[ being a transfer student is rough. mikleo already had to say goodbye to his friends back in elysia before he moved away to ladylake as a child with his mother. elysia was nice, beautiful, a great place for a family to thrive. but with muse being a single mother, it was hard to pay the bills and take care of a little boy, as well, and that's when they left. now the process is repeating itself, but this time, it's mikleo's choice. elysia has some of the best schools, and mikleo is a logical guy, lives to learn. with a heavy heart, muse sent him off to elysia to live in the dorms of one of their prestigious high schools.
that's where mikleo is headed now, suitcase rolling behind him, only his essentials packed. his laptop case is strapped over his shoulder, too, because what high school kid doesn't have a computer? there was no way mikleo was leaving it behind, either. he worked a job for an entire summer to get it.
he's excited to be back in elysia, to be at a high school he only dreamed of getting to go to, but nothing could have prepared him for what's about to happen.
mikleo knows about soul bonds. who doesn't? the whole world knows about soul bonds. they teach it in school from the moment you're old enough to comprehend it, from around the time each kid hits puberty. of course, that means some of the classrooms were still filled with giggles at mentions of love and sex, but mikleo never found it amusing. he's not sure how much he likes the idea of soul bonds, doesn't like the idea of wanting to have sex with someone you meet just because you're bonded to them. mikleo would rather know someone before being bonded to them, but he'll probably never be that lucky. it'd be nice if the bond waited until you got to know each other, but that's not how the world works.
looking down at the piece of paper in his hand, mikleo realizes he's just about at his dorm room. it's just two doors away from where he is, and then he'll be meeting his new roommate and possibly classmate. rolling his suitcase behind him, he stops at the door and looks up at the number with a small smile. ]
This is it.
[ he grabs for the handle and-- and freezes. something feels odd. there's an overwhelming and almost foreboding feeling as he turns the doorknob and when mikleo opens the door, the feeling increases tenfold. suddenly he feels hot, almost feverish, and dizzy. what is this? and why? it takes him a moment to steady himself, and mikleo is left staring at his roommate's back. is this... it can't be.
heart pounding, mikleo wracks his brain to think of the signs and symptoms when you first meet your soul bond and... no, maybe he's just nervous. really nervous. it's a new school, a new life, a new-- ...no. who is he kidding? this is... this person must be... this is his soul bond.
mikleo is left in the doorway, clinging to the edge of the frame. his suitcase lays on its side next to him, having clattered to the floor, and mikleo feels like he's on fire. it's fine. it's okay. he doesn't even know this person, doesn't even know what they look like. but does that mean it'll be worse when he does? he tries to manage words, a word, anything at all but nothing comes out of his open mouth. ]
somehow, his mind reflected back on his childhood every-so-often, focusing on someone whom he used to spend nearly every day with. he'd never known why he moved so suddenly, yet he knew that it wasn't anything they could control back then. whenever he thought back to those times, he'd always wondered what he'd be doing now, how well he was doing, or if he'd see him again.
well, no use thinking too much about it, right? perhaps they'd see each other again someday.
as of now, he's getting his things ready for his new roomate. unfortunately, sorey wasn't the most tidy person, so in the time that he's had the room to himself, he's ended up leaving piles of books scattered on the floor, on the nearby desk, nightstand--any hard surface he could find. so, when he hears the door open, he's got a pile of books in his arms.
he slowly turns, preparing to greet his new roomate. only, he stops as soon as he opens his mouth, deep-green eyes widening as he takes in the person in front of him. not only did he recognize him, but-- the way his heart started beating faster and faster - the way that his mind was racing with various thoughts--
he... knew who this person was. this was his soul bond, wasn't he...? he doesn't need school or any sort of lessons to know what this feeling meant. he was-- clearly supposed to be with this person, plain and simple. ]
You're-- Mikleo, aren't you? [ his face lights up, smile wide and eyes bright. ] It's been a long time!
[ the initial feeling starts to fade, just a little, and mikleo regains his composure. it doesn't mean his mind isn't telling him to jump the person in front of him, but mikleo has more control than that. and this person isn't just a person. this is... ]
Sorey?
[ it has to be him. that messy brown hair, those sparkling green eyes, his sunkissed skin-- no, wait, that's too much. don't think about his skin. don't think about anything like that. he still feels hot, and his face is probably a little flushed, but maybe sorey won't notice. just make conversation like a normal person, he tells himself. maybe if they don't mention that they're soul bonds, nothing will happen. the initial feeling is starting to fade a little, so it's becoming manageable, anyway.
it does worry him a little, how easily sorey seems to be able to handle it, and suddenly mikleo finds himself more worried than anything. what if this is a one-sided bond? he sighs. one thing at a time.
mikleo hadn't forgotten, either. never. being that they were just kids, it wasn't like they had cell phones to exchange numbers with, so how were they supposed to keep in contact? then again, this is sorey, his childhood best friend. it should be easy to talk to him. sure, it's been a while, but glancing around the room, his habits sure haven't changed. that's a little comforting, and he's able to let a small smile cross his lips. ]
... I see you haven't changed. Still as messy as ever.
[ one of the stray thoughts that sorey has amidst the flurry of his musings is that mikleo is beautiful. he can barely remember how he looked when he was little - only able to keep in mind that they were close once upon a time. but, he remembers those bright, violet eyes, that pale skin, and hair that reminded him so much of the sea. however, when sorey hears him speak once more, he quickly recovers from his stupor. he nods his head with a wary smile. ]
Looks like we both remember, huh?
