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Chapter Text

Felix didn’t know what he was getting into when he showed up for the dance audition that had been advertised amongst the people in the gosiwon he was currently living in. He hated living there but it was a cheap and convenient place to live since he had no family in Korea. Felix had decided to move here after his attempts to become a dancer in Australia had failed. 

Freshly nineteen and he had changed his entire life to find an easier way into the dance industry, but things weren’t going well even here, at this rate he would take anything… Including the illegal job he had been about to audition for.

Felix used his phone’s GPS to find the address of the company. When he came across the hidden building in an alley everything in his body screamed at him to turn and run away, this place just didn’t feel right. His body seized up when the door to the building opened and people came out carrying signs. As they got closer one of them stopped to look at him curiously, giving him a once over just as Felix did the same.

The man was beautiful, like melt your heart type of beautiful.

“Are you here for the audition?” He asked softly when he observed how nervous Felix was feeling.

Felix cleared his throat and nodded shyly.

“You’re a bit early. We were going to set up some things to make the place look more inviting. I promise this place isn’t as shady as it looks.” The man smiled which made his already youthful face look even younger. The man shifted the sign in his hands to under his arm so he could extend his hand out to Felix. “I’m Minho, I’m a dancer here.”

Felix smiled softly and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Felix.”

“I like your accent, where are you from?” Minho moved to put the sign out and Felix followed him like a puppy.

“Australia.”

“Been here long?”

“Only a year.”

“Your Korean is pretty good for someone who hasn’t been here long, did you grow up speaking it at home?”

Felix shook his head. “I took online lessons shortly after moving here.”

When the signs were all put out Felix was invited inside and his heart sank immediately. The interior was nice, a luscious red and black setting with a sleek looking bar, drinks on a glowing display shelf behind it. Tables and couches were placed around the room with three different stages, two of them empty but the main stage had the thing that had made his heart sink.

Felix turned to face Minho with panic on his face. “I thought strip clubs were illegal in South Korea.”

Minho side glanced Felix as they made their way to the main stage. “They are but we fly under the radar. We rarely hire people and the clientele is highly exclusive. We only rent such a dingy building to throw off the cops from our presence. Not all of our dancers are strippers, some of us just dance sexily for the clients, only doing the things we are comfortable with. We have a lot of security to protect our dancers and even though we haven’t advertised it we also have positions for hostesses and bar tenders.” Minho explained and made sure he explained it loud enough for all the other auditionees that just walked in.

“Hostess? Would I have to cross dress for that?”

“Will that be an issue?” Minho asked curiously.

Felix shook his head and smiled. “No. In fact it actually kind of sounds fun, I don’t know how to do makeup though.”

Minho chuckled. “That’s okay, if you get any of the jobs we will teach you how.” Minho took a quick once over of everyone in the room. “Time for everyone to take a seat around the main stage.”

Everyone did as they were told and took their seats. Felix sat in between a short pretty female with long blue nails that matched her blue space buns styled hair and a very tall androgynously dressed male with black nails, soft golden eye makeup and bright yellow hair. Felix’s hand went to his own cedar brown colored hair thinking maybe he should dye it.

“Your hair looks pretty, don't feel insecure about it.” The male with yellow hair said as he leaned close to him.

Felix was surprised the male had spoken to him but he smiled sweetly. “Thank you.”

“You should consider doing a half up, half down look. It could look really cute on you.”

Their conversation was cut short when an average height male dressed in jeans, a white singlet and a giant yellow feather jacket stepped onto the main stage with a microphone in hand. Felix eyed the man, every one here seemed so pretty, Felix couldn’t believe it and part of him felt inferior since he had only shown up in sweats and an artsy graphic tee. Felix pursed his lips as he caught a glimpse of the tattoo beneath the man’s tank top strap and took time to admire his brown hair with the blonde highlights.

“Good evening everyone. I’m BamBam, the owner of this fine establishment. Minho will be handing out forms for everyone to fill out before we start the auditions, these are just standard questions about yourself so we can get to know you and also to see which positions you would like to apply for.”  BamBam said introducing himself.

Minho smiled widely as Felix took a form, clipboard and a pen from him. “Make a wise choice Felix.” Minho said with a small giggle before passing a form to the male next to him.

“As you may have heard Minho say earlier, this establishment runs under the radar to avoid being detected by cops but we in no way cut corners. We do everything in our power to ensure our employees safety, especially the dancers and escorts.”

Felix couldn’t believe he was even considering working here. He stared down at the form contemplating if he should go through with this. If they were to ever get caught he could be arrested and even deported but that was the worst case scenario. The upside to this job would be that he could dance to his heart's content and learn how to host in case he ever needed a different job, plus he would get to work with pretty people like Minho and BamBam. Felix was in no way shallow, he just really liked cute and pretty things and sometimes that included people too.

Felix filled out his details and continued to listen to BamBam speak. For his name he wrote Yongbok despite his legal name being both Yongbok and Felix. He decided he would use Felix as his stage name since he couldn’t come up with anything creative and he figured he could always change it later if he thought of something.

“Once all of your forms are filled please give them to Minho and then wait for your name to be called. Typically auditions are done privately however today we are going to let everyone here watch to see how you handle a crowd. As dancers and especially for the strippers, the stares can be very intense so if you can’t handle your peers then you won’t be able to cope with the pressure of the clients watchful eyes.”

Felix finished his form and was the first to hand it to Minho. “Hostess, dancer and bartender? Trying to be a triple threat are we?” Minho chuckled but Felix could see a hint of pride in the older male’s eyes.

Felix blushed and went back to his seat and then watched as the dancers got called to the stage one by one. Felix learnt that the boy beside him was named Yeonjun and that the female with the blue hair that had been beside him was named Alexa. He was shocked to find out that she was also a foreigner. Both of them were amazing dancers and Felix literally couldn’t take his eyes off of them when they danced.

Felix got nervous the closer it came to his turn although he had no idea when that would be since they were calling out the names in random order. He could feel his hands getting sweaty as he bounced his knees and rubbed his hands against his sweatpants trying to calm his nerves. Everyone here were great dancers and Felix couldn’t help but compare himself, his self doubt sneaking in as it normally did.

“Hey, don’t stress it, it’s not as bad as it seems. Just picture yourself dancing alone in your room with music playing full blast.” Yeonjun said to him when he saw how much Felix was freaking out. “You’ll do great, I’m sure of it.”

Felix couldn’t understand why someone he had just met had so much faith in his ability but it seemed to be enough to calm him down even if it was only slightly.

“Yongbok?” His name was called by BamBam.

Felix took a deep breath, took a quick glance at Yeonjun as he stood up who just gave him two thumbs up and then made his way to the stage. He gave a shy smile to Minho as he passed him and Minho returned the smile happily.

“Um, I would just like to apologize for my attire, no one actually told me what this job was when I found out about it so I thought it would be like a regular dance audition.” Felix apologized with a bow.

“What song would you like for us to play?”

Felix had originally prepared a hip hop dance to Temperature by Sean Paul but given the situation he knew he was going to have to improvise so he thought about Yeonjun’s advice. What would he play if he was dancing sexily in his room?

“Could you please play Party Monster by The Weeknd please?” Felix requested.

Felix closed his eyes as the music started so that he could imagine that he was alone in his room. He opened his eyes as he allowed his body to roll to the beat of the music and made sure to swing his hips especially when he turned slowly before sinking to his knees and sliding back along the stage as his ass bounced with the beat. He could hear a few cheers and claps of encouragement and he assumed it was Yeonjun and Minho. Felix put a hand behind him for support before leaning back and doing more body rolls. Getting up smoothly he made his way to the pole, he had no experience using a pole but that didn’t stop him from grabbing the pole and spinning around it before grabbing it with two hands and bringing his chest to it so he could grind against it for a moment. He twirled so he was standing at the front, his arms went above his head to hold the pole behind him and then swayed his hips against the pole as he did a slow version of a slutdrop which ended his performance.

“That was brilliant.” BamBam commented. “Although next time we see you I want you to wear something more form fitting.”

Felix let go of the pole and stood up straight with a confused look on his face.

“You got the job Felix.” Minho clarified for him.

Felix grinned and bowed before running off stage and taking his spot beside Yeonjun. “We get to work together, Hyung.” Felix said excitedly. It had been awhile since he had had a friend and he could see the potential friendship between him and Yeonjun.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Yeonjun replied with a grin as big as Felix’s.

They watched the remaining auditions some of which passed and the rest were denied but were invited to sign up for a mailing list to be informed of the next auditions. When all the auditions were over and the failed auditionees left BamBam took to the stage to address the crowd.

“Congratulations on getting the job.” BamBam said with a sincere smile. “I was very impressed by all of you and am looking forward to working with all of you. If you could all talk to Minho to let him know what day or nights you would like to be rostered on for and for those who wanted to be in multiple positions please pick which days will be for which role. Oh and make sure to at least give yourself three days off.” 

Chapter Text

Fairytale Grand Opening

Who doesn't need a little more magic in their lives? With the opening of Fairytale restaurant in the heart of Seoul, owner Christopher Bang offers a truly unique experience with his flavorful, inventive menu and dining experience.

Already renowned for his Michelin star restaurant in Paris, Chef Bang is the youngest chef to earn the gilded achievement and promises to wow the Korean population in his endeavors to open the next big thing in Seoul cuisine.

In an exclusive interview with us, he explained the concept of Fairytale as, "A vibrant display of what food can be with fanciful ingredients and a dreamy atmosphere." If the restaurant offers even half of what Chef Bang promises, we're sure it will be a hit with the local population as well as tourists that travel to South Korea for special dining experiences.

“Gather around.” Chan called out to his staff.

The staff all gathered in the dining hall for the pre service meeting.

“Tonight is a very big deal. I need it to go as smoothly as possible. My reputation as a chef depends on how efficiently tonight runs. You all did so well with your team work for the soft opening and I expect to see the same enthusiasm tonight.” Chan told them. “Waiters, I want you to upsell the matelote as it is our dish of the day.” All of the waiters nodded. “Station check in ten minutes, good luck tonight everyone.”

Chan had come in earlier to do a lot of the food prep to relieve the stress on his employees. He had also put the finishing touches on the dining room décor. He was pleased with how the restaurant had turned out, his vision told him to cover a wall with plants climbing the wall making it look like vines. The hardest part of the décor is going to be keeping them alive but he will deal with that when it comes to it. On the other side of the room he has a mural of a castle surrounded by the ocean on one side to represent the seafood dishes and a dark forest on the other side to represent the more experimental food they will try to sell in the future.

This building cost him a fortune, mostly because of its prime location, but trying to make it magical and elegant at the same time was enough to put a dent into his bank account that he hadn’t expected. 

Seungmin was going to murder him when he gets Chan’s monthly expenses.

“Any questions or concerns?” Chan asked, glancing at his staff. He loved how royal his waiters looked in their uniforms and how clean his cooks looked in their black chef outfits. “Meeting adjourned.” He said when no one spoke up.

All of the staff dispersed to go to their stations to set up and make everything perfect. Waiters folded the spare sea blue napkins into lotuses, the hostesses who were dressed in champagne colored dresses all checked that the bookings on the computer and the name list matched. Chan headed into the kitchen to check on his cooks.

“Behind!” Chan called as he walked behind his cooks and made his way to his own station.

One of his best chefs came up to him with a small plate and a fork.

“Could you taste this please?” Kazuha requested.

Chan nodded, grabbed the plate and inspected the food first before picking up the fork and trying a bit of the chocolate mousse cake. “That’s fire chef. Let’s round it off with some dried raspberries. Also re-tie your hair and get a hair net, thank you chef.”

“Yes chef, thank you chef.” Kazuha took the plate back and headed back to her station to drop it off before heading to the bathroom to fix her hair and wash her hands.

“Station checks.” Chan announced loudly when time was up.

Chan walked around to check that all stations were clean and tidy and that appetizers were prepared.

“Remember to clean as you go. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen.”



The opening had been stressful, he loved the chaos of a kitchen but he hated it when customers complained about absolutely nothing or something that was out of their control. A few orders got mixed up and someone dropped a tray of vegetables because they forgot to say corner but overall the night went smoothly. He did miss his restaurant in Paris though, all of the staff he had been working with for almost five years, they were always in sync and working together efficiently. He knew his new team would get there eventually, he had faith that they could.

Chan needed to relax though so after congratulating his staff, cleaning up the kitchen, station checking and checking the invoice for tonight’s sales he called an uber to take him to his friend’s strip club.

He didn’t come here often, usually when he felt the missing presence of his boyfriend. It didn’t fill the void but at least he could pretend to be single for a couple of hours, enjoy the company of a pretty dancer and then go back to being in a complicated relationship by the end of the night.

Chan felt a little parched after all that work so the first thing he did when entering the strip club was make his way to the bar to get a drink. There were quite a few people here tonight and Chan knew that was because his friend BamBam had hired new dancers and everyone was excited to see what they would bring to the table.

“Hey Hyung.” Chan greeted when Taeyong finished serving another customer and finally came over to him. “Can I get a beer please?” Chan asked, getting out his wallet to pay.

Taeyong nodded and got Chan’s favorite brand of beer, swapping it for the money. “Excited to see the new dancers?”

Chan chuckled. “Hyung messaged me this morning but I completely forgot until I walked in here.”

“I’ve seen some of them practicing this morning, you’re going to really enjoy them.” Taeyong said with a grin.

“But they’re not as good as you right?” Chan flirted with a smirk.

Taeyong chuckled and rolled his eyes. “They wish.” Taeyong spotted a new customer. “Oops, got to go serve, bye Channie.”

“Bye Hyung.” Chan gave a small wave then left the bar.

Chan went and found somewhere to sit so he could see all three stages at once. He sipped his beer as he took a seat on one of the couches in the middle of the floor. There was a table in front of him that the dancers sometimes danced on but none of them were on the floor at the moment; not that Chan cared, he was just happy to sit down after such a long night. Chan was exhausted but relaxing and watching some erotic dancing was just what he needed right now. He tried to throw away every thought in his brain, trying not to recap the night on repeat but he couldn’t help it. This always happened, his work consumed his mind.

Chan sat with his beer in his hand as he watched the left side stage quietly unlike the other patrons in front who were cheering as the dancers came out onto the three stages. Chan didn’t care for the looks of the strippers usually, he only came here to watch them dance. Not that it mattered, as tonight the lights were dimmer than usual, the dancer closest to him was mostly a silhouette in the light.

Chan could still notice small details though like their hair was long and styled with messy beach waves. Their outfit consisted of thigh high stiletto boots, a short four layer tutu that sat high on their legs probably revealing what is underneath. Their top half had what Chan assumed was a sheer jacket to hide their chest in a teasing manner.

Chan glanced over at the other two stages, he knew Minho was the dancer on the main stage with the pole. He couldn’t see who was on the third stage though; but based on the way they moved he could tell they were nervous, which meant it was their first time on stage or they haven’t gotten over their stage fright yet. Chan turned his attention back to the stage in front of him when Take You Down by Chris Brown started playing over the speaker.

The dancer put their hands on their chest and dragged them slowly down their body, hips slowly swaying from side to side with the beat, their hands hooked in the hem of the skirt lowering the sides teasingly before snapping the band of the hem against the hip with the snapping sound of the drum then let go and moved their hands down to their knees. They dropped down and pushed their knees apart when the beat dropped. Chan thought that was a nice move, pulled off effortlessly. The dancer bounced his ass in time with the song before dropping seamlessly to their knees, crawling to the closest patron in front of the stage and then sitting up to body roll in front of him when the sensual chorus started. 

The cheers got louder and Chan glanced over at the other stages, on the third stage the newbie was doing the same as the guy in front of him but being the main event Minho had his own routine to please the crowd. Chan knew that these other two dancers would get the main stage eventually, the way their bodies moved so fluidly; they were natural dancers just like Minho.

Chan didn’t expect it but when the second chorus hit the lights changed to a UV light and the outfit of the dancer closest to him was revealed to be all white as it glowed under the new lighting. Chan watched hungrily as the dancer started to remove the sheer jacket revealing a bare flat chest and Chan was shocked; he hadn’t expected the dancer to be male. Even from where he was sitting he could hear the quick giggle that escaped the dancer as his first wad of cash was stuffed into the side of his skirt.

Chan’s eyes narrowed towards the dancer trying to get a look at their face, he couldn’t see him very well now as even more people crowded around to watch the happy boy move on to his own routine to the song. Chan could tell he was pretty, he even slightly reminded him of his own boyfriend who he missed dearly.

Chan sighed and got up, beer still close to full. He wasn’t in the mood to drink like he thought but he tried to down as much of it as possible before taking it to the bar to be disposed of.

“There’s my favorite chef.” He heard as he leaned on the bar.

Chan raised an eyebrow and turned to see BamBam come up to him. His friend was so eccentric with his style but it always suited him.

“How did the opening go?” BamBam questioned, taking a seat on the stool next to Chan.

“As good as I hoped.” Chan said with a smile.

Chan turned fully and leaned with his elbows on the bar behind him, this way he could see the stage.

“The new talent looks good.” Chan complimented. “Lino looks good as always.”

“He’s up for private sessions if you’d like I could mention that you’re here?”

Chan shook his head. “Not tonight… I wouldn’t mind seeing this new one some other time.” Chan nodded in the direction of the dancer he had been watching. “Who will I be requesting?”

“Jikseu.”

“Jikseu? Interesting name.” Chan hummed.

“He has a lot of potential and Lino has taken both of these guys under his wing so I imagine they will be main stage material in no time.”

Chan got his wallet out of his pocket and pulled out three 50000 won notes to hand to BamBam. “I didn’t get close to the stage tonight, can you tip Jikseu for me and tell him I’m looking forward to seeing more of his performances.”

“Can do.” BamBam said brightly. “Heading off?”

Chan nodded. “It’s almost four, I gotta go call Hyunjin before he goes to sleep.”

“Have you told him you came here yet?”

“He doesn’t need to know.” Chan rolled his eyes. “What I do with my free time is my own business. He won’t tell me about his modeling parties so...” Chan shrugged.

Chapter Text

“Are those another set of flowers?” Alexa asked in shock as they all sat backstage after a busy night of work.

Yeonjun leaned back in his chair with a grin on his face. “Little Felix here has himself some admirers. With moves like those, who could blame them?”

“Oh look at ‘little miss popular’ over here.” Soyeon teased, spanking Felix’s underwear-covered ass with her shirt that she rolled up.

“Do you think they would die of thirst if they learnt our precious baby Felix is single?” Minho chimed in.

Felix rolled his eyes and tied his hair into a bun then got dressed into his civilian clothes. “That’s not by choice Hyung. My Korean is too poor to date someone local and honestly I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.”

“You haven’t found the one? Bitch I’m right here; what do you mean?” Yeonjun complained with a pout.

Felix laughed. “Home time. Junnie Hyung, are we still on for shopping tomorrow?” Felix went over and kissed Yeonjun after he nodded. “Love you all.” Felix said as he grabbed his bag and his flowers.

“Love you too Lix.” They all told him as he left.

Minho chased after him. “Let me give you a ride home, Lix. It’s too early in the morning to be waiting outside for an uber alone.”

It had been a month since his first dance at the club. He had become popular amongst the customers and as for his co-workers he became really good friends with them, they were practically family. Yeonjun and Minho have a special place in his heart though; Felix was so lucky to have such good friends.

Felix followed Minho out to his car and got in the passenger seat. Felix told him his address and Minho started driving through the quiet city. Felix loved finishing work at five am, the trip home was always so peaceful because the city was only just starting to wake up.

“I booked us a table for Yeonjun’s birthday.” Minho told him.

“Oh cool. Where are we eating and how much do I need to save?”

Felix knew that Minho had expensive taste. Being the top earner at the club gave him access to a lavish life that he had grown accustomed to. When Felix first started hanging out with Minho he was shocked to learn that Minho worked not only as a stripper but as one of the club’s escorts; only for the highest paying clients though. He also learnt that Minho isn’t the type to date; especially for love. If he were to date it would be for money and convenience.

Felix was the opposite. Felix wanted to be in love.

“I got us a spot at that new restaurant uh, Fairytale? The head chef is a client of mine so he guaranteed a spot for us. Price wise it’s not too bad considering it’s a high end restaurant but you might want to dig into your tips just in case.”

Minho eventually pulled up in front of Felix’s building.

He glared out the window and up at the tall building. “You live here?” Felix nodded. “Isn’t this a gosiwon?” Felix nodded again.

“I’m saving up to move out but haven’t had much luck finding an affordable apartment. I wanted to live with Yeonjun but that’s not happening any time soon.” Felix explained.

Minho looked at Felix and raised an eyebrow curiously. “Why don’t you come and live with me? I own my apartment so I won’t charge you rent, that way you can put your money towards something good.”

“You would let me live with you?” Felix asked in surprise, he really hadn’t been expecting that.

Minho nodded. “Granted you will have to deal with my annoying roommate who I’m legally not allowed to kick out but I’m sure you guys will get along great.”

“An annoying roommate sounds a lot nicer than living with a bunch of strangers that I barely even talk to.”

Minho turned the car off. “Let’s go get your stuff.”

Felix took Minho up to his room where they packed all his stuff; not that he owned much, it was mostly his clothes and a laptop he had brought with him from Australia. Minho took Felix to his apartment which happened to be the penthouse on the top floor.

Felix gasped when they walked in. “You live here?”

Minho nodded. “You do too.”

Felix was in awe as he dropped his suitcase to look around the giant apartment. There were just so many windows! Felix imagined that the natural light during the day would be amazing, he couldn’t wait to see it. He liked how clean the place looked with white walls and burnt orange furniture to make the room pop. Felix spotted the balcony and went outside to look at the view.

The streets were packed with cars as everyone tried to get to work. Felix took a deep breath of the crisp dawn air and looked up to get a look at the stars. He had never been anywhere so fancy in his entire life.

Felix turned to go back inside only to see the hot tub on the balcony causing him to gasp.

