Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Entangled in a bed of limbs and tussled sheets, Hyunjin is on his stomach, mouth slightly agape with soft, rhythmic breaths escaping his lips. A scruffy chin rests on his right shoulder, and a long slender leg is draped over his hip - bodies from last night’s debauchery sprawled over his. A mundane concept for the likes of the Immortal Prince.

Yet, a sharp, panicked voice pierced the tranquility.

“Hyung!” Jeongin’s voice was insistent and urgent.

The butler’s persistent taps on the devil’s exposed calf were a stark contrast to his usual respectful demeanor.

“Hyunggg!”

More taps, and a low, disgruntled groan escaped Hyunjin’s lips. Jeongin knew better than to disturb his master after one of his escapades. But this was different. This required a fully clothed, wide-awake Hyunjin, even if it meant risking the ultimate punishment.

“Hyungnim, someone’s here to see you. A detective,” Jeongin announced, his voice tinged with worry.

Hyunjin’s heavy eyelids fluttered open, a frown creasing his brow. A detective? At this ungodly hour?

“He has a warrant to search the house,” Jeongin added, his voice barely a whisper.

Hyunjin groaned, irritation rising. “Goddamnit, I.N, you know those escorts were legal. Tell the detective that!” His voice was muffled, his eyes still heavy.

“It’s not that, Hyungnim. He says you’re linked to a murder. He’s waiting in the tea room,” I.N. replied, his voice trembling.

A murder.

Pft.

Hyunjin let out a soft scoff, amusement curling at the edges of his lips. The notion was comical, even by the chaotic standards of divine interventions. A mortal, accusing him of murder? The irony was deliciously absurd. As the ruler of the underworld, he could condemn souls to eternal torment. Such a crude, earthly act was beneath him. It was a petty distraction, a nuisance that dared to interrupt his slumber.

He finally groans and peels off the mortal coil of lust around him. The scent of sin hung heavy in the air as the first rays of dawn kissed his pale skin. He remembers last night’s antics and makes a mental note to invite the participants again some other time.

“I’ll tell the detective you’re on your way down, Hyungnim” I.N. chimes, handing him a black silk robe to cover up his full glory.

“No. It’s fine. Can you just get these two up and on their way?” He motions to the now-unwanted guests and heads to his ensuite to freshen up before meeting the arrogant prick of a detective who thinks he can storm his way into his penthouse and demand an audience with the Lightbringer himself. He tightened the knot on his robe and strode towards the tea room, a surge of annoyance fueling his steps. He was prepared to dismiss this intrusive mortal with a withering glare or a casual threat. But as he entered the room, his breath hitched in his throat.

As Hyunjin’s gaze swept over the man by the window, an odd sensation rippled through him. It wasn’t the mortal’s angelic features or the sharp cut of his jawline that held his attention—though those were striking.

No, it was something deeper, a resonance that hummed in the air between them, almost like the faint vibration of a plucked string. For a fleeting moment, the golden light of the rising sun seemed to halo around the detective, illuminating him in a way that made Hyunjin’s immortal instincts stir. There was power there, subtle yet undeniable. Hyunjin’s eyes narrowed.

Who are you?

Why is it quiet?

Hyunjin was accustomed to the ceaseless chatter of mortal minds, a cacophony of thoughts and emotions that he could easily tune into. He looks around and he hears the light hum of the bustle from below his penthouse, the light jazz music I.N. plays all over the house, and he hears the clink of the teacup as the detective puts it back down on the saucer.

Being the Prince of Light had its perks. Immortality, for one. And the power to read minds - a skill he’d mastered over millennia. But this mortal, this detective, was different. His mind was a blank slate, the absence of frenzied thoughts, and internal monologues had him utterly disoriented.

Maybe his sleep-addled brain had finally caught up to him.

“Mr. Hwang” the blonde gets up from his chair and meets Hyunjin’s gaze. “I’m Detective Felix Lee,” he says in a surprisingly gravelly voice, offering his outstretched hand. Hyunjin barely acknowledges the gesture.

Felix clears his throat. “I apologize for the intrusion, but I have a few questions for you”. He couldn’t ignore the tantalizing glimpse of pale skin beneath the low neckline of Hyunjin’s robe. Felix quickly suppressed the distraction, reminding himself of the task at hand: interrogating a potential murderer.

