14

The long mahogany table glowed under the soft light of the chandelier, porcelain dishes clinking gently as breakfast was served by quiet maids. The scent of eggs, buttered toast, and rich coffee lingered in the air — but the real feast was happening in body language.

Hyunjin and Han were seated side by side, their voices overlapping in playful tones, laughing too much, touching too casually.

Han leaned closer every now and then to say something that made Hyunjin chuckle, a hand brushing over Hyunjin’s wrist far too often to be accidental.

Across from them, Felix sat with his head low, stirring his scrambled eggs without touching them. His eyes barely flicked up from the plate — not even when Hyunjin laughed a little too loudly at something Han whispered.

And next to Felix, Minho didn’t even pretend to eat.

He was staring.

Not discreetly.

His eyes were locked on the pair across the table like he was watching a crime unfold — and maybe he was.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Mr. Hwang was speaking quietly to Ms. Hwang and Grandma, their tones softer, more distant from the chaos at the other end of the table.

“…yes, poor woman,” Ms. Hwang murmured, “we should go see her this weekend.”

Mr. Hwang nodded. “We’ll take the car Friday morning.”

Just then —

“Mom, Dad,” Hyunjin’s voice rang out, casually slicing through the morning calm. “Han and I are going to watch a movie tonight.”

The clatter of cutlery paused. All three elders looked up at once.

Ms. Hwang smiled. “That’s nice, dear. You two enjoy yourselves.”

Hyunjin nodded with a relaxed smile, lifting his coffee like a toast.

They were about to return to their discussion when Grandma suddenly said, “Why don’t Felix and Minho go with you too?”

Felix’s hand froze mid-sip.

Ms. Hwang laughed lightly. “They might want some time alone, mother.”

But Hyunjin — smooth as ever — said, “I don’t mind at all. Do you, Han?”

Han caught on instantly. “Of course not. The more, the merrier.”

Minho opened his mouth — probably to politely refuse — but before a word left his lips, Felix’s voice beat him to it.

“Yes,” he said quickly, lifting his head with a small, practiced smile. “We’ll come along. Sounds fun.”

Minho turned to look at him.

Felix didn’t meet his gaze.

Across the table, Hyunjin’s fingers tapped lightly against the rim of his cup.

Han simply grinned, eyes glinting with mischief as he leaned closer to Hyunjin again.

And just like that — the game was back on.

------

[EVENING – PRIVATE CINEMA HALL]

The room was dimly lit by the flickering trailers on the giant screen, warm leather seats arranged in two rows. A few bowls of popcorn sat untouched, and the chilled air carried a hint of buttery salt and anticipation.

Hyunjin entered first, fingers loosely intertwined with Han’s — just for show, of course. But he made sure Minho saw it.

They made their way to the center row, where four seats had already been reserved — Han, Hyunjin, Felix, and Minho, in that exact order.

"These are ours, right?" Han asked, all innocent smile and wide eyes.

“Mmhm,” Hyunjin hummed, letting Han slide into the far-left seat before taking the one beside him.

Felix stepped into his seat next, swallowing the irritation that bubbled up in his chest as Han rested his head briefly on Hyunjin’s shoulder. He knew it was fake. He knew Hyunjin had told him. But something about it still made his jaw tighten.

Minho silently took the last seat next to Felix, arms crossed, eyes hard.

The lights dimmed further. The movie started.

Ten minutes in, Han was already too comfortable. He laughed a little too loudly, leaned into Hyunjin’s shoulder with his hand lightly brushing over Hyunjin’s thigh. “This part’s so cute,” he whispered into Hyunjin’s ear — but it was loud enough for both Felix and Minho to hear.

Felix turned slightly, brows twitching. His arms were folded tightly across his chest, one leg bouncing.

Minho, on the other side of him, was leaning slightly forward, pretending to be focused on the screen — but his jaw was locked. His grip on the armrest looked like it might snap it in two.

Then it got worse.

Han reached for the popcorn bowl and missed on purpose, fingers landing on Hyunjin’s knee instead.

“Oh—oops,” he giggled, shamelessly.

Hyunjin just smirked, playing into it. “Clumsy,” he whispered, brushing Han’s hand off with a teasing pat.

Felix turned his head sharply, whispering under his breath. “This is getting ridiculous.”

Minho leaned slightly toward him. “Then stop watching.”

Felix’s eyes snapped to him, surprised by the tone.

“Sorry,” Minho said quickly, not looking at him. “Just…hard to ignore.”

Felix swallowed and glanced back at the screen, trying to focus. But it was useless.

