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Chapter Text

Eres

Lo que más quiero en este mundo, eso eres

You are

What I want most in this world, that you are

Love blooms in his chest, the beautiful dahlia that he never expected to appear in him. But not for less expected, was not desired. He welcomed those feelings. With his beautiful voice in the morning, singing song lyrics with a name to dedicate them to.

The joy of the sun itself in its song, the heart longing.

Seokmin was in love.

And that feeling was a charm, which was moved by the simple thought of the person he loved.

Walking to school, every step and everything he saw, all the same colour.

Colored of Joshua and his eyes. From Joshua and his smile. From Joshua and the kindness of him. From Joshua and his beauty. From Joshua and all of him.

That happiness, already ingrained in him, took on a special intensity, just because his heart had found one more reason to exist.

Now all the poems made sense.

Entering the classroom, he sat down and smiled at his friends. Mingyu and Minghao sat in their respective places as well, close to him, giving their salute.

“I'd like to have your energy so early, I don't know how you do it to radiate so much just starting the day.”

Seokmin replied with a warm laugh. 

“I'm grateful that in this world there are people like you, who transmit so much joy to others that sometimes we don't have it.” Minghao stroked his hair.

“Looking handsome for Joshua hyung?” Mingyu moved his eyebrows up and down.

Seokmin nodded. He wasn't one of those people who denied what they felt, on the contrary, if he was happy he showed it. The same if he was sad, angry, scared... or in love. But in this case, he hadn't confessed his feelings, because he wanted to do it in a special way, and he was still preparing.

“Minnie, you’re too handsome even tousled,” said the youngest of the group.

“Thanks, you boost my morale.” He gave his friend a bright smile, who gave him a hug (Minghao treated Seokmin like his baby).

“Hey Hao, what about me?” Mingyu pointed to himself with a smirk.

The thin boy raised an eyebrow in response. Mingyu pouted.

“Yes Mingyu, you're the most attractive of our generation, because of all the high school it is Joshua.” Seokmin tried to cheer up his friend in his own way.

“Something is better than nothing…”

But Seokmin didn't understand why Mingyu asked Minghao those questions, when he had noticed the way the Chinese man's eyes looked at the tall boy, as if he were the most beautiful and special thing in this world.

Only he didn't realize it on his own, and Minghao preferred not to say anything.

Just like him with Joshua. Would the older notice the love in his eyes? In that unique smile that he only dedicated to him?

He couldn't be sure. But there was little left to know.

He was willing to risk everything.

For love is not lukewarm.

“Hey Min, will you go back to Joshua hyung after he gets out of work?”

“Of course.”

The noise from the class began to diminish, the teacher would be there soon.

“How are you doing with the guitar? Getting better?” 

Minghao took out his algebra notebook. Mingyu brazenly took out his own and began comparing responses, to which the younger one flicked him on the forehead. Seokmin laughed.

“Yes, I have practiced a lot and Joshua has helped me a lot.”

“If Joshua hyung knew what he's teaching you to play for…”

“He doesn't have to know yet.” Seokmin took out his notebook as well. At that moment the teacher entered and everyone was silent.

“Good luck, Seok.”

“Fighting, Minnie.”

His friends were a big part of what he loved about his day. He was happy to have them by his side.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Mi pensamiento más profundo también eres

My deepest thought, you also are

One look and Seokmin vowed to forget everything around him.

The way Joshua played the guitar, with his deft fingers, was one of his favorite things of the day. Admire closely, listen to his soft voice and tenderness.

That moment was worth more than anything material in the world.

Joshua lived in an apartment by himself. He worked in a cafeteria. He was two grades up from Seokmin, which made him a senior.

But Seokmin had known him for a long time and they were always good friends. He trusted the older one a lot and for Joshua, Seokmin was the closest person to him. Even more than his two close friends, Jeonghan and Seungcheol.

“Okay, now you show me the chord.”

The brown-haired smiled. Joshua was immediately infected and mimicked the gesture. They were in his room.

For Seokmin, all that inhabited the thought of him was Joshua.

He started playing guitar for him. The older was filled with adoration that Seokmin's instrument had a Toy Story Bullseye's sticker on it.

