𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 || 𝑺𝑬𝑶𝑲𝑺𝑶𝑶

epilogue

Joshua Hong was a man utterly, completely, beyond repair… whipped. Everyone in their circle said so, and honestly, even strangers could see it. The once detached and arrogant sunbae, whose sharp words and colder demeanor made him both feared and admired, had become a walking, talking testament to love’s power to transform. He hovered around Seokmin like a moth to a flame, his gaze constantly drawn to the younger boy as though Seokmin held the answers to life itself. And, in a way, he did—for Joshua’s life revolved around him.

It had started as a joke among their friends. Every morning, Seokmin would walk into the campus café, and Joshua would be there, holding Seokmin’s favorite drink like it was his sacred duty.

“You’ve got to stop spoiling me,” Seokmin said one morning, smiling shyly as Joshua handed him his iced caramel macchiato.

Joshua leaned closer, his voice teasing. “Spoiling you? Baby, this is just baseline service. Wait until I start bringing breakfast, too.”

Seokmin’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and he muttered, “You don’t have to do that…”

“But I want to,” Joshua said, his tone softening. “I want to do everything for you, Seokmin.”

His words lingered, warm and heavy, as Seokmin sipped his drink. Joshua’s devotion still left him breathless.

Joshua insisted on studying with Seokmin, even when his own workload didn’t require it. He would sit beside Seokmin, flipping through flashcards or highlighting notes, his attention split between the material and the way Seokmin’s lips moved when he read aloud.

“Are you even paying attention?” Seokmin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Joshua grinned. “To you? Always.”

“Hyung!” Seokmin’s voice was a mix of exasperation and embarrassment, his cheeks tinted pink.

“What? You’re fascinating.” Joshua reached over to adjust Seokmin’s glasses, his fingers lingering just a little too long on his cheek. “I can’t help it.”

Seokmin huffed, turning back to his notes, but the warmth in his chest was impossible to ignore.

Their friends had noticed the change in Joshua from day one.

“He’s a whole different person,” Soonyoung whispered to Seungkwan as they watched Joshua carry Seokmin’s tray in the cafeteria.

“A complete simp,” Seungkwan agreed, taking a bite of his sandwich. “But it’s kind of cute. Seokmin deserves it.”

Jeonghan, lounging beside them, smirked. “It’s hilarious, honestly. Remember when Joshua thought emotions were for weaklings?”

“Do you ever regret it?” Jun asked, leaning closer to Jeonghan. “You know, since you dated him?”

Jeonghan shrugged, his gaze drifting to where Seungcheol was unsuccessfully trying to assemble a chair. “Not at all. We weren’t right for each other. Besides, I’ve got my eyes on someone else.”

“You mean Cheol?” Wonwoo said, smirking.

Jeonghan didn’t answer, but the slight curve of his lips said everything.

Meanwhile, Joshua was entirely focused on Seokmin, leaning close to whisper something in his ear that made the younger boy turn an even deeper shade of red.

“You two are nauseating,” Seungkwan announced, but his tone was fond.

“Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Joshua shot back without even looking away from Seokmin.