Chapter Text
Ness was ready to admit it, he was ready to yell it to the skies and the stars—he had completely fallen, head over heels, nose over ankles, hair under his waist as he bows down to just the thought of you even smiling back at him, wholy, truly, deeply, in love with you.
He was no longer just an observer when he passed by you in hallways. Instead, you waved to him and smiled, a dangerous thing that caused him to run into walls all over again. Kaiser was this close to slapping some sense into him every time he saw his stupid lovestruck face.
You and Ness did continue to have regular tutor sessions, but it had devolved into just talking while eating whatever snacks Alexis had bought earlier (they were also all of your favorites, coincidentally.) However, you enjoyed every second of them, every second well spent into staring at his gleaming and flashing eyes as he rambled on about his favorite fantasy book at that time, a little snagged tooth peeking out whenever he smiled widely.
Even your pride was a little confused about where it stood. The first thought you had about him was just a little something to toy with, to entertain you for the time being. The last thought you had about him about how much of a flush his cheeks would have if you kissed him right then and there.
You blushed yourself as you quickly covered your cheeks in embarrassment, playing it off as if your jaw was sore. Ness only looked at you with a worried expression with chips still in his mouth like a chipmunk, but only nodded and kept chewing away.
You pursed your lips together and furrowed your eyebrows. God, he was cute. He tug on your heartstrings like no other. Not only that, he was decently smart. His tutoring efforts had extended to English and History, and your grades had never been better. You were so eternally grateful to him, and all he really did was gather enough courage to try to tutor you out of the blue.
You quickly snapped out of your thoughts when Ness pushed the snacks away and started reviewing more material, gently launching into a lecture.
It was easy, you remarked. Easy how natural everything came together when Ness explained it in his way, softly crafted for you to grasp and remember. And that rhythmic honey of his voice paired with the soft German accent—sometimes, you would be so caught up in every decadent and tone in his words that you completely wouldn’t register whatever he was explaining. And every time you had to awkwardly confess you didn’t understand a smidge of it, he was always happy to go over it again.
Chemistry can’t be as important as his magenta eyes, you pouted in your head.
But you didn’t know how to approach. Someone like him should be easy, right?
No. Everytime you think you had it, gathered enough courage, you always chickened out at the last second.
But you were like, 50% sure he liked you—so why doesn’t he do something?
This question plagued you for all of eternity. All the times you would mush your face into your pillow, glaring at your phone screen as if its done something wrong to you (It did, because it never showed you Ness’s long spur of confession texts.) You didn’t know how much longer you could keep up this facade. Would you wait long enough until you go crazy and bash his head in or would he finally smarten up and avoid getting murdered by just saying those three words?
Weeks flip by with just a glance. It was honestly surprising how fast time seem to fly by once you had a crush to keep your reason to get out of bed alive and well. Maybe it was Ness’s superpower, how he made every day just a little brighter and full of color, maybe by his lame jokes or those snacks he knew you liked. Those daily library sessions were the only thing you looked forward to. The next thing was the unwavering faith that he would always be there whenever you shot him a text, replying within the minute.
Eventually, enough was enough. It’s been like what? A month or two?
Two whole months and almost nothing had changed between the two of you. Maybe you were forcing it? Those time where you scooted your chair a bit closer to him and he just freezes and tenses up for a second—was that repulsion?
You had to do something. It was getting agonizing to even look at him one more time and remember you couldn’t just squeeze his cheeks and kiss him right then and there.
So you went to the person who knew him the most—which meant forcing yourself to talk with Michael Kaiser.
You groaned when you realized this pitiful piece of information. You didn’t even want to be near him. He was very much one of those cocky guys who thought they owned the world and were too used to having anything they wanted with a snap of their fingers. You? Approaching someone like him? Every part of you dreaded each future word that would come out of his mouth with each step you took towards him.
You found him near the soccer field—of course you did—right before his practice started. Gulping down your fear, you advance towards him.
Kaiser hears your footsteps crunching on the grass and shoots a glance behind him—then double-taking as he realizes that it’s some random girl and not his one of his incompetent teammates.
“Look, make this quick,” he calls out. “I have soccer practice soon, so just give me the love letter or whatever and be on with your day.”
Your attitude immediately sours. How dare he assume that you were there for him?
You open your mouth for a witty retort, but he beats you there. “Oh? You’re the girl Alexis goes on about, aren’t you?”
How does he know that? You wonder in your head. And apparently, out of your head as well, as Kaiser annoyingly laughs and says, “How do I know that? Alexis won’t fucking shut up about you, that’s why.”
You freeze again, a twinge of red flushing your cheeks.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Now what do you want? If you’re waiting for him, he said that he was going to go to the library first to check some books out.”
