Chapter Text
"... make sure to use the correct format so you wouldn't have to rewrite your proposal. I'll see you next week Monday, hyung."
Taehyung tosses his phone on the bed in frustration. It's the tenth time that one of his co-writers called for clarifications, and its been distracting him like hell. He knew that it would be too harsh to ignore them, but this is the biggest offer he has ever since he started being a writer. Taehyung was known as an online novel writer during his college years. He has been writing short fictional stories since he started in senior high school, and took up creative writing when he stepped into college. He has always dreamed of being a known writer, and the encouraging comments of the people who have read his stories online helped him to be more confident in reaching his dream.
Taehyung then stopped posting his works online when he worked as a scriptwriter in a variety show segment. He was the asked to co-write television shows, and a television show called "Farewell Day", which became a hit. Because of that, he fell in love with writing television show stories, and had never worked for anything except that ever since.
"Oh heaven help me.."
He ducks his head and massages his temples, frustrated that he's been sitting in front of his laptop for hours now, yet the only thing he has typewritten is the main theme of the drama that was given to him by the directors.
Soulmates.
The word keeps on repeating in his mind. Soulmate. Soulmate. Who's my soulmate?
Where is my soulmate?
Do I have a soulmate?
Taehyung looks up to his small pin board, where screenshots of people encouraging him through his online works were posted. His eyes wanders to each notes posted and the pair stops to one:
park_jm: this is the first story i've read from you and i am amazed at how great you are as a writer. please don't give up writing. i will cheer you on as well as all of your works. i hope the brightest star brings comfort to you always. best of luck.
He smiles at the note. Taehyung remembered the time that user park_jm has left a lot of comments in his works that encouraged him to not delete his account, but this was the comment that struck his attention. The note felt like it was given to him by someone familiar, but he doesn't know a lot of people whose surname is Park, nor does he know anyone with the initials jm. He set aside the thought of him being someone he knows, replied 'thank you', and left his account and works open in public.
He re-opened his laptop to the software, feeling a bit uplifted. He supposed that he could do some freehand writing for now to clear his mind more off of things, submission of the writers' proposals wouldn’t be in another week anyway.
‘I'm trying to clear my mind for a bit before writing a story plot, but all I could think of is the word soulmates and what could be my inspiration upon writing the story. I was thinking that the story would be about a guy who has found his soulmate when he was young, and the story would take place in Seoul.’
He types his name, Kim Taehyung, as the name filler for the first kid
and the second kid's name is Jeon Jungkook.
*
One night, while Taehyung was fixing his school bag, a piece of paper was thrown from outside his window. He opened the paper and the purple colored text reads, ‘I saw you get on the bus but you were sitting far from me, I’m Jungkook, I hope we become friends.’. He walked to his window and found a child, probably smaller and younger than him, with the cutest doe eyes he has ever seen. The child, who is holding a stuffed bunny that’s half his size, was smiling and giving him the smallest wave.
“Bunny!!” Taehyung excitingly points at the stuffed toy as his other hands waves back.
The next day, Taehyung sits next to Jungkook on their school bus.
“I’m Taehyung, I’m in second grade! My mom told me your name is Jungkook and you’ve just moved here, obviously. Are you older or younger than me?” Taehyung enthusiastically said as Jungkook tries his best to answer, “I am in first grade, h-hyung.”
“Do you have friends already?”
The younger shakes his head no.
“Well, I am now! Just stick by my side okay? I’ll protect you if there are meanies that try to pick on you. I’ll be there if you feel alone too!” Taehyung then pouts, “But please be comfortable with me, talk if you want, you can also tell me to shut up if I’m being talkative.”
Jungkook laughs and nod.
From that day on, they became inseparable.
Taehyung would often go and buy to a store a bit further to his house and would meet Jungkook there. They’d talk about their favorite anime for a bit, before they separate as they head near their houses. Their parents strictly don’t allow them to play with others or go outside a lot weekdays, and they do not have the time to see each other and play on weekends, since their parents call it family time.
“My classmates are talking about soulmates, have you heard about that word, hyung?” Jungkook asks as the cashier gave him his change and banana milk.
Taehyung looks at Jungkook, a bit amused, “Wow, look at my Kookie being the first one to start a conversation now.”
Jungkook blushes a bit. Jungkook is already in third grade, and he’s more comfortable in talking now. “I am curious about it, and I was thinking that you know about it.”
“Well yes, actually. Me and my classmates talked about it when we were in second year when we heard Ms. Jung talked about it in the cafeteria. I feel like soulmates are the only people that cannot be separated, you know? Also, they said there’s red strings connected to anyone, but I want mine and my soulmate to be purple.” He laughs, “When I heard about it, I told myself that I want to meet that person already.”
“As early as that?” the younger questions, “I don’t know what to say if I’d meet mine right now.”
“Jungkook, what if were soulmates?” Taehyung sits at the bench outside the store and looks straight at Jungkook’s eyes.
Jungkook breaks their contact and looks back at the older, who’s now laughing hysterically.
“You should’ve seen your face!” he said in between laughs. “But seriously, Jungkook. Having soulmates isn’t just for romantic reasons, they say soulmates might be someone you’re not destined to be with.”
“I didn’t say its for love reasons, hyung. And okay, maybe if they’re not destined to be together in their present life, would they be on their next?”
“Pff, love reasons.” Taehyung air quoted the word love, “Yet your face said the opposite when I said that we’re soulmates.”
That night, Jungkook throws another paper in Taehyung’s window.
‘What if were really soulmates, hyung?’