Work Text:
Jisung stares at the paper on the table in front of him, the words blurring as he tries to make sense of them.
“There’s no way,” he says, shaking his head.
“They don’t mess this stuff up,” his best friend Chenle replies in awe. “Especially not when it comes to people like this.”
“It has to be a mistake,” Jisung insists, but they both know he doesn’t believe that.
Nothing is a mistake, not in the official soulmate program. It prides itself on 99.9% accuracy based on genetic tests and personality evaluations to find each person’s one soulmate and bring them together.
It’s not a perfect system though. Most people, after taking the mandatory tests once they turn 18, spend years waiting to receive the letter detailing their match. Some even refuse to date until they find out, being alone for decades.
Jisung didn’t think anything of it when he had to go in for his tests. He’s not a soulmate denier, but he hadn’t wanted to waste his entire life wondering who his soulmate is. That’s why getting this letter only a couple of years later is such a surprise. And the content is even worse.
“Park Jisung. Soulmate Assignment Completed,” it reads in big black ink. “Soulmate Information: Na Jaemin. 2000.08.13. Occupation: Actor.”
Like he would need a letter to tell him who Jaemin is. Jaemin is one of the biggest actors in the world right now, taking part in some of the most popular shows these days and being a part of some incredibly successful modeling campaigns. He’s the most well-known face in the country. And now he’s on this piece of paper that got delivered in an official sealed envelope.
“Phone Number–” Jisung doesn’t read the rest. Is it really Jaemin’s phone number there? Maybe this is all a scam. And if it isn’t, it really can’t be that safe having his number paraded around in a letter like that.
He wonders what his letter will say. Park Jisung. 2002.02.05. Occupation:….??? Technically, he’s a student, but would an astrophysics degree really make it into the occupation section? He has a side job at a convenience store right now. Fuck, that would be so embarrassing to have on there. Especially with who Jaemin is.
That’s really the worst part. He can’t imagine how disappointed Jaemin will be, getting a soulmate so ridiculously pathetic. Jaemin’s so out of his league.
His phone buzzes in his pocket and he makes eye contact with Chenle.
“What if it’s him?” Chenle asks excitedly.
“It’s probably my manager asking me to take over a shift or something,” Jisung answers, but he’s not completely convinced himself.
“No way,” Chenle insists. “It’s him. Check!”
Jisung sighs and pulls out his phone to check the notification. His heart drops.
‘Hi~~~’ it says, from an unknown number.
“I bet it’s him,” Chenle says from behind his shoulder.
“Get away from me,” Jisung huffs, swatting at him. “It probably isn’t.”
But just as he says that, another text comes up on screen.
‘It’s Jaemin~ your soulmate <3 Hopefully I have the right number… is this Jisung?’
“This is crazy,” Chenle says, pacing back and forth in the kitchen, practically vibrating. “This is absolutely insane.”
“You need to calm down,” Jisung says, still staring at his phone.
“I don’t need to calm down! You need to answer him,” Chenle replies as he turns to face Jisung. “Answer his text!”
“What am I supposed to say?” Jisung sighs.
“Literally anything?” Chenle rolls his eyes. “Hello? Yes, that’s me? Oh my god, Jaemin, you’re famous? Yes, let’s kiss and f–”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Jisung says, opening the notification to start typing. “If I reply, will you stop?”
“Maybe.”
‘Hi. Yes, this is Jisung,’ he types. ‘Did you also get the letter tod–’
“Oh my God. Just give me the phone,” Chenle groans.
“What are you talking about?”
“Listen. I know you’re a shit texter but you can’t just be dry like that with people you’ve never even met in real life. He’s going to think you hate him!”
Jisung frowns. “I didn’t think I was being dry…”
“This is your problem,” Chenle says, grabbing his phone and starting to type. “You’re so dry that when you try to add emotions you somehow sound even more detached.” He sends it. “There you go. I fixed it.”
“Chenle…” Jisung says hesitantly. “What did you do?”
He takes his phone back and looks down at the screen to read the text Chenle just sent.
‘Hi! Yes, this is Jisung, your soulmate haha it’s nice to hear from you’
“What’s the ‘haha’ for?” Jisung asks, brow furrowing.