[ he doesn't even try to fight his smile from softening. soulbond or not, he's happy to see him again. in fact, he's not sure if it's because he's soulbonded to him that he feels like it was only just yesterday that he said good bye to mikleo.
... wait, this wasn't good, was it? no, this was-- bad. here he was finally realizing just who he was soulbonded to, but-- what was he supposed to say to him? besides, there's a chance that it could be one sided, right? at least, mikleo seems to be pretty calm about all of this.
still even the thought of feeling this way for another person - of being unable to stop his racing heart and those butterflies in the stomach - already brings a ping of guilt that makes it feel as though his chest is sinking. for now, he tries to shake off the feeling, wanting to focus on this moment first and foremost.
when mikleo comments on his room, sorey looks around the room, only to bring a free hand to rub the back of his neck. ]
Sorry. You arrived pretty early, you know. I was going to have it cleaned up before you got here-- but, I'll get that done soon. Promise!
[ there's a beat, and sorey leans in a little, as though to look a little closer to milkeo - to rememorize what he looked like. ]
[ what is he supposed to say to sorey? does he just ask him? "hey, did you feel the same thing i felt just now?" mikleo guesses that's not right, because he still feels it, and as far as he's aware it's only going to get stronger the more they ignore it. so, what to do? the rational thing to do-- to anyone else, maybe-- would be to give in and not beat around the bush. "there's nothing wrong with soul bonds," he remembers being told by his mother. "it's a natural thing, mikleo."
the logical side of him, however, tells mikleo that he hasn't seen sorey in years and it'd be weird to address this so soon. mikleo has never liked the idea of instantly giving in to whoever happens to be your soul bond.
finding himself distracted by sorey's smile, the way it softens along with his eyes, mikleo almost misses what he's saying to him. something about getting here early? oh, yeah, he guesses his train was a little ahead of time. mikleo forces himself to pay attention, not to sorey's attractive features but what he's saying. it's hard, though. really hard. if he doesn't want to be rude, however, he needs to try.
when sorey leans in, that certainly gets mikleo's attention, and his cheeks burn red. what is he getting so close for? alright, maybe it's not that close, but every little movement seems like a risk. against his instincts, the one that tells him to lean in, too, to maybe kiss sorey or... or something else, mikleo stays still. he probably looks kind of tense, and he sort of feels that way, too.
trying to will himself to relax, which is hard when his body and mind are telling him he needs the person in front of him, mikleo turns his head and looks off to the side. sorey was always an honest kid, and he guesses that hasn't changed as he got older. mikleo wonders how much, exactly, is still the same between them. he remembers them being inseparable as children, and moving away was hard. now, mikleo is wishing more than ever that their families had found a way to stay in contact. ]
I... Me too. Honestly, I thought I might see you again, but not so soon and not as my roommate.
[ but despite his words, he really is happy. happy to have found his childhood friend again, happy to have found his soulbond. sure, there was a chance that it could be one-sided, but it still feels as though he's found a missing piece to a puzzle.
unlike mikleo, sorey isn't one to hesitate or overthink things far too much. this was especially important too, wasn't it? at least, it was pretty hammered into their heads during school that they would eventually find this important person, and they would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
not that sorey usually cared far too much about social norms.
a hand once again moves to rub the back of his head. ]
... Hey, Mikleo. You feel it too, don't you?
[ maybe not. maybe he'll look crazy for asking this. maybe mikleo doesn't feel it at all. the thought makes his heart drop a little, and he suddenly can't help but feel a little nervous. he'd thought about the possibility of it before, but mikleo's next words could confirm what he feels.
at the same time, it felt like the natural thing to do: to ask. as though he was more comfortable around mikleo than anyone else. ]
[ mikleo doesn't say much to sorey's first comment, just a quiet mm as he glances back at sorey, still trying to wrangle his feelings into something more manageable. his concentration shatters when sorey opens his mouth again to speak and he asks mikleo the very same question he was thinking about. "you feel it too, don't you?" it's impossible not to tense up again as the realization hits him. they are soul bonds. what else could sorey mean?
squaring his shoulders and turning to face sorey head on, mikleo decides that honesty is indeed the best policy, and after a short pause where he holds sorey's gaze, he nods. ]
... Yes. I feel it.
[ how could he not? he's never felt this strong a pull toward someone in his entire life. that's probably the point; you're not supposed to feel this with just anyone. that cements it, though. if sorey feels this, and he feels this... well, maybe they can wait until they get reacquainted with each other. it feels like he and sorey have never even parted now that they're together, but mikleo knows he must have missed some important life events somewhere.
pushing his glasses up his nose with a slim finger, mikleo glances down at the floor for a moment, as if he suddenly finds their shoes very interesting. even if he feels the way he does-- that he'd like to wait, despite the risk of this feeling only growing in size-- he wants to know sorey's opinion, too. he looks back up at him with a tentative, curious gaze. ]
[ sorey can't help but feel relief wash over him when mikleo comments that he feels it too, relaxing a little with another smile tugging upwards on his features.. so, they were soul bonds, after all! it's almost funny now, how they'd been so close beforehand, only to be destined to be with one another in such a way. ]
So, we are soul bonds! We finally found each other again, Mikleo!
