Chapter Text
Joshua sighed as he slumped against the mirror of the practice room. Having joined the company slightly later than the rest of the trainees, he struggled with keeping up with choreography and practice - everyone else just seemed so much better than him. But he had made the sacrifice. He knows - no, he chose to miss the college entrance exams back in the States for this. His dream. His future. He cannot let anyone down, his family, his grandma, or himself.
Taking another sigh while looking down, he feels another presence sitting down beside him.
Yoon Jeonghan.
A fellow trainee his age, who has been recently picking on him.
Joshua thinks Jeonghan is a fun person, and so is him. If he’s comfortable with you, he will even play tricks on you. But Jeonghan has been slightly getting on his nerves - Joshua doesn’t know why this kid just wouldn’t leave him alone. From tricking him that he was eating seagull meat (causing Joshua to lose his appetite for the entire dinner, before googling and realizing it was not actual seagull), to poking him whenever he does a choreography which makes them stand together. Usually Joshua just shrugs it off, glaring at the other while Jeonghan just gleefully grins and chortles at Joshua’s misfortune.
Today, though, Joshua doesn’t think he has the mood to entertain Jeonghan, after suffering from a terrible day at practice.
What he doesn’t expect is a redbean bun dropping on his lap.
“What?” Joshua starts before Jeonghan continues, gaze fixed on the floor in front of them. “I bought extra.”
Joshua nods slowly, thanking Jeonghan softly - he had skipped dinner while the rest of the trainees went to grab instant noodles. He wanted to practice more, but he just didn’t seem to get the steps right.
As silence befalls the duo, another trainee steps in, as Joshua feels Jeonghan stiffen slightly next to him.
Looking up, Joshua breaks into a bright smile, “Mingyu!”
Kim Mingyu - he was younger than Joshua but he was tall, reliable, funny and handsome, even. Joshua can’t deny that he had developed a mini, really mini slightly, adoration for the other, because unlike a certain Jeonghan, Mingyu always treated him with kindness and gentleness.
“Hyung! You didn’t eat dinner, so I grabbed a bun for you--” Mingyu breaks into a toothy grin before he sees the bun on Joshua’s lap as well.
“It’s okay Mingyu, Jeonghan had extra so he passed it to me.” Joshua stands up, a hand grabbing onto Jeonghan’s bun. “Keep it for yourself Gyu!” Joshua beams as Mingyu came forward to ruffle Joshua’s hair lightly.
Joshua always liked having pats on his head and Mingyu gave the best ones.
Before Joshua could react with a slight blush, he feels a hand coming from behind him to squeeze his ass. “Yeah, Gyu, you’re still a growing little boy, you need to bulk up and eat, you’re tiny.”
Joshua groans at Jeonghan’s snarky comments, “Yoon, he’s a head taller than you and he’s gonna grow even taller.”
Jeonghan merely smiles, patting his bum again, “Exactly, gonna grow, he’s just a child Jisoo.”
Joshua furrows his eyebrow at how Jeonghan uses his real name. And at how his hand has trailed onto his waist.
Shrugging it off, Joshua gazes back at Mingyu, “For buying me bread, I’ll treat you to drinks! Hyung’s treat!”
This just warranted a loud groan from Jeonghan, “Yah, I bought it for you too, don’t I get a drink?”
Joshua sighs again, retorting that Jeonghan just gave his unwanted extra to him before Mingyu takes him by the arm, linking theirs together. “Jeonghan hyung, you have spent enough time with Shua Hyung, it’s my turn!!”
Awww, he’s such a puppy.
Joshua smiles brightly again as he lets Mingyu drag him out of the room, before Mingyu laughs gingerly, “Shua Hyung, Jeonghan Hyung’s too obvious.”
Joshua tilts his head at that, but before he could ask Mingyu what he meant, he feels himself getting dizzy, weak in his knees before he fell to the ground, blackness surrounding him.
When Joshua woke up, he found himself in satin bedsheets.
