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Ikki Niko was stuck in a pickle.
Ew, no – he’s never using that phrase again. That was something Shidou abused on a daily basis, except he didn’t use the word ‘in’ (note: on)...
Yet, just this once it was true, and he didn’t know what to do. It felt out of character for him, but could you blame him? Charles Chevalier hasn’t invited him to hang out in 37 hours, 56 minutes, and 43 seconds! It was a cruel fact, and it was ironic that Charles always called him the “all-knowing Ikki Nikki.” He definitely didn’t feel all-knowing right now. His name also wasn’t Nikki, but the point still stands.
Every other day the two would meet up somewhere to eat, and then they would eventually end up at each other’s dorms, watching silly youtube videos. Niko felt deprived of his favorite person now that Charles hasn’t been meeting up with him. The other boy hasn’t even been texting him as much as usual, either. He didn’t know what to think.
Normally, he’d be getting spammed with absolute brain rot he didn’t even know existed. As confusing as it was, he still absolutely adored it. Now that his phone was silent other than Aiku’s texts composed of checking in on him and the Blue Lock football team’s group chat being filled with energetic students, he felt miserable.
He missed going out to a fast-food restaurant with the other boy, watching Instagram reels or Tiktok videos – anything to satisfy their shared boredom. He missed his best friend and watching up on old T-Series vs PewDiePie beef, as well as listening to old diss tracks to make fun of them together. He missed falling asleep wrapped in a soft blanket together, waking up to the sound of Charles’s soft breathing, his form always glowing because of the rising sun. Charles was his sun, and without his shining rays, his dorm felt dark.
It was insane that he spent so much of his time with the French boy, enough to the point his life felt so empty without him in it. He didn’t know what life was like without him anymore, having been friends with him for three years already. Was life always this sad and monotonous?
The last time this happened was when Charles’s parents threatened to pull him from his exchange program, and he spent days in isolation trying to convince them not to. He didn’t know why, Charles never did tell them, but Niko feared it had something to do with his behavior. It wasn’t his business, anyway, and he’ll continue to respect that. Nonetheless, Niko felt incredibly alone during that time, and he promised Charles that if it ever happened to let him know because he was willing to do anything to help.
So, Ikki Niko was indeed stuck in a pickle. A very sour one at that.
He wanted to reach out to Charles, but if the French boy was going through something, he probably wouldn’t want to be bothered despite Niko’s promises of comfort. He could definitely ask Shidou, but the clown would definitely air out his business to quite literally everyone, and he didn’t want to risk that. Okay – he was being dramatic. Shidou probably wouldn’t do that… but he still didn’t want to risk it.
Groaning, Niko rolled over from his spot on his bed, clutching his phone to his chest. On the screen sat a selfie of Niko and Charles that they had taken together, exactly 37 hours, 58 minutes, and… damn, he really was a heartbroken puppy.
“You’re being a baby,” he told himself. “Get it together. Your best friend and the love of your life not talking to you for a few days isn’t a good enough reason to wallow alone on your bed, especially not on a Saturday.”
I could’ve been hanging out with Kiyora or something, he thought for a moment, before immediately taking it back. Nah, Charles is better.
Shutting off his phone, he looked up at his ceiling, which was covered in glow-in-the-dark stars he and Charles had stuck up there as a joke. He never did take them down. They never fell off, so he wasn’t really bothered. He liked being able to wake up and immediately think of the fun he had with his friend that day.
Why was everything a constant reminder of Charles? Was it normal to miss your best friend this much?
Making up his mind, Niko stumbled out of bed. He wasn’t going to wallow in pity any longer! He was going to do something about it, he was going to make sure his voice was heard. Nothing is going to stop him.
Throwing a loose sweater on, Niko shoved on his shoes before slipping out of the door, leaving his phone on his bed forgotten.
“...you visited me for the first time ever just to complain about how lonely you are?”
Sendou sighed, shaking his head. He looked exasperated, as if he were two seconds away from kicking Niko out because of the sheer ridiculousness he brought into his dorm.
