Hongdae was buzzing like always — street performers dancing under rainbow-lit signs, laughter spilling out of cafes, the scent of fried food mingling with sugar-sweet air. Felix had both hands in his hoodie pocket, walking beside Hyunjin, who was radiant in the flickering neon light. It was supposed to be a casual, cozy night — just the two of them, wandering the streets, sharing bites of food, maybe stealing a kiss between shops.

They stopped at their favorite tteokbokki stand. The ahjumma there already knew them. “Ah, the beautiful boys again,” she teased with a grin. She slid over a fresh cup of spicy rice cakes. Hyunjin thanked her sweetly, then turned to wait while Felix dug in his pocket for cash.

That’s when he showed up.

Some tall guy in a leather jacket, swooping in with a too-friendly smile, nudging Hyunjin like they were old friends.

Felix paused, bills halfway out of his hand.

Hyunjin laughed — actually laughed — at something the guy said. Felix felt something twist in his chest, sharp and sour, hotter than the steam from the tteokbokki. He watched the way Hyunjin’s eyes crinkled, how his hand casually brushed the guy’s arm. Like he wasn’t even standing there.

“Here,” Felix snapped a bit too sharply, thrusting the money at the ahjumma and grabbing the food. The cup nearly tipped from how hard he took it. Hyunjin turned, eyebrows raised, noticing the tension too late.

The guy gave a two-finger salute and strolled off with a smug grin that Felix hated on sight.

“Who was that?” Felix asked, trying to keep it light. It came out like a growl.

“Oh,” Hyunjin blinked. “Jiseok. We used to model together.”

Felix shoved a rice cake into his mouth, chewing like it was a challenge.

“You seemed real happy to see him.”

Hyunjin tilted his head. “You jealous?”

Felix didn’t answer, just sucked a piece of rice cake off the toothpick and looked away.