#jongin soulmates!au | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kpopfanfictrash · 8 years ago

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99 and Marlowe

Author: kpopfanfictrash

Pairing: You / Jongin

Genre: Soulmates!AU (kWritersNet May Prompt) + Angst

Prompt: “You can’t eat solids, only liquids until Thursday.”

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 4,158

*Marlowe578 has entered the chat room* [10:24 PM]

Marlowe578: hey 99, you there? [10:26 PM]

Marlowe578: just watched West World and thought it was complete crap [10:28 PM]

*99problemsBUTaSnitchaintone has entered the chat room* [10:28 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: I shouldn’t be surprised by this. I know you hate everything, but I let myself hope. [10:29 PM]

Marlowe578: I refuse to be lectured by a child. It was just so impractical… If the robots were that terrifying, why didn’t they just burn them or destroy them? [10:30 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: See, this is what’s wrong with you old folk. Thinking you know everything. Nothing is new. Tell me, Marlowe – have you ever seen a robot? [10:32 PM]

Marlowe578: I’ve seen Christopher Walken, that’s pretty damn close [10:33 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: lol [10:33 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: There was nothing you liked about it??? [10:34 PM]

Jongin sits back, almost smiling in the light of his computer screen. 99 is young, that much is obvious by her ellipses and hyperbole. Everything is new, fresh and intense with her. Maybe that’s why Jongin enjoys her company. He knows 99 is a she from a slip-up she made once, accidentally sending him her grocery list instead of a novel attachment. Jongin opened it and nearly choked – tampons and avocados being the first and second items on that list.

If he doubted 99 was a female before, he didn’t then. You were, of course apologetic. Sending cringe emojis and memes until Jongin finally typed STOP in all capitals. That did it – rarely did Jongin express emotion outside of bored amusement, so when he did people tended to listen.

These days though, if Jongin delves into anything deeper than antipathy it’s near impossible to escape.

Jongin sets his fingers against the keyboard.

Marlowe578: The special effects of West World were cool [10:36 PM)

99problemsBUTaSni…: Wow, hopeless [10:36 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Is that all you wanted to say? Message me and shit on my favorite TV show? [10:37 PM]

Marlowe578: hey, you’ve shat on plenty of my favorite things in the past [10:38 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Name one!!! [10:38 PM]

Marlowe578: Tesla, Schubert, Oscar Wilde, Proust… [10:39 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: I said one [10:40 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Also, only pretentious people like Proust [10:41 PM]

Marlowe578: why hello, pot. Calling the kettle black. [10:41 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: hahaha Okay, I apologize. You gave me one suggestion that I love, so I thank you [10:42 PM]

Marlowe578: you’re welcome for your introduction to higher culture [10:43 PM]

Jongin sits back, tapping his fingers against his wooden desk he’s had since 1982. He met 99 on accident when he entered the wrong chat room. Jongin was rather disgruntled at finding himself knee-deep in some Young Adult vampire teen novel and didn’t fail to make his displeasure known. As soon as he did though, 99 appeared.

Jongin was called a snob, a nitwit and a newt amongst other things that night. Most of her insults left him gaping, staring open-mouthed at his screen. The creativity of 99 was astounding, as was the speed with which she typed. Her words flowed like water, the sudden barrage of insults made all the more impressive by her fault-free grammar. Jongin actually laughed, the first time in a long time such a thing had happened and that was the beginning of his and 99’s friendship.

Sometime after that Jongin ended up telling her about the movie his URL was based on. Only Lovers Left Alive, a vampire movie released a few years back which still gave Jongin chills every time he watched it. His URL was an ode to a side character, Christopher Marlowe. In the film Marlowe is a vampire who writes most of Shakespeare’s plays in the sixteenth century.

Marlowe578.

The Marlowe part comes from the movie, 578 being the year in which Jongin was born.

It’s not unheard of, living for multiple centuries. Fifteen centuries, though – Jongin sighs. He’s an anomaly. Maybe it’s why he relates so much to that vampire movie. 99 is typing, Jongin watches her ellipses blink as he stretches his arms overhead. The noise of the city drifts through his open window, the only sound helping him sleep at night.

Jongin can’t relax without the background noise, without distractions that don’t require actual participation. It’s why he continues to lose himself in his worlds – in fiction, science, anything that’s not real life. It was a long time ago Jongin stopped caring for the real world. The real world hasn’t really worked out all that well for him.

Soulmate. The concept is intriguing, if somewhat unrelatable to Jongin at the moment. The idea of one person you’re destined for, another human who completes you. In a world with 7.3 billion people though, what’s the chance you’ll find that person during your lifetime?

Jongin imagines those odds would be slim, if it weren’t for the freezing. The freezing is the point where people age until twenty-ish and then just… stop. Halting their decay until meeting their other half. Once they find them, their soulmate – they start to age again. Slowly. Together. Jongin has searched for this person for 1,439 years. Frozen with this face, this body until his soulmate is found.

It seems like a long time, if he stops to think about it. It’s at the point though, where the passage of time has dulled any fear or sadness Jongin feels about his existence.

The saddest part of eternity is having to spend it alone. His parents, sister, friends – they’re all gone. Jongin watched them meet their soulmates. Watched them grow old, have families and eventually die. With each death, he felt the uncertain chasm inside him widen.

99 is young still.

99problemsBUTaSni…: I watched Only Lovers Left Alive again [10:44 PM]

Jongin sits up to respond.

Marlowe578: It’s one of my favorite things to introduce others to a thing that they love [10:45 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Is that what you do for a living? Professional hobby-finder? You might want to start with Trump. He seems bored, trolling Twitter and whatnot [10:46 PM]

Marlowe578: sigh. 99, I was trying to enjoy my evening. Now I’m over here thinking about a pumpkin tyrant [10:48 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: LOL sorry. So, did you leave the house today? [10:49 PM]

Jongin glares at his screen, hands falling off his keyboard. 99 knows his age, knows how antipathetic he is towards the world and seems to take certain pleasure in teasing him. Not in a mean way, 99 is never mean. She isn’t malicious even when she’s calling him a sniveling, cowardly nincompoop. She’ll say all this and apologize moments later saying she doesn’t know what came over her and really hopes you have a nice day.

99 enjoys pushing Jongin’s buttons. Loves finding his triggers and making him angry, happy, sad. Her pushing has led Jongin to do some rather stupid things over the past year. Bungee jumping, line dancing, going to the circus. All of which Jongin was instructed to report back following. That’s how long he’s been talking to 99 for now – just over a year.

Marlowe578: I left the house. Went to the park, stared at a few squirrels and wondered how it’s possible they haven’t evolved in over 1,000 years [10:51 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: But why would they need to? They’ve got us humans feeding them, extending their species [10:52 PM]

Marlowe578: true. The park was too sunny. I squinted at various children and ended up going home [10:53 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: It must be so strange to see you in person, since you’re an actual grandpa trapped in the body of a young adult. Does Hollywood know about you? [10:55 PM]

Marlowe578: we can’t all be a few years past our freeze date, still confident that the world will do right by us [10:56 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: : ( [10:56 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: She’s out there, Marlowe. I know she is. [10:57 PM]

Jongin shuts his eyes. Keeping them closed until there’s another ping from his computer.

99problemsBUTaSni…: If she never shows though, at least you’ll have me [10:58 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: an actual bundle of sunshine! [10:58 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: the queen of quips! [10:59 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: the gatherer of geniality! [10:59 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: the minister of magic! No, wait that’s different [11:00 PM]

Marlowe578: let me know when you’re done [11:00 PM]

Marlowe578: … jester of joviality [11:01 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Omg a JOKE? A JOKE! THIS, FROM THE MONARCH OF MONOTONE [11:02 PM]

Marlowe578: I don’t want to admit I’m laughing, but I am [11:03 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Good! Haha okay Marlowe, got to go – sleep is calling. Tell me the new thing you do tomorrow, k? [11:05 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: night! [11:05 PM]

Marlowe578: night [11:06 PM]

*99problemsBUTaSnitchaintone has exited the chat room* [11:07 PM]

Marlowe578: sweet dreams [11:09 PM]

Jongin stares blankly at the page. Quickly, he shuts his laptop.

His bedroom is dark and he rubs his eyes, staring out the window at the concrete beyond. 99 isn’t real, she’s just a fantasy. An online persona, a portion of human that’s not whole. They might be friends, they might be friendly – but definitely no more than that.

99 wouldn’t think of Jongin in that way, anyways. She’s still in that phase of her life where everything is new, everything is exciting. Where possibility lies around every corner and the idea of her soulmate is still somewhere far in the future. A hypothetical concept, rather than tangible.

Jongin stands, stripping his t-shirt to toss this in a corner. His pants quickly follow, leaving him naked but for his boxers. As Jongin collapses on his bed, he stares up at the ceiling. Planning methodically for what he’ll do tomorrow.

Breakfast, sure. Eggs or maybe toast. He’ll work from home since Jongin is a computer engineer, one who takes government projects when he feels like it – mainly whenever he’s bored. It’s not like Jongin needs the money at this point, it’s more that he doesn’t like being idle. Jongin made his fortune early on. It’s not too difficult to do, given enough time and real estate. Jongin just likes working, likes something to do with his time that’s not thinking about the one thing he doesn’t have.

Jongin falls asleep slowly, the hum of his computer mingling with the street outside. Drifting over in waves until softly, he’s pulled under.

Jongin’s computer pings first the next night.

*99problemsBUTaSnitchaintone has entered the chat room* [10:50 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Marlowe, are you up? [10:51 PM]

*Marlowe578 has entered the chat room* [10:53 PM]

Marlowe578: good evening [10:54 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Marlowe… sigh. Today was absolute shit. [10:55 PM]

Jongin blinks at his cursor. This is unusual. Normally it’s 99 who consoles him, not the other way around. Slowly, he lowers his hands.

Marlowe578: what happened? [10:56 PM]

99 starts to type, then stops. Jongin pictures her erasing. Lowering her head in frustration before typing again.

99problemsBUTaSni…: My boyfriend broke up with me. [10:59 PM]

Jongin falls back in his seat. Ah. There it is, the answer to the question he didn’t even know how to ask. 99 is taken – or she was. It appears she’s now single, very much so. Bending forward, Jongin types back.

