The Haint Tale [One-shot]
Title: The Haint Tale
Pairing: HyunJoong/JungMin
Genre: Fantasy, shaman!au, Romance
Rating: PG
Summary: Being a ghost is boring for JungMin, who can only pass his days playing harmless pranks on unsuspecting humans. But one night, when things get too much, he meets a strange human who can see ghosts.
[A/N: For yeonah. Somehow, I managed to contain this into a mere 10 pages. But I think I didn’t do it justice ._. Maybe some people should write continuations for this verse? =D]
~*~
Being dead was boring.
If JungMIn had thought that death would be the solution to his problems, he was sorely mistaken. Sure, the money lenders had stopped coming, and his douchebag of an ex-boyfriend couldn’t bother him anymore, but he’d ended his life thinking he’d at least go somewhere else other than here.
Here was his same old apartment and his same old workplace, and the same old neighbourhood he’d always lived in. He’d found, after he became conscious, floating over his own hanging body, that he couldn’t go anywhere else other than those few places. It was mildly irritating to say the least, and nearly torturous at its worst. Torturous was when his ex returned from work, staying in his apartment and whining to his new boyfriend about how they were getting out of there once they had enough money.
Of course, it had been fun at first when he had discovered he could move things around if he concentrated, pushing over a few vases, opening a few doors, just to frighten his ex. But that had gotten old quick, his ex, being the dense person he was, attributing it to natural elements and coincidence.
Walks around his neighborhood had grown old quick too. It was exactly the same except there were more people in it now - if you could call them people. They were of the ghostly variety and most of them had died in situations like him, having taken their own lives. Those that didn’t were those that tended to gravitate to back-alleys and dark corners, and he’d taken the advice to avoid them given by his new block mates. Apparently, there were worst things then death, even for ghosts, and even bored, JungMin wasn’t looking for trouble, just amusement.
He supposed he could play some harmless pranks like the others did. But during his daily conversations with the others, it seemed like that was all they did. Pushing an item off a shelf when an unsuspecting human walked by and then bragging about the look of surprise on the human’s face to anyone who would hear. It put him off, seeming just too juvenile to him.
But some days, the boredom would get to him, and especially if his ex had a good night of sex with his new boyfriend and dissing his name during the aftermath, he’d let himself go. Usually starting with slamming open the windows so as to hear his ex scream in embarrassment and then going around the block, preying on anyone who was hapless enough to get in his way.
Tonight was such a time, and he stormed around, breaking any glass bottles on the road and watching with immense satisfaction as the pieces shattered all over the ground, startling some people who were still on the roads. And as he walked, he muttered about ungrateful exes and the unfairness of not just life, but of death, working himself up the more he thought about it.
He didn’t know when the pieces of glass began to fall on the humans themselves rather than the ground, and to his surprise, he found that he didn’t care.
A dark look crossed his face, and he reached out to pick up a piece of glass, admiring the way it glittered in dim light. And suddenly, he thought, how much nicer it would look with translucent red streaming down its edge…
“Woah, woah. You’re going down a dangerous road of no return buddy. Time to turn back.”
The voice startled him. It wasn’t a familiar voice, which was strange, since the only ones who would talk to him were the others, and there weren’t that many that he’d forget their voices. But if it wasn’t one of the others, then who would it be?
Swiveling around, his eyes focused on… a human. He could tell the man was human from the way he was just… solid. Ghosts did have a translucent quality that even other ghosts could see. And this man was distinctly untranslucent.
But there was something different about him. An aura of sorts. And his eyes seemed to be looking right at JungMin, but that wasn’t possible, because none of the other humans could see him. And he turned around, looking for someone this person might be talking.
“No, I’m talking to you. You, with the red hair.”
Startled, JungMin’s hands automatically went up to his hair. He had had a habit of dying it that colour before he died, and after he did, the colour had stayed that way ever since. “Me?”
“Yep. You were thinking of hurting people weren’t you? That’s not good. If you start, then you won’t be able to stop, and if that happens I’d have to get rid of you, and it’d break my record, which I’d really like to keep as it is.”
JungMin’s eyebrow twitched at the arrogant manner this man was speaking. Ignoring the fact that this was a strange human who could see ghosts, JungMin lifted up the glass in his hands. “Really? And what if I don’t want to? What if I want to hurt humans? What will you do?”
“I’d have to stop you, of course.” The man chuckled, as if amused by JungMin’s threat. “I think you’d like that too actually. I can tell, you’re a nice one, not an inherently malevolent one. You’ve just been bored for too long.”
Ignoring that the human was right, JungMin’s eyes narrowed and he snarled. His head was beginning to pound, like a dark cloud had settled in his mind, wrecking havoc with his conscience, and his vision seemed to be turning red. “Really? Well, maybe I should prove you wrong then? Perhaps I should start by killing you.”
And he charged straight at the human, glass lifted up to drift into the human’s body. But before it could reach its mark, he felt his arm being wrenched over his head, and he let up a yelp, as warmth he hadn’t felt for a long time pressed up against him. “Geez, you sure are a hot head. Maybe this will help calm you down.”
He didn’t know what he’d expected after that statement. Maybe a cold bucket of water, or a slap? But certainly not the lips that pressed against his, soft and welcoming, nor the tongue that slipped in, opening his mouth.
And the kiss seemed to draw something out of him, calming him down. And the black cloud in his mind lifted, an almost drug-like serenity befell him, so much that he was almost cross-eyed when the human finally pulled away.
“I… what… you…?” JungMin mumbled incomprehensively, and he almost melted when the human smiled, his brown eyes twinkling.
“My name’s HyunJoong. And I’m glad to have been of service, but I need to get moving. It’s a busy night tonight. Malice is stirring in the corners and I have to go tame it. If we meet again, we will!”
