Work Text:
Felix is usually a chirp person. In his close friends group chats his nickname is literally tweety, so you would expect all sunshine and yellow rainbows, right?
Well, most days.
And today it isn't one of those days.
Everyone has bad days. Well, Felix is particularly good at ignoring those bad days, who have been accumulating for the past weeks. You would think this is a self destructive tendency, but Felix chooses to see the bright side! He embraces the bad days and turns them around.
That is until they explode.
He works nine to five in the marketing department of a multimillion company who sells… well. He isn’t really comfortable divulging what they actually sell. He is a slave to capitalism who needs money to survive, don’t judge him too harshly. That’s part of the reason it all went to shit, excuse his language. He felt ethically crossed to promote a product he didn’t think was a good idea, and instead of communicating his discomfort, he thought the best idea would be to manipulate the promotion materials and hope that the board of directors was old enough to not read in between the lines.
It always works in movies.
It didn’t work this time. Who could predict that he was going to get fired on the spot? Is that even legal?
It doesn’t matter now , he thinks, as he waits for the subway. It’s a crowded afternoon that he never thought he was going to miss, now that he won’t have enough money to pay for his transport pass anymore. It’s really odd to cosplay as an adult for a period of time after college and then have it all disappear right in front of your eyes. Back to square one.
The crowd begins to clog around him, and he is usually pretty good at keeping his calm in public but it’s been a long day of yelling and crying in the bathroom, so he feels just a little bit uncomfortable and confrontational.
When the line arrives, he steps in to get in the cabin and, from all the bad things that happened, the seat waiting for him in the corner felt almost like a miracle. But just as he’s about to bask in his tiny victory, he catches a glimpse of him from the corner of his eye. Uh-oh .
A tall guy in a plaid jacket with elbow patches. Elbow patches! Who even wears those anymore? Is he a professor or trying to time-travel to the '80s? The guy’s got brown hair, the kind that looks like it’s been personally tussled by a windstorm, and he’s staring intently at the exact spot where he was also staring.
Then said guy notices him. In the exact same way he’s been noticed—like they’re both caught in some awkward staring contest they didn’t sign up for. It’s like a weird, unspoken competition.
The longest battle of stares begins, it probably lasts for about two seconds before the guy moves first. Felix feels like an olympian attempting to beat the world record for the gold medal against a newbie who doesn’t deserve that spot more than he does.
The crowd doesn’t help as they attempt their battle of strength, until the cute plaid guy sits down. Felix, however, really expected the seat to be his, confident in his abilities, so he ends up sitting at the same time and ending up right in this guy’s lap. It’s not the gold medal he imagined, but it’s definitely a personal victory. Just not the kind he was expecting.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re excused.” He says, because embarrassment isn’t enough to overthrow his anger.
“Is there a reason why you’re sitting in my lap?”
The guy has this cute, soft voice—like he’s trying to sound angry, but it comes out more like a lullaby than a battle cry. He says it with all the intensity of someone who's just a little too tired to actually be mad. If you listened closely, you’d swear he was about to offer Felix a cup of tea instead of a lecture.
Felix is still annoyed, though. Confrontational even. Felix is basically a tiny ball of fury. His anger’s all cramped up in his small body. “You’re in my seat.”
“I don’t see a name in there.”
“I called dibs way before you got in this carriage.” Felix denotes. “It was in my head way before even. This seat has my name written all over it.”
The guy sighs. “Sir, get off my lap.”
“Sir? I moisturize everyday! ” He turns around to finally face this aggressor; that's the first mistake. Plaid guy cosplaying as a teacher? Turns out he actually is much cuter than it looked at first glance. His brown hair’s a little windswept, but even the breeze can’t hide how soft it probably is.
"And yet you're still in my lap.”
“Well, it's quite comfortable and I had quite a day.”
Felix would love to tell you he's not usually this reckless, but that would be a complete lie. He’s fought old ladies for seats, gone toe-to-toe with kids over snack privileges, and picked fights with strangers like he’s the undisputed champion of public transport squabbles. Usually, he’s in a pretty good mood—today, however? Today’s a bad day. And bad days mean Felix gets to channel all his frustration into being extra rude to a deadly cute stranger who, frankly, might just be his next victim.
He's sure the Lord will give him a pass.
“And don't try to argue with me, boring historian.” He continues. “Did you get fired today in the sketchy ass company you work for? Didn't think so. I did. Right on top of my three month overdue rent. I have eaten stale bread with cheese for six weeks now, I deserve this comfortable lap.”
“I did start working out recently…” The guy replies before he shakes his head. “Not the point! Look, I'm sorry you got fired. Was it a good job?”
He shakes his head. “I was in the marketing team. I like designing and, not to brag, but I'm quite good at advertising. I was top of my class.”
The guys hums. He uses it as an excuse to continue the rant. “I made a bad decision accepting their offer, it was a company I hated from the start. But hey, I needed experience! Then it all went downhill, aligning with everything in my life.”
“It seems like you need someone to fix your life–”
Then, the subway comes to a screeching halt. Felix braces for impact, fully expecting to be launched into the window. But instead of smashing into glass, he looks down and finds himself being held firmly in place by a pair of really strong arms.
Well, that does make him feel a little warm—like, way warmer than the AC should allow. Was the AC connected at all? He glances at him, blinking as if he’s just now realizing how strong this guy was. Wait, was he always this much taller? Did the stranger secretly grow three inches in the last two seconds, or is Felix just suddenly that aware of how close they are?
“Thanks,” he says, a little breathless, a lot awkward.
“You’re very clearly not having a great day.”
“Tell me about it.” Felix mumbles, the day crashing on him like a hurricane. What kind of low level has he ended up on that he is shamelessly sitting down on a stranger's lap on a crowded subway on his long commute home? “I'm sorry, this has all been so stupid–”
The same strong arms that kept Felix from face-planting into the window are now firmly holding him in place, like a human seatbelt. Felix looks up at the guy, expecting maybe some smug "I saved you" look—but instead, he finds him looking genuinely ashamed of what he’s done.
Felix is going insane. He is too cute.
“Look, you clearly need some direction in your life.” He coughs to avoid the embarrassment. “I'm your guy.”
He has to resist the urge to laugh. It looks almost silly, witnessing a guy he has never met attempting to patch his life together.
“Why would you even do that? We don't know each other.”
He quirks his head, which makes him look like a puppy. “Right, but you see– you look, no offense, terrible.” Felix is inclined to agree. “And I just like the idea of having some control.”
Felix raises his eyebrows. He moves a little further away in his lap.
“I don’t mean it like that, oh my God!” The guy quickly recovers. “What I mean is, I like having control over someone else– I mean! Jesus, this is not going well, is it?”
“You're a freak.”
“And yet, you're the one sitting in my lap!” The guy breathes in. “Look, I can help you. I was like you too when I got out of college, no route or direction, nothing. And I turned things around. Maybe this will secure my place up there or something.”
“Are you religious or something? Like it's a daily obligation you have to do?”
“No!” The guy says. “I'm trying to be nice. A hand for a hand, maybe?”
“You want something from me?”
Felix thinks this is a bad idea. The guy is probably going to propose the most reckless suggestion for help and Felix, desperate for some guidance, will probably say yes and end up dead in a ditch, forever forgotten.
“The company I work for has been looking for a marketing guy for months. They're picky and they issued a challenge to all employees, to help them find someone reliable. I need to fall in their good graces, I'm looking for a promotion in my department so I can rub it in Lee Minho's face…”
“How do you know I'm even a reliable person? You met me today while I fought you over a subway seat.”
“You showed resilience and persistence.”
That’s one way of putting it, Felix thinks, as his brain tries to process the whirlwind of cute, awkward, and dangerously composed vibes coming off this guy. There’s something about the way he holds himself, like he's calculating every move in advance, always ready for what comes next. He can see that the sense of control he talked about early showcases his ambition.
Besides, Felix was born to be bossed around.
“Good way to see the glass half full.”
“Besides–” the guy smirks, and it’s the kind of smirk that screams dangerous, like a cat who’s just knocked something off the counter and knows you’ll blame it. Felix can’t help but notice how much this guy looks like a kicked-out puppy just a minute ago, but now he’s got the confidence of a feline.
(Someone needs to turn the AC down.)
“–I can fix you.”
(Seriously, it's officially a sauna here.)
Let it be known, don't make decisions when you're in a low position in your life. You might easily end up trapped by strong arms and a bright smile, completely forgetting how you ended up in this position in the first place.
“This is my stop.” He ends up saying.
The guy gets up at the exact same time, like they’ve rehearsed it. “It's my stop too.”
Felix looks at him, blinking. The guy grabs his hand—not in a handshake way, but more like he's gently herding Felix outside before the doors decide to trap them both in an awkward, very public moment. The crowd shuffles past them like it's a normal Tuesday, and Felix stands there, contemplating his life choices. This was definitely not how he imagined his day going.
