A Proposal of Sorts
Chapter Six: A Rival
Nikola watches Dimitrie finish a painting for class tomorrow. Break is over and everyone is clamoring to get things finished, except Nikola. Even sick he made sure to finish everything well before it was due. Of course being finished with homework allows him to dwell on things he'd rather not think about. Certain…activities…he indulged in with Dimitrie while he was sick are now flooding his mind. Dimitrie hasn't mentioned it once; in fact he hasn't mentioned the engagement, how 'cute' Nikola is, or anything remotely related to the subject on a whole.
It's made him wonder if Dimitrie really did finally decide to drop the whole subject. Could that kiss have been a sort of seal on the end? Closure for Dimitrie perhaps? He hopes so. Well, kind of. Sort of. No, actually, not really. Since the kiss, that he actually really enjoyed, Nikola has been growing more conscious of Dimitrie. Nikola's heart races when he's near Dimitrie, his body shivers when the teen touches him, and all he can think of when he sees his roommate is how much he misses his lips. Really, really misses them. Something that is completely irrational seeing as how they only kissed once, when he was sick, and not even for a long time.
"Oh, Nikola, we should take separate cars tomorrow!" Dimitrie says, pulling Nikola out of his thoughts.
"Huh…? Why waste the gas?" Nikola asks annoyed.
"Laurenţiu is coming to visit!" Dimitrie explains, receiving a blank stare from Nikola. "Oh, Laurenţiu is the buddy that inadvertently ruined Elizaveta and mine's friendship!"
"Ah…hah…that's nice." Nikola mumbles. "Isn't that quaint. Another reason for you two to fight will be here."
"Hey now, we behave for Laurenţiu. Oh! By the way…just wondering…could Laurenţiu stay here with us? I'll share my bed so no worries." Dimitrie asks and Nikola notices something.
"Hey wait…you keep saying 'Laurenţiu' instead of he or she…what…is Laurenţiu?" Nikola asks. "It's a boy's name…so why not say 'he' or 'him'?"
"Well…you see…Laurenţiu is the name we were told…but…we don't know Laurenţiu's gender." Dimitrie explains and Nikola looks at him curiously.
"Really? So a gender-neutral person…like that kid from New Zealand." Nikola sighs. "Such a hassle…how am I supposed to refer to them?" He groans and stands up. "I guess this is one of those things I have to get used to now, huh? In a world where gender is no longer a black and white thing…"
"Well I'm not sure if Laurenţiu is gender-neutral, actually. We only knew each other when we were young and none of us referred to our genders…so…we just never found out." Dimitrie raises a brow. "If Laurenţiu is though…would it upset you?"
"Not at all, everyone should be who they want to be, it's just not something I'm used to." Nikola explains. "But, I mean, the kid can stay here as long as they want." He says before looking at Dimitrie confused. "Did I...say that right? using words like 'they' and 'it' sound so cold..."
"Um…probably?" Dimitrie shrugs. "I'm not sure about that kind of stuff either, honestly."
The next day classes practically fly-by and by the end Nikola meets up with Dimitrie and the infamous Laurenţiu. Nikola stands there staring at them surprised. Laurenţiu is ridiculously good looking. With wavy brown hair and wide blue eyes Nikola can't tell if Laurenţiu is a boy or girl. The shirt Laurenţiu is wearing is loose and a coat is covering it all, too. What the hell? What the ACTUAL hell?
"Hello! I'm Laurenţiu!" Laurenţiu says, smiling him.
"Ah…hi…" Nikola mumbles before walking up to Laurenţiu and holding out his hand. "I'm Nikola."
"Nice to meet you! Dimitrie used to go on and on about you when we were little! Elizaveta and I would wear little wedding gowns and I'd ask him to play my husband, he would get so offended!" Laurenţiu laughs. "He'd start crying and run off saying he was cheating!"
"Oh! So you dressed up with Elizaveta, huh?" Nikola asks and Laurenţiu nods.
"Elizaveta loves putting people in dresses!" Laurenţiu adds and Nikola laughs.
"I see! Yes, yes she does!" The Bulgarian says, deciding to give up for the time being. "Well, anyways, please come home with us."
Laurenţiu nods. "Alright!" The brunette says, following Dimitrie to his car. "Your friend is cute."
Dimitrie smiles at Laurenţiu darkly as they head out. "No. No he isn't don't look at him as being attractive in any way."
"You said you decided to give up on him, though. Why can't I give it a try?" Laurenţiu asks and Dimitrie stomps down on the break, bringing them to a sharp stop.
"We are friends. Don't touch him, Laurenţiu. I gave up but I still love him." Dimitrie hisses, making Laurenţiu frown.
