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Chapter Text

“Nick…” Benji mumbled in his sleep, Nick looks at his boyfriend, he was sleeping on Nick’s bed, even though they shared a dorm and Benji’s bed was 6 feet away.
“Wake up you useless shit,” Nick said and Benji poked his head from under the covers. “Good to see you’re still alive,” Nick sat up and went to the small kitchen. Benji got up and went to the bathroom. Today he and Nick would mark 6 months of dating. Benji was nervous. What do you do on these anniversaries? Aisha and Sadalf like fancy restaurants and Alex and Cormac like to go to concerts. Nick hated fancy shit and Benji hated the taste. And for concerts, Benji didn’t like parking and Nick hated loud noise. Maybe they could go for a picnic but they would be for sure interrupted by a crazy lady who hate queers. like last time.
***(Flashback)
“It’s nice and cool today,” Nick said and Benji nodded.
“Yeah, the wind, the jackets, see this is why spring is the best time to go out,” Benji said, then some lady walked out.
“Stop intoxicating our children!” She yelled, this pissed Nick off. In the time Benji was with Nick he learned of two things he does when pissed. 1. If the person says something about Benji, Nick will yell at them and not hesitate to tell them to fuck off his boyfriend. 2. When he is mad he will look at the floor and Benji would need to just stay still.
“Will you ever shut up! My boyfriend and I are just having a small picnic!” Nick yelled in her face and grabbed Benji’s hand and pulled him behind a tree and Benji had to calm him down.
***
Benji looked at the mirror, he loved Nick, even if they haven’t said it. They never kissed, they would cuddle sometimes and when Nick was upset, Benji would read to him from any book they could find. Benji would also help Nick calm down over the phone. When Benji would vent about Theo-his toxic ex boyfriend who got a new girlfriend a few months ago and would rub it in-Nick would make a stupid nickname for Theo, like “Shithead” or “Jackass”. When they would fight, Benji would try to not yell so loud and Nick loved how even at low points Benji would still make him feel comfortable.
“What’s for breakfast?” Benji sat at the small table they set up, the small dorm had two beds, two desks, a table with two chairs and a couch, with a bathroom.
“Toast, eggs and water,” Nick said, “I went basic because finals are next week.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me, Salvador, Cormac and I have been working too hard on making our Minecraft world better.” Benji said and Nick groaned.
“Love to see the dedication to studying for that Calculus test.”
“You don’t have to be sarcastic before 8 in the morning.”
“I do.” Nick said and sarcastically ate his toast. Benji sighed and smiled.
“Happy you survived me for 6 months,” Benji said.
“Wanna do something romantic,” Nick asked.
“What do you have in mind?”
“How about we go for a boat ride?”
“Tonight? On the water?”
“Yes.”
“Sure, but we have to MAKE Cormac give us the keys to the car,” Benji sighs and Nick holds out the keys.
“It’s a weekend day.”
***
“Please Benji slow down! Or let me drive!” Nick yelled, Benji somehow was going the speed limit.
“You signed on for this 6 months ago when you asked me to be your boyfriend.” Benji laughed.
***
It was their second date and Benji was nervous.
“Hey Benji? Would you be my boyfriend?” Nick asked him, reaching for Benji’s hand. They held hands and Benji nodded. That night they sat in Nick’s bed making beaded lizards.
***
“Who taught you to drive?!” Nick yelled, a white knuckle grip on the handle.
“Salvador,” Benji said, he then stopped at the coast.
“Holy fuck…” Nick said and walked Benji to a boat.
“Romantic.”
“Indeed love.”
***
The two of them drove around the bay, talking about their dreams and wishes.

