Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Yup, I look good tonight.”

The restroom mirror reflected someone Felix had learned to love slowly. The boy with pale, freckled skin, soft brown eyes, and honey blonde hair tucked behind one ear.

He tilted his head, admiring the glow of his cheekbones under the dim lights, the gentle flutter of lashes that caught even the faintest glimmer. He pulled a lipstick from his pocket. A warm nude shade and leaned closer, applying it as if a ritual. The color made him feel alive, bold, pretty.

For a moment, he smiled at his reflection. I definitely look better than before.

Outside, music pulsed through the building, the bass thrumming like a heartbeat. The rooftop party was already in full swing when Felix stepped out, tucking the lipstick back into his pocket. The evening sky was an indigo dream, dotted with fairy lights strung across the edges of the terrace.

Laughter and chatter filled the air, glasses clinking, and the occasional flash of a camera capturing fleeting memories.

Felix slipped into the crowd, where his friends were gathered near a high table, nursing colorful cocktails with tiny cute umbrellas. “There you are,” Jeongin teased, raising a brow. “Fixing your face for someone special?”

Felix chuckled, settling next to them and reaching for the drink waiting for him was a bright pink concoction with a sugared rim. “For myself,” he replied, taking a sip. Sweetness and citrus danced on his tongue, warming him from the inside out. He felt good tonight, light as air, ready for nothing more than laughter and clinking glasses.

But then he walked in.

Hwang Sam.

Felix didn’t know his name yet, but the moment his gaze landed on the tall figure cutting through the crowd, the rest of the party blurred like background noise. Sam was denim and devastation, every line of his body sharp yet fluid. The sleeveless, faded vest clung to lean muscles in a way that suggested he hadn’t tried at all, but it didn’t matter. His jet-black, shoulder length hair was tied back lazily, strands falling loose, framing his jawline with maddening perfection. And his face? Oh God, his face. It wasn’t just handsome. It was magnetic. The kind of face that made you forget how to breathe, the kind of presence that didn’t just demand attention but owned it.

Felix felt it in his chest like a sudden drop. An ache. A silent, dizzying question: Who is he?

“Don’t even think about it,” Jeongin muttered beside him, breaking his trance. Felix blinked. “What?”

“That’s Hwang Sam,” his friend explained, leaning in as if saying the name too loudly would summon trouble. “He’s… bad news. Infamous, actually. Fuck boy. The kind of guy who’ll call you baby one night and forget your name the next morning.”

Felix’s heart stuttered, but his eyes betrayed him, dragging back to where Sam stood, laughing with someone by the bar. Even from across the rooftop, Sam’s smirk felt like a dare. “Seriously, Felix,” Jeongin warned. “Avoid him at all costs.”

But Felix couldn’t. Not when Sam looked like a living sin, carved out of sunlight and shadow, not when the pull was this strong. His fingers tightened around his glass.

As if sensing it, Sam turned. Their eyes locked. Felix froze.

A slow, knowing smirk spread across Sam’s lips. the kind of smile that said he’d caught someone’s secret and intended to keep it. Heat rushed to Felix’s face, and he quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the condensation dripping down his cocktail glass.

The night pressed on, but Felix’s thoughts stayed tangled around Sam like vines. He laughed at his friends’ jokes, nodded at the stories, but every time he glanced toward the bar, Sam was there, leaning casually, shoulders broad, eyes glimmering like something untamed.

When Felix’s drink ran dry, he excused himself, weaving through the crowd toward the table stacked with bottles and mixers. He reached for a new glass, his hand brushing cool metal as he poured, and only then did he realize someone had stepped beside him.

Sam.

So close he could smell the faint leather and warm spice of his cologne. Felix’s body went rigid, and instinctively, he glanced up and made the mistake of meeting Sam’s gaze again. Those dark eyes burned with mischief. Sam tilted his head slightly, a playful curl on his lips. “You’re staring, sunshine,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, like velvet wrapping around every syllable.

Felix blinked, heart pounding, lips parting but no words came out. Felix couldn’t move. Sam’s words lingered between them, like static waiting to strike. Sunshine. No one had ever called him that. It felt dangerous and warm all at once, curling inside his chest, making his breath catch.

“I—I wasn’t staring,” Felix managed, voice barely above the music thrumming through the rooftop speakers.

Sam’s smirk deepened, his gaze unwavering. “You’re a bad liar,” he said, picking up a bottle of whiskey and pouring himself a drink. He moved with a slow confidence, every motion deliberate, as if he knew Felix couldn’t look away.

Felix’s cheeks burned. He grabbed a fresh cocktail, hoping the cold glass might steady his trembling fingers. “I wasn’t,” he repeated weakly, but even he didn’t believe himself.

Sam leaned slightly closer, his arm brushing Felix’s as he reached for a lime wedge. The contact was brief, casual, yet Felix felt it like fire against his skin. He hated how much it rattled him.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” Sam asked, voice lower now, intimate in the chaos of the party. Felix hesitated. “Does it matter?”

“Not really,” Sam said with a shrug, sipping his drink. “Just makes sense. A face like yours? I’d remember if I’d seen it before.”

No one had ever looked at him this way, like they saw past the layers of lipstick, freckles, and bravado. He turned away quickly, forcing himself back toward his table before he drowned in those dark, teasing eyes.

“ Felix! ” Jeongin waved him over as soon as he returned, giving him a look that was almost annoyed but worried. “What took you so long?”

Felix tried to sound nonchalant. “Just... picking a drink.”

Jeongin’s gaze flicked toward the bar, where Sam now leaned casually, watching Felix with that same infuriating smirk. “Don’t tell me he talked to you,” Jeongin groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

Felix’s silence said enough. “Felix, I’m serious,” Jeongin whispered, leaning closer. “Hwang Sam is trouble. He’s the type to make you feel like the only person in the room, just before he forgets you exist.”

Felix swallowed hard. Maybe Jeongin was right. Maybe Sam’s kind of charm was poison dressed as candy. But as Sam’s gaze locked with his from across the rooftop, Felix couldn’t ignore the pull. It was magnetic, reckless, like standing on the edge of a cliff and wanting to jump just to see what it felt like.

Minutes later, Felix found himself drifting again, his friends lost in their own conversations. The party had grown louder, wilder, dancing bodies, flashing lights, the scent of alcohol and something electric in the night air. Felix slipped away, following the string of fairy lights toward the far end of the rooftop, where the city sprawled out below like a glittering sea.

He didn’t expect Sam to follow.

“Careful, sunshine.” The voice sent shivers through him. Felix turned to see Sam leaning against the railing, his sleeveless denim vest open just enough to tease a glimpse of his toned stomach. Under the soft lights, his skin looked golden, his black hair loose now, brushing his cheekbones.

Felix’s breath stopped again. Devastating. There was no other word.

“Why are you calling me that?” Felix asked, trying to sound steady. Sam stepped closer, the distance between them shrinking to something dangerous. “Because you look like sunshine,” he said simply. “Warm. Bright. Impossible to ignore.”

Felix’s heart hammered against his ribs. He gripped the edge of the railing, afraid his knees might give out. “You don’t even know me,” Felix whispered.

Sam tilted his head, eyes glinting. “So? I know enough. I know you’ve been staring all night. I know you’re not like the rest of them. I’m Sam by the way.”

Felix bit his lip, looking away toward the city lights, but Sam’s hand suddenly brushed against his. Light, fleeting, but enough to send heat rushing through his veins. “You should stay away from me,” Felix said, but it didn’t sound like a warning. It sounded like a plea he wasn’t sure he believed.

Sam chuckled softly, low and rough, leaning just close enough for Felix to feel the warmth radiating off him. “I don’t think you want me to.”

Felix’s phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back. It was Jeongin, probably wondering where he’d gone.

Sam’s eyes lingered on his lips, on the rose-colored smudge he’d carefully applied in the restroom earlier. “That color suits you,” Sam murmured, his tone like silk. Felix’s breath trembled. “I should… go back.”

“Go on, then.” Sam leaned back casually, but the look in his eyes promised this wasn’t over. “I’ll find you later, sunshine.”

The rooftop had shifted from wild laughter and cocktails to something softer as midnight approached. The DJ slowed the tempo, letting a mellow track roll through the air. The city lights shimmered beyond the railing like fireflies, and Felix found himself leaning against a high table, watching people sway to the rhythm.

His phone buzzed with another message.

[Jeongin: Where did you disappear to again? Don’t let Sam get to you.]

Felix sighed. He wasn’t sure if it was too late for that warning.

Because here he came, Sam, all denim and mischief, threading through the crowd with the ease of someone who owned every pair of eyes in the room. Felix tried to focus on his cocktail, on the condensation dripping down its side, but he felt Sam’s presence before he saw him.

“You really think you can hide from me, sunshine?” Felix turned, startled. Sam was already there, leaning against the table, close enough for Felix to smell his cologne again, warm spice mixed with something darker. The slow, almost predatory curve of his smile made Felix’s breath catch.

“I wasn’t hiding,” Felix muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

“Sure you weren’t,” Sam said, his tone amused as he reached for the last slice of lime on the table and bit into it. His jaw flexed, and Felix found himself staring. Again.

Sam’s gaze softened but grew sharper all at once. “You know, if you stare at me like that, I might start to believe you want me.”

Felix’s chest tightened. Maybe I do, he thought but didn’t say. He turned toward the railing instead, trying to escape the gravity between them. But Sam followed, stepping so close Felix felt the heat of his body against his back. “Dance with me,” Sam murmured.

Felix blinked, flustered. “There’s no dance floor.” Sam grinned, tilting his head toward the crowd of people lazily swaying near the DJ booth. “There is if we make one.”

Felix didn’t know how it happened. One moment he was gripping his drink like a prize, and the next, Sam had taken it gently from his hand and set it aside. The music’s slow rhythm wrapped around them as Sam’s hand found Felix’s waist, warm and steady. Felix’s pulse stuttered. “Yah—”

“Relax, sunshine,” Sam whispered, his lips dangerously close to Felix’s ear. “You’re too tense for someone who’s been looking at me like I’m the last star in the sky.”

Felix hated how much Sam’s voice crawled under his skin, how easily he could unravel Felix’s composure. Still, he let Sam guide him into a slow, swaying rhythm, their bodies just close enough to feel the heat between them.

Sam’s fingers traced the hem of Felix’s shirt. “You really are something, sunshine. Soft, but not breakable. I like that.”

Felix tried to step back, but Sam’s gaze pinned him in place. It wasn’t just the infamous smirk this time. There was something unspoken, an intensity Felix couldn’t name. Before Felix could respond, the crowd shifted, and someone new entered the rooftop.

He wasn’t expecting to see him.

At first, Felix thought his mind was playing tricks on him. The man walking into the party looked like Sam, same sharp jaw, same dark eyes, but dressed in a way that screamed the opposite of Sam’s wildness. A white button-down shirt tucked neatly into dark slacks, black tie knotted perfectly, glasses catching the light. The contrast was striking: where Sam looked like chaos, this one looked like order, like control.

Felix couldn’t look away. “Ah,” Sam muttered, following Felix’s gaze. His smirk faltered. “Of course he’d show up.”

“Who…?” Felix asked, his voice quiet. Sam’s tone was clipped when he replied. “Hwang Hyunjin. My twin brother.”

Felix’s eyes widened. “Twin?”

Sam chuckled without humor, leaning down so his breath brushed Felix’s ear. “Don’t get any ideas, sunshine. He’s nothing like me.”

Felix wasn’t so sure. Hyunjin had already drawn half the party’s attention just by existing. His composed aura was magnetic in a way that was entirely different from Sam’s fire. And when Hyunjin’s gaze swept the rooftop and landed on Felix, it felt like time stopped.

Hyunjin didn’t approach right away. He stood near the bar, speaking to someone briefly, his expression unreadable. Felix couldn’t shake the feeling that Hyunjin was sizing him up or maybe silently asking why Sam’s hand was on his waist.

Sam noticed too. His grip tightened slightly, and he leaned closer, his voice low. “Don’t let him fool you with that polished act. He’s got sharp edges too.” Felix didn’t respond. Because for the first time that night, his thoughts weren’t tangled around Sam. They were drifting toward Hyunjin. Toward the quiet power in the way he adjusted his glasses, the soft glint in his eyes that seemed to see straight through him.

The song ended, and Felix pulled away, needing space, air, something.

“I need another drink,” he said quickly, slipping from Sam’s hold. Sam’s smirk returned, but there was something tense behind it now. “Go on, sunshine. But don’t let him charm you. He’s good at pretending to be the good guy.”

Felix ignored him and made his way toward the bar, his pulse quickening. Hyunjin was already there.

Their eyes met again, and Hyunjin’s lips curved into the faintest, most devastating smile. “You look like you could use something stronger,” he said, his voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of amusement.

The blonde stiffened, unsure if he was ready for this new storm. He  could feel his heartbeat in his throat as Hyunjin handed him a glass. It wasn’t the sugary cocktail he’d been drinking earlier but something darker, richer, whiskey, neat.

“You don’t seem like the type to drink this,” Hyunjin said softly, his gaze steady as if he could read the hesitation on Felix’s face. “But I think you can handle it.”

Felix wrapped his fingers around the glass, his lipstick leaving a faint stain on the rim as he took a careful sip. The burn slid down his throat, sharp but warm, and he exhaled slowly. “I… wasn’t expecting something this strong.”

Hyunjin smiled faintly, his eyes glinting behind the delicate frame of his glasses. “Strong suits you.” Felix blinked, caught off guard. “Huh?”

“You carry yourself like someone who doesn’t know how magnetic they are,” Hyunjin said, leaning on the bar with an easy confidence. “But it’s there. You walk into a room, and people notice. You don’t have to try, Felix. I heard your friend calling you that. Felix."

Felix didn’t know how to respond. It wasn’t like Sam’s compliments which was fiery, teasing, dripping with mischief. Hyunjin’s words were calm, precise, and devastatingly sincere, as if each syllable had been chosen to cut straight through him.

From the corner of his eye, Felix could see Sam standing near the edge of the rooftop, drink in hand, his dark gaze fixed on them. Even from a distance, the tension radiating off him was palpable. He looked like a storm about to break. “Sam doesn’t like to share,” Hyunjin remarked casually, as if reading Felix’s mind.

Felix’s lips parted. “You... know what he’s like?”

Hyunjin chuckled, a low, warm sound that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Of course. I’ve known him longer than anyone. He’s my twin, after all. Sam lives for the thrill. For the chase. But...” Hyunjin’s gaze softened as he looked at Felix. “You deserve someone who doesn’t see you as a game.”

Felix’s pulse skipped. “And you think that someone is you?” he asked, curious.

Hyunjin tilted his head, smirking slightly. “Do you?” Felix didn’t answer. Not immediately. His mind was still spinning from the way Hyunjin looked at him. Steady, unwavering, like he wasn’t afraid of what he’d find if he stared too long. Unlike Sam, whose smirk always seemed to be hiding a thousand reckless thoughts, Hyunjin’s expression was deliberate. Controlled. Dangerous in a quieter way.

The smaller one took another sip of whiskey, the warmth spreading through his chest. He leaned slightly against the bar, trying to steady himself. “Why are you here?”

Hyunjin’s smirk faded into something softer. “Sam invited me,” he said, brushing a stray strand of dark hair from his face. “He likes showing me the chaos he creates. Maybe he wants me to see the mess before he burns it all down.”

Felix frowned. “That’s… kind of intense.”

“Sam is intense,” Hyunjin said simply. Then, his eyes locked on Felix again. “But so are you, aren’t you?” Felix was about to answer when Sam appeared, cutting between them like a knife.

“Enjoying yourself?” Sam’s tone was casual, but his smirk was sharp enough to slice glass. He looked between Hyunjin and Felix, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. “Didn’t realize you liked my brother’s taste in whiskey, sunshine.”

Felix swallowed, glancing between them. The tension between the twins was like an electric current. It was buzzing, ready to snap. Hyunjin didn’t flinch. He sipped his own drink, unbothered. “Don’t be rude, Sam. Felix and I were just talking.”

“Talking,” Sam repeated, his tone dripping with mockery. “Is that what we’re calling it now? Flirting is not talking.”

Felix stepped back slightly, heat rushing to his cheeks. He wasn’t sure if it was from the whiskey or the weight of their stares.

“Sam,” Hyunjin said calmly, placing his glass down, “not everything is about you.”

Sam let out a short, humorless laugh. “Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re the saint here, Hyunjin. We both know you only show up when you see something you want to take.”

Felix’s breath hitched. Were they fighting over him?

“Chill,” Hyunjin said, voice smooth, almost icy. “Felix isn’t yours.” The way Hyunjin said his name 'Felix' sent a strange shiver down his spine.

Sam took a step closer to Felix, his hand brushing Felix’s shoulder possessively. “Careful, sunshine,” he murmured, his voice suddenly softer but edged with challenge. “My brother likes to play the good guy. But I know him. He’ll ruin you slower than I will.”

Felix’s lips parted, words caught in his throat.

“Why don’t you let Felix decide who’s worth listening to?” Hyunjin said, his tone sharp now, as if he’d had enough of Sam’s game. Felix’s heart pounded. Two identical faces, two completely different storms. One fire, one ice. Both crashing toward him.

Before Felix could respond, a voice called from across the rooftop, breaking the tension. “Felix! We’re starting another round of cocktails! Come on!”

It was Jeongin.

Felix exhaled, stepping back quickly. “I… I need to go back to my friends,” he said, slipping past them before either twin could stop him.

As he walked away, he could feel both sets of eyes on him. Sam’s smoldering with frustration, Hyunjin’s unreadable but lingering.