Marlowe578: he’s an idiot [11:00 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: He’s actually very intelligent. He went to a prestigious university, scored highly in standardized testing. [11:02 PM]

Marlowe578: an intelligent, emotionally stunted idiot [11:04 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: haha [11:04 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: I guess I knew this was coming. We’ve been dating for over a year and … no fireworks. No spark, no buzz, no zap. Aren’t you supposed to feel a zap when you meet your soulmate? [11:06 PM]

Marlowe578: you make it sound like a bug spray [11:06 PM]

Jongin stares at the screen for a while longer before he types again.

Marlowe578: my sister said it felt like sunshine. She was in the shade, beneath a giant elm tree when her skin… she said it glowed. Glowed, when she met him. [11:08 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: You have a sister? [11:09 PM]

Marlowe578: *had [11:10 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Oh, fuck. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. This whole thing just … I’m sorry. My problems are unimportant, compared to that [11:13 PM]

A smile crosses Jongin’s lips.

Marlowe578: don’t be sorry. It’s not often I get to talk about her. She’s been gone a long time now [11:14 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: I’m still sorry [11:15 PM]

Marlowe578: stop. Tell me what happened [11:16 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Well. He wasn’t my soulmate. I never felt that glow, I guess. But I still cared… He didn’t seem to think caring was enough [11:18 PM]

Jongin’s fingers curl into fists and he very slowly releases them. It’s infuriating anyone would hurt 99. She gives so much of herself – gives so easily and without judgement. Jongin wishes he could be like that. It’s not just the passage of time that’s made him this way – even when he was young, he was scared to be alive.

Scared of going outside his comfort zone, in case he was rejected. The idea of someone hurting 99 for being what Jongin never could be, makes him furious.

Marlowe578: he’s stupid if he thinks the love of soulmates is the only love that matters. All love is important, not just his [11:20 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Believe it or not, you just made me feel better J [11:22 PM]

Marlowe578: good. [11:23 PM]

Jongin settles back to stare at his screen. He’s about to say more when she responds.

99problemsBUTaSni…: Do you ever get scared? Scared your soulmate has already come and gone and somehow you missed them [11:25 PM]

Jongin can’t quite breathe. Without realizing it, 99 has hit upon the exact fear which keeps him up at night. What if his soulmate has already happened? What if they were already born, in the middle of living when they met their end. Though their bodies freeze around twenty, humans are still susceptible to harm.

Death by gunshot, stabbing, drowning, hanging. Anything could have happened to his soulmate – sweeping them from his life before they even entered. Leaving Jongin to be faced with an endless existence until his body disintegrates into the sun. He’ll never know that connection, never find the peace he craves. Somewhat shakily, Jongin types.

Marlowe578: Every day, 99. Every day I’m scared. [11:28 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Well. At least I’m not alone, then [11:29 PM]

Marlowe578: As long as I’m here, 99. You’ll never be alone [11:30 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Same. [11:31 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: I’m going to go to sleep, Marlowe… I’m exhausted. [11:32 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Thank you [11:32 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: For being here [11:32 PM]

Marlowe578: you’re welcome. [11:33 PM]

Marlowe578: goodnight [11:34 PM]

*99problemsBUTaSnitchaintone has exited the chat room* [11:35 PM]

The next day, Jongin leaves his apartment. Maybe it’s 99’s influence, maybe it’s something else entirely. For whatever the reason, he decides to eat lunch outside. There’s a deli 99 told him about he’s been meaning to try. The problem has always been that they’re only open at lunchtime and don’t deliver – so it means Jongin would be forced to go in person.

When he steps out on the sidewalk, he squints uneasily into the sun before catching himself. He should at least try to be present. Walking through the city is disorienting. It’s crowded and noisy, two things Jongin greatly dislikes. If it weren’t for background noise, he would have left long ago.

The hustle and bustle flows around him, easing Jongin into the tide of people. He allows himself to be carried, pulled along by this wave of humanity. The deli is a few blocks away and Jongin manages to arrive relatively unscathed. Unscathed but for one, rather unsettling incident which occurs when he’s nearing the building.

It’s one block away when he feels it. The day is sunny, so for a second Jongin thinks he’s stepped from the shade. Thinks his jacket is too heavy but then – the oddest sensation passes over him. A light tingling starting at the base of his neck before wrapping around his chest, wrapping around his torso. It spirals down his arms, caressing his fingertips as Jongin’s gaze snaps up.

There’s so many people though – too many to see through and Jongin stumbles, gaze darting every which way. Though he moves fast, pushed on by the bustling crowd, the tingling begins to fade away. Soon it’s nothing and outside the sandwich shop Jongin comes to a halt. It’s been so long. Hundreds and hundreds of years and now that the moment is here, Jongin can barely think.

After a few minutes of standing there wild-eyed, he becomes aware he’s garnering attention. Slowly Jongin ducks into the deli, head buzzing as he steps up to the counter. He ends up ordering the completely wrong sandwich. It’s impossible to think, given the situation. Impossible to sit here in this small shop and eat so Jongin ends up taking his sandwich with him. Walking dazedly back to his apartment as he struggles with the nausea in his body.

What if he just lost his soulmate for good?

No – straightening his shoulders, Jongin takes a deep breath. This is good, this is a good thing. Jongin’s soulmate exists. They exist, they’re here and they’re in this city. Excitement growing, Jongin slowly – for the first time in years – allows himself a bubble of hope.

Later that night, his computer pings.

*99problemsBUTaSnitchaintone has entered the chat room* [10:05PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Marlowe!!!!!!!! [10:06 PM]

*Marlowe578 has entered the chat room* [10:07 PM]

Marlowe578: your apartment had better be on fire [10:07 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: What, why? [10:08 PM]

Marlowe578: only a fire can warrant eight exclamation points [10:09 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: har-dee-har. If my apartment were on fire, why would I be chatting you about it? [10:10 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Anyways, I digress. Marlowe, something weird happened today [10:11 PM]

Marlowe578: what happened? [10:12 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Okay I’m going to sound crazy but… I think I passed my soulmate [10:13 PM]

Jongin can’t breathe. Can’t do anything but stare at the screen. His room is suddenly too small, too claustrophobic and for a solid minute he stares.

99problemsBUTaSni…: Marlowe? [10:14 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Okay, I’m just going to tell you anyways. I was going to get coffee and this amazing warmth came over me… this tingling. I was warm and I was tingling and before you even make a joke no, I didn’t need to pee [10:16PM]

Slowly, Jongin exhales. 99 was going to get coffee. 99 passed her soulmate on her way to get coffee. There’s no way it could have been Jongin, since Jongin didn’t even leave his apartment before lunch. Slowly, he lowers his fingers to type. Jongin’s head feels heavy, his thoughts numb and for some reason he’s disappointed.

Marlowe578: did you see his face? wow, 99 [10:17 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Your enthusiasm astounds me. LOL no, I didn’t see his face. Just, you know – *the feeling* I think I’ll stake out the place tomorrow. See if he shows up [10:18 PM]

Marlowe578: you should do that [ 10:19 PM]

Jongin looks suddenly away from his screen. As he stares out the window he wonders why he’s feeling so upset by this. He hasn’t been upset by something in a long time and besides, he also encountered his soulmate today. Jongin also passed his soulmate and should feel excited by this. He should want to tell 99 all it, instead of worrying about the fact that 99 might very soon be leaving him.

Jongin turns back to his screen.

Marlowe578: 99, I’m tired. I’m going to sleep but we’ll talk tomorrow, ok? [10:21 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Oh. Yeah, sorry! Sleep well [10:22 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Marlowe, wait [10:23 PM]

*Marlowe578 has exited the chat room* [10:23 PM]

99problemsBUTaSni…: Marlowe…. what if you aren’t sure you want to meet your soulmate? [10:23 PM]

When Jongin wakes, he doesn’t let himself to think about his conversation with 99. Instead he showers, repeating his daily routine and quietly redirecting his thoughts every time they stray to 99. Today she’ll find her soulmate. Today she’ll leave him and Jongin will be alone. He might as well get used to that fact.

Around lunchtime, Jongin decides to walk towards the deli. If he’s going to be alone for the rest of his life, he might as well be alone with someone else. The thought makes him wince. This is depressing. His soulmate is a soulmate for a reason. They’re meant for him, he’s meant for them. The thought makes his stomach sink though, worry growing heavier with each step.

When Jongin enters the deli, he pulls the rim of his baseball cap lower. Staring at the other customers while trying to appear as though he’s not. He orders an iced coffee, taking a seat towards the back and watching people enter from the street. Nothing happens though, no pulse racing or no tingle and eventually Jongin opens his laptop.

The words of the café surround him as Jongin starts to relax.

“So, I told her that he was crazy. Four weeks is way too long to change a pillowcase.”

“No, love. You can’t eat solids, only liquids until Thursday.”

“When I get home, okay? We can talk about this when I get home.”

He’s on page 254 of his book, halfway through chapter 25 when he hears the bell ding.

Heat blazes up his neck.

Jongin looks up, startled to make eye contact with the loveliest pair of eyes he’s ever seen. Slowly, the door falls shut behind you. The heat from his neck wraps his body, burning Jongin from the inside out. This isn’t just a tingle. His sister was wrong – this is a blaze, an inferno, a moment that swallows him whole.

You appear similarly entranced, staring at him with such sincerity that for a moment, Jongin doesn’t know where to look. That’s when the door opens behind you, smacking you upside the head and making you stumble. Jongin shoots upwards, forgetting his laptop entirely as he rushes across the room.

He comes to a stop before you, one hand on your elbow to steady you. The blaze has faded to a dull heat, pulsing through his body as you take a step closer. “Hi,” Jongin breathes, staring at you.

“Hi,” you say.

Jongin smiles. Your voice is warm, full of laughter and he can’t help but grin. “I’m Jongin,” he says.

“Y/N,” you respond, glancing over his shoulder. “Are you in the habit of leaving your expensive electronics out in the open?”

Jongin nearly laughs, raising an eyebrow instead. “Not usually, no.” He turns towards his table, looking back over his shoulder to see you follow. “I, uh.” He glances down at the floor. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Me either,” you confess, taking a seat before him. “Jongin,” you repeat, nodding once. “I like it. You know it’s odd,” you say as you survey his face. His deep, brown eyes. Sharp jaw and cheekbones. Soft, full lips. “I felt it yesterday when you passed me.”

Jongin’s lips lift. “I felt it too,” he murmurs, oddly shy for some reason.

“I didn’t want to meet you,” you add, watching his eyes widen.

“Oh?” Jongin seems surprised by this. “Why not?”

