"You're kidding, right?" There's a sigh on the other end of the phone, and he can just picture the woman pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"Look, kid, I like you. Honest. But things are getting tough, and I've got a building to maintain. If you can't afford it, just move back in with your parents or something." He takes a deep breath to hold back any of the expletives he'd like to unleash on her, and she must take that as a sign to continue. "Or, I don't know, get a roommate. There's probably a bunch of strappy young college kids who'll take up the offer. Who knows, maybe you'll finally get a girlfriend." He growls into his phone, and his landlady laughs. "Easy, tiger. You've got enough room for two, don't you? Make a couple of 'em share a room or something. That'll make the rent easy. I'll even give you an extra week to get the newest payment to me, no charge."
"Got it," he sighs, and she hums.
"Just make sure you're still eating," she says softly, "if I see you lose any more weight, I'm going to make you dinner myself. And I'm an even worse cook than you."
"Thanks," he laughs, and he's sure she's smiling on the other end of the line.
"That's it, kid. Come by if you need anything." She hangs up and he flops back on his bed, glaring at the ceiling.
"A YouTube career isn't going to bring in enough money. You'll never make it. That's what he said. Maybe he's right. But I can't give up, not yet. I've managed so far. Yeah, you've done pretty alright for yourself, Cole! Okay, time to get on Craigslist and find some roommates." Filled with a new determination, Cole rose and made his way to his laptop. Spinning around in his chair as he waited for it to boot up, he wondered what kind of people would answer his ad. "I can't live with a girl. No way. Strappy college kid, huh. I mean, that's one way to go. Guess I won't know until they answer?" He opens the browser on his laptop and heads to Craigslist, humming to himself. "I don't know why I'm so excited about this. Some stranger living in my house. Or strangers, I guess. Whatever it takes to get the bills paid. Alright, time to get this ad done. Let's see...well, they'd have to pay their own phone bill, but I guess we can split the internet. Oh, I've get Netflix! That's the most important part, right?" He laughs to himself, shaking his head. "God, this is probably the dorkiest thing you've ever done, Cole. And you covered Justin Bieber. Okay, so, I've got one open room. Am I willing to take a couple? I guess so. Rent is $600 a month, and I'd want to split it. I guess that's everything, then. Just gotta put my phone number in and wait." Taking a deep breath, Cole hits post before exiting out of the screen. "Better eat dinner, then. God knows when I'll eat next." He laughs weakly at that, and rises from his chair with a sigh.
...
"Is everything okay?" Lloyd looks up from his phone to see his partner's hands shaking as he hangs up the phone. "Zane, what's wrong?"
"He knows." Zane whispers softly, and Lloyd's eyes widen in understanding.
"Shit, Zane. God, it's my fault. I should've been more careful." Lloyd gets off the couch and moves to the other, holding out his arms. "C'mere. It'll be okay. We'll make things work."
"It is not your fault." Zane begins, letting the smaller man hold him. "I, too, was careless."
"I bet it was Casey. She's always been a snitch." He mutters into Zane's shoulder, clinging tightly to the other. "He was an asshole, anyway. Honestly, I'm surprised it took him this long to figure it out." Zane chuckles weakly, raising a hand to run through Lloyd's hair. "I mean, we've had a ton of people over. And I'm not exactly quiet." Zane actually laughs at this, and Lloyd squirms a bit so he can look up at the other man. "A change of pace will be nice. Who knows? Maybe we'll find a partner who works for us."
"Lloyd," Zane begins slowly, and Lloyd hums encouragingly.
"You can tell me, Zane. I'm not gonna be mad. I like it when you're open with me."
"I do not wish to find another partner, at least for the time being. For now, I desire to be content with you." Lloyd blinks back tears, staring wide-eyed at his partner. "Did I say something that upset you?"
"Of course not, silly," Lloyd replies, reaching up to pinch Zane's cheeks. "I'm just so happy I've got a partner as amazing as you, is all."
"And I, too, am glad to have someone like you." Lloyd grins, pressing a sloppy kiss to Zane's throat.
"Can we do Chinese for dinner?" Zane smiles, ruffling Lloyd's hair.
