#28: Bad Blood

[exolliarmus]

►username: anonymous
►prompt #: 28
►title: Bad Blood
►pairings: kris/lay, bff!lay/luhan, sehun/lay, luhan/sehun
►rating: R
►word count: 11k
►warnings: crap all over this. fail attempt of making badboy!yixing, plenty of swearing and suggestive content
►summary: Yixing lost a bet to Yifan, he doesn't like where this is going at all.
►author's notes: I'm sorry because i obviously didn't do enough justice and this is also my first time writing a fic. I know it's not what you expect from the prompt. I tweaked the both the triwizard championship as well as the yule ball quite a bit. Thankyou for my beta-readers, j and c for making it through with me and thankyou for the understanding mods as well! ; u ; I love you!

Zhang Yixing has always been a real-life example of 'never judge a book by its cover'.

Contradicts to his sweet complexion, pale skin, chocolate eyes and dimpled grin (that's very rare to spot), the brunette isn't as sweet as his facade implies. He is, afterall, the indomitable captain that leads Gryffindor to victory three years in a row. More than anyone, Yixing believes that he deserves to at least brag about it. They all know it's not a small achievement to put a blind eye on.

This, however, grumpily stomping a few feet behind the tall, lanky Slytherin head boy while carrying a pile of the latter's books isn't something Zhang Yixing would imagine himself doing. Not in his worst nightmares, not in a thousand magical years.

This is complete humiliation.

"Walk faster, Xingxing or we're going to be late to our class," the lanky head boy snickers, glancing behind at a struggling Yixing who's trying so hard balance the books with a grunt. The hallways is crowded as it always been on a monday morning and Yixing would probably enjoy this day more than the rest of the week since there's only one class to attend today but Wu Yifan just had to ruin it.

"Merlin— Will you stop using that nickname, Wu? We're not even close," Yixing hisses lowly through gritted teeth, his fingers clenching around the books furiously. From a few steps ahead of him, he notices Yifan stops in his track and Yixing swiftly follows behind him, careful not to bump into the taller male.

He catches the corner of Yifan lips twitches upward into a sly grin and he can see himself already hating this.

"Why not?" Yifan coos, the fake sweetness in his tone makes Yixing cringe as he brushes away Yifan's arm looping around his shoulder. "We've known each other for years," he pretends to be hurt by the comment as he pouts (Yixing swears it's anything but cute), obviously trying to irk the brunette before he adds a cheeky, "though I didn't think you have a say in this, Xing. I can call you whatever I want and you just be pretty."

Pretty? Yixing snorts. This guy must have a death wish.

The thought of being anywhere near Yifan makes his inside queasy. For the last few years, Yixing refuses to accept the fact that it's true that he and Yifan have known each other for a long time now since the Wu's and the Zhang's have been friends for centuries. It's given that the two would eventually meet in a lot of occurrences such as wizarding parties and companies dinners. Yifan and Yixing used to be fine around each other; they talked occasionally and sometimes joke around but it all changes when they entered Hogwarts. Split into different houses, Yixing and Yifan have been on each other's throat for as long as they know. Academic wise, sports as well as recognition, they're always up against each other. Everywhere they go, there will be tension and snide remarks, exchanges of glares and jinxes (as well as detentions together after being caught messing around with magic). The fact that they share the same circle of friends, however, makes it impossible for them to be apart most of the time.

Peering over the taller male, Yixing can't help but feel intimidated. It's not just his height that makes him feel so little. It's his strong, alpha-like aura that sets him apart. Yixing has always been respected by those around him or look upon as an example. So, with Yifan suddenly barging in and stealing that spotlight from him makes him feel a little (or maybe a lot) challenged. He doesn't like the idea of having to share the spotlight with someone like Yifan.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You like what you see, princess?" Yifan whistles when he caught the lingering gaze that lasts a little too long.

Yixing's eyes are wide for a moment as if he's a deer caught in the headlight, utterly flustered, as he directs his gaze elsewhere but Yifan. "Of course not! I fucking hate you," Yixing snorts, steadying the books once again when the books on the top almost topple off from the pile.

Yifan gives him a familiar raise of brow before he moves to take a few books from the pile, earning a blink from the brunette. "I love you too, Yixing. Now catch up, will you?" he replies sweetly, sarcasm lingering thickly in the air as the two finally reach the history of magic class.

The head boy pushes open the door and led the two towards the second row of desk. It's Yifan's frequent seat, Yixing notices (not that he paid attention, of course) and without any further delay, Yixing drops the pile of books loudly on Yifan's usual table with a huff.

Yixing can feel eyes on him and Yifan from those around them. The students are looking at them and start to murmur something to themselves.

He didn't think he'd like to know what they're talking about.

The murmurs didn't stop. It's probably getting worse as Yifan grips on his wrist and yanks him down, emitting yet another groan from the smaller brunette when he falls beside Yifan, their shoulder knocking and a firm hand on his waist, holding him still.

"Bloody hell—" Yixing deadpans, trying to pull out from the firm grip of the latter only for the latter to hold him still.

"Sit here," the head boy whispers, leaning closer, his lips inches away from Yixing's face, sending chills as Yifan blows into the Gryffindor's ear.

Yixing mumbles something incoherent under his breath while trying to push himself away from the other. "What are you doing?" Yixing hisses, wiggling himself away from Yifan only to have the other pulling him closer, making the brunette stutter gibberish words at the intrusion of his personal space.

"What? I'm only trying to keep my personal slave close in case I need your help."

More than anything, Yixing hates that smug look across Yifan's face and wants nothing but to jinx the head boy right this very moment.

"You're fucking dead once this is over, Wu, I swear to merlin I'm going to end you myself." Yixing mutters with a glare, but his tone is threatening that Yifan smiles wider, seeming to enjoy the way Yixing never seems to give in.

"Not if you lose another bet with me," Yifan hums in reply, reaching out to pat the brunette lightly on the cheeks. At the action, Yixing scowls while pushing the boy's hand away from his face. He fixes his position, making sure that the distance between them is obvious to everyone in the room.

"Fuck you," Yixing groans, obviously tired from all the arguments they had and decided to just look away from the blonde.

"If that's what you want, Xing," Yifan teases with a wink and Yixing's face is red in both fury and mortification, about to slap some sense into the taller male. Yifan seems to know what's coming so he purposely knocks his black quill and let it roll off under his feet before Yixing can even open his mouth.

"Whoops, I drop my quill," Yifan sing-songs, faking a pout and motions his head towards it as if he's asking Yixing to take it.

"You're can't be serious," Yixing mutters.

Raising an eyebrow, Yifan shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know," he sighs softly, pretending to examine his nails. "Should I announce that the resident bad boy is bound to me by a bet and let the whole school know or are you going to be a good boy and do as I told in exchange for keeping my mouth shut?"