>>>>>>>>

Chapter Text

Felix's head throbbed with every pulse, and when his alarm screamed for the third time, he buried his face in the pillow and groaned. The morning light felt cruel, stabbing through Felix’s thin curtains like a thousand tiny needles. His mouth tasted faintly of last night’s whiskey, and his memories of the rooftop party were a blur of music, laughter, and two pairs of dark, burning eyes.

“Shit,” he muttered, finally dragging himself upright. He checked the time. 8:15 a.m. His class started in fifteen minutes.

Felix scrambled out of bed, throwing on the first shirt he found, a pale yellow one that clung slightly to his skin and jeans that didn't fit but would have to do. He got a belt without thinking. He didn’t have time for lipstick, just brushed teeth, barely time to splash cold water on his face before bolting out the door. His bag slung haphazardly across his shoulder.

The lecture hall for Development Communication 101 was already half-full when Felix stumbled in, hair slightly damp from a rushed rinse and his notebook tucked under his arm. The pounding in his head only worsened as he found a seat near the back, every word from the professor sounding like it was echoing inside his skull.

He squinted at the slides on the projector, trying to focus. Terms like information flow and community narratives blurred together, and he massaged his temples under the desk.

A few minutes later, Jeongin slid into the seat beside him, looking equally wrecked, though his hair was suspiciously well-styled for someone who was late. “Rough night?” Jeongin whispered, leaning in with a smirk.

Felix groaned softly. “Don’t start.” Jeongin chuckled. “Headache?”

“Feels like my brain’s trying to crawl out of my skull,” Felix muttered, scribbling aimlessly in his notebook. “And the lecture is so loud.”

Jeongin grinned. “The professor isn’t even yelling.”

“Tell that to my hangover,” Felix mumbled.

The next hour was torture. By the time the class ended, Felix felt like he was running on fumes. Jeongin, who wasn’t looking much better, suggested they skip the cafeteria rush and rest for a bit. “Let’s just lie down before lunch,” Jeongin said as they walked across campus. “The grass field’s empty at this time.”

Felix didn’t argue. They found a quiet patch of grass under a wide acacia tree. Felix dropped his bag and collapsed onto his back, staring at the soft blue of the late-morning sky. Jeongin flopped down beside him with a grunt, stretching out his arms.

For a moment, they just breathed. “Why do we drink like that when we know mornings like this exist?” Jeongin muttered, shielding his eyes from the sun.

“Because… rooftop parties,” Felix mumbled, closing his eyes.

“Uh-huh,” Jeongin said flatly. “And because of him.”

Felix cracked an eye open. “Who?”

Jeongin turned his head to look at him. “Don’t ‘who’ me. Sam. The denim disaster with the dangerous smirk. Don’t think I didn’t see you dancing with him last night.”

Felix winced. “It wasn’t—”

“Don’t you dare say it wasn’t anything.” Jeongin sat up on his elbows, glaring. “I told you to avoid him, Lix. I warned you. He’s all chaos and no commitment.”

Felix groaned, rolling onto his side. “I wasn’t planning anything serious—”

Jeongin cut him off again. “That’s how it starts. You think, ‘oh, it’s just a little fun,’ and next thing you know, you’re crying into your pillow while he’s off charming someone else on another rooftop.”

Felix sighed, picking at the grass between his fingers. “It’s not just Sam.”

Jeongin’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?” Felix hesitated, then said, “His twin showed up. Hyunjin.”

His friend's expression went from confusion to disbelief. “Twin?!” Felix nodded. “They look almost the same, but… Hyunjin’s different. He’s quiet. Polished. Nerd actually, with those huge glasses. He… feels like he is different.”

Jeongin sat up fully now, throwing his hands in the air. “Oh, great. So now there are two of them? One’s a walking red flag, and the other’s wearing glasses pretending to be safe? Felix, no. No . ”

Felix laughed weakly, even though his head still pounded. “You make it sound like I’m dating them both.”

“You looked like you were about to,” Jeongin shot back. “I told you to stay away from Sam, and now there’s a Hyunjin too? What’s next, you’re going to bring them both to your dorm?”

Felix sat up slowly, rubbing his temple. “I don’t even know what I’m doing. I just… when Sam looks at me, it’s like I’m the only person in the room. And when Hyunjin looks at me…” He trailed off, unsure how to put it into words. “… it’s like he knows something I don’t.”

Jeongin stared at him for a long moment, then groaned. “You’re in so much trouble, Lix.”

The campus bell rang in the distance, signaling the start of the next class. Jeongin grabbed Felix’s wrist and pulled him to his feet. “Come on. Go get coffee before lunch. You clearly need a reality check. I will just go to the restroom.”

Felix chuckled faintly, following him. But in the back of his mind, he couldn’t shake the image of last night: Sam’s fiery smirk, Hyunjin’s calm, unreadable gaze and the way both of them had made him feel like he was standing at the edge of a cliff.

The campus cafe was busier than usual, a low chatter mixing with the hiss of espresso machines and the clinking of mugs. Felix, still nursing the remnants of his headache, stood in line behind a group of engineering majors debating their latest project. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, warm and grounding, though his nerves were anything but steady.

He wasn’t expecting to see him.

Hwang Hyunjin sat by the window, a book open in front of him and a black coffee steaming at his side. The late-morning sun caught the curve of his glasses, highlighting the sharp angle of his jaw and the soft fall of dark hair framing his face. He looked effortlessly composed, dressed in a crisp cream shirt tucked neatly into black slacks, completely out of place among the hoodies and backpacks of younger students.

Felix’s heart stuttered. He’s here?

As if sensing the weight of his gaze, Hyunjin looked up. For a moment, their eyes met. A small, knowing smile curved Hyunjin’s lips, and Felix quickly looked away, his face heating. He shuffled forward in line, hoping he could grab his iced latte and vanish before anything happened.

“Felix,” a calm voice said. The younger  froze. He turned slowly to find Hyunjin standing just a few feet away, having abandoned his seat by the window. Up close, Hyunjin seemed taller, his presence both intimidating and disarmingly warm.

“You remembered my name?” Felix asked softly, more nervous than he wanted to admit. Hyunjin’s smile widened slightly. “Of course. How could I forget?” He gestured toward the table by the window. “Join me for a minute?”

Felix hesitated but eventually followed him, iced latte in hand. The sunlight pooled over the table, making the golden tones of Felix’s hair glimmer as he sat down. “You’re a freshman, right? Development Communication?” Hyunjin asked, sipping his coffee.

Felix blinked. “How do you know that?” Hyunjin tapped the corner of his book. “I overheard you talking to your friend last night. Jeongin, right? He seemed... protective of you.”

The blonde laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s one way to put it. He thinks I’m walking into a trap.”

“Because of Sam,” Hyunjin said, his tone dipping lower. It wasn’t a question,it was a statement.

“He told me I should avoid Sam,” Felix admitted quietly, his fingers curling around his drink. “And maybe he’s right. Sam is...” He trailed off, unsure how to describe the chaos that Sam brought with every smirk, every glance.

“Sam is fire,” Hyunjin said evenly, his gaze fixed on Felix. “Wild. Reckless. It’s easy to get burned when you don’t know how close you stand.” Felix looked down at his drink, his pulse quickening. “And what are you?”

Hyunjin’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “The opposite of him. I don’t need to burn to be noticed.” The words made Felix’s heart skip a beat. Hyunjin’s voice was calm, almost soothing, yet there was a quiet confidence in it that left Felix disarmed. Just as Felix was about to respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?”

Felix’s stomach dropped. Sam stood at the entrance of the cafe, denim jacket slung over one shoulder, hair pulled into a messy tie. His dark eyes flicked from Hyunjin to Felix, his smirk edged with something sharp. “Sunshine,” Sam drawled as he sauntered over. “Didn’t expect to find you hanging out with him.”

Felix tensed. “Sam, it’s not what you think it is.”

“Calm down,” Sam said, sliding into the seat beside Felix. He draped an arm across the back of Felix’s chair, leaning close enough for Felix to feel the warmth of his skin. “I’m just surprised. My dear brother doesn’t usually... socialize.”

Hyunjin’s gaze remained steady, but there was a glint of irritation in his eyes. “Sam,” he said calmly, “not everyone is a prize to be won.” Sam’s smirk widened. “Funny coming from you. Are you trying to play the saint again?”

“Stop,” Felix said quickly, feeling the tension spike between them. He looked between the two identical faces. One teasing, fiery and unpredictable, the other calm but unreadable. “You’re brothers. Why are you acting like this?”

Sam leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. “Because he thinks he’s better than me,” he said with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Always has.”

Hyunjin didn’t react, simply sipping his coffee before setting it down with quiet precision. “I’m not better than you,” he said softly. “But Felix deserves someone who won’t turn him into another story you brag about later.”

Felix froze, heat rushing to his face. Sam tilted his head, a sharp laugh escaping him. “Wow. You’ve known him for what, five minutes? And you’re already acting like you get to decide who’s good enough for him?”

Hyunjin’s jaw tightened. “Maybe because I actually see him.” The silence that followed was heavy. Felix’s hands tightened around his iced latte. He didn’t know who to look at, who to believe. “Enough,” Felix said finally, standing up so fast the chair scraped against the floor. Both twins looked at him, identical dark eyes filled with completely different storms.

“I’m going to class,” Felix muttered, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “You two can... fight or whatever. I’m not part of it.”

“Sunshine...” Sam began, but Felix didn’t look back. As he left the cafe, his heart pounded. Not just from the argument, but from the way Hyunjin’s calm voice still lingered in his head, and how Sam’s smirk still made his chest ache.

A week passed, and Felix did everything he could to stay away from both brothers. Or at least, that’s what he told Jeongin. He buried himself in lectures, assignments, and long study sessions at the library. But no matter how hard he tried, Hyunjin’s quiet gaze and Sam’s fiery smirk still haunted him at the edges of his thoughts.

By late Friday morning, Felix’s brain felt like mush. He’d camped out in the library with stacks of notes for Development Communication 101 spread across the table. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the pages and his face in golden warmth. He’d only meant to rest his eyes for a moment, but fatigue tugged him under, and soon he was half-asleep.

The harsh light on his face made him squint, and just as he thought about moving, a shadow fell over him. The warmth dimmed. Felix blinked groggily, eyes adjusting until he saw who stood there.

Hyunjin.

He wasn’t dressed in his usual sharp white shirt and tie but in a plain light brown collared top that clung to his lean frame. His glasses glinted faintly, and his dark hair was styled with just enough polish to look effortless. He carried a single notebook under one arm, the corner of his lips curving into the faintest, most devastating smile.

“You’ll burn if you sleep in direct sunlight,” Hyunjin said softly, his tone low and steady. “And it’s not flattering to squint like that.” Felix blinked rapidly, still trying to shake off his drowsiness. “Hyunjin? What are you... doing here?”

“Studying,” Hyunjin replied simply, pulling out the chair across from him. “Though you seem to be doing more napping than reading.”

Felix straightened, embarrassed, brushing the creases out of his shirt. “I was just... uhm... taking a short break.”

Hyunjin tilted his head slightly, the sunlight catching on the metal frame of his glasses. “Breaks aren’t supposed to turn into naps. Not unless you’re planning on letting the entire library see how cute you look when you sleep.”

Felix’s breath hitched, the words sinking in before he could form a response. “You—You can’t just say stuff like that,” he muttered, his face heating.

Hyunjin smirked, leaning slightly forward, resting his chin in his hand. “Why not? It’s true.” The silence stretched for a moment, filled only by the distant sound of pages turning and pens scratching. Felix tried to refocus on his notes, scribbling nonsense just to avoid Hyunjin’s gaze.

“What time will your class end today?” Hyunjin asked, his voice calm but deliberate. Felix glanced up, wary. “Why do you want to know?”

Hyunjin tapped his temple with the end of his pen. “Just that, I find you interesting.” The younger one let out a soft laugh. “I’m a boring person. Nothing special. Unlike... people like you.”

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, amused. “People like me?”

“You know…” Felix gestured vaguely at him, unable to find the right words. “You’re much more interesting. The whole fourth-year, serious, mysterious vibe. People who make freshmen nervous.”

Hyunjin chuckled under his breath. “I’m not trying to make you nervous, Felix.” His name sounded honey. 

“You’re doing a pretty good job of it anyway,” Felix muttered, scribbling random words in his notebook just to have something to look at. Hyunjin’s gaze softened, though his expression remained composed. “You don’t have to be nervous around me,” he said. “I’m not Sam.”

Felix froze at the mention of the name. “I didn’t say you were.”

“No,” Hyunjin said, leaning closer across the table. His voice was lower now, almost intimate. “But you thought it.”

Felix’s chest tightened. He hated how easily Hyunjin could read him like he was transparent. “You should be careful,” Hyunjin said, his tone softer now. “Sam plays games. I don’t.”

Felix finally looked up, meeting Hyunjin’s gaze fully. His dark eyes behind the glasses were sharp but not unkind, the kind of eyes that seemed to see things he didn’t say out loud.

“Why are you telling me this? Why do you always bring Sam into our conversation?” Felix asked quietly. Hyunjin’s lips curved into the faintest smile. “Because I’d rather you choose to look at me without wondering if I’m just another heartbreak you’ll regret later.”

Felix’s breath caught. He couldn’t find anything to say. his thoughts were a mess of Sam’s chaos and Hyunjin’s unsettling calmness. He  had barely processed Hyunjin’s last words when Jeongin appeared beside their table, eyebrows raised and lips pressed into a thin line.

“Well,” Jeongin said, dropping his bag onto the chair next to Felix, “this is… unexpected.”

Felix’s stomach sank. “Jeongin, I know what you're thinking. And you are wrong.” Jeongin waved a hand, cutting him off as he slid into the seat. “Don’t even start. I know that’s Hyunjin.” He turned to look at the older student, his eyes narrowing. “Fourth year, right?”

Hyunjin glanced up from his notebook, giving Jeongin a polite nod, but said nothing.

“Great,” Jeongin muttered, crossing his arms. “You guys must be, what, ten steps ahead of us? And here you are, sitting with a freshman like it’s nothing.” Felix nudged him under the table. “Jeongin, stop. He’s not—”

Jeongin leaned closer, whispering, “I told you to stay away from Sam. And now you’re sitting here with his twin? Really?” Felix sighed, rubbing his temples. “He just came over. It’s not like I planned this.”

“Not like you planned to get tangled in their drama, huh?” Jeongin shot back, then leaned back in his chair, arms still crossed.

The tension made Felix’s throat dry, but when he glanced at Hyunjin, the older boy didn’t look fazed. He’d gone completely silent, his attention back on his notebook as if Jeongin wasn’t even there. His glasses slid slightly down the bridge of his nose. It was hard to tell if he was ignoring the conversation or quietly absorbing every word. Jeongin wasn’t having it. “You’re awfully quiet, aren’t you?” he asked, almost accusingly.

Hyunjin didn’t look up. He just turned a page, his pen moving smoothly across it, his face calm and unreadable. Felix gave his friend a sharp look. “Leave him alone, Jeongin. He’s just… studying.” Jeongin frowned but eventually sighed, leaning back in defeat. “Fine. But I swear, Lix, if you end up crying because of either of these guys, I’ll—”

“You’re thinking too ahead,” Felix muttered, trying to focus on his own notes even as his heart hammered from the tension.

They worked in silence for a while, the only sounds coming from the soft scratching of pens and the occasional shuffle of papers. Hyunjin didn’t say a single word, but Felix could feel his presence like a quiet hum across the table.

About twenty minutes later, Jeongin stood, stretching his arms with a groan. “I’m gonna get coffee from the vending machine. Don’t go anywhere, okay?” He gave Felix a pointed look before heading off. Felix exhaled, his shoulders slumping the moment Jeongin was gone.

Hyunjin’s pen stilled on the page. Slowly, he looked up, his dark eyes settling on Felix. “Your friend doesn’t trust me,” he said quietly, almost like it was an observation rather than a complaint. Felix chewed on his lip. “He doesn’t trust anyone, really. Especially not when it comes to... Sam.”

Hyunjin’s expression softened slightly, though his gaze didn’t waver. “And what about me? Do you trust me?” Felix blinked. “I… don’t know. You’re hard to read.”

A small smirk tugged at Hyunjin’s lips. “I get that a lot.” He closed his notebook, resting his chin on his hand as he studied Felix. “What’s your favorite flower?” Felix blinked again, thrown by the sudden question. “What?”

“Favorite flower,” Hyunjin repeated, his tone gentle but direct. “Everyone has one, even if they don’t think about it much.” Felix frowned, tapping his pen against the table. “Uh… I guess daisies? They’re simple. Bright. Not too fancy.”

Hyunjin’s lips curved into a faint smile. “That suits you.”

Before Felix could ask what he meant, Hyunjin reached across the table, his fingers brushing Felix’s cheek. He stiffened as Hyunjin carefully brushed away a tiny speck of dirt near his jaw. His touch was feather light, deliberate, and far too intimate for such a small gesture.

“There,” Hyunjin murmured, pulling his hand back slowly. His eyes lingered on Felix’s face for a moment longer, quiet, like he was retaining the moment in his memory. Felix swallowed hard, his pulse racing. “You should’ve just told me... that... that I have a dirt.”

“You look adorable when startled,” Hyunjin said simply, standing and gathering his notebook. Felix blinked. “You’re leaving?”

Hyunjin adjusted his glasses, his expression calm. “I have a meeting with my classmates. Besides…” He gave Felix one last, almost knowing look. “Your friend wouldn’t like finding me here when he comes back.” Felix opened his mouth to say something he didn’t even know what but Hyunjin was already walking away, the light brown of his top blending into the shadows between the shelves.

