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Seonghwa looked stunning tonight.
Not that he didn’t every minute of every day of every week, or that he didn’t look particularly ravishing in the fantasies Hongjoong had conjured up in the empty silence of his own bedroom late at night, but there was something about Seonghwa that screamed he should be on the cover of fashion magazines, not just the editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine.
It was a thought that plagued Hongjoong over and over again. As Seonghwa’s assistant, Hongjoong had been up close and personal with the man for years now, seeing him both at his best and at his worst. Even at his worst, he was beautiful.
But maybe that was just a symptom of harboring a raging crush on the man.
Hongjoong glanced at his watch.
It was Christmas Eve, and it was getting late. The lobby was decorated lavishly, warm twinkling lights strung across the ceiling and a large Christmas tree decked with ornaments and tinsel catching the lights was on display near the window. Strings of pine wrapped around every doorway and counter. Holiday-themed centerpieces were at the center of every golden-cloth covered table.
The space was packed with employees, as it was every year for their staff Christmas party. It had started with a presentation of the year’s successes, projected on a wide-screen for engagement, and had followed with a buffet of delectable meats, cheeses, breads, and desserts. A white-elephant gift exchange came next, complete with taunts and cheers and empty threats as gifts were stolen and exchanged and ripped into.
Hongjoong had ended up with some velvety midnight-blue gloves.
He wasn’t complaining.
He himself had brought in a knife set. There had been a joke someone made about someone wanting to stab their fellow coworkers, which was met with chuckles of mirth and some accusations. Hongjoong had laughed, too, but hadn’t revealed he was the culprit. He didn’t even pay enough attention to notice who ended up with the knife set at the end. The only gift that truly mattered was the box stuffed deep in his slack’s pocket.
Tipping his glass back, he drank the last sip of his champagne and allowed his gaze to once again land on his boss.
This time, Seonghwa was looking back at him.
Even from across the room, Hongjoong caught on to the telltale signs of his boss asking for assistance. No one else would notice. Hongjoong prided himself on being able to read those soft doe eyes like a book.
He set his empty glass on a passing tray and began making his way over to where Seonghwa was conversing with two other men.
“Excuse me,” Hongjoong cut in, wedging himself into the circle the three men had created. He threw an apologetic look at the other two men, who looked vaguely familiar to him. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to grab the boss for a bit.”
“Oh? I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse us for a moment,” Seonghwa said, a picture of surprise. The other men looked disappointed by the turn of events.
“Well, if that’s the case, it’s getting late anyway,” one of the men said, glancing at his own watch much like Hongjoong had. “We’ll leave you to it. Please, consider what we talked about. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.”
“You as well. Be safe getting home,” Seonghwa said politely. With quick bows, the two parties split, going their separate ways.
“So what did they want you to consider so badly that I had to swoop in to save you?” Hongjoong asked, his voice low. Seonghwa walked at his side, arms brushing, as they meandered toward the drink table.
“Something about a collaboration. I love when people try to twist their words so it seems like they are doing me a favor when they are clearly the ones who will benefit. And to sneak over here during our Christmas party. The nerve of people,” Seonghwa replied, just as low. Hongjoong could tell he was annoyed, but was hiding it well to maintain appearances. He flashed Hongjoong a grateful smile. “You’re a lifesaver, Joong.”
Hongjoong loved that smile.
He wanted to kiss that smile.
“Just doing my job,” Hongjoong replied, averting his gaze. Confessing ‘I would do anything for you’ was probably a bit much.
Workers were starting to clear the tables with the drinks and food, getting ready to take everything down for the end of the party. Hongjoong quickly snatched two glasses and grabbed a bottle of champagne from a bucket of ice, filling both glasses and handing one to Seonghwa, who took it with a gentle thanks.
“I love Christmas, but I’m actually glad the night is ending soon. My legs hurt from all the standing,” Seonghwa confessed. Hongjoong glanced down at Seonghwa’s feet and raised a brow.
“Then stop wearing heels,” Hongjoong replied. Seonghwa took a sip of champagne and smiled around the edge of the glass.
“You just hate it because it makes you look shorter,” Seonghwa teased.
“Shut up,” Hongjoong said, without any bite. He’d play along if it made Seonghwa’s eyes scrunch up in happiness like that. Honestly, Hongjoong appreciated the heels Seonghwa often wore. It made his already long legs even longer, and gave his hips a little more sway when he walked.
Hongjoong appreciated everything that Seonghwa wore, especially tonight. A fitted, long-sleeve, black turtleneck disappeared into high-waisted, loose gray slacks. With the flare the pants provided, Seonghwa’s small waist looked even more pronounced. His hair had gotten longer, wisps of curls framing the honey-brown skin of his cheeks.
He really would look so good on the cover of a magazine.
He really would look so good on the covers of Hongjoong’s bed, but that was a dangerous thought to have in public, with the object of his affections staring at him.
It hit him, then, that Seonghwa had never looked away from him. Warmth filled his cheeks, a warmth he prayed wasn’t too terribly noticeable. The humiliating idea of spacing out while his thoughts had even so briefly strayed into a less innocent path settled deep in his chest. Surely he hadn’t been actively looking Seonghwa up and down, checking him out? He wasn’t that pathetically lost, was he?
But no, he felt like if that was ever a reality, Seonghwa would have a strong response to it. Whether that response be good or bad, it would be strong. The look Seonghwa was giving him now was gentle, warm. Hongjoong had found himself on the receiving end of such a look a few times, and it took everything he had in him to resist the pull.
It made him believe that maybe, just maybe, his affections were returned. Maybe Seonghwa was looking at him as more than a coworker, more than a friend, too.
