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Felix and Hyunjin had been best friends for as long as they could remember, like two halves of a whole, sharing a connection so intrinsic and beautiful that it evoked envy in anyone who saw them. There was no Felix without Hyunjin, just as there was no Hyunjin without Felix. The two were almost a single entity, as their friends liked to say - and perhaps they really were.
It was rare to see one without the other, so inseparable that people often mixed them up - even though they looked and acted nothing alike. Because they were always together, they were occasionally called "Hyunlix", as if they were a single unit rather than two halves of a whole. But it felt so natural that neither of them minded being called that.
To those who knew them, their dynamic was curious, often a subject of fascination and speculation. Some insisted that the two were dating - "You can't spend 24/7 with someone without being obligated to and not complain." Others maintained that their bond was simply a beautiful friendship, the kind that made anyone crossing their paths envious.
To Felix, they were soulmates, destined for one another since birth, like every love song they shared on their headphones, or an alternate version of "18" by One Direction. Because Felix was undeniably in love with Hyunjin, perhaps even before he turned eighteen.
Now, at 20 years old, their bond had only grown stronger and more beautiful. There they were, spending another casual night in Hyunjin's living room, enjoying each other's company while watching another one of Felix's favorite sitcoms. Felix was comfortably lying on top of Hyunjin, receiving gentle back rubs - something that happened every weekend or whenever they were together. That was just how they were and always had been.
Hyunjin found every laugh Felix let out utterly adorable, that familiar feeling burning in his chest. To him, Felix was home - a safe place he could go when he wasn’t feeling well, not needing to say anything because Felix already understood all his nuances. Whenever he needed it, he would knock on Felix's door and, without a word, be pulled into a hug, taken to the bedroom, and laid down with all the love in the world on Felix's chest while Harry Potter played in the background. Because Harry Potter + Felix was everything Hyunjin needed to feel better.
Perhaps it was because of these small details - the love and care he always received unconditionally, without ever needing to ask for it - that Hyunjin fell for Felix. Fell for his laughter, the tight hugs that brought peace amidst chaos, and the baby-scented perfume that Felix kept as their little secret, wearing it to bed and sharing its scent during their embraces.
Or maybe, just maybe, it was the moments they shared before sleeping, when they talked about everything and nothing, wrapped up in a world that belonged only to them. A perfect world, smelling of baby perfume and strawberries, where after talking for hours, Felix would snuggle closer under the covers, resting his face on Hyunjin's neck and throwing a leg over him, making himself at home in Hyunjin’s warmth.
Perhaps the mornings after were to blame, on those rare occasions when Hyunjin woke first and admired Felix's peaceful expression, unable to resist running his fingers through Felix's messy hair. Felix would almost purr, snuggling closer, mumbling variations of, “Baby, it’s too early, let’s sleep a bit more”, before drifting back into slumber.
Maybe it was a mix of all this and so much more. Hyunjin couldn't say for sure. But one thing he knew with absolute certainty: he was completely in love with Felix.
“A penny for your thoughts, Jinnie,” Felix’s voice pulled him out of his reverie, quickly followed by a sweet expression and blond hair as Felix propped himself up on Hyunjin’s chest to look at him.
“Curiosity killed the cat, you know?” Hyunjin replied with a slight smile.
“But this one’s got nine lives!”
“If you say so,” Hyunjin said, struggling not to get lost in Felix’s features so close to him. His chest burned with emotions he could barely contain. “Want some popcorn?” he asked after a few moments, playfully pinching Felix’s cheek.
“With chocolate?”
“What don’t I do for you, huh?”
“Love you!” Felix declared cheerfully, planting a kiss on Hyunjin’s cheek as he got up to leave their tangle of limbs.
As Hyunjin headed to the kitchen, Felix stayed sprawled on the couch, watching his familiar figure behind the counter that separated the rooms. A sweet, lovestruck smile was ever-present on his lips. He could watch Hyunjin for hours, days - even a lifetime - and never get tired of it.
But life didn’t seem to share that sentiment when a persistent buzzing under the cushions caught his attention. It didn’t take long to realize it was Hyunjin’s phone.
Sighing lazily, Felix got up, grabbed the phone, and headed to the kitchen, only to pause halfway as another buzz announced a new message - one that made his heart skip and then race in his chest.
[“Have you confessed yet, lover boy? Can I add you to the ‘taken’ group, or are you still scared of ruining your friendship with Lixie, who we all know feels the same way?”]
