Zephyr | Lee Felix

Chapter 33

TUESDAY, WEEK 6

"... Hi."

Felix lets out a laugh the second his partner spawns in the lobby. He had never expected to see her so underdressed, just comfortably covered up in her pyjamas and iconic scarf.

"Cute." He mutters, giving her a quick ruffle on the head.

Eugene wrinkles her nose playfully, swatting his hand away with a laugh. "Come in. Don't just stand there like an idiot."

"Well, at least I'm an idiot in love with you." He giggles.

She rolls her eyes at his cheesy line,  "You're lucky you're cute, or I might've just shut the door in your face."

"Wha? How rude!" Felix jokingly crosses his arms as they both enter the elevator. Despite the playful banter, he can't help but feel a little nervous about the visit. After all, it's his first ever visit to her apartment. 

"You look nervous." She teases, noticing his stiff posture, "Don't worry, it's just my apartment. Nothing to be scared of."

Felix huffs, "I'm not scared, just... curious." He defends himself, a slight smirk on his face. "I haven't seen your place yet, you know. I don't even know if it's tidy or chaotic."

"Hah. Is that really the concern right now?" She shakes her head in amusement, leading the way the moment the elevator opens. The hall to her apartment is rather bright, even though its surroundings are as quiet as a ghost town.

"... Feels like we're the only people alive here." He speaks, his footsteps sounding a bit louder in the silence.

"Well. It has always been like this. That's why it can be a bit creepy whenever I come home extremely late." Eugene unlocks the door to her studio apartment and carefully pushes the door. The moment Felix steps in, he's greeted with the beautiful blue and white décor. Seashells, jellyfish...

"Even a penguin?" He chuckles softly to see the blue Pokémon plush on her bed. The room has so much personality that he stands there in awe, trying to take in the details as much as he can.

Eugene smiles sheepishly as she kicks off her slippers. "Yeah. I've got a thing for it." He follows her lead and takes off his shoes, letting his eyes roam the space as he heads to the dining table. 

"I love it. It feels... very you."

"Is that so?" She grins, "I'll make us drinks. Sit anywhere."

"Thanks, Genie."

He takes a seat on one of the chairs, leaning back a little as he waits for her. 

This is the first time I've been in her place... He thinks, and despite their status as partners, there's something about the setting that makes him feel... nervous.

"Oh, right, how did the talk go?" Felix asks as he observes the neatly arranged books on her shelf.

She glances back, smiling, and carrying the two mugs of hot chocolate in his direction. She sets one mug in front of him.

"It... went surprisingly well." She says as she plops down across him. 

"They all apologised for what they did in the past, and well... they grew up. Into... better people." He notices her eyes soften as she speaks, seemingly satisfied with the closure she had with her former bullies the other day. "Though, some others are still the same people. But I'm glad that the three have cut off their contact with those who didn't change."

Felix takes a sip of the hot drink, relishing the sweetness, "That's great. I'm happy for you, Eugene." He says genuinely with a smile, "And it's good to know that there are still people like them, willing to learn and improve themselves."