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Minho was a man of many talents, but his greatest skill was his inability to tolerate stupidity. And currently, Bang Chan and Lee Felix were being profoundly stupid.
They were sitting on the couch in the dorm, barely an inch apart. Chan was pretending to be focused on a lyric sheet, but his eyes kept darting to the way Felix’s shirt collar slipped off his shoulder. Felix was 'scrolling on his phone', but he was actually just staring at the reflection of Chan’s jawline in the black screen.
"I can't do this anymore," Minho muttered, retreating to his room. "If they won't talk, I'll make them scream."
Ten minutes later, a profile was live on The Link (a dating app for idols and VIP's).
- Name: CB97 (Chan)
- Bio: Looking for someone who understands the grind.
- Photo: A shirtless gym mirror selfie Minho had swiped from Chan’s private 'progress' folder.
Minho smirked. He’d give it a week. Let the rumours simmer. He didn't account for Hyunjin’s social circle being faster than 5G internet.
Hyunjin was currently in the middle of a very intensive skincare routine - the kind that required absolute focus and a specific headband with cat ears - when his phone buzzed aggressively against the marble countertop.
It was a KakaoTalk message from a friend in a rival group, a notorious gossip who knew everyone's business. Hyunjin swiped the notification with a damp finger, expecting a meme or a song recommendation.
Instead, his heart did a frantic tap-dance against his ribs.
Friend: Jinnie... tell me this isn't your leader. On 'The Link'? Please tell me he's not actually looking for a 'workout buddy' with a photo like THAT.
Attached was a screenshot. A high-definition, devastatingly clear screenshot of Bang Chan. He was shirtless, veins popping in his forearms, looking every bit like the Australian thirst trap he was - under a profile that clearly stated he was 'looking'.
"No," Hyunjin whispered, his voice cracking. "No, no, no. Not now. Not when Felix literally spent three hours yesterday analysing the way Chan-hyung said goodnight to him."
Hyunjin looked at his reflection. He saw a man who had spent the last year being the unofficial therapist for two people who were soulmates but also idiots. He saw a man who knew that if Felix saw this, he wouldn't just be sad - he would be destroyed.
Felix was currently in his room, probably listening to a playlist of 'songs that remind me of him' and staring at a photo of Chan's back.
"I have to neutralise the threat," Hyunjin decided, wiping the clay mask off his face with a frantic, messy swipe. "If Chan is moving on, Felix needs to move on faster. He needs to move on with... someone taller. Someone with a jawline that could cut glass. Someone like..."
He scrolled through his contacts. His thumb hovered over a name that screamed 'Main Character Energy.'
Hyunjin didn’t even wait to dry his face properly. With droplets of water still clinging to his hairline and his cat-ear headband slightly lopsided, he stormed down the hallway toward the genius room. He didn't knock. He burst in like a man who had just discovered a national conspiracy.
Chan was hunched over his computer, the blue light of the monitor reflecting in his tired eyes. He was wearing a tank top - the exact kind of tank top that made Felix lose his ability to speak English and Korean simultaneously.
"Hyung!" Hyunjin barked, pointing a trembling finger at him.
Chan jumped, nearly knocking over his iced americano. "Jinnie? God, you scared me. Is the dorm on fire? Did someone break a light stick?"
"Your dignity is on fire!" Hyunjin paced the small space, his dramatic flair reaching an all-time high. "How could you do this? Now? When things are so... delicate? When the atmosphere in the dorm is practically vibrating with unspoken emotions?"
Chan blinked, completely lost. He thought about the last twenty-four hours. Had he forgotten to do the dishes? No. Had he accidentally eaten someone’s yogurt? Maybe. "I... I’m sorry? I didn't know the atmosphere was vibrating. I thought everyone was just sleepy from practice."
"Don't play coy with me!" Hyunjin shoved his phone screen inches from Chan’s nose. He didn't show the profile - he was too afraid of the shirtless photo's power - but he showed the 'The Link' app icon he’d searched on the App Store. "I know you're looking for 'new connections.' I know you're 'putting yourself out there'!"
Chan squinted at the screen. He genuinely thought Hyunjin was talking about his recent obsession with finding new international producers to collaborate with. "Oh! That. Yeah, I mean, I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I felt like I was stuck in a bubble, you know? I needed something fresh. Something... exciting. A new partner, maybe?"
Hyunjin gasped, a hand flying to his chest. "A new partner? You're already looking for a replacement?"
"Well, yeah," Chan said, turning back to his screen to tweak a snare hit. "The current situation is great, don't get me wrong, but sometimes you just need a different vibe to keep things interesting. I was actually going to talk to the guys about it soon. I didn't think you'd mind so much."
Hyunjin felt his soul leave his body. Chan wasn't even ashamed. He was talking about replacing his 'vibe' with Felix like he was swapping out a keyboard. "You’re a monster," Hyunjin whispered. "A muscular, talented monster. I’m going to save him from you."
"Save who? Changbin? He likes the new tracks!" Chan called out as Hyunjin slammed the door. Chan shook his head, muttering, "Dramatics. He’s been watching too many K-Dramas."
Hyunjin didn't hesitate. He retreated to the balcony, his breath visible in the chilly air as he dialled a number he usually only used for fashion advice or dinner plans.
"Rowoon-ah," Hyunjin said the moment the call connected. "I have a mission for you. It involves charity, romance, and a very cute blonde Australian who is currently being emotionally neglected by a man who thinks 'The Link' is an appropriate hobby."
On the other end of the line, Rowoon laughed - a deep, melodic sound that usually made fans faint. "Hyunjin? Slow down. Are you talking about Felix? I thought you said those two were basically married without the paperwork."
"The paperwork has been shredded!" Hyunjin hissed. "Chan is on a dating app. He’s looking for a 'new vibe.' Felix is going to find out, and when he does, I want him to already have a hand to hold. A very large, handsome hand. Yours."
