Archive of Our Own

The Great Flood of 2018. 

The Great Flood was really just a flood located in the downstairs bedrooms of the western corner of the Wild Maniac Ranch. Specifically the rooms of this summer's youngest ranchhand, Chan and the lead ranchhand, Kyle. They had to evacuate with their things while the great flood subsided and the ruins fixed up. 

It was treated as such a dramatic event that writing it as anything less than a natural disaster would be a disservice to the memory of that tragic day.

The morning of the great flood, Felix had left for his Friday classes as usual, his uncle dropping him off before heading back to the ranch. He knew nothing of the catastrophic event until much later, the clue that something was wrong started when he received a text from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hi, this is Chan.

Unknown: Your aunt’s employee!

Unknown: Something came up and your aunt can’t pick you up later so I’m picking you up. What time is your last class?

Unknown: btw I’ll be in my blue pick up 

Felix, not fully understanding what could possibly be happening, typed a simple response.

Felix: hi this is Felix

Immediately panicked, he wished that he could safely slam his head into his desk, but he simply calmly and quickly followed with another text.

Felix: my last class ends at 3:15, I’ll be by the library

Aunt’s Employee: Got it 

I’ll see you at the library at 3:15

After his last class, Felix made his way to the library with the only friend he had managed to make so far, Hyunjin, falling into step alongside him. They immediately continued today’s passionate topic of choice: EXO’s Love Shot.  

They were deep into the intricacies of how insane each of Kai’s movements were, when Felix noticed out of the corner of his eye, a light blue pickup truck pulling into a parking spot near them. 

“G’day Felix!”

When Felix turned around he saw Chan waving, leaning out the truck’s window. His black hair was a mess, falling into his face. His face was alight with a toothy grin and, of course, that meant his dimple was there and very apparent. His eyes were also scrunched from his wide smile, which just made him appear more endearing.

Felix hated it. He hated every bit of what was happening. No one should look this effortlessly good. And it just got worse, the more Felix stared. Chan’s plaid shirt had been left practically half unbuttoned (in Felix’s opinion, far too many buttons forgotten) and it was unfortunately giving Felix a nice view of his chest. It very much gave the impression that Chan had been in a rush when he’d jumped in the truck. And Felix once again hated that Chan could look that hot and so casual at the same time. Felix forced himself to blink and turn back to Hyunjin.

“Looks like my ride is here…”

Hyunjin leaned in, whisper-shouting into Felix’s face, his eyes not leaving Chan in that pick up truck. 

“Oh my god, he’d be the perfect full cowboy package if he just had the hat… Who even walks around like that? Are you seeing this?”

Felix rolled his eyes and huffed. 

“Don’t worry, he has one back at the ranch!” 

“My god, what a life you live... So lucky and you don't even appreciate it. I would be ALL over that!”

“Shut up! I’ll see you tomorrow.”  Felix hissed at Hyunjin and begrudgingly made his way to the truck. 

But it was quickly dawning on Felix that this would be the first time he and Chan had spent time together without at least a horse around. Felix practically prayed that this wasn’t going to be the most awkward 30 minute drive with a handsome guy.

You see, back when Felix arrived at the ranch, boundaries and expectations were laid out for him by his Aunt Jane, the owner of the ranch. 

When Aunt Jane began her list of guidelines, the one she drilled into Felix the most was that he could not get involved with any of the staff. 

“I have high expectations of their work performance and of your conduct. I trust you all will control your bodies enough to not get emotionally involved. It only brings drama and upheaval in what I insist remains an efficient work place.”

Felix could understand wanting to avoid relationships and the mess it could cause in workplaces and Felix had no plans to push his luck anyways.

She softened slightly, “I’m sure I’m not asking too much, most of our staff are much older and mainly men.” 

Felix wasn’t about to clear up his aunt’s assumption of who he'd consider messing around with... But he also knew it likely wasn’t going to make a difference. If he was going to make a good impression on his aunt and uncle and be able to continue his schooling here, he’d make sure it didn’t become an issue.

So as Felix climbed into the truck he worked very hard to not pay too close attention to the very attractive man next to him. A man he’d been avoiding ever since Felix had arrived at Wild Maniac Ranch.

“How were your classes?”

Felix allowed himself to look over and respond (a very normal thing to do when conversing with someone). Chan was leaning with his elbow on the window sill, his hand threaded through his messy hair.

“Fine, Calc is awful, but I expected that.” Felix paused. "Um, why are you picking me up?"

"Oh, you haven't heard?" Far too excitedly, Chan whipped around to face Felix. 

Felix fought to cover a laugh at the deranged expression on this guy's face. 

"Heard what? My god, please watch the road!”

"Oh, a pipe burst and there was flooding at the house. My room, Kyle's and I think Changbin's too!" He refocused on the road, his arm hung out the open window. "It's a mess, so your aunt and uncle have been dealing with that and the plumber all afternoon."

"My god! Is your stuff ok?"

"Probably not, I've been too busy to check it out."

"What? You should be dealing with your room! Why did they send you?"

Chan looked sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Oh, I volunteered to pick you up." Now Chan's focus didn't leave the road.

"Why would you-?" Felix was now fully twisted in his seat, why was Chan being so confusing. 

Chan laughed, "They don't let me leave the ranch, I wanted to see the big city!"

"Aren't you from Sydney?"

"Yeah, I like to pretend I'm from around here and have never seen buildings higher than three stories. Hush, don't ruin my country-boy facade!" Chan pouted and Felix quickly looked out his window to hide his smile. Felix jumped when Chan clapped him on the arm. "You grew up in Sydney too, right?"

"Yeah." Felix really didn’t want to talk about Sydney or home. He had somehow managed to almost completely avoid thinking about Sydney. He had kept busy, and it had helped that his aunt and uncle never asked about home. It just never came up and he was ok with that. He knew if he talked about anything at home, he’d start to let it simmer and he wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about it. So ‘yeah’ was all Chan was getting. 

But he had a feeling Chan wouldn’t fully catch on.

Sure enough, Chan continued to talk, "How long are you staying up here?" 

"It depends how this semester goes... could we just listen to music, actually?"

"Oh, sure," Chan muttered, almost apologetic. He reached over and turned up the radio, spending the rest of the drive nodding along to every song that played. 

Felix did his best to just look out the window and not at the man who was glowing from a sun halo.

Felix leapt from the car the moment it had pulled into the front drive.

He spent the rest of the day mopping up the continuously wet floor, trying his best to stay out of the way of everyone, including the panicked plumber that seemed to be experimenting with every pipe in the building. The noise of the house was worse than normal with constant shouts and people moving through.

