Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Isak regretted coming to the party the moment he stepped through the door. Another party means another night of making out with random girls, pretending that he is enjoying it and then backing away in case they try to take things further. It was humiliating and he couldn't stand it anymore, but he was way too terrified to come out, let alone try something with a guy.

And it was not like he wanted to try anything anyway, not after the whole fiasco with Jonas. Slowly but surely, he was getting over the crush he had on his best friend. After ruining his frienship with Eva, and her life probably, he felt really bad about trying to break them up and realised that he had absolutely no chance with Jonas, so he ultimately decided it wasn't worth it. Watching him hooking up with girls didn't hurt anymore, which was a good thing. He became indifferent because he valued their friendship more than anything and he couldn't bear the thought of losing Jonas, especially not over a stupid crush.

Speaking of whom, when Jonas told him about going to a Bakka party, he agreed bitterly. Sitting with all the hipsters and pretentious artsy people was the last thing he needed, but he could use a distarction from the hell hole that his home was at the moment. His mother wasn't getting any better and his asshole of a father was more and more absent, blaming it on long hours at work. So he agreed to come with Jonas and Magnus, a guy they befriended recently and whom Isak liked much more than Elias, and he figured that some alcohol may help him forget about his worries, at least for a while.

It was three hours later when he barged through the bathroom door after dealing with a persuasive girl that just wouldn't leave him alone. He had lost both Jonas and Magnus in the crowd and decided that it was his cue to leave. He drank three beers in an hour and he was a little unsteady on his feet, almost tripping on his way out, but thankfully, the cool air of the night that hit his face sobered him a little. He took a deep breath when he heard a voice calling for him from behind, and he almost snapped his neck at how startled he was.

"Can you light my cigarette?" A deep manly voice that sent shivers down his spine repeated.

"What?" Isak frowned and turned around. And holy shit the guy was hot. He was sitting on a bench in front of the house wearing a jean jacket and he had swoopy blonde hair, bright blue eyes and plump red lips. Isak's mouth watered and his brain short circuited at the sight. Pull yourself together wtf.

"I mean...Can I borrow your lighter? I can't find mine anywhere." The beautiful guy stuttered.

Isak looked down at his hand. Right. The lighter. The girl he kissed gave it to him and he forgot to return it when he practically sprinted away from her.

"Sure." Isak mumbled. He was a bit drunk, which was probably the reason he felt butterflies in his stomach when he brushed his fingers against the guy's hand who thanked him as he lit his cigarette and blew a smoke ring in the air.

Isak felt stupid. Was he supposed to wait until he was done? It wasn't even his lighter and it was definitely not worth the embarrassment he felt while staring at the mysterious stranger.

"We can share if you want." The blonde offered with a smile. And Isak blamed it on the alcohol again when he agreed and sat next next to the guy. It was only then when he understood that it was not a regular cigarette, but a joint and he felt stupid for not realising sooner. But it was a nice surprise because he could use something to help him loosen up. He closed his eyes and inhaled the smoke in his lungs when he heard the deep voice again.

"I didn't introduce myself. I'm Even." The boy-Even brought his hand forward and Isak shook it feeling the grand return of butterflies and his heart speeding up at the touch.

"Isak." He managed to mutter.

"So Isak..." Even said as he took another drag. "You are not from Bakka, are you? I haven't seen you around before."

"No. I'm a first year at Nissen." Isak responded while averting his gaze from meeting Even's.

Even hummed. "Cool. What brings you to this party then?"

"I..I came with my friends but I lost them in the crowd, they are probably hidden in a dark corner hooking up with some girls or something." Isak was rambling.

"I see." Even nodded and blew another ring of smoke in the air. "And there was no girl who caught your interest?"

"No girl...I mean girls are not really my type." Isak whispered and coughed immediately because he couldn't believe his own words. He just came out for the first time and to a complete stranger, a hot one, but a stranger nevertheless. It was definitely the weed speaking. His heart was beating way too fast. Is it possible to have a heart attack at 16?

"That's great." Even smiled revealing his white teeth but then he must have realised what he just said because his face fell when Isak's cheeks turned red. "I mean..fuck it." He continued as he pulled something from his pocket.

Is that-

"Is that lipstick?" Isak snorted and the tension he felt in his bones lifted a little.

"Chapstick actually. My lips are really dry." Even said as he brought it to his lips and Isak's face was even redder. "Strawberry flavoured, my favourite."

And then Even cupped his face gently and they were close-so close and Isak's body was buzzing with anticipation, but the door opened near them and Isak pulled away at the sound.

