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𝐇 𝐈 𝐃 𝐃 𝐄 𝐍

"What are you talking about?"

Hyunjin asked pretending not to understand, he looked up from his feet at Minho's eyes and then focused on Jeongin. Minho opened his mouth to answer but Jeongin cut him off.

"We won't force you, Hyun, but we are here in case you are in need of support or advices with him.
Moreover, just know that I think Felix likes you too" Jeongin agreed looking at the taller.

Hyunjin was sweaty due their long practice but he probably would have sweated anyway.

It meant that two of his friends knew about his feelings for Felix, it would have lead to increasing of chances of JYPE finding out. It would have ruined everything if that had happened.
Fans would have overreacted to the news (negatively or even too positively).
Stray Kids' performances, and perhaps even their career, would be affected in one way or another.

What if Felix reciprocated?
The problems would have doubled if not tripled.

This was overall what Hyunjin had been thinking for years. That was why that feeling had to stay hidden.

After a brief moment of silence, Hyunjin found the strength to give them an answer.
"I don't like him", he lied, "I mean.. of course I do, but as a friend".

'That's the biggest lie that I've ever said'

Felix's heart shattered in pieces at that moment.

'He doesn't like me, Hyunjin doesn't like me..
He does not as I do. I should just give up'

Hyunjin felt nothing for him.
Right? Or at least, this was what he had just said.
Felix wanted to hide, he wanted to disappear.

Felix had come out of the locker room together with Chan and they had seen Hyunjin, Jeongin and Minho talking while standing by the sofas.
He was about to tell them to get ready to have lunch when he suddenly heard Jeongin saying "I think Felix likes you too" to Hyunjin.

Felix had smiled at that sentence, feeling almost confident that Hyunjin would have said that he did like him.
But that was not what he had done.

There weren't any reasons why Hyunjin would have lied to his friends, were there?
So what he had said defined was true, Felix believed.

Chan had stayed with Felix to listen to that part of the conversation just ahead of the locker room's door, trying to go unnoticed by the three boys.
He knew well that eavesdropping was indeed wrong. On the other hand, he, too, needed to know what Hyunjin would have replied.
'What the hell? Seriously?'

Chan looked into Felix's eyes, now shiny and filled with tears ready to fall.
'I'd like to hug Lix, protect him from his own tears, but I can't.'

Then Chan moved his attention to Hyunjin.
His hand. Hyunjin's right hand was shaking. Why?
The older brought his gaze to Felix, the latter had his eyes fixed on Hyunjin.
'Nonetheless, he still longs for him.'

"Yes, sure, 'as a friend'" Minho commented with sarcasm, a provocative grin formed on his lips.

"Anyway, I'm hungry", he added as his stomach rumbled and went to the locker room.