Chapter Text
“Jeongin, you’re gross. How many times have I told you to do your laundry as scheduled?” Felix is watching silently as he saw Hyunjin haughtily sniffed Jeongin’s hoodie. He tried so hard to bite back a scoff, desperately sparing the others from his constant bickering with Jeongin.
“You’re not my Mom, Hyunjin. Shut up.” the person addressed by Jeongin dramatically wailed and clutched on his chest as if he just got shot. Jeongin plopped down to sit beside Felix with his silver hair tousled in all directions and square rimmed glasses sat lazily on his nose. Felix tried to ignore the uneasy feeling in his stomach whenever Jeongin was in his close proximity. A little waft from Jeongin’s hoodie passed by Felix’s nostril. He can’t help but to internalize it since everything the younger do always makes him almost insane with curiosity and desperation.
It’s actually not bad, the smell of Jeongin’s clothes. He actually smells like a faint lemon detergent and a sweet perfume. Only the sweat seeping to the fabric as a result of the scorching sun made him smell weird.
“I am practically your brother?!” Hyunjin wailed, making Jisung beside him trying to cover his mouth with his hand that barely covers it.
“Babe, shut up.” was all Jisung said before he went back to typing aggressively on his laptop. Hyunjin glared at his boyfriend beside him before zeroing his attention back to the youngest of the bunch in front of him who’s now smirking in amusement.
“You’re just my cousin?” replied Jeongin as he stole a sip from Felix’s cup. It took Felix a moment registering what happened to his precious Strawberry Frappe, the moment he realized it however the younger one already beat him to it.
“Are you seriously enjoying that monstrosity?” exclaimed Jeongin with a disgusted face.
Scowling, Felix snatched his cup, putting it away from Jeongin’s grip.
“Don’t just take a sip from someone’s drink without permission for starters,” he bit back to the younger one who still got his face like he just consumed an extremely sour dish or raw lemon juice, “and secondly, my taste is better than your bitter monstrosity. What even 4 shots of espresso? There’s a quicker way to end up in the ER.”
“Ha. I might start to think that you actually care about me with that.” Jeongin replied with the same heat, only he almost obnoxiously puckered his lips to coo at Felix while leaning his whole body towards Felix personal space beside him.
Pushing his arms harshly away, Felix opened his mouth to throw a comeback, but before he managed to do that, something suddenly slapped Jeongin across the back of his head effectively silencing him and the others at the table. The object was actually a bundle of paper and the attacker was a hand from the girl Jeongin usually feared but respected a lot.
“You’re gross Jeongin. Stop that.” The girl took her seat beside Jeongin who immediately retracted his arms from Felix’s sight.
Hwang Yeji, one of the two girls in their friend group. She’s Hyunjin’s twin sister and a cousin to Jeongin. Ever since the three of them became a toddler, Jeongin and his siblings have been living with the twins family since his parents traveled for work a lot. So they basically carry a sibling aura whenever they’re together. Jeongin feared Yeji more than he regarded Hyunjin as a family. A dynamic that confuses the hell out of Felix the first time he knows them since he and his sisters always got along just fine.
“Gosh, Nuna! Be gentle with me a little.” Jeongin retorted but with his eyes trained to the ground beneath him.
Yeji only rolled her eyes, ignoring him completely before regarding Jisung in front of her who’s apparently been making grabby hands for the paper on her hand since she took a seat.
“You are literally an angel in disguise Hwang Yeji!” Jisung positively vibrated with joy as he took the paper from Yeji and skimmed the content. The girl only threw him a finger gun with an amused chuckle before she got her laptop out of the bag, slowly falling into deep discussion with Jisung about the upcoming project from a class they share.
Hyunjin gave back his attention to the book he’s been reading the whole lunch break forcing Felix to settle with the silence he’s sharing with Jeongin who chose to lazily munch on a sandwich, his choice of lunch for the day. Felix wasn’t planning to spend lunch together with them before he ran to a very distressed Jisung on his way to the library. The latter complained about not having the material for an essay he’s supposed to turn in at midnight since he was late for the class when the task was given out two days ago. Felix was planning to get some work done at the library before getting a quick launch at the nearby cafe, wanting to reward himself with something nice as he just aced a big test a week ago.