Felix had always noticed the small differences in how Hyunjin treated him compared to their other friends or the insinuations those friends made when they were together. But fear of ruining their friendship - or imagining things - always held him back.
Yet, here in his hands was proof that his feelings were mutual. As the phone screen dimmed, Felix’s realization sank in: Hyunjin was in love with him! His Jinnie felt the same! He was in love with Felix!
Felix felt like the happiest person in the world. Heaven! How had he never noticed before? How long had Hyunjin kept these feelings to himself? How much time had they already lost?
Adrenaline coursing through him, Felix rushed into the kitchen, leaving Hyunjin with a questioning look. He quickly closed the distance and threw himself into Hyunjin’s arms, trying to convey all his emotions in one loving hug.
Why did everything with Hyunjin have to be so perfect and fit so well? It wasn’t fair! But Felix wouldn’t complain about the gods’ preferences if it meant he could be the one holding Hyunjin, because his Jinnie was the chosen one, sculpted by divine hands with such perfection that Felix was left mesmerized.
“Jinnie, I like you!” Felix declared, his voice full of unrestrained emotion.
“I like you too, Lixie.”
“No, Hyunjin! I don’t just like you - I love you! I want you! I’m in love with you!”
“You like me?” Hyunjin’s expression showed genuine surprise, as if he couldn’t believe this was finally happening.
“Yes, Jinnie! I like you, and I’m in love with you!” Felix had the most radiant smile Hyunjin had ever seen, one that reached his sparkling eyes, reflecting his emotions.
“I’m in love with you too, Felix. With every little part of you,” Hyunjin said, tightening his hold on Felix’s waist.
“You’re such a corny, Jinnie!” Felix teased, his cheeks burning from the confession.
“Only for my Lixie.”
“Yeah? Then you better ask me out already,” Felix joked, though it wasn’t entirely a joke.
At that, Hyunjin pulled back slightly, putting on a mock-serious face.
“Asking you out can’t be just like that.”
“Of course it can!” Felix argued with conviction. “I love you, you love me - we’re in love!”
“No, it has to be a proper, romantic proposal, just like my Lixie deserves.” Hyunjin smiled, stroking Felix’s face gently.
“All your Lixie wants is his Jinnie, nothing else,” Felix said, leaning into the touch and kissing Hyunjin’s hand.
“And who’s the corny now?” Hyunjin teased, his grin growing.
“HYUNJIN!” Felix exclaimed, pouting dramatically. “Fine, then I’ll ask!” He smiled again, taking Hyunjin’s hands and placing them over his chest. “Hwang Hyunjin, will you be my boyfriend?”
“Let me think about it…”
“Idiot!” Felix laughed, pulling away and pretending to head back to the living room. “I don’t want you anymore. I’ll find another boyfriend.”
“Come back here,” Hyunjin laughed, genuinely happy and elated, as he closed the distance and cupped Felix’s face in his hands. “Of course I’ll be your boyfriend, baby.”
“You better, I’m the love of your life!”
To Felix, being able to say that seriously and not as a joke, as they often masked their feelings, was almost liberating. He felt waves of electricity coursing through his body, so overwhelming was his happiness.
“You’re getting so full of yourself.”
“I can be.” Felix finally closed the gap between their lips, voicing the desire that had consumed him.
Between smiles, kisses, and embraces, Felix realized he truly was chosen by the gods. Having the honor of holding such a divine being—who surely wasn’t of this world - was the greatest blessing of all. And the best part? Hyunjin was his, and only his.
“I’m still going to ask you out in a more romantic way, you know that, right?” Hyunjin whispered hours later as they lay in bed, preparing to sleep.
“I know,” Felix replied, smiling as he played with their intertwined hands. “But even if there wasn’t an official proposal, I’d still be yours regardless.”
Hyunjin couldn’t help himself. He rolled over, pinning Felix beneath him on the bed. Felix let out a startled noise but quickly gave in, offering a sweet smile as he reached up to brush Hyunjin’s stray hair aside.
“I love you so much,” Hyunjin said, feeling the words would never be enough to express the depth of his emotions.
“And I love you,” Felix smiled, pulling Hyunjin’s face closer and sealing his lips in a kiss to prove the sincerity of his words.
If they had their first argument as a couple minutes later over who loved the other more, no one needed to know.
Just as no one needed to know about the countless declarations, touches, and smiles they shared until they finally gave in to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, knowing they had plenty more time together - not just as best friends, but now as boyfriends too.