#68 Soulmates {2/2}
A few weeks of pure bliss turned into a few months. Before they knew it, their finals came and finally, they were done for that semester. “Yes! I’m free!!!” Chanyeol yelled pumping his fists on the air as he and Jongdae celebrated surviving the last few exams.
“We made it!” screamed by Jongdae who was awkwardly dancing around the hallway not caring how the other students were either giving him a stink eye or laughing at his antics.
“So… What do you two love birds plan to do this semester break?” Chanyeol asked ask he hooked both his hand on each shoulder of Sehun and Jongin. The two turned to their friends before shrugging their shoulders. “No idea.”
“Hey! I just remembered! The others asked me if we want to hang out at Suho’s vacation villa. Their break started a week earlier. If we decide to follow them, we can just head straight to the villa.” Explained by Jongdae as they walk towards the bus stop.
“Is that so?” Sehun muttered before being pushed back by some of the students rushing to be out of the school. “Hey! Watch where you’re going!” scolded Jongin who looked at Sehun checking if the other was alright. Sehun smiled at him before tugging his hand forward. “I’m alright. Let’s go.”
Seeing how packed the bus stop was, the four of them decided to just walk and head to a café to grab some snacks. “So do you guys want to go?”
“I-I don’t know.” Sehun said before looking at Jongin. “You can join us too, Jongin. The rest are wondering who finally managed to pull Sehun out of his fantasy world.” Pointed out by Chanyeol who earned a punch on the arm from Sehun.
“Yea, you should definitely come. Who knows how sulky this brat will be if you won’t go.”
“Hey!” Sehun was clearly offended by not denying otherwise. Jongin looked at Sehun wondering if it was really alright to go. “I’d be happy if you’ll go with us.” Sehun mumbled softly before biting his lip and avoiding Jongin’s gaze. Jongin smiled noticing how Sehun’s cheeks were turning pink. “I’ll go.”
Sehun smiled brightly before leaning and giving the older a peck on the cheek. Jongin turned his head just in time so instead of a peck on the cheek, it turned to be a peck on the lips. Sehun pulled away quickly, clearly even more red now before hitting his boyfriend’s arm. Jongin snickered at his blushing boyfriend before kissing the younger’s temple. “I love you.”
“Finally, a breath of fresh air!” Chanyeol cheered happily as he and Jongdae rushed out of the van rushing towards the villa ahead. Sehun and Jongin could do nothing but sighed, knowing they would be the one to bring out all the bags the four of them have. “I swear I don’t even know why I’m friends with those two.” mumbled by the annoyed Sehun as he dragged Chanyeol’s bag with his own.
“I told you I can carry everything.” said Jongin who stopped on his tracks and looked back at his grumbling boyfriend. Sehun huffed, “Ican’tholdyourhandlikethis.”
Jongin seemed to know what Sehun just said, chuckled before adjusting the bag he was holding to the right then reaching out his left for Sehun to hold. Sehun smiled brightly before rushing to hold the other’s hand in his own. They held each other’s hand tight. Sehun seemed to forget about the extra bag he was complaining about.
As soon as the two entered the place, the others stopped talking obviously the two were the main topic of their discussion. “What?” Sehun frowned at how his friends were reacting.
“Told you Sehun is one lucky guy.” pointed out by Jongdae, clearly noticing how the others were taken aback by Jongin’s appearance.
A guy with fair complexion and a dimple on his cheek walked towards the two before giving Sehun a hug, “Glad you guys could make it.”
“Aren’t you going to give your older brothers a hug?” said a guy with blue dyed hair. Sehun smiled at his friends before giving each a hug and introducing them to Jongin. Jongin took a while to memorize who is who, a bit overwhelmed knowing a lot of people at once.
“So you’re the famous guy who finally managed to catch the attention of our youngest.” Started by the guy named Yixing as all of them settled at the lounge area.
“Yup, the one and only. Isn’t he hot?”
Chanyeol nodded his head with what Jongdae said and continued, “As much as I don’t want to admit this but, the two of them make such a good-looking couple.”
The two being talked about were blushing with how the rest were talking about them freely as if they weren’t there. “Will you guys stop it?”
Minseok chuckled at how red their youngest was before saying, “It isn’t every day we could tease you like this, Sehun.” Sehun pouted at them before turning to Jongin and tugging him to stand up before leading him away.
As they reached their room, Sehun hurriedly plopped himself on the bed sighing. “Can’t they stop embarrassing me?!”