Because Han had now taken Hyunjin’s hand, twining their fingers under the armrest like they were teenagers in love. Hyunjin didn’t pull away.

Felix felt heat crawl up his neck.

Minho looked between them, then at Felix, who was visibly uncomfortable. He turned away with a scoff.

But it was Han’s voice that broke the growing silence again.

“Jinnie,” he whispered against Hyunjin’s ear, “you’re so warm.”

Felix flinched like he'd been slapped.

He didn’t mean to — but his hand snapped out and grabbed Hyunjin’s sleeve, tugging him subtly toward himself.

Hyunjin blinked, then turned his head slowly, lips quirking.

Felix leaned in, voice low and clipped. “You’re really enjoying this, huh?”

Hyunjin’s smile widened, but he said nothing — just turned back to the movie, still holding Han’s hand like it meant nothing at all.

And maybe it didn’t.

But to Minho and Felix?

It meant everything.

-------

[Time Skip]

The cool night air hit them as they stepped out into the parking lot, movie still echoing in the background. The overhead lights cast soft glows across their faces, but no one was looking at the stars.

Han leaned into Hyunjin’s side — too close again, but it had become the rhythm of the night. He tugged on Hyunjin’s sleeve and pouted, voice dipping into sugary-sweet.

“Jinnie, I’m hungry,” he said with a slight whine. Kill me, Han thought internally. That sounded straight out of a cringe webtoon.

Hyunjin fought the amused twitch of his lip. “Wanna get dinner?”

Han nodded, giving him big, dramatic eyes.

Hyunjin turned around slightly, voice casual but eyes sharp. “You two wanna come?” He looked at Felix and Minho. “Restaurant’s close by.”

Felix met his gaze for half a second, unreadable, then gave a small nod. “Sure.”

Minho didn’t say a word — just followed.

They made their way to the car.

Hyunjin slipped into the driver’s seat, Han already climbing into the passenger side with a cheerful “Shotgun!” and buckling up like he belonged there.

Felix opened the back door and slid in first, followed by Minho. The tension between them was unspoken but thick.

The car was quiet for a moment as Hyunjin started the engine.

Then Han’s voice chirped from the front, “You’ll order for me, right? You know I get overwhelmed with menus.”

Felix looked out the window, jaw clenched.

Minho sat back, crossing his arms. “You seem perfectly capable of speaking,” he muttered under his breath.

Felix glanced at him, almost startled, then back at the road ahead.

Hyunjin chuckled lowly, tapping the steering wheel. “I’ll pick something good for you,” he said to Han, shooting him a side glance before pulling out of the parking lot.

In the backseat, Felix shifted slightly, arms folded tight, knees brushing Minho’s.

Minho leaned a little toward him and whispered, “How long do we have to watch this show?”

Felix didn’t answer. His eyes stayed on Hyunjin’s hands gripping the wheel, knuckles pale. He looked…too calm.

------

The booth was cozy and dimly lit, flickering candles between them and soft jazz humming in the background. Two couples. One fake, one uncertain. None of them breathing right.

Hyunjin and Han sat side by side — pressed close enough that their shoulders touched, and Han’s hand rested innocently on the table, just close enough for his pinky to graze Hyunjin’s wrist.

Across from them, Felix and Minho sat in stiff silence.

Felix’s eyes kept flicking to the way Han leaned in.

Hyunjin had pulled out his phone and tilted it toward Han. “Look at this,” he said casually, clicking through a gallery of dumb memes.

Han giggled. “Oh my god, wait—go back to that frog one. That’s literally you when you’re mad.”

Hyunjin snorted, turning the phone again. “This is me when you don’t shut up.”

Their laughter bounced off the walls — too soft, too natural. Too rehearsed.

Felix watched them, unmoving. His food hadn’t even arrived yet, but his appetite had already vanished.

Minho hadn’t said a word.

His eyes weren’t on the memes.

They were on Han’s hand, resting near Hyunjin’s, fingers occasionally brushing.

Felix finally muttered, voice low enough only Minho could hear, “Can you believe they’re doing this in front of us?”

Minho didn’t answer. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Hyunjin, noticing the tension, didn’t look away from his phone. But his voice dropped low enough for only Han to hear. “You’re doing perfect.”

Han glanced at him sideways. “Think he’s mad yet?”

“Boiling,” Hyunjin whispered back, lips curling in the faintest smirk.

From across the table, Felix finally spoke. “So…how long has this thing between you two been going on?”

