Love Under Neon Lights
Pairing: Dance Lee Know x Reader Word Count: 4K Genre: Fluff Warnings: 18+, MDNI, Adult Concepts
You know you shouldn't mix work and love but there is something about how beautiful he is and the way he moves that you can't get over
The Boudoir was everything that the facade outside suggested an ostentatious and excessive ladies club that catered to the taste of the wealthiest women seeking entertainment in this cold cruel world. You, who was neither wealthy or needing entertainment, had been working the bar for the past six months casually and it was a fairly good way to get by. The ladies always tipped generously, and you weren't paid minimum wage which was better than any other place you had tried your luck in. The best part however, had to be the view. Every single night you watched beautiful men dance like they were trying to fuck you, and it was glorious. Well, they weren't actively trying to fuck you per se they were grinding on each other or paying customers, but it was still a joy to watch in between mixing cocktails and opening bottles of champagne.
Without a doubt, you had probably been a little bit naive when you applied for the job. Yes, you knew you would be working in a strip club, so you were positive that there was going to be nudity, and you absolutely knew that you were going to see a lot of the men that danced there in a different light to the men outside of the club. But you were not expecting to be so thrown by how different each of them was to their stage personas though. Felix's duality still threw you he could be sweet, caring and funny before he started his shift, chatting with you about your day and then he would flip like a switch and his kind eyes and dimples would be replaced by an intimidating stare that oozed sensuality that would draw women in like a moth to a flame. Then there was Hyunjin who looked like he had been sculpted by an artist, his beauty masking a romantic and artistic side that could be hidden as soon as the lights turned off, the change to the sexiest man in the room who knew exactly how to woo any woman in the building made your head spin. Finally, there was Minho he was somewhere between the two he was quiet, sarcastic and seemed to notice everything, but he too turned into a graceful and incredibly attractive sex fiend the moment the lights hit him.
He was your favorite, not because of how he looked, even though he was the most attractive man you had ever seen, but because of how he moved with such calculated precision like a predator sizing up the right prey to chase he could have the whole room hanging in suspense with just a single step. It was always fun to watch him dance even if you were loathed to admit that even after the months had gone by, he could still get you as excited as the women who were so desperate to pay for his attention. As long as he never caught you watching him you knew you were safe.
"You look distracted" Jia snickered putting one of the cocktail shakers down a little too hard in front of you.
"No, just thinking" you tried to cover for your obvious inattention, Jia didn't look convinced merely raising an eyebrow and gesturing towards the stage that Minho was due to step out on, you glared and moved to serve a customer pouring a glass of champagne for her and smiling as she left to return to her seat.
"Why don't you just hook up with him and get over it?" Jia continued moving closer to your ear as the music started up and the women cheered "That's what I did, fucked my way through the ones I wanted and got it out of my system".
"Well thanks for that info that I didn't need or want" you rolled your eyes raising your voice enough for her to hear you. She laughed heartily stepping away to return to her end of the bar as Minho appeared on the stage dressed as a fucking cowboy, the silent groan that rumbled in the back of your throat making you embarrassed even in the darkness of the room.
The dancers had always been friendly and welcoming towards you in the months since you had taken the job, they had never been disrespectful always keeping it professional when they were half, or sometimes completely, naked and casual while off the clock. So, you had no illusions that they held not romantic interested in you, they would have tried to at least chat you up if they had so you were confident that your attraction was entirely one sided. As his song finished you forced your attention to return to your work going out to the back to retrieve another crate of clean glasses to replenish the bar. When you collided with Changbin one of the, thankfully half clothed, waiters.
"Shit, sorry Bin" you spluttered an apology trying to maintain your grip on the shiny plastic in your hands.
"It's fine, here let me help" he laughed taking the large black crate from you and letting you lead him back to the bar. "Did anything break? Did you cut yourself?".
"I'm totally fine I was more concerned that I smashed hard plastic into your bare chest" you snorted a soft laugh to cover your embarrassment.
"I've had worse" he shrugged easily placing the crate down for you and nodding to Jia who waved back "You free to get me another round of champagne for table 12?".
Nodding you returned to work mode pouring each glass carefully as the bubbles replaced your thoughts of Minho for at least a few moments then sending Changbin back off into the dimly lit area of the room he had come from. Ringing up the order you noticed a group of women getting a little bit rowdier and realized that all the dancer’s must have finished their stage routines for the night and were roaming around to offer more private shows for the right price, it seemed to be working for Hyunjin who was being followed by a whole table full of ladies to a more private room. A thought popping into your mind as you watched him move towards room 1. Did the dancers have sex with the people they danced privately for? Did Minho? You mentally chastised yourself it was their business if they did but the thought pricked at your heart none the less.