“Just how fucking rich are you?” Felix asked Minho who was standing in the doorway watching him with amusement on his face.

Minho chuckled. “Not that rich. Buying this place cleaned me out but I’m not doing too badly for myself. My clients are rich enough to support me and Jeongin. I make enough to give up stripping… Not that I would, I enjoy it too much.”

“You get all this from sleeping around?” Felix asked, wondering if he should consider it despite being a virgin.

“I only see extremely respectable and wealthy clients. Bambam organizes everything for me after doing background checks on everyone. I don’t accept anyone new anymore unless they catch my attention, my regulars see me once a week and always come into the club for a show.”

“I didn’t know you were in such high demand.” Felix said feeling impressed but not surprised, he still thought Minho was beautiful so it wasn’t hard to believe.

“Come inside, I’ll show you to your room.”

Felix nodded and came back inside. He grabbed the stuff he dropped earlier then followed Minho up the black spiral staircase in the living room that led to the bedrooms. Minho pointed out all the rooms giving him a full tour.

“This is the first bathroom, there is another downstairs. This is Jeongin’s room, I’d introduce you but he’s probably playing video games right now and he hates it when I interrupt him so you’ll meet him tomorrow at some point.” Minho kept pointing out doors as they walked along the landing. “This is the laundry, this is your room, this one is a guest room and the one at the end of the hall is mine. All rooms are soundproof by the way.”

“Good to know.” Felix nodded, he didn’t know if he could stand to hear Minho pleasuring his clients.

Minho must have seen the momentary look of embarrassment on Felix’s face. “Don’t worry, only one of my clients comes over. It wouldn’t be fair on Jeongin if I was constantly bringing home different guys… Which brings me to my next topic. If you get a boyfriend I have to meet him before he’s allowed over.”

Felix nodded in understanding. “Of course.”

“Oh I forgot to mention, this complex has an indoor pool, sauna and a gym on the first floor near the lobby, they’re open to residents all hours of the day except during cleaning hours which generally fall on Monday evenings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.”

Felix raised his eyebrows. “That’s cool.”

“Go settle into your room, get some sleep.” Minho told him with a smile. “Help yourself to anything in the fridge.”



Felix slept in late. The queen sized bed in his new room was so comfortable that he had the best sleep he’s ever had in his entire life. He groaned when he woke up and stared at the ceiling for a while debating whether or not it was worth leaving the bed.

Felix eventually got up and opened his curtains to let in the morning sunlight.

He wanted to try out the new bathroom so he chose his outfit for the day which were just simple light blue denim jeans and a purple fuzzy sweater that showed the tiniest bit of midriff. The shower was so nice he couldn’t help but stand under it for almost half an hour, the water pressure felt so good on his tired muscles.

Noises came from the kitchen as Felix finally stepped out of the upstairs bathroom. He put away his dirty clothes and grabbed his phone and wallet before climbing down the spiral staircase and going to the kitchen where he found Minho serving food to the teenager sitting at the counter.

“Ah Felix, good morning.” Minho greeted with a smile. “Would you like breakfast?”

Felix shook his head. “No thanks Hyung, I’m just gonna get food with Yeonjun.”

The teenager turned around at the sound of his voice and Felix stared at him. He was cute. Chubby cheeks and dimples, showing off his braces as he smiled at him. “Hi. You must be Felix Hyung, Lino Hyung was just telling me about you.” Jeongin turned with a blush on his face making both Minho and Felix chuckle.

“Lix meet Jeongin, my adopted son.” Minho introduced casually.

“You didn’t say he’d be that pretty Hyung!” Jeongin whined.

“Yah, just because you’re only a year apart doesn’t mean you can like him. Felix is off limits.”

“You can’t pick and choose who I date just because you took me in.” Jeongin argued.

Felix cleared his throat. “Do I get a say in this?”

They both turned to him and spoke in unison. “No.”

“Welp, that's my cue to leave.”  Felix pursed his lips and waved bye as he scurried out of the building.

Felix texted Yeonjun the address to come and pick him up.



Felix couldn’t get used to the stares. They were currently shopping in the feminine section of an upper class lingerie store, sorting through what they had in stock as opposed to online which Felix had looked at in the car ride over. Customers and staff were just staring at them, it made Felix so uncomfortable. Yeonjun, however, was unphased. Clothing seemed to be his element regardless of gender.

“I want something pretty.” Felix told him. Whenever he felt insecure about himself he would always put on something pretty because it made him feel confident; now he wanted that confidence to show within his work.

Yeonjun looked through the rack of underwear until he found cute pastel panties with frilly sides. “Too pretty?”

“Too cute I think.” Felix rummaged through the hangers, he didn’t understand why these were all mismatched. “Ohh what about this?” Felix pulled out lacy dark purple panties that were shaped like a butterfly over the crotch area.

“That’s perfect for you.” Yeonjun said with a wide grin then lowered his voice. “Customers will eat that up.”

They snickered amongst themselves before they were interrupted by one of the service ladies who probably assumed they were immature teenage boys.

“Can I help you with anything gentlemen?” She offered but her tone wasn’t as kind as the fake customer service smile on her face.

Yeonjun nodded and took the panties from Felix. “I’m trying to spice things up for my boyfriend, do you have anything that goes with this?” Yeonjun lied to save themselves from mentioning their jobs and of course to make Felix feel less uncomfortable about being confronted.

The server grimaced at the mention of a boyfriend but kept her fake smile plastered on her face. “That one does come in a set.” The woman disappeared to another rack for a second before coming back with a matching lace bralet. “Anything else?”

“No, that's it, thank you.” Yeonjun said and took the stuff to the counter to pay. He grabbed Felix’s hand as they were leaving and kissed him out of nowhere. “I can’t wait for us to try this when we get home.”

Felix blushed and groaned, trying to hide his face. “You’re so obnoxious Hyung.” He looked at the server. “I’m so sorry about him… Come on, let's just go.” He grabbed the bag and dragged Yeonjun out of the store.

As they were walking back to Yeonjun’s car, Yeonjun spotted an advertisement for a tattoo parlor.

“Hey, wanna go get tattoos?”

Chapter Text

Chan sat on the floor stacking blocks with the utmost concentration. It was vital that he stack them perfectly so they lined up nicely, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He was glad the blocks weren’t numbered as he tried to color code them, singing the rainbow song as he did so.

“Red and yellow, and pink and green,” Chan sang, stacking the corresponding colors in order from bottom to top. “Purple and orange and blue. I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too.”

The small happy claps followed by a tiny giggle made Chan look up. He had become so mind-numbingly intrigued by the blocks that he had forgotten why he had started playing with them to begin with.

Chan watched in horror as his son pushed his perfectly stacked blocks making them fall over and then laughing to himself.

‘Oh to be a child again’ Chan thought.

Chan didn’t get to spend nearly as much time with Phillip as he would like to but he lived for these moments when he got to spend one on one time with him. He wanted full custody of his child but he knew he was too busy to look after him full time, having his nanny Ryujin watch him for the hours he worked on the weeks he had Phillip. It was better now than when he lived in Paris though, he rarely saw Phillip then, maybe once every other month if he was lucky enough to get away from his restaurant.

The press didn’t know but he actually moved to Seoul to have equal custody of his son, in fact the press didn’t know about his son or his home life at all which was relieving.

“Appa horsey?” Phillip asked.

Chan smiled and nodded. “We can go to the park but first we have to get you changed okay?”

He didn’t expect an answer back, his son was only three and pretty decent at speaking when he felt like it, he just didn’t feel like talking a lot of the time. Chan didn’t blame him for that, talking and socializing could be a serious hassle, it just saddened him that he didn’t try to talk to him more.

Chan blamed himself for not being around when he was younger. Chan had met Phillip’s mother Sana when he lived in Australia. He genuinely loved her despite it being a fling. They only broke up because Chan wanted to travel the world for his culinary journey and Sana had to go back to Japan but somehow ended up living here in Korea.

“Help Appa put the blocks away.” Chan told him as he stood up, bending down to pick the blocks up.

Phillip awkwardly got up and then squatted back down to pick up two blocks, one for each hand. He stood up straight and waddled behind Chan who led him to the toy box that lived in the living room behind the couch.

“Almost done, a couple more.” They went and picked up the remaining blocks.

Chan picked up Phillip and took him to his room before setting him down in the walk in wardrobe.

“What shall we wear today, Lip?” Chan asked as he browsed his son’s clothes.

“Girin!” Phillip called out excitedly.

Chan grinned and grabbed out a shirt with a picture of a giraffe on it and got a pair of orange jeans to go with it. Phillip let Chan dress him with no complaints and then went and climbed the ramp to his bed as he waited for Chan to get his shoes.

Chan found Phillip’s giraffe headband, grabbed a jacket, some socks and his shoes before taking them all over to Phillip.

“‘Pa when Jinnie Hyung come see me?”

“Jinnie’s still in Paris buddy. We’ll have to tell him to come see you soon.” He didn’t know how to explain the long distance to him. Philip was infatuated with Hyunjin, not that Chan could blame him for that; his boyfriend was extremely ethereal. “Ready to go?” Chan asked as a way to distract him.

Phillip nodded and then went down the slide attached to his bed. He held out his hand for Chan who happily picked him up; he didn’t use the apartment complex’s gym for nothing if not for carrying his son absolutely everywhere because his little legs got too tired.



Phillip and Chan played at the park for hours. The three year old was fascinated by the slide because it was bigger than the one in his room. The main attraction was the rocking horse, Chan was always nervous about putting him on it since he was so young but Phillip absolutely loved it; hence why he calls the park horsey.

Roughly two hours into playing Chan got a phone call, when he saw the caller id he grinned and bent down beside Phillip before answering the facetime. “Look who it is, Lip.”

“Jinnie Hyung!”

“Hey Lip.” Hyunjin chuckled and waved.

Phillip waved back and pointed to the rocking horse he was still sitting on. “Horsey.”

“Oh you’re playing on the horsey? That’s so much fun huh?” Hyunjin feigned excitement to humor the toddler. “Channie, can we talk?”

“Sounds serious.” Chan commented and picked Phillip up off the rocking horse. “Lip go play with some of the other little kids, somewhere where I can see you.”

Phillip glared up at him and refused to move, instead he turned and pushed the horse manually trying to make it rock. Chan rolled his eyes but gave the kid some space so he could talk privately with Hyunjin whilst still keeping an eye on him.

“You’re up early.” Chan commented, worried about whatever Hyunjin wants to talk about.

Chan watched as Hyunjin adjusted himself in his chair and played with his fluffy blonde hair. “I have a photoshoot for the cover of Vogue France.”

“Holy crap that’s such a huge deal congratulations.” Chan said then realized he said it kind of loudly. He looked around to make sure no one overheard him swear.

Hyunjin waved it off. “It’s not that big of a deal, we both know I was born for this.”

“Okay but reaching this point of your career at only nineteen? That is kind of a big deal.”

“Can you stop changing the subject?” Hyunjin grumbled in annoyance.

Chan sighed. “Okay fine what do you want to talk about?”

“I’ve been giving this a lot of thought and I know you don’t love me as much as I love you… Plus this long distance thing is really hard, I want to be there with you but I need to be here for work and you need to be there for your son.”

“Jinnie, what are you trying to tell me? You want to break up?” Chan pouted.

Chan knew he wasn’t the best boyfriend in fact he only started dating Hyunjin for his body because he was shallow like that when they first began seeing each other. He genuinely cared for Hyunjin though and in a way he did love him but he knew it would never be enough for someone as romantically insatiable as Hyunjin. He knew this day would come eventually, even though he had a feeling Hyunjin was sleeping around; he still didn’t think this day would come so soon.

“No… I just need a break… Maybe see other people?” Hyunjin looked at him pleadingly.

Chan rolled his eyes. “That’s never stopped you before.”

Hyunjin huffed and puffed out his chest. “I’ll have you know I have never slept around behind your back. If I ever considered it, it would have been to further my career but even that is beneath me, the most I’ve ever done wrong is let people feel me up but you gave me permission for that.” Hyunjin defended himself.

Chan studied his face and could tell that Hyunjin was telling the truth by the way he kept scrunching up his nose in disgust at the accusations. Chan sighed and sank in on himself. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“Damn right you shouldn’t have!” Hyunjin snapped and then took a deep breath to calm himself. “Look I just need this for my career, it’s horrible but I don’t see myself getting any further recognition without it.”

“And we have to take a break for you to do this?” Chan asked.

Hyunjin nodded. “Our relationship means everything to me, I don’t want this to be an issue between us later on and like I said, I know you don’t love me like I love you. You can have the freedom to do whatever you want and work out your feelings for me before we make a final decision on our relationship.”

The words were going in one ear and out the other; none of it was registering to Chan’s brain. All he could register was that he was being released from the responsibilities of their tiresome relationship. No more four am calls, no more having to hide the fact he goes to the strip club on a fortnightly basis whenever Phillip was at Sana’s for the week.

“Do I get to sleep with other people?” Chan questioned.

Hyunjin shrugged. “If that’s what you want. Treat it as if you are single I guess.”

“What am I going to tell Lip?”

“He doesn’t even understand that we are together Channie, he’ll be fine.”

“You know how infatuated he is with you.” Chan reminded him.

“Yeah I do, I guess I can call whenever he wants to talk then.”

Chan looked at Phillip who was still pushing the horse, completely immersed in the task of making it move. “Wanna talk to him now? He was asking about you earlier, he wanted to know when you were gonna come see him.”

“Pass him the phone.” Hyunjin said with a small sigh, he plastered an almost believable smile on his face when the phone got handed to the toddler. “Hey buddy I heard you were asking when I’ll come see you?”

Phillip just nodded.

“I’ll come see you soon okay?”

Phillip stuck his face closer to the phone and whispered. “Pwomise?”

Hyunjin chuckled. “I promise.”



Chan stayed at the park with Phillip for another half an hour after Hyunjin had hung up so he could get back to work. Hyunjin’s words were finally processing and it was making him irritable, he needed someone to talk to about this so he went back to their building. Instead of going to his apartment he went up to the penthouse and rang the doorbell.

He had to wait a few minutes before the door was answered.

“Innie!” Phillip yelled excitedly at the sight of Jeongin who grinned immediately.

Jeongin bent down and picked him up to cuddle him, Phillip instantly snuggled into him. Jeongin was Phillip’s favorite Hyung.

“Would you be okay to watch him for a little bit? I can pay you for it, I just need to talk to Minho.” Chan begged.

Jeongin nodded and booped Phillip on the nose before letting Chan inside. “Come on Lip, let’s go play with Hyung’s plushies.”

Chan smiled at how cute they were together and then went up to Minho’s room where he knew he’d be getting ready for work. He knocked on the door politely and waited for permission before going into Minho’s room. Chan grabbed his wallet out of his pocket, grabbed out two fifty thousand won notes and chucked them on Minho’s bed.

“I need a private session.” Chan said, catching Minho’s attention.

Minho turned in his vanity chair to face him. “You know my clients normally pay me for sex… You really need to stop paying me to just talk, I’m not a therapist.”

“Isn’t the whole point of prostituting to be what the client wants you to be?” Chan asked, confused and went to sit on the bed. “Plus I could never degrade you like that, Minho, not to mention I’m not the type to pay for sex.”

Minho got up and came over to him, straddling his lap and placing his arms around his neck. “We’re friends Channie, you don’t need to pay me for a single thing, now tell me what’s on your mind.”



Chan vented about his feelings for half an hour before leaving the room, going down the spiral staircase only to find a brown haired freckled boy playing with his son. Chan frowned when he realized Jeongin wasn’t there and watched curiously as Philip clung to the happy boy who was pretending a plushie was singing.

“Who are you?”

Chapter Text

“I thought tattoo parlors were illegal in South Korea?” Felix questioned as they went looking for the shop.

“They are due to the country’s history with tattoos but obviously they thrive underground just like our job does.” Yeonjun explained as they found the tattoo parlor that was disguised as an art gallery.

“Fancy.” Felix commented as they went inside.

Felix glanced around at all the artwork on the walls, all of it beautifully hand drawn from what he could see. They went up to the reception desk to gain access to the tattoo parlor.

“Hi, I saw your sign outside and was wondering if the art room takes walk-ins?” Yeonjun said, explaining to the receptionist that they wanted to get tattoos instead of looking at the art.

The receptionist smiled politely. “First time in the gallery? What size pieces are you looking to buy? The artists are currently busy but I’m sure they will be happy to talk with you when they are done.”

“Just small pieces I think.” Felix looked at the receptionist’s name tag. “Thank you Tiffany.”

“Feel free to look around the gallery while you wait.” Tiffany told them, filling out some paperwork and then disappearing into the back room.

Felix and Yeonjun moved around the room to get a close look at some of the artwork hanging on the walls.

“What are you thinking of getting?” Felix asked curiously, he had no idea what he wanted.

Yeonjun smirked. “I’ve always wanted a tramp stamp.”

Felix rolled his eyes. “Of course you have.” They both laughed quietly to themselves.

“I’m thinking; angel wings on my lower back.” Yeonjun deadpanned. “What about you? Any ideas?”

“Flowers of some description.” Felix said when they walked over to a drawing of scattered flowers and a broken vase.

Yeonjun nodded. “Classy choice.”

“You don’t think Bambam Sajangnim would get mad at us for getting tattoos would he?” Felix worried.

“You have nothing to worry about.” A voice said from behind them.

They turned to see their coworker Yuta who was wearing a crop top with cling wrap covering his stomach.

“I already asked him his policy on tattoos, he doesn’t care.” Yuta told them with a smile.

Felix and Yeonjun both stared at the cling wrap. “What did you get?” Felix asked. The cling wrap was clear but it was layered too much to see what was underneath.

“Butterflies.” Yuta said proudly. “I’ll show you at work once they’re done healing. Bambam has put me on hostess duty all week.”

Felix hummed. “Yeah I’ll probably get tossed on bar duty until the tattoo heals.”

“I’ll be hostess most likely.” Yeonjun added in just as Tiffany came out of the backroom followed by one of the hottest men Felix had ever seen. Yeonjun snickered at Felix’s reaction to the beefy guy dressed in all black and covered in tattoos. “Stop drooling Lixie.”

Felix tried his best to stop staring but his inner muscle kink was quaking at the sight of this man. The man bowed politely to greet them and Felix did so too albeit unconsciously.

“Hi guys, I’m Changbin, I’m one of the artists here.” He introduced himself.

“Would you ever consider dating a stripper?” Yeonjun blurted. “Asking for a friend.”

Changbin chuckled at the absurdity of the question. “Well, uh, tell your friend I’m bi and not looking for anything serious right now.”

“So you’re single then?” Felix asked looking for confirmation and Changbin nodded before glancing Felix up and down.

“So what can I help you guys with today?”



Staying still in the chair was so hard. His hips were sensitive, the slight pain from the tattoo gun was making him feel good and it didn’t help that he couldn’t take his eyes off of Changbin. Yeonjun had forced Changbin to be Felix’s artist while he went off with the other tattooed artist whose name they learnt was Hyungwon.

“I can feel you staring, you know.” Changbin commented without looking up from his drawing.

Felix gulped. “Sorry you’re just so hot.” Felix told him honestly.

“You’re pretty hot yourself.” Changbin said, pausing his tattooing for a second so he could look up at Felix who was still watching him. “I wasn’t expecting your deep voice when you first spoke.”

“Most people don’t expect it.” Felix pursed his lips and looked away from Changbin. “How much longer is the tattoo going to take?”

Changbin looked down at his handiwork. “Almost done with the shading, just got the color after that. What color were you thinking?”

“I think I like the idea of blue.”

“This suits you so well.” Changbin told him then looked up. “Are you really a stripper?”

“What?” Felix hadn’t been expecting him to ask that.

“Oh sorry, was that presumptuous? I just assumed you were the friend Yeonjun was talking about… You’re pretty enough to be a stripper and you have the lean body of a dancer… That was rude of me to assume.”

“Oh um… Yeah…” Felix confirmed his assumptions. “We both are. You won’t tell anyone right?”

Changbin shook his head and focused on tattooing. “Of course not, I would like to see you work though so I can get excited, you know since you’re getting excited while watching me work.” Changbin teased with a smirk on his face.

Felix looked down and groaned, his hands went to cover his semi hard dick. “It’s the tattoo gun, I swear.”

“Tell yourself whatever you need to just to get through it.” Changbin continued to tease.

Yeonjun showed up when Changbin was halfway done with the shading. Yeonjun turned and showed off his lower back, his shirt was currently still beside his chair that he had been getting tattooed on.

Felix stared at the uncovered tattoo. The tattoo was red angel wings on both sides of the word naughty in cursive writing with a small halo above the N and little stars around the halo. It was so fitting for Yeonjun, pretty and sexy just like he was. Felix couldn’t help but laugh though.

“It’s very you.”

“What did you get?” Yeonjun asked as Hyungwon came over and put some aftercare gel over the tattoo and then covered it with cling wrap, taping it to his skin.

“Take it off when you get home and wash the tattoo, then apply the aftercare gel I give you.” Hyungwon told him, interrupting their conversation.

“Yes sir.” Yeonjun said obediently.

“I was basic, I just got a bunch of blue roses encompassing my thigh up to my waist.” Felix answered him.

“That’s such a big piece, how did you have time for that Changbin?” Yeonjun frowned but admired what had been done so far.

“No appointments today, only walk-ins which is why the sign is out. We do this about once a month to lure in new clients.” Changbin explained, not looking away from his work.

“How much longer until Felix is done?” Yeonjun questioned.

Changbin assessed the tattoo. “Maybe an hour and a half.”

Yeonjun nodded. “I might pay for mine and then go get food for us, would you guys want anything?” Yeonjun offered to Changbin and Hyungwon for all their hard work.

Felix was so glad when Changbin was finally done with the tattoo. They had taken a break to eat the food that Yeonjun had brought for them; it had given Felix time to calm down although once they started on the tattoo again he felt too good again. Changbin never shamed him for it but Yeonjun teased him when he inevitably noticed.