When he finished playing, Joshua applauded him. “You've improved a lot, Seok, I'm proud of you.”

The youngest spread his arms, with a big smile, waiting for a hug. And Joshua couldn't refuse. He agreed to embrace him.

The plain and simple contact made Seokmin sigh. So warm that he felt in the middle of a fire. Joshua inhaled the other's scent. To a masculine citrus fragrance.

They separated.

“I've practiced a lot, even though I'm not as good as you, I'm happy with the results.”

“That's my Seokmin. And I'm not that good, what are you talking about?” He waved his hand in embarrassment.

“Joshua is the best, Joshua is the best!” Seokmin stood up and spun around, repeating those words.

“No, no, leave that…” He stood up too and tried to stop the child, but he grabbed his wrists so that they both turned in circles together. Joshua just laughed.

The rusty afternoon sun, the golden sky with pink clouds; from the window, the world shining, and inside that room, the universe dancing.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Tan sólo dime lo que hago, aquí me tienes

Just tell me what you want me to do, here you have me

Sitting in the solitude of his room, with the guitar in his hands, practicing that song that his heart had already recorded as the language of his love.

He still had a little to go before he could play it perfectly, but he didn't miss a day of practice. And he didn't even have to worry about his voice, for it was well known that his talent in that regard was exceptional. Lee Seokmin had the voice of an angel.

He looked out, the music in his ears, his chest full of excitement at having the image of Joshua. With the expectation. That day was getting closer.

Chapter Text

Eres

Cuando despierto, lo primero, eso eres

You are

The first thing when I wake up, that you are

The morning brought with it a new day. And in his eyes, impregnated behind the eyelids, the image of the person whom his love dreamed of and longed to even just waking up.

As the priority of his heart, he smiled at the thought of him and got up in such high spirits that he almost came to school hopping instead of walking with easy steps.

Upon reaching the classroom, he found Mingyu alone, sitting, reading a book and passing some notes to his notebook.

“Ming! What are you doing so vehemently? Are you copying homework?”

The aforementioned jumped on his seat, so much so that his pen flew off.

“Hey! N-It's nothing like that.”

Seokmin bent down, picked up the pen, and handed it to his friend. He took a quick look at what Mingyu was transcribing in his notebook and read:

“Me voy a beber de tu boca

un shot de carcajadas,

para entender mejor cómo es que llevas a cuestas,

cada uno de tus tropiezos

y con orgullo

dices que así no se te olvida el camino.”

(I'm going to drink from your mouth

a shot of laughter,

to better understand how you carry yourself,

each of your stumbles

and with pride

you say that this way you don't forget the path.)

He couldn't read anymore because Mingyu closed the book, flustered and red-faced.

“Is that a poem ...?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” With clumsy hands, the taller one tried to put things in his backpack.

“Ming, you don't have to be ashamed of anything. For whom is it?” He patted his friend on the back, who looked at him with dark eyes shining and then flopped onto the pallet on his desk, hiding his red face in his arms.

Seokmin stroked his back.

“What's happening? Mingyu, are you okay? Seokmin, is Mingyu okay?” Minghao arrived, leaving his backpack on his seat and going immediately with his friends, with a worried expression, kneeling at the height of Mingyu's bench.

“Ah, it's nothing, he's just tired, he didn't sleep well.” Seokmin smiled to reassure him. Mingyu did not show his face.

"Is that so? Did you stay up again? Silly Gyu, take better care of your health… ”Minghao stroked his hair lovingly and went to sit in his place. Seokmin did the same, attentive to how his friend would react.

Mingyu only raised his face when the teacher came to the classroom and he was no longer blushing, but he couldn't look up and Seokmin didn't ask him any more questions.

Poetry is another language of love, like music. Maybe that was the way Mingyu's heart spoke it.

He smiled to himself, because despite having asked that question, to whom was the transcribed poem for, he already knew the answer.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Lo que a mi vida le hace falta si no vienes

What my life is missing if you don’t come

Joshua worked to pay for his lonely life, since his only relative in Korea was his grandmother and he couldn't leave all the burden to her to support him financially.

The cafeteria had a quiet atmosphere, which he liked. Sometimes he would see the same faces and he would attend to them with a familiar smile.

