Yoongi never believed in soulmates. At least, that’s what he what he tried to convince himself every day. Much to his chagrin, Yoongi very much believed in finding his other half and falling in love.

So when he started dating the very handsome Kim Seokjin his second year in university, he really thought that maybe this was who he was meant to be with. It didn’t matter that no mark appeared on his wrist, or that Jin’s own wrist remained smooth and clear. Yoongi was in what he thought was love and even though they never actually went far enough to say the L-word, they were happy together.

Until Jin met Namjoon at one of his cooking classes. Apparently Namjoon had started a fire in class, something that was a common occurrence in his apartment, and Jin had been the one to put it out. With his mom-like reflexes, Jin had grabbed the fire extinguisher and pushed Namjoon out of the way in time before it got out of hand. That’s all it took—one touch in between burning brownies and the mark appeared on both of their wrists. A small heart, small enough to be mistaken as a freckle, marked them and Yoongi’s belief that soulmates didn’t matter was shot to hell.

He had really wanted to hate both Namjoon and Jin at that point, but he quickly found it impossible. The day it happened, Jin showed up at his apartment in tears. Yoongi had held the older boy, letting him cry out all he needed to, but he didn’t join in even though he really wanted to cry just as hard. Jin felt guilty about something that wasn’t his fault, though, and Yoongi truly had a soft spot in his heart for him and couldn’t let the other see how affected he was. After a week of a lot of tears and talking it over, they both decided to end the year long relationship. As much as Jin tried to deny it, Yoongi could tell he was distant in his thoughts, probably thinking back to the klutz in his cooking class. Yoongi wanted to be selfish and hold on and for a short time, he did. He stayed in touch with Jin, met up with him weekly, looked through his social media updates, and still sent him new recipes to cook for him.

Then, about a month after they had officially ended things even if Yoongi was still a bit in denial, Jin introduced the blond to Namjoon. Yoongi immediately tried to dislike Namjoon’s silver hair and dimples that seemed too large. He tried to look annoyed every time Namjoon laughed loudly in response something Jin said. Most of all, he really wanted to dislike how Namjoon would reach out to touch Jin thoughtlessly and how it made the other’s eyes light up like stars. It was a look Yoongi had never seen on the boy’s face, not even when their relationship was at its best.

Yoongi’s heart softened before he realized and soon enough he became friends with Namjoon. He began to feel like their relationship was normal, like it had always been this way, and soon his heart slowly mended after a heartbreak he couldn’t at first process.

Surprisingly, being left by his long term boyfriend didn’t make Yoongi any less of a romantic, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud. Instead of being jealous of Namjoon for getting to be with Jin, Yoongi was jealous of the couple for getting to have each other. Yoongi wanted that more than he really knew and he could tell that there was a piece of him missing. Maybe a piece that his soulmate would be able to fill.

“Namjoon really appreciates you coming, Yoongi.” Jin said, smiling brightly at the blond. “He really respects your opinion in regards to music.”

“He should just respect my opinion because I’m his hyung.” Yoongi snorted, trying to remain indifferent to the compliment. They were both walking towards the local venue where Namjoon was scheduled to perform on of his raps. After they had first gotten together, Jin was surprised to find out he had a type. You know, the music freaks who write their own raps and produce their own music type. At least, that’s what Yoongi about once the wounds on his own heart had healed.

Jin chuckled, “I’m sure he does because of that too.” Jin pushed Yoongi friendly, but then his eyes got a bit more serious, something they tended to do when Jin was thinking about the past and feeling guilty. “But seriously, we both really appreciate you.” Yoongi’s throat felt a bit constricted, something that didn’t happen as often now when he thought about Jin. “After everything...”

“I get it, hyung.” Yoongi gave Jin a lop-sided grin, trying to not let the past emotions get to him too much. “Now let’s hurry or you’re going to miss lover-boy’s serenade.” Jin blushed at that, a small smile slipping onto his face.

The venue was small, but it was filled very close to its maximum capacity. The pit in front of the stage was filled with both men and women alike, who were already bobbing along to the current performer on stage. Jin quickly led Yoongi to the bar, calling to the bartender by name and ordering two drinks. Yoongi thankfully took his, sipping it as he listened to the verses currently reverberating over the speakers.