“Please, have a seat,” Felix requested, a strange sense of authority emanating from him, despite being the guest. He flipped open his notebook and clicked his pen as Hyunjin settled across from him.
“I’d like to know where you were on the night of November 26th,” Felix asked, his tone direct.

Hyunjin’s initial annoyance at the intrusion was quickly replaced by a smug satisfaction. He sighed and rolled his eyes. “I was at the Cartier Christmas Party,” he stated, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips. His image, draped in a jewel-red velvet coat, had flooded social media that night, earning him the moniker “Prince of the Night” from the press. How befitting. And how convenient. He has a solid alibi for whatever this fiasco might be.

“Mhmm” Felix hums, already expecting the answer. “Did you or did you not meet Park Jinyoung at this party?”

“Oh JYP PD-nim? Yeah, he was there. We had a brief chat in one of the private rooms,” Hyunjin confirmed, still oblivious to the detective’s intentions.

“Can you elaborate on the nature of your relationship with him?” Felix pressed, his pen scribbling furiously.

“Mostly business,” Hyunjin replied, his voice steady. “We party together sometimes. I own the bar downstairs, and he often books it for his artists' parties.” He spoke with a casual confidence, omitting the less savory details of their relationship: the steady supply of narcotics he provided to the entertainment giant.

“You were the last person seen with him before he was found dead,” Felix stated, his gaze unwavering as he studied Hyunjin’s every reaction.

Hyunjin’s eyes widened in shock. “JYP is dead?!” he exclaimed, disbelief coloring his voice.

Felix remained composed, though he sensed a genuine note of surprise in Hyunjin’s reaction.

“And you think I’m involved in it?” Hyunjin asked, his voice laced with incredulity.

“Just covering our bases, Mr. Hwang,” Felix says calmly. “Can you tell me about your conversation with him?”

Hyunjin couldn't help but roll his eyes at the detective. He pondered on the previous night. He vaguely remembers talking to JYP in the private room about an upcoming event at his club, a Christmas afterparty following the SBS Gayo Daejeon. But that was it. It was short and JYP was a little out of it and excused himself to speak to someone else. So that’s what he tells the detective.

Of course, Hyunjin could’ve used that observation to use his abilities to read JYP's innermost thoughts, but as powerful as he is, the trivialities of man simply do not concern him. He made it a point not to meddle in the affairs of mere mortals. Well, at least, in this century, anyway. And frankly, he couldn’t have cared any less about what got JYP all worked up, it's not like he knew he was going to turn up dead.

Dead.

The Lord of the Dead makes another mental note to visit the underworld later and check on JYP.

“And after?” Felix eggs on.

“And… I left the party after a couple of hours, went straight to my bar, brought home a couple of people and here we are, half-naked in my tea room with a detective accusing me of murder.” the devil replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Felix sighed and presented a piece of paper to Hyunjin. “We have a warrant to search the place, Mr. Hwang. I’m going to look around” He says coldly, already getting up from his seat.

“Go ahead,” Hyunjin says with an exaggerated gesture.

As they turned toward the hallway leading to Hyunjin’s master suite, they ran into I.N, escorting two people out of the penthouse. “See? Story checks out. I have witnesses,” Hyunjin smirked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Felix glanced at the two individuals - a man and a woman - and quickly averted his gaze. He had no desire to be a voyeur.

He swung open the big double doors to the suspect's bedroom and scanned the area.

Discarded condoms? Check.

Half-opened bottle of lube? Check.

Hand cuffs on the bedpost? Also, check.

He really doesn’t want to think about what Mr. Hwang does in his private time. So he zones in and goes back to why he was here in the first place.

Possible murder weapon? Negative

With that, he reluctantly gives Hyunjin the clear, but leaves him his calling card in case he remembers anything else.

Felix leaves the penthouse after completing the search but makes a pointed comment, hinting that Hyunjin is still under scrutiny: “If you’re as innocent as you claim, I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.”

“Innie!” He called as soon as the detective was out of earshot and the younger whips his head from the kitchen. “See what you can find out about this Detective Felix Lee” and flicks the calling card toward him.

Chapter Text

The precinct was alive with its usual buzz of ringing phones, hurried footsteps, and the low murmur of conversations. Felix sat at his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his notepad, the name “Hwang Hyunjin” scrawled in sharp, looping letters at the top. Across from him, Seungmin, his partner, was nursing a cup of coffee that looked as bitter as his current mood.

“So,” Seungmin began, settling into the chair across from Felix, “what’s the verdict on your Prince Charming?”

