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"Do you think they're somewhere out there, Jisung?" Felix asks, turning his head to face Jisung, "Our soulmates?"
Jisung pauses—before raising his head from the rough cement of the rooftop and glancing at Felix, "I don't know, I never really believed in it; or entertained it after the... whole divorce of my parents."
"Do you think it could happen, though?" Felix persists; his eyes now focused on the night sky above them. Jisung hums, thumping his head back to the floor, following Felix's gaze onto the stars, "It's a thought to keep in mind, I guess. It seems unlikely though, to find the right person, your other half, in this world of billions."
"That's the point of a soulmate, I guess," Felix adds on wistfully, "It's fate, so you're bound to find your other half—your soulmate, one way or another." Jisung watches as the meteor shower above him begins. He hopes he'll find his soulmate.
•••
Jisung doesn't particularly like going out of the house, he was a homebody, simply put. And there was nothing wrong with that, as long as your friends weren't Lee Felix. Now, don't get it wrong, Jisung loves Felix, they've been best friends forever—but sometimes he can't help but wonder why exactly Felix is so adamant on getting Jisung out the house. Especially for the simplest tasks he could do for himself.
At least with it being a simple task, Jisung doesn't have to spend too much time from the confines of his bedroom. He and Felix were currently in the middle of a movie marathon when they realized majority of their snacks had already gone; with just a little bit of begging, Felix had managed to convince Jisung to go out.
So, here he was, at midnight, in the convenience store across from their apartment. Jisung strolls through the closely-packed aisles, grabbing a few bags of their favorite snacks—before striding to the counter.
As he pulls out his wallet, starting to pull out a couple dollars to pay; Jisung hears the jingling of the doorbell by his left. Jisung hands over the cash and turns to his left, trying to catch whoever just entered out of pure curiosity. When he spots whoever entered, he feels the breath knocked out of him.
This man was... attractive, to put simply. With the few mere moments Jisung managed to catch a glance at him, Jisung noticed the soft, cat-like eyes; the sharp slope of his nose; along with his soft lips. Jisung has to tear his eyes from making a turn back at the man, focusing on taking the change of coins the dead-eyed employee was currently giving him.
As Jisung walks out the convenience store, he takes one last look at the man; half-wishing he could've said something.
•••
Weddings were... depressing.
Or maybe they were depressing because everyone seemed to have a plus one, and here Jisung was—tipsy, alone, and ready to go to bed. He takes one last look around at the crowded room, smiling softly as he spots Chan dancing with his newlywed wife. Jisung almost feels bad for leaving so abruptly, but currently, he couldn't bring himself to care—he was tired, and he needed a bed.
Downing his last shot and hissing, Jisung crosses the dance floor, maneuvering through the hot, messy crowd of bodies in suits and dresses, a couple of glitter bits sticking to Jisung's white button on. He grimaces at that as he exits the pool of his people, reaching the larger seating area, he spots Changbin easily at the table he was at earlier.
"Hey," Jisung greets, huffing slightly, "I'm gonna head back early. I'm a little tired."
Changbin looks up from where he was focused on his phone, "Alright, I'll tell the others then, yeah? You okay though? You've looked tired all night." Jisung nods half-heartedly, he really was okay, he was mostly tired due to the intense wedding planning that had bene going on the past few weeks; all he needs now is a night's rest and he'll be up and alive.
"Yeah, I'm good," Jisung notes, dusting his hands onto his slacks, "I'll text you when I get to my room."
Changbin hums, before returning to his phone, and Jisung takes that as the sign to leave the table and head towards the exit door. Jisung heads straight towards the elevator, punching the up button and waiting as the numbers tick above him. He taps his foot lightly to the faint beat of the music from the wedding hall.
Jisung was happy for Chan, he had found the girl of his life and now—he's finally happily married to her. But Jisung can't help the stab of pain he feels in his chest, everyone's... growing up. They're all settling down, and here Jisung is, alone and depressed.
He watches as the number on the elevator gradually lowers, but catches something, or rather someone in the corner of his eye. The man he spots makes something click in Jisung's brain. He isn't sure who he was looking at, but something about the man's presence screamed familiar to Jisung.
Jisung turns his head fully hoping to catch his full face before he rounds the corner. It looked like he was working here tonight, the way a tray balanced on his forearm and the uniform he had on. Jisung was about to step backwards slightly to see if he could get a closer look when the elevator went ding!
Jisung sighs, stepping into the enclosed box, never mind.
