perfect actors|| hyunlix ❀

chapter 6

Hyunjin groaned as his stylist pulled at his hair one last time. "Do I really have to look this perfect?" he complained, his voice muffled by hairspray.

Felix, lounging on the couch, snorted. "You're going to look like a wax statue if you keep whining."

Hyunjin shot him a glare. "Oh, please, you're just a couch potato. At least I have to deal with this nonsense."

"You love it," Felix replied, not bothering to open his eyes.

After what felt like ages, Hyunjin was finally ready. He slipped into his tailored suit and joined Felix, who had transformed into someone much more put together than just moments ago.

"You look like you're going to a funeral," Hyunjin remarked, eyeing Felix's serious outfit.

Felix rolled his eyes.

As they stepped out of the car, the bright flashes of camera lights hit them. The act of being a loving couple kicked in right away. Hyunjin wrapped an arm around Felix's waist, pulling him close, a forced smile on his face.

"Hyunjin-ssi and Felix-ssi, how does it feel to be one of the hottest couples in the industry?" a reporter shouted.

Hyunjin cleared his throat. "It's an honor, of course. But we're just ordinary people trying to live our lives."

Felix leaned in and whispered, "Yeah, ordinary people with a personal chef and a stylist."

Hyunjin elbowed him. "Seriously, we're grateful for the support."

The restaurant buzzed with noise, cameras flashing, and reporters shouting questions as Hyunjin and Felix walked hand-in-hand toward their table.

"Can you tell us about your dream wedding?" a reporter called out.

Hyunjin glanced at Felix, who was already shaking his head. "We haven't really thought that far ahead," he replied, sarcasm dripping from his words. "Maybe a wedding in Antarctica?"

Felix snorted. "Or maybe on the moon."

The reporters laughed, their attention momentarily diverted. Hyunjin and Felix exchanged a glance. They might be faking it, but they were good at it.

As the main course arrived, Hyunjin dramatically cut into Felix's steak. "Try this, darling," he said, his voice dripping with fake affection.

Felix took a bite. "It's steak, Hyunjin. I can eat it."

Hyunjin pretended to be hurt. "How can you say that to the guy who's about to feed you?"

The reporters chuckled, their cameras capturing the moment as Hyunjin and Felix exchanged amused glances. It was exhausting, but also kind of fun.

As dinner wrapped up, they finally managed to slip away from the reporters. The weight of their carefully constructed lie fell away as the restaurant door closed behind them.

"I can't believe we have to do this again tomorrow," Hyunjin groaned.

Felix stretched. "At least we get to eat good food."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes. "That's the only good thing about this whole act."

They climbed into the car, tired but strangely excited. As the vehicle pulled away from the restaurant, they leaned back and closed their eyes for a moment. For now, they were just Hyunjin and Felix, trying to escape the madness of fame.

As the car glided through the city streets, the neon lights flickered outside, casting colorful shadows inside. Hyunjin sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair, which still looked great despite the chaos of the night. "You know, we could just tell them the truth," he mused, glancing at Felix, who was scrolling through his phone.

Felix raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. "And what truth is that? That we're just two guys pretending to be in love for the cameras?"

"Exactly! It could be a new trend—' Reality TV: The Real Edition,'" Hyunjin replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Felix chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't think the fans would like that. They love the fantasy we've created."

"Yeah, well, the fantasy is tiring," Hyunjin said, leaning his head against the window. "I'm not sure how much longer I can take this."

Felix put his phone down and turned to face him. "Come on, it's not all bad. We get to eat fancy food, wear nice clothes, and sometimes make people laugh. Plus, we have each other to get through it."

Hyunjin smiled, grateful for Felix's support. "I guess you're right. It's just... sometimes I wish I could be normal for a day."

Felix nodded, his expression softening but still dripping with sarcasm. "I'd love that. A day at the beach, maybe? Just relaxing, no one bothering us."

"Sounds perfect," Hyunjin said, his eyes glaring at the thought. "We could build sandcastles and eat ice cream."

"Exactly! And I'd totally win the sandcastle competition," Felix teased, puffing out his chest like he was already claiming victory.

"Please, I'd build the most epic castle—towers, moats, the whole works," Hyunjin shot back, his competitive spirit igniting. "I'll even add a drawbridge."

Felix laughed, the sound lifting the mood in the car. "Alright, Mr. Architect. We'll just have to schedule that beach day between all the 'oddinary' couple events we have lined up."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Hyunjin groaned as they pulled up to their apartment building. "More interviews, more photoshoots..."

As they stepped out of the car, the familiar weight of their public personas settled back onto their shoulders. The doorman greeted them with a polite nod, and they exchanged greetings, slipping back into their roles easily.

Once inside the elevator, Hyunjin pressed the button for their floor and leaned against the wall, exhaling deeply. "Can't we just skip the next event and go straight to our beach day?"

Felix chuckled, leaning beside him. "If only it were that easy. But hey, at least we have each other to complain to."

"True," Hyunjin said, a smile creeping back onto his face. "And we make a pretty decentteam, even if we are just pretending."

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into their apartment, the weight of the world lifting off their shoulders as they closed the door behind them.

"Home sweet home," Felix declared, flopping onto the couch. "Finally, I can relax."

Hyunjin joined him, sinking into the cushions. "Let's order takeout and binge-watch something. We deserve it."

Felix grinned, pulling out his phone. "I'll get the food. You pick the show. But if you choose another romantic drama, I'm going to lose it."

"Deal," Hyunjin laughed, already scrolling through the streaming options. "But just remember, we're the hottest couple in the industry. We have to keep up appearances, right?"

Felix rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't forget to save some of that energy for our next 'oddinary' couple event."

As they settled in for the night, they felt a glimmer of hope in their connection. It was strange but better than nothing.