CHAPTER 1: The Tattoo

The world is quite blatantly odd. At least, your world was. Luck was never with you, you had noticed, throughout middle school, and high school. Life seemed to be more pleased with your work, seeing as once you got to the post-secondary schooling of your choice, things were more balanced as a twenty-two year old. Your work was beginning to get recognized more. There were some mishaps here and there with attendance. You made friends in other majors. You had a teacher that had little to no respect for you. Life was bearable.

But one thing baffled you since elementary school. Everyone of course had a soulmate, and everyone was well made sure of that they knew. At birth, you were born with half of a tattoo design. If you were to run into your soulmate, it would complete itself. Everyone's was different, though. This design could be anywhere on your body. Your's was nicely placed on the thick of your left shoulder. It was a sapphire blue swirl, with an orange heart in the middle. That was your best guess, at least, having only seeing half of it your whole life.

Most of your friends had already found their soulmate in school. It was amazing to see these tattoos completed, but it also brought on some jealousy. Your life had enough ups and downs, and all you wanted was that special person to be with you for these events.

Amidst this growing envy, the garden center was your zen spot. One day after classes, you were on your phone, bored. You cruised through random apps on the app store, downloading a few to try out. This "Mystic Messenger" app was one of the first you tried. You opened it, only to be confronted by an unknown person contacting you. You, of course, know the story from here.

More friends were made, inside jokes became common, and your efforts came only with the best results. Someone had caught your attention, the meanwhile, but you were unsure whether or not it was a mutual feeling. This lady surely seemed to feel… well, something. This brought you to where you were today, attending the R.F.A.'s famous party.

"Will you be my partner?" hummed Jaehee. She presented you a key, held daintily by her small hand. Her fingers lightly grazed over your own. Jaehee's hand reached out to open your own hand, palm free and flat, before laying the brass key onto it. She chuckled, bringing a swell of warmth to your heart. The light scent of fresh coffee and herbs humoured your nose, while her soft lips were graced with a heartfelt smile. Time slowed, it seemed. All of your senses found themselves being trained on the lady before you.

You stood still in front of her. Had she just-? You shook your head to clear your thoughts. She was always being communicative of how she felt, despite not being sure what it is she was feeling. You were getting all kinds of mixed signals. At least you were sure about what you felt for her.

"O-Of course, Jaehee! But… I must admit, I am lost as to what you mean by 'partner'," You replied, staring down at the key; where her hand touched yours.

Jaehee cleared her throat. "I wish for you to work with me at a cafe I hope to open," she paused, getting fidgety, "and possibly for you to live with me."

Your mind was repeating the proposals she had made. 'She still only thinks of me as a really good friend? My goodness…' You think to yourself. You hesitate. What about the tattoo? In an effort to make it nonchalant, you go to scratch the back of your neck while nudging down the sleeve of your dress. Your eyes honed in on the complimentary design.

The blue swirls and spirals had extended and repeated on the new half, creating a mesmerising pattern. The orange heart was completed with the same hue of orange. Choking back your excitement, you removed your hand from your neck and got ready to reply.

Was she the one? There was only one way to found out, seeing as it could very well be any of the guys you met before this.

"That truly sounds enjoyable and life changing! Once again, of course." You said. You shrugged your sleeve back up before you went to hug her. Jaehee graciously hugged back, holding you close, with that earthy scent seeming stronger than ever.

"Thank you for everything you have done, (y/n)," Jaehee said. "I wouldn't be where I am in my life if it weren't for you. Now I can truly show you my appreciation and devotion. Please, join me for coffee after the party. I will pay," She concluded. Your blush found it was time to finally show. Jaehee didn't seem to pay it no mind, thankfully. Yet with this, you felt ever more curious about her own tattoo. Before she could walk off, you grabbed her arm.

She turned around with a look of concern. "Yes, (y/n)?" You hesitated once more.

"Um, I-I was just curious, of what y-your... tattoo looked like?" You stuttered in embarrassment. Her eyes softened.

Jaehee sighed, "I… could show you. I can, but... It's a quick story to keep you from assuming some things." She waved her hand in a way of showing to follow her, to which you complied. The two of you settled down towards the back of the hall. She locked eyes with you before speaking again. You began to fidget with your accessories. "Both my parents had passed. I was put under the… strict, care of my relatives. They only let me focus on my school work, to which I complied. They were really hoping I would just get out of their way, and be successful; they were never keen on the concept of soulmates. They had a tattooist cover up both their own, earlier, and later on my own, tattoo, by completing the halves. So I may never know who I was destined to be with…" She said with a shrug.

Jaehee cut off eye contact before reaching for her shoe. Upon taking both her shoe and sock off, you could see a vibrantly green butterfly just above her ankle. It certainly had been completed. Your lips parted as you took all of the information in. Neither of you could know. Jaehee's was so perfectly reflected, one would never be able to guess. You glanced back up at her. Her gaze was back on you, as well.

