#keomshu

            Joshua was never on social media. After being the subject of Joshua’s latest Instagram post, Seokmin grew curious. Seungkwan seemingly was too, wondering what else they could learn about Joshua by scanning his social media photos. Seokmin was reluctant. “Isn’t that weird?” He asked, only to be met with a shrug from Seungkwan, who took his phone and sprawled out on his back. Seokmin sighed, lying beside him and glancing up at his phone in his roommate’s hands.

         “Looks like the last thing he posted was….” Seungkwan tapped on the next photo after the morning’s walk. Sucking a deep breath in, Seungkwan cocked his eyebrow. “Jesus, like four months ago.”

         “Really?” Seokmin craned his neck to see, and there it was; a picture of the outside of a church, the Jesus on the top being the focal point of the photo.

         “Yeah. Looks like there’s some of him and friends on an outing.” With two fingers, Seungkwan zoomed into the picture. “Looks like they’re at the beach.” He smirked. “Wonder if he has a shirtless bathing suit photo.”

         “You’re so gross.” Seokmin shoved him. Scrolling through the collection of photos, Seungkwan listened to the other as he pointed out Jeonghan as a familiar face; the girl he was hugging from behind most likely being his girlfriend. Joshua had snapped a few pictures of them, and the very last one was Joshua and Jeonghan doing a very dramatic recreation of one of the poses, Jeonghan gripping Joshua in a back hug like a couple. The duo chuckled.

“What’s wrong with him?” Seungkwan scrolled further down the posts. They were scattered over different points in his life. The only time where posting seemed consistent over the years was over the summer, even as far back as what looked like his high school days back in LA. One of the photos was of him with three other boys, a slideshow of the trio - Joshua included - posing dramatically behind what looked to be their school. There was also a video posted from a few summers prior. It sounded like club music was playing in the background, and across the screen, walked two American teen boys doing a very dramatic cat-walk from one end of the camera to the other, with those recordings cracking up in the background. Seokmin immediately identified Joshua as one of the recorders by the way the laugh made him smile. 

The taller, black haired male ended by falling onto his back with one leg outstretched, the camera shook with laughter. “Your turn, Joshua!” Someone shouted, but Seokmin could only make out ‘Joshua’ since it was in English.

“No way! Kyle, come on!” Was shouted back before the video ended with another familiar laugh. 

“Wow, he’s so handsome.” Seokmin breathed, and Seungkwan began laughing.

“He really is.” Seungkwan agreed. “Even in high school. He was probably so popular." Seokmin sat up, taking the phone back into his hands and scrolling back up to the more recent photos. Another photo, more recent, was of Joshua with what looked like his parents, standing in the airport. Seokmin checked the date it was posted; two years prior. Most likely around the time he came to Korea. The caption read a simple: New beginnings and new places. So grateful for my parent’s support! Seokmin pursed his lips, unable to only make out a few words with his limited English. He had to translate it in Google.

Seungkwan rested on his friend’s shoulder, seeming to study the caption as well. “It’s definitely a far cry from your novel-length Instagram captions.” Seokmin’s lips perked up in a shy smile.

         “I think they’re very sentimental.”

         “I think I celebrated two birthdays and the death of my goldfish before I finished reading your last birthday post to me.” Seungkwan pointed out the over exaggeration sending Seokmin into a laughing frenzy.

         “Sorry, sorry.” He shook his head, setting his phone on his bedside table and falling backwards onto his bed. Seungkwan followed suit, hands behind his head as the duo stared up at the ceiling.

         “I can’t believe he basically soft launched your relationship, Hyung.”

         “Relationship? We’re not dating.”

         Seungkwan rolled over onto his side, grinning. “That’s why I said soft launch. Start off slow, casual, then BAM-!” Seokmin flinched at the sudden shout in his face. “He’s changing his social media status and putting kissy faces in his bios.”

         Seokmin’s nose scrunched up. “He doesn’t seem like that kind of guy.” Seungkwan shrugged.

         “You never know.” He said simply. A moment of silence draped over the two roommates as they lay in Seokmin’s bed. He lolled his head to look at Seungkwan, who was still facing him on his side, eyes closed though not seeming to be asleep.

         “Kwannie…” Seokmin said softly. Seungkwan only hummed, eyes cracking open a bit. “I really like him.” Seungkwan smiled a bit.

         “He’s nice.” He agreed.

“Do you think it’s too soon?” Seokmin asked. “It feels too perfect. He feels too perfect. What if he doesn’t feel the same?”