But then Felix, an angel he is, decided to help Jisung with his crisis on a whim before it finally occurred to the both of them they can ask Yeji to bring Jisung the materials needed since both Yeji and Jisung are studying the same major and share most of their class together. So after Jisung contacted Yeji who promptly agreed to help him, they visited the cafeteria to get an early lunch.
All plans to get to the library are immediately forgotten, the moment Jisung chattering away at the latest game he played last night Felix got invested. That’s what brings him to this situation, sitting beside Jeongin, someone he can’t really stand to be in close proximity for a long period of time without arguing about unimportant things, miserably sipping on his Frappe and trying to get into the right headspace like everyone else to get some of his work done.
His effort somehow turned into vain the moment Jeongin leaned into him to peek at Felix’s laptop.
“Do you mind?” he asked under his breath vehemently. Jeongin rolled his eyes, rubbed his right palm on his jeans despite Felix and Hyunjin obvious cringe at the action, before completely leaned on Felix who held his breath, refusing to inhale more of Jeongin’s attractive but a little bit gross scent.
He quickly highlighted some of the paragraphs in Felix’s open essay before typing bullet points that actually could help Felix continue his stuck essay flow. Casting a quick glance to the younger, he was shocked when the guy winked at him out of nowhere before he leaned away completely, back to his sandwich.
“If you help me with my Gender and Global Studies essay, we’re even.” was all Jeongin said to Felix who still only gaped at him.
With a scowl Felix reluctantly agreed before he immediately put his focus back to his essay, ready to type more now the fog in his brain dissipating away.
However, a new fog in his brain was created. The reason? The push and pull attitude Jeogin always has around him and why did he just help Felix out of nowhere. Also, being a nuisance at the same time, driving him crazy with his nice smell. If only back when they first met, Jeongin wasn’t a cold and dismissive jerk, Felix won’t have this repressed pining towards a person he can’t stand.
Silence took over their table once everyone was preoccupied with their own things afterwards. At some point, Jeongin nudged Felix’s foot rather harshly before the guy himself got up and sent a quick bye to the others. It seems to be happening quite a lot for Felix having words stuck in his throat during the whole lunch hour Jeongin with them and he’s also the culprit for it. Felix almost went back to the earlier non-stop trance of finishing his essays and risk being late to his next class if it’s not for the inquiring gaze Hyunjin made at him.
“Oh shit!” was all he said before he scrambled to gather his things and said his own quick parting and followed Jeongin in his earlier track towards the class.
All of Felix’s classes after lunch made him feel like he needed to sleep for the whole weekend tomorrow. If only the past Felix didn’t say yes to Hyunjin and Jisung’s invitation to their monthly gathering with all of their friends, he will have the whole weekend to himself. But he in the past was just really excited with the prospect of spending the whole Saturday night gaming with Jisung and bothering his cousin Minho who just recently got a boyfriend.
Felix was dragging his feet up the stairs with great difficulty, he honestly just wanted to pass out on the bed and just forget about dinner altogether. When he finally got to his dorm room, he quickly got out of his outdoor clothes and washed up before finally plopping down on his bed, clutching his beloved pink pillow that had the face of his best friend, Seo Changbin, printed on one side. He got the pillow as a joke from Changbin himself on the day he started his first day at University two years ago.
He was about to drift into unconsciousness when there’s suddenly an urgent knock on his door. Felix is living alone in his dorm room so he only frowned at the intrusion and intended to ignore the knocks but the knocks are quite persistent. Groaning, he got up from his bed to open the door quickly. Felix groaned even more when he found out that it was Jeongin at this door with an impatient frown on his face.
“What took you so long?” asked Jeongin in annoyance.
Deciding that he'd rather deal with whatever the younger wanted with him and being civil for a little bit Felix mumbled, “I was almost asleep. What do you want?” all the fight has left his body.
Jeongin immediately dropped the annoyed frown replaced by a guilty expression for a moment before it turned into a pensive one. He sighed before handing Felix a clear plastic bag with a big takeaway container inside.
Cocking one of his eyebrows but taking the plastic from the younger’s hand Felix asked, “Why is it again this time?”
“It’s for the Frappe this afternoon. Sorry.” Jeongin shrugged while also giving Felix a tight lipped smile, it made his dimples prominent.
Ignoring his accelerated heartbeats at the sight, Felix cleared his throat awkwardly before nodding dumbly.