“I was just in a relationship,” you say, picking a spot on your jeans. “My boyfriend broke up with me two days ago. He said we weren’t soulmates and were wasting each others’ time. There’s also, well.” Here you pause, flushing when you look downwards. “There’s this guy. We’ve been talking online for about a year, discussing vampires and whatnot and I really thought I wanted to meet him.”

Jongin can’t move.

The room fades to black, then back into view around him. He scans you slowly, taking in your voice, noting your mannerisms. He looks at you again, seeing the Harry Potter keychain dangling from your wallet. It’s shaped like a snitch. Heart beating strangely fast, Jongin wonders if this is a moment of brilliance or insanity.

It can’t be you.

Slowly, he leans forward. “Did you… happen to get coffee yesterday afternoon?” he asks, your brow crinkling in confusion.

“I – uh, yes?”

Taking off his hat, Jongin sets this on the table beside him. He feels as though he’s going to be sick, feels delirious because – oh, you’re smiling again. “I just want to say,” he says, his voice low. “That boyfriend of yours is an idiot.”

Across from him in your tiny red chair, you stop moving.

Gaze lifting from your lap to his face while your expression shifts from confusion to something else entirely. “I,” you start to say, then stop. Your hand drifts to your mouth as you stare across the table. “He’s actually very intelligent,” you whisper.

Jongin’s smile widens, reaching to take your hand in his. Where he touches, there’s light. Sparks, fire - zip, zap, zop.

“99?” he asks softly.

Nodding, you lower your other hand to his. “Marlowe?”

“Jongin.”

kWritersNet May Prompt Event (soulmates!AU) + [3,000 Followers Drabble Game Master List]

#kWritersNet #kwriters bless up #noonanet #kai scenarios #kai soulmates!au #jongin scenarios #jongin soulmates!au #kai fantasy #kai fanfiction #kai one shot #jongin one shot #jongin fantasy #jongin fic #jongin fanfiction #q: jongin tag

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danseurehonte · 4 years ago

Text

strings attached — kim jongin

➳ published: 16.09.20 ➳ soulmate!au || genre: fluff || rated: t ➳ pairing: kim jongin x reader ➳ summary: An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of the time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. Something you learn when you meet your soulmate in the most strangest of ways. ➳ word count: 1k

You woke up, yawning as you stretched and rubbed your eyes, rolling out of bed as you slipped on your house slippers and waddled your way into the kitchen for some water. You wanted to have a day in, you’ve been working two jobs, commute often took a while, and you hadn’t flopped on the couch and binge watched Netflix all week. A day in sounded like the perfect thing to do – it sounded… right.

Until it didn’t.

About an hour later, you were getting dressed, tidying up your hair and double checking your battery pack and fan as you readied yourself for the humid air that would surely attack you the moment you stepped outside. You had this feeling, you weren’t sure what type of feeling, but you had this sudden urge to go and see a movie.

“What movie do you want to see?” Your friend, Yuri, asked as you met up outside of the theatre. Yuri was dressed to kill, as always, her hair and make-up on point while you had gone with subtle casual. “Or shall we see what’s on?”

“Let’s see what’s on.” You said, linking your arms and walking with a smile. There was a strange flutter in your stomach, a tugging in the back of your mind to look over towards the arcade area when you reached the ticketing machines. “What about this one?” Yuri groaned, going to the movies with you is like going to the movies with her boyfriend.

She pressed the screen, purchasing two tickets before rolling her eyes at you. “You can buy the food.” You smiled, happy because today you didn’t want to see some romance movie where the man and woman fell in love at first sight. It was too much for you and made you feel lonelier than you already are so you were happy that Yuri agreed to an action film.

Yuri had a soulmate, you didn’t. You were convinced you didn’t have one considering that you had lived and been in so many different places without meeting them, but despite all of that, Seoul had become your home fairly easily because it was where your soul wanted to be. Maybe a soulmate doesn’t have to be a person. You told yourself when you settled into your new home.

As you walked towards the food purchasing counter, you found yourself looking towards the boisterous laughter coming from the arcade area. A small group of men were walking out, one carrying a large teddy bear, and the others were laughing at him. “Looks like Jongin managed to find a date for tonight after all.” They laughed as the man carrying the bear blushed deeply. You were taken by him, unable to look away as they walked towards you. He wore a bucket hat, covering his eyes but his golden cheeks were painted a soft red as he laughed loudly with the group. You noticed that compared to his friends, his casual attire still managed to make him stick out in a crowd; a grey printed sweatshirt covered with a black vest, casual loose, black pants and a pair of Nike high tops, as well as a Gucci bag. He looked so out of place to you but he also looked like he fitted in completely.

“Hello?” Yuri waved her hand in front of your face and you realised you were trying to push your card into the wrong slot on the machine. “Is everything okay?” She asked, looking in the direction of the group and you nodded, ears heating up at being so captivated by the man carrying the large bear. “Do you know one of them?” She didn’t stop scrutinizing the group and you laughed, shaking your head.

“No, I just…” You trail off, grabbing your order number and stealing another glance at the group but your heart jumps into your mouth when you see him looking at you.

You have no idea what it meant. The way your heart raced and every fibre in your body wanting to run to him, made you feel silly because you don’t know him but you felt like you did – like you’ve known him for years. A familiar face, a familiar smile. It was like he was someone you had been looking for but never managed to find.

Yuri gasped, pushing you towards him and causing you to stumble. You caught yourself in time and turned to face her but she placed her hands on your shoulders and pushed you backwards towards him. “Yuri!” You hissed through gritted teeth, trying to counter her forceful pushing but to no avail. “Stop.”

“I’ve seen that look,” she looked over your shoulder and smiled, amused by whatever she saw behind you. “I’ve seen that look before because I’ve worn that look and I’m not the only one who noticed it.”

No. No. There was no way.

Yuri stopped pushing, forcing you to turn you around and when you saw the way he smiled, the way his whole face lit up, his eyes crinkled and teeth showing, you knew that you would give him your world. “His name’s Jongin.” His friend started, pushing him forward slightly and Jongin grunted before chuckling nervously, rubbing the back of his neck and tilting his head to the side.

The way he looked at you, his chocolate brown eyes pulling you in, made your heart race even faster than it already was. You give him your name and Jongin repeated it, smiling the whole time before he looked at Yuri and his friends. “What movie are you seeing?” You gave him the title of the movie and his smile brightened, if that was possible. “What a coincidence, so are we.”

You walked towards the cinema, one arm holding the large bear in a chokehold while your other hand rested by your side, fingers dancing and playing with Jongin’s as he carried your popcorn and walked beside you. If anyone was to look at the two hands itching to hold, they would see the red string tied around the index fingers, the thread barely centimetres apart as two soulmates began their journey together.

Like they have been waiting to do since she arrived.

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kjmsupremacist · 4 years ago

Text

Silk Slippers, Shirts, and Strings (Taemin/Kai)

Taemin and Jongin are members of rivaling dance companies. They usually don’t compete against each other because Jongin does ballet and Taemin is more into contemporary, but this year, they’re in the same category. They brush past each other backstage during rehearsals, and feel that something’s familiar…

“The world was made so that we could find each other in it.”

— Jeanette Winterson, from Lighthousekeeping

Part One | Part Two Masterlist

Characters: Taemin, Kai; some cameos from SHINee and EXO members; Padding Friends cameos

Genre: Soulmates, reincarnation, red string of fate; fluff/drama with potentially some smut, angst with resolution

Pairing: Taemin/Kai

Warnings: some blood/violence

Rating: Mature

Length: 4.7k

“someone will remember us

I say

even in another time.”

― Sappho

1/2 (Jongin)

Jongin tosses his empty coffee cup into the trash as he enters the building, giving himself a shake. He nods to a few classmates as he heads down the hall and up the stairs. Competition season is looming, and it’s worse for Jongin, who took many months off last year after a badly-sprained ankle. He still managed to stay in the world of dance by working as a teaching assistant for a few senior instructors at his studio, but it wasn’t the same.

As soon as he was cleared to dance, he threw himself right back into it. It was at the end of competition season, and the beginning of summer. The only problem was, he’d already fallen behind in his pointe training. He’d been dancing ballet and contemporary his whole life, but ballet was his home. With his ankle, however, there was no way to maintain the rigorous exercises while he healed. Over this year, he knows he can recover the time lost, but it’s too late for this season. So for the first time since he was very small, he’s going to be dancing contemporary at competitions.

He ducks into his practice studio, dropping his back and himself on the floor as the lights flicker on. He tugs off his sneakers and searches around in his bag for his contemporary half shoes. He’ll do his pointe training after rehearsing for his competition piece.

Really, it shouldn’t stress him out so much. He’s one of many dancers at their company, and he has every right not to get top marks next week. He was injured; he normally competes under the ballet category; there are plenty of other extremely talented dancers, many from his company. The thing is, Jongin is one of the rising stars. He’s meant for more than regional competitions and the standard ebb and flow of professional dance.

What’s worse, there’s an equally prestigious company in the same city that has an old rivalry with Jongin’s. Word is the people who owned them before the current owners had a dramatic falling out. No one really knows the whole story, but regardless, the competition between the two is fierce. They have a dancer around the same age as Jongin—fresh out of university, brimming with talent and drive—who is equally as promising. He dances contemporary and hip hop, but usually chooses the former for competitions. Most years, they catch glimpses of each other from afar. This year, they’ll be competing against one another, and Jongin has to win.

“Jonginnie-ssaem!” A tiny voice shakes him from his thoughts, and he tears his vacant gaze from the mirror to the doorway, where one of his kiddie ballet students from the spring is hovering.

“Wonjae-ah,” he replies, smiling. “Back from summer break?”

“I’ve been back for weeks!” the boy says, stepping into the room and letting the door swing shut behind him. “I was wondering where you were. So you’re all better?”

“More or less,” Jongin says, sticking his foot up in the air and rolling his ankle around and around in circles to prove it.

“So you won’t be teaching us anymore?” It’s not a question, really; Wonjae’s tone asks for confirmation.

“Not for a little while, at any rate,” Jongin tells him. “Jonginnie-ssaem has some big competitions coming up. But I’ll ask your teacher if I can drop in from time to time, whenever I’m free.”

“Okay.” Wonjae pouts, and then reaches out to give Jongin a hug around the shoulders. “We miss you.”

Jongin pats his arm, smiling. “I miss you guys, too.” He looks up at him, brow furrowed. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”

“We start at one,” Wonjae says, shaking his head. “So I should go.” He releases Jongin. “Good luck rehearsing.”

