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His friends thought he was crazy for wanting to do a job like this, but for Jungkook it was addicting. There was a certain thrill to scaring strangers, especially since he was known to be pretty fearless himself.
It’s not just the scaring he likes; there’s something nice about bringing people together in fear. Hands clutching, bodies squeezed together in fright, screams followed by tickling laughter.
Working at a haunted house was a nice job.
Crowds of people filter through every room as normal, he jumps out at them, grinning behind his mask as people shriek and dart away from him. This year he decided to go with a zombie look – a gross zombie mask and ripped up clothes with fake blood. By the screams and shrieks of people who pass by him, he figures it was a good choice.
It’s not long before Jungkook notices something odd. When the crowds slow for a moment, he stands to the side and holds out his hand.
Jungkook is twenty-three now but hasn’t found his soulmate yet. He looks at the red thread neatly tied around his pinky finger – there’s nothing unusual about that, since everyone’s red thread length is visible to about a centimetre, and the rest is invisible to the naked eye until he meets his soulmate.
What’s odd is that it’s glowing.
He clutches his palm to his chest as he lets out a slow breath, eyes darting around the dark room.
Did this mean his soulmate was nearby? The thought has Jungkook’s heart racing in a way a jump scare never could.
This was bad.
Well, it was good in the grand scheme of things, but this was not how Jungkook pictured things going down at all.
Jungkook has been waiting his entire life to meet his soulmate. Okay, arguably everyone is counting down the days until they meet their perfect match, it’s just that Jungkook has been particularly obsessed about it his entire life.
Countless years he has spent fantasising about his soulmate – you know, normal things like wondering what he will look like and what kind of personality he’ll have. And then the not so normal; having imaginary conversations with his soulmate in his head, planning out different scenarios in which he could meet his soulmate (his favourite was the one where they met on the moon).
Jungkook even has gifts stashed away; his great grandfather’s wristwatch that was passed down to him, and other trinkets that Jungkook had picked up. Anything that meant a lot to him no matter how small. He wanted to share these trinkets with his soulmate.
He has a playlist of songs that remind him of his soulmate, too - even though he hasn’t met him yet - and he adds to it frequently. And, of course, Jungkook has already planned out what their first meeting will be like. He knows what he’s going to say.
I’m so overjoyed and happy to meet you finally, you have no idea. I will love you with my entire being for the rest of our lives. I’ll never let anything bad happen to you, I’ll protect you, I’ll cherish you and I’ll love you forever.
He’s still working on it, but he wants them to know how he feels. After so many years of pining and yearning for his one true love, he wants to be able to express his feeling accurately.
He wants to make a great first impression.
Which is why this is beyond bad. He’s working, he’s wearing a scary zombie mask and he’s covered in fake blood and he’s hiding in the shadows. If his soulmate really was nearby, this couldn’t possibly turn out well.
Jungkook thinks about ditching, he considers throwing away the mask and venturing out into the amusement park to find him. Except, it was likely to be futile since he has no idea what his soulmate looks like. He has nothing to go on, only the glow of his thread – and he kind of has no idea what that means. His soulmate could be right outside, or he could be in the next town over for all he knows.
So Jungkook can’t ditch his post, it doesn’t make sense to. His only option is to keep watch, just in case.
He attempts to continue scaring guests, but it’s hard when he’s so jittery himself, bouncing on his feet, heart racing as he glances far too intently at every face that comes through the room he’s stationed in.
A couple of hours into his shift and he pretty much gives up on scaring them at all. People gasp as they approach him, not expecting to see him because the room is dark and he blends in, but he just ushers them along, doesn’t bother to wave his arms around or growl like he normally would. Boredom quickly strikes.
When people begin to come through less frequently, Jungkook figures it’s safe to leave his post and stroll around the haunted house for a little while. He ends up taking up a spot by the entrance and leaning against the wall there in the shadows.
“I hate this, I hate this, oh my god...”
“You hate this? I can’t even tell if it’s Hobi who’s shaking or me.”
Clearly newbies. Jungkook watches them from his spot; three guys who make their way through the entrance very slowly. Two of them have their hands held together, clearly terrified at the prospect of being in a haunted house by the look of dread on their faces.
“Ahhhh!” the brunet guy shrieks, stumbling back as the others follow suit.
“What, Hoseokie? What?” the shortest guy grabs for him, pulling him close as he whips his head around, eyes darting around in frantic terror.
