❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

"We should go to the town square." Seokmin suggested, taking in the view of the fireworks that had already started going off.

It was already 11pm and after enjoying the rest of Joshua's birthday in their own special way, the two had taken a nap and had awoken about an hour ago.

"Mm no, let's just stay here." Joshua shook his head, yawning, his grasp on Dokyeom's waist gentle but immovable. Seokmin rolled his eyes before reaching out his hand to Joshua's eyes, opening them up for him.

"Do you see the fireworks Shua? They're so pretty." Seokmin gestured to the pop of colours that flew up into the sky, dispersing into tiny fragments. Joshua sighed, his eyes dropping to Seokmin's face.

"You want to see the fireworks?" Joshua asked and Seokmin nodded at once, purposely making his puppy dog eyes to convince Joshua and of course it worked, there was no day that it didn't.

"Fine." Joshua mumbled, turning over, removing his hand from Seokmin's waist, freeing him from the bed. "But do I have to come?" Joshua asked, his head peeking up.

"Is that even a question? Of course you have to come love." Seokmin replied before entering the bathroom, not knowing the actual effect he had on Joshua who had a swipe of red dashed across his face.

They both got ready to leave and once they were done, exited the apartment complex. As soon as they stepped out of the building, the decorations lined up on the street grabbed their attention.

All the street lights had been turned on making colourful circles in the form of a path on the road. The stars had bedazzled the sky, sheening the people who walked along the street.

Joshua and Seokmin took in the magnificent view in all its glory as they walked, hand in hand, to the town square.

Reaching the town square, it was already half past 11pm so the real fireworks show had begun. Dozens of fireworks shot up into the air dispersing into iridescent multi-coloured sparks.

Seokmin followed the movement of the fireworks, his head tilting backwards while his eyes went upwards, capturing and relaying the beauty in his head. His eyes glistened, the reflection of the fireworks visible in his pupils.

Seokmin didn't know it, but he was healing his inner child, the little child that never got to have a good childhood, that had to grow up faster than everyone else just to stay alive.

Because he didn't want to die.

Joshua admired the ethereal being standing in front of him, his lips twitching into a smile as he observed Dokyeom staring at the fireworks and the sky with an adorable look. He was so lucky to have Dokyeom by his side.

Dokyeom was like a painting; impossible to stop admiring. Not that Joshua had a problem with that, he liked it... he liked it a lot.

That allure was another one of Dokyeom's charms he failed to acknowledge, one that got Joshua to stop thinking and zone out at times, caught up in the beauty that was Lee Dokyeom.

"Isn't it so... beautiful?" Seokmin asked, a serene smile on his face as he continued to watch the fireworks. Joshua nodded but not once had he actually watched the fireworks show.

"Yes, he really is." Joshua's eyes stayed concentrated on Dokyeom, unwavering. Seokmin turned to Joshua, noticing his intense stare. "Hey, we're supposed to be watching the fireworks." Seokmin scolded with a subtle pout but Joshua just smiled at his cuteness, snaking his arm around Dokyeom.

"No, you're supposed to be watching the fireworks," He came closer, their faces less than a feet away from each other, "and I'm supposed to be watching you."

His low but deadly tone was enough to make Seokmin speechless and breathless, covering him in feelings of intense desire. He had to control himself and remember that they were in public.

"10...9...8!" People started to count down, easing the sexual tension between the two as they looked around, joining in on the countdown.

"5...4...3...2...1! Happy New Year!" Everybody cheered, some celebrating with hugs, kisses, drink shots and more. Joshua's hand lowered to Dokyeom's waist, dragging him closer and kissing him, the built-up tension slowly reducing as they eased into each other.

The rest of the world faded away with only the two of them left, safe and sound in each other's arms. Dokyeom closed his eyes as their lips came in contact, the kiss so light and still so powerful, rendering him breathless as they parted.

The moonlight casted down on them, making it seem like they were the only ones in the whole world, their lips, plump and swollen from the kiss, shone under the light and as they rested in the hold of each other, it was clear.

The love they had for each other was so clear, so bright that it blinded people miles away.