Jongin chuckled at his grumbling boyfriend before sitting himself beside the said boy. As soon as Sehun felt the other close to him, he rolled his body and snuggled closer to the boy’s warmth. “I’m sorry. They aren’t usually like that.”
Jongin started playing with Sehun’s hair, “It’s alright. I don’t mind. I like how you all seem close to each other.”
The more Jongin played with Sehun’s hair, the sleepier Sehun gets. Noticing how Sehun was already half asleep, he adjusted Sehun so the younger could sleep better. When Jongin was about to stand up, Sehun tugged him motioning for the other to lay beside him. “Stay, please?”
Not wanting to say ‘No’, Jongin settled himself beside the younger, before Sehun scooted closer. Soon enough the both of them fell asleep. Days passed by, Jongin got to know Sehun’s friend as much as they learn more about him as well. Before they knew it days turned to weeks and it was time for them to go back to the city.
“We’ll just take a walk and watch the sunset.” Sehun informed the rest as he and Jongin prepared to go out.
“Don’t stay out too late!” Suho shouted to the younger ones.
“We’ll be back soon.” Jongin replied back. They took their time walking hand-in-hand along the shore just enjoying the breeze and the scenery. “We don’t get to see this while we’re at the city.”
Sehun nodded his head before adjusting their hands. Jongin’s left arm settled on his shoulders as his right held Jongin’s left hand. “Let’s stay here and wait for the sunset please?”
Jongin sat comfortably before pulling Sehun down which resulted for the younger to settle himself on Jongin’s lap. As they waited for the sunset, Sehun played with Jongin’s fingers, tracing the other’s veins while Jongin rested his chin on the younger’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to go back to reality yet.” whispered Sehun.
“Hmmm…”
“Hey, I just realized this will be the first time I’ve seen your left wrist bare. You always wear your watch and never have you left it bare.” Sehun pointed out not noticing how the other stiffened. Just when Sehun was about to turn the other’s wrist, Jongin jolted his hand back, startling Sehun.
“Why? Is there something wrong?”
“N-no. None. Look there’s the sunset.” Jongin tried to change the topic pointing out the setting sun. Sehun continued staring at Jongin curious on why the older acted that way. He sighed and just let it go for a while. When the sun had finally set, they stood up ready to walk back to the villa. While they held each other’s hand, Sehun still couldn’t stop thinking on why the other reacted in such a way.
Sehun stopped walking which made Jongin stop as well. Jongin turned around which Sehun took as a chance to lean and kiss the sun-kissed man. Jongin automatically closed his eyes and wrapped his right arm around the other’s slim waist while his left hand held Sehun’s cheek. Sehun’s hand reached up as he leaned towards Jongin’s hand on his cheek. Before their kiss could go deeper, Sehun broke the kiss and held the other’s wrist tight in his.
Hastily, Sehun turned it upside and paled with what he saw. Jongin stood rooted, shocked on what just happen. He stared at Sehun’s pale face, feeling his heart breaking. “Y-you…”
Sehun stepped back and let go of Jongin’s hand as tears started to gather at the corner of his eyes before looking directly at Jongin. Jongin took a step closer to the pale one, “Please… Sehun, please let me explain.”
Before he knew it, a tear flowed down his cheek as he bit back a sob. “H-how could you… You knew…”
Seeing Sehun slowly breaking in front of him, Jongin felt as if his once happy bubble was suddenly burst. Jongin reached out a hand towards Sehun, “I-It wasn’t what you’re thinking.”
Sehun shook his head and took a step back once again. “No! Don’t touch me. All this time… All this time you knew everything and yet didn’t tell me? Why?! Why didn’t you tell me anything?”
Sehun felt as if everything he had known, everything that makes him happy were suddenly taken away from him. “You’re gifted. You have always been gifted. You have always known how I feel about soulmates, Jongin and you didn’t bother to tell me you are gifted?! Is this why that time at the park you reacted like that when I talked about soulmates?”
“Sehun…”
“Just answer me!” Sehun screamed at him. His eyes blazing with anger, betrayal and sadness.
“Y-yes.”
“Then why?! Why did you still pursue me? Why did you still make me fall in love with you?! Why when you already know you are already meant for someone else?”
“Believe me Sehun. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t want to see you get hurt. I never meant to hurt you.” Jongin replied in utmost sincerity hoping the other would feel he meant every word.
Sehun looked at him with tears running down his cheeks. He shook his head before saying, “You just did.”
Sehun turned his back towards Jongin and walked away. As much as Jongin wanted to stop Sehun, he couldn’t. He stayed rooted on his place, watching the other walk further away from him with shoulders visibly shaking. “I love you.”
