Chapter Text
“Another one, please” Dongmin said to the bartender, setting his glass over the counter after downing the last sip of his gin tonic.
“Less ice this time” he added, scratching the back of his neck when the tall, handsome, blond man behind the counter came over to collect his empty cup, just responding Dongmin with a smile and a nod.
He placed his elbows on the edge of the counter, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms, he was starting to feel a little tipsy. He turned around on the stool he was sitting on to take a better look at the place. It’s a small “wanna be” jazz bar. Wine colored carpet on the floor, dark wooden furniture, fake vinyls hanging on the walls. It’s a little too dark and a little too cramped.
It’s his first time drinking at this bar. He isn’t really a fan of drinking, or bars, or even going out for that matter. He had his fair share of awful bar stories in college and never found a drink that didn’t burn its way down his throat. But he had no say this time. His hyung and flat mate, Jaehyun, pestered him all week to tag along with him and in the end, he relented.
Jaehyun met some random guy on some godforsaken dating app, as it goes, and they agreed to meet here, Friday night. Dongmin doesn’t know why the fuck Jaehyun keeps trying to find the love of his live on dating apps when he just keeps getting his heart broken and honestly is more likely to find a murderer there than anything else. The last dates led to some late night crying fests and way too many tubs of ice cream being consumed, if this is the night that he meets a murderer, he needs someone to be there.
And Dongmin is a good friend, so that’s why he is here, back and elbows resting against the counter now, people watching and trying to get drunk as fast as he can so the music stops sounding so loud. It’s kind of funny because Dongmin is only here so Jaehyun wouldn’t be alone, but he is the “alone one” now.
Jaehyun had dismissed Dongmin as soon as they passed through the heavy wooden doors, disappearing into the crowd. Jaehyun is a good friend most of the time, so Dongmin doesn’t mind this once. Besides, Jaehyun bribed him saying he would pay for anything he drank and Dongmin plans on making him regret that.
“Here you go” the bartender said, placing Dongmin’s drink over the counter. “Thanks” he responded, turning around and giving the drink a sip. Dongmin pulled his phone out of his pocket, setting up his drink and a few napkins neatly on the counter so he could snap a photo of it. He might not be having fun, but his followers on social media won’t know that.
He was busy choosing a filter when a voice, low like thunder, sounded beside him. “Hi, Sungho! The same, please”. He halted. Slowly turning his head to see who the voice belonged to, he held his breath for a second when he did.
There was an absolutely gorgeous man smiling right at him. It only lasted a second, but Dongmin is pretty sure he can draw his face from memory. He was enchanted. Dongmin watched as the man turned his head towards the blonde bartender that was coming over. He placed his hand on the counter and sat on the stool right next to Dongmin, luckily.
He started talking to the bartender (Sungho, right?), smiling and giggling here and there. They seemed to know each other. Dongmin checked him up and down. He was tall, probably just a few centimeters shorter than Dongmin, had long light brown hair, the tips of it nearly touched his shoulders. He was wearing a long sleeve plaid button-up shirt tucked neatly in his jeans, nothing fancy. He had really nice broad shoulders that tapered into a sinfully tiny waist, cinched with a leather belt. His eyes crinkled when he smiled.
“You can put his drink on my bill” Dongmin said to Sungho, closing his phone’s screen and shoving it in the pocket of his denim jacket. Both men looked straight at him. It was Jaehyun’s bill, but they didn’t have to know that. Sungho lifted his eyebrows, shrugged and turned around to fetch his order, leaving them alone.
Dongmin wasn’t the type to make the first move. He was a handsome young man that easily had ladies and guys falling head over heels for him. But he couldn’t ignore the magnetic pull he had on this man, the way he was making him feel like throwing up and like he was suddenly underdressed for the occasion.
“You don’t even know who I am” the man said, with a puzzled look on his face, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. “Well, let's fix that then” Dongmin responded brightly, not even knowing where all this boldness was coming from. He reached his hand towards him. “I’m Han Dongmin. And you…?” he asked, raising his tone a little at the end. “Kim Donghyun” the man responded, eyes holding Dongmin’s gaze, hand reaching to grip Dongmin’s, swinging it up and down lightly.
