fly like a bird

“You might be out of luck, I’m only home to sleep really.” Daniel replied, “This is the 1st time I cooked like this in a while. I’ll show you one after dinner, however you already know one of my talents. My flawless looks.” He flashed the other a smile then winked before laughing, “You got any hidden talents?”

Junhoe was the typical homebody, he was treating his apartment like some sort of a temple, so Daniel’s answer confirmed his belief that they were really different. Not like that was a disadvantage. After all, opposites supposedly attracted each other. “Unless I have to be out and about, I’m staying at my place for most of the time,” he smiled sheepishly, as though this confession was something to be abashed about. He just hoped the other wouldn’t ask him what was keeping him busy when he couldn’t be found in his cave. Who knew, maybe someday he would want to open up more about his more lucrative source of income.

pursing his lips, he looked around at people again, ignoring a few waves and attempts for his attention, until he set his sights on junhoe. he was always so perfectly willing to please, and jongin liked that. letting an easy smile slip onto his face, he saddled up to where junhoe stood and slid an arm around his shoulders. “hey, junhoe, enjoying yourself?” he asked, tone innocent as anything. junhoe had known him long enough that he might have known already that meant he was up to something, but maybe he was too trusting to notice. “would you mind doing a little favor for me?”

Parties were far from his natural habitat. Those boisterous gatherings made him step out of his comfort zone and that act alone was energy-draining. But he was getting used to them, or he just fooled himself into believing he could ever get accustomed to such settings. The amount of people meandering around with their drinks was overwhelming, to say the least. Even now, when his sweaty hand was clenching a glass he had almost emptied successfully, he was feeling like a fish dragged out of its narrow but cozy aquarium. Only when his disoriented eyes were locking with someone else’s, then he was hurriedly putting on a smile to gauchely mirror the excitement and bliss washing over party-goers’ faces.

Junhoe was occupied with befriending the wall behind his back. Starting interactions with any of those strangers wasn’t something he fancied. Though once in a while his gaze was abandoning the cramped and messy floor to search for the mere embodiment of familiarity that had fallen into his plane of sight earlier. Jongin must’ve been somewhere in this boundless crowd. And it didn’t take a genius to advance a thesis that he was probably having more fun than he ever would.

His eyes didn’t leave the male’s body. Tilting his head right then left, Siwoo ran his over his chin. Crooking his finger and encouraging the dancer to come closer. Widening his legs, he motioned to his lap. He was paying for the dance why not enjoy fully. It wasn’t that he was needy or even eager. Patting his thigh, he nodded once more to his lap. “You should come closer.” His gaze didn’t leave the other. “Should I pay extra to have you in my lap or even touch.” His hand ran over his thigh. Smoothing the material of his pants as he continued to watch intently. “I promise I won’t bite.” 

The nature of his profession forced him to perfect the craft of adjusting to situations. Sometimes one look at the person he was to serve for the night was just sufficient to read what their inclinations were. Even if he had formulated some assumptions in his mind, at first he was always playing it safe. From sheer experience he had learnt it was the matter of minutes until the client would let their secret predilections show. Tonight the man he was to humor came across as someone who appreciates — or simply adores — being in control. And so if he bore any wishes, Junhoe wasn’t going to oppose. Not playing along would be against the house rules.

Her uncomfortable feelings were lessening as more time passed. The guy wasn’t a REAL police officer even if he looked the part and the party games they were playing helped keep the mood light-hearted. Sohee did have to keep an eye on some of the women who were trying to offer him some wine. Hell no. He was here to work not get wasted. She wouldn’t allow that to happen. Work was hard to come by, she knew that even if she really didn’t have too. The guy probably needed the money to pay his student loans or medical bills or something. Or at least that what she hoped.   

Happily, Junhoe had no free whiles to spare on over-analyzing his entire existence and profession, and what people really saw in what he was doing. What he was doing for a living... he always found it borderline ludicrous. A sway of the hip, some body rolling and clinging clothing was just enough to keep the cheers and money coming. Sometimes he wondered whether the ones who indulged themselves in such enjoyments had nothing else to spend their cash on. It might’ve been a little duplicitous of him to be so amused by that, because he never minded the banknotes they threw on the stage.

If he let himself dwell on that very subject now, he would probably end up laughing robustly. But Junhoe needed to stay in character and so he did. He was already topless and judging by the women’s enthusiasm, he didn’t even want to think what would happen if he slipped more clothes off himself. 

The bride didn’t seem too shy. She was watching him as if there was a hefty assortment of Swarovski jewelry right in front of her wide eyes, but her friends appeared to be even more enthusiastic. He let their wandering hands fall onto his chest; he had grown accustomed to that. But what he wouldn’t let happen was taking a sip of alcohol. First of all, he was at work and although it could be a peculiar one, Junhoe still treated it like a regular job. And secondly, who could guess what intentions were going through their heads when were encouraging him to have wine.

Junhoe seemed to be in a constant state of anxiety, Riah confused as to how the most mundane scenarios could have him behave this way. Then again, she had been groomed to withstand even the most hectic social engagements from birth, so maybe her judgement of him was a tad harsh. Riah only raised an eyebrow in response, sipping her champagne calmly. She made a mental note to at least have a sip of something stronger before the evening ended, even if it was from Jiyong’s flask. “Are you alright? You appear slightly disturbed.”