Work Text:
It's been years since Jungkook first met him, but no amount of time can take the precious memory of seeing the love of his life for the first time. He just freshly enrolled at Seoul National University, anxiously getting through the tour. He looked at some of the pamphlets he received when he managed to trip over nothing, quickly losing his balance and falling down. He already prepared for the inevitable embarrassment of being remembered as the one kid who fell during the orientation, but in his panic, he somehow didn't notice firm arms wrapping around him, holding him steady. Jungkook raises his head to thank the stranger who saved him from spending his years at university shadowed by the humiliation.
When Jungkook looked up, he swore his heart and breathing stopped completely for a second. He thoroughly took in the sight of the young man holding him against his chest, his jaw dropping when a cascade of bells started ringing through the entire campus, the sound echoing through Jungkook's mind. He admired the sun shining behind the man, granting him the appearance of an angel. For a moment, Jungkook even wondered if he indeed fell and was now welcomed in heaven by the most graceful creature. His breath hitched when the gorgeous man worriedly asked if he's feeling okay. Jungkook nodded as his eyes focused on the soft glow of light between the other's hair, the gentle curve of his smile and a spark in his eyes. Jungkook felt a string tugging his heart close to the other as they made eye contact, and at that moment, he knew.
He knew that no matter what struggle or hardship life presents him with, he won't ever be alone. He ignored what everybody has been telling him about soulmates, how they are nothing but a myth, a tale to make children believe in fairy tale love. However, Jungkook's parents always told him the opposite, retelling the story of their first meeting, the bells singing a lovely tune as their eyes met. They were soulmates, just like their parents before them. As the other let go of Jungkook, his warmth leaving him, Jungkook swore always to love and cherish the man in front of him.
'Are you okay?' whispered the other, his voice sounding like a melody to Jungkook's ears, as he barely remembered to react in time, nodding.
'Yeah, thanks to you. Thank you. I'm Jungkook,' muttered he over the deafening heartbeat thrumming in his ears.
'I'm Seokjin. Nice to meet you, Jungkook. I assume you're a freshman?' After Jungkook confirmed, Seokjin smiled at him again.
'Call me hyung then. I hope to see you around.' With that, Seokjin moved to leave, and Jungkook just stared at his retreating figure.
That's how Jeon Jungkook met his soulmate at the crowded campus of his university, few days after his 20th birthday.
As fate would have it, Jungkook and Seokjin's ways entwined in many ways, bringing them closer and making their connection stronger with every passing second they spend in each other's company.
Jungkook learned so much about his beloved soulmate, falling in love with every little quirk and fact he learned about the older. Every single day he thanked fate for giving him such an incredible person to love forever. To nobody's surprise, they started dating after two months of knowing each other. Everybody knew how greatly they complimented each other and connected on a level nobody could explain.
Seokjin spoiled Jungkook endlessly, taking him on romantic dates, making him adorable presents and always showering him in kisses and affection. And Jungkook returned every bit of love he received, loving the older with all of his soul. He wrote him love notes, leaving them all over his dorm, walked the older to and from his classes, holding his hands whenever an opportunity presented itself. The two of them were attached by hip, never leaving each other's side. Their relationship became an inspiring story all over the campus, everyone aware of the pure love between the two of them.
However, soon many jealous souls started sowing seeds of conflict, spreading hateful rumours about Seokjin taking advantage of the younger. Jungkook always laughed at those, seeing as he actively pursued Seokjin until the older recognised the connection between them. Unfortunately, Seokjin became aware of the spiteful things, and soon he started acting distant, keeping space between him and his boyfriend. Jungkook tried letting the older deal with the lies, but soon he knew the damage those rumours done is irreversible.
It became glaringly obvious when shortly after their second anniversary, Seokjin knocked on Jungkook's dorm room. The moment the elder entered, Jungkook felt something tightening uncomfortably in his chest as a gush of a cold wind blasted through the room. The look in Seokjin's eyes broke Jungkook's heart and crushed it into a powder. His throat dried up, and he felt tears forming in his eyes. He always knew what Seokjin wanted to say, and when he looked at the older, he knew that Seokjin wanted to break up with him.
'Hyung, you're breaking up with me, aren't you?' Jungkook's voice wasn't louder than a whisper, and if Seokjin weren't so attuned to him, he would miss it. The shakiness of his voice broke Seokjin's heart, but he couldn't back away now. He needed to give the younger a space to grow into his own person.
'Kook, I love you. More than anything else in the world, but you're too young.' Seokjin pretended he didn't notice the recoil Jungkook gave when he called him young. He always made sure to treat him as an equal, and saying this must've hurt the younger.
'Hyung, we're soulmates, you know that. We belong together, please, don't let others destroy our happiness,' begged Jungkook, his hands holding Seokjin's gently.
