Work Text:
The annual soulmate finding festival had begun, and Heesung was feeling worse than ever.
“I mean– what the fuck kinda color is chartreuse?” He complained, fixing his pink hair in front of the mirror.
Jaekyung snorted. “Don’t worry. I’m sure someone else will also have that knock-off lime color.”
“Easy for you to say! You already found your little boyfriend.” Heesung scoffed, stepping away from the mirror to keep complaining on the couch.
Earlier that week, every seniors’ “soulmate color” had been revealed. Most people in his class – like Jaekyung, who’s soulmate was his best friend, Kim Dan – had found their soulmate right away. Heesung was not that lucky.
Now, Saturday, their school had been the one to host the annual soulmate finding festival. Schools from all over the district brought their students to help them find their soulmate easier.
Jaekyung enjoyed making fun of Heesung’s demise, but could also sense this was a big deal for him. He walked past Heesung, patting him on the shoulder as he did so. He opened the door to the star trailer, glancing at Heesung for a second.
“I’m sure they’ll be here. Whoever your soulmate is.” He said, voice surprisingly sure. “In the meantime, just make sure you're ready for the presentation.”
Heesung nodded. “Thanks, man.”
Jaekyung walked out, the door shutting behind him. Heesung made sure he was done and ready to go out and present.
Every year, the hosting school chose two seniors to present a speech about the soulmate colors and whatnot. This year, it was him and Jaekyung.
Heesung walked out the star trailer, reciting the speech to himself quietly as he made his way to the main area. They were finishing up the setup on the stage.
He chatted with some teachers, nerves threatening to come out from his mouth as he saw more and more students arriving.
soulmate color: red
blue
purple
green
brown
Yet none of them had chartreuse.
He knew he had a soulmate. He wouldn’t have gotten a color if he didn’t. The question was where they were.
“Heesung!” Called one his teachers, a checklist in her hand. “Follow me, you’re supposed to be backstage.”
Heesung nodded, following after her.
💚💚💚
“Only you would get that color.” Daehyun joked, and Yoongu punched him on the arm playfully.
“This sucks..” He whined, leaning on his friends. “We have to walk in this cold for hours!!!”
Changmin rolled his eyes playfully. “Think positive. Your future partner’s somewhere here, walking and desperately looking for you!”
“I think I’m about to get heatstroke. My heart’s beating so fast and I wanna throw up!” Yoongu cried.
Junbeom raised a brow. “It’s not hot, though–”
“Look! There’s the stage.” Yoongu said, pointing and suddenly feeling a lot better. “Looks like they’re reciting. There’s a few students in there.”
They kept walking, snapping photos and playing around. There were several different games and roller coasters that wouldn't get stuck in the cold. The hosting school must be pretty rich to afford these things.
Before they knew it, the stage was ready. They begrudgingly walked back, despite wanting to ride all the rollercoasters and get overly-sweetened funnel cakes.
They found the area their school was supposed to be sitting in – near the very back – and sat down together. The sun was beginning to set, the already cold weather becoming slightly colder now that the sun was leaving.
Soon enough, everyone quieted down. Two seniors walked out from the red curtains. Yoongu squinted to see what their colors were, out of curiosity. But they were too far away.
But, weirdly, Yoongu felt the same nausea again.
💚💚💚
Heesung pushed down the nerves again, swallowing hard as he stepped up to the microphone first. Jaekyung trailed behind.
He never got nervous in front of crowds, so why was he this way now?
Heesung cleared his throat, heart beating.
“Good evening and happy Saturday, everyone!” He said, and the crowd responded with cheers. He smiled, willing himself to focus on the feeling of speaking and being the center of attention.
“Today, February 14th, we celebrate the annual soulmate finding festival! Some students may have already found their forever partner,” He motioned to Joo Jaekyung, who smirked.
Heesung stepped away from the mic, letting Jaekyung take over now.
“I sure did. And, man, am I lucky..” He said, smiling at a specific someone in the crowd. Kim Dan smiled back, blowing a kiss.
“But if you didn’t, like someone I know,” He joked, glancing at Heesung who was trying desperately to hide his nervousness with a smile. “They could be here now. Don’t lose hope, and keep searching.”
Heesung went back toward the mic, wrapping an arm around Jaekyung’s shoulders like they’d practiced.
“Most importantly, enjoy today!” He cheered, receiving several cheers from the crowd.
Sofia by Clairo began softly playing through the speakers as all the students stood up from their seats.
Heesung and Jaekyung stayed on the stage, bowing dramatically before running back behind the curtains and exiting behind the stage.
Wishing that you were mine. Pull you in, it’s alright..
Once they were out, they were met with Kim Dan. Jaekyung smiled wide, wrapping him up in a hug as his boyfriend squealed and congratulated him on his speech.
Heesung couldn’t help but smile at the sight. He would’ve loved to take pictures of them, but he was feeling too nauseous to stay any longer.
“I’m out! I’ll meet you guys later.” He said, hearing them say goodbye as he walked back into the stage and to the bathroom inside it.
