PHONE | Felix ff

Granny

A/N: Holy Moly triple update?

Yesss!!!!

......

The next morning, Felix met me outside the dorm, his jaw still a little swollen but his usual bright smile in place.

"You ready?" he asked, adjusting his hoodie as we walked toward the bus stop.

"Yeah." I nodded, though the weight of everything still sat heavily on my chest. I hadn't seen Young-woo since she was eliminated. I knew she'd be hurting—probably trying to pretend she wasn't.

Felix nudged me gently with his elbow. "You're quiet today."

"I just..." I exhaled, watching my breath curl in the cold air. "I feel like I should've done more."

Felix's warm hand brushed against mine for a brief second before he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "You were there for her when it mattered. That's more than enough."

I hoped he was right.

Young-woo's home was a cozy, modest place tucked into a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. The small garden in front was lined with potted plants, most of them carefully tended but a little overgrown.

Felix and I stood at the gate for a moment, and I could hear the faint hum of a radio from inside.

"Come on," Felix said softly, pushing the gate open.

We walked up the narrow path to the front door, and before I could knock, the door creaked open.

"Eva?"

Young-woo's eyes widened in surprise, and for the first time in days, her face lit up—if only briefly.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked, stepping aside to let us in.

"We came to check on you," I said, trying to sound casual, but I could tell she saw right through me.

Young-woo glanced at Felix, raising a brow. "Wow. You brought Felix too? Must be serious."

Felix grinned. "She dragged me out of bed for this."

"That's a lie," I shot back, rolling my eyes.

Young-woo chuckled softly and led us into the small living room. The space was warm and smelled faintly of tea and incense. In the corner, her grandmother sat quietly by the window, knitting a scarf.

"Ah, you brought friends," her grandmother said, smiling warmly. "I'll make some tea."

Young-woo gently squeezed her grandmother's hand. "Thanks, Halmeoni."

As she disappeared into the kitchen, Young-woo flopped onto the couch, pulling her knees to her chest. "So... I guess you heard."

I sat down next to her while Felix took the floor, leaning back against the coffee table.

"I did," I admitted. "But I didn't come to rehash all that."

Young-woo's gaze softened. "I'm okay, you know."

"You don't have to be," Felix said quietly.

Her eyes flickered to him, but she didn't say anything right away. After a moment, she shrugged. "I guess I'm just trying to keep it together for my grandma. She doesn't really get all the idol stuff, but she knows I'm upset."

I reached over, gently squeezing her hand. "We'll get through this together. You're not alone."

Young-woo gave me a grateful smile, but I could see the heaviness lingering beneath it.

Felix leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "You've got a lot of people rooting for you, Young-woo. Even if it doesn't feel like it right now."

She nodded, glancing out the window. "Yeah. I guess I just needed to hear that."

Her grandmother returned with a tray of tea and snacks, setting it down carefully in front of us. Felix immediately reached for a rice cake, and Young-woo laughed.

For the first time in days, it felt like things were starting to feel normal again—even if just a little.

Felix had been trying his best to act normal, but I could tell he was still feeling the effects of the punch. His smile was a little forced, and every now and then, he rubbed his jaw or looked a bit dizzy, as if the pain was still lingering.

"Felix," I said gently, nudging his shoulder. "You should rest. You're still not fully recovered."

Felix flashed me a grin, though it lacked its usual spark. "I'm fine. Really."

But before I could protest further, Young-woo's grandmother—who'd been quietly observing from her knitting—patted the seat beside her.

"Felix, come here, my dear," she said in a soft, comforting voice, her eyes twinkling with kindness. "You've been through a lot. You need proper care."

Felix hesitated for a moment, but then, realizing he wasn't going to win this argument, he stood up and walked over to the old woman.

She motioned for him to sit down on the chair next to her. Without saying much, she reached for a small bottle of herbal oil on the table and began massaging it into his jaw.

I watched in silence, a little awestruck. Felix, who was usually so independent and strong-willed, was completely at ease in the presence of her care.

"Is that going to help?" I asked, unsure of what the oil could do for a bruised jaw.

Young-woo nodded with a small smile. "Halmeoni has a ton of natural remedies. She used to work in traditional medicine."

I watched as Felix let out a small sigh of relief when the grandmother applied the oil gently to his face, massaging it into his sore spots.

"You're really good at this," Felix murmured, his eyes fluttering closed as the soothing pressure seemed to ease some of his discomfort.

Her grandmother chuckled softly. "It's not magic, my dear, just a little knowledge passed down from generations."

She then handed him a steaming cup of herbal tea, its fragrance calming and sweet. "Drink this. It'll help with the dizziness, and ease the ache in your body."

Felix took the cup, grateful for the care. He took a slow sip, his eyes softening. "Thank you, Halmeoni. You're a lifesaver."

I could see the tension in his shoulders start to fade, the herbal tea doing its work to calm his system. His gaze met mine, and there was a softness in his expression that reminded me of the Felix I knew—strong, but vulnerable in moments like these.

Young-woo leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. "She's always been a healer. When I was younger and sick, Halmeoni would use all sorts of herbs to make me feel better."

I smiled at her grandmother, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the care she was giving Felix, and for the warmth she was showing us in her home.

Felix, now looking a little more relaxed, lowered the cup. "I feel better already," he admitted, his voice lighter.

"You should be careful next time," Young-woo teased, though there was a glimmer of affection in her eyes.

Felix laughed, though it was a little strained. "I'll try not to get hit in the face again, promise."

As we all settled into the peaceful atmosphere of the room, sipping tea and talking softly, I realized that for the first time in a while, things didn't feel so heavy. Yes, Young-woo's situation still hung over us, and the sting of the past few days hadn't completely disappeared, but being here with people who cared for each other gave me a sense of hope.