Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Tell me darling, where do we begin?" Joon's voice dripped with lust, with anger, with desire...
He moved closer to him, so his lips hovered right over Felix's. he could feel his breath kissing his skin. It felt bitter, familiar...
Unwelcome.
"This was over before it ever began," Felix said, his voice strong. He wasn't trembling anymore. Joon's eyes wavered, clearly receiving Felix's message. He moved towards him. but Felix didn't back up. He stood his ground, eyes beginning to tear up. Joon couldn't listen- his stupid little ego couldn't accept that someone wouldn't love him.
Joon slammed him into one of the bathroom doors. Felix gasped as pain shot up his spine. Joon softened at the sight of him in pain, even if it was just slightly...
Felix took advantage of that, slipping under his hand and spinning out of his grasp when Joon leaned in. He ignored the growing pain in his back as he dashed out of the bathroom and back into the main restaurant area.
"Gotta hide, gotta hide..."
He dashed through tables, weaving through customers and almost knocking over a teenager who was strapping their younger sibling into a highchair.
"Sorry! Excuse me-" Felix apologized. He stopped in his tracks, eyes dashing around the restaurant. He could leave, but Joon would be hot on his trail...
The bar.
Felix ducked beneath the swinging gate that separated the bar from the rest of the establishment and pressed his back against the cool wood of the counter, making himself as small as he could.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be back here," He heard a chill voice call.
The bartender was a tall man with dark eyes and shoulder length black hair. He looked straight out of a K-drama. He didn't pay Felix any more mind, then went back to rinsing a cup out.
"S-sorry-" Felix jumped as he heard the bathroom door be thrown open. "My ex- please help me..."
The bartender stared at the man who was rushing towards the bar and nodded to Felix, his gaze growing from laid-back to serious. "Stay low, I got this."
Joon hurried to the counter, trying to regain his composure as he asked; "Did you see my boyfriend leave? Blonde hair, freckles, brown eyes?"
"Oh yes!" The bartender exclaimed, and Felix's heart quickened. Was he going to give him away? He closed his eyes to ground himself, then listened intently.
"I saw him rush out and turn right." He told Joon convincingly. Joon nodded almost hungrily, threw a dollar on the counter, then rushed out of the restaurant to turn left.
Felix let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, relaxing his tense body. "Thank you so much-" He began, but the man stooped down seriously.
"Listen to me, I'm Hwang Hyunjin. My shift ends in two minutes." He opened one of the mini fridges lined up next to Lix and threw him a water bottle. "When I'm done, I'll help you get out of here. I can call an Uber or..." Hyunjin let himself trail off, thinking he proved his point.
"Alright." Felix managed to choke out, the pain in his body radiating with every breath he stole.
He sat there for the two minutes, sipping his water and trying not to pass out, or throw up, or start crying like a baby- whichever came first.
