♡︎|3

chapter three —✧♡︎✧—

After they got home, Felix barely had time to change into his sweatpants before his phone buzzed with a text from Hyunjin's mom.

Mrs. Hwang: Lixie, come over! I need your expert eye for flowers.

Felix grinned at the nickname. He loved Hyunjin's mom. She was one of his favorite people in the world—warm, funny, and always treating him like he was part of the family.

Felix: On my way! :)

He didn't even bother texting Hyunjin. He just threw on a hoodie and jogged across the street, knocking on the familiar front door.

It swung open almost immediately.

"Felix, my darling!" Mrs. Hwang beamed, pulling him into a tight hug.

Felix giggled, hugging her back. "Mrs. Hwang, you saw me yesterday."

"Not the point," she said, ruffling his hair. "Come in, come in—I need your help."

Felix stepped inside, already feeling at home. Hyunjin was lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He glanced up lazily, smirking.

"You're such a mommy's boy."

Felix gasped, placing a hand over his chest. "How dare you? I am a respectful son."

Mrs. Hwang laughed. "At least someone is." She shot a pointed look at Hyunjin, who groaned.

"I am respectful!" Hyunjin protested.

"You don't even say good morning to me," his mom deadpanned.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes. "Because you barge into my room before I'm awake."

Felix snickered, plopping onto the chair beside her as she spread out wedding mood boards and flower samples.

"Okay, Lixie," she said, pulling his attention back. "Help me pick the best flowers for this wedding. The bride wants something elegant but romantic."

Felix hummed, tapping his chin. "Classic roses are always nice, but maybe mix them with peonies? They're soft, pretty, and smell amazing."

Mrs. Hwang gasped. "You're amazing. Peonies—yes, perfect! I knew I called the right person."

Hyunjin snorted. "You're so dramatic."

Mrs. Hwang ignored him, flipping through more flower catalogs with Felix, eagerly discussing color palettes and arrangements. Felix took it very seriously, offering his best opinions while Hyunjin sat back, making snarky comments.

"You two are so weird," Hyunjin muttered, watching them debate over hydrangeas.

"Shhh," Felix hushed him. "The adults are talking."

Hyunjin flicked a balled-up napkin at him.

After nearly an hour of discussing flowers, Felix and Mrs. Hwang finally decided on a perfect combination. She clapped her hands together, beaming.

"You're a lifesaver, Felix. Honestly, if my son was half as helpful as you, I'd be so happy."

Hyunjin gasped dramatically. "Betrayal!"

Felix smirked, leaning against Mrs. Hwang's shoulder. "Face it, Jinnie. I'm the favorite son."

Hyunjin just groaned, dragging Felix up from the chair. "Okay, enough. I'm stealing him back now."

Mrs. Hwang laughed, waving them off. "Go, go. I got what I needed."

Hyunjin led Felix upstairs to his room, flopping onto his bed as Felix kicked off his shoes.

"Finally, peace," Hyunjin muttered.

Felix giggled, climbing onto the bed beside him. "You're just mad your mom likes me better."

Hyunjin shot him a look. "Shut up."

Felix beamed. "Never."

They settled in comfortably, Felix grabbing Hyunjin's iPad and pulling up True Beauty.It's his comfort show, and already watched all of it like ten times at least.

"You actually wanna watch this again?" Hyunjin groaned.

Felix gasped, clutching his chest. "Hyunjin, how dare you? Yesterday you were so invested."

Hyunjin scoffed. "No I wasn't."

Felix smirked, pressing play. "Sure, Jinnie."

As the episode started, Felix shifted closer, resting his head on Hyunjin's shoulder.

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow. "You're extra clingy today."

Felix hummed sleepily. "Problem?"

Hyunjin sighed dramatically, but he didn't push Felix away. Instead, he shifted slightly, letting Felix get more comfortable. Felix took full advantage, wrapping an arm around Hyunjin's waist and nuzzling into his hoodie.

Hyunjin shook his head but smiled a little. "You're such a baby."

Felix just snuggled in further, his voice muffled against Hyunjin's hoodie. "I know you secretly love my cuddles."

Hyunjin didn't answer, but Felix felt the soft pat on his head and the way Hyunjin adjusted so he wouldn't move away.

They had been watching True Beauty for a while, the episode pulling them deeper into the story. Felix was curled up against Hyunjin's side, practically wrapped around him like a koala, while Hyunjin absentmindedly scrolled through his phone with one hand.

Everything was peaceful—until the sad scene hit.

