does it rain in california?

7

There's confusion written on Minho's face.

Emotions flit through his brown eyes as he looks down at Seungmin who sits on the floor, paint drying ever so slowly on the surface of their skin.

He waits, watching Minho's lips try to form words, questions, a breath.

He waits. Because what else can Seungmin do but wait for Minho to force the truth from him?

He deserves to know.

"Sky?" It's a whisper, a weak breath of air from Minho's lips. "Seungmin? You're..."

He knows the answer, he realizes that Seungmin has been hiding behind Sky this whole time. But he doesn't want to put it together, that much is clear.

"You're Seungmin?" He finally says, arms shakily flailing as if to give him an explanation, or a reason behind the conclusion he's drawn.

Seungmin stays still for a moment longer before he tips his head in a slow nod.

"Yes," his voice comes out hoarse, his throat tight with anxiety as he waits for Minho's reaction. "Minho—I'm sorry." He says softly, rising onto his unsteady feet. "Look, this isn't how I wanted you to find out—"

"You knew." Minho says suddenly, his eyes narrowing with distrust. "You knew and you didn't say anything? Why did you keep this from me?" His voice gets louder, but he stays where he is at the entrance of the studio. "We're you ever going to tell me?"

Seungmin flinches, Minho's voice echoing against the tall ceilings. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid, all this anger and frustration.

The look Minho is giving him.

It's nothing like the Minho that took care of the kitties in the shelter, or the Minho that looked for him in the bleachers. This was the Minho of four years ago.

The one who hates his soulmate.

"Eventually, but Minho, you have to understand—"

"Understand what, Sky? Seungmin? I feel like I don't even know your real name. Which one is it?" Minho asks, brows furrowed as he lashes out.

Seungmin feels his tears reemerge, blurring his vision as he reaches out a hand. "Please just listen to me—"

"Why should I?" Minho yells, breathing hard as he takes a step back.

"Because," The words feel like they're being ripped from his skin as he moves with Minho, like a magnet being pulled in the same direction. "Because it's not my fault alone."

He finds Minho eyes, that sparkle with tears of his own as he backs up against the door. "You lied to me, Seungmin."

"And you said you hate me!" He yells in frustration, chest feeling heavy. "How am I supposed to react to that? What am I supposed to do?"

"You could tell me the truth!" Minho yells back, cheeks pink with exertion. "You could have told me we were soulmates!"

The room falls silent as they let it sink in, Seungmin shaking as he swallows down his tears.