Chapter Text
The office smelled faintly of burnt coffee, the kind that had been sitting too long on the hot plate. Aj didn't mind, he liked the quiet hum of the copier, the shuffle of papers, the way the world shrank down to neat piles and sharp lines on spreadsheets.
"Aj" called a voice, bright and sing-song, from the doorway of his cubicle.
He looked up and saw her, his boss, balancing two mugs of that bitter coffee like a game-show contestant. She was brisk, always in jewel-toned blouses that made her look like she was about to host a dinner party rather than run a department.
"Morning" Aj said, forcing a polite smile as she set one mug dangerously close to his keyboard.
"You're a treasure, you know that?" His boss declared, sliding into the guest chair without waiting for an invitation.
"An absolute treasure. My right hand. My left hand, too, really. If I had three hands, you'd be the third. You're indispensable" His boss added.
Aj's cheeks warmed. He adjusted his seating position.
"Y'know me" Aj muttered.
"No, no, no" His boss said as she wagged her finger at him, her bracelets jangling.
"It's not just invoices. It's the way you do it. The precision! The dedication! I wish my son had your focus. Niko, honestly, that boy--" His boss said as she rolled her eyes affectionately, a little theatrical sigh.
Aj kept typing, though slower now, every keystroke suddenly loud. He knew where this was going. He never really met the guy, just heard stories from his boss. Aj didn't knew if he's gonna believe all the praise to this Niko guy since mothers can be really glazers when talking about their children.
"You know" His boss said, leaning forward on her elbows, her voice dropping like she was about to share classified information.
"You and Niko would be perfect together" His boss added.
Aj nearly choked on the sip of coffee he hadn't even wanted.
"Uh-- what?" Aj asked.
"Oh, don't be shy. You're handsome, he's handsome. Funny, charming-- he's gay, of course. Did I mention that? He's very gay" She said it like she was listing Niko's accomplishments.
"You, uh... you have mentioned" Aj said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, I'll mention again! You'd adore each other. He's got this smile-- oh, Aj, you'd melt. And you'd be good for him. He needs someone grounded. You're grounded. My son needs grounding" She said.
"I think Niko's grown?" Aj said carefully.
"I'm not sure he needs-- uh-- grounding" Aj added.
"Everyone needs grounding" She said, sweeping her hand like she was dismissing the entire concept of adulthood.
"You'll see. I'll bring him by. Coffee. Lunch. Something casual" She added.
Aj tried not to laugh, because the sheer momentum of her matchmaking was both mortifying and well, funny.
"I'm flattered. Really. But---" Aj was cut off.
"No buts!" She interrupted, wagging her finger again.
"Just think about it. You don't have to marry him on the spot" She added.
Aj exhaled, shoulders slumping.
"Okay..." Aj said.
"That's the spirit!" She said as she clapped her hands, triumphant.
"Oh, you're going to thank me one day" She added.
She swept out of the cubicle, humming to herself, leaving Aj with his coffee, his invoices, and the feeling that his boss had just signed him up for a blind date he'd never agreed to.
////_////_////
Aj lay in bed, the ceiling fan spinning lazy circles above him. His phone lit up in the dark, a glow against the mess of blankets and unwashed laundry piled on the floor. It was 2:43 in the morning. He should've been asleep hours ago.
Instead, he thumbed open his messages. The thread was pinned, though not under a name, just N. No last name. Not even a saved contact. Aj never bothered. He figured if he did, it might start feeling like something it wasn't. The situations the same with this N guy, Aj knew that the other didn't really bothered too.
He scrolled back up through their history sometimes with screenshots of jokes, half-blurry selfies, emojis that felt like inside jokes even when they weren't. They'd met months ago, at a bar, when Aj had been reckless enough to let someone scribble just an initial in his phone. "N." because he didn't bother remembering names. That was all. No last name. No background check.
"Still awake?"
"Barely"
"Liar. Send me a pic"
"Boss tried to set me up with her son today lol. Said he's 'very gay'"
"And you said 'sorry, I'm taken'?"
"I said 'I'll humor you'"
"...humor me instead"
Aj grinned at their last message despite himself. Their rhythm was always like this, playful, a little reckless, and threaded with that late-night looseness that made confessions slip out too easily.
Aj, despite all of his common sense in the world. Decided to message first. Biting his lower lip with a small smile while doing so.
"u awake?"
There was no reply for a minute.
He stared, thumb hovering, debating sending something more.
Then the bubbles popped up.
"Define awake"
Aj smirked.
"Define dick pic"
Almost immediately, his phone buzzed. The photo came through unceremoniously, as if N had it queued up and waiting. And hell, Aj had to admit that guy had a good dick. Stupidly good. Aj found himself grinning at the ceiling, embarrassed by how much he appreciated it for the hundredth time.
"bro its not fair u got like a porn dick"
"I'll take that as a compliment"
"what's ur excuse for still asking for it every 3am?"