[ of course he can't help but a be a little happy about it--after all, it feels as though things had been leading up to this. there's no way that he couldn't feel happy. after all, this was his other half - the person whom he could potentially spend the rest of his life with.
though, when mikleo asks what do you want to do? he can't help but stop. technically, they were almost strangers to one another. it'd been so long since they'd last seen each other, and they were practically adults now-- ]
That's-- a good question. [ he cups his chin, looking to the wall in front of him, but at nothing in particular. ]
[ sorey's smile keeps pulling at his heartstrings, makes mikleo's face feel heated. it's hard not to return his smiles when he seems so genuinely happy to have "found" mikleo. maybe mikleo should be happier, too. this is a big deal to him, though, so it's hard not to take it more seriously.
nevertheless, a smile does creep onto his face. ]
We did, didn't we?
[ as sorey goes on, however, his smile wanes. sorey doesn't really sound all that sure about not fighting it. does he have the same reservations as mikleo, or is there something else? worry is beginning to settle in the pit of his stomach. ]
Yeah. That's what we get told.
[ it's better to just come out and ask what's wrong, probably, and mikleo is about to do just that. it's not like he thinks sorey doesn't want to be bonded with him, or anything. there must be something else. mikleo remembers being able to read sorey easily, but now that they've spent time apart, their are little gaps in places. ]
[ he hadn't meant for this to happen. it's not even a small campus, so it shouldn't have happened. but here mikleo is, frozen in place as he stares at sorey and his boyfriend from maybe twenty feet away. he's trying to hide behind the corner, head just barely poking out as he watches.
it's difficult. he's never seen them together like this before and they're-- they're holding hands. the part of him that is influenced by their bond is telling him to charge in there and break them apart, but mikleo won't do it. he can't. no matter how much his mind and body scream for him to do something, he will not.
it's none of his business, soul bonds or friends or whatever they are. what sorey does is sorey's business, especially after mikleo told him that he'd be fine if sorey kept dating his boyfriend. technically, this is mikleo's own doing. it's so hard to rip his eyes away, a fire burning bright and hot inside of him, jealousy and love all fused into one, and then...
then sorey is leaning forward to kiss him-- mason, he thinks his name was-- and mikleo is reacting before he can stop himself. ]
Don't--!
[ he immediately goes to cover his mouth, dropping his books in the process, and then mikleo hurries to gathered his scattered materials. there's not enough time, sorey and mason must have noticed, so he leaves a few things behind, dashing off in the opposite direction. he doesn't care where he ends up, as long as it's far away from here.
something else is wrong. his chest feels extra tight and there's a stinging at his eyes and... don't cry, he tells himself. don't cry when this was your choice. mikleo hasn't cried since he was a child. it'd be ridiculous to cry now. ]
[ it's the words that make him snap his head forward, separating from his boyfriend in confusion. though, it hits him in only a second or so that it's mikleo's voice that he hears. he quickly tells mason that he'd be back - that he'd have to go do something before he reaches to pick up those fallen items, immediately moving forward towards where mikleo was hopefully going.
all he can think about was to find mikleo - to comfort him. and in the back of his mind, he knows that he wants to reassure mikleo and tell him that it doesn't mean anything. that he was his priority. but, he knows that's a lie. he knows that isn't the case. he knows that mason is important, too. it was why he wanted to break up with him to begin with.
he searches for him, attempting to follow echoing footsteps. his heart is thudding so loudly, he can hear it in his ears. he wasn't doing anything wrong, so why does it feel like his heart was sinking like this? ]
[ high school was supposed to be fun, mikleo thinks, sinking behind a large tree that sits a little ways off campus. if not entirely fun, then not this crushing. sure, transferring in the middle of it was bound not to be the easiest thing, but this isn't what he had expected. finding his soul bond and fighting it for a whole week now-- it feels like months-- and running away and crying on his own under a the shade of a tree was not what he had expected to do.
he has gotten to know sorey more over the past week, relearned things about him, discovered new things about him, and each little thing has made this all the worse. has made this harder. for some reason, though, mikleo doesn't want to trade that. he's thought about switching roommates, but being away from sorey sounds terrible. what does he do when being around sorey is terrible, too? it shouldn't be, though, it shouldn't be like this--
mikleo!
oh. sorey must have followed him. taking off his glasses to wipe wildly at his eyes, he tries to stay quiet in between little hiccups and sniffles but despite his efforts, he still hears sorey getting closer. steeling himself, he goes to speak before sorey finds him. it's funny. when they were kids they never hid anything from each other, and now mikleo would like nothing less to hide everything.
when he goes to speak, his voice betrays him and cracks. ]
sorey wanted to. he couldn't just leave mikleo alone like that. no when he was already upset. but, that isn't what makes his heart throb in pain for the other - but the way that his voice cracks, the tired tone in his voice that indicated that he'd been crying. it's all he can do to step forward and pull mikleo into a hug.
and so, he does
he reaches over, tugging the other's wrist and pulling him close to him, wrapping his arms around him. this isn't what he intended at all. the decision that mikleo had made--he'd wanted to trust in it, that it was what mikleo wanted. that their bond could perhaps be a little weaker than what they had thought it was.
