Work Text:
EJ is a camboy Nicholas watches on a weekly.
EJ also happens to be a barista in the cafe Nicholas frequents in.
He wonders what nation he might have ended in his previous life for the universe to fuck him over so much like this.
It's laughable at this point because, truly, what are the odds? What are the odds that the man he beats his meat to every weekend would be the very same man who will concoct his sweet fixings from now on. In Nicholas' case? One-fucking-hundred percent apparently. It's not even mathematically possible, yet here he is.
So, of course, like any sane man, he avoids the website for a solid week, nor does he open EJ's Twitter account despite the ring of the notifications that he grew accustomed to. He just forgot to turn it off, he says. Except maybe, he did click on one, on accident, maybe. It's another thank you post, as expected, with a selfie—god the man was beautiful—and well, that's enough to send Nicholas' thoughts circling back to him. And where his mind advances, his feet lead, he supposes.
Ten minutes. He looks weird, he knows. Maybe even concerning. Anyone would if they've been pacing outside a storefront for ten minutes. Not that he's been counting, of course not. But, from outside the store's looming glass panes, he did get distracted watching EJ brew coffee and he knows it takes about ten minutes to fix up an order, so there's that. The student who walked in after he decided to shuffle about outside is now heading out. She takes a cautionary glance and now Nicholas has no choice but to go in.
It's a weekday at nine in the morning. Which means there's barely anyone in the cafe. Which also means there's no line which means Nicholas enters to an empty checkout counter—EJ already sending a beaming smile his way, probably how he was taught to greet customers.
"Hello! What can I get for you today?" God this is so fucked up.
"Strawberry latte."
"Alright! And can I get a name for that?"
"Yixiang."
"Got it." The man punches some buttons on the cash register. Nicholas watches this. And then looks away. He's seen EJ suck those fingers. "It'll be ready in a minute."
God this is so fucked up.
Nicholas settles for a seat tucked away on some far corner, with his back facing the counter. But then he's face-to-face with an old man sitting just outside, so with a sigh, he shifts seats. The farthest corner apparently lends him the best view of the interior, the barista nook included. Any other day, this'd be nothing. Today is not any other day, however.
EJ works thorough; deft hands placing each cup down without so much as a thud. Somehow, Nicholas feels like he should've expected this. The man's all slow and careful in his lives after all. Fuck. Maybe having an old man sitting across him is actually better. At least he wouldn't be able to pick up on every little thing EJ does and have images cram his mind unwilled. Or at the very least, he could pretend the man isn't real. Even if said man is calling out his name, same timbre and softness. His mind uselessly supplies, which makes twice he's said your name.
God this is so fucked up.
—
The universe isn't as cruel as Nicholas thought. Although he has his reservations; sometimes it's more like he's being toyed with than spared. If not EJ and his barely starved off hots for him, he's weathering university and work. Does he forget EJ? No. Unfortunately, or hell, fortunately. But he's sufficiently preoccupied with real-life, real-world matters that he only meets the man in his dreams now.
lol sry cant got a gig that day
Dirt flies off from where he kicks the soil with a tut—the puppy he's walking frolicking about when he does so.
See what he means. The universe isn't really sparing him. He's simply given diversions in the form of an uncooperative group mate so he won't have time to think of the man. "And if I remove his name from the project—"
"That's such a cute dog!"
He's read about this in passing before, how you meet someone once and suddenly, you're meeting them everywhere. Or was it a different theory? Is he mixing things up—whatever it was, it's the only explanation he has for why, of all times, of all places, of all instances, EJ is standing in front of him. The man himself. In the flesh. Same upturned lip corners and big brown eyes. Screw him for noticing those things first.
Also, he should probably say something.
EJ doesn't seem to mind his lack of response. He has one hand raised and waving about in the air. "Can I…"
Right. The dog.
Nicholas stammers around an answer. He isn't usually like this damn it.
"Oh, she's so cute. She? He?"
"She."
He doesn't trust himself to speak any more than that. Who knows what he'll confess to if he lets his mouth run. So, instead, he watches EJ reach behind the puppy's ears, scratching there before fully ruffling its fur. Every other dog owner would probably strike up a conversation, maybe share a story or two, let their dogs show some tricks perhaps. He does that too. With other people. Except EJ is not 'other people' and Nicholas always finds himself grappling for the right words when it comes to the man.
"Yixiang, right?" Oh shit. "I recognize you from our cafe. Oh, but I'm new there so you probably don't know me. Not that anyone should know their baristas but, well, you know what I mean."
God, I know you. That's the thing, I know you.
He holds his tongue, doesn't trust himself to say anything at all. Because the universe isn't really sparing him. He's simply given diversions in the form of an uncooperative group mate. And since that's not enough apparently, it gives him EJ too. It gives him EJ when he's on the brink of emailing a letter of complaint and denying himself of watching a certain camboy's streams and sorting out whatever…it is that he has for, well, the camboy. Anyway, the puppy seems to hold EJ's interest enough to let slide Nicholas' unresponsiveness.
It's a few minutes before EJ dusts his shirt as he straightens up. He's fucking tall. Again, something Nicholas should've expected. The lives don't do his height justice.
"Sorry. I don't mean to keep you." His lips line into a tight-lipped smile. Nicholas returns.
And then, he's watching the man's retreating back. From his pocket, his phone buzzes twice—his group mate maybe. He doesn't give a flying fuck about that now.
That night, he makes the horrifying realization that EJ might've taken his taciturn for annoyance.
—
Nicholas maneuvers around two plights: his classmate, who offered to submit their work via email so 'y'all can't say I didn't do anything now'—Nicholas made sure to send a separate file without his name later—and the very real possibility of EJ finding him rude. Out of the two, there's only really one he loses sleep over. In more ways than one.
@manmarumaru posted
Live in a few! See you my lovelies~
Make that three problems and two he cares about. He should probably turn off notifications at this point. Not that it'll change a thing but the faux sense of control is nice.
It's a Saturday evening, EJ's usual streaming schedule. That or Friday. Needless to say, Nicholas has been dreading those two days. Kind of. If he wasn't looking forward to them too. Has he been this weak to temptation? Well, if said temptation came in the form of a man by the name EJ, he might as well be.
The screen loads to EJ, absentminded as he hums some melody, only perking up when the numbers in the corner hike by a few hundred.
"Hi! Good to see you all again." EJ waves and it feels so fucking weird. Nicholas spoke with him. In person. Granted, he didn't say much, save for the one-word responses in the three interactions they had. But still, they were in near vicinity. He had EJ at arm's length.
And now, he's behind a monitor again.
The man walks off, chair swiveling a little, and his voice is distant when he speaks. "You guys were onto…something with wishlist today. Did you all plan this or what?" There's an amused quirk to his tone and when he shuffles back into view, an accompanying grin too.
Nicholas' eyes flit to the few objects EJ returns with. Vaguely furry, unmistakably recognizable.
He gulps. Wishlist. It's something that springs up on the man's Twitter feed every now and again. EJ sets up a poll of varied items—accessories, props, costumes,…toys—and the viewers get to vote which one he uses come next live. He doesn't dabble in it often, perhaps because it actually costs money. But the engagement is never curtailed. Quite the opposite actually, if the thousands of votes in each poll are of any indication. Nicholas can't exactly fault them either. When he first came across one, albeit an old one from way back, a cosplay of some anime character he isn't familiar with, he spent the rest of his day in his head, conjuring up scenarios of how that live might have played out.
He vowed to vote on the next one.
EJ fits on the puppy ears headband, tucking it snug. It's brown, matches his hair. Must've been what the viewers wanted, for the ears to blend in seamlessly into his locks. Those freaks. When EJ fastens on the collar and a grunt scrapes from the back of Nicholas' throat, he knows he isn't any different.
"The tail…well, that could be for later." The tail is a fucking plug. Nicholas voted for it so he knows.
"Some of you might be expecting a play but those are always better with another person. So," there's that same smile, lips pressed into a line, "sorry. You guys have to settle with me touching myself."
Like clockwork, the chat floods with assurance.
Now see, if Nicholas didn't know the man any better, not that he actually does, but if he didn't know the man any better, he'd think EJ's habit of apologising was a devious ploy to fish out compliments and comfort. But that smile was directed at him once. And if he thinks past its implications and worries about first impressions, he can recall a fidget in EJ's fingers, wringing and unwringing, and eyes darting everywhere but at him.
"Oh! Speaking of, I ran into this super cute puppy the other day." Fuck. Is he talking about him? His dog? "It was so playful too. But the owner was kinda scary though." Oh. Yup. Yeah, that's him alright. "Maybe he doesn't like people petting the dog…" His words dwindle right by the end, like the recollection has him feeling upset all over again. And there's a pout too, god he's pouting.
It's not that, Nicholas can simply type out. Maybe say something along the lines of the owner probably having a shit day. He kind of was anyway. But he's Nicholas now, not Yixiang— "And he was kinda cute too."
What.
What.
Xx_callmedaddy_xX: ohoohohohohoho EJ~~
gawkatron3000: WHO CARES ABOUT HIM!!
EJ chuckles, light and airy. He probably isn't as caught up about it as Nicholas hoped thought. He is, at the end of the day, just a stranger to the man. "Okay, enough of that. The props just reminded me of the dog—uh, sorry is that weird?"