"cause im bored. and horny"
"and it's good material. don't flatter urself too much"
"you always say that and then you always come back"
"don't make this romantic dude"
"i don't even know ur last name"
"whose fault is that"
Aj laughed softly into his pillow. They'd been hooking up for months now, late-night meetups, sweat-slick sheets, Aj sneaking out before dawn, or sometimes N pulling on his pants while Aj was still catching his breath. It wasn't serious. It wasn't anything. Just this rhythm they fell into.
He thought briefly about the first time with some bar, some forgettable night. Aj hadn't cared enough to store more than "N" in his phone.
It was just a letter, like the placeholder in an equation. And somehow that made it easier, no strings, no expectations, no messy overlap with the rest of his life.
But still sometimes, after sex, N would linger. He'd stretch out, arm draped lazily across Aj's stomach, fingers brushing absently against his skin. Or he'd murmur something sharp and funny that made Aj laugh until he was wheezing. Aj always rolled away before it could mean anything.
The phone buzzed again.
"so? are you coming over?"
Aj hesitated, biting his lip. He had work in the morning, his boss and her matchmaking schemes and her endless cups of bad coffee. He should say no.
"send another first"
A string of laughing emojis, then another photo, this one even cockier, pun intended. Aj groaned into his pillow.
"fine. u win. i'm putting on pants"
"don't bother. i'll take them off anyway"
Aj stared at the screen for a moment, then shoved himself upright, tugging on the first hoodie he found. He didn't know N's last name, didn't know his middle name, didn't know anything about where he grew up or if he had siblings or what his favorite food was.
But Aj knew this, it was three in the morning, and N would be waiting.
////_////_////_////
Aj shoved his hood up as he stepped into the hallway, phone still buzzing in his pocket. He didn't even bother with socks, just sneakers and sweats, sliding out of his building like he'd done a dozen times before. Every time he told himself it'd be the last, and every time N sent one picture too many.
The city was dead quiet at this hour, the streets washed in yellow streetlight and the hum of that one broken neon sign outside. Aj kept his hands shoved in his pockets, heart thudding faster than he'd admit.
By the time he was at N's door, he didn't even knock. He just texted outside and two seconds later, the door cracked open.
N leaned against the frame, shirtless, sweatpants slung low, smirk pulling at his mouth.
"You made good time" N said.
Aj rolled his eyes, brushing past him, but the grin tugging at his own lips gave him away.
"You keep flashing me dick pics at 3 AM. and I'll run" Aj sarcastically said.
[NSFW - explicit content below]
You've been warned. Things are about to get messy. NSFW below.Ayye I'm on fire writing this shi.
The door shut behind him. Aj barely had time to kick his shoes off before N's hands were on him, hoodie shoved up, mouth pressing hot against his jaw. The kiss came fast, impatient, the kind that always made Aj's knees go weak before he could even think about saying no.
N's tongue slid against his, tasting like mint and something sharper, and Aj groaned into his mouth, clutching fistfuls of bare skin. He was already half-hard, hoodie riding up as N dragged him backward toward the bed.
They didn't bother with lights. The ceiling fan spun lazy circles overhead as N shoved Aj down onto the mattress, climbing over him with a grin that was pure cocky victory.
"Told you not to bother with pants" N murmured, tugging them down just enough to free him.
Aj hissed, heat rushing through him as N palmed him over his boxers, slow strokes that were maddening in their tease.
"Fuck, you're the worst" Aj groaned, bucking up.
"I'm the reason you're here" N shot back, grinning before ducking down, lips ghosting just above Aj's waistband.
Aj's breath caught. Every time, he swore he wouldn't let N make him beg. Every time, N dragged it out until he did.
When N finally mouthed over him through the thin fabric, Aj's hand flew to the back of his head, threading through his hair.
"Don't-- don't tease" Aj muttered, voice already breaking.
But N just laughed against him, hot breath and smug as ever.
"What, like you don't love this?" N teased.
N's mouth left Aj aching, half-wrecked already and desperate for more, but before he could complain, strong hands flipped him onto his stomach. His face hit the sheets, cheek pressed against the pillow, ass raised as N shoved his sweats and boxers down in one swift move.
"Mm, that's better" N said, low and smug, dragging a palm across Aj's bare ass. He squeezed once, hard enough to make Aj jolt.
"Gives me the perfect view" N added.
"Wait--" Aj said, muffled against the sheets.
"Mm-mm" N hummed, his voice was dark and amused, pressing his weight against Aj's back.
"Heard something tonight I didn't like" N said, his hand slid down Aj's side, gripping his hip hard enough to make him gasp.
"Something about your boss wanting to hook you up with her very gay son?" N added.
"Oh my god, you're seriously--?" Aj said as he let out a sharp laugh despite the way his pulse spiked.
"Yes. I'm serious" N said as leaned down, lips brushing Aj's ear, voice dropping to a growl.
Aj froze, glancing back with a breathless laugh.
