Chapter Text
When he makes it to the bar, he feels even worse than before. His stomach turns as he walks past the bouncer and into the dark room that is vibrating with how loud the music is.
He makes his way to the bar, knowing he won’t make it five minutes in here without a drink in his hand. There is a huge crowd around the bar, to the point where he can barely make out the bartender in the midst of it.
Great.
After far too long of a wait, Minho finally has a drink in his hand. He felt too pressured with the crowd to pick anything difficult, so he went with his standard “easy” order, gin and tonic. As he takes his first sip, he looks around the main area of the room for the first time.
Off to the right there is a large dance floor, mostly empty right now, but that’s not surprising given the type of music they’re playing right now. Behind the dance floor, there are hightop tables where groups of people congregate with their various drinks, trying to talk with their friends over the deafening music.
To the left, there are booths where people can sit. While scanning this area, he makes eye contact with Chan and the man waves at him as a bright smile breaks across his face. Minho does his best to return the smile, despite the feeling of anxiety crawling through him.
Once he fights his way through several groups of people, he finally makes it over to Chan and he also now sees Felix sitting behind Chan, talking to someone he’s never seen before. They must know each other well enough, based on the overly animated conversation they seem to be having.
“You made it!” Chan throws his hand up and claps Minho on the shoulder. Minho tightens his grip on his glass before it falls out of his hand from being jostled. Chan really needs to learn how strong he is…
“Sure seems like it.” Minho deadpans, never wanting to miss the chance to throw Chan off. He does his best not to smile or break character at all while Chan glares at him knowingly.
“I’m glad you came, Felix has been talking non-stop about how much he wants to dance with you. Apparently I’m not a very good dance partner.” He rolls his eyes dramatically and Felix quickly inserts himself in the conversation. “Excuse me, I never said you were a bad dance partner, I can enjoy two dance partners. There is no law against this!” Felix pokes Chan in the cheek with each word of the last sentence to really drive his point home. “Hi hyung!” He adds, beaming up at Minho while he latches onto Chan’s back like a leech. “Come sit with us! We’ll go dance once the music gets better.” He points to the other side of the booth and ushers Minho to get comfortable.
After some light conversation with Chan, Felix, and who he has learned is Wooyoung, a choreographer at the company Chan works for, they all finish their second drinks and Minho is feeling much more comfortable. The alcohol is doing its job and giving him the ability to socialize for more than ten minutes before he needs to hide in the bathroom.
A familiar beat takes over the speakers and Felix’ eye light up, reflecting the colorful lights that have been panning around the room.
“Oh my god! I love this song! Come on!” He rushes out of the booth, effectively crawling directly over Chan and grabbing Minho’s arm. “We have to go dance now!”
Minho does his best not to trip while Felix drags him to the dance floor. He giggles, something he only does when he’s passed the point of tipsy. “I’m coming! You don’t have to run!” he shouts over the booming speakers.
Once Felix is happy with their position among all the other sweaty dancers, he turns to Minho and grabs both of his hands. They dance and giggle like teenage girls for the rest of the song and a few after that. Soon, the music turns a little more sultry, and all the couples around them start grinding against each other. Chan makes his way over and Felix throws his arms over his shoulders and gets on his tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
Minho taps his shoulder and leans in close to his ear so Felix can hear him. “I’m gonna go get another drink.” He half shouts while pointing towards the bar. Felix gives him a thumbs up and turns back to Chan.
He pushes his way through the crowd and finally makes it back to the bar. It’s a lot less crowded than it was earlier. He leans his elbows on the wooden surface and sighs. He’s remembering now why he didn’t want to come. As much as he loves Felix, he knew the night would eventually end with Felix and Chan in their little bubble and Minho alone.
Before the bartender makes it to him for his order, an older looking man swoops in the space right next to him.
