Chapter Text
Andrew and Jayden had been friends for a while now. Perhaps, Andrew thinks, that his feelings for Jayden had always been obvious. Ever since they were paired up to be roommates back when college first started.
The first time they had met, Andrew had thought that Jayden was annoying, loud, nosy. And he was glad that he had been proven wrong. He wasn't much of a believer, but he always thanked fate, destiny, whatever it may have been that made their paths cross.
It started off as inconvenient, but Jayden just slithered and wormed his way into every part of his life. He began to look forward to whenever they hung out, whenever they did anything together. Andrew didn't like playing Minecraft much, but he did love seeing Jayden's face whenever he agreed to play with him. He didn't like losing either, but losing was always the last thing in his mind whenever he would get to see Jayden's victorious smile.
He looked pretty. He always looked pretty. And the gradual realisation of I'm in love with my best friend was definitely an experience. Did he do anything about it? No.
Jayden didn't like him like that. And he was content with the way things were. He wasn't going to risk everything they had just because he loved Jayden a little more than best friends did. They were friends first, and whatever-the-hell-Andrew-felt-for-him second.
So yeah. He was perfectly fine with being able to cuddle him, sleep in the same bed sometimes(more often than not), kiss the crown of his head, feed him simply because he could, act like he didn't love the idea of matching with Jayden even though they both knew he did, so on and so forth. Sometimes he felt like his heart ached, simply because he absolutely adored Jayden. The love was too much sometimes. He was so close yet so out of reach because Andrew didn't want to be selfish. This was fine, he was fine. He would live beside Jayden's side for his whole life and he would be fine with it as long as he had him in his life.
If he deluded himself into thinking that sometimes their hangouts were like dates, that was between him and himself. He found so many opportunities to kiss him, to do so much more. But he never did. Because Jayden was too good, too precious, too bright. Everytime an opportunity presented itself, he just...couldn't. He was always just frozen, taken aback by Jayden. His Jayden. God, he sounded absolutely crazy.
He often dreamt about him. But that's all it was. Dreams. He would be fine with this. Because he loved Jayden so much. He would've done a lot more, for a lot less.
.
.
.
Jayden was hunched over the sink while water dripped down his chin. He had been in that position for the past fifteen minutes. Heaving very audibly. He felt just a little light-headed, and a lot more delirious.
"I'm in love with Andrew?" He asked, to no one in particular but himself. "No. No fucking way. There's no way." He muttered before snatching his towel from the rack and aggressively wiping his face.
"An! I'm done. You can go take a shower if you want?" He called out a little shakily.
He heard a hum in response before Andrew emerged from their kitchen. He untied his apron and tossed it in the laundry. "Took you long enough." He sighed and proceeded to rid himself of the rest of his clothes.
Jayden was trying very hard not to stare. Like he'd always known Andrew looked good, but he just never consciously lingered on that thought...
He had around an hour to himself, which meant he could use his phone. Because otherwise, Andrew was usually very clingy. It had surprised Jayden at first, because the average person would think that someone like Andrew absolutely hated people.
Well...he did. He just really liked Jayden. He blushed at the thought. Focus!
jaide:
aves
I think im innlvoe with an
avery:
?? u didnt know lmao??
jaide:
WTF DO U MEAN I DISNT KNOW
NO????
avery:
well
it was very obvious we were all just waiting for u to realize
jaide:
WHOS WE???????
avery:
dw ab it
jaide:
WHAT DO I DO
avery:
idk just tell him
jaide:
very funny
jokemaster
do u want me dead justbsay that
avery:
im being serious.
jaide:
...
what if it ruins the friendship thoufh
avery:
it wont
he likes u as much as u like him
besides have I ever lied to you
jaide:
yes.
avery:
have i ever lied to you in matters concerning real life problems***
jaide:
ugh
avery:
or if ur feeling a little adventurous u could always just drop hints
andrew's not THAATTT stupid
well. he shouldn't be
jaide:
hmmm u just gave me an idea
avery:
its either gonna go great or horribly bad
jaide:
PLS STOP???
avery:
anyw
we can talk more irl
come to the cafe?
jaide:
rn???
u just wanna hangout
avery:
ya
did i say i didnt
jaide:
shit u rifht
avery:
im always right
jaide:
l3ts ask derek!
avery:
lets sybau
r u coming or not
jaide:
omw omw
He heard the bathroom door open and dared to look up. He'd always known that Andrew looked good, but holy shit. He had only a towel wrapped around his waist and if you asked Jayden, he wouldnt mind being pressed up against all that. It hadn't even been a day, and he had already thought about Andrew's physique twice.
