Church boy | Haobin

2

The bass thumped rhythmically through the club, vibrating through Zhang Hao's body as he stood at the bar, gripping a glass of soda tightly. The crowd moved around him, bodies swaying to the music, laughter and shouts echoing in the dimly lit space. Yet, despite the energy surrounding him, Zhang Hao felt isolated, a fish out of water. The kaleidoscope of colors and the pulsating lights only heightened his anxiety, making his heart race.

He needed a break. "I'll be right back," he told Ricky, who was lost in conversation with a couple of friends. With a nod, Zhang Hao slipped away from the bar and navigated through the throngs of people, the air thick with the scent of sweat and smoke.

The restroom door swung open, and he stepped inside, greeted by the bright fluorescent lights that illuminated the space starkly. Zhang Hao leaned against the cool tile of the sink, taking a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside him. He splashed water on his face, hoping to wash away the feeling of being overwhelmed.

That's when he noticed him. Sung Hanbin stood in the corner, partially hidden behind a door that led to a storage area, his back turned. Zhang Hao's heart skipped a beat. He had been drawn to Hanbin's presence since he entered the club—his striking looks, the effortless way he carried himself. But now, seeing him in a vulnerable moment sent a jolt of fear through Zhang Hao.

Hanbin was snorting a line of something off a small mirror. The sight was shocking, and Zhang Hao's instinct was to turn and leave, but his feet felt glued to the floor.

"Hey there, pretty boy," Hanbin said, glancing back at Zhang Hao with a sly smile. He had a way of looking at people that made them feel exposed, and Zhang Hao could feel the heat rise to his cheeks. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Zhang Hao swallowed hard, trying to find his voice. "I—I'm fine," he stammered, his heart racing not just from fear but also from the undeniable attraction he felt toward Hanbin.

"Yeah? You look like you're about to run away," Hanbin teased, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed, a playful glint in his eyes. "Don't worry, I don't bite. Unless you want me to."

The innuendo hung in the air, thick and charged. Zhang Hao shifted his weight, trying to calm his racing heart. "I just... needed a moment," he admitted, glancing at the floor. "This place is... a lot."

Hanbin pushed himself off the wall and stepped closer, his expression shifting to something more serious. "You know, I can tell you're hiding something. You're in a club, surrounded by people who are just being themselves, but you look like you're holding your breath."

Zhang Hao's stomach knotted. He could feel the weight of Hanbin's gaze, scrutinizing him, peeling back the layers of his carefully constructed facade. "I—"

"You look gay," Hanbin said, a teasing smile on his lips, but his eyes were sharp and observant. "You shouldn't be ashamed of it. Everyone can see it, you know."

Zhang Hao felt a wave of panic wash over him. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Don't play coy with me. I recognize my own kind," Hanbin replied, tilting his head slightly. "Trust me, I've seen a lot of guys like you. I'm gay too, by the way. And you know what? You're not fooling anyone by pretending to be something you're not."

The confession hung between them, both electrifying and terrifying. Zhang Hao's heart pounded in his chest, the realization of Hanbin's words settling in. "I—uh..." He struggled to find the right response, anxiety tightening its grip around him.

"Relax," Hanbin said, a playful smirk on his face. "I'm not here to judge. Just thought you should know it's okay to be who you are. Hiding doesn't help anyone, especially not you."