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⇒ Miroh Apartments
4:45pm

"How does it feel to be done with finals, and almost university in general?" The male queried from his end of the line, wincing as he bit into his popsicle, a brain freeze. "Oh, and we've been missing you at the bar... Are you free tonight?"

"It feels great but kinda scary to start life officially soon," Felix chuckled, folding some clothes on his bed with the phone on speaker, Bella napping wholesomely on the sofa. "And I know, Min... I miss you guys too, but I can't come as often as before because I'm more tired, you know? Since I work and look after the little girl in the day most of the time."

"You say the same thing every time, Lix," Seungmin whined playfully, smacking his tongue before stuffing in another bite of the cold treat. "Sorry to say it, but you sound as if you're a parent now. I can't come over, you can't go out? Come on. It's been over a month already."

Oh.

Felix sighed, chest heavy. He'd never truly thought about that, did he? Yes, perhaps the concept had crossed his mind throughout the time from which Chan's burdens became his to share but, Felix had never found it fit to accept the habit of complaint against the topic.

But standing there, folding those pieces of fashioned cloth, not only belonging to him, but the two others, Felix reluctantly took a few minutes of silence to really comprehend the reality of his situation.

The laborious outcomes of his prolonged generosity wounded the essence of his social life. His youth, and childlessness. But Felix hated thinking and feeling like that. That branched reasoning only brewed conflict amongst his notion; willingness to do all that he could to bring blessing to a random man taken in from the street, and his daughter, arguing with those of desire for all that he had to give up, to be able to help Chan to the fullest.

So, Felix sucked his teeth, shaking his head. "It's not like that," he said, trying to convince himself more than Seungmin. "I'm just doing what I can to help them, hm? He's got a well-paying job, and should collect his first paycheck today or tomorrow. So not much longer, and they'd be on their own again."

"As long as you're not stretching yourself, Lix. I mean," Seungmin sighed, trying to word his counsel in such a way as to not offend his dear friend, whose voice deepened into a tone more of malaise since the very introduction of that conversation, "I just want you to be careful. You've already done so much, and you could even get kicked out for that... so just be careful... and know your limits."

"Sad thing is I didn't come up with any limits before proposing this in the first place," Felix mumbled, sighing frustratedly before glancing back at the sofa where the child slept innocently, frowning at the ping of guilt in his chest from his new trends of thought. "I'll text you later, Min..." he said, taking the cellphone into his hand and blowing a kiss before hanging up. "Now it's just to--"

Felix paused when the door to his apartment opened abruptly, raising the volume of the rain from the outside since he resided on the first floor, for the few seconds that Chan took to step into the warmer space. The elder was soaked, from head to toe, damp hair stuck above his eyelids whilst the widest grin greeted below.

"I'll go to the bathroom now," Chan chuckled, setting the closed plastic bag with his new cellphone and other important papers on the table before hurrying carefully into the secluded room. And it didn't take long before he got out again, dried in a pair of casual shorts and a tank top; that same unerasable smile on his face. "Now I can say a proper good afternoon to you, Felix."

"How was work today?" Felix asked, laughing a little when Bella stirred awake at just the sound of her father's voice in her sleep; his very presence, calling for a break from slumber. "I got Bella to study a little, and then she went to sleep while I did some chores. So, she behaved well, as usual."

"I'm glad and grateful," Chan crouched down before the sofa where his daughter had just begun to sit up, engulfing her small frame into a welcoming hug, excited, for some reason. "Thank you so much for your efforts, Felix. I got my first paycheck today! I still can't believe it," he stood up, clapping childishly, "and I also made some progress in something I was looking into."

"I'm proud of you," Felix drew a small smile, biting his tongue in opposition to an inquiry along the lines of Chan's projected expenditure. Sitting at the edge of his bed, while Chan got himself comfortable on the sofa with Bella in his lap, Felix continued, "But what is it that you were looking into?"

Sighing from unavoidable hesitation, Chan smiled, calming his nerves with the account that he was already comfortable enough to share his struggles with Felix, so much less some news that he found to be pleasant.

"You remember the incident from a while ago, right? When those strangers attacked me?" He mouthed the last part, refraining from refurbishing that occasion in his daughter's mind. "Well," he continued when Felix nodded, "I think I know who was behind it, and I have an idea of where he is?"

"Okay?" Felix cocked his head to the side, his already irritable state not at all aiding in the humble intake of the information. "Why... would you want to know about him, though? I thought you left all that in the past, considering how dangerous they are."

