♡︎|36

chapter thirty-six—✧♡︎✧—

As the group started making their way back to the cabins, Hyunjin tugged lightly on Felix's hand.

Felix glanced up, brow raised. "What?"

Hyunjin tilted his head toward the opposite direction, toward the deeper part of the woods.

Felix hesitated. "Hyun—"

Hyunjin grinned. "Come on."

Felix groaned but let himself be pulled along, sneaking away while the others were too busy bickering over the rabbit incident.

They walked quietly, the distant sound of the river still echoing behind them. The trees stretched taller here, the path untouched. It felt like they had stepped into their own little world, just the two of them.

Finally, Hyunjin stopped near a clearing, turning to face Felix.

Felix folded his arms. "We're literally breaking rules within rules right now."

Hyunjin chuckled. "Yeah, but we're alone. That's gotta be worth something."

Felix rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched. "Fine."

A breeze rustled through the trees, cool against their skin. In the dim moonlight, Felix could see the way Hyunjin's eyes softened, the usual mischief replaced with something quieter, something warmer.

Hyunjin exhaled. "You know..." He paused, as if debating something. "I don't think I ever told you this, but..."

Felix tilted his head. "Told me what?"

Hyunjin hesitated again, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, don't make fun of me, but—"

Felix waited.

Hyunjin shifted on his feet. "I — uhm ...maybe like you."

Felix blinked. His brain stalled. "What."

Hyunjin winced. "Okay, wait, that was—"

Felix grabbed his sleeve. "Say that again."

Hyunjin looked at him, lips parted slightly. "I like you."

Felix opened his mouth, but no words came out. His heart was pounding—actually pounding so loud he swore Hyunjin could hear it.

Hyunjin started fidgeting. "Okay, I regret saying that. Forget I—"

Felix surged forward, hands grabbing Hyunjin's hoodie as he pressed their lips together.

Hyunjin froze.

Felix did too.

Then, slowly, Hyunjin kissed back.

It was soft, warm—as if neither of them could believe it was actually happening. Hyunjin's hands hovered by Felix's waist before finally resting there, holding him in place.

When they pulled apart, Felix was still gripping Hyunjin's hoodie, their faces inches apart.

"Did we just?" Hyunjin whispered.

Felix swallowed. "Yeah."

Hyunjin blinked. "Oh."

Felix nodded. "Yeah."

Hyunjin cleared his throat. "Uh."

Felix finally let go of his hoodie, his hands dropping to his sides. "That was—"

"unexpected?"

Felix huffed a small laugh. "Yeah."

They stood there, still close, still slightly breathless. The awkwardness lingered for a second before Hyunjin cracked a smile.

"Well," he said, voice teasing but soft, "I guess that means you like me too."

Felix groaned, pushing him lightly. "Shut up."

Hyunjin just grinned, reaching out to grab his hand again.

Felix let Hyunjin hold his hand as they walked back, the warmth between their palms unfamiliar but so right. They didn't say much, just exchanged glances, small smiles, tiny squeezes of reassurance.

Every now and then, Hyunjin would nudge Felix with his shoulder, and Felix would roll his eyes but lean into it anyway.

"This feels weird," Felix mumbled after a moment.

Hyunjin hummed. "What does?"

"This." Felix gestured between them. "Us."

Hyunjin tilted his head, a soft smirk tugging at his lips. "Do you want it to stop?"

Felix glared at him. "Don't start."

Hyunjin just laughed, swinging their hands slightly. "You're cute when you're shy."

Felix groaned, looking up at the sky. "This was a mistake."

Hyunjin tugged him closer. "Too late. You kissed me."

Felix opened his mouth—then shut it. Damn it.

By the time they reached the group, Jisung was the first to notice.

He looked at their joined hands, then back at their faces. His eyes widened.

"No. Way."

Seungmin, upon seeing them, groaned. "Oh, finally."

Jeongin squinted. "Wait— what happened?"

Changbin just sighed. "Took them long enough."

—

Back at the cabin, the air between them was weird. Not bad— just awkward as hell.

Hyunjin sat on the top bunk, legs dangling over the edge, staring down at Felix, who was lying on his back on the lower bed, hands on his stomach, staring at the ceiling.

They had barely spoken since coming back.Not because they didn't want to. But because they both knew exactly what was on their minds.

Felix sighed dramatically. "This is so awkward."

Hyunjin exhaled. "Yeah."

Silence.

Felix finally turned his head to look at Hyunjin. "Do you wanna kiss again?"

Hyunjin almost fell off the bed.

Felix groaned, covering his face. "Never mind, forget I said anything."

Hyunjin blinked rapidly before scrambling down from the top bunk, landing on the floor with a quiet thud.

Felix peeked through his fingers.

Hyunjin raised a brow. "You do know if you say something like that, I'm not just gonna forget it, right?"

Felix groaned. "Shut up."

Hyunjin smirked, leaning down. "So... yes?"

Felix hesitated, then sighed, dropping his hands. "Yes."

Hyunjin grinned, then—without another word climbed onto the bed, slotting himself beside Felix.

They stared at each other.

Then, at the same time, they moved.

The first kiss had been a surprise. This one was different—intentional.

Felix sighed against Hyunjin's lips, his hands moving up to tug at his hoodie, pulling him closer. Hyunjin hummed, smiling into the kiss, tilting his head to deepen it slightly.

They weren't in a rush. Just taking their time.

When they finally pulled away, Felix stared at him, dazed.

Hyunjin chuckled, brushing a thumb across his cheek. "Not awkward anymore, huh?"

Felix scoffed. "Shut up."

Hyunjin kissed Felix again, slower this time, pressing in just enough to make Felix shiver.

Felix's hands curled into the fabric of Hyunjin's hoodie, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush. The warmth between them was intoxicating, like they had stepped into something they couldn't pull away from—not that either of them wanted to.

Hyunjin shifted, hovering slightly over Felix, one arm bracing against the mattress while the other traced up Felix's side, fingertips ghosting over the hem of his hoodie. Felix sucked in a breath, heart hammering as Hyunjin deepened the kiss, tilting his head to slot their lips together perfectly.

Felix felt lightheaded.

Hyunjin pulled back just enough to murmur, "You good?"

Felix exhaled, staring up at him. His lips were red, his breathing uneven, and God, he had never wanted to kiss someone more.

Instead of answering, Felix grabbed Hyunjin's face and dragged him down again.

Hyunjin made a surprised noise before melting, groaning softly against Felix's lips as their bodies pressed together. Felix felt everything—the way Hyunjin's fingers dug slightly into his waist, the way his lips moved slow but needy, like he had been waiting for this just as much.

Felix barely registered how one of Hyunjin's hands had slid under his hoodie, resting warm against his waist, fingertips pressing into his skin. A soft gasp left Felix's mouth, and Hyunjin immediately chased it, kissing him deeper, his body pressing him into the mattress.

Hyunjin pulled back slightly, breathing heavily. His gaze flickered down to Felix's lips, then back up to his eyes. "Lixie..."

Felix swallowed. "Yeah?"

Hyunjin just looked at him, like he was debating something. Then, slowly, he ran his thumb along Felix's bottom lip, his own lips quirking up slightly. "You're driving me crazy."