“Jin-hyung!” A deep voice cut through the music as two figures moved towards them. It was two boys, probably in college. The one with the deep voice wore a box shaped smile and reached out to bring Jin into an embrace. “Hyung said you would be here tonight. I’m so happy, does this mean you’ll be coming to the apartment tonight?” Jin blushed; Yoongi took a large gulp of his drink. “You haven’t made me breakfast in like a week.”

Jin let out a shaky laugh, pulling the boy away from him softly and gesturing towards Yoongi. “Taehyung, this is Yoongi.” Taehyung redirected his smile towards the blond and yelled out a greeting. “Taehyung is Namjoon’s apartment crasher, also kind of his adoptive brother.” Yoongi lifted his eyebrows at the weird role, but gave the younger boy a nod of the head. Jin’s eyes moved past Yoongi to the boy standing a bit behind him. “And, I don’t think we’ve met yet?”

Taehyung’s eyes lit up as if he just remembered the other person he’d brought along with him. “Oh sorry, sorry,” he ran back to his friend, pushing him forward. “This is Jimin, my actual roommate and best friend forever.” The cherub faced boy gave a small smile, putting his arm around Taehyung’s neck.

“Nice to meet you guys.” Yoongi’s eyes flickered over the brown haired boy, but then went quickly back to looking at the stage. About that time Namjoon began to walk on, a simple beat starting up. Conversation between the four quickly came to a halt as soon as the dimpled rapper lifted the mic to his lips.

As expected, the song was absorbing. Yoongi and Namjoon sometimes shared their unfinished work, usually helping each other with critiques or small encouragements. Yoongi had remembered Namjoon being stuck on this one about a month ago, but he definitely had pulled it through and Yoongi was impressed. His eyes moved to Jin for a moment, but quickly jumped away. Sometimes it was hard to break the habit of looking at Jin, to gauge his reaction to things, or to just admire him. But Yoongi was learning and the second of seeing Jin’s face that was both awestruck and helplessly in love didn’t hurt as much as it used to.

After Namjoon finished, Yoongi could hear Jin let out a heavy breath. “I’m gonna go find him. Do you guys wanna come?” Yoongi knew it was just him being polite, that Jin definitely wanted to see his boyfriend alone right now.

“I’m good.” Yoongi said, smirking knowingly at Jin. “I think I’ll stay and check out the rest of the rap scene.”

“We’ll stay with Yoongi-hyung.” Taehyung said, putting his arm on the blond shoulder and completely missing the angry look Yoongi shot him. “Plus, Hobi-hyung is on next and I have to support my sunshine.” That’s when Yoongi’s eyes were drawn to the small sun marked on Taehyung wrist. Apparently there was more than one pair of soulmates in their little group tonight.

“Okay,” Jin smiled quickly, shooting Yoongi a soft look before running off to make out with his dorky boyfriend.

Jung Hoseok, as Taehyung informed Yoongi, was one of Jimin’s dance seniors at university and one of Namjoon’s friends. Taehyung had met him after one of the dance team’s performances and the two had hit it off immediately, in true soulmate style. Yoongi noticed the sparkle in the younger boy’s eyes when Hoseok walked onto the stage and began performing a trap style rap. The way he looked at Hoseok was the way Jin looked at Namjoon, and maybe that should make Yoongi a little uncomfortable, but his attention was soon drawn to Jimin who also held a similar expression as he stared up at the boy on stage. Jimin looked at Hoseok how Yoongi had caught himself looking at Jin.

His heart clenched in empathy, but he couldn’t help but feel like laughing. Because what were the odds that he would meet someone with just as ty luck as him, to fall in love with someone who was destined for another. The baby faced boy moved his eyes from the stage and for a moment, made eye contact with Yoongi. Jimin quickly looked down to his feet, a small blush tinting his cheeks. Yoongi wanted nothing more than to reach out and comfort him, which was really unlike him since he usually hated all physical contact, especially with strangers. But something about the sad look in the younger’s eyes, about how Yoongi knew exactly what he was going through just made the need to put his arm around the boy all the stronger.

When Hoseok’s song finish and Taehyung scampered off to no doubt do what Namjoon and Jin had been doing for the past five minutes with his own soulmate. That’s also when Yoongi found himself sitting next to Jimin at the bar an almost awkward silence over them.