Rowoon went quiet for a second. He had met Felix a few times at award shows. He remembered the way Felix’s eyes turned into little crescents when he laughed and how he smelled like expensive brownies. He also knew Felix was head-over-heels for his leader, which made Rowoon hesitate.
"I don't want to be a rebound, Jinnie," Rowoon said softly. "And I don't like playing games with people's hearts."
"It's not a game! It’s an intervention," Hyunjin pleaded. "Felix is in his 'revenge era.' He just doesn't know it yet. He needs someone kind, someone who will actually appreciate him. Just... one dinner? One blind date? If there’s no spark, I’ll buy you that designer coat you wanted."
Rowoon sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. "Keep your coat. I’ll do it because Felix is a sweetheart and he deserves to smile. But if Chan-ssi comes after me, I’m telling him it was your idea."
"Deal!" Hyunjin cheered. "Wear the black turtleneck. The one that makes you look seven feet tall. We’re going for 'unstoppable visual power' here."
Hyunjin entered Felix’s room like a harbinger of doom.
Felix was, as predicted, sitting on his bed with his laptop. He was editing a vlog, specifically a clip of Chan laughing during a recording session. He looked soft, vulnerable, and completely unaware that his heart was about to be put through a blender.
"Lixie," Hyunjin said, his voice dropping to a sombre, funeral-director pitch. "I need you to be brave. Put down the mouse. Look at me."
Felix looked up, blinking his big, innocent eyes. "Hyunjin? Why are you wearing a cat-ear headband and looking like you just watched a puppy get kicked?"
Hyunjin sat on the edge of the bed and took Felix’s hands in his. "Christopher Bang is a fool. He is a man of poor taste and wandering eyes. I have... evidence."
He showed Felix the screenshot.
The silence in the room was deafening. Felix stared at the photo of Chan - the shirtless one, the one Felix had spent nights wondering if he’d ever be allowed to touch - and then his eyes drifted to the caption. Looking for someone who understands the grind.
"Oh," Felix whispered. His voice was small, like a candle flickering out. "He’s... he’s on a dating app."
"He told me he wants a 'new vibe,'" Hyunjin added, twisting the knife unknowingly. "He said he was 'stuck in a bubble.'"
Felix felt a hot prickle behind his eyes. He had spent years orbiting Chan, being his sunshine, his emotional support, his "yongbok-ah." He thought they were building something. He thought the lingering hugs and the way Chan looked at him when the lights were low meant something.
But apparently, Chan was just looking for a workout buddy with a premium subscription.
Felix’s sadness suddenly shifted. A spark of heat ignited in his chest. If Chan wanted a new vibe, Felix would give him a whole new atmosphere.
"He wants to look for other people?" Felix asked, his voice hardening. He wiped a stray tear aggressively. "Fine. Let him. I’m not going to sit here and edit videos of him like a lovesick fan."
"That's my boy!" Hyunjin cheered. "That is the spirit!"
"I want to go out," Felix said, standing up and heading for his closet. He pulled out a pair of sheer black shirt and leather trousers. "I want to go out and I want to be seen. I want him to realise that I am not just a 'bubble' he’s stuck in."
"Perfect," Hyunjin smirked, pulling out his phone. "Because you have a date with Rowoon tomorrow night. 7 PM. Private room at the Grill. Wear the perfume that makes people faint."
Felix froze, a leather jacket in his hand. "Rowoon? The actor? The Rowoon?"
"The very same. He’s excited to see you, Lix."
Felix looked at the screenshot of Chan one last time before slamming his laptop shut. "Fine. Let’s see how Chan-hyung likes the view from the sidelines."
The Stray Kids dorm was usually loud, but this was a different kind of noise. It wasn't the sound of a playful argument or a gaming session; it was the sound of a collective identity crisis.
Felix’s door was shut, but the scent of expensive cologne and vanilla was drifting into the hallway like a warning siren. Inside, Hyunjin was acting as a high-end stylist, hovering over Felix with a jewellery tray.
In the living room, Minho, Changbin, and Jisung were huddled on the sofa, watching the bedroom door with varying levels of concern.
"He’s wearing the sheer shirt," Jisung whispered, his eyes wide. "The one from the Seoul Fashion Week after-party. The one that’s basically a suggestion of a shirt."
"And the leather pants," Changbin added, rubbing his temples. "The ones he says are 'too tight to breathe in.' If he’s not breathing, why is he wearing them? Where is he going? Is he going to a club? Without us? At 6:30 PM on a Tuesday?"
Minho, however, was unusually quiet. He sat with his legs crossed, staring at his phone screen. He had seen the 'CB97' profile activity. He had seen the views climbing. But he hadn't expected this. He had intended to make Felix a little jealous - maybe piteous enough to finally confess to Chan. He hadn't intended to turn Felix into a lethal weapon of mass seduction.
"Hyung," Seungmin said, appearing from the kitchen with a glass of water, looking at Minho. "You look like a scientist who accidentally created a sentient puddle of slime that’s currently eating the lab. What did you do?"
"I did nothing," Minho lied smoothly, though his eye twitched. "I simply provided a... digital catalyst."
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open.
Felix walked out, and the room went silent. He looked ethereal but dangerous. His blonde hair was slicked back, revealing the sharp line of his jaw and the glitter of a single diamond earring. The sheer black fabric of his shirt clung to his frame, tucked into leather trousers that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. He wasn't the sunshine right now; he was a solar eclipse.
"I'm going out," Felix announced, his voice an octave deeper than usual. He didn't look at anyone. He was busy putting on a heavy silver watch, a gift from Chan for his last birthday. The irony wasn't lost on him.
"Out? With who?" Changbin asked, standing up. "Lix, you look like you’re going to a movie premiere or a heist."
"A date," Felix said shortly.
The word hit the room like a grenade.
"A what?" Jisung squeaked. "Since when do you date? Since when do you have time to date? Who is it? Is it a dancer? Is it a civilian? I’ll find their social security number right now...."
