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Being gifted was sometimes more of a curse than a blessing. Felix Lee can confirm that with enthusiasm even. After all who would want to live with the burden of seeing the ticking clock of people’s lives without being able to prevent it from hitting zero ? Well Felix was unfortunate to be born with this gift and not once was he able to lend a hand to someone who’s time was up. No matter how hard he tried to…..and he tried a couple of hundred times.
‘’Korean Air, flight m3 to Newark Liberty international Airport is now ready for boarding through terminal 2’’ the lady in the airport announced and the plane passengers started making their way to terminal 2 and checking in their luggage.
Felix was making sure his passport and ticket were set and ready as he pulled his luggage that thankfully wasn’t as heavy as he first thought when he was sorting through his clothes in his room. He made his way carefully as he looked through the people who were going to board the same plane as he is.
The young man diverted his attention back to his passport as he sighed. He looked down at his wrist and the small phrase tattooed there. He smiled at the unfinished phrase before pulling his sleeve down to cover it.
‘Never regret something’
He knew that saying ‘never regret something that made you smile’. The trick was that he should just find the person that bears the second half of the quote on his skin.
Ever since he was young, he heard the stories and reasons for these tattooed words that everyone had since birth. These words were always incomplete… the second part was written in a matching area on their significant other... Their soulmate. Usually these words were a reflection of the individual. So, when Felix first read his tattoo, he automatically smiled. This was an accurate representation of him but also some of sort of daily reminder. Felix always made sure to take the right decisions in his life but like any person doubt always came to him. His tattoo was a nice reminder. He knew it was incomplete and was curious to who had the rest.
Time went by and he stopped searching. He had more important things to do than look for his presumed ‘soulmate’. The young man was gifted in many fields aside from the peculiar gift of time. Currently he had settled in the position of manager of The National Palace Museum in Seoul. He loved history and it helped that this job paid very well. He was able to afford many vacations in locations that he had never even dared to dream about when he was younger.
This summer he wanted to spend the last week of it in New York. He did visit the capital many times before but there was something that always made him come back. So, before the end of summer, he’d spend a relaxing week before going back to work.
As he waited in line, Felix frowned as he saw something…. Through the multitudes of ticking numbers he saw above the heads of the people around him one was… agonizingly close to its end.
00:02:15:20….shit.
The blond man automatically looked away with an overwhelming sense of grief. It was true he didn’t know who this person was. It was unlikely that they even crossed roads or even spoke to each other accidently but it always made him sad that he was powerless. From their back, they looked young and healthy. The person was tall, broad shouldered and had mid long black hair. judging by his built, It was a man. It saddened Felix that He had just two hours left to live.
Felix tried busying himself with anything but he couldn’t shake the sadness that overtook his heart. This man was likely to die during the flight. He didn’t understand why he hurried his steps until he found himself standing right behind the black haired tall man. ‘what am I doing?’ he thought to himself as he stood right behind the man. What could he possibly do? Talk a stranger out of boarding a plane? Or come and tell him that his time was up? Felix knew that there was nothing, absolutely nothing he can do for the moment yet here he was, talking to this stranger…. Maybe he just wanted to make his last few hours worth the while, make them fun? Make him laugh…. He didn’t know why but he wanted to talk to this stranger.
‘’eum… excuse me?’’ said Felix clearing His throat.
‘why am I talking to him?’
The man turned around and smiled in a welcoming way to the visibly younger man that addressed him.
‘‘oh hi, can I help you?’’ he asked.
As the man looked at him, Felix felt like wanting to turn invisible or running in the opposite direction. Why? Well the man was exceptionally handsome. The blond didn’t help but feel hypnotized by the man’s eyes and his delicate features. ‘Is he a fairy or something?’ Felix wondered.
The man smiled as he realized that the other was completely mesmerized and also was starring. ‘’ sir? “
‘’ ah yes… euh well… I… I think you dropped something sir’’ he said, pointing at a little bracelet on the ground.
