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They were like the icy waters crashing against the western coast an early omen that the fierce winter would arrive sooner than expected in the Kingdom of Mideo that year.
Ten-year-old Lee Taeyong watched with a mix of awe and fear as the massive waves of the vast ocean collided with one another. The biting wind struck his face directly, tossing his dark hair and reddening his cheeks, while his whole body shivered from the cold.
“Taeyong!” His father's voice rang out behind him just before the man grabbed his hand sharply, yanking him away from the cliff’s edge where he had been staring at the ocean.
“Son! What were you doing standing there?! You could’ve slipped!”
“Calm down, Papa,” Taeyong said with a soft smile. “I was just admiring nature in all its glory, that’s all.”
“Don’t admire it so close, son. You know when winter starts creeping in, it’s best not to tempt it.”
Taeyong nodded solemnly, remembering how the winter of the previous year had been so brutal that many fishermen who ventured into the sea never returned.
“Did you catch anything, Papa?” he asked, trying to change the subject, noticing how his father had grown quiet and reflective.
The man pointed toward a small bucket holding just two tiny fish. “Enough for dinner, I suppose...”
Even at his young age, Taeyong was painfully aware of what went unsaid:
But not enough for tomorrow.
“These are hard times,” he muttered, and his father nodded, taking his hand as they began the walk home.
“But at least we have each other, son.”
They had only walked a few streets when a small rabbit appeared in the middle of the road. Its fur was soft gray, with a tiny cotton-like tail. It froze when it spotted them.
“Look, Papa!” Taeyong cried out, eyes wide with wonder. “It’s a bunny! Jaehyun’s mom said they hadn’t been seen in this area for a long time.”
“Yes... that is strange,” his father said, stepping forward cautiously so as not to scare the animal. “I don’t think I’ve seen a rabbit in the kingdom since before you were born. Maybe we could get a good price for its meat at the market?”
“What!? No, Papa!” Taeyong quickly stepped in front of the rabbit, shielding it with his small frame. “How could you think of hurting such a cute creature?”
His father motioned toward the empty bucket of fish. Taeyong pressed his lips together, understanding the point. But when he noticed his father taking another step forward, he blocked him again.
“No, Papa, please,” he almost begged.
The man folded his arms and looked down at him with a serious expression. Taeyong braced for a scolding, but instead, his father sighed and smiled.
“You’re in luck. The bunny’s gone.”
Taeyong turned around and saw that it had indeed disappeared. He felt a small pang of sadness, having seen a rabbit in real life for the very first time. But before he could dwell on it, his father hugged him from behind.
“You remind me so much of your mother. She loved bunnies too.”
Taeyong’s heart leapt at the mention of his mother. She had died giving birth to him. And although his father never avoided talking about her, the sorrow on his face whenever she was mentioned made Taeyong try not to bring her up often. This time, though, his father had spoken first and didn’t look upset.
“Were they her favorite animal?”
They continued walking through the poorer districts of the kingdom’s fortress. It was a neighborhood of fishermen, jobless parents with too many mouths to feed, non-royal musicians, and those in deep ruin. Still, Taeyong felt like the luckiest boy alive as he listened to his father talk about his mother.
He told him she had loved nature, especially walking by the sea because she found comfort in the sound of waves. She was happiest when she was singing and dancing. She adored animals, particularly the gray bunnies that once emerged from the forest beyond the kingdom.
And above all else she loved deeply.
“She loved you very much, Taeyong,” his father said as they arrived at their humble home. “She told me I was her soulmate... but that you were the purest bond of love that could ever exist.”
Taeyong beamed at that, but the moment was interrupted by someone loudly clearing their throat behind them. They turned to find Mrs. Jo, their notoriously nosy neighbor, standing there with a smile so tight Taeyong wondered how her cheeks didn’t hurt.
“Hello, Lee family! You look so cheerful! Mind telling me who you’re talking about?” she asked, still grinning.
“Good morning, Mrs. Jo,” his father greeted, opening the door so Taeyong could slip inside and avoid her longer than necessary. “We were just talking about Isa, my late wife.”
“Oh, sweet Isa…” she said in a high-pitched tone. “She was like a fairy always lighting up the streets with joy, her pink hair floating in the air. Such a dear memory. Though, she did talk about strange things sometimes.” She gave Taeyong a sugary smile and he forced one back that resembled more of a grimace.
“Anyway, I came with a little favor to ask. I was wondering if Taeyong would like to visit me this afternoon for some warm milk and cookies. My nephew just arrived from the Sigag Kingdom to accompany his father on some errands. He’ll be staying with me for a while, but I’m afraid I’m too old to keep him entertained. I thought maybe Taeyong would like to make a new friend. What do you say, sweetheart?”
Taeyong had only been inside Mrs. Jo’s house once, to deliver some fish heads she’d purchased. Though it was one of the best maintained homes in the area, it wasn’t exactly welcoming. Its facade was gloomy, plants refused to grow near it and the whole atmosphere felt heavy.
Plus, she always wore black.
If it weren’t for the fact that Mrs. Jo seemed to hear everything people said about her, Taeyong was sure they’d all just call her a witch.
“But I was supposed to meet Jaehyun,” he replied truthfully.
Every afternoon, after helping his father, he would run through the rocky paths of the kingdom to the villages near the palace. Behind a grand fountain, his best friend Jung Jaehyun would always be waiting, grinning with dimples.
“Jaehyun? The son of Jung Yuri, from the palace apothecary?”
Taeyong nodded proudly.
“Well, tell him he’s welcome too,” Mrs. Jo said, clearly not pleased. “I’ll bake enough cookies for everyone as long as Doie doesn’t end up alone.”
“O-Okay,” Taeyong relented, glancing at his father for help. But the traitor didn’t even look his way. “I’ll be there.”
“Wonderful! See you then, darling. Bye now, Mr. Lee,” she said, finally turning away so his father could shut the door.
“Why didn’t you help me, Papa? You know no one goes into that house willingly…”
“I’m sorry, Tae. But hey, at least you’ll get to eat something tasty today.”
Well… that was a good point.
“Also,” his father added, kneeling to light the fireplace, “I’ve known that boy since he was a baby. I think you two might actually get along.”
Taeyong raised a suspicious eyebrow.
“A relative of Mrs. Jo’s has to be just as weird and annoying as she is... But that reminds me, she said Mom talked about strange things. They must’ve been really strange for her to say that.”
His father let out a small laugh, which lifted Taeyong’s mood. The fireplace came to life, its warmth spreading through the house. His father sat down on the only couch they had and motioned for Taeyong to join him.
“You’re ten now and you’re very bright, so I think it’s time I told you about some of those supposedly ‘weird’ things your mom believed in. Though really, there was never a reason to keep it from you.”
Taeyong leaned in, curious. The flickering firelight made his black eyes gleam.
“Have you ever heard the story of the red string of fate?”
Taeyong thought hard. He was sure he’d heard of it somewhere before, but couldn’t recall the details. So he simply shook his head, pouting.
“That’s alright, Tae. You don’t have to know everything,” his father said, knowing how much his son hated feeling left out. “The red string of fate is an invisible thread tied to the little finger of your hand. It runs straight to your heart,” he said, gently taking Taeyong’s hand and touching his pinky finger. “This string connects you to your soulmate wherever they are in the world. It might stretch, it might tangle with others, but no matter the time or distance, it always leads you to the one meant for you. Your other half. Your everything.”
Taeyong stared intently at his finger, turning it this way and that. He didn’t feel anything. Not a tug, not a warmth nothing.
“It’s invisible, Tae,” his father chuckled, pinching his cheek lightly as Taeyong scowled in disbelief. “Don’t look at me like that. Your mom may have been... unique, but she was never a liar.”
“I still don’t get what this has to do with her.”
“Patience, my boy. Can you pass me the old book under the couch?”
Taeyong bent to retrieve a thick, weathered book. He’d often wondered about it, but something had always told him to wait. To wait for the right moment.
Apparently, that moment had come.
“You remember the Kangs, right? The ones with the daughter about your age... Seulgi, I think?” Taeyong nodded. His father opened the book. The first page held a beautiful hand-painted portrait of a woman with delicate freckles, a soft smile, and long, flowing pink hair.
“They painted this after your mom passed. I couldn’t afford something so precious, but they gave it to me anyway. Here she is, your beautiful mother.”
Taeyong rubbed his eyes with small fists, trying to hide the tears. But when he turned and saw his father crying too, he let himself fall into his arms.
“There, there, my love,” his father whispered, wrapping him in a warm embrace as Taeyong wept against his chest.
“She... my mom was so pretty,” the boy whispered, eyes locked on the portrait. “I mean, look at her hair. I’ve never seen anyone with that color, it almost doesn’t seem real.”
“Yeah,” his father nodded, smiling fondly. “She and her dad were the only people I ever met with pink hair. Your mom was famous in the kingdom because of it. Princess ViVi even summoned her to the palace once, just to ask the secret behind it. She wanted to dye her own the same color.”
Still lying against his father’s chest, Taeyong watched as he turned the next page of the book. Pressed between the old sheets were dried flowers and simple little paintings, some shaped like animals, others like the sun or the sea.
“This was her diary,” his father said gently. “She took it everywhere. She drew the things she loved like bunnies. But the most important part is closer to the end.”
Finally, a page filled with writing appeared.
Thanks to Jaehyun’s mother, Taeyong had learned to read with ease. His father, who had once learned from Isa too, had forgotten most of it over time and wasn’t able to teach him much. In their part of the kingdom, reading and writing weren’t exactly common skills.
Taeyong’s eyes scanned the page quickly:
“Today I saw the princess’s red string by accident. I didn’t mean to take her hand, but she reached for mine, and our little fingers brushed. The end of her string wasn’t far off, so I followed it, pretending I was heading somewhere else. I found him, her soulmate. The king’s cook. I really hope they can be together… but I doubt it.”
“Wait, wait—” Taeyong sat up a bit, wiping his eyes to make sure he had read it right. “What does this mean? That she saw the princess’s red string? But isn’t it supposed to be invisible?”
“I can’t read it anymore,” his father admitted, “but I remember exactly what it says. If anyone from the palace had read that page, they probably would’ve had your mom burned as a witch… or beheaded for suggesting the princess was in love with a filthy commoner.”
He laughed, and Taeyong chuckled too, though his eyes never left the page. He gently turned to the next one.
There were more stories, each one just as magical. In every tale, Isa would see people’s red strings by touching their little fingers, and then she’d follow the thread to help two lost souls find each other. The stories were so beautiful that by the time Taeyong finished reading them, his cheeks actually ached from smiling so much.
“Wow… Mom was amazing at writing fairy tales,” he said, grinning.
But his father placed a hand gently on the book to stop him. “I told you, Tae… she wasn’t making these up. They’re not fairy tales. They’re real.”
Taeyong blinked. “But…”
“She really could see them,” his father said quietly. “She wrote about the Kangs in there too you know, Seulgi’s family. You can ask them who brought them together. It was your mom. She had a gift, son. And it wasn’t just her pink hair. She could see people’s red strings, even if no one else could.”
Taeyong stared down at the book, then slowly looked up at his father. He wasn’t sure what to think. It all sounded like the bedtime stories his dad used to tell him when he was younger, the kind that made you dream of enchanted forests and soulmates and whispered magic in the wind.
But this time, it was his mother they were talking about.
“So… what happened?” he finally asked, gently brushing his fingertips over the pages. “She died… and that was the end of it?”
His father sighed and began running a hand slowly through Taeyong’s hair.
“She told me the gift passed down through generations. First her grandmother, then her father, then her. They all had pink hair and that’s how they knew they carried the gift.”
Taeyong’s heart gave a little leap until he remembered his own reflection. Dark hair. No pink. The excitement faded, and he pressed his lips together.
“But you were born ‘normal,’” his father added, trying to soften the blow. “And honestly, that might be for the best. I wouldn’t want you being hunted down for witchcraft or worse.”
Still, the disappointment showed on Taeyong’s face. Even so, it filled him with wonder to imagine his mother helping people find their soulmates like a real-life fairy.
Just then, his stomach gave a loud growl.
“Oh—I need to cook the fish,” his father said, standing up. “Sorry, son.” He smiled as he ruffled Taeyong’s hair one last time. “But before I forget you should take a look at the end of the book. She left a message for you. On her deathbed, Isa told me only you would be able to read it. I’ve never been able to, not even once. But maybe you’ll understand it.”
Taeyong looked down at the book, now resting in his lap.
“But don’t get lost in it just yet,” his father added, already heading toward the small kitchen. “You’ve got to go find Jaehyun and head to Mrs. Jo’s.”
Taeyong’s face twisted in exaggerated horror. But he sighed in defeat—he’d promised, after all. The book would still be there when he came back.
And tonight, he’d find out what his mother had written just for him.
When he met Jaehyun a few minutes later, the other boy greeted him with a bright, dimpled smile. But what caught Taeyong’s attention wasn’t the joy, it was the bunny in Jaehyun’s hands.
“Tae! Look!” Jaehyun held up the small creature. “It’s a rabbit! My mom said there hadn’t been rabbits in the kingdom for almost ten years, and now they’re everywhere!”
“Yeah! This morning, when we were coming back from the port, my dad and I saw one on the road too.” Taeyong leaned closer to look. It really was a tender, beautiful animal. He didn’t understand how people could kill and eat something with such shiny, gentle eyes.
“You wanna hold it? He jumped onto my lap while I was waiting for you.” Jaehyun brought the bunny toward him, but Taeyong stepped back in alarm.
“I like animals, but I’d rather not touch them,” he said quickly. The memory of a goat ramming into him when he was six was still fresh. “They’re cute... From a distance.”
“If you say so.” Jaehyun shrugged, still petting the bunny. He waited for Taeyong to sit beside him like he did every day, but the other boy stood, shifting nervously on his feet.
“Do you remember Mrs. Jo?” Taeyong asked suddenly.
“The lady everyone pretends isn’t a witch, but we all know is a witch?”
“Yes!” Taeyong said, eyes wide. “She invited me to her house this afternoon and I... I told her I’d go.”
“What!? That’s clearly a trap! Witches eat children and you are a child!”
“I don’t think she eats children,” Taeyong said thoughtfully. “No kid from the kingdom has ever disappeared.”
“There are two possibilities,” Jaehyun said seriously, standing up and letting the rabbit hop away. “Either she eats children from another kingdom... or you’re going to be her first victim.”
“What? No! She said her nephew’s visiting and she wants me to keep him company. I’m not worried about her being a witch. I’m worried I’ll die of boredom hanging out with a relative of Mrs. Jo! That’s why I wanted to ask if you’d come with me. She said there’s enough food.”
“And walk into her trap with you? So she can eat both of us? No thanks. I’ll pass.”
“But, Jaehyun…”
“I’ll be here if you need help. I’ll prep the salt and a dagger and maybe even gather some friends to help rescue you. But I’m not going.”
“You’re such a coward, Jae!” Taeyong snapped, feeling betrayed as he stomped away.
“You’re the fool for going to a witch’s house!” Jaehyun shouted after him. Taeyong turned around just long enough to stick out his tongue before continuing on, fuming.
The freezing air helped cool his anger step by step as he neared Mrs. Jo’s house. But he couldn’t ignore the way rabbits began appearing more frequently first one, then two, then dozens, until they practically flooded the path.
“Taeyong!” one of his father’s friends called. He waved back, noticing he wasn’t the only one staring at the sheer number of rabbits in disbelief.
Especially when he reached Mrs. Jo’s house.
It looked just as scary and withered as always, but the yard overflowed with bunnies. Taeyong stepped carefully to avoid them and knocked on the door.
Mrs. Jo opened it and smiled with a relieved look. She let him in, and he stepped into a room filled with unsettling drawings and dark decorations.
Taeyong was now fully agreeing with Jaehyun.
“Sit wherever you like, sweetie. I’ll go get Doie,” she said, disappearing into a hallway.
He glanced around. Chandeliers lined the ceiling, the fireplace glowed warmly, and everything was black or a deep, eerie red.
Then his eyes landed on a golden coat rack standing tall in the center of the room. Its surface was covered in intricate carvings faces and animals mixed together in strange harmony. Curious, he reached out to touch it.
“That thing cost a damn fortune. What were you thinking?”
The voice startled him so badly he jumped and knocked into the rack. It wobbled dangerously.
A pale boy about his age, wearing a beanie and looking half-asleep, had appeared behind him.
Taeyong tried to steady the rack, but only made it worse. It toppled right onto the boy.
He gasped and covered his mouth, eyes wide in horror. A cold gust of wind blew through the suddenly open window, and he felt a gentle touch on his head. When he spun around, no one was there, just the boy now on the floor.
“Ow,” the boy muttered, rubbing his reddening forehead.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Taeyong rushed over.
“That hurt! What’s wrong with you? Why’d you throw it on me?” the boy demanded, his accent thick with irritation.
“It wasn’t on purpose, I swear!” Taeyong lifted the rack with all his strength, praying Mrs. Jo hadn’t heard. “Someone said something, and I got scared and—”
“Who said something?” The boy scowled. “There’s no one here but us. My aunt just left out the back. You’re lying.”
“I’m not! Someone was here. They said something and touched my head—”
“You’re crazy. And now you woke me up for this.”
“You’re so annoying! I said it was an accident!”
“My aunt asked you to come, right?” the boy crossed his arms, ignoring the bump on his head. “Fine. I’ll tell her we had fun and we’re best friends. But if you don’t wanna be here, then leave.”
“Maybe I would want to stay if you weren’t so stubborn!” Taeyong yelled, just as the boy turned away.
“Oh, so now it’s my fault? You’re the one who dropped a coat rack on me!”
“Ugh! You know what? I’ll take your offer and go. I have a thousand better things to do than spend time with a brat like you!”
Another cold wind blew in, and both boys shivered. Taeyong hurried to close the window.
“Whatever. I don’t care as long as I don’t have to see your dumb face,” the boy muttered, sticking out his tongue before stomping upstairs. Then he turned around. “There’s cookies and milk in the kitchen. My aunt made them for you. You look hungry, so... have them all.”
He didn’t say it to tease. He looked... genuinely concerned. Then he disappeared again.
Taeyong stood frozen for a moment.
He remembered his mother’s book and the choice became clear.
He stuffed his pockets with cookies and drank the warm milk. It was delicious. But as he wiped the frothy mustache from his lip, he felt someone watching.
The boy hadn’t hidden fast enough.
“I didn’t drink your milk,” Taeyong said, popping a cookie into his mouth.
“No... It’s not that,” the boy mumbled, stepping out. “I just came for water. You were supposed to be gone by now.”
“Don’t worry, I’m leaving.” Taeyong stood up, just as a rabbit hopped to his feet. He stepped back quickly.
“Oh... You afraid of a bunny?” the boy teased, scooping it up and stroking it.
“I’m not afraid, I just prefer them at a distance.”
“Sure, buddy,” the boy said with a sarcastic grin, his accent thicker now.
Taeyong frowned as he looked at the red bump on the boy’s forehead. He grabbed a cloth and went out to soak it in cold water, then laid it on the table in front of him.
“Put it on your forehead,” he muttered, collecting his things.
“Should I thank you? You’re just doing it out of guilt,” the boy shot back.
Ugh.
Taeyong clenched his fists. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re really annoying?”
The boy smirked. “Yeah. All the time.”
And Taeyong left, slamming the door behind him.
That was the first time Lee Taeyong and Kim Doyoung met.
A nine-year-old Doyoung pressed the cool cloth to his forehead as he watched Taeyong walk away through the window, dodging the rabbits crowding the yard.
And Lee Taeyong went home with too many cookies, completely unaware that one strand of his dark hair had turned a brilliant, shimmering pink.
(...)
Eleven years later
Lightning struck in the distance. For a few seconds, Taeyong could see its perfect form before it vanished, followed by thunder rumbling across the skies. He shivered, even though it was supposed to be summer it was getting cold. Strangely cold.