Moments later, Jeongin returned, looking around suspiciously. “Where’d he go?” Felix quickly looked back down at his notes. “Meeting, I guess.”

Jeongin narrowed his eyes. “Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Felix nodded, but his heart was still pounding, and his cheek still tingled where Hyunjin had touched him.

The evening air was cool, carrying the faint scent of rain even though the sky was clear. Felix hugged his notebook to his chest as he walked down the quiet pathway leading from campus to his apartment complex. Most students were still in the cafeteria or library, and the soft glow of the streetlamps made everything feel calmer, softer.

He was halfway down the tree lined road when he heard footsteps behind him, steady, unhurried.

“Felix.” The voice was unmistakable. Smooth, deep, and calm.

Felix turned, his pulse skipping. Hyunjin was walking toward him, dressed in a simple black jacket over the same top he’d worn earlier, his handsome face catching the golden light of the streetlamps. In his hand, he held something that made Felix slightly gasp, a small bundle of white daisies, their petals still fresh, as if they’d just been picked.

“Hyunjin?” Felix said, stopping in his tracks. “What are you doing here?”

Hyunjin’s lips curved slightly. “Walking,” he said, as though it were the simplest answer in the world. When he stopped in front of Felix, he extended the flowers. “These are for you.” Felix blinked, his mouth parting. “For me?”

“You said daisies were your favorite,” Hyunjin said softly, his tone careful but deliberate. “I thought you might like them.”

Felix stared at the delicate white petals. It wasn’t the grand gesture that stunned him, it was the thought behind it. He took the flowers slowly, his fingers brushing Hyunjin’s in the process. “You… remembered?”

“Of course, everything you say is tattooed on my head,” Hyunjin replied. His eyes held Felix’s for a long moment, and the quiet sincerity in them made Felix’s chest tighten.

They began walking together, their footsteps in sync on the gravel path. Felix kept glancing down at the daisies, as though they weren’t real. “You really didn’t have to do this,” he said after a while.

Hyunjin smiled faintly. “I know. But as always, I wanted to. You… don’t strike me as someone who’s used to being given flowers. You should be.”

Felix’s cheeks warmed, and he hugged the small bouquet closer. “You’re… different from Sam.” Hyunjin’s smirk flickered at the corner of his lips. “Is that a good thing?”

The smaller boy glanced up at him, unsure how to answer. Sam was all fire and noise, the type of person who could steal your breath with a single grin. Hyunjin was the opposite, quiet and composed, yet somehow more dangerous because of how effortlessly he made Felix feel seen. “I don’t know yet,” Felix said honestly.

Hyunjin looked at him with something unreadable in his gaze. “I’m not trying to be different,” he said softly. “I’m just... me. But I hope you’ll figure out if that’s someone worth noticing.”

Felix’s heart pounded, his fingers tightening around the stems of the daisies. “You make it hard not to notice you,” he admitted quietly.

When they reached the small courtyard near Felix’s apartment building, Hyunjin finally stopped. “I’ll walk you up.”

Felix shook his head quickly. “I’m good, Hyunjin.”

“I’m not asking, I said I just want to walk you up,” Hyunjin said simply. Then he hesitated, his eyes flicking to the flowers Felix held. “Do you think about me?”

Felix paused. “What?”

Hyunjin’s voice was calm but his eyes were searching. “I was wondering if... after that night on the rooftop, or the café, if I ever crossed your mind.” Felix swallowed hard, heat rushing to his cheeks. “Maybe. You’re not someone people forget easily, Hyunjin.”

Hyunjin’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Good. Because you’ve been on my mind more than I expected. You're the first person to make me feel like this.” Felix’s lips twitched. He didn’t know what to say to that, didn’t know if he wanted to say anything at all. The daisies in his hand felt heavier, like they were carrying the weight of something unspoken.

The older guy reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Felix’s face. His touch was light but lingering, his thumb barely grazing Felix’s temple. “You should get some rest,” he said softly.

“I—yeah,” Felix muttered, his voice unsteady. Hyunjin stepped back, his hand dropping to his side. “I’ll see you around, Felix.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, his figure slowly disappearing into the glow of the streetlamps. Felix stood there for a long moment, clutching the daisies to his chest, his heart doing somersaults.

>>>>

Chapter Text

The next morning, Felix placed the daisies carefully on his desk, arranging them in an old mason jar filled with water. The white petals were soft against the morning sunlight streaming through his window. He hadn’t told Jeongin about them. He wasn’t ready for the lecture…

But something about the gesture from Hyunjin lingered in his mind like a quiet song.

Felix tried to focus on his class schedule, but his thoughts were tangled and restless.

By late afternoon, the campus was thinning out, students spilling onto the sidewalks as the sun dipped low, painting the world in gold and fading rose. Felix adjusted the weight of his backpack and hugged his notebook closer, already thinking about heading home when a voice cut through the gentle hum of chatter.

“Well, well… sunshine.”

Felix’s steps faltered instantly.

Sam stood a few feet away, leaning casually against a tree like he’d been waiting all day just for this moment. A cigarette rested between his fingers, smoke circling lazily in front of his face. He wore a sleeveless dark gray vest that fit his frame perfectly, the zipper slightly undone at the top, revealing the sharp angles of his collarbones. A leather jacket hung loosely from one shoulder, and his black hair tied in a loose, messy half-pony, framed his face in a way that was both effortless and intentional. The sight alone sent Felix’s thoughts spiraling. Why are you so damn handsome?

“Sam,” Felix said, his voice softer than what he meant to, heat rushing to his cheeks.

The taller man smirked around the cigarette, tilting his head slightly as he exhaled a slow stream of smoke. “You look nervous.  Did you think you could just walk past me without saying hi?”

Felix swallowed. “I… didn’t see you.”

“Mm,” Sam hummed, clearly amused. He flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his boot before pushing off the tree, his every movement lazy but precise, like he knew Felix’s eyes couldn’t help but follow.

As Sam sauntered closer, the blonde felt the air grow tighter, making his stomach twist. Sam’s grin was lazy yet sharp, his gaze locking on Felix like a predator sizing up its prey.

“Funny thing,” Sam said but nothing was funny, sliding his hands into his pocket as he stopped just a step too close. “I heard my brother’s been hanging around you. Is that true?”

“Hyunjin? Yeah, I guess… we talked.”

Sam tilted his head, his dark eyes narrowing ever so slightly, though the smirk never left his lips. “Just talked?”

Felix shifted uncomfortably, suddenly hyperaware of Sam’s closeness, of the faint smell of smoke and leather lingering on him. Sam’s grin widened, but it wasn’t the playful one Felix was used to. This one was edged with something else, jealousy, maybe? “Talked, huh? Is that what we’re calling flower delivery now?”

Felix’s heart skipped. “How did you—”

“News travels fast,” Sam said, tilting his head. “Especially when my oh-so-perfect brother is suddenly giving out daisies like he’s in a romance book. Daisies, Felix? That’s… cute.”

Felix glared at him, his pulse quickening. “Why do you care?”

Sam’s face softened, but not in a comforting way. Eyes were sultry. “Because you were looking at me first,” he said, his tone lower now, almost possessive. “I don’t like it when people try to steal what I’ve already noticed.”

“I’m not… I’m not something to be stolen, Sam.”

The older stepped closer, his height and presence swallowing the space between them. “I know that, sunshine,” he said, voice calm but laced with heat. “But my brother? He loves the chase just as much as I do. He just hides it behind that quiet, polished act of his. Don’t let him fool you.”

Felix clenched his fists. “Hyunjin isn’t like you.”

That made Sam laugh. A sharp, short sound. “Oh, Felix,” he murmured, leaning closer so his breath brushed Felix’s ear. “You have no idea how alike we really are.”

Felix took a step back, hugging his notebook to his chest like a shield. “Why are you saying this to me? You barely know me.”

“Because I like the way you look at me,” he said simply. “Like I’m more than the stories they tell about me. Like I’m… something worth noticing.”

Felix’s chest tightened. For a second, he saw past the cocky grin, past the fire, and caught a flicker of something else, something that almost looked like vulnerability.

“Sam…” He looked away, gripping the edges of his notebook. “I can’t do this. Not when you and Hyunjin—”

“What?” Sam interrupted, an eyebrow was raised. “You think we’re fighting over you?” His smirk deepened. “Maybe we are. But you’re worth it, sunshine.”

He felt his face burn. “Why are you saying things like that.”

“Why not?” Sam asked, voice dropping, his gaze pinning Felix in place. “You don’t believe me?”

Felix looked down, words caught in his throat.

“Look,” he said, tone quieter now. “I’m not going to play nice just because Hyunjin’s suddenly pretending to care. But I’m not going to stop coming around either.”

He frowned. “You make it sound like I have to pick between you two.”

Sam smirked, his teeth flashing in the late sunlight. “Maybe you do. Maybe you don’t. But I’m not about to let my brother walk away with all the credit for noticing how good you look when you’re flustered.”

Felix’s gulped. Cheeks burning.

“Enjoy the daisies,” Sam said finally, taking a step back. “But don’t forget who you were staring at first.” He winked, his grin returning full force before he turned and walked away, leaving Felix frozen on the path, heart pounding and mind spinning.

The next day passed in a haze of lectures and yawns. Felix had barely slept, his mind looping over the memory of Sam’s voice and Hyunjin’s quiet words, their contrasts pulling him apart like two tides fighting over the same shore.

When his last class ended, Jeongin walked with him down the steps of their college building, still talking about their upcoming project. “Don’t stay up too late again,” Jeongin warned as they reached the gate. “And please, for the love of all that’s good, stay away from those twins.”

“I’m not planning on anything,” Felix muttered, forcing a smile.

Jeongin narrowed his eyes, like he didn’t believe him, but finally sighed and waved goodbye before heading toward the bus stop.

Felix shifted the stack of books he was carrying against his chest. He’d borrowed four research books from the library, all of them heavy, and his bag was already stuffed with notebooks. He trudged along the side street leading to his apartment, the late afternoon sun warm against his back.

That’s when a car horn blared beside him.

Felix jumped, nearly dropping the books.

A sleek black car slowed down until it was pacing him. The window rolled down, and Sam leaned his arm casually against the frame, his dark hair loose around his face, sunglasses pushed up to rest on his head. He looked infuriatingly effortless in a black T-shirt and rings glinting on his fingers.

“Need a ride, sunshine?” Sam called, his smirk unmistakable.

Felix frowned. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

Sam tilted his head. “You sure? Those books look like they weigh more than you do.”

“I’m fine,” Felix repeated, adjusting the stack in his arms and walking faster.

Sam’s followed with the car, the engine humming softly. “What, you mad at me for yesterday? Come on, Felix. Don’t make me watch you struggle when I’ve got an empty seat right here.”

“I said no,” Felix muttered, even though his arms were starting to ache.

Sam wasn’t giving up.

The car slowed to match his pace perfectly, and Sam leaned farther out the window. “You’re stubborn, huh?” His tone was teasing, but his gaze was focused. “Get in, Felix. I promise I won’t bite.”

Felix glared at him over the stack of books. “That’s exactly what someone who’s about to bite would say.”

The older laughed, a warm sound that curled around Felix like smoke. “Okay, that was funny. But seriously, get in. You’re going to drop those any second now.”

Felix’s arms were trembling, his shoulders sore. He hated to admit it, but Sam wasn’t wrong. With a sigh of defeat, Felix finally muttered, “Fine. Just… fine.”

Sam grinned like he’d won the lottery. “Atta boy.”

He stopped the car and leaned over to open the passenger door. Felix awkwardly climbed in, setting the books carefully on his lap, and immediately regretted it. The inside of the car smelled faintly like leather, cigarette and Sam’s cologne: warm spice and something sharp, like cedarwood and it made Felix’s chest tighten.

“See?” Sam said as he pulled away from the curb. “Much better than breaking your back on those books.”

Felix stared out the window, determined not to meet Sam’s smug look. “Just drop me off near my apartment, okay?”

“Sure,” Sam said smoothly.

But a few minutes later, the blonde realized they weren’t going the right way. He frowned, glancing around. “Wait… this isn’t the way to my place.”

“Nope,” Sam said casually, eyes on the road.

“Sam,” Felix warned, his voice sharp. “Where are we going?”

Sam’s lips curled into a grin. “On a date.”

Felix blinked, stunned. “What? No. No, no, no. I didn’t agree to that.”

“You agreed to get in my car,” Sam said, glancing at him briefly, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. “That’s practically step one.”

“Sam!” Felix’s voice pitched higher as he clutched his books like a shield. “Turn around! I’m not—this isn’t—”

Sam laughed, not slowing down. “Relax, sunshine. It’s not a crime to spend an hour with me. I promise, no rooftop drama this time. Just… you, me, and maybe some drinks if you’re lucky.”

Felix’s heart raced. He wasn’t sure if it was panic or something else, but the way Sam said you, me made his stomach flip. “You can’t just… decide things like this.”

Sam glanced at him again, his smirk softening into something almost sincere. “Then decide for yourself. If you really want me to turn around, say it like you mean it.”

Felix froze. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. Not because he didn’t want to, but because some part of him, the reckless, curious part, wanted to know what Sam was planning.

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the buzz of the car’s engine and background music by The Last Shadow Puppets.

Sam grinned when Felix didn’t answer. “That’s what I thought,” he said quietly, his tone less teasing now. “Relax, Felix. It’s just one date. No expectations. You act like I’m gonna fuck you in the backseat.”

Felix glared at him with the last sentence he heard. He exhaled long through his nose, frowning. He wasn’t sure if this was a mistake but he didn’t tell Sam to turn back anyway.

Sam’s car rolled to a stop on a quiet street Felix had never been to before. The late afternoon sun bathed everything in warm gold, the breeze carrying the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted coffee. A small street café sat tucked into the corner, its wooden tables scattered under the shade of flowering trees. It wasn’t crowded, just a few people sipping drinks and reading books.

Felix looked around, confused. “This is your idea of a date?”

Sam sneered as he stepped out of the car and grabbed the denim jacket from the backseat. “What, expecting a rooftop bar with neon lights? Come on, sunshine. I can do simple.”

Felix hesitated but followed him. Sam held the café door open, and for once, his smile wasn’t cocky or teasing. It was… lighter. Softer.

They chose a small table by the window, and Felix was still cautious. A lady approached them. Sam ordered some pastries, one iced americano and one matcha latte without asking, and Felix raised an eyebrow.

“What if I didn’t want matcha?” Felix asked.

“You do,” Sam replied, smirking. “Trust me, I’m good at reading people.”

Felix rolled his eyes. “You think you know me that well?”

Sam then leaned in his chair, his gaze calm but direct. “Not yet,” he said. “But I’d like to.”

The silence between them wasn’t heavy, just new. Felix busied himself by taking in the café’s cozy details: shelves stacked with books, a hand-drawn menu on a chalkboard, the faint hum of soft jazz playing in the background.

“You’re quiet,” Sam said after a moment.

“You kidnapped me,” Felix replied dryly. “What do you expect me to say?”

Sam chuckled, leaning his chin into his hand. “You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”

Felix sighed, but his cheeks warmed despite himself. “Stop talking.”

“Why not?” Sam tilted his head, studying him. “I say what I think. And right now, I’m thinking you look good with sunlight on your face.”

Felix turned to look out the window, pretending not to hear the warmth in Sam’s tone. Their orders arrived. He stirred his matcha latte absentmindedly, the faint green swirl catching the sunlight through the café window. He liked the bitterness of matcha. it grounded him, unlike the dizzying thoughts swirling in his mind whenever Sam was around.

Across from him, Sam leaned back casually in his seat, his denim jacket draped over his shoulders in a way that seemed unplanned but looked devastatingly perfect.

Sam wasn’t even trying, and yet Felix couldn’t look away. His dark hair was tied loosely at the nape of his neck, a few strands falling carelessly into his handsome face, making him look untamed and annoyingly perfect. Felix hated how his eyes lingered on him, but it was impossible to tear away from the sharp jawline, the faint smirk, and those dark, heavy-lidded eyes that looked like trouble incarnate.

Sam caught him staring and tilted his head, grin curling slow and dangerous. “Like what you see, sunshine?” he teased, his voice low, the kind that dripped with confidence and dared you to look away.

Felix flushed, quickly looking down at his food and drink. “You’re imagining things.” He took a bite and tasted cinnamon.

“Am I?” Sam leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. “I mean, I don’t blame you. I do look good today.”

Felix scoffed, but the sound came out weaker than intended. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“Maybe,” Sam said, shrugging casually. “But I’m right.” His hand brushed against Felix’s as he reached for his iced latte, a touch so casual it should have meant nothing but it sent a spark shooting through Felix’s veins.

Felix froze.

Sam didn’t pull back. If anything, he leaned closer, his breath ghosting Felix’s ear. “Relax,” he murmured, voice velvet-soft yet laced with mischief. “I won’t bite. Not here, at least.”

“Yah!” Felix’s pulse roared in his ears. He wanted to push him back, tell him to quit acting like this but he was caught in the magnetic pull of Sam’s presence. Every time Sam got this close, Felix felt like the world tilted. He grabbed his matcha like it was a thing that will save him. He was hyperaware of how Sam was still watching him. Always watching him.

“Matcha suits you,” Sam commented, his grin returning. “Sweet but a little bitter if someone doesn’t handle it right.” His gaze dropped to Felix’s lips, watching the faint green stain left by the drink. “Cute,” he muttered, almost to himself.

Felix nearly choked. “You’re impossible.”

Sam swirled his straw lazily in his iced drink, the movement slow, deliberate, like he was waiting for Felix to look up again. When Felix finally did, their eyes met, and it felt like gravity shifted.