“Thanks, I guess?”
“Yep. No problem.” Jeongin's face fell for a moment before he gave Felix another smile, this time the crinkle around his eyes almost made Felix act on an impulse to pull him inside and kiss him senseless.
“You know you don’t have to do this everytime we fight or argue, right? I mean we can always talk about it.” Felix sighed tiredly.
“Yeah, I know. But I like giving you food cause you usually skip your dinner, it’s bad, Felix. We’re college students, food is important.”
“Urgh, I know. But it’s completely beside the point! Don’t you, like, hate me?”
Shrugging, Jeongin only patted Felix's shoulder softly, “Sorry for waking you up.”
He then waved a little before walking backward slowly to his room a few doors down. Felix smiled at him gratefully when the cloud on his mind subsided before he himself smiled at the younger and closing his door.
Dazedly walking to his desk, Felix immediately hid his face in his hands when he sat down. This is actually not the first time Jeongin randomly knocks on his door at night to give him food. Around 2 or 3 months ago, Jeongin suddenly came around dinner to hand him food and also apologizing about something he’d done earlier in the day that upsets Felix. It was always the same reason, to apologize over something the younger did to Felix that was somehow upsetting for him. Ranging from small things Jeongin did that annoyed Felix or after big arguments they usually had whenever they’re around each other.
For the first few times it happened, Felix always tried to stop Jeongin, even ignoring the food the younger one left at his door until they went bad. Decided to be the bigger person, and he really doesn’t want to waste free food, Felix started to accept those little deliveries. It’s not always everyday but it’s too frequent he even felt bad. When he brought it to Jeongin’s attention, however, the guy only shrugged and told him that he’s loaded enough to afford two dinners several times in one week.
The answer really irked Felix so he stopped trying to reason with him.
Until this day, Felix still didn’t know what prompted the weird behavior but he gave up on finding the reason out after countless fruitless attempts breaking the tough walls of Jeongin. Not even the Hwang twins understand Jeongin’s weird routine. Their only advice was to let the younger do it until he stopped on his own.
But secretly, Felix doesn’t want him to stop.
Morning came way too quickly for Felix’s liking and soon right after lunch, Jisung picked him up from the dorm with a stupid grin carrying two big plastic bags full of snacks and drinks.
“Why are you picking me up, we’re going to your place anyway?” Felix took one of the bags from Jisung's hand as they were walking out of Felix’s building.
“Oh, Hyunjin sent me to get these snacks. So I guess, why not pick Lixie up from his beauty slumber while I’m at it.” answered Jisung excitedly. Way too excited for Felix’s liking.
The rest of their walk towards the couple’s apartment was eventful, their chatters about nothing and everything was their only companion. As they got into the apartment, everyone was already there. Minho with his buffy and very attractive boyfriend also Changbin, Seungmin, Yeji and Chaewon. Even Jeongin was already sitting at one of the sofas, eating ice cream while watching the tv wearing his vibrant yellow jumper Felix always liked, secretly, and silver hair tied into several small ponytails. He didn’t even bat an eyelash when Hyunjin was busy taking pictures of his appearance.
“Lix! I miss you!” Felix almost staggered backwards when Chaewon suddenly jumped into his arms and gave him a really tight hug. Chuckling amusedly, he hugged the short haired girl back with the same fervor, melting a little bit at the pleasant smell of her signature berry perfume.
“Ah Chae! When did you get back? How’s the competition?” The simple question prompted a long monologue from Chaewon. Felix always loves to listen to his friends talk about things they’re passionate about. Chaewon has been friends with him almost as long as his friendship with Changbin, she went to an art school in Felix’s University and has the most outgoing personality so she immediately got along with Felix’s group of friends easily. Chaewon is a performative art student who is pursuing a career in professional dancing.
“You remember how I used to bummed out a lot whenever I didn’t get into the top 3, right?” she asked him as they’re sitting down beside each other on the sofa, Felix still playing with her fingers.
Felix hummed, “Changbin hyung used to bribe you with a big tub of ice cream to cheer you up whenever that happened.”
“Ugh! Okay, I admit I was that bad.” Chaewon rolled her eyes and playfully shoved him away, “but anyways, ever since uni, securing a place on the top 5 already makes me really happy. Yesterday tho, I somehow ended up in 6th place and I’m still really happy that I managed to get that far.” she giggled proudly at herself getting a quick pinch on the cheek from Felix who just can’t help it at her cuteness.
