The evening continued, and the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant wrapped around them like a luxurious cocoon. Minjae leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement as he waved the waiter over to their table.
"I'll have a bottle of your finest champagne," Minjae said smoothly, his voice calm and confident as always. "And make sure it's the best."
Jihoon's eyes widened. "Champagne?" he asked incredulously. "We're not—"
Minjae flashed him a teasing smile. "We're not what? Celebrating?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "Why not? You're here with me. Let's enjoy the night."
The waiter returned shortly after with a bottle of champagne so fine that Jihoon could hardly imagine the price. He watched in awe as the waiter uncorked it with precision, the bubbles rising as the golden liquid was poured into their glasses. Minjae lifted his glass, giving Jihoon a knowing smile.
"To good company," he said, his gaze never leaving Jihoon's. "To a fresh start."
Jihoon hesitated, the sparkling liquid catching the light in a way that seemed almost magical. He had never been one for alcohol, especially not something so expensive, but Minjae was so insistent. He couldn't say no, not when Minjae was offering him something so extravagant.
"Go on, Jihoon," Minjae teased lightly. "It's just one glass. You might actually like it."
Jihoon, slightly unsure but curious, picked up his glass. With a small sigh, he took a sip. The champagne was smooth, a sweet yet delicate flavor that danced on his tongue. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as he had expected.
Minjae smirked, clearly pleased. "See? Not so bad after all."
Jihoon gave him a small smile, swirling the champagne around in his glass. He still wasn't a fan of drinking, but the way Minjae made everything feel so easy and effortless made it hard to resist. By the time the fourth or fifth bottle had been opened, Jihoon was beginning to feel the effects.
His head was light, his thoughts muddled in a haze of warmth. He was tipsy now, the world around him shifting slightly as he tried to focus. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much to drink, and for some reason, it felt good—liberating, even. The bubbling champagne and Minjae's presence made him feel relaxed in a way he hadn't allowed himself to feel in a long time.
Minjae, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. His tolerance for alcohol was impressive, and he barely seemed to be affected by the bottles they'd gone through. He chuckled, watching Jihoon's tipsy antics with amusement.
"You know, for someone who doesn't drink, you're doing pretty well," Minjae commented, his voice smooth, almost coaxing. "I thought you'd be out after the first glass."
Jihoon giggled a little, feeling the alcohol making him less guarded. "I don't normally drink... but you're a bad influence," he said, playfully nudging Minjae. "You made me try it. And it's... kind of nice." His words came out a little slurred, and he quickly caught himself. "I mean... I didn't think it would taste so good."
Minjae's eyes softened, and there was a slight warmth to his smile as he looked at Jihoon. "You're cute when you're tipsy" he teased lightly, his voice full of affection.
Jihoon flushed, and his head spun a little, not just from the alcohol but from the way Minjae was looking at him—like he was the most important person in the room. It made Jihoon's heart race in a way that he wasn't quite sure how to handle.
"I'm... I'm not cute," Jihoon muttered, his face turning redder. "Stop saying things like that."
Minjae laughed softly. "You're adorable. Embrace it." He reached over and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Jihoon's face, his fingers grazing his skin in a way that sent a shiver down Jihoon's spine.
Jihoon blinked at him, trying to steady himself. "I don't know what's going on," he confessed, his words coming out more vulnerable than he intended. "It feels like everything's changed, but I'm still so confused."
Minjae's gaze softened, and he leaned in a little closer, his voice quiet. "I know, Jihoon. But you don't have to figure it all out tonight. Just... take it slow. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you."
Jihoon's heart fluttered at the sincerity in Minjae's voice. It was strange—this overwhelming pull he felt toward him. He wanted to trust Minjae, to let go of the past and embrace whatever this was between them. But he also knew he couldn't just forget everything, not overnight.
"I don't know what to do anymore," Jihoon admitted, his eyes downcast. "I've been so angry for so long, and now you're here, and everything's different, but I'm still scared."
Minjae reached over and gently cupped Jihoon's chin, lifting his face so their eyes met. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. But I'm not giving up on you, Jihoon. I want to be with you—no matter what."
The sincerity in Minjae's eyes made Jihoon's heart skip a beat. The alcohol had loosened his tongue, but it also made his emotions surge in a way he wasn't used to. He felt vulnerable, exposed, yet strangely safe with Minjae in front of him.
