×Sunghoon's pov×

The steam quickly clouded the room, carrying with it the scent of lavender and his own anxieties.

He stripped, the air from the open window hitting him like a cold shock. The warm water soothed his muscles, and the gentle pressure of the cascading stream washed away the day's residue, leaving him feeling a little lighter. He scrubbed his hair and body, the hot water washing away the day's anxieties.

He shut off the water, stepping out onto the cool tiles. He shivered as the cool air from the open window hit his damp skin, the sound of the city's hum a distant, muffled melody.

He reached for the towel, drying himself quickly, then slipped on his simple white t-shirt, a pair of grey sweatpants, and a grey jerkin, the familiar comfort of the worn fabric a small solace.

Sunghoon made his way down the stairs, careful not to slam his knee on the edge as he descended. He reached his car, the cool night air hitting him with a renewed sense of purpose.

He slipped into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirror and buckling his seatbelt, sighing from time to time, as if he was regretting his decision.

He started the engine, the soft hum of the car a comforting noise. He reversed out of the parking lot, the streetlights illuminating the road ahead like a path guiding him towards the unknown. The music on the radio was low, a constant, unobtrusive background noise.

The city lights blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors as Sunghoon navigated the twisting streets, his heart thumping against his ribs with a nervous rhythm. He hadn't been to a club in years.

The club entrance loomed before him, a dark, imposing doorway that pulsed with the thrumming bass of the music within. He parked a safe distance away, took a deep breath, and steeled himself.

He wasn't sure what he was doing, but he needed a break, a distraction, a reprieve from the suffocating silence of his apartment.

He stepped out of the car, the cold air hitting him like a slap. He smoothed down his white t-shirt, adjusting his grey sweatpants, his usual weekend attire.

He took a deep breath and headed towards the entrance, the constant drumbeat of the music growing louder with each step.

The bouncer, a towering mountain of a man with a shaved head and a bored expression, scanned him from head to toe. Sunghoon felt his eyes linger on his attire, the lack of anything remotely resembling a 'clubbing' outfit.

He handed him his ID, his heart skipping a beat as the bouncer, with a barely perceptible nod, allowed him through.

The club was a sensory overload, the air thick with the scent of sweat, perfume, and alcohol. The dance floor was a blur of bodies, limbs flailing to the music, their faces lost in the haze of strobe lights.

Sunghoon navigated through the crowd, feeling like an alien in a strange land. He found a spot at the bar, the polished surface cold against his hands. He ordered a Sprite, the bartender giving him a curious look.

"Sprite?"

He asked, eyebrows raised. Sunghoon just nodded, avoiding his gaze. He felt a prickle of self-consciousness, knowing he was out of place in this world of flashing lights and drunken revelry.

"Anything else?"

"No. Just the Sprite, please."

Sunghoon's voice was barely a whisper, but firm enough. The bartender shrugged and turned to pour his drink, ignoring him. Sunghoon took a long sip, the fizz tingling on his tongue. He watched the crowd, a detached observer, the music a cacophony he couldn't quite grasp.

A man approached him, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He was tall, with a sharp smile and a charming glint in his eyes.

He wore a suit that fit him perfectly, his hair slicked back, his face clean-shaven. He smelled of expensive cologne and something else, something Sunghoon couldn't quite place but recognized as a familiar scent of freedom and abandon.

"Hey, handsome. What are you drinking?"

The man said, winking at him. Sunghoon looked at him, his eyes narrowed, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Nothing."

The man leaned closer, his eyes twinkling. Sunghoon moved his head back, trying to avoid the man as much as possible.

"You sure you don't want something stronger? Maybe a cocktail to loosen you up a bit?"

Sunghoon didn't say anything, the words caught in his throat. He simply stared at the man, his eyes burning with a quiet intensity. The man recoiled, his hands flying up as if Sunghoon held a gun to his head.

"Okay, okay. Chill, dude."

He said, and left quickly. For a while, Sunghoon just sat there, sipping his Sprite, his gaze lost in the throng of dancing bodies. But the noise began to grate on him, the lights a relentless assault on his senses.

He felt his frustration mounting, a knot tightening in his chest. He knew he couldn't stay here any longer. He needed to escape.

He stood up, his feet feeling numb from sitting still for so long. He pushed through the crowd, feeling the heat of bodies pressing against him, the air heavy with the scent of sweat and alcohol.

He navigated through the throng, his eyes searching for the exit, his mind aching from the relentless pounding of the music. Just as he found his way through the crowd, he bumped into someone, the impact sending a jolt of pain up his arm. He stumbled, catching himself on a nearby table.

He turned to apologize, but a gasp caught in his throat. He was staring into the most captivating eyes he'd ever seen.

The boy in front of him was tall, a little taller than Sunghoon, with dark orange hair, the strands catching the light like spun gold. His features were sharp, a perfect balance of delicate and strong.

He was wearing a white t-shirt with a striking black and grey sketch, and grey jeans with a chained belt that accentuated his tall, athletic yet slim build. His right arm, from shoulder to knuckles, was covered in a tattoo. But the design was minimal, almost like a series of delicate lines, and it was strangely beautiful.

Sunghoon felt his heart skip a beat. He had never seen anyone quite as captivating - his eyes were the color of melted chocolate, and his smile was like sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky.

"I'm so sorry."

The boy said, his voice mellow and apologetic, a soft, melodious sound. It was really beautiful.

"I wasn't looking where I was going."

He offered a hand, his touch surprisingly strong. Sunghoon stared at his hand, his mind seemingly frozen in place.

"It's alright, I wasn't paying attention either."

He managed to say, taking the boy's hand. It was really soft, yet really strong at the same time, unlike Sunghoon's, super slim, skinny hands.

"Heeseung."

The boy said, introducing himself with a bright smile. Sunghoon, still reeling from the impact of this unexpected encounter, managed to stammer out his name. Heeseung, seeing his discomfort, chuckled.

"I'm glad you're okay. I'm kinda surprised I managed to bump into you. You stand out here..."

He paused, his smile turning into a thoughtful look, scanning Sunghoon from head to toe. But Sunghoon didn't feel awkward at all.

"You're not really into this scene, are you?"

Sunghoon nodded, his cheeks flushing under the intense scrutiny of Heeseung's gaze. He had never met someone who could see through him so easily other than Jay.

The noise of the club seemed to fade away, the lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colours. Heeseung's charm, his easy confidence, was like a breath of fresh air in this stifling environment.

"You wanna stay?"

Heeseung asked, his voice a gentle whisper. Sunghoon hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He didn't know why, but something about Heeseung made him want to stay, to stay lost in the warmth of his gaze, the comforting glow of his smile.

He was still exhausted, feeling the weight of the day, but for the first time, he felt a sliver of hope, a flicker of light in the darkness. Maybe this night wasn't a mistake after all.