Hungry Hippo | sekai

Bonus II

"Yixing, it's been forever man," Sehun happily greeted his best friend, gracefully grabbing a champagne glass as he strides towards him. A tired and beat Jongin followed his partner across the dazzling ballroom, the cameras and screams sucking all the energy from him.

The tall, slim man quietly reciprocated the greeting with a raise of his half-full glass and a bijou smile, his eyes trailing to the stunning man behind his best friend. Jongin deemed him as extremely handsome and absolutely alluring; the unique ocean blue plisse suit paired with brown leather Valentino oxfords did wonders to his intimidating aura yet kind smile. Jongin thought Sehun was overwhelming, but this Yixing guy was on a whole nother level.

"Hey, dumbass. And hello..." Yixing politely ended, waiting for Jongin to say his name. The elder liked how he didn't hesitate to badmouth Sehun, probably knowing all too well about his jackass tendencies. Sehun threw a small fit in response to his friend's harsh words, but Jongin interrupted him before he could continue.

"Jongin. Pleasure to meet you, Yixing," the elder softly says as he holds his hand out. The warm, firm grip Yixing has can't help but send small shocks down his back. Jongin gets a small whiff of his cologne, and he seriously wonders if this guy is taken because if he isn't, the universe is pretty fucked up.

"Hm, likewise. You're as beautiful as Sehun says. Though words don't do you any sort of justice," Yixing smoothly chuckles as he keeps his firm grip, and Jongin's heart almost skips a beat. He can't help but think, how in the hell is this man friends with Oh Sehun? His thoughts are cut short when he hears Sehun's voice and the comfortable grip is lost.

"You're an actual ass, Yixing. My words are just as good as his looks, and stop flirting. Where's your boyfriend anyway?" Sehun questions with a quirk of his eyebrow. Yixing's face turns sour so quickly, Jongin is take aback. He scowls at Sehun, and roughly takes his arm to grab his attention.

"Sehun, why would you say something like that? I'm so sorry you have to deal with this on the daily, Yixing," Jongin quickly apologizes, pinching Sehun on the arm when he complains. Yixing's face instantly turns gorgeous, and Jongin feels like he's losing his breath. He waves him off, and Jongin hears his honey laugh.

"No, no. I'm used it by now. It is refreshing to have someone apologize for once though," Yixing sweetly tells Jongin, throwing a small glare at Sehun who waves it off. "Sehun's lucky to have you, Jongin." Jongin actually thinks he's going to fall through the floor, and if his face wasn't covered with makeup, he would've been as red as a pepper.

"He already knows that, but back to my pressing question: where is he?" Sehun asks excitedly that even Jongin is curious. Yixing gloomily looks down into his champagne glass before giving the younger a small smile.

"Junmyeon, my boyfriend, didn't prefer to come. He's not exactly into these kinds of events," Yixing softly says, but he still tries to smile. Jongin's heart aches for him because he wouldn't want to be at this huge party with his partner not in sight. The elder can't help but glance at Sehun, who looks pretty sympathetic.

"Hey, you got me," Sehun reassures his best friend. His hand is around Jongin's waist, and his fingers trace small circles into the elder's hips that Jongin can barely feel, but he knows it's there.

"It that supposed to make me feel better?" Yixing retaliates with a smirk, knowing that'll get the younger riled up. Jongin ends up chuckling at the gentle banter between the two, adoring the witty insults being thrown back and forth. Sehun's on his third glass while Yixing finishes his fifth, and Jongin abandoned the alcohol, waiting until the end of the night. "It's completely fine since I'm leaving early to see him at his place. Just wish time could go by faster," Yixing says after his short repartee with Sehun finishes. The younger just nods understandably and doesn't say anything, but that seems to be more than enough.