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⇒ Blueprint Apartments
10:30pm

"Best," one thrust, "fucking," another, "birthday," Chan versed, palms pressed against the mattress while his hips rolled downward in pattern, Felix's face dug into the sheets, back somewhat arched as he took it from behind. "Thanks so much for making today worth it," Chan panted, almost desperate and longing for more skinship.

So, feeling himself close, he slowed his pace, bringing Felix up by his shoulders, gently, so that the younger's back could meet his chest, and his polished nails could dig into and trace Felix's shoulder, head turned for the sloppy clashing of their lips.

Chan's pace then sped up again, sweat dripping down his neck, and the silver bracelet hugging his wrist adding another breathtaking addition to his undeniable attractiveness. Felix's eyes were hooded as he held the elder's head from behind with one hand, rocking his hips back some, moaning, resisting the urge to scream to avoid possible confrontation from their neighbors.

"Close- close, Channie," Felix whimpered against his lover's lips, finally mustering up the physical strength to open his eyes fully again, taking in the fractioned view of Chan that he was granted given the position. The elder's newly dyed hair was moist still, with some water from the bath that they had taken before, and maybe sweat too.

A few of the blonde strands were stuck onto his forehead, a heavy chain wrapped around his neck, and swollen lips parted, sucking Felix's lips and chin every now and then. Either of their nipples were hard, Chan's basking in the friction with Felix's back, and the latter's grateful for the squeezing and rubbing from Chan's fingers.

"Close, baby?" One of Chan's hands slipped down to Felix's cock, firm and leaking before his stomach, to stroke it. And he smirked when the younger's mouth opened even wider, distracted from their kiss, to let everything out. Felix didn't care about being judged by the disturbed anymore. Not when Chan was making him feel so good.

Feel so loved.

Feel so safe.

"Let go for me, my love," Chan smiled, slowing the jerking of his lips into deeper, harder thrusts, loving the bulge that could be felt against his forearm, as it was pressed up against Felix's lower abdomen. Loving how deep he was inside of Felix. "Let it out..."

And at that, Felix shot white streaks from his lower half. His head fell backward, secure in the welcoming dip of Chan's shoulder. Tears brimmed in his eyes whilst the elder kept up with his movements, turning Felix into an absolute whimpering and thrashing mess, his cut nails scratching at Chan's clenched thighs.

"One," Chan kissed his neck, "two," he trusted a second, just as deep, kissing his cheek, "th- fuck- three." Chan released, at last, blushing upon recognizing Felix's small smile at the warmth. Carefully, he pulled out, watching his liquid run down after him, smirking at the way Felix's hole twitched to let it all out. As if begging for more.

Chan wanted more.

Moving a bit to lay Felix down back first, as careful and caring as possible, he reached over to the nightstand, taking the bottle of water that he had placed there to energize the younger after their session.

"Here," Chan mumbled, too soft and adorable to keep a grin from Felix's dusted cheeks. "Have some water, yeah? You did good- always amazing. You gave me the best birthday after years of not having anyone to celebrate with."

"You deserve nothing less, Channie," Felix sat up some, closing his eyes as the liquid washed down his sore throat. So he missed the sensual view of Chan eyeing his nude frame up and down, bottom lip held up by his teeth, and veiny hand hesitantly but surely lifting to stroke the younger's thigh. "But what are you doing?" He faked a chuckled when Chan's palm could be felt on his lap, closing the bottle. "I'm tired, Channie."

"Baby... please?" Chan pouted, puppy-like, taking the bottle from Felix's hands to place on the side when he was done drinking. "Please? One more, I promise. Please? I'd tuck you in right after," he reached to hover above the slimmer blond, looking him in the eyes. But Chan frowned when Felix didn't even smile, pushing against his chest. "Please, baby-"

"Chan, I have an exam tomorrow. You should even be happy I took the time tonight for us to do it," Felix scoffed, most probably intended as a joke, "Self-control, Channie. Remember your self-control," he chanted, getting up from the bed to head for their bathroom, Chan following behind, upset.

"Are you fucking with me right now, Lix?"

"Huh?"

"No, because what the fuck do you mean by self-control?" Chan gestured with his hands before folding them before his chest, leaning against the doorframe while Felix stood near the sink, the both of them still naked. "Why do you do this?"

Cocking his head sideways, Felix folded his arms too, offended. "I don't understand," his brows raised, lips pursed, "what exactly is the problem?"

