Hm. Hm-hmm. Soulmate angst anyone?
You grow up in Las Almas dreaming of your soulmate just like everyone else.
As children, it doesn't mean much, just an inevitable fact of life. Someday, you'll meet someone and you'll know, and that will be that. But then as you grow older, the idea of it truly starts to sink in, that there's somebody out there destined to be yours, to love you and care for you just like that.
It's beautiful. It's romantic. It's perfect.
Some people, like your best friends, are lucky. Alejandro and Rodolfo meet in third grade and immediately– the very second they lock eyes– their names are burned into the others wrist in flowing, golden letters.
You've always envied them, constantly telling them how lucky they are. When you think of soulmates, they're the first example you can be think of. Best friends, lovers, they always have each others back and compliment each other perfectly.
You yearn for the day you meet your own match.
Yet when that day comes, the unthinkable happens.
"You and I aren't going to be together."
You stare at him, smile falling and the party around you going silent.
"What?" You ask, uncomprehending, staring, just staring at this man meant to be yours.
He's beautiful, you think, name flowing like silk across your wrist and eyes sucking you in. Yet then they turn, looking towards a woman in the crowd of fancy people, all dressed to the nines for this special occasion; when your father had offered to bring you to a company ball, you'd never imagined meeting your soulmate.
You almost wish you hadn't because what– what is he talking about? He can't mean it. You're meant to be!
He sighs, eyes fluttering shut before they snap open. You're frozen in place, ensnared once more.
You can't help but think about all the times you would've gotten lost in then if you two got together.
"Listen, the universe, god, whatever might have decided we're perfect together, but I don't want you. I want her." He makes sure you see her, that beauty you don't think anyone can compare to. "We've been together since childhood. Promised to each other. A lot of business is involved with us staying together. But–" he quickly says before you can cut in, "we also love each other."
And just like that, any hopes you have are crumbled. Because really, how can you convince your– god, your soulmate now? She's rich, beautiful, and already owns his heart while you... what? Exist?
The worst part is that you look at this man, this strange, unfamiliar man, and you know you could fall in love with him. It's an inevitable part of life, but not instantaneous.
No, not even soulmates fall in love instantly.
You'd fall in love in parts. With that hair as you ran your fingers through it; that jaw as you kissed along it every morning; those hands as they settled on your hips or held yours and pulled you close; his voice as he spoke to you, day and night, about any topic there was.
You could practically see it in front of you. Early mornings in bed, him flirting with you as you made dinner, him holding you down in bed so he could whisper corny, ridiculous, affectionate things to you.
You can picture it all.
Yet as your soulmate steps away, you can also see that future, that meant to be, burning away.
Alejandro and Rudy pound at your door after five days of silence. When you finally drag yourself out of bed and open it, the men stare at you.
"Mierda, what happened to you?" Alej asked, taking in your rough appearance.
You just shrug, throat too raw to speak.
Rudy just frowns before guiding you back inside, immediately getting to work.
Both men don't even hesitate to help you, cleaning up and preparing a meal and starting a bath for you. It's as he's helping you bathe that Alejandro sees the mark.
"... no." He says, realising– but, no, how? Why would–? It doesn't make sense.
You just shrug. "He was... already in love." You whisper, voice completely shattered.
When Rudy learns, he's equally as stunned. Neither of them had ever heard of a soulmate rejecting their other half before. It just... didn't happen.
Except it had.
To you.
The knowledge your soulmate rejected you soon becomes known all over Las Almas. It was inevitable, really. All it took was seeing the band over your wrist for tongues to wag. And if you weren't showing it off proudly, if you didn't have a person with you...
Well. The conclusion was obvious.
Through it all– the gossip, the pity, the well-wishers, the looks– Alejandro and Rudy are there for you, supporting you the best they can. But this scenario... it's just so insane. Yes, search results did show soulmates have rejected each other before, but there was usually a good reason for it.
A too big age gap. A man being the cause of his soulmate's family's death. Being related. Coming from enemy nations.
But never something so... basic. There was always a good reason.
And in most people's eyes, love and money weren't good enough to reject your soulmate for. Because you'd have love with them, love stronger than any other, and money? Over your destined partner?
Despite the sheer horror of your situation though, they stay by your side, even on the days when you have no energy, when you just want it to end, they stay.
They stay, and they love you.
It almost seems inevitable in hindsight. The three of you had always been close, growing up together and knowing each other better than anyone else. And with the recent added intimacy of them being there for you, helping you put yourself back together, of seeing you at your lowest and tending to your needs...
Was it truly a surprise?
"Alejandro..." You murmur, feeling his scruff tickle you as he kissed along your neck. "Please..."
Behind you, Rudy kissed at your shoulder, then upwards, nibbling your ear.
Both men's hands roamed, caressing and squeezing. You felt your heart ache, tears pricking your eyes.
God, you'd felt so unlovable after the rejection, yet now...
"Shh, cariño," a thumb brushed away your tears. "It's okay. We're here."
"And we're here to stay," a hand gripped your wrist, tight, tapping the name there. "We'll get rid of this, replace it with our own names."
And they did. Not long after they claimed you for themselves, you underwent a minor cosmetic surgery to remove your soulmark, getting their names tattooed once it was safe to do so.
Yet somehow, you were still surprised when they showed you your name written on their previously blank wrists as well.
Despite everything, things worked out. And you were thankful every day that they had.
