Beneath the Perfect Smile (Yinwar)

As the conversation continued, the tension that had initially gripped Yin began to ease, albeit slowly. The quiet hum of laughter and the clink of silverware filled the room, but Yin couldn't help but feel as if he were walking a tightrope, balancing the expectations of his family with the fragile lie he and War were maintaining.

Yin's mind raced, and the walls he had carefully built around himself seemed to crumble bit by bit. The thought of his mom and Lin observing every subtle movement made his pulse spike again, the weight of their gazes too intense.

War seemed to notice Yin's discomfort before he could even articulate it. He had been quiet for a while, letting Yin's mom do most of the talking. But now, sensing his unease, War slid his hand under the table, his fingers gently resting on Yin's knee.

The unexpected contact startled Yin, but as soon as War's warm, steady hand made contact, Yin's entire body seemed to relax. His breath, which had been shallow and erratic, deepened as the calmness of War's touch began to seep through him. It wasn't much, just a hand on his knee, but the gesture was grounding, almost like an anchor pulling him away from the whirlwind of thoughts that threatened to consume him.

He let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders loosening as the tension slowly dissipated. It was as if War's touch had become a tether to reality, a subtle reassurance that everything would be okay, despite the mounting pressure he wasn't alone in this.

Yin glanced at War, his heart skipping a beat when their eyes briefly met. War's expression was calm, but there was an underlying warmth in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond between them. Yin swallowed hard, nodding almost imperceptibly, a silent thank-you for being his calm in this storm.

Meanwhile, Lin had been watching the two of them with a quiet intensity. Yin could feel her eyes, sharp as ever, noting every small detail. Her gaze shifted between him and War, and Yin couldn't help but wonder if she was beginning to see through their carefully constructed story. But she said nothing for the moment, as the conversation continued to flow around them.

Yin's mom, blissfully unaware of her son's inner turmoil, was still praising War, her voice filled with excitement. "It's so rare to find someone who really understands how to handle the pressures of the spotlight," she remarked. "Yin's always been a bit private, but I can tell he feels comfortable around you. That says a lot."

Yin shot a glance at his mom, his stomach flipping. His heart raced as he forced himself to focus on the moment, hoping that none of his discomfort would show through. But Lin wasn't letting things go that easily. She hadn't asked about how War and Yin met yet, and Yin could feel it coming. It was only a matter of time before she prodded.

Sure enough, Lin's voice broke the rhythm of the conversation as she turned to War with a measured curiosity.

"So, War," Lin began, her tone friendly but inquisitive, "Yin tells me you're a big star. I imagine your schedule is pretty insane. But, aside from the chaos, how do you actually manage it all? I mean, the public's eye is always on you, and there's a certain pressure to maintain a certain image. How do you handle it?"

War's demeanor remained calm as ever, his smile never faltering. It was obvious that he'd been asked this question a thousand times before. He leaned back slightly in his chair, his posture relaxed but commanding.

"Yeah, it's definitely demanding," War said, his voice steady. "But I've got a great team behind me. They help with everything from scheduling to handling the media. It's a well-oiled machine, really. And as for the pressure to maintain an image? I just try to stay true to myself. I figure if I'm authentic and genuine with my fans, then that's enough. The rest will follow."