Free Body| Chanlix | Changlix (Poly)

Things, we break so easily

The days following the argument between Chan and Felix were tense, a fragile silence hanging over their home. Felix had been distant, avoiding Chan at every opportunity. He would slip away when Chan entered a room, feign sleep when he knew Chan was about to approach him, and spend more time in the nursery with their son. Chan could feel the growing chasm between them, and it gnawed at his heart.

This morning was no different. Chan had awoken early, hoping to catch Felix before he disappeared into his usual routine. But when he reached for him, the other side of the bed was already cold and empty. With a heavy sigh, Chan dressed for work, his thoughts a tangled mess of guilt, frustration, and longing. He didn't want to lose Felix, but he didn't know how to reach him either.

As Chan prepared to leave, he noticed Felix in the nursery, their son nestled in his arms. The tender sight only deepened the ache in Chan's chest. He wanted to step in, to say something—anything—but the fear of another rejection kept him rooted to the spot.

He left the house in silence, the morning sun doing little to lift the gloom that had settled over him. The drive to work was a blur, his mind too preoccupied with thoughts of Felix to focus on anything else. By the time he arrived at his office, Chan felt utterly drained.

Seungmin, who was catching up on paperwork, noticed Chan's despondent expression as soon as he walked in. "Hey, you okay?" Seungmin asked, his tone laced with concern.

Chan forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine," he lied, though his weary tone betrayed him.

Seungmin frowned, setting down his pen. "You don't look fine. What's going on?"

Chan hesitated for a moment before he sank into the chair opposite Seungmin, burying his face in his hands. "It's Felix," he admitted, his voice muffled. "We had a fight, and now he's... he's avoiding me. I've tried talking to him, but he just shuts me out. I don't know what to do."

Seungmin's expression softened with understanding. He'd seen how devoted Chan was to Felix and their son, and it hurt to see his friend struggling like this. "Fights happen," he said gently. "Especially after something as big as having a baby. Emotions are high, and sometimes, things get said that shouldn't be."

Chan nodded, guilt tightening his chest. "I just want to fix things, but I don't know how to get through to him."

Seungmin thought for a moment before speaking. "Maybe you need to remind Felix why you fell in love in the first place. Take him out, just the two of you. Apologize properly. Show him that you're still the Chan who would do anything for him."

Chan looked up, considering Seungmin's advice. It made sense. They hadn't had any real time alone since the baby was born, and maybe that was part of the problem. "You're right," Chan said, feeling a spark of hope for the first time in days. "I need to do something special. Thank you, Seungmin."

Seungmin smiled, relieved to see some of the despair lifting from Chan's expression. "You've got this, Chan. Just be honest with him. Felix loves you—he just needs to be reminded that you're still on the same team."

Chan nodded, determined to make things right. He spent the rest of the day planning the perfect date, hoping it would be the start of mending the rift between them.

Back at the house, Felix was in the nursery, nursing their son. The little boy was growing fast, his tiny hands clutching at Felix's shirt as he fed. Felix stroked his baby's soft hair, a sense of calm washing over him despite the turmoil in his heart. His son was his anchor, the one thing keeping him grounded through all the confusion and pain.