UNTAMED DESIRES | SVT | JEONGCHEOL

19 - Blue

<Hotel Falling Flower>

Joshua gulped a glass of water while staring at the serene view out of the window. He was sitting in the VIP cabin of the hotel with a huge glass window which displayed the beautiful late evening - dark and glittery. And right across the table was, Seokmin.

"Seokmin-" Joshua asked, "Do you want to share some information?"

"No." Seokmin nodded.

"Then?" Joshua paused, "Any trouble?"

"No." Seokmin nodded with a small smile.

"Uh- then?" Joshua questioned.

"You ask so many questions. Of course you're an advocate." Seokmin chuckled, "I called you here only because I wanted to meet you. And I also think that you deserve a treat from me. Yeah, it's not much right now because of the situations but something is better than nothing."

Joshua blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. The unexpected request from Seokmin, coupled with the sincere offer of a treat, caught him off guard. "You called me here... to treat me?"

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a mixture of touched and a bit embarrassed. "You didn't have to, you know..."

"No, I genuinely should." Seokmin paused, "You've helped me a lot, hyung. After such a long time, I got to know the actual truth and break free from the manipulation. I know we still have a long way to go to fix everything.

But again, at least I'm in my right mind now. No one is controlling me. There had been so many lawyers, therapists, etc. on this case before. But no one took it like you guys did. I'm grateful to Dr. Yoon, Dr. Lee and everyone else as well.

And about you, hyung, I won't lie, being with you these days has healed a lot within me. Thank you very much."

"You don't need to thank me, Seokmin," Joshua replied, his tone sincere. "We're in this together. We all want to see justice served. And I'm just glad that I could contribute, that I could help you through this."

"It's not only that, hyung. You don't even know what you've done." Seokmin mumbled while looking down at the table, "It's like you've fixed a huge broken piece inside my heart. And I don't even know how, you just did it."

"Sometimes, it doesn't take much to fix a broken heart," Joshua responded, his voice filled with tender understanding. "Sometimes, all it takes is a little empathy, a little patience, and a listening ear. That's all I could give you, Seokmin."

"Someone's little is too much for someone else." Seokmin looked up at the older, pausing as he stared deep into his eyes, "You've unknowingly done a lot for me, hyung. I don't even know how to pay you back."

Joshua's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink at the intensity of Seokmin's gaze. He hadn't realized he had affected the younger so deeply, and the realization stirred something within him, a mixture of embarrassment and oddly, contentment.

"You don't need to pay me back, Seokmin," he said, his voice a tad shaky. "Just... just knowing that I've helped in some way, that's more than enough. Really."

Seokmin reached out to hold the older's palm, "We'll forever be there for each other, right? Friends, hyung?"

Joshua's heart skipped a beat as Seokmin's hand enveloped his own. The touch was gentle, yet electric, sending soft, tingly shivers down his spine.

"Of course," he replied, his voice a little breathier than usual. "Friends. Always." He swallowed, a smile growing on his lips. "I... I'm here for you, always."

"Thank you so much." Seokmin chuckled.

"Don't mention it," Joshua said, his voice warm with sincerity. He held Seokmin's gaze, a soft smile still lingering on his lips.