[ as sorey pulls him into a hug, mikleo goes wide-eyed. the tears stop for a second, and even though he knows he should pull away, to tell sorey no, that's not truthfully what he wants. every bone in his body, every little instinct is telling him to cling to sorey, to bury his face in his shoulder and stay there for as long as he can. that's not right, though. this isn't just a friend comforting another friend. that's not what kind of hug this is.
but what is this idiot apologizing for? this was mikleo's idea. he was the one who told sorey to keep dating mason. just that thought gets the tears flowing again, and mikleo reaches up and curls his fingers into the back of sorey's shirt against his better judgement. ]
You-- You have nothing to apologize for, stupid.
[ realizing what he's doing, he lets go of sorey and lets his arms drop to his sides. mikleo doesn't try to get away from sorey's hold, but it would probably be wrong to hold him back. setting his jaw, he tries to stop his tears and keep his voice steady. ]
[ sorey immediately misses mikleo's warmth - immediately feels like something is missing, or that he feels a little emptier. he craves that touch from him again, yet makes no protest when mikleo releases him.
but, this is about mikleo. it's about comforting mikleo and making sure he's okay. sorey holding him like this had been partly instinct, yet he'd wanted to either way. it was just a hug between friends... wasn't it? ]
I'm the reason you're upset, aren't I?
[ all this time, he's felt like being with mason is wrong. sure, he likes him, but-- his thoughts were still primarily full of mikleo, and mikleo alone. he's not sure if that would ever change. ]
[ when sorey blames himself, mikleo wants to correct him immediately. sorey didn't do anything wrong. he was just going along with what mikleo had decided. ]
No. It's not your fault.
[ after a beat, mikleo tries to reign himself in from his too emotional state, hands moving to the front of sorey's shirt and pressing his palms flat against his chest. he can't look at sorey. again. the tears have subsided for the most part, but mikleo still doesn't feel the best. pushing away from sorey a little, he brings one hand up to his own forehead, the hand left on sorey's shift curling into a fist. ]
This was my decision. It just... took me by surprise.
[ another pause, and mikleo is wiping his eyes with a little more strength than necessary, then forcing a casual smile onto his face. as casual as he can possibly make it right now, at least. it probably looks a little pained. ]
[ sorey pulls away from mMikleo with knitted brows and torn expression. he wants mikleo to be happy, but it wouldn't happen like this, would it? and, it wasn't like sorey could switch do anything such as distance himself from mikleo to make this better, nor did he want to.
his hands fall to his side, balling up into fists. he's frustrated, and feels near helpless - it's not something that he's helpless to do anything about though, is it? he could change this. he could do it for mikleo and him both.
so, he will. every instinct, every bone in his body is telling him to hold mikleo close - to be with him, and only him. isn't that more than enough for him to act on this?
still, he doesn't like it-- he doesn't like mikleo holding everything in on his own. ]
[ mikleo has his suitcase on his bed, slowly packing his few belongings into it. everything feels heavier than it should, this entire thing feels like a huge burden and the wrong thing to do, but mikleo doesn't know what else he should do. transfer schools? leave the country? pretend he never met sorey again? those are all... very unrealistic. this is probably the best he can do for them both.
when he hears the door to their dorm room open, it's just about nine o'clock, when everyone is required to be in their dorms. well, they're required to be a little earlier than that, but it's possible sorey was in the dorms, just with... someone... else.
he has to try not to physically shake his head of the thought though he wants to and feels like he has to. he doesn't want to think of mason and sorey in any way, shape or form. not together. mikleo tries to keep cool and calm, smoothing his hands over his folded clothes in his suitcase. the room is starting to look a little emptier and he really... doesn't like it. he doesn't want to leave. he doesn't want to. mikleo wants to be with sorey, he wants--
without turning around, he begins to speak. ]
Sorey. Since there was another new transfer besides me, the principal is going to let me change rooms, so you won't have to move. It won't happen until the end of the week, but I thought it'd just be easier to live out of my suitcase in the meantime.
[ he tries to force a smile, but it probably sounds like he's on the verge of tears, instead. ]
[ sorey hears those words, and it's near immediate how his mind starts panicking. no, no no no no. he doesn't want that - he doesn't want to do that to mikleo now that he knows that their feelings are mutual. he didn't have to do anything like that anymore. he wasn't going to let mikleo suffer alone like this any longer.
because he's taken care of things. he wouldn't let a relationship make mikleo unhappy - wouldn't let himself be with mason when his feelings were starting to belong to another.
he couldn't do that.
he reaches, hand moving immediately to mikleo's shoulder to prompt him to turn around. mikleo will probably say it's dangerous, but it doesn't have to be anymore. ] Mikleo.
[ he calls for him. please, look at him. turn around. ]
[ mikleo tenses when sorey's hand finds his shoulder. he wishes that wasn't his first instinct, to tense up, to be on guard. he wishes he could relax into it like a normal soul bonded person would.
after a beat, he exhales, shoulders forcefully relaxing while the air escapes him. he tries to keep a cool demeanor about him when he turns to look at sorey. he's... kind of close, but instead of telling sorey he should step back, mikleo tries to casually sit himself down on the bed, creating space between them himself. ]
[ he notices mikleo tensing up, and it's near instinct how he squeezes that shoulder in hopefully a reassuring manner. he can't blame him - can't blame him for feeling like he did.
he... must've been upset about all of this. though, this entire situation has been upsetting for the both of them. ]
Sorry. [ he says those words in advance before he moves forward, leaning in to capture mikleo's lips with his own in a soft, gentle kiss. it's amazing how he already felt his heart leaping even before they started to kiss one another - how he can feel all his senses practically become ablaze.