"A thunderstorm before your birthday, good omen or bad omen, boy who can read people's soulmates?" Yuta asked, flashing him a mischievous smile as he also looked out into the rain.
"I can see your soulmate, not the future, Yuta. But this definitely feels like a bad omen," Taeyong muttered, just as another bolt of lightning struck closer than before.
"I'm leaving," a voice said behind them. Both young men turned.
It was Sicheng, already pulling a hood over his head.
“No! How are you going out in this rain?" Jaehyun asked, clearly worried.
Jaehyun and Sicheng were soulmates. In fact, the first vision Taeyong had ever had back when he accidentally touched Jaehyun’s little finger during a game, was of the red string wrapped around his friend’s hand extending far into the streets of the kingdom. Taeyong had followed it out of curiosity, telling Jaehyun about the string, about his mother, and his strange new gift. After hours of wandering, the thread had led them to the outskirts of the kingdom, where they found Sicheng one of the Duke’s sons planting flowers.
That was also the day Taeyong truly understood what people meant by love at first sight.
"I'm sorry, baby, but I have to go to the Jang mansion. My father’s probably been waiting for hours, and I can’t stay here even if it's raining. You know how royal matters are."
Jaehyun pursed his lips but nodded.
"Can I come with you?" Taeyong asked, his pink hair glowing softly under the candlelight.
"No, Tae," Yuta answered before Sicheng could.
"My father must be worried. I didn’t tell him I was coming here, and the storm came so suddenly. It’s on the way anyway. Can I come?" he asked again, looking directly at Sicheng.
"Eh… Do you have a hood?"
"I'll lend you mine," said Jaehyun, offering his large one. "Go carefully, okay? See you tomorrow for your birthday."
Taeyong smiled and pulled the hood over his head, then waved goodbye.
He waited while Sicheng and Jaehyun said their goodbyes, sweet, a little too cute, and then the two of them stepped into the street, rain drenching them almost immediately. They walked slowly, despite the thunder, as if neither of them cared. After a while, Sicheng broke the silence.
"I'm sure if your father wanted you somewhere else, it’d be at Yuta’s. So tell me, Tae, what’s really going on?"
"You already know, Sicheng." Taeyong brushed his soaked hair out of his eyes and tucked it under his hood. "I don’t like these days. It’s my birthday... but it’s also the day my mother died. Out of respect, I’d rather spend the morning alone."
"I'm sorry," Sicheng said and Taeyong turned to him, eyebrows drawn. "It’s just... I know it’s hard for you to talk about, but I thought it might be something else."
"Something else? Like what?" Taeyong laughed.
"I don’t know… I thought maybe you finally saw who’s on the other end of your red string, and you were hiding it from us."
"What? Why would I do that? You know if I ever saw my soulmate, you all would be the first to know. But that’s never going to happen. My mother wrote it in her book, we can see other people’s strings, but not our own. Or at least, not until we meet our soulmate."
He looked down at his pale hands, water streaming from his fingers.
"And plenty of people have come through my little business, but none of them were it. Sometimes I wonder if I even have one. Maybe I’m just meant to die alone."
This time, Sicheng laughed.
"Of course you have one! You told us yourself that everyone does! That was in your mother’s book too. And anyway, if for some reason you didn't, I promise you wouldn’t die alone. Pretty much everyone in the kingdom is in love with you. You're basically a deity with that pink hair and perfect face. We both know you’ve got admirers lining up."
"But none of them are my soulma—"
He stopped mid-sentence. The moonlight lit up an animal crossing the path.
"A rabbit?" Sicheng asked, spotting it too.
"Yes... wow." Taeyong stared at the small creature with its flawless white fur. "It’s been years since I’ve seen rabbits in Mideo."
"Doyoung..." Sicheng whispered, looking up suddenly.
"What?"
"It’s Doyoung! Doyoung is in the kingdom!" Sicheng looked genuinely thrilled, though Taeyong had no idea who that was.
“What? Who’s Doyoung?”
“I—I’ll explain later, Tae. I have to go. Can you promise me you’ll get home safe?”
Taeyong smiled gently. “Of course, Sicheng. Don’t worry the rain’s easing up anyway.”
And he was right. The storm was already fading.
He watched as Sicheng ran off, hoping he wouldn’t slip on the wet cobblestones. Then his eyes returned to the rabbit. No, three of them now. He furrowed his brows, remembering the last time he’d seen one.
He’d been at Mrs. Jo’s house, though he couldn’t recall exactly why. But he remembered the rabbits, the darkness of her house, and more importantly, the book. His mother’s book. That day had been the beginning. The instructions, the gift, the moment his hair started turning pink.
Now, those same rabbits were scampering down the road, joining the one he’d first seen. He followed them with his eyes until he noticed a figure in the distance, someone running toward him.
For some reason, Taeyong didn’t move. He stood still as the rain soaked him, his heart beating strangely as the person drew closer. Under the moonlight, he could finally see his face.
The boy looked scared.
“Finally, I found someone,” he said, breathless, his accent unfamiliar. “I’m sorry to bother you. I’m looking for the Jang mansion, but I got lost in the rain. Could you tell me where it is?”
Taeyong blinked. The rabbits were gathering around the boy, more and more of them.
“Uh… yes. It’s a few streets up,” Taeyong murmured, still staring.
The boy wore a thin leather hood and carried a violin case on his back. Taeyong recognized it, he played too. Though the case looked cheap, the boy held it like it was something precious.
“Thank you,” the boy said with a soft smile. “You look pale. I hope you don’t catch a cold on your way home.”
“Thank you?” Taeyong echoed, confused, watching the stranger disappear into the street.
The rabbits followed him.
(...)
Taeyong woke up the next day feeling a little dizzy. He got up and went to the kitchen, but then he found an apple pie on the table.
“Happy birthday!” His father jumped up to hug him from behind and Taeyong received him with a smile from ear to ear. “You are already 21 years old, and I remember you when you were a little baby with your dark hair, but look at you now. Identical to your mother.”
“Thank you, Dad," Taeyong hugged him back.
Oh, another year of his life has come.
Finding his mother's grave was not so difficult because they always had this tradition. Taeyong left her the crown he had made with flowers he found near to their home and his father left her a kiss while they talked to her.
"It's been another year that I haven't found my soulmate, Mom," Taeyong reported. "It's a little sad to make people meet with their soulmates, but not being able to find mine soon."
Silence answered, but that was enough for him.
“Did you feel like that before you met Dad too? Alone? Even if you were surrounded by many people?”
A warm breeze came ruffling his hair and Taeyong sighed happily.
“I hope my soulmate comes soon. It's my birthday wish," Taeyong took out a piece of apple pie he had saved, grabbed the candle he had lit for his mother and then placed it on top of the food as he closed his eyes and made the wish before blowing it out.
But then, he heard a sound and opened his eyes to find a rabbit that had stood in front of him, quite close. Taeyong walked away quickly while he listened to his father's laugh.
"Rabbits in Mideo again after so long? And are you still afraid of them? You are already 21 years old, Tae.”
"Animals are animals and they will still scare me, whether I'm 5 or 70 years old, Dad." Taeyong noticed that, again, there were several rabbits running around and the image of the young man from last night, who had a violin and bunnies following him, came to his mind.
They both said goodbye to his mother's grave. His father headed to the port to start work and Taeyong went another way to go to his soulmate reading business on the northern side of the kingdom.
It was a bit funny that the first thing Yuta had told him (when he met him six years ago in the kingdom's music group and Taeyong told him about his gift), was to take advantage of his ability and make a business where he would read other people's soulmates in exchange for a few coins.
Taeyong let out a laugh thinking it was just a silly joke, but then Sicheng, who at that moment was lying on Jaehyun's chest said, "I would have paid all the money in the world for you to guide Jae back to me," and something moved in his chest.
And now here, almost six years later, Taeyong was standing in front of his small business that had no advertisement outside so as not to be conspicuous because he still had to guard against a possible witchcraft accusation. It was just a wooden door and a small window that said "Flames". Next to it was a drawing of some flames that Yuta had designed.
Inside, the place was quite nice. He had a huge sofa with comfortable cushions, a small table where he asked his clients to place their hands and most importantly, behind where he sat, was the cabinet where he kept the paper and charcoal pencils with which he drew the eyes of soulmates who were too far away..
His mother, explained that each generation developed a different ability to see the person on the other side of the string who was too far away to physically follow the trail. His grandfather could read names clearly, his mother could tell how old they were and what they were doing at that instant and....
Taeyong could clearly see the eyes' shape of the other person and draw them perfectly, even in the start when he didn't know how to draw. He could also smell whatever was around the other person.
And that's why the charcoal pencils were there, for when he needed them in case the soulmate of the person he was reading their palm was too far away to physically follow the string (unless he was paid very well).
He sat back in his chair and waited, watching out the window on the street. It was amazing to see how the rabbits ran back and forth when, normally, no animal would dare to pass through the streets of the kingdom like that. It was a bit amusing.
Until someone knocked on the door.
“Happy birthday!” Taeyong heard Yuta before he turned around. His friend handed him a few paints with a beautiful smile on his lips "I hope you like it. It's a gift from all of us, but we decided to give it to you early because in the evening things are going to get fun," he smiled mischievously.
Taeyong appreciated the paints, deeply moved. He had wanted them for a long time, but they were too expensive for him to think he would ever get his hands on them. It was the best gift he could wish for.
And the one he asked his mother for, of course.
“Thank you so much, really.”
“It was nothing, Tae. It's the least you deserve," Yuta settled into a chair facing the window where three rabbits ran past, running down the street. “Have you seen how many rabbits are in the kingdom? There are too many, as if they had reproduced massively in a single moment. “
“Yes, it's rabbit season, I guess. Although it seems to happen every ten years, I don't know if it works that way," he laughed.
“I doubt it. Also, I think it's the first time in history that the hunters don't come to the forest, but the animals come directly to the kingdom.”
“That's why it's even stranger. Should we ask Jaehyun's mother? She knows quite a bit about animals and stuff…”
"Speaking of Jaehyun," Yuta turned around, looking all over the place for Taeyong's violin. It was on a shelf gathering dust because it had been a long time since he had reunited with the kingdom's music group. "I ran into him and Sicheng this morning to buy the paints for you and they told me that there was an elegant gala at the Jang’s mansion last night. Several musicians from the neighboring Kingdoms came to play there. And... You know, you and I are commoners and even though we play our instruments better than all of them, we don't have blue blood and can't attend such events.”
Taeyong leaned down to take the violin and cleaned it, looking at it with great appreciation. He loved playing that instrument ever since Jaehyun's mother had given him one when he was fifteen. He immediately joined the kingdom's musical group and was now the lead violinist. However, he had to retire momentarily because two months ago his father had fallen ill and he had no time between the soulmate reading business and taking care of him. But a few days ago his father had returned to work and, perhaps, it was time to return to the group too.
And then, the boy with the violin from last night came back to his mind.
“Yes, I met one of them on my way home last night. He was lost and was carrying a violin case on his back.”
"Yeah! In fact, two of the musicians who attended the gala are Sicheng's friends since they were little and he told me to ask you if they could attend the celebration we are going to give you tonight."
"Huh? Sure," Taeyong expected it to be a celebration among friends, but he had no problem with the other two coming. "Anyway, this is all organized by you all..."
"Perfect," smiled Yuta.
Hours later, while Taeyong was leaving the kingdom library because he had accompanied a young woman who had paid him very well, he met Jaehyun who was smiling at him with his dimples while stretching a blindfold towards him.
"It's going to be a surprise," he announced and Taeyong sighed worriedly.
The truth was, even though he knew all the streets of the kingdom by heart, Jaehyun had been wandering around so much that he was already lost. However, when the smell of nature reached his nostrils, he frowned. Then the sound of the waves came until, finally, Jaehyun stopped.
"You can take off your blindfold now."
Taeyong smiled excitedly before raising his hands. When he could finally see again, he noticed Yuta, Sicheng and Jaehyun smiling at him. Next to them were Sicheng's two friends, a slightly short boy with a bright smile who seemed to be very excited and....
The violin's boy from last night.
"Happy birthday!" His three friends ran out to hug him and Taeyong greeted them with a loud laugh, although his eyes, for some strange reason, were still fixed on the violin boy who looked a little uncomfortable.
"Come, Tae, come," said Sicheng. Until that moment, Taeyong had not noticed that there were a few rabbits in the place. "Meet Chittaphon and Doyoung, they both come from Sigag Kingdom. They are musicians like you and Yuta, but Doyoung is also a scientist."
"Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Chittaphon Lee, but you can call me Ten," the shorter young man shook his hand, although Taeyong was quite careful to not touch his little finger. "Happy birthday! Sicheng let us know this morning and we really didn't know what you liked so we bought you a cake."
The whole place was beautifully decorated, it was a small lookout that was located on the outskirts of the kingdom.
“Is a pleasure too, and thank you very much for the present, you didn't have to,” his eyes moved to the other young man, who was looking back at him with deep dark eyes. “You and I already know each other.”
The young man frowned.
“Really?” His accent was much more thicker than Ten's. “I think I would remember meeting someone with bright pink hair. I'm sure you're confused. “
“No, you asked me for directions last night.”
“Was that you?” He narrowed his eyes, examining him as if he distrusted the veracity of his words. “In any case, I am Kim Doyoung. Future member of the scientific society of the Kingdoms and part-time violinist. Happy birthday.”
Taeyong smiled slightly without being able to take his eyes off those enigmatic black eyes.
“Tae also plays the violin, he is the best in Mideo," said Jaehyun proudly.
“Oh. What a coincidence! Doyoung is also the best violinist in Sigag," Ten smilingly informed them.
“Interesting," Doyoung muttered and Taeyong could hear the way he said it. As if he thought Taeyong was not able to compare to his level.
“We should play together someday," he said with a sarcastic smile before walking away from them with a bitter taste in his mouth.
The evening was gradually becoming pretty cozy. They had lit a fire and were drinking a lot of wine. Ten was quite talkative and made the conversation very pleasant, while the others were telling childhood stories. Taeyong sometimes glanced sideways at Doyoung, who stood a little apart, but talked when he had to and also drank, just not as much as the others.
“Have you noticed that there are suddenly a lot of rabbits running around Mideo?” Sicheng asked, getting their attention.
“Yes, in fact this morning we were talking about it with Tae," commented Yuta.
“Well, it's all thanks to him," Sicheng slapped Doyoung's thigh in a friendly way and Doyoung smiled half-heartedly.
“Doyoung? Why?” Taeyong's curiosity grew exponentially.
“It's something that has always happened since I was born," Doyoung began, looking out to sea. "It's really the only phenomenon I haven't been able to find any logical explanation for, but basically the rabbits always follow me wherever I go."
Just then, one of the animals came running up and jumped into his lap. Doyoung softly began to pet it, Taeyong could tell he knew exactly how to do it, because the animal surrendered to the touch.
“Do they always follow you?” said Jaehyun.
“Yes, although when I want privacy, they ignore me and move away, but they are always there. It almost feels like I'm under a spell, if such a thing actually exists.” Doyoung laughed in denial as he took a drink from his cup.
“You don't believe in magic?” Yuta asked carefully.
“Not, obviously. Everything has a scientific explanation. It's just as silly as believing in people who say they have gifts and can do things that 'normal' people can't." Doyoung rolled his eyes, "They just do it to take advantage of people's ignorance and steal the little money they have by trickery."
All of them fell silent at that moment. Ten didn't understand why the ambiance suddenly felt so heavy. Everyone was avoiding any kind of direct eye contact except for Taeyong, who had been staring very seriously at Doyoung. It was an icy stare.
“What?” Doyoung asked, noticing the atmosphere around him. “I didn't say anything that wasn't true.”
“Wrong," Taeyong's body was so tense that his muscles were marked on his body. “Wrong, wrong and wrong. Not everything is scientific, you know? Have you ever seen anyone with my hair color?"
Doyoung sensed the way Taeyong was talking to him because he put aside the wine glass and stood with his back straight, prepared for confrontation.
“No, I haven't seen anyone with hair like that nor with features as perfect and outlined as yours, but that doesn't mean that doesn't have some explanation like because of the cold, the color of your hair has faded and possibly you have red clothes that you sleep in on the side of your head…”
“No. And if you can't find an explanation for that," Taeyong laughed wryly, sipping from his wine glass, "you're not going to find an explanation for what I'm capable of doing.”
“What are you capable of doing?” Ten murmured, looking at him in rapt attention.
“If I touch your little finger, dear friend, I can lead you directly to your soulmate. I can see the red string that connects your finger to the other person's finger even if it's thousands of miles away. And yes, I earn money for these services," he added, imitating Doyoung's accent.
Doyoung, on the other hand, burst out laughing looking at Ten.
“You're not going to believe him, are you? You can tell that everything he says is bullshit.”
“It's true, Doyoung," Sicheng intervened, raising his tone of voice very seriously. “He's brought a lot of couples together over the years, including Jaehyun and me.”
“Pfft, I already realized that everyone here has their biased opinions and won't agree with me. I'm not even going to discuss it, it's too late and all I’ll do is ruin the mood," Doyoung took his coat and got up heading for the door. “I hope you celebrate many more years, liar.”
Taeyong clenched his jaw too angrily, feeling smoke coming out of his ears. No one had ever ever, in his entire life, questioned the veracity of his gift. Everyone in the village loved him, adored him, and no one would dare imply that he was a liar (because, obviously, he wasn't); but now along came a rich, idiotic kid, who thought he was always right and who didn't believe in this kind of stuff, even though the rabbits followed him.
And to doubt that, was to doubt his mother.
“Please excuse him," Ten muttered, embarrassed "He really believes that everything has a scientific explanation and…”
“Tae? Taeyong! What are you doing?!” Jaehyun started to say as he saw his friend also grab his coat and go after Doyoung.
Taeyong was striding stronger and stronger, turning a deaf ear to his friends' shouts. It was easy enough to follow Doyoung because of the trail of rabbits behind him, and though they frightened him, it was more the anger he felt. Finally, he spotted him in a corner with his violin case slung across his back. He quickened his steps, feeling his heart beating too fast until he reached out him, grabbing his shoulder. Doyoung jumped in surprise, especially when Taeyong turned him roughly.
The two stood face to face too close.
“Okay, smart boy. Come to my business first thing tomorrow morning and we can prove which of us is right. The session is entirely on me."
They held eye contact for a few very heavy seconds, holding their breaths. Then, Taeyong released his grip and turned to walk home meeting his friends and Ten.
“You can come too, Ten. I'm not going to charge you anything either.”
And he crossed the street away from everyone, going to his house.
The moonlight shone directly on his face as he lay on his bed and kept thinking about the idiot with the violin who was followed by the rabbits.
(...)
The next day, while Taeyong was weaving a flower crown to avoid anxiety, someone knocked on the window of his store calling his attention. It was Jaehyun, who gave him a reassuring dimpled smile.
“First of all, I apologize for leaving everything you prepared for me yesterday. I was very angry, but that didn't give me the right to be a jerk to you guys.”
“It's okay, Tae. Don't worry, you don't have to apologize. What that guy said wasn't nice either," Jaehyun saw the flower crown he was making and smiled. “It looks beautiful. They are…”
“Lavender flowers, I found them near my house.”
“It's perfect... I'm going to have to ask you to make two for Sicheng and me," Jaehyun put an arm around his own neck, feeling uncomfortable. “By the way... Sicheng and his friends are coming right now and look, Tae, I know that guy is really infuriating, but it's not worth ruining your day if he doesn't believe you in the end. You shouldn't prove anything to him in the first place. You know your ability is real and that's all that matters.”
“Jae, I'm not going to allow that a dumb rich kid walk all over me," Taeyong folded his arms and sat back in his seat expectantly. “He's too irritating, I really feel sorry for the person on the other side of his string. It's a very unlucky person.”
Jaehyun laughed and then there was another knock on the door.
As soon as Doyoung entered the room, their eyes connected as if some kind of strong magnetism attracted them. Taeyong turned up his haughty face and Doyoung pressed his lips together coolly.