“Thank you.” Jongin waves, watching him as he trots back out the door.

Jongin puts on some background music and starts his warm-up, stretching long and deep, closing his eyes against the discomfort. He laughs a little to himself, remembering how in his classes when he was in high school and college, he and his friends would sit on each other to help get the most out of their stretching. The number of times Jongin’s life (or potential bloodline) had genuinely been in danger is too high to count.

It does make him a little lonely, though. He finishes stretching and stands, changing the music and setting his phone down so he can warm up. Though more career opportunities and acclaim came with age, so did solitude. He and his friends had scattered after they graduated, and only a couple of them had ended up at the same dance company. Even with that, he rarely sees them. Each person is engrossed in their own work. It’s not that they don’t care anymore. It’s just that it’s no longer convenient.

His warm up tracks end, and he takes a minute to get a drink and prepare himself for the first run-through of his choreography. He watches his movements carefully in the mirror as he begins, feeling sweat bead on his forehead. He follows the trajectory of his arm, focusing on not tucking his thumb the way he’s used to—try as he might, his ballet habits, though hard to form, are even harder to kill.

Ballet is cruel to your body in a way that no other form of dance can be. It tears up your feet, puts strain on every muscle and joint. It’s a selfish lover; it demands all of you and more; it’s strict and unforgiving. But if you find solace in it—if ballet manages to ensnare you with its beauty, you learn to love everything about it. Even the pain. And though it’s torture at times, Jongin adores it. There’s passion there he can’t find anywhere else. Though many people start with ballet and quickly move away from it, he kept at it from the beginning. Ballet is his first love, and even when he’s dancing in another style that he likes, he misses it.

“You’re pointing your toes.” Jongin snaps his eyes up, stumbling just a little, and sees a longtime friend and colleague in the doorway.

“Yah, Timoteo-hyung.” Jongin sighs good-naturedly, dropping his pose and going to stop the music. “You scared me.”

“Well, no one else was going to tell you.” Timoteo peels himself off the wall and saunters over. “Unless you meant to have your toes pointed the whole time?”

“What if I did?” Jongin grumbles in vain; obviously he didn’t, and Timoteo knows this. He smiles as Timoteo draws near, accepting his hug. “Hi,” he adds. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” Timoteo steps back from the hug but keeps his hands on Jongin’s forearms. “Are you gonna be okay, leaving your greatest love at home?”

Jongin rolls his eyes. “Don’t be dramatic. It’s not like I’m putting ballet away forever. It’s just this year, and all I’m doing is putting contemporary first for the first time in, like, over a decade.”

“That’s how it starts, you know,” Timoteo jokes, shaking a finger at him. “Though with you, I’m not sure.”

“What, you think contemporary isn’t for me?” Jongin pouts, feigning great offense.

“No, I think you’re a great contemporary dancer,” Timoteo says evenly. “Good enough to beat that Lee Taemin, if you keep your head on right.”

“What, then?”

Timoteo shrugs vaguely. “You were pointing your toes,” he repeats. Jongin nods, and they’re silent for a moment. “Well,” he says. “I should leave you be. Big week you have coming up.”

“Dress rehearsals in three days,” Jongin says, nodding again. Some regional competitions like to invite the dancers in a couple days in advance just so they know where to go and what to do on the big day. It helps with processing day-of, and also helps dancers focus on their work and their performance. It’s nice, but it also steals half a day from Jongin that he could really use practicing.

Timoteo’s gaze softens a little; he claps Jongin on the shoulder. “You’ll do just fine,” he says. “I won’t tell you to break a leg or whatever. You don’t need my well-wishes to win.”

“Thanks.” It’s odd, but touching. “Buy me a meal if I do.”

“What?” Timoteo laughs, already on his way out the door. “No,” he says over his shoulder. “You buy me a meal. To thank me for being a lovely, supportive hyung who always gives you the best advice. Bye!” He escapes before Jongin can retaliate.

It’s always been like this—Timoteo teasing him gently as he winds him down from his anxious spirals. Before Jongin met Timoteo, the competition world of dance always overwhelmed him a little, because he was convinced he had to be the best, even though he believed he wasn’t. He didn’t think he could have friends, always worried he may have to compete against them someday, always worried someone was out for him. And dance was like that—sometimes. But not always. Timoteo was Jongin’s not always.

Jongin remembers the day he and Timoteo became friends. He was young, only ten at the time; Timoteo had been eleven. Jongin had stayed late, and in his exhaustion, one of his ankles had given out—the very ankle, in fact, that Jongin had sprained so terribly last winter. Jongin thought he was going to have to hop his slow way down the stairs and to the front desk to get help, but Timoteo happened to pass his practice room as he was hobbling out. Jongin had glared fiercely at him, trying to get him to leave him alone, afraid of what he might do. But Timoteo had extended his hand.

“Stop it,” he said. “Come sit back down. I’ll get a nurse.”

“Yeah, right,” Jongin muttered, brushing his hand aside. “I’m fine.”

Timoteo sighed. “If you don’t trust me, then get on my back, and we’ll go see the nurse together.”

Jongin gave him a suspicious look. “What do you want?”

“To be friends?” Timoteo rolled his eyes, turning around and squatting. “C’mon, you need to get some ice on it.”

Against his better judgement at the time, Jongin saw no choice but to clamber onto his back. Luckily, that sprain had been light, and Jongin was on his feet in a few days time, good as new, with a new friend at his side. And even though Timoteo quit competition before they went away to college, he was still there for Jongin when he kept pushing; has been there all this time.

Jongin sighs, and gets back to rehearsing. He goes over his dance sequence again and again, concentrating hard on the minute details (and on not pointing his toes). By the time he’s finally satisfied, and starting on his pointe exercises, it’s early in the evening.

Though he’s been working with pointe again for months now, his ankle finally strong enough to bear that kind of weight in small doses, his feet are still getting used to it. As a result, it tears up the skin. Besides, it’s physically exhausting, especially after hours spent rehearsing. He can’t do it for long today—can’t risk injury due to fatigue. Still, in the albeit short time he steps about, he works up a new layer of sweat. He stops when the droplets cling to his eyelashes like tears and blur his vision.

He tugs the shoes off, shoving them to the side to air out before he stuffs them back in his bag, wincing as he looks over his tortured feet. There’s fresh blood, though it’s not as bad as it’s been. Still, it hurts, and it’s about to hurt more, because Jongin digs around in his bag blindly for a bottle of New Skin—every pointe dancer’s faithful companion and worst enemy. He grits his teeth, groaning in pain as he sprays the liquid bandage onto his open skin, gasping against the way it sears at his wounds. Cursory self-care complete, he collapses onto his back, limbs splayed, head narrowly missing the wall behind him. He’s worked so hard, his body heat leaves steam on the mirrors.

⌯⌯ ❧ ⌯⌯

Dress rehearsals come sooner than Jongin would like. At the same time, though, he’s pleased with his progress over the last couple of days, so at least he’s not hurting for practice time. Besides, he’s itching to see the venue.

It’s busy, though it’s nothing in comparison to how it will be the day of the competition. Dancers flit everywhere. Jongin is handed a name tag with a red lanyard—they’re being color-coordinated by age and category, it seems—and ushered down a long hallway. The aide gives his group a cursory tour as they go, pointing out water fountains and the medical station.

They finally reach the waiting rooms. Each door has a sign taped to it with a company name; Jongin ducks into his and sees a few younger dancers blobbing around inside. Some are figuring out their lockers; others are waiting for their instructor to come back and get them, stretching on the floor and chatting to pass the time. A few look up when he enters, blinking wide-eyed at him.

“Hi,” he says softly, awkward as ever, side-stepping around them to find a vacant locker.

The air around him feels a little cold. Maybe it’s his melancholy nostalgia—once, he was like these young dancers, surrounded by friends and heavily chaperoned. Even if he was competing in ballet, he wouldn’t have anybody close to him, but at least he’d have the kids he instructed to keep him company. Most of his friends stopped competing or moved away; those who still compete are in different categories. Yixing and Sehun compete, often as a unit, with hip-hop; Kyungsoo does tap with a few friends Jongin isn’t well-acquainted with. They’ll be in and out of this room too, but the categories are held at different times. It leaves him quite alone.

Once he’s put a few supplies in his locker, he escapes the room of children quickly. He finds himself following the signs to the stage. He emerges from a hallway near the front row, by the orchestra pit. He finds a door that leads backstage, and after worrying for a moment over whether it will trigger an alarm or not (and ultimately deciding that it won’t), he pushes it open.

He’s met with a flurry of movement. There’s dancers, instructors, staff members, and god knows who else dashing back and forth. Old friends reach for each other across the room; a harried-looking assistant holds a sparkly, expensive-looking prop high above her head as she tries to wade through the throng. Jongin skirts to the side, mostly intent on sketching out the layout in his head so he doesn’t stumble around in the dark later this week.

The middle area is less crowded; most people won’t be using it since they’ll only be entering and exiting the stage once. Jongin pads across it dutifully, anyway, keeping an eye out for uneven footing or stray nails—anything that could trip him up before his performance. His eyes are on the floor, and he doesn’t look up when the door leading to the other side of the stage opens.

Whoever opened it must not have been looking where he was going either, because their shoulders brush—unnecessarily, given the amount of space they have. Jongin looks up, surprised, and finds him staring into a face he’s only seen on a screen or for an instant across a large room.

Taemin is wearing an expression of shock that Jongin is sure matches his own. At least he’s caught off-guard, too, Jongin thinks. But as their eyes meet, an odd feeling of sorrow stirs in Jongin’s chest. He swears, just for a second, he smells the sharp tang of metal on metal. He’s hit with a strong sense of deja vu—Taemin’s eyes feel familiar, and not just from his past, distant encounters. His eyes are always hard then; he’s always performing. Now, they’re wide and unguarded, almost gentle.

Images flash through Jongin’s mind—a silk robe, traditional-style; hands on hands, maybe his own; a lone tree in a windy field; and eyes, Taemin’s eyes, filled with an emotion so heavy, Jongin doesn’t know how to give it a name.

They both blink, stepping away from each other almost unconsciously.

“You’re Kim Jongin.” Taemin’s voice is a little higher than Jongin expected it to be, melodic and sweet.

“Yes,” Jongin replies, reeling too hard to really process it. “And you—you’re Lee Taemin, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Taemin nods quickly, the ghost of a bow.