He’d only barely gotten a glimpse of Chan in his room. The room was simple, minimal decoration, so Felix hoped he’d been able to save important things.

Felix scarfed down dinner alone, and escaped to his room to collapse and relish in some solitude and quiet.

A knock at his door roused Felix from where he lay, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. 

Felix opened the door to see a very different Chan in front of him. Chan stood rigid, holding a pile of blankets and a pillow in his arms, and with a backpack slung over his bare shoulders. Because for some unfathomable reason Chan was wearing a tank top and sweats, a backwards baseball cap fitted over his hair, pieces of his hair falling into his face, in an almost perfect way. Almost like each piece had been carefully placed. Felix couldn’t fully comprehend what he was seeing. The country boy had very much returned to his city roots. And was assaulting Felix’s mind with it.

When Felix had arrived at Maniac Ranch and had first seen Chan, his aunt’s warning words from the long drive from the airport came thundering back into his head. It was something about Chan’s easy smile, and the dimples on his face as he wrestled with one of the horses and laughed so genuinely alongside another ranch hand. Felix had known from the start that he'd be trouble. 

Now that same boy-shaped trouble stood at his door. With bedding.

"Your aunt said I would be crashing with you, at least for tonight."

“What?”

“My room is still kinda leaking and she doesn’t want us sleeping in and cluttering up the common areas.” Chan shrugged, looking far too casual as he leaned on Felix’s doorframe. “She told me I’d be in your room.”

“Oh.” Felix couldn’t really form thoughts. “Ok.”

He stepped back, and Chan took it as an invitation, which was the closest that Felix could manage. Chan stepped in, and headed to a corner of Felix’s bedroom.

“Is it ok if I crash over here? I don’t want to be in the way.” 

Felix gaped.

“You’re sleeping on the floor?”

“Your aunt doesn’t have any more air mattresses… So she gave me some extra blankets, I’ll be fine.” 

“No, you’ll use my bed!” 

“I’m already being an inconvenience!” Chan was insistent. 

“Aunt Jane will be furious that you’re uncomfortable! And she’ll think I forced you to sleep on the floor with the rats!”

Chan threw his hands up in the air. “So you want me to sleep on the bed with you…”

“No, why wou-“ Felix huffed. “It’s just one night, I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“You said there are rats.” Chan frowned at him, cocking any eyebrow.

“I may be slightly dramatizing the rat infestation,” Felix threw up his hands.

Chan threw the pile of blankets Aunt Jane had handed him onto the floor. He stared at Felix with a plea in his eyes, “Please just let me sleep on the floor tonight so I can spend all day tomorrow boasting to Mrs. Lee about the perfect gentleman I am?”

“My aunt will not see it like that. All your stuff is damaged, your room is messed up, please just use my bed.”

“Fine…” Chan gently put good stuff on the end of Felix’s bed, in a careful way that made Felix think he was trying to take up as little space as possible.

“Did you eat yet?”

“Yeah, scarfed down a dinner between the plumber’s escapades.” Chan stood awkwardly but really looking towards Felix who was himself sitting awkwardly at his desk. Attempting to do something to fight the weirdness, Felix frantically thought of something to do or say.

“Do you want to watch a movie before we go to bed?”

Chan agreed.

"Why don’t you move your blanket bed over to mine and we can use my bed as a back rest." 

Together, they laid out the blankets by Felix’s bed. They settled in, sitting an appropriate distance from each other, Felix couldn't help but notice the near inch of space between their knees. 

Felix picked a random movie. He heard some good reviews about 'The Witch', he liked historical things, and Chan seemed nerdy. They both burrowed under the comforter that he had pulled off his own bed, finding a nice peaceful, but somewhat uncomfortable silence.

Twenty minutes in, Felix was physically and mentally freaking out. The movie was much creepier than he had signed up for. Felix had fought to look over at Chan who had remained quiet and focused on the movie. It kept Felix from fully relaxing, as his mind whirred, worrying that this movie was a boring choice for Chan.

Felix jolted violently at a jump scare in the movie, letting out a small squeak. When the very stoic Chan stiffened next to him, Felix grew worried that he'd annoyed him and felt bad for overreacting

"Sorry, not a big fan of scary movies... they make me a little jumpy." 

When Chan quipped, "It's okay," Felix's eyes flicked over to Chan, only to see him sitting with his chin tucked by his knees and his hand clutching the comforter to his face. "I’m not great with them either," the words rushed out from under the blanket. 

Felix couldn't help the smile that crept across his face. His body relaxed gradually. 

A few minutes later, when they both jumped violently at something on the screen, Felix suggested that they stop there for the night. Chan agreed fast and pulled his bed of blankets away slightly. 

Felix crawled into his bed, pulling up his sheets as far as he could without suffocating, wishing more than anything that he had picked a Disney movie instead. 

Through the fortress wall of his blanket, Felix heard a muttered 'good night' which he softly responded to. Then a heavy silence settled over the room, that only made Felix grow tenser, images of the movie flashing in front of him and from the dark corners of his room that he refused to even look towards. 

A thud from the other side of the room made Felix shriek and bolt upright in his bed. Chan seemed to have jumped as well and he hurriedly whispered, “What was that?”

“I don’t know, maybe my-“ Felix was interrupted by a series of louder sequential thuds that sent a flash of fear through Felix’s body as he tensed and jolted again, as the scare drew another yelp from him. 

“Fuck!” Chan was startled and simply spawned on Felix’s bed, his arms wrapped around Felix, his head buried into Felix’s back. “What the actual fuck was that?”

“I-“ Felix forced himself to take deep breaths. “I think some of my books fell off my bookshelf.” But for how convinced he was, Felix was now drenched in sweat from the scare. He tentatively patted Chan’s arm, “You ok?”

Chan cleared his throat, “Yeah, but uhh, is it alright if I actually do crash up here with you?” Felix watched him glance around the room. “I’m a bit freaked.” 

Felix let out a half laugh and assured Chan that he could stay in the safe zone of his bed. He was actually grateful for the company even if his brain was in utter turmoil with the choice of said company. 

Another large thump made them both jump.

“Yeah, sure, please.” Felix muttered and lifted the blanket so Chan could join him in bed. He quickly pulled the blanket up, letting out a nervous laugh.

Fuck….. Felix, act normal! 

