Love, Not War (Book 2)

Chapter 96

Chan chuckled. "Okay. I promise won't drink anymore." As long as Felix remained with him, he won't take even a sip of alcohol. Besides, he only drank when he was in a bad mood and the call from Mingi had him thinking of the things that would have happened to Felix if he hadn't gotten there in time.

Felix liked it when Chan listened to him so he smiled. "Thank you."

They entered the kitchen and Chan gasped at the beautiful spread on the mini dining table by the corner. There were two bowls of piping hot ramen, some boiled eggs, beef slices and vegetables. It was a huge upgrade compared to the fried eggs Felix once made him back then. That was the only time he ate something Felix made with his own hands. After Felix's 'death', he had yearned for fried eggs but no matter who made it, it never tasted the same. That was when he started to lose taste. Nothing he ate was good anymore. He only ate to survive.

"Wow this is amazing" he praised, staring at Felix in surprise. "When did you learn to cook?"

"In college" Felix answered as Chan pulled out a chair for him. He sat down and Chan made sure he was comfortable before taking a seat beside him. "I moved out when I finished high-school and stayed in an apartment that was close to college. I lived alone and kept ordering take out or go out for lunch and dinner with friends. One day I got tired and decided to learn how to cook. I found that it was much easier you know. I could just enter the kitchen and whip up anything I want"

Felix sounded so sensible and more mature than before. Chan felt jealous that he wasn't there to witness Felix change. He wasn't there to support and encourage him. He had missed out on a lot. He picked up a slice of beef with his chopsticks and tasted it. He was surprised to find it so good.

Felix watched as Chan chewed, his face brightening in surprise and delight. "You like it?"

"Like it? I love it!" Chan exclaimed. "This is so good. Wow"

He took his bowl of ramen and started to eat. It was so tasty. The flavours blended so well and it wasn't too spicy. Just the way he liked it. He couldn't believe it. For the first time in years, he was genuinely enjoying a meal.

Felix laughed as Chan ate with gusto. "I didn't put a lot of pepper because you don't like it. Is it okay?"

Chan couldn't talk with his mouth full. He could only nod repeatedly as he kept stuffing his face. He had never enjoyed a meal so much. It was just ramen but what made it special was the fact that Felix made it for him and he made sure to wipe his bowl clean even if he had to lick it with his tongue.

Felix could only shake his head and laugh. He didn't know why Chan was behaving that way but it warmed his heart to see someone take his cooking seriously and genuinely enjoy it. It further solidified Jeongin's statement that Chan loved him more than anything else in the world and he was sure that he loved Chan too. He could just feel it.

Few minutes later, they were done with dinner and Chan was doing the dishes. Felix wanted to help but Chan didn't let him. "You made me such a wonderful dinner" he said. "That's enough. You should go and rest. I'll join you when I'm done"

But Felix didn't want to leave. For some reason, he just wanted to be by Chan's side so he shook his head. "I'll stay here and watch"

Chan smirked. "Am I that attractive?"

Felix blushed and smacked him on the arm. "Don't say nonsense"

Chan just laughed and sprayed some water in Felix's direction to which Felix yelped and jumped back for it was cold.

"Hey!" he exclaimed. "What the hell was that for?"

Chan shrugged and raised his hand to splash more water on Felix but Felix quickly tackled him, sending them both to the floor. They crashed unto the cold kitchen tiles but Chan used his body to cushion Felix's fall so Felix was quite comfortable. They both stared at each other then burst out laughing.

At that moment, it seemed like the awkwardness between them broke. Right from when Chan saved Felix from those goons, there was some slight awkwardness between them. Like a thin vein separating them. They kept walking on eggshells around each other but now that they were laughing so freely like this, it felt like the veil was torn and they could see each other clearly. Felix felt like he was back with his old Chan. The Chan he loved immensely.

In that moment, everything else didn't exist. It was just them in their own bubble, laughing happily at a situation that wasn't all that funny but they were just happy.

Being in such a moment slowly made Felix's laughter turn into tears. It wasn't that he wasn't happy, he was overjoyed. After everything Jeongin told him, his mind had been in turmoil. Coupled with the men that had harassed him, he was barely keeping himself in check. Unknowingly, Chan had helped him put a stop to those thoughts churning inside him. Chan had unknowingly made him feel a lot better.

He wrapped his arms around Chan's neck and hugged him tight. "Thank you Chan" he cried. "Thank you so much"

Chan was surprised with the sudden change but he hugged Felix back tight. "Hey, baby, are you okay?" he whispered, worried.

Felix buried his face in the crook of Chan's warm neck and let his tears fall. "Not really" he murmured. "But, just let me cry okay"

Chan nodded and remained silent. He laid on the tiles with Felix on top of him, gently stroking his soft hair as he let him cry all he wanted.

Felix cried for the memories of the past. Those he could remember and those he couldn't. He cried for Chan's sister whom he had dated but couldn't even remember her face. He cried for his friends whom he had lost. He cried for Chan's parents whose live were taken away so tragically by his own parents. He cried at the thought of Chan still loving him so much despite everything. They way Chan fought for him, the way Chan took care of him, he felt like he didn't deserve it.

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