Chapter Text
Killian isn't used to this whole.. thing.
Dating someone, to be exact.
He's never really put himself out there in fear of judgment, yet here he is. He's paced around his and Silas's dorm seventy million times by now but the nerves are.. well, nerving. It's just a date. That's all it is. He knows he doesn't need to impress the other man, Avery wants him as much as Killian does—yet the anxiety won't shut up.
He's dressed in his best; a casual-yet-sleek sunny-yellow button up, eggshell-shaded cargo pants, golden jewelry adorning his lip, left eyebrow, the bridge of his nose, and on his left wrist as a watch.
He looks good.
He knows this.
Silas has told him so.
Yet he can't stop worrying, biting his recently-painted nails raw.
Silas sighs. "My godddd bro, worrying won't make the date go away, yanno." Silas groans. Silas doesn't even need to be here—if anything, Silas' habitat is over at the frat house, not here. The man simply moved in to move in and annoying Killian. Killian groans, digging his hands into his scalp.
"I know!" He grunts. "Its just that- I dunno.. what if I mess something up?" He questions, standing at the foot of Silas' bed. The man is lying on his back, feet crossed, doomscrolling on TikTok. The russian man looks up from the screen to roll his eyes.
"You won't mess anything up man—you managed to get him in bed, I'm sure you can wine and dine him," Chuckles the blonde man. The reassurance doesn't land and Killian resumes his pacing.
"Well- yeah, but what if- like- what if- ugh!" He groans, cupping his face with his hands. Silas whistles.
"You'll do fine, stud. Just.. be your nerdy, weird self." Killian hums.
"Do I like- how do your dates go?" He questions. Silas raises an eyebrow, looking at him over his screen.
"Usually surrounded by empty bottles and used condoms."
Killian makes a face of utter disgust. He wishes he hadn't asked. "You're disgusting."
"You asked. Plus.."
The blonde simply grins. "You're panicking for nothing." Silas quips in reply.
Killian pulls at his dreads, anything to shut the anxiety up. "I dunno man, what if-"
Knock knock!
"Oop- no takey backies! Lover boy is here~" Silas grins. Killian swallows heavily, fixing himself up one last time before grabbing the bouquet—or the pathetic attempt at one, all Killian and his McDonald's salary could afford him was a bouquet from Fred Meyer's. Fuck capitalism—and heads for the door. Upon opening, he's met with Avery.
"Hi, honey!" Avery chuckles, leaning forward to greet Killian with a peck on the lips. Killian stops, blushing profusely. Avery looks good, deviously good.
He's wearing an unbuttoned creeper button-up over a white t-shirt, as well as brown cargo shorts. His hair is tied in a small half-up ponytail, the ends and bangs dyed a slime-green, a bright contrast to his dark-brown curls. Avery smiles at him.
"Is that for meeee?" Avery comments, looking down at the bouquet being absolutely crushed by his hands.
"Oh- yeah, here." He holds the bouquet out for Avery to take. The man smiles sweetly. "Sorry I couldn't get you something better-"
"Oh my gooooddd!" Silas groans loudly, cutting Killian off. "I've watched Telenovelas less cringey than this." Silas huffs. Killian's eye twitches in annoyance.
"I'm sorry for him.." he groans, voice low. Avery chuckles.
"That's fine, the flowers are pretty by the way, I love them." Avery reaches into the pocket of his cargos for something. "I got you a lil something too," Avery hums, before the man pulls out two handmade bracelets.
"The green one is mine, while the yellow one is yours, see? Its the colors of our minecraft characters." Avery tells him, blushing slightly in what seems like embarassment. Its adorable.
"And mine has one yellow bead and yours has one green bead." Killian takes his bracelet, sliding it over his right wrist.
"I love it, thank you baby." Killian murmurs, peppering a kiss onto the shorter man's head.
"Alright, now shoo." Silas comments, suddenly popping up behind Killian. "Have fun, lovebirds!" He grins, leaning against Killian's shoulder. Killian groans but decides its better to keep moving than letting Silas get ahold of him.
As they go to leave Killian grabs his cream tote bag, and soon, both of them are walking down the halls of the dormitory, headed for the elevators and soon, the park. They have a whole day planned. A nice calm walk, maybe grab some ice cream, head to the nearby shops, and maybe.. well, the condoms in Killian's bag will have to see.
