Chapter Text
It’s amazing how there are 7.9 billion people in the world and one of them is your fated one. Lee Seokmin truly believed in fate, destiny, and soulmates after growing up with his grandparents and witnessed their love for each other. When they were still young, his grandfather genuinely liked his grandmother a lot. He even let it be known to her. Meanwhile, his grandmother did not because of the following reasons: his grandfather is an alcoholic, a smoker, and a womanizer. However, to his grandmother’s disappointment, their family arranged for them to marry.
His grandmother couldn’t do anything but follow what his parents wanted and married his grandfather. What she didn’t expect was for his grandfather to change… for her. He stopped smoking, he stopped drinking, he ended all his vices, he started going to church with her, and he only loved one woman and that is her.
Seokmin never gets tired listening to their love story even if he has heard it for a millionth time already. Their love story influenced him to believe that true love and forever does exist because 60 years later, they are still happily in love with each other.
And Seokmin always wishes that he will find the one and have a beautiful love story like theirs.
Then he met Hong Joshua. The person whom he was sure he’s going to spend his entire life with; his destiny, his soulmate.
Joshua was a senior in the high school Seokmin was in. Being in the same club, Joshua and Seokmin grew close; he was deemed Joshua's favorite junior after a month. Despite having two years difference, when there was Joshua, there was Seokmin, and vice versa. Joshua was also the reason why Seokmin is standing where he is now. The stage.
When Seokmin was scouted by Carat Entertainment, he was hesitant. It was his dream to be an idol, and even his parents were supportive of what he wanted. It was even impressive because he’s only 16 at that time, a freshman, and yet he got picked during one of their school festivals. However, Seokmin had no confidence; he knew how the training system works. As the scheduled meeting grew closer, Seokmin got more anxious.
A day before the meeting, Seokmin was in one of the corners of their clubroom, knees pressed on his chest, head leaning on them. Suddenly, someone sat close beside him, shoulder to shoulder. Seokmin didn’t even flinch. He got a whiff of peach, cassis, and honey and knew it was Joshua who was with him.
Joshua patted Seokmin’s head a few times, before pushing it to lean on his shoulders. He then ran his fingers through the younger’s hair, to comfort him.
“Should I go?” Seokmin asked quietly.
Joshua’s response was a hum. “You should.” His hand that was once on Seokmin’s hair moved down to move his thumb across his cheek. “You’ve always shared how you want to be an idol or a singer. Now that the opportunity came, you’re going to run away.”
There was a beat of silence and a sigh. “I’m scared,” Seokmin started, his hand taking Joshua’s free one, to play with his fingers before pouring his heart out. “What if… What if I won’t make it? A friend told me that being a trainee is hard. You need to be the best amongst everyone to be noticed and picked to debut.” He paused to breathe. Joshua had intertwined their fingers already. Seokmin then continued, “Out of everyone who performed during that day, I was the only one who got scouted. Everyone’s eyes are on me. My thoughts are filled with what people will think of me; their expectations.”
Joshua sighed, entangling their fingers before moving his body to face Seokmin. He cupped Seokmin’s face with his palms. Seokmin then gazed away from him. “Seok, you need to stop minding about what other people will think about you once you become a trainee. You’re not doing this for them. You are doing this for yourself. This is your dream and not theirs.”
Seokmin just nodded in response.
“Hey, look at me.” Joshua coaxed and thankfully, Seokmin did. “Yes, being a trainee is hard. You will sacrifice a lot of things, especially your time. You will probably leave this school, you will be away from your parents, your friends…” Joshua smiled at him. “And probably me.”
Seokmin’s lips turned down and Joshua chuckled, moving his thumb to caress the younger’s cheek. The gesture made Seokmin’s face red. He wanted to look away but he didn't know why he couldn’t.
“You will train a lot, your throat may hurt from singing too much, your body may ache because you danced non-stop—but everything will be worth it in the end,” Joshua smiled, his eyes twinkling. As always.
The corner of Seokmin’s lips curled up into a shy smile. He looked down and mumbled a small, “Thanks, hyung.” He then felt a soft pressure on his forehead and it lingered for a few more seconds. Joshua leaned back and that’s when it sunk on Seokmin that what he felt was Joshua’s lips… on his forehead;
He snapped his head up and he was greeted with Joshua’s blinding smile, his hands never left Seokmin’s cheeks. Yes, Joshua and him are close. They’ve known each other for 8 months already but they were never that close. They hug, yes. But kissing was not one of them. Seokmin’s heart pounded hard on his chest, his hand itched to press against it to stop his heart from the erratic beating.
“Whatever the future holds, wherever your feet will take you, always know that I am and will always be here for you. And if you’ll fall down, I’ll catch you.”
Seokmin definitely felt the heat creeping on his face. His face is probably redder than before and his heart beats so loud Joshua can maybe hear it. Seokmin knew he was still young. He didn’t know how to read between the lines therefore, he had no idea how to elucidate Joshua’s action. So, he did what his heart wanted to do.
Seokmin suddenly leaned forwards, pressing their foreheads together. He never thought he would have the guts to do that. He heard Joshua’s breath hitched. Did he do the right thing? “Promise?” The only word Seokmin managed to form, his breathing became ragged.
And maybe, what he did was right because Joshua responded with a soft smile, eyes trailing down to Seokmin’s lips. He leaned a little bit forward not enough to press their lips together but enough for them to feel each other’s breaths.
“I promise.”