Chapter Text
A Fucking bet from Norwegianssweethearts on Vimeo.
It started in November 2017, when Isak began to work at Kaffebrenneriet, where Even already had his evening job.
Well, it actually started long before that, in the autumn of 2016, when Even transferred from Bakka to Nissen to take his last year there. It started when Isak and Even smoked and talked at the Kosegruppa gathering. It started when Isak fell so hard for Even that he joined him at home one evening for a joint, for grilled cheese toasties, laughs and long, lingering looks.
It all stopped that same evening when Even's girlfriend Sonja turned up, making Isak feel like a fool for falling for Even. A fool for hoping that they could have become something. Well, at least he hadn’t done something stupid like trying to kiss him.
After that Isak left Kosegruppa, ignored Vilde's requests to come back and focused on school instead. He didn't see much of Even for a while. Until, Jonas and Mahdi met Even at a Halloween party and bonded over some weed, apparently talking about movies and music. That was when Even started to hang with them from time to time.
Isak and Even slowly became friends, too. It had taken some time before Isak managed to tame his frustrating crush, though. The slow process of becoming friends was painful, but in the end, he had decided that he wanted Even in his life. And if friendship was his only option, then friendship was what he wanted.
Now, over a year later, something new started, when Isak needed some extra money, and got the chance to work some hours at KB. Isak guessed that Even probably was less than thrilled when he found out. Not that they weren't friendly, not at all. Isak just knew that Even loved his job and loved things as they were. And Isak was supposedly a disaster waiting to happen.
Isak had somehow gotten a reputation of being a mess. And not just because he was clumsy and awkward at times. They said he was fucking when he had the chance and smoking or drinking when he didn't—and sometimes, doing everything at the same time. He was rumored to have slept with at least half his class, male and female alike, and had a tendency to take whatever he wanted. It was bullshit, of course. Isak was maybe partying a lot, but he was studying a lot too, and he was still a fucking virgin. The rumours probably started because he used to hook up with girls to hide that he liked boys for a long time. Until he discovered that he could hook up with boys, and started to try that. Everyone thought he was a player, even his best buddies. Well. At least he was out now, or at least people had a lot of doubt about his preferences. Isak didn't care what they thought, anyway.
Even, on the other hand, was… well, Isak didn't know. But Even seemed to have control of his life. He went to some fancy private media school, worked in the evenings and hung out with his friends. He had broken up with Sonja about a year ago, but he didn't seem to have found any new love interest. Not that Isak cared. He was very careful not to care.
He still felt like he knew Even well. They weren’t close, but Isak had still gotten some glimpses of what was behind Even’s cool facade. Last year before Christmas Even had a manic and depressive episode, and Isak happened to be a little too close for comfort, both physically and emotionally. A while after that, Even had told Isak and the guys that he had bipolar disorder. Isak had to admit that he had learned a lot from that whole situation, amongst other things to scrap some of his attitudes towards mental illnesses.
During this last year Even seemed to have gotten his illness under control. He kept going to his therapist and kept taking his medication and was in control of his life. He thrived. He had worked hard for it and probably didn't need a messed up teenager in his life.
Because, yeah. Although the rumours about Isak was wrong, he was still messed up. He was basically a clumsy fuckup with limited social skills. Or at least limited interest in small talk and working with people. He could be charming if he wanted to, but preferably in small doses. He kept tripping over and breaking stuff, and he kept saying inappropriate things. Even had, in spite of his easy-going manners, arrested him more than once for it.
And now Isak was in Even' coffee shop—Even's treasured job.
Isak knew the job was some sort of safe haven for Even. Even was the type of guy who thrived on talking to people, serving them, bringing them joy.
Isak wasn’t like that at all. However, he hoped that he could do an alright job, at least do the dishes or something. He needed the money.
On his first day he was nervous, but he hadn't lost hope yet. Focus and determination should take him a long way, he decided. He wasn't going to mess up Even's workplace. Even wouldn't have to notice him at all, actually.
Well, the latter turned out to be difficult. When Isak turned up on his first day at the coffee shop, Even was the guy to tell him how it all worked.
– Hi, Isak, Even said with a grin. He was tying his apron, which made him look dangerously attractive. – Welcome to KB.
Isak’s stomach flipped at the warmth in Even's eyes and the sound of his name on Even’s lips. He ignored the feeling and grinned back. – Thanks.
He still felt silently embarrassed over the fact that he once could be so foolish as to fall so hard for another guy who only had friendly intentions. It was not even helpful to know that Even was pan (he had told the guys one drunk night a while after he broke up with Sonja). Even had still not given any sign he was interested in Isak, so.
Isak was over his crush now, of course. Totally. It was just difficult sometimes to guard himself against Even's natural charm.
Even introduced Isak to the other two who were working that day, the manager Marit and another barista, Niklas. Then Even told Isak to put away his bag and dragged him along to show him around in the shop. When he told Isak about his tasks, Isak was relieved that it seemed manageable. In the beginning, he got to focus on the simpler things.
– Our manager, Marit, has told me that I should take extra care of you now in the beginning, Even explained. He had a slightly tired look on his face. – It can be nice to have a familiar face around.
– Sure, Isak said, with a sinking feeling in his stomach. Of course. Of fucking course. Even taking extra care of him sounded like trouble. First of all, Even was probably a little frustrated to be forced to babysit the new guy, and Isak hated to be a burden. Second of all, Isak was worried about himself. It wasn't like Isak still had a crush on Even, but he imagined that he easily could fall for him again if he spent too much time with him. That should not happen.
Even studied his face. – You don't look thrilled.
Fuck. Always so observant.
– Oh, it's alright, Isak said quickly. – It's just… I can imagine that guarding the rookie isn't the most fun thing to do, Even. I am so sorry.
Even raised his eyebrows. – You’re worrying about me?
Isak shrugged, feeling embarrassed.
Even smiled, and his whole face shone. – And here I was, worrying that you would feel trapped with me.
Isak was so surprised that a choked laugh spilled out of him. – Whatever for?
It was Even’s turn to shrug. – You know, I have my issues. I'm not the most easy person to live with. Or work with.
– You're amazing at your job, Even, I couldn't have been luckier. I just hope I won't fuck up.
Even stared at him, and another smile slowly grew on his face. – I'm sure it's going to be alright, Isak. We know each other a little, after all, don't we? We'll have some fun, just you wait and see.
Fun. Isak felt warmth spread throughout his chest. How could Even make such an innocent word sound like something exciting? He nodded, and felt a little silly. – Yeah, sure. I'm just a little nervous, I guess.
Even smiled and winked his weird wink. – Don't worry, Isak. I'll have you relaxed in no time.
Isak couldn't help but huff at that. – I'm sure you will, he muttered. Even only gave him another look, one Isak couldn't quite decipher, but it made his stomach turn—and not in the ´I'm going to vomit' way. More in a ´butterflies-in-my-stomach' way. It felt weird.
That was the first sign for Isak that he was in serious trouble with little hope of escape.