“Try not to walk around too much, you don’t want your leg to swell.” Changbin warned as he took Felix to the front counter to pay for the tattoo.

“We’ll try not to be out too much longer.” Felix said getting his phone.

He logged into his bank app and transferred money from his savings while Changbin entered the amount on the eftpos machine. Felix paywaved with his phone and entered his pin because it was over his one hundred dollar paywave limit he had forgotten he had set.

“Can I get your number?” Changbin asked. “You promised I could come see you work.”

Felix narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t promise shit… But yes. You can have my number.”

Felix happily gave Changbin his number and texted him his workplace address with a wink emoji. He knew he would see Changbin quite soon.

“I found this shop with really cute skirts while I was out. We should go check it out before I drop you home.” Yeonjun stated as he linked arms with Felix, then waved goodbye to Changbin.

The boys shopped for new work outfits for another hour before Yeonjun dropped Felix back at Minho’s.

“Don’t forget to wash your tattoo and moisturize it.” Yeonjun reminded him after Felix kissed him goodbye.

“You too.” Felix replied and grabbed his eight shopping bags out of the car.

He had gone a little overboard with the shopping as he now had cupboard space to have more than five outfits. Not only did he buy work outfits but he had found a completely new style for his everyday wear as well. Felix took the elevator up to the penthouse completely grateful for the mechanical contraption, there was no way he could survive all those stairs whilst carrying so many bags.

When Felix entered the apartment he saw Jeongin in the living room playing with some plushies and a toddler who was currently poking his dimple curiously. Felix hummed and took his bags to his room before going to the bathroom to remove the cling wrap, he gently washed his tattoo with warm water getting any remnants of ink off his skin and then moisturized it.

When he was done he carefully redressed then went out to the living room to join Jeongin when he saw that Minho’s door was shut which meant he was busy. He laid down on the ground on the side without the tattoo then leaned his cheek on his hand with the elbow that held him up.

“Whose this cutie?” Felix asked.

He studied the toddler, he had chubby cheeks from baby weight and pretty sparkling brown eyes with a lot of curly chocolate brown hair. He had dimples in his cheeks and four tiny lightly colored moles; one near the left corner of his lip, one a couple of centimeters above that one and two close to each other under his right eye.

“This is Phillip.” Jeongin said as Phillip waddled up to him carrying a potato plushie.

“Dis what?” Phillip asked, he had a slight lisp as he spoke English to Jeongin and Felix could hear a slight Australian accent.

“Potato.” Jeongin answered.

“Tato?” Phillip frowned and looked down at the plushie. “Mm Tato.”

Phillip looked over at Felix curiously and just stared at him. Felix’s eyes widened, he didn’t know what to do as the toddler watched him. Felix cleared his throat and sat up properly before Phillip grinned and handed him the potato.

“Dis you. Play.” Phillip said confidently.

Felix smiled and took the potato plushie. “Oh thank you. What are you going to play with?” Felix asked in English.

Phillip was in shock, his eyes widening cutely. “Sound me?”

Felix tilted his head as he tried to work out what that meant then it hit him; his accent. “Yeah that’s right, I sound like you don’t I?”

“He’s not usually this talkative.” Jeongin commented. “Oh, can you watch him for a second? I need to use the bathroom.”

Felix nodded. “Yeah I can do that.”

Jeongin got up and left them to play with the plushies. Felix played with the potato plushie while Phillip watched him intently. Since he had the toddler’s attention he decided he would sing and pretend it was the plushie singing. Phillip clapped his hands excitedly as he sang Hot Potato by The Wiggles since it was an Australian classic. Phillip came over to him and hugged him, not leaving him alone as he continued to sing and make the potato plushie dance around.

“Who are you?” Felix heard causing him to turn his head and look up to see who he assumed was Phillip’s father based on his looks.

“I-” Felix stuttered. “I’m Felix.”

“Licks!” Phillip giggled and clung to him tighter.

Phillip’s dad looked around. “Where’s Jeongin?”

“Uh he asked me to watch Phillip while he went to the bathroom.” Felix explained as he dropped the potato and stood up, picking Phillip up in the process since he refused to let go. “Hi, I’m Minho’s new housemate, Felix.”

“I’m Chan.”

Chapter Text

“Appa! Licks sound me!” Phillip giggled.

Chan looked at his son quizzically then at Felix for help to decipher what he said.

Felix smiled and spoke to Chan in English. “He’s referring to my accent, I sound like him.”

“Oh wow you’re Australian?” Chan asked.

Chan eyed off the stranger carefully as he nodded. There was something oddly familiar about him that Chan couldn’t quite place. Felix was beautiful with his long brown hair that framed his slender face. The freckles that dotted his cheeks and nose like a bunch of constellations; Chan had never seen anyone so beautiful except maybe Hyunjin and Minho. The fleeting thought of Hyunjin quickly soured his mood once again but before he could dwell on it Minho came out of his room and Jeongin came back from the bathroom.

“Hyung, would you and Lip like to stay for dinner?” Jeongin asked as he took a seat on the couch.

Chan took a moment to glance at Minho who sat down beside Jeongin and then looked at Phillip who was happily playing connect the dots with the freckles on Felix’s cheek.

Chan sighs. “If I stay, are you going to make me cook?”

“Of course.” Jeongin and Minho answered at the same time.

Felix frowned and looked at his housemates. “That doesn’t seem fair guys. Chan is our guest and we should be cooking for him.”

“Hyung is a world renowned chef, his cooking is the best.” Jeongin told Felix.

Chan watched as Felix looked slightly impressed and then frowned again.

“It’s still not right to exploit people’s passions like that.” Felix defended him and Chan couldn’t help the warm feeling in his chest. It wasn’t very often that people took his side on anything.

“It’s okay Felix, I don’t mind cooking.” Chan said with a soft smile to show he meant it.

Felix studied him and seemed to make up his mind that Chan meant it. “Hmm okay fine, but at least let me help?”

“No need.” Chan stated and reached out for his son who happily came to him. “I have my little helper right here. Want to show Innie Hyung your cooking skills Lip?”

Phillip nodded excitedly and grinned. Chan went to the kitchen and set him down behind the counter. He looked through the cupboards and fridge to see which ingredients he had to work with and he decided to make a simple pasta which would be easy for Phillip to help him with. Chan went back to the walk-in pantry and pulled out the small step that Minho keeps specifically for Phillip since they come to cook quite often.

Chan still didn’t have that many friends in Korea, he had his best friend Changbin who he rarely saw these days and of course he had BamBam but neither of them were as convenient as Minho who happened to live in the same building as him. It always helped when he got lonely, especially on the weeks he didn’t have Phillip. As gratitude for being his friend, Chan showed Minho love the only way he knew how; through his food.

Chan washed his hands and helped Phillip wash his own. Chan then got the little kids chef set out of the drawer that Minho had brought as a birthday present for Phillip, he loved to use them and show off what Chan teaches him. Chan grabbed a cutting board and put it in front of Phillip.

“Can you cut the capsicum for me?” Chan asked handing Phillip the green bell pepper and one of his kid safe sharp knives. “Remember to cut the top first, then cut the core and scoop the insides out before you chop it.”

Phillip nodded at the instructions and started doing what he was told to the best of his abilities. He had a mini functioning kitchen in his playroom where he could practice making certain foods, he absolutely adored it and used it all the time. His favorite thing to do was crush avocado.

Chan prepared the pot of water for the pasta, turning on the heat to bring it to boil. He also grabbed a large saucepan, putting the beef mince in but not turning it on just yet. He got himself a chopping board and a sharp knife so he could dice some onion, some carrots and a zucchini. He gave Phillip the small mushrooms to cut when he was done with the capsicum.

As he was cutting the zucchini Felix came over and sat on the stool at the other side of the counter. “How long have you been a chef?”

“Uh after I did my TAFE course I started my apprenticeship when I was twenty, went on a food journey and had my first restaurant at twenty one.” Chan explained, focusing on cutting the vegetable swiftly.

“Jeongin said you were world renowned? What would come up if I googled you?” Felix asked curiously, he leaned his elbows on the counter and rested his chin on his hands watching Chan’s cutting skills in amazement.

Chan looked up momentarily and caught the way Felix was watching him. “I currently hold the title of the youngest chef to earn a michelin star.” Chan hated bragging even about amazing achievements such as that. “I worked in my restaurant for two years and only just moved here a few months ago, but I just opened my new restaurant.”

“Oh so you’re Minho’s client then.” Felix said and Chan swore he could hear the sound of disappointment in his voice.

Chan blushed, not ready to admit to anyone that he just uses a prostitute for therapy. “I guess I am?”

Chan wasn’t ashamed of Minho’s work in any way, shape or form whether it be the dancing or the prostituting. He was just ashamed that he couldn’t bring himself to sleep with someone so out of his league even if he was paying for it. He had almost slept with him once but then Minho broke the news that they lived in the same building as he was taking him in the front door and thus ruined any chance of it happening because he decided they would be better off as friends.

Chan even had a hard time sleeping with Hyunjin when they first began dating. He was so beautiful and otherworldly, Chan could barely look at him, it was like staring at lights for too long. Their relationship had been for the presses eyes only to begin with, a bit of arm candy for Chan to show off, that was until Hyunjin said he wanted to be more than a display toy.

“What do you do for work?” Chan asked, trying to change the subject because he didn’t want to think about Hyunjin right now.

Felix pursued his lips and sat up straight. “I’m a~” His words cut off and his hand went to his waist with a small hiss of pain.

“Are you okay?” Chan asked, feeling concerned. 

Felix nodded. “I got a tattoo today, I think the skin just pinched a little as I sat up straight.”

“Oh I love tattoos, what did you get?”

“Blue roses.”

“Sounds nice.” Chan said genuinely.

“Yah, less chatting more cooking we’re hungry!” Minho called out.

Chan looked apologetically at Felix. “Sorry, gotta do what the boss man says. He’s a bit grouchy when he is hungry.”

“Maybe he should have a Snickers then.” Felix joked and Chan let out a hearty laugh at that.

“You’re funny.” Chan commented, thinking aloud.

Felix made no comment at that. “I better leave you alone to cook. I think your water is boiled.”
Felix got up and went back to the couch to sit with Jeongin and Minho who were currently playing rock paper scissors. Chan finished chopping everything and then helped Phillip put the pasta in the water.

“Go play with Innie Hyung, I got this from here buddy. Thanks for your help.” Chan said and high-fived Phillip before he ran off to play with Jeongin and Felix again.

Chan turned the hotplate on for the saucepan and mixed the vegetables in with the mince and got some seasoning from the cupboard. He got lost in his own little world as he cooked happily, he even started singing to himself at one point which wasn’t out of the ordinary. Something about food just made Chan’s soul feel complete and making it for other people to taste was his favorite thing in the world to do. He hadn’t lost his passion for the craft yet, he had heard of chefs burning out quite quickly but he was so grateful he wasn’t one of those stories.

Minho set the table twenty minutes later and Felix was back to singing The Wiggles songs to Phillip while Jeongin pretended to be part of the crowd with him. Dinner was ready ten minutes after that.

“Wash hands Lip.” Chan told his son and they all proceeded to wash their hands before Felix and Chan served up the dishes to the table.

“Thank you for the food. It looks so good, Lip.” Felix commented when he sat at the table beside Jeongin, across from Chan and Phillip. “Thank you, Chan Hyung.”

“I hope you enjoy it.” Chan said with a smile and watched curiously as Felix took his first bite.

“Mmm.” Felix said after he swallowed. “Wow, that's so good! Is this the type of stuff you serve at your restaurant?”

Chan shook his head. “No, I actually specialize in French Cuisine. We also have a few experimental meals on the menu as well just to explore something new.”

“This spaghetti kind of reminds me of home. My little sister would make spaghetti with my mom.” Felix said.

“How long have you been away from home?”

“Just over a year now. It’s been tough.”

“Wow it’s like we don’t even exist.” Jeongin complained. “I might as well talk to the toddler.”

Minho rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic, you didn’t even try to talk to him first.”

Felix and Chan looked over at Minho and Jeongin. “Sorry, there is just something shiny and new, you know my attention span isn’t great.” Chan said with a small chuckle.

Minho rolled his eyes again and Chan narrowed his eyes at him trying to telepathically tell him not to fuck this up for him, he could use a good rebound. This boy that reminded him of sunshine seemed so perfect.

Conversation during dinner moved on to movies and other various topics and both Chan and Jeongin had to help Phillip eat his spaghetti multiple times because it kept dropping off his fork. When dinner was over Felix and Jeongin did the dishes and Chan bid everyone goodbye so he could go get Phillip ready for bed.

Bedtime was normally a hassle but tonight Phillip was completely worn out from the big day he had and Chan couldn’t blame him. Chan was tired too. Too much of an emotional rollercoaster.



The next day Chan was laying on the couch with a tired Phillip who was snuggled on his chest, sucking his thumb and clinging to his baby blanket while being heavily invested in an episode of Pororo The Little Penguin. Chan was glad they had no plans to go out today, the events of yesterday were too much.

Phillip was almost falling asleep when there was a knock at the door that made Phillip whine. Chan went to sit up but Phillip hit his chest.

“Appa no!” Phillip protested sleepily.

“I have to answer the door, Lip.” Chan rolled his eyes. “I’ll bring you with me.”

“No.”

Chan sighed and ignored the second knock to try and please Phillip but when the third knock came he decided he could just deal with the grumpy toddler. Chan moved Phillip so he was sitting on the couch so he can continue to watch his show. Phillip frowned up at him and gave him the cutest death glare he had ever seen.

Chan tried not to laugh as Phillip’s attention immediately went back to the show. Chan went to the door and was surprised to see Felix on the other side holding a small cardboard box.

“Hi.” Chan greeted.

Felix grinned widely and held out the box for him to take. “Hi Hyung! I know you love to cook food since it is your job and all but you were our guest so I just wanted to say thank you again.” Felix pursed his lips and ended up looking like the polite cat meme. “I baked some coffee and chocolate brownies for you. Oh and I wasn’t sure if Lip could have chocolate or coffee so I baked him some banana muffins to eat instead so he doesn’t feel left out… He did help cook dinner after all.”

“That’s so sweet of you. Thank you.” Chan couldn’t believe Felix had done something so nice for someone he had just met. He looked over at Phillip to speak but quickly shut his mouth when he saw the toddler curled up on his side, snoring softly. Chan looked back to Felix. “I’m sure he’ll love these when he wakes up from his daily nap.”

Chapter Text

“Would you like to come in?” Chan asked. “I don’t think I could eat these all by myself.”

Felix hummed, he hadn’t had the intention of being invited over but he certainly wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to make a new friend, especially one that was within proximity of his new home and could be a link to his old one.

“Sure, I’d love to.” Felix told him with a small smile.

Chan stepped aside letting Felix come in and Felix glanced around the room curiously. It was nowhere near as fancy or as big as Minho’s penthouse but it was still extremely nice to look at. The white walls of the living room and the dining room were lined with watercolor paintings that were all signed with the same signature. His furniture seemed to be a matching set of black pieces except when they walked into the kitchen that was connected to the dining room in an open space.

Felix was absolutely floored when he saw the kitchen. The white bricked walls with expensive looking silver appliances and a dark wood paneling for the cupboards. It was so professional looking while still having a homey feel to it. Felix couldn’t get over how shiny and clean it looked even though he had a toddler living with him.

Felix went and took a seat on the stool at the silver island in the middle of the kitchen that contained cooking space and the giant sink. Felix knew he was never going to get used to seeing things like this, everyone around him was so fancy and while he earned good money at the club it was never going to be enough for this.

“You have a nice place.” Felix commented.

“Thanks.” Chan smiled and sat the box of goodies down.

Felix hummed thoughtfully, trying to come up with topics. “You must really love that artist.”

Chan turned up his nose at that. “I guess you could say I love his artwork.”

Something in his brain told him to drop the subject so he did but he couldn’t think of anything else to talk about so he grabbed out a brownie and started eating one to feel less awkward. Chan seemed to sense his uncomfortableness and let out a deflated sigh.

“Sorry. It’s just complicated, the art belongs to my– It belongs to a close friend of mine.” Chan corrected himself and picked up a brownie of his own.

Felix looked up at him and spoke in English because he knew he could. “I wasn’t trying to imply anything bad… I just noticed that they are all by the same person, that's all…”

“So how do you like Korea so far?” Chan asked, changing the topic. “Doesn’t compare to home right?”

Felix nodded and swallowed the bite he had in his mouth. “Definitely doesn’t compare, I mean it’s nice but Seoul is just so busy and the beaches are too crowded for my liking.”

“Favorite beach at home?”

“Oh hands down Palm Beach. Bondi was good but hella busy, I didn’t mind Rainbow Beach and Surfers Paradise when I visited.” Felix said with a grin.

“Palm Beach? Good ol’ Summer Bay aye? Man, I haven't thought about that show in years! Used to live in Sydney but never got around to traveling out that far.”

“You should go some day, it’s so beautiful. The sand is like crystals and the waves are always perfect. Oh and depending what day you go, you can go and watch them filming on set. I never got to see them filming but I had a friend in high school who got to be an extra in one of the Diner scenes.”

Chan smiled at that. “That’s so cool.” Chan looked down at the brownie in his hand that was almost completely gone. “This brownie is really good, did you really make these yourself?”

Felix nodded and sat up straighter as he grinned proudly. “Yup. I love baking! Do you bake?”

Chan shrugged. “I did some training as a pâtissier but it was never really my thing, only did it to meet my requirements.”

“So you don’t bake at home?” Felix asked with a small pout, he imagined it would be so nice to bake in this amazing kitchen.

Chan shook his head. “Not unless Lip wants to try baking with me… Oh that reminds me, I need to fold his clothes while he is taking a nap. Care to accompany to his room? Unless you want to head home now?”

Felix got out of his seat. “Oh no, I don’t mind.” Felix happily followed Chan to one of the bedrooms.

He liked how the room was set out, it was spacious with the floor completely covered in rainbow foam jigsaw mats that had the English alphabet and numbers on them. His walls were hand painted a nice cerulean blue with little schools of fish painted on the back feature wall behind the really cool bed in the corner. Felix was so jealous of the little toddler bed that had a step ramp and a slide coming off of it. Toys were currently scattered everywhere on the floor and as Chan grabbed a basket of clothes from the walk-in wardrobe Felix started picking up toys from the ground and taking them to the cubes in the other corner of the room.

“What’s your system for this toybox?” Felix asked as he saw that the cubes were filled with different clear drawers.

Chan glanced over to him when he sat on the bed. “You don’t have to do that, I just wanted you to keep talking to me, sit in the giraffe chair and chat.”

“The giraffe chair?” Felix frowned and turned around to see a chair that looked like a giant giraffe plushie but was obviously a seat for reading in; made even more obvious by the colorful bookshelf beside it. “I’m going to help you clean whether you want me to or not.”

Chan sighed. “Blocks in the top left, Duplo Lego in the top middle, puzzle pieces in the top right. Beanie babies in the middle left, any form of dolls in the middle– so like action figures or barbies, oh and middle right is the dress up draw. Cars and construction toys on the bottom left, balls in the bottom middle and tea sets in the bottom right.”

Felix followed the extremely organized system while Chan sat on the bed folding clothes and organizing them by clothing type. There was something peaceful and domestic about the way Felix cleaned while Chan folded the laundry. Felix couldn’t help but get lost in his imagination about what it would be like to have a husband and raise a child even though he knew Korea’s laws about same sex adoption and he didn’t necessarily feel like moving back to Australia. His mind wandered to the possibility of having a child of his own and baking with them every sunday like he used to with his mother.

Felix smiled at that thought.

When Felix was done cleaning up the toys he went over and sat on the ramp side to help fold clothing. “So I take it you always wanted to be a chef?” Felix asked when he came out of his fantasy and didn’t want to sit in silence.

Chan shook his head as he folded a fluffy koala onesie. “Actually, when I was a kid I wanted to run an orphanage or a house for stray kids who needed somewhere to live. I like looking after people, it’s one of the reasons I like cooking so much… Seeing people be happy when they eat my food and just knowing they are eating well… It warms my heart.”

Felix stared at Chan blankly, he hadn’t been expecting that. He immediately brightened up with a wide smile. “That’s how I feel with my baking. I like seeing people smile and making people happy in general.”

“You have such an infectious smile.” Chan told him, returning the smile.

Felix blushed and looked down at the fabric in his hands. “Thanks.”

“Thanks for hanging out with me Felix, it’s refreshing to be able to speak English again. I only have one other friend here in Korea that speaks English but the only time I see him is when he is working.”

“That’s a shame but hey, I’m almost always home so whenever you feel the need to speak English just come find me yeah?” Felix offered genuinely.

“Same goes for you although I’m not always here. I work… Like, a lot! Lunch and dinner services take all my time but every second week I have Lip so I tend to only work dinner services when I have him.”

Felix raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Who looks after him when you’re at work?”

“I pay for a babysitter to look after him, or if Ryujin is busy; which she sometimes is during the nights, then I ask Jeongin instead.” Chan shrugged and finished folding the washing.

Chan got up and started putting the piles of clothing away into the walk-in wardrobe all up high where Phillip couldn’t reach to mess up the piles. Felix mindlessly watched him and his eyes unintentionally looked down towards Chan’s ass that was so prominent in his flannel pajama pants. Felix’s eyes widened and he moved his eyes up respectfully but managed to catch a glimpse of Chan’s back muscles flexing as he reached up and worse he caught a glimpse of Chan’s abs when his shirt lifted.

Felix’s mouth felt dry suddenly, feeling thirsty in more ways than one. “Wow.” Felix muttered under his breath then shook his head to get rid of his inappropriate thoughts.

Felix had to remind himself that Chan was currently sleeping with Minho and that meant he couldn’t go there even if he wanted to. Out of respect for his friend and housemate, Chan was strictly off limits.

