Safe Place || Lee Felix AU

Chapter 2 : Workshops

Right after snack time, Felix started attending "workshop" therapy classes in the following days. At first, he was confused when a nurse suddenly entered his room as he knew it wasn't time for him to take his medication. But she explained it calmly and slowly for a young man to understand, asking him to follow her to his first class - art therapy. 

He chatted with Migyeong that day as they had their delicious vanilla pudding snack, but she never mentioned the "workshop" classes. Yet, upon entering the big bright room, Felix's freckled face brightened and he smiled wide when he saw Migyeong sitting on a tall wooden stool with a white empty canvas on the easel placed in front of her. She was nibbling on her thumbnail but, as if she felt Felix's stare, looked up from the canvas and smiled wide when their eyes met. Both were excited to see each other, even though it has been merely an hour since they sat together in the cafeteria. Migyeong was more fidgety but she contained her excitement and just raised her arm to wave at Felix.

He shyly raised his hand to greet her back, not liking the feeling of stares other people in the room gave him. Many stools were empty but Migyeong pointed at the one beside her, her signal to Felix followed with a pat on the seat. Felix nodded and started walking toward the girl, keeping his nervous smile on as the stares didn't let out.

"Hi," Migyeong spoke in a whisper, her wide smile still present on her face.

"Hi," Felix replied, trying so hard to match her energy but she definitely noticed how he fiddled with his fingers as he sat on the empty seat beside her.

"You look a bit nervous," Migyeong turned her body to him, waiting for Felix to meet her eyes.

"Ah, yeah..." Felix nervously chuckled and looked up at the girl, still gripping his fingers together, "It's just my first time here, and... everyone's staring at me and you..." he admitted and Migyeong nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, I got that feeling when I first came into this room," she kept nodding and Felix watched her, listening to her story, "But don't worry," she smiled big again and patted Felix's shoulder. The action startled him but he just sat still, frozen in place, "You're not alone - I'm here with you - so just relax and enjoy your time. You'll see - these classes are so much fun."

Migyeong's reassuring words and a big smile plastered on her face gave Felix just a little bit of hope that everything will be fine. He just met the girl yesterday but he was already starting to feel relaxed in her presence. So, he took a deep breath and Migyeong nodded in approval, following the breathing exercises herself. And Felix felt better after a few deep breaths, laughing with Migyeong right after them.

But a clapping sound grabbed their attention and they got serious, straightening up in their seats and looking over the easels at the tall male nurse who with a smile watched the gathered patients in the room.

"Alright everyone," the nurse started, "as you might have guessed, today we'll create some art. In front of you are the needed paints you'll use to paint something or someone you love," he paused to give everyone time to comprehend his words, "It can literally be anything you like - a favorite activity, a friend, a family member, a pet, an object, ..." he continued smiling at the confused young faces in front of him, "It can be anything that gives you hope, inspires you, makes you want to cherish forever and makes you want to hold onto your life so that you will see another day with it," his words only confused the young minds more so he chuckled and spread his arms, "Paint anything you like - your favorite thing in the whole world!" he put it simply and everyone finally smiled, nodding their heads.

The patients dipped their brushes into squeezed-out paints they put on the plastic palettes in front of them. Migyeong happily hummed as she squeezed a generous amount of brown and excitedly started painting her picture. But Felix just sat still, staring at the empty canvas in front of him and the unopened bunch of acrylic paints. He looked down at the small brush in his hand and then back at the canvas, his mind empty as he had no idea what to paint. No person, activity, or object came to his mind, the one he would pick to be his "favorite".