When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.6k
A/N: I love making everyone suffer. Anyways, I reached 100 followers!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who reads and interacts! I'm currently in the process of writing some oneshots for an event, so stay tuned for that!! Thank you again my loves <3333
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
Felix tries to reach for the book, attempting to take it from your grasp, but you step back- something you've never done.
"Listen, I can explain." his voice breaks as soon as he speaks, "Please just-"
Tears roll silently down your cheeks that you refuse to acknowledge, because if you do, you'll break. "The headaches, the fainting, it meant something."
Felix's lips part, "You read it..."
A sob threatens to escape your lips, but you bite it back, "Only a few sentences, but it was enough."
"Angel, I didn't mean for you to find out this way."
"That every day was a step closer to you leaving?"
Felix drops his head in shame, eyes becoming glassy as he listens to the pain in your voice, "You don't need me anymore Y/N." He opens his mouth to say more, but lets out a loud groan in pain, clutching his chest. Through gritted teeth he reveals something you hadn't know, "The better you get, the less I'm needed. I get weaker while you get stronger."
You resist the urge to run to him, to hold him in your arms and kiss the pain away, instead you stand your ground, "But I love you Felix," you choke out, like saying it will convince him to stay, "you made me feel whole."
"You can't." His voice is stern, harder than you've ever heard him speak. The sudden roughness takes you aback, "It's against my duty."
"Fuck the duty! I know you feel something for me too!" you take a deep breath, "We matter more than that and you know it."
Felix looks up at you, tears welling in his eyes, "You know what they'll do to me Y/N! My duty comes first over some silly feelings!"
The words land wrong, empty, and you swear you can hear your heart break even more. You stare at him like you don't know the man in front of you, "We could have figured something out Lix, you should have let me in."
His eyes flicker to you and he almost lets himself believe that was an option, "I couldn't let you do that to yourself."
"So, you build me up just to break me down again. You're breaking my heart and I'm letting you."
Felix tries to step closer again, but sees how you shrink back again, "Angel don't say that."
You interrupt him, "No I will, you were healing me. Now you're hurting me AND yourself." Felix watches you solemnly, the tears streaming down your cheeks, the quick rise and fall of your chest, how your aura switches colour every few seconds. You swallow, and you ask quietly, "Was any of it real?"
He doesn't answer. The air around you feels thick as you watch his mouth open and close, words that would never be heard stuck on his tongue. His fists curl and uncurl by his sides, but he still doesn't answer the question.
You nod, throat stinging from the held back emotions. Tossing the book on the table beside you, you turn around and head to the bedroom, but not before you sneak another glance at the man you love, "This would have hurt less if you hadn't hidden it." You don't notice his ring flickering, or how he's slouching, the pain becoming too hard to ignore.
The door closes and Felix is plunged into a crippling silence. His body is weak and he's swaying. He looks at his hand and sees the light on the jewellery, "It's time." The surge of pain starts in his chest, the intensity making him collapse on the floor. He clenches his teeth to keep any sounds from escaping, he didn't want to burden you anymore, he just wants to remember the good times.
He uses the limited strength he has left to turn to the bedroom door where you reside. He wonders if you're crying, if you're already packing away his things. Felix starts remembering all the moments he spent with you, the nights on the couch, all the dinners spent together, getting to know new people, forming a new family. Then the softer moments, the kisses you left on his forehead, the hugs, the dancing.
The pain spreads rapidly and his eyes go blurry. And yet he still cracks a smile as his eyes linger on the bedroom door. It's almost time, but he has to do one more thing before he's taken away from you. He opens his mouth, and quietly, so quiet that no one could catch it, he speaks, unafraid of the consequences that will lie ahead,
"I love you too."
You awake to a quiet that feels wrong. Felix's side of the bed is cold, sheets exactly how they were yesterday. There's no warmth, no soft snores, no arm reaching for you. Memories of last night flash in your mind and you wince. Maybe he's on the couch giving you space, and you can walk out and apologise.
"Lix?" Your voice calls out but it feels small in the room. You rise from the bed and enter the living room. Empty. You check the kitchen. Empty. The bathroom. Empty. His shoes are still by the door and his jacket hung up, untouched.
Panic rises in your chest, or maybe anger? You can't tell anymore. You reach for the phone, calling everyone you know, just to check if Felix is there.
But everyone responds the same, "He's not here, is everything okay?" You don't answer, you hang up. The air around you feels like it's closing in, and then you spot it. The book that caused all of this. Your hands wrap around it, flipping through the pages like a lifeline. A single sentence stares back at you, one you didn't want to find,
"Once a duty is fulfilled, a demon will return to the realm- never to be summoned by the same person again."
Anger fills you again, the feeling of betrayal running through your veins, "He knew and lied to me, every day." The anger dissolves as soon as you try justifying it, grief taking over, he was really gone, lies and all. Your knees hit the floor and the book drops with a loud thud. You don't cry quietly, instead letting out the supressed sobs. Your head is buried in your hands, and you don't hear the frantic knocking, or the key turn.
"Shit." a voice says, then walks to you, his footsteps echoing. He wraps his arms around you, pulling you into his chest. You breathe in his scent and cry a little harder,
"Hyunjin..."
He shushes you, just lets you cry, then speaks slowly, "I thought something happened, you sounded off on the phone. Came as fast as I could."
You pull back, sniffling and eyes red, "He's gone Jinnie, he's really gone." Hyunjin strokes your hair and nods,
"We'll figure it out, we'll find him."
His words make you let out a loud sob, startling him. You point to the discarded book on the floor, and he makes his way over, picking it up and reading the words you did a few moments ago.
"Y/N..."
"He let me fall for him and didn't have the heart to tell me the truth. I told him I loved him," your breath stutters as you remember Felix's silence, "and he didn't say it back."
"You have every right to be angry," Hyunjin starts, "but I think there's more to this Y/nnie."
You laugh bitterly, "He didn't say goodbye, he didn't try fight for us."
Hyunjin sees through your anger, sees the cracks on your heart. He just pulls you back into his chest, hiding his own sadness, after all he had just lost a friend.
"I'm so angry, but I miss him so much." you mumble.
"Cry it out Y/N, we'll figure it out."
Somewhere far away, in the realm of Crimson Hollow, the same brown eyes you had grown to love, wept alone in a dimly lit dungeon, regret living in his slow demon heart.
Hyunjin helps you settle into the couch after a while, then plops next to you.
"Do you want me to tell the rest of them?" You just nod, watching Hyunjin pull out his phone and send a text. Then another before tossing his phone to the side, "Texted the boss I'm sick so you, Y/N, don't have to go through this alone."
"But I have work-"
"No, you don't, texted Chan you need a few days off."
You smile gratefully, and let your head fall onto his shoulder, "Thank you. For everything."
"You can't get rid of me easily, it's been Hyunjin and Y/N for a long time, and it always will be."
The first week is filled with changing emotions. You're angry that he lied, but understanding. You're upset that he's gone, but a part of you is glad to have known him, even for a little while. True to his word, Hyunjin invades the apartment for the first few days. He raids the fridge, hogs the remote and leaves pencil shavings everywhere. But he always stays until you fall asleep and cooks childhood meals the two of you bonded over all that time ago.
Eventually, he has to go back to work, countless design briefs piling up on his work desk. "Call me if you need anything." he says stepping outside, "I mean anything, I'll run."
"You'll be the first to know."
You start sleeping on Felix's side of the bed shortly after. At first, it was an accident, but you kept drifting towards it, like your body still yearned for him to be next to you. The pillow smelt too much like him, and you couldn't bring yourself to move. You wear the hoodie he wore last like it's a ritual, clinging to the remaining fragments.
In the day, you're numb, moving around the pieces of him like they're toxic, but in the night, you seek them out, letting your gaze linger on the book he never finished, or his mug in the corner of the kitchen you didn't have the heart to move.
By the second week, the anger had fully melted away and left nothing but questions. You wandered around the apartment like a ghost, wishing answers would come, but they never did. You wondered if he lied to protect you, if he did feel something; you cast those thoughts away as quickly as they come, he would have told you if he did.
The group stops by every so often to check up. They never said it, but you could tell they were hurting too. Each one showing their grief in a different way. Jisung plays you Felix's vocals from an unfinished song, and you both grow quiet. You can hear him laugh at something Jisung says in the background, the sound feels so foreign but familiar at the same time. When the song ends, you look at each other, then embrace, a silent understanding between you.
The pillow doesn't smell like Felix anymore. Nothing does. His scent doesn't fill the bedroom like it once did, instead fading more each passing day. Sleep doesn't come as easily when it happens and you lay awake, night after night, thinking about him.
You decide to sleep on the couch after that, not wanting to be in a room filled with memories you so desperately wanted to relive. Sometimes you think you can hear his voice in your head,
"I'm sorry."
"I miss you."
"I lied."
But you chalk it up to the lack of sleep, too tired to think otherwise. A small part of you hopes though, that he's trying to communicate in the only way he knows how.
A few days later, you're curled up in the corner of the couch, the space beside you left open. The tv is playing quietly, Wheel of Fortune, and you want to roll your eyes, but you don't change the channel. The door opens the clicks shut. Hyunjin rounds the couch, and sits on the other end, leaving the middle empty. He doesn't say anything, just sits and watches with you.
Changbin enters soon after, setting a bag of snacks in front of you but not mentioning anything. He pulls out a chair and takes a seat, watching as a contestant spins the wheel.
One by one, they enter. Jisung plops onto the floor in front of you, already reaching for the bag of snacks. Minho leans on the wall for a while, then reluctantly takes a seat at the table. Seungmin sits on the arm of the couch beside you and Jeongin joins Jisung on the floor. Chan enters carefully, taking the other arm rest of the couch.
The cushion beside you stays empty, like they're waiting for someone else to come, even though they know he won't.
The wheel spins and Jisung leans back confidently, "I'm going to solve this." he says, disrupting the silence you had been sitting in. "Right in the butt!" he shouts.
"This is the best"
"Oh."
The group groans while Jisung tries to defend himself and a laugh slips before you can stop it. It startles everyone for a moment, then they smile carefully, looking at each other. It's the perfect time to tell them you think.
You clear your throat, "I have something to tell you." Someone turns the tv fully down and they all shuffle to face you.
You fidget with your hands, picking at your nails, "Felix, uh," There's an intake of breath from everyone, but they let you continue, "wasn't human."
You tell them everything. The summoning, the duty, the powers. Then the book, and how he disappeared. When you're finished your voice is shaky and your hands are still trembling.
"You're serious?" Minho asks in a voice you've never heard from before.
Hyunjin speaks up, "That's not everything." He turns to you, "In the book, it said something I think Felix missed." He stands and finds the book, flipping to the page, "I'm not saying he didn't read it fully, because he probably did, but some of the pages they're written like theories, not knowledge."
He flips the book to you, letting you read the words. You trace the writing, "Soul bonds." You say it like the final piece of the puzzle has clicked into place. Chan grabs the book from you, his breath becoming ragged.
"Demons are drawn to those who carry echoes of souls they once knew." he reads aloud, voice trembling, "Not by memory, but instinct. And they call it coincidence."
"He told me I reminded him of someone he used to know." Jeongin admits quietly.
"Me too." Another voice chimes, then another, then another. All of them recall a moment where Felix had said those words.
"It doesn't outright say brothers, so he couldn't have known." Seungmin says, examining the content himself. "He gathered us all together and left when he finished." He chuckles, but there's no humour behind it, only grief.
Changbin speaks up, "It explains why we were all drawn to him, it can't be a coincidence."
Everyone nods, letting the confessions simmer. No one looks sceptical, they believe every word being said, and somehow that makes his disappearance hurt more. Seungmin clears his throat and delivers the final blow, "The artefacts from the box," he pauses, briefly glancing at you, "We think they belonged to each brother, that's why the air felt different every time Y/N found one."
Chan shifts in his seat, remembering the bracelet he had found, the one that looked so similar to the one he had lost years ago, but he doesn't speak up.
The silence stretches and your fingers curl into your hoodie, "I still don't understand something." you say quietly, "The book, how did it get here? He can't have brought it with him."
In front of you Jeongin’s eyes dart around the room and he swallows. He knows, and he hid it from you, afraid of what would happen. He can still hear the hesitance in Felix's voice when he said not to tell you and now it's clear why.
Eventually everyone filters out, quick hugs and soft whispers of reassurance filling the doorway. Seungmin makes you promise to come to his game, "I need you there to cheer me on." he said, squeezing your shoulder. Looking around at everyone, something new fills your heart. The hole isn't filled, but it's supported by the other people you love.
You call Chan's name, making him stop, "I'll see you at work." His face lights up in content and he nods, the door clicking shut behind him. You turn around, intending to head to bed, but a body stops you. "Jeongin? What's the matter?"
The boy's head is cast down, and he messes with his fingers, his voice is careful, "Noona... I need to tell you something." You step closer to him, nerves wracking your brain. He looks at you, and his eyes swarm with guilt. "It's about the book."
You step back, not out of anger, just shock, but you guide him to the couch, urging him to sit down. "Tell me." You say carefully.
"He made me promise I wouldn't tell you, so please don't be mad at him, be mad at me."
"Jeongin you're scaring me."
His hands clutch at his jeans, knuckles turning white, "I helped him steal it, from the museum. I-I didn't know what it was, but he said it was important, and now it's my fault he's gone." He covers his eyes, breaths coming out in short bursts like he's trying not to crumble.
Your throat feels dry, your eyes burn, but you're not angry. Sure, it was wrong for Felix to recruit Jeongin for a heist, and it was wrong of the two of them hiding it, but you understand. You rest a hand on his knee, making him look at you with watery eyes, "I'm not mad at you, or him. I'm hurt that you didn't trust me with this." You brush a stray hair from his face, "But I understand why you did it, you were only trying to protect him, and he was trying to protect me."
Jeongin’s forehead falls to your shoulder, silently letting himself cry, "I miss him, so much." His shoulders shake as he says the words for the first time. They don't make you freeze anymore, so you wrap your arms around him tightly.
"I miss him too."
The picture goes up a few days later. A group photo from the night out with everyone smiling wide and carefree. Felix's arm is around your shoulder, and you're squished into his side. That night replays in your mind like a song on loop and you live in the fantasy of what could have been. You place the frame near the doorway as a reminder that he was here, he was real.
The group doesn't acknowledge it outright, but you catch them looking with sad smiles when they think no one is watching. Changbin takes twice as long to put on his jacket when he leaves, and you catch Minho drifting towards it more than once. Chan reaches out to fix it, even when it's perfectly straight, and you're sure it's an excuse to live in the same fantasy you do.
You stand in front of it one day, overanalysing every detail, when Hyunjin stands next to you. "We hardly knew him, but he was like family." he says quietly.
You shake your head, "He hardly knew himself without all those conditions and rules, Jinnie"
"He knew he had us though, I think that was a start."
Felix sits on the cold concrete in the dungeon, back against the brick wall. The torch in the corner flickers and he watches the flame dance through teary eyes. He doesn't know how long had passed since he returned, just the pats on the shoulder from others for fulfilling his duty.
They stripped him of everything, his phone, the clothes you bought him, everything, until there were no more remanets of you. Guilt ate away at his soul piece by piece the more he sat in solitude; he should have said it back. His wings are spread out but they don't wrap him in warmth, only pained memories of the clear night sky on the rooftop with you. The ring had long gone dark, no glow reminding him that you were thriving.
He's been summoning the little strength he has to communicate, using the magic you had once scolded him for. He'd close his eyes and repeat the same phrases again and again, hoping you received them,
"I'm sorry."
"I miss you."
"I lied."
"You keep using that forbidden magic and they'll have your head on a spike." Too absorbed in his feelings, Felix hadn't heard the turn of the key and the door opening, or the two guards making their way into the room.
He stays silent, they'll never understand love he realises, he has to try everything he can to get back, even if it means risking his head. One guard crouches to his level, a smirk on his lips as he pulls at Felix's hair to tilt his face up,
"Unless you want to die for your disobedience?"
Felix’s voice is hoarse as he replies, "What do you want?" The other guard steps up and grips his arm, pulling him up harshly, "We don't want anything, but the higherups do." He pushes Felix near the door, making him stumble. They take him by the shoulders and lead him down hallways he's seen a million times, walked down with a heavy heart and grief. But today it's different. He's not consumed with grief and desire to obey. He's angry, and hatred fills his heart.
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 4k
A/N: Last time i disappear i promise..., and yes i'm allergic to happiness.
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
The knock comes earlier than everyone was supposed to arrive. You're in one of Felix's hoodies with your hair still damp from the shower when you approach the door. Hyunjin is stood there, a bag hanging from his wrist and a smile you know is only reserved for you.
"You're early." You say, stepping aside to let him in.
He scans the apartment. The couch is pushed further away to make room for the new table, blankets scattered everywhere, shoes piled near the doorway. He looks at you, "I kind of miss when it was just us," He admits it quietly, but he shrugs, small smile on his lips, "But I think we deserve this. The chaos I mean."
You smile back with warmth, "Yeah we did." Hyunjin drops the bag on the counter and collapses on the couch like he always did.
"Oh, and I brought that medicine you wanted for Felix, how is he?"
Felix walks out of the kitchen with an array of snacks, "Felix is perfectly fine, thank you." he retorts.
"Y/nnie says you were screaming in pain. That's not fine." Hyunjin says, reaching for the plate in Felix's hands.
He slaps Hyunjin’s hand away, "I'm well enough to do that."
The door opens and the circus enters. Jisung barrels through the door, "If Minho complains one more time about the movie choice, I'm gonna-"
"You're not going to do anything, now sit." Minho comes next, pushing Jisung into the room.
Behind them Changbin and Jeongin carry massive boxes, you nudge Hyunjin to go help them, but he groans and buries himself into the couch cushions. Felix rolls his eyes and stands, grabbing the box and carefully pulling it inside.
Seungmin trails behind them, eyes locked on his phone. "That was hard work." He murmurs, stepping past the big boxes and sitting on the arm of the couch.
You turn to Jeongin, "Did he even do anything?"
"Nope."
You turn to Seungmin, "You're putting it together." That makes him look up, offence painted on his face.
"I'm saving my energy for my game next week."
"Don't care, you're putting it together." You walk into the kitchen, "You too Hyunjin!" You shout.
The apartment grows loud fast, but in a way you've grown to love. Half of them yelling for a romance film, the others for comedy, and Jisung trying to convince everyone to watch an animated film.
On the floor, the boxes are open, parts all around the room, nails and screws already lost. "This doesn't make sense." Seungmin groans, rereading the instructions for what felt like the hundredth time.
"We don't need instructions; how hard can it be?" Hyunjin replies, stacking random parts and pretending he knows what to do.
Minho peers over, "That's upside down."
"Don't think so."
"The sticker says this way up."
You're still laughing when there's another knock on the door. Felix, being closer to the door, opens it and finds Chan standing their sheepishly.
"You made it."
"Yeah... Sorry I'm late."
Felix stands aside letting him in, "Don't be, we're still deciding."
Chan stands there with his hands deep in his jacket pockets, eyes wide as he takes in the scene- poorly built furniture, raised voices, a remote flying above his head. "Is it always like this?" he asks.
"Yes." Everyone says at once, then resumes their arguments. Chan can't help but laugh, had he really missed out on all of this? He springs into action, firstly approaching the argument.
"Since it's my first time here, I'll pick the film." No one argues, they just sit back and let him take control.
He sits on the floor beside Hyunjin and Seungmin, shakes his head at the poor attempt and glances at the instructions. "Seungmin, it's upside down."
"No, it...isn't" his words trail off as he spins the paper around, and suddenly they make sense.
"Hyunjin, get more snacks, I'll do this with Seungmin." Ten minutes later and with surprising ease, the new table stands proudly, enough seats for everyone.
No one says it out loud, but the shift is obvious. The room feels stable and safe, like a missing piece had found its home.
The lights are dimmed and everyone settles near the tv, anxiously awaiting Chan's pick. Snacks are distributed and blankets are thrown across the room. Felix is in the corner of the couch, legs stretched out and one arm draped in the back. You hesitate, but he moves his head, gesturing you to come next to him.
You sit beside him, and he tugs you closer until your head is touching his chest, "Get comfy, he's picked a long one." Felix chuckles. His arm comes to rest on your hip, rubbing circles into the exposed skin from where the hoodie had ridden up.
The movie starts, some dance-heavy comedy Chan never stopped talking about, the room quietens, almost. Changbin laughs at scenes that aren't funny, Minho narrates everything he dislikes and Jeongin steals snacks from whoever is closest. They know but don't stop him.
Felix's chin rests on your head and you can feel the slow rise and fall of his chest. His fingers tighten around you every so often, when the background music gets louder or a character says something hard hitting. You're flush against him by the halfway point of the movie, but you don't complain, it's natural now. Something you crave.
A scene plays on the screen, one that has you entranced. And Felix notices. He notices the way your eyes follow the actors as they dance across the screen. He notices how your body shifts when they twirl and how you twitch when they jump. You smile fades into something quieter as you watch, not regret, never regret, just wonder.
Across the room, Chan finds himself in the same position, eyes locked onto the screen but the air around him feeling different. Surrounded by people who wanted him here, who wanted to help, makes him feel revived. He doesn't realise he's leaning forward until Hyunjin nudges him, "You good?"
"Yeah... just forgot how much I missed this."
The movie stretches on. Seungmin had long dozed off on Jeongin’s shoulder, only now Jeongin joined him, snores spilling from his mouth. Changbin still laughs, but it's quieter. Jisung has taken to poking Minho every time he complains about the scene, but Minho doesn't move. At some point, Felix presses a kiss to your hair, nothing dramatic, but enough to show he was there.
The credits roll and everyone sits up to stretch.
"That was... something." Hyunjin says, "I can't tell if I liked it or hated it."
"I should get going, I have practise tomorrow." Seungmin says, sleep still in his voice.
One by one they shuffle out. Shoes are slipped on and jackets reclaimed. It's a loud goodbye. Felix stands beside you; arm wrapped loosely around your waist like it belongs there. Chan lingers by the door, taking everything in,
"Thank you for inviting me, he says quietly, "I didn't know how much I needed this."
"Come back anytime, the door's always open."
The door clicks shut as he leaves and the apartment falls silent. You start cleaning up. Picking up the plates on the table, folding blankets. You retreat to the kitchen to start the dishes but soft music sounds from the living room making you turn back.
A few candles illuminate the room as Felix stands in the middle, back towards you. He whispers something under his breath and a small flame appears. He turns back to you, another lit candle in his grasp. "You weren't supposed to come in yet." he says, placing the candle on the table.
"What's all this?" you ask. Felix steps closer, grabbing your hands.
"I saw how you were looking at the screen when they were dancing."
"Oh... You're going to tease me about it aren't you?"
"Never. Well maybe a little," he chuckles, "but mostly, I just wanted to do it with you..."
Your eyes soften at his sincerity, "Felix..."
He guides you to the middle of the room as the music plays from his phone. It's nothing dramatic, just a low melody, but it fills the gaps of silence perfectly. He wraps your arms around his neck and places his own on your waist. He spins you softly, catching you every time. You move around the room like you were always meant to be dance partners. For a minute, you sway together, just looking deep in one another's eyes. The world stops briefly for you two, and you wonder if this is the moment everything will change. Candlelight dances across the room, catching him in the glow, highlighting the freckles on his face.
"I like to think in another life I was human like you." His voice is soft but carries weight. "It would make things easier."
You cup his cheek, the heat seeping into your palm "I like you just the way you are Felix, nothing will change that."
"You make me feel worth it, like I don't have to be the version of me everyone expects." His gaze drops to your lips, and he leans closer.
"You'll always be worth it to me."
"You promise?" his voice is no more than a whisper now, and he’s even closer than before.
"I promise."
His breath shudders, and slowly, giving you time to pull away, he closes the distance.
The kiss is everything. His lips are soft against yours and they linger like he's still afraid to let go. You can taste the remnants of the salty popcorn on his lips and his arms wrap around you fully, pulling you into him until your chests are touching. You kiss back and something in him snaps, like he's letting himself get lost in the feeling.
It's the type of kiss that grounds not claims. It settles deep in your chest in a place you're sure is meant only for him. Felix kisses you deeper, aching for more and you let him, your hands travelling into his hair.
You reluctantly pull away for air, making him chase the feeling of your lips on his. He looks wrecked. A faint blush along his cheeks, his lips plump and red, and those eyes...
They're glassy and unfocused. He looks at you like he's afraid to blink, or everything will disappear. There's no defiance in them, only want. He looks at you like you've handed him something sacred and he's scared of holding it wrong. His lips part, he wants to say something, but he doesn't. He continues to stare as if looking away would kill him. His gaze drops back down to your lips and he smirks shyly, "One more..." he mumbles and goes back in.
His hand trails from your waist to the curve of your jaw, cupping it like he's scared this is all a dream. This kiss isn't as soft, its pure need. You tug on his blonde locks, and a broken sound escapes him, making him pull away. The candles flicker violently now, as if reacting to the tension in the room.
Both of his hands cup your cheeks now, making you look at him and only him. You both laugh quietly, realisation dawning on you- this is what you've waited for. "I'll die happy now..."