And the man was gone before JungMin could even protest. Left with nothing but a dying warmth and the memory of soft lips, JungMin was left to ponder through the night about the strange, unusual human he’d met and how despite definitely being human, he was more of a ghost than JungMin actually was.
~*~
The next few days, JungMin could think of little else but that strange human who could see ghosts. He left his house early, not even bothering to look at his ex, walking up and down the streets in hopes to catch a glimpse of HyunJoong again.
He was only set for disappointment when there was absolutely no sign of him. But what was he expecting? There was only so far he could go, and there was nothing in his neighborhood that people would stay for. It was most likely that the human had moved on to wherever it was that he was really going.
Even so, JungMin wasn’t the sort to just leave it alone. At least, he’d solve the mystery of how the human could see him when all the rest couldn’t. But asking around ended in vain - no one had heard anything of humans who could see ghosts, and as far as they were concerned, JungMin was either mistaken, hallucinating or playing a prank.
Dejected, JungMin slid into one of the empty alleyways, resting his head against the wall. He’d always been one of those sorts who made a lot of noise, but couldn’t think unless he had absolute peace and quiet around him. Ironically, it was hard to get that as a ghost, and it was a miracle, that he’d found an alleyway totally unoccupied.
Only, it wasn’t as unoccupied as he thought.
“Why are you asking about the shaman?”
Surprise turned to fear when JungMin realized that the one who’d spoken wasn’t a regular ghost. Sure, at first glance, he looked no different than your regular block poltergeist, but there was darkness that JungMin could sense. And it made him back away.
But the hand that gripped his arm was surprisingly strong, and he gasped when the hold tightened, almost painfully, more so when he tried to pull away.
“Answer me, why are you asking about the shaman?”
JungMin saw no choice but to answer, and covering his fear with irritation, he yelled. “What shaman? I have no idea what shaman you’re talking about!”
“Of course you do. He is the man whom you’re asking about. The man who can see ghosts.”
JungMin stilled at that, and curiosity got the better of him as he asked. “You know about HyunJoong?”
“So he gave you his name, how rare.” The ghost seemed amused, but only said. “It is best that you not meet him again. Because the next time you do, he will kill you.”
The shock must have shown on JungMin’s face, even if he protested. “No! That’s not truth. He helped me that last time!”
“He prevented you from reaching your full power, that’s what he did. That darkness that you felt? That is the true power that you hold. You need not be afraid of it. Embrace it like we have, and you will see what I mean.”
“You’re crazy.” JungMin told the ghost as he finally managed to wrench his arm away. “Stay away from me!”
But even as he ran, the ghost’s last words echoed down the corridor, creeping into his ears and heart. “You should listen to me, foolish one. Their kind exists to eliminate ours. Mark my words, the next time you meet him, he will be there to banish you into oblivion.”
~*~
The next few days were days of unease. And he found himself in a constant state of distress, unable to relax, his mind on the incident in the alleyway.
And the people around him bore the brunt of his worry. More than once, a bout of panic in the midst of thoughts going wild brought an item to the floor, rattling doorframes and sometimes breaking windows. And the apartment was filled with the complaints of his ex, his name often mixed with the curses. But for once, he had other things to worry about.
Even other ghosts were beginning to complain as JungMin walked by, blowing wind into a human’s face in his inattention, and spoiling more than one little joke. But JungMin couldn’t care less, concerned more about that special human, and that frightening conversation in the alleyway. In fact, when more than one ghost confronted him, he resorted to staying put in his apartment even if his ex were there. Somehow, that seemed inconsequential now.
In fact, he noticed nothing of the ongoings around him until someone shouted out his name.
“PARK JUNGMIN!”
The shout seemed to jar bones in his body, which he didn’t even realize he had anymore. And there was a shrill ring of bells as he looked up nearly sending him to the floor from the sudden pain in his head, like someone driving in a stake through his head.
“Park JungMin! As shaman of the lone hills, by the power vested in me by the spirits, I am sending you a warning!”
If he actually managed to ignore those two very obvious calls to him, that certainly got his attention. And trying to focus through the pain, he looked up to see a strangely garbed man standing at the doorway of the apartment, holding out what looked like a stick with tiny silver bells attached to them and if he concentrated, he could see his ex from outside, trying to peer inside like the annoying busy-body he was.
But his attention was stolen again, as the shaman spoke his name. “Park JungMin. I know you are listening. Do not come and haunt this house again. The next time you even dare step into his house, I will come back, and you will feel pain a thousand times worse than this. Then, I will make sure you are banished from this earth forever!”
At that proclamation, there was a ring of bells that did send JungMin to the ground, writhing in pain. And the next time he looked up, finally able to move again, the shaman had already left, his threat delivered, and his ex looked slightly skeptical, but seemingly mollified, as if assured that JungMin had been dealt his just deserts.
JungMin wanted to reach up and smack that look off his ex’s face. He wanted to ignore the warning, continue to terrorize the house out of spite.
But the fear got the better of him, the memory of such agonizing pain and the promise of more?
So JungMin did the only thing he thought he could do.
He ran.
~*~
There were funny things about life that continued even after in death. And one of those things was how life never gave you things when you wanted them, but when you least did, they’d come and bite you back in the butt. And so was the same for JungMin, only he more collided with it rather than having teeth sunk into his ass.
“Woah! Careful where you’re going!”
That arrogant voice and that irritatingly careless smile would have been a welcome sound and sight to JungMin just a mere half hour ago. But now, JungMin wasn’t so sure.
“What are you doing here?” His voice, laced with cold, masked the fear he felt within. And the confused look on HyunJoong’s face only seemed to justify the anger rising inside him. The frustration of fruitless search and the earlier terror combining.
“What do you mean what I’m doing here? You were looking for me, weren’t you, JungMin-ah?”