The two were currently in the older man’s living room, drinking tea while Niko vented about his problems (he wasn’t lying when he said his voice was going to be heard, damn it).
Niko scowled. “Not for the first time.”
“No,” Sendou blinked, putting his cup of tea down on the coffee table. “It definitely is.”
Grabbing a pillow from the couch he was currently laid out on, Niko prepared to throw it at the salmon haired man. He didn’t, however, and was instead interrupted by Sendou speaking. “That’s beside the point. Three days isn’t that much, Ikki.”
“Is it?” Niko asked, rolling his eyes.
Sendou raised a brow. “One time Aiku ghosted me for two weeks.”
Oh, whoops, he internally laughed. My bad.
At least his situation wasn’t as bad as Sendou’s was. Or, hopefully it won’t be. Hopefully.
“Wasn’t that because he found out he was bisexual?”
Laughing, Sendou shook his head. “That’s not the point. I’m sure something might be going on, there’s no way he hates you. I mean, he was always all over you whenever Aiku and I stopped by.”
Niko thought back to their hangouts. Yes, the both of them were overly affectionate, but Charles was on a whole other level… he’d initiate most cuddling sessions by curling up against them, and when the two went out, he didn’t sit in front of him. He’d sit right next to Niko, thighs pressing together by how close Charles was to him. Not that there was anything wrong with it, Niko absolutely adored his affection. But, now that he thought of it… were they really just friends…?
“Plus,” Sendou added on to his train of thought. “Valentine's day is coming up. There’s always a chance he’s planning something for you.”
Niko hurriedly sat up, clutching the pillow. His heart was beating fast, threatening to burst within his chest. Blush crept up his neck and face as he tensed. “There’s no way! I mean…”
He paused, considering his words. Charles wasn’t a romantic, he constantly ran away from girls who sought him out just to confess. He also never showed any type of interest in anyone, or at least not in front of Niko. Even with his own doubts on whether they were more than friends, did Charles even like boys, nonetheless Niko?
It was perfectly legal for boys to kiss, but it was also legal for them to be friends. He just didn’t know where the two fell on that spectrum.
Niko hesitated before speaking.
“I don’t even know what we are. We cuddle, but we don’t kiss. We miss each other, but we’ve never said—,”
“—I love you? Tell me, are you romantically interested in him, and don’t be afraid to answer. Whatever you say will stay between us.”
Niko looked down at the floor. He pondered it for a moment. Charles meant everything to him, and he wouldn’t replace him for the world. He loved spending all of his time with the French boy, no matter the consequences. Even if it was pranking all of their friends and being chased five blocks by Rin, he loved it. He’d gladly spend all of his time with the boy, especially special holidays and birthdays. He’d give him all the time in the world if he needed it.
Don’t even get him started on Charles himself. The boy was beautiful. He was lovely, and his eyes were unique, unlike any other. They brighten up Niko’s day, even if he sees them for the first time in the morning, and especially for the last time at night. His hair was fluffy and he loved running his fingers through each little strand. The soft sighs he’d release when he’d do so melted him to his core. His clothes were always carefully picked, soft and baggy because Charles didn’t like the feeling of tight clothes on his skin. He liked having freedom, just like he did with his family.
There was so much about Charles that he loved. His smile, with that fang sticking out, was like a view sent from Heaven specifically for Niko to admire. No matter where he was, the sight of it brightened his mood up. Niko didn’t mind going to hell as long as he knew he held Heaven in his hands, and in this case, it was Charles. His laugh was like music to his ears, and Niko wanted to hear it all day long like it was a sweet symphony. His hands were soft and nimble that were always fidgeting with something, especially with Niko’s own hands.
His mind was made up: “I love him, so much and more than anything.”
He heard Sendou stifle a laugh as he picked his tea back up, taking a careful sip.
