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The ice bounced in his glass before it was filled with an expensive whiskey, probably the most expensive whiskey he could ever taste in his life. Doyoung smiled gratefully at the girl who poured it and then set out to engage in a pleasant discussion with several journalists who were accompanying him that evening. It was still dusk.
They all came with the same purpose— to cover the tennis competitions taking place in Bogotá, a very cold Latin American city that had been chosen as the venue a few months earlier. They stayed in a luxury hotel for a couple of days before the start of the competitions. It was a recreational party, but also the last night that the competitors were going to have free before the hard day.
Gradually the participants arrived to introduce themselves on an improvised red carpet, where the cameramen welcomed them with flashing lights. Doyoung counted them one by one, muttering their names under his breath after having memorized them to exhaustion. There were many celebrities as well. In fact, most of the high-profile players were accompanied by stunning models who would make anyone standing next to them pale in comparison.
And then everything stilled.
Even Doyoung could tell when the mood had changed, because walking among the cameras, with his hand around the waist of a beautiful girl, came the acclaimed Jung Jaehyun.
It was almost comical how absolutely everyone in the room had turned to look at him. Jung Jaehyun, the star revelation in tennis a couple of years ago, had a streak that hadn't been broken by even the most decorated veterans in the game. Add that to a face that would steal your breath when you looked at him, more beautiful than even the professional models around, Jaehyun almost seemed to be a deity there.
Seeing the number of people who approached him as soon as the cameramen had stopped taking pictures, Doyoung wondered if he could interview him the next day. The editor of his magazine told him that they had barely been able to get a slot to interview Jaehyun in the afternoon for a mere ten minutes. The problem was that Jung himself seemed to have a big problem with interviews and often didn't even show up for them.
“People have put him on a pedestal," commented Jennie Kim, a senior co-worker, noticing the direction he (and everyone else) was looking at with special attention. “But I think he's just a lucky idiot.”
“Well," Doyoung raised his eyebrows, taking a sip from his glass of whiskey, “He's a jock. Normally, they have to put in a bit of effort to get where they are, beyond luck.”
“And they need to have sponsors, too. Jung, for example, was born in a golden cradle. His father owns a chain of restaurants in the US.”
“But he's still talented—”
“Lucky, talented and a little pedantic. It's because you're new, Doie, but I hope you don't have to interview him tomorrow. It's not going to be a pleasant experience, I assure you. Siri can give you longer answers.” The woman rolled her eyes and immediately began a conversation with someone else. Doyoung turned his face to Jaehyun's direction again.
Suddenly, he found himself out of breath— Jaehyun was already looking at him.
(...)
A few hours later with some drinks in him and the night flooding the sky, Doyoung was dancing with a young man with whom he had exchanged only a couple of words.
“I'm going to get a glass of water, do you want anything?” he asked, trying to make his voice audible over the music.
The young man shook his head, Doyoung nodded and made his way to the bar. He asked the girl for the water and as he waited, he felt someone stand next to him, brushing his shoulder. Normally, he wouldn't have paid attention to it, except this time the atmosphere around him had changed dramatically. He frowned, taking a slice of lemon before turning around.
None other than Jung Jaehyun was the one standing there. His imposing presence caused murmurs all around. He was leaning on the bar facing the dance floor and Doyoung stared a little longer than he should have because he was even more handsome in person.
“Here you go," the girl behind the bar said, handing him the bottle of water. He thanked taking her, taking out money for it, but to Doyoung surprise, she refused it.
“I took the liberty of putting it on my account."
His whole skin bristled. It was Jung Jaehyun.
Jung Jaehyun was talking to him, even though his eyes were stuck to the dance floor.
“Excuse me?”
“I've been watching you all night, but your face still seems unfamiliar.”
Doyoung felt himself blushing— he was turning into a nervous wreck.
“Are you... talking to me?”
He finally turned around and when they made eye contact, Doyoung felt his legs shaking. There was a reason why everyone in the room was looking at Jung but at that moment, Jaehyun was only looking back one way— in his direction.
“I've been wanting to talk to you all night, but you seem to really love the dance floor. Let me introduce myself," he stretched out his hand toward him, “Jung Jaehyun.”
Doyoung smiled, feeling strange accepting his hand.
“You're quite modest, as if everyone here doesn't know your name already. I’m Kim Doyoung, a reporter for ESPN's online magazine in Korea.”
“Mmm, but you must be new. I definitely haven't seen you before.”
“Yes,” he didn't know why he felt so self-conscious replying. It felt almost unreal that he was even having a conversation with the guy in front of him. “I joined the magazine a year ago, but they only allowed me to come and cover the world championships this year.”
“And are you excited?”
“Very," he admitted, shaking his head, "In fact, one of my biggest goals was to talk to you, and... Woah, I guess I got to do that on the first night.”
