XII

They arrived at the club less than ten minutes before the start of the show. Even though it was packed, they managed to find maybe the last two standing places where it was possible to have at least a minimum of personal space.

Christopher stood behind his lover and wrapped his arms around him in an attempt to give him as much security as possible. "All right?" He asked, then pressed a small kiss behind his ear.

"Yeah, thanks," Hyunjin replied, taking his hands and leaning on him a little.

The smaller of the pair laid his head on his shoulder with a smile and when the local underground band finally started playing, he began to sway to the beat while the other stroked his fingertips along his forearms and down his hands. He didn't let him out of his embrace for the entire hour and a half the show lasted.

When the group of young boys and girls finished playing, the club was partially empty, but there were still groups and individuals drinking their drinks or just having fun together.

"Did you like it?" smiled Christopher at Hyunjin as he turned to face him.

The taller one nodded his head enthusiastically. "I had a great time, thank you," he chimed in.

"You're welcome. Do you want something to drink?" he grabbed his hands.

The younger one turned his head towards the bar, which was finally visible. "Looks like they have ginger ale..."

Christopher nodded and intertwined his fingers on one hand. "Come on, it's on me."

"Thank you."

***

They stood by a round table and sipped lemonade. Christopher held Hyunjin's hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb as he blushed and smiled happily. He shyly covered the lower half of his face with his hand as his companion kissed the back of his hand.

"Jin," he whined and laughed.

"What? It's not forbidden for me to kiss you, is it?" The younger man smiled, propping his chin with his free hand.

"Not at all, but I'm not used to it," the older man bit his lower lip.

"I'd start getting used to it pretty quickly if I were you," Hyunjin purred, walking around the table so he could kiss his temple and dimple on the cheek. His arm was draped over his shoulders.

"Stop it, I'm going to blush," Christopher whispered with a laugh, hiding his reddening face in his hands.

Hyunjin laughed softly and kissed his hair. "You look pretty when you blush."

"Hyunjin," the elder whined again, burying his face in his shoulder.

Laughing, the taller one wrapped his arms around him and rested his cheek on the top of his head. "Christopher," he mimicked him with a wide grin.

The other started laughing even harder and hugged him tighter. He enjoyed the way his lover rocked him gently from side to side. Even though he was usually the one protecting the other, he would be lying if he said he didn't like this.

"You always smell awfully nice," he looked up at him as his face cooled off.

This time it was Hyunjin's turn to blush. "Thank you, you too."

Christopher stood on tiptoes to kiss him. "Hyunjin?"

"Yes, Chris?" he whispered, resting his forehead against his as he continued to look into his eyes. His arms were loosely wrapped around his neck.

The older of the pair took a deep breath. "Would you... be my boyfriend?"

Hyunjin's surprised expression quickly turned into an excited one. "I'd love to, and I will," he nodded and kissed his boyfriend with a wide smile.

"Thank you," Christopher whispered into his lips, then kissed him back.

"I thank you," the other replied just as quietly, interlacing his fingers with his and kissing the tip of his nose.

***

"Will you excuse me for a moment?"

"Sure, I'll be here," Hyunjin nodded and kissed him on the cheek.

So Christopher staggered off to the toilets. As he was returning, he noticed a boy had joined Hyunjin and was talking to him. He wouldn't pay much attention it if he hadn't noticed his friend's arms wrapped around himself in a protective gesture. Even in the dim light, he could tell his eyes were glistening. He caught sight of the stranger's outstretched hand and the way Hyunjin crouched. With a few quick steps, he closed the distance between them and grabbed the man's wrist firmly before he could touch his boyfriend. "Don't you dare," he growled as he crushed the man's forearm in his grip.

"And who are you?" asked a man unknown to him. He was tall, even slightly taller than Hyunjin, and skinny. He also noticed his reddened eyes with dilated pupils. He certainly wasn't sober, but he didn't venture to guess what he was intoxicated with.

"You don't have to worry about that. Get away from him," the smaller man warned, letting go of his hand before moving in front of Hyunjin to protect him.

"Chris, this isn't worth it. Come on, let's go home," Hyunjin tugged on his sleeve and grabbed his arm. Just from that small touch, the elder could feel how badly he was trembling.

With a nod, he turned his head towards him. "You're right, we'll go."

"Watch out!"

Too late.

The tall man punched Christopher in the face, grabbed him by the collar and threw him aside. The smaller man staggered, but did not fall to the ground. As soon as he had regained his balance, he lunged at the man, grabbed him firmly from behind, and pulled him as far away from his lover as possible, whose eyes had already managed to well up with tears, mixed with mascara, streaming down his cheeks.

"Go outside, I'll come to you," he called to him while still trying to hold onto the unknown man. He couldn't let him go to Hyunjin.

The man backed him into the wall, hitting his back and head. Christopher let go of him, but refused to lose sight of him. He didn't see Hyunjin again, so maybe he listened to him...

He lunged at the man again and grabbed his sweatshirt. The man turned to face him and punched him in the nose. "You're not gonna get a break, are you, little man?"

Christopher just smiled and wiped the blood from under his nose with the back of his hand before striking back. He hit his face and managed to hit his nose with his other hand. His opponent staggered. For a moment, it looked like he was going to fall, but eventually he managed to stand still. The next moment, the tall man held him by his jacket and tossed him toward the table where he had been standing with Hyunjin only minutes before.

He didn't last this time.

He hit his head on the blunt edge of the table in his temple and his ears began to ring, whereupon he collapsed backwards onto the floor. He heard someone scream. Everything went black for a moment, and when he finally saw the world around him again, it began to spin. His stomach turned for a moment, but thankfully he held its contents in.

Someone stroked his hair and forehead while two male voices argued with each other in the background. He couldn't make out individual words, everything sounded like his head was underwater. The agitated voices soon moved away.

The same hand that had been stroking his forehead wrapped around his shoulders and slowly straightened him into a sitting position. All his insides buckled at the change in position, but it didn't take long for him to stabilize.

"Chris?" a soft voice addressed him. He heard him distantly. His other hand held his forearm. It was soft and warm. "Chris, can you hear me?"

He turned his head, sensing the voice. The image doubled before coming back together for him. He could vaguely make out the face of his lover. "Hyunjin...?" He addressed him in a weak voice.

"I'm here, darling, it's all right," he answered, and then he gently pressed him close to him. Christopher exhaled heavily and closed his eyes.

"Just don't fall asleep, please," Hyunjin spoke again and kissed him on the forehead. Only now did he notice how his voice was shaking.

"I won't fall asleep, don't worry..."

And once again he was surrounded by black...