The tension in the air was so thick that it was even hard to breathe.
“Hello, Taeyong. Nice to see you again today," Ten smiled at him in greeting and only then Taeyong's eyes turned away. He gave Ten a friendly smile.
“Ten is really excited about you reading his soulmate," Sicheng commented.
“I told him this is stupid, but he won't listen to me. You're really good at this trickery stuff," Doyoung began to spew venom, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “I mean, reading soulmates? What a good strategy.”
“Doyoung," said Sicheng in a warning tone. “What did we agree on?”
“It's just that..." Doyoung glanced at Taeyong with narrowed eyes. “Okay, okay. Do you mind if I play the violin instead? Otherwise, I know that whatever I say next, it won't be nice.”
Taeyong almost thought Doyoung's attack was personal. Almost.
“Anything to keep your mouth shut is fine," he said, turning to look at Ten. Doyoung opened his mouth to answer him, but he felt Sicheng scowl at him and went silent again.
He sighed and turned to taking the violin out of the case on his back.
"You can sit down, Ten," Taeyong said kindly, "I will explain what I am gonna do so you can understand, because there are two possibilities and since you are from another kingdom, there is a better chance that it is the second one.”
Ten nodded at his words and, at that instant, Doyoung began to play the violin. Taeyong immediately recognized that melody and looked up abruptly to see how Doyoung had his eyes tightly closed as he played the instrument with the emotion only understandable from a musician who was passionate about it.
He had been breathless, just watching how those white fingers traversed the instrument with purity and the bow moved majestically across the strings. Taeyong felt how, very slowly, his body began to fill with life and everything moved in relation to the melody. Only this one mattered more than anything else in the world.
“Taeyong?” Ten's voice broke in between the music and Taeyong looked at him again, realizing what he was doing.
He had lost his way completely.
“I'm s-sorry," Taeyong grabbed Ten's hand roughly because his whole body was trembling with excitement, "W-What were we talking about? Ah, yes! Possibilities. There are two, the first is that your soulmate is actually nearby and we can follow the string. The second is that this person is far away, far away, enough that only their eyes appear to me which I will draw if that is the case. I can also smell some things around them so that you have some idea of where they might be.”
“Oh... amazing," Ten smiled brightly and Taeyong smiled back until he saw a rabbit enter his store. The bunny scampered over with its furry paws and lay down at Doyoung's feet.
“You're scared of it," he heard Doyoung's voice and Taeyong swallowed saliva avoiding his gaze.
“No…?”
“Go outside.” Doyoung told the rabbit who immediately followed his orders.
“Thank you," Taeyong murmured, his cheeks blushing slightly.
Doyoung nodded almost imperceptibly, returning to his violin.
“It's all right, Ten. Are you ready? You just have to trust me.”
“I do.”
Taeyong's fingers gently caressed his hand, outlining some veins that stood out. Ten's hands were beautiful, but it was also due to the fact that he was a nobleman. Taeyong had learned to perfectly differentiate a hand as perfect as these, to a working hand like his own full of scars and marks.
Finally, he reached the little finger and sighed before touching it. His eyes closed in concentration, he could see the red string tied on Ten's little finger falling off the table and heading for the exit; however, when he tried to look further, dark and rather large eyes intruded into his field of vision. Then, his sense of smell sharpened. It smelled strongly of flowers. They were roses, that smell was unmistakable and there were many of them... But it also smelled as if something was burning, even that smell managed to overshadow the roses... They were the roses themselves. The roses were burning.
Taeyong opened his eyes abruptly. Then, without letting go of Ten's finger, he began to draw the eyes, which reflected the flames, the roses and the fear. His hand moved with incredible skill up and down all over the paper and everyone saw it, even Doyoung who had stopped playing the violin.
“There are roses, Ten," he murmured after he finished drawing. “There are a lot of roses, but it's a field full of flames. Whoever your soulmate is, I think he's in danger right now.”
Ten looked at him in shock, focused on his drawing. Jaehyun and Sicheng came over to look carefully at the paper. It was the best drawing he had ever done and that was because Ten shared a very strong relationship with that person, even if they had not met yet and were miles apart.
“In danger? Unless it's an accident or a natural catastrophe, there's no way he’s in danger. Peace has been maintained in the kingdoms for a long time and will be maintained for a long time to come, so it's absurd," Doyoung commented, noticing the clear reflection in the drawing. “Besides, the only place where there are roses is in Nunbicce Kingdom and that is where the most peaceful Kingdom of all is located.”
“Does that mean my soulmate is in Nunbicce, Tae?” Ten asked with his eyes so wide that they seemed like they would pop out.
“I-I… That's what your string has shown me, Ten…”
The young man frowned, with a sigh of hopelessness and desolation. Taeyong didn't know what to say to comfort him. Nunbicce was too far from Mideo, and even further from Sigag. Besides, the landscape in which everything was burning wasn’t a good omen, it was terrible and worrying. Doyoung was right, Nunbicce was the most peaceful kingdom of all and it almost seemed impossible that something like this was happening there, but that was what he saw and smelled.
"Do you still believe what he says, Ten?" said Doyoung, interrupting the silence.
"I..." He murmured doubtfully.
"All right. Now you go, Mr. Scientist," Taeyong successfully imitated his accent. "Find out yourself."
Doyoung raised an eyebrow in acceptance of the challenge. He carefully put the violin away and sat down in the seat Ten had left. Their gazes clashed against each other at every single movement, even if it was something as basic as breathing. Doyoung rolled up the sleeves of his coat and placed his hands firmly on the table, Taeyong stretched out his arms without taking his eyes off Doyoung's dark eyes until his touch felt Doyoung's soft hands.
It was as if an electric shock flowed through his whole body.
"I guess you're smart enough that I don't have to explain again what I told to Ten," Taeyong said after he had to swallow hard.
“I'm smart enough not to believe this in the first place, pinky boy.”
“Pinky boy?” The question came out of Ten's mouth first, rather than Taeyong's.
Doyoung's neck flushed a little.
“I guess that's a good nickname for a scammer.”
“I seriously can't believe you're this irritating.”
Doyoung smiled. It was an engaging gummy smile... Nothing that really mattered.
“I seriously feel so sorry for the person on the other end of your string, I mean, be with you for a lifetime?” Taeyong began to outline Doyoung's hands, which were too soft, but also full of calluses and scars. Taeyong couldn't help but notice how similar they were to his own due to the fact that they both played the same instrument and had to suffer the consequences of it. He ran his finger all over his hand almost as if he was giving him a caress and noticed Doyoung's skin crawling at his touch. He looked up and Doyoung was frowning at him, but his eyes didn't lie, and his eyes told him he was mesmerized.
“Let's see, tell me who that miserable person is," Doyoung sarcastically challenged him, and then, just before he moved on to his little finger, Taeyong had a sudden thought that he tried to dismiss immediately.
Because he had eyes and he could see that Doyoung was as beautiful as a snowflake, and even if his soulmate had to tolerate such an irritating attitude, they might as well see him every day and how that dark hair must get tousled after a good nap or how those pretty cheekbones should turn red in the face of winter....
Taeyong shook those thoughts off before bringing his hand roughly to Doyoung's little finger. His eyes closed and then the string was very clear, it was even a much brighter red than others he had ever seen, and he followed the string expecting it to fall off the table, but it had taken a totally different course heading towards....
“NO!” He shouted, scaring everyone.
He opened his eyes very slowly, still quite perturbed. Taeyong had never, ever, been able to see the people's string with his open eyes, but Doyoung's was still glowing and fell across the table majestically heading to his own little finger, ending there.
He was Doyoung's soulmate. Doyoung was his soulmate....
Doyoung was looking with wide eyes and he wasn't the only one, the others were also looking at him strangely, although Jaehyun looked genuinely concerned.
“What happened, Tae?”
Taeyong only had his eyes on that string, on Doyoung's hand, on Doyoung himself.
“Hello, people! Sorry I'm late, I was buying some stuff to eat togeth-," said Yuta happily coming through the door, but then, Taeyong took advantage and left the business, dragging Yuta with him.
Doyoung, Jaehyun, Sicheng, and Ten watched him disappear down the street. A very strange silence took over before Doyoung turned to look at them.
"Does that mean I'll be alone forever?" He murmured, adjusting his sleeves.
“I… I don’t know..” Answered Jaehyun with his gaze still placed in the window.
“See, Ten? There’s always a reason why I’m saying things…”
"Taeyong doesn't normally act like that, he must have seen something terrible…" Jaehyun frowned.
“But even if this was real -which we know it isn't- Taeyong gave Ten and me very unreliable answers. Was that how he intended me to believe him? Because he only reaffirmed my beliefs. This was a waste of time and thanks to this, tomorrow we have to leave at dawn because we no longer catch the ship that sailed in the afternoon…”
“I don't know, Doie," Ten was gently touching Taeyong's drawing of those enigmatic eyes. “When I see this, I really have a very strong feeling in my chest, almost as if I'm nostalgic... Even... My chest hurts too much.”
Doyoung moved closer to him, patting his back because Ten looked like he was about to cry. That pain got worse every time he looked deeper into the drawing, noticing features he hadn't seen before.
“Ten?” Sicheng took his face to look him in the eyes. “Hey, easy, easy.”
Doyoung picked up the case his violin as he shook his head.
“Let's go home.”
“Can I take the drawing with me?” Ten murmured with his teary eyes looking at Jaehyun.
“Eh... Yeah, sure, of course.”
“For what reason, Ten? Don't cling to the idea that seriously this person could be your soulmate. Let's start with the fact that soulmates don't even exist. Besides, as I said before, according to this information your soulmate would be in Nunbicce in danger and we know that's the most secur-...”
A trumpet sounded in the street interrupting him, announcing that there was news in the Kingdom. Jaehyun opened the door and the four of them went out as well as the other people that were nearby.
“It has been reported that in Nunbicce Kingdom’s there has been a revolt against the monarchs and a civil war has been declared, therefore, no trips will be made and no merchandise will be carried to that place from today on.” Said the kingdom's spokesman before leaving.
Doyoung had his mouth open after hearing that. He felt Jaehyun tapping his shoulder lightly as he closed the doors of the store.
“See? Taeyong never lies.”
“You'd better go home. You have a long trip ahead tomorrow," Sicheng swooped in to hug Doyoung and Ten. “It was good to see you, really. Goodbye, I'm missing you two already.”
They both watched as Sicheng took Jaehyun's hand while they walked up the street.
Ten was about to speak, but Doyoung covered his mouth.
“This still doesn't prove anything, it’s just a coincidence. How about we practice for the performance we're supposed to play in a couple of days? Let's go. “
Ten stared at the drawing as the kingdom spokesman words echoed in his head, but he pursed his lips and nodded, following Doyoung.
Surely it was a coincidence. A horrible coincidence, of course. But a coincidence after all. Just that.
(...)
A few hours later, when night had fallen on Mideo, Doyoung left the house where they were staying and went to the market to buy some bandages for his fingers because he had practiced so much that he had sustained a couple of injuries. However, when he was already a couple streets down with a bunch of rabbits surrounding him, he heard a squeak.
He turned, but didn’t see anyone nearby. He frowned and accelerated his walk until he reached the market which was full of people, although he felt that someone was following him. He could sense that gaze on the back of his head. While one of the women was healing his wounds, Doyoung turned his head in every possible direction to see if he noticed anything strange, but he saw nothing.
Then he went to the bakery to buy dinner and he could assure that the echo that could be heard in the streets was not only from his steps, so when he entered inside the place and while he was waiting for the baker to give him the things, he took one of the rabbits.
“I know you can understand what I want to tell you, sweetie. Take me to that person. Go.”
He put the rabbit down and paid the baker before leaving. The rabbit passed in the opposite direction to the others making its way and Doyoung followed him to a nearby alley where there was a man with bright pink hair reading a book.
“Really? It wasn't good enough that you were wasting my time this morning, but now you're following me too?"
Taeyong's body stiffened at being discovered. He turned very slowly to Doyoung's direction letting the moonlight shine directly on him as he pressed his lips together.
“I didn't waste your time this morning, in fact I've discovered more than I expected…”
Doyoung rolled his eyes before gripping the bags of food, although he made a slight noise from the pain in his fingers where he had the healing. He then turned his back on Taeyong and started to walk to his residence.
"Wait, Doyoung!" I’m serious,” Taeyong exclaimed, coming to his side. “There is no point in telling you what I saw if you don't believe…”
“You really are..." Doyoung mumbled in denial, "Ten hasn't been able to concentrate on anything else but that drawing you did and it's more than obvious that you don't like to lose even though you yourself proved that what you do is fake and…”
“All right, okay. Let's not talk about it," Taeyong was too nervous as he ran his tongue over his lips and avoided making direct eye contact with him, "I brought my violin..." he whispered.
"What?" Doyoung hadn't been able to hear the last part.
"That I..." he said loudly, but lowered his voice again, "I brought my violin…”
Doyoung then could appreciate the instrument that was on Taeyong's back and looked again at Taeyong who had his gaze down quite ashamed as he moved his foot from side to side.
"Do you want us to play the violin together?"
"If you can, of course. Sicheng said that tomorrow a long trip awaits you, but well, I thought that maybe as you are the best and I am the best it would be a shame if we didn’t… yeah…”
Taeyong didn't seem at all like the bright and confident young man he was that morning or the day before. Doyoung could not believe that this was the same man who had challenged him with the darkest look he had ever received.
“Okay," he agreed (because how can he say no to play the violin?) and watched Taeyong's eyes sparkle, "Although I guess where we're staying with Ten they're not going to let us play this late…”
“I guarantee that no one will bother us at the lookout we were at yesterday.”
Doyoung then nodded, letting Taeyong accompany him. And, in all the time they shared, even when they were both playing the violin by the sea, nothing ever felt awkward or forced again. In fact, there were many things they shared in common, such as that their parents suffered from a heavy plague that shook the kingdoms last winter or that they both seemed to be allergic to peanut. They had the same favorite melody that they played until their fingers cramped up, they also preferred summer more than winter, and they hated the taste of tomatoes.
“Since how old have you been playing the violin?” Taeyong asked as they both sat down tiredly in the sand.
“I don't know, I don't remember. Maybe at eight? Actually, at first, I started with the piano like every noble family does, but then I saw a commoner girl on the street playing it and I was just... fascinated," Doyoung's hands showed how excited he was talking about it. "I really... I couldn't stop looking at her as she moved her fingers majestically and had her eyes closed, feeling the music with her whole body. That day I told my dad I wanted to play the violin and it was one of the best decisions I ever made..." his eyes shone before looking at Taeyong "And you? How did you end up with this wonderful instrument? I'm sure it wasn't because of one of your deluded customers.”
“Oh, shut up!” Taeyong looked at him with narrowed eyes before smiling. "I got it thanks to Jaehyun's mom at fifteen. Of course, my dad and I were so poor that even in our wildest dreams we couldn't have bought it," Taeyong gazed adoringly at his violin. "But she knew that whenever there was any royal business, where music was involved, I was a fool just looking at the violin, so this was my fifteenth birthday present and it's one of the most precious gifts I've ever gotten. "
Doyoung smiled very faintly at him.
"Your friends were not exaggerating, you played very well for a non-professional training and this was a very pleasant evening. It had been a long time since I had played with someone who was as passionate about music as I was and I really must thank you for this," Doyoung took his hand and squeezed it affectionately.
Taeyong was surprised by the sudden touch, but that surprise increased when he saw the string between them glowing too brightly, almost blinding him, just from that action.
Doyoung stood up releasing his hand and Taeyong saw the glow fade slightly as the string lengthened again due to the distance.
“You're... you're leaving already?” He asked, hoping the sadness didn't show in his voice as much as he was feeling in his chest.
“Yes, tomorrow morning there will be a ship waiting for me and I barely have a couple of hours left to sleep. But it was fun this time together, you're cool when you're not spouting your nonsense. And don't worry, I know how to get back. It was good to meet you, Taeyong. See you another time.” Doyoung gave him a bright gummy smile before walking back to the village with the rabbits following him.
Taeyong stood there helplessly feeling deep anguish and sadness. So much time had passed to find his soulmate and now that he knew who he was, he couldn't have him by his side because he lived in another kingdom a bit far away and, besides, he didn't believe in his gift in the least.
He didn't know at what moment he arrived at Yuta's door, but he knocked there a couple of times with his eyesight clouded by tears. As soon as his friend opened it, Taeyong rushed to him, crying disconsolately.
“I followed him, I followed him because I thought my gift was wrong and that stubborn idiot couldn't be my soulmate, but Yuta... It's definitely him, it's him and he's leaving tomorrow and I can’t do anything about it.”
Yuta caressed him trying to calm him down, but Taeyong couldn't stop crying all night because his soulmate was Kim Doyoung.
THE fool Kim Doyoung from a kingdom so far away.
(...)
“Am I the only one who notices he's a bit depressed these days?” Sicheng asked, watching Taeyong play an incredibly sad melody with his eyes closed far from them.
“If he doesn't want to talk, he has his reasons. Just let him be," muttered Yuta, concentrating on cleaning his flute. “Please don't make this more overwhelming for him.”
“You can't fool me, he's been like this ever since what happened with Ten and Doyoung. However, when he wants to be obstinate he succeeds, so I need to know what's really going on because, as his best friend, I can't let him be sad without doing something about it.” Jaehyun stood in front of Yuta, trying to show an intimidating appearance.
“There's a reason why I'm not telling you, Jae," Taeyong replied behind them. He was depressed, but not deaf, "I don't want to make this a bigger deal than it is. So it's best to just close it and be done with it. Soon you will see me shine again, but for now, let the sadness take me over. It's also good to be sad, you know? Because, thanks to that, you can appreciate more the precious moments of happiness.”
Sicheng and Jaehyun looked at each other, but didn't say anything more, understanding. They just waited for Yuta and Doyoung to put away their instruments to go to the market, but while they were walking to the place, they noticed that in front of Taeyong's business (which wasn’t open because he wasn't working that day) there was a person who had a huge hood and were staring at the door.
“Sorry, there is no service today," said Taeyong, tapping the shoulder of the mysterious stranger, but the person jumped in fright, turning in his direction and Taeyong recognized him immediately “Ten!?”
The young man had a pair of crescent moons under his eyes showing how little sleep he had gotten, but his gaze relaxed noticeably when he saw him.
"Who is it, Tae!?” He heard Jaehyun ask from afar and Ten widened his eyes.
"Is he with Sicheng? Don't tell them I'm here, please,” Ten begged before Taeyong could open his mouth to reply. “I need to talk to you first... In private.”
Taeyong stared at him for a few seconds, wondering what the two of them could possibly be talking about (and that Doyoung was the first thing that popped into his head, only made his chest ache), so he finally turned his gaze to his friends and smiled at them.
“It’s just a merchant who came to ask especially for my services, go home. I'll see you later.”
And he dragged Ten into the store without listening to whatever his friends might say to him.
“You can put your hood behind the door and make yourself comfortable, do you want something to eat? You look a little sick.”
“Thank you, but I don't want to wait… Although… First, I do want to ask you something, Tae. Why isn't your hair shining as much as it used to? I remember you used to radiate joy, but now…”
Taeyong bited his lips in denial. He wouldn't go there, not yet.
“I guess I'm just not in the mood, that's all.”
“Well, I honestly don't know if it has anything to do with our previous meeting, but I haven't seen Doyoung very good either, you know? Like he can't sleep at the hours he has and he's grumpier than usual,” Ten rolled his eyes as he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. “Seriously, it's so weird, now he just plays sad tunes on his violin and... I don't know if I should tell you this, but the color pink has caught his attention lately.”
Taeyong opened his mouth slightly at that revelation, he knew that his look conveyed hope... And that Ten wasn't stupid.
