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Wonbin totally shouldn't have come to this party.
It's loud, cramped and not to mention, he's completely out of his comfort zone. He'd rather spend the night under the covers asleep, or drowning in coursework he waited until the last moment to review.
Wonbin peers down at the red cup in his hand, observing the absurdly orange liquid sloshing inside it. He's only had two sips, and while it was pretty sweet, he isn't keen on getting buzzed in a house he's never been to before tonight.
Shotaro was the one who convinced him to tag along, but now the older's hidden between the bodies dancing the night away, and Wonbin's far too anxious at the moment to attempt searching for him.
He contemplates calling Shotaro, but backs out of it at the last second, not wanting to be a burden.
10:03 pm, the phone screen reads, and Wonbin exhales a deep breath. He bites the inside of his cheek when someone bumps into him while shuffling past.
It's okay, everything's fine. Just... try to relax, Wonbin tells himself, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension inside them.
A pop song's echoing through the speakers, and Wonbin attempts moving along to the rhythm, convincing himself over and over that no one's looking at him weirdly for it.
He runs a hand through his long hair, shoves his phone into his pocket, and stills.
It isn't due to anything negative, however. No one bumped into him or tried screaming into his ear so they could be heard over the music.
It's because a few feet away under the violet and blue lights, there's this dark haired guy in the middle of it all, fingers loosely wrapped around a cup as he twirls and sways to the song playing.
Wonbin isn't a stranger to good dancers -- he's best friends with the Osaki Shotaro after all, but the way this person moves has him transfixed. He glows like he's made of gems under the lights, looking exquisite in the process. Even when he isn't dancing as hard as the others he still catches Wonbin's eye.
He's on the smaller side, probably isn't taller than Wonbin himself, yet he exudes this mystifying sort of confidence that makes him appear much larger. He's graceful -- pretty, his cheekbones and neck shimmering with what Wonbin assumes to be glitter.
Wonbin only realizes he's outright staring when the male's eyes lock with his, and he panics, nearly dropping his drink.
But, the guy then smiles, exposing prominent canines that just add to how surreal he is. Wonbin gulps and adjusts his glasses, attempting to look away and pretend he wasn't just caught ogling a stranger.
All of a sudden, there's someone right in front of him, and it's the same guy. His round eyes sparkle as they stare Wonbin down, and Wonbin was right -- there is glitter all over his skin. They oscillate between gold and fiery crimson, twinkling as they descend down his chest, which Wonbin now realizes is bare, by the way.
The guy's wearing nothing under the jacket he has on, just a simple pearl necklace along with jean shorts. He's also barefoot, but Wonbin tries to reason through his haze that it must be because he's just swimmed in the sea outside.
"Nervous?" The guy then asks, and Wonbin blinks, because even though the music is as loud as ever, he can still hear him just fine.
Even his voice is pretty, Wonbin thinks, and wants to slap himself. Stop being weird.
"I'm not," Wonbin forces out, and stiffens when the guy steps even closer. And, like Wonbin had also guessed, the stranger is shorter than him, but even with their slight height difference his heart stutters when the guy grins at him.
He stretches out a hand. "Take it," he says, his voice bright like bells and still so pretty. So sweet.
Wonbin wants to question the shorter, but it's like he's been put under some sort of spell with no way to escape.
Before he knows it, Wonbin's grasping the male's hand, chills racing down his spine at how cold he feels despite the softness of his palm. But he... doesn't actually mind, and the brief spark that spins up his arm at the contact is certainly pleasant.
He sets his cup on a table and lets himself be dragged into the crowd, but the shorter isn't forceful with it. His smile is lovely, playful, easing Wonbin's nerves about being surrounded by tightly congregated bodies.
Wonbin's heart does a thing again when the guy does that little twirl once more as if saying 'look at me, look at how much I shine'. And he does shine, the glitter adorning his smooth skin contributing to his iridescent glow.
Wonbin can't help the way his breath hitches in his throat when the guy gently tugs on his sweater, like he's telling him to loosen up.
And, while Wonbin isn't the most extroverted person around, preferring to just watch others enjoy themselves from the sidelines, he feels like right now -- at this very moment -- he can finally allow himself to relax. Allow himself to be free.
Maybe it's the result of the alluring energy around this guy now spreading over to Wonbin. Maybe it's due to how he's watching him like he likes what he sees and won't ever judge him for anything, despite them meeting each other for the first time tonight.
In seconds, Wonbin draws closer, entranced by the way the lights reflect across the shorter's dark eyes.
The male smiles again, kick starting the hoard of butterflies in Wonbin's stomach. Pride warms him from within like how alcohol usually does, but now it's a lot more powerful.
