Fanfan and Dandan forever, for everyone [part 1/2]
Title: Fanfan and Dandan forever
For: Everyone
Word count: 13,000+ (Two shot)
Rating: PG
Summary: Yifan and Yixing just really hate each other
“Kyungsoo please stop fucking hitting Baekhyun! Jesus holy Buddha when are you two gonna co-exist harmoniously???” Yixing bellowed when he noticed the two members of his squad going at it again. Baekhyun likes to piss Kyungsoo off and Kyungsoo just does not allow Baekhyun to make fun of him.
Yixing, the leader of the MCM University Red Stallions cheering squad, broke out the fight between the two together with his co-captain Luhan. Baekhyun was already laughing, pleased that he was successful on ruining Kyungsoo's day as Kyungsoo was still trying to reach out for Baekhyun to break his neck. Good thing, Luhan knew how to manhandle the smaller so he kept the raging kid meters away from the other.
Yixing huddled his squad in the center university gymnasium. “The opening of the basketball season is in two weeks! We still have not perfected a single fucking routine!” He scolded, voice booming in the whole area. Zitao, the rookie cheer leader, flinched while the others just shrugged for they were already used to Yixing's temper.
The opening game would be against their rival school, HBA University Black Dragons. They have to perform during the half time. Half time performance in the opening game was very important to the school and to, well, Yixing. Every year, they go head to head with them. Also every year, they lose to them. Be it in cheering competition or basketball game, for four years, the Red Stallions always finishes second. Yixing wanted that fate to change. Black Dragon's winning dynasty had to stop.
“I need you all to focus.” Yixing continued with his litany, looking at each of his member's eyes as if he could transfer his desire to win to them. It would be Yixing and Luhan's last year thus his eagerness intensified. He could not let himself graduate in shame. “The basketball team greatly improved during off season. I believe we did too.”
Yixing was thankful that they scouted Zitao, the martial artist and one hell of a dancer from China, and that Jongdae recovered from his ankle injury. The junior sat out last year because of the injury he got during one of their practices. His team was intact aside from Baekhyun and Kyungsoo always quarreling. He believed that they have a great chance this year.
Right before they start their practice for the third time that day, they gathered in a circle and put their arms around each other. Head bowing and eyes determined, Yixing smiled that he finally motivated the squad. They yelled their battle cry on the top of their lungs with a promise of being productive for the next two hours.
*
Yixing, Luhan, Zitao, Jongdae, Baekhyun, and, even though he did not really a fan of cliques and shits but he goes with them because they are nice aside from Baekhyun, Kyungsoo were in the burger joint near their university for dinner. The six of them lives in the same dormitory and have developed a routine of sharing meals together as a way of improving camaraderie (honestly, it is just for Baekhyun and Kyungsoo). They were waiting for their orders when some of the members of Black Dragon's basketball team came in.
It was not a secret that one of the reasons why Yixing could sell his soul to the devil just to beat HBA University was because of the captain of its basketball team.
Yixing shamelessly curse and rolled his eyes when he saw the captain, no other than the hate of his life, Wu Yifan. His harem was following him to the table just across them. Great. Yixing's night just got more splendid. He glared at the players before he shoot lethal daggers on Yifan's direction.
“Look what we have here. The second placers.” Chanyeol, the big eared Yoda look-a-like who Yixing found out through stalking his facebook account was fond of animals specifically ferrets and was inclined to anything related to aliens, said. The dweeb looking douche is tall but not as tall as Yifan. He is also the latter's co-captain and sidekick. Yixing hated him just as much.
They were six of them there. Yixing were already familiar to all of the faces since Yifan was always with those bastards - Jongin, the dark skinned boy who could pass as a runway model because he is too handsome to be a fucking basketball player; Joonmyun, the loaded one who pays everything for the team; Minseok, the star pointguard that Luhan fancies but Yixing does not approve. Oh, and there was a new one, that young kid that looks bored as hell beside Joonmyun. Yixing figured that would be their rookie. Yixing heard they got a big shot rookie fresh from high school who won numerous MVP awards in every tournament he played in his last two years in high school.
“Did you take a bath today?” Baekhyun retorted. “You sure stink.”
Chanyeol made a face at Baekhyun and Baekhyun waved him off. Baekhyun and Chanyeol were the chatty ones. They could go all night mocking each other and they would not be tired of it one bit. They continue to exchange banters until the cheering squad's food arrived and the Black Dragon's had to order theirs.
Yixing's mood got really sour. His team members were talking about the latest episode of the Walking Dead and convincing Zitao to watch with them even if the boy was making himself clear that he was afraid of ghosts or any creatures of the dark. Yixing should be joining the conversation because the Walking Dead is the raddest TV show that he had ever watched but he was too annoyed by the reality that he was breathing the same air with Wu Yifan.
“Xing-Xing.” Someone broke him out of his sulking by calling him by his nickname, the nickname he despised because it was too childish. He was not in kindergarten anymore so calling him that ticked him off. Who was that despicable of a person who called him and-
Yixing looked up just to see a smirk on that spawn of satan's face. He was too amused to see that Yixing was now red with anger. “How's practice?”
“Do not fucking call me Xing-Xing.” He hissed. If only he could stab Yifan on his face with the knife he was holding just make him stop looking smug.
“It is your nickname. If I wanna call you Xing-Xing, I will call you Xing-Xing.” Yifan winked at him. Did he really winked at him because Yixing was about to launch himself to inflict pain on that bastard. How dare he wink at him?
“You want to die, Wu Yifan?” He could feel his muscles trembling with anger.
Luhan sighed. He was done with these two morons fighting. He had witnessed their great war since he decided to be friends with Yixing in middle school and stay friends with him up to college. He had seen how Yixing plot Yifan's demise and fail miserably at it. He had seen how Yifan just effortlessly piss Yixing off with just his handsome face and overflowing sex appeal. Luhan had been in the front row in all of it that sometimes he wanted to throw rotten tomatoes at them so they would put an end to it.
Yixing stood up, could not stop himself from going to his enemy's table to punch him in the face. Baekhyun was cheering for him, Jongdae was face palming, Zitao was confused on what was happening because he did not even know why they were fighting with some tall college dudes when they just went in the joint for dinner, Kyungsoo did not give a fuck as he was enjoying his yummy fries and Luhan was really done with Yixing's shittery. Despite being done, being the most rational and a good friend, Luhan held Yixing on his arm to stop him from doing something ridiculous once more. Last time Yixing tried to physically hurt Yifan, Yixing's face covered with deokkbokkie sauce was all over the internet for his failed attempt.
“Let go of me! I will really kill this scumbag!” Yixing was flailing and trying to get away from Luhan.
“Ya! Luhan! Let your leader go so that he can make a fool of himself again!” Jongin laughed.
Yifan was just there, waiting for Yixing to come up to him and try his luck this time. Yixing struggled but Luhan was stronger and Jongdae was helping his co-captain to keep him grounded. He heard Zitao asked what the hell was happening and Baekhyun answered love quarrel. Zitao believed it and looked at Yifan. The youngest cheerleader whispered that he was handsome and Yixing was quite lucky to have a boyfriend like him and then continued eating his burger.
In the middle of his rage, Yixing chanced upon looking at the new boy on the corner of the Black Dragon's table. He was looking directly at him. His eyes were full of questions, at the same time, curiosity. He was not scrutinizing or joining the bandwagon on mocking Yixing. He was observing. Yixing felt like he was being dissected thoroughly.
