Chapter Text
February 15th 2088
When Chan re-entered the room, Felix was still sitting on the bed. The breakfast tray, once brimming with food, was now empty. Felix had eaten every last bite, and his stomach, though full, still felt like it was in a state of uneasy flux. His mind was racing, trying to process the whirlwind of new information. He didn’t know what to expect, but this wasn’t it.
Jeongin was sitting on the couch, glaring daggers at Felix. Not Jeongin then. Felix didn’t know who this other person was, but the weight of the stare was heavy, like a storm brewing.
“Any reason you’re trying to set our guest on fire with your eyes, Bob?” Chan’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, his tone light but sharp.
Bob—Felix’s mind locked onto the name choice immediately. The boy glaring at him was apparently Bob and not Jeongin.
“Blondie asks too many questions,” Bob muttered, his eyes never leaving Felix.
“Ah.” Chan nodded as if he understood. “Any mention of that part of his past will make Jeongin retreat and put Bob at the front.” He spoke like it was common knowledge, but Felix couldn’t help but feel like he had stumbled into some strange, private battle—one between two personalities, two sides of a person. Jeongin... and Bob.
Felix swallowed. “He said you broke him out,” he said, his voice steady despite the rising storm in his chest. “How?”
Chan studied him, his gaze unreadable. “With help.”
Felix shook his head. “I don’t believe it. Who’s crazy enough to break into a Facility to get one kid out?”
Chan’s smile was slow, cryptic, but it wasn’t malicious. “You’ll see. If you stick around.”
Felix wasn’t sure if that was an invitation or a warning, but before he could dwell on it, Chan turned his attention to Bob/Jeongin, nodding toward the door. Without a word, Bob (or whoever was in charge at the moment) stood and moved toward the exit. Felix’s eyes followed him, tracking every movement, though he was careful not to make any sudden moves. If Bob had a temper, Felix didn’t want to provoke it.
As the door clicked shut behind Bob, Chan turned back to Felix, his demeanor shifting.
“So, you have powers you can’t control, a basic knowledge of the language, and nowhere to live, yes?” Chan asked, the casualness of his tone making Felix pause for a moment.
Felix blinked. “Essentially.”
“You can live here, if you wish.” Chan’s words hung in the air, heavy with both invitation and expectation.
Felix’s eyes widened. “And where is here exactly?”
Chan’s smile remained, though there was something warm behind it. “We’re on the outskirts of town. Just far enough that no one really comes out here.”
Felix’s mind raced. “And who is we?”
Chan’s gaze softened. “Myself and six others. You’ve met two.”
“Bob and Jeongin,” Felix repeated, nodding slowly as he tried to connect the pieces.
Chan chuckled, shaking his head. “No, that’s one person.”
Felix’s confusion deepened, but Chan’s tone was patient. “So, who’s the second person I’ve met?” Felix asked, needing clarification.
Chan’s smile turned fond. “That would be Lee Know.”
Felix blinked, then turned to the door. “Who’s Lee Know?”
“The cat,” Chan replied with a knowing smile.
“The CAT?” Felix’s eyes widened. “That was a person?”
Chan nodded, his expression never wavering. “Lee Know is a shifter.”
“A shifter?” Felix repeated, trying to wrap his head around the concept. He’d heard rumors about people who could change their forms, but he never imagined he’d meet someone like that. “Wait... so he’s—”
“A cat,” Chan finished, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “Sometimes. But not always.”
Felix processed the information, trying to make sense of it all. This was all too much too fast. A boy named Jeongin had two personalities—one of whom, Bob, was angry and protective and most likely who saved his life. And now Lee Know, a shifter, was apparently part of this group. A group that, despite Chan’s invitation, Felix didn’t fully understand.
“But you seem… normal,” Felix said, more to himself than anyone else. “Like you’re... just regular people.”
“We are,” Chan agreed, his voice steady but edged with something that Felix couldn’t place. “We’re not some band of mutants running around causing chaos. But we all have powers, whether we know how to control them or not.”
Felix shook his head again. He was struggling to keep up, his mind a tangle of questions.
“But if you’re on the outskirts of town… does that mean the government doesn’t know about you?” he asked, his voice quiet but piercing.
