Chapter Text
Joe was packing up his folders and leaving the meeting room when he saw Lykon waiting outside. After catching up, they went over to the break room. The meeting had gone well, after his initial worry got over. Joe had been fretting over this proposal for months and almost took a razor to his head because he couldn't get his unruly curls to stay put. Joe took out his lunch with excitement and found the note tucked in the usual spot.
Hope the meeting went well Joe.
And that your curls are still behaving
Don't be too hard on them if they aren't.
- N
Joe couldn't help the wide smile splitting his face. Nicky had moved in with him two months back after Booker decided to live with his girlfriend Celeste. Joe had known Nicky for most of his life, initially as his sister Nile's best friend from kindergarten, then a common friend, and now his flatmate. When Nicky started to feel caged after four months alone in his studio flat, working from home, he asked Nile if she could help him find another place. One thing led to another and here they are.
' I wish my girlfriend wrote me lunch notes, or made me lunch ' Lykon mused
' He's not my boyfriend. He's my friend who likes cooking. He's working from home and is kind enough to make me lunch when he can '
' Let me tell you something Joe. The only person who has ever given me a lunch note was my mama, and if anyone ever wrote me one again, I would marry them ' he deadpanned.
' No. You don't get it. He's always been like this. He likes all these craft stuff. He used to make handmade gifts for me and my sister all the time when we were kids. ' He remembers one particular gift he received for his seventeenth birthday. The memory never fails to bring a certain sort of warmth to his chest.
' mmhhmmhhh. When y'all get married, I'm gonna have the best time saying I told you so. ' came his cheeky reply.
Joe didn't pay any attention to the usual ribbing. It's just Nicky, sweet, kind, thoughtful, selfless and a little shy, though much bolder than he used to be. Nicky, who Joe might be a little bit in love with, who has made it clear that there was never going to be anything between them. Now everyday, he smiles stupidly at his lunch notes and goes back home trying desperately to keep his feelings under control around the other boy.
***
' What is this life Nicky? I just want live near a beach, play my guitar - maybe paint a bit - get a glorious tan and live a peaceful life. But instead, I have to go halfway across the globe for the annual meeting that I wasn't even supposed to go to this year because I went last year ' Joe groans in despair while lying on the sofa ' That fucker Keane. One day, I'll spike his coffee with detergent. '
' You'll be back before you know it Joe ' Nicky tried to console him.
' I know I'm being a baby but last year was horrible. It was all work, work, meetings and more work for three months straight. I couldn't talk to anyone because of the time difference. It felt like - like I had no one, you know? ' he gave a long exhale ' And I'll miss you ' he pouted.
Nicky shouldn't find a grown man pouting cute, but sue him, it's Joe ' I'll miss you too. ' he couldn't disclose how much ' We'll talk everyday. I sleep late anyway, we can figure it out ' he suggested instead.
' I can't ask you to do that - ' Joe objected.
' You're not asking, ' Nicky countered, an idea already forming in his mind.
***
Nicky was recording the twentieth voice file when Joe called out for him from his bathroom where he was trying to fix a leak. Nicky had offered to help and was shooed away all three times. He rushed to Joe's side with worry. ' what is it? '
' can you get me the batteries? It's for the torch, they're in a box in the last drawer ' Joe said holding onto the showerhead.
Following the instructions, Nicky found an old shoebox which had, not the batteries but something else. He was suddenly transported back to when he was thirteen.
He had spent nearly the whole summer at Nile's and came to the realization that he was completely, irrevocably, in love with Joe. Joe was kind and funny and always managed to bring more fun and energy wherever he went. He always made sure he listened to Nile and doted on her a lot and by extension, on Nicky too. Joe told him his glasses were cool, that he's smart and never looked put out when Nicky rambled on about anything he found interesting. He also mows the lawn for Mrs Johnson when she can't, and helps Mr Peterson cross the road and always helps his mama in the kitchen and Nicky was in love.
Deciding to be brave, he got a small notebook and filled it up with all the things he couldn't say, about how much Nicky loves him and how amazing Joe is in general. Seven different coloured pens, about a hundred paper cut outs of tiny hearts and an unhealthy amount of glitter later, the book was filled. Now he just had to figure out when to propose.
The perfect opportunity came in the form of Joe's seventeenth birthday. He gave Joe his favourite chocolates when he went over.
' Thank you so much Nicky. They're my favourite ' Joe beamed.