“Sehun?” Jongin called out the moment he reached the villa. Minseok, Yixing and Suho looked at Jongin before shaking their heads. “He already left with Chanyeol and Jongdae.”
Yixing walked towards Jongin noticing how broken the younger looked. It was clear after seeing both Jongin and Sehun, something awful must have happened. “Did you guys fight? Sehun came back crying. He was in a rush to leave.”
Jongin kneeled down and cried, “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. I hurt him. I promised to never hurt him but I did.”
Suho frowned still confused on what occurred between the two. He kneeled down beside Jongin and laid a hand on the other’s shoulder. “What happened?”
Jongin looked up and said, “I kept something from him. I kept something really important.”
With that being said Jongin held his left hand towards the rest and turned it upwards, showing his inner wrist. The three gasped seeing Jongin’s bare wrist. “You…”
Jongin looked directly at them, “I have always known the name of my soulmate. And it isn’t Sehun.”
They headed straight to Sehun’s house the moment they reached the city. “Sehun please talk to me. Let me explain. Please.”
The door opened giving Jongin a little hope. However, instead of Sehun it was Chanyeol who opened the door. Chanyeol’s face looked passive, doing his best to stop himself from punching the guy in front of him. “Leave, Jongin. Sehun doesn’t want to talk nor see you.”
“Chanyeol please let me talk to Sehun. I need to explain it to him. Please” Jongin begged as he held the taller one’s hand. Chanyeol shrugged Jongin’s hold, “Leave now before I forget we were once friends.”
“Chanyeol…” Minseok called out which made the tall one looked at him.
“Don’t. I’m not letting this bastard near my best friend. He already hurt Sehun. I won’t let him hurt my best friend again.” With that Chanyeol turned around and was about to go inside again when Jongin begged once more.
Jongin shook his head and immediately grabbed the other’s arm. In return Chanyeol threw a punch to Jongin which resulted for the shorter to fall on the ground. “Don’t make me do it again. Leave.”
Yixing helped Jongin stand up before the three tugged Jongin away. “Let’s leave. Give him some time to cool down.” suggested Suho.
Jongin sighed as he looked at Sehun’s close door. He shouted wanting the person he was yearning to see would hear him, “I’ll come back! I’ll always come back until you agree to meet me. I love you, Sehun.”
Time and time again Jongin would drop by Sehun’s place hoping the next time he would see the other and be able to talk with him. He would try to catch Sehun as his work place but he was never there. It seemed as if the younger took a break from work as well. Or even if he saw Sehun, Jongdae or Chanyeol or even the both of them would always be beside the youngest. Before he could eve go close, Sehun would be lead away from him.
Jongin waited the whole day outside of Sehun’s house hoping this time he would catch the other. “I won’t give up.”
It was evening when finally the fair skinned one came home. Jongin stood up, “Sehun…”
“Please talk to me. Let me explain, please. It isn’t as simple as it is.”
Instead of getting any reply, the younger ignored him and continued opening the door. Jongin reached out his hand and held the younger’s elbow, turning the other to face him. Seeing Sehun that close, Jongin could notice how unhealthy the other looked, bags under his eyes, paler than usual and his eyes. His eyes lost the warmth and glint in them. Sehun glared at Jongin and his hand that held the younger’s elbow.
Sehun shrugged the other’s hold before turning to face the door again. “No! You and I are going to talk. I’m tired of you avoiding me. I’m tired of this!”
Sehun turned to face Jongin and with a hard gaze, “Tired? You’re tired of this? Then give up. I didn’t tell you to do this.”
Jongin groaned not liking how things were going. “No. I’m not saying I want to give up. All I’m saying is I’m tired of not being able to talk with you and explain myself. Just let me explain, please. I know what I kept from you, hurt you so much but please hear me out.”
“Why should I? So you can just make me believe you again? I’m stupid enough to fall for your trick once but not anymore.” Sehun pushed Jongin away and entered his house. Just when he was to close the door, it was pushed aside forcing Sehun to step back as well.
Jongin entered the house before kicking the door close. He pushed Sehun against the wall and said, “We’re not done. I’m not going to leave until you hear me out.”
“Fine. Talk then. Let’s see how you’ll talk your way out of this.” Sehun said while he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed against his chest.
Jongin looked at Sehun before biting his lip and fidgeted. A few minutes passed with nothing but silence. “If you’re not going to talk, you better leave.”