"It’s Rowoon," Hyunjin said, stepping out behind Felix with a smug, "I-know-something-you-don't" grin. "He’s picking Felix up. At the door. Any minute now."
Minho’s phone slipped from his hand and landed on the carpet with a dull thud. Rowoon? The actor? The man who was roughly the height of a small skyscraper and had the face of a literal god?
"Oh," Minho muttered, his voice devoid of its usual snark. "I’ve made a terrible mistake."
Bang Chan had been in his studio for ten hours, but he had emerged to get a protein shake, unaware that his world was about to tilt on its axis. He walked into the living room just as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Hyunjin sang out, practically skipping to the door.
Chan stood by the kitchen island, his hair messy, wearing an oversized hoodie and sweatpants. He looked at Felix, and his heart did a violent somersault. He’d seen Felix in stage outfits before, but this was different. This was personal. This was Felix dressing for someone else's eyes.
"Lix?" Chan asked, his voice low and raspy. "You look... wow. Are we filming something?"
Felix finally looked at Chan. He saw the tired eyes, the messy hair, and the man he had adored for years. Then, he remembered the shirtless profile picture. He remembered the new vibe. He hardened his gaze.
"No, hyung," Felix said, his tone icy-sweet. "I'm just going to dinner."
The front door opened.
There stood Rowoon. He was wearing a charcoal overcoat and a black turtleneck, looking every bit like the leading man he was. He was so tall he had to slightly duck his head to clear the doorway. He looked past Hyunjin and centred his gaze on Felix, a genuine, warm smile spreading across his face.
"Felix," Rowoon said, his voice deep and smooth. "You look incredible. I hope I’m not late."
Chan’s grip on his protein shaker tightened until his knuckles turned white. His brain was screaming. Why is Rowoon here? Why is Rowoon looking at my Felix like he’s a prize? Why is Felix smiling back?
The obsessive streak in Chan, the one he kept buried under layers of 'responsible leader' and 'supportive friend', began to thrash around in his chest. He wanted to step between them. He wanted to pull Felix back into his room and lock the door. He wanted to demand to know why an actor was at his dorm at 7:00 PM.
"Rowoon-ssi," Chan said, stepping forward. His voice was polite, but his eyes were narrowed, his aura suddenly shifting from 'tired producer' to 'protective predator.' "I didn't know you and Felix were... close."
Rowoon, to his credit, didn't flinch. He bowed politely to Chan. "Chan-ssi. We’ve met at a few events, but I’ve been looking forward to getting to know him better tonight. Hyunjin mentioned he might be looking for a change of pace."
Chan’s eyes darted to Hyunjin, who was suddenly very interested in a loose thread on his sleeve.
"A change of pace," Chan repeated, the words tasting like ash.
"Ready to go?" Rowoon asked, offering his arm to Felix - not quite touching him, but the gesture was there.
Felix took a deep breath. He could feel Chan’s eyes burning into the side of his head. He could feel the heat radiating off his leader, a mix of confusion and mounting possessiveness. It was exactly what Felix wanted, and yet it hurt like hell.
"Ready," Felix said. He walked toward the door, passing Chan. For a split second, their shoulders brushed. Felix didn't stop.
As the door closed behind them, the dorm fell into a suffocating silence.
Chan didn't move. He stood staring at the wood of the door, his chest heaving slightly. The image of Rowoon’s hand near Felix’s waist was burned into his retinas.
"So," Seungmin said, breaking the silence with the grace of a wrecking ball. "That Rowoon guy is really tall, huh? And handsome. And rich. And he doesn't have a dating profile on 'The Link' as far as I know."
Chan turned slowly. "What did you just say?"
Minho suddenly decided that now was an excellent time to go for a very long walk. Or move to a different country.
Chan was still standing by the kitchen island, his hand frozen on his protein shaker. "What 'Link'?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm. "Seungmin. What did you just say about a dating profile?"
Seungmin, never one to pass up an opportunity to watch the world burn, simply pointed at Minho. Minho, who was currently trying to blend into the wallpaper, cleared his throat.
"It was a social experiment," Minho said, his voice lacks its usual bite. "I thought... you know, you two were being so pathetic that a little external competition might move things along."
"Show me," Chan commanded.
Jisung, sensing that disobedience might result in his own demise, scurried over and pulled up the screenshot Hyunjin had circulated. He handed the phone to Chan like it was a live grenade.
Chan stared at it. He stared at the shirtless photo - a photo he’d taken in the gym specifically to send to Felix but had lost his nerve and tucked away in a hidden folder. He read the bio. Looking for a new vibe. He remembered his conversation with Hyunjin earlier, how he’d talked about "new partners" in the studio.
The realisation hit him like a physical blow. Hyunjin thought he was cheating on an unstated relationship. Felix thought he was being replaced.
"You," Chan said, looking at Minho. "You made this."
"In my defense," Minho said, regained a sliver of his bravado, "it’s a very good photo of you. You’ve had six match requests in the last hour."
"Felix thinks I'm looking for someone else," Chan whispered, the horror finally sinking in. The obsessive part of his brain - the part that kept a mental map of everywhere Felix was at all times - was now screaming that Felix was currently in a car with a man who was essentially a human Prince Charming. "He thinks I don't want him."
"Well, he’s currently having wagyu with a man who definitely does want him," Seungmin added helpfully.
Chan didn't even yell. He just turned and walked toward his room.
"Where are you going?" Changbin called out.
"To change," Chan’s voice drifted back, dark and determined. "I'm not letting him 'move on' from something I haven't even given him yet."
Across town, in a private alcove of an upscale grill, Felix was trying very hard to be a Revenge Era icon. He had his legs crossed, a glass of sparkling water in his hand, and a smirk that he hoped looked mysterious rather than terrified.
But Rowoon was making it difficult.
"You know," Rowoon said, leaning in, the candlelight catching the warmth in his eyes. "I expected you to be shy. Hyunjin said you were a 'sunshine boy,' but you seem... fierce tonight."
Felix felt a flush creep up his neck. "I'm just... growing up, I guess. Tired of being the 'little brother' type."