He was grateful for his life and all the good and bad about it. For if he had been given a chance to live, he would make the most of what he had.

And in his life, a beautiful gift had been given: Lee Seokmin.

He was his sunshine. Even on cloudy days, he was not missing, he didn't miss it, because someone was already lighting everything around him. That person who gave his days a different shine. He smiled unconsciously when the thought brought his friend to mind. And when leaving work, he would rush to his house, where Seokmin was waiting for him outside his apartment, without fail.

Like in those moments, that he was going upstairs, with a plastic bag in his hand, because he went to the convenience store to buy ice cream with the intention of sharing it with Seokmin.

He was taking out the keys, but he was surprised not to see the boy leaning on the front door, sitting, with the guitar case on his back and with a smile when he saw him arrive. Joshua stood confused. He was always there. Only on weekends they didn't have their meetings, where he would help Seokmin with his guitar and chat, spending their time together.

His mood dropped immediately and he stared into the empty space with a sad look.

“Shua!” A hand was placed on his shoulder, he startled, but he recognized that lively voice. He turned to see the young man, his breathing heavy and sweat on his forehead.

“Seok? Did you come running?” He asked very quietly. Feeling immediate relief to see him there.

“Yes, I was helping Mingyu with some things and I was too immersed. But of course I wasn't going to miss my daily date with you!” Seokmin's bright smile touched him, as did his words. He ruffled his brown hair and smiled gently.

“Thanks Seok, let's go inside, do you want ice cream?”

“Did you buy ice cream?" My Joshua is the best! Let's go inside!”

Joshua blushed at the way his friend called him. He opened the door to his apartment and could only think "I'm home" as he walked in next to Seokmin.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Lo único precioso que en mi mente habita hoy

The only precious thing that inhabits my mind today

Seokmin kept practicing. He shook his head in time to the song and hummed it. His room was kept with the light off, for he was blessed that the last sunlight came fully into it.

He looked up at the wall and the shadows left by his curtain kept changing.

He remembered Joshua and smiled. He played more eagerly. He sang from the heart.

Chapter Text

Qué más puedo decirte

Tal vez puedo mentirte sin razón

What else can I tell you

I might lie to you without reason

That morning, the sky dawned with a gray blanket of white clouds loaded with rain. Seokmin made sure to take his umbrella with him.

He walked to his high school, like he did every day. Even though the hue of the world was duller that day, he didn't care. Again, all things were tinged with Joshua, and as long as he wasn't lacking in his life, the world wouldn't lose its shine.

He walked into his living room, this time he found Minghao sitting alone, with his headphones on, while he drew something on his white-sheet notebook of sketches.

Seokmin sat down and greeted him, his friend took off his headphones and returned the greeting with a cute smile.

“What are you drawing, Hao?”

The boy sighed. Seokmin took a look and, in graphite, in clever lines, was drawn the face of his other friend: Mingyu.

Seokmin smiled and Minghao was grateful that he didn't ask questions.

“You are very talented, Hao, it’s a beautiful drawing.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it very much, Minnie.”

He continued in his task of finishing the sketch.

So for Minghao, love language was more artistic and visual. Beautiful to admire; not as explicit as poetry, not full of emotion like music. Simple and beautiful, subtle and of great value.

The younger one put away his notebook when he finished and at that moment Mingyu arrived (who stumbled out of nowhere halfway and approached them awkwardly). They both laughed at his friend, who joined in the laughter.

“You don't change, do you, Gyu?” Minghao put his cell phone and headphones in his backpack.

“Should I do it?” The taller one sat in his place.

“Not at all,” he replied. Seokmin saw that special smile appear on his friend's face and it was like reflecting in a mirror.

Classes began, a few drops from the sky fell, the soft August drizzle.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Pero lo que hoy siento

Es que sin ti estoy muerto, pues eres

But what I feel today

is that without you I’m dead, for you are

Joshua pulled his keys out of his pants, the rain creating puddles on the pavement, wetting his shoes. His mind was distracted when he saw a familiar silhouette, with a guitar case on his back, crouched in front of a cardboard box, which used an umbrella as a roof.

“Seokmin?” The American approached and indeed, that was his dear friend.

