Chapter Text
“-And we thought that you could bring your boyfriend as your plus one,” Mingyu’s mother spoke through the speaker phone, making Mingyu stop dead in his tracks. “Your father and I have been dying to meet him.”
He had been on the phone with his mother for over an hour now, trying to figure everything out for them with his cousin’s wedding coming up. It was a big deal. His cousin, Ha Rin, was the first one of the children to get her soulmate.
Mingyu’s parents had been on his ass about finding his soulmate. It wasn’t like he didn’t try to find his soulmate, he went on dates every chance he could. Kissed half of them. Some of them. Okay, he has kissed four of his dates in the past year now and none of them ended up being his soulmate.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. I’ll bring him.” Mingyu replied to his mother, he couldn’t say no.
Remember that part about Mingyu not finding his soulmate? “The fact that you met your soulmate in college just like we did.” His mother cooed. Mingyu might’ve lied to his mother and said that he had met someone (He hadn’t) and their soulmate marks showed up almost instantly (Mingyu doesn’t have a soulmate).
“Hey, mom? I have to go, Cheol just got back.” Mingyu tried to get off the phone, to help himself find a way out of this mess. There wasn’t a way out but he liked to think that he had a way out.
“Oh, is Cheollie home? Put him on.” His mother exclaimed. Mingyu groaned and moaned as he stood up.
“Cheol, mom wants to talk to you.” Mingyu called out to the kitchen and his roommate, Seungcheol, popped his head out.
“Great, I’ve been meaning to talk to her.” Seungcheol grabbed the phone and took it off speaker. “Mom, hey, I forgot to ask you about that recipe.” He spoke with a cheerful tone with Mingyu’s mother. They had known each other since they could walk. “Yeah, no, I haven’t met anyone yet, yes, you’re the first one that will know about it.” Seungcheol closed the door so he could talk in peace.
“My phone…” Mingyu pouted and stood in the middle of the living room. This always happens. He had learned to live with it.
A half an hour later Seungcheol came out of his bedroom with a notebook and a grin on his face. “I love your mom.” He put the phone on the counter.
“Get your own.” Mingyu muttered as he made his ramyeon.
“She’s a little busy, being dead and all,” Seungcheol patted Mingyu hard on the back. He leaned against the counter and folded his arms across his chest. “Why haven’t you told the truth about your ‘ I have a boyfriend who is my soulmate ’ lie to your parents?”
“I was going to,” Mingyu said with his back towards Seungcheol. He had been meaning to talk to them about it.
They were taught all about soulmates way back in middle school, that it’s going to be the biggest and most important thing to ever happen in your life. Mingyu wasn’t so sure about it.
When you turn 18 your soulmate mark will appear, the mark is one of a kind, almost like a fingerprint. Once you find your soulmate, their mark will show on your own finger. For some it will never show.
You learn who your soulmate is by sharing true love’s first kiss once you’ve both turned 18. If one of the parties is not yet 18, it won’t work even if you are soulmates.
Mingyu always felt like it was unfair that his destiny was already decided for him, he felt like his life was more than finding his soulmate. His mom had been on his case since the day he turned 18 about finding his soulmate. His parents found each other in college, they were around the age that he is now and it was basically love at first sight. Mingyu knows that his mom just wants him to be as happy as they are.
It’s not that he didn’t want to find his soulmate, he just felt like his life was more than who his soulmate was. But Mingyu’s mom just wouldn’t stop talking about him finding his soulmate every single time they spoke, that one day he just had enough and told her he had found his soulmate. His past self obviously didn’t think about the consequences, because saying that didn’t stop her from talking about soulmates. She just started asking about his “soulmate” every single time they spoke instead.
Now he was absolutely fucked, because obviously he hadn’t found his soulmate.
“What am I going to do? I can’t show up to the wedding without a soulmate! And now it’s too late to tell her because she’s already told everyone that I’m bringing him…” Mingyu sighed into his hands.
“Yeah you really fucked up Gyu,” Seungcheol laughed, just as Chan walked through the door as if he lived here.
“What did that dumbass do this time?” Chan started rummaging through their fridge, looking for something to snack on.
“Hey…” Mingyu pouted and they both looked pointedly at him.
“Well? What did you do?” Chan said as he settled on grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl on the table. Mingyu mumbled in response.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
He sighed. “I lied and told my mom that I had found my soulmate, just so she would get off my back about it… But it backfired because now she expects me to bring him to a big wedding.”
Chan let out a laugh, almost cackling, hunched over gripping his side. “It's not that funny…” Mingyu pouted as he watched his friend laugh.
“How- HA- How long ago did you tell her that you found your soulmate?” Chan tried to gather himself, wiping away the tears from laughing.
“It might've been, like, maybe a year ago.”
“A YEAR?!” Chan exclaimed. “You're screwed. Royally.”
