Friend {SoonHoon}

eight

After wandering around for most of the early dawn to late morning, Soonyoung headed back to Jihoon's apartment to check on him. Since he activated the talismans before he left, he had to knock on the door instead of his usual popping in. Jihoon opened the door and looked startled to see the ghost there. He then sighed, letting him in. 

"Stupid fucking demon." Jihoon cursed as he marched inside to turn the talisman. 

Soonyoung laughed fondly. He thought about admitting that it was him who turned it, but he decided against it. Perhaps it was better that way, less messy. Jihoon heard his laugh and turned. 

"What's so funny?" 

"Nothing. It's just funny to hear you curse someone other than me for once." 

Jihoon rolled his eyes. "Don't get used to it. You're still annoying." 

Soonyoung's smile remained as Jihoon yawned. "You're here early. Do you have a lead or something?" 

While Soonyoung's sense of time was warped, he knew enough to know that Jihoon was wrong. He glanced at the clock above Jihoon's desk and shook his head. 

"It's noon. How is that early?" 

Jihoon looked at the clock as well and shrugged. "Noon is early for me." 

"Fair enough," Soonyoung concluded. "Anyways, I don't have any leads, but I do have an idea." 

Jihoon looked at him expectantly. 

"I was thinking we could put my stuff on the back burner for now." He suggested. Jihoon went to argue, but Soonyoung continued talking, not giving him the chance to. 

"Just listen real quick. This demon seems to be connected to me and appears whenever we try to uncover something. I was thinking that maybe if we stopped sniffing around for a bit, it'll get bored and not appear so often so when we do resume investigating, we can do it demon-free." 

Jihoon was skeptical. "I don't know. It sounds a little out there, but a strange idea is better than no idea. We can try it. After all. It's cheaper than an exorcist." 

"Great! I'm glad we're on the same page." 

"So what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Jihoon asked next. 

"I have that covered as well," Soonyoung answered with a smirk. 

He was surprised and pleased to find how easy this was turning out to be. He was expecting Jihoon to fight him or call him stupid for suggesting such an idea. Then again, there had been a noticeable shift in Jihoon's attitude over the last few days. He was nicer and more patient. He almost felt like an old friend, comfortable and reliable. 

"I have some friends at the funeral hall who all have unfinished business and need to move on. Maybe you could help them in the meantime." He suggested. 

"So, you want me to help your ghost gang move on?" 

Soonyoung cringed at Jihoon's phrasing. "Don't call them my ghost gang. It makes it sound like we're in an episode of Scooby-Doo." 

Jihoon scoffed. "My whole life is a never-ending Scooby-Doo episode." He paused. "I'll help them." He agreed. 

"Thank you."

Before either of them could say anything else, a knock on the door was heard. Soonyoung looked at the door and then back to Jihoon in mock surprise. 

"You actually have guests?" He teased. 

"If you weren't made of air, I'd punch you." 

Soonyoung playfully stuck his tongue out as he followed Jihoon to the door. He wanted to know who the mystery guest was. After all, Jihoon kept to himself and didn't like interacting with others. Soonyoung had assumed it was because of his ability and how it would appear to an outsider. He most likely didn't want anyone to think he was weird. Soonyoung could understand that. People we cruel. Jihoon looked through the peephole and let out an air of relief. 

"It's just Wonwoo, my editor." He informed the ghost. 

"Do you want me to leave?" Soonyoung asked, not wanting to be in his way. 

However, Jihoon shook his head, "No, that's okay. I'm sure he'll leave shortly." 

He opened the door and Wonwoo smiled warmly at him. "Hey, I was starting to think you weren't home. Can I come in?" 

Jihoon opened the door wide to let him in. Soonyoung kept his distance. Even if Wonwoo couldn't see him, he felt it would be impolite to be in the middle of the conversation. Besides, it wasn't every day that Jihoon got to interact with a human. 

"Is there something wrong with the manuscript I sent?" Jihoon asked. 

It was clear he was feeling awkward as he swayed back and forth unsurely. Soonyoung frowned as he observed. Weren't they supposed to be friends? Why were they so awkward with one another?

"No, there's nothing wrong," Wonwoo reassured him. "In fact, I've sent it to the board and they approved it. It's in the process of being published." He informed. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Jihoon. "Here's the advance. You know how it goes, you'll get the rest when it starts being sold." 

Jihoon awkwardly thanked him as his eyes darted around. "Was that all you came over for?" 

"No, that was just an excuse." Wonwoo deadpanned. 

Jihoon's eyes found their way back to Wonwoo. "What do you mean?" 

"I wanted an excuse to come over and talk to you. We're friends but we never talk about anything other than work. I only see you at the company. I realized I've never seen your apartment." He explained. 

Wonwoo's eyes took in the place and his attention seemed to be drawn to the various talismans. Jihoon watched him with panic clear in his expression. Soonyoung was sure that he was worried that Wonwoo would judge him and he'd lose his only friend. However, what came next surprised both of them. 

"Do you believe in the supernatural?" He asked casually. "Like ghosts and spirits?" 

"More or less," Jihoon mumbled. 

"Me too," Wonwoo replied as he admired the talismans once more. "I've always liked supernatural things. I believe in ghosts as well." He turned to Jihoon. "I think that's why I like your books so much." 

Soonyoung watched Jihoon's expression turn brighter. He found himself unconsciously smiling at the sight. Wonwoo was probably the first human to not make fun of him and take an active interest in his personal life. It must have meant the world to him and Soonyoung felt happy for him. 

"I may be wrong, but I think this one is upside down," Wonwoo said suddenly. 

Before Jihoon could stop him, Wonwoo turned it and Soonyoung was pushed out of the apartment. He stared at the door in defeat and sighed to himself. 

"Right, it's probably better this way." He told himself.