The Deal * Seokmin x Joshua

Twenty two

"Tell us everything," Suengkwan said as they dragged Seokmin away from the cafe. "Well, you know, after I confessed to Soonyoung and he rejected me, I was just so defeated." Seokmin rubbed at his forehead as they walked across the grass to find a spot to sit. "I mean, who would want me right? Dorky, loud, annoying...." Seokmin plonked heavily onto the grass and his friends sat either side.

"Okay so I slept at Joshua's apartment that night and the next morning was just so nice, we have so much in common, and we were just hanging out and stuff. And he had the idea to pretend to be a couple. He could make Jeonghan jealous and I could show everyone that I could get a boyfriend. That I wasn't just some loser who was going to be single forever."

Hansol sighed and Seungkwan threw an arm around Seokmin's shoulder as they made sad eyes at each other behind his back. "You aren't some loser going to be single forever.." Hansol said and Seokmin interrupted him. "Fuck off Hansol. That's exactly who i am. Or who I was before I met Joshua hyung anyway." He leaned into Seungkwans hug and sniffed back a tear threatening to escape out of his nose.

"Now, I feel like I can be somebody, someone important. Like I can be interesting and brave and strong. And it's all because of him. And..." Seokmin trailed off while he thought about what to say but he decided to just come out with it. "And we kissed. And I fell in love with him. And then we had sex and decided to extend the deal and I want it to be real and he just wants Jeonghan."

"You had sex?" Seungkwan shrieked loudly and a few people turned to look at them. "First of all shush. Second of all yes. We did. And I know I shouldn't have but I wanted him to be my first." Seokmin ran hands through his hair and Seungkwan scowled at him. "How stupid can you be? Seokmin, you need to end this, you're going to get hurt." Seokmin shook his head. "No I won't. I'm just going to have to stay realistic. I know it's not me in his heart." He lay back on the grass and stared at the blue sky. A few clouds were rolling lazily across the azure barely marring its sunlit perfection and he blinked at the brightness. "Who knows? Maybe Jeonghan will break his heart and I can be there for him, you know, catch him when he falls." Hansol snorted. "Well knowing Jeonghan that's fully fucking likely. He's as shallow and fickle as they come."

"You're just going to get hurt," Seungkwan grumbled as he lay down beside the other two. "You know what?" Seokmin said as he sat up so he could look down on the other two. "Maybe it will be worth it. Maybe another three months with him will be worth the heartbreak."

He heard a voice call out to him and he turned at the familiar sound. "Hey!" He waved when he saw Joshua walking across the grass and jumped up to his feet. Joshua sped up into a light jog when he saw the boy smiling at him and when he reached him he wrapped him in a huge hug. "I thought you were avoiding me," Seokmin whispered into the skin of Joshua's neck making the man squeeze him tighter. "Never," he said as his fingers scrambled to find any little thread or strand of Seokmin's hair. "I've just had a lot on my mind." Seokmin nodded his agreement. He'd had a lot on his mind too.

Seungkwan rolled his eyes as he watched them. He loved Seokmin like a brother and he was already bitterly disappointed about having to pick up his pieces when this all fell apart. He watched them snuggle close and whisper to each other like a pair of lovesick teenagers. Which, technically Seokmin was since he was only nineteen, but it didn't make it any less gross. Seungkwan watched Seokmin's hands wandering up Joshua's back, Joshua's fingers gently pulling at the maroon strands of hair loose on Seokmin's nape, then averted his eyes when their lips locked in a slow and hungry kiss. Seemingly unbothered by anyone watching, the two clung to each other and kissed until they were breathless, finally pulling apart with stars in their eyes and smiles on their lips.

And while Seungkwan averted his gaze Hansol stared with fascination. He'd never seen two people so smitten with each other and he watched them hold on tight even after their kiss had broken apart. It was like they were both afraid to let go of the other. It seemed to real to be fake to him. He'd never seen two people look so in love.

"I hope you guys don't mind but I'm stealing him away," Joshua said brightly to Seungkwan and Hansol and Seokmin giggled as Joshua's arms began to steer him away and towards his apartment. "What time is your audition?" He asked as he linked their hands together. "4:30pm," Seokmin replied. "I'm coming to watch so let's go hang out and then I'll walk you," Joshua said and they made their way across the grass in a relaxed silence.

Seokmin had been so worried Joshua had been avoiding him and decided he would prod him a little more later about what had had him in such a funk. Later though. Right now he was content to back in Joshua's warm affection as they quickly made their way to the older's apartment building.

Seokmin settled himself on the couch and started up Netflix while Joshua made coffee. The smell immediately made Seokmin smile as he snuggled down on the plush couch. This was as good as heaven to him and only got better when Joshua joined him and put two steaming mugs down on the coffee table. "I know I should have got you some herbal tea or something..." Joshua said but Seokmin shrugged it off. "How did it go today with Jeonghan?" Joshua shrugged noncommittally. He had no idea Seokmin had seen them hugging so the younger  guessed he was just keeping it to himself. "How is Soonyoung today?" Joshua countered as Seokmin leaned over and grabbed his coffee. "I think we're better as friends hyung," Seokmin said and Joshua choked on his coffee a little. "You don't like him anymore?" "Nope," Seokmin was a little sheepish. "I guess I just had a crush on the idea of him. Now I know him I've realised we're a match made in heaven as friends but would be a nightmare as a couple."

Joshua tried to hide his joy. Seokmin losing interest in Soonyoung was the best thing that he'd heard since they started up this deal. He sighed softly with relief and tossed an arm across the back of the couch before inching it closer to Seokmin's shoulder. "Do you want to stay over? I thought after your audition we could walk back here and I'll make you a celebratory dinner and then it'll be too late to walk home..." Joshua knew he was pushing his luck but to his delight Seokmin turned to him with a bright smile.

"I'd love that," he said eagerly before frowning. "Oh, but my stuff..." "We can go back to your dorm and get some stuff." Joshua was quick to find the solution and his hand moved to Seokmin's shoulder and pulled him close.

It was time to start really playing to win. It was time to make Seokmin his.