“What are you drinking, beautiful?” The man looks directly into Minho’s eyes and it makes him pause. He looks over the man and shit , he is hot. He’s about the same height as Minho, but his dark, almost black hair frames his face just right. His jawline looks sharp enough to hurt and his shoulders are incredibly broad. He looks like he just came from a meeting, wearing a tight white button up with the sleeves rolled up and black slacks. He’s one of the most formally dressed people here.
Realizing how long it’s been since he was asked a question, he blushes slightly. “Hmm, not sure yet. Got any suggestions?” He looks back to the bartender who is finally making their way over to him and the mystery man.
“What can I get for you two?” The bartender is already reaching for a glass to dry off with the rag thrown over his shoulder.
The man next to him finally breaks eye contact and looks up to the man across the bar. “Two whiskey sours, please.” As they wait for their drinks, the mystery man turns back to Minho with a wide grin.
“I hope that’s alright with you, whiskey sours are kind of my go to drink.” The drinks are set down in front of both of them and the bartender mentions the price. “You can put them under my tab, Lee Minhyuk.”
Minho takes a sip of his drink and nods. “It’s not too bad, I suppose.” He feigns annoyance, because he doesn’t know how to accept gifts or this level of attention from strangers. “It’s no gin and tonic, that’s for sure.” He goes back for a second sip, it’s actually a really good drink. Why doesn’t he get these more often?
The man, Minhyuk, barks out a laugh and brings his own glass up to his lips. “I’ll remember that for next time, baby.”
Baby . Minho knows that it’s been a long time since he’s flirted with anyone, but are they usually this forward? He doesn’t even know how to keep up with this, but this man is extremely attractive and he seems interested enough to potentially take Minho home.
This is what I wanted. He thinks to himself. Something quick and easy to regulate my emotions.
He gives himself a quick pep talk and smiles up at Minhyuk. “You better.” The gorgeous man chuckles and winks at him before taking another drink.
“So, what’s your name? I don’t think I’ve seen you at one of these parties before, and I’m pretty sure I would’ve noticed you if you had.” Wow, this guy is laying it on thick . Minho can’t help but giggle.
“Minho.” he reaches up and brushes some of his own hair out of his face. “You’re right, I haven’t been to one of these before. My friend dragged me out because apparently I don’t have enough fun.”
Minhyuk hums, “That’s hard to believe, you look like a lot of fun to me.” He winks again. “Who’s your friend?”
Minho looks out towards the dance floor and spots Felix with his back pressed up against Chan’s front. He gestures towards them. “Bang Chan, or well, technically I’m closer to his boyfriend Felix.” He looks back at Minhyuk and studies his face while he’s not looking at him. He is seriously next level attractive. He can’t help but think that he is way out of his league.
“Really? I can’t believe he’s never introduced us before. I work with him everyday! I’ll have to get onto him for that.” He slowly turns back to Minho and gives him what can only be described as a smolder. “Do you want to join them out on the dance floor?” He gestures with his head out towards his two friends.
“Sure.” Minho gives him a tiny smile and downs the last bit of his drink. This is much easier than he thought it would be. He thought he’d have to be the one to approach someone, as he’s been told many times that he’s unapproachable and gives off a bitch vibe when he’s out like this. At minimum, he’s getting quite the confidence boost.
He sets his empty glass down and looks back at Minhyuk. He grabs Minho’s hand gently and begins to walk him out to the floor. Once they make it out, he turns Minho towards him and settles his hands on his waist. He’s touching him with such care, like he might break him. It makes Minho laugh to himself, no one has been so delicate with him in years. Everyone knows that he is stubborn and doesn’t like to be doted on. However, it surprises him how much he likes the feeling right now. Like he is precious and needs to be handled with care.
He puts his hands on Minhyuk's shoulders and damn , he was right, this man is built. Selfishly, he runs his hands over the span of his shoulders and down to his biceps, eventually settling his hands around his neck.
Minhyuk chuckles lowly, “Like what you see?” Then he has the nerve to flex under Minho’s grip.
“Mmm,” Minho looks up like he’s considering his answer. “It’s definitely not disappointing.” He pulls himself a little closer, their faces only a few inches apart now.
