A thousand roses | SS

Chapter 11: Loud and chaotic family

Mingyu flashed a smile as he pulled Seokmin into a side hug, eliciting laughter from his friend. "Come in, man!" Mingyu exclaimed, guiding Seokmin inside, with Joshua trailing behind.

"Hi," Mingyu turned to Joshua, who nervously bit his lip. Joshua couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by Mingyu's boundless energy.

"I'm Mingyu, Seokmin's best friend--"

"My best friend is Wonwoo," Seokmin interjected, earning a playful glare from Mingyu and a teasing tongue-out response.

"Move aside, you're scaring them," a calm voice cut through the banter, and Mingyu obliged, making way for another man in a beige cardigan.

"Hey, Wonwoo!" Seokmin greeted with a grin.

"Hi," Wonwoo greeted Joshua, who returned the smile. Joshua noticed Wonwoo's pretty teeth peeking out behind his glasses as they shook hands. "I'm Wonwoo, Seokmin's deskmate."

"Please come in," Wonwoo invited, leading the way. Joshua felt a sense of ease in Wonwoo's presence as they entered the house. He took in the black and grey decor adorned with ribbons, flowers, and various art pieces, creating a cozy atmosphere.

"Um," Joshua suddenly felt the weight of the flowers and fruit in his hands, realizing he had forgotten to offer them earlier. "Here, your house is beautiful," he said, handing the gifts to Wonwoo, who smiled appreciatively.

"You didn't have to, really," Wonwoo insisted, placing the fruit basket down. "Seokmin did say not to, but I insist. I hope you like it," Joshua replied, tucking a stray hair behind his ear.

"I do, they're gorgeous," Wonwoo replied, patting the bouquet. Mingyu and Seokmin joined them on the couch as they settled in.

"Y'all talk, I'll bring you something to drink," Wonwoo offered, stepping out of the room. Seokmin took a seat beside Joshua, and Mingyu settled across from them, ready for conversation.

As Wonwoo disappeared into the kitchen, Seokmin leaned in closer to Joshua, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, what do you think of Mingyu's energy?"

Joshua chuckled softly. "He's definitely... lively."

Seokmin laughed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, he's always been like that."

Mingyu, overhearing their conversation, grinned broadly. "Hey, I heard that! And don't worry, you'll get used to me."

Joshua smiled, feeling more at ease with the friendly banter. Mingyu's enthusiasm was infectious, and Seokmin's playful demeanor added to the relaxed atmosphere.

As they chatted, Wonwoo returned with a tray of drinks, setting it down on the coffee table. "Here you go," he said, distributing glasses to everyone.

"Thanks, Wonwoo," Joshua said, taking a sip of his drink. He couldn't help but admire the way Wonwoo effortlessly managed to make everyone feel welcome.

The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared stories. Mingyu's jokes kept them entertained, while Seokmin added his own humorous anecdotes.

Joshua found himself enjoying the company more than he had expected. Mingyu's exuberance, Seokmin's warmth, and Wonwoo's calm presence created a perfect balance that made him feel right at home.

As the evening wore on, Joshua realized that he was grateful for Seokmin's invitation. Meeting these new friends had turned out to be a delightful surprise, and he looked forward to getting to know them better.

The doorbell rang, and Mingyu shot up from his seat, prompting a shake of the head from Wonwoo. "Looks like they're here!" Mingyu exclaimed, rushing towards the door. Joshua tried not to peek behind him, but the loud voices approaching the hall were hard to ignore.