"You're seriously bringing that up now?" Aj asked.
"Mm" N hummed as he slid a hand down his spine, fingers curling around his cock just long enough to make Aj moan before pulling away.
"Maybe her son could finish you off. Think he'd make you whine like this?" N asked.
Aj hissed, pushing back against him, desperate.
"Shut the fuck up" Aj said.
But N only chuckled, rubbing the thick head of his cock against Aj's hole, circling it, not pushing in yet.
"You don't sound very convincing, man. You sound... needy" N said, tilting his head amusingly.
"Please" Aj muttered, muffled against the sheets, cheeks burning.
That word cracked something in N. With a sharp thrust, he buried himself inside, the stretch making Aj gasp loud enough to echo in the room.
"Yeah, that's what I though" N said, hips snapping forward, each stroke deep and punishing.
"You don't want her son. You want this" N added.
Aj could only moan in response, fists tangled in the sheets, body jolting with every thrust. N set a brutal rhythm, dragging it out whenever Aj got too close, pulling almost all the way out just to sink back in with a growl.
"Fuck-- N--" Aj whined, thighs trembling.
"Say it. Say no one else could fuck you like this" N said as he leaned down, teeth grazing his shoulder, voice rough in his ear.
Aj choked out a laugh between moans, stubborn even as his body betrayed him.
"Cocky bastard" Aj said.
N smirked, driving into him harder, one hand sliding to stroke him just enough to edge him.
"Cocky-- and right. Now beg for it" N muttered.
Aj's pride burned in his chest, but the way his body arched, grinding back, the desperate little noises spilling out, he was already begging without words.
"Thought so" N muttered, dragging him right to the edge again, then slowing, making him whimper with frustration.
"You'll be thinking about me tomorrow at work. Not your boss. Not her son. Me" N said.
////_////_////_////
Aj sat stiffly at his desk, half listening as his boss floated into the cubicle with the force of a weather system. She was glittering today, literally glittering in a sequined scarf that shed tiny sparkles with every movement.
"Aj" She sang out.
"The holiday party. This Friday. You're coming" She added.
"I didn't RSVP" Aj said as he swiveled in his chair, blinking.
"You don't need to RSVP" She said, waving a hand like RSVPs were for lesser mortals.
"You're my star employee, you wouldn't abandon me at the most festive event of the year" She added.
"I might" Aj muttered.
His boss leaned on his cubicle wall, narrowing her eyes.
"Don't test me. You're coming. And you're going to look fabulous. I want you in a nice shirt. Maybe ironed, if you can manage that" She said.
Aj dragged a hand down his face. He knew where this was going, and sure enough.
"Because" She continued, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
"Niko is coming. My Niko. My son. The one I've been telling you about" She added.
Aj groaned audibly this time, spinning back to his screen.
"Who's wha--?" Aj was cut off.
"You'll love him!" She pressed on, undeterred.
"He's handsome, he's smart, he's hilarious. And gay, which, as I keep reminding you, is terribly convenient. Honestly, the universe is handing you this. Do not slap the universe's hand away" She added.
"It's not matchmaking if one party is dragged in like a hostage" Aj said as he thumped his head lightly against the monitor.
"It's not matchmaking" She said primly.
"It's... networking. Of the heart" She added.
Aj barked out a short laugh, both horrified and impressed.
"That's the worst thing you've ever said to me" Aj said.
"And yet true" She countered, blowing a kiss at him before sailing off, trailing glitter in her wake.
Aj exhaled slowly. Fantastic. The annual office holiday ambush. He pictured Niko, whoever the hell he was as some polished, overachieving golden boy, the kind of person his boss described with her voice three octaves higher than normal. Which meant Aj would spend the evening dodging him like a middle-school dance.
Across town, in a loft cluttered with half-assembled DJ equipment and laundry that hadn't quite made it to the hamper, Niko was flat on his couch scrolling through his phone when his ringtone blared.
"Mother. It's Tuesday. What's wrong?" Niko answered.
"Nothing's wrong! Everything is wonderful. The holiday party is Friday" His mother said.
"You know I don't do those. I went last year. I'm still scarred from Jerry's karaoke rendition of Mariah Carey" Niko said as he closed his eyes.
"You're going this year" She said firmly.
"No arguments. I want you to meet someone" She added.
"Who?" Niko asked.
"A coworker of mine. I've been telling him all about you" She said, smug.
"Handsome, talented, funny-- you two will hit it off" She added.
"Mom. Are you-- ? You're not seriously setting me up at your office party" Niko said as he sat up, eyebrows shooting up.
"Why not?" She replied sweetly.
"It's efficient. Free food, free drinks, Christmas lights. Very romantic!" She added.
"Romantic?" Niko asked as he pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead.
"This isn't speed dating at a mall food court, Mom" Niko added.
"You'll see" She said in that maddening singsong tone that always meant case closed.
"God help me" Niko muttered into the phone.