Felix shot him a glare, but it lacked heat. “He’s... something,” Felix admitted reluctantly.

He recalled the way Hyunjin had carried himself, the arrogance, the indifference. It was as if he was above the law, a god among mortals.

“That’s cryptic, even for you.” Seungmin leaned back, watching Felix closely. “You’re usually rattling off a suspect's psyche within five minutes. Why does this guy have you stuck?”

Felix sighed, running a hand through his hair. “He’s slippery. Smart, cocky as hell, and...” He hesitated, unsure how to articulate what had been gnawing at him since he left the penthouse.

“And?” Seungmin pressed, his brows arching.

Felix shook his head. “It’s nothing. Just... there’s something off about him.”

“Off how? Is it the whole ‘lives in a penthouse, throws orgies, and looks like a Versace model’ thing? Because, yeah, that would set off my radar too.”

Felix allowed a small smirk to tug at his lips before it faded. “He’s untouchable, Seungmin. His alibi for the night of the murder is airtight, backed up by enough social media posts to keep a PR firm busy for weeks. And those two witnesses at his place this morning? They confirmed they were with him all night.”

Seungmin sipped his coffee, unbothered. “Alibis can be faked. Witnesses can lie.”

“Maybe,” Felix conceded. “But that’s not the part that’s bothering me. It’s him. The way he looked at me, like... I don’t know.” He shook his head again, frustrated.

Seungmin leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Like what?”

Felix’s voice lowered. “Like he was trying to figure me out. And failing.”

Seungmin frowned, the teasing glint in his eyes dimming. “You think he’s dangerous?”

Felix met his gaze, his expression grim. “I don’t know what I think yet. But there’s more to him than what we see. I’m sure of it.”

Seungmin drummed his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. “Okay, so we keep digging. He’s the last person seen with JYP before the guy ends up dead in an alley. Even if Hyunjin didn’t pull the trigger—or whatever killed him—he knows more than he’s letting on.”

Felix nodded. “Agreed. I already requested background checks and financials on him. I want to know who he’s working with, who’s funding his club, and if there’s any dirt that ties him to JYP or his company.”

“And if there isn’t?”

Felix leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Then we keep looking. Everyone has skeletons, Seungmin. We just have to find his.”

Seungmin snorted. “With a guy like Hwang, I bet his skeletons are gilded in gold and draped in designer suits.”

Felix’s lips quirked in a faint smile. “Probably.” But the unease lingered, a quiet whisper in the back of his mind that he couldn’t shake.

The sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation, and a uniformed officer approached their desks with a file in hand. “Detectives. Got the prelim autopsy report on JYP.”

Felix took the folder, his expression hardening as he flipped it open. Seungmin leaned over, skimming the report with him.
“Blunt force trauma to the head,” Felix read aloud. “Cause of death, massive cerebral hemorrhaging.”

“Sounds straightforward enough,” Seungmin said, though his tone was wary.

“Not quite,” Felix murmured, his eyes narrowing. He tapped a line in the report. “Look at this. Traces of sulfur found on the body.”

Seungmin frowned. “Sulfur? What, like a chemical spill or something?”

“Or something,” Felix muttered. His gut twisted. Sulfur. The detail nagged at him, bringing with it a strange sense of foreboding.

The transition to his domain was seamless, like stepping through a doorway between dimensions. One moment, Hyunjin was lounging in his penthouse, sipping on a glass of whiskey. The next, he stood at the edge of the Stygian Abyss, the sprawling expanse of the Underworld unfurling before him. Hyunjin didn’t particularly miss ruling the Underworld—it was a tiresome role—but there was a certain comfort in its familiarity. The darkened skies swirled with ash, and rivers of molten fire traced veins across the desolate plains.

As he stepped into the Throne Hall, the grand chamber at the heart of his dominion, Lee Know was already there, his chief caretaker and the closest thing Hyunjin had to a confidant in this forsaken realm, seated lazily on the edge of Hyunjin’s obsidian throne. His black cloak rippled like smoke, his expression as bored as ever, though his sharp eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“My Lord,” Lee Know greeted, standing as Hyunjin approached. “To what do we owe the pleasure? It’s been a while since you’ve graced us with your presence.”

Hyunjin waved his hand dismissively. “Spare me the formalities, Minho. I’m here about Park Jinyoung.”