"As you wish." Laughing, Lloyd presses more kisses against his boyfriend's neck.
...
Cole stared at his phone, tempted to let it keep ringing. He knew, though, that if he did, the caller would call and call until he finally picked up. With a defeated sigh he answered, placing the phone against his ear. "What do you want?"
There was huff on the other end of the line. "Is that any way to speak to your father?"
"Fine," Cole growls, putting as much venom into his words as possible. "What do you want, sir?"
"Better," his father replies, and Cole is ready to punch something. "Now, I see you still haven't come to your senses and decided to follow a more sensible career."
"I'm doing just fine on my own."
"So you say. How much do you weigh, Cole?" Flushed, Cole tugs self consciously at the hem of his sweater.
"That's none of your damn business." He can almost imagine his father's grip tightening on his phone, and he's more than satisfied by the agitation in his father's voice when he replies.
"Watch your language, Cole. I did not raise you to be like this."
"You didn't raise me at all!" He snaps, rising from where he had curled up on the sofa. "I can name the exact dates you actually gave a damn enough to watch me yourself." His father splutters on the other end, and he continues. "You just wanted me to be like you, and when I didn't turn out how you wanted you put me in someone else's hands. Well I'm tired of it!"
"Cole," his father sighs heavily, "it seems this conversation is not going the way I had planned."
"Yeah?" he asks, incredulous. "Big surprise."
"I will call you again at a later date. Hopefully your manners will be much more acceptable." His father hangs up before he can snap back, and he throws his phone on the couch with a growl.
"That bastard! He acts like he stills runs my life. I don't need him, I've never needed him." He sinks back into the couch with a sob, bringing his knees to his chest. "Why's he trying to act like my dad now, anyway?" Cole is pretty sure he knows the answer, and that is enough to make him curl into himself tighter.
...
Lloyd sighs heavily, scrolling through his phone. His boyfriend looks over at him, amused. "This is so boring," Lloyd whines, and Zane shakes his head chuckling to himself. "Zane," Lloyd makes a point of drawing out his name as long as possible, "do something." Zane sighs, rising from his seat to console his boyfriend. Lloyd sits up instantly, making enough room that Zane can sit before laying back down, feet propped up against the arm of the sofa and head resting in Zane's lap. "All these ads are for singles." Zane hums, running his fingers through Lloyd's hair. "I've been thinking, you know, while I've been looking. Do you think...me being...well, me...will ruin things?"
"No," Zane replies after a moment, "because if they do not accept you, I will fight them." Lloyd laughs at that, and Zane continues. "If they aren't accepting of all people, then clearly it is not a place for us to be."
"You're really the best boyfriend ever, you know that?" Lloyd wiggles his toes as he hums, handing his boyfriend his phone. "Do you wanna look at some?" Zane takes the phone from him wordlessly, still carding his fingers through Lloyd's hair. The other boy sighs in content, closing his eyes. "If I wore a dress when we first meet them, would you be upset?"
"I would not be able to focus on our new roommate, if that is what you mean by upset." Zane replies nonchalantly.
"What if I wore one of those virgin killer sweaters?" Zane's hands still, and Lloyd looks up at him in confusion.
"I would be upset, because I wish to be the only one to see you in that." The younger laughs, stretching a bit to try and place a kiss on his boyfriend's jaw. He fails, but it gets a chuckle out of his boyfriend, and, to him, that's better than anything.
...
"Yeah, can I get an order of dumplings? Hm, yeah that's fine. You guys deliver, right? That's great, alright. Yep, Apartment 13. The elevator works this time, I promise. Thanks, Nya. Tell Kai I said hi." Cole hangs up with a sigh, rubbing at his face. He knew he probably shouldn't be eating out, especially with his new rent crisis, but talking to his dad had stressed him out. Especially the comment about his weight. He was glad he had enough control to not just go and eat everything in his cupboards, because he would feel awful and throw it up later. Unlocking his phone, he scrolled through his music until he found the 'Weird Medieval Shit' playlist. Turning the volume all the way up, he set it on the sofa's armrest and rose, cracking his back as he did so. "Medusa" by Heather Dale was the first song to play, and he saunters through his apartment to make his way to his bedroom. It takes him a couple minutes to get to his closet (he really should move his film space) and he dramatically flings it open, laughing to himself as he does so. "You sure are laughing a lot for a nervous mess," he mumbles softly, reaching for a small basket on the top shelf. "What is that they say? Laughter is the best medicine? Well, I'd rather be laughing than crying, that's for sure." Shutting the door, he sets the basket on his bed. Pointedly ignoring the mirror as he removes his shirt, Cole lets out a sigh. "Maybe after all this is settled I'll start going to the gym. I wouldn't mind getting some muscle back." He blindly tries to grab the shirt sitting in the basket, and chuckles when he grabs a pair of sweatpants.