"Felix-"
He cuts you off, "I know they would be proud of me."
You don't ask who he's referring to, you already know, so you nod, "They would be so proud."
He leans down again, pecking your lips, but he stays for a moment longer, absorbing the feeling. "We should clean up."
And so, the rest of the night unravels. Small chores done together, with breaks for one or two kisses. You can't get enough, and neither can he. There's an air around him that wasn't there before, but you welcome it graciously, hoping it will last forever.
The change settles without ceremony. Felix starts kissing you like it's a muscle memory. In the mornings, while he's half asleep, he reaches for you, peppering kisses all over your face. When you pass each other in the hallway, he tugs you closer, pressing a linger kiss to your lips then pulling away, leaving you standing there, thoughts full of him.
It's doesn't feel rushed, it feels earned.
They're not always soft. Some are full of passion, like Felix pours every ounce of his soul into showing you how he feels. He kisses you deeper, like he needs your lips to survive.
Everyone's back a few nights later, shoes kicked off and snacks littering the room. The apartment is full in the best way possible. You escape to the kitchen with the excuse of getting drinks, and Felix follows without a word.
You turn around and he's behind you, playful smile on his lips. His hands slide to your hips like he always does, and leans in. He kisses you once. Then again. Then again.
You whisper his name when he pulls away and he hums, kissing from your lips to your neck, "I missed you." The sentence makes no sense, he was sat with you two minutes ago, thighs pressed together.
He kisses you deeper this time, your back hitting the cool counter. His lips move against yours like he'd rather be here than anywhere else. It's feels forbidden, it feels dangerous, but it feels right.
Too focused on the way his tongue swipes at your bottom lip, you don't hear the footsteps coming your way, only the sigh Felix lets out. You don't see Hyunjin stop dead in the doorway.
He freezes, his eyes catching the way Felix holds you like you're something delicate, and how you melt into him. He can see the way Felix's lips curl into a smile against yours and his eyes widen even more. He takes a slow step backwards, then another big one. Hyunjin walks away like he just witnessed a crime that he wants no part in.
Back in the living room, he grabs his phone, taps a few buttons and sets it down. He remains silent, eyes train heavily on the wall in front of him. The others eye him wearily but ask no questions- typical Hyunjin.
A knock sounds and Hyunjin opens the door, taking the cheesecake box from the delivery driver and thanking him. He takes long strides to where Jisung is sat, talking enthusiastically about another anime to Minho, and places the box in front of him.
Jisung looks, opens it and sees the cheesecake. He looks up to Hyunjin who's eyes are still wide. His eye twitches and Jisung remembers the bet they made, "No..." He glances to the kitchen, "In there?" Hyunjin nods once. "I knew it."
Felix rests his forehead on yours, "We should get back before they suspect something." he whispers.
You smile, fingers tracing his jaw, "Will you survive without kisses for the time being?"
"I'll do my best." he says, pulling away, finally turning to exit, "It will be hard though."
Everyone's leaving with rushed goodbyes and quick hugs. Felix is distracted talking to Chan and Hyunjin takes it as a sign to lean closer to you.
"Are his lips softer than you imagined?"
You turn to him, eyes wide and face burning, "What are you talking about?" You hate how unsteady your voice sounds. Hyunjin just chuckles, resting a hand on your shoulder.
"Relax, I'm happy for you. I'll see you soon Y/nnie." The door shuts behind him, plunging the apartment into silence.
Felix comes up behind you, wrapping his arms around you. His voice is low, "What are you thinking about angel?"
You turn to face him, a smile reserved only for him on your lips, "Let's do something tomorrow. Just us."
"What do you have in mind?"
"That's a surprise."
Felix chuckles but agrees. Then the pain hits him again, and you can feel his grip on you loosen. He shuffles back, resting his side on the back of the couch. His face his pale and his breathing ragged. You step closer to him, worry laced in your words, "Or we can do it some other time, you're not feeling well."
He replies sharply, "No! I mean, no, I'll be okay, could you get me some water please?" Felix takes the brief moment alone to reflect, he's in too deep now, but he feels so free. This is what was missing in his life but now it's going to be taken away, all over again. The racing thoughts make his head ache more than before. You come back with the water and he gulps it down. "Are you going to tell me what you planned now?" he jokes.
"It's a surprise Lix, be patient."
The next evening comes faster than you expected, and soon enough you're sat in your car, Felix in the passenger seat begging to be let in on the secret.
"Just tell me where we're going."
You don't take your eyes off the road, a coy smile on your lips, "If you wait, you'll see."
"You're scaring me." he crosses his arms.
You shake your head continuing the journey. The sun is slowly starting to set, and you speed up, not wanting to miss it. You turn into a car park and turn the vehicle off, finally turning to Felix, "We're here."
Felix steps out and looks around, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion, "You brought me to look at cars?"
You lace your fingers with his and tug him along, "No, it's just a short walk from here."
Once you arrive Felix freezes. Waves collide with sand before him, trees swaying gently in the wind. Behind them, the sky is painted in vibrant oranges and pinks, like something out of a fairytale.
You squeeze his hand when you see his gaze transfixed on the water, "I saw how you were looking at the film when they were at the beach," He turns to face you, "It's the same look I had when I saw them dancing."
"You noticed..."
"Of course I did."
He pulls you into a hug, squeezing you tight, "Thank you, you don't know what this means to me."
You pull away to cup his cheek and press a quick kiss to his lips, one that he reciprocates immediately. "Go. I'll be right behind you."
Felix nods, squeezing your hand one last time, before taking off his shoes and sprinting ahead, letting the wind blow in his hair. The smell of the sea fills his nose, and he lets out a sigh- this is where he was meant to be. He laughs loudly, like no one can hear him, as his feet sink into the sand.
You walk a few feet behind him, something tugging at your heart when you see how free he looks. He rolls his jeans up and steps into the water, shivering at the cold temperature. The sky is more vibrant now and casts a glow on the sand, making him look like an angel.
Too focused on the sky, you don't hear the rushing footsteps coming towards you, only warmth of another hand in yours. Felix doesn't say anything, just smiles widely, before taking off running again, you fumbling to keep up with him. The air is filled with laughter from the both of you as he goes back to standing in the water.
"Felix it's cold I'm not going in."
"I'll pull you in if I have to."
The threat seems to work, and you find yourself stepping into the cold water. Felix wraps his arms around you as an attempt to warm you up, but you're sure it's just an excuse to hug you. "Are you enjoying yourself?" you ask quietly.
"I'm having the best time angel."
The sun has fully set, leaving behind a blue night sky filled with stars. You sit on the sand, knees to your chest, Felix beside you.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" he says.
"You said that the other week, you must really believe it." you reply, resting your head on his shoulder.
He grabs your hand and puts it on his beating heart, just like that night, "You tell me."
"Only beats for the truth," you repeat his words to him, then smile, "The moon is very beautiful."
"I really like spending time with you." Felix says suddenly, but you know he means it, his heart still thumping beneath your palm.
"I like spending time with you too."
He leans in slowly and captures your lips, but this one feels different, charged by something deeper. He kisses you like he's trying to savour the feeling, remember the moment in perfect detail. Felix can feel his hands tremble against you, but he pushes the pain away, he needs this, needs to feel you like it could be the last time.
The drive home is quiet in the best way possible. Felix dozes against the window, but a smile remains on his face. You steal glances at him when the road is empty and feel your heart beating faster. The night replays in your mind over and over, like you're afraid it will fade if you don't hold on.
You don't say much when you arrive home. Felix presses a sleepy kiss to your temple and heads to the bathroom while you fall onto the couch, sand clinging in places it should not be.
And when you both slip into bed a while later, it's instinctive. His hand wrapped around your waist, your back to his chest. You fall asleep wondering if this is what peace is supposed to feel like.
Felix is gone when you wake up. His side of the bed is cold, and the sheets crumpled like he slipped out carefully. There's a note on his pillow,
‘Went to the gallery with Hyunjin. I'll be back soon angel.’
You sigh, the apartment feeling too quiet without him. You make tea that goes cold and dinner that will be reheated. You straighten the shoes by the door and fluff the couch cushions for what feels like the millionth time.
You enter the bedroom again and it smells like Felix, it's warm and familiar. The sheets get tugged into corners and pillows arranged to make the bed look like a showroom. As you exit, your foot hits something, hard, enough for you to bite back a curse and yell out in pain.
"What the-" You crouch down, pulling at the exposed corner of something you've never seen before.
A book.
It's heavy in your grasp and the cover looks old- like something you'd find in the museum. Something about it makes your stomach twist, like you weren't supposed to find it, but you sit on the freshly made bed and open it to a random page.
The words wait carefully. You read one line. Then another. Your breath stutters and your eyes go blurry. The pain in your foot hurts, but not as much as the pain sitting on your chest.
You stay sat until you hear the door open, Felix's careful footsteps travelling through the apartment. "Angel? I'm home." You hear him pause and he takes a deep breath, one that sounds pained, "Where are you?"
You wipe the tear that fell and stand, emerging from the bedroom to see him leaned against the table. His hand cradles his head, and his skin is deadly pale. You can see him tremble, but he puts on a brave face, "There you are." he says, opening his arms for a hug.
He notices your red rimmed eyes and his arms drop, "Why are you crying, what's wrong?" He tries to step closer, but you stop him, lifting the book.
His eyes drop to it in your hands, then back to your face, and his expression falters. Suddenly the pain he's been feeling all day didn't matter. You had found the one thing he tried to hide. You see the flicker of realisation in his face, and you bite your lip to stop a sound escaping. Your voice comes out controlled, like this isn't breaking you, "Felix, what is this?"
I love reading every comment on each chapter. I feel so evil knowing what's coming next.
Other than my true evilness, I want to thank everyone who has been reading so far!!! I appreciate each like, reblog and comment I recieve and I'm so grateful that what I write is enjoyed by others. Love you all <333
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 4k
A/N: Last time i disappear i promise..., and yes i'm allergic to happiness.
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
The knock comes earlier than everyone was supposed to arrive. You're in one of Felix's hoodies with your hair still damp from the shower when you approach the door. Hyunjin is stood there, a bag hanging from his wrist and a smile you know is only reserved for you.
"You're early." You say, stepping aside to let him in.
He scans the apartment. The couch is pushed further away to make room for the new table, blankets scattered everywhere, shoes piled near the doorway. He looks at you, "I kind of miss when it was just us," He admits it quietly, but he shrugs, small smile on his lips, "But I think we deserve this. The chaos I mean."
You smile back with warmth, "Yeah we did." Hyunjin drops the bag on the counter and collapses on the couch like he always did.
"Oh, and I brought that medicine you wanted for Felix, how is he?"
Felix walks out of the kitchen with an array of snacks, "Felix is perfectly fine, thank you." he retorts.
"Y/nnie says you were screaming in pain. That's not fine." Hyunjin says, reaching for the plate in Felix's hands.
He slaps Hyunjin’s hand away, "I'm well enough to do that."
The door opens and the circus enters. Jisung barrels through the door, "If Minho complains one more time about the movie choice, I'm gonna-"
"You're not going to do anything, now sit." Minho comes next, pushing Jisung into the room.
Behind them Changbin and Jeongin carry massive boxes, you nudge Hyunjin to go help them, but he groans and buries himself into the couch cushions. Felix rolls his eyes and stands, grabbing the box and carefully pulling it inside.
Seungmin trails behind them, eyes locked on his phone. "That was hard work." He murmurs, stepping past the big boxes and sitting on the arm of the couch.
You turn to Jeongin, "Did he even do anything?"
"Nope."
You turn to Seungmin, "You're putting it together." That makes him look up, offence painted on his face.
"I'm saving my energy for my game next week."
"Don't care, you're putting it together." You walk into the kitchen, "You too Hyunjin!" You shout.
The apartment grows loud fast, but in a way you've grown to love. Half of them yelling for a romance film, the others for comedy, and Jisung trying to convince everyone to watch an animated film.
On the floor, the boxes are open, parts all around the room, nails and screws already lost. "This doesn't make sense." Seungmin groans, rereading the instructions for what felt like the hundredth time.
"We don't need instructions; how hard can it be?" Hyunjin replies, stacking random parts and pretending he knows what to do.
Minho peers over, "That's upside down."
"Don't think so."
"The sticker says this way up."
You're still laughing when there's another knock on the door. Felix, being closer to the door, opens it and finds Chan standing their sheepishly.
"You made it."
"Yeah... Sorry I'm late."
Felix stands aside letting him in, "Don't be, we're still deciding."
Chan stands there with his hands deep in his jacket pockets, eyes wide as he takes in the scene- poorly built furniture, raised voices, a remote flying above his head. "Is it always like this?" he asks.
"Yes." Everyone says at once, then resumes their arguments. Chan can't help but laugh, had he really missed out on all of this? He springs into action, firstly approaching the argument.
"Since it's my first time here, I'll pick the film." No one argues, they just sit back and let him take control.
He sits on the floor beside Hyunjin and Seungmin, shakes his head at the poor attempt and glances at the instructions. "Seungmin, it's upside down."
"No, it...isn't" his words trail off as he spins the paper around, and suddenly they make sense.
"Hyunjin, get more snacks, I'll do this with Seungmin." Ten minutes later and with surprising ease, the new table stands proudly, enough seats for everyone.
No one says it out loud, but the shift is obvious. The room feels stable and safe, like a missing piece had found its home.
The lights are dimmed and everyone settles near the tv, anxiously awaiting Chan's pick. Snacks are distributed and blankets are thrown across the room. Felix is in the corner of the couch, legs stretched out and one arm draped in the back. You hesitate, but he moves his head, gesturing you to come next to him.
You sit beside him, and he tugs you closer until your head is touching his chest, "Get comfy, he's picked a long one." Felix chuckles. His arm comes to rest on your hip, rubbing circles into the exposed skin from where the hoodie had ridden up.
The movie starts, some dance-heavy comedy Chan never stopped talking about, the room quietens, almost. Changbin laughs at scenes that aren't funny, Minho narrates everything he dislikes and Jeongin steals snacks from whoever is closest. They know but don't stop him.
Felix's chin rests on your head and you can feel the slow rise and fall of his chest. His fingers tighten around you every so often, when the background music gets louder or a character says something hard hitting. You're flush against him by the halfway point of the movie, but you don't complain, it's natural now. Something you crave.
A scene plays on the screen, one that has you entranced. And Felix notices. He notices the way your eyes follow the actors as they dance across the screen. He notices how your body shifts when they twirl and how you twitch when they jump. You smile fades into something quieter as you watch, not regret, never regret, just wonder.
Across the room, Chan finds himself in the same position, eyes locked onto the screen but the air around him feeling different. Surrounded by people who wanted him here, who wanted to help, makes him feel revived. He doesn't realise he's leaning forward until Hyunjin nudges him, "You good?"
"Yeah... just forgot how much I missed this."
The movie stretches on. Seungmin had long dozed off on Jeongin’s shoulder, only now Jeongin joined him, snores spilling from his mouth. Changbin still laughs, but it's quieter. Jisung has taken to poking Minho every time he complains about the scene, but Minho doesn't move. At some point, Felix presses a kiss to your hair, nothing dramatic, but enough to show he was there.
The credits roll and everyone sits up to stretch.
"That was... something." Hyunjin says, "I can't tell if I liked it or hated it."
"I should get going, I have practise tomorrow." Seungmin says, sleep still in his voice.
One by one they shuffle out. Shoes are slipped on and jackets reclaimed. It's a loud goodbye. Felix stands beside you; arm wrapped loosely around your waist like it belongs there. Chan lingers by the door, taking everything in,
"Thank you for inviting me, he says quietly, "I didn't know how much I needed this."
"Come back anytime, the door's always open."
The door clicks shut as he leaves and the apartment falls silent. You start cleaning up. Picking up the plates on the table, folding blankets. You retreat to the kitchen to start the dishes but soft music sounds from the living room making you turn back.
A few candles illuminate the room as Felix stands in the middle, back towards you. He whispers something under his breath and a small flame appears. He turns back to you, another lit candle in his grasp. "You weren't supposed to come in yet." he says, placing the candle on the table.
"What's all this?" you ask. Felix steps closer, grabbing your hands.
"I saw how you were looking at the screen when they were dancing."
"Oh... You're going to tease me about it aren't you?"
"Never. Well maybe a little," he chuckles, "but mostly, I just wanted to do it with you..."
Your eyes soften at his sincerity, "Felix..."
He guides you to the middle of the room as the music plays from his phone. It's nothing dramatic, just a low melody, but it fills the gaps of silence perfectly. He wraps your arms around his neck and places his own on your waist. He spins you softly, catching you every time. You move around the room like you were always meant to be dance partners. For a minute, you sway together, just looking deep in one another's eyes. The world stops briefly for you two, and you wonder if this is the moment everything will change. Candlelight dances across the room, catching him in the glow, highlighting the freckles on his face.
"I like to think in another life I was human like you." His voice is soft but carries weight. "It would make things easier."
You cup his cheek, the heat seeping into your palm "I like you just the way you are Felix, nothing will change that."
"You make me feel worth it, like I don't have to be the version of me everyone expects." His gaze drops to your lips, and he leans closer.
"You'll always be worth it to me."
"You promise?" his voice is no more than a whisper now, and he’s even closer than before.
"I promise."
His breath shudders, and slowly, giving you time to pull away, he closes the distance.
The kiss is everything. His lips are soft against yours and they linger like he's still afraid to let go. You can taste the remnants of the salty popcorn on his lips and his arms wrap around you fully, pulling you into him until your chests are touching. You kiss back and something in him snaps, like he's letting himself get lost in the feeling.
It's the type of kiss that grounds not claims. It settles deep in your chest in a place you're sure is meant only for him. Felix kisses you deeper, aching for more and you let him, your hands travelling into his hair.
You reluctantly pull away for air, making him chase the feeling of your lips on his. He looks wrecked. A faint blush along his cheeks, his lips plump and red, and those eyes...
They're glassy and unfocused. He looks at you like he's afraid to blink, or everything will disappear. There's no defiance in them, only want. He looks at you like you've handed him something sacred and he's scared of holding it wrong. His lips part, he wants to say something, but he doesn't. He continues to stare as if looking away would kill him. His gaze drops back down to your lips and he smirks shyly, "One more..." he mumbles and goes back in.
His hand trails from your waist to the curve of your jaw, cupping it like he's scared this is all a dream. This kiss isn't as soft, its pure need. You tug on his blonde locks, and a broken sound escapes him, making him pull away. The candles flicker violently now, as if reacting to the tension in the room.
Both of his hands cup your cheeks now, making you look at him and only him. You both laugh quietly, realisation dawning on you- this is what you've waited for. "I'll die happy now..."
"Felix-"
He cuts you off, "I know they would be proud of me."
You don't ask who he's referring to, you already know, so you nod, "They would be so proud."
He leans down again, pecking your lips, but he stays for a moment longer, absorbing the feeling. "We should clean up."
And so, the rest of the night unravels. Small chores done together, with breaks for one or two kisses. You can't get enough, and neither can he. There's an air around him that wasn't there before, but you welcome it graciously, hoping it will last forever.
The change settles without ceremony. Felix starts kissing you like it's a muscle memory. In the mornings, while he's half asleep, he reaches for you, peppering kisses all over your face. When you pass each other in the hallway, he tugs you closer, pressing a linger kiss to your lips then pulling away, leaving you standing there, thoughts full of him.
It's doesn't feel rushed, it feels earned.
They're not always soft. Some are full of passion, like Felix pours every ounce of his soul into showing you how he feels. He kisses you deeper, like he needs your lips to survive.
Everyone's back a few nights later, shoes kicked off and snacks littering the room. The apartment is full in the best way possible. You escape to the kitchen with the excuse of getting drinks, and Felix follows without a word.
You turn around and he's behind you, playful smile on his lips. His hands slide to your hips like he always does, and leans in. He kisses you once. Then again. Then again.
You whisper his name when he pulls away and he hums, kissing from your lips to your neck, "I missed you." The sentence makes no sense, he was sat with you two minutes ago, thighs pressed together.
He kisses you deeper this time, your back hitting the cool counter. His lips move against yours like he'd rather be here than anywhere else. It's feels forbidden, it feels dangerous, but it feels right.
Too focused on the way his tongue swipes at your bottom lip, you don't hear the footsteps coming your way, only the sigh Felix lets out. You don't see Hyunjin stop dead in the doorway.
He freezes, his eyes catching the way Felix holds you like you're something delicate, and how you melt into him. He can see the way Felix's lips curl into a smile against yours and his eyes widen even more. He takes a slow step backwards, then another big one. Hyunjin walks away like he just witnessed a crime that he wants no part in.
Back in the living room, he grabs his phone, taps a few buttons and sets it down. He remains silent, eyes train heavily on the wall in front of him. The others eye him wearily but ask no questions- typical Hyunjin.
A knock sounds and Hyunjin opens the door, taking the cheesecake box from the delivery driver and thanking him. He takes long strides to where Jisung is sat, talking enthusiastically about another anime to Minho, and places the box in front of him.
Jisung looks, opens it and sees the cheesecake. He looks up to Hyunjin who's eyes are still wide. His eye twitches and Jisung remembers the bet they made, "No..." He glances to the kitchen, "In there?" Hyunjin nods once. "I knew it."
Felix rests his forehead on yours, "We should get back before they suspect something." he whispers.
You smile, fingers tracing his jaw, "Will you survive without kisses for the time being?"
"I'll do my best." he says, pulling away, finally turning to exit, "It will be hard though."
Everyone's leaving with rushed goodbyes and quick hugs. Felix is distracted talking to Chan and Hyunjin takes it as a sign to lean closer to you.
"Are his lips softer than you imagined?"
You turn to him, eyes wide and face burning, "What are you talking about?" You hate how unsteady your voice sounds. Hyunjin just chuckles, resting a hand on your shoulder.
"Relax, I'm happy for you. I'll see you soon Y/nnie." The door shuts behind him, plunging the apartment into silence.
Felix comes up behind you, wrapping his arms around you. His voice is low, "What are you thinking about angel?"
You turn to face him, a smile reserved only for him on your lips, "Let's do something tomorrow. Just us."
"What do you have in mind?"
"That's a surprise."
Felix chuckles but agrees. Then the pain hits him again, and you can feel his grip on you loosen. He shuffles back, resting his side on the back of the couch. His face his pale and his breathing ragged. You step closer to him, worry laced in your words, "Or we can do it some other time, you're not feeling well."
He replies sharply, "No! I mean, no, I'll be okay, could you get me some water please?" Felix takes the brief moment alone to reflect, he's in too deep now, but he feels so free. This is what was missing in his life but now it's going to be taken away, all over again. The racing thoughts make his head ache more than before. You come back with the water and he gulps it down. "Are you going to tell me what you planned now?" he jokes.
"It's a surprise Lix, be patient."
The next evening comes faster than you expected, and soon enough you're sat in your car, Felix in the passenger seat begging to be let in on the secret.
"Just tell me where we're going."
You don't take your eyes off the road, a coy smile on your lips, "If you wait, you'll see."
"You're scaring me." he crosses his arms.
You shake your head continuing the journey. The sun is slowly starting to set, and you speed up, not wanting to miss it. You turn into a car park and turn the vehicle off, finally turning to Felix, "We're here."
Felix steps out and looks around, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion, "You brought me to look at cars?"
You lace your fingers with his and tug him along, "No, it's just a short walk from here."
Once you arrive Felix freezes. Waves collide with sand before him, trees swaying gently in the wind. Behind them, the sky is painted in vibrant oranges and pinks, like something out of a fairytale.
You squeeze his hand when you see his gaze transfixed on the water, "I saw how you were looking at the film when they were at the beach," He turns to face you, "It's the same look I had when I saw them dancing."
"You noticed..."
"Of course I did."
He pulls you into a hug, squeezing you tight, "Thank you, you don't know what this means to me."
You pull away to cup his cheek and press a quick kiss to his lips, one that he reciprocates immediately. "Go. I'll be right behind you."
Felix nods, squeezing your hand one last time, before taking off his shoes and sprinting ahead, letting the wind blow in his hair. The smell of the sea fills his nose, and he lets out a sigh- this is where he was meant to be. He laughs loudly, like no one can hear him, as his feet sink into the sand.
You walk a few feet behind him, something tugging at your heart when you see how free he looks. He rolls his jeans up and steps into the water, shivering at the cold temperature. The sky is more vibrant now and casts a glow on the sand, making him look like an angel.
Too focused on the sky, you don't hear the rushing footsteps coming towards you, only warmth of another hand in yours. Felix doesn't say anything, just smiles widely, before taking off running again, you fumbling to keep up with him. The air is filled with laughter from the both of you as he goes back to standing in the water.
"Felix it's cold I'm not going in."
"I'll pull you in if I have to."
The threat seems to work, and you find yourself stepping into the cold water. Felix wraps his arms around you as an attempt to warm you up, but you're sure it's just an excuse to hug you. "Are you enjoying yourself?" you ask quietly.
"I'm having the best time angel."
The sun has fully set, leaving behind a blue night sky filled with stars. You sit on the sand, knees to your chest, Felix beside you.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" he says.
"You said that the other week, you must really believe it." you reply, resting your head on his shoulder.