"Yes, but he isn't dangerous, Felix. If anything," Chan strolled toward Felix when Bella fell back asleep, hands in his pockets, "I think he is the one in danger. And I mean, I can't just sit there and do nothing about it... he was there for me a lot too, you know."

"I don't agree with what you want to do," Felix shook his head, closing his eyes. Chan's logic simply made no sense to his overwhelmed head. And his tongue itched to rebottle an argument based on arrogant questioning of who did more for Chan in recent times, but Felix would never allow those words out. He breathed in, "I really think that you should just focus on work right now."

"I thought about all that," Chan shrugged the advice off, looking down, "but I have to, Felix. You've seen how you've helped me, right? I need to help him... or at least know if he's alright and get some closure from everything that happened."

"Well, can you at least think about how this would affect me, Chan? And Bella, who you care so much about?"

"Where are you going with this?"

Felix sighed, nostrils flaring. "What I mean is, I don't get why you want to involve yourself with a man who got you into this mess in the first place. You said that you have nothing to do with them and their way of life, so why are you so eager about it? What if he was the one behind it, huh? You're going to get in trouble, and then me! Obviously, they'll see who you're in contact with, and then I'll be put in a fucking red zone, Chan!"

"Felix," Chan took a single step back, looking over at the couch to ensure that Bella was already passed out and unaware of the perceivable argument, "where is this coming from? I get- I get that you might be tired of everything, and I'm sorry. But I'd appreciate it if you could just calm down and understand? We're speaking about someone who was there for me when nobody else was. And I'm scared that I've wasted too much time already... I understand your concerns and all that, but I know him. He isn't—"

"Chan, you keep saying that he isn't this and he isn't that, but that is not the point! You're being very careless and naïve right now and it's frustrating to me. After all that I've given up to care for the two of you, you're not once stopping to think that what you're doing can bring me more trouble?" Felix breathed out, scoffing, and rolling his eyes to keep tears back.

"What do you mean... more trouble?"

"Take it however you want to, Chan. I'm just irritated right now because you're not getting anything that I'm saying. I graduate next month, Chan. And I'm trying to make the best out of everything; trying to get you back on your feet, but it's as if you're overlooking all of that. As if you're not understanding all that I've given up." Felix raised both hands before his chest, adding visual emphasis to his disconcertment.

"Felix you're talking like you regret helping me or something. As if you're blaming me for the sacrifices that you had to make, Felix," Chan too, flailed his arms, breaths heavy and distanced, "You can't blame me for everything. I just need you to understand how much this man means to me. You didn't spend two years on the street, stuck with a little girl, without comfort or support or anything like that. Hyunjin, that man, was there for me; there for Bella, Felix. So, I mean it when I say I know him, but you just can't get that, can you?"

"I don't get what this has to do with--"

"Felix are you serious? Honestly serious? You don't get why I care so much, do you? You just think that I'm careless enough to put you and the only family I have left in danger, Felix. You're not understanding that this is someone dear to my heart that I know-- I know is going through hell or worse right now, and I need to just look into it. But for whatever reason, you're just pissed and hard of understanding today," Chan scoffed, glancing back at where his bag lay; the one that he had moved in with, and poking at the inside of his cheek with his tongue at a thought. "I'd just move out, then."

He didn't think before speaking, but, thankfully, the dire wish for the reversal of the suggestion did not dwell in his conscience directly after. 

"Wait, what?"

"I'd get another place to stay, Felix. I appreciate everything," Chan sighed, tearing up, "but it's clear that you're tired. And I don't blame you. You did enough by letting two complete strangers into your place like that, so I'd be forever grateful. But I don't- I got enough money today to get a place, and because of you, I now make enough to be able to afford it. So, I'll go."

Tired, and yearning for the supposed freedom that he could call his own before welcoming the single parent in, too much, Felix slapped both hands on the sides of his thighs, shrugging.

"Fine," he thinned his lips tight, somewhat regretting a large fraction of the things that he had said, and how he had said them... and how Chan felt about them. But he refused to focus on that for the moment, only marching over to his nightstand for his cellphone, and a regularly pre-packed backpack from the side of his bed, before heading for the front door.

Jealousy. A drug that Felix had never assumed to hold such hypnotizing potential. An emotion that was never before foreseen to add such a great volume of fuel to the flames of regret in one's conscience. And sensations in his gut that urged tears down Felix's face for all that he had stated, bluntly, and implied.

Where did that even come from? And how weak did Felix have to be to allow those thoughts to achieve a domineering position above his rationalism?