They stare for a moment more, and then Jongin tears his gaze away, slipping out the door to the other side of the wings. Taemin doesn’t follow.

2/2 (Taemin)

“Taemin,” Sungwoon says nervously.

Taemin raises his head slowly. “Yes?” he asks. Sungwoon rarely gets nervous, so it must be something. “You sound anxious for someone who isn’t competing in a week.”

“I just—have you checked out the lineup for the competition?” He extends his phone, walking closer so Taemin can reach it from where he’s stretching on the floor.

“No, why should it matter?” Taemin takes the phone anyway, though he doesn’t look yet. “My own performance has nothing to do with who I’m competing against.”

“Kim Jongin,” Sungwoon blurts, and ooh, that is reason for excitement.

“Jongin, huh?” Taemin peers down at the screen, and sees that Sungwoon is, in fact, not lying. “What on earth is he doing in my category?”

“Remember how he hurt himself early on last year?” Sungwoon says, taking his phone back. “Apparently, his ankle still isn’t well enough for him to do ballet.”

“Why doesn’t he just take another season off to heal, then?” Taemin snorts. “I swear, it’s like all the ballet dancers want to kill themselves for their art.”

“Like you’re not the same way,” Sungwoon says, the usual edge of sarcasm working its way back into his voice. “You just don’t do it as viscerally or as beautifully.”

“If I wanted snide, unsolicited commentary, I would’ve asked Kibum-hyung to come in on his day off,” Taemin says, arching an eyebrow at his friend.

“Duly noted.” Sungwoon pockets his phone. “I just thought you should know who you’re up against.”

“And I appreciate it.” Taemin leans back, crossing one leg over the other to open up his hip flexor. “But it doesn’t change anything. I’m still going to compete as I’ve always competed, and I’m still going to win. Jongin-ssi is in unfamiliar territory—my territory. And he’s still hurt, and I bet that does nothing to help his mentality. He may move beyond the preliminary rounds, but he won’t get far.”

“Okay.” Sungwoon’s tone is politely neutral. “Text me when you’re done. Wonsik-hyung said he’d buy us a meal on account of him finally nailing that final move he’s been working on forever.”

“Ooh, will do. Jimin’s coming, too?”

“Obviously.” Taemin isn’t looking at him, but he can picture the eye-roll. The door clicks shut behind him without another word.

Taemin meets his own gaze in the mirror. Kim Jongin. He’d only seen him once or twice at various competitions. He’s seen pictures and videos, of course, but he’d never really studied him because his whole thing was ballet, which was no concern of Taemin’s. Now, though… It’s anticipation he’s feeling, he decides. He meant what he said to Sungwoon. It doesn’t matter who he’s competing against; he’ll perform as he always does: perfectly. Some little star who’s lost his way won’t change that.

It’s not that Taemin is full of himself—well, maybe a little. It’s just that he’s confident, and he knows what he needs to worry about and what he doesn’t. Sure, it’s nice to know Jongin will be in his category this year so he isn’t caught by surprise on the day of the competition, but it’s nothing to lose his mind about. He stands, stretching complete, and begins his warm up. His feet fall lightly on the floor, balanced and controlled, as he always is.

⌯⌯ ❧ ⌯⌯

“Ooh, you have real competition this year then,” Jimin says, stealing a piece of Taemin’s pork belly even though he can just get more from the dish in the center.

“That’s rude,” Wonsik points out, but he’s grinning.

“In the first few rounds, I mean,” Jimin amends. “That guy these last few years—what was his name, Ten?—he’s really good.”

“Listen,” Taemin says through a mouthful of rice. “The guy hasn’t done anything serious with contemporary in years. I think you’re all overreacting.”

“Kibum-hyung would say to take it seriously,” Sungwoon says.

“Well, he’s not here right now. I’m sure I’ll get the lecture from him soon enough.” Taemin shakes his bangs out of his eyes with a rueful grin.

Sure enough, Kibum finds his way into Taemin’s practice room the day before dress rehearsals. He’s just finished up a class, and watches Taemin as he finishes practicing from the door. Taemin turns to face him with his ending pose, bowing low in greeting as the music fades.

“How do I look, hyungie?” he asks cheekily as he straightens.

“Great,” Kibum says, rolling his eyes. “Do you have a minute?”

“I think I do whether I want to or not.” Taemin pads over to his items, nodding at Kibum to join him. He sits down and unscrews his water bottle, taking a long pull from it. “So?”

“Kim Jongin is competing in the same category as you this year,” Kibum begins, settling on the floor easily beside him.

“So I’ve heard,” Taemin replies.

“I just hope you’re taking him seriously,” Kibum says, and Taemin gives him an exasperated look. “Stop it.” Kibum points a finger at him. “I know you think it’s not a big deal because he’s a ballet dancer, but he’s not like your typical ballet dancer. A lot of them do ballet because it’s all they’ve ever really known, and they’re too timid or too set in their ways to branch out. Jongin-ssi does ballet because he has a genuine love for it. He’s very well-rounded, and incredibly talented in many other areas. I hope you’ll keep your wits about you.”

“Hyung,” Taemin says, feeling a little hurt. “It shouldn’t matter, right?”

“I just don’t want you to be flippant,” Kibum replies.

“I’m not a slacker!” Taemin defends, more than just a little hurt now. “You of all people should know that.”

Kibum’s eyes flash. “I’m not calling you a slacker,” he says, his voice cold and calm. “I’m just saying you tend to treat these regional competitions lightly just because you always make it past the first few rounds. Be careful that you don’t let your arrogance get the better of you.”

“What, are you saying you think I might lose to him?” Taemin shakes his head. “I’m not arrogant, hyung, I just don’t see the need to expend undue energy. It’s not that I expect to win. I just don’t see the point in fretting over things I can’t control.”

“That’s not what I’m telling you to do.” Kibum huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Just—don’t get cocky, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Taemin stands, and helps pull Kibum to his feet.

“Alright, show me this damn dance,” Kibum says, and Taemin laughs. “If you do it perfectly, I pay for your dinner so you don’t have to cook.”

“Oh, deal!” Taemin scuttles over to start the music.

⌯⌯ ❧ ⌯⌯

Taemin heads to the venue in a bus provided by the company. Kibum and his modern dance class kids are with them; they all sit behind to two men, chatting and laughing. Taemin helps Kibum herd them off the bus and through the doors, where they receive name tags and lanyards. Kibum and the kids get a nice pretty shade of purple; Taemin gets a deep red.

Once he’s dropped a few things off in the waiting room, Taemin does his usual scan of the stage. They held a competition here last year, though it was for later rounds, but it’s been a while, and Taemin always likes to check out the terrain. He starts on stage left, checking for sharp corners, peering out onto the stage briefly to see. It’s been scrubbed clean, one clear “x” of tape marking the exact center.

Taemin turns away, going to cross to the other side through the little back room. He keeps his eyes on the floor, watching for pitfalls as he opens the door. He realizes too late there’s another pair of feet coming his way, and he brushes the shoulder of the person they belong to, and looks up, opening his mouth to say sorry.

The words freeze in his throat. He’s never met Kim Jongin before, but he knows what he looks like—tanned skin, pretty eyes, and a jawline that could kill. Jongin blinks back, clearly just as surprised and thrown off as Taemin is. Their eyes meet, and Taemin’s mind suddenly provides him with flashes of what feel like memories—a man dressed in hanbok, waving in the distance; a lone tree in a wind-blown field; the clash of metal and the reek of blood; and Taemin’s own hand, outstretched before him, shaking and mangled, with a clean, silky red string tied neatly to his pinky, stretching off into the distance.

They’ve taken a couple of stumbling steps backwards from each other. There’s a keen familiarity to Jongin that Taemin doesn’t understand. His eyes are filled with curiosity. Confusion swirls through Taemin.

“You’re Kim Jongin,” Taemin says unnecessarily.

“Yes,” Jongin replies, sounding a little preoccupied. “And you—you’re Lee Taemin, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Taemin doesn’t know what else to say; he inclines his head in greeting.

There’s a moment of stillness, and then Jongin turns away, slipping out the door without another word. Taemin unfreezes, but he doesn’t follow.

He finishes his scan of the stage still lost in thought. What was that? He wonders to himself as he meanders back down to the main floor. It was almost like I knew him. But that’s ridiculous! Where did all of that even come from?

Kibum finds him waiting in the lobby, kids in tow, about a half an hour later, and he’s still musing. “What’s got you so quiet?” Kibum asks as they lead the kids back out to the parking lot.

“Nothing,” Taemin says slowly. He doesn’t know how to begin to explain it. “I ran into Jongin-ssi backstage.”

“Oh?” Kibum raises his eyebrows. “And?”

“And nothing,” he replies, brushing him off. “We introduced ourselves, that was all.”

“Was it… a civil exchange?” Kibum asks, worry clouding his tone.

“Yes, eomma,” Taemin says, earning himself a slap on the arm. “We said hi, that’s all.”

That night, Taemin’s dreams are strange. Jongin is there, though he looks a little different. He’s younger; his black hair is long, and he wears simple robes. Taemin finds himself next to him under that lone tree. He holds Jongin’s hands in his; he’s trying to tell him something important, but he can’t hear his own voice. He’s ripped from scene to scene—first in a small house, at the dinner table; next, on a boat, surrounded by strangers, and finally, the same image of his bloodied hand, reaching up as he lies gasping in the dirt, a red string attached to his pinky finger. His other hand trembles as he strains to lift his sword. It hurts him everywhere to do it, but he doesn’t stop. He slices upward, and severs the string. It dissipates into nothing.

The last thing he sees before he wakes is unforgiving, glaring sunlight. He closes his eyes, breathing out a sigh of relief. The shrill ringing of swords clashing fills his ears, mixed with violent screams. It doesn’t matter, though. What’s done is done.

Taemin wakes shaken and confused. He doesn’t feel rested, though according to his sleep tracker, he’s been out for almost nine hours. He lurches unsteadily to the bathroom, splashing some cold water on his face. He looks up at his reflection, turning his head side to side. For a moment, he doesn’t even recognize himself. What’s happening to me? he thinks. Am I going insane?

The vivid imagery of the dream fades throughout the day, but the feeling of desperate longing clings like static. It’s two days before the competition, and his performance has never looked worse. But worries over his form pale to his turmoil.

“What’s gotten into you?” Wonsik asks, half concern, half derision.

Taemin shakes his head. What’s gotten into me? It’s a great question. He doesn’t know how to respond.

