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Confidence.
It’s not something Seokmin was without. Take him to karaoke and he will confidently outsing every person in the room, easily make people look at him in admiration.
Or when an awkward silence occurs, Seokmin was never afraid to step up and dissolve the tension by being funny or coming up with a good idea.
Or cooking! He was damn good at cooking and was getting better and better with every dish.
He had plenty of confidence.
Yet there are days where he hates his own reflection.
(Don’t get him wrong. Seokmin knows he is conventionally good looking. Knows he has an attractive smile and adorable eyes. He knows this, but doesn’t always feel it.)
Standing before the mirror, assessing his outfit and the light make up, he suddenly feels lacking.
Plain.
Nothing special.
Just Lee Seokmin, nurse.
Even the make up couldn’t hide the dark circles from years of long shifts and emotionally taxing work.
What was he thinking, saying yes to a date with a man who always looks like he had just stepped off a runway.
Too plain. Too boring. Not worthy enough to stand beside such a gorgeous man.
“Damn, you look amazing.”
Arms wound around his waist, the words spoken softly by his ear.
Seokmin tensed for a moment, before relaxing into the arms and meeting the almond shaped eyes in the mirror.
Yoon Jeonghan, room-mate, co-worker, and best friend.
Always good looking. Even his constant tired eyes and dark circles fit him, just made him look more mysterious and interesting.
Envy is the ugliest of looks, but sometimes Seokmin thinks of how much easier life would be if he had Jeonghan’s beauty.
Shaking the nasty thought away, Seokmin fiddled a little with the bottom of his soft, pastel pink sweater.
“It’s not too casual?”
His date had said to dress casual, but Seokmin had a different idea on casual than most. (Seungkwan once said that both Jeonghan and Seokmin dress like truckers. Not that Seungkwan was one to talk)
“Super cute!” Jeonghan’s voice was warm, supportive. His eyes held nothing but affection. “You look pretty, Seokmin-ah.”
The compliment caused a pleasant heat to spread through his chest. Jeonghan was playful, cunning, and liked to create chaos, but his compliments were always genuine and spoken with love.
“And the make up? Does it look good?”
Jeonghan sighed, but there was a kind smile on his thin lips. “Seokminnie, you could be arriving home from a gruelling twelve hour day shift while wearing a trash bag and I would still think you look gorgeous.”
This caused Seokmin to laugh, a slight giggle, but enough to make him feel more relaxed. “You’re too biased.” He turned around, hugging his best friend close, arms tightly wrapped around the lithe frame. “Thank you.”
Jeonghan was hugging just as firmly, sighing in contentment. “Always.” He was the one to break it, looking at Seokmin with a wide grin. “Have fun with Mingi.” He even leaned over to press a short, friendly peck on one cheek.
“Mingyu.”
“That’s what I said.”
He resisted an eye-roll. “Don’t wait up!”
At this his best friend grinned even wider. “Whore.”
Seokmin left the apartment with a soft smile and head raised high, ready for a date with the sexy new paramedic he had been eyeing for weeks.