No, it isn't, he wants to say. A little, he wants to tease. But EJ is already undressing himself and reaching for the lube and sitting back with his knees flush to his chest and Nicholas' mind blanks out at this.
"Tonight might be a short one," he says, prepping the forgotten plug before positioning it. The ease with which the plug slides into his hole is so obscenely hot, Nicholas can't help but palm his own cock through his pants. It's dry and the fabric of his boxers is rough against him but he'll make do. Is it obvious it's been a while?
EJ pushes the last few inches in place, huffing over a stuttered sound once the plug is sheathed to its hilt. "I feel bad since…you guys voted for this—" he shifts in his seat and judging by the hitch in his breath, the toy must've pressed against a spot. "So—I will definitely use this again. Maybe with Fuma?"
What the fuck is a fooma? Should he start learning the names of EJ's toys now?
The thought fizzes just as soon. Pretty whimpers crackle through the laptop speakers and it's hard to focus on anything else. The ears and collar and tail don't do anything to stifle the heat licking his skin. Instead, it makes Nicholas think of EJ kneeling with his hands planted on his lap, clasped and still. Like a good dog. Fuck he'd be so good at it—waiting for orders, obeying them. Maybe he'd dart his tongue out to catch cum. Fuck he'd look good with cum all over his face.
A curse grates itself past clenched teeth as Nicholas feels his boxers dampen with sticky release. The time displayed by the corner of his screen tells it's only been a little over six minutes. "'s ridiculous."
—
Nicholas kind of feels like a piece of trash. Harsh but whatever. A few hours ago, he was sat comfortably in the safe four corners of his room, laptop on desk displaying EJ's live. A few hours ago, after cleaning up, he retired to bed with a promise: limit the strawberry lattes, limit the cafe visits. A few minutes ago, he shot his sister a quick text, 'yo lemme walk luna'. And now he's trudged about four laps around the park in his sick hope that EJ passes by and asks to pet his dog again. So yeah, not only did he break his own promise (technically), he's also using his dog as a wingman.
It's the fifth lap. He's talked to three other dog owners and learned the dogs' names, he's helped a kid tie her shoelace, and then he made Luna sit by a bench because some boys pulled him along to play catch.
The kids are rowdy but they're fun. They're a bit clumsy with their throws though and his legs feel jelly from running around fetching stray balls.
"I told you, throw like this, like this." He swings his arm at an angle and prays the kid assigned to throw the ball this time understood despite the distance between them.
"Okay!" So no, the kid, in fact, did not understand. The ball curves sharp mid-throw, heading the opposite direction he predicted. He realizes a beat later that's where Luna is and scrambles to catch only to crash into a figure. They don't fall, Nicholas grabs onto an arm before that could happen.
"Oh, my bad dude, I was supposed to—" A pair of brown eyes stare back at him, wide and unblinking before the man steadies himself and shuffles a good few inches back and oh, he's actually here. Nicholas swallows a lump he's pretty sure wasn't there just seconds ago. "Uh, I meant to catch the ball."
EJ shakes his head, frazzled. "No, I'm sorry too, I was about to pet your dog, that's why I was in the way—oh, yeah, sorry. I was going to pet your dog while you weren't looking."
"Oh yeah, no, sure. Yeah, go ahead. Also, let me just…"
Nicholas rushes across the park to return the ball. He waves the kids a quick goodbye before bolting back beside the man who pays him and his haste no mind. Which is good. He's really out of breath.
Smile. Smile. Smile. It's a remark he's a frequent recipient of; lose the smile and he's intimidation incarnate. And EJ might've approached him first (well, his dog), but right now, he looks like he's one glare away from making himself scarce once more—keeping a safe gap away from Nicholas and playing with the dog rather gingerly.
So what more if I tell him I watch his— "Her name is Luna."
EJ keeps his attention on the dog. Maybe because he's cautious now. Or maybe because Nicholas isn't as interesting as the poodle. But he coos at the name, whispering it with such tenderness. "Luna. Pretty name for a pretty dog."
"You like dogs?"
"Love them!"
A thought races in his head, with it, his pulse as well. He doesn't know what's urging him so much but it's there. He hopes his lips aren't lopsided the way he feels they are. "Have you been to Bark 'n Brunch?"
—
EJ is the camboy Nicholas watches on a weekly.
EJ also happens to be the barista in the cafe Nicholas frequents in.
EJ is also Euijoo. He learns.
"We keep running into each other for quite a bit now that I totally forgot to introduce myself. You're essentially getting lunch with a complete rando."
There's a Luna-shaped distance between them, a good distance lest he hears his heart drumming in his ears again. But the buzz that comes with being in near proximity makes him dizzy with thoughts anyway. I know you like to dress comfortably, and that you don't mind eating mistaken orders. He wants to say. "Well, Yixiang. But you already knew that," he says instead, tempering a cringe curling itself into his words.
"Yixiang…," Euijoo says, more to himself, careful around the syllables. "Yixiang…," he says again and the repetition prods a ridiculous pitter-patter against Nicholas' ribs. "Sometimes I worry that I'm butchering your name whenever you come by you know."
"Nah, 's good." Euijoo is slightly mistaken with a specific tone but Nicholas figures he'd teach him to pronounce his name properly next time. Next time?
"Oh, it should be around here, right?" Nicholas screeches on his heels, turning to see the bubbly lettering of the cafe's signage. He knows the way here by heart, could navigate around the pavement with his eyes closed. It's a little embarrassing now that he completely missed the familiar storefront—even Luna has stopped walking.
He offers a smile, apologetic, before leading them to the front door.
Bark n' Brunch's interior is separated into two areas: the dog playground, quite spacious and littered with all sorts of toys and equipment, and a quaint dining nook. He can't help the grin that breaks upon his face when Euijoo beelines for the playground, crouching down to pet each dog that rushes to the front.
Quite frankly, Nicholas is confused as much as he is elated at the progression of his spontaneous 3 AM plans. He was hoping for maybe a glimpse of the man today, lucky if Euijoo speaks to him at all. But he never imagined this—Euijoo shuffling inside a booth and Nicholas sliding the chair just across. When Euijoo orders a beef rice bowl, he tries not to archive the information.
"So…" Nicholas starts, shaking off the beginnings of another pondering and brushing up on his talking skills. If this is gonna happen anyway, it should happen properly. "Why haven't you been here?"
Euijoo shrugs. "It's opposite the area I'm usually in. Guess I never got around going even if I had time." He pats the corners of his mouth and from this distance, Nicholas notes again how they really are always lifted. "And you? How did you know about this place?
It's so mechanical, the questions they throw at each other. Speaking for the sake of speaking and both trying their best not to let the awkwardness of being mere acquaintances to each other seep and stain the delicate air between them.
Still. Still. He's so happy. Nicholas feels so happy.
He doesn't bother to hide his smile, doesn't bother with the pitched tone his words take on. For formalities or whatever, Euijoo is still asking about him. "Sometimes I find cool places like these when I go shopping."
Euijoo hums when he nods. "You must know a lot of cool places then."
He doesn't know where the urge is coming from. Is it from the way Euijoo would hold eye contact, nodding along to whatever he's saying? The little noises he'd make when he finds something particularly interesting? Maybe it's the 'thank you' he says as they step out of the shop and preparing to part ways. He doesn't know where the urge is coming from but it's there.
"Hey, uh, a while ago, when you said if I knew a lot of cool places…"
"Hm?"
"I do know a lot. Do you wanna, maybe…?" He's a little breathless when he asks.
Euijoo's eyes widen a fraction. If Nicholas didn't care much, he'd probably think how wide can this man's eyes go. But his nerves are spiked and pricking under his skin, so he wonders if he's made a mistake instead.
But then Euijoo's features mellow, like how he'd seem them soften before. And his lips are curving into a smile. He has to stop smiling like that. It's not good for Nicholas' heart.
When night falls and he's tucked in his bed, the adrenaline cements in his bloodstream and keeps him awake. The events reel in his head and he hits the replay button every time the memory nears the end. In the morning, when he wakes with his temples pinching, he'll suck it up and down a paracetamol. Right now, he'll muse on the good and bad and everything in between.
Nicholas doesn't know what to make of today. Early that morning, before the sun even had the chance to rise, Nicholas only knew Euijoo through a screen. By sundown, he has shared a meal with the man.
What luck.
Oh and he got his number too.
What. Luck.
—
@manmarumaru posted
went to a dog cafe yesterday! It's basically dog heaven TT
Nicholas does awaken with his head feeling like it has melted off and hardened at the same time. But he finds that he doesn't mind because he also wakes to Euijoo's tweet first thing in the morning. That is to say, Nicholas wakes up with a strange bounce to his steps and drinks a painkiller whilst grinning from ear to ear. He chokes on the water of course.
The cheer drapes over him, and he wears the grin to his meet-up with Yuma. Maki couldn't make it, something about some last-minute revisions. So it's just him and the younger in their usual spot.
"Yo, seriously what is up with you." Yuma cackles, knocking his shoulders in the process, and they enter the cafe stumbling and possibly disturbing other customers. Also, yes, their usual spot is unfortunately (fortunately) the cafe.
From the register, Euijoo raises a brow at them, tilting his head to the side. Nicholas is smiling somewhat crooked now as he mouths an apology before shoving Yuma to some table by the windows.
"Where's decorum? Where's etiquette?" He shushes once they're settled.