“It gets better you know.” Yoongi let the words slip out, not really thinking about it, but still feeling a need to somehow reassure the brown haired boy. Jimin stiffened a little bit, turning to face Yoongi.

“Am I that obvious, hyung?” He looked dejected, moving his gaze to his hands that are cupping his drink.

“I don’t think anyone else noticed.” He reassured, sipping his second drink for the night. “I guess it’s easier to spot when you know what it looks like.” Jimin raised his eyebrow at that. Yoongi lips raised at one corner. “Jin and I dated before Namjoon—actually were dating when Namjoon appeared.”

“That…” Jimin’s eyes grew a bit wider. “That’s really ty.”

“ yeah, it was.” Yoongi let out a chuckle, somehow feeling lighter about such a hurtful subject. “But, it got better, eventually.” He gave Jimin a small smile.

Jimin returned the smile, but his eyes still looked hesitant. “If it had been anyone but Tae, if Hoseok had found out his soulmate was someone I didn’t know, I feel like I would’ve been able to get over this already.” He took in a shaky breath. “We weren’t even dating like you and Jin-hyung, but I liked him so much and he fell in love with my best friend. Now he’s over all the time and I can’t tell Tae, because it’s not his fault and who am I to separate two people in love?” Yoongi could see his eyes begin to water. “But I guess what’s so scary is that I feel like that’s the most love I will ever get to experience, the unrequited kind.” The first tear fell and Jimin looked at Yoongi with such an innocent face that it made the older feel like his own heart was breaking all over again. “What if I never find my soulmate, hyung?”

Before he could really process what he was doing, Yoongi had put both of his arms around Jimin and pulled into his chest. The younger’s tear stained face found its way to the crook of Yoongi’s neck and his hands dug into Yoongi’s sides. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, the blond rubbing comforting circles into the other’s back and whispering small calming words. Eventually the quiet sobs turned to even softer sniffles, and a few minutes later Jimin was pulling away from Yoongi and wiping away at his face.

Yoongi gave him another soft smile—he’d probably done that more tonight with Jimin than he’d ever done in his entire life—and helped him stand up off of the stiff bar stool. “I think we’ve been ditched.” He said jokingly, but also thankful the rest had run off and not seen Jimin little break down.

Jimin giggled a bit, something Yoongi found a little too cute. “I think you’re right.” He ran a hand through his dark brown hair, letting out a little sigh. “Thanks for listening and everything, hyung. Sorry, I really don’t make it a thing to cry on stranger’s shoulder, I promise.” Yoongi smiled, elbowing Jimin’s side softly. “I think I’m going to head back to the dorm before I embarrass myself anymore tonight.” Jimin’s eyes turned serious for a second, staring straight in Yoongi’s own. “But seriously, thank you.” Yoongi’s mouth felt dry as he looked so deeply into the younger’s eyes. It felt like Jimin was looking into Yoongi’s soul, even if it sounded cheesy. His heart beat sped up a little and he felt himself wanting to lean forward and pull Jimin back into his arms for the second time that night.

But Yoongi reframed from doing that and he watched the younger leave, giving him a little wave as he headed out the door. A few minutes after he left, Jin and Namjoon appeared, both looking more wrinkled than before.

“Where’d everyone else go?” Jin asked, confused. Yoongi didn’t even think twice about how Namjoon’s hand was tightly gripped to Jin’s, instead his mind was still stuck on Jimin.

“Jimin went home and I assume Taehyung and Hoseok are caught up in similar activities that kept you both so busy tonight.” Yoongi gave them a smirk as both of their faces turned beet red.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, we were just talking—” Jin quickly tried to defend but he suddenly stopped, his eyes going wide as they looked towards Yoongi’s hands. “Yoongi… when did you get that?”

Yoongi’s eyebrows furrowed, following his ex-boyfriend’s line of sight down to his wrist. Then his own eyes widened and he let out a choking noise. His pale wrist, which was clear a little over an hour ago, now had a small butterfly at the center. Yoongi couldn’t believe his eyes. His soulmate, they existed. They were real and Yoongi had met them. Then an image of Jimin flashed through his mind, the out of character actions Yoongi had done for him, how he had held his crying form in his arms for a good ten minutes. It was him. Yoongi had found his soulmate and it was a cherub faced university student with a broken heart just like his.

