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⇒ God's Menu Restaurant &Bar
7:00pm

In all honesty, Changbin wasn't usually considered to be the "jealous" type, and he was proud of that. He was always proud of himself for the amount trust that he'd put in his boyfriend, and he never really minded the moments where Felix would be the one wearing the jealous shoes whenever they'd mingle with another attractive person.

So yes, Felix was the one jealous most of the time. But that evening? Sitting in his car with Kai in the backseat mumbling a few incoherent words? Changbin was so jealous that he felt like crying. And arriving at that scene wasn't even his fault, if one were to think about it, because Felix had only said that he was going out with Chan but, where was never specified.

His jaw clenched at the sight of his lover's arms wrapped around another man when he missed a fall, even though it was obviously innocent. And his grip on the steering wheel tightened at the recognition of that same man, equal in formal dressing as Felix, with an arm draped around the blonde's waist.

"Get your fucking hands off," Changbin muttered, not caring whether Kai heard or not; but thankfully, Kai was too caught up in his own world to make it out. "Fuck me..."

Squinting to see the far distance more clearly, Changbin smirked when Felix willingly drew the other male's arm down from his body, and he scoffed at Chan's apologetic gestures that followed soon after.

"My Lixie," he hummed, clicking his tongue and starting up the engine. Glancing back at a distracted Kai whose chubby fingers were drawing shapes and circles along the window for his own entertainment, Changbin leaned over to tickle his arm, chuckling when Kai giggled and twisted in response. "You ready to go home? Or do you want something else?"

"I want ice cream," Kai clapped childishly, and the memory that a pint of ice cream was sitting in their freezer was enough to draw out another chuckle from Changbin's lips. "Can I get more ice cream please?"

"Not this late, Kai-Kai. Maybe tomorrow?"

"You promise?" Kai whined, pouting with big eyes whilst staring at the back of Changbin's head, "Even if... daddy... says no?"

Taking one last glimpse at the parking lot, not too far sideways, that he had seen Felix before the latter went into the restaurant, Changbin shook his hand, flashing an indecisive smile for the toddler to see. "Now you know that daddy's no is final no, love. But don't worry, I'm sure he'll say yes."

-

Felix was nervous, stepping out of that vehicle, and although his mirror's opinion of his outfit was somewhat positive, the fact that Changbin wasn't home to look him up and down and maybe, stroke his waist while leaving soft, loving kisses on the sides of his jaw and neck with verses of compliments was enough to raise his insecurities up to the roof of that fancy restaurant.

Because despite Chan's own expressions of like for his white, silk long-sleeve and black trousers, Changbin was always his source of validation. But then again, Chan's words did- somehow- a little bit- just maybe boosted his confidence a little, especially when the male's buffer arm found his waist. But as much as that feeling bred a few butterflies in Felix's stomach, he couldn't savor it.

And as much as he guiltily wished that their hug could last a little longer, he couldn't keep that embrace for more time so, he sighed in his seat, flinching when Chan's pat on his arm knocked him out of his trance.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Chan smirked, lifting his menu as an indication for Felix to check out his own. "What's wrong? Is it what I did? I'm sorry, I really got carried away and I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He frowned, sighing and, looking down when Felix spoke up.

"No, I was just thinking," Felix hummed, reassuringly, petting Chan's forearm. "It's okay, I promise. You don't need to worry."

Smiling again, Chan nodded, looking around to make sure that no waiter was approaching before speaking again. "Alright then. But tell me, Felix, didn't your boyfriend question your outing?" He chuckled, even louder when Felix's cheeks flushed red. "I mean, we both know it's an innocent outing, but did he not mind? At all?"

"B-Binnie isn't jealous," Felix blushed, embarrassed. "So no, he didn't mind. He's nice like that..."

