♡︎|1

chapter one—✧♡︎✧—

Felix sat cross-legged on the bathroom counter, a towel draped over his shoulders as he scrolled through his phone, waiting for Hyunjin to finish mixing the bleach. The mirror in front of him reflected his faded roots, a dull brown creeping in where his usual bright blonde used to be.

He hated it.

Lee Felix was meant to be blonde.

"You know, you should really just learn how to do this yourself," Hyunjin teased, pouring developer into the mixing bowl. He had his sleeves rolled up, his long fingers expertly stirring the creamy mixture. "One day, I might refuse to help you."

Felix gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "You would never do that to me."

Hyunjin gave him a look, one eyebrow raised. "You sure about that?"

"Positive," Felix grinned, wiggling his shoulders. "You love me too much."

Hyunjin only sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. He dipped the brush into the bleach, lifting a section of Felix's hair. "You're lucky I have steady hands."

Felix let his eyes drift closed as Hyunjin started applying the bleach to his roots, the cool paste sinking into his hair. It wasn't the first time they'd done this, and probably wouldn't be the last. It was just a thing now. Hyunjin dyeing Felix's hair, them talking about random things that cross their minds.

The familiar smell of bleach filled the small bathroom, and Felix peeked one eye open to look at Hyunjin. His best friend's brows were furrowed in concentration, lips slightly parted. Felix wanted to tease him about it, but he didn't. Something about moments like this—the quiet, easy ones—felt too nice to ruin.

"Did you eat today?" Hyunjin asked after a moment, still focused on his work.

Felix snorted. "What are you, my mom?"

Hyunjin flicked his forehead with his gloved hand. "I'm serious, Lix."

Felix scrunched his nose. "Yeah, I ate."

Hyunjin narrowed his eyes. "What did you eat?"

Felix hesitated. "...Bubble tea?"

Hyunjin groaned. "Felix!"

"What?" Felix laughed, his deep voice filling the space. "It has tapioca."

"You can't just survive on sugar," Hyunjin scolded, shaking his head as he applied more bleach. "I swear, one day, you're gonna pass out in the middle of class, and I'm not carrying your ass."

Felix pouted. "That's mean."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in them. "I'll make you ramen after this, okay?"

Felix beamed. "See? I knew you loved me too much."

Hyunjin didn't deny it.

They sat in silence for a while, the only sounds being the soft brush strokes of bleach coating Felix's hair and the occasional rustle of the plastic gloves. Felix's eyes fluttered shut again, letting himself relax under Hyunjin's careful touch.

It wasn't like he needed Hyunjin to do this for him. He could have gone to a salon. Or watched a tutorial and done it himself. But he liked it this way.

He liked the feeling of Hyunjin's fingers threading through his hair, the way his best friend always made sure to be gentle, even when he was teasing. He liked how it gave them an excuse to spend time together.

"You better not move your head too much. Your hair's gonna end up patchy if you do."

Felix grinned. "You wouldn't let that happen to me."

Hyunjin smirked. "Try me."

Felix let out a laugh, deep and warm, shaking his head slightly. Hyunjin clicked his tongue but didn't actually scold him for it.

"Are we playing Fortnite later?" Felix asked, swinging his legs against the bathroom counter.

Hyunjin sighed dramatically. "Do I have a choice?"

Felix's grin widened. "Nope."

Hyunjin chuckled. "Fine. But if we lose, I'm blaming you."

Felix gasped. "Excuse me, I carry the team!"

"That's so not true."

"Okay, maybe Jisung carries the team," Felix admitted. "But I'm second best."

Hyunjin made a face. "Debatable."

Felix kicked him lightly. "You suck."

Hyunjin just laughed, shaking his head as he finished the last section of bleach. He set the brush down and peeled off his gloves, ruffling Felix's hair just to be annoying.

"Okay, you're done," he announced. "Now we wait."

Felix stretched his arms above his head, hopping off the counter. "Wanna watch something while we wait?"

Hyunjin nodded, following him out of the bathroom. They collapsed onto Felix's bed, limbs tangling naturally.

Felix hummed happily as he scrolled through Netflix, snuggled up against Hyunjin's side like a lazy cat. His head rested on Hyunjin's shoulder, their legs tangled on the bed.

"Oooh," Felix suddenly gasped, his eyes lighting up. "True Beauty."

Hyunjin groaned dramatically. "Lix, no."

"Yes," Felix grinned, already pressing play before Hyunjin could protest any further. "C'mon, you love this show."

"I do not," Hyunjin huffed, crossing his arms.

Felix tilted his head up, giving him a knowing look. "Uh-huh. So that wasn't you ranting about how Suho deserves better the last time we watched?"

