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⇛ Hero's Soup
1:45pm

"So..."

"So? How have you been, Seungmin? I haven't seen you in a while," Felix furrowed his brows as he sipped on his caramel latte, his tastebuds savoring every bit of the new, quite enjoyable flavor. "I've been prolonging a really important decision for almost two days because I wanted to talk to you about it first."

"Okay, shoot me," Seungmin effortlessly faked a smile, fiddling with his fingers on the table while Felix only thoroughly observed his gestures, still pondering on the younger's insisted decline to having a drink. "And I don't mean to rush but, I have to get back to work soon."

Felix only scoffed and rolled his eyes at the distasteful remark of his best friend, sipping his latte again before speaking. "Well um... it's about Chan..."

"What about him?"

"He-" the boy looked down in frail attempt to hide the slight blush creeping along his cheeks, heart quickening its beats against his chest. "He asked me to be his boyfriend..."

Almost choking on his own spit, Seungmin's eyes widened, lips automatically curving into a grilling frown. "He asked you out? Like seriously? What did you say?"

"I told him that I just needed time to think it over," the older shrugged nonchalantly before looking up at his friend again, arching a brow at the confused expression mixed with disapproval plastered on the male's face. "Are you okay? I think I'm going to say yes, but I just wanted to talk to you about it first... You know, since we're used to telling each other everything."

"Oh well I mean, if you want to, go for it," Seungmin sighed and stretched, heart restlessly aching to display more affection and interest to their one-sided conversation, but the consistent rings of his boyfriend's so-called pleas for success in their relationship only acted as a temporary, practically ineffective painkiller to the soreness. "Was that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Seungmin? Are you really okay?" Felix stopped sipping on his latte, running his tongue over the caramel and whipped cream above his lips before speaking again. "That's all you have to say after finding out that the Bang Chan that I've been talking about for the past three months asked me to be his boyfriend? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No, Lix. I'm just saying that if it'll make you happy, tell him yes," Seungmin shrugged and faked a yawn before leaning against the table once more. "Besides, we both know you've been needing a man in your life for some time."

"Excuse me? What the fuck do you mean by that?" The older's voice grew deeper, jaw clenching and toes wiggling anxiously in his dress shoes to ease the sudden rage and anxiety. "Where is all of this coming from, Seungmin? I would honestly expect this attitude from Hyuinjin, but not you. Did I do something to you?"

Running a palm over his face, Seungmin sighed before speaking, blind heart sending up a message of confirmation to his mind to ensure that all of the words that were previously pounded into his head would flow out in their instructed order. "Just say what Jinnie told us to say," his weak heart whispered before going back to its task of fueling the captive mind's very decisions.

"Felix, there's something that I've been wanting to talk to you about for some time..."

"And what might that be, Seungmin?"

The younger sighed again, lifting his gaze from his twitchy fingers to meet the freckled boy's. "You know that Hyunjin and I are in a relationship, right? And you know that it's been years, since we've been friends with you, even as a couple..."

"Relationship my ass," Felix muttered too low for the younger to decipher, quickly humming a "mhm" for the latter to continue with his spontaneous speech.

"Well overtime, we have recognized that you've become a bit, how should I put this, inconsiderate, of our relationship. Like you always want us around and you always want us to help you with stuff in your love life-"

"Okay hold it right fucking there," Felix cocked his head to the side, a small smile of disbelief emphasizing the slight squint in his eyes. "I invited neither of you into my love life. Yes, I needed moral support when my boyfriend of seven months broke up with me. And yes I expressed my feelings for Chan to you two, but it was you guys' idea to get involved. It was yours and Hyunjin's idea to find Chan's home and take pictures of people leaving his apartment. And it was your fucking idea to go and confront him a few nights back. So don't come here acting as if I'm so pathetic that I cannot deal with my love life. I am a grown man, Seungmin, and if you don't want to be my shoulder to cry on when I'm heartbroken then just fucking say it," Felix spoke rather softly, but the extra base in his tone mixed with the irritated glare directed to the body opposite his was enough to raise goosebumps all over the younger's skin.

"Felix don't act up like this. It's because of your tantrums that my relationship has been so unstable lately. My boyfriend has been missing our alone time together, because everything has been about you," Seungmin began to tear up, the manipulative speeches of his partner completely blocking all realistic flow of his words no matter how much they appealed to be reordered. "You just need to be more considerate. That is why Hyunjin and I want you to be with Chan all of a sudden. We're not in a polyamorous relationship, Felix. You are just our friend, and you need to respect that."

Felix couldn't hold back a sarcastic giggle at his friend's rants and disheveled visual state, the tear dripping down the younger's cheek letting out a hint of genuineness in his laughter. "It all makes sense now," he face palmed, slowly and childishly dragging down his fingers from his face. "Of course Hyunjin is the one behind all of this. Seungmin as much as it may be hard to believe, Hyunjin is trying to manipulate you."