Seungkwan shook his head. “Nah. I think you’re worried about nothing. Maybe your life is turning into one of your romance books.” Seokmin just remembered he was half way through the one he borrowed and had to return it to the library in a week.

“Am I weird for liking him so much already? It’s only been a few weeks, if even that long….”

“You’re not weird.” Seungkwan chuckled. “Well, you are, but-.”

“Hey.” Seokmin turned his head to his friend as he chuckled.

“Seriously. You guys are so cute together. It’ll be fine.” Seokmin nodded, smiling a bit. “You two have already been on two dates.”

“I don’t think he counted this morning as a date.”

Seungkwan snorted. “Yeah, that’s why he posted a candid picture of you on his social media.” Seokmin bit his lip instead of replying. “Just don’t forget about us when you two are off canoodling or something disgusting, okay?” Seokmin laughed, crossing his arms over his chest.

         “I could never.” He assured, that he already knew what it felt like to have to choose between two groups of friends. He’d never do that again. 

⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔(im)perfect🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌

         The following weeks, between picking up shifts at the store and attending class, were uneventful. The only thing keeping Seokmin up at night was the thought of callbacks. They were coming one day this week, and would ultimately make up the rest of his junior year of college. He couldn’t stop thinking about how badly he wanted the chance to redeem himself from what he considered a bad performance. 

         Seokmin found himself in the library with Junhui often, the duo working on the newest project for theatre class: monologues about something that means a lot to them. It would contribute heavily to the final exam, and since it was paired with a short paper describing their thought process, they had the rest of the semester to work on it. This wasn’t because of the known rule to stay quiet in a library - a rule Seokmin knew and enforced well - but it was because both of them were completely stumped on step one of their project: brainstorming. 

         “What are you going to write about?” Junhui asked, eyeing Seokmin from behind his notebook. His feet were pulled up to the chair, putting him into a squatting position on the chair yet somehow, he didn’t fall. Seokmin glanced up.

         “I have no idea.” He sighed.

         This part was also the hardest and the least fun.

         Seokmin set his notebook down and frowned. “Sit correctly. You’re going to get us in trouble.”

         Junhui scanned the area, seeing only a few other disinterested or stressed college students even within earshot. “Nobody can see us.”

         Seokmin wasn’t convinced. “Hyung.” Junhui sighed, planting his feet back on the floor and twirling his pencil in his fingers. Seokmin stared down at his notebook page, littered with scribbles and crosses as he tried and failed to come up with a good idea for his monologue. The college experiences? Unoriginal. The first time he got a lead role? Boring and unoriginal. His familial trauma? Interesting, but way too personal. Seokmin crossed that one out so hard it ripped into the next page and he tore both out to toss into a nearby wastebasket. “We have time to come up with something. It only has to be a minute and a half right?”

         “Something like that.” Junhui sighed.

         “You could do a monologue about coming to school in Korea, learning a whole new language and culture, and adjusting.” Junhui’s lips curled up in a smile.

         “I thought that would be too obvious.” He admitted, but Seokmin shook his head.

         “I think it’s a unique perspective. And you can add something about Hao in there.” Junhui chuckled, and Seokmin grinned. “How are you guys doing, by the way?”

         “In what sense?”

         Seokmin cocked an eyebrow. “In the dating sense?”

         “We aren’t dating.” Junhui said simply.

         “Could have fooled me.”

         “We don’t put labels on anything, that’s all.” Junhui shrugged. “It is what it is, and we’re happy about that.” Seokmin nodded. “I could say the same about you. Seungkwan showed me the Instagram post.”

         Seokmin sighed. Of course, he did. “Well, unlike you two, we aren’t dating at all.”

         “Could have fooled me.” Junhui worked up his best Seokmin impression, nose scrunched up to mimic his almost high-pitched voice. Seokmin’s eyes narrowed.

         “I don’t sound like that.” He gasped, leaving Junhui in stitches. Seokmin rose from his seat, hoping to mask his rosy cheeks by leaving the table. “I need to find a book.” Junhui nodded him off, eyes returning to his notebook as Seokmin headed into the library section that houses smaller collections of books for more niche topics. Screenplays and scripts, some campus history, self-help books. Something about the latter drew Seokmin’s attention and he slipped into the aisle. As Seokmin rounded the corner, he came face to face with another man, his neck craned up at some of the books on high shelves. He didn’t have a baseball cap on since they were inside; shoulder-length back hair currently fluffy and slightly unkempt. With lips puckered lost in thought, his eyes trailed the selection before him.

