With an exhausted gasp, Hyunjin leaned back against the large mirrored wall and finally slid down it. "Fuck..." he muttered out of breath, giving the only other person in the dance studio a frustrated look. He wasn't frustrated because of him, but the whole situation.

"It wasn't that bad. It's just the timing that's still a bit off.", Felix sighed after a short breather, an encouraging gleam in his eyes. He was still standing in the middle of the room, propping his hands on his knees, when WOW started playing again.

Actually, it was supposed to be a normal rehearsal night for DanceRacha on a Wednesday. Only it was already Thursday... and 1 am... and Minho was missing.

Because he had been in the hospital for the last few days with a high fever and was only released today (actually Wednesday) - frankly, these had also been the worst few days for Stray Kids in a very long time. Still, his fever had not completely gone down, just dropped out of the critical range - just above 40°C. But everyone was relieved that at least the worst was over.

The only problem was that their next concert – as a prelude to their big World Tour – was in almost a week and all the performances had to be seated by then. However, due to this circumstance, the three could not even rehearse the WOW performance together in their intensive training time.

Obviously, it didn't look good for the ot8 performances either and time was running out - if Minho did indeed have to drop out for the time being, because of course his health came first.

Hyunjin only gave an undefined "Mhh" before groaning and picking himself up from the floor. Exhausted shuffling to the couch and throwing himself onto it - sighing contentedly as he felt the cool fabric against his heated body.

Felix brushed back his sweaty strands of red hair hanging in his face. Stretching his arms and followed him to the opposite side of the narrow room. They were in one of the small dance studios, since they were only two. The significantly dimmer light - in addition, the lighting also seemed to have a quirk may even some lamps were broken - and the dark walls really did not brighten up his mood.

Hyunjin had already been dancing for almost 4 hours without much interruption. That's why he tried as best as possible to finally relax his body, through which adrenaline was still pumping furiously. Felix stopped the song running on replay - it definitely would haunt him in his dreams - plopped down next to Hyunjin and held out a water bottle to him, which the black-haired gratefully accepted.

The younger boy had only joined in the last two hours, but he felt at least as exhausted as Hyunjin looked.

"You're worrying way too much. We'll work it out," Felix tried to cheer him up and nudged him lightly in the side. "Lix-" "No, mh mh, no negative thoughts.", the latter interrupted him right back. Waving his index finger in front of his nose reprovingly - but with his widest grin - "Drink something already. You're probably all dehydrated by now."

Which is why he finally co-operated with a smile – "Okay, okay, don't worry. "  - and tipped the entire contents of the water bottle down his throat, trying to wash away all the negative thoughts with it. Because he knew that the smaller one was right - overthinking had always been his useless talent.

Felix's eyes, however, followed every movement Hyunjin's Adam's apple made. And he had to swallow hard when the older - after almost drowning himself in the water bottle - gasped for air. Even more so when the latter then sat up neatly and his typical, concentrated gaze briefly swept over the Australian's entire face before finally lingering on the other's eyes. "Thank you, Lix."

"Dont mention it," he smiled at him and leaned back a little further, despite the desire to fall forward - into Hyunjin's arms. "I'll quickly go to the bathroom, then we can rehearse again, and then we'll call it a day!"

It was not a question, but a statement with which Felix quickly disappeared from the room. Otherwise, Hyunjin would probably have tried to continue training, although he was already almost asleep. He now lay down on the sofa and took a deep breath, while he closed his eyes for a few seconds as he snuggled comfortably into the cushion.

Only a certain heaviness on his body and a soft giggle brought him back from his short sleep. Because when Felix came back and saw Hyunjin dozing so peacefully, he couldn't help but cuddle up to him.

"Ugh, you're way too hot~" the taller one grumbled without even opening his eyes and contrary to his words, still wrapped his arms around the redhead's body. Settling himself even tighter into the touch, the Australian just laughed lightly and quipped, "Thanks, I know.", his lips and warm breath now brushing the sensitive skin on Hyunjin's neck.

A pleasant shiver ran down the latter's spine and he pressed the smaller even closer to him, although his mind clearly told him to pull out of the embrace and seek the distance as quickly as possible. But his mind also kept telling him not to fall for Felix, and he didn't listen to that either.

It was Felix who finally broke out of the embrace after a while, or at least straightened up and now sat on Hyunjin. "I really love cuddling with you and everything. But I think I'm going to fall asleep." he grinned as he began to delicately massage Hyunjin's shoulders. "And what would be so bad about that?" he murmured - just opening his eyes a crack and obviously enjoying the massage.

"I mean, if you want to sleep here in the studio? Please. But I came here to dance." he laughed before finally climbing off him. "Tsk~," the Korean only brought out with a smirk, but at least hoisted himself up from a lying position into a more sitting one.

"You don't have to join me," laughed Felix, who to Hyunjin's liking was far too chirpy and cheerful for the circumstances. "I'll rehearse the performance one more time and then we can go home. I'd even be grateful if you'd take a look at my choreo implementation and check it out."

