Chapter Text
Gyuvin’s mother would always remind him to check on his soulmate clock.
("But mom, whyyyyy?" Eleven year old Gyuvin whined, unnecessarily dragging the why. His mother flicked his forehead gently, resulting in him pouting. "What do you mean why? You should know why!")
He used to religiously check it every single day throughout his middle and high school years, but now that Kim Gyuvin is a twenty year old university student, majoring in Dance and English Literature, he sometimes has no time to check even though he only needs to take one look at his wrist. I mean, it can't take more than two seconds to take a look, right? but hey, he's a busy man okay? Okay.
(That, and also because Gyuvin doesn't really care about this whole soulmate thing. Just a bit— little bit. Mainly because at this point of life, Gyuvin has to prioritise university more. Shh don't tell his mother.)
But honestly, Gyuvin wonders what the universe was thinking when it's decided to pair everyone up and let them go on their own to look for their other half on this goddamn earth with just six numbers on their wrist as their only hint. Gyuvin will never know.
One thing about this whole soulmate thing that bothers him the most is that, when you finally meet your soulmate, the countdown won't notify you. It will just change to six zeros, and the initials of your soulmate will appear just below the timer.
But really though, the Universe could have, at least, made the countdown more useful. Like for an example, adding a long beeping sound when the soulmates meet or bump into each other. Heck, even a cutesy (because to everyone, excluding Gyuvin—especially Gyuvin—this whole soulmate thing is cute.) child-like voice that says 'Ding Ding Dong Dong! Congratulations! You have found your soulmate!' would be good enough, too.
Anything would be better than nothing at all.
Which is why Kim Gyuvin knows he's fucked up when he sees his soulmate clock at 00 : 00 : 00 when there's no one around him.
——
It's almost six in the evening when Gyuvin reaches the apartment he shared with his (annoying) best friend, Gunwook.
He throws his backpack on the floor before diving onto a cluttered mess that doesn't even look like a bed anymore, grinning happily because— "Yessss. Semester Breakkkkkk." ("Shut your ass up, Gyuvin. Some people still need to finish their report!" Gunwook screeches from the living room. Gyuvin pays him no mind.)
These past two weeks have been hell. Gyuvin had been bombarded with lessons, quizzes, assignments and essays, to the point he would question himself whether he did the right thing by taking two majors, but he was quick to shoot down the thought. It’s kind of useless to have regrets now, isn't it? Especially because he had to finish everything before the semester break would start. He had zero time to dwell on it, he thought.
But truthfully speaking though, it is his fault for procrastinating and spent most of his free time sitting infront of his computer, playing the Battleground game with his adoptive son (or so he claims), Han Yujin and Gunwook, ignoring the huge workload that was seating messily on his desk. Both Gunwook and him should’ve just paid the youngest no mind and focus on their Uni workload, but not even Satan could resist Han Yujin’s puppy eyes.
But whatever, Gyuvin is glad that he's on break now.
The black haired male yawns tiredly, his big doe eyes are already closed as he snuggles deeper into his soft blanket. He's been up for about two days now, attending dance classes and trying to finish the rest of his assignments and an essay that made him want to pull his hair and throw his laptop out of the window. Gyuvin doesn't even remember when was the last time he had a proper meal. His mother is going to kill him for sure if she finds out he's been eating just instant noodles and bread. Please, he’s had enough of Zhang Hao nagging at him for eating unhealthily (even though the older man literally does the same thing. Albeit, not all the time. But Still, same shit!)
Fuck being a university student. Tsk.
Just when Gyuvin’s about to drift off to dreamland (finally), he remembers that he needs to take a shower. He lets out a frustrated groan as he opens his eyes, blinking tiredly, thinking whether he should shower right now or later, because come on, he’s too tired and lazy to do so. But then again, Gyuvin hasn’t showered for days, and the hoodie he's wearing right now smells so bad due to his sweat and whatnots, because; one, he's been wearing it for at least two days in a row now; and two, he hasn't done his laundry yet.
Hm, living the university life really is damn tiring huh.
And again, fuck being a university student.