‘’ oh my god, thank you I would’ve gone crazy if I lost it ‘’ he exclaimed crouching and taking his bracelet then putting it in his pocket. ‘’ thanks’’
‘’ it... It’s nothing, happens to me all the time. Not that I lose my stuff everyday or something… ‘’ he said rambling to try and cover his nervousness. ‘’ anyways eum… have a safe flight ‘’
‘‘thank you, we’re both getting on the same plane it seems ‘’
‘’ yeah… you don’t happen to be in first class as well, right?’’
“I actually am, what a coincidence’’ he said.
‘‘ yeah coincidence. First class… safest… one can never be too careful huh?”
‘’yeah, that’s true, it was nice talking to you and thank you for the bracelet save ‘’ he said then continued on his way. It was a weird conversation for a first one but he wasn’t one to judge. Being nervous before a flight was a common thing.
Getting on the plane and making himself comfortable, Felix was still reprimanding himself for his stupid nervousness with the man earlier. Well, it wasn’t completely to blame… why did that guy look so pretty??? It wasn’t fair! It was truly unfair… he looked barely past 25 years old. Why should his clock hit zero so soon? He sighed as he looked out the circular shaped window and put his headphones on. He was looking through his Playlist to try and chase the decreasing clock from his head when someone sat by him.
Felix didn’t really pay attention to the person until he heard him speak ‘’ it’s you again! Hey’’. Felix turned to look and he smiled. He tried his best not to look at the time flying by without the man realizing that it would soon be over.
‘‘ hey nice to see you again ’’
‘‘ I’m Hwang Hyunjin by the way
“ Lee Felix.
“nice to meet you Felix, nice name. Foreign by any chance?
“ yeah Australia.
“ oh my god I love Australia, I’ve always wanted to go for a visit. It looks so beautiful.
“it is pretty, hopefully one day you can go”
Felix didn’t know why he said that while he knew as a matter of fact that it was impossible.
“ the day I can afford it of course, I’m still a college student
“you are? But I would’ve sworn you’re older than me I’m 24
‘’ actually I am older I’m 25, I want to get my masters degree before I start job hunting.
‘’ what are you majoring in Mr.Hwang?
“journalism and you?
‘’ I studied history and I’m currently the manager of the National Palace Museum in Seoul.
‘’ that’s epic man! Wow I love that museum.
‘’ you go there often?
“yes I practically live there by now’’ he said with a chuckle “ history’s like one big mystery to unravel for me I try to pick up the pieces.
“are you sure you shouldn’t try investigative journalism? I’m sure you’ll do great’’ said Felix with a chuckle.
“it did cross my mind but I’m not that good believe me ‘’
“I’m sure you’re underestimating yourself, so vacation in New York huh?
“not a complete vacation It’s more of a family obligation’’ he said shrugging his shoulders.
“ ouch
“exactly, ouch”
As Hyunjin made himself comfortable in his seat, he caught a glimpse of Felix’s wrist. The uncomplete tattoo made him smile slightly as he looked down at his own wrist
‘that makes you smile’ that was the second half of the saying which was inked in his skin. Was this coincidence? Or fate?
From the day he was old enough to understand what love is, Hyunjin had always searched for an explanation to the words in his wrist. He was never big on faith and beliefs. Heck he still didn’t properly believe in what other people call ‘God’. So the idea of being born with a pre-determined soulmate sounded like a load of crap. He firmly believed that he choses his path and his destiny no one else and especially his future partner! That he had complete freedom in choosing. His parents were Catholics and they chose to agree on disagreeing with his point of view. So the day he came out to them as homosexual he expected them to throw him out. Luckily they loved him enough to accept him.
He had searched for any possible explanations for the tattoo on his wrist and the complete quote. He found a couple of options to it’s complete version online but the one that he repeatedly stumbled upon was ‘never regret something that makes you smile’ and reading the first half right now on Felix’s wrist… well maybe this whole soulmate matter was starting to make sense in his mind. It seemed so…random and so sudden that he started to understand that maybe the tattoos were no coincidence and It did help that Felix was a cute young man. Could it really be true?
