Months passed after the emotional turmoil Joshua went through. Though he had started to smile again and be more himself, there was still a lingering fear deep inside his heart. He couldn’t forget the hurt Jeonghan caused him, and the thought of letting someone else in again felt like walking through a storm blindfolded. But Mingyu, Mingyu had been there every single day.
Mingyu was like a warm, steady presence in his life, always patient, never pushing. He never once made Joshua feel like he owed him anything, and that was what Joshua appreciated most. He could feel Mingyu’s kindness in every gesture, every thoughtful action. He wasn’t just a friend; he was someone who genuinely cared about him. And though Joshua knew he had been hurt before, there was something about Mingyu that made him feel safe again.
The truth was, Joshua had started developing feelings for Mingyu. He could no longer ignore it. The way Mingyu made him laugh when he was feeling low, the way he would comfort him after a rough day, the way his warmth enveloped him when they’d sit close together it all added up. Joshua began to feel the stirrings of love. But with that feeling came a new kind of fear. He was scared. Scared that this love could lead to more pain, just like it had before. What if he trusted Mingyu, and Mingyu broke his heart?
For a while, Joshua kept these feelings hidden, even from himself. He convinced himself it was better to remain in his comfortable space, where everything felt safe. But Mingyu, ever understanding, knew that Joshua wasn’t entirely okay. He could see it in his eyes Joshua was still carrying the weight of the past, still afraid to trust again.
Mingyu knew how much Joshua had been through. He could see that his friend wasn’t fully healed yet, even though he was getting better each day. For a while, Mingyu decided to give Joshua the space he needed. He didn’t pressure him, didn’t rush him into anything. Instead, he stayed close always there as a friend, a constant presence in Joshua’s life, never making him feel alone.
Mingyu spent his days doing things that made Joshua happy whether it was playing video games, going on walks, or just sitting in silence while Joshua read a book. He never once made an attempt to push things forward romantically. But in the quiet moments, when they shared a laugh or talked about something deep, Mingyu couldn’t help but wonder if Joshua could one day see him as more than a friend.
Joshua, on his end, started to feel more comfortable with Mingyu. Slowly, his guard began to lower. He began to trust Mingyu with more than just surface-level things he started opening up about his past and his fears. He’d talk about how his previous relationship had shattered him, how hard it was to rebuild himself after everything that happened. Mingyu listened, never judging, always validating his emotions.
During this time, Joshua’s heart began to soften. There was something about Mingyu’s unwavering support that made him feel like maybe, just maybe, he could love again. But that fear of being hurt was always there, lurking in the back of his mind.
It was a quiet evening, the kind that always felt peaceful when they were together. The two of them were sitting in the living room, just enjoying each other’s company. Joshua was sitting on the couch, absently scrolling through his phone, while Mingyu was fixing something in the kitchen. The hum of the apartment and the warm glow from the kitchen light made everything feel comforting and safe.
Mingyu stopped what he was doing, turned to face Joshua, and took a deep breath. He had been thinking about this moment for a long time, but tonight, he could feel it in his heart he couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to tell Joshua how he felt, to tell him that he was ready to take this step, no matter the risk.
“Shua,” Mingyu said softly, his voice a little nervous despite his usual confidence. Joshua looked up, sensing the change in the atmosphere. “I know you’ve been through so much. And I know it’s been hard for you to trust anyone again. But I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you. I promise you that I’ll never hurt you. I’ll take care of you, no matter what happens. You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
Joshua felt his heart race. Mingyu’s words were like a soothing balm to the wounds he had carried for so long. He could feel the sincerity in Mingyu’s voice, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he could let go of the fear that had been holding him back.
“I don’t want to rush you, and I don’t want you to feel pressured,” Mingyu continued, his voice becoming more earnest. “But I can’t keep pretending like I don’t feel this way about you. I love you, Joshua. And I want to be with you. I want to make you happy, I want to be the person who makes you smile, the one you can lean on. Will you let me be your boyfriend?”
Joshua’s breath caught in his throat. His heart beat faster as his emotions swirled inside him he was scared, yes, but he was also overwhelmed by the love and care Mingyu had shown him. He had never once doubted Mingyu’s devotion to him, and hearing these words made him realize something important. Every time Mingyu had been there for him, every time he had put Joshua’s well-being above all else, it wasn’t just friendship. It was love. Real, genuine love.
Joshua looked at Mingyu, his eyes filled with uncertainty, but there was something else there too hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, this time things would be different. He thought of all the quiet moments they had shared, all the laughter, all the times Mingyu had supported him. He thought of the way Mingyu always made him feel safe, no matter what. And in that moment, Joshua realized he was ready to take a chance.
With tears in his eyes, he whispered, “Yes. I’ll be your boyfriend, Mingyu. I trust you. I want to be with you.”
Mingyu’s face lit up, and he immediately pulled Joshua into his arms, holding him tightly as if he never wanted to let go. “I promise I’ll make you happy. I swear I’ll take care of you.”
And for the first time in a long time, Joshua felt a peace he hadn’t known he needed. He knew he wasn’t fully healed yet, but with Mingyu by his side, he felt like he could face whatever came next. Together, they would take it one step at a time slowly, surely, but always with love.
In the days that followed, Joshua realized just how much he had been missing all along. Every moment with Mingyu felt like a new beginning. They laughed together, spent quiet evenings talking about their dreams, and shared their lives in ways they hadn’t before. Joshua’s heart slowly opened, and with every passing day, he found himself falling deeper in love with Mingyu trusting him more and more.
Mingyu, in turn, never took Joshua’s love for granted. He cherished every moment, always reminding Joshua that he was there for him, that he would never leave his side. With Mingyu’s support, Joshua’s fears began to fade, replaced by a new sense of happiness. He was no longer running from the past. With Mingyu, he was ready to move forward, to love and be loved again.
And as the weeks turned into months, their relationship grew stronger. Joshua, once so broken, was now whole again his heart was full of love, laughter, and the promise of a future with Mingyu. And for Mingyu, there was nothing more important than seeing Joshua happy because in his heart, he knew that Joshua was the one he had been waiting for all along.
Apologies for the delay. I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t have the energy to write earlier. Thanks for your patience!