Jonas was practically carrying a wasted Magnus in his arms.

"Isak! There you were. I could use some help here." The curly-haired boy said as he struggled manevouring Magnus's weight.

Isak looked between them and Even who seemed really dissapointed and whispered a 'sorry' under his breath as he grabbed one of Magnus' arms and put it on his shoulder.

"See you around?" Even shouted after him and Isak looked back and nodded even though he doubted they would see each other again.

"Who was that?" Jonas asked later when they were waiting for a cab in the street.

"Just a Bakka guy that shared his weed with me." Isak shrugged trying to play it cool even though he was freaking out internally. A guy that I almost kissed. And whom I might like a little. Or a little more, which is ridiculous considering we only talked for like 10 minutes.

"Okay." Jonas said but he didn't look convinced as he eyed him suspiciously.

Right then Magnus stumbled over and puked all over Isak's shoes.

"Fuck!"

***

When he got home, Isak was completely exhausted and he passed out on the bed, relieved that his mother seemed to be sleeping considering that she was not screaming anymore and the house was completely quiet. He dreamed that he was making out with a a blonde guy with a bright smile whose lips tasted like strawberries and cigarettes and he woke up smiling and with an embarrassing problem between his legs.

Well fuck. He blinked awake and groaned as the light of the morning blinded him. He was stretching his limbs and yawning loudly when his phone pinged with a notification.

Even Bech Næsheim sent you a friend request.

Who the fuck? Isak wondered, but then he dropped his phone and nearly fell of his bed when he realised who it was.

He picked the phone from the floor-which thanfully didn't crack at the impact-and looked at the screen again. And again. And again. He stared at it for a while but decided to accept the request because curiosity got the best of him and he needed to see Even's photos. Like now.

There were only a few pictures, some with a blonde girl and some with a few other guys. He clicked on the profile photo and was met with an Even whose smile was so large and blinding that his eyes were closed. He was wearing a grey loose hoodie and his hair was a complete disaster as it was blown in all directions by the wind. Isak smiled and thought about how comfy Even's hoodie seemed and how soft his hair looked and how well his fingers would look playing or pulling that hair-

Even Bech Næsheim, 4 unread messages.

Isak opened the chat by accident and cursed loudly.

Hi! I promise that I am not a stalker or anything but I may or may not have been spending the past twenty minutes looking through my friend's little sister's friend list to find you.

Anyway, what's up? I enjoyed talking to you last night.

And you forgot your lighter by the way.

It's a nice colour. Pink, sweet like you. ;)

Isak's eyes were so wide they were about to pop out of his head. He was speechless and he hated how flustered this guy made him feel. This felt nothing like the crush he had on Jonas, no, it was much more and powerful, but also painfully alarming. He licked his lips and thought about how to respond.
 

That is exacly what a stalker would say and I am not sweet, that is not even my lighter.

But I liked talking to you too.  :)

That's too bad. But you held it once so I don't think I am giving it back. It is like my Cinderella shoe.

I need proof that you were not a dream and a reason to see you again. And you are sweet. Have you looked in a mirror recently? :o

Isak smiled and he could feel his heart turning to utter mush and his cheeks burning up. Holy shit this is embarrassing what am I a a scoolgirl? He had to think what to type next so in the meantime he changed Even's name.

You set the nickname from 'Even Bech Næsheim' to 'Even the hot stalker'

Umm Isak, you know I can see that too, right?

And no, he didn't know that. He threw the phone away and screamed in his pillow. This is it, he will have to delete his facebook acount and his entire existence, maybe he could fly to Mexico or to a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean, he could survive from fishing and eating fruit. He would-

His phone pinged with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 messages and he felt defeated and decided to look, simply because the sound was way too annoying.

You are cute.

Did you freak out? It is fine, really, I don't mind. On the contrary.

'Even the hot stalker' set the nickname from 'Isak Valtersen' to 'The sweetest boy in the universe'

Look now we are even.

Comee back we can both change them if you want to.

I am officially flying the country and you are the first one to find out. Goodbye Norway, rest in piss.

I am also suing Mark Zuckerberg for causing me emotional distress

God you are sunch a drama queen

Am not.

Yes you are. And if you are flying the country, I won't be able to see you again. And I'd really like that. Speaking of which, when can we meet again?

Eager. And I'm busy with school. But maybe during the weekend.

But that is 5 days away :(((

It is that or nothing.

Alright. I'll show you the world, Isak. Just wait.

