Deep End | Hyunlix

15

Felix blinked, confused. His voice? Where have I heard his voice before? he thought, trying to recall. His mind raced until it clicked. That's right. It was the same man he had met at this very café, just the day before the mission. What was his name again? Felix mentally slapped himself for forgetting, but it didn't matter. He couldn't deny that the man looked just as striking as before. His tall frame, sharp features, and those blue eyes, Felix couldn't get them out of his mind. He felt himself getting lost in those eyes once again.

"Oh, um, hello," Felix said awkwardly, feeling a blush creep up on his cheeks as he tried to gather himself.

The man smiled slightly, stepping closer. "Oh, sorry. You may not remember me. We met here a few months ago," he said, extending his hand in greeting. "My name is Hyunjin."

Felix hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to shake his hand. His mind was still reeling from the shock of recognition. He had gotten so lost in those eyes that he had forgotten to respond.

"Hyunjin, that's right," Felix muttered, still caught up in the man's gaze. How could I forget those blue eyes? He's so handsome too, Felix thought, completely entranced.

He snapped back to reality when he realized he hadn't answered. "Oh, sorry," Felix said quickly, his face turning redder from the embarrassment of getting lost in thought. "I'm Felix. It's nice to meet you... again."

Hyunjin chuckled softly. "Glad to see that your eye has healed up."

Felix blinked in confusion. "My eye?"

Hyunjin's chuckle deepened. "You had a black eye the last time I saw you. I think you said you ran into a wall?"

Felix blushed even deeper, the memory flooding back. How embarrassing that he remembers that. "Yeah, it's much better, thank you."

Hyunjin nodded with a knowing smile, but then started to turn away. However, he paused and looked back at Felix. "Do you mind if I join you?"

Felix had just taken a sip of his drink, and he nearly choked when he heard the question. He started coughing, his body fighting the liquid as it went down the wrong pipe. He struggled to regain his composure.

"I'm sorry!" Hyunjin exclaimed, clearly startled.

Felix waved him off, still coughing into his hand. Once he managed to stop, he cleared his throat. "No, no, you're fine. You just caught me off guard. Umm, yes, you're welcome to join me. Though I wasn't planning to stay much longer."

Hyunjin smiled. "Perfect, let me go order."

Felix watched as the man walked toward the counter. There's something about him that's so familiar, Felix thought, unable to shake the feeling that he'd seen Hyunjin before. His thoughts raced as he tried to place where he'd seen him, but it didn't come to him.

When Hyunjin returned and sat down across from Felix, the air between them felt unexpectedly tense, and Felix couldn't understand why. The casual conversation felt awkward, the silence stretching longer than it should have.

Felix finally broke it. "Have we met anywhere else? You just seem so familiar," he asked, trying to figure out if the man was someone he should recognize.

For a split second, Felix thought he saw something flicker in Hyunjin's eyes, a hesitation, a brief uncertainty. Did I push a button? Felix wondered. I feel like there's more to this story.

Before Hyunjin could answer, his phone rang. He got up quickly, stepping outside to take the call. Felix watched him go, feeling a strange unease gnawing at him. Why was he feeling so on edge? Something about the whole situation felt off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Felix pulled out his phone and made his own call as Hyunjin stepped outside. His hands were shaking slightly as he dialed I.N's number, his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced outside, hoping Hyunjin wouldn't see what he was about to do.

"Felix?" I.N's voice came through the phone, sounding concerned.

"I.N, I'm going to send you a photo. I need you to run facial recognition."

"Okay. I can do that. What's going on?"

"I'm just looking into something. Just tell me what you find. And I.N, this stays between us. I gotta go. I'll send over the photo now." Felix ended the call abruptly, not giving I.N a chance to ask more questions.

Felix quickly snapped a photo of Hyunjin when he turned to look in his direction, sending it off to I.N before Hyunjin came back inside. His heart raced as he shoved the phone back into his pocket, just in time for the door to open, signaling Hyunjin's return.

Hyunjin walked back in, irritation still evident on his face from the phone call. But when his eyes landed on Felix, he froze. Felix had taken a picture of him while he was outside. A strange feeling crawled up Hyunjin's spine. Well, things just got interesting, he thought, though he couldn't shake the anxiety settling in his chest.

"I hate to run, but I have to get back," Hyunjin said, breaking the silence.

Felix nodded, offering him a small smile. "It's okay. I should probably get back as well."

"I would love to see you again... if you wanted to," Hyunjin added, his tone slightly teasing.

Felix was caught off guard, his brow furrowing slightly. "You would?"

"Of course," Hyunjin said, his voice softening. "This might be a bit forward, but can I take you out later this week?"

Felix hesitated, genuinely surprised. "Umm... I—I don't know."

Hyunjin grinned, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a sleek black card. "Well, here's my card with my number. Give me a call when you do."

Felix took the card, their fingers brushing together. A strange shock ran through him, and he felt a mix of emotions that he couldn't quite process. What the hell was that?

"I look forward to hearing from you," Hyunjin said with a warm smile before he turned and left, leaving Felix speechless and uncertain.

Felix stood there, staring at the card in his hand, feeling more confused than ever. The encounter had stirred something inside him, but he couldn't tell if it was a good or bad feeling. As he stood there, lost in thought, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he was caught in something much bigger than he realized.

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1071 words