The staff of the joint heard their noise. The owner told them to bring their childish fight outside and would not tolerate them this time around. Minseok second the owner's words, advising Yifan to just ignore Yixing and stop pissing him off. Yifan, on the contrary, was having fun watching Yixing combust.
“Give up, Xing-Xing.” Yifan said, slurring the last word to emphasize his mockery. “You cannot hate me forever.”
Yixing gave one more death glare at Yifan before he surrendered and sat back down. He was cursing at Luhan, telling him that he should get over his little crush on Black Dragon's point guard because it was clouding his judgment. He could hear Chanyeol cheering, Baekhyun insulting, and Minseok telling them to cut it out.
Poking his sandwich with his fork, Yixing was starting to formulate another plan to regain his dignity. He looked up at Yifan who was engaged with arm locking Chanyeol. He vowed to take this person and his whole team down to hell where they truly belong. He was smiling devilishly to himself when he noticed new kid was looking at him again. Yixing lost his thoughts all of a sudden, mind confused and panicking. His pulse only went back to normal when the said boy was ordered to get more fries by Jongin.
Other than murdering Yifan, Yixing figured, he had to do something about that new boy.
*
Yixing and Yifan had known each other forever. Ever since they could remember, they were already neighbors, playing outside in their backyards with Yifan’s basketball or with Yixing’s clay-doh set. Their families were pretty close too.
Yifan’s parents were busy with their business most of the time, leaving little Yifan with the care of his nanny. Although growing up alone with his state-of-the-art toys and up-to-date computer games, Yifan would never consider his childhood lonely. All because Yixing had always been with him.
Yixing was one year younger than Yifan but since the former was quite a smart kid and had an early interest on books and been excited on going to school, Yixing had been admitted to kindergarten along with Yifan. They were in the same class and became in the same grade since then. They stick together like brothers. Yifan was a shy boy in the beginning but Yixing told him that there was nothing to be scared of in interacting with other children. Yixing had always held Yifan’s hand, assuring him that he would never leave his side.
“You should try out in the basketball team!” Yixing had told Yifan excitedly while they were on their way home from school. They were 10 years old then. Yixing saw a flier on the bulletin board about the basketball try-outs that would be held on the weekend. Their school was only competing on small junior leagues though Yixing thought it would be a nice opportunity for Yifan to make his hidden skills use ful.
Yifan showed much interest in the sport since the day he learned how to dribble a ball. Sometimes he watches their middle school basketball team during their trainings in the afternoon. There were also times when he would go to the open basketball court near their house where random teenagers play a friendly match together. Some do bets and some just play for the love of the game. Yifan really wanted to play. However, he did not have enough self-confidence to believe he could do it.
“Come on, Xing. Don’t be silly.” Yifan waved off the flier that Yixing was showing to his face.
Yifan was used to calling Yixing ‘Xing-Xing’ even though the younger’s nickname was ‘Dan-Dan’ which means egg. When he was a toddler, Yixing likes egg so much that he practically considered himself as part of the chicken family. When Yixing was four and Yifan was five, Yixing dressed up as a purple egg, hid somewhere and told Yifan to find him because it was Easter Sunday. Thus, his parents started calling him ‘little Dan-dan’. Yifan thought Xing-Xing was more endearing because Yixing was like a star. He was always there even if there were times that he could not see him.
“Why?” Yixing grimaced, looking at the yellow flier that has big bold black letters written on top saying ‘The next basketball star could be you!’. “Can’t you just try?”
“No.” Yifan shook his head. He tightened his grip on the strap of his back pack. “I won’t make it.”
“You haven’t even tried yet!” Yixing exclaimed. Sometimes he hated how Yifan thinks modest of himself. If only he could see that he has all the potential to be in the team. If only he could believe in himself some more.
“Can we stop talking about this?” The taller walked a little faster so he could leave Yixing and their conversation behind.
Yixing pouted. He would not give up easily like that on his friend. He saw hundreds of times when Yifan would play alone in their makeshift basketball court in the shared backyard playground. Yifan would spend hours to perfect his shooting form, his dribbling skills, his freethrows. He would sat beside Yifan every basketball game of LA Lakers and see how Yifan was so engrossed with it, how Yifan would be disappointed whenever they lose and rejoice whenever they win. Yixing knows Yifan too much that he badly wanted him to play for a team, even in a small one but his fear had always been the barrier.
Therefore, Yixing put the matters on his hands and signed-up Yifan without his friends consent. Yifan only found out about it the day before the try-outs. They were arguing in Yifan’s room because Yifan got too nervous. It would be the first time people will see him play.
“What if they laugh at me? What if I screw up?” Yifan rambled.
Yixing was sitting on the bed, rolling his eyes. “So, what?”
“So, what?” Yifan repeated. “So, what? You are not the one who will be out there!”
Yixing deeply sighed. He truly wanted to hit Yifan’s head with his bedside lamp to knock some senses on his bird brain. “Please stop complaining and just pack your things for tomorrow, you dumb coward.”
Yixing went to the try-outs and stayed the whole day to make Yifan less nervous. He patiently watched the boring thing until it ended in the afternoon. There were parents who supported their sons. For Yifan, there was only Yixing who cheered for him from the sidelines. Whenever he was not sure of himself, he would just look for Yixing and his thumbs up with a dimpled smile was enough to calm him down a bit.
The results was posted the following Monday and Yifan got in. Yixing was the one who delivered the news to his friend during lunchtime. Yixing was running down the hallway going to Yifan’s classroom.
“Fan-fan!” Yixing yelled once he entered the room full of students. Some were sleeping, some were eating in groups, and some were simply talking to one another. Yifan was at the back, lunch box half-empty and a math book opened on the side of his table.
“Yixing?” Yifan looked up. In a second, Yixing was standing in front of him, panting and sweating and smiling so wide at him.
“Fan-fan!” He yelled at him though this time, he was tugging on his blazer sleeves hard. He looked out of breath.
“I told you to stop calling me that when we are here in school.” Yifan hissed.
But Yixing was not even listening. “Fan-fan! You got in! You are now in the basketball team!”
“What?” Yifan dropped his chopsticks. “Are you serious?”
“Yes!” Yixing squealed then hugged Yifan like he was the one who got accepted.
It was the beginning of Yifan’s basketball career. He did not stop playing since then, improving year by year. His skills were not the only one who had improved, but also his self-esteem. Playing for their school made him believe in himself. In all of his success, Yixing was the one who had been the proudest until their friendship fall apart.
*
The basketball season already started. As expected, the Black Dragons were on the top of the standings with 8-0 record under their name. It was not a surprise because the whole team was playing well aside from their rookie player who was always giving a shock to all the audience every game.
It was not a secret that Sehun was the star player of his high school team but to jell with the Black Dragons and adjusting in the collegiate league in a short period of time wowed critiques and basketball enthusiasts. In less than 15 minutes he plays in the court each game, he scores more than 10 points and defends older guys impressively for a newbie. He was slowly making a name in the league and other teams put him on their to-watch list.
“That Sehun kid is good. Why didn’t we scout him again?” Changmin, the Red Stallion team captain asked while his team was sitting on the stands, watching the second game of the day. They played and won in the first game.
“I played against his school during a charity match in my senior year in high school. He was still a freshman then but was already really good.” Jaehyo shared.
Yixing, Luhan, Zitao, Jongdae, Baekhyun, and Kyungsoo were seated behind their school basketball team to watch as well. They stayed because, even if he would not admit it, Luhan wanted to watch Minseok. It was not frequent that their schools have same game schedules. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo continued to exchange bickers while Zitao was trying to digest all the Korean words he was hearing.