         “Jihoon-Hyung.” Seokmin called, and he looked over. Seokmin nodded his head. “Sorry. Are you-?”

         “Hm? Nah.” Jihoon stretched his head. “I have to get some books for my Music Theory project.” Seokmin cocked an eyebrow.

         “So, why are you in the self-help section?” Jihoon smirked.

         “Because I don’t want to do my project.” His tone was playful, and Seokmin chuckled a bit as well. Turning back to the selection before him, Jihoon rocked on his heels, his hands in his pockets. Seokmin turned to the other side, scanning the books. He had no intention of taking one out, but he needed something to distract himself. Every few books, his eyes would dart to Jihoon as he stood still, only his eyes darting up and down the shelves. Seokmin felt a question bubbling up in his chest, one he wanted to ask but worried how it would be perceived. Did he really want to be the guy who pesters the director about callbacks? Then he’d be like Seokjin. The thought alone made him shiver.

         So, Seokmin simply pulled a random book from the shelf and looked down at the cover. Asking the Important Questions: Putting Yourself First.

         “Of course.” Seokmin muttered under his breath. Was he the unlucky one who was chosen to be God’s punching bag for the day? Stuffing the book back on the shelf, he turned to Jihoon, who now had a book in his hands. He was right in the middle, skimming it silently. “Hyung.” Seokmin caught Jihoon’s gaze and felt his anxiety bloom in his stomach, a bitter taste that threatened to bubble into his chest. “About…” Seokmin coughed. “I uh…I wanted to ask.”

         “Callbacks will be announced Friday. You did fine.” Seokmin’s mouth fell open a bit, eyes widened at the sudden blunt comment that cut through Seokmin’s question like a knife. Jihoon snickered, shaking his head. “I’ve done this same song and dance with eight other people since the weekend ended. Seokjin was two of them.”

         “I…I wasn’t going to ask about callbacks.” Jihoon now looked displeased. Not a fan of liars, it seemed.

         “You’re only good at acting when you have a script in your hand, aren’t you, Seokmin?” he stuffed the book back on the shelf before returning to the taller male. Seokmin avoided his gaze. “Hmm…You know I can’t tell you about callbacks ahead of anyone else.”  

         Not only did Seokmin want to know something he knew he couldn’t, but also tried to be sneaky about it and it made him feel guilty. The same knife that cut through his thoughts earlier stabbed him in the chest now, and he felt even smaller than Jihoon in that moment.  “I know…” he muttered, neck craning to the side. 

         “But you did fine.” Jihoon watched Seokmin glance over. “Your auditions are always good. I was impressed.”

         “Oh…” Seokmin was unsure how to process this, so he simply said: “Thanks…”

         “I could tell you were nervous, but it fit the scene you read from. So, I think it balanced out.” Jihoon checked the time on his phone, clicking his tongue. “I have to go. Class is on the other side of campus.” He nodded his head quickly. “Callbacks are on Friday, yeah? So, don’t worry until then.”

         “Alright.” Seokmin nodded his head politely as Jihoon turned around and exited the aisle, leaving Seokmin alone with the self-help books that encouraged positive mental health or assured financial success in just a few simple steps.

         Seokmin’s read them all and yet has never found the success they claim.

⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔(im)perfect🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌

         The breeze of fall turning into winter meant Seokmin needed to finally dig his jacket out from the back of his closet. He much preferred the freedom of a tee shirt, but when he tried stepping out of the house early Wednesday morning, he felt as if he stepped into an ice box. So, jacket it was.

         The last of the leaves were melting from greens to oranges and browns, while others had long since fallen from the branches and piled up around campus. Seokmin loved one thing about fall, and that was the crunch the leaves made under his feet as he cut through the grassy parts of campus to get to class. It scratched his brain in a way nothing else could, at least nothing else he had tried – the only other option being hard drugs but Seokmin would never find out if that was true or not.

         Hand gliding along the strap of his sturdy messenger bag, grinning behind a plush scarf, his feet pressed into the freshly fallen leaves. The piles were already getting higher and higher; it was only a matter of time before campus maintenance came in and whisked them away, only to return through paths of wind as if they never left. The vicious cycle would only continue until winter covers the city in snow and drowns out the crunch of leaves Seokmin loved so much. Seokmin hates when things leave him, but he knows the leaves will always come back each fall. Maybe that’s why he loves them so much. 