Chan’s gaze darkened, just for a moment. “The government knows more than we’d like them to. But this place? It’s safe. For now.”
Felix frowned. “Safe? From what? Or who?”
“From the people who would want to control us,” Chan said quietly. “The people who think we’re a threat because we’re different. The ones who lock us up, like they did with Jeongin.”
Felix took a deep breath, his thoughts swirling. This place, these people—there was so much more to them than he could have guessed. But one thing was certain: he wasn’t safe out there. Not alone.
And, for reasons he couldn’t explain, Felix didn’t feel afraid of these people, even though he had not met the majority as yet. If anything, he felt a pull toward them, a strange comfort in knowing that someone—someone like Chan—was offering him a place to stay.
“So, you’re saying I can stay here?” Felix asked, still not quite believing it. “Just like that?”
“Just like that,” Chan replied, with a warmth that Felix didn’t expect but desperately needed.
Felix swallowed, his heart beating a little faster. “What do I need to do?”
Chan gave him a smile, one that seemed almost reassuring. “Nothing for now. Just... trust us. That’s all we ask.”
Felix nodded, still uncertain but somehow willing to take the leap. This place was strange, its residents even stranger, but it was a sanctuary in a world where he'd never felt safe before.
Chan gestured for Felix to follow him, and with a nod, Felix stood, stretching out his stiff limbs. The sudden invitation to stay felt like an unexpected gift, but it also came with its own weight, its own strange sense of responsibility. Chan led him toward the door, and Felix followed, his mind still processing the whirlwind of conversation they’d just had.
As they walked down a narrow hallway, Felix noticed that the place had an almost surreal feel to it. The floor was polished concrete, smooth and cold underfoot. The walls were lined with shelves, stacked high with books and crates, some of them with faded labels—yet nothing looked abandoned or forgotten. It was organized. Too organized for a place that should’ve been left in ruins.
They rounded a corner, and Felix caught a glimpse of the outside through a set of tall, warehouse-style windows. The light outside was soft, like the world had been draped in a veil of mist, but the warehouse itself remained bathed in warm, golden light. The kind of light that made everything inside feel comfortable. Welcoming, even.
“This place,” Felix muttered, half to himself, half to Chan. “It doesn’t look like it’s falling apart.”
Chan smiled, a touch of pride in his eyes. “It’s not. Hyunjin’s done a lot of work on it. He’s got a knack for design.”
They stepped into the main area, and Felix’s eyes widened at the sight before him. The high ceilings of the warehouse were lined with beams, some of them exposed, but they weren’t just functional. They had been made into works of art. The space had been transformed into a loft-like paradise, with a combination of industrial and modern touches that gave it a sense of home. Comfortable, yet stylish.
There were soft couches scattered around the space, some of them with mismatched pillows, but they were all plush and inviting. In one corner, there was a small bar with shelves lined with bottles—none of them particularly expensive-looking, but still neat and carefully arranged. Plants hung from the ceiling in decorative pots, and the smell of fresh herbs drifted from somewhere in the back, making Felix’s stomach growl again.
He didn’t even notice the man until they were close to the central living area. Chan stopped by the long wooden table in the center of the room, where a two people were seated. One of them was sitting with his arms crossed, his eyes flicking over to Felix as they approached.
"Felix, this is Changbin," Chan said, his voice quieter now. "Changbin, this is Felix."
Felix took in the figure before him. Changbin was short, but compact—solid muscle wrapped in a tight-fitting shirt, his biceps bulging as he leaned back in his chair. His face was sharp, his jawline strong, and his eyes were intense, like a predator studying its prey. Felix couldn't help but feel a slight chill crawl up his spine. The energy Changbin exuded was both intimidating and somehow... protective.
Changbin raised an eyebrow as he studied Felix. His gaze was thorough, like he was trying to figure out something about Felix that even the boy himself didn’t understand. Felix, suddenly aware of how much smaller he felt in comparison, took a cautious step back, feeling the weight of Changbin’s scrutiny.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Changbin said, his voice gruff but not unkind.
Felix blinked, shaking his head. “I’m fine.”
Chan chuckled softly and gave Felix a knowing look. “Don’t mind him. He’s always like that.”
