After Jeonggeun graduated from school he had gone back to Australia with Jake to start their careers, with Jeonggeun working at a zoo and Jake working under Hwon as one of the members of his guard. 

Jeongwoo had stayed in Korea after finding his soulmate, and Seungmin stayed in Japan after he graduated from university, deciding on staying there with his soulmate instead of returning home to Australia.

It didn't mean that they didn't visit, it was quite the opposite. Jeongwoo tried to visit when he could, and Seungmin tried to make yearly visits to Jake and Jeonggeun but that stopped when everyone got older and they moved on with their lives.

~

“It's a shame huh?” Asked Jake as he sat in a rocking chair on his front porch while Soobin visited. “I expected more out of this life than what we got in the end,” he sighed, leaning back and closing his eyes.

“At least when you leave this world for the next you'll be under Hwon again,” remarked Soobin as he leaned against the porch railing. “I'm just here and you at least get to grow old and die,” he sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well, this is going to be Beomgyu's second life, imagine living through 4, like he did with you,” reminded Jake as he shrugged his shoulders, opening his eyes and looking at Soobin.

“I guess you have a point there,” hummed Soobin as he nodded his head. “Have you spoken to either of your brothers lately?” He asked, changing the subject.

“Seungmin is doing okay in Japan, Mujin has done well with keeping him and Hyunjin employed all these years and now they're enjoying retirement,” responded Jake as he nodded his head. “Jeongwoo and his soulmate have retired, but they're staying in Busan last I heard,” he added. “They're busy with their lives, so I'm not worried about getting out of touch with them,” he explained with a shrug. “I'm sure I won't outlive Jeongwoo, but Seungmin seems to be nearing the end from last I heard,” he added.

“Hm,” hummed Soobin.

~

Time passed and Jeonggeun was the first to pass away, peacefully in his sleep and Jake took a few more years but he too ended up passing away in his sleep.

It had only been a matter of time anyway, as most soulmates died within years of each other anyway, with the rare exception of those going through the dreaded reincarnation route.

Hwon had been there to see them both go, promising to see to them in their next life and wishing all the best.

~

Jake huffed out a sigh as he looked down at Jeonggeun who was sitting by the curb and crying. “Don't let the bullies get to you alright?” He asked, turning and scowling at said bullies who ran way from Jake when they saw him standing next to Jeonggeun. “I'm Jake, what's your name?” He asked, turning back and reaching out a hand to help Jeonggeun up.

“J-Jeonggeun,” mumbled Jeonggeun as he looked up at Jake. He wiped his tears away before taking Jake's hand and letting Jake pull him up to stand, Jake's hand hovering over Jeonggeun's wrist to make sure he was okay. “T-They're calling me girly because my mark is a tattoo with a rose,” he whined, moving his wrist out of Jake's grip and letting it fall to his side. “M-My brother says to ignore them but,” he grumbled, sighing as he looked at the ground.

“Mine's a tattoo too,” commented Jake as he looked at the tattoo on his wrist. “What kind of rose is it? Is it colored in?” He asked, showing the tattoo.

“I think it's the same,” responded Jeonggeun as he showed Jake.

“I don't know if we're soulmates, but let's be friends okay?” Asked Jake as he grinned.

“Yeah!” Exclaimed Jeonggeun as he grinned in return.

~

“Jake!” Shouted a voice from outside his room. “Jeonggeun is here!” Reminded the voice. “Get up will you?!” Shouted the voice again, the door opening again to reveal Dongmin who was dressed to go to school.

“Ugh,” groaned Jake as he buried his face into his pillows. “Leave me alone,” he whined, before suddenly sitting up and looking at the time. “Crap!” He exclaimed before scrambling to get up and rush to get ready.

“We wouldn't have to rush if you actually got up on time,” scolded Dongmin after Jake met him at the door.

“Sorry, I was up studying,” grumbled Jake as he made sure he had everything.

“You're trying to get to Korea to start college right?” Asked Jeonggeun as Jake and Dongmin walked over. “You'll be in it for the long run it seems,” he commented with his head tilted to the side in curiosity.

“I'm studying because one of my online friends is also aiming to start school at one of the top universities there,” explained Jake as he shrugged. “Where's your brothers anyway?” He asked, changing the subject.

“Jeongwoo had to be dropped off again, and Seungmin said he'd meet us during lunch,” explained Jeonggeun as he shrugged.

