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Look, the man had an incredible voice.
What was Seonghwa supposed to do? Just walk past and ignore him? Obviously not.
And okay, so maybe, just maybe , Seonghwa was staring a little too much—but that was because the guy wasn’t just a good singer. He was impossibly attractive.
The construction worker had a sharp edge to him. His black tank top fitted his body well, showing off toned arms, with tattoos snaking across his skin. His dark hair was messy yet somehow styled to perfection, a few strands falling across his face as he adjusted his backwards cap. Sweat glistened on his skin, catching the sunlight, making him look almost ethereal in the most rugged way possible. Seonghwa could feel his heartbeat quicken as the guy’s lips curled into a subtle smirk while singing.
Okay, maybe he was drooling. But could anyone really blame him?
And yes, Seonghwa started taking this path deliberately every day, after his college class would end, just to catch a glimpse of the guy.
Every time without fail, the man was there, casually leaning against the barely constructed walls, scrolling through his phone or humming a new song, looking like he belonged on a runway, not at a building site.
The man was a whole package—tattoos, a sweat-slicked tank top, and a melodious voice that sent chills down Seonghwa’s spine.
Seonghwa would linger by the gates, trying (and failing) not to be too obvious as he admired him from afar.
He could go over and say something, maybe compliment the guy’s singing or just make small talk, but Seonghwa was far too awkward for that. Even though the man never seemed to be in a rush, always lounging around like he had all the time in the world, he could never muster the courage.
Instead, he left quietly each day, sure he was never noticed.
Or so he thought.
By the fifth time Seonghwa passed by, the guy was actually standing at the gate of the fence separating the construction site from the outside world—like he’d been waiting for him.
"Hi," the man greeted, and Seonghwa instantly felt like he was going to faint.
The attractive guy with the angelic voice was actually talking to him. What should he do? Should he run? No, that would seem pathetic.
His brain was short-circuiting.
"H-Hi."
"Sorry if I scared you. I just noticed you pass by a lot and stop here. I wanted to ask if you needed something," the guy said, his tone friendly, though there was a trace of suspicion in his gaze.
Which, okay, fair enough.
Alright, Hwa, you can do this. Just tell him he has a nice voice—that’s the only reason you creepily lurk around the construction site everyday.
A compliment never hurt anyone, right?
"Uh... you have a voice."
Fuck.
The guy blinked, then chuckled, clearly amused. "I do have a voice. Thank you for noticing."
"I mean—it’s nice. Your voice. Your singing—I’m sorry! please pretend this never happened," Seonghwa blurted out, wanting to crawl into a hole out of pure embarrassment.
The guy laughed, the sound warm and surprisingly kind. "It’s okay. I’m flattered, really... What’s your name?"
"Seonghwa—P-Park Seonghwa."
"I’m Hongjoong. Where are you coming from?"
"College."
"Oh? What are you studying?"
"Education." Seonghwa felt like he was dying inside. He was having a conversation with the hot guy. This was awesome. And said hot guy was actually talking back. Okay, maybe he should stop calling him 'hot guy' in his head.
"Interesting," Hongjoong nodded. "Are you heading home?"
"Uh, no. I’m going to a café to study."
"Mind waiting a few minutes? I’m done here, I can take you. Just need to grab my things first," Hongjoong offered.
"I feel like I should say no because you’re a stranger," Seonghwa pointed out, even though deep down he already wanted to agree.
"But will you?" Hongjoong asked, smirking.
"Depends. Do you plan on murdering me?"
"No current plans to murder you."
" No current plans, huh? So that could change?"
"Depends on how today goes,"
"That’s fair. If today goes badly, I’ll just move to a different country and change my name."
Hongjoong laughed, clearly enjoying this. "I’m pretty good at finding people."
"You underestimate my hiding skills."
"Let’s go see how today goes then, shall we?" Hongjoong grinned.
As they walked toward the parking lot, Seonghwa’s curiosity got the best of him when they approached a sleek, black car parked near the edge of the lot.
He glanced over at Hongjoong, trying to seem casual, but he couldn’t help blurting out, "You have a car."
Hongjoong unlocked the car with a click of his key fob and smiled smugly. "I do. Thank you for noticing."
