Work Text:
Heavy footsteps echoed along the stairs towards the top floor and to a room that almost everyone had forgotten. The music room. Hoseok’s university had a comprehensive program that had all the up-to-date equipment and instruments, yet they still had this storage room.
The room was lit only from the hot summer sun shining through the windows making the room unbearingly humid. Jungkook walked over to the window and lifted the pane allowing a rushed gust of wind into the neglected room.
A large wind-chime was hung in the corner of the window and it danced around in the breeze. The stained glass pieces twinkled and chimed in appreciation. Soft shimmering pastel hues fluttered over the white sheets that covered the furniture. The breeze stirred up the dust in the air making the three young men wave their arms around and their lungs itch as they coughed.
“Why do we have to do this again?” Namjoon muttered as he walked over to a shelf filled with instruments. He sighed looking at the work ahead of him as some were in their respective boxes and some were just tossed about the room.
A large piano was leaned against the one wall, several keys were pried off and others were completely missing. Jungkook’s fingers danced over the ones that were still present and pressed down on the last ivory key omitting a deep sound.
“Let’s just try and finish this job the best we can. I’ll report to President Min tomorrow with pictures of our progress and if we don’t get it all done we can come back tomorrow” Hoseok encouraged while receiving nods of agreement from the other two.
After deciding on Jungkook being the one to move around the furniture, Namjoon would see which instruments were playable and which were unrepairable and lastly, Hoseok was the organizer.
He was great at that. He felt like the famous quote, “A place for everything and everything in its place” was something he lived by during school hours. However, his dorm was another story. There were times when a typical young male adult living alone in small quarters would become disorganized but no one needed to know his secret.
After several hours of organizing the setting sun filled the room with gorgeous hues of red and orange while shadows crept into the corners of the room. The indigo haired man collapsed on the sofa, sweating and breathing heavily as he used the back of his sleeve to remove the sweat that had gathered on his forehead.
He was a freshman and very interested in the world of everything music. He currently was majoring in Art fundamentals with a minor in music. The young male was showing great promise and excelling in all his courses.
“I’m exhausted!” he cried, flopping backwards on the couch with a heavy sigh.
“Yeah, my eyes are starting to burn from all the dust and my contacts are drying up” Namjoon chimed in, placing a large cello with missing strings into a black soft clothed bag and leaning it against the wall.
The brunette nodded and looked over their progress. He was pleasantly pleased with it; however, he was unsure how the student president would feel about it. He wasn’t a scary individual like some thought him to be, perhaps a pinch intimidating at first but it was just how effortlessly cool he was. He was the embodiment of it. He was good at everything he did and to some people they didn't know how to receive it.
Hoseok knew it was the opposite. On many occasions he had witnessed a gummy smile, funny dance moves and loud laughter float from the school’s studio and that is the true President Min.
“Okay, Jungkookie, Let’s move this shelf to the one side of the room and then call it a night, yeah?” he gestured to the tall empty shelf making the other reluctantly get off the couch with a groan.
With a man on either side the shelf still towered over them in height. It looked very old and looked to be solid oak. It was going to be heavy; however, they would get it to where it needed to go. As they pushed, shoved and rearranged a book fell from the top of the unit.
“What’s this?” Hoseok walked over to the book that had fallen from the shelf. It was old. Extremely old. The binding was almost non-existent, the leather now soft, the edges fraying and the pages askew. It looked like a well cherished book. Namjoon walked over as his curiosity peaked the moment he probably saw it was a book and reading being one of the loves of his life.
The book was held closed by a small metal clasp on the front. The brunette’s fingers danced over the clasp and pressed down gently in fear of the book turning to dust right there in his hands but it didn’t. It popped open slowly giving in to the countless years it had been locked up tight. Hoseok could swear he heard it sigh in relief.
His eyes danced over the page and in beautiful scrolled penmanship the date at the top read June 28th, 1945. The words faded in blue ink were difficult to read and some characters didn’t make sense to him. The pages felt delicate as he turned to the next page seeing more dates and entries logged.
As he turned the page again a small white paper fell from the book and floated to the floor at his feet. He stepped back defensively surprised that something had come out of it. He bent down to retrieve it, seeing the words “V and Hope 1946” written on the back in English.
