Chapter Text
The loud chatter and bass from the party were muffled as the door slammed shut behind Hyunjin. The air was damp from the rain, and cars could be heard passing by occasionally, their tires slicing through the puddles on the road.
For a moment he just stood there, feeling the cold breeze on his tattooed skin. The wind carried a hint of smoke and something earthy, the type of smell that always came after a storm. It's the type of night that leaves the entire city feeling washed out and slow.
"Couldn't handle the crowd?" There was a voice, half-laughing.
With a slight smile tugging at his lips, Hyunjin glanced over and leaned against the wall. "Could ask you the same thing, Felix."
Felix was someone Hyunjin knew. Most often from the type of parties where everyone consumes excessive amounts of alcohol and forgets half of the names they've learned. They had some friends in common and had spoken to each other occasionally, sharing some jokes and maybe some smiles that lingered for just a second too long. Nevertheless, without giving it any thought, Hyunjin had followed Felix as he saw him slipping out the door.
Felix had that look in his eyes, the kind that said, "I'm done with this, but I don't want to go home yet." He shivered slightly, his hoodie far too thin for the cold, but he didn't seem to care.
The lighter clicks as Hyunjin takes out his final cigarette. "You want?"
Felix shrugged, his lips moving in a crooked smile. "I haven't tried it."
"Here." That was all Hyunjin said before handing it over.
Felix leaned in for the flame, holding the cigarette between his lips. Their hands touched for a split second, light but just enough to notice.
He coughed after taking a drag, eyes watering slightly. "Elegant," he chuckled, his voice raspy.
With a sly smile, Hyunjin shook his head slightly, taking it back. "You'll get there."
They started walking with no destination in mind, sharing a cigarette. The rain had slowed to a soft drizzle that clung to their clothes and eyelashes. Every now and then, Hyunjin would hold out the cigarette, and Felix would take it, cautiously and awkwardly.
A cat darted between the trash cans, hissing at them before skidding away. Felix pointed. "Judgy little guy."
"Yeah, probably judging you and your smoking skills," Hyunjin said jokingly.
Felix smiled, his eyes sparkling as they reflected the light from the streetlight. "You don't talk much."
Hyunjin shrugged. "You talk enough for both of us."
"Maybe." Felix kicked at a pebble, watching it skip across the pavement. "But I like hearing your voice when you do."
Hyunjin looked at him. Really looked at the wet hair on his cheek and how he kept shoving his sleeves over his hands, trying to hide them from the cold. Something in that made him soften. He handed the cigarette back.
Felix tried again, managed to create a thin ring of smoke, surprised himself, and laughed, a clear, bright sound against the muted night. "Did you see that?!"
Hyunjin nodded, his lips twitching. "Not bad, fairy boy."
Felix's ears turned red. "You know... you're not as scary as you look."
"Don't tell anyone, though," Hyunjin said, smiling.
They walked in silence after that, not an awkward one but rather one that was comfortable. Every step made a wet sound against the pavement, the sound mixing with a faraway siren. Somewhere down the street, a taxi came to a stop, doors opening and closing shut again. They stopped walking.
Felix looked up at the sky; nothing but thick clouds in sight. "It's kinda weird," he said quietly. "How the city feels softer when it rains."
Hyunjin glanced at him. "Softer?" They began walking again. Slowly getting back in sync.
"Yeah." Felix's voice lowered, as if he wasn't sure he wanted to be heard. "Like everything that's usually so busy suddenly just... slows down."
Hyunjin thought about it for a second, about the many nights he had walked these streets just to clear his head and get away from all the noise, from everything that suddenly became too much. "Yeah," he replied. "I get that."
They ended up near a bus stop, beneath a broken lamp that flickered every few seconds. Hyunjin sat down after grinding out the cigarette stub. Felix hovered for a second before sitting down, their knees touching.
"Thank you for dragging me away. I really needed to clear my mind," Felix explained quietly. His voice was softer now, like the night had worn down whatever walls he usually built up around him.
Hyunjin didn't answer right away. He just slid his hand over Felix's sleeve and found his fingers. Felix let him, intertwining them.
Rain poured onto the pavement. Felix leaned his head against Hyunjin's shoulder, his soft hair still damp.
"This is better than that party," Felix muttered.
Hyunjin inhaled, feeling the rain, the wind, and something warm. "Yeah," he exhaled. "Way better."