"We're not even in the main part yet!" the tall, blond stranger exclaims, huffing out a laugh in disbelief. "Can you guys get a grip?"
His voice is deep and confident, but there’s an underlying shakiness to his words. He may be trying to sound like he's got it together, but he can't fool Jungkook.
"Need I remind you that it's your fault we're here," the shortest guy grumbles, his hand held firmly by what Jungkook assumes is his partner. "You just had to rope us in on that bet..."
"Yeah, but Hoseok is the one that dragged you into it, not me!" the blond man says, pointing an accusing finger at his friend. "It was supposed to just be me and him, remember?"
The brunet, Hoseok, gives his partner a sheepish smile, "I just...I thought it'd be more fun with my soulmate."
Jungkook doesn't miss the way the shorter man blushes, though he still grumbles under his breath about the cruelty of it all.
Not just partner, then. Soulmate. The realisation reminds Jungkook of his own predicament.
There's another shriek that snaps him away from that thought, all three men staggering back in surprise.
“It was Yoongi that time!” Hoseok insists, hiding behind his soulmate nonetheless.
"You’re both freaking me out. This bit isn’t supposed to be scary!"
"We’ll be okay once we’re in there,” Yoongi claims, having apparently recovered from whatever shadow scared him. “Now...which way do we go?"
The guys, very hesitantly, head to the first room on the left and Jungkook finds himself chuckling under his breath as he can hear their audible screams.
He returns to his post, kind of excited for the moment they’ll reach him. Jungkook watches the thread glow on his pinky, too distracted as he lets a couple stroll right by him and into the next room.
Time goes by with fewer and fewer people entering his room and Jungkook’s shoulders slump, a heavy sigh seeping out his lips with part relief, part disappointment. No sign of his soulmate yet.
“Guys? Yoongi?” Jungkook sucks in a breath at that shaky, but deep voice. It belonged to one of those funny guys that he was watching earlier. “Hoseok? Where’d you go? Shit...I’ll never forgive you if I die here, Seokjin…” he hisses under his breath, seeming to be debating on whether to walk further into the room or back out.
Jungkook watches him enter, admires his nicely proportioned body for a moment before an insistent glow forces his eyes away. He lifts his hand, eyes growing wide as the red string glows brighter than he’s ever seen it. His eyes flick up to the stranger who is shakily trudging across the floor, and Jungkook finds himself stepping out of hiding.
His feet propel him forward on their own, his fate pulling him to the other man.
The stranger whips his head around, sees Jungkook, and does the loudest shriek he’s ever heard. He’s so frightened that he startles back, tripping over his own feet.
“Careful!” Jungkook exclaims, reaching out to grab his arm before he falls flat on his ass. That stabilises the man, and Jungkook helps to pull him upright again.
The man’s forearm is warm and so are Jungkook’s cheeks as he locks eyes with the stranger. His breath hitches, a swarm of butterflies erupting in his chest.
The stranger is really handsome even in such a dark setting, illuminated just slightly by the green lights around them. Sharp eyes but plump lips, masculine but with a cute button nose. Even the lines on his forehead are attractive as he furrows his brow.
Jungkook only stops staring when the guy looks down at where Jungkook’s hand is still holding onto his arm.
“You—"
Jungkook gasps in shock, pulling his hand away to find that his red thread is not only visible for the first time, but it links up all the way to the hand of the stranger; a red thread tied around his long pinky finger.
It was his soulmate.
The stranger’s eyes shine with something magical; his mouth opens and closes wordlessly for a moment before he shakes his head and reaches for Jungkook’s mask.
“There you are!”
Their perfect bubble is popped as the other guys from before come racing into the room.
“Come on. We’re getting out now before I wet myself!” the brunet guy grabs onto his soulmate and drags him away, the shorter guy racing behind as they dart out of the room.
Jungkook watches them leave in disbelief, his gaze falling back down to his hand. The glow is dull again, the string now fading back to its invisible state.
He sinks to his knees in shock, pulling off the mask and rubbing his face exasperatedly. Did that really happen, or was he dreaming?
What a complete disaster!
Couldn’t he have just bumped into his soulmate at the supermarket? Oh, no. Not Jeon Jungkook. It was never that simple.
Years of planning and yearning for a meeting like that. Jungkook groans in frustration, getting up on his feet hastily and rushing out of the haunted house. He needed to fix things and quick.
