Chapter Text
“Alright everybody, don’t forget to do the readings and make a post on the discussion board by next class. Have a good weekend.”
Taehyun looks up from his laptop, which he seems to have just shut. He looks to his left and right, taking in his new surroundings.
Alright, where am I this time? University classroom?
He reopens the laptop and is greeted with a blinking cursor asking for his password. With a sigh, he starts to type whatever he can think of.
Password123 ? No.
YjSbBgHk555 ? Nope.
Yeonbingyutyunning<3 No? Surprisingly, he’s gotten through with that password before…
‘This sign-in option is disabled because of failed sign-in attempts or repeated shutdowns. Use a different sign-in option, or keep your device powered on for at least 2 hours and then try again.’ Well shit. No luck this time I guess. The last few times he was stranded and had to hack into his own devices he somehow had managed to guess the passwords right. Embarrassingly, the sappy passwords about his boyfriends seemed to be universal, or rather, beyond universal.
He looks around at the stuff that surrounds him in hopes that it will give him a clue to where he is, or who he is, really.
He finds his phone in his pocket and is relieved for just a moment before he clicks the power button and it does not immediately light up. It’s actually turned off? Who does that?? He holds the power button and waits for the device to turn on.
‘Your passcode is required when iPhone restarts.’
Great.
He begins the password puzzle again.
5555? Hm no.
9012? No. Damn, that had been right the last two times.
9725? No. That was Taehyun’s current password in his world, which he recently changed when he realized how obvious 9012 was.
0304? No. Figures not.
1234? Nope.
2224?
‘iPhone Unavailable try again in 1 minute.’
While waiting, he searches his backpack for any clues.
A wallet! Ah-ha, there is no mystery he cannot solve. After 10 times of doing this crazy reincarnation shit he somehow has managed to get somewhat of a handle on it.
The first time, he had just lost it. Thankfully, Beomgyu and Soobin were there, not his Beomgyu and Soobin, but other universe Beomgyu and Soobin with spikey shoulders and elf ears and as much kindness and understanding as his own. He was lucky he had ended up there first because they seemed to have more knowledge of otherworldly things than any other versions of themselves had ever had. They practically weren’t even surprised. Elf Soobin just said some ominous ‘it’s time’ kind of thing, and they just went along with it as if Taehyun was supposed to be there.
Of course, Taehyun thought he was just having the most lucid dream ever the whole first time it happened. Despite his insistence that he doesn’t need them to explain what is going on and why he is in a strange, magical world, because obviously this is just a dream, they still helped him figure it out. Spikey Beomgyu did some weird ritual and said that his soul seemed to have been pulled there, but he could not determine the reason. Elf Soobin said he saw glimpses of Taehyun’s future involving many, many reincarnations, but that they were all short-lived so he wouldn’t have to worry too much. Which has been true. He’ll typically show up at a place, have a pretty strange and sometimes interesting day or two, then wake up in his own bed like it never happened.
Almost like a dream. Except that the reincarnation goes both ways. Not only does he end up in some other Taehyun’s body but other Taehyun’s end up in his. Leaving his members to deal with that mess.
The first time, they were so relieved when he woke up, ‘back to normal’. Apparently, he’d been making no sense and ‘spewing random stuff about versejumping’ and was altogether being kind of a stuck-up asshole. Which properly freaked him out. Of course, when he told them about his dream, they all agreed they should just chalk it up to a strange 2-day sleepwalking fiasco and probably never talk about it again. Until it happened again. And again x 10.
Now they’re kind of used to it. They’ve come up with a solid lie that Taehyun has developed debilitating migraines that occur once every two months or so, which get other Taehyuns out of dance practice or other schedules they have. And Taehyun has a short, unusual vacation that he gets to tell his boyfriends all about. Every time it warms their hearts to hear of the various lives Taehyun has lived because somehow, against all odds, in every universe that Taehyun has been dropped in, all five of them are together romantically. Before any of this Taehyun would have never believed in soulmates, and even if he did he would find it hard to believe in one person having four soulmates, but now…he believes. The five of them really are meant to be.
He has come to do the same thing every time he finds himself reincarnated. Find his boyfriends, explain the situation as best as he can and then they help him live as other Taehyun or call in sick from wherever he needs to be. Just knowing they are there, as a constant, allows him to get through this genuinely insane anomaly. Otherwise, he’d seriously lose it.