“I’m trying to make you more approachable.”
“By adding something I never type?”
“It’s more you than an emoji would be.”
“…I guess that’s true.”
His phone buzzes again and they freeze.
“That was fast.”
“Maybe he has a crush on you,” Chenle teases.
“He doesn’t even know what I look like. He’s literally only received one text from me ever and it’s not even one I wrote myself.”
“Jisung,” Chenle whines. “God forbid someone has some whimsy in this household.”
“I don’t–”
“‘Would you like to meet up sometime? I think it might be better to talk face to face’ Oh, he’s in love with you.”
“What if he’s just saying that so he can let me down gently? It’s a lot less rude to reject someone in real life,” Jisung replies with a shrug.
Chenle rolls his eyes, sitting back down in his chair.
“Why are you so allergic to letting nice things happen to you?”
Jisung starts typing. “I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that.”
“He’s in love with you!”
“He doesn’t know who I am!”
Chenle eyes his phone.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m just gonna agree to meet him,” Jisung answers, still typing. “He just asked if we should meet at a cafe or something.”
“You should suggest that new fancy one,” Chenle says, leaning back in his chair.
Jisung raises an eyebrow. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I always see you staring at it all longingly when we’re walking to campus,” Chenle says matter-of-factly. “And you’re too broke to afford it but he definitely has the money.”
Jisung considers it. It’s not a terrible idea, honestly. Usually he would feel bad about having someone else spend money on him because he refuses to be a charity case or a leech or something, but that cafe is so expensive and he’d never have a chance to go otherwise. And surely Jaemin has the money to spare, right?
It’s definitely not a terrible idea because Jaemin agrees almost immediately, using way more emojis than Jisung thought was possible to use in a single text. They agree to meet tomorrow and Jisung tries to ignore the tightness in his chest.
“Hey,” Chenle says quietly, noticing his anxiety. “It’ll be okay.”
“I know,” Jisung replies, but he doesn’t sound that confident.
Chenle doesn’t say anything else because his phone starts ringing and he has to rush into his room to call his parents. Jisung sits at the table, staring at the letter again. It still doesn’t feel real.
None of it feels real, not until he’s walking up to the cafe the next day, hands shaking. He doesn’t know why he’s so nervous. Worst case scenario, they end up not being a match and they get sent back into the system. Well…Jisung’s actually never heard of a soulmate match not working out. But still.
The second Jisung lays eyes on Jaemin, he’s struck with how much of a mess he is in comparison. He’s wearing some random hoodie (even if it’s clean) and his hair still hasn’t fully dried because he woke up late and had to run here.
Jaemin, however, is perfect. He looks even more beautiful in real life, if that’s even possible. It’s no surprise he’s as popular as he is, because when he spots Jisung and breaks into a smile, Jisung feels like he’s about to collapse onto the floor. This is crazy. He’s so out of his league.
“Hi,” Jaemin says brightly as Jisung sits down in the chair across from him. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too,” Jisung replies quietly, still trying to adjust to just how pretty Jaemin is.
“I haven’t ordered yet,” Jaemin says, his voice a little softer now.
Jisung wonders if Jaemin’s adjusting on purpose, noticing how anxious he is. Chenle always says it’s way too obvious when he’s stressed.
“I thought we could look at the menu together,” Jaemin continues. “If that’s okay?”
“Yeah,” Jisung says, hating how awkward he sounds. “Um, that’s fine.”
Instead of being annoyed, like Jisung expected him to be, Jaemin just seems a little amused by his nervousness. If anything, he looks…endeared?
It’s only when Jaemin slides a menu across the table and Jisung starts to read it that he actually notices how fucking expensive this cafe is. Sure, he’s walked past and seen the types of people sitting inside and the type of food they serve and rightfully assumed it was out of his budget, but the prices on this menu are crazy.
“Anything catch your eye?” Jaemin hums.
“Why is it twenty dollars for a slice of cake?” Jisung asks, his eyes wide.
“Oh.” Jaemin flips to the dessert page. “I guess it is.”
“Is that not insane?”
Jaemin looks up at him, biting back a grin. Jisung huffs. Is he really one of those rich, fancy actors who’s forgotten what normal prices are?
