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ONE | IT STARTED WITH A DRUNK MAN ▪︎ kaelix debonair

staring. bouncer ! kaelix debonair × female ! reader

wc. 21k | genre. light angst, fluff, cute, etc. | warnings. flirting, heart-fluttering, first love, first kiss, etc.

kismetune's notes. thank you for choosing to read this fic! I hope this story is your liking! This is my first fic in this account, and I have many more to come in the future! The reader (aka you) will have a name because I am not a huge fan of Y/N, so feel free to replace the name with something else (your name or whatever)! Kaelix is a pretty huge flirt in this fanfic so hope you are ready!

two

You were mad. Not just irritated, but truly angry. The kind of anger that rose up slowly, then all at once, burning from the inside. You didn’t even know the person, not really. He was just some guy sitting two tables away, surrounded by his friends. That should have made it easier to ignore him, but you couldn’t.

The way he spoke made your stomach twist. It wasn’t just the words. It was how easily they left his mouth, as if saying such things was normal. His tone was mocking, arrogant, laced with the kind of confidence that came from thinking no one would challenge him.

Every time he laughed, his friends followed, loud and thoughtless. You could feel the heat crawling up your neck.

At first, you tried to stay calm. You stood and walked over, keeping your voice steady as you asked him to stop. You didn’t yell, didn’t curse. You just wanted him to know it wasn’t okay. But instead of backing down, he looked at you and said something worse. Something sharper. Crueler. You didn’t need to look around to know others had heard it too. The silence that followed made it clear.

That was when the anger spilled over. Your fists clenched tightly. Your voice, once calm, began to rise. You could hear yourself yelling, your own words lost in the rush of frustration. He shouted back without hesitation, and soon the two of you were arguing in front of everyone.

Voices clashing. Words overlapping. You barely noticed the eyes on you. Your breathing was fast, shallow. It felt like your chest was tightening with every second. Your heart pounded so hard you thought it might burst. The man grabbed his cup, a half-finished drink, still cold, and before you could react, he threw it.

You gasped as the liquid hit your face and soaked your hair. The splash spread across your shirt and dripped down your arms. It wasn’t enough to drench you, but it was enough to leave you cold, sticky, and stunned. Around you, people let out shocked gasps. The music didn’t stop, but the air shifted.

You stood frozen, fists clenched so tightly that your nails dug into your palms. You slowly looked down. Drops of the drink clung to the strands of your hair, trailing down your cheek and neck. Your shirt clung slightly to your skin.

Then you looked up and there he was, still smirking. You glared at him, fury simmering just beneath your skin. You opened your mouth, ready to speak, but then you felt a light tap on your shoulder.

Your breath caught in your throat. The man’s smirk faded into something else, surprise, maybe even fear. You turned your head and looked behind you.

Standing there was someone who worked at the live house. You recognized him from earlier. He was probably the bouncer. His expression was calm, maybe a little tired, with a small smile on his face and his eyes gently closed. His head tilted slightly as if trying to soften the situation.

But the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“I am going to have to escort the two of you,” he said in a voice that was gentle, almost polite. A contrast to the storm that had just happened.

You couldn’t say anything. Your voice felt caught in your throat. You didn’t look at anyone. You just followed him through the crowd toward the exit. The man who threw the drink followed a few steps behind.

No words. No eye contact. Just silence, broken only by the fading music behind you.

You walked through the streets on your way home. Cold air brushed against your damp clothes. Your hair clung to your skin. But none of that bothered you anymore. What hurt most was the embarrassment. The shame. You had caused a scene.

You hated that.

You had never done anything like that before. It wasn’t who you were. You didn’t like standing out. You didn’t like raising your voice. You just wanted to stop him, but instead, everything spiraled out of control.

By the time you got home, your hands were still trembling. You didn’t cry right away. You just stood in silence, staring at nothing. After a long shower, you sat down at your desk and began to write.

You didn’t know their names. You didn’t even know if they’d care. But you wrote small letters of apology, one for each of the staff at the live house. You didn’t excuse your actions. You just wanted them to know you were sorry.

After that, you got into bed and checked your phone. Messages from your friends waited for you. Some worried. Some are angry on your behalf. Some are proud of you for standing up. You replied with apologies, even though they told you not to. And then the tears came.

You turned off the light and stared at the ceiling. You cried quietly, your breath shaky as you tried to hold it in. The shame clung to you. Heavy. Stubborn. You didn’t know how to make it go away.

When you woke the next morning, your head felt heavy and your eyes ached. The sun peeked through your window, but it didn’t warm you. You stayed in bed for a while, unsure of what to do. You had no work today. No plans. Nothing except the weight still sitting in your chest.

Eventually, you forced yourself to get up. You washed your face, brushed your teeth, did your morning routine, changed into something simple, a plain white t-shirt and light jeans. Then picked up your purse and gently placed the letters inside.