That is a lot for somebody you barely know.

I feel like I've known you my whole life.

Me too.

The sound of glass breaking made Isak leave his trance and spured him into action. Shit.

***

The week passed by pretty quickly. Between studying for a biology test, going out with the boys for kebabs and trying to reassure his mother that demons weren't crawling under her bed or that the world was not going to end when his father was god knows where, he and Even kept texting back and forth. They sent each other memes and chatted about random stuff like movies, music or whatever funny thing Even's friends did recently. He never felt at more ease than he did talking to him.

It was friday night and Isak was freaking out because they were supposed to meet again soon and he had no idea what to expect. It was all completely new and terrifying. He didn't tell anybody about Even and he wasn't thinking of doing it any time soon. He was fidgeting in his seat, tapping his fingers on the hard wood table when his phone pinged.

Light my cigarette.

Isak frowned in confusion.

Is this a code for something?

No. Unless you want it to be ;)
What I mean is: meet you at Nissen in 20 so you can light my cigarette with your lighter? It's author's right. I can't use it.
 

It's not even my lighter, I told you that.

Just come.

Isak climbed down the stairs in a hurry when he met his parents in the kitchen.

His mother was cooking. Wait, what? He couldn't even remember the last time she cooked. This must be a good sign. She seemed really happy bended over a pot as she was humming to a song on the radio and stirring something-that smelled really good too-with a spoon.

His father was sitting at the table and cutting vegetables.

This looked way too normal for his family and Isak stopped in his tracks, mouth gaping.

"Hey son." Terje smiled. "Dinner is almost ready."

Isak had to blink a few times and shake his head to come back to his senses.

"That sounds...great but I am meeting Jonas in 5, he really needs my help with studying." Isak came up with a lie.

"How's Jonas doing?" Marianne chimed in, not shifting her attention from the pot.

"He is fine." Isak frowned.

"Studying?" His father arched an eyebrow. "But it is friday night."

"Terje, let the boys live. They are young." Marianne stopped him. "Studying is definitely a code for partying and meeting girls, so Isak sweetie, go have fun." She waved with the spoon, still not looking up.

Girls, right. Isak frowned even more. Ignoring that comment, he felt as if he landed in a parallel universe, one where his mother was well and his father was actually home.

"I will go now..."

"Don't be too late" Terje shouted after him and Isak almost snapped back Like you ever gave a shit about me?! but he swallowed his words and his pride and kept going.

He felt weirded out by the whole encounter and to make thins worse, the gate was locked. There was no way he was going back to that parallel universe that formed in his kitchen, so he had to fucking jump the fence. Escaping my own house, this is great. As he looked at the time on his phone, he realised he was going to be late at his meeting (date?) so he ran all the way to Nissen.

By the time he arrived, he was panting and Even was...breathtaking. He was leaning against a car, dressed in a white t-shirt and black jens, a cigarette in his mouth and his hair was even more styled than usual. Isak could swear his eyes looked even more blue in the dark.

"You are late." Even mumbled but he was smirking.

"Sorry, I got caught into something with my parents." Not entirely a lie.

Even nodded. "Understandable...What time is it?"

Isak opened his phone: "21:21".

"Really?" Even asked surprised.

"Really." Isak confirmed.

"Alright then, let's go." The older boy said as he was about to open the car door, but it didn't work.

"Oh shit. I locked my keys in the car." Even said and Isak could't help but laugh.

"Oh my god who does that?" He was clutching his stomach that was hurting from the force of his laughter and tears were rolling down his face. Somehow, when Even said or did stuff like this, he looked more human and Isak didn't perceive him as a god anymore. This way they were both equally clumsy and messy.

"Haha, laugh all you want." Even rolled his eyes. "But how are we going to go to our date place if I can't drive?"

Isak stopped suddenly, his eyes widened and his mind went blank. He called it a date he called it a date

"You okay there?" Even seemed quite concerned but also amused as he he came closer to Isak-too close, put a hand in his hair and started stroking it gently.

All the air seemed to have left Isak's lungs when Even's eyes dropped to his lips and Isak closed his eyes in anticipation, but then the older boy only kissed the corner of his mouth and moved his head to whisper "not yet" in his ear. Tease

"Come on, I will call us a cab" Even said as he turned around and walked, leaving Isak in a daze.

*

"Where are we going?" Isak asked as nervousness crept into his system.

"It will all be worth the wait, I promise." Even promised as his fingers walked in Isak's hand whose breath hitched at the contact.

