Chapter Text
Ivan was having a good time in college so far — except something seemed to be missing in his life, it was incomplete
...
Till.
He woke up with his phone buzzing on the nightstand and looked outside. It was already morning, at least it was Friday.
He wore the most basic outfit he could find before driving to the campus.
Upon his arrival, he searched for his friends and landed his eyes on Luka and Hyuna, who were talking to Till... Yeah, it wasn't the best time for him to greet them, so he just sat in his car while observing everything.
His eyes roamed Till. He was wearing new shoes — probably because Io made him throw away his old one from being too worn out. And his hair seemed so soft today that Ivan wanted to caress it.
And the way he smiled and talked excitedly about something he couldn't figure out, it was so freaking cute.
He still liked Till, maybe a little too much...
Ivan sighed and looked away
— Ivan! — Someone was frantically knocking on his window.
That brought him back to reality. With an annoyed huff, he rolled down the car window and looked at one of his jock friends.
— Dude, I've been calling you for a while! What were you doing? — He jokingly punched his shoulder.
— The music was loud, sorry Marty. — There was no music. He was just a weirdo.
Ivan got out of the car — There's practice today, right? — just to check if he was really tuned back to reality
— What do you mean? There's practice every day... — Marty was probably one of his closest friends outside his friend group. — Anyway, want to grab coffee with me?
— Sure — He got a cigarette out of his pocket and offered one to his friend, too. He needed to cool down a little and stop thinking about Till — for now, at least.
— Smoking this early? Are you alright? — Marty asked with genuine worry in his tone
The black haired guy, who was scavenging for his lighter, looked up and shrugged. — Yeah, guess I'm. — He turned his head slightly and puffed some smoke.
— Uh, I'm here if you need to talk, man. — He nodded, pretending to listen to him.
Soon, Ivan was hanging out with his football team and they were planning on holding a party to the whole campus if they won the following game.
— Dude, you should totally organize it to be on court, that'd be very sick. — One of Ivan's teammates spoke excitedly. — I'm sure they'll let us if you're the one asking!
— Not really sure about that... We don't even have a budget! — He chuckled and shook his head slightly. — Just because I'm the student's council president, doesn't mean I'm allowed to do everything!
— Sure, but you should try! That doesn't hurt, right? — Another jock, who was also very engaged with that idea, spoke.
— Okay... I'll try, but if they don't let us, it's not my fault. — He knew his friends wouldn't give up, so he decided to just give it a try. — I'll ask the principal after class.
Ivan had just came back from his talk with the principal, when he decided to walk by the student's council room to check on some paperwork.
One thing he didn't expect to see there was Till, who was, for some reason, standing by the door like there was some kind of magic spell stopping him from getting inside. Cute.
Till knocked on the door awkwardly and Ivan tried not to laugh.
After the boy realized nobody was in there, he turned around to leave. That was when Ivan placed a friendly hand on his shoulder. — Hey, Till! Why are you knocking on the door?
A smirk crept on his face when Till answered him with an angry pout. — Why else would I knock on a door, idiot? — Something about getting him mad got Ivan extremely satisfied with himself.
— Calling me an idiot... I'm sure Io would love to know that her son is cursing her beloved son's best friend... — Now, Till would certainly yell at him or something
Except he didn't
Ivan felt the switch in the boy's mood — It was almost instant.
— We're not 'best friends' anymore, Ivan.
Of course he'd say that, just to ruin his vibes. He looked away, a bit unsure of what to say next. — Uh, right... So why are you here?
— The music competition; I wanna enter it. — He observed the flyer Till showed him and nodded.
Of course. — Ah, yes, just... put your name on the list. — Ivan opened the door and leaned back on it, only waiting for him to write down his name.
He noticed how Till just stopped writing and looked up — he knew the boy was gonna ask him about his name being on the list. — Ivan, are you going to sing?
— I... — That was the most embarrassing thing to say out loud. Gosh, he wish he could change the past to stop his old self from punching that dude in front of a whole crowd. He even had to go to the police station after that... Can you believe it? He was just giving a lesson to a homophobic bitch, there was no need to dial 911
Not that it was a traumatic experience for him, but singing in front of big crowds now reminded him about that night, but he wanted to try again.
Whatever, Ivan wasn't gonna give any explanation to him. He was still mad Till managed to kill off his vibe — Do I really need to say anything to you, Till? You're neither my friend or relative, so why are you minding my business?
He was proud at himself for that one.
Till looked shocked, almost sad at that. — Sorry.
Ivan looked at his expression and tried hard to stop a smirk from spreading on his face. — It's ok... sorry too. — It's better if he just left now, or else he'd ruin all his chances to fix their friendship. — Close the door on your way out and give the keys to Hyuna or something.
He heard Till protesting behind him. Great.
