Hello, my lovelies! I have a little bit of planning I need to do with this story yet, but I'm really happy to see everyone is enjoying it so far! I hope you guys continue to enjoy it, and much love to all of you!

Thank you for sticking around and enjoy this update!

"So you found your one, eh?" I smiled across the table toward the slightly older man as his English accent rolled off of his tongue before bringing his cup of tea to his lips for a split second. A muffled exclamation of hot falling from his lips before frantically placing it back down to the table. "Ow. Fuck." The dark-haired punk grabbed a napkin that was sitting beside his cup before bringing it to his lips. "Damn it." I just laughed a little at this as I leaned back in my chair.

"Douxie. You just made that."

"I fucking get it, Captain Obvious." His words were muffled a little as swiped at his mouth before placing the napkin back down on the table. "But we were talking soulmates, not my lack of brain cells."

"Oh definitely, because if we were talking about a lack of brain cells, we could be here forever talking about you alone." He narrowed his eyes at me as a new presence took over the chair adjacent to the both of us.

"She ain't wrong there, Doux." I smiled over toward the pink-haired girl who gave the dark-haired teen beside her a large smirk. "I've known you since forever and it's kinda obvious that you lack a little bit of common sense."

"Hearing it from Claire is a bit less disheartening. Here it from you, love, is a bit more like being told I'm an idiot by someone with a degree in Idiocy."

"Precisely! That just means I can pick it out a bit better than anyone else here, doll." Zoe gave Douxie a wicked grin before bringing her attention toward me once more. "But you found your soulmate, huh? Does he have more brain cells than mine possess? Cause if so, I'm jealous already."

"HEY!" Douxie glared at the pink-ette as she just laughed joyously in reply. The younger one out of the two's angry features softening at the sound of it.

Douxie and Zoe have been friends since they were children. At least, from what I understand. They were like one of those fairytale love stories where they've liked each other since forever and then they ended up being soulmates in the end as well. The thing is though, their story didn't end with anything stupidly tragic to showcase how much they truly loved each other. It was obvious by how they looked at each other or how the other reacted when they heard the other laughed.

I noted how the dark-haired boy smiled as Zoe brought her attention back to me. It was soft and subtle and it was obvious he thought no one else would see it, but it was enough to show how much Zoe meant to him. Soulmates or not.

It was adorable, to say the least.

"So when do we meet this boy? Anything we can know about him for the time being?" I smiled at Zoe's eagerness as Douxie reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, all because he's her soulmate doesn't mean two punk bastards that are a bit too overprotective won't make the poor boy run." I couldn't help but imagine Jim sitting next to us as he would obviously be frightened by Zoe's brashness but a bit more welcomed by Douxie's soft but also somehow intimidating nature.

Actually, thinking twice about it, it might be best to ease him into the small circle of punks we've created here. The poor bastard might have a panic attack if not with how Zoe can make you fear her with just a glare.

"Well, for starters, his name is Jim. Actually, it's James, but he goes by Jim."

"Jim, eh?" Douxie reached up to rub his chin a little as I just continued.

"Yeah. His full name is Jim Lake Junior-."

"OH! I KNOW THE BASTARD!" Douxie instantly slapped his hands onto the table as Zoe just looked at her soulmate as if he was insane. "His mom is a doctor, right? Always wearing blue and has a bit of a soft boy complex about him?"

"How did you-?" I gave Douxie a confused look as he cut me off with a laugh.

"He's a regular at the cafe I work at! A nice lad, honestly. Always tips, has great manners, but can be a little bit spacious though. He's a good guy though. We talk mechanics quite a bit when we ended up talking Vespas together." I couldn't help but smile as that seemed to be a perfect description of the blue-eyed boy.

"Yep. Sounds like Jim."

"Were you expecting it at all?" I snapped my attention over toward Zoe as she brought her cup to her lips. Probably drinking coffee darker than the shadows of the night even though it was already well into the middle of the evening.

"What do you mean?" Zoe gave me a bright smile as she placed her cup back down to the table.

"Did you know him beforehand? Did you think possibly this guy could be it? Or was it just by pure chance? I need details, bitch." I rolled my eyes at first before giving into her questions.