Wait, where am I--
Joshua stretched his limbs and he felt… somehow longer? He was also in silk pajamas and lying on a king-sized bed. He really does not remember having such posh quality pajamas; he has been wearing his Power Rangers cotton pajamas forever, nor owning such a large bed at the dorm.
Am I dreaming--
But before he could make sense of the situation, he sees another male walking towards him, also wearing silk pajamas but just the pants. Said male was shirtless and ripped. Joshua’s mouth opened slightly at how he’s now perhaps having a wet dream before the male started speaking, “Baby, you gotta wake up for our schedule now. We have vocal practice with Woozi today.”
Who--
What--
Joshua furrowed his eyebrows and perched himself up the bed, thinking why was this dream so elaborate that he dreamt himself a boyfriend (?) up. He really must be getting too lonely huh--
“Baby? Sweetcheeks? Are you okay?” The male said before Joshua peered at him further.
Wait… wait why does he look so…
“Yoon Jeonghan?” Joshua asked incredulously. He was definitely older in his dream, his features more pronounced and taller - he also looked more mature and Joshua really has got to stop his eyes from wandering the other man’s naked chest.
“Yeah, forgotten your husband’s name babe?” The male-- no, Jeonghan let out a playful smirk.
No, no no no no, no, dream you gotta stop right now, it’s a nightmare it’s--
What Joshua did not expect was Jeonghan sitting very closely on the bed next to him, tone suddenly soft and gentle, with a hand coming up to caress his cheek, “Babe you okay? You seem a little… off today.”
Joshua swallowed as Jeonghan’s palm touched his forehead gently, another hand coming to rest around his waist. “Oh shit, baby, you’re burning up. I will tell Jihoon to cancel your practice, you rest right here okay?” Jeonghan mini panicked and Joshua swears this dream is just getting weirder.
First, he recognises the name Jihoon, another trainee, whose apparently also called Woozi now.
And second, this Jeonghan is way too gentle to him. He’s definitely not the teasing boy he knows.
Jeonghan leans in to press a kiss on his forehead (causing Joshua to flush, hey no one has ever done this to him before alright?) and quickly tucks him back into bed. “Love, get some rest, you look very dazed… I’m worried but I need to go for prac, I will be fast okay? 1 hour tops, I will ask our manager to drop by for some medicine and hot soup for you, how about that?” Jeonghan’s sweet, soothing voice echoed in the bedroom.
Waiting for an answer, Jeonghan looked increasingly worried and so Joshua quickly nods. Jeonghan offers him a soft smile and turns back to place a chaste kiss on Joshua’s cheek. “Love you, see you.” Jeonghan whispers before leaving the room.
Okay, what, was that.
Joshua started pinching himself only to let out a yelp - wait, why do I feel pain? Wait…
Joshua got out of the little blanket fort Jeonghan had prepared for him and ran to the vanity table in the room, looking into the mirror. What stared right back at him was a reflection of himself, more mature just like Jeonghan and he had platinum blonde hair.
Did… Did I travel forward in time?!
Joshua sees a laptop on the desk and opens it just so he could perhaps search for some answers.
Alas, the laptop had a password and Joshua tried the current password he always uses - his own birthday (yes, that’s very weak cybersecurity Hong) but it didn’t manage to go through.
Could this be Jeonghan’s laptop?
Luckily, Joshua remembers the other’s birthday because it is also known as “Angel’s Day” and Joshua always laughed at the irony.
100495! In!
Joshua giddily pats himself on the back for being a hacker only to see that this laptop’s username was “Joshua Hong”. It’s my laptop…?
Before Joshua could dive into why the hell did he put Jeonghan’s birthday as his passcode, he had more important things to do at this moment. And that is to check the exact date it was: January 2021.
What the fuck-- how far into the future did I travel to?!
Joshua also proceeded to google his own name and find out where and what is going on - how he has managed to afford these silk pajamas and the big ass bed (He will also google “How to travel back in time I’m from the past” later please give him some time to process this).