Hyunjin's ears turned pink. "That was one time."

Felix giggled, settling back against his best friend's side. "Sure, Jinnie."

The episode started playing, and despite all his grumbling, Hyunjin got invested within minutes. He always did. Felix smirked to himself as he watched Hyunjin's expressions change—his brows furrowing, lips pressing together in frustration whenever the second-lead syndrome kicked in.

Felix, on the other hand, was just enjoying the moment. His head felt warm and a little tingly from the bleach, but he didn't mind. He was too comfortable, curled up against Hyunjin, his best friend's arm draped lazily over his shoulder.

"Why is Seo-jun so stupid?" Hyunjin suddenly burst out, throwing his hands up. "Like, bro, just tell her how you feel!"

Felix snorted. "You yell at this show like it can hear you."

"Maybe if I yell loud enough, it will," Hyunjin muttered, scowling at the screen.

Felix giggled again, reaching up to poke Hyunjin's cheek. "You're cute when you're mad."

Hyunjin turned to glare at him. "Shut up."

Felix just grinned. He loved teasing Hyunjin. It was too easy.

By the time the episode ended, the timer on Felix's phone buzzed, signaling it was time to wash out the bleach.

Felix stretched with a content sigh. "Alright, time for the big reveal."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes but got up with him, following him to the bathroom.

Felix leaned over the sink, letting Hyunjin rinse out his hair with warm water. He closed his eyes, humming softly as Hyunjin's fingers massaged his scalp.

"You're enjoying this way too much," Hyunjin teased.

Felix smirked. "Mmm, maybe."

Hyunjin flicked water at him in retaliation.

After rinsing out the bleach, Hyunjin helped Felix apply toner and conditioner before finally towel-drying his hair. Felix eagerly grabbed the blow dryer, fluffing his hair up in front of the mirror.

When he finally looked up, his face lit up.

"YES," Felix cheered, running his fingers through his fresh blonde locks. "I'm BACK, BABY."

Hyunjin laughed, watching him admire himself. "Happy now?"

Felix turned to him, grinning. "Very." He pouted suddenly, clasping his hands together dramatically. "Thank you for your hard work, Jinnie. You are a true artist."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "You're such an idiot."

Felix just beamed.

As they left the bathroom, Felix suddenly poked Hyunjin's side. "Sooo... where's my ramen?"

Hyunjin sighed, already making his way to the kitchen. "You're such a baby."

Felix followed him like a little duck, clinging to his arm. "You promised," he whined.

"I know," Hyunjin huffed, but there was no real annoyance in his voice. He just patted Felix's head, gently pushing him onto a stool. "Sit. I'll make it."

Felix swung his legs happily as he watched Hyunjin move around the kitchen, effortlessly preparing the ramen.

"My favorite chef," Felix sighed dreamily.

Hyunjin snorted. "You literally survive off bubble tea, strawberry smoothies and ramen."

Felix gasped. "That is not true."

Hyunjin shot him a look.

"...Okay, maybe it is," Felix admitted with a grin.

A few minutes later, Hyunjin set the steaming bowl of ramen in front of him. The rich smell made Felix's mouth water instantly.

But before he could dig in, Hyunjin pulled the bowl away slightly.

Felix blinked. "Hey!"

Hyunjin smirked, picking up the chopsticks. "Say ahh."

Felix's face turned bright red.

"W-what?" he stuttered.

"You heard me," Hyunjin said smugly, lifting a bite of noodles. "I'm feeding you."

Felix squirmed. "I can feed myself—"

"You whined about me making it, so now you have to accept my love," Hyunjin teased. "Now open up, baby."

Felix made a choked sound, smacking Hyunjin's arm. "STOP CALLING ME THAT."

Hyunjin just laughed. "Fine. Open up, Lixie."

Felix huffed but finally gave in, letting Hyunjin feed him a bite. The warm broth and noodles melted on his tongue, and he let out a happy little hum.

Hyunjin chuckled. "Good?"

Felix nodded, chewing happily. "Mmhmm."

Hyunjin continued feeding him, teasing him every now and then by pulling the chopsticks away at the last second. Felix smacked his arm every time, but he was laughing too much to be mad.

By the time the bowl was empty, Felix felt warm and full—not just from the ramen, but from the comfort of having Hyunjin there.

Hyunjin grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the corner of Felix's mouth. "Messy eater," he murmured fondly.

Felix rolled his eyes but let him do it.

They sat there for a while, the warmth of the kitchen wrapping around them. Felix sighed contentedly, leaning his head against Hyunjin's shoulder again.

"Thanks, Jinnie," he mumbled sleepily.

Hyunjin hummed, resting his chin on top of Felix's head. "Anytime, Lixie."

And Felix smiled.