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marvelous-llama · 1 year ago

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EXO recs

<<original book

most of the mentioned works is 18+ NSFW, MINORS DNI

pls don´t hesitate to hmu, if any of mentioned links doesn´t work or you have suggestions for more fics... thank you so much for all the love and comments

one shots

2000 Days by @taexual

Jongin x fem!reader (wc - 2.7k) soulmate AU, established relationship - fluff A chance encounter with your soulmate – and the drunken conversation that followed – lead to the beginning of the rest of your life, 2000 days later.

Confession by @minsugapie

Jongin x fem!reader (wc - 6.9k) soulmate AU - fluff, smut

series

My housemate's man by @shaalk

Jongin x fem!reader, Sehun x fem!reader cheating - angst, smut, fluff Sehun is cheating on his girlfriend with me, her housemate. He thinks we're just using each other's bodies, and so do I at first. But then my heart suddenly comes into play.

D appointment & confessions by @eomayas

Jongin x fem!reader fwb to lovers - smut, fluff, angst

#exo #exo x reader #exo recs #exo kai #kai #kim jongin #jongin #jongin x reader #kai x reader #exo kai x reader

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kaisooficrec · 2 years ago

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Nini Planet Round 20 (Fantasia)

The monthly Bottom Jongin fest is back with their 20th round and this time their theme is: Fantasy AU.

No Beauty without Terror

Genre: Royalty AU, Angels AU, PWP

Rating: NC-17

Length: 2,573 w

Summary: His whole life, Kyungsoo's never felt clean, devoid of impurities. Even as a child, a constant feeling of dirtiness was always present in the back of his mind. It's like his soul was stained at birth and this stain was so integral to his very being that it was impossible to get rid of it without damaging the material underneath.

(They say the youngest prince was born to an angel. Kyungsoo finds out the truth.)

A perfect sacrifice

Genre: Fantasy AU, Vampire

Rating: R

Length: 2,998 w

Warnings: Major Character Death

Summary: Jongin was rescued by a Vampire Lord when he was little. But he doesn't seem to remember anything about it.

Ride or Die

Genre: Fantasy AU, Mutual Pining

Rating: R

Length: 2,999 w

Warnings: Violence

Summary: Jongin is a carefree Pixie for him rules are just a friendly suggestion, Kyungsoo is a law abiding Golem who never breaks the rules. Kyungsoo has 100 problems and 99 of them are Jongin related. Kyungsoo just wants Jongin to behave, Jongin just wants Kyungsoo.

Between Fairies, Witches and Slimes

Genre: Fairy Jongin, Witch Kyungsoo, Established Relationship

Rating: NC-17

Length: 2,973 w

Summary: Sometimes being a nosey person can result in something good.

to be loved is to be made to remember

Genre: Romance, Soulmates, Reincarnation, Mermaid Jongin, Human Kyungsoo

Rating: PG-13

Length: 2,287 w

Summary: Like a shell that keeps the waters' memory in its body, Jongin is rebirth in the sea to remember. Kyungsoo seems bound to a fate to forget, again and again.

#kaisoo #kadi #dika #nini planet #genre:fantasy #genre:royalty au #genre:romance #genre:soulmates #genre:reincarnation #genre:established relationship #genre:fairies au #genre:witches au #genre:pwp #length:under5k #kink:top soo

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galoresficrecs · 1 year ago

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[EXO] Junmyeon

LAST UPDATED ON: Dec 2nd, 2022

newly added ✦ || personal faves ✪ || ongoing ✑

ratings:

not rated || general || teen and up || mature || explicit🔞

❧ NOT HERE SHIPS ☙

junmyeon x chanyeol

junmyeon x jongin

junmyeon x jongdae x minseok

❧ junmyeon x sehun ☙

✪ and it's you by rsera [4,9k words] college!au || general

✪ and the rest is dust and stardust by curledupkitten [16,2k words] foster house!au, age gap || explicit🔞

✪ carry your ocean with me by mihaeng [41,9k words] summer!au, slow burn, age gap || general

✪ Chronos-826 by okamiwind [174,4k words | 8 ch] TW: minor character death, ptst, suicidal thoughts ;; space opera!au, action/adventure || explicit🔞

✪ Coming of Age by quebaek [8k words] space academy!au || explicit🔞

✪ Hand In Unlovable Hand by werstoffhof [16,9k words] age gap, accidental baby acquisition, established relationship || explicit🔞

✪ I. Do. Not. Love. Kim. Junmyeon. (pause for dramatic effect) by London9Calling [12,8k words] canon compliant || explicit🔞

✪ I'd Kiss You Even If You Were Dead by Anonymous [4,2k words] vampire!au || explicit🔞

✪ Kiss (It's the best thing you can do with your lips) by Changdeol [14,1k words] actors!au || not rated

✪ Leaving on a Jet Plane by London9Calling [7,1k words] magical realism || explicit🔞

✪ Level by Layla_Fae [10,3k words] twins, high school!au || general

✪ Leverage by London9Calling [12,8k words] college!au, sugar daddy with a twist || explicit🔞

✪ Love Me (Not) by Anonymous [16,8k words | 2 ch] college!au || explicit🔞

✪ Moon and the Stars (I'll get them for you) by suhosshineun [30,9k words] sugar daddy/sugar baby!au, college!au, age gap || mature

✪ No Name by Layla_Fae [13,8k words | 2 ch] charity auction || general

✪ Of All the Colors in the Rain by etonnant67 [66k words | 3 ch] TW: mention of terminal illness ;; time loop, college1au, 1980s!au, 1990s!au, coming of age || explicit🔞

✪ On Such a Full Sea by shinealightrose [19,1k words] pirates!au || explicit🔞

✪ Promise by Layla_Fae [11,7k words] gambling, modern setting || general

✪ Pour Some Sugar on Me by London9Calling [9,2k words] mythology!au || teen and up

✪ Red by Layla_Fae [12,2k words] car racing!au || teen and up

✪ Ruby by Layla_Fae [20,6k words | 2 ch] historical!au || teen and up

✪ Seho 4 (v)live by viverl [5,7k words] canon compliant, established relationship || teen and up

✪ Shared by krispy_kream [861 words] canon compliant, established relationship || teen and up

✪ shines around me like a million suns by London9Calling [3,9k words] sci-fi || explicit🔞

✪ sketch(y) by curledupkitten [7,6k words] college!au, age gap || explicit🔞

✪ spice it up by cherrycoke [607 words] vampires!au || general

✪ (Tell the Bartender) I Think I'm Falling in Love by underthepines [5,7k words] set in paris || explicit🔞

✪ The curious incident of the Dragon that couldn't swim by viverl [27,6k words | 9 ch] urban fantasy || general

✪ The Wind Won't Blow It All Away by London9Calling [11,7k words] mythology!au || explicit🔞

✪ Unexpected Landmark by Anonymous [4,6k words] set in japan, college!au || general

✪ upside down and tipping over by wolfsupremacist [5,3k words] magical realism, strangers to lovers || mature

✪ We won't by pcysarcasm [12k words] age gap, secret crush || teen and up

❧ junmyeon x reader ☙

[Tam Infra Quam Supra part 2] Empty Vessels by yeoldontknow [30k words] f!reader, soulmates!au, witch!au, horror || explicit🔞

[part of Welcome to the Exodus Mall] The Meet Cute by yehet-me-up [4,5k words] f!reader, 1990s!au, mall!au, set in seattle, dad!junmyeon || teen and up

#exo fanfic #exo fanfiction #kim junmyeon #suho fanfic

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iridescentxstars · 5 years ago

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saudade — kim jongin

➳ published: 04.05.20 ➳ soulmate!au || reincarnation!au || genre: angst || rated: t ➳ pairing: kim jongin x reader ➳ summary: Being invited to a cousin’s wedding isn’t unusual, even if she hasn’t seen her in a few years. What is unusual is who her groom seems to be. ➳ warnings: aaaaannnnnngggggsssssssstttttttttttt, btw there is no second part to this so please don’t ask YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED ➳ word count: 1.5k ➳ author’s note: this is written in third person, it is still reader insert but I am not using the typical y/n because this is written for a certain dear of mine who prefers oc style, in a way of saying thank you for all she does for me.

gif made by @kimkaijong-in

The music begins to play, like it has a thousand times before, her feet move on their own because they know where they need to go and she feels the tears beginning to fall silently without control. The slightest breeze caresses her cheeks, cooling the hot tears and attempting to dry the ones that fall; this is the happiest moment of her life, every moment had brought her here so, of course, a tear will be shed.

His hair shines a soft, chocolate brown as the sun blesses them with a beautiful day. There isn’t a cloud in the sky and it’s almost like the heavens themselves have given their blessings for the union, allowed them to share another lifetime together. When he turns, skin a shimmering gold as a smile spreads across his lips, she feels the air in her lungs leave her in one shaky breath. He feels the same way, seeing her dressed in white and walking down the aisle in time with the music – he couldn’t think of a sight that he’d compare to her beauty.

The mountains with a snow blanket, the ocean bathed in the silver moonlight or even the sunrise peeking in through the curtains, couldn’t compare to the beauty that she is in this moment.

When she stands in front of him, Jongin holds her hands so delicately in his own, tears welling up in his shining brown eyes while hers fall silently. This is a moment that they have shared over many lifetimes, a love that has blossomed and blazed through every moment in time and to share it again, whether knowingly or not, is like finding home once more.

The vows are shared, the words almost written on their hearts and memorised like their names. A kiss on the lips is followed by them pressing their foreheads together, their little bubble drowning out the noise that tries and penetrates their happiness. He couldn’t imagine living in a world where loving her wasn’t an option, she couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone but Jongin and for a moment, as short as it may have been – they were at peace.

A peace that was ended too quickly when the alarm blared and evaporated the dream into a wisp of smoke. Jongin groans, stretching his arms out while she rolls over and buries her nose into the pillow, refusing to wake up. The alarm refuses to stop, repeating over and over and over until it’s turned off; Jongin opens his eyes, blinking away the sleep, the dream still dancing in the back of his mind, and she rubs a hand over her face, yawning before rolling out of bed and fighting the urge to crawl back into the warmth.

The sun shines, another day to start so beautifully over this long weekend, but with the dream hanging on the fringe of reality; the emotions still stirring up everything that each life has once felt so fully before Jongin looks at the body still in the bed and sighs. She looks into the mirror, a clenching in her heart beginning to replace the happiness that she woke up feeling; another day to get through, another day to pretend that every second she sees him isn’t completely ripping her heart out and shattering it into a thousand pieces.