this is what they were meant to do. this is what they were born for. they were meant to be together, just like this. ]
[ there's no chance for mikleo to protest or ask why he's apologizing because once sorey leans in and kisses him, the entire world stops and it feels like it's just the two of them. nothing else. it's warm. much warmer than he thought it'd be, but it's good. it feels right; it feels more natural than anything mikleo's ever felt before. his hands are frozen at his sides, though, because although this is really, truly meant to be, it's a little overwhelming. so overwhelming that mikleo has to grip onto the bed sheets tight to ground himself.
not only is this his first kiss with his bond, but it's his first kiss ever, and it means a lot that it's from sorey. but, of course, it can't be perfect. it's not perfect because no matter how into this kiss mikleo is, he remembers one thing-- one person. he can't fully enjoy this with that person on his mind, but mikleo doubts sorey would do this if he were together with mason still. he knows that much, knows sorey that well. did sorey...?
once they part-- and it's mikleo's doing, wanting more but curious and flustered-- he pulls back just a little to look at sorey, brows furrowed and cheeks red. ]
[ mikleo's lips are softer, warmer than what he expected - but more importantly, it warms him all over in a way that he never felt when he was with mason. he's felt those butterflies before, but not quite like this. not in the way that he feels with mikleo. sorey was never the best kisser - yet kissing mikleo feels more natural than anything else he's ever felt with someone else.
but, the kiss eels like it ends too quickly. it's near immediate how he craves more of it. however, he stops himself. ]
... I broke up with Mason. [ he admits, gaze falling downwards with guilt evident on his features. he feels his chest constrict with the thought. sure, it had been for the best, but that doesn't mean it was easy for either of them. ]
[ he doesn't have to ask why, even if the word is on the tip of his tongue. sorey did it for mikleo, of course. by the look on his face, it's clear sorey didn't solely do it as a favor to himself. mikleo isn't sure how to feel. grateful? relieved? ... guilty? that's how sorey looks, but mikleo doesn't want him to feel that way. not when he's done something like this. something for mikleo. it might not be just for mikleo, but thinking about it, he can't help but feel what happened today made an impact on sorey.
frowning, mikleo reaches out and takes a fistful of sorey's shirt, leaning his forehead against his chest. he's not upset with sorey. if anything, he's a little upset with himself. even so, he's kind of happy. he wonders if that's wrong. ]
[ sorey shakes his head, moving to wrap an arm around the other gently, pulling him a little closer. of course, he hadn't wanted things to end like this, but he knew that it was for the best. he'd hesitated because he didn't want this to hurt mason - to hurt mikleo.
yet, he'd only been hurting everyone even more by avoiding breaking up with mason. ]
... It was for the best. For all of us. For you, me, and Mason. It's... been really hard on everyone.
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that's where mikleo is headed now, suitcase rolling behind him, only his essentials packed. his laptop case is strapped over his shoulder, too, because what high school kid doesn't have a computer? there was no way mikleo was leaving it behind, either. he worked a job for an entire summer to get it.
he's excited to be back in elysia, to be at a high school he only dreamed of getting to go to, but nothing could have prepared him for what's about to happen.
mikleo knows about soul bonds. who doesn't? the whole world knows about soul bonds. they teach it in school from the moment you're old enough to comprehend it, from around the time each kid hits puberty. of course, that means some of the classrooms were still filled with giggles at mentions of love and sex, but mikleo never found it amusing. he's not sure how much he likes the idea of soul bonds, doesn't like the idea of wanting to have sex with someone you meet just because you're bonded to them. mikleo would rather know someone before being bonded to them, but he'll probably never be that lucky. it'd be nice if the bond waited until you got to know each other, but that's not how the world works.
looking down at the piece of paper in his hand, mikleo realizes he's just about at his dorm room. it's just two doors away from where he is, and then he'll be meeting his new roommate and possibly classmate. rolling his suitcase behind him, he stops at the door and looks up at the number with a small smile. ]
This is it.
[ he grabs for the handle and-- and freezes. something feels odd. there's an overwhelming and almost foreboding feeling as he turns the doorknob and when mikleo opens the door, the feeling increases tenfold. suddenly he feels hot, almost feverish, and dizzy. what is this? and why? it takes him a moment to steady himself, and mikleo is left staring at his roommate's back. is this... it can't be.
heart pounding, mikleo wracks his brain to think of the signs and symptoms when you first meet your soul bond and... no, maybe he's just nervous. really nervous. it's a new school, a new life, a new-- ...no. who is he kidding? this is... this person must be... this is his soul bond.
mikleo is left in the doorway, clinging to the edge of the frame. his suitcase lays on its side next to him, having clattered to the floor, and mikleo feels like he's on fire. it's fine. it's okay. he doesn't even know this person, doesn't even know what they look like. but does that mean it'll be worse when he does? he tries to manage words, a word, anything at all but nothing comes out of his open mouth. ]
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somehow, his mind reflected back on his childhood every-so-often, focusing on someone whom he used to spend nearly every day with. he'd never known why he moved so suddenly, yet he knew that it wasn't anything they could control back then. whenever he thought back to those times, he'd always wondered what he'd be doing now, how well he was doing, or if he'd see him again.
well, no use thinking too much about it, right? perhaps they'd see each other again someday.