His hands were dainty and soft like he didn’t do much manual labor and warm like he wasn’t outside for a long time. He had very clean, manicured nails and no rings on his fingers. Good to know.
“I don’t think I have ever seen you here, have I?” Donghyun said, eyeing Dongmin up and down, brows furrowed a little. “No, it’s my first time” he responded matter-of-factly, shaking his head. “I came over with a friend, but…” he added, turning to look around the room, not really searching for Jaehyun. “I see…” Donghyun said it like he caught the whole story just by that action. Sungho placed his drink in front of him.
Dongmin wasn’t mad at Jaehyun anymore, he was actually very glad that he had abandoned him this evening and started praying to all deities out there that he would not show up in the next few minutes. He was thinking of something smart and snappy to say next when Donghyun continued.
“Well, I can keep you company, if you don’t mind” he said with a shrug after taking the first sip of his drink. Dongmin had no idea what that dark brown liquid was, but he hoped it was expensive. “Not at all” he responded, with a smirk. A handsome man to keep him company? Thank you very much. “Do you come here often? You seem to know the bartender” he added after a beat, cocking his head towards Sungho.
“Hm? Oh, yeah! I’m here everyday after work” Donghyun responded, taking another sip, his cheeks looked lightly blushed now. Dongmin couldn’t resist the urge to tease “Wow, are you an alcoholic? Should I be worried?”. Donghyun rolled his eyes. “Of course I am” he responded with a sarcastic voice. “I just drink one glass of cognac and go home. Don’t worry about me” he said, taking another sip. Cognac, hum? Expensive. Nice.
“You mentioned your work. Mind if I ask what you do?” Dongmin said, keeping the conversation going, now fully facing him, resting his elbow on the counter and his chin on the palm of his hand. Donghyun averted his intense gaze, looking down with a shy smile, a few strands of hair covering his face. “I have a boring job” he said. “Oh, tell me all about it. I wanna know” Dongmin said “Please?” he added, not settling for that answer. Donghyun looked back at him, he was definitely blushing now.
“I am a text editor. I edit articles, books, magazines, anything that needs it” he said, brushing his hair behind his ear. Dongmin followed his every move, the silver chains on his wrists trickled down his forearm when he lifted his hand. “Editor, hm? You must be a very observant person, then” Dongmin said, eyes darting all over his face. He had thick arched eyebrows, a strong sculpted nose, a chiseled jawline and very full plushy lips in the most beautiful hue of pink.
Dongmin couldn’t stop staring, the contrast between Donghyun’s lovely face and his built body had him spiralling. “I pick up on details easily” he responded smiling, pulling Dongmin away from his trance. “Like the fact that you kept your eyes on me ever since I sat down”.
Dongmin was caught, he couldn’t deny it. He bit his bottom lip and looked up at the ceiling, looking away from Donghyun for the first time. “You are good” he said, nearly whispering, bringing his head down and his glass near his lips, he was the one blushing now. “Thank you” Donghyun said, tipping his head towards him like he had a top hat on.
“And you, what do you do?” Donghyun asked in between sips. He had turned his stool around as well so they were facing each other now. “Oh, I have a very fun job!” Dongmin responded eagerly, his eyes lit up at the question and he fixed his posture a little. “I’m an artist” he added with a wide smile, hand landing in the middle of his chest.
Dongmin majored in business, actually, which makes no fucking sense. Dongmin always knew he wanted to do big things, so he needed a way to get out of his hometown. His father only agreed with it under the condition that he majored in something money related, business, accountant or economics. Dongmin did the bare minimum to get through it, but his one true love has always been the arts.
“Oh, an artist! That does sound fun. What kind of art?” Donghyun asked after another sip, eyes bright and expecting his answer. “I do a little bit of everything” Dongmin started, pushing his bangs away from his face “Drawing, painting, but I enjoy sculpting the most” Dongmin finished smiling. He loved his job and loved talking about it.
