Work Text:
Caleb had always been popular. And normally he didn't mind this. He enjoyed hanging out with people. Especially when he gets to show off, whether that's his basketball moves on the court, his aviation skills during test flights, or bragging about his model collection. However, his popularity did cause complications. Notably when he got unwanted attention from girls, who generally he wasn't interested in.
It wasn't like he never found women attractive, he did, well one in particular. But that was… an impossibility. Mostly he was attracted to men, whether it be a stupid giddy crush or hot and heavy sex fantasy. And there was one man in particular that made his heart race since he was young.
Zayne. Caleb's very first crush.
So, when Caleb saw him again in the window of the cafe in Skyhaven, nose in a textbook, his heart started racing for the first time in years. Though he was quickly annoyed when a girl from his Physics class started chatting him up.
His eyes kept darting to the cafe, hoping he wouldn't miss the chance to say hi to his old friend-who-he-wished-was-more. But the girl just kept talking.
"I- I have a girlfriend." He stammered, finally. It was his go-to statement. He'd even gotten a certain someone to play girlfriend for him, when she came to visit. Normally his apple charms usually deterred even the most persistent suitors, but occasionally some didn't get the memo. So, he had to let them down, which he hated doing.
It would be easier, if he was out, but… it just wasn't a reality he was ready for yet. And it's not like he was ashamed of liking guys; it was just there was Grandma Josephine. And she was… well… traditional.
The girl fell back on the balls of her feet. "Oh. Well… I'll go then." She pouted and Caleb felt a bit guilty but there was nothing to really be done.
Caleb let out a relieved sigh. He looked back into the cafe; Zayne was still there. He's sure that he barely moved, except for maybe turning a page in that textbook. Studious as ever. Some things never change.
He walked into the cafe as casually as he could and placed an order for a lemon iced tea and a hazelnut latte extra sweet. If there was one thing he could count on it was Zayne's sweet tooth. "Can I get a name for the order?"
"Ca-" He paused. He sort of wanted to surprise Zayne with he drinks so he stopped himself.
"Kay?" The barista raised an eyebrow. He nodded hoping his embarrassment wasn't on his face.
Caleb watched Zayne as he waited for the drinks. It was amazing both how little and how much has changed over the years. When they were younger, Zayne was taller than him and much leaner, but now he's certain that Caleb was at least an inch or so taller. More than that, Caleb had always been the athletic one of their little trio, but Zayne seemed to have filled out over the years. He was… He looked… good. Even with his body hunched over his textbook like that.
When "Kay's" name was called he grabbed the drinks quickly, setting the latte in front of Zayne. His head raised just a bit when the drink entered his field of vision, slowly following the arm that set it down to Caleb's face. Oh. And there were those forest green eyes, but he couldn't get distracted by those. He needed to act cool. And he was cool. Everyone loved him. This would be so easy, right?
"Figured the world's next great surgeon needed a pick-me-up." Caleb said sitting in the empty chair at Zayne's table which was covered in not one but two medical textbooks, a notebook, a holopad and various notetaking utensils. Pens, highlighters, post-its and the like.
"Caleb. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Linkon?" Zayne asked his face colored with confusion. He did pick up the drink, inspecting it.
"Graduated last year. Not all of us can't skip four years of school, y'know. I started at Aerospace Academy this year." Caleb said, maybe a little too excited. He hoped it wasn't too excited. When Zayne keeps looking at the drink, Caleb adds, "It's a hazelnut latte. Extra sweet."
Zayne's eyes flicked to Caleb's before he nodded and took a sip. He smiled, seemingly pleased with the drink. "Thank you." He said holding up the drink before setting it down. "I'm in my second year at Skyhaven Medical."
Caleb figured that was the case. Skyhaven boasted one of the best medical schools in the region. The students there got access to a lot of state-of-the-art medical technology from what he heard. "That doesn't surprise me. You always said you'd be a doctor. Just like your parents."
Zayne smiled. "And you always said you 'd be a pilot." Zayne then let a barely there smile meet his face. "Or a superhero."
Caleb tried to mask the embarrassment at Zayne's tease about his childhood fantasies. "Hey. Pilots can be heroes." He countered, voice rising a bit in pitch, but he thinks he played it off.
Zayne let out a dry chuckle. "It's good to see you."
That took Caleb by surprise. Of course, Caleb was happy to see Zayne but… well Zayne could be aloof and Caleb, well, he couldn't hold back the smile that broke across his face. "It's good to see you too, Zayne."
There was an almost awkward silence that fell between them after that, and that's when Caleb decided to clear his throat. "Listen, Zayne. I know you must be busy with tons of schoolwork," He glanced at the textbooks sprawled across the cafe table. "But I'd love to find time for us. To catch up. I mean." The last few words sputtered out quickly as he tried not to sound too eager or obvious.
Zayne took a sip of his drink and let the barest smile creep onto his face. He pushed his glasses forward on his face and returned to his notebook scrawling. Caleb felt defeated. He had just interrupted the most diligent student he had ever met, of course Zayne wouldn't have time to hang out with him. He was just some nostalgic remnant of the past to Zayne and maybe that's all he ever would be.
Caleb is brought out of his reverie by the sound of tearing paper and something being slid across the cafe table to him. Caleb looked at the note. It was Zayne's phone number. "I have class most days." Zayne finally said. "But I'd like to see you again."
That easy grin broke onto Caleb's face again. It was so hard for him to hide his enthusiasm even as he tried to play it cool. "Yeah. Alright. It's a date- I mean…"
Fuck. Why did I just say that?
Zayne lets out another dry chuckle. "A date? Sure."
Caleb blinked. "Oh. Cool." He said rather lamely.
"I do have to keep studying right now though. Thanks… for the coffee." Zayne held up the hot beverage.
Caleb nodded. "Yeah sure. I'll text you. About that… date." He stood up a bit stiffly still sort of reeling that this was happening.
Zayne nodded. "You do that. See you."
And just like that his head was back in his book and Caleb was walking out of the cafe blushing like an idiot.