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Annette, at the very least, is courteous when she breaks up with him.
"I'm sorry Felix, I don't think you're a bad person." She looks distraught, wringing her hands together like she's been caught taking a cookie from the cookie jar, "I just think I'm interested in something else."
Felix could be mad. Traveling three thousand some odd miles to be told “oopsie, just kidding!” in the middle of buttfuck nowhere seems like a great reason to pitch a fit. Goddess knows he had his fair share of banging his fists and tear stained pity parties when he was a dumb kid. Mad at his dad, mad at Glenn, he'd hold them hostage with his meltdowns—make it a Fraldarius family affair to remember.
He wonders what either of them would say if they knew how he'd turned out–if they saw him keeping a tight leash on his emotions, keeping his temper in line, just like he swore he would upon his father’s final breath?
If only tombstones could talk. Honestly, even if they could, those stone bastards would still find a way to tease him.
Point is, he can’t get mad at her for the same reason he can't be mad at his family—it's pointless. Life’s just like this sometimes. It's not as if she wanted to hurt him, same as how he couldn't control Glenn from diving back into the fire to save their dad.
Let bygones be bygones, as they say.
So he does just that. "It's fine. You'll find the right person. And so will I."
Annie still looks upset. Her big, wet, kitten eyes call on Felix to do... something. Hug her, maybe? Quote a comforting Taylor Swift lyric at her? Is he still allowed to do those things?
"But Felix!" Oh goddess above, now she's puffing her cheeks out like an angry hamster, "Aren't you a little more upset? I dragged you all the way out here and just broke up with you! How can you not be mad?"
"Being upset won't do me any good." It took him two branches falling from the family tree to realize that.
Annie's face softens. "You really are a good guy Felix. Don't forget that, ok? I have to go now, but–"
She shakes her head, then launches forward like an adorable missile. Felix lets out an oomf as a head of ginger burrows into his stomach.
"I hope you find the happiness you deserve."
It's a good sentiment. Really, it is, and Felix appreciates it. But it'd feel a little better if he wasn't stranded in this city for four days with nothing to do now. Is it too late to pretend to be someone’s cousin and sneak on a flight with them, or have too many people already witnessed Felix being dropped like a wet paper towel for that to fly?
Felix watches her quickly retreating form get smaller and smaller. From somewhere behind him, someone whistles, long and low.
"Yikes, that's rough buddy."
If Felix were any more unhinged and less aware of the airport security agents around them, he'd turn around and have this nosy asshole in a chokehold. Who does this guy think he is, watching Felix’s life go to shit like it's the fucking Real Housewives of Faerghus?
He turns to give this man a piece of his mind. And. And.
Oh.
Ohhhh man.
Where to begin. Where to begin indeed.
He's tall, that's one thing. His hair is ginger—just like Annie's, his mind very helpfully points out—like fall leaves on a great big oak tree. Built like a tree too, if his arms and torso are anything to go by.
Dare Felix say it, this man is... handsome. His personality seems a bit shitty, but he is hot. Fuck. Felix has to raise his standards, he can’t just go falling over every redhead he sees.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion," he spits, just for good measure. Just in case this guy thinks Felix is attracted to him, or some other equally insane notion like that.
The guy puts his hands up as a peace offering. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just went through the same thing a couple days ago, so I was sympathizing."
Realistically, he could be lying to save his (stupidly gorgeous) face. Seems like the type of guy to smirk and wink his way through crimes, what with how he's wearing his dumb flannel around his waist like his entire existence was tailor made to drive Felix up the wall.
And even then, something soft does exist in the center of his warm, brown eyes. It's the same ray of sunshine that resides in his mom's own irises—the kind that anyone can trust. Call him crazy, but there's more to this stranger than what's on the surface—Felix kinda wants to dive right in.
"You can sympathize better by buying me a coffee."
He entirely doesn't mean anything by it, it's merely a quip to see if the other can handle Felix as he is—sharp tongue and all.
The man honest to god beams at the suggestion. "And here I thought you'd never ask."
Felix is really in it now. "I was just–"
"Where do you wanna go? I know this great spot in–"
"Wait a second," Felix cuts him off, staring down this golden retriever looking motherfucker. "You just met me, and you're already trying to get into my pants? Seriously?"
The guy blanches. "No! Holy shit, what kind of impression do you have of me?"
Felix raises a brow.
"You know what? Nevermind, I don't even wanna know. Let's just... start over?"
He's more mess than man, Felix sees that now. His crooked grin is too charming to be anything sinister, though. This guy can have another chance, as a treat.
"We can start over. But if you fuck up again, I'm leaving."
Felix practically gets blinded with his LED infused smile. The light even glints off his teeth like he’s the main star in an awful romcom, and Felix is the hapless maiden enamored by his stupid Ryan Reynolds-esque demeanor.
Maybe this was a mistake. Probably should just give up while he's ahead.
"In the spirit of starting over," he barrels past Felix's doubts, hand dramatically draped over his chest, "allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Sylvain, and I'm not trying to get into your pants. Yet."
Felix swears to the goddess he doesn't try to hold back a snort. He doesn't. He is so normal about this Sylvain guy.
"Sylvain, huh? Well, I'm Felix, and I'll be taking your statements with a grain of salt."
God, he's gonna get addicted to his smile, isn't he? Rest in peace, Felix Fraldarius.
Sylvain leans forward. There’s a bit of mirth that infects his features. Charming, but sincere. Just enough trepidation to be polite, to give Felix space to reject him.
Maybe this is a big mistake. Maybe, this is the best mistake Felix is willing to make.
"And what if I invited you to explore the city with me, would you take that with a grain of salt?"
Yeah, this is most definitely the best mistake Felix has ever made. Right next to taking a flight out to be broken up with.