Tally Marks- soulmate au

Chapter Eight: Revelation

You know those days when everything just seems to be going right. Those days when the wind blows just right and your entire existence just seems worth it. Those days when you smile just because you can and you wave at every child that walks by because they deserve all the happiness. Those days when you can just sit and watch a butterfly go by and feel absolutely content. Today was one of those days. It was around 8am and Junhui was walking to the coffee shop to pick up coffee for Wonwoo and himself. He was actually super excited because Joshua should be working and he hasn't seen him in 2 weeks. It's been about a week since Junhui quit his job and Wonwoo is officially all moved into his apartment, but Wonwoo has been the one going to the coffee shop and Junhui was starting to miss it. So, he convinced Wonwoo to let him go on this wednesday morning. After he quit everything just seemed to fall into place. They both had taken the idea of opening a company seriously and were actually looking into all the technicalities of starting one. Wonwoo was currently at home going over and adding more necessary points to their plans.

Only a couple of more minutes of walking before junhui reached the coffee shop he had been longing to see. And when he stepped inside, the bell above the door chimed and a fresh wave of coffee beans and cigarette smoke sent him into a almost nostalgic euphoria. His smile grew a bit wider and a light twinkle cated his eyes. And when he spotted Joshua behind the register he couldn't help but giggle in excitement.

"Joshua!" he skipped towards the register and caught the man's attention.

"Junhui! It's been ages!" Joshua's sultry voice sounded. "How have you been?"

"I've actually been doing pretty good, now that i've quit my job and all that." Junhui replied

"Yea, Wonwoo told me about that." Before Junhui had a chance to answer Joshua turned behind him and yelled at Cheryl letting her know that Junhui was here and to get his and Wonwoo's drinks ready.

"Yea, but what about you, where have you been?" Junhui ask

"Ah, I had to cut back on shifts so I could visit my grandmother."

"Oh," Junhui's eyes lit up, "How is she? When can I see her again?"

"She's doing a lot better now. Still holding strong. I'll try and see if I can bring you along the next time I visit."

"That would be great. Maybe we could bring wonwoo and he could meet her."

"Yes, I'll see what I can do. Speaking of, wonwoo told me about everything. You quitting your job and moving in together. He says you guys are going to start your own company together." he voice had a dash of skepticism in it when he spoke those words.

"Yea, we are. The planning for everything is actually coming along pretty well." Junhui smiled sweetly.

"So, what's your relationship with Wonwoo. I mean, you guys are just friends right?" Joshua asked

Junhui blinked at him as his thoughts doubled back and his smile faltered. "Of course, i mean... what else would we be?"

At that moment Cheryl walked out holding two drinks and she handed them to Junhui before jumping into the conversation. " You guys have just... gotten really close lately. Not to be mean or anything but it looks... kinda wrong. I mean, you live together, you quit for him, he lost his job because of you and yet he still agreed to be this close with you. And then, we don't see you for weeks because he's coming in here for you. It's... a bit odd. You guys aren't faggot's are you?"

Both cheryl and Joshua started at Junhui expectantly, waiting for his reply.

"N-no, of course not. We're just friends- business partners. It's just easier on money for the both of us." Junhui quickly replied. Eyes quickly flashing back and forth with a bit of desperation. Desperation for them to believe him. Because no matter how much he loved Wonwoo, he can't risk putting him in harm's way just to prove that he's right.

The two in front of him sighed in relief. "Good," Joshua started, "That would be really weird if you were."

"So, you're only living together for convenience?" cheryl asked

"Yea, we have to save money fo-for the company." he stuttered

"Do you guys need money? Because we can offer you a job here. Or help you find one." Joshua offered

"No-no that won't be necessary. I've got money that I've been saving in an emergency fund all the way from when i was living in China. Um I've got to get this back to Wonwoo before it gets cold. Bye." He quickly scurried out the door and made his way back to his apartment. He had never thought he could be more uncomfortable than he was in that moment. People he considered his best friends and he can't be honest with them. He was scared. Afraid of their rejection. Afraid of hurting people for being himself.

When he got back to his apartment he burst through the door and found wonwoo laying upon the couch with his glasses on and his nose shoved in a book. It seemed to be about starting a business but Junhui couldn't care about that right now and Wonwoo could immediately tell that something was wrong. He set his book down and looked up to Junhui with a quizzical look as the said man walked towards him with a pout upon his face.

"What's wrong baby?" Wonwoo's deep voice sounded as he opened his arms as a signal to allow Junhui to come to him.

Junhui set down the coffee cups and fell face first into Wonwoo's open arms. Wonwoo wrapped his arms around Junhui's torso as their legs meshed together and Wonwoo began to stroke Junhui's hair. "Baby?" he whispered into Junhui's ear. "You okay?"

Junhui sighed. "I'm sorry." he choked out. He only buried his face further into Wonwoo's chest.

Wonwoo's eyebrows furrowed as he looked down at his lover. "What do you mean? What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I'm sorry for putting you in this situation." his voice was muffled by wonwoo's shirt.

"What do you mean? Junnie? What's going on?"

Junhui moved to a more comfortable position so he could look at wonwoo's concerned face. "I talked to Josh and Cheryl. Th-they asked me if we were...if we were faggots." he dropped his head as he spoke the last word.

Wonwoo's face softened as he held onto Junhui just a bit tighter. "Junnie, you know I don't care what they think of me, or you. I love you. If we have to keep our relationship a secret from others than so be it. Nothing will change the fact that you make my heart beat race the moment you step into the room. I love you Junhui. Don't let anything change that."

Wonwoo leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon Junhui's forehead. "I love you, too."