You didn’t want to go back there. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But the letters were important. You wanted to do something right.

You ate a small breakfast. Your appetite was still missing, but you needed something in your stomach. Then you slipped on your shoes, grabbed your keys, and stepped outside.

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The streets were already busy. Cars, people, voices. The city didn’t pause for your sadness. You walked slowly, unsure where you were going. Your thoughts were loud again. You kept thinking about the night before. About the letters in your bag. About how embarrassed you were.

Maybe you could ask one of your friends to drop them off. But that didn’t feel right either. You were the one who made the mistake. You should be the one to fix it. But the anxiety was overwhelming. Your thoughts were racing. Your chest felt tight. You bit the inside of your cheek, trying to ground yourself with slow, careful breaths.

You weren’t paying attention to where you were walking. Suddenly, you bumped into someone and nearly lost your balance.

“Oh my goodness, are you okay?” a voice asked.You looked up. It was him. The staff member who had escorted you out last night. You froze for a moment, then nodded. “Ah, yes. Thank you.”

He smiled gently. “That’s good. I didn’t watch where I was going.”

“No, no. I wasn’t looking either,” you replied quickly, bowing your head slightly. He was dressed casually today. He just looked like a regular person. It almost made it easier to talk.

“Well, I will be going,” you said softly. He gave a small bow and turned to leave. You watched him for a second.

Then, your heart pounding, you called out. “Wait!” He stopped and looked back, head tilted in curiosity. You stepped forward quickly, gripping your bag. “Uhm... do you happen to work at a live house on Heartbeatz street?”

He blinked, then nodded. “Ah, yes, I do. May I ask why?”

Your hands shook slightly as you pulled the letters from your purse. “I… wanted to give these to you. Could you please give them to the other staff too?”

You handed him the letters before bowing deeply. You didn’t wait for his response. You turned and walked away, trying not to think too much. You didn’t look back.

Kaelix glanced down at the letters in his hands, then looked up at you. You were already walking away, quick steps and slightly hunched shoulders like you wanted the moment to vanish.

His gaze dropped back to the envelopes; four in total, each a different color: yellow, green, red, and blue. Turning them over, he read the words written on the front.

To the bouncer on the yellow.

To the bartender on the green.

To the designer on the red.

To the promoter on the blue.

He tilted his head slightly, curiosity tugging at him. Part of him wanted to open them right there, but the live house still needed supplies before opening. He could wait… though the itch to know lingered.

With a small sigh, he tucked the envelopes into his bag, adjusted the strap on his shoulder, and headed off.

By the time he returned, the sun had dipped low, bathing the live house’s sign in warm gold. Inside, the quiet hum of the fridge mixed with the faint clink of glass.

Zeal stood behind the bar, lazily polishing a glass, sleeves rolled up and damp with condensation. Seible sat at the counter, one elbow propped up, tapping a finger in slow rhythm. Somewhere in the back, Freodore was moving around, the sound of boxes shifting.

Kaelix set the bags on the counter with a dull thud and pulled the blue envelope from his bag, handing it to Seible, then the green one to Zeal. “What’s this?” Zeal asked, turning the envelope in his hand.

“Not sure yet,” Kaelix said, before walking to the back to hand the red one to Freodore. Finally, he pulled out the yellow envelope, the one with his name. He leaned against the wall and carefully tore it open.

Inside was a folded letter. He hesitated, a strange sense that this wasn’t just some casual note. Then, he began to read.

Dear the bouncer of By The Beat Live House,

You must be wondering what this letter is about. Well, to get to the point, I would like to apologize for the inconvenience I caused last night. I was a disturbance and caused a scene. That’s not the kind of person I am, and I regret it deeply.

I wasn’t drunk at all. I never touched any alcohol yesterday, I was simply spending time with my friends after an exhausting week. I had a very bad week, but that should never have been the reason for yelling at a drunk man who probably doesn’t even remember it happened.

When I got home, I felt terrible. I reflected on it for a long time. I will never do that again, in your live house or anywhere else. I’m not writing this to be allowed back in. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for causing trouble.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day, afternoon, evening, or night. This is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

From,

Someone who is very sorry

P.S. You were pretty scary last night. I think the drunk man almost peed from fear. I’ll admit, it made me smile a little just remembering it.

Kaelix read slowly, catching the unpolished but sincere tone in the words. It didn’t feel like someone trying to sweet-talk their way back inside. It was awkward, yes, but honest.

He slid the letter back into the envelope and looked up.

Zeal had the glass in his hands low, reading with a softened expression. Seible wasn’t tapping anymore, his focus locked on his own letter. Even Freodore had paused in the doorway, letter in hand, looking faintly surprised, which was rare for him.