“Hope?” he mumbled to himself thinking how it was similar to his own nickname, J-hope, but it must be a coincidence. Intrigued, he picked it up and his fingers could tell it was a photograph as he turned it in his hand to see who the pair were in the picture, nothing could prepare him for what he was about to witness.
Hoseok’s vision had gone jet black. As if moving in slow motion he felt his body hit the hardwood floor as the voices of his concerned friends seemed to echo in a far off space. Hues of blue began to shimmer into the edges of his vision, specks of light danced over a not-quite-black background with a kaleidoscope effect.
The fall had knocked the air from him and suddenly he felt like everything had come crashing down onto him. A heavy weight pressed on his chest knowing that his fall had knocked the wind from his lungs. The phosphene was stronger now and his vision had completely turned blue; however many different shades of blue. Cerulean, sapphire, YInMn Blue, cobalt, teal, navy swirled together.
A cold small droplet touched the tip of his nose followed by more over his face causing the brunette to open his eyes; however, he was no longer in the music storage room. His eyes looked up to a night sky with heavy snow filled clouds as the crystals danced down to him.
He turned his head to the left and right and noticed that he was lying on an old empty cobblestone road. His body suddenly ached as if he had been hit by a train but he attempted to rise from the ground. He felt like maybe he had stood up too fast as he looked at his surroundings.
No street lights, instead small lanterns with burning flames lit the dark streets. High concrete walls lined either side of the road but Hoseok could see the building behind it. He rubbed his eyes in bewilderment as the home that stood there was from a different era. The sloped roofs, wooden window shutters and bright colours looked like many of the historical buildings that resided in Korea for cultural learning.
His body moved on its own triggering his flight or fight response as the snow was now falling harder, yet he wasn’t cold. The next home was the same. Same look, same design, same era.
“Hello!? Is Anyone out there?!” Hoseok cupped his hands around his mouth shouting into the night. Paniac was now beginning to settle into his chest. He spun on the spot trying to make sense of all of it. His breath stinging his chest as he heaved the next breath in before his lungs were ready.
He patted his pockets looking for his cellular phone. He retrieved the small device and his hands shook uncontrollably as the screen lit up his face on the dark street. ‘No Service’ appeared in the top right corner. Ignoring it anyways he attempted to call Namjoon out of desperation. Lifting it to his ear and hearing nothing but dead space on the other end made his arms drop to his sides in disbelief. What was happening?
He continued to run along the narrow street towards what looked like a 4-way junction hoping that he would run into someone. As he neared it a shadowy figure emerged from behind the wall walking slowly. The brunette felt himself perk up and run faster as the figure turned and started to walk towards him. As he neared the mysterious person he slowed his pace.
“Excuse me! Wher-…” he couldn't finish his sentence as his breath felt like it had left him.
The person in front of him was dawned in traditional garb. Long brunette hair cascaded past his shoulders but was worn in a half up, half down fashion, tied in a high ponytail and a large intricate fastener with a pin through it to hold it up. A small gem dangled from the pin and sparkled in the firelight. A teal headband covered his forehead as his fringe sat coiffed perfectly atop it.
The young man’s hanbok was stunning. Soft teal mixed and flowed to navy blue then deep indigo. The silver embroidery danced along the chest and merged into flowers along the silk. The garment looked insanely expensive, new and not anything like what he would see at a reenactment centre.
J-Hope’s eyes looked over the man’s face, who seemed to be looking forward almost right through him. He was breathtakingly beautiful. Deep olive coloured skin, rich brown eyes, full lips and a soft hue of rogue on his cheeks from what Hoseok assumed was from the cool night air.
“Excuse me! Can you please help me I seem to b-...” he spoke in a rush hoping that the other would stop and assist him; however, he just continued to walk.
J-hope stepped aside as he passed but the other then turned and locked eyes with him. It felt like the world had stopped and all he could do was blink in bewilderment. This time he felt like he had really seen him. Goosebumps had risen over his skin and a tingling sensation spread down along his spine making him shiver. He watched as the other turned to look behind him. Naturally, Hoseok’s eyes followed to see what had caught the other’s attention; although, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw next.
There, running along the cobblestoned street was a figure that appeared to be a young male. His hanbok was yellow and white and displayed the same amount of intricate embroidery along the front but his flowers were almost like large sunflowers. The man wore a gat which covered his face in shadows and his sandals clacked against the cobblestones below.