“Jisung,” Jaemin says, “have you been here before?”
“No…” Jisung replies, blushing. “I just– I thought maybe–”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Uh…sure.”
Jaemin’s eyes sparkle with playfulness. He looks down at the menu and then back up at Jisung.
“Did you ask to meet here because you wanted me to pay for it?”
Jisung freezes. Is he that easy to read? Oh God, Jaemin’s already ridiculously out of his league and now he’s going to think Jisung’s just some crazed fan or something who wants to use him for his money. This soulmate match was doomed from the start. This is so humiliating.
Jaemin seems to notice his internal turmoil and loses some of the brightness, shaking his head quickly.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” he says, reaching out to place his hand on one of Jisung’s.
It sends sparks through Jisung’s entire body. His hand is so warm and so soft and suddenly he never wants Jaemin to let go ever again.
“I think it’s cute,” Jaemin tells him and Jisung feels his stomach flutter. What? “I mean, if I was in your position I’d probably do the same thing.”
“I’ve just never been here before,” Jisung mumbles, cheeks red. “I thought it might be nice.”
Jaemin nods and the two of them turn back to the menus again. There’s so many things on there and Jisung can feel his head spin. What’s he supposed to order? Is Jaemin going to be judging his order choice? Should he like…pick a less expensive thing? Or will Jaemin not care?
He looks up at Jaemin, who’s busy reading the menu, and feels himself blush even more. Jaemin doesn’t seem to be wearing any makeup but still there’s a very slight tinge of pink on his cheeks and he’s probably wearing lip gloss or something because his lips look so soft and–
“I think I might just– Oh!” Jaemin says as he looks up and is met with Jisung staring at him.
“Sorry,” Jisung replies quickly, but he can’t bring himself to look away. He finally gets how those crazy girlfriend fans feel.
“It’s okay,” Jaemin says softly. He watches Jisung for a moment. “Do you want to just split something?”
Jisung lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and sinks back in his chair. Oh, thank God.
“Yes, please,” he says in relief. “I had no idea what to get.”
Jaemin laughs a little, the sound so sweet Jisung wants to bury himself in it forever.
“It is a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?” Jaemin agrees, closing the menu.
The waiter comes over and Jaemin looks over at Jisung for permission before ordering for the two of them, Jisung letting himself lean back in the chair and take a few slow breaths. Okay. It’s fine. World-famous Na Jaemin is sitting in front of him at a cafe. On a…date? It’s completely fine. He’s fine. He’s so normal, actually.
“So you’re a student, right?” Jaemin asks, and Jisung can feel his heart start beating faster again.
“Oh,” he says awkwardly. “Yeah. That’s why, um…” He gestures to the rest of the cafe. “I haven’t really been here before.”
“That makes sense,” Jaemin replies, and he sounds so soft that Jisung almost starts blushing again. “What do you study?”
“Uh,” Jisung says, wishing he could just stop sounding so stupid. He plays with the sleeves of his hoodie. “Astrophysics.”
“Woah.” Jaemin seems almost…in awe.
“It’s really not that cool,” Jisung says quickly. “Like, it’s just a lot of crying over math and theories not working and things.”
“I could never even imagine studying astrophysics. That’s so interesting.”
“I mean, it’s definitely not as cool as being a super famous actor, I think,” Jisung replies with a frown.
Jaemin shakes his head.
“It’s definitely cooler.”
“I don’t–”
“At least, to me.”
Jisung doesn’t know how to reply to that so he just doesn’t, staring at the table in front of him instead. He can still feel Jaemin’s eyes on him but it doesn’t feel judgmental. Just…weird. He still can’t believe he’s actually sitting in front of Jaemin. His soulmate. Na Jaemin is his soulmate. And Na Jaemin thinks his degree is cool.
The food comes out quickly, quicker than Jisung was expecting, and he wonders if the kitchen put a rush on things when they realized who they were serving. A couple of people at the cafe have been staring at them every now and then, and it’s definitely not for Jisung. It’s still crazy to see Jaemin in a normal situation when the only places most people (including Jisung) have seen him in are on TV or red carpets.
“Do you want the first bite?” Jaemin asks and Jisung finally looks at the food to notice he ordered some sort of pancakes.
