Chapter Text
That weekend, Prom and Bonz finally showed up at Yin’s condo.
They had been patient—giving War and Yin space after everything that had happened—but they still had questions. Neither of them had been able to properly ask War after he left the hospital with Yin last time. And now, after days of waiting, they weren’t going to hold back.
When War opened the door and saw them standing there, arms crossed and eyes sharp with concern, he sighed. "I knew this was coming."
Bonz raised an eyebrow. "Damn right it was."
Prom exhaled, stepping inside. "You don’t get to drop everything, disappear with Yin, going to work, and then act like nothing happened." His tone wasn’t accusing—just tired. Worried. "We need to talk."
War stepped aside to let them in. "Fine. But don’t go too hard on me. Yin’s still recovering."
Bonz scoffed. "We know. That’s why we’re here."
Inside, Yin was sitting on the couch, a blanket draped over his legs. His soulmark had regained most of its color, but the scar remained, a stark reminder of everything he had been through. He looked up as Prom and Bonz entered, offering a small smile.
"Hey," he greeted, his voice still a little hoarse but steadier than before.
Prom softened instantly, walking over and sitting beside him. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Yin assured him. "Still tired, but I can walk around now."
Bonz, on the other hand, turned to War. "You," he pointed, narrowing his eyes. "Explain. Now."
War sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Explain what?"
Bonz gave him an incredulous look. "Oh, I don’t know. Maybe why you never told us you rejected your own soulmate and left him suffering for years?"
Prom’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling slightly on his lap. "War… why?"
War swallowed, looking between them. He could see the pain in their eyes, the frustration—not just for Yin, but for him too.
"I didn’t know," War admitted quietly. "I had no idea Yin was my soulmate. Both of you know that, right? Fine, I admit it. I—" He exhaled, forcing himself to meet their gazes. "I was stupid. I hated the idea of soulmates. I never wanted one. And I never even considered that Yin—of all people—could be mine."
Bonz let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "And if you had known?"
War hesitated. He looked at Yin, who was watching him carefully, waiting for his answer.
"If I had known…" War said slowly, "back then, I might have run. I might have ruined everything." He clenched his jaw. "I wasn't ready to know."
Silence stretched between them. Prom and Bonz exchanged glances before Prom finally asked, "And now?"
War didn’t hesitate this time. "Now, I know. And I’m not running."
Bonz exhaled, shaking his head. "You’re lucky, you know? That Yin is… Yin. That he waited. That he didn’t give up on you, even when he should have."
War’s throat tightened. He knew. God, he knew.
Prom reached out, resting a hand on Yin’s shoulder. "And you. Why didn’t you tell us? Why did you go through this alone?"
Yin smiled faintly. "I didn’t want to make it anyone’s burden."
Bonz looked pained. "Yin, you are not a burden."
"I know that now," Yin admitted, his gaze drifting to War. "Because someone wouldn’t stop crying until I did."
War scowled. "Okay, that’s enough."
Prom and Bonz blinked before bursting into laughter. War rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, but Yin just smiled.
Bonz shook his head, still grinning.
"I hate you both."
Prom sighed, smiling as well. "But you’re happy now, right?"
Yin and War met each other’s eyes.
"Yeah," Yin said softly. "We are."
----
Prom leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and smirked. "Alright, so tell me—how did the love confession go?"
War groaned immediately, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms. "Do we have to talk about this?"
Bonz snorted. "Oh, absolutely. We need to hear it."
Yin chuckled beside him, clearly enjoying War’s embarrassment. He tilted his head, looking at War playfully. "Should I tell them?"
War snapped his head toward him. "Don’t you dare."
Prom grinned. "Oh, this is good. War's actually shy about something for once."
Bonz smirked. "So, what happened? Did he stutter? Did he mess it up?"
War groaned louder, sinking into the couch. "Can we not do this?"
Yin, ignoring War’s silent pleas, smiled knowingly. "He was actually very straightforward."
Prom raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Yin nodded. "He walked right up to me on the rooftop and said, ‘I love you.’"
Bonz blinked. "Huh. That’s… surprisingly smooth. But yeah, we knew—just not the details."
