Chapter Text
Seonghwa sees a familiar person.
In the sea of strobing lights, Seonghwa spots a familiar figure. He's leaning against the bar with a drink in hand. Felix's gaze is fixed on the dance floor, expression in a daze as he absently swirls the amber liquid in his glass.
The top few buttons of his white button-up shirt are undone, paired with light blue jeans. Felix looks effortlessly well-put together, even if he looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here.
“I think I see Felix-shi,” Seonghwa shouts over the pounding music, glancing at Wooyoung. “I'm going to say hi.”
Wooyoung nods, gesturing with his drink. “Bring him over! I miss that kid.”
Wooyoung and Seonghwa are tucked away in a VIP section of the club, celebrating their win at tonight's award show ceremony.
They've gone through a couple rounds of drinks, celebrating well off into the night but Seonghwa can't ignore the lone figure at the bar. Eventually, he weaves his way through the press of dancing bodies, sliding onto the stool beside Felix.
Felix doesn't notice him at first. His expression is tight and distracted, and Seonghwa immediately feels a pang of sympathy. Felix has had a tough day today after performing a tedious choreography at the award show with the rest of his group and still not winning any awards throughout the night.
“Looks like the drinks aren't doing their job,” Seonghwa comments lightly.
Felix startles upright, turning to Seonghwa with a flicker of recognition. “Oh, Seonghwa-hyung. I didn't realise you were here.”
Seonghwa laughs, “We're over in the VIP section with the rest of the members and a few others.”
Felix smiles faintly, his tone polite but distant. “Congratulations on your win. It's a great album.”
“Thanks,” Seonghwa replies, before tilting his head. “Sorry about your album not winning. It really sucked because it's such a good album.”
Felix shrugs, taking another sip of his drink. Seonghwa takes that opportunity to launch into idol talk. He's always enjoyed debriefing with other idols but especially Felix as he feels like the younger is a part of his group even though they're in different companies. Felix's knowledge is sharp, and Seonghwa often learns something new from their exchanges.
He's mid-sentence when a hand lands on his shoulder. Seonghwa looks up to see Wooyoung grinning, drunken enthusiasm written all over his face.
“Felix!” Wooyoung exclaims, pulling the younger into a sloppy hug.
Felix lets out a surprised laugh as Wooyoung puckers his lips, aiming for a cheek kiss. Seonghwa rolls his eyes and tugs Wooyoung back before he gets too carried away.
“Woo, calm down,” Seonghwa says, shaking his head fondly.
Wooyoung pouts but quickly turns his attention back to Felix, grabbing his arm. “You're here alone? Come join us!”
Felix gestures towards the dance floor. “I'm with Minho. Hannie dragged him off to dance.”
Wooyoung narrows his eyes suspiciously. “Speaking of boyfriends, where's your Hyunjin?”
Felix rubs the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “We… uh, we broke up.”
Wooyoung gasps theatrically before throwing his arms around Felix again, rambling incoherently about relationships and heartbreak.
Seonghwa watches with amusement, shooting Felix a questioning look to see if he needs a rescue. But Felix waves him off with a small smile seemingly unbothered by Wooyoung's antics. They're all used to a drunk Wooyoung by now.
Seonghwa, however, can't help but wonder. Felix had seemed happy with Hyunjin, though their relationship was still new. He'd barely shown any signs of being affected by their breakup during the award ceremony, but maybe that breakup was fresher than Seonghwa realised if Felix is here alone and miserable.
Before Seonghwa can ask, Wooyoung groans dramatically, clutching his stomach.
“Ugh, I feel sick,” Wooyoung mutters. “Seongie, you have to drive me home.”
Seonghwa arches a brow. “I've been drinking too, genius.”
“Then get me a ride,” Wooyoung whines, swaying slightly.
Seonghwa sighs, pulling out his phone. “Fine, fine. I'll call someone to pick us up.”
Turning back to Felix, he says, “We're heading out. Want to share a ride? We can drop you at your hotel.”
Felix shakes his head. “Thanks, but I'll wait for Minho and Jisung.”
Seonghwa hesitates. Felix is clearly not having a great time and Seonghwa wouldn't mind continuing some idol talk for a little bit more. But Wooyoung looks dangerously close to throwing up so with a reluctant smile, Seonghwa pats Felix's shoulder.
“Take care, Lixie. I'll see you around.”
Felix nods, his smile faint but genuine. “Goodnight, Seonghwa.”
