Used prompt encapsulating an AU where soulmates switch bodies when they turn 21 years old and are expected to find each other before 24 hours are up. Time frame starts on the night before their 21st birthday. Enjoy!
10:45pm
Virgil glared at the clock on the wall, his eyes fixated on the ever-turning handle that indicated each second passing towards his doom. No way in hell did he want to meet his so-called 'soulmate' that was universally assigned to his being. Why on earth would anyone want that? Can't we have the choice to meet them whenever?
"Whoever started this inescapable tradition must have loved the number 21," grumbled Virgil.
"Now, now, kiddo," his roommate sung as he passed by, "Don't you feel excited to finally see your soulmate?"
"No, actually." Virgil threw his head back and sighed, removing the headphones to better converse with Patton. "This is a stupid system and I wish to see the manager."
Patton only hummed in response, sliding the remainder of dirty dishes into the dishwasher, left from their small gathering earlier. Virgil had only invited the closest of friends to celebrate with him, as he did every year. The few cards scattered on the coffee table in front of Virgil had all included cheesy statements wishing Virgil and his soon-to-be-found soulmate a happy 'love at first sight'. Deceit had slithered up to him unexpectedly at work today, giving Virgil a heart attack as he, and Remus, launched confetti bombs onto him (affectionately). The comforting advice he received from Patton's friend, Emile, helped Virgil calm down during the small party. As much as he disliked the fact of involuntary social activity, Virgil was somewhat excited to see what kind of person the universe had bonded him to.
11:15pm
"I CAN'T WAIT FOR ANY LONGERRRR"
"Roman calm down, you'll cause the neighbour's puppy to freak."
"Lo, not helping!"
'Lo' sighed for the 57th time so far; He was beginning to wonder whether Roman's soulmate could match Ro's restless energy; and whether the soulmate's roommate would be having an easier time handling the situation to occur. Logan read peacefully on the couch while Roman was positively bounding from room to room. He was in a frenzy of grooming himself in preparation for the Soulmate Switchover, as if it could help his soulmate disorientate afterwards. Logan's hair swept out of place once more, as Roman rushed past again in another outfit.
"Roman. Please take off the leather jacket and wear your pyjamas. Your soulmate will have to go to bed after the Switchover regardless of how well you present yourself for them."
"But Logan," Roman drawled as he flipped his hair back, "Wouldn't you want to present your best self for you One and Only?"
"You could find yourself in a polysexual or polyamorous relationship."
"I-," Roman paused. "Yes, you're right, but my point still stands without the singular reference!"
"And one would think that you'd have less energy after such a party."
"Are you kidding?" Roman dramatically gasped for Logan, only to receive an eye-roll, "Tonight's the most important night of my life so far, nothing could diminish this anticipation for midnight! Gosh, I feel like Cinderella, except the ball only starts to roll when the clock strikes 12!"
Logan returned his focus onto the scientific journal in his hands, his disinterest obvious towards what he finds as 'flimsy fantasy fairy tales'. Roman, however, began his chronological rendition of his beloved Disney songs, but centred specifically around finding love. Logan was seriously considering sleeping right then and there but was simply restrained by the obligation to assist with the Switchover. No matter, he can sleep after midnight.
11:45pm
His eye was starting to twitch with the heightening pulses of his heartbeat. He had already been doing his breathing exercises for his anxiety for the past 20 minutes. Patton was helping though, both breathing in sync as they both tried to relax while time ticked towards 12. Emotions rose in flurries, welling up in Virgil's chest as he struggled to laugh or to cry.
"Please don't be an anxiety attack," Virgil mentally pleaded to himself.
Patton held eye contact with him in sympathy, for Patton's 21st birthday was approaching quickly in the next week. They would simply have to support themselves through this eventful experience, in hopeful teamwork with whoever their soulmate is.
"Patton," Virgil whispered, "How will my soulmate take to me? My anxious vibes never allow good social connections."
"Virge, your soulmate will never turn away from you," Patton smiled, "No one has ever Switched-over and regretted it." Virgil sulked.
"What if my soulmate lives 50 miles away? What if they're in another country, another continent? What if they're working for NASA as an astronaut and they're in space right now and I wake up in the cockpit of the satellite and steer it into the sun- "
"Virgil! Breathe slowly with me."
The two returned to their initial pace, guided by a distant digital meditator app.
"Pat?"
"Yeah, kiddo?"
"Thanks for being here with me."
"No problem. You know I'll always be here for you. And for your soulmate when you guys Switch; it will be a process as smooth as peanut butter."
"But what if it's crunchy peanut butter?"