“What if I was? How did you know?” But these question weren’t honest ones, instead, a bitter interrogation and barrier.
The hostility surprised HyunJoong certainly, but it didn’t seem to thwart his approach. “What’s wrong…? This isn’t like you, JungMin.”
“Don’t come near me!” JungMin warned, taking a step back, and he felt as if his heart was beginning to encase itself in ice, the cloud in his mind manifesting again. But when that threat didn’t work, and a hand reached up to touch his cheek softly, he snapped, pushing HyunJoong away.
“Get away from me!”
The silence was loud in that few moments, but not as thunderous as the clatter of numerous silver bells on cement.
JungMin’s eyes widened as he recognized that contraption on the ground. He’d only just seen it, and the still fresh memory of the pain shivered down his spine, the ache in his bones all too real.
” Mark my words, the next time you meet him, he will be there to banish you into oblivion.”
“Shaman…” He whispered as he took a step back, nearly stumbling.
“JungMin?”
His head snapped up at that, and his eyes widened as he focused on the name that had just passed HyunJoong’s lips and what it meant.
“You know my name.”
It was as if they’d both realized HyunJoong’s mistake. And he didn’t know who paled more - him or the shaman. But he did know that he couldn’t stay here any longer.
HyunJoong might have called to him as he ran, but he couldn’t be sure. There was roaring in his ears that blocked out anything else - the pounding of his heart in fear, the pounding of his footsteps against cement, the tears that were coming out of his eyes.
He only had one thought now -
To destroy.
~*~
The panic on those piteous human faces was almost laughable. The raw fear that only showed when humans were faced with the realization about how vulnerable and weak they really were was all too sweet.
He watched in mild fascination at how easily he could move things now. Once, it had been a mental struggle simply just to push things around, but now, just a flick of his finger and things rose into the air, swirling around, crashing like the proverbial whirlwind making a mess of things in the room only real. That ghost in the alleyway had been right - he’d been kept from this power for far too long, an ignorance that could be later solved. Once he was done with this place, he’d deal with the next, spreading the news to the other ghosts that had been like him, showing them how to gain power.
And if they didn’t agree or tried to stop him? Well, inconsequential, he was confident he’d be able to squish them like flies.
But there was the sound of bells that made him wince. And he glared at the man who’d dare to ring that nasty thing. But the man rang it again, calling out his name, and then JungMin was gleeful to realize that although the sound irritated him, it didn’t send him into fits like it had before.
’Stupid shaman.’ He thought, a grin forming on his face. I’ll make you pay for the pain you caused me earlier.’
And he did, whipping out a curtain to wrench the bells out of the shaman’s hand. And he laughed, his face a show of evil satisfaction at the shock on the shaman’s face, helpless after the denial of the use of his pretty little tool.
And JungMin thought he might like to see what expression would be on the shaman’s face if he could reach out and wrap his hands around that fat neck. Not just the shaman, but all of them, and the thought thrilled, him a maniacal look on his face as he stepped forward, hands reaching out.
But he’d only gone one step when there was shout and the brilliant sound of bells. “JungMin! Stop!”
He gasped, not because of pain, but of pure surprise when he couldn’t move an inch, limbs seemingly stiffening at the command. And another ring sent him sprawling to the ground, whimpering, as if he was a trained dog.
He strained, to see who had come that could have the power to order him like this, and his eyes widened as he recognized the figure that was approaching him now. “HyunJoong…”
He was wearing the same outfit as the shaman who had first came to subdue him, carrying the same stick of silver bells. But it was somehow different, like the difference between the imitation and the real thing, and HyunJoong, radiating power and authority, even as his fingers were gentle, pulling JungMin’s chin up to look into his eyes, was the real thing.
He didn’t understand when HyunJoong whispered, “I’m sorry, but it’ll be over soon.” And he snarled, that dark cloud in him shifting restlessly, straining against whatever spell that was holding him still. And he thought HyunJoong looked almost pained for a moment, before the look disappeared, and he lifted the bells giving them a sharp shake.
Light burst from below his body, and JungMin screamed at the feeling of claws at his heart, as if something was being unwillingly pulled away from within him and clinging with all its might. And when it was finally gone, he’d barely a minute to breathe when what felt like chains wrapped tightly around his every limb and a voice called out to him, claiming him.
“Park JungMin. I claim you, as the bridge between the world of the flesh and the world of the spirit, to aid me in my task. From this day forth you shall be my familiar, to do my bidding until I should die or release you from your duty.”
And the feeling that washed over him like a wave crashing against the ocean shore was like agony and relief at the same time. And the light intensified, so much that even as he screwed his eyes shut, it pierced through his lids, into his very being.
The blue sky stretched out above them, grass tickling their bare feet as they ran until he tackled the other boy to the ground. And their laughter resounding, carried by the wind. Lips soft against his and when they pulled away, soft brown eyes full of caring love took in his own, and he smiled.
“Yeah, can totally tell why I trust you.”
The expression of the other saddened, and the hands rubbed his back comfortingly. “I’m sorry, it must be a lot to take in.”
“It is, but it explains a lot. So, I’ll die by own hand soon, so I will forget you and everything you told me. But you’ll be coming back for me, even if you’re leaving now.”
He said it like a statement, trying to sound assured of his prediction. But his lover knew to see through the bluff of bravery, but much to his relief, his bluff wasn’t called. “Yeah. That’s the plan. And I promise I’ll train so hard, when the time comes, it’ll be a cinch to get you as my familiar.”
It was enough of a promise, even if it was just pretended certainty. And JungMin pulled the other man into his arms whispering into his ear. “I love you…. HyunJoong.”
“I love you too, JungMin.”
The absence of pain was the most jarring, but his mind swirled more with what he’d just seen. What had that been? A memory…?
“JungMin? Are you alright?”