Hyunjin didn’t even flinch. He looked up, phone still in hand, voice airy. “Not long. But it’s…intense. Right, Han?”

Han looked at Felix and smiled, something sad flickering in his eyes that only Felix caught. “Yeah. Intense.”

Felix leaned back slowly, eyes unreadable.

Minho’s jaw clenched — just barely.

The waiter arrived with their drinks.

“Shall we toast?” Hyunjin asked brightly, lifting his glass. “To…new beginnings.”

He clinked his glass with Han’s first.

Then looked across the table.

Felix lifted his glass half-heartedly. Minho didn’t move.

The silence was sharp.

“Minho?” Hyunjin raised a brow.

Minho finally grabbed his glass, looked straight at Han, and said quietly, “To lies.”

The clink that followed was the loudest sound at the table.

-------

[Time Skip]

The four of them stepped out of the restaurant, city lights glimmering, a soft chill in the air that made Felix tug his coat tighter.

Across the street, the small park glittered faintly — fairy lights strung between trees, a little bench under one of them. Quiet. Romantic.

Han’s eyes lit up as he pointed across the road.

“Oh! Jinnie,” he said, tugging Hyunjin’s sleeve, “that bench looks so pretty. Let’s take a picture!”

Felix rolled his eyes subtly.

Han turned, gaze landing right on Minho.

“Minho-ssi~” he said sweetly, “you take really good pictures, right? Can you take one of us?” He even held out Hyunjin’s phone toward him like a polite little devil in disguise.

Minho looked at the phone.

Then at Han.

Then at Hyunjin.

Hyunjin just smiled like it didn’t matter. “Yeah, Minho,” he said lazily, “you don’t mind, right?”

For a moment, Minho didn’t respond.

Felix glanced at him, heart beating just a little faster.

Minho’s jaw tensed — barely noticeable — before he took the phone without a word.

“Thanks!” Han chirped, grabbing Hyunjin’s arm and dragging him toward the bench like a scene from a K-drama.

Felix stood awkwardly to the side, watching them settle onto the bench — Han leaning into Hyunjin’s side, one arm wrapped around his, head tilted adorably on his shoulder.

“Okay! We’re ready!” Han called.

Minho lifted the phone.

Through the screen, he saw it all — Han's fake smile, Hyunjin's calm stare, the way they looked just believable enough to pass as lovers.

And it pissed him off.

He snapped the photo. Once. Twice.

But they didn’t move.

Han suddenly shifted and leaned in — kissed Hyunjin’s cheek.

Felix’s breath caught. His arms folded tighter across his chest.

Hyunjin didn’t even react, just tilted his head slightly like it was nothing.

Click.

Minho lowered the phone.

Han stood and skipped over, reaching for it. “Let me see—”

But Minho didn’t give it immediately.

He stared at Han for a beat longer. “Enjoying yourself?”

Han raised a brow, playing dumb. “Hmm?”

Minho handed the phone back — not gently. “You’re a better actor than I thought.”

Han smiled, calm and sharp. “You’re just a better liar.”

Hyunjin stepped in then, brushing past them toward Felix.

“Wanna go home, Lix?” he asked, loud enough for all three of them to hear.

Felix nodded stiffly, eyes avoiding everyone’s.

But as Hyunjin turned toward the car, his hand slipped behind him — fingers catching Felix’s.

He didn’t say anything.

Felix didn’t let go.

Behind them, Minho lit a cigarette.

Han just watched, phone in hand, fake smile finally slipping into something sadder.

-------

[Time Skip]

The door clicked shut behind them.

Everyone stepped inside — shoes coming off, coats getting handed over to the maids. The warmth of the house wrapped around them like a blanket.

Han leaned into Hyunjin with a quiet yawn. “Today was Fun” he teased under his breath, loud enough for only Hyunjin to hear.

Hyunjin chuckled, low and amused. “Just Wait and Watch” he replied with a wink.

They were just about to head down the hallway toward Hyunjin’s room, Han following a step behind with lazy footsteps and a smug smile, when—

“Hyunjin,” Felix’s voice cut through, calm but sharp.

They all turned.

Felix stood at the foot of the staircase, face unreadable.

“I wanna have a word with you,” he said simply — tone firm, not requesting but expecting.

Then without another word, Felix turned and walked up the stairs — not glancing back once.

Hyunjin blinked slowly.

Then turned his head slightly — eyes dragging between Han and Minho.

Han stood there, back straight, arms folded, looking at absolutely nothing like he hadn’t just kissed Hyunjin in front of Minho a few Mins ago.