“Sculptor, hm?” Donghyun said, lifting one eyebrow. “You must be very good with your hands, then” he said with a grin, mimicking the tone Dongmin had used before. He pulled his bottom lip in between his teeth and stared straight at Dongmin’s eyes. The mischievous smile he displayed next made Dongmin’s stomach turn.
He was speechless, he felt his pulse jump when the words registered. The unexpected innuendo had him blushing. He looked down at his hands briefly. Yes, he uses his hands well, he is a skilled sculptor, a pretty good painter, he even played the piano when he was in middle school. He uses them to please himself and others, as well, but he never looked at it that way. Was he good with his hands?
He mirrored Donghyun’s action, staring straight back at him, mouth ajar. Suddenly he was very aware of how loud the music was and how much the air smelled like alcohol. “I… I guess?” Dongmin nearly whispered, feeling the heat that was blooming high on his cheeks run towards his ears.
Donghyun let out a laugh, a proper laugh, showing his pearly white teeth and raising his cheeks, making his eyes take the shape of crescent moons. He downed the last bit of his drink and placed his glass over the counter. “Nice meeting you, Dongmin” he said, lifting from where he was sitting, looking down at Dongmin with a shy smile, cheeks noticeably red. “Thanks for the drink” he acknowledged, giving a light tap on Dongmin’s shoulder and moving towards the door.
Dongmin sat there, following as he opened the door and disappeared outside. He turned back around to face the counter, running his hands through his black hair and letting out a sigh. He could hear his heart beating on his ears. Sungho came over to collect Donghyun’s abandoned cup. “I know it’s none of my business, but…” he started, making Dongmin lift his head to look at him, “don’t get attached” he added with a look of pity on his face.
Dongmin frowned at his words, unable to say anything back. “I’ve seen it happen before. He is a stubborn man, it’s hard to get to him” Sungho said, shaking his head. Dongmin didn’t understand why that statement bothered him so much. He just met the guy, but those words made him mourn something he never had. He finished his drink, it tasted bitter and watered down.
-
Like mentioned before, Dongmin isn’t really a fan of drinking, or bars, or even going out for that matter. Despite all that, right now he is pushing the door of that same bar open, a week later, and stepping into the crowded room. He felt like he had sneaked out though the window when his mother wasn’t looking, like he wasn’t supposed to be here. He is alone this evening, he didn’t even tell Jaehyun he would be here. His gaze flies instantly towards the bar. The only reason why he is here.
Sitted on the same spot is that same man. He is dressed very elegantly today, a burgundy turtleneck tucked neatly into some beige linen pants, hair tied up in a ponytail, the loose pieces of it make the perfect frame to his painting like face. There is a brown gingham blazer placed on the empty stool where Dongmin sat last time, right next to him. Perfect.
He had a busy week, working on multiple paintings at once, which is always fun but stressful at the same time. He ran his paint covered hands under the tap water, inspecting for any missed splatters. Maybe he did have good hands, maybe he knew how to use them well, maybe he should show Donghyun some day. When Friday night creeped in on him he didn’t think twice, he chose an actually thoughtful outfit this time around and stepped out the door.
Dongmin approached the man, measuring his breath. He placed a hand lightly on Donghyun’s shoulder, the other he kept shoved deep inside the pocket of his leather coat. “Mind if I sit here?” Dongmin asked, smiling as the other man turned around startled. “Dongmin!” Donghyun said brightly, lifting his eyebrows with a glint in his eyes. Ha. He remembered his name. Fuck.
“Yes, sure!” he added excitedly as he picked up the blazer from where it was placed, setting it on top of the counter this time. “Didn’t think I’d see you around here anymore” Donghyun said smiling, watching as Dongmin sat down at the stool. “Yeah, well…” he began, scratching the back of his neck, “It’s Friday, so I was craving a drink” he added. That was a huge lie. He was thirsty, sure, but it was the type no drink can quench.
Sungho approached them and asked, “Gin tonic?” looking towards Dongmin. Donghyun had a glass containing just about a sip of brown liquid placed in front of him, cognac, Dongmin didn’t forget. “Sure” he answered with a shrug, he really wasn’t here for the drink. Sungho eyed him for about 3 seconds, blank expression, before nodding and moving to the side to prepare it.