Chapter Text

Benji and Nick sat in their room, playing Mario Kart on Nick’s Nintendo switch.
“You will lose Woodside!” Nick said and Benji laughed.
“How are you so damn good?” Benji asked and out the controller down, “no one is this good and has a boyfriend.”
“It’s called practice, how are you so good at PVP?” Nick asked with a smug smile.
“So I should practice?” Benji asked with a grin. “Anyways, are you ready for finals tomorrow?”
“Mostly,” Nick said, “I have History and English for day 1, you?”
“Calculus and Biology,” Benji said and Nick smiled.
“You ready?”
“No.” Benji said and sat up. “Salvador and I have downed so many cups of coffee and tea I think I’m to pee for an hour next time I sit on the toilet.”
“Good luck my dear,” Nick said and ruffled Benji’s hair. “Now let’s sleep, and tomorrow I’ll make you eggs, bacon and scones,”
“You’ll do all that?”
“Of course,” Nick said and the two of them got into their beds. Benji looked at Nick.
“I love you,” He said for the first time to Nick, it felt so right to him. It was the truth. Nick looked into his eyes and walked over, he ran his finger over Benji’s forehead.
“I love you too,” Nick said and leaned in, “can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
Nick lightly kissed Benji. His lips warm and soft, Benji softly leaned into the kiss. Nick held Benji’s cheeks. His fingers running through his hair. They both pulled away and Benji smiled. Nick ran his fingers down Benji’s arm and held his hand.
“Can I stay with you?” Nick asked and Benji nodded and the two of them lay in Benji’s small bed. Nick holding Benji. Benji knew this is what he needed. His boyfriend, the boy who would die for him if his life depended on it, the boy who Benji met at the back of the school, who helped Benji break up with Theo. He needed him. More than anyone knew.
***(flashback)
“You think you can just break up with me!?” Theo screamed into Benji’ face.
“You’ve been talking to girls and you have said many times that I was wrong, so yea,” Benji said and walked away.
He later met with Nick and the two of them went on a small date to a cafe and that’s when Benji knew he loved this boy more than anything else in the world.
***
Nick held Benji tightly, over the months they got more comfortable with each other’s touch. Benji would always ask, Nick loved how he could trust Benji.
“I’m not ready for tomorrow,” Benji mumbled and Nick kissed his head.
“Good luck love.” He said and the two fell asleep.

Chapter Text

“No cheating and good luck!” Their teacher said and Benji started answering questions. He remembered how to solve these problems. He answered each question and tried his best. He turns in the paper and went to his desk. Nick was in English, he was a fast writer and would be able to write a short story in 30 minutes. He pulled out his phone.
Benji: Nick?
Nick: how was the test?
Benji: it went okay, how was your essay
Nick: crazy as hell
Benji: that hard?
Nick: yea
Benji: afterwards want to meet in the library
Nick: yes
Benji: meet behind the history books
After class Benji and Nick met up behind the bookshelf. Benji pulled out the small lunch box Nick gave him, in it was a small slice of cake, 3 mini tacos and carrots. “You made all this?”
“Yes,” Nick said and pulled out his, a small sandwich and apple. “You need nutrition for your next class.”
“Thank you Nick,” Benji said smiling up at him. “How about tomorrow I make you something?”
“What do you have in mind? You can’t cook.” Nick said with a grin, “you burned cookies.”
“Let me cook,” Benji said.
“I should have the fire department on speed dial,” Nick said with a sigh, “knock yourself out.”
***
“Let’s get to cooking!” Benji said, “I’m making you pork, rice, potatoes covered in gravy.”
“Start making the rice,” Nick said, “add water, and wash it,” he said and Benji did that. Nick helped Benji through each step. They made enough lunches for all their friends. “How did your test for bio go?”
“I most likely failed, luckily the hard ones are over, you?”
“I got hard classes tomorrow,” Nick said and slumped on the couch.
“Once finals are over, we can go home and see family but I’m gonna stay here.” Benji said. After finals students can go home to see their families for 3 weeks. Nick and Benji have stayed in their dorm for every break. They mostly make beaded lizards and decorate their room. They will be in here until they graduate college. Benji was happy to spend 3 weeks with his boyfriend. They would take quiet walks in the cool air, they would explore the empty campus, just 2 more days of finals.
“I’m gonna just stay here, maybe a call home but it’s an annoying 4 hour drive and it’s not worth it.”
“My mom thinks I’m with Theo still, I had to explain that it wasn’t working out but she’s as dumb as a rock. My dad will be dropping by however, I asked him to fix our Wi-Fi problem.”
“Fucking finally,” Nick said, “that’s been broken and I’ve been using the schools.”
***
It was the last day of finals and Nick and Benji were in the library, they had their last class together. It was just the teacher making them read about their time in the semester. Nick just talking about how he learned nothing. Benji talked about how annoying most of his classmates were. Afterwards they went outside and walked in silence to their dorm. The warm room filled their lungs at they sat on the couch. Finals were done, they had 3 weeks to do whatever they wanted. Nick was gonna meet Benji’s dad in 3 days.