         Seokmin fixed his earbud when it stopped for a second, pouting to himself. With one quick tap, the music flooded his ears again, and he continued his walk to class in relative peace. He was listening to the XCalibur soundtrack. 

         Manifest the role and you’ll get it! That’s what his sister said. At first, he brushed her off with a shrug, but after his talk with Jihoon, he found himself downloading the entire playlist onto his Spotify. Maybe it would work. Or not, and he’d look like a fool.

         As Seokmin headed towards the theatre building, he thought he heard someone calling his name. He paused, stopping dead in his tracks. It was muffled behind the music, but Seokmin definitely heard his name. Tilting his head to the side, the earbud fell into his palm, and he finally heard his name clear as day. The voice sent tidal waves through his body, and when he turned Joshua was heading over. He was grinning.

         November weather put Joshua in a long black coat, puffy enough to keep all of his body heat enclosed. Underneath he had what looked to be a brown sweater, and dark slacks held together by a belt. Professional. Very professional. Seokmin covered his mouth just in case his jaw wanted to fall onto the floor with how good Joshua looked.

         He approached, putting his hands in his pockets. “Hey, stranger. Nice sweater.” He motioned to the pastel-striped sweater Seokmin had picked after tossing aside several others. “It’s a nice color on you.”

         Wow… Seokmin was eyeing his slacks. “I mean what?” His eyes snapped up to Joshua, cheeks boiling when he saw the other grin.

         “You didn’t say anything.” He was amused. Seokmin nodded his head. “I saw you heading in and I just wanted to say hi in case I don’t see you today.”

         “Oh.” Seokmin smiled, finally moving his hand from his lips to show it. “Hi.”

         Joshua chuckled. “Do you have a break at all today?”

         “Not until 1.” Seokmin sighed.

         “Ahh.” Joshua looked around. “I’ll have fifteen minutes around then.” Joshua was silent for a second. “Can I…walk you to class?”   

         If Seokmin’s body was a rocket, he’d have taken off right out of his boots and shot straight into the atmosphere, only to combust immediately. Joshua only smiled, one hand in his pocket as he waited for a response. Seokmin’s mind was racing with thoughts of what this could mean, what his intentions were. He ran his tongue along his bottom lip. Seungkwan would kill him if he said no.

         “Okay.” He turned his head to the building before them. “I’ll be in this building all morning, so…” Joshua nodded.

         “Got it. I’ll meet you here.” Silence, until his eyes widened, as if he realized that he did in fact come here to ask something specific. “Oh!” Joshua dug into his phone, pulling up his Spotify and turning the screen to Seokmin. He leaned forward; eyebrows furrowed as to what it was Joshua was trying to get him to look at. “Sunday Morning. We will be listening to it.”

         “We’ll only have fifteen minutes.”

         “I can state my thesis in eight.” Seokmin laughed as Joshua flashed a grin. “There’s no going back. It’s happening.”

         “You only want to walk me to class to show me a song by…” Seokmin completely blanked on the name. His eyes glanced down at the Spotify screen again. “Mayron 5?”

         The complete butchering of the English language made Joshua tilt his head back in laughter. Those eyes. Living proof that the moon did not only shine at night.

         “Maroon 5. And yes.” Seokmin grinned shyly. “I’ll see you later. Have fun in class.”

         “You too.” Seokmin waved a bit, watching as Joshua quickly started speed walking down the path and towards the Education Building. Seokmin bit his lip, making his way into the building and towards his classroom, students making their way into their classes for the morning. When he nestled into a seat, he immediately pulled up Joshua’s last Instagram post. The one from four days prior, and still his most recent one. He nestled his phone in his lap, out of anyone else’s view, as he stared at the photo of the two of them with their coffees and their smiles. He bit his lip as he studied it.

         Okay, he didn’t look that much like a troll goblin in it.

⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔(im)perfect🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌

         Seokmin felt nervous about seeing Joshua after class only fifteen minutes before his afternoon class came to an end. He kept eyeing the clock every time the professor turned his back, playing with the pages in his Music Theory book. 

He needed to work on his monologue. It was due in a month. Joshua was going to see him in fifteen minutes and walk him to class. That was far more important. 

         When the clock struck 12:45 and the Professor dismissed with a dry reminder of the end-of-week chapter quiz, Seokmin grabbed his bag and hurried out the door. When he got outside, much to his surprise, Joshua was waiting. He was holding his bag over his shoulder, wrist lifted as he examined the face of his fancy Apple watch. Am I the late one this time? Seokmin’s heart sank at the thought.

