7

The morning light poured gently through the tall windows of the Hwang estate’s living room, golden and soft. Felix walked downstairs, hair still a little damp from his shower, dressed in a simple striped shirt and jeans. His eyes widened slightly when he saw everyone already gathered near the front — Mr. and Mrs. Hwang, Grandma, and Minho all dressed up and standing near their packed bags.

Across the room, Hyunjin sat slouched on the sofa, dressed in casual grey sweats and a plain white shirt, scrolling through something on his phone like he had no intention of joining anyone.

“Good morning,” Felix greeted, walking over with a polite smile.

Mrs. Hwang smiled brightly and reached to squeeze his hand gently. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”

Felix hesitated for half a second. “Yeah. I did.”

He took the empty seat beside Minho, who offered him a soft smile and a quick pat on his thigh. “You look cute,” Minho said under his breath.

Felix smiled, eyes darting briefly toward Hyunjin — who didn’t even glance up from his phone.

Mr. Hwang clapped his hands together lightly. “So, Felix, we’ll be gone for four days. We’re heading to the penthouse to finalize some details for the wedding. Venue, catering, guest lists, decor. It’s all happening fast now.”

Felix nodded slowly. “Of course. That sounds great. I hope everything goes smoothly.”

Mrs. Hwang added warmly, “And don’t worry about a thing here. Hyunjin will be staying behind with you. So you won’t be alone.”

Felix blinked. “Oh… he will?”

Hyunjin’s thumb paused mid-scroll. “Yeah. Apparently.”

Felix turned to the adults quickly. “I mean—it’s really fine. Hyunjin doesn’t need to stay just for me. I’m okay by myself. He must have work and I could stay with my parents—”

Mr. Hwang chuckled. “Your parents are coming with us too, son. It’ll be good for them to be involved in the preparations.”

“And besides,” Mrs. Hwang chimed in, “Hyunjin’s been needing a break. No harm in staying home for a few days.”

Hyunjin muttered under his breath, still not looking up, “Nice to know decisions about me are made so democratically.”

Grandma smiled gently and turned to Felix. “Minho actually insisted you stay. Said it’ll feel more special if you see everything fresh on the wedding day.”

Felix turned to Minho, who just gave him a soft nod like trust me, it’ll be worth it.

Felix offered a polite smile, but there was a tightness in his chest.

Four days.

Alone.

With Hyunjin.

He could already feel the tension twisting under his skin.

“Alright,” he said quietly. “I guess it’ll be nice… to rest a little.”

Mrs. Hwang kissed Felix’s forehead before grabbing her handbag. “Exactly. Don’t overthink. Just relax, both of you.”

As the adults walked out with their luggage, Grandma paused by Felix’s shoulder. “He’s a strange one,” she whispered with a twinkle in her eyes, glancing at Hyunjin, “but he won’t let anything happen to you.”

Felix smiled faintly. “I’m not worried.”

The door shut gently behind them.

Silence.

--------

[Time skip]

Felix lay on his back across the oversized bed, phone to his ear, one arm flung over his eyes like a tragic drama queen. His voice came out flat, exhausted.

“Remind me again why I agreed to any of this?”

“Because,” Han replied dryly, “you have an unhealthy need to be the golden child and said yes to a marriage proposal your inner child didn’t even approve of.”

Felix snorted. “You sound like my therapist.”

“I am your therapist. Just hotter and unpaid.”

There was a pause, then Felix let out a soft laugh — one of those real, breathy ones that came when the weight on his chest lifted for a second. “I missed you, you asshole.”

“Damn right you did,” Jisung said, a little gentler now. “You’ve been ghosting me for days. Thought you got buried under those eleven rooms and forgot how phones work.”

Felix sighed. “No. I just…” He looked up at the ceiling. “The house is big. But I feel suffocated.”

There was a beat of silence. Then, Han's voice came quiet. “That bad?”

“No. Yes. Not in that way.” He groaned. “It’s just—Minho is trying. He’s not the problem. His family’s been... good. But I don’t know where I belong. I feel like a guest in a life that wasn’t meant for me.”

Han hummed. “Sounds lonely.”

“It is.”

“Even with him there?” Han asked carefully. He didn’t say Hyunjin’s name. He didn’t have to.

Felix stayed quiet.

“I didn’t call to dig,” Han said quickly. “I just missed you. I was sitting in the office today, and your fiancé was on a call while I was organizing files and I just thought, ‘Damn, I haven’t heard Felix whine in four days. Am I dead?’”