“We’re going to clear the tables,” one of the workers warned them. Seonghwa snapped his head up at the interruption and Hongjoong belatedly realized they wanted Seonghwa and him out of the way.
“Oh, no problem,” Hongjoong said, scurrying to the side. He leaned against the door to a filing room, feeling oddly breathless, watching the workers bend down and fold up the tables. Around them, people were saying their good-byes, grabbing their presents, and throwing away their left-over trash.
“Merry Christmas!” Was shouted their way, and Hongjoong shot them a smile as Seonghwa settled beside Hongjoong and waved to them.
Hongjoong suddenly remembered the gift nestled deep in his pocket and realized he would need to ditch Seonghwa if he was going to pull off what he wanted to pull off. He opened his mouth, about to excuse himself to the restroom, but Seonghwa spoke first.
“Oh, this screams Yunho all over it,” Seonghwa commented dryly. Hongjoong looked over curiously, only to find Seonghwa looking up. Following his gaze, Hongjoong was pretty sure his heart stopped before picking back up rapidly.
Mistletoe.
There was mistletoe hanging above the doorway they’d nestled under.
“Fire him,” Hongjoong blurted. His instinct to hide behind humor was something fierce, especially in this moment, with his mind slowly turning into sludge.
You were supposed to kiss under mistletoe.
He was currently under mistletoe with Seonghwa.
The fact that he’d imagined kissing those lips a hundred times was nothing compared to the very real possibility that it could happen. His treacherous mind was already visualizing it, his lips tingling at the thought. He licked them on instinct.
A huff of laughter escaped Seonghwa after Hongjoong’s proclamation, and maybe Hongjoong shouldn’t have resorted to humor, because now Seonghwa was looking right at him, again, those eyes twinkling and looking so very pretty.
“While I’m not a fan of forcing people into uncomfortable situations, I think having a talk with him will be just fine,” Seonghwa replied, amused.
Uncomfortable.
Right.
Hongjoong’s heart started slowing down, and a wave of shame overcame him. He suddenly felt like an idiot for even considering getting a kiss out of Seonghwa because they were standing under mistletoe. They were still at their company’s Christmas party, with multiple eyes around. They were both men. Seonghwa was his boss.
There was no way some silly tradition, or even an irresponsible crush, was going to make him do something so stupid.
“Because you’re too nice,” Hongjoong said. He downed the rest of his champagne and licked his lips again, walking away from the mistletoe and Seonghwa to set the glass down on the one table still standing. When he turned back, Seonghwa hadn’t moved, and was regarding him with a look he couldn’t quite identify. “Looks like things are wrapping up. Unless there’s something you need from me, I’m going to run to the restroom and take off. I’ll see you after Christmas.”
“Oh,” Seonghwa said, blinking. He looked down at his glass and took another sip, eyebrows furrowing in the slightest. “… no, there’s nothing I need you to do. You already saved me from prolonged unpleasant company.” A small smile came back to his lips. “Merry Christmas, Joong.”
“Merry Christmas,” Hongjoong repeated, throwing a smile and a wave before making his way out of the lobby, ignoring the hollow ache in his chest he often felt when leaving Seonghwa. It was more insistent than normal this time, though, with the thought of a lost opportunity burning at the edges.
He really needed to get a grip.
It wasn’t a lie when Hongjoong said he was stopping by the restroom, but afterward, he didn’t make his way to the front doors. Instead, he made a left until he could take an elevator up to the eighth floor.
With faint elevator music caroling him, he took out the box that had been hidden in his pocket all night. A bow and ribbon was artistically painted on the lid; a blessing for trying to keep it hidden. A quick shake made the lid come off easily.
A necklace sat in the box. It was silver, the chain glinting in the light. A north star pendant demanded attention as the centerpiece, bold and sharp. He’d immediately thought of Seonghwa when he saw it in the jewelry store window, and it may have cost more than his paycheck, but it was something he couldn’t pass up.
He would leave it on Seonghwa’s desk to be discovered later. No frills and no name. Seonghwa would surely feel obligated to get Hongjoong something in return if he knew it came from him, so that wasn’t going to happen. He’d even thought about what he would say if questioned.
“I guess Santa came around.”
“Maybe someone featured in our magazine wanted to leave a thank you.”
“Perhaps you have a secret admirer.”
That last one was way too close to home.
He’d avoid that one.
The elevator came to a halt and Hongjoong slid the lid back on the box. The eighth floor was dim, as expected. Only the long ceiling lights along the main hallway lit the way. He followed that lit path past many familiar cubicles until he reached a room in the corner, closed blinds not allowing him to see through the large glass windows. Having stepped foot in Seonghwa’s office many times, he didn’t need to see to know what was there.
He pushed open the door. It was darker inside, the only light spilling in from the hallway in long, narrow slats between the blinds. He’d always thought it was a crime that such a high position like editor-in-chief got such a small office space. While it wasn’t tiny, Hongjoong had argued that Seonghwa deserved more. He’d only been chastised for his comments, though, Seonghwa insisting that it was more than enough, and that he rather liked the coziness of his space.
Hongjoong agreed that it was cozy, but only because Seonghwa made it so. There were so many personal touches – framed photographs and little stuffed animals and trinkets – along with tasteful, fashion-focused artwork leaving a rainbow of colors along the walls. Despite so many things, every single one had a place. Seonghwa was always clean and organized.
That was why, as Hongjoong deposited the box in the center of Seonghwa’s desk, he knew Seonghwa would notice it immediately. The only disappointing thing about it was that he wished he could see Seonghwa’s face as he opened the box. He comforted himself with the thought of Seonghwa wearing it around the office. It may be a little possessive, but the thought of Seonghwa wearing something he got him was appealing, even if he didn’t actually know it came from Hongjoong.
Hongjoong would know.