“Then talk to him, Ikki. You’ll never get anywhere without facing the problem. I’m the one who cornered Aiku when he ghosted me. Had I not, I don’t think Aiku would have ever spoken up. You’ll have to be the one to confront him.”
He sighed, releasing his grip on Sendou’s pillow. The poor thing had been incredibly abused during his entire stay.
Sendou was right. Well, of course he was. He and Aiku were two of the most “womanizer” men he had ever met, and they were really sappy together. He just didn’t want to confront him about it. He wanted to avoid the problem and go back to how they were. He didn’t want to ruin their friendship or anything like that with his feelings.
“Thank you,” he whispered, shutting his eyes. “Thank you.”
For a few minutes, the two sat in silence, basking in each other’s company. It was a well-needed break for the both of them, especially Niko.
“You’re welcome. Good luck, Ikki.”
He never did need that luck.
The walk back to his dorm was silent and comfortable. Somehow, he left his phone in his dorm but remembered his headphones and key. He guessed he was really distracted when he left, but next time, he should remember. It could’ve been bad if something happened to him and he couldn’t call for help.
When he got to his door, he pulled out his key to unlock it, but… he didn’t need to. It was already unlocked. He swore he locked it when he left, he remembered turning the key and everything. He tensed up, his hand slightly lowering. Furrowing his brows, he tried to think: did someone break in, or was it… Charles.
He had completely forgotten Charles had his other key.
Quickly twisting the knob, Niko pushed the door open, slamming it shut before sprinting to his room. He nearly crashed into the doorframe, using it to steady himself. He gasped once he laid his eyes on the culprit. Sitting on his bed was Charles Chevalier, nervously kicking his feet. In his hands sat a bouquet of flowers and next to him was a box of chocolates.
He felt his heart melt at the sight. He was so fucking adorable in that soft yellow sweater.
Once Charles set his eyes upon him, he immediately stood up with wide eyes. “Niko! I stopped by, and you weren’t here… sorry, I cleaned your room.”
Niko stared at him before looking down at the floor. Wow, it really was cleaner than he left it. He hadn’t even realized how dirty and messy it was during his time of isolation. Giggling, he softly made his way toward Charles. “Dude, it’s fine. You know I don’t mind. Honestly, I thought you were upset with me.”
“No!” Charles shouted, cutting him off as he began profusely shaking his head. He stepped back, lifting up his flowers. They were an assortment of different flowers, different warm colors. Most were pink, and it didn’t take long for Niko to understand their meaning. “It wasn’t because of you, or, I wasn’t mad, or upset, or – ugh! I can’t speak.”
He backed up, flipping around to grab the chocolates. He gripped them in his hand, staring at them, before turning around. He held them out for Niko, blush creeping up his face.
“Ryusei told me that if I didn’t confess sooner, someone was going to sweep you off of your feet,” Charles stuttered. He looked Niko in the eye, smiling. “I know he was being dramatic, but… he made me realize something. I like you, and I have for a long time. There’s nobody else I want to spend Friday with, so, will you be my Valentine?”
Niko’s jaw dropped as he stared wide-eyed at Charles. “Wait – me? You like me? This isn’t a prank?”
Charles shook his head, frowning. “Of course not. You mean everything to me.”
“Oh,” he whispered, mostly to himself.
His dream was coming true. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with Charles. He hadn’t thought it would come true that fast, he had just been at Sendou’s dorm venting about it. God was absolutely on his side today, and thank heavens Charles was never mad at him after all.
He didn’t answer, taking Charles’s gifts from his hands before gently placing them on his bed. He faced Charles, cupping the other boy’s face. Charles’s mouth snapped shut as he leaned in. Niko met his lips, closing his eyes as he kissed him. His lips were as soft as he imagined, and he tasted cherry chapstick. Charles was so cute.
Niko pulled away, softly smiling at Charles’s dazed out expression. After a moment, Charles smiled. “Does this mean we’re dating now?”
“Yes, you silly boy,” Niko laughed, shaking his head. “And I’ll gladly be your valentine.”