Counting Lifelines

Description

In a world where the number on your wrist determines who is your soulmate, Hyukjae meets Donghae.

Foreword

Title: Couting Lifelines
Genre: AU, friendship, romance, very slight supernatural?
Word count: around 16,000
Lenght: three-shot
Warnings: my English
Rating: rather PG 13


 

NOTE: The story is completely and shamelessly inspired by this lovely Gunheechul fanfic "Pulse" by ri0t_machine. I saw the eunhae 'plotline' there and suddenly wanted to write my own. The inspiration is still there, but the story is completely different and has nothing to do with what the original author had in mind. I mostly used the prompt of a number on a wrist that matches one's soulmate.

It's mostly written. I just need few days to edit some stuff and post it, so it will be up very soon.

 

 

 


Exerpt:

Hyukjae was about as excited to meet his match as any other person. It was a big deal. Most people ended up married to their soulmates, his parents had matching numbers on their wrists – it was only natural.

Hyukaje wasn’t against the idea. In fact, he was anticipating the moment he’d meet his perfect match.

He often fantasied, hoped for a perfect girl. He imagined her to be cute and lovely, also liking dancing, and being cool and funny, something like his best buddy. He had a basic idea, because he refused to think that the system didn’t know what they do.

He also knew that meeting your soulmate was beyond the control of one’s will.

So he just let it be.

Comments

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fullofwish
1511 streak #1
Chapter 3: After ignoring the topic of their love lives and then being confronted face to face with Donghae and Minho's pda...yeah, Hyukjae was probably more uncomfortable. Unhappy, as Jihye so astutely pointed out. Even though he had yet to reflect on his own reasons why that might be. Love Jihye's mature attitude and self-awareness about patience. She's so cool. Hope some of her self-awareness will rub off on Hyuk too.

Clingy morning Hyukkie is really cute. Well, until he got a bit frisky with his wandering hands and lips. Donghae was right to be upset. Then Hyukjae's words...some were honest but some were just too clumsy and inconsiderate. The patience of Donghae's that Jihye praised finally wore out there. He had to protect his heart too, from Hyuk's cruelty, unintentional or not.

Hyukjae's alone time definitely seemed to let him think (suffer) a bit. And get started on decisively (!) painting the kitchen lol. Donghae's reappearance and anniversary gift...ah. Touching. Happy Hyuk stopped holding himself back and restricting his feelings, and Donghae was indeed the sweet understanding and patient guy still.

Things really worked out in the end, without breaking anyone's heart with collateral damage. The best kind of satisfying and wholesome ending. Also, Sora got to knowingly baby bro about their status change, haha. Then the lovebirds teasing each other, huhu.

A great read.♡
fullofwish
1511 streak #2
Chapter 2: Ah, the attempt at "trying" to date. Hurts the heart. Can't force things, just because it seems like it's supposed to be that way since they're matched. I feel so bad for Donghae, it's like he was being played with and used as a test. Even though he was somewhat willing and it wasn't Hyukjae's intention, as he was just trying to figure things out in a fumbling way. Because it would be "easier" if it just worked out like that.

Donghae still deserves someone who likes him that way, is attracted to him, and won't flinch away from his touch or not know if they could ever share other intimacy. Though both want to preserve what they have as friendship soulmates since Hyuk thinks he can't give him those things, just knew things would get more complicated and strained when dating others became involved.

Especially after Hyukjae's (albeit unfair) reaction to Minho merely flirting with Donghae. Now seeing him, knowing their match status, with Minho as his boyfriend? Even though he's trying to be supportive of Donghae's happiness and fair now, can anyone else ever be good enough for Donghae? Make him as happy? Donghae's so hesitant about having his first time with his new boyfriend...is it only because he always held out for his soulmate or is there maybe more telling him it's not right? It must feel quite disappointing that his dear friend slash soulmate doesn't really have any advice for him, aside from "be happy" basically. He must think Hyuk really doesn't care what he does. Oof. Apathy can sting.

Thankfully, Sora chimed in with the words of wisdom, maybe helping her brother think a bit more. The crossed wires with the birthday surprise...could sense that one happening. Donghae shouldn't have been so good at pretending to be dispassionate about meeting and pretending to forget though. Looks like Hyuk's feelings were hurt this time, so can't blame him for taking up the offer of other company rather than be alone. Looks like these two need to work on their communication a bit.

Oh yes, the kitchen painting talk was definitely about more than that. :(
fullofwish
1511 streak #3
Chapter 1: Ah, this first part is a rollercoaster of feels. Love their characters, their bond before they even discovered they're soulmates, want to protect these sweet babies. ♡
flower__angels
#4
Chapter 3: this is insanely cute😭🥰
Lad7whisper
#5
Chapter 3: Oh, I happened to read this once again and what a lovely story! I truly love Donghae's character in this. Not everyone would be as much patient as he has been with Hyukjae.
The writing was great and engaging, I loved every word!
Thank you for sharing this lovely story with us <3
simjang #6
Chapter 3: Ahhhh i love the comfort of their relationship and the confusion and the fluff 👏💕💕💕💕
the_fictitious
#7
Chapter 3: Aaah fluffyyyy
TripleS_SuMyat
#8
Chapter 3: ahhhh.... beautiful. drama, fluff and friendship in one story.
PenguinLOvers772
#9
Chapter 3: Gosh the drama is overwhelmingly heartbreaking. The confusion in hyukjae is understandable but to see donghae suffer gets me in tears ;.; seriously, what a lovely story ❤️
imicaa44 #10
Chapter 3: This was such a beautiful, touching story. I really loved the development of the characters' feelings, specially Hyukjae's. Looking forward to read more of your stories!