Taehyun has certainly gained a new skill since this began. Now, already on his eleventh ‘versejump’, his sleuthing abilities are at an all-time high. Opening the wallet, he finds his University ID, which informs him he’s a student a SNU. Damn, good for him. And his wallet has an address! In Busan. Did he grow up in Busan? Weird. Obviously not up to date. His credit cards and loose change do not give any other clues.
The rest of his backpack is pretty much empty save for some pens and pencils and a folder with blank paper for notes. Curse him for being so organized.
At least his phone isn’t disabled anymore. He breathes a deep sigh, considering what the password could be.
4279?
‘iPhone Unavailable Try again in 5 minutes.’
Shit. Well, he can’t just stay here forever. Surely the others also go to his school, so maybe he’ll just be able to run into them. Hopefully.
With that, he packs up his laptop and ventures out of the classroom.
He walks through the corridor and opens a door that seems to go outside. Once outside he just follows a concrete path that other students are walking down. He keeps looking around in hopes to spot a familiar face, and embarrassingly considers that he must look like a lost puppy. He feels like a lost puppy.
At least the campus is pretty. He wanders around aimlessly for probably 20 minutes before he comes to a courtyard full of students eating. He looks across the crowd trying to find a familiar face.
His eyes gravitate to the more rowdy table with a group of around 8 people who are all laughing and talking loudly.
Yeonjun.
Sitting in the middle of the group sits Yeonjun with a bright smile and jet black hair covered by a backward snapback with an equally casual outfit that only he could ever make look as nice as it did. Taehyun breathes a sigh of relief. This day had been a bit much for him. After finding Yeonjun he finally admitted to himself he was starting to get kind of scared about what would happen if he couldn’t find them.
He approached quickly, only stuttering in his step once he got close and questioned how to interrupt. But they probably eat lunch together regularly right? He stepped behind the person who was directly in front of Yeonjun then spoke to get his attention.
“Hey um”, the elder (?) looked up at him. “Can we talk?” He asked jutting a thumb out to request some privacy.
“Um…” Yeonjun stared at him with a surprised, confused look that slowly revealed to amusement as well. “What?”
“Could we just talk privately for a minute? I have something important to talk to you about.”
Yeonjun glanced at those next to him before pointing at himself, “me?”
“Yes you.”
“Um, why?”
“I can’t really explain here.” He gestured to the bodies around them.
“Man, I’m sorry, do I know you?”
Taehyun’s jaw drops almost comically. He feels like freezing water has been poured on him, sending his body into shock. “I- what? You don’t know me?” He stupidly points at himself.
“I’m sorry. Maybe I forgot.” He laughs out loud, looking to those next to him as if they should join in on the joke. They jump to add in their chuckles and some mumbles that are undoubtedly full of judgment. Taehyun can’t hear them over the ringing in his ears. This has never happened before. “How do we know each other?”
He has no answer. “Um, sorry. Do you know Soobin, Choi Soobin?”
Yeonjun shakes his head, raising his eyebrows questioningly, judging. The same look he gets when managers tell them a schedule that’s so packed it’s stupid.
“Huening Kai? Choi Beomgyu?” Two shakes of his head. And a downturn of his lips like he’s now ready for Taehyun to go away and stop bothering them.
One of the others mumbles loudly, “weirdo”.
Yeonjun wholeheartedly laughs at the comment. Taehyun straightens his posture, wiping the shock or any other emotion from his face leaving a cold shell. “You are being kinda weird man. And while we appreciate the live entertainment, I think you should probably walk away now.”
Taehyun does.
He pulls out his phone, staring down at it in confusion. Of course, none of his attempted passwords worked. He punches in a random pattern.
‘iPhone Unavailable Try again in 5 minutes.’
He squeezes it tightly in his hand, resisting the urge to chuck it at the floor. Then slips it into his pocket, walking on.
It was getting late, and he was starting to get hungry so when he passed by a little cafe, he stepped in. He ordered a sweet tea and sandwich, on other Taehyun, who surely can fit the bill for him considering the hell that he has had to go through in only a few hours in his body. Which he is aware is dramatic and bitter but screw it. He needed someone to blame.
And seriously what is this Taehyun doing with himself if his soulmate’s here, studying on the same campus, and they aren’t together? Maybe this Taehyun studies too much and really needs to get his priorities straight. Four amazing boyfriends don’t come without a little bit of sacrifice. And yes, this Yeonjun did seem to be a bit of a jerk, but that’s no excuse.