"The problem is that this isn't the first time, Felix. You saying self-control like this gives the impression that you- that you think that I'd fall back into- into how I was again, and that hurts Felix," Chan sighed, raking a hand through his hair, wet at some parts. "This is why I find it so hard to initiate things. I don't want you to think like that, but it's clear that you do."

"This is what you get from me saying no, Chan?" Felix scoffed, again, more serious that time. "It's not about me thinking anything like that. I just said self-control because it's the first thing that came to mind. Not because I had anything at the back of my head about you. You see- this is what I was talking about some time back. You need to be more considerate, Chan. I have a whole exam tomorrow, and going another round would tire me out too much. What's not to understand?!"

"It's not that I don't understand, baby," Chan sighed, walking up to Felix to hold on to his waist, keeping a decent distance to avoid the rubbing of their penises. "I understand, I really do. And I'm sorry if I came off as too pushy. I didn't think that it'd be a problem. I just- sometimes when you talk the way that you do... Even saying that I should be happy that you made time tonight... It makes me feel bad, babe. And when you mention self-control like that... It makes me feel as though I'm doing something wrong..."

"I understand, Chan... and I'm so-"

"Felix..."

"Mmh?"

"Do you trust me?"

"What do you mean?" Felix gulped, awfully taken aback by Chan's question, "I- I trust you, yes... We are lovers..."

"Just making sure," Chan kissed his nose, sighing before letting him go, "I just need the reassurance in times like these... the way you tensed up when I hugged you just now? As if scared I was gonna hurt you in some way? I noticed, Felix..."

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Felix looked down, unsure of how to defend himself. "I just- I can't help it sometimes," he whispered, thankfully too low for the elder to hear. "I trust you," he corrected, loud enough, "It's just- because we're naked, you know? It's natural," he lied, quite naturally, "I'd go shower now, Chan. You can clean up the bed..."

-

8:30am

For a while, words seemed too heavy for their tongues that morning. Chan watched from the bed, covered to his waist with the blanket, a sleepy Berry laying next to him, one hand rested gently behind her fluffy ears.

Chan sighed, sliced eyebrows furrowed, the silver bracelet still on his wrist, dazzling some as the sun rayed from the blinds and onto its shiny, stainless coat.

"You just gonna keep staring?" Felix laughed, strained, sighing when his partner did the same. "I made you some breakfast. And I'd see you later, yeah?" He strapped his backpack over his shoulders, looking into the mirror.

"Why- why are you not studying at home?" Chan swallowed, throat painfully dry, "I'm not trying to keep you back... just wondering? I work at the store today, you know..."

"I know," Felix skipped over to kiss him, and then Berry, smelling sweet, "but you don't work until 10 o'clock, and I need to study a bit before I start. The library is quieter. More chill you know?"

"Ouch..."

"Channie, you know I don't mean it like that..."

"I hardly know what you mean anymore, Lix," Chan mumbled, sounding like too much of a muffled speech for Felix to decipher. "Good luck," he said louder, snuggling up to Berry, "I'll bring you lunch if I have the time, yeah?"

"Okay, thank you. Bye-bye Channie~"

"Bye..."

-

⇒ Hero's Soup [Café]
7:45pm

Chan didn't mean to meet and see Felix like that. Didn't have any original intention to be staring at his boyfriend from the distance of his parked car on the street, mouth agape, letting out hearty laughters, most likely.

Was that why Felix hadn't returned home since morning? Confirmed his absence with the lack of a note or the mildest shift in furniture when Chan himself had gotten back, craving the embrace of his loved one?

Well, at least he had Berry, but at the same time...

Chan's fingers tightened around the steering wheel, his heart growing heavier and heavier the more he observed the male whom Felix was conversing with.

It was a blond, familiar with his black sweater, considering the cold weather. His hair was long, released from the confinement of his usual ponytail. Hwang Hyunjin.

Chan troubled the inside of his cheek with his tongue, debating whether he should go inside; act amused when he'd come in contact with Felix. It seemed to be the most executable and reasonable solution to the possibilities that his fragile mindset was threatening to insinuate.

Because Chan knew that Felix would never do such a thing; never dream of the things that his insecurities tried to nominate.

Turning off the engine, he fixed his beanie on his head, ensuring that his jacket was pinned on properly. And then Chan stepped out of the transport, shivering some when his face came in contact with the night's chilled breeze.

Trodding carefully under the streetlight, and rubbing his hands together as soon as he arrived at the cafe's entrance, Chan breathed in. He licked his chapped lips, looking around, legs threatening to turn back until Felix's eyes locked with his.