"I knew him a little bit. It wasn't like we were friends or anything, but we had classes together and I knew him from afar, but never really got the opportunity to speak to him beforehand. Always thought he was cute though."

"Hope the fucking phone," I gave Douxie a curious look as he slammed his hands back onto the table. "My little sister-like accomplice has been crushing on a boy and didn't tell me." He put an overdramatic hand over his heart as he gave me a hurt expression. "I feel betrayed."

"It's not like I actually knew him! All I knew of him was the fact that he was the son of a doctor at a fundraiser I was forced to go to and he was this cute guy with an oversized blazer and a bashful look to him! It's not like I actually talked to him and got his name without having to get it by pure coincidence." Zoe raised an eyebrow at me as she simply crossed her arms over her chest.

"So you're saying to me," She leaned back in her chair as she crossed her right leg over her left knee. "That you were basically pinging from a distance for a boy you didn't know the name of until you got it from rollcall or some shit?" I blushed at Zoe's explanation as I just sank in my seat.

"When you say it like that, it makes me feel like a fool."

"Nah. Sounds more stalkerish than anything." My blush only deepened at Douxie chuckled along to Zoe's words.

"It's not the worse I've heard though." Douxie grabbed his cup of tea before bringing it slowly to his lips. "There was this girl I knew years ago," He took a sip before placing the cup back down to the table. "Legit thought it was smart to follow this boy to his place of work and get his name from his nametag instead of just asking the bloke."

"That oddly makes me feel better about the idea that I got Jim's name from our teacher marking attendance in our freshman year history class."

"But seriously though," I brought myself up to a normal sitting position in my chair as Zoe spoke once more. "You never talked to him beforehand? Not even a little?"

"Not really." I rubbed at my left elbow self-consciously for a moment as I gave her a simple shrug. "But he's always been nice to people. Even how we met was because he was willing to help me pick up flyers I dropped."

"And you saw his marking," Zoe started before Douxie cut her off.

"Saw it was Shakespeare related, legit quoted your favorite line and had a skull like the one on your favorite sweater," Both of their voices went in sync together as they finished a thought they both seemed to be curious about.

"And you just knew?"

"Well, when your back is filled with greys, blues, and blacks of mechanic gears and chains when you know from word of mouth that the boy before you has an 'Atlas complex', as your teacher once said, and is obsessed with vehicles? Wouldn't you just kinda know too?" Zoe and Douxie looked between one another for a moment before gracing me with their sight once more.

"Yep. Makes sense."

"Yeah, completely understandable." I laughed a little at them as Zoe reached up to pat herself at the top of her back. "As I personally know, boys with Atlas complexes cause for back markings you never truly understand at first." She gave Douxie a smirk as the boy just took his tea and brought it back up to his lips.

"And pink-haired Americans with obsessions of death and lightning cause you to have a marking with a big white skull and pink lightning to be all across your chest." He put his cup back down as he let out a sigh. "Merlin was so pissed at me when he first saw it. Thought I snuck out and got a tattoo in the middle of the night for where and what was placed upon my skin." I laughed a little at that as I could actually see an angry Merlin thinking his son had gotten a tattoo at such a young age.

"Let me guess," Zoe coughed for a second before hunching over a little and giving a mediocre impression of the old man. "Hisrdoux, what in all that is holy and our is that upon thy breast!" Zoe ended up laughing at herself once she completed the word breast as her boyfriend just glared at her in reply. "Oh mimicking the old fuck never gets old." She stated as she wiped a joyful tear from her eye.

"He's not that bad, Zo."

"Yeah, and Lucifer fell cause he ate one too many slices of pizza at heaven's angel party." Zoe giggled at herself for a moment as Douxie seemed to slump in his chair a little bit. "Aw, come on now. You know I don't mean any ill will to the man. He could just treat you better is all. Show ya a bit more love like you deserve." The woman reached out and placed a loving hand on her boyfriend's shoulder as a delicate smile danced across her lips. "Your love language is touch after all. Not verbal bullshit." Douxie couldn't help but a laugh a little bit as I just watch the scene in reply.

