Deep End | Hyunlix

36

Several days had passed, but Felix couldn't get Hyunjin out of his mind. He had overheard someone mention the launch of Hyunjin's latest pieces at HH Art, and curiosity had gnawed at him until he finally caved. Standing in front of the gallery now, Felix hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar sense of unease. He wasn't sure if he was here to see the art or if he was hoping to see Hyunjin. Maybe both.

The gallery buzzed softly with patrons murmuring about the bold, emotional pieces on display. Felix moved quietly through the space, his steps slowing as he approached the first painting. It was dark and chaotic, with jagged streaks of black and red that seemed to claw at the canvas. The anguish in it was almost suffocating, and Felix felt the weight of it settle heavily in his chest.

Each subsequent piece seemed to dig deeper, exposing raw pain and fury in every brushstroke. Felix recognized the feelings buried in the artwork because they mirrored his own guilt. The pieces weren't just emotional, they were a direct reflection of what he had done, of the hurt he had caused.

He paused in front of the centerpiece, a massive canvas awash in muted grays and blacks. At its core was a sharp streak of gold, slicing through the despair like a scar. It was breathtaking, but more than that, it felt deeply personal. Felix's jaw tightened as he stood there, unable to shake the feeling that this was Hyunjin's way of exposing the vulnerability he had so carefully hidden that night.

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted, pulling Felix from his thoughts. He turned to see a sharply dressed gallery assistant watching him closely. "Mr. Hwang has requested to see you upstairs."

Felix blinked, caught off guard. "Hyunjin wants to see me?"

The assistant offered a polite but tight-lipped smile. "If you'll follow me."

Felix's pulse quickened as he followed the assistant up the elevator. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he prepared himself for the worst. At the top, he was led through those familiar dark heavy doors. Hyunjin was there, standing by the window with his back to the door, his posture stiff and his arms crossed.

"You're bold to show up here," Hyunjin said coldly, not even turning around as Felix stepped inside. His voice carried an edge that sent a chill down Felix's spine.

Felix shut the door behind him, his hands at his sides. "I wanted to see your work."

Hyunjin finally turned, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "And? Do you like it?" His tone was almost mocking. "Does it make you feel something, Felix? Pain, maybe? Betrayal? Guilt?"

Felix flinched but forced himself to meet Hyunjin's gaze. "I deserve that," he admitted, his voice steady but low. "What I did...it was wrong. I hurt you, and I can't change that. But I wanted to see you. I wanted to apologize."

Hyunjin let out a bitter laugh, his expression hardening. "You wanted to apologize? After what? Sneaking out while I was still asleep? Sending me that pathetic excuse of a text days later? You've got some nerve."

Felix swallowed hard. "I panicked. That night... it wasn't just casual for me. It scared me how much I felt. I didn't know how to handle it, so I ran. It wasn't fair to you, and I know that now."

"Scared?" Hyunjin repeated, his voice icy. "You think I wasn't scared, Felix? I let you in...I trusted you. I never do that. But you just walked out and left me to deal with the fallout."

Felix stepped closer, his voice softening. "I know I broke your trust, Hyunjin. I can't undo what I did, but I want to make it right. I want to try."

Hyunjin's jaw tightened, his arms still crossed. "Why should I let you? How do I know you won't just run again the moment things get too real for you?"

"You don't," Felix said honestly. "But I'm standing here now, aren't I? I could've stayed away, but I didn't. Because you matter to me, Hyunjin. That night mattered to me."

Hyunjin's gaze flickered, the faintest crack in his armor showing before he quickly steeled himself again. "You think words are enough? That showing up here after days of silence is going to fix everything?"

"No," Felix admitted, his voice earnest. "But I want to try. Let me prove to you that I'm not going to run again."

Hyunjin's eyes searched Felix's face, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Hyunjin exhaled sharply and looked away. "You're a stubborn bastard, you know that?"

Felix managed a faint smile, relief washing over him. "Is that a yes?"

Hyunjin turned back to him, his expression still guarded. "It's not a no. But don't think for a second that you're off the hook."

"I wouldn't expect to be," Felix said, his smile growing. "So... how about dinner? A real date this time. No running. Just us."

Hyunjin's lips twitched, but he quickly hid it behind a cool facade. "Fine. But only because I'm curious to see if you can actually keep your word."

"I will," Felix promised.

Hyunjin's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he turned back to the window, his voice softer this time. "Don't make me regret this."

"I won't," Felix said, his voice steady.

For the first time in days, Felix felt like he had a chance to make things right. But as he left the lounge, he couldn't ignore the tension still simmering between them. Hyunjin had let him back in, but it was clear the scars Felix had left wouldn't heal so easily. And that, Felix thought, was something he'd have to earn.

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