"I get that," Rowoon nodded, his expression softening into something genuine. "People see the height or the TV roles and they think they know me. They don't realise I'd rather stay home and organise my bookshelf by colour than go to a gala."
Felix blinked. "You organise by colour? I thought I was the only one. My Lego sets are all sorted by hue and piece type."
For the next hour, the revenge aspect of the date started to blur. Felix found himself actually... laughing. Not the polite idol laugh, but a real one. They talked about the pressure of being the 'face' of a brand, the loneliness of long tours, and their shared love for obscure anime.
Rowoon was a great listener. When Felix talked about his home in Australia, Rowoon didn't just nod; he asked about the specific smell of the ocean there.
He’s actually amazing, Felix thought, a pang of guilt hitting his chest. He’s kind, he’s successful, and he’s looking at me like I’m the only person in the room. Why am I still wishing his hands were smaller and more calloused from playing the guitar?
"Felix," Rowoon said softly, reaching across the table to briefly touch Felix’s hand. "I know why we’re here. I know about the profile and I know you’re trying to hurt someone who hurt you. But I have to be honest... I'm really glad I came. You're even more incredible than the rumours."
Felix’s heart stuttered. He looked at Rowoon and felt a genuine pull. Maybe it was time. Maybe Chan was a beautiful dream he needed to wake up from.
While Felix was contemplating a new life as an actor's boyfriend, a black SUV was idling on the other side of the street.
Inside, the tension was thick enough to choke on. Chan was in the backseat, wearing a black cap pulled low and a leather jacket. He looked like he was about to start a street fight. Next to him, Changbin was trying to eat a bag of chips quietly, and Jisung was holding a pair of binoculars he’d somehow found in the dorm's storage closet.
"I can see them through the window," Jisung whispered, adjusting the focus. "Oh... oh no. Hyung, don't look."
"Give me those," Chan snarled, snatching the binoculars.
He peered through the glass of the restaurant. He saw Felix. He saw the sheer shirt. And then he saw Rowoon’s hand touching Felix’s.
"He’s touching him," Chan hissed, his voice vibrating with a possessiveness that made Changbin drop a chip. "He’s touching my Lixie's hand."
"Technically, he’s not your Lixie," Changbin pointed out, ever the realist. "Technically, you're the guy on the dating app 'looking for a new vibe,' remember?"
"I'm going in," Chan said, reaching for the door handle.
"Wait! No!" Jisung lunged over the seat to grab Chan’s arm. "You're a global superstar! You can't just storm a private grill like a jealous ex when you aren't even the ex! We need a plan. We need to go in as 'customers.'"
"In these outfits?" Changbin gestured to their 'incognito' gear, which basically made them look like three very suspicious cat burglars. "We look like we're here to kidnap the chef."
"I don't care," Chan said, his eyes fixed on the restaurant door. "He's laughing. Felix is laughing at something Rowoon said. He never laughs like that for anyone but me."
"He looks pretty happy, Chan," Changbin said, his voice softening. "Maybe we should just go home?"
Chan turned to Changbin, and for a second, the 'Leader' was gone. There was just a man who was absolutely terrified of losing his soulmate. "I can't. If I leave now, I lose him. I’m going in."
Chan led the way, his cap pulled so low he was practically navigating by looking at the floorboards. Behind him, Jisung was trying to hide his face behind a large menu he’d snatched from the podium, while Changbin walked with his shoulders hunched, looking like he was ready to bench-press the entire establishment if things went south.
The hostess, a young woman who had three Stray Kids photo cards tucked into the back of her phone case, froze. Her eyes went from Chan’s unmistakable jawline to the frantic, pleading "shh" gesture Jisung was making.
"We need a table," Chan said, his voice dropping into that deep, command-centre register. "Somewhere... central. But private."
The hostess looked at the seating chart, then at the private alcove where the most famous actor in Korea was currently holding the hand of the most beautiful idol in Korea. She felt the sudden, frantic urge to witness history.
"I have a table," she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. "It’s actually a shared booth arrangement. Very... intimate."
She led them through the dim lighting. Chan’s heart was hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. As they rounded the corner, he saw them.
Felix was leaning forward, his blonde hair glowing under the warm lamp, a genuine smile on his face as he listened to Rowoon talk about his childhood dog. Rowoon was looking at Felix with an expression that Chan could only describe as 'legalised theft'. He was looking at Felix like he wanted to keep him.
"Here you are," the hostess said, gesturing to the table literally separated from Felix’s by a thin, decorative wooden trellis. They were so close Chan could smell Felix’s perfume - the vanilla that usually lingered on Chan’s own hoodies after Felix borrowed them.
Chan sat down heavily, his back to Rowoon, his ears straining like a radar dish.
"Hyung, this is too close," Jisung hissed, hiding behind his napkin. "I can literally hear Felix chewing his radish. This is stalking. We are stalking."
"We are protecting," Chan corrected, though his hands were shaking as he picked up a pair of chopsticks.
Rowoon was a many things: a talented actor, a colour-coded organiser, and a very, very observant human being. He had noticed the black SUV outside. He had noticed the three suspicious figures entering the restaurant. And he certainly noticed the way Felix’s entire body had stiffened the moment the scent of Chan’s specific laundry detergent - the one Felix always teased him about - drifted through the trellis.
Rowoon looked at Felix, who was suddenly staring very hard at his glass of water, his ears turning a bright, tell-tale crimson.
Rowoon smiled. He was a nice guy, but he was also a man who appreciated a good dramatic climax. If he was going to fall for Felix, he wanted to know exactly what he was up against.
"You know, Felix," Rowoon said loudly, his voice projecting with effortless actor-clarity. "The service here is so good, it’s almost like they knew we needed company. Why don't we ask our neighbours to join us? It seems a shame for three grown men to share one order of kimchi in the dark."
Felix’s head snapped up. "What? No, Rowoon-ssi, they’re probably just..."