“Ah, hi Shua!” he greeted him with his usual smile. The sun peeked between the clouds, “Look, I found this little kitten, I didn't want him to get wet.”

And with that mentioned, Joshua realized that the younger was almost drenched. But the little animal was safe. Joshua smiled fondly at Seokmin's kindness.

“But look at you…”

He used his own umbrella to cover his friend, so he crouched down next to him, sticking his shoulder to Seokmin's. He saw the kitten, calico, with big green eyes, very calm.

“She's female. I once read that cats with more than three colors are always female.”

“Woah, how interesting. Well, she is very pretty. Joshua, can we by any chance, do something for her? I can't keep her because I already have two dogs in my house…”

“And I'm allergic to cats…”

But the older began to think. An idea came up.

“We can ask Jun.”

“Jun?” Seokmin looked at his friend, curious.

“Yes, Junhui, my neighbor. He is very fond of animals. Especially cats. He has one called Verne.”

“Verne? Like Jules Verne?”

“That's right. He told me that the name was given by Wonwoo, his boyfriend.”

“It's a cool name. So you think he can accept her?”

“We can try. If not, he'll do everything he can to find a home for her, he's a volunteer at an animal shelter.”

“Nice! Let's find a home for this cutie.”

Joshua caught Seokmin's emotion and stroked his wet hair tenderly.

“Let's do it quickly, I don't want you to get sick, your clothes are all damp.”

“Ah, that... Yeah, I think you're right.” He scratched the back of his neck, as if he'd forgotten to be in the rain.

Seokmin took the box carefully, while Joshua covered them with both umbrellas and they went upstairs to go to the older's neighbor's apartment, which was two doors from his. They knocked and it didn't take long to open them.

“Joshua, hey! How can I help you?”

The youngest almost let out a "woah" when he saw Jun, because he was taller than the two of them and he was very attractive, apart from having very warm and big eyes.

“Yeah, you see, Seokmin found an abandoned kitten and I thought you could help us with her. I don't know, maybe you can keep her? Neither of us can.”

Jun's big eyes went to the younger boy and he smiled at him. “Is he Seokmin you've told me so much about? But he is adorable.”

The younger suddenly felt embarrassed and shy.

“Pleasure…”

Junhui smiled with crescent eyes and nodded.

“As for the kitten…” He came over to take a good look at her and Seokmin handed him the box. Jun's face lit up, “She is beautiful!” He stroked her fur and the cat began to purr at the touch. “I have no problem adopting her, although with how cute she is, I think Wonwon is going to like the idea of keeping her more.”

“Seriously? So can he give her a home?” The younger asked excitedly.

“Of course we will give this beautiful creature a home. Thanks for helping her.”

Joshua sighed in relief. “We owe our thanks to you.”

“Definitely, thank you very much Jun hyung.” Seokmin smiled at him.

“It's nothing, I'm happy to accept her in my house, besides, it'd be good for Verne to have some company.”

“Well, it's done. Thank you again, Jun, we are retiring.”

The Chinese nodded.

Seokmin said goodbye to the kitten, stroking her calico fur for the last time.

“Have a good day.”

“Likewise Jun hyung, thank you for taking care of her!”

“Say hello to Wonwoo for me.”

And with that, they said goodbye to the other boy, going to Joshua's apartment, who rushed to get a towel and a change of clothes for Seokmin.

“Get in the shower, Seok.” He put the things in his friend's arms and gently pushed him toward the bathroom.

“Thanks, Shua.”

Meanwhile, the older began to prepare tea. It was still raining, but now less. He leaned against the kitchen window to watch it fall. He smiled. Seokmin was the most special person he knew. His favorite person without hesitation.

The younger came out of the shower, with the towel on his head to dry his hair. Joshua rushed to help him.

“I just hope you don't catch a cold.”

“I don't think so, fools don't get colds.”

The American laughed. “Seok, you are not a fool.”

The younger one pouted, to which Joshua tipped his head with a smile.

They looked into each other's eyes.

As if trapped in a kaleidoscope, behind those looks were feelings, words that fell silent so as not to break the silence that did not need a reason to be interrupted.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Lo que más quiero en este mundo, eso eres

What I want most in this world, that you are

With the sound of the rain accompanying his fingers now going over the strings smoothly, Seokmin was pleased. The practice and all that effort was a sweet fruit, now that he could taste it better.