“I may not be on the waiting list to join the scientific society like Doyoung, but I also have studied my whole life and I know how to connect dots. You can see the string that connects people's soulmates, but Sicheng told us that even though it was like that, you couldn't see your own string so you didn't know who yours was, which is super sad, but you could also live with it all this time. However, Doyoung and I came along a few days ago. You read my soulmate and everything went fine, but then you read Doyoung's and it was... like a cataclysm happened right before your eyes. Since that day Doyoung has been acting really weird, but now that I see you like this... I... Doie is your soulmate, isn't he?”
“Is that the reason why you came here, Ten? Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?” Taeyong inquired with bitterness scratching in his throat.
“No, not really, but I want to know. I'd like to know. I've been Doyoung's best friend since we were kids, we're almost like brothers and I don't want to see him grieving like this. it's pathetic," Ten seemed to remember something very sad because his eyes watered. "He had a lover some time ago, his name was Donghyuck. Three years younger than him, but believe me when I tell you they were perfect for each other, they are both too smart and have angelic voices. I would almost say Doyoung loved him, but Donghyuck broke his heart when he broke up with him because he fell in love with one of the king's aides. Doyoung cried for weeks, told himself he was someone replaceable and worthless, then focused so much on his studies that he would spend sleepless nights reading and only stopped when he realized he was losing his eyesight. He still has sequels from that experience and now that I see him like this, he reminds me of the pit he was in and I definitely can't allow myself to see him like this if I can do anything to help him.”
The feeling of bitterness increased in Taeyong's chest. Doyoung had already experienced first love with someone other than him, his rightful soulmate. Doyoung had wasted his tears on a person who didn't deserve it and for whom he shouldn't be crying in the first place... But then he remembered that Doyoung, in the beginning, didn't even believe in soulmates.
And, besides, Doyoung was now burdened with a bad experience in love.
“You can't do anything anyway, Ten. He hates me and not only that, he also thinks I'm a scammer," Taeyong crossed his arms. “But yes, just as you sensed, he is my soulmate. My so-called great love, for whom I have waited all my fucking life."
Ten smiled very tenderly, making Taeyong blush. Maybe he shouldn't have said the last thing, but it came so naturally....
“Look, I don't know you very well, Tae, but I know when someone is worth it and I'm sure the love between you and Doyoung will blossom. Just don't push it, let everything flow. After all, you're made for each other.”
Taeyong had to clear his throat as he felt his chest heat up.
“I don't understand why you're telling me this, Ten. Let's start from the fact that both of you live in Sigag, which, though not as far away as other kingdoms, is still very, very far away," he almost sounded desperate, but Ten couldn't give him hope where nothing could come of it. “Besides, Doyoung hates me and-”
“He doesn't hate you!" Ten interrupted him.
Taeyong looked at him with his big eyes.
“He doesn't hate you," Ten said again firmly. "I mean, he does think you're a scammer and all that stuff, but he doesn't hate you. In fact, whenever we're practicing with the band, he talks about how he met someone here in Mideo «who played the violin so majestically that it seemed like he was playing the most precious thing on earth». And he has repeated it so many times, that we even complete his sentences, it's hilarious. But I insist, he doesn't hate you, so…”
Ten winked before lowering his gaze. All his joviality disappeared and Taeyong could see why, the paper with the eyes he had drawn was on the table.
“Did you find him?” he ventured to ask.
“I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, Tae. I feel like I've seen him somewhere before," Ten ran his fingers over the drawing as if he were giving it a gentle caress "And his fearful look worries me so much... That's why I came."
Ten took out a sack full of money and jewelry which he dropped on top of the table in a loud clatter. Taeyong was dumbfounded as Ten unoccupied the sack and began to count each coin.
“I hope this is enough.”
“Enough for what?” Taeyong gasped.
His throat had gone completely dry. He had never seen so much money put together... Or separated. This could be enough for a couple of years in which he would live very well and carefree. It was even a lot of money for a nobleman like Ten to have.
“It is the savings of all these years and it is for you, so that you can accompany me to find him. I know that right now Nunbicce is in a civil war, but I don't care about that. I have to help him. Now that I have found him, I can't let him die without him finding me too.”
“But Ten," Taeyong was deeply disconcerted, "I... That journey is too long and I can't leave my dad alone…”
“I can hire someone to take care of him if that's the problem! And if this isn't enough money, I…” Ten's voice trembled from the desperation that gripped his body, but Taeyong reached down and grabbed one of his shoulders to calm him down.
“Money doesn't matter to me, Ten. Are you sure?”
The younger boy's eyes shine as he placed his hand on Taeyong's and squeezed it tightly.
“I am. I can't just stand here knowing that I can help him, Tae.”
“It's okay," Taeyong nodded without even pausing to think about it. “All right, Ten. I'll go with you to Nunbicce. Although the truth is that I've never left Mideo and I'm a little afraid of it, especially because of the war situation and that all the kingdoms have cut off communication with them. We will have to make the trip walking, but doesn't matter. We will find him, I assure you.”
“Thank you very much," Ten said sincerely. “Thank you very much, really... When is it convenient for you to leave?”
“Just give me tomorrow to fix everything. Besides, I know a guy who can lead us until we get there, let me talk to him. I'll pick you up later, okay?” Ten nodded several times. He looked a little more relieved. “Are you staying at the same place as a few days ago?” Ten nodded again before jumping in for a hug.
“Thank you for everything, Tae.”
“Don't worry, we'll find him," Taeyong hugged him back.
Then he escorted Ten until they reached his hotel, but as they walked down through the village, out of the corner of his eye, he thought he spotted a rabbit.
However, when he turned to check if what he had seen was real, nothing was on the street anymore.
Great. He was already hallucinating.
(...)
The icy chill of the early morning felt a little stronger for the two men who walked briskly while each held a candle as the only source of light and warmth.
“Look, Johnny, I know you love to be a stud and talk flirtatiously to every person who crosses your path, but don't do it with Ten. I don't want you to make him uncomfortable, remember it's going to be a long trip," Taeyong asked the tall, burly man walking beside him with a couple of travel bags.
“For all the money you just paid me, I don't even talk the whole trip if that's what you want, honey.”
Taeyong tapped his shoulder, friendly with a grimace on his features.
“Don't 'honey' me, you idiot.”
They finally reached the place where Ten was staying and Taeyong knocked on the door.
“Oh, look who we have here, my best friend, " Jaehyun opened the door and didn't look happy at all.
“Why do you say it like that?” Taeyong laughed nervously, "And what a surprise that you're here…”
“As far as I understood, you and I told each other everything," Jaehyun clenched his jaw. “Like you're going to Nunbicce, for example.”
“Nunbicce? Pfft, who told you that?” He wasn't a good liar at all.
“They already know, Tae.” Ten peeked behind Jaehyun. Yuta and Sicheng were there too. “I ran into them on the street and had to tell them everything.”
“Oh," Taeyong looked at his best friend biting his lower lip. “Well, I'm going to Nunbicce with Ten and there's nothing you can do about it. A small boat is waiting at the port to take us to the nearest kingdom, which is Dagaol. And from there, we will walk. So let's go, Ten.”
For some reason, Taeyong hated goodbyes with all his soul. It was too hard for him to say goodbye to his father a few minutes ago, even his eyes were still a little red. And now to his friends...
“Actually, there is something we can do," Yuta said smiling before dragging a travel bag and Taeyong then noticed that Jaehyun and Sicheng also had one. “We're leaving with you.”
Taeyong was too surprised, but at the same time quite relieved. Even Ten seemed a bit more relaxed, though the dark circles under his eyes were still prominent.
“And you brought Johnny with you!” Jaehyun smiled and greeted the young man as they all started walking towards the port.
"Finally someone noticed me!” laughed Johnny. “Your father allowed you to come, Duke Sicheng?”
“Well, here I am," he lifted his shoulders. With one hand he carried his traveling bag and with the other he held Jaehyun's. “And now that I know you've come, I further confirm my decision to accompany Ten and Taeyong.”
Johnny touched his own chest dramatically, making everyone laugh.
Johnny was well known in Mideo for being an inveterate adventurer. At the young age of 21 he had already traveled through every kingdom that existed on the Swan Peninsula. It was said that he had lovers in every port and had a bright and charming personality that made all people love him. He and Taeyong were the most known and loved people in all of Mideo after the king.
“There's the boat," Johnny pointed to it and Taeyong was about to take a step, but then a rabbit ran through causing him to startle.
"Damn, shit," Ten began to say as Taeyong felt his pulse start to race.
He searched vehemently all over the harbor feeling like his heart was going to jump out of his throat. His whole body was trembling and mist was coming out of his mouth, until finally his eyes met his.
Doyoung was walking purposefully towards them. His footsteps echoed despite the fact that it was an open place. He looked so angry that Ten instinctively backed away, but Taeyong, on the other hand, just stared at his face, realizing again how handsome he was. With his high cheekbones and his defined chin, plus those enigmatic black eyes.
“You! You're the one to blame for-!” Doyoung pointed out in his thick accent, but Ten butted in.
“No. I will not allow you to treat me as if I were a child, Doyoung. I'm only a few days younger than you so I'm perfectly aware of every action I take and I'm going on that boat whether you like it or not.”
“But Ten! You have to understand that-!”
"Stop thinking you're intellectually superior than me or any of us." Taeyong could see Ten's fist clench white. “It is useless to study that much if you are going to treat others as if they were a miserable flea. Let me go, Doyoung, and if it all turns out to be a scam, the only one affected will be me, but I won't be left with the doubt that my soulmate is suffering or something worse and I’m here doing nothing.”
"I don't want you to be heartbroken, Ten!" Doyoung took his face. “It is one of the most horrible feelings I have ever had and I wouldn't want you to go through the same thing, you don't deserve it.”
“Even if my heart breaks in the end, it's okay. At least I would have experienced it, Doie," Ten took his hands affectionately. “It's part of being alive after all, and you can't take that away from me. Hope.”
Doyoung stepped back, sighing heavily, but he seemed to understand because he decided to not say anything else. Taeyong could tell he was very conflicted inside, but also having him standing in front of him with the string between them glowing made his chest heat up.
“You're the one to blame for all this, pinky boy. At the end of this fucking circus you made, I'll see you begging for Ten's forgiveness on your knees," Doyoung accused him, looking too angrily.
Taeyong gave a half-smile, putting a hand in his pocket so it wouldn't show he was shaking.
“I won't have to when he finally finds his soulmate and you realize how wrong you are for not believing in me.”
Doyoung snorted and rolled his eyes, turning back to pick up a bag that looked big enough for a trip.
“I can't believe I'm going to do this," he muttered, stepping brusquely between the two of them dragging his bag. Taeyong noticed that Doyoung had his violin hanging on his back.
“Doie!” Sicheng greeted him with a big smile on the boat. “Are you going to join us?”
“Of course I am, I don't plan to leave Ten alone," Sicheng helped him with his bag. “I had to work miracles to get them to let me ‘rest’ at the scientific society. I told them I would do some field work on the flowers in Nunbicce and managed to convince them. I hope this madness of Ten's will not sacrifice my future position.”
“It won't," Ten replied, climbing into the boat. “Thank you very much, Doie.”
Doyoung rolled his eyes, but smiled softly at him. However, that smile faded when he made eye contact with Taeyong.
“Don't worry," Ten whispered as he saw Taeyong look depressed. “Life has given you a chance and you should take advantage of it. Let him know that you are his soulmate without him actually knowing he is your soulmate. That way you not only defeat him with his silly talk, but you might even shut him up with a kiss."
The mental image made Taeyong's cheeks burn feeling embarrassed. Especially since his eyes went straight to Doyoung's lips which were a reddish color and looked so soft...
“What are you thinking about, you've gone redder!” Ten pointed out with a smile and immediately Taeyong placed his icy hands on his cheeks to hide his blush.
“Is it because of me, sweetie?” Johnny asked, putting his arm around his shoulders.
“How deluded you are, Johnny," Taeyong released his grip.
But the look Doyoung gave them from afar did not go unnoticed.
His heart was hammering loudly.
(...)
“Oh no, here it comes again," said Yuta before turning around and throwing up outside the boat.
“Thank goodness the rest of the trip will be overland because your friend is throwing up more than he has ever eaten in his entire life," commented Johnny watching in awe as Yuta vomited for the fifth time while Taeyong gently stroked him on the back.
“Unlike the others here on this boat, Yuta and I have never been beyond the walls of Mideo's Kingdom," Taeyong commented, drawing not only Johnny's attention, but the others too. “Unfortunately neither of us are from noble families or actually earn enough money to afford certain luxuries. We both never thought of leaving our lives, me as a fisherman and him as a lumberjack just like his mother, because that's what we were meant to be. But then, Yuta had this extraordinary idea of taking advantage of my gift and thanks to it we have both been able to do things we would never have imagined," Taeyong looked out at the kingdom that was lost in the mist above the sea. “Like drinking milk, like leaving Mideo…”
Taeyong was already expecting the usual sarcastic comment from Doyoung, but instead, he only saw him leaning back with his arms crossed and looking straight at the ground with a frown, but he was sure he had heard his words.
The string in the middle of them was beautiful.
“Well, that's not a problem anymore, for the next trip I have I'll let you two know," Johnny winked at them as Yuta tried to breathe normally. “What could be better than having two beautiful escorts?”
“Sure, Johnny, because they're dying to be with you," Jaehyun bent down and handed Yuta a flower petal to smell. “I thought I didn't bring it and that's why I didn't give it to you before, but I found it at the bottom of my bag. It will take away your dizziness for sure, my mom taught it to me.”
“Thank you, Jae," Yuta was relieved and the effect was almost immediate. His skin regained color and he looked calmer.
“Is that a Chwo flower leaf?” Doyoung approached curiously. “We were recently investigating it, its properties range from passing dizziness until closing wounds in minutes. Its healing abilities are extraordinary, where did you find it?”
And both Jaehyun and Doyoung engaged in a conversation about medicinal plants that lasted quite some time. Taeyong stood watching them without understanding many of the things they were saying, but Doyoung looked so bright talking about something he was so passionate about that he couldn't take his eyes off him. Even when it started to rain and the waters of the sea became wilder, they wouldn't stop talking. Taeyong had a strange feeling in his stomach, he wanted too much to steal Jaehyun's head knowledge and be the one to talk to Doyoung like that.
“Oh, I can almost see the smoke coming out of your head, Tae. What's wrong?” He heard Sicheng sitting next to him. “Doyoung isn't saying anything wrong this time so I don't understand why you look so angry. “
“Don't you feel weird?” He asked, ignoring his question.
“Weird? You mean do I feel dizzy like Yuta? Don't worry, because of my royal duties since I was a kid, I've always had to travel across seas so it's not a problem, why? Do you feel sick? I can tell Jae that…”
“No, don't worry," Taeyong calmed him down, smiling slightly. “I mean... Jaehyun talking so pleasantly with Doyoung.”
“What?” Sicheng burst out laughing. “Why should I feel ‘weird’? They're just talking about a topic they like.”
“Yes, but-”
“You told me yourself that Jaehyun is my soulmate, so what do I have to worry about?”
The string between him and Doyoung shimmered ever so slightly at that moment. Fool, fool, fool.
"Yes, you're right, I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me..."
Sicheng looked at him with narrowed eyes as if trying to decipher something Taeyong was hiding, but when he was about to speak, Jaehyun took Sicheng's face and gave him a soft kiss.
"What were you two talking about?" Jaehyun asked as Sicheng leaned his head to rest it on his shoulder.
"Nonsense," Sicheng replied and Taeyong turned to see that Doyoung had also approached them, but wasn't looking at him. "Although I just noticed that Tae's hair seems to be shining again, right? All these days you looked so dull, but now you seem to be coming back to life."
The nerves in his body began to take their toll, especially since Doyoung was now also looking at him to check that what Sicheng said was true.
"You definitely look better than before, Tae," Jaehyun turned to look at Doyoung. "He was very sad these days and wouldn't tell us why. It was like a cloud of depression floating around the kingdom aimlessly."
“That's not true," Taeyong muttered, feeling uncomfortable. “I just didn't feel well, that was all.”
"Why?" Johnny butted into the conversation by running his hand around Taeyong's shoulders again. "Being totally serious, you're too cool a person to be sad for no good reason."
"I'm sure he realized how sad it is to live on the backs of cheating other people," Doyoung muttered, but everyone could hear him.
"When are you really going to stop this shitty attitude towards Taeyong?" Sicheng snapped angrily.
"When he stops this whole circus. We can still get back. Just admit you're a liar and that's it," Doyoung smiled fakely at him.
Taeyong had never in his whole life, (except to a nagging kid he knew when he was very little and who he remembered was a pain in the ass) wanted to hit someone as much as he wanted to hit Doyoung. But there was the string in the middle of both of them reminding him of their destiny together and he only felt his chest ache while his eyes filled with thick tears.
"Hey, you don't have to talk to him like that. " Johnny started to defend him, but Taeyong denied making him stop.
He took one last look at Doyoung feeling his soul heavy and walked out of there before he could cry in front of everyone, which would make everything much more embarrassing.
"No, Tae! It's raining," Jaehyun shouted, but Taeyong had gone to the side of the boat that wasn't covered, so the rain-drenched him completely.
"Did you see what you're doing, Doyoung?! You're lucky Ten is sleeping right now because I'm sure he'd be scolding you too," Sicheng approached him too angrily. "You don't have to be such an idiot."
Doyoung folded his arms trying to hold his ground, but the sight in the distance of Taeyong's back shaking as if he were crying only added to his guilt.
"But I'm right and..."
"No, you're not. Now go to him and apologize," Sicheng already had him cornered in one part of the boat. "Apologize to him now or I swear I'll have you back on the next boat we see no matter where it goes."
"Oh, and that is not a problem," Johnny added.
Doyoung looked back to where Taeyong was standing and he bit his lips before denying and rolling his eyes.
“Well, whatever," he finally said before turning to Taeyong.
Hearing his sobs made him feel worse.
“Look, I shouldn't have said that," he said quickly and noticed how Taeyong was startled before turning to look at him with his red, sad eyes. “I still don't believe you, but-”
“You are an idiot. You know that? But at the same time, you're so smart... I hope they really do give you that position you want so badly in your silly scientific society just so you'll be so busy that I'll never have to see you again, not even by accident." He said looking at him sadly and angrily.
Doyoung's eyes widened enormously.
“Excuse me?”
“I'd rather not have met you a thousand times than feel what I feel right now. You really hit my weakest part, Doyoung.”
Doyoung was so confused at that moment that he didn't know what to say. He didn't even feel angry or anything, it was just that Taeyong's words seemed so deep that it conflicted him. They barely knew each other, why was he reacting that way?
“I'm pretty sure this is affecting you more than it should because you've been feeling sad before," he said calmly, although Taeyong let out a wry laugh. “But I have a proposal for you because the trip will be long and you and I can't live together like this.”
Taeyong's pink hair, now wet, covered his sad face, but he nodded very slowly as an indication that he heard him.
"Even though this is the reason we are doing this whole trip, let's avoid talking about your 'gift', please and then I won't be an idiot anymore like you and Sicheng told me," Taeyong smiled and Doyoung felt as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. “I'm an irritating person, believe me, everyone always tells me that, but also when I don't want to be a heavy shit, I'm cool and I think you could corroborate that night we played the violin together, so what do you think? That way we can get to Nunbicce without cutting each other's throats.”
Taeyong seemed to think very seriously as the rain continued to pelt them. The boat rocked sharply thanks to a wave that had hit it directly and Doyoung had to hold on to the railing where Taeyong had also put his hand.
They both felt each other's touch, warm and soft amid the rain. They looked at each other quite surprised because it was a very similar sensation to what they had both felt in Taeyong's business, but then another wave struck and Doyoung went against Taeyong's body causing them to hit each other in the waist.
“I think we'd better get back!” Doyoung exclaimed and Taeyong nodded several times.
“I agree with you," he said as they crawled back on the ground, "But I think it is pertinent to clarify that I am not a liar, so don't call me that again.”
Doyoung flared his nostrils but said nothing.
“By the way, it's strange to see you without rabbits around you.”
“Oh," Doyoung laughed genuinely. “Believe me, they're waiting for me as soon as I set foot on land again.”