You roll your eyes. “A whole lot of assumptions now, huh? No, I want to ask you something.”
“Go on.”
You take a deep breath, just now realizing how stupid the words that’s about to come out of your mouth will sound. But you needed this confirmation before you did anything stupid.
“Does… Does Ness like me?”
And it truly was the most stupid question ever, judging by the incredulous expression on Kaiser’s face.
You sigh, closing your eyes, unable to stand his ugly box dyed rattails. “Ugh, forget it–”
“Are you serious right now?” he deadpans, because truly, he didn’t believe he could meet anyone as blind and deaf about love other than Ness. And then you waltzed in and asked him the most obvious question ever—he felt like he was surrounded by idiots.
“Ness is probably the most in love person I’ve seen with my own two eyes,” he groans. “If I had to sit through another monologue about you again, I’ll Kaiser impact my head.”
“Kaiser impact?” you trail off. Did he name a whole ass move just after himself? There really was no end to this ego.
“Whatever. It’s not important to you. Did you really come all the way here just to ask me this stupid question? Honestly, I thought you would be smarter than this—”
“Can you shut up?” you say, sick of his rant. “I just have one more thing.”
“Well, spit it out then.”
He was really making it hard for you to not drop your things and fist fight him right there. You take a deep, steady breath to calm yourself.
“Could you get Ness just to confess? Say something?”
He sighs again. “Do you not think I’ve been trying?”
“Well, try harder!”
He scowls at you, wearing the most haughty expression. See, this is why you don’t interact with people like him.
“Noted. Now, shoo. You got what you wanted. I need to warm up.” He gestures at the soccer field.
Exhaling, you turn around and walk away, somewhat satisfied with the answer you got, yet still irritated after talking to him. That’s how it went usually when interacting with Michael Kaiser.
But neither of you didn’t know, didn’t catch, the shadow lurking at the opposite end of the field, looking on at the conversation happening just on the other side of him, stomach sinking further and further down into the earth with each second you stayed talking with Kaiser.
Ness had already gotten back from the library, making his trip extra quick so he wouldn’t be late for practice. He already changed into his soccer gear, but now, he wish he hadn’t and stayed inside the changeroom for a little longer if he didn’t have to see this betrayal.
Unlike you, Ness had no idea where he stood in terms of affection for you. He still lived in the belief that he was just your tutor, nothing else. Only a tutor that sometimes ranted a little too long about his interests, and someone to talk to about everything and nothing when the moon was high, phone screen illuminating a world of fantasies.
He clenches his fists, nails digging into his palms hard enough to draw blood. Of course. Of course you would fall for Kaiser. Who wouldn’t?
He would sometimes pop in during your library tutoring session, Ness recalls, always to tell Ness something personally or just sit there and scroll on his phone. Was it that? Were those the moments that caused you to fall for him? If so, he would’ve locked him up on the fence near the soccer field.
Ness continues overthinking, all the time as he runs through his drills, brain and legs moving just as fast. He had a pretty face, Ness admits. Prettier than him. There’s no wonder you had it for Kaiser, it was inevitable. It was Ness’s fault that he thought he had a chance with you.
He swallows, gaze panning to Kaiser’s direction. Ness couldn’t find it in himself to ever hate him, but if the two of you really did get together…he wouldn’t know what to do with himself.
When soccer practice wrapped up, Ness speedran packing up so he didn’t have to spend another second with Kaiser in the changeroom.
Of course, he caught on.
“Alexis, wait here.”
He stops, head drooping. “What is it?”
Kaiser scoffs. “Well, first of all, don’t avoid me during practice. Our synergy is the most important, and every time you’re distracted and try to distance yourself from me, this entire team falls apart.”
Ness gulps and nods, knowing he was right. “Okay… I’m sorry.”
He smirks, zipping up his bag. “And lastly, you know that girl you’re always tutoring?”
Oh god. Ness squeezes his eyes shut and hopes that he would suddenly gain the ability to also shut his hearing off.
“You—”
“She likes you, doesn’t she?” Ness cuts him off, mumbling. “Of course she would.”
The room goes silent until Kaiser launches into an obnoxious laugh, bending over and clutching his stomach.
“Oh my god—the two of you really are made for each other! You’re both idiots!”
“Huh?”
Kaiser fakes wiping a tear from his eye. “She doesn’t like me, idiot. In fact, she might be just as in love with you.”
Ness’ heart stops at this claim.
“S-seriously..? Don’t tell me you’re joking…”
Kaiser snickers, “I wouldn’t lie. Have you ever heard me lying before?”
Yes, a lot of times, Ness thinks to himself. He doesn’t think there wasn’t a day that passed by where Kaiser didn’t pull something out of his ass. But he refrains from saying this out loud.
