learn the basics of your work. You are now allowed to leave the car.”
Chanyeol scuffed as he opened the file. With a sigh he looked at his Rolex, to see how much time he had left for the assignment.
”I want a raise, this kind of work is just inhumane.” he muttered to his boss before he slammed the door behind him.
With a pulsating headache he walked through the snowy streets of Seoul. His teeth were shaking, it was cold outside. He brushed his hands together to make them warm. By the time he arrived home, his two flatmates had already started the preparations.
“I think it’s really nice that we’re celebrating New Year’s Eve together. We should make this a tradition!” Lay, the Chinese lad suggested while beaming. Chanyeol scoffed as he wondered how anybody could have dazzling eyes like his best friend.
“That’s a great idea. I’m making a shopping list. Chanyeol, are you drinking wine or soju today?” his other best friend, Suho asked while holding up a pen and paper.
“Nothing, technically I’m still working.” Chanyeol muttered darkly. “Can you believe it? Are they even allowed to make us work on New Year’s Eve?”
“Well, somebody needs to. Isn’t this normal in our job?” Lay asked with ease. Chanyeol glared at him, irritated that he wasn’t as affected by this shit like he was.
“I’m planning to strike. I’m going to make my own labor union and strike. I’m not going to let Mr Stupid-Ass-Yunho dictate every aspect of my life!” Chanyeol exclaimed with his clenched hand in the air. Lay shook his head as he grinned widely.
“You are so going to piss him off. You’re such a newbie. Most of your colleagues in your department have accepted the job requirements. You are alone against the Goliath.”
“Alright, crazy boy, I’m leaving now. I’m not buying you any alcohol, don’t be angry at me later on!” Suho called before leaving their apartment.
Chanyeol proceeded with helping Lay cleaning their apartment, and putting up some decorations. When Suho came home they baked some cookies, prepared dinner. Their only guest arrived at 6 pm.
“Chanyeol, your friend Baekhyun is here!” Lay opened Chanyeol’s room. Chanyeol quickly came to greet his friend. Chanyeol stood in awe as he observed the other one. Bangs that covered his playful almond shaped eyes that almost always smiled at him. Pointy nose that made him delicate. Cute pink lips. Chanyeol looked away as he could feel the butterflies in his stomach.
“Hi Baekhyun!” he held a distance as he gave a small smile to his friend.
“Thank you so much for letting me celebrate with you guys! Is it really okay that I come? I feel like an intruder.” the guest stuttered nervously, making Lay smile widely.
“Don’t worry about it. Everything was kind of spontaneous, but such a great idea. It’s nice to finally meet you, Baekhyun!” he said while shaking hands.
“I know, right! That guy never lets me meet his colleagues.” Baekhyun pouted, making Lay laugh in delight.
“Your friend is funny, Chanyeol. Come, let me show you what Suho has been doing.” Lay said while pushing Baekhyun towards their kitchen in order to greet Suho too. The evening went by with lots of laughter while they ate dinner, played some games, and watched a movie. The jokes were mostly made by Lay which he somehow didn’t even realize until everybody was dying of laughter. Suho even had tears in his eyes from all the laughter.
“By the way, how do you two know each other?” Suho asked and pointed at Chanyeol and his guest. They looked eyes, making Chanyeol’s ears red as he looked down.
“We went to high school together. On the first day of high school he accidentally poured water on me and we’ve been friends ever since.” Baekhyun explained, making Suho and Lay start laughing again.
“You’re so clumsy, Chanyeol.” Suho shook his head.
“I apologized to him though!” Chanyeol pointed out.
“How come you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve with us, Baekhyun?” Suho asked and watched as Baekhyun’s smile faded.
“I… my boyfriend actually broke up with me, that’s why I didn’t have anything else to do and called my buddy Chanyeol.” Baekhyun answered.
“Sorry to hear that.”
Chanyeol nodded while glancing down at his watch. He sighed as he was reminded that soon he was going to have to work again. Suho and Lay glanced knowingly at each other, before they stood up from the coach.
“Alright, Chanyeol bro, we’re leaving to take a walk. I just need to get some air. We’ll come back sooner or later.” Suho explained while they left. Baekhyun frowned as he watched them leave. Why would they leave when it was just twenty minutes left ‘til midnight?
“Are you sad about your boyfriend?” Chanyeol asked slowly, while biting his lips. He still had trouble being alone with Baekhyun. His heart was pounding crazily in his chest.
“Yeah, actually it sucks.” Baekhyun nodded with a heavy expression. “It’s just… I really thought Xiumin was the one you know. We said we would remain friends, but honestly I don’t think I could do that. How am I going to greet him everyday at work?” he groaned in frustration.
“Yeah, that’s going to be hard.” Chanyeol nodded.
“Why is everybody always breaking up with me? I know that I can be too funny, too energetic, too much of an attention-seeker sometimes, but still. Why can’t I ever find someone who can deal with me? I’ll be a loner forever. None can deal with me.” Baekhyun purred his heart out. Chanyeol caressed his hand while nodding understandingly.
“These are just your thoughts, Baekhyun. It’s just thoughts, it’s not the truth. Even if they hurt a lot, it will soon get better. Just hang in there.” he said while squeezing the other’s hand.
“I know, but it’s hard. It feels like I’m never going to be loved anymore.” Baekhyun sniffed while turning his face away from his friend. “Gosh, this is embarrassing. Sorry for being such a lousy company today.” he hoarsely said while wiping his cheeks.