He really hoped Seonghwa liked it, and that he would choose to wear it a lot.
With a little sigh, he turned way from the box, intending to follow up with his promise of going home.
He froze, though, when a silhouette passed by the window.
Who could possibly still be here? If someone saw him right now, they’d surely be able to put two and two together and realize the mystery present came from Hongjoong. That would ruin his entire plan to remain anonymous!
He stayed still, and quiet, hoping the other would pass and he could slip out undetected.
“Hongjoong?”
At the sound of his name, his heart lodged itself in his throat. He swallowed, harshly, as if trying to push it back down.
Seonghwa stood in the doorway of his office, and even in the dim lighting, Hongjoong could see the bewilderment in his expression.
“What are you doing here?” Hongjoong asked. He fiddled with the end of his suit jacket, frustrated at the turn of events. “Don’t tell me you planned on coming up here after the party to work, Seonghwa.”
Seonghwa flinched, and Hongjoong knew he’d hit the target dead-center. He couldn’t blame Seonghwa, not really. They were both a little too addicted to their work. Hongjoong had even played with the idea of coming in on Christmas day. It was another reason they worked so well together – if they didn’t particularly care about overworking themselves, they did particularly care about the other running until they were on empty.
“I wasn’t going to stay long…” Seonghwa murmured, stepping further into his office. “But I thought you were going home?”
It wasn’t an accusation as it was just pure curiosity. If it were anyone but Hongjoong, Seonghwa might have been a little suspicious at a person in his office without his permission this late at night. Hongjoong knew he was trusted, though, just as he trusted Seonghwa. It was just another element to their relationship that burned at the edge of Hongjoong’s subconsciousness as he fell asleep every night.
Seonghwa’s head turned slightly, and Hongjoong could tell the exact moment Seonghwa’s eyes saw the outlier in the room.
He knew Seonghwa would notice right away.
Any fight he had in him drained through his veins. He stepped aside and gestured toward the box, in defeat.
“Go ahead, then,” Hongjoong sighed. Seonghwa’s eyes snapped back to him, his posture going straight in interest.
“Is that a present?” Seonghwa asked. He walked around Hongjoong and his desk, reaching for the box. Hongjoong ignored the butterflies in his stomach as best as he could, but it was getting harder as a mischievous smile lifted the corners of Seonghwa’s lips. Seonghwa turned the box this way and that in his hands, and Hongjoong watched the realization change Seonghwa’s expression. “It doesn’t say who it’s from! You were just going to leave this, weren’t you?”
“You would want to get me something in return,” Hongjoong accused.
“Well of course I will!” Seonghwa insisted. He pouted. “I’m already feeling bad that I didn’t get you something already.”
“This is why I was going to leave it,” Hongjoong drawled.
“Rude,” Seonghwa huffed, and then his fingers were lifting the lid. Hongjoong swallowed again, stubbornly willing his body not to squirm like it wanted to.
This was fine.
There were still no lines being crossed. Getting your boss a Christmas present wasn’t unheard of. It certainly wasn’t anything close to getting stuck under mistletoe with your boss, and he’d survived that.
This was fine.
The lid was removed. It stayed suspended in Seonghwa’s right hand. A strip of light from between the blinds zipped across the room, right over where the north star pendant lied on the soft dark velvet interior. Hongjoong watched Seonghwa’s lips part, his eyes widen.
“Hongjoong…” Seonghwa breathed. His name said in such a soft, reverent way echoed in Hongjoong’s brain. That was definitely going to replay in his mind for days to come. Seonghwa’s mouth suddenly snapped closed, and he lifted his head to meet Hongjoong’s gaze. “Hongjoong, this is gorgeous!”
His eyes were doing that squinty thing that Hongjoong always loved, and his smile could very well rival the sun.
‘You’re gorgeous,’ Hongjoong’s mind supplied unhelpfully.
“I hoped you’d like it,” Hongjoong said, happy his voice came out steady. Seonghwa giggled, making quick work of unraveling the necklace from the confines of the box.
“I can’t believe you were just going to leave this here,” Seonghwa said. He set the box down and unclasped the necklace before rounding the desk to step into Hongjoong’s space. He held the necklace up between them enthusiastically. “Put it on me?”
This was fine.
Their hands brushed as Hongjoong took the necklace.
“No one is here to see it right now,” Hongjoong noted as Seonghwa turned his back to him.
“You’re here!” Seonghwa replied. Hongjoong took a deep breath and reached around Seongwha’s neck, letting the pendant fall against the other man’s clavicle. He gently brushed aside Seonghwa’s hair so he could properly clasp the necklace.
“Done,” Hongjoong said. Seonghwa reached up to set it straight, turning back toward Hongjoong but looking down at the necklace. Hongjoong thought the silver pendant looked perfect on the soft fabric of his black turtleneck.
“You know, this looks kind of expensive,” Seonghwa said, glancing up at him. Hongjoong drew his lips into a straight line.
“It wasn’t, and no, I’m not going to tell you how much it was,” Hongjoong immediately denied. Seonghwa pouted for a moment before offering a gentle smile that felt more like a punch to Hongjoong’s heart.
“Well, I love it. Thank you,” Seonghwa said, his fingers still brushing the pendant.
“Yeah. You’re welcome,” Hongjoong replied, mirroring the smile. He quickly dropped it, though, settling into something more stern. “Don’t get me anything in return.”
The gentle smile turned sharper, more mischievous.
“Sure,” Seonghwa chirped. They both knew it was a bold-faced lie. Hongjoong’s sigh was exaggerated on purpose.
And then things were still.
It was with delayed realization that it was happening again. Just like earlier tonight, just like a few times before, Seonghwa was just staring at him – fond, comfortable – as if he had all the time in the world to bask in Hongjoong’s presence. Hongjoong didn’t know how he did it. His own hands were already starting to sweat, awareness of how alone they were in this dark room seeping into the forefront of his mind.