Yuma only waves a noncommittal hand. "Anyway, what's with you? You're cheesing dude. Have you seen yourself?"
"There's nothing with me. Can't a guy be happy?"
"You? Happy? At nine in the morning? Okay, yeah, and I've moved on."
This time, it's Nicholas who bumps their shoulders, returning the favour with a little more force than necessary. He holds a laughter when Yuma loses balance. "Yeah, you wish you did."
"Okay, I don't care about you anymore. Don't you think the new barista is cute?"
On instinct, his eyes land on Euijoo. He's taking someone's order, which is as uneventful as it can get. But he's also sparkling somehow, entrancing somehow. There's a glow to him. Nicholas tells himself it's just the overhead lights. In his daze, he doesn't realize Yuma has gotten out of his seat and is now breezing to the counter.
"Alright, I'm ordering for us."
It's a second too late when he catches wind of what that means. Yuma doesn't usually care for ordering. That's why it's always him who has to note down their orders and come up to the register and balance three drinks going back (four if Harua decides to tag along).
And sure enough, there he goes. Yuma has rested himself by the checkout, way too relaxed and way too close with one elbow braced against the counter and chin nestled on his palm. Euijoo blinks once, a slight jump in his movements when he reels back, before offering the same smile he greets other customers with. From the seat they've chosen, it's difficult to pick up even bits and pieces of their conversation. Nicholas isn't one to eavesdrop. But it's only very recent when Yuma had huddled them up for a drink to scream and cry his heart out which is usually followed by one thing: actively looking for distractions. So Nicholas settles with what he can see.
There's nodding, and smiling, and Euijoo laughing behind a hand he uses to obscure his grin. There's eyebrow wiggling, courtesy of Yuma. Oh and eye contact. So much eye contact. He should probably look away.
But then Yuma drags himself back just as soon and Euijoo shifts his attention to him, now with a much softer smile and a tiny wave. He means to wave back but the man pivots to start on their order.
"He doesn't seem interested. I told him his eyes were pretty and he said he has good vision."
"Serves you right."
He gets pushed a second time that morning.
Nicholas bulldozes through the rest of the day with sheer willpower. He attends an afternoon class because their professor doesn't care for weekends, and in the evening, he finds time to stroll around the city. He also finds himself on the lookout for new restaurants and lunch spots more than usual only to stop because he's always been a 'where the current takes' type of guy anyway. It just so happened that the current was taking his mind to a certain barista, which got him looking for these lunch spots in the first place. It's not like you're meeting anytime soon, get a grip.
Soon, he's on his bed, sifting mindlessly through notifications, and emails, and text messages he deliberately ignored during his stroll. After class hours were after class hours after all. In his scrolling, he almost misses it. Sent 5:03 PM.
euijoo
your friend was a little intense
but he seems like a cool person though!
Euijoo texted him. Euijoo texted him first. Nicholas was planning to retire to bed earlier that night but sleep can definitely wait.
heyy slr just got home
yeah very sorry about that by the way
shouldve stopped him
hey! hope u had a good day
don't worry I didn't mind much
like I said he seems cool
There's about a million thoughts grinding the cogs in his head overdrive right now—Euijoo's reply came quick, he said he hopes I had a good day—but the one thought that takes the front seat is this:
are you maybe
interested in him?
Why else would his first message be about Yuma right? He nibbles on his bottom lip. This time, Euijoo doesn't reply just yet. The three dots bouncing on the corner of their chat kind of makes his heart race.
no no nothing like that
I was actually worried that maybe I offended him or something?
he asked for my number and I panicked so I just repeated back his order
that's why I messaged actually. maybe you can tell him I didn't mean to ignore?
God Yuma worked fast.
i think you should definitely ignore people like him
lol
ok no worries ill tell him
well yes maybe
but I didn't wanna come off as rude
thank you!!
no problem
well
good night ig?
yeah sorry for the random message
good night!
—
Okay, so. Their first text messages were about his friend. Whatever. Nicholas likes to look at the positive side of things anyway. The silver lining. Except the lining is golden. Because it suits Euijoo much better. Like how the golden rays slope his features soft from this angle—
"Yixiang?"
Right. Silver lining. Or golden lin—anyway.
Nicholas was on his way home when he bumped into the man. Quite literally. The groceries Euijoo clutched in one hand thudding to the ground at the collision. They both apologised for about fifteen times before he offered to help him. Euijoo declined, of course, but Nicholas was quick to hoist a bag up and walk ahead.
"Sorry? Didn't catch that."
Euijoo giggles. Nicholas tries not to think about the first time he heard the man giggle. "Hey, what were you thinking that got you so distracted?" You. "I said thank you. You really didn't have to."
"Nah, 's okay. I got nothing to do anyway." Lies. He has a presentation to prepare for. It's a good thing he spent the entire day hunched over his laptop doing exactly just that. It was one of those rare moments where he felt weirdly ready to work on his requirements. Perhaps it was for this very reason.
"Were you headed somewhere?" Euijoo asks.
"Nope. Nowhere in particular. You know, just walking around."
"Well…found any new cool places?"
"I did." He turns to his side to find Euijoo looking straight ahead. Like this, it's hard to tell what the man wants from the conversation, all deadpan and calm. But he glances at Nicholas once, a split-second thing, and then hurrying to look ahead again. "Did you wanna come?" And there goes his teasing flare.
For a moment, Nicholas thinks Euijoo might've missed the question; he doesn't answer for a while. Until the man faces him, lips tugging into a shy smile. "Hm, well, you did say you'd show me."
"I did." God. Is he floating yet? He feels like it. "I did, didn't I?"
As it turns out, and honestly, Nicholas should've known, they were en route to Euijoo's apartment. It's a quaint little thing; quite in contrast to the man, with his height and all. He tries not to snoop further but from where he's stood outside, the walls seem thick and there's no roommate in sight. He pushes the thought away as Euijoo hauls in the groceries in Nicholas' hold, drops them by the entryway, and attends back to him.
"I'd invite you in but I only have water and beer right now. Uhm, do you wanna come in?"
Somehow, Euijoo always finds ways to surprise him. This time, he wonders how defenseless the man could be. "Are you sure it's okay to invite a stranger in? I could be a bad person."
There's a lapse where Euijoo sputters around an argument that Nicholas finds amusing. If he's grinning too much, he hopes the man doesn't take offense.
"I—could say the same thing to you. You ate lunch with a stranger the other day."
"Yeah, because you agreed to come along."
Euijoo opens his mouth, likely to counter, only to clamp his lips shut in the end. "Right. So. I shouldn't have done that." He brings a hand up to fiddle with an ear. Nicholas notes on how it's pinkened. "But I doubt you're one, that, a bad person. You have a dog."
The remark catches him off guard and he doesn't get to stop the laughter that bubbles from his chest. Euijoo always finds ways to surprise him. "You—…right. I'm okay though, thanks for inviting me. But, maybe some other time?" What do I even mean by that.
He thinks it might be a trick of the light, the sun isn't so high up anymore after all, but the pink in Euijoo's ears deepens. "Yeah, okay."
"Okay…so. I'll go ahead then?"
"Oh, yeah. Yeah. Thank you again. Uhm, bye, I guess?"
—
Nicholas has struck a pot of gold, he's convinced.
For all his agonising and moping for the past few months and braving through it all, he's sure he's receiving his good karma tenfold. There's no other reason for it. There's no other reason for why, after a lunch out one day and a walk back to Euijoo's apartment another, he runs into the man yet again—this time Euijoo offers a dinner for thanks and who is he to refuse—and then another day after that.
He's seen the man all five days of the week—ate out twice and walked him home once. And for each encounter, the little things he's observed about Euijoo then, the ones he carefully tucked away safe in some part of his brain, amass into a mammoth he can't help but address. Euijoo has a habit of muffling his laughter behind a hand, something Nicholas wishes he would do less; he has a pretty laugh. He also hums when he agrees, or eats something to his liking, or finds something interesting, every time basically. He speaks slow, or more accurately, he speaks carefully. Always pausing to think and threading his words with caution.
If he were to be honest, Nicholas was fully convinced the shy and clumsy persona was a front to amuse the viewers. It's not unusual, to play a role or character; it's far more entertaining that way. So he'd be lying if he said it wasn't the littlest bit jarring. How there's no persona at all. How there's no difference between the EJ he watches on Friday or Saturday and the Euijoo he meets up with all the other days.
Euijoo is EJ. EJ is Euijoo. Nicholas kind of feels devastated.
—
Euijoo doesn't go live that week. Some prick paid for a private session. From the intel he's gathered (if you can call scrolling through the man's Twitter posts from way back 2024 intel gathering), private sessions are a lot milder than one might expect. Since, well, it's private and Euijoo wouldn't wanna do anything crazy one-on-one. Some subscribers described them as feeling more like 'dates' and that's actually worse than if it were anything else.
"You're literally getting coffee with him tomorrow." He grumbles to himself even though he can't rid his words of the bile that clings like ivy.
Tomorrow comes soon, very much to his delight. They're getting coffee at a different shop; Euijoo said he's sick of the drinks he makes himself at their cafe. So, of course, Nicholas spends a good chunk of last night juggling his mind for all the coffee shops he's been to. He also makes sure they have non-caffeine options. Euijoo mentioned in passing that coffee actually makes him palpitate.
