SECRET EMBRACE | Jeonghan X Joshua | JiHan

SIXTEEN

Jeonghan

Jeonghan exhaled sharply, forcing himself to look away from Joshua.

This was ridiculous.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Shaking his head, he unlocked his phone, flopping onto the couch and sprawling out comfortably, one arm resting over his stomach as he propped the phone up with the other. Focus on something else.

Ignoring whatever intrusive thoughts had crept into his mind, he tapped open their physics group chat. A flood of messages filled the screen, most of them from Jaemin and Hyunwoo, who had already sent in their research.

Jaejae.min:
Just finished my part! Check the doc

Hyunwo_O:
Same
I added some visuals too
Let me know if anything needs changing

Jeonghan opened the document briefly, scanning through their work with practiced ease.

Their research was solid-clean, well-structured, to the point. Nothing to complain about. He tossed a quick reply.

yoonjhan_n:
Gr8
As expected

Then, without a second thought, he exited the chat and swiped over to his gallery, scrolling through the endless stream of photos until he found what he was looking for-a picture of Chan, had sent him, a few months ago.

The younger boy was grinning wide in the photo, cheeks slightly puffed from the drink he was sipping, eyes shining with mischief. Jeonghan felt something warm settle in his chest as he stared at the picture. His one and only baby brother.

Tapping into Instagram, he quickly uploaded the photo to his story, adding a simple caption:

"Happy Birthday to my forever baby 💕 Don't grow up too fast, yeah?"

Satisfied, he locked his phone and tossed it onto the couch beside him, letting his head fall back against the cushions.

But even with his eyes closed, even as he tried to focus on anything but the thoughts that had momentarily clouded his mind, there was still an image burned into his brain.

Joshua.

The sharp angles of his face, the way his shirt fit just right, the curve of his waist-FUCK, Stop. Stop. Stop.

Jeonghan scowled at the ceiling. This is dangerous.

Joshua wasn't even his friend. He wasn't someone Jeonghan had ever considered liking. They were in bad terms all the time, constantly pushing and pulling, never truly getting along.

This thing between them-it was nothing.

Just a partnership for a stupid physics presentation.

That's all.

And Jeonghan was going to make damn sure it stayed that way.

---

Joshua

The soft clinking of chopsticks and the gentle bubbling of broth filled the quiet apartment as Joshua moved around the kitchen. The aroma of freshly cooked ramen curled through the air, rich and inviting.

He had just finished plating their meal, setting two steaming bowls on the table along with two glasses of water.

With a satisfied sigh, he wiped his hands on a kitchen towel and turned around, instinctively glancing toward Jeonghan.