Felix arrived around 6:45 to the address Hyunjin gave him for his apartment. Felix found a spot and was waiting for him as he looked around at his surroundings. The streets were quiet and as the sun began to set, Felix felt a strange wave of calm enter him. He hadn’t realized until then how much he was tensing behind the wheel. He allowed himself to relax and plaster a smile on his face. When he saw movement out of the corner of his eye, his breath hitched in his throat. Hyunjin wasn’t wearing anything too outstanding, in fact from other people’s perspective it was simple and effortless. But Felix felt his world come to a standstill checking the man out.

Hyunjin stepped out of his apartment and glanced around until he zeroed in on Felix. He couldn’t believe how ethereal he looked as the sun set behind him, giving him an angelic glow behind him. Hyunjin wiped his sweaty palms as he approached the blonde.

“Hey blondie, you look great!”

Felix could feel the slight blush creeping onto his face. “Y-yeah! Get in! I can’t wait to show you this place! I promise the food is to die for.”

About 10 minutes later they arrived at the little pop up food stand. Despite the small appearance there was a huge line in front of the stand, everyone practically buzzing with excitement at the chance to have their incredible food. Hyunjin glanced over at Felix in disbelief. 

“You weren’t kidding when you said this place was super popular.” Felix giggled. “I would never lie to ya Hyunjin, scouts honor.” 

The simple phrase had Hyunjin’s nervous system electrified. It was such a simple phrase, so meaningless to most people, but to Hyunjin, it was everything. 

After a few minutes they got in line and had light, playful banter back and forth until they got to the front of the booth where they ordered their food and sat down at a corner booth that was Felix’s favorite spot to sit when he came alone. He was excited to share this small piece of himself with Hyunjin. They ate in silence for a bit, both enjoying the flavorful sensations and the amazing view of the different pop up shops around the area, each one bouncing with energy and excitement as all the people huddled around each other. 

Felix glanced up first.

“So,” he said, nudging his food slightly with his fork, “be honest… was this a good choice?”

Hyunjin didn’t answer right away. He took another bite, considering it longer than necessary before looking back at Felix.

“I was just deciding,” he said lightly.

Felix’s eyes widened a little. “That sounds bad.”

“It’s not,” Hyunjin added, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I just didn’t expect you to have good taste.”

Felix let out a quiet laugh, shoulders relaxing. “Wow. Okay. Good to know where I stand.”

“You asked for honesty.”

“Yeah, but I thought you’d be nicer about it.”

Hyunjin tilted his head slightly, rounding his eyes to feign innocence. “Do you want me to lie instead?”

Felix shook his head, still smiling. “No. I think I like this better.”

There was a brief pause, softer this time.

Hyunjin glanced around the area; the lights, the movement, the people packed into small spaces like none of them had anywhere else they needed to be.

“You come here a lot?” he asked.

Felix nodded. “Sometimes. When I can.”

“When you can?”

Felix hesitated just slightly before answering. “Yeah. It’s… easier here.”

Hyunjin’s gaze shifted back to him. “Easier how?”

Felix shrugged, trying to make it sound casual. “No one really pays attention. Everyone’s busy doing their own thing. I don’t have to…” He trailed off, then smiled faintly. “I don’t have to be anything specific.”

Hyunjin studied him for a second longer than usual, like he was deciding what to say next.

“And what are you when you’re not being something specific?” he asked.

Felix blinked, caught off guard.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, a small laugh slipping out. “I think I’m still figuring that out.”

Hyunjin nodded slowly, like that answer made sense.

“Then this seems like a good place to start,” he said.

Felix glanced around again; the lights, the noise, the warmth of it all; and then back at Hyunjin.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “I think so too.”

“Okay, your turn.”

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow. “My turn?”

“Yeah,” Felix said, leaning forward just a little. “I feel like I’ve been answering all your questions.”

Hyunjin huffed a quiet laugh. “Have you?”

“Yeah,” Felix said, more confidently now. “You ask things in a way that makes people answer without realizing it.”

“That sounds like a useful skill.”

“It is,” Felix said. “But now I want to know things too.”

