Work Text:
Finally.
Those were the only words coming out of Taeyong’s mouth as he scribbled on his little notepad as he moved his gaming chair back and forth. He invited Johnny, his friend over to check what he was so busy about. “So... what did you ask me here for?” Johnny asked putting down his phone as he stared at the other with a hint of confusion on his face. “I’m finally doing it, Johnny!” Taeyong says with much enthusiasm coming out of him. The other knew right away what he was talking about making him gasp in excitement. “No shit? You’re doing it for real now?” Johnny stood up approaching him to look down on Taeyong’s notepad as the other hands it to him.
“Oh... what is this? 10PM sleep...? What?” Johnny squints his eyes trying to understand what was written it but it was just a time and a few scribbles. “That’s my sleep schedule!” Taeyong takes the notepad from him as he stood up.
“Okay…? What’s the relevance?”
“They say if you sleep at 10PM, you’ll get the best REM that you can get.”
“What do you mean best REM?” Johnny asked sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Best time to meet my soulmate, of course!”
“Yong. I have to go.” He pats the other’s back pointing at the door. Taeyong drops his notepad on the table and stood up from his gaming chair, “Let me lead you out.” He walks out with Johnny leading him out of the door as he bids his goodbye.
“9:45.” Taeyong mumbled to himself as he stared at the ceiling looking at the glow-in-the-dark star stickers he had put up on his ceiling a few weeks ago. He tumbled left and right trying to find the right position that will help him out with his sleep. He sat up almost losing hope for it. Heaving out a heavy sigh, he reached out for his phone and went down to the kitchen to make a cold glass of milk.
He sat on the kitchen table drinking his milk, scrolling through his SNS and messages when he saw bombarding messages from Kim Doyoung. One of his blockmates and partner for their research project. He sighed knowing that Doyoung was looking for something he was meant to do today. Which he totally forgot about because he was too focused on his little REM Soulmate project.
“I’ll just answer him tomorrow.” He finishes his milk placing the glass on the sink before heading upstairs again tucking himself in. He looks at the time on his clock smiling with satisfaction. “Okay. I have more time left.” He sighed happily as he closes his eyes falling deep into his slumber.
DREAM I – BLURRED LINES
Taeyong fluttered his eyes open as he slowly got up of his bed. He knew he was in his dream from the moment he saw and felt the atmosphere. He can hear his own heartbeat, the surrounding felt like it was floating and the most important one; the time in every clocks and watches has stopped.
He went to check himself out first making sure he’ll look fine in front of his soulmate. After being satisfied with everything, he finally went down of his room prepared; walking out of the house. Walking along the empty streets, he looked around to see any signs of persons around. He stopped for a while leaning on a lamp post as he pants.
“Where could they be?” He sighed mumbling to himself. Unaware of his surroundings, he suddenly felt someone patting his back making him jump and scream. To his surprise, it was a man but his face was odd. It was rather blurry making him unrecognized.
“What? Can you see my face?” Taeyong asked waving his hand to the person infront him. “No. But I can for sure hear you.” The voice sounds rather warm to Taeyong the moment he hears it. It did ring a bell to him that it sounded familiar but maybe that’s just in his head, thinking to himself.
“Well, do you know why we can’t see each other’s faces?” Taeyong asked. “I know.” Doyoung answered grabbing Taeyong’s hand walking ahead. On the other hand, Taeyong felt a rush as his hand was held. Since then, he has only been looking at their hands intertwined together while being led somewhere.
Doyoung stopped at a nearby café near their school campus, it was open but there were no signs of other people around. He definitely knew he was matched with someone he was familiar with but decided to just keep it silent for a while.
They entered the café looking around and it felt sort of odd but rather comforting. They sat at a table for two near the window for a view of the outside, perfect to both of their tastes. They stared outside for a couple of minutes feeling a little shy to even talk although the blurred faces made up for it, they just couldn’t start it off somehow.
Taeyong tapped nervously on the table trying to come up with words to say while the other was humming. He was practicing in his head different kinds of words he can tell the other and definitely Doyoung was also thinking the same thing.
