Everyone agreed that Felix could go before Binnie. He's normally the quiet one—observing so volunteering was something unusual and they were seated for it.
Felix stood up and went out the room.
"What do you think he'd give Chan?" Seungmin stretched to see what Felix would bring. "So we're setting the bar at cat food? Felix is going to come back with dog treats, isn't he?
Lee Know responded defensively, "It's premium imported cat food. Channie lo…"
"ya, shut up!" Chan snapped and they all laughed.
Chan buried his face in his hands, ears turning bright red. "Why do I even try to look cool in front of them? I'm literally wearing the cartoon-wolf hoodie Han gave me last Christmas. They're never gonna let this go…" he thought.
"It's hard to guess what hyung would get" I.N. said. "He's probably at the store right now, panicking in the pet aisle."
Changbin was already laughing. "Do I get chicken-flavored or beef-flavored...?"
Hyunjin: No no, you know Felix. He's going to try to one-up Lee know hyung. He's getting Chan a whole chicken.
Han: A live chicken!
Seungmin: Can you imagine? imitates Felix's deep voice "Hyung, I got you something that lays eggs and can be a pet!"
They laughed.
I.N. suddenly flopped flat on the floor like he'd been shot.
"The suspense is killing me. If I die, bury me next to the cat food."
Hyunjin laughed and kicked his foot lightly. "Get up, silly."
Lee Know protested. " At least my gift was practical. What do you think Felix actually got him?"
Changbin: Knowing Felix? Either something incredibly thoughtful that makes us all look bad, or...
I.N: Or brownies. It's definitely brownies.
They all laughed remembering Felix call during that one live about his brownies.
Hyunjin gasps dramatically, "What if he baked cat-shaped brownies? To compete with the cat food?"
Han: That'll actually be genius. Felix, if you're listening through the walls—do that!
Seungmin: He's not even here. Pabo.
Han: He could have forgotten something and come back!
"He's not you." Seungmin shot.
Han actually dropped to the floor and tried to look through the keyhole, lost balance, and rolled into Seungmin's legs.
"Ow—respect your elders!"
Changbin standing up and projecting his voice "FELIX, IF YOU CAN HEAR US, GET CHAN SOMETHING BETTER THAN CAT FOOD!"
They all laughed.
Lee Know: Yah!....there's nothing better than what I got him!
I.N: Hyung, you literally went to the pet store.
Hyunjin: Wait wait….what if Felix also went to the pet store? What if they ran into each other earlier and that's why hyung chose cat food? To block Felix's pet store gift?
Everyone gasps.
Lee Know (trying not to smile, innoceny): I have no idea what you're talking about.
Seungmin: Oh my god, you did. Lee know's the type to do things like this.
Han: You sabotaged Felix!
Lee Know: I... made a strategic choice.
Changbin: This is why you're scary.
I.N: So if Felix can't do pet supplies... and he can't do baked goods because that's too expected...
Hyunjin: He's going to do something cute and sentimental that makes Channie-hyung cry.
All in unison. "Definitely!!"
Seungmin: And then we'll all feel bad about our gifts.
"No don't say that. I'm fine with anything. Really." Chan responded to that with a comforting voice.
Han: Speak for yourself, I got him a nice—
Changbin: You got him a hoodie?
Han: It's a nice hoodie!
Suddenly there was a Sound of the door opening.
"He's Back!....shhh" I.N. whispers.
All members immediately sit up straight and try to look innocent
Felix poked his head in first, cheeks pink from running, hair a little fluffy from the hallway draft.
"...Why do you all look guilty?"
Lee Know: We don't.
Hyunjin: We were just sitting here. Normally.
Felix: Uh-huh. Where's Chan-hyung?
Seungmin: Studio. You're safe.
Chan was sitting right there watching his kids squabble.
Felix: Safe from what?
Han: Nothing. What did you get him?
Felix: You'll see when everyone else does!
Changbin: Is it better than cat food though?
Felix (offended but smiling): Is it—OF COURSE it's better than cat food!
Lee Know: We'll see about that.
Felix rolled his eyes, then shouted toward the hallway, "Bring it in, please!"
A second later the door opened wider and two staff members walked in struggling with an absolutely massive box, tall, perfectly wrapped in midnight-blue paper with a huge silver ribbon bow on top. It looked very expensive and heavy. No one could easily guess what was in it.
"Oh!!!" They all exclaimed with surprise.
Changbin caught Chan's eye across the room and mouthed, exaggerated and dramatic: "If it's another pet I'm naming it after you ♡"
Chan choked on air and flipped him off behind a cushion so no one would see. Changbin's grin turned evil.
This was perfect. The night was just getting started.