Chapter 2: Building Tension
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The elevator doors slid open, revealing a dimly lit hallway. Matthew stepped out, adjusting the strap of his duffel bag on his shoulder. He looked down at the note in his hand, double-checking the apartment number. "Yep, this is it," he muttered to himself, a small smile playing on his lips.
He knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Jiwoong. He was dressed in a simple white t-shirt and black sweatpants, his hair slightly disheveled.
He looked nervous, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, but he also looked...cute. Matthew felt a warmth spread through him at the sight, a sensation he couldn't quite identify.
"Hey, Jiwoong," Matthew said, keeping his voice casual. "Thanks for having me over."
Jiwoong blushed at Matthew's greeting, looking down at the floor. "Hi, Matthew. No problem, come on in," he said, stepping aside to let Matthew enter.
Matthew walked into the apartment, taking in the surroundings.
It was neat and tidy, with a cozy living room and a small kitchenette. A large window let in plenty of natural light, casting a warm glow over the space. Jiwoong's guitar was propped up in the corner, and a few books lay scattered on the coffee table.
"Nice place you've got here," Matthew commented, setting his duffel bag down on the floor.
Jiwoong closed the door behind them, leaning against it briefly before pushing off and walking towards the kitchen. "Thanks. It's not much, but it's home," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
He turned to face Matthew, his cheeks still flushed.
Matthew noticed Jiwoong's nervousness and offered him a reassuring smile. "Hey, relax. It's just me, remember? No need to be nervous."
Jiwoong took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. "I know, I know. It's just...you're the first person I've invited over since I moved in. I want everything to be perfect."
Matthew laughed softly, walking over to Jiwoong and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Jiwoong, it's just practice.
Jiwoong chucked. The truth is his mind was currently in the gutter. He scanned Matthew’s body up and down and he imagined him naked and glistening with sweat. Then, his mind flashed with an explicit scenes where he threw his arms and pinned Matthew to the wall.
His heart was pounding like a drum again and he can’t help but look at Matthew’s lips. He imagined kissing those lips and feeling the softness of his mouth. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, he can’t believe he was having these kinds of thoughts towards Matthew. He tried to hide his nervousness by busying himself in the kitchenette.
"Would you like something to drink? I have water, juice, or soda," Jiwoong offered, opening the fridge to reveal its contents.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "Well, that's quite the selection.
I'll have a water, please," Matthew replied, watching Jiwoong's movements with interest. He noticed how Jiwoong's hands trembled slightly as he reached for the water bottle, and he couldn't help but smile. It was endearing, really, how nervous Jiwoong was. But Matthew was determined to put him at ease.
Jiwoong handed the water bottle to Matthew, their fingers brushing briefly. Jiwoong quickly pulled his hand back, as if burned, and Matthew chuckled softly.
"It's just me, Jiwoong.
You don't have to be nervous around me," Matthew said, his voice gentle yet firm. He took a sip of his water, his eyes never leaving Jiwoong's face.
Jiwoong took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. It's just... I've never had someone over like this before. Especially not someone like you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Someone like me? What does that mean?" he asked, leaning against the counter.
"What's so special about me?" he asked, a playful smirk on his lips.
Jiwoong felt his cheeks grow warm at Matthew's question. He looked down at the floor, trying to find the right words. “Maybe, it’s time for us to practice? I can lead you to my basement, where we can practice the choreo for the upcoming dance evaluation.” Jiwoong said, trying to regain his composure. "Your basement, huh? Sounds intriguing. Lead the way," he said, gesturing for Jiwoong to go ahead.
Jiwoong led Matthew down a narrow staircase, flicking on the lights to reveal a spacious basement that had been converted into a dance studio. One wall was lined with mirrors, and a sound system was set up in the corner. A mat covered most of the floor, and a bar ran along one wall.
"Wow, this is impressive, Jiwoong.
You've got a real setup down here," Matthew said, looking around the basement studio with appreciation.
Jiwoong blushed at the compliment, looking down at the floor. I like to practice in private, so I figured having my own space would be helpful."
Matthew nodded, walking over to the sound system. "Makes sense. Alright, let's get started. What do you have in mind for our routine?"
Jiwoong took a deep breath, trying to focus despite the butterflies in his stomach.
"I thought we could start with something simple, like a classic K-pop dance routine. You know, something that showcases our synchronization and chemistry."
Matthew nodded, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "I like where your head's at. How about we mix it up a bit, though? Something unexpected, but still K-pop at its core."
Jiwoong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"
Matthew grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about we add a bit of hip-hop flavor to it? Think of it as a fusion routine.
We'll keep the signature K-pop moves, but throw in some hip-hop elements to make it stand out," Matthew explained, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Jiwoong thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "I like that idea. It'll be a challenge, but I trust you."
