Serendipity // Hyunlix

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The sun was just beginning to rise over Seoul, casting a soft golden glow through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse. Hyunjin was already awake, standing in the spacious gym area on the lower floor. The  penthouse was modern and luxurious, with every amenity they could possibly need—including a private gym.

Hyunjin moved with fluid grace as he began his warm-up routine. The early morning silence was broken only by the rhythmic sound of his breathing and the soft thud of his feet on the yoga mat. He preferred these early hours, when the world was still and he could find some semblance of peace in the steady repetition of exercise.

Dressed in a simple black tank top and athletic shorts, Hyunjin's lean, muscular body was on full display. His dark hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, strands occasionally falling into his eyes. He didn't mind; the small inconvenience was a welcome distraction from the constant tension that filled his life lately.

He moved to the weights, selecting a pair of dumbbells and starting his routine with bicep curls. The strain in his muscles was a familiar, grounding sensation. Each curl brought a sense of accomplishment, a reminder that there were still things he could control in his life. His mind wandered briefly to Felix, still asleep upstairs in the master bedroom. They had argued the night before—again—about sleeping arrangements. Despite the spaciousness of the penthouse, there was only one bedroom, and neither of them was willing to compromise. Let's just say that the taller male ended up giving in anyway.

Hyunjin sighed, setting the dumbbells back on the rack with a bit more force than necessary. He moved on to the bench press, lying back on the bench and gripping the barbell. He took a deep breath, then pushed up, feeling the familiar burn in his chest and arms.

With each lift, his thoughts became more focused. He thought about the upcoming wedding, the forced smiles, and the charade they had to maintain in front of everyone. He thought about Felix's friends, who had visited the previous evening, and how he had to pretend to be in love with Felix in front of them. The memory of the kiss they had shared, a mere act for their audience, made his heart race despite himself.

"Focus," he muttered under his breath, pushing up the barbell. He needed this workout to clear his mind, to remind himself why he had to stay strong and detached. It was too dangerous to let his guard down around Felix, no matter how attractive he found him.

After several sets, Hyunjin moved to the pull-up bar, his muscles now fully warmed up. He jumped up, gripping the bar tightly, and began his pull-ups. Each lift was a testament to his strength and endurance, the product of years of disciplined training. His breathing grew heavier, his heart pounding in his chest as he pushed himself harder.

Sweat began to bead on his forehead, dripping down his face and neck. He could feel the burn in his muscles intensify, but he welcomed it. Pain was a reminder that he was alive, that he could still feel something in this otherwise numb existence.

As he finished his set, he dropped back to the floor, taking a moment to catch his breath. He walked over to the treadmill, setting it to a challenging pace and beginning to run. The rhythmic pounding of his feet against the belt was almost hypnotic, a steady beat that matched the tempo of his thoughts.

Despite his best efforts, his mind kept drifting back to Felix. The way his freckled cheeks flushed when Hyunjin called him "angel," the way his blonde hair seemed to glow in the morning light, the way his eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and defiance. Felix was everything Hyunjin wasn't—outgoing, cheerful, and impossibly optimistic. And yet, there was something about him that drew Hyunjin in, something he couldn't quite put into words.

"Focus," he repeated to himself, increasing the speed on the treadmill. The world outside the window blurred as he ran faster, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He needed this, needed the physical exertion to drown out the conflicting emotions swirling inside him.