' Happy Birthday Joe ' was all he could let out. Then they were hugging and Nicky felt all the butterflies come alive as they usually did when Joe was around.
' Thank you, thank you ' Joe was quickly swept away by Booker. The confession weighing heavy in his backpack.
He was disappointed to know that Joe was going to spend dinner with his friends. In hindsight, Nicky should have expected that.
So the next day, after school, when he went over to Nile's and saw Joe lounging on the couch and Nile said she desperately wanted a shower after gym being their last period, he decided to take his chance.
' Joe, can I please talk to you? ' he asked nervously.
' sure ' Joe immediately sat up, giving Nicky his full attention.
Well here goes nothing. He shoved the notebook into Joe's arms ' Ireallylikeyou ' he blurted out and ran upstairs to Nile's room, not waiting to see his reaction.
He couldn't have avoided Joe forever, as it turns out he volunteered to drop Nicky back to his house. Nicky's heart started doing funny things when he heard that. As they walked, he couldn't help but think. Maybe Joe feels the same. What if they kissed? He was interrupted from his thoughts by Joe kneeling down and stopping him. They were pretty close to his house.
' Nicky ' he paused to make sure he had Nicky's attention ' First of all, that was the sweetest gift I've ever received. You are so sweet and I'm very humbled to be at the receiving end of your affections. But you're thirteen Nicky, and I see you the same way I see Nile. I hope you understand… Now I'll never break your trust or bother you about this okay? You are the sweetest kid Nicky, you'll find someone so much better suited for you. '
Nicky listened to every word even when his eyes started to sting and he felt like he couldn't breathe. His face was heating up and all he could think was Joe doesn't like him back. Now things will never be the same. That's all that was going through his mind when he turned back around and started walking towards his house, not waiting for Joe.
He started going out of his way to avoid Joe after that, Joe thankfully never commented on it. When Nile confronted him about it, Nicky had to come clean. She had held him as he cried his tiny heart out.
It wasn't until Nicky started uni that they had a proper conversation alone.
' Congratulations '
' Thanks Joe ' Nicky went in for a hug and Joe seemed surprised by it. Nicky thinks it's high time they moved on from the awkwardness. ' I'm sorry things have been pretty weird between us. You did the right thing Joe, and I'm thankful for that. I hope we can move past it now. '
Joe huffed a relieved laugh. ' Yeah. Thank you. I'm glad ' he then added ' I've missed you Nicky '
' I missed you too, ' he said honestly.
' Nicky? ' Joe came out of the bathroom and froze when he saw Nicky holding the notebook he had gifted Joe all those years ago.
' I'm gonna burn this ' he deadpanned
' No! No no no no no no no. Please don't ' Joe started chasing him to get the note back but Nicky went around the bed.
' It's embarrassing Joe! Why do you still have this? '
' I haven't shown it to anyone and I promise I won't. Please don't take it away. ' He begged.
' why? ' Nicky asked incredulously.
Joe took a deep breath ' Okay. Okay listen. Nobody's ever given me anything like that, ever. And it's so sweet and honest and beautiful. And you know guys don't really get compliments or encouragement like that. So whenever I'm feeling down or like a waste of space, I read it for a bit and think " at least at some point in my life, this adorable thirteen year old thought that I was the best person to walk this planet " and I feel better. ' he took another breath. ' it's helped me through some tough times Nicky. Truly. Please give it back ' he ended up sounding more and more like a kicked puppy by the second.
Nicky was shocked, to say the least. He had no idea. He slowly extended it back to Joe. ' Didn't Nile make you cards? I'm pretty sure she did. I helped her make them. ' It was always signed from Nile and Nicky.
A fond expression crosses Joe's face. ' Yeah they're in the box as well '
Sure enough they were there. Nicky sifted through the cards, nostalgia hitting him for a second ' You are quite sentimental I see '
' Yeah ' Joe conceded with a smile.
Nicky decided to leave it at that. Once the shower head was fixed, Nicky turned to leave, then paused at the doorway. ' I still think that you're one of the best people to walk this earth ' he said over his shoulder
Joe's answering smile made his heart race like old times. ' Not the best? ' he's back to teasing. That's a good sign.
' That would be Keanu Reeves ' Nicky stated before laughing at Joe's offended expression. ' shout if you need anything else. ' he left before he could see the besotted look on Joe's face.