"What the fuck do you mean by that? Don't say such a thing-"

"Oh Seungmin, Seungmin. Hyunjin is trying to break us apart because he likes me. Hyunjin kissed me, Seungmin. And I wanted to tell you sooner, but he kept you so occupied that we never got the chance to talk," Felix slumped his shoulders, shaking his head as he observed how even more confusion and disbelief made its way into the younger's expression.

"But we always kiss you, Lix. Why are you trying to make my boyfriend look like a bad person? Kissing each other is nothing new between us-"

"On the lips, Min. Hyunjin kissed me on the lips," Felix sighed and looked away, the previous appetite for his latte almost completely vanishing. "He kissed me and asked me not to tell you. And since then, we haven't gotten a chance to speak until now."

"..."

"That night when you came to see me? And then you went to confront Chan? Hyunjin came to cuddle me, and my head was so full so I thought nothing of it- i thought it was genuine, but then he just, kissed me. I wanted to kick him out, but I knew he didn't have his car so I only locked him out of my room..."

"..."

"Min, say something," Felix pouted, reaching a hand out to stroke the younger's on the table, heart breaking when a heavy tear slid down either side of the male's cheek; his eyes unblinking and lips going dry. "I don't even know what to say to help you with this. Just- that has to be why he's trying to draw us apart."

"Hyune," Seungmin coughed, sniffling as more water made its way down his puffed out cheeks. "Hyune..." he repeated again, this time with more shakiness in his voice, volume low and almost faded. "Are you sure that it's my Hyunjin, Lix? My- my boyfriend kissed you?"

"Yes, Min. I know you love him, but he doesn't deserve you," Felix took the younger's hand into his, stroking his thumb over the boy's knuckles. "I'm not telling you to just leave him, but talk to him. Manipulation is a serious thing, don't fall victim to it."

-

⇛ Peaceful Seoul Apartments
7:00pm

"Baby, why are you sulking?" Hyunjin furrowed his brows, scooting closer to the younger on the sofa and slipping an arm around his waist. "You haven't even kissed me since we got home. Is there something on your mind?"

"No," Seungmin lied, shifting to easily nudge the older's arm off of his body. "I'm fine, just tired. I think I'll go to bed."

"Bed this early? Baby wait, is this because of Felix? Did you tell him what I told you to tell him?" Hyunjin tilted his head, mind almost completely confident that his manipulative instructions to his boyfriend were enough cut of their friendship with Felix for good- hoping that the new level of closeness and openness in their relationship would be all that was needed to rid all built up, unrequited feelings for the mutual. "Did he say something to you? What did Felix say to have my Minnie so sad tonight?"

"Hyunjin leave me alone," Seungmin growled as he crawled underneath the blanket, pulling the cloth up over his head. "I said I'm tired. I'm not in the mood to talk."

"Well, Seungmin, whether you're in the mood or not, you're gonna uncover yourself and speak to me right now," the older spoke with a quite demanding, slightly intimidating tone. "What is it that you're not telling me?"

"Hyune?" Seungmin turned and peeked his head out of the blanket, his red, teary eyes worrying the older. "Do you still love me?"

"Of course I do, baby," Hyunjin curved his lips into a pout, leaning closer to peck the other's nose, but arching his brows when the younger instantly flinched and shifted from his gesture. "Seungmin you're scaring me. What's wrong?"

"Hyune..." the boy gulped and nipped at his bottom lip skeptically, thoroughly thinking over one of the questions that had the authority to predict the way forward in his relationship- or if he would still be in a relationship after that night. "Have you ever- have you ever cheated on me?"

It was as if the blonde's heart had stopped beating for a moment- as if his nerves had forgotten how to function and send impulses for his eyelids to close and reopen just as routine- as if a cold brush of air was launched in his direction to claim the responsibility of leaving his usually plump, pink lips dry, cracked, and slightly white.

That same part of his mind that was accountable for the very decision to kiss his best friend shivered in their hidden state, and the doors that kept them locked away stood firmly as the banging from his heart strengthened with each impact. "Do something! Say something! Fix this, because I want to love him," the poor, weak organ demanded and cried to no avail, the steel door seemingly becoming more stable with each strike directed to its center.

Despite the almost painful dryness in his throat, Hyunjin finally spoke up, resting an obviously shaky, sweaty palm against the younger's cheek, stroking the skin softly- tenderly- lovingly. "Baby where is this coming from? Why would you ask-"

"Answer the question, Hyunjin," Seungmin spoke lowly, calmly resting a hand over the other's on his cheek, sighing before lifting it to rest on the pillow instead. "It's a yes or no question, so I'll ask again... have you ever cheated on me?"

-

⇛ Blueprint Apartments
8:30pm

"Feli-"

"Let's go up to the roof," Felix didn't wait for a response from the older before confidently taking a hold of his hand, ensuring that the door was closed before marching into the direction that he had remembered so clearly from their hang out the previous Sunday. "I have my answer to your question, but I want to give it on the roof."

