LOVE BITES -Jeongcheol

21

Last night~

The night had settled softly over the town, blanketing the streets in a gentle hush. A faint breeze rustled the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, while streetlights flickered above them, casting pools of golden light onto the pavement.

Seokmin walked just a step ahead, his hand brushing against Joshua's in a quiet, tentative rhythm before finally giving in and lacing their fingers together. The coolness of Joshua's touch still startled him sometimes, but it had become a familiar kind of contrast—steadying, like the calm of twilight.

"This reminds me of when we used to sneak out," Seokmin said, glancing sideways at Joshua, his voice light but tinged with nostalgia. A soft smile played at the corners of his lips, one that deepened when Joshua's thumb lightly traced the edge of his hand. "You, always insisting it was my terrible idea, and me, pretending not to care when you brought snacks for the walk."

Joshua chuckled, his laugh quiet but warm enough to fill the space between them. "Because it was your terrible idea. You always dragged me out when I had better things to do—"

"Like what? Reading dusty old books?" Seokmin teased, leaning closer, his shoulder brushing Joshua's.

"Exactly. And yet," Joshua said, tilting his head with a knowing smile, "I still packed those snacks. You're lucky I didn't let you starve on those midnight adventures."

"Admit it, you loved it," Seokmin grinned, squeezing his hand playfully. "The thrill of sneaking around, the late-night walks, the way you'd always find the best spot to watch the stars."

Joshua's gaze softened, "Maybe I did," he admitted, his voice dropping to something quieter, something almost vulnerable. "But not because of the stars."

Seokmin stopped walking, his breath catching in his chest. Joshua turned to face him, their hands still intertwined, the world around them melting into the background.

"You always made everything brighter," Joshua said softly, "Even now, you still do."

For a moment, Seokmin couldn't find words, his throat tightening with something that felt too big for language. So instead, he stepped closer, their foreheads almost touching as he whispered, "I think you're giving me too much credit."

"Never," Joshua replied with quiet certainty, his smile gentle but unwavering.

The world around them seemed to pause, the distant hum of the night fading into silence as they stood there, holding onto each other. It felt like a memory and a promise all at once—a moment that belonged only to them.

Finally, Seokmin broke the stillness with a laugh, tugging Joshua forward. "Come on, you're not getting out of this walk just because you're being sweet."

They strolled under the soft glow of streetlights. Seokmin swung their joined hands gently, his thumb absently tracing circles against Joshua's palm. It was a small habit he'd picked up over the years, one that Joshua found both endearing and soothing.

"You know," Seokmin started, his voice light, "sometimes I still forget we don't have to hide anymore. I catch myself glancing over my shoulder like we're going to get caught."

Joshua chuckled, a low, warm sound that made Seokmin's chest feel lighter. "Old habits die hard, I guess. Remember that time you hid me in a storage closet because someone walked into the library?"

Seokmin groaned, laughing as he brought their clasped hands up to cover his face. "Don't remind me. I thought my heart was going to stop when they started looking around."