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Santa felt really out of space at the racing circuit. He really had no problem with the place. He didn't. But he understands nothing from the commentry that's happening in the background. And the supposed person who took him there has ditched him to meet whoever.
"Well this date is a bust." Santa muttered.
He took a deep sigh and made his way away from the crowd. He went into the back area hope to look for restroom. His phone rang as he got inside. The silence was comfortable after all that time in the screaming crowd.
"What?" "Just you meet me. What kind of date did you set me up on?" "Yeah? He ditched me to god knows where. I don't even know my way back nor do I have a ride back."
Santa got inside the washroom and waited for his call to get done.
"Seriously? With all that blackmail I'd have expected a better date." "Ugh- whatever. I'm hanging up."
Santa then did his business. He found a stranger near the sink as he made his way there. Their eyes met and they gave each other a polite look as a greeting.
"Bad date hm?"
"Eavesdropping much?" Santa asked.
"Well, you were talking loudly in a quiet restroom. Can't blame me."
Santa sighed. "Whatever. Yeah. The supposed date took me here and left me alone to go god knows where."
"Damn- sounds like a jerk." The stranger commented. "That's bad even for someone as a friend. And worse for a date."
They both walked outside.
"I don't understand what they are talking about."
"Why did you agree with the date if you were not interested?"
"It's not about interest. Well not mostly. It's just the first date. I saw the potential of this turning romantic."
"Yeah?"
"Whatever. I don't know."
"I think the next race is starting." The stranger looked at his watch.
Santa looked at the stranger properly for the first time that night.
"Oh!" Santa exclaimed. "You are wearing a racing... outfit?"
"Yeah. I'm going up soon. And the said race I told you about is the race I'm part of."
"Ah- I'm... I didn't know. I'm sorry that I took up your time."
"No worries. It's fine." The stranger smiled. "If you decided to stay for the match, my number is 27."
"Number?"
"Most racers are known by number. Because you can only see the number on the jacket." The stranger explained.
Santa hummed. "Oh. I didn't know that."
"Well. Your first lesson of racers."
Santa chuckled. "Okay Mr. 27, I'll root for you from the crowd. You've convinced me to stay."
"How?"
"Hm?" Santa put a finger on his chin, thinking. "Well, you are good looking. You are polite, and I feel like I'd enjoy your company."
The stranger grinned. "And maybe, we could see each other again after the race."
"Well, don't you have interviews or stuff?"
"So you're confident I'll win?"
"Well, I don't know. But people around me were praising number 27. Honestly I thought it was rude calling someone by a number. But since you said that's how it is then I don't think like that anymore."
The race went fast, literally. But Santa kind of enjoyed it. He tried his best to spot the stranger. Looking at the screen did better job in that aspect. And if he was being honest, the number 27 was fast. It was a back and forth in the first and second position. And in the end number 27 came first. Santa cheered so loud you might think he knew the guy.
And after 15 minutes, Santa really is contemplating going to the restrooms again. That's what they had agreed on. He was worried about his safety but at the same time he wondered if he'd ever meet Mr. 27 ever again if he missed the chance.
And after wasting more time thinking, he made his way back to the same restroom he went to before the race. After a deep breath, as he was about to push the door someone pulled it from inside. Santa stumbled and collided with a chest. The owner of the chest placed his hand around Santa's waist to steady him.
"You're here." The stranger said.
Santa opened his eyes and looked up. The handsome racer was too close. It would only take as much as move a little upwards for him to be able to kiss the stranger.
Santa gasped as he was pulled inside. Not in the awkward position they were in by the door.
"I was on my way out. I didn't think you actually wanted to come." Mr. 27, as Santa has decided to call him, said.
"Uh- here I am?" Santa confusingly asked. "Um- I'm not the best with direction. Made a few wrong turns."
He doesn't know if the racer buys the lie or has already caught it. But he didn't say anything on it. Santa suddenly felt the pressure on his waist and realised that Mr. 27 still had his hand around him. The racer noticed the glances and seemed to have just realised about his own actions as well.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?" The racer asked slowly pulling his hand back.
Santa bit his lip before holding onto his hand and wrapping it back on his waist. "I don't mind. You're not making me uncomfortable."
Santa was aware of the hotness surrounding them, maybe it was just his body reacting to the closeness. The racer was confident, looking over at him as if trying to read him.
"Congratulations for the win." Santa mumbled, really not knowing how to calm himself.
"Were you rooting for me?"