Dongmin vaguely remembers what he said that night, something about not getting attached to Donghyun. He had no plans of getting attached, actually, but he was going to do anything in his power to get this man under him. So in a way, he is taking Sungho’s advice. At least, it’s what he tells himself.
“Third wheeling for your friend again?” Donghyun teased with a sly smile plastered on his gorgeous lips, turning around to look at the crowd. Dongmin let out a puff of air resembling a laugh “No, not this time” he answered, shaking his head. Gosh, thanks a lot, Jaehyun hyung.
“Hm, you’re alone today. I see…” Donghyun said more to himself, looking down at the cup in between his hands. Dongmin barely registered his words. He gave the glass three light taps and took in the last sip of it. Dongmin watched as his adam’s apple bobbed. He felt like he was holding his breath in while he waited for what Donghyun was going to do next. Is he going to stand up and leave like last time? Did Dongmin arrive too late?
Donghyun placed his elbow on the counter, the tip of his index finger creating a dimple on his soft rosy cheek as he let out a “hmm” sound, like he was thinking. The image alone pulled the corners of Dongmin’s mouth up. “I guess I’ll drink another one tonight” he said towards Sungho.
Dongmin peeped at Sungho’s face, he looked shocked. “A-Another one?” he asked, stuttering. “I can’t leave the sculptor alone, Sungho” he answered with a smile, gesturing towards Dongmin with both hands. Sungho schooled his face, blinking towards Dongmin then back at Donghyun. “Right away” he said, nodded and turned around, heading towards the bottle of cognac placed behind the counter.
“You are actually here everyday, hm” Dongmin said jokingly, removing his coat and laying it over his lap, he was feeling a little constrained by the piece of clothing. “Nearly” Donghyun answered, rubbing the back of his neck, “I almost skipped today” he added. Dongmin hadn’t considered that option, he just got fixated on the “I’m here everyday” part. Now he realised that it was probably just an exaggeration. Thank god he didn’t skip today.
“Did something happen?” Dongmin asked, genuinely curious. “I just had a busy week” Donghyun said with a sigh, closing his eyes. “I wanted to stay in and rest today, but I felt like I deserved the drink” he added with a breathy laugh. “Gosh, tell me about it” Dongmin started running his hands through his hair. “It felt like it was never going to end, but at the same time like it was over so fast, do you know what I mean?”. He felt like he was rambling, running the palms of his sweaty hands up and down the jeans over his thighs. Donghyun just nodded, a shy smile plastered on his lips like he could see right through Dongmin’s nervousness.
Sungho placed their respective drinks gently in front of them, gaze lingering just a little too long over Dongmin. He avoided his gaze, cracking his knuckles before clasping his hands and placing them over the counter. “So, plans for the weekend?” Donghyun broke the tension, bringing his cup near his plushy lips and looking over to Dongmin. He looked like he was drunk already judging by the color spreading high on his cheeks and the hazy look in his onyx eyes. It took about a second for Dongmin to register his words “Hm? Yeah. There is this gallery that I visit often. They will be holding an exhibition on expressionist art this weekend, so I was planning on checking it out” he answered before taking a sip of his drink. Was that too much detail? Should he have given a shorter answer? Maybe even lied? Was that too much of a geek answer?
Donghyun let out a soft laugh “Oh my god. That is such an artist type of plan” he said, covering his mouth with the palm of his hand. Dongmin was caught off-guard, but he couldn’t deny it. “Hey, I like other things besides arts, just so you know” he retorted with a slightly annoyed tone in his voice. “Like what? Tell me” Donghyun responded, looking straight at him and resting his elbow on the counter, the glass still in his hand rested lightly on his cheek. A few strands of hair caressed the splatter of color over his cheeks. Dongmin envied them.
