Felix stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air hitting his skin sent shivers down his spine. He was still processing the rush of the moment, his heart racing as he tried to steady himself. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the hallway, he spotted Zain standing beside Rowoon, their voices low and conspiratorial. Felix couldn't quite catch the words, but the intensity of their conversation piqued his curiosity.
Taking a hesitant step forward, Felix glanced between the two of them, searching for a hint of what was being discussed. Zain's expression was earnest, while Rowoon's face held a playful smirk that made Felix's stomach twist. Just as he decided to approach Zain, he felt a sudden pull—Rowoon had caught him off guard, wrapping him in a deep hug that stole the breath from his lungs.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Rowoon chuckled, holding him tightly. Felix squirmed slightly, caught between the warmth of Rowoon's embrace and the strange fluttering anxiety still lingering from his earlier moment in the bathroom.
"I was just…" Felix started, but the words faltered as he caught Zain's knowing gaze. There was something comforting yet unsettling in the air, and he found himself lost in the confusion of it all. Rowoon finally released him, stepping back with a playful grin.
"Relax, it's just a little conversation," zain said, looking at Rowoon, who face was buried in Felix neck, bemused by the interaction. Felix opened his mouth to speak, but a heavy silence wrapped around them, hinting that Zain and Rowoon were sharing a secret he wasn't quite part of.
Felix watched Zain's hurried retreat, the way he averted his gaze and quickened his steps raising a red flag in Felix's mind. There was a sense of urgency about Zain that felt out of place, especially in this quiet moment.
"Checking on Rowoon?" Felix muttered to himself, arching an eyebrow. It sounded like a flimsy excuse to him.rowoon can't remember anyone lately, and it seemed odd that Zain would come all the way to the fort for a mere check-in, without telling him, Zain always give him a call to ask if he need anything before coming.
Felix couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was at play. He glanced towards the door Zain had just exited, his mind racing with possibilities. Maybe it was just his instinct telling him to dig a little deeper.
He decided to follow. With quick steps, he trailed after Zain, curiosity gnawing at him. As he caught up, he called out, "Hey, Zain! Wait up!"
Zain paused for a moment, his back stiffening at the sound of Felix's voice. "What?" he replied, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone.
Felix took a breath, piecing together his thoughts. "You don't have to rush off. If something's going on with Rowoon, I can help. You know that, right?"
Zain turned around slowly, moisture gathering in the corners of his eyes. "It's nothing, really. I just…" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I don't want to drag you into this."
But Felix wouldn't let it go. "You won't be dragging me into anything. Just tell me the truth. I know something's bothering you."
Zain's expression faltered, guilt flickering across his face. In that moment, Felix realized that this wasn't just about Rowoon; it was also about Zain and whatever secret he was harboring. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You're my friend. Whatever it is, I can help you. Just talk to me."
But Zain shook his head, this time with more determination. "I can't. Not now. Just… trust me." With that, he turned on his heel again, moving even quicker towards the fort's entrance, leaving Felix standing there, heart heavy with concern and confusion. He doesn't want to drag Felix onto his problem with Min-Soo, Rowoon would kill him if anything happens to Felix.
As Felix stood watching Zain disappear into the distance, he felt a stirring sense of unease. Something was definitely off, and he knew he couldn't ignore it. He had to find out what was really going on, both with Rowoon and with Zain.
Felix stood in the doorway, his heart racing as he caught sight of Rowoon, still standing in the same place where he'd left him. There was something striking in Rowoon's eyes—it was a mixture of confusion and vulnerability, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Felix could see the conflict mirrored there; Felix was searching for clarity, as if he was balancing on the edge of acceptance and denial.
Taking a deep breath, Felix felt an array of emotions swirling inside him. The weight of his feelings for Rowoon pressed heavily on his chest, an intoxicating mix of hope and dread. He couldn't deny the truth anymore—his heart raced every time Rowoon smiled, and every shared glance felt charged with an electric tension. But the thought that Rowoon might not feel the same way gnawed at him. What if he was risking everything—friendship, trust, the bond they shared—by acknowledging the truth of his feelings?
With each step he took towards Rowoon, Felix felt both excitement and trepidation. Would this moment pull them closer, or would it create an insurmountable distance between them? As he reached Rowoon, the air thickened, pulsing with unspoken words and undeniable tension.
---
**Rowoon's POV:**
Rowoon's gaze remained fixed on the floor until he felt Felix's presence loom closer. He glanced up, caught off guard by the weight of Felix's stare. There was a flicker of something in Felix's eyes—a depth that made his heart race. It was a mix of longing and fear, and Rowoon couldn't shake the feeling that something significant hung in the air between them.
As he searched Felix's face for answers, he felt his own chest tighten. Did Felix feel that same pull? Did he understand how much their friendship meant to him? Rowoon wanted to reach out, to confess his own feelings that had been brewing beneath the surface for too long. But fear gripped him, the fear of ruining what they already had. What if the feelings he sensed in Felix were just a reflection of their closeness—a friendship that had grown too intimate? The uncertainty of it all made his throat dry.
"Felix…" Rowoon barely managed to whisper, trying to steady himself in the moment, torn between the urge to close the gap and the instinct to hold back. Would he find the courage to confront these feelings, or would he let them linger in silence, forever unspoken?