Unbound Lust || hyunlix

Chapter 1: Collision in the Night

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The bass pulsed through the walls of the bar, rattling glasses and reverberating off the dimly lit space. It wasn't just any night at Thermo, the underground gay bar hidden deep within the heart of the city—it was a night where shadows mingled with secrets, and the most unexpected encounters brewed like storms on the horizon.

Hyunjin sat at the back of the bar, his eyes hidden beneath the brim of his black fedora, the sleek line of his coat framing his body as he leaned against the booth. His presence commanded attention, though he was far from the neon-lit dance floor. If anyone dared to look his way, they might catch the sharp glint in his eye—a cold, calculating gaze that reflected years of navigating the underworld's darkest alleys. But no one here knew what he was doing. Not yet.

He was the head of The Crows, the highest rank of the most dangerous mafia syndicate in the city. His task tonight was simple: find the informant, get the intel, and disappear back into the shadows. No one was supposed to notice him. It was just another mission.

But nothing about tonight would go as planned.

The door to the bar swung open with a loud creak, the dim light from outside briefly illuminating the figure stumbling inside. The crowd barely noticed—except for Hyunjin, whose sharp eyes flicked up the moment he heard the commotion. The man who entered looked out of place, his tousled hair a golden halo under the bar's flickering lights. His leather jacket clung to his lean form, and the confident strut in his walk was marred only by the slight sway in his step, an obvious sign that he had been drinking.

Felix wasn't supposed to be here. In fact, he had no idea where "here" was. After an insane night of bar-hopping with his friends, they had decided to ditch him, leaving him drunk, irritated, and on autopilot as he wandered the streets. The last thing he remembered was finding the flashing neon sign of Thermo and walking in, thinking it was just another place to crash.

He weaved his way through the crowd, eyes scanning the room, though his vision was a little hazy. The thumping beat was like a second pulse in his head, but Felix wasn't the kind of guy who let anything faze him. He was stubborn, headstrong—a dominant force even when he was out of his element. He shoved his way to the bar, completely unaware of the pair of eyes tracking his every move.

Hyunjin's gaze narrowed. The newcomer wasn't part of the deal. His contact should have been here by now, but the golden-haired man at the bar caught his attention. Hyunjin didn't like unexpected surprises, and this one seemed to have walked right into his line of fire.

Felix finally slumped onto a barstool, ordering a drink with a flick of his wrist. His voice was a deep rasp, roughened by the alcohol but still holding a commanding presence. The bartender gave him a cautious look before setting down a glass of whiskey.

"Rough night?" came a low voice from behind him.

Felix tensed slightly, feeling the proximity of someone too close for comfort. He turned slowly on the stool, his vision clearing just enough to make out the man standing in the shadows. Black coat, dark hat, a sharp jawline that looked like it could cut through steel. Dangerous, Felix thought. This guy didn't belong here either, but not for the same reason Felix didn't.

"Who's asking?" Felix replied, his tone challenging as he set his glass down.

Hyunjin smirked. Felix's attitude amused him, a flicker of something interesting in an otherwise boring night. "Just a guy making conversation," he said, though his eyes betrayed something deeper.

Felix raised an eyebrow, his confidence slowly returning despite the alcohol still buzzing in his veins. "I don't do conversation," he shot back, leaning slightly forward. "I do what I want. Got a problem with that?"