Felix laughed again, louder this time. “Sorry I ghosted. Life’s been... weird.”

“Weird’s an understatement, babe. You’re getting married into a family that literally has a library, a bar, and a backyard that looks like a resort. Meanwhile, I’m over here getting inappropriate emails from CFOs and pretending I sleep.”

“That’s your own fault.”

“I know,” Jisung groaned.

Felix rolled onto his side, curling up with a pillow. “I’m really glad you called. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear something normal.”

“Babe, I’m not normal.”

“You’re my normal.”

There was silence.

Then, softer, Han replied, “Always will be.”

---

[Time skip]

Felix tossed his phone onto the bed, Han’s voice still echoing in his head from their earlier call.

He was bored.

Bored enough to abandon his cozy nest and walk straight down the hall to Hyunjin’s room.

He didn’t even knock this time.

He opened the door and peeked inside — only to find Hyunjin exactly how he imagined: slouched on his bed, back propped against the headboard, scrolling lazily through his phone like the world was too slow for his standards.

“What are you doing here?” Hyunjin asked without even looking up.

“I wanna watch a movie.”

“Watch it in your own room.”

“No.”

And just like that, Felix was sliding in beside him like he belonged there, grabbing the TV remote from the nightstand like it wasn’t Hyunjin’s sacred space.

Hyunjin finally looked up, sighing. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Thank you,” Felix grinned, already clicking through movie titles.

Hyunjin stared for a second longer, then tossed his phone to the side, resigned.

Felix paused on a horror flick — the cover was all shadows and sharp teeth.

“This one.”

He hit play… and then pause.

“What now?” Hyunjin asked, watching him stand up again.

Felix didn’t answer. He walked to the windows and pulled the curtains shut, one after the other, until the room was completely dark — the only light glowing off the TV screen, casting flickers of blue across their faces.

Felix flopped back down beside him.

“If it’s not dark,” he said, tone dead serious, “I don’t get scared.”

Hyunjin glanced at him sideways. “So you want to get scared?”

Felix smirked. “Obviously. That’s the point.”

A low chuckle left Hyunjin’s lips — soft and unexpected. “You’re weird.”

“ik.”

Hyunjin sighed.

They settled in, shoulders brushing lightly as the movie began. On the screen, something creaked. Felix leaned in just a little closer. Not enough to be obvious — just enough to be noticed.

Hyunjin didn’t move away.

The room was quiet except for the TV, but the tension?

The tension had its own heartbeat.

------

The movie started off slow — the usual suspenseful build-up, dark corridors, whispers behind doors. Hyunjin wasn’t even paying full attention at first, lounging comfortably with one arm tucked behind his head.

Felix, on the other hand, was already hugging a cushion to his chest.

The room was pitch dark. The kind of dark where shadows had weight. The kind where even the glow of the TV felt eerie instead of comforting.

And then — a sharp violin screech. A face popped up on screen, pale and twisted, screaming into the silence.

“AH—!” Felix jolted, jumping so hard he nearly threw the cushion.

Hyunjin, who hadn’t flinched, turned slowly and gave him a look — somewhere between unimpressed and amused. “Seriously?”

Felix’s eyes were wide. “That was a cheap jumpscare!”

“Mmhm.” Hyunjin smirked, turning back to the screen. “You’re such a baby.”

Felix grumbled something under his breath but kept watching — inching ever so slightly closer.

Another creak. A dark hallway. A girl walking toward a door she shouldn't open.

Felix gripped the cushion tighter.

Then — nothing happened. The screen was quiet. Still.

Felix exhaled.

Then—

“BOO.”

Hyunjin leaned in close to Felix’s ear and whispered it low, making sure his breath tickled his skin.

Felix screamed. “YAH!”

He smacked Hyunjin’s arm as the older man burst out laughing — actual, full-body laughter, the kind Felix rarely saw from him.

“You’re such an ass!” Felix hissed, heart racing. “You scared the shit out of me!”

“I was helping with the experience,” Hyunjin said innocently, wiping a tear of laughter from the corner of his eye.

“You’re evil.”

Hyunjin tilted his head. “You’re the one who wanted to be scared.”

Felix was still panting slightly, flustered beyond belief. His cheeks were warm, and not just from fear. “You suck.”

Hyunjin looked at him sideways, his smirk softening just a bit. “Then come here.”