“Okay, fine.” He says, extending his hand. “I'm Felix.”
The guy smiles— bright and wide —like he just won a gold medal for being annoyingly cute. Felix feels a shiver run down his spine. “I'm Seungmin.”
✦
“Did you choose a cafe because you were afraid I was going to murder you?”
In the past week he and Seungmin have been texting after exchanging numbers in the crowded subway station, he has learned not to overestimate Seungmin's capability of a response.
Felix always thought he was pretty good at getting people to do what he wanted—well, it turns out Kim Seungmin has been casually mastering that art since he was in diapers.
Not only that, the guy might as well be a mind reader. “Damn, how did you know I was thinking that?”
“Skill issue.”
“And the wonder has disappeared! Thanks.” He pretends to get up but Seungmin’s little chuckle makes him stay put.
They had agreed they would go over their plan to fix Felix’s life and guarantee Seungmin’s promotion, whatever that meant. He would've preferred for it to be online, there's less of a margin for affections to be developed.
Seungmin seemed to be stuck in the past century, because, as he quotes, he doesn't really like using his phone.
Who lives like this? Felix thinks, staring at Seungmin like he’s just suggested they send carrier pigeons instead of texting. Maybe Felix should get him a smoke signal kit for his birthday.
“Good cafe. I feel like you're trying to tell me something.”
Did Felix agree to meet up only on the condition that he picks the spot? Yes, absolutely. He wasn’t about to let Seungmin suggest something like a library—especially now that he knew they both get off at the stop closest to theirs. Felix wasn’t about to spend a whole afternoon in a quiet, book-filled tomb of academic responsibility. So, he picked a small, quaint café instead.
A dog café.
How could he say no to those cute golden retrievers on their instagram? Seungmin might have been stuck in the past century, but Felix? He knew the true way to a man’s heart.
“If you already know, it's because it worked.”
And yes, their banter flows effortlessly. Yes, Seungmin gives that coy little smile, playing along with every joke like he’s been doing this for years. Yes, they had already gone through second base when he sat on his lap upon meeting.
It's odd. In a way that turns your stomach around and gets locked up in a little box in your brain, tagged do not disturb .
“Let's get to business here, shall we?” Seungmin steps in.
“A businessman.” But Felix is curious about the whole ordeal, he can't lie. “How do you expect to turn my life around, spark master?”
Seungmin blinks cutely at the nickname before shaking his head. “I prepared a spreadsheet.”
“You what?” Felix gauges with wonder as Seungmin pulls up his computer and there, detailed to a brink: there’s a budgeting sheet, a calendar down to the very second of his day, and a color-coded list of goals and objectives. It’s a productivity masterpiece.
“I'm a data analyst, excel and I are in a committed long term relationship.”
“This is…” Felix doesn't find the words to cover his amazement. Is it normal to be attracted to someone’s extreme, borderline obsessive, over-the-top diligence? Because, for a moment, Felix can’t decide if he’s impressed or just... turned on.
“I also took the liberty to search your work up.”
“You're a freak,” he says it like a mantra, almost as if saying it makes him feel better about the fact that he, too, has been obsessively studying Seungmin’s meticulousness and figuring out how to exploit it to his advantage.
He never claimed to be the good guy. He’s just here for the ride, and if that ride involves a little manipulation and a lot of weird, Excel-powered charm, well… who’s to say it’s not a good strategy?
“You are indeed very creative. Your way with innuendos and rhymes is both cheekily smart and eye-catching. I am so becoming employee of the month after I bring you over.”
“So you're just using me.”
“Oh please,” Seungmin dismisses him as he accepts his coffee order from the waitress with a kind smile. “I organized your entire life. I'm like your free life coach.”
“You definitely get a kick out of it.”
Seungmin doesn't deny and his wide eye stare into the void just confirms Felix’s suspicions. Thankfully, he also (kind of)(maybe)(allegedly) has a kick for pretty boys who can build a mean spreadsheet.
“The thing is, I can make you even better. I can make you marketable.”
Felix smirks. “Yeah? You’re dipping your toes into my waters, pretty boy. Besides, you think this face doesn’t sell itself?”
With that comment, Felix realizes two things: one, he's flirting. And two, Seungmin is into that flirt. For a moment, Seungmin just blinks, like he’s thrown off, his usual sharp responses momentarily lost. Felix can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to conjure a witty retort—only to come up short. That slight hesitation? It makes Felix’s cheeks heat up, just a little.
Maybe he understands why Seungmin has a thing for control. It’s like he’s mastered everything in his life except for this weird, accidental game they’re playing. He could get used to this.
“I mean marketable to my company. ”
Felix hums contentedly, taking his sweet time licking the remnants of cake off his spoon, drawing it out just a little longer than necessary. If Seungmin lingers his stare for a second too long, well—Felix figures it’s one of those small pleasures in life he shouldn’t take for granted.
Seungmin, caught in the moment, blinks a few times and then shakes his head, as if trying to snap himself out of whatever trance he was in. It’s the kind of gesture Felix starts to notice more and more, like Seungmin’s control is starting to crack, just slightly. “First, we need to update your LinkedIn.”
“Ah yes, social media for nerds.”
“Exactly,” he responds, not triggered by the insult. “I think the job you did for –”
“Don't say it!” He yells, scaring half of the cafe patrons and the dogs on the couch next to them. It even attracts the attention of a fluffy labrador.
“You don't know what I was going to say!”
“You were going to speak the name of that wretched company. We don't speak of the devil here. Besides, I'm embarrassed enough to have worked for them.”
Seungmin shrugs nonchalantly, clearly enjoying the chaos he’s stirring. “Fine. I sure hope sex isn't another one of your taboo topics, then”
Felix promptly chokes on his drink. “What?”
“I work for a sexual health company. The whole reason I'm confident you'll fit right in it's because, from what I've seen, your previous campaigns were mischievous enough to attract attention.”
And kids, this is why you don't accept job offerings from cute boys in the subway.
“Shouldn't you have started with that information?” Felix sputters, still trying to process the rapid fire of revelations.
Seungmin grins, all smug and unbothered . “Would you have said yes?”
Touché.
The previously startled dog, who’d been cautiously sniffing around, finally gathers the courage to approach the couch where Seungmin is sitting. Without missing a beat, Seungmin shifts his whole focus toward the little guy, testing the waters before gently patting him on the head, as if he’s been doing it his whole life.
Felix watches the scene unfold, a warmth spreading through him. There’s something undeniably magnetic about someone being kind to animals. It is simply a trait no one can ignore.
The dog, now clearly comfortable, curls up with his head in Seungmin’s lap, and Felix finds himself mentally composing sonnets on the spot.
“Earth to Felix?”
Felix gulps. Caught . “Okay, yeah. I don’t have any issues with it. At this point, I just need a job.”
Seungmin grins, leaning back with an almost theatrical flair. “And a job, my dear Watson, is what you will get.”
And well, isn't that enthusiasm contagious?
✦
Turns out cute boys in dog cafés are terrible for Felix’s heart. So, instead of risking an early heart attack every time Seungmin smiles at him or makes some ridiculously charming comment, Felix starts picking other places to meet up—places that won't deteriorate his heart health. Coffee shops with zero dogs? Perfect. A small bookstore with no possibility of emotional overload? Even better.
At some point it becomes a routine: Seungmin scheduled the interview for a couple weeks after the first time they meet and in the meantime they gather more than once to discuss things, to polish Felix to perfection to get the job.
They do live close to each other, after all, a fact they learned during a particular sushi night where Seungmin almost choked on his sashimi, and Felix laughed so hard his soda nearly came out of his nose. Classic.
They marketed these meetups as professional —a way for Felix to work through Seungmin’s meticulously crafted schedule, a way for Seungmin to train him for the big interview. But somewhere along the way, the "professional" label flew straight out the window because Seungmin felt like an old friend he meets on occasion, rather than a stranger he was about to see everyday.
Oh right, he forgot to say.
“So?” Seungmin is waiting for him right by the door, his usual composure slightly cracked, though still impeccably neat. The faithful day had come and somehow it also passed by like a blur.
It’s cute, in a way, to see Seungmin’s polished, pristine image falter just a little. The guy is usually so put together, but now he's visibly jittery, standing there like he's presenting his bosses with some grand life-changing decision—when in reality, it’s just Felix, nervously clutching a resume and pretending he doesn’t want to run straight out the door. The details of their first meeting? Of course Seungmin left those out, probably out of fear that Felix's unprofessional, weirdly charming behavior might send the whole office into chaos.
Felix’s gaze drifts over the office. It was familiar from all the descriptions Seungmin had given him but seeing it in person ignited a sort of flame he couldn’t help but feel drawn to.