“Ya! Yixing! Did you know that your boyfriend scouted this Sehun kid?” Changmin turned around to ask Yixing.
Yixing should not be annoyed anymore because Changmin had always pertained to Yifan as his boyfriend even if he repeatedly cleared that they have nothing to do with each other. But he still gritted his teeth when he heard him called Yifan that. He was thankful he was holding nothing that he could throw at that douchebag.
“He is not my boyfriend, Shim Changmin.” Yixing corrected, flashing a sarcastic smile.
With many years watching basketball, Yixing agreed that Sehun was really good in it. The younger had the moves, the skills, and the intellect for it. His grace when handling the ball and eyes that see who was open or not enthralled Yixing a lot. For a starter, usually, you would only want to impress buy scoring more points. Your mindset would only be for offense. Offense would win the game. But Sehun was excelling in defense as well. He knows how to pass the ball, being magnanimous when he knows the others have better percentage to get the basket.
The game ended with the Black Dragons winning the game. Yixing watched as Sehun walked to the dugout, towel draped over his shoulder, sweat all over his body. He was talking to Jongin on his way out but before they totally disappeared from the court, he turned around and met Yixing’s eyes. Yixing did not know what he would do. Sehun held his gaze before he gave him a little smile. It was just a split second, too fast to give it a meaning. Maybe it was just an accident. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
“Did Oh Sehun just smiled at you?” Luhan whispered to him as they were piling up in their mini coaster going back to their dorms. Luhan tugged him on the back to sit with him.
“What are you talking about? No.” Yixing denied. Though he could not stop himself from blushing when he thought about how the boy’s eyes make a thin line when he smiled at him, how his cheekbones were so round and that cute little nose. He shook his head from thinking about that boy in that way.
Luhan punched Yixing’s arm. “I totally saw him smile at you!”
Luhan was Yixing’s best friend since middle school so there was no use lying to him. “It meant nothing.”
“If it did not mean anything, you won’t blush like that. Ah, wait.” Luhan got his vibrating phone from his pocket. He was smiling and biting his lower lip while he was reading what appeared to be a lengthy text message.
“Who was that?” Yixing asked.
Luhan did not answer right away as he was typing for a reply to whomever texted him so Yixing opened his own phone and put earphones on. Luhan looked excited though. Nothing could seem to erase the permanent smile on his face. When he was done texting and placed the phone back in his pocket, he pulled one of Yixing’s earphones out.
“You are going with me.” Luhan declared.
“Excuse me?”
“You are going out with me and that is final.”
*
It was a Saturday night but Yixing seriously think it was a bad idea to go to a party with Luhan especially if the party was being held in the dormitory of the Black Dragons.
Luhan did not tell them where they were going when they reach their own rooms. He just told Yixing to get dressed and that they were leaving in 30 minutes. Yixing put on his usual clothes - low neck dark shirt and skinny pants. He was not sure what he was preparing for or if they were meeting someone so he assumed it was okay if he went casual. As for Luhan, he went for the kill - buttoned up shirt, tight pants, and heavy eyeliner. When Luhan puts on heavy eyeliner, it means he was serious on making an impact on someone and he would make sure he would get what he wants with that someone.
“I knew it!” Yixing glared at Luhan before they enter the vicinity. He was hesitating on going further. He had never been in the enemies den and he would never risk going there because he knows he would not return to their home base alive. All the more, it was not the place he imagined he would party at.
Luhan held his best friend’s hand, pleading for him to stay. It was Minseok who invited him to the party and Luhan could not say no to him. “I am sorry but please stay with me. I am nervous too.”
Yixing knows how Luhan fancies Minseok since their freshman year in college. He first saw him in the basketball games and then he started seeing him outside the court ample of times because he was close with Yifan. Even though Yifan and Yixing were in a war, Yifan and Luhan remained friends. They just did not let Yixing see him or he would throw a fit at Luhan. Yifan had introduced Luhan and Minsoek to each other. After that, Luhan could not get the point guard out of his mind. What Yixing did not know was Luhan and Minseok were exchanging text messages recently.
“Tell me who invited you. Is it the son of satan or your hamster-looking boy crush?” Yixing questioned. His both hands were on his waist. He could not believe that Luhan accepted an invitation from their rival when it was clear in Article 1 Section 1.01 in their Red Book that they must not, in all occasion, be associated with an enemy specifically a Black Dragon. Clearly, Luhan was breaking one of the rules and should henceforth be punished.
“It was Minseok.” Luhan replied. He did not hesitate but he was looking down on his shoes.
Yixing took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose as an incoming migraine was threatening him. He knew this day would come. He knew Luhan’s simple crush would develop into something more. “You know you are breaking the rules, Luhan.”
“It was just your rules, Yixing!”
Yes, the migraine was indeed coming.
“I really like him, Yixing and I do not think I should allow your rules to get in the way. You are my best friend. You are the first person I expect to support me.”
Yixing got tongue-tied. For all the years that he was friends with Luhan, it was just the second time he openly told him that he liked someone. Luhan was a good friend, supporting him with everything he does, going to the same university with him, understanding him about his anger towards Yifan, and tolerating his poor behavior. He wanted his friend to be happy but he was not sure if he could promise that he would get along with a Black Dragon.
“I understand if you really do not wanna come with me. I will just text Minseok and tell him we could not make it.” Luhan’s face was downcast while he types on his phone.
Yixing’s heart broke at that sight. He was fighting with himself. Saying ‘You could endure it. Just a few hours. For your best friend’ like a mantra and to convince himself that it would be okay.
He knocked and then grabbed Luhan’s hand, squeezing it to tell him he would not leave. He was doing it for his best friend.
*
The party was exclusive for the Black Dragon basketball team and their friends. Luhan and Yixing learned that it was Minseok and Yifan’s apartment for it was Minseok who opened the door for them. His face brightened up when he saw Luhan and Yixing realized he must really like his best friend.
Some of the members of the team were either playing darts and drinking games or making out with someone in the corner. The whole place was loud, party music was blasting on the speakers and the cooler where the drinks were located seemed bottomless. Minseok offered them a seat on the couch, the only available place for them to settle in.
The whole room, or rather the people on the couch since no one really paid attention when they came in, fell silent as Luhan and Yixing approached what supposed to be the living room area of the small dorm apartment. Yixing was aware about how Jongin and Chanyeol stared down at them, how Joonmyun elbowed Yifan who was busy checking their game highlights on his phone. The group did not seem to make a big deal about how Luhan and Minseok hold hands. It was Yixing’s presence that made them uneasy.
“What’s he doing here?” Chanyeol asked, still staring at Yixing like he was a carrier of an infectious disease.
Yixing was sitting on the edge of the couch while continuing reminding himself that he would not screw the party up for Luhan. He had to ignore the giant Yoda idiot and just focus on keeping calm on his corner. Luhan was blending in with the Black Dragons which made Yixing reassured a little. At least they treat him well though Chanyeol was still hesitant on being friendly with him.
“Hey, Chanyeol. What did I tell you?” Minseok said in his gentle voice though you could tell he was reprimanding the younger.
“Fine. But I thought it was just your boyfriend.” Chanyeol whined. He fell back on the couch with a pout before drinking on his bottle of beer.