The brunette shivers in anger for a brief second, biting his lower lips so hard he can taste his own blood before he rushes to take the quill and slams it on the table. It didn't last long when Yifan decided to toy with him and push it off the table again.

"Oh, whoops?"

"You fucking, immature squib," Yixing gawks at Yifan's childish behaviour once again before he gives up with a huff when the professor walks inside, taking the quill roughly from the floor, slams it on the table and ignores the victorious grin across Yifan's face as well as the sound of his pride crumbling.

Throughout the lesson, Yixing's can't seem to focus as his mind wanders takes him back through the memory lane and curses his luck to have lost a bet against the Slytherin. It's not his fault that the last challenge of the triwizard tournament had to be somewhere along the lines of stealing a dragon's egg and it's not his fault he hated dragons. They're hideous and dangerous; they should be banned from existence! But well, somewhere along the lines, Yixing knew it was somehow his fault to have agreed to that little agreement, he just didn't want to admit to it.

It started with one, very stupid bet.

"How about a bet, Zhang?" Yifan had suggested before their third round of qualifications, proceeding to fix his uniform and Yixing turned to him with a challenging huff.

"What bet?" he raised his brow, trying so hard not to let his pride crumble in front of the other male.

The whole betting and challenging each other is something between him and Yifan, a tradition that they established to determine who's the better one of the two. However, they were always about academics and quidditch, which makes Yixing a little queasy to what the other had in mind this time around.

"Oh you know, who's going to grab the fastest record for this last round and all." The taller male mused, shrugging his shoulders before flexing his muscles and Yixing had to roll his eyes at the latter's obvious way of making it seem like he's a coward.

"What's the catch?" Yixing gulped, his voice coming out a little jittery but he tried to maintain his posture.

"How about… becoming my slave for a month if I win, I'll be yours if you manage to turn the tables."

Yixing stayed silent for a while, he almost rejected the challenge because he was sure that he'll never going to win this but somewhere inside him wanted to prove the other wrong and Yifan becoming his slave for a month? Well, that doesn’t sound so wrong.

“Well, unless you're scared of losing, Xingie"

Yixing flinched at the mocking tone, but when he caught Yifan grinning wickedly at him, he finally lost it, his patience snaps as he points his fingers in rage at the taller male.

"Who said I'm scared of losing?!"

"You're in, then?"

"Well, of course—"

All colour drained from Yixing's face after he said it all out and regretted it a second too late, closing his lips into a tight frown. Say no, Yixing, say no! His mouth, however, decided to betray him and nothing came out as the corner of Yifan's lips twitch into a smirk, hands crossed and head held high in confidence.

"Very well then."

The last thing he remembers before waking up in St. Mungo's bed was the sound of roaring crowd and chants of his name, some wails, a dragon's cry and then the rest went black and bleak.

His friends had visited him in the hospital two days later when he woke up from his deep slumber surrounded by a mountain of 'get well soon's! from his so-called admirers. Though the moment Luhan told him what happened during the triwizard tournament, he knew he was doomed because apparently he didn't get to finish the last qualification when the Hungarian Horntail had thrown him over a rock a knocked him out for good. From there, things have been slowly going down the drain.

"Hey, hey."

"Huh?"

"Class is over," Yifan nudges the smaller male with a snort, already standing up. Yixing blinks before he shifts in his position, looking around, not realising that indeed, he's been so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear the bell at all.

"Huh? Oh," he replies in a daze, quickly gathering his books and Yifan's before standing up as well and follow a step behind the other as they exit the class. He tries so hard to ignore the looks the other students are giving him and Yifan as they walk out of the classroom.

No one should know of their little bet.

Nonetheless, Yixing's glad they only have one class together today (and thankfully it was the last lesson of the day), which meant he could get the rest of the day to himself— or not.

"Hey, pretty boy, what are you doing? You're supposed to follow me like a lost pup, not wandering on your own," Yifan reminds, yanking Yixing's robe when the brunette decided to walk towards his own dorm, emitting a yelp from the brunette.

"I'm supposed to follow you like what?!" Yixing bites back, obviously not amused and Yifan laughs, shaking his head. For a moment, Yixing is taken aback by such a heartfelt chuckle, feeling a small creep of blush coloring his face.

"Such a drama queen, you," the head boy scrunches his nose before he rests an arm around Yixing's shoulder, pulling him closer as he lead the two towards the Slytherin dorm. The brush of their shoulder causes Yixing to tense.

"Now, now, given that we have the rest of the day free, why don't we head back to my dorm and let the smart boy do my homework for tomorrow?"

At that, Yixing scowls.

"Jerk."

======= ☆ミ =======

"How's your date with Mr. Wu?" Luhan whistles from across the room and Yixing throws a pillow at the latter's face.

Yixing catches the pillow just in time and scowls at his roommate.

"For the last time, Luhan, it's not a date. He's just thrilled at the thought of making me suffer," he grumbles. "And I absolutely despise that spawn of a satan, you know that."

Yixing is sitting on the corner of his bed with Luhan stifling laughter at his best friend's attempt of denying the fact. The blonde shuffles from his bedpost to Yixing's in a matter of seconds, hitting the boy's head with his own pillow before he plops down beside his sulky best friend.

"Are you sure? That's not what I heard from the school talks," Luhan sing-songs, playing with Yixing's hair before the younger slaps his hand away. "I even heard you sat with him in class today and followed him to the Slytherin dorm, Xing. Some assume that you two are lovers now." Yixing flinches, not liking how the words are spreading around (though he's relieved that no one suspects that it's because he's losing a bet and becoming Yifan's slave because that would be too much for his reputation— except for Luhan, that is, because the older boy just can't stop bugging him about it.)

"You and Yifan have been at it for like six years already, Xing." Luhan reminds, sighing before he makes himself comfortable on Yixing's bed, "aren't you tired rivalling him forever like this? The whole school kind of figured out you're on bad terms with Yifan and it's only time that they would figure out the fact that you're acting this way because you're losing a bet with him."

"Whatever," Yixing shoves Luhan away slightly for taking too much space before plopping down on the bed as well, their legs tangle around each other cozily. "I just… hate him so much. I don't know why he's always testing my patience and fuck— he just had to use everything against me," Yixing grunts at the thought of the giant, Luhan answers with a hum to reassure him that he's still listening.

"I mean, why would he meddle so much when he know it's clear that I don't want him around and he doesn't want me around—"

"Does he really?"

Yixing gives Luhan a look and the latter shrugs, returning a lazy grin before he exhales and sits down from his position.

"Look, Xing, why do you hate Yifan so much? He doesn't seem all that bad to me and more than that, you two used to be okay with each other," Luhan hums beside him and Yixing swear he can list down a thousand reasons why Kris Wu is dumb right this very moment but he's mentally drained today so he manages to get them all up summed into one.