Minhyuk smiles and his grip on Minho’s waist tightens, pulling their hips flush together. Minho sighs, the tips of his ears turning red. All at once, he’s remembering what it’s like to be this close to someone. To be desired. He’s definitely missed this more than he realized.
Minho slowly looks back up into Minhyuk’s eyes, then glances down to his lips. They are slightly parted, full and inviting. By the time he makes his way back to his eyes, he can see Minhyuk looking down at his own lips. He briefly wonders if his lip gloss is still intact, biting his lower lip lightly to see if he can taste it. This action seems to have lit a fire in Minhyuk and he is suddenly leaning in.
The first contact of their lips is light, just a firm press, before Minhyuk begins moving with more determination. His hands travel up Minho’s back, to pull him even closer. Minho runs his hands through his silky smooth hair and moans lightly as he feels a tongue swipe across his lips.
At this point, everything else happening around them disappears. It is just them, surrounded by white noise and nothing else. Minho tilts his head to access more of Minhyuk’s mouth. They are both eagerly trying to taste every part of the other. Minho moves his hands, starting to run them over his chest. His brain falters when he doesn’t feel the straps from the set of overalls he expects. Wait. What the fuck? He quickly opens his eyes and looks at the man in front of him.
At this point, everything comes crashing back to him. The bar, the music, the people all around him. What was he thinking? He really thought he would open his eyes and see… Jisung? He takes a step back quickly and his eyes are wide. What the fuck is wrong with me? He’s supposed to be doing this so he doesn’t think about Jisung anymore.
Minhyuk slowly opens his eyes and struggles to catch his breath. “Are you okay?” He lifts his hand up and strokes Minho’s cheek lightly. This snaps Minho out of it and he does his best to return to the moment, throwing all his thoughts of Jisung out of his mind. “Yeah, sorry..” He doesn’t even have an excuse to give.
“That’s okay baby, do you want to continue?” Minhyuk looks so gentle, it makes Minho’s breath catch. He nods slowly and puts his hands back on his chest, briefly squeezing the impressive muscles there and Minhyuk laughs. He’s a sucker for muscles, sue him.
Minhyuk cups his face, pulling him back in for a much slower, more sensual kiss. Minho does his best to relax into it, letting Minhyuk lead. Minho lets his hands trail lower, down his chest and to his stomach. He gets lost in the feeling of lips on lips and quickly, they are back to a desperate make out. Minhyuk has his hands in Minho’s hair, pulling lightly and it makes him groan into his mouth. When Minhyuk responds with a matching moan, Minho finds himself completely lost in the feeling again.
“Ji-”
He immediately snaps out of his trance and gasps. “Fuck. I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I have to go.” Before Minhyuk can even respond, Minho is halfway out of the building. He speed walks to the train station and it’s not until he is sitting on the train that he pulls out his phone and texts Felix.
Me
I left
Sorry, I wasn’t feeling well
Must’ve been the drinks
Yongbokie
Are you okay?
You should’ve found me
I would’ve gone back with you!
Me
I’m okay
Didn’t want to bother you
Don’t worry
I just got home
He shuts his door behind him and leans back against it. He doesn’t even know how to begin processing what happened tonight. So he leans over to take his shoes off and makes his way to his kitchen to make a cup of tea.
He sits down on his couch with his tea, and curls his legs under himself. He sighs.
He was drunk, right? That’s why he kept thinking of Jisung. That’s got to be why.
If he’s really honest with himself though, he was only tipsy at best. Definitely not drunk enough to mistake someone for someone else.
He buries his face in his knees and groans loudly. This was not how tonight was supposed to go. He could’ve been on his way to Minhyuk’s place right now, yet he somehow managed to cock block himself.
After beating himself up for a while, he finally drags himself off the couch and to the shower to try to wash off whatever was plaguing him.
He blasts music while he showers to drown his thoughts, but eventually he makes it to his bed and lays in the quiet. He stares at the ceiling for several long minutes before sighing.
“I’m fucked, aren’t I?”