When he steps outside, the cool autumn breeze cuts right through him. He shivers, eyes darting around for his soulmate and his two friends – only to find them gone.
He searches the whole length of the park at least fifty times looking for his soulmate; he looks for that light hair and a broad chest, a face that he couldn’t forget. He goes by the bumper cars, the Ferris wheel, those upside-down rides that make you puke, and he finds nothing.
On the bright side, his soulmate is the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. So that’s good. No issues in that department.
Except...
Jungkook clutches the mask in his hand, settling down on the curb outside the amusement park after at least an hour of searching. Reality begins to set in.
And the reality is: his soulmate has no idea what he looks like. What’s more, Jungkook doesn’t know his soulmate’s name, place of residence, or anything remotely useful.
That’s not all that Jungkook is concerned about, either. What if this whole scenario had put him off? What if his soulmate was terrified of all things spooky and would never give Jungkook a chance after this?
It’s silly, but ‘what ifs’ are all Jungkook has right now.
Like, what if he can’t find his soulmate again?
Jungkook’s gnaws on his bottom lip anxiously, his stomach churning from just the idea of it. This is the moment he had been waiting his entire life for. Had he really messed up his chance? He didn’t get to say one line of his little speech, and he could probably win an award for the worst first impression in history.
Jungkook stays right up until closing time. He goes home with a hollowed chest and a dark cloud looming over his head, with painful regret and tears pricking in his eyes.
He replays the day over and over in his mind, just wishing he had had the foresight to do something different - just wishing he had taken the stupid mask off! He could have shouted out his name, said something, anything to give his soulmate a lead. Even his Instagram handle would’ve been fine - ideal, even.
But he panicked. His soulmate was snatched away too quickly.
Jungkook wouldn’t give up, though. He would never give up – it wasn’t in his nature. Jungkook was no quitter and, when it came to his soulmate, he was willing to put anything on the line.
He may not know his soulmate’s name, but he does know his face. Whether his soulmate lives here in Seoul or was just on a trip and is heading home today to go back to Hawaii, Jungkook would find him.
They would meet again; he’d make sure of it.
The next morning, Jungkook wakes up bright and early. He showers, gets himself dressed up in his finest skinny jeans and hoodie, and grabs his zombie mask before heading out the door. It was time to find his soulmate.
Where do you go first when you’ve lost something? You go where you last remember you had it.
Following that bit of advice, Jungkook goes back to the amusement park. The main park would still be open like the night before, but specific rides and stalls were a Halloween only thing, like the haunted house.
That doesn’t affect Jungkook’s plan, anyway.
His plan is pretty simple; Jungkook is going to sit somewhere in the amusement park and wait. He’s going to watch every person that goes by and he’s going to keep checking his red thread for any glowing – even the smallest glow could mean he was nearby. Jungkook needed anything he could get, even if it means he ends up walking around aimlessly with his pinky finger held out like a metal detector.
Jungkook would try and stay put in the same spot, though, just to make sure he doesn’t miss his soulmate by mistake. He has a backpack full of snacks, he can wait all night if he has to.
Jungkook marches towards the entrance of the amusement park, his breath puffs out his nose in determination. He’s a bit early so the park hasn’t even opened yet, but that’s okay. Now all he has to do is find a good position to wait until—
His eyes fall on the park bench just outside the entrance where someone sits on his phone, a Starbucks cup on the floor by his feet. Jungkook looks down at his hand then; he had been too distracted by his plan to realise that his red thread has been glowing like crazy.
Surely this was a dream? It was too easy! He blinks his eyes a few times to make sure it’s not an illusion, stares at the stranger for a good minute to check if it’s him.
A grin breaks out onto his face. If Jungkook’s memory serves him correctly, it was definitely him – he recognises the hair, those denim jeans, but he also just has this feeling in his gut.
So much for his well thought out plan, but things couldn’t get better than this. He feels all of his concerns and worries and what-ifs fritter away.
Jungkook takes a deep breath, opening his backpack to pull out his zombie mask.
He wants his soulmate to immediately recognise him rather than just awkwardly approach him as he is. The mask also gave him a bit of courage; a brave face to put on.
With another deep breath and muttered encouragements under his breath, Jungkook slowly approaches the man on the bench.
He looks up from his phone, flinching as his eyes set on Jungkook.
