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"-min... Seokmin... Seokmin!"
Seokmin opens his eyes and searches for the origin of the voice.
And there he stands: Joshua, beautiful and handsome as ever, his smile radiating happiness.
"Finally, Seokmin, I waited for so long", he says, which leads the other slightly confused. He didn't know that Joshua waited for him. What for even...?
"I- I don't understand", he murmurs while slowly standing up. Only now did he notice his surroundings. They were in a large tulip field. Similar to the ones in the Netherlands, but it seemed even more colourful. The sky was a beautiful blue, with a few clouds scattered across its surface, while the afternoon sun softened everything, making it even more delicate.
Joshua tilts his head slightly as he watches Seokmin's confusion. "What's there to not understand, Seokminnie?" he asks, slowly making his way towards the younger.
It's really unfair, Seokmin thinks, how Joshua can look this gorgeous in a simple, plain outfit. Loose, wide pants and a light, flowing top fluttering perfectly in the soft breeze, while his dark brown hair never looked softer in the sunlight.
The younger was so distracted by the elder's look that he didn't notice the now very close proximity of the two. Slowly, Joshua grabbed his hand in such a delicate manner that the younger almost got tears in his eyes... almost.
With the other hand, he ruffles softly through Seokmin's hair before he even more delicately cradles his cheek, making the younger breath hitch ever so slightly.
"You need to wake up now, Minnie...", the older tells him softly, as if sharing a secret. "But we'll see each other really soon, okay?"
Seokmin could only nod as he swallowed a lump in his throat. He didn't even really notice how Joshua slowly leaned in and pecked him on the cheek.
The next thing he knew was that he woke up in his bed, in the dorm he shared with his other bandmates.
He laid on his bed motionless, not knowing what had just happened.
It was such a weird dream. It's safe to say that it's definitely not the first time he dreams of one or multiple of his members, but this dream felt different. Almost like a secret, and intimate in ways Seokmin can't describe in his confused state.
Slowly, he sat up, eyes barely open, and his hair sticking in every possible direction. It took some time before he actually managed to get out of bed and into the bathroom.
He took a quick shower, trying to wash the confusion and this strange feeling he can't name away, which didn't really help by the way, and brushed his teeth before changing into his clothes for dance practice and making his way downstairs to finally eat his breakfast.
But as he was walking down the stairs, he suddenly stopped, confused.
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
He listened closely. No screaming from Seungkwan as usual, no Seungcheol nagging the others, not even Hoshi's loud voice is heard. He only hears some whispering and mumbling, but too quiet to make out who it was or what was said.
Slowly, he made his way further down the stairs, not knowing what he should expect.
But suddenly, as he turns around the corner into the kitchen area:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO YOUUUU"
The whole group started singing, even Vernon looked happy and excited to be there, watching the older with a playful glint in his eyes.
But Seokmin only has eyes for one person. That person looked back at him with a small, shy smile.
Joshua
Now everything made sense. The dream, these strange feelings, the way Joshua was behaving the last few days... Everything.
It was his birthday, and not just a random birthday, no. It was his 21st birthday. The birthday on which night you're supposed to dream of your soulmate.
Seokmin forgot completely. How, how could he forget this important event in his life?! Since he was a little child, and his mom explained to him the concept of soulmates, he desperately wanted nothing more than to know his soulmate, his special someone.
And now he knows. He knows it's Joshua. And Joshua knows too.
Well, at least he's guessing it from the shy smile.
Joshua. Joshua! His 'Shua-Hyung', his gentle hyung, his, his- his soulmate.
It took a second before he noticed the small cupcake with a single lit candle on top of it, which was held up before his face by Mingyu.
"Come on", he encouraged Seokmin, who closed his eyes to make his probably most important wish of his life.
Please let it really be Shua-hyung, please, please, please...
Opening his eyes, fully concentrated on his wish, he finally blew out the candle, earning applause from his other members, along with a lot of congratulations and proud claps on his back and shoulders.
"Sooo...", started Jeonghan, eyeing Seokmin intensely. "Who did you dream of?" he asked, crooking his head a bit to the side.
"I- ", the younger began, but the words wouldn't form in his mouth. Joshua hadn't told the others on his 21st birthday whom he dreamed of. Was he even okay with it? Maybe he doesn't want the others to know this just yet.
So Seokmin stayed silent, but apparently his blushing face was proof for the others that he at least dreamed of someone. So, the nagging and teasing began.
"Come on, tell us", Hoshi demanded with a sly grin. "You can't keep it a secret, that's not fair", Chan chimed in. They went on and on and on, but Seokmin didn't budge.
Instead, he started eating breakfast, ignoring the other annoying people around him.
His mind was consumed with only one thought: Joshua.
He still couldn't believe it, but his smile wouldn't budge and stayed on his face during the whole ordeal.