Even though it wasn’t hard for Yoongi to figure out that Jimin was his other half after the butterfly appeared, it was difficult for Yoongi to decide just how he should go about contacting the shorter boy. He wanted to see him, almost desperately had this need to, but he also knew that Jimin hadn’t been able to get over his own heartbreak yet and Yoongi had no intention to rush him into a relationship just because two little marks say they should be together.

 Yes, Yoongi knew the marks weren’t wrong, at least on his part. His feelings for Jimin were different than anything he’s ever felt for friend or lover. The marks were just an indicator that they had found each other and a reminder to other’s that they were in a way “taken.” Still, Jimin had the choice of whether or not he wanted to be with Yoongi in any way, shape, or form.

“Taehyung said he’s been asking about you.” Namjoon said, taking one of Jin’s fries before the older got the chance to push his hand away. Jin let out a complaint but Namjoon’s peck on the cheek quieted him up quickly. “I can pass your number along if you want?”

Yoongi nervously fumbled with his fingers, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of Jimin asking about him. , he’s acting like a middle schooler but he can’t find in it him to care that much. “I, uh, yeah you can do that if you want.” He sighed, dropping his head into his hands. “Dammit, give him my address for all I care. Why is this so weird? Why does this feel so complicated?” Yoongi looked up, giving them both a pointed glare. “How did you two even manage, you’re situation was way more ed up. Am I just being awkward about all of this?” He let out a frustrated breath, “I don’t know what to ing do.”

“Well, yeah I think you’re overthinking all of this.” Namjoon said, slurping on his milkshake like an , at least in Yoongi’s opinion. “From the way Taehyung talks every time he breaks into my apartment,” Jin let out a side comment about changing the locks, “Jimin seems to want to pursue whatever could happen between the two of you or at least talk about it with you.” Namjoon chuckled. “Count your blessings, at least he’s single.”

Jin took that opportunity to push Namjoon hard enough he almost fell out of his chair. The eldest gave Yoongi a sympathetic look. “Namjoon’s right, I think you’re making it more stressful than it needs to be. Just ask him to hang out. Get to know each other, don’t rush into things. You’ll be fine.”

And Yoongi let those words calm him at the time but two days later when his doorbell rang at nine at night, he couldn’t find it in himself to not stress out about the fact that a very sweat Jimin was standing in front of him. His brown hair was pushed back by a snapback, making his eyes more noticeable. The blond couldn’t help but let his eyes run over his exposed muscular arms before he quickly ripped them away.

“Hyung.” Jimin almost breathed out the formality, his own eyes running over Yoongi’s pajama clad form. “Ah, sorry to stop by so late, dance practice doesn’t get out until 8 and—” Yoongi gave him what must’ve been a confused look, causing Jimin to redirect. “I sent a text to the number Namjoon-hyung gave, but you didn’t reply and I thought if I showed it up it would be okay.” Jimin looked a little nervous for a second before backing up from the door. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come. I’ll—I’ll be going. Goodnight, hyung.”

Before he could take off down the hall, Yoongi reached out and grabbed his wrist. He felt a little spark when their hands touched, causing a current to run through the blond’s spine. “Wait.” He said. “Stay.” Jimin looked at him with wide, deer-like eyes. Yoongi coughed, using his free hand to cover his face. “I mean, come in. Sorry, I put my phone on silent when I’m writing and usually the only person texting me is Jin with annoying pictures of Namjoon or my mom asking me to visit Daegu.” Jimin giggled, the look over worry washing off of his angelic features.

“What do you write, hyung?” Jimin asked sheepishly, taking a seat on Yoongi’s old couch.  Yoongi flushed a little, noticing how nice Jimin’s legs looked in his pair of ripped jeans. He quickly averted his gaze, motioning towards the nice sound system he had laid out on his desk.

“Turns out Namjoon and Hoseok aren’t the only rappers you know.” He watched how the younger reacted when he let the name of his best friend’s soulmate slip out of his lips. To his delight, Jimin made no indication of discomfort or sadness, just continued to look at Yoongi with a large smile on his lips. “I’m actually a senior music student.”