War sighed, muttering under his breath, "Yeah, until he rejected me."
Prom’s smirk faded a little. "Oh. Right. We remembered."
Bonz nudged Yin. "Okay, but why did you reject him? You liked him too, didn’t you?"
Yin nodded, his expression softening. "I did. I always did." He turned to War. "But I knew he didn’t believe in soulmates. And if he had found out I was his, he would have regretted it."
War clenched his jaw, looking away. "I wouldn’t have—"
"You would have," Yin interrupted gently. "Back then, you would have."
War fell silent. Because deep down, he knew Yin was right.
Prom and Bonz exchanged glances before Bonz sighed. "Damn. That’s rough."
Prom, still smirking a little, leaned back. "Well, at least it worked out in the end. War finally pulled his head out of his ass and confessed again."
War scowled. "I swear I hate you both."
Bonz and Prom just laughed, and Yin smiled, squeezing War’s hand under the table.
----
Bonz leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "So… when exactly did you confess again? Was it right after Yin got home?"
War hesitated, feeling his face heat up slightly. "Not right after."
Prom raised an eyebrow. "Then when?"
Yin chuckled softly beside him, clearly enjoying how flustered War was getting. He looked at Bonz and Prom and said, "He confessed when I was half-conscious, burning with fever."
Bonz’s eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
Prom let out a low whistle. "Damn, War. That’s dramatic even for you."
War groaned, rubbing his temples. "It wasn’t planned, okay? I thought he was—" He stopped himself, swallowing hard. He didn’t want to say I thought he was dying.
Yin’s hand gently squeezed War’s knee, grounding him. He continued, "He stayed by my side the entire time. I could barely keep my eyes open, but I remember hearing his voice."
Bonz narrowed his eyes. "What did he say?"
Yin smiled, turning to War. "He told me he loves me. That he’s always loved me. That he was stupid for not realizing it sooner."
Prom and Bonz turned to War in unison, expectant looks on their faces.
War scowled. "What? I was stupid!"
Bonz snorted. "No arguments here."
Prom grinned. "But that means Yin technically didn’t reject you the second time, right?"
Yin shook his head. "No. I was too busy being half-dead."
War huffed. "But later, when he woke up properly, I told him again. And this time, he didn’t reject me."
Bonz smirked. "Finally. Took you long enough."
War rolled his eyes. "Are we done now?"
Prom just laughed. "Oh no, we’re never letting you live this down."
---
Bonz crossed his arms, leaning back against the couch with a smug expression. "So, let me get this straight—War, the guy who used to scoff at soulmates, had the most dramatic, heart-wrenching confession scene ever?"
Prom chuckled. "Oh, I can picture it. War, sitting there, clutching Yin’s hand, tears in his eyes, whispering ‘I’ve always loved you’ like a tragic hero in a movie."
War groaned, rubbing his face. "Oh my god, shut up."
Yin laughed, patting War’s thigh. "To be fair, he really was crying."
Bonz let out a loud, exaggerated gasp. "Tears? Real, actual tears from War?" He turned to Prom. "We should’ve recorded this moment for history."
War shot them both a glare. "I swear, if you two don’t drop this—"
Prom smirked. "Or what? You’ll confess again?"
Bonz joined in. "Yeah, maybe this time with fireworks? Or a flash mob?"
Yin grinned. "Actually, I wouldn’t mind another confession."
War’s head snapped toward him, eyes widening. "What?!"
Yin shrugged, feigning innocence. "I mean, I was half-conscious the first time, and the second time, you were just whispering in my ear while I was still recovering. Maybe I deserve a proper, grand confession."
Prom and Bonz immediately latched onto the idea.
"Yes! Let’s plan something," Prom said, already grinning. "Big romantic gestures, a whole event—"
"Public, of course," Bonz added. "Maybe at a fan meeting?"
War grabbed a pillow and threw it at Bonz. "Absolutely not!"
Bonz caught it, laughing. "See? He’s shy about it. That just proves it was that emotional."
War groaned again, slumping against Yin. "Why am I even friends with you two?"