“It’s okay… actually, I didn’t want to tell you but I love you. Ever since the first day of high school, I had a secret crush on you. You probably don’t feel the same and it’s okay, but just know that there are always people loving you. You are an amazing person, truly a humble and good person with a great compassion for others. I still remember how you helped Sehun against the bullies in high school. How you took care of your grandmother and made her feel secure and loved on her final days. Yes, you may be a bit too much sometimes, but still, you’re an amazing person and your good sides are far greater than your bad sides.” Chanyeol explained without meeting his friend’s eyes. Baekhyun had his mouth slightly open as he listened with round eyes to his friend’s speech.
“Wow, that’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.” Baekhyun muttered, completely taken aback. Chanyeol glanced at him nervously.
“You don’t have to answer me, no worries. My timing is off, as always.”
“But, why have you not told me this earlier?” Baekhyun asked seriously. Chanyeol shrugged.
“You know… I always knew you didn’t see me the way I saw you. You always have a crush or a boyfriend or just had a bad break-up. Also, with my kind of work it’s prohibited to actually date someone.” he simply added.
“Thank you for telling me, Chanyeol. It was kind of you. Let me think about it, before I give you my answer. Your work is not a problem, we could keep it a secret. Let me just figure out what I feel.” Baekhyun said, making Chanyeol give a small smile at his words.“Oh, look, there's only 30 seconds left till next year!”
Hurriedly, they both raised their glasses.
“10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1”
Chanyeol’s eyes became round as he felt his friend’s lips on his. He closed his eyes as he answered the kiss. It was simple and beautiful. Soft and warm and full of love. Chanyeol opened his eyes when Baekhyun pulled away, and smiled tenderly at his friend.
“Sorry, I always wanted to do that with you. But it’s not my answer though, let me think about us! I don’t want to lose my friend over a bad decision.” Baekhyun pointed out, making Chanyeol chuckle in delight.
“No problem. Baekhyun, apart from this bump with Xiumin, are you happy with your life? Do you like living? Do you have any regrets?” Chanyeol asked with a concerned voice. Baekhyun frowned while deep in thought.
“Wow, that’s some deep stuff. I actually do think I am. I like my life. Even though it sucks with Xiumin, other than that I enjoy living. I love spending time with my family, I love going to sing karaoke with you. I truly enjoy your company.” Baekhyun said while looking straight into Chanyeol’s eyes. Chanyeol’s eyes were shining as he smiled at the other.
“Chanyeol. Maybe now it’s the time you tell me what your job is. I know it’s about the nation’s security so it's highly classified information that you’re not allowed to tell me, but… can’t you just tell me something so that I can know whether a relationship with you is life-threatening or not?” Baekhyun pleaded. Chanyeol bit his lips as he glanced down on his Rolex, it was just merely some minutes left before the due date.
“Sure, I think you deserve to know. You’ve got it right, it’s about security, but it’s kind of bigger than our nation. It’s like a United Nations kinda thing actually. I’m… I’m a grim reaper.” Chanyeol said while keeping his gaze down. Baekhyun looked taken aback.
“A what?”
“A grim reaper. I take people’s souls, and send them off. I got this job when my father died just some months after high school graduation. I was offered two options. Either my father would end up in Hell or I would work off his debt as a grim reaper. This is actually the reason why I never made a move on you, I figured you would not want to date a grim reaper.” Chanyeol chuckled darkly.
Baekhyun frowned as he wondered what kind of a sick joke his friend was playing with him. He looked at his frown, saw the change on his face, how Chanyeol’s feelings disappeared as he put on a stoic expression. Saw how his friend for the uptenth time glanced at his watch that night.
“Byun Baekhyun, male aged 25 years old. Your estimated time as a living being has now come to an end. Your rights as a living human are now officially terminated as written in Paragraph 1 clausal 3 in the United Nations Security of Afterlife. You are hereby asked to give back your string of life, and asked to leave in peace.” Chanyeol said monotonously.
“Ch-Chanyeol, what do you mean?” Baekhyun looked at his friend in horror. Chanyeol was strangely calm and collected, as he put his hand on his friend’s chest.
“I love you Baekhyun, have a safe journey.” he simply answered as he entered the other’s chest with ease. His slender fingers found the heart hidden by the rib cage. It was warm and soft as it clenched rhythmically. Chanyeol smiled softly as he caressed the heart, he always held a great respect for that organ.
“Close your eyes and exhale.” he softly instructed. He turned his face away, he didn’t want to see this part. As he felt his friend exhale and relax his muscles, with a swift movement he pulled the golden string of life out of his friend and gently put it away.
It was like he had been holding his breath under water. He grasped for air when he opened his eyes. Baekhyun looked around, taking in his surroundings. He was still sitting on the couch with Chanyeol in his dimly lit living room. His eyes grew round when he saw two males, they were glowing in the dark. He frowned as he wondered when they arrived back from their walks. He had the biggest revelation when he saw that they had great white wings.
“Suho, Lay?” he asked unsurely, couldn’t understand how they could glow and why did they have this weird costume.
“Come, Baekhyun. It’s time for you to leave, let’s take a walk.” Suho said with a loving smile. Baekhyun felt at peace, somehow he felt secured to take a walk with these angels.
He wore black sunglasses, as he came to pay his respect at the funeral. Nobody really knew who he was so thankfully he didn’t need to talk much.
“He died alone in his home by cardiac arrest. He was found by his sister. He was only 25! Such a shame.” he could hear Baekhyun’s relatives cry.
Motionlessly, he sat through the funeral. He didn’t eat anything, and left a big red envelope. Some days later he visited the urna once again. This time, standing on his knees, his body shook uncontrollably as he let his cries out.
“It’s alright, buddy. It’s never easy to take a young life, and certainly not a friend’s life.” Suho said while patting his back. Two angel’s guarded him, as they let their friend mourn and cry. After that day, Chanyeol never became the same. The smile never reached his eyes anymore. He was frozen inside. Hollow, with nothing inside. With this hollow shell, he became the greatest grim reaper of them all.