“Jeez—" he sucks in a sharp breath, Jungkook flushing because he clearly startled him. His soulmate’s face lights up quickly after. “It’s—it’s you!” he exclaims, accidentally kicking over his Starbucks cup as he rushes to get up from the bench.
He doesn’t even seem to have noticed, his eyes darting over Jungkook’s not-face and up and down his body. His hand reaches out but then he must think better of it, letting it hang by his side.
He finally found him, his soulmate. Jungkook is so thankful for the mask because he’s really about to cry.
“I’m so, so sorry about yesterday,” his soulmate huffs out a laugh, like he’s relieved. “My stupid, scaredy-cat friends pulled me away. It wasn’t until after I frantically explained that I met my soulmate that they let me go back to the haunted house,” he frowns a little, eyebrows furrowed. “I stayed there all evening. They had to kick me out eventually and I was devastated because I obviously missed you somehow...”
Jungkook laughs then, full of so much joy that he doesn’t know how to express it. “That’s because I went all around the amusement park looking for you!”
“No way...” his soulmate kicks his shoe on the ground regretfully. “Well, you’re here now,” he says, a warm smile growing onto his lips. “That’s what matters.”
Jungkook lets out a shaky breath. His soulmate is breathtakingly handsome in the daylight, with a perfect smile, golden skin and dimples. In the past, Jungkook had spent endless hours imagining what his soulmate looked like, wondered if he would really be his ideal type. He had always had faith, but it was a whole different thing seeing him in the flesh.
He looks perfect. So perfect, that Jungkook’s wouldn’t have been able to manifest such a guy in his most outrageous fantasies. He surpasses everything.
Jungkook wants to tell him this, to express his feelings with his lips parted, but nothing comes out. He’s speechless.
His soulmate doesn’t speak either, his gaze falling to the floor as he takes a deep breath himself, hand reaching out again with confidence, taking Jungkook’s hand in his.
“My name is Namjoon,” he says simply, smiling at the way their red strings join up.
Namjoon, the most perfect name on earth.
“Jungkook,” he squeaks, “I’m—That’s—"
“A pretty name,” Namjoon grins, eyes creasing beautifully as Jungkook’s heart thumps away in his chest.
His eyes are wet with tears now, he sniffles, “thank you.”
“Jungkook...I still don’t know what you look like,” Namjoon chuckles lightly, squeezing his hand and hesitantly reaching out with the other. “Can I...?”
This is it. No more hiding behind the mask.
Jungkook feels his stomach twist with nervousness. What if he’s not all Namjoon thought he’d be? Every insecurity he has seems to want to attack his mind, tell him that Namjoon is too hot, that he’ll be disappointed.
But maybe he won’t be. They’re soulmates – they are literally made for each other.
Jungkook nods and Namjoon gingerly pulls the mask away, letting it fall to the ground by their feet.
Jungkook wills himself not to look away shyly because he wants to see Namjoon’s reaction. The first thing he notices is that his cheeks flush light pink, which is strange because Jungkook is the one that’s shaking from nerves.
“You’re my soulmate?” he gapes, shaking his head in disbelief, his eyes roaming over Jungkook’s face. “You’re...” he lets out a breath, expression bare and full of longing, “Really beautiful.”
Jungkook is flushed now, finally dipping his head shyly, though he can’t help but smile. “You—really? You sure it’s not just ‘cause the mask is that ugly?”
Namjoon laughs, it’s cute and loud and Jungkook wants to hear it a million times a day. “No! Oh my god, Jungkook,” he lets go of his hand to cup Jungkook’s cheeks, making their eyes level. “You’re perfect.”
Jungkook smiles so big it hurts, his heart flutters, bouncing against his ribcage with joy. This feels like a dream, a fantasy.
Namjoon’s thumbs come to wipe the tears from his cheeks, “I can’t believe you’re my soulmate. This is—" he huffs another laugh, “I feel so nervous, I’m sorry.”
Jungkook places his hands over Namjoon’s, pulling them away from his face to hold them instead, “I’d be offended if you weren’t nervous. It feels like my whole body is trembling.”
Namjoon inhales a big breath and lets it exit his mouth slowly, squeezing Jungkook’s hands.