"Mh," Chan hummed, settling on a choice of meal and, greeting the waiter warmly when finally, she came up to their table. And after both Felix and himself made their order, he continued, elbows pressed against the tablecloth and, eyes gazing at the freckled, rosy cheeks of the male in front. "I'd be really jealous," he mumbled, wisely too low for Felix to decipher, before speaking loud enough. "Well, I'm glad he's okay. And again, sorry for not inviting him or even Kai but, as Kai's other parent... there are some things I prefer to share with you alone..."

"That's no problem, Chan," Felix spoke quietly, looking to the side in an attempt to hide at least a fraction of his blush away from the older. And he dreaded the nauseous feeling clouding his guts due to his uncontrollable reactions- he dreaded the way that he was becoming so flustered under another man's gaze and charming attitudes. But as stated, he couldn't exactly control it and, to make things even worse for the blonde's mental state, after each attempt to picture Changbin behind his eyelids with every blink, Felix felt even guiltier.

After every time that his heart would flutter at Chan's giggle, Felix felt like running out of that restaurant to fold himself in Changbin's arms and apologize for feeling that way for someone else. But he couldn't, obviously, and neither could he confront Chan about his bright smile and dimples for them being the cause of it all. Neither could he scold Chan for being so friendly and lovable and, neither could he shut Chan up every time the latter would say absolutely anything with that soothing voice of his.

Yeah, Felix couldn't possibly reprimand the older man for living in his thoughts much more frequently since that day, roughly two months before, when they told Kai the truth about everything. He couldn't, so Felix gulped, looking down before speaking again.

"So... what is it exactly that you want to tell me?"

"Well," Chan sighed, running a hand over his face and closing his eyes as if the darkness would add fuel to his dwindling courage for confession. "Where do I even start..."

"Like you told me when we first- well, second met... Just say it?" Felix giggled, smiling even brighter when his laughter's attempt to lighten the shallow tension of the aura was a success. "So, just say it. I don't judge..."

Holding in his breath after a deep inhale that somehow aided Felix's voice to calm his nerves, Chan looked down at his clothed thighs before speaking, lower lip trapping in between his teeth as soon as he was done with his sentence. "I had a fiancé recently..."

"Y-you did? You had...?"

"Yeah... She was a gold-digging bit- She was bad," Chan scoffed, looking sideways. "She was only with me because her fathers are close friends with my mother, and they thought it best to set us up, you know? And she's pretty, so at first, I didn't think it was a bad idea. But things went so fast. Like, as soon as I got back to Australia after that business trip to Seoul where we..."

"I know," Felix blushed, too embarrassed to even focus on saving his shrinking appetite. "Go on..."

"Yeah... Well, as soon as I got back home, they brought up the idea. And you know, I was already nearing my thirties, so I thought why not? I hardly have time for dates, and I don't mind settling down." Chan sighed when he paused to sip on his water, and Felix's sudden touch along his forearm as an indication of how clear his agitation was becoming was enough to draw up a small smile from one side of his lips.

Looking up, he continued, "But she kept stressing me out; always nagging and wanting stuff- literally always shopping with my money even though she works. And my mother wants grandchildren before she dies... and she's currently sick so you know the pressure. On top of that frustration, I had to settle in my job at the new company... So it was all too much. And recently... she, my ex, became pregnant. But it was clear that she cheated on me because... I..."

Frowning, Felix tilted his head to the side, fighting every urge to stand and stroke Chan's cheek as an attempt to rid the new depressed look taking over his features; Chan's eyes were noticeably swelling up with water, and Felix really hoped that their food would be ready no time soon.

"What is it?" He asked calmly, taking one of the older's hands into his and, stroking both thumbs at its back. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to... Chan...nie..."

And at that? At the nickname that Felix had let out, even though it was hesitant? Chan's cheeks painted themselves into the brightest shade of pink, probably more noticeable than all the other coatings in their lifetime. His wrist twisted to hold onto the younger's hand more comfortably and, his chest felt warm when his eyes locked with Felix's soft ones.

Chan's stomach felt light from the wings of the butterflies fluttering within its walls, and his lips spread up on either side to emphasize the utter joy that he was feeling, sitting there. But then he cleared his throat, scolding his emotions with the memory that his person of interest was taken and, retracting his hand in the least harsh way possible to continue speaking.