He made a silent promise to himself then: he would make it work. Whatever it took. This job.
“Seungmin–” Felix starts, his tone playful, trying to keep the boy on his toes. He can almost hear the rapid beat of Seungmin's heart from a few feet away. It’s cute how the nerves are finally getting to him, but Felix isn’t about to let the moment slip away that easily.
But of course, the façade doesn't last long. Felix can't help it; a wide grin breaks across his face, giving him away immediately. "I got it!"
Seungmin’s reaction is immediate—a full-on squeak, his eyes lighting up like fireworks. Without missing a beat, he rushes forward, practically crushing Felix in a tight hug. "You got it?!"
It wasn’t even uncomfortable, which in theory should’ve been. They have known each other for only a couple weeks but the comfort of being in each other’s presence was something he has never experienced, this quickly.
Felix pulls back slightly, still grinning. "She even said she has to give her thanks to the employee who recommended me because she’s a big fan of the work I presented and the new ideas I had."
Seungmin, who had reluctantly let go but still keeps his hands on Felix’s arms, looks like he’s in a competition with the sun itself, trying to blind Felix with the sheer size of his smile. Felix is pretty sure that smile could fuel the entire office for a week.
“You better not disappoint me, Lee Felix.” Seungmin warns, half-serious, half-playful.
Felix, without thinking, bops him on the nose on a whim, the playful gesture catching them both off guard. "You just have to stick around to see, I guess."
Seungmin shakes his head, a small, exasperated smile playing on his lips. “When do you start?”
Felix, who had been practically floating after the news, follows Seungmin to his desk. The cubicle, unsurprisingly, is immaculate—everything in its place, perfectly organized, the kind of neatness you only find in someone who treats Excel like a second language.
"Next week,” he says, casually leaning into Seungmin's space. “Hope we can be desk buddies.”
Seungmin is sitting in his chair in a way that should be illegal. It's that unwilling manspreading, like he’s trying to occupy as much space as possible without meaning to, but somehow, it’s kind of mesmerizing. Felix can’t quite figure it out. Normally, manspreading isn't exactly sexy , but Seungmin doing it with that blend of discomfort and unintentional confidence is messing with his brain. It’s a problem, really.
“We must update your spreadsheet now to include your work schedule. I can take care of it.” Seungmin says, completely oblivious to the fact that Felix is currently spiraling internally.
Felix, who might've been worried about their tentative partnership, seeing Seungmin so seamlessly still wants to be involved in his life, especially now that they work together… It’s cute , for a lack of a better word. But the more time they spend together, the more Felix begins to trust that this bond they’re building isn’t just a fluke or a passing phase.
“Maybe we can discuss it with dinner? Now I have a job again, it’s on me.”
He can already picture the look on Seungmin’s face when he accepts— because, of course, he’s going to accept. Felix is practically begging for an excuse to hang out with him. But before Seungmin can open his mouth to agree, a voice, loud and abrupt, yells from the depths of the office.
“Kim Seungmin! I can’t believe you, out of all people, have outsmarted me!”
The person striding toward Seungmin’s desk is practically oozing drama: pointed finger, exaggerated steps, the whole bit. Felix is already tuned in, because, well, he’s been paying attention to all the conversations with Seungmin. And he knows exactly who this is the moment the guy opens his mouth.
Casual clothes, a cozy sweater (a little too cozy for an office, but who’s judging?), sharp eyes, and words that practically drip with disdain. This is Lee Minho , Seungmin’s number one enemy. Felix has heard the stories.
("Number one enemy? That is so French/English coded ," Felix says, raising an eyebrow in mock judgment.
Seungmin looks up from his ramen bowl, clearly confused. "What?"
"You know, England and France—famous rivalry? I know European history ," Felix adds with a little too much smugness.
Seungmin just shakes his head. "I... What? Anyway, the point is, Lee Minho is a menace. He's been around the office as long as I have, and he's way too street-smart for his own good. He has a bone to pick with everything I do. When my boss said they were looking for replacements in the marketing department, Minho was the one who suggested the idea that whoever managed to land the job would be rewarded ."
Felix can’t help it. He’s listening to this rant, watching Seungmin get riled up, and it’s just... cute . "So, you let him mess with you?" He asks, unable to resist teasing a bit.
"You see," he leans forward, voice dropping with a mix of seriousness and pride, " this is why I need to win. It’s about dignity, it’s about respect. If I manage to land the spot, I will become the alpha male ."
There is no heart in him to tell Seungmin he does not look like an alpha at all, especially since, as far as he knows, these weird power dynamics probably aren’t something you air out too soon after meeting someone. You save that kind of feedback for when you’re married. )
Seungmin, in the present moment, is practically glowing with pride. He’s sitting there like a puppy in a dapper bow tie, his chest puffed out. “I’m sorry, can you hear something over the sounds of sweet sweet victory?” he teases, looking smug as all hell.
"You cheated," Minho grumbles, his voice dripping with incredulity. "There is no other explanation! I had it all prepared, I had the perfect candidate. How can someone be better than what I found?"
Before Felix can even process what’s happening, Seungmin is nudging him forward. Felix doesn’t usually get intimidated, but there’s something about the sheer force of Minho’s presence that makes his palms sweat. This first impression is definitely not the start he envisioned for his career.
“This is Lee Felix,” Seungmin announces, all too pleased with himself. “What can I say, I have an eye for talent.”
Felix, feeling like a deer in headlights, nods awkwardly and attempts a bow in what he hopes is a dignified manner. Lee Minho, however, just stares at him, unimpressed, like if he does it long enough he can unlock all his secrets.
“Your test begins now, Felix,” Minho says, eyes locked onto Felix's with that unsettling intensity. "As for you, Kim Seungmin," he adds, voice low and menacing, turning his attention back to Seungmin, "Be aware of your next step."
“I’m reporting you to HR!” Seungmin yells.
Minho, already walking away like he’s above it all, shouts over his shoulder, “Snitches end up in ditches!”
"So, that went well," Felix deadpans, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.
Seungmin just grins, totally unfazed by Minho’s threat. "It’s fine. He’s all bark and no bite. Probably. Maybe."
✦
The office staff is surprisingly the best work environment Felix has ever been in. Over his first month, he gets to interact with everyone, whether it's brainstorming with the marketing team, cracking jokes with the HR department, or swapping ideas with the design crew. The energy in the office is electric , and for the first time in ages, Felix feels like he’s actually contributing to something, not just punching in and out for a paycheck.
The creative juices are flowing like a river, ideas bouncing off each other in a way they never did in his last job. It's like he’s unlocked a part of his brain that was collecting dust.
His past work experience had been a grind, with endless meetings that felt neverending, and a boss who believed "creativity" was just another buzzword to toss around at team-building events. But now Felix feels like he’s in his element.
And the best part? The team genuinely cares about what he has to say. No one brushes off his ideas, and they even ask for his input on projects. He’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be valued in a workplace, but here? It’s like a breath of fresh air, and he's breathing it in like his life depends on it.
Lee Minho continues to haunt Felix’s every step, like a ghost with a personal vendetta. From the lounge, where Minho stares at him with the kind of ferocity that could rival a lioness protecting her cubs, to the office floor, where Minho sneaks glances at him when he thinks Felix isn’t looking. Felix catches it, of course, he’s not that oblivious, but he chooses to act like he’s completely unaware.
There are even one or two times when Felix runs into Minho at the grocery store right next to the office, like this guy has some kind of radar that locks onto him wherever he goes. It’s unsettling, but also a little impressive.
But, naturally, Felix is nothing if not charming. He’s built a career on his ability to charm the pants off pretty much everyone (sometimes literally). And so, over the past few weeks, he’s been slowly but surely chipping away at Minho’s icy exterior. At first, Minho looks like he’s fighting it—like he's desperately trying not to crack a smile, or worse, laugh .
But Felix is persistent. Sure, Minho’s still glaring at him from across the room like he could probably challenge him to a staring contest and a wrestling match, but Felix doesn’t back down. He knows how to handle this.
Turns out Human Resources is kind of a joke around the block, but not in the way you'd expect. The guy behind it all is an adorable kid named Jeongin, who’s basically treated like the office pet, if pets could hold power over your benefits and make you attend mandatory training sessions.
Jeongin's the kind of person who looks like he should still be in high school, yet here he is, handling HR with a maturity that’s... somehow both impressive and slightly alarming. The whole office treats him like a little brother or a son, constantly offering him snacks and advice about life.
Felix has to admit, he likes Jeongin. They’ve gotten along well despite Jeongin’s shy, almost timid attitude around him. It’s almost like Jeongin’s quietly trying to figure out how to be an adult. But Felix finds it... endearing, in a way. Jeongin always seems so thoughtful, and the way he hesitates before speaking makes Felix endeared.
