bite ー changlix [discontinued]

FOUR

when he agreed to meet seo changbin at a location of his choosing, felix didn't expect to be dragged to a coffee shop. and a very cozy one, at that.

potted succulents hang from the ceiling, weaved through intricate strands of fairy lights. each table has its own candle lit, and felix can't help but breathe in the warm vanilla scent. he wants to curl up and take a nap, he thinks, sipping his mug of tea and gazing out the window as he waits for changbin to arrive.

the boy had given felix a brief description of himself--short, lanky, with a mop of messy brown hair--but nothing too detailed. it's so vague that felix doesn't know what to expect.

he certainly doesn't picture seo changbin to be one of the prettiest boys he's ever laid eyes on.

changbin was right; he is short, lanky, and has a very messy mop of brown hair. but he left out the part about having the warmest eyes and the most beautiful smile and the most melodic voice he's ever heard.

"hey, sorry i'm late."

changbin's voice isn't necessarily pretty, per se, but it's just the right tone and just the right timbre and it messes with felix's head a little. he wonders how changbin's singing voice sounds.

"you're fine!" felix says before the pause in conversation becomes too long. "do you want anything to drink? it's on me."

"no, i'm fine. i just asked to meet here because i love the atmosphere."

"it's really nice here. i like it."

changbin's eyes suddenly brighten. "so, yeah,  i'm changbin. and i know that you're felix and you're here because you need me to trace something."

felix nods and reaches into his pocket, pulling out the note and passing it to changbin. he takes it gently between two of his fingers, then unfolds it and begins reading, pausing for a few seconds once he's through.

"there's another one, too--" felix rushes out, pulling the other note out of his pocket and sliding it across the table. he takes a long sip of his drink.

changbin mutters a few words to himself and closes his eyes, hands on both the notes. felix looks around nervously. won't they get caught if changbin does magic here?

he then notes the witch who's levitating a watering can to water the succulents that hang from the ceiling. this must be a magic refuge. even still, his kind most definitely is not welcome here.

suddenly, changbin's eyes snap open.

"i can't trace this."

"what?" felix's face falls. "but i thought--"

"it's been charmed so that it can't be traced," changbin purses his lips. "but i'd still like to help you."

"how?"

"if you get any more notes like these... or if something out of the ordinary happens, i want you to text me. i'll do my best to help keep you safe."

"you're really going to do this?"

changbin nods and offers a genuine smile. felix almost melts.

"i have to go," changbin says, standing and checking his watch. "but seriously, if you need anything, text me."

felix grins. "thank you. that means a lot."

"anytime," changbin says, reaching out to shake felix's hand. felix notices bandages that wind down changbin's arm and peek out from under his jacket sleeve. he doesn't question it, and he doesn't say anything when his hand brushes the bandage around changbin's wrist. still, he finds it peculiar.

they go their separate ways, and felix sips his coffee leisurely as he walks back to his dorm.

upon reaching his room, he stops in his tracks. his blood turns cold. there, taped to his door, is another note.

with shaking hands, he removes the note and stuffs it into the depths of his pocket. he enters his dorm and immediately collapses onto his bed, burying his face in his pillow.

"do you really think he can help you? what a fool you are, lee felix. twenty-eight days."

―

xodaniel