Deep End | Hyunlix

30

The harsh vibration of Felix's phone rattled against the bedside table, dragging him out of a restless, alcohol-induced sleep. He groaned, his head pounding as he blinked against the pale morning light filtering through the curtains. Fumbling for his phone, he winced at the sight of Chan's name flashing repeatedly on the screen.

There were over a dozen missed calls and just as many messages. Felix swiped his thumb across the screen to answer, barely getting a word out before Chan's voice barked through the line.

"Where the hell have you been?" Chan's tone was sharp, the usual warmth in his voice replaced by worry and frustration. "I've been trying to reach you all night. Do you have any idea how many times I called?! We have a situation!"

Felix sat up, the bedsheets pooling around his waist as the memories of the night before came rushing back. He glanced to his side, his breath catching at the sight of Hyunjin still asleep.

The older was sprawled on his stomach, the morning light highlighting the curve of his back. His hair was a mess, covering part of his face, and his lips were parted slightly as he breathed. There was something so peaceful about him like this, a stark contrast to the guarded, mysterious man Felix had been drawn to during their first meeting.

"I'm fine," Felix said, his voice hoarse. "I just..." He hesitated, his eyes lingering on Hyunjin. "I got caught up."

"Caught up?" Chan repeated, his voice sharp again. "Felix, you disappeared for hours. After what happened last time, I can't..." He exhaled again, trying to steady himself. "I can't go through that again."

Felix winced "I'm sorry," he said softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to worry you. I'll explain later, okay? Just...give me some time to get back."

"Get back?" Chan's tone turned suspicious. "Where the hell are you?"

"Incheon," he admitted. "I'll figure it out and call you once I'm on the road."

"Be careful," Chan said firmly. "And Felix...if something feels off, get out of there. Don't take risks."

"Got it," Felix muttered before ending the call.

Felix set the phone down and got out of bed as quietly as possible, grabbing his clothes off the floor. Hyunjin stirred slightly, mumbling something under his breath, but he didn't wake. Felix paused, watching the older for a moment, his mind racing.

Something about Hyunjin didn't add up. The way he carried himself, the mysterious aura that seemed to follow him, the little things he said that hinted at a life more complicated than he let on. Felix had been drawn to him, sure, but now in light of everything that has happened, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he's missing something important.

Once dressed, Felix grabbed his phone and wallet, slipping them into his pocket. He hesitated at the door, glancing back at Hyunjin one last time. There was something almost fragile about the older in this moment, something that tugged at his chest. But he shook his head, pushing the thought away. He needed to get back to the city.

As Felix stepped outside, the cold morning breezes made him shiver. He scanned the area looking for the closest business. The ocean waves crashed along the beach, leaving him feeling calmer.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, Felix glanced at the screen again. Among the missed calls from Chan, another set of notifications caught his eye: a barrage of urgent texts from I.N.

I.N.: Hyung, where are you??
I.N.: Are you okay? Please answer me.
I.N.: You were with him, weren't you?
I.N.: Hyung, if something happened, just call me. Please.

Felix's chest tightened as he scrolled through the messages. He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to call him back or keep quiet, but the thought of walking aimlessly for hours and the growing unease from the events of last night pushed him to make the call.

The phone rang only once before I.N.'s frantic voice came through."Felix-hyung?! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I.N.," Felix said quickly, though his voice wavered slightly. "I'm okay."

"Why didn't you answer me last night? I was worried sick!" I.N. pressed. "You were with Hyunjin?"

Felix exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, I was. But it's... complicated."

"Complicated how?" I.N.'s voice sharpened.

"I can't explain right now," Felix muttered, glancing back at the house behind him. "I just need you to pick me up."

"Pick you up? Where are you?"

"Incheon," Felix said "I'll send you my location. Can you get here?"

"Incheon?!" I.N. echoed, incredulous. "What the hell are you doing out there?"

"I'll explain everything when you get here, okay?" Felix cut in, his tone firmer now. "Just please, I.N. I need you to trust me and don't tell anyone you're coming to get me."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before I.N. finally relented. "Fine. But you'd better explain everything when I see you. Don't move, I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Thank you," Felix said softly, relief washing over him.

As he ended the call, he sent I.N. his location and shoved the phone back into his pocket. He turned to look at the hotel door one last time. He felt uneasy, but pushed it out of his mind.

The night with Hyunjin felt like a blur now, the warmth of their connection overshadowed by the nagging suspicion that Felix was missing something critical.

Hyunjin wasn't just some mysterious man he'd stumbled at the coffee shop, Felix could feel it in his gut. There was something dangerous lurking beneath that vulnerable exterior, and he had a sinking feeling he'd just gotten too close to it.

Turning away, Felix began walking down the quiet dirt road to wait for I.N., each step heavy with doubt. As much as he wanted to believe last night had been real, the questions in his mind refused to quiet.

Who was Hyunjin? And what was Felix to him?

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