“So…” Both of them said in unison making them gasp and chuckle.
“You first.” Doyoung said gesturing with his hand. Taeyong rubs his nape before asking his question, “I figured out I should ask this but…”
“Hm.” Doyoung hummed anticipating for it.
“What is your name?”
“My name is – “
Before Doyoung can even say his name, everything shut black for Taeyong. He was confused as he felt like he was being pulled into a black hole. There was a sudden tingling in his ears that was slowly revolving into alarm sounds.
He slowly opens his eyes finding himself back into the reality. “The heck.” He pants heavily looking at his phone to check the time. He rubs his face with his hands sighing, “Guess we’ll just try it again later.” He stood up and went to start preparing for university classes again.
Doyoung walked inside the campus calmly having his hands in his pocket. He was the old-school type of person as his peers will describe him. He had his pocket mp3 on his left pocket as he listened to some songs.
Now Playing: Line Without a Hook by Ricky Montgomery
He stopped by to their homeroom checking around looking for someone. He was a bit timid at the moment because of a particular dream he had last night that kept him thinking all morning. As soon as he spotted Taeyong he approached him with a stern look on his face.
Taeyong on the other hand was focused and busy playing on his switch that he didn’t even feel Doyoung’s presence approaching. “Taeyong.” Doyoung softly says patting his head. Taeyong gasped looking up to check on who was it and immediately stood up as soon as he saw that it was Doyoung.
“I’m sorry!” He says worried about what the other will respond but to his surprise, Doyoung just gave off a very faint shrug before saying, “Just meet me at the rooftop, thirty minutes before the next class during lunch.” Taeyong was dumbfounded but he nodded before the Professor enters the room making Doyoung go towards his designated sit.
The morning classes ended well and easy for the both of them. After the class was dismissed, Taeyong looked behind in hopes of Doyoung was still there but he wasn’t and he probably thought that Doyoung probably already rushed out so he didn’t bother with it anymore.
Taeyong went on with friends to go eat lunch with them before he’ll go and meet up with Doyoung. Doyoung on the other hand, ate his meal at the rooftop as he patiently waited for Taeyong, the boy arrived right after he had just finished his lunch.
“Am I too late?” He asked as he was approaching Doyoung, covering his eyes a bit from the ray of the sun beaming towards the rooftop. “Not really. Come here, the roof covers the sunlight.” Doyoung gestures him to come forward. Taeyong follows along sitting on an unoccupied chair infront of Doyoung, “I’m really sorry. I just had some personal stuff to deal with last night.”
“It’s okay.” Doyoung says calmly placing a large binder infront of Taeyong opening it slowly to show him all the stuff inside. “These are the stuff I have done just continue it. You can bring it home if you want.” Taeyong looked at the binder with astonishment with all the efforts that Doyoung probably put out in it.
“I feel so bad. Anyways, I’ll make it up to you. Okay?”
“Don’t worry. Just do what you say.” Doyoung replies nonchalantly then stands up walking out of the sight leaving the other one confused.
Taeyong blinks and watches as Doyoung walks out, “Weird.” He mumbled before picking the binder and leaving as well.
Doyoung sat on the edge of the bed looking at the time on his wall clock, it was the type of clock that ticks whenever the hands moved. He already knew what will happen in his sleep but he seems to be hesitating about it. “I already know.” He says to himself looking down, “But I’m scared.” He sighed walking over to his study table and sitting on it chin resting on his palm.
“Maybe not now, I don’t think he’ll like the idea.” He sighed thinking to himself. He was aware who his soulmate was but something about it makes him back out. He seems to think that Taeyong won’t like it, not like him. Although fate was kind to both of them and made them soulmates. He still has his worries and doubts. He was sure and he must admit that he likes Taeyong. He just adores him from afar and will honestly want it to stay that way.
He stood up and walked over to his bed tucking himself in and falling deep into his sleep.
