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Jimin groaned in frustration. He just won a dance battle. He should be happy and ecstatic. He should be celebrating with his friends and his family. Instead, he was locked in his room as he ate a tub of ice cream (that he's sure his mom will scold for later) and watched a drama on TV.
"Why are you like this?" Jimin said to his empty room. His mind wondered why him and his soulmate could never get the timing quite right. Just the other day, he was feeling a little down and nervous for the competition but then a wave of happiness hit him. He was confused. His anxiety didn't lessen but his mood felt like it shifted into one of contentment. He was grateful as it was probably the reason he managed to do so well but straight after he won, sadness hit him like a slap to the back of his head.
On the other end of the string, Hoseok had just been told that he should be a dancer by several different adults after they watched him perform. He was ecstatic to be doing what he loved. He was just given the news that people are interested in starting a dance crew with them. He was about to tell the good news to his parents when he got home and felt a wave of nerves hit him. He shook the feeling out of his head and walked in his house to find one of his aunts in conversation with his parents. He pouted.
"Honestly, you should've just pursued his tennis career. That boy is going nowhere with his dancing," she said loudly. "He has to stop playing around and grow up. There is no career for him in dancing or becoming an idol."
"Sister, you have to understand, Hoseok loves dancing. And he's really good too."
"It'll get him nowhere. He's not any better than those other kids in these dance showcases or competitions and once he realises that, the sooner he can quit all this nonsense and study to be something beneficial to his future, like a doctor or a good businessman."
Hoseok walked further in the house and his mother spotted him.
"Hoseok," she said in surprise and Hoseok just bowed at his aunt and rushed into his room. "Hoseok, wait-"
He slammed the door close.
That was the first time they felt their connection deepen.
Because after that, Hoseok decided to get a breath of fresh air while Jimin decided to cool off from the mix of emotions in his makeshift dance studio: the basement.
Hoseok took a walk to the nearby park and was relieved to find the place empty. He placed his phone on the bench next to him and played his music. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and danced.
Jimin felt a surge of energy hit him. He stood in the middle of his basement, a little confused at figuring out how his supposed soulmate felt. Instead of continuing to do so, he just took a few deep breaths and played the stereo next to him.
Once Jimin began to move, they were both hit by a wave of intensity. They decided to use it to express how they felt. They conveyed their emotions through movement and just as they started to reach the peak of their dance, they both gasped.
Hoseok felt like he was out of his body. Like his movements were more fluid and calmer than usual, like water. In contrast, Jimin felt like his body was on fire, like the way he moved still had some fluidity but it felt more strict and precise.
They moved their bodies in different directions and could feel how the other was moving. They danced in different styles yet they felt completely in sync. Their eyes were closed but they could see flashes of different scenery.
It felt surreal. Like they were right in front of each other, dancing and matching the music.
But then the music stopped.
"Holy shit," Jimin said as he collapsed to the ground. "I've never danced that hard in my life."
"Me either," Hoseok said and they both gasped at the sound of their voices. And then silence.
"Hello?" they both said but neither could hear the other. All they felt was a combined exhaustion mixed with exhilaration.
After that, they both asked their parents about whether they could hear their soulmate's voice in their head.
"That's a rare thing," Jimin's mother said casually. "It's only ever happened to me once and that was right before I married your father. I was just waiting for them in a room to call for me when the ceremony started."
"What did he say?"
"That's a secret."
"Mom," Jimin whined and his mother laughed.
"I told her 'I love you'," Jimin's father said with a wide smile and both his parents looked at each other.
"Gross," was Jimin's brother's response. They all laughed.
Meanwhile, Hoseok had asked his dad and was surprised when he suddenly laughed.
"It's happened to us once," he said and his mother covered her face while his sister did the same.
"You've already told this story, dad," his sister said, "So embarrassing."
"I haven't heard it," Hoseok said excitedly.
"It was when we first met," his dad said, "The first time I saw her, all I could think of to say was 'Wow' and unfortunately, that was when your mother was drinking an iced coffee."
"It was so embarrassing," his mom said as she fanned herself, "I was so shocked I heard a voice out of nowhere, I just spat my drink and nearly choked on my straw."
They all laughed.
"Don't worry though, I'm sure your experience won't be as embarrassing," his mom said as she patted his arm. "And besides, it only ever really happens once."
Which is why Jimin was surprised it happened again.
"You can do it," Hoseok said and Jimin was overwhelmed. He had been struggling with the idea of leaving the dance academy and moving to Seoul for a while. He debated about whether it was worth it and whether or not he was good enough.
Hoseok was going through his own internal struggle after being rejected by JYP entertainment but he felt a different kind of struggle from the other end.
Jimin could feel Hoseok's determination and that was the sort of cue he received to dance. It was a dance duet filled with passion and reassurance. The focus was on how much they both enjoyed the feeling of their own dance as well as understanding the other's.
After Hoseok spoke, so did Jimin.
"You too."
Eventually time passed and they tried their best to encourage and comfort each other through either dance or projecting energy towards the other.
They danced together one more time the day before Jimin had to be in Seoul. They poured everything into it. It felt like a sort of last dance but they didn't understand why. All they knew was that they didn't want it to end.
They both spoke at the same time once the third song came to a close.
"I want to dance with you."
SIlence straight after.
Neither questioned why they cried. They were overwhelmed.
Hoseok ended up on the floor of the practice room. A couple of trainees left and Hoseok started to feel worried. He heard another trainee was coming the day after but he had no idea how to feel about the situation.
Hoseok woke up the next day a little sore and tired but knew he had to get up for practice. He walked out towards the kitchen but was a little taken aback by the sudden nervous energy he felt. He stopped and took a deep breath as he concentrated on trying to send the other good vibes. He noticed the other's feelings ease and smiled.
They were in the middle of practicing and told to take a half hour break when their manager came in.
"Everyone," he said and the music was off and all the trainees gathered. "Come meet the new trainee," he added before another boy walked in after him, suitcase in hand. They all greeted him and he did the same.
His voice.
"I'm Park Jimin," the trainee said excitedly and Hoseok widened his eyes. That voice. They went down the line of names and when it got to Hoseok, he paused.
"Jung Hoseok," he said with a bow. He looked up and noticed the wide eyes Jimin sent him.
"Hyung," Jimin said and Hoseok was surprised at how casual he sounded.
"Oh you two know each other?" the manager asked and the other trainees looked between them.
"Yes," was all Hoseok could say.
The manager told them to show him around and to bring him back to the dorms afterwards. Namjoon said since Hoseok knew him, he would feel more comfortable with him. Eventually everyone left the practice room in favour of food but the two just stood there, staring.
"Hi," Hoseok said and they both smiled.
"Hi."
"Do you dance?"
"Do you?" the younger retorted. Hoseok laughed.
Then something wonderful happened.
Hoseok knew Jimin didn't speak because his eyes were trained on him but he could very clearly hear Jimin's voice in his head.
"Wow."
End.