Mingyu scoffed and played with the noodles in his bowl. “I'm not that screwed. I could find someone.” Seungcheol raised his brow as he flipped through his notebook and let out a scoff. “What? I could.”
“Who? You've been in all the beds around campus,” Seungcheol scoffed, looking at Chan for reassurance, he only gave him a shrug and a tiny nod.
“I could find someone.”
“My question still stands. Who?” Seungcheol grabbed Mingyu's ramyeon from his hands and walked out of the kitchen. “Because last time I checked you had a whole bunch of one night stands and not alot of soulmates,” He called back to the kitchen as he walked off.
“My ramyeon…” Mingyu pouted and looked at Chan. “Do you know someone?” The shorter one only shrugged and took out another packet of ramyeon and threw it his way. “I might have someone, but there's something I want in return.”
The both of them stood hunched behind newly planted bushes in front of the coffee shop across campus. Mingyu pushed Chan as he stepped on his foot and Chan muttered a few curse words in response.
“You cannot be serious,” Mingyu muttered looking over to where their target was.
“The one and only,” Chan sighed. “I can't help who I fall for, Gyu.”
They were watching Yoon Jeonghan and his best friend Jeon Wonwoo. Mingyu was familiar with them, it wasn't like he had talked to them a lot. Also, Mingyu might've slept with Wonwoo like a year ago and left without a word after. (Which in hindsight, wasn't a good choice)
They had gone to school together since highschool. It was a small town and almost everyone went to this college instead of leaving, due to it being easier. (And cheaper). It confused Mingyu why Jeonghan went here. He was rich. Well, his parents were rich, but they were filthy rich, ergo, Jeonghan did not need college.
“His sister is so hot,” Chan's words broke through his thoughts.
“I am not asking Yoon Jeonghan for his sister's number for you,” Mingyu muttered and sat down with his back to the bushes.
“If you do, I have someone lined up to help with your soulmate situation,” Chan sang and wiggled his brows.
“But you do know how he is about his sister right?” Mingyu gave Chan a look.
“Did you want my help or not?” Chan shot back. “Because I do have better things to do.”
Mingyu sighed. “Fine,” He looked over to where Jeonghan and Wonwoo were standing, noticing that Wonwoo was saying goodbye and walking away. Now was his chance.
He stepped out from behind the bushes where they were hiding and took a deep breath as he started making his way over to Jeonghan, trying to figure out a lie he could use.
“Jeonghan?” He called out to get his attention.
“Mingyu?” He said back, confusion showing on his face. “What’s up?”
“Oh not much, I was just about to get some coffee. I haven’t been to this place before, is it any good?” He started spitballing.
“Actually it’s the best on campus, it’ll change your life,” Jeonghan looked him up and down in that pretentious way only he could get away with. “I’m assuming you needed something from me, since we’re not really friends?”
Mingyu laughed nervously. “Ehm, yeah, sorry I was wondering if I could get your sister's number?”
Jeonghan stared at him for a good thirty seconds before answering. “Excuse me? Why would I give you her number?”
“She’s in my class, I have to ask her something about an assignment coming up,” Mingyu felt sweat building at the back of his neck and he tried everything in his power to not show him how nervous Jeonghan made him.
“Oh…” Jeonghan still hesitated, understandably so.
“I was having a hard time figuring something out and the professor told me I would benefit from talking to Somin since she was going in the same direction as me,” Mingyu knew he was rambling but he couldn’t really help himself at this point, he needed that number.
“Alright.”
As Mingyu stood in line at the café, to order the coffee that he told Jeonghan he was there for.
Mingyu: [attached image]
Mingyu: heres her number
Mingyu: han scares the shit outta me
Mingyu: you better hold up your end of the bargain
Dinosaur: Life saver
Dinosaur: Aish, don't get your panties in a twist
Dinosaur: I got something planned, don't you worry
But Mingyu did worry. For two whole days straight. Chan wouldn't answer when he called him or texted multiple times. Every time his phone vibrated he was sure it was Chan texting him about the guy he had lined up.
He had to leave for the wedding in around 2 weeks and he had nothing. No backstory, no boyfriend, no soulmate. No nothing. He couldn't even blame anyone else, he had been stupid all on his own.
“I could go with you,” Seungcheol shrugged beside Mingyu as he moped on the couch. “It's not like we haven't faked being together before.”
“You do realize that my parents know that we are just best friends, right?” Mingyu mumbled into his hands.
Seungcheol sighed and turned off the TV before standing up. “I mean, the best friends to lovers trope does hit sometimes.”
Mingyu threw a pillow in Seungcheol's direction but missed completely. “I could hit you.”
“But you wouldn't, would you, my love?” He wiggled his eyebrows at Mingyu.
The term of endearment made Mingyu shiver and gave Seungcheol a disgusted look. “Yuck, don't say that.”