Yin chuckled, running his fingers through War’s hair. "Because you love us."
Bonz smirked. "Yeah, but clearly, he loves you the most."
War didn’t respond, just buried his face in Yin’s shoulder while Prom and Bonz burst into laughter.
Yin grinned and chirped, “No more details. Let’s keep it private between me and War.”
Bonz let out a dramatic groan. “Ugh, come on, Yin. We deserve at least something for all the emotional damage you two have put us through.”
Prom nodded in agreement. “Yeah! Do you know how exhausting it was watching War spiral over his feelings? I personally had to deal with years of him being all grumpy and brooding about soulmates.”
War huffed. “I was not brooding.”
Bonz gave him a deadpan look. “Dude. You literally spent a year sulking and rolling your eyes every time someone mentioned their admiration for Yin—or, God forbid, falling in love with him. And let’s not forget the drama every time sometime people adore your soulmark came up. We were walking on eggshells around you.”
Prom smirked. “And now, look at you—totally whipped.”
War groaned and buried his face deeper into Yin’s shoulder. “I hate you both.”
Yin just laughed, ruffling War’s hair. “Too bad. You’re stuck with them.”
Bonz crossed his arms, pretending to sulk. “Fine, keep your romantic details. But just so you know, I’m taking full credit for helping get you two together.”
War lifted his head just enough to glare. “How the hell do you figure that?”
Bonz smirked. “Well, I did find out about Yin’s soulmark first. And if I hadn’t told Prom, and we hadn’t picked you up to go to the hospital, who knows if you two would have ever figured things out?”
Prom nodded. “True, true. Bonz was basically the Cupid of this whole situation.”
Yin chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’ll give you that. But still—no more details.”
Prom sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if War ever proposes, I better be there to witness it.”
War nearly choked. “What?”
Bonz grinned. “Oh, now that’s something we won’t let you keep private.”
War groaned loudly as Yin just laughed, pressing a kiss to War’s temple.
----
Bonz and Prom stayed for dinner, filling Yin’s condo with laughter and playful banter. War, still flustered from the earlier teasing, pretended to focus on setting the table, but Yin could see the tips of his ears burning red.
As they ate, the conversation shifted from teasing to catching up. Prom talked about his latest project, Bonz mentioned an upcoming event he was preparing for, and eventually, the topic landed back on Yin.
“So,” Prom said, leaning back in his chair. “Now that you’re recovering, what’s next for you, Yin?”
Yin hesitated for a moment before answering. “I’m looking for a new job.”
Bonz frowned. “Already? Shouldn’t you take more time to rest?”
“I’ve rested enough,” Yin said, his tone light but firm. “I don’t want to sit around doing nothing. I need to start over, figure out what’s next for me.”
War, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. “You know you don’t have to rush, right?” His voice was soft, careful. “You just got better, Yin.”
Yin smiled at him, reaching for War’s hand under the table. “I know. But I want to do this. I want to move forward.”
War squeezed his hand, still looking a little worried, but he didn’t argue.
Prom nodded in understanding. “Well, whatever you decide, we’ve got your back.”
Bonz raised his glass. “To new beginnings, then.”
Yin chuckled, lifting his own glass. “To new beginnings.”
War sighed but clinked his glass against theirs, murmuring, “Yeah… new beginnings.”
But as Yin glanced at him, he could see the unspoken words in War’s eyes—words about their future, about what they were now and what came next for them.
And Yin knew, soon, they’d have to talk about it.
---
The next morning, as they lounged around after breakfast, Bonz stretched his arms and said, “Alright, we’ve been lazy long enough. Time to hit the gym.”
Yin raised an eyebrow. “I just got better.”
“Exactly,” Bonz said. “You need to build your strength back.”
War, who was scrolling on his phone, smirked. “What strength? Your muscles are already disappearing, Yin.”
Yin scoffed. “Excuse me? My pectorals and six-pack are still intact, thank you very much.” He patted his stomach confidently.
Bonz nodded. “True, but your biceps and triceps are looking a little smaller.”
