After all three boys settled into Evan's home, they sat getting to know one another better. And in that time Dae noticed quite a bit about Nikolai. He seemed the type of gorgeous man who didn't know he was gorgeous--little things he did, like biting his lip when he was lost in thought or releasing a free full-bellied laugh, made his attractiveness even more present. But Dae could tell that those actions were subconscious--he wasn't posing himself to feed into his already existent appeal. It just...happened.
Dae also noticed, that despite what Nik had said, Evan would sometimes lean too close into him when they shared a laugh. He noticed that Evan and Nik didn't have the same issues with walls as he and the redhead did. Dae tried his hardest to stay calm--he didn't want to feed into irrational thoughts that stemmed from Evan's closeness with his best friend. He didn't want to be that guy again; the jealous one...
His thoughts are broken when Nik clears his throat, Dae's eyes focusing on the shy smile on his lips, "Ev's grabbing snacks...and being stubborn about it. Fancy anything in particular?"
When Dae shook his head without a word, Evan raised an eyebrow at him but didn't say anything as he backed into his kitchen. Alone, for the first time, in the living room with Nikolai, Dae felt a lump in his throat as the blonde held eye contact for just a moment before looking away sheepishly, "So...you really thought Ev and I were together, huh?"
Dae felt himself blush, his mouth strangely dry. After a slight hesitation, Dae cleared his throat and responded, "Can you blame me? I'm trying not to be that kind of asshole...but you two seem...close."
Nikolai's warm laugh filled the room, and Dae started to feel a little more at ease. There was something about Nik that made him feel at home. Made him feel...safe. He could instantly see how easy it'd be to fall for Nik.
"Fair enough," Nikolai put a warm hand on Dae's shoulder and gave him a comforting squeeze. "If I'm being honest, there was a time when Ev told me he had certain affections for me."
Dae felt his face give away his jealousy, but it was only met with another warm smile and a friendly squeeze of his shoulder from Nik. "But I also wasn't lying when I told you I'm straight. No matter how hard I'd try, I wasn't able to return those feelings. So I had to let him down easy."
Dae leveled his gaze to Nik's, the blonde dropping his hand from his shoulder and met Dae's eyes with a smile that melted any jealousy away. He believed Nik, and quite frankly found himself in awe of him. Dae spoke before he intended to, "And how did you manage to remain so close? From my experience...things get messy."
Nik lets out a half-hearted laugh, "We've been through Hell and back with each other. It wasn't easy, and at first, I thought our friendship was ruined. After my inability to reciprocate his feelings, Evan grew...distant. I was incredibly worried, but Evan is...complex. I thought it would be best to allow him his distance from me. I hoped it would lessen the pain."
"What changed?" Dae asked and worried for a moment that he was coming on too strong.
But when Nikolai laughed warmly again, that concern melted away too.
"I suspect that would be your doing." Nikolai smiled at him, with a small shake of his head. "He didn't outwardly admit it....but ever since you piqued his interest he's been more open. He's reached out more, he hasn't closed himself off, and our friendship is almost like what it used to be."
Dae fights with himself to form words, but before he can fully comprehend what to say, Evan slides back into view holding an armful of food and a strange look resting on his face. Nik seemed to catch sight of the expression and pops to his feet. "Finally! I can pee without feeling guilty that I was leaving Dae alone."
Nik gave Evan a gentle punch in the arm, as he walked past, that seemed to stir the redhead out of his thoughts. Nik whispered to Evan before heading toward the bathroom, "Behave."
After a moment of silence, with Nik fully out of view, Evan cleared his throat. Dae chanced a look at his face and saw the same, unreadable expression painting it. "You know you can ask me...about me, right?"
Unsure of what to make of this comment, or what to say in response, Dae opened his mouth only to shut it again. With Evan staring him down, and his voice betraying him, Dae felt as if he'd be stuck in this uncomfortable situation forever.
But a moment later, Nik reappeared and clapped his hands, capturing both boys' attention. The tension seemed to fizzle out at soon as Nik's warm, calming energy entered the room.
Dae was able to let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in.
"Let's play a game, shall we?" Nik offered another warm smile before sitting between Evan and Dae.