Seonghwa rolled his eyes but smiled. "I meant... a nice car."
"I assumed as much."
"You’re a terrible person."
"Good to know this date is off to a great start," Hongjoong quipped as he opened the passenger door for Seonghwa.
Seonghwa froze mid-step. " This is a date?"
"Yes," Hongjoong replied, his expression as nonchalant as ever, as though he had just announced the weather.
Seonghwa blinked. The guy was bold, he’d give him that. "You’re very straightforward."
"So are you."
"Thank you?"
"You’re welcome," Hongjoong responded smoothly, gesturing for Seonghwa to get in the car.
Seonghwa hesitated for a split second, but then with a soft sigh, he slid into the passenger seat.
As the door shut with a soft click, he realized his heart was pounding in a way that had nothing to do with the fast car the car was going.
Holy shit, he was going on a date with a hot stranger.
The cozy little cafe was buzzing with the gentle hum of conversation and the faint hiss of an espresso machine. Seonghwa and Hongjoong found a quiet table by the window, the soft sunlight streaming through and casting a warm glow across the wooden furniture.
Hongjoong returned from the counter with their drinks, placing a steaming black coffee in front of himself and a latte in front of the other.
Seonghwa raised an eyebrow as he eyed the plain cup of black coffee. "Black coffee? Are you secretly a fifty-year-old man?"
Hongjoong, unfazed, took a sip and met the other's teasing gaze. "Yes."
"Oh cool," Seonghwa said, leaning forward with a smirk, "I have a sugar daddy now."
Hongjoong choked mid-sip, coughing slightly as he set his cup down. "Are you trying to kill me?" He questioned, his eyes wide with amusement as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Depends," Seonghwa responded with a mischievous grin, "Will I get all your assets?"
Hongjoong laughed, shaking his head as he recovered from the surprise. "You have to be married to me for that."
"I can wait. I'm patient."
Hongjoong chuckled, the sound low and soft, his eyes crinkling at the edges. Seonghwa found himself smiling back, the teasing banter bringing a warmth between them that felt natural, easy.
The cafe around them seemed to fade into the background as they shared their moment.
The soft hum of the engine filled the car as Hongjoong pulled up to the curb outside Seonghwa's apartment. The streetlights cast a warm glow over the interior, highlighting the teasing smile on his lips. He glanced sideways at Seonghwa, who was adjusting his scarf.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, lurker. ”
Seonghwa rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. “I’m not a lurker— Angel , on the other hand, is a lurker.”
“Who?” Hongjoong frowned, confused.
“...a guy,” Seonghwa replied, his expression nonchalant, but the faint blush on his cheeks gave him away. He really had to stop blurting out random shit. Especially infront of the hot man.
“You know a guy named Angel who lurks?” Hongjoong pressed.
“Yes,”
“Should I think of this man as competition?”
“Depends. What will you do if he is?” Seonghwa shot back, a smirk creeping onto his face.
“Kill him,” Hongjoong replied without missing a beat.
Seonghwa blinked, caught off guard. “...He’s a fictional character from a TV show.”
“Oh,”
“Have you not seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer ??”
“No?” Hongjoong admitted, scratching the back of his neck, looking genuinely lost.
“Oh my god, shame on you . Minus points for you, sir,” Seonghwa chided, shaking his head in disbelief.
Hongjoong chuckled, “I’d complain, but I sure do like you calling me sir.”
The other male grinned, leaning in closer. “... Sugar Daddy .”
“Absolutely not.”
“You’re smiling,” Seonghwa pointed out, satisfaction lacing his tone.
“...Fine, sugar baby .”
“That’s fine with me. It would mean I'd get money out of it.” Seonghwa replied, a triumphant smile plastered on his face.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow, baby,” Hongjoong said, his voice dropping an octave playfully.
“See you tomorrow, daddy —oh, wow , I just cringed,” Seonghwa admitted, burying his face in his hands for a brief moment.
“Me too,” Hongjoong echoed forlornly.
Seonghwa looked up at him and grinned, “Omg, soulmate!”
Hongjoong burst into laughter. “You’re impossible.”