Lee Know tilted his head like a little demon-cat, intrigued. “Ah, the entertainment mogul. What about him?”

“He’s dead,” Hyunjin stated bluntly, stepping closer to the fiery pit at the center of the room. “I figured he’d be here by now. Probably groveling in the Wailing Chambers or whining about his life choices to some bored demon.

Lee Know smirked. “Well, the souls of the damned do tend to make their way here, eventually. But as of now, no JYP.”

Hyunjin’s eyes narrowed. “You’re saying he hasn’t arrived?”

Lee Know shrugged, his tone maddeningly calm. “Not even a whisper. Trust me, I make it a point to monitor the big names.”

Hyunjin turned to the Pool of Echoes, a swirling vortex of memories and sins that could be used to trace souls. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned JYP’s essence—or what should have been there. The pool churned violently, its waters boiling and steaming, but no image formed. A confirmation of what Lee Know just said.

Hyunjin’s irritation flared. “That doesn’t make sense. He’s dead. I heard it from the detective himself. His soul should’ve passed through one of the gates by now.”

“Unless,” Lee Know interjected, his gaze sharpening, “it didn’t.”

Hyunjin stiffened. “Explain.”

Lee Know stepped away from the throne, his movements slow and deliberate. “There are only a few reasons why a soul wouldn’t show up here after death. One, it’s stuck somewhere in the mortal plane—perhaps tethered to some unfinished business.”

Hyunjin frowned. “Unlikely. JYP wasn’t exactly the sentimental type.”

“Two,” Lee Know continued, “his soul was claimed by another entity. Someone with enough power or influence to bypass our gates entirely.”

Hyunjin’s jaw clenched. “And who, pray tell, would dare try that under my nose?”

Lee Know raised an eyebrow. “You’ve made a lot of enemies over the millennia, My Lord. Lilith, Azazel, take your pick. Or perhaps someone new wants to make a statement.”

Hyunjin didn’t respond, his eyes narrowing as he considered his next move. Whoever was pulling strings, mortal or divine, had made a grave mistake.

“Keep an eye on the gates,” he ordered, his voice cold. “If his soul tries to slip in, I want to know immediately.”

Lee Know nodded, though his expression remained cautious. “I’ll keep watching the gates. But be careful, Hyunjin. Not all games are meant to be played.”

Hyunjin didn’t respond. His focus was already elsewhere, his mind turning over the possibilities. Whoever had taken JYP’s soul had made a mistake. The Prince of Hell was coming for them, and he wasn’t known for his mercy.

Hyunjin sat in his penthouse, brooding by the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the sprawling city below. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the glass, casting long shadows on the polished wooden floors, but it did little to ease the tension that coiled tightly in his chest.

Jinyoung’s soul was missing from Hell. That in itself was an anomaly—a mortal’s soul simply vanishing from the underworld was an unprecedented occurrence. Whoever—or whatever—was hiding Jinyoung’s soul had to be dealt with. But the more Hyunjin thought about it, the more he realized that Jinyoung wasn’t the only thing that needed attention.

Felix Lee, the detective who’d visited him earlier, was still on his mind. His reaction to Hyunjin had been curious. The detective didn’t seem to be fazed by Hyunjin’s presence, as mortals usually were. Worse yet, there was something unsettling about how Felix had scrutinized him during their conversation, like he was trying to piece something together that wasn’t immediately obvious.
Hyunjin's gaze darkened. He needed more information about Felix. And for that, he would turn to I.N.

“I.N!” Hyunjin called out sharply, his voice cutting through the quiet of the penthouse.

The younger man appeared within seconds, his footsteps silent on the plush carpet. I.N, his butler, moved with practiced efficiency, his dark eyes betraying nothing of the thoughts that lay beneath the surface. Hyunjin’s most trusted servant, I.N was, in truth, a lesser demon who had served him for centuries. To the world, he was just a quiet, stoic butler. But to Hyunjin, I.N was far more than that.

“Hyung,” I.N greeted, bowing his head respectfully.

Hyunjin’s eyes narrowed as he swirled the drink in his hand. “Do you have anything on Detective Felix Lee?”

I.N hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, I’ve gathered a file on him, as you requested.”