“Oh, no,” Jisung replies, shaking his head. “It’s okay. You ordered it, you should probably be able to eat it first.”
Jaemin pouts and Jisung tries to ignore the way it makes his chest tighten.
“But I want you to have it,” he says, weaponized cuteness slipping into his tone.
“It’s okay…”
“Come on,” Jaemin whines, getting a piece on his fork.
“It’s really okay…” Jisung replies as he blushes at Jaemin’s tone. He’s not used to this.
Sure, he’s used to Chenle trying to act cute, but normally that’s used to piss him off or get him to leave the room or something. Nothing like this.
“Please?” Jaemin asks softly, and Jisung wavers.
That seems to be permission enough for Jaemin, who breaks out into a grin and leans on the table, holding out his fork. He waves it in front of Jisung’s face.
“Come on,” he says playfully. “You know you want it.”
Jisung can tell his face is probably fully red now. He has no idea how Jaemin is making him feel like this. He feels like his whole body is tingling.
Jaemin waves the fork around again.
“Go on,” he says and Jisung decides to finally give in.
He leans forward, letting Jaemin feed him the piece of pancake, as his cheeks redden. It makes Jaemin’s smile grow and he can’t help but smile a little too. He’s not sure why. Maybe because the way Jaemin smiles makes his stomach flip.
“Cute,” Jaemin murmurs, mostly to himself, and Jisung blinks.
They both start to eat the pancakes, Jaemin seemingly content after feeding Jisung the first piece. Jisung doesn’t really know what to do after that so he just quietly makes his way through the food, looking up at Jaemin every now and then.
Before he knows it, they’ve finished and Jaemin’s handing the waiter his card. Jisung wants to protest and try and pay, like he knows he should if he has any manners, but he’s all too aware of the ten dollars left in his bank account, and he stays quiet.
“So,” Jaemin says as they stand up, “that was nice.”
Jisung nods, playing with his hoodie sleeves again.
“Yeah,” he replies quietly. “It was really nice.”
It’s not a lie, even though he sounds awkward saying it. It really was. It’s hard for him to get comfortable around people (it took him two months to have a full conversation with Chenle when they became roommates in freshman year) but for some reason things seem so much easier with Jaemin.
“I have to go to Milan tomorrow for work,” Jaemin says, almost apologetic. “But I’d really like to see you again when I come back. If that’s okay…”
“That’s okay,” Jisung says softly. “Um, I’d like to see you again too.”
Jaemin smiles at him and Jisung feels that warmth again. Maybe the soulmate system didn’t mess up. Or maybe Jaemin’s been stuck with a soulmate that’s much worse than he deserves. But he seems happy enough with Jisung…
“I’ll text you,” Jaemin promises as they stand outside the cafe and a car pulls up.
“Promise?” Jisung finds himself saying. He’s so fucking stupid.
Jaemin’s eyes soften.
“I promise.”
And with that, he turns around and gets into the car as Jisung stands there trying to process what the hell just happened.
He walks back to his apartment in a daze, barely paying attention to his surroundings. Once he’s inside and taking off his shoes, he’s immediately attacked by Chenle, who was probably waiting for him the entire time.
“How was it? Was he hot? Did he fall for you immediately?” Chenle asks, talking so fast he’s nearly tripping over his words.
“Give him a second to breathe,” someone else says from the couch and Jisung sighs.
“Hi, Donghyuck.”
“Is that any way to treat your favorite person in the whole world?” Donghyuck asks with a pout. “Jisungie, you’ve changed.”
Jisung rolls his eyes, letting Chenle drag him to the couch to sit down.
“You’re not my favorite person in the world. You’re probably not even in the top ten.”
“Ouch,” Donghyuck says dramatically, placing his hand on his chest. “You wound me.”
He doesn’t seem that wounded though, because he turns on the TV and flips to some random drama while Chenle keeps bombarding Jisung with questions.
“Seriously,” Chenle says, eyes wide, “how was it?”
“It was fine,” Jisung replies with an awkward shrug. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Chenle groans. “You’re so useless. I knew we should’ve gone and hidden at another table to watch you guys.”
Donghyuck snorts next to them.