In his wait, he's stopped himself from tapping the table at least three times. On his fourth tapping, he spots the man from outside. Nicholas is realising very late how there are a lot of things about him that his lives don't do justice. As much as he is pretty, Euijoo is handsome too. A little unfair if he thinks about it. He's got the height, the face, and the personality. Surely…there's someone right? Woah. Where is he going with these thoughts.
"Hey. Sorry if I'm late. I got a little lost on the way here." The chair scrapes the tile underneath when Euijoo drags it, wincing, and then dragging it gentler.
"Nah you're good. I just got here a little early." He waits for the man to settle before speaking. "You should've called or something then, I could've helped you."
"No, it's okay. I think I just got on the wrong bus. Happens often." He chuckles. He also has to stop chuckling like that, Nicholas thinks.
They order promptly after. Nicholas savours the glee radiating off of Euijoo when he flips the menu and is greeted by a plethora of selections. Of course, he made sure of that after all. Then, their food gets served without much wait time—it seems like the shop has more workers or perhaps their staff are just insanely skilled. He was in the middle of asking Euijoo what he liked to do for fun when their orders arrived.
"I'm sorry, you were asking something?"
He waves a hand in the air, nodding towards Euijoo's plate. "It's okay, we should probably eat first."
"I'll just do something real quick and then we can go back to talking." Euijoo fishes out his phone, hovering it above his food to take pictures.
Nicholas does the same, clicking once or twice until he's satisfied. He sets his phone aside, gaze sliding to Euijoo and finding him typing away now. The man must've felt his stare—it can be pretty sharp, he's been told—because his eyes flit everywhere, worried already, and his typing hastens.
"Hey, it's okay. Take your time."
And then, from his side, his phone buzzes once.
Peering at it, a notification banner rolls in his lock screen. He steels, his breathing too. Maybe he should eat after all. That should smooth things out.
@manmarumaru posted
trying out a new cafe! food looks good already
Another buzz. Nicholas keeps his eyes on his plate.
It's okay. Once is nothing. Twice too. It's coincidence at best. He returns to chewing but the pancake feels like rubber.
Once is nothing. Twice too. It's coincidence at best. But thrice is—
@manmarumaru posted
nope. no coffee for me. i got myself chocolate hazelnut this time
His heart thrashes in the confines of his ribs; banging harsh against each bone and beating an escalating beat it's all he hears. There's something lodged in his throat that's making it a chore to swallow. And he'd like to reach for his drink to wash it down but he's pretty sure his hands are shaking.
Play it cool. Play it cool. Play it cool.
"So, how do you like your—"
Eyeing. Euijoo is very surely eyeing his phone from across the table. Like the cogs are turning. Like he's piecing fragments together. When he finally looks up, slow yet deliberate, Nicholas can't decipher the blankness in his face.
"You're…catcifer."
Fuck.
Fuck. He shouldn't have been so comfortable. He shouldn't have blurred the safe lines separating them. He should've stayed a viewer and Euijoo just a camboy he watches on a Friday or Saturday. He should—
"—xiang. Yixiang."
His nerves pierce his skin, spurring a jolt when he finally meets Euijoo's eyes. They're not as blank anymore and he has half the mind to be confused. But Euijoo remains silent. He's waiting. Of course. Of course. Nicholas should say something first. "I—sorry. Euijoo, I'm sorry. I was gonna tell you, I just never found the right time to. Actually, no, I shouldn't have asked you to eat lunch with me that day—"
"Oh no, no. I—"
"—I'll stop going to the cafe too—"
"Yixiang, please."
"—Maybe I should go—"
There's pressure on his wrist from where Euijoo is gripping him. It's not romantic, like those you see in movies; more shaking him out of it than anything else. But it's grounding enough. Enough so Nicholas can make out the concern carved deep in the softness of Euijoo's features now.
When he doesn't make a move to leave, Euijoo retracts his hand. "…Uhm, I kinda knew?"
What. "What?"
"Well, not really, but, I mean—" He pauses. Euijoo doesn't ramble, isn't the type to do so. And yet, here he is. Somehow, some part of Nicholas, the one that doesn't know how to shut up and read the room, feels comforted by this. The man braces himself with an inhale, not deep, just what he needs to collect his thoughts. "Your friend—Yuma?—he called you Nicholas."
Oh god, of course he did.
"I had a hunch then. Of course, I didn't wanna assume, but, you know, it's kinda hard not to think about it—if you're the same Nicholas as the one in my live." This might just be a first-class seat to a humiliation ritual and Euijoo is piloting like he has a destination to arrive at. But, of course, Euijoo would never do that. This is all on him. Yeah. Oh if it isn't the consequences of his actions. "And maybe…" He gets tuned out. This is all a little too much for Nicholas. He catches on to something that sounds like hoped and some mumbling before he's spiraling back to his what thens.
The dust of their conversation settles thick into unease one could choke on. Nicholas does choke on it, croaking out when he starts to speak. "So…you knew back then."
"Uhm…" The look Euijoo gives him is pensive. He glances sideways once and then back at Nicholas. "Look, I'm not really that big of a streamer—okay, who else do you watch?"
"No…one else?" He's not really even into camboys that way to begin with.
"Oh…I'm the only one you watch then…"
Nicholas would like to pick apart the faintest of flush freckling Euijoo's cheeks or his surprise that isn't really unpleasant but everything's a little overwhelming right now. Even the coffee machine is brewing an obnoxious whir.
Euijoo clears his throat. "Well, anyway, others have thousands and thousands of viewers—I think, Yoon?—yeah, he's like close to a hundred. Not that I'm aiming for that, gosh, what would I even do with that." When Nicholas only nods, still stunned and letting his mind catch up, Euijoo continues. "My point is, I'm not a big streamer and I also don't know a lot of people outside work and campus. So, it's kind of easy to know if someone recognizes me for…other reasons…yeah."
Oh. He's talking about when Nicholas first saw him. When he fumbled his order and went home with a strawberry banana custard latte instead. He's good at keeping a straight face but he knew it. His face was twitching a weird way back then.
The silence is stretching thin, threatening to snap into something so uncomfortable they both will have to call it a day and maybe vow to never see each other again. Nicholas finds that he hates that possibility. He hates it despite everything. "Uh, so…why aren't you a big streamer? Is the market saturated?" He tries for a joke. The air was already suffocating enough. It's a good thing Euijoo laughs at this.
"Maybe? But maybe it's because I'm not trying out wild stuff. The most views I got was when—never mind, I probably shouldn't be telling you these things."
Right. That's probably for the best. He doesn't want to go home feeling stumped, lost, and oddly turned on on top of all that. So, it's probably for the best that Euijoo keeps to himself what other wild stuff he's tried.
"Oh! That made me think, uh, do I call you Nicholas from now on?"
"No, god no. Please, it'll just remind me of…" His words taper off to a peep.
"Oh! Of course, sorry." Euijoo smiles, sheepish. "I like Yixiang better anyway."
God. Does Euijoo know what he does to him?
Nicholas opens his mouth to speak, another apology, but Euijoo beats him to it. It's unusual for the man to be the one keeping the conversation flowing. Or rather, it's unusual that he's been practically silent the whole time. Funny because Euijoo's next words render him speechless. Again.
"Do…you wanna help?"
What…could that even mean?
"Sometimes, I mean it's very rare, but sometimes I have guests join me." Euijoo isn't looking at him anymore. And he does this thing, Nicholas only notices now, where he rubs his thumb over the other. "They help me with, uhm, stuff."
His heart throbs with a strange ache but so does his dick. Things are all very confusing for him.
—
Nicholas agrees.
Also, he does go home feeling stumped, lost, and oddly turned on on top of everything.
And soon, it's Saturday. They agreed on Saturday because Nicholas' presentation was on Friday. Not that it matters, he doesn't even remember how it went. He suspects he might be suffering from temporary memory loss. The days that followed their meet-up swirl blurry in his memories as he's thoroughly preoccupied by what's to come that weekend. Today.
He remembers texting, back and forth, but more for technicalities. 'Where do we meet up?', 'Near the cafe is good', 'Is there a dress code?', 'None. Dress however you like!', 'Do I need to bring anything?', 'Nothing really' and then, 'extra boxers maybe?'. God. They're really doing this.
The door to Euijoo's apartment rattles when he creaks it open. The wallet he places by the entryway dresser falls as he's bending down to cast off his shoes. He picks it up just to hit his elbow on one of the drawer knobs. It's a spectacle, to say the least. Except Nicholas isn't faring any better. His…thoughts are a little louder than usual and he can't recall the talk they had on their way here. Or if anyone was talking at all for that matter.
"Sorry, god why am I so—" Something falls again. Euijoo collects it before Nicholas can even see what it was. "Anyway, please come in. Fortunately, I have stuff other than beer and water this time. Do you want anything?"
"No. Thanks but I think I'm good." Also because his heart is still in his throat.
And then it's lull. Gravity seems to pull heavier today. He felt it in the plod of his steps and now, in the root of his stance. His eyes skate over the curtains, and then the sofa, and then the coffee table to distract himself because if Euijoo isn't saying anything, doing anything, then who is he to move around a space that isn't his. And when he peeks at the man, it's to see Euijoo already looking at him, all pensive stare and worry lines.
"I just realized I just sprung this on you. I was panicking then, kind of. So, you know, you don't really have to do this."
