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Kim Soleum opened the Alien shop. As usual, his eyes were blasted by toxic waste green background and rainbow letters. Kim Soleum made a mental note to use some eye drops and moved on to the store page.
He checked out every item. That time, there was nothing he knew about. But as soon as Kim Soleum reached for the "x" to close the page, an item at the very bottom caught his eye.
Husband for a day: 1,000000
One million won, even without a discount. Considering the usual pricing, it was suspiciously cheap.
Naturally, Kim Soleum clicked "buy". He was sure: such a cheap item won't have any dangerous effect anyway. It is probably a little tool that repairs everything in the house, or-
Right in front of him, absolutely out of nowhere, materialized Chief Lizard.
"What."
"Hello." said his lizard-headed colleague.
"Why..." Kim Soleum didn't even know where to start.
"I'm affiliated with the Alien shop, so they sent me to you as the closest employee."
That made sense, but...
"Chief, can you please... explain?"
"Yes."
"I mean... Do aliens even know what a "husband" is? What is that item supposed to do?"
He noticed that Lee Jaheon was still standing and motioned him to sit together. His uninvited guest sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Yes. We studied human culture for a long time before sending me, a representative, here. While we were developing the item, we interpreted "husband" as "someone who is supposed to protect their partner, support them, manage the household together and give them affection."
Kim Soleum began to understand what's going on. Still, he had to ask more questions:
"Is there any chance that this is some strange VIP option that was developed for me specifically?"
"Yes."
Chief Lee stared at him with his unblinking red eyes.
"Yes?.."
Kim Soleum could see his reflection in these lizard eyes so clearly, as if looking in the mirror.
"No other VIP user can use it to summon me."
Kim Soleum carefully analyzed his words. There had to be a hidden meaning.
He tested the waters:
"Even the aliens think I'm having a hard time, huh?.."
"We do."
Kim Soleum felt his stomach churning. Anxious nausea was creeping in. It shouldn't be this obvious. It shouldn't be. There's no way.
No way.
No way!
Lee Jaheon put his hand on Kim Soleum's shoulder.
"You are spiraling." he said. "Until our contract is over, I can feel everything."
This didn't calm down Kim Soleum at all. His despair only deepened further. To be so vulnerable in front of someone was worse then being naked.
"As your acting husband, I'm qualified to manage your health. Kim Soleum, we are going to the mental health specialist today."
"Chief, don't be ridiculous. This is just an item, you don't have to go so far."
Kim Soleum let out a small, nervous laugh.
"And... I don't want to go to the Fox counseling office."
"We are not going here. We are going to the psychiatrist." said Lee Jaheon.
Kim Soleum couldn't allow him to do this. He had to resist.
"Chief..." he gave him a weak smile. "Doesn't this ridiculous situation look like something out of a fanfic? Looking at the circumstances of your arrival here, isn't it supposed to be a cute and silly story? We could go on a date, cook together or something..."
Lee Jaheon listened to him attentively, then said: "That's exactly why we called our item "Husband for a day" not "boyfriend for a day". Husband has a higher level of responsibility and authority."
Kim Soleum sighed. There was no getting through to him.
"We can have a date later. Let's go, Kim Soleum. Our appointment is in an hour."
Kim Soleum shooed his "husband" away to dress up, and they left the hotel together.
Lee Jaheon led him to his car and opened the door for him. Kim Soleum felt awkward, but got in.
Lee Jaheon put coordinates into GPS, and they moved out. Kim Soleum looked out of the car window, counting every lit street lamp to get his thoughts in order.
"Chief, I'll go to the doctor if you want me to. But I don't think I can get better."
"You will. You just need support." Lee Jaheon's voice was low, reassuring. "I'm here for you. As I'm not your superior anymore, please call me Lee Jaheon or simply Jaheon."
"I don't understand you at all. What did I do for you? Why do you care so much?"
The car ride was getting too long, too uncomfortable. Kim Soleum wanted to run away, but there was nowhere to run. He wished he could at least claw at the seats, bang on the windows and yell like a madman. It would relieve some stress, at least.