And Taeyong proved it because as soon as they landed, a huge number of rabbits filled the port.
“Doyoung is always followed by rabbits, like seriously, always," Taeyong said to Johnny with a huge smile, although he was also a little scared by all the animals there.
“And he doesn't believe in your gift?”
“Ironic, isn't it?”
”Quite, but we know how silly rich kids are like.”
“I know!” Taeyong laughed, drawing everyone's attention, but more so Doyoung's, who looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Oh, shoot, he realized we're talking about him.”
“Run and hide," Johnny told him, making him laugh again.
“I'm not stupid! Do you want me to send you one of the rabbits?” Doyoung shouted in the distance.
“Nope, thanks. I'm doing just fine here," Taeyong smiled nervously.
Doyoung smiled back and shook his head.
And, the string between them shone beautifully again.
(...)
They all watched Johnny come back while he was eating a couple of blackberries from his hand. He threw one at Taeyong, which fell cleanly into his mouth making everyone laugh...
Everyone except Doyoung.
“Are they a couple?” He asked to Sicheng, who was next to him sending a blackberry to his mouth.
“What? Who? Johnny and Taeyong?” Sicheng also watched as Taeyong pinched Johnny's arm laughing at something the oldest said. “Well, Taeyong hasn't told us anything, besides, Johnny is a playboy.” He smiled, also eating a blackberry. “He has to get someone very strong or who manages to love him very deeply for that attitude to change and Taeyong couldn't care less.”
"But they look too comfortable with each other…”
“Well, I wouldn't be surprised if they end up as a couple," Sicheng raised his shoulders. “They have really good chemistry, plus both Johnny and Yuta's soulmates are dead, so if Taeyong gets bored of searching for his own soulmate, I do see a good chance of the two ending up together.”
Doyoung felt a shiver just imagining Johnny and Taeyong kissing. A terrible discomfort ran through his entire body, it wasn't even disgusting or dislike, it was anger.
No. The two of them didn't look good together.
“What's with that frown?” Sicheng put a finger between his eyebrows. “You're going to get wrinkles, Doie, and you're barely twenty.”
“Did you say Yuta and Johnny's soulmates are dead?” This time he asked incredulously. “What do you mean? What kind of scam is that?”
Sicheng rolled his eyes, but then they both saw Ten approaching interested. Apparently, he had overheard the conversation between them.
“I also want to know why Yuta has no one..." he muttered a little lower as the three of them turned their gazes to the young man with slightly long brown hair who was biting his lips, still a little pale.
"Actually, his story is very sad and even if you're skeptical, Doyoung, I ask you not to make hurtful comments about it and instead open your mind a bit," Jaehyun walked over and gave them more blackberries he'd picked, not before stealing a kiss from Sicheng, and he walked away again taking Johnny, Taeyong and Yuta with him. "Oh… Where were we?
“Yuta and Johnny's soulmates," Doyoung and Ten said at the same time with a smile at how flushed and gawking Sicheng was as he watched Jaehyun disappear.
“Oh. Okay, well. Six years ago when Taeyong joined the kingdom's music group, he and Yuta met and immediately hit it off. Both nearly illiterate, they lived in the same part of the kingdom and had barely gotten their instruments. Taeyong told him about his gift and Yuta came up with this business idea," Doyoung let out a faint snort that was ignored outright. “Since Jaehyun and I had already found each other, we needed someone else to be the first customer: Yuta. However, when Taeyong followed his string, we met a young man who was on his deathbed. If I'm not mistaken, his name was Dongmin. Yuta was very surprised because he had met him before when they played together or something, but Dongmin one day had just disappeared and it was because he had fallen terribly ill. He died a week later.”
Ten looked close to tears and even Doyoung moved a little.
“Those were sad days for Yuta, but he also told us that those few days he got to live with Dongmin were the best of his life and that the gift Taeyong had was wonderful because he gave this opportunity to anyone who came to his aid and that was even more wonderful than a few coins," Sicheng sighed with a nostalgic smile. “And… Well, Johnny's was not so dramatic. When he went to Taeyong out of curiosity a couple of years ago, something very strange happened. Taeyong told us that he could literally see the string connecting one person's little finger to the other and this string is red, but when he saw Johnny's, he realized that it was black. He had never seen anything like that before, but his mother (who also had that ability) had left him some notes about it, it meant that the soulmate of the other person had died. Johnny at first, like you Doie, thought it was a scam, but he still asked Taeyong to guide him until the string went as far as it would go. They ended up at a young man's grave a few steps from the beach. Johnny read the name and knew that Taeyong was telling him the truth because he was an ex-boyfriend he had for a long time... He didn't reveal details, but he said it was because of him that he had decided to travel all over the kingdoms just to get as far away from Mideo as possible.”
Ten made a little noise that almost sounded like a sob except that he was smiling from side to side. He hugged himself and Doyoung could read from his expression that he was very excited to find his soulmate.
Doyoung shook his eyes shut trying to control himself.
Johnny peered into the distance through the trees and held out a hand to get their attention.
“We've found a place to stay tonight. Come quickly.”
It was the cabin of a man who had a few cows and lived off the milk he gave out along the way to travelers passing through the woods. Johnny already knew him from all his travels and the man even offered them more food and a place by the fireplace.
“Do you know where you can stay tomorrow, Johnny?” said the man as soon as he finished lighting the fire. “I think you can get to Segye tomorrow, but then you will have to go through a terrible desert and remember that there are dragons there. You will last a couple of days there and then you'll find the endless Manbeobe forest which is the end point for-"
Doyoung abruptly raised his head with his eyes wide open. “Excuse me, did you say 'Manbeobe Forest?'" His voice trembled as if he was suppressing his surprise. “Are we going through Manbeobe Forest? THE Manbeobe forest?!”
Jaehyun smiled brightly. “Yes, Doyoung. We must necessarily go through the forest in order to get to Nunbicce. We are going to what you consider your paradise.”
Doyoung laughed trying to control his excitement. Taeyong, across the room, watched him intently, the way he played with his hands and flared his nostrils.
“Oh... That's great," Doyoung lowered his voice, suppressing a shout. “It was a good decision to come after all.”
“But remember why we're here," Ten put his hands on the oldest’s head and messed up his hair.” Because we're looking for my soulmate.”
“Yeah, whatever," Doyoung replied sarcastically, but he was still very happy.
Manbeobe Forest was a legend for scientists like him. He had always wanted to go there ever since he learned about the properties of plants from his private teacher. And now he had the great opportunity to be there first hand...
Until he remembered.
“But aren't there any wild creatures there? As far as I know, there are even creepy animals that will bite your head off! I don't remember it's name, but there's this Owl that makes a horrible noise that makes your ears bleed and!-” Doyoung shouted, hadn’t realized that, with his shout, he had interrupted the conversation that the others were still having about the route of the trip.
The laughter made him hold the air in his lungs. Then he realized how ridiculous he had sounded and felt himself begin to blush.
“Do you believe in the creatures of children's fairy tales and not in Taeyong's gift?” said Johnny mockingly.
“I wouldn't be afraid of the beasts, son," said the man in a voice so grim that it stopped all laughter. “I would be afraid of the men there. It is said that it is in that forest that the resistance against Nunbicce Kingdom is formed and all of them are ruthless former war generals, with their rotten minds almost turned into real beasts. They have already burned the Queen's garden and many roses because they know that is what the kingdom stands for. I still don't understand why you want to go, but you have to be very careful.”
“That's not a problem," Ten replied hoarsely. “I know firsthand that Sicheng, Doyoung and I have received training with war weapons such as bows and arrows, swords, shields and daggers.”
“It's true, Doyoung has extraordinary skill with arrows and rabbits can fight alongside him," Sicheng laughed.
“I would never dare expose those animals. But it's true, and Johnny and Jaehyun are about three times bigger than us, so it's obvious that we already have an army here.”
“I'm strong enough to handle an axe. I've chopped down whole logs with only one movement," Yuta showed off the muscles in his arms proudly.
“Well... If you need to remove scales from fish, I'm good at that," Taeyong added, half laughing, half worried. He really didn't know how to handle a single weapon, and with him being so thin, if he were to face anyone, he would be practically just a scrawny little guy very easy to beat... And kill.
He stirred brusquely.
“You look like someone agile, Tae," Ten commented with a half smile that Taeyong didn't like at all, he was planning something. “Your build is similar to Doyoung's, why don't you train with bows and arrows? I'm sure Doyoung has no problem with that.”
Doyoung and Taeyong connected their gazes with surprised expressions on their faces.
“Oh, I..." Doyoung started to say.
“Keep it down. You don't have to do that," Taeyong said firmly.
“Not at all," said Yuta, who connected his sly grin with Ten's. It was as if they both knew that the other knew that Doyoung and Taeyong were soulmates. “I'm sure Johnny knows merchants who can provide us with a quiver of arrows for you to train with, Tae.”
“And you don't have to worry about the money," Ten added and Taeyong really wanted to hang him.
“But there is one thing you have not taken into account," he said feeling a little angry. “I think Doyoung doesn't want to-"
“No problem," Taeyong lowered his gaze again to connect with Doyoung's who was smiling very faintly at him. “I have no problem teaching you, Taeyong. Unfortunately your perfect face can't help you in a battle.”
Taeyong tried not to get choked up by those last words.
But a few hours later as he lay beside Yuta listening in the background to the crackle of wood being consumed by the fire in the fireplace, he still couldn't stop thinking about Doyoung's words. Even if he had blurted them out in a terribly scathing way, Doyoung had also admitted to him that he thought he was handsome.
And well. That was a big step. After all, he'd already met several people who fell in love with just a smile.
(...)
The next two days weren't that bad, although signs of exhaustion began to show up. Taeyong's feet hurt very slightly, and he wasn't the only one because Doyoung also made slight noises that he tried to hide when he walked.
“We have officially left Segye. Ahead awaits us an arid desert where there are rumored to be dragons. You already know, they don't attack us if we don't show any emotion that could pose any threat to them. The best thing we can do is to just ignore them, understood?” Johnny said, returning from the Kingdom market with plenty of food, three water jugs, and on his back hung a quiver of arrows and two bows.
“Have you already passed this way, Johnny?” Yuta asked, impressed to see how he was carrying everything at the same time.
“No, but I have friends who have, I know how to guide myself. Believe me, there is nothing to be afraid of but dragons. I also know how we can divide the water among all of us so that it will last long enough for the next three days. Anyway, we also have plenty of food and the desert is very cool at night, plus we are at full moon and thanks to that we have enough light for you two to practice," he looked at Taeyong and Doyoung before tossing the two bows and arrows to Taeyong who barely managed to catch them in the air. “For the price of that, you should find me at least three more soulmates.”
Taeyong laughed in denial. “It doesn't work that way and you know it, Johnny.”
Johnny raised his shoulders looking behind him. “I'll be satisfied with a good kisser.”
“Oh, I know from a very reliable source that Doyoung is a good kisser.” Sicheng commented, biting his tongue as he winked.
Jaehyun, who was taking one of the jugs Johnny was holding, turned to look at his boyfriend immediately, a questioning grimace on his face. Doyoung's cheeks were tinged a deep scarlet color as Johnny looked at him flirtatiously with a raised eyebrow, seeming to be analyzing him up and down as if looking at him for the first time.
“Hey..." He began to mumble, running a hand through his hair, "I don't think we've been properly introduced, my name is John-”
“No!" Taeyong stepped between Johnny's outstretched hand and Doyoung's body. “Thank you for the arrows, but I think we should leave now, we don’t have time to waste.” He mumbled, trying to hide the sudden anger coursing through his veins.
“Tae is right. It's time to leave if we want to get to Nunbicce soon," Jaehyun muttered looking at Taeyong strangely for that behavior.
Johnny winked at Doyoung who looked at him with no expression on his face and then they set off across the shimmering desert sands.
Taeyong could no longer remember how much time had passed, but his tongue felt a little dry. He paused slightly to tie up his pink hair as the heat was becoming unbearable, but he didn't notice that someone also had stopped next to him.
“Okay. I really can't help it," Doyoung's voice caused his heart to flutter. The young man was biting his lips, though was smiling, "How is it possible that you're not scared of the potential presence of dragons, but you squeal and run away from a tiny bunny?”
“You haven't said to me more than a couple of words since we got off the ship and the first full sentence is to mock me," Taeyong said jovially, feeling the sweat trickle down his face. “And of course I'm scared, but I know how to control dragons if something happens, but I don't know if a bunny can bite me and tear off one of my fingers.”
Doyoung laughed and Taeyong swallowed a little embarrassed, but also looking mesmerized at that smile.
"Wait," Doyoung looked at him wide-eyed after a few seconds realizing the first thing Taeyong had said. “Do you know how to control a goddamn dragon?!”
“My father is friends with a dragon slayer," they both walked back to catch up with the group, "He taught me everything he knows about them on his sporadic visits to Mideo. I almost feel more familiar with them than the bunnies that only show up when you're around... They don't seem to like deserts much, though,” He noted when he saw that no small, white-furred animals were following them.
“I assure you that they are waiting for me in the Manbeobe forest. It's like I have some kind of magnetism in my body and they just follow me until the end of the world. And it doesn't bother me, after all, since I was born it's always been like that, but it's so strange because I don't know anyone else who has anything even close to that happen to them," Doyoung looked at his bright pink hair and pointed at it. “Like you and your hair! I still don't believe it's a natural color.”
“Well, my ancestors have always had it that way. My mother said that all of us who have the gift, recognize each other by having our hair like this, although it wasn't always that way. My hair started turning this color when I was about ten years old, before that it was as dark as a night without stars," Taeyong noticed that the sky was beginning to darken, the night was gradually closing in on them. “I thought we were born with the gift, but it doesn't seem to be so. I have a theory that there is something that activates it, but I honestly don't know what it could be and my mother answers that question with a ‘you will know in time and you will see, it is something beautiful’. It doesn’t help at all.”
“Are you sure it's not just some genetic deformity that you guys have?”
“Genetic? What is that? Can you eat it?” he asked, totally ignorant.
Doyoung let out a laugh and Taeyong pouted feeling that the younger man was making fun of him and his ignorance, but then they heard a noise that tore through the silence of the desert. It was the sound made by a beast.
“Shit! I really thought we could get rid of this one," exclaimed Johnny turning to the others. “Remember what I told you, don't show any kind of emotion.”
“Yeah, well," said Ten, muffled and shaking with fear from head to toe clinging to Sicheng who was the closest to him. “That was when we thought they were just rumors, they spit fire out of their mouths!”
“Stay calm, Ten!” Taeyong grabbed him by the shoulders trying to tranquilize him, but a new roar was heard. This time it was Yuta who shouted while they saw in the distance how the big animal approached, flapping its huge scaly wings and breaking the clouds in the sky.
“Yuta, get behind me and don't move," Taeyong ordered.
“What do you think you're doing, Taeyong? If we provoke it, it will attack us!” Johnny asked with wide eyes when he saw that he was on the defensive.
Then a very strong blizzard made the sand rise up and crash against their bodies. The dragon was practically on top of them and its roars were terribly loud.
“It's going to attack us anyway, Johnny! Everyone's scared but you and me.”
“Tae! Tae hey! I remember you know a lot about dragons and stuff because of your dad's friend, but those were stories! This is a fucking real dragon!” shouted Jaehyun, who was protecting Sicheng and Ten.
“I know what I'm doing," he answered, seeing that the dragon was already only a few meters away, smoke coming out of its maw. “Doyoung!”
The named one opened his eyes in fear, he had stayed at Taeyong's side crouched down and with his head between his legs as a protective shield. The sand and wind still didn't allow them to see each other very well, but Taeyong was guided by the bright string between them.
“Doyoung, please come here! With the arrows.”
“What?!” Johnny exclaimed, unable to hide the horror in his voice. “One of those arrows can't penetrate his skin, we'll only make him angrier.”
But, at that instant. Doyoung stood up beside him with his bow and arrows ready.
“Yuta..." Taeyong whispered to his friend who was trembling in fear behind him, but Johnny came and grabbed Yuta's arm until he was by his side protecting him.
“Don't worry, I'll take care of him. I just hope you know what you're fucking doing.”
“I know," Taeyong looked again at Doyoung whose dark eyes were trembling. “Do you trust me?”
“I... I don't know…”
“Well, now you have to do it the same way I trust that your skill with arrows is excellent and not just a rich boy's bluff.”
If Doyoung was offended by that, Taeyong didn't know it because he took the younger man's hand and began to pull him closer to the dragon that at that moment was coming down to earth with its large claws burying in the sand. Doyoung squeezed Taeyong's hand even tighter which was turning white.
And he was right to be scared as hell. The animal was much larger than anyone could ever have related, with its huge wings hogging the sky, nefarious fangs and its very dark violet scales that glowed when it opened its mouth slightly showing the fire being created inside it.
“We're going to die," Doyoung mumbled, his voice so shaky he sounded like he was crying. “We're going to die, Tae. We'd better start running right now.”
Taeyong turned around even though the last thing he wanted was to turn his back on the beast. He noticed Doyoung's cheeks were streaked with tears and that made him feel a deep pain in his chest, he definitely didn't like to see Doyoung cry and in a situation he couldn’t control.
“We're not going to die, Doie," he reached over and took Doyoung's face in his hands, wiping away the tears very gently with his thumbs. “We're not going to if you do what I ask, but you're not going to make it if you're still upset so I need you to breathe, okay?”
Doyoung had been staring at the dragon all that time, but then he looked at Taeyong again and all the tension in his face began to fade.
“Breathe, breathe, breathe for me," Taeyong whispered, his voice slightly hoarse, still caressing Doyoung's cheeks. “It won't do anything to us if we act as if we're not the least bit affected by its presence. I know how to immobilize it, but we only have one chance... It's a blessing that you came with us.”
Doyoung's eyes were shaking even more and his mouth had gone dry.
“No one has ever said that to me before," he said, still clenching his hand tightly as the dragon snarled, watching them with his fierce eyes. “Normally no one is pleased by my presence. I know I annoy people a lot... I think It's good to do something other than irritating people. “
“Well," Taeyong squeezed his shoulder affectionately, stepping behind him, but only to give Doyoung a clear path. “Maybe if you'd change your pretentious attitude a bit…”
“I'm trying, I really am," his voice was trembling again as they both took very small steps towards the dragon. “But it's just that there are times when everyone around me are fucking idiots.”
Taeyong on some occasions didn't understand how it was possible for them to be soulmates.
“Seriously, you need to change that mindset. But right now I need you to concentrate on just one thing," Taeyong whispered against the back of the younger man's neck, who shivered as he felt his breath. “Can you look at his throat? All dragons have a very fine line there, look.”
They both saw that the dragon, although it was looking at them both from the front, they could see a part of the beast that had no scales, instead it was its unprotected skin.
“If you get the arrow to hit there, the dragon will faint. It won't kill it, so don't worry. But you have to hit it there directly, otherwise it will think we are attacking it.”
Doyoung sighed trying to get all the fear out of his body, he bit his lip so hard that he felt the taste of blood on his tongue. He felt Taeyong's gentle touch on his shoulders and back trying to relax him.
“Are you sure?” He asked again, concentrating only on Taeyong's caresses. It was as if he knew the perfect spots to rub to soothe him.
“One hundred percent. Still, if something goes wrong, I'll bait myself so you guys can go, okay? Don't come back for me.”
Doyoung turned to look at him worriedly. “You're kidding right?, It's literally because of you that we're on this trip.”
“Uh... Just don't show any emotion, Doyoung," Taeyong warned him as he looked at the dragon who growled loudly. "I know you can do it. Just do it."
Doyoung, whose hands were trembling, drew an arrow and positioned it in the bow. Then he brought his arm up as he had so often practiced in the garden of his mansion, aiming at the dragon. The arrow at the level of its mouth and the bow fully drawn.
“Don't be afraid," Taeyong whispered again against his neck and all his skin bristled. “Don't think either, just do it. I believe in you.”