“Yeah, as if you could afford that place.”
Chenle scowls.
“You can,” he replies, pushing him. “You could’ve paid for it. Honestly, you owe me. We haven’t gone on a date in months. You hate me.”
“We literally went out for dinner yesterday,” Donghyuck says flatly, turning back to the TV.
“He hates me,” Chenle whines to Jisung.
Jisung’s all too used to their antics so he just doesn’t say anything, letting Chenle have his dramatic moment. His legs are already on Donghyuck’s lap so he doesn’t seem that upset. He and Donghyuck really are the perfect match.
“It was just fine, I don’t know,” Jisung says when Chenle glares at him. “Like…we just had pancakes. He said he’d text me. He has to go to Milan or something.”
“That’s so hot,” Chenle replies and Donghyuck laughs.
“What’s hot?” Jisung asks, frowning.
“You’re dating a hot actor who goes to Milan for fashion shows…” Chenle sighs dreamily.
“We–we’re not dating!” Jisung splutters.
Chenle rolls his eyes.
“You’re soulmates. It’s close enough.”
“We’re not dating,” Jisung repeats vehemently.
“God,” Chenle whines, ignoring Jisung and turning back to Donghyuck, “why can’t you be a hot model in Milan?”
“Can’t speak Italian,” Donghyuck replies easily and Chenle sighs.
“Yeah…I guess that makes sense.”
Jisung looks between them. They’re such a confusing couple, honestly. At least they’re well-matched, because they seem to be the only ones that can actually understand each other. Even if they’re not soulmates.
To be fair, there’s no real way to tell. Some people have gone decades married to someone only to receive letters declaring them soulmates. The system is so weird. Jisung is pretty sure Donghyuck and Chenle are soulmates because if they’re not, there’s no way soulmates could be real.
“Did you guys kiss?” Chenle asks and Jisung feels his face turn red.
“No.”
“Did you want to?”
“I hate you,” Jisung replies, standing up. “I’m going to my room.”
“You’re so boring!” Chenle whines, but he lets him go.
Once he’s back in his room, he sighs, throwing himself onto the bed. Did he seriously just go on a date with Na Jaemin? Was it a date? Maybe he’s just assuming stuff. But they’re soulmates. Surely it was a date. Maybe? His head is spinning.
His phone buzzes and he unlocks it. It’s Jaemin.
‘Hey!’ the text says. ‘I had a lot of fun today :) Sorry I couldn’t stay longer’
Oh. He wanted to stay longer? After they finished at the cafe?
‘It’s okay,’ Jisung replies, his fingers moving before he can even process what he’s typing. ‘I had fun too’
A few minutes pass with no reply and Jisung starts to get worried. Maybe he is too dry when he texts and Chenle’s right. Maybe Jaemin thinks he’s lying and he hated it.
‘I don’t want to go to Milan,’ comes another text, followed by a string of emojis Jisung didn’t even know existed.
‘Oh no. Maybe it’ll be fun…’
‘Not as fun as staying here and getting to see you again.’
Jisung feels his heart flutter at the message. Oh. Jaemin liked hanging out with him. Jaemin wants to see him again. He wants to see Jaemin again too.
Jaemin sends him a random cat meme after that, to which Jisung replies with a single thumbs up and just gets another cat meme in response. He laughs and types a random answer.
They text back and forth for another few minutes before Jaemin apologizes, saying he has to go do some work things. It makes sense, especially with him having to leave tomorrow. Once they stop texting, Jisung remembers he has to do some assignments for his classes anyway, so he sighs and opens up his computer.
He gets lost in research and doesn’t realize how much time has passed until he gets another text from Jaemin, complaining about having to wake up early for a flight. He hums, writing some random reply, and suddenly his phone is buzzing, Jaemin’s name lighting up the screen.
“Uh,” he says as he picks up, “hi?”
“Why are you awake?” Jaemin asks, some concern slipping into his tone. “It’s like four in the morning.”
“Oh,” Jisung replies sheepishly. “I was doing work.”
Jaemin lets out a soft sound and Jisung feels himself blush.
“You should really get some rest.”
“I know…”
“Go to bed,” Jaemin tells him softly. “Okay? If you sleep right now, you’ll probably wake up a couple hours before I land. I can call you from Milan.”
