Chapter Text
February thirteenth was a busy day. The streets of Seoul were bustling with crowds trying to purchase last minute gifts to shower their loved ones with for the following holiday. It seemed like every flower shop was cleared out and every bakery had an impossibly long line outside their door.
The eve of Valentine’s Day was even more lavish for the university students Jaehyun shared his weekdays with. Everyone seemed to be planning elaborate public displays of affection for their significant others, if the number of bouquets he saw were anything to go by. The excitement levels were high for everyone. Jaehyun included.
Because today was February thirteenth, the day before his twentieth birthday. The day he would meet his soulmate in his dreams for the first time. To say Jaehyun was excited would be a grave understatement.
Soulmates were an idea that Jaehyun first learned about when he was five years old. His parents would tuck him into bed with his dog plushie, telling him of the true love stories soulmates shared. Some of them were grand with princes and princesses rescuing each other from desolate castles. Some of them were more bland, strangers bumping into each other at the convenience store during rush hour. There was no real procedure for how soulmates found each other.
But one thing stayed true, soulmates were two souls destined. In every lifetime, soulmates would find each other.
Jaehyun was ready to find his.
Some people would call Jaehyun a hopeless romantic and he would proudly agree. He partially blamed the dramas he’d stay up late watching with his mom when he was younger. A big love confession under the rain, a surprise love note packed in their work lunch, or a gentle kiss on the forehead, Jaehyun ate it up. He loved love.
His friends, Johnny and Yuta, would often roll their eyes whenever Jaehyun forced them to watch a sunset in hopes of maybe meeting his soulmate somewhere. Sunsets were very romantic after all.
The other reason to blame for his positive outlook on romance was that his parents were soulmates too. And they would share stories with Jaehyun about all the past lives they lived. How they found each other and loved each other. The lives they lived were always different but the love they shared remained constant.
On the eve of your twentieth birthday, you meet your soulmate for the first time. They come to you in your dream.
Jaehyun’s dad mentioned that realizing who your soulmate was is kind of like a foggy night starting to fade once the sun meets the horizon. It’s slow and murky but suddenly it becomes clear. Everything becomes clear.
“What is all of that?” Johnny raised an eyebrow once Jaehyun entered his apartment. He was carrying a paper bag full of things from his errand run in the city. Johnny and Yuta were sitting at his small dining table completing assignments.
Yuta and Johnny watched Jaehyun set the bag down to take off his jacket, “just some things to prepare for tonight.” Jaehyun began pulling out a bottle of champagne, paper cups, a box of pastries, and a half dozen bouquet of roses (he wanted to get a full dozen but he had to fight tooth and nail at the busy flower shop for this alone).
“Prepare?” Yuta repeated.
“Lover boy is meeting his soulmate tonight,” Johnny reminded as he looked up from his practice problem sheet.
“Right,” Yuta nodded in understanding.
“I hope my soulmate likes roses,” Jaehyun said mostly to himself as he inspected each petal, making sure nothing was crushed on his commute back home.
“What exactly is your plan?” Johnny had to ask as he closed his laptop, “are these offerings? I don’t think you can offer things in your dreams, bro.”
“No,” Jaehyun said as he set down his purchases to walk over to his refrigerator. He moved the neatly packed containers his roomate, Mark, owned to the side to reach for a drink. As usual, Mark’s brother sent him home with eight of the same black lid containers that had labels of varying ‘best consumed by’ dates. They even had little descriptions for each meal. Mark would finish the meals by the end of the week when he’d meet his brother to do it all over again.
Jaehyun thought Mark’s older brother making him food was adorable but he also thought the organization and packaging of the food was a little crazy.
“I’m just hoping that my soulmate is someone I’d get to meet once I wake up,” Jaehyun closed the refrigerator door and turned to his friends, “hopefully it’s someone at university. And tomorrow, we can meet and if they didn’t know we were soulmates, I would surprise them with a bouquet of flowers.”
“And if they know you’re soulmates?” Johnny asked.
Jaehyun smiled with a shrug, “then it would be easy.”
“Don’t always guarantee that it’ll be that simple,” Yuta inserted as he stood to empty his glass in the sink.
Jaehyun and Johnny shared a look.
Since both Johnny and Yuta were already over twenty, they already saw their soulmates in their dreams. Johnny was rather secretive about his situation, but he seemed content with whatever was going on so Jaehyun never pressed for more. But Yuta, he claimed that he saw his soulmate and it was someone he’d never met before.
It happens.