“You’re always looking at my eyes like a lost kitten,” Sam said, his voice low and amused.

F“You’re just… distracting.”

Sam smirked, leaning closer, his elbows resting on the table. “Good. I like being the center of your attention.”

Felix hated how that smirk got to him, how his chest tightened every time Sam’s eyes softened just enough to look almost sincere. That man looked like a walking huge red flag, dangerously handsome, with a kind of confidence that felt like a trap.

But Felix couldn’t stop memorizing every detail: the way the café light caught on the edges of his hair, the dark gleam in his eyes, the small beauty mark just below his left eye near that only made him look more intimidating.

For a while, they sat in silence, sipping their drinks. Only the small one chewing their food. He tried to focus on his matcha, but the tension was thick, electric, every accidental brush of Sam’s hand on the table making him spiral further.

Then, to Felix’s surprise, Sam’s tone shifted, the teasing fading for just a moment. “Do you know why I like quiet places like this?” he asked, swirling his straw again.

Felix blinked, caught off guard. “Why?”

“Because no one expects anything from me here,” Sam said, his gaze drifting to the window. “On campus, everyone’s got their opinions. ‘Sam’s a flirt,’ ‘Sam’s trouble,’ ‘Sam doesn’t care about anything but himself.’” He let out a low chuckle, but there was no bite in it, only weariness. “Places like this? No one knows me. No one cares. I can just… breathe.”

Felix studied him, his chest tightening. He wasn’t used to seeing this side of Sam. Unguarded, almost vulnerable.

“Why do you care what people think?” 

“I don’t,” Sam replied automatically. Then, softer: “At least, I tell myself I don’t. But after a while, hearing the same thing over and over… maybe part of me starts to wonder if that’s all I am. Just a guy who can’t be serious.”

Felix shook his head. “But now, I think you’re not just that.”

Sam’s eyes flicked to him, sharp but curious. “You think so?”

Felix nodded, fiddling with his straw. “Sure, you’re… infuriating. But I don’t think someone who’s only trouble would take me to a café like this. Or… know that I like matcha.”

A slow smile spread across Sam’s face. Not his usual cocky smirk, this one was softer, almost shy. “You’re giving me too much credit, sunshine.”

Felix’s matcha was nearly gone, but his nerves were only tightening. Sam’s sudden softness, the way his gaze lingered as if seeing past all his defenses, was worse than his usual teasing. Felix could handle Sam’s smirks and cocky comments but he couldn’t handle this quiet charm that made his chest ache.

Sam leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly, the sunlight brushing against his features in a way that it was unfair how effortlessly beautiful he was.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Felix muttered, trying to divert his gaze.

“Like what?” Sam’s grin curved, slow and knowing. “Like I’m going to eat you alive? Or like you want me to?”

Felix’s breath caught. “You’re—”

“A menace?” Sam interrupted, leaning forward on his elbows. “Maybe. But you don’t seem to mind.”

Felix’s pulse thudded in his throat. He wanted to say something sharp, but before he could, Sam reached over the table slowly and adjusted the collar of Felix’s shirt. His fingers brushed Felix’s neck for a fraction of a second, but it was enough to make Felix freeze.

“You’re too easy to read,” Sam said softly, almost like a secret. “Your ears go red when you’re nervous.”

Felix nearly knocked over his cup. “W-What are you doing?”

“Making sure you don’t forget me,” Sam said, his voice so close it made Felix’s skin tingle. He was leaning forward now, their faces inches apart, his breath warm and smelling faintly of coffee.

Felix’s chest felt like it was collapsing. He was drowning in Sam’s proximity, the way those dark eyes pinned him down, unblinking and devastating.

Finally, Sam broke the silence, his voice lower than before. “Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?”

Felix swallowed. “No.”

Sam smirked. “Liar. You’re dying to know.”

Felix glared weakly, but Sam leaned in again, his eyes dark and sharp. “When I look at you,” he said slowly, “I see someone who’s too good for me. But I also see someone I’d burn the world for, just to make him look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”

Felix’s breath hitched. He wasn’t sure if it was the words or the way Sam’s voice dropped into something dangerous, but his whole body felt like it was on fire. “Sam…” Felix said, his voice trembling.

Sam tilted his head, a wicked grin breaking through the tension. “Yeah, sunshine?”

Felix looked down, his fingers tightening around his cup. “You… you make everything so complicated.”

“Good,” Sam replied, smirking. “I like being the reason you can’t think straight.”

The waitress came by, dropping the bill, and Sam didn’t even let Felix glance at it, he slipped cash onto the table, his movements smooth, confident. “Let’s go,” he said, standing and grabbing his jacket.

Felix blinked. “Go where?”

“Go home,” Sam said simply. “Before you combust in this café from staring at me too much.”

Felix’s face burned, but he followed.

Outside, the air was cooler, the faint breeze playing with Felix’s freshly tied hair. Sam walked beside him, hands in his pockets, his grin less sharp now, almost relaxed.

“You keep memorizing my face,” Sam said, glancing sideways. “What are you thinking?”

Felix hesitated. “That you’re… too handsome for your own good.”

Sam chuckled low, stopping in his tracks. He stepped closer, close enough that Felix could see the glint in his eyes. “You mean for your good, sunshine.”

Felix froze, his heartbeat thundering as Sam leaned close, his breath warm near Felix’s ear. “You can’t look away from me, can you?”

When they reached the car, Sam opened the door for him but paused, his hand resting on the frame. “Sunshine.”

Felix looked up, startled by the way Sam was suddenly serious.

“Don’t let my brother confuse you,” Sam said softly. “He’s good at looking like the safe choice. But me?” His lips curved into a faint smile. “I’ll always be honest about what I want. And right now, I want to know you.”

Felix’s heart raced as he climbed into the car, unable to find the right words to respond.

Felix had been awake earlier, chatting softly about school and random little things, but somewhere along the way, his voice had faded. Now, he was curled up against the seat, seatbelt hugging his shoulder, his lips slightly parted. His head tilted toward the glass, his long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks.

Sam, glancing from the road to the passenger seat, chuckled under his breath. “You’ve got to be kidding me, sunshine,” he murmured, amusement curling around his tone. “Falling asleep like this… mouth open, soft little snores. What am I supposed to do with you?”

He slowed the car as they reached Felix’s dorm building but didn’t wake him immediately. Instead, he just sat there, watching him. Felix’s pale hair fell in messy strands across his face, glinting faintly under the streetlight outside. His skin looked almost translucent, glowing in a way that made Sam’s chest tighten. Without thinking, he reached out, brushing a few stray strands away from Felix’s eyes. His fingers lingered for a moment on Felix’s temple, soft and almost careful. An odd contrast to his usual careless demeanor.

“Sunshine,” Sam said quietly, tapping his leg gently.

Felix stirred, his brows knitting together before his eyes fluttered open. Disoriented, he jolted slightly when he realized Sam was so close, instinctively grabbing the first thing his hand found—Sam’s forefinger.

Sam froze, then laughed softly, looking down at the small hand clutching his finger. “Wow,” he teased, “your hands… they’re tiny compared to mine. Cute.”

Felix blinked rapidly, the remnants of sleep still clouding his mind, before quickly letting go, his face burning. “I—I didn’t mean—”

Sam shook his head, smirk softening into something almost fond. “You’re something else, sunshine.”

Felix’s embarrassment only deepened when Sam leaned closer, his eyes glimmering under the dim light. “Do you know how pretty you are? You’re one of a kind,” he said suddenly, voice low, like a confession.

Felix’s breath caught, his gaze snapping to Sam’s face. “What?”

“I said you’re pretty,” Sam repeated with a lazy grin, clearly enjoying how flustered Felix became.

Felix looked away, gripping his bag tighter, his ears burning. “T—thanks… for the ride and… and the date,” Felix said awkwardly as he reached for the door handle. His voice was soft, almost hesitant, as though unsure what else to say.

Sam tilted his head, smirk returning full force. “Don’t thank me yet. I’m not done proving I’m the better twin.”

Felix blinked, startled by the unexpected remark. “Better twin?”

“You’ll see, sunshine.” Sam’s tone was teasing, but his dark eyes held something else. A flicker of challenge, maybe, or something that made Felix’s pulse quicken.

Before Felix could respond, Sam leaned closer again. The air between them seemed to shrink. Felix froze, his breath catching in his throat as Sam’s face hovered dangerously close to his. His lips parted on instinct, lashes lowering without meaning to, closing his eyes.

For a moment, Felix swore he could feel the warmth of Sam’s breath against his mouth. Is he gonna kiss me?

But instead of kissing him, Sam’s hand moved to the buckle of Felix’s seatbelt, clicking it free with an audible snap.

Felix blinked, startled, realizing what just happened.

Sam’s grin was pure trouble. “What?” he said innocently, though his tone was dripping with mischief. “Did you think I was going to kiss you?”

Felix’s entire face went scarlet. “I—I wasn’t—”

Sam laughed, low and warm, leaning back in his seat. “God, you’re cute when you’re flustered.”

Clumsily, Felix gathered his books and bag, nearly dropping one in his haste. “Goodbye,” he muttered, trying to regain some semblance of composure as he stepped out of the car.

“Goodnight, sunshine,” Sam called after him, his grin never fading. “Dream about me.”

Felix pretended not to hear, but the way his heart was pounding made it impossible to ignore the effect Sam had on him.

As Felix turned to head up the steps to his apartment, his heart stopped.

Hyunjin was there.

He stood at the far end of the street, leaning casually against a lamppost, his white shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, his glasses catching the soft glow. But there was nothing casual in the way he looked at Sam’s car driving away. His eyes were sharp, quiet, like a storm waiting to break.

Felix froze, books tightening in his arms. He didn’t know if he should wave, run, or pretend he didn’t see him.

Hyunjin’s gaze met his. For a long, heavy second, neither of them moved. Then Hyunjin straightened, adjusted his glasses, and walked away without a word, disappearing into the side street.

That image haunted Felix for the rest of the evening.

He had just finished changing clothes when a soft knock echoed through his apartment. He frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late, and Jeongin would have texted if he was coming over.

Felix opened the door.

Hyunjin stood there, holding another small bouquet of white daisies.

Felix’s breath caught. “Hyunjin…”

“Can I come in?” Hyunjin asked, his tone calm but carrying something beneath it… something Felix couldn’t read.

>>>>>>>

Chapter Text

Felix nodded, stepping aside. Hyunjin entered, his presence filling the quiet apartment. He placed the daisies and his bag gently on the table next to the jar from before, his dark eyes scanning Felix’s face.

“I saw you earlier,” Hyunjin said softly, removing his glasses to clean them with a handkerchief. “With Sam.”

Felix swallowed. “I… didn’t know he would take me out. I just—”

“I know.” Hyunjin put his glasses back on, his expression still unreadable. “Sam doesn’t give people a choice. He decides what he wants and takes it.”

Felix frowned. “It wasn’t like that.”

Hyunjin’s eyes softened. “Maybe not. But I need to ask you something, Felix.”

Felix’s chest tightened. “What?”

Hyunjin stepped closer, close enough that Felix could see the faint reflection of himself in the older boy’s glasses. “Are you happy when you’re with him?”

Felix froze, the question hitting harder than he expected. He thought about the café, about Sam’s teasing grin and that brief flicker of vulnerability. He also thought about how exhausting it was, like standing too close to fire thet you didn’t know if it would warm you or burn you.

“I don’t know,” Felix admitted quietly, almost whispering.

Hyunjin nodded, as if he expected that answer. “Sam’s… complicated. But so am I.” He looked at the daisies on the table, then back at Felix. “I don’t bring flowers to people unless I mean it.”

Felix’s breath caught. “Hyunjin…”

“Do you ever think about me?” Hyunjin asked suddenly, his voice low but firm.

Felix blinked, his heart pounding. “I—”

Hyunjin smiled faintly, the corners of his lips lifting in something both gentle and bittersweet. “It’s okay if you don’t know yet. I just… I hope you do. Because when I think of you, Felix, it feels like sunlight. I want to see you as much as I could, despite being a little too busy since I’m a graduating student. I can’t function well when I know you’re being played with by my brother...”

Felix felt his cheeks burn, his hands trembling slightly. “You can’t just—”

“Say things like that?” Hyunjin’s voice softened even further, but his gaze didn’t falter. “I told you I don’t play games. I just say what’s true. I’m not Sam.”

The quiet stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Hyunjin reached up and, like before, brushed a small piece of lint from Felix’s shoulder. The touch lingered for half a second longer than necessary, his fingertips warm even through the fabric.

“I should go,” Hyunjin said suddenly, stepping back.

Felix blinked. “Wait, you—”

Hyunjin picked up his bag, his composure perfectly intact. “I didn’t come to fight with Sam. I came because I needed you to know where I stand. And I’ll give you everything you deserve.” He nodded toward the daisies. “I hope you’ll remember.”

And just like that, he left.

Felix stood by the door long after it closed, his heart pounding, his thoughts spinning between the black café table with Sam and the white daisies Hyunjin left behind.

Felix hadn’t expected to see Hyunjin on campus that Friday morning. He was sitting on a bench near the Communication building, sipping on a quick iced coffee before class, when a familiar voice, smooth and low, called out to him.

“Felix.”

Felix looked up, and there he was. Hyunjin stood a few steps away, dressed in a cream button-up shirt tucked into tailored black trousers, his glasses glinting in the soft morning sun. Behind him, parked near the curb, was a pristine white car. Sleek and elegant, just like him.

“Hyunjin,” Felix said, startled. “What are you doing here?”

Hyunjin smiled faintly, as though the answer was obvious. “Looking for you. I was wondering… are you free tonight?”

Felix blinked, confused. “Tonight?”

“Yes,” Hyunjin replied, his tone calm but deliberate. “Let me take you somewhere. A proper date.”

The word date made Felix’s chest tighten. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

By evening, Felix stood nervously outside his apartment complex, waiting. He looked effortlessly soft yet striking.

His pale blonde hair falling naturally around his face, the strands glowing faintly under the warm streetlights. He wore a powder-blue cardigan with white patterns over a simple white tee, paired with his favorite light-washed jeans. His silver jewelry caught the light when he adjusted the strap of his leather bag, and his freckled face was brushed with a hint of natural color that made him look like he had just stepped out of a dream.

When the familiar white car pulled up, Felix’s breath caught in his throat. Hyunjin stepped out, his tall frame dressed in a fitted, textured brown collared shirt with golden buttons that hugged his toned arms. The subtle glint of a gold bracelet and watch on his wrist made him look elegant. His dark hair was styled neatly, he wore thin-rimmed glasses, a look that made his already sharp features appear even more devastatingly handsome.

Hyunjin walked around the car, his steps calm and measured, and opened the passenger door for Felix. His warm gaze scanned Felix’s outfit, his lips curving into a faint, genuine smile. “You look good,” Hyunjin said, his tone quiet but with a depth that made Felix’s heart skip.

Felix felt his face flush, ducking his gaze for a moment before murmuring, “You’re one to talk.”

Hyunjin tilted his head slightly, adjusting his glasses with a soft grin. “Flattering me already? We haven’t even started the evening yet.”

The car ride was quiet, but not the awkward kind of quiet. It was the kind that felt like being wrapped in a soft blanket, comfortable, easy. Felix rested his hands on his knees, sneaking occasional glances at Hyunjin as they drove.

The city lights blurred past the windows, their warm glow reflecting faintly in Hyunjin’s glasses. He looked almost unreal, like he had been painted in shades of gold and soft shadow.

Felix’s heart was giddy, beating just a little too fast. It was strange, how much he trusted Hyunjin already. With Sam, every moment felt like a challenge, a teasing game where Felix never knew if he was being pulled closer or pushed away. But with Hyunjin, there was no guessing. He was steady, like he’d never let Felix fall if he tripped.

“Where are we going?” Felix asked finally, breaking the comfortable silence.

“You’ll see,” Hyunjin said, glancing at him with a small smile that curved his lips. The way his glasses caught the glow of the dashboard lights made him look so soft and perfect that Felix had to glance away before he melted entirely.

Felix fiddled with his sleeve, trying to hide his smile. He didn’t know why his chest felt so light, like he was floating. Maybe it was the way Hyunjin’s voice carried, low but warm, or the way he drove, calm, focused, yet occasionally glancing at Felix like he mattered more than the road itself.

The place Hyunjin chose wasn’t flashy, but it was stunning. A rooftop garden restaurant perched high enough to see the city skyline painted dark with twinkling glow of building lights like galaxy. The tables were scattered between patches of greenery and small potted trees, with tiny fairy lights strung above, swaying slightly in the breeze. The warm glow of the bulbs turned the evening air into something magical. Felix stood there, momentarily struck speechless, his mouth parting as he took it all in.

“Hyunjin, this is…” he whispered, trailing off.

Hyunjin glanced at him, his thin-rimmed glasses catching the amber light. “Do you like it?” His tone was calm, but there was an edge of anticipation, like he cared about Felix’s answer more than he’d ever admit.

Felix nodded quickly, his chest warm. “It’s perfect,” he said, and meant it.

Hyunjin’s lips curved in a faint but satisfied smile, and he led Felix to their table, a small one tucked near the corner of the rooftop, where the view of the city seemed to stretch endlessly.

Dinner was… unexpectedly sweet. Hyunjin wasn’t one to fill the silence with meaningless chatter, but when he spoke, it felt intentional, like every word had weight. He asked Felix about his classes, what he liked about his program, and his favorite childhood memories.

Felix, though shy at first, found himself talking more than he expected. Hyunjin had a way of listening that made him feel like nothing else mattered. His dark eyes fixed on Felix with quiet intensity, as though every word he said was important.

“What about you?” Felix asked, finally leaning forward on his elbows. “What’s your major?”