"I… I am so sorry," You whimpered.

"It's not that bad," She said, "because it does what it was intended to do; help me focus on work."

"But… that's not right!" You exclaimed, getting that fluttery feeling in your heart whenever you encourage her. "That doesn't matter. Work will be work, which can be draining as we have seen already from you. You must have to want someone to be by your side as your soulmate and life partner!" You cried.

Jaehee looked at her tattoo, her gaze heavily set on the fake half. She quickly fixed her eyes on you once again. "But… I don't need a soulmate, if I have you." She said, in all seriousness. You felt like Elisabeth the 3rd had caught your tongue. Jaehee must really have had been sheltered from the idea of love when she was younger… It hurt you to think of this. You sighed.

"You will always have me by your side, Jaehee. I promsie. So… I suppose that is true. I just wish that you could meet the person destined to be by your side… I know I wish for that, myself. It gets rough of there, haha." You rambled. Jaehee sent you a look of worry.

"Is there anyway I can help you with yours at least?" She asked. You gulped. 'No no no no no no- she can't know that mine is complete yet…' You screamed inside your mind. If she knew… well, you weren't sure where it would go. But if she guessed herself, or one of the guys… You smiled and shrugged.

"Maybe one day. I think I can handle it myself, thank you."

"If you are sure, (y/n). May I ask about your tattoo, as well?"

"Ah, I- um, I don't feel too well. May I excuse myself to grab a drink?"

"Why, of course…! Are you feeling ill? Have you been eating…?"

"I'm just… dizzy. And yes, I have been eating."

"At least let me help you to the catering table."

"I'll be okay, thanks," You said before running off down to the other end of the hall. Looking behind you, Jaehee was nowhere in sight. You let go of the breath you didn't realize you were holding.

Once at the catering table, you calm yourself before asking for a glass of red wine. You soon have it in hand. After taking a few relaxed sips, you go to wander the party some more. You chat with a handful of the guests, having some awkward conversations, while also having some funny ones. You then run into Zen, once more.

"Hey, would you look who it is! The lady of the hour!" Zen exclaimed. "Why, I haven't gotten to chat with you very much today. Would you care to have this dance with me?" He offered you his hand with a wink. You blushed, nodding, while putting your wine glass down on the table beside you. Taking his hand, he carefully whisked you away to an open spot on the dance floor.

"Now, tell me, how have you and Jaehee been, my dear?" He hummed, setting up your arms before he set his. You felt a chill go down your spine at the mere mention of her name. He clearly felt this, and chuckled. "I assume you're both feeling like really close friends, then?" You nodded, biting your lip. He frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"Haha, not really. I just… Things with school have been getting to me. All my friends have officially met their soulmate now. I am rather jealous. I… Can't tell if I have met mine, to be honest. Hey, have you found yours?" You asked, as the two of you were slowly easing into the steps of the waltz.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure things will turn out just fine, (y/n), seeing how this party went! But no… I have not." He said with a wry smile.

You mentally crossed off Zen as your life partner. … You realized it was that simple. Sure, you didn't check your tattoo often, and it could have been literally anyone from the past two weeks now, but there was no harm in checking in with the guys. You had just met the R.F.A's members. So why not?

"I'm sorry to hear that, as well, Zen. I'll try to keep that in mind, thanks." You said. He gave you a nudge, cueing you to get ready to twirl. You two cut off the conversation there as the music took your minds away in harmony. The both of you weren't exactly the greatest dancers, with a handful of slip ups here and there, but it was enjoyable none the less.

The song died out as the live band switched out to a more jazzy tune. Zen bowed, while you giggled and curtsied. He wished you good luck, and good bye. You chuckled at the irony, seeing how your luck works out. Maybe Zen was onto something, though.

You went back for your drink, only to find it had disappeared. You looked around for it, sighing as you knew it was pointless. You decided it was time to get back to Jaehee, to keep her from worrying too much.

Hey guys ahhh- It's been almost, what, two years since I have done ANYTHING on Fanfiction? I'm really sorry about totally stopping my Hetalia fics. I've gone on to other things- Undertale was strong for a while. Now Steven Universe is my world, and Mystic Messenger has swallowed my life whole. Soooo- Since I have seen absolutely nothing for Jaehee reader inserts, I thought- Why not start up again? Give it a go, and try to improve before semestered English class! So here this is~ I hope this is an okay start. I don't have any plans on editing this, since I am in my second last year of high school. If I get it done, I get it done. If there is an error, let me know! Hopefully I will have a chapter up a week, or biweekly. Please work with me here ^^*

Please let me know if this is worth continuing, too!