“So how long have you been Minho’s client?” Felix asked out loud to verbally remind himself instead of passing over the thought.

Chan clearly wasn’t expecting him to ask that because he paused what he was doing and turned with a giant blush on his face. “It’s not– I’m not–” Chan frowned as he fumbled over his words. “It’s complicated.”

Felix didn’t know what he meant by that and it didn’t seem like Chan was going to elaborate any further.



Felix was quiet that night when Minho drove them to work. Felix leaned his elbow on the window sill and rested his face in his hand with his index finger on his cheek as he stared out the window at the passing skyscrapers.

“What’s on your mind?” Minho questioned bluntly.

Felix spared him a side eye glance then went back to looking out the window. How could he possibly tell Minho what was going on with him?

“Did Chan do something? You’ve been quiet since you came back from his apartment.” Minho frowned. “If he did something I~”

“He didn’t do anything Hyung. It’s just a me thing, don't worry about it.” Felix said defensively.

“It doesn’t sound like nothing.” Felix refused to let up so Minho sighed. “I just don’t want to see my sunshine so sad, it’s heartbreaking.” Felix rolled his eyes at that.

They drove in silence for the rest of the way, the only sound coming from the wind entering the car through Felix’s slightly open window. They went inside their workplace through the back entrance and went to their dressing room spots. Felix changed into loose fitting jeans and a navy green tie dye button down shirt which he only buttoned two of the middle ones leaving his chest peaking out and his stomach exposed. He put a denim jacket over the top and put some necklaces on and a fake belly piercing. He finished off by doing a dark cherry lip gloss and some simple orange eyeshadow that brought out the rest of the colors.

He watched as Minho put on some press on sharp nails that resembled claws and changed into tiger print leggings, his top was a skin tight black turtleneck sweater. Felix guessed he wasn’t stripping tonight, only dancing. He watched in awe as Minho did his make up, heavy eyeliner and a soft pink lipstick. Felix wasn’t expecting him to clip in orange fluffy ears that matched his dyed hair color or the knee high black boots he put on over the leggings.

“Wow.” Felix commented.

“Crushing on our top dancer huh?” Felix heard from behind him and turned around to see Alexa.

Felix shook his head. “No, he just looks really good, that's all.”

Felix left the dressing room and made his way to the bar where Yeonjun and Yuta were serving a couple of customers. It wasn’t overly busy tonight and Felix could see that a lot of the customers close to the stage seemed to be rich types, well richer than normal, they held themselves with eloquent grace as they watched Hyuna and Luhan dancing on the side stages while Soyeon worked the main stage.

“Hey guys.” Felix greeted shortly.

“Something’s wrong.” Yeonjun said immediately with a frown at the same time Yuta said hi.

Felix rolled his eyes. He hated that Yeonjun knew him too well already. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Felix went behind the bar and stacked the glass washer, pulling out the already clean ones and picked one up to polish clean. Soyeon bowed as the song ended and left the stage with Hyuna and Luhan following her after. All of the customers moved so they could gather around the main stage and Felix watched as the lights dimmed to a soft purple hue. The refined customers lost their eloquent image when they began cheering for Minho who came out on stage.

Felix sighed and put the glass away then grabbed another to polish. He could feel Yeonjun’s worried eyes on him but he ignored it for now and watched Minho in a daze. The lighting only added to his beauty and Felix had seen him practicing this altered routine so he knew what was about to happen.

Minho made eye contact with him and grinned widely with a beautiful smile, breaking from his usual impassive character.

How could Felix ever hope to compete with someone as beautiful as Lee Minho?

Chapter Text

Chan’s favorite moments with Phillip are when he just wakes up from a nap or a good night's sleep. Phillip always had bad bed head and looked completely lost like he didn’t know where he was, he would also be more clingy to him than usual. Chan sighed to himself as he held his toddler in his arms, petting his hair softly while the poor boy tried his hardest to wake up.

Chan was still feeling frustrated at himself for the way he handled Felix’s question. He had been taken completely off guard by the Minho question and he felt so pathetic for using a prostitute for therapy and basically paying him to be his friend. In his attempts to defend himself he let Felix believe that there was something between him and Minho when that was far from the case. He just didn’t want to talk about Hyunjin or the weird friendship he has with Minho and now he was mentally kicking himself for ruining his chances with the ray of sunshine that is Felix.

Felix had looked so deflated when Chan accidentally convinced him of his connection with Minho. Chan couldn’t help but wonder if Felix wanted him too?

He hadn’t stayed for much longer after that. He left with the excuse that he needed to mentally prepare for work before his shift and as if timed perfectly Phillip had started to wake as Felix was leaving.

“Appa.” Phillip croaked in a whisper.

“Sup buddy?” Chan asked softly, not wanting to alarm him with loud sounds.

“Where Licks go?”

“Lix had to go to work baby but he left you a present for when you wake up.”

Phillip lifted his head and looked around, presumably for his present. Chan took him into the kitchen and showed him the box of baked goodies, he picked up a banana muffin and handed it to the sleepy toddler in his arms.

“Felix baked these himself, isn’t that so cool?” Chan enthused excitedly. “They’re very yummy and these ones here are just for you.”

Phillip’s eyes lit up as he took the muffin with both hands and bit into it haphazardly then started to speak with food in his mouth. “Li cok ik Pa?”

“No talking with your mouth full. Chew and swallow first.” Chan reminded him.

Phillip nodded and swallowed his bite before speaking again. “Licks cook like appa?”

Chan furrowed his eyes trying to think of a way to describe it. “Uh, it’s a type of cooking, he makes sweet things like muffins and brownies and cakes.”

“Cookies?”

Chan nodded. “Cookies too.”

Phillip smiled cheerfully. “I like cookies.”

“Me too buddy.” Chan chuckled.



After feeding Phillip a second muffin and convincing him he can have another one after dinner he got them ready to go out. He had quite a bit of time before dinner service so he wanted to do something new. He’s always wanted to grow his own herbs and vegetables, granted an apartment probably wasn’t the place to do it but he thought it would be a nice activity to get Phillip involved in.

When Phillip was a baby Chan had done a lot of research about parenting and one of the things he had come across was called sensory play. Whenever he had Phillip in his care he made sure to allow Phillip to experience different things; Phillip was prone to playing in water he loved it so much.

He figured mud would get the same reaction out of him. So with that in mind he took them to the flower market to buy planters and soil. It was a nice place but it made him miss Bunnings Warehouse, all the flowers and plants on top of all the hardware you could ever need, not to mention the barbeque sausages out the front that only cost a single dollar. Even as a chef he didn’t understand the science behind why Bunning’s sausages specifically tasted like heaven.

Chan found a store that sold tomato, spinach, onion and radish seeds. He found some cute garden gloves for them both and a small watering can that looked like a teapot for Phillip to use. When they got home Chan changed Phillip into clothes that didn’t matter if they got dirty or wet.

“Mm ‘Pa what do?” Phillip asked when they were home. He had just put Chan’s gloves on that were too big for his hands.

Chan went to the cupboard and grabbed his empty egg cartons he had been meaning to recycle, he took them out to the balcony and Phillip waddled behind him curiously. “Alright, first we’re gonna put some soil into these egg cartons. Can you do that for me?”

Phillip nodded confidently and Chan opened the bag of soil for him. Phillip grabbed small handfuls of soil at a time and dropped it happily into the carton like Chan instructed. Chan meanwhile read the seed packets to know what he has to do to grow them. He knew he should have asked the employee that served them for tips and tricks. He had also grabbed some garlic bulbs and seeds for oregano, chives, thyme, basil, mint and parsley. Nothing beat fresh ingredients in cooking and that’s exactly what he hoped to get out of all of this as well as letting his son have some fun in the process.

Chan wasn’t expecting to hear the sound of the apartment door opening. “Channie Hyung, are you home?”

“We’re on the balcony.” Chan called out at the sound of Jeongin’s voice.

Jeongin popped his head out the sliding door to see what they were doing, he showed off his braces as he smiled cutely. “Hiya Hyung.”

“Hey Innie, we weren’t expecting you until later.” Chan told him.

“I was getting bored at home so I thought I’d come over early and hang out with you.”

Phillip finally looked up at Jeongin with a grin on his face and dropped some more soil into the carton. “Innie Hyung!”

“Hey kiddo watcha doing?” Jeongin asked happily.

Philip picked up some soil and brought it over to Jeongin who held out his hand to take it, not wanting to upset the toddler. Jeongin took the soil and then went to sit down on Chan’s outdoor setting, he put the soil on the glass table.

“Gardening huh? That’s really cool.” Jeongin said and then dusted his hand on his pants.

Jeongin set his school books down on the table away from the soil. Chan picked up the soil bag and tipped the soil into the giant planters he had brought then put the bag back beside Phillip. Chan knelt down beside him and helped him put soil in the remaining cartons. Meanwhile Jeongin opened his books and started working quietly on his university assignment.

“Alright buddy, next I want you to push your finger in the soil to make a little hole, like this;” Chan instructed and dipped his finger into the soil showing him what to do.

Phillip did as he was told and pokes holes into each carton section. Chan decided which order he wanted the vegetables to go in then poured the seeds in carefully.

“Alright, now we need to cover these like this, make sure to be gentle.” Chan covered some seeds then got up. “Appa’s going to go get some water. Can you finish doing this for me?”

Phillip nodded and very slowly covered the seeds with soil.

“Can you supervise for a second?” Chan asked Jeongin as he grabbed the new watering can.

Jeongin hummed in response and Chan went inside to fill the watering can.

“Licks cook me nommies.” Phillip said excitedly, getting up and coming over to Jeongin completely abandoning his task.

“Oh really? Was it good?” Jeongin asked, looking up from his school work. He already knew the answer to that question, he had watched Felix bake all morning and Felix had even baked extra for him and Minho.

Phillip nodded and held out his hand to show two fingers. “Had this many nommies! Appa said can have more.”

Jeongin chuckled at Phillip’s excitement, it was so cute. Chan came back out with the watering can and a spray bottle of water before looking over Phillip’s handy work. He rolled his eyes when he realized Phillip had got distracted and was currently holding his arms up to Jeongin to be picked up.

“Lip, do you want to water the garden?” This caught Phillip’s attention.

Chan quickly covered up the rest of the seeds. Phillip waddled over to his father and Chan handed him the spray bottle.

“Just spray a little bit okay?”

Phillip held it in two hands and struggled to press the trigger but got there in the end. He sprayed all the seeds then handed the bottle back to Chan.

“Done now.” Phillip took the giant gloves off and put them on the ground.

“Do you want to play with water?” Chan asked and showed him the watering can.

Phillip nodded and held out his hands for it. Chan gave it to him.

“If you want to make mud you have to play in this big one okay?”

“Okay.” Phillip happily went in front of the planter and poured the water.

“Appa’s going to go get ready for work but Innie Hyung is going to stay out here with you.”

Phillip ignored him, too immersed with watching the water pour from the can.

“Hyung what do we do for dinner tonight?” Jeongin asked.

“Oh I haven’t had a chance to cook anything yet, did you want me to cook before I leave or do you just want money to order something?” Chan offered.

“Money please, I don’t want to be a pain.”

“You could never be a pain Jeongin.”

Chan got his phone out of his pocket and went into his bank app, he transferred Jeongin’s babysitting fee and extra money for dinner.



Chan had changed into some casual clothes before he kissed Phillip’s forehead goodbye and hugged Jeongin just to annoy him but Jeongin pretended it didn’t happen because he was trying to study. Chan knew Jeongin hated affection unless he was the one to instigate it but Chan couldn’t help himself. Chan had been helping Minho look after the youngster since they became friends and he even pulled some strings to get him into university after his grades had slipped in his last year of high school.

The drive to work was short thankfully. He changed into his pristine white chef's outfit when he went into his office then sat down and scrolled on his phone since he had some time to kill before pre-service.

He regretted it instantly when a news article from Koreaboo came up on his twitter timeline. The headline of the article caught his attention immediately and a low groan of annoyance escaped his lips as he clicked on the article to read it.

Netizens Call Out Upcoming Model For Cheating On His Boyfriend.

Rising model Hwang Hyunjin who is best known for his work in DAZED and InStyle has been dating world renowned Chef Christopher Bang for over a year and a half. The couple first announced their relationship back at the Asia Model Festival 2022. It had seemed like they were going steady with Hyunjin’s boyfriend staying out of the spotlight; aside from occasional updates of them from Hyunjin on Instagram.

However on September 4th, a fan caught interactions between Hyunjin and fellow DAZED model Younghoon on what looked to be a romantic dinner date. The two were caught sitting close together and being overly affectionate.

Chan couldn’t read any more of the article’s words because he felt his stomach twisting. They were broken up; so it shouldn’t matter if Hyunjin was seeing someone else but as Chan scrolled down he felt sick. He couldn’t stand seeing Hyunjin look so in love with a handsome model.

Chan had seen Younghoon before, in fact he was quite a fan of his work and had even met him on the night they announced their relationship. Younghoon was a really nice person and that’s what made this whole thing worse. He knew Hyunjin would be sleeping with other people but he didn’t realize he would start dating so soon. There was always a chance that the whole article was clickbait but Chan knew Hyunjin; he had seen that look in his eyes before; he knew because that’s how Hyunjin used to look at him; before their relationship started to die out.

Chan sighed and texted Hyunjin with absolutely no context whatsoever.

Channie:
Good for you.

Chapter Text

The music was so sensual. The slow bass pumped through the speakers, Felix could feel it coming through the bar as it thumped. His eyes fixated as Minho began to move, his body working in a way Felix could only hope to learn.

Felix watched longingly as Minho enticingly ran the back of his index nail down his torso. When his finger reached his thigh he suddenly clawed into his thigh on beat with a smirk on his face. Felix blinked rapidly as he saw Minho use this grip as support so he could bend forward and wave his body side to side, matching the slow beat perfectly.

Felix let out a small gasp as Minho’s leg without the grip slid out sideways and he watched him drop, landing almost like black widow from the marvel movies. Felix made a mental assessment that Minho didn’t need to dress pretty or shake his ass to look sexy while dancing. There was just something about the way his body moved that had everyone’s eyes on him, like everyone was drawn into an intense trance.

Felix gripped the cup in his hand rather tightly as Minho made use of the floor, he sank to his knees and moved up and down; giving the visual of him being on top. Felix held in a groan as he heard the lyrics “fucking like whores every day.” just as Minho placed his hands on the floor in front of him then dipped his body in so his ass was high in the air.

Felix wanted to cry.

Minho was exquisite. He was everything Felix wanted to be and he knew if he wanted Chan for himself that he could never truly compete with that. His inner turmoil somehow made its way outwards as he squeezed the glass tightly, catching Yeonjun’s attention.

“Okay no, you’ve been avoiding it since you walked out here, you gotta tell me what’s wrong.” Yeonjun said, full of concern as he pulled the glass out of Felix’s hand and put it away.

Felix sighed and slowly moved his gaze away from Minho who was now on the ground, his hand behind him with his knee up. Felix didn’t want to miss as Minho put his hand on his knee, moving his head to the beat again and then body rolling as he brought his hand up his body and threw his head back.

Felix remembered how he had moaned during practice and wondered if he had gone through with it; not that it could really be heard over the music but it really added a lot of sex appeal to the performance.

“Have you ever found someone so perfect for you but you can’t date them because they’re sleeping with someone else and you don’t want to hurt that other person?” Felix asked with a sigh. “Things are complicated… I mean he’s a father too so that just makes things even more difficult on top of that.”

Yeonjun put his arm around Felix’s shoulder. “Lixie, you’re a smart, pretty looking dude. You can have anyone you want and if it’s Minho that you want I say go for it. He only sleeps with people because it is his job.”

Felix frowned and glared at Yeonjun. “It’s incredible how wrong you are right now.”

Yeonjun raised his left eyebrow questioningly. “What do you mean I’m wrong? It’s very rare that I’m wrong.”

Felix rolled his eyes. “My dream guy isn’t Minho.”

“It’s me isn’t it?” Yeonjun smirked and Felix pushed him off with a laugh.

“You wish, Junnie Hyung.” Felix kept laughing, feeling slightly better as Yeonjun joked around with him.

“Look, whoever this guy is, if he doesn’t want you then he is insane.” Yeonjun tried to comfort him.

“I agree with Yeonjun.” Felix and Yeonjun turned their heads to see who spoke. Felix’s eyes lighting up at the sight of Changbin. “Whoever doesn’t want you Felix is absolutely insane.”

“I go by Jikseu here. For safety reasons.” Felix informed Changbin and Changbin nodded in acknowledgement.

“I’ll let you handle this.” Yeonjun said with a grin then whispered in Felix’s ear. “Your dream man doesn’t have to be the only one having flings you know?”

Yeonjun spanked Felix playfully on the ass then walked away leaving Felix to serve Changbin and the man sitting beside him who was looking around nervously. Felix moved closer to Changbin so they could speak more intimately.

“You’re not mad I’m into someone else?” Felix questioned.

Changbin gave him a supportive smile. “How could I be mad? I’m the one that said I wasn’t looking to date anyone right now. Are you still up for hanging out this weekend though?”

Guilt passed over Felix; he had been so caught up with Chan and his insecurities that he had completely forgotten about Changbin’s text asking him out for coffee. “Oh.. shit… I forgot to text you back… I’m so sorry.”

Changbin continued to smile and waved a hand to shoo the notion away. “Don’t be. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t want to. If you do want to; it can be however platonic as you want it to be or it can be a casual hookup, I’m chill either way.”

“I’m not opposed to it but I don’t do casual hookups.” Felix said with a small shrug then blushed. “I happen to be a virgin.”

Changbin grinned, unphased by Felix’s embarrassed confession. “Virgin or not you can still feel up Jut and Dae if you’d like.”

Felix eyed off Changbin’s biceps thinking that’s what he meant and then wondering if Changbin had noticed him ogling them in the tattoo store. “Jut and Dae?”

Changbin nodded and popped his chest causing Felix to blush and cover his mouth to hide his embarrassed smile. Changbin chuckled. “There we go, there’s that beautiful smile. Don’t let it leave your face, the world cries when the sun is gone.”

Felix unattractively snorted at that and broke out into a laugh. It felt good to laugh. He had been so caught up in his own head that day that he had forgotten how good it felt to be his usual airy self.

“Did you really come here just to tease me all night? This is payback for what happened at the shop, isn’t it?” Felix groaned but his smile remained on his face. His insecurities about Chan and Minho floating to the back of his mind only to be touched at a later date.

Changbin leaned his elbows on the bar. “As fun as it is to tease you, the answer is no. In fact I actually came here to show my friend a good time, isn’t that right Seungmin?”

The man beside Changbin awkwardly spun to face their direction. Felix could tell he was feeling out of place just by the way he averted eye contact and shifted nervously. “I only agreed to this because you said you were paying.”

Changbin smirked. “Technically Jikseu here is paying. This is the pretty client from yesterday that I told you about earlier.” Felix blushed harder at that.

Seungmin still avoided Felix’s gaze but looked in his general direction. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Felix said in his friendliest tone. “Can I get you a drink? On the house apparently.”

“Oh I don’t know…” Seungmin hesitated.

“It doesn’t have to be alcoholic, although it would ease your nerves.” Felix suggested.

Seungmin seemed to contemplate it for a second then nodded. “In that case can I have something sweet?”

“Pina colada okay?” Felix asks as he gathers ingredients.

“You guys do cocktails?” Changbin asked.

Felix nodded. “Our owner is a foreigner so his goal is to cater to everyone, not just Koreans. A lot of the bars and stuff in our vicinity are all Korean style bars so beer and soju mostly. BamBam thought cocktails could be fun especially for the private parties but we usually break out the gukhwaju for those.”

“Private parties?” Changbin questioned.

Felix smirked as he mixed the drink in his hand. “Yeah, you interested?”

“That depends, what does it entail?”

“We throw private parties here in the lap dance rooms, hostesses act a lot like doumi. For trusted customers our hostesses can be rented out to house parties so long as they are accompanied by at least two of our bouncers.” Felix explained and handed Seungmin his drink.

“Are you for hire?” Seungmin asked him curiously.

Felix raised his eyebrow and leaned close to him with a smirk on his face. “Why? You interested handsome?”

Seungmin blushed and went quiet, shoving his straw into his mouth to occupy himself. Both Felix and Changbin chuckled at his reaction. Felix stood up straight and went back to cleaning glasses.

“For the record I’m only available for hostess parties here and that’s only when I'm on hostess nights. Typically Wednesday, Thursdays and sometimes Sundays.” Felix informed them both. “My boy Junnie is available for home parties though. There are a few others but you would have to talk to our boss and pass all the tests that will make you a trusted customer, this also goes for any guests attending the party. BamBam Hyung takes our safety very seriously.”

“I’m glad you have such a good boss. I couldn’t imagine someone as sweet as you getting hurt.” Changbin commented.

Felix rolled his eyes. “Changbin, you barely know me. For all you know I could be a complete psychopath and all this is just a facade.”

“Our limited interactions have given me enough of a vibe.” Changbin defended himself then narrowed his eyes at him. “You aren’t a psychopath right? You’re making me doubt my intuition.”

Felix laughed. “Lucky for you no.”

“You’re too pretty to be a psychopath.” Seungmin blurted out.

Felix raised his eyebrows in surprise, not expecting Seungmin to say anything so toward. “That’s so sweet of you but it’s the pretty ones you have to watch out for.”

“I thought it was the charismatic ones you have to watch out for?” Changbin questioned.

Felix shrugged. “Welp, good news for you guys; I'm about as charismatic as a hamster.”

Seungmin and Changbin both laughed at that.

“Can I get you a drink Changbin?” Felix offered.

“No I’m good, I have to drive. Do you guys do tabs at all?”

“Not usually but considering I know you’re good for the money I can open one for tonight only.” Felix suggested.

“No that’s fine, I don’t plan on drinking more than one. Even though this does taste amazing.” Seungmin told him.