Hoseok looked back at the stranger in front of him as witnessed a small fond smile tug at the corners of his mouth. It was obvious that this stranger knew the person approaching. The long haired stranger opened his mouth looking as if he was about to speak when Hoseok’s ears ran with a high pitched sound.
He instinctively covered both his ears as he watched the lips move to the man in front of him. He knew he had said something but had failed to hear. Had he missed his only chance to get out of here? Why was this happening?!
J-hope turned back to the new stranger as they arrived in front of them, hands on their knees attempting to catch their breath. The man in teal moved his lips again as if saying something to the other but it was as if he was watching a silent film. It was snowing more now and the white powder began to build up on their hair and clothing as they stood still in the street.
J-hope noticed how his look never yielded. It was an intense stare yet soft as a smile spread over his lips. Hoseok looked at the newcomer hoping they would help him; however, he felt like he wasn’t there, like a movie was playing out in front of him or he was invisible. Both were impossible, right?
As the other man straightened up all the air was knocked from J-hope’s lungs. His blood ran cold through his veins. It was like looking into a mirror. It was him.
He watched as his own face smiled towards the other. His face beamed with a look in his own eyes he couldn’t quite define. His hair was long and surrounded his face perfectly. He looked soft, almost femine as he watched himself gaze up through his lashes towards the other man.
Hoseok held his breath, for what felt like the millionth time as the stranger in blue cupped his doppelganger’s cheek. The touch was soft and deliberate. J-hope now thought he was crazy as he felt the same warmth on his own cheek. His hand reached up instinctively as he watched the scene in front of him unfold. He felt his own heart begin to pound as the other man’s body drew close.
Without warning Hoseok watched as they shared a kiss. It was soft, loving, intimate and familiar. He drew his fingers to his lips feeling them tingle.The kiss ended with their foreheads rested against each other’s and eyes now closed. The stranger continued to speak to him, making an expression paint over his own face in response to whatever was being said. He had never seen himself like this. What was that look? Longing? Love?
The taller man tilted his chin upwards looking over his own face. Hoseok watched the scene knowing this couldn’t be real, wasn’t real. The man opened his mouth to speak again and he wished that he could hear what was said just once.
“My Hope…”
It was the first time he had heard anything since he found himself here. The stranger’s words sounded smokey, sonorous and his baritone voice made the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end.
Suddenly, a force collided onto his chest sending him backwards. He stumbled trying to regain his footing as his back slammed against something hard. He paused and looked above him realizing the thing that broke his fall was a large gorgeous willow tree.
The branches bowed down as if reaching out to him with its long twigged fingers. The gentle breeze made the leaves rustle softly producing a shushing sound. The sun peaked through the tree’s branches as it swayed making the warmth spread over his face. Hoseok noted how there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the heat was intense yet dry making the cicadas scream.
A soft chuckle was heard around the other side of the tree making the brunette’s back straighten. He held his breath as if that would hide him from whoever was there. Soft words were being mumbled along the soft breeze carrying the sound to him, It was his own voice. He sounded different. More mature? Older? He couldn’t put his finger on it.
The curiosity was too intense and he needed to see. He turned, pressing his chest to the tree and noting the small pair of cloth shoes that were discarded into the grass. He peered around the side of the tree and saw two older men sitting. One reading from a book as the other’s head lay in their lap.
His eyes wandered around the countryside laid out in front of him. Rice fields seemed to stretch for miles and many people stood knee deep in the waters harvesting the grain. Their clothing simply meant to keep the worker cool and hopefully clean. The small circular basket situated on their backs helped assist in their job.
His attention moved back to the two men, both were older. Grey hairs peppering at their temples, wrinkles around the eyes, skin spotted from the sun or age spots. His eyes rested on his own face, making his breath catch for the second time today. He stumbled from behind the tree not caring if they would see him or not; however, judging how he was bluntly ignored a few moments ago, the chances were low.
He looked like he had to be in his late seventies. He reached up and touched his own cheek in bewilderment noting the youthful elasticity still present. His hair was longer and neatly tucked back with a white piece of cloth. His clothing was plain, white and dirty. His older self read aloud from a small novel to the other.