Once closing time came around and the house lights came back on illuminating the room in a tired glow the lustre of illusion crumbled back into the reality of sticky floors, smudged mirrors and glitter that refused to die. Normally the dancers would leave fairly quickly wanting to shower off the sweat and perfume that trailed after them like evidence, it helped you avoid getting caught staring at him if he was no longer in the building, something that you had been failing to do for weeks and which you knew at least a few people had noticed. Jia teased you, Hana pitied you and Han just made jokes that you could do worse but also far better.
You noticed Minho because he didn’t fit the usual post-show chaos. While everyone else rushed out, he lingered in the hallway outside the private rooms, leaning against the wall like he was waiting for something… or someone. His stage persona sharp smirk, controlled chaos, the kind of confidence that made people forget their own names, was gone. In just his street clothes you only noticed him when you were a few feet away, coming to a jolting stop with your trash bags and bar crates.
"I'm not haunting the hallway I need help with room 3" He shrugged, that faint knowing look was there the one that made it feel like he was always slightly ahead of whatever was happening.
You blinked and paused for just a second too long "Uh, sure" you nodded awkwardly. Minho smirked before opening the door for you. You stopped in the doorway, clutching the cleaning cloth a little too tightly. “Oh…”
Inside, the room looked like a crime scene for bad decisions. Glitter everywhere, a broken heel in the corner and something unidentifiable stuck to the couch that you chose not to investigate for your own mental health. Minho stepped in like it was nothing. You bent down to pick up a pile of crumpled bills, focusing on them like they were the most important thing in the world, unfolding each one before you would be able to count them. The pair of you worked in silence for a bit. He was surprisingly meticulous, like cleaning was a personal mission rather than a chore. At one point, he crouched down to scrape something off the floor with the focus of a man defusing a bomb.
"That goop has been here longer than me." You murmured softly wiping one of the mirrors of what looked like smudged handprints.
"I did wonder if you spoke or if it was only when I wasn't around" Minho replied casually his lips twitching.
You heart tripped over itself "I, um, talk" you swallowed your face flushing at how stupid the words sounded to your own ears. "I'm just, uh, busy."
Minho tilted his head enjoying every second "busy? right" he repeated.
You nodded again even though he had turned back to wipe up a small puddle of something you hoped was spilled wine. He was definitely teasing you and you didn't know if that was better or worse. Silence settled over you again, broken only by the soft sounds of cleaning. You balked at a wet wad of tissues that was almost stuck to the floor "I swear people forget basic human behavior in these rooms" you muttered using another dry napkin to pick it up and toss it into one of your bin bags.
“They don’t forget,” Minho said calmly, now collecting glasses with precise, careful movements. “They just don't care; we are there entertainment not actual people.”
You glanced at him, raising a brow, he had never really been an open book, but his words were more telling than you had expected. “That’s… really dark Minho.”
“It’s true though" he shrugged casually knocking a napkin from the table with a glass, so it landed in the crate he was holding. You worked in silence for a few more moments, the quiet surprisingly comfortable. The clink of glass against glass echoed softly as you both moved around the room. You risked a glance up and immediately regretted it when you found him already looking at you. Only he didn't look away when you caught him "Can I ask you something?"
You froze "I guess..."
“Why do you avoid me?” He continued, his eyes not leaving your face.
Your brain stopped leaving your floundering for anything to explain yourself "I'm not... I don't..." you stuttered unconvincingly.
“You are,” he said lightly, stepping closer. Not cornering you exactly just… closer than before but it was enough to make your pulse thump louder. “You won’t look at me when I come to the bar. You hand me drinks like it’s some clandestine drug deal. If I get too close, you suddenly remember something very important on the other side of the room.” He listed each think off on his fingers.
You opened and shut your mouth twice before you could speak “I… didn’t think you noticed,” you admitted, barely above a whisper.
"I notice everything" he smiled softly although it didn't really reach his eyes.
"I just didn't want to make it obvious or make it weird" you twisted the rag between your fingers before looking down at it.
"That you are avoiding me but seem fine around Changbin or Felix?" he pushed neutrally although not hard.
"No, I didn't want to make it awkward for you" you protested softly still not looking up.
"What would be awkward me knowing you dislike me?" he sighed sounding more like he was expecting you to reject him than want to talk to him.
"No...Ugh... Minho" you felt your face burning with shame, but you had to tell him you didn't not like him "I didn't want you to be awkward around me after you knew I liked you more than I should" you finished quietly your throat feeling tight.
