The sun beat down on Sydney's bustling streets. Chris strolled along the familiar sidewalks, his mind adrift in a haze of nostalgia. Every corner, every shop front, every scent in the air was a piece of his past. Nostalgia washed over him as he reminisced about the carefree days of his youth.

Suddenly, a sharp intake of breath shattered his trance. A young man, his blonde hair damp with sweat, stumbled forward, his hand on his chest and his knees buckling.

Time seemed to slow as Chris rushed forward, his fatherly instincts taking over. Chris caught the faltering figure in time, guiding him to a nearby shaded bench. The young man's face was flushed, his brown eyes glazed and distant. "Water," he gasped, his voice barely a whisper.

"Easy now," Chris soothed, his voice gentle. The young man's eyes flickered open, a look of confusion and fear marring his features. "You're alright," Chris reassured, his voice steady. "Just a bit dehydrated, that's all."

As he spoke, he fumbled in his pocket for his water bottle, offering it to the trembling man. The young man's lips parted, hands shaking, his parched throat gulping down the precious liquid. As he drank, Chris fanned the stranger's face, offering words of reassurance.

But Chris couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu. Those piercing brown eyes seemed familiar. And as their gazes suddenly locked, time seemed to stand still for Chris. His heart skipped a beat.

"Thanks," the man muttered, his voice slightly clearer and less deeper. "I don't know what got into me. I guess I just overdid it."

"No problem," Chris replied, his gaze lingering on the man's face. His mind raced back to a few nights ago, to the dimly lit club where he'd first seen those striking eyes. A sudden realization dawned on him. "Wait a second... aren't you the "wow" guy from the club a few days ago?"

The man's eyes widened in surprise. "Yeah, that's me. Felix." he said, extending a hand. Chris shook his hand, a wave of recognition washing over him. "Chris," he replied, a dimpled smile playing on his lips.

"Thanks again for helping me," Felix said, standing up. "I owe you one."

"No worries," Chris replied. "Just glad I could help."

As they exchanged phone numbers, a spark ignited between them. It was clear that this encounter was just the beginning of something special.

xx

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow on Chris's phone screen as a new message notification popped up. Curious, he unlocked his phone and opened the message. It was from Felix.

"Hey Chris", the message read, "I was wondering if you'd like to grab a snack at that new café downtown? My treat."

A smile spread across Chris's face. Felix's straightforwardness was refreshing, and the invitation was unexpected yet exciting. He quickly typed a reply.

"Sure, I'd love to. What time works for you?". As he sent the message, he couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation. This was it, the chance to spend more time with Felix, the mysterious man with the captivating brown eyes.

xx

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries filled the air as Chris stepped into "Something Sweet." His eyes scanned the café, searching for Felix. Spotting the familiar bunch of blonde hair at a corner table, he smiled and made his way over.

"Hey," Chris greeted. Felix looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You made it."

"Of course," Chris replied, taking the seat across from him. "So, what's the plan? Coffee, cake, or both?"

"Both, definitely both," Felix said with a chuckle. "I've been craving that new Biscoff brownie all day."

As they indulged in their treats, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They talked about their lives, their hobbies, and their dreams. Felix mentioned his brother, Mateo, who was 2 years younger and attending the same school as Chris's brother, Lucas. They were apparently classmates as Felix recognised the name and the picture shown to him. Apparently Mateo and Lucas were best friends too because "they always hang out at our place" as Felix had said.

"Small world, huh?" Chris remarked, surprised by the coincidence. "Yeah, it really is," Felix agreed.

The conversation then turned to their jobs. "What about you, Chris? What do you do for a living?" Felix asked.

Chris hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to reveal his true identity, so he opted for a less complicated answer. "I'm currently working on a personal project, something creative," he said vaguely.

Felix nodded, understanding the desire for privacy. "That's cool. I'm still studying, but I work part-time at the local library. It's a pretty quiet job, but I love reading so..."

As the afternoon wore on, Chris and Felix realized that their connection was deeper than they had initially thought. They shared a common ground, a mutual understanding, and a spark of something more.
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I know I had said "a chapter everyday" but ig it's fine if I update twice a day😭😭

-M★