Crafting The Lust

✨29✨

"Chan hyung might have gone by now," Felix assumed as he stepped out of the chamber where he had shared his night with the King. A strange mixture of relief and guilt washed over him, heavy and uncomfortable in his chest.

The corridor was quiet—too quiet.

His bare feet barely made a sound against the cold marble floor as he turned the corner toward the guest chambers. He was already rehearsing the words he would say if Chan asked questions. You're safe. That's all that matters. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Then—

Felix froze.

Chan stood there.

Right outside the chamber.

His eyes were wide, shock carved so deeply into his face that Felix felt his heart drop straight to his stomach. Chan's gaze swept over him—his disheveled hair, the faint marks visible above his collar, the way Felix stiffened like a child caught in a lie.

"Felix…" Chan breathed, voice barely there. "Why… why haven't you come back yet?"

The question wasn't accusatory.

It was hurt.

Felix swallowed hard. His lips parted, but no sound came out at first. The guilt he had pushed aside all night surged back violently, choking him. He looked away, fingers curling into his sleeves as if hiding himself might undo everything.

"I—" His voice cracked. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to meet Chan's eyes. "I told you to leave at sunrise."

Chan took a step closer. "I was going to," he said quietly. "But you didn't come back. And something felt wrong."

Felix's shoulders sagged.

"I stayed," Felix admitted, the words tasting bitter. "To make sure you could leave safely."

Chan's eyes flicked once more toward the chamber door behind Felix. Slowly, understanding dawned—and with it, disbelief.

"You stayed… with him?" Chan asked.

Felix didn't answer.

He didn't need to.

Chan exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair. "You didn't have to do that," he said, voice low, strained. "Felix… you didn't have to trade yourself."

Felix's hands trembled. "It wasn't like that," he said quickly—too quickly. Then he stopped, realizing how hollow the words sounded even to himself.

Silence stretched between them.

"I'm safe," Chan finally said. "I was safe the moment you told me to leave."

Felix nodded slowly, eyes stinging. "I know."

"Then why do you look like you're breaking?" Chan asked.

Felix's breath hitched.

Because somewhere between survival and sacrifice, he had crossed a line he didn't know how to step back from.

"Just go, hyung," Felix whispered. "Please. Before it gets harder."

Chan hesitated—then nodded, jaw tight. "I will," he said. "But we're not done talking about this."

Felix watched him walk away, every step feeling like another weight pressing into his chest.

When the corridor was empty again, Felix leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.

Behind him, the chamber door remained shut.

And inside it—

Something had already changed.