DREAM II – RENDEZVOUS
Doyoung opens his eyes to a different feel and scenery compared to the last dream. They were at a school, a campus? He wasn’t fully sure but it did give off that atmosphere. He looked around and he finally got it after a while. He was sure they were at their campus, their own university. He walked around and everything made sense that he was right, although everything around him seems unsettled and blurred.
He walked around and realized Taeyong hasn’t been around yet so he decided to make his way upstairs to the rooftop to check the sky view. He was quite shocked at what the sky looked like. It was a mix of velvet purple and the black midnight starry skies. That’s exactly how he would describe it in his own words. That kind of view gave him a sigh of relief.
“You’re here!” Doyoung turns around and saw Taeyong, the face was still blurred still but he knew right away from his stance. His smile grows wider because he knows Taeyong won’t see it anyways. “Did you just recently fall sleep?” Doyoung asked approaching him hands on his pocket.
“Ah. How did you know?” Taeyong chuckled waving his hand, “Ah, I still can’t see your face.”
“Well, I guess we must do something in order to have it removed? And also, since you arrived late here it means you slept late.” Doyoung nods patting his head making Taeyong a bit comfortable but small around him.” “I did sleep late. I finished a few works for a research project.” Taeyong replied as he starts to walk hoping the other would follow and he actually did.
“Do you have a partner?” Doyoung gulped as he asked.
“Ah yes. Oh, that reminds me!” Taeyong stops to look at Doyoung from head to toe then nodding his head, “It’s odd you remind me of my partner.” That sentence made Doyoung particularly nervous then Taeyong chuckles, “But that’s just probably me.”
Deep inside, Doyoung heaves out a sigh of relief. He thought that he was going to get caught right then and there. Taeyong continues to walk making his way inside the campus again with Doyoung following along beside him. He stops to scan the area before looking to the left, “Oh!”
“What?” Doyoung asked.
“This is our campus.” He says pointing at the classroom, “Look! That’ our Ethics classroom!” He exclaims entering the room and familiarizing himself with it. Doyoung got a grasp of it as well but couldn’t notice it much earlier. “You study here?” Doyoung asked arranging the deks and chairs inside the room, “Also let’s sit and talk.” He suggested offering the chair to Taeyong, the two desks were facing one another so it would be easy for the both of them.
Taeyong sat and thanked him, “What should we talk about?”
“Tell me about yourself.” He asked with an excited smile. Taeyong taps on the desk for a while before finally speaking. “Well, my name is Lee Taeyong. I love animals especially puppies and fishes. I love to make music and sketch on random stuff. Honestly there’s a lot, and I could go on all day. How about you?” He asked Doyoung with anticipation.
“Well, I like listening to music as well. I also make music.” Doyoung started off with a smile as he thought about more things to tell, “I dream to be a singer, I still do.” He finishes it off like that nodding to himself.
“You forgot something.” Taeyong responded with a tongue click, shaking his head playfully.
“Oh. What is it?” Doyoung got a bit confused tilting his head.
“Your name…” Taeyong chuckled, “Out of all things, you forgot your name.”
The question suddenly made Doyoung sparked up. He wasn’t ready yet, not at all. He nervously blinked before doing what’s best for right now.
Wake up.
Taeyong woke up with a heavy heart frowning as he stared at the ceiling, “Ugh! I was so close!” He groaned shouting at the pillow and kicking his feet. He turned over to his bedside table to reach out for his phone, “I need to search about this.” He told to himself as he searched more details about REM Soulmates.
“Ah… so I really need to know their name in order to see their face clearly.” He sighed dropping his phone down, “But why can’t I get it?” He frowns in confusion as he stares at a blank space. “I’ll do my best soon! I can probably do a way.” He says as he stood up to prepare for the day. It was the weekend so he didn’t bother preparing too much for school. He sat down on the dining table to drink his cup of coffee.
As soon as he put his cup down after the first sip, he received a message from Doyoung.
TEXT: Kim Doyoung
Hey, are you busy? We can work on the project, you know. I’ll treat you out for some donuts and coffee 😊 You can choose where we’ll work on it for. I don’t mind wherever.