As the conversation progressed between the two, Hyunjin found himself smiling a little brighter each time. People used to tell him that you’ll know what love is when you feel it… it may seem completely random to him but the way his heart was beating faster indicated that this may be what people call ‘love at first sight’.
Time went by and Hyunjin was wracking his brain to try and make sense of the situation and every time he and Felix initiated some small talk he’d get more and more nervous.
For now he enjoyed looking at the young man before him, he enjoyed laughing along his jokes. He enjoyed his unusually deep voice and beautifully scattered freckles. He enjoyed how his eyes shone in the sunlight. He especially enjoyed it when Felix took out his phone and snapped a picture of them together.
‘’what? I like documenting my trips” he said with a little embarrassed blush.
“I’m not judging
“oh… maybe you don’t like having your picture taken I’m so sorry I’ll delete it right away” he said scrolling through his phone to delete the selfie.
“no no it’s okay, I just thought maybe with a camera you can actually snap a couple of high quality shots?” he said as he took out his camera from his bag.
Felix chuckled “sure, Mr photographer Hwang”
Hyunjin laughed “maybe next time I get into the museum I won’t get in trouble for photographing the exhibits and show them our pictures together, sir manager Lee''
“hold on that was you in the security footage?” he exclaimed setting the camera down “dude you spend hours wondering around the same exhibit writing down some notes, what are you exactly writing?
“oh nothing just intellectual stuff”
Felix laughed “oh well everyone loves a mysterious intellectual” he teased.
Two hours into the flight, When they realized that the plane was going silent, the pair giggled and decided that it was enough conversation for now and they should sleep a little. while Felix was slowly falling asleep Hyunjin decided to let the tattoo matter go for now. Maybe he’d succeed in getting the other’s phone number and they can take time to know each other. No need to rush this and show Felix the tattoo right away that would be creepy!
The twenty-five year old man sighted and set his headphones aside. ‘that sounds like a plan, let’s take it one step at a time Hyunjin’ he said to himself as he closed his eyes.
If asked, Hyunjin wouldn’t be able to understand what happened next. Why did the alarms went off so suddenly ,why the pilot was speaking through the speakers in a distressed tone, why the stewardess was yelling… why did he feel sharp pain spread through his body like wild fire…
Why his head was hurting….
Why when he tried looking to the side, Felix was holding on to him with fear and sadness all over his youthful features.
Why did he feel blood clogging his throat…
Hyunjin didn’t understand, everything went so fast.
Felix on the other hand turned to look at him the second the airplane went off rails and he felt that they were losing altitude. At the first shock, Hyunjin was propelled forward hitting his head violently on the seat in front of him. ‘’ hey Hyunjin, Hyunjin!?’’ called Felix as he held on to his hand.
Hyunjin looked dizzy and disoriented. Felix didn’t care when the pilot said they were losing altitude fast and that they lost engines. He was busy looking over the man by him worriedly… and that horrid clock.
00:00:15:33
They crashed…..
For a long time, Felix was unconscious. He felt pain sparking everywhere all the once. He probably broke something but he still looked to his right. Hyunjin was coughing, covered in blood and struggling for breath.
The window glass pierced his arm and chest, tree branches broken and distorted stuck out of his side and abdomen. Apparently they crashed into a forest.
It fascinated Felix…. How he was the one seated by the window and yet the shards of glass pierced Hyunjin instead… fate huh…
‘’ Hyunjin, hey… h-hang in there please… Hyunjin ‘’he said,although he was also in pain and he was injured.
Pushing himself to the side, Felix’s first reflex was to check for a pulse. It was there… though weak it was still there.