Alright. He needed to calm down before he face got visibly warmer. So he turned back down to his phone.
jaide:
SHIT he just shwoered and hes BASICSLLT naked oh my god what do I do
avery:
act normal
its not like u havent seen him like that before
jaide:
YA BIT HES SO heueuueyehdh
avery:
...?
stop this loser behaviour
do u really wanna do this or not
jaide:
okook sorry im locked in now im gonna change
avery:
alr
we could hop on skywars later today
jaide:
yes pls
im getting more wins bc u carry
avery:
I mean what can I say
im just him
jaide:
grown ass man btw
avery:
??? so are you
respect your elders im 3 yrs older than u
jaide:
:(((
For a split second, he forgot that Andrew was in the room with him and let a few giggles and smiles slip out while texting.
"Who are you talking to?" Andrew tried peeking at his phone.
"Ah! An what the fuck." He jolted and hid his phone screen. "None of your business."
Andrew frowned.
Ugh. He looked so.. sulky and cute and— was Jayden really going to cave? Yes. Yes he was. But he wasn't that hopeless! Yet.
"Relax. It was just Avery."
Andrew blinked. "The guy you met on Hypixel skywars?" His said with disdain. Witnessing Andrew's one sided beef with Avery was really funny. He got so jealous for no reason. Jayden was considering telling him that Avery was already taken. But nah, it was funnier this way.
"Yeah him. He asked to hang out at that one cafe. Y'know. So I'm gonna head out in a few."
If anything, Andrew's frown deepened even further. "I can't come?"
Jayden gave him an exasperated look. "No you can't come— Do I always accompany you when you go out with a friend?"
"I don't go out."
"Exactly. Besides, he's pretty good looking so—" He was adding fuel to the fire simply because he could. And he wanted to rile up Andrew just a little. What was it that Avery said? Be more adventerous? He didn't see why the hell not.
"Is he your type?" Andrew crowded him near their bedroom door. "Are you... are you going on a date?"
Jayden's head blanked out, especially since Andrew was wet and naked in his face, he really just wanted to throw caution to the wind. He pretended to think. "I dunno yet. We'll see."
"What do you mean we'll s—"
"Anyway! I gotta get changed now. Okay? I'll be back before you know it, promise! And you can always text me if you want." He held Andrew's face in his hands just to satiate him a little, and to have an excuse to touch him somewhat. "I'll be finnnneee. Alright? Be good for me."
Andrew melted into his touch and let his head fall into Jayden's neck. "Mmkay. Don't take too long though.." He mumbled.
"I won't, I won't! Do you want to help me pick out some clothes?" Not waiting for a response, Jayden tugged him into the bedroom anyway and towards their shared closet. Which they had early on separated into two sides, but it just became irrelevant after a while.
He threw the door open and blindly took out a few shirts, pants, and everything in between.
"Let's see.. what about this?" He held up a sleeveless turtleneck— which was immediately put back down onto the bed.
"No." Andrew's answer was firm.
"Aww. Why not? You don't think it looks good?" Jayden pouted. He knew that wasn't the reason, but he just wanted to hear it from Andrew.
"No it's not that.." Andrew stuttered, trying to give a reasonable explanation other than the fact that he really didn't want the Avery guy seeing Jayden in that.
"It's.. you said cafe right? You'll look a little overdressed wearing that.." Yeah, makes sense.
"Hm. Yeah makes sense. What should I wear then?"
Andrew shuffled around. "This shirt and.. maybe your favourite jacket?" Which was Andrew's jacket originally, but it became Jayden's. "And these jeans. You'll look great. I mean, you always do."
Jayden beamed and Andrew's heart skipped a few beats.
"Thanks An!"
"Mm.. How..how long will you be out?" He tried keeping the desperation out of his voice. "And is he really your type?"
"Maybe an hour or two." Jayden shrugged. "My type... my type is someone with dark brown hair." He said, knowing damn well that didn't narrow it down at all.
Andrew's expression soured.
"Don't give me that look!" Jayden laughed, while changing into the clothes that Andrew had picked out. "Why don't you try guessing? I'm sure you'll be able to get it."
"You want me to guess your type." Andrew deadpanned.
"Well, yeah!" Jayden smoothed his hair over in the mirror and skipped towards the door.
Andrew followed. "You're not gonna carry any money?"
"Nah. Aves will pay."
"Are you sure? What if he doesn't even show up? What if—" His face is pulled down and a small kiss is placed onto his cheek.
"See you soon!" Jayden played with the keys and shut the door behind him.
Andrew stood there. "...Jaide.." He breathed out, bringing a hand up to the side of his face. His heart was beating so fast he thought he might die. "What the fuck.." He panted. He was actually going to drop dead. This man was dangerous to his sanity. The same man who was his best friend and the love of his life. He needed another shower.