Their eyes met, silent understanding passing between them. “They’re not the type to repeat it,” Freodore said first.

“Yeah,” Zeal agreed with a nod. Seible gave a quiet hum of agreement.

Kaelix gave a small nod of his own. “Alright. If you all think so, then I do too. They seem like kind person.”

But even after the conversation shifted, he found himself thinking about the way you’d walked off earlier, quick, almost nervous. Maybe you really meant every word.

Once you finished shopping, you returned to your apartment. You slipped off your shoes at the doorway, exchanging them for your house slippers. The soft padding against the floor felt like a small relief after walking around all day.

As you carried the bags to the kitchen, your mind drifted. You wondered if they had read your letters yet, the stack you had handed over weeks ago. The thought lingered for a moment before you shook it away with a quiet exhale.

You decided to tidy up a little before settling down to watch something, hoping to keep your mind from wandering back to that night.

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Four weeks passed in a blur. Work consumed every hour of your day, the days bleeding into each other until you lost track of time entirely. The endless deadlines left you exhausted, but in the kind of toxic and competitive environment you worked in, there wasn’t much you could do except take deep breaths and keep going.

It had been a month since you had taken any real break. Even now, with a weekend ahead, you planned to work from home to finish a few projects. Sleep became a rare luxury four hours a night at most and invitations from friends to go to karaoke or grab drinks were politely declined.

Then, unexpectedly, your manager stepped in. She had noticed the dark circles under your eyes, your constant yawns, the way your meals at work had grown smaller and smaller. Without telling you, she went to the higher-ups to plead your case, reminding them of your years of dedication and the fact you almost never took time off.

Now you were sitting in your living room, staring at nothing in particular. You couldn’t even sneak in work if you wanted to; your manager had made sure you were locked out of all company accounts. Your friends were still working during the week, leaving you with long stretches of time alone.

With nothing else to do, you decided to take a walk and see more of the city. After changing into something casual, you slung your bag over your shoulder, locked the door behind you, and stepped outside.

A light breeze met you immediately, brushing cool against your skin. The sound of passing cars and distant chatter filled the air, mingling with the rustle of leaves from the trees lining the street.

You slipped in your earbuds, pressed play on your music, and began humming softly along. Eyes half-closed, you let yourself sink into the moment. Until you bumped into someone.

This time, the impact knocked you off balance completely, and you landed on the ground with a small yelp. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!” A familiar voice. You winced, rubbing your lower back, before glancing up.

It was him—the same man you had met before, the one you had handed the letters to. Today he was dressed casually, just like last time, but without the hurried, guarded look from that night.

You hadn’t expected to see him again, though it made sense. He worked nearby. He offered his hand. “Here, let me help you up.” You hesitated for a moment before accepting it. His grip was warm and steady, and he easily pulled you to your feet.

Finally, he got a good look at your face, and a smile spread across his lips. You were caught off guard. His smile was bright, warm and unforced, completely different from the polite one you’d seen before. For a fleeting second, you thought it was… cute. You quickly pushed the thought away.

“Aren’t you the person who gave me those letters… about four weeks ago?” he asked. You felt your cheeks warm but nodded.

His smile widened. “I haven’t seen you around here in a while.”

“Oh, I’ve been buried in work,” you said with a small, awkward laugh.

His expression softened. “I can tell.” The warmth in your cheeks spread. Then, as if remembering something, he reached into his bag and pulled out a neatly folded envelope. “Here. This is for you.”

You blinked in surprise, accepting it carefully. “What is it?”

“You’ll have to read it to find out,” he replied with a faint smirk. “Actually… Do you want to grab some tea or coffee with me? Or whatever you like?”

You hesitated, glancing down at the envelope, before nodding. “Sure. I’ve got nothing else going on.”

His eyes lit up. “Perfect. I know a café you’ll like.” He led the way, and you followed a few steps behind, watching the easy confidence in his stride.

The café was tucked into a side street, its wide windows spilling warm light across the pavement. “Oh, this place is beautiful,” you said as you stepped inside.

He grinned. “Right? My friend Freodore recommended it ages ago. I’ve been meaning to come, but… well, life got in the way.”

Hearing him speak so fondly of his friend eased some of the lingering nervousness in your chest. “Shall we order?” he asked. You nodded, following him to the counter.

“Welcome to Debonheirs Royale Café. What can I get for you today?” the barista asked with a polite smile. He ordered first, a jasmine tea then stepped aside as the barista turned to you.

You glanced at the menu, your heart starting to race. Coffee wasn’t your thing, and tea wasn’t much better. You swallowed, feeling the familiar pinch of anxiety creeping in. “What would you recommend?” you asked, your voice softer than you intended.

The barista tilted their head thoughtfully. “Do you prefer bitter, sweet, coffee, tea, smoothies, milkshakes?”

“Something sweet, please.”

