×Sunghoon's pov×

Heeseung's ears twitched subtly, a barely perceptible movement only someone intimately familiar with him would notice.

There was no sadness in his expression, only a quiet amusement that was almost imperceptible.

It was clear; Heeseung didn't care one way or another about Sunghoon's current romantic status. Or at least that's what it looked like to Sunghoon.

Suddenly, the restaurant's singer, a charismatic woman with a voice like melted chocolate, approached their table.

"You all look like you could be a fantastic vocal group, Would any of you like to sing a song?"

She said, her smile warm and inviting. Immediately, Jake, Felix, and Jeongin pointed enthusiastically at Heeseung.

A blush crept onto his cheeks, a pretty pink bloom against his pale skin. He leaned over to whisper something in Jay's ear, a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. Jay responded with a whispered reply, both of them sharing a knowing smile.

Heeseung, despite his initial shyness, smoothly rose from his chair and took the offered microphone.

He whispered a request to the guitarist, a request the musician instantly recognized. Heeseung's fingers brushed lightly over the microphone, as if testing its warmth before he began.

The first notes, soft and delicate, filled the intimate space. Sunghoon immediately recognized the song - his absolute favorite.

Heeseung's voice, clear and resonant, painted a vivid tapestry of emotion. It was flawless, beautiful, even better than the original recording, imbuing the familiar melody with a fresh intensity.

Sunghoon was captivated; a wide smile spread across his face. This was, no doubt, the best birthday ever. Even a pretty cupcake, frosted with a delicate swirl of buttercream, arrived as a birthday treat. The sweetness of the moment mirrored the sweetness of the song.

When Heeseung finished, a hush fell over the restaurant before erupting into thunderous applause. He returned to the table, catching Sunghoon's radiant smile, a hint of nervousness in his voice as he asked a question.

"How was it?"

"Perfect. You'd be the best vocalist in the Korean music industry if you decided to pursue it."

Heeseung beamed, pride swelling in his chest, a visible blush rising up his neck. Sunghoon, however, looked away, his face turning a shade of red that rivaled Heeseung's earlier blush. He avoided eye contact diligently.

The romantic lighting of the restaurant, flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls, did little to mask the palpable tension between Heeseung and Sunghoon.

Their plates, laden with gourmet dishes, remained largely untouched. Instead, their gazes were locked, a silent conversation passing between them, punctuated only by the clinking of silverware from others and the soft murmur of conversation.

Jake, noticing the prolonged, intense eye contact, leaned forward, his brow furrowing. Jay, mirroring his friend's observation, subtly stopped mid-chew, his fork suspended in midair. The unspoken question hung heavy in the air, thick as the scent of the vanilla candles. But Jake, as always, decided to speak.

"Um, guys? Earth to Sunghoon and Heeseung? Is there some sort of intense staring contest happening here, or are we missing something?"

Heeseung didn't miss a beat. A playful smirk touched his lips as he looked at Sunghoon and then Jake right in the eyes.

"It's because Sunghoon is drop-dead gorgeous."

He declared, his voice carrying a confident lilt that belied the slight blush creeping onto his cheeks.

Sunghoon scoffed, a charmingly grumpy sound. He rested his elbows on the table, burying his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with barely suppressed laughter. A chorus of agreement rippled around the table.

"He's right."

Jay chimed in, a grin spreading across his face. Felix nodded in enthusiastic agreement, while Jeongin just giggled, eyes wide with amusement.

"Seriously, guys? Stop spoiling me with compliments every chance you get."

Heeseung, unfazed by the collective adoration, leaned forward, his eyes twinkling, as he smirked slightly.

"But chances like this, darling."

He purred, the word hanging in the air like a delicate caress.

"Cannot be missed."

Jake and Jay exchanged a knowing glance, a mischievous glint in their eyes before returning to their own celebratory meals.

The effect of the word was immediate and dramatic. Sunghoon's carefully constructed composure shattered.

He tried to speak, but the words tumbled out in a nonsensical jumble, a stream of incoherent phrases and half-formed sentences.

Sunghoon, bright red now, couldn't stop the frantic thoughts flooding his mind. He was babbling like an idiot, yet he couldn't tear his gaze away from Heeseung.

The intensity of Heeseung's stare was unnerving, yet strangely... comforting? Was it Heeseung's captivating eyes? Or the faint, mesmerizing scent of his cologne that clung to his skin? Or was it simply... just Heeseung being Heeseung?

There was no logical explanation for the frantic pounding of his heart. He was utterly captivated in a way he didn't understand.

He tried to analyze it, to classify it, to understand this sudden, consuming feeling. He was handsome, yes, but Sunghoon was usually quite composed around attractive people. This was different. Far, far more intense.

He couldn't understand why he felt so attracted to him, but he did, and he really wanted to find out why.

Heeseung chuckled, a low rumble in his chest that vibrated through the table. His gaze, intense and unwavering, remained fixed on Sunghoon.

It was a look that spoke volumes, a silent conversation only they seemed to understand. Sunghoon felt a prickle of unease crawl up his spine.

Heeseung's eyes held a knowing glint, as if he were privy to a secret Sunghoon hadn't even realized he possessed. A fleeting thought, sharp and unwelcome, stabbed at him.

Why did I let him into my house that night?

He quickly dismissed it, a practiced maneuver born of years spent suppressing uncomfortable truths. He forced a smile, a practiced, charming facade, and returned his attention to his plate, which was still surprisingly full.

The aroma of the seared scallops and truffle oil was exquisite, but the richness of the dish was lost on him.

He picked at his food, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Heeseung's persistent gaze felt like a spotlight, highlighting his every nervous twitch, every subtle shift in posture. Then, a firm voice cut through his internal monologue.

"Eat."

Sunghoon looked up, startled. Jay, his expression serious yet playful, pointed a stern finger at Sunghoon's mostly untouched plate. Sunghoon's cheeks burned a deeper shade of crimson.

He looked down at his food, then glanced across at Heeseung's plate, which was similarly untouched. Heeseung was staring back, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Jake, ever observant, noticed the unspoken exchange.

"Hey, Heeseung hyung. You're not exactly starving the poor scallops to death, are you?"

The casual reprimand, however, seemed to crack the tension. Heeseung finally looked away from Sunghoon, a slight blush blooming on his own cheeks. He picked up his fork, a small, almost shy smile gracing his lips.

"Right, right."

Sunghoon, relieved by the shift in atmosphere, finally allowed himself to fully relax. He started eating as well, the delicious food suddenly tasting even more amazing.

The conversation flowed more easily now, the earlier intensity fading into a comfortable banter. They joked and laughed, shared stories and inside jokes, their laughter blending with the soft hum of the restaurant.

Heeseung, however, still stole glances at Sunghoon throughout the meal, each glance lingering a beat too long, each smile a little too knowing.