The Three Worst Secrets

Catch and Release

The guy at the front acted like he recognized him, letting him in without checking his ID. Inside the music blared under the pulse of purple lights. A few girls asked to dance with him and he rolled easily through a few songs, accepting their drinks as well as any others that came his way. One guy in particular kept sending him shots from the bar, only waving kindly when he held them up as thanks.

Soon the women disappeared. The music changed and he felt slow but warm. Happy maybe. It felt almost like he was happy.

The man from the bar was standing very close to him.

"Who are you here with?" When Minho ignored him, he leaned forward again. "Can I buy you another drink?"

"No. Thanks."

There were hands on his waist but they weren't Seungmin's and so they were wrong. "Fuck off." he stumbled just enough to need the support.

"Stop being such a tease. You saw me watching you this whole time. What, you'll drink my money, but you won't give me a dance?"

"Watching is one thing. Touching is another." He swiped the nuisance away, turning his back on the man and trying to get into the music.

Those hands again, warm breath in his ear as he whispered "I promise you'll enjoy it. "

"What are you stupid? I said get away from me."

The man did the opposite, grinding against his rear, pulling them flush together.

Minho stopped dancing, trying to get him to let go.

He was tall and surprisingly muscular- so he had a slight advantage over him, especially since he was so drunk.

"Get off!"

Everything seemed twisty, the lights kept blurring into each other, spinning the room. He was being pressed into the corner by the stage, and he wouldn't ever be louder than those giant speakers.

No one would hear him.

There was a sobering second of panic as his hands dipped lower, squeezing into the flesh of his backside, and then Changbin was making space between them and barking volatilely into his face.

"What are you doing man?"

There wasn't really a reply, just the guy backing up and trying to leave but Bin clawed a fist into his shirt and brought him down to eye level.

"I said what did you think you were doing?!"

"You know him?"

"Yeah. I know him."

"Well maybe if he wasn't such a tease he wouldn't be-" the voice was cut sharply by Changbin shoving him towards the side door.

The crowd moved out of the way, giving them plenty of room. Minho gasped, following behind, struggling to keep up with the room moving so much.

The night air was a few degrees too cold, and he'd forgotten a jacket.

The touchy man was on the ground at the next shove, half his body in a frigid puddle of rain water. The weather had been bad all week.

"You should apologize. And maybe get some help. There are people who wouldn't be half as nice as I am." The rappers voice filled the little side street, setting goosebumps skittering over his flesh.

"Yeah well, maybe I will! But he still didn't have to be a tease like that. Dancing like a whore and drinking my liquor. So, sorry! Sorry I thought you were coming onto me!"

"Don't you talk to him. Don't even LOOK at him. Come on Minnie." Changbin was a whirlwind of energy. Tucking him against his side and slipping back in, climbing the stairs to the DJ booth.

Innie was inside when they got there, leaning over a very tipsy Felix.

"Woah! Minho? What's going on?" the youngest demanded, his sharp eyes widening almost comically.

"Watch him. I decided that I do want to punch that creep in his mouth after all." Bin said, setting him in a chair and rushing out. Minho wasn't able to grab at him quick enough so he slipped right through his fingers.

"Minnie? Can you hear me?" it was Felix's voice but it was distant and watered down.

He woke a little later in Changbin's arms. They were alone in the booth, Minho leaned back against the firm plane of his chest.

"Uhh? Bin?"

"Hey. Are you okay?"

The room swirled and he slowly shook his head. "No... never gonna drink again. Never again."

Bin laughed "Everyone says that."

"Do they?"

"Yeah. Do you want to go home? Will you be able to sneak back in?"

"Nuh... what time is it?"

"Uhmm, I think it's three?"

"My mom already checked my room. It won't matter."

"So... home?"

"Take me anywhere."

The shorter stood, hefting him into his arms and carrying him down the stairs. It made the elder's heart miss a few beats. "So Felix's house then."

Chan was smirking from the front seat. He couldn't remember getting in the car, but Felix's warm hands were tight on his thigh, one of the blond's skinny legs threaded through his own and Changbin a warm pressure beneath one numbed cheek.