“A-are you sure she likes me? She told you or something?” Ness blinks. “Was that why she came up to you today?”
He cocks his head. “How did you know—Nevermind. It was obvious just by looking at her. You should totally go for it now, you have a chance. Fuck, not even a chance. You’re guaranteed.”
Ness’s heart races again, but this time in hope. His stomach seemed to find his way back to his body, no longer melted in the ground. However, it seemed to bring butterflies along its way.
“Actually?”
Kaiser rolls his head. “Yes, actually. How many times do I have to say it?” Kaiser grabs his bag and walks out of the changeroom. “Good luck.”
And the door slams behind him, leaving Ness still frozen, still semi-doubtful of his claim, but also the greatest thing in the world;
Hope.
But hope was for idiots, Ness groaned.
Hope should conjure up courage, and if Ness had any courage, he would’ve said “screw it” and confess every single thought he had about you in one long text message and then plead to date you.
No—that was borderline weird. He should stop that.
It’s been an eternal wait since that conversation he had with Kaiser in the locker room. Waiting for him to do something, or waiting for you to do something. The two of you were both just impatiently waiting, and it was a contest to see who would be the first to crack and profess everything.
It’s not like there was still some doubt. Both of you knew very well that the other reciprocated. And it was getting tiring shifting seats closer to each other to the point where your shoulders were touching, or the endless amount of times you caught the other staring absentmindedly into the vast color of each other’s eyes. Ness needed something to change. You needed something to change.
On a casual, spring day, you sit on the bleachers watching Ness (and Kaiser, unfortunately) at his soccer practice. You told yourself you’re only there to support him, to wait for him and hopefully be able to walk him home.
You got some weird looks, of course. It wasn’t often where a girl would sit and watch the soccer practice, and you also weren’t the type that really liked sports as well. However, you paid them no mind and you sat there, watching Ness’s magical passes and the way he speeded across the field.
Sighing, you catch yourself mindlessly staring at the back of his magenta hair as he and his team circle around their coach as they talk about some formation.
He really is pretty, you think to yourself for the hundredth time this week.
Your stomach clenches, and your heart aches in return. Once again, a spout of convinction comes to you, and you think to yourself that you’ll really do it this time—really just confess and get over it.
However, it doesn’t go away. Something hardened your resolve, and it stays there, pooling in your veins.
When you were confident everyone had flocked out of the changeroom except for Ness (you counted, just to make sure), you nervously pushed open the door and entered, spotting him in the far corner rolling up his clothes. The smell immediately hits you—but you ignore it. The cute boy standing on front of you was way more important.
“Ness?”
He jumps, and you silently laugh to yourself.
“Good job in practice today,” you smile, trying to sound as natural as possible.
“Ah, uh, thanks,” he mutters. Of course, he as well caught the awkwardness–it wasn’t often that you two were truly alone. Whenever you were together, you would always be surrounded by people in the library and the steady presence of books that sat quietly waiting for their next victim, or by open air and the plants around you when you walked with him outside.
This time, it was only you, Ness, and the cheap paint covered bricks of the changeroom. The air was full of tension, anything could happen now.
The resolve that you gathered on the bleachers started to falter, but you didn’t dare let it run away from you. It was now or never.
“Alexis…” You mutter. He tilts his head up to you, gorgeous magenta puppy eyes giving you their loyal attention. You stutter.
“You—you like me, right?”
The whole room seems to grow warmer once those words enter the air. Suddenly, it was too hot, too stifling. He doesn’t give you an immediate reply, leaving the two of you shifting awkwardly in the room.
But finally, turning his head away, he whispers, “Yes, I do…” he exhales, taking a deep breath, “I–I’ve liked you…for a long time now…”
Your breath shakes, heart pounding. Of course, you sorta knew that already, but hearing him say that, his own words, his own voice, felt different and better than anything else.
“Well, that makes things easier,” you mutter, an evident smile being heard through your voice.
“What—?” Ness turns his head back to look at you, but you were already there, in front of him, prepared to kiss him.
And you did—right there, bent weirdly, fingers locking his chin, lips clasped over the other—and kissed him.
He tenses up at first, caught off guard, but quickly melts deeper into it, deeper than you, pressing into you harder.
You pull away, and you could swear he whimpered, and the hand you placed on his chin switched to his cheek, playfully squeezing it.
“Took you long enough,” you mutter, before kissing him again.
And maybe, Alexis wondered, maybe magic was real. It wasn’t sparkly, nor was it colorful. Maybe it was in the lingering stench of sweat in the changeroom, and it was definitely in the sweet taste of your lip gloss. How could he ever deny magic was real when you were here, kissing him so softly?
On a regular, mundane, Tuesday, almost three months from that fateful meeting, Alexis Ness fell deeper in love—and brought you along with him.