Not that he expects anything but..
Always better to stay prepared.
In the elevator Avery doesn't even hesitate before intertwining his hand with Killian's, the warm presence of the man washing away most of the nerves Killian had before this whole thing.
"Ugh, I'm so glad I can get out of here with you—even if it's for a few moments." Avery tells him with a smile. Killian smiles down at him with a nod.
"Yeah- college is a bitch." He chuckles at himself. Avery nods in agreement. Soon the elevator dings, and the automatic metallic doors open—a bustling hallway greeting them. Instinctively, Killian shrinks down on himself—but alas, his imposing height makes him look like he has arthritis. He's glad Avery is too busy rambling to care.
"Agh, I can't wait to get some ice cream—oh! We could also head to this shop I wanted to show you, remember?" Avery questions as they both step off and into the large crowd. Killian hums.
"Yeah- the uhm.. the one with.. uh..."
He fiddles with the tote bag slung around his shoulder, digging his nails into the material. He knew the main hallways leading out would be loud—most people hang out here. There's a small RA office there, vending machines and benches where some gather.
As they walk, Avery continues to ramble—about what, Killian is upset to say he forgot.
They don't care about you, he tells himself. You're fine. They're not staring.
They're not staring.
They're not sta-
"-llian? Honey?"
"Huh? Oh- I'm sorry, you were saying?" He chuckles nervously, looking down at Avery who had stopped rambling. The door to the outside of the dormitory is just right there—he doesn't know why this is such a huge issue for him, it isn't.
"Are you okay?" Avery asks, squeezing his hand reassuringly. Killian nods, leaning down to give Avery's head a kiss.
"I'm okay, dove.. just.." he trails off, letting the bustling voices of the crowd drown him out. Avery doesn't say anything, the man's attention span already diverted to a friend(?) (Its at this point that Killian has forgotten how many friends his beautiful social butterfly of a boyfriend has, he's like a golden retriever—in a way) that comes up to them.
Killian wants to be everywhere but here.
The door was oh so close..
"Oh my god, Laura!" Avery squeals, greeting the curly-haired ginger girl with a tight hug Laura eagerly returns.
"I haven't seen you since-well, since you broke your leg—how's that?" He chuckles. Laura laughs along, talking about this and that and getting just a smidgen too close. Killian isn't the Booktok-Possessive-Yandere type of guy—at least, he tries not to be.
But Laura has been too touchy.
Killian pretends it doesn't get on his nerves.
"And who's this guy?" Laura comments, looking over at him. Avery smiles. Killian doesn't enjoy her tone.
"Oh! This is my boyfriend, Killian!" He tells her. Killian takes that as his unspoken cue to stand closer to Avery, hips touching. Laura hums. He can't exactly read her eyes—he was never good at facial expressions—but by her body language she's visibly annoyed.
"I'm guessing he bought you those flowers?" She asks, pointing towards the blue hydrangeas. Avery nods, showing them off to her. Her smile turns snark as she turns to him.
"Pleasure meeting you." She says.
"You too," He replies, holding out his hands in greeting. Laura takes his hand with a smile far too sweet—the handshake doesn't last long.
"We should uh- get going, right, dove?" Comments Killian. Avery pauses for a second—alas, his boyfriend isn't the brightest when it comes to memory.
"Oh yeah! I'll catch you later, Laura!" Avery smiles, waving her goodbye as the two men walk off. Laura waves back, but her eyes stay on Killian.
Something tells him, by the yellowish-hue in her green eyes—that he isn't exactly her favorite.
He doesn't even know her.
He ignores the shiver he gets when he passes by her.
He focuses his attention back to Avery—and if instead of grabbing his hand like a normal boyfriend he pulls the smaller boy near himself by the waist, Avery doesn't make a peep, and Killian doesn't say a word. They finally walk out of the dormitory, and head down the hill to where the entrance towards campus will greet them soon enough.
They pass by a few more people Avery simply waves to them, until finally—campus no longer, and they now walk alongside the sidewalk heading towards their first destination, the cafe.