And as his Wikipedia page says, apparently it seems that he did debut in Pledis! He was in a group named Seventeen and they have been enjoying much commercial success. This made Joshua smile because whatever this was, regardless of whether it was just a dream (or nightmare) or really a glimpse into his future, it boosted his spirits up slightly. It will serve as an encouragement that this path he had chosen for himself, really might reap some achievements. Scrolling down, Joshua sees his fellow members of Seventeen - he spots a couple of names he recognises and grins to himself to see that some of these hardworking friends he had also made it.
Ah Mingyu! He made it too!
Oh and Jeonghan--
But something caught his eye next, [JOSHUA HONG]’s marital status: Married…?
Joshua immediately clicked onto the relatable tab and sees the headlines [FELLOW MEMBERS JOSHUA HONG AND YOON JEONGHAN ANNOUNCES MARRIAGE AFTER 4 YEARS OF DATING].
Joshua almost falls to the ground when he sees where this nightmare is going - no way did he end up getting married to Jeonghan - well Mingyu was also in the group and if Joshua had to choose, he would definitely have not chosen Mr You-Are-Eating-Seagull-Don’t-You-Have-A-Care-For-Birds Yoon.
As Joshua was still shocked from the information he received, he hears a “ding” and sees that a text message had came through - he picks up, he presumes his handphone, and reads:
9.15am <mingyu>
Hyung! I heard from Jeonghannie Hyung that you are unwell, get well soon Hyung :(
Joshua blinks as an idea popped up in his head. He started scrolling their text history, for more background information about their friendship (no he was not sneaking around, this was technically his chat with Mingyu - or older Joshua’s chat, at least)
A message caught his attention:
12.02am <mingyu>
Happy wedding anniversary Jeonghannie & Shua Hyung! I’ve said this so many times before, but I’m a happy loser. Those days when Hyung and I fought for your attention, and he eventually was crowned the winner of your heart - I’m thankful, and happy, because you’re the happiest with Jeonghannie Hyung. He’s really the best for you, and that’s all we want, love you Shua Hyung!
Joshua blinked at the message, and stopped scrolling; wait… Mingyu and Jeonghan fought for me--
And Jeonghan won--
Another beep rang as his phone received another message:
9.12am <hannie ♡>
Baby, I managed to finish quickly so I’m going to pop back soon with food and medicine for you~ I’m gonna get some tofu stew for you okay? Yes, yes I know you prefer seafood but it’s best if you have tofu for now, see you babe!
Joshua paused, thinking about what Mingyu’s message said, is Jeonghan really the best for him?
This Jeonghan was kind to him, gentle and very caring.
Was this a sign sent to him in this dream? To pay more attention to Yoon Jeonghan?
Joshua bit his lips before Jeonghan sent another text again,
9.14am <hannie ♡>
B? You okay?
9.15am <hannie ♡>
Love?
Joshua quickly texts back in case the other gets even more worried.
9.15am <shua ♡>
I’m okay, thank you and see you soon hannie^^
Joshua is sitting around and surfing Youtube for SEVENTEEN music videos (he is extremely impressed with his futuregroup’s performances, even if this may have just been a dream) when he hears the door unlock.
Ah, he’s back.
Joshua blushes slightly because he doesn’t know how to react now that his dream husband is home (husband in his dream, not the husband he’s been dreaming for okay?).
“Shua babe~ I’m home, are you feeling better?” Jeonghan’s angelic voice rang out; Joshua thinks this is world’s apart from the Jeonghan he knows.
“I am, thank you, hannie~” Joshua tries to act as normal as how adult Joshua would act, beaming softly at his husband.
“Thank goodness, I was worried sick, lucky Jihoon let me off early to come back to you, he saw that I couldn’t focus anyway.” Jeonghan sits down next to Joshua, gently caressing his hair, another hand resting on Joshua’s lap lightly.
Joshua also feels spoiled when Jeonghan starts plating the tofu stew for him, insisting to feed him because the sick must receive Doctor Yoon’s daily prescription of TLC.