The younger looked frightened, for some reason. Worried, concerned. Disappointed? He stood up, surprising Chan with sure steps in his direction.

"Chan," Felix called, taking his hand to guide him outside, aiming to avoid too much public attention. "What are you doing here? Are you tracking me or something?"

"N-no," Chan breathed in, no longer phased by the cold. The evening's temperature couldn't contest with the look of negative zero resting on his boyfriend's face, odd. "I got home a few hours ago, but you weren't there. And as more and more time passed, I got worried..."

"But I texted..."

"Yes, baby. You just said that you'd be home soon. But it's been soon already," he chuckled, Felix smiled, "So I drove around, went to the library but you weren't there. So I got really, really worried, and decided to drive around some more. And then I saw you in here... I called, but I assumed your phone died? It didn't go through."

"Oh, yeah," Felix looked behind him, sighing when he noticed Hyunjin's eyes on them through the glass, face blank, "I just decided to go out for a bit after. So I'm just hanging out with Hyune. I'll be home soon, okay?"

"O- okay... you- you want me to go?"

"Yeah...? Don't you work tonight too?"

"I mean... yes, but how are you gonna get home?" Chan scratched his nape, growing uncomfortable with Hyunjin's attention on their inaudible conversation. "I could wait in the car if you want..."

"No, Channie. Hyunjin can drop me home, silly," Felix punched Chan's arm playfully, "Be careful at work. And don't worry, the exam went well. My other one isn't in a few weeks. And then I'd be able to start training while I further my studies!"

"Okay, well... I'm proud of you, baby," Chan smiled, bright, lifting a hand to pinch Felix's freckled cheek, kissing him. "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah? Call me if anything. I wouldn't hesitate to come to get you..."

-

⇒ Blueprint Apartments
10:00am

"Chan... what?" Felix yawned, Berry stretching her short legs behind him, yawning too. His eyes could hardly find the means to open fully yet, with sleep crust lodged at the corners. "What's all this?"

"Just a buffet breakfast for my favorite person," Chan shrugged, bringing two jugs to the table; one with orange juice, and another with some warm chocolate. And then he walked up to Felix, kissing him, ignoring the morning breath. "I wanted to take you out yesterday night, but you were busy. So this should do, yeah?"

"Did you not sleep at all last night? It's so early... And this is so much..."

"I got home at about 3 o'clock, so no. I just got to work," Chan looked at him, "I wanted to talk... about some stuff. I... wanted to make it up to you," he kissed Felix's hands before pulling out a chair at the table for either of them to sit, Berry already busy with her full bowl. "Even though you don't eat yet, just sit so we can talk? I just want to talk... please?"

"Alright," Felix agreed, sort of confused, taking the seat that Chan had prepped for him. "What's up?" He reached for a slice of toast, a butter knife, and the grape jam that was placed there, finding the food too appealing to leave everything untouched like that, "I hope everything is okay?"

"Yeah... I just- I wanted to apologize again for our argument the other night..,"

"Channie," Felix's shoulders slumped, mouth full. "I-"

"No, listen, my love. I just- I never want you to think that I'm falling back into my old ways..." Chan sighed, lost for appetite, "I just wished to make love to you, is all. It wasn't my intention to make you feel pressured or uncomfortable. I- I love you a lot... And I just don't want you to ever feel like I'd take advantage of you, Felix."

"Chan," Felix sighed, placing what was left of his bread down. "I understand... but I'm the one who should say sorry, okay? You didn't do anything wrong. And I appreciate it- all of this. I love and appreciate you. I'd never think that you would relapse," Felix aimed to convince himself, "Never think that you'd be capable of hurting me in such a way."

Felix failed to convince himself.

"Thank you," Chan smiled, small and warm, taking his lover's hand for a squeeze over the table. "Now let's eat, yeah? More celebration for  your exams... how you're growing so much with your career and all. I look up to you, you know."

"Chan, stop it," Felix blushed profusely, continuing with his meal, watching as Chan plated some components, "but thank you. You're gonna make it so big one day, I know it. Especially if you take my advice and start singing..."

"Nah," Chan chuckled, chewing, "but thank you. Maybe I'd just write you a song on the side."

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Questions [optional]
1. Do you agree that Felix's words were too careless when he was turning down Chan's request for another round?

2. Do you think that Chan is in the wrong anywhere? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think Hyunjin was staring at Chanlix so intently when they were talking?

4. Who do you think gives the most red flags in the relationship?