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A soft fondness flooded through him from the words and a gentle and tender smile filled his face. It shouldn't surprise him, though, with how sweet and affectionate Dash tended to be and so naturally. It spoke volumes of his character and the tenderness of his heart. Covering Dash's hand with his other one, he gave a nod of his head. "I'm glad I can share this with you." He couldn't even recall the last time he had such a connection to something or someone. Usually, things were kept at arms length, not always by his doing either.

After a momemt, he let their hands drop and pushed gently at Dash. "Go, it takes you forever to get ready." Playful words but truthful all the same. When Dash did finally leave, Sungmin finished all the food and other preparations to give more of the 'wow' factor. Okay, maybe he liked the presentation as much as making the food.

It left the dessert, which he helped along with making an easy tart to fill the gelato into. It masked it a bit more as a French kind of treat. He shut his binder and set about cleaning up the kitchen.

The look Dash gives Sungmin is also full of fondness, though he lets a certain degree of chagrin show when Sungmin makes the comment about him taking forever to get ready. Gently, he hits Sungmin's arm with the flat of his hand.

"I do not!" he says, despite knowing full well that's not true. He lets himself pout for a moment before his features relax. "Thank you." And then, without any further ceremony, he makes his way back to his room, where he'll start the process of getting ready. Despite trying to hurry, his meticulousness does cause him to take awhile.

By the time he finally emerges in a pair of brown slacks with a sky blue sweater, hair carefully styled, face made up, it's getting very close to dinner time.

He eases back into the kitchen, stocking-clad feet muffling his steps. "Sungmin?" he queries, trying to give the other a heads-up that he's back. "Oh, you... cleaned up too?" Dash looks slightly taken aback. "You did so much for me tonight." His voice is quiet. "I really want to do something nice for you in return, really, really nice."

"Cleaning up and organizing are things I like," Sungmin responded with a tiny shrug, not really seeing it as a big deal. He enjoyed helping Dash and being apart of his big night. "You don't have to do anything. I was happy to help. To be here." Wiping his hands on a dish towel, he moved out of the area towards Dash, a softening look overtaking his face.

"You look beautiful." His fingers smoothed out Dash's sweater even if it didn't need any help. "But you always do. Give a few smiles and everyone will make sure to listen to what you have to say." Dash naturally had a very inviting air about him which pulled others in to want to figure out more.

Eyes gazing around, he seemed satisfied with everything. "I should probably go or they'll think I'm - well, I'm not sure but let me know how this goes for you." He paused. "Try to breathe and not be too nervous."

"But if you really insist on doing something for me. I really like massages." Shameless in every possible way but he enjoyed making Dash blush and sputter. Sometimes, Dash surprised him with another reaction but he enjoyed all of them in equal measures. "Your hands all over me sounds like my idea of a pleasant evening."

Dash can't help but blush a little. Because of the words and because of Sungmin's actions. He lets himself breathe in the sentiments and the other's presence for a moment before nodding. Yes, he probably ought to get ready for his other guests. It's hard, because he'd really like nothing more than to spend the rest of the evening with Sungmin at his side. Maybe someday that'll be a reality for both of them.

For now, it feels a little tenuous to ask for that. Dash doesn't want to push. There are so many things that make their relationship special.

But.

There are also a lot of things that make it complex. Complicated, some would say. There are some hurdles they still have to cross together.

"Okay. Let's see one another soon, all right? I'll give you that massage." Dash takes a breath. "And Sungmin? I wouldn't mind if they thought..." He shrugs helplessly, looking at Sungmin, hoping he'll understand what Dash means by this look. 'If they thought we were together.' "I wouldn't mind."

He grabs Sungmin's hands in his own, holding onto them like a lifeline. "I'll think about you tonight and I'm sure I'll be fine." Just describing it now, his face lights up.