Hoseok’s eyes travelled down to the male that seemed to blissfully be enjoying his time. He was sprawled out on the grass, legs crossed on top of each other, hands clasped over his stomach and eyes closed. The man’s brown hair cascaded over older Hoseok’s lap and noted that his fingers were drifting through the tendrils slowly.
The man’s features had seemed to grace him in age as he was still an attractive older man. His long eyelashes fluttered and then opened to look at his partner. His reading never slowed while caressing the man’s hair in his lap. The stranger’s hand reached up and cupped his face while a gentle smile spread over his lips. The look was peaceful, loving and the years spent loving this other piece of him looked to be weathered with age.
Hoseok knelt beside them on his knees attempting to make sense of what was unfolding in front of him. Noticing this was the same man in the garb from another time period; however, those men were younger but now they were older. This was now another time. Another life.
How was this all possible? Had he suffered a mental breakdown or a medical situation? Was he dreaming? Why had he not been able to hear them talking last time but now he can hear his own voice clear as day? There were so many questions unanswered.
A tap on his shoulder made him turn he was now somewhere, or sometime else. The cars drove along the road carefully while waving to citizens along the street. In front of him were the two of them in front of their college. Young again, perhaps in their early twenties or younger.
The same book the photo had fallen from sat on the bench as a beautiful man took their photo. His hair was so blonde it was almost silver with full lips and intense cat-like eyes. He laughed and smiled as the photo flashed. Hoseok noted it was the photo that had triggered these memories.
A hard shove from behind sent him falling forward; however, instead of face planting onto the grass his head was under water. He was falling as he heard the chimes in the music room as if trying to pull him back to reality; however, his view filled with hues of blue pulling him deeper into the abyss.
The cold water rushed around him and he couldn’t help but flip head over heels in the water around him. He spun in the water, his arms outstretched searching for anything to grab onto. He felt panic beginning to settle into his chest, his airways screaming for release and fresh air but they were denied.
His body stopped thrashing noticing how surreal this truly was. Here he was underwater, his body completely void of oxygen yet he realized didn’t need it. His eyes opened to a realm of blues and violets. Small bubbles danced around him drifting to the surface. Hoseok looked down. His feet were against the rippling waves as the sun shone in the sky above him. He was upside down.
He stood fixed, almost terrified to move. He looked up and saw a colourful array of coral above him. Tiny fish darted through the cravasses and around cashing each other in what looked like a game of hide and seek. The vision was completely spectacular but he couldn’t help but feel there was a deeper meaning to all this.
A large plume of fish rushed from around a large rock as a figure emerged from behind it. The figure had short brown hair that flowed around his face almost in slow motion. Hoseok watched as he walked gracefully along the ground surrounding the reef, careful not to touch it.
The man was dressed in what looked to be black jeans and a heavy black sweater that read Nirvana that was slipping from his left shoulder exposing his flesh. The sparkling water lines of danced over his skin making it look even more dream-like. Hoseok knew that this was going to be the same man in the last visions. He felt it within himself deeply.
Slowly the man turned his attention upwards. An electric jolt moved through Hoseok’s body as their eyes finally met. Their eyes seemed to search each other as if asking all the questions they needed to know but were unable to ask. About twenty feet away was a man he felt that he now knew.
How many past lives had they shared? Had they always found each other? Was this the soulmate that every one experienced? The weighted question crept into his mind - would he ever find him? Yes, seeing your soulmate and your shared colour was one thing but so many people never got the chance to actually meet their intended soulmate.
The deep sound of a whale singing in the distance made Hoseok feel the loneliness in its call. Here was someone a few feet away that made him feel so many different feelings and emotions and yet he wasn’t able to get closer.
He reached upwards with his left hand stretching it into the cerulean blue water hoping to touch the other. Outstretched in almost desperation when the other copied his movements. He was reaching back.
Instantaneously, his feet released from the water’s surface. Kicking his legs propelled him forward closer to the other. In return, the stranger's feet almost looked like a switch had been flicked and his own body began to float upwards towards Hoseok. He outstretched his hands not caring that he had never met this man in his life - he couldn’t deny the need to feel him, touch him.
They swam around each other as if in slow motion. Committing everything to memory, anything that would stand out or help him remember the man’s face in front of him. His long tapered fingers reached out and grabbed his outstretched hand spinning the smaller into him.
