quarantine • nick austin

4) poolside dinner

The sun was setting in LA leaving a beautiful view for those in the city. Zay rolled up her jeans and let one of her legs slide into the pool. It was warmer today and the pool was just cleaned so she decided to enjoy her dinner by the pool.

After Thomas went shopping, Tony made a big dinner for the house. There wasn't going to be much room in the dining room anyway so she was okay with being outside.

She grabbed the plate sitting next to her and sighed in content. He made fettuccine alfredo, one of her favorites.

She took a bite and groaned softly at the taste. He seasoned it just right.

"Is this seat taken?" Came a voice from beside her.

She looked up to see Nick smiling down at her and pointing down at the spot next to her. She shook her head and patted the spot next to her which he gladly accepted.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked as he took a bite of his food.

"It's perfect out," she mused as she looked around. "It's like the perfect weather and the perfect weather. Sometimes I forget how truly lucky I am."

"I feel that," Nick said as he looked at the sun going down. "We are always so focused sometimes in our work that we forget to enjoy our surrounding and even the people in it."

"Honestly," she agreed. "I always want to take some time out for my day and just enjoy it with no trace of work in my mind. I'm so lucky that making videos is my job but sometimes it can get so overwhelming."

"Yes," he said nodding. "I lose inspiration when I'm overwhelmed it sucks."

"It really does," she said softly as she ate some more food.

They sat together in comfortable silence just watching the sun go down. Zay finished before him and put both of her feet into the pool before laying back and closing her eyes. The stars weren't quite out yet or else she'd be looking at the sky.

She heard a giggle next to her and laughed.

Nick couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her. One minute she was just sitting next to him, the next her legs were in the pool and she was laying down.

His laughter died down and he couldn't help but let his eyes travel her body before looking away in case he got caught. God, he thought, she was so perfect.

He shook his head hoping that would relieve the thoughts going through his head and sighed internally. This was one of his best friends in LA and he couldn't have feelings for her. Their friendship was important to him and he knew she didn't feel the same way.

Maybe he is whipped and he absolutely hated it.

He didn't want to ruin their friendship by revealing his feelings but he realized that it's been getting harder as the days go by. He can imagine himself holding her close every night and leaving soft kisses on her cheek. Or running his fingers through her hair after she just dried it from a shower. Or even just holding her hand when he can.

You would think that it would be sexual things that he would want to do, which we all know it there, he wants the comfort of her. He wants the full comfort of her, not the friendly ones where it's soft touches in friendly areas. No, he wants all of her to be traveled by his hands. He wants to lay kisses on places to show that he would love every single inch of her.

He wants to hold her when she's sad or when she's happy. He wants someone that can fill the void he feels in his heart.

He knows that he has many friends and he loves every single of them to death. Yet, he can't seem to find something to fill that void in his heart where someone he loves differently should be.

He knows she would be just right. He lays at night just imagining how much he could love her. He knows he would spoil her to no end.

He wanted her and he knew she didn't want him.

They were just friends and that was how it was supposed to be and that broke his heart.

He let a breath out that he didn't know he was holding and focused on the sky.

"You okay?" Zay asked from beside him, opening one eye to peek at him and notice a frown on his face.

He had to regain his composure and let a small smile cross his face, "yeah I'm okay. I was thinking about the pandemic honestly."

"It's scary as fuck," she admitted. "Especially with how fast it spread in the US."

"Honestly," He agreed, clearing his throat.

Zay leaned back in her elbows which kind of hurt and gave him a side-eye,"you sure you're okay?"

"Yes," he laughed even though he knew it was fake.

She decided to ignore it and sit up fully. She stacked their plates together and lifted her legs out of the pool and onto the concrete to dry. Nick followed her actions and faced her.

She sent him a funny face making him laugh and shake his head.

The sun had finally set and it was dark out. Zay traces to night sky with eyes trying to find constellations. When she did, she would excitedly tell Nick and he would react by smiling and leaning closer to her to see what she was seeing. After naming all she could name, she began to make shapes herself based on how the stars were spread out. Nick joined in on that and they laughed the entire time.

Zay knew it was time to come in when she felt a drop of water hit her arm.

She groaned and sighed, "it's raining."

Nick sighed and stood up. He offered his hand to her which she gladly accepted after grabbing the plates. When she stood up she clumsy help but let the yawn she didn't know she had escape.

"I'll was our dishes," Nick said as he took the dishes from her. "You go to bed."

"Thanks, Nick," she smiled at him before they walked into the house.

When they got into the house, Zay gave him a small wave and a smile before going up the steps to her room. Nick went into the kitchen where he saw the brothers.

"Hey Nick," Tony said to him.

"Hey," he said but directed it towards both of them and Ondreaz nodded in acknowledgment.

"How long were you out there?" Tony asked surprised. "I feel like I have ya even you in forever."

"I honestly have no idea," Nick laughed. "I was with Zay."

Ondreaz chuckled at that and looked at his brother, "dude he's like in love with her."

Tony laughed as Nick rolled his eyes, "shut up."

"It's true!" Ondreaz said and sat up in his seat. "He's been with her this entire quarantine and just look at the way he looks at her."

"He's kind of right bro," Tony said. "You've been following her like a lost puppy."

"Leave me alone," Nick said but he was kind of nervous, he didn't know it was that obvious. "She's my best friend y'all gotta stop."

"Whatever you say mate," Ondreaz mocked in a British accent as Nick finished the dishes and flicked the water from his fingers on him. "Ew bitch."

Nick laughed and dried his hands, "see y'all later."

"See ya," Tony said and Ondreaz threw up a peace sign.

Nick jigged you the stairs towards his room. He was almost to his room when he heard a pained noise come from the room he just passed.

What the hell, he thought to himself before realization struck in his face.

Fuck, it's Zay.

He knew that sound way to well.