The latter smiled, his heart feeling a little lighter as he opened the door to step out into the night. “And yet you keep coming back for more.”
As Seonghwa waved goodbye and headed towards his apartment, Hongjoong leaned back in his seat, a smile lingering on his lips.
He felt an inexplicable warmth at the thought of their playful banter and the connection they shared.
It may have been just a few hours since they met, but he could already tell, Seonghwa was someone special.
The next day, the bustling cafeteria hummed with the chatter of students. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the long tables where students gathered, laptops open and coffee cups steaming.
Seonghwa sat across from Hongjoong, who was munching on a croissant while leaning back in his chair.
The campus cafeteria was a pretty open place, having outsiders wasn’t unheard of. So, when Hongjoong had somehow gotten his number and texted him to meet, Hwa happily invited him to the cafeteria.
“The profs won’t stop with these group discussions, and I think it’s stupid,” Seonghwa complained, pushing his half-eaten muffin aside. "I hate group discussions!"
“Then don’t go to class. Simple,” Hongjoong replied nonchalantly, taking a sip from his coffee.
“What else will I do then?”
“Be my sugar baby, what else?”
Seonghwa paused, raising an eyebrow as a smirk tugged at his lips. “I mean… there could be worse things.”
“I know,” Hongjoong said, leaning forward slightly, mischief in his eyes.
Seonghwa chuckled, the tension of the morning easing as their banter filled the air around them. He could feel the weight of the group discussions fade into the background, replaced by the easy atmosphere they shared.
“How long are your breaks for?” Seonghwa asked, tilting his head slightly, remembering that Hongjoong was on break from the construction site. Which was terrible for Hwa because the man was in his usual tank top and it was taking everything in him to not go feral over the male’s looks. Especially the tattoos. Gods , he loved tattoos on a man.
“My breaks are as long as I want them to be,” Hongjoong replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
“That makes no sense."
The other hummed, tapping his fingers on the table. “Want me to drive you home?”
“No. It’s okay. I’ll walk,” Seonghwa replied, shaking his head, letting the other man change topics.
“I insist,” Hongjoong pressed, his expression mock-serious.
“Your insistence is suspicious. You sure you’re not a murderer?” Seonghwa challenged, crossing his arms with a teasing glare.
“Not at the moment—yesterday did go well,”
“ So , to avoid getting murdered, I should let you drop me home?” Seonghwa’s tone was mock-serious.
“Oh, definitely. It’s the only way to ensure your survival.”
“Alright,” Seonghwa conceded, rolling his eyes but unable to suppress a smile.
The familiar buzz of the café surrounded them as Seonghwa and Hongjoong sat at their usual table, a small corner booth tucked away from the busier parts of the café. They’d met regularly over the past few weeks, and their casual banter had become almost routine.
But today, Seonghwa had a different energy about him—more focused, a little tense.
Hongjoong noticed but brought it up once they had settled, raising an eyebrow as he sipped his coffee. “Something on your mind?”
Seonghwa leaned back, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. After a moment, he finally spoke. “You’re… part of a crime family?” He had meant to say it as a statement, but the slight nervousness made it come out as a question.
Hongjoong froze mid-sip, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “How did you find out?”
“I researched you,” Seonghwa replied, his tone casual but his eyes locked onto the other man's face, watching for any reaction.
Hongjoong set his coffee down, his expression carefully neutral. “How?”
“...I was a criminology major once,” That was the only explanation he received.
There was a brief pause as Hongjoong processed this new information. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “...Oh.”
Seonghwa shrugged, leaning forward as if to dismiss the weight of his own confession. “Yeah, I just had no idea what I’d do with that degree, so I gave up on it.”
“Huh. Interesting."
“If you’re part of a crime family, what are you doing working in construction?” Seonghwa asked curiously. The question had been on his mind ever since he had made the discovery the night before.
“Undercover,” Hongjoong replied smoothly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Seonghwa blinked, then let out a small laugh, relaxing unintentionally. “Oh. That makes so much sense!”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Hongjoong’s smirk returned, the usual playfulness back in his eyes.
“Yeah. You’d make a horrible construction worker.”