"Yes I was. Among the other people. Are you popular? There were many."
"Well, I don't want to brag... But sweetheart this is not the first time I've won the first place. And as overconfident as I come off when I say this but, I really don't think I'll be anywhere under 3 even in the upcoming races."
"You admit you can lose the first place?"
"There are better racers than me."
"Somehow I find it attractive." Santa mumbled.
Mr. 27 grinned. His eyes glanced down at Santa's lips for what seems to be like the 6th time. Santa unconsciously bit down his lower lip. Mr. 27 licked his own lips.
"Can I please kiss you?" Mr. 27 asked.
Santa instantly nodded. And the racer didn't waste any more second. He placed his free hand, holding the side of his neck and diving into the kiss. Santa didn't think twice before kissing the stranger back.
The kiss felt different than all the kisses Santa has received. For a stranger, Mr. 27 is really gentle yet hungry with the kiss. He clutched the undershirt Mr. 27 was wearing, trying to pull the other closer.
They heard some voices outside. They feared people might come in and catch them. So the racer pulled Santa to the further stall in the restroom And locked he door from inside. Santa was the first to kiss just as the door locked. The racer smiled over his lips before taking back control.
"We should be sharing names." The racer mumbled once they broke the kiss.
Santa chuckled but nodded. "Maybe we skipped over some things."
"I'm Perth."
Santa smiled. "My name is..."
"Tata?" They got interrupted.
Santa froze for a second. "Shit!"
"Hm?"
"That's for me." Santa nodded at the door.
"It's not your date is it?"
"Ew no. It's my friend who somehow came here." Santa replied.
"Are you in here?" The friend called.
Santa closed his eyes. "I'm in here." He called. "I'll be out in a second!"
"You have to go?"
"Mm. He will break the door if I don't."
"Can we at least share numbers? Maybe? I'd love to take you out for dinner."
Santa smiled and instantly nodded. Perth took out his phone and gave it to the other. Santa typed in his number.
"It was nice meeting you Perth." Santa softly said and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you soon."
"See you soon."
Santa carefully opened the door and walked out. Perth stayed inside, waiting for them to leave.
"P'Joong~~~" Santa called out cutely.
"Tata! Where the fuck were you? Do you know how worried we've been?" Joong scolded.
"Pond was been very negative about Jade. Yet you somehow agreed to this date in the middle of nowhere. And we couldn't reach you."
"I had my location on for a reason phi. And I'm fine. Jade ditched me the second we stepped in the circuit."
"What?"
"Yeah. I've been on my own. And well, I did enjoy the race." Santa shrugged.
"I'll see that guy tomorrow."
"Don't fight people."
"He should behave well and not do things that will get him punched."
"Shush shush. I'm sure P'Aou would talk you out of it. Now, can we go? I'm hungry."
"Fine. I saw a pasta place on my way here. We drop by and call the others."
"Phi, thank you for coming here. Thank you for caring for me."
"Anytime nong. Just, we'll be overlooking your choices from now on."
"Oho! Seriously?" Santa asked, in disbelief.
"How do you always end up with bad guys?"
"Maybe this time it'll be a good one?"
"Ugh-" Joong rolled his eyes.
Santa chuckled. They left the stall. Perth got out and smiled.
"At least he got good friends to worry about him." Perth mumbled. He thinks back to the conversation he heard before the race. And well this Joong guy is kinda right. The circuit is on the outskirts of the city.
___
A week later, Perth was in his friend Ohm's living room. His friend had called him over to go on ig live together.
"I've honestly lost what we are doing." Perth said once the attention was on him.
His friend Ohm had been talking all over the place. One time it was about bikes, the next it was about some races he had heard about, to some random singers and their songs that he loves, and lastly he was talking about some dramas.
But, Ohm's fans loved him for that. And honestly Perth liked this side of his friend too. Just maybe the yapping gets too much at times but he loves him nonetheless.
"Oh? Perth, the fans keep mentioning Santa and you." Ohm said, after seeing another playful comment.
Perth blinked, confused. "Is that a person? With that name?"
"No they're talking about Santa claus." Ohm sarcastically answered.
Perth furrowed his eyebrows. Ohm scoffed. He took out his phone and searched the guy up.
"He is a dancer. A famous dancer and he also has a dance crew. They call themselves Jasp.er." Ohm explained and then showed Perth a picture.
Perth raised an eyebrow. "Oh, him? I know him."
"Dancing in some video?"