Hyunjin looked down at him after passing an exhausted mom a glass of red wine. "I want you to finish that water please," He commanded gently, and Felix nodded, downing the rest of the water. Hyunjin smiled at his puppy eyes and took his apron off.
"Follow me to the back."
Felix trailed behind him nervously as he entered the employee lounge. Hyunjin punched the code into his locker and opened it, tucking his apron inside.
"Here," he said, giving Felix a black hoodie. "Put this on to hide your face."
He then ripped off his work shirt, replacing it with a band tee.
'Gosh dang...' Felix thought to himself after catching a glimpse of Hyunjin's abs.
Felix obeyed, pulling the hoodie over his head, blushing slightly at the comforting scent of Hyunjin and his expensive cologne.
Hyunjin busted out his cellphone, then turned to Lix. "Can I call you an Uber?" He asked. Felix looked down, shaking his head. "I- Don't have anywhere to go hyung." he said helplessly.
Hyunjin stared at him. Gentle, confused...
"I can't go to Joon's apartment, and mine is two hours away. He'll also probably check there. My two friends are in America right now, and he would also probably check their home." He explained to the older boy tearfully.
"Hey- it's okay- uhm..."
"Felix."
"Oh, thanks. It's okay Felix, I could get you a hotel, but..." Hyunjin paced the room, tapping his phone to his leg in thought.
"Might not be safe." Felix added, finishing his thought, then blushing.
Hyunjin watched as the lights to the main dining area were shut off by one of his coworkers, signaling they had to get going.
"I'll take you back to my place, if you're comfortable with that." He told Felix, not wanting to push.
Usually, Felix would have NEVER gone to a stranger's house like this, but what choice did he have?
"That's fine with me, thank you so much." He gave Hyunjin the go-ahead.
Hyunjin walked closer to him, wiping a tear from his eye and pulling up his hood. "Keep this up while we drive. I don't want to attract any unwanted attention." He told the younger firmly but calmly. Lix nodded, feeling his cheeks go red from the sudden closeness.
Hyunjin opened the back door and ushered Felix to his small black Toyota that was parked next to a power box.
"My place is ten minutes away, then I'll help you clean up. Did he- did he hurt you?" Hyunjin asked timidly, pulling onto the road.
Felix stopped to think, not wanting to worry the older. "He... pushed me up against one of the stalls, and my back..." he said, his voice cracking as his breaths turned into cries for help.
"Oh my god..." Hyunjin gasped, turning to meet his eyes.
"Listen, when we get inside, I promise I'll do my best to patch you up- hang tight."
Felix nodded, closing his eyes as he leaned his head against the headrest.
Hyunjin stared at him in the car's mirror. "Hey, Lix? Can you keep your eyes open for me?" He asked in an almost motherly tone.
Felix snapped his eyes open, realizing he probably should be aware of his body for the time being. "Yes, hyung."
They rode in silence for a while, the radio host's voice chittering out of the dashboard quietly.
"Here's my complex. I have a first-floor apartment." Hyunjin said, parking the car and unlocking it. He rushed around to Felix's door to help him out. He was able to walk to the door without much help.
Welcome to my den, which is also yours for the time being!"

