Chapter 61
The sleek black car idling by the Navigli canal felt less like a luxury vehicle and more like an escape pod. As Raiven's hand settled firmly around Haru's waist, the possessive heat of the gesture was impossible to ignore. It was a silent, physical reclamation. Gem stood frozen on the cobblestones, the sting of rejection simmering in his pale eyes as he watched Raiven personally open the door for Haru.
"Let's talk later, Jae-wook," Gem called out, his voice a desperate attempt to maintain a shred of the intimacy he'd tried to flaunt moments before.
Haru offered a polite, clinical nod before sliding into the plush leather interior. The door closed with a heavy, expensive thud, cutting off the sounds of the crowd and the sight of Gem's fading silhouette.
The silence inside the car was pressurized. Outside, the city lights blurred into long, neon streaks against the darkening glass. Haru leaned his head back against the headrest, staring straight ahead. He didn't want to be the one to break the silence, but he couldn't hold back.
"That was interesting," Haru finally interjected, his voice light but carrying an unmistakable edge.
Raiven, who had been staring out the opposite window, shifted. He didn't need to see Haru's face to sense his tone.
"Haru, about Gem… I didn't know he was in Milan. It was a coincidence."
Haru let out a short, dry laugh, turning to look at Raiven. "You don't have to explain. I know how the industry works. You're on a world tour; it's only natural to run into people from you met from time to time. It's fine." He smiled.
Before the conversation could spiral, the car slowed to a halt. Haru frowned, looking out the window. "We aren't at the hotel?"
"I had a reservation for yesterday," Raiven said, his voice softening as he checked his watch. "But since we stayed in, I thought we should use it tonight."
They were at the entrance of a discreet, high-end building nestled in a quieter district. A valet whisked the car away as a receptionist led them toward a private elevator. The doors opened to a breathtaking, glass-walled dining space. It was entirely empty, saved for a single, beautifully set table in the center.
"I thought we could have our first real date here," Raiven murmured.
The view was staggering - a 360-degree panorama of Milan's skyline, the Duomo's spires glowing like white bone in the distance. A private chef appeared, offering a curated rundown of a multi-course menu featuring delicacies that looked more like art than food. The lights were dimmed to a warm, amber glow, and the room was filled with the scent of fresh lilies and expensive wine.
As Sunghoon, Haru had attended hundreds of gala dinners and parties at the finest restaurants, but those had been performances. This felt like a sanctuary.
They drank a crisp Italian white wine and laughed, the tension of the Gem encounter seemingly dissolving into the background as they focused solely on each other.
By the time the car dropped them back at their hotel, it was nearing midnight. The physical and emotional toll of the day finally hit Haru. He felt a deep, bone-weary exhaustion, coupled with a nagging dread. Tomorrow, the flight would take him back to Seoul, and Raiven would continue to the next leg of the tour. The " Fairytale" was almost over.
Seeking a reset, Haru headed straight for the bathroom to shower. He stood under the hot spray, letting the steam fill his lungs and the water wash away the day's sweat and anxiety. He was just lathering his skin when the shower door creaked open. A pair of warm arms circled his waist from behind, Raiven's palms settling over Haru's stomach.
Haru leaned back into the touch, closing his eyes. A soft peck landed on his shoulder.
"The dinner was amazing," Haru whispered, his voice echoing slightly in the tiled space.
Raiven didn't answer with words at first, just more pecks, tracing the line of Haru's neck.
Finally, he leaned in close to Haru's ear.
"What did you want to say earlier?"
Raiven turned Haru around in the shower, the water cascading between them.
"About what?" Haru asked, looking everywhere but at Raiven's dark, searching eyes.
Raiven smirked, sensing the evasion. Haru, feeling suddenly exposed, stepped out of the spray, grabbing a plush towel to wrap around his waist and another smaller one to rub his damp hair. He walked back into the main suite, the cool air of the room a sharp contrast to the steam. He began rummaging through his bag for clean clothes, his movements slightly , too frantic.
He heard the soft thud of Raiven's bare feet on the carpet behind him.
"You're running," Raiven said, his voice low and knowing.
"I am not," Haru said, still facing away. He knew exactly what Raiven was digging for, but he didn't want to admit to having cracks. He didn't want to show the side of him that felt small.
"Were you jealous?"
Haru's movements halted. He stood frozen for a heartbeat before forcefully pulling a shirt from his bag. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's fine to be jealous, Haru-ya."
"I wasn't jealous," Haru said, finally spinning around. His voice was firm, but as he met Raiven's gaze, his resolve wavered. He looked down, his fingers fiddling with the hem of the shirt in his hand. "I just…"
"Just what?" Raiven stepped into his space, taking the clothes from Haru's hand and setting them on the suitcase. He forced Haru to look at him.
"I'm not your usual type," Haru blurted out, the words tasting like copper in his mouth.
Raiven realized he was insecure. He reached out, his thumb tracing Haru's lower lip before leaning in to give him a tender, reassuring peck.
Haru smiled weakly, looking away. "I know it's stupid. I'm acting like a teenager."
"It's not stupid," Raiven interjected, his tone suddenly fierce. "You're the one I'm dating."
Haru's breath hitched. Before he could respond, Raiven captured his lips in a deep, soul-searing kiss. Haru let himself melt into it, his hands circling Raiven's neck to pull him closer. He nibbled at Raiven's lip, a playful retaliation that earned him a guttural moan.
They had only started dating , but the comfort they felt with each other was deep.
Raiven led him toward the bed, as they tumbled onto the silk sheets. The realization that this was their last night - that it would be months of grainy video calls and lonely hotel rooms before they could touch like this again - fueled a desperate kind of hunger. Haru wanted to memorize the weight of Raiven's body, the scent of his skin, and the specific way he groaned when Haru bit his shoulder.
Raiven pushed Haru onto his back, switching positions so he hovered over him. The golden lamplight caught the blue of his hair and the intensity of his gaze.
"Let me show you ...." Raiven murmured his voice dissappearing as he kissed neck, his voice a gravelly promise. His hands found the knot of Haru's towel, untying it slowly as he began to worship the skin beneath. This wasn't just passion; it was a goodbye and a beginning all at once.