The barista's face brightened. “In that case, I’d recommend our signature drink, the Debonheir Royale, banana and strawberry flavors, topped with a banana-vanilla ice cream blend that looks like cream. It’s sweet, cold, and perfect for summer.”

“That sounds great. I’ll have that,” you said with a small smile. You reached for your wallet, but before you could pull out your card, he slid in his card first. “This one’s on me,” he said casually.

You glanced at the price of your drink and quickly dug into your bag for the exact amount in cash. After he paid, the two of you found a quiet corner table near the window. Sliding the money toward him, you said, “Here’s for my drink.”

He shook his head. “It’s fine, really. I don’t mind paying.”

“I’d feel guilty if I didn’t,” you insisted.

But he only smiled and pushed the money back. “Please, keep it. Use it for yourself.” You hesitated before tucking the bills back into your bag. Just then, the barista called your order, and he stood to retrieve the drinks.

While he went to get your drinks, you quickly slid the money in his bag that was hanging on the chair back. Then quickly went back to your seat and looked at your phone, trying not to look suspicious.

He came back with the drinks and two desserts. You stared at them for a moment, confused, a strawberry cheesecake and an original vanilla cheesecake. His eyes caught your hesitation. “I ordered the desserts while you were looking,” he said with a small, knowing smile.

You felt a pang of guilt and reached for your wallet, intending to give him more money. But before you could, he set your drink and the strawberry cheesecake in front of you, then carried his own orders to his seat. As he walked away, you quickly slipped an extra bill into his bag, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

When he returned to his seat, you nervously lifted your drink, feeling the cool condensation against your fingers. The faint warmth from the lights above and the soft hum of music in the background made your heartbeat feel louder than it really was.

“Oh, if it’s alright… may I have your name?” you asked, your voice softer than you intended, almost lost among the subtle chatter and clinking glasses around you.

He swallowed, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he glanced down at his drink before meeting your eyes. “Oh, I must have forgotten. My name is Kaelix. Kaelix Debonair. And you?”

“Jae, Moon Jae,” you replied softly, your fingers tightening slightly around the glass as your voice trembled ever so slightly.

“Moon Jae… that sounds beautiful,” he murmured, letting your name roll off his tongue with a melodic ease that made your chest feel impossibly light.

Your heart skipped a beat. You weren’t expecting your name to sound so… magical, especially coming from someone like him. Your breath caught, and the warmth rushing to your cheeks made you quickly raise the glass to take a sip, hoping the action would hide the heat rising in your face.

Kaelix sipped his drink, eyes steady on you, as though measuring every subtle shift in your expression. “Why don’t you read the letter? Unless… you want to do that on your own,” he suggested, voice gentle, almost coaxing.

Your eyes widened. “Oh, right!” You scrambled through your bag, hands shaking with nervous excitement, until finally, your fingers brushed against the envelope. Pulling it out, you marveled at its elegant yet simple design. Carefully, you opened it and began to read, each word making your chest tighten and your mind whirl with emotions.

As you finished, your head shot up. Kaelix was still watching you. Realizing it, your cheeks flamed instantly, and you looked down at the table, fingers fidgeting with the letter as if it could anchor your racing thoughts. “Really?” you whispered, barely audible.

He nodded, a calm but encouraging expression on his face. “Mhm. We’d love for you to come back… but only if you feel comfortable.”

“But… I caused a ruckus,” you admitted, timidly lifting your gaze to meet his.

He shook his head, a reassuring smile tugging at his lips. “It’s not your fault. We could tell how much you meant it just from reading your letter.”

Tears pricked your eyes, blurring your vision, and before you could stop them, they began to fall. Kaelix’s eyes widened, and he quickly moved closer. You wiped frantically at your face with your sleeves. “I… I’m sorry…” you stammered, but the tears made words impossible, leaving only quiet sobs.

“It’s okay,” he said softly, sliding some napkins toward you. You took them politely, dabbing your face, your heart racing. You looked at him, eyes wet, feeling the urge to hide but unable to. He wanted to reach out, to wipe away your tears, but hesitated, he couldn’t, not without your consent.

After a long moment, you blinked, taking a deep breath, and forced yourself to smile faintly. “You okay now?” he asked gently. You nodded, a small sense of relief washing over him, and he returned to his seat. You took another sip of your drink, cheeks still warm, feeling the lingering tremor of emotion in your hands. “Sorry… I don’t even know why I cried.” You awkwardly smiled.

“It’s okay not to know. Crying is healthy and good,” he reassured, eyes soft and unwavering.

You exhaled slowly, calming yourself. “I’ll see…” His smile broadened, encouraging and warm. “Of course. Take your time. We’ll welcome you back whenever you’re ready.”

The two of you exchanged a few more words, letting the conversation drift gently, before he finally stood. “It was a pleasure talking to you, Jae,” he said.

