Cassius arrived at the high-end restaurant a little early, his eyes sweeping over the decor and rge windows overlooking the bustling heart of Seoul. He chose a private table near the back, where the city’s energy could be seen but not felt, the perfect blend of luxury and intimacy. Settling into his seat, he adjusted his cufflinks, smiling to himself in anticipation.

  Moments ter, his attention was captured by movement at the entrance. Gun walked in, turning heads as he made his way through the restaurant, his heels clicking softly against the marble floor. He was dressed to the nines as always, a top that hugged his body and tight-fitted pants that highlighted every curve, finished with hoop earrings that gave him an edge of boldness Cassius hadn’t seen the night before.

  Cassius’s smile widened as Gun approached, his heart skipping a beat. “Gun,” he greeted, standing up to meet him. They hugged briefly, but when Gun pulled away, Cassius couldn’t resist. Without thinking, he leaned in and pressed his lips to Gun’s in a soft kiss.

  Gun froze, his eyes wide in surprise, stepping back slightly. “Cassius…” he started, surprised.

  Cassius’s eyes widened in realisation. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

  Before he could finish, Gun silenced him by pulling him back in and returning the kiss with hunger. The sensation was electric, sparking a connection that neither expected. The sound in the restaurant melted away as the world shrank down to just the two of them in the space.

  Cassius deepened the kiss for just a second before pulling back with a low chuckle, his forehead resting against Gun’s. “If we keep this up,” he said, his voice husky with amusement, “We’ll end up on the table at this rate.”

  Gun blushed, biting his inner cheek as he shifted in pce, embarrassed by the intensity of the moment. “I… I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking away before meeting Cassius’s gaze again. “It’s just… I’m lonely. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt a connection to someone. I didn’t realise how much I missed it.”

  Cassius’s expression softened as he listened. He reached out, taking Gun’s hand in his, squeezing it gently. “You’re not alone in that. I’ve been looking for something real, too. Sometimes you don’t realise how starved you are for a connection until it’s right in front of you.”

  Gun exhaled a shaky breath, grateful for Cassius’s understanding. “It’s been hard, trying to move on after everything that’s happened. I wasn’t sure if I even knew how to let someone in again.”

  Cassius brushed his thumb over the back of Gun’s hand, his gaze steady and reassuring. “We don’t have to rush this, Gun. We’ll take it slow. But I’ll be here for you, however you need.”

  Gun smiled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in years. “Thank you, Cassius. This means a lot.”

  Cassius gestured toward the table. “Let’s sit and enjoy lunch before the staff starts wondering if we need the room for ourselves.”

  Gun ughed softly, the tension easing out of his body as he sat down with Cassius. Though he hadn’t expected any of this, for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful—like maybe this connection, this bond with Cassius, was exactly what he needed.