♡︎|38

chapter thirty-eight—✧♡︎✧—

The group stood in a clearing as the staff explained the next activity: an obstacle course in pairs. One person would be blindfolded, the other would guide them.

Hyunjin and Felix turned to each other immediately.

"You're getting blindfolded," Felix said.

Hyunjin scoffed. "Like hell I am."

Felix narrowed his eyes. "Why me?"

"Because I don't trust you to lead me."

Felix put a hand to his chest. "Excuse me?"

Hyunjin crossed his arms. "Lix, I've seen you trip over flat surfaces."

Felix gaped. "And what, you think you'd be any better? You can't even walk in a straight line normally."

Jisung, watching from the side, sighed. "They're literally fighting over who doesn't get blindfolded."

Seungmin groaned. "Shocking."

Felix huffed, stepping closer to Hyunjin. "I refuse to be the blindfolded one."

Hyunjin smirked. "Then we have a problem."

Felix tilted his chin up slightly. "Wanna settle it another way?"

Hyunjin arched a brow. "Like what?"

Felix leaned in, voice dropping. "I don't know... maybe later, when we're alone, we can—" Hyunjin grabbed his wrist. Felix stilled. The tension crackled between them, sharp and electric, the air shifting. Hyunjin's fingers tightened slightly. "You're playing a dangerous game, Lixie."

Felix's breath hitched. "Maybe I like danger."

Hyunjin smirked, his grip loosening, fingers brushing against Felix's palm in a way that felt way too intentional.

Felix swallowed. Damn it.

Jisung clapped his hands loudly. "Okay, that's enough. I can literally feel whatever the hell is happening between you two, and I hate it."

Seungmin muttered, "They're so disgusting."

Changbin sighed. "Just flip a coin or something."

Felix and Hyunjin finally pulled apart, Felix exhaled. "Fine. Coin toss."

Hyunjin nodded. "Fine."

Jeongin, who had been watching all of this in horror, rubbed his temples.

Felix pulled out a coin, holding it up between them. "Heads, you're blindfolded. Tails, I am."

Hyunjin narrowed his eyes. "You better not cheat."

Felix scoffed. "How the hell would I cheat?"

"I don't know," Hyunjin said, tilting his head. "You always find a way."

Felix smirked. "Maybe. But I'm playing fair this time."

He flipped the coin.

Both of them watched as it spun in the air, glinting in the sunlight before landing in Felix's palm. He slapped it against the back of his other hand and slowly lifted his fingers.

Heads.

Felix's grin was instant. Hyunjin's dropped."No," he said immediately.

Felix beamed. "Yes."

Hyunjin looked at him, dead serious. "Flip it again."

Felix laughed. "No take-backs, baby."

Hyunjin groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "This is going to be a nightmare."

Felix bounced on his heels. "I'm gonna have so much fun."

Hyunjin pointed at him. "If I get hurt, you're paying for my hospital bills."

Felix leaned in slightly, voice playful. "I'll take care of you personally, don't worry."

Hyunjin's jaw tensed. Felix just smirked.

Hyunjin scowled as Felix picked up the blindfold, holding it up way too eagerly.

Felix giggled. "Don't be scared, baby."

Hyunjin gave him a look.

Felix just smiled.

Hyunjin pouted the entire time Felix tied the blindfold around his head. "This is humiliating," he muttered.

Felix, grinning ear to ear, tugged the fabric gently. "Aww, poor baby."

Hyunjin huffed. "I hate this already."

Felix leaned in close, voice dropping. "You trust me, don't you?"

Hyunjin froze. Felix knew exactly what he was doing.

Hyunjin exhaled through his nose. "I hate you."

Felix giggled. "Sure you do."

The staff blew a whistle. "Alright, pairs, get in position! The guide will lead their partner through the course using only verbal instructions."

Hyunjin immediately stomped his foot like an angry rabbit. "I refuse."

Felix clapped his hands. "Hyunjin, walk forward."

"No."

Felix laughed. "You're acting like a five-year-old."

Hyunjin crossed his arms. "I'm protesting."

Felix sighed dramatically. "You're so difficult."

"Take the blindfold off."

"Nope."

"This is abuse."

Felix snickered. "C'mon, trust me."

Hyunjin groaned but reluctantly lifted his foot forward.

Straight into a rock. "Ow!"

Felix cackled.

"I hate you!" Hyunjin yelled, clutching his foot.

Felix was crying from laughter. "I—I said walk, not kick the ground."

Hyunjin whipped his head in Felix's direction—except, since he was blindfolded, it was more like he turned aggressively into the void. "I swear, when this is over—"

Felix gasped. "Are you threatening your beloved boyfriend?"

Hyunjin paused.

Felix smirked. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Now keep walking."

The next ten minutes were painful. Hyunjin refused to listen properly—he walked too slow, complained every three seconds, and at one point, refused to move at all. "This is stupid," he muttered. "Just drag me through it."

Felix giggled. "That's not how this works, baby."

"Then I quit."

"No quitting."

Hyunjin sighed deeply but took another step forward. "Where am I now?"

Felix glanced at the course. "A few feet from the log you have to step over."

"Step over?"

"Yeah."

Hyunjin froze.

Felix bit his lip, already anticipating drama.

"Felix."

Felix smiled. "Yes, my love?"

"How big is the log?"

Felix hummed. "You'll be fine."

"How big?"

Felix grinned. "Just a little jump."

Hyunjin panicked. "What if I trip?"

Felix cooed. "Aww, is my big, strong boyfriend scared?"

Hyunjin groaned loudly.

Jisung, from somewhere in the distance, shouted, "For the love of God, just fucking do it already!"

Felix laughed. "Okay, okay—just lift your leg and step over. I promise, you'll be fine."

Hyunjin took a deep breath, lifted his leg—and stumbled slightly as he stepped over. Felix caught his waist immediately, steadying him.

Hyunjin froze again.

Felix was close, his hands warm against Hyunjin's sides.

Hyunjin swallowed. "You still behind me?"

Felix's breath fanned over his neck. "Of course, baby."

Hyunjin's fingers twitched.

Felix squeezed his waist before slowly pulling away. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Hyunjin exhaled. "I still hate this."

By the time they finished, Hyunjin ripped off his blindfold and collapsed onto the ground."Never again," he muttered.

Felix sat beside him, smirking. "You did so well, baby."

Hyunjin shot him a look.

Felix leaned closer, whispering, "I'll make it up to you later."

Hyunjin stared.

Felix winked.

Hyunjin exhaled shakily, then immediately covered his face with his hands.

Jisung groaned. "They're at it again."

Seungmin sighed. "It's never-ending."