“I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I’m sorry for keeping things from you, for not telling you I’ve always have a name on the inner side of my left wrist.” Jongin looked intently at Sehun, holding the other’s gaze hoping the other would see things his way.
“Sehun, I’m sorry. I’m just so sorry for not being your soulmate. I’m sorry for having a name on my wrist that is not yours, for being branded as someone else. But, please know that this is nothing to me. To me, this is just a name; a faceless name. It hasn’t mattered to me before and it won’t matter to me now.” Jongin explained with such gentle voice and utmost sincerity that Sehun just wanted to cry.
Jongin caressed Sehun’s cheek as he continued, “They say it is a gift but right now, I’ve never seen it as nothing more than a curse. I didn’t want this. I never did.”
As Jongin continued, Sehun could feel the elder’s frustration, “I don’t like being told what I should and shouldn’t do or who to be with. I don’t like any of that. I hate how I’m supposed to fall head over heels for someone I’ve never met before. I hate how it is a natural thing to be with this person, to love him and no one else.”
Jongin’s voice cracked as he continued, a clear sign that Jongin was showing his vulnerable side now. “Why should I? I don’t agree to that. It just doesn’t work that way. This name, this brand will not dictate who I should fall in love with, whom I should be with.”
Sehun by then was crying, “You don’t know that! You’re only saying all these cause you haven’t actually meet the person yet. Once you do, everything else right now won’t matter. That person will be the only one.”
Sehun looked at Jongin and whispered, “And I… I will be nothing but a distant memory.”
Jongin shook his head and held Sehun’s face in his hands, “You are not just a memory. You will never be a distant memory, Sehun. Please believe me.”
Sehun closed his eyes just somehow resigning himself to Jongin, “I can’t promise you nothing will change from now on but, I can promise you one thing, right here, right now it’s only you. I only see you, Hun. There is no one else for me now but you. Please, don’t let go of what we have.”
“I-I don’t know. I don’t want to get hurt anymore. I don’t want to be left behind.”
“Does it change anything if I told it to you sooner? Does it matter?”
Sehun looked back at Jongin and said, “Maybe? I don’t know. It matters to me. Cause I wouldn’t give everything I have when I know I may not be yours nor you are mine till the end.”
“If I could choose, I would choose your name to be on my wrist. But, I can’t. Can’t we just think of the present? Can’t we take this one step at a time? Please, don’t shut me out just because of this name. I don’t want to gamble something as precious as what we have for something so unsure.”
Jongin begged Sehun crying with him. “Please…” With that, Jongin closed the distance between them and kissed Sehun deeply. And Sehun let him be taken to a world where only he and Jongin mattered.
Days turned into weeks and the couple tried their best to not let that name on Jongin’s wrist bother them anymore. Jongin always did his best to reassure his boyfriend that the mark he has is nothing but a mark. On the other, even when Jongin was always there to show Sehun he loves him, Sehun had his doubts. Somehow, Sehun had this thought at the back of his head that what he and Jongin had, has an expiry date. He was terrified.
They were back at the park when Sehun said in passing, “Seeing that couple, it makes me wonder is it definite? Is there really no other way but to end up with your soulmate?”
Jongin looked at the younger in his arms before kissing his temple, “Nothing is definite.” He turned the younger around and kissed him deeply, “I love you. I’m so in love with you, Oh Sehun.”
Before they knew it, the new semester started and they were already on their way to school. Their morning went on as usual and they were about to meet Chanyeol and Jongdae at the cafeteria. It seemed Sehun and Jongin reached the place earlier so they went off to find a free table for them.
“There you are!” exclaimed Chanyeol who nudged Jongin a bit harder than necessary aside. “Hey! Watch it!” scolded Sehun who saw what happened. Jongin shook his head at Sehun and muttered he was alright. Even after the two patched back their relationship, Chanyeol and at times Jongdae would still make things harder for Jongin. Not fully forgiving the said guy.
“Hey guys, I hope you don’t mind. I dragged someone with me. He’s a new student.” Jongdae said before nudging the petite guy beside him.
“Hi, I hope you don’t mind. I’m Baekhyun, Byun Baekhyun.” introduced the petite guy with a smile on his lips.
“Baekhyun?” Sehun whispered but loud enough for Jongin to hear. The latter sat stiff on his seat just staring at the new comer. Sehun turned his head to the side noticing how Jongin visibly paled. He slid his hands in Jongin’s and gave it a gentle squeeze, the other gave back a tight one in return.