“I’m just sizing him up,” Changbin replied without an ounce of warmth in his tone, his arms still crossed. “Don’t want anyone here messing up the balance.”
Felix wasn’t sure if Changbin was being protective or possessive. Either way, the short, muscular man was intimidating. He didn’t know if he was scared of Changbin, or if he was scared of how easily he might grow attached to someone like him.
Felix turned his attention to Chan, seeking reassurance. “So... am I safe here?” His voice was tentative, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.
Chan gave him a look, one that seemed to weigh his words carefully before he replied. His smile was calm, but there was something unreadable in his expression. “Are you?”
Felix’s heart skipped a beat at the ambiguity of Chan’s words. He was suddenly more aware of how fragile his situation was, how much he was placing his trust in people he barely knew.
Before he could process that question any further, there was a rustling sound from a nearby shelf. Felix turned just in time to see a sleek, dark cat dart from behind a stack of books. It was quick, but Felix could make out the glint of its sharp eyes as it slipped into the space between the shelves and the wall.
There was something almost... knowing about the cat. Felix’s eyes widened, finally realizing that this was not a normal cat.
“You must be Lee Know,” Felix murmured, unsure of what to expect.
The cat’s response was immediate—its back arched, fur standing on end, and it hissed loudly, sharp and defensive.
Felix took a cautious step back, startled by the sudden outburst. “Hey, I didn’t mean to—”
The cat's eyes narrowed at him, its gaze unwavering as it continued to watch him with an intense, almost calculating expression. Felix felt like the animal was sizing him up just like Changbin had done moments earlier.
The moment stretched on for what felt like eternity before the cat seemed to lose interest, turning its back and strutting off toward the corner of the room where a cushion lay. It jumped up gracefully, curling up into a ball without another glance in Felix's direction.
“Lee Know’s... not much of a talker,” Chan commented casually, as if the exchange hadn’t been strange at all.
Felix couldn’t suppress a small laugh, though it was laced with nervousness. “I guess not.”
Felix’s attention drifted back to the doorway, where he notice Jeongin was standing, the boy’s posture unsure. Felix wasn’t sure what to make of him now—whether this was Jeongin, or if Bob was still in control. There was a shift in the air between them, something tense and unreadable.
Felix couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something off about Jeongin—or maybe it was the whole situation. Was he supposed to engage with him? Should he just stay quiet? The last time they’d spoken, Felix hadn’t gotten a clear sense of who Jeongin really was. Maybe that was because of Bob? Jeongin seemed nice, but were they separate. The information Felix had confused him more. Now, Felix didn’t know if he could trust the boy—or whatever side of him was in control right now.
Jeongin hesitated, his fingers twitching slightly as though he was reaching out for something but unsure if it was the right time. Felix’s eyes followed every subtle movement, trying to gauge the mood, unsure whether he should speak or remain silent.
Before Felix could make up his mind, Jeongin took a step toward him. His gaze never wavered, a flicker of something in his eyes—a familiar softness, perhaps, or was it a reflection of Bob’s cold detachment? It was hard to tell.
But Changbin was quicker.
“No,” Changbin’s voice was firm, his tone bordering on an order. His posture was rigid, his eyes hard as he blocked Jeongin’s path with a single, purposeful step forward. The smaller boy froze immediately, the shift in the air almost palpable.
Felix felt a tightening in his chest as Changbin’s command cut through the tension. What was this? He wasn’t used to this kind of... command. And the way Changbin stood there, unmoving, like a force to be reckoned with, made Felix feel like he had no choice but to follow the others' lead.
Jeongin looked down, his mouth tight, but then his gaze returned to Felix, full of an earnestness that felt almost like a plea.
“I’m just trying to make sure he’s safe,” Jeongin spoke to Changbin even though he was looking at Felix, his voice quieter now, almost apologetic.
Felix wasn’t sure if he should respond. Jeongin’s words felt genuine, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper was at play, something that ran much darker under the surface.
But before Felix could decide, another presence made itself known—one far more imposing than the others.
The air chilled as a man appeared in the room.
Felix’s heart lurched as the man’s gaze landed on him. He wasn’t like the others. There was no sense of comfort or calm in his presence—just a deep, seething anger that pulsed from him like an invisible force. The hair on Felix’s arms stood on end.
