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When people are born, they are assigned a soulmate. By who or how isn’t entirely known, but it’s something that’s been accepted by almost everyone because of how perfect their soulmate actually is for them. It’s not always romantic, but it has led to them being happy together for as long as they’re both alive when it is. And when it’s not, they’re the closest friends each other will have.
When a person turns 18, they have a song that only them and their soulmate know. Most of the time though, people don’t need this song to know who their soulmate is, that’s how good the system is. However, Ichabod felt like there could be so many people that he could think of as his soulmate, and Koth (who turned 18 a few months ago and also happened to be his best friend since they started kindergarten) wouldn’t tell Ichabod his song.
They just got back to Koth’s house after going out together, something that had become a habit even if it was getting later and they were exhausted.
“It’s just so complicated. How could I possibly write it out and play it for you?” Koth teased, fully knowing that he could easily play it on any instrument he owned.
“Koth please? I don’t turn 18 for another two weeks, I can’t wait that long,” Ichabod whined, weakly punching Koth’s chest. He laughed at Ichabod, which made him feel even more useless in the situation.
“You’re so impatient. You’ve waited this long, what’s two more weeks?” Koth said, resting a hand on Ichabod’s head, something that he’s done ever since he was just slightly taller than Ichabod.
“I sometimes wonder why I’m dating you. All you do is bully me and make me feel small.”
“You know you love me, plus that’s not all I do,” Koth paused, and Ichabod glared at him, almost daring him to say anything else. It wasn’t the most intimidating because it was still Ichabod, but Koth continued. “I also do this.”
Without any other warning, Koth picked Ichabod up bridal style and threw him onto his bed. “Koth?!” Ichabod screeched. Koth then laid down next to him and wrapped his arms around Ichabod’s waist.
“Shut up and take the cuddles snuggleslut. I’m trying to be a better boyfriend,” Koth joked and tightened the hug; he also wrapped his wings around Ichabod, which made Ichabod slightly panicked. “I’m not upset I promise, just want to be closer to you.”
He silently cursed Koth for knowing him too well and relaxed like the cuddleslut he guessed he was now.
The rest of the time before Ichabod’s birthday went about the same as that. Lots of spending time together and going out, and Ichabod spending time with his other friends when Koth wasn’t around. There was still a lot of anxiety about what he was going to hear, if he would even know how to find his soulmate once he did know their song, or if he would be the one exception and he didn’t like his soulmate.
Koth was there to sooth his worries though, and they promised that nothing would happen to their relationship if they didn’t want anything to happen, which was another cause for anxiety. Koth seemed so confident about everything, which was irritating Ichabod but it was also helping him feel better about everything.
It was finally the night before Ichabod’s birthday. Koth had invited him to spend the night, which Ichabod was hesitant to accept at first, but eventually the anxiety got the better of him and they were sitting on Koth’s bed together; neither of them able to sleep. Ichabod due to anxiety, and Koth because Ichbaod wouldn’t let him sleep.
Later on into the night, they were simply cuddling on Koth’s bed; Ichabod reading while laying against Koth’s chest and Koth seeming happy with just being with Ichabod. Time passed much faster after that too, the book he was reading was one of his favourites and the comfort that it, along with Koth, brought was enough to forget about everything entirely.
That was until Ichabod heard something. Heard wasn’t exactly the right word either, it was more like the feeling, the very existence of the song, suddenly was injected into his brain. Only the song was also something that he already recognized.
Turning to look at Koth, who noticed the sudden change in demeanor almost immediately, he was also smiling. He had the most shiteating grin possible. “Happy birthday, Ichabod!”
“You! You asshole!! You not only knew, you, you, you’ve already played this to me! All the time!” Ichabod was yelling angrily but Koth just kept smiling down at him. It was like everything suddenly made so much more sense, and Ichabod was more angry at himself for not realizing it sooner. Koth had always either hummed or was practicing their song, and he never bothered trying to hide it from Ichabod. All the times he said he wanted it to be a surprise and that he should have to wait, it was all lies.
“I’ve known we were soulmates for a lot longer, I didn’t need a stupid song to tell me that. I love you Ichabod,” Koth said, in a much gentler tone than Ichabod was expecting. He guessed it was because they were both tired and needed to get to sleep, but it could have also been because Ichabod was a little more heightened at the moment.
“I love you too. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like… I don’t know. All the times that I came to you about anything and like I didn’t want you to be my soulmate? That doesn’t make any sense. I'm sorry. I’m really happy that you’re my soulmate,” Ichabod leaned further into Koth’s chest and Koth wrapped his wings around him again. It was comforting and enough to know that Koth forgave him without needing words to say it.
They ended up falling asleep like that, and in both of their dreams they heard a familiar song playing gently in the background.