Yifan was on the other side of the couch, beside Joonmyun. Minseok only told them that he invited Luhan though knowing how Luhan functions, he would drag Yixing with him anywhere. He expected Yixing to be there so he somehow had prepared for it. He promised Minseok he would not provoke Yixing for Minseok promised Luhan that his teammates would behave so that he would come.
It had been a while since Yifan and Yixing was on the same party. The last time was two years ago when they attended a wedding of a common high school friend. That party ended in a disaster and Yixing did not want to think about it. He already buried it deep in the core of this planet together with all the things he shared with Yifan in the early stages of their lives.
It felt like it had been forever since their friendship fell apart. Yifan would not deny how he misses his used to be best friend. It was only him and Yixing then. No Luhan or Minseok in between them. He only tells his problems to Yixing. Yixing’s only priority was him. He misses how Yixing takes care of him, the nights they spent in their bedrooms where Yixing would be playing his guitar while he tries to compose English rap lyrics with his limited English vocabulary. He misses the way how Yixing was the only one who could understand and love him unconditionally. He misses the time when Yixing was his number one cheerleader. Now, Yixing was his number one hater.
Although he felt that way, he pushed that feeling aside whenever he longs for Yixing because he knows they were over. The gap they built between them was getting bigger as each year passed by. Nothing can fix them now and Yifan had already accepted that.
“Are you okay?” Luhan whispered on Yixing’s ear. He noticed that Yixing was only playing Flappy Bird on his phone to entertain himself while he socializes with Minseok’s friends. Yixing’s phone battery would not last for another 30 minutes and Luhan was worried Yixing would jump out the window when that happens.
Yixing only nodded, not even looking up from his phone. He was beyond bored but even so, he would not talk to any of those bastards and get infested by their stupidity.
Luhan patted Yixing’s thigh then went back to the conversation with the others.
Alas, Yixing’s phone finally died on him and Luhan did not look like he was ready to go home. The Red Stallion cheering squad leader was about to swallow his own tongue. To prevent from committing public suicide, he told Luhan that he was just going to the bathroom.
The urge to run back home was getting stronger when Yixing went out of the building for a bit to get some real fresh air. The smoke and the smell of sweat and liquor made him vomit even if he only had two bottles. He was not a heavy drinker and absolutely not a smoker to begin with. It was amazing how some of these athletes could still run up and down the court in a daily basis with their vices.
Yixing found a bench under a tree right outside and sat there. He looked at his wrist watch. It was close to midnight and the party upstairs was still very much alive. He supposed they would be staying there for a couple of hours more and that his reading assignments for Monday had to wait for tomorrow. He only hoped he would not have a hung over Luhan to take care of.
Right where he was seated, he could see the big banner of HBA Black Dragons hanging outside the university gymnasium. HBA was once his dream school. He and Yifan used to tell each other that they would both enter the university - Yifan as a member of the basketball team and Yixing would be a music major. Besides the university’s excellent sports program, they were also known for their music school. It was the perfect university for the both of them. Well, used to be.
Yixing’s dream to master the art of composing and playing the guitar vanished the moment he entered the cheering squad in middle school. His dreams shifted, priorities re-organized, until the direction he really wanted to be took a different curb and there he was now. He was now a captain of the cheering squad, playing the guitar was now only a hobby and writing lyrics were only done during rainy days when he felt most emotional.
While he was walking down memory lane, he felt the bench he was sitting shook. He looked to his side and found a young man sitting beside him. He was wearing a snapback and a beer bottle in his hands. He was not looking at Yixing though he smiled the same smile Yixing saw earlier in the court, when Yixing finally noticed him.
It was Oh Sehun.
“What are you doing here?” Yixing wondered out loud. He was supposed to ask the other to leave him alone but his mouth was faster to react.
Sehun then stood up in front of Yixing, towering him. “Hi. I am Oh Sehun.” He bowed deeply.
Yixing was completely surprised. Yes, he knows his name and he bet Sehun was aware of that natural phenomenon too knowing his relationship with his teammates and all that shit. He just stared up at Sehun and he thought wow, this kid could be fucking charming up close with that baby face of his and although he has a blank expression most of the time, when he smiles, he was really cute. Oh, there goes the word cute again. Yixing violently shook his head and broke eye contact with the said boy.
“Could you please leave me alone?” Yixing asked politely, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He was unbelievably getting nervous because of Sehun which was really strange because the only time Zhang Yixing got nervous was when he had to trust Baekhyun to do backflips because he knows it was not his forte or during the first time Jongdae joined their practice after his injury healed or that moment when he had his first kiss.
But Sehun did not seem to hear Yixing’s request when he sat down again beside him, chugging the remaining contents of beer in his bottle. Is it even legal to let this boy drink?
“I promise not to make fun of you like what the others do.” He said. “I just want to introduce myself to you properly.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanna date you.”
Yixing almost fell off the bench.
*
“We will tell each other when we are about to date. Deal?”
“Do we really have to?”
“Xing.”
“We are just 12, for crying out loud, Fan-Fan.”
“You are not getting the point here.”
“I mean I do not think someone will like that gummy smile of yours and your lame jokes.”
“Xing! I am serious! We should check first if the person we are dating will be the right one for us.”
“Are we really doing this?”
“Promise me, Yixing?”
“Will you?”
“Yeah. I promise.”
“Fine. Deal.”
*
Yixing did not wait any longer to tell Luhan what Sehun told him. He was still awed when they got home that night. Minseok drove them back and the moment they entered their own dorm, Yixing was screaming and jumping. Luhan had to stop him because they might wake up Zitao and Jongdae in the other room.
“What is the matter?” Luhan got Yixing’s both shoulders and pushed him down on the bed. Yixing did not look drunk so he wondered what happened to him to act like that. Chanyeol, Jongin, and Yifan were with him the whole night so the likelihood that they harassed Yixing was impossible.
Yixing breathed to calm himself down. He was not sure too why he was feeling thrilled and stunned about Sehun’s confession. Perhaps because he has not dated in a while and, truth be told, he has not had any boyfriend yet. No one was too dumb enough to approach the feisty captain. “Sehun asked me out.”
Luhan blinked multiple times, could not believe what he was hearing. “Come again?”
“Sehun said he wants to date me.”
“Oh fuck.”
Luhan got up from the bed and paced back and forth in the room, hand on his head and inhaling and exhaling. The look on Luhan’s face told Yixing his best friend was worried. He was worried too because Sehun was too young and maybe just too reckless to ask someone like him out. They have not talked. They only had seen each other thrice. It was really a surprise where the young man got his interest on him.
“I was surprised too, okay!” Yixing said while he was watching Luhan march in front of him. “I do not know what to do!”
Yixing did not accept nor deny Sehun’s invitation. He was unsure of himself. Yes, he kind of finds him cute and interesting and charming. But no, it was against his code to date a Black Dragon. It was enough that he allowed Luhan and Minseok. That was why he told Sehun that he would think about it. The boy accompanied him back to the party and after that, he had not seen him again until they went home.
“What will you do?” Luhan asked. Thinking about it more, if you would ask him, maybe Yixing needed this. Maybe Yixing should date someone again for him to loosen up a bit. Sehun might be the one who will melt his frozen heart. But he knows someone would be very upset when they found out Yixing would be finally dating.
Yixing covered his face with both of his palms. “I am not sure.”
“I say go for it.” One side of Luhan was fighting, saying this would be a bad idea. The other side told him it was okay because Yixing deserves to be with someone who likes him back.
Yixing looked up at Luhan once more with questioning eyes. He was uncertain but if he knows Luhan with be behind him on this, he would be okay to go on. Sometimes, he trusts his judgment more than anything.
