Why did he agree to meet Jeonghan? He didn't know.

It was dark, and Jisoo was lowkey worried someone would come out of the ally and rob him. He stood in front of the abandoned looking building, dark allies lining each side of it. This is where Jeonghan told him to meet him.

He nearly wet himself when Jeonghan himself came out of one of the allies.

"Good God, what the hell are you doing in there?" he asked, his heart pounding in his chest.

Jeonghan just smiled at him. "Sorry about that." He held a hand out to which Jisoo just stared. The blonde rolled his eyes and grabbed Jisoo's hand. "Come on," he said.

He followed. This was Jeonghan's way of making up for his asshole-ish behavior. The blonde was excited, Jisoo noticed.

"Um, where are we going?" he asked. They were going back into the ally Jeonghan had appeared from. 

It wasn't until they were in the building that the elder said anything. "I want to make things right with you. I heard from Mingyu that you're into music, so I wanted to bring you here." He led Jisoo to a door in the back of the room. It was then that Jisoo was able to hear the music. It was beneath them, underneath the house. The door must be the entrance.

"Is this some sort of illegal get together?" he asked. "I mean, this seems well hidden."

"I promise you won't get in trouble if caught down here," Jeonghan answered, holding back a laugh. "There was too many noise complaints and the owner was getting pissed off at all these random people showing up, so he moved here. This place is designated for only those who are invited by the owner."

Jisoo nodded like that made sense but was still weary. They walked down the steps and Jeonghan knocked.

"Name?" someone called from the other side of the door.

"Yoon Jeonghan."

The door opened. They were met with flashing lights, clusters of people, and loud music. It looked like a school dance with the addition of a nonalcoholic bar. A teenage club would also be a fitting way to put it. 

“What is this place? Jisoo said. He looked towards the stage where someone was singing a song he didn’t recognize. 

“It’s only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays after 6 in the evening,” Jeonghan started. “The owner lets anyone sign up online to play their own songs on stage then invites other people to watch. Most of these people are here to help him”--he pointed to the guy on stage—”and anyone else who signs up to get noticed and possibly picked up by music scouts.” 

“So this place is an opportunity for musicians who want to make it big?” 

“Yeah, that sums it up,” the blonde said. They stopped at the bar to order drinks. “I’ve been coming here since middle school. This place is owned by a college student who goes by the name of Bang Chan.”

Jisoo was watching as the guy on stage traded spots with a couple of girls who started playing yet another song he didn’t know. His head spun in Jeonghan’s direction. “Bang Chan? Like, that one guy who does those song covers online?”

“Exactly,” Jeonghan smiled. They got their drinks and made their way to a booth. “So you do like music then?” he asked, sitting down. 

“I guess so,” the younger replied. “It’s just a side thing. Nothing big.”

“What else do you like to do?”

Jisoo planned to answer the question, but instead, he said, “You’re really trying, aren’t you?” There was a fuzzy feeling in his chest. 

“I know I hurt you,” Jeonghan said, regretfully. His voice softened. “But I really do like you. I took notice of you when you first came to South Korea, and these past couple of weeks, I actually got to know you. You’re smart, kind, funny, caring.” He paused. waiting for a response. Jisoo didn’t provide one, so he went on. 

“I know if I want any chance at all with you, I need to fix what I screwed up.” He traced a faded smudge on the table. “If you want me to stop, all you have to do is say so. I’ll leave you alone after that.”

“I already told you, I’m not your soulmate.”

“I’m aware, and although I don’t understand how you know, I’m not doing this for the bet. I’m doing it because I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Jisoo let out a laugh he’d meant to hold in. He covered his mouth, slightly embarrassed. Jeonghan didn’t look hurt or anything, though. “I’m sorry. That was just really cheesy,” he told him. Jeonghan nodded in agreement and gave a small smile. Jisoo removed his hand.  “I see where you’re coming from.” he said. “It means a lot that you’re doing this even if I’m not your destined partner.”

“Even if what you say is true. I’d still want you over anyone else anyway.”

Jisoo was smiling. He liked Jeonghan. He really did. As much of a pain as he was and everything. But he still knew that in the end, Jeonghan believed that there was a chance they were soulmates.

“Look, I know you mean well, but I really don’t think this is a good idea,” he replied. 

“I expected as much,” Jeonghan said, but he still looked determined. “But unless you specifically say you want this to stop, it doesn’t matter. You knew why I wanted you here tonight. Even if it was out of curiosity, if you didn’t have at least some sort of feelings for me, you wouldn’t be here right now. You wouldn't lead me on like that.”

Jisoo didn’t know what to say. Jeonghan was right. Jisoo was digging his own grave. Eventually, he wouldn’t be able to climb out of it. 

A few songs passed, and Jeonghan continued the conversation, changing the subject. All Jisoo had to say was “I can’t do this” but he didn’t. He couldn’t bring himself to. 

Bang Chan stopped up to the mic. “Alright, that was Jennie with Solo. Next up is Jeonghan.”

Jisoo gave the blonde a look. “You didn’t say anything about you playing tonight.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Jeonghan told him. “And before you say anything, do not worry. I’m not going to serenade you.”

Jisoo opened his mouth to deny he was thinking such a thing, but Jeonghan got up and left the table before he could get a sound out. 

With a bass guitar in his hands up on stage, Jeonghan started singing. The song wasn’t one Jisoo recognized. It must be something Jeonghan came up with himself. 

Jisoo watched the words leave Jeonghan’s lips, and listened to the melody. He loved the song. Jeonghan caught his eye and smiled softly. Jisoo’s heart was pounding in his ears, that fuzzy feeling in his chest spreading throughout his whole body. 

No, he realized. He didn’t just love the song. He’d fallen for the guy singing it. He was in love with Jeonghan. He didn’t think it was ever possible to do something like that again. 

🌈

Chan sipped his soda. Jisoo had spilled everything out to him. How it all started, the reasons why, how it resulted in this. It was the first time he had told anyone about his past. He needed someone to talk to and Chan was his best friend. He trusted him. 

“In my opinion, I think you should end things,” he said after some thorough consideration. “He says all of these things now, but what is he going to do when he finds his actual soulmate? Is he just going to ditch you for them?”

“It’s not like we’re dating,” Jisoo pointed out. “He doesn’t know what kind of feelings I have for him either. I won’t stop him if he does try to find his true partner. If he finds his other half, good for him.”

Chan sighed. “Why’d you have to fall for him?” he accused.  

“It just happened,” the other male answered exasperatedly. “Sometimes, it’s uncontrollable.”

“Tell me about it,” the younger male agreed. He sipped at his soda again. “Alright, so what are you planning to do about it?”

“Nothing,” Jisoo decided. “‘M going to let it play out.” He thought for a second. “Maybe I’ll kiss him, and once he realizes I’m telling the truth, he’ll end things himself.”

“That’ll only result in your heartbreak, Jisoo,” Chan said, shaking his head. “You should end things as soon as possible.”

“Heartbreak is inevitable in this case. Besides, it’s not like I haven’t had my heart broken before. This isn’t going to be any worse than the first time.”

The younger male gave him a sympathetic look. He exhaled. “I’ve told you what I think. If this is what you want to do, then I’ll support you. I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

Jisoo sucked in a breath. “Thank you, Chan,” he said. 

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