He grabs your hand and puts it on his beating heart, just like that night, "You tell me."
"Only beats for the truth," you repeat his words to him, then smile, "The moon is very beautiful."
"I really like spending time with you." Felix says suddenly, but you know he means it, his heart still thumping beneath your palm.
"I like spending time with you too."
He leans in slowly and captures your lips, but this one feels different, charged by something deeper. He kisses you like he's trying to savour the feeling, remember the moment in perfect detail. Felix can feel his hands tremble against you, but he pushes the pain away, he needs this, needs to feel you like it could be the last time.
The drive home is quiet in the best way possible. Felix dozes against the window, but a smile remains on his face. You steal glances at him when the road is empty and feel your heart beating faster. The night replays in your mind over and over, like you're afraid it will fade if you don't hold on.
You don't say much when you arrive home. Felix presses a sleepy kiss to your temple and heads to the bathroom while you fall onto the couch, sand clinging in places it should not be.
And when you both slip into bed a while later, it's instinctive. His hand wrapped around your waist, your back to his chest. You fall asleep wondering if this is what peace is supposed to feel like.
Felix is gone when you wake up. His side of the bed is cold, and the sheets crumpled like he slipped out carefully. There's a note on his pillow,
‘Went to the gallery with Hyunjin. I'll be back soon angel.’
You sigh, the apartment feeling too quiet without him. You make tea that goes cold and dinner that will be reheated. You straighten the shoes by the door and fluff the couch cushions for what feels like the millionth time.
You enter the bedroom again and it smells like Felix, it's warm and familiar. The sheets get tugged into corners and pillows arranged to make the bed look like a showroom. As you exit, your foot hits something, hard, enough for you to bite back a curse and yell out in pain.
"What the-" You crouch down, pulling at the exposed corner of something you've never seen before.
A book.
It's heavy in your grasp and the cover looks old- like something you'd find in the museum. Something about it makes your stomach twist, like you weren't supposed to find it, but you sit on the freshly made bed and open it to a random page.
The words wait carefully. You read one line. Then another. Your breath stutters and your eyes go blurry. The pain in your foot hurts, but not as much as the pain sitting on your chest.
You stay sat until you hear the door open, Felix's careful footsteps travelling through the apartment. "Angel? I'm home." You hear him pause and he takes a deep breath, one that sounds pained, "Where are you?"
You wipe the tear that fell and stand, emerging from the bedroom to see him leaned against the table. His hand cradles his head, and his skin is deadly pale. You can see him tremble, but he puts on a brave face, "There you are." he says, opening his arms for a hug.
He notices your red rimmed eyes and his arms drop, "Why are you crying, what's wrong?" He tries to step closer, but you stop him, lifting the book.
His eyes drop to it in your hands, then back to your face, and his expression falters. Suddenly the pain he's been feeling all day didn't matter. You had found the one thing he tried to hide. You see the flicker of realisation in his face, and you bite your lip to stop a sound escaping. Your voice comes out controlled, like this isn't breaking you, "Felix, what is this?"
One propostion. One answer. When your future is on the line there's only one person you can think of who could help…
Words: 3.5k
A/N: Small oneshot until I actually finish the other ones I started, hope you enjoy :3 also not proofread so if there are any mistakes, no there isn't...
The worst thing about being a princess isn’t the lessons, or the rules, or the daunting expectations placed upon you.
It was the understanding that one day, your future wouldn’t belong to you at all.
You just hadn’t expected that day to come so soon.
“Absolutely not.” Your voice rings out in your father's study. From the corner of your eye, you can see your mother sigh.
“You knew this conversation would happen eventually.” The king said calmly.
You uncross your arms and throw them in the air, “That doesn’t mean I want to be married off so soon! I deserve to have a say!”
The queen approaches her husband, hand on his shoulder, “Sweetheart, we’re not monsters, we have a proposition.”
Your eyes narrow at her smile, too amused for your liking, but you urge her to continue, “We’ll give you a week to present us someone you’re willing to marry.”
For a moment, you said nothing, eyes dropping to the stone floor in despair. Then, a very obvious answer appeared in your head. After all, there was no one else you trust more in the palace than your best friend. “Done.”
The king chuckles, “That was fast.”
“I’ll marry Jeongin.”
The room goes quiet; your mother stifles a laugh while your father raises his brow. “The servant boy?” You nod proudly, pleased with your quick thinking, “Very well, dinner, tomorrow evening.”
Leaves rustle as you step through the trees and the sound of the fountain becomes clearer. The sun paints everything in a golden glow, setting the trees ablaze. Most of the staff were finishing their duties, so slipping away was easy. You knew exactly where to find him, the hidden courtyard just beyond the servant's wing, the one you had discovered as a young child.
When you finally emerge, you spot him. Yang Jeongin laying on the grass, arm tossed across his eyes to shield from the sun. You giggle silently to yourself, if his father saw him lounging around, he’d go crazy. “Shouldn’t you be helping?”
Jeongin removed the arm on his face, letting you see his wide smile, “Shouldn’t you be in lesson, princess?”
You lay down next to him, not caring about the grass stains that would ultimately be found on your dress. “Touche. And what did I say about you calling me that.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, and he shifts to look at you, “You are the princess, I’m just being formal.”
You grumble, “I’m just Y/N here, and you’re just Jeongin.”
He laughs, a sound you had held close to your heart since the day you met. Your eyes trace over his face, from the sharp jawline to the soft brown eyes- he was nothing like the five-year-old you had chased around the palace.
“What did you come out all the way here for?” He asks, poking you playfully. You shift uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze. Jeongin sits up quickly, voice more serious, “Why do you look like that?”
“Promise you won’t laugh?” He shakes his head frantically, itching to know. Then you say something that makes him freeze, “Marry me?”
Jeongin coughs loudly, “You can’t just say stuff like that princess.”
“Please?”
He sputters for a few moments, already understanding what had happened, “But you’re a princess, and I'm just- I'm no one. Why me?”
You sit up to face him, “Because I trust you.” Jeongin looks for any indication this is a joke, but he doesn't find anything.
“I can’t...”
“It’s just business Jeongin, nothing serious.”
He stands abruptly, “It’s serious for me! There has to be feelings involved, it doesn’t feel right if there aren’t.”
You look to the grass again, ripping a piece from the ground to fiddle with as you consider the next sentence, “We could...” You pause, and look up at him, “We could see if there are any feelings.”
“Y/N, this is outrageous.” He rubs his forehead as he paces up and down, but finally he sighs, plopping down beside you. “Even if there isn’t anything... I’ll still help you.”
A smile breaks on your face, and you collide into him, arms wrapping around his body. “You’re the best!”
“Let’s get on with it then.” he grumbles, “Do I just...”
You nod shyly, letting his hand come up to hold your jaw. The sudden closeness sends shivers down your spine. He leans closer, your noses brushing. Every sense feels heightened as his breath brushes against your cheek. His lips brush yours swiftly, barely a peck before he’s pulling back.
You look at each other and blink, awkward laughs cutting through the air. You don’t talk, only watch each other intently. How your breathing quickens, how his hands shake in their place in the grass.
Then he gives you a look, one you can’t decipher, but you find yourself entering his space again. Your eyes close as his head inches closer, and his lips press against yours again, this time with more certainty.
His lips are soft and you can taste the watermelon he had earlier. The kiss doesn’t last long, but something in you wants it to. He pulls back, red brushing his cheeks and neck. Jeongin clears his throat, “Well that was...”
“Nice. It was nice.”
He just hums, shy smile on his face showcasing his dimples. “I’ll bring you a pastry later.”
You stand, brushing off your dress as you hum in acknowledgment, “I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow.” You cast a look at the sky, the sun has sunken lower, letting the night take over, “Don’t stay out too long.”
“You know I wouldn’t princess.”
Sleep doesn’t come easy that night. Your lips tingle at the thought of the kiss and it replays in your mind like a record on loop. The ceiling has never been as interesting as it is now as your mind spirals to the dinner tomorrow. Will he even come? “Oh shush, of course he will.” You whisper to yourself, he’ll be there, you know it.
And somewhere in the servant quarters, Jeongin tosses and turns, the same as you. You kissed the princess. No. The princess kissed you. “We kissed each other.” he says, throwing the covers off, sitting on the edge of his bed. He buries his head in his hands and tugs at his hair, “Get it together. It’s just business.”
The next evening comes without warning. The palace bustles with movement, chefs rushing from room to room, maids setting tables. You reach out to help, an attempt to calm your racing mind, and avert your gaze from the doors that have yet to be opened.
“Your Majesty.” One of the maids stops you, her touch soft upon your hand, “Do not worry yourself with helping us, he will come.”
You release a breath you didn't know you were holding, and you reluctantly nod, turning away to sit at the table with the king and queen. They remain unmoving, eyes fixated on the door, like you had been moments prior. You brush imaginary dust from your dress, touch your hair more times that you can count, anything to keep yourself from shaking.
“Are you nervous?” Your father asks, his voice steady but laced with amusement.
You scoff weakly, but your voice still shakes, “N-No, he’ll come.” You look down, “He has to...”
As if on cue, the large doors open and Jeongin emerges. He appears calm, but you can see the way his footsteps falter as he approaches. He looks painfully formal, dressed in an outfit far nicer than you’ve ever seen him wear. He notices you eye him, and he laughs softly, “Father insisted I borrow one of his fancy suits.”
You lock eyes , and everything comes rushing back. The kiss, the one that left you dizzy. Then the awkward laughs and promises of sweet treats. Jeongin’s cheeks turn a dusty pink and he averts his gaze, turning his attention to the king and queen.
“Your Majesties.” His voice echoes in the hall as he bows deeply.
The king studies him carefully, then to Jeongin’s surprise, he smiles warmly, “Jeongin, come on in, no need to be nervous, you’ve dined with us before.”
Suddenly, the dinner feels much bigger than you expected.
Your father gestures to the seat beside you, inviting Jeongin to sit. He hesitates at first, but pulls out the chair and plops down, sending you a nervous smile. For a moment no one speaks, not until the plates are placed down and the drinks are poured.
Jeongin sits stiffly beside you, like he’s afraid any little movement would affect the royalty across from him. Under the table, you let your hand brush his, a silent reassurance that you were there. You feel him relax at the touch and he starts to eat.
Without even thinking, he moves the dumplings from his plate to yours. The movement is quick and instinctive. You hide a smile as you tuck in, not seeing the way the queen’s eyebrow raises. Jeongin leans closer to you, voice low enough for you to hear, “If you want some more let me know.”
“You didn't have to give me yours.”
He shrugs, “They’re your favourite.”
Dinner continues, conversations flowing easily, like your future wasn’t set on this meeting. But something strange keeps happening. Your father notices it instantly.
When you reach for something on the table, Jeongin’s moves quicker, bringing it closer to you.
When his glass is empty, you fill it before yours without saying anything.
At one point, your father reaches for your plate, ready to cut the meat into pieces like he’s always done, but Jeongin beats him to it. He cuts the meat with practised ease as he keeps talking to your mother. Only when he pushes the plate back to you does he realise what he’d done.
“...Sorry.”
Your mother covers her mouth to smile, but you just take a bite, unaware of the air around you. “Thank you.”
Then, halfway through dinner, you act instinctively.
A small spot of sauce in the corner of his mouth, and without thinking, you reach over. Your thumb brushes his lip, making him freeze. The room goes quiet and your eyes widen, “Um, you had...” Your voice trails off.
Jeongin turns red, and your parents try not to laugh at the scene. The dinner no longer feels like a formality, but a test you didn't realise you were taking.
Your eyes lock and the memory of the kiss flashes again. He tears his gaze away, reaching for his water, but when he glances at you again, you both share the same thought,
That kiss definitely meant something.
The next few days passed in a quiet rhythm, though to the king and queen the palace was far from it. From their private balcony above the courtyard, they observed carefully.
At first, it was small things. Jeongin’s wide smile when he saw you coming around the corner. Your laugh echoing as you watched him tend to the flowers. Then it became more. How you gentle brushed his hair away from his eyes, and he reaches out a hand to steady you while you walk up a hill. You don't speak loudly, you didn't need to, but all the glances and soft touches, explained everything.
The queen nudges her husband one afternoon, pointing at the scene below them. “They’re sharing a pastry.” She looks to the king, “Do you remember when we used to do that?”
The king chuckles and leans forward, “They’ve always been close it seems.”
They noticed the way Jeongin’s cheeks would bloom with heat every time you teased him, and the way you lean into him when you stare at the clouds. By the third day, the king and queen were certain.
Down below, you were sat under a tree, Jeongin next to you with a book cradled in his lap. You attention wasn’t on the sentences written on the pages, but on him, more specifically, the way his lips moved as he read aloud.
“You’re thinking about it...aren’t you?” He asks quietly, and heat blossoms up your neck. Jeongin closes the book and places it to the side, “I think about it too.” He doesn’t say anything else; you don’t give him a chance to. You surge forward, kissing him like it’s the only thing you're allowed to do. You feel him smile against your lips as his hand comes to rest on waist, squeezing tightly.
The queen gives a satisfied nod that evening as they watch, “They’re good for each other.”
The king sighs, his expression darkening, “Summon him tomorrow, it’s time to clarify matters.”
Jeongin arrives at the throne room. His father had ushered him out the door with a huge smile, but it didn't calm him down, if anything it made him feel even more worried. Endless thoughts run through his mind as he hesitates near the doors, ‘They’re going to ban me from seeing her, I’m not good for a princess.’ He sighs, and pushes open the doors, walking in slowly and coming to stop, bowing deeply.
The king eyes him with intensity, analysing every small movement. He almost feels bad making him come all this way, but he clears his throat, “We must speak about my daughter, about the arrangement.”
Around the corner, hidden by the tall pillars, you stand nervously. Your heart pounds in your chest and you’re surprised it doesn’t echo through the room.
“Please, sit.” The queen gestures to the seat prepared, and Jeongin hesitates. He’s been in this room countless times, carrying trays, receiving orders, but never had he been sat so closely, acknowledged like this.
“You do know why you’ve been summoned, yes?” The king asks.
“I believe so, Your Majesty.” Jeongin’s voice wavers as he speaks, and he hopes it doesn't get noticed.
“You’ve always spent a great deal of time with our daughter.” The king says slowly, fingers laced together in front of him. “Would you care to explain why?”
Jeongin feels his heart stop- this is it, he thinks, they’re going to punish me for getting too close. Still, he gathers the remaining ounce of courage, ‘I... do not believe that requires explanation.” He lowers his head, afraid to meet their cold gazes, “We grew up together. It has always been that way.”
The queen leans forward, “And that is why you look at her that way? Jeongin dear, childhood familiarity does not usually lead to stolen kisses in the courtyard.”
For a moment, behind the pillars, you freeze. Your fingers grind the smooth stone for balance, suddenly aware of what may come. And yet, you can't make yourself move, your feet glued to the spot.
Jeongin stands from his seat abruptly, panic written across his face, “You-you saw that?” Blush crawls up his neck, “I apologise for being disrespectful.”
The king’s loud voice slices through, “Is that what it was? A mistake?”
The words come out before he can stop it, “No, far from it!” Jeongin says, fists clenching at his sides.
“You harbour feelings for our dear Y/N.” The queen says quietly, and Jeongin nods, not trusting his voice. Your fingers tighten around the cool stone, and your throat begins to burn from the unspoken words.
Your father stands, “Do you think this is appropriate?”
Jeongin releases a breath, “No, Your Majesty,” He looks up, eyes trained on the king, “But it is the truth.” His fists unclench and he lets the words free. “When we were children, the princess tripped on a tree branch and she was injured.” He says quietly.
His lips curl softly at the memory, “She was crying near the fountain, scared of the blood on her knee.” He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing, “I helped her back to the palace after wiping it away, she held my hand so tightly then.”
You hold your breath as you watch him speak, remembering the day clearly. “That day, I made a promise to myself.” Jeongin says, “I would always be by her side.” He shakes his head, “Not because I deserved to be there, I know I don’t, but because she trusted me.”
The king and queen remain silent and he talks, their faces showing a mixture of surprise and understanding. They don't interrupt, instead letting him continue. Jeongin looks to them, his eyes glistening. “I understand now it’s different. She belongs here; I have no part in her world. My duty remains in the palace like it always has.”
He lets out a long sigh, “So when she asked me to marry her, I thought it was a joke.” He chuckles, but there’s no humour behind it. “She looked at me like I mattered, and selfishly, I wanted to stand beside her instead of behind.”
Jeongin steps closer, his confidence rising every minute- if he’s going to be punished, he’s going to make it worth it. “I know I’m not the kind meant for a princess like Y/N.” His voice goes louder, more certain, “But I love her.” A tear slides down your cheek as he says the words, but you let him finish. “I always will, even if she chooses someone else.”
You couldn't hold yourself back anymore. You reveal yourself from behind the pillars, and launch yourself towards him, your footsteps heavy on the ground as you run. You shout his name, making him look up with wide eyes. He has no time to process anything, except for your body crashing into his, making him stumble back.
Jeongin remains still as your arms wrap around him, like he believes this is a dream he’ll wake up from. “You idiot.” You whisper, burying your face into his chest. “It was always going to be you.” You pull back to take his face in your hands, “I would never choose anyone else when all I wanted was you...”
Across the room, the king and queen can't contain their laughter anymore, giggles spilling out before they can stop them. “Darling, we should tell them.” The queen says in-between chuckles.
The king wipes a tear from his eye then turns to the two of you again, “You should know we’ve been aware of your situation for a while.” He notices the confused look on your faces, and fights back another fit of laughter, “I caught you cuddling in her chamber’s one late night.” He smiles softly at you, recalling the moment, “I knew it then, the two of you would make it work.”
“There was never an arranged marriage.” The queen admits, “We wanted to see if you’d choose each other.”
“You have more than proved your worth Jeongin...” Your father stands and approaches you. Jeongin stiffens, and you remove your arms rom around him, “Your Majesty...”
“Welcome to the family, Jeongin. We trust you to treat her well.” He places a hand on the boy's shoulder, a touch that feels intimidating yet safe. Jeongin glances at you and feels himself smile- he has one final mission.
The palace had settled into the quiet of the evening. The king and queen had left you alone, insisting you get used to days that lay ahead. Now, you were stood closely together on the balcony, watching as the sun goes down, painting the gardens in a vivid golden glow. The sky is painted with oranges and pinks, and you’re certain you’ve never seen anything like it.
You lean into the stone railing, Jeongin beside you with his arm around your waist. But he was quiet. Usually, he’d have made three sarcastic comments by now or teased you for running to him, but nothing.
His eyes are trained on the colours in the sky, as if he’s deep in thought. You nudge him softly, “Everything alright?”
He blinks, pulled away from his thoughts, “Yeah, just thinking.”
“That’s dangerous.” You teased, before turning to him. “I’m glad this worked out.”
Jeongin’s eyebrows furrow, “What do you mean?”
“At first it was to avoid marrying a random prince,” You pause and smile gently,” But a part of me knew it would end up being you.” The seriousness in his face worries you, “Hey, what’s the matter?”
Jeongin steps away from you, and your hand shoots out to try keep him in place, but he dodges. He shakes his head, muttering under his breath until he finally looks at you, “I want to do this properly.”
“What are you saying?” Your question is answered when he drops to one knee, shy smile on his face as he brings out a small ring.
“Princess, will you marry me?”
You tackle him to the ground, much like before, squealing excitedly as he holds you tight. “Yes! I’ll marry you!” You pull away, giving him space to place the ring on your finger.
The metal shines under the sun- it's beautiful and familiar. “My mother gave it to me yesterday, said it was time to pass it down.”
Your eyes soften, remembering all the times his mother had sat by your side with the very same ring, tending to you carefully. “Jeongin, it’s beautiful...”
His lips meet yours in a fiery kiss, one to seal the eternal promise that was made. It’s everything you had been missing; equal parts need and softness. Jeongin pulls back enough to mumble something you can’t entirely make out, but you nod anyways.
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.9k
A/N: :)
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
Something in Felix splinters as he watches Chan's panic, "I am so sorry, I don't know why I said that I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, my name's Chan... what's yours?"
Chan is exactly like his oldest brother. It wasn't like the others who possessed similar features or abilities, Chan was a carbon copy. Felix realises he hadn't answered him, and hesitantly, "It's Felix."
The bar and all the noise come back into focus as he sees Chan's deep breath, "Y/N"s friend...I'm sorry we haven't met sooner, let me buy you drink."
"I don't know what I like." Felix admits, looking at the bar counter. Chan just laughs, placing a hand on his shoulder,
"Well, we better figure that out then," He calls over the bartender, and orders with practiced ease. Felix only catches a few words, one being tequila, something Minho had warned him about. He's about to say something but Chan stops him, "Minho doesn't know anything about drinking, tequila is fine." And Felix lets himself laugh.
They move to a quieter corner, talking about everything and anything. The museum, the work trip Chan had taken- how Chan feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulder, but he doesn't know why.
"I forgot to ask, where are you from?" Chan takes a sip, face grimacing slightly at the taste. Felix copies him, eyes squeezing together as the liquor goes down his throat.
"Crimso-" he stops himself, "Australia."
Chan laughs and claps, "I knew I heard an accent! We should stick together, an Aussie duo of sorts." He looks at his glass, "Well I've run out, I'll get us some more."
Felix is left alone, and something inside him shifts. He starts laughing softly, he's really collected them all hasn't he. Another sharp pain tugs at his chest, reminding him of his purpose here, but as he sees Chan return, he pushes it aside. It's okay to forget for one night.
Across the room everyone notices. They watch the exchange with pride. Jisung and Hyunjin coo at Felix, acting like proud parents, "Look at him, all grown up." Hyunjin says, wiping away fake tears.
"I haven't seen Chan this happy... in months." Changbin breathes out, and everyone nods.
"You think he finally found what was weighing on him?" Jeongin asks, stealing a sip from Minho's drink when he isn't looking.
You lock eyes with Seungmin, and the box comes into mind. Seungmin has the same idea, and tilts his head, as if saying, "Maybe he was the missing piece." You nod and turn back to the men across the room.
"He's really happy, I haven't seen Felix smile this wide before." You say, heat already travelling to your face.
The men at the table share a knowing look and they huddle closer, "Are you going to ask him out?"
"Excuse me?"
"We all see it, you like him, he likes you, just go for it noona."
You don't register that you're standing until Jisung points it out, "Going to lover boy?"
"I want to dance, so yes." You reply, swaying slightly. You should not have let Minho convince you to do shots.
Felix spots you as you walk towards him, "Angel!" His voice is louder than before, and you question how much Chan had bought him. He tugs at your hand, making you stumble into him. You land on his lap, and his arms are already circling around you to keep you in place. He leans in close, his breath tickling your neck, "He's exactly like Chris, like my brother in human form."
"How much have you had to drink jagi?" You ask, smile on your face.
"A few." You turn to Chan, who sits there with his arms crossed, smirking.
"You gave him tequila."
"In my defence," he grins, "I don't have one." He laughs; one you haven't heard in ages.
"Mind if I steal him for a bit?" You ask, moving from your place on Felix's lap which makes him huff, but he stands with you anyways.
"Go dance with your boyfriend." Chan retorts, "I better go to the group." You slap him playfully letting him leave, not before you pull him back quickly,
"Welcome back Channie, we've missed the real you." He blinks, then smiles, like the words land somewhere deep within in him.
You drag Felix onto the dance floor, the music thumping loud. He stumbles slightly, laughing too loudly. His hands find your hips out of instinct and yours wrap around his neck pulling him closer. You fit together like its fate.
You can feel the warmth of his palms through your dress as he sways with you, his grip tightening every so often. You giggle softly at the look he's giving you, "You're looking at me funny."
"I'm admiring, there's a difference." His forehead drops to yours and your laugh goes through him. He lets out a breath; one you can feel on skin. The club fades as you stare into each other's eyes. There's only the staggered breathing, and the way his thumb rubs circles into your hip. Your heart beats louder than the music and your lips part. "You have a glow around you when you're happy." he murmurs.
You freeze just slightly, your hand drifting to play with the hair at the base of his neck, "You think so?"
The song slows and he steps closer. His hand travels up, resting on your lower back. Your chests are touching now, and his gaze drops to your lips. He leans in even closer, space between your faces almost non-existent, "I know so."
You're so close, noses bumping and an unspoken tension between you. You wonder if this is it.
"Y/N!"
Felix pulls back like he's been shot and you jolt at the sound of your name. You don't turn to see who shouted it or where it came from, you focus on Felix. On the way his hands tremble ever so slightly against you, and the way his eyes drift from side to side, like he's having a silent battle with himself.
You see him smile when he comes to a decision, and his forehead hits your shoulder. "They have the worst timing." he says, groaning. He pulls back and you see him smirking, eyes half lidded. He smiles like he's trying not to react at the almost kiss, but he's failing, "Come on, dance with me. Properly." he says, then spins you dramatically. He catches you effortlessly- like you always knew he would. Something new burns between you, but neither of you make a move to define it, not yet.
Later, you slip into the bathroom, wanting a small break from the chaos outside. Your palms press into the cool sink as the noise of club dulls. Your reflection stares back at you, flushed cheeks, hair messy and eyes full of Felix.
You take a deep breath and splash water on your face.