Next
For: Everyone
Word count: 13,000+ (Two shot)
Rating: PG
Summary: Yifan and Yixing just really hate each other
“Kyungsoo please stop fucking hitting Baekhyun! Jesus holy Buddha when are you two gonna co-exist harmoniously???” Yixing bellowed when he noticed the two members of his squad going at it again. Baekhyun likes to piss Kyungsoo off and Kyungsoo just does not allow Baekhyun to make fun of him.
Yixing, the leader of the MCM University Red Stallions cheering squad, broke out the fight between the two together with his co-captain Luhan. Baekhyun was already laughing, pleased that he was successful on ruining Kyungsoo's day as Kyungsoo was still trying to reach out for Baekhyun to break his neck. Good thing, Luhan knew how to manhandle the smaller so he kept the raging kid meters away from the other.
Yixing huddled his squad in the center university gymnasium. “The opening of the basketball season is in two weeks! We still have not perfected a single fucking routine!” He scolded, voice booming in the whole area. Zitao, the rookie cheer leader, flinched while the others just shrugged for they were already used to Yixing's temper.
The opening game would be against their rival school, HBA University Black Dragons. They have to perform during the half time. Half time performance in the opening game was very important to the school and to, well, Yixing. Every year, they go head to head with them. Also every year, they lose to them. Be it in cheering competition or basketball game, for four years, the Red Stallions always finishes second. Yixing wanted that fate to change. Black Dragon's winning dynasty had to stop.
“I need you all to focus.” Yixing continued with his litany, looking at each of his member's eyes as if he could transfer his desire to win to them. It would be Yixing and Luhan's last year thus his eagerness intensified. He could not let himself graduate in shame. “The basketball team greatly improved during off season. I believe we did too.”
Yixing was thankful that they scouted Zitao, the martial artist and one hell of a dancer from China, and that Jongdae recovered from his ankle injury. The junior sat out last year because of the injury he got during one of their practices. His team was intact aside from Baekhyun and Kyungsoo always quarreling. He believed that they have a great chance this year.
Right before they start their practice for the third time that day, they gathered in a circle and put their arms around each other. Head bowing and eyes determined, Yixing smiled that he finally motivated the squad. They yelled their battle cry on the top of their lungs with a promise of being productive for the next two hours.
*
Yixing, Luhan, Zitao, Jongdae, Baekhyun, and, even though he did not really a fan of cliques and shits but he goes with them because they are nice aside from Baekhyun, Kyungsoo were in the burger joint near their university for dinner. The six of them lives in the same dormitory and have developed a routine of sharing meals together as a way of improving camaraderie (honestly, it is just for Baekhyun and Kyungsoo). They were waiting for their orders when some of the members of Black Dragon's basketball team came in.
It was not a secret that one of the reasons why Yixing could sell his soul to the devil just to beat HBA University was because of the captain of its basketball team.
Yixing shamelessly curse and rolled his eyes when he saw the captain, no other than the hate of his life, Wu Yifan. His harem was following him to the table just across them. Great. Yixing's night just got more splendid. He glared at the players before he shoot lethal daggers on Yifan's direction.
“Look what we have here. The second placers.” Chanyeol, the big eared Yoda look-a-like who Yixing found out through stalking his facebook account was fond of animals specifically ferrets and was inclined to anything related to aliens, said. The dweeb looking douche is tall but not as tall as Yifan. He is also the latter's co-captain and sidekick. Yixing hated him just as much.
They were six of them there. Yixing were already familiar to all of the faces since Yifan was always with those bastards - Jongin, the dark skinned boy who could pass as a runway model because he is too handsome to be a fucking basketball player; Joonmyun, the loaded one who pays everything for the team; Minseok, the star pointguard that Luhan fancies but Yixing does not approve. Oh, and there was a new one, that young kid that looks bored as hell beside Joonmyun. Yixing figured that would be their rookie. Yixing heard they got a big shot rookie fresh from high school who won numerous MVP awards in every tournament he played in his last two years in high school.
“Did you take a bath today?” Baekhyun retorted. “You sure stink.”
Chanyeol made a face at Baekhyun and Baekhyun waved him off. Baekhyun and Chanyeol were the chatty ones. They could go all night mocking each other and they would not be tired of it one bit. They continue to exchange banters until the cheering squad's food arrived and the Black Dragon's had to order theirs.
Yixing's mood got really sour. His team members were talking about the latest episode of the Walking Dead and convincing Zitao to watch with them even if the boy was making himself clear that he was afraid of ghosts or any creatures of the dark. Yixing should be joining the conversation because the Walking Dead is the raddest TV show that he had ever watched but he was too annoyed by the reality that he was breathing the same air with Wu Yifan.
“Xing-Xing.” Someone broke him out of his sulking by calling him by his nickname, the nickname he despised because it was too childish. He was not in kindergarten anymore so calling him that ticked him off. Who was that despicable of a person who called him and-
Yixing looked up just to see a smirk on that spawn of satan's face. He was too amused to see that Yixing was now red with anger. “How's practice?”
“Do not fucking call me Xing-Xing.” He hissed. If only he could stab Yifan on his face with the knife he was holding just make him stop looking smug.
“It is your nickname. If I wanna call you Xing-Xing, I will call you Xing-Xing.” Yifan winked at him. Did he really winked at him because Yixing was about to launch himself to inflict pain on that bastard. How dare he wink at him?
“You want to die, Wu Yifan?” He could feel his muscles trembling with anger.
Luhan sighed. He was done with these two morons fighting. He had witnessed their great war since he decided to be friends with Yixing in middle school and stay friends with him up to college. He had seen how Yixing plot Yifan's demise and fail miserably at it. He had seen how Yifan just effortlessly piss Yixing off with just his handsome face and overflowing sex appeal. Luhan had been in the front row in all of it that sometimes he wanted to throw rotten tomatoes at them so they would put an end to it.
Yixing stood up, could not stop himself from going to his enemy's table to punch him in the face. Baekhyun was cheering for him, Jongdae was face palming, Zitao was confused on what was happening because he did not even know why they were fighting with some tall college dudes when they just went in the joint for dinner, Kyungsoo did not give a fuck as he was enjoying his yummy fries and Luhan was really done with Yixing's shittery. Despite being done, being the most rational and a good friend, Luhan held Yixing on his arm to stop him from doing something ridiculous once more. Last time Yixing tried to physically hurt Yifan, Yixing's face covered with deokkbokkie sauce was all over the internet for his failed attempt.
“Let go of me! I will really kill this scumbag!” Yixing was flailing and trying to get away from Luhan.
“Ya! Luhan! Let your leader go so that he can make a fool of himself again!” Jongin laughed.
Yifan was just there, waiting for Yixing to come up to him and try his luck this time. Yixing struggled but Luhan was stronger and Jongdae was helping his co-captain to keep him grounded. He heard Zitao asked what the hell was happening and Baekhyun answered love quarrel. Zitao believed it and looked at Yifan. The youngest cheerleader whispered that he was handsome and Yixing was quite lucky to have a boyfriend like him and then continued eating his burger.
In the middle of his rage, Yixing chanced upon looking at the new boy on the corner of the Black Dragon's table. He was looking directly at him. His eyes were full of questions, at the same time, curiosity. He was not scrutinizing or joining the bandwagon on mocking Yixing. He was observing. Yixing felt like he was being dissected thoroughly.
