Bound by Shadows | KenTin AU

Act of rebellion

The club was electric, humming with the energy of a hundred bodies moving together under the heavy beat of the music. Justin felt alive, almost weightless, caught in the pulse of the night. For once, he was without the watchful eyes of bodyguards or the suffocating presence of his parents. He’d managed to slip away and, tonight, no one could stop him. Tonight was his.

One drink turned to two, then three, each shot warming him from the inside out, pushing away the frustrations of his life as he let loose on the dance floor. The rich boy with endless money but no freedom—that was his reality. But in here, surrounded by strangers and flashing lights, he could pretend he was just another face in the crowd. Free.

He lifted his hands above his head, swaying, hips moving to the beat as he let the rhythm take over. The world spun a little, pleasantly blurred, and he laughed, lost in the moment, surrounded by strangers who didn’t know or care who he was. This was freedom.

Then, suddenly, he felt it—an arm sliding around his waist, firm and possessive. His body tensed, caught between surprise and something else, something that made his skin prickle with a dangerous thrill. The scent of someone familiar drifted into his senses, warm and spicy, threading through his mind like smoke.

“Having a good time?” a voice murmured close to his ear, low and deep, roughened just enough to send a shiver down his spine.

Justin’s heart stuttered, his drunken haze clearing just enough to place that voice. He looked up, his gaze meeting a pair of eyes that could cut through glass. Felip. His gaze was intense, piercing, and with a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Felip?” Justin stammered, trying to pull back, but Felip’s arm tightened, pulling him even closer, his smirk turning darker.

“Caught you,” he murmured, voice laced with satisfaction. He held Justin in place effortlessly, his hand splayed possessively over Justin’s waist. There was a gleam in Felip’s eyes, a hint of something predatory that made Justin’s pulse race. He tried to pull away, but Felip didn’t budge.

“Let me go,” Justin said, his voice half a demand, half a plea. But it only seemed to amuse Felip more.

“Not a chance,” Felip replied smoothly, then, in one swift motion, he lifted Justin off his feet, slinging him over his shoulder. Justin’s world turned upside down, literally, as he found himself draped across Felip’s back, his stomach pressed against his shoulder, legs dangling.

“Hey! Put me down!” he shouted, pounding his fists against Felip’s back, his voice laced with both frustration and embarrassment. But Felip didn’t even flinch. He walked through the crowded club as if carrying Justin was the most natural thing in the world.

“You’re not staying here,” Felip said simply, his tone final.

“Come on, just a little longer!” Justin’s voice was pleading, but he knew it was useless. Felip wasn’t the type to change his mind once it was made up. He walked with that same confidence, carrying Justin as though he weighed nothing. It was infuriating. Humiliating. But there was also something strangely… thrilling about it.

Finally, they reached Felip’s car. He set Justin down, gently but firmly, and Justin stumbled, the effects of the alcohol making him wobbly on his feet. Felip opened the passenger door, nudging him in, but not without one last smirk that made Justin’s face heat.

“Fuck you,” Justin muttered, slumping into the seat and crossing his arms, refusing to meet Felip’s gaze.

Felip’s lips curved in a slow, wicked smile as he leaned in, hovering just inches away. His face was close—too close—and his voice dropped, dangerously low. “You’re welcome to try. But are you sure you could handle it?”

Justin’s breath hitched, his gaze darting to Felip’s mouth, his mind suddenly blank. The proximity was intoxicating, more potent than any shot he’d downed earlier. The air between them was charged, Felip’s eyes dark and full of intent. Justin’s mouth went dry as he swallowed, his heart pounding in his chest.

Without thinking, Justin murmured, “Maybe I could…”

The words had barely left his mouth before he realized what he’d said, and his cheeks flushed. Felip’s smirk widened, his gaze dropping momentarily to Justin’s lips, and Justin could feel the heat radiating off his body, the tension thickening in the small space between them.

“Careful what you wish for, baby,” Felip whispered, his tone teasing, but his eyes held something else, something darker. He reached out, gently tugging Justin’s hand away from his mouth, his thumb grazing Justin’s wrist, sending a spark of electricity up his arm. He leaned in even closer, until their noses were almost touching, until Justin could feel Felip’s breath warm against his skin.

Every nerve in Justin’s body was on edge, his skin prickling under Felip’s intense gaze. He could feel the heat radiating off of Felip, his scent—smoky, masculine, almost intoxicating—filling Justin’s senses. His heart was pounding, and he didn’t dare move, afraid that even the smallest shift might close the agonizingly small distance between their lips.

Then, just as quickly as it had started, Felip pulled back, his smirk widening as he took in Justin’s flustered expression. He leaned over, adjusting Justin’s seatbelt as if nothing had happened, all while Justin sat frozen, heart racing, unable to hide the way Felip’s nearness had rattled him.

Damn him, Justin thought, his cheeks still burning as he tried to compose himself. Felip knew exactly what he was doing, and judging by the amused glint in his eyes, he was enjoying every second of it.