Hyunjin’s smile widened a little. “Civil engineering,” he said. “This is my last semester.”

Felix’s brows rose. “Civil engineering? That’s… complicated, isn’t it? Like all the building structures and… math?”

Hyunjin chuckled, his voice soft and warm. “And physics, and soil mechanics, and a lot of sleepless nights. It’s not for everyone, but I love it.” His tone grew animated, and Felix could see the spark in his eyes as he continued, “There’s something satisfying about knowing how things stand, literally. How a bridge can carry thousands of cars because of how we calculate its load capacity. How a building can withstand an earthquake if you design its foundation just right. It’s like… playing chess with nature.”

Felix blinked, caught off guard by how passionate Hyunjin sounded. “You sound like such a nerd,” he teased, but his smile was soft, fond.

Hyunjin tilted his head, pretending to be offended. “A nerd?”

“Yeah,” Felix laughed, covering his mouth. “But like… in a cute way. I didn’t think you’d talk about soil mechanics like it’s poetry.”

Hyunjin chuckled, pushing his glasses slightly up the bridge of his nose. “I guess it’s easier to talk about when you’re interested in something. Or when someone makes you want to share.” His gaze lingered on Felix for a moment, and Felix felt a flutter in his chest.

The conversation shifted effortlessly between topics, Felix’s favorite books, Hyunjin’s obsession with solving engineering problems, and even random stories about campus life.

Felix grinned when Hyunjin mentioned his twin. “And Sam? What’s he studying?”

Hyunjin sighed, rolling his eyes fondly. “Business. He’s got two semesters left. He’s smart, but he doesn’t care about structure or planning the way I do. He’s… well, Sam.”

Felix laughed. “That’s one way to put it.”

“Sam thrives on chaos,” Hyunjin said, smiling faintly. “I like to build things. He likes to break rules. We’re the same in some ways, but in others…” He paused, then added, “I don’t like competing with him. Not when it comes to things that matter.” His tone softened on the last part, and Felix felt a little nervous.

Felix poked at his pasta with his fork, trying to fight the heat in his cheeks. “Why me?” he asked suddenly, the question slipping out before he could stop himself. “You could… be with anyone.”

Hyunjin tilted his head slightly, resting his chin on one hand as he looked at Felix. His gaze didn’t waver. “Because you’re different.”

Felix blinked. “Different how?”

“You don’t try to impress anyone,” Hyunjin said simply. “You don’t even realize how much light you bring with you. You’re… refreshing. And I like that.”

Felix’s chest tightened at the sincerity in his voice. No one had ever said something like that to him before. It wasn’t a teasing comment or a casual compliment. It felt like the truth.

The night deepened. They lingered long after finishing their food, just talking under the canopy of lights. Hyunjin told Felix about his dream to design a bridge one day that would become a landmark, something people would recognize instantly. Felix listened, fascinated, watching how Hyunjin’s usually reserved face lit up when he spoke passionately.

“You really love what you do,” Felix said softly.

Hyunjin nodded. “I do. But lately…” He paused, his gaze shifting to Felix. “Lately, I find myself thinking about things beyond schoolwork. About moments like this. About who I want to share them with.”

Felix’s heart skipped, and he quickly looked down, his face burning. “You say things like that and expect me not to get flustered?”

Hyunjin chuckled, low and quiet. “I like seeing you flustered. It’s… adorable.”

After dinner, they walked to the far end of the rooftop garden, where the view of the city was breathtaking. The skyline glittered like a sea of thousand stars, and the air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.

Hyunjin stood beside him, silent for a moment, his hands resting casually in his pockets. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Felix nodded. “Yeah… it is.”

Hyunjin turned slightly, his eyes on Felix rather than the city. “Not as much as you, though. Your freckles look more devastatingly breathtaking.”

Felix’s breath hitched, his face heating. “Yah! Why do you always say things like that casually…”

“Why not?” Hyunjin asked softly, taking a small step closer.

Felix froze as Hyunjin reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. His touch lingered for a second too long, gentle but firm, like he wasn’t asking for permission, just giving Felix a chance to stop him.

“Felix,” Hyunjin murmured, his voice low and steady, like it carried all the weight of the night sky. “Can I kiss you?”

Felix’s heart stopped, then started again, harder, faster, like a drumbeat that might burst out of his chest. He couldn’t find his voice. It was trapped somewhere between his throat and the soft, dizzy haze filling his mind. All he could do was nod, a tiny, almost trembling motion.

Hyunjin moved closer, slow enough that Felix felt every second stretch like a thread between them, fragile but unbreakable. He gave Felix room, gave him a moment to change his mind, but Felix didn’t want to. He wanted this, wanted Hyunjin, more than he could admit.

When their lips finally met, Felix thought the world must have gone quiet. Everything else, the hum of the city, the cool night breeze, faded into nothing but the warmth of Hyunjin’s mouth. It wasn’t rushed, wasn’t greedy. It was soft, like a secret, like a story that had been waiting forever to be told. Hyunjin kissed him as though they already knew each other’s souls, as though he’d been here before, like this was something inevitable.

Felix’s knees weakened, and he gripped the fabric of Hyunjin’s shirt, needing something to hold onto, something to ground him. The texture beneath his fingers was warm and smooth, but all Felix could really focus on was the way Hyunjin’s hand found the back of his neck. It was steady, firm yet gentle, a touch that said, You’re safe. Stay here.

Hyunjin’s scent filled Felix’s senses. Clean and sharp, with something faintly warm like ambery wood. It was comforting, grounding, and yet intoxicating all at once. Felix felt like he was floating, like this moment wasn’t real but something dreamed up on a night when he wished too hard for magic.

Hyunjin tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss just a little. Not enough to overwhelm, but enough to leave Felix breathless. Every brush of their lips felt deliberate, tender, like Hyunjin was knew Felix deserved a loving kiss. Felix’s chest ached with how much he wanted to stay like this, how much he wanted time to stop.

Hyunjin’s kiss felt like sunlight, warm and patient, curling around Felix like it was meant to stay forever. Felix’s heart stuttered at the thought, and he realized he didn’t just like this, he needed it.

When Hyunjin finally pulled back, their foreheads stayed close, breath mingling in the quiet. Felix’s face was flushed, his lips tingling, his breathing uneven as he tried to find words.

“Hyunjin…” he whispered, but it was barely a sound. His voice felt too small for what he was feeling.

Hyunjin’s thumb brushed along Felix’s jawline, slow and careful, as though he was afraid to break something delicate. “I don’t want to rush you,” Hyunjin said softly, every word deliberate. “But I needed you to know how I feel.”

Felix’s chest tightened, and he swallowed hard. The sincerity in Hyunjin’s gaze was almost too much, he wasn’t just looking at Felix, he was looking through him, like he could see all the messy, insecure parts and didn’t mind them at all.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Felix admitted. His voice was shaky, but not because he was unsure. It was because he’d never felt this kind of warmth before.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Hyunjin murmured, a small, soft smile touching his lips. He leaned in just enough to press a feather-light kiss to Felix’s temple, making Felix’s heart swell. “Just let me take you home.”

Felix didn’t reply, but when Hyunjin’s hand brushed against his lower back as they walked toward the car, he leaned into it. It was instinctive, like his body trusted Hyunjin completely.

The drive was silent, but Felix’s thoughts were loud, messy and spinning, his heart still fluttering from the kiss. Every time he caught a glimpse of Hyunjin’s reflection in the car window, with the city lights glowing in his glasses, his chest tightened all over again.

Felix’s heart hadn’t stopped fluttering since that first kiss on the rooftop. He found himself stealing glances, memorizing the slope of Hyunjin’s jaw, the curve of his lips, the steady way he drove as if nothing in the world could shake him.

When the car finally slowed in front of Felix’s building, a part of him wanted to beg for a few more minutes, just to stay in that warm cocoon of quiet with Hyunjin. But Hyunjin didn’t move. He turned slightly in his seat to look at Felix, his dark eyes soft but unreadable.

For a long second, neither of them spoke. The buzz of the engine and Felix’s own heartbeat were the only sounds.

Felix opened his mouth, ready to say thank you, but then Hyunjin’s hand moved. His fingers brushed lightly over Felix’s knuckles unhurriedly. It was such a simple touch, yet it sent a wave of heat rushing through Felix’s veins.

“Get some rest,” Hyunjin said, his voice so quiet it felt like a promise whispered in the dark.

Felix heaved a deep sigh. His chest tightened with the urge to close the gap between them. “Hyunjin…” he whispered, his own voice trembling with something he didn’t know how to name.

Hyunjin tilted his head, a faint smile curving his lips, but his gaze didn’t leave Felix’s. “You want me to kiss you again?” he murmured like he knew what’s on Felix’s mind, his voice like warm honey, his hand moving to brush a strand of blonde hair from Felix’s face.

The younger just nodded.

Hyunjin leaned in, slow and careful, like the world would stop spinning if he rushed. When their lips met, Felix felt it all over again. That warmth, that magic. The kiss wasn’t hurried or messy; it was steady, like Hyunjin wanted him to feel every second of it. His lips were soft, tasting faintly of the dessert they’d shared, and his hand came up to cup Felix’s cheek, thumb brushing lightly.

Felix felt his chest swell with something too big to hold. Hyunjin had this way of kissing that made everything else fade, the cars on the street, the cool night air, even the pounding of his own heart. It felt familiar, like coming home.

When they pulled apart, Felix’s breath was shaky, his lips tingling.

“I… don’t want this night to end,” Felix admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hyunjin smiled softly, leaning forward to press his forehead against Felix’s for a heartbeat. “It doesn’t have to,” he said. “We’ll make more nights like this.”

Felix stepped out of the car, heart soaring. By the time he closed his apartment door, he was breathless, leaning against it with his mind spinning. For the first time in weeks, he wasn’t thinking of Sam. Only Hyunjin, and how his kiss felt like something Felix might never forget.

The weekend sunlight poured lazily over the streets as Felix walked back to his apartment, arms full of grocery bags that felt heavier than usual. He was still thinking about his date with Hyunjin, the quiet way he’d listened, the warmth of his hand, and that kiss that made Felix feel like he was falling into something he wasn’t ready whatsoever.

Felix stopped short at the sight of someone leaning against his apartment gate.

Sam.

He was dressed in a fiery red leopard-print shirt, the bold pattern unbuttoned just enough to hint at his collarbones. His faded blue jeans sat low on his hips, a chain belt glinting under the sunlight with every shift of his stance. Black sunglasses framed his sharp features, adding to that untouchable, rockstar-like aura.

But it wasn’t just his clothes or his striking confidence that stunned Felix. It was the enormous bouquet of red roses in his arms. A hundred blooms tied together with a satin ribbon, like something pulled from a cinematic confession scene, daring Felix to look away but making it impossible.

“Sunshine,” Sam called, straightening with that infuriating smirk. “Figured I’d surprise you.”

Felix blinked. “What… is that?”

“Roses,” Sam said like it was too obvious. He frowned while tilting his head. “What, you don’t like them?”

>>>>>>

Chapter Text

Felix adjusted the weight of the grocery bags in his arms, the plastic handles digging slightly into the crook of his fingers. “I don’t, actually. I’ve never liked roses. They feel… too much.”

Sam’s smirk faltered for half a second. “Too much?”

“They’re just not me,” Felix replied, giving a small shrug that made the plastic rustle. “I like simple flowers. Like daisies.”

There was a pause. Sam’s eyes flicked from Felix’s face to the bouquet in his own hand. Then, without a word, he pivoted toward the rust-colored gate and dumped the entire bundle of roses into the dented metal garbage bin beside it. The thud was muffled, but definite.

“Sam!” Felix’s voice pitched with disbelief as he stepped forward, blinking.

“What?” Sam turned back around, his grin already forming again. There was a sharper edge to it now, the kind that almost dared Felix to argue. “I’m not about to walk around like some idiot carrying flowers you don’t even like. Waste of space, sunshine.”

The blonde shook his head, the corners of his lips twitching as he tried and failed, to suppress the laugh rising in his throat. “You’re insane.”

“Here, give me those,” Sam said, stepping forward before Felix could react. His hands brushed against Felix’s wrists as he smoothly took the heavy bags from him.

“I can carry them,” Felix muttered, resisting the urge to snatch them back.

“I know you can,” Sam said casually, already starting up the stairs toward the building entrance. “But you look like you’re one sidewalk crack away from face-planting. And I’m not letting you ruin your overpriced sneakers with spilled milk.”

Felix rolled his eyes as he followed, the steps creaking slightly beneath their weight. “You don’t even know where my room is.”

The taller glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “I’ll guess.” Felix blinked, thrown off by the confidence in his tone. Sam winked like it was nothing. “What? I have good intuition. It’s a talent.”

Inside the apartment, Sam dropped the bags on the kitchen counter with a soft thud. The space was small, tight enough that when he leaned against the edge of the counter, he was practically within arm’s reach of Felix.

Felix unpacked slowly, organizing the groceries with practiced hands. Boxes, produce, cartons. The refrigerator gave a soft buzz, and the faint scent of cinnamon lingered in the air.

“So,” Sam said lazily, dragging out the word like he already knew the answer, “how was it?”

Felix’s hand froze halfway to the pantry. “How was what?” Sam tilted his head, arms now folded across his chest. His gaze didn’t waver. “Don’t play dumb, sunshine. I know you went out with Hyunjin.”

Color flared instantly in Felix’s cheeks. His fingers tightened around a box of cereal. “You—how do you even know that?”

Sam’s laughter came easy, light, but with a teasing undercurrent. “I have my ways. Maybe I saw you get into his car. White one, right? Clean. Way too clean. Like him.”

Felix busied himself with rearranging cans in the cupboard, shoulders slightly hunched. “It’s none of your business.”

The cupboard door closed a little too hard.

“None of my business?” Sam’s tone sharpened, though his grin didn’t fade. “Oh, I think it’s my business when you’re letting my uptight twin take you to fancy rooftop dates.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “Did he kiss you, Felix?”

The younger’s breath stopped for a while, his fingers pausing just above the carton of eggs. His shoulders tensed. “That’s—”

Sam’s smirk widened like he’d just cracked a code. His eyes flicked briefly to the eggs, then back to Felix’s face. “He did, didn’t he?”

“Sam, stop,” Felix said quickly, the words sharp as he turned his back, hiding the growing flush spreading across his cheeks and down his neck. He busied himself with the fridge, pretending to rearrange things, but his ears were burning.

Behind him, the soft creak of the floorboards gave Sam away. He moved closer, each step took time. He planted one palm against the edge of the counter, leaning just enough to shadow Felix without touching him. “You know,” he murmured, his voice low and curling close to Felix’s ear, “I don’t need white cars and overpriced dinners to make you notice me.”

Felix’s hand hovered, halfway to grabbing the milk. He turned his head slightly, enough to catch Sam’s silhouette in his peripheral vision. His pulse thrummed at the base of his throat. “You think that’s all it takes?”

“No,” Sam replied, voice quieter now, more grounded. His grin didn’t disappear, but it lost some of its edge. Softening, for a heartbeat, into something that almost looked like vulnerability. “But I like the way you look at me, sunshine. Even when you’re pretending you don’t.”

The younger forced himself to breathe, to move, to step back. The space between them widened by just a few inches, but it felt like a wall. “You’re too much, Sam.”

Sam chuckled, the sound husky and amused as he pushed off the counter and stood tall again. “Maybe. But you like it more than you think.”

There was a flicker then quick, but not quick enough. Something in Sam’s expression shifted before he covered it with another trademark smirk. Jealousy, maybe. Or something close. He crossed his arms and leaned casually against the counter again, eyes sharp and focused as he watched Felix pull the milk from the bag.

“Don’t let my brother fool you,” Sam said, his voice lighter now, but with a razor-thin undercurrent. “He’s good at being perfect. But I’m the one who’ll keep you on your toes.”

Felix’s fingers tightened around the carton. The words sat between them like a challenge, like bait. He tried to focus on the mundane rhythm of unpacking. Putting cans to the cabinet, vegetables to the crisper. But Sam wasn’t letting up. The tension hung in the space like static.

“You like him, don’t you?” Sam asked suddenly. The edge in his voice wasn’t subtle this time.

Felix froze again, caught. “What?”

“Hyunjin,” Sam said, straightening and stepping forward, his arms falling to his sides. “You let him take you on some fancy date, and now you’re looking at me like I’m the problem.”

Felix turned, the refrigerator door still ajar, and met his gaze full on. His eyes, usually calm, sparked. “You are the problem, Sam. You show up here with roses I don’t even like, throwing them in the trash, acting like—like you own me.”

Sam tilted his head slightly, smirking just enough to reveal the crack beneath. “Own you? I don’t own you, sunshine. But don’t pretend he’s better just because he showed up with daisies.”

The fridge door slammed shut, the sudden sound ricocheting off the kitchen tiles. Felix’s jaw was tight, breath uneven. “Hyunjin doesn’t make everything a competition,” he snapped.

Sam’s eyes narrowed. His stance stiffened for a second before he exhaled through his nose, voice low and restrained. “Competition? That’s what you think this is? I don’t care about winning, Felix. I care about you.”

Felix blinked, taken aback by the sudden weight in Sam’s voice. “You care?” he said, his tone disbelieving. “You’re always so cocky, like this is just another game for you—”

“It’s not a game,” Sam cut in, stepping forward until he was only inches from Felix. His dark eyes burned with something raw and unfiltered. “Not with you. Never with you.”

Felix’s breath hitched. The tension between them snapped taut like a live wire. “Sam—”

“What?” Sam challenged, his voice low, rough. “You’re scared I’m serious? Or are you scared you want me, too?”