The man’s eyes locked on Felix, and Felix felt like he was being dissected. Felix swallowed hard, trying to push past the instinctual terror gnawing at his insides. The others, even though Felix had felt afraid of them, there had been something different in their presence—something that told him, despite the fear, they wouldn’t harm him without reason.
But this man? Felix could feel nothing but rage rolling off him like an open flame. The anger radiated so strongly that Felix could almost taste it in the air. It was suffocating.
Felix took a step back, feeling his heart hammering in his chest.
The man’s voice was calm—eerily so—but it only made Felix’s unease deepen. “None of us know if he’s safe I.N.-ah. That’s the problem”
Felix froze.
The words felt like ice running down his spine. There was no sense of reassurance in the man’s tone. No warmth. Just cold, raw aggression. His eyes never left Felix, and Felix felt like he was standing on the edge of something dangerous. Felix swallowed again, fighting to maintain control of his emotions.
Felix tried to speak, but the man cut him off before he could say a word.
“If anyone gets hurt, and it’s even remotely related to your existence, I will kill you. Understand?”
Felix was paralyzed by the intensity of the threat. It wasn’t just a warning—it was a death sentence. And the man’s gaze was absolute, unyielding. Felix swallowed hard, fighting to keep the fear from overtaking him.
“I—I don’t want to cause any problems,” Felix finally managed, voice shaking. “I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”
The man’s lips curled into a twisted, almost bored smile. “You’d better hope you don’t. Because if you do, you won’t get a warning next time.” He took a slow step forward, his presence almost suffocating, and Felix instinctively recoiled. The man’s gaze flickered briefly to the others, but then was back on Felix, sharp as a blade.
“I’ll show you the door,” the man said with a chilling finality.
“No,” Jeongin’s voice broke through the tension, low but insistent. He took a step forward, eyes narrowing at the man, though he still kept a slight distance. “Felix is safe here. He’s one of us.” He sounded sure.
Felix blinked, confusion clouding his thoughts. One of them? Safe here? He wasn’t sure what to believe anymore, especially with the sense of dread the man had just instilled in him.
Before Felix could process it, another voice interrupted.
“Play nice, will you?” came a voice from behind Changbin. Felix turned to see the boy who was still seated on the couch, with a relaxed, almost amused expression. “You’ll make the baby cry.”
Felix’s brow furrowed in confusion. The baby? Did he have that word wrong? Was his Korean failing him again?
He didn’t realize he said that aloud until Jeongin immediately shot to the front, his voice louder now as he threw his arms wide. “It’s me! I’m the baby!” His tone was a mix of annoyance and exasperation, like he’d heard this one too many times.
Felix stood frozen, caught off guard by the sudden shift in mood. The baby? What did that even mean? Jeongin was... what? They didn't mean that literally right. Felix was starting to realize with this group you could not just assume. Felix wasn’t sure how to process it. He glanced between Jeongin’s childlike protest and the others, who seemed entirely unfazed.
The boy on the couch let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the chaos. “See? Now you’ve done it. You’ve upset the baby.”
Jeongin crossed his arms with a huff, lips pouting. “I’m not a baby! Stop calling me that!”
Felix was left standing there, completely baffled. This group was a strange mix of warmth and cold, tension and laughter, like a family with too many secrets. Felix wasn’t sure whether to laugh at the absurdity or to worry about the darker currents beneath the surface.
All he knew was that nothing would be simple anymore.
Felix was still trying to make sense of the chaos—the tension, the strange declarations, the ever-shifting dynamics—when the boy on the couch spoke again. Calm, but... off.
“What’s your ability?” the boy asked, his expression unreadable. His voice was soft, almost too soft—sweet in a way that made Felix’s spine tighten, like syrup over poison.
Felix blinked. “What?” The question had come out of nowhere.
“Your ability,” the boy repeated, his voice even smoother now. “What is it?”
“I—I grow flowers,” Felix said automatically, before he could even think to censor himself.
“And your intention with staying here?” the boy continued, tone still sickly sweet, words sliding over Felix like velvet and glass.