Wonbin flushes deeply when the guy finishes off his drink before slowly slinking his arms above his shoulders. He can only hope the lighting doesn't expose him as he moves along with the shorter to the music, which has only gotten slower. More sensual.
"Hold me here," the stranger says, and this close Wonbin can pick up a slight accent. It's nothing Wonbin's ever heard before but it's lovely nonetheless, and he swears he can't breathe when his hands are then guided to cup the guy's naked waist.
"Nice, right?" The guy says, definitely noticing how flustered Wonbin is. He's even smirking too, but Wonbin can't force himself to act all bothered about it. Not when he's entranced by the very attractive male in front of him, unable to look away.
"Yeah," Wonbin blurts before he can think better of it, but he can't find it in himself to be embarrassed. Not when his response hands him the sweetest smile he's ever seen in his life. Wonbin flushes some more.
"Nervous?" The stranger asks, and while that would normally be a harmless question, the fact that he chooses to ask this right next to Wonbin's ear drives him insane.
"N-No," he sputters.
"It's okay. You're with me now," the guy tells him, swaying them along to the music. Wonbin's hands are still on his waist. His very small waist, Wonbin quickly discovers.
Fuck.
There's like, nothing between them now, and while Wonbin's freaking out on the inside, he can't help the way he buries his head on the male's shoulder, breathing him in.
He smells like cinnamon and the open ocean -- but Wonbin doesn't get the chance to ponder more on it because the guy's now raking his fingers through his hair, sending his heart into overdrive.
When their eyes meet for the nth time tonght, Wonbin's astounded by the intensity of the shorter's brown eyes. He could've sworn they were darker before.
He swallows, immensely nervous, zeroing in on the little moles dotting the guy's cheek. They look like a constellation.
"Your name?" The male requests, peering up at him, and Wonbin shivers at the feel of his hands in his hair.
"Park Wonbin..." Wonbin reveals, openly staring as the shorter chews his bottom lip like he's thinking hard about his reply.
"I'm Lee Sohee," he soon replies.
"Sohee..." Wonbin utters, and hell, even his name is beautiful. "I like your name, Sohee."
Wonbin isn't one to be so honest -- or desperate -- but god, he's besotted by this guy. Besotted by Sohee.
Sohee grins, eyes crinkling in the process, and it doesn't even matter that they aren't dancing anymore. Wonbin just doesn't want the night to end.
"Let's go somewhere quieter," Wonbin says a second later, but starts internally panicking when Sohee looks like he's thinking over his response again. "I mean -- if you want to. No pressure."
He stills when Sohee gently pushes his glasses up his nose bridge, a teasing smile on his face.
"Okay," he answers, and soon enough, Wonbin's entwining their fingers and leaving the crowded living room.
They find a balcony upstairs that's kinda dim with no one else around. Wonbin is about to freak out again in case his intentions are misunderstood, but then Sohee's rushing to the edge, glancing at the stars in the sky.
"Pretty," he whispers, and Wonbin can't help but stare at him again.
Sohee quickly notices, and Wonbin's heart races at the way the shorter watches him. Like he's both amused and intrigued.
Even in the dark, Sohee still dazzles.
"Come, Wonbin," Sohee urges, gripping his hand to pull him close. Wonbin's skin burns at the contact. "The stars don't look how they look above the sea."
Wonbin's still reeling from how lovingly Sohee says his name that it takes him a bit too long to register his other words. "...Above the sea?"
Sohee pauses, as if he's just been caught doing something he shouldn't. But then he steps into Wonbin's space, and Wonbin's back to being flustered once more, especially when Sohee pulls off his glasses and puts it on.
"I'm pretty, right?" He questions with a charming giggle that heats up Wonbin's chest, and he doesn't even mind that much that he now can't see as well.
Fortunately, he's nearsighted, and Sohee's just inches away.
"Yes," he grins, thrilled at the fact that the shorter's using one of his things. Thrilled that he's being so cheerful around him. "You're pretty, Sohee. So pretty."
Sohee laughs, looking so cute in his glasses, and Wonbin laughs too. His face burns as Sohee puts his glasses back on him, and burns even more when Sohee holds his cheek.
He's still cold, but Wonbin has enough warmth blooming in his heart to make up for it.
"I'm not hot like you are. Sorry," Sohee says, about to drop his hand, but Wonbin hurriedly keeps it in place.
"S'alright," he exhales. "You're really hot, don't worry."
Sohee only seems confused, and Wonbin wants to hit his head on a goddamn wall because his attempt at flirting just failed. Miserably.
"Fuck," he mumbles, and his ears redden at the quiet chuckle that leaves Sohee's mouth right then.
"So cute," Sohee states, lips curled into a smug smile. "You really are."
