OH, IT'S ON :: changlix ✔︎

ONE

"Y'know, if we hadn't told each other our names back then, I would've been Felix #3 right now," Felix said, toying with Changbin's hair two nights after their wedding. The TV emitted soft ramblings, but neither of the newlywed men paid attention.

Changbin tilted his head. "How so?"

"You were Device #3," Felix explained. "So now, instead of Seo Felix, I'd be Felix #3. Because #3 Felix sounds weird. Like a clone. Well, they both do, but you know what I mean."

Laughing, the older of the two pulled himself away. He left a pouting Felix behind as he made his way over to their little kitchen. Changbin came back and sat down, holding a small, white box.

"You've already proposed. We're already married, Binnie. What's this?" Felix wondered aloud. Changbin shushed him and slid off the couch, dropping to one knee.

"Seo Felix," Changbin began, "will you make me the happiest man alive—again—and agree to adopt a pet with me?"

Felix dramatically put a hand over his mouth, allowing his eyes to glaze over with mock tears. "Yes! A million times yes!"

Changbin opened the box to reveal a delicate necklace with a beautiful golden cat at the end. The feline's eyes were tiny specks of silver. Changbin pulled a similar one out of his pocket; only, his was reversed. His ornately carved cat had a silver body and enthralling golden eyes.

Felix tilted his neck to give his husband a better angle to fasten the clasp, then, once his pendant was around his throat, he helped Changbin. Neither could stop themselves from staring; the necklaces looked so gbeautiful—so right—on them.

The older man, once his necklace was on, turned back to gaze into the endless starry skies held within his true love's eyes. "You're so beautiful, Felix," Changbin breathed.

Blushing, Felix turned his head away. "Don't say that," he mumbled. "Makes me all flustered and stuff."

"That's cute, though." Changbin brushed aside a strand of Felix's hair. "You're cute." The freckled man whined incoherent words, sitting back down on the couch. Changbin joined him there. "Plus, we're going to be parents. I need to cherish these moments of untethered love while I still can."

"Parents?" Felix echoed, his voice taking on a panicked edge. "Changbin, I'm not pregn—"

"I know. We're adopting a pet, remember?" Changbin interrupted. He had to clarify himself so that Felix's face would return to its normal shade, the familiar, freckled, and cream-colored radiance that Changbin had grown so used to seeing. "No need to get an ultrasound."

Felix snorted. "It was a moment of alarm, Bin. I forgot. By the way, we are getting a cat, right?"

"Whatever you want."

Felix's eyes flew to meet Changbin's, their connection running deep. "You know, I didn't think that soulmates were real until that sleepover we had," Felix mused. "I think I hit the jackpot in this reincarnation."

"Yeah, next time you can be an apothecary, Zommer."

Felix giggled, resting his head against Changbin's chest once more. His eyes began drooping slightly, something that Changbin took notice of. He gathered his husband up in his arms and carried the younger man to their bed, bridal-style. "I can walk on my own," Felix protested, his voice weak and tired.

Laughing slightly, Changbin replied, "Nah, I don't think so. Anyway, I want to carry you."

"Mm." Felix's eyes shut the whole way as he was lowered onto the bed, already in his pajamas. His hand lazily drifted over to clutch the pendant over his heart. "Love you, Binnie."

Changbin, once again, brushed aside a stray strand of hair from Felix's forehead. He placed a soft kiss on that same forehead, cherishing the moment. Etching it into his memory.

"I love you more, Lixie."