•••
Flights were not Jisung's thing, but whatever, his friend – Yang Jeongin – was currently studying overseas in Kuala Lumpur, and he was on a break and needed someone as a 'tour guide'.
It's been a while since Jisung's been in Malaysia, he would probably be a horrible tour guide; but it was clear that Jeongin simply wanted someone to be with in lonesome year he had, so here Jisung was, standing in line and leaning on his suitcase—waiting to check-in his baggage.
Jisung presses play on his Spotify, adjusting his headphones from where they sit on his head—letting Esok Masih Ada fill his ears, he was currently in the mood to listen to some depressing and Malaysian music, so here he was.
He looks around as he hums lightly to the song, his flight wasn't for another two hours, which—may not be long, but he needed something to occupy him for another thirty minutes at least, maybe he could get some food or a book somewhere—
Jisung's gaze meets a familiar cat-eyed sight.
Huh.
Jisung was so sure he knew this person, but it seemed like the only memory he had of him was a late-night convenience store trip he was so sure he hallucinated. Jisung keeps his eyes planted on the man's face for a few more moments before tearing his gaze away, not wanting to seem creepy in any manner.
He bites the corner of his lip, eyebrows furrowing. Maybe he used to go to high school with him? Or could the man be someone from his college years?
Jisung's thoughts get interrupted, by the person calling him and by the song ending abruptly in his ears, surrounding him in muffled silence.
•••
Jisung doesn't go to the library often, but when he needs a calming atmosphere to write in, the library is his go-to spot. The only problem is, it's only for writing, not exactly the place to go if he needs to figure out a tune. Which is what makes it somewhat a rare occasion for him to go to the library.
Regardless of that fact, the librarian gives him a warm smile as he enters the threshold in his usual large shirt and baggy jeans combo—cap pulled low onto his head. He reaches to adjust the tote bag on his shoulder, its contents shuffling. Jisung decides to take a seat by a corner, dark enough for him to be hidden but with just enough natural light to give make him feel comfy, sunlight streaming from the window a couple steps away from him.
Jisung pulls his laptop out of his bag, letting it load as he digs for a charger. He sets up quickly, his laptop to one side, with his book and pen on his left. Jisung lets the words flow, pausing every now and then to type down any notes on his laptop for further reference and when he gets his guitar.
Time passes by quickly and soon the sun starts to turn orange. Jisung takes that as his queue to pack up, saving his notes and shutting his notebooks. Just as Jisung places his belongings back into his bag, he notices someone making their way onto a seat near Jisung's, and it wasn't just someone.
It was the man Jisung was sure he knew.
But Jisung just knows he doesn't know who the man actually is. Despite the pull in his chest saying otherwise. Jisung huffs in frustration as he throws his tote bag over his shoulder, quickly stepping out of his corner.
And even with his annoyance, Jisung gives a small fleeting smile towards the stranger.
•••
Jisung feels nervous, the buzz of the cafe makes him aware of the fact that not many people really care about the fact he was sitting at the front, mic, and guitar and all.
But that doesn't mean everyone was unaware. Jisung catches the sight of some people looking in his direction curiously and that is enough to make anxiety stir in his stomach. Jisung closes his eyes, gripping onto his guitar, he can do this. He reopens his eyes, this time bringing them to focus where his friends were sitting, excited and ready to hear Jisung perform.
And that was enough to calm the beginnings of anxiety.
Jisung grabs the mic with his palm, "Hey, everyone. I'm Jisung and I'm gonna perform a few of my songs for you all. This is, Alien."
Jisung starts to sing softly, his voice filling the room softly, along with the light strumming of his guitar. Jisung gets lost in the song, and before he knows it, it's over and people are clapping, and people are cheering, and people are smiling, and people are wiping tears—because of his song. Jisung grins softly at the applause, pride filling his chest.
In a flash, the half-hour passes by, with Jisung singing his songs and receiving applause each time. A few tips make their way into the bowl Jisung had set up by the make-shift stage he had, but Jisung couldn't care less about the money right now as he picks up the bowl and strides towards his friends.
Felix grins, pulling Jisung to sit by him, "That was amazing! Can you believe it?"
"I... can, actually," Jisung chuckles, "For some reason, I'm just so happy at the great feedback."
"You gonna keep performing here, you think?" Changbin asks from across from him.
"I don't know," Jisung replies, "Maybe. But I think a place that's less lowkey would be better. So, I guess I'll do some searching."