“Oh, you don’t have to–”
“Do you think I’m doing this for your benefit?” Jaemin jokes. Then his voice softens again. “I want to call you. Okay? Even these past two minutes have already given me more energy. I miss hearing your voice.”
“You met me yesterday,” Jisung replies quietly, that weird feeling in his stomach returning.
“What can I say?" Jaemin hums. “I miss you already.”
“Oh,” Jisung says, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I miss you too.”
Jaemin laughs quietly and Jisung tries to fight the smile growing on his face. He’s just so glad Jaemin seems to be feeling the same way he is. Even if Jaemin’s ridiculously far out of his league. It’s crazy.
“Go to sleep, Jisung,” Jaemin says and Jisung sighs, closing his computer.
“Okay,” he replies, suddenly hit with how exhausted he really is. “Have a safe flight.”
“I will. Sleep well, baby.”
Jaemin hangs up and Jisung feels his heart flutter at the pet name. He’s not used to people using nicknames fondly and he’s honestly been convinced he doesn’t really like them (Chenle tried freshman year but it just felt wrong for both of them) but it’s different coming from Jaemin.
He manages to get himself into pajamas, dragging himself into bed. As he lies there, finally drifting off to sleep, all he can hear is Jaemin’s voice echoing in his head. Sleep well, baby…baby…
When he wakes up, the sun is shining bright on his face and he realizes it’s way later than when he usually gets up. He doesn’t have any classes today so it’s fine, but it’s still so strange. He checks his phone, but there’s no messages from Jaemin. It’s okay. It’s fine. Even if there’s a little disappointment in the pit of his stomach.
He doesn’t want to become the weirdo who stalks flights so he resists the urge to check flight trackers to try and figure out which flight Jaemin was on and when he’s going to land, even if it takes all the willpower in his body. It’s completely fine.
“I’m making dinner,” Donghyuck says, flinging his door open. “Get your dumb ass up and come to the kitchen.”
“You don’t even live here,” Jisung groans.
“Shut up. Do you want the food or not?”
Jisung huffs, getting up and following Donghyuck out to the kitchen, where Chenle’s already sitting at the table, waiting impatiently for Donghyuck to bring the food over. He sits down next to him and watches Chenle sigh.
“How late did you stay up this time?” Chenle asks, half annoyed and half worried.
“It’s fine,” Jisung says, rubbing his eyes. “I fell asleep at like four.”
“That’s earlier than normal,” Donghyuck notes as he puts the food down. Jisung rolls his eyes.
“You’re over here too much if you know about my sleep schedule too,” he complains.
“If you hate it so much then go move in with your new boyfriend,” Donghyuck replies easily and Jisung blushes.
“He’s not my boyfriend!”
“Sure.”
Jisung doesn’t say anything, ducking his head and just focusing on eating his food. They don’t push him that much, knowing he gets weird about this stuff, but it won’t stop them from teasing him repeatedly.
All of a sudden, his phone starts buzzing in his pocket and he pulls it out. It’s Jaemin, but instead of a voice call, this time he’s trying to video call. Jisung feels his cheeks burning.
“Who is it?” Donghyuck asks, spoon still in his mouth.
Jisung shakes his head, answering the call as he stands up.
“Hi,” he says quietly, trying to get back to his room as soon as possible, before Chenle and Donghyuck can jump on him.
“Hi again,” Jaemin says playfully. “How did you sleep?”
“Is that Jaemin?” Chenle exclaims from the kitchen and Jisung pales, running to his room and closing the door behind him.
Jaemin laughs, a warm, gentle sound.
“Who was that?”
“Just my roommate,” Jisung replies quietly. “Sorry, he’s so annoying sometimes." He finally takes in Jaemin’s background and frowns. “Are you in a car right now?”
“Ah, yeah,” Jaemin says as he looks out the window. “I’m on my way to a fitting.”
“You really didn’t have to call…”
“I wanted to,” Jaemin insists. “I already want to see you again.”
“Me too,” Jisung admits. “But you have work and stuff.”
“I know…Trust me, if I knew I’d be getting my match, I would’ve cleared my schedule.”
“It’s okay. I’ll still be here when you get back.”