By the time he's dressed his playlist was about halfway through (granted, there were only eight songs) and he nearly trips over himself as he makes his way back to the couch. Grabbing his phone as he sat on the couch, he turned the volume down until he could just barely hear it. His phone vibrated, and he grinned when he saw who had messaged him.
From: Buffalo Wild Wings
COLE I STG I CAN HEAR YOUR SHITTY MEDIEVAL MUSIC FROM HERE! TURN IT OFF OR I'LL EAT YOUR DUMPLINGS
He laughed, half tempted to go and grab his speakers just so he could annoy the other, but there was a knock at his door before he could even entertain the idea. Rising, he sets his phone on the arm of the couch before moving to the door. "Who is it?" He calls, and he laughs when the person on the other side of the door swears.
"C'mon Cole, my hands are full."
"What do you mean, your hands are full?"
"Open up and I'll show you." Sighing, Cole opens the door. "You're the best, Cole!"
"Kai, I didn't order this."
"I know you didn't-I did." They stare at each other for a few moments before Cole sags in defeat. Kai steps into the living room wearing a shit-eating grin, and Cole follows him to the couch with a sigh. "You aren't paying for this, either. Just so you know." Cole tries to protest, but Kai forces him to sit on the couch and begins rummaging through the bags. "No alcohol-I figured you weren't in a drinking mood."
"I placed a craigslist ad," Cole begins softly, and Kai turns to him with a container of fried rice and a sympathetic expression. "My rents gone up so much that I can't handle it myself."
"There's nothing wrong with asking for help," Kai states bluntly as he settles beside Cole. "And if you're worried about your dad, the old man can fuck off." Cole laughs bitterly, taking the rice from Kai.
"He called today."
"Want me to go get you a drink?"
"Aren't you on the clock?" Cole retorts playfully, and Kai began to laugh.
...
Zane idly ran his fingers through Lloyd's hair, the younger man having fallen asleep about half-an-hour ago. His eyes feel heavy, and he's tempted to go asleep as well, but he's determined to try and find an ad that works for them. Just as his eyes were threatening to shut there was a knock at the door. Lloyd stirred, rolling off his lap sleepily before making his way to the door. Zane chuckled, reveling in how cute his boyfriend looked as he rubbed at his eyes. Lloyd opens the door with a yawn, taking a few seconds before greeting the person at the door. "Hi."
"I've got an order for Zane Julien?"
"That's us. Come pay." Lloyd calls back, making the person at the door chuckle. Zane rises, ignoring how his bones creaked and the tingling in his toes. His partner wraps his arms around Zane's neck, and the man at the door smiles at them. "He is always clingy when he first wakes up," he begins, and he wonders why he's so desperate to explain that to him.
"Dude, it's fine if you're together. I don't mind." Zane feels a sigh of relief breath through him, and Lloyd decides that is the most opportune moment to place a wet kiss to Zane's neck. He's sure his face is scarlet by the time the man at the door stops laughing, and his partner looks extremely smug. "You chose the wrong part of town to live in, though." Lloyd chuckles weakly, and Zane puts a protective arm around his partner.
"Well, we won't be here much longer." At the man's curious gaze Lloyd adds, "The manager found out about us. He called this morning." The man whistles lowly, and Lloyd shrugs.
"Have you found a place yet?" The man asks, and Lloyd shakes his head.
"Well, today's your lucky day." Zane and Lloyd exchange looks before stepping back to allow the man to enter his apartment.