Chan hums from beside Changbin, "And you'll get in there, I'm sure."
Before Jisung can give the three thanks, a waiter hops up to their table with a tray of their drinks; Jisung reaches for his iced americano immediately, before looking up and spotting—him again.
"That was a great performance," The man compliments cheerfully, "Loved the song." Before Jisung could reply to the impromptu praise or catch a glance at his nametag, the man walks away, leaving Jisung even more confused of his presence. Who was this man?
The next time Jisung visits the cafe, the cashier tells him the stranger quit; leaving him to walk out of the cafe confused and with an iced americano at hand.
•••
Felix was dragging him out to watch a dance performance.
Jisung had pretended to groan and be upset at the mere suggestion, but really, he was kind of happy to have a reason to go out.
He had been cooped up in the little hole in his bedroom, him, and his guitar. He needed some time outside or he might end up going insane.
So, here he was now, outside, in a crowd of people, his head upturned to look at the makeshift stage they had, which was certainly fancy for something that was gonna be removed by the end of the day.
The thumping of footsteps fills the area, and the crowd lessens its noise, welcoming the dancers onto the stage with light applause. The music starts up, the sound booming from the speakers and making Jisung blink in surprise. Soon, the lyrics of To. X was filling in Jisung's ears and he hums along as the dancers on the stage move to the music.
One particular dancer catches Jisung's eye, and it does not take him long to realize it was the same man once more. At this point, it was haunting Jisung at how the man managed to be nearly everywhere Jisung was.
Not that he was upset at it, not at all.
The man's beauty was a sight.
Jisung is mesmerized at how he moves, watching as the man simply just flows with the music, leaving Jisung utterly stunned. Jisung did not know much about dance, but one thing he knew, was that this man was born for it. Before long, the song ends, leaving Jisung breathless at the display.
The set of dancers move away, and the next group enter the stage.
None come close to the stranger.
•••
Jisung wasn't particularly one for night-walks, the ideal kind of night for him would be to be curled up in his bed, with his laptop playing a movie or documentary, along with a bowl of popcorn.
But that doesn't mean he can't appreciate the calmness of night-walks. He keeps his course of walking by the park near the Han River. Watching as couples and groups of friends walk past him, giggling. Jisung ends up taking a seat near where a playground resides, watching a few children scream going down the slide.
Jisung can't help but look wistfully at where a couple sits a few benches down from him, heads huddled close to each other, whispering against each other's lips. Jisung purses his lips, looking away. As much as he tries to convince himself that he's single by choice it was clear by the way his heart slumped watching others love the other, it was just another excuse.
Jisung was tired. He tried, he really tried, to go out, to find someone. But it always ends fucking shitty and leaves him even more heartbroken than before. Maybe he was just destined for the single life, undeserving of such luxury—undeserving of being loved. He really did try, before. But then he gave up.
The divorce of his parents, the way how they really seemed to love each other. All that was gone in just a moment. Jisung didn't want it to, but it really destroyed the perception of love he had in his head.
He looks up to see that the children have left, and now, the swing was occupied by a man in a light blue sweater. The man's face turns up and—oh. It's him again.
Their eyes meet and Jisung thinks, fuck it. He may be a stranger, but something just pulls Jisung towards the man, so Jisung stands up, slowly making his way towards the swing.
•••
His name is Lee Minho and Jisung thinks of him as his best friend.
Soulmate, if you would.
It's been over a year since Jisung had first seen Minho, and only two months since he went up to him at the swing, and now—he was one of the closest friends Jisung's ever had.
Jisung can't say he was a little disappointed at how the only thing he managed to receive from the interaction was close friend, he had certainly found Minho attractive in a... non-platonic way. But this was enough for Jisung, despite the fact his crush his growing, Minho's presence as his friend was amazing.
And Jisung did not want to lose that.
But sometimes he does wonder if he could just turn his head to Minho and kiss him for no reason at all during their movie nights. Hold him in his arms with the purpose of doing something more. Call their meals together an actual date. Tell him that all the love songs he's made and sung are about Minho himself.
Okay, maybe Minho as a friend wasn't enough for Jisung.
But he didn't want to ruin anything. So, for now, Jisung simply lets his hand hold onto Minho, under the precipice of being friends, and only friends.
•••
Sometimes Jisung likes to think Minho likes him too.
Lingering touches whenever they reach for the same item, catching him with his eyes stuck on Jisung across the table, cuddling up under the crook of Jisung's arm whenever they go for their annual movie night, the hand constantly resting on his thigh, or maybe the way Minho would refuse to take of the item of clothing he had borrowed from Jisung from the previous night over.