Jaemin smiles at him and Jisung feels something in his stomach twist.
“I think I have to go,” Jaemin says apologetically as the car stops. “Thank you for letting me call you.”
“Thanks for calling,” Jisung replies shyly.
“Oh,” Jaemin suddenly says. “What’s your favorite color?”
Jisung blinks, surprised.
“Uh…green?”
Jaemin nods as someone opens the door for him.
“Good to know. I’ll text you when I can, okay?” he says.
“Yeah,” Jisung replies, not really sure what to say. “Have fun.”
Jaemin laughs.
“I’ll try.”
He hangs up and Jisung buries his face in his hands. God, he always sounds so stupid. He’s normally not that bad on phone calls but for some reason Jaemin has him completely losing his ability to have a normal conversation.
“He’s so in love with you he can’t even spend a day without you now,” Chenle says as Jisung walks back out.
“He just wanted to call,” Jisung mumbles, sitting back down at the table to finish eating.
“Because he’s obsessed with you,” Donghyuck replies.
“You two are absolutely insufferable.”
They both grin and all of them go back to finishing their dinner. Before he knows it, Chenle’s taking the plates away and heading to the couch.
“We’re gonna watch a movie,” he says. “Are you gonna join us?”
Jisung shakes his head, already on the way back to his room.
“I have to finish my assignment and then I think I’m just gonna sleep.”
“Your loss,” Donghyuck says, shrugging.
“Yeah…not really sure if it’s a loss,” Jisung replies honestly, raising an eyebrow. “Are you watching another romcom?”
Chenle and Donghyuck both grin sheepishly and Jisung rolls his eyes, going back into his room. He loves them, he really does, but he does not want to be in the same room as them when they’re watching a romcom together. It’s disgusting.
It takes him less time than usual to finish his assignment, and he finds himself submitting it when it’s only one in the morning. For some reason, he’s much more tired than he usually is and he just passes out on top of the sheets. He can deal with that in the morning. It’ll be fine.
The next day, he’s not woken up by his alarm clock, but by Chenle standing next to him, shaking his shoulder.
“What the hell?” he mumbles, sitting up. He checks the clock. “Dude, I don’t have class for another three hours.”
Chenle just shakes his head, pulling Jisung up and dragging him to the TV.
“You have to see this.”
He hits play on the program he’s paused and Jisung realizes it’s a replay of whatever interview Jaemin was a part of last night.
Jaemin’s dressed in some kind of suit, with his hair styled so well and his makeup so pretty Jisung zones out for a moment, just staring at him. When he finally comes back to reality, he notices what Jaemin’s saying.
“I see you’re wearing a bracelet today,” the interviewer asks and Jaemin’s laughing, holding up his wrist to show it off. “Any special reason?”
“Well,” Jaemin says, and Jisung notices the bracelet is green, “I just wanted to keep a part of a specific person close to me. And this is their favorite color.”
Jisung doesn’t listen to anything after that. Jaemin wore a green bracelet. To a formal, super important event. Because he wanted to keep part of Jisung with him? Even though they only met two days ago? He feels like he’s gonna be sick. His heart is pounding.
“Jisung,” Chenle says, and Jisung blinks. “Green is your favorite color.”
“Yeah,” Jisung manages to say. “Yeah, um, he asked me yesterday. On the phone.”
Chenle’s eyes grow wider.
“Dude. He’s in love with you.”
“He barely knows me,” Jisung says weakly. “I don’t think you can fall in love with someone that fast.”
He doesn’t add that he’s hoping that’s true because otherwise he’s definitely falling in love with Jaemin after only knowing him for a few days. Jaemin’s all he can think about. This is crazy.
“You can definitely fall in love with someone that fast,” Chenle replies, shaking his head. “And he definitely has.”
“I really don’t think so…”
“Jisung…”
Chenle just stares at him for a moment, with that look in his eyes that Jisung hates, the look that means he’s about to be read for filth because there’s no one else on this planet that can read him as well as Chenle can.
“Jisung,” Chenle says slowly, “you know you’re allowed to be loved by him, right?”