Chapter Text

“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, I meet your dad in two days, and I’m dating you.” Nick said pacing the room. Benji sat on the couch.
“He knows about you, he’s just gonna fix the Wi-Fi and take us to lunch,” Benji said, “he wants to meet you, he wants to meet the boy and I quote ‘who stole my son’s heart and gave him his’. You’re fine Nicolas.”
“Easy for you to say Benjamin.” Nick said and started to fidget with the beaded lizard, “tell me what to do, what do I call him?”
“Call him Dave,” Benji said, “take a deep breath.” Nick breathed in and out. “Relax, he already wants to meet you and I told him you don’t like touching, and to try to come on too strong.”
“Thank you.” Nick said, “but what if he thinks I’m not good enough for you?”
“You’re fine, he wants to get to know you, he wants to meet you,” Benji said. “What are you worried about?”
“Um, I’m worried about……him thinking I’m not good enough for you…” Nick covered his face. “You’re handsome, kind, and I’m just me.”
“And just you is what I need.” Benji said and looked into his eyes. “Just Nick, just my handsome boyfriend.”
The two of them sat in silence, Nick looking at the ceiling. After a while they fell asleep on the couch.
***
Two days later Nick put on a clean white shirt and black pants. He topped it off with his black jacket.
“I love that outfit,” Benji said putting on jeans and a graphic t shirt and flannel jacket. Benji’s dad walked in, he wore cargo shorts and a button up shirt.
“He is truly your father,” Nick whispered in Benji’s ear.
“Hush,” Benji said, “hi dad.”
“Hey Benji, how was your finals?” Dave said with a smile.
“Um, normal.”
“You must be Nick, I’m Benji’s dad.” Dave said as Nick looked at him.
“Um yes, I’m Nick.” Nick said, “nice to meet you sir,”
“Please call be Dave,” Dave said, “Benji has said great things about you.”
“I have,” Benji said, “Nick is my boyfriend and I care about him, and love him very much.”
“Wonderful, why don’t you two take my car and find a place for lunch while I fix your WI-FI?”
“Yes,” Nick said and turned to Benji, “and I’ll take over driving.”
“Fair enough,” Benji said and the two of them got into the car. “My dad likes burger grill places.”
“There is that burger place that we went to with the others after that late night road-trip last month, what was it called?”
“I think Cormac knows,” Benji said and texted Cormac, “he said it’s called ‘Gilled Burgers’”
“Okay, can you get GPS?” Nick said and left the school area and Benji out in the directions. “Was I okay?”
“You’re doing great.” Benji said, “don’t worry, he knows you care for me and love me.”
***
They stopped at a gas station and Benji leaned back in his seat. Nick came back.
“I think we just pick up your dad and go to the restaurant.” He said, they drove back to pick him up and he got in the back.
“You two can stay up there.” He said and Nick shared a look with Benji. Nick drove to the restaurant and they all sat down. “Where did you find this place?”
“Few months ago a few friends of ours and we got back late from a road-trip, and we came here because it was the only open at 11 pm.” Benji said.
“Where did you go for the trip?”
“We went on a camping trip,” Nick said, he pulled out his phone and showed an image of Benji at the lake, Benji blushed.
“My hair was a mess,” Benji said to Nick. “I look like a wreck!”
“It looks normal.”
“I forgot my hairbrush.”
“That explains why you used mine.”
“Shut up.”
“You two been to be healthy, Benji I can safely say you’ve found your life long partner.” Dave said. Benji choked on his soda.
“We still have school and that’s years away and we…” Benji covered his face.
“And Nick, its’s clear you deeply love Benji and you’re willing to try everything good for him.”
“Thank you,” Nick said because it was the first thing that came to mind.