Mainly because their tea is unmatched and Avery enjoys the egg and ham bagels there a disgusting amount. Killian is a big "if I can make it at home, don't buy it" guy—but for Avery, he'd buy the man a plot of his own grass if he wanted it.
As they arrive at the familiar cafe—Killian chuckles to himself at the memory, of Avery standing there like a lost puppy when they first met—Killian walks ahead to open the door for his lovely boy.
"After you, dove." He smiles. Avery squeals, standing up on his tippy toes to give Killian a peck on the cheek.
"Thank you, my darling knight."
"Anytime, my prince," Killian replies, bowing as one would do in the presence of royalty—and he's not too far off.
Avery walks in, already heading towards a place to sit down. Though it seems fate has chosen for them already —as the only table Killian has set his mind to was the one they first exchanged words at. The one at the corner of the building, sandwiched between tall, fake greenery.
God, Killian would sell everything he owns to go back to that time. It feels like it was just yesterday—but no. It's been weeks since that fated day.
Avery sits at his seat, the same one he sat on all those weeks ago. Killian pulls up at the chair next to him, folding his tote bag on the table—out of sight from where they will eat. Avery places the bouquet of hydrangeas gently on top.
"Here—you order, I'll pay, mm?" He frames it as a question, though it's more of a demand. He doesn't want Avery paying for a single thing. He wants to treat his boy.
Yet Avery pouts.
"Noooo! I brought my own wallet—you've done so much, let me treat you now!" Says the curly-haired boy, rummaging through the pockets of his cargo pants to pull out his green Minecraft creeper wallet—a very beaten up thing, Killian is surprised it still holds stuff.
Killian puts that on a mental list and tucks it away.
"Fine, fine. But I get to pay for anything else." He relents. Avery didn't even have to beg—Killian is way too easy for this man. Avery grins, sliding out of his chair to kiss Killian. Killian gives in, holding the man as they softly make out before Avery heads off. Killian watches the man head off to the counter, staring shamelessly at his ass.
He's just a man at the end of the day—and those cargo shorts hug Avery in all the correct places.
He waits at his seat patiently, fidgeting with the nail polish on his nails. The cafe is never very busy, big reason onto why it's Killian's favorite place to go to. He knows the workers pretty well, food and drinks are great—and the ambience is even better. What's there not to like?
Its only a while until Avery comes back with a tray carrying two drinks and Avery's signature bagel. Killian goes to stand up to help, but Avery stops him.
"Nonono- I got it!"
With the way Avery's hands tremble, Killian's unsure.
"You sure, dove?" He questions.
Avery rolls his eyes. "I got it- see!" He exclaims, setting the tray down on the middle of the table with a cocky show of tongue.
"And here you are doubting me." Avery sighs with a mocking form of disappointment. Avery slides into his seat. Killian rolls his eyes affectionately as he takes his mug of tea—a simple Earl Grey with a splash of milk. And of course—Avery has his sugary latte concoction with him.
He lifts the mug up to his lips, blowing softly. He lets the ceramic mug warm his constantly-cold fingers. Avery on the other hand unwraps his bagel, taking a large, messy bite. The contents inside spill out of the other side, landing onto the tray with a wet plop.
Killian can't help but burst out in laughter, even more so at Avery's face of pure disappointment.
"What the hell!" He groans, pouting down at the mess of egg, sausage, and a form of aoili on the black plastic tray. Killian has to bite his fist lest he begins snorting in a way that is much too unattractive. Avery pouts harder at killian's laughter.
"Augh, this is just horrible—I mean, I'm still gonna eat it.." he says.
Killian makes a face of disgust. "Eugh—no, you don't even know if they wash those trays." He says, balling the mess up with a napkin gotten from the napkin holder to their side.
"I'll buy you a new one, mmkay?" He says, already moving to get up. Avery nods, setting down his topping-less bagel sandwich back onto the plastic wrapper.
Killian walks over to the counter, ordering Avery's sandwich.
Once he gets it he returns, handing Avery the sandwich which a kiss to the crown of his head.
"Here ya go, dove." He murmurs, sitting back down on his chair.
The rest of their time goes well, and Killian doesn't even think—doesn't need to when Avery is the one dominating the conversation, all he needs to do is sit and listen; maybe make a comment or two here or there.
He can't wait for the rest of the day to happen.
And this is just the beginning.