With that, Seonghwa helps a stumbling Wooyoung toward the exit. Wooyoung rambles on and on about something but Seonghwa spares a final glance at Felix. The young man looks so distracted and lost in his own thoughts that he's not even drinking from his glass.
Despite their ‘rivalry’ as they're fans describe it, Seonghwa has always had a soft spot for the younger Australian. Maybe tomorrow, he decides that he'd check in again, just to make sure Felix is okay.
***
Dragging Wooyoung out of the club is a task in itself.
He keeps stumbling, mumbling incoherently, and bumping into people they know along the way. By the time they reach the exit, it feels like hours have passed. The cool night air hits them, and Seonghwa all but dumps Wooyoung against the wall.
“Stay here,” Seonghwa mutters, fishing his phone out of his pocket to check for updates.
Their bodyguard is en route to pick them up, and Seonghwa leans against the wall, keeping a watchful eye on Wooyoung, hoping that he does not throw up or worse, run away back into the club.
When the car finally arrives, Seonghwa heaves a groaning Wooyoung into the back seat. Just as he's about to climb in himself, his phone vibrates in his pocket.
He pulls it out, frowning when he sees Felix's name flashing on the screen.
Felix? Why is he calling me?
Seonghwa answers immediately. “Felix-ah?”
Heavy breathing greets him on the other end, but Felix does not speak. The breathing continues, sharp and uneven.
“Yongbok?” Seonghwa's voice rises in alarm. “What's wrong? Where are you?”
There's a rustling noise before Felix's voice comes through breathlessly, “Seong… Seonghwa…”
“Felix, are you okay? Where are you?”
“I… I can't find Minho-hyung,” Felix whispers, his words slurring together. He sounds disoriented, almost delirious.
“Where are you?” Seonghwa asks again.
“At the… back,” Felix mumbles before there's a thud, and the line goes dead.
“Shit.”
Seonghwa quickly tells his bodyguard to take Wooyoung back to the hotel without him. Wooyoung, already dozing in the car, doesn't protest.
Without wasting another second, Seonghwa jogs around to the back of the club. The alleyway is dimly lit, with shadows stretching ominously across the pavement. His eyes scan the area until they land on a familiar figure slumped against the wall.
“Felix?”
He approaches cautiously. Felix is sitting with his head in his hands and his knees pulled to his chest. He doesn't respond.
“Felix, it's me,” Seonghwa says, crouching down and shaking his shoulder.
Felix stirs slightly, lifting his head. His eyes are glassy and unfocused. For a moment, he looks at Seonghwa like he doesn't recognise him.
“Hey, it's okay.” Seonghwa reassures him, keeping his voice calm.
Felix's breathing is shallow, and he looks as though he's on the verge of passing out. Without hesitation, Seonghwa slips an arm around his waist and hauls him to his feet. Felix is almost dead to the world, not responding at all.
“Let's get you back to your hotel.”
Felix leans heavily against him, his weight almost too much to bear. Seonghwa half-carries, half-drags him towards the front of the club, muttering under his breath about how Minho owes him for this.
When they reach the curb, Seonghwa waves down a cab. Just as he's helping Felix into the back seat, a blur of movement catches him off guard.
He's yanked backwards and suddenly shoved to the ground.
“What the fuck?”
Before Seonghwa can process what's happening, a fist connects with his face. It sends a sharp jolt of pain through his jaw, pain beginning to bloom. He looks up, stunned, to see Lee fucking Minho standing over him, fury etched across his face.
“You son of a-” Minho starts, but Seonghwa cuts him off.
“What is your problem?!” Seonghwa shouts, shoving Minho off and scrambling to his feet.
“My problem?” Minho snarls, grabbing Felix from the cab. “All these times, you're the one behind this?!”
Seonghwa blinks, utterly bewildered. “What the fuck are you talking about? I found him in the back! He called me for help!”
Minho's glare doesn't soften. He tightens his hold on Felix, who groans softly, his head lolling on Minho's shoulder.
“You expect me to believe that?” Minho snaps. “Stay the hell away from him.”
Seonghwa takes a step back, hands raised in exasperation. “Fine. Whatever. Take him, then.”
Minho responds with a glare and a huff. He helps Felix into the car and slammed the door shut before turning back to Seonghwa.
“This isn't over,” Minho growls before climbing into the vehicle.
Seonghwa watches the car drive off, his heart pounding and his cheek throbbing. He stands there for a moment in stunned silence, replaying the chaotic encounter in his mind and one particular sentence keeps ringing in his head.
All these times, you're the one behind this.
“What the actual fuck happened?” He mutters to himself before finally flagging down another cab to take him back to his hotel.