"You are dear to me."
These words hit Kim Soleum with a force of a metal pipe to the head. His every thought spilled out, his mind left empty. He was blank.
"Chief, are you..." he couldn't finish the sentence. Lee Jaheon answered anyway:
"I don't know what exactly "love" is. I hope, you can help me study it for today."
The harsh night air suddenly felt warmer. Kim Soleum looked up at the sky, where the moon was already out.
"The moon is very beautiful today, isn't it?" he said.
"It is." said Lee Jaheon.
Kim Soleum felt relieved, just a little.
***
The visit to psychiatrist barely registered in his mind. Lee Jaheon was there with him, silently holding his hand. He only said something about "severe mental health crisis" at the start. Then Kim Soleum answered a few questions himself and got a prescription for some meds.
They sat in the car again.
"I don't think I can handle a date right now," he confessed. "Why don't you drop me off at the hotel?"
"No."
"No?.."
"You will stay at my house. It is nicer."
Kim Soleum had no energy to complain. He had no desire to come back to his cheap motel room, either.
"Alright."
Soon, they arrived. It was a small, but cozy looking house on the outskirts.
Lee Jaheon got out first and opened the door for Kim Soleum. He offered his hand, and Kim Soleum took it. His hand was warm.
Lee Jaheon didn't let go of his hand, as if he was afraid of Kim Soleum running away. He led his guest into the house.
"We should eat." he said. "You didn't eat well today."
"How do you know... Ah."
Kim Soleum wasn't used to having his... everything on display. Somehow, Lee Jaheon even knew if he was hungry or not.
Lee Jaheon led him to the kitchen, and Kim Soleum sat down at the kitchen table.
"Your guess was correct," he said, while looking for something in the fridge. "We are temporarily sharing a connection of the same type as the collective's. Currently, your mind is higly unstable. I have to stabilize it before our contract ends. You might fall apart from the backlash, otherwise."
Lee Jaheon put a water bottle and a box of orange juice in front of him.
"Please take your medicine right now. I'll order takeout."
He took out his phone and called a... pizza place? Kim Soleum was honestly surprised. His mind was still a mess, yet Lee Jaheon had somehow sifted through it and fished out a few thoughts about food.
Lee Jaheon finished ordering. Under his watchful gaze, Kim Soleum took his meds. He didn't really care what exactly they were: antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiety meds or something else. He couldn't remember what the doctor said, either.
Kim Soleum only took his meds because Lee Jaheon was watching him, and he hoped his "husband" won't catch on. He'll return to the real world soon enough, and whatever happened in this one will be left behind as a distant nightmare.
Nothing actually matters.
"Kim Soleum. Can you hear me?"
Kim Soleum raised his head and looked at Lee Jaheon.
"Yes?.."
"Good. Do you want to sit here?"
The chair was slightly uncomfortable, but Kim Soleum didn't want to move. Somehow, talking became a burden, so he didn't say anything. He stared at the table, slowly losing connection with reality.
He heard a chair moving. Lee Jaheon sat near him and put his hand on Kim Soleum's shoulder. The touch brought him back, just enough to listen.
"Do you remember why you opened the Alien Shop today?"
Kim Soleum was struck by this question. Right now, even his memory was hazy. Still, he was grateful to Lee Jaheon for asking, because he was confused himself. Kim Soleum had already decided to leave his items with the Black Tortoise team 1, he had no reason to buy anything else.
He tried his hardest to recreate the mental state he was at the moment, and...
Ah.
He was looking for something that could help.
"I see." Lee Jaheon read his thoughts again. "Tomorrow, let's receive your wish ticket together. You have to be in the right mindspace to make your wish properly."
"This might be a good idea. I'll ask for his advice before making a wish..."
Soon, their food arrived. Under Lee Jaheon's watch, he had to eat two pizza slices and drink some juice, which almost felt like torture.
He barely remembered showering and receiving some very oversized clothes from Lee Jaheon. Now, they were lying on the bed together.