Prom, who had been silent, chuckled. “Unlike War, who somehow maintains his muscle like he’s training for a fight every day.”
War shrugged nonchalantly. “Discipline.”
Yin rolled his eyes. “Show-off.”
Bonz clapped his hands. “Alright, let’s stop talking and start lifting.”
Yin groaned but got up anyway, stretching his arms. “Fine. But if I collapse, I’m blaming all of you.”
War grinned, pulling Yin’s hoodie over his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll catch you.”
Yin paused for a second before shaking his head with a small smile. “You better.”
With that, they gathered their gym bags and headed out, ready to test just how much they had let themselves go.
----
At the gym, War naturally led the group, guiding them through warm-ups. Yin stretched beside him, rolling his shoulders as he observed War's form. It was annoying how effortlessly War maintained his physique. His arms were still toned, his back strong, and Yin could see the outline of his muscles even through his shirt.
“Stop staring and start lifting,” War teased, smirking as he adjusted the weights on his barbell.
Yin scoffed. “Please. I was just making sure you’re not slacking off.”
Bonz and Prom exchanged glances before laughing.
“You two are disgusting,” Prom joked. “Can we at least work out in peace without all this flirting?”
Yin raised an eyebrow. “You’re the one making it weird.”
Bonz chuckled. “He’s right, though. You two are practically in your own world.”
War ignored them and handed Yin a set of weights. “Start with these.”
Yin took them, testing the weight before beginning his reps. His body had weakened slightly over the past few weeks, but muscle memory kicked in quickly. He focused on his form, pushing through each movement with determination.
Bonz, who was bench-pressing nearby, glanced at Yin. “Not bad. You didn’t lose too much muscle.”
Yin smirked. “Told you.”
War, who was doing pull-ups, glanced at Yin through the mirror. “Your endurance is shot, though.”
Yin glared at him playfully. “Give me a week.”
War grinned. “We’ll see.”
Prom groaned. “Can we please not turn this into another competition?”
Yin and War exchanged a look—one that promised exactly that.
Bonz sighed. “Oh god. Here we go again.”
----
The friendly competition escalated quickly.
After finishing their weight training, War challenged Yin to a plank contest. “Let’s see how long you last,” he teased, smirking.
Yin, never one to back down, dropped to the mat beside him. “You're underestimating me.”
Bonz and Prom shook their heads, already resigned to the inevitable.
“Three, two, one—go,” Prom announced, setting the timer.
Both Yin and War held their positions, core muscles engaged, breathing steady. At first, it seemed easy. But as the minutes ticked by, Yin started feeling the burn.
“Getting tired?” War taunted, barely breaking a sweat.
Yin clenched his jaw. “Not a chance.”
Bonz leaned against a machine. “Why do you two have to make everything a battle?”
Prom nodded. “At this point, I feel like we should start betting.”
“I'm in,” Bonz said, amused. “My money’s on War.”
Prom hummed. “Yin looks stubborn, though. He might just win out of pure spite.”
Yin shot them a glare. “Shut up and count the time.”
War chuckled. “Don’t let them distract you, babe.”
Yin nearly dropped right there. Bonz and Prom burst out laughing.
“Damn,” Prom wheezed. “That was evil.”
Flustered but determined, Yin held on for another minute before finally collapsing onto the mat. War let out a victorious huff before lowering himself down with ease.
“I win,” he announced smugly.
Yin, still catching his breath, glared up at him. “You cheated.”
Bonz snickered. “I don’t know, man. You fell first.”
War grinned and offered Yin a hand. “Rematch next time?”
Yin took it, letting War pull him up. “You bet.”
Prom groaned. “Great. Another rivalry to keep track of.”
----
After their gym session, they decided to grab a late lunch together. Sitting in a quiet corner of the restaurant, the conversation naturally drifted back to Yin’s recovery and the changes in their dynamic.
“You’re looking better,” Prom noted, watching Yin pick at his food. “Still not eating as much as before, though.”
“I’m working on it,” Yin replied. “Doctor said I need time to regain my full strength.”
War glanced at him before subtly adding more rice to Yin’s plate. Yin shot him a look, but War just raised an eyebrow. “Eat.”
