|| The High Tide || {Sunki}

{ 2 }

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"A soulmate is someone who you carry with you forever. It's the one person who knew you and accepted you and believed in you before anyone else did or when no one else would."

— Dawson Leery

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[Age 14]

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"Ni-Ki..." Sunoo pouted, pouring himself back into the couch. He groaned, annoyed from watching his car fly off the map... again. It was their umpteenth round of playing a car racing game, and Sunoo hadn't won one game during the many hours they've been stuck in Ni-Ki's basement playing it.

The older teen chuckled devilishly, watching in satisfaction as his car ran right past the finish line in first place. "Hah! I win again," He announced, looking over at his friend, only to find him slumped into the pillows with crossed arms and puffed-out cheeks. He playfully pinched his grumpy friend's cheek, trying to cheer him up again. "C'mon Sun, it's just a game."

"C'mOn SuN, iT's JuSt A gAmE," Sunoo repeated in a mocking manner, rolling his eyes and sticking out his tongue. Ni-Ki laughed, knowing that the bad attitude wouldn't last long. They had been best friends for over four years, so he understood Sunoo's temperament better than anyone. Even better than Sunoo himself. Ni-Ki tackled Sunoo and tickled the sides of his torso, making the younger squeal and fall over in a fit of laughter. They play fought in the mess of pillows and blankets on the couch, Sunoo screaming as Ni-Ki attacked him with his hands.

Once he got the reaction he desired, Ni-Ki fell Sunoo and over onto the side of the couch, tired out. Sunoo flopped close to him, both boys starfishing out on the couch with their heads only inches away. The laughter died out, leaving both of them in the silence of the empty basement. "Hey Ni-Ki?" Sunoo called quietly. "Yeah?" He answered, turning his head to meet Sunoo's gaze.

"What do you want to do when you get older?"

Ni-Ki took a few moments to ponder his thoughts, considering what the future might hold for him. There were tons of ideas, but one in particular stood out to him. "I want to become a pro baseball player," He answered honestly. Sunoo could hear that an enormous smile was plastered on Ni-Ki's face without even looking at him. He could hear the eagerness and excitement in his voice alone.

Ni-Ki rolled onto his side and held Sunoo's hand in his own—something they had continued to do since the day they had met. "I want to have my own paint studio." Sunoo noted with a small smile, his eyes wandering all over Ni-Ki's face. "I also want to live with you," He quickly added, making Ni-Ki nod his head in agreement.

"Let's do everything together. We can even race in our wheelchairs at our senior home," Ni-Ki suggested with a chuckle, imagining the situation.

Sunoo giggled at the thought. "And chase kids off with our canes!" Both of the boys burst into laughter, clutching their aching stomachs as they did. After laughing out all their feelings, it suddenly went silent. Ni-Ki looked over at Sunoo's perfect side profile, his round nose and plump lips.

      "Sunoo."

      He looked over at the boy who had called his name, the two making eye contact.

      "When we're older, we're going to buy a house by the beach together. That way, every morning, we can watch the high tide," Ni-Ki said dreamily. Sunoo could tell he was lost in his thoughts, imagining that future together. Ni-Ki looked as if he was in dreamland. His eyes were unfocused, and a small smile was visible in the corner of his mouth. "It will be so beautiful. The beautiful ocean water, and you'll have my paint studio, and we can play baseball on the beach."