         Seokmin made his way over to Joshua, who immediately glanced up at the sound of footsteps. Instantly, he broke out into a grin. “Hey. How was class?”

         “Fine.” Seokmin said. “You?” Joshua shrugged.

         “My class was good. The first discussion I did for Mr. Moon went off without a hitch, too.”

         “That’s good.” The duo began to walk towards Seokmin’s next class. “Do you have afternoon classes? I don’t think I ever asked.”

         “I have one at 3, then I tutor until like 6 three days a week.”

         “Wow.” Seokmin’s eyes widened. Joshua shrugged, unbothered by the packed schedule he had.

         “I like it, so it’s okay.” He said. “I’ve always been good at explaining things to people. That’s what my friends always told me.” Seokmin could see how that was true about Joshua, nodding his head. Joshua fumbled for something in his pocket, pulling out his wallet. “I’m kind of in the mood for a snack. Want anything?” he motioned to the upcoming vending machines against the side of the Sciences Building.

         “Oh, uh.” Seokmin fumbled for his wallet, pulling out money. “Sure. I’ll pay.” Joshua opened his mouth to speak, but Seokmin interjected. “I want to.” A nervous laugh. “Sorry.”

         Joshua paused for a second, then shrugged. “Alright. Thank you.” The duo headed to the vending machines. Seokmin slipped money in and immediately bought a bag of chocolates and a bottle of water. When he turned to Joshua, he punched in for a bag of cheesy popcorn. As the snack dropped from the machine, he checked the time. “We have 8 minutes.”

         “Perfect timing for your thesis, hm?” Seokmin picked up his snacks as Joshua laughed, Seokmin’s smile only getting wider. 

         Joshua motioned to the empty bench nearby. “Want to sit for a second?” With a nod, the duo sat together. Seokmin saw Joshua scoot closer to him, fumbling for his phone. He turned bright red, covering his cheeks with his hands until the blush subsided. “Alright, get ready to listen to the best song ever written.”

         “Isn’t that Girl’s Generation’s I Got A Boy?” When Joshua cocked an eyebrow at him in confusion and slight offense, Seokmin laughed nervously. “We can listen to that one next….” Joshua passed him the earbud, sticking the other in his ear. It took a second for everything to connect, but Seokmin looked down at the phone as the song began to play.

         Seokmin didn’t understand the music since it was in English, but the opening tune immediately calmed him in a way. He pursed his lips together, before glancing at Joshua and immediately biting back the grin on his face.

         Joshua was singing the song as if he fucking wrote it. He was grinning, singing each word directly to Seokmin. He didn’t know what Joshua was saying, but he could tell by the little hints of red on those beaming cheeks of his that it was possibly romantic.

         I can’t believe he basically soft-launched your relationship.

         Seokmin turned his head, laughing a bit in amusement, but it only encouraged Joshua to scoot even closer so their shoulders were touching. Seokmin looked over again, just as Joshua was hitting the part of the song from his Instagram post. Seokmin was glad nobody was walking this way now, and he wondered how much longer he had before they were both late. He watched Joshua pretend to strum a little guitar, Seokmin threw his head back and laughed. For a fleeting second, he didn’t care about time.

         As the song came to a close, Joshua sighed. “It’s so good.” He said. Seokmin nodded. 

         “I like it.” he said. “It sounds like you.” Joshua’s eyes sparkled.

         “You think?” he asked, and Seokmin chuckled.

         “Yeah.” He said. “I don’t know what they were saying but it just sounded really romantic.” Seokmin looked down at his unopened water and bag of chocolates. “It makes me want to learn English just to understand it.”

         Joshua nodded. “I can do you one better and sing it to you in Korean.”

         Seokmin almost choked. “What?” he asked.

         “Guitar and everything.” He added.

         “You play guitar?” Joshua nodded, finally ripping open his popcorn and popping one into his mouth as the next song on his playlist, another English song, began playing.

         “Since I was five.” He said. “I played in my local church and my school’s band. I even was in a few local contests.”

         “Wow,” Seokmin said in amazement. “I’d….” he blushed. “I’d like to hear you play…if you want….” Joshua smiled as he stuffed another bite of his popcorn into his mouth. Seeing Joshua halfway through his snack, Seokmin finally lifted up his water and went to open it. The cool weather made his fingers a bit chillier than normal, leaving him unable to get a good grip on it. Joshua must have noticed when he let out an annoyed grunt of annoyance, sticking his hand out.