He didn’t throw up at all. He felt perfectly fine about a minute later. He made his way outside and was beginning his walk to where all the seats were. Suddenly, he heard a few students talking and laughing. They weren’t from his school, he guessed.
“Guess we’re waiting for Yoongu.. can’t believe he feels nauseous enough to throw up in a porta potty.” One of them laughed.
Nauseous, huh? He thought.
“Hey, maybe he’ll meet his soulmate on the way there.” Another joked. “But really, what the hell kinda color is chartreuse?”
Heesung froze. This student – Yoongu – could possibly be his soulmate.
The student’s laughter started getting fainter, and Heesung sped up his walking. Yet, when he finally got to the seating area, the other guys were gone.
As if the playlist was designed just to make fun of him, Right Side Of My Neck by Faye Webster started to play.
Heesung groaned, deciding to search for those students, or Yoongu. Whoever he saw first.
The right side of my neck still smells like you..
💚💚💚
Yoongu stepped out of the porta potty, sighing as the air hit his face. He hadn’t thrown up for some weird reason. He walked around until he found his friends, who teased him relentlessly about his constant nausea.
They walked around for something to do before coming across a “matchmaking” booth. A light brown-haired boy sat on a stool behind the table.
A speaker beside him played Like Real People Do by Hozier.
Good choice. Yoongu thought to himself as they stepped up and said hello. The boy introduced himself as Kim Dan, and he was the epitome of an Angel.
The boy had a small picture of him and the black-haired boy from the stage sitting on the table.
“Is that your soulmate?” He asked, curious.
Kim Dan nodded. “Yep! We were hanging out a while ago, but I left to attend my booth.” He explained as he took a checklist out of his bag.
“Alright, your names and colors?”
The four boys said their names and colors, Kim Dan stopping for a second when Yoongu said his.
“Say, have you found your soulmate yet?” He asked, pretending to just be curious. In reality, his brain had recognized the color’s name.
“Nope.” He shook his head.
Dan nodded. “Shall I take a picture of the four of you separately? You can write your numbers on the bottom and I’ll hang them behind me. Just in case your soulmate happens to walk by.”
They agreed, each taking a turn to get their picture taken.
Some by Steve Lacy played as Dan hung up their pictures.
Baby, can I have some of your love?..
They wrote down their phone numbers and said goodbye. They decided some funnel cakes would be good now.
As soon as they walked away, Dan sent a quick message to his boyfriend.
Hey, what was Heesung’s soulmate color again?
💚💚💚
“I can’t helpppp falling in love with youuuu!!!” A girl sang, her friends cheering her on as she sang her off-key karaoke. Heesung stopped to watch, just for a second.
She wasn’t horrible. Maybe he could get her singing lessons. Talent like that couldn’t be wasted.
She finished her song, the next already beginning. She handed the mic to her friend, who chose the song that was starting.
The intro to Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars started, and the girl’s voice was beautiful. Near the end, she paused, surprised.
“I feel nauseous! My soulmate’s close!” She screamed, and her friends squealed and cheered at the same time. They all began walking away, Bruno Mars long forgotten.
Heesung’s attention focused on what the girl had said. Wait, was that the reason he’d been feeling this way earlier?
If that was the case, then how many times had he just barely passed by his soulmate?
Shit. He grunted.
He needed to confirm this was it. And the best person to ask would be Jaekyung. He immediately took his phone out, clicking on the contact “Jaekyung 🐴”
He answered after 2 rings, annoyed as always.
“What–”
“Jaekyung, before you realized Dan was your soulmate, did you feel nervous or even nauseous around him?”
“Obviously, he was my crush.”
“No! I mean, like.. like horribly nauseous. Can’t breathe or focus, kind of nauseous.”
Jaekyung hesitated on the other line.
“Now that I think about it, yes. I felt lightheaded near him, but it all went away as soon as I was far from him or directly next to him. Why?”
Heesung gasped. This whole time, he’d been brushing past his one and only.
“Heesung, Kim Dan just texted me. He asked what your color was.”
Heesung froze. “He did?”
“Yes. I told him your color and he’s typing right now.”
What were the chances Kim Dan had met Heesung’s soulmate before him?
Jaekyung let out a breath, and Heesung’s stomach tightened.
“Do you know where Dan’s booth is?” Joo asked on the other line.
“Yeah, why?”
“Go, now. He knows who your soulmate is.”
::
Everyone adores you, at least I do..
Heesung sprinted his way to Dan’s booth, breathing heavily as he slowed to a stop. The other boy held a picture in his hand, handing it to Heesung.
Heesung looked at the picture over and over again. The boy was, to say the least, beautiful. According to the bottom of the picture, his name was Hwang Yoongu. His color was – what a surprise – chartreuse.
Yoongu, he realized. The boy those students were talking about. It’s him.
He let out a gasp of relief, laughing.
“Holy crap.. thank you Dan!” He said, hugging the other boy. Dan smiled.
“Don’t thank me! Go find your boyfriend.. his number’s written below his name and color.”