One-by-one they introduced themselves, “Jongin, Kim Jongin.” After hearing the name, Baekhyun’s eyes widened. “J-jongin?”
As if Baekhyun was moving without thinking, his right hand clasped his left wrist, as if hiding something important. Jongin felt Sehun flinched so he turned his attention to his boyfriend and pulled him close before kissing his forehead.
“Is there something we should know?” Jongdae asked finally noticing the tension between the three.
Sehun turned his attention to Jongdae with a tight and forced smile said, “Baekhyun, Baekhyun is the name written on Jongin’s left wrist.”
Jongdae turned to Baekhyun who was still holding his left wrist. Baekhyun looked up and whispered, “And I have Jongin on mine.”
From then on, things got awkward not only for the couple but for Baekhyun, Jongdae and Chanyeol too. Slowly, Sehun was distancing himself from Jongin which frustrated the latter. Hence, one day Jongin cornered Sehun on their way home. “Are you avoiding me?”
“No. Why would I?” Sehun replied but knowing his habit of biting his lips numerous times when he is lying, Jongin knew it was a lie. “Please tell me what’s bothering you?”
Sehun’s eyes were filled with worry and uncertainty. “I’m scared, Jongin. He is here now. We can’t just pretend he doesn’t exist anymore.”
Jongin sighed and brought the younger in his arms. “I know and I’m not saying we should ignore the situation but let’s face this together. Don’t push me away again, please.”
Sehun avoided Jongin’s gaze, “Maybe, you should try things with him? See where it could go?”
“No.”
“Jongin, please? Do this for me? If there’s really nothing, then come back to me. Do this for my sake as much as it is for your own as well.”
Jongin frowned at Sehun not knowing how to feel about what the other said, “Sehun, what you’re asking from me is just too much. It’s as if it’s easy for you to just give me away. I don’t want to. I’m not going to do it.”
Even if Sehun didn’t want to, he was already crying, “I’m sorry but I can’t stop myself from thinking of so many things. I might be stopping you from being happy, truly happy. I just want you to be sure. Please.”
After that conversation of the couple, somehow they took a break. Jongin finally relented just because he saw how it was bothering the other too much. Jongin and Baekhyun slowly got to know each other. They spent as much time as they could without it being awkward. As they got to know each other, Sehun distanced himself not being able to see Jongin with someone else.
“Thanks for today.” Baekhyun started as he and Jongin stood in front of his house after a day out together.
“Hmmm….”
“Goodnight.” “Hmmmm…” Jongin was about to turn around when Baekhyun tiptoed and kissed him. His eyes widened as he felt the petite one’s lips on his own. When he finally got over his shock, he pushed Baekhyun away before wiping his lips.
“What did you just do?!”
Baekhyun smiled at Jongin and said, “Proving myself.”
Not understanding the other, Jongin’s eyebrow met in the middle as he stared at the smaller guy. “You and I both know what we don’t have is nothing that can go further than friends. Yes, we are each other’s soulmate but sorry to say, I’m not in love with you.”
Finally getting what this conversation is about, “Baekhyun, I’m sorry. I just-I’m in love with someone else.”
“I know so go get him.” Baekhyun said with a sincere smile on his lips. Jongin smiled back before hugging the other. “Thank you.”
Jongin rushed to Sehun’s house, wanting the other to know everything soon. “Sehun!”
“Sehun come out!”
Sehun hearing the ruckus Jongin was making opened the door. He almost fell when he felt someone suddenly hugged him. “I miss you.”
Sehun pulled back from the hug with confusion written on his face, “W-wha….” Jongin leaned close and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. It was passionate, hard yet clumsy with teeth hitting each other but they didn’t care.
Jongin leaned his forehead against Sehun as they tried to catch their breath. “I miss you so damn much. I love you.”
“What about…”
Jongin shook his head and smiled at Sehun, “Remember you asked if it is definite?” Sehun nodded his head in return.
“No, it isn’t. I don’t need to be with Baekhyun. He doesn’t need me. We don’t see each other that way. It is possible, Hun. It is possible for a soulmate to just have platonic connection with each other. He was there with me but all I could think of was you. All I wanted was to be here with you, to hug you and kiss you.”
Jongin kissed Sehun once again which made Sehun’s grip on Jongin’s shirt tighter. They broke the kiss. Sehun buried his face on the crook of his boyfriend’s neck, “I love you, Jongin.”
Jongin pulled from the embrace and smiled at him before kissing him. Sehun held onto Jongin tight bringing the older closer to him. “Stay with me.”
“Always.”
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