This was fine.
“Well, now that I’ve failed spectacularly at being Santa,” Hongjoong started, clearing his throat. He took a step back. “I’ll get going. Promise me you won’t stay long?”
He sent Seonghwa a pointed look.
Seonghwa hardly reacted to it. He just blinked, looking a little lost in his thoughts.
“… I won’t stay long,” Seonghwa answered belatedly. Hongjoong raised a brow but decided to let it go. He’d make sure to call Seonghwa later to follow up.
“Good,” Hongjoong agreed. He fumbled for words a moment, knowing they’d already wished each other a Merry Christmas earlier. “Good night.”
He turned and made his way to the open office door.
“Hey Hongjoong.”
Hongjoong stopped, not even able to turn back around before he felt Seonghwa’s hands. One rested on the curve of his left shoulder, the other loosely wrapping around his right bicep. His presence was suddenly close, chest against Hongjoong’s back, hair tickling his ear.
Something was pressing into his cheek.
A nose.
Lips.
Soft, and warm.
They left his cheek with the faintest, tiny smacking noise.
Hongjoong tensed, turning with startled eyes. It was only for a split second, but Hongjoong saw Seonghwa biting his lower lip, uncertainty shaking his pupils as he slid his hands off of Hongjoong’s person. Then, Seonghwa was weaving his arms tightly behind his body, offering a sheepish smile.
“It’s bad luck… not to kiss under the mistletoe,” Seonghwa said bashfully. Hongjoong’s lips parted. “Considering your the best this company has to offer, I can’t take the chance.”
This was…
This was not fucking fine.
Hongjoong’s cheek was tingling where Seonghwa’s lips had just been. The excuse… because that’s what it was, an excuse… hung in the air, thick, between them.
If Seonghwa was going to use it as an excuse, he would too.
Hongjoong pressed his lips together and turned around fully, meeting Seonghwa’s gaze with a newfound determination.
“Stay here,” Hongjoong said, pointing a finger to the floor. Seonghwa’s eyebrows furrowed. “I will be right back. Stay right here.”
He didn’t stick around to address Seonghwa’s confusion. Instead, he marched out of the room, following the lit hallway back to the elevator. Going back down to the ground floor felt excruciatingly slow, anticipation ghosting his skin. When the doors finally opened, he took in a deep breath of air, as if the metal box had been drowning him.
Unsteady feet brought him back into the lobby, where no one but the janitors and hired workers were left roaming around, cleaning up. Hongjoong stole one of the chairs that had been stacked, carrying it over to the doorway Seonghwa and himself had been standing under. He put the chair down with a thump and climbed on it, trying to unhook the mistletoe from the stringed pine.
“Uh, can we help you with something, sir?” One of the custodians asked, looking up at him.
“No, thank you,” Hongjoong denied politely. The bridge of his nose pinched when unhooking the mistletoe ended up being more difficult than he thought because they had used a staple.
“… can I at least ask what you’re doing?” The custodian asked. Hongjoong yanked at the staple, the small metal piece making a tiny nick on his finger for the efforts, but the mistletoe came free. Hongjoong stepped off the chair and picked it up again, glancing at the stacks where he got it from, but then settling his gaze on the custodian.
“Making questionable decisions that could cost me my job,” Hongjoong replied cryptically, holding the chair out. The confused and concerned custodian took the chair hesitantly, and Hongjoong was making his way back to the elevator.
The elevator music did nothing to ease his frayed nerves. He stared at the mistletoe in his hands, his eyes following its oval green leaves and round, white berries. A bead of red against his finger had him bringing the digit up to his lips to suck at it as the elevator dinged and let him off on the eighth floor.
The lights guided his way back to Seonghwa’s corner office.
Seonghwa was still there, as instructed, leaning against the front of his desk. The north star necklace was still around his neck, dangling. His head lifted when Hongjoong stepped back into the room. Hongjoong could see a million questions raging through those eyes, but he focused on shutting and locking the door. Seonghwa’s gaze fell to the mistletoe in his hand and quickly snapped back up to Hongjoong’s face as he drew closer.
Hongjoong ripped one of the plastic berries off, making sure Seonghwa saw it before tossing it to the floor.
“Part of the mistletoe tradition that many people forget, is that you’re supposed to pluck a berry off for every kiss taken, and every kiss brings good luck,” Hongjoong explained through his jittery nerves. He minimized the distance between them, his body just short of pressing Seonghwa against the front of his desk. Seonghwa didn’t back down, staying still and observing Hongjoong with curiosity. He hoped Seonghwa wasn’t paying much attention to the way the mistletoe shook in his hand as he held it above the air between them. “There are still a lot of berries on this thing. If… you know… we want to bring good luck to the company. And stuff.”
This was ridiculous.
Hongjoong was well aware.
But Hongjoong was also desperately attracted to the man in front of him, and he was so tired of fighting it. If Seonghwa wanted to hide behind an excuse to finally do something about this tension between them, he’d play along. He’d throw caution in the wind and burn everything to the ground.
He just wanted Seonghwa.
Seonghwa… who was still staring at him. Their breathing was the only sound between them. In the silence, Hongjoong realized Seonghwa had yet to say a single word since he’d returned with the mistletoe, and suddenly, he was doubting himself, doubting this plan, doubting the connection they shared. Was Hongjoong so blinded by his lust, by his attraction, by his affection, that he’d projected it all onto Seonghwa? His friend, his boss – this was an absolutely disastrous position for them to be in-
“I already kissed you,” Seonghwa’s voice interrupted his thoughts. Hongjoong silenced his mind in a split second to pay attention. Seonghwa’s eyes flickered to the mistletoe and then back to Hongjoong. “It’s your turn.”