You need another drink.
Felix slides back into the booth, cheeks still warm from the dance floor. The table is unusually silent. Minho nudges him, "That was certainly a performance."
"You were one inch from kissing her." Changbin cuts in.
Felix sputters, "No I wasn't, we were just dancing."
"Yes, because when me and Jisung went to dance we were rubbing all over each other." Hyunjin teases.
"Your face is doing things." Jeongin points out, to which Felix covers his face with his hands.
Seungmin chimes in, "Face it, you feel something for her."
Felix looks at the drink in front of him, swirling it around, "I can't. I shouldn't. It goes against everything."
Chan nudges his foot, "You shouldn't worry about stuff like that. If you truly like her, nothing else matters."
You're on the way back to the table when someone stops you, grasping your wrist. You turn to see a man you don't know.
"Let me buy you a drink, you're gorgeous." You try pull your hand back, but the man's grip tightens.
"I'm not interested, let me go."
"Come on it's one drink." He pulls you towards him and your breath stops.
"I said no, get off me." Your voice wavers, and your wrist starts the burn from the friction.
Felix feels it before he sees it, standing quickly, dismissing everyone's questions. He finds you quickly, the man still trying to get you to come with him.
His eyes burn a deep red, nothing like the brown you're used to, "She said let go." His voice is clear and steady as he approaches. Intimidation and strength radiate off him when he's face to face with the man.
The man scoffs, "Who are you?"
Felix doesn't hesitate, his lips curling into a snarl as he grabs the man's wrist, "I'm her boyfriend." he tightens his grip making the man grimace in pain, "And she said let go." His voice is calm but instils fear, making the man drop your wrist and retreat.
Once he leaves, Felix turns to you, the red in his eyes subsiding and the brown coming back. His voice is low and concerned, "Are you okay?" He holds your wrist closely to him, thumb rubbing the red marks from where you were grabbed.
Your heart is racing and you're trembling. You didn't register Felix's previous words, only that he was in front of you, back to the sunshine he was. "You saved me." It's a whisper and you don't expect him to hear you. But he does, and pulls you into his chest, resting his chin on the top of your head.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that; I never liked being the intimidating one."
"I think we should go home," You suggest, the excitement of the day suddenly vanishing. Felix doesn't argue, instead letting you hold his hand as you say goodbye to the rest of the group.
"To the saviour, Felix." Jisung toasts, before he downs the rest of his drink, "Let us know when you get home, we're glad you're okay."
You smile gratefully, pulling each person into a hug, "Thank you, really." You turn to Minho and Chan, "Please don't do anything stupid."
Chan pulls back from a hug with Felix with grin you know means trouble, "No promises."
"At least film it for me."
It's cold when you exit the club. Nothing like the soft breeze from earlier. The encounter from earlier had sobered you up, but not entirely, making you less stable on your feet. You wrap your arms around yourself to warm up, your thin jacket doing nothing to help. Felix notices and shrugs off his own, draping it around you. His scent envelops you as you slip your arms into in.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Felix says, eyes trained on the sky. You don't look to the sky. You look at him. How the moonlight favours him in a way you couldn't describe. How his smile looks bigger and more genuine. His arm slips around your waist to steady you instinctively.
"It really is." you finally reply, tearing your gaze away from the man beside you.
Then, Felix turns to you, eyes shining with wonder, "Do you trust me?"
You nod slowly, unsure where this is going. He drags you to a nearby alley, pitch black where no one can see. "Close your eyes." So, you do. You hear something rustling, then a small flutter, "Keep them closed." he warns.
"Felix, what are you doing?" you laugh quietly.
"It's a surprise, now wrap your arms around my neck." You do as he says, like you're under a trance. His arms snake around you, holding you tightly, "Promise to hold on tight?"
"I promise."
There's a pause, then you feel the shift. Felix's hold tightens and you feel your feet lifting from the ground. Your breath catches, and you press closer to him. Wind picks up near you, blowing all around you and Felix never wavers, cradling you closer.
Half terrified you yelp, "Felix-"
"I've got you, I won't let go." he replies immediately. The city sounds begin to fall away, the quiet of the night taking its place. You can hear wings. Wings.
"Open your eyes angel."
The world stretches out beneath you when you do. Streets glowed gold and the city felt smaller. The moon felt reachable and you could see the stars clearly. You finally look at Felix, "It's beautiful."
He says nothing but smiles, and that's all you need. "I missed these." you say, gesturing to the red wings behind you.
"Yeah? And not the horns? I'm devastated." he jokes, speeding up.
"It's hard to see them in the dark, I didn't know they were there." you tease back, "but yes, I missed them too."
He angles upwards, making you look at him with confusion. But he just winks and you decide to trust him one more time. "Doing okay?" he asks.
"You're just showing off now."
"There it is!" he says, starting the descent. Yet he doesn't aim for the street, but for the rooftop.
Your feet touch the ground delicately and Felix hands remain around you, his wings still fluttering. The feathers are illuminated with the moonlight, making them look more majestic than they already are. He leads you to the edge of the rooftop and sits, looking at the city beneath him. He looks at you expectantly, patting the space next to him.
You join him without a second thought, his wings folding back to give you more space. "Doesn't this remind you of when we first met?" you say, "When you retracted them because you wanted to sit next to me."
Felix shakes his head and laughs, "I'm more comfortable with you now."
"I'm really glad. You've... become someone special to me." you admit, picking at your nails. Felix reaches out, grabbing one of your hands to stop you.
"That means more than you know." Felix's body aches as he says the words, as he sees the smile on your face. He swallows, biting back the tremendous pain. The ring he had tried forgetting about burned into his skin again, another reminder of his limited time. He screws his eyes shut, wishing, hoping, that there was a way to stay, but he knows it's pointless. Demons like him aren't supposed to connect with humans. Their purpose is to serve, fulfil a duty. So why did you have to go and make him feel, real.
"Let's get a new dining table." you say suddenly, snapping Felix out of his thoughts. The random comment makes him laugh and you turn to him, mock offence on your face. "Hey, I'm being serious! Do you really want to sit on the floor when everyone's over?"
"You're something else." he finds himself saying, the words slipping out.
"You think so?"
Felix nods and pulls you closer to him, "You make me feel safe. I haven't felt that in years. When my final brother got taken, I was stuffed in a dungeon."
Your breath hitches as you remember the first time you had seen the spellbook, the wall with chains and a dimly lit torch, and those eyes.
"I was taken from my home, stuffed into chains and brick walls. It ruined what I believed was home. But being here with you, I know what it means now."
Your eyes water at his words, and your voice comes out quiet, "You really mean it?"
Felix grabs your hand, placing it over his chest, "My heart only beats for the truth." His heartbeat is slow under your fingertips, but it's present. A tear falls from your eye, which he wipes away, "Don't cry, I don't want to be the reason you cry."
You don't answer, you just lean into him, and Felix lets you.
The walk down to your apartment is silent. The door opens and you slip off your shoes, Felix following closely behind. His wings had retracted by now, leaving warmth in their place. After quickly getting changed you both collapse into bed, already drifting closer to each other. As sleep comes closer, one thought drifts through your mind, maybe Felix had taught you what home meant too.
You awake before Felix and watch him closely, something tugging at your chest. Even in sleep he looks like he's fighting. His eyebrows knit together and you don't miss the clench of his jaw. Carefully, you reach out and press the back of your hand to his forehead. He's burning up, more than usual. You call his name and shake him softly.
His lashes flutter and he stirs, a sound of pain escaping him. "Morning angel."
"You're burning up Lix, again." You say, trying not to let your worry bleed into the words.
His eyes don't leave you as he scans your face. He doesn't say anything, just watches as you try piece together sentences. Felix sits up with your help, shirt clinging to his body from the sweat. His hand finds its way into your hair, twirling the pieces around his finger as you speak. "It feels like I should go to the museum." You turn to him, "Like something's waiting."
The tug in your chest was unmistakable; you had felt it since last night. Something must be at the museum, waiting for you to find it. Felix stiffens beside you, "Maybe I shouldn't, you're not feeling well."
"I'm feeling-" his sentence is interrupted by a loud sound escaping him. It tears out of him, sharp and raw, and his body hunches over. His hand flies to his side as he eyes screw shut.
You grab him immediately, panic surging your veins, "Felix! Where does it hurt? What do I do?"
"Go." he says, eye twitching and the hand on his side pressing deeper.
"I'm not leaving, not where you're like this." you cup his cheek, thumb stroking under his eye. Felix holds your wrist gently, even when the pain is burning through his body,
"Angel." There's fear in his voice but sincerity in his eyes, "If something'd calling to you, don't let it wait."
You hesitate, watching as the pain starts to subside, "You're not well Felix, I need to be here."
"It's nothing I haven't dealt with before. Choose this Y/N. You'll hate yourself if you don't go." You eye him wearily, "I promise, the pain isn't as bad right now."
"...I'll be back soon."
Felix smiles softly, like his body hadn't just gone to war against him, "I know." The ring doesn't glow like usual, but it vibrates against his skin like a warning, like a punishment waiting to happen.
You press your forehead to his, breathing him in like he's the last breath you'll take. Then you leave, the ache following you to the door.
The lights are on when you arrive, only the front ones. Did someone forget to turn them off? You unlock the doors and enter, the heavy doors shutting behind you. The morning looms over you as you walk through the hall, maybe you should have stayed with Felix.
"Finally." a voice breathes out and you look up. Everyone is crowded around the reception desk, looking half alive and some sporting sunglasses.
"What are you guys doing here?" you ask.
"You felt the pull too, don't lie." Seungmin says, "We were waiting for you."
"Like something was tugging at your chest." Jeongin says, resting his hand above his heart.
You nod and head towards storage, where the fateful box resides. Footsteps of the others follow behind you, but you have a clear goal in mind. You approach it carefully and crouch in front of it.
"Well? Anything?" Hyunjin crouches next you, shoulder bumping into yours. You shove him lightly.
"It's not even open yet..." You try to pry the sides, but they remain unmoving. You wave Changbin over, "Try open it."
The man tries, using all his strength, but it doesn't work. The box remains shut and groans fill the room. "The floor, maybe something dropped." Jisung suggest, making everyone scatter around.
Everyone scuffles around, they didn't know what they were looking for, if there was even something to look for. Hyunjin notices your distant stare and comes closer, dropping his voice to a whisper, "We'll find it yeah? We can't be wrong."
"It's not here, were we wrong?" Minho says after a while, sunglasses now on his head.
"We all felt it, that has to mean something." you sigh.
"Chan-hyung... was down here this morning." Jeongin starts, and everyone turns to face him, "He said he needed to clear his head."
Seungmin speaks up, "Is he in the office?"
Jeongin nods and Seungmin doesn't wait. He grabs your hand and pulls you towards the office. He knocks quickly and enters without waiting for an answer.
Chan sits at his desk, typing away with a smile on his face. He looks lighter than he has in weeks, "Morning! Just planning for the new exhibit"
"How are you not hungover?" Seungmin asks, confusion on his face. Chan laughs and goes to speak but gets interrupted, "Not important. Did you see anything earlier, from the box in storage?"
Chan looks down in guilt, and you step closer, "What was it?" He reaches into his pocket, taking a small object out and holding it in his palm. It's silver, chips in the metal, worn from time.
"A bracelet." you whisper.
"I found it on the floor near the box." he looks to the two of you, "I was going to tell you, but it just reminded me so much of the one I had."
"You had one of these?" you ask, taking the bracelet from him.
"This exact one, I think someone gifted it to me, but it has the same scratch near the clasp, and the missing charm." he pauses and his voice goes quiet, "Something clicked in place when I held it."
Seungmin looks at the jewellery then back to Chan, "Did it feel like remembering something you never knew you forgot?"
"...Yeah, exactly that. With Felix too. I said his name without knowing it." he reveals. You share a look with Seungmin that doesn't go unnoticed by Chan, "Don't tell me this is cursed."
"No, it's just another artefact for the exhibit."
"Then take it. If it belongs here, it stays here, no matter what it reminds me of."
When you exit, everyone is by the door, pretending like they weren't listening. You head towards the exhibit and place the bracelet into the display, next to the recipe cards. Seungmin sees the compass needle drift to you once again and remembers Felix's confession, but he says nothing. Time will tell.
"So, we were right." Changbin says, turning to everyone, sparking up a conversation between them all.
"Y/N." Seungmin's voice is quiet as he nudges you, "There's seven artefacts."
"Yeah?"
He looks to you, "Seven brothers." Your stomach drops as you realise,
"You think we're missing Felix's?"
"I know we're missing it." He says, watching Jeongin from the corner of his eye. The man hadn't stopped squirming in his spot since they entered, making Seungmin curious. He doesn't jump to conclusions, not yet.
The group eventually moves outside, ready to head back home and nurse the hangovers.
"See you later Y/N!" Jisung yells from the window of Minho's car, "We'll text you about the new table."
Once everyone is gone the doors open behind you and Chan shuffles out, heading to his car. He seems quieter, and you wonder if it has anything to do with the artefact. You don't hesitate, your feet taking you to where he's unlocking the car.
"We're doing a movie night at my apartment later." you say, making Chan look up. "Will you come?"
His eyes show shock at your invitation, "You want me there?"
"We've been waiting for you Chan." A small smile breaks on the man's face.
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.9k
A/N: :)
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Something in Felix splinters as he watches Chan's panic, "I am so sorry, I don't know why I said that I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, my name's Chan... what's yours?"
Chan is exactly like his oldest brother. It wasn't like the others who possessed similar features or abilities, Chan was a carbon copy. Felix realises he hadn't answered him, and hesitantly, "It's Felix."
The bar and all the noise come back into focus as he sees Chan's deep breath, "Y/N"s friend...I'm sorry we haven't met sooner, let me buy you drink."
"I don't know what I like." Felix admits, looking at the bar counter. Chan just laughs, placing a hand on his shoulder,
"Well, we better figure that out then," He calls over the bartender, and orders with practiced ease. Felix only catches a few words, one being tequila, something Minho had warned him about. He's about to say something but Chan stops him, "Minho doesn't know anything about drinking, tequila is fine." And Felix lets himself laugh.
They move to a quieter corner, talking about everything and anything. The museum, the work trip Chan had taken- how Chan feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulder, but he doesn't know why.
"I forgot to ask, where are you from?" Chan takes a sip, face grimacing slightly at the taste. Felix copies him, eyes squeezing together as the liquor goes down his throat.
"Crimso-" he stops himself, "Australia."
Chan laughs and claps, "I knew I heard an accent! We should stick together, an Aussie duo of sorts." He looks at his glass, "Well I've run out, I'll get us some more."
Felix is left alone, and something inside him shifts. He starts laughing softly, he's really collected them all hasn't he. Another sharp pain tugs at his chest, reminding him of his purpose here, but as he sees Chan return, he pushes it aside. It's okay to forget for one night.
Across the room everyone notices. They watch the exchange with pride. Jisung and Hyunjin coo at Felix, acting like proud parents, "Look at him, all grown up." Hyunjin says, wiping away fake tears.
"I haven't seen Chan this happy... in months." Changbin breathes out, and everyone nods.
"You think he finally found what was weighing on him?" Jeongin asks, stealing a sip from Minho's drink when he isn't looking.
You lock eyes with Seungmin, and the box comes into mind. Seungmin has the same idea, and tilts his head, as if saying, "Maybe he was the missing piece." You nod and turn back to the men across the room.
"He's really happy, I haven't seen Felix smile this wide before." You say, heat already travelling to your face.
The men at the table share a knowing look and they huddle closer, "Are you going to ask him out?"
"Excuse me?"
"We all see it, you like him, he likes you, just go for it noona."
You don't register that you're standing until Jisung points it out, "Going to lover boy?"
"I want to dance, so yes." You reply, swaying slightly. You should not have let Minho convince you to do shots.
Felix spots you as you walk towards him, "Angel!" His voice is louder than before, and you question how much Chan had bought him. He tugs at your hand, making you stumble into him. You land on his lap, and his arms are already circling around you to keep you in place. He leans in close, his breath tickling your neck, "He's exactly like Chris, like my brother in human form."
"How much have you had to drink jagi?" You ask, smile on your face.
"A few." You turn to Chan, who sits there with his arms crossed, smirking.
"You gave him tequila."
"In my defence," he grins, "I don't have one." He laughs; one you haven't heard in ages.
"Mind if I steal him for a bit?" You ask, moving from your place on Felix's lap which makes him huff, but he stands with you anyways.
"Go dance with your boyfriend." Chan retorts, "I better go to the group." You slap him playfully letting him leave, not before you pull him back quickly,
"Welcome back Channie, we've missed the real you." He blinks, then smiles, like the words land somewhere deep within in him.
You drag Felix onto the dance floor, the music thumping loud. He stumbles slightly, laughing too loudly. His hands find your hips out of instinct and yours wrap around his neck pulling him closer. You fit together like its fate.
You can feel the warmth of his palms through your dress as he sways with you, his grip tightening every so often. You giggle softly at the look he's giving you, "You're looking at me funny."
"I'm admiring, there's a difference." His forehead drops to yours and your laugh goes through him. He lets out a breath; one you can feel on skin. The club fades as you stare into each other's eyes. There's only the staggered breathing, and the way his thumb rubs circles into your hip. Your heart beats louder than the music and your lips part. "You have a glow around you when you're happy." he murmurs.
You freeze just slightly, your hand drifting to play with the hair at the base of his neck, "You think so?"
The song slows and he steps closer. His hand travels up, resting on your lower back. Your chests are touching now, and his gaze drops to your lips. He leans in even closer, space between your faces almost non-existent, "I know so."
You're so close, noses bumping and an unspoken tension between you. You wonder if this is it.
"Y/N!"
Felix pulls back like he's been shot and you jolt at the sound of your name. You don't turn to see who shouted it or where it came from, you focus on Felix. On the way his hands tremble ever so slightly against you, and the way his eyes drift from side to side, like he's having a silent battle with himself.
You see him smile when he comes to a decision, and his forehead hits your shoulder. "They have the worst timing." he says, groaning. He pulls back and you see him smirking, eyes half lidded. He smiles like he's trying not to react at the almost kiss, but he's failing, "Come on, dance with me. Properly." he says, then spins you dramatically. He catches you effortlessly- like you always knew he would. Something new burns between you, but neither of you make a move to define it, not yet.
Later, you slip into the bathroom, wanting a small break from the chaos outside. Your palms press into the cool sink as the noise of club dulls. Your reflection stares back at you, flushed cheeks, hair messy and eyes full of Felix.
You take a deep breath and splash water on your face.
You need another drink.
Felix slides back into the booth, cheeks still warm from the dance floor. The table is unusually silent. Minho nudges him, "That was certainly a performance."
"You were one inch from kissing her." Changbin cuts in.
Felix sputters, "No I wasn't, we were just dancing."
"Yes, because when me and Jisung went to dance we were rubbing all over each other." Hyunjin teases.
"Your face is doing things." Jeongin points out, to which Felix covers his face with his hands.
Seungmin chimes in, "Face it, you feel something for her."
Felix looks at the drink in front of him, swirling it around, "I can't. I shouldn't. It goes against everything."
Chan nudges his foot, "You shouldn't worry about stuff like that. If you truly like her, nothing else matters."
You're on the way back to the table when someone stops you, grasping your wrist. You turn to see a man you don't know.
"Let me buy you a drink, you're gorgeous." You try pull your hand back, but the man's grip tightens.
"I'm not interested, let me go."
"Come on it's one drink." He pulls you towards him and your breath stops.
"I said no, get off me." Your voice wavers, and your wrist starts the burn from the friction.
Felix feels it before he sees it, standing quickly, dismissing everyone's questions. He finds you quickly, the man still trying to get you to come with him.
His eyes burn a deep red, nothing like the brown you're used to, "She said let go." His voice is clear and steady as he approaches. Intimidation and strength radiate off him when he's face to face with the man.
The man scoffs, "Who are you?"
Felix doesn't hesitate, his lips curling into a snarl as he grabs the man's wrist, "I'm her boyfriend." he tightens his grip making the man grimace in pain, "And she said let go." His voice is calm but instils fear, making the man drop your wrist and retreat.
Once he leaves, Felix turns to you, the red in his eyes subsiding and the brown coming back. His voice is low and concerned, "Are you okay?" He holds your wrist closely to him, thumb rubbing the red marks from where you were grabbed.
Your heart is racing and you're trembling. You didn't register Felix's previous words, only that he was in front of you, back to the sunshine he was. "You saved me." It's a whisper and you don't expect him to hear you. But he does, and pulls you into his chest, resting his chin on the top of your head.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that; I never liked being the intimidating one."
"I think we should go home," You suggest, the excitement of the day suddenly vanishing. Felix doesn't argue, instead letting you hold his hand as you say goodbye to the rest of the group.
"To the saviour, Felix." Jisung toasts, before he downs the rest of his drink, "Let us know when you get home, we're glad you're okay."
You smile gratefully, pulling each person into a hug, "Thank you, really." You turn to Minho and Chan, "Please don't do anything stupid."
Chan pulls back from a hug with Felix with grin you know means trouble, "No promises."
"At least film it for me."
It's cold when you exit the club. Nothing like the soft breeze from earlier. The encounter from earlier had sobered you up, but not entirely, making you less stable on your feet. You wrap your arms around yourself to warm up, your thin jacket doing nothing to help. Felix notices and shrugs off his own, draping it around you. His scent envelops you as you slip your arms into in.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Felix says, eyes trained on the sky. You don't look to the sky. You look at him. How the moonlight favours him in a way you couldn't describe. How his smile looks bigger and more genuine. His arm slips around your waist to steady you instinctively.
"It really is." you finally reply, tearing your gaze away from the man beside you.
Then, Felix turns to you, eyes shining with wonder, "Do you trust me?"
You nod slowly, unsure where this is going. He drags you to a nearby alley, pitch black where no one can see. "Close your eyes." So, you do. You hear something rustling, then a small flutter, "Keep them closed." he warns.
"Felix, what are you doing?" you laugh quietly.
"It's a surprise, now wrap your arms around my neck." You do as he says, like you're under a trance. His arms snake around you, holding you tightly, "Promise to hold on tight?"
"I promise."
There's a pause, then you feel the shift. Felix's hold tightens and you feel your feet lifting from the ground. Your breath catches, and you press closer to him. Wind picks up near you, blowing all around you and Felix never wavers, cradling you closer.
Half terrified you yelp, "Felix-"
"I've got you, I won't let go." he replies immediately. The city sounds begin to fall away, the quiet of the night taking its place. You can hear wings. Wings.
"Open your eyes angel."
The world stretches out beneath you when you do. Streets glowed gold and the city felt smaller. The moon felt reachable and you could see the stars clearly. You finally look at Felix, "It's beautiful."
He says nothing but smiles, and that's all you need. "I missed these." you say, gesturing to the red wings behind you.
"Yeah? And not the horns? I'm devastated." he jokes, speeding up.
"It's hard to see them in the dark, I didn't know they were there." you tease back, "but yes, I missed them too."
He angles upwards, making you look at him with confusion. But he just winks and you decide to trust him one more time. "Doing okay?" he asks.
"You're just showing off now."
"There it is!" he says, starting the descent. Yet he doesn't aim for the street, but for the rooftop.
Your feet touch the ground delicately and Felix hands remain around you, his wings still fluttering. The feathers are illuminated with the moonlight, making them look more majestic than they already are. He leads you to the edge of the rooftop and sits, looking at the city beneath him. He looks at you expectantly, patting the space next to him.
You join him without a second thought, his wings folding back to give you more space. "Doesn't this remind you of when we first met?" you say, "When you retracted them because you wanted to sit next to me."
Felix shakes his head and laughs, "I'm more comfortable with you now."
"I'm really glad. You've... become someone special to me." you admit, picking at your nails. Felix reaches out, grabbing one of your hands to stop you.
"That means more than you know." Felix's body aches as he says the words, as he sees the smile on your face. He swallows, biting back the tremendous pain. The ring he had tried forgetting about burned into his skin again, another reminder of his limited time. He screws his eyes shut, wishing, hoping, that there was a way to stay, but he knows it's pointless. Demons like him aren't supposed to connect with humans. Their purpose is to serve, fulfil a duty. So why did you have to go and make him feel, real.
"Let's get a new dining table." you say suddenly, snapping Felix out of his thoughts. The random comment makes him laugh and you turn to him, mock offence on your face. "Hey, I'm being serious! Do you really want to sit on the floor when everyone's over?"
"You're something else." he finds himself saying, the words slipping out.
"You think so?"
Felix nods and pulls you closer to him, "You make me feel safe. I haven't felt that in years. When my final brother got taken, I was stuffed in a dungeon."
Your breath hitches as you remember the first time you had seen the spellbook, the wall with chains and a dimly lit torch, and those eyes.
"I was taken from my home, stuffed into chains and brick walls. It ruined what I believed was home. But being here with you, I know what it means now."
Your eyes water at his words, and your voice comes out quiet, "You really mean it?"
Felix grabs your hand, placing it over his chest, "My heart only beats for the truth." His heartbeat is slow under your fingertips, but it's present. A tear falls from your eye, which he wipes away, "Don't cry, I don't want to be the reason you cry."