Felix had seen it before, but still, it hit so hard. The way Suho and Jukyung were struggling, the heartache, the longing—Felix felt it all, it triggered the sad emotions inside of his head.His throat tightened, and before he could stop himself, his eyes welled up.

He sniffled quietly, trying to blink away the tears, but it was no use.

Hyunjin barely even glanced up from his phone before he noticed.

"Wait." He turned his head slowly, eyes narrowing. "Are you... crying?"

Felix hiccupped, quickly wiping at his eyes. "No."

Hyunjin snorted, finally setting his phone down. "Lix, you're literally crying."

Felix sniffled again, hugging his knees to his chest. "It's sad!"

Hyunjin groaned dramatically, shaking his head. "You knew this was coming! You've seen this before!"

"I know," Felix whined, voice wobbly. "But it still hurts."

Hyunjin let out a loud laugh, tilting his head back against the headboard. "Oh my god. You're such a baby."

Felix huffed, burying his face into Hyunjin's hoodie. "Don't laugh at me."

Hyunjin laughed even harder. "I can't help it! You're literally sobbing over a K-drama right now."

Felix whined, muffled against Hyunjin's chest. "You have no soul."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes but patted Felix's back lightly. "Okay, okay. Come here, you big crybaby."

Felix sniffled again, still clinging to Hyunjin like his life depended on it.

Hyunjin sighed dramatically, but his voice was softer now. "It's okay, Lixie. It's just a show."

Felix mumbled something incoherent against Hyunjin's hoodie.

"What?" Hyunjin chuckled.

Felix peeked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "You don't get it, Jinnie."

Hyunjin smirked, wiping a stray tear from Felix's cheek. "No, you're right. I don't get it. Because I'm not pathetically weeping right now."

Felix gasped, smacking Hyunjin's chest weakly. "You're so mean."

Hyunjin grinned. "And you're so dramatic."

Felix sniffled again, and Hyunjin sighed before ruffling his hair. "Alright, alright. Come here, my drama queen."

Felix took full advantage, throwing himself fully into Hyunjin's arms.

Hyunjin groaned but let him, wrapping an arm around him loosely. "I swear, you're worse than my brother's cat."

Felix just nuzzled into his chest, still pouting.

Hyunjin let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as he pulled the blanket over them.

Felix sniffled again, rubbing at his nose while still half-buried in Hyunjin's hoodie. His voice was wobbly as he mumbled, "It's just... I want someone to love me like that."

Hyunjin blinked, momentarily stunned into silence. "What?"

Felix groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "You heard me."

Hyunjin smirked. "Oh, I did. I just wanna hear you say it again."

Felix let out a dramatic sigh, flopping onto his back. "Ugh. I want love. There, are you happy?"

Hyunjin chuckled, propping himself up on one elbow. "So you're telling me... this is about you and not the show?"

Felix sniffled again, hugging a pillow. "I mean... kinda."

Hyunjin narrowed his eyes, studying him. "Okay, Lixie, be honest. Are you crying because of True Beauty, or are you crying because you're lonely?"

Felix let out an exaggerated groan. "Both, okay? Leave me alone."

Hyunjin burst out laughing, shaking his head. "Oh my god, you're ridiculous."

Felix huffed, pulling the blanket over his head. His voice came out muffled. "I just... I want someone to hold my hand and take care of me. Someone who adores me."

Hyunjin smiled, shaking his head. "Lix, literally everyone adores you."

Felix peeked out from under the blanket. "Not like that, Jinnie."

Hyunjin softened slightly. "Okay, okay. So what kind of person do you want?"

Felix hesitated. His throat felt tight.

He wanted to blurt it out.

I want you

But he couldn't.

So he swallowed hard and forced a small smile. "I dunno... A girl, I guess."

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow. "You guess?"

Felix laughed nervously, waving him off. "I mean, yeah. Obviously. A girl." He cleared his throat. "A cute one. Someone sweet but funny. Maybe a little sassy. Someone who'll cuddle me all the time and tell me I'm pretty."

Hyunjin smirked. "So... basically someone like me?"

Felix's stomach flipped.

He quickly smacked Hyunjin's arm, forcing a laugh. "Ew! No!"

Hyunjin cackled, dodging away. "You literally just described me!"

Felix rolled his eyes, sitting up. "Shut up, Jinnie."

Hyunjin grinned, reaching out to flick Felix's forehead. "I'm just saying, if you want someone to worship the ground you walk on, you already have me."

Felix bit his lip, ignoring the warmth creeping up his neck.

Yeah.

But it wasn't the same.

Because Hyunjin loved her.

And Felix was just his best friend.