"Alright, let's do it that way," the black-haired agreed with him, fishing for Felix's bottle, since it seemed to be the only one left. So while the younger one got everything ready for the rehearsal and stretched again briefly, Hyunjin drank some of the water to get himself out of his half-sleep again.

Somewhat surprised Hyunjin licked his lips as the water had a certain cherry note. Until it occurred to him that this might come from Felix's cherry chapstick, although he was sure that these never had such a strong "taste". Then again, Felix slapped a rough amount of the care product on when he danced.

"You ready?" Felix finally snapped him out of his thoughts, but pressed play the very next moment without even waiting for the answer. On the one hand, he couldn't get enough of Hyunjin's attention, but on the other hand, he felt under his intense, observing gaze - which he always puts on when it came to dancing - under tension, it was almost electrifying.

Although Hyunjin was actually tired, he was still excited to see Felix's rehearsal of WOW. He loved to watch the younger boy dance. But in most rehearsals he hardly had time to focus on the small details of his dancing, because he had to deal with himself.

That's why he enjoyed training with Felix alone every now and then, when Minho didn't have time or when it simply came up in terms of free time. Because then he could fully concentrate on him and this was his favorite activity, right alongside painting and spending time with Kkami.

After a short time, during which Felix got into the starting position, the familiar sounds of the song already began to play.

And as always, Hyunjin already lost himself in the harmonic-rhythmic movements of Felix during the first few beats. So fluent, so light on his feet, although sharp elements were built into the performance. His movements were just perfect. He was perfect.

The only thing he could really do was stare while he unconsciously started chewing on his lower lip and then let his fingertips brush over it.

Felix could feel that piercing gaze on his back and see it through the mirrored wall. Hyunjin's eyes were almost devouring him. Even as he paused choreographically waiting for his next cue, his gaze never once left him.

He couldn't help an amused grin and as if washed over by a wave, all his tension was washed away and his self-confidence was suddenly at its peak. He knew he already had the attention of the object of his desire - Hwang Hyunjin.

Because it was an open secret - at least between Felix and Chan - that he had a crush on Hyunjin for a long time, maybe even since he had seen him for the first time. He loved to spend time alone with Hyunjin and would also love to spend the whole day with him, close to him. But since this possibility did not exist, he mostly just stared at him for far too long. Because he loved it when the black-haired let his fingers stroke through his hair. He loved it when he thoughtfully let his fingers brush his lips. He loved how his eyes almost completely disappeared when he laughed, his little mole under his eye, his hands, his legs, just everything in general. He had a undeniable hypnotic effect on the redhead.

But at the moment it was Hyunjin who felt hypnotised by Felix - he was caught up in the performance as if in a trance. But still he didn't miss how the vibe suddenly shifted, intensified. Although he wasn't quite sure if his thoughts were still fogged with sleep, or if Felix suddenly actually moved more suggestively.

Because without question WOW had a rather sexy and seductive performance - that was the intended basic mood. But how the younger just danced, seemed much more provocative and sexual than the normal interpretation.

Just when it was the turn of the floor choreography, Felix loosened the bow of his grey sweatpants with a nimble movement and noticed how they slid down a few inches and now revealing a much better view of his abs as soon as the T-shirt was pulled up by his arm movements.

Felix didn't know exactly why he let himself get carried away by the moment. But since he got any desired reactions from Hyunjin, he didn't want to stop. Because Hyunjin indeed had seen how the Australian loosened the laces and had not been able to stifle an incredulous gasp.

Was his mind playing tricks on him, or was Felix?

Because he had long been aware of how attracted he actually was to Felix. But that was something he could actually easily shrug off, since the walking sunshine was capable of getting that kind of reaction from just about anyone - he was irresistible. But lately he found everything, and I mean everything, about him mesmerizing. From his cute freckles,to his sparkling eyes, to his small hands, to his six-pack and everything in between and beyond. He had to admit to himself that he had already fallen in love with him.

But he also knew that his mind liked to play tricks on him and often wanted him to think that Felix felt the same way about him. (little did he know~)

But at the moment he could not, nor did he want to, think about it, because during the following choreographie sequences Felix's toned abs - far too often peeking out from under his T-shirt - and its hand insinuatingly, far too close to his crotch, robbed him of his last functioning brain cells. And during the final chorus, Hyunjin could have sworn that Felix was watching him through the mirror in the same intense way he was watching him.

The feeling of shame at being caught staring at him so unrestrainedly and excessively - he didn't even know if he had blinked once, it almost seemed like it - spread rosy across his cheeks and he was relieved when the final beats of the song finally dropped.

The Korean had always found Felix's charisma and dancing skills extraordinary and could not escape their spell, but what had happened today was different - a whole new level. He felt that his mid-body region felt way too warm.

Grinning proudly, Felix turned to face him. His chest rising and falling rapidly from the exertion, his arms playfully resting at his sides. There was nothing left of any seductive aura, except for the sweatpants hanging askew on his hips, from which Hyunjin, however, immediately averted his gaze again. "And what did you think? Do you like it? I tried really hard."