“You too, Kaelix,” you replied, voice soft but sincere, watching as he left with a quiet, confident grace.

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A week later, after much deliberation and encouragement from your friends, you decided it was time to return to the live house. Evening had settled in, painting the sky with warm streaks of amber and violet, and a knot of nerves twisted in your stomach, mingled with a faint flutter of excitement.

You dressed simply, choosing a pastel yellow maxi skirt, a plain white t-shirt, and a white beret. Light makeup accentuated your features, giving you a sense of quiet confidence despite your nerves. Yellow flats completed the outfit, and a sunflower bracelet wrapped gently around your wrist, a small talisman of courage.

Looking in the mirror one last time, you drew in a deep breath. “You can do this,” you murmured, trying to steel yourself, grabbed your purse, and stepped out. Today, you were going alone; your friends had work to finish, leaving you to navigate the familiar but intimidating space by yourself.

Walking down the slightly busy street, you clutched your purse tightly, feeling every beat of your racing heart. The live house came into view, the neon sign glowing softly in the twilight. You pulled out your ID and stepped into the line, trying to steady your breathing. Kaelix stood at the entrance, his usual calm smile in place as he checked IDs, a comforting constant amidst your nerves.

As the people in front of you moved inside, he finally looked up. His eyes met yours, and his face lit up instantly. “Yay! You came!” he exclaimed, clapping happily.

You offered a shy smile, cheeks warming, and handed him your ID. His gloved fingers brushed yours lightly as he returned it. “You’re good to go!” he said warmly.

“Oh, right. Go talk to Zeal. He has something for you!” Kaelix added, his tone playful as you stepped into the familiar space.

The live house welcomed you with the soft, steady pulse of music. The polished bar reflected the warm light, while the faint aroma of citrus and alcohol filled the air. Guests clustered in small groups, some laughing, others quietly swaying to the rhythm of instruments being tuned on stage.

At the center, Zeal moved behind the counter with practiced ease, sliding drinks across the bar, shaking a silver mixer, all while flashing a casual, confident smile that drew eyes without effort. You hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to speak, but his gaze found you. Recognition sparked across his face.

“Oh—hey,” he called, voice warm and steady, carrying easily over the low music. He grinned, tilting his head toward you while still finishing a pour. “You must be Jae, right?”

Caught off guard, you froze, then nodded quickly.

“Stay there for a second,” Zeal said, turning his attention to a guest as he slid their drink over with a charming smile. Only then did he approach you, towel in hand, wiping down the bar as he leaned slightly forward.

“Kaelix told me about you,” he said, eyes glinting with playful amusement. “Said you don’t really drink, so I put together something a little different. Thought you might like it.”

He placed a tall glass in front of you. The drink shimmered in layers of pink and gold, condensation rolling down the sides. A faint, sweet aroma rose from it, reminiscent of summer strawberries and citrus. Your eyes widened. “Is this for me?”

“Of course,” Zeal said easily, resting his elbows on the counter. Then he smirked. “And before you think about paying, don’t. On the house.”

You hesitated, a twinge of guilt rising. “But—”

“Don’t even think about sneaking money into Kaelix’s bag again,” Zeal interrupted with a knowing grin. “He’s still complaining about that.”

Your cheeks burned immediately. “He told you about that?”

“Of course. He wouldn’t stop talking about it… or generally about you,” Zeal laughed, shaking his head.

Your heart fluttered, the noise of the live house fading into the background. You looked down at the glass, hoping he wouldn’t see your blush.

Zeal leaned back, studying your reaction with a quiet amusement. “Go on, try it. I promise it’s better than it looks.”

Hesitantly, you lifted the glass, the cool surface pressing against your palms. One sip made your eyes widen; the flavors were sweet, smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, as if made just for you.

“…It’s really good,” you admitted softly, and Zeal’s grin broadened.\

“Thought so,” he said, turning as another guest waved him over. He shot you one last glance, leaving you with the lingering sweetness of the drink and the warmth of his words.

You walked to an empty table away from the crowd, carefully setting the glass down. The hum of conversation and the soft strum of a guitar from the stage filled the air, a soothing rhythm that made your heart slow a fraction. You took another sip, letting the fruity sweetness settle on your tongue. “You look bored.”

Startled, you nearly jumped, quickly looking up. Kaelix was standing beside you, smiling gently. His presence seemed to fill the space, warm and calm, drawing your attention completely. Before you could reply, he slid into the seat next to you, close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him.

“Ah, you could say that,” you admitted shyly, voice barely above a whisper. “Aren’t you supposed to be outside?”

He frowned slightly, as if genuinely upset. “You don’t want me here?”

“N-No, of course not… I mean…” Your words tumbled out in a jumble, and your cheeks heated as you tried to correct yourself.