They lay side by side, blankets pulled up to their chins. Felix was wide awake though. His mind skipped through topics; questions for Chan, where every part of Chan’s body was in relation to his, and thoughts about the dark corners of the room. Finally, as he felt Chan shifting, Felix steeled himself to whisper something.

“Do you miss home?”

There was a pause before Chan responded. 

“Yes, always.” Chan's voice was soft, like he was deep in thought.

“How do I stop feeling like this?” 

“You don’t… Or at least that’s how I feel. When you've had that special place that you’ve left behind, I don’t think you ever forget it or that it will ever leave your heart. Sometimes it’ll make you sad, but other times it comes with good memories."

He stopped, shifting slightly. He continued, his words with true intention behind them. "I think the only thing you can do is remember it. But also find something about here that then makes you happy and something that will give you even the slightest feeling like you've found a new home. Then, while you always miss where you came from, there’s also a joy about finding your place here while there's still a comfort in remembering your happiness elsewhere. Basically, I use my home sickness to keep me connected. I think I’d hate it more if I forgot everything about my parents house or my school or the playgrounds I used to play in or the zoo I used to go to. So I remember the happiness and the fun memories but can focus on making new ones here too." 

Felix was grateful for Chan's words, and for the thought he had obviously put behind them. But his eyes stung. He knew there wasn't going to be an easy remedy, but the memories sucked. The homesickness burned.

"So basically, I’m fucked,” Felix managed to get out around the lump forming in his throat. He hated the frustration that had slipped into his tone, giving away far too much emotion. He also could feel the tears gathering in his eyes.

"It’s also okay to mourn the place you’ve left. Cry about it and miss it. But you also need to try and move on and find your home here.”

“Yeah,” Felix sniffed. "Thank you." He hated how small his voice sounded, but it was all he could manage without bursting into tears.

"Anytime, bro." Chan turned over facing away from Felix. “Good night, Felix “

"Good night." Felix managed.

They laid in silence with the soft noises of the house, settling around them. Felix continued to stare straight up, but he had lost sight of the ceiling and was instead deep in thought, thinking about his parents and his home. The tears welled up in his eyes. He could feel Chan's breath deepening as the other boy slowly fell asleep.

Felix started to cry. It started with the first few tears that leaked out of his closed eyes, collecting on his cheek. And then they fell, slipping from the pool that had collected by his eyes. But more came and soon Felix’s face was scrunched as his eyes burned and the tears spilled out, followed by ragged breaths, his throat thick with sobs. He tried to control his breaths, but they were shaky.

Felix tried to stay still, doing his best to not wake Chan. 

It seemed that Chan stayed asleep, his heavy breathing uninterrupted. But he shifted in his sleep, turning towards Felix. 

Shifting his body once again, Chan’s shoulder dropped heavily against Felix’s own. Chan was now laying on his stomach, his shoulder pressing into Felix. The pressure drew Felix from the cycle he was beginning to fall into. 

Felix thought about pushing him off, but truly they were barely touching, and Felix couldn’t lie that he didn’t find some comfort in the warmth and touch he felt.

Taking long shaky breaths, Felix felt the amassing ocean of tears begin to abate. As his breathing became steadier, he let his head drop to the side, glancing at Chan beside him. 

The boy looked peaceful, his face squished against the pillow made him appear younger. 

Felix’s blinks grew longer as his eyelids, weighed down with drying tears, grew heavier. Felix struggled to keep them open, but he was happy to have a warm body next to him. And even though it was someone unfamiliar, he felt less alone each time the boy took a deep breath and his shoulder moved against Felix’s shoulder. A subtle, calming reminder of Chan’s presence. A weight that connected him to a safe space.

They were only a few days away from a full moon, and the silvery light filtered through Felix’s window over Chan’s face as Felix laid there. He had been roused by something, likely a noise from outside, and woke facing Chan, moonlight and all. He’d blinked further awake and found Chan’s hand had snuck across his chest. 

It was probably 3 AM but suddenly Felix was wide awake. 

Moonlight cast a dream-like blanket over him, he felt as if he existed in that place between the dream and real worlds, where nothing truly felt solid. Everything seemed like it was happening at a distance. He stared at Chan’s handsome face. His expression was calm, his lips so inviting. Then in order to try and return to a dream world, Felix closed his eyes and began to inch his face towards the thought and memory of Chan’s sleeping face. His eyes stayed closed, not fully thinking through what he wanted until suddenly their lips pressed together. His body reacted instantly to the lightning feeling of his lips on Chan’s. He wanted more, but he chose to stay like that, feeling Chan’s warm lips and breath against his own. How could one feeling seem like it would be seared into his memory and like the moment was so vast it would become his whole existence.  

Chan made a sound, his lips parted against Felix as he stirred, before jolting back. 

Felix did the only thing he could, and stayed still, feigning sleep. He forced out slow steady breaths, doing his best to seem asleep. 

“What the- Felix?” Chan’s whisper cut through the silence, but Felix focused on not allowing his breathing to change. Chan wasn’t giving up though, “Felix, are you awake?” He paused before speaking again, this time Felix could hear a smile in his voice. A teasing tone asked, “Are you pretending to sleep?” 

Felix was too embarrassed to cave and admit anything. He kept focusing on steady breathing.

“You better not be pretending…” Chan’s voice was nothing but a whisper. 

Felix kept breathing, shifting his body like he was adjusting in his sleep. His face was still turned towards Chan and it took every fiber of strength to not open his eyes. To try and begin deciphering what was happening on Chan’s face.

Something tickled his face, and as he fought to breathe normally Felix realized it was Chan’s breath. It was warm, curling across his face in small short puffs. And then he felt those warm lips again. Softly pressed into his cheek. 

Felix laid quietly, probably more frozen in place than trying to stay still, he felt as if he wasn’t fully processing the fact that Chan’s lips had touched him again.

“Poor thing,” Chan said as he stroked Felix‘s cheek with his thumb. “Pain should never touch you.” And again, Felix felt those beautiful lips; they barely caressed his forehead, before being pressed into once more into Felix’s lips. 

A kiss. Chan was kissing him. Chan was kissing Felix. Felix was kissing Chan. Felix was kissing a boy. A cowboy. 

He didn’t move and somehow managed to not react. After a moment of pressing his lips against Felix’s, Chan pulled back. He slowly lowered his head to rest his chin on Felix’s shoulder. 

Felix still didn’t move, but now his nose was filled with the smell of Chan’s fruity soap and a faint earthy smell of hay and horses.

His eyes stayed closed, but he was incredibly aware of every moment and every place their bodies touched. He began to drift off, smiling as the warmth from Chan’s breath began to blossom across his collarbone. 

