“Jongin.”

He continued hiding his face on the cafe table ignoring his surroundings. He was depressed, couldn’t people see that? He wanted to be left alone, he wanted to be left with his own self pity and thoughts. It was his time to be depressed, it was his time to be angry with the world, it was his time to think he was about to cry at any moment.

“Jongin!”

He continued ignoring the man next him. He refused to raise his head, mostly because if he did, he was pretty sure he would end up showing his red puffy eyes to his friend, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He didn’t want to worry Kyungsoo, but mostly, he didn’t want to hear the endless questioning that would follow as soon he saw his face.

“Leave me alone.”

He managed to say in the most ungodly voice possible. He was pretty sure Kyungsoo was staring at him with his big eyes wide open and pretty sure the older male was seeing a black aura around him. if he was a cartoon character it would probably be hilarious, but since he wasn’t, it looked nothing but depressing.

“Jongin, I’m worried about you. You haven’t say a thing, you haven’t left your room for weeks unless it’s for classes, you haven’t been dancing and you haven’t been eating!”

When Jongin first refused Kyungsoo’s homemade food the older was prepared to cry and scream. Something was incredibly wrong! Was Jongin dying? He had to be! The man never refused food, he would always say yes, even to things he didn’t like that much. He would eat them and in the end he would say he didn’t like that much. Kyungsoo was pretty sure the blond male was with some sort of disease that couldn’t be cures. He had to be sick, he had to!

What other explanation could there be? And above that food strike, Jongin hasn’t been dancing! He had been skipping every single class! That was like telling someone to simply stop breathing. Kyungsoo had no idea why his best friend had been skipping his dancing classes, but if he kept that up he would be “invited” to stop going once and for all; and that would be beyond horrible. Jongin fought so hard to be in the position he was, he fought so hard to have everything he had. Why was he sabotaging himself?

“Jongin! I’m getting tired of this self pity party!”

“No invited you!”

Kyungsoo pouted. That was certainly the answer he was not waiting for. He was waiting for a more positive answer or even better, no answer at all! That surely would be a lot better than that answer.

“I honestly have no idea what’s happening to you and I’m trying to help you…”

“I didn’t ask for help, so bye.”

Why was Jongin so frustrating? Every single time he got angry or depressed he would act like this. He would hide his face from the world and would just ignore everything around him. Kyungsoo would never admit, but he would rather have that sailor’s mouth Jongin than this one. At least the other would could be a lot more fun and say a couple of nice things, even thought he had no filter.

Kyungsoo passed a hand through his hair and had no idea what else he could do. He could always try to kick Jongin in the stomach, but he was pretty sure that violence would only make things worse, not better. But god, how he wanted to slap him. It was like Jongin was inviting him to punch his pretty face.

“Kyungsoo!”

Hearing his name, the shorter male looked to his right and all his anger and concerns were forgotten and a smile came across his lips. Jongin didn’t even had to look to know who was calling the older man or how he was reacting.

“…here we go…”

He whispered but he knew that even if he talked normally Kyungsoo would just ignore every single word he just said, mostly because that freaking blond giant was walking towards them, so he could basically insult Kyungsoo that the older man would just pretend he wasn’t hearing a single thing, mostly because he probably wasn’t.

“I’ve been looking for you, you’ve missed our class.”

Jongin was pretty sure Kyungsoo’s facial at that moment looked priceless, but he decided they weren’t worth enough for him to raise his head from the table.

“I’m so sorry Kris-Hyung! It’s just that…I have a problem right now.”

Since when Jongin was a problem? It wasn’t like he told the older to stay there and skip his mandarin classes with Kris! The two of them ed each other without his help, so there was no need for his intrusion in that annoying relationship. Relationship that wasn’t official but everyone knew better. Everyone but these two.

“Problem what pro….Jongin! What happened to you?”

“Nothing of your damn business that’s for sure.”

Kris wasn’t really insulted by the answer or even offended. He was used to it. He just rolled his eyes and grabbed a chair to sit close to Kyungsoo. Jongin in the other hand, was not pleased with this. It was bad enough he had Kyungsoo ask him what was going on, now he was going to have Kris do it and the Chinese man would probably give him some advice that he not needed or wanted.

“I’ve heard you haven’t been going to dance classes.”

“And who told you that? Your princess Kyungsoo?”

Jongin couldn’t help but smirk to himself. He was so sure Kyungsoo was blushing at that time and Kris was doing his best not to laugh. Not only because he just called Kyungsoo princess but because he had said the older belonged to Kris.

“Actually no. It was Yixing who told me.”

Yixing? Why would he tell Kris something like that? Why would he even care? Jongin hated to admit, but now Kris had his full attention, but not enough for him to raise his head and look at him in the eyes. He hated being so weak.

“He’s really worried about you Jongin. He really liked you when we went to your house. He said you were funny, nice and understood him. And he even said you two were alike.”

“Well, that’s just a lie. Yixing is adorable and a sweetheart, Jongin is just a douche and rude.”

Kyungsoo regretted his words right after he got kicked by Jongin. Damn the man had strength in his legs. He was supposed to be without energy by the lack of food, he shouldn’t be able to kick so hard. Kris tried his best not to laugh but this time failed miserably. He just couldn’t help but find the friendship between those two too funny. They looked like they were always fighting but in the end they cared deeply for each other. It was nice to see they had each other’s support.

“He should care less about me and care more about Luhan.”

Kyungsoo had no idea where that came from and how that was related to anything they were talking about, but before he could even ask, Kris started talking and Kyungsoo just decided it was best for him to stay quiet if he wanted to understand a single thing that was happening. He was pretty sure a huge question mark was on his face.