Hyunjin watched as I.N went over to a desk, where a laptop sat open. The soft click of the keys filled the room as I.N accessed Felix's background.
“Felix Lee,” I.N began, reading aloud as he scrolled through the details, “Twenty-seven years old. A detective in the local precinct, specializing in homicide cases. From what I gathered, he has an impressive track record, though his cases have mostly involved the usual—murder, robbery, the like. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

Hyunjin arched an eyebrow. “Nothing out of the ordinary, you say? And what’s his connection to Jinyoung?”

I.N clicked through more files, bringing up the murder case information. “He’s been assigned to the murder of Park Jinyoung. It’s unclear why he’s taken an interest in him—” I.N’s voice dropped for a moment as he hesitated, a subtle hint of concern flickering in his eyes. “But Felix Lee seems particularly focused on you, hyung. The police believe you were the last person seen with Jinyoung before he died.”

Hyunjin’s lips curled into a faint, amused smile. “And he thinks I did it.”

So the detective’s suspicions run that deep?

“That’s a lot of effort for a simple mortal to go through,” Hyunjin mused aloud. “Tell me more about his investigation. What’s his angle? Why is he so focused on me?”

I.N paused, tapping a few more keys. “From what I can see, he’s just... doing his job. There’s nothing extraordinary in his background—he’s just a detective trying to solve a case. His personal life is relatively quiet. No known affiliations with any underground circles. He’s just a man looking for answers.”

A small frown tugged at Hyunjin’s lips. So Felix Lee was just a mortal, after all? No hidden agenda? No demons or secret alliances? It was frustratingly simple.

“Do you think he’s a threat?” I.N asked cautiously, his eyes searching Hyunjin’s face for any sign of concern.

Hyunjin took another sip of his drink, his gaze piercing. “No. He’s just a detective doing his job, but I find it... amusing that he’s trying to connect me to a murder. No mortal has the power to accuse me of anything. Not even a soul as persistent as his.”

I.N nodded, as if satisfied by Hyunjin’s assessment. “I’ll continue my research on him. If anything new comes up, you’ll be the first to know.”

Hyunjin gave a small nod, then let out a soft sigh. “One more thing, Innie. What about Jinyoung’s soul?”

I.N’s brow furrowed. “It’s... missing. I’ve checked every corner of the underworld. No trace of it. It’s as though it was... stolen .”

Hyunjin's expression darkened. “Stolen?”

“Yes, hyung,” I.N confirmed. “It’s highly unusual. Souls don’t simply vanish. The only explanation I can think of is that someone—or something—has concealed it.”

A pulse of frustration tightened in Hyunjin’s chest.

“I need to find out where it went,” Hyunjin murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “Someone is playing a game, and I don’t like it.”

I.N gave a slight bow. “I’ll search for any clues, hyung.”

Hyunjin remained silent for a moment, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Something was wrong. The detective, the missing soul - a deep inkling that these are all tied together, somehow.

Felix hadn’t planned to walk into The Velvet Room that night. In fact, he hadn’t planned to step into any bar at all. But after a long day of chasing down leads and dealing with the mundane mysteries of his little district in Seoul, his feet had taken him here. It wasn’t often that Felix let himself stray from the task at hand, but something about the rumors surrounding Hyunjin had been gnawing at the back of his mind since met him three days ago.

He hadn’t expected the place to be quite so… extravagant. The dim lights cast a soft glow over the velvet-clad furniture, and the ambiance was undeniably inviting—intentionally so, no doubt. Patrons laughed and talked in low voices, sipping their drinks as jazz music played softly in the background. There was an air of wealth here, but it wasn’t overt. It was refined, classy. And Felix, well, he was here out of sheer curiosity.

As he approached the bar, Felix decided to indulge his curiosity a little further. “Hey,” he motioned to the bartender, who was already preparing a glass. “Scotch. Neat, please” he says leaning casually against the counter.

“This is a nice place you got here. Dunno why it took me this long to come in” he tries for a conversation with the bartender when he hands him his drink. The bartender, a man with a clipped haircut and a sharp look in his eyes just smiled curtly in response.

“Looks pretty expensive to run, too. Your boss treating you well?” Felix tries again, trying to coax out any intel from the employee.

“Of course. He’s very generous” the bartender finally responds, his tone neutral.

Felix nodded slowly, studying the bartender’s face for any hints of emotion. “I heard he’s got his hands in a lot of different businesses.”

The bartender shrugged, polishing a glass with a cloth. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Mr. Hyunjin has a lot of interests, but that’s none of my business” he answers coldly as if meaning to add neither is it yours at the end of that sentence.