"Don't be dramatic" She said, clearly pleased with herself.
"Wear something nice. I'll see you Friday" She added.
The line clicked dead before Niko could argue further.
He stared at the ceiling, dreading whatever poor soul his mother had targeted this time.
////_////_////_////
The office holiday party was a battlefield of forced cheer, twinkling lights strung too close to flickering fluorescent bulbs, a folding table sagging under supermarket cheese cubes and lukewarm wine, someone already butchering Last Christmas on karaoke in the corner. Aj clutched his plastic cup of some soda he grabbed like a shield, weaving through clusters of coworkers locked in small talk.
He could feel his boss tracking him like a hawk all night. Every time he dodged to refill his drink or feigned interest in the cookie tray, she'd swoop closer, her sequined scarf glinting like a warning flag.
And then.
"Aj!" She called out.
He turned, caught in the spotlight of her enthusiasm. She was practically dragging someone behind her, a tall man in a black sweater and tailored jeans, messy dark hair that looked both accidental and calculated. His smile faltered the second he saw Aj.
Aj's stomach dropped.
N.
No. Fucking. Way.
Oh. Shit.
At the exact same moment, Niko looked up. Their eyes locked across the room. His glass stopped halfway to his mouth.
Oh. Shit.
Aj felt his stomach drop. He knew that mouth, knew it well, in every possible sense. He also knew the look in Niko's eyes right now, panic barely disguised as a polite smile.
It was Niko. His boss's son. The same Niko who texted him dick pics at three in the morning. The same Niko who once kissed him lazy and slow against a stranger's bathroom sink. The same Niko Aj hadn't even bothered to learn a last name for.
For a beat, neither of them spoke. Just the flicker of wide eyes, the flicker of memory. Aj felt his face flush hot, then cold. Niko's mouth twitched like he was biting back a laugh or a curse.
"Aj" His boss said, glowing with maternal pride.
"This is my son, Niko. The one I've been telling you about" She added.
"Oh" Aj managed, his voice cracked on the single syllable.
Niko extended his hand slowly, eyes gleaming with mischief. "
Nice to meet you" Niko said, smooth as velvet.
Aj took it, trying not to squeeze too hard, trying not to imagine those same fingers tangled in his hair three nights ago.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you" Aj said.
Their hands lingered a second too long before Aj yanked his away, nearly spilling his drink.
His boss clapped her hands together.
"Don't you two look perfect already? I knew it! Handsome, smart, funny-- you're practically made for each other" She said.
Aj shot Niko a sharp look, silently begging him not to say anything. Niko's lips curved into the faintest smirk, a secret tucked in plain sight.
"Mom" Niko said, voice dripping with faux innocence.
"You might be onto something" Niko added.
Aj coughed into his cup.
"Or... or not. Let's not get ahead of ourselves" Aj said giving a painful look towards Niko.
She waved him off.
"Nonsense! You'll dance, you'll chat, you'll-- oh, I can just feel it" She said like she was the architect of fate itself, blissfully unaware of the silent war happening between them.
Aj avoided Niko's gaze, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw him leaning back casually, sipping his drink, watching Aj with that knowing glint.
Three in the morning came rushing back in the middle of a crowded office holiday party.
////_////_////_////
Aj muttered some excuse about needing fresh air and slipped toward the quieter end of the building. He found a narrow hallway past the coat racks, half lit by a buzzing fluorescent tube. He leaned against the wall, finally breathing.
And then, of course, footsteps followed.
"Running off so soon?" Niko said as his voice was amused, low, familiar in a way that made Aj's stomach knot.
Aj turned, glare ready, but Niko was smirking in that maddeningly casual way, hands shoved into his pockets like he hadn't just detonated Aj's entire reality by existing as both N and his boss's son.
"You couldn't have warned me?" Aj hissed.
"I didn't know either" Niko said, grin widening.
"Trust me, I wouldn't have agreed to this circus if I did" Niko added.
They both cracked, laughter spilling out in startled bursts before either could stop it. The absurdity was too much with months of 3am hookups, reduced to this, standing a few doors down from His boss's tupperware cookie trays.
When the laughter finally ebbed, Niko tilted his head, eyes glinting.
"So... still want me to send one later or does this make it weird?" Niko teased.
"Don't you dare say that while your mom is literally ten feet away" Aj said as he felt his face burned.
"That's not a no" Niko teased, leaning a little closer.
"You're insufferable" Aj said as he covered his face with his hand.
"You like that about me" Niko said.
Aj peeked through his fingers, exasperated but, god help him, he's grinning.
"I... do not. At all" Aj said.
Niko laughed, easy and unbothered, but softer now. He leaned against the wall beside Aj, shoulder brushing his. The buzz of the party carried faintly from the main room, laughter, bad karaoke, his boss's unmistakable voice somewhere in the mix but here it felt suspended, quieter.
"Wild, though" Niko said, his tone dipping into something more genuine.