"It was incredible, Lix!" as if waking from a trance, Hyunjin briefly applauded him and gave him a big thumbs up with a bright smile. Shifting his thoughts back to the here and now, he moved aside a bit on the couch to make room for Felix, but he didn't settle down a inch away from him.

"Thank you!" Felix grinned blithely on. And bombarded him with info about how he had practiced through individual dance steps with Minho - when Hyunjin was hosting a radio show weekly - before asking him about his more specific opinion. And as time went by, Hyunjin found it really silly to think that Felix had wanted to tease him beforehand. Because the latter acted as normal and sweet as ever, which made him think that maybe he had imagined it all after all - which would be weird still.

The Australian on the other hand, had no doubt what effect he had left on the older, as natural as he acted. And decided, if his self-confidence was already boosted so far - which could also be due to overtiredness and too much coffee consumption - to go one step further.

"Are you still tired now?", Felix suddenly asked him, although they had just been talking about the tour plan. "Shouldn't the question be if I'm tired yet?" laughed Hyunjin, but then remembered what he had said earlier before his nap. And brushed his hair out of his face - thinking for a moment, "Not really, I feel quite awake now. Why?"

"Because I really want to show you something then," Felix jumped up from the sofa and rushed over to the sound system. "Actually, I wanted to show you this some other time, but since we're here already~"

Surprised, the taller one looked after him. Was he going to show him another performance?

"Oh, you could actually stand up with me." the redhead smiled broadly at him, pointing vagualy behind him, "You can stand by the mirror wall." Without questioning, Hyunjin stood up laughing and stepped over to the spot shown. "Okay, now I'm really excited."

But his eyes widened in surprise when suddenly Play with Fire sounded from the speakers. "I've also been rehearsing your cover version of Play with Fire for the past few weeks," Felix grinned at him explanatorily - a noticeable twinkle was in his eyes before he let himself fall into the character of the music. 

The whole mood changed abruptly.

And Hyunjin's breath hitched just as Felix brought his hand charmingly to his neck and - perfectly copying his choreography - gave him a dark, hot glance over his shoulder. His fingertips lightly grazed his full lips, which had formed into a sly mischievous grin.

Suddenly, time seemed to pass more slowly for the black-haired. How Felix completely lost himself in the choreo and became one with the music. His thoughts circled only around him, as if in tunnel vision he saw only Felix in front of him.

How he slowly, much too suggestively, ran his hands along his body, how he sensuously swayed his hips to the seductive rhythm of the music, how he averted his gaze from the mirrors and focused his attention on Hyunjin only.

The black-haireds eyes followed every tempting hand movement of his. And he had to swallow hard at the thought of how his hands would touch the younger man instead. How they would run lightly over his skin, how Felix's full lips might feel pressed against his. He imagined all the intoxicating sounds Felix would make under his touch, under his body. The air felt extremely hot - it was almost suffocating - and he was ashamed of every single thought.

This was not the right way he had to see a band member - a friend - and yet he thought such stupid stuff while the younger one just wanted to show him his performance. He clenched his fists in his pockets in frustration and shame as he leaned against the mirror. He wanted to run away, but how would he explain that to Felix?

Hyunjin was so captivated by his dancing and at the same time busy not letting his thoughts run wild that he almost didn't notice how Felix had approached him during the whole performance. Only when he was literally at his feet and raised his body from the ground again far too sexy, he just realized how close they were.

The almost devilish grin on Felix's lips finally made the scales fall from his eyes and he saw his true intentions. And Felix realized from the way Hyunjin's gaze changed from tense fascination to desire that he had finally grasped the situation.

Because that was exactly what the red-haired was after, so he moved even closer and slower also more freely, detaching himself from the choreography. Let his fingers roam teasingly over the neck of the other to his chest and further down the torso.

Hyunjin knew that there was really no reason to restrain himself anymore. Felix's intentions were more than obvious at the moment and all he wanted. And yet there was a small spark of rationality in his tangled thoughts : If anyone would find out, they would be fucking screwed.

His one hand rushed to Felix's waist, the other to his left wrist, holding both tightly. "What's this about, Lix?"

The latter looked at him insinuatingly from under his long lashes before stepping even closer to him. Let his breath brush warmly over Hyunjin's neck, knowing exactly how it affected him, before wispering seductively in his ear. "That's up to you alone."

"Fuck- Are you trying to drive me crazy or somethin?" he almost growled out, his heart nearly threatening to leap out of his chest.

"Maybe."

Exhaling loudly, he stared at Felix in front of him - still couldn't believe what he was obviously provoking here. His lips were by now a tempting few inches away from his, he could almost feel them on his already - he wanted to feel them on his.

"But what do you want? Maybe... me?"

____________________________

I'll upload the second part in the next few days because I still have to revise and translate it. But I hope you liked it so far. And if so, feel free to leave comments and votes. <3

(English is not my mother tongue! I'm sorry for any mistakes.)