But Jisung refuses to let his clearly clouded-with-love mind get the best of him.
Instead, he'll focus on what he has now, which is—Minho, himself, and two cups of bubble tea.
He reaches for the cup of boba Minho has on his side of the table, taking a large sip before placing it back in front of Minho.
Minho turns to him with an eyebrow raised, pointing at Jisung's own cup. "You have your own," He states pointedly.
Jisung shrugs, grinning widely, "Yours tastes better." Jisung grabs the cup again, taking another loud slurp—which he regrets when a pearl gets stuck in his throat. Jisung coughs violently as he tries to swallow it, glaring at Minho as he laughs his head off at the situation. Jisung reaches his hand to hit Minho once he clears his throat, still coughing as he attempts to regain his breathing.
"How dare you," Jisung gasps playfully, "What if I had died?"
Minho simply shrugs, "Then you'd deserve it, karma attacks people who steal my boba."
Jisung sips his drink to clear his throat, avoiding any of the boba as he does, "I can't believe you think I should die from taking some of you drink!"
Minho only giggles, taking his straw into his mouth, "It's okay, Sungie, we both know you like having things in your throat anyway."
Jisung is sure an appalled expression makes its way to reach his face; but he can't bring himself to retaliate, not when he feels that dangerously fond feeling warm in his chest—Minho's smile being the reason for it.
•••
Jisung doesn't think he could ever get used to Minho dancing.
It was just the way he moved.
The way his body seemed to flow and fit seamlessly with the music.
Jisung gets lost in it, his eyes tracing over Minho's body from where he dances in front of the mirror of his studio room. He watches as Minho move along to Falling, steps at ease.
Jisung almost misses when the song stops, catching himself in what he thinks was just in time.
"Stop looking at me like that," Minho deadpans, grabbing the hem of his shirt to dab at the sweat on his neck. Jisung forces himself to focus on Minho's face instead, looking up from where he sits on the floor, back against the mirror. "Looking at you like what?" Jisung questions confusedly, starting to slowly stand up.
Minho sighs softly, bringing his hand up to pinch at his ear. "Like you think I hung up all the fucking stars," He resolves with, "I get you're in love with me or something, but it makes it hard to focus on dancing you know?"
Jisung ignores the heat crawling up his neck as he steps towards Minho, "What if I do?"
"What?" Minho asks, tipping his head sideways in confusion.
Jisung reaches Minho and rests a hand on Minho's hip, not ignoring the way a flush reaches Minho's ears—Jisung hums, "Think you hung up all the stars." Jisung moves his other hand to comb through Minho's sweaty hair, catching Minho's eyes following the movement.
Minho's eyes blink rapidly as they search Jisung's, breathlessly replying, "Then I'd say you're quite wrong."
Jisung hums once more, leaning in slightly, his other hand going to rest on Minho's other hip, "Well I do think you hung up all the stars, by the way." Jisung notices how Minho's eyes drop down to his lips; Jisung's tongue darting out slightly to wet his lips as he does. Minho smirks, his arm reaching to rest on Jisung's shoulders.
"Then, you're wrong."
Minho closes the gap between their lips and Jisung—does not regret it one bit.
Something sparks in Jisung's chest when their lips meet, like that weird pull he felt when he used to spot Minho everywhere—is finally satiated and is now exploding within him. Jisung pulls Minho closer to him, kissing with a fervor that can only be described as desperate, the action earning more explosions of effervescence in his chest.
Minho's own lips chase Jisung's, his arms resting onto his neck, and crawling up into his hair, and resting on his waist, and cupping his cheek, and Jisung is so so happy and giddy because of it.
The two of them eventually (and hesitatingly) pull off each other after a few moments, needing a break for oxygen; regardless of that fact, their foreheads rest onto each other’s heavy breaths mixing.
"Did you just kiss me?" Minho asks jokingly, giggling.
"Just shut up and do it again."
•••
"Do you think soulmates are real, Jisung?" Minho asks, curling up by Jisung's side as they tuck for the night.
Jisung smiles fondly at Minho, "Yeah, yeah I do. You know why?"
Minho replies with a hum.
"Because I have you right here," Jisung whispers, tucking a strand of Minho's hair behind his ear, "And fate made sure of that."
(And the two live happily ever after with iced americano, cats, boba tea, and walks in the park, and they just keep on falling for each other.)