OFF OF THE DEEP END | CHANGLIX ✔️

17. getting closer

song: new magic wand // tyler the creator

The grating sound of suitcase wheels on tiled floors sounded as Changbin hurried across the lobby, echoing across the extravagant high ceilings of the luxurious hotel.

How did he end up here?

He remembered mumbling a yes under the star-speckled sky, Felix flashing another one of his gleaming grins before promising to send information. A week later, his phone chimed with links holding descriptions of a concert taking place in Japan in a few months. Changbin had replied enthusiastically, thrilled about checking a location off of his travel bucket list that currently held twenty-two unmarked boxes and one marked.

He hadn't put that much thought into the decision, not until the months flashed by and a text from Felix advised what to pack. The text had jolted him back into anticipation of the trip, packing days before and counting down the minutes before they'd reunite on the airplane seats.

Over prepared, Changbin ended up waiting for an extra thirty minutes due to the frantic way he'd rushed to the airport and through security. It was there that he waited, in the seats of the waiting room slurping down an expensive coffee he'd ordered from an overpriced café. Felix still didn't arrive until Changbin had fully boarded the plane, and by then the built up excitement and caffeine had brought the man to a hyper state of expectancy

.Almost all anticipation faded the second the plane lifted off the ground.

Apparently, Changbin had a fear of heights. This was evident when his stomach first did the tell tale swoosh that occurs when one lifts off of the ground. Peering out the window, the airport got smaller and smaller as the plane chases the clouds, leaving the bustling city of Seoul alone for the serenity of a clear blue sky. 

Despite the peace the fluffy clouds held, Changbin had to hold in the urge to scream bloody murder as he gazes upon the sirface thousands of feet below. Instead, he channeled his anger into the poor armrest, the leather squeezed underneath his panicked grip. Felix reached out one graceful arm to place his fingers onto Changbin's in a reassuring touch. It only helped a bit.

Now, back on stable ground a few hours later, he was running through his life, trying to see what choices he made to end up hovering behind his best friend's favorite celebrity in a hotel.

Changbin wasn't complaining though.

It was almost domestic, the way Felix quietly whispered to the front desk lady about their rooms while Changbin stood nearby—would be normal if not for the screaming fans plastered to the one way glass, scanning through the surface to see their favorite idol.

Felix grimaced in their direction, mumbling out, "I'm really sorry for the fans. I'll say you're my bodyguard, so they don't assume anything."

"It's no problem," Changbin consoled, "The fans finding you is inevitable, don't worry about me." Felix only nodded miserably in response.

While trekking to their rooms, Changbin took the time to admire the detail put in to the design of the lavish hotel. The lobby resembled a ballroom with its arched ceilings lined with gilded trim, and rich emerald ferns resided in burnished pots that were tucked into corners. The staff matched the decor too, dressed in black suits with gold stitching and shiny gold badges. The type of hotel Changbin used to believe only existed in Hollywood movies with millions of dollars for a budget.

Felix seemed to pay no heed to the hotel, walking briskly and purposefully while the mesmerized Changbin dawdled behind in an attempt to soak up all the minuscule details of his surroundings. Occasionally, the idol would glance back to make sure Changbin was still with him, often spying the man enthralled by another corner of the grand hotel. Instead of scolding, Felix would simply grin and continue on his trek to their rooms.