It felt like a graceful underwater ballet. Their bodies drifting slowly in a circle, small bubbles dancing between them was the only thing separating them, their hair floating weightless around their faces.
His stranger was, simply to say, gorgeous. His eyes a deep green with an intensity that burned behind them, a small freckle dotted the tip of his nose, his left cheek and under his right eye making subtle unique traits about him. His fingers slid down to his wrist and with a gentle tug forward brought J-Hope to his chest.
Even under the water, Hoseok’s ear against the other man’s chest allowed the rhythmic pounding resonate into his ear. His stranger’s fingers came up to cradle his neck while the other hand rested on his back and pressed him harder to his chest as if afraid that he would disappear. Without thinking Hoseok wrapped his arms around the other’s back. His own fingers knitting themselves into the fabric of the sweater desperate to hold onto something.
They floated there for what seemed eternity just allowing themselves to finally feel each other. Was this another past life or was this present?
The sound of the chimes in the music room caught his attention, making himself look up into the face of the other. A soft box-like smile spread over his features making it the most beautiful smile Hoseok had ever seen. A plume of bubbles left his mouth as he tried to speak to him.
A violent current in the water pushed them both apart and spiraling in the water. A fury of outstretched hands, arms and worried glances was the last thing he remembered as his beautiful stranger was pulled into the dark abyss and he was pulled above the waves.
He sat up gasping for air in a panic, almost headbutting a very concerned looking Jungkook. His hands fisted the collar of his shirt as his eyes frantically looked over his friend.
“His eyes…” Namjoon spoke trying to ease him back into reality but looking at the violet haired man. He nodded in reply to the man’s statement.
“Blue..” Jungkook spoke almost wincing.
“What?!” Hoseok tried to rise from his spot on the floor only to have Namjoon hold him down.
“You just hit your head and met your match. You need a minute-...”
“My match....” J-hope felt breathless knowing one day it would happen but never like this.
“If it helps, mine was red…” Jungkook hung his head.
“Mine was pink…” Namjoon admitted. “He was the most beautiful person I think I’ll ever see.”
“What...what did he look like?” the brunette asked, trying to make sense of things.
“Large brown deer like eyes with these lips. They were perfectly large, the ones that just invite you to kiss them. However, strong large shoulders but the tiniest of waists. Brown hair and just this goofy yet delicate way about him. I met him on the moon. I saw us in a few visions right before meeting him and it was intense. Almost like watching a movie. I could feel everything that was unfolding in front of me-...”
“Moon child-...” Hoseok had made the connection. “That is why you wrote moonchild…” a small nod from his friend was confirmation. He turned his vision to the other who had still not looked up yet. “Kook?”
“Mine was….” a heavy sigh left his chest. “Beautiful would be an understatement. He had these eyes that seemed to talk. Like Namjoon’s, he had these lips that seemed to pout in the most perfect of ways. He was more petite than me and seemed to fit perfectly in my arms. His body would move in ways I didn’t think was possible as he danced. Graceful, precise and with intent. I met him in a rose bush labyrinth in the rain. He pricked his finger and the blood was so intensely red that when I woke my own eyes burned with the same colour.”
“Still with you-...” Hoseok was connecting the dots with his friends and their songs that they had showcased this year during their school’s music program.
“I met him in the ocean….underwater” the brunette hung his head in disbelief. The book and photo still sat by his side. He reached for the book and opened to where the page had been turned down at the corner, as if to mark something important.
“Blue Side-....” J-Hope read. The words to what seemed like a poem were written over the old page in his own writing. “Written by Jung Hoseok…” He looked at his friends in shock, unable to speak.
“Look, let's get you home-...” Jungkook spoke finally looking up but his eyes held tears that threatened to fall.
“There might be a part of you that will resent what you’ve seen-...” Namjoon started. “I did, for a while, here was the most perfect person, someone I had never met yet felt so intensely for and we are not even promised to meet them in this lifetime.”
“It’s...so cruel-...” Jungkook almost whimpered, wiping his eyes and helping Hoseok into a standing position. “I hope you meet your soulmate Hoseok-...” he said, turning and walking from the room.
~*~ 1 year later ~*~
“Hoseok!!!!” Jungkook called running over with something in his hand.
