➳♡ restaurant

@➳♡ ᵒ ryou hakken Lee Dongwook had just lifted his glass of wine when he heard approaching footsteps, expecting to finally meet the so-called director his manager had arranged this meeting with. Instead, as the folding screen parted, his breath hitched slightly, eyes widening in recognition.

Hakken.

Of all people.

Dongwook nearly choked on his sip of wine, setting the glass down a little too quickly, fingers tightening around the stem as he processed the unexpected sight before him. The sleek black attire, the sharp silhouette—Hakken looked stunning, of course, but that was beside the point. What was the point was that he was most certainly not a director.

Hakken’s expression mirrored his own surprise, but his words—oh my god… Did my manager set you up to this?—made something click into place. His manager. Hakken’s manager. . Dongwook exhaled sharply, running a hand through his neatly styled hair as he let out an awkward chuckle. “I—uh—think we were both set up, actually.” He gestured toward the empty seat across from him, still flustered but regaining enough composure to offer a polite, if somewhat sheepish, smile. “I was told this was a meeting with a director who wanted to cast me in a film. Clearly, that was a lie.” He adjusted his posture, trying to will away the heat creeping up his neck. “I… wasn’t expecting to see you, Hakken.” His voice softened slightly, an unintentional note of honesty slipping through. Then, realizing how that might come across, he quickly cleared his throat and reached for his wine glass again, this time drinking more carefully. “Not that I mind—just… well, I imagine you’re as blindsided as I am.”

His gaze flickered to the chair again before looking back at Hakken, a touch hesitant. “Do you, uh… want to sit? Since we’re already here?”

[post deleted by owner]

@➳♡ ᵃ lee dongwook "It will be fine, A'Ken," assured Hakken's manager as he drove through the night life of Seoul, the older man glancing up in the rearview mirror to take a glance at Hakken, "It's just a meeting with the photographer for your next shoot. He wanted to run through some logistics with you, show off his portfolio for you to be comfortable with his choices--it'll just be the usual affair." The Malaysian-born omega frowned at the mention of it 'being the usual affair.' A usual affair meant meeting with the photographer at noon in a cafe where they would have the natural light of the sun in order to carefully analyze every color choice, every shadow, all while discussing about every process of the editing to better understand what it was the photographer and the editorial was looking for. This... This was anything but the usual affair.

Per Hakken's manager's request, Hakken dressed up. More than he would have liked, but then again, Hakken's manager didn't tell Hakken where they were going. Slender fingers adjusted the too tight black turtleneck that clung to Hakken's throat and smoothed out the silken blazer that conformed to Hakken's thin waist. His attire was completely black, methodical and precise to emphasize the sharp edges of his body as Hakken's manager pulls into... a restaurant far too out of Hakken's budget. "Are you sure?" Hakken turned to look at his manager who simply grinned, gave a thumbs up, and sped off. "Well... so much for back up." Hakken muttered, shaking his head as he buttoned his blazer and made his way to the front where the maître d’ took his name and guided him to his seat.

The further Hakken went into the establishment, the more on edge Hakken couldn't help but feel. It... was all too clean. Too pristine... Too much of an outcast. Guided underneath the crystalline chandeliers twinkling with the trembling caress of frosted glasses of champagne, blood wine, and bubbling opulence. Feline-like eyes trailed along the empty seats. The further to the back they went, the quieter it got: the more Hakken began to grow concerned.

Surely, this photographer didn't need *this much* privacy... right?

Walking behind the folding screen that hid a private table, Hakken froze in his spot as his eyes widened at the sight of the man seated in front of him. Oh. *oh*. This wasn't a meeting with a photographer, this was a meeting with Lee-ing-Dongwook. Yes, this wasn't their first meeting, but Hakken wasn't particularly fond of the surprise.

"Oh my god... Did my manager set you up to this?"

@➳♡ ᵒ ryou hakken The maître d’ leads him through the softly lit dining room, the scent of truffle oil and aged wine lingering in the air. The restaurant is an elegant affair—crystal chandeliers reflecting warm golden light, hushed conversations murmuring over the gentle clink of fine china. It’s the kind of place where a single bottle of wine costs as much as a small car, a setting meant to impress.

He’s dressed appropriately, as he always is for business—tailored black suit, crisp white dress shirt, cufflinks that catch just enough light to be noticed but not enough to be ostentatious. His manager insisted this was an important meeting, something worth clearing his schedule for. A director wants him for their next project, or so he was told.

As he approaches the secluded table at the back, his eyes sweep over the space, assessing. A bottle of red wine already breathes between two glasses. No sign of his guest yet. He glances at his watch, then at the server who appears at his elbow, waiting for his order. He declines for now, opting instead to take his seat, ing his jacket as he settles in.

He doesn’t like surprises. And something about this meeting already feels like one.