By Zephyria 
“Ugh… hmm….”
Lying on the bed, Ha-jin groaned incessantly, then swallowed a gasp and laboriously lifted his eyelids. He had dreamed of being buried under a pile of dead bodies, so his breathing came out in unstable bursts. It felt as if a boulder had been dropped on his chest.
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he calmly looked around. Confirming the name of the aircraft carrier on the wall, Ha-jin let out a sigh of relief and slowly raised his upper body. Half-bent over, he sat on the lower bunk and pressed his temples.
He checked the digital clock on the wall and let out a low sigh. 4 a.m. He had barely been asleep for an hour. This was the third time he had woken up like this.
As if sensing Ha-jin’s presence, Eden, who had been trying to sleep on the lower bunk across from him, stirred. Soon, he opened his mouth with a voice still heavy with sleep.
“You seem to be waking up a lot… Are you not feeling well?”
Ha-jin quietly whispered to Eden, who had his eyes half-open.
“I just had a bad dream. Sorry for waking you, it’s nothing, go back to sleep.”
Pie, who had been sleeping on the cool floor, was also seen suddenly waving his legs while lying down. It seemed he was running in his dream. Judging by his whimpering, he must have been running away from Zombies.
Ha-jin frowned at the sight, which was both cute and pitiful, and gently stroked the dog’s back. Just then, Eden smoothed his disheveled hair and got up.
“Why did you get up? Sleep more. It’s still early…”
“Let’s lie down together.”
With those words, he stepped over the sleeping Pie and crossed over to Ha-jin’s bed. Ha-jin was pushed by the strong force and flopped onto the bed. It was quite uncomfortable to have two grown men jostling for space on a bed that was barely big enough for one.
Ha-jin giggled softly at the awkwardness and ticklishness, pushing against Eden’s thick chest.
“What if someone comes in?”
“Who’s going to open the door at this hour?”
“It’s uncomfortable.”
“Why are you smiling when it’s uncomfortable?”
He quickly shut his mouth at those words, but he couldn’t hide the corners of his lips that had already turned up. Eden stroked Ha-jin’s back, which was damp with cold sweat, and buried his face in his neck, where the scent of his skin lingered. He took a deep breath in that state and let out a languid sigh.
“I’m thinking of applying for a mental care program as soon as we get back. I’ll try going for a while.”
“…Mental care?”
“Isn’t it strange not to have PTSD after getting out of a Zombie den? If you’re scared to go alone, let’s go together near your house. Jeffrey says Byeol is also getting counseling near his house.”
Ha-jin looked down at the top of Eden’s head, who was subtly hugging him tightly, with suspicious eyes.
“Jeong Tae-geon seems fine though…? You don’t have to do that because of me.”
“Of course. Even now, I tremble with fear whenever I think of Zombies.”
Ha-jin burst into laughter at the unexpected brazen lie. Eden savored the refreshing and pleasant laughter of his lover, which he could never get enough of, and lightly kissed his neck.
“I like Do Ha-jin’s scent.”
The arms that held his lean body began to tighten. Sensing the unease, Ha-jin wriggled his shoulders.
“Not here.”
Eden paid no mind to the desperately struggling movements and licked the protruding Adam’s apple with his tongue. Then, he frantically rubbed his frighteningly erect lower body against Ha-jin’s groin.
“Th-there’s Pie too…!”
“Then let’s just do it with our mouths.”
Ha-jin, who had eventually succumbed to Eden’s persistent seduction, ended up climbing on top of him naked and sucking on his weapon-like penis until his throat was swollen.
He was desperately trying to keep the noise down so Pie wouldn’t wake up, but Eden, who was lying beneath him, kept greedily licking his hole. He almost lost his mind several times due to the lewd moans, but even so, Ha-jin didn’t dislike this moment of being intimate with him.
The two mixed their bodies mindlessly until the morning sun rose, then fell asleep as if they had fainted. Ha-jin woke up late, past noon, and stretched refreshingly.
Before he knew it, the nightmare from the night before had been completely forgotten.
❖ ❖ ❖
The cafeteria was crowded with soldiers. Occasionally, people in plain clothes were visible, but he couldn’t tell if they were civilians like him. Then, Ha-jin’s eyes met those of a boy who looked like an elementary school student. A sense of joy surged up for no reason, and when he waved, the blond boy, who was shy, waved back timidly.
