Work Text:
Renjun isn’t really the type who enjoys parties. Although his work does involve meeting a lot of people and socializing pero he can’t really say that he enjoys them– imagine crowded places, loud music, drunk people, not to mention the malicious stares and inappropriate skinship. Ugh.
Or maybe, he’s just too worn out mingling with people in general. Paano ba naman as someone who works at a marketing firm, he has to deal with different kinds of individuals in all sorts of events. Like it’s already hard to handle people during the event itself but oh you have no idea how much more difficult it is to deal with clients and guests at the after-parties. It totally drains his social battery. Pero well, kahit naman sabihin niyang ayaw niyang pumarty, wala siyang magagawa kapag si Hyuck na ang nagyaya.
Hyuck is his best friend. They’ve known each other since college and he is his greatest confidant. Lahat yata ng sikreto niya ay alam nito. Quits lang naman since he also knows all his dirty lies and secrets.
“Yes, Hyuck. I am just finishing the papers from last week’s event and then I’ll book a Grab,” he rolled his eyes after answering his friend’s question na pang limang ulit na yata nitong tinatanong.
“Alright, bestie! See yoouuuu!” rinig pa niyang pahabol nito bago ibaba ang tawag.
He looked at all the papers on his table then at his watch. It’s past seven na pala. If he continues working on the remaining stuff he has, which are actually due next week pa naman, and gets to Taguig at past eight, he’ll surely hear a handful from Hyuck so he immediately tidied his things up and booked a ride.
🍸
“Renjun is here!” Sunny excitedly squeals.
“Finally! Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay,” Hyuck says while removing the bag on the chair beside him so he can sit.
“Oh my god! I didn’t know you are all here!”
Renjun wasn’t expecting to see their college friends tonight. Akala niya ay sila lang ni Hyuck ang magkikita, so when he entered the restaurant where they decided to meet ay ganoon na lamang ang lawak ng ngiti niya. He missed everyone.
“Yes, alam kasi naming tapos na iyong events mo. Ikaw lang naman ang laging hindi free,” Chenle laughingly accuses him.
“True! Kami na nag-adjust!” dagdag pa ni Rai na nakipag-apir sa nauna.
“Sorry na. Alam niyo namang I’m handling three projects ‘di ba?” He says with an apologetic smile. “Okay sige ganito na lang, sagot ko na one round later,” he offers in an attempt to dismiss the issue earning a cheer from everyone.
“Yooon!”
“Ganyan dapat”
“Iyan lang naman talaga iyong hinihintay namin!” sunod-sunod na hirit ng mga ito na sinundan ng tawanan.
They had a super fun dinner. The whole time, they were just laughing and sharing stories. Oh how he missed this. Hyuck shared about his first boat sailing experience with his boyfriend Jaemin. They know how easily Hyuck gets dizzy and sea sick. And with his animated way of narrating what happened during their date, tawang tawa na lang sila. Their other friends also shared rants about work and some personal stuff hanggang sa mapunta ang usapan sa love life. Love life niya to be exact. Hindi rin niya alam kung bakit pagdating dito ay siya ang laging pinagdidiskitahan ng mga ito.
“So…” panimula ni Rai facing her whole body towards him. “Kumusta naman iyong mga ka-talking stage mo?”
“Nako if we all know, ghinost na niya iyong mga ‘yon,” sabi pa ni Chenle.
“True! Alam niyo ba–” he immediately covered Hyuck’s mouth with his hand to prevent him from talking. Baka mamaya kung anu-ano na naman ang ikwento nito.
“They’re boring!” he tried to defend himself. “Ang boring na kayang makipag-usap sa dating apps! ‘Di ba?” He even looked at each one of them as if waiting for someone to back him up pero napailing na lang ang mga kaibigan niya.
“So mas bet mo in person?” Sunny said wiggling her brows.
“Ohhh! Meet cute naman pala ang gusto!” sabay-sabay pang tumawa ang mga ito.
“Okay! Say no more bestie! Ang goal natin tonight ay makahanap ng chupapi for you!”
“Support! We’re gonna party tonight and find you a guy!”
🍸
Earlier this morning, Renjun was dreading the thought of going to another party pero bakit parang kinakabahan siya ngayon… at excited? Teka lang excited? No way. He’s not thrilled. Kinakabahan siguro sa plano ng mga kaibigan niyang quote unquote ibenta siya tonight pero excited? Hmm sige na nga, oo na! Slight!
