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The credits of a movie roll in on the laptop screen. The fingers that were playing with his hair still then his vision gets obstructed by Dan’s face who leans down to press their lips together. He tastes like the coffee candy they bought earlier in the morning. Nick hums in appreciation.
Their kissing comes to a halt when he starts giggling and lightly pushes at Dan’s shoulder to make him back off. His marshmallow’s eyes stare at him, full offense visible in them until they register the cat that is licking his cheek. Amusement sparkles in them. With quick hands Dan grabs Micro, lifting her up in the air.
“You are the most affectionate cat I know,” he coos at her, bringing her closer to his face, and peppers her head with sniff kisses.
Nick’s heart melts at the sight of this. He stretches out a hand to scratch at the soft fur then heaves himself up into a sitting position. While closing the movie’s app he glances at the time. Few minutes after 2 pm. He pats Dan’s knee.
“I’m going to check if the guys are still alive.”
Dan nods. At the same time Camp ambles towards them, back from her hiding spot, and jumps onto his lap. Nick snorts, pretty sure that the cats successfully stole his boyfriend’s attention for the time being and anything he could say now wouldn't register. Good thing he is on a mission, it would be pretty silly to get jealous now. And anyways Camp is doing that for both of them, what with deciding to show up the moment Micro got cuddly with one of their humans. He smooths his palm over her back then makes his way to Sand’s bedroom.
The doors to it are closed but he doesn't hesitate in opening them, just slowly presses down the handle in case the room occupants are still sleeping. In other circumstances he wouldn't do so since those doors being closed mostly mean there were (or are) things happening Sand doesn't want the cats to see but when they woke up the couch was Bostonless despite him preparing it for sleeping yesterday. It’s safe to assume that no shenanigans occured in the bedroom, probably just a lot of talking. Because if there is one thing the guys in the room have going for them is being damn oblivious.
(He chooses to believe, basing this on his observations, that they really are not there yet with their feelings realisations. Sometimes he wants to make them aware of them but then he thinks how badly it could end and clamps his mouth shut. He will take his own frustration and impatience over causing some rift in their growing relationship. It’s a very unlikely scenario but as long as it’s a possible one he will guard them from himself and any other well meaning people. Dan reminding him that they also took their sweet time in getting together helps to calm him down too.)
Once inside, he inwardly squeals at the way Boston and Ray cling to Sand. Arms thrown over his middle, cheeks squished to his shoulders, legs tangled together. So cozy! It’s not anything grand, people in this family tend to just sleep together all the time but with those three there is just that something different in the vibes he gets. Or maybe it’s just him being delusional. Whatever.
Looking up he meets Sand’s sleepy gaze. Smiles at him, sitting down at the foot of the bed. Grabs his ankle, squeezing it lightly.
“Hi,” he greets him in hushed tones. “How are you feeling?”
Sand tilts his head, his chin brushing over Ray’s hair. “Tired. Still a little bit dazed. Happy? Honestly sort of lost.”
The arms around him tighten. So they’re not asleep either.
Rubbing his thumb over the tattoo on Sand’s skin, Nick huffs softly. “I would have been surprised if you were 100% fine after yesterday. Give yourself some time.”
Sand groans, rolling his eyes. “Ugh P’Yo said the same. Told me to take the weekend off-”
Nick pats his ankle, cutting off his complaints before he can start on them. “Good. Are you up for eating? Dan figured you could use some sweetness today so we went shopping earlier. Bought stuff to make waffles.”
“Well now I am hungry for sure,” having said that Sand pokes at the guys' shoulders. ”Let me go.” When they don’t move he adds, a note of threat in his voice: “Now. Or I will pee on you both.”
Mumbling: “So romantic,” Ray flops onto his back.
Ton scoots to the side, groaning into the pillow. “Gross.”
Snickering at their grumbling, Nick grabs Sand’s outstretched hands and helps him sit up. Seconds later Sand plasters himself to his arm. Nick tugs on his hair.
“Bathroom and food.”