You don't answer, you just lean into him, and Felix lets you.
The walk down to your apartment is silent. The door opens and you slip off your shoes, Felix following closely behind. His wings had retracted by now, leaving warmth in their place. After quickly getting changed you both collapse into bed, already drifting closer to each other. As sleep comes closer, one thought drifts through your mind, maybe Felix had taught you what home meant too.
You awake before Felix and watch him closely, something tugging at your chest. Even in sleep he looks like he's fighting. His eyebrows knit together and you don't miss the clench of his jaw. Carefully, you reach out and press the back of your hand to his forehead. He's burning up, more than usual. You call his name and shake him softly.
His lashes flutter and he stirs, a sound of pain escaping him. "Morning angel."
"You're burning up Lix, again." You say, trying not to let your worry bleed into the words.
His eyes don't leave you as he scans your face. He doesn't say anything, just watches as you try piece together sentences. Felix sits up with your help, shirt clinging to his body from the sweat. His hand finds its way into your hair, twirling the pieces around his finger as you speak. "It feels like I should go to the museum." You turn to him, "Like something's waiting."
The tug in your chest was unmistakable; you had felt it since last night. Something must be at the museum, waiting for you to find it. Felix stiffens beside you, "Maybe I shouldn't, you're not feeling well."
"I'm feeling-" his sentence is interrupted by a loud sound escaping him. It tears out of him, sharp and raw, and his body hunches over. His hand flies to his side as he eyes screw shut.
You grab him immediately, panic surging your veins, "Felix! Where does it hurt? What do I do?"
"Go." he says, eye twitching and the hand on his side pressing deeper.
"I'm not leaving, not where you're like this." you cup his cheek, thumb stroking under his eye. Felix holds your wrist gently, even when the pain is burning through his body,
"Angel." There's fear in his voice but sincerity in his eyes, "If something'd calling to you, don't let it wait."
You hesitate, watching as the pain starts to subside, "You're not well Felix, I need to be here."
"It's nothing I haven't dealt with before. Choose this Y/N. You'll hate yourself if you don't go." You eye him wearily, "I promise, the pain isn't as bad right now."
"...I'll be back soon."
Felix smiles softly, like his body hadn't just gone to war against him, "I know." The ring doesn't glow like usual, but it vibrates against his skin like a warning, like a punishment waiting to happen.
You press your forehead to his, breathing him in like he's the last breath you'll take. Then you leave, the ache following you to the door.
The lights are on when you arrive, only the front ones. Did someone forget to turn them off? You unlock the doors and enter, the heavy doors shutting behind you. The morning looms over you as you walk through the hall, maybe you should have stayed with Felix.
"Finally." a voice breathes out and you look up. Everyone is crowded around the reception desk, looking half alive and some sporting sunglasses.
"What are you guys doing here?" you ask.
"You felt the pull too, don't lie." Seungmin says, "We were waiting for you."
"Like something was tugging at your chest." Jeongin says, resting his hand above his heart.
You nod and head towards storage, where the fateful box resides. Footsteps of the others follow behind you, but you have a clear goal in mind. You approach it carefully and crouch in front of it.
"Well? Anything?" Hyunjin crouches next you, shoulder bumping into yours. You shove him lightly.
"It's not even open yet..." You try to pry the sides, but they remain unmoving. You wave Changbin over, "Try open it."
The man tries, using all his strength, but it doesn't work. The box remains shut and groans fill the room. "The floor, maybe something dropped." Jisung suggest, making everyone scatter around.
Everyone scuffles around, they didn't know what they were looking for, if there was even something to look for. Hyunjin notices your distant stare and comes closer, dropping his voice to a whisper, "We'll find it yeah? We can't be wrong."
"It's not here, were we wrong?" Minho says after a while, sunglasses now on his head.
"We all felt it, that has to mean something." you sigh.
"Chan-hyung... was down here this morning." Jeongin starts, and everyone turns to face him, "He said he needed to clear his head."
Seungmin speaks up, "Is he in the office?"
Jeongin nods and Seungmin doesn't wait. He grabs your hand and pulls you towards the office. He knocks quickly and enters without waiting for an answer.
Chan sits at his desk, typing away with a smile on his face. He looks lighter than he has in weeks, "Morning! Just planning for the new exhibit"
"How are you not hungover?" Seungmin asks, confusion on his face. Chan laughs and goes to speak but gets interrupted, "Not important. Did you see anything earlier, from the box in storage?"
Chan looks down in guilt, and you step closer, "What was it?" He reaches into his pocket, taking a small object out and holding it in his palm. It's silver, chips in the metal, worn from time.
"A bracelet." you whisper.
"I found it on the floor near the box." he looks to the two of you, "I was going to tell you, but it just reminded me so much of the one I had."
"You had one of these?" you ask, taking the bracelet from him.
"This exact one, I think someone gifted it to me, but it has the same scratch near the clasp, and the missing charm." he pauses and his voice goes quiet, "Something clicked in place when I held it."
Seungmin looks at the jewellery then back to Chan, "Did it feel like remembering something you never knew you forgot?"
"...Yeah, exactly that. With Felix too. I said his name without knowing it." he reveals. You share a look with Seungmin that doesn't go unnoticed by Chan, "Don't tell me this is cursed."
"No, it's just another artefact for the exhibit."
"Then take it. If it belongs here, it stays here, no matter what it reminds me of."
When you exit, everyone is by the door, pretending like they weren't listening. You head towards the exhibit and place the bracelet into the display, next to the recipe cards. Seungmin sees the compass needle drift to you once again and remembers Felix's confession, but he says nothing. Time will tell.
"So, we were right." Changbin says, turning to everyone, sparking up a conversation between them all.
"Y/N." Seungmin's voice is quiet as he nudges you, "There's seven artefacts."
"Yeah?"
He looks to you, "Seven brothers." Your stomach drops as you realise,
"You think we're missing Felix's?"
"I know we're missing it." He says, watching Jeongin from the corner of his eye. The man hadn't stopped squirming in his spot since they entered, making Seungmin curious. He doesn't jump to conclusions, not yet.
The group eventually moves outside, ready to head back home and nurse the hangovers.
"See you later Y/N!" Jisung yells from the window of Minho's car, "We'll text you about the new table."
Once everyone is gone the doors open behind you and Chan shuffles out, heading to his car. He seems quieter, and you wonder if it has anything to do with the artefact. You don't hesitate, your feet taking you to where he's unlocking the car.
"We're doing a movie night at my apartment later." you say, making Chan look up. "Will you come?"
His eyes show shock at your invitation, "You want me there?"
"We've been waiting for you Chan." A small smile breaks on the man's face.
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.4k
A/N: New Hanpop song!!! Such a great surprise for a friday :3 And no the Seungmin oneshot is still not finished sighh, it's coming soon trust me.
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
You find the object early in the morning. A box, but it seems different. The box is beautifully crafted, golden engravings around it and a small latch. It looks like it should be heavy, but it's the opposite. You bring it to the exhibit where Minho is lounging around. He had taken to lingering around you more, but you didn't mind.
“Shouldn't you be working?” you ask, placing the box down.
“I am supervising you, that is working.” He gestures to the box, “What's in there?”
“I'm opening it now.” He shifts to look over your shoulder as you do so, his breath stopping as it's revealed.
Neatly arranged cards greet you as you open the box. For a second you think they're normal playing cards, until you look closer. You pluck a card, a King of Spades, the edges look pristine, as if time hadn't touched them. Scratchy handwriting is all over the card and you squint to read the letters. “I think it's a recipe.” you say, moving the card closer to Minho.
You let him observe the card as you look through others, a 2 of Hearts, ‘Add more gochujang.’ A 10 of Clubs, ‘Go easy on the salt.’ A Jack of Diamonds, ‘Use soy sauce, not fish sauce’
"Hey, this one says it helps with fear." Minho hands you another card. You examine it closely, thumb brushing the pencil marks.
You pull one more card and you feel Minho's breath hitch. A Joker, "Yongbok’s favourite-make it sweet"
"Yongbok..." the name is foreign on your tongue, but Minho's reaction makes you question him, "Does that sound familiar?"
"Nope, not at all." The words come out rushed, and entirely unconvincing, but you let it slide.
"This person must have enjoyed cooking enough to use anything to write their recipes." You say, putting the cards back and placing the box in the display, right next to the golden compass.
Minho remains silent, he doesn't have the heart to tell you he knows those recipes. Every detail, every modification, his parents taught him from a young age. He thinks back to Felix's words from yesterday, but shakes his head, it's just a coincidence.
His chest feels tight as he watches your back when you leave, then he quickly opens the display case, beginning to sift through the cards until he finds the right one. Sneaking it into his pocket, he restores everything to how it was, then goes back to the reception desk.
The afternoon comes quickly. Not in the quiet way where everything is silent, but in the soft way. There are still visitors lingering, their footsteps and excited chatter filling the silence. You can hear Minho welcoming people in with his voice in a higher pitch and the soft scribble of Jeongin’s pencil beside you. The exhibit is fuller than in the morning, Seungmin and Felix sitting on the bench in the corner.
You fuss over the artefact labels, sure you've gathered some information, but not everything. You move around the room swiftly, moving displays, then sitting back down to jot down a sentence or two just to go back to moving again. You notice the needle of the compass following you as you move but your head is too full to make sense of it.
Jeongin notices you linger around it, and decides to take it out of the case, placing it on the table. He says nothing, just watches it for a while before speaking, "I had to do a school project on ancient navigation once, my grandma said I should research about the compass."
You turn to him, eyes full of hope, "You know something about it?"
He shrugs and smiles awkwardly, "Not much, just old theories. My favourite was the idea it was enchanted. Not to show direction but show where someone's home was, or who they loved."
You laugh, "That's oddly specific."
Felix lowers the magazine he was pretending to read and listens in.
Jeongin hums and continues, "I didn't believe in stuff like that, but my grandma said it never pointed north because she was always next to my grandfather."
You glance at the compass, the needle still pointed at you, "Maybe Minho wasn't wrong with this one being broken." You say, ruffling Jeongin’s hair as you pass.
Across the room, Seungmin observes silently with a knowing smirk. He notices the way Felix has gone still, and nudges him, "Talk."
Felix turns to him, confusion on his face, "About what?"
Seungmin rolls his eyes, "How you haven't stopped staring at her since the needle moved."
Felix's jaw tightens but he says nothing.
"If Jeongin’s story is even half true-"
"It is." Felix interrupts. He sees Seungmin’s eyebrow raise, so he continues. "I gave it to my brother. Poor boy couldn't tell left from right. Then he enchanted it, said it would always show us where home was."
Seungmin’s chest tightens, he sneaks a glance at you, where you're laughing at something Jeongin said. "Felix, it's pointing at Y/N."
"Don't. Please." His voice sounds broken, afraid. "Admitting it means believing it," he swallows, his throat feeling dry, "I can't do that, not after everything. I'd be risking my whole life."
Seungmin shuffles closer, his shoulder touching Felix's, "But you want to. I haven't known you long, but I have eyes."
Felix doesn't answer, his gaze locked onto you. Your hair falls in your face as you crouch to put the compass away. He longs to reach out and tuck it back into place, to see the same look you gave him that one morning, the one before he almost ruined everything. Seungmin’s voice lowers, "Choose yourself for once Felix, she deserves it. And you do too."
Back in the apartment, everything settles. No words are exchanged, but you move around each other in a way that speaks plenty. He's on the couch, journal open on his lap and pen writing away. You're cleaning the room, picking things up, wiping dust. It's a comfortable silence, one you had grown to adore.
You fold a blanket and toss it over the couch, "Minho and the others will be here soon." His pen stops writing, he hums in acknowledgement, then goes back to writing. The short response confuses you, "Lix, you okay? You seem quieter."
The pen stops again, and Felix doesn't look up, "It's stupid."
You stand in front of him, hand on hip, "Try me."
His voice is a whisper, "You don't sit next to me when they're here. You always end up on the other side. I miss you."
Your heart stutters, and you take the seat next to him. Your head hits his shoulder. His body goes still for half a second before he's moving his journal and wrapping his arm around you. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm all yours today, promise."
His face heats up and he swallows. You tilt your head, pressing a chaste kiss beneath his jaw, right at his neck. For a while you stay like that, buried in each other. Then you feel him tense. You pull away, "Headache again?"
"It's fine."
"If you're not up for the group that's okay." Your hand drops to his, interlacing your fingers, "We can tell them to come another time.
"Don't worry about me angel, I'll be perfectly fine."
"I'm just worried about you; you've been getting them more often."
"Y/N, it happens, I'm okay."
You squeeze his hand tighter, "Tell me if it gets worse."
Soon enough, 6 bodies enter one after another, the pile of shoes by the door growing, you take note that one person is still missing- that's the next challenge. The apartment is plunged into noise, everyone already moving around and excitedly chatting. Minho comes in last, another grocery bag in his grasp. He politely smiles and heads to the kitchen.
Jisung’s setting up the PlayStation he brought, "One game before dinner." he said. All attention is on that, letting you slip into the kitchen.
Minho stands, washing vegetables with an apron tied around him. He looks like he's always belonged here, the way he moves with ease. He hears the footsteps behind him and whips his head around, mock anger on his face, "Out."
"Do you need any help?" you ask, but he shuts you down.
"Out. It's a surprise." You retreat into the living room and sit on the arm of the couch beside Hyunjin. Felix and Changbin possess the controllers, enthusiastically playing the game on the screen.
You lean closer to Hyunjin, "Is Felix winning?" Hyunjin turns to you, smirk on his lips. He runs a hand through his hair and answers,
"Why, you want to cheer your boyfriend on?" You narrow your eyes at him, making him shrink into the cushions, "Yes, he's winning, please don't hurt me."
"I give up, he's too good." Changbin shouts, tossing the controller to this side. Felix snatches it and wiggles his eyebrows at you.
"No, definitely not." You say, waving your hands.
"Noona's scared!" That does it, you snatch the controller from Felix's grasp and select your character. Too focused on the game, you don't hear Minho yell at Changbin to get out of the kitchen.
"Interesting choice." Jisung breathes out, "Are you secretly a Tekken Lord?"
Hyunjin shuffles beside you, he knows too well how you are when it comes to this game. You don't say anything, just watch the countdown with intense focus. Felix's character approaches, ready with a punch, but you dodge, executing a flawless combo which sends him flying. A chorus of gasps circles the room, but you're too busy beating his character to a pulp to care.
The round ends as quickly as it starts, with a new champion being crowned. The boys look at you with wide mouths, and you stare back, already handing the controller to someone else, "What? It's not that hard."
"We learn something new about you every day." Seungmin says, the nods to Hyunjin, "You knew about this and didn't give him a heads-up."
Hyunjin doesn't reply to the question, instead standing up with the excuse of helping in the kitchen.
Minho doesn't take that lightly, throwing a carrot at him and shouting for him to get out, "Out! All of you! Even you Felix!"
"I wasn't even going to go in." Felix says, voice small.
"Okay everyone move, hot pan coming." You all sit at the table anxiously awaiting the meal. It's cramped, but cozy. You watch as Minho serves the food, dishing everyone's before his own, then he finally sits. Felix's hand finds yours under the table and soft smile plays on his lips.
"It's a different recipe, but I hope you enjoy it." No one wastes any time, cutlery scrapes against plates and bowls, glasses are knocked together. The table hadn't felt this full in years, and it's something you, everyone, wanted to savour.
Everyone lets out sounds of delight when they taste the food, which makes Minho smile. "What did you do to it, it tastes amazing." someone asks.
"Made it sweeter than usual, enhances the flavours." Minho replies, but his eyes flick to Felix.
The table remains loud in the best way, silence never occurring. Someone mentions a new film coming soon, another mentions a concert coming to town soon, and someone mentions a cat, or two, or even three.
But Felix remains quiet, taking small bites of the meal. You nudge him softly and give him a look. His eyes swim with emotion, he doesn't need to say anything, but he does anyways, quiet enough for you to hear it, "I used to eat this when I was having a tough time."
The table is too distracted to see the moment happening, so you let your hand meet him under the table again. And that's enough for you both, the small reassurance letting Felix breathe.
"Jeongin-ah! Why did you wear white, you spilled it down yourself."
Seungmin stands, reaching for the paper towels and handing them over, the action is so natural. All of it is. The meals, the bickering, even the lazy days. You make eye contact with Hyunjin across the table and he grins- you know he feels it too.
It's not until later, when everyone is slipping on their shoes and lingering by the door that Minho pulls Felix aside. He scans the area to see if you're near, and when the coast is clear, he pulls something out of his pocket.
"Probably a coincidence, but it reminded me of you." he whispers, grabbing Felix's wrist. He places a card in the palm of his hand, and Felix's body goes numb. The sounds of Seungmin’s goodbye goes unheard and the room feels cold.
"The Joker." Felix whispers, more to himself. His thumb traces the handwriting on the card, "Yongbok’s favourite- make it sweet." He looks up to Minho, "Thank you."
The man nods and moves, leaving Felix with the recipe his brother had written down all those years ago, on the card that was once his.
The door finally clicks shut after the last of them leave and you walk over. Felix is still stood in the same place, clutching the card like a lifeline. Your hand on his elbow snaps him out of the trance, and he hands you the card.
"Yongbok’s favourite. We were trying to figure out what it meant earlier today. I'm convinced Minho knew but didn't want to tell me." you chuckle.
"It's me."
Your head tilts, "What?"
"Only my family called me that. Felix, Yongbok, Sunshine. It's me." He looks ashamed, but you can't understand why.
"How did Minho..." you don't finish the sentence.
"I don't know, he said he didn't know either."
You nod, then carefully, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't want you to look at me differently."
You grab his cheeks in your hands, making him look at you. Any closer and you would feel his breath on your skin, "My opinion on you would never change." Something swirls in his eyes, something you can't place. Your aura glows a colour that Felix still does not yet understand.
Before anything can happen, your phone chimes with a notification.
"Club on Friday, we all deserve it. And no, Chan, you can't back out." the text reads and you snort, Minho always had a way of dragging his hyung with him.
Another notification pops up, from Jeongin, "I'll go if Felix goes."
You turn to Felix and show him the text, "Looks like we're going out."
Friday comes quickly in the best way possible. There wasn't a day that passed without someone mentioning the outing. Your apartment feels full in the best way possible; shoes pile near the door; jackets are draped over chairs and pre-drinks are poured.
Groans sound from the living room, "Is she making the clothes? What is taking so long?" Changbin says, taking a sip of his beer.
"Any longer and Chan-hyung is not coming," Minho sighs, "He's looking for any excuse to bail."
"Y/nnieeee, hurry up." Hyunjin shouts and you roll your eyes from the bedroom.
As if he can sense your desperation, Felix stands from the arm of the couch, wiping his jeans. "I'll go check on her." No one questions it. He knocks and enters when your voice tells him to come in.
You're stood in front of the mirror, lights dim and dress half zipped, you turn to him, embarrassed smile playing on your lips, "Help me, please." Felix wastes no time, crossing the room in long strides.
His fingers brush your back with a touch that's electric and the atmosphere in the room changes. He zips the dress slowly, moving your hair to the side. When he finishes, he doesn't move away, and you lock eyes in the mirror.
His hand drops to your waist, "You look beautiful." You lean back against him, heat crawling up your neck and your heart beating faster.
"You don't look too bad yourself."
He forgets to breathe, and you forget to move. Felix opens his mouth to say something, but gets interrupted by a loud Jisung, "Are you guys done in there or did you forget about us?"
You spring apart, and Felix's hand drops from its spot. You're about to leave when you turn around and quickly peck his cheek.
When you walk into the living room, the chatter stops, all eyes locked on you.
"Holy shit."
"Language Jeongin, but I have to agree." Minho scolds.
"You clean up terrifyingly well." Seungmin adds.
Felix just watches, observing you carefully, like the moment will disappear.
"Everyone ready to go?" You ask, slipping on your jacket.
"We've been ready for an hour."
The door opens and the night calls, and somewhere out there, Chan's door opens too.
Music blares as you enter and you can feel it in your veins. There are people everywhere and you reach for Felix's hand, so no one gets lost. Hyunjin points to an empty booth in the corner and you all shuffle to claim in, letting out sighs of relief when you get there.
"Chan said he's somewhere at the bar." Minho says, looking at the text.
"Probably bracing himself for chaos." Seungmin snorts, shrugging off his jacket. The group already know what to order so they make their way to the bar, Changbin’s giggles following with them.
You nudge your knee with Felix's, "You good? Not too overwhelmed?"
"Just feels strange... being out like this."
"Good strange or bad strange?" you ask, leaning closer.
A small smile spreads on his lips, "Relaxed strange."
The group comes back, glasses in their hands. Hyunjin places your drink in front of you with a small wink, "Extra strong." He turns to Felix, "You still haven't picked?"
Felix shakes his head, "I don't know what I like."
"Go ask, they'll give you recommendations." Jeongin says, already sipping his fruity cocktail. Felix exhales and nods, slipping out of the booth. Shouldn't be too hard right?"
"You look a little too young to be here, do you have any ID sir?" A man says. Felix looks him up and down and swallows. He probably should have thought for a few more seconds before replying,
"Yeah, uh my- my girlfriend, she has it, I'll go get it." The man seems to believe him, watching as Felix approaches you.
"They need ID." he whispers to you, and you just blink at him, "I don't have one."
"Felix."
He looks around quickly, "Cover me." You feel it before you see it, the faint shift in the air. Then the movement of the receipt near Seungmin’s hand, slowly coming closer to him. You can hear something moving on the floor, and Felix grabs it. A pen, a receipt and napkins. He leans closer to you, "Make sure no one sees."
He holds the objects close to him and closes his eyes. The shimmers of light blend in with the colours shining around the room. Soon enough, a plastic card forms, and he hands it to you. "Does it look real?"
"You just combined two powers to do that." You state, handing him the card.
"Don't narrate it." he shakes his head, then stands. A quick kiss on your head and he leaves, handing his ID to the bouncer who had questioned him. The man nods and lets him go on.
Felix doesn't know where to look when he approaches the bar. There are bodies lingering everywhere, and words he's never seen on the menu boards behind the bartenders. He finds a small opening and leans his arms on the bar, scanning the menu. Maybe he should get the drink Jeongin got, the little umbrella intrigued him.
A man next to him nurses his whiskey. He looks like he wants to be anywhere but here. Felix studies his side profile, he's older and something about him makes his chest ache in a familiar way. He waves down a bartender, asks for another, and swirls the ice around.
Felix's heart stops when he sees his face, and his breath stutters. His mind isn't thinking properly, and everything around him sounds muffled. His mouth moves before he can stop it,
"Chris..."
The man turns to him, and his hunched shoulders straighten as his eyes land on Felix. He lets out a surprised breath, like something has finally connected, something has fallen into place, and he speaks back,
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.1k
A/N: Final assignment submitted and now I am free- this chapter isn't the best but I hope you still enjoy it, sorry for the wait :(
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
You wake in Felix's arms, and the morning doesn't feel as dangerous as it used to. The thought settles quietly as you reflect on the moments that led up to this. How fast you settled with him, how easy it was to move around each other, how natural it felt.
You never expected to be held like this, to wake up without the crushing weight of loneliness on your chest. Seungmin’s words linger in your mind like a broken record,
"You look happier."
And you have been. Felix has been the light your life needed. He brought peace, he brought happiness. He turned the apartment into a haven for others, people you never considered inviting before. What once echoed with silence, now thrived with laughter, and a growing pile of shoes by the door.
"You're staring." Felix says, his voice deeper, laced with sleep.
"I can't help it." you respond, letting yourself live in the carefully crafted moment. You find his hand, intertwining your fingers, the contact feeling like the most natural thing in the world. You fiddle with the ring on his finger, "Did this always glow like that?"
Felix says nothing, instead pulling you back down and burying his face in your hair, "5 more minutes, you won't be late."
You were late. But that didn't matter, the day felt lighter after the morning. You noticed the blooming flowers your neighbour had planted. A cat you knew Minho would love to see. A new restaurant opening. Today, you noticed everything. Including the atmosphere in the museum- it could only mean one thing.
You make your way to the storage room, knowing an artefact is waiting, why? You still didn't know. When you arrive, someone is already there, holding the object.
"Chan, you're back." you say, approaching him. You notice the bags under his eyes and the way his body hunches, he hadn't been sleeping. "You found something?"
He nods and shows you. A small golden compass is in his hands, the needle spinning out of control. "It's been doing this the whole time I've been here." he says, handing it to you. The needle stops as soon as it's in your grasp. It lands on you. "Someone's got the magic touch." Chan jokes.
"I wonder what it means, everything from the box doesn't just do things for no reason." You place the compass on the side for a moment and turn back to Chan, "You can talk to me you know, just because you're the boss doesn't mean you have to be strong for us."
Chan avoids your gaze and shifts in his spot, "Everyone's noticed huh?"
"You don't have to talk now, but we're here. I'm sure the office isn't fun to stay in."
You're putting the compass in the display case, needle still pointing at you when Jeongin walks by. He sees the item and enters, something heavy on his chest.
"My grandad had the same one, my family said it was broken because it never pointed north." He sighs, "No one knows where it went after he died though."
"You've seen this before?" you question, answers already forming in your head.