The IT tech, Chan, is the one Felix ends up talking to the most. And it’s not just because Felix’s computer always seems to break down at the most inconvenient times. They’re actually from the same hometown, which is a pretty random coincidence considering.
Chan’s the kind of guy who just gets people. He’s that rare breed of person who can instantly fit into any group without even trying. Felix quickly realizes he’s exactly the type of person who would get along with everyone, even the most grumpy of employees. It’s almost like Chan’s energy is contagious, and suddenly, you're part of the “gang” without even realizing it. Felix feels immediately comfortable around him. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Chan is probably the nicest person in the office, always ready to offer help, whether it’s solving an office printer problem or just knowing the best places to grab coffee during lunch breaks.
Felix’s first contact with the legal department was because of his contract, and for a moment, he genuinely thought his old company had put out some sort of wanted poster on him. You know, just a little reminder that Lee Felix had once existed in their office and was now public enemy number one in the world of corporate paperwork.
But then, he walked into the legal department and met Jisung, and the fear quickly evaporated. Jisung was, to put it bluntly, the most awkward, clumsy guy Felix had ever met. This was not the intimidating kind of lawyer Felix had imagined. No, this was a guy who tripped over his own feet and spilled coffee on his shirt while frantically trying to find Felix’s paperwork in a mountain of disorganized files.
Felix watched in quiet disbelief as Jisung muttered apologies under his breath while literally trying to shove papers back into a filing cabinet that was clearly too small for the volume of work he was handling. How does someone like this end up a lawyer? Felix could only guess that Jisung had somehow managed to pass his bar exam by sheer force of will and an unrelenting supply of caffeine.
(“I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine,” Felix said, trying to keep the tone light and reassuring when signing his papers. “We’re just signing a contract, right? Not, like, signing away my soul or anything?”
Jisung froze. “Uh, no! No, definitely not your soul.” He looked around like someone might be listening, before continuing in a nervous whisper, “But if you’re really concerned, I can double-check.”)
It wasn't until the last day of his first week that Felix met the only other guy on the marketing team, the one responsible for social media management—Hyunjin. Felix had heard about him from everyone else in the office, of course. There were whispers of the gorgeous guy he would be working with, and how their department was about to become the face card department, whatever that meant.
Felix figured he must've been some elusive unicorn, like a mythical creature who just appeared when the stars aligned and the Wi-Fi signal was strong enough.
Hyunjin didn’t disappoint. When he finally walked into the office late that afternoon, it was in full attire, ready to face the rest of the day with that cool, calm aura about him that made Felix immediately wonder if Hyunjin was secretly auditioning for the role of the most interesting person in the room.
“Nice to meet you,” Hyunjin had said with a smile that was somehow both charming and aloof. “I’m Hyunjin. You’ll probably see me on the company’s Instagram more than you’ll see me here."
They spent the last few hours of Felix’s first week together, Hyunjin showing him the ropes of their social media strategy, making jokes about brand aesthetics, and exchanging sarcastic quips about influencer marketing. It wasn’t so much about learning the work, as it was learning that Hyunjin had a presence that was hard to ignore.
Changbin from Sales was definitely Felix’s favorite co-worker – after Seungmin, of course, because let’s not get too crazy . The guy was basically a walking party, with a single focus: impressing the most unattainable person in the office, Hyunjin. It was as if he had some secret mental wedding planner working overtime on their future while Hyunjin was blissfully unaware of the imaginary diamond ring Changbin was already mentally picking out.
Despite his intense, almost Hollywood rom-com level of obsession, Felix couldn’t help but find Changbin strangely charming. In the break room, Changbin was the coffee guru, patiently teaching Felix how to use the coffee machine with a patience to rival a kindergarten teacher. For all his buff, muscle-bound exterior, the guy was basically a teddy bear with an industrial-sized coffee addiction. Felix kind of vibed with those types—strong on the outside, soft on the inside.
“This is like a jungle in here,” He mutters to Seungmin, as he sits at his desk. Seungmin, ever the neat freak, is on a full-on tidy mission when he does, straightening papers and pushing things around like he's trying to organize a disaster zone.
He needs to ruin this guy —desperately. It’s like a moral obligation now.
“Because of all the pheromones around?” Seungmin jokes, his eyes locked on Changbin, who's currently busy through a flirtation attempt with Hyunjin; who, by the looks of it, has no idea what's going on. He’s too busy scrolling through his phone like he's on a completely different planet.
Felix nods dramatically. "Someone needs to give these guys some seduction lessons. Seriously. Are you sure you all work for a sexual health company? Because from what I’m seeing, it looks like the only vote that got passed was the chastity one. These office dynamics are honestly tragic."
Seungmin laughs, even if his ears are slightly turning redder. Felix feels more confident now than he did before to flirt, engage in these conversations knowing that he can rile Seungmin up without being embarrassed about barely knowing him. They’ve been working together for a month now, in corporate times, that's basically a lifetime.
“Maybe Jeongin did, who knows.”
Felix chuckles, giving Seungmin a playful smack on the arm. The sound is loud enough to catch some attention, and Chan, sitting nearby, looks over with a curious eyebrow raised. Felix feels a tiny chill of panic—he really doesn’t want to end up in the office gossip this soon into his career.
“And you?” Felix asks, leaning into his space.
“Me?” Seungmin lifts his eyes from his computer, looking like he’s just been summoned from the depths of concentration.
“Did you take a vote of chastity?” Felix asks with an innocent grin, though anyone who knows him would be aware this is about as subtle as a freight train.
Seungmin immediately chokes on thin air , his face turning bright red as he sputters, clearly caught off guard. Felix, enjoying the reaction, reaches over to rub his back—partly to comfort him, or possibly to rile him up even more . It’s hard to say. You decide.
(God, he hopes Jeongin isn’t watching. He can’t have issues with HR this soon either.)
“I—did not. No. Absolutely not,” Seungmin stammers, his face going a little more red with every word. Felix can't help but smile. He's getting way too much enjoyment out of this.
Felix hops off the desk with a little too much enthusiasm, adjusting his cardigan. He places a hand on Seungmin’s shoulder, just long enough for it to be noticeable, just short enough to leave both of them a little uncomfortably aware of the contact.
"Good," Felix says, voice smooth but his own cheeks betraying him with a pink tinge, much like the freckles that dot his face. He's not immune to shame , despite how confident he pretends to be. "I’ll store that information."
Felix can’t resist the slight flutter in his chest. This might be a slippery slope.
“Felix, get back to work!” Minho yells from his desk, which, unfortunately, is way too close for comfort. "You're slacking already? Someone might have to report you.”
He would much rather have Chan on his case but no, instead, Lee Minho is the one smirking from across the room like some office villain.
Felix leans back in his chair, opening his computer to pretend to work, "I was simply fraternizing with my colleagues."
Minho scoffs. “Kim Seungmin from finances is barely a colleague. He’s at most an inconvenience.”
Felix can feel Seungmin’s presence even without looking at him—there’s a certain stillness to his demeanor that Felix knows too well. Without even lifting his eyes from whatever he's writing in his agenda, Seungmin casually replies: “An inconvenience who is about to get promoted.”
Minho looks like he’s about to open his mouth and throw out some sarcastic remark, but he's cut off by the unmistakable sound of Changbin, who’s somehow managed to clumsily extract himself from the cloud of Hyunjin’s aura, before declaring, “It’s true! Seungmin’s about to be nominated employee of the month because of the Felix stunt. And I’ve been working my butt off in customer service all month to get that title!” He pouts, the weight of his grievances clear. “I don’t know if I can survive another month of calming pills and not yelling at people. I miss the good ol' days of yelling at customers.”
Seungmin, ever the composed professional, barely reacts, but Jisung, who just so happens to be passing by with an absurdly large pile of paperwork (as usual), cuts through the moment with his signature deadpan delivery. "I literally have a lawsuit to fix by next month," he says, glancing over his stack of legal documents like it’s a Tuesday. "I can assure you that title will be mine next month."
He doesn't even break a sweat as he adjusts the mountain of paperwork in his arms.
“Oh, and by the way, has anyone seen an envelope with urgent in bold red letters on top? I’m looking for it,” Jisung adds, his voice light but somehow filled with ominous paperwork energy.
The entire room goes dead silent as everyone stares at him like he’s just asked for a unicorn. “No?” Jisung sighs, shrugging sheepishly, looking flushed as he adjusts his glasses. “Okay, just wondering.”
“I have been consistently in third place since those two entered the office,” Chan says, his tone dripping with the dignified defeat of a seasoned underdog. He points at Minho and Seungmin like they’re the office’s reigning champions. Felix learns that Chan has been here the longest. “I’ve given up at this point.”
“That’s because no one does ass licking like them,” Hyunjin pipes up, the corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. There’s a simultaneous hum of agreement.