Doyoung breathed in and then let go of the arrow.
The object flew through the air at such a fast speed, even the dragon couldn't see it. However, the arrow deflected by a few inches and hit one of the animal's legs, which roared furiously. Fire began to rise in its throat as its eyes turned full red.
Doyoung let out a shriek and began shooting one, two and many more arrows waiting for at least one of them to hit. Taeyong very quickly grabbed him by his small waist and threw him to the ground as he stood on top of him to protect Doyoung hugging him closing his eyes tightly, but then, when the blazing fire should have already been above burning them alive, they heard a howl and then that something very heavy fell on the sand.
Their chests were still heaving from their heavy breaths and the adrenaline rushing through their veins. Almost as if he was waking up from a nightmare, Taeyong pulled away very slowly with his arms shaking. Doyoung stared at him, gasping for air. Terror was on their faces, but then… it was as if some kind of bond began to form between them. Time, space, sound, everything had suddenly disappeared. It was just the two of them staring at each other and nothing else was needed, nothing else mattered.
It was just them at that precise second.
“You... you saved my life," Doyoung murmured, still with his eyes wide open.
“No, Doie. You did.”
And Taeyong got off his back as they both sat in the sand watching the dragon lie limp on the ground. It had a couple of arrows in its neck line. Doyoung had succeeded.
“For heaven's sake, are you all right?!” Ten came running in checking Doyoung from head to toe while Yuta and Jaehyun did the same to Taeyong.
“That was stupidly risky!” Johnny shouted at them, but then slipped an arm around each of them and pulled into a hug. “You have to come with me to travel the world, you're both fucking brave, damn it.”
Doyoung and Taeyong let out a slight chuckle of relief before they looked at each other again.
Something had definitely changed between them.
But now they had to find out what it was.
(...)
Ten still looked back a few times in case another dragon approached them again, but it seemed that at dusk, those animals also slept because they did not hear anything nearby.
“We still have to be careful," Taeyong said, drawing the attention of the whole group. “We can deal with a dragon that is awake, but if we wake one that is asleep against the sand, we won't stand a chance.”
They all looked at him in terror and Taeyong had to smile to show that this was nothing to worry about.
“I think we can sleep here," Johnny finally said, noticing how tired everyone was. “Have a piece of fruit and only drink what you think is good for you. You may be thirsty, but remember we still have a long way to go.”
Jaehyun put down the basket he was carrying full of fruit and they all went to get some. Doyoung and Taeyong seemed to be thinking the same thing, because they both lunged for the same red apple. Their hands brushed and they looked at each other in surprise.
“Take it," Taeyong said first, reaching for another fruit, but Doyoung offered him the apple as he lifted a couple of strawberries to his lips.
“It's all yours.”
“And can't we share it?”
“Oh, that's actually a very good choice," Doyoung looked at Taeyong in surprise at the clever idea. “And I'll give you some of my strawberries.”
“Done," Taeyong muttered, separating the apple in two with his hands.
“Hey, Doie," Johnny came over and had the audacity to hug Doyoung who immediately stiffened up. “I just want to know... How many arrows do you have left?”
“Enough to kill an entire army," Taeyong muttered, staring at Johnny's arm around Doyoung. He held in his hand one of the arrows Doyoung had stuck in the dragon and wiped the blood from the tip. Why?
Johnny looked at him oddly at his attitude.
“I was thinking you two could practice tonight. It's already been proven that being able to shoot arrows is quite useful, hasn't it?”
“Yes, you're right," Taeyong grabbed Doyoung's hand and pulled him until he had him out of Johnny's reach. He bent to take the quiver and was going to keep pulling Doyoung to go anywhere else, but Doyoung firmly planted himself.
“Wait. Just a few seconds.”
And Doyoung turned to look for something in his things. Taeyong again directed a venomous glare at Johnny who at that moment was talking animatedly with Yuta; however, he felt arms come to rest on his shoulders and massage him lightly.
“Don't be so tense, no one is going to take your Doie away from you," Ten murmured mischievously and Taeyong let out a snort.
“I can't be sure of that. Johnny is sometimes an asshole.”
Ten laughed. “Well, Johnny 'the asshole' in question has been all smiles with Yuta lately. You would have noticed it by now if you looked anywhere other than Doyoung.”
“What?” Taeyong looked at them with a frown. Johnny had said something quite funny that made them both burst out laughing and Yuta seemed to complement the joke because they laughed much louder again. “That doesn't mean anything. Johnny acts like that with everyone.”
Ten lifted his shoulders, but said no more.
“Let's go," Doyoung finally said with a faint smile that made his heart flutter.
They walked until a distance that was safe enough that no arrows could reach the group, but without losing sight of them. Taeyong watched Doyoung in the beautiful moonlight and such a deep sigh escaped his lips that the younger man turned to look at him with concern.
“What happened? Are you all right?”
“Eh..." Taeyong had lost himself in those eyes again. “Yeah, yeah, maybe a little nervous?”
“Oh, then it was a good idea to bring this," Doyoung took off the violin case and Taeyong opened his eyes longingly. “I'll play for you so you won't be nervous. Believe me, once you know how to position the arrow, it's just a matter of constant practice to have perfect aim.”
“Oh, it's very presumptuous of you to have so much faith in me. I have the coordination of a baby, seriously, the only thing I'm good at is fishing and playing the violin.”
“And at tricking people," Doyoung commented, approaching him and Taeyong would have rolled his eyes but the sudden closeness of Doyoung made him forget absolutely everything. “Watch me do it and then try to do the same. Okay?”
Doyoung took one of the bows from him (exactly the one he had shot the dragon with) and a few arrows that were in the quiver hanging down his back completely invading Taeyong's personal space. He held the air in his lungs as Doyoung reached for the arrows without noticing the effect it had on the oldest.
“Here, look at the position of my arm," Doyoung began to indicate.
Taeyong copied him, trying to put his nervousness aside. If he was too obvious Doyoung would notice there was something off about him and the way he was behaving around him, and with Doyoung's intellect, it would only be a matter of time before he connected the dots and figured out who was the person Taeyong had seen on the other side of his string.
“No, not like that," Doyoung was reluctantly taking his arm and lifting it up. “You'd better hold it at this angle so that the arrow will come out with more force and have much more range.”
Taeyong nodded, breathing heavily. However, when he felt that Doyoung had not moved, he turned and connected his eyes with his own that were looking deeply into his.
“You really have a perfect face," Doyoung whispered and Taeyong had to open his mouth slightly to catch his breath. “You're incredibly handsome.”
“I may have a perfect face, but you're way more beautiful than me," he said with a sudden boldness and felt something warm in his chest as he noticed Doyoung's cheeks flushing. “I mean, you have thick eyelashes that bring out those beautiful dark eyes. Your skin is flawless, your nose is perfect and your lips are too pretty.”
Although Doyoung was blushing from the compliments, he raised a smiling eyebrow.
“Oh… You seem to have devoted a lot of thoughts to my face.”
Taeyong bit his lips.
“How could I not?”
None of them said anything else, they just stared at each other for a long time until Doyoung finally withdrew with a faint smile.
That night, Taeyong managed to shoot more arrows than he thought he would.
(...)
“Seriously? Did that really happen?” Doyoung asked with wide eyes looking at Yuta and Taeyong who were laughing in embarrassment.
“It wasn't that hard," Jaehyun commented with folded arms sending him disapproving looks. “The problem is that Tae's hair really attracts everyone's gaze, so no matter how much he wore a hood, he got caught.”
“Oh," Doyoung exclaimed, looking at him, "So what did you do? Did they put you in the dungeon or something?”
“No, we were only fourteen. They just took me home and warned my father that if they ever found out we were bringing wine or any other intoxicating beverage into the meetings, I would be banned from the palace for life.”
“We still kept bringing in wine illegally anyways," Yuta raised his shoulders, almost looking proud. “We said it was water or grape juice. I think it's because of all the love they have for Taeyong that they didn't do anything else to us again.”
“ ‘All the love they have for Taeyong'?” Johnny repeated his words. “What about you? Doesn't anyone love you, Nakamoto?”
Yuta looked at him with a grimace. “I'm not that relevant, I guess.”
“That's a lie," Johnny replied.
“You didn't even know my name, Youngho. And we live in the same little kingdom.”
“Well, but now I do and that's all that matters.”
“See? I told you!," Ten murmured in Taeyong's ear, causing him to startle. “They're totally flirting.”
“I agree," Doyoung interjected. Haven't you seen the way Yuta looks at him?
Taeyong swallowed hard, avoiding Doyoung's eyes. Since last night, he was too embarrassed to even be near him. Neither of them had mentioned anything at all about what they said to each other, but Taeyong simply couldn't act like nothing had happened.
Is it possible that Doyoung was starting to take an interest in him? He doubted it too much. In fact, he had already convinced himself that Doyoung made that comment just because it was true, Taeyong was aware of how attractive he was and Doyoung had eyes. That had only been a platonic comment, but he could not excuse the words he had said and the way he had said them.
“But, assuming what Taeyong says is true, aren't both of their soulmates dead?” Doyoung's voice reached his ears, bringing him back to reality.
“That doesn't mean they can't find love in someone else," he mumbled, looking at the ground. “I've known many such couples. I think the important thing is to pursue your happiness and if that happiness can be found in someone else, why not try?”
He felt Doyoung's heavy gaze, but did his best to ignore it while a gust of extremely warm wind approached them. They all covered their faces letting it pass, but then Taeyong heard it.
A very faint growl.
He managed to move quickly just as he saw Doyoung's foot approaching to step on one of the wings of the dragon lying asleep hidden in the sand. He quickly grabbed him by the hips and pulled him to his chest very deftly. Everyone looked on in amazement at what had just happened. The sand rose reveal a beautiful scarlet and green specimen sleeping who threw smoking from the fauses.
“At this rate, I'll have to become your slave," Doyoung said, looking wide-eyed at the dragon.
“Why do you say that?” Taeyong chuckled without letting go of Doyoung who was still against his body.
“You've already saved me more than I would like.”
Finally the younger one turned to look at him and Taeyong still had a very faint smile on his face. They were very close.
“Well, then now that you're my slave, my first order is for you to take out the violin like last night and play something.”
“Oh, that's something I can do with no problem, though I wish you had brought your violin... It would be great if we could play together... Like that night.”
It seemed like he wasn’t the only one who enjoyed that night a lot.
“Well," Taeyong played with his hands somewhat nervously, "we can do it when we get back to Mideo… If you want.”
“Believe me I'd really love to," Doyoung took out his violin and began to play a very soft melody.
“Oh, I know what that is," said Taeyong and soon they both started talking about the songs they knew and many experiences they had with the instrument.
Taeyong would drop some comments that made Doyoung question certain positions he had on some tunes. Sometimes they would concentrate so hard on a particular subject that the voices of the others would become distant. However, it was a loud shout from Jaehyun that got them to really come out of their bubble. They both turned to look at the group far away, already the sun was setting in the background and the sky was a beautiful orange ending in the very dark blue of the night.
“Let's rest and spend the night here, aren't you two thirsty?” Johnny asked them when they reached the group again. “You've been talking all day long without stopping.”
“Taeyong, come help me, please!” Jaehyun called out, and though it pained him a little to part from Doyoung, he gave him an apologetic look before turning to his best friend who was distributing the remaining water in the jugs.
Taeyong started to prepare the basins, but then Jaehyun gave him an appraising look that made him pause.
“What?”
“I thought you were waiting to find your soulmate.”
“What?” He said again nervously. “What are you talking about?”
“We've all noticed the way the two of you are being flirty with each other, you're even more obvious than Yuta and Johnny!”
“Really?” Taeyong muttered seeing how Yuta was helping Johnny with the food being a little closer than they should be. “Uh, well, we're not flirting anyway, what kind of bullshit are you saying? Remember he's a rich kid who hates me.”
Jaehyun smiled, raising his eyebrows “Well, the way he looks at you says otherwise.”
Taeyong's neck ached as he turned sharply to look at his friend.
“'The way he looks at me'? What do you mean, Jaehyun?”
“I mean, it's almost the same way I look at Sicheng... As if no one else existed.”
Taeyong felt his whole body shudder. The warm feeling in his stomach (which was very present lately) spread throughout his body as he felt his heart pounding hard.
“But you shouldn't give him false hope," Jaehyun took a couple of basins. “Remember that you are in search of your soulmate.”
“But it's him” He muttered very quietly because now the voice seemed unwilling to leave his throat.
“What?”
“That... Is he," he looked his friend in the eyes who seemed genuinely surprised, "He's my soulmate, my complement, the one I've been looking for since forever.”
“Wait, that ass is your soulmate? And you didn't tell me?! Me! Your fucking best friend! Now I understand why you were so depressed... But that doesn't give you the right to not tell me!”
“Jae, keep your voice down…”
“Is something wrong?” Sicheng asked with a frown.
“It turns out that your bunny-smart ass friend is Taeyong's frickin soulmate and he didn't tell me until now!”
“What?!” Sicheng shouted this time.
“Shhh, quiet both of you” Taeyong noticed that the others had their gaze on them curiously. His eyes connected with Doyoung's for a moment. “If I didn't tell you, it's because I thought he and I would never see each other again and there'd be no point in you knowing that my love life was a bloody failure.”
“Oh but," Sicheng folded his arms. “Apparently it's not, Have you noticed the way Doie is looking at you?”
“I just told him the same!” Jaehyun said.
Taeyong felt his cheeks blushing too much.
“Besides you both look so cute togeth-oh hi, Doyoung."
Doyoung arrived with food and after passing it to the other two, he sat next to Taeyong whose heart was pounding harder if that was even possible.
Jaehyun and Sicheng passed complicit glances to each other.
“What were you talking about?” Doyoung asked with a piece of dried meat in his mouth. “See, eat, Taeyong. Remember, we have to practice tonight too.”
Taeyong raised an eyebrow. “My slave is telling me what to do? Until I understand, it's supposed to be the opposite.”
Doyoung's eyes widened, but then he smiled, biting the tip of his tongue.
“I am so sorry, my lord. I'm sorry for the audacity, please don't punish me even though I behaved so badly.”
Thanks to the last sentence, this time something else in Taeyong's body caught fire. He heard a faint chuckle behind him, but his mouth had become drier than it was.
"Shut up," he said to Jaehyun and Sicheng before returning to his plate of food.
Doyoung had a smile on his face.
(...)
“Come on, Taeyong," trying to hide the irritation in his voice was impossible. “You've already been so close, I don't understand why you missed.”
Taeyong had a vague idea, but he couldn't say it out loud.
He shot once again and again off by a few meters. He sighed in exhaustion and collapsed on the sand with a groan.
“Hey, no. I'm not going to let you give up so fast.” Doyoung grabbed his arm to try to lift him up.
“So fast? It's almost dawn!”
Doyoung looked straight up at the sky realizing that Taeyong was right. Suddenly all the tiredness fell on his shoulders and he slumped down next to Taeyong.
“I'm sorry. It's just that I've always been pushed too hard and I'm used to doing that, it's an unconscious thing, I'm sorry.” He stammered.
“Hey, no problem” Taeyong took his hand to reassure him, the red string connecting them falling between. “Don't worry, really. I like to push myself too, but I'm a little tired right now.”
Doyoung looked down at their joined hands with a frown and a very slight pout. With his thumb he stroked the back of Taeyong's hand as he closed his eyes.
He looked eternally beautiful in the light of dawn.
“I'm sorry anyway, for everything. These last few days with you have been great and I remember thinking and saying so many bad things about you... I'm sorry. I still don't know whether to believe in your gift or not (because it doesn't follow any kind of logic), but I shouldn't have been such a son of a bitch to you when you were just being kind.”
Taeyong wished with his whole soul that Doyoung would open his eyes and look at him while he was saying that, but he still felt much better than he had ever felt before.
“It's over now, Doie. Let's just concentrate on-”
"I don't understand why you are so nice to me, I don't fucking deserve it," Doyoung began to sob. "It's just that you treat me so well, you care about me, you save me from dragons and... I'm such a fucking irritating and idiotic person, I don't deserve it."
Taeyong moved closer and hugged him, which Doyoung was totally grateful for because he immediately clung to him, hiding his face in his chest.
“You can be a little bit irritating, that's true," Taeyong whispered against his dark hair. “Also a little bit of a jerk if someone takes you up on it, but that doesn't make you any less deserving of good things happening to you. You haven't hurt anyone, as far as I know," he clarified and felt Doyoung laugh against his chest. “And besides, you've helped us more than you know, you've helped me more than you know. Then don't think you don't deserve anything... To me, you deserve everything.”
Doyoung looked up with his eyes glistening from the tears that were still pooled there. The string shone stronger than ever illuminating everything. Taeyong leaned down a little and brought their foreheads together stroking the younger's back very carefully, as if he might break at any moment.
Doyoung sighed and their breaths mixed, but then he closed his eyes letting his exhaustion take over. He knew he could find no safer place than in Taeyong's arms, so he succumbed to sleep feeling the older boy's hand caress his face.
(...)
“So, did you guys make out?” asked Ten bluntly the next day when they were back on the road and the Manbeobe forest was already visible in the distance.
Taeyong choked on the water he was drinking and Ten laughed, tapping him lightly on the back.
“No," he answered, still coughing a little. “No, we didn't make out, why would you think that?”
“Last night Johnny asked me to call you two so we could sleep in the tents, but when I got there, you were together, cuddling, with your foreheads close together and clinging to each other as if at any moment you were going to disappear. You looked too adorable.”
Taeyong opened his mouth to respond, but he really didn't know what to say. Everything that was happening to him felt so unreal... He seemed to be in some kind of a beautiful dream, the most beautiful dream he could ever have had.
Doyoung was walking in front of him reaching out to touch a mountain of sand next to them, but as he felt his gaze, he turned and when their eyes met, he smiled at him.
"Oh, you're both equally lost," Ten muttered, denying, "Now, go to him.”
He didn't have to tell him twice.
“Dear slave," he said, causing Doyoung to burst out laughing, "I'd like you to instruct me on the vegetation you study so much.”
“Really?” He asked animatedly.
“Yes, in fact I'm always on the lookout to learn new things and the only thing I know about botany is the lavender flowers that grow next to my house, with which I make flower crowns. That's all.”
“No way, I've always wanted to learn how to make those crowns for my aunt. She also lived in Mideo, you know, but a few years ago she got sick and my father decided to bring her with us to Sigag, but she's always asked me to make these things for her and I've never met anyone who knows how to make them, besides my fingers are quite clumsy in that aspect.”
“Oh, well, we could make a deal. You teach me about the properties of vegetation and that stuff and I'll teach you how to make the crowns. It's a win-win relationship.”
“It's a deal then," they shook hands which, perhaps, lasted only a little longer than it should have.
Then Doyoung began to tell him from the basics so that Taeyong could understand every little thing. Doyoung was telling him about how plants actually fed on sunlight and the different types of species that could exist. It was hard to listen to his words when all Taeyong could see was that perfect profile and the way his face lit up when he talked about a subject he was so passionate about. Doyoung looked beautiful like that and Taeyong was aware of the dreamy look he was giving him, but he couldn't help it. He was so lucky that he was his soul mate.
“... But well, that's a much more advanced topic we're currently investigating with my work team, although we'd literally have to travel the whole world to be able to prove our theory. And yeah, I think that would be all for now, it's not a lot, but I hope you got at least a few things, Tae.” He said, finally looking at him attentively waiting for some comments or questions from him.
“Woah, Wait," Taeyong felt the air in his lungs disappearing processing the information, "You're going to travel all over the world? How long would that take? When would you leave?”
“Oh, well, for now, it's just a proposal, nothing serious," Doyoung grimaced thoughtfully. “And if I were to leave, it would be in several years because it's not just passing through the places, but staying a long time there researching the vegetation and endemic species of the area. I would return to Sigag much later and it would only be for short intervals of time, maybe to deliver reports or so and then I would have to leave again.”
