Chapter Text
Nicholas has never been good with change; with things he can’t control. He always watched countless videos, read millions of articles before he did something. So, when Euijoo kisses him one night after closing he doesn’t know what to do.
Nicholas noticed Euijoo was around more often recently. He stayed longer than usual, talked to him more. Taki had even said it seemed like Euijoo was, almost, flirting with him. Still, the kiss is unexpected. When Euijoo kissed him, he briefly felt euphoric, then almost immediately he felt guilt. Euijoo was dating Jo. And Nicholas kissed back.
“Ej, stop- i- we can’t.” Nicholas pulled away.
“W-Why? I thought- you kissed back! You want this too, don’t you?” Euijoo grabbed his hand.
“Euijoo, you have a boyfriend! It doesn’t matter how much I want you!”
“Nico,” He grabbed his other hand, pulling Nicholas closer. “Jo and I, we- we broke up. God, I should have told you sooner! I’m so sorry.”
“Wait, Euijoo, did you leave him because of me? Listen, I can go explain everything to him and I’m sure you can still fix it befor-”
“Nicholas.” He becomes silent.
“I didn’t break up with Jo because of you. Things with him weren’t what they used to be and none of that was your fault. I knew it was over with Jo long before I even knew you. But now, I'm ready to move on and I want to move on with you, if you’d have me.”
“Euijoo, I don’t- I don’t know if I'm ready. I like you, Juju! I really do but this- this is all just a lot for me right now.”
“I can wait! I can wait for you, Weno.”
Euijoo stayed true to his word, he waited, he didn’t push for more. He came to the bakery like usual, got melon bread and an iced americano, chatted with Nicholas like he always did. After their confessions, Nicholas wasn’t sure how to share space with him anymore. Touching felt too intimate, too fast but it also felt wrong to not be right next to him.
“Okay! What’s been going on with you two?” Maki hops onto the counter.
“Literally! You used to jump up and down like a dog when he just walked through the door and now you barely move to greet him! AH did he finally turn you down?” Nicholas really needed to schedule Maki and Taki on different shifts.
“We kissed.”
“What?!”
“Nicholas!”
“Then I told him I needed space. God, I'm an idiot, aren’t I?” Nicholas puts his head in his hands and leans against the counter.
“When- You kissed him after he broke up with Jo, right?”
“How do you even know about that?” Nicholas turns his head to face Maki with a raised eyebrow.
“Jo told Yuma, Yuma told Harua, and of course Rua told me.” The two other boys stare at him. “What? One of us has to have a successful relationship.”
“What?! You and Harua?! You're DATING?!”
Nicholas had enough of punishing himself, tired of being scared of the unknown, he wanted to be with Euijoo. So, on a chilly May night after closing the bakery, he made up his mind. He won’t make Euijoo wait a second longer.
The walk to Euijoo’s apartment is long. He wishes he had a nicer pair of clothes to change into. His apartment building is huge and screams ‘wealth’, his grueling hours at the office must be paying off. Nicholas can’t even panic over his decision in peace with the elevator attendant next to him. When the elevator stops on Euijoo’s floor, he’s out the door before the doors can ding. He rings the doorbell and waits impatiently. Instead of round boba eyes and uneven bangs, he’s met with sharp cat eyes with a cloud of cotton candy as hair, Yuma.
“Eha, EJ your boy toy is here!” He yells back into the house.
Yuma moves to the side, inviting him in. While slipping his shoes off he notices an insanely tall and handsome man sitting next to Euijoo.
“Jo, Nicholas. Nicholas, Jo.” Euijoo smiles brightly while gesturing between the two.
Shortly after the introductions, Jo and Yuma take their leave. Nicholas is relieved to see them hold hands as they go.
“So, is there a reason you showed up to my house unannounced? Don’t get me wrong, you can come over any time but it’s just not like you.”
“Byun Euijoo, go out with me.”
“That didn’t sound like a question.” Euijoo laughs.
“I’m not asking. Seven o’clock, Saturday.” Euijoo gets off the couch and steps closer to Nicholas.
“Seven o’clock, Saturday.” Euijoo parrots back to him before closing the gap between them. Nicholas doesn't hesitate, no feelings of guilt, they're where they need to be.