"Guys, leave him alone. I'm sure he'll tell us when he's ready, right, Minnie?" Joshua disrupts the ongoing intervention. Seokmin just nodded in agreement, only glancing a tiny little bit at Joshua, but enough to make him blush even more.
Joshua's voice sounded fond, lovely even. He definitely isn't mad.
With some annoying murmurs, the others finally decided to leave the birthday boy alone and began preparing for dance practice.
Without the others noticing, Joshua sat next to Seokmin.
Seokmin gulped: "Hyung- ", "We'll talk after practice, okay?" Joshua interrupted him kindly and with a soft smile, making Seokmin's heart flutter in his chest.
"Okay", he breathed out, not wanting to speak more; his voice would've probably given out anyway.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Practice went over in a glance. Time seems to fly when your mind is fully consumed by someone.
However, because he couldn't concentrate very well, Seokmin made quite a few mistakes. The others said it was just his nerves and that he should go easy, but the ladder still wanted to stay longer in the studio.
But also, maybe he just wanted to have peace for a moment.
It didn't really surprise him when Joshua also announced that he'll stay late.
They waited until the others all left the room, both sitting at the wall by their water bottles, drinking slowly, both not knowing how to start this conversation. The practice room smelled of sweat and hard work. One window is slightly opened to let it air out after the long practice, bringing a slight breeze into the room. In other words, it's comforting. At least to them. It felt familiar, almost intimate.
Finally, after some time, Seokmin decided to speak up.
"So, do you want to talk about it?" he asked hesitantly, shifting nervously.
Joshua nodded and finally looked at him. "Yeah, uhm- So you know now that I'm your soulmate, right?" His eyes held so many emotions, Seokmin didn't know what those are.
"Yeah, I do. So... why didn't you tell me?"
Silence filled the room again.
"I- ", Joshua began hesitantly, "I just thought that it'd be better this way. I was very confused when I dreamed of you. I didn't know how to handle this new information. I didn't see you in that light back then." He gulped a bit before continuing.
"I mean, you were always very important to me, I was always quite fond of you and your personality, but I just thought it's because you're younger than me and you looked so innocent back then", he chuckled slightly.
Over time, I realised why you were my soulmate. With every passing day, it made more sense, but you- " -didn't feel that way.
"I thought that if I told you, you'd feel pressured to like me as well. I didn't want to force you into anything, Seokminnie." Joshua ended his explanation, his eyes looking down on his lap again.
Seokmin stayed silent for a minute. It makes sense, Joshua's explanation. He probably would've done the same thing... But there are still more questions to be answered.
"But, right now, do you even want me as a soulmate? Is that something that's... possible?", he asked with hope in his eyes and in his shy smile.
Joshua looked at him like he was from a different planet. "As if that's even a question. Of course, I can imagine it. But I also don't want to force you. I've had a lot of time to figure out my feelings, to come to terms with you as my soulmate. I understand if you need time", he said with a sad smile. Physically able to give Seokmin as much time and space as he wants, but emotionally, he doesn't know if he'd survive it.
Seokmin, however, just smiled his sweet smile at him. "I don't need time or space, hyung", he said, "I just don't want to rush anything. I want this to work out, so I want to do it the right way. That's okay?"
"That's more than okay." Joshua finally looked up to him again, a beautiful smile decorating his face, along with his smiley eyes, making Seokmin flustered all over again.
"So, Seokminnie, do you want to go on a date with me?" the older asked a little mischievously, which only led to a bigger smile from the latter.
"Of course, hyung!"
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
And that's how they ended up at a cute little café the next afternoon.
The café was tucked away from the busy streets, far away in a small corner. It smelled like the wood the cafés interior was made of, and like the fresh coffee and small pastries that were sold there. In other words: It was perfect.
Perfect was also the way Joshua looked, if you asked Seokmin. Long, light blue Jeans and a soft, flowy, white linen shirt, which slightly showed off his collarbones. His hair was parted perfectly, the brown colour looking even softer in the warm light of the café.
If you asked Joshua, Seokmin looked exactly like the café smells. Warm, cozy, and radiating happiness. He also wore some Jeans, but with a light brown sweater. His hair was slightly messy from the many times he went through it with his hands because he was nervous, but it made him look even softer than he already was.
Seokmin reserved a table for them while Joshua went to order. He didn't even ask the younger what he wanted; he already knew.
Shortly after, he came back with a tray filled with two iced Americanos and two desserts. For Seokmin, a chocolate cake (his favourite), and for Joshua, a slice of the strawberry cake.
While they ate their delicious food, they talked about everything and nothing at all. Just random things, why Seungkwan was screaming in the morning, the crazy weather last week, the upcoming comebacks and schedules- everything.