Being wanted, what a novel concept still and one Sungmin might never move past, especially when he went so long with others only wanting him for one particularly thing. But Dash wanted everything and saw him in a way he didn't know what to really do with. Dash made him want to open up more and be vulnerable, things he never expected to want. It just made keeping some things to himself much harder.

Words he needed to keep to himself a little longer.

Their eyes caught and Sungmin's breath did the same. Okay, what a moment and the tenderness of it curled around him gently. "I wouldn't mind either," he confessed softly, heart picking up in rhythm. How lucky could one person be. "I'm proud to be with you." He meant the words with every single ounce of himself.

With a nod of his head, he leaned in to give Dash a forehead kiss, lingering and soft. Their hands sent warmth up and down his body, something he wanted to hold onto for as long as possible. "I'll be thinking of you. Let me know right when they leave so we can celebrate." It never occurred to him it might not go well.

They're in the same boat. It's a delicate boat, but not a bad one. There are things they can wait to say, or grow into saying a little more. Waiting isn't bad. Taking their time isn't bad. Dash likes it, on so many levels, honestly.

It means he gets to have moments like these. Everything goes soft and quiet and Dash doesn't see anything but Sungmin standing there in front of him. He doesn't speak right away, nodding slowly and silently when kissed. And he keeps holding onto Sungmin's hands until the last possible moment.

"I'll call you as soon as they're gone, okay?" he says, finally. In a rather spontaneous move, he pulls Sungmin's hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. "Thank you again. I couldn't have done it without you." He smiles, genuine and bright.

"You'll have to come back quickly so I can spoil you a little." There's really so much more he could say.

But... later.

So many words were bouncing around in his mind but he swallowed them all down in favor of saving them for later. They did not need to rush and truthfully he enjoyed the way things were developing between them. The feelings were deepening and he knew any day now they would burst free.

Some emotions would not stay locked up for very long.

The kiss to his hands, how sweet and unexpected. Enough so for his breath to hitch rather audibly and he needed to look down for a moment to not show how much it impacted him.

"I'll see you again soon," he promised as he took a few steps back and let their hands fall away from one another. For some reason, it sent a pang through him at the possibility of leaving. "Until then." He leaned in for one more kiss before he started to leave.

No, no need to rush. They can take it one day at a time. This reassures and soothes Dash, who can sometimes get a little tied up in what he's feeling. It's generally a good thing, but it also means he's sometimes prone to overthinking.

Not so much with Sungmin though. He does and says things when they come into his head. Spontaneously. Like that kiss.

"Until then," he echoes after the kiss. Waving goodbye, he sees Sungmin to the door, then settles in to nervously await his guests. When they arrive, he's a perfect host, of course. Sweetly sincere, he woos them over with his honest mannerisms. And, naturally, the delicious meal he could never have prepared without Sungmin's help.

The night goes well, though toward the end, he starts to get a little distracted. Thinking of Sungmin and how he wants to see him again, to say thank you. It's late, but not too late when he finally sends the other a text:

Still awake?

Once he left Dash's apartment, he wandered a little bit, not really wanting to go back to his empty apartment. Sometimes it seemed to echo with the loneliness he faced constantly before Dash popped up into his life. A siren without a bond just wouldn't work and they needed to be needed.

Eventually, his feet led him to his bakery and he decided to prepare a few things to get a job on the following day. Just prepping mostly because he preferred to serve things fresh and hot from the oven. It set him apart from other places.

Hearing a ding, he grabbed for his phone and smiled brightly.

I am! How did it go? Did you wow them?

Dash puts his phone down for a moment to slip out of his dress clothes and into something a little more cozy. When he hears his text alert, however, he half-trips across the room from his closet to his bed in order to grab it.

Seeing that the message is from Sungmin, he smiles instantly. Kicking off his slacks and scooping them up in one hand so they can then be laid on the bed beside him, he replies.

more like you did! they loved the food so much, they couldn't stop talking about it. i think they liked me all right too. it seemed like it went well and they're going to call tomorrow?

