#diecisiete

I had met Vernon by chance a while ago, and that brings us to where I am today.

Vernon and the guys finally had a few days off and had rented a beautiful house on the outskirts of Korea, surrounded by nature for three days.

They wanted to spend a few days together before going on their own vacations, as they wanted to celebrate the good work they'd been doing, birthdays, etc., and Vernon had invited you to go with them.

You had met the guys before, but you still didn't feel comfortable, and you couldn't say you got along with everyone. It was very easy to get close to them; they were really lovely guys, but you couldn't fool yourself. The ones you respected the most were Joshua and Seungcheol, so they were the ones you felt the least connected to.

You had been washing the dinner dishes while the guys went outside with the chairs to start drinking and playing Mafia. You wanted some peace and quiet for a while, so you offered to wash them.

You had music playing on your phone in the background and were so distracted, singing along while you were washing dishes that you hadn't noticed Joshua come into the kitchen to get more drinks.

He hadn't expected to find you in the kitchen either.

"Y/N?"

You jump a little in fright when you hear his voice.

"Oh. Hi Joshua. Sorry I didn't hear you come in. Do you need anything?" you said, turning slightly to face him while rinsing a couple of dishes.

"No, I'm fine. But why are you washing dishes? Y/N, you don't have to do it. Come out and have fun too" he said as he approached me, rolling up his sleeves.

He tries to push me aside and take the dishes and sponge from my hands.

I move away from him and try to hold the dishes up so he can't grab them. He lets out a small laugh and picks them up easily. Disadvantages of being shorter.

"That's just dirty talk" I said, half embarrassed by my failed attempt.

"Why?" he asked, laughing. "It's not my fault I'm taller than you."

At that moment, I realize how handsome Joshua is, and how tall he is. I also notice his smile; it's really pretty.

"Joshua… I'm washing the dishes because I want to, really" I tell him seriously, hoping he'll believe me. I take the dishes out of his hands again.

"It relaxes me to wash the dishes while listening to music. Besides, you guys don't have much time to relax and have fun, so…" I say casually, going back to washing the dishes.

It's starting to make me nervous that he's standing there beside me without saying anything. I try to concentrate so he doesn't notice the effect he's had on me.

"Okay. Let's do something. You wash and I'll dry, then you come with me and the rest. Deal?" he says, holding out his hand.

I dry my hands on the cloth I've hanging and give him my hand.

"Deal" I smile. I grab my phone and put on my playlist.

Joshua asks me a lot of questions while we're washing dishes. He really likes Spain and is fascinated when he hears me sing songs in that language. I tell him I can teach him whenever he wants if he helps me more with Korean and English.

"Then we have another deal" he says, pushing me with his hips.

"We have it" I say, hitting him back.

When we're done, Joshua hands me the drinks and tells me to go outside, that he'll be right there.

When he comes back, he has a chair for me and a blanket.

"Here, it starts to get cooler at night" he says, handing me the blanket.

"Thanks" I say, my cheeks burning, trying to ignore the other members' gazes on us.

"Uuuuuh, Joshua being the gentleman everyone likes so much" Mingyu says, laughing. The others laugh too.

Joshua simply pats him gently on the head while smiling and sitting down next to him.

I'm starting to feel tired, not just because I've had a little to drink, but because I don't know where they get so much energy. I curl up further in the chair and cover myself up to my neck. I don't even remember when I fell asleep.

A soft, gentle voice wakes me. It's Joshua.

"Y/n, let's go inside, ok?" Joshua helps me stand and carries the blanket and my things. I walk like a zombie in front of him, my eyes half-closed. I stumble on the porch steps as I walk up to the house, and Joshua quickly grabs my arms.

"Be more careful" he laughed.

"Thanks, Shua" I realize what I called him and try to correct myself. "Joshua.

He gently supports my back to guide me toward the door, afraid I'll fall again.

"I like Shua" he says, looking down at me when we reach the door.

Fuck, I think I like him.

When we get to my bedroom door, he hands me my things and wishes me goodnight.

I think it's around 6 in the morning when I wake up with a dry mouth and a headache.

I head to the kitchen for a glass of water and find a figure sitting at the kitchen island with their back to me.

"Hi" I greet, almost whispering, since I don't want to wake the others.

Joshua turns when he hears my voice.

"Oh y/n, can't you sleep either?"

"No, I feel terrible. I hardly ever drink and this is horrible" I say as I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water.

"Wait here for a moment" he disappears before I can answer.

Joshua returns a second later with a headache pill.

"Here. I always carry everything I need when I travel" he says, handing it to me.

"Thank you so much, Joshua. You're a lifesaver" I say, grabbing the pill. When I look out the window, I see dawn breaking.

"Joshua… Would you like to go for a walk with me?" I think I could use some fresh air.

"Of course. Let's bundle up and head out."

I put on a fairly thick oversized sweatshirt and join Joshua by the door.

He holds the door open for me to go out first.

"Be careful going down the stairs" he reminds me.

As we walk, we chat a lot, and we realize we share a lot of things. We like the same songs, hobbies, and even movies and TV shows.

I get excited when I tell him about one of my favorite anime, and he does too when I tell him. I didn't expect him to be such a geek about it, but it's nice to know we watch the same anime.

"Well, I have to show you a Totoro mug I made when I learned to make pottery," I tell him excitedly.

"Really?! I've also made pottery and things with clay, I love it! I can't wait to see it."

We continue walking and talking happily for a long time until we reach a river.

I take off my shoes and put my feet in the water. I don't last even two seconds in it before I run out.

"It's freezing!" I say, jumping up and down, and Joshua starts laughing.

"What did you expect? It's a river!" He continues laughing.

I sit on the ground, put on my socks, and squeeze my feet with my hands in an attempt to warm them.

"Sometimes I'm surprised by how silly I am" I say, laughing too.

Joshua sits down next to me.

''Come on, leave it to me'' he says, putting my feet on his lap and bringing his large hands to them. I should be embarrassed, but I'm actually grateful for your warm hands.

"Better?" he asks, looking at me.

"Y-Yes.. Thank you very much, Joshua."

Between how comfortable I am, the warmth of Joshua's hands, and the fact that the pill has taken effect, my eyes are starting to feel heavy, but I don't want to leave. I sit quite close to Joshua.

After a while, my stomach growls with hunger. Joshua and I look at each other and laugh.

"Let's go back home and I'll make breakfast. I'm starting to get hungry too."

When we get back home, everyone is still asleep, and the quiet is appreciated. I tell Joshua I'll make some pancakes and he'll make some coffee.

When I'm on my tiptoes stretching for the chocolate syrup, I smell his scent behind me. Joshua reaches over me and takes it without difficulty.

"Perks of being so tall, you know" he says, shrugging and smiling.

In an hour, we have the table set. There are enough pancakes for everyone, toast, and Joshua's coffee, which smells delicious.

"I think we make a good team" Joshua says.

"I think so too."

As I serve both plates, Joshua asks me how I like my coffee.

We finally sit down to eat.

"Y/n, the pancakes are delicious!" Joshua says, looking at me with wide eyes.

I roll my eyes.

"You're exaggerating."

"I'm serious, they're delicious" he says as he takes another bite.

"I'll make a note. Next time I'll make you some Spanish food and see what you think."

"Really? Because I would love to. I've tried some dishes when I've traveled around Europe, but I really don't make them here."

"Really. I promise" I say, jokingly offering him my pinky finger to seal the promise.

Joshua joins his pinky with mine.