Chapter Text
It all starts outside Jaemin’s room after his operation. Tingling silence of people who had lots and lots of questions. Hyuck, Renjun, and Jeno had their heads hanging low overthinking the new situation that arises before them. Jisung ,on the other hand, stares at an empty space. Thinking about what will happen between him and Jaemin after this. Will he be casual with his past soulmates?
Jaemin’s different soulmates know what it needs to take for Jaemin to fully erase the last bits of his past soulmate’s names. Jisung was the first one to cut the tensioned air. He clears his throat and the other three look at him.
“You guys know what will happen if your names are fully removed from his wrist right?” He asks directly to the point. Donghyuck and Renjun stare at him intensely while Jeno looks away immediately. Not accepting whatever result if their names get removed.
“You also know that to fully erase the last bits of our names on his wrist, we still need to bond for compatibility right?” Donghyuck answers full of confidence. Jisung feels his throat dry as he overthinks.
“You also know that it’s a 50% chance right? It’s either you strengthen the bond, and if not Jaemin will–” Jisung tries to speak.
“Or he… he’s going to… ” Renjun doesn’t even finish what he’s trying to say as he bursts into tears with the realization of what will happen to Jaemin when they’re deemed to end the soulmate bond. Donghyuck on the other hand just stares anxiously His face is full of confusion but the way he nervously bites his lips shows that he’s still scared of whatever result will show.
“50 percent chance is better than nothing.” Jeno tries to cut off any negativity from his other soulmates. He feels his chest tighten just from the thought but he knows that there’s still a chance. A huge chance to switch everything up.
“Jeno’s right and if our final moments strengthen our bonds, we figure out the new soulmate thing. We’re still going to share Jaemin with you. He’s still your soulmate anyways.” Donghyuck says but Jeno shakes his head.
“We can’t do that, Hyuck. If ever that happens, we all know how selfless Jaemin is. He will just grow weaker and weaker having two different soulmate bonds. Ours and Jisung’s bond will absorb his energy.” It’s obvious that Hyuck is still oblivious of what will happen to Jaemin whether he erases Jisung’s name or their names. Jeno just shakes his head as Donghyuck tries to convince him if there’s any chance that they get a 50/50 set up with Jisung.
“We can’t. Jaemin will die, Hyuck. I’d rather die, if he will die.” Jeno further explains. Donghyuck finally understands the heaviness of that decision and buries it.
“But if he chooses to bond with Jisung, you know what will happen right?” Renjun asks Jeno. Donghyuck was still confused on what will happen but seeing how his two soulmates anxiously think he thinks it’s a better conversation to ask Doctor Ten instead.
“I know… but I won’t let Jaemin die, Renjun. It wouldn’t have been this anyway if we didn’t fuck up right?” Jeno’s words were like a bite to further deepen the wounds that they have that everyone turned silent. Renjun froze as his face still streamed down with tears.
Everyone was silent. Jeno was thinking hard. Renjun was too scared to even think. Hyuck was too confused but still hurt with every outcome that could possibly come.
“So it’s either you guys lose him, or I lose him.” Jisung breathes heavily.
“Jaemin?” Jaemin looks up at the mention of his name. Doctor Ten greets him with a warm smile as he raises his bp monitor.
“I’m here to check you, then I have a few things to discuss with you.” Doctor Ten says. Jaemin absentmindedly nods while he stares at the white wall. Doctor Ten does his job while asking Jaemin questions about his condition. Jaemin half-heartedly answers. When Ten finishes his check-up he then hides his notebook in his pocket.
“Now, I need to get to the serious part.” Ten clears his throat to catch Jaemin’s attention. Jaemin takes a deep breath as he looks at the doctor.
“As you see, you removed the names of your soulmates but there are still tiny bits left. These are called the mnemosyne. These remnants are the strongest and last bits of your soulmate bonds.” Jaemin nods at the doctor’s words.
“To get it fully removed, you need to spend at least a month with your past soulmates. But your situation is different, Jaemin. You have a new soulmate blossoming on your wrist. You have two different soulmate realms. One is Renjun, Hyuck , and Jeno, then the second realm is Jisung.” Ten tries to calmly explain.
“What would that mean then?” Jaemin asks.
“You will turn weak as there are two different realms fighting in your soulmate instinct. If you try to balance out both different realms you will die.” Ten looks at Jaemin as he slowly grips the blanket on his lap. He makes small nods showing that he understands what the doctor is trying to say.
“So how many weeks am I staying with my past soulmates?” Jaemin asks.
“Two weeks. Then you come back here together with your past soulmates. You will all be given a paper to sign individually and secretly. If everyone agrees to not sign the paper then you keep your past soulmates names. But if one, even just one, soulmate signs the paper. The remnants will be removed.” Ten further explains.
“You know the consequences of your decision right?” Doctor Ten asks Jaemin. Jaemin looks at him with quivering eyes. Fists still clenching his blanket so tight.
“Of course.”
Mnemosyne.