“Our Chaewon has grown! Binnie hyung, you can save your money!” Felix dramatically wailed making Changbin who was talking with Yeji and Seungmin laughed out loud. Chaewon retracted her hand from Felix’s grasp to lightly punch his arm.
“Dramatic.” she muttered under her breath, appearing to be annoyed even though there’s a smile on her face.
After the three friends’ laughter died down, Chaewon joined back to her earlier conversation with Changbin, Yeji and Seungmin but she’s now hugging Felix’s arm tightly, he let her hug his arm and then relaxed completely onto the couch scrolling on his phone. His earlier plan before becoming Chaewon’s prisoner was to tease Minho and his new boyfriend. He’s curious about them at how close and intimate they both look like when they're bustling about in the kitchen. Minho still appears nonchalant and unbothered like he usually is, but the way he responds to every teasing his boyfriend makes with playful scowls and even the same cheeky manner make Felix almost envy them.
Felix sighed dreamily then decided to scroll on his phone and occasionally tuning in and out of the four’s conversation when suddenly a spoon shoved in front of his vision. He frowned at it before it finally registered to him that there’s an ice cream on the spoon and Jeongin’s hand almost blocked his whole vision.
“What’s that?” he asked briefly to the younger man whose attention was still on the TV in front of him. The TV was airing a reality show about cooking, Felix almost distracted from the spoon blocking his vision when a juicy sizzling beef on a pan made a grand appearance on the screen.
“Strawberry.” answered Jeongin, waking Felix up, but the younger still wasn’t looking at him.
Sighing in defeat, Felix closed his mouth around the spoon to receive the ice cream Jeongin handed him. The artificial strawberry flavor immediately melted in his taste buds and Felix hummed in satisfaction. He cringed a little bit at the brain freeze that followed after.
“Stupid,” Jeongin sniggered, “Eager to be spoon fed by me, aren't we?” he scoffed to himself before taking a spoonful himself, but the spoon lingered a bit on his mouth as he was sucking on it. It’s as if Jeongin was doing it on purpose. The thought of just having an indirect kiss with Jeongin immediately bugged Felix’s brain with images of actually making out with the younger. How the wide pillowy lips will fit on his own
Oh. It’s just great, I’m being horny while being in the middle of two people. He groaned internally, cursing at the same time for the bad timing.
“Just shut up, you’re crass.” snarled Felix, annoyed, but it only made the silver-haired guy laugh in satisfaction instead. His laugh made Felix’s heart acting weird again.
Ignoring the cute laughter and his erratic heartbeats, Felix leaned his whole body into Chaewon’s side, “Ah! I’m hungry.” he whined loudly hoping to get Minho’s attention. It still didn’t work so Felix just put his arms around Chaewon to cuddle her instead, completely giving up.
“Oh no, he’s getting clingy.” muttered Chaewon in playful horror to Changbin and the rest of their friends.
“Minho hyung is ignoring me with his new boyfriend. Let me hug you in exchange instead, and you’re warm so I’m getting sleepy again.” Felix answered a little bit loudly again but his attempt still did not get him the original goal he wanted so he just chuckled lightly, amused at the lovestruck expression on Minho’s face towards his boyfriend.
Felix was almost asleep when he felt Jeongin stood up from beside him abruptly but he couldn’t bring himself to care because Chaewon was playing with his hair softly. Relishing on the comfortable feeling, Felix gave up to his fatigue. The last thing he remembered was Jeongin looking at him with a stormy expression and a frown on his face from where he was standing on the way to the kitchen but again, Felix decided to ignore that, thinking it was just his imagination.
How is he gonna feel if he finds out that he’s really, really wrong?
Felix woke up slowly, he blinked a couple of times before immediately getting his bearings back. He realized he’s still in Hyunjin and Jisung’s apartment, hugging someone he then realized was Chaewon, the sun also already out, and his senses assaulted by a good smell of Doenjang Jjigae.
“You up, kitty?” Minho appeared in front of him with his signature fond grin Felix always likes. Minho softly rubbed Felix's head, making the latter lean on his touch a little bit.