Kaelix chuckled softly, the sound smooth and melodic, wrapping around your nerves like a soft blanket. “I was joking. Don’t worry, there’s another bouncer outside. I’m just taking a break.”

You took another sip of your drink, cheeks still tingling, silently hoping no one had noticed your flustered state. If your friends were here, they would be teasing you relentlessly right now.

Kaelix leaned on the table, resting his head on his palm, eyes fixed on you. “You look beautiful,” he said bluntly, the words gentle yet firm, as though he wanted to make sure you truly heard them.

Your heart jumped, and your drink caught in your throat. You coughed harshly, eyes watering slightly, while your face burned hotter than ever. His eyes widened immediately, and he sprang up, disappearing for a moment only to return with a glass of water.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to make you choke,” he said, pressing the glass toward you.

You shook your head, lowering the glass onto the table. “It’s alright… it was just… sudden.”

“But it’s true. You’re beautiful,” he repeated, his gaze unwavering. It felt as if the rest of the world had faded away, leaving only him and the faint hum of the live house. “Are you dating anyone?”

“Huh?” You blinked, taken off guard. Your mind scrambled to make sense of the question.

“Are you in a relationship?” he gently rephrased the words, leaning closer, his eyes warm and expectant.

“No… never,” you admitted, voice soft, cheeks flushing even more. “Not in high school, not in university.”

“What?” He raised his brows, genuinely surprised. “Seriously? Then they’re fools. You’re a rare gem.”

Your blush deepened, your thoughts spinning. “I’m nothing special,” you whispered, almost to yourself.

“No, you are,” he countered gently, leaning back slightly but still watching you intently. “They missed out. I’m glad they did.”

You tilted your head, curiosity flickering in your eyes. “Why?”

He chuckled under his breath, the sound quiet and warm. “Cute,” he muttered, shaking his head as if you had done something adorable without realizing it.

A comfortable silence fell between you, the kind that made the world outside the table fade. Then, leaning closer, Kaelix’s voice lowered, confident and earnest. “I like you, Jae. I’ve liked you for a while. You’re beautiful, sweet, and I don’t think I can stop looking at you or talking to you. I’d love to date you.”

Your heart stuttered violently, a mixture of shock and delight washing over you. You swallowed hard, your voice barely a whisper as you confessed, “I… I’d love that too.”

His face lit up instantly, eyes sparkling. He leaned back, resting his head on his palm again, legs swinging slightly under the table like a boy who had just received the best news. “So… we’re dating?”

You nodded, shyly smiling, unable to tear your gaze away from him. Before you could react further, he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to your left cheek. Your eyes widened, your entire face heating as though the world had shrunk to just the two of you.

“You’re so cute,” he said with a grin that made your heart flutter. “I have to get back to work, but don’t move. I want to take you out to dinner after. Our first date.” He kissed your other cheek before standing, his smile lingering, brighter than the lights around you.

Your heart pounded wildly, caught somewhere between nervous excitement and pure joy. Before you could even process what you were doing, your feet carried you forward. You pushed past the chatter and movement around you, weaving through the crowd with hurried apologies spilling from your lips.

Reaching him at last, you caught hold of his gloved hand, the fabric cool and firm beneath your touch. Without giving yourself the chance to hesitate, you leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his left cheek. The boldness of the gesture startled even you, and your pulse raced even faster.

Almost instantly, you pulled back, turning on your heel to walk away before he could see just how flustered you had become.

He froze in place, eyes widening in surprise before his fingers brushed over the spot where your lips had touched. A faint blush crept across his cheeks, the color growing deeper as a shy smile broke across his face. A soft, almost disbelieving laugh escaped him, light and genuine.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward and reached for your hand. His touch made you stop in your tracks, and you slowly turned to face him. His gaze found yours, warm and playful, but also steady in a way that made your chest tighten. It was as if he was looking past the surface, straight into the very core of you.

Holding your hand delicately, Kaelix lifted it closer, his movements unhurried, as though he wanted to savor the moment. When his lips brushed against the back of your hand, the kiss was soft and gentle, yet it carried a quiet sincerity that left your heart racing.

“Thank you for the kiss, love,” he whispered, his voice low and intimate. Another delicate kiss brushed your hand before he returned to his post, still smiling, leaving you standing there, frozen, heart racing a mile a minute.

You slowly made your way back to your table, hiding your face in your hands for a moment, but a smile crept across your lips despite yourself. The air around you felt lighter, the soft music, the glow of lights, the hum of conversation, all of it seemed brighter now, as though the world itself had shifted slightly just for you.

You leaned back in your chair, taking a deep breath, still trembling slightly with happiness. The sip of your drink never tasted so sweet. And for the first time in a long while, you felt completely, undeniably, at peace.