I wonder if Jim and I will become that comfortable with one another. Being able to know exactly what to say and do when it's needed.

I smiled as Douxie's cat, Archie, jumped up into his owner's lap. Glasses and all. Zoe laughing along to something Douxie said as he went on to pet the small bundle of black fur before him.

Only time can tell though.

"So." I glanced up to my mom as I cut through the steak that I made for our dinner. "When do I get to meet this girl?" I blushed a little at her words as I placed a piece of steak within my mouth and chewed at it mindlessly. "It might be a little too soon to be thinking about it as a 'meeting the parents' kind of thing, but I would still love to at least see who my son is going to end up with." I chuckled a little at her before swallowing my food and gifting her with an answer.

"You already met her technically." My mom gave me a confused look as she tilted her head a little.

"I don't remember you ever introducing me to a Claire before."

"I never introduced her to you before. It might be easier with I told you who her mom is." I placed my fork down onto my napkin before reaching out and grabbing my glass of water and taking a sip.

"And what would that be?" She then grabbed her glass herself and took a sip as well.

"Nuñez. Claire Nuñez." My mother gave me a wide set of eyes before nearly spitting out her water. I gave her a confused look as she just placed her cup back down onto the table. "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"

"No, of course not, it's just-" My mother seemed to paused for a moment as she set her utensils down halfway onto her plate. "Did I ever tell you about those that don't believe in the markings? How they believe that you can find love outside of that marking and even mind your soulmate if they do or do not have one either?"

"Yeah." I felt even more confused as input down my utensils as well. "That they think soulmates are more of a maybe it'll work instead of a for certain." I tilted my head to the side as my mother had done prior. "Where is this going?"

"Both of her parents are markless and are very adamant on soulmates being a hoax." I gave her a wide-eyed look as I swallowed hard for a moment.

"Do you-?" I stopped for a second as I tried my best to keep my composer. "Do you think they'll have an issue with me then? Being her soulmate and all?" My mother gave me a soft look as she put her utensils down once more.

"Well, if they do." She brought her hands up and intertwined her fingers with a rather sinister smile on her lips. "I'll make them regret not allowing my boy to have what's fated to be his happy ever after." I smiled softly at her words as a chill ran down my spine.

Should have known, honestly.

I reached out and grabbed my glass once more as my mother went back to eating her food.

Never cross a mother scorned.

I chuckled a little too myself after I swallowed my water and called it good.

It's not like we're on meeting the family level of a relationship anyway.

"My friends want to meet you." I snapped my attention toward Claire as I subconsciously tightened my grip on her hand that was intertwined with mine.

"Mary and Darci? I thought they technically knew me already with the whole been in the same kinda classes since I can remember kinda thing?" Claire laughed a little at my anxious ramble as she rubbed a gentle circle on the back of my hand.

"I should reiterate, my other friends want to meet you. They're basically like a big brother and sister to me and they just want to get to know you is all." Claire gave me a reassuring smile as she turned her head toward me. "It doesn't have to be anytime soon, but I figured it would be best to tell you now then blindside you with it later."

"What's their names? If you don't mind me asking, at least."

"The older one is named Zoe and the younger one is named Douxie. They're soulmates. I think you'll like them, honestly." Claire's smile widened as she turned her attention back toward the hallway that we were walking down together. "Again though, it doesn't have to be any time soon." I chuckled a little at Claire's words as I squeezed her hand once more.

"I'm guessing consent is a big thing for you?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely." I couldn't help but smile at her words as she gave me a proud look. "Consent is everything. Even when it comes to the smallest things. Soulmate or not, I want you to be comfortable with me. I don't want to force you into anything that you don't want to do or anything." My smile just widened as I noted a new bashful look to the punk. "What? Too much?"

"Just enough, honestly." She smiled widely in return as she returned her attention toward the hallway before us once more.

Good gods, this is girl is everything I could ever imagine.

I smiled as I turned my attention ahead of me as well. Our hands tightening our holds on one another gently as we continued our way to our history class.

There was always something magical about her. Ever since the moment we met.

I glanced out of the corner of my eye toward her as a dopey look took over my face.

If only I knew how truly magical the girl was.