Lee Jaheon gently covered him with a blanket.
"Do you want some affection?" he asked.
Kim Soleum didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure if he wanted anything, really. He wasn't sure if he even cared.
"You can do whatever you want."
"I won't." said Lee Jaheon softly. "Do you want something like this?"
He patted Kim Soleum on the head. It felt nice.
"Or a hug?"
Kim Soleum didn't say anything, and didn't think about anything either. He simply lied closer to Lee Jaheon and hugged him.
"Why is he so soft and warm... aren't lizards supposed to be cold-blooded..."
His head filled up with silly, lighthearted thoughts. He felt sleepy.
Lee Jaheon hugged him and patted his back.
"Sleep well. We have a busy day tomorrow" he said.
And Kim Soleum really slept well, for the first time in a while.
***
Kim Soleum really, really didn't want to get out of bed. He haven't been so comfortable since forever. Lee Jaheon started patting him on the back again.
"Let's not waste any time," he said, while still patting Kim Soleum. "We should finish everything you planned before our contract ends."
"Why?"
"If your wish works properly, I'll feel it," said Lee Jaheon.
"Alright."
They had a light breakfast and left the house. Kim Soleum felt a light smell of flowers in the morning air. He was almost blinded by the bright, golden-white sunlight.
Such a beautiful, dangerous world.
As they approached the car, Lee Jaheon asked:
"Where first?"
"Daydream. Let's get it over with."
Two hours passed in a flash. Kim Soleum got in, received the wish tickets, got out. He hid his own wish ticket in the tattoo and left the other two in a safe place.
Then, Bureau. He left all his items here. Just as planned.
It was faster then he thought. Easier. Now what?
He got into the car again.
"I bought the item in the evening, so we still have too much time," he said. "Chie- Lee Jaheon, what should we do until the evening? But no amusement parks, please."
"Why don't we look at some sights? This planet's nature is truly beautiful."
"This is a great idea. Let's go."
Looking out of the window and taking in the beauty of nature felt therapeutic. He loved seeing cows on the pastures, wild flowers and fresh grass on the fields, rivers and lakes.
Kim Soleum felt peaceful. Warmed by the spring sun, he dozed off.
After a few hours of riding, he woke up and smelled salty sea wind.
"We are here."
Lee Jaheon helped him to get out of the car again and held his hand.
"This is a deserted beach. Nobody comes here."
Kim Soleum didn't let go of his hand. He stared at the sparkling sea, still having a hard time believing this wasn't a dream.
Lee Jaheon spread the blanket on the sand and took out some bags with food. Kim Soleum still wasn't in the mood to eat.
As soon as they sat down, he hugged Lee Jaheon's hand and put his head on his shoulder.
"I'm sharing my feelings with you. Do you feel them?" asked Lee Jaheon.
"I do."
Their feelings met halfway and mixed up, amplifying each other. Kim Soleum, who was a dead man walking, and Lee Jaheon, who barely understood what love is, could make a one normal person with a crush together.
"How is your love research going?" He smiled, still looking at the calm sea.
"Very well. Thank you for your cooperation, Soleum. I learned a lot."
Kim Soleum took out his phone to check the time. They had roughly 3 hours left to be in love.
"Chief... Jaheon. I... will dissappear very soon. As soon as I leave, you should stop loving me. Please."
"I will try, but I can't promise anything. I will think about you often. At first, one time a day; next, a few times a week..."
Kim Soleum looked up at him. He saw deep sadness in his eyes.
"But you will eventually stop? I beg you-" he barely hid the despair in his voice.
"Eventually, I'll think about you a few times a year. But no less than that."
"You can't be serious..."
They sat in the bitter silence for a while.
Suddenly, Lee Jaheon handed him a document and a stamp.
"If something goes very wrong with your wish ticket, use this."
"What is that?" Kim Soleum tried to read the paper, but couldn't understand a word. It was written in an alien language. The stamp looked like a cute little lizard figurine.
"Marriage registration." said Lee Jaheon. "No matter what happens to you, if you stamp the paper or hold the stamp and say "yes" I'll appear and get you out of trouble, even if you are on the other end of the world."