***
Benji sat in the dorm, Nick slept on the couch. Benji laid next to him and fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Benji woke up, they had 2 weeks left on break. Turns out they were the only ones that wanted to stay. Benji went outside for a morning walk. The school was a quiet place in the morning before 7 am. Nick however always slept in during breaks. During school days Benji sleeps in, Nick sleeps during breaks. Benji takes the time to walk in the morning air and enjoying the cold. He walked along the back of the school.
Meow!
Benji turned his head to see a small blond like cat with violet eyes. He held out his hand to the cat.
“Hey kitty, it’s too cold for you.” He said and the cat smelled him and rubbed his head on his hand. Another cat same out, a cat with brown fur and green eyes. He let the second cat, scratching behind her ears. The blond cat pawed Benji’s hand, he licked Benji’s hand. “What will Nick say to TWO cats? Maybe if I let him sleep for a few more he will understand.” He picked up the cats and put them in the dorm. The cats went to Benji’s bed and snuggled together in a pile of blankets.
“Benji, you’re back?” Nick said groaning.
“Go back to sleep.”
“Nah,” Nick sat up, “Benji, why are their two cats?”
“I can explain.” Benji said, “I saw two cats, I took them in, I will care for them.”
“Benji…we can’t keep two cats in the dorm.”
An hour later and Nick and Benji had coffee and food in their bodies.
“Let’s talk about this, what are we going to do about two cats?” Nick asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Keep them, Cormac and Alex have that cat.”
“Fine.”
“Yay.”
“On one condition,” Nick said, “we pick good names.”
“Why not…..” Benji started. “Avocado and Toast.”
“You’re just hungry, and fine, we can keep them.” Nick said and made breakfast, omelets. Benji fed the cats bacon. Toast, the one with brown fur hopped on Nick’s lap and purred.
“She seems happy,” Benji said, “I’m going to the pet store today,” he got up and came back with 6 bags of stuff. 2 full of food and cat litter. 1 of toys and 1 of structures, and 2 bags full of cat sweaters.
“You’re spoiled, them already!”
“Yes a good cat parent must spoil their fur babies,” Benji said and put them in winter sweaters.
“They have fur,” Nick said, “you know what, if I try to argue you’re just going to troll me,” he poked his cheek, Benji blushed. “Like always.”
“Anyways,” Benji said and unpacked everything. “Perfect.”
“Sure.”
“Shut up.” Benji called Cormac.
“What?” Cormac said.
“When you come back, why not you, Sal, Alex, whoever else you brought to your massive house, come to our dorm, Nick and I got babies!” Benji said, Nick sighed.
“Cats!” He said, “don’t get any ideas!”
***
3 days later and the whole group came over.
“How did Nick agree to this?” Erin asked. Benji smiled.
“Boyfriend abilities.” He said and held Toast. She purred in his arms. Avocado was on Nick’s lap, he pet the back of his head.
“When you said babies I thought you two had—“ Aisha started but Nick gave her a look.
“Anyways,” Salvador said, “we get a week and a half to ourselves, who’s up for another camping trip?!” Everyone looked and shrugged.
“Benji, Nick, I’ve got a good cat sitter you can have take care of your cats,” Alex said. They all nodded.
“Who’s driving us to the camp ground? It’s a 2 day trip each way, and we gotta deal with roommates in hotels.” Erin said.
“That’s easy,” Cormac says, “couples sleep together. And Salvador and Erin get a room and Faith and Aisha, because Sadalf doesn’t like camping.”
“Who drives?”
“Not Benji!” Nick said, “or me, we are gonna be in the back seat watching Bungo Stray Dogs.”
“I can drive,” Aisha said, “only if I have someone with good music taste in the passenger seat.”
“Soooooo, Alex.” Cormac said.
“Or create a playlist if our favorite songs.” Alex said.
“Let’s do this! Road-trip!” Salvador yelled.