"Well, he was the one who started it first and you're just very biased because he's a friend that you ditched me for," Yixing mutters, making himself comfortable under the blanket while Luhan grins teasingly at the answer, poking the boy's sides as Yixing squirms and whines.

"I don't think that's very convincing, Zhang Yixing," Luhan huffs before grinning, "though I must say I'm flattered that you two are fighting over m—"

Luhan didn't get to finish his sentence as Yixing shoves his pillow on his best friend's face and push him down on his back, the other male struggling to break free while squealing something along the lines of 'pervert!' over and over again.

"Don't start, Lulu, I can be very scary if you want me to," Yixing coos, finally letting the other go and pulls the now slightly annoyed quarter-vella up to sit again.

"You're mean, I don't know why I'm even friends with you," Luhan pouts while Yixing smugly ruffles the other's hair. "Because you love me, obviously," he winks at the latter, earning a scowl from the deer-like boy.

"But really, Yifan's annoying. Why does he have to take every single class that I take? I obviously took divination to get away from him, that little squib."

Luhan didn't say anything but he knows, oh he knows why and he's not going to tell Yixing. That's what friends are for, after all.

======= ☆ミ =======

The next few days have been dreadful for Yixing. Apparently, the head boy had been merciless and when Yixing thought that the other was joking because his tone was playful, he really was dead serious. Zhang Yixing this, Zhang Yixing that—

Wu Yifan has been nothing but a pain in the ass.

"Xing— whoa, don't look at me so intensely like that, baby," Yifan laughs, a good hearted one or perhaps it was laced with sarcasm but Yixing honestly didn't have the heart to care anymore. He's tired and he just needed a long, clean break from all… this.

They're at the library after their afternoon class and of course the place isn't as crowded because who in the right mind would visit the library at this time of the day when the weekend is approaching? Yixing would probably still be enjoying the rest of the day away if it wasn't for Yifan and this stupid bet. Stupid Yifan. Stupid, pathetic Yifan.

"Are you mad, baby?"

"Call me baby one more time and I will castrate you right here, right now," Yixing hisses, keeping his voice as low as possible.

"You know I like it best when you're feisty like this, Xingxing," Yifan drawls and Yixing groans in defeat, kicking Yifan's chair once emitting a snort from the blonde before he's back to work, scribbling down notes after notes on the Yifan's book because this is exactly what he had been doing for the last few days.

Yifan's idea of torturing Yixing is sadly along the lines of forcing the latter to make his homeworks. It's obviously dumb because Yixing knows Yifan can do these stupid essays in a matter of minutes, the other is the top of his class but perhaps, Yifan just like to see him suffer this way and perhaps he knows just how much Yixing loathes writing.

"This is absolutely stupid," Yixing grumbles, gripping on the quill too hard again. "This is absolutely, absolutely stupid."

"You've repeated that sentence for like 31 times in the last hour," Yifan shrugs, not sparing the brunette a glance as he busies himself reading a witch weekly he found earlier. "I'm not deaf so you can stop with that."

Yixing grumbles something under his breath and leans back on the chair with a huff, "you know what I think was the stupidest thing ever?"

Yifan raises his brows, his gaze following Yixing in question.

"The fact that you're tasking me to finish all your essays." Yixing scoffs like it's the most obvious thing. "I don't get why a smartass like you would ask me to do yours. What if I messed everything up so you can't pass?"

"You won't do that," Yifan sneers as he runs his fingers against the brunette's curly ones only to have the smaller boy slap it away.

"Don't be so sure, I'm not some kind of angel. You know how much I loathe you, Wu."

Yifan, though, didn't seem to budge as he props his elbow on the table, resting his chin against it and leans closer to Yixing, "do you really, Yixing?"

His breath comes out a little shaky at the sudden proximity and he involuntarily pulls back, "of cour—"

"Then again, if you really hate me like you acclaimed to be, you would've done that with all of the other essays you've done for me for the last three days, right? So why now?"

Yixing wants to retort, wants to come up with something to deny the statement although it's true that he questioned himself the same thing for the last few days.

Why though?

He thought of doing something similar before but every single time, he'd decided not to when Yifan's gaze is stern on him, piercing through his skin like he's being exposed, like every evil thought inside of him was forced to vanish the moment Yifan lands his eyes on him.

"Goblins got your tongue, princess?"

The Gryffindor didn't say anything but he find himself losing his voice when Yifan inches closer and closer until he places both hands on Yifan's shoulder to stop the blonde from coming any closer than he'd be comfortable with.

"Stop—"

"Stop what?"

Yixing glowers at Yifan for a moment before he slams the book close and shove it at the taller male, standing up before he gathers his things.

"What do you think you're doing?" Yifan asks, surprised by the younger's sudden action.

The Gryffindor glares at him and snorts, "I'm going away from here, from you and your contagious lameness so I'll excuse myself now that I'm done with your stupid request." Yixing didn't even wait for an answer as he strides pass the head boy.

Yifan, however, didn't seem to buy the excuse and Yixing scowls when Yifan catches up with him, pulling on his wrist and drags him towards an isolated part of the library. Yixing whines and whines until Yifan can't take it anymore.

"What are you doing?! Let me go, you fu—"

Yixing is gone for a moment as he tries to contemplate the situation he is in. Yifan's lips are soft and moist against his and for seconds, Yixing forgets how to breathe. His back slams against the bookshelf with Yifan pressing their body close together and his mouth moving against his in perfect sync. The head boy's hand possessively lands on his waist and digs his nails so hard, Yixing swears it's going to leave a mark tomorrow. The strange thing was, Yixing didn't actually hate it. He's actually responding, tilting his head as he takes Yifan, more and more, tongues dancing until they're both drowning.

Just what is happening?

It lasts a second too long when Yifan pulls back, leaving Yixing breathless, his lips swollen and red. But the words that come out of the other's mouth leave him speechless.

"Done complaining?" Yifan hisses and Yixing is still lost for words. The brunette blinks up at the taller male before he touches his lips and he somewhere inside him, something starts.

"W-What did you just—?" Yixing pants, blinking again and Yifan shrugs, like nothing really happened.

"You were too loud and that's the only way to shut you up."

Oh.

Yixing tries so hard not to waver or flinch at the casualness of the tone because he should be used to all these crazy things he had with the other.What did he expect? Of course, Yifan would never be serious about anything. He's probably testing him, too and Yixing should really come with something snarky to let the other know that the kiss didn't really affect him at all. But it does.

It does affect him very much.

"Don't think too hard, sweetheart. Was it your first kiss or something because you seem so flustered," Yifan grins mockingly, a snort coming right after.

"A-assume all you want." The brunette mutters, brushing his lips roughly with the back of his hand before he puts on a glare, his voice shakes slightly but Yixing tries not to let it show. "But I don't think we have anything to talk about now that you're done assaulting me—"

"No, I do have something to talk with you," Yifan says sternly, still holding onto the Gryffindor's wrist and Yixing clenches his fists so hard, trying so hard not to crumble in front of this bastard.