Just, hearing Chan speak so fondly of another when he, Felix, was trying so hard. Hearing Chan be so dependent on a stranger and be so willing to risk everything that Felix had pushed for, to find out more of the whereabouts of the person in question.

Felix shouldn't have allowed himself to grow jealous but, he couldn't help it. Didn't know why-- didn't even know how to solve it. Only aware of the fact that for the time being, there was nothing that he could do to prevent it.

And nothing that he could do to change Chan's mind, no matter how much he genuinely rued everything that had gone down. Every thought, every arrogant line, every impulse to reproach. Everything.

"I'll come back home later, Chan. I just need some time for now," he said, and Chan didn't answer; addled, by Felix's odd attitude. So frowning, sighing, and wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye, Chan made disappointed steps toward the table for his smartphone, starting the search for available apartments near his workplace.

Near the area where he could've sworn, he made out Hyunjin's weakened frame trotting the sidewalk but was too caught up in duty to approach.

"Daddy," Bella stirred awake again, yawning, "I had a weird dream that you talked about uncle Jinnie. When can we see uncle Jinnie? Also... you and Mr. Felix were talking really loudly, and I couldn't sleep properly."

"Sorry, pumpkin," Chan pinched Bella's cheek, kissing her forehead, "And we will see uncle Jinnie soon, I promise."

-

⇒ Entrance Apartments
5:30pm

"Hannie!"

"Who? What?"

"Han Jisung! My Hannie my Sungie my everything," Minho chanted, giggling and clapping frantically, skipping his way past the open door of Jisung's bedroom.

It wasn't as neat and precisely organized as his, but still warm, and delightful, and smelt like lilac, just like his best friend. "Wake up, Hannie," he shook Jisung by his waist, pushing him to lay on his back so that they could lock eyes, and laughing at the boy's pouted lips and furrowed eyebrows. "You wouldn't believe what happened today!"

"What is it?" Han wiped his eyes groggily, yawning into his other palm. "What is it that's so important to cost me my nap, hm?"

"I sold a piece!"

"Wait-- wait what?" Jisung sat up quickly, swollen cheeks -- from slumber -- flexing to form his heart-shaped smile, whilst one hand reflexively reached for Minho's, squeezing it. "You did? You really did? It's about damn time! I'm so proud of you, Min. So so so so proud of you," he hugged the taller, rubbing his face into his neck.

"It's all because of you, Ji," Minho hugged back, eyes closed with his unerasable smile. "You remember when you were advising me and splashed added some paint to the canvas? I used that same one and developed it. I-- I still don't think it's my best because I'm not used to that style; letting out my feelings like that and all... but I felt good after. And it's making me money," he chuckled, "so thank you again, Jisung. Thank you thank you thank you! And just before graduation, this happens. You really are good luck."

"I'm so proud of you, Minho. I love you," Jisung gleamed, eyes bright, eyebrows raised, heart beating quickly behind his ribcage when he sounded the latter part of that line; holding a surer depth than one dug with platonic intent. As always.

Jisung locked eyes with Minho, for a short moment, and only then did their smiles fade slightly. Minho's lips were parted, hot breaths rushing past in pattern, their surface moist and soft and oh so welcoming for Jisung's cracked ones.

But Minho gulped; swallowed down the undeniable urge to kiss his best friend for the first time. To share his first kiss with someone so special at that time.

"I love you too," he let out, but with more meaning than all the other times that he had allowed the sounding of those three words. Minho uttered that line with all of the intensity and futuristic hope that he had practiced in his painting, hoping that Jisung, a dancer, would decipher what he was still too fearful to confess, as one with an eye for photographic art.

But Jisung was no artist, and Minho was no dancer.

Although, still so, the younger's heart drew sheets and sheets of depictions of what it felt for the best friend, whilst the latter designed an album's worth of choreography, beating desperately, to share what it felt with Jisung's.

Perhaps if they had just merged their talents together, all would be made easier.

"We should celebrate," Minho mumbled standing before he could no longer control himself. "Cuddles, movies, and snacks in your room?"

"Yes please, Min! I'd love that with you..."

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Questions [Optional]
1. What do you think about Seungmin's words to Felix?

2. Thoughts on Felix's outburst and choice of words? Do you understand where he's coming from, or think he shouldn't be feeling like that?

3. What do you think about Chan's response to Felix, and his decision to move out and find out about Hyunjin?

4. What do you think about Felix feeling jealous? And do you have any idea why?

5. Thoughts on the Minsung scene?

I hope you're enjoying the story ٩( 'ω' )و