Taehyun pouts openly with no one to judge him as he sits alone in the corner of the cafe.
After he eats, he fully empties his backpack onto the counter, going through its belongings again. He doesn’t find anything new, though, and defeatedly rests his head on his backpack. He closes his eyes, thinking of the members. He wanted to be back with them. More than he had ever before. His heart missed them desperately. He was looking forward to this morning. They had a late schedule which meant he could sleep in and laze around with them all morning. Instead, he woke up here.
For a brief moment, he considered what their morning must have looked like with other Taehyun. Other Taehyun, who doesn’t even know them. His heart hurt at the thought and he decided to think of other things. How his morning would have looked if he was still with them. How Kai would have fake-pouted at him about spending the night with Yeonjun, and trying to convince him that he needs to make it up to him somehow. Leading to endless possibilities that he probably shouldn’t think about too much in public.
As he soaks in sappy thoughts designed to make himself feel better, he starts to doze off.
“Taehyun!” It rings in his ears like part of the dream he’d been having, before he’s shoved lightly and awakens. He blinks his eyes open, finding a worried-looking Beomgyu and Soobin standing in front of him. He finds he’s still in the cafe, arms lined with red marks from laying on his backpack, his back and neck stiff. But Beomgyu and Soobin are here. And they know who he is.
Thank God.
“Where the hell have you been?” Beomgyu asks.
“Um…” Taehyun blinks, taking a moment for his thoughts to catch up after his immense relief that nearly left him teary-eyed.
“Why haven’t you been answering your phone? We were worried as hell.”
“I’m sorry. It-“ he looks over to his phone lying on the table next to the rest of his scattered belongings. “I can explain.”
He looks over to Soobin, who’s holding a phone to his ear, “Yeah, we found him. He was asleep in a cafe… I think so.”
“Who’s that?” He asks Soobin.
“Who do you think? It’s Kai.”
“Oh.” The overwhelming relief returns. Soobin hands him his phone, and he places it to his ear. “Kai?”
“Taehyunnieee, why didn’t you come home?” Kai’s sickly sweet voice comes through, pout evident in it.
This time, he can’t hold back the emotion, feeling it crawl its way up his throat. “I-“ he answers shakily, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, darling. Was the test that bad?”
Had he been taking a test this morning? “No. I mean, I’m not sure. I just-“ couldn’t find you. “I’ll be home soon and explain, okay?”
He hands the phone back to Soobin. The worried looks in their eyes have increased twofold. “Can we go home please?”
They nod and he starts to shove his stuff in his bag.
When they enter their apartment, Taehyun is immediately greeted with an enthusiastic hug by Kai, which he selfishly returns, soaking in the comfort. Kai here looks largely the same, his hair a bit darker and maybe a little healthier like it had never been dyed. He was wearing a hoodie and sweats which allowed Taehyun to buy the fantasy that this was his own Kai.
Beomgyu and Soobin also had darker hair. He supposed they looked more serious like this. Like men who had never even once considered being idols, they were always destined to be highly educated businessmen or whatever. But they were still them. He could tell even in their short exchanges of words since they found him.
Hell, even Yeonjun still felt like the Yeonjun he knew. More similar to trainee Yeonjun who was all posturing and a well-crafted confidence and ease. But still him, which made this confusing to Taehyun. How were they all together, boyfriends or friends or whatever they were, but they don’t even know Yeonjun? And were they even boyfriends here?
At least one of Taehyun’s inquiries is answered when Kai follows up his soul-crushing hug with an equally enthusiastic kiss.
“Oh, we are together. That’s good.” His relief slips out.
Kai tilts his head like a confused puppy.
Beomgyu chimes in on his behalf with a shrug, “Tyuns being really weird today.”
Taehyun can’t help but ask Beomgyu, gesturing between them, “Are we together? Romantically?”
“What, are you asking me out?”
He can’t help his face dropping slightly, “We’re not?” He turns to Soobin, with a questioning look.
“Okay, seriously, what’s going on? Did you hit your head?” Beomgyu deadpans.
Soobin approaches, with a gentle hand on Taehyun’s arm, “We’re all together Tae... What’s happening?”