“Maybe I’ll become employee of the month,” Felix adds, in a sudden burst of confidence, fueled by the undeniable thrill of competitive energy in the air. The entire room goes silent. Everyone looks at him like he’s sprouted three extra heads, including Seungmin, whose expression instantly shifts into full-on competitive mode.
And, oh God, it’s so attractive . Felix is struck dumb for a moment, just watching the way Seungmin's aura changes, like he’s preparing for a showdown.
“Felix, take this with no offense —” Seungmin starts, his voice low, measured.
Felix immediately leans in, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I’m already offended, but go on.”
The room holds its breath with their exchange. It’s thrilling.
Seungmin doesn’t flinch, though, the competitive gleam in his eye only intensifies. “—But I taught you everything I knew about doing well in this office. You’re only as good as your teacher.”
That staggering confidence of his, in his composed and polished image, is certainly a point in favour for Seungmin, whose ego is justified; in the month he’s been here, he’s noticed how much of a model and perfect employee he is, how much he takes pride in it. How much in control of all variables he is to assure it stays that way. That self-assured confidence, that air of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing, with no room for error.
Seungmin’s got this smooth, polished control that doesn’t even crack under Lee Minho’s relentless jabs, or Changbin’s loud-and-proud antics. The teasing, the playful jabs —they don’t phase Seungmin. In fact, they fuel him. Felix, however, is convinced that there’s a different way to get under that skin. And he’s about to find out.
“Even a teacher can be mastered.” Felix says, his tone dripping with casual flirtation, his words sharp like an edge of a blade.
A chorus of ohs erupts, as Seungmin refuses to break eye contact. Not even for a second. Felix sees the faintest quirk of Seungmin’s lips, the slight tension in his jaw, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the desk. There’s something flickering in his eyes. He can see his tongue pressure in his cheek and his mind is filled with filthy scenarios; however, that reaction proves exactly what he wanted: this is how you push Seungmin’s buttons. He’s already won.
By assuming control.
“Someone call HR! This is scandalous.” Minho yells, as if Felix had just committed the corporate equivalent of a felony.
“I’ve been sitting here the whole time,” Jeongin responds, his voice cool and unaffected as ever. “You all better go back to work before I sign everyone up for a team-building training session.”
Everyone goes back to their tasks, but Felix can feel the heat of Seungmin’s gaze still lingering on him. The intensity in those eyes is different, not angry, not annoyed, but something else entirely. Felix’s body practically vibrates from the way Seungmin’s stare holds him captive.
It’s as if someone had flipped a switch, and Felix suddenly feels like a live wire. Every nerve in his body buzzes, every inch of him alert, waiting. He tries to shake it off, but his brain is way ahead of him.
And then—Seungmin’s lips curl into that smile. The one that’s cocky, self-assured, and completely deadly. It’s not a grin of victory, but more of a promise . Game on, Seungmin mutters, a gorgeous defying smile in his lips.
He is so going to marry this guy.
✦
Last time Felix worked in an office, Christmas joy was nothing to be celebrated. When the holiday season rolled around, it was just another day in a stuffy office, full of spreadsheets, deadlines, and cold coffee that tasted like regret.
This office is different. The place is practically glittering. Wreaths. Garland. A suspiciously realistic-looking Santa sitting in the break room, giving out candy canes. The desks are decked out with tinsel, snowflakes dangling from every possible surface, and there's even fake snow sprinkled around like someone threw up a snow globe all over the office.
And then there are the sweaters. Not just any sweaters— the ugly sweaters. That somehow still manage to be the most festive thing in the room. Seungmin's wearing one that’s aggressively red, with blinking reindeer eyes and a suspiciously loud Ho Ho Ho on the front, and Felix is honestly a little bit in love with it.
Felix thrives in this environment. He finds himself humming carols under his breath, unironically.
“We have a competition to settle during the office party over the best decorated desk,” Hyunjin informs Felix, gesturing grandly to his own desk, which is practically a winter-themed shrine. His over-the-top Christmas tree towers over the space, adorned with a ridiculous number of ornaments like pictures of everyone in the office in questionable states. There’s also tinsel, twinkling lights, and of course, trophies. Lots of them.“Not to brag but,”
“He usually wins!” Changbin chimes in from the corner, sounding both impressed and slightly nervous. He’s clutching a cup of coffee like it’s a lifeline. “And he usually deserves it. He is so cool—uh, I mean, cool decorations. So cool.”
Felix glances over his shoulder to Seungmin’s desk, where the man is clearly failing at pretending not to eavesdrop. The smug smile tugging at the corners of Seungmin’s lips is practically glowing with mischief.
Felix smirks and mouths, Tragic , making sure Seungmin catches the subtle jab. Seungmin’s chuckle is enough to confirm he’s seen it, and Felix feels a slight rush of victory. A win is a win .
"Maybe next year I’ll decorate mine," Felix adds, casually leaning back in his chair, now fully aware of the high stakes. The competition just went from fun to serious.
Minho, from his nearby desk, shoots him a look that could only be described as ominous, like a warning of some sort. "If you stay here until then,"
Felix simply shrugs, unbothered. But Seungmin, who was quietly observing, suddenly shifts in his seat like a dog hearing a distant sound. There’s a flash of something possessive, protective even. Felix can't put his finger on it, but Seungmin’s reaction is a little too eager.
"He will. Have you seen how much everyone loves him around the office?" Seungmin says, almost defensively. His voice is so casual, but the undertone is unmistakable: he’s got Felix’s back.
"Some more than others..." Chan comments as he wraps up the final touches on Jisung’s computer setup, which has been seriously struggling under the weight of his chaotic paperwork.
Seungmin, however, remains unfazed, his focus never once leaving his neatly organized workspace. “I have high expectations of him,” he says, voice flat and steady, as if he’s stating the most obvious thing in the world.
And doesn’t that warm Felix in an uncharacteristic way. Their interactions have been charged from day one but hearing Seungmin’s unwavering faith in him, especially when it’s not even required, has a way of making his insides flip. It’s one thing to be confident, but it’s another to believe in someone to the extent Seungmin does.
This picture perfect guy who truly believes there is nothing Felix can do that isn’t of the best quality yet. The certainty in Seungmin’s voice—that there is nothing Felix can do that isn’t exceptional, nothing that won’t turn out great, it’s new. Exhilarating.
Thank you. He mouths again, which Seungmin promptly replies with a wink.
Having someone believe in you so wholeheartedly sure can make anyone fall in love.
“Alright, enough chit-chat, everyone listen up!” Jeongin announces, cutting through the office noise like a Christmas miracle. He’s carrying an oversized Christmas sock and a Santa hat that’s just slightly too big for his head. It’s honestly adorable. “This year, as requested by me and Jisung,” Jeongin gestures grandly at Jisung, who waves awkwardly from his desk, “I’ll be hosting the Secret Santa event. And, to avoid what happened last year, here's a list of forbidden gifts.”
Felix looks at the list with a combination of confusion and a mild sense of impending doom. Some of the forbidden items are questionable, to say the least. “Wait, what happened last year?” he asks, already regretting his curiosity.
The entire office erupts into chaos, voices overlapping like a badly rehearsed choir. Felix swears he sees a pen fly across the room.
“Too much happened,” Jisung mutters, shuddering at the memory. “I spent Christmas Day filling out harassment paperwork, and I really don’t want to do that again.” He gestures ominously at Seungmin and Minho, who are giving each other suspiciously innocent looks.
“It wasn’t my fault!” Seungmin exclaims, throwing his hands in the air. “He totally overreacted to my gift!”
Minho immediately fires back, not missing a beat: “You gave me scissors, Seungmin! Scissors! It was an intimidation tactic, plain and simple!”
Seungmin is unphased, the picture of self-assurance. “You complained about not having sharp enough scissors to cook for the office dinner. I was just being thoughtful!”
But there is a mischievous glint in his eyes that Felix picks up immediately. The guy is dangerous, and Felix finds it incredibly endearing.
“This is also to avoid whatever Changbin decides to throw in the mix,” Jeongin adds with a heavy sigh, shaking his head like he’s seen things no one should ever have to witness.
“Hey! It was a mix-up ! You all know it wasn’t supposed to go to Chan!” Changbin protests, his voice loud and defensive, but his face is flushed, and Chan is visibly shuddering next to him.
“I’m still not sure what I was supposed to do with those... whatever they were,” Chan mutters.
“I wonder who you were really trying to offer those to,” Hyunjin chimes in, genuine curiosity in his tone. As if on cue, everyone deadpans and turns to look at Changbin, all eyes narrowing.
Felix’s gaze darts from face to face, and he can’t help but feel like there must be a hidden camera somewhere in the office because the collective look of judgment is too synchronized.
“Yeah, we all wonder about a lot of things around here,” Jeongin deadpans, shaking his head like he’s already resigned himself to the chaos. “Anyways, time to pick names! No cheating!”