Felix began to dream that maybe this could be a home.

At 6:30 AM Felix’s alarm rang, dragging him from a deep sleep, he blinked awake. There was no one beside him, Chan had disappeared. It confused Felix, forcing him to reconsider if last night was a dream. He sat up at the sound of voices, trucks, and horses outside his window. Peeking out, he saw six of his uncle’s men tacking their horses. Felix watched Chan, who was laughing at something the other ranch hand, Changbin, was saying. He casually checked the bridle of his palomino, before climbing into the saddle. 

Fuck. 

He looked so good in that hat and on that horse. 

Felix groaned, falling back into his bed. What was he thinking? 

He got ready for school in a daze. His uncle gave him a ride as usual. And his first two classes were over without him comprehending any of what his professors were talking about. His third class was with Hyunjin, which helped shake him from his stupor. 

Hyunjin immediately clocked that something was off with Felix. 

“What happened yesterday?”

“Huh?” Felix looked up to Hyunjin from his desk. 

“You look like- I don’t know but you either didn’t sleep a wink or something else happened.”

“There was a flood at the ranch,” was the only way Felix could think to start. 

“What the hell! Are the horses ok? The ranch house? That sexy cowboy?”

This forced Felix to smile. “It’s all fine, sorry that was dramatic. I meant some of the rooms had flooding. But basically it ended with that ‘sexy cowboy’ sleeping in my room!" Felix covered his face as the memories rushed back. "Hyunjin, I barely survived!!”

“He what!!?? What did he do to you!!?? What did you do to him!?” Hyunjin was fully freaking out, spinning in circles and drawing the stares of other classmates. 

“Shhhh! Nothing happened!” 

“Then why do you look like that? Are you that sad that nothing happened?”

“No no no! I’m fine! It’s fine!”

“Tell. Me. Everything.” 

And Felix knew he was done for, at this point Hyunjin would never give up without getting some answers.

“We just watched a scary movie, got freaked out, he crashed on my bed, and uh- we fell asleep.” 

Hyunjin stared at Felix with extremely skeptical eyes. Felix felt himself caving under the look.

“Fine! He kissed me while I was pretending to be asleep.”

“Well then, just... fuck him!”

“What? He didn’t mean anything bad by it…”

“No, I mean kiss him, and then sit on his dick and fuck him.”

“Hyunjin!!” Felix gasped.

“What, it’s obvious you both like each other, and he’s hot as fuck. The least you can do in a situation like this is not let it go to waste.” 

Felix spluttered and felt a blush flood his face. Hyunjin continued, “See? You like him so much! Just go with the fucking flow!” 

“Hyunjin, my aunt would kill me.” 

“Then stop being so obvious about it! And he has more to risk, so if he’s down to bend the rules for you, then let him. And enjoy it!”

“I can’t.”

“Don’t be boring!”

“I’m not! I’m being practical! He probably won’t even stay in my room tonight… Plus, who are you to talk? You won’t even talk to your crush! Why are you telling me to fuck a guy who works for my family?”

“Hey, my situation is different, Jeongin wants nothing to do with me and is too pure to ever sit on my lap or to fuck me…” Hyunjin looked dramatically off into the distance as if he’d just performed a monologue from a Greek tragedy. “But don’t try to distract me with my Jeongin, and stop flushing so innocently! You’ve already told me about your past escapades…”

“Stop calling them escapades!” Felix hissed, whacking Hyunjin and was so grateful when their professor walked in to begin class. 

On their walk to their last class of the day, Hyunjin started up again. Never a man to be stopped from his holy purpose.

“Please just be open to something happening!” He hung onto Felix's arm, imploring him.

“If you’ll shut up, then I’ll promise to be open.”

Hyunjin nodded with a smug smile plastered on his face and did not say another word until they stepped into their next class. Felix now had far too many problematic images floating around in his head. He did not hear a word his professor said. Fuck Hyunjin.

After class they made their way to the parking lot. 

"Where are you headed after this?" Felix checked his phone but hadn't received a text from his uncle yet about picking him up. 

"Probably the cafe... Work on some sketching assignments."

"And to stare at the barista?" Felix grinned over at the suddenly very flushed Hyunjin. 

Hyunjin huffed. He slowed his steps to walk just behind Felix, quickly he unzipped Felix's back pack and as Felix tried to turn he saw out of the corner of his eye Hyunjin depositing some things into his bag.

"Wha- hey!" He took his backpack off to peer inside. Eyes wide, Felix looked up from his open bag to stare in horror and disbelief at Hyunjin. “Why the fuck do you have lube and condoms on you? AT SCHOOL!”

“Cause I believe in the motto: always be prepared! And how else could I be there to support my horny friends so they can get it onnn!” Hyunjin broke into song at the last word.

“Please, please shut up!” Felix zipped his backpack shut, wishing he could deadbolt it so it would never be opened again. 

He quickened his pace, though he knew it was going to be a while if his uncle hadn't texted him yet. 

Hyunjin now strode next to him, keeping pace. That is until he stopped, throwing his arm out to stop Felix. 

“Oh my god.” Hyunjin practically squealed, using both his hands to thwack Felix’s arm. “Fuck me… Felix! He brought his hat this time.”

Felix whipped his head up to see a bedraggled Chan, leaning casually on the hood of his blue pick-up, talking on his cell. 

Felix spun back around, whispering desperately to Hyunjin. “Why is he here? Hyunjin, I’m too awkward to survive another car ride with him! He doesn’t know I know he kissed me!”

Hyunjin pretended to crumple to the ground in a fainting spell. “Ughhhhh, Felix this is so juicy! I love it!” Then in response to Felix’s glare, he calmed down enough to respond a bit more reasonably. “You’ll do just fine Felix, don’t overthink it. Now go save a horse!” He giggled and proceeded to use his own body weight to slowly move Felix gently towards the distracted cowboy. Hyunjin patted Felix’s bag for a second before giving him one last shove with a chipper “See ya Monday!” And Felix found himself approaching Chan who was fully invested in a conversation.

"Mom, it’s okay. I don't leave my birth certificate on top of my desk. It was with my paperwork stuff in their safe. The main things that got ruined were some books and papers. Things for studying and some of my electronics. Nothing serious, mom. I’m mainly just worried about my laptop right now but that’s it." He paused, listening, before he took a deep calming breath and continued. "I swear everything is good. No, don't send me a new laptop, mom, it’s probably fine. I haven’t been to the tech store yet." Chan looked up and noticed the awkward Felix standing waiting. "Mom, I have to go now. Their nephew is here. I need to drive him home. I love you. I’ll talk to you later, bye."

