Chapter Text
Zak’s eyes popped open. It was light out, but still early, judging by the position of the sun. Nick was still there, and Zak let out a quiet sigh of relief as he curled himself tighter around the younger man. He’d slept in spurts, unwillingly lulled to sleep by the warmth of Nick’s arms around him and the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath him. He hadn’t meant to drift off. And each time he did, he woke panicked that Nick had come to his senses and slipped away in the night. Or worse, that it had all been a dream. But there he was. Still sleeping soundly, and Zak was determined to stay awake this time.
Nick stirred in his sleep. He was warm and relaxed and he wanted to stay asleep a little longer, but his body seemed to have other ideas. He kept his eyes closed, hoping to sink back into darkness, but it was no use. His brain was waking up. First, he registered the weight on his chest; heavy, but comforting. Then, he began to notice the warm breath ghosting over his skin. He felt the strong frame wrapped around him and smelled the familiar floral scent that could only be Zak’s hair products. He smiled to himself, opening his eyes as he remembered the events of the night before. He felt his smile spread as he took in the sight. Zak was wrapped around him, head tucked securely under Nick’s chin, breathing deeply as he slept. Nick wrapped his arms around the older man, pulling him in and pressing his lips to his forehead. He inhaled the scent of Zak’s hair, bringing a hand up to gently comb through it. He was pleased to find that it was as soft as he thought it would be. Zak moaned quietly in his sleep as Nick continued to smooth the disheveled locks.
Nick ran his hand slowly over the older man’s back, feeling the dips and curves of his muscles. He ached to slip his fingertips up under the hem of his shirt. To feel the milky skin under his fingers. To taste it. But that would have to wait. So he settled for running long lines up and down the older man’s spine, hoping to gently rouse him from sleep. Zak sighed, burrowing his head into the crook of Nick’s arm and Nick took a moment to admire the softness of his face as he slept. This was the face he had fallen in love with. And looking at it now, he couldn’t understand why it had taken him so long to realize it. He leaned in, pressing his lips to Zak’s. Normally, he would have preferred to brush his teeth first, but the older man had him pinned and he couldn’t resist tasting those lips again. Zak smiled softly, murmuring Nick’s name in his sleep and Nick couldn’t help the quiet chuckle that escaped his lips. Zak was dreaming about him right now, and he found himself wondering if this was the first time. Of course, he had dreamt about Zak. Dreamt about this very moment, laying in bed and holding him close. At the time, he couldn’t explain it. But now, the meaning seemed painfully obvious.
He smoothed his hands over Zak’s arms, enjoying the feeling of the older man’s muscles beneath his fingers as he leaned in to plant another kiss to Zak’s lips. This time, he felt Zak kiss back, groaning softly as Nick’s hand slid over his skin. Slowly, Zak’s eyes fluttered open and Nick pulled back, smiling happily.
“Good morning.” Nick said with a grin. “I thought you were never gonna wake up.” He went in for another peck, which the older man happily accepted.
“You’re still here.” Zak smiled, feeling his heart swell in his chest.
“What, are you sick of me already?” Nick asked with a smirk.
“No.” Zak said sincerely. “I just wasn’t sure…”
“Well now you know.” Nick said, running his hand up and down Zak’s arm.
“And you’re still sure?” Zak asked. He just needed to know that this was really what Nick wanted. It was the reason he hadn’t let things go further than kissing the night before. As much as he wanted to be with Nick in that way, it wasn’t worth losing his best friend.
“Oh, I’m positive.” Nick said, leaning forward and capturing Zak’s lips between his own. Zak pressed into the younger man, wrapping his arms around the back of his neck as he moved to deepen the kiss. Nick’s tongue found it’s way into Zak’s mouth and he moaned as the older man sucked on it softly, sending jolts of pleasure through his body. Zak was good at this and Nick couldn’t help the nervous butterflies in his stomach as he wondered what else Zak could do with that talented mouth.
“You okay?” Zak mumbled against his lips.
Nick nodded his head, rolling Zak over and pinning the older man under himself. He kissed a line down the strong neck, feeling Zak’s breathing quicken beneath him. He brought his fingers down to dance at the hemline of the older man’s shirt before sliding his hands up and under to feel the warm skin against his. Zak grabbed for the corners of his shirt, stripping it off and tossing it to the floor. His head arched back against the bed as Nick began to kiss and lick his way up the exposed flesh. Zak tasted amazing. And Nick took his time, stopping to kiss and suck on each nipple, pulling beautiful sounds from the older man. He made his way back up to Zak’s collar bone, finally bringing their lips back together.