Oh. Euijoo is nervous. And worried. About him. He thinks he feels lighter now. "Don't worry about me. I agreed on my own terms." And to hell with his dignity. "Also, I jerk off to your streams, so, yes, I kinda do want this."
That seems to do the trick because Euijoo peps up and he's covering half his face so Nicholas knows he's smiling. "Okay, yeah. Let me just change into something comfortable real quick. I'll can you in when I'm done."
Left in the quite, the thoughts he's gated come rushing, overflowing his mind with the what nows and the how tos. There isn't exactly a manual for this kind of situation. He can't exactly search up how do i act in a stream with my favourite camboy without fucking up and expect results to roll in. And to make things worse, that's the least of his concerns. What if Euijoo hates it? What if I don't make him feel good? What if he doesn't cum—oh god what if he doesn't cum. He'd love to hop on reddit and air out his business (again, to hell with his dignity at this point), but Euijoo's head peeps from behind a door, beckoning him with a flick of his wrist.
Entering Euijoo's room feels like entering a whole different world. He wonders if this is what those characters feel, the ones Yuma raves about, when they get hit by a truck and is sent to a magical dimension. Except, the truck is Euijoo and his invitation. The room does feel like a magical dimension though.
"So," Euijoo starts, pulling Nicholas out of the nonsense that's starting to form in his head, "this is where everything happens. I usually film on my set-up." Nicholas' eyes follow where Euijoo points. It's the damned chair. "But sometimes I stream on my bed too. What would you prefer?"
Oh god, the man can be so clueless sometimes. "I— Euijoo, let's not even go there. I have thoughts about you."
Euijoo lets out a small squeak; he makes such interesting sounds, Nicholas thinks. He busies himself with rummaging through a drawer before getting back to him and handing out a mask. A simple, black cloth one. It goes well with the outfit he (did not meticulously) put together. But why…
"For your privacy, you're not exactly a streamer."
"Oh. Of course." That never even entered his line of thinking. Of all things.
Euijoo waits until he's secured the strings to his ears before continuing. "We're not doing anything crazy. Obviously. Just, uhm, helping me…touch myself…" The last syllables come out as a murmur, with Euijoo walking towards the computer so he's out of earshot. Nicholas hears it still. Because his brain short-circuits at the idea. And his dick throbs too. He fears it'll be like this the entire live.
They settle comfortably in front of the camera, as comfortable as they can get at least. Whenever their knees would knock, Euijoo would pull on himself, and the one time their fingers brushed because Nicholas had to move his seat closer, he swears there's fire eating away at his flesh.
Euijoo moves in routine—click, type, adjust camera—his hand hovers over the mouse and then he's whipping his head towards Nicholas. "Are you sure…"
In lieu of an answer, Nicholas throws the question back. The mask conceals his smile so he tries his gentlest voice. "Are you sure you're okay with this? I also don't want you doing anything you're uncomfortable with, you know."
Euijoo's response is a quick whip back to the monitor, a small hum tacked to an equally small nod. The pretty blush staining his nape doesn't go unnoticed.
He counts down to one, the screen fades to reflect them, Nicholas allows himself to be amazed.
It's a little nerve-wracking. A whole lot actually. He can already see the chat moving faster than he's used to, no doubt questioning who the fuck is Euijoo with right now. The man goes on with his greetings.
"Hi! It's been a while." Now there's something in this, in Euijoo speaking and following through his usual program that oddly soothes his raging nerves. It must be the familiarity of it all, the softness in which Euijoo greets the audience with.
"Okay, okay. I'll stop beating around the bush." Euijoo finally turns to him, a tentative hand on his shoulder. "You all know him, I swear. This is catcifer. Catcifer, please say hi."
Nicholas throws a salute he hopes appears nonchalant enough. Not that he wants to play that character but he's so fucking nervous right now. The chat doubling in speed isn't helping.
bedwetter(notthatway): HOLY FCK THE CATCIFER????
gawkatron3000: wth catcifer's freaking hot yall
Xx_callmedaddy_xX: wait I didnt know he was doing lives too
"No, not exactly. He's just here to help me out. It has been a while since I did this with someone else and I thought maybe it's time to bring it back."
mattressbreaker: aww im so excited but also I hope u know ure enough for us EJ!!!
gawkatron3000: yup yup
Watching Euijoo react in real-time does things to his heart apparently. Nicholas has always admired the connection he has with his audience; it's what prompted him to leave a comment after all. Perhaps, the first stroke to blurring the line between him as a viewer and Euijoo as a streamer. But that's a string of thought he'll have to snip for now. He hopes when the time comes to tie the loose ends, he won't be doing it alone.
"Of course, I know. And I hope you all know how much I appreciate you guys too." He hums, like what he usually does when he reads the chat. "I guess I'm just feeling a little adventurous lately."
Before the words and whatever they could imply register in his mind, Euijoo claps once with a little okay. The following sequence of events is what he registers instead: Euijoo lifts himself, his pants pool onto the floor, and thighs. Fucking thighs.
Nicholas doesn't know how to go around starring in a stream with his favourite camboy. What he does know though, is a trick or two to leave his partners trembling in his cradle. And someone like Euijoo, with the way he's already squirming in his seat, it won't be too hard.
The man is in the midst of uncapping a lube bottle—the wobble in his fingers makes him fumble the opening—when Nicholas reaches out, prying Euijoo's hands from the bottle with ease. He dips, voice a little rough around the edges, only for the man to hear. "Let me take care of everything, hm? Just sit still and look pretty for me." And if his lips graze against the shell of Euijoo's ears, well, he doesn't need to know it's on purpose.
ppijyeo: wait what was that what did he say
mattressbreaker: can yall let us in the party TT
A chill travels from the base of Nicholas' nape all the way down his strained cock at the puff of hot breath that brushes his ear. "They want to know what you said. It's okay if you don't wanna talk."
"No. I don't mind." Because something about being able to say all these to Euijoo himself, like a privilege, in front of everyone else and not just in his imagination, fans a fire steadily rising within him. A fire he wants to feed. "Because it's been a while since someone has touched EJ," without warning, he empties the lube onto his palms, doesn't care if Euijoo hisses at it dripping straight down his still-clothed cock, speaking without much regard, "I figured I'll do everything for him. Princess shouldn't get so worked up right?"
Already, Euijoo is biting back a whine.
ppijyeo: this is so hot already
threeheadeddildo: having catcifer here is such a good choice he was really into it the last live
donmaestro: i trust EJ to you then catcifer
It's absolutely ridiculous, the triumph that fills his chest at the remark. Screw him if he hasn't forgotten don-something and his involvement in the notorious vibe night.
Nicholas doesn't free Euijoo's cock from his boxers yet, choosing to douse the poor thing with lube so the cloth dampens and becomes sticky to the touch. He swallows thick, own hand unsteady. This has only happened in his dreams after all. But he lets his fingers drag along the silhouette—a touch so feather like it must tickle instead. Yet, Euijoo's thighs spasm on reflex, hand flying to grip at Nicholas' wrist only to let go just as soon with something of a timid sorry. He repeats the action nonetheless, pressing here and there just to see the man jolt at every grind. Again and again until Euijoo is quivering all too soon and breathing out a plea.
"Yi—catcifer, c-can you please—ngh." Nicholas presses harder, somewhere near the base and Euijoo curves into himself.
"What was that? Please?"
bedwetter(notthatway): lol catcifer is such a tease
gawkatron3000: service him catcifer!!!!!
Nicholas can only chuckle, a little too low though to be anything mirthful. "Sorry, but don't you just wanna tease him? You guys get me don't you?"
gawkatron3000: i do i actually do
He turns to Euijoo, who's now leaned back against the chair, head limp and lolling to one side. Nicholas almost coos at this—he's just so easy to take apart—but instead, he ducks, finding Euijoo's eyes. The man's lashes flutter slow when he looks up at him.
"Sorry, baby. I'll take care of you now, okay?"
Euijoo holds his stare a beat too long. But there's something else in it. Not quite just surprise and dancing around wonder maybe. And then he's looking away and Nicholas files it as a figment of his imagination.
"… baby…" Euijoo mumbles.
Right. Force of habit. He might be getting a little too comfortable. "Is it okay?"
"Yeah, just, yeah. Uh, just…surprised, 's all." His voice comes as a whisper and Nicholas tries to ignore how intimate this all feels.
So, he hooks at the elastic of Euijoo's boxers, peeling it off as he watches the man hasten to hide away the crumple of his face. Nicholas coos this time.
"You're so shy but already so wet here for me," he says, more for the audience, rough fingers practically engulfing Euijoo's cock now and dragging up just to stop at the head. When Euijoo tenses, likely with his breath caught, Nicholas takes this chance to lean down, audience be damned. "Like a pussy. Right, princess?"
A sharp gasp tears high from Euijoo's throat, muffled and yet still loud. It's soon followed by a broken wail when Nicholas thumbs at the slit and he has no choice but to scramble and grasp at Nicholas' hand.
"There you are. You shouldn't hide such a pretty face from us." He looks at the camera once. "Right?"
Xx_callmedaddy_xX: oh fuck ive never seen EJ so fucked out so early in his live
threeheaededdildo: if he cums soon can you make him cum again catcifer
"Hm, sure I can." There's a strangled noise that sounds from Euijoo, so broken and pitiful Nicholas' dick twitches in interest. He ignores both in favour of stroking down despite the albeit weak hold Euijoo has on him. "But can the princess take it?"