Felix’s eyes looked past them when he noticed the lighting change and saw Taeyong coming out onto the stage to prepare for his solo dance on the main stage. Felix spotted Minho coming over to them and all of his thoughts from earlier came rushing back to him.

“Well boys, if you’re here for a good time perhaps I should introduce you to my friend.” Felix said with a soft smile and pointed behind them.

He watched as Seungmin and Changbin spun in their chairs to get a look at where he was pointing. Minho made his way to them and paused in front of Seungmin.

“Hi there, hot stuff. You’re new here.” Minho said slowly and seductively. He blinked slowly as he took in Seungmin’s appearance. “You look so nice in this fancy suit of yours, must have cost a bit huh?”

Felix rolled his eyes at Minho’s gold digging ways but he needed to help make club profits so he spoke up. “Seungmin here is looking for a good time but is feeling a little bit shy. You should help him out.” Felix told Minho with no emotion conveyed in his words.

Minho smirked and reached out to play with Seungmin’s tie, wrapping it around his hand and pulling Seungmin close. “How about a private dance handsome?”

Seungmin gulped nervously and licked his lips as if his mouth was suddenly dry. “F-from you?”

“Lino here is our star dancer.” Felix introduced, trying to keep the jealousy out of his voice. “It’ll be the best dance you’ve ever had.”

“Wait… I know you.” Seungmin commented suddenly. “Case143.”

Minho let go of his tie, his flirtatious smirk disappearing from his face. “Case what?”

Seungmin frowned in thought. “Case143 Lee Know… My employer makes me set aside money for you each month.”

“Chan pays for a stripper each month?” Changbin commented with a slight frown then looked at Minho. “No offense to you, I just never expected him to be the type.”

Felix’s face drained and he felt like he was going to be sick. “Y-you know Chan?”

Changbin turned to look at Felix who was looking back and forth between him and Minho. “Bang Chan? Yeah, he’s my best friend. Met him a couple of years ago while vacationing in Paris with my family. Super nice guy. How do you know him?”

Felix anxiously scraped at his lower lip with his front tooth. “Lino introduced me.”

Changbin was studying him carefully and Minho had gone back to trying to convince Seungmin to pay for a dance. 

“Chan’s the dream guy you mentioned, isn’t he?” Changbin suspected and Felix nodded.

Chapter Text

Chan was in a foul mood. Seething with anger and annoyance to cover the hurt that simmered deep within. He couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that Hyunjin had moved on so fast and that he didn’t have the guts to tell him face to face. They were so close and yet the news had been broken to him through the media, he thought that said a lot about their relationship.

His problems didn’t end there though. First there was the ever annoying phone call to the repairman to come and fix the heater in the dining area. Then came the fuck up from the delivery service; lavender buds instead of marigold how could they have possibly confused the two? They weren’t even the same color.

The next problem came in the form of the pre service meeting which felt like a nightmare that Chan was stuck in.

“Alright listen up everyone.” Chan called out as the staff gathered for their meeting. Chan glanced around and spotted a face he didn’t know. “Who are you?”

The Japanese female looked up at him with a confused look. “M-Me?”

Chan nodded.

“Uh, I’m Momo. I’m your stage for this week.”

“Oh well that’s just fucking perfect.” Chan groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, then counted to ten in his head before sighing. “I apologize, that wasn’t directed at you. Thank you for being here, I hope you learn a lot this week.”

“Menus Chef?” Kazuha asked, trying to get their meeting back on track.

“Right well the delivery guy fucked up so we have a menu change. So for the main course it was supposed to be Ratatouille themed but we were given lavender instead of marigold so let’s swap out the cheesecake for a lavender infused pudding tart. For the mains I would just like a simple lamb stew please.” Chan checked his checklist on his clipboard. “Purple is Rapunzel’s color so waiters please set up some paper lanterns. Purple is also Ezma’s color so let’s get fancy with the drinks and create a llama potion.”

“The poison for Kuzco?” Seokjin asked with a grin.

Normally Chan would laugh but he really wasn’t in the mood right now. “Yes Seokjin, that poison.”

“Got you covered.” Seokjin said then wrote down on his little notepad.

“Thank you.” Chan said then checked over his clipboard again. “I’ve been told to remind you to tape down the extension cords with the mats when using them as it’s a tripping hazard. I’ve also been informed that Donghwan needs to check his attitude when serving guests.” Chan looked for the culprit. “Where’s Donghwan?”

“He called in sick. I’m filling in for him.” Danielle told him.

“Fantastic.” Chan commented sarcastically then looked at Danielle. “Are your parents okay with you working late on a school night?”

Danielle nodded. “I’m eighteen now so it’s not their decision. I just have to let them know when to pick me up.”

“I want you out of here by ten, no later than ten thirty. I can give you an extra couple of hours on the weekend to make up for it. Got it?”

“Yes Chef.” Danielle agreed.

Chan glanced at everyone once more. “Tidy up your uniforms and let's begin preparations. I don’t think it will be that busy tonight but be ready for anything and everything. Service is key. Dismissed.”

“Yes Chef!” They all said in unison then dispersed to do their set tasks.

“Daniel, can you please go revamp these menus?” Chan asked his restaurant manager. “Also if you have time please find Danielle some extra work on times she can actually stay late.”

“Yes Chef.” Daniel said with a smile and headed to the back office.

Chan proceeded to head into the kitchen to prepare food for the night and do station checks before ripping into his staff about using his special knife set that had been a gift from Sana. He once again apologized to Momo then told her to stick close to his station so she could learn the most from him.



The whole night was just one giant disaster after the other but Chan held it together during the entirety of the service… for the most part.

After doing the end of night duties with Daniel, he took his car and drove around the city for a while before ending up at a riverfront spot. He got out of the car and walked in the crisp night air with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. He made his way to the bridge near him and then just watched the water flow beneath it.

Chan was never good at expressing his emotions, talking with Minho only did so much for him.

Chan leaned on the edge of the hand rail, rocking back and forth like he was ready to jump at any moment. “I could you know! I really fucking could!” Chan screamed out to the water and then got down from the rail staring aimlessly at the road as a few cars drove by.

He turned and sank to the ground leaning his back against the rail and covered his face so he could scream into his hands. He would never forgive himself if he ever hurt Phillip like that. So he screams and he screams, letting out all his inner frustrations. It felt good just to let it all out.

“Chan?” Chan thought he imagined the concerned voice at first but then he looked up. He hadn’t even heard the car pull up since all the other cars had kept driving. He wasn’t expecting to see Felix standing beside the passenger door watching him anxiously.

Chan narrowed his eyes. “Felix?”

Felix leaned in and talked to the driver. “You can go Yeonjun, I’m gonna make sure he’s okay.”

Chan heard protests but he couldn’t make out what the voice was saying. He watched quietly as Felix shut the car door and the car slowly drove off. Felix came over to him and stood in front of him.

“You just chillin'?” Felix asked with a smile.

Chan scoffed and half smiled. “Just getting some air.”

“It’s one thirty in the morning…” Felix said, concerned.

Chan shrugged nonchalantly.

Felix studied him and then proceeded to sit down beside him. “The air here isn’t as clean as it is at home, I can’t imagine it helps much.”

Chan pulled his knees to his chest and rested his forearms on them as he stared down at the ground. “You stop on a bridge for just any old person?”

“I had a backup plan if it turned out you were actually a psychopath.” Felix said with a small laugh then pulled his knees up to match Chan’s then bumped his knee into Chan’s to get his attention. “Penny for your thoughts.”

“I really am just out here for air.” Chan told him softly. “When things get tough I come out here to just let it all out you know?” Chan rubbed his thumb and pointer finger together anxiously. “I don’t like going home to Phillip in these kinds of moods, he doesn’t need to see me like this.”

“You’re a good dad.”

Chan shrugged it off dismissively. “I do the best I can.”

“So it’s been a day huh?” Felix asked.

Chan bit the inside of his cheek and nodded his head, holding back the tears he had been fighting all night. “Felix, please don’t.”

Felix frowned. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t come here with your dazzling smile and your sunshine personality. Don’t make me feel shitter than I already do.” Chan snapped and looked up at him, tears brimming in his eyes. “My boyfriend has found someone else and I considered using you for a rebound. My life is a fucking mess. You don’t know me and you shouldn’t want to know me. The only reason I am out here and not with Minho right now is because my child is at home with Minho’s son waiting for me to finish work for the night.”

Felix hummed. “That and Minho went home with a different client tonight.”

“What?” Chan’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion.

Felix pursed his lips. “I’m aware of what he does for work. My friend had to drive me home from the club because some guy was taking Minho to some high class hotel for work purposes.” Felix put his hand on top of Chan’s arm. “I don’t have to get to know you Chan, especially if you really don’t want me to. I just couldn’t live with myself if my friend’s friend did something to hurt himself and I could have done something to stop it.”

“I’m not going to hurt myself Felix.” Chan said stubbornly and nudged Felix’s hand off his arm.

Felix retreated his hand. “So you lean over bridge rails and make it look like you’re going to jump often or–? Junnie and I saw you as we were passing. I told him to pull over immediately… I would have made him stop regardless of whether I thought it was you or not.”

“This is a regular Tuesday night for me…” Chan said with a sigh and relaxed his body. “I just shout my frustrations to the river… It’s quite cathartic.”

“So you’re really good then?” Felix asked, leaning his head to see Chan’s face.

Chan looked him in the eyes and nodded. “I’m good.”

“Good.” Felix shoved his shoulder. “Now apologize for being an asshole.”

“What?”

“I won’t be told who I can and cannot be friends with and I refuse to let you make me feel like the bad guy for just trying to help you out.” Felix snapped but there was no bite behind the words. Chan could tell he was serious though.

Chan pursed his lips then let out another sigh. “I’m sorry for being an asshole to you Felix. You didn’t deserve that.”

“Better.” Felix said softly then smiled calmly in his direction. “Now tell me about your night so we can hurry up and get you back to your son.”



“So you were really going to use me as a rebound huh?” Felix questioned when Chan took them back to his apartment.

They had sat on the footpath of the bridge for a good hour while Chan poured his heart out about how stressful his job was and how angry he felt about Hyunjin moving on so quickly. It got quite cold and Felix had no jacket so Chan decided he had to take him home.

“In case you can’t tell I make bad decisions in life.” Chan said as he led Felix up to his own apartment instead of Minho’s. “I would have chickened out though. The thought of hurting someone as beautiful and pure hearted as you breaks my heart.”

“Did Hyunjin know you were seeing a prostitute behind his back?” Felix asked, following closely behind Chan up the stairs.

Chan shook his head and began to explain. “No but he didn’t need to know… I’ve been embarrassed to tell you this but I don’t pay Minho to sleep with me… We just talk or I rant and he listens. He’s good like that… He tells me not to pay him but I like helping to support Jeongin. Jeongin’s like a big brother to Lip so I’d do anything for him and Minho.”

Chan looked down at his hand when he felt Felix reach out and grab it. “Hey, you don’t need to feel embarrassed around me. I will never judge you or anyone else for that matter.”

“Are you always this touchy? Even with people you barely know?”

“I can stop if it makes you uncomfortable.” Felix went to retract his hand but Chan squeezed it.

“No don’t… It’s kind of nice.” Chan said with a small blush and Felix grinned.

“So about getting to know you… Now that I know I don’t have to worry about you and Minho… Is there any chance you would let me, without the intention of making me a rebound?” Felix asked softly.

Chan nodded. “It’s probably best if it’s only as friends for the moment though.”

“I completely understand that.” Felix replied, still grinning happily.

“Would you like to come in for a drink?” Chan asked him as they finally reached his apartment.

Felix seemed to think about it before agreeing. Chan put his passcode into the keypad of the lock and pulled Felix inside.

“There’s wine glasses in the cabinet near the pantry and then there is a selection of wine in the bottom of the pantry.” Chan directed. “Take your pick, I’m going to quickly check on Lip and Jeongin.”

Felix let go of Chan’s hand and went to the kitchen while Chan went to Phillip’s room. He silently opened the door and peeked his head in seeing Jeongin asleep on the bed with Phillip beside him cuddling a small giraffe plushie. Chan smiled and went over to them, leaning down and pulling the blanket up over their shoulders. Chan bent down and kissed Phillip’s forehead before taking the dummy that was hanging half out of his mouth. Chan put it down on his bedside table and then brushed both Phillip’s and Jeongin’s hair off their faces.

Jeongin slowly woke up with a groan. “Hyung?”

“Yeah buddy, it’s me.” Chan whispered. “Everything go okay?”

“He kept crying for you and refused to sleep on his own.” Jeongin croaked.

“He’s fine now if you want to go home? Minho’s out with a client so you’re more than welcome to stay over if you want to go back to sleep, I’ll just have to send him a text to let him know you’re still here.”

Jeongin hummed and closed his eyes again. “Too tired.”

Chan finished tucking them in and Jeongin fell back asleep almost immediately. Chan took a moment to appreciate how peaceful Phillip looked as he slept and then went back out to the kitchen where he drank multiple glasses of wine and talked for hours with Felix.



Between work and spending time with Phillip; time passed so quickly for Chan. Friday came sooner than Chan had expected and Phillip’s need for Chan to be around grew everyday. It became evident as to why when Friday morning came, Phillip woke up in tears and when Chan checked on him he noticed the fever.

Chan wasn’t usually one to call in sick to work but he had to make a phone call to Seokjin to cover for him as head chef for the whole weekend.

“Lip come eat please.” Chan called to his son as he set down the toddler’s lunch at the table.

“No.”

“Lip you know I hate that word. Come eat please, you need to get stronger so you can feel better.” Chan tried to convince him.

Phillip whined and slid down off the couch dragging the couch cushion with him. “Don’t wanna.”

“I’ll tell Innie you’re being naughty.”

Phillip frowned and peeked over the arm of the couch to glare at Chan. “Nuh-uh! Am a good boy!”

“Oh yeah?” Chan asked and raised his eyebrows. “Last I checked, good boy’s eat their lunch.”

Phillip got to his feet and waddled slowly over to the table. Phillip climbed onto Chan’s lap instead of his chair with his booster seat. Chan went to protest but kept his mouth shut when he saw Phillip pick up the little triangle sandwich and take a bite. They ate peacefully together, Phillip making a bit of a mess as one of his sandwiches fell apart on his plate and the table.

Phillip dusted his hands when he decided he was done then turned around and held onto Chan’s neck to hug him. “Finished.”

Chan examined the plate and decided it was sufficient enough. “It’s time to settle down now, okay?”

Phillip nodded and rested his head on Chan’s shoulder. “Appa Tubbies?”

“Appa’s gotta finish eating first and then we can watch.” Chan told him.

Chan went to eat but a knock on the door interrupted him. Chan tried to put Phillip down but Phillip clung to him harder.

“Appa no!” He whined.

Chan rolled his eyes and put his arms around Phillip then stood up. He carried him in his arms over to the door and opened it to see Changbin and Seungmin.

“Surprise!” Changbin yelled with a grin.

Phillip tried to cover one of his ears. “Uncle Binnie loud.”

“Oh I’m sorry Lip.” Changbin apologized and reached out to ruffle Phillip’s hair.

Phillip pulled away from him. “No.” He hid his face in Chan’s shoulder.

“Don’t mind him, he's sick, it’s probably best if you don’t touch him.” Chan explained. “So what are you two doing here?”

“I came to yell at you about your spending habits for the restaurant, I ran into Changbin on the way in.” Seungmin said with a small laugh.

“I came by to tell you I’m going to wingman for you tomorrow.” Changbin said with a cheeky grin.

Chan led them over to the couches and took a seat. He turned on the Teletubbies for Phillip who didn’t bother to watch. “What are you talking about Bin?”

“I saw the article about you know who. I think we need to find you a new boyfriend and Tomorrow I happen to be hanging out with the cutest guy you’ll ever meet.” Changbin said with a dreamy look on his face.

“Cool, that's great but what’s it got to do with me?” Chan asked.

Changbin sat back in the armchair and crossed one leg over the other. “Well turns out he only likes me for my biceps. We agreed to just be friends but I thought you’d be absolutely perfect for him.”

“You’re nuts.” Chan looked over to Seungmin. “You agree with me right?”

Seungmin shrugged. “I don't know Hyung, I met this guy the other night at Lee Know’s club. He seems really sweet… He could be really good for you. I definitely like him better than Hyunjin.”

Chapter Text

“It’s Friday night, shouldn't Jeongin be out partying with friends or something?” Felix questioned as he leaned on the counter but looked back at Jeongin’s shut door. “He’s nineteen. He should be hanging out at parties and making bad decisions.”

“You can talk. You’re not that much older than him.” Minho reminded him.

Felix rolled his eyes. “Yeah but I work on Friday’s and the only friends I do have are usually rostered on with me so I hang out with everyone during work hours.” Felix shrugged.

Minho narrowed his eyes. “Do you think it’s weird that BamBam didn’t roster us on tonight?”

“Well I’ve been taken off dance duties lately and just because you’re the main star doesn’t mean you can hog the stage. It’s Taeyong’s night to main event the stage.” Felix remarked and Minho nodded in agreement.

“Fair point.”

“I think we should get Jeongin out of his room for a bit.” Felix commented. “It can’t be good for him to be holed up in there all the time; between classes, studying and looking after Lip, the kid barely has a life.”

“Again, there is just something so hypocritical about that sentence.” Minho pointed out.

Felix whined and flailed his body in protest. “Hyungggg!”

“Okay fine, let’s just go down to the building’s pool and hang out there for a bit. Go get changed. I’ll let Jeongin know we’re going.”

Felix grinned because he got his way. He ran off to his room and covered his tattoo with waterproof bandages then changed into his board shorts before finding three towels; one for each of them. He then went to sit on the couch in the living to wait for the other two.

“If you wanted to spend time with me you could have just played video games with me.” Jeongin said to him as he descended the stairs.

“That defeats the purpose of getting you out of your room though.” Felix shrugged and got up.

He went over to Jeongin and put the towels over his shoulder before jumping on his back. Jeongin groaned but caught him, even though he hated being touched by people he didn’t seem to mind as much when it was Felix.

“You’re so lucky I workout Hyung. I could have dropped you if I didn’t.” Jeongin commented and put his hands beneath Felix’s thighs to hold him.

“Pssh please, I’m not that heavy.” Felix rolled his eyes.

Jeongin pouted.

“Oh you were fishing for compliments?” Felix teased and poked Jeongin’s cheek. “You’re doing great sweetie. Look at our little agibbang all grown up.”

“Hey! You’re only a year older than me.” Jeongin whined.

“Alright you two, no arguing.” Minho said as he passed them and led the way out of the apartment.

“You’re such a dad sometimes.” Felix and Jeongin said in unison.

“I’m not going to justify that with a reply.” Minho said, shaking his head.

The three of them headed down to the pool, well two of them did; Jeongin carried Felix the whole way. They had stopped by Chan’s to invite him and Phillip but Chan was putting Phillip down for a nap and explained that he had a fever so he shouldn’t be swimming in case it made it worse.

Jeongin put Felix down when they finally made it to the pool room. The first thing Felix did was kick off the thongs he had put on then ran to jump in the water because there was no one else in the room. He didn’t know what the rules of the complex pool were but right now he didn’t care since it was only them.

Jeongin hung the towels over a chair that was close to the pool then followed Felix’s lead by cannonballing into the deep end of the pool. Minho rolled his eyes and took his time entering via the stairs in the shallow end; hissing as the water touched his legs and came up under his board shorts.

“Oh come on it’s not that bad, don’t be such a sook.” Felix laughed when he spotted Minho. “You’re wearing a rashie, you’ll be fine to just jump in.”

Minho glared at him. “The water still seeps through the shirt.”

“Tough.” Felix shrugged.

Minho hesitated but took a deep breath before awkwardly jumping into the rest of the water from the stairs. He ducked underwater and frog swam over to Felix. The minute Minho surfaced next to him Felix splashed water into his face with a hearty laugh.

“You’ll pay for that.” Minho threatened and tried to splash Felix but Felix swam away from him.

Minho chased after him trying to return the splash but Jeongin blocked his path to protect Felix so Minho splashed Jeongin instead. Felix resurfaced when the threat was over and splashed Jeongin as well, catching the younger male off guard. The three stood in a stand off just splashing each other, trying to make the biggest impact.

“Truce!” Jeongin called out with a mouth half full of water when Minho and Felix started teaming up on him again.

“Want to race?” Minho suggested.

“Sounds fun.” Felix agreed immediately. “Deep end to shallow and back or just one way?”

“Both ways.” Jeongin answered.

They all swam over to the edge of the deep end and prepared to race.

“Wait, we have to bet our wagers.” Minho added. “We have to make this fun somehow.”

“Loser has to do the dishes for a week?” Jeongin suggested.

“I like that idea.” Felix grinned. “Prepare to lose, losers.”

“How original.” Minho judged and snickered at the pathetic attempt to intimidate them.

Minho was the one who called out to start the race. Felix was out of practice when it came to swimming but he still won the race because he knew the flip turn technique swimmers use to turn when they reach the other side. It gave him the extra speed he needed to beat the other two.

Minho was a surprisingly fast swimmer. Poor Jeongin came in last.

“Crap.” Jeongin whined. “Felix, how did you swim so fast?”

“Didn’t you know that all Australians are mermaids? I mean you saw H2O Just Add Water right?” Felix joked.

Minho laughed and Jeongin pouted. “Fine. I challenge you to a mermaid match then! All or nothing.”

“This is between you two. I’ll be the referee in case either of you cheat.” Minho announced.

Felix and Jeongin took their starting positions at the edge of the pool and Minho got out of the pool so he could have a better view of them both. Minho once again called when to start the race and this time Jeongin and Felix swam with their legs together pretending to have mermaid tails.

Felix won again.

“I’m just too good Innie.” Felix bragged playfully and Jeongin pushed Felix making his foot slip and ending with him momentarily underwater.

Felix tackled Jeongin from underwater, he wrapped his arms around his waist; ignoring how close his face came to Jeongin’s dick by accident and dragged him under the water with him where they playfully fought until they ran out of air.