The moment felt fragile, like something that could break at any second. But in that moment, with the dim lights casting a warm glow on their table and the distant hum of the restaurant around them, Jihoon felt something he hadn't felt in years—hope.
Minjae smiled softly, brushing a lock of Jihoon's hair behind his ear, his thumb lightly grazing his cheek. "Don't be scared. I'll take care of you."
Jihoon smiled back, feeling a mixture of warmth and tenderness that made his heart swell.
As Jihoon stumbled outside, the feeling of nausea hit him with full force. He quickly pulled away from Minjae, one hand over his mouth, and dashed to the alley beside the restaurant. His stomach churned violently, and he bent over, retching into the street. He could feel the cool air on his face as he gagged, desperate to get the alcohol out of his system.
Minjae was quick to follow, his hands resting on Jihoon's back, trying to steady him. He gently tapped his back, trying to ease the discomfort, murmuring softly, "Take it easy, Jihoon. It's just the alcohol, you'll feel better soon."
But Jihoon, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions—nausea, the lingering buzz from the alcohol, and something deeper, something more complicated—found his mind racing. His breath hitched, and before he could think, his hand shot out, gripping Minjae's collar.
Minjae froze for a split second, eyes widening in surprise as Jihoon pulled him closer. In a heartbeat, Jihoon crashed his lips against Minjae's, pulling him into a kiss.
Minjae was stunned, his body tense, not knowing how to react. But it didn't take long for the shock to wear off. His heart pounded, and the warmth of Jihoon's lips on his own triggered something deep inside of him. He let go of his hesitation, his arms wrapping around Jihoon's waist, pulling him closer as he kissed him back with an intensity that matched the surge of emotions flooding through him.
The kiss was messy, urgent, a mix of alcohol, adrenaline, and something much deeper than either of them had expected. Jihoon's hands were trembling as they slid up Minjae's neck, tangling into his hair, and Minjae's hand found its way to Jihoon's back, gently coaxing him closer, never wanting to break away.
Jihoon pulled back a little, breathless, eyes wild with a mix of confusion and longing. He wasn't sure what had just happened or why he did it, but he couldn't deny the intensity of what he was feeling. He was scared, vulnerable, and yet—there was something about this moment, about Minjae's touch, that felt strangely right. His heart was pounding against his chest, and he felt exposed in a way he hadn't in years.
Minjae's eyes softened as he looked at Jihoon, his breath still coming in heavy pants. He gently cupped Jihoon's face, his thumb brushing over his lips, as if trying to process what had just happened. "Jihoon..." he whispered, his voice low and almost vulnerable, "what... what are we doing?"
Jihoon blinked, his thoughts racing. His body was still buzzing from the alcohol, but his mind was clear enough to recognize what had just transpired. He had kissed Minjae, and for some inexplicable reason, he didn't want to pull away.
"I... I don't know," Jihoon whispered back, his voice shaky. "But... I wanted to....you just look so hard for me to resist..."
Minjae's gaze deepened, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them, standing in the quiet alley under the soft glow of the streetlights. Minjae's hand slid down Jihoon's neck, his thumb tracing the line of his jaw, and Jihoon couldn't help but lean into his touch.
"I've been waiting for you to say that," Minjae murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Jihoon's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed hard, still processing the reality of the situation. He had kissed Minjae, the man who had been so close to him, the one who had been in his life for so long, and yet, everything about this moment felt new and overwhelming.
He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. It was as if everything he had been holding back—his feelings, his pain, his confusion—was finally bubbling to the surface, but he couldn't quite find a way to express it.
Minjae, sensing Jihoon's hesitation, pulled him into another kiss, this time slower, more deliberate, as if reassuring him that it was okay, that they didn't need to rush. The kiss was soft, tender, and Jihoon felt his walls begin to crumble with each passing second.
When they finally broke apart, Jihoon's chest was rising and falling rapidly, his mind still spinning from the whirlwind of emotions. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this vulnerable, this exposed.
"Jihoon..." Minjae whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "We don't have to figure everything out right now. But... don't push me away. Please...."
Jihoon nodded, his eyes searching Minjae's face for any hint of doubt or regret, but all he saw was sincerity. Minjae was looking at him like he was everything, and it was terrifying. But, for the first time in so long, Jihoon felt like he wasn't alone.
"I'm not pushing you away," Jihoon whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm just... scared."
Minjae smiled softly, brushing his fingers against Jihoon's cheek. "It's okay to be scared," he said gently. "I'll be here, Jihoon. No matter what. I will make things right"