Soulmates don’t automatically meet at age twenty. Sometimes soulmates aren’t even guaranteed to be together. Despite being destined, it was ultimately up to the couple if they were to pursue a romantic relationship.
But that was very depressing for Jaehyun. So he hoped his soulmate was ready to be stuck together for the rest of their lives.
“Just give it time,” Johnny said, encouragingly.
“I’m fine,” Yuta shook his head, “I’m actually okay with not being tied down to anything right now. Class is already kicking my ass.”
“That’s the spirit,” Johnny raised a fist in solitude.
After a good hour of homework, the three decided to leave the house to go out for dinner. Johnny had heard from a friend of a friend of a new pizza place that recently opened near campus.
“They do different topping combinations,” Johnny said as he pushed the restaurant door open. A hostess led them to a vacant table where they flipped through the menus. Johnny was right. Aside from the standard topping choices, there were a few obscure and questionable combinations.
“Hey, Mark’s here,” Johnny said once the waitress left with their orders. He nodded his head across the room where they turned to see Mark sitting with his older brother, Taeyong.
“It’s really hard to believe they’re brothers,” Yuta commented as he took a sip of his water. “They’re so opposite.”
This was true.
Jaehyun met Mark a year ago when he was a first year university student who wanted to try out for the soccer team that Jaehyun, Johnny, and Yuta were currently in. Mark was easy going, hardworking, and had an awkward yet endearing charm to him. Jaehyun and Mark got along well enough that he asked Mark to move into his apartment for the new academic year. Yuta and Johnny were already roommates and Jaehyun didn’t really like living alone in a two bedroom apartment.
Despite knowing Mark a whole year and living with him for almost two months, he knew little about his older brother. All he knew was that Taeyong was kind of quiet, a bit reserved. He was a medical student so he had an intense schedule and course load. He also had silver hair and a face that always looked like he was grumpy.
It was polarizing how Mark was everybody’s friend on campus while Taeyong didn’t seem to have any.
“Why does Mark never bring him around?” Yuta asked, “I don’t think I’ve even seen him at games.”
“Must be busy with med school,” Johnny shrugged. His eyes widened in anticipation as he noticed the approach of the waitress with their two pizzas.
The three forgot about their current conversation, distracted by the decadent pepperoni pizza that was set in front of them and whatever weird concoction Johnny wanted to try.
As their pizzas were just about clear, Mark strolled over with Taeyong trailing along. “Yo!” Mark high-fived everyone at the table. “I didn’t know you guys were grabbing dinner here tonight.”
“Yeah, we heard the pizza was good,” Johnny said, eyes darting to Taeyong who stood to the side observing the takeout box he was holding.
“Oh, my bad,” Mark said, smile growing easily, “guys, you know my brother, Taeyong. Hyung, these are the guys on my soccer team.”
Taeyong was forced to look at them then. He gave a nod, lips in a tight line, “hello.”
“Nice to meet you,” Yuta tried to smile warmly but Taeyong just stared at him blankly.
A thick silence fell over the group, only for Mark to clear his throat, “and Jaehyun is my roommate.”
Taeyong’s eyes met his then. Jaehyun hadn’t noticed before but his eyes were large and black, an endless abyss it seemed. Jaehyun was confused how this was Mark’s brother. Mark emoted frequently, and often. His expressions could change from amusement to shock to embarrassment to confusion all in one conversation. Taeyong seemed to always have this look of indifference on his face.
“It’s Jaehyun’s birthday tomorrow actually,” Mark explained then looked at his friends, “yo, what are the plans for tomorrow?”
“We’ll see if Jae even wants to do anything,” Johnny snorted, “you know how lover boy is going to be once he meets his soulmate tonight.”
“Right, right,” Mark nodded in understanding. Everyone knew just how seriously Jaehyun took soulmates. “Well, once you figure that out, invite them over. Maybe they can come around.”
Jaehyun was about to respond when Taeyong cut in, looking at his brother, “we should go. I need to meet my study group soon.”
Mark nodded at his brother then said to his friends, “I’ll see you guys later. Will you be at the apartment?”
“We’ll see,” Yuta said then looked at Jaehyun, “I think Jae needs to get dressed and ready for his sleep tonight or something.”
Johnny and Mark laughed.
Jaehyun rolled his eyes, “shut up. You’re not invited back anyway.”
“I’ll be seeing you guys,” Mark nodded as he and Taeyong walked off.
The three watched them exit the restaurant’s front doors then Yuta shivered, “did you feel that?”
“Feel what?” Johnny raised an eyebrow in question.
“The chill Taeyong left behind in his wake,” Yuta answered, “I swear that guy never smiles.”
