[m] No reservations

Míngzé felt extremely out of place at a party where everyone seemed to be lifelong friends. He couldn’t help but feel he should not be part of the surprise party. It did not help that he was too awkward to make conversation with anyone.

He stayed mostly in the back, minding his own business. Not that he had many options. The place was too unfamiliar for him to feel comfortable walking around. Somehow he found a table with food, which was perfect. It actually gave him something to do, which was far better than just standing there.

Now to figure out what options there were.

The moment Míngzé found the courage to ask someone, a familiar voice rang in his ears, bringing a smile to his lips. “Ah, the guest of honor,” he greeted the man as he turned to face him. “Too bad, I was actually looking forward to them.” No way he would ever try brains, unless made by one very particular cook.

An unexpected cold touch brushed against his cheek, his eyes widening for a second. He managed to stop himself from pulling away from the touch just in time, the look in his eyes softening again. Ah, someone was drunk and this time it wasn’t him. He hummed softly, the corners of his lips pulling up in a smile as he felt his cheeks slightly heating up. It was just a compliment, nothing more.

Gently he losely took the hand at his cheek into his. “I chose my best outfit just for you,” he said with a hint of a chuckle. And because he did not want to arrive underdressed. His hair was also neatly tied up in a bun afraid that it would otherwise get too hot. “I bet the same can be said for you.” His eyes moved up and down for a second, but nothing. Sadly, he had no idea.

“How does it feel to leave your twenties behind?”

The food had been a good distraction before, something he could do while standing there. Now it did not matter, the night was still young, for now it was time to give the birthday boy some attention. “Definitely,” he said with a small nod. Neither of them would ever let this go it seems.

This definitely was another side of the normally calm and collected man. While Lamar had made comments like these before, they had always been a bit more restrained. “I’ll remember it for next time,”Míngzé promised, softly shaking his head in amusement. Only on rare occasions did he let his hair loose completely, but he could make an exception.

Míngzé let out a long hum as if he seemed to really consider the question, drawing out the moment. “I can work with that. Now if it had been thirty-one, that would’ve been a problem.”

“Come to think of it, I’ve no idea what you look like,” he said thoughtfully, going back to their previous conversation. A look of curiosity sparkled in his eyes. Míngzé leaned back a bit, knowing there was a table he could casually lean against.  

Sometimes he really wished he could see peoplés faces and the expressions on them. Because he couldn't, he missed out on so much. He was pretty sure Lamar’s face right now was priceless. “Would’ve been a shame otherwise, all of it for naught.” Two dates only to come to the realization the other was too old.

One eyebrow moved up at the first explanation he was given. Should he tell the man that was one of the few things he knew? While all details were a mystery to them, this he did know. “The complete opposite,” he agreed. He would tell him later.

Míngzé opened his mouth, ready to say something only for him to stammer. Unlike Lamar, he had not touched a single drop that evening, not wanting to become the embarrassment of the evening. “There are quite a lot of people around,” he said with an awkward smile, waving his hand around. Míngzé did not touch every person he met to discover their features. To him it was a rather intimate experience. Yet he was not dismissing the idea fully.  

“I—” Míngzé began only to cut himself off immediately. Around him he could hear people talking and laughing, all of them having a great day at Lamar’s birthday party. They were all here for him, to celebrate him. His gaze fell back on Lamar.  Slightly nervous he rolled his folded cane around in his hands. “I would,” he confessed as a hint of red spread over his face.

For a moment his eyes drifted off as a laugh caught his attention. “All of them are here for you, though,” he said with a nod toward those people. Almost none of them were familiar to him. The cane was still rolling between his fingers.

“They might notice you’re gone,” He turned his golden eyes back towards the man standing before him. No, they would definitely know when Lamar was not among them anymore.

If the man of honor left the part people would notice and start questions. Especially if the one stranger that was there was gone at the exact same moment. Yeah, that would raise questions for sure, but at least Lamar did not seem to care.

Amused he lifted a brow as Lamar started to come up with arguments. His birthday, he did not organize it, he could do what he wanted. “Well, I guess you’re old enough now to make your own decisions,” Míngzé agreed thoughtfully. It would be fine.

There was the mention of a barn nearby, which would give them a bit of privacy. “Alright.” Míngzé stood up, ready to unfold his cane. They could leave and not draw attention easily. That was his plan at least. Before Míngzé could take a first step he felt Lamar’s hand around his arm, pulling him with him with no warning.

The unsteadiness of Lamar’s own pace did not help. Only two or three steps further and Míngzé felt how he was losing his own balance. “Lamar w—” It was no use. He fell forward. In a desperate attempt not to fall to the ground he reached for Lamar with his free hand too, as the other already held him with a thigh grip.