Chapter Text

Benji helps Nick load up the van. Cormac and Alex had to get the seats ready. Salvador had to get the hotel rooms. Aisha and Faith talked about the route. Erin had to make sure the weather would be okay.
Soon they all climbed in. Nick and Benji in the back, Erin, Salvador and Faith in the second to last row. Cormac and Alex in the middle row. Aisha and Faith in the front row.
“Can I lean on you?” Nick asked Benji. He nodded and Nick leaned on him.
“Road trip time!” Aisha said and started down the road. Alex and Cormac were taking turns napping. Benji and Nick watched their show. Erin and Salvador on their phones. They stopped at a restaurant, going inside.
“Apparently this place has an all you can eat buffet,” Cormac said. “I can get us a table if you guys get me a plate of food. Alex knows what I want.”
“Yea yea,” Salvador said and walked to the buffet. “No way! Benji! They have crepes!”
“Yes please!” Benji said and turned to Nick, “want one?”
“I don’t like sweet things,” he said, “I’m gonna get myself something savory, I see they have some crab.” He walked to where they were prepping it. “Two legs please,” he said remembering Benji liked crab.
“Like a high school gangster is gonna pay for an expensive dish,” the worker said.
“It’s 30 bucks.” Nick said and handed him the money.
“Is it stolen?”
“no! I have my own job! And I go to an academy!” He said, the worker them came over with the crab dishes, it came with a side of rice and steamed mushrooms. He went to the table.
“Why do people assume stuff about us?” Cormac asked, “Erin gets assumed she is a player, Alex gets assumed they are a trans boy, they’re not. Aisha is assumed to be a crybaby but sure he’s a little sensitive but she’s strong and has guts. Faiths assumed she’s lesbian, she’s not. You get assumed you’re a gangster but you have the best job out of any of us. Salvador gets assumed about everything. Benji once told me someone assumed he was faking being himself.”
“Yea, we’re normal teenagers who are queer. We are a big group but we don’t care.” Nick said and Benji came over.
“Want half?” He asked Nick, “it’s really good.”
“Okay,” Nick took a bite and gasped. Delicious! “This is really good!” He said and took another bite. “So savory,”
“Yep, I asked them not too sweet because you’re sweet enough.”
“You’re cheesy,” Nick said. The others came back. They talked about their breaks. Erin went to the beach with Aisha, Sadalf and Faith for a girls weekend. It’s just a nice way of saying they wanted to have a few days to avoid the crazy people. Salvador, Alex and Cormac went to Cormac’s house and explored the big city.
“So, anyone wanna play Truth Or Dare?” Cormac says. They all nod. “Benji, Truth or Dare?”
“Dare!” Benji said.
“I dare you to kiss Nick,” Cormac said and Benji turned to Nick.
“Is that okay with you?” He asked, he always asked before kissing, Nick nodded and the two had a small kiss. “Why did you dare us to do that?” Nick asked Cormac.
“Wait, you two have kissed before?” Cormac said in a shocked tone
“Yea, so what?”
“Who kissed who?”
“Nick kissed me.”
“Was it a peck?”
“Uh yea.”
“Anyways, Erin truth or dare,” Benji said.
“Truth.” She said back.
“Guilty pleasure?”
“Microwaved Mac and cheese.”
“That explains why your dorm smells bad.” Nick said, “seriously get candles.”
“Truth or dare Nick.”
“Dare.”
“I dare you to arm wrestle with Benji.”
“Ready to lose?” He asked Benji.
“Stop being arrogant babe,” Benji said and the two set up.
“3,2,1!” Salvador said and the two stared. Nick won.
“Truth or dare Salvador?”
“Dare!”
“I dare you to roast Cormac!”
“I think we’re done!” Cormac said and they all laughed.
“Do we need to roast him, he’s roasting himself enough!” Salvador said. They all got into the van.
“First night stop, a hotel!”
“Are you comfortable sharing a bed?” Benji asked Nick, Nick smiled.
“I’m okay with that.” Nick said, “and I might even spoon you”
“Nick….” Benji said. “You’re making me blush”
“Are you flirting?” Salvador asked. “Because you’re really bad at it, I swear, Cormac and Alex are better than this.”
“Thank you!” Cormac said.
“Who tops?”
“Shut up!” Benji said, “it’s none of your business”
“It is, I need something to post!”
“Who do you think?!”
“I think you should shut up!” Alex said and everyone laughed. They arrived at the hotel, Benji and Nick ran to their room. They ran in.
“Let’s troll them!” Benji said, “act like we’re doing something and in reality, cuddling!”
“Yea!” Nick said, he held out his arms and Benji lightly leaned on him. They laid on the bed and Nick held Benji, he kissed his head.
“Why are you being affectionate?”
“I know you want it.”
“Do you?”
“Only from you, only you can hold me, only you can see me this vulnerable.”
“You’ve changed, in a good way.”
“You too.”
“We’ve changed each other in a good way.”
“Sap.”
“Go to sleep.” Benji said and the two boys closed their eyes, Nick nuzzles into his hair. How could Theo let this boy go?! How could he just leave this wonder?!

