Seoksoo - (im)perfect

Chapter 16

Seokmin's neck was sore when he woke up. He rubbed the tight spot, sitting up straight. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the room. When they did, they steadied on the figure in the hospital bed scrolling on his phone. Seokmin's eyes widened.

"Hyung!" He gasped seeing Joshua's wide eyes shoot in his direction. "Are you okay?!" He looked at the clock on the wall. "It's ten in the morning. Has a nurse or something come in?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "She brought breakfast." He motioned to the half-empty plate at his bedside. "Hungry?" Seokmin smiled a bit, shaking his head. "Hospital food in Korea is much better than hospital food in America."

"I'm glad you're okay. Did the nurse say what caused you to faint?" Joshua avoided his gaze for a second, licking his lips and looking down at his phone. Seokmin held his breath a second as he waited for an answer, but saw the clear discomfort in his eyes. "How long are you supposed to be in for?"

"Just a few days." He said. He shifted in his seat, leaning forward on the bed. "Did you stay the entire night?"

"Of course, I did. I couldn't leave you..." Seokmin took the chair he was sitting on and scooted it closer up to Joshua's side. The back of his hand pressed against the bandage on Joshua's forehead. "You have a really big welt there. You hit your head hard."

"It doesn't take from my beauty, does it?" he smirked. Seokmin's cheeks turned red, but he chuckled.

"No, I guess not."

"You guess?" Joshua's eyes widened along with his grin. "Wow, wound me even more, why don't you." He lay back in bed, closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest. Seokmin snorted.

"You have a lot of energy for someone stuck in a hospital bed."

"Can't hear you. I'm dead." Joshua whispered. When Seokmin turned his chair around to cover his laugh, Joshua looked over and sat up again. "Seokmin?" His voice sounded a bit less playful. "I realized you never got to tell me what you wanted to, before this all happened." Joshua shifted a bit in the bed. "What was it? I'm all ears." He motioned to his face. "And nose. And eyes." Seokmin chuckled shyly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well." Seokmin began. He couldn't imagine confessing his feelings to Joshua in the middle of a hospital room less than 24 hours after his skull introduced itself to a marble floor. It felt...awkward. So, he only said: "I got the lead in the play. That's all."

Joshua's eyes sparkled; two dim lamps whose bulbs found a reason to flicker back on. "That's all? Seokmin, that's awesome!" He reached out and took his hands in his own, grinning. "I knew you would! I'm so happy for you!"

Seokmin's smile melted into a shy laugh. "Thank you. I'm excited." He felt the way his heart twisted in his chest, silently yelling out in hopes it would be able to share its thoughts too. Seokmin only swallowed, nodding his head.

"Well I'll make sure to take you out to celebrate once I'm discharged. Okay? I promise!" Seokmin's cheeks turned pink and he nodded. After a second, Joshua's smile faded and his hands loosened from Seokmin's; palms putting gentle pressure onto his forehead. "Augh. Damn it."

"Headache?" Seokmin asked, receiving a nod. He shot up. "Let me see if I can find a nurse. Don't go anywhere." Joshua looked over at him and smirked behind his hands, holding up the arm with the IV in it. Seokmin blushed, laughing nervously. "Right." Just as Seokmin was about to head out the door, he heard muffled footsteps running towards it. He stepped out of the way. His timing was perfect, as within seconds, the door flung open. Seokmin flinched, the door slamming against the wall.