Minho was watching them with a concerned parental look on his face when they resurfaced but neither of them cared, they were still battling to dunk the other back into the water.

“Anyone for a game of marco polo?” Minho asked as he got back into the water now that the race was over, he was feeling a little left out of the fun.

“Fine but you’re it first Hyung.” Jeongin told him.

Minho swam to the middle of the pool and closed his eyes. He gave them time to disperse and find hiding spots. Felix took one end of the pool and Jeongin took the other side. They called out polo in response to Minho calling out marco.

Minho went for Jeongin first since he called out louder. As Minho made his way in Jeongin’s direction, Jeongin slowly backed away and quietly climbed out of the pool. He shuffled silently around the pool, trying hard not to trip on the puddles of water that was a result of their splashing earlier.

Minho called out and Jeongin replied before moving faster.  He got back into the water when he was on Felix’s side of the pool and came over to hide behind Felix.

“Fish out of water.” Minho called out.

“No one’s out of the pool, you're still it, Hyung.” Felix called back.

Minho swam close to them and they swam to the right side of the pool, Felix still in front of Jeongin. In fact; Jeongin started using him like a human shield. When Minho got too close to them Felix backed into Jeongin who had backed into the wall. Jeongin let out the softest moan right into Felix’s ear and Felix would have thought it was just from backing into the edge of the pool if it weren't for the fact that he could feel Jeongin’s dick press into him when their hips nestled against each other accidentally.

Felix blushed and Jeongin scrambled to get out of the water. “Oh shit. I forgot I have a test on Monday that I need to study for.” Jeongin said, making excuses and grabbed one of the towels.

Felix tried not to look at him as a way to lessen the embarrassment but by this point Minho had opened his eyes to see Jeongin frantically wrapping the towel around his waist. His boner was still prominent even with the towel so Jeongin left the room in a hurry.

“What just happened?” Minho asked, looking so confused by his adopted son’s actions.

Felix shrugged. “I honestly don’t know.” He felt bad.

He couldn’t help but wonder what had caused it and he knew he would have to have a talk with Jeongin about it later.



Felix paced his room back and forth the next day, clothes scattered all over his bed as he stressed about what to wear. Although he wasn’t trying to impress Changbin, he still wanted to make a decent impression for their first time hanging out. He stormed out of his room half naked, boxers being the only thing keeping him from being completely naked, and went to Minho’s room.

“Hyung, I need your help!” He said after knocking and letting himself in.

Minho groaned and rolled over in bed, looking at him through half opened eyes. “It’s too early, go back to bed Felix.”

Felix raised his eyebrow. “Hyung, it’s almost noon.”

“Exactly. Way too early.” Minho grumbled. “Do you know how rare it is that I get a day to do absolutely nothing?”

“Uh never cause I want you to come out to coffee with me and Changbin.”

Minho laid there quietly and Felix worried that he fell back asleep so he jumped on the bed and picked up a pillow, casually hitting Minho with it. Minho held up his arms to defend himself.

“Alright alright, I’m getting up. You’re paying.” Minho bargained.

“That’s fine. Just please help me pick something to wear.” Felix begged and put the pillow back in its place.

“Give me ten minutes to get up.” Minho told him.

Felix nodded. “Okay but if you fall back asleep I will be back with ice cold water.”

“And they say I’m the mean one.” Minho chuckled.

Felix left the room to give Minho some time to wake up properly. He went back to his own room and proceeded to scan his clothes; if he couldn’t choose what he liked he could start by removing the things he hated or couldn’t wear because of his healing tattoo.

Minho eventually came into the room dressed in black leather pants that had a nice golden buckle belt. The belt held a tucked in brown button down shirt that had the sleeves rolled up and the top three buttons open to reveal a fancy black high collared shirt beneath that had a golden circular zip. Felix had sat down to do his makeup before Minho came in, he opted for a rosy makeup look but added glitter to his eyeshadow for dramatic effect. He haphazardly straightened his hair and left it out.

“Everything I don’t hate is on the bed.” Felix told him when he entered the room, he turned to look at him. “What do we think of my makeup?”

Minho had a quick glance. “How very Euphoria of you. You don’t think it’s a bit much for just coffee?”

Felix frowned; he hadn’t really considered that.

“I don’t hate it.” Minho clarified. “Let’s just try to match your outfit to your makeup.”

“I like what you’re wearing, Hyung.” Felix said with a small grin as he came back over to the bed. “You look hot.”

“I always look hot. What are you talking about?” Minho rolled his eyes.

Felix pouted. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Have so much confidence?”

“The trick is to just think you’re better than everyone else but acting modest about it so you don’t start acting arrogant when you finally start to believe it.” Minho shrugged and rifled through Felix’s clothes to see his options.

Minho occasionally held up some of the clothes to get a visual idea of what it would look like on Felix. Meanwhile Felix stood in his place rocking back and forth on his heels waiting patiently for Minho to decide. Minho settled for black and white plaid chino pants that were loose around the waist and a simple oversized white tee. It was kind of cold outside so Felix grabbed his favorite black leather jacket out of his wardrobe and then grabbed some socks and a pair of regular converses.

“Ready to go?” Minho asked.

Felix wiped his hands nervously on his pants and nodded. “I’m ready.”

“I thought you said it was just coffee, why are you so anxious?”

“Because despite not wanting to date him, I still find Changbin extremely attractive. Also he texted me last night saying he was bringing a friend with him which means I have to meet someone new.”

Minho grinned. “Oh I hope it’s Seungmin, he was so cute. I’d love to make him a permanent client. I need to know what kinks lay beneath that shy exterior, he seems like he would be so much fun in bed.”

“How’d he go with the dance?” Felix asked as he grabbed his phone and his side satchel that contained his wallet among other things.

“He seemed like he really enjoyed himself but he was still extremely shy afterwards. It might take awhile to get him onto my client list.”

“So you want the worker and the boss?” Felix snickered. “Although I guess you’d actually sleep with Seungmin if he was your client unlike Channie Hyung.”

“What’s the deal with you and Chan?” Minho questioned. “You guys hit it off almost immediately and then you became so moody after coming back from his apartment but now you’re all lovey dovey about him again?”

Felix frowned. “I’m not all ‘lovey dovey’ about him.” He added air quotes to emphasize his point.

“Are you crushing on him?” Minho inquired.

“Hyung, it's only been a week.”

Minho shrugged. “And I am a firm believer in love at first sight if it is the right person. Like your whole body just knows you’re meant to be together; love makes people stupid and it physically shows.”

Felix didn’t want to think about this right now. He had no fear of confrontation but something about Minho asking had his gut twisting.

“And if I said I was interested?”

“I would support your decision but I would also tell you to be careful. Chan Hyung isn’t the easiest person in the world; in fact his life is a lot like a thunderstorm, pretty to watch but not something you want to be stranded in alone.” Minho tried to reassure him. “I can stop seeing him as a client if you really want to pursue him though.”

“I haven’t decided if I want to or not but regardless you can still have him as a client.” Felix shook his head. “He already admitted that all you guys do is talk. He says the money he pays you is to help support Jeongin.”

Minho made a face that reminded Felix of a satisfied cat. “That man is so sweet.” The facial expression disappeared as quickly as it came. “If you tell him I said that~”

“Don’t worry your secret's safe with me.” Felix grinned. “I won’t tell anyone how nice you actually are.”

Felix and Minho left the apartment and Felix texted Changbin for an address to the coffee shop as they took the elevator down to the complex’s car park.

“You only invited me for a ride didn’t you?” Minho teased.

Felix scrunched up his face. “No!” The grin broke out before he could protest it further. “Okay, maybe but like I said he is bringing a friend, I don’t want to go alone even though I trust Changbin. He seems like a really good guy and he would be fun to be friends with. In fact I think you might like him, it would be good for you to expand your friend group.”

“I have friends.” Minho rolled his eyes as they got close to his car.

“Ones that don’t pay you?” Felix asked with his eyebrows raised.

Minho narrowed his eyes at Felix. “Low blow but yes as a matter of fact I do. I just don’t hang out with them as much as I did in high school. I find the whole friend thing tedious.”

“You don’t do love and you don’t do friends… What do you do?” Felix asked, laughing and climbing into the passenger seat, both of them getting into the car at the same time.

“I sit in my hot tub on my penthouse balcony and revel in the fact that I am better than everyone else.” Minho laughed. “Oh and I raise a brat.”

“Well here’s to being humble.” Felix laughed.



Felix and Minho found a park near the café that wasn’t too far from their apartment complex. They held hands as they took their time walking and admiring the scenery around them.

They eventually made it to the café and made their way over to the table that Changbin had claimed for them. Felix had been in the middle of having a long discussion with Minho so he didn’t notice Changbin’s friend until he sat down at the table and finally looked away from Minho.

“Channie Hyung.” Felix grinned the moment he saw him, despite wearing a typical Korean black colored face mask Chan still looked so handsome especially with his natural curly brown hair.

“Oh you guys know each other?” Changbin asked, feigning innocence.

Felix looked at him questioningly but nodded to play along.

“How’d you manage to get away from Lip? I thought he was sick at the moment?” Minho asked, confusion written all over his face. He looked to Changbin and held out his hand. “Nice to officially meet you, I’m Minho.”

“Changbin.” Changbin said, shaking Minho’s hand.

“He actually wanted his Innie Hyung today instead of me so I paid Jeongin double to watch him for a couple of hours. I feel really guilty about leaving him but Changbin was so persistent about me coming along today.” Chan explained once the formalities were over.

“I’m sure a few hours away from him won’t hurt, it would be like you going to work any other day only shorter.” Minho tried to reason.

“It’s different when he’s sick though. He gets so clingy and needy because he doesn’t know how to deal with any of it. I had to call Seokjin to cover for me so that I could stay home and look after him. Also for food safety reasons but you get my point.”

Felix couldn’t fathom parent’s guilt but he could understand not wanting someone to miss out on an event. “We can take him out to the park or something when he feels better. To make up for missing today.”

Chan smiled at that. “That’s sweet Lix but I take him back to Sana’s tomorrow, he won’t be back for a whole week and he will have forgotten about this before then.”

“The offer still stands regardless if he remembers.”

The way Chan looked at him had Felix melting on the inside. The two boys shared intense eye contact, Felix subconsciously biting his lip and Chan smirking just a little.

“Get a room, you two.” Changbin said cutting the tension between them.

Felix snapped out of his stupor and turned his head to see Changbin glancing between them and Minho straight up staring at Felix.

“I’m going to go get drinks.” Minho announced. “What would everyone like?”

“Iced coffee.” Chan and Changbin answered at the same time.

“Something sweet please.” Felix requested.

Minho nodded and left to go to the counter.

“Changbin told me he was going to be a wingman for me today but you and I agreed to just be friends.” Chan announced now that Minho had left them.

Felix turned his head to look at Chan. “What?” It took a moment to register in Felix’s head. “Oh. Yeah, right. That’s what we agreed on.”

Changbin watched them with an incredulous look on his face. “That’s so stupid. Hyung, if you don’t date Felix I’m going to.”

Felix blushed at that and then blushed even harder when Chan and Changbin started bickering between them about who can date Felix. Felix zoned them out so that they can resolve it between themselves, he wouldn’t mind dating either of them so it wasn’t an issue that they were acting like this in front of him. He wanted Chan to win though.

Felix looked for Minho only to see him watching someone across the room. Felix followed his line of sight and saw a guy in a green hoodie and glasses watching him just as intensely as both of them made their way to the counter. Felix couldn’t believe what he saw next; the man in the hoodie tripped over the leg of someone’s pushed out chair and Minho seemingly tripped on his own feet at the same time. Felix didn’t know whether to laugh or feel embarrassed for them; especially Minho who was usually so poised.

“I’m going to go get food.” Felix said suddenly.

He got up and abandoned Changbin and Chan whose bickering had slowly died down. Felix made his way over to Minho who was dusting himself off and looking around suspiciously.

“Hyung, you okay?” Felix asked as he approached.

Minho scrunched up his face in disgust. “What are you doing here? You better not be checking up on me just for tripping.”

“I came for food.” Felix half lied. He was actually considering food now that he was close to the counter.

“That was so embarrassing…” Minho whispered.

Felix patted Minho’s back. “You’re fine Hyung, I don’t think he saw… He was too busy tripping himself.”

“Don’t think who saw?” Minho asked, playing dumb and Felix gave him a knowing look. “You really think he didn’t see?”

Felix nodded. “Guaranteed.”

They made it to the front of the line and ordered their drinks, Felix ordered pancakes for everyone and a few desserts like cupcakes, muffins and a slice of cheesecake. Felix paid for the drinks while Minho paid for the food despite his condition for coming here.

“I don’t think we’re going to eat all of this Lix.” Minho commented when he saw the receipt.

Felix shrugged. “We don’t have to finish it all. I just like trying different things on the menu… There are four of us so I think it will be fine.”

They moved from the counter and waited patiently off to the side. Both of them occasionally glanced at the guy in the green hoodie who was now ordering at the counter.

“He is cute. I didn’t realize that was your type, Hyung.” Felix commented quietly.

Minho blushed. “I don’t have a type. I don’t care about dating, falling in love or any of that nonsense… But he is definitely the cutest man I have ever seen, that’s for sure.”

Felix pouted. “Are you saying I’m not the cutest anymore?”

Minho looked at Felix. “You are Lix but I don’t want to fuck you. As for him; I can’t decide if I want to be railed into a mattress or fuck him until he cries… Both options sound great.”

Felix blushed furiously. “My poor virgin ears.”

Minho laughed but he couldn’t take his eyes off the guy in the hoodie. Before either of them could say anything more the guy came over and stood rather close to them due to the cafe filling up with people.

Felix grinned and leaned forward to see around Minho. “Hey you.”

The guy ignored him at first but then looked around when no one answered. He looked at Felix and motioned to himself. “Me?”

Felix nodded. “Yeah you.”

“Sup?” He said coolly.

Felix was momentarily shocked due to this nerdy looking guy having swag, it almost gave him whiplash. “My friend thinks you're cute.”

“Felix I swear to god!” Minho said.

“Oh really? How convenient…” The guy replied.

The guy was cut off by Minho and Felix’s name being called. Felix waved awkwardly and Minho almost sprinted to the counter to get away from the interaction with the guy whose name Felix should have asked.

“God why would you do that Felix?” Minho scolded him quietly as they approached the counter.

“To get his attention obviously. Both of you are so awkward I can’t imagine you would have spoken if I hadn’t said anything.” Felix shrugged.

Minho collected the tray of drinks from the counter.

“Jisung?” The server called out as Minho was turning with the drinks.

Felix gasped as he turned to leave and saw Minho crash into the guy from before, spilling the drinks all over the hoodie.

“Fuck.” Minho said as he slipped on the spilt liquid on the floor.

Thankfully though Jisung, as Felix gathered from the counter lady, caught Minho in his arms. Neither of them moved as Jisung held him, both of them staring at each other intently, no words being spoken between them and yet Felix could feel the tension a lot like with him and Chan.

“I see what you mean about love making you stupid.” Felix said to break the tension.

Minho let out an indescribable noise and made an effort to stand up straight to get out of Jisung’s arms. Felix knew he was going to pay for that comment later but right now they were holding up a line.

Felix quickly ordered more drinks to replace the spilt ones. Behind him he could hear Minho and Jisung talking. Minho apologized frantically.

“Let me get it dry cleaned for you.” Minho offered.

Jisung removed his hoodie and handed it to Minho then held out his hand. “Any excuse to give you my number.” Minho blushed like crazy but handed his phone to Jisung for him to input his phone number. “Text me any time.”

Minho clung to the wet hoodie and put his phone back into his pocket. “I- um- Yeah… Okay. Yeah.”

Felix tried so hard not to laugh as Minho’s brain short circuited on the spot. Jisung reached around Minho and grabbed his drink from the counter.

“Hey Felix.” Felix looked to Jisung, surprised that he had spoken to him at all. “Thanks.”

“Kill me.” Minho commented to Felix as Jisung left.

Chapter Text

Watching Minho being the epitome of a walking disaster was both hilarious and fascinating to Chan. Ever since he had known him, Minho had been so graceful with everything he did and yet here he was tripping over his own feet and spilling drinks all over someone. That wasn’t the Minho that Chan knew, not even close.

“So are you really not going to pursue Felix?” Changbin asked when it was just the two of them.

Chan looked away from the scene Minho was making across the room. “Hyunjin only just broke up with me Binnie, and despite what you and Minnie seem to think I did actually like him.”

“Exactly. Liking him is different to loving him, there’s no social expectation or allotted time in which you have to wait to move on.” Changbin fidgeted with the salt shaker rolling it on an angle. “Besides, we all saw the article. He’s clearly moved on so why can’t you?”

“It’s just too soon.” Chan said while looking back over to Minho and Felix who were making their way back with food and drinks.

“No one said it had to be serious straight away.” Changbin reminded him. “Nothing wrong with a little fling or just a fun time.”

Chan sighed. “Having a child means I have to be serious about who’s in my life. I can’t jump from one person to the next no matter how attractive I find them, that’s not fair on Lip.” Chan replied quickly before the other two reached them.

“What were you two talking about?” Felix asked curiously while observing Chan. Chan squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze from being caught talking about him.

“Oh just my giant crush on you.” Changbin teased with a laugh and threw his arm around Chan’s shoulder. “Channie’s loss could be my gain right?”

Chan sat still, completely unphased by Changbin’s antics to make their conversation playful.

“Can we refrain from discussing feelings? I’m going to be sick.” Minho said snidely.

“That’s ironic.” Felix chuckled.

Minho folded his arms when they were free of the drink tray. He sat there pouting to himself and hugging a green hoodie that Chan didn’t know where he had got it from.

“How’s your tattoo going?” Changbin asked Felix, finally moving the topic to keep everyone satisfied.

Felix started spreading the plates of food across the table for everyone to reach. “Uh so about that… I put waterproof bandages on but I kind of forgot I’m not supposed to swim while it is healing…”

“Yah Yongbok-ah! I could smack you.” Changbin raised his voice.

Felix blushed at being called by what Chan assumed was Felix’s Korean name.

“Don’t you know how severe the infections bodies of water can cause are?!” Changbin scolded him. “Let’s just hope all it does is lose some color. That’s at least fixable.”

“I’m sorry, Hyung, it won’t happen again.” Felix apologized sincerely and bowed a couple of times.

“Don’t apologize to me, it’s your body I’m concerned for. You already paid me for my work now it’s up to you to look after it for yourself.” Changbin grumbled.

Chan tuned out Changbin’s scolding and looked over at Minho who was just as spaced out as he was. He seemed to be clinging to the green hoodie like his life depended on it, his facial expression seemed frazzled and he was showing off his cute bunny teeth as his mouth hung slightly open in thought.

Chan kicked his foot underneath the table to catch his attention. Minho blinked slowly as he turned his head towards Chan.

“You good?” Chan asked quietly and Minho shrugged.

“Hyung’s got a crush.” Felix teased but Minho was too stunned to argue.

Chan chuckled lightly. “Well that explains whatever that disaster was.”

“He was just so pretty…” Minho commented softly. “Too pretty… I’d never stand a chance.”

Chan smiled fondly. “Are you forgetting who you are?”

“What do you mean?” Minho looked confused.

“Minho, come on, you are the prettiest and most confident person I know. You can have any man you want with a bat of those sparkly eyes and a flash of that wonderful smile.” Chan said trying to boost his self esteem.

“Channie Hyung’s got a point.” Felix agreed. “Besides, he sounded pretty into you.”

Minho groaned and leaned his forehead down on the table. “Please just leave me be right now. I am weak.”

“Thanks for the food guys.” Changbin skillfully changed the subject as he took one of the muffins.

Chan picked up a dessert fork and used the side of it to cut the tip of the cheesecake off before taking a bite.

“How is it?” Felix asked as he picked up his own dessert fork to share it with him.

Chan scrunched his nose. “It’s a little dry.”

“This is probably a dumb question but are you a foodie?” Felix asked. Chan, out of the corner of his eye, could see Changbin quietly eating and just watching them converse.

Chan nodded. “Always loved food. Sydney had some amazing restaurants, plus trying new things was always something I enjoyed. I never saw myself being a critic but once I finished my training it was hard to eat something I haven’t made and not have an opinion because I know how these things are made and how they are supposed to taste to be considered perfect… I usually keep my thoughts to myself the best I can.”

“I love a guy who's passionate.” Felix commented off-handedly, a soft smile playing over his face as he took a bite of the piece of cheesecake he had picked up.

Despite Changbin watching them both; Chan stared, almost mesmerized, by the way Felix brought the food to his mouth and the way his rosy lips encased the small fork. He blinked ever so slowly at the way Felix caught his eye and deliberately dragged his lips down the fork as he slid the food off the fork. He felt his brain blackout for a second when he watched Felix swallow and then lick his lips before smirking in Chan’s direction, never once breaking eye contact with him.

Bang Chan knew in his heart of hearts he was going to regret the day he decided to “just be friends” with Lee Felix.



“Appa!” Phillip squalled.

Chan put his face in his hands and dragged his hands down his face in silent agony. “Lip, I’m really not in the mood for this right now.”

Phillip defiantly sat down on the floor with his arms crossed and death glared up at Chan who was packing his lunch box into an already full backpack. His head hurt from the pressure in his sinuses, he always had breathing problems because of his nose but having a cold always made it worse. Phillip was on the mend for the most part but Chan had finally caught whatever head cold Phillip had. It made him irritable and less patient with the toddler who was currently not listening.

“Can you put your shoes on please?” Chan tried to ask nicely.

“Not going.” Phillip argued.

Chan didn’t know what to do in this situation, it was always so rare for him to want to stay.

“Don’t you want to see Eomma?” Chan questioned.

Phillip shook his head. “No.”

“What’s it going to take to get you into the car in five minutes without any more hassle?” Chan argued, not caring if the toddler only understood half of what he was saying.