He looked out the window, the cirrostratus covering the moon like a halo.

Chapter Text

Eres

El tiempo que comparto, eso eres

You are

The time that I share, that you are

There were no classes that day, but Seokmin would not miss his meeting with Joshua. He placed the guitar on his back. His fingers ached a little, from practicing since morning, since he was free. But it was worth the effort.

He headed for the older's apartment. The clear sky that day, the lights leaving nothing hidden. The wind blowing hard, without being a nuisance.

Seokmin's favorite days were like this.

He passed a flower shop. He stopped in front of the window to see the flowers from outside.

Joshua was very fond of flowers, so much so that almost every week, especially on Sundays after returning from church, he used to stop by a flower to put on his window.

Seokmin always saw them. He remembered that he once asked the older one if he wasn't saddened to see them wither. Joshua's response was lovely:

“Why should I? Such is their life, ephemeral. Their existence is based on being beautiful and easy to appreciate. In giving the world a different beauty. They make me happy just to see them and I am grateful that something so beautiful can at least give us its short time.”

He also remembered that Joshua used to give flowers to his friends and family. It was his way of expressing his love and affection. The language of flowers was what he used.

One that is difficult to understand in the first instance, but when you discover the message, there is nothing more beautiful than realizing what they hide in their petals.

He took out a pen that he had in his pants pocket and wrote something on his wrist as a reminder note. He hid it under his watch so Joshua wouldn't read it.

Upon arriving at the older man's house, he received him with a smile and the aroma of something sweet flooded Seokmin's nostrils.

“What is that magnificent smell?”

He entered and went into the small room, where he left his guitar. Joshua went to the kitchen and returned with a plastic container of pancakes.

“Kihyun gave them to me, he told me to bring them and share them with my friends.” Kihyun was the owner of the cafeteria where Joshua worked.

“Really? They look delicious!”

“Do you want coffee or do you prefer a glass of milk?”

“A coffee with lots of cream and sugar, please.”

Joshua laughed. He knew that Seokmin loved sweet, bitter flavours used to upset his stomach.

“All right, be right back.”

While the older was in charge of preparing things in the kitchen, he kept talking to Seokmin. “By the way, what did you do on your morning and afternoon off?”

“I got to practice a bit on the guitar and watched a series on Netflix that Minghao recommended to me.”

“You try really hard, you really want to play well, don't you?”

“Of course! Besides, I have the best teacher.”

Joshua returned with two mugs and placed them on the table between the only little settees in his living room.

“Exaggerated.”

“Thanks.” Seokmin took the coffee and blew on it before taking a sip. “And I'm not exaggerating. How many times do I have to repeat that my Joshua is the best?”

The older only resigned. He wouldn't beat stubborn Seokmin.

They sat down to have a snack and chat.

To Seokmin that seemed more than perfect. Sharing his time with Joshua, that alone was enough for him to feel full, that life was the most beautiful thing he could witness. He appreciated those moments, every day when he woke up, every night when he went to sleep. Every minute by Joshua's side, it was the most precious thing he could contemplate.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Lo que la gente promete cuando se quiere

What people promise when they love each other

Seokmin used to have lunch on the break in the classroom, next to Minghao and Mingyu. None of them had to go to the school cafeteria because they brought their food from home. Even Mingyu prepared his own.

“Hey, Minnie, you haven't told us how you're doing with the song. Have you already learned it well?” Minghao asked him, then sipped his box of peach juice. He was addicted to those things and Mingyu always complained about how sweet the taste was, as he thought apple juice was superior. Seokmin liked the two equally, so he remained impartial in their eternal debate.

“Pretty good, but I want to be very prepared, because I still have some mistakes.”

“You're the cheesiest of the cheesy.”

Seokmin raised an eyebrow at Mingyu. “The donkey talking about ears.”

The taller one immediately felt embarrassed, Seokmin laughed and Minghao shot them a suspicious look, but he kept drinking the juice box.

Seokmin still didn't understand how they could be so dense with each other. But he didn't like rushing things.

Waiting for patience to sprout with his name.