He hung up, ran his hand through his hair and then turned to face Felix. "Hey."

The extremely articulate Felix responded. "Hey." 

"Ready to head home?" When Felix nodded, Chan opened the driver's door and threw some things in the back that had been on the passenger's seat. He knelt on his seat so he could reach the passenger side door and threw it open so Felix was able to easily climb in. 

Felix sat down, clutching his backpack to him. The treacherous items inside were haunting Felix. 

Chan started his truck and they backed out of the school parking lot. The radio was playing quietly but Chan didn't speak, likely still engrossed in thoughts about his phone call. 

Felix seemed to forget what words were and couldn’t think of a single thing to say. His mind just kept replaying the feeling of Chan’s lips on his. The warmth and roughness of them and how that sensation had fluttered its way down his chest into his stomach. Felix resisted reaching up and touching his own lips to better remember the feeling. Instead, he attempted a sentence.

"Why are you picking me up?" Sounding rude, what a fantastic start!

"Your uncle is still busy with the plumbers, and now apparently construction workers. So, since I picked you up yesterday, I thought I'd offer to do it again. I had hoped you wouldn’t mind..." Chan kept staring out the windshield, his expression unsure.

"Oh, I don’t mind." The words spilled out of Felix before he had a chance to think better of them. He was going to spew anything so Chan didn't feel bad. Felix was just glad he made sense, if not a little too excited. "I mean, it doesn’t make a difference for me. I just feel bad that you have to add the drive to your day."

"It’s fine. I really don’t mind it and it gets me out of the afternoon chores that I really hate-- plus it makes Changbin livid, since he hates when anyone gets out of doing work. And I love anything that makes Changbin mad."

Felix let out a laugh as Chan cracked a sly smile.

"Did you sleep all right?" Chan continued. "I didn't snore, did I? I know that I move around a lot at night, so hopefully I didn’t wake you." 

Felix was amazed at Chan's ability to talk about last night and completely ignore the fact that he had kissed Felix. Felix began to wonder... Did he not remember the kiss? Was it just a joke to him and he didn’t think anything of it or was he just as awkward as Felix and unable to bring it up or did he sleep talk and sleep kiss? Felix settled on 'it didn’t mean anything', and assumed that Chan didn't care enough to mention it. Hating how much heavier his accursed backpack felt, Felix sank back into his seat. He was starting to feel silly about listening to Hyunjin when it was clear Chan wanted to forget about last night.

Felix cleared his throat.

"No, you were fine. I didn’t wake up much last night. I slept pretty soundly." Felix hated how his frame drooped slightly as he said those words.

"Good, cause it looks like you’ll be stuck with me as a roommate for a few more days. I really am sorry that I'm invading your space. I appreciate you saving me from the monsters under your bed."

"It’s okay, glad I could keep you safe," Felix responded with a half-hearted laugh. The silence in the car grew around them. All he could feel was the phantom warmth of Chan’s lips again. “Do you want to watch another movie tonight?" And when Chan laughed, Felix continued, "Maybe an animated one, something not scary?" Felix's smile felt more genuine as he fought to get out of the mental slump he'd suddenly fallen into.

Chan laughed and agreed, then asking, "Did you watch a lot of animated movies growing up?" 

As their conversation rolled on, Felix stumbled over his words before gradually growing more relaxed. 

They pulled into front of the ranch's main house, parking right behind not just a plumbing truck but now a contractor's truck as well. Chan hopped out and with a wink and a quick “See you for the movie later" before he was off, back to the stables to help with evening chores.

Felix made his way into the house, clutching his fully cursed backpack. He first safely deposited the whole bag into his room before finding his aunt and helping in the kitchen as needed. Then he started to work on his homework, stashing Hyunjin's “gifts” under his pillow before focusing on primarily an essay he had on monastery art.

After dinner, Felix found a place on the couch of the common area and curled up to read a book.

When the sun had set, there was a sudden burst of noise as most of the ranch hands came in for the day. There was a clinking of dishes in the dining area. About thirty minutes later Felix looked up at the sound of footsteps to see Chan entering followed by a sleepy Changbin. They popped down on the sofa across from Felix.

Felix felt like it would be rude to not say anything. He went with a super deep and introspective question. 

"How was dinner?" he asked, which was of course the same dinner he had just eaten an hour before.

"It was delicious, especially after the afternoon we had as we were a person short." Changbin side eyed a grinning Chan. He faced Felix again, "Who’s in the kitchen right now?"

"Should be Han."

"Hannie?" Changbin practically leapt up and disappeared, running towards the kitchen. Felix barely heard him say, "I’ll go say hi." 

"What’s that about?" Felix turned inquisitively to Chan.

"Someone is being very subtle about their crush..." Chan smirked at Felix, who could only laugh in response.

Chan kicked his feet up onto the coffee table between them and Felix had to admire the cute pineapple socks he wore. He rested his arms behind his head and Felix pointedly did not notice how his shirt tightened across his chest.

Felix almost didn't hear Chan when he spoke again.

"What are you reading?"

Felix shook himself out of his thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, some fantasy novel that my friend recommended. I should be reading something for school." Felix flashed the cover to Chan.

"Nahhh... Oh, did we decide what movie we’re gonna watch?"

"Oh yeah," Felix perked up. "I was thinking, have you seen ‘Luca’ before?"

And it was settled. Felix returned to his book, a smile on his lips and not a single thought of Chan's dimples in his head.

Chan kicked his feet off the coffee table and sat forward.

"I should get a shower before we settle in, but are you about ready to start the movie? It’s getting close to my bedtime." His smile was crooked as he stood. 

"Oh yeah, I’ll go get the movie set up while you hop in the shower." Felix tried to sound and act normal. That sentence felt a little too domestic for his liking. That was not healthy for his brain.

The minute Chan had disappeared, Felix stared down at his book, not reading a single word. He shut the book and beelined to his room. He suddenly felt fidgety. 

Fucking Hyunjin, he’d gotten in Felix’s head. Felix's mind was spinning and flying through every scenario. Unfortunately every scenario involved Chan’s lips on him, but he wasn't that mad about it.

He was laying out blankets on the floor by his bed when he heard the shower next door stop. That seemed to shake Felix out of his trance, and with a flash, the image of the taboo items stuffed under his pillow was clear. He scrambled onto his bed, snatching the items from under his pillow, panicking about where to put them. Hearing footsteps and his door creak open, he was forced to shove them back under his pillow. Felix cursed Hyunjin and his girl scout tendencies, why would he have that at school. Damn it. 

