Beomgyu's POV:

I quickly slipped on my sneakers, glancing at the clock as I waited for Yeonjun. After what felt like forever, he finally emerged from the room.

My eyes widened as I took him in. His black hair was slicked back, sharp and effortlessly cool. He was dressed in black pants, a sleeveless shirt, and a leather jacket that hugged his frame perfectly. The look was striking, dark, edgy, and undeniably captivating.

“You’re going to catch a cold,” I blurted out, unable to hide my concern.

Yeonjun smiled, his eyes softening as he closed the distance between us. “As long as I have you, the cold doesn’t stand a chance,” he replied smoothly.

I swallowed hard, feeling my cheeks heat up. “W-What kind of nonsense is that?” I muttered under my breath, glancing away to hide my embarrassment.

He chuckled softly, reaching out to brush his thumb against my cheek. His touch was gentle, yet it left a trail of warmth. Leaning in, he pressed a featherlight kiss to my forehead.

“Come on, let’s go,” he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of affection and playfulness.

I nodded, my heart thudding in my chest as I followed him out, unable to shake the way his words lingered in my mind.

We each put on a hat and mask before heading out, a necessary precaution to avoid bumping into fans. As much as I understood the need for discretion, it gnawed at me. I wanted to date him openly, without fear or secrecy. I wanted everyone to know, especially his fangirls, that Yeonjun was mine. He wasn’t just a fantasy; he was committed, occupied, taken.

As possessive as Yeonjun could be over me, I realized I was just as possessive over him,maybe even more.

We were in the car now, Yeonjun at the wheel, and I sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window as these thoughts swirled in my mind. The city lights blurred as we passed them, but my mind was too clouded to appreciate the view.

Suddenly, I felt his warm hand resting on my thigh. His focus remained on the road, but his touch was grounding, a silent reminder of his presence.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, his voice calm and filled with curiosity.

I turned to look at him, meeting his gaze briefly before he turned back to the road. His profile looked so effortlessly perfect in the dim glow of the dashboard lights.

How could I tell him everything I was thinking without sounding ridiculous?

"Nothing," I replied quickly, hoping he’d let it go.

“Come on,” he pressed, his voice gentle but insistent. “I know you’re thinking about something.” His hand on my thigh began to caress softly, his thumb tracing small, soothing circles. His eyes stayed fixed on the road, one hand steady on the wheel, but his attention was undeniably on me.

I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to share my thoughts. Finally, I spoke softly, barely above a whisper. “I was just thinking... that after we disband as a group... I’ll finally be able to date you openly.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw a faint smile tug at his lips. He didn’t look at me, his focus still on the road ahead, but I could tell he was moved by my words.

“Of course,” he replied quietly, his tone reassuring and warm. “Just promise me one thing, don’t give up on me until then.”

His words made my chest tighten, a surge of affection rushing through me. I reached down, gently grabbing the hand resting on my thigh, and intertwined my fingers with his.

“I wouldn’t,” I said firmly, a small smile spreading across my lips as I turned to look at the road alongside him. “I never would.”

Yeonjun’s POV:

His words left a warmth in my chest, a feeling I couldn’t quite describe but didn’t want to let go of. When we pulled up to the fancy five-star restaurant, I parked the car and stepped out first. Circling around, I opened the passenger door for him with a flourish.

Beomgyu chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Huh, suddenly a gentleman?” he teased, his voice laced with amusement.

I shook my head, smiling. “Always a gentleman,” I replied, extending my hand.

He took it, and as his self-proclaimed gentleman of the day, I helped him out of the car, our fingers briefly brushing in a way that made my heart skip. Without letting go, I intertwined our hands and led him into the restaurant.

We had booked a private VIP seating area, away from prying eyes and curious whispers. Once seated across from each other at the elegant table, I took a moment to absorb our surroundings. The restaurant had a sophisticated black and deep maroon theme, with dim lighting in hues of warm orange and rose gold. The atmosphere was intimate, almost dreamlike, and under the soft glow, Beomgyu looked absolutely breathtaking.

As we settled in, I reached across the table and took his hand in mine. My thumb traced gentle circles over his skin, a quiet reassurance, a silent connection.

He glanced up at me, a soft smile spreading across his face. And in that moment, nothing else in the world mattered but him.

The waiter approached our table with a polite bow, his posture crisp and professional. "What would you like to have, sir?" he asked, his voice steady and respectful.

I glanced at Beomgyu, who was already scanning the menu with a focused expression. After a brief moment, he spoke up. "Tteokbokki," he said softly, closing the menu and handing it to the waiter with a small nod.

The waiter scribbled down the order before turning to me. "And for you, sir?"

I shifted my gaze to the menu, letting my eyes skim over the options. After a brief pause, I looked up and replied, "I'll have the bulgogi platter." My voice was calm but certain as I handed over my menu.

The waiter noted it down, bowing again slightly. "Very well. I’ll be back shortly with your orders," he said before retreating with smooth efficiency.

As he left, I turned my attention back to Beomgyu, who was already gazing out the window, the soft glow of the lights casting a warm hue over his features. Even in the simplest of moments, he had this quiet beauty that made it impossible to look away.

"Where do you want to go after lunch?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Beomgyu paused, his gaze drifting as he thought for a moment. I watched him, intrigued by the way his eyes seemed to search for the perfect answer. Finally, he looked at me, a quiet determination in his eyes.

"What about the Eiffel Tower?" he suggested, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I want to make memories with you at the top."

I chuckled, the warmth in his words making my heart flutter. "Quite romantic," I murmured. I thought for a second before nodding. "Very well, then. We’ll go there." My smile matched his, wide and content.

He smiled back, his eyes lighting up with happiness. We both knew it was going to be a day we would never forget.

A short while later, the waiter returned with our food, placing it carefully on the table. With a polite bow, he asked, "And what would you like to drink?"

Beomgyu smiled, his voice calm and certain. "Iced Americano," he said. The waiter nodded and turned his attention to me.

"Iced tea," I replied with a small smile.

The waiter gave a quick nod and left to place our drink order, leaving us to enjoy the moment in each other's company.