Sand makes a whining sound, rubbing his forehead on his shoulder then moves to do his business. Nick stays seated on the bed, waits for him to disappear behind the doors. When he does, he turns towards the remaining two.
“And you? Everything okay?”
Ton, face smushed into the pillow, shows him a thumbs up.
Ray stares at the ceiling. Answers after a beat. “Yeah. We just went to sleep later than Sand so we're still barely awake.”
“This is more blood family to think about for you. And Sand being so vulnerable pulls at our hearts too. So you know… our arms are open if you need some hugs. Both of you.”
He gets a smile and a groan in answer. Deems them enough and leaves the room. The cats are chasing each other all over the open space which is free of Dan whom he finds in the kitchen, preparing the waffle batter. Nick winds his arms around his middle, pressing a kiss to his nape. They stay like this until he can hear shuffling behind them. He turns around, spotting Sand still in his sleep clothes.
“Is there something I can help with?”
Nick smiles. “Nope.” He drags a stool from the corner and puts it before him. “Sit down and just serve looks.”
Sand starts spluttering, amused at his request but also insisting he should do his part. He quiets down when Dan drops something into the sink with a loud clang.
“Sorry,” his boyfriend mutters, not sounding even a little bit apologetic. Looks pointedly at Sand. “You said you will try.”
Try what? The expression that Sand makes indicates he is as confused as he is but then it seems he figured out what Dan means. His brows furrow, eyes narrow, there is a mulish set to his mouth. And then miracle of all miracles, Sand sighs and sits down as if defeated. Even smiles slightly.
What kind of witchcraft?! Nick will have to ask Dan what exactly they talked about yesterday. But that's for later. Now he goes to wash his hands and commandeers a part of the counter for himself to slice the strawberries and other fruits they bought. He is just done with the first ones when Ray, eyes halfway open, appears behind Sand. Nick observes how he peppers Sand’s cheek with kisses then, apparently satisfied with himself, and clinging tightly to his middle, hides his face in his neck. Sand grunts at the additional weight at his back and shares a fond look with him. Nick goes back to his work while Sand smooths his palm over Ray’s forearm. The three of them chat about movies they could watch later while Ray dozes off.
After barely ten minutes have passed Boston joins them in the kitchen. From his peripheral vision Nick can see him staring sleepily at them while stroking Ray’s spine. Eventually he sighs, drops a kiss at Sand’s temple then shuffles further into the room and drapes himself over his back. Surprised, Nick pats him on the arm.
“Oho?”
“I’m taking that open arms thing,” Ton whispers into his ear.
Having put the knife down, done with the fruit prep, he turns around to hug him properly. Dan, passing them by on his way to the table with stacks of waffles, ruffles Boston’s hair then nudges Sand to follow him. Once they are alone, it took Sand a moment to rouse Ray awake, Nick pokes Ton in the side.
“What's troubling you?”
“This is not something I can talk him through, offer to kill someone or help him in enacting violence. I don't know what to do.”
Nick imagines himself sending Ton a chat message that says: You sound like his boyfriend aaaaaaaaaaa. He thinks that if his foolish friends will finally get together they will have to invite him to dinner or something. As a compensation for having to deal with them being like this. It’s somehow adorable but if they won't hurry up, one day he is going to burst.
“You know he likes to cuddle. That and just being near, listening to him vent, is more than enough. This is something he has to come to terms with on his own,” he squeezes him. “It’s just like when Ray has bad days. Love and patience.”
Boston sighs like a forlorn puppy. Nick bites his lip to prevent himself from cooing audibly. He can't help himself not to comment though, a hint here or there won't hurt.
“You’re very sweet towards them. So soft with Sand.”
“I’m trying to do better by Ray.” Ton stirs in his arms. “And well… it’s Sand.”
He says it in a ‘water is wet’ way as if implying Nick shouldn’t make such obvious remarks.
So so foolish. The Boston I broke up with would laugh himself silly if I suggested he could treat Sand like you do now.
