Chapter Text
From as far as Josh can remember, Justin had always been there for him during his bad days. Every failure, every fight with his mother, every time he felt like the world was going against him, Justin was his shoulder to cry on.
So as he walks home with multiple bags in hand that now feel heavier with no one to help him, he can't help but feel a little bit lost. Until now, it has never been clear to him that he's lonely. If Justin wasn't around, who was he supposed to tell how miserable he was? The obvious answer frustrates him even further.
"Bwisit," he grumbles to himself as he torments a pebble on the road by kicking it away.
In all honesty, he feels a tiny bit guilty for being upset at Justin in the first place. Whatever the other does, it doesn't really have anything to do with him. It's not like Justin is stopping him from making more friends; it was his choice all along. So maybe it's his fault, maybe this whole ordeal was childish, but he can't help but wish that his dearest friend would just stay. Like he always used to do.
The ping from his phone stops him from walking— thinking it might be an important text, he puts the bags down so he can check out who it was. It was a post notification from Justin (Josh likes to be updated), an elevator-mirror selfie of him and the Hercules-wannabe guy, with only a smiley as a caption.
Needless to say, Josh was about to shit-talk every player he's about to come across when he plays games tonight.
-‘๑’-
"Justin, pwede ka naman huminga, ayoko namang mamatay ka dito sa dorm ko."
It's safe to say that Justin was nervous about being alone with Stell, given the way he was sitting straight, hands on his lap, while holding a breath like he was about to be in a job interview. The quip from Stell eases the air as Justin lets out a bashful chuckle, "Grabe. Hindi… ano lang. Kinakabahan lang ako."
"Ay, hindi halata," Stell pushes the tray of cookies towards him, "Chill ka lang. Sabi ko naman. I just want to get to know you better, diba? And totoo naman na nagustuhan ko 'yung artworks mo. Kaya naisip ko sayo na ko hihingi ng advice para sa wall ko."
Stell's flat was much spacious than a typical dorm. Instead of a cramped single-room setup, it was a one-bedroom studio complete with separate areas for a living room, kitchen, and dining area. The space felt understated with the décor being minimal, only a couple of picture frames with what appears to be Stell with his family hanging on the wall.
Justin smiles, pleased, "Ah. Thank you."
There was a pause of silence before Stell spoke up again, "Ang dami 'kong sinabi tas 'thank you' lang talaga ibabalik mo sakin."
"Sorry," Justin's eyes crinkle as he apologizes, the tips of his ears turning red from embarrassment, "Hindi lang talaga ako sanay. It's… first time ko na makipag-meet na one on one. Ganon."
Cute, Stell thinks.
"Kaya pala. Uhm, hindi ko sinasabing stinalk kita pero parang ganun na 'din 'yung lagay, hindi mo boyfriend 'yung lagi mong kasama sa pictures?"
"Boyfriend? Wala 'ah." Does Stell think he's the kind to go out with people despite being taken? Justin frowns, "Si Josh ata sinasabi mo. Best friend ko 'yun."
"Aah. Best friend," Stell's head tilts to the side, curious, "Sa… fashion design siya 'no? Kaklase niya ata 'yung isang friend ko 'eh."
Justin nods, "Oo, tapos isa siya sa designers ng merch ng school, 'yung hoodies and jackets. Saka kasama 'din siya sa online gaming varsity natin. Ang galing nga 'eh… last year nag-laro sila internationally pero hanggang finals lang umabot. Sasama sana ako 'nun kaso may outing kami ng family ko."
With the way Justin comfortably rambles, showing more emotion at that moment than he did the entire time they've been together, there's a part of Stell that just knows exactly what's happening. He decides to probe further, "Pero never nagka-something between you two?"
"No… best friend lang talaga," Justin's not sure why he sounds hesitant with his answer.
"Okay," Stell beams triumphantly, "So may chance."
-‘๑’-
The next morning, Josh wakes up with a mind full of determination to make the best collection the school has ever seen. After discovering that terrorizing all his enemy players wasn't going to make him feel better, he decided that pouring all this emotion into finishing his project would be much more productive. He wasn't about to mope about Justin like a teenage girl with a crush, so what if he's dating now? Good for him!
The fact that he decided to go ahead and leave for school earlier without even stopping for Justin was not related to what was currently happening at all. Surely.
It was the start of a new era, Josh thinks. He needed to have a brand new version of himself, too, which is exactly the reason why last night, he had the impulsive decision of dyeing his hair a bright, eye-catching red.