But they didn't really talk about themselves. Maybe they should've, but the whole moment just felt right. They both feared that speaking about the obvious would ruin the perfect harmony they were moving in.
But after nearly three hours, they had to leave. The other members would get suspicious if they stayed out for too long, and so they packed up their things and headed out.
However, they walked slowly. Slower than ever. Neither wanted to finish this date so fast.
"We can still go to the lake for a moment", Seokmin said, "only if you want, of course."
"I'd love to", Joshua said with a warm smile.
By "the lake" was meant a park with a small lake nearby. It was pretty secluded and the group's favourite spot to hang out in.
They sat on a bench near the water, close, but not enough to touch.
"Should we tell the others?" Seokmin asked and looked at Joshua, who was already looking back at him.
"Hmm, I don't think so. At least not yet", he murmured, "Not that I don't think it's serious or that I don't want to show you off, don't worry. I just want it to be just us for now. We can tell them later. Or do you want to tell them now?"
"Not really", the younger shook his head, "We won't get a calm minute ever again if we tell them now. I just want you all for myself for now."
The elder blushed at his words. "I'll always be yours, Minnie", he sighed. "That will never change", he said, leaning his head on Seokmin's shoulder, after which the ladder nuzzled his nose into his hair, breathing in the scent of him.
They stayed like that for a while, until they finally decided to go home again.
But right before the entrance, Seokmin stopped Joshua.
"Do you- Do you maybe want to come into my room after the others went to sleep?", he asked sheepishly.
Joshua lifted his eyebrow in amusement, a teasing smile adorning his face. "What for?" he asked.
"I just thought it would be great to maybe cuddle a bit?" Seokmin explained urgently, blushing hard.
Joshua's smile only grew wider. "Of course we can cuddle, my love."
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
And so, they ended up together on Seokmin's bed, legs tangled and Joshua's head on Seokmin's chest.
"This is perfect", Joshua murmured, "this is all I've ever wanted."
Seokmin only smiled and pressed his lips to the top of Joshua's head. "I didn't know how much I needed it until yesterday. I don't think I'll ever again survive a day without cuddling you", he sighed contentedly.
Joshua hummed in agreement. "You can cuddle me forever."
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Almost a month passed by, and Seokmin is nervous.
Why, you asked?
He finally feels ready to take the next step in his relationship with Joshua. The next step is finally officially becoming boyfriends and maybe having their first kiss?
So, Seokmin planned a date. Nothing too fancy, but because the temperatures are finally getting warmer again, he wants to have a small picnic by the lake, where they ended their first date.
He prepared everything and controlled every item at least twice. Food, drinks, dessert, some snacks, the blankets, the pillows... Seokmin rehearsed what he wanted to say again in his head.
When he finally calmed down a bit, he went to Joshua's room and knocked.
"Hyung, can I come in?"
"Of course", came back, and the other opened the door, went in, and closed it again.
"Do you need something, Minnie?"
"I- I might or might not have prepared something, so I'm asking you if you want to go on a date like right now?" Seokmin asked nervously. What if Joshua already has plans? Maybe he should've asked earlier, now that he thinks about it...
"I- of course, I just need to get ready. What should I wear?" the older asked, quite perplexed.
"Just something warm", Seokmin smiled happily. "I'll meet you in ten minutes? Is that okay?"
"Of course, see you then!"
With that, Seokmin left the room again and went to his own room to get his comfy pullover and his jacket. Even though it got warmer, it's still pretty chilly outside (and he wants to be prepared if Joshua gets cold, but that's irrelevant).
After that, he gets the basket from the kitchen and waits at the front door. He could only hope that the other members wouldn't see them leave like that. They haven't told the others yet, both finding it quite thrilling to just enjoy it for themselves.
But there wasn't even much to hide anyway. They hadn't even kissed yet, for gods' sake (something Seokmin wants to change today). But the lingering glances and secret touches during practice or group dinners meant the world for both of them.
"You ready?" Joshua asked, walking towards him, eyeing the basket but not saying anything.
"Uhm, yes, we can go now."
They exited the door, and Seokmin led them to the small lake. The Sun was still high, it was barely three o'clock in the afternoon, and the air smelled like the small beginning of spring.
When they arrived at the lake in the park, Seokmin got the big blanket out of his basket and carefully laid it on the grass, evening out the edges before arranging the pillows and the food all prettily and aesthetically.
Finally, he gestured for Joshua to sit down. "I hope this is fine?" he asked shyly while sitting down.
"It's perfect!" Joshua exclaimed with happiness. "Did you really prepare all of this? You're so sweet, Minnie."
The smile on Joshua's face made Seokmin's worries go away for a bit. "Of course I did. You only deserve the best from the best", he said happily.
He handed a plate to Joshua and loaded it with everything the older asked for. He feels accomplished watching his soulmate absolutely devour the food, finding it way too delicious to stop.
