MUKE short stories

0947980244 ≛ 0947980244

age: 24

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Luke rolled his sleeve up and offered his hand to him.

"Zero, nine, four, seven, nine, eight, zero, two, four, four."

Michael gently grabbed his wrist and for the first time in his life looked at Luke's tattoo.

Then he took his armband off and looked at Luke.

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With tears in his eyes, Luke looked at the familiar but strange numbers on Michael's wrist.

His skin was pale, almost white as it had never seen the fun. But the numbers, they were the same.

0947980244

Luke didn't know what to think.

Michael never wanted a soulmate but for the longest time, Luke just wanted Michael.

He went to university across the country to escape him. Luke knew it wouldn't be fair to his soulmate if he was in love with someone else.

But the person he has been in love with for years was his soulmate.

"I'm so stupid," Michael said and finally looked at him. "I'm so sorry."

It was hard for him to smile but he did. "I understand, Michael." Luke understood better than anyone else, Michael didn't want a soulmate.

Michael took his hand and kissed it. He kissed the tattoo.

Luke's skin burned in the best way possible.

"You don't understand." He whispered. "I hate the idea of soulmates. You know why I've seen what love did to my grandad. And I hated how much you cared about having a soulmate. I hate how much everyone cares.

I didn't understand why I was supposed to have a soulmate to love when all I ever wanted to do was love you."

Luke fell on his knees because he didn't understand anymore.

"When they said loving your soulmate will be like coming home. That's how I felt when you came back. When they said talking to your soulmate makes you the happiest. That was you for me. No matter who I was with, who you were with. It was always you."

"What are you sorry for then?"

"For not being the same for you. Not being the soulmate experience you wanted."

"Michael," Luke whispered. "When I was younger, I thought soulmates were the best thing because I didn't have to try and find someone. As I grew older, all I ever wanted was for my soulmate to not be someone stupid. And that they'll get along with you and Calum."

Michael started to laugh.

"What?" Luke asked. There was a smile on his lips. His brain still wasn't processing.

"We have to tell Calum."

Luke had to laugh too.