He smiled at the message because he never expected the other to send this kind of message, he finished his coffee first before responding.
I’m totally not busy! Do you want to come here at my apartment? And don’t worry about treating me, I’ll cook for you instead.
After a few minutes, Doyoung only replied with a thumbs up making Taeyong laugh.
Taeyong stood in front of the café patiently waiting for Doyoung. The breeze was too cold and he was relieved that he brought a scarf, hoping that the other brought one for himself as well. He looked at the time on his phone and sat for a while as he waited.
Doyoung arrived with a sort of rush on his face, “Sorry! I didn’t get to catch the last bus for the early morning.” He stops to hold his knees as he pants catching his breath. Taeyong shakes his head and didn’t mind at all, “No! It’s totally fine. My apartment is literally right there.” He says pointing at a building. The other turned around and nodded and was glad that he was understanding.
Taeyong stood up pointing inside the café, “I can take out a few pastries and coffee that we can drink in the apartment.” Doyoung took out his wallet out of his bag but before he can, he realized Taeyong already went inside to buy. He laughs to himself and waited for the other to finish.
It didn’t take too long for Taeyong finish ordering opening the door out and showing Doyoung the paper bag of goods. “I got donuts. I hope you like the flavors I chose.”
“I’m okay with anything. But hey, you should’ve not pay for all of it!” He says taking the other paper bag to help him out. “No, it’s on me.” Taeyong insisted. He walked away from the café hoping that the other would follow. He suddenly had a small thought upon hearing Doyoung’s voice but he was probably wrong.
“Hey! Wait for me!” Doyoung says skipping his way to keep up with Taeyong’s pace. The other chuckled and linked their arms together as they walked, “You live quite near here?” Doyoung asked stuttering as he looked straight at the road. The feeling of Taeyong’s arms linked made him a bit nervous.
“Ah, what’s with the sudden stutter? And yep! It’s pretty good deal, honestly.” He says nodding and giving a fiddly thumbs up. Doyoung appreciated how he answered and continued to walk with him. The path wasn’t too long for the both of them. But Doyoung then realized how it felt slow paced because of their small talks especially they got to know each other better.
They arrived at the four-story building and it was quite a good atmosphere, to Doyoung, of course. The first few floors were filled of families coming in and out of their units who was greeted by Taeyong with respectful bows and Doyoung would do the same as well.
Doyoung stepped inside the apartment carefully removing his shoes and walked in with the thought of manners. He looked around and the whole place was empty. "Are you parents here?" He asked looking towards the kitchen. He was looking for them since he wanted to greet them respectfully. "They aren't but they'll be back during the summer." Taeyong says going over to his room quickly, "Can you perhaps wait for a moment? I'll quickly sort of stuff."
Doyoung nods and the other went ahead to work on cleaning his room which he forgot about over the excitement of meeting Doyoung. Doyoung looked around and stopped by a small desk cabinet by their living room, there were photos placed and he assumed it was their family. Before he can take one of the frames, the thump of Taeyong's footsteps made him put it down. He turned around with a nervous smile hands immediately down his pockets.
"Oh, you're done?" The other easily noticed what he was ought to do. "Are you looking at our photos?" He smiled walking towards him before grabbing the biggest frame pointing at the people in it. "This is my mom, dad, sister and... Taeyongie!" He says with quite of a squeaky voice towards the near end.
Doyoung laughed at the way he said that part and nodding from the new knowledge that he learned from the other especially he had a glimpse of what his family look like. "You have quite a nice family." Doyoung compliments and Taeyong gave him an endearing thankful smile.
He walked towards his room leading the other. "Nice room." Doyoung says right away fascinated by the big and small doodles on the wall. "Be honest." Taeyong snickered patting his back. "It's quite messy and I just randomly draw on walls even if it isn't ours anyways."
"Won't that put you in trouble?" Doyoung walked approaching one of the sketches and felt his hand on it. "No. They won't find out anyway." Taeyong sets up a small table for them to work on the research project. The project was all about the process of dreams which he always thought of as ironic.