Hongjoong stared, reminding himself to breathe.
That was… fair.
That was… Seonghwa admitting he wanted Hongjoong to kiss him… right?
Holy shit.
His eyes dropped to Seonghwa’s lips. He wanted it. So badly. But…
Hongjoong took hold of Seonghwa’s hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the back of it. His gaze never left Seonghwa’s as he did so, his ears swallowing the sharp intake of air, his lips lingering above the hand before he finally let go. He reached up and plucked another berry from the mistletoe.
“Happy?” Hongjoong asked, a bit too breathless to be cheeky. Seonghwa’s lips pressed together. Hongjoong tensed when Seonghwa pushed off the desk to stand at full height. He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to Hongjoong’s forehead. Hongjoong’s mouth parted as the warmth seeped into his skin, his eyelids fluttering closed involuntarily. A heartbeat later, Seonghwa leaned back against his desk, reaching up to pluck a berry from the mistletoe and letting it fall to the floor.
“Are you?” Seonghwa asked. There was an edge to it that urged Hongjoong to open his eyes again, his heart pounding in his chest.
He knew Seonghwa. Well.
He’d seen him at his best, at his worst.
But he’d never seen him like this… gazing so openly, so intensely, at Hongjoong with longing. Seonghwa was leaning in, his chin tilted upward, lips barely parted, inviting.
It took everything in Hongjoong to hold himself together.
He grasped Seonghwa’s jaw in his hand, bending his body even closer, running his thumb across Seonghwa’s smooth skin. Seonghwa leaned into the touch, his eyes challenging.
Do it.
They were screaming it.
Hongjoong leaned forward, tilting his head and leaving an open-mouthed kiss along the curve of Seonghwa’s jaw. He felt, before he saw, Seonghwa’s jaw drop open. A smug satisfaction swam in his guts at the disbelief running across Seonghwa’s features. He reached up and plucked a berry from the mistletoe.
“Hongjoong,” Seonghwa bit out, visibly frustrated now.
“Hm?” Hongjoong hummed, rubbing their noses together. “I’m just making sure bad luck doesn’t befall us. That’s what you wanted, right?”
He hoped the words provoked Seonghwa like he wanted them to. The flash of guilt that settled on Seonghwa’s face proved it did.
He wanted Seonghwa to admit this was all just an excuse. He wanted Seonghwa to admit he wanted him, point blank. No more dancing around each other like they’d been doing for months.
After a shaky breath, Seonghwa shifted. Hongjoong gave him space when he realized Seonghwa was scooting back, sitting on the edge of his desk. He was definitely pushing some things on the desk backwards, and something small fell, but it clearly wasn’t Seonghwa concern as he reached for Hongjoong’s tie. He wrapped his fingers around it and tugged. It wasn’t a hard tug, but it made Hongjoong stumble forward, between Seonghwa’s open legs. The position alone was a little dizzying. He robotically adjusted to hold the mistletoe above them, raising it higher.
Seonghwa was closer than ever, eyelashes framing those dark lidded eyes. For the first time, Hongjoong wished he had turned on the lights. He wondered if there was a pretty blush on the bridge of that nose.
“… maybe it’s not all I want,” Seonghwa muttered, tilting his head to the side and leaning down to leave an open-mouthed kiss on the side of Hongjoong’s neck. Hongjoong shivered, warmth pooling in his lower abdomen as Seonghwa lingered there, nosing along the curve. When he didn’t make a move for it himself, Hongjoong reached up to pluck a berry off for him. Seonghwa was frowning as he pulled back from Hongjoong’s neck.
Hongjoong leaned his lower half against Seonghwa’s desk and wrapped his free arm around that tiny waist he’d spent way too much time staring at. And fantasizing about. But Seonghwa didn’t have to know about that part yet. Maybe he had already guessed.
He hovered his lips right next to Seonghwa’s ear as he asked, “What else do you want?”
He mouthed at Seonghwa’s earlobe, before taking the soft flesh between his teeth and pulling. Seonghwa’s hand pulled at his tie. The intake of air was sharp and accompanied with a little sound that only worsened Hongjoong’s growing arousal.
The sounds he could pull from Seonghwa… he wanted to know them all.
Starting with the sound of Seonghwa admitting he wanted him.
He reached up to pluck another berry, but was thwarted when Seonghwa reached up instead. He grabbed the entire plant and yanked it from Hongjoong’s hand.
“I want this gone,” Seonghwa declared. With a swift flick of his wrist, the mistletoe hit the floor. Hongjoong grinned, looking down at it.
“But what about all the luck?” Hongjoong teased, raising his brow as he looked at Seonghwa. The taller squirmed before wrapping a hand around the back of Hongjoong’s neck. Hongjoong’s eyelids fluttered at the feeling of Seonghwa’s palm along the curve of his neck, at the fingers threading through his hair. He let Seonghwa pull him even closer, until their foreheads nudged together and their breaths mingled in the air between them.
The temptation to kiss him physically hurt.
He stayed still, even when those fingers moved in a gentle back-and-forth motion.
“Kiss me first,” Seonghwa whispered. It was nearly a whine. Hongjoong bit the inside of his lip and then leaned in further. Their lips brushed, just barely.
“Why?” Hongjoong questioned. The word made their lips barely touch again. Seonghwa’s breath was shaky.
“We’re in my office. I’m your boss. It feels…” Seonghwa trailed off, dropping his gaze to the floor as if he were ashamed. A sliver of reality slipped into the space between them, and Hongjoong came to the realization that Seonghwa was holding back because he was scared. The need to comfort him, reassure him, was a fierce roar in Hongjoong’s chest.