"All this time, and I didn't know you were the 'Aj' she never shuts up about" Niko added.
"Yeah, well" Aj muttered, still staring ahead.
"All this time, and I didn't know you were the matchmaking prize she wouldn't stop dangling" Aj added.
They shared another look, the kind that lingered longer than it should've. Beneath the ridiculousness, the late night chaos, the dick pic banter, they were realizing something unsettling.
They actually liked each other.
Not just the heat of 3am. Not just the convenience. But here, fully clothed, sober, under flickering office lights, they were still laughing, still leaning in, still wanting more.
"Guess the universe has a sense of humor" Niko said as he nudged him lightly.
Aj rolled his eyes, but his mouth betrayed him, tugging into a smile.
"Yeah. Real fucking funny" Aj said.
////_////_////_////
Aj was about to say something, something safe, something that might've steered them back toward pretending none of this was happening when Niko's eyes darted toward the hallway restroom door. A grin spread across his face, slow and wolfish.
"No" Aj said immediately, reading the thought before it was spoken.
"What? I didn't say anything" Niko said as he tilted his head innocently.
"You thought it. I can see it all over your face" Aj said.
"Tell me it wouldn't be hilarious. Middle of the party. Your boss-- my mother-- clinking glasses ten feet away" Niko said as he leaned closer, lowering his voice.
Aj pressed both hands to his face.
"Oh my god Niko, you're unhinged" Aj said.
"Unhinged" Niko repeated, amused.
"Or brilliant" Niko said, letting the word hang.
"Come on. We've done dumber things" Niko added.
Aj's laugh came out strangled.
"That's debatable" Aj said.
"Not really" Niko said, already reaching for the bathroom handle.
"This is the worst idea in history" Aj said as he grabbed his wrist.
"Then it'll be on brand for us" Niko said as his grin was wicked now, sharp enough to cut.
"What's life without a little chaos?" Niko added.
Aj stared at him, every rational fiber screaming no but the problem was, rational fibers never won with Niko. Rational fibers lost every time a 3am text buzzed. Rational fibers lost when Aj found himself barefoot in Niko's kitchen eating leftover pad thai at sunrise. Rational fibers didn't stand a chance against that smile.
"Fuck" Aj muttered.
"Exactly" Niko said as he pushed the door open, tugging him inside.
The bathroom was small, ugly, and smelled faintly of lemon cleaner. The hum of karaoke seeped through the walls, someone was murdering a Mariah Carey note just as Niko locked the door.
"If we get caught--" Aj hissed.
"We won't" Niko cut in smoothly, already crowding him back against the sink.
"Unless you're loud" Niko added with a smirk.
[NSFW - explicit content below]
You've been warned. NSFW below.
Aj's retort dissolved when Niko kissed him, fast and hungry, teeth scraping just enough to make his knees buckle. The absurdity of it, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, tinsel taped to the paper towel dispenser, Niko's mom probably bragging about her "perfect son" in the next room just made Aj's pulse race harder.
"God, you're insane" Aj gasped against his mouth.
Niko smirked, fingers already sliding under Aj's shirt.
"And you love it" Niko said.
Aj hated that he couldn't argue.
The kiss slammed Aj against the sink hard enough to rattle the soap dispenser. It was sloppy, heated, Niko pressing in like he'd been waiting months for this exact moment. Aj tugged at his collar, breathing sharp against his lips.
"You're way too into this" Aj muttered, trying to sound annoyed but half-gasping already.
"Shut up" Niko breathed, grinning as his mouth dragged down Aj's jaw, teeth scraping his throat.
Aj's head tipped back against the mirror, a groan escaping before he could stop it. His hands slid under Niko's sweater almost on instinct.
And then, snap.
Niko pulled a condom from his back pocket, holding it up between two fingers with a grin that was pure trouble.
"What can I say? I had a feeling" Niko said.
Aj froze.
"...A feeling?" Aj asked.
"Yeah" Niko said as he shrugged like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Parties, late nights, bad decisions. You never know. Better to be prepared, right?" Niko said.
"Prepared-- for anyone?" Aj said as he narrowed his eyes.
Niko paused mid smirk.
"What?" Niko asked.
Aj shoved him back a step, jealousy flashing sharp and unexpected.
"So, if it wasn't me tonight, you'd just-- what-- fuck somebody else in the bathroom? Like, anybody?" Aj asked.
Niko blinked, surprised, then laughed under his breath.
"Wow. That came out fast" Niko said.
"I'm serious" Aj snapped, even as his cheeks heated.
"You packed it just in case. That's-- what the hell, Niko" Aj added.
Niko pocketed the condom again, leaning back against the stall door, studying him. His grin had softened into something sly but knowing.
"What's this? Mr. No Strings is suddenly territorial?" Niko teased.
"I'm not territorial. I just don't like being a backup plan" Aj said as he crossed his arms defensively.
"Backup?" Niko asked as he arched an eyebrow.
