~Beauty~
~~~~~~~
"So," one of the girls-So-yeon-started carefully. "How's the company going?"
"Fine," Alex said.
Another pause.
"Your father's campaign is everywhere," one of the men added. "Must be intense."
"It is."
The second girl-Min-hee-reached for a drink. She was already on her third, movements loose and unsteady.
"God, this is awkward," she said with a laugh, too loud. "Alex, you're still terrible at conversation."
No one else laughed.
She shifted closer to him, swaying slightly, her hand landing on his arm.
"You know," she murmured, leaning in, "you don't have to be so serious all the time."
Her fingers traced up his sleeve, movements uncoordinated.
"You're always so... cold. So closed off. Don't you ever just want to... relax?"
Alex didn't respond. Didn't move away. He glanced at Moon who sat rigidly across from them, eyes fixed on the table.
"Come on,"
Min-hee continued, voice dropping lower, slurring slightly.
"Loosen up a little. We can have so much fun."
Her hand moved to his chest. Too familiar. Too insistent.
"Min-hee," one of the other girls said quietly. "Maybe slow down on the drinks."
"I'm fine,"
Min-hee said, waving her off. She leaned even closer to Alex, practically draping herself against him.
"Alex doesn't mind. Do you?"
Alex's jaw tightened, but he still didn't move.
Moon's hands gripped his knees, knuckles going white.
"You know what I think?"
Min-hee said, her voice louder now, unsteady.
"I think you just need someone to... loosen you up. Remind you how to actually live."
Her hand slid down his arm, fingers trailing across his thigh.
The others shifted uncomfortably, looking away.
Moon stood abruptly, the movement sharp and sudden.
"Excuse me,"
he said, voice tight.
"I think I'll just wait at the bar."
He walked out before anyone could respond.
Alex watched him go, something cold settling in his chest.
Min-hee barely noticed, still leaning against Alex, giggling softly.
"See? Now we can actually-"
Alex stood, gently but firmly moving her aside.
"Where are you going?" she asked, pouting, confused.
"I'll be right back,"
Alex said.
He walked out of the VIP section.
~~~~~~~
Moon stood at the bar counter, back rigid, ordering a drink from the bartender.
A man-mid-thirties, well-dressed, confident-approached Moon with the kind of swagger that said he wasn't used to being told no.
"Hey," the man said, sliding onto the stool next to Moon. "You look like you could use some company."
Moon didn't look at him. "I'm fine. Thank you."
"Come on, don't be like that." The man leaned closer. "Let me buy you a drink. We can talk. Get to know each other."
"I'm not interested," Moon said, voice flat.
"Playing hard to get? I like that."
The man's hand moved to Moon's arm.
Moon pulled away. "I said no."
"Just one drink-"
Alex's hand shot out, grabbing the man's shoulder and spinning him around.
The punch connected with the man's jaw before he could react.
The man stumbled backward, cursing, hand flying to his face.
Alex didn't wait for a response. He grabbed Moon's wrist and pulled him toward the exit.
"Sir-what-" Moon started.
"We're leaving,"
Alex said, voice tight with barely controlled fury.
He dragged Moon out of the bar and into the cool night air.
~~~~~~~~~
Alex didn't let go of Moon's wrist until they were a full block away from the bar.
The night air was cool, the street quieter here. Neon signs flickered from shop windows. The distant sound of traffic hummed in the background.
Moon pulled his wrist free gently, but didn't step away.
"Sir, you didn't have to-"
Alex looked up and met his eyes.
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then he turned and started started walking.
Moon followed.
They walked without direction, letting the city guide them. The tension from the bar slowly bled away with each block, replaced by something quieter. Something easier.
Moon stopped suddenly in front of a street food cart, eyes lighting up slightly.
"Have you ever tried tteokbokki from a street vendor?" Moon asked.
Alex looked at the cart-steam rising, the vendor stirring a pot of spicy rice cakes. He didn't say anything.
"You should try it."
Moon stepped up to the cart and ordered two servings.
A few moments later, he handed Alex a small paper container filled with the bright red rice cakes.
"It's going to be spicy," Moon warned.
Alex took one with the provided stick and ate it.
The heat hit him immediately-sharp, intense, but somehow satisfying.
Moon watched him, trying not to smile.
"Too much?"
"It's fine,"
Alex said, though his eyes had watered slightly.
This time Moon did smile. Just a little.
They ate as they walked, Moon navigating them through the streets with the ease of someone who knew the city well.
They turned a corner and stopped.
A crowd had gathered around a large outdoor screen mounted on the side of a building.
A soccer match played, commentary blaring through speakers.
People cheered. Groaned. Shouted at the screen.
Moon slowed, watching.
"Do you follow soccer?" Alex asked.
"Not really," Moon admitted. "But it's fun to watch sometimes."
They stood at the edge of the crowd.
The energy was infectious-strangers united in their investment in a game neither Alex nor Moon had any stake in.
People bumped into each other, shouted, threw their arms up in frustration or celebration.
Moon's attention was completely on the screen, his expression open in a way Alex rarely saw.
The careful professional mask was gone. He looked... Alive. Normal. Like any other person enjoying a night out.
When one team made a particularly close shot, Moon leaned forward slightly, breath caught.
Alex found himself watching Moon instead of the screen.
The way Moon's eyes followed the ball. The slight part of his lips when the play intensified. The unconscious way he shifted his weight, as if his body wanted to move with the game.
There was a freedom in Moon's expression-unguarded, genuine, alive.
Alex's chest tightened.
He couldn't look away.
Moon laughed suddenly when one player executed an absurd fake-out, the sound bright and unrestrained.
His whole face transformed-eyes crinkling, smile wide and real.
Beautiful.
The word appeared in Alex's mind unbidden.
Not the polished, controlled beauty of Moon at work. Not the careful composure he maintained in the mansion.
This, this unfiltered, genuine joy. This complete presence in a moment that meant nothing yet everything.
Alex's pulse kicked up.
Moon turned his head slightly, still smiling, about to say something-
Their eyes met.
Alex felt the impact of it like electricity. Goosebumps spreading throughout his body like wildfire.
Moon's smile faltered, confusion flickering across his features as he registered the intensity of Alex's stare.
Alex caught himself.
Pulled back.
Turned sharply and started walking, away from the crowd.