Zak grabbed for Nick’s shirt, pulling it up and over his head before running his hands over the hard chest. He hadn’t really seen Nick shirtless before, and he took a moment to admire the lean muscle. Nick was breathtaking and Zak’s chest ached as he looked at him. He wrapped his arms around Nick’s back, pulling him down and kissing him long and deep. Nick’s hands hardly came to rest, smoothing over any skin he could get his hands on as Zak continued to kiss him senseless. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he realized that beyond this point, he had almost no idea what he was doing. He broke the kiss, resting his forehead on Zak’s as he worked to catch his breath.
Zak breathed heavily against Nick, rubbing calming circles into the younger man’s back as he regained his composure.
“It’s okay, Nick. We don’t have to do anything else.” Zak said, understanding how terrifying this moment must be for the younger man.
“No, I want to.” Nick said seriously. He didn’t want to stop and he could already feel his boxer briefs straining. “I just don’t really know what I’m doing.” he admitted shyly.
“You could’ve fooled me.” Zak said, with a grin. His face and chest were red with exertion, and his body was already buzzing with desire.
“The kissing is the easy part.” Nick chuckled softly.
“I’ve never been kissed like that.” Zak said sincerely. “The rest of it’s not so hard either.” he said, hoping to put the younger man at ease without pressuring him. “It just takes some getting used to.”
“Does it hurt?” Nick asked.
“It doesn’t have to.” Zak said. “In fact, I was kind of hoping that maybe you would...if you want. Then it won’t hurt at all.”
“But won’t I hurt you?” Nick asked. He hated feeling clueless, but Zak had a way of making him feel comfortable in his cluelessness.
“Only a little.” Zak said. “We just have to go slow. And then it’s gonna feel really good. Trust me.”
Nick nodded his head. He was nervous, but not because he didn’t want to do it. He did. He really wanted to be with Zak like this.
“I trust you.” Nick said. “You just gotta talk me through this, okay? I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Of course. But Nick, we don’t have to do this today.” Zak reiterated.
“I know. I want to.” Nick said decidedly, eyes piercing into Zak’s. “I’ve never been more sure about anything and you’ve never looked so beautiful.”
“Nick…” Zak moaned, grip growing tighter around the younger man’s hips as he drove deeper into him. Nick’s hand matching the rhythm of his hips as he squeezed and twisted Zak’s burning flesh.
“Is it good?” Nick asked, reveling in the sounds coming from the older man.
He nodded silently, mouth hanging open, eyes squeezed shut as he came closer and closer to the edge.
“Look at me, Zak.” Nick breathed. “I want to see you.”
Zak fought to keep his eyes open as waves of electricity rolled over him. His muscles trembled as he dug his fingers into Nick’s hips, pulling him that much closer. He felt his back arch off the bed as he came, warm liquid hitting his stomach as his muscles continued to shake. He worked to catch his breath as he pulled Nick’s lips down to his, kissing him hungrily before wrapping his legs around the younger man and flipping them.
“Now it’s your turn.” he grinned, smoothing his hands over Nick’s chest as rolled his hips back, sliding Nick back inside himself.
“Zak…” Nick groaned, head falling back into the pillows. He was close, but he gritted his teeth, not ready to give in just yet. Not when it felt this good. Zak swiveled his hips, pleasure clouding his eyes as he slammed himself down on Nick. The feeling was unlike anything Nick had ever experienced. His entire body tingled with his impending release but he found himself more interested in the sounds coming from Zak and the way his face twisted with pleasure. He decided this must be what it felt like to make love. He smoothed his hands over Zak’s sweat-slick skin, feeling goosebumps rise up at his touch. Zak breathed out his name, bringing a hand up to stroke himself as he continued to move on top of Nick. Nick watched intently, working to control the tremors rippling through his body. Holding himself at the edge so that Zak could finish one more time.
“I’m not gonna last.” Zak managed between ragged breaths.
“That’s okay, just let go.” Nick said, squeezing the older man’s thighs as he moved desperately against him.
“Are you close?” Zak asked.
“I’m right behind you.” Nick urged, feeling his body tightening as Zak picked up speed.
The older man let go first, eyes slamming shut as loud moans escaped his lips. He fought to stay upright, anchoring himself on Nick’s chest as he continued to move. Nick pulled at Zak’s back, bringing the older man closer as he felt himself fall over the edge.
Zak lay against Nick’s chest, feeling the younger man’s heart beat against his ear. He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he ran his hands over Nick’s skin. This was easily the happiest moment of his life and he wanted to soak up every little detail. Nick’s arm wrapped around him and he felt the younger man’s lips on the top of his head. He smiled wider, lifting his head to bring their lips together in a simple kiss. He pulled back, looking into Nick’s dark eyes as the younger man smiled back at him.
“You’re so quiet.” Zak said, suddenly worried Nick hadn’t enjoyed himself as much as he thought.