         “I’ll open it if you give me one of your chocolates.” Seokmin glanced over, watching as Joshua grinned at his playground-level trade deal. “Maybe two~.”

         Seokmin couldn’t resist handing over his drink, watching as Joshua cracked the cap open almost immediately. When he was handed it back, he muttered a shy thanks, before taking a few of his chocolates and pouring them into Joshua’s waiting hand. He tossed them back, allowing Seokmin a quick look at his neck and shoulder muscles. His body tingled. “Thanks.” Joshua grinned. He checked his watch. “We’ve got like 2 minutes. Shall we?”

         Seokmin hopped up, maybe a bit too eagerly. “Yeah, I don’t want to be late.” Joshua smiled. “You should go, you’ll never make it if you walk me then go to your own class.”

         Joshua scanned the nearby area, eyes calculating the time it would take to get from Seokmin’s class to his own. With a frown, he nodded. “You’re right. Damn. I’m sorry.”

         “Don’t be!” Seokmin said quickly. Despite the slight disappointment in not getting to walk with Joshua longer, he knew if Joshua was late, he’d feel guilty for days. “I’m glad we hung out for a few minutes.” He motioned to Joshua’s phone. “Thanks for the song.”

         “We have to listen to yours next time.” Joshua reminded him. “I’ll bring my guitar. We’ll have a little music date.”

         “Date?” Seokmin blinked, and Joshua seemed to match his confused stare. The word registered one more time in Seokmin’s brain, and his heart did a somersault. “Date…” he nodded, breaking into a grin. “Okay, yeah. Okay…”

         Joshua’s eyes folded into little smiles to match the one on his lips, laughing a bit. “Okay. We’ll figure it out later.” With a wave, he turned on his heel. “Bye.”

         “Bye…” Seokmin called. A second passed, and Seokmin gasped. “Hyung! Joshua-Hyung!” He called, and Joshua’s feet immediately stopped in their tracks. He spun back around, eyes intensely staring at Seokmin. It made him flinch a bit in shock. “Uhm…” he needed a second to remember what he wanted to say. “My callbacks get posted Friday. If I know Jihoon-Hyung, probably around 1 or 2?” Joshua smiled. “If you’re not busy, maybe you can-.”

         “I’ll let you know, okay?” Joshua smiled. “I’ll try my best to be there and congratulate you!” Seokmin nodded, smiling again as Joshua continued his way to class, Seokmin turning around and heading to his own. He looked down at the water in his hands, pressing it to his lips and taking a sip.

         He asked me on another date… Seokmin thought. He felt giddy, even more so than he did when leaves were crunching under his feet.

⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔(im)perfect🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌⚔🦌

         Friday needed to skip over to Saturday. Seokmin will not be a ball of nerves on Saturday. However, when one o’clock struck, he headed over to the theatre building. Jihoon would be putting a big callbacks sheet on the theatre door at 1:45, and already it was packed with eager actors and actresses clamoring to see if they were asked for another shot at showing their skills. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked to see Junhui. His hair was brushed back a bit, and rimmed glasses sat on his face. He glanced at Seokmin and smiled.

         “I’m nervous.” Seokmin breathed. Junhui took his hands and shook his head.

         “We will be fine.” He assured. “Manifestation, remember?” Yes, he remembered. His sister texted him again to remind him. His eyes darted around just as Seungkwan and Mingyu approached. “…Waiting for Joshua-Hyung?” he asked. Seokmin immediately sensed the annoyed tone in Junhui’s voice.

         “No.” He said quickly. Junhui didn’t look convinced. “Well, yeah. But he said this afternoon that his class ends at 1:30, so he’ll try to leave the class a bit earlier.” Seokmin saw Junhui shrug. “Where’s Minghao?”

         “Same thing.” He said. “Class until 1:30. But he knows who made callbacks, so he said he’ll stay away.” Seokmin’s eyes widened, so Junhui had to clarify: “His art class is leading the set design for their final project, so he’s been working with Jihoon and the entire team pretty closely.” Seokmin nodded, before Seungkwan poked his head into the conversation.

         “Your little boyfriend was finishing up in Professor Moon’s office when I saw him.” Seokmin checked his phone. It was 1:30. Shit, where did the time go? He looked up, seeing the crowd of people by the front door growing even larger. He gulped.

         “We should probably wait until it thins out a bit.” Seokmin said when he saw Seokjin making his way over, grinning and chatting with a few friends and a gaggle of adoring fans. “I don’t want to have to push through.”