“Luhan? Well, that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time!”

Now Jongin was a bit surprised with Kris answer but decided that instead of opening his big mouth, he would allow the taller one finish his speech. Why he brought Luhan in the middle of the conversation he has no idea, it just slipped his lips and the other two weren’t even supposed to hear. It was something just for himself and now it was out there.

“Who’s Luhan?”

Kyungsoo asked really curious and having no idea what the hell was going on. Kris smiled fondly to the man next to him and for two seconds forgot all about the conversation they were having.

“Luhan was Yixing’s first boyfriend. I didn’t like him one bit but I have to admit he was good for Yixing.”

“What do you mean was?”

Kris ignored the fact he was rudely interrupted by Jongin and decided to give all of his attention to Kyungsoo as he pretended the other man wasn’t there.

“ They dated through middle school and high school, but when it was time for college they decided just to be friends. I think Luhan felt for some Korean exchange student.”

Jongin raised his head and not only revealed a face that was surely lacking a lot of sleep but also very surprised eyes.

“And you’re telling this to me just now because?”

The Chinese gave the youngest of the three a small smile and allowed himself to put an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulders, like he usually did. He was taking his time and he could see how much it was affecting the other man. On the other hand, Kyungsoo was just completely lost and had no idea what was happening.

“Because you are an , needed to suffer a little and because you never asked properly if Yixing was dating or not!”

“Kris, you’re such a bastard, I’m going to kill you.”

Kyungsoo looked to both men as he tried to figure out what the hell was happening. In one moment Jongin was acting like the saddest person in the world and now he was acting like he wanted Kris’s head served in a silver plate. It was like both of them were having a telepathic conversation and were leaving Kyungsoo behind.

“it’s your own fault. You assumed right away they were still dating, even though I’m pretty sure Yixing made it clear he wasn’t and that he wanted to get to know you.”

“He wasn’t clear at all!”

“Sure he wasn’t. That’s why he asked you for your number before we left and asked you if you could, and I quote, go on a date sometime.”

Kyungsoo finally understood what was happening and as he tried to suppress a huge laugh, he felt a bit bad for Jongin. But god he was so slow, how could anyone be so slow? But then again, who was he to talk when even he couldn’t understand Kris’s hints and signs?

“He meant it as a friend!”

“Sure he did, that’s why he was so eager to go to dance classes the next day.”

Jongin opened his mouth to speak but closed it right away. Yeah, he was a blind idiot for sure, and now he was pretty sure he blew his only chance to even get closer to Yixing. Probably the only chance he would ever have to talk him properly and maybe evolve to something a little more.

“He’s at my house if you want to see him.”

Without saying a single thing, Jongin grabbed his bag and books. He started running as fast has he could, ignoring the shouts from Kyungsoo. He didn’t care about what he had to say, he didn’t care about what his protests were, he had better things to do, he had more important things to take care of. And something told him Kris was of the same opinion and that he and Kyungsoo were finally going to stop being wimps and will finally move on from their three year dry spell.

Jongin could hardly breathe. He was exhausted from the run he made which he could have totally prevented if he remembered he had a car and left it on campus. He was just so focused on going to Kris’s apartment that he completely forgot about everything else, including that he could arrive to the damn place faster and more comfortably.

But now it was too late to regret it. All he could think about was who was behind that door. The person he liked a little more than he should, the person that hunted his thoughts since they saw each other for the first time, the person who would make his insides feel like mush as soon he saw that little dimple.

“Ah what should I say? Hi Yixing sorry for being so late? No, that’s no good. Maybe I should say something like, I’m sorry for being such a douche; I just thought you were dating someone else! No, that’s no good either.”

He honestly had no idea what the hell he was supposed to say. He couldn’t even think of a good excuse to give. And how in the world he was supposed to explain Yixing he totally forgot to save his number and that he couldn’t remember at all his words about going on a date? How could he even forget something that big? It was probably the lack of sleep he had that day. But still, it had been almost 2 months ago, he had no excuse. And even if he admitted that he had been a complete douche and idiotic, he was pretty sure that Yixing would never want to see him again.

“God, he’ll never forgive me. I’m a huge douche.”

“Yeah, a little bit.”

“He waited for me to call for so long and I said nothing. He probably thought I had no interest in him!”

“Yeah, I did.”

“And he’ll never want to see me again!”

“Well I wouldn’t go to that extent.”

Jongin finally realized that someone was answering his questions. He looked away from the floor and noticed that while he was fighting with himself, the front door opened and  the man that wouldn’t leave his dreams, no matter how much he tried, was standing there, in front of him wearing the most innocent smile in the world. Jongin was complete lost for words, which was a first. He had no idea where to start, all the possible excuses he was making in his head were completely gone and all he could do was stare.

“Y…Yixing…I mean..well, I…I was supposed to…”

“It’s okay. I get it. You want to apologize.”

Jongin nodded, not trusting his voice.

“You want to admit you made a mistake and now you want to make it better.”

Jongin continued nodding.

“You want to take me out for dinner and pay for everything and then take me to my place so we can talk properly.”

Well, he wasn’t sure about the pay for everything part, but then again, maybe he should. Jongin had to apologize in some way, and if paying for dinner was the best way to do it, he would do it without a second thought.

Yixing smiled sweetly and closed the door behind him as he moved just a bit closer to Jongin who could swear he was feeling his heart jumping from his heart. God he was sure he was about to pass out in a second, but he wanted to remain strong, even thought his legs were giving up on him.

The Chinese man grabbed him by the arm and Jongin could swear his cheeks were burning. He was such an idiot he was ashamed of himself.

“I can’t wait to make up for these two lost months.”

The end