“Blame Mark,” Johnny said, “Mark took all the smiles and laughter and left none for his brother.”
Yuta just nodded as he laughed, “maybe.”
Jaehyun looked at the watch on his wrist then stood up, “hey, we should start heading out.”
“It’s barely ten,” Johnny commented but stood up as well. “You can’t be late to meet your soulmate, Jaehyun. Even if you fall asleep after midnight, you’ll still see them in your dreams.”
“I just want to be ready,” Jaehyun insisted as he pulled out his wallet, “come on, dinner will be on me.”
At that, the two perked up and quickly followed him out of the restaurant.
After paying, the three began their journey to their apartments that were both a short walking distance from the restaurant and university.
“So who do you hope your soulmate will be?” Johnny asked as they fell into step together.
Jaehyun just shrugged, “I don’t know honestly. It’s not like anyone comes to mind.”
And that was true. Jaehyun had crushes here and there. Gone on a few dates too. But he always refrained from getting overly attached. For one, he wasn’t sure if whoever he was crushing on was his soulmate. And if they weren’t, he wouldn’t know how to handle staying with someone who wasn’t meant for him. He just knew he’d always long for his soulmate. And that wouldn’t be fair to whoever he was with.
He understood that not everyone lived by the idea of soulmates. There were many people who didn’t even want to be with their soulmate much less want one at all. That always baffled Jaehyun. Soulmates met and survived every lifetime. It had to count for something.
“Maybe it can be that cute girl in your calculus class,” Yuta teased, placing an arm around Jaehyun’s shoulders. “She seems nice.”
“Or what if it’s someone on the soccer team,” Johnny joined in with a mischievous laugh.
“What if it’s one of us,” Yuta added, smirking and elbowing Jaehyun lightly in the ribs.
“Gross,” Jaehyun cringed at the thought then his eyes widened, “it’s not one of you guys right? I am all about meeting my soulmate but if it is one of you guys, I think I might reconsider.”
“Fuck you, I’d be a great soulmate,” Yuta laughed, shoving his friend lightly.
“It’s not either of you, right?” Jaehyun stressed.
“It’s not,” Yuta rolled his eyes as they stopped in front of a crosswalk where a group of pedestrians were waiting to cross the mostly quiet street. It was getting late after all.
“Not me,” Johnny concluded to Jaehyun’s relief.
He loved his friends, really. Since joining the soccer team, Yuta and Johnny had adopted him and became his university parents. They were all in the same computer science major so they frequently studied–and suffered—together. Since they also shared the same extracurriculars, they regularly saw each other in between classes as well. But the idea of one of them being his soulmate was almost repulsive.
Jaehyun would deal. He would since he was a big believer in soulmates. But he’d also be slightly repulsed and mostly confused.
When the crosswalk light and timer began, the three friends crossed the street with the group of university students who were headed back home. Jaehyun couldn’t help but look around in wonder. Were any of these people his soulmate? Would he be seeing them later in his dream?
It always left Jaehyun awe-struck that any random person walking the street, maybe someone he’d never seen or heard of, could be his soulmate. They were just an insignificant face in the crowd then suddenly they’d be the most important person in his life. The person that had transcended universes and lifetimes. The person that found him in each one.
“You’re out of it, man,” Johnny nudged Jaehyun back to reality.
“He’s too busy thinking of his soulmate,” Yuta shook his head knowingly.
Johnny laughed, “of course.” Then he said in a more serious tone, “are you really okay with whoever your soulmate is gonna be?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Jaehyun asked as they continued walking down the isolated sidewalks.
“I don’t know,” Johnny shrugged, “what if it’s someone you’ve never even met before.”
“I have met them,” Jaehyun pointed out, raising his index finger in the air, “in our past lives.”
“You’re really set on this, aren’t you?” Johnny asked with a shake of the head. His friends seemed to be doing that often around Jaehyun, shaking their head in disbelief and amusement.
“I am,” Jaehyun nodded without doubt.
“Okay man, all we can do is hope for the best,” Yuta said as he clapped Jaehyun on the back.
Eventually the three friends would have to part as they met a fork in the road. Jaehyun turned right while Johnny and Yuta turned left.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, birthday boy!” Johnny called out as they began walking their separate directions, “for your sake, I hope your soulmate is going to be as obsessed with you as you are of them.”
“Maybe less,” Yuta chimed in, “I don’t know if I can handle two lovesick fools around here.”
Jaehyun shook his head with a laugh as he continued on the direction home.