“Your mother would know that your love for me would be fake from a mile away, I take back my offer to be your fake boyfriend,” Seungcheol scoffed as he put on the hoodie he earlier discarded on one of the kitchen chairs. “I wouldn't want to fake date someone who doesn't fake-love me.”
Mingyu got up out of the couch and walked up to Seungcheol. “Dude, come on, I would love for you to come with me but it wouldn't fool them.” Mingyu saw how Seungcheol's expression went from sad to a fond smirk.
“I wouldn't go with you, you got yourself into this mess, sucks to suck, bro.” Seungcheol let out a laugh and threw his gym bag over his shoulder. “You coming to the gym?”
“You suck.”
“Only not yours,” Seungcheol walked over to the door with Mingyu in tow.
Mingyu put his arm around his shoulders and ruffled Seungcheol's hair. “You wish.”
“I really don't,” Seungcheol shivered.
T-rex: come ooooooooon hyung
T-rex: it’s been days
T-rex: just give me an answer
T-rex: i’ve left him waiting long enough
T-rex: this could be your chance to act on that crush you’ve had on him
Wonwoo stared at the text messages from Chan as he waited outside of Jeonghan's class.
He had thought about it. A lot.
Chan had come to him a couple of days ago asking him for a “small favor”. Only, the favor wasn’t small in the slightest. He wanted Wonwoo to agree to be Mingyu’s fake boyfriend/soulmate to a wedding, which screams bad idea for several reasons.
One of them being the fact that ever since they shared a one night stand, Wonwoo has been having the most serious crush on Mingyu. Wonwoo isn’t really the type to do one night stands, because he catches feelings really fast.
As soon as his eyes caught on to Mingyu at that party, he felt drawn to him, in a way he really hadn’t felt before.
Which is how Mingyu ended up in his bed that night, not being able to get enough of him. Even though they slept together, they hadn’t shared a single kiss during the whole night. The next day, Mingyu had snuck out without a goodbye and they hadn’t spoken since.
And now here he was, a year later, still hung up on Mingyu.
Mingyu who now wants him to be his fake soulmate.
“That class is such a drag…” Jeonghan’s voice broke Wonwoo’s train of thought.
“Then why do you still take it?” Wonwoo put his phone in his pocket without writing a response to Chan.
Jeonghan gave him a pointed look. “Every single class I'm taking is boring, because I don’t want to study at all.”
“Great attitude Hannie…” Wonwoo chuckled at his friend as they started walking towards their favorite restaurant to eat dinner. Knowing he couldn’t cook to save his life, and the fact that Jeonghan was simply too lazy to cook anything ever .
Jeonghan bumped his shoulder against Wonwoo’s. “Did you decide on what to do yet?”
“No…” Wonwoo sighed.
“It’s simple, Wonwoo, you just say no,” Jeonghan bumped his shoulder again. “Besides, his best friend is that deadbeat Seungcheol anyways, what fun could that wedding be? If you really think about it?”
Wonwoo had thought about it so much that it was the only thing he had thought about in the past 48 hours. Something he had always loved was weddings. He had a soft spot for them. Not for love, but for weddings. It was so sweet to see two people come together and choose each other for life.
The moment he had learned about soulmates he had chosen to have a ring on his finger to cover up his mark. Only people close to him had seen it. Like Jeonghan, he was one of the few people that had seen him without his ring. But only for a split second.
“You know I love weddings…” Wonwoo muttered as he pressed the button by the crosswalk.
“But the bad bad person is his best friend, Wonwoo…” Jeonghan pleaded.
“What is your deal with him?” Wonwoo looked at his best friend as he changed his demeanor. “Because he seems like an alright guy.”
“Don’t get on my shit list, Jeon Wonwoo,” Jeonghan pointed at him and Wonwoo held his hands up in defense.
“Hey, look, I’m just saying, just because he gets some of your dad’s money doesn't mean-”
“It’s my money. Not his. That god awful car is supposed to be mine and the very ground he walks on should swallow him whole,” Jeonghan muttered and leaned over to press the button a few more times before it turned. He walked past Wonwoo, making the taller hurry behind him.
Wonwoo couldn’t help but chuckle as he grabbed Jeonghan’s arm to make him slow down. “I’m not the one that should decide if you should go or not, I just know that I will be the one that’ll hold you when you’re crying after he eventually breaks your heart,” Jeonghan spoke softly after they had crossed the road.
“It’s almost like Yoon Jeonghan likes me or something,” Wonwoo chuckled as he put his arm around Jeonghan’s shoulders.
“Yah!” Jeonghan weakly tried to shrug his arm off of him, but failed with a smile. “I just don’t want you to get your heart broken.”
Wonwoo dug in his pocket and fished up his phone. “If my heart gets broken it’ll be a story I'll tell my grandkids.”
“You should have a book for that, you have too many stories,” Jeonghan let out a soft chuckle as he watched Wonwoo type on his phone.
Wonwoo: Sure, yeah, I’ll do it
Wonwoo: When is it?