“Seonghwa,” Hongjoong said his name with all the tenderness he could. Seonghwa’s eyes immediately latched back on his, imploring. Hongjoong cupped Seonghwa’s face with both of his hands. “You’re not taking advantage of anything.”
Seongha’s hand wrapped around his wrist.
“Then kiss me,” Seonghwa requested, again. He took a deep breath, his lips trembling before parting. “I want you to.”
The admission washed over Hongjoong in a powerful wave. The door had been opened; the string had been cut. They could deal with reality later. Right now, it was just Hongjoong and the man he’d wanted for so long, who wanted to kiss him. Not because of some stupid mistletoe or excuse, but just because he wanted him.
Hongjoong had never been one to believe in Christmas miracles, but he may start now.
After kissing Seonghwa senseless.
The little distance between them was snuffed out when Hongjoong finally, finally, pressed his lips against Seonghwa’s. Seonghwa made another little sound against his lips before responding, pressing into the kiss eagerly. Hongjoong indulged in the hungry push and pull of their lips, the actual feeling of Seonghwa beneath his touch better than any fantasy he’d ever conjured up. Following the trace of Seonghwa’s jaw, Hongjoong’s fingers slid into Seonghwa’s hair, guiding his head into a tilt that Seonghwa followed unquestioningly. The angle made it easy for Hongjoong slip his tongue between Seonghwa’s lips and lick into his mouth.
Hongjoong could taste traces of the champagne they’d been drinking earlier, and he sought more of it, playfully rubbing against Seonghwa’s own tongue. He greedily sucked in air through his nose and through his mouth, when he could, but Seonghwa wasn’t giving much chance for them to separate, chasing after his lips every time they parted. It was as charming as it was unbearably sexy, knowing how desperately Seonghwa wanted him to stay close. Hongjoong uncaged his head, lowering his hands to rest on Seonghwa’s hips instead.
The hands on his hips were like a trigger. Hongjoong felt Seonghwa shift, wrapping his legs around Hongjoong and pulling him against the front of the desk. Hongjoong slipped his hands onto Seonghwa’s ass, pulling him to the edge of the desk, flush against him. Seonghwa’s back arched into the move, and Hongjoong was suddenly too hot, feeling Seonghwa hard against his stomach.
“Fuck,” Hongjoong breathed. He moved quickly, too quickly for Seonghwa to capture his lips again, burying his face in the juncture of Seonghwa’s neck and pulling the turtleneck down with a finger to trail kisses down the soft skin. Seonghwa swung his arms around Hongjoong’s shoulders, tilting his head to give him better access. Hongjoong abused the privilege, taking skin between his teeth and sucking. He felt Seonghwa’s body jolt at the action, a moan filling the air around them, and Hongjoong sighed, running his tongue along the bruised spot. “You don’t know how many times I’ve imagined this.”
He let the turtleneck snap back in place, nipping at the underside of Seonghwa’s jaw instead.
“Y- you’ve imagined this?” Seonghwa asked, breathless. Hongjoong almost laughed at the awe in his tone.
“So many times,” Hongjoong said reverently, pulling back just enough to meet Seonghwa’s gaze. It nearly undid him. Seonghwa looked even more gorgeous with hair that he’s messed up, lips that he’s swollen, ravenous eyes that are taking him in. He wanted to give Seonghwa everything in that moment, so he’d start by being honest about his fantasies. “My imagination is a little different, though.”
He kissed Seonghwa because he felt like he absolutely had to, like those lips were magnetic. Seonghwa hummed in response, so easily giving into it.
“How?” Seonghwa asked against his lips, eyelashes fluttering. Hongjoong took in that pretty face as his hands moved, carefully pulling at the turtleneck at Seonghwa’s waist, tugging it out of the top of his pants. Seonghwa glanced down at the movement, biting his lip as he returned his gaze to Hongjoong’s.
“You don’t have any clothes on, for one,” Hongjoong said, continuing to pull at the shirt until it came completely untucked. Fingernails gently scraped at the back of his neck and Hongjoong shivered at the feeling. An impish grin curled at the corner of his mouth. “And I have you bent over this desk.”
Hongjoong could see the way Seonghwa’s pupils enlarged, the way he bit down harder into the plush lower lip.
“Oh…” Seonghwa croaked, and Hongjoong didn’t need the lights on to know Seonghwa’s face was glowing. He smoothed his palms up Seonghwa’s sides, underneath the turtleneck, landing on balmy skin. Seonghwa trembled under his touch, leaning in to capture Hongjoong’s lips in another fiery kiss. Hongjoong melted into it, drawing absentminded shapes on the skin of Seonghwa’s waist with his fingertips. Another sensual little sound from Seonghwa was lost between their lips as Hongjoong felt the arms wrapped around his shoulders leave him. There was a tug on his neck and he belatedly realized Seonghwa was untying his tie.
“I don’t-” Seonghwa started. His voice was so raspy that he stopped to clear his throat, tugging the tie from Hongjoong’s neck and letting it fall to the floor. “I don’t have any lube in here.”
It took Hongjoong’s horny mind a moment to let that sink in, but when it did, he froze, his jaw dropping.
“You…” Hongjoong started, swallowing. “Are you telling me that, if we had lube, you’d actually let me fuck you in your office?”
Things like that happened in fantasies. In pornos. Not in real life.
But Seonghwa just smiled, having the nerve to look bashful. It punched a disbelieving laugh out of Hongjoong’s diaphragm.
“Would you be opposed?” Seonghwa asked, his fingers sliding under Hongjoong’s suit jacket in an attempt to take it off.
“How kinky are you?” Hongjoong asked, mind still reeling. He shrugged his shoulders to help Seonghwa push the suit jacket off and it fell to a heap on the floor.