Opening his mouth and accepting each bite, Joshua’s cheeks just turned redder and redder as he basks in the attention Jeonghan is pouring onto him. He couldn’t help but ask, “Jeonghan, why are you… so gentle to me, when you were always teasing me when we were younger?”
This question must have taken Jeonghan by shock because he paused the cute aeroplane spoon feeding - Joshua then sees the tips of Jeonghan’s ears tint red, before he breaks into a toothy grin, “I guess, I was just pulling on your imaginary pigtails, wanting your attention when we were younger. I think, I had liked you the moment I joined Pledis. You were kind to the new trainees, and you were so hardworking, and brave. To have left home far away and come all the way here to achieve your dreams. Something about you, just made me instantly think, if I was doing this with you… That if we were achieving our dreams to be on stage together, it would be all okay.”
Joshua’s heart bloomed with warmth as he sees Jeonghan’s affectionate smile.
“And then, somehow as we grew up, I guess, I fell in love. Also, you can’t blame me… your reactions were always so cute whenever I pranked you. I knew you had a soft spot for Mingyu, that poor kid really suffered my playful wrath for abit, but I was confident I would win you anyway.” Jeonghan’s playful smirk returned, only to let Joshua (lightly) whack his chest.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Jeonghan continued “And I’m tsundere as you know very well, back when you caught me buying snacks or your favourite yogurt drink for you on purpose, when I always lied and said it was me accidentally buying extra-- So yeah, that’s why I kept teasing you."
Joshua blinked, his eyes widening after finding out that that red bean bun he was holding onto before he entered this dream, wasn’t just extra leftovers.
“I don’t do that anymore please, I just outrightly spoil you, right? You spoiled little thing.” Jeonghan leaned in closely to boop his nose against Joshua’s, causing Joshua to shift back slightly in surprise.
This only made Jeonghan smile endearingly, leaning forward to trap Joshua in between his frame. Holding his breath, Joshua closed his eyes tightly (he’s sure he is a tomato at this rate). He could feel the other’s presence and even take in his comforting scent (surprisingly, Jeonghan’s scent reminded him of home).
I-Isn’t this how kdramas go? Would he kiss me? M-My first kiss… with Yoon Jeonghan?
Joshua wasn’t sure why he wasn’t running away but instead, even pursed his lips, only for Jeonghan to burst out in chuckles. “Acting so coy and shy again huh Mr Hong Jisoo? You’re acting like the cute clueless deer back when we were 18 but I know you’re my little minx in bed~”
Joshua let out an eep at this Very Rated innuendo and shook his head fervently, “Stop it Yoon Jeonghan! You pervert!”
Pushing Jeonghan away, Joshua pouted a little, thinking to himself, he’s still the same infuriating boy, before he felt his cheeks being cupped by the other and a soft pair of lips pecked his lightly.
“Alright, alright, here’s your kiss from your favourite pervert. Now we’re even baby.” Jeonghan broke into his devilishly handsome signature smile, and Joshua swears his heart must have stopped beating and he had ascended somewhere because there goes his First Kiss.
With Jeonghan.
Jeonghan then patted his head and continued to feed him tofu stew until Joshua had a well-fed full belly, causing his food coma to set in.
Joshua sleepily rubs his eyes before Jeonghan picked him up swiftly, arms hooked below Joshua’s legs and back while Joshua hooks his arms around Jeonghan’s neck in surprise - he’s still not used to receiving such attention from Jeonghan.
But it seemed that Jeonghan was determined for Joshua to not even lift a limb up for the day as he tucked Joshua back into bed.
“Get more rest love, I’ll wake you up later for your medicine.” Jeonghan ruffled his hair and turned to leave the room before Joshua grabs at his hand, mumbling a soft thank you before sleep overpowered him.
Joshua thinks he hears a gentle you’re welcome, I love you Shua, before he drifts off to dreamland.
When Joshua wakes up, he feels around for the satin bedsheets but alas, all he felt was the rough practice room floor.
