stuck with a phobia ; lee felix

just between us

☾✰

"They say you'll live longer the more you keep your hands off," Hailee barks as she struggled to see the horizon with the wind constantly thrashing hair into her face.

The sky was shifting into a darker haze, the pale glow of the moon discreetly making its appearance as it's tucked away amongst the eternal curtains above. It was the epitome of a perfect spring evening.

Felix grips on tighter, simultaneously soaking into her fresh lilac scent.  She smells like a blooming palate of flowers you would hesitate to pluck in order to conserve the beauty of it. She smells of a floral vineyard with the most alluring scent one would wish to taste.

"I'll take my chances living a short life if I get to hold you like this," his voice is both muffled yet clear to Hailee's ears.

"Stop sniffing me like a dog," she sneered. "And seriously, take your fucking hands off of me so I can read."

He snickers at her rejection, and takes the book from her hands, setting it down besides him. "Oh Hae, you always have a way with words."

"I know, I can be very charming. Now give it back," she deadpans and aimlessly reaches back for her novel.

"You've read enough for today. Put the damn book down and just pay attention to me," he pushes the book away farther.

A baffled chuckle leaps out of her, "You want my attention?"

He's sitting besides her now when he says, "I do. Every bit of it, every second of your time. I want it all so just gaze at me only."

What an odd thing to say, she thought. If she didn't know any better, it was him she was with all day. He had every fragment of her time, so why was he pleading like he's been starving of it?

"Sorry, the fictional characters in this book already stole it. Better luck next time pal."

Accompanying the laugh that escapes Felix, the two sat listening to the collision of waves and soaking in to the comforting oceanic hymns
that welcomed them home. Nightfall drew quicker and the wind cried louder.

Felix tears apart the soothing silence as his face drops to his knees. He sighs, "My parents are coming over next weekend."

This startled Hailee. She knew this from Hyunjin, but did not expect Felix would actually tell her.

"Oh? That must be exciting," she says a little uneasily. What would the right words be?

"I guess," he yawns, "Except for the fact that they're barely ever home. And even when they are, they leave as soon as they arrive. Even my older sister who's also abroad complains about it."

No wonder his house was always void of company besides the caretakers. It must be so lonely, she thought.

"I'm sorry your parents suck at being parents."

He laughs, "Well it can't be helped."

Her heart sinks when he says that. Hailee can't help but think about her own mother abandoning her completely and loathing her existence. "It can actually," she refutes and Felix's eyes glisten as she speaks.

"Parents are supposed to take accountability for the role they've inherited for themselves. They can easily be better, they just choose not to."

"Yeah. It would be great if they just gave me more than five minutes of their attention. I didn't think it'd be too much to ask for."

Her eyes watch him in a delicate manner, feeling a connection between them arise. They both knew the familiar feeling of what it's like to be alone. It seems in the fate of the moment their hearts are reaching against each other, entwined with sorrowful pasts.