𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄 || 𝑺𝑬𝑶𝑲𝑺𝑶𝑶

chp7

Joshua’s hands never once left Seokmin’s as they stepped out of the car and walked toward the familiar house he had grown up in. His grip was firm but not tight, a silent reassurance that he wasn’t letting go, not now, not ever.

The scene outside was idyllic, his parents seated on the porch, steaming mugs of coffee in hand, their laughter carrying softly on the morning breeze. They looked so relaxed, so at peace, as though they didn’t have a care in the world. For a fleeting moment, Joshua envied them—their calmness, their ignorance of the storm that had raged within him for so long.

“Hyung…” Seokmin’s voice broke through his thoughts, soft and hesitant. Joshua turned to him, and his heart squeezed at the sight. Seokmin’s free hand was clutching the hem of his sweater nervously, his light brown eyes darting between Joshua and the house ahead.

Joshua chuckled, squeezing Seokmin’s hand. “Relax, love. They already adore you.”

“But they haven’t even met me yet,” Seokmin mumbled, his cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

Joshua stopped walking, turning to face Seokmin fully. He placed his free hand on Seokmin’s cheek, forcing the younger man to look at him. “They’ve heard enough about you to love you already. Trust me, Seokmin-ah. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Seokmin nodded shyly, his lips curving into a small, uncertain smile. Joshua leaned down, pressing a brief but firm kiss to his forehead before guiding him the rest of the way to the porch.

“Mom! Dad!” Joshua called out, his voice bright and cheery in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

His parents turned, their smiles widening when they saw him. But their attention quickly shifted to Seokmin, who was standing half-hidden behind Joshua, still clutching his hand like a lifeline.

“Is this the famous Seokmin?” Mrs. Hong asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Joshua nodded proudly, gently tugging Seokmin forward. “Yes. Mom, Dad, this is Seokmin, my boyfriend.”

Seokmin bowed deeply, his voice soft but steady as he greeted them. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hong. Thank you for having me.”

“Oh, aren’t you just the most polite thing?” Mrs. Hong gushed, reaching out to take Seokmin’s other hand. “And so handsome too! No wonder Joshua can’t stop talking about you.”

Seokmin’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, and he glanced at Joshua with wide, flustered eyes. Joshua, for his part, couldn’t help but laugh, feeling an overwhelming warmth bloom in his chest.

Before he could say anything, his parents ushered Seokmin inside, Mrs. Hong already chatting animatedly as Mr. Hong chimed in occasionally. Joshua trailed behind, pouting dramatically.

“Hey! Don’t steal my boyfriend,” he whined, earning a laugh from his mother.

“You’re the one who brought him here,” she teased, glancing back at him. “What did you expect?”

Joshua shook his head, exasperated but smiling. His gaze shifted to Seokmin, who looked even more flustered but was smiling shyly, nodding along as his mother spoke.

Mrs. Hong stopped abruptly in the living room, turning to Seokmin with a knowing look. “He’s even more beautiful than you described, Joshua. You’re lucky he chose you.”

Seokmin’s face turned scarlet, and he stammered out a modest, “Thank you, ma’am.”

The words triggered something deep within Joshua, pulling him into a memory he had tried so hard to suppress.