as of now, he's getting his things ready for his new roomate. unfortunately, sorey wasn't the most tidy person, so in the time that he's had the room to himself, he's ended up leaving piles of books scattered on the floor, on the nearby desk, nightstand--any hard surface he could find. so, when he hears the door open, he's got a pile of books in his arms.
he slowly turns, preparing to greet his new roomate. only, he stops as soon as he opens his mouth, deep-green eyes widening as he takes in the person in front of him. not only did he recognize him, but-- the way his heart started beating faster and faster - the way that his mind was racing with various thoughts--
he... knew who this person was. this was his soul bond, wasn't he...? he doesn't need school or any sort of lessons to know what this feeling meant. he was-- clearly supposed to be with this person, plain and simple. ]
You're-- Mikleo, aren't you? [ his face lights up, smile wide and eyes bright. ] It's been a long time!
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Sorey?
[ it has to be him. that messy brown hair, those sparkling green eyes, his sunkissed skin-- no, wait, that's too much. don't think about his skin. don't think about anything like that. he still feels hot, and his face is probably a little flushed, but maybe sorey won't notice. just make conversation like a normal person, he tells himself. maybe if they don't mention that they're soul bonds, nothing will happen. the initial feeling is starting to fade a little, so it's becoming manageable, anyway.
it does worry him a little, how easily sorey seems to be able to handle it, and suddenly mikleo finds himself more worried than anything. what if this is a one-sided bond? he sighs. one thing at a time.
mikleo hadn't forgotten, either. never. being that they were just kids, it wasn't like they had cell phones to exchange numbers with, so how were they supposed to keep in contact? then again, this is sorey, his childhood best friend. it should be easy to talk to him. sure, it's been a while, but glancing around the room, his habits sure haven't changed. that's a little comforting, and he's able to let a small smile cross his lips. ]
... I see you haven't changed. Still as messy as ever.
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Looks like we both remember, huh?
[ he doesn't even try to fight his smile from softening. soulbond or not, he's happy to see him again. in fact, he's not sure if it's because he's soulbonded to him that he feels like it was only just yesterday that he said good bye to mikleo.
... wait, this wasn't good, was it? no, this was-- bad. here he was finally realizing just who he was soulbonded to, but-- what was he supposed to say to him? besides, there's a chance that it could be one sided, right? at least, mikleo seems to be pretty calm about all of this.
still even the thought of feeling this way for another person - of being unable to stop his racing heart and those butterflies in the stomach - already brings a ping of guilt that makes it feel as though his chest is sinking. for now, he tries to shake off the feeling, wanting to focus on this moment first and foremost.
when mikleo comments on his room, sorey looks around the room, only to bring a free hand to rub the back of his neck. ]
Sorry. You arrived pretty early, you know. I was going to have it cleaned up before you got here-- but, I'll get that done soon. Promise!
[ there's a beat, and sorey leans in a little, as though to look a little closer to milkeo - to rememorize what he looked like. ]
I'm really happy to see you again.
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the logical side of him, however, tells mikleo that he hasn't seen sorey in years and it'd be weird to address this so soon. mikleo has never liked the idea of instantly giving in to whoever happens to be your soul bond.
finding himself distracted by sorey's smile, the way it softens along with his eyes, mikleo almost misses what he's saying to him. something about getting here early? oh, yeah, he guesses his train was a little ahead of time. mikleo forces himself to pay attention, not to sorey's attractive features but what he's saying. it's hard, though. really hard. if he doesn't want to be rude, however, he needs to try.
when sorey leans in, that certainly gets mikleo's attention, and his cheeks burn red. what is he getting so close for? alright, maybe it's not that close, but every little movement seems like a risk. against his instincts, the one that tells him to lean in, too, to maybe kiss sorey or... or something else, mikleo stays still. he probably looks kind of tense, and he sort of feels that way, too.
trying to will himself to relax, which is hard when his body and mind are telling him he needs the person in front of him, mikleo turns his head and looks off to the side. sorey was always an honest kid, and he guesses that hasn't changed as he got older. mikleo wonders how much, exactly, is still the same between them. he remembers them being inseparable as children, and moving away was hard. now, mikleo is wishing more than ever that their families had found a way to stay in contact. ]
I... Me too. Honestly, I thought I might see you again, but not so soon and not as my roommate.
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[ but despite his words, he really is happy. happy to have found his childhood friend again, happy to have found his soulbond. sure, there was a chance that it could be one-sided, but it still feels as though he's found a missing piece to a puzzle.
unlike mikleo, sorey isn't one to hesitate or overthink things far too much. this was especially important too, wasn't it? at least, it was pretty hammered into their heads during school that they would eventually find this important person, and they would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
not that sorey usually cared far too much about social norms.
a hand once again moves to rub the back of his head. ]
... Hey, Mikleo. You feel it too, don't you?
[ maybe not. maybe he'll look crazy for asking this. maybe mikleo doesn't feel it at all. the thought makes his heart drop a little, and he suddenly can't help but feel a little nervous. he'd thought about the possibility of it before, but mikleo's next words could confirm what he feels.
at the same time, it felt like the natural thing to do: to ask. as though he was more comfortable around mikleo than anyone else. ]
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squaring his shoulders and turning to face sorey head on, mikleo decides that honesty is indeed the best policy, and after a short pause where he holds sorey's gaze, he nods. ]
... Yes. I feel it.