Nodding slowly he smiled at Minho cheekily, “You’re boyfriend is really hot.” he whispered teasingly to Minho who only gave Felix a smug grin and winked.
“Up, up you two! We’re about to start eating in a minute. Wash your face.” This time Minho speaks in a normal volume, Chaewon only whined before turning around to bury her face on Felix’s chest, the latter indulged her by pulling her closer and chuckling softly. He got a pleasant hum from the girl.
“Can’t it wait another 5 minutes? I still miss cuddling Lixie.” her replied muffled by Felix’s chest but Minho pulled on her ear a little bit before threatening the both of them that they won’t get any of Minho’s mum's infamous cookies he got from her.
“You can cuddle again for the rest of the night. Cmon, Chae, our princess, get up. I have cooked and slaved for you all day. You better reward me with your presence at the dinner table.” replied Minho teasingly which only got him an annoyed groan from Chaewon who despises it whenever Minho talks like that.
“Ugh, oppa stop!” she then sat up to swat Minho who dodged in time, still with an evil cackle echoing in the whole living room.
Having been woken up fully, Chaewon then bolted out of the living room towards the bathroom to wash her face. Her annoyed yell to Minho still could be heard by Felix who was stretching like a cat. He decided that he’ll have to get up and splash some water to his face but the remnant of Chaewon’s warmth and the annoyingly comfortable sofa held him back. Not until Minho’s warning did Felix get up, following Chaewon’s earlier footsteps.
Dinner was warm and eventful, Minho finally introduced his boyfriend to Felix. His name is Chan, sometimes he goes by Chris but he prefers to be called Chan and he also grew up in Australia like Felix did before middle school. The both of them immediately bonded with each other quite easily over dinner. They exchanged a lot of stories about Australia and the challenges of being a first timer multilingual the first time they got in Korea.
Chan moved to Korea when he was in high school, he then pursued a music major in college and now working as a producer in one of the big music agencies in Seoul. He graduated from the same university as Minho, they only recently met again in one of their art school gatherings, half a year ago. Got really close after Minho got a contract to work as a choreographer for an idol group’s comeback under the same company Chan is working at.
“ He was unbelievably cold .” Chan said in English to Felix who was listening attentively, “But when I asked him if he wanted to grab dinner together one day, he immediately declared that it’s a date. Proceeded to give me a list of restaurants to choose. Can you imagine?”
Felix laughed amusedly, “ Oh I can totally imagine. ” he replied while chuckling at Minho who looks like he’s regretting his decision on introducing Chan and Felix to one another. “So what restaurant did you choose?”
Chan immediately stopped laughing, his face went pink as he cleared his throat awkwardly. “His kitchen.” The poor guy’s face went into a deeper shade of red, chuckling awkwardly at Felix who was gaping at him and Minho at the same time.
“ Oh goodness?!” he laughed out loud, followed by the others who also tuned in into their conversation. “ You also did the nasty there too, didn’t you? ” Felix whispered, but Chan only buried his face in his hands instead, groaning embarrassedly.
“Ah no! I don’t want to step foot into Minho hyung’s kitchen again!” Changbin yelled dramatically in disgust which got him a kick from under the table by Minho who got a stormy expression on his face. His reddening ears however gave the serious front away.
“Don’t worry, it’s not his apartment’s kitchen.” Hyunjin wiggled his eyebrow suggestively at the new couple and something instantly clicked on Felix’s mind.
“ No.fucking way?! You did that at his parents house?!” he exclaimed while pointing an accusing finger at the couple. The two only grinned sheepishly as the rest of the table laughed loudly. Changbin was even clutching on his stomach, “Lee Minho, I’m so gonna report this to your mother.” said Changbin breathlessly.
“Oh my god, ew! Minho oppa!” Chaewon yelled in half embarrassment and half disgust, “I’ll forever see that kitchen differently from now on. Won’t even cook there anymore.”
“The four family annual dinners would be held somewhere else from now on.” Jeongin said casually to Changbin, Chaewon and Felix as an amused smirk plastered on his face.
This time, he’s the one who got a strong kick from Minho but the younger one didn't even react, only winked teasingly at the older one before he went back to his food. Felix found it really amusing and hot at the same time but he’s still way too shocked at the earlier revelation he can’t even be bothered.
