Running to You | Park Han + JL + Steven | Haneulz + Stejay AU

Chapter 71: Now There Are Two

The photoshoot was well underway. Energy buzzed through the villa, sun slanting through high windows, espresso machines whirring, someone's Bluetooth speaker playing hype tracks that looped too fast to enjoy. The scent of sea salt and designer hair products hung thick in the air.

In the courtyard-turned-photo-studio, chaos reigned.

Kyungho stood stiffly in front of a wind machine. It whirred to life. He blinked. His shirt billowed dramatically, then, with a sudden crack, the prop barbell he was holding snapped clean in half. "...Sorry," he muttered, holding the two jagged ends like a confused Hercules.

Meanwhile, Chih En stepped in front of the camera like he'd been born under a softbox. The photographer gasped. "My god. That face. You're the future."

"Okay," Chih En replied, blinking once.

A makeup artist swept bronzer along Jeongwoo's cheek as he surveyed the clutter around the makeup station. Brushes, compacts, palettes, powders.

"Why is there enough product on this counter to paint a mural?" Jeongwoo asked, lifting a brow.

"Because I am ready for my closeup," Woongki replied solemnly, staring at himself in the mirror like a misunderstood villain. "This shoot is my redemption arc."

Juwon, mid-shot, was attempting a slow body roll.

"This is athleticwear," the photographer snapped. "Not a music video!"

"But what if it was?" Juwon countered, finger-gunning into the lens.

But just then, silence fell over the set as a sleek black car rolled up the drive, purring like a threat. Even the sun seemed to shift, spotlighting the arrival. From the vehicle emerged a silver-haired boy, impossibly elegant, with sharp, chiseled cheekbones. He wore a tailored black coat, layered chains, and the kind of easy, devastating confidence usually reserved for final bosses.

The photographer gaped, as if astonished by the emergence of some sort of legendary creature from a fantasy realm. A PA off to the side of the set hissed in a whisper that carried loud enough for everyone to hear, "That's our VIP model flown in just for today's shoot. He's from a famous group back in Seoul. I don't even think he needs makeup."

Woongki clutched Juwon's arm. "HE WAS SUMMONED LIKE A MYTHOLOGICAL BEAST."

Felix stepped onto set like it belonged to him, because, for the next ten minutes, it did. His eyes found Steven immediately, and never left. Steven turned just as Felix reached the mark beside him, and the air between them crackled. He forgot how to breathe.

Felix's voice was low, amused, unnervingly steady. "Didn't think I'd see you so soon. Then again... the best things always find their way back."

Cameras flashed. The photographer barely managed to get the shots in before Felix pulled back, stepping away like the scene had wrapped. To the stunned crew, Felix offered a polite nod. "Just here for this one. I've got a flight tonight. But maybe I'll see you again, Steven. In Seoul?"

And just like that, he turned and disappeared into the waiting car. 

Woongki watched him go, mouth open. "Is that what power smells like? I think my pores just cleared."

In the next few hours, golden hour bathed the set. The photographer gestured wildly at Steven and JL, partnered for the romantic shot.

"Closer. Closer. Pretend you're in love!" They didn't need to pretend. Steven stood behind JL, hands on his waist. Their heads tilted just so, gazes almost meeting. JL looked like he was holding his breath. Steven's touch lingered, not quite trembling.