“Well, Doyoung," Jaehyun leaned a little closer to his ear. “When someone catches my eye, it's pretty easy for me to strike up a conversation with them.”
The journalist bit the inside of his cheek, feeling himself blushing again. He looked at Jaehyun with a frown thinking hard about what he would say next, especially noticing the little smirk on Jaehyun's face.
“And I got your attention?”
“Yes, all of it.”
Doyoung nodded several times, feeling slightly disappointed. The guy probably just wanted a quick fuck, then he wouldn't even remember his name or face in the morning. Like he was just a fancy toy for a rich kid— one that he'd easily get bored with and trade for another the next night.
And Doyoung knew what he was worth. Besides, he didn't want his career to start like this... as much as the offer tempted him. Jung Jaehyun was hot, too hot to pass up, and even more so with the suit he was wearing. He knew he was going to regret it later, but his pride ruled over the decision
“Thanks for the water and good luck in the championship," he smiled forcefully and tried to head back towards the dance floor, but a hand wrapped around his wrist..
“No. Why are you leaving?” Jaehyun almost looked disappointed. Apparently, he wasn't used to rejection.
“I just want to enjoy tonight, if you'll excuse me…” Doyoung pulled out of his grip.
“No!" Jaehyun stood up and approached him, abruptly invading his personal space. “Do you want to enjoy tonight? Fine. Enjoy it with me.”
Doyoung rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, that's definitely not going to happen.”
“Oh. I think I know what you mean, and well, that could be a side effect if you like," he winked— Doyoung gave him an unimpressed look— “But every time I come to a new city, I hire a travel agent to arrange a night out for me to get to know the place. I usually go with my cousin, but she said she was tired today and I didn't feel like going either, but then I saw you. I've been trying to talk to you all damn afternoon and now that I finally have, I don't want you to go. What do you say, do you want to come along?”
“Wait, ‘your cousin?’ The woman who came with you?”
“Yes, Yves is my cousin. She always accompanies me to these events. She loves it and it's good for me, so my manager doesn't try to get me to date other girls for thye publicity... But that doesn't matter! What do you say? I promise it won't be too long of a ride because I have to sleep for tomorrow's agenda.”
“Uhm, okay?” he said almost immediately without stopping to think about it. Jaehyun smiled excitedly before dragging him off the dance floor and out of the hotel.
A couple cars were waiting for them, ready for the tour. Doyoung tried to stifle his excitement as they were driven around the city. Many people were outside because of night shifts and, on every corner, there were performances of all kinds— underground dancers, bands, people painting, doing plays, and so on.
They arrived at a beautiful place called "Chorro de Quevedo". One of the local bands was performing and many people were enjoying the concert, talking and dancing happily. It was much more authentic than the party they were at earlier with celebrities who were millionaires, yet hidden behind layers of false appearances and vices.
“Try this. The name might be too weird for you to pronounce, but I assure you it's a delicious drink," said the woman who was giving them the tour, handing a bottle of something thick and purple inside. “It’s the usual here. As you can see everyone is drinking it.”
There appared to be different flavors though, because the liquid seemed to change its color in other bottles. Jaehyun looked at Doyoung with an impish grin, as if challenging him and Doyoung raised an eyebrow before sipping on a glass of the liquid.
It looked like yogurt, tand it had a sour taste at the end. He had definitely loved it.
They lingered for a few minutes enjoying the atmosphere of the place as they both talked about everything and nothing at once. Doyoung found that the conversation flowed between them easily. Made stupid jokes that only the two of them laughed at and even toasted a part of each of their past— like how Doyoung used to have a band in his high school and that Jaehyun had once fallen down during practice in front of the whole soccer team, who had proceeded to make fun of him.
At one point, Doyoung had started shivering from the cold. Jaehyun took off his coat to cover him, but the journalist, aware that Jaehyun would be cold without it, had the younger open his jacket for them to share while Doyoung nestled in close to his body. He almost felt like he belonged there next to him... as stupid as that sounded.
“Well, it's a pity I couldn't take you to Monserrate. The whole city looks spectacular from there and it's much closer to the stars, but it's closed," the woman said, taking them back to the hotel. “It’s quite a romantic place for couples.”
“We're not a couple," Doyoung laughed nervously. “We met about three hours ago.”
“Oh, pardon me. It's just that you two look so cute together.”
Those words kept echoing in his head as they walked through the hotel lobby. Doyoung almost felt physically pained at the thought of having to part ways with Jaehyun. They most likely wouldn't talk for the rest of the journey because Jaehyun was going to be busy with his interviews and competitions. Their magical moments were over and although he didn't want to face it, he knew he had to... Even if he also knew he was probably never going to find another person he could connect with so effortlessly in his entire life.