"Come." He gestures Doyoung to sit over some pillows since the table was just very low. They sat down and started to discuss over a few things which was easy since they already planned all of this way before when they first met up and agreed on a topic.
Hours passed and progress was made. They finished at least six additional pages over what they originally wanted to finish that day. They were both laying on the floor wanting to heal their minds for a bit. The silence was a bit too much since it was mixed with the whirring sound that was coming from Taeyong’s old air-condition.
“That was nice.” Doyoung says breaking the dead silence with a snickered laugh. On the other hand, Taeyong had his eyes closed and was in deep thought. The voice of the other seemed to be too familiar to him. He was trying to compare it to the voice of the one in his dreams. “Maybe not…” He mumbled to himself.
“It’s not nice?” Doyoung sat up and thought that Taeyong was referring to what he said. “Oh no, I meant something else. I was thinking about something, my bad.” The other looked confused but just nodded trying not to question anything further.
Taeyong went over to place the snacks and drinks on the table, setting their projects aside. He’s been quite observant of Doyoung from time to time, even from the way he sat, spoke and even ate. His gut feeling was basically telling him something, something that seemed to be hidden within the other which he can’t just figure out.
“Doyoung, do you like someone from our university?” He randomly asked. Fuck. He cursed at the back of his head but there was no escape now. He just slipped the question like it wasn’t meant to be innocently asked but more of like a friend-to-friend sort of thing. To his relief, Doyoung showed no signs or expression getting weirded out or confused over the question but just responded calmly shaking his head.
“Did you?” Doyoung followed up, he already knew perhaps totally knew that Taeyong was shy from asking him so he saved the other by doing it as well. Taeyong’s crush? As of the moment, he didn’t have one since he was so into finding out who his soulmate was. But as he was trying to think of previous crushes, he did remember the first semester of this year.
A suddenly flashback happened at the back of his head. He remembered having a happy crush on Doyoung the first time he encountered him during the first semester of the second year. Although the reason why that crush suddenly faded was unclear to him now. “No. I don’t have one.” He lied but deep within him he wanted to tell him, as some sort of clearing within him. But he thought that it will ruin the chances of him encountering his soulmate.
“Oh, that’s odd. I thought you like someone.” Taeyong was a bit surprised by his response, not expecting that kind of assumption. “I’m just focused on finding out who my soulmate is.” He mumbled taking a bite of the doughnut that he picked. Doyoung took this moment to somewhat ask, “Do you have an idea who it is?” Taeyong shakes his head giving him a faint smile.
After having the scrumptious meal, they went over to finish some parts of the research paper before calling it a day. They had a few talks and probably gossips after the activities. Doyoung also suggested that they should watch movies for a bit, so they did.
Time passed and it was finally time to go home for Doyoung. He packed up the stuff he needed to bring home, waving farewell to Taeyong the other led him out of the apartment building. “So how are you going to get home?” Taeyong asked as they walked out.
“Oh, I’m just going to take the cab from here. See you later night?” Doyoung said accidentally slipping the last word out of his mouth that Taeyong automatically noticed it, “Later night?” tilting his head in confusion. “I meant to say, tomorrow. Sorry, I’m just excited to sleep later night.” He laughed nervously pinching himself secretly at the back afterwards. “I’ll go now.” Doyoung hops on a hailed cab and went home.
DREAM III – PATCHED
Taeyong felt the desperation crawl inside him the moment he opened his eyes and he knew for certain he's gonna make this the last dream wherein his soulmate would be anonymous. He woke up in his room and where they left off from doing the research project a while ago was still there making it a perfect chance to do what he planned.
He took his phone and checked the photo of Doyoung he secretly took when they were together and tried to remember the color sequence of his outfit. Once he has it all settled, he heaved out a sigh and went ahead to go outside.
"Where is he?" He spoke to himself and started to walk around looking for his soulmate. He went over to the cafe that they went to this morning and to his luck, he found his soulmate sitting. "Was I late?" He asked as he took a few steps on the quick stairway. The other shook his head and stood up to greet him.
