Chapter Text
Happily ever after doesn’t exist. No one can be happy all the time. Life is designed like that so that it isn’t taken for granted. Just because Wonwoo and Mingyu found each other, fell in love, and just because they are soulmates, doesn’t mean that all their problems were solved magically. It just became easier to face them together while being each other’s greatest cheerleaders.
“Hyung, where are you?” It was seven in the morning and Mingyu was searching around like a madman. Every morning he woke up with a panic which only subsided once his eyes saw Wonwoo, once his hands touched his skin and bones and his ears heard his voice.
Wonwoo had no other choice but to move in with him when it started getting worse. They took the closed flat that once belonged to Soonyoung and started calling it their home six months ago.
“I’m in the balcony,” Wonwoo shouted immediately, peeking his head in with a lazy smile.
Mingyu found him sipping coffee and reading, calm and content. “You know I hate waking up alone. I was looking for you everywhere.” Unlike Wonwoo, he was sweating, looking tired as if he had not just woken up from an eight-hour sleep.
Wonwoo wished someday it would be easier for Mingyu to wake up and be fine after not finding him next to him. He wished that his company would only be out of love, and not accompanied by obligation and fear.
“Another nightmare?” Wonwoo asked, inviting Mingyu to sit next to him. But Mingyu found home right between his feet on the floor, head in his lap and eyes shut.
“What are you thinking so hard?” Wonwoo asked after a few minutes of silence, running his fingers through Mingyu’s long hair. It was rare for Mingyu to stay quiet for so long.
“Now you can read my mind too?”
“You didn’t know?!”
“Really?” Mingyu was so gullible, he sat up, eyes lighting bright.
Wonwoo just laughed, kissing him briefly. “You’re such a kid.”
“I’m not a kid.” Mingyu pouted and Wonwoo stilled. Those were the first words Mingyu exchanged with him.
So many things changed since then, but Wonwoo realised Mingyu was still the same. He was still the yapping, bubbly, goofball of a puppy that made Wonwoo fall for him at first sight.
Mingyu’s smile suddenly crumbled and he sighed. “I’m so worried. You think it was the right choice?”
Wonwoo immediately understood what he was talking about. “Mingyu, cooking has always been your passion. Technically, we met because of it. I know you will be an amazing chef.”
Ever since Mingyu chose to do hotel management, he was burdened with the pressure of disappointing the scientific legacy of his family. He was told by his parents and Seungcheol that nothing about it makes him let them down but society talks and sometimes it gets to you.
“You know, I am scared too. It’s not going to be easy. But until you trust me, I feel like I can do anything.” Wonwoo confessed.
“Damn right, you can.” Mingyu was so tall. Instances like this when he stood up, towering above Wonwoo with his hands on his shoulders that Wonwoo would realise just how big he was.
Wonwoo had no idea how Mingyu trusted him so much every single time. When he told everyone that he was not going to college and work intead, it was difficult for others to understand. Mingyu however, just smiled, telling him to do what he thinks is right.
It might be a risky decision but he couldn’t live with all the debt, nor could he forget his responsibilities towards Dino. He felt guilty enough about letting him stay with Jihoon.
Life wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t easy but as they stayed there, watching the clear sky, the tall building, the chirping of birds and the honking of cars, Wonwoo hugged Mingyu tight.
This wasn’t an easy year for both of them.
Even after hearing everything from Wonwoo, Mingyu didn’t remember anything. One of the purposes of telling him about the accident was that he would be able to start receiving proper treatment and therapy. It wasn’t easy for him. The more success he gained in therapy, the more it started affecting him outside of it. He would wake up with nightmares, sometimes cold sweat and screams. Often, his PTSD symptoms would sneak on him from nowhere and he needed Wonwoo constantly in front of his eyes for reassurance. It was still a long way until he learned to cope and not feel like dying every time he separated from Wonwoo.
Meanwhile, it took Wonwoo about a year to recover completely and get rid of his hospital visits. He had to let go of his athletic dreams and the scholarship, jeopardising his future. He had no choice but to repeat the year and join Mingyu’s class, scraping his father’s taxi that was completely totalled in the accident for the fees. His financial conditions were getting worse but one thing that this entire situation had taught him was to let go of things that weren’t in his control. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you wise. So he let his friends do everything in their power to keep his boat afloat. He was in mountains of debt but there was no other choice.
The repercussions of the accident resulted in setbacks in both of their lives. It was frustrating at large but one look at each other and they would find themselves being grateful for it all. When they slept in each other’s arms, it all felt worth it.
Their hands found each other, fingers intertwining as they sat in silence, the city below bustling with life. Memories of their journey flashed before their eyes: the late-night conversations, the stolen kisses, the shared dreams woven together like threads in a tapestry of their love.
“So, you were actually right about crossing paths before. We are just too stupid to remember every person we meet, right? But, you remember all the times that we met before. What if I never do?” Mingyu asked.
"We're soulmates, Mingyu," Wonwoo whispered, his voice barely audible over the beating of his heart. "Destined to find each other in this vast world. It doesn’t matter how and when."
Mingyu pressed a gentle kiss to Wonwoo's forehead, his heart overflowing with love. "And I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, his voice filled with conviction.
Mingyu and Wonwoo turned towards the city, their future stretching out before them like an endless road.