Falling for You in 48 Hours（7）
760 Words
The morning light gently crept into the room, casting a soft golden glow over the polished floor.
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Gareth stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie with precise, efficient movements. He was always meticulous about his appearance, but today, every action carried an unusual weight, almost ceremonial.
He could feel the excitement and nervousness building up inside him, but he couldn’t let it show—today was the day he was to be inaugurated as president.
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Since Felix’s health had improved, Gareth had insisted—almost unavoidably—that Felix move into his house under the guise of "a better environment for recovery" and "easier to care for." The truth was, after spending only a few short hours visiting him in the hospital every day, it had been nothing short of torment for him. Having Felix just a few steps away, in a guest room next to his own, felt like a dream come true.
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Gareth quietly walked into the guest room, surprised to find Felix already sitting up.
The boy's golden hair was slightly messy, and his eyes still held the remnants of sleep, yet they sparkled with a warm glow in the morning light.
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At the sound of footsteps, Felix lifted his head, a glimmer of admiration crossing his face.
“You look amazing today,” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
He wrapped himself tighter in the soft blanket, legs curled underneath him, as though the outside world had no claim over him just yet.
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“Felix,” Gareth murmured, his voice soft, pulling the boy’s full attention. He took a step forward, then kneeled beside the bed, moving slowly and deliberately, keeping his gaze locked on Felix's face. “Baby, do you know what today is?”
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Felix blinked, his sleepiness still lingering. “Hmm… what day is it? Is it just another day?”
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Gareth chuckled quietly, the sound full of tenderness. “Silly, today is the day I officially start my duties as president,” he said, his tone becoming slightly more serious. “But...”
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“But what?” Felix asked, his curiosity piqued.
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Gareth’s expression softened as he gazed at him. “But I won’t be able to stay with you today.”
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“Oh, then you go ahead. You’ve got important things to do, right?”
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Gareth sighed softly, a sound full of warmth yet tinged with helplessness. He gently cupped Felix’s face, leaning down to press a soft kiss on his cheek.
“You little clueless one. Make sure to think of me, my cute one,” he whispered affectionately.
That tender farewell wasn’t a sudden thing.
When Felix had first arrived, Gareth had simply held his hand—just a touch to offer comfort. The next day, when Felix had been eating, Gareth had, seemingly by accident, brushed his lips against the back of Felix’s hand while handing him a glass of water. Felix had stared at him, blinking rapidly, his cheeks flushing pink, yet he hadn’t pulled away.
And then, on the third evening... when Felix had been laughing and eating, Gareth couldn’t resist the impulse to wipe the sauce from the corner of Felix’s mouth. In that moment, as Felix gazed at him with those innocent eyes, Gareth leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of his lips.
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From then on, it became their unspoken routine—each morning, a soft kiss, a sweet moment shared between them.
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“Ah, I really can’t help it,” Gareth sighed dramatically, but his thumb lovingly caressed the back of Felix’s hand. “This little guy is really hard to handle. If I’m not around, someone else will steal him away, and I’ll have to keep a constant eye on this treasure.”
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Felix blinked at him, his lips curving into a knowing, sweet smile. “I’m not... well, I’ll remember to think of you.”
“I’ll also remember to watch you on TV while you give your speech,” Felix teased back.
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[Heroic mission objective: Protect Gareth during his inauguration from an imminent attack. Threat expected post-speech. Objective: Prevent enemy sabotage.]
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Felix watched as Gareth turned to leave, the warmth from their brief interaction still lingering in the air. But as the door clicked softly shut behind him, a heavy feeling settled over him. He pressed his lips together, his gaze darkening.
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He wasn’t sure why, but the strange ache in his chest refused to fade.
- Writer
