The Familiar Devil || Minsung

Chapter 4: Unraveled Tension - part 2

"Jisung!" Felix's voice broke through the haze. "Open up, man!"

Jisung rushed to the door, his hands trembling as he fumbled with the lock. When he finally swung it open, Felix burst in, worry etched across his face.

"Where the hell were you?!" Felix demanded, his eyes scanning Jisung's disheveled appearance. "I've been knocking for ages! You weren't answering your phone either!"

Jisung swallowed, his throat dry. He hadn't even noticed his phone buzzing—his mind had been too consumed with Minho and the Abyss. The memory of Minho's touch, his words, still clung to him like a second skin, leaving him dazed and on edge. Was it all just a dream?

"I—I'm fine," Jisung stammered, trying to compose himself. "I just... got a little lost in thought."

Felix raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Lost in thought? Dude, you look like you've seen a ghost."

Jisung forced a weak laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to shake off the lingering effects of his encounter with Minho. "Yeah, maybe something like that..."

Felix's expression softened, concern replacing his initial frustration. "You've been acting weird lately. Is everything okay? You can talk to me, you know."

Jisung hesitated. He wanted to tell Felix the truth—to spill everything about the dreams, the demon, the Abyss. But the words caught in his throat. How could he explain any of it without sounding completely insane? He couldn't tell Felix everything—not yet. Not until he figured it out for himself. "Just... weird dreams," he said, which wasn't entirely a lie.

Felix's expression softened with concern. "The same dreams?"

Jisung nodded, looking away. "Yeah. But it's fine. I'm just tired."

Felix didn't push him further, but Jisung could feel the weight of his worry. The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes before Felix spoke again.

"Maybe you should talk to someone about it. Like a professional."

Jisung gave a weak laugh. "What am I supposed to say? 'Hey, I think I'm being haunted by a demon who might also be kinda hot and I don't know what to do about it'?"

Felix rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "Alright, point taken. Just... don't keep everything bottled up, okay?"

Jisung smiled faintly. "Yeah, I won't."

But even as he said it, he knew it wasn't that simple.

Jisung nodded, grateful for Felix's understanding, even if he couldn't bring himself to explain everything. "Thanks, Lix."

Felix grinned, his mood brightening as he slung an arm around Jisung's shoulders. "No problem. Now, let's get you out of this apartment before you drive yourself crazy."

Jisung let out a small laugh, the tension in his chest easing ever so slightly. "Where are we going?"

"Movie night at Changbin's," Felix said, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hyunjin, Minho and Jeongin are coming too. I figured you could use some company."

At the mention of Minho's name, Jisung's heart skipped a beat. He tried to ignore the way his pulse quickened, forcing a casual nod. "Sounds good."

But as they made their way out of the apartment and toward Changbin's place, Jisung couldn't shake the feeling that this night was going to be anything but ordinary.

_______________•.•_______________

Changbin's apartment was buzzing with energy by the time Jisung and Felix arrived. The living room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the TV casting flickering shadows across the space. Snacks and drinks were scattered across the coffee table, and laughter filled the air as the group settled in for the night.