Words barely form Euijoo's lips, tongue seemingly useless as he chokes around a weak attempt at a protest. When Nicholas doesn't let up, ministrations quickening all the more, the man can only shake his head, frantic and desperate. Surely, if Nicholas probes further, maybe another slide, maybe another press, tears will soon follow.
"God look at you. Your body reacts so well, do you know that?" With his free hand, he trails a nail satin soft along Euijoo's side, tracing the curve down that wanes to his hip bone. Lower, lower, reaching mid-thighs. He gives the plump flesh an experimental squeeze. And there it is, tremors breaking across the man's skin.
He can't help it now. Euijoo lets his head fall flaccid onto Nicholas' shoulder. "Yixiang…"
"Yes, baby?"
The man has his eyes closed; he almost looks peaceful like this if not for the knit of his brows and the soft pants that leave his chest rising heavy. Nicholas doesn't get an answer of course, something he's oddly endeared by. Maybe he let his teasing edge get the better of him a bit too much. Rousing a shudder or a garbled moan from Euijoo is always sure to stoke a craving so insatiable that, more often than not, Nicholas is left wondering what else would make the man unravel and surrender. Yet, and still, the gentle sighs, the raw bliss that translates to reddened skin and unfocused gaze—they probe a different kind of desire, the kind that comes with chaste kisses, and whispered sweet nothings. Nicholas did promise to take care of him after all.
"Alright, I got you." Nicholas steadies a rhythm now, with pre-cum oozing and running down Euijoo's cock. He swipes a thumb over the tip every now and then and each contact draws a sweet whimper from the man.
Soon, there's cum dripping on his hand, so sticky Nicholas is sure the audience can pick up on the wet sounds of every pump. "Your pussy's slicking up and making a mess, princess."
mattressbreaker: yes oh my god ive been wanting this
ppijyeo: EJ's pussy is leaking awww
donmaestro: our princess must really like it huh
Nicholas hums. "They're curious EJ. Do you like it? Do you feel good?"
"Yes, yes—hahh…good. So good…"
"You're rambling." And just to add fuel to fire, he slides a hand along the inner of Euijoo's thigh, giving another squeeze there. "You like it that much?"
Euijoo chokes on a sob, finding purchase on Nicholas' shirt with a tremble to his grip. He opens his eyes from where they've been screwed shut, looking up at Nicholas with a gaze that seems faraway. His lips, shiny with spit, part only to give way to the littlest puffs of air and he nods in place of a verbal answer.
Nicholas can only stare in awe. He thinks he will be doing so for as long as he can witness Euijoo like this—so sensitive and still taking it all. "You're so good for me, EJ. Taking it so well," he says, voice thick and dripping with honey he hopes it'll make the man think of him even if fleetingly.
His stroking picks up speed, wanting nothing more than to pleasure Euijoo now. He drags a hand across smooth skin in tandem with his pumping, like he's trying to coax something out. To make him tighten his grip on him, or writhe in his seat, maybe to wring out sounds he can no longer bite down, anything to tip him over the edge, drowning.
It must be all too much for Euijoo. He has buried his face deeper into the crook of Nicholas' neck, lips threatening to press onto the skin there if he burrows any further. Nicholas kind of wishes he does. He's also moaning straight into his ears now, something Nicholas will imprint in his brain and let play day after day without shame. Every shaky exhale, tiniest whimper, tauts his dick harder in his pants.
"…xiang. Yixiang—"
"Hm? Are you close?"
Euijoo nods furiously. True to his words, his breathing has gone rough and unsteady, a moaning mess right into Nicholas's ears. His shirt bunches tighter in Euijoo's grip.
Nicholas pumps once or twice before a high whine cleaves from within Euijoo, rippling through the hot air around. With it, milky threads dribbling down his tensed stomach and Nicholas' hand.
"Fuck. Look at you, baby." He lifts his hand for Euijoo to see, sticky cum webbing when Nicholas spreads his fingers.
Without warning, Euijoo clasps onto Nicholas, closing his lips around the digits.
"Fuck." Nicholas hisses. He didn't mean for his action to spur anything but who is he to reject this. He gulps watching Euijoo slurp and suck, darting his tongue to lick off his own cum. He's sloppy but it's so fucking hot. So fucking hot that Nicholas has to stop him or else he's cumming in his pants—he didn't bring extra boxers because of "self-control". "Alright, okay, baby. I think we can save this for later."
gawkatron3000: oh my god that was so
ppijyeo: EJ mustve really really liked it he was shaking all throughout
bedwetter(notthatway): forget shaking?? he wasn't even talking to us the whole time
bedwetter(notthatway): hey but dont get me twisted I love seeing EJ get so lost in pleasure he forgets there's an audience emoji
mattressbreaker: HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE EJ MOAN RIGHT IN YOUR EAR CATCIFER
mattressbreaker: catcifer u have made an enemy out of me
It takes a while for Euijoo to blink himself out of it. In the meantime, Nicholas has taken it upon himself to clean him up, making sure to be gentle so as not to overstimulate the man. Euijoo catches his wrist mid-cleaning, mutters a small 'thanks', before hoisting himself up.
"Uhm…" He starts only to break into a chuckle.
threeheadeddildo: oh he likes LIKES IT
bedwetter(notthatway): not surprised EJ loves it when hes pampered lol remember that one time
"Hey, stop that. Okay," he clears his throat, turning his attention to Nicholas, shyer now when he addresses him, "how was it catcifer?"
What does he even say? He's used to leading like this, always down to service his partners. That's why it was so easy to make Euijoo come undone. But he's not exactly his partner, isn't he. He can't exactly coddle him up or wrap him in a blanket now that they're done. Heck, there's an audience waiting for his answer, so what does he even say?
"As long as you liked it, that's enough for me." He settles for a safe answer. It's the truth anyway.
gawkatron3000: EJ IS BLUSHING
ppijyeo: oh just end the live will you
bedwetter(notthatway): be honest yall are together huh
Euijoo sputters around a denial.
It'd be nice if that were true. Fuck, it would be really nice if that were true. But Nicholas doesn't even know where they'll go from here on out. Or if there's anywhere to go for that matter.
—
They don't go anywhere.
Even after having Euijoo's dick in his hands, even after hearing his name be moaned so deliciously, even after the quick hand job the man gave him once the live ended (quick because Nicholas came at the first few strokes, but that's a fact he chooses to gloss over), nothing happens after that. Well, nothing changes, more accurately.
They still eat out when either one of them finds a place they want to try and on days they don't meet, they're messaging quick catch-ups. Euijoo doesn't start their chats often but he does like to send random snapshots of his day—a dog he saw on his way to campus, a trinket he thinks looks cute, a mannequin display he couples with 'looks like something you'd wear'. Nicholas kind of wants to cry every single time.
And also, because he must be a grade A masochist, his visits to the cafe have only increased since then. Is he getting tired of the lattes there? Well, yes. But he's still chancing the fresh batch of croissants and he likes how Euijoo brightens when he goes through the front door. Call him delusional or whatever.
So. Nothing changes. He consults some experts.
so i have this friend
maki
sure you do
piss off
so anyway
he kinda has this thing going on with a guy
harua
the guy hates ur friend
next
can I speak?? can I fucking speak?
anyway so this thing right
but also they're very casual
oh and smth big happened btwn them too
yuma
is the big thing sex
...
my friend didn't tell
yuma
fuck buddies exist
it's probably nothing
—
Scratch that. They do go somewhere. And that somewhere is back in Euijoo's room.
He's sat on the edge of his bed while the man scuttles around preparing. He'd like to help but something about going through Euijoo's drawers or cabinet or walking in his space makes his heart constrict with want. And he's not about to deal with another organ tightening in pain. His dick is enough as it is. So, he listens to Euijoo talk instead.
"And then, I asked if they were already tired of me since they kept asking for you." He sounds like he's pouting. Nicholas smiles at this.
The night before, Euijoo had sent him a link to a reply to his recent Twitter post. 'Will catcifer be a semi-regular thing now?' it read, with Euijoo following his message up with a 'they're looking for you already hehe'. That single message trickled into Nicholas hinting he'd be up for it and then ultimately cascading to a Twitter live announcement post that they're now setting up for. God he's so so weak when it comes to Euijoo.
"And, what did they say?"
"Mm." A beat, some shuffling. "Nothing like that, they said."
Liar. Euijoo is terrible at lying. Nicholas knew what the viewer replied; he read the entire interaction before Euijoo had even sent him the link.
@manmarumaru
boo are you guys tired of me already
@gawkatron3000
no ofc not darling. u just seemed much much more satisfied when he's around. we want nothing but ur happiness!
Did…did Euijoo want to be taken care of? And did he want it to be Nicholas? There's only so many hints he can brush off before they come drifting right back to him he would have no choice but to sit Euijoo down and possibly change the trajectory of their relationship. For the better. For the better, he hopes.
But right now, Euijoo spins on his heel to face him, hands hid behind his back as he looks to his periphery. He's gnawing on his bottom lip and Nicholas wants to smooth a thumb over it so he stops. There are better ways to bruise his lips, he thinks.
"I was thinking of doing some wild stuff for a while now, of course, wild in my standard, which is never really wild honestly—but they're hard to do on my own…" So that explains the fidgeting.