Felix wasn’t convinced, but the bartender’s guarded attitude wasn’t unusual in places like this. He wasn’t going to pry further. Instead, he simply nodded, and ordered another shot.

The bartender quickly poured the drink and slid it toward him, but as Felix took his first sip, something else caught his attention. A subtle shift in the air. The room felt warmer somehow, a low hum of energy that wasn’t entirely natural.

“Speak of the devil” the bartender chimed, tilting his head to someone behind Felix.

“Detective Lee,” Hyunjin greeted from behind, his voice smooth and warm. A sly grin tugged at the corner of his lips. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Felix turned to him, and raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback. “Didn’t realize this place was your hangout.”

“I like laying low once in a while,” Hyunjin said with an easy smile as if the comment was too casual to warrant anything more than a chuckle. “But it’s hard to hide when someone as… inquisitive as you is around.”

Felix took a sip of his scotch, keeping his cool. He wasn’t here for a confrontation. He didn’t even have a plan—he just wanted to see Hyunjin in his element. “Just curious about what the Prince of the Night does when he’s not out at parties,” he said, his tone light. “You know, when you’re not making headlines.”

Hyunjin leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping a touch, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I suppose that’s your job, isn’t it, Detective? To find out what I’m up to?”

Felix chuckled, not missing a beat. “It’s more of a hobby, really. Though I’ll admit, you make it a little too easy to be curious.”

Hyunjin’s lips curled into an almost predatory smile. “You’ll find I’m full of surprises, Detective. Though I do enjoy a good challenge…” He studied Felix for a moment, his eyes scanning him with a mix of amusement and something else. “You certainly aren’t what I expected. Not many people keep their cool when they’re in the presence of someone like me.”

“I don’t scare that easily.” Felix says, eyes never leaving Hyunjin’s.

Hyunjin’s smile grew wider, and he let out a low chuckle. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult, but I’ll take it either way.”

Felix couldn’t help but smile at the banter. There was something about Hyunjin—something magnetic—that he couldn’t quite shake. But he wasn’t here for flirting or charm. He was here because something didn’t sit right with him.

Still, he couldn’t deny that he was intrigued. And maybe just a little flustered.

“So,” Felix said, his voice light, “You’re saying this is just another quiet night for you? No meet-ups with potential witnesses in your immediate future?” he chided, referencing to their first meeting.

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the idea. “Detective, you’re getting ahead of yourself. But I’ll keep my eyes open. Who knows who I’ll run into” and throws Felix a wink.

Felix felt a familiar warmth spread across his cheeks and ears. He tried to pass it off and offered him a chuckle.

After a brief moment of conversation, Hyunjin had excused himself to entertain another patron, one of his regular VIPs, he explained. He bid the detective a quick goodbye and offered him another round, on the house, before sauntering away to one of the private booths at the back.

Felix’s eyes flicked to the glass Hyunjin left at the bar. His curiosity was piqued. It wasn’t much—just a feeling, a lingering detective instinct. But Felix knew better than to ignore it. Without missing a beat, he subtly palmed the glass, slipping it into his coat pocket as if it was no more than a casual gesture.

As Felix stood to leave, he gave a casual nod to the bartender and then slipped out of the bar, making his way toward the door. His mind raced, analyzing the evening.

He wasn’t done with this mystery yet.

Chapter Text

The Hwang Tower’s rooftop was dressed to impress, with a towering Christmas tree draped in shimmering lights and ornaments. The air hummed with laughter, clinking glasses, and a festive melody drifting from the live-string quartet in the corner. Felix wasn’t sure what annoyed him more—the ostentatious display of wealth or the fact that he’d been roped into attending.

Hyunjin’s invitation had been unexpected, delivered via courier in an ornate envelope sealed with gold wax. "A charity gala for the less fortunate," the invitation read in bold calligraphy, though Felix couldn’t help but feel the event served more as a showcase for Hyunjin’s influence than any genuine goodwill.

“Remind me again why we’re here?” Seungmin muttered, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the noise. He tugged at his tie, his usual casual demeanor ill-suited for the crisp lines of his rented tuxedo.

“Recon,” Felix replied, scanning the room. “I want to see who’s here, who he’s rubbing elbows with.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me this was a tuxedo-only affair?” Seungmin shot him a glare.

Felix didn’t answer, his eyes already drawn to the man of the evening. Hyunjin stood near the Christmas tree, surrounded by admirers. His black suit stood out against the soft winter palette of whites and golds, and his laughter rang out like music, drawing attention from every corner of the room.

