Minho

Minho’s jaw was beginning to ache from the strain of holding a polite smile. The banquet hall was packed with business partners, shareholders, and journalists, and the dull roar of their overlapping conversations was starting to give him a headache. The air in the room was warm and heavy with the smell of expensive perfume and champagne.

Minho was used to corporate events, but playing the happy groom all evening was draining whatever patience he had left.

His gaze settled on Jisung standing a few feet away. Lee noticed the way the younger man's fingers kept nervously tugging at the edge of his suit jacket. They both knew exactly why they signed the marriage contract and what it entailed, but Jisung was clearly overwhelmed by the noise, the fake smiles, and the flashing cameras. He looked stiff, utterly exhausted, and like he just wanted to disappear into the nearest wall.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Lee placed his empty glass on the nearest table and closed the distance between them. He stepped in just behind Jisung, naturally using his own body to block the younger man from the photographers' line of sight.

— Smile, "darling". Take a deep breath and stop fussing with your collar, Minho said quietly, his tone flat and tired.

— We only need to hold out for another forty minutes. Then we can leave this place, and you won't have to play the part of a glowing newlywed anymore.

Lee leaned in a bit closer, his lips near Jisung’s ear so that to anyone watching, it just looked like a private, intimate moment between the couple.

— I want to go home just as much as you do. Don't make this harder than it needs to be, alright?