“Are people still bothering Jeongwoo?” Asked Jake as he looked concerned.

“No, but it's hard for Jeongwoo to go anywhere without help when he can't see colors,” explained Jeonggeun. “So Seungmin started offering to take him to school while I went with you two,” he added.

“Oh, what are you doing afterschool today Dongmin?” Asked Jake as he turned to his brother.

“I don't know yet, why?” Asked Dongmin as he looked at Jake with an eyebrow raised in question.

“I gotta go meet with Hwon, I think his name was,” explained Jake as he shrugged. “So I won't be home immediately,” he added. “He said he'd sponsor mine and Jeonggeun's school years in Korea if I studied hard enough,” he explained.

“Do you think you'll do it?” Asked Dongmin as he looked at Jake to make sure he was committed to this.

“I think I'm ready for it,” responded Jake as he nodded. “Something tells me I won't regret my decision to head to Korea to start university,” he added.

“Well, if you've got your mind set on something, I will support you either way,” reminded Dongmin as he nodded.

“Thanks Dongmin,” Jake mumbled, grinning before turning and giving his brother a hug.

~

As the years passed and Jake prepared for uni, Jeonggeun was also preparing, deciding to become a part of Hwon's guard. He knew it was a long shot, but if Jake could get Hwon's approval about getting sponsored to start and finish uni in Korea once he graduated then Jeonggeun could potentially make it as a member of one of his elusive guards.

By that point Jeongwoo was the only one left at home of Jeonggeun's brothers, as Seungmin had gotten a full ride scholarship to one of Japan's top universities and Jeongwoo was just starting high school when Jeonggeun had one more year.

“I think you can do it!” Encouraged Jeongwoo as he walked to school with Jeonggeun and Jake. “It'll be hard, but I think you can,” he exclaimed enthusiastically.

“I know I can,” huffed Jeonggeun. “But that means we won't see much of each other after this?” He asked.

“It's okay,” reassured Jeongwoo as he nodded his head. “This will help us in the long run I'm sure, if what Hwon had explained before when you asked him,” he added. “I'll be here to root you on, as I'm sure Dongmin will when he eventually gets back from his trip to America,” he mused, looking thoughtful.

“Dongmin's staying in America, I think,” sighed Jake as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “But that's okay, as long as he's happy,” he added.

~

Jeonggeun successfully got into the guard after completing high school, heading to Korea with Hwon and Chan to attend a yearly meeting between all the kings. He did it as a surprise to Jake and everyone was meeting at Allen's restaurant since Dann had decided it was better to meet somewhere other than his mansion for once.

After the meeting was over Jeonggeun was left to do whatever he wanted so he went to the university that Jake was attending and decided to go to the famous cafe to see if he was working that day.

“Welcome, what can I get you?” Asked the person at the counter as Jeonggeun walked over to the counter.

“I was wondering if Jake was working today?” Asked Jeonggeun as he stuffed his hands in his pants pockets to adopt a more friendly stance.

“He'll be here in a little bit,” responded the person, speaking English. “What's your name friend?” He asked.

“Jeonggeun, and I'll have the usual?” Asked Jeonggeun as he went to pay for it.

“It's on the house, Jeonggeun,” reassured the barista as he went to write it down on a cup before passing it down. “Jake's talked a lot about you, it's nice to finally meet you,” he added, grinning at Jeonggeun.

“Are you Jay then?” Asked Jeonggeun as he grinned in return.

“Yep!” Responded Jay as he nodded. “Chanyoung here will make your drink, if you wanted to wait down there,” he added, gesturing to the counter where the completed drinks were being left at.

A sense of deja vu flowed through Jeonggeun as he walked over to stand at the counter. “Huh,” he mused, looking thoughtful before shaking his head.

~

Jake entered the cafe, preparing for his shift. “Hey everyone,” he greeted before starting to go into the backroom.

“Hey, there's someone here for you,” commented Jay as he stopped Jake. “He's been waiting for a while now, go say hi,” he added, giving Jake a gentle shove in Jeonggeun's direction.

Jake turned, spotting Jeonggeun who stood up when Jake recognized him. “You're here,” he breathed, looking surprised. “You're here!” He shouted, running over and tackling Jeonggeun and giving him a bone crushing hug.

“I'm here,” repeated Jeonggeun as he reached up and patted Jake on the shoulder. “I'm here,” he repeated again, softly chuckling at Jake's antics.