Ivan opened his phone, which was buzzing with a few messages from his friends
The best GC
Mizi: Hello!! Are y'all ready for tonight?!
Hyuna: Of course! This is gonna be amazing
Prehistoric Luka: Be grateful of my presence, I wanted to sleep.
Hyuna: Typical old people behavior
Prehistoric Luka: We're literally the same age, Hyuna.
Hyuna: But who?
Mizi: LMAO
Prehistoric Luka: Who what? I was talking about us being the same age...
Hyuna: WHO ASKED.
You: Hahahaha
You: You did not just fall for the oldest trick in the book, Luka, hahahaha!
Prehistoric Luka: I don't need Haters when I have you guys...
Tilly <3: Do I have to go? I'm not in the mood to party =/
Mizi: I don't remember asking you anything :))
Sua: Won't you and my brother ever stop this thing and fuck each other? I don't know what's your deal but please stop.
_
... If only it was that easy
_
Mizi: OMG, love!
Sua: C'mon, you know I'm right!
Mizi: Yeah, you're...
Hyuna: Right where it hurt, damm
Prehistoric Luka: Ouch
Tilly<3: ... This wasn't even about him, I'm just tired
Mizi: Keep telling yourself that
You: Let him do whatever he wants.
Hyuna: ???
Mizi: ???
Prehistoric Luka: Omw to get some popcorn.
Sua: Shut up Luka
Mizi: Don't listen to Ivan, you're going. Like it or not
Tilly<3: Do I really have to?
Hyuna: Till.
Tilly<3: Fine.
_
Great, Till was attending. Ivan was gonna be able to attempt something bold he was thinking about for a while.
He went home excited for tonight.
The boy parked his car and entered his house, only to find his sister making out with Mizi.
He wish it was him and Till.
— Geez, get a room, girls! — He joked playfully. He didn't even mind this anymore, it wasn't the first time this had happened.
Sua looked at him with a mad, and probably embarrassed expression before shouting at his brother. — I have someone, at least!
— I just have to wait a little, I'm sure Till likes me back... — He looked at the floor, trying not to sound so delusional.
— Right, Ivan. I'm sure if you keep this up, that boy will switch colleges just to never look at you again. — Sua now had her arms crossed.
— I'm sure it's not that bad, Till's still discovering himself. He doesn't know if he's bi or not, there's still hope for Ivan... — Mizi made a valid point, but Ivan couldn't picture why it was taking so long for him to discover himself.
— But we've been like... like this for almost two years! He has to make up his mind up! — He dramatically let out a sigh. — You two should help me instead of making out in the living room!
Sua didn't say anything, just gave Ivan a deadly stare. Mizi, on the other hand, let out a loud chuckle before disagreeing.
— It's better if we let him do this on his own... — The pink haired girl had another fair point.
— But... I'll have died of age by the time that dumbass decide to act or do something.
— That seems to be a "you problem", Ivan. — Sua spoke half jokingly
Ivan dramatically pretended to have his heart hit by an arrow before replying with a faint grin on his lips — Ouch, Sua! — he said while heading to his room
The boy opened the door to his bedroom and sighed. Maybe his sister was right... Or maybe he should never stop pursuing his dreams (Till) — and after a few centuries, he would finally realized and then... they'd live their happy ever after!
Touché
Ivan laid on his bed and closed his eyes, wandering and overthinking about thousands of fictional scenarios at the same time.
After a few hours — or what seemed to be only a minute — Ivan woke up with someone throwing a pillow at his face. He opened one eye and saw Mizi standing by the door with a smirk.
— Come on, Ivan! We have to go now!!
— Why are you becoming evil like my sister, Mizi?! — Ivan sat on his bed while holding his head with one hand, pretending she'd hurt him.
— Yeah, I'll become as evil as her if you're not ready in one minute! — She used a scolding tone
He playfully rolled his eyes at the funny tone used to rush him before speaking — Don't worry, I'll be ready in a day or two, maybe! — He was answered with another pillow thrown straight on his face — Mizi!
— What? Hyuna and Luka are already waiting for us!
— Okay... I'll get ready, but just because my real friends are out there!! — He grinned and shoved Mizi out of his room
He stared at his closet and chose a clean black shirt and his jock jacked, which obviously couldn't be missed. He quickly dressed up — afraid that Mizi would attack him once more — and hushed downstairs.
They needed to pick up Till before heading to the Karaoke bar.
Ivan parked the car in front of his house and got out of it before automatically making his way to the front door. Mizi and Sua stared at each other and shared a chuckle — they went right behind him.
The black haired guy hit the doorbell and was met with a shout from inside — Wait a second! —
Till opened the front door and spoke excitedly — Hey, girl! —
Ivan looked at him with a mocking grin, like he was ready to make fun of him — but was stopped by his sister's and Mizi's laugh behind him.