Nicholas shrugs. He needs to be cool right now. Calm. Collected. Not like he's minutes away from spontaneous combustion which is what he really is. They're doing wild stuff. Wild. Stuff. Because Euijoo has been thinking about it apparently. He sends a prayer to whoever would listen that he lasts the live. "I'm kinda into ropes, restraining, that stuff."
He doesn't miss the hot flush that fills Euijoo's cheeks. "That—maybe…some other time…"
Some…other time. They're doing this again? They're doing this again. Oh god they're doing this agai—
"Uhm, have you watched my wishlist content? The recent one?"
Oh good lord. Keep it cool. "Watched? I voted for it, the entire set you wore."
"Oh! Of course." Finally, he brings his hands to the front, and sure enough, Nicholas sees what would be the bane of his existence very soon: familiar ears, collar, and tail. "That's kinda what we're doing today."
Okay, make that seconds away from combustion.
"I hope that's okay for you." The man's lips curl into a smile. On any other person, Nicholas would write it off as a smirk, a teasing smile to rile him up so he can quip back and charge the air with tension. But Euijoo's smiles are always gentle. It's just a little crazy how they rile him up all the same anyway.
Euijoo gives him no time to dwell on anything. Not on what they're about to do, not on an answer he has yet to give the man. Because already, Euijoo is treading across the room, equipment in hand and stopping right in front of him. Well, on a small table in front of him.
"Why bring the camera here? And laptop?" He manages to ask.
"Hm? Oh. We're doing this on the bed. The viewers will have a hard time watching if I leave the camera there and the laptop is what I use when I stream here."
That's not exactly what he meant to ask but he doesn't get to clarify when Euijoo hands him his mask and collects the set. He heads to the door after a few more tinkering with the camera.
"Oh and if you decide you don't want to do this after all, just tell me! I swear I won't mind. I really really don't want to force you into anything." And then the door clicks.
Funny because what Nicholas wants to tell him instead is that he can just wear the set here, in front of him, plug and all. Euijoo thinks too highly of him. Sometimes he thinks of wanting to change that. Maybe he should.
Nicholas times exactly thirteen minutes before Euijoo walks back in. And while he spent those thirteen minutes visualising what the man might look like, just to curb his excitement and maybe retain some dignity and control, it's all thrown out the window once his eyes land on Euijoo.
The man is naked waist down, Nicholas tries not to stare too much at his impossibly long legs. The only clothing he has on is a shirt that covers just enough, whatever enough means in this context. And looking beyond all that, Nicholas notices the fluffy tail peeking past the shirt. He only has the tail on though, ears and collar clasped in one hand.
Their eyes meet only for Euijoo to look away as he beelines for the table, placing the rest of the set on top. He bends to type something and, oh okay, this is what enough means in this context because the shirt is not covering enough that's for sure. Nicholas has the gall to look away.
"Are you all good?" Thankfully, Euijoo straightens just as soon, looking back at him.
"Whenever you are."
Soon, he's waving to the camera. Nicholas mirrors, foregoing the salute. But he leans back, weight shifting on one hand, again, because he has to look like he's not seconds away from—yeah.
Euijoo has been reading the chat, giggling at some. "Yes, yes. Due to high demand, I have here with me, none other than, Catcifer!" He steps aside, just enough for Nicholas to appear on screen fully. "You all seem to love him last time so he's back!"
gawkatron3000: we love what he does to u EJ!!
mattressbreaker: OK but he is kinda hot tho
bedwetter(notthatway): god dial down the horniness
"Okay, so, there were hints in my post as to what we're gonna be doing tonight. But," he stretches the last syllable for suspense before clasping his hand in a soft clap, "can you guys guess what it is?"
mattressbreaker: PLS LET IT BE PET PLAY OH MY GOD
gawkatron3000: yes yes it cant be anything else right?
mattressbreaker: wait but if it IS pet play wuts catcifer doing here
bedwetter(notthatway): a pet needs an owner dumbass
Owner. The word rings in Nicholas' head. And he feels the ring all the way to his dick. He likes the sound of 'owner' far more than he thought he would.
Euijoo grabs the tail and collar, scanning the chat one last time. "Well, well. Just sit tight and watch okay?" he says with a lilt to his tone and with that, he closes the gap between them, halting by the edge of the bed to climb up. Nicholas resists the urge to stick his hand out and cover Euijoo's bare ass but who is he to do that.
Euijoo huffs when he faces front, folding his legs under him and fucking god he's kneeling. He's also fiddling with the collar, scraping with a nail the leather before turning to Nicholas. And then, pear and white musk wafts through as Euijoo crowds in his space. It's a little intoxicating but Nicholas snaps out of it when the man whispers.
"Do you wanna put it on me?"
Fuck.
Nicholas gulps. When Euijoo sits back, he's looking up at him. Which shouldn't make sense because seated like this, they're about the same height. But it is what it is—chocolate brown eyes staring wide up at him, expectantly. Fuck it. Fuck it, of course, he's gonna do it.
He takes the collar, unclasps it, and brings his arms around the man's neck. His fingertips brush on the sensitive skin as he puts it on, feeling Euijoo's muscles twitch under the pad of his fingers. The air brims with hunger he kind of wants to taste it. So, he does, leaning forward just to feel Euijoo tense up.
"You wanna know what I was thinking watching your live then?" Euijoo's breath lodges in his throat. "I was imagining you on your knees, just like this. How you'd look so good, staying still, waiting for an order." Nicholas stresses his words with a fasten of the collar. "Like a good puppy." The reaction is immediate—a delicious whine that Euijoo barely conceals and his head hanging low, in shame or in some sick pride, Nicholas doesn't know.
Grabbing hold of the ears next, Nicholas rises so he's standing in front of Euijoo. He slides his fingers under the man's chin, craning his neck just to meet Nicholas' gaze and secures the ears on him. Like this, Euijoo looks so vulnerable, so so lost, a hungry pit sinks in Nicholas' stomach. He breathes out, admiring. "God, what a sight."
"Alright. What do you all think I take over the stream for tonight?" He swivels to address the audience. "Since our little puppy here can't exactly do it," he turns back once, just to shoot Euijoo a wink, "let alone speak, right?"
gawkatron3000: THIS IS THE STREAM OF MY DREAMS MY DREAM STREAM!!
Xx_callmedaddy_xX: oh my god can you make EJ bark
"Of course the puppy can bark." Nicholas cocks his head, urging Euijoo to follow through with the request. When he only blinks back, unsure, Nicholas can't help but chuckle. "Sorry, he needs a little training."
The remark must've sparked something in Euijoo as he lifts his fists, albeit hesitantly, and tilts his head. Exactly like a dog. "W-woof…"
"Oh my god…" He hopes he's not grinning manically like how he feels he is. Every day he learns new things about himself because of the man. Not once has he considered pet play to be his thing but having Euijoo on his knees like this, looking up at him and barking, has him feeling tight in his pants.
He reaches out, fingers gliding through the softness of Euijoo's hair. "Good boy."
bedwetter(notthatway): lmaooo catcifer's getting hard
"Who wouldn't be? I have this pretty little thing right here." Euijoo leans further into the touch when Nicholas caresses his cheek. "You like that?"
Instead of answering, Euijoo only turns to Nicholas, reaching up to him with a tug on his shirt. For a moment, he considers continuing the play, say something along the lines of 'dogs don't talk' or 'dogs have paws, not hands' but he's always been weak to those eyes, always been weak to the man. So he humors him, bending to level with Euijoo.
"Can I suck you off, please?" Fucking hell. It's embarrassing how he grunts at this but Euijoo's eyes are glazed over and Nicholas' chest swells with pride. Euijoo wants this too. He wants him.
But then, he remembers where they are. Who they're with. And the swell morphs into a pinch. See, here's the thing. He doesn't know when, but somewhere along the way, he started wanting more. Something more proper. Something more real. Wow. What a time to have these thoughts.
He pinches Euijoo's cheek, the one already resting on his palm, and smiles a genuine smile Euijoo won't even see. "Maybe next time."
Before he can fully straighten, Euijoo scrambles to pull him down again. "Do—do you not want…" Why does he looks so worried? So panicked even? Disappointed? And why the fuck is he so happy about the thought of Euijoo desperately wanting to suck him off?
"Okay, okay. How about through the cloth? Can you do that?" Thank god he chose to wear sweats today.
Euijoo nods, a tad bit too excited, if Nicholas is being honest, and he wastes no time stooping down so he's only inches away from Nicholas' clothed cock. It's a little pathetic how his cock is already throbbing painfully from this, what more if— fuck. His hips stuttered. Euijoo noses along his erection, rubbing the side of his face against the hardness. It's not too long until he's poking a tongue out and lapping up the outline of Nicholas' cock.
"Fuck, Euijoo…" It feels too good. Even like this, it already feels good. He's imagined it for countless nights, how it would feel to have the man wrap those pretty lips around him. If he'd moan from being stuffed, or complain, or take it without words. Every single scenario possible. But all those pale in comparison to now; blown out the water just from Euijoo laving at his cock. And through a cloth at that. "Such a good dog huh?"