That applied to all three.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Mi salvación, mi esperanza y mi fe

My salvation, my hope and my faith

For the first time he played the song and sang it in a way that he didn't make mistakes. Since he had started learning it and his fingers clumsily snapped onto the strings or he had some notion of the notes, he felt capable enough now. Thanks to Joshua's help and his efforts.

He stood up and raised his fist in victory.

He was so satisfied that his mother came in to see why he was screaming so excited.

“Mom! Finally! I was able to play the song without making a mistake!”

His mother smiled warmly at him. The same smile that Seokmin had inherited.

“I'm glad, Seok, I'm really glad for you. Good luck, honey.”

“Yes, ma ', thank you!”

He texted his friends and the three of them made a video call to celebrate by dancing in their own rooms.

Chapter Text

Soy

El que quererte quiere como nadie, soy

I am

The one who wants to love you like no one else, I am

Seokmin couldn't help it. When leaving classes, just in the early afternoon, when the sun was shining with intensity and the sky was only dressed with a few clouds in the blue cloak, sometimes he would stay to chat for a while with his friends, before going home and wait for Joshua to get off work to go with him.

But on this particular day, Minghao and Mingyu had drifted away from him a bit. And he followed them without them noticing.

Both boys walked to a secluded place from the school. Seokmin hid behind the wall of the building. His friends went unnoticed among the trees.

He looked at them without them noticing his presence, as they both looked quite nervous.

Mingyu was the first to speak.

“Hey, Hao, I have something for you? I know it's weird that I told you to come here just to give you something, but…”

The tall boy was left not knowing what else to say. Minghao smiled, not that he was less nervous than his friend, but he controlled (hid) his feelings better. He wasn't that obvious.

“You have something for me? What a coincidence, I also have something for you.”

Mingyu's eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”

Seokmin's heart began to pound in anticipation.

“Could it be...?”

Minghao took out his sketchbook and tore off one sheet, at the same time that Mingyu took out another sheet as well. They both held it to their chests.

Seokmin brought his hands together and put them over his mouth in a gesture of eagerness.

“Shall we exchange it at the same time?”

Mingyu nodded.

“One…”

“Two…”

“Three!”

The sheets were exchanged and they both saw them. Seokmin gasped. He knew what it was. What it meant. He analyzed the expressions of his friends.

How Mingyu traced those lines of the drawing with his eyes. As Minghao followed the verses when reading the poem.

A smile was planted on both young men.

“And I thought Seokmin was the cheesy one.”

Mingyu snorted, but his face was so red (so was Minghao, but his mocking smile hid the embarrassment).

“You never tell me you see me this handsome, but you seem to think so, just look at this draw.”

The shorter one rolled his eyes. But he took a step forward and stood on tiptoe, placing a kiss on Mingyu's cheek.

“ Then tell me a distracted truth when the skin understands everything in the last minute of waking… ” he quoted the poem that Mingyu had dedicated to him from a book that he specially bought to find one that could express his feelings. The younger one whispered that stanza in his ear. “Well this is my truth, I'm in love with Kim Mingyu.”

He pulled away and looked down at his feet. Seokmin had to cover his mouth to keep from screaming out in excitement.

The older nodded several times, before launching himself to embrace the slim boy. He carried him and spun around.

After a few turns, he lowered him back down and put his hands on his shoulders, looking directly at him. 

“I don't trust my words, but I do trust my actions.” He also gave him a kiss, but on the forehead, conveying all his feelings in that simple and tender gesture.

That was enough for Seokmin not to hold back anymore. He came out from his hideout, screaming.

“Long live the grooms!”

Then he ran out of there before Minghao kicked his butt. But he was so happy for his friends that he didn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

El que te llevaría el sustento día a día, día a día

The one who would bring you sustenance day to day, day to day

“Seok, today your mood is twenty times higher than normal, and you generally have it at 110%...”

The young man stopped going over the new chords Joshua had shown him and looked at him.

“It's just that I witnessed something very beautiful and it made me very happy.”

“More than normal? And what wonder did you see?”

“A dog and a frog confessing their feelings to each other.”

Joshua laughed. That made no sense to him, but he didn't ask any more.

“By the way. How is Jun hyung's kitty?”

