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Joshua woke up in the middle of the night, not from a nightmare or a good dream — rather, his brain suddenly felt an urge to bring him back to consciousness. A surge of unexplainable itch bursts into his recently awoken mind. It's beyond uncomfortable, as if something or everything could and would go wrong.
A creeping, growing feeling that he can't seem to shake off.
The cold winter air gives the room an eerie vibe. His sheets crumpled and skewed from his movement. His blanket was embracing him in the most uncomfortable way, making him hot and cold at the same time.
Something will definitely happen, Joshua thought.
And then it happened.
Joshua felt the weight on his chest shift. Literally, he felt the slight shivers and faint rustles making his sleepy mind alert. His instincts are kicking in — Seokmin.
He isn't alone.
He's sleeping beside his Seokmin.
He must protect him.
So in a heartbeat, Joshua adjusted himself and engulfed the younger in a tighter hug. Spooning him, fixing his position, almost making him lie down on him completely. He then gently stroked Seokmin's back to help him feel serene, allowing him to have a nice, deep rest.
From their position, the soft night light peeks a little from their window, illuminating the younger's delicate features. A lone strand of Seokmin's hair on his forehead, his lashes naturally long and curved, catching some light, to his sharp nose, and down to his supple lips. It's as if the moon and the stars aligned through their small window pane, only to dazzle and highlight Seokmin in all his beauty and glory amidst his slumber.
Joshua can't help but admire the man sleeping against him. He brushed his fingers softly onto his cheeks, feeling his smooth skin against his fingers. Careful, and maybe, too careful not to cause a disturbance. Tracing the slight grin seemingly forming on Seokmin's face despite his sleep. Bestowing the world with a peak of his captivating smile.
Little by little, that weird feeling that woke Joshua up turns into an impulse to secure Seokmin's comfort above all. Warm him from the cold winter night— cage him from the harshness of the world. Give his life to him, for Seokmin's peace, for Seokmin's smiles.
Anything.
Everything.
For Seokmin.
And Seokmin alone.
Deep in his admiration for the younger, he tucked that lone strand of hair and lightly pressed a kiss on Seokmin's forehead.
And to his cheeks.
And to his nose.
And at last, to his lips — softer almost ghostly, as if pressing his lips into the air. Yet, he tasted the subtle flavour of strawberry from his own lip balm that Seokmin used before going to sleep.
The sudden touch made Seokmin's brow furrow. Joshua saw his eyes slowly open, waking him up.
"Hyung?" The younger looked up to him, meeting him eye to eye.
Joshua was struck with awe. Seokmin's eyes, though glazed with sleep, glimmer as the night light shines down on him. Joshua was speechless— simply lost in those eyes.
"Is it morning already?" Seokmin asked again, voice hoarse from sleep.
This brings Joshua back into the moment.
"No love, still midnight."
"Hmm"
"Your arm feels sore?" Joshua heard him sigh a little, their sheets gently rustling as Seokmin moved away from him. But before doing so completely, he held onto the younger's waist and pulled him back to their original position. This time, hugging him tighter.
"Hyung?"
"It's nothing, love," Joshua hushedly said. "I'm sorry I woke you up. Let's go back to sleep?"
"Are you sure, hyung? Do you feel cold or anything?" Seokmin's voice was laced with genuine care.
Joshua simply looked at him and captured his lips longer than the last one.
"Good night, my love."
Seokmin, though confused, snuggled closer to Joshua and made himself comfortable in the older's arm.
With Seokmin back in his arms, Joshua slept with a thought.
God, I must be the luckiest man in the world.