Hyunjin leaned back slightly in his seat, watching him with a curious gaze. “Like what?”

Felix paused, suddenly aware he didn’t want to ask the wrong thing, but he didn’t back out.

“Like…” he started, then smiled a little, deciding that this was a safe topic for a first date. “Do you actually like bartending? Or are you just really good at pretending to?”

Hyunjin’s expression shifted, just slightly, but Felix caught it.

“I like it,” Hyunjin said after a moment. “It’s… interesting.”

“That sounds like a non-answer,” Felix pointed out.

“It’s not,” Hyunjin said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “You just want more than I gave you.”

Felix grinned. “Yeah, ya caught me. I do.”

Then Hyunjin sighed softly, like he was giving in just a little.

“I own the place,” he said.

Felix blinked. “Wait, really?”

Hyunjin nodded, watching his reaction carefully then responded with a slight cocky smirk.

“You didn’t expect that did you? Yeah I like to bartend sometimes, especially when it gets busy. I like to talk to people, to really get to know about people…even if it’s only for a short amount of time.”

“I mean I can understand that,” Felix admitted, laughing slightly. Then the playfulness came back to his voice, “I thought you were just… really good at it. Bartending that is. Not that I was thinking about you being good at other stuff…uh-I mean….ugh I should probably stop talking now.” Felix mentally wanted to hit his head against the wall. So much for being calm and collected in front of the hot man he was on a date with. 

“I am good at bartending, among other things.” Hyunjin wiggled his eyebrow suggestively and laughed as he witnessed firsthand Felix’s face growing more red by the second.

Felix looked up from his hands and shook his head, smiling. “Okay, that’s kind of impressive.”

“What’s impressive?”

“Being able to blend in like you do at the bar, but then also stand out like you do when I see you.”

“It’s not that impressive.”

“It is to me,” Felix said. “I don’t think I’ve ever built something that was actually mine.”

The words slipped out more honestly than he meant them to. Hyunjin noticed. Something in his expression softened, just slightly.

“You just being you is more than enough Felix. Never ever forget that and don’t let anyone say anything different.” 

Felix lifted the corners of his mouth slightly. “No promises, but I’ll try.”

A small silence settled again, but it didn’t feel empty.

Felix leaned forward just a little more this time, curiosity still there.

“So… what else? What other information should I learn about my date?” Felix raised his eyebrows, a genuine smile covering his face.

Hyunjin narrowed his eyes slightly, amused. “You’re not done with my line of questioning detective?”

“Not even close,” Felix said. “You’re still kind of a mystery.”

Hyunjin smiled faintly at that. “Maybe I like it that way.”

Felix smiled back.

“Yeah,” he said quietly, but then added more playfully,  “But I’m determined to figure you out and when I put my mind to something, I’ll stop at nothing to figure it out.” They talked for a bit, laughing and talking animatedly about several things. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

But this time, the silence felt different.

Less like two people sitting next to each other and more like something beginning to settle between them.

After a few hours and staying until the location closed, they walked back to the car shoulders slightly brushing each other as they walked on the sidewalk. Hyunjin is the first to break the comfortable silence.

“Wanna make a bet?” 

Felix looked up, perplexed.

“Depends on what we are betting on.”

“Sounds like someone’s scared.”

Felix was more nervous than scared, but wasn’t going to let Hyunjin know that information.

“Uggg fine what’s the bet?” 

Hyunjin smirked, proud of what he was about to do.

“So…what if we raced to the car? Whoever makes it there…gets to decide how this date ends.” 

Felix looks up and locks eyes with Hyunjin, his gaze widening slightly at the suggestion. What did Hyunjin have in mind to even suggest this? Before his mind could spiral, his competitive nature took over and he replied, 

“You’re on!”

As soon as the words left Felix’s lips, Hyunjin took off at a dead sprint towards the direction of the car. Felix took two seconds too long to realize what was happening before he sped off, running after the slender bartender with the long, athletic legs. A few seconds later Felix arrives at the car, out of breath but trying to make himself look like he wasn’t. He looked up from his feet to see Hyunjin, his face slightly pink and his chest trying to steady his breathing. He was standing cross legged leaning up against Felix’s car. Felix automatically deflated and gave Hyunjin this pout that made Hyunjin double over in laughter. 