[ how could he not? he's never felt this strong a pull toward someone in his entire life. that's probably the point; you're not supposed to feel this with just anyone. that cements it, though. if sorey feels this, and he feels this... well, maybe they can wait until they get reacquainted with each other. it feels like he and sorey have never even parted now that they're together, but mikleo knows he must have missed some important life events somewhere.
pushing his glasses up his nose with a slim finger, mikleo glances down at the floor for a moment, as if he suddenly finds their shoes very interesting. even if he feels the way he does-- that he'd like to wait, despite the risk of this feeling only growing in size-- he wants to know sorey's opinion, too. he looks back up at him with a tentative, curious gaze. ]
What do you want to do?
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So, we are soul bonds! We finally found each other again, Mikleo!
[ of course he can't help but a be a little happy about it--after all, it feels as though things had been leading up to this. there's no way that he couldn't feel happy. after all, this was his other half - the person whom he could potentially spend the rest of his life with.
though, when mikleo asks what do you want to do? he can't help but stop. technically, they were almost strangers to one another. it'd been so long since they'd last seen each other, and they were practically adults now-- ]
That's-- a good question. [ he cups his chin, looking to the wall in front of him, but at nothing in particular. ]
We shouldn't really fight it, right?
[ they shouldn't. but at the same time--
he couldn't just do that to his boyfriend. ]
... Or... that's what they taught us, anyways.
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nevertheless, a smile does creep onto his face. ]
We did, didn't we?
[ as sorey goes on, however, his smile wanes. sorey doesn't really sound all that sure about not fighting it. does he have the same reservations as mikleo, or is there something else? worry is beginning to settle in the pit of his stomach. ]
Yeah. That's what we get told.
[ it's better to just come out and ask what's wrong, probably, and mikleo is about to do just that. it's not like he thinks sorey doesn't want to be bonded with him, or anything. there must be something else. mikleo remembers being able to read sorey easily, but now that they've spent time apart, their are little gaps in places. ]
Is something wrong?
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a week or so later...
it's difficult. he's never seen them together like this before and they're-- they're holding hands. the part of him that is influenced by their bond is telling him to charge in there and break them apart, but mikleo won't do it. he can't. no matter how much his mind and body scream for him to do something, he will not.
it's none of his business, soul bonds or friends or whatever they are. what sorey does is sorey's business, especially after mikleo told him that he'd be fine if sorey kept dating his boyfriend. technically, this is mikleo's own doing. it's so hard to rip his eyes away, a fire burning bright and hot inside of him, jealousy and love all fused into one, and then...
then sorey is leaning forward to kiss him-- mason, he thinks his name was-- and mikleo is reacting before he can stop himself. ]
Don't--!
[ he immediately goes to cover his mouth, dropping his books in the process, and then mikleo hurries to gathered his scattered materials. there's not enough time, sorey and mason must have noticed, so he leaves a few things behind, dashing off in the opposite direction. he doesn't care where he ends up, as long as it's far away from here.
something else is wrong. his chest feels extra tight and there's a stinging at his eyes and... don't cry, he tells himself. don't cry when this was your choice. mikleo hasn't cried since he was a child. it'd be ridiculous to cry now. ]
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all he can think about was to find mikleo - to comfort him. and in the back of his mind, he knows that he wants to reassure mikleo and tell him that it doesn't mean anything. that he was his priority. but, he knows that's a lie. he knows that isn't the case. he knows that mason is important, too. it was why he wanted to break up with him to begin with.
he searches for him, attempting to follow echoing footsteps. his heart is thudding so loudly, he can hear it in his ears. he wasn't doing anything wrong, so why does it feel like his heart was sinking like this? ]
Mikleo!
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he has gotten to know sorey more over the past week, relearned things about him, discovered new things about him, and each little thing has made this all the worse. has made this harder. for some reason, though, mikleo doesn't want to trade that. he's thought about switching roommates, but being away from sorey sounds terrible. what does he do when being around sorey is terrible, too? it shouldn't be, though, it shouldn't be like this--
mikleo!
oh. sorey must have followed him. taking off his glasses to wipe wildly at his eyes, he tries to stay quiet in between little hiccups and sniffles but despite his efforts, he still hears sorey getting closer. steeling himself, he goes to speak before sorey finds him. it's funny. when they were kids they never hid anything from each other, and now mikleo would like nothing less to hide everything.
when he goes to speak, his voice betrays him and cracks. ]
You didn't need to follow me.
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sorey wanted to. he couldn't just leave mikleo alone like that. no when he was already upset. but, that isn't what makes his heart throb in pain for the other - but the way that his voice cracks, the tired tone in his voice that indicated that he'd been crying. it's all he can do to step forward and pull mikleo into a hug.
and so, he does
he reaches over, tugging the other's wrist and pulling him close to him, wrapping his arms around him. this isn't what he intended at all. the decision that mikleo had made--he'd wanted to trust in it, that it was what mikleo wanted. that their bond could perhaps be a little weaker than what they had thought it was.
but, that wasn't the case at all, was it? ]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Mikleo.
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but what is this idiot apologizing for? this was mikleo's idea. he was the one who told sorey to keep dating mason. just that thought gets the tears flowing again, and mikleo reaches up and curls his fingers into the back of sorey's shirt against his better judgement. ]
You-- You have nothing to apologize for, stupid.