"Aj, do you hear yourself right now?" Niko added.
Aj clenched his jaw, trying not to admit how much it got under his skin, the thought of Niko casually fucking someone else against the same sink, with the same easy smirk, the same hands that had him undone in seconds.
Niko stepped closer again, low voice curling like smoke.
"Relax. It's not for just anyone. It's because I knew you'd be here. Call it intuition" Niko said.
Aj swallowed hard, his pulse easing just a notch.
"You're such an asshole" Aj said.
"Yeah" Niko said, grinning as he slid close enough to trap Aj against the sink again, their mouths brushing.
"But you're still about to kiss me" Niko added.
And damn it, Aj did.
The kiss deepened, messy and desperate, teeth clashing like they couldn't decide if they wanted to fight or fuck. Niko's hands gripped Aj's hips hard enough to bruise, grinding against him through their clothes until Aj's breath hitched against his mouth.
"Lost your mind" Aj gasped, even as he tugged Niko closer.
"Yeah" Niko murmured, lips ghosting his ear.
"But you're the one letting me" Niko added.
Aj's laugh was sharp, strained, cut off when Niko's hand slid down, palming him through his jeans. The groan that tore out of his throat made Niko grin like he'd just won something.
"Fuck-- Niko--" Aj gasped.
"Louder and they'll know" Niko warned, voice low, taunting.
Aj shoved him back against the stall door, fumbling with his belt.
"Shut up before I change my mind" Aj said.
"You won't" Niko said as he caught his mouth again, biting at his lip, while Aj yanked his jeans down just enough.
Their hands clashed, impatient, pulling, stroking, the both of them hissing at the contact.
Niko broke the kiss long enough to fish the condom out again, smirk returning.
"Still think it was for anyone?" Niko asked.
"Don't push it" Aj muttered, though his shaking hands tore the foil open anyway.
The sound of the party outside blurred, bad karaoke, laughter, clinking glasses until it was just them, breathless and pressed together under buzzing fluorescent lights. Aj rolled the condom on with a rough stroke that made Niko curse into his shoulder.
And then Niko spun him, bent him over the sink with one hand firm at the back of his neck, the other guiding himself into place.
Aj's eyes squeezed shut, knuckles white on the porcelain as Niko pushed in slow, deliberate, savoring every inch. The small, filthy bathroom filled with the sound of their ragged breathing, the squeak of the faucet under Aj's grip, the low growl from Niko's chest when he bottomed out.
Aj hissed, biting down on his lip to stifle a groan. Niko kissed the back of his shoulder, laugh hot against his skin.
"Told you it'd be brilliant" Niko said.
And then he started moving.
Niko's thrust started slow, deliberate, each one pulling a groan out of Aj no matter how hard he bit it back. The mirror rattled with every movement, soap dispenser clattering like it might fall off.
"God, you're loud" Niko murmured against his ear, voice smug.
"What happened to 'we'll get caught'?" Niko added.
Aj's only answer was a sharp inhale, his forehead pressing against the glass.
"Shut up and-- ah-- stop talking" Aj said.
"Mm, but you like it when I talk" Niko teased, snapping his hips harder, dragging another helpless sound out of him.
"Especially when I'm right" Niko added.
Aj cursed, shoving back against him just to prove he wasn't at Niko's mercy, except the way his body clenched around him betrayed otherwise.
"Ohhh" Niko groaned, catching it immediately.
"There it is. That little jealous streak" Niko added.
Aj twisted his head enough to glare, cheeks flushed, lips kiss-bruised.
"I'm not jealous" Aj said.
"Sure you're not" Niko said as his grin was wicked as he pressed in deep, grinding slow.
"That whole speech about me having a condom for anyone? Sounded a lot like you didn't want to share" Niko added.
Aj's jaw locked, refusing to rise to the bait, though the grip of his hand white knuckling the sink said otherwise.
Niko laughed, low and taunting, sliding one hand around to palm him, stroking in time with his thrusts.
"You don't like the idea of me fucking someone else in here, do you?" Niko asked.
"Fuck you" Aj hissed, but the moan that followed ruined the bite.
"That's the plan" Niko shot back, biting at his shoulder as he picked up the pace, hips slamming into him hard enough that the mirror squeaked.
"But it's sweet, really. You being territorial. Makes me wanna ruin you even more" Niko added.
"You're-- insufferable--" Aj choked on a gasp, back arching.
"And you love it" Niko said.
The kiss they crashed into was messy, teeth and spit and desperation. Aj grabbed his sweater, yanking him closer even as Niko fucked him harder, faster, the sink creaking under the rhythm of their bodies.
Outside, someone butchered another high note on karaoke but in the bathroom, all Aj could hear was Niko's ragged breath against his throat, the filthy praise spilling from his lips, and his own broken sounds he couldn't hold back anymore.
"Tell me" Niko whispered hot against his ear, voice dark with amusement.
"Tell me I'm the only one you want like this" Niko added.
