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Joshua enjoyed the company of the other for several hours as they talked about their lives. The two got to know more of each other until the sun finally decided to set. Orange, yellow, and pink hues enveloped the sky above them, the two couldn't help but admire the scenery. Seokmin invited Joshua to a ramen house, not too far away from the Han river. As they soon sat down and ate hot bowls of spicy ramen, they could still find a glimpse of the river's glittering water through the crystal clear windows.
"I would love to chat with you more," Seokmin starts. "But I'm needed by the others today."
"Others?"
Seokmin nods. "I'm not the only kitsune you know, we have a job to protect places at night. I-I'm sorry, I do want to hang out with you more."
Joshua smiles at the younger. "It's okay! I'm glad that you helped me today. I'm supposed to drink my medicine after meals right?"
"Ah, about that," Seokmin says, but before he could even finish, Joshua already swallowed a colorful pill. "Your body is completely foreign to magical medicine, so you'll get sick for about a day."
Joshua suddenly gulped.
"Don't worry, it's nothing very serious. It'll give you a fever." Seokmin pats the other's head yet again. "Besides, you have someone to take care of you, right? Your parents perhaps?"
"I'm alone, actually." Joshua's tone changed.
His parents are divorced ever since he was an elementary student. The boy is tired of hearing screams due to arguments as he would occasionally get hurt in some instances. After the divorce, the loud screams were soon replaced with immensely cold silence. His mom worked terribly late, and would go home at either dawn or midnight. The house always felt empty to him, his mother was too tired to talk or interact with him. The poor boy slowly got used to being alone at such a young age.
Those were the times he felt as if he didn't see any color in life. That was until he saved an angel-like boy falling from a tree on a fresh autumn day.
"I'm sorry! I guess I touched a topic I shouldn't have." Seokmin facepalmed himself. "How about your friends? Can you invite them over?"
"I c-can't, they're practicing for a performance." Joshua sighs. "It's okay I can handle myself-"
That was when Joshua felt a staggering pain in his stomach yet again.
"The medicine won't make you vomit flowers for a day!" Seokmin says. "The fever will kick in real soon, but it's accompanied with stomachaches okay? Let's get you home quick!"
Soon, the two were walking towards the sick boy's home. The sky was now tinted with a dark blue color, as streetlights illuminated the streets. They were walking at a rather slow pace, since Joshua's body started to weaken. He started to heat up, the pain in his stomach worsening by the second.
"Joshua?" A familiar voice called out. "W-what happened?!"
Joshua lifted up his head and was shocked by what he saw. "J-jeonghan? What are y-you doing here?"
"You don't look so well, stupid!" Jeonghan blurted out, gaining widened eyes from Seungcheol who was beside him. "I was about to take Seungcheol to the new cafe around the block. I-Is this your new friend?" Jeonghan pointed to Seokmin.
"I'm Lee Seokmin, nice to meet you." He responded then glanced at Joshua. "Will your friends come?"
"They're not answering. I'm okay, you have important stuff to do." Joshua smiled weakly. "I can be on my-"
Before Joshua could even speak, Jeonghan proceeded to walk towards him, planting his hand on the boy's forehead. "You have a pretty bad fever, you're steaming hot." He glanced back to Seungcheol, who was smiling despite the fact that Jeonghan let go of his hand for Joshua. "Can we continue the date tomorrow? Joshua's mom comes home late."
Seungcheol somehow let out a defeated smile yet again and nodded to the other, proceeding to go home right after. Seokmin who was eyeing Joshua, tried to stifle a laugh since the boy looked more worried than sick. Jeonghan took the keys from Joshua and opened the door, coming in first while leaving the two outside to talk.
"Seokmin this is bad."
"I know, I know," Seokmin patted Joshua's head cutely. "Just go with it for now I guess? You won't be vomiting flowers anyway. Just for tonight and tomorrow."
Joshua nodded and thanked the other, waving his hand while Seokmin slowly took steps away from him. He checked if Seokmin knew the way out of the block, before proceeding to enter the house.
Seokmin who stopped by a corner, dialed a number.
"Wonwoo hyung! Can I ask for a favor?"
"Seokmin-ah, we're waiting!"
"I know, just listen. I need your ability right now."
"Which one?"
"The one where you can see red strings of people. I need you to check my client's strings."
Joshua didn't hate nor like the situation he was in. Heck, Jeonghan already knows what he feels. The boy didn't know why his best friend ditched Seungcheol just to take care of his sick ass. It was their anniversary after all.
"Earth to Joshua?" Jeonghan playfully waves his hand in front of the other. "You should lay down on the be-"
"I'm sorry, I know you had an important date today."
Jeonghan flashed his angel-like smile, a look that made Joshua fell in love with him in the first place. He then trapped Joshua in a hug and stroked the sick boy's hair in the process. "But you're more important! I can adjust the date anytime, I wouldn't want you dying alone." He then laughed.
With that, Joshua's heart started to race again.
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a/n: oooohhh i just low-key spoiled what the meanie fic would be about uwu ^^ i hope you guys like this fic, btw I'm excited for svt's comeback!! aaaa that small jihan moment in yesterday's teaser ;;