Euijoo doesn't seem to hear, licking up and pressing a hot tongue over the tip before closing his mouth around it. Nicholas feels the way Euijoo swirls around the head, in some hungry attempt to get as close to sucking him off as possible. Oh he must've really wanted this too. At least that's what Nicholas likes to believe. After all, Euijoo moans around his cock like he's been deprived of one for far too long. And when he moans, the vibration rushes straight past the fabric and straight to his dick. Euijoo is as messy as always, spit dribbling down as he laps and sucks. Nicholas' knees buckle at a particular suckle that he has to grip at Euijoo's hair, fisting a tuff. He tries for a tug but the man whines, petulant. When Euijoo doesn't budge, he hooks a finger under his collar and pulls. "Okay, I think that's enough. Good puppies aren't greedy, right?" he says, a little out of breath despite the sternness in his voice.
This seems to upset Euijoo, bottom lip jutting and whining he somehow actually sounds like a puppy. God he's so good at this. And the worst thing is, he probably isn't even trying. "Don't be like that. Good dogs listen to their owners." He pats Euijoo; it probably feels patronising. And maybe he's a little twisted for hoping it feels that way. "Well, let's see what your other owners are saying."
mattressbreaker: oh god oh god oh god oh god this is the first time in a while we're seeing EJ suck someone off
bedwetter(notthatway): well not really since catcifer didnt wanna whip his dick out
ppijyeo: booo free the dick
gawkatron3000: still it's so hot did you all see how EJ was going for another suck when catcifer pulled him away
donmaestro: cockslut
threeheadeddildo: ok but hk I think they forgot about us lol
"Sorry guys, I mean what can I say?" He hates to sound cocky but it's hard not to. "Okay so, what do you guys wanna see? Should we ask the puppy what he wants? 'But dogs can't speak'." Nicholas coos when Euijoo whimpers at this. "You're right, dogs can't speak. But he can probably show us what he wants, right?"
It's an order more than anything and Euijoo, being the good dog that he is, obeys. He unfurls his legs from beneath, quivering a bit from having all his weight press on them. He leans back, bracing with one hand as the other reaches down, right around where his hole swallows the plug. Finally, he plants his feet on the mattress, spreading his thighs as much as his timidness can allow.
Displayed. That's it. Euijoo is utterly displayed open like this, deliciously so; perfect picture of pliant bliss. The icing on the cake is the red that blooms down to his neck as he looks away. It should be criminal to look like this.
The bed dips as Nicholas plops down beside the man. "But dogs don't have hands don't they?" Euijoo nods. "So, how should we do this?" He needs to check on himself and figure out why he gets a kick from having Euijoo break at the littlest teasing.
The man huffs, seizing one of Nicholas' hands to guide it where the plug is pressed flush to his ass.
Nicholas snickers. "Good boy. Seems like I've trained you well."
Euijoo barely gets an answering moan out when Nicholas pulls the toy, emptying the man as his hole clenches on nothing. It's so lewd Nicholas is almost sure he can go on like this, with the man shivering in his hold and entrance fluttering for something. But what Euijoo does next makes him decide against it. The man slides against the mattress ever so slightly, pushing his hips toward the toy as if chasing, all the while gripping at Nicholas' hand. He's probably unaware he's doing all these. What did the chat say again? Right. Cockslut.
Nicholas tuts. "Bad puppy." And god the whine. The broken whine that tumbles past Euijoo's lips in response makes his skin buzz in excitement. "Stay still."
Euijoo's body stills, a slight involuntary shudder in his skin, but still nonetheless. Nicholas can't believe it. It's like submission seeps out his pores that makes it so easy for him to just…obey.
"Good. Good puppy." Nicholas circles the rim once before thrusting right back in. The sudden push has Euijoo snapping his eyes shut, prompting a wrinkle on his nose. His hand scrambles up Nicholas' bicep, squeezing the muscle there; a silent plea for more. But god is it so addicting to deprive the man.
"Nope. I think this can stay here." He presses the toy in just to tease and Euijoo responds with a choked sound. "How about you touch yourself for me." The man mewls but follows nonetheless. Before he can wrap his fingers around his own cock, Nicholas taps on the back of his hand. "Dogs don't have hands remember?"
Euijoo blinks at him owlishly, utterly lost as to what he's supposed to do. Nicholas only nods toward his hands. "I said what I said."
With hesitation, Euijoo curls his fingers into a fist, watching out for Nicholas' reaction. When he gets a nod, he can't help the breathy cry that escapes. But a good dog knows how to follow and follow he does.
Nicholas watches with satisfaction how Euijoo paws at his poor, leaking cock. It's barely enough. It must be, practically rubbing with only his knuckles and he looks so pitiful doing it. And because it's so addicting seeing him like this, Nicholas runs his fingertips along the column of the man's spine, delighting at the shiver it triggers as Euijoo arches in reflex. Unfortunately, the action only serves to push his cock against his hand—pressure both hurting as much as it is satisfying—and the toy deeper inside. Even so, Euijoo doesn't wait for long, rocking his hips the next second and pawing his cock still. He rolls his hips maybe two or three times more, shallow movements because he's already shaking like a leaf. He keeps looking over Nicholas to see if he's doing enough, if he's earned his prize now, each look accompanied by a whine or mewl in place for words. But the more he does, the more Nicholas only stalls, even if his own dick hardens painful in his pants. That is until—
Sniffling. Followed by a sob. Euijoo is trembling but for a different reason now, bringing his palm to rub harshly at his eyes. Nicholas freezes before he's clambering to cup the man's cheeks. God he so badly wants to kiss his tears away. Also, fuck, he looks so beautiful but this is not the time.
His panic must've been obvious because a single smile, albeit crooked, stretches Euijoo's lips. "'s okay…just—just overwhelmed…" And then, even more hushed, just for Nicholas to hear, "I like it."
But that's it. He brushes a few strands of hair away from Euijoo's forehead, slides one hand down the small of his back to support, and pries away Euijoo's own from his cock to reach down for the plug. "You've been good. Such a good puppy. Good puppies deserve to be rewarded."
Euijoo's tense muscles go lax under Nicholas' gentle touch. Again, finding comfort in tipping his head by the curve of Nicholas' shoulder.
On his part, Nicholas sets a comfortable pace with his thrusting, reveling in the sighs that each push and pull gives rise to. He tries flicking his wrist in certain directions until at a specific flick, Euijoo jolts, instinctively pulling his knees together. Nicholas shushes to settle him down. "It's here, huh." He wastes no time prodding at the spot over and over, thrilling at the reaction it evokes—Euijoo's soft moans turning into little ah's.
He spots Euijoo's neglected cock and wraps his other hand around it, stroking gently when the man whimpers, all the while relentless in his pace.
He drinks up the image of the man, seemingly nearing his release—glossy eyes from tears that continue to stream down, lips swollen and stained and slackened, and with head lolling from side to side, as if to shake 'no' at the simultaneous pleasure of his dick being touched and hole filled. "I can fill you up better than this, you know." He punctuates with a slam back in of the toy. "Fuck you better."
A gasp rips through the room, Euijoo's back curving beautifully as his orgasm washes over him. His cum spills across his stomach and Nicholas' hands and with some dripping on the fur of the tail too. He's shaking all over that he has to move away from Nicholas, the mere hold and heat of the man too much for him now. Finally, he drops on the bed, his chest heaving shallow still.
Nicholas resists the urge to bury his hand in the brown locks. Instead, he hastens with the live. The chat floods with understanding and Nicholas is ever thankful for that. When that settles, he returns to the man who's somewhat lucid now.
Euijoo looks over at him and he rips the mask he's wearing to offer a smile. He wants to ask if he needs anything but he doesn't get to do so. The man is already pushing himself off the bed and reaching weakly for Nicholas. It takes a while for him to realize that Euijoo is palming at the band of his pants, attempting to tug it down. Hurriedly, he nestles Euijoo's hands in his own before he can do so.
"No—Euijoo, baby, it's okay," he says, voice hushed to not startle the man.
"But…you're hard. And you've only been taking care of me."
"You don't have to worry about that. It's not what I need right now." What he needs is to clean Euijoo up, fetch him a glass of water, and tuck him to bed if needed. He was practically overstimulated by the end of the stream and even now, Nicholas can feel the slight shudder of his fingers. He can deal with his own dick later.
But the admission seems to come off wrong for Euijoo. His face doesn't relax nor does he make a move to retract his hand. This time, Nicholas allows his fingers to comb through Euijoo's hair, and only then does Euijoo let up. "Next time, hm?"
With that, the man finally lets his lids flutter close.
"Sleep tight, Euijoo."
—
Extra:
It's a little awkward.
No. Not the whole puppy play thing, Nicholas thinks he can get by that now.
It's a little awkward that Euijoo is standing across him in the kitchen, having caught Nicholas mid-stirring the pot.
"Uh, hi. You're up too soon."
It's only been an hour since Nicholas jogged to the nearest mart to buy instant soup and he was hoping to leave with the soup prepared before the man wakes. It's a little awkward because he was basically snooping around Euijoo's kitchen without permission, no matter how good his intentions were. It's a little awkward because…fuck it, his intention was to woo the man. What else.
"I was going to whip you up some soup." Fuck. Fuck. He's definitely doing too much. Fix him some soup? Why would he even need to do that?
But Euijoo only laughs and the sound is twinkling somehow. Weirdly. Oddly. He must be high.
"Thank you, Yixiang. I appreciate the soup. But," he heads to the cupboard to pull out some bowls, two bowls to be precise, "I'd appreciate more if I ate it with someone. Preferably…the one who made it maybe?"
"…I'm gonna kiss you."
"Oh."
Fuck.
"Well, I think I'd like that."
What.
"What?"