Where did they go wrong?

They are two souls who have lived a thousand lifetimes together become star-crossed lovers, forced to dream and feel everything that once had before having to live with the fact that this time – fate had a different path for them. A punishment maybe, a lesson to learn as they wake up every morning, knowing they are so close but so far away and Jongin wonders when the pain will end. She knows there is nothing to stop this, this constant longing to be held by him once more, to have his scent envelop her when he pulls her close and kisses her crown like he’s done many times before. Life is often cruel and even though they found each other, like they have done more times than they can recall, things are different this time – he’s engaged to her cousin.

She had heard the news, never thinking anything of it because how was she meant to know it was him, her Jongin. When he saw her name on the guest list, Jongin never fathomed that his love, his soulmate, was going to be attending his wedding to someone else.

She hears her name being called, recognising the voice as if it was her own. Jongin walks into the kitchen, silence surrounding them as they are the only two there and her heart begins to race; her fight or flight reflex kicking in because she knows what will happen if she remains here too long. “Please,” his voice breaks as he reaches for her, fingers igniting fire where they touch and burning her alive. “Don’t go.”

“Jongin,” hearing his name fall off his lips, the plea for him to stop before it’s too late. “We can’t do this.”

“Why not?” He presses, her resistance failing when his fingers intertwine with hers. “Why can’t it be you tomorrow?”

Tears begin to fall, the need to be comforted by him overwhelming her as Jongin gently encourages her into his arms. “You know why,” she buries her face into his chest, inhaling deeply to try and remember it. “It’s too late.”

“It’s not too late.”

“Where would we go? What would we do?” She fights back, tears already falling as she looks up and sees his own eyes brimming with tears. “It’s your wedding tomorrow, you’re marrying her.” She didn’t mean for it to sound so jealous but it fell off her tongue, lathered in venom. “How would it look if you broke everything off, only for us to be together?”

“I don’t care.”

She pushes away then, frustrated at him, at herself, and at this entire situation. “Well, I do!” She tries not to shout the house down. “This isn’t some random, this is my cousin – she deserves happiness, too.”

“It’s always been us.” Jongin reaches for her again, “I belong to you, I always have.”

“Then, why are you marrying her?”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair and giving her a pleading look, one that begs her to understand. “You know that it all came flooding back the moment you got out of the car. Seeing you, smiling as the sun hit your face and causing you to radiate brighter than a hundred sun, it was like I had finally woken up from a dream.”

“And that’s why we can’t, Jongin. They won’t understand.”

“They don’t need to understand. What could they know about love that has found each other throughout the ages? Who are they to tell us that we can’t be happy, that we can’t be together?” He grits his teeth, angry that she doesn’t want this as badly as he does. “We’ve found each other again, why won’t you let us be happy?”

“Because doing so would break her heart!” She raises her voice, realising her mistake when she hears movement coming down the hall. Not wanting to have to explain what had happened, she makes her exit, a cowardly one without a second glance at Jongin – not sure where she was running to, only knowing it’s away from him.

A dream that seems so blissful and pure soon becomes her living nightmare as she waits for the music to start. This time, it isn’t her walking down the aisle. This time, it isn’t her that Jongin smiles at when he sees her. This time, it isn’t her who he promises to hold and cherish until his dying breath.

No, this time, she has to watch. She has to force a smile as she watches the man she’s been with since the beginning of time, promise himself to another. She has to clap even as her heart remains shattered and dying on the ground. Instead of being the one who he now calls his wife – she is just a bystander, looking in through the window at the happiness that was once hers.

“I’m happy for you,” the words feel like gravel as they push their way out of her mouth. Jongin doesn’t look convinced but he doesn’t say a word as she hugs her cousin; the newlywed couple are about to get into their car, to drive off to begin their new life. “I wish you both a long and loving life together.”

Her eyes meet Jongin’s, the connection pulling them together as they embrace for the last time. There’s too much left unsaid, too much that he wishes he could do to change their fate but she’s made her choice and with the wedding finished and another on his arm – she isn’t going to take that back any time soon.

Or, at all.

“I love you,” he whispers, low enough that nobody but her hears it and that’s the final nail in the coffin for her heart. “I will find you in the next life, I will never let you go.”

“You say that every time,” she mutters back, squeezing one last time before pulling away. “Maybe we will, maybe we won’t.” Once, she had been so certain, absolutely positive that Jongin was made for her and she him but now – she’s not so sure. “We won’t ever know.”

#exowritersnet #jongin scenario #jongin scenarios #jongin fanfic #kim jongin fanfiction #kai fanfic #kai scenarios #kai scenario #exo scenario #exo scenarios #kpop scenario #kpop scenarios #iridescentxstars ©#scenario ; jongin #group ; exo #g ; angst #soulmate ; jongin #au ; soulmate #au ; reincarnation

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exodusmc · 5 years ago

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Fairy tale

Genre: Fantasy au, slight soulmate au, fluff, angst(if you squint from a mile away)

Words: 3595

Paring: King Junmyeon/neighbour Junmyeon x reader

Warning!: -

a/n: I really like his new drama! It’s so cute! :)

Gif is not mine

A huff escaped through your lips, hands carrying a heavy box. The elevator had be broken since forever according to the old lady on the first floor, which meant you had to move your stuff using the stairs.

“Shit..”a book fell out from the box, opening to a page with an illustration of what looked to be a man, eyes golden and hair of bronze.

Picking up the book, your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. You had never seen it before, it wasn't yours, but you were alone in the hallway, on one else could have thrown it at you. Studying the image closer, you saw some symbols you didn't understand in the bottom of the page. The man smiled and you couldn't help but to think he looked like a prince from a fairy tale, wondering more about his story. It didn't matter that you were standing in the middle of a hallway, you decided to read anyways. You were met with words you understood as you turned to the next page, words that promised another land.

“The sun shone bright in the sky, the last stars leaving for the time. Butterflies sailed the wind, twirled around. He stood to watch the world he knew, as another pair of eyes gazed from the outside…”

The text suddenly started to glow in a yellow tone, igniting the whole page until more words appeared, uncovered for your eyes to read.

“...But two worlds collided, hearts soared, and a new world opened for the spectator.”

Your sight blurred, the book burning in your hands as you felt every bone break in your trembling body. There was black and nothing else, until white sparked and colored the whole world, not your own, but a different world so bright, you had to squint.

Your breath was taken away, eyes staring at the wide open land of greens and blues. You were standing under the same sky as the man had been, gazing at the same butterflies. Trees swayed to your right, spaced with enough distance to see through the forest. Your mouth felt dry and your head hurt, everything being too much. How did this happen? What even is this place? It was first when you tried taking a step when you realized that your clothes were different. The blue jeans and shirt you had been wearing was now a light blue dress, simple but with a beauty of spring. You grabbed at the fabric, lifting it as your eyes widened. Were you dead? Was this the after life? So many questions turned in your head, fast and crushing against your skull in a pounding feeling. Your knees hit the soft grass, pupils blown wide at the headache forming, fingers threading through your hair. It was getting so bad, you never heard the soft steppes of another human, before a hand formed in your field of view. Glancing up, your mouth fell open. Ther the man was standing, perfect eyebrows pinched together in worry at you state.

“Young lady..How are you and why are you here, by the moon's home?” his voice was smooth in your ears, hair shining in the sun.”Young lady?”

Your lips pressed together, brain fighting to get an answer out, only to be met with a harsher pounding at your skull. His gloved hands found purchase on your shoulders as your body sagged.

“How are you, young lady?! Please tell me!”he felt further away, like he wasn't touching you, words sounding like you were under water. The blackness came back, drew stars for your closing eyes, until sleep held you close but not as close as him.”Young lady!”

“Call for the healer!”every head was turned in his direction, servants scrambling away, listening to their king.”Fast!”

Junmyeon ran with you in his arms, glancing down every now and then to make sure you were still breathing. His steps echoed through light teal and green walls, ivy cling through the windows and bring pink flower buds.

“My king, what’s the matter? What’s the rush?”Yixing, his healer, had a worried look on his face, dark orbs staring down into Junmyeon’s embrace.”Who is this lady sleeping in your arms?”

“I do not know, my healer, but her health is declining. We need to save her!”your body was placed in Yixing’s working room, bottles and books coloring the high walls, mixing with warm sunlight.

“Do not worry, my king, I’ll heal her back to health”there was an uneasiness in Junmyeon’s eyes, orbs following Yixing as he prepared different herbs.”I promise my king, come back when she is merely sleeping..”

The king left, glancing back one last time to see your sleeping face and soft eyelashes. He wondered who you were but was scared that your wouldn't open your eyes once again. His healer was skilled but death was a trickster. A sigh escaped his lips, Yixing’s heavy door finally closing, leaving Junmyeon standing in a quiet hallway. His kingdom was wide and deep but you still held more mystery than it. He was intrigued by you and wanted nothing more than to hear your speak.

Warmth held your body close, made your stir from your sleep. There was still a dull beating at your temple but it was far from the ache you felt before...Before you fainted in his arms. Your eyes flew open, resulting in a blur to your view, but the room cleared, showing stacks of paper and books, potions and what nots. No technology could be seen anywhere and outside the window was thriving natur instead of high grey buildings. You were gaping at it all, slowly feeling like screaming, when the door opened. Another man, taller than the one who held you, gazed right back at you. His face held angles, his eyes were darker than the night, but he seemed warm, the light tanning his skin.

“Oh, the young lady has woken from her slumber”the way he spoke made your shoulders relax slightly.”How is she?”

“I-I’m fine..”he nodded, smiling wide, and proceed to step into the room.

“Well that is good young lady. My name is Yixing and I’m the healer under this roof. It’s nice to meet you.”you stared at his dimple, forgetting to answer until his eyes found your again, slightly confused.”Young lady?”

“I’m Y/n..it’s nice to meet you too..”there was unsureness in your words, eyes flickering around, and it made Yixing smile. Your name didn't sound like anything he had heard before and there was something foreign about you, he just couldn't put a finger on what.

“Y/n..well I want to make sure you’re okay…” you knew what he hinted at, so you nodded in a timid way, blushing. It made him chuckle, moving as if you were a bird, close to flying away.” Fear not young lady I mean no harm.”

