Embarrassment and Care

Felix's stomach growled, betraying the hunger that he was too shy to admit. His hand reflexively flew to his abdomen, his face brightening to a deep red.

Sunghwa couldn't suppress his chuckle. The Omega looked so adorably flustered that it was hard not to tease him. "Are you hungry?" Sunghwa asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Felix, clearly mortified, stammered, "I-I have food!" He reached into the pocket of his tattered trousers, pulling out a small, battered piece of chocolate.

Sunghwa's eyebrows shot up in surprise when he saw the sorry state of the chocolate. It was old, discolored, and the wrapper was torn. No way he's eating that. He watched, horrified, as Felix brought the rotten treat closer to his mouth.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the fuck are you doing?" Sunghwa blurted out, instinctively grabbing the Omega's wrist before he could take a bite, swiping the sorry excuse for food out of his hand. "Are you seriously about to eat this?"

"Give it back!" Felix snapped, glaring at him in frustration as he tried to wrestle his hand free from Sunghwa's grip. "It's my food!"

"That?" Sunghwa shot him a dry, disbelieving look. "That's not food, that's a biohazard. You'll be dead before you can even digest it." He tossed the chocolate into the trash can, crossing his arms smugly.

Felix scowled, clearly not amused. "Why do you care, huh? I'm starving."

Sunghwa's sassy expression faltered slightly. He released Felix's wrist, a frown pulling at his lips. How long had this kid been fending for himself? The desperation in Felix's eyes gnawed at Sunghwa, unsettling him in ways he didn't expect.

"How long's it been since you've had a real meal?" Sunghwa asked, his tone gentler now, though his sharp eyes stayed locked on Felix.

Felix looked down, his voice barely audible. "I… don't know. Two, maybe three days?"

"Jesus," Sunghwa muttered under his breath. "Alright, hold tight. I'll get you something to eat." He threw one more glance at the trash bin, shaking his head. "Real food this time. Not whatever that was."

As Sunghwa turned toward the kitchen, he paused mid-step and tossed a bundle of clothes to Felix. "Here, change out of those rags. While I cook, go clean yourself up. The bathroom's down the hall. And, for God's sake, don't pass out in there."

Felix blinked at the clothes in his lap, then at Sunghwa, unsure of whether to thank him or tell him off. But the smell of food cooking already distracted him. The offer of a warm shower was tempting after days of sleeping rough.

He rose slowly, his legs unsteady, and padded toward the bathroom.

Felix stood under the steaming water, the grime of the streets washing away as the hot droplets cascaded over his pale skin. He winced slightly as the water stung a few scrapes on his body, but the soothing warmth lulled him into a temporary sense of peace. For the first time in days, he didn't feel the weight of fear pressing down on his chest. Sunghwa's home was quiet, spacious… safe.

He ran his fingers through his damp silver hair, sighing in relief as the knots and dirt were washed away. His reflection in the glass shower door caught his eye—he looked so different from the Omega he once was. His sapphire eyes, though bright, carried shadows. He wondered if they'd ever look the same again.

Back in the kitchen, Sunghwa stirred the kimchi jjigae, the fragrant aroma of the spicy stew filling the air. He worked swiftly, chopping vegetables, searing pork, his movements fluid and skilled, as if cooking were a second nature to him. While the food simmered, his thoughts wandered back to Felix.

That kid has been through hell, Sunghwa mused, tasting the stew. The Omega had fought hard, that much was clear, but why was he alone? What had happened to him? The thought weighed on him, but he knew better than to push Felix just yet.

Sunghwa smirked to himself as he thought about Felix's reaction to the chocolate. He's got some fire in him, he noted, admiring the defiant glint in the boy's eyes earlier. Sunghwa couldn't help but find the Omega's shyness endearing, but the boy needed to stop eating garbage. He had to make sure Felix stayed out of trouble.

Felix emerged from the bathroom, his skin flushed from the hot shower, dressed in the smallest clothes Sunghwa could find. The oversized shirt hung loosely on his slim frame, but at least it was clean.

The savory scent of the stew hit him immediately, and his stomach growled loudly again. Felix's cheeks turned pink in embarrassment, and he clutched his belly as he shuffled into the living room.

Sunghwa, who had been setting the table, looked up just in time to hear Felix's stomach protest. His lips curled into a teasing grin. "I guess that shower worked up an appetite, huh?"

Felix's face burned even brighter. "Shut up…"

Sunghwa chuckled, thoroughly enjoying Felix's flustered state. "Come on, sit. I won't let you starve."

Felix sat on the couch, watching as Sunghwa placed a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae in front of him. His sapphire eyes widened at the sight, and he hesitated, unsure if he should dig in.

"Go on, it won't bite," Sunghwa urged, his voice playful. "Unless you're planning to eat something worse."

Felix glared at him but didn't need more prompting. The second he tasted the stew, a satisfied hum escaped his lips. He was too hungry to care about Sunghwa's teasing now. The warmth of the meal spread through him, filling the cold, empty void inside.

Sunghwa leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, watching Felix devour the food. "Good, huh? It's not chocolate, but I'd say it's a little better."

Felix nodded, not bothering to respond as he continued eating.

Once Felix finished, Sunghwa moved to sit beside him, his expression more serious now. "Alright, now that you're fed and cleaned up, I need you to tell me something." Sunghwa's voice softened, but his gaze remained intense. "What the hell happened to you?"

Felix looked down at his empty bowl, his body tensing slightly at the question. For a moment, he seemed to consider not answering, but something in Sunghwa's tone told him he couldn't avoid it forever. Yet, before he could speak, his lips pressed together, and his body visibly stiffened.

"Felix?" Sunghwa pressed gently.

Felix's lips trembled as if he wanted to answer, but nothing came out. His sapphire eyes filled with uncertainty, a mix of fear and hesitation. Whatever he was about to say seemed to choke him, the words lost on his tongue.

Sunghwa's brow furrowed. "You can't speak?" he asked, half-joking. "Cat got your tongue?"

Felix opened his mouth again, but his stomach interrupted with another loud growl, leaving him red-faced.

Sunghwa burst out laughing, the tension breaking in an instant. "So that's what you were trying to say! You're still hungry, huh?"

Felix glared at him, pouting slightly, but the playful banter eased the weight between them.

Sunghwa leaned closer, still grinning. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you're fed. But after that, Felix—" His tone shifted, becoming more serious. "We're going to talk."

The Omega met his gaze, his heart hammering in his chest. He knew there was no avoiding it now. Whatever he had run from, whoever had hurt him, Sunghwa would find out soon enough.