Chapter 14: One Wrong Move

Kelvin's mind was racing. But the one thought that kept punching through the fog wasn’t about his father.

Not about Janice.

Not even about the literal trainwreck waiting back in that studio.

It was about Felix.

Still standing there.

Still watching.

Still too damn close to matter this much.

Kelvin didn’t think. He acted.

He reached out, grabbed Felix’s wrist, and pulled.

“Kelvin—what the hell?” Felix muttered, stumbling after him.

But he didn’t fight it. Not really.

They passed Janice without a word. Kelvin didn’t even look back.

He didn’t care what she thought.

He cared about getting Felix away.

Out.

Somewhere else.

By the time they reached the underground parking lot, Kelvin’s grip had loosened—but his pulse hadn’t.

He opened the passenger door.

Felix slid in without a word, eyes still flicking toward him with suspicion.

Kelvin got in on the driver’s side. Inserted the key.

Breathed in.

Lifted his hand to turn the ignition—

“Stop.”

Kelvin froze.

Felix’s voice wasn’t loud, but it cut clean through the chaos in his chest.

“What is wrong with you?”

Kelvin didn’t look at him.

Couldn’t.

Not yet.

Kelvin didn’t answer.

He just gripped the steering wheel tighter like it owed him money.

Felix folded his arms. “You just dragged me out of a room full of people, hijacked a photoshoot, and nearly ripped my shoulder out of place. If I don’t get an explanation in the next five seconds, I’m reporting you to Rika as a health hazard.”

Still, silence.

But when Felix turned his head and really looked—he saw it.

The tight jaw.

The tremble in his hands.

The unmistakable fear sitting behind those unreadable eyes.

The almighty control freak was scared.

Felix sighed and let his voice drop lower. “Okay. Fine. What happened?”

Kelvin still didn’t look at him. “I just... didn’t want to be around her. I wanted peace.”

Peace.

That word hit something soft in Felix’s chest.

“…Then drive,” Felix muttered. “Take us to the beach.”

Kelvin blinked. “What?”

“You heard me. You need peace, right? Ocean. Waves. Night sky. Boom. Therapy.”

Kelvin looked at him like he’d grown two heads.

But he drove.

---

The sky was darkened by the time they got there.

They didn’t swim. Didn’t sit too close.

They just stood by the edge, shoes off, letting the waves tease their toes. Wind in their hair. Sand sticking to their ankles.

They bickered about nothing.

Laughed at each other’s terrible jokes.

Let out things they didn’t even realize they were holding.

And for a little while, nothing hurt.

---

“I’m sleepy,” Kelvin said eventually, dropping onto the sand like his bones gave out.

Felix raised a brow sitting down. “So nap on your trauma.”

Kelvin just mumbled something unintelligible.

Then—without warning—he shifted over, his head dropping gently into Felix’s lap.

Felix froze.

“Kelvin, what—”

But he was already out.

Breathing slow.

Eyes closed.

Asleep.

And for the first time in a week, he didn’t look tense. Or tired. Or haunted.

Just… calm.

Felix didn’t move.

He didn’t know what this was. Or why it mattered.

But all he knew was:

Kelvin probably hadn’t been sleeping.

And now that he was here—he could.

The sound of waves had faded into a soft hush.

The waves kept rolling in.

Steady.

Soft.

Hypnotic.

Felix didn’t move.

He just sat there, back slightly curved, hands awkwardly folded on his lap as Kelvin’s head rested against his thigh.

He had fallen asleep—actually asleep—and hadn’t stirred in almost an hour.

Felix wasn’t used to this kind of quiet.

Not with Kelvin.

Not with anyone.

But here it was—this strange, lulling peace—and he couldn’t deny how good it felt.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

He jumped a little, carefully pulling it out without jostling the sleeping control freak on his legs.

Rika.

Felix sighed before answering, already bracing himself.

“Felix,” Rika said the second the call connected, "Could you guys not make me grow grey hairs when I’m not even thirty?”

Felix rolled his eyes. “Wow, Rika. That was such a warm hello.”

“Just tell me where you two are. I’ll come pick you up before I file a missing idols report.”

“Relax. We’re not lost,” he said, lowering his voice slightly so he didn’t wake Kelvin. “Calm down before you get stress wrinkles.”

Rika exhaled a laugh. “Seriously. We’ve been looking for you both everywhere. You just—vanished.”

“We’re at the beach,” Felix admitted. “Something’s… off with Kelvin. And he’s sleeping. Like—really sleeping.”

There was silence for a beat.

“…You mean to tell me,” Rika said slowly, “that he’s sleeping. With you there. And you haven’t strangled him in his sleep?”

Felix smirked. “Don’t tempt me.”

Rika cackled. “You two… Honestly. Okay, listen—just know that because of this little midnight ocean escapade, tomorrow is going to be insanely packed. You’ve got interviews, dance rehearsals, and another shoot. All back-to-back.”

“Roger that,” Felix said dryly. “Thanks for the suffering update.”

“You’re welcome.”

Another pause. This one… softer.

Then Rika added, “You know… I still don’t get why you two dislike each other so much.”

Felix raised a brow.

“You guys breathe each other’s air like it’s personal, and yet every time something serious happens, you’re always together.”

“…Oh my God,” Felix muttered, “you’re making this weird.”

Rika laughed. “Bye, lover boy. Get him home safe.”

“Don’t ever say that again.”

She hung up.

Felix sighed again, slipping the phone back in his hoodie pocket. He glanced down at Kelvin’s sleeping face.

He should’ve felt annoyed.

But all he felt was the weight of how tired Kelvin must’ve been to fall asleep like this.

And how weird it felt… that he didn’t want to move.

--

An hour passed with Kelvin sleeping peacefully before he stirred in his sleep.

Felix thought it was....adorable.

Still half-asleep, his head turned slightly, brushing against Felix’s leg.

Felix tensed but didn’t push him off.

Then, without opening his eyes, Kelvin mumbled, “Your legs are bony.”

Felix scowled. “You’re welcome for the free pillow, jerk.”

Kelvin finally blinked awake, eyes adjusting to the dim beach light. He stared up at Felix, face unreadable.

“What time is it?” he asked.

“Late.”

Kelvin got up slowly, stretching. “We should go.”

“Yeah,” Felix agreed, standing up and dusting off his pants.

But neither of them moved.

Not really.

They just stood there.

Facing each other.

And for a second—it felt like something shifted between them.

The wind stopped.

The ocean faded.

Just them.

Kelvin reached out, brushing a strand of hair out of Felix’s face, his hand lingering.

Felix’s breath caught.

His chest felt tight—but not in a painful way. It was that strange calm again. The one he didn’t understand.

The one he only felt around Kelvin.

And then—

Their faces were close.

Too close.

Felix didn’t even realize he’d leaned in until he caught Kelvin doing the same.

Not thinking.

Not fighting.

Not running.

Just—

Crack.

A sudden burst of searing heat shot through Felix’s chest.

His eyes widened.

He stumbled backward, gripping his ribs like they were on fire.

“Felix?” Kelvin’s voice sharpened.

But Felix couldn’t speak.

His body convulsed.

His pupils dilated, gold glinting under the moonlight.

Something in him—the curse—was awakening.

Kelvin stepped forward, but Felix’s voice finally broke through, breathless.

“Don’t—don’t touch me.”

“Why?” Kelvin demanded. “What’s happening?”

Felix’s jaw clenched as his hands trembled. “I think I—I almost…”

He couldn’t say it.

Because they both understood what almost happened but in different context.

"Did I almost slip up?"

"Did I just try to kiss Felix? And what was that?"