Taeyong looks at him from head to toe and he let out a deep sigh within him. He was not wearing the same clothes or the same color scheme... at least. He sighed sitting on the chair in front of the other, "When am I ever going to find out who you are?" He sighed plopping his face sideways on the coffee table. "I guess maybe soon." Doyoung patted his head, "Do you mind?" He asked and the other mumbled a soft, no.
Taeyong was a little hopeless at this moment. He sat straight fixing his posture, rubbing his eyes trying to see if it will make any difference. And it wasn't, he went over closer to Doyoung and patted and rubbed his face with bare hands as if he was erasing something out of it. But still, none. "What are you doing?" Doyoung asked trying to figure out what the other was doing but he knew in the back of his mind, he can sense the desperation from the other.
"I thought I can just erase the blurness out of it." He sighed and stood up. "Let's have a walk? I want to go to my unit. If you're okay with that?" Taeyong asked offering his hand that was held by the other. They have bought snacks and drinks to the room but Taeyong remembers that it was the same food they bought a while ago. It was like, deja vu? that kind of thing.
"Isn't this familiar to you?" Taeyong asked the other hoping to get something out of him. He can feel him looking around the place, sitting down. "What is? If here, not really. I like it though." He says rubbing his hands together removing the nervousness out of his veins. Doyoung knew that Taeyong was still trying to get it out of him so he was really trying his best to not fall for it or well, distracted.
"Oh. I guess... yeah. I was wrong." Taeyong went over to one of his drawers pulling some stuff out. "Hey, are you okay with... tattoos?" He randomly asked. "Me?" Doyoung points to himself, "Like doing it right now?" He was personally scared of it a bit but he did appreciate the beauty that body art has to offer. He was reminded by some of his friends that had one, which he adored out of astonishment.
"Well, this is our dream anyway. I think I won't feel a thing." He scooted over and peeked at what Taeyong had, "What is that? I thought you had a professional tattoo machine thingy." He pointed out at what Taeyong was holding. "A stick and poke tattoo." Taeyong says shaking the material on his hand, "Geez, don't be scared. This is just a dream. You mentioned that we won't feel anything."
Doyoung poked and pinched himself to test it out and he really didn't feel anything. He reached out to pat Taeyong's head, "Oh?" He gasped as he felt the other's head by his touch. "Why can I feel this though?" "Hm." Taeyong shrugged, "I guess it's just the touch between the us that matters." He went over and took some ink needed for the tattoo. Doyoung sat down and watches as he roamed around grabbing stuff for the tattoo. "Go ahead and sketch whatever design you want."
He places the stuff on the table and asks Doyoung, "So... where's the design?" The other shakes his head and shrugs, "I'm not good at designing. I guess I'll just leave it up to you." That immediate made Taeyong happy, he did enjoy doing art once in a while. Although he hasn't figured out what art style he sticks most upon on, he definitely got the golden hands for it.
He thought of it for a while then slowly sketched an idea on Doyoung's hand with a ballpoint pen. It was a sprout, simple but he added a few doodles here and there. Doyoung looked in awe at the creation that was being created on his hand. He thought to himself that Taeyong was really good and creative that made him amazed by him more.
Taeyong finished sketching in a span of five minutes, the output was very simple but there was a lot of elements into it. "Wow." Doyoung gasped as he looked closely at the drawing on his hand. It was placed on his right from right below it and keep that it was the perfect position.
"Shall we start?" Taeyong asked setting up the materials already and Doyoung immediately nodded. He started to do the usual stuff when you tattoo someone and started over with it. "Don't worry, this is indeed painful, but it's not going to be the most painful thing you're going to experience in your life. Trust me on this."
Doyoung chuckled at how careful he was, it did feel painful but it interested him more than it would hurt him. The two of them were so focused that no one spoke a thing except for the random gasps that Doyoung made here and there. I couldn't help it, he told to himself staring right infront of Taeyong's eyes which the other can't possibly notice because of being focused from either trying to make the perfect result or trying to not hurt Doyoung.