"So it's as a thought, you still aren't over him…" Laurenţiu sighs sadly. "I've been waiting years for you to give up on him, I suppose a little longer won't hurt."
Dimitrie looks at Laurenţiu confused. "…Huh…?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Laurenţiu smiles, patting him on the back. "Do not worry, Dimitrie, I would never go after Nikola I promise."
Dimitrie smiles in relief. "Thank you so much!" He says before driving them back to his and Nikola's home where the Bulgarian is making dinner. "Ahh, it smells good Nikola!"
"Oh! May I help you?" Laurenţiu asks, coming up to Nikola. "I'm actually pretty good at cooking now, and Dimitrie has homework."
Nikola scoffs. "Yeah, that's why he can't help." He says sarcastically before smiling at Laurenţiu. "But yeah, you can help me."
"Don't forget our promise!" Dimitrie warns before running off to his room for homework.
"…Who was he talking to?" Nikola asks and Laurenţiu smiles.
"That would be me." Laurenţiu says. "He thinks I'm interested in you."
"…Ah…" Nikola mutters, moving away a little.
"Oh don't worry! I'm not interested in you whatsoever!" Laurenţiu assures him.
The Bulgarian stares at Laurenţiu silently for a moment before whispering. "You want Dimitrie."
"That's right!" Laurenţiu says, smiling at him. "And since you don't want him…why don't you hand him over to me? I will make him very happy, I promise."
"He's his own person, talk to him about it." Nikola grumbles, chopping the onion fiercely. He can't help but feel angry. Dimitrie is his. Of course they don't know that. He hasn't said anything so they wouldn't know. Of course he wants to say something, but he can't until he knows what exact reason Dimitrie hasn't mentioned anything about them together recently. He even remained silent when Laurenţiu brought it up.
…Is he really over it so quickly?
"Are you jealous? Or perhaps nervous?" Laurenţiu asks curiously. "Was it because you two kissed? Have you realized you like him now? It's a bit late for that. Because of that kiss he's giving up on you."
Nikola looks up from the onion surprised. "What…?"
"Yep, he's given up on you, which means I finally have a chance!" Laurenţiu smiles. "He's always had a thing for me as well, you know. Never acted on it though because he was loyal to you."
"I'm not giving him to you." Nikola says, quietly so Dimitrie can't hear. "Not going to happen."
"He just has to realize life with me will hurt less." Laurenţiu points out. "I want him to be happy, has he been happy at all since you two met up?"
Nikola frowns. "I...probably once or twice…maybe..." He admits and Laurenţiu nods.
"Look, I like you as a person, I do. I get why you have been hesitant and unwittingly hurt him…but on the same token I love him and can't let an opportunity pass."
"No way! I'm not going to make it easy for you!" Nikola decides, walking to the hallway. "Dimitrie! Dimitrie come here!"
Dimitrie walks over to the two confused. "Hm? I'm not done with my work yet."
"I...I'm going to give Laurenţiu my room." Nikola offers. "I'll stay on the couch or something. A guest shouldn't have to sleep with someone else."
"Oh…yeah, that makes sense." Dimitrie says, smiling at him. "Alright then! But don't sleep on the couch, come sleep with me, Nikola!"
Nikola smiles back. "Well, alright."
"I have no problem sleeping with Dimitrie!" Laurenţiu says. "I really don't!"
"Nah, you should have your own room! Nikola can bunk with me! His bed is really comfortable so don't worry about it!" Dimitrie points out as Nikola and Laurenţiu pale.
"How do you know what the bed feels like?" They ask, almost in stereo, and Dimitrie laughs.
"Nikola was gone to Roderich's for the night one time…and…" Dimitrie trails off, his laughter growing awkward. "I got lazy. His room is closer to the door."
"I thought it smelled like you when I got back!" Nikola groans before blushing a little. "N-not that I...you know…know what you smell like or anything…" He mumbles awkwardly and Laurenţiu sighs.
"This is almost painful to watch…" The brunette groans before walking over to Dimitrie and taking his hand. "Hey! Let's go and watch some TV! We can curl up on the couch like we used to!" Laurenţiu offers and Nikola twitches.
"I-I always sit on the couch! So get ready because we're all going to be on it!" He points out as Laurenţiu drags Dimitrie off. "A-and I'm sitting in the middle!" Nikola adds before following them to the couch.
A/N: I haven't decided what I want Laurenţiu to be, also they are NOT a Hetalia OC and is no way based on a country. I'm really interested in different gender identities, and in my line of work I am going to have to learn what those who do not identify with gender like to be referred to as. As a funeral director, offending an already upset client is not a good way to start things. ANyways, don't hate Laurenţiu because they are a rival. They are a good person and just happen to share the same love interest as Nikola.