When his door opened, Felix fought his own body to not whip around guiltily. Slowly, very normally, Felix turned to face Chan. And immediately choked. 

Chan's hair was wet, dripping onto his face and shoulders. His shoulders were bare, in fact there was not an inch of any kind of coverage present. His chest was broad and suddenly Felix felt queasy. He wanted to touch that chest, to squeeze those arms. His chest made it clear he worked hard. His arms were thick, strong, clearly well used. His stomach was solid, sexy and- oh god the way his sweatpants hung low on his hips. 

Felix's imagination was going a bit too crazy. He struggled to remember how to function, focusing on arranging the blankets. Felix didn’t contemplate if the chest was going to be covered with a shirt during the movie, that would be improper. Felix sat himself down on the blanket pile, flipping the TV on.

"I'll go make popcorn. Does that sound ok?" Chan piped up after he'd thrown his folded pile of dirty clothes in "his corner.”

Felix nodded and focused on the screen, not allowing himself to look up at the retreating back of Chan. Oh god, how was he going to survive. Chan's back was gorgeous, his muscles proudly on display. 

As he started up the movie, and had gotten past the ads, Chan was returning with a bowl of popcorn and a bag of Reece's Pieces (not sponsored).

Felix remained strong in his resolve to not look at the still barechested Chan sitting down beside him. 

The movie began and Felix and Chan slowly relaxed into a comfortable space as the movie rolled on. They laughed quietly, slowly eating the popcorn. Their arms were so close that with any movement Felix was hyper aware of the warm presence of Chan's arm against his. Felix was jealous of how calm and unaffected Chan seemed to be. 

But slowly Felix got immersed in the movie and relaxed, until his arm fully rested against Chan's without him noticing.

Fully distracted by the movie, Felix reached over and somehow managed to overshoot the bowl knocking it over.

"Sorry, oh shit!" Felix scrambled to reach over Chan to help pick up the popcorn as fast as he could. 

"It's ok." Chan helped pick up a few of the pieces but then rested his hand on Felix's back. "Felix, I'll get the rest."

Felix then realized he was effectively laying on Chan's lap, and when he looked up he came face to face with Chan. 

Chan smiled sweetly, once more revealing his dimples. 

Felix struggled to find a place for his hands as he tried to sit back up. But he didn't tear his eyes off of Chan’s face. He couldn't. Their eyes were locked. One of his hands found Chan's leg, his fingers curling around the other man's thigh. Felix hated how much the muscles he felt between his fingers made his stomach flip flop. He loved how Chan's leg felt under his fingers.

Chan's hand didn't leave Felix, Felix could swear he'd find the handprint burned into his flesh later. He hoped he'd never forget how this felt. Chan's other hand came and held Felix's face, his thumb tracing Felix's lips. 

Felix could scarcely breath, unsure if he would wake up from what must have been a dream. 

Chan whispered something under his breath that sounded an awful like "fuck it." And then Chan's lips were against his again. And they were kissing, and Felix thought he might die. Chan's lips were not as rough as last night, instead they were warm and soft, not pushing into Felix. It was as if he was waiting for Felix's response. Felix's lips didn't hesitate and with a happy noise he kissed Chan back. He was swept into the warmth of Chan's lips moving against his, his teeth grazing against Felix's lips. 

They pushed further into each other, their mouths growing hungrier. Chan's tongue slipped between Felix's lips, and explored his mouth. This kiss was everything. Felix's brain grew fuzzy with happiness and with the need for more.

Chan's hand had moved to the back of Felix's head, pulling him in closer. Pulling Felix further onto Chan's body.

Felix traced his hand up Chan's torso, relishing the electricity that danced along his finger tips. His eyes were closed tight as Chan bit and tugged slightly at Felix's lip, before kissing him deeply again. 

As Felix's fingers flitted over Chan's chest and nipples, he moaned into Felix's mouth. The vibrations that hummed against his mouth made Felix crazy. He crawled the rest of the way into Chan's lap, both of his hands now massaging Chan's chest more fully. Felix gripped the man under him, trying to pull Chan closer, he needed more of Chan. In desperation, his hands roamed Chan's broad shoulders, smoothing over Chan's muscles. 

Chan's hand had now woven itself into Felix's blond hair. His other hand moved to Felix's waist, squeezing and pulling his entire body against him. 

Every part of Felix thrummed with energy. Felix could live in this kiss forever. But he couldn't believe this was real. 

Migrating his hands to hold Chan's face, Felix pulled away slightly from the kiss. He looked down at the man in front of him. Chan's lips were parted, bright red from Felix’s kisses. Felix was honored to have had some part of making Chan look so disheveled. Especially since it made him just look even more kissable. Felix ran his thumb along Chan's bottom lip, obsessed with the softness of his lips.

Felix's voice was husky when he spoke. "This feels like a dream." 

A side of Chan's lips curled up, his eyes locked onto Felix's lips. He raised his eyes to Felix's for a moment as they crinkled in a smile.

"This is a dream. I kissed an angel."

Felix grinned, feeling nothing but giddy. 

"Shut up." But it was soft and filled with a smile. 

Chan's tongue darted out to lick Felix's finger. When Felix slowly pushed his finger into Chan's mouth, Chan gently sucked on his finger, swirling his tongue around the tip. He released Felix's finger, smiling devilishly.

"You taste just like pure sunshine." His fingers squeezed Felix's waist with a small pulse.

When Felix giggled and buried his head in Chan's neck, Chan's hand moved to the back of Felix's blonde head, petting him with care. 

Felix sat back up, thoroughly embarrassed.

Chan laughed easily. "Or am I tasting popcorn? Either way, it's delicious." He licked his lips and his cheeks dimpled again. And that was the moment Felix realized he was fucked. He was absolutely screwed. 

Both of Chan's hands had moved to Felix's waist, slipping beneath his shirt. At the touch of Chan's fingers against his skin, Felix froze. As Chan's eyes roamed up and down his body, he felt his cock twitch awake. Chan must have felt it where it was sandwiched between them, because his fingers dug in, controlling Felix perfectly. He pulled Felix down, further into his lap with a groan that proved a possible alternate reason.

"Are we scrapping this movie as well?" Chan looked past Felix for a moment, at the forgotten movie that was cheerfully playing beyond them. 