"No, in person. I know him in person." Perth took out his phone and searched up something. "See. We even have a photo together." He showed it to Ohm whose eyes widened.
"No way!"
The comments asked to show it to the camera.
"I'm not sure if he'd want me to. I'll ask him first and then post it on my ig."
Ohm checked comments and laughed. "They're calling you a green flag for that reply."
Perth just shook his head.
___
The live ended soon enough. Perth's phone lit up. He received a text from an id named 'Tata ♡'.
Should I be offended that you didn't even know my name?
Perth blinked. "How did he know?"
Ohm looked up at him. "Dude, you're blowing up on socials."
"In a bad way?" Perth asked.
"Mm... No? Well, the LIVE from today somehow reached Jasp.er's fans. And they've been talking about you."
"Bad things?"
"It's curiousity... Mostly. And others are saying that you don't actually know him. You're just saying it."
Perth's phone vibrated this time. Another message of Santa popped up.
So now we're also leaving each other on seen?
Perth gasped. Ohm looked at him in confusion. Perth typed out a reply.
I'm sorry I got distracted
Apparently I'm famous today
The message was seen and the typing bubble came the next second.
Well that's what happens when you as a famous person take the name of someone sharing a completely opposite interest who is also sort of famous in what he does.
How are you going to explain why and how we know each other?
Perth blinked, actually thinking. He replied.
Do we have to?
People sure have better things than to pester us about our first meeting
Because how they met and what they talked about is none of the other people's business. Santa's reply came.
Then you definitely don't know how socials work. People online are really nosy.
Perth chuckled.
Mind if I call you? Hard to type at the moment
Perth looked at Ohm who was staring at him. He cleared his throat.
"I'll just take a call and be back."
Perth didn't let Ohm speak and made his way out of the room. Perth took the liberty and called Santa himself.
"Hi." Perth said as soon the call was picked up.
- Oh- hi. I thought I made you uncomfortable by asking that.
Santa's voice was pleasant to his ears, a lot like comfort.
"I was getting away from Ohm. He's a tease. If he actually finds out about you he'd not let me live." Perth reasoned his no response.
- You're dramatic.
"That's just what Ohm is." Perth defended himself.
- So? Did you really take someone out on a date even though you didn't know their name?
Santa was teasing. Perth knew but he still felt embarrassed at that.
"I've been under the impression of your name being Tata." Perth answered.
- Why?
"That day your friend called you Tata. So I just thought it was your actual name."
- Haha. They call Ta, Tata and all sorts of stuff other than Santa.
"Well I didn't know. And dancing. Ta, Dancing and me are like opposite ends of a pole. You know that."
- I believe with right person by their side anyone can dance.
"Anyone but me."
- I can take it as challenge.
"Ta!"
- Haha. We'll have that date some other day. You teach me how to ride a bike and I'll teach you bits of a dance.
"I can teach you to ride something else." Perth's voice got lower.
- If I already know? Can I practice instead?
Santa's answer came in the same tone. It surprised Perth. He wasn't expecting any flirtatious response.
"Wow-"
- I bet you didn't expect that.
"Definitely not. But never said I don't love it."
- But seriously. I can't believe I never introduced myself to you either.
"Well you were going to. Before we got interrupted. And I also didn't ask."
- Mm. Right. Also, you can post the picture if you want to. I don't mind. I might get an excuse to finally follow you on socials.
Perth chuckled. "Yeah. I was going to ask you."
- And you can ignore the when's and how's thrown your way.
"I guess it's better than having some weirdos up in our business."
Santa hummed from the other end.
"By the way what are you doing? You said it was hard to type?"
- Oh, I'm in the dance studio right now. But I was parking my car earlier. Then I just sat in the car for a few seconds before coming up.
"Did you watch the Live or the viral clips of me saying I know you? How did you find out that I didn't know your name?"
- Well I have a friend who follows P'Ohm. He told me that you mentioned me in an ig Live. So I checked. That's how.
"Oh- seriously. I feel so bad for not really knowing your actual name."
- Make it up for me with a brunch date tomorrow? Are you free?
Perth grinned instantly. "I'd love to see you again. And of course make up with you too."
- Haha. Let's pick the place to meet-up later. I'll do some research.
"So will I. We can see what works best for us."
- Definitely.
It's safe to say Perth left Ohm alone for almost an hour, it almost made him think Perth left. But as he went to his window he saw Perth laughing on the call in his backyard.
"He's definitely in love." Ohm muttered then went back inside to do his thing.