“You’re the one telling me you’ve fantasized about bending me over my desk,” Seonghwa teased.
“Yeah, but those are fantasies. I never thought it’d actually happen,” Hongjoong rebutted.
“I never thought I’d be making out with you, but here we are,” Seonghwa replied. Hongjoong felt the warmth of his hands soak through his button-up when Seonghwa placed his hands on his chest.
“That’s a lie,” Hongjoong huffed. Seonghwa shook his head.
“It’s not. I’m not saying I’ve never thought about it,” Seonghwa explained. He suddenly looked shy. “I’m saying I never thought it’d actually happen. I’m sorry that I was a coward about it.”
Hongjoong’s heart squeezed.
“I was just as much of one,” Hongjoong admitted. He grimaced at his own actions, wondering what he would tell that custodian the next time they came face to face. But that wasn’t important with Seonghwa in front of him right now. “You’re not taking the blame by yourself.”
Hongjoong ran his pointer finger along the length of Seonghwa’s jawline again, to his ear and back to his chin. Seonghwa leaned into the touch, smiling, before giving his finger a quick kiss.
“Alright,” Seonghwa agreed softly. He then leaned back, propping himself up on his hands. That mischievous grin that Hongjoong was quickly coming to love was back, along with the hooded eyes that beckoned Hongjoong closer. “So, if you can’t fuck me yet, what do you want to do?”
Yet.
Yet.
The word echoed in his skull.
“That’s a dangerous question,” Hongjoong answered, raking his eyes down Seonghwa’s body.
“Try me,” Seonghwa taunted. Hongjoong reached forward, dragging his hands down the lines of Seonghwa’s body, until they settled at the front of the high-waisted pants. He paused, looking at Seonghwa for silent permission. Seonghwa gave a jerky little nod, and Hongjoong was unsnapping the two buttons that held the pants in place. He carefully pulled down the zipper, and then Seonghwa was pushing him back so he could slide off the desk. The top of the pants crumpled downwards with the movement, revealing black boxers underneath. Hongjoong wasted no time pulling both down just enough for Seonghwa’s cock to spring free.
It was almost as pretty as Seonghwa himself, long and veiny. Hongjoong wrapped his hand around it, feeling the skin slide beneath his palm, relishing in the way Seonghwa shuddered and clung to his shoulders.
“Joong,” Seonghwa gasped. Hongjoong nearly followed suit, hearing Seonghwa’s nickname for him come out of his mouth like that, incredibly intimate and incredibly hot. His own arousal throbbed.
“I could get us both off like this,” Hongjoong said with a twist of his wrist and a swipe across the head. He focused on Seonghwa’s face, taking in the parted lips and furrowed brow, the way he trembled at Hongjoong’s every move.
“Yeah,” Seonghwa agreed, the word practically a rush of air. Seonghwa reached down and fumbled with the hooks and zipper on Hongjoong’s slacks. Hongjoong let his gaze fall down between them, tightening his grip and slowing his strokes. Seonghwa moaned, bucking his hips up into the movement. By the time Seonghwa shakily pulled down Hongjoong’s pants and underwear, a pearl of precum was already seeping out of the hole of Seonghwa’s cock. With another flick of his thumb, Hongjoong spread it, knowing it would feel even better if they had something wet. Sadly, it wasn’t near enough to make much of a difference.
“Maybe you should start keeping lube in here,” Hongjoong goaded. He stopped his administrations to press their bodies together, lining up their cocks. Just the sight, the feel, of Seonghwa’s cock against his own had Hongjoong twitching with need.
“It’ll be better wet,” Seonghwa breathed, pushing at Hongjoong’s shoulders. Hongjoong’s eyebrows furrowed, a protest on his lips… but then Seonghwa was falling to his knees, and a flood of heat overtook him.
“You..” Hongjoong gulped. Seonghwa pumped his cock once, twice, gazing at it with hungry eyes. Then those eyes glanced up at Hongjoong, wide and glittering, as Seonghwa took him in his mouth.
Hongjoong burned the image into his brain.
He’d never be able to walk in this office again without thinking about his boss on his knees for him. And, fuck, he shouldn’t think that way, but it was too arousing not to.
“Fuck, Seonghwa…” Hongjoong groaned, settling a hand in Seonghwa’s hair. Seonghwa hummed in response, the vibrations making Hongjoong clench his teeth. Their eyes stayed locked even as Seonghwa took him deeper, the stare only breaking as Seonghwa’s lips reached Hongjoong’s pelvis, causing his eyelids to flutter and his eyes to become glossy as they grew wet. Hongjoong’s entire body buzzed with the need to thrust into that tight heat, but he stayed still through the shaking of his limbs.
Seonghwa withdrew and sank back down, again and again, until a wet squelching sound built in their ears and Hongjoong was barely hanging on to his sanity.
When Seonghwa pulled off, his eyes were glassy and his lips were shining. He swallowed, standing back up. Hongjoong knew what a sight he must be after that, and the smile on Seonghwa’s face proved it.
“Still with me?” Seonghwa teased. Hongjoong pressed him against the front of the desk, wrapping his hand around their cocks. The smile on Seonghwa’s face crumbled as Hongjoong pumped them, the slide wet and slippery and so fucking good.
“You’re fucking perfect,” Hongjoong groaned, flicking his wrist faster.
“That’s… so good,” Seonghwa gasped, clenching at Hongjoong’s shirt. Seonghwa’s wet lips caught one of the strips of light coming through the blinds, beckoning Hongjoong to slow his strokes and lean forward to steal those lips in a kiss. One of the hands clenching at his shirt moved to cup the back of his head, Seonghwa’s lips parting to deepen the kiss receptively. As great as the kiss was, it didn’t last long, it couldn’t, because Hongjoong was twisting his wrist, pumping them faster and squeezing them together, and it dissolved more into breathing into each other’s mouths than anything.