“Uncle Meemo!”

“Uncle Meemo is working.” Chan retorted.

Phillip frowned and kicked his legs in objection. “No!”

“Lip Please.” Channie said desperately. He couldn’t handle this right now.

“Licks!”

Chan blushed at the idea of going on a six hour drive with Felix. “Er, Lix Hyung is probably working too.” Chan stammered.

“Not going.” Phillip protested once more.

Chan sighed and finished packing the backpack then put one strap over his shoulder. He grabbed Phillip’s shoes and then much to the dismay of the toddler he effortlessly scooped him up into his free arm and held him on his hip.

Phillip struggled in his arms, trying to worm his way down but Chan held steady. “Lip stop, we’re gonna go see if Meemo or Lix is home and if they’re not then we are going on our own. You come back next weekend so you’ll get to see Appa again soon.” Chan said, trying to be his usual patient self.

Phillip huffed but stilled his movements, momentarily giving in.

“At least I’m not making you put your shoes on.” Chan tried to bargain.

Phillip ignored him and Chan took that as a win. He left the apartment, struggling to juggle the door handle and the shoes but getting there in the end. He took them to the elevator, letting Phillip push the button to the top floor and let him knock when they got to Minho’s apartment.

Oddly enough Minho was the one to open the door and Chan was confused. “Channie, what are you doing here? It’s almost ten, I thought you’d be gone by now?”

“I should be but grumpy butt here has been arguing with me all morning.” Chan said, letting out a small chuckle but it was anything but funny.

“Aigooo, my little bear cub what’s the matter?” Minho cooed and took Phillip from Chan, placing him on his own hip.

“Not going.” Phillip told him confidently hoping Minho would take his side.

Chan rolled his eyes. “Is that why you don’t have your shoes on?” Minho asked.

Phillip nodded. “Bears don’t wear shoes.”

“That’s right they don’t but little cubs who don’t want to hurt their feet have to wear them.” Minho told him and Phillip stared at him in confusion. “My little cub doesn’t want to hurt his feet does he?”

Phillip frowned and shook his head. “No…”

“You can put the shoes on now, Channie.” Minho grinned.

Chan hesitantly slipped the shoes onto the toddler’s feet and strapped up the velcro. “Okay now convince him he has to go home so I can go back to work.”

“You’re still sick so you won’t be going to work.” Minho interjected.

“Please just work your magic. I really can’t deal with this right now.” Chan pleaded and gave Minho his signature puppy eyed look.

Minho could clearly see the desperation on his face so he looked to Phillip with the sweetest smile on his face. “What if Uncle Meemo comes for a ride to see Mama bear? Hmm?”

Phillip’s face lit up. “We go vroom vroom now?”

Minho laughed at the adorableness and Chan let out a sigh of relief. “Here, go to Appa for a minute, I have to grab a few things.”

Chan took Phillip back and they waited patiently while Minho grabbed his phone, wallet and a jumper. Chan could hear him yell out to Jeongin and Felix about the road trip. Chan took this time to look at Phillip and brush his curly fringe off his face.

“Appa’s sorry Lip.” Chan apologized and kissed the toddler’s cheek.

Phillip obviously didn’t know what Chan was apologizing for, in fact Chan didn’t know either as it could have been for multiple reasons like having to send him away all the time or for losing his cool this morning, none of this stopped Phillip from resting his head on Chan’s shoulder and cuddling into him though.

Phillip didn’t get fussy very often, which Chan thought was weird, but when he did Chan always tried to do the best he could. He wasn’t a perfect parent but he tried and he really hoped For Phillip’s sake that that was enough.



Despite all of Chan’s protesting about how he was fine even though he wasn’t Minho ended up driving instead of him and Phillip fell asleep in his car seat within the first half an hour of the drive.

“Thank you for coming along with me… And for driving… And for being a better parent than I am.” Chan sighed and leaned his head against his hand as he rested his elbow on the open window sill.

Minho frowned. “Chan I swear to god I will pull this car over and give you the scolding of your life. If I ever hear that come out of your mouth again I’m going to shove tissues in it to shut you up.”

Chan quirked an eyebrow. “What?”

“You are an amazing parent and just because your toddler has one off day or you’re too sick to deal with a tantrum doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent Hyung, it just means you’re human like the rest of us.”

“Speaking of being human like everyone else, you wanna talk about what happened yesterday?” Chan questioned.

Minho gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Not particularly.”

“Oh come on Min, you know the ins and outs of my love life but you won’t tell me about the first guy who piqued your interest in all the time I’ve known you?” Chan pouted and looked over at Minho.

“He isn’t the first one to pique my interest Hyung… There was a potential new client the other night that piqued my interest too… I don’t remember his name though.”

Chan wasn’t sure he believed that but he was willing to let it pass for now. “Okay but like that was work, I’m sure you were your regular flirty self. What happened with the guy from the cafe?”

“He gave me his number.” Minho shrugged.

“Have you text him yet?”

“And say what? Hi, I like your face, oh btw I’m a stripper and if you want to be my boyfriend you’re just going to have to deal with that.”  Minho rambled. “No thank you, I’ll just text him once the jumper has been dry cleaned.”

“You know you could just say you want to go out for coffee to replace the one that got spilt.”

Minho spared him the quickest glance. “God, that's so smooth, why didn’t I think of that? Hyung reach into my pocket and grab my phone. I need you to text him for me.”

Minho raised his hip and Chan reached into the pocket of his pants to grab his phone out. He put in the pin then went into contacts and looked at the most recently added number.

“You saved him under ‘Hoodie Hottie’ ? Since when were you a twelve year old girl?” Chan laughed and he could see the look of regret on Minho’s face. Chan opened the messaging app and drafted the text. “Do you use emojis when you flirt? Fuck it Imma use one anyway.”



Chan couldn’t work due to being sick and it was driving him insane. When Lip wasn’t with him all he ever did was work and go to the strip club to see Minho perform but he couldn’t do either of those things this week and that drove him mental.

Chan had made sure to call Daniel to take more time off and to see if he could organize Momo to stage for the restaurant again at a later date. Daniel agreed to both and then Chan proceeded to die in his bed.

Chan wasn’t sure what time it was when he woke up from the nap he had accidentally taken. Through his drowsy state he could hear the sound of faint knocking coming from the front door. Bleary eyed and sniffly he made his way to the front door to answer it only to reveal a literal angel in front of him. 

Chan stared in amazement as light shone from behind highlighting Felix’s silhouette which oddly reminded him of the dancer he watched at the strip club just last week. Chan wanted to laugh at that thought as there was no way someone as pure hearted as Felix was a stripper, let alone one that could move his body in such a way. Chan tried not to think about it before he would have to face the consequences in front of Felix, he didn’t want to embarrass himself from how the mere thought of that new dancer made him feel.

“Oh dear you’re all red.” Felix fussed and reached out a hand to feel Chan’s forehead. “And you’re burning up…”

“Lix what are you doing here?” Chan asked, trying to get his mind off Jikseu.

Felix grinned and held up the soup carrier that was in his hand. “I made you some chicken and turmeric soup. I’ve also come to look after you because Minho mentioned you weren’t the best at looking after yourself when Lip isn’t around.”

“I manage just fine.” Chan argued half-heartedly but deep down he knew he was right.

“Be that as it may, I’m here to help you for the rest of the day.” Felix told him proudly and Chan felt that weird sensation of warmness in his heart again.

Chan allowed Felix to come into the apartment. “I apologize for the mess, I still haven’t cleaned up from when Lip was having his tantrum.”

“Mess doesn’t bother me Hyung and besides, it’s not my place so I can’t judge. I’m not exactly the cleanest person either… I think Minho would have an absolute fit if he saw the state of my room right now.”

Chan chuckled at that and then felt a little dizzy so he leaned on the armrest of the couch.

“You okay? Maybe you should lie down.” Felix suggested.

“I don’t want to be rude-” Chan started but Felix pushed him towards his bedroom. “Welp.”

Chan let Felix manhandle him with one hand, he climbed into bed as soon as he got into the room. Felix set the soup carrier on the bedside table and then left the room to get something. Chan curiously leaned near the container and opened the lid to take a sniff, through the very little airway he had he could tell that it smelt amazing.

Felix came back in with a bowl of liquid and a face washer in hand and the other dragging a chair from the kitchen. Chan blinked up at him groggily and smiled at him which Felix returned immediately. Felix set the chair and sat down beside Chan’s bedside.

“So food is your love language too huh?” Chan asked.

Felix’s eyes disappeared with the way his cheeks lifted so high while smiling. He was so fucking beautiful.

“I feel like food is a universal love language. Everyone knows the way to the heart is through the stomach.” Felix said happily.

“That’s factually incorrect but as a chef I understand what you mean.”

Felix spoon fed him some of the soup until he felt full. Chan still felt out of it so he was grateful for Felix’s help. When Chan was done eating a decent amount of soup Felix started padding the warm damp cloth he had prepared over Chan’s forehead.

Chan stared wide eyed at the beautiful face of Felix, he dazedly counted each and every freckle he could see from this angle. Felix clearly didn’t realize just how far he had leaned in until Chan’s breath audibly hitched. Chan’s thoughts ran wild and he willed his inhibitions away as they both stayed silent. Chan wanted to kiss him so bad. He just wanted to know what it was like… Even if they couldn’t be together soon or ever, what was to stop them from kissing right now? He’s felt nothing but the strongest pull towards Felix since he met him, a connection that was poorly timed and one he didn’t understand in the slightest.

He’s made so many bad decisions before so why not this too? One kiss could never hurt anybody.

Chan leaned in to close the gap.

“Channie, I can’t…” Felix whispered just as Chan was about to press his lips to his.

Chapter Text

What the fuck was wrong with him?

Felix couldn’t help but mentally kick himself at rejecting Chan’s advances. He wanted nothing more than to kiss Chan especially if it’s the only chance he ever got to do so but he just couldn’t bring himself to accept it.

“Y-you can’t?” Chan leaned back against the pillow, speaking with a stutter as shock seemed to cloud him.

Felix bit his lip and nodded then looked down, his hands falling to his sides as he let out a sigh of defeat. “It’s just not right Hyung… You’re probably delirious from the fever so I can’t let you do something that I know you’ll regret once you’re out of that state of mind.”

“You’re assuming that I’ve never wanted to kiss you before.” Chan said defensively. “I think about it a lot.”

Felix blushed and kept avoiding eye contact with Chan. “Even so, I just… I just don’t think our first kiss should be while you are sick… And I don’t want things between us to get complicated, they’re already so complicated Hyung, we agreed to be just friends for a reason and while I want us to be more than that eventually; you had your reasons for not wanting to jump into things so suddenly. Whatever those reasons are; whether it be because of Lip, or your ex or just not wanting to make more bad decisions… You need to stick by them. You set boundaries and I need to respect them until you’re in the right state of mind to tell me otherwise.”

Chan’s silence was almost deafening. Felix’s heart dropped to his stomach as he began to wonder for a second if he had fucked it all up, thinking he ruined any chance of them ever happening and his inner panic about it all started to spiral.

“You’re right… I’m not thinking straight.” Chan agreed. “I barely have enough time for my own son, what makes me think I’d have enough time to date you…” He mumbled and Felix took note of the frustration in Chan’s tone.

That one stung, not even a little but a lot; however Felix knew he wasn’t wrong. In the very little time that Felix had known Chan he had spent most of the time at his restaurant working. Felix was pulled from his rationalizing thoughts when he felt Chan’s hand caress his cheek softly.

“Thank you.” He said weakly. “For being a voice of reason.”

Felix finally looked up at him, making direct eye contact. With Chan’s hand still on his cheek he had to physically restrain himself from throwing everything he just said out the window. The tender look on Chan’s face was almost enough to convince Felix that they should just kiss now and deal with the consequences later. Curse his rational brain!

“Y-You should nap.” Felix blurted nervously. “The best way to fight a cold is lots of rest and to let the fever do its thing…”

“Oh, um I’m not tired…” Chan admitted but yawned, contradicting his words.

“It’s not kissing but what if we, um, cuddled?” Felix suggested. “Friends cuddle right? I cuddle people all the time. That wouldn’t be weird or anything… At least I don’t think it would. I just~” Felix rambled.

Chan chuckled as he interrupted him. “Cuddling would be nice, Lix… It wouldn’t be weird at all given that you’re you.” Chan laughed to himself. “Felix the cuddly koala.”

Felix rolled his eyes at that but smiled at the same time. Felix dumped the cloth into the bowl of water and then proceeded to climb on the bed, awkwardly climbing over Chan then laying down beside him. Chan immediately put his arm around him and pulled him in for a cuddle. Felix smiled to himself and rested his head on Chan’s chest.

He listened to the sound of Chan’s racing heartbeat, it dulled the panic inside him. Felix placed his hand below his face, resting it on Chan’s sternum.

“Thanks for coming to look after me.” Chan said, unable to bear the silence.

Felix wanted to reply but his brain refused to work as his hand discovered that he could feel the definition of abs when he adjusted the placement of his hand to get comfortable.

“Oh…” Felix mumbled to himself.

Chan chuckled. “Got a thing for muscles ay?”

Felix blushed and groaned. “No.”

“Oh sure sure.” Chan teased. “I’ll pretend like I believe that.”

Felix pouted. “Hyung, please don’t make this harder than it already is…”

Chan hummed in acknowledgement. “You’re right, I’m sorry. You’re just so easy to tease; it’s fun…” Chan began playing with Felix’s hair causing Felix to tilt his head up to look at him. Chan stared softly down at him with that bright smile Felix loved so much.

“I love it when you smile Hyung.” Felix whispered quietly. “You’re so beautiful.”

“You’ve been the only reason for my smile lately.” Chan confessed.



Felix tried so hard not to think about his time with Chan when he went home later that night. He had to remind himself that he needed to bury any feelings he felt for Chan even if they just felt so right together.

He wanted so badly to be selfish. He wanted to kiss Chan more than anything, he just wanted to know what it would be like to have the older male’s lips on his. That couldn’t happen though, maybe in the future but certainly not now. It wasn’t just them that this would affect, especially if things went wrong. Chan had a child and Felix was still young, maybe too young to become a step dad, he barely felt like he could be a good role model for Lip let alone being his step dad.

He knew this couldn’t happen, that it shouldn’t happen, and yet he just couldn’t stop thinking about all of the what ifs.

At night he dreamed of a life with Chan and during the day he thought about him almost every second of every minute. Today’s events only fueled his desire for Chan; the longing that dwelled within him just begging to reach the surface but being suffocated by Felix’s dwindling will to respect Chan’s boundaries. This was a fight that Felix’s heart was never going to win but his determination to be a good person was going to help him persevere.

“You’re back already? I thought you’d be staying over there.” Minho questioned as Felix walked through the apartment door.

Felix looked over to Minho who was lounging on the burnt orange couch. “He needs to rest.” Felix answered shortly.

“Come hang out with me.” Minho said, patting the cushion beneath him.

“No offense Hyung but I kinda just want to go to my room and die.”

Minho frowned. “That seems a bit melodramatic… Even for you.” Minho sat up and leaned his arms on the back of the couch. “You always get so moody when you come back from Chan’s. If you don’t want to talk about it that’s fine but at least tell me that you’re okay… I worry about you a lot.”

“Are you being sentimental right now Hyung? That’s so unlike you.”

“Yah! Is that really so hard to believe that I care about you?”

Felix sighed and went over to the couch. He sat down beside Minho, kicking his indoor slippers off so that he could put his feet on the couch to bring his knees up to his chest. A deep silence falling between them.

“Lix, you’re worrying me…” Minho said softly, his hand placing upon Felix’s arm.

Felix began to tear up and Minho let out a panicked gasp before pulling Felix into his arms. 

Felix sobbed silently and leaned into Minho, grateful for the support. “I’m just so overwhelmed, Hyung. I don’t like being a responsible person! I just want to be recklessly in love and experience life. Life is about making dumb mistakes and learning from them to become a better person so why is it on me to be the responsible one?”

Minho petted Felix’s soft hair gently as a way to calm him down while he listened intently to all of Felix’s complaints. “You’re young Felix, you have all the time in the world to fall in love, there's no need to rush it. If you’re meant to be then it will be; just give it some time. What’s that English saying?” Minho stopped talking while he thought about it. “A city wasn’t built overnight?”

Felix sniffled and wiped his tears with the back of his sleeve.

“The same thing applies to love. I know I said I’m a believer of love at first sight but love also takes patience and a lot of hard work.” Minho whispered softly. “I think you need to try to forget about it for now and focus on other parts of life. Not having it at the forefront of your mind will help you to stress less and then when you’re both ready to see where things lead it will happen.”

Felix hiccupped and stared down at his hands, pulling at his sleeves. How could he possibly forget about his feelings for Chan? It had been such a short amount of time and yet he felt so strongly about him already. Chan felt like home to him and not just because he was Australian, there was this deep-seated emotion between them that Felix couldn’t explain in words.

“I don’t like seeing you like this, Lix.” Minho told him. “It hurts my heart to see you so sad. If Chan ever actually does something to hurt you I may have to kill him.”

Felix snickered and then choked on his breath at that.

“You think I’m joking but I’m serious Lix. Just say the word. I've got your back.”

Felix hummed and nuzzled into Minho’s chest. “Thanks Hyung.” Felix said weakly, his tears finally slowing down but his heart and thoughts still running wild at the mere thought of Chan.



“Let’s go again everyone. I want to perfect this before Yeonjun, Yuta and Felix get put back on stage.” Minho said, standing at the front of the improvised dance class.

Felix’s tattoo had almost healed, he was excited to get back to dancing and in anticipation of that Minho decided he was choreographing a new routine for everyone. Minho was riding him harder than everyone about perfecting it but Felix was just grateful for the distraction: If it wasn’t for Minho’s dance classes he would be checking in on Chan every five minutes and Felix assumed Minho knew that.

“Females, I need you to unleash your inner seductresses! Males, I need you to peacock like you’ve never peacocked before!” Minho ordered.

Felix and Yeonjun laughed amongst themselves and Minho glared in their direction.

“Hyung, come on we’ve been at this all day, we need a break.” Yeonjun whined.

“Okay fine, last one and then we can call it quits but I expect you all to come back here on Saturday, I want you to be able to perform it on that night.” Minho bargained. “Junnie and Lix, you two go first since you’re so eager to get out of here.”

Soyeon, Alexa, Taeyong and Yuta all left their spots on the stages to take a seat on the chairs surrounding Yeonjun and Felix’s stage.

Felix was almost sick of listening to Body On Me by Rita Ora at this point but he took his starting position facing Yeonjun as Minho restarted the song. Felix smirked up at Yeonjun as they raised their heads to look up at each other. They worked together effortlessly as they placed their hands together and mirrored each other's movements, moving to the beat of the music. Felix turned his head into Minho’s direction where the crowd would be sitting, Yeonjun’s head dipped to trace his lips over Felix’s neck.

Felix rolled his body to bring his chest forward, pressing his body against Yeonjun’s to match the lyrics of the song. Yeonjun intertwined their fingers on one hand and forced them to turn so they were back to back with their locked hands in the air, they swayed their hips and used each other's backs for support as they swayed down into a crouch.

They let go of their hands and Felix dropped to his knees while Yeonjun maintained his position and continued to sway his hips. Felix pawed at the ground, slowly creeping forward before dipping his back before coming back up, he spun on his knees, grateful for the fabric of his sweatpants. His arms draped over Yeonjun hugging him from behind and clinging to him. Yeonjun turned as smoothly as he could in Felix’s arms and Felix pushed him down.

Yeonjun’s hand placed itself on Felix’s cheek as Felix hovered above him, one hand on Yeonjun’s exposed waist and the other beside Yeonjun’s hand pinning him there. Yeonjun’s free arm reached out toward the crowd and he turned his head giving the crowd (Minho and the others) a seductive look as he pressed his body up against Felix’s. They finished out the song flawlessly then got up and looked over at Minho eagerly for approval.

Minho silently monitored them and Soyeon was the first to speak up. “I think I’d have a boner if I was a guy.”

Alexa snorted at Soyeon’s comment.

“It was definitely something alright.” Taeyong agreed. “Not sure if it’s the dance or the pairing but it’s hot as fuck.”

“I share the same sentiment but I want to point out that your fluidity on your turns need to be improved.” Yuta commented.

Felix nodded in agreement. “I get that and honestly I’m not sure how we’re going to do some of these with the outfits we have to wear…”

“I might rework the choreography.” Minho stated.

Felix frowned. “But Saturday is only three days away…”

“Let’s just stick with what we’ve learnt and improve on it before then. We will get it by Saturday I promise but right now Felix and I need to go shopping for new outfits for my birthday dinner tomorrow.” Yeonjun said.



Felix came home from shopping late that night. He dropped all the bags into his room haphazardly, not bothering to unpack them for the moment. He went downstairs to the kitchen to grab a glass of water which he skulled whilst standing at the sink. He left his glass on the sink just as he spotted Jeongin coming into the living room area.

Jeongin turned when he looked up and spotted Felix. Felix groaned because Jeongin had been doing this to him all week whenever they ran into each other and all he wanted to do was talk to his friend, he missed hanging out with him in his downtime. He thought they were close enough to get through this easily but apparently not.

“Jeongin wait!” Felix pleaded and chased after him.

Felix followed him up the stairs and into his room. Jeongin slammed his bedroom door in his face. Felix groaned as his nose smacked the wood.

“Jeongin, please just talk to me!” Felix called out hoping the younger male could hear him. Felix held his nose hoping it wouldn’t bleed.

Jeongin opened the door with an annoyed look on his face. “I have nothing to say to you Hyung.”

Felix spoke a little high pitched as he held his nose. “You’re making this out to be a bigger thing than it is. It was only a boner, totally normal for guys our age. Hormones are a crazy thing we can’t control.”

“It wasn’t just a boner…” Jeongin pouted. “I think I like you Felix.”