“We are?” He looks to Beomgyu, whose playful demeanor is now becoming more disquieted.
“Yeah… are you serious?”
“Are you?”
“Yeah, I was just messing around. Of course, we’re together.”
“Oh, that’s good. Sorry, I’m not normally like this.” It’s been one hell of a day.
“Yeah, we know.” Soobin seems to check him out head to toe, looking for damages, “Are you okay?”
“Um, yes. I can explain.” This was always the toughest part. Really no great way to explain this… “Can we sit?” he gestures to the couch just through the entryway.
“Of course,” Soobin responds, worry still in his wide eyes. The others nod and move to the couch as well.
He sits on the separated, well-loved recliner, turning to them. “If you all could just suspend your beliefs about-- well, everything, for just a minute, what I’m going to explain is honestly pretty unbelievable.”
“Did something happen?”
“You could definitely say that.”
Taehyun raises his hand to stop whatever concerned question Beomgyu would follow up with. “Have you guys seen like Spiderman Into the Spiderverse, or No Way Home, or like Multiverse of Madness, or Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?”
Expectedly, they look at him like he’s crazy.
Soobin answers, “Yeah, I mean, we all watched Spiderman?”
“Okay. Okay. So like there are Spidermans from different universes, where their lives are totally different, but it's the same Spiderman, right?”
“Riiiight…” Beomgyu gives a half-grin, half-grimace.
“And in the movies, something happens, and they all get together. Like universes colliding. Well -- and again, please just try to believe me even if it sounds crazy.” He exhales deeply. “But that is happening to me, right now. I am not the Taehyun from this universe, your Taehyun. I am from a different universe, one where we are all actually in a K-pop group. And I have body-swapped with your Taehyun, or rather mind or soul-swapped”
It’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Their faces reveal they are far from contemplating this as a potential reality.
“It has happened to me before. Many times, actually. I am not entirely sure why. But sometimes I wake up as other Taehyuns from different worlds. It only ever lasts a few days, then I go back to my world. And while I am here, the other Taehyuns become me too. Full swap.”
Kai, with concern evident in his eyes, “Taehyun--”
He cuts him off, already knowing what he’s going to say, “No, I did not hit my head. Or suddenly have some stress-induced amnesia or psychotic break.” he spits out, maybe a little harshly.
Kai looks a little wounded, and quite a bit worried.
Soobin chimes in, “Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go to the hospital anyway. Just to make sure?”
Taehyun sighs, exhausted and defeated, “No. They aren’t going to find anything. I’ve done the hospital thing before. They never find anything. This isn’t something that can be explained medically or scientifically. And you have to believe me because when would I ever admit something can’t be explained scientifically?” Over many swaps, Taehyun has discovered he’s a T through and through. “You don’t have to 100% believe me. Just suspend your belief long enough for it to resolve itself. It doesn’t normally last longer than a few days. I would just need your help with contacting whoever I need to so your Taehyun’s life doesn’t get thrown off by my…visiting.”
Beomgyu snaps out of his stupor, “I suppose either way, if this is true or you're talking crazy talk, you shouldn’t go to school, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, but maybe he should go to the hospital.” the eldest persists.
“I promise you they won’t find anything. I haven’t bumped my head, I’m not concussed or anything. I can walk straight,” he stands and demonstrates, “my pupils aren’t dilated, I’m not dizzy or lightheaded. I’m simply experiencing a strange, mystical phenomenon.”
“That will resolve in a few days.”
He nods.
“Okay, so if I do ‘suspend my beliefs’ and believe you. ‘Our Taehyun’ is in your universe?” Beomgyu asks, always curious about life and its mysteries.
“He is in my universe. With my versions of you guys. Versions who will know what is happening and how to take care of him. He’s safe.” Taehyun doesn’t even know if it’s worth broaching that it would not just be versions of the three of them but also a fourth surprise boyfriend.
“Your universe has other versions of us?”
“Yes. We are boyfriends in my universe as well.”
“For real?” Beomgyu questions, getting side glances from the others who are less quick to believe.
“Yes. In all of the universes I have visited in fact. We have been together, or at least in the flirting stage.” Taehyun unintentionally played matchmaker in that universe, his question about being boyfriends that time, apparently opening up an unspoken can of worms/ deep, unwavering love and pining.
“All four of us?”
