city of stars

LVIII

The stores are as quiet as always. Filled with identical, monochrome garments, Hyunjin sees little reason to linger here.

But Changbin insisted, and dragged everybody out. Hyunjin didn’t know what excuse he gave to the rest of the group, but Hyunjin was here solely because everyone else was.

Because ‘alone’ was a scary word and as much as he wished he could spend the evening at home, the studio would always echo when he’s not with someone, and his bedroom would look emptier, more desolate.

Actually, as of late, he’s been sleeping on the couch. His bed felt too big, too cold. The couch was fine. He was okay on the couch.

“Deep in thought there, hyung. Loosen up.” Seungmin punched Hyunjin’s shoulder lightly, knocking him out of his silent spiral.

“He never stops thinking, does he.” Wooyoung said from where he was inspecting a rack of shirts, playing with his boyfriend’s fingers as he pondered between two. If there was one person Hyunjin had not missed over the years, it was him. Not because he disliked the younger, but rather because Wooyoung was loud. And in his business.

“Someone has to make up for your lack of brains, and it’s not gonna be Sannie.” Seonghwa called from somewhere up ahead.

San made a face, and Wooyoung rolled his eyes. “It’s a shopping trip, hyung. You don’t need brains. Right Lix?”

Felix startles, but smiles bashfully. He had been dragged along by the couple, conversing with them like he’d known them for years instead of just meeting Wooyoung literally minutes ago.

Hyunjin didn’t get that. It had taken weeks, months even, for Felix to open up to him. But here was Wooyoung, accomplishing the same in mere seconds.

Here was his Felix, smiling bright enough to light up the entire mall, and it was all because Wooyoung said something?

Frowning, Hyunjin looked away.

“You okay?” Seungmin whispered, and the artist almost jumped out of his skin.

“I keep forgetting you’re right there.” He said through an exhale, watching Seungmin grin wider.

“Felix looks happy.”

“He does.”

Seungmin grinned suddenly, as if catching onto something Hyunjin missed.

“What?” Annoyance and irritation itched under his skin, souring his mood. God, why was he in such a bad mood today?

“Nothing.” Seungmin exchanged a look with Jisung and Minho, before slipping away to grab a pair of shoes that caught his eyes. As he left, he squeezed Hyunjin’s arm, seemingly sympathetic to something Hyunjin wasn’t even aware of.

A bright peal of laughter caught his attention then, and his eyes snapped towards the sound. In the last few seconds, he had lost sight of Felix, and now the group had moved on, Wooyoung’s arm slung over the younger’s shoulder, their heads leaning in so close they were almost touching as they looked at something on a lower shelf.

Nearby, San was pushing a shopping cart, seemingly content hanging back and listening to Changbin rant about something or other with a concentrated and slightly disapproving look on his face.

Felix laughed again, covering his mouth with a hand, looking at Wooyoung in shock, as if the elder said something scandalous, which knowing Wooyoung was more than probable.

Felix dressed up that day. Hyunjin had noticed it immediately, even before the younger got in the car. His hair wasn’t brushed back as usual, but rather a loose curl was tucked behind his ear and his nails were shining with clear polish. There was a light blush over his cheeks, from running down three flights of stairs, but his usual sleepless nights didn’t show on his face. Instead, he was bright, and happy, and there was a thin black choker on his neck, complete with a small star.

Who had given it to him? Probably Jisung, right? It couldn’t be Wooyoung, they just met but…. San? Felix had met him when he visited the jail for Seungmin.

Speaking of Seungmin…

The puppy-like boy was taking off his sweater, draping it over his friend’s shoulders, hugging Felix like they were at home and not in the middle of a department store.

Seungmin didn’t even like hugs.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, mood souring even more.

“You okay?” A deep voice asked from nearby, and Hyunjin almost snapped at the elder.

“I’m fine. Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

Minho looked at him with something akin to amusement and pity. “You look downright murderous today, Hwang.”

Hyunjin unclenched his jaw. “I’m fine.” He gritted out. “Headache.”

“Headache.” Minho repeated, a strange smile playing over his face. “Sure.” He wisely moved away before Hyunjin could snap at him.

Meanwhile, Felix was smiling again, this time at San, and Hyunjin felt his headache amp up. The bright, fluorescent lights of the store seemed to drill directly into his brain, like a dentist with no anesthesia.

Massaging his temples, Hyunjin ducked behind a rack of coats, only to bump into Changbin.

“Weren’t you with San a moment ago?” He muttered, stepping back as the elder straightened up.

“Yeah, like half an hour ago.” Changbin gave him a weird look. “Are you feeling alright, Jinnie?”

“I’m fine.”

“Mm. If you say so.” Still looking at him oddly, Changbin brushed past him, going back to San with a pair of black gloves, tossing them in the cart the other was pushing. San gave him a bright smile, dimples flashing, and then turned back to Felix, giving him the same undivided attention San gave everyone he talked to.

It was intimidating at first, how focused San became on the conversation he was having, but over time Hyunjin got used to it. Felix, it seemed, hadn’t yet, because he was blushing a little, explaining something as they walked side by side, following Wooyoung.

“The necklace suits him, no?” A smooth voice ripped him from his once-again spiraling thoughts.

“Huh?”

Seonghwa smiled. It was condescending and motherly, and Hyunjin bit back the urge to roll his eyes. “Felix’s necklace.” he clarified calmly. The rest of the group had moved far ahead of them, so Seonghwa took his arm as they talked, leading him out of the corner he’d been hiding in.

“I guess.” he didn’t mean to sound as petulant as he did, but it came out anyway, and Seonghwa’s lips quirked up even more in response.

“And he’s getting along really well with Woo and Sannie.” He paused for a moment, and this time Hyunjin could hear the teasing smile he wore, no doubt, on his face. “Careful, or we might steal him from you.”

“You won’t.” He snapped, too quickly.

Seonghwa laughed, shaking his head as if Hyunjin was missing something obvious. “Jisung wasn’t kidding, huh.”

“What does Ji—”

“You’re jealous, Hyunjin-ah.” Seonghwa pointed out simply, his words registering at the same moment as the rest of the group came into view.

“There you two are!” Wooyoung called out immediately. “Hwa-hyung, I—”

Hyunjin is left gaping after Seonghwa as the elder is dragged away, his words still processing. He’s not given much time to ponder this either, because Felix materializes beside him, looking exhausted but happy. There’s a slightly flushed look to his face, like he’d been running (with Wooyoung, anything is possible) and there’s a stubborn sprout sticking up on top of his head, not unlike the one Jeongin often has.

“Hi.” He whispers, a little shy.

“Hi.” Hyunjin finds himself whispering back, enamoured. He reaches up, smoothing his hair down, ignoring the knowing look Changbin was shooting them.

Maybe Seonghwa was right. Maybe he wasn’t. Hyunjin was content to never find out.

“You two, don’t fall behind!” Wooyoung called from up ahead, his voice echoing a little.

And Felix grabbed Hyunjin’s hand, pulling him along without a second thought, happy and carefree as their locked hands swung between them.