Bonz smirked. “Yin being taken care of… this is new.”
Yin rolled his eyes, but he didn’t argue, instead taking a bite to appease War.
Prom leaned back in his seat. “So… what’s next for you two?”
Yin and War exchanged a glance.
“Work,” War answered first. “I’m back at the office now. But outside of that… we’re figuring things out.”
Yin nodded. “I need to find a job soon. Can’t just sit around.”
“You just recovered,” War frowned.
“I know, but I don’t like feeling useless.”
Bonz hummed. “You could go back to being a sound engineer, or maybe try something different?”
“I’m open to anything.” Yin shrugged, then turned to War. “What about you? Any big projects coming up?”
War nodded. “A few. My team wants to push a new design concept. It’s keeping me busy.”
Bonz smirked. “And yet, you still rush home to Yin every day.”
War didn’t even deny it. “Of course.”
Prom sighed. “It’s kind of nice seeing you two like this. Feels… right.”
Yin smiled slightly. “It does, doesn’t it?”
War met his gaze, something unspoken passing between them.
Bonz groaned dramatically. “Ugh. Enough eye contacts. Let’s eat before these turns into a rom-com moment.”
Yin and War chuckled, but neither of them looked away.
----
After lunch, they parted ways, with Prom and Bonz heading off while Yin and War returned home. The rest of the afternoon was quiet, Yin flipping through job postings while War went over his project plans. It felt… normal. A routine.
By evening, War stretched and set his laptop aside. “Alright, enough work. Let’s get some fresh air.”
Yin glanced up from his phone. “Where?”
“Just a walk. You need to keep moving to get your strength back, remember?”
Yin smirked. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Taking care of me?”
War didn’t deny it. “Maybe.”
Yin shook his head but got up anyway.
They walked through the quiet streets, the evening air cool against their skin. The conversation was light at first—random observations, teasing comments. But as they reached a small park, War’s steps slowed.
“Yin.”
“Hm?”
War hesitated, then said softly, “Do you think we’ll be okay?”
Yin turned to him, expression serious. “You’re asking me that now?”
“I mean long-term,” War clarified. “We’ve been through so much. And I know… I know I hurt you before.”
Yin exhaled slowly. “War, do you regret finding out I’m your soulmate?”
War’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “What? No.” He shook his head firmly. “Never.”
Yin studied him for a moment before nodding. “Then we’ll be okay.”
War swallowed, emotions tightening in his chest. “How can you be so sure?”
Yin smiled, reaching out to take War’s hand, his fingers tracing over War’s soulmark. “Because you’re here. And so am I.”
War squeezed his hand, a quiet kind of relief settling in.
Yeah. They were here. Together. And that was enough.
----
Yin sighed, looking down at their intertwined hands. He had known this conversation was coming—it had to. They couldn't just keep floating in this space without defining what they were, what came next.
"War," Yin said quietly, "we should talk."
War tensed slightly but nodded. "Yeah, I know."
They found a bench near the edge of the park and sat down. War leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, staring ahead. "I’ve been thinking about it too," he admitted. "About us. About what comes next."
Yin hummed, waiting.
War turned to him. "We can’t just pretend this is temporary. I love you, Yin. That hasn’t changed."
Yin’s chest tightened. Hearing it now—so clear, so certain—felt different than before.
War continued, voice steady. "But I know love isn’t enough. Not after everything. I need to know where we stand. What… what do you want?"
Yin looked at him, really looked at him. War, who had once rejected the very idea of soulmates, was now sitting here, openly asking for something real.
"I want you," Yin said simply. "Not just because we’re soulmates. Not because fate says so. But because I choose you."
War inhaled sharply, his fingers clenching against his knee. "Then let’s be together, Yin. For real. No more running, no more hesitation. Just us."
Yin let out a slow breath. "Okay."
War blinked. "Okay?"
Yin chuckled. "Yes, War. Okay."
A grin broke across War’s face before he pulled Yin into a tight embrace. Yin closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the warmth of it.
This was their future. Their choice. And for the first time in years, Yin felt truly at peace.