He found he could move again, and he slowly sat up only to pause at the familiar brown eyes - but more familiar to him than just a few days. Those brown eyes spoke of intimacy and close experiences shared.
“HyunJoong…” He breathed, eyes glazing over a little as memories began to file into his head, so many and so disconcerting, with no idea of their order or significance. But they felt right, as if they’d finally returned home, filling up a gap in him that he hadn’t even realized existed.
A relief seemed to come over HyunJoong, and he let out a sigh as he pulled JungMin into his arms, helping the ghost up. “Good. It worked… thank goodness.”
“HyunJoong? I… what…?”
The smile that crossed HyunJoong’s face was slightly pained, and he glanced around the room and the aftermath of the destruction, before pulling JungMin out of the door, ignoring the stunned looks both JungMin’s ex and the other shaman was giving him. “Come, JungMin. We’ll find somewhere quieter to talk. I’m sure we have a lot of catching up to do.”
~*~
“We were lovers.”
“Yeah, I pretty much figured that out.” And the unintended snark had HyunJoong laughing, until JungMin had to smack him to make him stop. HyunJoong snickered, rubbing his arm. “You haven’t changed.
“Neither have you. You’re still as irritatingly mysterious as ever.” JungMin shot back, and which HyunJoong accepted with a wry nod.
“So… where was I? Ah, it was five years ago when we met each other and fell in love. We had a happy year together, growing closer to each other. It was the happiest time of my life. But it wasn’t to last long.”
“A year later, I saw your death in my dreams. I dreamt that in four years time that you would take your own life and roam the earth as a ghost.”
“At that time, you hadn’t told me of what you could do yet, right?” JungMin interjected, asking. “Sorry, everything’s a bit jumbled in my mind now.”
But HyunJoong didn’t take offence, nodding. “Yes, for a good reason - you’d forget me if I did. It was one of those rules that I had to live by as a shaman, in order to preserve the balance between the spirit world and the human world.”
“But you obviously decided to tell me.”
“Yes.” HyunJoong nodded. “When I dreamt of your death, I was devastated, and threw myself into researching how to prevent it. But the only thing I found was that I wouldn’t be able to. You would die no matter what I did, the only difference was where and how. The only thing I could think to do was that when the time of your death came, I would bind your spirit to me as a familiar as is my right as shaman to have one. But I wasn’t strong enough then. I would need to leave to seek a master and become stronger in my craft. Moreover, I didn’t know if you would want to go through with my plan. For all I knew, you’d freak out and have nothing to do with me after I told you.”
“So, I decided to tell you the truth. If you rejected me, I would have had to leave you anyway and that would have been the end. But you didn’t, and we made a promise that after you died, I’d come back and claim you as my familiar.”
“I’d be crazy enough to. Did you explain why I needed to become your familiar? Whatever a familiar is…”
HyunJoong laughed. “No, I didn’t explain. And you didn’t ask.”
“That was strange of me.”
“I did just tell you of your own death, so I guess you were preoccupied with that. But a familiar is basically a shaman’s helper. You act in the spirit world just as I act in the human world… I’ll explain more later when we actually have to get down to work. But as to why you needed to become a familiar, because, ghosts that are not tied to a shaman can easily become malevolent, and malevolent ghosts are easily targeted by those professing to be shamans when they’re just one-bit crooks trying to make money by banishing ghosts, which is actually one of the things shamans are forbidden to do unless really necessary. And becoming my familiar would also allow you regain your memories of me.”
“Sounds very familiar.”
HyunJoong shook his head, poking JungMin’s cheek. “Trust you to be very predictable.”
“You were late though. I waited almost 3 months before you came again. I could easily have been banished before that. In your absence, I was stupid enough to fall for a very irritating man, deceived by good looks and what seemed like an interesting personality.” JungMin raised an eyebrow, wondering what HyunJoong’s excuse for that would be.
“That’s because I was tied up in red tape. The shaman world isn’t all fun and games unfortunately. I had to deal with all the stupid paperwork to get a human ghost as my familiar rather than the usual animal or nature spirit.” HyunJoong sighed.
“Paperwork?” JungMin’s eyebrow raised.
“Well yes, the shamans of the world aren’t all hippie and old school you know. It’s all very well and neatly organized. You could even call it an NGO.” HyunJoong grinned, patting the incredulous look on JungMin’s face. “You’ll get to see it for yourself.
“Uhuh.” JungMin sighed, wondering what he’d gotten himself into. “Is it because of red tape that you hid that you knew me at first, and the reason why you didn’t bind me straightaway?”
“Smart.” HyunJoong laughed, “I got into trouble actually, despite my care. After that night, I was kept in confinement for a bit, being lectured about my method of purifying you.”
Remembering the kiss, JungMin grinned. “Couldn’t wait, huh?”
“Five years is a long time. And I dreamed of the day I could meet you again. I just couldn’t help myself.” HyunJoong cupped JungMin’s cheek, caressing it softly.
Leaning into the touch, JungMin smiled. “Well, you don’t have to wait any longer.”
“No, I don’t.” HyunJoong agreed.
“Mmm…” But JungMin pulled away then, thinking. “Well, I guess that sorts all the memories in my head. Everything seems to be in order.”
“So you remember everything then?”
“Yes I do, and with your explanation just know, I understand as well, why you did what you did.” JungMin traced a finger over HyunJoong’s hand. “You were wrong about something in your recount though.”
“I was?” HyunJoong seemed confused at that, thinking through what he said.
“Yeah. You said that we were lovers. Which is wrong.” JungMin leaned close, breathing into HyunJoong’s ear. “It’s not past tense. We’re still lovers now.”
The smile on HyunJoong’s face could have lit the streets for a year. And as he drew JungMin close for a kiss that was the first of many future ones, he whispered back. “Yeah… you’re right. We’re still lovers now.”