"Buti hindi ka napagkamalang stoplight?"
"Ulol," Josh rolls his eyes at Pablo, "Ang pogi ko kaya. Bagay sakin."
"Okay naman," Pablo finally gives in, looking at the new hairstyle seriously this time, "Ano ba 'yan? May pinopormahan ka ba?"
Josh's head recoils, brows furrowing like Pablo just told him something absurd, "Hindi 'ah. Part 'to ng branding ko para sa magiging collection ko. I have to look the part."
"Mhm. Sabagay," Pablo suddenly perks up like he remembered something, pulling his phone out, "Oo nga pala. Before I forget, baka interesado ka mag-adopt," he shows Josh a photo of a litter of puppies, "Nanganak kasi 'yung aso ng kapatid ko. Wala naman kaming mapaglagyan sa bahay so pinapamigay nalang namin."
Josh would normally say that he's more of a cat person. He imagines that he won't be able to do well with high-maintenance pets. But there was something about the cow-patterned puppy in the far corner of the photo that pulled at his heartstrings, curled up away from the rest of its siblings.
"Hala, ang cute," he gushes, zooming in on the photo, "Susunduin ko ba sainyo?"
"Hindi na. Pahatid ko nalang sa kapatid ko mamaya pag uwian para madala mo na."
-‘๑’-
And that's how Josh ends up with a puppy at the end of the day, snoozing in his arms, the warmth of its sleeping weight bringing a sense of comfort to his chest. This is just what he needed— a new companion. One that could be loyal to him, he thinks. He notes to himself to bring Pablo something nice as a token of gratitude, as the man has unknowingly saved him temporarily from his whole Justin crisis.
"Cute naman," Justin softly coos, hand gently ruffling the head of the cow-puppy, "Ano ipapangalan mo, Josh?"
Josh didn't want to hate Justin for having a life. If he were honest with himself, he knew that he could never stay mad at his best friend, especially about something so childish. He just wished the other would tell him about the Hercules-wannabe without Josh having to ask.
"Hindi ko pa alam," Josh looks down on the pup, unconsciously rocking his body as if lulling a child to sleep, "Pero may naiisip na ko. Uhm… Max! or Milo."
"Ang common naman 'nun," Justin opposed, "Yung cute lang dapat. Ibubu, ganon?"
"Ibubu?"
"Oo, Ibubu."
"Parang bobo naman 'yun! Ibobo."
Justin chortled, gums showing, "Bano! Ibubu naman 'eh, hindi Ibobo. Ang cute kaya?"
"Justin naman, magsusuggest nalang 'eh…" Josh complained. But in his head, the name 'Ibubu' actually sounded cute. It perfectly fit the cow-puppy's endearing exterior. He bows his head to press a kiss on the pup's head, testing the name out, "Ibubu, uwi na tayo?"
The sight of the usually fired-up fierce Josh, all soft with a puppy, had Justin's heart swelling, even more so when the older took the name he suggested despite complaining earlier. He didn't realize that he's been missing Josh; they haven't been together for a while now, and the other didn't even wait for him to go to school this morning, nor has Josh replied to his last text. There was something in Justin that made him want to apologize, to ask whether his best friend was mad at him, or to offer to spend the rest of the day together after bailing on him yesterday.
But before he could even open his mouth, Stell's voice caught both of their attention, the pair's heads turning to where the hunk was approaching them.
"Justin!" Stell is breathless by the time he gets to them, one hand anchoring on Justin's shoulder as he catches his breath, smiling when he finally straightens up and offers a hand to Josh, "Hi! I'm Stell. I don't think nag-meet na tayo before."
Oh. So Hercules finally has a name. Josh motions to the sleeping dog in his arms, offering a smile back instead, "Ah. I'm Josh. Justin's uhh… friend."
"Cool," Stell's hand comes back down, "Ang cute naman ng dog mo. Anong name?"
"Ibubu."
"Ibubu! Ang cute. Baby Ibubu. Hiii," Stell fondly exclaimed, "Ang lalim ng tulog niya. Parang baby."
Josh blinks, taken aback. He didn't expect that the Hercules-wann— Stell would be energetic and friendly like this, "Uh, haha. Yeah," his eyes shift to Justin, "Jah, siguro baka mauna na ko."
"Macocommute mo ba si Ibubu?"
"Baka maglakad nalang ako."