His stares shifted interchangeably between Taeyong's lips and eyes and whenever he felt that the other would stare back, he throws his gaze to another side. Taeyong couldn't possibly know either way from the blurry visions but he did feel it for the most part. And from that instinct alone, Doyoung leaned close to Taeyong and locked their lips together and in that particular moment the blurred lines that obstructed around Doyoung immediately faded giving him an eye widening expression. And in that moment, Doyoung knew what to do again.
Wake up.
Doyoung woke up immediately sitting up and felt his heartbeat up until his mind. "Fuck." He cursed his doom out and rubbed his face out of frustration. "Okay, maybe he didn't see it. It was so quick." He said trying to figure out the moments from the dream a while ago. But he did remember Taeyong's expression and it was definite that he saw him.
He rolled up the arm sleeves of the sweater he was wearing and he gasped at what he saw. It was the tattoo that Taeyong had patched up on his skin during last night's dream. "How is this even possible?" He groaned laying down kicking the air with his feet over and over again. The cycle went on for a long time eventually Doyoung's feet flopped down out of tiredness and it was constantly stopped by the sound of a text notification.
TEXT: Lee Taeyong
Meet me. My place. Anytime today.
He sighed and put his phone down not wanting to read a single word from it. He already has reached the greatest point of liking, no loving Taeyong. From those dreams alone, he felt like it was enough for his ideals already. He just lacks the courage to approach or even go near him. "Get a grip." He told to himself sitting on the bed facing down the floor. He atleast made himself presentable and ate a good breakfast.
He clutched on his bag staring at the door of Taeyong’s apartment unit. He hesitated for a bit if he would knock or just call him that he was just in front but before he could decide, the door was already opened by Taeyong. “You’re here.” He says in a monotone voice that scared Doyoung a bit inside. He nodded and stepped in and saw that their work was set on the floor.
“Why did you call for me? Did we agree on a schedule today?” He asked putting his bag down somewhere. Taeyong notices his shaking hands and sighed to himself before responding, “No. But I wanted to finish things as early as possible.” He smiled faintly and so does Doyoung, who seem to can’t do a proper eye contact with him.
“You can sit down and work now. I’ll just grab us some water.” He walked over the kitchen to do so while Doyoung went over their work area still confused. “I don’t think he knows…” He mumbles to himself as he flipped through the pages of their research pages pretending to be reading the content when he was really rambling with his heart and mind about what happened last night.
Taeyong returned with two separate bottles of water and dropping one of them as he glides his way to their table. He stood up to help Taeyong and the other declined with a simple head shake. “Doyoung, it’s fine. Go back.” Doyoung felt a bit taken aback but he nodded and just went back. Taeyong sat right infront of him opening his laptop and peeked over to the papers.
Taeyong started to “work” but he wasn’t really working, he knows that Doyoung knows but he still wants something to get out of the other’s mouth. It took a few long minutes before he spoke, a well-thought one. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He says firmly not looking at Doyoung the other in shock, he stood up looking at the ground and the papers still at hand. “I was afraid.” He mumbled making Taeyong look down and sigh. “Of me?” He asked and Doyoung shakes his head waving his hand to disagree with him, “Afraid in a way that you won’t love me back.”
In that moment, no one spoke at least but Taeyong responded with a hum. He wanted to say something back but he thought it would be better if they remained silent for a while, he wanted to give Doyoung a bit of space. “Let’s call it a day.” Taeyong took his laptop and went over to walk somewhere out, “Just… see you later night, I hope.” He says closing the door and just leaving Doyoung dumbfounded.
The night that Doyoung arrived home, he felt helpless. He regrets not answering Taeyong but he couldn’t speak in that moment either. He did his night routine as early as he can and decided to do his night routines as early as possible, he wanted to sleep already.
He went over upstairs and decided to just lay down looking at ceiling. He hummed to himself a tune that doesn’t even particularly asleep but just a simple soft lullaby that will help him sleep. Hours passed and he could feel the drowsiness coming in even if it was taking an extensive time. And a few moments after, he fell asleep.