"I think it's scared me a bit," Felix pouted dramatically. He clasped both of his hands to face in mock fear. "Can you sleep in my bed? To protect me?" For a moment Felix worried he was acting a bit too insane. But it didn't seem to phase Chan.

"It would be an honor to protect you." Chan drew back a hand to place it over his own heart. "I shall die protecting you."

Felix rolled his eyes and laughed. 

"Thank you, brave knight." He darted forward without thought or hesitation, pecking Chan on his cheek. 

Chan's hands were instantly both back on Felix's waist, his thumbs stroked comfortingly against Felix's sides. 

He sat, taking in Felix sitting on him, absorbing his whole situation. A bit of awe in his voice, he muttered, "Wow... I never thought this would actually happen."

"You thought about this?" Felix covered his face with his hands in disbelief. He wanted to add, 'You thought about me?' But he didn't like how that sounded and he was still barely processing how this was happening in the first place.

"Hopefully that doesn't sound creepy... I just meant that I thought you were cute when you arrived. But I know how your aunt is and you seemed to have no interest in mingling with any of us..."

Felix laughed nervously, "I was pretty nervous about it, so I tried my best to avoid you all. You especially, since I knew you'd get me into trouble."

Chan gasped in fake offense, "I'm trouble?"

"I knew you were trouble for me. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to stop myself if we got close." Unashamedly Felix placed his hands on both of Chan's biceps. "And here we are."

Chan flexed slightly under Felix's hands and Felix thought he may begin to melt, his brain definitely already was. He fell forward into Chan, their lips crushing together. All he wanted was to feel Chan's kisses warm against his lips again. Felix pulled away enough to mutter against Chan's lips, "Trouble."

Chan's grin could only be described as wicked. He hummed as he moved his lips from Felix's and instead kissed his way down Felix's neck. 

Felix's eyes fluttered shut and he groaned in response to this new assault. His fingers dug into Chan's arms as his head fell back in bliss. 

"Oh-" The sound escaped him, he scared himself, as it was followed by a strangled noise that he'd never made before. It was due to Chan's teeth grazing against his collar bone. 

Chan's hand had moved to Felix's ass, kneading and groping hungrily. Then his hands shifted to both support Felix's head and move his legs. Chan flipped Felix so that he was laid out on the blankets. One of Felix’s hands remained on Chan's arm, the other was splayed out on Chan's chest. 

Felix’s breath was knocked out of him. Chan was over him kissing along the neckline of his shirt. He muttered so low he wasn't sure if Chan would hear, “What if my aunt finds out?” He wasn't sure he wanted Chan to hear his question. What if he realized the danger and left the room? He wanted to keep going, but the thought had just continued to plague him. 

“She won’t,” Chan spoke between kisses, his words hot against Felix’s skin. “She put me in your room because she didn’t think either of us would ever consider this. She won’t suspect us.” 

Chan moved his hand up Felix’s stomach, dragging up the loose shirt Felix had thrown on after dinner. Felix’s skin tingled at the brush of Chan’s lips on his belly, on his chest. Chan now kissed up his stomach, each kiss lingering and gentle. Taking in a shuddering breath, Felix quickly whispered his response, “Okay...” He raised his hand to Chan’s hair, twisting his fingers into the curly locks, pulling Chan further into him. "Keep going."

Chan lifted his head to show Felix a brilliant smile, complete with his perfect dimples. He sat back on his heels, kneeling between Felix’s legs. Chan's eyes roamed Felix’s body appreciatively. After a few moments he turned away to the bed, pulling back slightly.

He moved a pillow and helped place it under Felix so his head was supported. He turned back around to grab a second one when he froze in place.

Felix could only stare up at the handsome man above him in admiration. His washed hair had dried in loose curls, his shoulders showed more bronzing to his already tanned skin, proof of the many hours spent under the sun. His arms were muscular and Felix was practically vibrating from the anticipation that he'd be able to feel those arms around him and wanted to again as soon as possible.

"What's this?" 

It was Felix's turn to freeze. He realized where Chan was looking and prayed Chan would turn back around holding a knife over his head in order to murder Felix. Or could this please be Chan discovering that there is in fact a monster under the bed. Please, anything but… Chan turned back around and Felix came face to face with Hyunjin's bottle of lube.

Felix prayed he'd have a heart attack but…no luck. 

“Why do you have this, Felix?” A laugh spilled out of Chan and no maliciousness was laced through the sound, only a teasing tone. Felix spluttered helplessly. Then cocking his head Chan continued, “Should we give it a try?”

This was the only thing Felix could think to do. The only thing he really wanted to do and he nodded. 

"Let's do this."

Within moments Felix found himself flung gently onto his bed, Chan frantically helping him take off his shirt and pajama pants. Being stripped down to just his boxers wasn’t as startling as Felix thought it would be. He just wanted more attention from Chan. And he had to appreciate his own view—Felix couldn’t help but scan the frame of the man above him. 

Chan easily propped himself above Felix, his sweatpants hanging even lower on his hips. His arms were on either side of Felix’s head. He lowered his body, slowly, agonizingly grinding on Felix’s cock. 

“Are we really-“ Felix couldn’t finish as Chan's hands on his chest made his voice catch.

“We are…” Chan murmured in a low voice, Felix imagined he could feel it reverberating down Chan’s arms and through his hands into Felix’s chest. 

Then Chan stilled, pulling back ever so slightly, a hesitant look crossing his face. 

“If that’s ok…”

Felix just nodded and pulled Chan down against him, his hand slipping behind Chan’s neck. 

Chan kissed him back happily. 

With most of his weight now resting on Felix, Chan added pressure against Felix’s cock. He began to move his hips into Felix, his smile evident in their kiss.

Felix moaned, thrusting desperately up into Chan. Needing more, needing the attention of Chan, Felix's nails dug into Chan's sides, trying to pull him further against him. Trying to maintain a semblance of a rolling rhythm, Felix's head tipped back against the mattress, groaning at each movement. 

Chan was breathing heavily, his mouth sloppily kissing along Felix's exposed neck. 

Then without warning, Chan pushed away from Felix and clambered off the bed. He pulled his sweats off, standing fully naked as Felix tried his best to function while staring at the vision that was Chan. 

Chan's body was healthy and muscular from hard, long days of work, tanned from the Australian sun, and his hair had now dried in adorable ringlets. He stepped closer to the bed again, and swiftly pulled off Felix's boxers. He knelt on the bed, straddling Felix's waist. Chan looked down with a soft expression on his face, his fingers reaching out gently to touch Felix.