When he unlocked the front door to his apartment, the lights were turned on indicating Mark was home. He could hear low music coming from Mark’s bedroom and his muffled voice. He was probably talking to his sort of boyfriend, Donghyuck.
Jaehyun made his way into his bedroom to grab his towel then headed into their shared bathroom. He would go about his regular nightly routine but maybe take his time lathering with his favorite body wash. He also made the extra effort to blow dry his hair and make sure it was soft and out of his eyes. As Jaehyun was doing this, he couldn’t help but feel a little ridiculous.
Johnny and Yuta were right. It’s not like you actually got to speak to your soulmate in your dream. You were to see just a face and nothing more. Sometimes you would randomly dream about the other lives you two shared. But nevertheless, you were an outsider looking in. Nothing but a simple bystander.
And yet, Jaehyun still insisted on making himself presentable for his sleep.
After he was done in the bathroom, he made his way back into his bedroom. He didn’t like to own too many things so his room was fairly clean. Other than his assortment of study materials on his desk and the occasional sweaty workout shirt on the floor, his room was very much livable.
Jaehyun decided he would pick up just a little. He quickly placed any dirty clothes in his hamper and straightened out the piles of paper and books on his desk. When he finished that, he made his way over to his bed to strip off the sheets. Since he was expected to have a life altering sleep tonight, he decided he’d have it on freshly washed sheets.
He replaced his gray set with an identical light blue set. Once he threw his blanket over the freshly made bed, he was almost ready. He checked his time. It was nearing eleven. An hour before his twentieth birthday.
Jaehyun shut off his bedroom lights, taking a deep breath as he settled into his bed. He could feel his heart beating heavily in a mix of excitement and nervousness. He couldn’t wait to see his soulmate for the first time but he was also sort of nervous. Would it really be one of the guys on the soccer team? Maybe that girl from calculus? Or worse, Yuta or Johnny.
He tried to shut his eyes, silencing the thoughts that were running through his mind but it was hard. He tossed and turned but he couldn’t find himself comfortable. Maybe he should have worked out extra long at the gym today to tire himself out.
He forced his eyes to stay shut, hoping sleep would take over. But after a few minutes, Jaehyun slowly brought one eye open to reach for his phone. He tapped it to life, revealing that only five minutes had passed.
He sighed. This was going to be a long night.
It was a warm day. The sunlight caressing his skin as he walked through a quiet path. He was in a garden filled with hundreds of flowers. The aroma filled his senses all at once. He followed the concrete walkway that led him to a still pond where someone appeared to be seated on the grass.
Jaehyun heard him before he saw his face. A gentle laugh that caught in a breeze that passed by. And at the sound of the laugh, Jaehyun felt a sense of familiarity. A homecoming.
The person, his soulmate, turned to the side, so Jaehyun could make out his side profile. A prominent chin and a small face. Jaehyun approached him slowly, as if savoring the last few moments before they would meet. Before it would change everything.
“Jaehyun!” The voice called excitedly once he noticed his approach.
Jaehyun studied his face, the sunlight around them only glowing more golden. It was a pretty smile. A smile he hadn’t seen before. But those eyes. Round and dark. The eyes that belonged to his soulmate were eyes he’d seen before.
In fact, he saw them just a few hours ago in the pizza restaurant.
Jaehyun woke up to a loud blaring noise. He let out a yawn and stretched out his hand to grab his phone off his nightstand. He silenced it, only to be greeted by his home screen flooding with incoming birthday messages.
It was officially his twentieth birthday. Also, Valentine’s Day.
At the realization, it’s almost like everything hit him at once. He shot up from his bed, dropping his phone as he remembered his dream. His soulmate. Taeyong. His soulmate was Lee Taeyong? Mark’s older brother? What the fuck.
To say Jaehyun was surprised would be an understatement.
He previously said that he would accept whoever his soulmate was. But now at the revelation, he briefly wondered if there was a skew in the system. Why was Taeyong his soulmate? Soulmates lived and loved through many lives. Jaehyun wasn’t even sure if Taeyong would breathe in his direction in this life.
Jaehyun fell back on his pillows, bringing his blanket to his chest completely ignoring the string of birthday spam he was probably receiving from his soccer team bros and parents.
He briefly wondered if he shut his eyes and fell asleep again, would he get another dream and maybe another soulmate. A redo. A reshuffle if possible.
But when Jaehyun forced his eyes to stay closed, all he could see were those large eyes and hear the echo of his soulmate’s laugh. His eyes opened at that with a sigh. Okay, so Taeyong was his soulmate. He could handle that. Maybe.