With that sent, Dash drops his phone on the bed beside his pants and falls back, folding his hands over his stomach. Just talking to Sungmin like this makes him feel peaceful. Maybe he's a little smitten.

Edited 2018-07-25 03:14 (UTC)

The sound of the text alert had Sungmin smiling before he even read what Dash wrote but not really surprising. Dash made him smile all the time and so easily too. A bright sun in his previously clouded days.

Clicking on the message, he smiled even wider, relieved it went well. How could anyone not be charmed by Dash? He had too much genuine attitudes and plenty of passion for his craft.

He quickly texted back:

You plus the food was just the perfect duo there, Dash. You'll get good news when they call back. I just know it.

By the way, I can make homemade gelato for you sometime. It's much better.

There's sunshine in both their hearts, even if it's the middle of the night.

Which is such a nice sensation, something Dash actually covets very much from his relationships with people, whether they be romantic or not. It's just all the more intense with Sungmin. He props himself up on his elbows and takes his phone in hand to reply to the next message he gets.

your magic and my magic then! a team effort. i hope we'll be celebrating really, really soon.

maybe we could have gelato? i'd love to taste some if you were the one who made it. i bet it's fantastic.

He very nearly hugs his phone to his chest here, which is such a smitten thing to do.

The smitten status honestly went both ways and Sungmin knew his luck in finding someone so sweet and open with his affections. He never needed to second guess or question what Dash's intentions, which relieved him after his last couple of years. Usually, others only wanted him for a temporary fix and it made him really disposable, at least in his own mind.

Glancing down at his phone, he smiled a little wider.

What about celebrating tomorrow? I can bring the gelato and something to go with it. No, I'm not telling you what it is.

But it will be something to celebrate you!

It might be some kind of dessert in hat shaped form.

Sungmin is not disposable to Dash. Not even a little bit. In fact, if he's feeling leery of anything, it's perhaps how strongly he feels for the other and how much he really hopes that Sungmin will be a permanent presence in his life. He worries that maybe he's coming on too strong, but then there'll be times when Sungmin says things and...

And it really puts his mind at ease.

Like now. He's so sweet, no pun intended, and it really makes Dash's heart flutter.

a surprise, huh? i can't wait to see what it is.

you really don't have to go to any effort though. you've already done so much! i know i just said i wanted to try the gelato, but if you came over and brought nothing and we just sat on the couch, that'd be the sweetest gift already.

Yes. He's a little far gone.

Not to worry at all Dash, Sungmin found baking to be a calming activity, something to unwind him after hectic days and he never really grew tired of it. He enjoyed creating things and seeing how others reacted when they were able to try anything he made. It gave him a place and connection the world, something he could not imagine losing out on.

That's incredibly romantic but after you try my gelato you will change your tune. You don't have to worry I like making things and you always look so happy.

I like being the cause of that smile on your face.

Probably a little much in the smitten category with the comment there.

Lying in bed properly now, Dash giggles to himself about the comment. He may send Sungmin a picture of his happy face, too. It's been a good night and his expression shows it. Sungmin is the first person he wants to share that with. That's what feels right. And it makes him happier still.

since it makes you happy, i won't protest anymore. i know it's fun to make things and give them to people.

so, i guess what i'm saying is, i'll eat all the gelato! and i know i'm going to be smiling even more, too.

The picture he received might have just become his new wallpaper on his phone but the smile just made everything brighter. Anytime he looked at his phone, the warmth would be there to change everything. It mattered to him; Dash mattered so much to him.

Maybe one day he could gather up the courage to say how much.

Licking over his bottom lip, he smiled brightly with dimples in place, sending off the picture after he gave it a quick once over.

this picture! my heart just flopped in my chest.

i know you feel the same giving hats to others. deciding what might look best on them. i've been wearing beanies lately to give you an insider hat tip.

i don't think i'll ever get tired of feeding you.

i don't think i'll ever get tired of being with you, dashy.

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