───────────────────────────────

Hours had passed, yet you still found yourself in the live house, waiting for Kaelix to return. The place buzzed faintly with chatter and music, though most of the crowd had thinned. Zeal had come by earlier, making small talk to keep you company. At one point, two other men, Freodore and Seible had also stopped by, introducing themselves briefly before leaving you to your thoughts.

Now, you sat alone at your table, the dim glow of your phone lighting your face. You scrolled through messages, texting your friends for updates and to help pass the time. They were quick to tease, already shipping you and Kaelix together. Their playful words made you smile, but more than anything, their support filled you with relief. You didn’t feel so alone in your nerves anymore. “I'm back!”

The sudden voice startled you, and you jumped slightly before looking up. Kaelix was there, sliding back into the same seat he had sat in before. A sweet smile was plastered across his face, soft and genuine.

“What are you doing?” he asked, leaning a little closer. His breath brushed against your neck, and you felt yours hitch at the sudden closeness.

“I was talking to my friends to pass the time,” you replied, trying to sound casual though your voice carried a nervous edge.

He hummed quietly, a low sound of acknowledgment, before resting his head on your shoulder. The simple gesture sent your body stiff, your heart pounding wildly against your chest. You exhaled slowly, trying to calm yourself down. “Was it busy out there?” you asked softly.

“Mhm. It was busy,” he answered, his voice gentle, “but you’re here, so I am alright.”

Your heart skipped several beats, his words echoing in your head and leaving you flustered. Before you could even respond, you felt the warmth of his hand settling over yours. You glanced down in surprise, noticing his hand was bare now, his touch unguarded and gentle as his fingers closed lightly around yours. Quickly, your gaze darted back up, only to meet his eyes. He was already looking at you, smiling softly, and for a moment, you forgot how to breathe.

“Ready for the date?” he asked quietly. You blinked twice, the question sinking in, and then nodded slowly. Kaelix stood from his chair, his presence calm and sure. “Alright, I’ll be back. I just need to do some things first.”

You could only nod again, words refusing to leave your lips. As he walked away, you let out the breath you hadn’t realized you had been holding. Your mind spun with thoughts, the weight of everything pressing down at once. To distract yourself, you slipped back onto your phone, scrolling absently as the minutes stretched on.

When Kaelix finally returned, an hour had passed. This time he wore casual clothes, simple yet stylish, and not overly formal. Your head lifted at once, phone forgotten, when you noticed him walking toward you.

“Ready?” he asked. You smiled, tucking your phone into your purse, and gave a small nod. He reached out, taking your hand once more, and guided you out of the live house. The noise and lights faded behind you, replaced by the quiet calm of the night street.

You walked side by side, your hands still joined, the cool night air brushing against your skin. Kaelix glanced at you every so often, his eyes catching the soft glow of moonlight reflecting in yours. You looked at peace, as though you were truly enjoying this, and the sight made his heart feel lighter than it had in a long time.

When the two of you reached the restaurant, Kaelix stepped ahead and opened the door before you could reach for it. “After you,” he said warmly.

You smiled shyly, murmuring thanks as you stepped inside. The host greeted the two of you with a kind smile. “Welcome.”

Kaelix spoke with them briefly before turning back to you, reaching for your hand again as the host guided you both to a table. The table was beautifully set, polished and elegant, almost intimidating in its presentation. You shifted slightly, the thought of being underdressed making you self-conscious.

Kaelix pulled out your chair for you, and you sat down with a small nod of thanks before he crossed to his seat opposite you. A waiter came by soon after. “What would the two of you like?”

You opened the menu, scanning the options and quickly noticing the expensive prices. You searched carefully for something more affordable.

“I’ll have the Chicken Carbonara Alfredo and just water,” you said, offering the menu back once you settled on the least expensive option.

The waiter wrote it down before turning to Kaelix, taking his order as well, then disappeared with a polite nod.

Silence lingered for a moment, and you shifted nervously in your seat, the feeling of being underdressed gnawing at you. Kaelix noticed immediately. He reached across the table, his fingers brushing over your hand before curling around it gently. His thumb smoothed over your skin in slow, calming strokes. “Jae, it’s okay,” he reassured softly.

You lowered your gaze to your lap, admitting quietly, “I feel underdressed for an expensive restaurant.”

His hand continued to smooth over yours, patient and steady. “Jae, I want you to enjoy this date. Don’t worry about what you’re wearing. To me, you’re perfect just as you are.”

You nodded, though the unease still lingered in the back of your mind. Kaelix’s reassurance helped, yet a part of you couldn’t stop second-guessing yourself.

The waiter soon returned, carrying both plates carefully. He placed them in front of you with a polite smile. “Please enjoy.” With that, he gave a small bow before leaving the two of you alone once again.