"This is a very serious decision..." Kim Soleum hesitated.
"I understand. Use it if you see no other choice."
Kim Soleum decided to take it, just in case. He put both items in his tattoo.
Then, he took out his wish ticket.
"Would you believe me if I said that I'm from another world?"
"I would."
"Really?.. Then... help me choose a wish that can actually send me back."
Lee Jaheon nodded.
"Let's think about it together."
They chose the best wish they could think of and held hands. Kim Soleum drank the potion while Lee Jaheon observed.
"Goodbye," said Kim Soleum.
Lee Jaheon's hand wasn't holding anything anymore. He sat at the beach alone, the food for their picnic untouched.
"Wherever he went, I hope he is happy" he thought.
Then he felt pain so unbearable he almost lost consciousness.
I'm in pain... HelpmeHelpmeHelpmeHELP
Director Cheong looked down at the creature writhing on the ground.
"This costume can't hold you anymore, Kim Soleum. Become part of the security team, and I'll give you something that can stabilize you properly."
Kim Soleum was looking for something to calm him down, something to relieve his pain.
He felt an outline of a lizard figurine in his hand. The figurine felt warm. Holding it felt comforting somewhat.
He barely managed to pronounce a single word: "Yes..."
Immediately, someone familiar appeared in front of him, covering him from director Cheong.
"I'll be taking over from here."
"Lee Jaheon?! How did you-"
Lee Jaheon picked up Kim Soleum from the ground.
Please don't look. I don't even look human anymore.
"I'm sorry, director. Now that he is my husband, legally, I have a say in such matters. And I don't approve drafting this barely conscious human to the Security team."
"Lee Jaheon, you are crossing the line. I will-"
The world went dark.
***
Kim Soleum was lying on a couch in a strange, completely white room. He immediately sat down and looked at his hands. He had normal, human hands.
"Am I dead?"
Someone opened the door and entered.
"No. But you did almost die."
A familiar alien approached him.
"Lee Jaheon!" Kim Soleum called out. He tried to stand up, but couldn't. He barely had enough energy to talk.
Lee Jaheon came closer and hugged him.
"Kim Soleum... don't worry about anything anymore. From now on, we'll share any burden together. You are not alone."
Kim Soleum felt confused, but Lee Jaheon's presence calmed him down. He hugged him back.
"I had a horrible nightmare."
Lee Jaheon looked him in the eyes and cupped his cheek with his hand.
"It wasn't a nightmare. I'm sorry. Something went awfully wrong with your wish ticket."
Kim Soleum grabbed Lee Jaheon's shoulders with such force it probably hurt. He looked down.
"So I can't come back... I can't come back!.."
Lee Jaheon shared his emotions to calm him down and patted his back.
"You can. We'll think of a way together. Now, please rest."
Kim Soleum felt like he wanted to run away. He always dealt with his problems himself. He couldn't rely on anyone, not even on the kind and overly forgiving Lee Jaheon.
"Please stop hurting yourself." Lee Jaheon gently put him down on the couch. "Please stop running away, please stop sacrificing yourself, please stop..." he trailed off. "Some people love you and want you to be happy and safe."
"Like who?" Kim Soleum's voice was barely audible.
"Me. I love you, Kim Soleum."
This confession wasn't sweet, it was heavy and bitter. These were words of desperation, something to tell a person who is considering to end it all.
Kim Soleum never wanted to hurt him.
"I am sorry. I won't hurt you again."
"Don't give promises you can't keep." Lee Jaheon smiled. "Now that we are married, we'll have plenty opportunities to accidentally hurt each other. But if you try your best... I will be truly happy."
Kim Soleum felt warm. But he also felt raw and vulnerable, and he wished he could cry.
Instead, he smiled.
"I will do my best. But... I can't promise there won't be any relapses on the way."
Maybe, it wasn't that bad, to have someone to rely on. Even if such kindness was tearing him apart.
"Thank you for everything... Jaheon."