Aj hated that the words almost tumbled out right then, raw and unguarded but instead he bit back.
"You'd love that, wouldn't you?" Aj managed to tease.
Niko's laugh was sharp, breathless.
"Yeah. I absolutely would" Niko said.
And then he slammed into him again, dragging a cry from Aj that he knew the whole party might've heard if the music wasn't so loud.
"Fuck-- Niko--" Aj gasped, his voice strained, every word breaking apart as he was driven into.
"Say it louder" Niko groaned, his chest pressed to Aj's back, sweat dampening his sweater.
"Let everyone out there know exactly what I'm doing to you" Niko added.
Aj shook his head furiously, but the strangled noise he made gave him away. His body trembled, caught between the relentless thrusts and Niko's hand still working him, stroking him faster, rougher, in perfect rhythm.
"You're close, huh?" Niko taunted, lips brushing his ear.
"I can feel it. You're fucking clenching around me" Niko added.
Aj cursed, the sound broken and desperate.
"I hate you" Aj said.
"Liar, hate me harder" Niko said as he bit down on his neck, leaving a red mark that would be impossible to hide.
"You're gonna come for me. Right here, in your boss's bathroom" Niko added.
The image alone undid him. Aj came with a cry he barely managed to stifle against his own arm, his release spilling hot over Niko's hand and the edge of the sink. His knees buckled, trembling, but Niko held him upright, grinding through the aftershocks.
Niko buried himself deep one last time, his groan low and guttural as he spilled into the condom, clinging to Aj's body like he couldn't hold himself up either.
For a moment, the only sound was their ragged breathing, the faint thud of music bleeding through the wall, and the slow drip of water from the faucet.
Niko finally pulled out with a hiss, disposing of the condom quickly, then smirked at Aj's reflection in the mirror, hair a mess, lips swollen, skin flushed and marked up.
"You look wrecked" Niko said, smug satisfaction dripping from every word.
Aj glared weakly at him in the glass, trying to straighten his shirt.
"I hate you so much" Aj said.
"Yeah?" Niko asked as he leaned down, kissing his shoulder, still grinning.
"Then why do you look like you're already thinking about round two?" Niko added.
Aj shoved him lightly.
"You're impossible" Aj said.
"Impossible" Niko echoed, adjusting his sweater like nothing happened.
"Or brilliant" Niko added.
"If anyone finds out--" Aj said as he groaned, burying his face in his hands.
"Then they'll know you couldn't keep your hands off me" Niko cut in smoothly, smirking as he unlocked the door.
"Now come on before someone notices we're gone. Try to look less freshly orgasmed" Niko said.
Aj gave him a murderous look, cheeks still burning, but followed him out anyway because, God help him, rational fibers never stood a chance against that smile.
////_////_////_////
The bathroom door clicked shut behind them. Aj was still trying to straighten his shirt, hair mussed beyond repair, lips swollen in a way that made him feel like he had a neon sign flashing JUST MADE OUT IN THERE.
"Walk normal" Niko murmured, tugging his sweater down, utterly unbothered.
"I am walking normal" Aj hissed, wobbling slightly on his way back down the hall.
"You look like you pulled a hamstring" Niko said.
"That's because someone couldn't keep his hands to himself" Aj said as he grabbed a plastic cup from the drink table and clutched it like camouflage, praying nobody noticed the tremor in his legs.
By the time his boss already spotted them, Aj was half-convinced she had x-ray vision. But she was beaming, waving them over like a pageant host.
"There you are! I was beginning to think you two snuck off to--" She broke off, laughing at her own joke.
"Well, never mind. Tell me, what do you think of each other?" She asked.
Aj nearly choked on his wine. He forced a stiff smile, hoping the fluorescent lights didn't highlight the fresh bite mark blooming under his collar.
"He's... nice" Aj said.
"Nice?" She gasped as though Aj had just insulted her entire bloodline.
"Niko is wonderful. Handsome, talented, charming--" She said.
"Mom" Niko interrupted smoothly, sliding an arm onto the back of Aj's chair like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Don't embarrass him" Niko added.
Aj flinched at the casual touch, every nerve ending screaming don't look guilty, don't look guilty.
His boss however was oblivious, clasped her hands together.
"Oh, I knew it! You two are perfect. Just look at you--" She said.
Aj attempted to cross his legs, then thought better of it, wincing.
"Yep. Perfect. Totally fine. Normal" Aj said.
Niko smirked into his drink, voice low enough only Aj could hear.
"You really are having trouble walking, huh?" Niko said.
"Shut. Up" Aj muttered, smiling painfully as his boss launched into a story about Niko's childhood.
He focused on keeping his face neutral, his posture straight, and his breathing steady. But every time Niko's knee brushed his under the table, Aj felt dangerously close to betraying himself.
And his boss kept beaming, blissfully unaware that her matchmaking plan had already... over-delivered.
But his boss wasn't finished.
