Phantoms|Hyunlix|

~Who Are You~

Felix POV-

The pain in his side was dull now, muted by shock and exhaustion. Felix blinked, struggling to focus.

His mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The figure in the shadows, the attack, and now—this boy, this stranger, who was treating his wound like it was second nature.

Felix squinted, his vision clearing slightly as he stared at the boy's face. There was something familiar about him. Something he couldn't quite place. He searched his memory, trying to pull together the threads of recognition. Then it hit him. The bar.

He'd seen this guy at the bar, hadn't he? The night felt like a blur now, but Felix was sure of it. They'd locked eyes, just for a moment. There had been something in that look, something that felt significant, though Felix couldn't figure out why.

Felix squinted, his vision clearing slightly as he stared at the boy's face. There was something familiar about him, something he couldn't quite place. He searched his memory, trying to pull together the threads of recognition. Then it hit him. The bar.

He'd seen this guy at the bar, hadn't he? The night felt like a blur now, but Felix was sure of it. They'd locked eyes, just for a moment. There had been something in that look, something that felt significant, though Felix couldn't figure out why. But even now, lying in the infirmary with the sting of the wound still lingering in his side, one thing became clear: he didn't even know this guy's name.

Felix opened his mouth, his voice a bit hoarse. "Do I... know you?"

The boy paused, his hands stilling for just a second before continuing to clean the wound. His expression didn't change much, though his eyes flicked up to meet Felix's briefly. "No. You don't."

Felix winced slightly as the antiseptic touched his skin, but the sharpness of the pain was dulled compared to the confusion and curiosity swirling in his mind. Why was this guy helping him? Why did he care? He didn't even know his name, yet here he was, patching him up, like it was his responsibility.

"Why are you... here? Why are you helping me?" Felix's words came out in broken fragments, his exhaustion evident in every syllable.

The boy's jaw clenched slightly, as if he were weighing his words carefully before responding. "I told you. I don't want you dead." He glanced at Felix, his gaze sharper now, almost probing. "That's all you need to know."

Felix frowned. That wasn't an answer. It only left him with more questions. But his body was too weak to press the matter. His head swam, thoughts darting in and out of focus. He was slipping into unconsciousness again, and despite the cold dread that still coiled around his chest, he felt oddly safe. Safe in the presence of someone who, up until now, was just another stranger in the crowd.

"Wait..." Felix mumbled, trying to stay awake. "What's... your name?"

For a moment, there was silence. The boy didn't answer right away, his expression unreadable. His eyes flickered with something—hesitation? Amusement? Felix couldn't tell.

Then, finally, the boy responded, his voice low and almost amused. "Hyunjin."

Felix's lips parted slightly, but before he could say anything else, the darkness pulled him under. His body went limp, surrendering to the overwhelming exhaustion. The name lingered in his mind as he faded out of consciousness.

Hyunjin POV-

Hyunjin watched as Felix's breathing evened out, his body finally succumbing to the pull of sleep. The tension that had gripped him moments before seemed to melt away as the boy's eyes closed. Hyunjin stood there for a while, watching the steady rise and fall of Felix's chest, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't quite sort through.

There was something strange about this—something that felt like more than just coincidence. Hyunjin had felt the pull the moment he saw Felix, a pull that had only grown stronger since. He had meant what he said—Felix was important. More important than even he realised.

Hyunjin knew exactly why he helped Felix. He didn't need to question it, not anymore. Felix was important—more important than even he realised. There was something in him, something vital that could change the outcome of everything. Hyunjin wasn't the type to care for others, but Felix was different. He wasn't just some random student caught in the crossfire—he was the key to stopping the phantoms, and if Hyunjin didn't protect him, no one else would.

After finishing bandaging Felix's wound, Hyunjin stood beside the cot, watching the steady rise and fall of Felix's chest. His breathing had evened out, the worst of the pain and shock behind him for now. But Hyunjin couldn't shake the sense of urgency tightening his chest. The phantoms wouldn't stop. This attack was just the beginning, and Felix wasn't ready for what was coming.

His eyes flickered over the boy's face, peaceful in sleep but still pale from the blood loss. Hyunjin leaned down slightly, brushing his fingers over Felix's wrist to check his pulse. It was weak but steady. A quiet relief washed over him, though it surprised him how much he cared.

He didn't want to admit it, but he felt responsible for Felix now. More than that—he needed to protect him. For both their sakes.

Hyunjin let out a soft sigh, stepping back from the cot. His mind was sharp, calculating his next move. He couldn't stay here forever. Felix needed rest, and Hyunjin needed to make sure the shadows didn't creep back in.

Before leaving, he adjusted the blanket around Felix, ensuring he was comfortable. For a moment, Hyunjin hesitated, his hand lingering near Felix's hair, but he stopped himself from reaching out. There was no need for sentimentality. This was about survival.

With one last glance at Felix's sleeping form, Hyunjin straightened up, his eyes hardening with resolve. He wouldn't let the phantoms claim Felix, not while he had anything to do with it.

Silently, Hyunjin slipped out of the room, the door clicking softly shut behind him. But even as he left, his thoughts remained with Felix. Hyunjin knew what was coming, and soon enough, Felix would too. But for now, at least, he was safe.

Felix POV-

The next time Felix woke, the world felt like it was spinning. He blinked, his surroundings fuzzy as he tried to gather his bearings. The harsh light of the infirmary cut through the grogginess, and for a second, he had to close his eyes again to block it out.

His side throbbed with a dull ache, reminding him of the events that had unfolded earlier. He shifted slightly, wincing as the pain flared. His hand instinctively moved to his side, fingers brushing against the bandages wrapped tightly around him. The memory of being attacked—of something slashing at him from the shadows—rushed back, sending a jolt of fear through him.

Felix's heart raced as the questions he'd been too weak to ask earlier swirled in his mind. What had happened? Who was that figure in the shadows? And most importantly, who was Hyunjin? Why had he been there to save him? And why did Felix feel like this wasn't the end of whatever strange connection had formed between them?

Felix sat up slowly, his mind still foggy but determined. He had to find answers. He had to understand why he'd been attacked, and why Hyunjin had appeared out of nowhere like some kind of savior. The boy's name echoed in his mind, lingering like a haunting melody.

Hyunjin.

Who are you?

And why do I feel like this is only the beginning to something much bigger?

~Sani