"I- I can't have kids... well, anymore," he sighed, looking down and fiddling with his fingertips to discourage Felix from touching him again. "I could before, but the doctor said something about secondary infertility. And it could be as a result of too much stressing and all... So uhm... especially after you told me about Kai? I thought about it, and she wasn't in my life at that time... Those were my more peaceful days before now... So I came to the conclusion that she was kind of a reason for my pressure... and it makes sense... But yeah, she cheated on me, and I found out she's pregnant with someone else's baby..."

"I'm so sorry," Felix almost whispered, standing a little to wipe a tear from beneath Chan's eye that not even the latter seemed to know had slipped out. "I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that, and this makes me even happier that Kai is yours..."

"Y-yeah. And thank you," Chan blushed, once again locking gazes with the male in front. "That's why I was so, so excited when I found out. And that's another reason why I cherish him so much... I love him. I know it hasn't been long, but that's my son. God, Felix, I love him so much. Thank you for not keeping him from me..."

Letting out a pained giggled whilst his own few tears escaped, Felix nodded, ignoring the distraction of Chan's hands to take them into his. "Of course," he mumbled, nodding. "I'm really happy... Really, really happy..."

"Do you want to go to the movies with me?"

"W-what?"

"Me, you, and Kai. Just the three of us? If it isn't a discomfort to your home life, of course. I wouldn't want Changbin getting the wrong idea about me." Chan's smile dimmed into a softer one, and unlike the last time where he shifted, his thumbs started their own soft strokes along Felix's hands. "I wanna give Kai that family experience, you know? I- I mean I know we aren't together or anything but, we're still his parents. And he deserves to go out with both his parents... But as I said, only if you're comfortable. I can go with him only, if you'd prefer..."

"Oh... Of course. I- I don't mind... And I love how you think," Felix blushed, turning the tables by retracting his own hands as Chan had done; but unlike the other's more neutral gesture, his was more able to sell out just how flustered he truly was at that moment. "Next week Saturday? If I don't have to take up a shift..."

"That's perfect," Chan smiled and nodded, feeling contented. "Saturday it is then."

-

⇒ Blueprint Apartments
9:30pm

"Binnie?" Felix spread a small smile, rolling his eyes playfully when no answer was heard. Walking into their apartment fully, he closed and locked the door behind him, flipping on the light switch in the hallway to see his way more clearly. "Binnie, I know you're awake."

Sighing when, yet again, no answer was sounded, Felix crept up to the back of the sofa, letting out a soft, "Rawr," but pouting when no sleeping victim was laying there. So where really was Changbin? Maybe sleeping? Most likely sleeping... But why not on the couch to wait for his lover? It wasn't even that late yet, and Felix had undoubtedly spotted their car in the parking lot so he couldn't be out with Kai still.

Shrugging and starting to undo the buttons of his shirt, Felix strolled into their bedroom, unwilling to let out another call in fear of waking Kai in his room just a few steps away.

"Bin-Bin," he finally called again upon entering his bedroom and, his eyes went wide at the sight of his boyfriend's position on their bed. Both sides of his lips stretched upwards so brightly before parting for a giggle and, his hand instinctively shifted to close and lock the door behind him.

Drawing closer to the bed, Felix savored the image of a shirtless Changbin laying on one of his elbows with the other hand on his hip and a rose in his mouth. His chest and arms were oiled so smoothly, and the crotch of his jeans was unzipped and unbuttoned as if those pants were just waiting for Felix's consent to be removed completely. And on top of that, the man's eyebrows were being lifted up and down quite comedically, adding that playful touch to the sensual setting of their bedroom.

"Changbin are you serious?" Felix snickered, crawling onto his bed to pull the rose from the older's mouth for a deep, long kiss. "Is this why you didn't answer when I called?"