“Okay well now you have to talk to me.” Felix pressed.

Jeongin sighed and opened the door wider to let Felix into the room. Felix walked in and immediately went over to take a seat in Jeongin’s gaming chair. He spun around in the chair to face Jeongin who was closing the door.

“So…” Felix said awkwardly. “You like me huh? Are you sure you like me and not just lusting after me?”

“Are you sure that’s not all it is between you and Chan Hyung?” Jeongin sneered.

Felix’s eyes widened at the sudden attack. “What do you know about that?”

“Uh nothing.” Jeongin panicked then mimed himself zipping his lips and throwing away the key.

Felix frowned. “I’m flattered if you think you like me, Jeongin.” Felix said going back to the original topic. “But I have to be honest; I don’t feel the same and I don’t want things between us to change. I’m not going to make you feel weird for having a perfectly normal reaction to something and I can acknowledge your feelings but I just know they are never going to be returned.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Jeongin groaned and sat on the bed with a frustrated look on his face. “I see the way you look at Chan… I’ve been trying to avoid you to get over my feelings not because I was embarrassed… Well okay maybe I was embarrassed at first but you’re you Hyung, I know you would never judge me for something like that… I just don’t want to be a burden on you Hyung… I’m not trying to interfere with you and Chan Hyung, I’d never want to impose. You’re like my best friend and I love living with you even though it hasn’t been that long. It’s been so fun having you here and I don’t want to make you leave by making you uncomfortable with my confusing feelings.”

Felix let go of his nose and rushed over to the bed to sit beside Jeongin, pulling the younger male into a smothering hug. “You could never be a burden to me, Yang Jeongin. If you need time to sort things out I can give you space but don’t you dare ever think that those kinds of thoughts cross my mind because they don’t and they never will.”

Jeongin sat there reluctantly, Felix had worked out he hated skinship. “I’m so sorry Hyung…” Jeongin apologized.

Felix let go of him. “Hey.” Felix made Jeongin look at him. “If you ever need to just talk this through with me then I’m always here to listen. I promise I’m not going anywhere, I just need to make sure that you and I are okay.”

Jeongin nodded. Felix could see that his eyes were teary, probably from guilt, but Felix smiled softly at him to reassure him that everything was okay.

“I think we’ll be okay… This is my problem to deal with, not yours.” Jeongin said quietly.

There was a moment of silence before Jeongin spoke up again.

“Want to play some video games with me?”

Felix grinned. “You bet!”



Felix was so excited for dinner the next day. He hadn’t seen or thought about Chan since the Monday that he had visited him but now he was getting ready to visit his restaurant.

He wasn’t sure how fancy to dress because Fairytale didn’t have a Michelin star yet but he knew Chan was capable of getting one for it based on his restaurant in France. When he went shopping with Yeonjun he brought three different outfits because he couldn’t decide on the vibe he wanted to go for.

He stood in his briefs staring down at the three outfits on his bed contemplating until he finally decided on a black undershirt, with a pastel pink collared deep v neck that was tucked into high waisted black dress pants.

He straightened his hair then did his makeup, sadly covering his freckles. He stared at himself in his mirror feeling good about himself for once, he looked like a kpop idol and that made him feel confident.

Felix left his room after grabbing everything he needed. He had been saving a lot of money for this dinner especially after meeting Chan, he wanted to try everything on the menu. He had never had a chance to go fine dining before so he wanted to take this opportunity while it was presented to him.

“Everyone ready?” Minho asked as they convened at the top of the stairs.

Jeongin was dressed in black dress pants and a baby blue button down that complimented his skin tone. Minho on the other hand had gone all out, clad in a beige plaid two piece suit with a black sweater underneath to act as a third piece over the white shirt and black tie.

“Whoa you guys look amazing! We should get some family selfies first.” Felix commented.

They proceeded to take photos together; ones Felix would eventually print off and frame. Minho and Jeongin meant so much to him and he wanted to capture memories with them as much as possible.

“Okay let's go.” Felix yelled excitedly when they were done and skipped down the stairs.

Minho wanted to complain but he was also excited for the dinner and he couldn't help but smile to himself as Jeongin followed Felix’s lead. They all went to the building’s car park and Minho drove them to the restaurant where they met up with everyone from work and a couple of Yeonjun’s friends that they hadn’t officially met yet.

They introduced themselves as Kai, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Soobin. Yeonjun whispered to him that Soobin was his ex and Felix let out a small gasp. “What happened?” Felix whispered back.

Yeonjun shrugged. “We just work better as friends I guess.”

Stepping inside the restaurant was almost magical. Felix loved the way the interior was decorated and wondered if Chan chose it all or if he hired someone to design it.

Felix approached the host stand and stood beside Minho who was talking to the hostess about their special booking.

“Lee Minho? Table for fourteen.” The hostess, Sejeong as it said on her nametag, stated as she checked the booking list. “Right this way, Chef Bang has placed you all in the private business room.”

Sejeong led them to a room off the side of the main area. The room was a lot less subtle in color as opposed to the vivid choices in the main area. The design was a simple white and gold to reflect the inside of a castle.

Sejeong motioned for them to take seats at the table, Yeonjun took a seat in the middle with Felix on one side and Soobin on the other. Jeongin sat next to Felix with Minho on the other side of him.

“Make yourselves comfortable, the waiters will be in shortly to bring you water and menus.” Sejeong announced. “Chef Bang will also be in here to explain tonight's menu.”

Felix blushed, he didn't think he would actually get to see Chan tonight. He was excited about that even if he didn't get a chance to talk to him. 

Felix's eyes lit up as the double doors of the room opened to reveal a couple of waiters and Chan dressed in his black chef's outfit. He looked amazing. Felix was practically foaming at the mouth at the sight of Chan in the get up with his hair slicked back. 

Yeonjun leaned back into Felix to comment something under his breath. “Chef Bang? More like Chef I'd bang that am I right?” 

Felix and Yeonjun sat there giggling with each other like a bunch of gossiping school girls. 

“You know that's him right?” Felix whispered when their laughing settled. “He’s the one I was telling you about, the one that's just so unbelievably perfect for me…”

Yeonjun gasped and turned to look at Felix. “Oh my god! Are you actually hitting that?”

Felix felt as red as a tomato and shook his head, trying so hard not to make eye contact with Chan. “N-no… Not yet.” Felix stammered.

“Can I have your attention please?” Chan said to the table but looking directly at Felix. The waiters moved silently around the table placing menus in front of everyone and pouring water for everyone. “Good evening everyone, I am Chef Bang, I’m your head chef for the night. Tonight’s theme is The Little Mermaid so we have a simple shrimp stew followed by your choice of lobster thermidor or bourride which is a fish stew containing scallops, mussels or your choice of shellfish. For dessert our lovely patisseries have prepared a special birthday cake for the birthday boy as well as an assortment of canelés and macaroons.”

“That sounds amazing, I don’t know how we’re going to fit it all.” Yeonjun commented quietly.

“Everyday drinks are available of course but I do recommend pairing the seafood with a sauvignon blanc or one of the many mermaid themed cocktails our mixologist has created for this evening.” Chan said with a grin and Felix couldn’t help but stare at his cute dimples. “Before we begin taking orders is there anyone with allergies? We can prepare a separate menu.”

No one spoke up so the waiter began taking everyone’s orders. Chan bowed to everyone then began to leave, Felix eagerly waved to him as he was leaving and smiled to himself when Chan gave him a goofy smile and waved back at him.

“Man I’d be all over that If I were you. What’s stopping you? First Changbin and now this hot chef?” Yeonjun questioned. “I just don’t get it.”

Felix sighed as reality was thrust upon him. “It’s just really complicated, Hyung… I’ll tell you all about it at our next sleepover.”

“It better be soon, I’m dying to know.” Yeonjun complained with a whine then turned his attention to Soobin.

Felix answered the waiter that approached him about his meal and drinks. The dinner went flawlessly, everyone was talking and having a great time, Yeonjun drank a lot more than he should have but at least he was having fun. Yeonjun drunkenly cried when the two tier chocolate cake was presented to him and everyone sang happy birthday to him.

“I love you guys so much!” Yeonjun cried happily and put his arm around Soobin’s shoulder for balance support.

Felix felt the tap on his shoulder causing him to turn and look up at the waitress. “Are you Felix?” The waitress asked politely.

Felix nodded. “I am.”

The waitress smiled and set down a small plate in front of him.

Felix frowned in confusion. “Oh um, I didn’t order any extra dessert.”

The waitress handed him an unfolded place card. “It’s on the house, a special gift from our head chef.”

The waitress walked away and Felix read the card, aware that Yeonjun was currently watching his reaction and reading the note curiously.

[ Thank you for the soup. ]

Felix smiled happily to himself, feeling giddy inside at the thought of Chan making him something. He put the note down on the table then looked down at the dessert which made him want to cry as soon as his eyes laid on it.

Chan had made him a lamington with strawberry jam and whipped cream.

Chapter Text

“You look like a zombie.” The barking laugh that slowly devolved into giggles echoed through the phone. Chan rolled his eyes as the person on the other end threw his head back and covered his mouth. 

Chan pouted. “Well not everyone can look as handsome and princely all day everyday like you.” Chan replied half sarcastically.

Hyunjin did look handsome and princely; he always did. It was one of the things Chan loved so much about him, as shallow as that sounded. Hyunjin always seemed so ethereal and Chan couldn’t help to be drawn to that like a moth to a blue light bug zapper. 

“I know you’re joking but I have something exciting to share, it’s the whole reason I called actually.” Hyunjin was basically bouncing on the spot and Chan could see just how excited he was. “I met Donatella Versace! She calls me her Versace Prince.”

“So you’re modeling for them now?” Chan asked.

Hyunjin nodded and Chan adjusted the phone in his hand so he wouldn’t drop it while sitting up straighter in his bed. He fixed the pillows behind him for some more back support. 

“I’m making my runway debut soon. This is such a big step for my career, Hyung!” Hyunjin explained to him excitedly.

“That’s so exciting baby.” Chan said merely out of habit but still genuinely happy for him.

The coughing fit his body went into cut the feeling short though. It was still hard to breathe and his brain was foggy, so foggy he couldn't think straight. He shouldn’t have called him baby but it was so easy to slip into old habits especially with that adorable blush lining his ex’s beautiful face. A flash of a memory shot through Chan’s clouded mind almost clear as day. 

Felix.

A very heartbroken Felix to be exact. 

“So you called just to tell me this?” Chan furrowed his eyebrows together. 

Hyunjin pouted. “Yeah well you’re my Channie Hyung… You’ve always been so supportive of my career. I know things are weird between us because of the break but I thought you’d still be excited for me… You’ve done so much for my career by pushing me to go for things I wouldn’t normally do.”

“Obviously I’m happy for you but why aren’t you sharing this with your new boyfriend Younghoon who shares the same career path as you?” Chan sneered jealously.

His anger and annoyance about the whole situation still had yet to deplete and with him being sick his emotions were much less under control than usual. 

“I told you that I would be seeing other people. Why are you riding my ass about this? Besides I still love you and you’re the one I wanted to share this achievement with so just grow the fuck up and deal with it already.”

Chan gritted his teeth, biting back all the nasty words in his heart that he had been suppressing since the end of the relationship. He had been relieved of their suffocating relationship; he should be grateful not bitter. 

“You weren’t supposed to fall in love with someone else so soon.” Chan snapped.

He was such a fucking hypocrite.

More flashes of Felix intrusively flooded his mind and a wave of guilt stabbed at his heart. 

He wasn’t mad at Hyunjin; He was mad at himself. 

Chan knew that Younghoon would be better for Hyunjin than he ever would. Hyunjin deserved someone who could be physically and emotionally available to him. Hyunjin deserved to be loved and with the images of Felix in his head he knew then and there he would never be the one to give that to Hyunjin. 

Chan sighed in defeat, trying to let the anger go. “I’m sorry, Jinnie.” Chan rubbed his forehead in frustration, also trying to relieve the tension headache he was getting. “You didn’t deserve that or any of this.”

Hyunjin stayed quiet waiting for him to continue voicing his thoughts. Hyunjin knew Chan took his time to open his heart, even towards him.

“I’ve found the one my heart belongs to.” Chan confessed. 

Chan thought back to Felix trying to convince him he would regret it if they kissed and while he had agreed in the moment just to keep the peace he knew it was a lie. Chan wanted nothing more than to kiss the sweet boy and he could never regret it in a million years even if it led nowhere between them.

There was just something about Felix.

There was a spark and an intense connection that he had never felt with anyone, not even Sana or Hyunjin. There was something so profoundly deep between them that Chan just wanted to dive in head first. 

Fuck the consequences; but alas that was not Chan, he couldn’t just disregard his responsibilities as a parent no matter how tempting Felix made it with his touchy-feely personality.

“I thought there was something different about you, I thought maybe it was just because you were sick.” Hyunjin mumbled thoughtfully. “You know you don’t need my permission to date someone else right? I mean if you want it, you got it. I accepted long ago that you don’t love me the way I want you to. If you’ve truly found someone you love then go be happy Hyung.”

“I don’t think I can Jinnie… It’s just not that simple.”

“The only one making this difficult is you.” Hyunjin rolled his eyes. “If you’re that worried about it though maybe talk to Sana, I’m assuming that you’re worried how this will impact Lip and that if it wasn’t for him you wouldn't have second thoughts about jumping into bed with this new person?”

“Stop knowing me so well.”

Hyunjin curled the corner of his lip up into a smirk. “You kept me around for emotional control, I’m just doing my job.” 

“Hey, I kept you around for more than that.” Chan protested then smirked. “I kept you for the great sex too.”

Chan struggled to overcome his cold, the breathing issues alone were almost enough to kill him but it was the fatigue that got him the most. He swung wildly between sleeping way too much and not sleeping at all. Every day like clock work there would be a ring on the doorbell and a thermos full of different kinds of soup sitting on his doorstep.

He knew they were from Felix, not just because of the time he came over but because there were cute little notes that came with the thermos containing funny pick up lines. 

It always brightened his day.

The day he recovered he found not only the soup but also Changbin holding it with an awkward smile on his face. “Special delivery from a really hot guy. It’s me; I’m the hot guy.”

Chan rolled his eyes. “Boy you wish.”

“Okay, so I’m not Felix; doesn’t mean I’m not hot.” Changbin said when Chan let him inside his apartment. 

Changbin took the thermos to the kitchen and sat it on the bench. “How is lover boy? Have you made any progress with him?”

Chan took a seat on the island stool. “I told Hyunjin about him.”

“Oh shit.” Changbin took a seat on one of the other stools. “How’d he take it?”

Chan shook his head still in disbelief about the whole conversation. “I went about it all wrong but he was so level headed about it that it kind of freaked me out.” 

“He's always been a weird one, isn't that what you liked about him?” 

Chan snickered and smiled softly to himself. “Yeah I guess it is… I was just worried it would hurt him ya'know?” 

Changbin nodded. “I get that but isn't it better if you both just accept you need to move on? For as long as I've known you it's been a loveless relationship on your end. You obviously care about him, like you do for everyone because you're a giant teddy bear, but you don't love him. He isn't the one for you.”

“But Felix is?” 

He didn't know why he asked, he knew Felix was perfect for him and that he could love him with all of his heart. 

“From what I know about him I'd have to agree.” Changbin answered. “Felix could be good for you, Hyung.”

Chan sighed and got up. “Minho disagrees.”

“What do you mean?” Changbin frowned. “Also why does he get an opinion?” 

“Because I pay for his opinion any other time?” Chan could feel Changbin's gaze as he moved about. “I don't know, whatever, he came over yesterday and bit my head off about making Felix upset. It's not my fucking fault I couldn't bring myself to kiss him.”

Changbin's eyes widened. “I'm sorry what? I'm going to need some context please.”

Chan moved around the kitchen pulling a frying pan and a metal bowl out of the cupboards. “We had a moment and I was feverish enough to go through with it because it's what I wanted…”

“But you didn't and he got upset about it?” Changbin finished his sentence for him.

Chan grabbed eggs from the fridge. “Apparently.”

“What stopped you?” Changbin questioned.

Chan pulled a packet of dried seaweed out of the pantry. “The usual.”

Changbin hummed and nodded. “Lip.”

Chan cracked five eggs into the metal bowl. “Minho said I shouldn't pursue him if I'm not serious. Something about Felix being sensitive which I get but I am serious about it, about him.” Chan gripped the egg shell in his hand a little too hard, cracking it even more. “How do I ask a nineteen year old to consider a serious relationship that could change his whole life… He deserves better. How can I expect him to help parent a three year old when I can barely parent him myself?”

Changbin shrugged nonchalantly. “If it makes you feel any better Felix is turning twenty on Saturday.”

Chan stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Changbin. “Wait, what?”

Changbin smiled and crossed one leg over the other, he leaned his elbow on the island counter for balance support.

“His birthday was listed on our client forms.” Changbin explained. “So what are you gonna do about it?”

“What do you mean?” 

“If you're going to be serious about Felix you need to court him properly, starting with his birthday. Seriously, think about it.” 

Chan raised an eyebrow and started whisking the eggs in the bowl. “Did you come here just to lecture me about my love life?”

Changbin grinned. “No, I came here for whatever food you're cooking me right now and to invite you to a party.”

“Nothing fancy, just seaweed rolled egg rolls.” Chan shrugged. “What party?”

“Seungmin's surprise birthday party. I'm in charge of organizing it.” Changbin said with a chuckle. “I don't know why anyone would trust me with this. I've decided to hire strippers for the party, we found out recently that Siren's Lounge does hired parties.”

“They do? Interesting.” 

“I'm gonna see if your boy Minho wants to come, he took a real shine to Seungmin when we were at the club. Also Felix’s hot friend Yeonjun is available for parties.”

“Sounds like it could be fun, I can talk to BamBam about the screening process. You'll just have to give me your entire guest list and the names of the strippers you want.” Chan said as he added rice wine and sea salt to the egg mixture and prepared to cook the egg rolls.

“You're the best dude.”

He had to be serious about Felix.

He was thrown through an absolute loop trying to work out how he could convey that.

“Maybe stop friendzoning him for a start.” Chan muttered to himself as he put on his chef uniform.

He was so happy to be back at work. Daniel and Seokjin had managed the restaurant just fine without him. He had to remind himself that the world wasn't going to end just because he wasn't at his kitchen station for the past week.

“Chef, you're needed in the throne room. Minho's table has just arrived.” Sejeong announced after he had finished observing the food prep.

Chan nodded and summoned a bunch of waiters to join him. He accidentally made eye contact with Felix the moment he walked in the room.

He wanted to hide his face due to the blush creeping up his cheeks from the look Felix was giving him. He looked hungry, and not just for the brilliant meal Chan was ready to serve him. It seemed as though Chan was on the menu in Felix’s perverted mind.

Felix eventually looked away avoiding any more eye contact and Chan was grateful because it meant he could breathe.

He did miss that lust filled gaze though. Chan smiled and looked at him as he spoke, explaining the menu for tonight and acknowledging Yeonjun for his birthday.

Chan made a mental note about Yeonjun’s appearance and silently agreed with Changbin's statement about him being hot.

He figured that pretty people flocked together. 

Chan observed Felix's entire get up and almost lost his mind at how beautiful he looked. His beauty standing out amongst everyone at the table and the radiant smile shone like a lighthouse through the fog.

He was going to be dead serious about him. He had to. For the sake of his heart and the last remnants of his sanity.

Chan fumbled over some words and bowed to the entire table when he was finished explaining.

He couldn't believe he had let himself get so distracted, he was trying his best to be professional. He avoided the death glare Minho was giving him and gave the goofiest smile when he saw Felix wave at him.

Chan waved back, feeling giddy inside in a way that he hadn't felt in years. Felix always made him feel this way and he didn't understand why but he knew he wanted to make Felix feel the same way.

‘Food is our love language so why not show him how much I love him?’ Chan thought to himself on the way back to the kitchen.

Chan ran through a bunch of recipe ideas until something struck him, the perfect meal for the perfect man.

“Yo Seokjin, can you take over for me? I have a special order to prepare.” Chan asked his sous chef. 

“Yes Chef.” Seokjin agreed.

Chan set to work, joining the pâtisseries in their prep area and making a lamington cake. It reminded him of home, he hoped it would do the same for Felix. Home is what they first bonded over after all.

Chan went through eight different place cards trying to find the perfect words to say. The note would serve as a small nod to all the ones Felix had sent over the past few days.

“Can you please not waste place cards? I only just did an order for them not too long ago.” Daniel whined when he came across Chan scratching off words and tossing yet another place card into the trash.

Chan wanted to bang his head against the wall as he tried to come up with some corny pick up joke.

“What do you say to someone you like?” Chan questioned. “I'm failing to articulate over here… As evidenced by all those cards I just threw out.”

Daniel shrugged. “I'm not sure. Mark kind of just charmed me with his awkwardness and the rest was history… Try just being yourself I guess? Genuine is charming.”

Daniel walked off leaving Chan alone to his thoughts.

“Genuine is charming?” Chan mumbled and tapped the pen against the card. “What's genuine about me?”

“You're grateful for everything, especially the small things.” One of his pâtissier's chimed from the space beside him.

Chan raised an eyebrow curiously. “Grateful?” Chan thought about it.

He was grateful. 

He was grateful that Felix brought him so much happiness. He was grateful that his son absolutely adored Felix. He was grateful that Felix came to look after him when he knew he couldn't look after himself. He was grateful that this man he had only met a couple of weeks ago was basically his home away from home. He was just grateful for everything; for Felix.

With a soft smile on his face and eyes beaming happily he wrote down a short message, he hoped it conveyed the genuine happiness he felt towards Felix. 

“Thanks for the soup.” Chan read aloud to himself then paired it with the lamington cake. “Kazuha come here please.”

Kaz promptly moved in front of him to collect the plate.

“Throne room, special order from me, on the house, for Felix; the angelic man in pink.” Chan told her, his goofy dimpled smile from earlier returning in full force.