"Oh!" She said as she clapped her hands suddenly, nearly knocking over her wine.
"Aj, did I ever tell you about the time Niko dressed up as a sonic for his second-grade play?" She added.
"Mom" Niko groaned, already pinching the bridge of his nose.
Aj almost laughed, biting down on his lip to stop it.
"Sonic, huh?" Aj asked.
"He had those blue cap" She went on gleefully.
"He tripped during the dance number but got up and finished with such spirit. Everyone clapped. Even the principal said he had... what was it..." She trailed off as she snapped her fingers.
"Ah, yes-- stage presence!" She said.
Aj lost it then, snorting into his cup. Niko shot him a glare that was all mock-threat, the kind that promised revenge.
"You're loving this way too much" Niko muttered under his breath.
Aj coughed, trying to disguise his grin.
"Little bit, yeah" Aj said.
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret with Aj alone.
"He's blushing. Look! Even now. He always blushes when I bring up that story" She said.
Niko dropped his head into his hands. Aj, trying valiantly to stay composed, felt a wicked rush of relief, finally, finally, Niko wasn't the only one making him squirm.
"Total star" Aj said as he nodded solemnly.
Across the table, Niko glared daggers at him, mouthing I will kill you.
Aj only grinned wider, enjoying, for once, the upper hand.
And then Niko's hand slid casually onto Aj's thigh under the table.
Aj jolted so hard he nearly spilled his wine.
"Careful" Niko whispered, lips brushing his ear.
"Wouldn't want Mom to think you're nervous" Niko added.
Aj gritted his teeth, smiling like a man in agony as his boss launched into yet another story. Every subtle squeeze of Niko's fingers was a reminder in this game, Niko always found a way to win.
////_////_////_////
Aj hadn't planned on seeing Niko again so soon. In fact, his whole strategy post-party had been to bury himself in spreadsheets, hope his boss got distracted with quarterly reports, and pretend the bathroom incident was some fever dream brought on by cheap wine.
But then Niko texted him two days later.
"Dinner tonight. A real one. No bathrooms involved"
Aj stared at the message for ten minutes.
"No bathrooms involved, he says. Like that's a normal disclaimer people add" Aj muttered to himself.
Still, he went.
The restaurant was low-lit and stylish, all exposed brick and candlelight. Niko was already at the table, sipping something dark and expensive-looking, wearing a black button-down like it was effortless.
Aj slid into the seat across from him, tugging at his sleeves.
"So this is... a date" Aj said.
"Mhmm" Niko hummed smoothly, leaning back.
"Don't look so alarmed" Niko said.
"I'm not alarmed" Aj lied. He picked up the menu, using it as a shield.
"I just... didn't think we'd do this" Aj said.
"Maybe we should" Niko said as his grin was infuriatingly confident.
"We're good at it" Niko added.
"You're assuming this will go well" Aj said as he peered over the menu.
"It's already going well" Niko said.
Aj rolled his eyes, but he was smiling despite himself.
They ended up laughing through half the meal, arguing over whether the breadsticks were actually worth eight dollars, mocking the pretentious descriptions on the wine list, trading jabs about who had worse taste in music.
At one point, Aj nearly choked on his drink when Niko deadpanned.
"Imagine explaining this to my mom, 'We met on Grindr, then your son wouldn't stop sexting me, and then we banged in the company bathroom'" Niko said.
"Don't even joke about that" Aj said, glancing around like his boss might materialize from behind the bar.
"You're really worried she'll find out?" Niko asked as his smile softened.
"Yes!" Aj whispered harshly.
"She already adores me. If she knew I was the one blowing her son in a-- " Aj cut himself off, face burning.
"She'd fire me" Aj added.
Niko laughed, unbothered.
"You think she'd fire her favorite employee for dating her favorite son?" Niko said.
"You're impossible" Aj said as he buried his face in his hands.
"And yet..." Niko said as he leaned across the table, voice low and teasing.
"...here you are" Niko added.
Aj peeked through his fingers, sighing.
"God, I hate that you're right" Aj said.
"No, you don't" Niko said.
Over the weeks that followed, "real dates" became their new rhythm.
Dinner turned into late-night drives, movie nights on Niko's battered couch, breakfasts where Niko made pancakes too thick and Aj mocked him for it until he still ate three. They still had their playful sexting and hookups, but now there were morning coffees, shared playlists, arguments about whose turn it was to pay.
And through it all, Aj kept half-jumping whenever his phone buzzed at work, terrified his boss would catch on.
Every time he brought it up, Niko just shrugged.
"So what if she knows? She's the one who tried to set us up" Niko said.
"Yeah, but she didn't mean like this" Aj shot back.
Niko smirked, brushing crumbs off his sweater.
"Exactly like this" Niko said.
"You're the worst" Aj said as he groaned, throwing a pillow at him.
"And yet" Niko said, catching it with one hand.
"You're still here" Niko added.
Aj couldn't argue with that.
- end -