It’s a Friday night and the place is starting to get packed. They’re now seated on a couch near the bar counter. Good thing they got a table right after they entered cause seeing the line building up outside, mukhang mahihirapan sila if they came in a bit late.
They decided to order drinks and since the first round is on him, he ordered everyone a glass of cocktail to warm up.
“Bestie, nandito ba tayo para sa client meeting or para pumarty at humanap ng chupapi?” Hyuck asked.
“Huh? Ano na naman? Napatingin lang ako saglit sa phone!”
“Exactly! Paano makikita ng mga chupapi ang iyong angelic face kung nakatingin ka sa phone?” pagda-drama pa nito.
“Okay okay ito na nga itatago na.”
“Also, let me fix this for you…” Hyuck opened two buttons of his chino collar button-down polo which somehow exposed his clavicle. He also ruffled his hair for a less serious and sexier look daw. “Ayan perfect!”
Renjun just internally shook his head.
They finished the first round of cocktails and decided to order something stronger. Tequila shots, jager, and cans of red bull were served on their table. Chenle also ordered some finger food. The night went on with kantyawan, drinks, singing, more drinks, and having fun. A few more shots and they were all tipsy enough to join the crowd. They were vibing within the group but there were people offering drinks and occasionally joining them to dance. Sunny, who has the lowest alcohol tolerance among them, is now dancing with a guy near their table. Mukhang may maiuuwi tonight. Chenle is nowhere to be found. They assume he called his long time ka-situationship. So now, it’s only him, Hyuck, and Rai on the dance floor half-drunk spotting some cute guys.
“Ayun oh! Mukhang mabango!” sigaw ni Rai habang tinuturo ang lalaki sa may gawing kaliwa.
“No no no!” pigil ni Hyuck na halos hindi na nila marinig sa lakas ng party music na tumutugtog. “I saw him sa restoom kanina. He was checking himself out too much. Too self-absorbed. Ekis!” His best friend is already slurring.
“Alam niyo let’s just enjoy!” sigaw din niya.
“Wow! The Huang Renjun telling us to enjoy the party? Ikaw ba yan bestie?” sunud-sunod na tanong ni Hyuck.
“Woo tama! Cheers!”
“Cheers!” sabay-sabay nilang hiyaw, clinking their bottles.
They were enjoying their time dancing to the loud music when a guy went near Hyuck and whispered something to his best friend. Matangkad ito, clearly taller than he is but he didn’t see the guy’s face because he’s standing against the light at sadyang madilim talaga sa pwesto nila.
He didn’t mind kasi baka naman type nito si Hyuck at gusto lang makipagkilala. He just continued swaying his body to the music but was surprised when Hyuck pulled him and whispered or actually screamed right at his ear.
“He’s asking for your name!”
“What? He wants to know your name?” naguguluhan pa niyang tanong.
“No, bitch! He’s interested in you!” drunk Hyuck rolled his eyes before turning around to check if the guy is still there and shouted, “Go ask my best friend! Bakit ako tinatanong mo?”
Still confused about what’s happening, Renjun looked at the guy who’s making his way closer to him. He’s actually tall and his build is… wow. He has broad shoulders and he could almost catch sight of his big biceps kahit na his silhouette is all that he could see. Drunk Renjun would think this guy is someone na kaya siyang ibalibag sa kama. And yep, he definitely is drunk right now cause he hasn’t even seen the man’s face yet that’s all he could think of.
“Hi, pretty. The name’s Jeno.” His thoughts were cut off when he heard the man’s voice near his ear. It was low and enchanting it almost made Renjun feel something. He had to blink a few times to compose himself. Renjun can smell a musky scent with a hint of alcohol coming from the man and it’s attracting him very much. Not only is his voice attractive but he also smells so good. He wonders how he looks.
“I’m Jeno,” the man repeats himself, his voice a bit louder this time.
“Damn. He really smells good,” Renjun thinks.
“Would you mind me asking for your name?”
And with the slight push from all the alcohol he had, he boldly pulled the man by the collar making him lower his face to his level, and whispered, “I liked it when you called me pretty. You can call me that.”