“I would never,” Minho says with a dramatic flair, taking the first piece of paper from the sock. He reads it with an almost sinister grin on his face, clearly pleased with whatever name he’s just drawn.
Felix still has many questions, all promptly ignored by Jeongin who refuses to let anyone recall what happened in previous years. He takes his pick of the litter, and lo and behold, his eyes land on the name that makes his lips curl into a satisfied grin.
He can already picture the perfect gifts for Seungmin, composing a mental list from the best to the worst one, all based on an imaginary ranking about how he would react.
“You look satisfied about it,” Seungmin notes, voice smooth with just the right amount of suspicion. He leans a little closer to Felix’s desk, trying to sneak a peek at his paper.
Felix, not one to be easily caught, slides the paper into his pocket, his expression unreadable. “Let’s just say I know exactly what to get this person.”
Seungmin straightens up and smirks. “Interesting,” he says, and Felix feels the electric pull of his gaze before Seungmin closes the space between them just a little too quickly. Too close—it’s intoxicating. His breath smells faintly of cinnamon and coffee, and Felix can’t help but inhale a little deeper. “So do I.”
Felix licks his lips, wondering if Seungmin is just teasing him to reveal an answer out of him or, if by any bigger force or coincidence, they both pulled exactly what they wanted. Felix feels a shiver run down his spine as he watches Seungmin, who’s practically studying him now, his eyes following every subtle movement, every flicker of expression on his face. And then, just when Felix isn’t quite sure where this is going, he feels it, Seungmin’s gaze lands on his lips for a split second, quick enough that he can’t be sure, but he’s certain. Interesting how his stomach twirls with the recognition.
“We also need volunteers for the office party,” Chan announces, handing a clipboard to Jeongin, who stands right next to him, nodding with way too much seriousness for something involving ugly Christmas sweaters and questionable cocktails.
“I can do decorating duty,” Hyunjin offers, all enthusiastic, probably already picturing himself wrapping the office in twinkling lights and tinsel like a pinterest board come to life.
Before anyone can even blink, Changbin is right there. “Me too! Look at us, we’re like decorating soulmates .” He gestures dramatically to Hyunjin.
Hyunjin smiles. “Sounds like a fun time.”
“I can do some cooking,” Minho chimes in, and suddenly Felix is aware that everyone in the room has started salivating. There are rumors, apparently, that Minho’s cooking skills could raise the dead, and Felix is now emotionally invested in it.
Seungmin, from where he’s leaning against Felix’s desk (stupid long legs, he looks so effortlessly good.), lets out a snarky little comment. “This is probably a way for you to poison us.”
“Please,” Minho starts, holding up a hand as if he's about to deliver some life-altering wisdom. “Poisoning via food is so last century. Besides, I have other plans for you.”
“Aw, I bet I keep you awake at night.” Seungmin pretends to blink innocently and yeah, this has to stop . The mean remarks aren’t even directed at him and yet Felix still feels his whole body heat up. Seungmin could start speaking to him in this way and he would probably be the one to lay awake at night dreaming about it.
“I can do cooking too,” Felix offers, flashing a charming smile and trying to shake off the mental image of Seungmin's innocent teasing. He needs to focus. “I’m really good with sweets.”
Seungmin raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Yeah? I’m excited to try it.”
Felix shrugs nonchalantly, like it's no big deal. “I’ll even give you a preview, if you want.” Oh, he's smooth. He’s so smooth. Professional even.
“I’m going to barf,” Minho deadpans, without missing a beat.
“Same,” Jeongin adds, shaking his head with an exaggerated eye roll. “But seriously, Seungmin, you can’t run away from this like you have for two years now.”
Seungmin groans and leans back, looking resigned to his fate. “Fine, put me in cleaning or something.”
“Ah yes, with Jisung,” Jeongin says, grinning like he’s just won the lottery.
“Not with Jisung!” Seungmin whines, pointing at the chaos unfolding a few feet away. Jisung is now desperately trying to clean up a coffee spill on the floor with a single scrap of paper from his desk, while Chan pats him on the back and hands him napkins to help.
“Why not?” Jeongin asks, pretending to be confused.
“That’s why!” Seungmin gestures wildly toward Jisung’s clean-up effort, which is going absolutely nowhere.
“Too late, I have it written down,” Jeongin says, holding up his clipboard like some kind of dictator. “What I write is law! Time to go back to work, chop chop.” He pats Changbin on the back like he’s the most productive person in the room.
“Why do we let him boss us around?” Minho sighs dramatically, slouching in his chair.
✦
He had absolutely been joking. When he blurted out that he could totally become employee of the month, it was a spur-of-the-moment attempt to join in on the office banter and, let's be honest, impress Seungmin. Not that it was a competition or anything but, you know, he’s got to show off his potential somehow. Make himself marketable.
But seeing his name actually on the board, his picture displayed proudly beneath the title, felt a little... insane. Insane that he wasn’t the first one to notice it too. “I can’t believe this.”
Minho, however, had been repeating it like a chant since the moment he walked in. He’d only stopped to grab Felix and drag him into the situation, presenting it like a tragic performance. “Losing to Kim Seungmin? Fine, whatever. But losing to the new guy? This is the absolute lowest point in my entire life.”
“I’ve been here for almost three months now, though,” Felix points out, but his comment is promptly swallowed by the flood of voices joining their mini celebration.
“Wow, congrats Lix!” Chan slaps him on the back with enough enthusiasm to make Felix stumble a bit. “This is really cool for someone who’s been here for such a short time!”
Felix grins, his smile widening as everyone else joins in with their claps and cheers. It’s nice, he admits, to be recognized for his work. It feels like all the projects, the ideas, the small but meaningful connections he’s built with everyone have finally paid off. It’s just a symbolic recognition, sure, but for someone who’s always felt like the odd one out, this means a lot more than it probably should.
“Losing to the marketing guy who makes innuendos... I’ve seen it all,” Minho mutters dramatically, shaking his head like he’s witnessing the downfall of civilization.
“I do more than just write innuendos!” Felix protests, though it’s hard to argue with the fact that he does have a knack for that specific skill.
“Besides, his innuendos are actually good,” Hyunjin adds, slinging an arm around Felix’s shoulders.
“I’m not even mad,” Minho mutters, rubbing his temples. “I just need a vacation.”
Felix sees Seungmin from the corner of his eye, putting his stuff down on his desk and looking confused in their direction. He is simultaneously excited and nervous to show Seungmin his achievement, knowing how much this means to the boy on a monthly basis.
Felix feels a flutter in his chest as Seungmin approaches, like some sort of human beacon of validation. He watches Seungmin’s eyes flicker over to the employee of the month board, the smile slowly forming as he processes the situation. What else was he expecting from the stranger who believed in him from day one?
“I guess I have been dethroned.” The crowd starts to disperse when Seungmin nudges him with his shoulder. “Employee of the month, uh?”
Felix puffs his chest out proudly. “Well, I don’t know any other Lee Felix who looks this good in a headshot. It’s hard to compete with this level of charisma.” He flashes a cheeky grin at Seungmin.
Seungmin hums thoughtfully, tapping his chin. “If you think about it, you becoming employee of the month is actually my achievement. So by association, I’m technically the employee of the month too.”
Felix bursts out laughing, almost choking on his own amusement. “What are you on about?”
Seungmin smirks, full of that signature mischief. “Think about it! I brought you in. I trained you. I am your mentor , your Yoda, if you will. I am reaping the fruits of my labor.”
Felix raises an eyebrow, genuinely confused. “Doesn’t Yoda die at the end of that movie?”
Seungmin scoffs, dismissing the question with a flick of his wrist. “Not relevant. What matters is that I’m taking this as my victory too."
Felix grins, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. Like he told Seungmin all those months ago, even a teacher can be mastered. "I think you're bluffing. And clearly using it as an excuse."
Seungmin looks at him, unbothered. "An excuse for what, sir?" His tone is innocent, but Felix can practically hear the challenge underneath it.
The words hit him like a wave, taking him back to their first interaction. It almost deflects him enough to not tease Seungmin any further. But Felix isn’t about to let Seungmin win. Not today. He promised himself a long time ago he would break down that polished exterior Seungmin had carefully built. And, well, it was fun to watch it crack little by little.
Felix’s fingers slide deliberately down Seungmin’s arm, a feather-like touch, testing the waters. "To mask how hard it feels to let control slip from your fingers, just like that," he says, his voice low, purposeful.
The change in Seungmin is instant. He freezes, eyes going wide for a fraction of a second; Seungmin looks like a fish out of water, gulping on air for a support that doesn’t exist. It’s gone soon, as he recovers with the kind of speed only someone who's used to being in control could muster. Within seconds, he’s back in his element, smirking as though he’s been the one in charge all along.