Damn I feel so dirty, Gyuvin thinks to himself. Ew, uni sucks. He sighs deeply for the millionth times before getting up from his bed and takes his hoodie off, scrunching his nose when he accidentally inhaled the unpleasant smell of his hoodie before throwing it aside, making a mental note to do his laundry tomorrow morning. He then reaches down to unbuckle his jeans.
But something catches his attention.
Gyuvin blinks as he looks at his wrist; there are six zeros displayed on it with a S.Q.R written in bold below the countdown, in which, by the way, isn't supposed to displayed zeros. Something is not right with his soulmate timer. Something feels off. Gyuvin can feel it, but he can't pinpoint why.
Have i lost my mind? What the hell is SQR anyway? Am i a square now?, he jokes lamely (because he’s just… lame like that, Gunwook would wholeheartedly say the same thing), snickering to himself despite the ongoing weird occurrence because yep, he has definitely lost his mind. The last time he checked, it wasn't there. It's not supposed to be there. At least not until he bumps into his soulmate. Where did it come from anyway—
Hold up.
Wait a goddamn second.
Gyuvin blinks again, the gear turning messily in his already messed up mind due to all the tests and assignments he had to finish as the deadlines were busy chasing after his lazy ass.
What The Fuck (Gyuvin had to capitalize every word because What The Fuck, indeed).
And then, realisation dawns upon him.
Oh.
And then, Gyuvin screeches.
"WHAT THE ACTUAL FU— GUNWOOKIE COME HERE FOR A SECOND."
Fuck fuck fuck nononono— Fuck. This is NOT happening.
“PARK GUNWOOK”
This is NOT happening to HIM.
Gunwook barges into Gyuvin’s room and shoots the now panicked man a glare. "What the bloody hell is your problem—"
"GUNWOOK, MY CLOCK IS AT ZERO—" Gyuvin easily cuts him off, shoving his wrist up to Gunwook’s face in panic. Gyuvin’s usually bright face and generally happy demeanour have been flushed down the drain. "—AND I FUCKING HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT HAPPENED—"
Gunwook lets out a loud noise that suspiciously sounds like he's half dying, screeching and half laughing.
Gyuvin scowls and calls him a stupid fake friend for laughing at his misery before smacking Gunwook’s face with a pillow, successfully shutting him up.
And again, for the last time, What The Actual Fuck (and yes, Kim Gyuvin had to capitalize that, too).
——
Oh boy.
Gyuvin should've listened to his mother and check his soulmate clock from time to time. Now, he has to look for his soulmate whose initials are SQR.
He has to, or else his parents will find out, ask him who his soulmate is and tell him to invite his soulmate over for dinner. And what Gyuvin supposed to say to that?
Saying 'Haha, hey mum hey dad. So uh funny story, I actually don't know who my soulmate is. I didn't realize i’ve met them, because I didn't check my clock.' sounds like he's asking for his mother to give him a free smack on the back of his head. He can already see his mother, in his head, shooting him a stern glare, her head shaking disapprovingly. And he’s pretty sure his dad would be just sitting there, snickering unhelpfully (because Gyuvin is literally a copy of his father through and through, and yes, he admits it is something he would do).
Well, it seems like Gyuvin won't be going home for this semester break. What a bummer. He was looking forward to see his parents and his angel (“Why the fuck do you call your ugly ass dog an angel” Han Yujin once asked, resulting in him losing his Roblox Premium and went Roblox Premium-less for four months straight due to Gyuvin canceling his membership and refused to re-purchase. Yes, he’s that serious about Eumppappa), and stuff himself full with his mother’s delicious home cooked meals that he dearly misses.
Oh Boy.
(Indeed)
——
"Gyu, when was the last time you checked?"
It's quarter past eight and all of them are in the living room. Gunwook, like the Certified Little Shit he is, decided it would be hilarious to spam the group chat that they have with their other friends, telling them about Gyuvin and his so called ‘Failed Soulmate Timer’ (that’s what Gunwook said), and forced their two oldest Hyungs to drop by to their apartment to help Gyuvin with his soulmate problem, because Gunwook said he’s too busy to help his best friend out.
And that’s how Gyuvin found himself wound up on his own couch, planting his whole face on a pillow, regretting his life decisions.