“Took ya long enough sunshine.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault you have long legs and basically cheated!” 

“Ya! How could I have possibly done that? I would never cheat, scouts honor.” 

Felix stared at him disbelievingly as he giggled and walked closer to the brunette. 

“So fair is fair and you won kind of,” Felix laughed at Hyunjin’s fake anger, “ so you get to decide how this ends…” 

The air around them instantly thickened with electricity and anticipation. Felix held his breath as Hyunjin glanced down at his eyes, lingering as if to ask if it was okay. Felix widened his eyes slightly and Hyunjin slowly lowered his gaze to Felix’s plump lips. Felix notices but stands perfectly still, wanting to make Hyunjin make the first move. Hyunjin bit his lower lip and looked at Felix’s again, silently asking if he was okay with what was about to happen. Felix inched closer, silently giving him permission. Hyunjin slowly moved closer until their breaths were mingling together and he could practically count the freckles on the blonde's face. He closed his eyes and slowly closed the gap between them, gently lifting his hand to cup either side of Felix’s face. 

It was such a gentle and brief kiss, but Felix felt like he’d been holding his breath for hours. Hyunjin’s lips were so soft, so gentle as they moved slightly against Felix’s. Felix was so caught up in the moment that when Hyunjin slightly pulled away, he couldn’t help but pout slightly. Hyunjin opened his eyes and saw the frown on Felix’s face, and he couldn’t help but giggle. Hyunjin rested his head against Felix’s for a moment, enjoying the warmth between them. Felix looked up at Hyunjin with nothing but warmth and gentleness. Hyunjin knew he shouldn’t be doing this, but he couldn’t help it. It was so simple, so effortless to be himself around Felix. 

“I-I-ummm a-after you.” Felix said after a few moments as he slid his hand behind Hyunjin and opened his door for him. 

Hyunjin giggled at the sight of Felix looking anywhere but him. Hyunjin purposefully brushed Felix’s hand holding the door, “why thank you kind sir, what a gentleman you are.” 

Felix closed his door and slowly walked to the drivers side, trying to will his face to not be more red than it already was but to no avail. 

They drove back in comfortable silence, Felix’s hand subtly finding Hyunjin’s and entangled them together. They eventually ended up back at Hyunjin’s apartment and they both sighed, defeated that the perfect night was about to end. 

“Felix I just want you to know,” Hyunjin bit his lower lip, slightly tasting the strawberry lip balm lingering from Felix’s lips, “this was the best night I’ve had in years. I’m so glad we got to spend time together. Tonight was absolutely perfect.” Felix tore his gaze from their hands to Hyunjin’s face, relaxing lightly at the soft and honest gaze staring back at him. 

“I’ve got a confession to make Hyunjin…”

Hyunjin’s breath hitched in his throat as the blonde kept talking.

“I didn’t want to take you out to say thank you for taking that drunk guy off of me…I wanted to take you out because I feel something with you. I feel alive. And I know that doesn’t mean much to you probably, but to me it was absolutely everything. I was wondering if maybe….we could do this again sometime soon? Don’t feel pressured to or anything I just thou-“ 

“Don’t worry about it sunshine, next time I’ll choose the spot and it will blow your mind.” Felix couldn’t hide the excitement he felt as Hyunjin lightly laughed at Felix’s expression, feeling the same amount of excitement. “Text me when you make it home Felix, yeah?” 

“Yeah of course I will! Goodnight Hyunjin and thanks….for everything.” 

“Anything for you sunshine.” 

And with that Hyunjin grabbed the handle and stepped out of the car and into the night. He stood at the sidewalk, waving to Felix as he smiled and drove off into the night. As Hyunjin was about to turn around he heard a voice behind him. 

“You know this will end badly.” His business partner Chan stated, a touch of sympathy in his voice.

“I know...but I can’t stop and even if I could…I wouldn’t.”