Seokmin fidgeted nervously in the dressing room, his legs bouncing slightly as he tugged at the sleeves of his jacket. Today was a big day-SEVENTEEN had an important interview with a major music channel, and they were all aware that millions of fans would be watching. The group was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, but Seokmin felt the weight of the pressure settling heavily on his shoulders.
Joshua, sitting beside Seokmin, noticed the tension in his boyfriend's posture and leaned in close. "You feeling okay, baby?" he whispered, his voice soft and reassuring.
Seokmin gave a small nod, though his eyes revealed a hint of unease. "Yeah, Shua hyung, just... a bit nervous," he admitted quietly, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Joshua's hand brushed lightly against Seokmin's, offering silent comfort. They both knew what could happen when Seokmin got overwhelmed. His little space had a way of creeping up on him when he felt too much pressure.
The interview soon began, and the group took their places in front of the cameras. The host was lively, firing questions about their latest comeback, their creative process, and their relationship as a team. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and Seokmin was doing his best to keep up, his usual cheerful demeanor shining through as much as possible.
But as the questions rolled on, Seokmin began to feel the stress building. The cameras, the bright lights, the eyes of the world on him-it was all starting to feel too overwhelming. His movements grew smaller, and his voice grew softer, as if he was shrinking into himself.
Joshua noticed right away. The slight shift in Seokmin's body language, the way he started to fidget more-these were the signs. Joshua's pinky brushed against Seokmin's hand again, grounding him, a gentle reminder that he wasn't alone. But Seokmin's eyes were already glassy, wide and innocent. His little space was creeping in.
The host, unaware of Seokmin's condition, asked cheerfully, "Seokmin, what's your favorite track from the album?"
Seokmin blinked, his mind seeming to take a moment to catch up. His gaze flickered between the host and his members, a slight hint of confusion clouding his expression. When his eyes landed on Joshua, his lips curved into a soft, almost shy smile.
"I like... um... I like '2 minus 1','" Seokmin mumbled, his voice coming out quieter than usual. "Because... Shua hyung and vernon wrote it," he added, cheeks tinged with pink. His tone had shifted, taking on a more delicate, childlike quality that wasn't typical of him during interviews.
The other members exchanged subtle glances, knowing exactly what was happening. Jeonghan, seated on Seokmin's other side, leaned in slightly as if to provide support, while Joshua kept a protective hand resting lightly on Seokmin's shoulder.
The host laughed, clearly entertained by Seokmin's response. "Ah, Joshua's songwriting must've really impressed you then!"
Seokmin nodded, his voice small as he added, "Shua hyung... he's really good. He takes care of me." The words were simple, but the way he said them, with such sincerity and softness, made him sound like a little kid boasting about his favorite person.
Joshua quickly stepped in to cover for Seokmin. "He's always been a fan of my songs," Joshua teased lightly, trying to redirect the conversation. The members laughed along, helping to ease the tension.
But Seokmin, still deep in his little space, wasn't finished. "Hyung's the best," he mumbled under his breath, his pouty lips and big eyes making him look even smaller than usual. He fiddled with his sleeves, glancing at Joshua for reassurance.
The fans watching from home had no idea what was really going on. To them, Seokmin was just being his usual adorable self, his shyness and sweet comments only adding to his charm. But for the members, especially Joshua, this was a clear sign that Seokmin had slipped fully into his little space.
When the interview finally wrapped up, the members subtly closed in around Seokmin as they left the set. Jeonghan gave him a gentle pat on the back, while Woozi offered a reassuring smile.
"You did great out there," Woozi said softly, knowing how hard it must've been for Seokmin to maintain his composure.
Seokmin, still feeling a little off-kilter, glanced up at his hyungs, his eyes wide and unsure. "I didn't mess up, did I?" he asked, his voice small.
Joshua, always there to reassure him, pulled him into a gentle side hug. "Not at all, baby. You did amazing, just like you always do."
Later that evening, as the interview clip was shared online, fans flocked to the comments section to gush over Seokmin's cuteness.
Fan Comments:
"Seokmin was extra adorable today! His shy little voice when he talked about Joshua's song melted my heart."
"Did anyone else notice how soft Seokmin was acting? He looked so small and sweet!"
"Seokmin leaning on Joshua during the interview was EVERYTHING. The way he kept looking at him... too precious."
"I love how he called Joshua the best. Their bond is seriously the cutest thing ever."
"Seokmin seemed extra shy, but honestly, it just made me want to protect him even more."
To the fans, Seokmin's behavior was just another instance of his endearing personality. They had no idea that he had slipped into his little space; to them, it was just Seokmin being his usual cute and lovable self.
Back in the dorms, Seokmin curled up next to Joshua on the couch, now feeling more like himself. "Did the fans think I was weird?" he asked, still a little embarrassed about how the interview had gone.
Joshua shook his head, his hand gently running through Seokmin's hair. "Not at all. They thought you were cute, as always."
Seokmin blushed, burying his face in Joshua's shoulder. "I was too soft, wasn't I?"
Joshua chuckled, pulling him closer. "You were perfect. They love you for who you are. And so do I."
Seokmin peeked up at Joshua, his expression softening as he smiled. "Even when I'm in my little space?"
"Especially then," Joshua whispered, leaning down to kiss Seokmin's forehead. "You're perfect, no matter what."
With Joshua's arms securely around him and the love of his members and fans surrounding him, Seokmin felt safe. Safe to be himself, no matter which version of him showed up that day.
.⋅ ۵1️⃣7️⃣۵ ⋅.
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