Chapter Text

They arrived at the camp site, they set of a few tents, Erin and Alex went to get wood, Cormac and Salvador had to set up the foods, the rest had free time, Benji and Nick went to the creak.
“Benji?” A voice said, “Benjamin Woodside?” It was Theo, he looked at Nick and Benji in the creak, splashing each other.
“Theo.” Nick’s voice was deadly deep, Benji recognized it, Nick looks down.
“Look at my eyes boy!”
“Piss off!”
“Why?” Theo leaned down to look at Benji. “This is a camp ground!”
“Since when did you get into camping?” Benji asked. “You hate nature.”
“My new girlfriend got me into it.”
“I bet camping to you is touching grass for 5 seconds.” Benji smirked and Nick laughed.
“Babe?” A girl with blond hair and blue eyes asked, Theo’s new girlfriend.
“This is Mia.” Theo said, “Mia, these are those two bitches I told you about.”
“Ah, the Emo idiot and the fake boy.”
“What?!” Nick said, Benji started counting down the seconds Theo had to run. Mia held his arm.
“Theodore, get rid of them!” She said, Benji looked at what she looked like, take Regina George and mix her with any Disney channel antagonist and you have her outfit. Did she really call him by his whole name? How strange.
“Clareborn!” Benji yelled, “what do you want?”
“To tell you the truth, Nick used to be in my friend group.” He said, Benji knew the friend group, a toxic bunch that spread rumors and made genuine chaos. Nick would never be in that, Benji knew every member.
“You’re lying!”
“Am I? Wanna know why Nick would eat alone? He is a trouble maker who doesn’t deserve you, I don’t understand what you see in him.” Theo said and Nick met his eyes, Nick’s eyes had no spark of joy, they were cold and deadly. Benji used to be scared of them but now he felt safe with them, he felt protected. “Tell him.”
“Nick, tell him he’s a liar.”
“He’s not lying,” Nick said, “but it doesn’t matter, I’ve changed and you haven’t Theo!”
“I just want you to know I still trust and love you,” Benji said and Theo tackled a Nick into the water, pushing his head under.
“Should have known!” Theo said, Nick tried to get air but Theo held him down.
“Benjamin…” Mia said and tackled him, “real man? As if?!” She was taller than Benji and much stronger. Benji then felt the weight taken off him and a pair of arms pulling him up. Nick held Benji, Theo and Mia watched.
“This is why you’re so pathetic.” Theo said, “you show weakness!” He and Mia left and Nick walked Benji to the shore.
“You hurt?” Nick asked and Benji shook his head.
“Just cold and wet,” Benji said, Nick wrapped his jacket around Benji. Nick always wore it, it was his favorite sweater. “But this is your favorite sweater.”
“But you’re soaking wet.” Nick helped him back, he took him into their tent and dried him off and stopped Benji when he tried to do it himself. Benji tried fo give him his jacket back but Nick wrapped it around him again. “Keep it.”
“But you love this sweater!”
“I know, but I love you more.” Nick help Benji put it on, it looked a bit big but it fit nicely. “You look very nice.”
“It’s so comfortable.”
“Yep.”
“Nick, why are you doing this?”
“Because I wanna show you I’m changed and how much you’ve changed me, or show me who I truly can be.” Nick held his cheeks. “I love you Benji.”
“I love you too.” Benji said and the two kissed, it wasn’t very romantic, it was gentle and sweet. Nick then pulled Benji onto the sleeping bag.
“Stay warm.”
“I know.”
***
Alex and Cormac sat together.
“Benji and Nick are getting close,” Cormac said. “Think they will get married?”
“Yep.” Alex said and leaned on him, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
***
Salvador sat in xer tent and took a bite of xer sandwich. “I love you Sandwich.”
(Authors note: Aroace Salvador!!!)
***
The next morning they all ate eggs and sausage. Salvador and Cormac talked about a Theater class project.
“Why are you taking it in the first place?” Benji asked.
“Acting!” Cormac said, “it’s an art, it makes people cry, laugh, scream, you play someone else—“
“Yeah yeah,” Nick said, “that’s easy.”
“How do you know?”
“I’m an amazing liar and having that makes it easier to act,” Nick said.
“Yep, Nick is a fantastic liar,” Erin said. “Anyways, why is Benji wearing your coat?”
“Uhhh…..”
“We um….” Benji said. “Ran into Theo and got into a fight and got wet and Nick let me keep it.”
“Oh, we thought you two took it a step further.” Salvador said.
“What?!”
“I think you two—“
“Shut up!”

Chapter Text

“So Nick, who tops?” Salvador asked him.

“What do you think.” He said in a blunt tone.

“I don’t know, Benji is a skinny trans boy, you’re a….regular emo gay guy.” Cormac says, “have you two had sex?”

“No!”

“Damnit!”

***

They packed up for a hike. They were gonna do a 8 mile hike and go to a lake.