"In pictures, it was always beside him." Jeongin admits. The topic is sad, but he's still smiling, "I wish I could have met him, my grandma says he loved going on adventures."
The moment is broken by Minho's loud humming as he enters. He takes one look at the compass and tuts, "Looks broken."
"It's old, of course it might be broken." you retort.
"Not the point. Here." he replies, shoving a container into your hands. You eye it wearily which makes him roll his eyes, "Innie here said you had your hands full with cooking. Take a break for once." And he leaves.
You arrive home later than you were supposed to. The staff meeting had dragged and you're positive it was called for no reason other than Chan wanting to see everyone, but you can't complain. Felix is nowhere to be seen, so you take the few moments of peace to unpack everything and finally see what Minho had graced you with.
You open the mysterious container, and almost cry tears of joy.
"Is that bibimbap?" Felix asks as he walks closer. His shirt is wrinkled, probably from the nap he took.
You just nod, eyes fixated on the presentation. "It's so beautiful..." you whisper to no one, making Felix cock an eyebrow. "Minho made it, everyone says cooking's his gift." You explain as you reheat the meal.
You both dig in immediately. Once the food meets your mouth, you hum in delight, they weren't lying, this is his gift. You go back for more, but Felix is frozen beside you. You nudge him slightly, making the spoon fall from his grasp.
"It's good, isn't it?" you tease.
"It's the exact recipe he used." Felix says then turns to you, "You said Minho made this?" You nod confused watching his reaction closely. He takes another bite and thinks deeply. "It's exactly how he would make it Y/N."
You don't need clarification of who "he" is anymore. Instead, you push the food closer to him, letting him eat to his hearts content. If it makes him feel closer to the brother he lost, you'd do anything.
The apartment settles into silence not long after, much needed after the chaos that comes now.
You shower first while Felix takes his time cleaning up. You stay under the hot water for a while, letting your muscles relax, the day washing itself away. You step into the bedroom a while after and realise too late you didn't bring clothes to sleep in. Felix is already in the shower and you're too tired to wait for him, so you settle on something else.
Your eyes land on the chair by the bed. Felix's shirt from earlier is draped there, soft and worn. You hesitate for a few seconds before pulling it over your head. It's bigger on you, the sleeves baggier than they would be on him. It smells just like him too.
By the time Felix comes in, towel round his neck and his hair damp, you're curled up in bed. He pauses in the doorway, smirk on his lips. "You stole my shirt."
You glance at your chest, then back to him, subtly taking in the view before you. A drop of water rolls down his chest, and you fight to tear your eyes away. "Borrowed it actually."
He snorts softly then crosses the room, climbing in beside you. Neither of you mention that he didn't put one on himself or how naturally his slipped his arm around you. The heat from his skin seeps into you and sleep takes over before you know it.
You wake to the sound of movement, quiet and careful. The space beside you is empty. For a moment, everything feels lonely. Then you smell it. Not like the burnt toast that scared you awake all those months ago, no, something sweet.
You push yourself up, rubbing your eyes to get the sleep out. When you step out and head to the kitchen you see him. Felix is stood in front of the stove, his back still bare, hair messy, focused entirely on the pan.
You carefully approach him and wrap your arms around his waist. He’s still as warm as last night. Felix chuckles softly, relaxing into your touch. "You're up." You can tell he's smiling when he says it.
"It was cold without you." you murmur against his skin, tracing the scars on his back like you did the other day.
Felix turns the stove off after plating the eggs and finally turns to you, embracing you back. His cheek rests on your head, "You're still wearing my shirt."
"I'm still borrowing it." you tease back as you pull away to look at him. You stand there looking at each other for a short while, your eyes doing most of the talking. His gaze drops to your lips and lingers, before coming back up. His fingers brush your collar bone, then drop down to your exposed shoulder. The touch is electric and sends shivers down your spine- this has to mean something.
"Food's getting cold." he says, but he doesn't move. Felix is focused on your face again, memorising your features. With one last glance at your lips, he leans in slightly, his breath ghosting your cheek. You think for a second something will happen; you want it to happen.
But nothing does, Felix just lets himself look, then pulls away reluctantly.
You can't get the morning off your mind when you're at work. Did he want to kiss you? Was there a possibility that he felt something too? You try distracting yourself with the paperwork that everyone was putting off. Seungmin decides to sit with you, silently taking half of the papers to work on.
Minho appears a sort while after, holding another container. "As you requested." he says, putting it in front of you.
You blink at the box then at him, "Requested what?"
Minho's eyebrows pull together, "Didn't you?"
"I haven't seen you since yesterday."
There's a pause as you both try process what happened. Then his mouth quirks, "That explains the weird text I got yesterday."
Your stomach drops as you realise- Felix. Minho pushes the container closer, "Figured it wasn't like you to write please 3 times in one sentence, he stifles a laugh, "or call me hyung."
"He really did that?" you ask in disbelief.
He shrugs, "I didn't mind, tell him to enjoy it." You nod, already knowing he will.
Seungmin looks to you after he leaves, "Another brother thing?"
You groan at how fast he catches on, "You're too smart."
Felix is unusually focused on the food before him. He doesn't look up like usual when you sit with him. You watch him take the first bite. His shoulders drop and a satisfied sound leaves his chest. You wait until he reaches for the second bite, and then,
"You texted Minho off my phone."
He freezes and finally looks at you. He slowly blinks, "...Maybe." You don't sound mad, but Felix prefers to tread lightly. "I just wanted to taste it again." he says, his cheeks a dusty pink.
You don't tease him, instead reaching to place a hand on top of his, "I'll ask him for more."
"Really, you'd do that?"
"Of course."
And for the first time since you've met him, Felix eats like he's not afraid of a memory vanishing.
It happens like that for a few weeks. Every so often, you'd ask Minho to cook a meal with things Felix had mentioned in passing. And he would light up when he tasted it. Every container had something new inside to look forward to. You had asked Minho once,
"Are you sure this isn't a bother, you have to cook so much for us."
To which he replied, "I don't have anyone to cook for, this is nice I enjoy it." after handing you yet another dish. The response made your heart crack, but the smile he tossed you after healed it.
Even when everyone was over for a movie night or just to come bother you, Minho's food was reserved just for Felix. Jisung tried sneaking a bite once, only to be flashed the meanest look Felix could conjure.
"Since when are his eyes that red?" he whispers to Hyunjin as he clung to him.
"Hey! Why does Y/N get a bite!" Changbin shouted after he saw Felix pass the plate to you.
"Because Y/N gets him the food in the first place." you respond, taking another bite.
Felix just looks at you, like you hung the moon- everyone notices but no one says anything. He simply mouths, thank you.
The phone is on speaker as you rearrange an exhibit, "Lix, sweetheart, I'm going to be home really late, I have to reorganise things and sort through storage with Chan, will you manage?"
His voice comes through the phone, "I can try, there's not much in the house, we need to go shopping."
You curse as you remember, "Maybe call Hyunjin-"
"I can do it." A voice says. Minho's on his way out, his jacket zipped shut and hands in his pockets.
"Minho I couldn't make you do that."
"I want to, and he likes my food."
You contemplate it for a few moments, Felix and Minho hadn't spent much time together, it might be good for them to bond. And Minho gets to cook for someone. "Okay then, I'll send you money for groceries later."
Minho waves a hand dismissively, "You won't do such thing, just send me your address."
Felix had been anxiously pacing the apartment, waiting for Minho's arrival. He's nervous, but he's not sure why. When the knock sounds, he rushes over, swinging the door open.
Minho stands with two bags, filled with various ingredients, "I have the right place, right?" he jokingly says. Felix snaps out of the daze he's in and nods vigorously, gesturing for him to enter. As he takes off his shoes, Felix grabs the bags, placing them in the kitchen, "Only you today? Would have thought everyone else would be here."
"Most of them are at work." Felix replies, already unpacking everything. When Minho enters the kitchen there's a shift, the authority had changed.
"Fried chicken. Y/N says you like it."
"No place does it how I like it though." Felix says leaning against the counter as he watches Minho settle in.
"Good thing I'm here then."
Chicken gets cut, oil gets poured, and conversations flowed. The way Minho spoke to him, letting him help, then pushing him away because he "angled the cut wrong" made him feel young again. Felix learns that he has three cats, and that everyone always forgets.
"You don't want to know what I almost did to Seungmin." Minho said. Felix laughs but quietens down when he doesn't see Minho smiling.
He goes back to the pan, flipping the chicken as if he hadn't confessed to planning murder. And Felix just watches, pretends he's back home when everyone was there, letting himself live in the fantasy that was once true.
"Pass me the plate please."
Felix snaps out of the daydream and does what he asks, their fingers brushing as he hands it over. Shocks fly through them both, but they don't say anything, just stare at each other. Then Minho's lip curls into a smirk, "Go sit, I'll bring it out."
The smell hits him immediately as the food is placed in front of him. Felix looks up to Minho with wide eyes, then digs in. One bite is all it takes, and he's melting in his seat. A flavour he hadn't tasted in years was now sat on his tongue.
"I take that it's good."
"It's perfect, how did you make it taste like this?"
"Family recipe, Yongbok."
The room goes silent, cutlery falling from Felix's hands, and Minho freezes, "I'm not sure why I called you that, I'm sorry."
"It's been years since someone called me that..." Felix whispers, his throat burning and eyes watering. "I thought I wouldn't hear it again."
Minho gulps, embarrassed, but he can't help but ask, "Is it a special nickname, something someone could guess?"
Felix takes another bite of food, "It's a name my brothers knew me as. Only them."
Minho nods understandingly, but he's still confused, why had he said the name that was clearly reserved for family, a name he had never heard of, still he pushes it aside and watches Felix scarf everything down. "You like my cooking." he states, "Remind you of your dad or something?"
"Brother, the second one." Felix answers, finishing off his plate. "You cook like him, perfectly."
Minho laughs softly, "Sounds like a great guy."
"He was. A real jokester too, would scare me any time he could." Felix grumbles, remembering all the time his heart almost stopped from his brother's antics.
"He ever carry things he didn't need?" Minho asks, standing to grab something from his jacket. Felix nods as he comes backs. "I carry these everywhere, just in case." He tosses a pack of cards on the table. The front is faded, and the edges are worn. He takes out a card, the joker, the edges are frayed, the corners soft.
"In case of what?"
"Feels wrong to leave them behind."
Felix looks intently at the joker in Minho's hand, his chest tightening, "My brother used to carry cards like that." Minho doesn't speak, instead letting Felix continue, "He would deal them out when we had to decide things, like who had to wash the dishes. Always snuck me a joker so I didn't have to though."
Minho puts the card back in the pack, then stuffs it back into the jacket pocket, "I use them to decide what to cook sometimes."
"He used to write recipes on the back of the cards." Felix remembers, laughing at the memory- and his terrible handwriting.
"You're a very interesting character Felix, I'm glad Y/N has you." Minho says, sitting back with his arms crossed, "We've all noticed how much brighter she is now that you're around."
Felix agrees, starts telling him all the small details. How you smile more in the mornings, how you sit back and watch everyone when they're over, how you don't come home as tired anymore. And Minho listens with a knowing smile, something in his chest tells him he'd been here before, listening to those around him talk about their special someone.
"So, are you going to make a move?"
"I can't, I don't like her like that."
"The blush on your face says otherwise, and the way you were speaking about her, "he leans closer to Felix, "you don't talk about someone like that if there's no feelings there."
He knows Minho is right, hell, he'd heard the same words at the castle through the walls. His brother was always the type to encourage the others to go for it, it was no wonder he himself went down that route.
"Don't worry I won't tell, but I will be here often enough to scare you with it." Minho says, winking at Felix.
The door opens before Felix can respond and you walk in. He stands quickly, already moving towards you, taking your bag and coat and wrapping you in a quick hug. "Hi jagi." you say, low enough for him to hear.
"And my hug?" Minho quips, coming closer to you.
You pull away from Felix to wrap an arm around Minho, "You big baby. Thank you for coming." you mumble against his sweater.
"It's no problem, Felix and I bonded really well, wouldn't you say?" Felix glares at him before you turn around, then plasters on a huge grin,
"Yeah, very well, would love to do this again."
You left work too early to hear the rattle of the box, and then the thump of another object. Something’s coming together, isn’t it?
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.3k
A/N: It's all coming together, slowly. Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
Seungmin starts dropping by more often, with poorly made excuses.
"You left your charger at work." Handing you a cable you know belongs to Changbin.
"Chan said to give you this." Handing you paperwork that was finished last year.
"You forgot your jacket."
You look at the clothing in your hands, "Seungmin this is yours."
"No, it isn't."
"You practically live in it." He says nothing, pushing the jacket further into your grasp and walking away, fast. Next time, you're not letting him go that easy.
The knock comes at the same time, and you open it. You cut him off before he can speak, "Just say you want to come in."
He freezes, then chuckles, "I'd like to come in, please." You push the door wider, letting him enter. His hands are in his pockets, and he stands there awkwardly, like he's afraid of being here.
"No Felix?" he asks, looking around.
"Nope, he's with Dumb and Dumber next door, boys night. Sorry to disappoint."
"That's okay, I kinda wanted to see you," and quieter, "Changbin-hyung says you make good food." You turn to face him, knowing smile plastered on your face,
"Did he now?"
"Room for one more?" You say nothing, instead plating the dinner you had earlier, and pushing it towards him.
"Pancakes for breakfast on Saturday, Felix's speciality, don't be late." You sit quietly together, the scene unnatural but not unwelcomed. You ask about his day, he asks about yours and yet you sense there's more he wants to say.
"Felix is different, isn't he?" He notices how you freeze, "You don't have to explain, I just needed to know I wasn't the only one."
"Yeah, he is." The answer satisfies him enough to not question further.
Three loud cheers can be heard through the wall, followed by rapid footsteps. The door is flung open, Jisung carrying a mess of tangled wires and plastic.
"HE MADE A PLAYSTATION Y/N!" he screams, forcing you to look at the console in his hands. Felix stands to the side smiling shyly, until he meets Seungmin’s gaze. He bumps Hyunjin’s ribs, an attempt to quiet him down.
"Seungmin..."
"Hey Felix." The exchange should be awkward, but it isn't. You lean towards Hyunjin, voice barely above a whisper,
"How did he even do that?"
Hyunjin doesn't attempt to quieten down, instead speaking louder, "We just showed him a picture, he did the thing and boom."
"Sounds fun." Seungmin pipes in, "I'm not going to question anything." He sends a wink at Felix, one that says, I don't know everything, but I know you're different.
"You wanna come play Seungmo?" Hyunjin asks, already ushering the other two out.
"I'll stay here with Y/N for now, we have to talk."
The apartment plunges into silence again and you look to him expectedly. He exhales, "The dagger, I touched it, and I need you to come with me to the museum and tell me I'm not crazy."
You don't hesitate, already grabbing your jacket and keys, "Let me just tell Felix."
Knocking and entering Jisung’s apartment, you take a minute to admire the decorations, Hyunjin sure did a good job. You find them sprawled on the floor, talking over each other and trying to teach Felix how to play.
"Lix?" Your voice makes them stop, "I have to go to the museum, I won't be long." His eyes widen slightly and small pout forms on his lips,
"You promise?"
You nod and press a kiss to his head, something that doesn't go unnoticed by everyone, "I promise."
You arrive a while after, using the key Chan gave you for emergencies- this was an emergency, right? The museum is dark and quiet; your footsteps echo loudly as he leads you to the case. Seungmin looks guilty as he glances at it but urges you to grab it.
You grab the metal and images flash as you hold it. Seungmin’s baseball game, except it isn't. The atmosphere is different, so are the people, but Felix is there, and someone who looks like Seungmin. Then a different image, a women smiling.
"You saw her too, didn't you?" Seungmin asks, a sad smile on his face. You nod, placing the dagger back in the case, "That was my great-grandmother."
The words hit like a knife in the chest, and you can't help yourself from collapsing to the floor. Words spill out faster than you can think, everything about Felix. The summoning, the artefacts, the brothers, the box. Seungmin listens, taking everything in.
"I had an idea from the start." He says when you're done. You're sitting shoulder to shoulder now; a weight being lifted off now that you've fully confessed everything.
"You did?"
"My grandmother said he used to write letters in the war, never named anyone but wrote about a friend who kept him alive." he pauses briefly, looking to the dagger in the display, "When my grandfather died, she said everything around her changed, like something was left behind."
The air feels different between you now. It had shifted once before, months ago, that time you ran, and he chased after you. But now it has fully changed. No silly arguments, no more teasing.
"I guess we're really friends now." he says.
"Took us long enough."
You don't speak for a while. Quietly exiting the building and entering the car. The drive is smooth, until he speaks,
"You like him." You look at him with a shocked expression, which he doesn't acknowledge, instead focusing on the road, "Don't look at me like that, I saw the head kiss."
"Yeah? So what? We like to do that."
"We." he says back, trying to make you understand, "You guys are always together, it's bound to happen." You reflect on it a while, the feelings you had been pushing down might finally have a definition. It feels unusual to be speaking about these things with Seungmin, but at the same time, it feels safe.
"I'm not going to sit here and tell you what to do, but I am going to say what I've noticed. You're happier. You look well rested." He stops at a red light and turns to you, "You look loved Y/N."
In an apartment not too far from you, Felix feels his heart thump and his head spin. The pains been growing recently and the ring flickers more often- he can't let you know.
"Felix, you okay?" Jisung calls out to him, but he doesn't hear it. He feels himself go limp and his body sways. Then darkness takes over.
You say goodbye to Seungmin at the door and make him promise to come back soon. The key turns in the lock, and you step inside, expecting to be met with silence, and you are, just not the kind you hoped.
"What's going on?" you ask, seeing Hyunjin hutched over a passed-out Felix on the couch. You rush over immediately.
"He fainted again, we didn't know what else to do."
You feel Felix's forehead- burning hot- and curse. "How did you even get him over here, you guys are weak."
Jisung rounds the corner carrying a wet towel, "Thanks!" he says sarcastically before placing the cloth onto Felix's head, "We dragged him."
"Y/nnie, I think something's going on with him." Hyunjin confides in you, and you nod shakily.
"I know, I just don't know what. How long has he been out?"
"15 minutes, give or take."
You reach out to hold Felix's hand, your thumb rubbing absent mindedly, your mouth opens to speak, to tell them about Seungmin but they stop you. Jisung places a hand on your shoulder,
"Let me guess, Seungmin knows. Don't worry we knew he'd figure it out."
"More the merrier right?" Hyunjin says, tucking a piece of Felix's hair behind his ear.
Suddenly, his eyes flutter open and he winces at the light. Everyone crowds around him, awaiting answers. "What happened?" he asks, his head throbbing.
"You passed out. Again." you say, "What's going on Felix?"
"I just overexerted myself making that, thing." he says, proud of his excuse.
"You could have told us it was too much." Jisung cuts in.
"You were happy, I didn't want to ruin it." The room is silent after that, just silent gestures and everyone moving around. The boys leave at your instance, after you thank them for taking care of him.
You help him move to the bedroom, where he collapses onto the bed, his head buried into the pillows. You want to scold him for being so careless after he had just woken up, but you couldn't. You flop onto your stomach next to him, hand reaching to play with the blonde locks you’ve grown to love. Felix melts into your touch, pushing his head further into your hand.
Felix says something, but the sound is muffled by the pillows. You laugh, your heart feeling lighter by the minute. He picks his head up and sees you smiling. "I said, Jisung is taking me to the studio tomorrow, if that's okay."
"You don't have to ask jagi, you can just go." The nickname is a slip of the tongue and both of you notice it this time. You also notice the red creeping up on Felix's face as he tried hiding in the pillows again.
"I like when you call me stuff like that."
It's late the next day when he comes back. You're nowhere to be found, maybe in the shower, maybe in bed, he doesn't know. But you've left him a plate of food with a cute note that makes his heart flutter. He eats alone, his mind wandering back to the book in the museum, he needs to get it back. Felix tiptoes his way into the bedroom and there you are, fast asleep, curled up on his side of the bed. He finds himself smiling at the sight, reaching out to move hair out of your face.
You stir but don't fully wake, and yet you sense him, "Felix?"
"Yeah, it's me angel, go back to sleep." He looks at you so more, watching the slow rise and fall of your chest. Then to the night sky in the window- he has time tonight. Stealing one last glance at you, he moves, closing the door behind him. The heist is in full swing.
The moon shines brightly through the museum windows when Felix finds a way in with the key he stole. He's never been one for lying or cheating-oh how time changes people. He scans the area, taking note of the cameras, and moves quietly but with speed. He ducks behind the reception desk when he hears footsteps, Changbin’s he assumes. When they become quieter, he moves again, tracing the steps to the exhibit. But there's a slight problem.
Yang Jeongin is staring right at him. His eyes wide and full of confusion, yet he doesn't speak. Doesn't shout, doesn't ask what Felix is doing there so late at night. The mail boy simply nods, turning his head to the side- he's letting me go? Felix thinks but moves anyway. He's so much like the maknae Felix was once close with, but if it were him, he'd be with Felix, doing this operation together.
He continues down the hall, keeping to one side, attempting to blend in with the darkness. Changbin can be heard in the distance, muffled music travelling with him. Felix is so close to the exhibit, so close to the first step, but he feels a presence behind him. He turns around.
But there's no one there. He continues walking, a few feet away now. He feels it again and turns.
No one. Has all that time at home with you messed with his senses? No, he couldn't say that. Felix would gladly give up his senses to spend more time with you. He's one step from the entrance now, but the feeling of being watched lingers.
Something shoves him into the room and he whips around. Yang Jeongin is stood in front of him, smile wide like a fox and eyes glimmering with mischief. "Let me join the museum heist." he whispers.
"How did you..." Felix begins to ask, "Why do you want to join, you'll lose your job."
"You were being obvious about it, and I'll only lose it if we get caught."
"Jeongin..."
"I've been training. That's why I'm here, and to keep Changbin-hyung company, but that's not the point."
"I have to do this alone." Felix says, trying to be stern. But Jeongin persists,
"I've been sneaking around since I was a kid, I know how to do this stuff, it's in my soul." That makes Felix consider. Is it dangerous? Incredibly. Does he want to relive his younger days, sneaking through the sleeping castle? Desperately. So, he finds himself agreeing. He doesn't know Jeongin well, and Jeongin doesn't know Felix, but both could feel the teamwork brewing from a mile away.
"We can't tell Y/N. Ever." Felix says, "The artefacts in this room, where did they come from?"
"Storage." Jeongin quickly answers, "The box she's assigned to, the one that moves."
"Take me to it, carefully." Felix warns, he's lived through enough missions gone wrong to let it happen again. He still remembers his older brother's punch when he caught Felix sneaking the last slice of cheesecake.
Jeongin nods, and springs into action. To him, this is a performance, one he must do well. He pokes his head out, dramatically checking each side, then ushers Felix to follow him. He crouches low and runs- there are no cameras here, but he's committed.
Felix walks behind him, still cautious of any little noise. Jeongin jumps over something, then throws himself on the floor to army crawl for a few meters. Felix cocks an eyebrow, and even in the dark Jeongin can sense his confusion, "Lasers. All museums have them."
"There aren't any here."
"Budget cuts, just pretend." Felix sighs, but decides to humour him, joining the ginger on the floor. The two share a look, then silently laugh at their idiocy.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jeongin asks, a smile still on his face. Felix smiles back, smaller than before,
"You just remind me of someone I used to be close with, back in the day." If he notices the sad look on Felix's face, he doesn't say anything, just elbows him and nods his head in a direction.
They crawl to the room on the left and there it is, Felix's box.
"I'll guard here, be quick, Changbin usually comes down here in..." Jeongin checks his watch, "10 minutes." Felix nods, then grazes the box, silent magic entering through the cardboard.
The box opens and he can see the item clear as day, the book, sat on top of everything. He reaches for it quickly, flipping through the tea-stained pages. Every piece of information about him, now fully protected in his arms. Jeongin nods to him as Felix approaches,
"Y/N usually can't get into that box. You must be magic or something." he jokes and Felix nervously chuckles, clutching the book tighter. They simply walk to the exit and step outside. The wind is cooler than it was before, but they don't care.
"Why did you need to come secretly? If you don't mind me asking?" Jeongin asks, wind blowing his hair and ruffling his jacket.
"I left something important, something Y/N can't see or know about." Jeongin accepts the answer, but his face begs to ask another question.
"Earlier when you said I reminded you of someone you were close to, you did these things with them too didn't you?" The sudden accusation makes Felix almost drop the book he risked his life for.
"Something similar." he says, pushing his hair from his face.
"Maybe we could do something again some time? I feel... drawn to you in a way." Jeongin confesses, silently shocked at his confidence.
"So do I...," there's a pause, "You should come over soon."
"I will, goodnight, Felix." he waves him away as Felix retreats into the darkness, ready to get back home to you.
Felix wonders if you're still on his side of the bed, or if you've noticed he was gone. He smiles to himself thinking about you. He smiles all the way home and continues as he creeps into the bedroom. He hides the book under the bed, a place he's certain you'll never look then climbs in next to you.
As he suspected, you were on his side, but even in deep sleep you felt his presence and drifted closer to him, putting your head on his chest.