Taeyong had the feeling of a stinging bitterness in his chest, but then Doyoung grabbed his hand and the red string shortened its distance.
“But it won't be soon, so I can go to Mideo from time to time and we can play the violin together, or even better, you can come to visit me in Sigag! There are many things I would like to show you, I don't know if you know but there is a statue of a huge dragon that I think you would like very much, also a beautiful waterfall where the water smells like citrus fruits and a field..." but his voice abruptly faded and he blushed violently as if he had been about to say something he shouldn't have.
“A field of...?”
“A field of tulips," said Ten, coming to his side. “In spring it is one of the most beautiful landscapes that can exist. It is well known because lovers go there to dedicate to each other love poems, dance and sing. It is said that if you go there when the sun is at its peak, the love between the lovers will last forever.”
Taeyong was quite surprised by that information looking at Doyoung who was still flushed until his neck and had his gaze lowered. He tightened their grip on their hands, repressing the urge to bring his hand to his lips.
“Doyoung, as my slave I order you to take me to that place and all the places you want in your homeland. And also to teach me to speak with your silly accent. That is an order.”
Doyoung slapped him with his shoulder playfully, but nodded.
“Tae, I was also wondering now that we are close to Manbeobe forest and since this place is not as big as the desert... I don't know if maybe you could look at my finger again to check how... He is and if we are close already.” Ten looked at him pleadingly.
Taeyong ignored the little noise that came out of Doyoung's mouth.
He felt terribly irresponsible for not caring about his work and mission, though he couldn't blame himself when he had his soulmate walking beside him while smiling at him in that cute way.
“Of course, Ten. In fact, I should have checked the connection every day, Johnny! Yuta!” He shouted to the two young men ahead of them. “Wait a minute.”
With all the pain in his chest, he let go of Doyoung's hand and walked until he could sit comfortably with Ten. He quickly took his hand and caressed it to comfort him before concentrating directly on his little finger.
The string was falling into the sand and heading towards the forest. However, they weren't that far away anymore because the man's eyes didn't intrude on his sight this time, but once again, the smell of the roses burning penetrated his nostrils. There was a new smell now though, it was blood. Lots and lots of blood. There was also anguish and deep anger that almost consumed him.
When Taeyong opened his eyes again, the first thing he met was Ten's worried gaze.
“We have to hurry, there is no time to waste and also get ready, I think we will have to get directly involved in the war if we want to get to him.”
(...)
When they reached the forest, the sun was still shining brightly enough for them to find shelter. They even found a wide river and all rushed to drink water. They hadn't realized how dry their lips were or how dizzy they felt. They all lay down against the trees for shade so they could breathe clean, fresh air.
Taeyong let out a squeal as several rabbits approached, however, Doyoung ordered them to stay away from Taeyong and instead they followed him alone.
“I seriously can't believe you're afraid of bunnies and not a damn dragon.”
Taeyong swallowed saliva still with his eyes on the rabbits. To his mind, those 'innocent' creatures were deadly machines and should be far enough away from him.
Doyoung bowed in front of the river and even wiped his face realizing that he was covered with sand everywhere. He didn't hesitate to jump into the water even though he had clothes on, and he wasn't the only one, Johnny also jumped in, swimming deftly around him. However, someone threw water at him from far away and he had to cover his eyes. Taeyong laughed out loud when he did the same back to him. But the truth was that they didn't have much energy anymore, they were all terribly exhausted from the heatstroke, so they just quietly submerged themselves, closing their eyes.
“I really wouldn't change this for anything, a n y thing," Doyoung muttered, sighing.
Taeyong opened one of his eyes.
“Really? As far as I can remember, you tried to stop us.”
“Thank goodness I didn't," Doyoung said weakly before succumbing to his desires and letting his head fall on Taeyong's shoulder. “This is so much better than sitting in a classroom studying all bloody day.”
Taeyong agreed that he wouldn't change that moment for anything in the world either, especially when he joined their hands again under the water where the string between them floated and the fish and tadpoles played at a very short distance away.
“Tae," said Doyoung some minutes later, "if we assume that soulmates exist,"
“Because they do exist," he interrupted.
“Whatever, when you said that Yuta and Johnny, even if they don't have their soulmates, they could still give each other a chance again in love, did you really mean it? Can they?”
Why was Doyoung suddenly asking that?
“Uh... Yes, I've met many people who have made it and they looked quite happy.”
“Okay, and now I have another question, did you with your…” he was having a hard time saying it “ability, find your soulmate yet?”
Suddenly, a pretty strong chill seeped through his body. He stood still and his whole body tensed noticeably, Doyoung looked up at him in strangeness at the way he was behaving.
“Eh…”
“I ask the question," Doyoung wanted to clarify very slowly like if he was analyzing every word that came out of his mouth, "because I wanted to ask you if you would be like that, able to leave your soulmate and just be with someone who makes you... happy.”
“No." Taeyong immediately answered, tightening their grip on his hands.
“No?” Doyoung said in a muffled voice and returned to his position with his head on Taeyong's shoulder. “Oh, okay…”
Never. After everything that had happened with Doyoung, never. Even if they didn't end up together because Doyoung had to go off to travel the world, Taeyong wouldn't be able to find someone to make him feel this way... Never. After him there would be nothing, he was more than sure of that.
However, when he heard Doyoung's muffled voice, his brain began to work quickly. Although, he couldn't be that delusional, could he? Doyoung couldn't be asking that because he thought they weren't soulmates, but they could give each other a chance despite that. Could he?
“I think we'd better get back, it's getting dark now," Doyoung muttered, getting up all soaked. “We must change our clothes if we don't want to catch a cold. Johnny is already making fire, are you coming?”
As much as Taeyong wanted to go with him, for some reason he felt he had to think seriously about what Doyoung had said, so he shook his head and said he would go later.
But what he couldn't help noticing was Doyoung's collarbones marking on his shirt from the water as well as his nipples and his navel. He swallowed saliva, dragging his gaze before he went any lower.
It was a relief half his body was underwater.
(...)
Sitting by the campfire was quite comforting, especially after he and Johnny had caught several fish and they were now roasting giving off a delicious smell.
“In the end, it did help that you are a fisherman," Doyoung commented jovially, taking a bite of the fish. “Plus you looked sensational fishing, it was like you were some kind of Greek sea god or something.”
“Thanks?” he laughed.
Soon the conversation between everyone became pleasant, relating a couple of stories and laughing at a few jokes that Ten and Sicheng had told. Even Doyoung participated in some jokes that made Taeyong laugh until he let out a few tears.
“I didn't think you were this funny, Doyoung," Johnny told him with a hand on his stomach.
“I guess being a clown is an innate ability," he muttered, lifting his shoulders. “In fact, my grandfather was the king's buffoon.”
“What?” The whole group burst out laughing again and Doyoung laughed lightly too, but mostly with his eyes on Taeyong.
The conversation was picked up by Ten telling a story about Doyoung's grandfather, but after seeing Taeyong smile, Doyoung didn't think he could look away anymore.
“Right, Doie?” Ten asked cheerfully and he nodded absentmindedly.
Taeyong looked at him happily and so handsome... And then, his whole brain was completely disengaged, he didn't even think about it for two seconds as he leaned in and let his lips rest on Taeyong's.
They both stood there. Staring at each other and not breathing.
Before Taeyong could react, Doyoung quickly pulled away.
“I'm sorry... I don't know why I did it... Please forget-" he mumbled nervously.
Taeyong looked at the others who apparently hadn't noticed what had just happened because they were attentively watching Jaehyun who was relating a story about an attack he had once received from a crazy old man. Taeyong grabbed Doyoung's hand and pulled him to stand up, he could no longer wait, not when Doyoung had just done that.
He quickly got out of sight of the others and pushed Doyoung against a tree, they barely connected their eyes before he kissed him again. Doyoung received him with a slight moan, but pleased by slipping his arms behind the back of his neck. Taeyong took him by the hips and kissed him so softly, showing all the longing that had been building in his body since the first moment he saw him that night when the rain was soaking them and he was so lost and with the tail of rabbits behind him.
They broke apart for air, but it was very lightly because they kissed again with a mini-explosion each time their lips collided, they couldn't seem to get enough of each other until Taeyong began to kiss his chin, then his soft neck and Doyoung let out pleasurable little noises with his hands clinging tightly to Taeyong's clothes. Then he returned to his mouth which couldn't seem to satisfy him. Doyoung put his hands on Taeyong's face and kissed him more thoroughly.
They felt infinite.
“Your accent is so fucking hot, you know that, don't you?”
Doyoung smiled and Taeyong kissed that smile again and again and again.
Finally, Taeyong gave one last kiss before they both broke apart stifled, but smiling, with Taeyong's long pink hair sticking through between them until something appeared from behind.
“What's wrong?” He asked when he saw that the expression on Doyoung's face had changed.
“Look behind you carefully," he whispered as quietly as he could.
Taeyong turned very slowly and then a whitish light illuminated his face. He opened his eyes in wonder at the sight of the creature in front of him. An impressive unicorn stood there looking down at them.
“As far as I know, unicorns had become extinct thousands of centuries ago.” Doyoung mentioned behind him.
“Yes, I thought so too... Wow, it's so beautiful.,”
“Certainly," Doyoung ran his hands around Taeyong's waist and placed his face on his shoulder looking intently at the animal. “And he also showed up at the most precious moment.”
Taeyong smiled at him leaving a soft kiss on his forehead before turning his eyes back to the unicorn. The animal began to wander around the forest glade leaving a white trail in its wake, plus everything its hooves touched, immediately bloomed.
“What?” Doyoung muttered while he watched the flowers open up to reveal their beautiful colors. “But that's impossible…”
“I told you, Doie. Magic exists," Taeyong's eyes glittered from the light reflecting off the animal. “Just like the magic between you and me.”
Doyoung let out a chuckle, tightening his grip on his waist, and even Taeyong stirred a little at his words.
“But this is impressive. No one will believe me when I tell them I saw a unicorn.”
“Well, now you're going to feel the same way I did when I told you about my gift.”
Doyoung left a soft kiss on his neck that made Taeyong's whole skin crawl. “Maybe I'll start to believe it," he whispered against his skin. “Only if you tell me that I'm your soulmate, because otherwise, I don't know what I'm going to do”
Taeyong now understood when Jaehyun told him that he 'felt butterflies in his stomach' every time he saw Sicheng. It was a really beautiful feeling.
“Well..." he started to say, but Sicheng's voice calling out to them broke in. They both turned to look in the direction the voice sounded from and when they looked ahead again, the unicorn had disappeared.
“Finally I found you! What were you doing?” He asked mischievously when he saw that they were together, but they paid no attention to him, looking for the unicorn that had not left a single trace. “Well, never mind you two lovebirds, let's go to sleep, especially you, Tae. Remember that from tomorrow you start guiding us. Besides, Doie, Aren't you supposed to fear the beasts in this forest? I don't understand why you're here alone with Taeyong.”
Sicheng turned around humming a song innocently. Taeyong and Doyoung looked at each other in confusion, but not before Taeyong kissed him again.
“Sicheng is right, you gotta sleep," Doyoung muttered after the third kiss because it really looked like they couldn't get enough. “Tomorrow you can give me as many kisses as you want, but let's go.”
“Wait, are you okay with them knowing... about us?”
“As if we weren't that obvious," Doyoung rolled his eyes and Taeyong had to kiss him again. “Now, let's go.”
Ten's gaze was full of pride as he watched them arrive. He even prepared special blankets for them and kissed each of them on the forehead saying 'fucking finally'. Doyoung grabbed Taeyong by the cheek before kissing him again for the last time wishing him a good night. Taeyong pressed him against his body in a spoon position as he drifted off to sleep.
Dreaming only of Doyoung's lips.
(...)
When he woke up the next day, the first thing his eyes saw was Doyoung who at some point in the night had turned over and his face was in front of him breathing very softly showing that he was still asleep.
This was the perfect landscape he had always imagined. A tousled and slightly flushed Doyoung in front of him with his lips a little battered from all the kisses he had received the day before. And again, he wanted to kiss him.
“Let him sleep," someone said and when he looked up, Yuta was looking at him reproachfully. “Come with me.”
Taeyong could barely keep his hands away from Doyoung's body who curled up at the lack of his warmth. He looked at him gently before pulling the blanket over him.
“What did you want to tell me?” He asked when they were both a little away from the group. Besides them, only Jaehyun had woken up and was preparing breakfast.
“Look, Tae, I don't want to be the killjoy here, but you should think about the future. More accurately, your future with Doyoung.”
“But he's my soulmate, our future is to be together," he answered gruffly.
“And I know that, but remember he lives in another kingdom, he does other activities totally unrelated to you and me. The conditions have not changed and just because we are here on this trip so far away from our reality, does not mean that when we return he won't stop being a presumptuous child and an idiot who will tell his acquaintances in his group of scientists that you are a scammer.”
“No, he wouldn't do that," Taeyong was starting to get angry, really angry. “He has proven that he likes me and I know that between us we will find a solution…”
“Remember where he comes from, he's a damn nobleman! They are used to being pretty ambitious and we know he wants the position in that scientific society more than anything and he's not going to give it up for just a summer love.”
“But I'm more than a summer love! I'm the love of his life!”
“You are, but he doesn't know and thinks so.”
“That's bullshit! I know you think Doyoung is an idiot, but-”
Then an arrow passed too close to his ear and stuck in the trunk of the tree right behind him.
“Yuta! Taeyong! “ Johnny arrived and immediately put Yuta behind him as they saw several men with handmade weapons emerge from the thicket of the forest. Some of them had huge scars on their faces and had big swords, crossbows. Three of them had their arrows ready to be shot at Johnny, Yuta and Taeyong.”
Taeyong started to back away totally frightened, but a new arrow was shot again and passed him close enough to cut a part of his shirt sleeve.
“And if you keep moving, pretty boy, the next one will go straight to your throat," threatened the same young man who had fired.
“We are just passing through, we are not involved in the war," Johnny quickly informed without stopping squeezing Yuta's wrist. “We’re unarmed, don't shoot us, please.”
The man who was in the middle of everyone that seemed to be the leader made a sign. One of the men approached the three of them and began to inspect their clothes.
“Why are you here? As far as we understand all the other kingdoms have cut off contact with Nunbicce and no one dares to come. Are you bloody spies?”
“No!" Taeyong exclaimed with his hands raised. All the men looked at him, especially because of his extraordinary hair. “I swear we're only looking for a person that-.”
“What happened? Why don't y'all come back to eat-?” Ten, who was half dozing, could not complete the question when he saw the armed men.
“How many more of you are there?” The leader growled as Ten trembled, letting his pants pockets be searched.
“There are seven of us," answered Johnny, his voice shaking a little, "and, as my friend was telling you, we are looking for a person and…”
“Later, we don't have time to waste," the leader interrupted him by turning around. “Find the others and tie them up. Take them to Highness Fei, she will see what to do with them.”
Only five men remained to carry out the orders. Taeyong's stomach ached with worry as he watched the men bring in a frightened Doyoung. The two connected their gazes and Doyoung looked even more frightened. He, Yuta and Johnny had their hands tied and had been made to kneel.
“Hey, don't worry. They won't do anything to us if we cooperate," he tried to reassure Doyoung as they dropped him to his side.
“But Taeyong, we have our bows and arrows…”
“What the hell is this?!” Shouted one of the men, putting their bows and arrows on the ground.
"We can explain!" said Doyoung quickly. "I was just teaching him” he pointed with his head to Taeyong “how to shoot them in case we had to help them in this fight. We really must get to Nunbicce, we can help.”
“We already have enough men," grunted another man, taking the weapons. “But this could help us.”
“Let's go," one of the men with blond, almost white hair, made them stand up.
They were put in pairs, Doyoung was in front of him with Jaehyun, Sicheng was next to him and Ten, who was behind him, got close enough so that the men could not hear him.
“I have a strange feeling, quick, take my hand.”
Taeyong turned and hurriedly took his hand to touch Ten's little finger. He closed his eyes tightly and the string was fully visible as they walked, the men were following the path, they were leading them to him.
"Yes," he said before one of the men grabbed his shoulder roughly to pull him away from Ten. “Yes, we're going to him.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” The man mumbled, pushing him to Sicheng's side.
“Nothing, nothing.”
A few minutes later, a huge camp appeared in front of them. It almost looked like a very small village if it weren't for the fact that most of the people walking around were dressed with handmade shields and had at least two weapons with them, plus everything was quite organized. However, as soon as they took a step, everyone turned to look at them.
They were taken to a red wine colored tent that stood out from the others around it. At the entrance were two guards who glared at them before letting them in.
Inside, there was a single bed, a table that was covered with maps and a chair occupied by a woman who was writing something on a piece of paper without noticing that they had entered.
“Kneel to Highness Wang Fei,” ordered one of the guards, but then, the woman raised a hand and stopped him.
“No need, thank you. You may go.” She said in a harmonious voice.
The guard nodded firmly before walking out with the others leaving the seven young men alone and the woman who was inspecting each of them with narrowed eyes.
“I didn't want to make you kneel, I understand that some of you have more expensive pants than I will ever be able to put on," she smiled looking at her fingernails. “And the boy with the pink hair? The only thing I'd make you get down on your knees for is to make me happy... Although, all of you are damn hot, I wouldn't mind some fun.”
The surprise on everyone's faces was immediate and the woman laughed even harder. Doyoung looked at Taeyong with a slightly jealous raised eyebrow, as if Taeyong was guilty of having such a face.
“They told me you are here looking for a person, is that true? What person?” The woman asked seriously, changing her attitude completely to a cold voice.
“We don't know," Ten answered immediately. “We really don't know, but I have a drawing of what his eyes look like.”
Ten hurried to take out the piece of paper he had in his shirt pocket. The sheet was a bit battered from the times he had handled it and he looked at the woman as if asking her permission to move forward to where she was. The woman nodded and Ten handed her the paper.
She raised an eyebrow observing the paper before looking at them all again with narrowed eyes. “This is a joke, right?”
“No, absolutely not," Ten waved his hands. “I really need to find him, but we don't know who he is…”
“Why?” inquired the woman, crossing one of her legs in an elegant and imposing manner. “Why do you want to find him? Why in the middle of a civil war do seven handsome young men arrive, two who have Sigag's thick accent and the other five whose clothes indicate to me that they come from Mideo, and ask to see Prince Kunhang? “
“Prince?”
Everyone was looking at each other in genuine surprise.
“Prince Kunhang?” Doyoung mumbled with his eyebrows drawn together. “But as far as I know the princes of Nunbicce are Zitao and Yinyang... Oh," he said, realizing as the woman smirked. “You mean the prince of resistance.”
“He's not just 'the prince of the resistance', he's the rightful prince and heir to the throne of the Nunbicce Kingdom. He recently found out that those who are reigning at this moment, poisoned his grandfather and stole the crown from his father. That is why the war has formed, although unfortunately the king has a serious illness that has kept him from leaving his quarters in one of the adjoining tents and his son (and my cousin), Prince Kunhang, is who is in charge at the moment.”
“Wow Ten," said Doyoung with a choked laugh, "You got yourself a goddamn prince.”
“Hey, respect to His Honorable Royal Highness," the woman demanded and Doyoung lowered his gaze in sorrow, but didn't miss the slight smile Taeyong gave him. “And what do you want to talk to him about anyway? What's so important that made you come all the way from so far away?”
Ten looked at Taeyong wondering if he should tell the truth, but they didn't know if they must risk so much because, although the woman seemed empathetic, the sevens were hanging on a tightrope and if she thought they were just a bunch of idiots, she would send them to the gallows or to a dungeon to starve to death at best.
“I introduce myself, your Highness. My name is Dong Sicheng, Duke of Ibam, belonging to the noble Dong family of the Mideo Kingdom. We have come to bring news to his Majesty Prince Kunhang on behalf of our family and the nobility of the Kingdom. We want to show our sincere support, although unfortunately we have only heard his name and we based on his physical appearance by the drawing you have in your hands, but that's all.” He said firmly as he had been taught as a child. Jaehyun looked at him proudly.