“Rubbing elbows?” Seungmin muttered, following Felix’s gaze. “Looks more like devil worship. That guy could charm the teeth off a shark.”

Felix didn’t respond. Something about Hyunjin always managed to needle its way under his skin—part annoyance, part something else he refused to name.

He couldn’t help but stare as Hyunjin moved through the crowd like a dancer through a dream. His confidence radiated like the lights strung above. He laughed easily, touched hands lightly, and tilted his head just so when listening to someone. He had a presence that demanded attention, and Felix hated that he couldn’t look away.

Felix’s grip on his glass tightened when he spotted a familiar face—a known associate from a previous case. The man had slithered away from charges due to lack of evidence, but Felix recognized his oily smile anywhere.

And he wasn’t the only one. Felix saw at least three others who had connections to Hyunjin’s rumored business dealings. Drug suppliers, middlemen for human trafficking—the sort of people who made Felix’s blood boil. What were they doing here, rubbing shoulders with the city’s elite?

“Detective Lee.”

The voice came from over his shoulder, smooth as silk and dangerously close. Felix spun, his pulse jumping.

Hyunjin stood there, holding a glass of red wine. Up close, the color of his suit made his dark eyes look even more intense. The faintest smirk curled at his lips.

“Enjoying the festivities?” he says to both him and Seungming.

Felix cleared his throat, trying to ignore the way Hyunjin’s gaze made his chest feel tight. 

“Thank you for the invite. Mr. Hwang, I didn’t peg you for the Christmas type.” Seungmin reaches out to shake his hand. “Detective Kim Seungmin. Felix’s partner.”

Hyunjin chuckled, tilting his glass. “Nice to meet you, Detective.” His gaze flicked to Felix’s untouched drink. “Though I can’t help but notice you’re not in the spirit. A shame—champagne’s supposed to loosen people up.”

“We’re on the clock,” Felix replied curtly.

“Ah, ever the diligent detectives.” Hyunjin leaned closer, lowering his voice. “And what do you think you’ll find at a party like this?”

Felix stiffened. He could feel the heat of Hyunjin’s proximity, the weight of his words, Seungmin’s confusion at the dynamic unraveling in front of him. But he refused to falter. “I don’t know yet. Maybe I’ll start with your guest list. Some... interesting names here tonight.”

Hyunjin’s smirk widened. “Careful, Felix. That sharp tongue of yours might make you enemies.”

“Are you one of them?” The question was out before Felix could stop himself.

Hyunjin paused, then let out a soft laugh. “I’m not sure yet. Are you?”

Before Felix could respond, Hyunjin stepped even closer. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the lapel of Felix’s jacket. The touch was light, almost teasing.

“Nice suit,” Hyunjin murmured. “Though I think you’d look better in red.”

Felix’s breath hitched. His cheeks burned, and he hated the way his pulse betrayed him.

Before Felix could form a retort, a waiter passed by, and Hyunjin set his glass down on the tray. He gave Felix and Seungmin one last lingering glance before turning to rejoin the crowd.

Felix watched him go, his heart pounding for reasons he couldn’t untangle. His mind screamed at him to focus, to keep his eyes on the case. But his chest... his chest felt something else entirely.

After some time listening to Seungmin’s snide commentary about eating the rich and teasing about having his tongue snatched by his Prince Charming, Felix needed space. “I’ll be back,” he said, leaving his partner near the appetizer table.

He found a quiet corner near a set of tall glass doors leading to the terrace. The chill of the winter air seeped through the panes, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the party. The muffled sounds of chatter and laughter faded into the background as he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and trying to steady himself.

“Trouble on your mind?”

The voice was soft but unmistakable. Felix’s eyes snapped open to find Hyunjin standing just a few feet away.

Felix turned, his lips quirking into a smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. “Isn’t there always trouble when I’m around you?”

Hyunjin chuckled softly. “Touché. Though I’d argue that trouble is more often drawn to me than the other way around.”

Felix stepped closer, the glint in his eye sharp. “That’s a funny way of saying you court it.”

“And you don’t?” Hyunjin countered, tilting his head with a smirk. “You’ve been circling me for days now, Felix. Like a moth to a flame. Should I be flattered?”

Felix’s gaze hardened, but his heart pounded. Hyunjin had a way of seeing too much, of peeling back layers Felix wasn’t ready to expose. “Maybe I’m just trying to figure you out.”