         “Good idea.” Mingyu stretched his arms over his head. Seokmin rubbed his arm, turning to look over his shoulder. He bit his lip, looking between his three friends as they formed idle conversation about relationships. Mingyu chatted about Seungcheol being way too loud with his games, Seungkwan gushed about how Vernon sat next to him in class for three days straight so it’s getting serious, and Junhui shared a little update on Minghao’s excitement for his art class final. Seokmin always listened in moments like this because he had nothing to contribute. He wanted to be part of their conversation beyond just a listener. He felt a nervous seed plant into his stomach, but he took a deep breath.

         “…Joshua asked me on another date.” He muttered under his breath. Silence. All eyes were on him, and Seokmin stared directly at the floor. “I think. Well, he called it a date, so-.”

         “That’s awesome, Min.” Mingyu grinned, nudging his friend. “Where too?”

         “Uhm, he said something about music. Not sure of all the details yet.”

         “But did he specify it was a date?” Seungkwan asked. When Seokmin nodded, Seungkwan gasped. “Ohhhh my gosh. Seokmin, how cute. Congratulations~.”

         “Called it.” Junhui grinned. Seokmin laughed shyly, nodding his head.

         “Yeah, I’m excited.” He said. Just then, another voice was heard calling his name, and his eyes shot up.

         “Speak of the devil,” Mingyu murmured, a grin still on his face as Joshua hurried over. He looked down at Seokmin, seeing the nervous smile on his face fully form into a genuine one.

         “Am I late?” Joshua asked, almost nervous as he looked around. Seokmin shook his head.

         “No.” he said. “No you’re not late. You're right on time.” He was practically singing those words. He wondered why there was an unfamiliar feeling in his chest as he said them. “You're not late…” he said one more time. Joshua smiled proudly. 

         “Then what are we waiting for?!” Joshua asked. He led the charge towards the crowd, Seokmin and Junhui immediately following the charismatic leader. Seungkwan glanced at Mingyu.

         “I thought we were waiting for the crowds to die down.” Mingyu only shrugged, and the two of them followed behind. Seokmin hurried to Joshua’s side.

         “I hope you didn’t get in trouble for leaving early.” Joshua shook his head.

         “I made sure to ask permission. Professor Moon just told me to take anything I didn’t finish home and make up the extra thirty minutes.” Seokmin smiled. “It’s worth it, though, so I don’t mind.” Seokmin chuckled. “Unless you don’t get a callback, then I’ll make you do the work for me as reparations.”

         “I don’t think that’s how that works.” Seokmin commented. As the group got closer, the sheet was already posted on the door, Jihoon most likely sneaking in and out to post it amongst the chaos. Seokmin watched as everyone shuffled in between others to try and get a glimpse. His eyes darted amongst the people passing him by, gauging their reactions. Faces of disappointment, anger, joy. All of the emotions radiated off each person who passed by Seokmin, attaching to him like a magnet. It weighed him down, and made his bones feel heavy with nerves. If people like Kim Jisoo or Park Jinyoung were leaving frustrated, what did that mean for him?

         Junhui took a deep breath, a stone cold look on his face. “I’m going in.” He said.   

         “God speed.” Seungkwan called. Joshua’s laugh hit Seokmin’s ear and made him shiver. He pressed his finger to his lips as Junhui navigated through the crowd. It was thinning with each passing second as people discovered their fate, but Junhui still had to wiggle through like a tall sardine. Seokmin looked at the others.   

         “He’ll definitely get something.” He said. “He did so good.”

         “So did you.” Mingyu assured. Seokmin glanced at Joshua, who was focused on scanning the crowd, eyes darting between different people. He looked interested in the chaos.

         “It feels like I’m back home.” He said. “I live right by the Staples Center back in LA. You ever hear of it?”

         “No.” Mingyu and Seungkwan said. Seokmin felt guilty shaking his head as well when Joshua looked at him next.

         “Well, they have lots of sports stuff there and concerts. I’ve seen people topple one another like this to get tickets last minute or right as they go on sale. It’s nuts.” He flashed a smirk of amusement.

         A few moments later, Junhui reemerged. Nobody needed to ask what happened, because he was beaming.

         “I got a callback for Lancelot.” He said, and was immediately swarmed with congratulatory hugs and cheers. Seokmin clapped for him, but he was too nervous to really relax and celebrate, at least for now. Seokmin caught a beeline straight for the list, but he was still too far to see his name. Junhui patted his back. “You should go look.” Seokmin looked up at Junhui, who was still grinning.

         “Did I get one?” he asked.