~*~
Pairing: HyunJoong/JungMin
Genre: Fantasy, shaman!au, Romance
Rating: PG
Summary: Being a ghost is boring for JungMin, who can only pass his days playing harmless pranks on unsuspecting humans. But one night, when things get too much, he meets a strange human who can see ghosts.
[A/N: For yeonah. Somehow, I managed to contain this into a mere 10 pages. But I think I didn’t do it justice ._. Maybe some people should write continuations for this verse? =D]
~*~
Being dead was boring.
If JungMIn had thought that death would be the solution to his problems, he was sorely mistaken. Sure, the money lenders had stopped coming, and his douchebag of an ex-boyfriend couldn’t bother him anymore, but he’d ended his life thinking he’d at least go somewhere else other than here.
Here was his same old apartment and his same old workplace, and the same old neighbourhood he’d always lived in. He’d found, after he became conscious, floating over his own hanging body, that he couldn’t go anywhere else other than those few places. It was mildly irritating to say the least, and nearly torturous at its worst. Torturous was when his ex returned from work, staying in his apartment and whining to his new boyfriend about how they were getting out of there once they had enough money.
Of course, it had been fun at first when he had discovered he could move things around if he concentrated, pushing over a few vases, opening a few doors, just to frighten his ex. But that had gotten old quick, his ex, being the dense person he was, attributing it to natural elements and coincidence.
Walks around his neighborhood had grown old quick too. It was exactly the same except there were more people in it now - if you could call them people. They were of the ghostly variety and most of them had died in situations like him, having taken their own lives. Those that didn’t were those that tended to gravitate to back-alleys and dark corners, and he’d taken the advice to avoid them given by his new block mates. Apparently, there were worst things then death, even for ghosts, and even bored, JungMin wasn’t looking for trouble, just amusement.
He supposed he could play some harmless pranks like the others did. But during his daily conversations with the others, it seemed like that was all they did. Pushing an item off a shelf when an unsuspecting human walked by and then bragging about the look of surprise on the human’s face to anyone who would hear. It put him off, seeming just too juvenile to him.
But some days, the boredom would get to him, and especially if his ex had a good night of sex with his new boyfriend and dissing his name during the aftermath, he’d let himself go. Usually starting with slamming open the windows so as to hear his ex scream in embarrassment and then going around the block, preying on anyone who was hapless enough to get in his way.
Tonight was such a time, and he stormed around, breaking any glass bottles on the road and watching with immense satisfaction as the pieces shattered all over the ground, startling some people who were still on the roads. And as he walked, he muttered about ungrateful exes and the unfairness of not just life, but of death, working himself up the more he thought about it.
He didn’t know when the pieces of glass began to fall on the humans themselves rather than the ground, and to his surprise, he found that he didn’t care.
A dark look crossed his face, and he reached out to pick up a piece of glass, admiring the way it glittered in dim light. And suddenly, he thought, how much nicer it would look with translucent red streaming down its edge…
“Woah, woah. You’re going down a dangerous road of no return buddy. Time to turn back.”
The voice startled him. It wasn’t a familiar voice, which was strange, since the only ones who would talk to him were the others, and there weren’t that many that he’d forget their voices. But if it wasn’t one of the others, then who would it be?
Swiveling around, his eyes focused on… a human. He could tell the man was human from the way he was just… solid. Ghosts did have a translucent quality that even other ghosts could see. And this man was distinctly untranslucent.
But there was something different about him. An aura of sorts. And his eyes seemed to be looking right at JungMin, but that wasn’t possible, because none of the other humans could see him. And he turned around, looking for someone this person might be talking.
“No, I’m talking to you. You, with the red hair.”
Startled, JungMin’s hands automatically went up to his hair. He had had a habit of dying it that colour before he died, and after he did, the colour had stayed that way ever since. “Me?”
“Yep. You were thinking of hurting people weren’t you? That’s not good. If you start, then you won’t be able to stop, and if that happens I’d have to get rid of you, and it’d break my record, which I’d really like to keep as it is.”
JungMin’s eyebrow twitched at the arrogant manner this man was speaking. Ignoring the fact that this was a strange human who could see ghosts, JungMin lifted up the glass in his hands. “Really? And what if I don’t want to? What if I want to hurt humans? What will you do?”
“I’d have to stop you, of course.” The man chuckled, as if amused by JungMin’s threat. “I think you’d like that too actually. I can tell, you’re a nice one, not an inherently malevolent one. You’ve just been bored for too long.”
Ignoring that the human was right, JungMin’s eyes narrowed and he snarled. His head was beginning to pound, like a dark cloud had settled in his mind, wrecking havoc with his conscience, and his vision seemed to be turning red. “Really? Well, maybe I should prove you wrong then? Perhaps I should start by killing you.”
And he charged straight at the human, glass lifted up to drift into the human’s body. But before it could reach its mark, he felt his arm being wrenched over his head, and he let up a yelp, as warmth he hadn’t felt for a long time pressed up against him. “Geez, you sure are a hot head. Maybe this will help calm you down.”
He didn’t know what he’d expected after that statement. Maybe a cold bucket of water, or a slap? But certainly not the lips that pressed against his, soft and welcoming, nor the tongue that slipped in, opening his mouth.
And the kiss seemed to draw something out of him, calming him down. And the black cloud in his mind lifted, an almost drug-like serenity befell him, so much that he was almost cross-eyed when the human finally pulled away.
“I… what… you…?” JungMin mumbled incomprehensively, and he almost melted when the human smiled, his brown eyes twinkling.
“My name’s HyunJoong. And I’m glad to have been of service, but I need to get moving. It’s a busy night tonight. Malice is stirring in the corners and I have to go tame it. If we meet again, we will!”
