wilted flower ─ changlix ✓

thirteen

with some difficulty, the two of them had been able to separate from each other, although felix practically had to be pushed away from changbin.

changbin took out the map from their shared bag, and felix couldn't help his smug expression as he noticed changbin touch his swollen lips from time to time. walking over to changbin, he snaked his arm around his waist and laid his chin on his shoulder, hugging changbin from behind.

the fact that he could do this amazed him. it had only been a day, but he had been in love with changbin for so long.

the words i love you rolled in his mouth, foreign and strange. but were they scary? when he looked at changbin, they always managed to sit right. they weren't scary with changbin.

"if you're done gawking at me, then maybe you can let go and we can continue toward the bunker?" changbin teased, turning his head to kiss felix's temple. felix felt warmth blossom in his chest at the adoration he saw in changbin's eyes. the same adoration he had for him.

how had he never seen it before? the feelings they had for each other were just so obvious now. felix partially hated himself for all the time they lost, but what's done was done. he would make up for time lost when they got out of this.

"do you know how sexy you look studying that map? maybe if you weren't so beautiful, i would be able to stop gawking."

"how does one look sexy when looking at a map? but either way, we both know i won't stop being beautiful."

"exactly, and i've been controlling myself for so many years now, i'm not letting anything stop me now," felix laughed as he kissed changbin again. and again. and again.

"lix! we actually need to get going," changbin scolded, wriggling out from his grasp and shoving the map in his face. "according to the map, we're only two days journey from the bunker, if we don't stop for too many breaks."

taking the map from changbin, felix sobered up hearing those words. a new kind of happiness took over him as he stared at the map. "we're... we're nearly there?"

with shining eyes, changbin took his hand and squeezed it, "we're almost at the end of the journey."

"oh baby," felix smiled, kissing the back of changbin's hand, "maybe it's just the start of a new journey."

changbin beamed. not letting go of felix's hand, he swung the backpack onto his back and exhaled deeply, "well, let's get going!"

changbin tugged at his hand as they began walking, and felix felt a sharp twang of pain up his arm, stemming from his bandaged injury. he breathed in slowly, making sure not to wince. he didn't want to worry changbin over something like this.

after all, it was just a scratch. this was the healing process.

he was going to be fine.

as they walked, felix couldn't help but notice how the sun seemed to be shining brighter than it had before. or maybe he was just noticing it now, how everything seemed brighter. when they got to the bunker, how long would it be till they saw the sun again? weeks? months? years?

"what are you thinking about?" changbin asked quietly, bringing felix out of his thoughts.

"i'm going to miss the sun..." felix sighed, shielding his eyes as he looked at the sky. "i don't know what life is going to be like in the bunker... aren't you scared about not seeing the outside world again?"

"lix, i've never needed the sun. because you always were my sun. you give me strength when i feel like i can't go on." changbin's eyes crinkled as he spoke, his eye-smile making felix's heart soar. "i will... i'll try to be your strength in the bunker. i'm not going to say it'll be easy for either of us. but... if we're each other's strength, then maybe we don't have to be scared?"

"how come you were never this sweet before?" felix complained, attempting to look annoyed, although his wide smile said otherwise.

"because now that you've accepted me as your boyfriend, there's no way for you to escape," changbin stuck his tongue out, and felix returned the gesture, leaving both of them a giggling mess.

felix could feel exhaustion creeping in as they continued their trail, his feet dragging against the ground, still soggy from the previous night's rain. his body felt heavy, but he knew that they had to keep going and he struggled to keep his eyes from closing involuntarily.

"lix, are you tired already?" changbin asked, a confused look on his face, "we've only been walking a few hours, you can usually do more than that."

"'m not tired, binnie-boo," felix mumbled, grinning at his own nickname. however, changbin did not seem amused and only rolled his eyes,

"maybe you didn't sleep well last night." he seemed to be contemplating something, before shoving the backpack into felix's arms and presenting his back to him, "here, get on. i'll carry you for a bit."

"what? binnie no, you'll get tired!"

"oh shut up, i'm not the one who's sleepwalking."

despite all of felix's grumbling, he swung the bag onto his back and moved forward, bracing his hands on changbin's shoulders before hopping on. he couldn't help but snicker as he felt changbin's back muscles, and ran his hands over changbin's shoulders,

"damn, look at these shoulders binnie. i'd think you were working out with how wide they are."

"oh stop feeling me up," changbin said, shaking his shoulders, and blushing a furious red. felix grinned, feeling satisfaction in teasing his boyfriend. he leaned forward and nipped at changbin's ear, causing the elder to get even more flustered, "lix!"

"i'd suggest you start walking," felix smirked, before adding, "unless you want to stop and take a little break."

"not happening," changbin immediately shot back, causing felix to laugh as he began walking. god, he was so happy.

─ author's note 🌻

s o

i just want to give a warning for the soft hearted.

the next chapter is the last chapter (before the epilogue), and... well... you'll see c:

─ love from melelel !