Elio

The club is crowded. Thick and rich, the scent of alcohol, leather, sweat, musk, and perfume hangs in the air. On the dance floor, people writhe and twirl.

Leaning against the bar, Plumeria and Elio shout to be heard. The heavy bass nearly swallows their voices.

"Love this song!"

"Same. Wanna dance?!"

"After this drink!"

The two merry friends, drinks in hand, stumble onto the dance floor, laughing as they dodge and occasionally bump into other dancers while searching for a free spot.

"'Scuse me. 'Scuse me. Sorry. So Sorry. So—"

"Sorry! Didn't see you—No way!!! Selene?!"

Elio halts mid-step, eyes widening. He instantly recognises the voice calling out.

Hau Juniper.

He hasn't changed a bit — still grinning and carefree.

He is dressed in his usual double denim.

His white shirt glows phosphorescent under the blacklight, and that adorable purple beanie with a pink smiley face is covering his curly hair.

"Oh my goodness! It is you, isn't it?!"

"Err... Hi, Hau..."

Hau grins widely, sipping from his bottle.

"Damn... err... Dude! It's been far too long! You look incredible! Looks like you've been hittin' the gym."

Hau turns to Plumeria, giving her his signature Hau smile. The one that Elio remembers so fondly from their time together.

"Nice to meet you. Name's Hau! And you are?"

"Plumeria!"

"Aces! How about you, dude?"

Elio blinks, realising, embarrassingly—a beat too late—what Hau is asking him.

"Oh! ... Elio. I'm Elio." He beams.

"Elio, huh? ... Hah! Still playing Pokémon Sun then?!"

Hau claps him warmly on the shoulder and laughs.

Back in the day, Hau had always beaten him in their Pokémon battles.

"Ha! You know it!"

Elio chuckles, taking a sip from his drink.

"Want to join us?"

"You don't mind?"

Though Hau directs the question at Plumeria, he glances at Elio to gauge his reaction, his expression turning somewhat sheepish.

"Sure!"

"Well, alright then!"

*********

"So, how do you two know each other?" Plumeria asks, exhaling contentedly.

It's much quieter now. They sit outside in the smoking area. Hau wraps an arm around Elio's fishnet shoulder. Together, they guffaw at old stories.

Elio is resting his head on Hau, and they're taking an obscene number of selfies together. They've already exchanged phone numbers and Instagram handles. This is major for him. Elio is normally so careful about giving out his socials. Same with his phone number. He doesn't even like giving it out for the free Wi-Fi verification at Waverly Mall.

Several of Elio's posts already have Hau's likes—including that shirtless Sydney photo, celebrating top surgery. He comments with heart eyes and at least seven fire emojis. Hau doesn't hold back.

Just looking at them both, you'd think they've been the closest of friends.

"Oh? He never told you about me?!"

Hau grins again, squeezing the blushing Elio tightly against him with mock outrage. They both giggle joyfully.

"We used to date."