The silence between them was electric. They were so close that Felix could feel Sam’s breath against his lips, warm and uneven. His heart pounded, and he didn’t know if it was anger, confusion, or something else entirely pulling him under.

“I don’t know what I want yet,” Felix admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Sam’s expression softened, but only for a moment. Then something changed in his gaze, something possessive, unyielding. “Then let me show you.”

Before Felix could respond, Sam’s hand was at the back of his neck, pulling him in. Their lips crashed together, hard and unrelenting. It wasn’t like Hyunjin’s kiss that was gentle, careful, like a question. Sam’s kiss was all fire and chaos, a storm breaking loose.

Felix gasped into it, his back hitting the wall with a dull thud as Sam pressed closer, his body warm and overwhelming. Sam kissed like there was no tomorrow, like he wanted to leave no space between them, no air for doubt. His hands slid to Felix’s waist, gripping just enough to ground him, to make him feel like he was melting and burning all at once.

Felix’s fingers clutched the fabric of Sam’s jacket, unsure what to do with it. His mind was screaming, but his body betrayed him, leaning into the heat, into the way Sam’s lips moved, hungry, desperate, full of unspoken emotions.

When they finally broke apart, Felix was breathless, his chest heaving. Sam’s forehead rested against his, his dark hair falling slightly over his eyes. “That’s what I feel when I look at you,” Sam said, his voice low, hoarse. “Not calm. Not careful. Just, this. ”

Felix’s lips tingled, his mind spinning. “Sam…”

“Don’t say you didn’t feel it,” Sam murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against Felix’s jaw. “Not after that.”

Felix turned his head slightly, his breath shaky. “I don’t know what this means.”

“It means,” Sam said, his tone softening, “I’m not going anywhere. Not for Hyunjin, not for anyone else. I want you, sunshine. Even if it scares the hell out of me.”

Felix stayed still against the wall as Sam finally stepped back, the air still thick with heat and confusion. The silence that followed wasn’t empty. it was heavy, charged with everything neither of them dared to say.

“I should go,” Sam muttered, his grin faint but subdued now. “Before I do something stupid. Again.”

The blonde watched him leave, his heart pounding so hard it hurt. He slid down against the wall once the door clicked shut, touching his lips like he wasn’t sure if that kiss had actually happened or if it had changed everything.

Felix spent the next two days in hiding. Or at least, that’s what it felt like. He buried himself in assignments, lingering in the library until late and leaving campus only when the halls were quiet. He ignored calls, skipped casual hangouts with Jeongin, and pretended that his heart wasn’t tangled between two storms: Sam’s fire and Hyunjin’s calm.

Every time Felix thought about that kiss, his cheeks burned. Sam had kissed him like he wanted to devour the world, like there was no time to think or breathe. And worse, Felix had kissed him back.

On Tuesday afternoon, he found himself sitting alone on a bench under a large tree, scrolling aimlessly through his phone while pretending to study. The cool breeze did little to ease the tension knotted in his chest.

“Felix.”

The sound of his name made him jump. He looked up and his eyes widened like he was caught stealing.

Hyunjin stood a few feet away, dressed in his usual clean style: a crisp white shirt, light gray slacks, and his glasses gleaming under the soft sun. He looked effortlessly composed, but there was something in his dark eyes that wasn’t as calm as his exterior suggested.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Hyunjin said softly, walking toward the bench. Felix’s pulse quickened. “I’ve just… been busy.”

Hyunjin stopped in front of him, tilting his head slightly. “Busy avoiding me, or busy avoiding him?”

Felix’s chest tightened. He looked away, focusing on the notebook on his lap. “I don’t want to talk about Sam right now.”

For a moment, Hyunjin’s gaze lingered on him. “Did he do something?” Felix swallowed, his fingers gripping the edge of his notebook. “I don’t… I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Then don’t,” Hyunjin said gently, sitting down beside him. His tone wasn’t demanding, it was steady, patient, like he was giving Felix space to breathe.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The breeze rustled the leaves above them, scattering dappled light across the grass. Felix stared down at his hands, unsure of what to say, but Hyunjin’s quiet presence made it impossible to keep everything inside.

“He kissed me,” Felix admitted finally, his voice barely above a whisper. Hyunjin’s shoulders stiffened. He didn’t look at Felix immediately.

“Sam,” Hyunjin said while nodding, though it wasn’t a question. “Of course… he did.”

Felix nodded as well, his throat dry. “I didn’t… I didn’t expect it. It just happened, and now I don’t know what to do. I don’t want this to become some… rivalry between you two. I hate being caught in the middle.”

The older turned to look at him, his gaze calm but piercing. “Felix, my brother and I have always been opposites. But this isn’t about rivalry. It’s about what you want. Who you want.”

Felix’s breath trembled. “I don’t know what I want. Sam is… he’s intense. He makes me feel like I’m on fire. But you…” He trailed off, his cheeks heating. “You make me feel like I can breathe.”

Hyunjin’s eyes softened, and he reached up to adjust his glasses. “Do you know why I like being around you?” he asked, his voice low and even.

Felix glanced at him, shaking his head.

“Because you don’t pretend,” Hyunjin said. “When you’re happy, I see it. When you’re nervous, I see it. And when you look at me…” He paused, his lips curving into the faintest smile. “I see something I can’t explain, but I want to keep seeing it.”

Felix’s chest tightened, his fingers fidgeting in his lap. “Hyunjin…”

Hyunjin leaned slightly closer, but not in the same demanding way Sam did. His presence wasn’t overwhelming, it was steady, like the quiet beat of a drum. “I’m not asking you to choose right now. But I want you to know… I’m not going anywhere, either.”

Felix stared at him, unsure what to say. Words felt too heavy, too clumsy for the moment. So instead, he reached out. Hesitantly, almost afraid and let his fingers brush against Hyunjin’s hand resting on the bench.

Hyunjin’s gaze dropped to their hands, and after a beat, he turned his palm upward, letting Felix’s smaller hand settle into his.

The warmth was subtle, not burning like Sam’s fire, but grounding, like sunlight after a storm.

They sat there in silence, fingers entwined, the world fading to a quiet hum around them. For the first time in days, Felix didn’t feel torn. He just felt… still.

The afternoon light was fading when Hyunjin offered to drive Felix home. They walked hand in hand to the parking lot, not speaking much, but the silence between them felt comfortable rather than heavy. Hyunjin’s white car gleamed under the sunset, a perfect reflection of his composed, quiet presence.

“Let me take you home,” Hyunjin said softly, opening the passenger door for him.

Felix hesitated for a second but then smiled faintly and slid into the seat. “You don’t have to, you know. It’s near. I can walk from here.”

Hyunjin gave him that soft, unreadable look that always made Felix’s chest tighten. “Felix, please. I want to. Let me do things for you, ” he said simply, before walking around to the driver’s side.

The drive was calm, city lights beginning to glow as they passed through familiar streets. Hyunjin didn’t talk much, but every so often, his gaze would flick toward Felix like he wanted to say something and didn’t need to. The faint music playing from the stereo felt oddly intimate.

When they arrived at Felix’s apartment, the taller helped carry his bag up to his place.

“You can come in for a while, if you want,” Felix said without thinking. Something about Hyunjin’s presence made the walls of his apartment feel less lonely.

Hyunjin’s lips curved slightly. “I’d like that.”

Inside, Felix tossed a blanket over the small daybed and turned on Netflix on his iPad. Hyunjin removed his glasses, setting them neatly on the table before sitting beside him. Felix scrolled through the endless list of shows until Hyunjin stopped him with a gentle touch on the wrist.

“Something simple,” Hyunjin murmured. “A movie you like. I don’t care what it is.”

Felix picked a soft comedy, something light and quiet. The glow of the screen painted their faces with pale light as they settled into the daybed. Hyunjin leaned slightly against the cushions, his arm brushing Felix’s just enough to send a wave of warmth through him.

“Felix,” Hyunjin said softly, his voice cutting through the background noise of the movie.

“Hmm?” Felix turned his head slightly, and their eyes met.

“You’re so pretty,” Hyunjin said, his tone so soft and sincere that Felix felt the words sink deep into his chest. It wasn’t a line, not like Sam’s confident declarations. Like it was a quiet truth, spoken like poetry.

Felix’s breath caught. “Out of nowhere?”

“Why?” Hyunjin’s eyes held him gently. “It’s true. Everything about you… your smile, your voice, even the way you’re looking at me right now.” His lips curved faintly. “It’s all beautiful.”

Felix looked away, heat rising to his cheeks. “I don’t know you are too… You’re too much sometimes.”

Hyunjin leaned slightly closer, his voice low. “Only when I’m being honest.”

The movie played on, but neither of them paid much attention. Their shoulders brushed, and Felix felt Hyunjin’s arm slide lightly behind him, not possessive, just there, like a silent invitation.

Felix hesitated only a moment before leaning into him. Hyunjin’s arm tightened just slightly, and Felix found himself sinking into the warmth of his side.

When Hyunjin turned his head, their faces were inches apart. “Can I?” he asked quietly, his breath brushing Felix’s lips.

Felix’s heart pounded, but he didn’t pull back. “Yeah,” he whispered.

Hyunjin’s kiss was soft as always. It was gentle, unhurried, nothing like Sam’s fiery chaos. He kissed like he had all the time in the world, like he wanted to savor every moment without rushing. Felix melted into it, his fingers brushing lightly against Hyunjin’s shirt as their lips moved together, slow and warm.

When they pulled apart, Felix couldn’t stop the small, breathless laugh that escaped him. “You kiss like we’ve been together for years,” he murmured.

Hyunjin’s smile was gentle, the kind that barely lifted the corners of his lips but radiated warmth all the same. He reached up and gently brushed a loose strand of hair from Felix’s forehead, his fingertips feather-light against skin still warm from the blanket. “Maybe I just like the way you feel in my arms.”

The words settled between them like silk, unhurried and honest.

They ended up stretched across the daybed, the late afternoon sun slipping lower through the window, painting amber lines across the walls. The knit blanket draped loosely over them, its weight cocooning them in quiet stillness. Hyunjin lay on his side, arm draped around Felix’s waist, holding him close. Felix’s head rested against Hyunjin’s chest, right over his heart, a slow, steady rhythm beneath his cheek, grounding and soothing.

His fingers toyed with the hem of Hyunjin’s shirt, feeling the subtle breathing. Hyunjin’s arm tightened slightly, protective without being possessive, and his fingertips moved in slow, idle circles across the thin fabric of Felix’s shirt, brushing gently along his back.

“Is this… okay?” Hyunjin asked, his voice just above a whisper. The quiet hum of it vibrated beneath Felix’s ear.

Felix didn’t open his eyes. He let the warmth of Hyunjin’s body seep into his own, breathing in the soft, familiar scent of his cologne. Clean, woody, with a faint note of citrus. “Yeah,” he murmured. “It feels… nice.”

Hyunjin’s lips grazed his temple in a delicate kiss, barely there but enough to send a wave of warmth rippling down Felix’s spine. “I don’t want to rush things,” he said softly. “I just want to make you feel safe.”

Felix’s chest tightened, a quiet ache blooming under his ribs at the sincerity in Hyunjin’s voice. He nodded against him, his voice a hush. “You do.”

Time slowed in the hush of the room, the only sound the faint sound of Netflix playing on his iPad that fell on the floor, long forgotten. The movie playing in the background had long faded into forgotten noise, a distant flicker of light dancing across ceiling.The soft fabric rustle when either of them shifted.  Neither of them moved.

They lay there for almost half an hour, limbs gently tangled, breaths synced like a quiet promise. Felix hadn’t made a choice, hadn’t spoken anything definitive but wrapped in Hyunjin’s arms, it didn’t matter. There was no pressure, only the truth of the moment: with Hyunjin, everything felt softer. Like letting go. Like breathing after holding your breath for too long.

Felix shifted slightly, his cheek brushing against the fabric of Hyunjin’s shirt as he adjusted his position. He didn’t move far? just enough to look up, to meet Hyunjin’s gaze beneath the gentle cast of fading daylight.

Hyunjin’s eyes were already on him, warm and unreadable, like he was falling in love with every inch of his face. His hand, still resting at Felix’s back, slowed its movements. His thumb pressed softly against the curve of Felix’s spine, not guiding and just feeling.

Felix’s lips parted as if to say something, but no words came. Instead, his hand came to rest lightly on Hyunjin’s chest, fingers curling in the fabric there, grounding himself. His heart was beating faster now, not from nerves, but from the unbearable tenderness threading through the air between them.

Hyunjin dipped his head slightly. His nose brushed along Felix’s temple again, then down, grazing the side of his face. It was gentle, hesitant even. as if he were giving Felix space to stop him.

But Felix didn’t.

Their noses touched, then their foreheads. Felix’s eyes fluttered shut.

And then, finally, Hyunjin kissed him again.

It wasn’t urgent or showy. It was soft like the exhale of a breath neither of them knew they were holding. Hyunjin’s hand found Felix’s jaw, cradling it carefully, as if he were holding something fragile. Felix leaned into it, the touch, the warmth, the calm.

The kiss deepened only slightly, a shared stillness wrapped in skin and trust. Felix’s fingers tightened briefly at Hyunjin’s chest, then relaxed again, as if he was letting something go.

When they pulled apart, it was only by a breath. Their lips hovered close, foreheads pressed together, eyes still closed.

Neither of them spoke.

They didn’t have to.

Hyunjin hovered above him, one hand braced against the mattress, the other resting delicately on Felix’s hip. Their bodies remained clothed, layered in warmth and restraint, but the air between them pulsed with something slow and aching.

Their lips met again, and again, and again.

Not rushed. Not greedy. Just deep, lingering kisses that tasted like breath and trust. Hyunjin kissed him like it was the only language he knew, like each press of his mouth was a quiet promise. Felix lost himself in it. The world blurred at the edges, narrowed to the softness of Hyunjin’s lips and the weight of his body just barely above his own.

Minutes passed. Maybe an hour.

Felix couldn’t tell anymore, only that his lips felt swollen from the way Hyunjin kept returning to them, worshiping him in silence.

Hyunjin’s hand moved slowly, tracing the shape of him with a respect that made Felix shiver. Fingers danced along the slope of his waist, down to the edge of his thigh, back up across the dip of his ribcage. He never strayed anywhere below the belt. Never forced. He just touched, and somehow, it was worse—better—than being undressed.

Because Felix felt everything.

Every graze. Every pass of Hyunjin’s knuckles. Every press of his palm where skin met fabric.

And it was driving him mad.

Felix shifted beneath him, seeking more. Just the smallest grind of his hips, like a breath caught between need and apology. It was barely anything but Hyunjin felt it.

He stilled. Felix opened his eyes, breath trembling, lips parted and damp. “I…”

But Hyunjin only smiled, soft, patient, infuriatingly calm and leaned in close enough for their foreheads to touch.

“I told you,” he whispered, voice low and velvet-smooth. “I won’t rush you with anything.”

Felix exhaled, a sound too close to a whimper. And then Hyunjin kissed him again.

Slow. Deep. Consuming.

Not to tease but to reassure. To remind him that this, all of this, was about want, not urgency. About care, not conquest. His hand stayed gentle as it glided over Felix’s side again, anchoring him in the moment.

And Felix, desperate and aching, let himself fall deeper into it. Into the kiss. Into the softness. Into Hyunjin. Arms clinging on Hyunjin's neck

Frustrated, yes—but cherished all the same.

And maybe that was worse. Or maybe it was everything he needed.

They broke apart, lips parted, breath mingling in the hush between them. Felix’s chest rose and fell, shallow and quick, as if the kiss had pulled something vital from inside him.

“Why?” The younger whispered, voice raw with need. Hyunjin blinked slowly, his hand still resting at Felix’s waist. “Why what?”

Felix opened his mouth to explain, but the words caught in his throat. Why did you stop? Why won’t you just fuck me already— He couldn’t bring himself to say it. It would’ve sounded like begging. So he only shook his head, lashes lowered, swallowing the ache in silence.

Hyunjin watched him, gaze unreadable for a beat. Then his features softened, something fond unfolding at the corners of his mouth. He reached up, his thumb brushing beneath Felix’s eye, tender.

“You have freckles on your nose and across your cheeks,” he murmured, reverently. “They look like sea of stars. They’re so unique.”

Felix’s eyes fluttered at the compliment. It was unexpected and disarming.

Hyunjin leaned in and kissed him again. Not on the lips this time, but everywhere else. A butterfly kiss to the bridge of his nose. Another to his cheekbone. Then his temple. Then below his eye. Each touch a soft burn, like the press of sunlight filtered through sheer curtains.

He kissed Felix’s whole face like a map he never wanted to stop exploring.

All the while, his hand roamed, slow, unhurried. It traced the lines of Felix’s ribs through his shirt, lingered at the small of his back, skimmed the curve of his side. Felix arched slightly into it, chasing every pass of Hyunjin’s fingers like a wave seeking the shore.

Then Hyunjin’s lips drifted lower along the curve of Felix’s jaw, down to the side of his throat. There, he lingered. Open mouthed kisses. Gentle sucks. The soft drag of tongue against skin. Felix’s breath jerked, eyes fluttering closed as his hand curled in the blanket beneath him.

Hyunjin’s palm slid down slowly, gliding across the top of Felix’s thigh, then sliding inward. His fingers brushed the sensitive skin of Felix’s inner thigh through the fabric. A teasing pass. Then they moved higher.

His hand cupped Felix’s crotch—hot, hard, aching. He kneaded it once. Firm. Precise. A pressure that made Felix gasp aloud and buck into the contact.

But it was gone just as fast.