[ realizing what he's doing, he lets go of sorey and lets his arms drop to his sides. mikleo doesn't try to get away from sorey's hold, but it would probably be wrong to hold him back. setting his jaw, he tries to stop his tears and keep his voice steady. ]
You shouldn't have come after me.
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but, this is about mikleo. it's about comforting mikleo and making sure he's okay. sorey holding him like this had been partly instinct, yet he'd wanted to either way. it was just a hug between friends... wasn't it? ]
I'm the reason you're upset, aren't I?
[ all this time, he's felt like being with mason is wrong. sure, he likes him, but-- his thoughts were still primarily full of mikleo, and mikleo alone. he's not sure if that would ever change. ]
I wanted to. ... I couldn't just leave you alone.
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No. It's not your fault.
[ after a beat, mikleo tries to reign himself in from his too emotional state, hands moving to the front of sorey's shirt and pressing his palms flat against his chest. he can't look at sorey. again. the tears have subsided for the most part, but mikleo still doesn't feel the best. pushing away from sorey a little, he brings one hand up to his own forehead, the hand left on sorey's shift curling into a fist. ]
This was my decision. It just... took me by surprise.
[ another pause, and mikleo is wiping his eyes with a little more strength than necessary, then forcing a casual smile onto his face. as casual as he can possibly make it right now, at least. it probably looks a little pained. ]
I'm fine. Really.
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[ sorey pulls away from mMikleo with knitted brows and torn expression. he wants mikleo to be happy, but it wouldn't happen like this, would it? and, it wasn't like sorey could switch do anything such as distance himself from mikleo to make this better, nor did he want to.
his hands fall to his side, balling up into fists. he's frustrated, and feels near helpless - it's not something that he's helpless to do anything about though, is it? he could change this. he could do it for mikleo and him both.
so, he will. every instinct, every bone in his body is telling him to hold mikleo close - to be with him, and only him. isn't that more than enough for him to act on this?
still, he doesn't like it-- he doesn't like mikleo holding everything in on his own. ]
--You were crying, weren't you?
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1/2.
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1/2.
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later that night (welcome 2 the bone zone)
when he hears the door to their dorm room open, it's just about nine o'clock, when everyone is required to be in their dorms. well, they're required to be a little earlier than that, but it's possible sorey was in the dorms, just with... someone... else.
he has to try not to physically shake his head of the thought though he wants to and feels like he has to. he doesn't want to think of mason and sorey in any way, shape or form. not together. mikleo tries to keep cool and calm, smoothing his hands over his folded clothes in his suitcase. the room is starting to look a little emptier and he really... doesn't like it. he doesn't want to leave. he doesn't want to. mikleo wants to be with sorey, he wants--
without turning around, he begins to speak. ]
Sorey. Since there was another new transfer besides me, the principal is going to let me change rooms, so you won't have to move. It won't happen until the end of the week, but I thought it'd just be easier to live out of my suitcase in the meantime.
[ he tries to force a smile, but it probably sounds like he's on the verge of tears, instead. ]
Okay?
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because he's taken care of things. he wouldn't let a relationship make mikleo unhappy - wouldn't let himself be with mason when his feelings were starting to belong to another.
he couldn't do that.
he reaches, hand moving immediately to mikleo's shoulder to prompt him to turn around. mikleo will probably say it's dangerous, but it doesn't have to be anymore. ] Mikleo.
[ he calls for him. please, look at him. turn around. ]
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after a beat, he exhales, shoulders forcefully relaxing while the air escapes him. he tries to keep a cool demeanor about him when he turns to look at sorey. he's... kind of close, but instead of telling sorey he should step back, mikleo tries to casually sit himself down on the bed, creating space between them himself. ]
What is it?
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he... must've been upset about all of this. though, this entire situation has been upsetting for the both of them. ]
Sorry. [ he says those words in advance before he moves forward, leaning in to capture mikleo's lips with his own in a soft, gentle kiss. it's amazing how he already felt his heart leaping even before they started to kiss one another - how he can feel all his senses practically become ablaze.
this is what they were meant to do. this is what they were born for. they were meant to be together, just like this. ]
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not only is this his first kiss with his bond, but it's his first kiss ever, and it means a lot that it's from sorey. but, of course, it can't be perfect. it's not perfect because no matter how into this kiss mikleo is, he remembers one thing-- one person. he can't fully enjoy this with that person on his mind, but mikleo doubts sorey would do this if he were together with mason still. he knows that much, knows sorey that well. did sorey...?
once they part-- and it's mikleo's doing, wanting more but curious and flustered-- he pulls back just a little to look at sorey, brows furrowed and cheeks red. ]
... Sorey?
[ he wants to know what's going on. ]
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but, the kiss eels like it ends too quickly. it's near immediate how he craves more of it. however, he stops himself. ]
... I broke up with Mason. [ he admits, gaze falling downwards with guilt evident on his features. he feels his chest constrict with the thought. sure, it had been for the best, but that doesn't mean it was easy for either of them. ]
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frowning, mikleo reaches out and takes a fistful of sorey's shirt, leaning his forehead against his chest. he's not upset with sorey. if anything, he's a little upset with himself. even so, he's kind of happy. he wonders if that's wrong. ]
...Idiot. You didn't have to do that.
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yet, he'd only been hurting everyone even more by avoiding breaking up with mason. ]
... It was for the best. For all of us. For you, me, and Mason. It's... been really hard on everyone.
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