Jisung doesn’t say anything, staring at the ground. He doesn’t believe it. Like, yeah, deep down he knows he can’t really dictate who does and doesn’t fall in love with him, but Jaemin is just so far out of his league. It doesn’t make sense.
“Everyone should be falling in love with you, honestly. You’re amazing.”
“You never fell in love with me,” Jisung replies weakly.
“Yeah, well,” Chenle scoffs, “you’re not Donghyuck.”
Jisung lets out a soft laugh.
“But seriously, Jisung…it’s not crazy for him to like you.”
“He’s literally Na Jaemin,” Jisung says quietly. “Why would he ever like me?”
Chenle lets out a soft, hurt sound and pulls Jisung into a hug. Jisung freezes for a second before melting into it. There’s something so comforting about Chenle’s hugs. He feels his eyes well up but he blinks the tears away quickly.
“You’re one of the most incredible people I know,” Chenle says determinedly. “Of course he would fall in love with you.”
“I don’t know…”
“What’s more important, though, is do you like him?”
Jisung shrugs, blushing a little as Chenle pulls away.
“I don’t know…”
Chenle frowns, giving him that look again.
“You’re allowed to like him. He’s your soulmate.”
“Yeah…” Jisung says slowly. “I mean…I guess?”
Chenle grins, bringing him in for another hug. Jisung’s phone starts buzzing again and Chenle lets go, shoving him towards his room.
“Go talk to him.”
“You don’t even know it’s him,” Jisung says quietly, but they both know there’s no one else that would be calling him right now.
He sits down on his bed, shifting nervously as he answers the call. Jaemin’s face pops up on screen, hair wet as he leans against hotel pillows.
“Hi,” Jaemin says softly.
“Hi…”
“How are you?”
“I saw the interview,” Jisung says quietly.
Jaemin blushes. Jisung feels his heart flutter again. There’s something so pretty in the way Jaemin blushes. Maybe he does like him…
“Really?” he asks, almost nervous. “How did…um…”
“Was that bracelet for me?”
“Yeah,” Jaemin admits softly. “I thought it would be cute.”
“It was,” Jisung says and Jaemin visibly relaxes. “I liked it.”
“I’m glad.” Jaemin hesitates. “I’m flying back tomorrow. Do you want to meet up when I’m back?”
“I’d love to,” Jisung says with a small smile. “If that’s okay. I think…I think I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“You can just tell me when you’re free. I don’t have much going on…”
“You’re a student,” Jaemin says with a frown. “Don’t you have classes?”
“Yeah…I guess.”
“I’ll text you about it,” he promises. “I really want to see you.”
“Me too,” Jisung whispers. “I think it’ll be nice to hang out.”
“Yeah.” Jaemin looks nervous now. “I’m not sure how you saw last time but…is it okay if this time it’s…like a date?”
Jisung blinks.
“Like a date or…an actual date?”
Jaemin bites his lip.
“An actual date, I guess. If that’s okay.”
“That’s definitely okay,” Jisung answers, trying to sound as calm as possible with his heart beating wildly in his chest. “I’d actually really like that.”
“Oh,” Jaemin says with a small smile. “Okay. Well…I’ll text you about it, I guess.”
“Okay.”
“I have to go to sleep now,” Jaemin says apologetically. “But I’ll text you soon. Or call you. Or something. I really can’t wait to see you again.”
“Yeah,” Jisung replies, smiling too. “Me neither.”
Jaemin doesn’t say anything for a moment, just looking at him.
“Sleep well,” Jisung says quietly, “…baby.”
Jaemin’s face turns bright red and he nods. He looks almost as flustered as Jisung felt last night.
“Call me again soon,” Jisung adds, surprising himself with this new burst of confidence.
Maybe it’s because seeing Jaemin just as nervous as he feels is making him realize Jaemin might like him too. He asked him out on a date, so it should be obvious at this point, but Jisung is always weird about that stuff.
“I miss you,” he says again.
“I miss you too,” Jaemin replies softly.
Jisung hums and they stare at each other for another few seconds before Jaemin finally hangs up. Jisung throws himself backwards onto his bed, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to his chest. Jaemin likes him. Na Jaemin likes him. And they’re going to go on a date soon. Na Jaemin is his soulmate and he likes him.
And Jisung likes him too.