Who cares about Romance anyway?! [ChangLix] (Shortfic/completed)

Of painting and other things

Contrary to what he expected, Changbin seemed to turn colder day by day. He hid his disappointment behind a smile each time he received no answer and this forever cold look than turned darker every time. If he didn't want to ignore reality, Felix would have also noticed how the man started to avoid him.

When he caught Changbin alone again one day, observing some of his paintings and drawings from his last project exhibited in the university's corridors, Felix decided to follow Chan's advice and try his luck again.

"Changbin-sshi!"

Changbin turned around, the surprise visible on his face, seemingly recognizing the recognizable low voice. It was a bit blurred for a short time, he looked soft, hopeful, then his eyes became colder when they finally laid on Felix. Without answering, he waited for him to continue and explain what he wanted.

"Changbin-sshi... wait, can I call you hyung?" Felix tried hesitantly.

Changbin sighed and despite the coldness of his voice, something seemed a bit hesitant in his eyes, almost guilty.

"Please don't."

Felix stayed with his mouth gaping a bit, unable to know what to say next. He didn't expect such an answer. It wasn't a big deal. He was calling Chan hyung, wasn't he? Then again, it might be a privilege Changbin kept for Chan only.

"Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cross a line," he whispered.

Changbin was shy, he repeated. He needed more time, Felix convinced himself; Time to get used to him and time to allow him closer. True, he couldn't ask too much too fast, he reminded himself. Changbin might still see him as a threat.

Yet, he couldn't help his conviction to weaken a bit as the deception felt stronger than ever.

For the first time, Changbin seemed to really look at him, observing his face as deception took over it. He didn't even try to hide the hints of shock and guilt mixed on his own face, too focused on the younger man's expression. He didn't look away until Felix raised his head and forced a smile.

"Are those your work?" he asked, pointing at the art-works, to enlighten the mood a bit.

The other glared at him before he answered half-heartedly "There's my name on it."

"It's really beautiful," Felix complimented sincerely, never taking his eyes off the painting in front of him.

All of Changbin works held a lot of emotions. He did not use a lot of colour, but the softness was there, in each stroke, subtle and delicate. The sceneries felt alive and Felix wished he could see them for real with hope to get closer to Changbin's heart.

"Don't you ever draw people?" he asked as he took a glance of the whole display of beautiful sceneries without people.

Changbin looked at him with disbelief and his jaw clenched.

"Felix, you..." he stopped and shook his head, unable to keep away the sparks of anger the younger boy's words created. "Are you kidding me?"

"Sorry?"

"I did," Changbin explained a weird mix of heartbreak and hatred taking over his face. "I did only once," he smirked almost scarily while accused, "but it was only worth the trash bin."

Without waiting for another second, he left Felix behind in the corridor.