i'm your a to z | jihancheol

cheol's dilemma

chapter 31

Another week had passed and Seungcheol had stopped wondering when his parents were returning. It wouldn't be the first time they'd left for a long time without telling their children and honestly, their youngest son couldn't care less. He still received his father's pay (without him knowing, of course) and he wouldn't have to deal with their constant pestering.

Besides, the longer they were gone, the longer Joshua and Jeonghan could stay. In the few weeks he'd been with them, he may have grown soft for them -not that he'd let it show just yet and yes, he did sometimes get annoyed at Jeonghan's antics but the boys helped him calm down easier. He occasionally wondered what would've happened if he hadn't been kicked out of the gang; maybe it was more of a blessing disguised as an inconvenience rather than a curse.

Ignoring the fact he'd gotten stabbed and had the gang hate him, of course.

Even though he missed his old lifestyle every once in a while, he did realize it was time to take a different and more socially accepted approach to life. Becoming a police officer is the first step.

"What are you so deep in thought about?" Joshua asked and sat down beside him on the sofa.

"Nothing," he quickly answered, not knowing where to start.

"Oh, I knew it," the American replied and leaned back. "I knew you couldn't think."

"You ass!" Seungcheol exclaimed and hit the younger man's shoulder. "I hate you so much."

The other only laughed at the response he'd gotten and poked the Korean's cheek.

"Your cheeks are very squishy," he randomly commented. "Like a baby's!"

Seungcheol coughed at the comment and stared at the male in front of him in amazement. Did he really compare a past gang leader to... that? Joshua feared nothing.

"What did you call me?"

"A baby," he repeated and Seungcheol could've sworn he saw the corner of the other's lips tug upwards for a split second. "Cheollie baby!"

If the human mind could short-circuit, that's what Seungcheol's did just then. He knew there was no intention behind it but he couldn't help but feel fuzzy at the name. He knew it was only to bother him, now realizing Joshua was secretly evil, but he couldn't help but hope in the slightest it meant something else. He tried to distract himself from the thought, telling him it was just the result of not having any affection for a bit, nothing more.

"Awe you're blushing," Joshua teased and the elder hadn't even noticed. "Adorable baby, you liked it, didn't you?"

Seungcheol let out a quiet whine-he fucking whined-and hid his face behind his hands. He wanted to disappear in embarrassment. More importantly, he wanted the fuzzy feeling to disappear. Although at the same time, it felt nice. He swore if Joshua said one more word, he'd combust.

He wasn't completely unfamiliar to the feeling, it had happened once before with an ex-friend-with-benefits. He was the only person Seungcheol had visibly been soft for.

"Don't hide your pretty face," the American cooed and Seungcheol's hands almost removed from his face by themselves. "Be a good darling and take your hands away. Look at me, yeah?"

Fuck, did Joshua have a way with words...

Seungcheol's hands had uncovered his face and were now in fists on his lap. He looked up with a small pout at the American, who surprisingly wasn't laughing but instead smiling sweetly.

"You listen so well, what a good baby," he muttered and caressed the elder's cheek. "So the big bad gang leader really is secretly soft for me, hm?"

Before Seungcheol could deny the truth, he felt a quick peck against his forehead, making him go even more soft. Maybe affection really was nice if it was from Joshua.

He would've asked for more had it not been for Jeonghan running down the steps screaming Joshua's nickname. Seungcheol would admit, he was annoyed yet thankful before he could fall deeper into the feeling.

A few hours later, Seungcheol was lying in bed spinning his handcuffs, still thinking about the moment with Joshua. Did the boy know about the effect he had on him? He probably did, why else did he continue?

Oh god, Seungcheol fucking whined in front of another person. Like a goddamn dog. Oh god, he was never going to let himself live it down.

As he was groaning, he heard the door creak open. He only groaned louder, not really wanting to see anyone at the moment. He was also nervous to see Joshua; what if he made fun of him for what had happened?

"Hey," the voice of the exact person he'd been thinking of called. Of course, it was him. Jeonghan wasn't as comfortable with Seungcheol unless he was called. "Can I come in?"

No, please don't.

"Of course," his lips moved by themselves. Alright, maybe he did want to see the American but not really at the same time.

Seungcheol sat up putting the handcuffs into the nightstand drawer and scooted over on the bed for the younger to sit.

"What's up?" the older man asked.

"So two things. For one, about earlier," he began. Are you serious right now? "I wanted to apologize."

"What for?" he asked, confused.

"You're probably mad and I get that, I shouldn't have like... done that," he sighed out. "I should've thought if it made you uncomfortable or something, it's just in the moment-"

"I'm not mad," Seungcheol interrupted. "Nor did it make me uncomfortable, I would've told you to stop if it did."

The other man didn't respond, only staring for a moment.

"Are you sure?" he finally broke his silence.

"Of course."

"Like really sure, not even in the slightest?" he continued to ask, beginning to sound anxious as he spoke.

"Joshua, I said not in the slightest," he clarified and cleared his throat and in a quiet mumble, added, "I may have liked it."

The American opened his mouth as if to speak but not a word came out, only to be replaced with a smile as he nodded to return the feeling. Seungcheol felt relieved, at least things weren't going to be awkward after.

"Anyways, you said you had two things to say?" the Korean recalled, curious to what the second was as he began to play with his own fingers, needing to keep them occupied for the time being.

"Oh yes uh," he began nervously, making the other more and more curious by every hesitation. "I've tried hiding it for a bit but it's time I stop being a coward and say it. and you don't have to reply, I just wanted you to know, alright?"

Joshua took in a deep breath as he clenched his fists and looked into the older man's eyes. Seungcheol couldn't have been prepared for what he said next no matter what.

"So I like you and Jeonghan."

a/n: not apologizing for the cliffhanger but can y'all tell who I think doms in cheolsoo,,,,,,,,,

anyways cheolsoo chapter while listening to jihan's song I think yes