I'm In Trouble

Clip 29

Baekho sat in a corner of the dimly lit bar that Jonghyun frequented as a performer. He flipped the paper open and read what was written. He pursed his lips and looked around.

'We are being watched.'

He sighed. This situation was the same with Aron all over again. Nobody would be able to tell him anything if they were being watched but why and who and how? Baekho looked at the empty stage and around the bar. He was looking for one last guy on the list and from his social media, it seemed he frequented the bar often as well but he couldn't find the person even as he looked around. His eyes paused when he caught the figures walking into the bar. He blinked.

Aron and Minki? Maybe he did have some reporter luck left in him.

"They have really awesome cocktails here," Minki chirped as they both took a seat nearby but not close enough that Baekho could hear their conversation. The interested male looked around and tried to move closer without being suspicious.

"I don't feel like drinking."

"It's okay. You could just get a lemonade or something."

"Do they have strawberry shake?"

Minki laughed and raised a brow. "You've got such baby tastes for a grown man."

"I'm just in the mood for something sweet today. Don't laugh at me."

"Sorry, sorry."

Baekho frowned. Their conversation somehow made him feel a little restless. They sounded like...close friends just having a casual talk and he just found that really bizarre. Wasn't Aron being threatened by the company Minki worked for? Why were they so chummy?

"Oh. I got a little gift for you, Aron," Minki chirped and took out a box.

"Oh? What is it and its not my birthday so what's with the gift?"

"Just a little friendship thing. Here." Aron took the box and chuckled. He opened it and gasped softly.

"Mermaid cufflinks? Wow. I don't wear something this fancy but thank you. They're really pretty," Aron said.

"They reminded me of you and I just had to get them. Also, speaking of which, do you remember the first time I drove you over to my place?"

"Of course," Aron said as he admired the little cufflinks. He couldn't remember the last time he received a gift from someone. His chest felt warm.

"And you were talking about Hwang Minhyun?"

Both Aron and Baekho perked up. "What about him?"

"I saw him in person today! Like really really upclose! I was going out from the elevator and he was going in. Like holy shit, he's so much more pretty in real life."

"Pretty?" Aron chuckled and Minki nodded.

"Yeah. I mean, handsome guys would be more like... You, I guess?"

Aron almost dropped the box but he held on tight as he watched Minki continued speaking cheerfully about being able to meet Minhyun. He flickered his eyelashes. Something in him triggered and he shifted forward slowly. Minki stopped talking and looked at Aron who leaned closer and gradually placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Then he sat down again, face fully blown red.

"Ah... Uh..."

Minki blinked. "Oh."

"I'm really sorry! I just... Got caught up in the heat of the moment. I-I should lea-"

"Don't go. You haven't finished your strawberry shake yet and why would you run on a date?" Minki said and held his sleeve as he was about to run away. Aron gulped and forced himself to sit down again.

"You're...fine with that?"

"It's just a cheek kiss. Why wouldn't I be?" Minki laughed and nudged his elbow. "Don't be so uptight, Aron. Plus you're a nice guy and I really like you so that's both a plus in my book."

"Ah..." Aron rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Thanks. I really like you too."

"Hmm~ Like really really? Or-"

Baekho couldn't stand it anymore. At this rate, he was listening in on to two person just being flirty or cutesy with each other and it made him want to curl up and cover his ears. Too cheesy. Too cringy. He got up and hurriedly left the bar, trying his best not to get spotted.

"I like you romantically," Aron clarified and cleared his throat. "If that makes you uncomfortable and you don't want to be friends anymore, I totally understand."

"No way. You're my only friend. I won't let you go," Minki chuckled and Aron smiled sheepishly. "Romantically, huh. Even though you were so disagreeable with being my friend in the beginning."

"I... I didn't want to get attached to anyone..."

"Too bad you're stuck with me. Why don't you ask me out properly?" Minki chuckled and Aron gasped.

"Uh... You sure?"

"Dude. You already confessed to me. Might as well ask me out too, you know."

"Well, are you gonna reject me?"

Minki shrugged and kept a playful smile on his lips as he watched Aron struggle a little to get the proper words to his lips.

"Uh... Minki... Its been really fun being with you recently and uh..."

"Don't be so formal. You're making this sound like a proposal instead," Minki muttered and Aron squeaked.

"I guess I'm real nervous right now. I haven't properly asked someone out in years. So um... Simply put, would you like to date me?"

Minki could almost face-palm from how awkward Aron was but he sighed and nodded. "Yes, I would like to date you."

Aron beamed and took another sip of his shake. "I'm real glad that you'll have me."

"Why don't we get drunk to commemorate the moment then?" Minki suggested and Aron shook his head.

"Nope, no drinking."

"Aww, you're no fun," Minki chuckled and leaned over, pressing his lips against Aron's. Aron flinched and closed his eyes, feeling the soft lips against his. It almost felt like a floaty dream. "Then, let's go to my house instead."

"Eh? Right now?"

"Well, I want to get drunk even if you don't want to. I need to celebrate this occasion."

Aron shook his head with a laugh. He really can't keep up with Minki's energy at all yet somehow this kept him energized and had him looking forward to spending time with him too.