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Hao had finished his shift at Café Étoile and decided to wander through the nearby streets. It had been a long day, and he needed a break from the suffocating tension between him and Hanbin. As he passed by a small boutique, his eyes landed on a familiar figure inside-Hanbin.
Hao paused, curiosity piqued. Hanbin wasn't the type to shop at small, cozy stores like this one. He was more the sleek, expensive type, not one for casual window-shopping. Hao lingered outside, watching through the glass as Hanbin seemed to examine a display of watches. The look on his face was odd-almost calculating.
Without thinking much of it, Hao entered the store, keeping his distance as he watched Hanbin slip a simple silver watch into his pocket. What the hell? Hao's heart skipped a beat. Is he... stealing?
Before Hao could react, Hanbin casually walked toward the exit as if nothing had happened. The bell above the door jingled softly, and for a moment, everything seemed normal-until an alarm blared through the store, startling both the customers and the staff.
Hao stood frozen in shock as two store employees sprang into action, rushing toward the exit. "Hey! Stop him!" one of them shouted, pointing after Hanbin.
Without thinking, Hao found himself running too-his feet moving on their own as he chased after Hanbin. He wasn't sure why he was doing it, but something about the whole situation felt unreal. Hanbin... shoplifting?
He followed the commotion out onto the street, where Hanbin had disappeared around the corner. The staff was quick, but so was Hanbin. Hao could see him darting between trees in the nearby park, trying to lose his pursuers. Hao kept his distance, not wanting to be seen but too curious to stop. His mind raced. What is he thinking?
Hao finally spotted him, crouched behind a large tree, breathing heavily. Hanbin's dark hair was messy, and there was a wild look in his eyes as he tried to figure out his next move.
Hao approached cautiously, his heart pounding. "Hanbin-ah! Are you out of your mind?" he hissed, his voice a mix of anger and confusion.
Hanbin looked up sharply, clearly startled. "First, it's hyung," he snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Second, maybe. But shut up before they hear you!" He glanced around frantically, his usual confidence cracking as he realized how close the store staff was getting.
Footsteps echoed closer. Hao's eyes widened as he saw one of the employees scanning the park, their gaze sweeping dangerously close to where Hanbin was hiding. Panic flared in Hanbin's eyes for the first time.
"Hanbin, what are you-"
Before Hao could finish his sentence, Hanbin's hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him behind the tree. "Just shut up!" Hanbin hissed, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. His eyes darted toward the approaching staff, and Hao could see the gears turning in his mind. He was calculating, desperate.
The footsteps were almost upon them. In that split second, Hanbin made a decision. Without warning, he grabbed Hao by the waist, pulling him closer. Hao's eyes widened in shock as Hanbin pressed his lips against his in a sudden, forceful kiss.
Hao's heart nearly stopped. The world around them blurred-the sound of the alarm, the shouts of the staff, the park itself-all faded into the background. For a moment, all he could feel was the warmth of Hanbin's body against his, the rough pressure of his lips, and the way Hanbin's fingers dug into his sides, as if holding on for dear life.
The footsteps slowed as the staff passed by, their eyes sweeping the area. But all they saw was what looked like two people making out behind a tree, not the person they were chasing.
The employees gave them a quick glance before muttering something about "kids" and moving on. As soon as they were out of sight, Hanbin broke the kiss, pulling away from Hao but not letting go of his waist.
Hao was stunned, his mind reeling. He opened his mouth to say something-anything-but his voice was caught in his throat.
Hanbin smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks you just saved me from that. God," he said, his voice low and breathless. His hand slid away from Hao's waist, and he stepped back, running a hand through his messy black hair.
Hao blinked, still trying to process what had just happened. "What the hell was that!" he finally managed to choke out, his voice shaking with a mix of shock and anger.
Hanbin shrugged, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes-something that wasn't his usual arrogance. "You wanted to help, didn't you?" he said, his tone almost mocking. "Well, congratulations. You just did."
"You kissed me to get out of trouble?" Hao's voice was rising, his emotions swirling in a confusing mess.
Hanbin sighed, as if this whole situation was a mild inconvenience. "It worked, didn't it?"
Hao's hands clenched into fists. "You can't just-" He cut himself off, his mind spinning too fast to form coherent words. "This is insane. You're insane!"
Hanbin laughed, though there was no real humor in it. "Maybe," he said, his smirk returning. "But you helped me. Guess that makes you part of the insanity, too."
Hao opened his mouth to argue, but before he could say anything else, Hanbin gave him a lazy salute and started walking away, leaving Hao standing by the tree, his mind still trying to catch up with what had just happened.
"See you at work, dongsaeng," Hanbin called over his shoulder, his voice light but tinged with something else-something Hao couldn't quite place.
Hao stood frozen in place, his heart still pounding in his chest. He didn't know whether to be furious, embarrassed, or-strangely-curious. Whatever this was between him and Hanbin, it was getting more complicated by the second.
As he watched Hanbin disappear into the distance, Hao couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something he wasn't prepared for.
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