Chapter Text

Felix hobbled into the small apartment. It was a quaint space. One room with a door that lead to a bathroom. There was one bed, a nightstand, a lean table, a large area rug, and a counter with a mini fridge and microwave.
"Wow, cute place." Lix said, flopping on the bed from exhaustion, though the older didn't seem to mind.
"Eh, it's nothing much. I bet your place is decorated like a Pinterest board." Hyunjin giggled, pulling an ice pack out of the fridge and handing it to the younger.
"Keep this on your upper back for a few minutes." He ordered gently, ripping open a tea packet and microwaving some water.
Felix took the hoodie off, now only wearing a white fashion top.
"God, Lix! You're bleeding!" Hyunjin yelped, burning himself on the hot mug as he scrambled to the younger's side.
"Hah, and on my new shirt too..." Felix slurred dizzily, half exasperated.
"I can disinfect the scratches for you, or if you're not comfortable I can send you into the bathroom with my first aid kit." Hyunjin said, trying to keep Lix awake and comfortable.
"No... You can help me, thank you hyung." Felix replied sweetly.
Hyunjin removed his shirt, cleaning and bandaging the shallow scrapes with motherly care, being gentle around the bruises. Seeing him this beat up broke Hyunjin's heart, even if he barely knew the younger.
"Done," Hyunjin declared, throwing Felix a clean black shirt and sitting on the round area rug with his own tea.
"I appreciate it," Felix responded a bit awkwardly, shirtless in front of the bartender who saved him. "I'm bruised but fine."
"What- what happened between you two?"
Felix took a breath, sipping his tea and letting the warm liquid coat his sore muscles.
"We- we were so happy. For two years you know." He began, feeling like an elderly man recounting his past. He chuckled in spite of the thought and kept going.
"We fought over something stupid, and it was honestly my fault. We kept our distance for about two weeks, never texting. Earlier today he asked me out to the restaurant."
Hyunjin shivered. Things had changed between them so fast- just earlier they had been making plans to make up?
"I of course, eagerly agreed. I wanted to save him, save us..." Felix choked on his last word, tears escaping his eyes.
Hyunjin was desperate to reach out, to hug him... but didn't want to overwhelm the younger. He instead nodded sympathetically, urging him to continue.
"A-anyways- We talked like civil humans for a while, but then he began ignoring me. He didn't want to hear my side of the story at all. I stomped to the bathroom to get a minute to myself, leaving him at the table. Joon came in about two minutes later, while I was staring at myself in the mirror. He was being rough, then trying to seduce me... then once I denied Joon, he became downright violent. He pushed me up against a stall door, knocking the wind out of me. Joon then tried to kiss me... I took the sudden softness to my advantage and dashed out of the bathroom, and well..." He chuckled, still half crying.
"You know the rest."
Hyunjin nodded, meeting Felix's eyes.
"It's all my fault..." He sobbed, every heave burning his muscles.
"Yah! It's not your fault, Lix!" Hyunjin scolded him, adjusting the pillows on the bed and coaxing Felix to lay down.
"It is! If I wouldn't have stormed off like a child-"
Hyunjin shook his head, throwing the blanket closer to the younger.
"No, listen to me, maybe you both needed to communicate, okay? But that doesn't give Joon ANY right to get physical!" He was like a raging storm, a best friend who wouldn't back down.
"Tonight, you just need to rest, we can talk more in the morning." He assured Lix.
Felix nodded, feeling his eyes go droopy.
"Oh- I can sleep-"
"No, I'm sleeping on the rug, you need the bed for your back." Hyunjin's tone was final.
He pulled extra bedding out from under his bed and began making himself a makeshift sleeping space for the night.
Felix felt bad but couldn't disagree. As soon as his brain permitted, he fell into a deep sleep, still wrapped up in the many soft blankets.
Hyunjin smiled warmly at the boy. They barely knew each other, but he knew one thing for sure.
He was going to keep Felix safe.
And... he WAS kind of cute.

Chapter Text

Felix woke the next morning to confusion.
'Where am I?'

'What day is it?'

'Where's Joon...'

He opened his eyes, sitting up quickly as he looked around the apartment.

'That's right...'

He was at the bartender's apartment.

He looked down to see the young man sleeping very comfortably in a pile of blankets on the floor. He had given the bed to Lix.

Felix smirked and wanted to die from the cuteness. Hyunjin's milky skin melted into the pale blankets almost seamlessly.

Felix twisted his body tenderly, trying out his sore muscles. He was definitely healing, but it would be a slow process.

He slid out of the quaint bed, padding over to the modest counter that held the older's mini fridge and microwave. If this had been a K-drama, he probably would have prepared a homemade breakfast for his hunky savior, but when he opened the fridge...
"Dang," Lix shook his head as he was met with three energy drinks and a few packs of instant noodles. Were you even supposed to refrigerate those?
Since the ingredient situation was less than ideal, Felix decided to doordash some food to the apartment. He opened his phone and scrolled through his notifications.

There was one from Joon.

Felix opened it with trembling hands.

"I'll find you, Jagi, and when I do, you're never leaving- I won't let you.'

It was only one sentence, but it seemed to say so much. Not only was Joon insane and possessive, but also already hurt him, not to mention threatened to lock him away.
Felix blocked his number and gave himself a moment to breath. It wasn't much, and he was still in danger, but it was a step he needed to take. Lix then opened his web browser and ordered some breakfast items from the Cracker Barrel down the street.
It wasn't much, just some pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage, but it was the least he could do for Hyunjin.
Felix laid back in bed, his sore back thanking him as he nuzzled back into the sheets. He waited for the older to wake up, feeling like the kid who always wakes up before the host at a sleepover. It was exactly 9:00 when his alarm went off.
"Frick..." Hyunjin rasped in his deep morning voice, rolling over to face Felix. He felt himself grow hot, so he turned away.
"Ah, I hope I didn't wake you, Lix." He apologized, rubbing his eyes.