Felix blinked. “What?”

“I won’t scare you anymore,” Hyunjin shrugged, casually lifting his arm off the backrest like an open invitation. “Come on.”

Felix hesitated — just a second — before sighing and sliding over, settling beside him. His head found a spot against Hyunjin’s shoulder, and somehow… it felt natural.

The movie kept playing.

But now, Felix didn’t flinch as much.

And Hyunjin didn’t move away.

In fact, when the next scream came from the TV, Hyunjin leaned in just a bit more — enough for his cheek to brush Felix’s temple.

“You okay?” he whispered.

Felix nodded, his voice small. “Yeah.”

“Good.”

He didn’t say anything else.

But the smirk on Hyunjin’s face never left.

-------

The movie ended with a quiet fade to black, leaving only the credits and soft ominous music humming in the dark room.

Felix stirred, lifting his head slightly off Hyunjin’s shoulder. “Well. That was... horrifying.”

Hyunjin smirked, not looking away from the screen. “You mean hilarious.”

Felix shot him a look as he stretched a little, his hand brushing Hyunjin’s chest as he shifted. “I should probably go to my room…”

As he sat up just a little, Hyunjin’s voice stopped him. Low. Lazy. Purposeful.

“You sure?” He didn’t even look at him — just spoke casually, like a bored thought. “You know what happens after, right?”

Felix blinked. “…What?”

Hyunjin let the silence hang before answering, “That’s when the ghost really shows up. Right when you're alone. Right after the main character thinks it’s safe.”

“…Hyunjin.”

“Bet your curtains are open, too.”

Felix immediately slid back down into the warmth beside him.

Hyunjin chuckled. “Thought so.”

“I hate you,” Felix grumbled, but he was already curled back under Hyunjin’s arm, head resting near his collarbone now, one knee tucked up on the bed.

Hyunjin just smiled, grabbing his phone from the side and opening reels.

Felix peeked up at the screen. “What are you watching?”

“Dumb stuff.” Hyunjin turned it slightly toward him so Felix could see. “But it’s more fun when someone reacts with me.”

An ai video of cat doing backflips. A guy screaming when a balloon popped. A toddler roasting his dad.

Felix snorted against his shoulder, trying not to laugh too loud. “Send me that one.”

“I don't have your Id, Genius.”

Felix made a face. “Right.”

Then, without thinking too much, he murmured, “Search me. I’ll accept when I go back to my room.”

Hyunjin paused, glancing down at the boy resting so casually against him. “Giving me VIP access, huh?”

“Don’t be dramatic.” Felix rolled his eyes. “It’s just Instagram.”

Hyunjin smirked as he typed in the username. “Felix_Lixxie? Are you twelve?”

Felix grabbed a pillow and smacked his chest lightly. “Shut up.”

The arm around him tightened just slightly as Hyunjin laughed — the quiet kind, breathy and unguarded. On the screen, another reel played, but neither of them were really watching now.

The horror was long gone.

But the warmth?

Still very much there.

------

The room had fallen quiet — no jump-scares, no ridiculous reels, just the low hum of the TV still glowing in front of them.

Hyunjin glanced down when he felt the subtle shift beside him.

Felix’s breathing had slowed, eyes shut, his head still against Hyunjin’s shoulder. For a second, Hyunjin didn’t move — just stared, blinking as a weight settled in his chest he didn’t quite know how to name.

He looked peaceful. Trusting.

Hyunjin, careful not to wake him, slid his arm from behind Felix’s back and gently eased him down against the pillows. He adjusted Felix’s hoodie collar, fingers brushing along his neck as he made sure he wasn’t in an awkward position.

“Idiot,” he mumbled under his breath. “Should’ve gone to your room if you were sleepy.”

But the words didn’t have bite.

They were quiet. Fond.

He should’ve pulled away.

He really, really should’ve.

But something about the way Felix’s lips parted slightly in sleep made him pause.

Just one kiss.

Barely a second.

He leaned in, lips brushing Felix’s in a whisper-soft touch, planning to pull back immediately.

But before he could, Felix’s hand came up — slow but sure — curling into the front of Hyunjin’s shirt.

And then Felix kissed back.

It wasn’t soft like Hyunjin’s. It was needier. Hungrier.

Like he’d been waiting for it longer than he even realized.

