Chapter Text
You snuck with your friends in the dark of the night towards the speakeasy, hidden well amongst the crowded and urban buildings.
One of your companions hummed the password to the heavy, metal door. A low creak rumbling as it was opened in moments with an easy greeting.
As you sank deeper into the bar, jazz filled your ears. The bass, trumpet, and drums especially booming against the walls of the enormous club.
People were sprawled about in booths, or on the dancefloor, laughter roaring from almost every direction.
However, one person specifically caught your eye.
He stood off in the corner, many others drawn to him as they were practically following his every move.
He had slipped off his coat and hat, clearly wearing an expensive set of clothes and suspenders.
“That’s the owner of all the local speakeasies. His family is one of the wealthiest in New York, so you know this is one of the best places.”
And before you could respond you caught his murky grey eyes locking onto you.
Something seemed to light up about him the moment he saw you.
His gaze widened to the size of saucers, his lips parting as he excused himself from the current conversation.
You nearly jumped, yet found yourself utterly glued in place.
You nearly gasped in surprise, your friends beginning to either scatter or burst into chatter as he approached you.
“I haven’t seen you here before. I assume you’re new?” He tipped his head to the side curiously.
“O-Oh yes! One of my friends is a regular though and wanted to show us!” You laughed nervously, fiddling with your fingers. “I-It’s very nice.”
He smiled lightly. “Thank you, I’ve worked very hard to make sure this is a respectable establishment…well…as respectable an illegal one can be.”
“I think you succeeded, p-personally.”
“That very kind of you,” He took your hand, placing a gentle kiss between your knuckles. “I’m Jumin Han, you are…?”
Your face erupted into a bright shade of red, sputtering an introduction nervously. “O-Oh! I-I’m MC! It’s nice to meet you!”
“The pleasure is all mine if I’m to be honest,” a soft glaze came over his eyes as he looked to you, running his fingers through his sooty black hair. “Would you mind if I showed you around?”
You were given pushes towards him by those around you, encouraging you with obvious excitement as he extended an arm to you.
You took it, giving a polite dip of your head as he ushered you closer to the quieter parts of the area.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I may have dragged you away in the hopes of getting to know you.” He chuckled softly, flecks of pink dusting his cheeks.
“I’m not very interesting…honestly.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Well…I’m trying to become a journalist for the New York World! I want to do legitimate stories though like Ms. Nellie Bly!”
“That was the woman who the exposé on the mental institution wasn’t it?” He asked. “Around The World in Seventy-Two Days was one of my favorites of hers.”
“Yes, she did do that story! I’d like to be an investigative journalist like her in fact!”
“How popular do you think a story over this speakeasy would be?”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that you’d surely get into trouble with law enforcement.”
He thought for a moment, folding his arms across his chest. “How about an interview with my father?”
Your jaw nearly dropped.
“I-I mean that’d be nice b-but I don’t want to use you or anything! T-That’d be h-horrible of me!”
“You have a beautiful heart.” He hummed. “…So how about a deal of sorts?”
“What do you mean?”
“A dance for an interview?”
“A dance…?”
“Exactly that, a dance.”
“I don’t know…I swear I was born with two left feet.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you as we go along.” He said, his tone gentle. “We don’t have to though if you’re not comfortable.”
You sighed, grinning as you took his hand, excitement welling in your chest. “I hope you’re a good teacher.”
“We’ll just have to see.”
He led you to the dancefloor, jazz rumbling your very bones.
“Alright, so you need to essentially go back and forth with the beat. Simply swing your legs with a small bounce. Would you like me to show you?”
You nodded. “If you don’t mind.”
“Not in the slightest.” He began to swing his legs, taking two steps forward, and two steps backward with each movement. He crossed his legs over the other, appearing as though a swing or a small jump as his feet peered inwards.
“Okay, looks easy enough!” You beamed.
He reached out his hands, pulling you close to him as he slowed down for you, muttering steps to you as you gradually improved, and sped up.
“Now look at me.” He exclaimed.
“But-”
“It’ll be fine I promise.”
Oddly enough, you found yourself believing him.
You lifted your head, immediately finding your lips stretch from ear to ear with delight as you focused on him.
His eyes were brighter than fireworks, holding onto your hands as though he never wanted to let you go.
You slipped here and there but you recovered quickly, the beat of the music and tapping of feet allowing you catch back up to the rhythm.
You felt restless the moment the music stopped, breathing heavy as you both simply stared at the other.
Then you spoke.
“You know, I think I’d like to actually change our deal?” You cried, dropping your shoulders.
Jumin raised a curious brow. “How so?”
“I think I’d actually much prefer a date actually.”
He beamed, almost in awe for a second. “That sounds…perfect.”
“Really?”
He nodded with certainty, before speaking. “Yet I’d also like to add something.”
“And what’s that?”
“…May I kiss you?”
You leaned against him, pressing your lips to his lightly as a warmth spread in your heart.
“Yes, you may.”