A thousand roses | SS

Chapter 3: Finding home in each other

Joshua stood before the door of a modest 1BHK apartment, his hands clutching his bag purse tightly as he watched Seokmin fumble with the keys. The anticipation swirled within him, mingling with a sense of curiosity and apprehension about what awaited him on the other side of that door. The aroma of warm, freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, teasing his senses and hinting at the comforts that lay beyond.

As the door swung open, revealing the cozy interior of Seokmin's abode, Joshua's heart skipped a beat. Creamy walls enveloped the space, casting a soft, inviting glow that welcomed him inside. His footsteps echoed against the hardwood floors, each step carrying him closer to a new chapter in his life.

"Sorry, it might be small, but this is all I have," Seokmin's voice filled the air, warm and sincere, as he gestured towards the space around them. His arms were open wide, his heart laid bare before Joshua, who stood in the doorway, taking it all in.

Joshua's gaze swept over the apartment, drinking in the simplicity and charm of their new home. It was small, yes, but there was a sense of coziness and intimacy that Joshua found comforting. The space felt like a sanctuary, a haven where he could finally let down his guard and begin to heal.

"And I only have one bed. You can use it until I order a new one—" Seokmin's words faltered as he hesitated, his eyes searching Joshua's face for any sign of discomfort or hesitation.

"Why?" Joshua's voice was soft, filled with curiosity and a hint of vulnerability as he met Seokmin's gaze.

"Um, would you be comfortable to—"

"Yes. Do you know how to give cuddles?" Joshua's question caught Seokmin off guard, but he couldn't help but chuckle at the playful twinkle in Joshua's eyes. With a nod, Seokmin assured him that he did indeed know how to give cuddles, despite his initial confusion.

"Then we're great. We don't need a new bed," Joshua declared with a smile, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. He settled onto the couch, sinking into the plush cushions as he admired the small cactus plant adorning the coffee table.

A sense of peace settled over Joshua as he took in his surroundings, the weight of the past slowly lifting from his shoulders. This new beginning felt like a fresh start, a chance to leave behind the pain and heartache that had plagued him for so long.

Seokmin disappeared into the bedroom, murmuring something about work, leaving Joshua alone with his thoughts. As he explored their new home, Joshua couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling up inside him. This was their space now, a place where they could create new memories and build a life together.

"It's finally time for a change," Joshua mumbled to himself, drawing back the dusty green curtains to reveal the glass window leading to a small balcony. His smile widened as he stepped outside, feeling the warm breeze brush against his skin.

The balcony was a small oasis amidst the bustling cityscape, a peaceful retreat where Joshua could escape from the chaos of everyday life. His fingers trailed over the railing, lingering on the Japanese good luck charm hanging there. The delicate wind chime tinkled softly in the breeze, its melodic tones filling Joshua's heart with a sense of hope and optimism.

The sound of the door closing behind him startled Joshua, pulling him back to the present. Quickly, he retreated from the balcony, stepping back into the warmth of their apartment. Seokmin stood at the kitchen counter, packing something into his mini sling bag as he prepared to head out for the day.

"Uh, we're out of groceries," Seokmin confessed sheepishly, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks as he met Joshua's gaze.

"It's okay, you can order takeout, and I'll grab the groceries tonight," Seokmin reassured him, his voice filled with understanding and kindness.

"Can we go together?" Joshua's question caught Seokmin by surprise, his eyes widening in disbelief. Had he heard correctly?

"I said, can we go grocery shopping together?" Joshua repeated, a nervous edge creeping into his voice as he awaited Seokmin's response.

"It's okay if you don't want to..." Joshua's voice trailed off, his fingers fidgeting nervously as he awaited Seokmin's answer.

"No!" Seokmin's response was immediate, his tone filled with eagerness and excitement as he rushed to reassure Joshua. "I mean, yeah, let's go grocery shopping together," he stammered, scratching his head in embarrassment as he realized how eager he must have sounded.

A smile tugged at the corners of Joshua's lips as he watched Seokmin fumble with his words, his heart swelling with affection for the man standing before him. This was their home now, their sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world, and Joshua couldn't wait to begin this new chapter of their lives together.

"I'll get going now," Seokmin said awkwardly, waving to Joshua as he made his way towards the door.

As Seokmin neared the threshold, Joshua called out, causing Seokmin's heart to skip a beat. He turned to face Joshua, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

"Yes?" Seokmin's voice was tentative as he awaited Joshua's words.

"Wait!" Joshua's voice rang out, stopping Seokmin in his tracks. He turned to face Joshua, his heart pounding in his chest as he awaited Joshua's next words.

"I meant the necktie," Joshua clarified, his fingers reaching out to adjust the knot of Seokmin's tie. "You're wearing it wrong."

As Joshua concentrated on fixing the tie, Seokmin found himself lost in the warmth of Joshua's touch, a sense of peace washing over him as he realized that this was where he belonged.

Yes, this was the home Seokmin wanted to come back to—the one where his husband pinpointed even the smallest of mistakes, where he was greeted with warmth and affection at every turn. This was the home where he was with Joshua, and that was all he needed to feel complete.

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-Vaish

Dancing is driving me crazy! How tf do you improve? Someone please (please) drop some tips for me ! 🥹🫶❤️