“You seem to forget who promised to control your life,” Seungmin says, leaning in, close enough that Felix can feel the heat radiating from him, close enough that there’s no denying the tension between them. “For all you know, this is all part of my plan.”
Felix feels the air between them thick with challenge. Seungmin is close, too close, and for a moment, it’s almost too much. Muttering those words with the confidence of someone who has nothing to lose.
That makes it two of them. “You’re a freak.” Felix replies, but it lacks any bitterness. It’s teasing, heavy with something. “Well,” he says finally, his voice softer now, “I guess it’s a good thing I don’t mind being a little... controlled."
Seungmin's smirk widens, that same confident gleam never leaving his eyes. Felix wonders how long they can keep dancing around each other like this before one of them takes the first step across the line.
"You don't say," he replies, voice smooth, like he's savoring the moment. "You're getting better at recognizing it, though."
“This is hardly appropriate workplace behavior, if you ask me,” Jisung’s voice cuts through the tension, shattering it like glass.
“Jisung!” Seungmin exclaims, practically leaping away from Felix. He tugs at the sleeves of his elbow-patched jacket, looking like he's trying to hide from the world. "How long have you been in there?"
Felix can barely look away from Seungmin in time to notice the jacket, the same one Seungmin had worn the day they met. With that sudden, irrelevant thought, his brain short circuits.
“Too long,” Jisung answers, almost shy, but his words are heavy with a kind of unspoken authority. "And be happy you got caught by me and not by Jeongin! I don't have the patience to fill out more paperwork, alright? You guys really need to be careful."
He gives them a long, meaningful look, as though this is somehow their fault and they should be ashamed of themselves.
But it's Jisung, awkward, clumsy, who somehow always loses his coffee mugs, and for a second, Felix thinks they’ll both burst out laughing. Then Seungmin gives him this look, and the gravity of the situation hits Felix all over again.
Jisung rolls his eyes. "Please. I’ve already got half a mind to start making you two sign a waiver every time you breathe in the same room. You’re a walking HR disaster.”
“That was awkward,” Seungmin coughs, wiping his brow as Jisung disappears into the depths of the office, his footsteps echoing.
Felix stares after him, rubbing the back of his neck. “You think?” he mutters, half in disbelief at how quickly the moment went from intense to terrifying. “I am so not going to be employee of the month for long after that.”
Seungmin’s eyes light up with a sudden mischievous gleam. Felix can practically see the gears turning in his head. “Good point,” Seungmin says with a nod.
“Don’t even,” Felix warns, immediately regretting the words because now Seungmin is absolutely going to take this and run with it.
Seungmin chuckles, turning to walk away. “I didn’t do anything. Yet.”
✦
“And remember, everyone needs to be here at seven thirty sharp. Unless you’re the decorating committee, I don’t want to see anyone here a minute early. You will ruin the illusion.” Hyunjin declares, with an intensity to rival the most motivational of speakers. He clearly takes the decorating job seriously.
Changbin, who has been following him just a little too closely behind him all morning, looks like a guy on a mission—his eyes darting around, scanning for his target. He’s got something clutched in his hand: a sprig of mistletoe, which he’s been aggressively carrying around like a weapon.
Seungmin is busy packing up his things when Felix strolls up to his desk, a little more energy in his step than usual. The past week has been interesting between them, the kind of tension that’s thick enough to cut with a knife, and Felix is eager to see where tonight’s office party will take them.
Felix leans against Seungmin’s desk with a half-smile, the one that could make anyone feel a little too warm in the middle of winter. "Shall we go? I still need to put the brownies in the oven. And, uh, I’m going to need some help carrying everything."
Seungmin glances up, raising an eyebrow. "So, you only want me for my brute strength?" He smirks, leaning back in his chair, clearly trying to hide the faint flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Felix nods with all the seriousness of someone declaring a fact. "What good are you for otherwise?"
Seungmin chuckles, shaking his head as he grabs his bag. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. And yet, I’m still going to help you carry everything, because that’s how I do things.”
As they step out into the cool air and walk toward the subway station, the silence between them feels oddly comforting. This is a familiar routine: the subway, going home together at the end of the way, meaningless conversation. Even the tension is familiar, heavy and lingering. But not to this extent.
Felix sneaks a glance at Seungmin, his mind running wild for a split second. He desperately wants to grab Seungmin’s hand. Hell, he’d even sit on his lap again if he could. Can you believe he hasn’t had the chance to do that since the day they met? A crime. Truly.
But instead, he shoves his hands into his jacket pockets and sighs. One step at a time, he tells himself. He’s in no rush. Or maybe he is. The evening ahead will be a game-changer, one way or another.
“So, what’s your strategy for surviving the office party?” Felix asks, breaking the silence as they get close to the subway entrance.
Seungmin looks over at him, like he has been thinking about this answer for years. Prepared like a kid for an exam. “Avoid the karaoke, avoid Jeongin’s attempts to set people up with mistletoe, and stay away from Hyunjin’s 'motivational' speeches.”
“Jeongin and mistletoe? He is literally the head of HR.” Felix wonders.
“He’s out of the clock during office parties, apparently.”
Felix snickers. “And what about me? I think I might need a little help surviving you tonight.”
Seungmin smirks again, and Felix swears he could almost feel the heat rising between them. This night might just be exactly what they need to figure things out.
Or make it even messier.
The subway ride is… heavy. Silent, but loud with the hum of anticipation. It’s not until they’re stepping out of the subway, walking through the street in the direction of Seungmin’s apartment, that the silence finally breaks. It happens just as they reach the intersection where they always part ways, right next to Seungmin’s apartment building.
Felix glances over, expecting the usual casual goodbye, instead, Seungmin looks at him with a slight hesitation, something flickering in his eyes that Felix can't quite place. “We still have loads of time until the party. Do you want to come over and… hang out?”
His chest tightens in that electrifying way, that little buzz in his veins that makes everything feel like it's suddenly... well, possible . His heart is pounding, and despite his best effort to keep it cool, his mouth curls into a smile he can't hide. “I definitely do.”
The words hang between them, finally stepping into some uncharted territory. The kind of invitation Felix has been half-waiting for, without even realizing it. He wants to say more, to joke or tease or make this moment feel like nothing. But the truth is, his heart's racing. There's no joking now.
Seungmin’s gaze softens, and for a split second, Felix swears he can see that same excitement flickering in Seungmin’s eyes. Then, just as quickly, it’s masked by his usual confident smirk.
“Well, come on then," Seungmin says, motioning toward the building, his voice teasing but with an undertone of something else. "Before you change your mind.”
Felix follows him, the weight of the night not so heavy anymore. As they walk toward the door of Seungmin’s apartment, the air feels different, lighter. Whatever tension had been there before melts into something else.
Desire. Seungmin can barely get the whole door to close before Felix pins him to the wall. He doesn’t hesitate, cupping Seungmin’s face before leaning in to kiss him. Seungmin pauses for a moment, surprised, then relaxes into the kiss, responding just as naturally. It feels effortless, like something that’s been building for months now. It was bound to happen.
It’s intense, in all ways. It’s overwhelming even. The emotions they’ve both kept hidden for so long finally come rushing to the surface. “Oh,” Seungmin murmurs, just as Felix pulls back to catch his breath, only to lean in again, and again—just one more time.
“Is this not what you meant by hanging out?” Felix teases, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of Seungmin’s cheekbones. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and he’s enjoying every moment of it.
“I thought there would be a little bit more foreplay.” Seungmin’s voice is still low, almost a whisper, like he doesn’t want anyone else to hear what transpires between them.
“Hm,” Felix lets out a breathy laugh, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he stays close, his hand finding its way to the back of Seungmin’s neck, his thumb tracing soothing circles there. His smile is mischievous and Seungmin gulps looking at him. “You’re into foreplay, got it.”
Felix doesn’t let it linger for longer, pulling at his hair slightly before leaning for another clash of lips. Same intensity, maybe a little rougher even, feeding into this delicious rhythm they have going on. Felix feels that crack in Seungmin’s polished exterior grow wider with every touch, every kiss, and he can’t help but savor it, enjoying the way Seungmin responds, slowly unraveling beneath his fingertips.
Seungmin laughs breathlessly, his voice a little lightheaded, teasing between kisses. "We are definitely going to have to report this to HR." His words come out with a playful, almost dazed tone, the tension between them mixing with something deeper, unspoken.
Felix smirks, his lips brushing against Seungmin’s as he responds, "I would never tell poor innocent Jeongin what is about to happen between us." The teasing tone is there, but his kiss deepens again, as if words have no place in this moment — only feelings.
His thumb traces the line of Seungmin’s jaw gently, a sign for him to follow. He doesn’t really know Seungmin’s apartment, but the couch is enough to let him know where they should be sitting instead. The distance between them was already minimal, and Felix will make sure it will continue that way.
