After rummaging through the market all afternoon and shopping a few things, we found a secluded bar and sat down at a corner table and ordered soju and some stew to warm ourselves up in the dropping temperature.
The warmth from the stew and soju created a cosy atmosphere in the bar, and our conversation took a playful turn as the alcohol started playing its role.
"Mingyu said I should take off my shirt once, and everyone would go crazy, for a photoshoot or in a concert" Dokyeom confessed with a smirk.
"I hate the idea, but I agree with him. There's everything to go crazy for under that shirt," I agreed, raising a shot glass of alcohol and pointing towards his torso and downing the shot later.
"Uh-huh?" Dokyeom responded, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Yeah. So anyways, are you taking up Mingyu on that suggestion?" I inquired, trying to keep the conversation light and my jealousy hidden in every shot.
"I might. Are you jealous?" he asked, his tone mischievous.
I didn't answer immediately, allowing a moment of playful silence to hang in the air. Dokyeom seized the opportunity.
"You're jealous, but you won't admit it?" he prodded, a teasing smile playing on his lips as he leaned in on the table facing me closer.
"Mhm," I finally admitted, feigning nonchalance.
"I mean, I might as well take off my shirt for them, but there's only one person who I take my pants off for," he declared with a playful look and shrugged as if he hadn't made the cheesiest joke to ever exist. This is what our wasted drunk conversations looked like, baseless dirty flirting.
I couldn't help but burst into laughter, a mix of amusement and embarrassment at his corny yet surprisingly effective line. It had us both laughing our asses off.
"Okay, you are so corny, fucking hell," I exclaimed, shaking my head, impressed and surprised at his words.
"That was good," Dokyeom said, proud of his moment.
Before I could answer he confirmed himself, "No it wasn't, wah I'm a bit embarrassed now"
I laughed back, unable to suppress a cringe-induced laugh at his unexpected yet entertaining comment. Our playful banter and dirty flirting continued, adding a layer of lightness to the cosy atmosphere of the bar.
As the night wore on, the soju bottles kept dwindling, and it became evident that I was a bit more affected by the alcohol than Dokyeom. My praises for his various talents became increasingly effusive, accompanied by bouts of giggles that echoed through the bar.
Dokyeom, amused by my intoxicated state, decided it was time to intervene. With a chuckle, he subtly disposed of every shot poured into my glass behind him, ensuring my drunken state didn't escalate any further.
"Alright, that's enough drinking for tonight," he declared with a playful grin, gently taking my hand as we prepared to leave the bar. We stumbled a bit on our way out, and the crisp night air hit us, momentarily sobering me up.
As we walked through the quiet streets, our laughter echoed, filling the night with a lighthearted energy. Leaving the car in our we decided to walk since we couldn't drive in this state. The way home took an unexpected turn when, in front of a convenience shop, I spotted an arcade claw game that seemed to have caught my attention.
Fuelled by a tipsy determination, I insisted on trying the game, trying to get at least one of the stuffed toys. However, my enthusiasm quickly turned into annoyance as I realised the machine was rigged. Or maybe I was just too drunk to play it right. In my slightly tipsy state, I couldn't contain my frustration.
"This is absolutely fraud! Capitalism at its worst, just trying to grab money!" I exclaimed, voicing my discontent loudly in front of the shop as I won no stuffed toys in the claw machine. Petty behaviour, I know.
Dokyeom swept me off my feet, lifting me into his arms. "Alright, let's not cause a revolution tonight," he joked, carrying me away from the scene of my tipsy protest.
I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation, enjoying the unexpected adventure of the night.
As Dokyeom led me through the dimly lit streets, I couldn't help but continue my tipsy tirade.
"But seriously, it's like they're scamming people with this game. Unbelievable!" I ranted, my words slurring a bit.
Dokyeom chuckled, his grip steady on my hands as he navigated the uneven sidewalk. "I think you've made your point, loud and clear."
"I mean, who even falls for these things? It's like they want us to believe we can win, but it's all a trap!" I rambled on, gesturing wildly with my hands.
Dokyeom laughed heartily. "You fell for it."
"I should start a movement! No more rigged games!" I declared with faux determination, earning another round of laughter from Dokyeom. Making him laugh at absolute silly things was my favourite thing to do.
"Save it for tomorrow. Tonight, let's just focus on getting you home in one piece," he suggested, leading me home.
As we reached the end of the alley, I noticed a row of colourful small capsule toys machines outside. The sight immediately captured my attention, and I wiggled out of Dokyeom's arms.
"Wait, I need to try these! They're not rigged like that evil arcade machine," I insisted, stumbling toward the colourful capsules.
Dokyeom sighed in amusement, tired, but followed along. "Alright, but just a quick one."
I eagerly fed coins into the machine, turning the dial and waiting for what would emerge. Dokyeom watched with amusement as I excitedly examined my tiny prize.
"It's a little keychain! Look, it's so cute!" I exclaimed, showing it to him as if I'd discovered a priceless gem.
Dokyeom chuckled. "Well, I'm glad it made you happy. Now, let's really get you home before it gets colder." He spoke, rubbing his hands together.
Giving the keychain to Dokyeom as a tiny gift from me, we resumed our journey home. Noticing I was cold, he gave me his own hot packs and scarf making sure I was warned up pretty well.
The next day, Dokyeom woke up with a cold. Nose and ears all red and sneezing his way throughout the morning. He laid down on the bed with the comforter wrapped around his body. He looked like a burrito. Informing his manager and members, he tried to get some rest.
"You have a fever" I spoke, dejected, looking at the thermometer and he hid his face in the pillow trying to cough away from my direction. "Let me make you a congee, rest till then okay?" I spoke, patting his back gently and he nodded with half open eyes.
I made my way into the kitchen and started making the congee. About 15 minutes later, Dokyeom walked outside, the blanket still wrapped around his body and a small part of it following behind like a tail. He lied down on the couch and faced me keeping an arm under his head supporting it like a pillow.
"I can't sleep," he murmured, his voice sounding groggy and congested. "I can't sing either," he added with a hint of disappointment.
"Take care of yourself then," I remarked, glancing at him as I continued cooking.
"I do!" he protested, his stuffed-up voice contradicting his words.
"Promise me first," I insisted, placing the lid over the pot and walking toward him. Sitting beside him, he shifted to rest his head on my lap.
"Promise me you'll start putting yourself before others, even me! You can't go around getting sick; I can't handle that," I pleaded and Dokyeom gave me a 'I'm a human, I get sick as well' look.
"I can't make promises I won't keep, Hana. I do take care of myself enough," he replied, causing my shoulders to slump.
"Just take care of your health! We were getting home in 10-15 minutes max; you didn't have to give me those hand warmers," I argued, my voice maintaining a normal tone.
"Why are you scolding me? I'm a sick person—wah," he covered his ears, scrunching his face.
"Because I'm not used to you getting sick; it's frightening, okay?" I confessed, caressing his hair. Instead of being concerned, he smiled up at me.
"I'll be fine~ The cold will go away by tomorrow, my IV still works I hope. Plus you taking care of me makes me warm; keep it coming," he shrugged, his smile reaching his eyes, making me chuckle.
"I have a few minutes until the congee is done; let me warm you up," I suggested, tapping his hands so he'd open up the blanket.
Dokyeom complied, chuckling, and I laid down against his body, wrapping my arms around him as he wrapped us both in the blanket.
"This is perfect," he whispered, and I rubbed his back, creating a cocoon of warmth and care.
Thank you for reading