“Well," he began to speak, looking at the numbers of the "9" and "14" floors glowing in the elevator. However, Jaehyun interrupted him.
“Stay with me tonight, Doyoung.”
“Oh, but…”
“No sex, I swear. I just want to keep talking to you," he took his hand and squeezed it. “Please?”
Doyoung realized he was really bad at denying Jaehyun things.
Of course, the star player of the season was staying in a luxury suite. It was probably the most expensive room in the entire hotel. However, that didn't matter when they both sat on the bed and resumed their conversation. A few jokes were dropped here and there before they embarked on deeper topics, about all the circumstances that had been set up for the two of them to be talking in a hotel room in the middle of the cold Bogotá city.
“You should sleep, Jae," Doyoung murmured after he saw that it was already past midnight.
“Sleep with me.”
“I don’t think we have enou—”
Jaehyun leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the corner of his lips before he could finish.
“Doesn't that give you enough confidence?” he whispered close to his mouth.
“You shouldn't have done that.”
“I shouldn't have done what?”
“Stolen a kiss from me.”
“Why?”
“Because now I'll have to steal one from you to return the favor.”
And so he did. It was a direct kiss this time as he tasted the other's lips, warm and greedy for more, more and more.
(...)
“Are you nervous?” Jennie asked, seeing how Doyoung couldn't seem to stay still in one place.
“Me? Well, yes. It's my first interview. I hope I can give Jessica what she wants, or she won't send me back as a correspondent to these events.”
“I know I told you that Jung was an egomaniac, but today seems to be your lucky day because he's in a good mood.”
Doyoung put his hands on his face because he knew it would be impossible to hide his blush. The phone in his pocket vibrated, and he knew it could only be one person.
Jaehyun(?: you look so adorable blushing.
His eyes immediately went up to meet Jaehyun's gaze,who was smiling at him from across the room where he was being interviewed by another reporter.
Me: Shut up and stay focused. It's going to be me next and I don't want anyone to think that...
something happened.
Jaehyun(?: But something did happen, Doie and I can't stop thinking about it. You don't know how badly I wish I could scream that you're mine.
“Doyoung! Are you okay?” Jennie went over to take his temperature. “Is your blood pressure up? Do you need me to call a doctor?”
“ESPN Korea!” Someone from the staff called him and Doyoung felt his heart pound even harder as he reassured Jennie that he was fine.
He walked briskly until he stood in front of Jaehyun, who was smiling impishly at him. They shook hands and the feeling turned out to be even more electrifying than he had expected.
It was hard for them to pull away from the touch, Doyoung fleetingly remembering how that hand had run all over his body the night before.
“Nice to meet you, I'm Kim Doyoung from ESPN Korea.”
“It’s a pleasure, I’m Jung Jaehyun, a professional tennis player... and your future boyfriend. ”
Doyoung kicked him hard under the table while smiling impassively.
“So, tell me about your long-term goals for…”
And the rest of the interview went very well. Doyoung was proud of the material he had managed to collect, giving Jaehyun a grateful look with a promise that they would meet again that night.
This time, the date was on a tennis court. Although Doyoung was a sports reporter, the truth was that he hardly exercised every fortnight, much less played sports. So when Jaehyun had to teach him how to hold a racket, he took the opportunity to hug him from behind while caressing his hands, giving Doyoung a warm feeling of security.
“Jennie told me you sing well," Doyoung said hours later as they both lay on the bed with their breath still a little shaky.
“I'm not going to sing, if that's what you want.”
Doyoung pouted adorably, and Jaehyun kissed it again.
“Do it for me, Jung.”
“Let's make a deal. If I win tomorrow, I'll serenade you in front of everyone on the field.”
The journalist laughed and shook his head as he planted a kiss on his chest. He knew it wasn't going to happen.
But Jaehyun kept his promise.
(...)
Doyoung was stunned as he watched the final set of the match. Jaehyun already had a big lead, but that didn't mean his opponent couldn't finish him off. When Jaehyun hit the ball one last time to a spot the other player couldn’t reach, the whole arena erupted with applause and cheers consecrating Jaehyun as the winner of the match.
The jock's eyes searched for him all over the stands before he grabbed a borrowed microphone. Doyoung opened his eyes knowing what was about to happen, but still, he was unable to move.
“This song is dedicated to the great Kim Doyoung, thank you for giving me your time and allowing me to be intoxicated by you.”
And a deeply mellow song played on the speakers before Jaehyun began to sing, looking only at him. Always at him.
Doyoung felt like the main character of a movie as he walked down the stands as Jaehyun reached over at the same time and cupped his face without stopping his serenade.
“I won more being with you than I did being in this competition.”
How corny. Doyoung had to kiss him.
“Everyone's looking at us, Jung," he murmured apologetically, pulling away from the kiss.
“But I only have eyes for you.”