"Make it quick," Yixing says in between his gritted teeth.

Yifan fishes a book from his bag, "I actually haven't done my divination homework for tomorrow so—"

Yixing snatches the book from the older's hand before he stalks away from the taller male, not even glancing back as he ignores the echoes of his name and the sound of his heart breaking into pieces until he's out of the library.

Don't drown, Yixing, don't drown.

======= ☆ミ =======

"Bloody hell! Stop it, will you?" Luhan screeches as he snatch away Yixing's wand.

They're lucky no one's watching now that they're all cooped inside their dorm, supposed to practice transfiguration for their upcoming exam together. They've been at it for thirty minutes but Yixing was so distracted that he ended up messing up all the spells before eventually ruining Luhan's new robe.

"My baby…" Luhan sniffs, clutching the remaining of his now ruined Bigonville Bombers robe close before frowning at his friend.

"What made you so distracted today, Xing? You were like this ever since you're back from that little date with Yifan earlier!"

"Look, I'm sorry I ruined your new robe, Lu. I'll get you another one later but don't you dare mention that cursed name in front of me ever again." Yixing groans, slumping down onto his bed, running his fingers frustratedly through this hair, "that squib."

Luhan sighs before placing aside his robe and scrambles to his best friend, pressing a firm hand on the brunette's shoulder. "I can't help if you don't tell me anything, Xing," he says, his voice thick with concern and beside him, Yixing looks up to meet Luhan's soft, tender eyes, wondering if the other would understand because Yixing himself doesn't really grasp everything up to this point. The reason why he's been so fidgety, so much in rage and how Yifan managed to run through his mind all day long or why he doesn't really hate the kiss—

This is making him worried because Yixing has never really cared, never really paid any attention to anything or anyone beside himself and probably few of his closest people. People always looked up at him and he's conscious of the looks he's receiving but Yifan— The Slytherin is unlike many who would come and say things to please Yixing because they wanted his attention. Yifan is a walking mystery. One that makes Yixing feel rage and challenged because of the domineering presence and his overbearing stubbornness that drives him crazy most of the time. Luhan has been coercing Yixing into believing that he had something for the lanky head boy but how could he feel something like that with someone he hated for years?

"Stop thinking so much," Luhan chuckles, "I can hear you loud and clear, Xing." The blonde slowly move to smooth down the crinkles between Yixing's brows and as easy that it sounds, the brunette returns a small grin, one that's genuine enough and rare to spot. To Yixing, Luhan has always been easy, has always been the one who can tear his walls down and also the last person he'd want to lie to.

"I'm not…"

"So, are you going to tell me what's really happening or should I force it out of you?"

Yixing catches Luhan's eyes for a while, watching as the other gives him a look before he drops his gaze to his fidgeting fingers.

"He… kissedme," he mutters under his breath, refusing to look at his best friend as he says this, afraid that Luhan might see pass his insecurities. There's a small silence between them before Luhan shoots Yixing a look, his eyes wide and his jaws hanging slightly.

"Gulping gargoyles… He what?!"

Yixing wanted to crawl under a hole and never comes out ever again. Instead, he growls into his pillow out of frustration. Luhan, on the other hand, seems to be in a state of disbelief, expression mirrors shock horror beside him and Yixing wants the latter to just cut down on the dramatic act.

"It wasn't anything, I suppose. He only did it to keep me quiet." Yixing snorts, quick to explain the situation although he felt bitter that his first kiss had to be taken by force like that. "That bastard's always playing around, I'm not too surprised— but I want to kick his balls for harassing me like that."

"Wait, wait— Yifan, the head boy slash your so called 'rival'… kissed you?" Luhan scrunches his brows together, still in disbelief. "Yifan fucking kissed you?!"

"Shut up!" Yixing screech, clamping one hand against Luhan's lips who is still whining loudly like a child. "Merlin Lu, were you planning to announce it to the world or something?!"

There's a darker shade of blush coloring Yixing's cheeks that's hard to miss by the quarter-veela and Yixing wanted nothing but to disappear that very moment.

"Before you assume anything, no, I do not like him at all." Yixing hisses, hating the knowing look on his best friend's face as he slowly release his hand.

"Are you su—"

"No."

"But—"

"No! Now let's get back to practicing before I shred your precious robe into pixie dust." Yixing threatens and Luhan mumbles something gibberish before he pouts in defeat, clutching the rest of the fabric into his arms.

======= ☆ミ =======

"Yixing."

"…"

"Zhang Yixing."

"What?!" the brunette finally snaps, huffing when his concentration breaks and the book falls into the ground with a thud. Yixing clenches his eyes close in frustration before turning to glare at the tall blonde. "Do you really have to do this now?" he hisses and Yifan flinches at the tone. "What else do you want right now? Do your homework? Just place it on the table and leave!"

"Well, I was just— It wasn't the homework… " Yifan sighs, feeling the frustration building and Yixing gives him a questioning look.

"We have to talk."

There's a small silence that stretch between them and in that moment, Yifan takes a step forward and as if in sync, Yixing takes one step back. He doesn't like the idea of talking to Yifan.

"And what could we possibly talk about, Yifan?"

After a second, Yifan swallows. Yixing can see the other shifts uncomfortably in his place and wonders if this conversation might lead to another dead end. Yixing might not be the subtlest person out there. He admits that he's been avoiding the head boy more than he should but all of his efforts didn't seem to work as planned since he's still the head boy's slave for the rest of the month whether he wants it or not.

"Yesterday," Yifan starts, his voice small as if he doesn't want anyone to hear. Yixing doubts anyone would anyway since the classroom is pretty much empty but he doesn't comment and stays in silence, eyes wandering everywhere but Yifan. He certainly doesn't like where this is heading.

"Can we not… talk about it?" Yixing cuts in, his voice coming out a little shaky as he lifts up his eyes to lock his gaze on Yifan, forcing out a small smirk that doesn't seem to reach the latter. "I don't care, okay? Let's just forget about it and move on."

He didn't want to talk about this, talk about the kiss and how much he loses sleep thinking about how soft Yifan's lips were— no, he didn't want to think about it.

"Okay," Yifan agrees with a small shrug, "just… I'm sorry about it. I guess it was too much and now that think about it, I shouldn't— "

Okay?

Yixing blinks before he tries to process his thoughts. Did Yifan just agree to not talk about the kiss? Was the world ending that Yifan just apologized and that he agreed to not talk about it again? Did Yifan—

"Yixing? Knock, knock wake up."

Yifan snaps his fingers and Yixing's forced back from his train of thoughts, feeling mildly dazed.

"You're sorry?" Yixing scoffs, making sure that he didn't hear wrongly though he hates the fact that his voice comes out a little high-pitched for his liking.

