The Mayor of Taipei slammed his glass on the table, accusing the end of his sentence. Public matters were done for the night and Mark quickly translated the message into Korean. He knew much were done that day towards the partnership with Seoul and he could not hide his smile, both mayors were great men, not afraid to have ambitious projects to defend several rights and promote very daring ideas for the conservative societies they lived in. Many people would benefit from the partnership if all the ideas and suggestions exchanged could be implemented by both executives. Maybe his very own life style could be eased up as well. Though Mark knew things were always more easily said than done.

His head hurt from all the drinking, and he wished he did not need to take part in it, but his job as an interpreter sometime required to show more of himself and to ease the contact in other ways than just relaying information. He reached for his phone after seeing himself out, calling the designated driver center. He was in no state to drive back home, and the evening had seen him getting too carried away, in way he rarely did for such formal meeting. He was used to relay people's opinions, not to be that included in the conversation. He eased his tie in an attempt to feel less stuffed, less tired from all the talking and sat on the sidewalk, waiting for the designated driver. Mark did not like to give his opinion. He liked watching, listening and meditating.

Letting the buzz of alcohol slow his thinking he counted cars, took in the drunken clicking of women heels in the early hours, and zoned out on the questionable puddle a few feet away. Maybe he should not have said so much about gay rights, he anxiously wondered. The Mayor of Seoul was a regular customer of his, and Mark was suddenly all too aware of how much he depended on him as a freelance interpreter. He sighed heavily, hiding his head in his knees and grabbing his hair. Hopefully his opinion would not end up affecting his job.

“Mr Tuan ?” A voice called and Mark raised his head, his eyes needed a few seconds to find the owner of the voice but Mark eventually took in the appearance of the stranger. A guy, not much older than himself he guessed, was standing before him. He wore a loose fitting shirt, 2 buttons opened at the top, and Mark started chuckling when he noticed the jeans full of holes.

“I am Im Jaebum, I am your designated driver for the night.” The guy's eyes were sharp, calculating, and Mark suddenly shut up, feeling very conscious of his own appearance, his tight dress shirt, loose tie, and the redness in his cheeks from obvious drunkenness.

“Ah, yes, thank you.” Mark stood up, his legs feeling a lot more wobbly than he remembered. “To Itaewon-dong, 88 please.” he opened his car and handed his keys. The guy's fingers felt cold against his own heated skin, but he was too busy focusing on hopping in the passenger seat to really register it. Jaebum raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him but quickly moved in and started the engine.

“Do you need directions ?” Mark asked, noticing the other was not setting any GPS.

“Not for now, I know the area pretty well.” Mark turned his head in interest from where it was leaning against the headrest. “Please put your seat belt on.” The other's attention stayed on the road, and Mark took in the on-and-off glint of his earrings in the dark, the slope on his nose and the line of his jaw. The driver was definitely pleasant to look at. Mark complied to his demand, his gaze following the covered arm, the bracelets bunched on a strong wrist and Mark contemplated how to answer, curiosity slowly growing inside him.

“You live there ?” He asked. Jaebum glanced at him and a twisted spark of pride spread through his chest.

“No, I used to visit a friend near the station.” Mark hummed, feeling content.

“Do you like it there ?” he continued. The driver's eyes stayed on the road, his fingers tightening on the wheel.

“Well, I have no reason not to like it.” Mark ed the top of his shirt, relaxing on his seat and opened his window a bit, fresh air finally invading the closed space and caressing his face. The lights of Seoul during the night were pretty. And so was this guy who knew Itaewon enough not to set the GPS.

“I like it there. For the openness.” he added, looking back at Jaebum. The other's mouth formed an approbation and he nodded curtly. Mark let the silence settle for a minute, thinking of his next question as the weight of his gaze stayed on the driver. “When do you finish working tonight ?”

Jaebum checked the time, his attention not drifting to Mark, making the translator frown. “It's almost 3', so this will be my last course.”

“Then will you spend the night at your friend's ?” Mark pried. The other sighed, stopping the car at a red light and looking back at him.

“I haven't heard about him in a while.”

“You can stay at my place if you're tired.” Mark smiled his sweetest smile, knowing there was no way the other had not understood his intention.

“Are you trying to pick me up ?” Jaebum asked bluntly. His gaze was intense, and for an instant Mark faltered against the narrowed eyes.

“Maybe I am.” He answered finally .

A honk rang from behind them, and the driver looked back then forth, on the green light sign. Jaebum shifted the gear, and Mark followed the movement of his hand sliding back on the stirring wheel.

“You're drunk.” The other said, making the car turn in Mark's neighborhood.

“I am, but I've sobered up a lot.” He was not lying, he was no longer feeling off, just slightly buzzed, and it was more the anticipation of how the night could turn than the alcohol that had him feeling high. “I'll make you breakfast tomorrow.” he offered.

“I have class tomorrow.” Jaebum glanced at him, and Mark smiled. The other had not refused.

“I'll drive you then” Mark negotiated. “You're still a student,” he trailed on. “How old are you ?”

“24. Is it on the right or on the left ?” Jaebum fidgeted on his seat, and Mark wondered if he was really only one year younger than him.

“Next street on the left, my apartment is on the first block.” The other quickly made the turn and in a few seconds they were entering the underground garage of Mark's building. “Korean age or international age ?”