They stopped eventually and Isak frowned when he didn't see anything interesting nearby, just a bunch of tall buildings that looked a little scary and intimidating in the darkness.

"Follow me." Even said as he took the lead and began walking without a care in the world. Isak obeyed and followed him as they took the elevator and Even showed him a secret door.

They got to the roof and Isak was still extremly confused.

"This is the tallest apartment building in Oslo." Even explained finally. "I would have liked to take you to Plaza, but we have less chances of being caught here."

"And what are we supposed to do here?" Isak's brain was clouded and still not catching up.

"Stargazing." Even smiled as he looked up pointing at the sky. "Maybe we will see a shooting star. I know that you are into astronomy and nerdy stuff so..." He continued as he took off his backpack. "I also brought a few blankets so we don't freeze our asses to death, candy and Coke."

Isak was staring at him dumbfounded. "Wow Even this is...wow..." He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence because Even swallowed his words in a kiss and Isak melted against him. Even grabbed him by the waist and Isak put his arms around Even's neck in an attempt to get closer-never close enough-as their mouths were glued together. And when Even parted his lips with a tentative tongue and then proceeded to lick into his mouth, Isak let out a loud moan.

They pulled away eventually, panting and looking into each other's eyes. Green and blue, blue and green.

*

They were sitting on the blanket, side by side and staring at the dark sky illuminated only by the sparkling stars and the pale light of the moon. Even pulled out the candy-strawberry flavoured, of course-and threw it at Isak who tried but failed to catch it in his mouth, and then they both started laughing loudly at the miserable attempt.

After that Even pulled out a joint and Isak smiled. "Eyyy."

They shared it, occasionally breathing the smoke into the other's mouth and stealing little kisses, but their eyes were still glued to the stark contrast of dark and light on top of them.

"I think I can see like millions of stars." Even said as he blew a ring of smoke in the chilly air.

"That's impossibile." Isak said as he took a drag himself.

"Hm?"

"You can't possibly see that many. There simply are not enough, close enough or bright enough. On a night like this when there are no clouds, if you have a very good eyesight, you may be able to see 2000- 2500 stars at one time, but not more."

Even groaned. "Here you are talking nerdy to me and I wanted to say something along the lines that despite the thousands of stars, you are the brightest of them all."

Isak's face immediately turned a bright shade of red and he felt really grateful that the pale light was not enough for Even to notice that.

"You are so cheesy."

"You like it."

"Maybe." Isak responsed as he raised his head, silently asking for a kiss and Even obeyed.

"Do you believe in aliens?" Even spoke up after a while.

"Of course I do. Or do you think that we are the only living beings in a universe that is approximately 28 billion light-years in diameter."

Even groaned again.

"I love the idea of infinity."

Even turned around to face him as he put an arm around Isak's middle who shuffled in his chest.

"What do you mean?"

"The infinity, all the posibilities and all the parallel universes. I just find it interesting how big everything is and how insignificant we are...how everything that can happen is going to happen, or not just going to, it is
happening right now in a parallel world."

"I don't like that."

"Why not?"

"It makes me feel lonely."

"How does that make you feel lonely?"

"It's hard to explain that to you when you are so young." Isak rolled his eyes. "What I can say is that I prefer thinking that life is like a film, that you can be the director of your own life."

"That's a nice concept too, keep it if it makes you feel less lonely."

"You are sweet." Even brushed a finger on Isak's cheek and started peppering his face with wet kisses.

"I am going to make a film about you one day."

"Oh really?"

"Mhm. You know what it is going to be called?"

"What?"

"The nerd who says you can't see a million stars."

"That sounds like a pompous pice of shit movie."

They laughed until they heard the sound of footsteps approaching and an angry loud voice demanding to know who was there.

"Run!"

"Fuck" Isak said as he grabbed all their stuff and raced to the elevator.

***

Isak woke up smiling as the memories of the previous night were slowly coming back. He remembered how after kissing and talking for hours on that roof, they went to Even's house where he grabbed his spare key and drove Isak home. How they raced to sixty mph in the city lights. How he tiptoed in his room, thankful that his parents seemed to have fallen asleep.

Isak yawned and rolled to his side, checking his phone, but there were no texts. He probably hasn't woken up yet.  He saw the t-shirt he wore yesterday thrown away on the bed next to him and he sniffed it. Still smells like you.

A few hours passed and there were still 0 texts. He decided to write something himself.

Hey Even, I had a lot of fun last night. When can we meet again?

But he didn't get a response later either. Or the next day. Or the next one.

*

I've been a fool but strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you