Second Chance [SEOKSOO]

04: Cracks in the mask

"So, you broke his heart, huh?" Jeonghan remarks, sipping his wine as his gaze settles on Joshua.

Joshua rolls his eyes. "Don’t make it sound so dramatic."

"Is it me making it dramatic? Or are you?" Jeonghan counters with a raised eyebrow. "That boy just wants to be your friend."

"I don’t have time to play at being friends with him," Joshua says, a hint of irritation in his voice. "I’ve got other things to handle—I don’t need to drain myself in his company."

Jeonghan raises an eyebrow, watching Joshua with a knowing, almost amused look. "Oh, really? And what’s so exhausting about Seokmin? From what I’ve seen, he’s the most easygoing person here."

Joshua’s jaw tightens slightly. "It’s not about him. It’s... all these fake smiles, these pointless interactions. They take too much out of me."

Jeonghan leans back, swirling his wine. "Then why keep pretending? Seokmin would understand if you just told him the truth."

Joshua’s gaze shifts, momentarily faltering. "Because," he finally mutters, "sometimes it’s easier to keep the mask on than to let people in. Seokmin doesn’t need to know what I’m really like."

Jeonghan chuckles softly, a hint of pity in his eyes. "Suit yourself, Joshua. But if you keep pushing people away, you’ll end up exactly where you are now—alone, with only that mask to keep you company."

Joshua lets out a low chuckle. "Well, I’ll still have you, won’t I?" he says, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Jeonghan shrugs, swirling the wine in his glass. "You never know, Joshua," he says with a faint smile. "One day, I might find someone worth living for... someone who pulls me away from your little games."

Joshua rolls his eyes, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "If anyone here’s playing games, it’s you, Jeonghan. Don't pin that on me. I don’t play games—you do."

Jeonghan just smirks, unbothered by Joshua's irritation. He takes another slow sip of his wine, savouring it. “Maybe I do,” he says lightly, “but at least I’m honest about it. I don’t pretend to care when I don’t.”

Joshua narrows his eyes, crossing his arms. “And what’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m pretending?”

Jeonghan shrugs, his gaze turning sharp. “You tell me. You’re here, keeping people at a distance, brushing off anyone who actually tries to get close. Seokmin’s not the first, you know.”

Joshua huffs, looking away. "It’s not that simple, Jeonghan."

“Then maybe you’re the one complicating it,” Jeonghan says softly. “Not everyone wants something from you, Joshuji. Some people are just... genuine.”

Joshua’s expression hardens, but for a brief second, there’s something vulnerable in his eyes. "I don’t need anyone’s pity, least of all yours."

Jeonghan’s smirk fades, replaced by a rare seriousness. “It’s not pity, Josh. Just don’t push everyone away—someday you’ll look around and realize there’s no one left to push.”

Joshua says nothing, just stares at his glass. For once, he has no clever comeback.

“Cut it out with the mind games,” Joshua snaps.

Jeonghan raises an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Mind games? Please, I’m just being honest with you, Joshua. Not everyone is willing to play along with your little routine forever.”

Joshua’s jaw tightens, and he looks away, irritation flickering in his eyes. “I’m not interested in hearing about whatever revelations you think you’ve had,” he mutters, forcing a casual tone that doesn’t quite hide his discomfort.