Hyunjin’s footsteps echoed along the dimly lit street as he made his way home. The cool night air brushed against his skin, but he barely noticed. His mind wandered—to felix, to their quiet conversations, to the way felix’s smile had grown brighter over time.
But his thoughts came to an abrupt stop when he heard a familiar voice.
Jaehyun.
Hyunjin’s body tensed. He ducked behind a wall near the convenience store, listening.
“I don’t get why people even hang around Felix,” Jaehyun sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “He’s useless. Can’t even talk like a normal person. What a joke.”
Felix.
Hyunjin’s blood boiled.
Jaehyun kept talking, laughing with his friends, but Hyunjin didn’t hear the rest. His body moved before his mind could catch up.
The next thing he knew, his fist had collided with Jaehyun’s jaw.
A scuffle broke out in the alleyway. Jaehyun and his lackeys fought back, throwing punches and kicks, but Hyunjin didn’t care. He was outnumbered, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. The image of Felix, kind and innocent, flashed in his mind.
How dare they?
By the time Jaehyun and his gang scrambled away, Hyunjin was left panting, his knuckles bruised and bloodied. His lip was split, and a dull ache spread through his ribs.
But he didn’t regret a thing.
The next morning, as Hyunjin walked into class, he felt eyes on him. He didn’t need a mirror to know he looked like hell—bandaged knuckles, a faint bruise blooming on his cheek, and a cut on his lip.
And, as expected, Felix noticed.
Felix’s bright eyes widened in shock the moment he saw Hyunjin. His brows furrowed with worry, and before Hyunjin could even greet him, Felix grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward an empty classroom.
Hyunjin barely had time to react before Felix’s hands moved rapidly.
"what happened?!"
Hyunjin smiled, attempting to brush it off. "nothing"
Felix wasn’t convinced. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he hesitated before signing again. "was it...because of me?"
Hyunjin stiffened.
Felix’s hands trembled slightly as he signed, his gaze searching Hyunjin’s face for answers. His worry was evident, his eyes filled with guilt.
Hyunjin sighed before ruffling Felix’s hair, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "don't worry about it. i just tripped"
Felix didn’t believe him for a second.
Without another word, Felix grabbed Hyunjin’s hand and pulled him toward the nurse’s office. Hyunjin let himself be dragged along, watching the way Felix’s brows knitted together in frustration.
Once they arrived, Felix wasted no time. He sat Hyunjin down and rummaged through the medicine cabinet, grabbing antiseptic and cotton pads.
Hyunjin winced as Felix dabbed at his wounds, his touch gentle but firm. His lips pursed in concentration, golden strands of hair falling over his forehead.
For a moment, Hyunjin forgot about the pain.
He was captivated.
Felix was beautiful. Ethereal, even. His soft features, the way his nose scrunched slightly as he focused, the way his fingers worked with careful precision—it was mesmerizing.
Hyunjin swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how close they were. Felix, oblivious, continued tending to his wounds.
Hyunjin smirked slightly. "are you always this worried about me?" he signed teasingly.
Felix huffed, rolling his eyes, but Hyunjin didn’t miss the faint blush dusting his cheeks.
Hyunjin smiled.
Maybe getting beat up wasn’t so bad—if it meant Felix would look at him like this.