Hyunjin’s hand slipped back to Felix’s waist, pulling him back from insanity, calming him. Still, his mouth remained at Felix’s neck, kissing that exposed patch of skin like it was the only thing that mattered. He pressed one last kiss just beneath Felix’s jaw.

Felix moaned, soft and aching, hips rising to meet nothing, grinding air as if hoping friction might appear from sheer desperation. He was flushed, breathless, aching for more but Hyunjin didn’t give in. He offered no relief.

Only more patience.

Then Hyunjin pulled back slightly and cupped Felix’s face, his thumbs brushing the heat from Felix’s cheekbones. His eyes searched him gently, like he wanted to memorize this moment.

“I want to know you,” Hyunjin whispered. “All of you. All the good, the bad. The surface and the deeper you. I want to give you that… when you’re sure. I don't want you to regret something in the future. I want to make love with you when you're sure that I am the one that you want. Because I have never been more sure in my life. I want you.”

Felix’s lips parted. A protest rising, half frustration, half plea. But just as the words formed in his throat, his stomach let out a long, loud growl.

Hyunjin blinked.

Then he burst into soft laughter, leaning forward to ruffle Felix’s hair. “Well, that answers one thing you’re sure of.”

Felix buried his face in his hands with a groan. And Hyunjin just smiled, like the sound of Felix’s hunger was the most endearing thing in the world.

“You haven’t eaten the whole day, have you?” Hyunjin asked suddenly, sitting up slightly.

Felix blinked. “Um… I had lunch. Maybe. I think.”

Hyunjin sighed softly, shaking his head with that patient, almost parental look. “I’m ordering food. No arguments.”

Felix laughed quietly. “Huh? Wait—”

“Just a light meal, relax,” Hyunjin said firmly, pulling out his phone.

Twenty minutes later, they were sitting cross-legged on the floor with containers of warm takeout spread between them. Bibimbap, fried chicken, and dumplings on the foldable small laptop table. Felix fixed his iPad and chose another movie that they won't surely watch. Then Hyunjin passed Felix a pair of chopsticks and, without asking, placed an extra piece of chicken on his plate.

“Eat,” Hyunjin said softly, almost like it was a request rather than an order. Felix smiled faintly. “You really like taking care of people, don’t you?”

Hyunjin paused, looking at him for a long moment. “Not people,” he said quietly. “Just you.”

The words made Felix’s chest tighten. He didn’t know how to respond, so he took a bite of the chicken instead, and to his embarrassment, Hyunjin’s gaze stayed on him the entire time, watching like it mattered to him that Felix was eating well.

Halfway through the meal, Felix set down his chopsticks, his heart pounding with unspoken thoughts. “Hyunjin?”

“Mm?”

“I… was kinda frustrated earlier. But I understand what you mean. You want to do it when my feelings are sure. Thank you. Also, I like how gentle you are with me,” Felix said, his voice soft but honest. “It feels… different. Like I don’t have to pretend to be okay or be someone else.”

Hyunjin’s eyes softened as he reached across the low table, his fingers brushing lightly against Felix’s hand. “You don’t ever have to pretend with me,” he said simply. “You’re already enough, Felix. More than enough.”

Felix’s breath caught. “You’re making me want to cry with your cheesy words,” he whispered, his face warm.

Hyunjin tilted his head slightly. “You’re somehow dramatic, I like it.”

When they finished eating, Hyunjin helped tidy up, moving around the small kitchen with an ease that made it feel like he’d been there a hundred times. Felix watched him, his chest aching with comfort, warmth, maybe even longing.

Afterward, they returned to the daybed, the remains of the movie still playing softly in the background. Felix leaned into Hyunjin’s side again, and this time, Hyunjin wrapped his arm around him without hesitation.

“You’re easy to hold,” Hyunjin murmured, his voice almost like a lullaby.

Felix smiled faintly, letting his head rest against Hyunjin’s shoulder. 

For a while, they stayed like that, tangled together under sheets, not needing to say anything. Hyunjin’s hand traced lazy circles on Felix’s arm, and Felix thought, for the first time, that maybe this was what safety felt like.

Not fire. Not chaos. Just quiet warmth. They kissed multiple times again, but that was it. Nothing more. 

When everything anded and Hyunjin stood by Felix’s front door, he was ready to leave. They had spent hours together. Eating, watching Netflix, or just using it as background noise, and simply existing side by side. It had been so natural that Felix almost forgot Hyunjin wasn’t staying.

“I should go,” Hyunjin said softly, slipping on his jacket.

Felix walked him down to the main entrance of the apartment dorm, feeling a pang of disappointment he didn’t want to admit. “Thanks… for today. For the food. And for—” He hesitated, his voice growing shy. “—being here.”

Hyunjin looked at him, and there was something in his gaze that made Felix’s chest gnaw a quiet tenderness, almost like he wanted to say something more but chose not to. Instead, he reached out, wrapping Felix in a slow, warm hug.

Felix melted into it, his arms curling instinctively around Hyunjin’s waist. Hyunjin’s embrace was firm but careful, like he didn’t want to let go.

When he finally pulled back, Hyunjin cupped Felix’s face with both hands, his thumbs brushing gently along his cheeks. His touch was so soft it made Felix’s heart flutter.

“I hope to see you smile more. You’re beautiful when you smile,” Hyunjin murmured, his voice a low whisper that felt like it wrapped around Felix’s entire being. Then, without hesitation, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Felix’s forehead.

Felix’s breath hitched. “Hyunjin…”

“Get some sleep,” Hyunjin said quietly, letting his hands fall away with slow reluctance. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Felix. I will pick you by 6pm here.”

He went back to his place and the door closed behind him. Felix leaned back against it, his face burning with a giddy warmth. He pressed a hand to his forehead, the ghost of Hyunjin’s kiss lingering there like a secret.

He couldn’t stop smiling.

>>>>>

Chapter Text

The next day, Felix’s anticipation was impossible to hide. Every lecture blurred into background noise as he checked the time, waiting for the end of the day when Hyunjin might appear again.

When classes finally let out, Felix walked down the campus steps, scanning the line of parked cars along the street. He spotted a white car in the distance and felt a small thrill. Only to blink in confusion. The car wasn’t white.

It was black.

Felix froze as the driver’s side window rolled down, revealing Sam’s familiar face, his dark hair pulled back and sunglasses perched on his nose. He looked every bit as infuriatingly confident as always.

“Sunshine,” Sam called, resting an arm casually against the window. “Get in.”

Felix’s chest tightened. “Sam… what are you doing here?”

“Picking you up,” Sam replied smoothly. “What does it look like?”

Felix took a step back. “I’m… I was expecting someone else.”

Sam’s grin sharpened. “Yeah, I figured. My oh-so-perfect brother, right? Did he promise to sweep you away in that shiny white car again?”

Felix frowned. “This isn’t—”

“Come on, sunshine,” Sam interrupted, nodding toward the passenger seat. “Get in. I’m not letting you carry all your books back on foot.”

Felix hesitated. He wasn’t carrying as much today, but Sam’s persistence was obvious in the way he leaned out of the window, waiting with that arrogance mix of confidence and something darker… jealousy, maybe.

“No, Sam,” Felix said firmly. “I can walk.”

Sam raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re still mad about the roses? You didn’t even let me make it up to you.”

Felix sighed, trying to walk past, but Sam honked the horn lightly, making Felix jump. “Seriously?” Felix shot him a look.

“Seriously,” Sam said, grin widening. “I’m not going until you get in.”

Felix stopped, exasperated. “Why are you like this?”

“Because I can’t stand the thought of him getting all your time,” Sam said bluntly, his smirk fading for a moment. “I know you like him, Felix. I’m not blind. But I’m not going to just… step aside.”

The blonde’s breath caught. The way Sam said it… so direct, so unapologetically possessive and made his heart pound.

In the end, Felix sighed and gave in, climbing into the passenger seat. Sam grinned like he’d won a battle, pulling away from the curb. “Good choice, sunshine.”

Felix turned to look out the window, his heart conflicted. All he could think about was how Hyunjin’s hug last night had felt like safety… while Sam’s presence felt like fire waiting to consume him.

The low music from Sam’s car was the only sound for the first ten minutes of their drive. Outside, the late-afternoon sun hung low, spilling warm, golden light through the windshield and across the dashboard. Felix sat with his arms crossed, still slightly irritated that Sam had strong armed him into getting in, though curiosity tugged faintly at the edge of his mood. Sam had that glint in his eye. The one that meant trouble disguised as charm.

“Where are we going?” Felix asked, turning his head just enough to study him.

“You’ll see,” Sam replied, his voice casual but tinged with that slow, knowing smirk.

The sunlight caught on him in a way that made it impossible to look away. His dark hair, tousled into layered waves, framed his face and caught soft amber highlights where it fell over his cheekbones. A thin black choker rested against his throat, a silver star glinting whenever the light shifted. His silk shirt, deep brown with golden baroque swirls, looked almost molten in the sun, the pattern rippling with each movement of the wheel. The open collar revealed a hint of skin and a whisper of another patterned layer beneath, teasing and deliberate.

One hand rested on the steering wheel, the other draped loosely over the gear shift, long fingers tapping lazily to the beat of the music. Every so often, he flicked his gaze toward Felix… quick and just enough to leave a trace of heat in the air.

Felix looked away, pretending to watch the road ahead, but the image of Sam bathed in orange rays lingered stubbornly in his mind.

Felix sighed. “It’s only four but I need to be home by six. If this is another random cafe or—”

“You think I’m that predictable?” Sam cut in with a grin. “Relax, sunshine. I promise you’re going to love this.”

Felix finally snapped. “I swear, if you don’t tell me where we’re going, I’m getting out at the next red light.”

Sam didn’t even flinch. He just smirked, sunlight catching in his layered waves, making the dark strands gleam with hints of amber. “Sure. I’ll even slow down for you.”

Felix shot him a glare and folded his arms tighter. I should’ve known better than to get in his car. Especially since Hyunjin is supposed to pick him up later. That fact alone made this whole situation feel reckless. But instead, he muttered a lie, “I promised Jeongin I’d help him with something tonight.”

“Oh, perfect,” Sam said smoothly, the silver star on his choker catching the light. “You can tell Jeongin your incredibly selfless friend kidnapped you for a worthy cause.”

“You’re not my friend.”

“Oh, I like that,” Sam grinned, the black choker at his throat glinting with its tiny silver star, “we’re something else.”

They bickered the whole way, Felix pleading for Sam to just turn around, Sam countering with infuriatingly calm remarks. The golden late-afternoon light kept slipping over the silk of Sam’s deep brown, gold patterned shirt, catching in the folds as if even the sun wanted to linger on him. Felix refused to notice.

The car pulled into a packed parking lot, and Felix looked around, confused. He heard the faint thrum of bass vibrating through the ground. Neon signs glowed ahead, and a line of people stretched around the venue. Felix’s heart skipped when he recognized the name on the banner above the building . The band he’d been dying to see all month.

STRAY GAYS.

“Wait… no way,” Felix whispered, sitting up straighter. “Sam, this is—”

“Yup,” Sam said with a satisfied grin as he parked. “The band you wouldn’t shut up about. Sold out, right?”

Felix’s jaw dropped. “You got tickets?” Sam shrugged like it was nothing, though his grin said otherwise. “Took some effort. But I wasn’t about to let my brother be the only one giving you things to smile about.”

The younger stared at him, completely floored. “Sam… this is insane. You can’t just—”

“Say thank you later,” Sam interrupted, leaning closer with a teasing glint in his eyes. “Right now, I want to see that big smile you’ve been hiding from me.”

Felix felt his face flush, but he couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his lips. “I… this is amazing. I can’t believe you did this.”

Sam smirked, clearly pleased. “There it is. That’s the smile I was looking for.”

The bass grew louder the closer they got, seeping into Felix’s chest like an extra heartbeat. Sam flashed the tickets at the entrance, ushering him inside before Felix could think about arguing again.

It wasn’t until they were swallowed by the warm, dim glow of the venue lobby that Felix’s hand instinctively patted his pocket and froze. Empty.

He spun toward Sam. “Wait. My phone—” Sam tilted his head, feigning confusion. “What about it?”

“It’s in your car!” Felix hissed, already picturing it sitting there on the passenger seat. “Why didn’t you remind me to grab it?”

Sam smirked. “Because I’m not your mom, sunshine. And so Hyunjin won’t be able to reach you. Just enjoy the show.” He kept walking toward the main floor, ignoring Felix’s glare.

Inside the venue, the energy was electric. The crowd buzzed with excitement as the lights dimmed. Felix’s eyes widened, his face glowing with joy as the first chords echoed through the hall.

Sam didn’t look at the stage, not at first. He looked at Felix.

Felix could hardly breathe. Not because it was crowded, though it was crowded, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with tens of thousands of people, but because the moment felt too big for his chest. The stage was bathed in red light, shadows shifting behind a sheer curtain, the hum of the crowd electric and expectant. The air was heavy with heat, smoke machines, the faint tang of spilled soda and sweat, and under all of that, a pulse of anticipation that throbbed through the earth and right up through his sneakers.

Then just like that, the curtain dropped.

The first song, Mountains, rang out like a call to arms, and the field erupted. Felix yelped, his whole body jolting with the bass, every fine hair on his arms lifting in response. He was vibrating . Eyes wide, mouth parted in disbelief, he bounced where he stood, hands clasped in front of him like he was praying or maybe like he was trying to hold himself together.

“OH MY GOD,” he gasped. “Oh my god, Sam— Sam —they’re really here!”

The band was larger than life, screens flanking either side of the stage showing every blink, every glint of sweat, every grin. Felix couldn’t decide whether to scream or cry or just stare. He did all three. The lead singer grinned as the crowd surged, throwing a fist in the air and 40,000 arms rose in sync, Felix’s included.

Sam laughed beside him, loud and warm, but Felix was already lost in it. Every word of the chorus was muscle memory, every beat embedded in his bones. The crowd around him blurred into color and light and motion, but the lyrics were a thread anchoring him, a language he’d known longer than some friendships. His voice cracked as he sang, but he didn’t care.

The band launched into one of their classic hits, and Felix turned, face lit up, cheeks flushed and damp. “You actually did this!” he shouted over the music, disbelieving. “You actually got me here!”

Sam leaned close. Closer than necessary and murmured, lips brushing Felix’s ear, “See? I can give you more than daisies and quiet words. I can give you moments you’ll never forget.”

Felix’s breath hitched. The heat of Sam’s voice mixed with the music pounding in his chest, and it almost distracted him but not quite. His brain was still cataloguing everything: the roar of the bass under his soles, the streaks of light cutting through fog, the way the crowd smelled like sunscreen and euphoria. The way his skin couldn’t decide whether it was too cold or too warm. His senses felt overfull but sharp, dialed to ten. He blinked hard, trying to take it all in at once.

He loved this K-pop band. Had loved them since high school, since late nights curled up with headphones and lyrics scribbled in the margins of his notebooks. And now he was here, here ,here, watching them live, screaming until his throat went raw!

He turned toward Sam, unsure what he meant to say, maybe " thank you ," maybe " I can’t believe you did this for me," maybe just " holy shit" —but the words caught on his tongue.

Because Sam wasn’t teasing anymore.

He was just looking at him.

Really looking. Not like he was waiting for a reaction to tease or a joke to land, but like Felix himself was the moment worth seeing. His dark eyes were soft in a way Felix hadn’t seen before, mouth curved faintly, not smug but content.

Felix blinked. “What?”

“Nothing,” Sam said, shaking his head slowly, still watching him. “You’re just… really cute when you’re happy and excited. And I couldn’t believe I’m the one seeing that right now.”

Felix’s face went hot, but the music offered cover. His hands dropped from where they’d been clenched to his chest, fingers curling and uncurling, and before he could overthink it, he felt Sam’s hand slide into his.

Warm. Confident. Not demanding, just… steady.

Felix swallowed hard. He wasn’t sure how to stay still in his own skin. His brain was buzzing. He wanted to lean his head on Sam’s shoulder, or maybe drag him into a dance, or maybe just stare at the lights with him and squeeze his hand and scream the next song until the stars came down.

The older didn’t say anything else. He didn’t have to. His hand stayed wrapped around Felix’s like it belonged there, like this had been part of the plan all along. And when Felix looked up at him again, he was smiling still, that rare, easy smile that didn’t ask for anything back.

So Felix gave it freely.

He turned back to the stage, letting his body move with the crowd again, swaying and bouncing and throwing his hands up to the rhythm. But he didn’t let go of Sam’s hand. Not even once.

Because for the first time in a long time, he felt like the moment was his.

And Sam was there to witness it.

Halfway through the set, Felix was completely swept up in the concert. Singing along, cheering, eyes bright with excitement. Sam watched him more than he watched the band. He didn’t say it out loud, but something about seeing Felix like this, alive and glowing, made him want to keep this moment frozen in time.

When the band slowed the pace with a softer song, Cover Me, Felix turned to Sam, his eyes shining. “This is the best surprise anyone’s ever done for me,” he said sincerely, his voice quiet but heartfelt despite the noise around them.

Sam grinned, leaning closer until their foreheads nearly touched. “I told you. I don’t lose, sunshine. Especially not to him.”

Felix’s rolled his eyes. He wanted to protest, to argue that Sam said it wasn't a game so why was he saying that now. And it wasn’t about winning or losing, but the way Sam looked at him, like he was the only person in the entire venue, made the words vanish.

The taller casually draped his jacket over Felix’s shoulders. And wrapped his long arm lazily over Felix’s shoulder.

“You looked like you were having the time of your life,” Sam said, his grin softer now, almost proud.

“I am,” Felix admitted, hugging the jacket closer. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to see them live… and then you…”

“Then me,” Sam echoed with a cocky tilt of his lips. “See? I’m not so bad when you let me try.”