“Ohhhh….” Chan was breathless, muttering almost to himself.  “Felix, you’re- you’re gorgeous…” His fingers flitted over Felix’s skin, which seemed pale in comparison to Chan’s tan. 

Felix shivered at Chan's warm fingers, their touch rough. His breath caught as the gentle warmth of their bare cocks pressed against each other. 

"Chan, please." He was getting desperate, his brain feeling more and more like it was filled with sparklers. Felix needed Chan to touch him more, to be inside of him. 

Smirking, Chan understood and complied and reached for the pile of Hyunjin's taboo items. Chan rolled his hips forward and Felix squirmed under him.

And then suddenly Chan was moving him, gripping his legs so now they intertwined around Chan's waist. A blanket from the floor was dragged up to cover them as Chan leaned down to find Felix's mouth. 

Felix felt the warm pressure against his ass as Chan carefully began to push in. Felix loved this moment, when he was overwhelmed by such a combination of sensations. He groaned deep in his throat and opened eyes he hadn't realized he'd squeezed shut, looking up at Chan.

Chan's own eyes were wide, his mouth slightly ajar. The softest moan was slipping out of him and when he saw Felix, he smiled reassuringly. 

"Lix- I- I'm not going to last long." He kept up his pressure and continued to press deeper into Felix. 

Felix could feel himself stretching, already the pain subsiding, replaced by an overwhelming fullness, that while not fully satisfying was bringing him a thrumming pleasure. 

"Shit. You're so insanely gorgeous. Do you know that?" One of Chan's hands had migrated to Felix's hair where now the fingers wove into his blonde hair, tugging in a tantalizing way, causing Felix to release a noise he'd never made before.  

"You're one to talk," Felix was breathless, the words coming out rough and low.

"I'm already so close," Chan spoke with a laugh in his words. His eyes were half-lidded and his smile was so pure. Another moan escaped Chan's lips, where it then danced across Felix's chest. Chan had found Felix's nipple and sucked teasingly at it, drawing out a gasp from Felix. 

Felix could feel the rest of his body relax from the stimulation and Chan's cock was welcomed into his body further and with more ease. 

Chan was finally pressed completely into Felix, their bodies linked. Chan's thighs were flat against Felix's ass. 

They stilled, both breathing deeply.

"Keep going." The words caught in Felix's throat and came out cracked and desperate sounding. They were and Felix knew he wasn't going to last long. 

Chan pulled out almost all the way as Felix’s hands groped the other man’s pecs and biceps, unable to leave the addicting muscles alone.

Chan pushed back into him, harder.

The pressure forced out of Felix a loud, "Shit." He quickly covered his mouth. 

"You good, mate?" Chan whispered.

"Yes, oh god, yes." Felix reached up twisting his fingers into Chan's hair, tugging at it, trying to get closer to Chan. "Please, don't stop."

Chan moved inside of him again, moving faster. His hand encircled Felix’s cock, moving at the same pace that he pumped into Felix. Felix rolled his head against the bed, unable to stop moving in ecstasy. A rising pressure built within him rather quickly as Chan thrust into him again and again.

Chan's movements grew more erratic as he jolted himself desperately into Felix; his breath burst out with small grunts. 

Felix felt his climax grow closer, building up under Chan's hand and with every thrust Felix felt his brain spark.

"Chan- Chan- I'm com-" Felix couldn't finish before he came with a shuddering cry that he muffled by biting into Chan's shoulder. His body seized around Chan's cock, and Felix watched Chan bite his own lip as he fought to stay silent while keeping up his pace. 

Felix's body tried to relax but Chan kept pounding into him, carrying Felix through his climax and causing him to clench around Chan even more tightly.

"Oh Felix- that was- you're so-" But Chan couldn't seem to finish his thought. Each word he'd managed to say had been punctuated by breath and a hungry movement within Felix. His thrusts became more frantic, his breath ragged. Only a few moments passed before he pushed deep into Felix and reached his own climax. A strangled moan came from Chan and into Felix’s ear. 

Chan stayed deep in Felix, most of his body weight resting on him now, his lips pressed into his neck.

Felix wrapped his arms around Chan, holding him tight. He clasped his wrists to keep Chan as close as possible. 

“Chan…” Felix breathed.

“Yeah?” Chan fought to tip his head down to look at Felix’s face, but Felix was squeezing him too tight.

“You’re so sexy.”

“What are you even saying? You are insanely gorgeous!” Chan had slipped his arms around Felix as well and now shook him, in some variety of cuteness aggression.

Eventually Chan pulled out of Felix, rolling on his side. 

Felix‘s body reacted as his insides adjusted to the emptiness. He loosened his hold on Chan but kept his arms encircling him. 

Chan reached out and carefully played with a lock of Felix’s hair, pushing it out of his face before twisting it sweetly between his fingers.

They laid there for a while before Felix felt some of the bliss fade away, filling him again with that aching homesickness. He wouldn't be able to sit in the kitchen with his mother and talk about his new crush. He wouldn't be able to run over to his friend's house to talk through every delicious detail...

"Are you sure my homesickness will get better?" But there was something stirring in him as he stared at Chan's handsome face and as he felt Chan's warm hands resting on him, that made him believe he could be happy here.

"Don't worry, you'll find your home here. You’ll find love..." Chan was smiling at Felix across the pillow, his hand cradling Felix's cheek. 

Felix jerked up so he could look at Chan with eyes he was sure were wide in shock. “Love?” Was Chan confessing to him? This was too fast! Felix wasn't ready.

“Woah, woah, woah," Chan got up in a panic too, words rushing out of him. "Chill, chill… I meant friendships and family!" And then very quietly to the side Chan muttered, "And maybeeee this one guy I know who thinks you’re cute...” Chan’s dimples were showing, he was sheepishly looking away from Felix, the embarrassment clear in his voice. He collapsed back on the bed, his hands fully covering his face.

"I know someone who thinks you're cute too."

"Yeah?" Chan turned his head in Felix's direction, smiling skeptically. "Who?" His eyes narrowed, but a smile crept across his face.

"My friend Hyunjin." Then, unable to keep his laugh in, Felix burst out with a cackle. "But I think you're adorable as well."

Chan pulled him into a deep kiss, their legs tangling further together, their arms wrapped tightly around each other.  A perfectly curated knot, the two of them basked in the warmth they were creating together.

Felix, his face cozied up against Chan’s, smiled to himself as his eyes slowly drifted shut. 

Chan’s breathing slowed, finding a steady rhythm. 

Felix matched it, pulled into a deep sleep beside his Chan.