“Gyu.” Sung Hanbin calls again when he received no response from the said boy. He is sitting on the floor, in the middle of Zhang Hao’s legs, leaning his back on the couch the latter is currently sitting.
"Probably last month. Who knows." Gunwook chirps (un)helpfully besides Hanbin, his fingers are busy typing on the keyboard, still finishing his report.
Gyuvin looks up and narrows his eyes at him. "Worry about your work first, asshole. You've been working on it since i came home."
He ignores Gunwook’s 'it's almost finish, loser who doesn't even know his own soulmate.' as he stares at the three letters written in bold on his wrist, trying to remember when was the last time he looked at his soulmate clock. But his mind goes blank, not helping him at all. "I dont know, Hanbinie hyung. Uhhh two weeks ago, i think." He finally answers the older's question.
"That was last month—"
"Do you remember how many days, minutes and seconds you have left?" Zhang Hao interjects, smacking the back of Gunwook’s head. The younger pouts in response. Once upon a time, Gunwook jokingly accused Hao of favoritism, but the older man just stared at him deeply for a long time in response to Gunwook’s accusations, resulting in the big, bulky giant baby pouting, and admits that, yes, he really deserves the smacks that he occasionally gets because he loves being a little shit to Gyuvin.
Hanbin snorts, "It's Gyuvin. He doesn't even remember what date it is today." He shakes his head before grabbing his soulmate's hand and gives it a kiss, forcing out a heartily laugh from Gunwook.
Gyuvin cringes at the sight. Even after nearly half a year, Hanbin and Hao are still on their honeymoon phase. It's really cute though, and he's happy for them. He really is. But sometimes, Gyuvin gets sad whenever they're being affectionate in front of him; (He keeps convincing himself that) they just remind him of his parents whom he misses dearly.
So no. Definitely not because he's lonely.
Totally not because he still hasn't found his other half yet (well, technically, he's already found them).
Shut up.
(He mentally stomps on the feeling of loneliness that is trying to bubble up. "Stay there. No one likes you." Gyuvin mumbles to himself, sulking.)
"Hyunggggg, not you too!” Gyuvin whines. "Besides, you're wrong. I do remember okay." He smiles smugly.
"Yeah sure—"
"Fifteen days." Gyuvin chirps, cutting Gunwook off, not in the mood to bicker, a smug smile is still playing upon his lips.
Hao grins broadly, "That's good, Gyu. That’s a good start. Now we can just count the days. Starting from the last time you checked your timer to the day you found out."
Gyuvin is glad he has a Zhang Hao in his life.
——
It was on the day just before the busy weeks started.
Gyuvin was in a convenience store, sitting at one of the tables, clothed in a huge hoodie and pajama pants, waiting for his instant noodle to cook. He spent the entire day just sitting infront of his computer, trying (and failing) to win against Yujin in battleground.
He couldn't ignore his growling stomach anymore so he had told the younger that he'd go and grab something to eat.
But sadly though, there was no food in their fridge. He had no choice but to go visit the convenience store near his place.
Gyuvin clucked his tongue as he tried to ignore his stomach before pulling his phone out from his hoodie's pocket, planning to play some game to kill some time while waiting. But his soulmate clock caught his attention.
15 : 09 : 45
"Fifteen more days to go huh, soulmate?" Gyuvin muttered under his breath. "I hope you don't mind having a stupid clumsy dude who always embarrasses himself as your soulmate."
The next day, he had completely forgotten about it, too caught up with his busy schedules. He forgot he was going to meet his soulmate in less than two weeks.
And that's what happened for the next two weeks.
On the day he was supposed to meet his soulmate, Gyuvin was in a hurry. He needed to go home so he could start doing his essay as soon as possible. He had to submit it by tomorrow at eleven in the morning or else he could kiss the extra credit this essay would bring, goodbye. He needed it anyway.
So it's not his fault that he didn't notice what had happened.
He didn't notice his soulmate timer hit 00 : 00 : 00 mark.
He didn't notice the initials slowly appeared on his skin.
That night, he pulled an all nighter with just three cups of black coffee he had bought earlier to keep him awake.
And even when morning came, he still did not notice.