[EN] LIFELINE (Jilix)

I.

EIGHT YEARS LATER

As per usual, Felix's alarm went off at 4:30 in the morning. He rolled over onto his stomach, reached for the phone, and with a few learned movements turned off the annoying sound. Then he just flopped onto his back and turned his head to his roommate, who was sprawled on his half of the bed, the covers pulled up over his face. He silently envied him for not having to get up until two hours later.

In spite of all his initial laziness, he uncovered himself, pulled the rack with his neatly hung uniform from the closet and shuffled into the bathroom with it. Turning on the light, he had to cover his face with his hands for a moment. It was obvious that he was approaching the last month of the year, the morning was not nearly as bright.

When he finally got used to the light, he brushed his teeth and washed his face, then took a quick shower. He got dressed and crept as quietly as possible into the kitchen. He looked in the fridge for butter and eggs while the water for coffee was boiling.

He was just about to flip the omelet over when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist.

"Good morning," Jisung murmured and yawned softly, then rested his head on his shoulder.

"Good morning," Felix smiled, turning his head towards him for a moment. "Did I wake you?"

The smaller of the pair shook his head. "No, I woke up on my own."

"Really?" the freckled boy raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously."

Felix's mouth puckered sceptically, but he nodded and finally turned the omelet over. "How did you sleep?"

"Okay. I hope it will be of some use to me today," laughed the sanguine. "How about you?"

The other, smiling, turned his gaze back to the pan. "Good too. And don't worry, it'll be fine. You're handy."

"Thanks."

It wasn't long before Felix had finished his breakfast. He left the dishes in the sink, saying he would wash them in the evening when he gets home from work. He slipped into his black shoes and slung his black bag over his shoulder, which as per usual held his wallet, phone and keys.

"Take care of yourself," Jisung patted him on the shoulder as he unlocked the door.

Felix turned to face him. "I will, thanks. You too."

The smaller of the pair smiled and nodded.

"Is something wrong?"

Jisung shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, I'm just... a little nervous about the new job."

Felix embraced him without delay and stroked his hair. "You can do it. If anything happens, you know you can call me anytime."

"I know," the sanguine mumbled from his shoulder, snuggling even closer to him.

Freckles sighed softly and looked up at the ceiling. How much he didn't want to work. He wanted to stay home with Jisung, preferably wrapped in a blanket and watching B movies. But unfortunately he couldn't do that, his day off wasn't for three days.

He lowered his gaze to the watch on his wrist. It would soon be half past five. "I have to go, Hanji. Minho will shoot me right in the doorway if I'm late."

So, reluctantly, Jisung released his roommate from his embrace.

Felix bit the inside of his lower lip and looked at Jisung's face again. The face of the person who had been with him when he was at his worst. The face of the person who had patiently explained mathematical formulas that he couldn't figure out. The face that smiled at him when all the symptoms of his leukaemia finally subsided. The owner of that same face also cared for him without a single complaint when he spent nearly two months at home in bed with an injured back. He also made him laugh when he felt miserable. And he was eternally grateful for it, and...