“Am I that intriguing?” Hyunjin took a step forward, his presence magnetic, as if the room bent to him. “Or is it something else?”

Felix met his eyes, refusing to back down even as his pulse quickened. “Maybe I just like a challenge.”

Hyunjin laughed, low and rich, and the sound sent a shiver down Felix’s spine. “Careful, Felix. You might not like what you find.”

Felix arched a brow, his voice playful but edged with seriousness. “What makes you think I haven’t already figured you out?”

“Oh?” Hyunjin’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “And what’s your verdict, detective?”

Felix stepped even closer, their faces mere inches apart now. He could feel the heat radiating off Hyunjin, “You’re dangerous,” he said softly, his voice steady despite the rapid beat of his heart. “But not in the way you want people to think.”

Hyunjin’s expression faltered for just a second, a flicker of something vulnerable slipping through before his mask of confidence returned. “And what way is that?”

Felix’s smile softened, and for a moment, he let himself be honest. “You act like you don’t care about anything, like nothing can touch you. But I think you feel more than you let on. Maybe even more than you should.”

Hyunjin’s eyes darkened, and he took a step back, as though Felix’s words had cut too close. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Felix.”

“Maybe I like danger.” Felix’s voice was lighter now, teasing, but the air between them was thick with tension.

Hyunjin stared at him for a long moment, and Felix could feel the weight of his gaze, as though Hyunjin was searching for something in his expression, still unable to read his thoughts. Then, with a soft laugh, Hyunjin shook his head. “You’re impossible.”

Felix grinned, though his chest felt tight. “And yet, here you are, still letting me hang around.”

“Perhaps I enjoy the challenge too,” Hyunjin said, his voice low and smooth. “Though I can’t promise it’ll end well for you.”

Felix tilted his head, his grin turning mischievous. “I’ll take my chances.”

Hyunjin smirked, but there was something almost wistful in his eyes as he turned back toward the crowd. “Careful, Felix. Sometimes the flame doesn’t care if the moth burns.”

Felix watched him go, the push and pull between them tightening like a taut string ready to snap. He didn’t know if he was chasing Hyunjin for answers, for justice, or for something far more dangerous. 

Felix sat at his desk, the dim light of his office casting long shadows across the room. His mind was racing as he sifted through the papers laid out before him. The more he looked into Hyunjin’s business, the more complicated things became. At first, it seemed like a simple case of a wealthy, charming businessman with a few questionable connections. But the deeper Felix dug, the more he uncovered—tangled connections to the narcotics world, illegal transactions hidden behind a polished facade, all thanks to some extensive digging from last night’s guest lists.

Felix dug deeper into Hyunjin’s criminal activities. The more he found, the clearer it became that Hyunjin’s network was vast and well-protected. His ties to the drug supply chain were significant, and JYP was just one of the many people Hyunjin had been supplying.

Yet Felix still had no solid connection to JYP’s murder. He needed something more—something to tie Hyunjin to it, something concrete.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. He had a hunch that JYP’s death had something to do with Hyunjin—he had the motive, the connections, and the resources. But as much as Felix tried to follow the threads, they always led back to dead ends. Hyunjin’s influence, his wealth, and his charisma kept him untouchable. For now.

Just then, Felix’s phone buzzed. He glanced down at the screen, seeing a familiar number. “Hey, Jisung”

“Hey, Felix,” came a voice on the other end. “The glass you submitted for analysis a couple of days ago—belonging to Hwang Hyunjin ? We have some findings.”

Felix straightened in his chair, interest piqued. “Go ahead,” he urged, leaning forward.

“We ran some tests. Everything seemed normal until we checked for residual traces. There’s something odd. The glass contains traces of sulfur.”

Felix blinked, sitting up straighter. “Sulfur? Are you sure, Jisung?”

“We double-checked,” Jisung replied. “Sulfur traces aren’t common in drinks or glassware. It could be contamination from something, but we’re still running tests to confirm.”

Felix’s mind immediately started racing. Sulfur? That’s it! That’s the tie he’s been looking for! 

“I need the full report,” Felix said, his voice a little too enthusiastic.

“Of course. We’ll get the details to you as soon as possible.”

Felix leaned back in his chair, his mind working furiously. He couldn’t let this slide. Hyunjin had answers, and Felix would get them—whether he liked it or not.