Jimin gave a little nod. “That’s really cool.” He smiled up at Yoongi. “I’m a freshman dance major. I’m actually thinking about getting a minor in music.”

“You play an instrument? Sing?” Yoongi asked casually. “Don’t tell me you rap too.”

Jimin let out a laugh that sounded like a mix of sunshine and rainbows and Yoongi felt uncomfortable that that is the only way he could describe it. “No, I don’t rap, no way. I sing, at least a little.” Jimin blushed a little, looking at his hands that were fidgeting in his lap. “Maybe…maybe I can show you sometime.”

“Yeah,” Yoongi said a little too quickly. “I would really like that. Or just seeing you at all. Either would be good.” He sounded so desperate and if it were to anyone other than Jimin, he’d probably take a dive out of his window to become one with the cement below. But he didn’t care about how stupid he sounded or how close he resembled a teenage girl with her first boyfriend, because this was Jimin, Yoongi’s soulmate.

Jimin’s face flushed, but he held Yoongi’s gaze as the smile on his face widened, his eyes sparkling. “Either would be good.” He stood up hesitantly, walking towards the blond. “It would be really good,” Jimin stood inches from Yoongi, having to slightly look up to meet the taller’s eyes. He his lips, his eyes flickering down. “Really good to kiss you right now.”

Yoongi gulped, looking down at the brown haired boys plump lips that looked way too kissable. “Good,” he whispered, moving forward, “great, even.”

Then Yoongi closed the distance, finally getting to taste his soulmate. His hand moved to cup his jaw, pulling him in even closer as Jimin’s own hands moved to pull the blond in by his waist. The kiss was slow and melting, almost making Yoongi weak at the knees because it felt so electrifying. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest and the places where their skin touched felt like fire. Yoongi couldn’t get enough of it—couldn’t get enough of Jimin. And when the younger broke away to take a sharp breath, Yoongi dived back in, placing his lips on each inch of Jimin’s face. Jimin began to giggle softly, causing Yoongi to slow down a bit.

“It tickles.” He giggled and Yoongi couldn’t help but join in, pulling their foreheads together. Jimin’s eyes softened, his hand rubbing softly into the other’s side. “You know, you were right.” Jimin smiled. “I didn’t think I would ever get over him, but after meeting you it’s like the feelings I had for him were never there to begin with. I know they were, but in comparison to how you make me feel, it’s like anything I felt before you was nothing.” Yoongi let his hand caress Jimin’s smooth neck, making plans to move his mouth over it later.

“I understand.” Yoongi said, a bit breathless. “You’ve had me more stressed out than anyone ever has. I would also like to make it clear, I don’t make it a habit to let strangers cry on my shoulders, let alone let them touch me at all.” Jimin let out a soft chuckle. “I’ve had myself questioning whether I was actually feeling before you.” Jimin’s breath caught for a second and Yoongi continued, recalling Jin’s words. “This soulmate thing kind of throws you into a whirlwind of emotions, but I want to take things slowly. I want to get to know you and make sure that this is something you want—that I’m something you want—” Yoongi was quickly cut off by Jimin’s pink lips.

“I want you, there’s no question about that,” the younger said, moving his arms around Yoongi to pull him into a warm embrace. “But I want to know more about you, know everything preferably, but there is one question I have.” Yoongi hummed, letting him know to continue. “Does taking it slow mean no kissing? Because I might have some objections.”

Yoongi laughed. He laughed harder than he had in a long time, letting his body shake in Jimin’s arms, pushing his face in his neck. “We can make a compromise there, Jiminnie.” He left a soft kiss up his neck, making his way to his jaw and then slowly to his lips.

Yoongi should’ve been someone who hated the idea of fated love and decided destiny, but he had always found himself hoping that one day he would find his other half. Standing there with Jimin in his arms, he couldn’t help but be so very thankful that the little butterfly had appeared after they met. The mark was fitting in his opinion. They both experienced what they thought was love, only to be heartbroken. Just like a caterpillar discovering it was destined to be a butterfly, they discovered they were destined for a beautiful and true love. So, no, Yoongi did not hate the idea of soulmates. Rather, he was very thankful it led someone as perfect as Jimin into his life.