He took in the sight in front of him, cleared his throat and said “Well… I like beautiful men, for starters” with a much more confident smile than what he really felt like. Donghyun raised his eyebrows a little, resting his half empty glass over the counter and leaning in Dongmin’s space. Dongmin felt his breath hitch and his heart skip at the sudden action, eyes attentive to his every move. “Same” Donghyun whispered, holding Dongmin’s gaze.
Dongmin parted his lips, but no words came out. He could feel his pulse picking up speed as he scanned Donghyun’s face. But the fleeting moment vanished as Donghyun leaned back and raised abruptly from his stool. “I’m going to the bathroom, wait for me, will you?” he said. He took another sip of his drink and Dongmin only nodded and watched the other man disappear into the crowd.
Today might be his day if he plays his cards right.
Suddenly there was a loud bang sound right by Dongmin’s side, startling him. He turned his head quickly, searching for the source of the noise. Sungho, the bartender, was looking right back at him, both hands firmly splayed over the counter, a stern look on his face. “What the fu…” Dongmin started, unable to understand what was happening. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?” Sungho said, leaning into his space, browns drawn together.
Hearing the cuss word made the blood flow right to Dongmin’s hands. He knows what this is about, or rather, who it’s about. He moved slowly, resting his cup over the counter, hand still lingering around it. “And why the fuck do you care?” he said, with emphasis on the word, giving Sungho a piercing look. His heart was racing for another reason now. “I told you to stay away from him” Sungho responded. Dongmin let out a breathy laugh, letting go of his cup and running his fingers through his hair. “You don’t tell me shit, you don’t even know me”.
This whole situation was getting annoying. “Are you guys dating or what?” Dongmin asked with a firm voice. A flick of sorrow displayed on Sungho’s face so fast that Dongmin would have missed if he wasn’t staring right at him. “Ah… I see…” Dongmin said grinning. He downed the last of his drink, rising from his seat and sliding his coat back on. Sungho was quiet now, still in the same position, only this time his hands were curled into fist, head dropped towards his chest.
“By the looks of it, you two got some shit to work out” Dongmin said, shoving his hands in the pocket of his jeans. “I don’t wanna be involved in this mess” he added, pulling out a few crumpled bills and throwing them on the counter. “Keep the change” he finished, turning around and walking out the door. He felt stupid for coming over today.
The cold air hit Dongmin’s face, making his eyes water. He took a couple of steps on the sidewalk, reaching for a pack of cigarettes and a lighter in the pocket of his coat. He brought one to rest in between his lips, protecting the flame with his hand, lighting up the tip and drawing in a breath way too quickly. The smoke filled his lungs in all the wrong ways, burning his throat and making him cough a couple of times. He really was out of luck.
He paced back and forth trying to calm himself down, combing through his hair with his fingers. He had no intention of getting caught up in someone else's relationship, but it really didn’t seem that Donghyun and Sungho shared more than friendship. Maybe he read it all wrong, but he felt a connection with Donghyun, hell, they were clearly flirting, right?
Dongmin rested his back against the bar’s brick wall, pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, cigarette resting in between his pointer and middle finger. The sound of the bar’s door opening pulled him out of his thoughts. Donghyun was standing right by it. Dongmin watched as he whipped his head to one side then the other, making direct eye contact with him.
Donghyun looked worried, mouth slack, browns drawn into a frown. “Dongmin!” He called, walking hastily toward him. The sound of his name on that man’s voice really did something to him. “Are you ok? What happened?” he said when he was near enough, eyes scanning all over Dongmin’s figure.
“Yeah… I’m fine” Dongmin responded. It was a lie. He didn’t want to get involved with no “taken” man, but it was impossible when said man was looking right at him with large sparkling eyes and the most gorgeous shade of red painting his lips and the tip of his nose from the cold. Dongmin needs to find a paint in that same shade.
“I just wanted to smoke a little, that’s all” Dongmin added, averting his gaze, ignoring the way Donghyun gaze was making him feel weirdly small. “I thought you had left…” Donghyun said, looking down, kicking the tip of his shoes on the pavement and crossing his arms over his chest. It was too cold for the type of clothes he was wearing, even with the blazer, but Dongmin would rather chop his arm off than step back inside the bar. “Do you smoke?” He said, already fishing the pack from his pocket. Donghyun lifted his gaze and nodded faintly, “Sometimes…” he said.