In that moment, Seokmin made his decision. He wasn't going to assassinate Joshua.

He had already trashed the plan weeks ago but having him there right as they entered the new year was lifechanging and eye-opening.

If Seokmin was to ever kill Joshua, then he would kill himself right after.

Soon music started to play from the pubs and clubs down the street and Joshua and Seokmin danced with each other, the burden and stress they carried on their backs due to their jobs, their paste and their ambitions floated away leaving just themselves.

Their true selves.

Seokmin's phone vibrated in his back pocket, making him take it out, a notification appearing on the screen just as he did. 'It's Parker! Happy New Year!' flashed across before disappearing.

Seokmin's face scrunched in confusion and a twinge of fear rushed through him, propelling him to look around, trying to distinguish every face in the crowd. He hoped Parker wasn't there and the message was purely a coincidence.

He couldn't have anyone finding out about his relationship with Joshua, especially not right now.

"What's wrong?" Joshua whispered into Dokyeom's ear, stopping him from continuing his search. "Nothing, I'm just... having a headache." Seokmin lied, putting his hand on his forehead as he feigned tiredness.

"Really? Maybe the sound of the fireworks and the music is too loud, let's go home baby." He draped his arm around Dokyeom who nodded in agreement, "Mm, let's go home."

.............

Joshua knew there was something wrong with Dokyeom. The way he was anxiously searching the crowd confirmed it.

Joshua looked at Dokyeom whose head rested on his laps while they watched boring movies to induce sleep. He tried to pinpoint the emotion he saw Dokyeom display while they were at the square.

...Paranoia! That was what it was.

But that revelation only made Joshua more confused. What was Dokyeom so paranoid about? And who was he looking for in the crowd?

Dokyeom's phone buzzed again, for the fourth time since they came back from the fair. Joshua squinted his eyes to try and read the message as Dokyeom switched on his phone.

He was able to see the letters P, A, R and K before Dokyeom sighed, ignoring the message and tossing the phone to the side. Was that perhaps the person who he was looking for? Or the person he was afraid of?

Joshua had to find them and warn them not to lay a finger on Dokyeom. Anyone who did so would suffer a terrible fate; an untimely death.

"Dokyeom." Joshua called, his voice sweet and comforting but Dokyeom didn't answer for some reason. "Dokyeom." He tapped him, this time, getting his attention.

"Hmm?" He rolled over, backing the television. "You're sure you're okay?" Joshua asked, even though he knew Dokyeom wasn't okay. He watched as Dokyeom opened his mouth to say something but stopped, restraining himself.

You can tell me.

Joshua pleaded with his eyes as he looked into Dokyeom's, hoping he would be able to break his shell and get him to open up.

Seokmin looked at Joshua, regret piling up in his heart. The things he wished he could say, but couldn't and he couldn't blame Joshua, he was the idiot who had gotten himself into this mess.

Hopefully, he could fix it before it became too late.

His head was pounding with the thoughts it carried and he just couldn't stay with Joshua any longer. The guilt was too much, too heavy, it suffocated him, urging him to air it out but he couldn't, not now.

Not,

Now.

"I think I'm going to go home." Seokmin stood up, his voice frantic and unstable, trembling with every word. Joshua followed, also standing up, his hands on Dokyeom's shoulder.

"No, stay here with me, I know something's wrong Mon Coeur." Joshua wrapped himself around Dokyeom tightly, trying to provide as much comfort, as much solace as he possibly could.

Seokmin's eyes welled, heavy with tears. He couldn't stay here. He had so much to think about, so many decisions to make.

He didn't want Joshua to see him break down or to think it was his fault.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." Seokmin weakly pushed Joshua away, not wanting to leave his arms but needing to.

Without looking back, Seokmin walked to the front door, putting on his shoes and leaving the house. "I love you." He said, a tear dropping unto his cheek as he faced the door.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled before going out and closing the door leaving Joshua alone.

The house suddenly became bigger, swallowing Joshua into its dungeon of emptiness and loneliness. Without Dokyeom, his life was monotone.

Not worth living.

❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

Ⓒ︎𝐎𝐇𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐇𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐇
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 06/10/2024
𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 - N/A