From the corner of his eyes, he can see Yifan pressing his lips tight together and nods weakly. He seems regretful enough in Yixing's eyes but the Gryffindor still can't believe that the other's actually apologizing at him.

"Look, Yixing—"

Their conversation was cut short when the bell rings, indicating their follow-up schedules. Yixing didn't bother to listen for the rest of their little talk and walks pass the other with his books in hand. He didn't catch the crestfallen look on the other's face when the door closes behind him.

They didn't talk about the incident for the next few days, as promised. Though oddly enough, Yifan didn't ask Yixing to do his essays anymore nor that he wants Yixing to bring his books to class. It's a weird phase for the two because one of these days, Yifan didn't come to bug him or barks something spiteful at him; instead he's been quiet, too quiet.

Like nothing really happened between them.

======= ☆ミ =======

"So, anyone asked you for the yule ball this weekend?" Luhan hums, sliding on the empty spot beside him and Yixing blinks, jumping slightly at the intrusion before he continues to chew on his food.

"Plenty," Yixing answers truthfully, his tone dull as he lifts his spoon into his mouth, "but none caught my eyes so…"

Yixing shrugs his shoulders and Luhan groans beside him, probably thinking that the world isn't fair for him.

"Must be good being popular, huh? Everyone wants a piece of your ass," Luhan grumbles, jabbing at his food with a frown. Yixing snorts beside him, rolling his eyes promptly at the boy's words before he scoops another spoonful, "you're pretty popular yourself, princess veela."

It's a few days to the ball and Yixing's clearly not as excited as many would. He doesn't like the idea to be in such a crowded place full of couples dancing to slow music, he'd rather sleep the night off than wasting his time being there doing nothing. Luhan, though, seems pretty excited for the event and he's still waiting for a certain Slytherin to ask him out to the ball.

"G'afternoon to you ladies," Chanyeol grins widely, plopping himself on the opposite seats, earning a glare from Luhan who points his fork at the red haired slytherin. Behind Chanyeol, Sehun and Yifan also comes to sit at their table. The three slytherins made it a habit to lounge around the Gryffindor's table ever since their second years despite the other student's complaints of them being too loud.

Yixing catches Yifan's eyes on him for a little while and raises an eyebrow in question before the other tears his gaze away to his own plate.

They didn't talk for the rest of the lunch break but Yixing caught the other glancing his way more than once. For the first time in a their history together, Yixing hates the fact that Yifan doesn't attempt to bother him or pester him like he always does because this is getting too awkward between them and Yixing doesn't like complications. Their friends seem to be quick to catch on to the heavy air that lingers around them, knowing that the tension between the two is still going on strong. Chanyeol gives Yixing a small reassuring smile before looking at Yifan, who engrosses himself in his food.

The lunch break lasts longer than Yixing had expected. Chanyeol drags Yifan away for their next joined class with Hufflepuff while Sehun stayed behind, looking a little hesitant before he approaches Yixing.

"Can I talk to you for a bit, hyung?" Sehun asks, his expression unreadable for most part, not that Yixing mind.

"Sure, what is it?" Yixing hums, raising his brow at Sehun. Luhan clings next to Yixing, probably interested in what Sehun is about to say since the Slytherin isn't very vocal about his thoughts most of the time.

"Can I talk to you… alone?" Sehun adds in a hushed tone, offering a small apologetic grin at Luhan who's looking a little flustered at the late realization that hits him.

"Oh, uh well, I can leave—" Luhan chuckles awkwardly, slowly pulling away from Yixing's arm, "tell me when you're done, okay?" The Gryffindor captain can't help but feel a little sorry as he watch Luhan slowly made his way towards the Ravenclaw table where Minseok and Jongdae are seating.

He turns back to Sehun again, a small smirk playing across his lips and Yixing almost imagined a faint blush against Sehun's pale cheeks. Leaning back slightly, Yixing takes a glass of pumpkin juice and sips on his drink promptly.

"So? What's this top secret thing you wanted to talk about?" Sehun bites down on his lower lips before catching Yixing's eyes.

"I'm just wondering if you want to go to the yule ball with me."

Yixing chokes on his pumpkin juice.

======= ☆ミ =======

Sehun and Yixing were never really close like how Yixing is with Luhan. In fact, no one has ever been as close as Luhan is with him.

The fact that Sehun actually asked him to the ball never crossed his mind at all and Yixing mildly panics at the invitation because firstly, Sehun is no stranger to him, which makes it harder for him to reject the boy's offer and two, even if Yixing have a soft spot for the younger Slytherin, Sehun is… pretty much off limits to him.

"Sehun asked you to the Yule ball, didn't he?" Luhan asks quietly, his tone somewhat disappointed as he tidies the parchments from the table. They're finally done with transfiguration, which is their last class of the day and Yixing would probably be happy if it wasn't the fact that Luhan is now interrogating him.

Luhan has the biggest crush on the Slytherin chaser ever since their fourth year at Hogwarts, Yixing knew because Luhan seems to sparkle around the younger man and it's been a while that his best friend has harboured such a long-time crush like this one. He knew Luhan really liked Sehun. Thus, given that Luhan knew that Sehun is asking him out instead of the other, makes him feel bad for the other.

He shoots Luhan a small frown before sighing, "I'm going to say no, don't worry about it."

"Don't do that." Luhan quickly adds, his voice straining slightly as he tugs on Yixing's sleeves, "Sehun will be upset." Yixing knows that his best friend must be quite hurt by it and looking at it now, Luhan is only trying to cover up his pain with pretending that it's alright with him. Yixing doesn't like that.

Luhan has always been too kind for his own good.

"Luhan, don't be stupid. I know you like Sehun and I won't do that to you," Yixing says in a quiet voice, slowly tugging Luhan's hand off him and gives it a small squeeze instead. "I'm going to say no and that's final."

There's something akin to panic on Luhan's face and then guilt as he presses his lips into a thin line.

"Yixing… You owe me one, remember?" Yixing raises an eyebrow in question because honestly, he didn't remember he owed the other anything.

"Last year when you decided to leave me to finish our herbology project because of your quidditch practices, remember?"

Yixing chews on his bottom lips anxiously, the late realization hits him and he looks at Luhan in guilt.

"You told me you'd do anything to make up for it," Luhan pouts, fiddling with his own fingers before looking up at Yixing, currently lost for words.

"So, I'll use it now." Luhan whispers, tugging onto Yixing's sleeves again, "don't break Sehun's heart, please."

It's almost unbelievable how Luhan would suggest such thing. Did he rather have his heart broken like this than seeing the person he likes having their heart broken? He knew Luhan is nice but he didn't expect his friend would be this stupid, too. The persistence in the other's voice rendered Yixing speechless.

"Luhan, you know I'll do anything for you but this—"

"Yixing, please," Luhan voice strains even more, that pleading look on the other's face only breaks Yixing's heart into pieces. It's been a while since he last seen it, but the last time Luhan shown it to him, he was so broken. Yixing didn't want to be the one to break him but looking at his friend destroying himself like this, he didn't want to be the one to see Luhan crumble like this. He wants Luhan to learn how to appreciate himself better.