“Jungkook! Long time no see! How have you been?” he asked genuinely as he exited the schools recording department. His blue eyes flickered with curiosity as one of his closest friends bounded over to him.
His eyes had never changed back and he always wondered if that was due to his visions being so intense. Many people asked if had met his soulmate and all he could say was, In his dreams every night.
This was his weight to bear. Every night his soulmate would find a way to haunt him. Every night for a year he would dream of him. Some dreams they would talk, sometimes they would show each other things that were important to them and other times his dreams would make him wake up and have to change the sheets.
He felt like his imagination was killing him slowly with the “what could be” and hence his eyes not changing. Many thought he was wearing contacts but those close to him knew otherwise.
“I saw you two weeks ago!!! Anyways, remember my boyfriend?!” The now raven haired man beamed.
“Yes, the one I still have yet to meet?!” Hoseok eyed him with a gentle smile.
“One and the same! Well, his best friend is having an art exhibition opening tonight and I wanted to invite you! Jimin will be there and I can't wait for you and Namjoon to meet him! He is-...”
“Okay okay, I get it! Some of us are still single here!” Hoseok gestured to himself while laughing.
“Still hung up on Mr. Soulmate?” he asked as they walked to the campus dormitories.
“I can’t help it-...” he admitted, sorrow present in his voice and receiving a nod in reply.
“Well, I hope you’ll come- Jimin has a roommate who he has known all his life and dude is Hot - like insane! Maybe you can hook up? It might be what you need to get over Mr. Perfect Soulmate”
“Maybe-...” he shrugged but took the ticket and waved goodbye.
“Blue Side by Vante” Hoseok scoffed at the name. Blue seemed to haunt him now but he was going to go and be supportive.
He got changed and hoped that he looked decent on short notice. He wore a pair of dark washed jeans, a white button down shirt, black vest and a deep green tie. He swept his hair back exposing his undercut on the newly coloured black hair. He felt he looked well dressed but not overly fancy.
He left his dorm room and walked to the address on the ticket thinking about how nice it would be to walk along with his soulmate to new and exciting things. Meeting friends and significant others.
“Jhoppppeeeeeee!” a familiar voice called from behind. As he turned he saw his best friend running towards him with a ticket in hand. “Wait for me!!!”
As he neared Hoseok noted that his friend was equally dressed in casual business attire, it made him feel less alone. Namjoon wore black dress pants, a deep violet turtleneck and a black blazer on top. J-Hope had to turn away to hide his snicker as the turtle neck was stretched across the other man’s built chest as if it was holding on for dear life.
They walked and caught up on anything they had missed within the last few days of seeing each other as they approached the building Namjoon stood stock still causing Hoseok to almost collide into him.
“Blue Side by Vante” Namjoon read aloud, making him look around his friend's large frame. “Weird that it’s the same name as your song don't you think?” Namjoon gave his friend a weak smile as he proceeded towards the worker who scanned his ticket and permitted him entry.
As Hoseok handed over his ticket he stepped into the exhibit hall and immediately felt like he had plunged underwater. The air was cool and crisp with the scent of ocean wafting around him. He looked up to see water sparkling along the ceiling with special lighting. A chill ran through him as this seemed very familiar.
He made his way over to the first piece and held his breath. There on the wall was a painting completed in several different hues of blue; however, it was the house in the Silla era that he had seen in his flashback. His eyes looked over the art to try and find a difference, yet it seemed identical.
He moved to the next piece, thankful that it was a cherry blossom tree yet the petals were blue instead of the normal blushing pink. A flashback of them taking that photo in front of the college marked “V & Hope 1946” flooded into his mind.
Hoseok rushed to the next painting feeling his chest getting painfully tight. When his arm was touched from behind causing him to jump.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. '' The man’s voice was kind, sincere yet feminine. He drew back his hand as if he touched something he shouldn’t have. “Jungkook told me to come and introduce myself so---”
A flash of him entered his mind standing in front of the cherry tree taking his picture with his soulmate. His hair was still silver, his eyes a smokey pronounced shape, his lips a soft pink and his skin fair. He wore a silk button down shirt that dawned a red feather down his right side and very tight black jeans with a set of military boots. He was the perfect fit to Jungkook’s edgy look and although slightly feminine still carried a masculine aura.