Nick owes Sand a lot, can see how everyone has a soft spot for him too and while Ray thankfully finally came to his senses about his feelings regarding him, Nick knows everyone else aside from Ton feel purely platonic towards him. Yes, Sand is Sand. Their mom friend and also their baby because if there is one thing their soft giant needs is a lot of loving and doting. Yet the way Ton is approaching him, and Ray, talks about them, makes Nick want to bash his head against a wall or coo, sometimes both at the same time.
He sighs. “Yes. Sand is Sand.”
Nick lets the hugging be for a few minutes then gently pushes Ton away, the exasperation winning with the fondness he has for these fools. But also because the man in his arms was getting way too heavy.
“Don't fall asleep on me. Go take a can of whipped cream and other stuff we may want on the waffles.”
Together they bring the fruits and everything else to the table. The late breakfast for the sleepy three and lunch for him and Dan is a quiet affair. They munch on their treats opting not to talk much. Sand insists on topping to his liking their next waffles while he takes a break to digest his first because of course he does. They laugh at the way Ray grimaces at the amount of fruit on his own. He dutifully eats it when Sand widens his already huge eyes at him, pouts, and announces that it’s good for him, can he eat it for him na?. Nick snorted at the way Ray’s mouth dropped open at having his own weapon turned against him. Such behaviour is unlike Sand but hilarious to watch. Especially when just after that Ton pointedly took a huge bite from his own, heavy with fruits, waffle. Staring at Ray with challenge in his eyes then with pleasure at Sand when he brought him up with a ‘Look, Ton is not a big fan of them either but he doesn't complain. Eating some once in a while won't hurt you’.
Once they are all full, they migrate towards the couch. Falling on it in a tangle of limbs they settle on some adventure movie to watch. Halfway through it, Dan’s phone pings, informing him about a new message. He announces it's from the group chat (bless his old soul, as he is the only one with sound on on his private phone too. If not for that they wouldn't know what’s up for a while probably.). Ray pauses the movie.
“P’Yo is asking if we are game for a picnic tomorrow afternoon. She hopes to see us, the girls, Lek and Mae. But says there's no pressure if we have plans or something.”
Nick lifts himself from his spot under Dan’s arm to look at Sand who is lying with his head on Ray’s chest.
“Are you up for this Sand?”
His best friend drums his fingers on Ray’s stomach, a faraway expression on his face. After a beat he says he wants to go. Since all of them are fine with it, Dan lets P’Yo know they will be there. As well as about the types of dishes they will bring.
When Nick says they have to go shopping later, Ray announces he will take care of it as he has to drop by the hotel today. Dan volunteers to keep him company since he knows what they used up for earlier cooking and just to move a little. With the way his boyfriend likes to work out so much, Nick thinks he will have to suggest he joins Boston at the gym. It would do them well to bond more, and make him feel better Dan has company for his more demanding stuff as he isn't really into that (And even when he is in the mood for some exercise, he prefers not to join his hot man in doing so in public spaces. All that sweat, straining muscles, and sounds do things to him.).
Plans made, they go back to watching the movie. Near the end of it Sand managed to fall asleep again. Nick is leaning against the back of the armchair and while making with Dan a list of needed items he tortures himself with glancing at the trio on the couch. He catches Ray waking Sand up by softly caressing his face, only to make it easier for him to transfer him from lying on his chest to resting on Ton’s. Sand curls up around his new pillow just as he was clinging to his actual boyfriend seconds ago, and closes his eyes once again. Doesn't even stir up when Ton presses a sniff kiss to his hair while wrapping his arm (newly freed by Ray’s head which was lying on it) around his shoulders. Seeing all of this affection Ray only leans in to drop his own kiss at Sand’s cheek and to ruffle Boston’s hair, promising him he won't get sucked into his business matters and come back quickly.
Nick feels like throwing up from seeing all of this. Looks up at Dan, hoping for some understanding and mutual pain but all he gets is a smile, very helpful ‘Be patient’ whispered to him, and a press of lips to his forehead. He groans which only makes the corners of Dan’s eyes crinkle even more.
They will be the death of me.