...
He woke with a start, ignoring the pain in his neck in favor of reaching blindly for his phone. He swore at how bright his screen was, blinking to try and make out the number to see who was calling him. After realizing even if he could see all the numbers he still didn't know the caller, with a steadying breath he adjusted his position on the couch and answered. "Hello?"
"Hello," a man began, but was quickly cut off by a gleeful shout and a voice that sounded all to familiar.
"Kai?" Cole asks, and there's a muffled conversation and some static as the phone is passed to someone else.
"Hey," Cole nearly swears at Kai's leisurely response.
"Why are you calling me?" There's a tinge of anger in his voice that Kai quickly picks up on, if his soothing tone is anything to go by.
"Relax, Cole. Deep breaths. They're applying to be your roommates."
"My...new roommates?" Cole had become extremely quite, and Kai hums softly.
"Yeah. Do you want to talk to 'em, or should I relay information."
"Did you invite yourself into their apartment?" Cole asks in response, and Kai laughs so loud Cole has to pull the phone away to preserve his hearing. After a few moments he dares to put the phone against his ear again and after a soft "Hello" he is greeted by the same voice who had started the call.
"I do apologize. My reasons for calling were..."
"It's fine," Cole cut him off gently. "I don't mind. I'm glad you called. Sorry about Kai; he's a bit hot-headed, but he really cares."
"Thank you. My name is Zane Julian, and it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
"Cole Matthews. So...the roommate application?" Cole feels his face heat up. If he didn't sound like a dumbass before he certainly did now.
"Yes, I have only one question. On your application you stated that you would take couples." The words are a statement, but Zane's voice raises politely at the end as if he was asking a question.
"I guess, yeah. If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not live with a girl."
"And if my partner is non-binary?" Zane asks, and all the noise on his end stops.
"Pronouns?" Cole asks, and Zane releases a breath that Cole finds he was holding, too.
"Masculine, but he will often wear feminine clothing. Does that bother you?"
"No," Cole murmurs before repeating with a bit more strength. "No, it doesn't bother me."
"When can we move in?" Zane jokes, and Cole laughs so hard the other man begins to express his concern.
"Sorry," Cole wheezes, roughly rubbing at his eyes. "I just...I'm really happy. Why don't we get lunch tomorrow? Get to know each other a bit before you take the plunge of moving in with me."
"It's a date," Zane says, and Cole can feel his face heat up as he tries to think of a clever response.
"See you tomorrow," he chokes out, before hastily adding, "I'll text you the details!" Zane hums, muttering something he doesn't quite catch before ending the call. Sighing, Cole sets his phone on the table and tries to calculate how many days he can go without eating to afford lunch tomorrow.
...
Kai had finally convinced Lloyd to let him leave, exchanging numbers and cheeky grins that make Zane want to roll his eyes at the sight. Before he left he stated with a waggle of his eyebrows, "Cole has YouTube channel. It's called the WeekendWhip. No spaces. Look him up." Kai leaves with a flourish, and Lloyd waves energetically at him until the door is shut and locked. "I'm going to bed," Lloyd announces suddenly, "Join me whenever you're ready." The blonde stands on the tips of his toes to press a kiss to Zane's cheek before he scampers off, leaving Zane to process all the information while smiling at his boyfriend's actions. With a sigh he heads to the couch, not quite ready to join his partner, and opens his phone to search up the channel name Kai had given him. He scans through the videos before picking one at random, making sure the volume of his phone wouldn't wake his partner should he be asleep in the other room. Zane finds himself intrigued by the young man who becomes clear on the screen, smiling at his gentle introduction.
"Hey, how's it going guys? In todays video I'm going to be telling you guys some stories. A few embarrassing ones, some serious ones. There might be some triggering material in a few of the serious ones, so I'll make sure to put those up before the story starts and where you can skip to the next story in case the previous one bothered you. And without further ado, lets begin!"
...Author's Note...
I am back, guys! I'm sorry I took so long. My other stories will be going on hiatus for a bit while I figure out what I'm going to do with them. As always, I love you all very much, and I hope you enjoy this story!