Matthew's grin widened, and he clapped his hands together. "Great! Let's start with the basics then.
He turned to the sound system and pressed play.
The first few bars of "DNA" by BTS filled the room, the beat pulsating through the speakers. Matthew started to move, his body fluid and confident as he demonstrated the opening move of their routine. Jiwoong watched, his eyes wide with admiration. Matthew made it look so effortless, so natural.
"Alright, now you try it," Matthew said, motioning for Jiwoong to take his place. Jiwoong took a deep breath, trying to push down his nerves.
He mirrored Matthew's position, standing tall and confident. Matthew counted off, and the music began again. Jiwoong moved, trying to match Matthew's fluidity, but he stumbled over his own feet, losing the rhythm.
Matthew paused the music, a sympathetic smile on his face. "Hey, don't worry about it. Everyone starts somewhere. Let's try that again, okay?"
Jiwoong nodded, grateful for Matthew's patience. They started again, and this time, Jiwoong managed to keep up for a few counts before he faltered once more. He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I'm sorry, Matthew. I just can't seem to get it right," Jiwoong said, his voice laced with disappointment.
Matthew walked over to Jiwoong, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. You're doing great. We're just starting, remember? It takes time to build up to the more complex moves."
Jiwoong looked up at Matthew, his eyes filled with gratitude. "You're right. I just want to do well, you know?
Matthew smiled, giving Jiwoong's shoulder a squeeze. Jiwoong felt ashamed. He was the senior at the Wake company, but Matthew was clearly a better dancer than him. He heard rumours in the company about the new trainee being a produgy at dancing and was discovered through Tiktok.
Jiwoong didn't know what to expect, but he was blown away by Matthew's skill. Matthew was not only talented, but he was also patient and kind to him.
"Hey, don't be too hard on yourself. We all have our off days," Matthew said, his voice gentle yet firm. "Let's take a break, okay? You look like you could use one."
Jiwoong nodded, grateful for the reprieve. He walked over to the mini-fridge in the corner and grabbed two bottles of water, handing one to Matthew.
"Thanks," Matthew said, taking a long sip.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a playful smirk on his lips. "So, Jiwoong, tell me something about yourself. Something I don't already know."
Jiwoong looked surprised by the question, taken aback for a moment. "Uh, well, I like reading. Mainly mystery novels," he admitted, looking down at the floor.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? That's interesting. I wouldn't have guessed that about you."
Jiwoong chuckled softly, looking up at Matthew.
"Yeah, I guess it's not very... K-pop idol of me," he said, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.
Matthew waved a hand dismissively, a playful smirk on his lips. "Nah, it's cool. It's good to have interests outside of the spotlight. So, what's your favorite mystery novel?" "'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It's got suspense, intrigue, and a bit of history thrown in. Plus, it's a page-turner."
Matthew nodded, impressed.
"That's a good one. I've read it myself. The ending was a bit of a letdown, but the journey was worth it."
Jiwoong chuckled, "Well, I guess that's the thing with mysteries. Sometimes the answer isn't as satisfying as the chase."
Matthew grinned, "Exactly. So, any other hobbies or hidden talents?"
Jiwoong blushed slightly, "Well, I do play the guitar. Nothing serious, just something I picked up a few years ago."
Matthew's eyes lit up, "No way! That's awesome. Jiwoong grabbed the guitar and play “Lemonade” by Jeremy Passion. He strucked the chords with his guitar and Matthew can’t help looking at him with dewy eyes. In his mind, the way Jiwoong sang felt like honey. He felt like he could listen to him for hours and never get tired.
There was something about Jiwoong's voice that was captivating, and Matthew found himself drawn to it. He felt a warmth spread through him as he watched Jiwoong, his fingers strumming the guitar effortlessly, his voice pouring out like a melody that was just for him.
As Jiwoong finished the song, Matthew couldn't help but applaud. "That was amazing, Jiwoong. You've got a real talent there," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
Jiwoong blushed at the compliment, looking down at the guitar in his hands. "Thanks, Matthew.
You're too kind," Jiwoong replied, setting the guitar back down in the corner. Matthew could see the blush spreading across Jiwoong's cheeks, and it made him smile. There was something innocent and endearing about Jiwoong's shyness, and it made Matthew want to bring it out more.
Matthew crawled toward Jiwoong and grabbed his cheeks. “You know… every time I try to look at you and give you a compliment, your face looks like tteoboki.” Matthew chuckled and tried to not burst out laughing. For Jiwoong, he was panicking and distraught with how warm Matthew’s hand felt. He initiated an internal monologue and quickly debated with himself if “Is this a signal? Is this the right time to kiss him?” Jiwoong thought, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. He looked into Matthew's eyes, seeing the playful smirk slowly fade, replaced by a soft, almost tender expression. Matthew's thumb gently brushed against Jiwoong's cheek, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Uh, Matthew, are you sure we should be doing this?" Jiwoong asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He was torn between his desire to lean into Matthew's touch and the fear of ruining their friendship and professional relationship.