The woman observed him appraisingly, but Sicheng showed no weakness.
“But until a few minutes ago you didn't even know that Kunhang is the Prince.”
“They didn't know. It was not convenient for them to know until we reached a safe place because you know that rumors in the wrong mouths can be detrimental to the pursuit of victory.”
“Then why didn't you inform the guards of your position so they wouldn't tie you up like a dirty animal?”
“Because I didn't think they would believe me, even you still have trouble trusting my words, but here is the seal that represents my family and legitimizes me as a member of it.” Sicheng showed him a silver ring with a large lion marked on it.
Taeyong thought that nobles were really taught to lie with impressive agility, they must even act perfectly because Sicheng behaved quite convincingly by standing firm and with his face high. Until that moment, he hadn't realized how much power a royal could have.
"Honestly, I have my doubts too," commented a voice behind them and they all turned to look at the new intruder.
Even Yuta, who had barely caught a glimpse of those eyes in the paper, could recognize that this was the guy they were looking for. He was a young man with a handsome face and thick dark hair, a bit thin, but with marked musculature under his slim war suit. His eyes scanned each and every one of them, he even looked captivated at Taeyong's hair, but that was before his eyes went to Ten.
Taeyong knew what was happening, he had witnessed it hundreds of times, but it was still wonderful. That instant in which two souls lost in the cruel world, met and everything disappeared, the worries, the horror, the tragedy and above all, the loneliness; because in front of you, was the complement, the person who would accompany you for the rest of your days, who would love you from head to toe and who would be there for good and bad times because after all, he was your soulmate.
It was like a cataclysm.
“You have blood," Ten murmured faintly.
The prince frowned, still looking at him.
“I don't understand, can you speak louder?”
“You have blood there," Ten said with difficulty, pointing to the prince's hand and immediately all eyes turned in that direction.
Several drops of blood were falling from the young man's white hands, there was no visible wound, but maybe it was because it was under his suit. The prince looked at it unimpressed, as if this was the most normal thing that had ever happened to him.
“Oh, I'll tell Mr. Zhoumi to take care of this later, I'm sure it was in training. I didn't really notice," he grinned and that smile was frankly perfect, "I was told that you were looking for me and untied their hands! We're not going to mistreat outsiders like that, from Sigag, right?” he asked Ten who looked at him with wide eyes. “I can tell by your accent.”
“Is it really that thick?” Asked Doyoung with a lowered voice.
“It is.” Everybody except Ten answered.
“And yours is thicker,” added the woman.
Two men came in and untied everyone's hands. Taeyong touched his injured wrists, but a very familiar hand grabbed his shoulder drawing his attention.
“I think you should talk to Ten and him alone.” Doyoung said warmly.
“It's better," agreed Ten who had overheard them.
“But wasn't the Duke of Ibam the one who had come to talk to him?” The woman intervened.
“Let them, Fei,” The prince kept looking at Ten, who looked more vulnerable than ever. “Then, come with me to my own tent, both of you.”
“Good luck," Doyoung gave him a soft kiss on his lips that was too short. “For all our sakes, I hope he isn’t a pedantic non-believer like me.”
“Stop saying that," Taeyong kissed him again. “If you weren't like this, you wouldn't be so interesting," and he gave him another kiss because Doyoung looked too pretty worried. “See you in a minute, baby.”
Doyoung laughed in denial before Ten tugged Taeyong so they could go after the prince. Something in his chest stirred as he noticed them standing up again, but it would be all right. It was going to be.
(...)
The prince ordered chairs for them to sit on. His tent was not a big deal either, nor did it have the riches that it should have for such an important person. The only difference was the number of guards and people surrounding them.
“Since when are there so many rabbits in Nunbicce?” The prince muttered as he watched several animals run past the place.
Taeyong smiled slightly and Ten also looked at him with an accomplice biting his lips.
“Do you want privacy?” asked the prince, attentively looking at the guards.
“It's a bit embarrassing, then yes, it would be best," Ten's skin was intensely blushing and Taeyong knew that he was repressing all his anxiety and pent-up happiness of all these days.
The prince smiled at Ten and asked the guards to leave.
“You are lucky that you find me in a moment of rest, we are preparing for a big raid that is going to happen in a week, if we are lucky, it will be the last one before Nunbicce becomes ours and free again. So, please tell me what brings you here from such distant lands. I don't buy the Duke's story, although he is the Duke, I've seen that seal. How did you bring a Duke? Did you kidnap him?!" He asked, bewildered at the possibility “Was it a mistake to let the guards go? You guys look too handsome to be dirty bandits.”
“We're not, Sich-the Duke is our friend and wanted to join us," Taeyong reassured him. “But yes, it's true, we didn't come here because of what he said, it's because of him.”
Ten awkwardly stretched out his hand to the king.
“My name is Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, but that name is very complicated, just call me Ten," he spoke quite confidently even though he was sweating and playing with his feet. “This whole journey has been planned for this very moment.”
“Oh, really?” The prince looked at him with interest.
“Your Highness, do you believe in soulmates?” Taeyong said, preparing the speech he usually gave when he had to bring two souls together.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do," the prince nodded thoughtfully, which surprised both of them. "It's kind of funny that you asked, because your hair reminds me of the woman who introduced my parents to each other."
Taeyong gasped. It was as if someone had snatched away any other thoughts he might have had.
"A-A woman?" he stammered.
“Yes. My parents said she was beautiful and overflowing with joy, her pink hair was the most striking thing. They always described her. That woman met my mother and when she took her hand, she told her that she had to follow her, saying that she was going to introduce her to her soulmate and, well, she certainly did. My mother passed away a couple of years ago, but I assure you that the love between my parents was beautiful. Why do you ask? Do you know her? Is she your relative? She has to be, your hair is exactly as my parents describe hers.”
"Well, in my whole twenty-one years of life, I haven't met anyone else with my hair color so I guess you mean my mother.” Taeyong replied, beaming with happiness.
“Surely. She used to tell them that she could see who was the soulmate of-" but he interrupted himself when he looked at Ten. His mind began to work and Taeyong could almost see the mechanisms moving in his brain. "Oh."
And then he stared at Ten who was smiling very softly. Taeyong knew at that moment that he should withdraw and so he muttered a low 'excuse me'. And he left the tent just as Ten began to speak to break the tension.
"From the look on your face and the lack of Ten by your side I can tell it was a resounding success," said Doyoung rising from his place to greet Taeyong with a hug.
Maybe he squeezed him against his body more than he should have, but it just felt so good to be in his arms.
"My mother made his parents meet," he informed them when they parted.
The others were all sitting around a campfire while a few men provided them with food and water. Fei had ordered his men to take care of them while they stayed there, they even ate freshly baked bread and fish and were already fraternizing with the warriors.
One of the younger men, the one who had shot Taeyong with arrows earlier more accurately, threw down on the ground in front of them the bows and a quiver full of arrows and looked at them all.
"I was told that two of you know how to archery"
"I've only had a few hours of practice," said Taeyong uncomfortably, placing a hand on his neck.
"But he's very good," Doyoung interjected, looking at him with pride. "He's a quick learner."
"I want you to show me what you know."
"For now it won't be necessary, let them rest," the prince's commanding voice made everyone turn to look at him. He came with a jovial Ten at his side who was almost jumping, it was precious to see him "Although, I honestly don't know if you want to get involved in a war that doesn't belong to you all."
"Excuse me, your Highness," Jaehyun interrupted him, "We knew from the beginning what we could face by coming all the way here, so we will be ready for it. We will be willing to serve the Nunbicce Kingdom if you wish. Besides, we can't make all that trip back again. It is pertinent that we return on the ships and that will only be accomplished when the Kingdom is re-established.
“But you may die, are you willing?” The prince looked worriedly at Ten.
“Yes, and I think I’m speaking for all of us.” Jaehyun replied firmly.
Taeyong took Doyoung's hand and squeezed it hard.
“If we get out of this," he whispered close to his ear, "when we get back, we'll get married. I won't accept any excuses.”
Doyoung let out a laugh that caused everyone to look at them.
“Okay.”
The memories after that were blurry. The two trained with their bows until they were exhausted while the others fought with swords, axes and shields. Surprisingly, Ten was really good at using knives and threw them with impressive skill, always hitting the target.
The prince didn't seem so convinced to let him go to the battlefield, but when Ten threw a dagger past his ear cutting his hair, there was no doubt in his mind that he was a very important chip on the battlefield.
“You're still going to be by my side all the time, okay? And you, Ten's friends, call me Hendery, please.” Said the prince when the day came.
As they all put on their armor, they looked at them happily, although Taeyong was shaking from head to toe.
“Is this your first time going to war, baby?” Doyoung cupped his face with his cold hands.
“Yes. There hasn't been a war that Mideo participated in for years, and when there was one, my father couldn't go because he was sick and I was too young.”
“Okay, Tae, calm down. Everything is going to be alright. All these days you have improved impressively and from what I heard from Xiumin," he pointed with his head to the leader of the archers. “The kings of Nunbicce are about to surrender, so there is nothing to worry about. We will be together all the time, okay?”
Taeyong kissed him deeply almost as if it was a farewell. Doyoung received him just as hungrily while they both lost themselves in each other, sinking into the sea of pleasurable sensations that surrounded them when they were together, forming a storm, like a cataclysm.
Once the troops advanced until they reached the entrance to the Kingdom, Taeyong opened his eyes to see that the huge field of roses surrounding the palace had gone up in flames. The smell hit his nose so familiar, he looked longingly at Ten who was just as shocked.
“That was the declaration of war," Hendery remarked. “Before the chaos broke out.”
The prince had planned everything correctly. It seemed that he knew in advance how the enemy troops were going to act, because they were all positioned exactly where he mentioned. Taeyong didn't know at what point he started shooting arrows, but he did so trying to be as accurate as he could, although without being able to see if he succeeded or not. Doyoung, at his side, moved with impressive agility shooting up and down, sensing some kind of danger before it came. Even as a man with an axe approached towards them, Doyoung managed to defend himself with the bow before a dagger flew past them and the man fell to the ground.
“Be careful!” Ten exclaimed before turning and continuing to attack in another direction.
Johnny and Yuta were fighting skillfully on one side of the field against two guys bigger than them, but that wasn't a problem because while Johnny fought on the top of their bodies, Yuta attacked the legs in a perfect move that both had practiced before. Jaehyun also fought valiantly with his shield and Sicheng, due to his flexibility and agility, managed to evade the direct fight and instead, attacked them before they could blink.
“Why haven't I seen archers from that side?” Doyoung asked the prince.
“Because," and then one of the men guarding the prince shouted as an arrow stuck in his arm. “It's the last defense they have and we've finally reached it, everyone take cover with your shields and cover our archers too! It's their war now!”
They all took up positions and Johnny and Jaehyun were the ones protecting Doyoung and Taeyong who were looking for the archers who were in the palace towers.
“Remember what I taught you!” Xiumin shouted and everyone nodded at the same time.
The exchange of arrows was immediate, but desperation began to set in when only two of the king's archers had fallen and they were running out of arrows.
“Doyoung!”The prince exclaimed and Taeyong and Doyoung turned around. “You are our best archer and only you can do what I am about to tell you, but I need you to be very careful. This time it is only one shot because if you miss, they will realize that we have found their leader.”
Taeyong felt something in his stomach sink as Doyoung nodded determinedly at the prince's plan.
“What do you mean he has to go unprotected?!” Taeyong shouted.
“Only that way he has more visibility and more agility to move. It's a risk he has to take.” Said the prince firmly.
“But-”
“Baby” Doyoung took his face again very gently. There were tears in his eyes. “I'll be fine, you don't have to worry about anything. You know I'm the best at everything I do. I'll see you in a few minutes.”
Taeyong choked with sobs and feeling his soul leaving his body, he clung to Doyoung's arm and kissed him hard, stealing all his breath.
“You are my soulmate and I will die if anything happens to you," he sobbed against his beloved's lips.
“So the miserable person on the other side of my string was you," Doyoung laughed even though he was crying too. “Well, lucky me and unlucky you.”
And then, at that very moment, Taeyong understood. When he saw his dark eyes, determined and beautiful as the stars in the sky.
This wasn’t going to be the last time he was going to see them.
“I love you so much. I really do. Thank you for making me so happy all these days.” He whispered in a breathy voice and didn't let Doyoung answer before he kissed him again and then roughly threw him to the ground.
“Wait, what are you doing? WAIT TAEYONG!” Doyoung shouted at the same instant Taeyong ran away.
It was as if the whole scene was in slow motion. Taeyong readied his bow and arrows and turned to the direction the prince had said in the highest tower. He aimed there as several arrows shot past him, then he shot and his feet stumbled as an arrow stuck in one of them. Taeyong fell to the ground, closing his eyes tightly with the image of Doyoung's beautiful smile in his head because he knew death was inevitable at this point.
However, just when he thought his body was going to be full of arrows, he felt that someone was on top of him protecting him. Taeyong, still shaking from the adrenaline, very slowly opened his eyes and saw Doyoung who was with a huge shield protecting them both.
They both stood looking at each other, in perpetual silence. It felt almost like déjà vu, only this time the roles had changed. Doyoung's tears were falling on Taeyong's face, he was biting his lips and crying hard, denying.
“You're an idiot," he told him as Taeyong also began to cry. “You're an idiot! Were you seriously not going to let me tell you back? I love you with my whole heart too.”
Taeyong felt something warm in his chest and then, an intense white light surrounded them without letting them see anything.
When they opened their eyes again, they were both in a quite creepy house with terrifying drawings and gothic chandeliers hanging on the ceiling. Taeyong had the feeling that he had been there before and when he looked down at his foot, there was no longer any arrow which allowed him to stand up next to Doyoung who had his mouth open watching the whole place.
“We're in my aunt's old house!” He exclaimed, looking at him quizzically. “Why are we here?”
Taeyong was about to ask him the same question, but then someone spoke up.
“Sit wherever you want, honey. I'll tell Doie to come down.”
Doyoung froze as he watched his much younger aunt walk across the room before losing herself in a hallway. Apparently she couldn't see them. However, they both stifled a scream when they saw a small Taeyong with black hair watching everything attentively and fearfully.
“I remember this!” Taeyong whispered seeing how the little Taeyong was staring intently at the coat rack in the middle of the room.
“That cost a damn fortune," said Doyoung between his teeth, "What was wrong with you?!”
And little Taeyong apparently heard Doyoung because he jumped up in fright and crashed into the rack, which began to sway.
“Look! Here you come!” Taeyong exclaimed excitedly as he saw a small, sleepy Doyoung walking over without realizing that the coat rack was about to fall on him.
'This is the first time you two have seen each other,' a female voice spoke, though Taeyong and Doyoung saw no one else in the place other than themselves as children. 'The first time someone in the Lee family sees their own soulmate, the gift begins to arise inside them, but it is activated when this member and their soulmate say I love you to each other for the first time. That's why you two are here. Now, Tae, you have to place your hand on your little self head, and your hair will start to turn like mine, a bright pink.'
“Mom?” Taeyong muttered looking for her everywhere.
'You can't see me, sweetheart, but I want you to know that I love you and I'm so proud of you. Now do it before it's too late. I'll see you later, glad to meet you, Doyoung'.
Then the window behind them opened and Taeyong knew it was time. He approached his younger self and gently put his hand on his head.
“You'll do fine," he whispered to him.
It seemed that his younger self saw him for a second, but then he began to argue with little Doyoung while everything around them went white again. Taeyong ran to Doyoung who was crying even harder and they held hands before seeing the little versions of them arguing angrily.
“That was the best glass of milk I’ve ever tasted,” said Taeyong with a broken voice.
“Mine too,” Doyoung cried.
When they opened their eyes again, Doyoung was on top of them again. They both held their breath and then-
“He has fallen! Taeyong has succeeded! The kings of Nunbicce have finally surrendered!”
People began to celebrate and then they both felt them being surrounded. The first familiar face was Jaehyun who helped Doyoung up by giving him a big hug, quite relieved. He then threw himself at Taeyong who was still on the ground.
“What you did was very stupid," he mumbled through his teeth.
“I wasn't going to let the love of my life die in front of my eyes without doing anything about it," he said even though the pain in his foot was unbearable.
Doyoung looked proudly at him from a distance as all the men arrived and lifted Taeyong up to celebrate the victory.
“I can't say it was all a scam anymore," Doyoung smiled as they put him down and rushed over to hug him. “I'm really sorry, for everything. I can’t believe that everything you said was really true and I treat you like you were the worst person ever and-”
“Don't worry, baby," Taeyong kissed his forehead softly, "You make me very happy and that's all that matters.”
“I love you, Lee Taeyong," Doyoung finally said as the string shone brighter than ever.
“And I love you, Kim Doyoung."
And the string between them shortened its distance.
THE END
Epilogue
/eleven years later/
“Here, take this. It's the least I can do," the woman said, handing him a pair of diamonds, but Taeyong refused, closing the woman's hand.
“I stopped doing this for the money a long time ago. I hope you will be happy with her, YooA.”
“I will," the woman hugged him gratefully. "I hope to see you soon."
“Me too!” Taeyong exclaimed, walking towards one of the boats where Doyoung was waiting for him with his arms crossed. “We're going to be in Nunbicce for a long time! You can visit us there if you want! You can find us at the palace!”
“Be sure that I will go! Miss you already” She waved her hand in farewell as the ship sailed away.
“Hmm, she's quite a hugger, apparently," Doyoung muttered with a raised eyebrow.
Taeyong, with a smile on his lips, kissed him very softly even biting his lower lip a little.
“No matter how many hugs people give me, you know the best ones are yours," he snuggled into his beloved's neck intoxicated with his scent. “You know the best will always be you.”
“Ugh, I hate you and the way you make me feel," Doyoung finally didn’t resist his impulses and hugged him in the same way. “Your smile is mine, mine alone. I don't want you to dedicate it to anyone else.”
Taeyong denied before pulling away and kissing him again.
“Look, I made you a crown with dahlias," Taeyong placed it on his head and Doyoung was looking so beautiful that he kissed him again.
A young girl cleared her throat and they both had to break the hug to look at her.
“Yes, Yoon?”
“It's just that before you guys shipped out, a couple of letters arrived from the scientific society and also one from Mideo and one from Nunbicce. I think the Duke of Ibam and Lord Jung are also going to Nunbicce with their little Ningning to celebrate the wedding anniversary between King Kunhang and King Chittaphon.”
“Oh, what a coincidence!, we are heading there too” a quite familiar voice was heard behind and they jumped in surprise to see Johnny who was smiling excitedly at them, next to him was Yuta who already had his arms outstretched for them to hug gim.
“Uncle Yuta, Uncle Johnny!” The voice of a little boy came before he clung to Johnny's leg who lifted him up to play with him.
“Jisungie!” said Johnny to the little boy who still had hair as dark as night and was laughing loudly. “Oh, I missed you so much, little boy.”
“I'm not so little anymore, I'm five now.” The boy stuck his tongue out at him.
“Oh, and he speaks with your accent, Doie.”
Taeyong looked at him smiling before placing a small crown of flowers on the little boy. On his son.
“I've already met your workgroup, Doie," said Yuta pointing to the group of young people who were also asleep from exhaustion. “They all look very happy to be working on this project. How many places have you been to already?”
“Uhm, quite a few," and Taeyong began to recount all the places they had investigated and even Jisung added a couple of things. Doyoung was in charge of the investigation of vegetation and flora and Taeyong linked people with their soulmates in Jisung’s company.
“Oh yes, you've become very famous for that," Johnny nodded thoughtfully. “Everywhere Yuta and I travel, we always hear some story involving a pink-haired man and another one who is always being followed by rabbits accompanied by a little boy just as handsome as they are. They say they play with their violins wherever they go and always cheer everyone up.”
“And after all these years Tae is still afraid of rabbits," mocked Doyoung, hugging his beloved from behind. A glittering ring was on his hand.
“But I have to put up with it because after all these years too, I still love you.”