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Jimin could remember the very moment he first met him. He had stumbled into the small bookstore a short walk from his college campus, desperate to escape the rain that had decided to fall only after he was too far from the school to retreat to a dry shelter.
He had decided that while he was there, he may as well see if they had any books that caught his eye. Half way through scanning over a few shelves, a male with pale purple hair had knocked into him, and being the sensible, polite, person he was he had said the only thing that had come to mind when the male hadn’t moved to even apologize.
"I’ll bite you- watch where you’re going grape,”
The male’s mouth had fallen open at his jibe but an apology still had yet to fall from his lips. After what felt like forever of the male openly gawking at him he slowly pointed to a badge pinned to his sweater.
Kim Namjoon, mute.
His own mouth promptly fell open and he readied himself to apologize to the male for snapping at him, when the male shyly put up a hand to silence him, pointing towards the front counters where a notepad was.
That had been nearly three years ago, and surprisingly enough, the two had become the closest of friends despite his initial words to him.
Peoples first words were weighted heavy, for everyone, not just soulmates and he had been shocked at the elders initial attempts to strike up a conversation when he was but a heartbeat away from burying himself alive from shame alone.
Perhaps labeling Namjoon and his relationship as friends was a bit of a stretch. At times it felt like the two of them shared a mind from how recognition would spark between them without actions or words. The two were also rarely apart and Jimin honestly couldn’t imagine his life without him. He didn’t know how to describe their relationship.
It wasn’t quite friends or even best friends. He supposes it wouldn’t be a reach to say platonic soulmates. He didn’t feel anything platonic towards him that being said and if the elder didn’t have a soulmate, he would have leaped at the prospects of finally finding the courage to ask him out.
Of course Namjoon did have a soulmate, unlike himself. He’d never seen his soulmark, but he didn’t doubt it was there from how the elder spoke (read: wrote ) enthusiastically about promises of forever that he’d spend with his partner.
It was only slightly disheartening to listen to.
He was happy for him-really he was, even if the words left him with a bitter taste in the back of his mouth and a restless heart.
He knew better than to ever hope that with a soulmate, Namjoon could love him. It was wishful thinking to feel that anyone could, even if they were also soulmateless. It didn’t stop him from wishing though.
But as of now, Jimin was nothing short of stunned. Shocked and he didn’t know how he’d never pieced this together before.
He had asked Namjoon to show him his soulmark. A request he initially thought would be shot down because why would he? But instead Namjoon had simply nodded, purple hair bobbing and he felt like he had been slapped, staring at delicate gold lettering curving along tan ribs.
He let his eyes dart back up to Namjoon who didn’t to share his sense of horror.
“You- those-” He couldn’t find the words to even express his confusion and he could just barely bite down the urge to slap the elder at the sight of mirth twinkling in his eyes. “What the fuck!” Namjoon’s lips pulled up into a dimply grin and he really he was going to kill him because those where his words- his words- and he felt like a truck of emotions had hit him at the realization of what every single one of Namjoon’s teasing reminders of his first words to him signified.
“Kim Namjoon what the fuck! ” He screeched and a silent laugh bloomed from the elders lips, face scrunching up as he shakily sat down across from him.
“How many people have said those words to you,” He choked out and the elder leaned back on his hands, looking obnoxiously relaxed as he seemed to mull over his question. He was going to snap. Throttle him. Kill him. Namjoon held up one finger after what seemed like forever.
“Just me?” Namjoon nodded and with the confirmation he could feel his eyes stinging with tears and in an instance Namjoon’s face fell as he moved forwards, taking both of his hands into his own and quickly pecking his cheek with a concerned look.
“You’re my soulmate!”
Namjoon nodded and he could see he was debating on if it was safe to kiss him again.
“Why- why didn’t you tell me? I thought I didn’t- that I didn’t- because you don’t speak!” His mind was running in circles. Namjoon nodded slowly, pulling away to retrieve his phone from the floor, thumbs moving fast before finally the device was turned to him.
I wanted you to feel how you feel for me because I’m me and not ‘I’m your soulmate’.
He let his eyes drift up to Namjoon who was staring back at him anxiously.
“How I feel? ” He asked slowly and the elder nodded shakily, turning back to type quickly on his phone.
I understand if you only feel platonically towards me...please don’t feel pressured to feel otherwise.
A snort left his lips at the statement and concerned eyes grew wide.
“No- Joonie- I’ve loved you for years now- I just never thought- because I don’t have a mark- that you know... Joonie I can’t believe …” he knew he was grinning stupidly but he couldn’t school his face into something cooler to save his life because Namjoon was his soulmate- his soulmate! And from how the elder was looking between him and his phone anxiously he got the feeling that maybe he did have more than a chance with him.
“Joonie I love you,"
Namjoon’s eyes were wide and he was sure tears were going to bloom from them in any second. Not wanting to risk it he surged forward, knocking the male to his back and smashing his lips to his own, his heart beating so fast he was sure it would burst from his chest. After what felt like only seconds of drowning in his lips the elders hand pushed to his chest and he let himself pull off, breathing heavily.
Namjoon was staring at him through glassy eyes and blatantly he realized the male was mouthing something. Squinting he watched the male form words around his lips and slowly he could feel his own lips tugging up once more.
I love you too.