The staff of the joint heard their noise. The owner told them to bring their childish fight outside and would not tolerate them this time around. Minseok second the owner's words, advising Yifan to just ignore Yixing and stop pissing him off. Yifan, on the contrary, was having fun watching Yixing combust.
“Give up, Xing-Xing.” Yifan said, slurring the last word to emphasize his mockery. “You cannot hate me forever.”
Yixing gave one more death glare at Yifan before he surrendered and sat back down. He was cursing at Luhan, telling him that he should get over his little crush on Black Dragon's point guard because it was clouding his judgment. He could hear Chanyeol cheering, Baekhyun insulting, and Minseok telling them to cut it out.
Poking his sandwich with his fork, Yixing was starting to formulate another plan to regain his dignity. He looked up at Yifan who was engaged with arm locking Chanyeol. He vowed to take this person and his whole team down to hell where they truly belong. He was smiling devilishly to himself when he noticed new kid was looking at him again. Yixing lost his thoughts all of a sudden, mind confused and panicking. His pulse only went back to normal when the said boy was ordered to get more fries by Jongin.
Other than murdering Yifan, Yixing figured, he had to do something about that new boy.
*
Yixing and Yifan had known each other forever. Ever since they could remember, they were already neighbors, playing outside in their backyards with Yifan’s basketball or with Yixing’s clay-doh set. Their families were pretty close too.
Yifan’s parents were busy with their business most of the time, leaving little Yifan with the care of his nanny. Although growing up alone with his state-of-the-art toys and up-to-date computer games, Yifan would never consider his childhood lonely. All because Yixing had always been with him.
Yixing was one year younger than Yifan but since the former was quite a smart kid and had an early interest on books and been excited on going to school, Yixing had been admitted to kindergarten along with Yifan. They were in the same class and became in the same grade since then. They stick together like brothers. Yifan was a shy boy in the beginning but Yixing told him that there was nothing to be scared of in interacting with other children. Yixing had always held Yifan’s hand, assuring him that he would never leave his side.
“You should try out in the basketball team!” Yixing had told Yifan excitedly while they were on their way home from school. They were 10 years old then. Yixing saw a flier on the bulletin board about the basketball try-outs that would be held on the weekend. Their school was only competing on small junior leagues though Yixing thought it would be a nice opportunity for Yifan to make his hidden skills use ful.
Yifan showed much interest in the sport since the day he learned how to dribble a ball. Sometimes he watches their middle school basketball team during their trainings in the afternoon. There were also times when he would go to the open basketball court near their house where random teenagers play a friendly match together. Some do bets and some just play for the love of the game. Yifan really wanted to play. However, he did not have enough self-confidence to believe he could do it.
“Come on, Xing. Don’t be silly.” Yifan waved off the flier that Yixing was showing to his face.
Yifan was used to calling Yixing ‘Xing-Xing’ even though the younger’s nickname was ‘Dan-Dan’ which means egg. When he was a toddler, Yixing likes egg so much that he practically considered himself as part of the chicken family. When Yixing was four and Yifan was five, Yixing dressed up as a purple egg, hid somewhere and told Yifan to find him because it was Easter Sunday. Thus, his parents started calling him ‘little Dan-dan’. Yifan thought Xing-Xing was more endearing because Yixing was like a star. He was always there even if there were times that he could not see him.
“Why?” Yixing grimaced, looking at the yellow flier that has big bold black letters written on top saying ‘The next basketball star could be you!’. “Can’t you just try?”
“No.” Yifan shook his head. He tightened his grip on the strap of his back pack. “I won’t make it.”
“You haven’t even tried yet!” Yixing exclaimed. Sometimes he hated how Yifan thinks modest of himself. If only he could see that he has all the potential to be in the team. If only he could believe in himself some more.
“Can we stop talking about this?” The taller walked a little faster so he could leave Yixing and their conversation behind.
Yixing pouted. He would not give up easily like that on his friend. He saw hundreds of times when Yifan would play alone in their makeshift basketball court in the shared backyard playground. Yifan would spend hours to perfect his shooting form, his dribbling skills, his freethrows. He would sat beside Yifan every basketball game of LA Lakers and see how Yifan was so engrossed with it, how Yifan would be disappointed whenever they lose and rejoice whenever they win. Yixing knows Yifan too much that he badly wanted him to play for a team, even in a small one but his fear had always been the barrier.
Therefore, Yixing put the matters on his hands and signed-up Yifan without his friends consent. Yifan only found out about it the day before the try-outs. They were arguing in Yifan’s room because Yifan got too nervous. It would be the first time people will see him play.
“What if they laugh at me? What if I screw up?” Yifan rambled.
Yixing was sitting on the bed, rolling his eyes. “So, what?”
“So, what?” Yifan repeated. “So, what? You are not the one who will be out there!”
Yixing deeply sighed. He truly wanted to hit Yifan’s head with his bedside lamp to knock some senses on his bird brain. “Please stop complaining and just pack your things for tomorrow, you dumb coward.”
Yixing went to the try-outs and stayed the whole day to make Yifan less nervous. He patiently watched the boring thing until it ended in the afternoon. There were parents who supported their sons. For Yifan, there was only Yixing who cheered for him from the sidelines. Whenever he was not sure of himself, he would just look for Yixing and his thumbs up with a dimpled smile was enough to calm him down a bit.
The results was posted the following Monday and Yifan got in. Yixing was the one who delivered the news to his friend during lunchtime. Yixing was running down the hallway going to Yifan’s classroom.
“Fan-fan!” Yixing yelled once he entered the room full of students. Some were sleeping, some were eating in groups, and some were simply talking to one another. Yifan was at the back, lunch box half-empty and a math book opened on the side of his table.
“Yixing?” Yifan looked up. In a second, Yixing was standing in front of him, panting and sweating and smiling so wide at him.
“Fan-fan!” He yelled at him though this time, he was tugging on his blazer sleeves hard. He looked out of breath.
“I told you to stop calling me that when we are here in school.” Yifan hissed.
But Yixing was not even listening. “Fan-fan! You got in! You are now in the basketball team!”
“What?” Yifan dropped his chopsticks. “Are you serious?”
“Yes!” Yixing squealed then hugged Yifan like he was the one who got accepted.
It was the beginning of Yifan’s basketball career. He did not stop playing since then, improving year by year. His skills were not the only one who had improved, but also his self-esteem. Playing for their school made him believe in himself. In all of his success, Yixing was the one who had been the proudest until their friendship fall apart.
*
The basketball season already started. As expected, the Black Dragons were on the top of the standings with 8-0 record under their name. It was not a surprise because the whole team was playing well aside from their rookie player who was always giving a shock to all the audience every game.
It was not a secret that Sehun was the star player of his high school team but to jell with the Black Dragons and adjusting in the collegiate league in a short period of time wowed critiques and basketball enthusiasts. In less than 15 minutes he plays in the court each game, he scores more than 10 points and defends older guys impressively for a newbie. He was slowly making a name in the league and other teams put him on their to-watch list.
“That Sehun kid is good. Why didn’t we scout him again?” Changmin, the Red Stallion team captain asked while his team was sitting on the stands, watching the second game of the day. They played and won in the first game.
“I played against his school during a charity match in my senior year in high school. He was still a freshman then but was already really good.” Jaehyo shared.
Yixing, Luhan, Zitao, Jongdae, Baekhyun, and Kyungsoo were seated behind their school basketball team to watch as well. They stayed because, even if he would not admit it, Luhan wanted to watch Minseok. It was not frequent that their schools have same game schedules. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo continued to exchange bickers while Zitao was trying to digest all the Korean words he was hearing.