“You mean Dulcinea? Junhui told me that Wonwoo fell in love with her at first sight and he ended up keeping the kitten. It was hard for Jun to leave her, but he said that he couldn't say no to his boyfriend if he asked him in an adorable way.”

“That's love," they laughed. "I'm glad we found him a home.”

“I'm glad too.”

Seokmin put all of his attention on Joshua. He remembered the tender kisses that his friends had shared.

He also wished he could give one to Joshua.

They were both sitting on the floor. He lowered the guitar and approached the older, who didn't react. Seokmin smiled at him and leaned down to place a soft kiss on Joshua's forehead.

The American felt that his heart had betrayed him, because his heart rate increased and he felt like dying.

“Thank you for taking care of me, Shua.”

Seokmin could only feel that he was capable of doing everything for Joshua. He wanted to take care of him as the older had done all those years with him.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

El que por ti daría la vida, ese soy

The one who would give his life for you, that’s me

Joshua couldn't sleep. The only thing his mind could conceive was that kiss that Seokmin had left him.

That moved him to tears. His gesture and words.

But he hadn't cried, he just shook his head and stroked Seokmin's brown hair.

He would take care of him, because Seokmin was special. He didn't have to thank. He would keep doing it forever, until life allowed him.

Chapter Text

The day had come. He felt so nervous that since morning, the knot of anticipation in his stomach hadn't left him. As he walked to school, he admired the sky and thanked for having woken up one more day.

When we got to his classroom, everything was regular. Minghao and Mingyu didn't act differently despite the events of the previous day.

“I'll sing to him today.”

The two of them left their chopsticks in the air, Mingyu even dropped his meatball on the floor from the shock.

“What?”

“Is it for real?”

Seokmin nodded. He sighed and slumped back in the seat.

“I will definitely do it today.”

“And how do you feel about it?” Mingyu tried to rescue the meatball, without success.

“Well, I feel like I'm going to explode at any moment.”

Minghao stroked his hair to cheer him up. “You can do it, Minnie, whatever happens, we are here for you.”

Mingyu patted him on the back. “Exactly, everything will be fine, and if not... I'll buy you ice cream.”

That reassured Seokmin. A little.

Still, he was so determined that he didn't even think to back down. He had to give it his all. Complete love.

He arrived at Joshua's apartment, sat down to wait for him at the door. His hands were shaking and he tried to control them. He wanted to play the guitar well. The beautiful sky comforted him, the golden clouds leaving their light, the sun with its last sighs in the afternoon.

“Come on, come on, I have prepared very well for this moment”

He encouraged himself mentally and moved his fists to get rid of the adrenaline that his body was beginning to produce.

“Sorry. Did I make you wait much?” Seokmin looked up and there was Joshua, smiling at him. Why did he look more beautiful than normal that day?

Just looking at him had already given him another nervous breakdown.

“Not at all, time flies by, you know?” He giggled and stood up to allow the older to open the door. They entered the apartment and Seokmin's heart was pounding in his chest.

Joshua did the usual. He left his things in the living room and went to change. Seokmin waited for him, sitting on the ground, acquiring all possible courage.

When his friend returned, he felt his entire body weaken.

Love is like dying while you feel more alive.

“Joshua!” He screamed and the older jumped in surprise.

“What's happening? Do you want to start practicing already?”

Seokmin stood up and denied. He took the older by the wrist gently and sat him down on the floor with him. Joshua allowed it, confused.

“I want you to pay close attention to me, please.”

Joshua nodded, concerned that he believed something bad had happened. But he watched as Seokmin took the guitar and tucked it between his crossed legs. He noticed that his hands were trembling slightly.

Seokmin inhaled and exhaled twice deeply. He stopped feeling fearful and nervous. He looked at Joshua with piercing, decisive eyes.

“There is a reason why I wanted to learn to play guitar... And this is it. Joshua, listen to this song. It's dedicated to you. I sing it to you with all my heart.”

The older felt his face light up and his body filled with emotion in anticipation. “Okay, I'm paying attention to you.”

Seokmin's gaze was serious and he was confident. He nodded and then softened his gesture. He began to play. That was a chord Joshua hadn't taught him. Something that Seokmin had learned on his own.