But Rowoon was already standing up. He peered over the trellis, flashing a dazzling, 100-watt smile at the three men who looked like they were trying to merge with the furniture.
"Chan-ssi? Changbin-ssi? And Jisung-ssi, right?" Rowoon asked, his tone perfectly pleasant. "What a coincidence! Hyunjin told me you were all busy tonight, but since you're here, why don't you join us? We were just about to order the premium ribeye."
Chan froze. He had two choices: flee and look like a coward, or stay and fight for his territory. He stood up, slowly, removing his hat. His eyes were dark, his mask firmly back in place, though the sheer possessiveness radiating off him was enough to lower the temperature of the room.
"Rowoon-ssi," Chan said, his voice like gravel. "We wouldn't want to intrude on your... date."
"It’s no intrusion at all," Rowoon said, stepping aside to make room at the large table. "I was just telling Felix how much I admire your work. Especially your ability to... find new connections."
Felix let out a small, choked noise. He looked at Chan, his heart breaking all over again. New connections. The dating app.
Chan slid into the booth directly opposite Felix. Changbin and Jisung squeezed in next to him, looking like they wanted the floor to swallow them whole.
The silence was deafening. Felix wouldn't look at Chan. Chan wouldn't stop looking at Felix. Rowoon sat back, looking like he was enjoying a very expensive play.
"So," Rowoon said, breaking the silence as he poured a drink for Chan. "Felix and I were just discussing how much we have in common. It’s rare to find someone who understands the pressure and still keeps their heart so... open. Don't you agree, Chan?"
Chan’s grip on his glass tightened. "Felix has a very big heart," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Sometimes he gives it to people who don't know how to look after it."
"And sometimes," Felix snapped, finally looking Chan in the eye, his voice trembling with suppressed anger and hurt, "people just leave that heart sitting on a shelf while they go out looking for a 'new vibe.'"
Jisung made a noise like a dying balloon. Changbin started eating a piece of lettuce with intense focus.
Felix saw the way Chan’s jaw was ticking - the sharp, rhythmic pulse of a man who was losing his grip on his composure. Usually, Felix would have reached out to soothe him, but the image of that shirtless dating profile flashed in his mind. If he wants a new vibe, I’ll show him one.
"Rowoon-ssi," Felix said, his voice dropping into that sweet, honeyed tone he knew made Chan’s head spin. "You were saying earlier that you liked my hair this colour? I was thinking of changing it, actually."
"I think the blonde makes you look like a painting," Rowoon replied smoothly, leaning in just a bit too close. He reached out, his long fingers brushing a stray lock of hair away from Felix’s forehead. He let his hand linger for a second too long near Felix’s temple. "But I’m sure I’d like anything you chose."
Under the table, Chan’s heavy boot accidentally - or not so accidentally - thudded against Felix’s leather-clad shin. Felix didn't flinch. Instead, he shifted his leg, and suddenly, their knees were pressed together. It wasn't a gentle brush; it was a firm, grounding contact. Chan didn't move away. In fact, he pressed back, his heat seeping through the leather of Felix’s pants.
Chan was staring at Rowoon’s hand like he wanted to incinerate it with his mind. "He’s keeping the blonde," Chan said, his voice a low growl. "It suits the next concept."
"Is that a professional opinion, or a personal one?" Rowoon asked, tilting his head with a playful, yet challenging smirk.
Chan didn't answer. He just tightened the pressure of his knee against Felix’s. Felix felt a shiver run up his spine. Chan was being possessive - obsessively so - and yet he was the one with the dating profile. The contradiction made Felix’s head hurt. To retaliate, Felix leaned further into Rowoon’s space.
"I think I'm ready for a change in a lot of things, Hyung," Felix said, looking directly at Chan while tilting his head toward Rowoon.
About twenty minutes of agonising friendly banter later, Rowoon stood up. "Excuse me for a moment, I need to wash my hands. Chan-ssi? Would you mind showing me where the... facilities are? This place is a bit of a maze."
It wasn't a request. It was a summons.
Chan stood up, his face a mask of cold steel. "Of course."
The two men walked toward the back of the restaurant, leaving a shell-shocked Jisung, a stress-eating Changbin, and a vibrating Felix at the table. Once they were in the narrow, dimly lit hallway near the restrooms, Rowoon stopped and turned. He was a few inches taller than Chan, but Chan stood his ground, his shoulders squared, looking every bit the protector.
"You're not actually here for the ribeye, are you?" Rowoon asked, dropping the 'polite idol' persona.
"I'm here for Felix," Chan said bluntly. "You're a nice guy, Rowoon-ssi. You’re talented, you’re successful. Go find someone who isn't already..."
"Already what?" Rowoon countered. "Already in love with a man who is looking for 'new connections' on a VIP app? I saw the screenshot, Chan. Hyunjin showed me."
Chan stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I don't know what you saw, but I am not looking for anyone else. I have never looked for anyone but him. That profile is a lie."
Rowoon studied Chan’s face for a long beat. He saw the desperation there - the raw, obsessive need that Chan usually kept under lock and key. "Maybe it is a lie. But Felix doesn't know that. He’s hurt. And the thing is... I really like him, Chan."
Chan’s hands balled into fists at his sides.
"I’m not a backup plan," Rowoon continued, his voice steady. "I went into this tonight thinking I was helping a friend. But after talking to him? He’s incredible. He’s funny, he’s deep, and he’s... lonely. I want a real chance with him. I’m not going to step aside just because you’ve finally realised you're about to lose him."
"He's not yours to take," Chan hissed.
"He's not yours either," Rowoon reminded him. "Not yet, anyway. So here’s the deal: I’m going back out there, and I’m going to keep being 'the nice guy' who actually treats him like a priority. If you want him, you better figure out how to explain that profile - and you better do it before I take him home."
Rowoon patted Chan’s shoulder - a gesture that felt more like a challenge than a comfort - and walked back toward the table.