“Ya! Yixing! Did you know that your boyfriend scouted this Sehun kid?” Changmin turned around to ask Yixing.
Yixing should not be annoyed anymore because Changmin had always pertained to Yifan as his boyfriend even if he repeatedly cleared that they have nothing to do with each other. But he still gritted his teeth when he heard him called Yifan that. He was thankful he was holding nothing that he could throw at that douchebag.
“He is not my boyfriend, Shim Changmin.” Yixing corrected, flashing a sarcastic smile.
With many years watching basketball, Yixing agreed that Sehun was really good in it. The younger had the moves, the skills, and the intellect for it. His grace when handling the ball and eyes that see who was open or not enthralled Yixing a lot. For a starter, usually, you would only want to impress buy scoring more points. Your mindset would only be for offense. Offense would win the game. But Sehun was excelling in defense as well. He knows how to pass the ball, being magnanimous when he knows the others have better percentage to get the basket.
The game ended with the Black Dragons winning the game. Yixing watched as Sehun walked to the dugout, towel draped over his shoulder, sweat all over his body. He was talking to Jongin on his way out but before they totally disappeared from the court, he turned around and met Yixing’s eyes. Yixing did not know what he would do. Sehun held his gaze before he gave him a little smile. It was just a split second, too fast to give it a meaning. Maybe it was just an accident. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
“Did Oh Sehun just smiled at you?” Luhan whispered to him as they were piling up in their mini coaster going back to their dorms. Luhan tugged him on the back to sit with him.
“What are you talking about? No.” Yixing denied. Though he could not stop himself from blushing when he thought about how the boy’s eyes make a thin line when he smiled at him, how his cheekbones were so round and that cute little nose. He shook his head from thinking about that boy in that way.
Luhan punched Yixing’s arm. “I totally saw him smile at you!”
Luhan was Yixing’s best friend since middle school so there was no use lying to him. “It meant nothing.”
“If it did not mean anything, you won’t blush like that. Ah, wait.” Luhan got his vibrating phone from his pocket. He was smiling and biting his lower lip while he was reading what appeared to be a lengthy text message.
“Who was that?” Yixing asked.
Luhan did not answer right away as he was typing for a reply to whomever texted him so Yixing opened his own phone and put earphones on. Luhan looked excited though. Nothing could seem to erase the permanent smile on his face. When he was done texting and placed the phone back in his pocket, he pulled one of Yixing’s earphones out.
“You are going with me.” Luhan declared.
“Excuse me?”
“You are going out with me and that is final.”
*
It was a Saturday night but Yixing seriously think it was a bad idea to go to a party with Luhan especially if the party was being held in the dormitory of the Black Dragons.
Luhan did not tell them where they were going when they reach their own rooms. He just told Yixing to get dressed and that they were leaving in 30 minutes. Yixing put on his usual clothes - low neck dark shirt and skinny pants. He was not sure what he was preparing for or if they were meeting someone so he assumed it was okay if he went casual. As for Luhan, he went for the kill - buttoned up shirt, tight pants, and heavy eyeliner. When Luhan puts on heavy eyeliner, it means he was serious on making an impact on someone and he would make sure he would get what he wants with that someone.
“I knew it!” Yixing glared at Luhan before they enter the vicinity. He was hesitating on going further. He had never been in the enemies den and he would never risk going there because he knows he would not return to their home base alive. All the more, it was not the place he imagined he would party at.
Luhan held his best friend’s hand, pleading for him to stay. It was Minseok who invited him to the party and Luhan could not say no to him. “I am sorry but please stay with me. I am nervous too.”
Yixing knows how Luhan fancies Minseok since their freshman year in college. He first saw him in the basketball games and then he started seeing him outside the court ample of times because he was close with Yifan. Even though Yifan and Yixing were in a war, Yifan and Luhan remained friends. They just did not let Yixing see him or he would throw a fit at Luhan. Yifan had introduced Luhan and Minsoek to each other. After that, Luhan could not get the point guard out of his mind. What Yixing did not know was Luhan and Minseok were exchanging text messages recently.
“Tell me who invited you. Is it the son of satan or your hamster-looking boy crush?” Yixing questioned. His both hands were on his waist. He could not believe that Luhan accepted an invitation from their rival when it was clear in Article 1 Section 1.01 in their Red Book that they must not, in all occasion, be associated with an enemy specifically a Black Dragon. Clearly, Luhan was breaking one of the rules and should henceforth be punished.
“It was Minseok.” Luhan replied. He did not hesitate but he was looking down on his shoes.
Yixing took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose as an incoming migraine was threatening him. He knew this day would come. He knew Luhan’s simple crush would develop into something more. “You know you are breaking the rules, Luhan.”
“It was just your rules, Yixing!”
Yes, the migraine was indeed coming.
“I really like him, Yixing and I do not think I should allow your rules to get in the way. You are my best friend. You are the first person I expect to support me.”
Yixing got tongue-tied. For all the years that he was friends with Luhan, it was just the second time he openly told him that he liked someone. Luhan was a good friend, supporting him with everything he does, going to the same university with him, understanding him about his anger towards Yifan, and tolerating his poor behavior. He wanted his friend to be happy but he was not sure if he could promise that he would get along with a Black Dragon.
“I understand if you really do not wanna come with me. I will just text Minseok and tell him we could not make it.” Luhan’s face was downcast while he types on his phone.
Yixing’s heart broke at that sight. He was fighting with himself. Saying ‘You could endure it. Just a few hours. For your best friend’ like a mantra and to convince himself that it would be okay.
He knocked and then grabbed Luhan’s hand, squeezing it to tell him he would not leave. He was doing it for his best friend.
*
The party was exclusive for the Black Dragon basketball team and their friends. Luhan and Yixing learned that it was Minseok and Yifan’s apartment for it was Minseok who opened the door for them. His face brightened up when he saw Luhan and Yixing realized he must really like his best friend.
Some of the members of the team were either playing darts and drinking games or making out with someone in the corner. The whole place was loud, party music was blasting on the speakers and the cooler where the drinks were located seemed bottomless. Minseok offered them a seat on the couch, the only available place for them to settle in.
The whole room, or rather the people on the couch since no one really paid attention when they came in, fell silent as Luhan and Yixing approached what supposed to be the living room area of the small dorm apartment. Yixing was aware about how Jongin and Chanyeol stared down at them, how Joonmyun elbowed Yifan who was busy checking their game highlights on his phone. The group did not seem to make a big deal about how Luhan and Minseok hold hands. It was Yixing’s presence that made them uneasy.
“What’s he doing here?” Chanyeol asked, still staring at Yixing like he was a carrier of an infectious disease.
Yixing was sitting on the edge of the couch while continuing reminding himself that he would not screw the party up for Luhan. He had to ignore the giant Yoda idiot and just focus on keeping calm on his corner. Luhan was blending in with the Black Dragons which made Yixing reassured a little. At least they treat him well though Chanyeol was still hesitant on being friendly with him.
“Hey, Chanyeol. What did I tell you?” Minseok said in his gentle voice though you could tell he was reprimanding the younger.
“Fine. But I thought it was just your boyfriend.” Chanyeol whined. He fell back on the couch with a pout before drinking on his bottle of beer.
Yifan was on the other side of the couch, beside Joonmyun. Minseok only told them that he invited Luhan though knowing how Luhan functions, he would drag Yixing with him anywhere. He expected Yixing to be there so he somehow had prepared for it. He promised Minseok he would not provoke Yixing for Minseok promised Luhan that his teammates would behave so that he would come.
