𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 || 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐨

Chapter Thirty nine

Seokmin sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed outside the window as they neared his home. The air was thick with unspoken words, and he finally broke the silence. "I don't need your security, Joshua. When we reach my house, I'd like you to remove all protection you've arranged for me."

Joshua didn't respond, his expression blank, but Seokmin continued. "Thank you for providing it in the first place. I know you're rich, but... how much longer do I have to rely on you?"

Joshua finally turned his head, his voice soft. "What?"

"Please," Seokmin insisted, his tone pleading but firm. "I don't want to owe you anymore."

Joshua's eyes softened for a moment, but then he straightened in his seat. "The only thing you owe me is to take care of yourself. And stop acting like this is some kind of charity. You're more than that to me."

Seokmin wanted to argue, to push the subject further, but Joshua had already cut him off. The tension hung in the air as Seokmin focused on packing his belongings, Seungmin by his side. Joshua watched them in silence, his expression unreadable during the entire ride back to Seokmin's newly renovated home.

When they arrived, Seokmin gently placed Seungmin inside the house, giving him a reassuring smile before stepping back outside. Joshua was standing there, unmoving, his eyes searching Seokmin's face. The longing in his eyes was evident, though he tried to mask it, but Seokmin saw through him. Joshua didn't want him to leave.

Seokmin took a deep breath, bowing deeply before Joshua, his voice filled with sincerity. "Thank you for everything you've done for me and Seungmin."

Joshua merely hummed in acknowledgment, his lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment, he asked quietly, "Will we meet again?"

Seokmin's expression hardened, his heart constricting. He looked down before he spoke. "No... I'm moving to Los Angeles next week. I think it's a better place for Seungmin to grow up. A fresh start."

The news hit Joshua like a punch to the gut. His usual composed demeanor faltered as he stared at Seokmin, trying to process the words. He took a step back, his shoulders sagging, the light in his eyes dimming.

"Bye, Minnie," Joshua said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Take care."

He turned and began walking towards his car, each step feeling heavier than the last. Seokmin watched him, an ache growing in his chest, something pulling him to stop Joshua, to call out and tell him not to leave. But he stayed quiet, feeling the weight of his decision.

Joshua suddenly stopped, frozen in place as if he couldn't take another step away. In a rush of emotion, he turned back and ran to Seokmin, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him into a desperate, deep kiss. His arms wound tightly around Seokmin's neck, his entire body trembling with the weight of unspoken love.

Seokmin closed his eyes, letting the moment wash over him as he wrapped his arms around Joshua's waist. He returned the kiss, though there was no spark, just a bittersweet acknowledgment of the feelings Joshua harbored. Their foreheads rested together, both of them breathing heavily from the surge of emotions.

Joshua's voice cracked as he whispered, "Do you really want to go?"

"I have to," Seokmin replied, his tone resolute, though his heart felt heavy.

Joshua's voice broke as tears filled his eyes. "Can I come with you? Please, Seokmin... I'll leave my job. I'll find something else, something more decent. Or I'll stay at home for you and Seungmin. I'll do anything. Just... don't leave me."

Seokmin's heart ached at the sight of Joshua's tears, the raw vulnerability in his voice. But even as Joshua cried, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping him grounded, Seokmin knew the truth-Joshua's love was one-sided. And no matter how much he wanted to offer comfort, to ease Joshua's pain, he couldn't give him the one thing Joshua truly wanted: his heart.

"I'm sorry," Seokmin murmured, his voice barely audible, pulling Joshua closer for a final embrace. "But I need to go. For Seungmin, for me... I need to move on."

Joshua sobbed quietly, his grip tightening around Seokmin as though letting go would shatter him. But eventually, with a broken whimper, he released him, stepping back. His eyes, red and swollen with tears, locked onto Seokmin's, full of love that would never be returned.

"Please take care of yourself," Seokmin said softly, his own heart breaking for Joshua, even if his feelings didn't match. He turned, walking toward the house without looking back.

Joshua stood there, watching him disappear, feeling like the world had been ripped out from under him.

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Hola!
Look who's back!