—

"Why... I thought..." Mark was at a loss for words while he sat in Jackson's arms.

"I remember everything," Jackson says, pulling off the hug and looking into his eyes. "I remember you again."

Mark's eyes widen and then line with tears. His lips twitched into a smile. "You do?"

Jackson nods, "After you kissed me... Everything came back. All the memories."

Mark couldn't help but feel like a weight was lifted off of his shoulders. He continues to listen as Jackson explains everything, not missing one single detail.

"I'm so glad you're back," Mark says, not seeming to be able to leave Jackson's side. He had his arms around his waist, his head leaning into the crook of Jackson's neck. "Never leave again, please."

"I won't," Jackson replies, resting his head on top of Mark's. "I love you."

Mark smiles goofily, sitting up and looking at Jackson with the same smile.

"What?" Jackson says, laughing softly.

"I love you too," Mark says, grabbing Jackson's hand and lacing it with his.  "I'm just happy to hear you say it."

Jackson smiles, engulfing Mark into another hug.

***

Kunpimook felt like he was losing his mind. After Jackson gained all of his memories back, he booked it from the hospital. He locked himself in his apartment, throwing himself down onto the floor with his head in his hands. He couldn't deny the uncontrollable throbbing in his head; it felt like the room was slowly spinning.

He felt like his whole world was crashing down. So alone and so guilty that he couldn't stand to look himself in the mirror.

But tears wouldn't come out. No matter how much he wanted to cry and let it all out, he couldn't. Just stayed emotionless on the floor of his apartment, his mind pushing out a million thoughts per minute.

Why did I have to be one of the people to not get assigned a soulmate?

Why did I think ruining Mark and Jackson's relationship would help me?

Why, why, why did I do this to myself? Put myself in this situation when I could've avoided it all together?

Stupid, stupid. So stupid.

He wanted to say the he felt guilty. He wished that he felt the pang of guilt in his stomach and wanted to make things right again. But he still was selfish. He still was more worried about himself than anyone that he had hurt. The everlasting feeling of loneliness was one he just couldn't shake off; he didn't want to be alone anymore.

He stood up, walking into his bedroom. He grabbed a photobook from under his bed, setting it into his lap and opening it. Inside sat tens of hundreds of pictures of Jackson; pictures of the two together, and just pictures of Jackson by himself. Kunpimook had had this for a while, though Jackson didn't know. Kunpimook still couldn't get over the fact that he was in love with his best friend. The fact that his best friend was in love with someone else that wasn't him. The fact that after all the two had been through together, he still chose Mark.

Kunpimook felt a slight chuckle form. He laughed softly as he flipped through the pictures. As he was flipping, a drop of something wet landed on one of the pictures. He then realized that that droplet came from his eyes; a tear had finally came out. More started to flow from his eyes, sliding down his cheeks and onto the pictures, ruining them. He stifled out a chuckle as the tears slid.

So stupid, so stupid! You're so stupid, Bam. Stupid enough to think that things would go well for you. Stupid enough to try and force your own happiness. Just face it, you're going to be alone. Jackson doesn't want you. No one wants you. That's why you're assigned alone. No one wants you. No one ever will.

—

a/n: yay an update

gentle reminder (for the thousandth time) to vote for this story in the fanfiction awards! you have until July 2nd to vote so please please keep voting ❤️ it would mean the whole world to me if i won. check out the 'important' chapter in this book to find out how to vote if you don't know! thank you so much!!!!

i hope you enjoyed!
please vote & comment, i really appreciate it!
thanks, ilysm~
-author em