Chapter Text
Felix’s POV
The music stopped with a sharp click, leaving nothing but the sound of Felix’s heavy breathing and the distant hum of traffic outside the third-story windows. Sweat curled the hair at the nape of his neck, and his lungs burned, but it was a good burn. Usually, this was his sanctuary.
But today, the sanctuary felt small. Specifically, 4,000-a-month-more-expensive small.
"Felix, you’re pouting. It’s making the floor slippery," a voice teased from the corner.
Felix looked in the mirror, catching Hyunjin’s reflection. His friend was draped dramatically over a foam roller, looking more like a fallen Victorian poet than a hip-hop dancer. Next to him, Han was aggressively shoving a granola bar into his mouth, and Jeongin was scrolling through his phone, though the frown on the youngest's face suggested he was looking at the same email Felix had received that morning.
"The landlord is a leech," Jeongin said, not looking up. "A greedy, slimy, soul-sucking leech. He knows we just got that contract for the youth showcase. He’s hiking the rent because he knows we’re finally making money."
"It’s not just a hike, Innie," Felix sighed, sliding down the mirror until he hit the floor. "It’s an eviction notice in disguise. I can’t ask the students to pay more. Most of them are working part-time just to be here."
"I could try to charm him?" Hyunjin suggested, though he sounded doubtful. "I’ve had a 10% success rate with older men who have no souls."
"He’s not a fan of contemporary dance, Jinnie," Han muffled through his granola. "He’s a fan of money. Maybe you should ask your man? Chan-hyung owns, like, half the buildings downtown, doesn't he?"
Felix smiled softly at the mention of his boyfriend. Just thinking about Chan’s dimples and the way he smelled like expensive sandalwood and old books made the knot in his stomach loosen. "Chan is a businessman, Jisung, not a miracle worker. Besides, he’s so busy with his logistics firm lately. I don't want to bother him with my grumpy landlord problems."
"Logistics," Jeongin muttered under his breath, exchanging a look with Han that Felix didn't catch. "Right. Moving 'goods' from point A to point B. Very professional."
"He’s so sweet," Felix gushed, ignoring them. "He actually told me this morning that if Mr. Han gave me any more trouble, he’d have someone named 'The Fixer' take care of it. He’s such a dork. He’s been watching way too many action movies lately."
Hyunjin choked on air. "The—The Fixer? Felix, did he say that while he was making you blueberry pancakes?"
"Yeah! He even did this deep, gravelly voice and said, 'Nobody touches my sunshine’s assets,'" Felix giggled, hugging his knees to his chest. "He’s so dedicated to the bit. I love that he tries to act tough for me. It’s adorable."
Jisung and Hyunjin shared a look of pure, unadulterated terror.
"Anyway," Felix stood up, clapping his hands to rally the troops. "We’ll figure it out. Maybe I can take on some extra shifts at the bakery. I’ll go home, have a nice dinner with my very normal, very non-mob-boss boyfriend, and tomorrow is a new day."
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Chan’s POV
The office at CB97 Enterprises was dimly lit, the only light coming from the amber glow of a glass of whiskey and the flickering monitors on the wall.
Minho leaned against the door frame, his suit jacket off and his sleeves rolled up to reveal a clean, sharp tattoo of a dagger on his forearm. He was flipping a coin with practiced, lethal precision.
"The landlord for the Sunshine District studios," Minho said, his voice smooth and cold. "A Mr. Han. Not our Han, obviously. Just a cockroach with a deed. He sent Felix a rent hike notice this morning. Felix cried in the break room."
The pen in Chan’s hand snapped.
Chan didn't look up. His eyes remained fixed on a file on his desk, but the air in the room suddenly felt heavy, like the pressure before a lightning strike. "He cried?"
"Jisung reported that there were definitely tears," Minho confirmed. "The kid is stressed. Thinks he has to work at the bakery again."
Chan stood up, smoothing the front of his designer vest. He looked every bit the high-powered CEO—until you noticed the cold, predatory stillness in his shoulders.
"I told Felix this morning that I’d handle it," Chan said, a small, dark smirk playing on his lips. "He laughed. He told me I should start a podcast for 'tough guy ASMR' because my voice was so convincing."
Minho snorted. "He really thinks you’re a teddy bear, doesn't he?"