DREAM IV – Boulevard
Patience was all Taeyong could think of, and nothing more and nothing less. He started to tear up when random flashbacks of moments with Doyoung surrounded in his figures for a moment. He loved every bit of it and didn't regret one even with the circumstances. He is genuine about all of this, Doyoung is his soulmate after all.
Soulmates work together out and is bound and meant to be with each other. There's no certain way that a soul mates bound will be sabotaged in any way. He kept on waiting; he didn't care if he would be late to whatever plans he had for the day after. He just wanted to see Doyoung and reassure that he was worthy of being his soulmate.
Staring at various watches and clocks didn't help with waiting. He knew and definitely counted that an hour already passed. All he could at that moment was tear up, cry, what else? He closed his eyes and counted the seconds that passed by as if the pattern concluded similarly to the drop of his tears. "Just a countdown from 10 to 0 and I'll just wake up."
He said to himself with a slight sigh escaping from his lips." He laid down and started his countdown, "10....9...8..." He was still hopeful and imagined the glorifying moment if Doyoung was here right here, right now. "7...6...5...4...." He slows down his counting as if it would certainly stop down the time wasted of his patience. He trusted his gut and would definitely agree to it but now, this moment. It seems pale to him, very monochrome and was lacking color. "3...2..." Heavy breathing mixed with hope that was fading and finally.
"One." A voice can be heard from behind him which he didn't hesitate turning around to look at it and there he was.
He was standing and leaning against the wall as if his expression was telling, "I'm home." "You came." Taeyong says in relief wiping his tears. He wanted to be mad at him but not in frustration. Mad in a way of how his questions were left unanswered. He just couldn't do it and tend to not do so. "I'm sorry. I'm very sorry." Doyoung knelt down and was crying, softly. He was sniffing and couldn't hold his head up to look at Taeyong who immediately got up to pick him up from kneeling.
"Please don't kneel down, nothing is ever your fault. I know you were scared and afraid and I totally understand that but now we are here that's just fix and talk about this." Taeyong calms him down and rubs his back looking around to pull him into a chair somewhere to let him sit down for a bit. Doyoung sat down and finally calmed down, he reached out for Taeyong's hand rubbing and kissing it looking at him with sincere eyes as if he wanted to apologize by the look of it.
"Don't worry." Taeyong says repeatedly over and over again. "You know I'm really happy to have you as my soulmate. And after all you're the one I liked the most way back then before." Doyoung smiled and pulled him in for a hug. They shared a very long and warm hug, a hug that was the best feeling that one can feel in their entire lives. Taeyong snuggled his face on Doyoung's shoulder as the other a kiss the temple of his head. It felt enchanted, fulfilling, and heart-warming all at once even if it was in a dream scenario. the cowardness within Doyoung seemed to have faded away like magic as if it was never there in the first place after all. After the long hug, they both pulled away smiling towards each other.
"Finally. I've been longing for this moment." Taeyong cupped his cheeks and softly pressed his lips on Doyoung giving him a kiss who didn't hesitate to kiss back with a longing smile.
Taeyong definitely hated Mondays. Well, it seems like everyone does. Right? He woke up and did his morning routine. A smile in front of the mirror while brushing your teeth doesn’t look very stupid, right? He thought to himself as he went out after doing everything.
My soulmate, my soulmate. He keeps repeating that term in his head as he walked his way to the campus over and over and again. He texted Doyoung that he was on his way and the other responded simply saying that he had already arrived. Smiling again? Yes, he definitely was.
He went up to the rooftop and saw him there. His soulmate, which he deemed as the loveliest in his eyes. He walked over to him immediately hugging him and Doyoung did so as well, “Did I take a long time?” He asked and the other nodded, “You did but it was worth the wait.”
They sat at the bench looking at the view and was reminded of the first subject but they didn’t care less. They talked and laughed, did a bunch of wholesome interactions.
“Taeyong?”
“Hm?”
“Where do you like it?”
“What do you mean?”
“How do you like us to be?”
“Well, you’ll find out.”
He lets out a chuckle and a happy sigh.
“In our dreams.”