Minho, on the other hand, wasn’t pretending anything.

He was glaring.

Right. Into. Han’s. Soul.

Hyunjin’s lips curled, just slightly.

He leaned toward Han and whispered loud enough, “Baby, I’ll be back soon, okay?”

Han nodded without even glancing his way. “Sure,” he said coolly, chewing his cheek, expression blank.

Hyunjin turned and followed Felix up the stairs, hands tucked in his pockets, quiet footsteps echoing behind him.

What no one noticed was the way Han’s eyes flickered — briefly — toward the stairs.

Then back to Minho.

They stared at each other.

No words.

Just silence.

But even silence can scream.

------

[FELIX'S ROOM]

The room was dim, washed in gold from the small bedside lamp. Felix sat against the headboard, legs folded beneath him, arms loosely around his knees. His eyes were half-lidded, not with sleep — but the kind of tired that came from being too full of emotions you couldn’t name.

The door clicked shut, followed by a soft lock.

Felix didn’t look up.

Hyunjin stood there for a second. Watching. Like he could feel the storm thick in the room before stepping into it. Quietly, he walked over and sat beside him, not saying a word yet.

Felix didn’t turn.

Only after a long moment of silence did Hyunjin speak.

“You wanted to talk to me, Lix?”

Felix’s jaw clenched slightly — and then released.

He leaned his head against Hyunjin’s shoulder, like he’d done it a thousand times before, and whispered like a secret he didn’t want to hear himself say:

“Minho’s not refusing the marriage…”A shaky inhale.“So I’m gonna do it.”

Hyunjin didn’t move.

But his heart felt like it stopped.

He blinked once. Twice. Then looked down at the way their fingers slowly slid into each other — Felix’s grip a little tighter than usual.

He swallowed.

Then turned his head to look at him. “No, Lix,” he said softly. “That’s not what you’re gonna do.”

Felix lifted his eyes, lashes damp, throat working hard to hold back the wave rising in his chest. “Then what am I supposed to do, Hyunjin?” he asked, broken. “Wait around for him to have a change of heart while I lose myself trying to protect everyone?”

His voice cracked. “I can’t keep doing that…”

Hyunjin's brows furrowed — not in frustration, but in pain. He cupped Felix’s face gently, his thumb brushing along the damp skin under his eye, his other hand clutching the boy’s smaller fingers like he could tether him there.

“You really didn’t understand what I’m doing,” he murmured. “This isn’t just about me trying to win you. It’s never been that shallow.”

“Then why, Hyunjin?” Felix breathed, exasperated. “Why are you pushing all of this?”

Hyunjin exhaled. His voice dropped, quiet and unshakable.

“Because it’s about him too. I need him to feel. To react. To stop letting life decide for him. I want him to remember what it means to want something — or someone — enough to risk everything.”

Felix blinked through the sting in his eyes. “Even if it hurts me in the process?”

That made Hyunjin flinch. His eyes closed for a moment as he leaned in, resting his forehead against Felix’s like it hurt him to breathe.

“No,” he whispered. “Especially not if it hurts you. I’d burn the whole world before I let that happen.”

“But you’re doing this…”

“Because if I don’t… Minho will spend the rest of his life wearing a perfect suit and dying inside it. You know it, too.”

Felix’s bottom lip trembled.

Hyunjin pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes glinting with the sheen of his own unspoken grief.

“He’s not their property. I know what my parents did for him — but love isn’t obedience. Love isn’t servitude.”

Felix looked down. “He won’t understand that.”

Hyunjin's voice cracked slightly when he said, “Then I’ll force him to.”

A silence stretched between them. Not cold. Not awkward. Just thick with unshed words, raw nerves, and the invisible bruises of things long buried.

Hyunjin reached for him again — this time pulling Felix into his lap, burying his face into the curve of Felix’s neck.

“I’m sorry if this feels like too much. But I swear to you, Lix… this isn’t just about me wanting to have you.”

Felix let out a small, broken sound — not quite a sob. He gripped Hyunjin’s shirt tight in his fists.

Hyunjin kissed the side of his neck softly. “I want you to be free. And I want Minho to be free too. Even if it means he hates me for a while.”

Felix’s voice was barely audible.

“I just don’t wanna lose anyone.”

“You won’t,” Hyunjin said, firm and slow. “I promise you. This time… you’ll win. All of us will.”

And as Felix buried himself tighter into Hyunjin’s arms, a quiet tear slid down Hyunjin’s cheek too — silent, invisible, but honest.

Because saving people sometimes meant letting them break first.

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