"He thinks I’m a nerd who plays too many video games," Chan sighed, though his eyes softened for a fraction of a second. Then, the ice returned. "Take Seungmin. He’s good with paperwork. Have him find every building code violation that Mr. Han has ever committed. And Minho?"
"Yeah, boss?"
"Take Changbin too. If the paperwork doesn't convince him to lower the rent again and freeze it for ... let's say, the next five years... then Changbin can show him what happens to people who make my boyfriend cry."
Minho caught the coin and pocketed it. "Consider it done. What are you going to tell Felix?"
Chan picked up his phone, his thumb hovering over Felix’s contact name—Lixie-Lix 🐥. "The truth. I’m going to tell him I took care of it and that the landlord had a change of heart after realising the error of his ways."
"And he'll believe you?"
Chan chuckled, a dry, tired sound. "He’ll probably tell me I’m a 'good negotiator' and ask if I want to celebrate with cocoa and a Disney movie."
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Felix’s POV
The walk home was crisp and autumn-scented, the kind of evening that usually made Felix want to skip. But today, his steps were heavy. He kept doing mental math, trying to figure out how many dance classes he’d have to teach to cover the rent increase.
Maybe I can sell some of my old costumes? he wondered. Or perhaps Hyunjin and I can do those street performances in the plaza?
By the time he reached the penthouse—a place he still felt a bit shy living in, despite Chan’s insistence—he was exhausted. The elevator chimed, opening directly into a space of floor-to-ceiling glass, plush rugs, and the comforting smell of garlic and herbs.
Chan was in the kitchen. He had discarded his suit jacket, his white dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar and sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing those thick, corded forearms that Felix loved to lean on. He was humming a melody, expertly tossing pasta in a pan.
"Lix? That you?" Chan called out without turning, his voice dropping an octave into that warm, honey-like tone that always made Felix’s heart flutter.
"Yeah," Felix sighed, dropping his gym bag by the door and shuffling over. He wrapped his arms around Chan’s waist from behind, burying his face in the broad expanse of Chan's back. "You’re home early."
Chan paused, setting the tongs down to turn around in Felix’s arms. He cupped Felix’s face, his thumbs brushing over the dusting of freckles on his cheeks. Chan’s eyes narrowed slightly, the sharpness flicking on for a split second as he scanned Felix’s tired expression.
"You look like you’ve had a day," Chan murmured. "Is it the studio?"
Felix nodded, pouting. "Mr. Han is being a meanie, Channie. He sent this scary legal letter about the rent. I think he’s trying to push us out so he can put in a luxury gym or something."
Chan’s expression went perfectly flat. It was the face he usually reserved for when his 'logistics' spreadsheets didn't balance, but to Felix, it just looked like Chan was thinking really hard.
"I told you this morning, baby," Chan said, pulling Felix closer until their foreheads touched. "I’ll handle it. I’ve already sent my best people to... negotiate a more favourable outcome."
Felix giggled, the sound bubbling up despite his stress. "Your 'best people'? You mean Minho-hyung? Chan, Minho is a sweetheart, but he spends half his time taking pictures of his cats and the other half judging my choice of snacks. What’s he going to do? Meow at the landlord until he gives in?"
Chan stared at Felix for a long beat. He seemed to be struggling with a very complex emotion. "Felix... Minho is many things. Sweetheart is generally not the word used by anyone who isn't you. He’s very... persuasive."
"He’s a kitten," Felix insisted, pulling away to grab a fork and sneak a piece of pasta. "And you’re a big softie. But thank you for trying to make me feel better. It’s cute when you pretend to be a Godfather character."
Chan let out a long, slow breath. "Lix, I’m not pretending. I literally own the debt on three of Han’s other properties. I could have him living in a cardboard box by midnight if I wanted to."
Felix laughed so hard he nearly choked on his food. "Stop! You’re so dramatic! 'I own the debt,'" he mimicked in a deep voice, waving the fork around. "What’s next? Are you going to tell me Changbin is your 'enforcer' because he spends four hours a day at the gym?"
"He is my enforcer," Chan said, his voice completely deadpan.
"He’s a gym nerd who likes dark clothes!" Felix countered, poking Chan’s chest. "Anyway, let's eat. I don't want to talk about the mean landlord anymore. I want to talk about the new choreography I’m working on for the kids."