'Kook, soulmates aren't real. It's an adorable concept, but it's nothing but fiction. I'm sorry. You will find somebody to love you,' Seokjin squeezed his hands before letting go and stepping back, out of Jungkook's reach. With slow steps, Seokjin started retreating from the younger until he stood in the door, looking back at his now ex-boyfriend. Jungkook watched Seokjin leave, tears streaming down his face as he swallowed all his regrets and pleas.
'We are soulmates, hyung. One day, we will meet again, as fate wouldn't let us stay apart. I will wait for you to come back to me, hyung. I love you.'
After their break-up, Seokjin avoided Jungkook diligently until his graduation. When Seokjin left the school, he moved to States, cutting all contact with the younger.
But Jungkook waited patiently, keeping tabs on Seokjin occasionally. His heart always broke when he saw pictures of Seokjin with others, but ultimately he knew Seokjin would one day return to him.
Meanwhile, Jungkook did his best to grow as a person, to find himself in the big world. He became a respected journalist, setting up his own company. Golden Closet established a name all over the world, with Jungkook as its founder. Years passed, and soon Jungkook celebrated his 30th birthday as well as the fifth anniversary of GC autonomy. At the celebration party, Jungkook's company invited people from all over the world. Jungkook never liked those excessive parties, usually leaving them early to spend some time alone in his apartment.
He planned to do the same that time when he bumped into somebody. He prepared to apologise but the moment he raised his head, he felt an intense déjà vu as he stared into the familiar brown eyes of Kim Seokjin, who looked at him with the same amount of wonder Jungkook himself felt.
'Hyung. What are you doing here?' asks Jungkook, even though the only thing he wants to do is to leap into Seokjin's arms and never leave.
'I've been invited to work as an illustrator and editor at GC's daughter company. You're technically my boss now, Jungkook. I showed up to personally congratulate you on your success and to maybe reconnect. We lost touch, and I wanted...' Jungkook couldn't hold himself back now, hugging Seokjin tightly as he breathed in his perfume.
'Missed you, hyung,' whispered Jungkook into Seokjin's shoulder.
'I'm sorry, I left without properly saying goodbye or giving you an explanation.' Seokjin held the younger close, before pulling back and holding his hand. The moment it happened, Jungkook felt a surge of energy running through his veins, feeling complete. And judging by the bewildered look on Seokjin's face, the older must've felt the same.
'We're back together at least. Soulmates or not, we belong together, hyung.' Looking around the room, Jungkook noticed eyes set upon them.
'Want to get out of here, hyung?' Jungkook asked gently, hoping not to startle Seokjin or come on too strong. After all, they broke up years ago. Maybe Seokjin doesn't want to do anything with him beyond being his friend. To his excitement, Seokjin nodded as he took him by his hand, and lead him outside.
'There's a beautiful restaurant near here. We could grab a bite, talk and reconnect,' proposed Seokjin, his ears coloured a vibrant red. In a heartbeat, Jungkook agreed, following the older with the same excitement he felt when they first started dating. When they arrived at the restaurant, Seokjin ordered them food, still remembering Jungkook's favourite meals. It warmed Jungkook's heart, especially when Seokjin put his portion of meat on Jungkook's plate.
'So hyung, how was America?' asked Jungkook, digging into his food.
'Well, it was nice, but I missed a lot there,' admitted Seokjin, his eyes trained on the younger with a soft smile on his face.
'I get it. Being so far away from home, it must've been hard for you.' Jungkook frowned when he realised how big a part of Seokjin's life he missed. He thought about how much stress the older went through just to stay away from him.
'Yeah, I missed my home a lot, but that's not all. I also missed you, Kook. A lot,' continues the older, evading Jungkook's eyes,' and I know I am the one who broke us up and who ghosted you without any trace. But ever since we broke up, I haven't felt as happy. You know I don't believe in soulmates, Kook, I never did. But there is something between us. And if that would be okay, I'd like to try again. And do it right this time. If you let me, that is.' Jungkook couldn't believe his ears as the words echoed exactly what he planned on saying to the older.
'Hyung, you hurt me, a lot. But, I never held it against you. The rumours spreading through the campus were awful. I didn't understand how it could affect you so much, but as I became a journalist, I realised how powerful words can be. I'm sorry I never tried to help you. But I honestly believed fate would bring us together again. My faith in soulmates didn't change, and the fact that we are sitting here together is a proof of that. At least for me,' replied Jungkook, his eyes watering as he looked at Seokjin with hope in his eyes.
'I don't care if you believe we're soulmates or not. I do, and that's more than enough for me. I love you, hyung, and I always will, no matter what. So if you want to give us a chance, I'm all for that. Hyung, you're the love of my life, and I would do anything to be with you again.'
'Kook, I can't explain how glad I am. I love you, and I'll spend my entire life making up for hurting you,' promised Seokjin as he kissed Jungkook's knuckles, caressing his hands tenderly.
And when Jungkook looked into his eyes, he could see how much the older truly meant his words, bent on proving their love true.
So whether Seokjin believed they are real soulmates or not, Jungkook would love to be by his side till the end of time.