         “Why would I tell you?” Junhui smirked. “The paper’s right there.”

         “I’ll die if I have to walk over there and not get anything. That’s the worst walk of shame I’ll ever do.” Joshua snorted at his use of words, and Seokmin’s cheeks tinted red. “That’s not what I-.”

         “We know what you mean.” Mingyu gave him a supportive pat on the back. “Want me to come up there with you?”

         “Sure.” Seokmin smiled at his friend as the duo made their way through the crowds. Seokmin saw a few people he knew from previous plays, and he said his brief hellos in passing, wishing them luck as they made their way up front. Mingyu wasn’t one for violence, but he was big and buff, so most people didn’t want to risk pissing him off. The one that didn’t know him at least. Never judge a book by its very broad cover. Seokmin approached the front, covering his eyes. “Aaaaa, Gyu, I’m terrified.”

         “Don’t be.” Mingyu said. He could sense a bit of excitement in his friend’s voice, and he finally found the confidence to open his eyes. His eyes scanned under each male character’s name, then to the ensemble. Finally, his eyes landed on the lead: Arthur. He scrolled down the handful of names placed underneath, and his eyes widened.

         “Oh wow.” He blinked. “...Oh wow! I got one! Really?!”

         “Hell yeah, you did!” Mingyu threw his arms around Seokmin’s shoulders, pulling him into a tight side hug. “I knew it!”

         When Seokmin turned back, Junhui’s smile was the first he caught, the smile of someone who knew and was waiting to see the other’s reaction. He and Mingyu made their way back over.

         “I got one for Arthur.” Seokmin gasped, hands cupped over his mouth in surprise and excitement. Seungkwan cheered, throwing his arms around Seokmin almost immediately.

         “Congratulations, Hyung! Did I ever doubt you?!”

         “I know, I know.” He grinned. Finally relieved, he turned to Junhui and their smiles immediately mirrored one another. Seokmin hugged him tightly. “I knew you’d get one, Hyung. It was so obvious;  they should basically just give you the role!”

         “You give me waaaay too much credit.” Junhui laughed. “But thank you. Same to you!”

         “I told you.” Seokmin turned to Joshua, who was brushing some of his brown hair from his face and smiling. Seokmin blushed, covering his cheeks. Joshua stepped closer. “What was it you said when we hung out and practiced?” he asked. Seokmin was quiet for a second, but Joshua only stuck his hand up in the air, fingers pinched together. “Salute?”

         “Oh God.” Seokmin sank to the floor, covering his face. He immediately heard Seungkwan burst into laughter, doubled over at the memory of how hard Seokmin laughed the first time he heard that in the movie. “I forgot I told you about that.”

         Joshua grinned, standing Seokmin up. He threw an arm around the blushing mess, pulling him to his side before once again shouting. “SALUTE!”

         “Oh God, stop, people are looking at us!” Seokmin gasped, his cheeks flaring red as he buried his face into Joshua’s shoulder in hopes of avoiding their gaze.

         “They should! They’re looking at the lead for XCalibur and they don’t even know it yet!” Joshua cheered. “We have to celebrate!”

         “Agreed! Dinner on Mingyu and Seungcheol-Hyung!” Junhui shouted.

         “We paid last time!” Mingyu shouted. When Seokmin lifted his head up, he immediately saw other passerby’s staring at them. He wanted to die. He covered his face, and Joshua only chuckled, continuing to hold him to his side.

         “Awww, don’t be shy.” He begged, putting a hand on Seokmin’s hair. He chuckled. “You’re so cute.”

         “Stop, you’re giving people the wrong idea.” Seokmin looked up at him, but Joshua only grinned.

         “Am I?” He asked. Seokmin had nothing to say in the moment. He only kept his red cheeks covered and stared at Joshua’s face. Was he?

         “…I need to call my mom.” He finally said, turning away from a snorting Joshua and scrambling for his phone as he headed outside. He pressed the phone to his ear, the ringing hopefully a distraction from the way his heart pounded against his ribcage and the way his face and neck burned. Joshua’s adorable, perfect smile was burned into his mind, but he didn’t mind.

         When his mother picked up and he told her the news, her cheers only distracted him for as long as he had her on the phone. She was busy at work and eager to tell her coworkers the news, so the call only lasted 10 minutes. Fuck. 

Seokmin was staring down at his phone screen when a hand was thrown around his shoulder. The force made him think it was Mingyu, but when he turned to his left, Joshua still had the same scrunched-up nose and an amused grin on his face. 

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