“Yes, all of us.” Yeonjun too. Ten worlds and this is the first without Yeonjun. The thought of talking to his Yeonjun about this latest adventure that he wasn’t part of splits his heart in two.
“Whether that’s true or not, the sentiment is rather romantic.”
Taehyun looks to the other two, who have been quiet as Beomgyu pokes and prods.
“So we’re just rolling with this?” Soobin asks.
“Yep.” Beomgyu responds, and Taehyun gives a slight nod.
They end up helping Taehyun get into his locked cell phone (code 0122 smh), pulling up his calendar to find his commitments for the next few days and cancelling them. Thankfully, there were not any major obligations other Taehyun had, and it should be smooth sailing for the few days he is here. The others agreed to move around their schedules so someone would always be around Taehyun, if in fact he did have a major concussion and were to pass out suddenly. Which, frankly, he prefers himself as well, as these otherworldly trips can make him feel out of it and freaked out, and lonely.
Unfortunately, Soobin and Kai do not seem to be warming up to him, avoiding any topics that may veer into talking more about this phenomenon. Oppositely, Beomgyu has tons of questions, admitting himself that he finds the potential truth to be amazing, and if it's not, then he gets ‘an unprecedented view into Taehyun’s subconscious’.
Being able to talk about his universe and his visits to other worlds somehow creates a semblance of normalcy for Taehyun, so he welcomes it.
As has been his previous experience, these three have a mix of similarities and differences with his own versions of them. Notably, they all have dark, healthy hair that has likely never been dyed. Beomgyu’s being the longest, his signature unique wolfcut framing his universally pretty face, another sign that not even SNU can put him in a box. Kai’s hair a dark brunette reminding him of their debut days. From the decor in the apartment, this Kai also has an affinity for cute things, as well as his own natural aegyo. And Soobin, maybe because he was the eldest now in the group, seems to still have a role of leadership. Though in this universe, adorned in a nice button-up and slacks, his aura was a much more serious one.
From Beomgyu, who was open to questioning, he learned that they all had been together for about a year and a half and had moved in together last semester when Kai and Taehyun had started their second school year. Beomgyu himself is studying music composition and education (as a backup), Kai was in veterinary science, and Soobin was double-majoring in psychology and business (because his parents made him). He himself was studying energy resource engineering. Good for him. It sounds like their bond had been forged by trauma bonding about their difficult majors/double majoring after frequently running into each other at the library, coffee shops, and outside classrooms.
Like it was fate, Beomgyu said. And what, fate just decided to do Yeonjun dirty this time? Taehyun thinks bitterly. He kind of wishes he could do something about it, like casually find a way to introduce everyone. Had he not already made the strangest first impression on Yeonjun ever. But if it is fate, maybe they will naturally find their way to one another, or if it isn’t in the cards in this universe…maybe he shouldn’t interfere. In previous universes, he always does his best to be as unobtrusive as he can be. And nevertheless, is two days really enough time to plot and execute a meet-cute involving five people?
Beomgyu and him eventually decide to call it a night, pausing their contemplation of all the complexities of the universe. The others had already gone to bed, though Taehyun suspected it was less because they were tired as much as they needed space from the whole situation.
Nevertheless, he enters the bedroom that Beomgyu directs him to that this Taehyun shares with Kai.
Kai lays on the bed and glances up from his phone, then quickly looks back at it again, before letting his gaze wander back to Taehyun, worry evident in his eyes.
Taehyun decides to try to break the tension, “I heard you’re studying to be a vet… Would you want to conduct an exam? Y’know, to make sure I’m fine?
Kai hesitates, “I… okay fine.” He gets up, quickly grabbing what looks like a fancy black first aid kit and pulling out various supplies. Kai’s test involves shining an unnecessarily bright light in his eyes, checking his vitals, and staring scrutinizingly at him for a long time. He looks him rather intensely in the eyes, “strip.”
“Um…why?”
“I want to make sure you aren’t injured.”
With a sigh, he takes off his shirt and pants, honestly not too affronted because it's Kai. Surely this Kai has seen this Taehyun’s body hundreds of times. Knows it much better than he knows it honestly. He does a slow 360 turn, showing off his not bruised nor broken body.
Kai humphs, putting his supplies back in his bag and sitting back on the bed. “You seem okay. I hope you’re okay.”
“I am.” Taehyun hurts seeing his hurt. “Thank you for checking.”
Kai nods slightly and lays down to sleep.