"You're my best friend, Lu, but sometimes I question why would I be friends with someone who constantly breaks himself like this," Yixing turns to Luhan with hard eyes and the other hiccups at the coldness in Yixing's voice.

"Xing… "

"But you know what? I think I'll take that offer of yours, though I can't guarantee that Sehun will not be hurt. Let's see how far you will ruin yourself, Lu."

With one final glare, Yixing strides off with his parchments, leaving a choking Luhan behind.

Yixing didn't want to break Luhan but sometimes, you learn from the harsh way.

When Yixing exits the classroom, he bumps into Yifan. He looks at Yixing with rounded eyes before he peers inside the classroom where Luhan is standing stoned and then back at him. Yixing sighs softly before he walks pass the other.

"Don't be such a jerk. He's your best friend," Yifan says curtly, holding Yixing's arm to stop him from going away. "Are you not going to do anything about it?"

Yixing turns and glares at the taller male, pulling his hand away harshly from the other. "If you care so much, why don't you approach him? He's your best friend, too."

Yixing can see Yifan's eyes harden for a moment before he scoffs and walks inside the classroom, probably approaching Luhan. Taking heavy steps, Yixing starts to walk again. He didn't want to be there any longer, his heart just shatters into a million of pieces but he won't let anyone see him like this.

======= ☆ミ =======

The yule ball is fast approaching and Yixing actually agreed to Sehun's invitation, merely regretting the choice soon after. He remembered how Sehun's face light up when he told the latter he'd come with him and Yixing heart breaks for Luhan. He knew he was being the jerk here but it was too late to back down now and it's a lesson for Luhan. He needs to learn to be a little selfish sometimes.

After their last argument, Yixing didn't actually talk to Luhan these days. The latter had tried to coaxed him into talking again but Yixing only replied shortly and leave the other boy feeling dejected at his cold treatment. Yifan also didn't seem to talk to him as well and Yixing pretends it didn't bother him when Yifan walked past him coldly.

Like the last few years, the Yule ball is grand and highly exquisite. The decorations are far much better than last year's with silver chandeliers hanging grandly all over and dimmer atmosphere to set up the mood.

Unlike the rest of the students who are far too concerned for their costumes, Yixing decided to settle with the sleek dark grey suit his parents sent him earlier this week after they heard about the Yule ball approaching. It's not like he had a choice, though. Sehun had picked him up from the Gryffindor dorm earlier today, dressed in a crisp black tuxedo that wraps perfectly around his lean, slender body and a maroon tie that compliments the tux. It seems that Sehun also dyed his hair to platinum silver that matches well with his pale skin. He looks absolutely dashing but the smile Sehun gave him only makes it more painful to Yixing because it's the kind of smile that's too genuine, too kind and Yixing doesn't deserve this at all.

"You look good, hyung," Sehun smiles shyly, his eyes never leave the older boy and Yixing returns the grin curtly.

"Not as good as you," he says in return, the rosy blush against Sehun's cheeks didn't go unnoticed by Yixing.

The walk to the ball is heavy and silent for Yixing. He didn't hear half the things Sehun ramble though he occasionally hums to let the other he's still there, not like Sehun noticed anyway.

As he predicted, the hall is already crowded with students and staffs. They fight their way through the crowd with Sehun leading him inside. The music is loud and understanding his hyung's dislikes of noisiness, Sehun lead the two towards a more secluded area near the food station.

"Yixing hyung, thankyou for accepting my invitation," Sehun says, breaking the silence between them. "I know you don't like going to parties and loud places like this one," he hums softly and turns to Yixing with such a blinding grin, "I'm happy that you said you'll come with me."

Yixing offers him a small smile before he fiddles with the alcoholic drink in his hand, lost for words because this isn't the plan. He was going to reject the boy's invitation if it's not for Luhan. Talking about Luhan, Yixing eyes shoot up when he catches a familiar figure and for a moment his heart stopped when another familiar figure comes out to the view.

"Isn't that Yifan hyung and Luhan hyung? Are they coming to the ball together?"

When Luhan catches Yixing's eyes on him and Yifan, he gives the other a small smile. Yifan catches on quickly as well, looking over to where Yixing and Sehun are currently lounging. Luhan and Yifan dress amazingly tonight. Luhan's sporting a darker shade of brown hair that's styled up coupled with a set of navy blue suit while Yifan is wearing an all white suit that looks too good around his tall, model-like posture. Yixing wants nothing but to crawl underneath the ground because Sehun just had to call the two over their way.

"Hey there, are you two coming together?" Sehun asks with a curious grin and Yifan shrugs, looping his arm around Luhan's shoulder.

"Yeah."

Yixing follows the hand that Yifan casually places around his best friend and breathes in sharply, feeling his heart ached at the sight.

But why would he?

"I guess you decided to finally woo our stubborn captain right here, Sehun," Yifan scoffs and Yixing clenches his fist slightly before Sehun smiles and in turn, placing an arm around Yixing waist. "I guess I'm just lucky," he replies happily and Yixing feel his heart dropping along with the crestfallen look on Luhan's face.

"I see…" Yifan hums before he smirks at Yixing who is trying to pull away from Sehun slightly.

Sehun might not be aware of the growing tension so he continues to break the ice once again.

He peers over at Luhan to smile softly at him, "Luhan hyung." Sehun points at the other's hair and grins softly, "I like your new hairstyle. It suits you." Luhan just stutters in front of the other and sheepishly thanks the younger boy.

Watching the three of them conversing easily afterwards, Yixing suddenly feel out of place. He sighs before downing his drink in one-go and excusing himself from the scene, making his way towards the alcoholic drink station to get another glass. He didn't want to stay, pretending he likes being here in the first place. He didn't want to think how Luhan and Yifan are quite compatible tonight but most of all, he wants to get away from the tugging feeling in his heart that starts to beat faster at the sight of the Slytherin head boy because this isn't right. He shouldn't feel that way to an enemy.

Halfway through his third glass, Yixing starts to feel dizzy, his vision goes blurry and he has to hold onto the table for support. He should've known better than to drink, Yixing has never had a good tolerance when it comes to alcohol.

"Stop it, you're drunk," a familiar voice comes from behind him, taking his drink away from his hand.

He knows that voice all too well.

Yixing whines incoherently before he takes a new glass from the table. He wants nothing but to drown himself in misery tonight, but it seems the other has other plans for him.

"Zhang Yixing, stop it." Yifan hisses, snatching the drink away once again and place them on the table before dragging the drunk captain away, "you're never good with alcohol, why are you drinking so much?"

"Let me go you fucking giant," Yixing slurs as he try to pry the hand away from his own with the strength he has left. Yifan didn't say anything and keeps on dragging him outside by the wrist.

