Tally Marks- soulmate au

Chapter Two: Smoked Out Progress

"Cheers!" Junhui and Wonwoo had said simultaneously while clinking their beers together.

The months of September and October had come and gone and pretty soon, November would become a part of that list. It was nearing Christmas time and the two men, who had only met almost three months ago, were sat together at a small table at one of the local bars. From an outside view, they looked like best friends. They laughed and were comfortable with each other, it was like they had known each other for a century. In reality, they hadn't known each other for a century, not even a year, but within the three months that they had known each other, they became close. They had created a routine for themselves. Meeting every morning for coffee, walking to work together, chatting non-stop. Each of their lives had brightened since the other had joined. They had learned so much about each other. The two often went out for dinner together and had been to each others apartments a few times. Whenever they were seen together, they were always chatting. Most of their conversations were filled with stories of their past lives, and even some about their current life. Turns out, they were more similar than they thought. Junhui had found out that Wonwoo was born in 1803, giving him a total of 124 tally marks. Of course, neither of them had gotten close enough to show each other their marks, but despite that, there was an obvious connection between the two. So obvious that they got many questioning stares from the people around them. However, neither of them seemed to care, or at least, they didn't want to show the other that they cared, so they moved on with their conversations. When they talked about their current lives Junhui would go on and on about Anne and how different she was compared to how people viewed her. He would always get worked up about the mask that she constantly wore, but somehow Wonwoo could always calm him down. Wonwoo would try and change the topic by talking about wanting to find a real job, not some internship. There were a few positions open at Anne Klein & Company, and Wonwoo had been trying so hard to get one those jobs, but the job was being aimed towards the female workforce, so he doubted he would get a chance. He was just looking for something nice, simple, and normal. After being a nurse for the military all he wanted was something to keep him grounded. But, his doubt for getting the job had all been washed away today after the news had come out that he did indeed get the position. So, they went out to celebrate, which is what had brought them to the bar in the first place.

"You've been aiming for this job for two months! Congratulations Woo" Junhui took a swig of his drink.

Wonwoo chuckled. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you had nothing to do with this. I never would have gotten it without some persuasion from your side."

"All right, you caught me. I may have put in a few good words to the head manager of your department."

They both laughed. They seemed, happy, almost. It was strange, seeing them light up like that. Especially in this time. They laughed in the lonely bar. Only a few men filling it's seats. They were the only two who were happy in this dreadful time. And to them, everything was perfect.

They sat and chatted while waiting for Seungcheol, another co-worker of their, to show up. The three of them had become rather close friends. Of course, Junhui and Wonwoo were closer than Seungcheol, but that didn't stop them from hanging out. After Wonwoo had come to them with the news, he agreed to take the three of them out for drinks. Junhui and Wonwoo had walked together to the bar after their shifts while Seungcheol had promised to meet up with them later. He had some "things" he needed to take care of. As the two continued to talk, they eventually reached a common topic of theirs.

"So, what's it like in China? I've only been in Western Countries." Wonwoo asked while leaning forward in his seat, moving himself closer to Junhui.

"Wow, you really need to stop asking me about China. It's been-" He cut himself off and paused for a moment, trying to count the years, "Woo, it's been over 200 years since I've been there. There are very few things I remember. Why don't you instead tell me about Canada." Junhui mirrored wonwoo's movements and leaned forwards, resting his elbows against the table.

"There's not much to tell. It was cold-"

Junhui cut him off, "Well I know that, I want some juicy details, what was life like? How were your relationships? I wanna know the drama. But more importantly, I wanna know what you did, how you lived, what you were into. So let me ask again, what was Canada Like?"

Wonwoo blinked a few times, adjusted his shirt a bit, then proceeded to speak. "I lived in a cabin in a small clearing in the middle of nowhere. There was a small creek that lead to a pond. The fish became my friends. No one else really lived out there, I had to walk a few miles to and from the main town if I needed anything. It was nice, secluded, but really lonely. But I stayed because it was beautiful there." Wonwoo looked up and caught Junhui's gaze, he looked so interested in the stories he was telling, he thought it would be fun to tease Junhui. "But of course, nothing is as beautiful as you." Junhui' cheeks flushed a bit, "Shut up," he mumbled out, "Continue your story." He tried distraction himself from his flustered state by pulling out his pack of cigarettes and offering one to Wonwoo. The male chuckled a bit and accepted the cigarette, bringing it up to hold between his lips as he searched for his lighter. Wonwoo patted his pockets but couldn't seem to find it. He looked up to Junhui who had just finished lighting his own cigarette and Junhui got the message. He leaned across the table, got a bit too close to Wonwoo's face as he lit his friends cigarette for him.

Junhui looked at Wonwoo and breathed out a puff of smoke into his face, but Wonwoo just took another swig of his drink. The mixture of smoke, alcohol, and Junhui was toxic, but he loved it. Just as he was about to continue his story about Canada, the door to the bar opened and in strolled Seungcheol. He spotted his two friends and walked in their direction, sitting down at the square table they were accompanying. "What did I miss?" He asked the pair.

"Not much," Junhui responded. "Wonwoo was just telling me about his life in Canada."

"Ah," Seungcheol leaned back in his chair, "The wonders of Canada. The only place where you can get some decent-"

"Oh, shut up," Junhui interrupted, "You have nothing to say Mr. I Was Born in 1914 and Haven't Left America in my 31 years of existence."

Seungcheol just burst into innocent laughter. The kind where your head gets thrown back and the laughter falling from your open mouth comes from the deepest parts of your heart. The kind of laughter that tells people you're still young and you haven't been through life's tragedies. That was the best kind of laughter. But it quickly turned into a fit of coughs as he took in some of the smoke that filled the air.

This time it was Wonwoo and Junhuis turn to laugh. Of course, their laugh was different. It was more of one that comes from watching someone else struggle. Because right now, in that moment, it's not just you.

"You both need to stop smoking. This is ridiculous."

The two only laughed more while silently communicating with their eyes and agreeing on something that Seungcheol was completely oblivious to. They both brought their cigarettes to their mouths and took in a deep breathe of smoke. Junhui winked at Wonwoo before they both turned towards Seungcheol and blew the smoke directly into his face, only worsening his coughing fit.

The two laughed even more while Seungcheol got up and left to go get a drink. He needed the alcohol of he was going to deal with that duo.

The rest of night was spent with the three of them celebrating, drinking, and losing themselves. Their false laughter attracted a few questioning stares, but they didn't seem to notice.They just tried to enjoy themselves for the moment, because at that time, they had something to smile about, and it had been a long time since anyone had anything to smile about.

The three of them talked on and on for hours before Seungcheol had to take his leave. He said something about having work to do and being worried he wouldn't get it done. But Junhui couldn't remember well in his drunken state. Wonwoo didn't drink as much as Junhui, someone had to keep an eye on him. Junhui laughed and joked about Seungcheol being too young, he shouldn't have to worry about work, he's probably got plenty of time to figure his life out.

"I remember When I was his age..."Junhui drunkenly slurred out. "I was still in America at that time." There was a pause, Wonwoo could tell Junhui was thinking by the way his eyes got this distant gloss over them and he stopped talking. A frown appeared on Junhui's face before his eyes glossed over with grief and pain. A tragic memory re-played itself in his mind and a tear fell across his rosy cheeks.

"...Seokmin."

(1643 words)