Kissing the Demon (Seoksoo)

Seokmin

Seungkwan's words trailed me as I ran the five miles home. Normally I drove in, but this week I'd taken to jogging there and back, telling myself it was good for my fitness. In reality, it was the only time my brain wasn't in a screaming match with my heart.

By the time I got home, muscles aching and covered in sweat, I didn't give my brain a chance to remind me that hanging out with Joshua was a bad idea. My phone was in my hand and tapping out the invite before I even unlocked my front door.

I took my time in the shower, letting the hot water and steam loosen my muscles. And if I took myself in hand not once but twice while picturing Joshua...well, that was nobody's business but mine.

By the time Joshua rang my doorbell, I felt more relaxed than I had in weeks. I wasn't going to overthink this. I was going to eat good food, watch awesome films, and relax.

With Joshua.

And not snuggle him.

Totally feasible...right?

As I swung open the door and took in the way Joshua had styled his hair to fall over his forehead, a touch of red lipstick highlighting his plump lips, I knew I was fucked.

Completely and irrevocably fucked.

Joshua raised an eyebrow, biting his lip to hold in a laugh while I openly stared at him. "You know, if you let me in, you could ogle me up close."

A chuckle rasped from me as I shrugged and stood back to wave him in. "Busted."

"Not to worry," he said, patting my stomach as he passed. I fought the urge to suck it in at his touch. "I could get used to you opening the door to me like that...although, I did prefer the getup you were wearing last time."

"Noted," I said dryly, following him into the living room. "I'm not sure my neighbours would agree, though, if I keep opening my door wearing only a towel."

"Pfft," Joshua said, dropping onto the sofa in his usual spot. He turned to peruse me, his lower lip disappearing between his teeth as his gaze stopped on my chest. "All your neighbours must be idiots then."

I walked to my end of the sofa but found myself hovering, unsure of where I wanted to sit. After watching me dither for a moment or two, Joshua grabbed my arm with a sigh. Tugging on me with a surprising amount of strength for such a little guy, he pulled until I fell onto the sofa beside him. As soon as my arse hit the cushion, he swung his legs over mine, tucking his feet under my right leg. Before I knew what was happening, he lifted my arm and wrapped it around him, burrowing into my side and laying his head on my front.

"Is this what you wanted?" he asked quietly, peering up from his spot on my chest.

"Yes," I whispered, pulling him even closer. I shouldn't want this, but God help me, I did. And the fact that Joshua had seen me struggling and taken the choice away made me more grateful than I had any right to be.

He rubbed soothing circles over my belly. Despite my insecurities, my body purred under his touch. "Good. Then stop overthinking it and put on the film."

Over the next two weeks, we fell into a comfortable routine. Our days were spent texting each other in every spare second we could grab while our evenings were whiled away in front of the TV as we cuddled on the sofa.

I'd given up trying to question what was happening between us. So far, Joshua wasn't showing any disinterest in hanging out with me. Every evening he tugged me onto the sofa and manoeuvred me into a position that allowed him to touch as much of me as possible.

And I happily let him.

It was Friday night, and I found myself whistling as I bustled around my kitchen. Rain was battering against the windows as an incoming storm made itself known. Seeing as Joshua and I had patronised every takeaway in the wider Southampton area, it was probably time we ate something homecooked. That was the excuse I was giving myself anyway. And if I happened to be cooking a Panang curry because Joshua mentioned last night that it was his favourite meal? That was me being a polite and accommodating host.