+ + Something Sweeter ++ - Chanlix

++ 9 ++

The season of Spring was soon falling into it's place, the flowers blooming and rain still, in fact, falling from the clouds above. That's how Spring works, isn't it? The rain continues to fall and the sun starts to take over from the foggy atmosphere, allowing the plants and beautiful flowers to sprout and grow. Allowing the transition from Winter to Summer to flow. But as Summer comes around, won't we notice the rain failing to appear as often?

Well, Felix realised, as he thought upon that very thing, that maybe he doesn't need rainy days as a whole. He doesn't need rainy days. He needs his rainy days. With Chris by his side, maybe all his troubles will resolve and his life will be as beautiful as the blooming flowers. It seems that's been the case so far, when they were apart Felix was at his worst and together it seems every problem he's had has been solved.

Of course, the rain has to fall. He'll have to experience normal rainy days (with his rainy days, of course) for things to bloom and the sun to shine. There is no natural beauty without a little rainfall. But he believes that'll be okay. Because, he's a baker. And he's learnt the best love stories start with a treat.

And they bloom into life-long romance tales, with rainy days and something sweet.

Or maybe even something sweeter.

They've got so much to come. Seems now it's only gonna be looking up. With the odd thunderstorm that fogs up Chris' glasses or drenches Felix's ginger locks, yes, but they've got all they need to get through that. Eachother.

Felix had decided to get in contact with his sisters and invite them out for a meal with him, Chris and their mum. He was aware of multiple reasons why they potentially wouldn't be able to come, including the fact that one or both of them might be living over in Australia and/or that they just wouldn't want to see their mother. But he was committed.

He had to do more than just accept her existence after her apologies to be able to give her a second chance like he promised. He also would rather avoid any conflicts on his wedding day between his sisters who he wished to invite and his mum who he had promised an invite. Along with the fact that he had never had a family meal before and had always wanted to do that with his mum and sisters and whoever any of them wished to bring.

And so, it was an April Friday. Midday and as the weather got better (and Chris mastered the online promotion of their cake shop), many more customers were coming in. Particularly for a lunchtime cake and coffee, which also meant Chris kept recommending the lattes despite never having drank anything else from that shop. Felix was out in the back area at that very moment, checking on whatever else was baking in the ovens and Chris was at the counter running the main area of the shop (mainly as he still couldn't bake without Felix getting terrified that he'll burn the building down).

Many customers filtered in and out of the shop over time, the familiar dinging of the bell repeatedly sounding out as people arrived and left. Chris took people's orders, made and plated whatever that was before handing it back over to them on a tray for them to take to their tables. Felix would come in and out to clear tables, alongside doing the baking and checking on stuff out back. Soon the bell dinged again, catching Chris' attention. It was a girl, seemed about the same age as his sister - Hannah, and she looked a little bit like Felix as she came closer into Chris' view.

"Um, G-day, sorry I don't speak Korean." The girl spoke in English with a thick Australian accent, anxiously fiddling with her bracelets as she did so.

"Don't stress, I understand." Chris replied with a kind smile, his own Aussie accent standing out as he spoke back in English too. "How can I help you?"

"Oh! Are you Australian?" Her face lit up, finding comfort in the familiar sounding voice and ignoring his question completely. She leaned her arms lightly on the counter, seemingly having relaxed very quickly.

Chris let out a light chuckle, noticing her change in demeanor. "Yeah, I grew up in Sydney but I've lived here for a good few years now. I speak English more often lately though as my fiance's Australian too."

"Yeah? I'm from Sydney too but I grew up mostly in Seoul, came over to Seoul this week as I got an invite for a family meal I didn't particularly want to go to but felt I should." She laughed slightly awkwardly, looking behind her to check she wasn't keeping anybody waiting (which she, thankfully, wasn't). She also gave Chris 90% of the information he needed to know at that moment about who she was.

"I'll call Felix in here then." Chris smiled lightly, letting the girl know that she was not only in the right place but also that Chris knew Felix (very well). "Lix? Darling?" Chris called out in the direction of the back area of their shop, his fiance quickly emerging with a curious look on his face. He was probably wondering what the fuck Chris wanted.

"What's up Bubba?" Felix began, looking only at Chris before his gaze moved across towards a girl he hadn't seen in almost a decade. "Liv. Oh my god, you came!" His face lit up with joy, running around the counter to pull the girl into a tight hug. "How are you?"

"Alright, I guess!" She replied with an enthusiastic tone and chuckle, beaming just as wide as he was. Seems she failed to realise how much she had missed her brother until she reunited with him again. "How about you?"

"Oh yeah, I'm great! I had quite a few tough years since I left home but I created this place and met the man of my dreams, so there's been pros and cons!" He laughed a little, engaging in everyone's favourite thing: small talk.

"This the man then?" Olivia gestured to Chris, who's attention got snapped back to reality at the mention of his name. Felix merely nodded with a grin. "Thought so. He seems good to you and he better stay that way. Although I do think I'm the only straight one of our sibling trio. I've already seen Rachel, I spotted her and her girlfriend Abby in a convience store earlier this morning."

"Wow, Mum's got a real job unlearning homophobia then!" Felix laughed, making jokes out of his trauma as you do.

"We'll help her out." Chris added in, noticing the slight change in Olivia's expression and the atmosphere of the conversation. "Now, do you want to order something or not?"

Olivia let out a giggle, turning her attention back to Chris. "Do me the specialty Christopher. I'll have that, head out, and come back for about 6pm."

"Alright then! Latte and a..." Chris thought, trying to recall what he thought was the best treat Felix had made him. He turned to look at his fiance for a moment before parting his lips to speak again, "Pavlova?"