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If you told Niko months ago that he'd have two people fighting over him, he would've laughed internally and ignored you for the rest of his life. It wasn't that he hated people, he just didn't believe he was worth loving (romantically), especially since he'd been deemed as the hardest boy to win over.
He wasn't very attractive, like there weren't any oscar-winning qualities about him, so there was no point in anyone liking him at all.
"Niko-chan, I bought t-these for you, please accept them!" The girl said as she hurriedly planted the flowers into his hands, leaving him frozen, a worried yet expectant look on her face while waiting for his reply.
It seemed too cheesy, and in all honesty, really simple for a confession.
Who even was this girl actually? He's from an all boys school, but Aiku did say he'd set him up one day. But he wasn't all into anyone; girls, boys, not much.
"I'd like to apologise, but I can't reciprocate your feelings for me." He murmured, giving her back the gift and walked away indifferently. He didn't expect her to be so heartbroken when he denied, all he did was say a couple words, walk away; yet she was acting like he killed her entire family. Ancestors included.
And that was when the theories of him being their class' heartbreaker eventually brood up, all of their rumours were really shitty too.
Seriously, him rejecting a boy and making them cry? That was stretching him into some playboy with no heart. When in reality, he's just a really awkward guy who most likely can't return people's feelings.
But having boundaries and politely declining makes him a fratboy who fucks around? That was so mean of them, well obviously. But he didn't even know how it started, it was him being his natural self, not flirting around with strangers.
So currently, he was known for this of all things, honestly he'd rather be classified as some "otaku with wide eyes" than this. Which was a huge lie, he wouldn't want that more than anything.
He didn't like talking much, unless it was his interests and he began to rant on impulse, or if he'd gotten comfortable around someone. Although it was still difficult for him to start a conversation, nor get approached, he still hadn't beat those loser allegations and never will.
To think of it, he only spoke to his team and family, he really was a dweeb. But all the sudden, he's popular out of nowhere now? Even if the reason wasn't in his favor, all the attention had him feel overwhelmed, could they stop peering into his soul whenever they slightly glanced at each other
After such a long day, he needed a break from everything. And everyone.
Just the thought of anyone else admitting their forbidden love for him made his stomach drop, or maybe he was just hungry. But still, that was absolutely terrifying. Getting put on the spot like that out of nowhere? Please don't do that again.
Maybe they were just doing this out of some dare, seriously, him? The kid who was bullied since middle school. They had horrible taste if they actually liked him, not that he hated himself or anything. But if you were ranking who was the most dateable, he'd be dead last.
He needed to stop reminiscing from the past and move on, all this thinking made him think even more. If that makes sense.
Maybe he did hate himself, since he was putting up with these extra curriculars, which he did not at all need. He was above average, but because of a certain stupid french and a breakdancer, he decided to make such a horrible choice. For them, he thought in his head, he'd try maintaining his dignity while having put up with everyone.
And he was really hungry.
Like really.
Maybe talking about love and crushes at each moment made him hungry, although it had no correlation to that subject, he just blamed it on that. It would be too awkward eating in class, so he just chose to starve, he truly was amazing at this.
"She's so perfect" blah, blah, blah. There weren't even any girls in their school, and yet these people somehow managed to bag one? He didn't go outside much, not to be a discord mod, but his social energy sometimes ran out quickly.
Finally, the eternal torture stopped. He grabbed his stuff in a hurry, he didn't embarrass himself further by coincidentally tripping into a classmate and pinning them down like some pervert. Thankfully he didn't do that, he wasn't coping at all, that was all in his head.
"Oh- oh my God! Kyah! Niko--" Acting as if he was some alpha who was rutting, he wasn't a nerd for omegaverse, but it had to be mentioned with the way they viewed him. He didn't show any sign of liking them whatsoever, so how could he be trying to seduce them or anything worse?
He was definitely worsening those rumours.
Just his luck, but atleast he'll have his annoying roommates with him. It wasn't like he liked them or anything, but the thought made him more happy for some reason. They were stupid, annoying, and yet he still couldn't name anything else for them.
He gently opened the door, letting it creak lightly as he stepped a foot inside, shyly closing it and rushing to the living room. He hoped the two weren't causing a ruckus, his face was already burning with shame when he recalled those incidents.
He wasn't some nonchalant kid, he's some normal teenage boy with feelings too!
His gaze landed on something, he was starting to question why a rich aroma filled the air, and then--
Why on earth was there a mess in the kitchen? Such a huge one too, bowls littered everywhere, one of them was also somehow on Charles' head. He had no clue what went on between them during his absence, but he definitely didn't want to know.