Matthew's smirk returned, but this time it was softer, more teasing. "Why not?
We're both adults, after all," Matthew replied, his voice low and husky. His gaze dropped to Jiwoong's lips, and Jiwoong felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him. He licked his lips nervously, and Matthew's eyes darkened in response.
"But...but what about our duo evaluation tomorrow? Isn't this...inappropriate?" Jiwoong stammered, trying to maintain some semblance of reason amidst the whirlwind of emotions and hormones.
Matthew chuckled, his breath warm against Jiwoong's face.
"Inappropriate? Jiwoong, we're not doing anything wrong. We're just...exploring." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Besides, I think we could both use a little stress relief before tomorrow's evaluation." He winked, and Jiwoong felt his cheeks grow even warmer.
Jiwoong took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. He knew Matthew was right, but he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. "I just...I don't want to mess things up between us," he admitted, his voice barely audible.
Matthew's expression softened, and he cupped Jiwoong's cheek with his other hand, his thumbs gently brushing against his skin.
"Hey, look at me," Matthew said softly. Jiwoong hesitantly met his gaze, his eyes filled with worry. "We won't mess anything up. We're just two people exploring what's between us. No strings attached, no expectations. Just...you and me," Matthew reassured him, his voice steady and calm.
Jiwoong took a deep breath, considering Matthew's words. He knew Matthew was right; they were both adults, and they could handle this.
Plus, there was something undeniably attractive about Matthew's confidence, his ease in his own skin. Jiwoong felt a stirring in his chest, a warm flutter that made him want to lean into Matthew's touch, to feel more of him.
Matthew seemed to sense Jiwoong's resolve wavering, and he leaned in closer, his breath warm against Jiwoong's lips. "So, what do you say, Jiwoong? Want to explore this...connection between us?"
Jiwoong's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing.
He knew he was playing with fire, but he couldn't help himself. There was something about Matthew that drew him in, made him want to take risks. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.
"Okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Let's...let's explore."
A slow, satisfied smile spread across Matthew's face, and he leaned in, pressing his lips softly against Jiwoong's. It was a gentle kiss, a test, a question. He grabbed Matthew’s hair while kissing. He never knew that a human’s hair could be that soft. It was his first kiss and he didn’t know if he should use his tongue. He felt like Matthew would be turned off by his inexperience when it comes to kissing. Still, he let Matthew lead the way.
He was inexperienced, after all, and Matthew seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Jiwoong felt his heart race as Matthew's tongue gently brushed against his lower lip, seeking entrance. He parted his lips slightly, allowing Matthew to deepen the kiss. Matthew's tongue explored Jiwoong's mouth, tasting him, teasing him. Jiwoong felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him, and he pressed himself closer to Matthew, wanting more.
Matthew's hands roamed Jiwoong's body, tracing the lines of his muscles, his back, his hips.
Jiwoong couldn't help but shiver at the touch, his body responding to Matthew's every movement. He tentatively placed his hands on Matthew's chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his fingertips. Matthew smirked against Jiwoong's lips, as if pleased by Jiwoong's initiative.
Their kisses grew more passionate, more urgent. Jiwoong could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his breath coming in short gasps. He felt a warmth spreading through him, a desire he had never experienced before. He wanted more. He wanted all of Matthew.
He wanted to explore every inch of his body, to feel him, to taste him. But he was nervous. He had never done anything like this before. He was always the cautious one, the one who preferred to take things slow. But with Matthew, he felt a hunger, a desperation he couldn't explain.
Matthew seemed to sense Jiwoong's nervousness, and he pulled back slightly, breaking their kiss. He looked down at Jiwoong, his eyes filled with concern. "Hey, are you okay? We don't have to rush.
We can take this as slow as you want," Matthew said, his voice gentle yet firm. He brushed a strand of hair away from Jiwoong's face, his thumb tracing the contours of his cheek. He appreciated Matthew's patience, his understanding. He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay. Slow is good. I just...I don't want to mess this up."
Matthew smiled, a soft, reassuring smile that made Jiwoong feel at ease. "You won't mess anything up, Jiwoong.
We're in this together, remember?" Matthew said, his voice low and soothing. He leaned in and kissed Jiwoong's forehead, a tender gesture that made Jiwoong's heart flutter. "Let's just enjoy each other's company, okay? No pressure, no expectations."
Jiwoong nodded, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He felt Matthew's warm hand squeeze his shoulder, a comforting gesture that helped him relax. "Okay," he said, his voice steadier now. "So, what do we do now?"