Hyunjin inhaled sharply, bracing himself over Felix, kissing him deeper this time, his hand sliding to the side of Felix’s face. Their lips moved together like instinct, breath mingling, heat rising between them as the quiet room turned into something else entirely.

Then Hyunjin’s lips left Felix’s mouth — just for a second — and trailed down to his jaw, then lower, to the side of his neck. He felt the pulse there, strong and fast. He kissed it, then again, slower this time, as Felix tilted his head ever so slightly, giving him access.

Felix’s fingers tightened against Hyunjin’s shirt.

It was dangerous.

This was dangerous.

But Hyunjin couldn’t stop.

Not when Felix was melting under him like this. Not when this felt like the only real thing in a house full of lies.

Hyunjin’s teeth grazed Felix’s neck — gentle at first, then firmer, as if testing how far he could push.Felix gasped, hips shifting under him.

“Hyun—”

His name cracked in Felix’s throat, barely a whisper — like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to say it like that.

Hyunjin groaned low at the sound, the tip of his tongue soothing over the mark he’d made. His fingers slid beneath the hem of Felix’s hoodie, calloused knuckles brushing warm skin.

“You’re burning up,” Hyunjin murmured against his collarbone. “Is this because of me?”

Felix’s breath hitched. His hand fisted the fabric of Hyunjin’s shirt, tugging him closer, legs parting instinctively — like his body was answering before his brain could.

The kiss that followed wasn’t hesitant anymore. It was starved. Deep. Messy.Teeth. Tongue. Breath.Felix’s teeth scraped Hyunjin’s bottom lip, and Hyunjin bit back a growl, grinding down hard enough to draw a moan that echoed through the room.

“Fuck,” Felix gasped — sharp, unfiltered.

Hyunjin didn’t stop.

His hands slid under the hoodie and pushed it up in one fluid motion, revealing flushed skin and the faint twitch of Felix’s stomach as he exhaled.

“God, you’re unreal,” Hyunjin whispered — almost to himself — before lowering his mouth to kiss along the ribs, tongue hot, unhurried.Each kiss a warning.Each lick a claim.

Felix whimpered, fingers threading into Hyunjin’s hair. “Hyunjin…”

“You sure you want this?” His voice dropped — low, dangerous. “Because if you say yes… I won’t stop. I won’t be gentle.”

Felix looked down at him, dazed, lips parted, eyes black with want.“Yes.”

That was all it took.

Hyunjin’s control shattered.

He hauled Felix upright just enough to drag the hoodie off and tossed it aside, then peeled his own shirt over his head.Skin met skin.Hot. Electric. Breath tangled between them.

Their mouths crashed again, rougher now — a silent war of teeth and tongues. Hyunjin’s hand slid down Felix’s thigh, grabbed behind his knee, and pulled it over his waist.

“You don’t know,” he growled into Felix’s neck, “how many times I’ve thought about this. How long I’ve waited.”

Felix’s arms locked around his neck, voice wrecked. “Then show me.”

Hyunjin wasted no time. He gripped Felix’s hips, sweatpants stripped in seconds, tossed to the floor like they didn’t matter.Felix was already hard — twitching, leaking, chest rising fast.

Hyunjin kissed down his torso, tongue flicking cruel and slow over his hipbone just to make him squirm.“You’re so loud,” he murmured, breath hot against Felix’s skin. “What if someone hears?”

“Then stop teasing,” Felix hissed, fingers clawing into his back, “or make me louder.”

That snapped something in him.

Hyunjin pulled Felix’s legs over his shoulders, shoved his own sweats down just enough, and pushed in — slow, too slow — just to feel every inch.Felix cried out, arching off the couch.

“Fuck—Hyunjin—”

“That’s it,” Hyunjin rasped, forehead pressed to his. “Say it again.”

“Hyunjin.”

Felix said it like a sin.Hyunjin took it like a prayer.

He snapped his hips forward — fast, precise, brutal in rhythm but soft in the places that mattered. A thumb under Felix’s eye to catch a tear. A kiss to his cheek when he sobbed his name again.

Felix broke first.

He came with a cry, trembling all over, back arched, nails leaving red half-moons in Hyunjin’s skin.

Hyunjin followed — buried deep, breath shaking, body tight against Felix like he didn’t want to let go.His lips brushed Felix’s cheek, then his mouth.

“Felix,” he breathed again — like a promise, or maybe a warning.

And for one quiet second… they just stayed.Tangling in sweat and breath and silence.

-------