“Thanks,” Hongjoong deadpanned.
“You’re welcome,” Seonghwa shot back.
For a moment, there was silence between them.
Seonghwa leaned back in his seat, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction in having pieced together part of Hongjoong’s life, even if it left more questions than answers. He studied the man across from him—someone who had kept so many layers hidden beneath charm and wit.
Also never in his life did he think he’d cross paths with, let alone fall for, a criminal.
Said criminal who was staring at Seonghwa with admiration in his eyes.
“Does this mean we’re still on for our dinner date?”
As the café door swung shut behind them, Seonghwa stepped out into the cool evening air, wrapping his arms around himself briefly before glancing over at Hongjoong.
The street was lit with warm streetlights, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees. It should have been a quiet, peaceful evening—except for the revelation still bouncing around in Seonghwa’s mind.
“So… crime family,” Seonghwa said, his voice breaking the silence as they walked side by side. “I’m going on a date with a member of a crime family.”
Hongjoong shot him a sideways glance, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Yes. And normally, I’d tell you you have the chance to leave. But…” he paused dramatically, stopping for a moment to turn and face Seonghwa. “I really like you, you’re adorable, and I don’t want to let you go. So, come on this date with me, or I’ll be forced to kidnap you.”
“And they say chivalry is dead.”
His criminal just shrugged, expression smug.
“Fine,” Seonghwa said, rolling his eyes but unable to suppress a small smile. “But you better make it worth my time. If I get bored, I’ll fall asleep.”
“I don’t mind watching you sleep,” Hongjoong replied with a wink, his tone playful but with just enough edge to leave Seonghwa unsure if he was joking.
“Okay, now you’re pushing into stalker territory,”
“If I need to, I will,” Hongjoong said, his voice low and teasing, but there was something almost dangerous in the way his eyes glinted under the streetlights.
Seonghwa blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. “Okay, wow,” he muttered, his cheeks heating up slightly as they headed towards the parking lot.
Once they reached the car, Seonghwa paused, causing Hongjoong to stop and turn toward him with a curious expression.
“Before we sit…” Seonghwa said, his voice a little softer, slightly nervous.
“Hmm?”
“Kiss me?”
Hongjoong grinned, immediately stepping closer. “Thought you’d never ask.”
“I shouldn’t have had to,” Seonghwa retorted even though his heart pounded in his chest.
“Oh. My apologies , baby,” Hongjoong teased, his voice low as he closed the gap between them.
Seonghwa’s eyes flickered down to the other’s lips. “Apology not accepted.”
Hongjoong chuckled softly, his breath warm against Seonghwa’s skin. “God, you’re hot.”
Seonghwa’s pulse quickened, but he managed to roll his eyes, his voice dropping to a murmur. “...Shut up and kiss me.”
“Yes, baby,” Hongjoong whispered before gently cupping Seonghwa’s face, pulling him in for a kiss. The world around them seemed to blur as their lips met—soft, warm, and lingering longer than either expected.
What started as a gentle kiss quickly became something more, as Hongjoong’s lips moved with increasing intensity, his fingers slipping to grip Seonghwa’s waist possessively. He pressed the male against the side of the car, making it clear he had no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Seonghwa’s heart raced, but after a moment, he placed a hand on the criminal's chest, gently pushing him back. His breath came in soft, uneven pants as he pulled away, lips still tingling from the kiss.
Hongjoong’s eyes were dark, his voice low. “What’s wrong, baby?”
Seonghwa smiled softly, cheeks flushed from their moment. “We’re going to be late for dinner.”
Hongjoong smirked, leaning in again, his lips brushing against Seonghwa’s jawline. “I don’t mind being late.”
Seonghwa let out a soft laugh, though his breath hitched at the closeness. “Yeah, but I do.”
The latter groaned dramatically. “Fine. But you’re making it really hard for me to behave.”
“You’ll survive.”
Hongjoong huffed, pressing one last lingering kiss to Seonghwa’s cheek before finally stepping back. “Alright, alright. Let’s go then. But you owe me for this.”
“Oh, I owe you?” Seonghwa shot back with a smirk.
Hongjoong winked. “Definitely.”