"oh junhui, please.. what business do we possibly have to discuss in a dark kitchen? i can barely even see you." the tipsy raven elf giggled, being dragged inside by the hand ever so gently.
once again, minghao and the cook had drank quite an amount of alcohol, which had gotten them courageous enough to pay a visit to the pitch black kitchen in the middle of the night. even with the scary atmosphere they befound themselves in, they couldn't help but to giggle their fears away, simply reveling in one another's company.
"there's nothing to discuss, my dear. there's something i need to show you." the alcohol even brought junhui enough courage to show more of his affection. which wasn't exactly necessary as junhui had barely any difficulties with showing minghao how he truly felt.
"me? please don't be so ridiculous. what on earth is more important than sleep right now? we have a busy day ahead of us." minghao stopped giggling on an instant, wriggling his hand from junhui's grip. "besides, isn't the yearly ball of adora arranged tomorrow evening? that means we have to work all day to get the preparations done in time."
"and after that, we both have to attend the yule too. seungcheol has given me a suit and has asked me to guide you all night." junhui added up to the list of what they had to do the day after. "but after what you told me today, i had to make some time for your requests."
minghao cocked a brow, having no clue as to what specific request junhui was trying to get at. the cook, however, was certain of what he had just said and hurried through the kitchen, knowing the way perfectly well without needing a light source.
it was only when junhui came back when minghao understood why he had suddenly hurried in the darkness of the kitchen. a stroke of moonlight that fell through the large windows fell precisely on him, making minghao notice the handful of tiny candles he held onto.
"let's light these, what would you say?" junhui said, placing them everywhere around them on the separate counters.
"perhaps if you'd told me what they are for i would actually understand the things you're trying to tell me." minghao tried to refrain another characteristic giggle, yet wasn't able to remain serious when he looked at junhui visibly putting in a lot of effort.
in no time, the cook was done littering the candles across the kitchen counters. he wiped some none existing dust off his simple clothing, graciously bowing and offering minghao his hand. "you told me over dinner that you've never had a dance in your life before. allow me to take your first dance from you, your majesty."
minghao was slightly taken aback by junhui's well mannered words and how he had remembered the things he had said earlier, which he never even assumed that important. yet still, the elf gave him his hand and watched how the cook pressed a tender kiss against his pale skin, guiding him to a spot where they had more room to dance.
"junhui.. i really have no experience with dancing at all. what if i embarrass myself." minghao was startled by the sudden proximity between them, feeling how junhui lay a hand on his waist and guided him closer to his body, raising his hand at shoulder height.
"if there is anyone in this kingdom who you shouldn't be afraid of to embarrass yourself, it's me. you know i am not the most normal person myself either." junhui's laugh echoed against the stone walls of the kitchen, warming up the atmosphere that surrounded them.
minghao's gaze wandered off to anything but junhui's face, his heart beating faster once he lay his hand on top of junhui's shoulder, staring down to follow the cook's feet. "look at me." junhui whispered in a rather commanding yet warm manner, managing to get minghao to gaze back up without further contradiction. "just stare into my eyes and follow the feeling. dancing is not about forcing yourself to place your feet in the correct way, it's about following the rhythm your hearts tells you to."
and so minghao did what junhui asked him to, getting rid of the fears that had refrained him from freely moving his body. just like the cook had said, his feet were suddenly able to move in a way minghao had never felt before. it was as if junhui's eyes gave him an odd sense of strength, courage and made him fall in love like he'd never done before.
all those feelings that rushed through his body were so new yet so familiar. as if he had known junhui all his life long. wen junhui had shown him so many new things and had taught him how to love. the things the lonely elf had feared the most since his childhood now felt as safe as they could be and allowed him to fall even deeper for adora's cook, who he already loved so dearly.
"i feel so free." minghao breathed out, his feet moving naturally to the inaudible rhythm they had created. they could both look nowhere else than inside their eyes, unconsciously drawing in closer the more they danced.
junhui swirled minghao around before pressing him up against his body again, leading the dance he started. "i do too, minghao." junhui whispered, enchanted by the elf's gorgeous appearance. "can i tell you about something i have read in a book a while ago?"
minghao nodded, giggling about junhui's likable change of subject. "it was called kissing, if i am not mistaken. that is when your lips meet, passionately, and it makes you fall in love with another person even deeper." junhui explained, leaning in closer so their lips were only a mere inch separated from one another. "please correct me if i say it wrong, but am i allowed to kiss you?"
for a moment their feet stopped moving around. minghao freed his arms from junhui's grip and wrapped them around his neck, moving his hands up to the back of junhui's hair and intertwining his fingers in his beautiful brown locks. "you have my permission." minghao breathed out, a small smile drawn upon his face.
and just like that, the cook moved his hands up to both sides of minghao's face, rubbing his delicate skin as he connected their lips together in a long awaited kiss, devouring the elf in the most tender yet loving way.
it was a starry night when the cook and the elf had danced through the kitchen, being surrounded by a bunch of candles in the most magical atmosphere they had ever experienced.
