Chapter Text
Joshua woke up with the worst headache. As he wiggled his body to move, he bumped into a sturdy chest that smelled of oak and alcohol.
Alcohol?
Woosh. He woke up gripping his aching head, startling the other person awake. He now remembered the after-party they had last night for Mingyu's appearance in the famous model magazine and also the 218 bro's birthday. They drank like crazy last night, first to enjoy and second to relieve the stress they had the whole week.
"Shua Hyung?" a raspy and low voice called out, leaving a tingly feeling in Joshua's knees.
"Hm?" He replied, looking at the person still cooped up in bed with slightly messy hair and the brightest smile that could rival the Sun.
" Good morning~" Seokmin wished, dragging the last sound, tugging at the heartstrings of Joshua.
" .. Morning~" Joshua smiled, his eyes turning into crescents and dragging the last sound just like Seokmin. They both giggled, enjoying the company of each other and the morning sunlight… though the sunlight seemed too bright at the moment.
" Sorry to be the lightbulb but it's not morning but noon. And please stop being so cheesy in front of everyone." Seungkwan said, startling the two people on the bed. Only then did they realize they were not alone but surrounded by half their friends who were looking at them funny not because they woke up late but because of their inability to notice their surroundings.
Joshua was about to say something when Seokmin started laughing, with his long drawn-out claps and scrunched eyebrows. Others began laughing too when Seokmin fell out of bed as he was laughing at the situation. Nothing is funnier than the infectious happy Virus' laugh accompanied by old man Dino.
Then Mingyu arrived, in an apron and a scoop in hand, calling everyone out to drink the hangover soup and have some food. He looked like the bullied mother of the household taking care of the 12 children's stomachs.
Joshua walked behind the group to their kitchen table and naturally sat beside Seokmin. After emptying every bowl, they chose the people to wash their utensils through a game of stone, paper, and scissors.
It was their free day after a week of hard labor. Everyone went to do things of their own. Joshua also stood up to find something to do when his shirt was tugged from behind.
" Shua Hyung, do you want to play the guitar?" Seokmin asked, looking expectantly. Who could resist those puppy eyes?
"Sure, wait for me to freshen up." He replied softly.
" Okay~"
" If not for the fact that we live together and that they both are oblivious idiots, I would've thought they were dating each other for a long time behind our backs," Seungkwan said to Jeonghan when the pair went far from them. Jeonghan heaved a sigh and Seungkwan patted his back as they looked in the direction the pair went to with an exhausted look.
"Lala la la la la la la la la la la…. Lalala la"
"Hmm~ good job kyeom-ah. You've improved so much!" Joshua exclaimed, holding Seokmin's hand and swinging it back and forth in his happiness.
"Ehehehe... Aye Hyung~ thank you but it's mostly because of you that I learned better." He said blushing and grinning ear to ear.
" Aye, kyeom-ah ~" Joshua blushed and grinned, crinkling his eyes.
" Ugh, why did I think it was a good idea to come listen.." Woozi interjected, grabbing the duo's attention.
" Ah, Jihoon Hyung! You were here? Come join us!" Seokmin radiantly invited him, Joshua nodding beside him.
" Ah it's okay, I was just passing when I heard you guys singing so came by to listen. But here you are being all lovey-dovey." He said playfully.
" Jihoon-ah~ it's their favorite time now, let's not disturb." A head poked out from behind, playfully teasing them. It was none other than Jeonghan who was hiding by the door.
" Yah Hyung~" Seokmin sulked, gaining a few chuckles.
"Okay, we'll stop. We were going to the convenience store, do you guys want anything?" Jeonghan asked when he saw Joshua's eyes growing bigger, giving him the signal to stop teasing.
" I want ice cream!! Choco ice cream." Seokmin answered excitedly.
" Me too," Joshua replied after him.
" Ayee~" Jeonghan went away, dragging Woozi along with him.
" The only one that can make Jihoon Hyung go outside," Seokmin said, amazed, watching their fading backs.
" Not the only one but yes, Jeonghan can easily do it," Joshua replied, a chuckle escaping his lips.
They both cracked up and then proceeded with playing the guitar. After some time, Seokmin puts down his guitar looking quite down.
"What happened?"
" hyung… I just remembered something."
" What is it?" He gently probed.
" It's useless thinking about it now but I heard some people say my voice is not soothing enough. Though it was said before, I'm suddenly reminded of it today."
" Hmm." Joshua hummed softly, patting the back of Seokmin's hand. " Do you remember the time we heard the story of the Sirens?"
Joshua's sudden question confused him but he replied after thinking about it, " Yes, that time when Hoshi Hyung and Myungho were bickering about Hoshi being a tiger." He laughed a little thinking about it. They had just finished a movie together when Hoshi claimed he was a Tiger to no one's surprise, but Myungho wanted to tease him and their bickering started. It was quite a funny sight except for the fact that they were not shooting that scene.
" Yes, say why do you think the fishermen listened to the Siren's song even when they knew it meant their demise?" Joshua asked gently, looking straight at Seokmin.
He had a feeling Joshua wanted to say something but he didn't know what so he replied, " Because they were hypnotized?"
" Yes, they were hypnotized by the voice of Sirens. They probably felt like it was worth going through destruction for that voice."
"Woah, I see. I didn't think of it that way, Shua Hyung." Seokmin received a light pat on his hair.
" When I read that I was reminded of you kyeom-ah. Your voice makes all the problems and pain worth it. My heart stops beating and I can't feel my breath anymore as I'm mesmerized by your voice. And I know many others feel that way too, craving a chance to hear you sing and destroy their existence."
Seokmin sat there digesting those words and silence filled the room. As teary as he was, he wanted to thank his hyung for encouraging him so he gave him a tight hug. " Thank you, Hyung."
" Mhmm. Now kyeom-ah, sing me a song if you are so thankful."
"Sure Hyung!" Seokmin replied happily, his body vibrating with joy.