“Betting time bitches and bros and nonbinary hoes(sk8 reference), who will die on this hike?” Salvador said and everyone grabbed a candy bar. “My bet is on Cormac.”

“Ha! My bets on Alex!” Cormac said.

“My bet is on Cormac,” Benji said.

“I second that.” Nick said.

“My bet is on Aisha.” Faith said.

“My bet is on Aisha.” Alex said.

“I bet on Cormac!” Erin said, “theater kids. You know?”

“I know.” Aisha said, “my bet is on Erin.”

***

They started the trail. “Ok. Let’s be like the gays we are and start listing the hottest characters!” Cormac said. “I for one simp for Percy Jackson in Hero’s of Olympus.”

“Really?” Aisha said, “Annabeth is hotter.”

“No, no, no,” Benji said, “it’s Niko.”

“That explains so much!” Erin says, “that explains why you love Nick! He is Niko but taller and more muscular.”

“Don’t compare me to a fictional character!” Nick sighs, “I personally have a fictional crush on Dazai from Bungo Stray Dogs, Chuuya too, and maybe Ranpo.”

“And I’m all those combined!” Benji says, “I’m short like Chuuya, hair like Dazai and personality like Ranpo!”

“I personally think Gin is the best!” Aisha says, “or maybe Yosano!”

“Alex! Thank you for making all of us Bungo fans!” Erin said, “watching Nick and Benji yell “gay” throughout all of deadapple was truly a gift.”

“Of course! And for my BSD crush it’s Karma.” Alex says, “definitely Karma.”

“I personally love Oda!” Cormac said. “I love him and he is my husband!”

“Oh god…” Erin said. “I don’t have a BSD crush, unless….ok, I simp for Gin.”

“Knew it!” Nick said, “I fucking knew it!”

“Salvador and Faith however are immortal to this,” Erin said, “a true tragedy.”

***

That night they watched the BSD movie in onesies.

“Gay!” Nick yelled during the Chuuya and Dazai scene.

(This was a filler chapter)

Chapter Text

Nick leaned into Benji. They were in the van on the way home, they chose to make it a one day trip home with Erin, Aisha and Alex rotating of driving.

It was about 10 pm. They had 2 more hours to go.

“Can we stop at a hotel?” Erin asked. “Please?”

“Yes,” Aisha turned them into a hotel parking lot. It looked sketchy. “This looks…..”

“Like we’re gonna get robbed.” Cormac finished her sentence. “Or at least me.”

“Rich bastard.” Salvador flipped him off. “Let’s vote. Sleep on the car or sleep the hotel?”

It was 3 for car and 5 for hotel. “Really?” Cormac sighed. “but we’re bringing in EVERYTHING.”

“What do I have?” Benji asked, “I didn’t even pack a hairbrush.”

“Stop using mine,” Nick poked his cheek. “or buy your own.”

“Can we even get more than 1 room?” Erin pulled out her phone and tried to book a room with zero luck. “I can only get us a low quality room with 1 bed.”

“Who here has enough energy to drive us home?” Cormac looked offended. “I note that it’s not Benji or Salvador.”

“I can drive, I can handle 2 hours.” Nick moved to the driver seat, “Benji get over here.” Benji went to shotgun. “But first….” He went into Dennys and came back with a small cup of black coffee. “Let’s do this.”

“Nick are you good at driving?” Cormac looked at him.

“Better than Benji, so yes.” Nick drove. “I can handle this.”

***

Half way and 1 more hour to go they stopped. Nick was exhausted. “Can we sleep in the car?” he asked. “Or can someone else drive?”

“Me.” Benji offered and Nick laughed.

“Oh Benji, you’re so sweet but last time you drove…” Nick pat his shoulder. “Plus you’re exhausted.”

“What now?” Erin asked. “We’re in the middle of no where.”

“I have an idea.” Nick started the car and drove to a INN. “Erin get us a room.”

She came back. “We can get 1 room with 2 beds.” She sighed. “Better than nothing.”

“Who gets the beds?” Salvador asked the deadly question.

“Me!” Nick flopped onto a bed. Benji crawled in with him.

“Me too.” Benji and Nick went to sleep so fast.

Erin and Aisha took the other. Everyone else slept in sleeping bags on the floor.

The next morning they packed up and went back home. Dropping people at dorms and Nick and Benji went back to their dorm. Their cats sleeping.

Nick lay on his bed, Benji laid with him and their cats joined them.