Silence stretched for what seemed like a full minute before Minho started laughing, not cruelly or loudly, it was surprised. "Do you mean that?" he asked a small grin forming on his lips.
You groaned softly, your stomach dropping "I'm sorry, I know this makes it..."
"Don't apologize" he interrupted "it explains a lot actually."
You tilted your head confused "it does?"
"Yeah, you’re so casual with Felix and Changbin I just assumed it was your total lack of interest in me" his smiled remained on his face, "you're cute".
You covered your face "I can't believe I just told you that."
"I've been hoping you would say something like that to me at some point." He while he leaned casually against the wall, watching you with that same unreadable, slightly playful expression but it looked softer now.
You almost choked on your own breath. "What?"
"I was trying to figure out a way to ask you out, without having to actually chase you across the room." He smiled, slow and a little mischievous.
Everything went very still as you processed his words "you're what?" you murmured weakly still flustered.
He pushed off the wall, stepping closer again this time more deliberate. “Now that we’ve cleared that up,” he said, quieter, “I’ll ask properly.” Your heart leapt into your throat. “Do you want to go out with me?”
You didn't hesitate "yes" then your eyes widened, it was too fast, too honest.
He laughed again, softer this time. “It’s okay,” he chuckled. “I got the important part.”
You both stood there for a second longer than necessary, neither moving. Then you remembered. “Oh, the room,” you said suddenly, gesturing around. “We didn’t finish cleaning.”
“It can wait,” he smirked.
“…it can’t” you breathed.
He sighed, glancing at the mess, then back at you. “Fine. But if I find more glitter, I’m blaming you.”
"You're the reason there is glitter in here in the first place" you spluttered as he beamed again.
You almost cancelled three times. Not because you didn’t want to go, if anything, that was the problem wanting it too much made everything feel fragile, like one wrong move would ruin it before it even started. You changed outfits twice, then a third time, before you went back to the second one with different shoes. By the time you reached the address that Minho had texted you realized that it turned out to be nothing like what you had expected. You had figured a restaurant or cafe, maybe a bar or even a bowling alley but not a quiet park just as golden hour was about it hit the sky.
"You're early" Minho's voice was more causal but no less warm than the last time you spoke.
You smiled softly "I don't like being late, but I also wanted to scope where you were taking me."
He chuckled quietly "have I managed to do alright?" He joked reaching for your hand, which you let him take, before leading you through the tree lined paths towards the small lake that sat roughly in the middle of the grassy space.
"This is beautiful" you murmured taking in the cute red picnic rug and basket that sat just ahead of you. "I can see why you picked it."
"Your beautiful here, the park is pretty, but you make it something special" Minho smiled letting you sit on the rug wherever you chose to. The extra pillows, that Felix had insisted he pack, letting you get comfortable.
"I...um..." your brain short circuited at the compliment. Minho had never been that straight forward with you, and you liked it more than you really should.
"Here" he chuckled softly pouring you a glass of wine to go with the food that he had meticulously picked out. You took the glass and sipped it quickly feeling like the liquid would give you the courage to not be awkward the whole night.
After a few moments of comfortable silence, you finally asked him a question "why here?"
Minho thought for a moment "because here we don't have to pretend to be anyone else."
You rose an eyebrow at him "I don't pretend to be someone else at work." Your face heating up at the implication.
"You pretend you're mute" Minho chuckled watching your face flush.
"You pretend to be a cop, a cowboy, a biker..." You listed things off from the last few nights you had seen him dance while you worked "Oh and a fireman."
Minho grinned his eyes sparkling "So you have been paying attention to what I do."
You opened and closed your mouth a couple of times before taking another sip of wine "Maybe."
Minho continued to stare at you while he placed some food on a plate for you "Good, I want you watching me." His voice lower than only a moment earlier.
Your mouth went dry and you had to remind yourself to breath "I thought you performed for adoration and cash" you tried to joke although it came out breathier than you would have liked. You took a bite of some kind of small pastry from your plate as the heat crept up your neck.
"I'm not trying to make you nervous" Minho whispered apologetically a soft smile on his lips when you finally looked up at him. "I just want you to know that the feeling is mutual." He sipped his drink watching you.
"I honestly never thought it ever could be" you admitted a little sheepishly "You are always so distant at work I thought you just hadn't decided if I was worth your time yet."
It was Minho's turn to look taken aback "It may shock you but I'm not the most talkative guy in the building." He joked easily "I figured you were shy until you started to avoid me, then I thought you were rude, I eventually realized it was something else, but it took me a while of watching you to figure it out."