And the man was gone before JungMin could even protest. Left with nothing but a dying warmth and the memory of soft lips, JungMin was left to ponder through the night about the strange, unusual human he’d met and how despite definitely being human, he was more of a ghost than JungMin actually was.
~*~
The next few days, JungMin could think of little else but that strange human who could see ghosts. He left his house early, not even bothering to look at his ex, walking up and down the streets in hopes to catch a glimpse of HyunJoong again.
He was only set for disappointment when there was absolutely no sign of him. But what was he expecting? There was only so far he could go, and there was nothing in his neighborhood that people would stay for. It was most likely that the human had moved on to wherever it was that he was really going.
Even so, JungMin wasn’t the sort to just leave it alone. At least, he’d solve the mystery of how the human could see him when all the rest couldn’t. But asking around ended in vain - no one had heard anything of humans who could see ghosts, and as far as they were concerned, JungMin was either mistaken, hallucinating or playing a prank.
Dejected, JungMin slid into one of the empty alleyways, resting his head against the wall. He’d always been one of those sorts who made a lot of noise, but couldn’t think unless he had absolute peace and quiet around him. Ironically, it was hard to get that as a ghost, and it was a miracle, that he’d found an alleyway totally unoccupied.
Only, it wasn’t as unoccupied as he thought.
“Why are you asking about the shaman?”
Surprise turned to fear when JungMin realized that the one who’d spoken wasn’t a regular ghost. Sure, at first glance, he looked no different than your regular block poltergeist, but there was darkness that JungMin could sense. And it made him back away.
But the hand that gripped his arm was surprisingly strong, and he gasped when the hold tightened, almost painfully, more so when he tried to pull away.
“Answer me, why are you asking about the shaman?”
JungMin saw no choice but to answer, and covering his fear with irritation, he yelled. “What shaman? I have no idea what shaman you’re talking about!”
“Of course you do. He is the man whom you’re asking about. The man who can see ghosts.”
JungMin stilled at that, and curiosity got the better of him as he asked. “You know about HyunJoong?”
“So he gave you his name, how rare.” The ghost seemed amused, but only said. “It is best that you not meet him again. Because the next time you do, he will kill you.”
The shock must have shown on JungMin’s face, even if he protested. “No! That’s not truth. He helped me that last time!”
“He prevented you from reaching your full power, that’s what he did. That darkness that you felt? That is the true power that you hold. You need not be afraid of it. Embrace it like we have, and you will see what I mean.”
“You’re crazy.” JungMin told the ghost as he finally managed to wrench his arm away. “Stay away from me!”
But even as he ran, the ghost’s last words echoed down the corridor, creeping into his ears and heart. “You should listen to me, foolish one. Their kind exists to eliminate ours. Mark my words, the next time you meet him, he will be there to banish you into oblivion.”
~*~
The next few days were days of unease. And he found himself in a constant state of distress, unable to relax, his mind on the incident in the alleyway.
And the people around him bore the brunt of his worry. More than once, a bout of panic in the midst of thoughts going wild brought an item to the floor, rattling doorframes and sometimes breaking windows. And the apartment was filled with the complaints of his ex, his name often mixed with the curses. But for once, he had other things to worry about.
Even other ghosts were beginning to complain as JungMin walked by, blowing wind into a human’s face in his inattention, and spoiling more than one little joke. But JungMin couldn’t care less, concerned more about that special human, and that frightening conversation in the alleyway. In fact, when more than one ghost confronted him, he resorted to staying put in his apartment even if his ex were there. Somehow, that seemed inconsequential now.
In fact, he noticed nothing of the ongoings around him until someone shouted out his name.
“PARK JUNGMIN!”
The shout seemed to jar bones in his body, which he didn’t even realize he had anymore. And there was a shrill ring of bells as he looked up nearly sending him to the floor from the sudden pain in his head, like someone driving in a stake through his head.
“Park JungMin! As shaman of the lone hills, by the power vested in me by the spirits, I am sending you a warning!”
If he actually managed to ignore those two very obvious calls to him, that certainly got his attention. And trying to focus through the pain, he looked up to see a strangely garbed man standing at the doorway of the apartment, holding out what looked like a stick with tiny silver bells attached to them and if he concentrated, he could see his ex from outside, trying to peer inside like the annoying busy-body he was.
But his attention was stolen again, as the shaman spoke his name. “Park JungMin. I know you are listening. Do not come and haunt this house again. The next time you even dare step into his house, I will come back, and you will feel pain a thousand times worse than this. Then, I will make sure you are banished from this earth forever!”
At that proclamation, there was a ring of bells that did send JungMin to the ground, writhing in pain. And the next time he looked up, finally able to move again, the shaman had already left, his threat delivered, and his ex looked slightly skeptical, but seemingly mollified, as if assured that JungMin had been dealt his just deserts.
JungMin wanted to reach up and smack that look off his ex’s face. He wanted to ignore the warning, continue to terrorize the house out of spite.
But the fear got the better of him, the memory of such agonizing pain and the promise of more?
So JungMin did the only thing he thought he could do.
He ran.
~*~
There were funny things about life that continued even after in death. And one of those things was how life never gave you things when you wanted them, but when you least did, they’d come and bite you back in the butt. And so was the same for JungMin, only he more collided with it rather than having teeth sunk into his ass.
“Woah! Careful where you’re going!”
That arrogant voice and that irritatingly careless smile would have been a welcome sound and sight to JungMin just a mere half hour ago. But now, JungMin wasn’t so sure.
“What are you doing here?” His voice, laced with cold, masked the fear he felt within. And the confused look on HyunJoong’s face only seemed to justify the anger rising inside him. The frustration of fruitless search and the earlier terror combining.
“What do you mean what I’m doing here? You were looking for me, weren’t you, JungMin-ah?”