Feeling like he needed to restart something in his system, Felix downed a shot of Soju before muttering vehemently, “Lee Minho you better scrub the whole kitchen if you don’t want the three of us reporting it to your sweet, sweet Christian mother.”
“You guys are pathetic.” Minho retorted weakly.
“You’re pathetic!” argued Chaewon back heatedly, prompting a chorus of laughter from Jisung, Hyunjin, Yeji, Seungmin and Jeongin who had been sitting back watching the drama between four childhood friends unfolded.
The game of threatening and blackmailing each other concluded with Minho promising his younger friends that he will scrub the kitchen clean the next time he comes for his monthly visit to Gimpo before Chuseok in September.
Afterwards they continue to bicker and update each other’s life with one another. Felix’s fatigue from yesterday felt like a mere memory. When dinner was finished and Felix finished his cleaning duty with Chaewon, since they were sleeping the whole time when Minho and the others were cooking, all ten of them sat down all over the living room to watch a new drama Hyunjin has been wanting to watch for so long together.
Felix ended up on the carpeted floor with Chaewon on his right side and Jeongin on the other side, their backs on the sofa. He really doesn't know how he ended up in the same position again like the one earlier in the evening. But true to her words, Chaewon is cuddling his side the whole movie meanwhile Jeongin kept on bothering Felix at some point throughout the movies by playing footsies. The younger one only stopped when Hyunjin slapped his thighs in warning.
After the movie was finished, Minho and Chan were the first ones who got up to go home, claiming that Minho had to work early tomorrow, the group he choreographed for got a training session early in the morning and Minho had to be there to monitor and train them. They were followed not long after by Yeji, Changbin and Seungmin. The three joined a round of game with Jisung and Felix first before Seungmin said that he wanted to take Yeji home before it’s too late and he doesn’t want to risk her dad’s scolding if he got her home late.
“Why can’t mom and dad just let you move in with me and Jisung?” Hyunjin wondered aloud as he was helping his sister with her jacket.
Yeji only shrugged as she sighed miserably, “Yeah, dunno. I’m tired of having to commute from and to home everyday. It takes too long.”
Hyunjin gave Yeji a hug before he kissed the top of her head, “I will visit next weekend with Jisung. We’ll try to persuade him again, okay?” At Yeji’s nod, Hyunjin turned to Changbin who had been standing around at the entryway for a while with his hands in his jacket’s pocket.
“Wooyoung and Yeonjun are meeting up at the bar. I want some late night drinking with the boys.” was all he said to Hyunjin’s inquiring stare.
“Chae? We can drop you off at the dorm on the way too, you know?” asked Seungmin to Chaewon who was sprawling on the sofa as he was heading out of the door.
“Oh, it’s okay, Minnie. I’ll walk back with these two.” she gestured to Jeongin and Felix who were in a heated argument about game strategy. With a goodbye smooch on the cheek from Yeji to Chaewon, the three of them left.
“Minnie’s car is way more comfortable than a walk with those two idiots, Chae.” stated Hyunjin casually as he got back from seeing them off at the door.
“Yeji and Minnie both were so busy for the past two weeks.” she pouted, “This is the only day they can finally meet, I’m just giving them space to be lovey dovey.”
At Chaewon’s answer, Hyunjin only chuckled before his attention turned to Jeongin and Felix who has stopped arguing but then they’re watching the TV screen intently as the game in front of them is loading. Jeongin is leading the race and he can clearly see Felix is fuming, meanwhile his boyfriend, Jisung, had become a monster at provoking a fight between the two.
Hyunjin decided that he’ll just read his book while giving Chaewon company instead of watching the ridiculous sight in front of him. If a fight broke out, he decided that it would be a problem for future Hyunjin.
He just wishes that Felix and Jeongin would just kiss whatever tension they have with each other away, so it’ll be easier for everyone if they finally tone down the hostile air and constant bickering.
“I wish they could just make out with each other, honestly Felix isn’t subtle about his infatuation but Jeongin just really an idiot.” he said softly to Chaewon who was also watching the two with a look akin to disgust and exasperation.
“I wish they could just fuck and then talk about that stupid misunderstanding at Jeongin’s orientation gathering.” replied Chaewon a little bit frustratedly.
It made Hyunjin laugh out loud, momentarily distracting Jisung from his vile activity in between Jeongin and Felix but when the latter gave Chaewon a curious look, she only waved him away.