“Sorry, I’m still recovering.” Nick chuckled. “That was unreal.”
“Good unreal?”
“Amazing…” Nick said sincerely. He was trying to think of words to even begin to describe it, but he was at a loss. “I had no idea it could feel like that.”
“I know.” Zak said with a bashful smile, pressing his face into Nick’s chest as he blushed.
“So, I did okay?” Nick asked. Zak had clearly enjoyed himself, but Nick wasn’t sure how much of that he could attribute to himself.
“Are you kidding me?’ Zak asked. “You did better than okay! Two times, I might add.”
Nick smiled softly, he hated feeling like he was fishing for compliments. But if he was doing something wrong, he wanted to know.
“I mean it, Nick.” Zak said, seriously. “That was...better than I ever could have imagined. And I’ve spent some time imagining it.”
“Is that right?” Nick grinned.
“Well, what do you want? I thought I was in love with a straight guy.” Zak chuckled. He didn’t register the words until they had already left his mouth. “Shit…” he said, feeling the color drain from his face. “Nick...that was too fast. I’m sorry.” He sat up, putting a little space between them. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Nick off. Not after how perfect this day had been.
“So you love me, huh?” Nick asked with a smirk.
“I don’t have to…” Zak lied. “Really. We could just pretend I didn’t say that.”
Nick smiled, watching Zak as he desperately tried to backpedal. He was flustered, and awkward and adorable.
“If it’s all the same to you, I think I’m done pretending.” Nick said, pulling Zak in by the nape of his neck and pressing their lips together.
“The only thing better than waffles is sex and waffles.” Zak said, taking a big bite. “I could get used to this.” he added, syrup coating his lips.
Nick smiled, leaning in to kiss his sticky lips.
“Mmm...me too.” he said, licking the syrup from his own lips.
“Good thing I bought this waffle iron.” Zak smirked. “Now I have everything I need.”
“Yeah, now you just have to learn how to make waffles.” Nick joked.
“That’s what I have you for.”
Nick rolled his eyes, chuckling as he made his way back to the counter to check on the next batch.
“You ready for another one?" He asked.
“Yes, please.” Zak grinned, holding up his plate to accept the steaming waffle.
Zak took his time, pouring syrup into each and every nook of the waffle. And Nick wondered, once again, how he managed to stay in such great shape.
“So...have you thought about what you wanna tell people?” Zak asked as casually as he could manage. He kept his eyes trained on his waffle as he continued to drizzle syrup over it.
The question came out of the blue and Nick took a second to process it. But he could tell it had been weighing on Zak’s mind, judging by the way the older man avoided eye contact.
“It’s all been kind of a whirlwind, you know?” Nick said truthfully. “Yesterday at this time I had no idea that this is where we’d be right now.”
“No, I get it.” Zak nodded. He tried not to feel hurt. He’d been in love with Nick for months and the younger man had only just realized his own feelings the night before. It was gonna take some time.
“But I’m thinking, I wanna tell my family first.” he said. “Would you wanna to be there with me for that?”
“Of course!” Zak said, face lighting up. “If you want me to be there.”
“I do. I think it’s gonna be a bit of a shock for them. And I would feel a lot better with you there next to me.”
“Then of course I’ll be there.” Zak said with a smile.
“Do you want me to be there when you tell your mom?” Nick asked.
“Oh...well, I sort of already texted her.” Zak admitted bashfully. “The whole me dating men thing comes as less of a shock to her. And she was really pulling for us to get together.”
“She was?” Nick asked, surprised.
“Yeah. I tried to tell her you were straight, but she insited. When she left last night, she told me that I should kiss you. That you were just too dumb to notice that you were in love with me. But if I kissed you, you’d realize it. I told her she was crazy.”
“She was right.” Nick said, running his hand over Zak’s. “I was dumb. I’m so sorry to have put you through that.”
The older man smiled warmly, pulling Nick’s hand to his mouth to kiss his fingers lightly.
“That’s okay. I’m just so happy you finally figured it out.”
“Me too.” Nick agreed, pressing their lips together softly. “I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long. Especially now that I know what I’ve been missing.”
Zak smiled, feeling a blush creep over his cheeks as he soaked in this moment. This past year had been the best and most challenging time of his life. From the moment he’d laid eyes on Nick, his life had veered off in unexpected directions. He’d made a best friend, fallen in love and felt his heart break in ways he couldn’t have imagined. But for the first time, he felt actual purpose. He was no longer wandering through his days, bored and uninspired. Nick had pushed him to do more and be more than he ever would have thought possible. And to have the younger man return his love felt like more happiness than he deserved in a lifetime. He looked into those chocolate brown eyes, realizing just how much Nick had done for him. And he knew he would gladly give him everything in return.