"Okay?" Chan furrowed his brows and shivered slightly as the cold air in the elevator tickled the muscles that his tank top barely attempted to cover. "But um... everything is okay, right?"

"Everything is perfect, Channie," Felix smiled before taking the male's hand into his again, guiding him out of the elevator and to the short flight of stairs to get to the roof. "I know it's dark, but I'm not complaining. I wanted to see how it looks in the night time since Sunday anyways."

"Okay..." the older forced his lips into a small smile, low shivers escaping them every few seconds as his body fought to quickly adjust its temperature in the chilly air at such height at that hour. "Well, we're here so-"

Deciding to take advantage of the stabilized level of confidence coursing his veins, Felix pulled the boy closer to the edge of the building; only the low barrier separating them from the busy, merciless streets down below. Not thinking twice, he took a hold of Chan's other hand, failing in attempt to keep back a blush as that new position had them standing face to face; the older's shivering body still able to smile and boast those glistening dimples when his eyes met the hopeful, glossy ones of the shorter.

"Channie," Felix started, taking in a deep breath and glancing down at both their feet. "I like you, very much, more than you could imagine, honestly. And I believe that you like me too, genuinely. I have just been skeptical because of your lack of relationship experience, you know? And I know that you may still be easily tempted, so I just hope that you're strong enough to resist. You see, in a relationship, you have to remember your partner, you know? You have to stay strong for them, no matter how many arguments or misunderstandings. You have to be honest at all times, and respect them just as they should respect you," he paused for a few seconds, chewing harshly on the inside of his cheek and looking down in attempt to rid some tears.

"No matter how hard the temptations may come, Channie, you have to remember that you no longer care for your heart only. You have to remember that someone else has committed their everything to you, Channie. A relationship isn't like you're in today and out the next. It's not a cycle of in and outs. It's commitment, patience, tolerance, courage, and trust. Yes, jealousy may come up if someone even watches your partner too hard or vice versa, and of course, forgiveness will always be necessary. But most importantly, Channie, communication. Communication is key, for a successful relationship. A couple needs to speak about their problems and work them out together. There should be no need for cheating just to ease stresses from within the relationship, no. The couple needs to communicate with each other; trust each other; love each other."

"I understand, Lix," Chan spoke lowly, the rate at which his mind absorbed that impromptu crash course surprising his own self, and most definitely satisfying his strengthened heart. There was one problem though; even if everything was consumed and understood, everything wasn't necessarily easy to agree with- especially that part about communication.

If Chan had to communicate, he'd have to express all the pains of his worsening withdrawal symptoms right then and there, and most likely ruin all chances of a relationship with the younger. If Chan had to communicate, he'd have to admit to Felix that he genuinely thought that he needed a new therapist, and most likely resurrect all of his sinful past in the older's mind- another outcome that would undoubtedly squash all chances with the latter.

So just that teeny tiny aspect- just that so-called most important factor, was what the older had internally planned to skip past- to just ignore until he had figured out how to deal with those interior problems on his own. "I understand and I'm willing to learn, practically."

"Well on that note," Felix looked up, a small smile stretching underneath those freckles of his that glistened so cosmically under the light from the moon and nearby buildings. "I do want to be your boyfriend, Channie. I'm willing to stick with you- willing to be your partner for as long as fate allows us. That's if the offer is still open?"

"R-really?" Chan gulped, heart pumping at an abnormal rate against his chest, hand reflexively tightening its grip with the younger's. "You're my boyfriend? I have a boyfriend? I have a boyfriend! You're my boyfriend, Felix. We're in a relationship- I'm, in a relationship," he giggled almost maniacally in between his jumbled sentences, a straight, questioning expression following after each temporary laughing fit. "Felix is this real? You're my boyfriend, boyfriend? Like, we're a couple?" He started to tear up, unable to hold back the hiccuping introduction to his sobs when the younger leaned forward and wrapped his small arms around the older's torso. "Thank you, Lix. Thank you thank you thank you, for this chance. I promise to never force sex upon you, ever. And I promise to continue working on myself for you no matter how hard things get."

"And I promise to always be there for you and never judge you, boyfriend," Felix giggled, the word "boyfriend" automatically becoming a tongue twister to both their ears due to the constant repetition. "I like you a lot, Bang Chan. Like a lot a lot."

"I like you even more, Lix," Chan whispered against the shorter's cold lips before taking them into his, hesitantly drawing his hands to his waist while Felix's found their way around his neck as he kissed back lovingly, the older giggling against his lips when yet another chilled breeze blew passed them.

It was different, that kiss, and neither of them could tell whether the reason was because of the unfamiliar, chilly environment so high up from natural ground, or if it was just because it was their first kiss as a couple; a couple in which each's past and present foibles greatly contradicted their very decision to be together...

A couple consisting of a virgin and a sex addict; how ironic.