And he began to sing.

Every word, Seokmin's beautiful voice, his eyes without parting from Joshua's.

He was singing all this to him, with feeling. Each verse, a confession.

Joshua felt that the world was reduced to that space in his room, to Seokmin playing the guitar deftly and with his beautiful voice towards him.

The most beautiful scene.

And Seokmin could only think of Joshua, existing in front of him. Depositing his love in that dedicated song.

“ Aquí estoy a tu lado y espero aquí sentado hasta el final (I’m here by your side and I wait sitting here until the end)” He smiled at him between his singing, “No te has imaginado lo que por ti he esperado, pues eres... Lo que yo amo en este mundo, eso eres (You haven’t imagine the whole time I’ve waited for you, for you are… What I love in this world, that you are)” Seokmin expressed that with a smile and eyes full of love. Joshua couldn't hold back his tears and let them fall, “Cada minuto en lo que pienso, eso eres. Lo que más cuido en este mundo, eso eres… (What I think about every minute, that you are. What I care the most in this world, that you are…)”

The last chords sounded with the harmony of his voice. Joshua sobbed with happiness, covered his mouth, but didn't take his eyes off Seokmin at any time, until the song was finished.

Seokmin felt light. In peace. He finally expressed himself. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a flower, which he had bought.

A dahlia.

Because his language of love was music, and Joshua's language was flowers.

The older took it and smiled hugely through tears.

The dahlia, which means affection, commitment, elegance, passion and declaration of love.

The greatest gesture, the best gift.

Seokmin had done his best. To confess his feelings. He had learned guitar and practiced hard. And Joshua had helped him with it. It was so beautiful.

“Did my feelings get to you?”

Joshua hugged him, so tightly, as he never had before. Wanting to find shelter under his skin. Sink into it.

“Yes, they did, and I feel the same way. My sun, my Seokmin. What did I do to deserve you? You are everything I long for, I love you too.”

Seokmin held Joshua. And in his arms, he consumed his love and everything burned.

Chapter Text

I want to find shelter under your skin.

I sink into this embrace that is my salvation.

You are what I love the most.

You are what I adore the most.

You are my greatest treasure.

You are my sense, my hope and my way.

It was a beautiful habit now. Play together. Sing in duet. Lie down side by side on the floor and look from the room towards the sky and the evening fall each day.

Share greeting and farewell kisses. On the forehead, on the cheek. On the lips.

Holding hands when walking.

Smile at the thought of the other.

Longing for the contact of the skin, for the warmth of the voice and the simple company.

♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪ ♩ ♪

Joshua adjusted the book in his hands, looked for the page where the bookmark was. Seokmin was laying with his head on the older's lap.

“Where do we left?”

“On page one hundred and seven.”

“That's not what I meant, Shua.”

The aforementioned laughed lightly.

“Those who know music may understand me better if I say that a simple note, let's say the middle C (which is the only one I know, for the rest), can be considered as a one-dimensional entity” He began to read aloud, "However, as one advances and a chord of several notes is played with both hands on the piano, it can be said that three, four or five dimensions have been reached based on vibrations, because the music, whether of our own, like it or not, and part of its greater or lesser beauty, is nothing more than a set of vibrations that "harmonize" with others.” He paused.

“Woah, I didn't understand anything.”

Joshua leaned in to give Seokmin a hug from the tenderness he gave him.

“It's just an example.”

“Interesting. I like it because it makes you think.”

“It's philosophical, right?”

“Do you want to hear my philosophy?”

Seokmin straightened up and Joshua looked at him curiously.

“What do you want me to tell you besides that I love you, if what I want to tell you is that I love you?” He recited that dramatically. Joshua gave him a friendly shove, feeling embarrassed at how frank and expressive his boyfriend was.

“Where did you get that?”

“It's a phrase by Fernando Pessoa that I got from one of Mingyu's books. I learned it and hoped to use it at some point. Ta da!”

He spread his arms and Joshua lunged for them.

“Oh my Seok, I love you too. Silly” He gave him a quick kiss on the lips and the youngest laughed.

He fell backward, dragging Joshua with him. Both lying on the floor, united and with a smile. Enjoying the moment.

Letting the silence shelter them and speak for them.