‘’ Hyunjin, please be awake please answer ’’
The pain was so wild, Hyunjin was starting to get numb. He couldn’t even look down at himself out of fear. He knew he was bleeding… he knew he was injured. He presumed that he was dying. But at the sight of the panicked Felix, Hyunjin couldn’t help but want to comfort him. So he forced himself to speak through the blood and said :
‘’ h-hey…. I’m here Felix’’ he said ‘’ I’m-m…here ‘’he said coughing repeatedly. The bloodied coughs shook his already weak body . He groaned at the pain and shut his eyes tight from the burning feeling. He never thought pain like that ever existed. If Felix wasn’t holding into his hand he would’ve probably stopped feeling his fingertips or anything else for that matter but the warmth of Felix’s hand was somewhat comforting
“it’s… okay it’s not as horrible as it looks’’
‘’ it’s going… it’s.. It’s going to be okay I promise’’ said Felix looking over Hyunjin’s body. The wounds were horrid and deep, it made the young man want to look away and vomit. There was so much blood everywhere… he then looked at their surroundings for any possible help they could be given, unfortunately it didn’t look like it. It was chaos, cries, screams of horror, panic everywhere.. It was the stuff of nightmares.
But despite the fear, Felix didn’t look away. He held on the injured Hyunjin’s hand. He was trying to keep it together as he watched the clock count down…. Getting closer and closer to zero.
‘’ It’s okay Felix….I-It’s urgh…’’
‘’don’t try to speak, save your strength you’ll get through this’’
00:00:03:23
Tears blurred his visions as he wiped some of the blood from the beautiful man’s cheek. He was trying to not break into sobs ‘’ you… you’ll be alright’’
‘’ hey… t-trust me it’s fine’’ said Hyunjin in a surprisingly reassuring tone, clutching Felix’s smaller hand. It was like he was in peace with this.. He even smiled. “y-you’re okay that’s… g-good.. Thank God’’
Hyunjin looked down at the younger’s wrist. “never regret something that made you smile’’ he said then looked up into his tear filled eyes “ someone… in this case’’
“w-what?’’ asked Felix confused “what are you saying?”
Hyunjin chuckled although he almost cried out at the pain ripping through his chest. He turned his hand to show him his wrist
“..I-I don’t regret getting on this plane Felix, I don’t regret meeting you.’’
Felix broke into sobs as he looked at their intertwined fingers and the completed sentence on their wrists. After years of searching and hoping, it was in the most unexpected moment that he found who he was yearning for. He couldn’t believe it as he read the sentence over and over again. He finally found his soulmate…. After all these years… it turned to be the young regular of the museum he worked at. The man with the camera he frequently saw snapping pictures of the museum exhibit. The man with the little booklet who seemed to always have things to write… He was always so close yet so far…
“it’s you…. I found you’’ he said through heavy sobs.
“and I you’’
“please…this can’t be it... Hyunjin this… please… we could’ve had so much together… we could’ve stayed in New York together…. Had so many fun days together
“y-yeah that would’ve been nice ’’ he said as his own tears streamed on the sides of his head. he smiled at Felix and said, his voice getting slower and his tone weaker ‘’I was about to ask for your number when we land” he said, struggling to draw some much needed breaths. ‘’ but it’s okay… we got…. T-two hours… I’m happy my soulmate’s such a-an intellectual, everyone loves an intellectual ’’
By now Felix couldn’t control his sobs anymore as he held into the dying man but he chuckled nonetheless at the little tease that he himself had said to Hyunjin some hours back “I’m so sorry… I’m sorry’’
‘’ d-don’t.. Be… y-you… you… made… th-this better. Felix’’
Felix couldn’t look as Hyunjin drew his last breath and his eyes started closing slowly. This was it… he didn’t need to look and know that this was the end of the line. He felt the man’s hand grow colder and his ragged breathing slow….
“I would’ve loved you so much ‘’said Felix, setting an affectionate kiss on the back of his soulmate’s hand.
“ J-just smile… Lix”
00:00:00:00