Jerking upwards, he sees Mingyu over him, worry etched on his face. He turns and sees Jeonghan also standing nearby, face expressionless but he also sees that the other was wrenching his hands tightly. Jeonghan’s habit when he is worried or nervous.
Joshua blinks slowly, trying to process whether all of that was just a dream, as he asks Mingyu how long it had been since he blacked out.
“Hyung!!! Are you feeling alright? You blacked out for 5 minutes or so; we were just about to bring you to the hospital or something. Hyung…” Mingyu fussed over him before Joshua sees Jeonghan rushing to his side as well, “Yah Hong Jisoo, you okay? Don’t skip meals next time, look what happened now.”
Hah, like dream Jeonghan, or older Jeonghan, or future Jeonghan said, what a tsundere.
Joshua rubbed his eyes and nodded, “Yeah, I’m okay, thank you Mingyu… It’s late, go back home, I’m okay.”
While Mingyu was not reassured at all, it was true that he had a curfew set by his family and that he needed to go home. After more pleadings from Joshua, and Jeonghan’s nod of I’ll take care of him, don’t worry, Mingyu finally went home, leaving the 2 boys alone together.
“I was serious.” Jeonghan started, causing Joshua who was picking up his bag to also return to the dorms, to stop in his tracks.
“Don’t skip meals next time. I was so-- We were so worried.” Jeonghan’s gaze strong on Joshua.
Joshua swallowed and nodded, as Jeonghan took Joshua’s bag from his hand, carrying it on his behalf. “I’ll walk you back to the dorm.”
Joshua knew Jeonghan’s direction was opposite from the dorm, but he knows that any refusal on his part was futile. The other was clearly not going to accept any reassurance from Joshua that he was okay. There were no pranks; or teasing; and Joshua thinks he much prefers a trickster Jeonghan than a silently upset one.
As the two walked back to the dorm, Joshua (tried to) secretly peep at the other, stealing quick glances but turning back, face red, whenever he sees Jeonghan catching him. That dream or whatever science-fi experiment which he just experienced, is making him see Jeonghan in a different light.
He sees Jeonghan’s high cheekbones, knowing that his features would grow even more defined when they grow up; he sees Jeonghan’s eyes, and wonders when it would shine like they were in the future whenever they were laid on him (they actually already do when Jeonghan steals glances back at him, but Joshua just never realised).
He couldn’t help it as his small voice rang out, “B-By the way, Jeonghan, thanks for the red bean bun. I… know you bought it for me.”
Jeonghan seemed to be caught in surprise before he mumbled, “Ah… a-about that--“
Joshua continued, “And for the yogurt drinks always. Thank you.”
Jeonghan stopped in his tracks and paused, “Wait, who told you… I bought them… ah damn it, was it our dance trainer? I knew coming in 5 minutes late always got his nerves but don’t worry, I would tell him it isn’t your fault that I’m late. I will just leave earlier next time to get it, since I know how much you like it--”
Jeonghan stopped himself, seemingly realizing that he had blabbered on too much.
Joshua lightly let out bubbles of laughter, shaking his head.
I guess… this Jeonghan isn’t that much different from mature, future Jeonghan huh…
Joshua just never saw it.
That all the teasing, all the “leftovers”, was just Jeonghan’s own way of pouring his heart out, for Joshua and Joshua only, to take.
His own little way of saying, please, let me be the reason you smile.
Joshua smiled softly, gaze fixed on the other, before he leaned in and kissed Jeonghan’s cheek gently.
“Good night Yoon. I’ll see you at prac tomorrow.” Joshua’s soft laughter rang out again before he continued walking, leaving a dumbfounded (and blushing) Jeonghan behind.
“W-Wait for me, Hong--”
Joshua hears Jeonghan running after him.
Smiling to himself, Joshua can’t wait. For the day he grows up.
Joshua feels Jeonghan catching up with him from behind, and he feels gentle fingers intertwining with his, hand squeezing his softly.
For the day they grow up,
Together.