"Are you from around here?" Wonbin finds himself asking. "I've never seen you before."
Please be from around here, Wonbin wishes. Or at least attend the same university as me.
Sohee's eyebrows furrow, and even when he's frowning, he's terribly gorgeous. "No," he eventually answers.
Wonbin's heart sinks. "Oh, okay."
"Don't be sad, Wonbin," Sohee encourages, stroking his cheekbone. "I'm still here."
Wonbin gulps, because Sohee's definitely staring at his lips now. His heart squeezes, because Sohee's brown eyes get even brighter, shimmering like the stars above them.
"I've never met a human like you before..." Sohee admits, and while Wonbin's never heard anyone say something like that to him before, Sohee says this so genuinely that it has Wonbin's heart racing.
"Can I..." Wonbin bites his lip, mind overwhelmed with a million thoughts. "Can I kiss you?"
Wonbin would've never asked that question if this were any other day. But he's already danced in the middle of a crowd, all while holding a gorgeous stranger close -- something he'd never imagined himself doing prior to tonight -- so he figures doing something else impulsively won't hurt in the slightest.
He also has a feeling it's because of Sohee, and Sohee makes him want to be bold too.
And, he feels like Sohee also wants him, judging by the way his eyes darken and how he licks his lips at that moment.
Sohee nods. "Kiss me."
Wonbin wraps his arms around the shorter's lithe waist, and connects their lips. His head spins at how easily Sohee molds into his touch, even more so when Sohee slowly drags his hands up his bare torso and over his soft flesh.
Sohee tastes even sweeter than the alcohol Wonbin had consumed, his mouth terribly addictive. Wonbin doesn't think he can stop kissing Sohee. Doesn't think he even wants to.
His eagerness must be pretty obvious because he feels Sohee grinning into the kiss, and when the shorter pulls away, Wonbin can only chase after his lips, wanting more of him.
Sohee kisses him once more, and all Wonbin can think of is Sohee, Sohee, Sohee.
When Wonbin reluctantly pulls away for some oxygen, he's startled to see the despondent look in Sohee's eyes.
"You okay?" He can't help but ask, heartbeat fluttering when Sohee rubs his cheek with his thumb.
Sohee smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. He glances at the indigo sky, then back at Wonbin.
"This... was my first kiss," Sohee whispers.
Wonbin blinks, shocked. He takes in Sohee's frown and his mind races with all sorts of possibilities. "Was it... was it bad?"
Now it's Sohee's turn to look shocked.
"No! I -- I liked it," he confesses, staring into Wonbin's eyes. "I like you."
Euphoria shoots straight into Wonbin's veins. He's smiling, he soon realizes, both relieved and awestruck by the male in front of him.
"And, I think you like me too?" Sohee asks rather than says, and Wonbin hates how unsure he sounds.
He holds Sohee's hands, amazed at how dainty they are. How lovely. The same glitter swirls around his palms as well, glowing faintly.
"I do like you," Wonbin admits, and he's astounded by how fearless he's being. But, Sohee isn't like anyone he's ever met before, and he doesn't want to let him out of his sight. "I like you a lot, Sohee."
Sohee's smile broadens, but his eyes are sad. "I'm happy."
"Are you alright?" Wonbin questions, unable to curb his worry. "Do you want to head home? We both drank, so we can just call an uber."
Stop being so weird, Wonbin. You just met the guy and you're already trying to butt into his life, the voice in his head yells.
"It's okay if you want to leave alone though," Wonbin quickly adds.
"I have until midnight," Sohee says.
Wonbin frowns, and pulls out his phone. "It's 11:41. Nearly midnight."
Sohee's features darken, and Wonbin is afraid he's upset him in some way.
"You did nothing wrong. It's just -- " Sohee begins, glancing elsewhere. It takes Wonbin a moment to realize he's staring at the beach near the house.
"Sohee?"
"This isn't even mine," Sohee mumbles while tugging on the jacket, confusing Wonbin some more. "I found it. Took it."
"What... what are you talking about?" Wonbin asks, not understanding the shorter. But he's willing to listen, willing to do whatever Sohee tells him to.
"Walk with me," Sohee pleads, and Wonbin nods, trailing close behind as they make their way past the noisy living room and out the door.
Wonbin wants to say something when he and Sohee head for the silent beach, but his mouth stays shut, the words dying out in his throat.
If it weren't for the lights emanating through the house up ahead, the beach would be cloaked in total darkness. The sea's calm, the moon shining over the surface.
Wonbin worries when Sohee stops just centimeters away from the shore, looking so small in the jacket he has on. "...Sohee?"
Sohee faces him, stretches out his hand.
Wonbin wordlessly takes it, waiting for what Sohee will say next -- even when it doesn't look like good news considering his facial expression.