“Jimin! Looks like you met Hoseok!” Jungkook walked over through the crowded room with ease.
“Well, not fully, I think I startled him,” Jimin pouted.
“J-Hope, are you okay? You do look like you’ve seen a ghost” Jungkook started to feel concern for his friend.
“J-Hope!?” Jimin interjected, enfizing the ‘hope’ and became shocked from the sound of the nickname and looking up at his boyfriend.
“Yes, it’s okay, I’m okay and yes, my nickname is J-Hope or Hobi” he shrugged, making Jimin take a step backwards.
“I...I...I’ll b...be right back!” he said, turning and running in the opposite direction. They both watched until a crash from the other side of the room was heard. People were on the floor cleaning a drink tray that had been dropped to the floor.
They moved further into the room and Namjoon had large frightened eyes while backing up. He was unknowingly cornering himself against a wall as someone in front of him had a bright and mischievous smile spread over their face.
Namjoon’s back hit the wall and a visible gulp could be seen. The man in front of them was wearing a soft pink billowy shirt and tight white pants. He looked like a prince. He advanced towards Namjoon, his large brown eyes twinkling. His soft brown hair was coiffed off his forehead and his large lips were spread into a smile. He was gorgeous to say the least.
Suddenly, the smaller male launched himself into Namjoon’s arms and kissed him. There was no time to move and it seemed like the acceptance was mutual. Namjoon’s hands came and rested on the smaller’s waist pulling him into a tight embrace.
“Moonchild-...” Jungkook breathed out, making Hoseok’s head snap back towards his best friend. Was it true? Had he just bumped into his soulmate? A pain filled Hoseok’s chest as jealousy spread through his body.
“Hope, I didn’t want to tell you like this right now but Jimin....” their eyes met and Jungkook’s deep brown was filled with regret and joy allowing Hoseok to piece things together. He turned and meant to head towards the exit when he stopped in his tracks.
There, on the wall as the main exhibition piece. It was a deep underwater scene. The colours were vivid, alluring drawing him towards it. The coral was like how he remembered it. The fish was how he remembered it. The man at the bottom of the painting was how he remembered it. Hoseok’s eyes flew to the top of the painting.
It was him. Upside down. His once brown hair floating around his face, his green bomber jacket with ripped jeans he wore the day of his soulmate visions. He looked breathtaking. He couldn’t believe how many details were spread over the canvas in front of him. It was beginning to make him breathless.
"Hope..." a deep baritone voice came from behind him making him stand still. He would know that voice anywhere.
A shockwave ran through his body making every hair on his body stand on end. His eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat. He wanted to turn but he was terrified.
His soulmate was right there. Right behind him and all he could do was stand there. Soft warm fingers touched his left hand with a ghost-like faintness. He closed his eyes, not ready, not thinking this was how he was about to meet his soulmate.
"I've been waiting for you Hope..." he felt the other shift and stood to the left of him. His fingers danced over his hand making it harder for him as he wanted to reach back.
What if he wasn’t what he wanted? What if he couldn’t live up to the past? What if his soulmate wasn’t actually him? No, this could not all be coincidence. The paintings, the name of the exhibit, the way the exhibit was decorated. This was all for him.
He turned to the man at his side and couldn’t stand to look him in the face. His nerves shook him to his core. Fingers brushed over his jawline making a shiver visibly run through him. His chin tilted upwards as his eyes fluttered open. The expression on his soulmate's face was taken aback.
His piercing blue eyes burned into his green ones. Making the other inch forward. His hand hesitantly reaching up and tucking a stray hair behind his ear. His soulmate’s fingers glided over his cheek, a soft smile tugging his lips.
His brown hair was perfectly styled and his beauty marks were still visible. One on the tip of his nose, on his left cheek and one under his eye. He wore a burgundy button down shirt with a long tailed modern blazer with tight black pants. He was stunning.
“God, you're more than I remembered. Your breath taking….your eyes” The back of his fingers brushed his temple allowing his body to melt into his touch yet fearful of what he was going to say next.
“Our souls already know each other, don’t they?” He spoke romantically yet only loud enough for Hoseok to hear. “It’s our bodies that are new.” he whispered, leaning forward placing a kiss on his forehead. “Please forgive me…”
“I’m sorry it took me so long….” Hoseok replied, allowing himself to fall.