[Johan's POV]
"You know, I can walk."
"It's... fine... I can... do this." Jerome huffed with every step while carrying Johan to his back. Sweat had gathered to his forehead, panting like a horse about to drop dead while they threaded through the street to his condominium building. He tightened his grip on Johan's thighs and heaved him up back up when he slipped down, but gravity continued to pull him to the ground. "... I can do this... With the power of... friend—ugh!"
Johan sighed through his nose, then released a low chuckle. After his unexpected mental breakdown that knocked him unconscious for a few minutes, he woke up feeling drained that Jerome had to give him a piggyback. But it also made his chest unbelievably lighter. It's as if all the emotional baggage he carried dissipated along with his drying tears. With a slap to the sagging shoulders, he slid down to the ground to give Jerome a break. "I told you, I can walk. I'm fine now."
What's the difference between the love of your life and your soulmate? One is a choice, and one is not. — Tarryn Fisher, Mud Vein
———
Yeah, being the supposed original ML, Jerome is his soulmate, but they're better suited as friends because not every soulmate has to be a romantic love partner. And no, this isn't some fantasy element. Just them having that level of positive compatibility.