"I love it there," Sohee starts, and the waves seem to get a little louder. "It's my home. But... I'd love to stay here with you too."
It's my home.
Wonbin gulps, his mind racing. Don't tell me...
"Are you -- " he starts, but Sohee beats him to it.
"Can we kiss one last time?" He asks, his eyes round and pleading.
Wonbin nods, even though he's puzzled and struggling to make sense of things. He gently caresses Sohee's face and kisses him with all the tenderness he can muster, feeling Sohee shiver under his touch.
"I don't -- want this to be the last time," Wonbin chokes out as soon as they part.
Sohee's jaw clenches, appearing as though he's battling himself. His eyes are wet when he looks at Wonbin. "This was just meant to be something fun, but... I don't want to leave either."
"Why can't you stay then?" Wonbin asks, even when he knows it's terribly selfish of him to ask. "I want you around."
"I turn back when it's midnight," Sohee explains, already shrugging off the jacket. He's slow with it however, a pained look on his face.
Wonbin finally gets it. "You aren't human."
Sohee nods, his expression morose. His skin glistens with gold and red, and Wonbin figures out that it wasn't glitter all this time, but tiny scales. "I'm sorry."
Wonbin shakes his head. "I'm not mad at you, Sohee."
"You aren't?" Sohee blinks, and Wonbin can't help it, he pats down his hair, enamoured even when he's deeply hurting on the inside.
"I'm not," Wonbin confirms, forcing on a smile. He stumbles a bit when Sohee suddenly hugs him tight.
"Thank you, Wonbin," Sohee whispers into the curve of his neck. "For a memorable night."
The lump in Wonbin's throat instantly worsens. "You're welcome. Thank you too."
Sohee kisses his cheek, then takes a step back. "Is it time?"
Wonbin's hands tremble as he rummages for his phone. "...11:58. Only... only two minutes left."
Sohee takes his hand, pulling them both towards the water. Wonbin drops the phone, not wanting to lose anything else tonight.
"Walk with me," Sohee tells Wonbin for the second time, but this time around everything hurts a lot more.
Sohee takes them into the sea, and Wonbin doesn't mind that his shoes and jeans are now soaked to the brim. He even wonders if it'd be such a bad idea to follow Sohee into the depths if need be.
Wonbin can barely see a thing at this point, but Sohee's scales still shimmer, and his smile is still as brilliant as ever.
Sohee doesn't stop till they're nearly submerged in the water, and Wonbin blinks at the sight that greets him.
In a second, Sohee's shorts and legs are no more, a long tail taking their place. It gleams beneath the waves, gold effortlessly merging into a startling ruby red. His eyes are now a captivating hazel, matching the scales of his tail.
"You're a merman," Wonbin exhales, but he doesn't sound as shocked. He just doesn't want Sohee to go.
"I am," Sohee nods. He holds Wonbin's hand once again, like he's the anchor that keeps him secure. "I'm sorry that I must leave now."
Wonbin notes the way he chews his lip, as if he's struggling a bit. The gills on the sides of his neck pulse, and Wonbin realizes he probably can't breathe for long above water. He can't breathe above water, but he's still gripping Wonbin's hand, not wanting to let go just yet.
Wonbin is touched, and he takes the initiative to let go himself.
Sohee's face falls, but he understands. "Goodbye, Wonbin."
"Goodbye, Sohee," Wonbin replies. Will I ever get to see you again? He wants to ask, but isn't brave enough to. All his courage faded the moment he realized Sohee was probably never returning.
Sohee seems to read his mind, but instead of spoken words, he kisses Wonbin, gentle and sincere.
It has hope flaring in Wonbin's chest.
Then, Sohee glides into the dark sea, turns to watch him, and waves.
Wonbin waves as well, and Sohee swims further into the water, before vanishing completely.
Wonbin tries to swallow down the lump in his throat, all to no avail.
He trudges back to the shore, not knowing how he makes it there with how empty he feels.
Wonbin's phone screen lights up. Shotaro's calling him, no doubt about to ask where he's been. Wonbin has no idea how he's going to reply.
It's right there that he feels something. Something solid that's in his trouser pocket.
He digs around for it, halting when he observes what it is under the moonlight.
The pearls are even more radiant now. It's the necklace Sohee had been wearing earlier. Wonbin had been too occupied with him to notice he no longer had it on after they left the balcony.
Sohee must've put it in when they hugged. A way to show that tonight means something a lot more to the both of them. That Sohee wants Wonbin to have a part of himself for as long as he can.
The hope within Wonbin spreads, far and wide, and he smiles. Though he can't exactly say he's happy, he feels a lot better now.
His only wish is that he gets to reunite with Sohee soon.