Chan stood in the hallway for a moment, his chest heaving. The obsessed part of his brain was on fire. He couldn't lose Felix. He wouldn't. He didn't care about the scandal, the app, or the members watching. He was done playing it safe.
Meanwhile, at the table, Jisung immediately spit out a piece of wagyu he had been chewing for three minutes straight after he saw the two men get up. "Lix! What are you doing? My heart is actually going to stop beating. I can feel my pulse in my ears!"
Felix, who had been maintaining a mask of icy indifference, finally slumped. The bravado drained out of him, leaving him looking small in his sheer shirt. "I don’t know, Sungie. I’m just... I’m so angry. Did you see that photo? He looked so good. Why would he post that for strangers to see?"
"Lixie, look at me," Changbin said, his voice uncharacteristically serious. He leaned across the table, ignoring the expensive side dishes. "Chan-hyung is a lot of things. He’s a workaholic, he’s a perfectionist, and he’s obsessed with his members. But he is the most technologically illiterate 'genius' I know. He still asks me how to upload a private link to SoundCloud. Do you really think he made a VIP dating profile, curated a bio, and uploaded a hidden gym selfie by himself?"
Felix paused, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass. "Hyunjin said..."
"Hyunjin is a drama queen who saw a screenshot and ran with it," Jisung hissed, leaning in. "Think about it. Who in our dorm is bored, evil, and knows Chan’s phone passcode because he watched him type it in once?"
Felix’s eyes widened. "Minho-hyung."
"Exactly," Changbin nodded. "But Felix, listen. Whether the profile is fake or not... look at Chan. I’ve lived with that man for years. I have never seen him look the way he looked when Rowoon touched your hair. He looked like he was ready to commit a felony. He’s not here because of a 'new vibe.' He’s here because he’s losing his mind."
Felix felt a surge of hope, but he quickly suppressed it. "He still hasn't said anything. He just sits there and glares. Rowoon actually talks to me. He told me he likes my hair. He asked about Australia. He’s... he’s making an effort."
"He’s also an actor, Lix," Jisung whispered. "He knows how to play the part. Chan-hyung is just... Chan. He’s a mess of feelings he doesn't know how to label."
The conversation died instantly as Chan and Rowoon returned. The energy between them was radioactive. Chan sat down, but he didn't lean back. He sat on the very edge of the bench, his eyes fixed on Felix with a burning, raw intensity that made Felix’s breath hitch.
Rowoon, ever the professional, sensed the shift. He knew when a scene had reached its climax. He looked at Felix, and for a moment, his gaze was genuinely soft - not for the 'game', but for the boy who was clearly the centre of someone else's universe.
"You know," Rowoon said, picking up his coat from the back of the chair. "I just remembered I have a very early call time tomorrow. A scene with a lot of crying. I should probably get some rest."
Felix stood up instinctively. "Oh, Rowoon-ssi, I’m sorry. I didn't mean to keep you..."
"Don't be sorry," Rowoon interrupted, stepping close to Felix.
Chan’s hand, which was resting on the table, literally twitched.
"I had a wonderful time, Felix," Rowoon said. "And I meant what I said. I really do like you."
Then, before anyone could react, Rowoon leaned down. He didn't go for the lips - he wasn't that reckless - but he pressed a slow, lingering kiss to Felix’s cheek, right over his freckles. His hand rested briefly on Felix’s waist, a final, deliberate claim in front of the audience.
Chan didn't explode. He didn't yell. Instead, he went deathly quiet. His eyes followed Rowoon’s lips as they touched Felix’s skin, and a muscle in his neck jumped. The obsessed part of him wasn't screaming anymore; it was cold and calculating.
"I'll call you," Rowoon whispered loudly enough for Chan to hear. He gave a polite nod to the rest of the table. "Chan-ssi. Good luck with the... new connections."
As Rowoon walked away, the silence at the table was heavy enough to break the wood.
Felix stood there, his cheek tingling where Rowoon’s lips had been. He didn't look at Chan. He couldn't.
"Felix," Chan’s voice was a low, vibrating hum. It wasn't the voice of his leader. It was the voice of Christopher, and it was terrifyingly focused. "Sit down."
"I think I should go too," Felix whispered, reaching for his own jacket. "Hyunjin is probably..."
"Felix. Sit. Down."
Changbin and Jisung exchanged a look of pure terror.
"Actually," Changbin said, grabbing Jisung by the scruff of his neck. "We just remembered we have to... go help Seungmin with the... laundry. Yeah. Lots of laundry. Bye!"
They vanished faster than Rowoon had, leaving Felix and Chan alone in the dim glow of the restaurant.
Felix didn’t sit down. He stood with his leather jacket clutched in his hands, his knuckles white. He felt a confusing cocktail of emotions: the lingering warmth of Rowoon’s kiss, the thrill of finally making Chan react, and a deep, hollowing ache because the man he actually wanted was currently looking at him like he was a stranger.
"You have a lot of nerve," Felix whispered, his voice trembling. "Telling me to sit down. After you spent the last hour glaring at a man who was actually being nice to me."
Chan stood up slowly. He didn't stay on his side of the table. He walked around the perimeter until he was standing directly in Felix’s personal space. He was close - close enough that Felix could see the gold flecks in his dark eyes, darkened now by a possessiveness that felt almost physical.
"He wasn't being nice, Felix. He was auditioning," Chan hissed. "And you were giving him a front-row seat."
"Because he asked for one!" Felix snapped, finally finding his voice. He poked a finger into Chan's firm chest. "You want to talk about 'new connections'? I saw the app, Chan. I saw the photo. I saw you looking for a 'new vibe' while I was sitting three feet away from you at home, wishing you’d just look at me for more than five seconds without talking about work."
Chan grabbed Felix’s hand, stopping the poking, his grip firm but not painful. "I didn't make that profile, Lix. Minho did. It was a prank. A sick, stupid joke that I didn't even know existed until ten minutes ago."