“I didn’t intend to stay. I didn’t ask to stay,” Felix said, confused. “Chan offered. I have nowhere else to go”
Only after the words left his mouth did Felix realize something was... wrong. He hadn’t meant to say it like that. The truth had just tumbled out, raw and unfiltered. His stomach dropped.
The boy turned to face the angry man—Han, Felix learned when the boy addressed him by name.
“See, Han?” he said plainly. “He’s harmless. No one can lie to me.”
Felix’s blood turned to ice.
“What the hell did you just do to me?” he snapped, stepping back, fury and panic building in his chest. “You—what was that? What did you just do?”
The boy looked toward Chan for permission before responding. Then, almost like he could feel someone else watching, he turned his gaze slightly toward the curled-up cat on the windowsill. Lee Know’s golden eyes narrowed slightly in response.
Chan gave a subtle nod. Lee Know did nothing at all. Apparently, that was answer enough.
Only then did the boy speak. “I don’t think I’ve introduced myself. I’m Seungmin and people can’t lie to me. It’s a form of compulsion. It’s not flashy. You don’t even realize it’s happening. But it was the only way Han would believe you weren’t dangerous.”
“You could have just asked me normally,” Felix bit out, fists clenched. He was so angry the words came out in English “I didn’t choose to come here. I didn’t even know this place existed! Jeongin or Bob or whoever the HELL he is brought me here. And I didn’t ask to stay, either! Chan offered! So why the hell am I the one being treated like some kind of threat? You guys are the threat. WHAT THE FUCK”
The room went still again at his outburst. Most likely they had no clue what he said. Or maybe they all spoke English, Chan did, and was just deciding who would attack first.
And then—
Footsteps.
Delicate, deliberate, descending from the stairs like a scene from a movie.
The prettiest boy Felix had ever seen made his entrance, and for a moment—just a brief, heartbeat-sized moment—everything paused. The tension in the room quieted, not vanished, but softened. The boy moved with fluid grace, his long hair falling in waves over his shoulders, his presence impossible to ignore.
“None of us asked to be here,” the boy said lightly in English, lips curled into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Then switching back “Fate’s funny like that.”
He stopped just short of the group, head tilted, eyes studying Felix curiously.
“I’m sorry if that wasn’t the point. That’s the only part of your little speech I really understood. I’m not very good at English.” He smiled “I’m Hyunjin,” he continued, voice smooth as silk. “Welcome to our humble home.”
Felix, still on edge but desperate to cut the tension, tried to smile. “Chan mentioned you were in charge of the decorations.”
Hyunjin’s face lit up at that, and his laugh—though a little tired—sounded genuine. “That’s because if I left it to the others, this place would look like a haunted garage. I have standards. I’m better than that.”
That finally earned a few laughs around the room—muted, but real.
Felix found himself drawn to Hyunjin. It wasn’t just admiration—there was something magnetic about him, a pull beneath the surface that Felix couldn’t resist. His feet started moving before his brain had even decided to follow.
He stepped forward.
But then—
A scoff.
A body blocked his path.
Felix blinked, startled as the unnamed man—Han, he remembered now—stepped in front of him, arms crossed, expression hard.
“What you’re feeling right now?” he said coldly, “That’s not real. It’s just his powers.”
Felix looked up at Hyunjin, suddenly unsure. That soft pull in his chest, that strange comfort he’d started to feel—was it all just an illusion?
“I’m not using my powers,” Hyunjin said, voice still light, though now a little brittle around the edges. “They just never really turn off.”
“Exactly,” Han said flatly. “So don’t trust them.”
The mood threatened to dip again into suffocating tension, but then Changbin, still standing like a wall of quiet protection between Felix and the rest, cracked a small smile.
“Our Hyunjinnie is just that pretty,” he said, almost fond.
The tension broke.
Hyunjin smirked and struck a dramatic pose, hair flipping over his shoulder. “It’s a curse, really.”
Felix couldn’t help it—he laughed. A real one this time. Not the nervous, hollow chuckle from earlier. And the others, for the first time, didn’t seem like predators circling their prey.
For just a moment, they looked like what Chan had said they were.
A family.
A strange, chaotic, suspicious family—but a family nonetheless.
Felix still didn’t know if he belonged here.
But for the first time, he wasn’t sure he didn’t.