"What are you doing? Go back to Luhan you squib," Yixing groans, his entire struggle to free himself ends in Yifan gripping on his wrist tighter. They end up in the astronomy tower, where the lights are dim and no one is there to interfere.

Feeling his heart full and his mind swelling with thoughts that he could no longer bear, Yixing eventually breaks in front of the other. Wet trails of tears flooding down his face and Yifan mildly panics at the sudden burst of emotion from the other.

"Yixing—" Yifan breathes out, slowly loosening his grip on the other and Yixing keeps on choking back on his sob, trembling. It's been so long since he last break like this, been so long since Yixing let anyone see this vulnerable side of him.

"Why are you crying? Talk to me—" Yifan tries again, moving closer while wrapping his arm around the other's waist to support him only to have the younger push him away.

"Just leave me alone!" Yixing screams, tears streaming down harder. "You never cared, Yifan! Why do you, now? Just fucking go back to Luhan!" His attempts to push Yifan away from him didn't bear any fruits as the lanky head boy pulls him into his chest, arms wrap around him securely and Yixing cries harder, giving in to the lack of strength he has left.

"I hate you," Yixing mutters in between his sobs, "I fucking hate you." Yifan didn't say anything and only holds him close to him and takes all the insult Yixing threw at him.

After a moment, Yixing stops crying but he still feel empty.

He's sick of everything. Sick of how much he loathes Yifan and at the same time, he doesn't. He's sick of Luhan's kindness and Sehun's genuine naivete also the fact that he's hurt them both because he's a jerk. He's sick of being the captain that everyone looks upon to, sick of having to stay strong because he's a royal blooded Zhang. But most of all, he's sick of the fact that he's a coward for letting them through. He's just tired and he just needs someone to understand.

Despite his reckless words and furious attempts of pushing the other man away, Yifan stays rooted at his place and his arms, they're warm and safe. "Are you okay now?" Yifan murmurs, lifting his thumb to soothingly wipe the remains of Yixing's tears away. The brunette flinches slightly at the gesture but doesn't pull away. He's too tired and his consciousness is not really there at the moment, so he pretends that this is a dream; either a nightmare or a good one. Yifan couldn't possibly be this gentle with him if this all wasn't a dream.

"Just go back to Luhan, I'm sure he's waiting for you," Yixing whispers, voice hoarse and eyes empty as he stares out to the starless sky behind Yifan, broad shoulders

Yifan looks at him while raising a brow in question, "why should I? I don't have any obligations to come back to him, I'm not his boyfriend." Yixing flinches when Yifan lifts his fingers to his face and at the reflex, clenches his eyes close slightly, "besides, it's not like you're one to talk when you leave Sehun as well, hmm?"

Slowly, he opens his eyes to look at Yifan, his lean fingers slowly brushing through Yixing's hair in a soothing manner and he find himself slowly leaning into the feathery touch.

"I know about Luhan's crush on Sehun," Yifan starts again, as if he can read through Yixing's train of thoughts. "Luhan told me about it… And seeing them back there at the ball, they seem to match better than I expected.

Yixing doesn't get what Yifan is trying to achieve by telling him this. Is he trying to play with Yixing?

"And I don't like Luhan," Yifan adds again, his fingers brushing against Yixing's cheeks and lifts the other's face to look up at him, "I like someone else."

Regardless of his hazy mind, Yixing's eyes are wide as if he can't believe what the other is telling him, utterly confused of his motives. There's a strange bubbly feeling inside his stomach when Yifan's looking at him like this but he flinches nonetheless at the contact before pulling away hastily.

"W-Why are you telling me this? I don't care if you like someone—"

"Because I like you, Zhang Yixing. The person I am in love with is you."

A bitter scoff escapes Yixing's lips, there's a flash of hurt in his eyes as he looks at Yifan in disbelief. He pulls away from Yifan completely, standing up from his position while swaying slightly as he holds onto the railings. "Are you playing with me, Wu Yifan? Do you pity me that much to go around telling this stupid joke?"

Yixing maps out the other's face, waiting for any sign of mockery. But instead, he's faced with a stern, confused looking man with an expression akin to hurt that Yixing thought he must've imagined it. Yifan has always been thick skinned and would never be bothered by anything he said about the latter. It wouldn't hurt— would it now?

"It was hard for me to contain my feelings for you," Yifan whispers, his voice soft and barely loud enough but Yixing hears him loud and clear, he's just not sure what to say about it. "I wanted your attention, but you were always so immersed about rivalling me. You even started to avoid me because I was put in a different house than you and then before I knew it, you were a stranger to me."

He wants to say something but his voice is stuck in his throat. What was this all about? Yifan likes him?

"I don't know how to get your attention back to me— and perhaps, irritating you will finally bring you back to me, as fucked up as it may sound. I liked your attention… even when it's out of despise."

"H-How? Why do you even like me? Yifan, I've been nothing but a jerk to you as you are to me! You can't just—" Yixing's voice is hoarse, slowing down to a mere whisper but his mind is spinning at the speed of light, trying to process everything at once makes his head hurts even more.

"You can't just like me out of the blue like this. It doesn't make any sense."

"Even when you don't remember, you were my first friend, Yixing. Back before we even entered Hogwarts, you were the first person to approach me." Yifan explains as he reaches out to Yixing again, slowly bringing the smaller man into his embrace and this time, Yixing didn't push him away. "Unlike many others, you were not intimidated by my presence and I found myself slowly falling for you… But then you stopped talking to me and I'm kind of disappointed, to be quite honest."

At the end of Yifan's confession, Yixing is rendered speechless. His heart is palpitating against his own chest as he found himself leaning towards the warmness of Yifan's body. His eyes droop helplessly as the side effect of the alcohol starts taking over his body. He can feel the world starting to fade before him and almost like he's dreaming, he can feel Yifan tightens his grip on him.

For the first time in a long time, Yixing is warm.

======= ☆ミ =======

He wakes up to the sound of slow snoring, a soft translucent light that falls upon his face and the familiar majestic maroon curtains greeting his sight the moment he squints his eyes open. He didn't remember anything about walking back to his dorm yesterday so how did he—?

Yifan.

"Oh, Yixing you're awake!"

Yixing groans as he tries to sit from his position, the migraine blurring his view and seeing this, the veela rushes over to him with voice thick with worry and hoarseness that Yixing is too familiar with. "Xing, you okay? Merlin, you look horrible!" Luhan warily run his fingers to Yixing's back to soothingly pat him gently. Yixing didn't answer and lethargicly moving his hand to his face and massages his temple.

"Here, have this. This should help with your headache," Luhan offers, placing a cup of strange orange liquid he recognise a moment later as some sort of pain-killer. Yixing takes it gratefully and gulps down the content in one go, the stink of the herbs always make him sick to the stomach but it works amazingly quick.

