Chapter Text
It starts, he thinks, the moment he gives him the ridiculous nickname.
‘Tricky’
It wasn't anything spectacular or even that creative. After all his name was Patrick so coming up with Tricky couldn't have been that difficult.
But despite the thought, or lack thereof, that he put into his nickname made something inside of him turn.
He supposed it was becuase that people never showed too much interest in him, let alone enough interest to give him a nickname. So the fact that Pete did, no matter how basic it was, meant something to him.
The only other people who called him anything besides Patrick was his family and his long time buddy Joe. Everyone else that called him anything else usually had an insult attached to it which, he had to admit, he was getting pretty good at ignoring in the last few years.
They all worked at the coffee shop: him, Joe, Andy, Pete and the high schooler that followed them around Brendon (granted him and Joe had just graduated from highschool themselves not too long ago but still.)
Patrick had gotten the job after his parents proclaimed that they couldn't keep buying his cd’s and vinyls all the time and that eventually he would have to get a job if he wanted more music. And also that it would teach him more ‘responsibility’
Though he felt he was pretty responsible…
So around junior year of highschool him and Joe went job hunting. Mostly because his curly haired friend was having a similar problem with his parents.
They ended up landing a job at the local coffee shop joint and worked there everyday after school.
And that’s where he met him.
Mr. Pete Wentz himself.
Pete, the guy who trained him and Joe, along with his friend Andy, helped the two get pretty adjusted to the job. And sooner than later they all became friends.
Pete and Andy, a few years older than Joe and Patrick, had been working there a little longer and therefore knew what they could and couldn't get away with at work.
Which basically meant they taught them how to have fun at work without getting fired.
Time had passed and the 4 of them had gotten even closer. Going as far as to form a little band. And not too soon after that Patrick and Joe graduated but instead of finding new jobs, or possibly ones that paid better , they stuck with with the coffee shop.
Putting him in the situation he was in now.
Head over heals with his co-worker Pete while trying not to be to akward or obvious about it.
“I think you should just tell him,” Joe said to him one day when they were on break. The 2 of them only talked about it when the others weren't there,Patrick not wanting to appear silly or ridiculous to their other friends.
“I don't know Joe, I mean what if he doesn’t...ya know? Like me back?”
“Well that’s the worst case scenario. Besides, Pete’s a really chill guy. I doubt things would fall out between you two.”
“Ya but what if it does? Not to mention we still have to work together. I don't think I could handle the embarrassment.” Patrick put his face in his hands, shaking his head.
“Don't worry dude. It’ll be fine.” Joe patted him on the back as their younger friend Brendon walked in.
“What will be fine?” His big brown eyes were wide with curiosity. “Speaking of fine, Patrick I was thinking about you last night.”
Patrick raised his head up. “Really? Why?”
“Well I was just thinking, wondering actually, when you would tell Pete you liked him.”
The man in question almost choked on his own spit.
“I was looking at picture of you two from a party a few months ago and couldn't help but notice how cute you guys were.” Brendon, as usual, was being pretty blunt and though it never bothered Patrick before it was now.
“I-you-what are you even talking about? I don't have feelings for Pete!”
At this point Patrick was beyond red and in the back of his mind was wondering when Joe would jump in to help him out.
Unfortunately Joe was too interested in what Brendon was saying to lessen the situation.
“Dude, I may be younger than you guys, but I know something when I see it. And I definitely see something.”
“ Brendon! ”
“Sorry Trick but It’s kinda obvious.”
“Is it really?”
“Well...Brendon is just pretty good at reading people. It may not be as obvious as he says but there is something there.” Joe hesitantly agreed with their friend.
Patrick groaned in embarrassment or frustration, he wasn't sure which, laying his head on the counter nearby.
“Hey now,” Brendon walked over to Patrick,” I didn't mean to upset you. I was just wondering.” The 17 year old seemed suddenly sheepish and apologetic.
“It’s ok. It’s not your fault I have this weird crush thing on my co-worker.”
Joe also noticing Patrick's mood spoke up too. “And like I said, everything is gonna be fine. Me and Bren aren't gonna tell, right?”
“Ya dude! I won't tell anyone one about your huge crush on Pete!” Brendon had his usual huge smile on his face causing Patrick’s head to sink back onto the counter.
This was a disaster.
The rest of the morning went on with Patrick trying to ignore the feeling of dread deep in his stomach.