You glanced down at your dish, the creamy pasta steaming faintly, and picked up your fork. Across the table, Kaelix began cutting into his meal as well. For a while, neither of you spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but it pressed gently between you, filled only by the faint clink of silverware against porcelain.

You twirled a small portion of pasta around your fork, taking a slow bite. The flavor was rich, almost too rich, and you swallowed carefully before glancing up. Kaelix was already watching you between his own bites, his expression soft and unreadable.

Your chest tightened under his gaze, and you quickly dropped your eyes back to your plate, focusing on eating. The silence stretched on, steady and quiet, like a fragile thread neither of you dared to break just yet. Still, you could feel it—beneath the stillness, something warm was building.

Without realizing it, you had finished the entire plate. The fork slipped quietly from your hand, and you reached for the glass beside your plate, sipping slowly to ease the fullness.

“How was the food?” Kaelix asked suddenly, his voice pulling your gaze upward.

You cleared your throat, placing the glass back down before answering. “It was good.”

“That’s good,” he replied with a small smile, taking another bite from his own plate. When he looked back up, his eyes lingered on you for a moment. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he lifted his hand and pointed to the corner of his mouth. “You got something here.”

Your eyes widened. Heat rushed to your face as you quickly grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the spot. “Is it gone?” you asked, wiping at your lips again, hoping to erase any trace.

Kaelix shook his head lightly, setting his silverware aside. “Here, let me help.”

You froze as he leaned in closer. The napkin slipped from your fingers, forgotten, while his hand rose between you. His thumb brushed gently at the corner of your lips, his touch careful and unhurried.

“There,” he murmured, his voice brushing against your ear. The closeness sent a sharp shiver down your spine, your breath catching in your throat as the world seemed to quiet around you.

Kaelix leaned back slightly, but not before catching the dazed look on your face. A smirk curved his lips. “Are you shy?” he whispered, his words tickling the shell of your ear.

Your cheeks burned hotter, your whole body stiff with the weight of the moment. The warmth of his breath lingered on your skin even after he finally pulled away and wiped his thumb with his napkin.

You sat frozen, mind blank and pulse racing. “Earth to Jae.”

You blinked rapidly, snapping out of your daze as you looked back at him. “Huh?”

Kaelix chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Shall we go?”

“But don’t we need to pay?” you asked, confusion slipping into your voice as you glanced back at the table.

“Don’t worry, I already paid while you were spacing out,” Kaelix replied casually, as if it were nothing.

Your eyes widened. You looked at him in surprise, meeting his gaze. “How much is it?” you asked, already bracing yourself to pay your portion.

He shook his head, his smile soft yet firm. “Don’t worry about that either. I want to treat you.”

“But—”

“No buts,” he cut in smoothly, his tone playful but leaving no room for argument. “Let’s go. We have some other things I want to do before the day ends.”

You sighed softly in defeat and rose from your chair. Before you could even reach for your purse, Kaelix grabbed it with ease.

“After you,” he said, gesturing toward the door with a light grin. You blinked, slightly flustered, but obeyed, stepping out first while he followed close behind.

The cool evening air wrapped around you as you exited the restaurant. Without hesitation, Kaelix reached for your hand with his free one, his grip steady and warm. Walking side by side once again, you matched your pace to his, uncertain of where he was leading you but choosing to trust him nonetheless.

When you glanced up at him, the moonlight caught in his eyes, revealing the striking blend of blue with streaks of lime green, no, yellow shimmering in the irises. The sight was mesmerizing, like a secret the night sky had chosen to reveal only to you.

Kaelix noticed your gaze and looked back at you. The moment your eyes met, heat rushed to your cheeks. You quickly looked away, hoping he hadn’t noticed how flustered you were.

When you arrived at the next location, it wasn’t far from the restaurant. A quiet park stretched out before you, bathed in soft moonlight. Kaelix gently guided you toward the open grassy area, his fingers laced with yours.

As you drew closer, your steps slowed. Strings of fairy lights shimmered in the distance, glowing like tiny stars scattered across the field. The soft lights framed a scene that made your heart skip—right in the center sat a blanket neatly spread on the grass, a wicker picnic basket resting on one corner, yellow petals carefully scattered around, and a small lantern glowing faintly beside it.

Your lips parted in surprise. “Kaelix…”

He only smiled at you, his eyes full of warmth, and pulled you closer to the glowing circle of lights. You slipped off your shoes, feeling the cool grass beneath your feet, and he quickly did the same. The two of you sat down together, the night wrapping you in a cocoon of gentle silence and soft light.

You looked around again, your chest swelling with emotion. “This is beautiful.”

Kaelix tilted his head, watching your expression. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Like? No…” You shook your head, smiling as you met his gaze. “I love it.”

His smile widened at your words, and for a moment, he simply looked at you. The fairy lights reflected in his mismatched eyes, and he shifted closer until his knee brushed against yours.

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