The next morning, Felix woke to the scent of coffee and the sound of Chris humming a tune in the kitchen. He smiled, a lingering warmth from the previous night still buzzing through him. It felt surreal, like a dream he was afraid to wake up from.

Chris emerged from the kitchen, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand. "Morning, sleepyhead," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Sleep well?"

Felix, still a little groggy, nodded. "Yes, thank you. You?"

"Like a log," Chris admitted, his gaze lingering on Felix. "I think I may have scared you off last night."

Felix blushed. "No, of course not. It was... amazing."

Chris grinned. "Good. Because I'd like to see you again."

Felix's heart leaped. "Really?"

"Absolutely. Dinner? Tomorrow night? I know a fantastic little Italian place."

Felix hesitated. He was still reeling from the intensity of the previous night, unsure if he was ready for another encounter so soon.

"I, uh..." he stammered, "I don't know..."

Chris's smile faltered. "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's not that," Felix quickly assured him. "It's just... I'm not really good at... dating."

Chris's expression softened. "Don't worry about it. We can take things slow. Just... let me take you out. Please?"

Felix, unable to resist the pleading look in Chris's eyes, finally relented. "Okay," he agreed, "dinner tomorrow. But..."

"But?" Chris raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes.

"But no pressure," Felix added, feeling a little embarrassed.

Chris chuckled. "No pressure at all. Just... dinner. And maybe a little more."

Felix, despite his initial hesitation, found himself looking forward to the dinner. He spent the entire day thinking about Chris, replaying their encounter in his mind, analyzing every word, every touch.

He even found himself sketching Chris, capturing the intensity of his gaze, the curve of his lips.

~•~

The dinner was amazing. Chris was charming, witty, and attentive. He listened intently to Felix's stories, his eyes sparkling with interest. He made Felix laugh until his sides ached, and he surprised him with a small, intricately carved wooden bird as a gift.

As the evening progressed, the conversation turned more intimate. Chris, with a gentle probing, began to peel back the layers of Felix's guarded personality. He asked about Felix's family, his childhood, his dreams. He seemed genuinely interested, and Felix, captivated by his attention, found himself opening up more than he ever had before.

But as the night deepened, a subtle shift began to occur. Chris, while still charming, became more intense, more possessive. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against Felix's cheek.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice husky. "More beautiful than anything I've ever seen."

Felix, flattered, blushed. "Thank you," he murmured.

"Don't thank me," Chris said, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Thank yourself. For being you."

He reached out and gently traced the line of Felix's jaw. "You're perfect," he murmured, his gaze burning into Felix.

Felix felt a shiver run down his spine. Perfect? He wasn't perfect. He was just Felix, a shy, introverted artist with a few insecurities and a lot of doubts.

"I don't know if I'm perfect," he mumbled, feeling a sudden wave of unease wash over him.

Chris's expression turned serious. "Don't doubt yourself," he said, his voice firm. "You're amazing. You're talented. You're everything I've ever wanted."

Felix, overwhelmed by the intensity of Chris's gaze, found himself unable to argue. He felt a strange sense of powerlessness, as if his own opinions were suddenly irrelevant.

"I... I don't know what to say," he stammered.

Chris leaned in closer, his lips brushing against Felix's ear. "Just say yes," he whispered. "Say yes to me."

Felix, feeling a strange mixture of fear and exhilaration, found himself nodding in agreement. He didn't know why he did it. Perhaps it was the intensity of Chris's gaze, the intoxicating feeling of being desired, or simply the overwhelming fear of disappointing him.

~•~

As he drifted off to sleep that night, nestled in the warmth of Chris's embrace, Felix couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right. He had agreed to a relationship, but it felt more like a surrender, a capitulation to Chris's overwhelming presence.

He tried to dismiss the feeling as just nerves, as the natural anxiety of a new relationship. But deep down, a nagging voice whispered a warning, a premonition of the trouble that lay ahead.
_____________________________________

Aaaand cut
Poor Felix was forced into this relationship:(

-Mrin