Chapter Text
He was back again. Unsurprisingly. Zee felt himself subtly smile to himself before turning to tend to his customers. Today was not as busy as it was a week day so the music was not as wild. He served them quickly before returning back to dry off some of the wet shot glasses knowing well he'll be stopping by soon.
He hummed to the tune of some r&b track playing in the background before he heard him plopping down on one of the barstools letting out a loud huff.
"When will you stop showing up on school nights?" Zee spoke without bothering to face him.
"When will you give me a dance?" Was NuNews smart response, his voice was slightly slurred so Zee knew he was a little bit tipsy.
He sighed finally facing him only to be met with NuNews pouty face.
"That’s not gonna work on me." Zee said flatly before passing him a glass of water he had poured. NuNew's pouty face dropped, giving him a tipsy smile before gulping down the water.
He sighed, wiping his mouth with his sleeve before leaning against the counter, a smirk growing on his lips.
"A date then?" He said, batting his eyelashes and stroking his arms lightly. Zee ignored the firey feeling his touch often gave him before pulling away.
He cleared his throat, "You should stop drinking so much. I'm starting to think you're becoming an alcoholic." New glared unimpressed with the change of topic. But he was used to it, that doesn't mean he'll be giving up though.
"Werewolves don't get drunk easily. Don't be silly, Hia." He responded leaning back to run his eyes all over his Hia. He looked so good tonight. To no one's surprise. He wore a tight fitting black t-shirt and black jeans pants. His skin glistened slightly under the dim lights and NuNew wanted nothing but to run his tongue across it to taste him. Zee cleared his throat raising a brow at him shamelessly checking him out in disapproval before a smile broke out not being able to scold him for long.
"You're silly." He smiled, raising his arm to ruffle his hair, ignoring NuNew whining, something about ruining his hair.
"So all the nights of me dropping off your wasted self was just an act?" Zee said resting both hands on the counter. He watched News eyes follow the movement, eyes taking extra long to look at his biceps before a shit eating grin spread on his lips.
"Hia looks so cute worried about me." He said, smirking, his eyes locking with his. Zee knew this was a bad idea. NuNew's eyes held a lustful glint begging for the green light from him. He knew that a simple 'yes' from him would have New jumping at the opportunity.
He never understood why he felt this strongly about him. Ever since he's known him, NuNew has never shied away from his feelings for him. It was innocent at first. He'd find him staring at him extra long everytime he dropped by to play video games with Tee. He would cutely blush every time he got caught stuttering out a silly excuse before stumbling out of the room.
Tee would often tease them alot for it but nothing went deeper than that. And that was that.
But then his 18th birthday happened.
Zee remembers it as if it was yesterday. It was as if his entire world flipped 180 degrees.
NuNew became a changed man. And along with that change came a lot of confidence. Zee was so shocked the first time he downright asked him out. Didn't even know how to respond, getting flustered every time his friends would laugh at him. New never cared though, smiling extra sweetly at him, brushing against him every chance he got. Zee didn't know what to make of it.
'Just ignore it.' Tee would say. 'It'll pass.'
Yet it never did. NuNew just grew even more shameless as the years passed. Dropping by his work places to give him snack boxes he had prepared for him. Leaving notes with the dirtiest puns written on them that has Zee laughing out loud, sneakily keeping each one.
And when he and Max finally opened up the club of his dreams, New made sure to congratulate him. Sending him bouquets of sunflowers and posting him on all his socials.
NuNew was popular. As expected with his looks and personality. And to top it all off, he was a genius. Always at the top of his classes. So he was close to being worshipped especially within his community. And soon enough the club was filled with people that Zee knew undoubtedly was through him.
So, when Zee often became busy with the club and managing it. NuNew took it upon himself to visit him as often as possible. Sometimes even three times a week. I missed you. He would say then sit the entire night conversing with him and requesting his strongest drinks, asking him to dance then demanding he take him home as he is 'too' drunk. Which he now knows was a lie.
And don't get him wrong. Zee appreciated it. He enjoyed his company. NuNew was funny and easy going. So easy to talk to. But he could never bring himself to understand what's so compelling about him to catch New's attention. Though he must admit. To himself at least. He enjoyed his attention and flirtatious advances. Which was slowly becoming the source of his downfall because each day denying him becomes difficult.
Especially when NuNew would be staring at him with nothing but want in his eyes, his lips just begging to be devoured. He even haunts his dreams. Zee fears it'd be late to save himself now.
So when NuNew inevitably asks him out by the end of the night. Zee would force out the words he knew would pull him out of whatever daydream he was in.
"I'm human Nhu…" and they always tasted bitter. A quick yet effective slap from reality to remind him of how complex NuNew's question actually was. He knew NuNew's advances could never work because they are just not meant to be. He was a human. And on NuNew's 21st birthday he will finally present his ranking as a werewolf and find his chosen mate.
And it could never be Zee.
Because he was human.
And werewolves and humans do not mate.
It was a fact everyone knew. And though humans and werewolves have learned to coexist, it was unheard of for them to mate. Humans learned to just understand the complexity of werewolves and knew to give them space when needed and vice versa.
Zee's friends were mostly werewolves though, all his childhood friends and neighbors happened to be werewolves so he definitely knew more about them than most humans do. His friends and their families basically took him under their wing, never batting an eyelash that he was a human and treated him as family. And that was how he got to know NuNew.