“You gonna cum like this?” Hongjoong sighed, his voice wrecked. He hoped Seonghwa’s response would be an affirmative, because he could already feel the tell-tale signs of his own orgasm building.
Fortunately, Seonghwa nodded.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m close,” Seonghwa keened. He reached down to grasp the edge of his turtleneck, pulling it up until it bunched at his chest, joining the star necklace, revealing the skin of his toned, tiny waist. It was almost embarrassing, the way that sight made Hongjoong’s hips desperately buck up. He hastily changed positions, wrapping his hand around Seonghwa’s cock only, touching him in every way Hongjoong knew felt good when he got himself off. The sound Seonghwa made was high-pitched, his body squirming under the onslaught, until it went taut. Hongjoong watched through half-lidded eyes as Seonghwa threw his head back with a gasp, cum spurting against his exposed stomach. Hongjoong stroked him through it, milking what he could, until Seonghwa shivered and loosely wrapped a hand around Hongjoong’s as a sign to stop.
Hongjoong licked his lips, fire still pulsing through his abdomen as he watched Seonghwa’s chest heave.
“Turn around?” Hongjoong asked, throat thick. Seonghwa opened his eyes, catching Hongjoong’s gaze. There was a question there, but as their relationship had proved over and over again, there was also trust. Seonghwa turned, and at the feeling of Hongjoong’s hand pressing against his back, bent over his desk.
Seonghwa wasn’t completely naked, like in his fantasies, with the black turtle neck bunched up at his chest and his pants and underwear still caught on his legs, but that tiny waist was on display, dimples carved into his lower back above a round, perky ass that begged for attention. Hongjoong drew closer, pressing his dick along the curve of that ass, hearing Seonghwa’s breath hitch. His eyelids fluttered from the friction, the softness.
“So perfect,” Hongjoong growled. He squeezed Seonghwa’s cheek with his left hand and wrapped his right around his cock, stroking rapidly, knowing it wouldn’t take long at all.
With a grunt, he came on Seonghwa’s lower back.
Heavy breathing filled the room. Hongjoong shuffled back to give Seonghwa room to move, his body still buzzing from release. When Seonghwa did move, it was to lean even further across the desk, grabbing a box of tissues.
“Ah… you made me cum on my stomach and then lean over my desk,” Seonghwa commented, torn between being amused and being disgusted. Hongjoong blinked and then laughed, accepting the tissues Seonghwa handed to him.
“Don’t have any wet wipes?” Hongjoong asked, using the tissues but knowing he’d still feel sticky.
“Get my back, please?” Seonghwa asked. Hongjoong pulled his underwear and pants up before shuffling forward to do just that. “And no, I don’t. This is not the place for these kinds of things.”
“Not what you said earlier,” Hongjoong teased. Seonghwa used some tissues on his own front, pausing to frown at the desk.
“We can wash up better in the bathroom,” Seonghwa suggested. When Seonghwa had his own pants and underwear back up, Hongjoong flicked the light switch on, bathing them in bright light. He flinched at the sudden onslaught, squinting his eyes before he could take in the state of the room.
The desk, while definitely not anything like a zoo, was messy for Seonghwa’s standards. A stack of papers was leaning precariously, a lamp turned, a framed photograph fallen on its face, a box left, opened, with a bow painted on its lid. A streak of something shiny decorated the edge of the desk.
On the floor was Hongjoong’s suit jacket and unraveled tie, along with the mistletoe and several white berries.
Seeing Seonghwa’s disgruntled face made Hongjoong laugh.
“I’ll help you clean it up. I promise,” Hongjoong said. He sent a wink Seonghwa’s way. “Even if making the mess was the best part.”
Finally, with the help of the lights, Hongjoong could appreciate the rosy blush that crossed Seonghwa’s cheeks.
The next ten minutes or so was a flurry of washing up in the restroom, cleaning the desk, and putting things back in their proper spots.
The mistletoe and all of its berries ended up in the trashcan, where it belonged.
Hongjoong was retying his tie when he felt like he was being watched. Glancing over, he saw Seonghwa sitting at his desk, exuding a certain nervous energy. When he saw Hongjoong looking, though, he hastily looked back at his computer.
Hongjoong may have ‘messed up’ retying his tie twice to give Seonghwa more time.
“Do you have any plans for Christmas tomorrow?”
A smile quirked Hongjoong’s lips up at the corners at the question, fondness billowing in his chest.
“I was going to sneak in here and get some work done,” Hongjoong replied honestly. With his tie firmly set in place, he turned his full attention to Seonghwa, who looked annoyed.
“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa berated.
“Hey, you were going to do the same thing after the party tonight! I don’t want to hear it!” Hongjoong defended. They glared at each other for a moment, before dissolving into chuckles.
“We are both workaholics,” Seonghwa sighed.
“We are,” Hongjoong said, nodding in agreement.
“It’s a good thing we have each other,” Seonghwa said, entirely too nonchalantly, fingers fiddling with his necklace.
“It is,” Hongjoong agreed again, trying to hold down a smile. Seonghwa fidgeted in his seat.
Hongjoong was doomed.
“So, I was th-”
“Come over to my place tomorrow,” Hongjoong interrupted, expecting the widened eyes he got. “I would take you out, but that’s probably not a good idea. I’ll stop by the grocery store and get groceries. We’ll make our own meal and enjoy a day in.”
Seonghwa’s lips parted in surprise.
Hongjoong’s heart beat just a little faster… and faster, still, at the blinding smile that overtook Seonghwa’s face.
There were so many reasons this wasn’t a good idea, but if it made Seonghwa smile like that, well… it was worth it.