"Luhan, about yesterday…" Yixing starts, feeling the guilt building up for showing up at the ball with Sehun. He could see Luhan's eyes widen slightly before he smiles at Yixing. "Don't, it's okay. It's my fault for being a coward anyway and thanks to you, Sehun actually asked me to dance yesterday though I'm not sure about his feelings and all."

Yixing wants to add more but seeing Luhan's gentle grin immediately vanishes everything he wanted to say.

"How did I…?" he asks warily, biting his lower lips slightly and naturally, Luhan understands him and grins softly. It's amazing how fast Luhan can forgive him no matter how much of a jerk he is to him. Things just come naturally between them.

"Yifan brought you to me, you were knocked out completely and he told me that you had too much yesterday."

So it's true. Yifan did brought him back to the dorm yesterday. But still, the image of Yifan enclosing the gap between them and the whispers of affections seems too surreal, too unreal. Like a dream, Yixing can feel the warmth lingers just slightly and the pinewood scent that hovers over Yifan seems to faintly imprint against Yixing's skin. A dark shade of blush paints over Yixing's face the moment realises that he had shown Yifan a weakness the other night and what the older told him… was it just his dream or?

He had to find the Yifan and confirm it.

"Yixing? You okay there?"

Yixing shuffles from his bed, cringing slightly as his toes touches the cold floor before he offers Luhan a small smile, a small whisper following after, "I'm alright. Thankyou, Lu and I'm sorry."

Luhan's eyes sparkle slightly before his grin widens, giving the boy a small nod.

Yixing was never the type to be apologetic but Luhan would always be an exception because more than anyone else, Luhan understands him and Yixing was sure that Luhan would certainly forgive him even without him apologizing first. He was so stupidly kind that it makes his heart coil in guilt everytime he hurt the other boy's feelings.

"Where are you going? We have no classes today," Luhan pipes in as Yixing stands up to walk towards the door, his robes slightly disheveled and his hair is a mess but he doesn't give much care. "It's nothing, just have some breakfast first, Lu. I'll catch up with you soon," he replies, hearing a faint reply of 'okay' from inside the room as he slips out of the room.

It doesn't take long for Yixing to stand outside of the Slytherin dorm, ignoring the curious looks across the students’ faces when they spot a certain Gryffindor hanging around their dorm.

"Yixing?"

The brunette turns to see the tall head boy with a pile of books wrapped around his arms. Yixing's mouth hangs open slightly before he notices Yifan giving him a raise of eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh— We need to talk?"

He curses himself for sounding completely unsure but before he can add more, Yifan motions his head to the side, telling Yixing to follow after him as they make their way towards a more secluded area by the hallway.

"So… Are you okay?" Yifan asks, breaking the ice as he offers the smaller male a small smile. Yixing nods slightly, "thankyou for taking me back to the dorm yesterday," he says with a small voice, trying not to notice the lingering look Yifan shoots him because being conscious feels really awkward.

"And uh, the things you said yesterday— Yifan, do you really?"

There is silence before Yixing find himself with a pair of strong arms wrapped around him, engulfing him into a tight hug. His breath hitches slightly before he warily looks up at the giant. "Y-Yifan?"

"I'm sorry, Yixing. What I said yesterday, it's the truth. I… really do like you."

Yixing notices the taller boy's shaky voice and he contemplates to ask if he's alright because it's not like Yifan to act like this. He can feel Yifan's hold on him tightens and he start to feel a little flustered by the intimacy and the confession, weighting the truth in Yifan's words.

"How can I have you back, Yixing? How can I fix this fucked up relationship of ours?"

Slowly, Yixing looks up and catches Yifan's eyes on him; the older's lips ghosting against his forehead and lingers there for a while. The silence stretches but when Yifan gradually leans down to press his lips against Yixing's cold ones, he knew everything's going to be alright between them.

======= ☆ミ =======

"Okay, can someone stop them?" Chanyeol groans while rolling his eyes, feeling a lost for appetite at the sight before him. Sehun doesn't seem to mind that much since his attention is solely on the quarter-veela sitting just beside him, a small adorable blush brushing his cheeks.

Yixing and Yifan somehow worked things out between them and now they're all over each other. Yifan is scooping more food on Yixing's plate as the smaller brunette snorts, hitting the head boy's arm playfully before he gladly takes another spoonful into his mouth. Yifan is watching the other fondly (with "hearts on his eyes" like Chanyeol would say) before he swipes his thumb against his boyfriend's lips with a smile so gentle it makes the others sick only by looking at the two.

"I can't do this— I'm surrounded by stupid couples who continue to eat each other up with their eyes- urgh!" Chanyeol whines again before he stands up from his position, feigning a small puke and walks away with his tray. "You're just jealous!" Yifan snorts and Yixing joins in a mocking scoff as they watch the red-haired Slytherin settle down on another table.

"So, are you guys going out now?" Luhan raises an eyebrow at Yixing and then his eyes shifted to Yifan. The gryffindor captain chews on his lips, a faint blush making its way to his cheeks before he shakes his head, earning a questioning look from the two other boys. "Wait, what? I thought you two have been going out since like a few days ago?"

"Well, Yixing right here insists we start anew again and decided to make a list of conditions before we started dating and all," Yifan huffs slightly but not entirely mad at the decision. Of course, getting straight into relationship would be too fast for Yixing since their relationship just started to get better and jumping right to that step would be too risky. He hadn't recovered fully from their past.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that," Yixing squawks at the glare Luhan directed to him. "It's not my fault he had to humiliate me by making him his slave and all— besides, the roles are switched now, right Yifan?"

Yifan almost scowls when Yixing looks at him with a wide grin, opening his hand before he motions the other to take something out from his bag. Yifan places three books in front of Yixing as the younger checks the content briefly.

"You made him your slave for revenge?" Luhan gawks in disbelief, earning an innocent shrug from his best friend. "Why not? He offered it to me himself, right head boy?"

Yifan sighs before he bangs his head on the table slightly, mumbling something incoherent under his breath.

"I can't hear you. Say it louder," the brunette teased with a knowing smirk.

"Yes, Zhang Yixing the great and mighty. I am your slave now can we please get over this? And can't we just date already?"

Luhan and Sehun burst into a fit of giggle and Yixing smiles victoriously, running his hand through Yifan's hair gently.

"Two weeks, Yifan. You promised me two weeks."

"But—"

Yixing rolls his eyes, watching the other boy pouts cutely before he surrenders under Yixing's judging look a moment later.

"Okay, only two more weeks." Yifan grumbles quietly to himself before his breath catches slightly when Yixing curls his fingers around Yifan's large ones quietly under the table, giving it a small squeeze. He looks up to the brunette, blushing faintly at the adorable dimple on the latter's cheeks.

"Two more weeks, you can do it."

Yifan bangs his head on the table again with a groan.

"The things I do for love."

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