Heesung nodded. “But first.. can I also see his friend’s numbers?”
💚💚💚
Yoongu drank his hot chocolate, feeling instantly warmer while he chatted with his friends.
In a few minutes, the dance should start. They’d passed by the school’s gymnasium, where the dance would be in, and it was almost ready.
Daehyun suddenly got a call, answering it reluctantly.
The other boys couldn’t hear what the other person was saying, but Daehyun looked surprised for a second.
“Really?” He said. “Oh, alright. No worries! I’ll let you know.”
He hung up the call, nodding to his friends.
“Should we start walking to the gymnasium?”
Everyone nodded, and they were on their way.
💚💚💚
He’s not here yet. Heesung thought as he helped out with some last minute things inside the gym. Students were beginning to walk inside, deciding to be early and save their spots on the bleachers.
Jaekyung and Kim Dan walked in, immediately heading over to the pink-haired boy.
“Any luck?” Jaekyung asked. Dan filled him in on the way there.
“I called one of his friends and explained everything. They should be on their way.” He said. “When he comes, how should I approach him?”
“Just be yourself. He’s your soulmate, he won’t hate you.” Joo said.
Easier said than done. Heesung thought, but he didn’t reply. Because the same feeling of nervousness came back. It wasn’t too intense yet, but it confirmed they were outside or beginning to walk in.
“He’s here.” He told his friends, and they urged him to go.
Just in time. The lights began to dim, making everything more romantic. He felt his phone vibrate, checking it immediately. It was Yoongu’s friend, Daehyun.
Daehyun: We’re walking in.
A woman’s voice filled the intercom.
“Welcome, scholars!” She cheered. “Many of you have been waiting for this day; getting to dance to romantic songs, hopefully with the love of your life. Well, it’s now time for that!”
A bunch of students screamed happily.
“I won’t hold you guys from celebrating any longer. Have fun!”
Another text.
Daehyun: He said he’s nauseous. He’s going to the bathroom.
A song Heesung didn’t bother remembering the name of began to play. He didn’t think twice as he rushed to the bathroom, pushing past anyone.
He made it just as Yoongu was also approaching the bathroom door. He sped up a little, reaching out for the door handle just as Yoongu was too.
Their hands touched, Yoongu flinching and pulling his way.
“Sorry!” He said, looking away in embarrassment.
Heesung couldn’t help but find the action cute. He smiled.
“Yoongu?” He said, and the boy looked up at him. He could tell the exact moment Yoongu processed what color the boy in front of him had.
“You… you’re..” he stuttered. “You're my..”
“I’m your soulmate. I’ve been searching for you this whole time.” He admitted, feeling embarrassed. Yoongu reached out, holding Heesung’s hand in his.
“Do you still feel sick?” Heesung asked.
Yoongu shook his head. “No..”
“Do you want to dance with me?”
💚💚💚
When disco plays our tune..
Yoongu couldn’t tell what was the most shocking.
The fact he’d seen his soulmate during the speech and just now actually met him, or that he’d been searched for this whole time.
Heesung held one of his hands as they moved through the crowd.
‘Cause there’s nothing like it,
They made it to the center, and Heesung reluctantly let go of Yoongu’s hand. Yoongu stepped closer, until Heesung could wrap his arms around him.
Not like the way you move..
They danced slowly, maybe even a little out of coordination with each other. But neither cared. Not anymore.
I can try, but I can’t hide it from you.
“What are we?” Heesung asked, voice hopeful.
“What do you mean?” Yoongu asked, pretending to be clueless so Heesung had to spell it out.
“I mean, are we dating?”
‘Cause I can’t wait for you..
Yoongu smiled, resting his head against Heesung’s shoulder. His soulmate blushed.
“Let’s take it slow..” he replied. “We’re soulmates, but there’s no harm in courting first.” He joked, but Heesung took it seriously.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” He smiled.
I can’t wait for you..
::
Four months later..
“So, we missed each other at least 3 times?” Yoongu said incredulously.
“Apparently.” Heesung said. “Jaekyung will never let me live it down.”
The boys walked to Yoongu’s house after a date to the movies. Heesung pointed a mini fan at Yoongu’s face so he wouldn’t be hot.
They’d been discussing their lives after high school, and now they’d been out of it for about a week. Heesung wanted to live with him, but wouldn’t propose it out of fear of pressuring Yoongu. Little did he know, his soulmate felt the same way.
They made it to the door, and both of the boys stood there awkwardly. As if neither of them wanted to walk away from the other.
“Have a good.. rest of your day. Or night.” Heesung said, awkward. He could deal with crowds, but one look from Yoongu and his heart was racing.
Yoongu smiled, standing on his tippy toes and kissing Heesung. Quick. Not at all what Heesung would’ve hoped for for their first kiss. But a kiss was a kiss.
Heesung blushed a deep shade of red as Yoongu pulled away with a smile.
“See you tomorrow?”
“Y..yeah.”
The black-haired boy walked into his home, shutting the door gently behind him. Heesung must’ve stood there for 10 minutes before making his way home with a huge smile on his face.