"Missed you." He hears you say sleepily, maybe you're not even aware of it, but he still finds his heart beating faster. Yeah, the heist was needed, you couldn't figure out that fainting meant he was one step closer to fulfilling his duty. That's a problem for another day, so he drifts off to sleep, his hold on you tightening.
As expected, in the heart of the museum, the very same box rattles and the air shifts. Something new is waiting.
Morning comes with the smell of sugar and butter, and a burnt pancake or two. The apartment is more crowded now. Jisung’s half-asleep on the floor while Changbin and Hyunjin argue about the perfect pancake texture. Seungmin’s first morning with the group should be going smoothly and it is for the most part.
"Now flip it." Felix instructs, his sleeves rolled up and apron on. Flour covers every surface even Seungmin’s face.
Seungmin tries to flip the poor pancake and fails again, make that three burnt pancakes. He groans loud enough for you to hear from the room over. Felix shuffles next to him, "Here, let me show you."
Their fingers brush the pan at the same time and the world tilts. Felix relives a memory, him and his brother in this exact situation, the castle kitchen filling with thick smoke and his brother failed to flip the pancake in time. He remembers turning to his brother and saying, "We're never allowed to cook together again." They didn't listen.
For Seungmin, it's a vision. A man who looks vaguely like him in a kitchen and the same blonde hair as the man in front of him. He sees the smoke and the black batter.
They jerk their hands back, "I'll get the plates." Seungmin says, speedily walking away.
A knock sounds and you open the door. A cheerful Jeongin stands there with shopping bags on each arm, "I was told to bring toppings." he says, showing you the three cans of whipped cream.
Felix emerges from the kitchen, "You came. And listened."
"You texted from Y/N’s phone, I thought I was in trouble." The young man grumbles, placing down the bags and turning to you, "Thanks for letting me come, I'm excited." He leans closer, "Maybe give him my number so he doesn't give me a heart attack next time."
The room grows louder as Jeongin joins the others. He's immediately bombarded with Hyunjin’s puckering lips, to which he moves to the other side of the room. Seungmin has taken hostage of the strawberries and Jisung’s fighting for the chocolate drizzle.
You lean against the counter and take it all in. It's no longer just people in a room, it's something being built from scratch. A place you used to dread is now a place you can finally call home, and it's thanks to the people inside right now. You steal a glance at Felix, who carries the first batch of pancakes to the eager guests, but he catches your eye. He smiles, soft and sure, like he knows this is how it's meant to be.
Only one thing is for sure though, you need to buy a bigger dinner table.
Changbin's ‘best friend’ had been a mystery for years. An urban legend among the group and a running joke that their member had to make someone up to seem popular. Until the day they finally put a face to the name. Everyone got used to you quickly, Hyunjin didn't. He really wishes he kept it that way
Words: 4.1k
A/N: Two posts in one day cos I'm feeling silly. Hyunjin is a tad dramatic in this but I'd be too so it's okay!! The Seungmin oneshot is so close to being finished guys I'm excited to publish it soon :3
The studio is crowded and loud, the norm for a group like Stray Kids. Only the shouts aren’t about a new comeback, or confusion about a lyric, they’re about you, Changbin’s mysterious friend. The girl who was in every one of his stories, but no one had ever met.
You had been best friends for years, supporting each other through ups and downs, tagging along to impromptu gym sessions, but you had yet to meet his group. This distance is what sparked the debate in the studio.
“I swear Y/N is real! She’s just busy!” Changbin defends, arms flailing around.
Seungmin leans back, rolling his eyes, “Yeah, and I don’t like getting manhandled.”
“I’ve shown you pictures!”
Felix tuts, “Could have been photoshopped, we don’t know what you do when you get home.”
Changbin paces the room, desperate to make his friends believe him, “I’ll bring her then, one day. I’ll prove you wrong.”
Fast forward a week later, Changbin leads you down the hall, his giggles following. You clutch the strap of your bag and walk beside him. He turns to you as his hand rests on the door handle, “I can’t wait to see their faces when they realise you’re real.’” The door swings open, and Changbin bursts through, startling the others, “She has arrived.”
Bang Chan smiles, “Sure, now come on we need you to re-record this line.”
The energy is something you’re not used to, their playful teasing coming across as intimidating. You gather your courage and step inside, standing closer to Changbin. You clutch your bag a little tighter, an action that doesn’t go unnoticed by him, “Hello.”
There’s a pause and an unusual silence, but then everyone springs to their feet, crowding around you. You catch small snippets of what they’re saying, something about you being real, no longer an urban legend. You smile softly, “It’s really nice to meet you all, Binnie talks about you all the time.”
In the far corner, sitting away from the group, is Hyunjin. His sketchbook lay abandoned on his lap; his attention turned to you. His expression is hard to decipher when you lock eyes, but the look makes your heart skip a beat. He remains silent for a moment longer, fiddling with the pencil in his fingers, “Hi.”
You blink at him, caught off guard, “...Hi.”
The way he said it, carefully and with restraint, makes your stomach twist in a way you hadn’t expected.
Changbin comes closer, whispering for only you to hear, “That’s Hyunjin, he’s...quiet. But don’t worry he’ll warm up soon enough.”
Hyunjin. You let the name run through your mind for a moment longer, a quiet pull in your chest. You hum and take a seat in the other corner near Jisung and Minho. “I hope I’m not intruding.” You say, pulling out your own sketchbook.
“No, no. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Jisung says, leaning closer, “Bin says you’ve been busy.”
You nod, “Art projects took up a lot of my time and helping with lyrics when his brain was too fried.”
‘Woman of many talents, I can see why Changbin keeps you around.’ Minho replies, making you look at your sketchbook.
You let the world around you unfold as you get lost in your drawing. Nothing too intricate, just a side profile of Jeongin, who you’ve come to realise, has perfect features for a sketch. Hyunjin is still across the room, in the same position as you, his pencil scratching non-stop. You wonder what he’s drawing, if he notices your side glances, and for some reason, the thought alone makes your pencil stutter on the page.
When you’re finished, you walk towards Jeongin, the torn piece of paper in your hand. You hand it to him with a shy smile and watch as he takes it in. He wastes no time showing it off to everyone around him, praising you for making him look so handsome.
“Hyung, look! You never draw me like this.” He says, waving the paper for Hyunjin to see.
Hyunjin doesn’t say anything for a while, his eyes flicking from the drawing to you, “It’s nice.”
The simple words shouldn't make you feel this way, but they do. You silently hope that Changbin is right, and maybe, he’ll warm up to you.
A few weeks later, things were still the same. Everyone else had grown accustomed to your presence, often smiling at you then turning back to their work. Sometimes they'd include you in conversations, asking for your input on certain tracks.
But Hyunjin remained distant, not saying a single sentence to you other than a simple greeting. He’d stay in his corner, talking with the rest of them, but never to you. And it stung. You try not to let it bother you, you ignore the way his voice goes quieter when you’re invited into the conversation, and the way he doesn’t look at you when you speak.
“I don’t think he likes me.” You say to Changbin on the drive home. Your head resting on the window, watching the rain drops race down the glass.
Changbin scoffs, “He does, he just takes a while to warm up, I told you.”
You turn to him, a monotone look on your face, “I brought him his favourite snacks like you told me and he looked like I poisoned his family.”
“He wasn’t expecting it, that's all.” Changbin replies, turning into your street. He doesn’t tell you about Hyunjin always rushing over to the snacks after you leave, or how he had talked about you nonstop in the dorms. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
You sigh and grab your bag, ready to exit the car, “Maybe Bin, I don’t want to intrude, especially when he’s supposed to be recording tomorrow.”
“Y/N-”
“Goodnight, get home safe.”
The studio is bustling with noise, as usual. Hyunjin’s in the recording booth, headphones half on and his eyes trained on the door.
“Hyung! Where’s Y/N?” Jisung asks, eyes flashing to the spot you’d usually take.
Changbin shakes his head, “She’s busy...maybe? She said she didn’t want to intrude when Hyunjin was recording.”
The words startle Hyunjin, but he regains his composure quickly. You didn’t come today, because of him? The thoughts run through his mind over and over, enough for him to mess up his lyrics, multiple times.
By the fourth attempt, the studio is quieter and all eyes are locked on him, waiting for him to perform. Changbin catches the way Hyunjin’s glance darts towards the door, as if he’s waiting for someone to walk in. “Take 10 minutes, I’ll be back.” His voice says, and he exits the room.
Ten minutes later, everyone is back in their spots, Hyunjin in the booth, 3Racha watching intently. A soft knock sounds and the door creaks open.
“Sorry, Changbin asked if I could pick up some food for you.” You say, stepping inside and placing the food on the small table.
Changbin smirks as he sees Hyunjin’s small smile from the corner of his eye, but he doesn’t mention anything. “My saviour, are you staying?”
“Oh no, I’m just dropping this off and you can go back to recording.” Then you slap him playfully on the back of the head, “And you’re closer to the restaurant, you did not need me to come all this way.”
“Punished for wanting to see you. What has this world come to.” He sighs dramatically but says his goodbyes and watches you leave. “Okay Hyunjin, you can do this.”
And he does. No mistakes, no faults, the perfect take.
You slip through the door like clockwork, nodding politely to the guys and sitting in the corner. You listen in to their conversations as you reread the same page of your book, something about their weekend plans.
A pop-up gallery you’ve been wanting to see flashes in your mind, so you approach the group, tapping Changbin on the shoulder. “Do you want to go to the gallery with me? It's supposed to be really beautiful.” You smile widely at the thought of being around art, and you hope he agrees. But the hope is shattered when he shakes his head,
“Let’s go to the gym instead, we haven’t gone together in a while.” He suggests, and your shoulders visible sink.
“We always go to the gym Changbin, come on, it’s just one day. And it’s my favourite artist.”
Hyunjin leans in closer, but you don't see him until he speaks, “I’ll go with you,” he pauses, “If you’d like.” You freeze; this is the first time he’s spoken to you, and it isn’t the usual awkward hello.
The rest of the members get quieter, but still talk amongst themselves, “Uh, are you sure?” You ask, voice coming out quieter than intended.
Hyunjin nods, “I’ve been trying to get him to come with me too.” He laughs lightly and the sound makes something pull at your chest.
“Okay we’ll go. Together.”
After checking your outfit for what felt like the hundredth time, you leave the house, and head towards the gallery. You suddenly remember you don’t have his phone number, or any way to contact him, and you silently groan at the thought of possibly being stood up.
You stand at the entrance for a while. Five minutes pass. Maybe, he set off late. Ten minutes. Traffic could be picking up. Fifteen minutes. You start to worry. You’ve mindlessly swiped on your phone, opening and closing the settings app, checking the weather. It’s going to rain soon.
After twenty minutes you sigh and shake your head. Rain starts to fall slowly, the small drops sinking into your thin sweater. You turn around and start walking, opening your phone to ask Changbin to pick you up.
“Wait! I’m here!” The loud voice makes you turn around and you spot Hyunjin, running frantically towards you, pushing past people and yelling apologies. He stops in front of you, hands on his knees as he hunches over, out of breath. “I’m here, I’m sorry.”
You shrink back slightly, not wanting to deal with the situation. He notices and stands to his full height, “They made me record more and I lost track of time, and Changbin wouldn’t let me have your number, and he didn’t want to give me your Instagram, or anything so I rushed as fast as I could but then I forgot my wallet and had to go back-”
“It’s okay.” You cut him off, a small smile plastered on your face from his rambling, “I thought you ditched me because you didn’t want to spend time with me.”
Hyunjin waves his hands, “No, that’s far from true.” His face flushes pink, but you don’t mention it, “Should we go in?” He offers his arm with a shy smirk, and you hesitantly loop your arm through his.
The gallery isn’t busy when you enter, but your grip on him tightens ever so slightly. He moves with confidence, leading you to the exhibits. You watch the side of his face intently, the way his eyes sparkle with curiosity as he leans in to read the description below a painting. For someone who was so excited to go, you spend more time observing him than the art, but for some reason, you don't mind.
Your arm is still wrapped around his bicep, and you can feel the warmth radiating off him. “Do you have a favourite piece?” You ask hesitantly, worried that any questions would put him off, and things would go back to how they were.
But to your surprise, Hyunjin turns to you with a big smile, wider than you’ve ever seen. He doesn’t say anything, just pulls you along quickly. His laugh echoes in the small room, and you feel your heart flutter. Eventually he stops in front of a painting.
“This was the first painting I saw from this artist, I knew then I wanted art to be a part of my life.”
You step closer to it, the colours blending into one another like a tornado of hues. “It’s very...you.”
Hyunjin turns to you and hums, “What do you mean?”
Your eyes never leave the painting, “You’re someone who has many faces, but only if you look deeper will you find the truth.”
He lets out a shallow breath, like you’ve just deciphered the one thing he had wanted you to, “No one’s ever seen me like that before.”
You shrug your shoulders, “No one looks deep enough.”
“I was surprised you offered to come with me.” You say, hands tucked at your sides. “I thought you hated me.”
Hyunjin walks beside you, “No it wasn’t that. I was just...” He pauses, searching for the right words, “Observing.”
“Observing?”
“Everyone else flocked to you, but I wanted to wait,” He slows his steps, “...Wanted you all to myself.” He mumbles, quietly enough that you don’t hear it.
“Was I worth the wait?” A shiver runs through you, your sweater not doing enough to protect you from the cold. Hyunjin sees, and wordlessly shrugs off his own jacket, wrapping it around your shoulders.
“Yeah, you were.”
After that, things were simpler, less awkward. You’d arrive at the studio, and instead of Hyunjin staying back, he’d be the first to approach you, immediately talking about the latest sketch he did or the restaurant he had tried the week earlier.
He’d sit closely next to you on the couch, knees grazing, instead of the usual corner. Everyone noticed but they didn’t say anything. They noticed how Hyunjin would lean into you when you spoke, how he’d bring you water without being asked, how he’d glance at the door expectantly, waiting for you to enter.
Hangouts became frequent. Whether it was to another gallery or a convenience store dinner, he’d be right next to you, chatting the night away. Somewhere along the way, the awkwardness faded, and left adoration in its place and a few accidental hand touches.
“Where are you going all dressed up?” Changbin asks as he lounges on the couch.
Hyunjin freezes momentarily before speaking, “Dinner.”
Changbin sits up, intrigued about this mysterious outing, “With who?” He wiggles his eyebrows.
Hyunjin inches towards the door, “Just a friend, see you later.” The door shuts behind him, leaving Changbin confused.
“Y/N went out to dinner too...”
“Hyunjin, it’s your turn to record.” Chan said for the hundredth time, but Hyunjin couldn’t hear him, too deep into his conversation with you.
“God, he’s smitten.” Lee Know says, watching the scene before him. “Don’t let Changbin see.”
“Let me see what...” Changbin’s voice trails off as he sees you and Hyunjin, too close. “Well, would you look at that?”
He watches carefully as you exit, leaving Hyunjin all alone. Changbin saunters up, taking your spot and throwing an arm at the back of the couch. “Stealing my best friend, are you?” He says, playfulness lacing his tone.
Hyunjin whips his head up, eyes wide and lips parted, “I-, No-, It’s not what it looks like.”
Changbin laughs as he watches him panic, “I’m only joking, relax, you’ve been spending a lot of time together, haven’t you?”
“How did you know?”
He snorts, “You and her coincidentally have plans at the same time and you expect me not to catch on?”
Hyunjin lets out a small laugh, “We’ve just been hanging out, nothing else...” His words trail off and Changbin understands. He can hear your footsteps coming closer, but he doesn’t say a word. “I really like her hyung, but I don't want to ruin things with anyone.”
“You like me?” You say, stepping into the studio. The room goes silent as Hyunjin realises the situation. It’s so quiet, you wonder if everyone can hear your heart thump. If they can hear how loud it drops when Hyunjin stands abruptly, and pushes past you, leaving you with more questions than answers.
‘Can we talk?’ The message reads, but Hyunjin doesn’t answer, instead tossing his phone somewhere behind him. He scolds himself for being so careless, just admitting his feelings when you could have come back at any moment. His phone buzzes again, probably another message from you, but he doesn’t look, he can’t.
He camps in his room for the rest of the day. Then the next. Then the next. Then the next. His phone buzzes with unread texts and he simply switches it off, not wanting to face you. Changbin enters after the first day, with concern on his face and a plate of dinner.
“You haven’t eaten.”
“Not hungry.” Hyunjin remains unmoving, staring at the wall in front of him.
“Y/N’s here, she wants to talk.” That makes him swing his head around. Changbin notices the dark circles under his eyes and he tuts, “You’re tearing yourself apart and you don't even know what she wants to say.”
“I don't want to know, I’ve embarrassed myself enough.”
Changbin sighs, leaving the plate on the desk and leaving. Outside he can hear your muffled voice, “I don’t know how else to reach him, I really need to talk to him.” Hyunjin swears he can hear a sob, and his heart breaks a little more.
After a week, Changbin is tired. “He’s going crazy, I don’t know what else to do.”
“I’ve never seen him this bad before.” Chan replies, spinning on his chair, “We need to do something, he hasn’t finished recording and the album needs to be ready soon.”
“Y/N’s no better, she’s worried sick.” Changbin adds, throwing his arms up, “They obviously like each other, Hyunjin’s just stubborn!”
Chan leans forward, sly smirk on his face, “I may have an idea.”
Hyunjin hears the repeated knocking on the apartment door and groans. He walks to the door like a ghost, slow and hollow. “You never bring your keys Changbin, I always tell you...to.”
He opens the door, and there you are, arms around yourself and eyes tired like his. Hyunjin looks down at himself, suddenly aware of the random outfit he had put together and then back at you. His eyes are wide with fear and surprise as he attempts to slam the door on you.
But you’re quicker, wedging a foot in the door and pushing past him, finally entering the dorm. “What are you doing here?” His voice is hoarse and he feels himself shrink under your gaze.
“You’ve been ignoring me for over a week and that’s all you have to say?”
“Please don’t, I don’t want to talk.” He walks past you, heading towards the room he’d been camping in. Your hand shoots out, grasping his wrist.
“5 minutes, and then I’ll go.”
He reluctantly nods, and heads towards the couch to take a seat. You sit on the opposite end, creating distance like the beginning. You start slowly, “What you said that day...did you mean it?”
He plays with the bottom of his shirt, aware of your gaze on him. He stays silent, but nods so slowly, you almost miss it. “So why-” There’s a sharp intake of breath as you try to hold back the tear that formed in your eye, “Why have you been ignoring me?”
“Because I didn’t want to get rejected!” Hyunjin replies, voice raising, making you flinch at the volume. “You made me feel like I could be myself, not the idol everyone expects, but you looked so...sad when you heard. I didn’t want to be rejected in front of everyone.” You move closer, placing a hand atop of his. He looks at you with tears in his eyes as he moves his hand away, “Don’t.”
“Hyunjin...”
“I think you should go, I need to get some work done.”
“But Hyunjin-”
“Please go. Don’t make this harder for me.”
“He told you to leave?” Changbin asks, wrapping an arm around you as you sobbed.
“We really thought that would work.” Chan sighs, “Did you leave the note?”
You nod, “I wrote everything last night, and I left it on the counter. I don’t think he’ll read it.”
Changbin chuckles, “He’s too curious to leave it alone.”
“God I feel so stupid crying, I could have confessed before he left and everything would have been fine.”
Chan passes you a glass of water, “Sometimes these things take time.”
A knock on Hyunjin’s door startles him, but he relaxes when he sees Changbin. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Changbin huffs and crosses his arms, “She came to me crying because you kicked her out.” He watches as Hyunjin’s face pales, “Yeah I thought so.” He tosses him the paper from the counter, “Read it or I’m making Minho-hyung use you as a punching bag.”
He leaves Hyunjin alone with the paper. He can recognise your handwriting instantly and his stomach drops. His fingers carefully unfold it, and a blur of words can be seen. Hyunjin takes his time to read every sentence, every flick of the pen, every emotion you spilled onto the paper.
His throat goes dry and his head starts to spin as he realises how unfair he treated you. He reads the last line, and he breaks. ‘You said that day that no one’s ever looked deeply at you and it stuck with me. I’ve always looked for the real you, the one that rants about colour theory with shining eyes or argues when someone steals the remote. I decided then that I wanted to forever know that truth about you, if you ever let me.’
His bedroom door slams open, and he rushes around the house. Changbin stands near the door, Hyunjin’s jacket hanging from his hand, “Don't come back until you fix things.”
Your apartment is quiet as you wander through it. The low noise of the tv and the hum of the fridge fill the empty space. Yet, your thoughts wander to Hyunjin. The letter you wrote plagues your mind.
“I should have just left it...” You whisper to yourself scrubbing the counter harder, as if it would help the feelings disappear. Regret soaks into your body as you recall each word upon the page, and a part of you wishes the pen never touched the paper.
A part of you wishes you had never agreed to meet Changbin’s friends.
A frantic knock snaps you away from those thoughts. Your brows furrow as you try to piece together who it could be. The cloth from your hand gets thrown on the counter as you approach the door.
“Bin, what have I said about showing up-” Your words get cut off by a pair of lips on yours.
Their hands cup your cheeks with the utmost care, like they’re handling something fragile, and you can feel every ounce of emotion that fuels the kiss. You remain frozen for the moment, unsure what was happening.
Then Hyunjin’s scent fills your nose, the one you had spent so long memorising. Your lips move against his, your own arms coming up to circle around his neck. He pushes the two of you further into the apartment, closing the door with his foot.
You can feel him sigh against your lips, and he turns his head slightly, deepening the kiss. Eventually, you pull away for breath, and you finally look at him.
Hyunjin’s eyes are glassy and his lips tremble. His jacket is half on, like he hadn't bothered to put it on fully. “I came as fast as I could...” His hands are still on your cheeks when he speaks, his thumb grazing under your eye.
You swallow nervously, afraid that this is a dream you’ll wake up from, “What was that for?”
“I read the letter.” He shakes his head, “I’m sorry, for being such an idiot. I want you to keep learning about the true me, the same way I want to learn about you.”
“Hyunjin-”
“Let me finish, please.” He pushes hair away from his face, his hands leaving your cheeks. “I let my fears get in the way when I should have heard you out. I need you to know that I still want this, I still want you.”
You sigh gently, “I really like you Hyunjin,” You pause, making him freeze, “But I don’t want to get hurt again.”
Hyunjin grabs your hands, holding them tightly. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Please Y/N, let me fix this.” He sees the hesitation in your body and steps closer, his voice dropping lower, “I need you...”
Heat crawls up your neck and you turn away, trying to avoid the hard gaze. But his fingers grip your chin, making you look at him. Hyunjin’s eyes still glisten but there’s a hint of pure want behind them.
“You can't just say stuff like that.” You mutter, but he just chuckles.
“But it’s true, you’re all I think about. Ask Bin, I’ve talked about you since the first time you came to the studio.”
“So have I. He must be sick of how much I ask about you.”
“I want to try this, do you?”
You answer him with a soft kiss, one that tastes like new beginnings. “I’d want nothing more.”
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 2.2k
A/N: I wrote this chapter so long ago now so its sooo bad but alas it's needed. Hope you still enjoy it :3
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
Morning comes as quickly as night fell. The early sun peeking through the curtains, bathing Felix in its rays. He was still curled up near you, hand clutching your shirt like he was afraid you'd disappear. His wings had retracted sometime during the night, but you could still feel their warmth around you.
You had been awake first, just simply looking at the man beside you. Like he could sense you staring, Felix cracks open an eye. He doesn't say anything, neither do you, but both of you can feel the shift in the air. He sits up slightly, letting the covers fall, revealing his bare chest.
"Morning." he says quietly, his lips curving.
"Morning." You say back. You don't move when his hand brushes a piece of your hair back, or when his gaze lingers on your face for a second too long. The silence between you is different now- intimate and charged from last night. You hadn't been physical but why did such strong emotions remain?
When you finally rise, he follows without a word.
Hyunjin and Jisung could feel the shift as soon as they entered, but chose not to say anything, instead sharing a look.
The day isn't anything exciting, the four of you doing your own thing but in the same room. Jisung balances his laptop on his knees as he sprawls across the couch, Hyunjin has papers all over the table, pencils falling everywhere and you're doing some quick cleaning, reaching for the high shelves you usually forget. Felix lingers around you, something the others notice quickly.
"Did something happen last night?" Hyunjin asks, pencil stopping mid-line.
"No!" You both say, at the same time, earning suspicious looks from him.
Later, you're standing at a shelf, trying to reach something you had left there a few days ago. Sensing your distress, Felix steps behind you, reaching over your shoulder. When he leans closer, his hand finds its way to your hip, to brace himself as he reaches. The action is without thought, and you don't register it as anything unusual.
Somewhere behind you, a compromise is already being made, "I'll buy you a cheesecake if they get together." Hyunjin whispers.
Jisung sneaks a glance at the two of you and turns back to him, "Deal."
By the evening, things had calmed down. Preparations for a movie night were under way. You could hear your best friend bicker with Felix over the movie choice while you and Jisung were making snacks in the kitchen. The scene is something you cherish deeply, something you had hoped for long before Felix had turned up.