"Too bad I won't be dropping you off tonight. Net won't be here to fill in." Zee said, watching NuNew's hopeful gaze drop. He pouted again sulkily before his eyes wracked around the club. "Max?" He muttered his hopeful gaze returning, Zee chuckled "Nope. Not him either. It's date night for him and his mate."
NuNew let out a loud groan, his beautiful face forming a glare. "I can't believe Nat would cockblock me like this!" He exclaimed, making Zee choke on his own spit. New immediately jumped to his aid patting his back, returning his bewildered look with a flirty one.
"Are you okay, Hia? Are you breathing well? Perhaps you need CPR?" He asked, smiling cheekily, raising his brows. Eyes ever so lustful. Zee coughed again, pulling away.
"You will be the death of me." He breathed, sending him a glare.
"Aw don't say that Hia" New pouted before a smirk painted his pink lips, "I can breathe life into you instead…" He finished seductively pushing his face closer to Zee's watching him gulp flushing under their proximity.
Before he was laughing his head falling back and his shoulders shaking from mirth.
"Hia is just too cute." He commented sitting down and resting his cheeks against his hands.
Zee inhaled sharply, willing his heart to return back to a steady pace. He should be used to it. He really should. But fuck he's not sure how long he could hold on. A part of him resents NuNew for being so persistent and having him completely wrapped around his delicate finger when this whole thing they have going on was a dead end. Heartbreak was the only result of this. And Zee is too old to be going through heartbreaks. This isn't highschool or university, he's nearing 30 soon. He really shouldn't be entertaining this or playing right into his games. But just like he couldn't understand his infatuation with him, he could never understand his own feelings for him as well.
He's so drawn to him. Like a moth to a flame as cheesy as that sounds and he knew that he was bound to be burnt. NuNew was special to him. A constant in his mind.
And as much as he's been trying to bury them deep, he knows he has feelings for him. But he will never act on them. Ever.
Because this will all be over soon. July 25. NuNew's birthday. And he was dreading it; he's grown to admit that to himself. But at least he would finally get to move on.
He shook off the depressing thoughts, fixing NuNew with a stern stare instead.
"Maybe I should call Tee… He can come pick you up." Zee said smiling as he watched NuNew's cheeky expression drop.
"Hia! No!" NuNew gasped, jumping back on his feet. "He'll tell mom I was in the club on a school night! She'll kill me!"
"Aw" Zee cooed ruffling his hair again feigning a concerned look before a smirk grew on his face. "Maybe if you weren't such a naughty boy…" He trailed.
"Perhaps…I should call her instead?" Zee went on, his hand on his chin. NuNew's mouth dropped open.
"You wouldn't…"
"Oh but I will." Zee continued, his hand reaching for his phone before it was halted by NuNew gripping onto his hand.
"Hia~ stop teasing me! I'm not a kid anymore, I can drive myself back home." He whined sulkily. Zee smiled, letting his hand drop knowing he just won.
"But you've been drinking New… I'll call a cab for you." Zee spoke not letting him argue before picking up his phone to do just that.
"It'll be here in a bit."
NuNew scowled, not liking that he'd just lost. Ever the sore loser. He huffed before pointedly ignoring Zee to look around the dance floor.
Zee laughed under his breath knowing his silent treatment wouldn't last for long before his phone buzzed with a message from the cab saying it arrived.
"The cab is here." He announced, smiling as he watched NuNew roll his eyes.
"Walk me out." NuNew commanded not even bothering to spare him a glance before he was standing and walking towards the exit. He was upset.
Zee quickly grabbed his jacket before running up to catch up with him. He was already by the car when he finally caught up to him.
"Text me when you're home." Zee called out to him. "And if I don't?" NuNew asked, finally turning to look at him. He was trying so hard to look mad but Zee could see the slight amusement in his eyes.
"Then I'll probably just spend the rest of the night worried if you're safe or not." Zee responded by giving him a soft smile, their eyes meeting. NuNew's gaze softened, "I can never be mad at you can I?"
Zee shrugged his smile widening. NuNew laughed slightly before opening his arms wide. "Can Hia spare me a hug then?" He asked innocently. "I think I deserve that after how much you've upset me."
"Are you trying to guilt trip me into giving you a hug?" Zee asked, amused, before walking up to him and taking him into his arms. And just like every time they hug. It was perfect. NuNew fits so well in his embrace. His scent was almost dizzying as he inhaled it. He felt NuNew's nose against his neck. He could feel him breathing him in and melting in his embrace.
"It worked." NuNew muttered, his voice muffled. Zee could feel his lips move against the skin of his neck, shivers breaking out all around. He cleared his throat before lightly pushing him back and stepping away. NuNew looked dazed, smiling so brightly at him.
He looked away, his heart hammering in his chest. " Uh… Good night" He greeted his voice rough, clearly affected.
NuNew's smile widened before turning to enter the car. "See you tomorrow Hia." He called before waving at him.
Zee watched the car speed off still shivering and not from the night cold. He cursed his weakness internally. Because although he has won this round of this little game they have going on. He knew New's retaliation would completely shatter this little small victory he has.
Because there's nothing NuNew hates more than losing. And Zee was weak when it came to him. So he braced himself for the loss he knows will come.