"Malayo. Kawawa naman 'yung aso," Justin frowns, thinking for a second, "Gusto mo ipa-suyo kita kay Ken? Dadaan naman 'yun sa may sakayan ng tricycle papunta satin. Pwede ka niya siguro ihatid hanggang 'dun."
"Nakakahiya naman. Hindi kami close," Josh's protest already fell on deaf ears as Justin was already typing out a message to the man before he could even protest.
In Justin's head, the least he can do right now is make it easier for Josh to come home. It slipped his mind that he promised Stell that they would buy paint today. The thought of bailing on Josh once again left an ugly feeling in his stomach; he needed to make it up to him soon.
"Okay lang 'yun. Ako na bahala sakanya," Justin assured.
-‘๑’-
11:25 PM, the clock reads.
Justin didn't expect that Stell would drag him to dinner after shopping. Surprisingly, he was enjoying his time with the energetic ray of sunshine who seemed to have taken a liking to him. Everyone warned him that Stell was some kind of player who would just toy with him, but the company he's provided had actually been pleasant for the most part.
He couldn't help but worry about Josh, though. The brief encounter they had earlier was cut short with Stell arriving, and he wasn't even able to introduce them to each other properly. He missed him, unabashedly. Josh hasn't even talked to him about his project's progress like he used to. For some reason, there was a feeling in his gut that told him that Josh might be upset with the way they hadn't spent time together lately. He saw it when Josh wouldn't even offer Stell a proper, friendly introduction like he does with most people.
A very selfish part of him was pleased with this thought, as much as they hadn't been together lately, Josh really was important to Justin. There's a sense of relief when he thinks that Josh would be burning with envy over him, that Justin was just as important. His best friend had never been the one to be open about such feelings, so it would be nice to know if Josh missed him, too.
If Justin hurried up, maybe Josh would still be awake, he thinks. He was able to buy a couple of toys and dog supplies for Ibubu— a peace offering. This would be the first time that Josh would ever have a pet, and he was actually already endeared by the puppy just from seeing it once. Plus, he was the one who named it! So they technically both own the little pup, kind of like co-parents.
With him smiling, already playing it in his head how Josh would react to his gift, he was about to turn to Josh's door when it unexpectedly opened to let out a tall figure. He heard Josh's voice bid the figure goodnight before shutting the door again.
There was an awkward pause as the person also looked at Justin in surprise, as if shocked that Justin was there.
"Ngayon ka lang nakauwi, Jah?"
"Bakit andito ka pa, Ken?"
They both said simultaneously.
It was Ken who spoke first, a sheepish smile on his lips as he nodded his head back to gesture back to Josh's door, "Hinatid ko na kasi 'yung kaibigan mo hanggang dito tapos napilit niya na ko mag-dinner 'din. Ambait pala niya? Akala ko mayabang 'eh."
Justin looked confused, "Dinner? Hanggang ganitong oras?"
"Pinakita niya 'din 'yung designs niya sakin para sa collection niya. Hindi niya pala alam na nagtatake 'din ako ng subjects sa Fashion Design," Ken looked more and more giddy to talk about his time with Josh, "Halos same pala kami ng style. Bakit hindi mo sinasabi sakin?"
"Bakit ko sasabihin sayo?"
Ken must've thought Justin cracked a joke with the way he laughed and nudged his shoulder in response, "You're a terrible wingman. Ikaw? Bakit ngayon ka lang? Yiee. Ginabi ka kay Stell 'no?"
Wingman? Since when did Justin become a wingman?
"Hindi. Nag-dinner lang 'din kami," Justin cleared, "Pauwi ka na ba? May ibibigay lang ako kay Josh 'eh."
"Bukas na 'yan," Ken suddenly protested, manhandling the other by turning him around and walking with him off of Josh's doorway, "Matutulog na 'din daw si Josh. Kanina pa inaantok. Wag mo na istorbohin."
The way Ken was acting left a bitter taste in Justin's mouth. They've literally only been together alone for the first time today, so why was he acting like he knew Josh more than Justin did?
"Tell me," Ken started, "Kamusta na progress mo kay Stell?"
"Ha? Walang ganun. Nag-dinner lang talaga kami."
"You're hopeless," Ken dramatically sighed, playfully pushing Justin away as he was turning to walk back to his car, "Ay, Jah, may itatanong pala ako."
Justin stares at him, noting that the other suddenly looks bashful, "Oh?"
"Yang friend mo. Si Josh," Ken's eyes seem not to meet his completely, "Is he like… Is he single?"
In the back of his mind, Justin wished he had just booked a taxi for Josh earlier instead.