The kiss was short, but it lingered, a promise of more to come. When they broke apart, Minho felt a sense of exhilaration mixed with a healthy dose of trepidation. He had crossed a line, and there was no going back.
"So… a date then?" Joohyuk asked, his eyes sparkling.
Minho chuckled, the sound a little shaky. "A date sounds… good."
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of planning and nervous anticipation. They settled on meeting at a small, unassuming café near the university library, a place where they could talk without fear of being overheard.
That evening, Minho found himself agonizing over what to wear. He rejected several outfits before finally settling on a simple blue sweater and jeans. He wanted to look like he had put in effort, but not too much effort. He didn't want to seem like he was trying too hard.
As he walked towards the café, his heart pounded in his chest. He saw Joohyuk waiting outside, leaning against the wall, and a wave of butterflies erupted in his stomach.
Joohyuk looked stunning. He was wearing a black turtleneck that accentuated his broad shoulders and a pair of dark wash jeans. He smiled when he saw Minho, and Minho felt his knees weaken.
"Hey," Joohyuk said, his voice warm and welcoming.
"Hey," Minho replied, trying to sound casual.
They entered the café and found a quiet table in the corner. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, with soft lighting and the aroma of coffee filling the air.
They spent the next few hours talking, learning more about each other than they ever had before. Minho discovered that Joohyuk had a passion for photography and dreamed of traveling the world. Joohyuk learned about Minho's love for his grandmother and his dedication to his studies.
The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and comfortable silences. Minho found himself relaxing, letting go of his fears and anxieties. He was genuinely enjoying himself, feeling a connection with Joohyuk that he had never experienced with anyone else.
As the evening drew to a close, Joohyuk walked Minho back to his apartment. They stood outside the door, the silence thick with unspoken emotions.
"I had a really great time tonight, Minho," Joohyuk said, his voice soft.
"Me too," Minho replied, his eyes meeting Joohyuk's.
He took a deep breath and leaned in, gently pressing his lips against Joohyuk's. The kiss was slow and tender, a sweet culmination of the evening.
When they broke apart, Minho knew that he was falling for Joohyuk. He couldn't deny it any longer. He was willing to take the risk, to face the challenges, to see where this relationship would lead.
"Goodnight, Minho," Joohyuk said, a playful glint in his eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Definitely," Minho replied, smiling.
He watched as Joohyuk walked away, his heart filled with a mixture of hope and excitement. He couldn't wait to see what the future held, as long as he had Joohyuk by his side.
Back in his small apartment, Minho replayed the evening in his head, savoring every moment. He was happy, truly happy, for the first time in a long time.
But as he drifted off to sleep, a nagging worry crept into his mind. He knew that their relationship wouldn't be easy. They came from different worlds, and there would be obstacles to overcome. But he was determined to face those challenges, together with Joohyuk. He just hoped that their love would be strong enough to withstand whatever came their way. He didn't see the swirling of dark blue ink through the cracks in his ceiling, but he felt its presence, a looming shadow over what felt like a perfect start.