— I-IVAN?! — Damm, how could one look so cute while being that embarrassed?! — Ahem! I mean, actually, good evening to you, guys! —
Everyone greeted Till and got inside the car. Because of Sua's evil nature, she forced the teal haired boy to sit at Ivan's side — leaving the worst atmosphere there. Ivan sighed before starting to drive.
He subtly stole some glances from Till while looking at the rear view mirror — and he couldn't let the boy's looks go unnoticed. Till looked so great in that outfit that Ivan almost let his intrusive thoughts get the best of him.
The teal haired boy awkwardly broke the confortable silence on the front seats. — Uh... Can I play something...? –
Ivan glanced at him and and nodded, while giving him a charming smile. He couldn't hide his excitement in chatting with Till. Weirdo. – No problem, go ahead. —
He thanked him before hitting some random Playlist on his phone to fill the silence.
After a second, Till shifted on his seat to chat with Mizi and Sua. – Do you already know what you are singing in the Alien festival? — Ivan observed the interaction from the rear view mirror.
Mizi tilted her head to the side, thinking about the question and Sua raised an eyebrow.
— I was planning on singing a song with Mizi... Probably some cheesy one. – Sua answered sincerely
Mizi eyes shined when she heard what sua had in mind – Aw, that's so sweet, Sua. I'm dow for cheesy songs, as long as it's with you.
Ivan didn't hide his grossed out face with this interaction — as nobody was looking at him. But he swore to himself that when him and Till got together, he'd be 100x more insufferable and cringe than those two. He'll make sure to rub on everyone's face how happy he'll be with Till. He just needed to wait...
— I'll sing some Sex Pistols, probably... – He heard Till speak, and turned off the voices in his head – And you, Ivan...? – Till asked without thinking too much about it.
Ivan's smooth brain almost short-circuited when Till asked him too. Why the hell was he interested — Ivan was so sure he'd get Till back before this competition that he hadn't even thought about what he'd sing if his plan didn't work.
— I don't know... Sorry. — He tried giving off a polite answer, but failed miserably as his voice cracked in the middle of the sentence, leaving Ivan very embarrassed.
He swore Till would laugh at him, but the boy just made a constipated look before replying to him. – I thought you had something in mind, already...
It took every bit of his strength not to laugh at the funny face the other made. He just gave a quick reply and shut up — Yeah, not really.
Ivan carefully parked the car before announcing they'd arrived at the Karaoke bar. Everyone let out happy sounds before getting inside.
Hyuna and Luka were already waiting for them inside their designated room.
— Hey-ya!! – Hyuna greeted everyone with a happy smile.
– Geez. I thought you guys died in the way or something. What took you so long? – Luka asked with a raised eyebrow, half jokingly.
— Did we take that long? – Ivan was ready to apologize when Hyuna interrupted him.
— Nah, I'm just kidding, we arrived a couple minutes ago, don't worry!! —
— Oh, ok. — He let out a relieved smile.
Everyone ordered some drinks and junk food and the night officially started. Till and Hyuna were the golden partners there — they sang to almost every song together with matching vibes and energy, which happened to leave Ivan a little off setting.
He didn't want his friends to notice how jealous he actually was so he decided to drink a little and pretend he was alright.
After only half an hour, Ivan was already mad drunk. Without thinking much, he decided it was time to put his plan in action. "Trying to win Till's heart" mission started.
He got off his seat and approached Till with assuring steps and held his hand softly — Sing one song with me, Till. — His face didn't quite match his confident vibe, as it was all serious.
It looked like Till didn't know what to do next, if he should accept Ivan's invite (The only reasonable thing to do, obviously) or simply decline it. — I-I... Sure... why not, right? – it was obvious Till regretted saying this, but whatever.
— I want to sing this. – Ivan showed him his phone, with his Spotify opened and Bulletproof love from Pierce the Veil showing on the screen.
Okay, Till agreed to singing to this, just like he planned. He hit the "play" button and the music started. Even if Ivan had planned this a few time ahead, he still felt his palms going cold and a little lightheaded — he blamed it on his drink.
"I breath you in with smoke in backyard lights (backyard lights) We used to laugh until we choked into the wasted nights (wasted nights) It was the best time of my life, but now I sleep alone..."
Ivan knew this was the perfect song because what — other than simply saying it — was more obvious than singing this thing that seemed to be a copy and paste from their situationship...?
He started singing the next verse alone, because Till seemed a little frozen in place to sing it with him.
But... in the next second, Till's microphone was on the floor and he'd ran away from there.
— What? — Ivan looked too shocked. This was too much for his little drunk mind to process. Had he done something wrong...?
His hands started trembling and he started having flashbacks from the first time Till did this...
All Ivan remembered was that he cried for the next hour. All because of Till. It's always because of him... He shouldn't be surprised anymore. It's not the first time this happened anyway...