Chan watched him for a moment, a mix of utter adoration and slight exasperation on his face. He reached out, ruffling Felix’s blonde hair. "Okay, Lix. We’ll talk about dance. But don't be surprised if Mr. Han calls you tomorrow with an apology."
"If he does, I’ll buy you that limited edition PC part you wanted," Felix joked. "But don't hold your breath, Channie."
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Chan’s POV
As soon as Felix retreated to the bathroom to take a shower, Chan’s phone vibrated on the marble counter.
It was a text from Seungmin.
[Seungmin]: Found seven building code violations, three counts of tax evasion, and a very interesting off-the-books deal Mr. Han made with a rival firm. Minho and Changbin are at his office now. Should I call the auditors, or let the boys finish their 'conversation' first?
Chan typed back with one hand while sipping his wine.
[Chan]: Let the boys finish. Tell them to make sure he understands that the studio rent is now frozen for at least the next five years. And tell him if he ever makes Felix cry again, he won't be worried about building codes; he'll be worried about gravity.
Chan put the phone down just as Felix walked back into the room, wearing oversized pyjamas and smelling like strawberry body wash. Felix looked so bright, so innocent, and so completely oblivious to the fact that his boyfriend had just authorised the systematic destruction of a man’s career over a rent hike.
"What are you smiling at?" Felix asked, hopping onto a bar stool.
"Just thinking about how much I love you," Chan said, his eyes softening as he plated the rest of the food.
"You are pretty great too," Felix smiled, reaching across the counter to squeeze Chan’s hand. "Even if you're a bit of a dork."
Chan just nodded, leaning in to kiss Felix’s forehead. A dork who happens to run the largest crime syndicate in the southern hemisphere, he thought. But for you? Just a dork.
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Felix's POV
The next morning, Felix was startled awake by the frantic ringing of his phone. He fumbled for it on the nightstand, squinting at the screen.
"Hello?" he rasped, his voice thick with sleep.
"Felix! It’s Mr. Han!"
Felix sat bolt upright, his heart hammering. "Oh! Mr. Han! Look, about the email, I was hoping we could sit down and—"
"No! No sitting! No sitting needed!" The landlord’s voice sounded... strange. It was high-pitched, breathless, and there was a faint sound of someone sobbing in the background. "I’m calling to apologise, Felix. Deeply. Truly. Sincerest apologies from the bottom of my black, greedy heart!"
Felix blinked, pulling the phone away to look at it, then putting it back to his ear. "Wait, what?"
"The rent hike? A mistake! A clerical error! In fact, I’ve realised that your studio provides such a vital service to the community that I’m lowering the rent. By 50%. And the first six months are free. Please... please just tell your... business associates that we are all friends here. Very good friends!"
"Business associates?" Felix asked, confused. "Do you mean my students' parents?"
"Yes! Sure! Very scary parents!" Mr. Han squeaked. "Anyway, the new contract is being couriered to you now. Have a wonderful day! Please don't hurt me!"
Click.
Felix stared at the dead phone. He turned his head to see Chan sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed in another sharp suit, calmly tying his silk tie in the mirror.
"Channie?" Felix whispered.
"Yeah, baby?" Chan didn't turn around, but Felix could see the small, satisfied smirk in the reflection.
"You won’t believe it. Mr. Han just called. He was... crying? And he lowered the rent! He said I have 'scary parents' at the studio."
Chan finally turned, his expression the picture of innocent surprise. "Really? Wow. I guess he must have realised you’re too precious to lose as a tenant. I told you, Lix. People usually come around once they see the light."
Felix jumped out of bed and tackled Chan into a hug, nearly knocking the older man over. "You’re a genius! Whatever you said to him when you 'negotiated' must have really worked! You’re so charming, Chan! You probably just used your 'CEO voice' and he got intimidated by how professional you are."
Chan wrapped his arms around Felix, burying his face in the crook of Felix’s neck to hide the fact that he was vibrating with silent laughter. "Yeah, Lix. That’s exactly what happened. My 'CEO voice' is very powerful."
"I knew it!" Felix cheered, pulling back to beam at him. "I'm going to tell Han and Hyunjin. They were so worried! I’ll tell them you handled it with your 'connections.'"
"Please do," Chan said, reaching for his briefcase. "Tell them I’m a very, very connected man."