Felix froze. The anger in his chest wavered, but it didn't die. "Even if he did... the fact that everyone believed it? The fact that I believed it? That’s the problem, Chan. You’re so distant, so busy being everyone’s 'leader' that I actually thought you’d rather find a stranger on an app than tell me you wanted me."
Felix let out a sharp, jagged breath. "I got more attention from Rowoon in one night - more eye contact, more compliments, more real conversation - than I’ve had from you in almost a month. He made me feel like I was the only person in the room. You make me feel like I’m a distraction you’re trying to ignore."
The words seemed to physically wound Chan. He flinched, his jaw tightening so hard it looked like it might snap. The obsessed side of him - the side that spent late nights in the studio staring at Felix’s dance fancams, the side that memorised the exact placement of every freckle on Felix’s face - finally broke through the dam.
"Ignore you?" Chan’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble. "Felix, I spend every waking second trying not to touch you. I stay in the studio until 4 AM because if I come home and see you sleeping, I’m afraid I’ll do something I can’t take back. I’m afraid if I start looking at you, I’ll never be able to look away."
Before Felix could process the confession, Chan moved.
He reached out, his large hand cupping the side of Felix’s face. His thumb moved with a rough, frantic urgency over Felix's cheek - specifically over the exact spot where Rowoon’s lips had touched a few minutes prior. He wasn't just touching him; he was erasing.
"He doesn't get to touch you like that," Chan muttered, his eyes fixed on Felix’s cheek. "He doesn't get to look at you and think he has a chance."
Chan stepped even closer, his body flushing against Felix’s. The sheer fabric of Felix’s shirt offered no protection against the heat radiating off the older man. Chan’s other hand found the small of Felix’s back, pulling him flush against the hard line of his thighs.
"You think I want a 'new vibe'?" Chan whispered, his breath hot against Felix’s lips. "I’m so obsessed with you it’s a problem. I’m losing my mind because I can still smell his cologne on you, and I want to scrub it off with my own skin."
Felix’s breath hitched. This was the revenge he wanted, but it felt so much more volatile than he imagined. Chan wasn't being the 'kind leader' or the 'sweet hyung'. He was being the man who had been pining in silence for years, and the lid was officially off.
Chan’s gaze dropped to Felix’s mouth. "Tell me to stop," Chan challenged, his voice thick with a desperate, possessive need. "Tell me you actually want to go home with him, and I’ll walk away. But if you stay here... I’m not letting you go back to being just my 'member' ever again."
Felix reached up, his fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of Chan’s neck, pulling him down that final inch. "Don't you dare walk away," Felix breathed.
The restaurant seemed to fall away. The clinking of silverware, the low hum of jazz, and the distant laughter of other patrons became white noise. There was only the heat radiating between them and the sharp, jagged rhythm of Felix’s heart against his ribs.
"Don't you dare walk away," Felix had said, and Chan took it as a divine command.
Chan didn't hesitate. He leaned in, his hand sliding from Felix’s cheek to the back of his neck, fingers tangling deep into those blonde locks to tilt his head back. When their lips finally met, it wasn’t the soft, tentative kiss of a first love. It was a collision. It was months of frustration, weeks of jealousy, and years of unspoken "I love yous" crashing together in a single, desperate moment.
It tasted like salt and fire. Chan groaned into Felix’s mouth, a low, guttural sound that vibrated through Felix’s entire body. He kissed Felix like he was starving and Felix was the only thing that could sustain him - possessive, deep, and unyielding. Felix’s hands were everywhere, clutching at the leather of Chan’s jacket, pulling him closer until there wasn't a single atom of air left between them.
Felix’s eyes fluttered shut, his head spinning. This was the attention he had been craving. Not the polite charm of an actor, but the raw, terrifyingly intense focus of the only man who mattered. Chan’s tongue brushed against his, a silent claim that made Felix’s knees buckle. Chan caught him, his arm hooking around Felix’s waist like a vice, holding him upright as if to say I have you, and I’m never letting go again.
They broke apart for air, their foreheads resting against each other, both of them panting. Felix’s lips were swollen and red, his eyes hazy.
"We're leaving," Chan rasped, his voice sounding like it had been dragged over gravel. "Now."
Chan didn't take Felix back to the dorm. He couldn't. He knew the second they walked through that door, they’d be met with Minho’s smirks and Hyunjin’s dramatic interrogations. He needed Felix alone. He needed to prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that no VIP app could ever offer what he felt.
The drive to the company building was a blur of neon lights and heavy silence. Chan kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other firmly clamped over Felix’s hand, their fingers intertwined so tightly it was almost painful.
Once inside the darkened hallways of JYP, Chan led Felix to his private studio. The door hissed shut, and the 'In Use' light flickered to a steady, warning red.
The second the lock clicked, Chan turned. He didn't even turn on the main lights, leaving the room bathed in the soft, ambient glow of the computer monitors and the city lights filtering through the window. He backed Felix up against the soundproofed door, his hands framing Felix’s head.
"You really thought I’d look for someone else?" Chan whispered, his eyes scanning every inch of Felix’s face in the dim light. He looked truly obsessed now - his gaze lingering on the freckles he’d spent years wanting to kiss. "You really thought a 'new vibe' could compare to this?"
He leaned down, burying his face in the crook of Felix’s neck, inhaling the scent of vanilla and Rowoon’s fading cologne. Chan let out a frustrated huff and began to leave a dark, unmistakable mark right over Felix's collarbone.
"Hyung..." Felix gasped, his head falling back against the door. The sheer shirt was a hopeless barrier as Chan’s hands slid underneath the fabric, finding the warm, smooth skin of Felix’s waist.
"I’ve spent every night in this room thinking about you," Chan murmured against his skin, his hands roaming upward. "Writing songs for you. Dreaming of the way you’d look sitting in my chair, wearing my clothes. If you ever think about going on a date with anyone else again, Felix, I might actually lose my mind."
