Chapter Text
Year-end festivities are always tedious.
Aron learns this quickly, if his far too tired feet are of any indication. In this aspect, he supposes, show business is not that different from the modelling scene.
Everyone is curious about the hotshot actor, former model Aaron Kwak. Publicity and maintaining the fans' interest is vital, he knows this but he is, for the lack of a better word, tired. He is itching to escape this interview, especially with questions as uninteresting as asking him what his plans for the new year are. Honestly, Aron doesn't know- does not have the time to ponder about it. He has never been the type to plan anyway.
In the end, he settles on answering, "Probably spending more time with my dogs." At least that's not far off from the truth.
Having been informed of his schedule beforehand, the reporter acquiesces to his manager's demands to wrap it up. "Last question, Aaron. Are the rumors of you working with Hwang Minhyun on a new project true?"
Of course, the press would latch on to the newest hot issue. Luckily, he had seen this coming. Time to turn on the charm then. Making sure to wink at the camera, he announces, "I'm afraid you'll have to wait to find out." With that, he excuses himself and proceeds outside, getting inside the car waiting to drive him off without much delay.
It is true. After several successful non-lead roles, his big break came as he is slated to star in a highly anticipated drama alongside Hwang Minhyun, professional actor with several awards bagged under his name. Any newbie would get eaten by intimidation, but Aron is not anything if persistent in proving his worth.
Finally reaching the venue, he brushes the non-existent dust off his shoulders, straightens the ends of his suit jacket, and throws one quick look at the mirror to check if anything needs polishing. He emerges out of the car wearing a twinkle in his eyes and a charming smile. Blinding flashes greet him as he walks to the steps to where the year-end party of their entertainment company was being held.
The party has already started, it seems. One hand swinging to snatch a champagne flute, Aron mingles with the crowd easily, getting familiar with important personalities. Let your face be remembered - an incessant reminder drilled to his head by his manager, Kim Jonghyun.
Why wait for an opportunity to fall into your lap when you can work for it? A reason why Aron made sure to wear the dangly earring that brings attention to the slope of his jaw when the light catches it. Or so his fans tell him.
Eventually, the muscles on his face strain from smiling and his bow feels a bit tight on his neck. That was his cue to pluck himself out of the crowd and settles on the mini bar.
As an actor, Aron prides himself in masking his expressions with ease. But under Hwang Minhyun's unrelenting gaze, he finds, he has a long way to go.
The man is slowly approaching him. Meanwhile, Aron's eyes are immediately drawn to the way the dress shirt hugs the planes of his chest nicely. Trousers tailored purposely to showcase the seemingly endless legs of his.
From the sea of beautiful faces in the crowd, he stands out. Minhyun has the aura of a seasoned actor, every step commanding respect. A predator Aron is aware he should be wary of, but the man has always been too pretty for his own good.
Minhyun catches him staring, not that he's particularly hiding it.
Calling on the bartender, he orders Minhyun a non-alcoholic drink before the man has perched himself on the space next to Aron. Minhyun inclines his head to his direction, thanking him. Nursing his own drink in his hand, Aron notices Minhyun is being uncharacteristically quiet today.
By now, they would have easily fallen into a chatter about anything and everything. It's how he knew Hwang Minhyun steers away from alcohol.
After their first screen test, the director said it's good exercise to spend time together, get to know each other. Be comfortable with intimacy. Develop the chemistry that was already there. After all, they were supposed to play the part of longtime lovers.
Aron almost hates how easy he slips into character, when it's not the wine that brings out the color on his cheeks, but the stupid attraction bubbling on his chest whenever the other does as much as breathe in his vicinity. In the end, Aron lets him be and decides to keep him company.
He sneaks a glance on his watch and gets surprised that it is now only fifteen seconds to midnight. No wonder people around them are scrambling to pair up before the clock strikes 12, most likely to welcome the new year kissing. Watching the scene unfold before him, Aron has half the mind to do the same when Minhyun speaks up.
"...would you mind if i kiss you?" At this, Aron's right eyebrow raised. A kiss has long since held importance to Aron, resigned to the fact that it was something that came with the job.
Clearly, it meant something important to Hwang Minhyun. Because for the first time since Aron knew him, the Minhyun offscreen, his face lacked the assured composure it wore like second skin. His shoulders are tensed and he was visibly refusing to look at him.
Not for the first time, Aron was intrigued by Minhyun.
He doesn't question his actions when his hand reached for his co-actor's chin, moving it slightly so that those eyes are trained on him. He doesn't stop to ask himself just why he's agreeing to this. It's probably the way he asked for permission, like Aron's kiss is worth a fortune.
Aron wants Minhyun's full, undivided attention. He nods to let Minhyun get the message before pulling him into a darker corner of the room.
Besides, if he's being honest, something about those lips, parted and inviting, looked too soft, just ripe enough for picking.
This still counts as practice, right? Surely, the script calls for a kissing scene somewhere and he wants to get it right on their first try.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Aron finds himself leaning closer, desire clearly taking over. He makes a mental note to dissect just what that means for him later.
It delights him to see the tips of Minhyun's ears reddening, eyes alight with anticipation. He looks like he actually wants to kiss Aron! There's a reason Minhyun is a good actor. Suddenly, the thought of seeing what Minhyun would look like in love with him- no, his character, excites Aron.
Now chest to chest, he becomes aware of the heat radiating off the other. The time to back out has long ended; the repercussion left for Aron of the new year to deal with. Right now, Aron wants nothing more than those lips against his.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Minhyun leans forward, closing the distance against them. Taking Aron by surprise, the taste of Minhyun's kisses are more intoxicating like no other alcohol, making his eyes flutter close. It's addicting and one thought resounds in his mind: more.
Two.
He tightens his grip on Minhyun's shoulders, feeling the cloth of the expensive suit wrinkle between his fingers. Mind in a cloudy haze, he wonders if the firecrackers were set off too early or it's just their heartbeats that sounded thunderous in his ears.
Pulling back the slightest to take a breath, Minhyun reaches in, tilting his head downwards to deepen the kiss. Easily falling back into rhythm they started with. Aron feels him circling toned arms around his waist, lifting him a little and pulling him closer. Making it obvious how perfectly his body slots between Minhyun's arms.
One.
Long after the countdown ended, applause fading and the telltale noise of fireworks bringing another round of clapping, Minhyun was still kissing him. Tender, as if he was taking his time to savor a good meal.
And then, like actors would if the director yelled cut and the slate snaps shut, Hwang Minhyun, ever the professional actor, moves away from Aron, staying at a respectable distance. Aron immediately feels cold.
He clears his throat. "So, you wanted to have my new year's kiss?"
He didn't intend to tease but seeing his co-actor look like a deer caught in headlights greatly amused Aron. With a slight shake in his movements that Aron detects because he's looking for it, Minhyun manages to bow to him and just like that, his face regained its usual passiveness. It's fascinating how good Minhyun is at his job.
"Enjoy the rest of your night, Aaron."
Then Minhyun walks away like the room is his red carpet. Back turned to Aron, looking the part of a lover who slipped away from Aron's grasp, and left him with nothing but slightly swollen lips.
But no cameras are rolling right now.
Making sure his voice is leveled, he yells to the retreating figure. "I'm glad it was you, Minhyun!" Letting out a bewildered laugh when Minhyun stumbles, seeming to trip on air. Licking his lower lip absentmindedly, Aron finds himself anticipating the next time they will meet.