"I missed you too, Lix," Changbin teased, rolling onto his back for Felix to straddle him more easily. Lifting both hands to the trail of the younger's shirt buttons in an attempt to get the top of quicker, he spoke again, loving how Felix was just flowing with everything. "How was your little outing?"

"It was okay... And I see it made somebody jealous?" Felix sang seductively, raising one of his own eyebrows before leaning down to kiss Changbin's lips, again. "There's nothing to be worried about, Binnie..."

"How are you so sure I'm jealous, hm?"

"Because you only use Kai's baby oil like this when you are." Felix joked, laughing even louder when Changbin's playful smack found one of his buttocks. "And you're only this horny as soon as I get home when you are... So yes, you are jealous. And it's my job to reassure you..."

"Well, baby, after seeing someone else hug you and your waist like that, of course I am," Changbin teased, poking Felix's nose and not at all thinking twice on the possibility of his statement irking the younger's head. So with such absentmindedness, he felt confused when Felix shifted from his body, and he frowned at the sudden expression of discomfort that the latter's relaxed one had contorted into. "Lix?"

"You followed me?"

"W-what? No. No, what are you talking about?" Changbin too, sat up, reaching to take Felix's hand into his but, scoffing sadly when the blonde got out of his range on that bed completely. "Love-"

"Changbin, if you didn't follow me then how'd you know that?"

"Lix-"

"Since when do you follow me, Bin? That's crossing the line." Felix cocked his head to the side, head hurting at his real reason for bursting out like that. His conscience raged with guilt at the truth banging at the doors of his tongue to be let out and, tears prickled his eyes at the realization that he could not dare let out the very root of his fallacy.

Because if he was wrong, then Changbin would find out, through his pointed fingers, that he and Chan had mirrored each's blush so many times, as well as shared few physical yet meaningful touches throughout the night...

So Felix gulped thickly to settle down.

Buttoning up his shirt without a thought of how that could make his boyfriend feel, he let a tear drip down his face, too caught up in his task to notice Changbin's slumped shoulders at his action of rebuff. "Why'd you follow me...?"

"I didn't follow you, Lix," Changbin frowned, lower lip quivering and, hand reaching over to the nightstand for the rag that he had placed there to clean up his back and chest since Felix was suddenly no longer in the mood.

It hurt... but whatever.

"I came out from the store with Kai, and when we entered the vehicle, before moving off, I saw Chan's car and assumed that you were with him. So I looked, and I saw you. I also saw that you brought his hand down... and I appreciate that..."

"Bin-"

"I'm sorry for making it seem as if I was following you, and just know I'd never do that... I'd never violate your privacy like that, Felix." Changbin forced a faint smile, walking  over to his drawer to grab a vest in fear of making Felix even more uncomfortable with his shirtless torso. "And I'm also sorry for getting jealous, I was just scared, that's all. But I've learned my lesson, okay? I can even sleep on the sofa if you want me to..."

"Binnie," Felix mumbled, his feeling of guilt increasing with every step up to Changbin's side as the latter pulled his vest overhead. "Binnie I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be so harsh..."

Feeling too bad and ashamed due to Felix's fair defense, Changbin only shrugged, lips spread so tightly in an attempt to keep his tears in place until getting comfortable on the sofa. Grabbing his pillow and a blanket, he pecked the younger's cheek, not caring if his actions were unreasonable and, not worrying about the longer discussion that they'd most likely have the next day.

Changbin felt too embarrassed to sleep next to his boyfriend that night. And not just because of the assumptions that Felix had introduced, but rather from being rejected when they were both so in the mood barely minutes before. Not that he wasn't understanding or anything along that line, since he was always aware of the importance of consent, but actually how Felix just switched-

How Felix was so into things yet simply got up to do something so offensive as fixing his outing clothes back on, without even listening?

That hurt, so Changbin needed some time to himself, no matter how Felix felt about it.

He needed a little time to water the pots of his own assumptions, planted from overthinking; especially the one that flowered something with the likes of Felix hiding something...

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[A/N]
Thoughts?