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Sitting on his couch, Jisung stared at his phone dejectedly, seeing the negative balance in his banking app. His stomach chose that moment to growl again, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since dinner the day before and it was late early evening already. It had been difficult to concentrate in class with the gnawing pain in his stomach.
Glumly, he scrolled through a few apps and then decided to open one of his dating apps for wealthy people looking to pay money for some company. He had been ignoring them all for a while after one too many bad encounters. He really didn’t want to resort to trying to get a date for a free meal, but he also needed to eat.
He scrolled through the few messages he had in his inbox, deleting the gross perverted ones that only sent a dick pic as a greeting. He was willing to fuck for food, but he had some standards. He opened one message from a Lee Minho that looked not horrible at least.
Minho
I’m sure everyone comments on your cheeks, but I think you have the most beautiful eyes.
Jisung truly didn’t get a lot of compliments on his eyes. Most people did comment on his cheeks or, depending on his level of dress, his ass, pecs, or waist. Eyes were a nice change. So he sent a message back to Minho.
Jisung
You’re right, most people don’t notice my eyes. Thank you for noticing ;)
He quickly sent the message before he could chicken out or second-guess the winking emoji. His leg nervously bounced as he waited a moment to see if Minho happened to be online right then. Just as he was debating if he should just delete his whole account and forget this ever happened, three dots appeared at the bottom indicating Minho was typing a response.
Minho
Pleasure is all mine, beautiful. If it’s not too forward or last minute, would you be available for dinner tonight? I would love to be able to see those eyes in person. No obligation for anything but a meal and conversation.
Blinking rapidly in surprise, Jisung was stunned. Every single man he had talked to on here so far had been very clear they expected sex if they spent more than a few minutes of conversation on him. Minho was clearly not in the majority of users.
Jisung
As it turns out, my schedule is wide open tonight.
Minho
Perfect. Are you comfortable with me sending a car to pick you up at 7 or would you rather meet me here?
Minho attached the location of a restaurant to his message. It was a nice, but not overly fancy place – somewhere he probably wouldn’t actually feel too out of place in. It wasn’t very close to his apartment though and he didn’t have the money for a taxi or train.
Jisung
A car would be good, thank you.
Jisung attached his address to the message.
Minho
I look forward to seeing you, Jisung-ah.
Something about the way Minho typed his name made Jisung’s stomach swoop, but not with the same hunger this time. He had about an hour until the car would be there so he got up to get ready. Five minutes before the car was due to arrive, Jisung was showered and dressed in a pair of loose slacks and a flowy button-up shirt tucked in to accentuate his waist. He had on a little jewelry and some eyeliner to accentuate his eyes since Minho had specifically mentioned them.
He stepped outside his building in a light jacket and there was a sleek, black car already parked out front with a driver standing next to it.
“Han Jisung?” the driver questioned. He nodded and the driver opened the door for him, closing it again after he slid inside. Jisung stared out the window at the buildings and cars as they passed by, his mind an anxious, slightly guilty mess. He knew he was taking advantage of Minho and meeting with him with the sole purpose of getting a free meal. But at the same time, Minho was on that dating site of his own volition so he knew what other users were looking for.
The door opened again at the restaurant and Jisung looked up, surprised to see it was Minho, not the driver. Minho extended a hand to help him out of the car, closing the door again so the driver could park.
“Hello, Jisung-ah, it’s nice to meet you.”
Minho’s voice was smooth and melodic – the most entrancing voice Jisung had ever heard. It took him a second to realize he was staring slack-jawed at Minho instead of responding and physically shook his head to snap out of it.
“Sorry, hi Minho-ssi, it’s nice to meet you too.”
The man smirked slightly at Jisung like he was amused at his reaction. “Come, our room is ready.”
Minho turned and held the door open for Jisung before speaking to the woman at the host stand. She led them to one side of the restaurant into a small private dining room set for just two people. Minho pulled out Jisung’s chair for him before settling into his own chair.
“Wow, a private room is really fancy for a first date,” Jisung’s cheeks flushed, not meaning to really say that out loud.
His date seemed amused enough, chuckling while a server brought glasses of water. “I can assure you this is nothing ‘fancy,’ just a normal dinner with a beautiful man.”
Jisung flushed again, feeling like his cheeks were going to be a permanent shade of red by the end of the evening at this rate. To save himself from answering, he looked down at the menu to pick something. He didn’t think he would ever see Minho again after tonight, but still didn’t want to take advantage of the man and get something too expensive. He decided on a creamy steak pasta, something that should be filling.
After they ordered, Minho fixed Jisung with an intense, curious gaze. “So Jisung-ah, what made a man like you sign up for this specific dating site?”
“Um, well, honestly dude’s always just want to fuck me so I figured if that was all someone wanted, I could at least get something out of it. And, honestly, I can’t work while I’m in school. The money left from my scholarships and that my family sends me just isn’t really enough to live off of. I know it’s shitty, but I honestly hadn’t even looked at the app in weeks before today.”