“What if I was? How did you know?” But these question weren’t honest ones, instead, a bitter interrogation and barrier.
The hostility surprised HyunJoong certainly, but it didn’t seem to thwart his approach. “What’s wrong…? This isn’t like you, JungMin.”
“Don’t come near me!” JungMin warned, taking a step back, and he felt as if his heart was beginning to encase itself in ice, the cloud in his mind manifesting again. But when that threat didn’t work, and a hand reached up to touch his cheek softly, he snapped, pushing HyunJoong away.
“Get away from me!”
The silence was loud in that few moments, but not as thunderous as the clatter of numerous silver bells on cement.
JungMin’s eyes widened as he recognized that contraption on the ground. He’d only just seen it, and the still fresh memory of the pain shivered down his spine, the ache in his bones all too real.
” Mark my words, the next time you meet him, he will be there to banish you into oblivion.”
“Shaman…” He whispered as he took a step back, nearly stumbling.
“JungMin?”
His head snapped up at that, and his eyes widened as he focused on the name that had just passed HyunJoong’s lips and what it meant.
“You know my name.”
It was as if they’d both realized HyunJoong’s mistake. And he didn’t know who paled more - him or the shaman. But he did know that he couldn’t stay here any longer.
HyunJoong might have called to him as he ran, but he couldn’t be sure. There was roaring in his ears that blocked out anything else - the pounding of his heart in fear, the pounding of his footsteps against cement, the tears that were coming out of his eyes.
He only had one thought now -
To destroy.
~*~
The panic on those piteous human faces was almost laughable. The raw fear that only showed when humans were faced with the realization about how vulnerable and weak they really were was all too sweet.
He watched in mild fascination at how easily he could move things now. Once, it had been a mental struggle simply just to push things around, but now, just a flick of his finger and things rose into the air, swirling around, crashing like the proverbial whirlwind making a mess of things in the room only real. That ghost in the alleyway had been right - he’d been kept from this power for far too long, an ignorance that could be later solved. Once he was done with this place, he’d deal with the next, spreading the news to the other ghosts that had been like him, showing them how to gain power.
And if they didn’t agree or tried to stop him? Well, inconsequential, he was confident he’d be able to squish them like flies.
But there was the sound of bells that made him wince. And he glared at the man who’d dare to ring that nasty thing. But the man rang it again, calling out his name, and then JungMin was gleeful to realize that although the sound irritated him, it didn’t send him into fits like it had before.
’Stupid shaman.’ He thought, a grin forming on his face. I’ll make you pay for the pain you caused me earlier.’
And he did, whipping out a curtain to wrench the bells out of the shaman’s hand. And he laughed, his face a show of evil satisfaction at the shock on the shaman’s face, helpless after the denial of the use of his pretty little tool.
And JungMin thought he might like to see what expression would be on the shaman’s face if he could reach out and wrap his hands around that fat neck. Not just the shaman, but all of them, and the thought thrilled, him a maniacal look on his face as he stepped forward, hands reaching out.
But he’d only gone one step when there was shout and the brilliant sound of bells. “JungMin! Stop!”
He gasped, not because of pain, but of pure surprise when he couldn’t move an inch, limbs seemingly stiffening at the command. And another ring sent him sprawling to the ground, whimpering, as if he was a trained dog.
He strained, to see who had come that could have the power to order him like this, and his eyes widened as he recognized the figure that was approaching him now. “HyunJoong…”
He was wearing the same outfit as the shaman who had first came to subdue him, carrying the same stick of silver bells. But it was somehow different, like the difference between the imitation and the real thing, and HyunJoong, radiating power and authority, even as his fingers were gentle, pulling JungMin’s chin up to look into his eyes, was the real thing.
He didn’t understand when HyunJoong whispered, “I’m sorry, but it’ll be over soon.” And he snarled, that dark cloud in him shifting restlessly, straining against whatever spell that was holding him still. And he thought HyunJoong looked almost pained for a moment, before the look disappeared, and he lifted the bells giving them a sharp shake.
Light burst from below his body, and JungMin screamed at the feeling of claws at his heart, as if something was being unwillingly pulled away from within him and clinging with all its might. And when it was finally gone, he’d barely a minute to breathe when what felt like chains wrapped tightly around his every limb and a voice called out to him, claiming him.
“Park JungMin. I claim you, as the bridge between the world of the flesh and the world of the spirit, to aid me in my task. From this day forth you shall be my familiar, to do my bidding until I should die or release you from your duty.”
And the feeling that washed over him like a wave crashing against the ocean shore was like agony and relief at the same time. And the light intensified, so much that even as he screwed his eyes shut, it pierced through his lids, into his very being.
The blue sky stretched out above them, grass tickling their bare feet as they ran until he tackled the other boy to the ground. And their laughter resounding, carried by the wind. Lips soft against his and when they pulled away, soft brown eyes full of caring love took in his own, and he smiled.
“Yeah, can totally tell why I trust you.”
The expression of the other saddened, and the hands rubbed his back comfortingly. “I’m sorry, it must be a lot to take in.”
“It is, but it explains a lot. So, I’ll die by own hand soon, so I will forget you and everything you told me. But you’ll be coming back for me, even if you’re leaving now.”
He said it like a statement, trying to sound assured of his prediction. But his lover knew to see through the bluff of bravery, but much to his relief, his bluff wasn’t called. “Yeah. That’s the plan. And I promise I’ll train so hard, when the time comes, it’ll be a cinch to get you as my familiar.”
It was enough of a promise, even if it was just pretended certainty. And JungMin pulled the other man into his arms whispering into his ear. “I love you…. HyunJoong.”
“I love you too, JungMin.”
The absence of pain was the most jarring, but his mind swirled more with what he’d just seen. What had that been? A memory…?
“JungMin? Are you alright?”
