×Jake's pov×

The conversation drifted, a meandering stream of anecdotes and jokes punctuated by peals of laughter. Jake, however, found his attention repeatedly drifting towards Sunghoon.

He caught Sunghoon's gaze a few times, the younger boy's expression unreadable, and he couldn't help but smirk, knowing the reason for his distraction.

And then, all of a sudden, Heeseung smiled subtly, tapping Jake's shoulder gently, not wanting to hurt or scare him.

"Felix hyung."

He whispered, the words laced with a hint of something - perhaps concern, perhaps a touch of playful mischief.

Jake's gaze snapped to Felix, his playful smirk faltering. Felix, across the table, wore a carefully constructed mask of nonchalance, but the subtle clench of his jaw and the barely perceptible tightening of his lips betrayed his feelings.

The jealousy was palpable, a stark contrast to the easy camaraderie of the rest of the evening.

A wave of panic washed over Jake. He looked from Heeseung's knowing smile to Felix's simmering displeasure, his own smile melting into a nervous grimace.

"Uh... I need to use the bathroom. Be right back."

He mumbled, abruptly standing. He excused himself, escaping to the bathroom. The moment he stepped inside, the opulent decor hit him.

Romantic lighting cast a warm, sensual glow; scented candles flickered, filling the air with a heady fragrance.

It was ridiculously over-the-top, theatrical even, and for a fleeting moment, Jake found himself amused by the sheer excess of it all.

Splashing cold water on his face, he felt the cool shock revive him. His waterproof makeup remained flawlessly in place, making him look effortlessly handsome even in his slightly flustered state.

He dried his face, then scrubbed his hands up to his elbows, the cold water a soothing balm against the sudden surge of anxiety. But before he could fully dry himself, the door opened.

Felix stepped in, looking like a dark angel descended from some romantic, brooding painting.

Exquisitely handsome, he exuded an aura of serene confidence, yet his eyes held a possessiveness that bordered on dangerous.

He moved with a swiftness that belied his calm exterior, his hand snaking around Jake's waist, pressing him easily against the cool tiles of the bathroom wall.

Jake's hands were pinned above his head, his body trapped between Felix and the wall.

"Hyung-"

Felix's eyes were intense, searching, lingering over Jake's lips before finally dropping down to meet his gaze.

The closeness of them was intoxicating, the scent of Felix's cologne mingling with the lingering scent of the candles and the slightly metallic tang of Jake's own sweat.

Jake met Felix's gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. He could feel the water still trickling down from his hands and arms, clinging to his skin, but it didn't matter.

Not while Felix held him like this.

The kiss started slowly, a tentative press of lips that quickly escalated into something deeper.

Felix's tongue sought entry, a gentle exploration that ignited a spark within Jake. He responded with equal passion, his own tongue meeting Felix's in a dance that was both tender and urgent.

The low moan that escaped Jake's lips was almost inaudible, a sound lost in the intimate heat of their embrace.

Jake's hands, now almost dry, found their way to Felix's neck, his elbows resting on Felix's shoulders as the kiss deepened.

It was a kiss that spoke of years of unspoken longing, of shared secrets and silent understanding. A kiss that left them breathless, gasping for air when they finally broke apart.

"Damn, if someone came in right now-"

With a shared, knowing look, a silent agreement passed between them. Jake, having entered the bathroom first, would leave first, a carefully orchestrated exit to avoid suspicion.

The unspoken message hung heavy in the air between them, a promise whispered in the aftermath of a stolen, passionate kiss.

The perfect cover, a seamless return to the table. The playful banter would resume, the unspoken tension carefully concealed beneath a veneer of normalcy, but the lingering taste of the kiss, the memory of Felix's possessive embrace would be a secret held close, a shared truth between them.

Jake returned to the table, his demeanor carefully nonchalant. He slid back into his seat, a casual smile playing on his lips, as if the frantic dash to the bathroom and the subsequent passionate encounter with Felix had never happened.

Sunghoon, however, was not easily fooled. His best friend was a master of deception, but Sunghoon knew him too well.

He'd seen the subtle shift in Jake's posture, the barely-there tremor in his usually steady hands. Sunghoon turned, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Is it...?"

He began, his voice low and questioning. Panic flared in Jake's eyes. He waved a dismissive hand, his smile tightening.

"What? What are you talking about? I just... needed to freshen up."

He made a vague gesture toward his face, then nervously fiddled with his napkin. Sunghoon's smile faded, replaced by a hint of disappointment.

He glanced at Jay, then back at Jake, a silent conversation passing between them. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air: You lied and I know it.

Jake breathed a sigh of relief when Felix returned. The tension in the atmosphere seemed to ease slightly with his presence.

The food arrived soon after, a welcome distraction. Chan, as the eldest, took first a large bite of his steak, then announced in between mouthfuls.

"This is amazing!"

The rest of them followed suit, the clinking of silverware and the murmur of conversation effectively masking the earlier undercurrents of tension.

It had been ages since all fifteen of them had been together, a true reunion of close friends.

The conversation drifted, a meandering stream of anecdotes and jokes punctuated by peals of laughter. But Jake's attention kept drifting back to Sunghoon.

He could still feel the ghost of Felix's lips on his, and the warmth of his arms around him. It was a thrill and a secret all at once.

He caught Sunghoon staring into space, a faraway look in his eyes. Jake playfully nudged him with his elbow.

"Earth to Sunghoon. You look like you're about to spontaneously combust from cuteness overload. You have fallen hard."

He chuckled, trying to tease him back to the present. Sunghoon snapped out of his reverie, his cheeks flushing crimson. He shot Jake a glare that could curdle milk.

"Shut up."

He muttered, his voice tight with annoyance. He resumed stabbing his food aggressively. Then, looking back up at Jake, he added with a sigh.

"And for the record, I currently like absolutely no one. People are annoying."

He pushed a strand of hair away from his face, avoiding eye contact. But despite Sunghoon's blunt declaration, Jake watched him closely, a subtle, knowing smile playing on his lips.