“What made you look today?” Minho had leaned forward, resting his chin on his interlocked fingers and giving Jisung his undivided attention. It made Jisung want to be honest; it made him want to tell Minho everything.
“I was hungry. I didn’t have any groceries, no money to buy anything, and hadn’t eaten since dinner yesterday.” Jisung’s voice was quiet, feeling ashamed for admitting his failures at taking care of himself. He felt hot tears welling up in his eyes at the admission and dropped them to the table, desperately willing them not to fall. He never let his family or friends know how bad things were. He paid his rent and utilities and he kept himself and his clothes clean. He presented himself like t
“Oh, Jisung-ah-”
“No, I’m sorry for dropping that on you. I don’t even know why I said it, I’ve never told anyone else.”
“Jisung-ah, I promise I’m not judging you or anything like that, I really was just curious. I didn’t always have extra money to spend either. I grew up in a very average, middle-class family and I got a few lucky breaks that helped my company become successful quickly while I’m still so young.”
Jisung wiped his cheek to catch a tear that had fallen and sniffled. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down before speaking again. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to throw a pity party. I never cry, especially not in front of other people. It’s just been tough recently.”
Minho reached a hand across the table and gently cupped Jisung’s cheek, thumbing away another tear as he gently lifted Jisung’s face. “Really, it’s ok. Want to tell me about what you’re studying in school?”
Jisung took a deep breath, inhaling the heady scent of Minho’s cologne from his wrist. He talked about studying music production and gushed about music while Minho listened attentively. Minho told Jisung about his choreography company and some of the groups he’s gotten to work with as a result. He told Jisung about his friends Chan and Changbin who were both producers that worked together and offered to pass Jisung’s information to them to see if they could provide any advice or encouragement.
The evening passed easily and Jisung found himself relaxing entirely, forgetting Minho was a stranger a few hours ago as they felt like childhood best friends who were reuniting after years apart. As they got ready to go their separate ways, a bag with a few extra meals in take-out containers was brought in.
Before Jisung could protest, Minho explained, “I don’t want you to not have a meal to eat, Jisung. Please, take them.”
Jisung just nodded and accepted the bag as they headed back outside.
Standing to face Jisung, Minho’s face went serious. “I know it may be strange since we just met, but I care about you a lot, Jisung-ah. As I said earlier, you’re under absolutely no obligation for anything, but I would love to see you again. Dinner, lunch, coffee, a movie, a walk, anything. I just want to spend time with you again.”
“Really? I mean, I had a great time tonight too. It’s weird, but it feels like I’ve known you my whole life. I really would like to see you again too, Minho-ah.”
A bright grin lit up Minho’s face at the change in honorific.
Jisung continued, “I know you said you don’t expect anything, but um, I kind of want to… to kiss you?” His voice was timid and questioning, not sure if this was too much for their first date.
Minho stepped forward to close the space between them. “Sweetheart, I would absolutely be honored to have you kiss me.”
Jisung melted at the pet name, affection welling up bright and airy in his chest. He set the bag down next to them and slowly reached up to cup Minho’s jaw. He felt the strong edge of his jawbone and the slight prickles from his facial hair. They were nearly the same height, but Jisung slid his hand back a little further and pulled Minho down to meet him, their slightly chapped lips pressing against each other.
A shiver ran through Jisung’s body from his lips to his toes. He had never had a kiss that felt so good, so perfect before. And then Minho pressed harder and their lips opened to each other’s tongues and Jisung felt like he died and was resurrected at the same time. A whine escaped him involuntarily as both of their hands gripped the other, everything suddenly too much and not enough at once.
Minho came to his senses first, pulling back from Jisung, but leaning their foreheads together as they caught their breath.
“Fuck, Jisung, you’re so sexy. You’re killing me and driving me insane.”
Jisung huffed a laugh. “Sorry, I’m dying too.”
“As much as I would love to kiss you in private, I should let you get home.”
Pouting, Jisung sighed and pulled back from Minho, retrieving his bag of meals. “Yeah, I should get some sleep, I have class in the morning. I really did have an amazing time tonight.”
“Can I see your phone?”
“Yeah?” Jisung unlocked it and handed it over to Minho.
The other man typed for a moment and then handed it back to Jisung. Minho pulled out his own phone as it dinged with a notification. Jisung saw Minho had programmed his number into the phone and then texted himself to also have Jisung’s number.
“Please call or text whenever you want. And whenever you’re free to have a second date, I will make myself available.”
The sincerity and intensity in Minho’s eyes should have scared Jisung, but he only found himself feeling more connected to Minho.
“I promise I’ll text.”
With a nod, Minho stepped away to open the car door for Jisung, giving him one more peck on the forehead before closing the door. Minho watched as the car pulled away, a notification on his phone drawing his attention away a few seconds later. He smiled at the text.
Jisung
Would you maybe be free on Saturday for coffee and a walk?
Minho replied as he walked the short distance to his own car.
Minho
Absolutely. Can I pick you up at 8?
Jisung
It’s a date.