Dongmin wasted no time, he tipped the pack towards Donghyun who pulled one cigarette and placed it carefully in between his lips. He looked straight at Dongmin, crossing his arms again and Dongmin picked up the hint. He rested his cigarette on his lips to free his hands and lit up the lighter, bringing it near Donghyun’s face. While he protected the flame with his other hand, he kept it still just long enough for the tip to catch. Dongmin watched attentively as the yellow light of the fire flickered in the depth of his eyes and colored his lashes gold. Donghyun took a breath in, pushing the smoke out through his lips and around the cigarette right after. Dongmin was in awe. “Sometimes?” he said with an incredulous tone in his voice, followed by a throaty laugh. Donghyun just gave him a shrug.
“You are not fooling anyone, you know that, right?” Dongmin said distracted, placing the pack of cigarettes and lighter carefully back in his pocket when he felt something cold sliding on the back of his neck, sending a shiver right down his spine. He whipped his head around. It was Donghyun’s cold fingers carding through the hairs on the back of Dongmin’s neck. “Donghyun…” he let out a whisper, unable to fill his lungs properly.
He had no time to process what was happening as Donghyun gave a tug on the back of his neck, making him stumble, his nearly new cigarette falling from his grasp. Dongmin placed both his hands on Donghyun’s hips just before they crashed into each other. “What are you…?” he started, but trailed off. They were closer than they have ever been, mere inches away from each other’s faces. Dongmin couldn’t even form a single sentence in his brain, eyes darting all over Donghyun’s face. He turned his head to the side, bringing the cigarette to his lips and drawing in a breath. Dongmin watched as the tip of it glowed bright red, unable to move or say anything.
Donghyun lowered the cigarette, turning to face him fully now, tilting his head a little to the side. He looked up at him with dark unreadable eyes, lips hovering just over Dongmin’s. “Can I?” he asked with a serene expression on his face, voice strained from keeping the smoke in his lungs. Dongmin all but nodded and parted his lips. Donghyun kept his hand still firmly planted on Dongmin’s neck and inched closer, touching his cold lips just lightly over Dongmin’s and exhaled the puff of smoke right down his throat. Dongmin closed his eyes to avoid the smoke that was escaping their lips from making its way into his eyes.
As he felt it filling his lungs and the warmth of Donghyun’s body under his hands. It was his turn to make a move. He pulled Donghyun by his belt loops, finally crashing their mouths fully into each other. Their lips rested over one another for a few seconds, Dongmin’s were obviously chapped against Donghyun’s soft ones. He slid his hands around Donghyun’s back, under his blazer and over his sweater, holding him in an embrace. He licked over Donghyun’s bottom lip who opened his mouth, allowing him to move in.
He slotted their lips properly together now, tongue and spit mixing in their mouths. Donghyun tasted like smoke and something bitter. Dongmin didn’t know if it was the kiss that was making him feel lightheaded and intoxicated or if the drink he downed way too fast was finally getting to him. Donghyun hooked his arms around his neck pulling their bodies flush together, cigarette still resting in between his fingers.
It was too fast and too sloppy for a first kiss, they seemed hungry for each other. Dongmin felt a weird sense of relief, drinking Donghyun like he was water in a dessert. The heat of their bodies pressed together highlighted how cold the night was. He pulled back a little, trying to properly fill his lungs, and Donghyun followed right after him, not giving him space to breathe.
“Dongmin, I…” he kept his eyes closed as he left pecks on Dongmin’s lips “I live down the street” he added. Dongmin felt his knees giving in. “You could come over if you’d like” he said with a final peck, expectant eyes darting in between Dongmin’s, searching his face for an answer.
He felt like Donghyun was the only thing holding him up straight. “Yeah…” he responded, winded. He could hear his heart beating in his ears, could feel the cold air brushing over his spit slicked lips. He swallowed a lump that was starting to form on his throat. “Lead the way” he added after a beat. Donghyun just smiled, took his hand and pulled him down the street.