"Oh, no one out talks Changbin, except maybe Han" you agreed intentionally not addressing the other part. "Certified yappers those two."
The sun had dipped behind the trees, and the soft shades of orange and pink were starting to swirl across the sky as Minho fed you another strawberry his finger dragging feather lightly against your lip making your shiver as you chewed the sweet fruit.
"You know," he started slowly his eyes locked on your lips "I wanted to see what this would be like. Just us, no work, no club, no glitter."
You smiled genuinely warmth blooming in your chest "and now you have what do you think?"
Minho eyes met yours as his fingers intertwined with yours, another strawberry already on its way to your lips "that I should have asked you out months ago."
"You should have" you grinned "because this, just us, is nice. I like it." You wrapped your lips around the second strawberry as a faint tinge of pink dusted across Minho's cheeks as he moved himself closer to you.
"You are easy to be with" he breathed lounging back against the pillows that you were sitting on. You followed his lead tucking yourself in a little closer to his side as the sky had deepened to a dusky blue, and the first stars were starting to wink into existence. Your hands remain intertwined as you revelled in how a simple picnic was turning into something far more, something deep and warm that was undeniably just yours.
You couldn't help studying his perfect side profile not turning away when he tilted his head towards you. The world shrank away and you were captivated by how warm his eyes were as the locked with yours, the air became thick and a flicker of hesitation flittered across his face before his other hand gently cupped your cheek. Without thinking it through you closed the distance. Minho's lips met yours in a soft tentative kiss, warm and sweet. The delicate moment somehow electric as your hearts synced with the meeting of your lips.
You pulled back just slightly feeling a mis of breathless excitement and shyness "wow" he murmured his voice low, "that was... I've wanted to do that for so long."
You laughed softly watching the smile that tugged on his lips "me too" your fingers brushing your lower lip.
"Would it be too much if I asked to do that again?" He grinned his thumb stroking your cheek gently.
You felt a shiver of excitement, the night stretching before you full of possibilities. “I think I’d like that,” you admitted, heart racing, words soft yet certain.
He leaned in again, slower this time, lips brushing yours in a kiss that lingered, deepened, and carried the promise of more touches, more closeness, more stolen moments where the world felt like it had melted away, leaving only the two of you. Minho’s lips were still curved into a faint smile when he pulled back the second time, though now there was something warmer in his expression less nervousness, more confidence. His thumb traced lazily against the back of your hand, the slow movement making your stomach flutter every single time.
“You’re staring,” you teased softly.
“I know,” he admitted immediately, completely unapologetic. “Can’t help it.”
The honesty in his voice made heat creep into your cheeks. Under the dim glow of the nearby park lights, he looked softer than you were used to seeing him. At the bar, Minho always carried himself with practiced confidence flirtatious smiles, smoldering eyes, effortless charm that drove the customers insane. But here, sprawled beside you on a picnic blanket with his hair slightly messy from the breeze and his cheeks pink from kissing you, he felt real in a way that made your chest ache. His hand slid gently to your waist as he leaned over you slightly, the blanket shifting beneath you both. You could feel the warmth of him even through your clothes, could feel the way he smiled against your mouth when your fingers curled into the front of his jacket to pull him closer.
"I think we might have a small problem" you whispered as he pressed his forehead against yours.
"Hmmm" he hummed "what would that be?" The tension between you had changed it was simmering now; you could feel his breath ghosting across your skin.
"I don't want this night to end" your confession was quiet but honest and you could feel the way his breath caught as you spoke.
"It doesn't have to end yet" Minho tucked a piece of your hair behind your ear. “I mean…” he started carefully, though the growing smile on his face betrayed him completely, “we could always continue this somewhere less public.”
"Minho" you laughed softly "you're dangerously close to me saying yes."
He shifted closer until your noses almost brushed, his voice dropping lower. “Come back with me,” he murmured. “We can order dessert, pretend we’re going to watch a movie, and absolutely fail at paying attention to it.”
Butterflies erupted in your stomach, but there was nothing rushed in the invitation. Nothing pushy. Just warmth and want and the unmistakable excitement of two people realizing they didn’t want to stop discovering each other yet.
You looked at him for a long moment before answering.
“Dessert first,” you said finally.
"I can live with that" he smirked kissing you again this time rolling you under him as he deepened the kiss further, enough that the rest of the world faded into the background while the two of you stayed wrapped together on the picnic blanket already reluctant to let the night end.
a/n: Thank you for reading my lovelies a always your love and support keeps me creating and I am eternally grateful xx
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