“Korean age.” Jaebum answered once they were parked and out, Mark getting his keys back and giving the other his money.

“Oh, so you're really 22, dongsaeng.” Mark smiled again, trying to ease the air surrounding them. He gestured at the exit, hoping the other would not run away. “It's that way.” Jaebum was watching him, hesitation still written on his face. The younger was a bit taller than him, and Mark could admire his features better in the greenish light of the garage. “Do you like tea or coffee better ?” he asked, changing the subject and started walking towards the lift. He felt the other follow him silently, and he bit his bottom lip to repress his smile.

“Tea, but I'd rather accept water at this time of the night. Or a beer.” Mark pushed the button to go up and the door opened immediately.

“I have plenty of beer, don't worry.” Mark answered, entering then looking at the younger. Jaebum met his eyes, and he offered the boy a gentle smile. “I won't let you get drunk I promise, you can back out whenever you want.”

“I don't want to back out.” The other's voice sent a wave of warmth down to his crotch and Mark relaxed – the feeling was not one sided.

They entered the apartment and Mark was quick to offer Jaebum a beer. He set his phone on the speakers in his living room to fill the air with distracting music then he joined Jaebum sipping at his bottle at the counter separating the kitchen from the rest.

“You're not drinking anything ?” Jaebum asked, and now that the buzz from alcohol had went away, Mark was not too sure of how to act.

“I'd rather not, I drank enough today.” He fetched himself a glass of water before sitting on a stool. “So, who's that friend of yours ? An ex-boyfriend ?”

“A friend from Grindr.” The other looked at him pointedly, and Mark caught the implication. Jaebum gulped down half of his beer and stood up. “Where are your toilets ?” Mark gestured at a door, watching the other retreat. He wondered if Jaebum was anxious. The situation was weird, and he was starting to regret ever calling the designated driver center. It was barely 3 o'clock and he could still throw the other out. He wondered if they could spend the night talking instead. He kind of felt lonely and missed his home in Los Angeles. He swirled the water in his glass and listened to the toilet being flushed, only looking up once he could hear Jaebum walking towards the counter.

The younger stilled right in front of Mark, surprising him. “I think we came here for something.” Jaebum said, taking Mark's hand in his and squeezing, making him stand up as well. Mark met the taller man's gaze, still wondering what to do. His heart had started beating more quickly from the unexpectedness and when Jaebum leaned closer, stopping briefly to catch approval in his eyes, Mark moved forward to close the gap between them.

The kiss was slow, almost tender, Jaebum nipping at Mark's lips, mapping their shape and savoring their plush. The older was melting in Jaebum's arms, letting the other's hands roam over his hips and up his back. When the cold metal of Jaebum's bracelets pressed against his neck, a shiver of excitement ran down Mark's spine, making him break the kiss. Jaebum's eyes had darkened, fully focused on him. “You're way too pretty, Mr Tuan.” The taller whispered, fingers grazing on the soft skin of his nape before dipping down for a peck. “Let me get you to bed, princesses should get their 8 hours of sleep.” Mark did not even know what to answer, too focused on the feeling of the younger surrounding him. The nickname was rude, the formal language overlooked and he wanted to protest. He half-forgot about it when Jaebum pressed him against the counter, fingers playing with the end of his shirt and tucking it out of his tightening pants. “Will you show me ?” Jaebum purred in a low tone as he moved his mouth up to his ear, air tickling and making Mark squirm slightly away. Mark then strayed out of the other, stance falsely assured and excitement spreading under his skin. The younger followed closely, hands not leaving the small of his back before Mark made him sit on his bed.

Somehow Mark still felt some uncertainties, it had been a while since the last time he had a fling, and the context was the weirdest ever. He admitted making decisions was not his forte, and when he did decide on something stupid such as bringing his driver home, he wanted to run away far and forget about everything. But there he was looking down at Jaebum's face and he could only swallow down the attraction he felt towards the sharp features, deep gaze and surprisingly cute twin beauty marks under his eyebrow. Jaebum pushed behind Mark's legs, making him stand right between his parted knees. The younger slid both hands on the back of his tights, one hand cupping his and the other brushing over the skin of his lower back. “The cat got your tongue ?” Jaebum asked.

Mark tugged at the younger's hair, straining his neck in an angle that was bound to be uncomfortable, and the defiant way Jaebum looked at him sent sparks of electricity straight to his crotch. “You're way too y for a younger guy.” He stated evenly.

“I can take good care of you anyhow” Jaebum breathed, pulling Mark closer, his chin buried in Mark's belly, dark eyes meeting Mark's. Mark pushed down at broad shoulders and climbed in between the taller's legs.

“As I said way too y.” Mark pecked plushy lips before trailing kisses down the younger's neck. He mouthed at his collarbones, tongue playing with the hollow created by the bones, his hands appreciating the strong muscles under Jaebum's shirt. “Tonight I'll be the one taking care of you.” he added, starting to discard both of their clothes.

*

When Mark woke up in the morning, he was alone. He stretched away the sleepiness, still lying on his sheets and warm from the night. He checked the time on his alarm clock, only to notice a small paper next to it. It was Jaebum's business card, with four words hastily written.

“You owe me breakfast.”

Mark smiled.