"Virge, none of us enjoy crunchy peanut butter, so it'll be sure not to happen."
"Okay then."
11:55pm
Roman's paces have started to burn holes into the carpet. Only Logan's insistence could push Roman back onto the couch, calming down for the Switchover.
11:56pm
Virgil's heartrate imitated a kangaroo manoeuvring from a speeding white van of anxiousness. Patton's heartrate imitated Virgil's in an attempt to equalize both of their nervousness. The clock seemed to tick louder.
11:57pm
Roman's legs bounced as he looked towards the slightly younger man who was now a little weary with Roman's energetic antics. Glancing back towards the clock, Ro's eyes widened as the handles grew closer and closer together.
11:58pm
Virgil shook his bangs in front of his eyes.
11:59pm
Roman drew in a deep breath, winking at Logan before the clock hit.
12:00am
Silence. Virgil exhaled slowly, completing the exercise he had started with Patton. Not trusting his eyes just yet, he began to awaken his soulmate's senses. He could feel comfortable fabrics of what seems to be pyjamas, and his hands felt the material of a couch. He was sitting up, with a presence next to him.
"Hello?" Virgil was startled by the low, honeyed tone that emerged from him.
"Greetings. I take it that the Switchover has occurred. Welcome to your soulmate's apartment, whose name is Roman. I am Logan, Roman's roommate and classmate at university."
"…so, my soulmate is named Roman." Virgil wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his name.
"Correct."
"And you're Logan, my soulmate's roommate."
"Correct. I'm certain that you will have more questions later on, but could that wait until morning?"
"S-sure thing," Virgil slowly lifted his eyelids, blinking at the body he now possesses. He turned to meet the eyes that flashed behind Logan's glasses, which squinted as Logan yawned. Pushing himself off, Logan offered Virgil a hand.
"I had read that soulmates may take some time getting used to the Switch."
"Oh… thanks," Virgil said, as he grunted in effort to raise the blocky body off the couch. Standing on his feet, it became more apparent of Roman's tall stature. Roman's body also didn't meld too easily to Virgil's habitual slump. Invited by Logan's gesture, Virgil was directed to what was Roman's bedroom. From there, Disney material simply attacked Virgil's view, even in the dark. It was obvious that Roman was a romantic. A quick 'goodnight' was exchanged, and Virgil was left to settle into a body that was not his, a bed that was not his, in a place he was yet to discover for himself. It was truly difficult to diverge his mind from analysing the weirdness of the Switch, but exhaustion at last took over, and Virgil slept.
12:00am
Silence. Roman opened, with some difficulty, his soulmate's eyes and was greeted by a fidgeting man in front of him. Dropping his gaze downwards, the chilling body temperature shocked Roman to the bone. No wonder his soulmate had this nice purple coloured and a rather edgy hoodie on. Those were some nicely painted nails too…
"Um, excuse me?" Patton whispered, "Are you Virgil's soulmate?"
"Virgil?" Roman let the name bounce around his head, deciding that it was uniquely bizarre for a name. Wasn't there a famous ancient scholar named Virgil? And also, check out this voice. "I uh- Yes, this is Virgil's soulmate. My name's Roman, and you are?"
"I'm Patton!" The man jumped up excitedly, "I'm so glad to have finally met you! Say, what sort of person are you?"
"A fine one, I hope," Roman chuckled, "and I'm glad that you're an energetic type too!"
Patton glanced over with a grin, "It's rather strange to hear Virgil so easily laugh, thank you for gifting me this experience."
"No worries Patton, but is it that weird for my soulmate to not laugh?"
"Well, he does laugh, but not often. He's quite introverted and has anxiety." Patton quickly sat back down and seemed to stare into Roman's soul, "You must be very gentle with him, you got that? Please don't harm nor scare him off at first sight! Virgil takes some time to get acquainted with new people, and I expect he's struggling in your body, my poor little anxious baby!"
"Not to worry, Patton," Roman smiled, "You seem to have fatherly tendencies, has anyone mentioned that?"
"Not really," mused Patton, "they more often comment upon my ingenious puns. Whatever! It's really late now, would you like to sleep in Virgil's bedroom?"
"Sure, why not…"
Patton lead Roman towards a room to the side of the apartment, opening the door to allow Roman to enter. Once inside, Patton observed Roman's changing expressions of wonder and awe. As if hearing Patton's internal thought, Roman exclaimed, "I'm really intrigued by Virgil's taste in, well, everything!"
"I'll explain everything later over breakfast after we've had some good sleep, okay Roman?"
"Okie dokie padre."