Felix rolled his eyes again but couldn’t stop the warmth blooming in his chest. “Thank you, Sam. Really.”

Sam’s smirk softened into something almost tender. “Anything for you, sunshine.”

The concert was coming to a close, the band’s final song building to a crescendo that had the entire crowd screaming, light sticks unified with synchronized light dance.

Finally, the venue lights dimmed, and suddenly, with a burst of color, fireworks exploded in the night sky.

Felix felt like he didn’t breathe for a handful of seconds as he tilted his head upward. “Holy… my god,” he whispered, the shimmering lights reflecting in his wide eyes. The colors painted his face. Reds, blues, and golds, like the night itself had decided to wrap him in magic.

Sam didn’t look at the fireworks. He stared at Felix, like someone odd. Not in a bad way, but in a way that only the heavens can answer. He didn't know why he did things he usually didn't do. He never went overboard just to get someone's kiss or to get them undressed. Felix... made his head question why the hell his heart was constricting. 

The way Felix’s lips parted in awe, the way his cute freckled nose twitched, the way his hair glimmered under the bursts of color… it made something raw tighten in Sam’s chest. He couldn’t help himself. He was ethereal, beyond beautiful. Too beautiful he felt his eyes were somehow becoming blurry. 

“Felix,” Sam said, his voice low, barely cutting through the roar of the crowd.

His pretty face turned, his eyes bright and soft all at once. “What?”

And then Sam kissed him.

The world seemed to vanish—the music, the fireworks, the crowd. All Felix felt was Sam. His lips, warm and hungry, pressed against his like they’d been waiting for this moment. Felix gasped, but Sam’s hand was already at his waist, pulling him closer, as though the space between them had no right to exist.

Felix’s heart raced so wildly it felt like it might burst. He kissed Sam back without thinking, their lips moving fast and desperate, like two people who hadn’t seen each other for decades and were making up for lost time.

Sam’s other hand slid to the back of Felix’s neck, tilting his head slightly, deepening the kiss with a heat that made Felix’s knees go weak. His jacket slipped from Felix’s shoulders as Sam tugged him closer, their bodies pressed so tightly together that Felix could feel the pounding of Sam’s heart against his own chest.

When they finally pulled apart for air, Felix’s breath came in short, sharp gasps, his lips tingling and swollen. His face was flushed, but he was smiling. Wide, unguarded, giddy.

“Sam,” Felix breathed, his voice soft but shaky. “What… was that?”

Sam smirked, his lips brushing Felix’s cheek as he spoke. “That’s me showing you I can’t stand being just another guy in your life.”

Felix laughed breathlessly, unable to look away from him. “You’re nuts.”

“Maybe,” Sam said, leaning in again, his forehead pressing against Felix’s. “But you’re smiling, sunshine. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel that.”

Felix’s smile widened despite himself, his cheeks heating. “I… I did,” he admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

The next firework burst above them, glittering gold across Sam’s face. Felix couldn’t stop looking at him, his sharp jawline, his dark eyes, and the way his expression softened just slightly when he looked back.

Sam kissed him again, slower this time but just as consuming. His hands moved to cup Felix’s face, thumbs brushing his cheeks, as though he wanted this moment to be remembered for eternity. Felix melted into it, his own hands clutching the front of Sam’s shirt like he was afraid to let go.

It was wild, messy, and nothing like Hyunjin’s calm, poetic touch… but it made Felix’s blood sing.

When they finally broke apart, Felix was breathless, his chest rising and falling quickly. He laughed softly, almost dizzy from the mix of adrenaline and fireworks. “I can’t believe we just did that. In front of… everyone.”

“No one’s watching,” Sam said, smirking. “Not the way I’m watching you.”

Felix’s face burned hotter, but he didn’t look away. “You’re really insane , Sam.”

Sam grinned, brushing a hand through Felix’s hair. “And I know you like it.”

The last firework faded, and the crowd erupted in applause, but Felix barely noticed. His lips were still tingling, his heart still pounding like it wanted to break free from his chest. He smiled wide, unable to stop himself, the taste of Sam still lingering like a secret he wasn’t ready to share.

The lights were still dimming as the crowd slowly began to spill out of the venue, a river of voices and leftover adrenaline. Felix stretched his arms above his head, still breathless, still giddy, and utterly unwilling to stop smiling.

“I should’ve bought the Nachimbong,” he sighed, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm as he wore Sam’s jacket completely.

Sam tilted his head. “Nachim—what?” Felix glanced at him. “The lightstick.”

“Oh— that thing that looks like a wand.” Sam snorted, nodding. “Right. You should’ve told me before we entered.”

“It’s okay,” Felix shrugged, hugging himself against the breeze. “If I bought that, we might’ve missed the opening. And that first song? Ugh—iconic.”

Sam didn’t answer. When they went back to the car, Sam didn't start the engine and took five long seconds before he suddenly went down again.

“Where are you going?” Felix yelped as he snatched his phone from the seat.

The older just waved off as he started walking back toward the line of tents near the exit. Felix blinked, his sneakers crunching against the gravel as he hurried after him. “Yah, Sam! I said, where are you going?”

Sam didn’t look back. “Merch stand.”

“What?” Felix frowned, catching up as they joined a small but determined line. “Huh?  why are we in line?”

Sam’s expression was cocky, but there was a glint in his eye. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll buy a shirt. They look cool, don’t they?”

Felix narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, they do look cool. But I won’t buy one. They’re too costly. I just bought a photocard worth two hundred USD.”

Sam turned slowly. “What? That small cardboard photo attached to your bag when we went to the cafe?”

Felix’s face twisted in offense. “No! Not that one. That only cost thirty. I wouldn’t risk my two-hundred-dollar photocard like that.” He repeated the price as if everything he said was rational and not irresponsible at all. 

Sam gave him a look, then shook his head with a scoff. “You guys are the real crazies.”

Felix gasped. “Huh?! You’re way crazier for buying VIP tickets for the both of us!”

Sam gave him a side-smirk. “Worth it.”

Felix bit back his smile, cheeks flushing despite the wind cooling the back of his neck. They inched forward in the line, the scent of popcorn and fabric lingering under the tent lights. The buzz of other fans still carried in waves like laughter, songs being replayed from phones, someone crying happy tears a few feet away.

Then Felix’s phone rang.

He glanced down, the screen lighting up with Jeongin.

He hesitated, then picked up. “Hello?”

“Felix,” Jeongin snapped, voice sharp through the speaker. “You’re seriously with Sam right now? I just see his story even if you’re not in it. Stray Gays? That’s your favorite band! You didn’t even tell me—”

Felix stepped slightly aside from the crowd, pressing a finger to one ear. “I didn’t know I needed your permission to have fun.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it. He’s… he’s not—you don’t even like him like that, right? Felix?”

Felix stared blankly at the pavement, lips tightening. “Jeongin.”

“What.”

“Not now.”

And he hung up.

The screen went black in his hand. He stood still for a second, trying to shake off the strange sting in his chest. The noise of the merch tent filled the silence quickly enough, and when he turned back, Sam was already looking at him.

With his fingers still curled tightly around his phone, Sam was already standing off to the side of the merch tent, holding two paper bags in one hand like they weighed nothing.

Felix blinked. “Wait— what did you buy? ”

Sam shrugged lazily and extended one of the bags toward him. “Catch.”

Felix nearly dropped his phone as he scrambled to grab it. The bag was light, the paper crinkling under his fingers. He peeked inside and immediately frowned. “ Oh? Why did you buy a lightstick?”

Sam didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pulled out his own identical bag and opened it with an exaggerated rustle, holding up not one, but two concert shirts. Same design, bold black with the tour logo printed in metallic silver across the front.

“I also bought two of the same shirt,” he said smugly.

Felix squinted at him, baffled. “But… there were other designs. Why would you get two of the same one?”

Sam scoffed, eyes gleaming with something dangerously close to fond mockery. “The lightstick’s for you, dumbass. And one of the shirts is mine.”

Felix stared at him for a moment, processing.

Then his whole face lit up.

His fingers tightened around the bag, and he looked back inside like it might disappear if he blinked. “ Wait—really? You bought this for me? ”

Sam rolled his eyes so hard he probably saw another dimension. “No, genius, I bought a fan lightstick for myself, even though I don’t know a single song. Of course it’s for you.”

Felix let out a small, gleeful noise, like a child receiving a surprise toy. “Oh my god— Sam! ”

He clutched the bag to his chest, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, eyes twinkling as they locked onto the white handle of the Nachimbong peeking out. “This is the newest version, too! I was literally gonna buy this as Christmas gift to myself!”

Sam looked away like he was bored, but his smirk betrayed him. “Yeah, well. You were practically sulking earlier. I didn’t want to deal with that level of disappointment for the rest of the night.”

Felix grinned, completely unfazed. “I love this. It even has the new led screen at the back. And— wait! You got the right member lightstick cover too?! How did you even know—?”

“I googled it, okay?” Sam snapped. “Sunshine, I care. Okay? Okay.”

Felix beamed. “No way, you’re secretly soft.”

Sam made a face like he was personally offended. “Hey! Take that back.”

Felix only laughed, practically hugging the bag like it was a prized plushie. The excitement in his body buzzed louder than the concert encore still echoing in his ears. Around them, fans were still drifting out, posing for photos, waving their lightsticks and chattering excitedly. But for Felix, the world narrowed in.

The lights. The warmth of the paper bag. The afterglow of the concert. And Sam still acting like smug again, while very obviously caring a lot.

“Hey,” Felix said softly, poking Sam’s arm. “Thanks. Really.”

Sam scoffed again, pulling the spare shirt out of his own bag and holding it up in front of Felix’s face like a barrier. “Sunshine... If you cry, I’m returning it.”

Felix grinned behind the fabric. “I’m not crying. I’m glowing.”

The two of them were still laughing when a girl, maybe in her teens and wearing a concert shirt three sizes too big, suddenly stepped in front of them near the venue exit.

“Sorry, hi! Sorry!” she said quickly, clasping her phone to her chest. “You two look really cute together, I just—I’m part of the fan project team. We’re collecting couple photos for the post-tour fan forum upload and Instagram feature, and would you mind? Just one quick picture?”

Felix blinked. “Wait... couple photos?”

Sam raised an eyebrow, visibly entertained. “Mmm.”

Felix shook his head quickly, clutching his bag. “Ah—no, no, no. We’re not—we’re not a couple.”

The girl tilted her head. “Oh? You’re not?”

Felix started waving both hands. “No! He wouldn’t agree anyway. Trust me. He... he’s not into that kind of—” He turned to Sam. “Right? You wouldn’t agree, right?”

Sam tilted his head, giving Felix an infuriatingly slow once over. “Okay, let's take a photo.”

Felix’s entire brain short-circuited. “Huh? What? ”

The girl lit up. “Great! Just stand a little closer—perfect! That’s good lighting—”

Before Felix could even come up with a reason to refuse, Sam was already sliding an arm around his shoulder and tugging him gently into frame, still holding the merch bag in one hand like a prop. Felix froze, his heart kicking in his chest like it was trying to run without him. Sam leaned just slightly into him, his body warm and annoyingly confident, and t hen the flash went off.

“Adorable!” the girl grinned, tapping her screen. “This’ll be part of our after tour post on Instagram. The fan page will love it!”

Felix’s eyes widened in horror. “Wait—Instagram? No! No, no, no—please don’t post that—”

But she was already waving and walking away with a cheerful, “Thank you!”

Felix spun toward Sam, panicked. “We need to find her. We need to make her delete it—”

Sam only smirked, shoving one hand into his pocket. “What? You scared Hyunjin might see it?”

Felix’s breath caught. He opened his mouth. Closed it.

The name hung in the air like a dare.

And Sam just kept walking, as if he hadn’t said anything at all.

Felix sat in the passenger seat, still clutching the light stick Sam bought at the merch stand. Though it was after the concert and not before. Since they arrived only a few minutes before the start of the show, his lips curved into a soft smile that wouldn’t fade.

The dark haired kept glancing at him between gear shifts, his smirk relaxed and proud. “You’re still smiling,” he teased, his voice low and smooth. Felix laughed softly, shaking his head. “I can’t help it. That was… today is the best day of my life. You didn’t have to do all that, Sam, but—thank you.”

Sam’s hands tightened slightly on the wheel, his grin growing. “I told you I’d give you something unforgettable, sunshine.” He looked at him briefly, his eyes warm and sharp all at once. “Seeing you happy like that? Worth every second.”

When they pulled up in front of Felix’s apartment building, the street was quiet, bathed in soft orange streetlight. Neither of them moved to get out of the car right away.

Felix turned in his seat, still glowing from the night. “Sam… really, thank you. I can’t remember the last time I felt this… alive.”

Sam’s smirk softened. “Then let’s keep you feeling that way.”

Before Felix could respond, Sam leaned in, kissing him again. It wasn’t careful or hesitant—his lips were warm and always demanding, tasting faintly of the cola they’d shared at the concert. Felix gasped against the kiss, but then he was moving, drawn to Sam like gravity itself.

Felix didn’t realize how close he’d gotten until he was hovering over Sam’s lap, their faces inches apart, breath mingling in the confined space of the car.

“Sunshine…” Sam murmured, his voice rougher now, his eyes dark and searching. He reached for the seat adjustment lever, pushing his seat backward with a low click to make more room. Then his hands gripped Felix’s waist and, without warning, pulled him fully onto his lap.

Felix squealed, his knees on either side of Sam, his hands gripping Sam’s shoulders for balance. His heart was pounding so hard he was sure Sam could feel it through his chest.

“Sam—”

“Don’t overthink,” Sam whispered, tilting his chin up. “Just feel.”

Felix’s lips met his again, and this time, it was like the concert’s energy was still pulsing between them. Sam’s hands held him firmly, one at the small of his back, the other tracing up his spine, while Felix’s fingers curled into Sam’s shirt.

The kiss grew deeper, hotter, as if neither of them wanted to stop. Felix felt dizzy, his entire body alive with warmth. His mind was a blur of fireworks, music, and the taste of Sam.

Sam kissed like he wanted to consume him, and Felix, while heart pounding, didn’t want to stop him.

When they finally broke apart for air, Felix’s face was flushed, his lips swollen and tingling. He looked down at Sam, breathless but smiling wide, his eyes bright like the night sky outside.

“You’re… insane,” Felix said between soft, breathless laughs. “But I’m… so happy right now.”

Sam grinned, brushing his thumb over Felix’s cheek. “You look alive, sunshine. I like seeing you like this. You’re… so beautiful when you glow.”

Felix blinked, his cheeks warming even more at the sincerity in Sam’s tone. “Maybe it’s because of you,” he admitted softly. Sam’s smirk softened into something quieter, almost vulnerable. He leaned his forehead against Felix’s, their breaths mingling. “Don’t say things like that unless you mean it.”

“I do,” Felix whispered, the words slipping out before he could stop them. Sam’s hands tightened on his waist, his lips brushing Felix’s again in a kiss that was slower but just as intense, like he wanted to savor the moment.

Felix melted into it, feeling completely weightless—like for the first time in a long time, he didn’t care about anything except the warmth of Sam’s arms around him and the way his heart was racing.

When they finally pulled away, Sam rested his hand against Felix’s back, not letting him go just yet. “Stay like this for a bit,” he said quietly, his voice softer than Felix had ever heard it. “Just… stay.”

Felix nodded, his eyes still shining as he leaned into Sam’s chest, a smile tugging at his lips.

In that quiet moment, wrapped in Sam’s warmth and the fading echoes of the concert, Felix realized that his heart had never felt so alive—or so conflicted.

The car was parked in the quiet glow of the streetlight outside Felix’s apartment, but inside, it felt like another world. Felix was still on Sam’s lap, his knees on either side of him, their breaths mingling in the warm, confined space. The air was thick with the echoes of the concert, the scent of leather and Sam’s cologne mixing with something electric, something unforgettable.

Sam’s fingers traced slow, deliberate paths along Felix’s back, slipping under the hem of his sweater just enough to make Felix shiver. “You’re still buzzing, aren’t you?” Sam murmured, his voice low and dark like velvet.

Felix’s lips parted, his breath catching. “I don’t know if it’s the concert or you,” he admitted, his voice barely audible.

Sam smirked, that lazy, dangerous grin that always made Felix’s stomach twist. “It’s me,” he said confidently, leaning in until his lips brushed Felix’s. “Definitely me.”

The kiss that followed wasn’t soft or tentative. Of course, it was fire. Their lips clashed like they’d been holding back for too long, Sam’s hands gripping Felix’s waist as if to pull him closer, closer, until there was no space left between them. Felix gasped into the kiss, his fingers clutching at Sam’s shoulders for balance, the heat between them burning through every thin layer of restraint.

Sam kissed like he wanted to leave his mark, like every second mattered. Felix felt his head spin, his heart pounding wildly in his chest as their mouths moved together. Urgent, hungry, desperate. His sweater bunched under Sam’s hands as they explored the curve of his spine, his ribs, every inch like Sam wanted to take him. His hands swayed together with Felix's small waist. Grinding himself for friction.

Felix let out a soft, unsteady sound, the kind that made Sam smirk against his lips. “Felix,” Sam murmured, his forehead pressing against Felix’s, his voice hoarse with heat. “You have no idea how much I want to take this further. How much I want to be upstairs with you right now.”

Felix’s breath hitched, his hands still tangled in Sam’s shirt. “Sam…”

“I could make you forget the world for a few hours,” Sam continued, his thumb brushing against Felix’s hip in a way that made his whole body shiver. “All you have to do is say yes. Let me fuck you, sunshine.”

>>>>>>>>