Felix shook his head. "I've been up,"

Hyunjin sighed. "How are you feeling? Any better?"

Felix took his eyes off the older and thought for a moment. "No real pain at this point. Just sore, hyung." He told Hyunjin.

Hyunjin smiled warmly at him, hair still plastered to his face from sleep. "Right, brekky-"

"Oh, I uhm... ordered some breakfast to the apartment. Should be here in about twenty minutes."

Hyunjin stared at him, pausing his task of throwing the extra blankets he had slept on back in the bin that went under the bed. "Really? Wow- thank you. You- didn't have to."

Felix felt his cheeks redden once again. "Well- it was the least I could do- you saved me, hyung. Plus, your food situation is..." He gestured towards the fridge.

Hyunjin chuckled, grabbing a simple necklace from his nightstand and clipping it on his neck.

His pretty, toned neck...

"Fair enough, thanks again." He met Felix's eyes.

They let silence wash over them.

"I- I promise I'll be out of your hair soon, Hyunjin. I'll find somewhere to stay."

"No! I truly don't mind! Just focus on healing. You can stay here." Hyunjin said maybe a BIT too eagerly. "I actually wanted to ask..."

Felix met his gaze shyly. "Yeah?"

"Would you- Like, want to be my roommate? I've never had one and it gets lonely..."

Felix was surprised at the request- they barely knew each other.

"For- for now, yes. Of course, hyung." He answered timidly.

"Great!" Hyunjin said, again letting the awkward silence overtake them.

Felix was growing shyer by the minute; there was no way....

Was he really catching feelings?

Oh God...

He opened his phone once again as Hyunjin walked to the bathroom to get ready. "Hey, question," he said while violently washing his face.

Felix suppressed a laugh. "Are you going to ask me for a hairband? Because..." He tipped his chin toward the older, smiling mischievously.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up- anyways... every Saturday I meet my friends Changbin and Jeongin at their diner for dinner, would you like to come with me? They'd love to meet you, and I'd love to get to know you better."

Felix bit his lip.

Was he... asking him out?

'No, don't be delusional, Felix.'

"I'd love that, Hyunjin." He agreed, partly because he was afraid to be alone with Joon still out for him.

"Great! It's a date then!" Hyunjin beamed...

WHAT???

Hyunjin turned the deepest shade of red someone could possibly turn. "No! That's not what I meant... I meant like, it's a- set time- hangout- yeah?" He stuttered weakly, awkwardly shifting his weight back and forward.

Felix died laughing, his stomach still doing flips. "Ah, hyung, it's okay! I get it... though-"

"Hm?'

"Nothing...."

Silence.

DING DONG

"Shit!" Hyunjin jumped as his doorbell rang.

"That would be the Cracker Barrel." Felix said, barely having time to recover before he dissolved into giggles again.

"Yeah? Well next time give them a note to KNOCK..." Hyunjin fixed his hair and threw the door open. "Hi! Yes, good morning, alright- thank you!" He switched his tone so smoothly, accepting the food and shutting the door behind him.

Felix sat criss crossed on the large fluffy area rug. Hyunjin sat across from him and past Lix the bag of food.

"Alright, we got bacon, sausage, pancakes, and eggs." He counted off as he pulled each container out of the bag.

He passed Hyunjin about half of the food, then decided he wanted to get the morning taste out of his mouth before he ate.

"I'm going to go brush my teeth, be right back."

"Lix, there's an extra toothbrush in the drawer for you, and you can use any of my hygiene stuff." Hyunjin told him.

Felix nodded and closed himself in the small bathroom to get himself ready for the day.