Yixing check you, deciding that you seemed fine but that he wanted you to rest and drink one of his brews. You, however, was a little suspicious at the greenish liquid, like you should be, because the healer was a stranger to you, this whole place was strange to you.

“It’s a potion I made for pain and the soul. It’s only herbs grown by the land, nothing dangerous, I promise young lady..”it tasted like matcha and something sweet, something close to raspberries.”See, nothing dangerous.”

“I guess...Thanks Yixing..”he smiled, leaning back to watch you for a moment. The orbs in his eyes were dark, following you, searching through you.

“Lady Y/n..You're not from this land, are you?”once again were you nodding, stress slipping up your spine. You couldn't tell him where you were from, it would make you sound crazy.”Well in our land, the land of the seas and moons, everyone is welcomed!”

Yixing bowed, brown hair staying in place as he stood up. His head was held high and you couldn't help but marvel at his handsomeness. He smiled one last time before he left you alone in the room filled with books, grander than your own little library at home...Home, it felt weird to think about home and your world, like it wasn't real but where you were now was not real, you just didn't know what it was.

“My king, let her rest some more now that her health is stable..”Junmyeon’s eyes were wide, his breathing coming out as pants. He had ran to the healer’s room when he got the news of the young lady’s rising but straightened his back.

“If you suggest it to be the best, I’ll listen.” Yixing smiled, walking by the king’s side. Their goal was the garden where many herbs grew, where flowers bloomed. It was a magical place, sprinkled with butterflies.”How is she, my dear friend?”

“The young lady is fine, her body steady..”Yixing turned to look at Junmyeon, standing on grass filled with blue flowers.”But she isn’t from our land..Maybe her birth place is far from us or close but she wasn't born here..”

“I know..”Junmyeon glanced to the side, staring at the window which hid your sleeping body.”The moons told me about someone which I should hold dear to my heart..”

“Oh my king, don't get your heart crushed by the aging moons..”the healer placed a hand on Junmyeon’s shoulder, staring at him with saddening eyes.”She is a fair one but her life may be on a different path.”

“I know, I know, but why would I feel my heart’s place is in her soft hands?”

Your fingers slipped through the soft grass, knees bent as you sat feeling the calm wind. Yixing was to your right, working and scribbling down words, creating a nice sound. You wanted to ask him about the other man but felt embarrassed about it.

“The young lady is thinking hard..What’s on her mind?”the healer smiled, his question making your cheeks burn. You had been awake for a couple hours now but had been outside for just a short while, watching the brown haired one work.

“I-I..it’s nothing..”he opened his mouth to answer, eyes warm as the sun over your head, but his words were cut of by a melody.

Your hair rose at the beauty of the voice singing about souls. He sounded like a rolling river, tones held nicely and perfect. Yixing could see the wonder in your gaze, which was searching for the source of the song. His hand grabbed yours, lead you through the lively garden.

“Where are you taking me?”you heard him chuckle, turning the corner of a rose wall, just to stop before a towering part of the light castle, where the man was standing. He sang so loud and his words almost had tears slipping from your bottom lashes.

“That’s the lands king, my king, a young lad by the name Junmyeon..”Yixing sat down, urging you to do the same.

“Junmyeon..”it wasn't a question but the healer still nodded to you, hair bouncing.”..But why is he sing of such sad things?”

“Oh my king has a sorrow song, a melody begging for a hand to his heart and his mouth to kiss lips..A hopeless romantic he is..”Yixing smiled down at you, who couldn't stop staring up at the sining Junmyeon. His voice was clean, flying in the sky on wings of longing.”Maybe a young lady will come and fall in his embrace?”

Time went on, the days growing a little more warm. Yixing had been teaching you different things about the land and potion making. He smiled every time your eyes would wided at his statements, but you wondered about the king, where he was or how he was. It seemed like this Junmyeon had disappeared but Yixing knew what was really happening. The healer walked through the arched doorway to the private library of his king, soft daylight falling in through the many windows.

“Good afternoon my king..”Yixing greated Junmyeon with a smile, eyes following the writing hand.”The young lady has been asking and wondering about your whereabouts..”

A sigh escaped Junmyeon’s lips, pen landing softly on dark wood. He felt his heart jump at the thought of you thinking of him but he was unsure what he should do. The moons had told him about the one he was a part of, about the rightness that was her, but he didn't know what to do, what they wanted him to do. His lands prayed to the moons and the sun, he believed in their words, so he had to ask once more for advice.

“I’m delighted to hear that but I’m afraid that I can't met her just yet..I need to consult the moons one last time..”Yixing nodded, knowing the reason for his king’s hiding. The moons would be full this night, like they had before the night your soul walked through pages.

“I see but if I may lay out my opinion, please be careful about lady Y/n away. We don't know how long she stays in our land..”

The healer walked out, leaving Junmyeon to stare out at the scenery which was his kingdom. He had been the ruler for over 20 years but his age had been forgotten and the number was no more than 23, the number when he had been on the throne for ten passing years, and never had something like this happened. The moons had glown yellow, something they never did, and as his eyes stared at them as they formed one sphere. The sun had soon walked over the sky and at the top of the hill had you been, falling into his arms with the moons heart behind your eyes.

“I’m sorry for my hiding young lady but what can I do when the moons seems to be you?”

He stared up at the night sky which was blessed with blue hues of the full moons. They shone bright on the hill where he had watched butterflies, where he found you. Junmyeon had questions on his tongue and he would ask them all.

“Dear moons, you told me once about the young lady and how she would appear under your touch but what am I supposed to do, when my heart speeds with the mere sight of her?”the wind started to sing around him, spoke about how you were from far away but was his just like he was yours. They became louder and louder, until they grabbed at his hair as they told him about his ending sorrow.

And just like that, in the span of one second, had they stilled. The winds were soft, so soft he could hear the grass being pushed down. Junmyeon glanced over his shoulder, seeing your make your way through the field to where he was standing, the whole time bathing in the moons light.

“Yixing told me I could find you here…”there was shyness in your voice, there was warmth on your cheeks.”..he said I should come see you.”

Junmyeon smiled, feeling his own body heat up. Of course his healer would do something like that, having wanted his friend to be happy for years. You stared at his eyes, watching them become gold. Soulmates was a thing in stories and fiction, they weren't real, but gazing at him was making you unsure because he felt like he belonged to you and you to him.

“I see young lady…”you hadn't heard him ever since he caught you but as he spoke now, your realized that you loved his voice and Junmyeon was happy to hear you speak, the tones of your words.”..i must apologies for not welcoming you like I should. I’m sorry my lady.”

“It’s okay..I don't blame you”a star fell over your head, mirrored in your orbs, and it was like the final puzzle piece falling into place in Junmyeon’s world.

“Oh, but I do insist on making it up to you, young lady. Will you follow me to the dazzling tops?”his hand felt smooth as he took it, leading your through knee high grass with the two moons over your heads.

Your gaze found their way up to the dark sky and unlike your world, did it have two blue moons in its hands. You marveled at them but ultimately forgot when Junmyeon threaded his fingers with yours. The world became a blur and all you could focus on was his bouncing hair.

“Here we are lady Y/n, where the sky meets the ground..”he sounded breathless and you understood because before you laid hills with flowers or something which shimmered like the stars.

You stood to his right, just staring at everything, the differences from your grey and dead world. Junmyeon, however, was watching your face shine with happiness, making his lips point upwards. You were so beautiful in his eyes and he wondered how he managed to keep away from your soft touch. He suddenly took both your hands and twirled you to the sound of a world from fairy tales, swept you around with his gaze lock on yours. Your heart soared and flew with his across the breaking point of the sky, let you dance on the ground with lightness.

“If you agree, I would like to know you and your soul. I would like to hold your fingers until the end brings us home…”he stopped with one hand in your and the other on your waist, orbs searching through your.”...Can I ask all that of you my lady?”

“..Yes..”it didn't matter that this was just a dream in your head, that this wasn't real, because it felt right with his hand on you and the promise of time.”I would like that..”

“Junmyeon!”your shriek made Yixing run down from the upper garden, eyes wide and a puff leaving him when he finally got to you. But you were giggling on Junmyeon’s lap, his fingers tickling your sides as his lips smiled. You were in no danger, you were happy.

After the night you danced with Junmyeon hadn't he been able to keep away from you, always holding you with his hands or eyes. It was like you were in your own little fairytale, love and a vibrant world surrounding you, but an end would come.

The time went fast and soon had you been by Junmyeon’s side for over a year, dressed with flowers and a ring of silver. He would hold your hand under the moons and the sun, he would kiss you every time he could, he made you breathless. Shortly were you walking down an aisle of white, meeting him at the end. He kissed you once again after your promises had left your tongues, dragged you away from the castle and into the forest. Junmyeon took you dancing again but this time as his wife with his heart. In a blink of an eye were you no longer a young twenty year old living in a small apartment but a forty year old running through halls dripping in light, your hand either holding Junmyeon’s or your child’s soft one. You had a family now, blessed with their laughs. Your husband smiled down at your sleeping face, stroking over your cheek when he saw the moons glow yellow, like they had all those years ago, but now was he scared. He felt dread fill his whole being, eyes glossing over. His soul knew, so he kissed your cheek one last time, whispering a heartbreaking I love you and let his tears run free. In the morning would you no longer be in his arms but where you came from. Junmyeon would love you for eternity, just like you would, even when your universe called you back, away from his warm embrace.

You fell against the wall, a wall which was greyish yellow, old. There was a buzz from a world you hadn't been in so long but as your gaze became clear and you glanced around, did you realize you were back and not a day over 20, like no time had passed. The book felt heavy as you held it, your story with Junmyeon written on all the pages, the story which weren't real. Tears slipped down your cheeks, a feeling of emptiness filling your broken soul. You were happy there but was ripped away, forced from him and your little child. Low sobbs echoed through the hallway, your fingers shaking. This was not how it was supposed to end, you were supposed to be with him until you died, not thrown back to this dull life. Just when you were sure of a ripped page in your fairy tale was the door of apartment 5 opened by none other than Junmyeon. Your orbs found his, those golden worlds, but his hair was black now.

“Are you okay?”he didn't speak like your Junmyeon but he sounded the same, his fingers felt the same as he dried your tears.

“Y-yes..T-thank you..”the lie burnt your mouth and made him smile exactly like your king from the pages.

“I don't believe you..”he sat by you and smelled like Junmyeon, he was Junmyeon but not the fairy tale one, no, he was the real life one, your Junmyeon.”..So I’ll stay because two moons shine brighter, right?”

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