He pushes Seungmin to sit down, immediately climbing into his lap. It’s familiar, like that first time – well, not exactly like that time. A little better, he would argue. “Comfortable?” Felix asks, his voice low, barely above a whisper, his fingers tracing patterns along Seungmin’s chest, as though the question is more than just about their physical closeness.
Seungmin’s hands slip beneath Felix’s shirt, fingers grazing the warm skin at his waist. The contact is a thermic shock — the coolness of Seungmin’s hands against the heat of Felix’s body, a sudden jolt that makes Felix’s breath catch.
Felix shivers, not from discomfort, but from the rush of sensation. He can feel his chest rise and fall a little faster, the slow, steady rhythm of their closeness disrupted by the immediate heat between them. “God,” Felix breathes, his voice low, the sensation of Seungmin’s cool fingers on his skin making him feel more present than ever. He looks down at Seungmin, his gaze heavy with something unspoken, before leaning in again, meeting his lips in another searing intense kiss.
Felix didn’t believe in butterflies in your stomach until this moment. Until he moves his hips with a little more determination and he feels Seungmin attempt to grab him forcefully to keep him in place. He kisses him in retaliation but doesn’t stop his movement, his hands grabbing him by the shoulders.
Seungmin responds, his body tensing for a second before relaxing into the kiss, a subtle shift in his posture that tells Felix everything he needs to know. The friction between them deepens, a rhythm now building between their movement. The kiss is heated, almost desperate.
Felix moves his hand slowly, dragging it down from Seungmin’s shoulders to his chest, fingertips grazing the fabric of his shirt. He can feel the rapid beat of Seungmin’s heart beneath his touch. Seungmin’s pulse is so accelerated, Felix almost wonders if he’s pushing him too far—if he might actually cause him an early demise.
What a way to go, though, right? Felix thinks, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he feels Seungmin's body tense beneath him with anticipation.
“What’s so funny?” Seungmin asks, breathless, but not eager to let it go.
Felix hums, continuing to let his hands travel down… dangerously so. His lips follow a trail of their own, from the corner of Seungmin’s mouth, trailing slowly down to the curve of his neck. He can feel the way Seungmin’s body reacts, the subtle tension in his muscles, the way his breath catches with every inch Felix’s hand moves lower.
His lips trace the outline of Seungmin’s collarbone as he pulls back slightly, eyes meeting his with a quiet intensity. “What’s wrong?” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire. “Tell me if you want me to stop”
The question hangs in the air, suspended between them, as Seungmin swallows hard, his eyes dark with something Felix can’t quite name but understands anyways. “Before we go any further…”
Felix tilts his head, a small, almost instinctive motion, and immediately feels Seungmin’s breath hitch at the shift. He wasn’t even trying to be cute. “My hand is literally hovering over your dick.”
That seems to relax Seungmin a little, which is exactly what he wanted. The tension in his shoulders eases, his breath evening out just enough to give him back some of that composed edge, but Felix can still feel the way his body betrays him—the slight tremble in his hands, the subtle quickening of his pulse. Seungmin might be trying to regain control, but Felix can tell he’s still right on the edge.
“I just want to say I am not very good with casual hook ups. In case it wasn’t clear by how everything in my life isn’t particularly — casual .”
Felix tilts his head even more, considering Seungmin’s words for a moment, and then grins—one of those wide smiles that lights up his eyes. “Yeah, I know,” he replies, his tone light, but there’s something sincere beneath the humor. “Nothing about this is casual. In fact, I’m already planning our wedding in my head. Have been for months, even.”
Seungmin blinks, momentarily caught off guard, but then a laugh escapes him, the tension between them easing as he tries to process the joke. “What?”
“I have a spreadsheet and everything.” Felix doesn’t skip a beat, keeping his expression as serious as he can muster. “I know spreadsheets are your thing, I was hoping you could look at it sometime to make sure I am not forgetting anything.”
Seungmin’s eyes widened slightly, the joke landing somewhere between disbelief and amusement. “I feel like I’m repeating myself but — what?”
His voice drops, barely above a whisper, but heavy with intent. “I’m saying,” he murmurs, his lips brushing Seungmin’s in a way that sends a shiver down both their spines. “That I like you and I want to date you so we can go back to having extramarital sex.”
“You’re a freak,” he replies with that signature deadpan delivery.
“That’s my line!” Felix fires back, before pulling Seungmin into another kiss with the strength only a man absolutely head over heels about someone can have.
Turns out Seungmin might possess that kind of strength too and this is the confirmation he needed to assert himself, because he grabs Felix by the waist, firm and certain, and spins them around on the couch with surprising ease. The sudden movement leaves Felix breathless, and before he knows it, Seungmin is hovering over him, his weight pressing Felix into the cushions.
Felix’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but the heat that spreads through him is undeniable. His heart pounds wildly, his body reacting to the realization of just how much strength Seungmin has been holding back. He is reminded once again of their height difference. “We both have very different ideas of what’s going to happen today.” He says, as if he’s issuing a challenge.
He meets Seungmin’s gaze with a grin that’s both daring and enamored. “You really have to be in control at all times, don’t you?”
“Want to test that theory out?”
Felix lets his hands go back to where they were, reaching out to unbutton Seungmin’s pants. “We have three hours. We will be testing many theories, trust me.”
Seungmin’s laugh, soft and warm, is barely audible, muffled first by the kiss Felix boldly steals, and then by the way Felix’s hands find their way to exactly where they both need them to be. It’s a laugh that melts into a sigh, a surrender, as Felix takes the lead again.
✦
“You’re late!” Hyunjin barks, smacking both Felix and Seungmin on the back of their heads with the precision of someone who’s been practicing. Before either of them can react, he snatches the tupperwares out of Felix’s hands, filled with the sweets he had promised to bake for everyone. “Unbelievable. You had one job, Felix!”
Felix winces, rubbing the back of his head. “You were the one who said not to be early!” he defends, though his voice comes out more sheepish than anything. His heart is still pounding in his chest.
“I said one minute early, not thirty minutes late, god damn it!” Hyunjin snaps, glaring as he inspects the tupperwares like he’s deciding whether or not the sweets are enough to absolve Felix of his crimes.
Seungmin remains unbothered amidst the chaos.“Technically, thirty minutes late is still fashionably on time.”
Hyunjin narrows his eyes. “Technically, you can shut up.”
“There is no point arguing with him,” Chan says. “I’ll make him a cocktail soon. Don’t worry, he’s easier to deal with when he’s holding something fruity and alcoholic.”
"Yeah, where have you guys even been? I’ve never seen Seungmin late for anything in his life," Changbin says, finally prying himself away from Hyunjin’s side, unable to withstand that wild energy.
Seungmin clears his throat, visibly struggling to maintain his composure, though the pink dusting his ears betrays him. Felix, on the other hand, only feels a faint heat rise to his cheeks. “We were… busy,” he attempts to sound nonchalant.
“Busy doing what?” Jisung chimes in, his face the picture of oblivious curiosity. Typical.
“Putting the buns in the oven.”
It’s terrible timing. Seungmin had just lifted his cocktail for a sip, and while he somehow avoids spraying it out his nose, the violent coughing fit that follows is almost worse. The group erupts into boos before Seungmin can even recover.
"You used to be better with your innuendos," Minho replies, crossing his arms and giving Felix a judgmental stare.
Felix only grins wider, his confidence unfazed. "Sorry," he says, with a shrug that screams anything but sorry. "My brain’s been rearranged. And so have my—"
“Stop it!” Jeongin yells, his face disgusted as the group collectively shouts over Felix’s words. “Don’t say anything else. This is a work environment!”
Seungmin stands by Felix’s side cosplaying as a beetroot. But Felix is too happy to care about HR infringements now. “Sorry,” he says, grinning so wide his cheeks hurt. “I couldn’t resist it.”
“You could’ve been a little more subtle about it,” Seungmin whines, his voice muffled as he buries his face in his hands, avoiding everyone’s amused gazes.
Minho raises an eyebrow, his tone flat but dripping with sarcasm. “You look like you got mauled, Seungmin. Don’t shame your boy toy for skipping the subtlety.”
“Boyfriend.” They correct in unison. The synchronized response feels almost romantic.
“Happy for you guys,” Chan says earnestly, clapping them on the back with a grin that softens the moment.
“Don’t mention anything about it until after Christmas,” Jeongin cuts in. “Seriously, I don’t want to deal with it. This is supposed to be a holiday break."
“Really, not even about Seungmin’s—”
“Stop Felix!” They all yell in panic. Hyunjin even attempts to physically stop him. Felix bursts into laughter.
“You’re a freak,” Seungmin laughs, rolling his eyes, but there’s no bite to his words. Instead, his tone is soft, laced with something warm. He shakes his head at Felix, but the corner of his mouth curls into a small soft smile. He could really get used to this.