It had been a while since Yifan and Yixing was on the same party. The last time was two years ago when they attended a wedding of a common high school friend. That party ended in a disaster and Yixing did not want to think about it. He already buried it deep in the core of this planet together with all the things he shared with Yifan in the early stages of their lives.
It felt like it had been forever since their friendship fell apart. Yifan would not deny how he misses his used to be best friend. It was only him and Yixing then. No Luhan or Minseok in between them. He only tells his problems to Yixing. Yixing’s only priority was him. He misses how Yixing takes care of him, the nights they spent in their bedrooms where Yixing would be playing his guitar while he tries to compose English rap lyrics with his limited English vocabulary. He misses the way how Yixing was the only one who could understand and love him unconditionally. He misses the time when Yixing was his number one cheerleader. Now, Yixing was his number one hater.
Although he felt that way, he pushed that feeling aside whenever he longs for Yixing because he knows they were over. The gap they built between them was getting bigger as each year passed by. Nothing can fix them now and Yifan had already accepted that.
“Are you okay?” Luhan whispered on Yixing’s ear. He noticed that Yixing was only playing Flappy Bird on his phone to entertain himself while he socializes with Minseok’s friends. Yixing’s phone battery would not last for another 30 minutes and Luhan was worried Yixing would jump out the window when that happens.
Yixing only nodded, not even looking up from his phone. He was beyond bored but even so, he would not talk to any of those bastards and get infested by their stupidity.
Luhan patted Yixing’s thigh then went back to the conversation with the others.
Alas, Yixing’s phone finally died on him and Luhan did not look like he was ready to go home. The Red Stallion cheering squad leader was about to swallow his own tongue. To prevent from committing public suicide, he told Luhan that he was just going to the bathroom.
The urge to run back home was getting stronger when Yixing went out of the building for a bit to get some real fresh air. The smoke and the smell of sweat and liquor made him vomit even if he only had two bottles. He was not a heavy drinker and absolutely not a smoker to begin with. It was amazing how some of these athletes could still run up and down the court in a daily basis with their vices.
Yixing found a bench under a tree right outside and sat there. He looked at his wrist watch. It was close to midnight and the party upstairs was still very much alive. He supposed they would be staying there for a couple of hours more and that his reading assignments for Monday had to wait for tomorrow. He only hoped he would not have a hung over Luhan to take care of.
Right where he was seated, he could see the big banner of HBA Black Dragons hanging outside the university gymnasium. HBA was once his dream school. He and Yifan used to tell each other that they would both enter the university - Yifan as a member of the basketball team and Yixing would be a music major. Besides the university’s excellent sports program, they were also known for their music school. It was the perfect university for the both of them. Well, used to be.
Yixing’s dream to master the art of composing and playing the guitar vanished the moment he entered the cheering squad in middle school. His dreams shifted, priorities re-organized, until the direction he really wanted to be took a different curb and there he was now. He was now a captain of the cheering squad, playing the guitar was now only a hobby and writing lyrics were only done during rainy days when he felt most emotional.
While he was walking down memory lane, he felt the bench he was sitting shook. He looked to his side and found a young man sitting beside him. He was wearing a snapback and a beer bottle in his hands. He was not looking at Yixing though he smiled the same smile Yixing saw earlier in the court, when Yixing finally noticed him.
It was Oh Sehun.
“What are you doing here?” Yixing wondered out loud. He was supposed to ask the other to leave him alone but his mouth was faster to react.
Sehun then stood up in front of Yixing, towering him. “Hi. I am Oh Sehun.” He bowed deeply.
Yixing was completely surprised. Yes, he knows his name and he bet Sehun was aware of that natural phenomenon too knowing his relationship with his teammates and all that shit. He just stared up at Sehun and he thought wow, this kid could be fucking charming up close with that baby face of his and although he has a blank expression most of the time, when he smiles, he was really cute. Oh, there goes the word cute again. Yixing violently shook his head and broke eye contact with the said boy.
“Could you please leave me alone?” Yixing asked politely, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He was unbelievably getting nervous because of Sehun which was really strange because the only time Zhang Yixing got nervous was when he had to trust Baekhyun to do backflips because he knows it was not his forte or during the first time Jongdae joined their practice after his injury healed or that moment when he had his first kiss.
But Sehun did not seem to hear Yixing’s request when he sat down again beside him, chugging the remaining contents of beer in his bottle. Is it even legal to let this boy drink?
“I promise not to make fun of you like what the others do.” He said. “I just want to introduce myself to you properly.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanna date you.”
Yixing almost fell off the bench.
*
“We will tell each other when we are about to date. Deal?”
“Do we really have to?”
“Xing.”
“We are just 12, for crying out loud, Fan-Fan.”
“You are not getting the point here.”
“I mean I do not think someone will like that gummy smile of yours and your lame jokes.”
“Xing! I am serious! We should check first if the person we are dating will be the right one for us.”
“Are we really doing this?”
“Promise me, Yixing?”
“Will you?”
“Yeah. I promise.”
“Fine. Deal.”
*
Yixing did not wait any longer to tell Luhan what Sehun told him. He was still awed when they got home that night. Minseok drove them back and the moment they entered their own dorm, Yixing was screaming and jumping. Luhan had to stop him because they might wake up Zitao and Jongdae in the other room.
“What is the matter?” Luhan got Yixing’s both shoulders and pushed him down on the bed. Yixing did not look drunk so he wondered what happened to him to act like that. Chanyeol, Jongin, and Yifan were with him the whole night so the likelihood that they harassed Yixing was impossible.
Yixing breathed to calm himself down. He was not sure too why he was feeling thrilled and stunned about Sehun’s confession. Perhaps because he has not dated in a while and, truth be told, he has not had any boyfriend yet. No one was too dumb enough to approach the feisty captain. “Sehun asked me out.”
Luhan blinked multiple times, could not believe what he was hearing. “Come again?”
“Sehun said he wants to date me.”
“Oh fuck.”
Luhan got up from the bed and paced back and forth in the room, hand on his head and inhaling and exhaling. The look on Luhan’s face told Yixing his best friend was worried. He was worried too because Sehun was too young and maybe just too reckless to ask someone like him out. They have not talked. They only had seen each other thrice. It was really a surprise where the young man got his interest on him.
“I was surprised too, okay!” Yixing said while he was watching Luhan march in front of him. “I do not know what to do!”
Yixing did not accept nor deny Sehun’s invitation. He was unsure of himself. Yes, he kind of finds him cute and interesting and charming. But no, it was against his code to date a Black Dragon. It was enough that he allowed Luhan and Minseok. That was why he told Sehun that he would think about it. The boy accompanied him back to the party and after that, he had not seen him again until they went home.
“What will you do?” Luhan asked. Thinking about it more, if you would ask him, maybe Yixing needed this. Maybe Yixing should date someone again for him to loosen up a bit. Sehun might be the one who will melt his frozen heart. But he knows someone would be very upset when they found out Yixing would be finally dating.
Yixing covered his face with both of his palms. “I am not sure.”
“I say go for it.” One side of Luhan was fighting, saying this would be a bad idea. The other side told him it was okay because Yixing deserves to be with someone who likes him back.
Yixing looked up at Luhan once more with questioning eyes. He was uncertain but if he knows Luhan with be behind him on this, he would be okay to go on. Sometimes, he trusts his judgment more than anything.
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