Chapter Text
It’s been half a year after that night. Rui would be lying if he insisted that nothing really changed between him and Xingjie. They still mocked each other on a daily basis, but they also did send chat messages more often.
For every fight happened in the practiced room, would soon be followed by apologies from both sides. When practices lasted longer than usual, Xingjie would remind Rui to take some vitamins. When Xingjie composed a new song and locked himself more often than usual, Rui would remind him to sleep before midnight. Sometimes Xingjie would ask Rui to come to his room instead, to listen to his new song or just for having a midnight conversation. Rui would come of course, bringing some food because he knew Xingjie often skipped meals when he’s too focused on something. There was definitely something between them, but Rui couldn’t quite define it.
“Rui-ge, don’t leave me hanging..” Zheyuan sounded impatient.
“Ah, sorry! Yes, we're ready for tomorrow. Didn't Xingjie tell you?"
"I haven’t seen him since yesterday, that’s why I call you."
“I see. Anyway we’re supposed to perform before you bring the cake, right? I’m on my way back to the dorm, I’ll tell Xingjie about this.”
Yanchen’s birthday was just few days away and since everyone in the company loves Yanchen, they’d been preparing various things to celebrate his birthday. Xingjie decided to write a song, and somehow Zheyuan told Rui to sing it, “Yanchen would love to see both of you singing in his birthday party!”
That’s why Rui and Xingjie been practicing together for a week. They planned to sing while playing both guitar and piano. Yanchen used to see Rui with his guitar and Xingjie with his piano, so Xingjie decided to surprise Yanchen by exchanging their instruments. Rui was doing fine with his piano, he could play any musical instruments –even a drum. Xingjie, on the other hand, had to learn how to play guitar. It required hardworks but Xingjie could manage, in fact he was excited this whole week.
Well it might be fun for Xingjie since he was the one who’d been longing to write a song for Yanchen, but it’s more like a nightmare for Rui. He had to remind himself to breath whenever Xingjie sat a bit closer. Rui hated it. They’re bestfriends, he didn’t suppose to feel that way.
***
“It’s me.”
Xingjie opened his room’s door and saw Rui, standing in front of his room with his blue cap. The older stood still, showing him a plastic bag on his right hand. Dumplings. “I didn’t ask you to come, did I?”
“Don’t be mean, Huba. I am allowed to see my friend whenever I want. You haven’t had dinner, right?”
Xingjie closed the door almost immediately.
“Waaaait, not a huba.. okay, I’m sorry. Open the door, you ungrateful prick!”
The door opened. Xingjie grinned for a sec, enough to make Rui’s heart jump to his mouth. “Zheyuan called me just now. He said you didn’t come to practice, nor answer his call. He thought you’d dead.”
“That’s too much, I’m pretty much alive.” Xingjie opened the lid and smelled the dumplings, “This isn’t from that stall!”
“It’s closed already, I have to walk all the way to find other dumpling stall for you. Stop complaining, Mr. Ungrateful!” Rui rolled his eyes.
“Ugh, okay.. thank you, Mei Rui.” Xingjie intentionally put more emphasis on the last phrase to annoy Rui.
“You know what? I regret my decision to bought dumplings for you. I shouldn’t even come here at the first place. Screw you!” Rui walked back to the door.
Xingjie caught up to him and managed to push the door before Rui opened it. Rui turned his back and faced the younger. He held his breath, stucked between Xingjie and the door. Xingjie stepped forward, putting his face closer to Rui’s. Rui closed his eyes. He felt a soft touch on the side near his eyes.
Xingjie sighed.
“What?”
“It’s a mole.”
“Huh?”
“That spot near your eyes. I just noticed it few days ago when you taught me to play guitar, I thought it’s some kind of stain so I tried to wipe it for you.”
“Of course it’s a fuckin’ mole, there is no way a stain would last for days. I take a bath everyday!” Rui was so mad at himself, for thinking as if Xingjie would kiss him.
“Really?” he chuckled, “Sorry, it’s not everyday I could see someone with a mole near his eye.”
“Whatever, just.. eat your dumplings. It’s getting cold.” Rui looked down, refused to let his eyes looking straight into the younger’s eyes, “..and don’t call me Mei Rui.”
“Then, don’t call me huba. We have to stop arguing about this, don’t we?”
“That isn’t fair, I call you huba as a compliment. It’s a cute monster, right?”
“I don’t think being called ‘cute’ is a compliment, though.”
“I also don’t think being called ‘pretty’ is a compliment! Xingjie, we already did this conversation before. I’ve told you how I hate how people keep calling me ‘pretty’, it sounds like.. I’m getting misgendered.”
“I don’t think anyone mean it that way, but okay.. I won’t call you Mei Rui again, as long as you won’t call me Huba.”
“Deal.”
“We’re good, then?”
“…”
“You’re not gonna leave, then?”
“Hmm, not really.. I think, I still have the right to be mad at you.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve been such an ungrateful prick, you don’t even eat dumplings I bought for you.”
Xingjie took the bowl and started munching, “I am eating that now, are you satisfied?” he mumbled. Rui laughed.
“Okay, I’ll stay for a while. Why are you so needy, anyway?”
“I’ve finished the song. I need someone to listen to it.”
“I can ask Zheyuan to come here, you know.. if you just need ‘someone’ to listen.”
“Zheyuan is scared of me, he would just nod and praise me. I don’t need him. I need someone who can give honest opinion, like you.. and Yanchen of course, but he isn’t supposed to hear this song until tomorrow.”
“Geez..”
“Please?”
“You really have to pay me back, Mr. Zhu Xingjie.”
“I’ll make sure to say ‘thank you’, Mr. Zhou Rui.”
“Thank you is not even enough, how many dumplings do you think I bought for you this whole week?”
“Stingy bitch, I thought we’re friends!”
“We are? Wow, that’s new!”
“Heck, just.. name your price.”
Rui smirked, “Be my servant.”
“No.”
“Just for a day!”
“No!”
“I’ve been your servant these few days, in case you didn’t realize. I brought you meals, taught you to play guitar, even took your clothes to laundry because you’ve been shutting yourself up in this room.”
“…..”
“Come on, I won’t make you do anything weird.”
“What exactly will you ask me to do?”
“Just, take me to the library. I have to finish the lyric before Yanchen’s birthday party but I’m stuck, I need to read some books and look for inspiration.”
“Socrates needs a companion, huh?”
“Well, I need someone to bring my guitar.”
“Why do you need to bring guitar to the library?”
“Once I write the lyric, I’m planning to go straight to the park nearby and match it with your arrangement. After that, you can also practice with my guitar. That’s all. Sounds like a nice day, right?”
“Sounds like a date.”
“You can call it a date, if you want.”
“No, thank you. I’ll call it a slavery.”
“..which means?”
Xingjie breathed heavily, and nodded. “Just for a day, right?”
Rui smiled, for that’s all he could ever ask for.