You place the snacks on the table, and everyone takes their seats, you and Felix on the couch, Hyunjin on the floor and Jisung joining him. The movie starts and you shift to get comfortable, and Felix adjusts with you. When you settle back, you're leaning into him with his arm behind you.
Then a knock is heard.
The room freezes and everyone exchanges glances,
"We're all here, who could it be?" You ask while standing up.
"Maybe Spiderman's become self-aware and came to visit." Hyunjin suggests, then yelps when Jisung throws the remote at him.
You approach the door and open it, finding Changbin with two bags and a shy smile, "Room for one more?"
Felix comes up behind you and a smile blooms on his face, "You made it! Come on in." Changbin follows Felix in, and everyone turns to see who it is.
The room is silent for a moment, but then erupts into cheers, making the room louder, but also softer. He settles into a seat at the table and unpacks all the snacks he brought, something for everyone. A blush forming on his cheeks as he told you he had asked Felix what everyone liked.
And so, movie night continued, with an added presence. The film went on, but no one paid attention, instead talking amongst each other quietly.
Felix nudges your knee with his during a quiet moment,
"Thank you."
"What for?"
"For letting this happen." You look to the sleeping bodies sprawled across your apartment, blankets hastily tossed on them and chuckle softly,
"I think it was always meant to."
The movie had long ended, credits rolling and everyone drifting in and out of sleep. Felix's head lay on your shoulder making Jisung giggle at Hyunjin. A soft knock comes after that. It wasn't loud or urgent, just there.
"Another guest?" Hyunjin asks, sleep laced in his voice. You stood, frowning, it was late, and you weren't expecting anyone.
When you opened the door, Seungmin stood there. Hands in his pockets and his head cast down, like he regretted knocking. He lifts his head when he hears you and you see the nervousness in his eyes. The sight of him reminds you of the brief time he had been your best friend and familiarity blooms in your chest.
"Seungmin...hey."
"Hi."
A beat passes and you realise- he had never been to your apartment before, not in this universe at least. You step into the hallway closing the door behind you. "Is everything okay?" you ask.
"Yeah, I just-" he rubs the back of his neck and looks around, "My first game's tomorrow."
"That's exciting."
"I was wondering if you could come."
You don't hesitate with your answer, "Of course I will."
"And your friends too. If they want. I want people there, you know? Helps with the nerves." He adds quickly.
You smiled, "We'll come, don't worry." He nods, then quietly admits,
"Just feels like...I need you there. And Felix too..."
The words lay heavy and universes blur together, but you understand what he means.
"Tomorrow then."
Seungmin nods, "Tomorrow." And you watch as he leaves, a bounce in his step.
You step back into the apartment, four expectant faces waiting, "Who was it?"
"Seungmin… he’s invited us to his baseball game tomorrow."
The box hums as you approach it. Everyone agreed to meet at the museum before going to the game, ‘catch up on work’ they said. So that's why you're here, crouched in front of it, Jisung and Hyunjin beside you like sidekicks.
"Remind me why Felix didn't come with us?" Hyunjin asks.
"He said he wanted to walk, something about the fresh air," Jisung replies, scoffing lightly.
"And Chan?"
"I think he's on a work trip right now."
You don't pay attention to their comments, instead focusing on the artefact in your hands. A single fragment, possibly from a shield. The metal is worn down but warm to the touch, like its pulsing beneath your touch.
"This has to mean something right?" You ask no one in particular, but the two men lean closer, their breath catching,
"Definitely."
Across the exhibit hall, Changbin stops walking, and inhales a sharp breath, pressing a hand to his throat. Hyunjin’s eyes flick to the movement and his lips part in realisation,
"That's exactly how I felt when I touched that painting."
Jisung looks confused as he looks between you, "I didn't touch anything." he mutters, kicking the floor. You turn to him,
"The music. How did it feel when you sang the lyrics Felix gave you?" And he goes quiet, his eyes widening in disbelief,
"Like I unlocked a whole new side of myself."
No one says anything else, but you're all thinking the same thing. Somehow, everyone is connected, you just don't know it yet.
Later, Felix walks through the doors of the museum. He feels the change in the air as he steps in but keeps walking. Before he can process it, a hand comes crashing onto his shoulder.
Felix nearly jumps out of his skin and turns to face the culprit. Minho is grinning like a menace, Jeongin behind him.
"Boo."
"Are you trying to kill me?" Felix asks, clutching his heart. First impressions clearly do not matter to this man.
"Hyung, Y/N said to be nice to him." Jeongin steps aside, coming into view, his ginger hair falling into his eyes. "You must be Felix, noona said we should be expecting you."
Felix nods, still hesitant to move.
"Relax, you look funny when you're on edge." Minho chuckles, "We'll go find her together." And Felix lets the man guide him around the museum, Jeongin trailing behind.
Felix learns that the cat-like man, is in fact Minho, the one you were warning him about and the one with ‘cute dimples’ as you called them, was Jeongin. After getting quickly acquainted with them, he finds you in the back, grabbing extra water and snacks.
"Oh, good you found him." You say to your co-workers, "Hi sweetie, I'm glad you made it." You direct at Felix, who is trying to cover his blush at the nickname. "Minho scared him, didn't he?"
Jeongin shakily nods, afraid he'll get scolded like a school kid. You approach Minho, who takes that as a sign to dash away. "Come back here! I told you to be nice!"
Felix's gaze drifts to Jeongin who stands there awkwardly, and the feeling hits him again. He's younger, smiling widely with a boy who had the same dimples. They're crouched over papers whispering secrets that only they knew. Planned heists that they executed perfectly, even if it was just to get the last cookie.
There's no time to dwell on the past right now, or think about why the person before him smiles the same way as someone he was close to, there's a baseball game to attend.
The field is loud when the game is in full swing, the metal bleachers echoing under your feet. The stands are packed, and the stadium is roaring with excitement. But at the bottom Seungmin is spiralling. Voices are blurring and his grip tightens on the bat as he steps up. He rarely registers the screams of support, until one scream of his name.
"SEUNGMIN!" He finally looks to the stands and sees you, waving frantically, and everyone else cheering. Hyunjin’s almost over the railing, his long limbs dangling like he’s seconds away from falling onto the pitch. Seungmin finds himself chuckling at that. And then, he sees Felix, and the world goes quiet again.
Something in his chest stiffens when he makes eye contact with the blonde, something unfamiliar stirs deep within. It's not deja vu, it's like a memory he never lived. The same field, the same bat, the same face. With all his might he tears his gaze away and focuses on the pitch coming his way. The ball is thrown, and something in him unlocks, taking his breath away. The crack of the bat is sharp and clean, the ball goes flying and the crowd erupts, Seungmin sneaks a glance at Felix again, seeing the pride etched on his face, then runs.
You meet him by the fence when the game is finished. Adrenaline runs in all your veins as you surround him. Praises fly out of everyone's mouths, but Seungmin is locked in on Felix. Seungmin smiles politely, grasps your hand tightly and squeezes, his way of saying thank you, then walks to Felix.
He steps past everyone and stops before him, the words spilling out before he has a chance to stop them, "I've done this before…with you." He continues quietly, "I don't know how or when, but this," he gestures to the field, "this moment feels like I'm remembering something I'm not supposed to."
Felix nods, slowly and then, "Me too."
"You're not a psychic, are you?"
Felix laughs, a real one, "No, I'm not."
Seungmin nods. He doesn't need to ask questions. Instead, he steps closer, wrapping him in a hug. The kind that makes the group freeze because Kim Seungmin does not hug people.
It's the type of hug that grounds people, one that is real and full of unspoken emotion. Felix hugs him back with no hesitation. Seungmin pulls away, and gestures for you to come over.
"You deserve one too, I guess." He says, opening his arms, which earns a chuckle from you. Having a group like this was something you dreamed of, and now that you had it, you wouldn't let it go.
In the museum, as the light slips into the big windows and everything is silent for once, an artefact hums. Inside its case, the dagger illuminates, the carved initials Felix had stroked a few days prior now glow a bright red. Something clicks, and the memory shifts, ready to be found once again.
Felix watches as you laugh with the group, but something plays on his mind. Seeing Jeongin earlier made something resurface. His mind starts racing as he remembers. The book. The book you would eventually find in the box. The very one that explained everything there is to know about him, the one he used to carry everywhere.
He couldn't let you find it. You couldn't know the truth. The constant pain he's in because he's slowly becoming less useful to you and the time limit, the true intentions of the ring he had come to learn. You couldn't learn that, you didn't need to. He remains quiet for the rest of the night, ideas swirling in his head about how to retrieve it. For the first time, he's picking himself. It's to protect you he says, but does he believe that? Or is he doing this because he's afraid. All questions point to one answer,
When a mysterious artefact ends up in your hands, you do the next best thing- accidently summon a demon. He says he'll leave once he fulfils a command, so you give him one, and he should be on his way. Only problem is, he's still here. As old rules resurface and relationships shift, you're forced to ask, what happens when you fall for the one who was never meant to stay?
Words: 3.5k
A/N: haiiii, sorry i keep disappearing, a Seungmin fic i'm working on is taking my soul away- anyways as usual this isn't proofread but I hope you enjoy the chapter!!!
Series Masterlist | Previous Exhibit | Next Exhibit |
Felix had been buzzing with excitement since he woke up. He had changed his outfit three times in the space of 20 minutes, complaining that nothing felt suitable. Hyunjin and Jisung were perched at the table, laughing along at Felix's excitement. For the first time in a while, the mornings like this were something to look forward to, lively and full of people you cared about.
"Felix, for the last time, it's not an award show, it's a museum you don't need to wear that." you huff, picking up the clothes he had carelessly tossed around the room.
"Let me look nice." he says with a scowl, wiping imaginary dust from his trousers.
Hyunjin puts the bowl of cereal down and pulls out his camera, "Okay, I brought this specifically to capture the moment, say cheese." Felix pulls you closer to him, wrapping his arm around your waist and a big smile on his face.
"Smile, it's a big day." he nudges you, making you roll your eyes, but you smile sweetly anyways.
"Okay let's get going." you say, urging everyone out the door. Today would be a long day.
"Bye Ji, make some good music today!" you wave to him as he enters the studio. You pull out of the car park and start the journey to the museum.
"So, what are you going to say when they ask who that is?" Hyunjin asks from the back seat, smirk on his lips.
You understand what he's trying to do, so you don't give in, "An old friend." From the corner of your eye, you see Felix's face falter, but he quickly fixes it.
"Okay get out Hwang, I have work to do." you scold him, finally exiting the vehicle.
"Yeah, yeah, see you later." he says, pressing a quick peck on your cheek before leaving, "Don't miss me too much, jagyia."
"Oh, shut up!" you shout back, annoyed with his teasing. You turn to look at Felix who is still beaming.
He pushes his cheek out towards you and points to it, "I want one too." You sigh, but it holds no malice, and lean in, giving him a soft peck.
"Ready to go in?"
It wasn't unusual to have someone walk alongside you down the corridor, but having that someone be Felix, was different. He walked closer than anyone else, like he was afraid of being apart, and his hand brushed yours every so often. You lead him to the back room to drop off your stuff then tug him along, grasping his hand, eager to show him the exhibits.
As usual, you head to the reception desk, intending to introduce Minho to Felix, but he isn't there. "Beomgyu? Where's Minho?"
The man looks at you, and you can tell he's trying not to laugh, "Him and Innie went to go find the stray cat that keeps breaking in."
You find yourself laughing at their antics and the situation they have put Beomgyu in, "So they made you the stand in receptionist?"
He nods, then gestures to the desk in front of him, "I don't even know what to do, Chan-hyung said to just look busy when I asked."
"You're doing a great job sweetie, more than Minho does."
Felix squeezes your hand, a gentle reminder that he's there too, "Oh right, well I'll see you later, I have a tour to do." And you're off, still dragging Felix with you.
You stop at the war exhibit first, the same one Jeongin had shown to the tour group, something that still haunts you. Felix's gaze lingers on all the artefacts, his fingers stroking each plaque. His eyebrows are furrowed in thought and you can't help but admire him in this state. He's unfairly handsome in every form, from every twitch of his eye to the jitter of his hands. Felix turns back to look at you, and his brown eyes widen with joy, hints of red around his pupil.
"Thank you for bringing me, I'm already having so much fun." And you know he means it.
He looks at the helmet a while longer, long enough for you to question it, "You know, that helmet is said to harbour dark spirits."
Felix scoffs at that and waves his hand, "No, it isn't, I wore that one during my last summoning, didn't harbour anything." he mutters.
You laugh at his words, "Sure you did, Lix, and I wore the dress from the Fashion through the times exhibit."
"No I did, look see the chip in the front, that's from my friend."
"Come on, let's go to the next one, I think you'll like it."
You lead him to the exhibit full of art, something familiar for him. You feel him intertwine his fingers with yours and you look to him, only to find him looking back with a soft smile on his face. Walking through the exhibit, he stops at a few pieces, admiring them, then asking you questions-ones that Hyunjin would answer better.
"Acrylic...maybe?" you found yourself answering, even when it pained you. But Felix would chuckle then tease you about not knowing,
"Not really the expert you thought you were." Which earned him a harsh slap to the shoulder.
Then he stopped at the one you wanted him to see.
"Watercolour portrait by an unknown artist from an unknown time. Believed to be depicting a young man with soft features. While origins are unknown, it is certain the artist held an admiration for the subject."
Felix’s hand squeezed yours harder, and you squeezed back, one that said, ‘I'm here.’ He smiles that grief-stricken grin, the one he had when he heard the music Jisung wrote and the drawings Hyunjin did.
"It's him, isn't it?" you whisper, low enough for him to hear, even though you were the only ones in the room. He nods and glances at you. His eyes are glossy, but not with sadness, instead with peace, like he captured something he was waiting for.
"I remember sitting for this one, he wanted to try something new." he laughs as he recalls the memory, "It was a sunny day for once, so he made me sit in the garden under our tree while he painted."
"That sounds beautiful."
"It was. I used to sit under that tree when he disappeared, fell asleep there a few times."
"He really loved you Felix, maybe you were his muse."
"So, this is where you decided to put my things." Felix remarks as he takes in the unfinished exhibit.
"Be nice, I'm not even supposed to show you this yet." You say, but you crouch down near the display, bringing him with you. Felix kneels beside you and looks to where you're pointing,
"I haven't seen that dagger in years." You look around quickly and lean closer,
"It holds memories, right?" you ask, and he nods, "I can let you hold it, but only for a few seconds." His face lights up, already stretching his hand out. Once retrieving the dagger, you place it in his hands, letting the cool metal heat up under his touch.
"I see him, it's really him. He looks so happy with her." He says, as the images flash in his mind. His thumb traces the initials that were carved there long ago, he knows it's impossible to see him again, but a part of him wishes it could happen.
After placing everything back into its rightful place, you continue along, stopping at other displays, talking about each one. Then you run into Seungmin,
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my favourite exhibit, Y/N and a new boyfriend." He starts, but as he goes to speak Felix interrupts him,
"Sky... I thought you died."
Seungmin looks confused for the first time in his life, He looks at Felix wearily and steps closer, "That was my great-grandfathers name, how did you know that?" Your stomach drops and you steal a look at Felix, who remains frozen. "My grandma always spoke about him dying in the war."
You quickly act, grabbing Felix by the wrist and speed walking away, "Great to see you Seungmin, talk later!" Felix is silent as you pull along, his eyes trained to the floor. Only when you push him into a room does his gaze change.
Felix cracks as you come closer to him, "I thought the bloodline died..."
You voice is quiet, "What?"
"I think-,” He swallows, “His great-grandfather summoned me last." he pauses, swallowing dryly as he recounts the events, "He summoned me during the war and he was different." You exhale a breath you didn't know you were holding but you don't interrupt.
"He was scared, said his wife was expecting but she was sick, he asked me to help him live long enough to meet his child." His hands curl into fists at his sides and his eyes are clenched shut.
"He was a nice guy, we joked a lot, I protected him, he taught me how to fight." Felix laughs bitterly, "Had the same smile as my brother."
"What happened to him?" you ask, fearing the worst.
"There was an accident, he died in my arms before I could fulfil the duty. I was punished for failing him and I thought... that was the end." He looks to the door, "But seeing him stand there, looking exactly like his great-grandfather, it means his wife survived, long enough for him to be here."
You didn't say anything, only carefully approaching him and embracing him, which he reciprocated. You stayed like that for a while, letting the world around you quieten. Seungmin was on the phone to his grandma, asking for information. Jeongin and Minho were hunting down the stray and Chan locked in his office. And Felix was trying so hard not to wince at the pain in his body, soon you'd no longer need him. He just hoped you hadn't noticed the ring glowing, an indication of his weakening powers.
You finally pull away after some time, looking him deep into his eyes. Your hand finds its way to his cheek, stroking softly. He turns his head slightly, lightly kissing your palm.
And suddenly, it doesn't feel platonic. You can't recall how long it had been since the turnaround, when hugs and light kisses to cheeks became the norm. When sleeping in the same bed and accidently waking up entangled became cuddles and deep talks on a night. Now as he stands in front of you, his blonde hair tidy for once and a thankful smile on his lips, you see him for everything he's worth, and something deep blossoms in your chest- something other than appreciation. The realisation scares you but also disappoints. You know realistically nothing could come from wanting, you were from two different worlds, one where love thrived and the other where love was weakness, but you wanted to believe, so you let yourself stay in the moment for a few more minutes, enjoying his presence.
"You sure you're okay Lix? I can take you home if it's too overwhelming." You ask him, sitting outside the museum entrance. Felix quietly eats his kimbap next to you but shakes his head.
"I'm okay angel I promise; I just needed some air." You're unconvinced but you agree anyways,
"Okay, I'll be in there if you need anything, Beomgyu will tell you where to find me." you instinctively kiss the top of his head and stand, heading back inside, leaving Felix alone.
He continues eating but watches the people outside like a show. The couple bickering across the street, the children riding bikes, he even sees Hyunjin come out of his interior design building, waving to Felix when he spots him.
A loud voice comes closer to Felix; he recognises that they're on the phone and catches a few words,
"I can come tomorrow Jisung, the lyrics are done, the track needs to be tweaked though." At the mention of Jisung, Felix turns to the source, who had now disconnected the call. A man in a security guard uniform was approaching the building, a backpack slung over his shoulder. He makes eye contact with Felix and smiles, "Nice day today, isn't it?"
Felix nods slowly, watching as the man stops in front of him, "Ah kimbap, ever had it with pork belly?"
"No." Felix speaks.
"You should it's delicious." he checks his watch, "I have a few minutes until I have to clock in." he says, taking a seat next to Felix. "I'm Changbin." he offers a hand.
Felix takes it, shaking it firmly and giving his own name.
"I've never seen you around before, you new?" Changbin asks.
"Y/N brought me today." Felix's face lights up when he says your name which makes Changbin smirk,
"I see."
"Do you want to share?" Felix asks, holding out more food for him to take. Changbin looks at Felix, then to the food again, and takes it gratefully. The two of them remain like that for a while, taking bites and exchanging small words. There isn't anything special about the interaction, but it reminds Felix of the dinners he shared back home, when he used to offer his plate to whoever was seated next to him.
Changbin’s in the middle of speaking when voices cut through, shouting at the two of them. Felix can tell they're teenagers wanting to cause trouble, yelling out insults and threats. He goes to stand as he sees them get closer, still yelling and insulting him, but he gets pushed back down.
"I'll handle this." Changbin says, springing into action. He walks up to them, making them back away with fear in their eyes. Felix smirks as he sees them run away, one tripping after the other, and the scene reminds him of his childhood, when other demons would pick on him and his older brother would come to the rescue.
"What did you say to them?" Felix asks when Changbin sits back down,
"You don't want to know, I think your hair is lovely by the way don't listen to what they say." he says giggling, like he didn't just threaten a group of teens. "You should come to the gym with me sometime, learn how to hold people like them off." he offers, pulling out his phone and handing it to Felix.
Felix chuckles to himself and he types his number in, he doesn't know I don't need muscles to beat them, he thinks. He hears footsteps behind him, and two hands cover his vision,
"Y/N." Changbin says, which makes you drop your hands from Felix's eyes,
"Heyyy, he was supposed to guess who it was."
"I already knew it was you." Felix says looking up at you.
"I see you've met Changbin," you smile.
"Your boyfriend's quiet but nice, you picked well." Changbin says as he stands, patting your shoulder as he walks past and into the museum. Both you and Felix freeze at the title but then burst into laughter. Unbeknownst to you, the dreaded box rattles in the room, another artefact, another memory, ready for you to discover.
"So what do you think of my job?" You ask a when you're finally home, "I'm sorry you didn't get to meet everyone."
"It's nice, I really enjoyed it." He says collapsing on the couch, "Even after the whole incident, Seungmin’s very understanding."
"He can be, I'm surprised he bought the excuse."
"What, that I'm psychic who could "feel his presence", yeah, I'm surprised too."
The night unfolds gently after that, dinner, soft music, laughter that feels like a secret. Eventually you're both under the covers, Felix on his back looking at the ceiling and you're curled on your side facing him,
"I can come again, right?" he asks, and you agree. Silence fills the room, and you drift into slumber.
At first you think it's the wind from the open window, but then the bed shifts beneath you and the covers are moving.
"No... please-" Felix's voice is broken. His hands are twitching, and his body is trembling. You rise immediately, watching his uneven breaths.
"Felix? Hey, wake up." you shake him, but it's no use, he's still mumbling pleas and thrashing around.
"Please, I didn't-"
You shake him harder now, desperate to wake him up. Sweat pools on his forehead and he's burning up. You climb over him, legs on either side of his hips and you cradle his face in your hands, "It's a nightmare Felix, you're safe." Your chest tightens with every movement he makes; his brow is furrowed so tightly it hurts to look at him.
Then his eyes snap open.
He gasps, sitting up so fast you barely have time to move, and now you're in his lap. His hands come up instinctively and rest on your hips, keeping you in place. Neither of you acknowledge the position, only that it feels right.
Felix eyes are lost and distant, like he's trying to make sense of what happened. And when he locks eyes with you, only one question slips out,
"Are you okay?"
Your breath catches, "Felix, you were the one having the nightmare." His grip on you softens and his lips part,
"I scared you..."
You shake your head rapidly, "You wouldn't wake up Lix." You waste no time in wrapping your arms around him, letting him bury his head in your neck. His breath is hot against your skin, desperate and shaky. You hug him tighter, cradling his head and rubbing his back, but he's burning up.
"You're sweating," you murmur, "You should take your shirt off, you'll feel better." You feel Felix tense in your arms and he pulls away, his eyes cast downwards,
"No." his jaw is clenched, "I don't want you to see." he admits.
Your heart aches for him and you reach for his hand, intertwining your fingers, "Felix, I know you're not invincible." The words do something to him as he nods, letting you clamber off his lap. He moves to the edge of the bed and reaches for the bottom of his shirt tugging it off.
The cold air hits his skin, leaving goosebumps and the glow of the small lamp in the corner illuminates what he had been hiding. His back is a constellation of scars, new and old. Some big some small, others deeper and more jagged. And in the middle, two deep red marks where his wings would lay.
"Oh Felix..." His back hunches over and his shoulders rise unevenly. "Can I try something?" you ask, to which he nods.
You reach out slowly, tracing each scar where the skin is still damp with sweat. You lean down and press small kisses to each one, the touch making Felix shiver. With them, you whisper words of reassurance,
"You're so strong."
"You didn't deserve this."
"You're not alone."
His breathe shudders but he finds himself leaning into the touch. And for once, he doesn't know what your aura means, the colour is so unfamiliar to him and yet it feels like home.
"Other demons wouldn't let this happen," he says, still not turning around. You rest your chin on his shoulder looking at him,
"You're not like other demons, you're more human than you think." After a moment you whisper, touching the marks where his wings would be, "Can you... let them out?"
He hesitates, but does, letting them unfurl to their full span. They're big and beautiful, so unbelievably him. You touch the red feathers with care, watching as he unravels at the feeling. Neither of you speak for a long time, too lost in your thoughts.
Felix is aware this is risky, letting you handle him like he isn't dangerous, but he wants to be cared for like this, even more so when it's you. He feels the way he weakens the more you get happier, and he hates it. The aura his brothers had when they returned from Earth, the smiles they held, he feels the exact way when he's with you. It's daunting, heartbreaking for him- he knows it's almost time.
He speaks, barely audible, "I hope my brothers... were happy here."
You rest your cheek on his shoulder, "I think they were."
His voice cracks and he looks down again, "I don't think they were banished."
"What do you mean?" He finally turns to look at you,
"In the realm, falling in love isn't something beautiful like it is here. It's seen as weakness, it's a distraction."
You hold your breath, scared of what's to come.
"I think they were killed for it." He admits, pain laced in every stutter and crack of his voice. The room goes quiet, and the confession lingers in the air. You don't correct him, you don't share your theories, you don't argue. You just embrace him from behind, holding him while the thought settles.
His wings flutter as you're pressed against him, which causes him to shift, finally turning to you. He settles back on the bed, and stretches his arms, inviting you in. You accept without a thought, letting yourself lay on his bare chest, his wings half-folded around you.
Sleep comes easy after that, no more tossing and turning, no more nightmares. Just the two of you wrapped tightly together, in your own world.
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