The tension that had been building since the restaurant finally boiled over. There was no more pining, no more unrequited love. In the sanctuary of the studio, surrounded by the music they had made together, they finally made a rhythm of their own. Every touch was an apology, every kiss was a promise. Chan was thorough, his obsession manifesting in the way he worshipped every inch of Felix, ensuring that by the time they were done, Felix wouldn't be able to remember Rowoon’s name, let alone the touch of his lips.
It was nearly 4 AM when the elevator doors opened at the dorm. Felix was wearing Chan’s oversized black hoodie, the strings pulled tight, trying - and failing - to hide the faint purple marks on his neck. Chan walked beside him, looking exhausted but radiating a terrifyingly smug aura of satisfaction. He looked like a king who had just reclaimed his throne.
They stepped into the living room, expecting silence. Instead, the lights flipped on instantly.
The entire group was there. Minho was sprawled on the recliner with a bag of chips; Hyunjin was draped over the sofa with a face mask on; and the rest were huddled around the kitchen island like a jury.
"Oh, look who decided to return from the 'new vibe' search," Minho drawled, his eyes dancing with mischief as they landed on Felix’s hooded form.
"Lixie!" Hyunjin shrieked, jumping up. "Did the date go well? Did Rowoon-ssi treat you like the prince you are? Did you move on? Do I need to plan a wedding with an actor?"
Chan stepped in front of Felix, his arm wrapping around the younger boy’s shoulders and pulling him flush against his side. The 'protective leader' was gone, replaced by a man who was very clearly marking his territory.
"The wedding is cancelled," Chan announced, his voice cool and steady. "And Minho? If I ever see a profile of myself on an app again, I’m changing the passcode to the studio and you’re banned for life."
A collective "Oooooh" erupted from the members.
"So... I take it the 'social experiment' worked?" Minho smirked, completely unfazed by the threat.
Felix peeked out from under the hood, his face flushed but a small, triumphant smile on his lips. He looked at Chan, who was looking down at him with an expression of such pure, unadulterated adoration that even Seungmin looked a little nauseated.
"It worked," Felix said, his voice still a bit raspy. He looked at Hyunjin. "And tell Rowoon I’m sorry, but I think I’m going to stay in this 'bubble' for a while."
"A while?" Chan muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear as he began to lead Felix toward his bedroom. "Try forever."
As the door to Chan’s room closed (and locked), Jisung turned to the group. "So... did we win? I feel like we won, but I also feel like I need to move out."
"We won," Minho said, popping a chip into his mouth. "I give it two days before they start being annoying in the kitchen. My work here is done."
The morning after the reveal was suspiciously quiet. The sun was streaming through the windows of Chan’s room, illuminating the chaotic pile of black hoodies and leather pants discarded on the floor.
Felix was buried deep under the duvet, feeling more content than he had in months, while Chan was propped up on one elbow, tracing the line of Felix’s jaw with a look of pure, unbothered obsession. The leader hadn't slept a wink; he was too busy making sure Felix was still there.
The peace lasted exactly until Felix’s phone, perched on the nightstand, let out a cheerful ding.
Chan’s eyes narrowed. He didn't mean to be a snooper - actually, that’s a lie, he was currently in a state of high-alert possessiveness. He glanced at the screen.
[New Message: Rowoon-ssi] I saw the photos of you and Chan entering the building last night. You looked happy, Lix. I’m glad. But if he ever goes back to his 'gym selfie' phase, my number hasn't changed. Stay beautiful. ;)
The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.
Chan didn't growl, but it was a close thing. He picked up the phone with two fingers like it was a biohazard.
"Felix," he murmured, his voice dropping into that low, dangerous register that usually meant a 14-hour dance practice was coming, but today it meant something entirely different. "Your friend is texting."
Felix groaned, squinting through his blonde fringe as he sat up. He read the message and felt a tiny, mischievous spark. He looked at Chan’s face - the flared nostrils, the tense jaw, the way he was staring at the phone like he wanted to crush it.
"Aww," Felix teased, leaning his head on Chan’s shoulder. "He’s so sweet. 'Stay beautiful.' Isn't that nice, Hyung?"
"It’s a provocation," Chan snapped, tossing the phone onto the bed. "He’s 'glad'? He’s waiting for me to mess up? I’m the leader of Stray Kids, I don’t 'mess up' my relationship management."
"Relationship management?" Felix giggled, pressing a kiss to Chan’s collarbone. "Is that what this is? I thought you were just obsessed with me."
Chan turned, pinning Felix back against the pillows with a sudden, swift movement. He caged Felix in with his arms, his eyes burning. "I am. And I’m also a very competitive person, Yongbok-ah. If he thinks he’s getting a second chance, he’s going to be waiting for a very long time. Like, several lifetimes."
Chan reached for his own phone, which had been buzzing with frantic texts from the members. He ignored the group chat titled "PROTECT LIX FROM THE VAMPIRE LEADER" (created by Han) and opened Instagram.
"What are you doing?" Felix asked, trying to see the screen.
"Establishing a new vibe," Chan muttered.
Five minutes later, every Stay on the planet - and one very tall actor - received a notification.
@bangchan has posted a new photo.
It wasn't a shirtless gym selfie. It was a blurry, black-and-white, incredibly intimate shot of Felix’s hand tangled in Chan’s hair, taken in the dim light of the studio the night before.
Caption: Found what I was looking for. Not on an app. Never letting go. 🐺☀️
Back in the living room, the sound of six different phones chiming at once was followed by a collective groan of "gross" and "get a room" from the kitchen.
Minho looked at the post, smirked, and typed a comment: Took you long enough. Delete the app, old man.
In his own apartment, Rowoon looked at the post, let out a resigned laugh, and put his phone face down on the table. "Well played, Bang Chan," he whispered. "Well played."
Chan dropped his phone and buried his face in Felix’s neck, finally relaxed. "There," he grumbled against Felix’s skin. "Now everyone knows."
Felix wrapped his arms around Chan, pulling him closer. "You're so dramatic, Hyung."
"I'm obsessed," Chan corrected, biting softly at Felix's ear. "Get it right."