He found he could move again, and he slowly sat up only to pause at the familiar brown eyes - but more familiar to him than just a few days. Those brown eyes spoke of intimacy and close experiences shared.
“HyunJoong…” He breathed, eyes glazing over a little as memories began to file into his head, so many and so disconcerting, with no idea of their order or significance. But they felt right, as if they’d finally returned home, filling up a gap in him that he hadn’t even realized existed.
A relief seemed to come over HyunJoong, and he let out a sigh as he pulled JungMin into his arms, helping the ghost up. “Good. It worked… thank goodness.”
“HyunJoong? I… what…?”
The smile that crossed HyunJoong’s face was slightly pained, and he glanced around the room and the aftermath of the destruction, before pulling JungMin out of the door, ignoring the stunned looks both JungMin’s ex and the other shaman was giving him. “Come, JungMin. We’ll find somewhere quieter to talk. I’m sure we have a lot of catching up to do.”
~*~
“We were lovers.”
“Yeah, I pretty much figured that out.” And the unintended snark had HyunJoong laughing, until JungMin had to smack him to make him stop. HyunJoong snickered, rubbing his arm. “You haven’t changed.
“Neither have you. You’re still as irritatingly mysterious as ever.” JungMin shot back, and which HyunJoong accepted with a wry nod.
“So… where was I? Ah, it was five years ago when we met each other and fell in love. We had a happy year together, growing closer to each other. It was the happiest time of my life. But it wasn’t to last long.”
“A year later, I saw your death in my dreams. I dreamt that in four years time that you would take your own life and roam the earth as a ghost.”
“At that time, you hadn’t told me of what you could do yet, right?” JungMin interjected, asking. “Sorry, everything’s a bit jumbled in my mind now.”
But HyunJoong didn’t take offence, nodding. “Yes, for a good reason - you’d forget me if I did. It was one of those rules that I had to live by as a shaman, in order to preserve the balance between the spirit world and the human world.”
“But you obviously decided to tell me.”
“Yes.” HyunJoong nodded. “When I dreamt of your death, I was devastated, and threw myself into researching how to prevent it. But the only thing I found was that I wouldn’t be able to. You would die no matter what I did, the only difference was where and how. The only thing I could think to do was that when the time of your death came, I would bind your spirit to me as a familiar as is my right as shaman to have one. But I wasn’t strong enough then. I would need to leave to seek a master and become stronger in my craft. Moreover, I didn’t know if you would want to go through with my plan. For all I knew, you’d freak out and have nothing to do with me after I told you.”
“So, I decided to tell you the truth. If you rejected me, I would have had to leave you anyway and that would have been the end. But you didn’t, and we made a promise that after you died, I’d come back and claim you as my familiar.”
“I’d be crazy enough to. Did you explain why I needed to become your familiar? Whatever a familiar is…”
HyunJoong laughed. “No, I didn’t explain. And you didn’t ask.”
“That was strange of me.”
“I did just tell you of your own death, so I guess you were preoccupied with that. But a familiar is basically a shaman’s helper. You act in the spirit world just as I act in the human world… I’ll explain more later when we actually have to get down to work. But as to why you needed to become a familiar, because, ghosts that are not tied to a shaman can easily become malevolent, and malevolent ghosts are easily targeted by those professing to be shamans when they’re just one-bit crooks trying to make money by banishing ghosts, which is actually one of the things shamans are forbidden to do unless really necessary. And becoming my familiar would also allow you regain your memories of me.”
“Sounds very familiar.”
HyunJoong shook his head, poking JungMin’s cheek. “Trust you to be very predictable.”
“You were late though. I waited almost 3 months before you came again. I could easily have been banished before that. In your absence, I was stupid enough to fall for a very irritating man, deceived by good looks and what seemed like an interesting personality.” JungMin raised an eyebrow, wondering what HyunJoong’s excuse for that would be.
“That’s because I was tied up in red tape. The shaman world isn’t all fun and games unfortunately. I had to deal with all the stupid paperwork to get a human ghost as my familiar rather than the usual animal or nature spirit.” HyunJoong sighed.
“Paperwork?” JungMin’s eyebrow raised.
“Well yes, the shamans of the world aren’t all hippie and old school you know. It’s all very well and neatly organized. You could even call it an NGO.” HyunJoong grinned, patting the incredulous look on JungMin’s face. “You’ll get to see it for yourself.
“Uhuh.” JungMin sighed, wondering what he’d gotten himself into. “Is it because of red tape that you hid that you knew me at first, and the reason why you didn’t bind me straightaway?”
“Smart.” HyunJoong laughed, “I got into trouble actually, despite my care. After that night, I was kept in confinement for a bit, being lectured about my method of purifying you.”
Remembering the kiss, JungMin grinned. “Couldn’t wait, huh?”
“Five years is a long time. And I dreamed of the day I could meet you again. I just couldn’t help myself.” HyunJoong cupped JungMin’s cheek, caressing it softly.
Leaning into the touch, JungMin smiled. “Well, you don’t have to wait any longer.”
“No, I don’t.” HyunJoong agreed.
“Mmm…” But JungMin pulled away then, thinking. “Well, I guess that sorts all the memories in my head. Everything seems to be in order.”
“So you remember everything then?”
“Yes I do, and with your explanation just know, I understand as well, why you did what you did.” JungMin traced a finger over HyunJoong’s hand. “You were wrong about something in your recount though.”
“I was?” HyunJoong seemed confused at that, thinking through what he said.
“Yeah. You said that we were lovers. Which is wrong.” JungMin leaned close, breathing into HyunJoong’s ear. “It’s not past tense. We’re still lovers now.”
The smile on HyunJoong’s face could have lit the streets for a year. And as he drew JungMin close for a kiss that was the first of many future ones, he whispered back. “Yeah… you’re right. We’re still lovers now.”
~*~