𝖲𝗉𝖾𝖾𝖼𝗁 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖺𝗉𝗒 | 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗅𝗂𝗑

-6-

"Felix! How are u today?" Jisung excited sat next to Felix in the lunch room without his boyfriend. Usually Minho would be sticking next to him like a nat but he was home sick. Felix turned and look at Jisung and nodded his head.

"Mmmh." Felix hummed in successfully. Jisung gasped at the sound Felix made and looked at him with wide eyes. Felix couldn't help but smile at his accomplishment making Jisung gasp loudly. People turned to see where the loud noise came from but Jisung couldn't care. The boy he had been trying to make friends with had finally made a noise!

"Felix!? You talk?" Jisung said excitedly, his face leaning in closer towards Felix's. Felix leaned back to get away from the male and shook his head furiously.

"I'm in speech therapy...sorry that was oversharing." Felix quickly signed as a reflex. He had gotten used to responding to talking since he started his sessions with Chan. Han payed close attention to see if he could pick up on some of the signs.

"You're in speech? Ur sorry? Oh! You're working on your speech! No need to be sorry. Im just really shocked you actually spoke to me." Han laughed happily.

"It's taken all year and I've finally done it! I really wish you luck Felix. I would love to hear your voice one day."

"Hm!"

———

"Well well. You look happy today." Chan smirked seeing as Felix walked into his office with a little pep in his step. He sad down and for once didn't avert his eyes away from the therapist.

"Care to share?"

"The guy at school! I finally talked! Well I hummed in response to him and he was really happy and it made me really happy. Maybe talking isn't really that scary." Felix signed quickly as if he was excitedly rambling. Chan kept up well and nodded to show he was paying attention.

"Maybe it isn't scary. Why don't you try now?" Chan said jokingly only to see Felix actually fix his posture, determination in his face as he was focusing on a work to say. Chan was surprised and scrambled to lean on his desk.

"Mhh. Mhhh. Ah." Felix was finally able to make another sound besides a humming but no words came out as expected. Non the less Chan clapped his hands at the newly found sound.

"Good job Lix! You graduated from humming already. It's good to hang around positive figures that encourage you to speak comfortably. Seems like this friend of yours is a good influence." Chan smiled brightly, his smile partially blinding Felix in the process. Felix returned the smile. It was a bit awkward since its something he doesn't do often but Chan found it to be very adorable.

"Your smile...you should do it more often." Chan said mindlessly. He covered his hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. Felix simply found his face heating up at the compliment. It's been way too long since someone has complimented him like that.

"I will try." Felix gave him another small smile. Chan nodded, getting a little lost at the sight of the younger but composed himself.

"You said I should be around people I'm comfortable talking too right?"

"Yes! It's the fastest way to start talking again." Chan answered.

"Then would we be able to meet outside of the office? I'm never around people. I never have the opportunity to speak. So maybe if I could experience walking around and making conversation. It's been too long." Felix scratched the back of his head seeing Chan surprised expression. Was it too weird to ask that? He really hasn't hung out with another person 4 years. His sister doesn't have time with how much she works and Jisung is well...he's not ready for that.

"Oh um- yah! Why not. We can move our sessions outside from now on if you'd like." Chan wondered if that was even allowed but having someone as closed off as Felix suggest that, he just couldn't say no.

"Have you eaten yet?" Chan asked suddenly.

"Not yet."

"How about I treat you to dinner?"