The ambiance was calm. No sounds of traffic, just the soft wind rustling through the trees and the soft waves of the lake. It was peaceful, and Seokmin deemed it the right time to drop the question.
"So, Joshua", he began a bit uncertain, "I didn't actually bring you here for just a picnic date."
Joshua lifted an eyebrow in confusion and tilted his head.
"I actually wanted to ask you something. And you can totally say no by the way... Even though I hope you say yes, but I don't know, I don't want to rush you or anything, I-" Seokmin took a deep breath, ending his embarrassing rambling, "Do you- Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
Joshua looked stunned and totally speechless for a moment. Clearly, this whole ordeal surprised him, and Seokmin didn't know if it was a good or a bad thing.
But then, Joshua started to smile. And such a beautiful smile at that. "Of course, you dummy. If it were for me, we would've started dating years ago", he laughed, throwing his arms around the younger and hugging him tightly. "Of course, I'll be your boyfriend. And you'll be my boyfriend, yes?"
Seokmin only nodded and held his hyung even tighter. "Of course, hyung. Thank you."
He almost got too emotional, but it somehow felt unbelievably surreal.
He has a boyfriend, boyfriend! And it's Joshua, his freaking Soulmate!
Seokmin was over the moon. He didn't want to let go of Joshua, so the older had to feed him pieces of the cake he brought for dessert.
They sat cuddled together for at least an hour more, talking about different things, but also about themselves and their new relationship. So it was obvious that this one specific thing came up again.
"Do you think we should tell them now?" Joshua asked, leaning back a bit more into Seokmin's chest. The other tightened its grip just slightly.
"I think it would only be fair, right? Now that we're officially boyfriends", he gave the other a small kiss on his cheek, "I think we can tell them."
Joshua hummed in agreement. "That's true. We can do it today during dinner?" he asked further, which got him a 'yes' from Seokmin.
They really enjoyed this beautiful moment together. But sadly, time moved forward, and before they even realised it, it was time for them to get back home.
They packed all the things Seokmin prepared back into the basket and looked around to make sure that they didn't forget anything.
"So, let's go", Joshua said, but felt a grip on his wrist, holding him back. With a confused face, he looked back at Seokmin, who stared at him with nervous eyes and deep red ears.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Uhm, well... You see...", Seokmin stammered out before taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "I- I just wanted to ask you, if we- you know-, can... I just really want, uhm... Can I- can I have a kiss?", he finally brought out, somehow looking even more nervous than before.
Joshua just looked at him with amusement and adoration sparkling in his eyes.
Without any more words exchanged, he gently grabbed Seokmin's cheek with one hand, while the other found their way to the other's waist, and brought him in for the world's softest (and in Seokmin's mind, the world's most perfect) kiss ever.
He kissed Seokmin like he was fragile, and maybe Seokmin really was. The younger was on cloud nine. Joshua's lips were soft and warm and beautiful and just... perfect.
It took a few seconds for him to actually respond to the kiss, even though he was the one asking for it. Slowly, he kissed back with the same softness and tenderness, his arms sneaking around Joshua's waist, bringing him even closer.
His mind slowly turned into mush as they slowly moved their lips together. He felt like he was in a happy, rose-coloured cloud. There were butterflies everywhere, and his whole body was tingling. He was sure that there wasn't a feeling more perfect than this.
After a while, they slowly parted again, their foreheads connected, while they both caught their breath.
"Wow", Seokmin breathed out, which made Joshua chuckle softly. He gave Seokmin a small peck as an answer, making the other gasp in surprise, before his face turned into the biggest smile anyone had ever seen on Seokmin.
They stayed a few more minutes in the park, hugging and sometimes kissing each other, letting the newfound bond form between them and accepting the sense of connection it brought.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Bonus:
"So", Seokmin began, looking to Joshua with fond eyes, "we're Soulmates and now dating", he announced happily and looked around the room.
The faces were shocked to say the least. Their faces were so funny that they both had to suppress a laugh.
But then, all hell broke loose.
"You're what?!"
"OMG!!"
"When did that happen?!!"
"NO WAY!"
"I CALLED THIS YOU GUYS, I CALLED THIS!!"
The two explained everything. Especially Joshua had to explain to a very pouty Jeonghan and Seungcheol why he didn't even tell them. "You would've teased me anyway", was his final answer, and no one could say anything against it.
They all were really supportive and complimenting them the whole time.
"It makes sense, honestly, looking back now", came from Minghao.
"I'm really happy for you guys", Seungcheol said with glassy eyes.
"Don't let something come between you guys; you can always come to us for help, okay?" Hoshi said, hugging them tightly.
"I always called it. Since the green practice room, I swear", a fully crying Seungkwan explained.
They never felt happier. They had everything they wanted, and so much more.