What was that about not drawing any attention?

Míngzé’s hands managed to find Lamar, tightly holding on to him. For at least a few seconds he did not dare to let go, afraid that they would end up on the ground together if he was not careful. It all happened way too sudden and now they ended up like this.

Luckily, they managed to keep standing. A relieved breath escaped. “It’s alright,” he breathed as his heart was beating a bit faster. He forced a small smile to his lips, wanting to reassure the other. Using Lamar he found his balance again, standing upright like he should instead of being a monkey.

Míngzé clenched his jaw when they walked again, going slower than before, although he could easily keep up with the pace. A feeling of embarrassment settled itself, even though he tried to push it away. No matter what, things would always be slightly different. There was so much to take in account and there was a lot more he could not do. Even something stupid as being pulled along.

“So, how far is this barn?” Míngzé heard himself ask after he cleared his throat. He did his best to pick up the pace, showing that he was capable of at least that.

Like hopeless teens they were hiding away from a party inside a barn of all places. Even back then he´d never done anything like it. He was always the well-behaved teen, but also he lacked the social contact to be doing anything like this.

And he was enjoying it, the feeling that came with it. Almost as if they were doing something they shouldn´t be doing.

Lamar opened the large door and closed it again when they entered. He followed the other, deeper inside the barn. "Afraid someone saw us?" All they were here for was so that he could learn what the other looked like. Nothing more.

Then why was his heart still racing?

He was pretty sure they left the entrace behind them now. "Is this far enough to your liking?"

Mingze hummed in agreement. There was no denying it. "They certainly will, especially when we´re hiding this far inside the barn," he said innocently. How he wished he could see the look on Lamar´s face, to know exactly what he was thinking.

Once they were far enough inside the bar, they came to a halt. Mingze turned towards Lamar, his eyes trying to focus a bit on his face. He felt the other´s cold hand around his and at the soft pressure he took a step closer.

He could start whenever he wanted.

"Right, let me first." He turned slightly left and right, his nervousness shining through as he seemed rather lost. Two hands were easier than one. Mingze let go of the cane and heard how it fell to the ground. "There." Now for the other part.

Hesitantly he moved his hands up, fingers first gently finding the others face. "Tell me when to stop," he said. It did not sound like Lamar minded at all, but he did not want to give the other the impression he had to.

His fingers moved up to Lamar´s forehead up to his hairline. Slowly and delicatly he traced the hairline, while his thumbs brushed over the other´s sharp eyebrows, then next moving down his eyelits. His touch remained light, almost as if he was handling something fragile.

The nose was next, but he paused there, keeping his hands were they where without continuing. Mingze waited and held his breath, unsure if he should continue.

His eyes looked up at the sound of Lamar´s laugh, a rather pleasant sound. Beneath his touch he felt the other move, so this time it did not come as a surprise when the other held his hand, pressing it against his lips. Mingze blinked a few times as he took a shaky breath. This whole situation was getting to him.

Lamar´s words did not make it any better. His breath got caught in his throat. No longer could he hide the blush creeping up his skin. He did not react immediatly, instead focussed of retaining a normal breathing. "Everything?" he repeated curiously.

No, he would not let the other´s words get to him that easily.

Both thumbs traced the others soft lips. "You are aware you are drunk, yes?" Mingze asked as a small smile danced on his lips. From where he was standing he could clearly smell it on him. He knew fully well the effect it could have on someone.

"And you know what you want?" he continued, arching one eyebrow as his golden eyes gazed at where his thumbs were. His fingeres brushed over Lamar ears, sliding down to his chin and neck, leaving his lips.

Míngzé awaited Lamar’s response, further words already on his lips. He wanted to make sure Lamar knew what he was doing, even though he was intoxicated. He waited and— his eyes widened in surprise as all of the sudden Lamar’s lips were on his.

The look in his eyes quickly softened and he felt himself lean into the touch. For a moment, he forgot about everything. It was only the two of them.

With his hands at Lamar´s neck it was easy to push him back to create distance. A thought that never even crossed his mind. All he could think of were those soft lips against his, the slight taste of alcohol and his desire to erase any distance between them. Lust ready to take control.

Slowly he let his hands slide down until his palms lay flat on Lamar´s chest. His fingers tried to get hold of his shirt, wanting him closer. Yet, after a few seconds he tore himself away, his lips still hovering against those of the other. “We’re still in a barn,” he said silently. Not the most romantic place there was. Even so he showed no signs that he would leave.