“Jungkook,” he says, more serious as his eyes lock onto his soulmate’s. “I just want to say that…I’m going to love you, protect you and cherish you for the rest of our lives. If you ever have any problems, just know that you can always talk to me no matter what. I’ll be here for you always, I’ll be a constant presence, I’ll be your light in the dark, and I will let no harm come to you.” His eyes crease with his smile, “and now that I’ve found you, I will never let you go.”
Never did Jungkook think he was this much of a cry baby, but he can feel the tears rolling down his cheeks as Namjoon’s arms wrap around him, holding him close.
He holds on tight, breathing in Namjoon’s scent. Familiar, yet not. Pine and fresh linen, light and delicate on his nostrils.
“You stole my speech,” he whines, but it’s muffled by the way his head is buried into Namjoon’s shoulder.
Namjoon pulls back, but only enough so that he can see Jungkook, “I did what?”
“I’ve had this whole speech planned out since I was, like, ten,” he huffs, pretending to be annoyed. “I was gonna say it and it was gonna be really cool. I swear, it was. I wasn’t going to cry, either.”
Namjoon chuckles warmly, unabashed affection clear as day in his expression. “If I’m being honest, I didn’t know what I’d say on the day I finally met my soulmate. It all just came out,” he says softly, “looking at you.”
Jungkook pouts, but his eyes give him away, so bright and wide and full of love. “Now that’s just unfair. I’m not good with words.”
“That’s okay, I’ll do all the talking,” Namjoon winks, and Jungkook knows his cheeks are red from a very large blush. He parts from Namjoon so he can wipe the rest of his tears on his sleeve, even though he desperately wants to hold on for the rest of his life.
Namjoon seems to be considering something, his eyes falling onto Jungkook’s lips. “If you don’t want to so soon then I completely understand,” he begins, “but...Could I kiss you?”
Jungkook can feel the way his eyes widen considerably, and it’s only now that words seem to want to burst out of him.
“Yes—uh-huh, you can kiss me any day, yesterday—today—tomorrow—" Jungkook shakes his head, he’s babbling, “yes, please.”
Namjoon’s cute nose scrunches as he giggles, fingers coming to Jungkook’s chin, angling his head as he leans in to kiss him.
Jungkook’s eyes flutter closed, electrifying sparks shooting up and down his spine as Namjoon’s plush lips touch his. Finally, after years of pining for a man he’s never met, he gets his soulmate kiss. Namjoon’s mouth is gentle and warm as it moves against his own and Jungkook’s entire body tingles, pleasantly warm and euphoric, his hands coming to clutch onto Namjoon’s shoulders as he deepens the kiss.
So, this is what it felt like to kiss your soulmate. Like coming home to a warm bed after getting caught in the rain, like seeing the first flower of spring. A feeling of comfort, wonder, fulfilment.
Namjoon pulls back after a moment, bumping their noses together and making Jungkook’s chest flutter. He presses forward to capture Namjoon’s lips again in a short, sweet kiss. Savouring the feeling, though he knows he’s going to make sure it will last forever.
He feels Namjoon smile against his mouth and he can’t help but think it’s a miracle that he’s still standing upright right now, his legs feel like jelly. There is no doubt in Jungkook’s mind that Namjoon is his soulmate. If he didn’t already feel it in his heart, that kiss just sealed the deal.
“Wow,” Jungkook says, letting a content sigh fall past his lips as he grins at Namjoon.
“Wow, agreed,” Namjoon says, awestruck. “That kiss felt like magic.”
“I want to learn everything about you,” Jungkook blurts excitedly, clasping Namjoon’s hand in his with wide and sparkling eyes. “Your hobbies, what you like to eat, your favourite TV shows, what—" he only stops as he feels something lightly knock his foot. Looking down, he notices it’s Namjoon’s forgotten Starbucks cup, blown over by the autumn breeze.
Only then does he really look around him, realise that they’re still standing at the entrance of the amusement park, out in the open where passers-by can see them. Two lovestruck soulmates in their own little world.
He finds himself chuckling.
“Can I get you a coffee?” Jungkook asks, tilting his head to the left because somewhere in that direction he knows there’s at least one café.
“That sounds wonderful,” Namjoon agrees with a smile, squeezing Jungkook’s hand before he parts to pick up his mask, throwing it into his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. He smiles up at his soulmate, firmly taking Namjoon’s hand again as they begin their walk.
Their red thread shows proudly, dangling between them for all to see, and Jungkook just knows this is going to make a great story to look back on in the future – he doesn’t regret a thing.