In This Life

                                    

                                          

San POV


He was so animated- his smile wide and genuine as he spoke with his friends. He was so damn sexy when he let his extroverted side out. The din of voices had become a steady buzz over the last hour, the number of inside jokes volleyed back and forth between Woo and Changbin absolutely dizzying. 
Felix was just as invested, laughing with his whole body, his eyes lit up with joy. Hyunjin sat, much like me, observing the easy way they communicated- interjecting once in a while, asking a question to clarify a familiar story or two. The other grouping sat apart, chuckling at the jokes, but not making any effort to disrupt the friends. 
I felt... left out, if I was being honest. It wasn't always easy for me to around a lot of people. I knew the men circled around my dining table, of course- having been in close proximity and apparent competition for years if you listened to some of the more possessive fans. 
I wasn't being silent because I was shy. I was being quiet because I loved watching my boyfriend be the center of attention. Much like- I assumed, Changbin enjoyed being the center of the universe for his men. The two of them together were something... cataclysmic. If I could have fed off the energy they emitted, I would have lived for eternity.
"So I told him- the reason we are best friends is because God knew our mothers couldn't handle us as brothers."
My mother would've been able to handle us." Changbin teased, giving that sly smirk he liked. 
"Ach- she'd have aged double with our shenanigans." Woo swatted his best friend, slapping him hard on the knee. "Your sister would have killed us though."
Changbin yelped and cackled, rubbing his leg where my boyfriend had hit him. "You're probably right, Woo." He conceded. 
"Everyone should have a friend like you two." Seungmin offered, toasting them with his beer. "Crazy ass goofballs."
"Well, I believe in that stuff. Fate, soulmates" Jisung shrugged. "I think Wooyoung is right- you two were meant to find each other. Just as friends in this life."
"You would believe in past lives and stuff." Woo teased happily- pleased where the conversation was going.
"Well- of course." Minho shrugged. "It's hard not to when you know you've found your soulmate." He smiled, kissing Jisung on the cheek. "I think there are different types of soulmates- lovers, friends, family... people who change your life no matter how." He explained, his eyes meeting Seungmin's who blushed deeply. 
"I think Minho is right." Felix added. "I always say I knew I was meant to be Changbin's from the moment we met, and then with Hyun- Bin was always drawn to him, and so was I- it was like the missing piece of a puzzle found it's place and I was...we were...complete." He smiled cutely, resting his head on Hyunjin's shoulder. 
"Did you always think that way too, Hyunjin?" Woo asked- nosey as always.
The tall handsome man smiled, looking down in embarrassment. "I think my soul did, but my head was stupid about it for a long time. I couldn't admit it how much I needed these two in my life- until I did and then, yeah... like Lixxie said. It's like we've always been together."
I watched, Seungmin's expression less convinced than the others. "What do you think, Seungmin?" I asked- curious why he seemed so reserved. 
He looked at me, considering. "I don't think I've ever believed in fate or soulmates and all that stuff." He said quietly, everyone watching him- as if they were surprised he would be denying their views. "Forever used to seem like a fairytale." He shrugged, taking a swig of his beer. "But...I have to say I can confidently admit after seeing these two together." He motioned to Jisung and Minho. "After meeting Jackson and everything that happened to bring us together... yeah soulmates might be a thing." He shrugged, blushing as his boyfriends lunged toward him for a hug, peppering him with kisses as he swatted them away playfully.