Ha-jin and Eden took a seat in a corner of the cafeteria. While they were eating and talking in Korean, he suddenly looked around. He could see curious gazes pouring towards them, as if they had been watching for some time.
‘Was Korean interesting…?’
Having become a complete outsider, Ha-jin silently moved his spoon, trying to ignore the pouring gazes. It was a moment when he newly realized his situation of heading to an unfamiliar land.
Just then, someone took a seat next to the two who were eating away from the soldiers. It was the soldier he had exchanged greetings with right after getting off the helicopter. He briefly made eye contact with Ha-jin, then turned his head towards Eden.
[Did you sleep well last night?]
[I rested comfortably thanks to you.]
[The passenger plane is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. If you need anything, feel free to tell me anytime.]
Ha-jin stared blankly at the overly kind man and sipped on his sweet apple juice. The man didn’t even glance at the meal he had brought and was busy talking to Eden. He couldn’t understand all of their conversation because military terminology was frequently used, but he was certain that they were talking about business.
[…So, the United Nations Command is also asking if we can develop additional forward-looking infrared equipment for the helicopters.]
[It may take some time, but it’s not a particularly difficult problem. I’ll talk to the technical team, so please send us the model names of the equipment you need….]
Ha-jin, who was sitting across from them and blankly interpreting the conversation, flinched when the man suddenly turned to look at him. The man asked.
[Do you happen to speak any English?]
It seemed he was concerned that he had discussed business, where security was paramount, in front of a civilian, and a sense of dismay flashed across his face for a moment. Ha-jin, who smiled politely, shook his head.
[I can speak English, but I’m not fluent. Actually, I couldn’t understand any of the conversation you just had because there were so many difficult terms….]
Just then, Eden interrupted Ha-jin and answered instead.
[This person is fine. You don’t have to worry because he’s my man.]
[Ah, I see.]
The relieved man resumed the conversation. Ha-jin, feeling awkward, got up first. When Eden tried to get up to follow him, Ha-jin waved his hand.
“You haven’t finished eating yet. Take your time and talk. I’m going to go play with Pie.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Of course, I’m fine. I’m not a child, I can find the bedroom on my own.”
Ha-jin, who smiled brightly, turned around. He walked to the dish return area, put down the dishes, threw the empty apple juice pack in the trash, and glanced back at Eden. People were slowly gathering around Eden, who was having a serious conversation with the man.
Looking at the sturdy soldiers standing demurely next to him, waiting for their turn, he felt strangely moved. He knew that his lover was a great person with the ability to lead the global defense industry, but seeing the scene in front of him made him feel dazed.
Ha-jin, who had left the cafeteria, was searching for the restroom to wash his hands when he bumped into a black man in military uniform as soon as he turned the corner.
[Ah, I’m sorry.]
[I’m sorry.]
It was the moment when the two people, who had apologized at the same time, were about to pass each other. Suddenly, the man turned around and called out to Ha-jin.
[Where are you from, by any chance?]
At the sudden question, Ha-jin also turned around to face him. He seemed curious about the unfamiliar Asian person on the aircraft carrier. Ha-jin, who was momentarily nervous, stammered in a trembling voice.
[I’m an acquaintance of Eden Jeong, CTO of Blue Works.]
But as if his nervousness was for nothing, the man immediately spoke to him in a friendly manner.
[Oh, you’re the people who arrived yesterday. I think I vaguely saw you getting off the helicopter. You’re from Korea?]
[Yes, I’m from Korea.]
The man nodded and then quickly scanned Ha-jin’s body.
[I heard Korea is a mess too, you must have had a hard time.]
The man continued.
[It’s hard to find survivors in Asia these days. So when we heard that Eden CTO had returned alive, everyone couldn’t believe it. He’s working for a private company now, but he’s a legendary figure among the soldiers.]
When Eden’s story came up, Ha-jin could finally understand why the soldier had called him over. The man asked.
[Are you also a Blue Works employee?]
[No.]
The soldier’s eyes widened at the denial. After hesitating for a moment, Ha-jin took out the brooch he had put in his pocket, shook it, and replied calmly.
[I’m a Magician.]