Matthew grinned, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Now, how about we get back to our dance practice? But this time, let's make it a bit more...interactive."
Jiwoong raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Interactive? What do you mean?"
Matthew reached out, taking Jiwoong's hand and placing it on his waist. "Like this. I'll lead, and you follow. But this time, let's really feel the rhythm, the connection between us."
Jiwoong felt a shiver run down his spine at the contact, but he nodded, eager to learn.
Matthew hit play on the song, and the familiar rhythm of "DNA" filled the room once more. This time, however, it felt different. There was a charge in the air, an electric current that seemed to pulsate with the beat.
Matthew started to move, his body fluid and confident as he guided Jiwoong through the opening moves of their routine. Jiwoong followed, trying to match Matthew's fluidity, but this time, he was aware of every point where their bodies touched. Matthew's hand on his waist, guiding him, his other hand holding Jiwoong's, their fingers entwined.
Every touch sent a jolt of electricity through Jiwoong, making it difficult for him to focus on the steps. But Matthew was patient, his movements slow and deliberate, allowing Jiwoong to catch up.
"Feel the beat, Jiwoong," Matthew murmured, his voice low and husky. "Let it guide you."
Jiwoong nodded, trying to focus on the music, on the rhythm. He could feel Matthew's breath on his neck, his chest pressed against Jiwoong's back. It was distracting, but in a way that made Jiwoong's heart race and his skin tingle.
He could feel Matthew's heartbeat against his back, steady and strong. He tried to focus on the dance, on the steps, but it was hard when all he could think about was the man behind him, his hand on Jiwoong's waist, his breath warm on his neck.
They moved together, their bodies syncing perfectly to the music. Matthew's hips pressed against Jiwoong's, guiding him, leading him. Jiwoong could feel the heat radiating from Matthew's body, could feel the hardness pressing against his backside. He blushed, realizing what it was, what it meant.
Matthew seemed to notice his realization, chuckling softly in his ear. "Don't worry about it, Jiwoong. It's just a natural reaction," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. Jiwoong nodded, trying to focus on the dance, but Matthew's presence was overwhelming. He could feel every movement, every breath, every beat of Matthew's heart against his back.
Matthew spun Jiwoong around, their eyes meeting as they came face to face. Jiwoong could see the desire in Matthew's eyes, the hunger that mirrored his own.
He felt a surge of confidence, of empowerment. He was affecting Matthew the same way Matthew was affecting him. It was a heady feeling, intoxicating in its intensity.
Matthew leaned in, his lips brushing against Jiwoong's in a soft, tentative kiss. Jiwoong responded, his hands finding their way to Matthew's hips, pulling him closer. Matthew deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring Jiwoong's mouth, tasting him, teasing him.
Their bodies moved in sync, their hips grinding to the rhythm of the music.
The dance had become something else entirely, a sensual exploration of each other's bodies. Matthew's hands roamed Jiwoong's back, tracing the lines of his muscles, his fingers splayed wide. Jiwoong could feel the heat of Matthew's touch through his thin shirt, could feel the calluses on his fingers from years of dancing.
Jiwoong mirrored Matthew's movements, his hands exploring the hard planes of Matthew's chest, his abs, his back. He could feel Matthew's heart pounding against his palm, could feel the rise and fall of his chest with each breath.
Matthew's hands slipped under Jiwoong's shirt, his fingers tracing the lines of Jiwoong's abs, sending shivers down his spine. Jiwoong gasped, breaking their kiss, his eyes wide with surprise.
Matthew chuckled, a low, husky sound that seemed to vibrate through Jiwoong's body. "Too much?" he asked, his voice soft yet concerned.
Jiwoong shook his head, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "No, it's just...it's been a while since someone...touched me like that," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Matthew's smirk softened into a gentle smile, and he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Jiwoong's cheek.
"You don't have to rush anything, Jiwoong. We can take this as slow as you want," Matthew whispered, his voice low and soothing. Jiwoong felt a warmth spread through him at Matthew's words, a sense of comfort and safety that he hadn't felt in a long time.
He nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
Slow is good," he repeated, more to himself than to Matthew. Matthew smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's my boy," he murmured, his voice soft and approving. Jiwoong felt a surge of warmth at the words, a sense of pride that he hadn't expected. Matthew pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on Jiwoong's hips. "Now, let's get back to our dance. Ready?" Jiwoong nodded, taking a deep breath to center himself. Matthew hit play on the song, and the beat filled the room once more.
Jiwoong and Matthew exchanged a glance, the weight of the words sinking in. Matthew gave Jiwoong a reassuring nod, a small smile playing on his lips. Jiwoong took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He knew they had practiced hard, but the stakes were high now.