Imperfect Desires

Both Xiu and Darren glared at Dylan for his stupid remarks which by the way, nobody asked for. However, Dylan was completely unfazed as he kept his calm and continued, "Don't take me the wrong way." He took a defensive stance and added, "I meant to say that you both shouldn't do this cheesy flirting on the road. It's embarrassing. Might not be for you both but it is for me."

"Embarrassing?" Both Xiu and Darren crossed their arms before him and said simultaneously. 

"What exactly is embarrassing?" asked Darren glancing at him challenging him as if to say don't-you-dare!

Dylan didn't know where he got his unknown courage to say, "You both being lovey-dovey, cooing to each other, having that unnecessary touches here and there. And most importantly, that stupid rose. Who gives a rose in this age and time?" Darren's temper was rising and the way he was breathing through his mouth told Xiu that he was at his limit now. But unbeknownst to his upcoming death, Dylan went on, "Dazi, my brother, you have been out of this dating game for far too long. The trend of whispering sweet nothings and saying I love you is gone. Girls don't like that anymore."

"Oh, really? What do they like then, Mr. Dating Expert?" asked Darren with his words dipped in sarcasm while he clenched his fists to calm himself before he would punch Dylan for talking nonsense.

Dylan tapped his chin with his index finger in a thoughtful manner before saying, "Girls like that swiping sound that your credit card makes in the shopping mall. Or the sound of that 'Krrrrr' that ATM makes before the money comes out."

Darren twisted his wrist behind him making Dylan shriek in pain as he said, "That's enough nonsense for today! What I do with my girlfriend is my business. And as for being outdated, I don't give a fuck as long as it brings a smile on my girlfriend's face. Do you get that?" 

Dylan tapped Darren's other hand that was on his shoulder and said, "Sorry! I was wrong. Please, let go now! You're hurting me." When Darren let him go, Dylan stretched his arm while moaning in pain and glaring at Darren, "I was just kidding. Did you have to be so violent?"

"Joke all you want. But don't involve my girlfriend's name. It's off-limits," said Darren in an aggressive and possessive way. Seeing his stance, Xiu was fascinated to the point that she kept looking at him with hearts popping out of her eyes. Him, standing up for her was really something she didn't expect at all. 

Meanwhile, Dylan was baffled for a while as he just stared at his best friend oddly. Not because he found his words hurtful, but... "Dazi, it's been a while you stood up for someone like this." For Dylan, he had only seen Darren being possessive twice in his lifetime, once for his mother and second was for Chen Xiu.

But seeing that exact same aggressiveness in his eyes again, left him shocked for a while. He didn't know whether he was supposed to be happy or worried. Happy because his best friend was finally letting someone take that place in his heart and worried because he knew Darren always loved with all of his heart. And it almost scared him that Xiu could actually ruin or hurt Darren in the same way as Chen Xiu did. That reminder of the past really terrified him.

Finally, dropping her starstruck look, Xiu noticed the strange atmosphere between them and came between them saying, "Boys, stop it already! Don't argue because of a woman. Fight over a job, parking space, the last pizza slice but don't ever fight over a woman. It's not worth it. To lose a friendship over love, big No-No!"

Both Dylan and Darren shared a look with each other before bursting out in a peal of laughter. Darren rubbed Xiu's head saying, "Sweets, what made you think we're arguing?" 

"Weren't you both having a showdown with that staring competition?" questioned Xiu.

Both of them shook their head as Dylan butted in, "We weren't staring. We were just having a conversation."

"With your eyes?" Seeing Dylan bob his head up and down, she furrowed her brows. "How can you do that?"

"Nobody can claim to know you better than your best friend, then how is it not possible to talk with your eyes between friends?" questioned Darren making Xiu think about it deeply. "Besides, Didi and I don't argue. We just bicker and make it look like world war 3."

Dylan high-fived with Darren saying, "That's the best description. Anyways, moving on from my stupid remarks, I still think you both should get a room. Not just because you both are being an eyesore, but also because I don't want anyone to bring negative energy in my best friend's love life with their jealousy and all."

"Aww!" Xiu pinched Dylan's cheek as she cooed, "I can't believe you have a brain."

 Dylan rubbed his cheek where she pinched while a vein at the side of his forehead twitched because of her remark. Also, because Darren took her side and laughed along with her at him. Can you believe that? His best friend laughed at HIM? Just because he wanted to side with his girlfriend, he actually agreed that Dylan had no brain!

Seeing Dylan getting sulky, Darren offered, "We're going out for dinner. Would you like to join us?"

Dylan gave him a look before saying, "Let's go." He clung to Darren's arm with a sweet smile.

Darren gave an awkward smile, "I was just being polite because I thought you'd understand the situation and say no."

Dylan harrumphed before saying, "Dear friend, you shouldn't be polite in this situation. When you're going out with your girlfriend, you shouldn't be polite to any third-party. Because not everyone can read between the lines. Besides, when the love of your life is beside you, why are you even bothering with formalities?"

Darren nodded his head in understanding while Xiu gave him a round of applause saying, "Wow! You're really trying too hard today at being smart."

Dylan shrugged his shoulders saying, "I am not trying to be smart. I just don't want to be stuck between you two for dinner. Seeing your sweetness overloading is nauseating enough for me. I'll say no for my own safety."

Xiu tsked at him, "Poor you! Being a bloody single dog must be hard on you. Don't just give up yet, with that face, you still have some hope left." She even tapped his shoulder in an encouraging manner making Dylan roll his eyes at her.