Chapter Text
The morning sun spilled into the manor, gilding its grand halls in a soft, golden light. Felix stood in the kitchen, balancing a silver tray laden with an assortment of delicate breakfast items. The air around him carried the mingling scents of freshly brewed coffee, buttery pastries, and a hint of citrus. He wore his typical smirk, but this morning, it held a sharper edge—he had a plan.
Jisung, standing nearby and yawning widely, caught sight of Felix’s expression and raised an eyebrow. “You’re looking awfully chipper for someone serving Lord Hwang. What’s going on, Lixi-ah?”
“Oh, nothing,” Felix replied, voice dripping with mock innocence as he adjusted the tray. “Just thought I’d give you the morning off. Consider it my gift to you, darling.”
Jisung squinted at him, suspicion flaring in his dark eyes.
“You’re up to something. You hate serving him. Why on earth would you volunteer?”
Felix’s lips curled into a sly grin.
“Let’s just say I’m feeling… charitable. Besides...”
He added with a wink,
“This way, you can sneak off and spend some quality time with Minho. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
Jisung’s face flushed a bright red, and he stammered,
“W-What? I don’t… I mean, it’s not like that—”
Before he could finish, Minho sauntered into the kitchen, his ever-calm expression breaking into a knowing smirk as he leaned casually against the counter.
“Oh, let him go, Felix,” Minho drawled, his tone laced with amusement. “I wouldn’t mind the extra time alone with Sungie. In fact, I encourage it.”
Felix laughed softly, enjoying the flustered look on Jisung’s face.
“See? Even Minho agrees. Now go on, take the morning off. You deserve it.”
Jisung muttered something under his breath, clearly too embarrassed to argue further, and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Felix alone with Minho.
“Try not to cause too much chaos while you’re gone,”
Minho said lightly, giving Felix a pointed look before turning to leave as well.
“No promises,”
Felix called after him, his grin widening as he picked up the tray and exited the kitchen, his pace purposeful as he carried it toward the lord’s chambers. When Felix arrived at Lord Hwang’s bedroom door, he paused, taking a steadying breath. This wasn’t just about breakfast; it was about control. About reminding Hyunjin that Felix wasn’t one to be dismissed or ignored. With a practiced knock, Felix waited for the familiar raspy voice from within.
“Come in.”
Pushing the door open, Felix stepped inside, his movements fluid, deliberate. Hyunjin was already seated at the edge of his grand bed, bare-chested, with the sheets pooled around his waist. His hair was mussed, and his expression was caught somewhere between irritation and curiosity as he looked up to see who had entered. When his eyes landed on Felix, they narrowed.
“Where is Jisung?”
“Busy, milord,” Felix replied smoothly, his tone polite but tinged with that unmistakable edge of defiance. “I thought I’d relieve him of his duties for the morning.”
Hyunjin’s gaze darkened, but he said nothing as Felix crossed the room, placing the tray on the small table by the window. Felix’s movements were deliberate, each gesture measured, as though he were putting on a performance.
“Coffee or tea, milord?”
Felix asked, turning slightly to meet Hyunjin’s gaze. Hyunjin’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like surprises, and Felix was a walking, talking disruption to the order of his world.
“Coffee,” he replied curtly.
Felix poured the dark liquid into a porcelain cup, the clink of the silver spoon against the rim the only sound in the room. He carried it over, extending it toward Hyunjin, who took it without a word, though his fingers brushed against Felix’s in the process. Felix didn’t flinch, didn’t pull away. If anything, he lingered a fraction longer than necessary, his gaze steady and unflinching.
“Anything else you require, milord?”
Felix asked, his voice low, almost a purr. Hyunjin’s eyes flickered, his grip tightening on the cup.
“Yes. Your obedience. Which seems to be in short supply.”
Felix’s smirk widened, and he tilted his head slightly, his golden hair catching the morning light.
“Oh, but where’s the fun in that?”
The air between them crackled with tension, the silence growing heavy as Hyunjin set the cup down on the bedside table with deliberate slowness. He stood, his tall frame towering over Felix as he closed the distance between them. Felix didn’t back away. If anything, he stepped closer, closing the gap entirely.
“What are you doing here, Felix?”
Hyunjin asked, his voice low, dangerous. Felix’s smile didn’t falter.
“Just serving breakfast, milord.”
Hyunjin’s eyes burned with something unnameable as he reached out, his fingers brushing against Felix’s jaw before gripping his chin firmly.
“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“Am I?” Felix murmured, his voice steady despite the quickening of his pulse. “Or are you just afraid you’re losing?”
Hyunjin’s lips twitched, a ghost of a smirk threatening to appear before he forced it away. He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against Felix’s ear as he whispered,
“Careful, Felix. I don’t take kindly to insolence.”
Felix’s own breath hitched, but he quickly masked it with a soft laugh.
“Then I suppose you’ll just have to punish me, won’t you?”
For a moment, neither of them moved. The room seemed to hold its breath, the unspoken challenge hanging between them like a live wire. And then, just as quickly as it had come, Hyunjin’s grip released, and he stepped back, his expression once again unreadable.
“Get out,”
He said coldly, turning away from Felix and returning to the edge of the bed. Felix hesitated, his smirk faltering for just a moment before he straightened, bowing his head slightly.
“As you wish, milord.”
As he turned to leave, Felix allowed himself one last glance over his shoulder. Hyunjin hadn’t moved, his gaze fixed on the floor, his hands clenched into fists. Felix’s smirk returned, sharper than ever.
The game was far from over.