There was whipping everywhere, their trashcan was pouring with garbage from cooking, and tons of pre-baked pastry mix.
He didn't know how they could manage this in all honesty, Niko was only gone for an hour, yet they still caused this within the timespan. But he had to admit, he was grateful for the food though, it was through their telepathic communication that they probably knew he was starving.
Kiyora looked up at him, throwing up a peace sign while sticking his tongue out, pushing a plate of his favourite food towards him.
"Go eat, heard ya were hungry." He murmured, putting a finger up as he sat beside him. Well moreso leaning into him instead, but of course he wouldn't admit that ever, to himself or to them.
He wasn't as nonchalant as he seemed to be, but when you knew him despite his looks, he was different than thought to be.
"Heyy, Niko, Nikki! My dear, I totallyyy did it better than him. Just try it out first, unlike Kiyora, I guess." He slammed his hands onto the table, staring daggers at the other boy in half-assed annoyance. (From jealousy, sarcasm-- or something else? He couldn't read Charles easily.)
"Mhhm, yeahh. This is a lot, y'know." Tiredly nodding, subconsciously returning the favor and almost snuggling with the dark-haired boy. Almost.
Anyone would do that with their bestfriends, right?
Charles didn't say anything back, which was unusual. He spoke a lot, not that they mind it, his chatter loaded the boring atmosphere every single time. But he decided to shut himself up, just moving closer to the two and nuzzling at the crook of Niko's head.
He knows he said romance was boring, but this wasn't in that category at all. He liked to think that their love was beyond that, something that couldn't be described, but that was too cheesy to say out loud.
"M'sorry for the mess.." The blondie whined, grazing circles against his chest, he had no idea why they were invading his personal space but he was rolling with it.
They must've spiked the food with weed because no way in hell are they this calm. Not ever.
But this made him feel at peace, especially since the entire day was pure humiliation and public torture. He wished someone hung him already, although this was enough to mend all those memories.
"Love you, dude." This could definitely be the best part of his weeks, just being himself with this stupid little trio, especially when he can hear Kiyora say those words. No offense, but he loved both of them equally, it was just rare for the other to say it back.
Out the blue, Charles lifted his head and wrapped his arm around his neck, purposely bumping off the head lying on Niko's shoulder. He was starting to take back his words, he didn't wanna get stood up on the spot again.
"Nikki, choose one, me or K*yora?" He didn't know how he managed to blur his name mid-convo, but people were strange, he spoke with Shidou in emojis too. Was he the alien or were they? But they should've been on stage singing instead.
"He'll choose me, Kay." Another voice rung out, a calm tone that was a sharp contrast to his annoyed one. He didn't seem to be the competitive type, but literally everything to him was a fight, and he often baited stupid blondie into one every few days.
He paused to think for a second, they both had their ups and downs, their own sets of skills, personalities, traits that made him love them for who they were. This was a tough choice, he should've just ignored the question, but the way they were staring at him made it hard not to.
If he chose one, then he'd practically go ahead and consider himself dead. But if he didn't, then they'd do puppy eyes until he changes his choice again. This was too difficult, his heart had to be split on the most annoying people ever.
What should he even do in this situation? He wasn't all used to picking people to romance like some otome game, the best option was to go in his room and sleep it off like nothing happened at all.
He'd do that, nice thinking, Niko. As observant as ever, and--
Those eyes were stuffed with cuteness, he couldn't break them like that, he'd have to step up and be responsible in their very platonic relationship. But doing anything would likely have consequences in the future, is he overthinking it? Thinking is his entire thing after all.
"I choose both of you, I guess. I've gone over it a lot, and I couldn't bring myself to ever split you guys into two."
If you were there and saw the glare he got from them, it would've pierced through his skin and crushed him. He likes to name this moment as them having a cooking battle to fight over his love, since that was the thing.
"Oh, so did all my work to cook you your favourite meals not count against Ch*rles? I guess you don't love us, Niko." Kiyora lazily hopped off his shoulder, somehow making him miss the warmth he gave him, old Ikki would've been completely annoyed at any of this.
"Yeah! We had a battle and all, there has to be some favouritism in you! It's me, right?" He shook him lightly, having an expectant look on his face as his snaggletooth was revealed. He liked it whenever that happened, since he seemed so unexplainably ethereal like that. Kiyora too, he had that aura with him that made it easy to click.
So yes, he really was lovestruck with two people at once. Could you blame him? He has bad taste, that's for sure.
Hopefully those rumours start getting worn out soon, that would be a bad look on him if he started dating the two. Not like he'd consider it or anything, they just act weird around eachother.
Though he wouldn't mind if they liked him too.