Nico was pacing a tight circle in Romy's living room, checking the time on his phone for the tenth time in the last couple of minutes.

"You need to stop that," Yani said without looking up from his old handheld console. He was draped over Romy’s armchair. "David will notice the groove in the floorboards when he returns, and he’ll make it an art installation."

"I’m not pacing," Nico said, spinning on his heel to pace in the other direction. "I’m circulating blood. It’s healthy."

"He’s nervous about Mr. Ginger," Jamie announced from the floor, where he was aggressively shuffling a deck of cards that didn’t need shuffling. "Nico thinks his crush is going to take one look at us, realize we are a chaotic mess, and flee back to the safety of his kittens."

"If he flees, don't you dare chase him," Yani drawled from the armchair. "Every gay man in Verel has already fu—dated you. We need fresh blood in the ecosystem. I keep seeing the same guys everywhere I go."

"I haven't dated everyone," Jamie protested. "Just the ones who look like they’d ruin my life."

Romy came in from the kitchen with a stack of bowls. "Anyway, we are a charming—" The intercom buzzed, cutting them off.

Romy walked over and pressed the button. "Hello?"

"It's Ben," a voice crackled through the speaker, sounding tinny and distorted. "I hope I have the right apartment."

"Third floor," Romy said, buzzing him in. They turned to Nico. "Go open the door. Don't be weird."

"I’m never weird," Nico lied, and went to the door.

When he opened it, Ben was standing there looking significantly less like a confident shelter volunteer and more like a guy who had mentally rehearsed his opening line five times on the elevator ride up. He was holding a white cardboard box with both hands, like an offering to an angry god.

"Hey," Ben said. "You made it. I mean—I made it. I’m here."

Nico's lips curled into a smile. "Hey. You made it."

"I made a carrot cake.” Ben lifted the box slightly. “I tend to bake when I’m nervous. It has walnuts. Is anyone allergic? I realized halfway up in the elevator that I never asked."

"No allergies," Nico said, stepping back to let him in. "And baking is a valid strategy. Better than Jamie’s, which is aggressively eating cereal."

They walked into the living room, and the air shifted. The three faces turned toward them.

"Everyone," Nico said, trying to sound casual, "this is Ben. Ben, this is... everyone."

"Hey," Ben said, waving awkwardly with the hand not supporting the cake.

Jamie was up in a flash. "The Cat Man! He’s real!" He peered at the cake box. "And he comes bearing gifts? Okay, you’re hired. You’re already my favorite. Nico, you’re demoted to third favorite."

"Who’s second?" Nico asked.

"Himself." Yani said. He hadn’t moved from the armchair. He was giving Ben a look that could strip paint, a slow, deliberate assessment that started at his sandals and ended at his hairline. "Very considerate of you with the cake. I’m both impressed and deeply suspicious."

Ben didn’t flinch. He just looked amused, a little sheepish but steady. "Thanks? I think."

"He likes you," Romy said, taking the cake box from him. "Ignore the interrogation vibes. Welcome, Ben."

An hour later, the table was covered in game pieces, empty bottles, and the crumb-dusted remains of what was objectively a spectacular carrot cake.

The game was one of those complicated strategy ones Romy loved, involving resource management and sheep trading. Usually, this was the part of the night where Nico felt most at home, arguing semantics with Yani while Jamie tried to cheat.

But tonight, Nico was watching. Ben laughed when Jamie dramatically threw his hands up after a bad roll. He listened intently as Yani explained, with terrifying precision, why his move was legally binding. He fit into the empty spaces of the conversation perfectly.

Nico looked down at his cards. Ben was kind, useful, and capable. He baked cakes. He saved kittens. He charmed terrifying friends. Nico, meanwhile, was holding a hand full of resources he didn't know how to use.

"Earth to Nico," Jamie said, snapping his fingers. "It is your turn to trade sheep or die."

Nico shook his head. "Right. Sorry. Two bricks for a sheep?"

Romy stood up, stretching. "I need a drink refill. Anyone else?"

"I can give you a hand," Ben said, standing up. He caught Nico’s eye and gave a quick, reassuring nod before following Romy into the kitchen. Nico watched them go, a little apprehensive but trusting Romy wouldn't say anything too compromising.

***

In the kitchen, the lighting was softer. Romy pulled some bottles from the fridge.

"So," Romy said, "You survived the first hour. That's usually where people crack."

Ben laughed. "I think the cake bought me some immunity."

"It definitely helped. Yani is food-motivated, even if you wouldn't tell by looking at him." They handed him some of the bottles. "You seem well-adjusted. Are you? Because Nico has a history of attracting... projects."

"I like to think so?" Ben said. "I work at a garden center. I volunteer at an animal shelter. I go to bed at a reasonable hour."

"Very wholesome," Romy teased.

"I used to work in tech," Ben offered. "Burnt out. Quit. Now I prune plants and scoop litter. It's much better for my blood pressure."

They nodded, leaning against the counter. "I get that. David, my husband, is an artist. He's away on a residency right now. You'd think art, great, but every time we talk, he sounds like he's vibrating with stress. It makes me appreciate the chill moments."

"Chill is good," Ben agreed. "And messy loud board games are good too."

"They are," Romy smiled. "Come on. Let's go back before Jamie tries to embezzle the bank."

***

The night wound down reluctantly. Nico walked Ben to the apartment door. It was quiet out here, the muffled sounds of the city filtering in through the stairwell window. A charged silence settled around them, different from before.

"I had a wonderful time tonight," Ben said, turning to face him. "Your friends are awesome."

"They liked you too," Nico said. He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them from fidgeting. "Even Yani, which is high praise. He usually requires a background check and three references."

Ben laughed, the sound bouncing softly off the walls. "I'll make sure to bring my resume next time."

They stood there for a moment. Just looking.

"So," Ben said, stepping a little closer. "I’ll see you at the shelter? We’ve got the big summer fundraiser coming up. Going to need all hands on deck."

"Yeah," Nico said, meeting his eyes. The anxiety was still there, buzzing in the background, but the volume had been turned down. "Definitely. I’ll be there."

Ben looked pleased, a real warmth reaching his eyes, and then turned to head down the stairs. Nico watched him go, waiting until he heard the front door of the building click shut before he let out a long breath and went back inside.

"Okay," Jamie said from the couch the moment Nico closed the door. "He is sickeningly nice. I hate him. When are we inviting him back?"

"He's fine," Yani said, not looking up from his console. "He brought cake. He can stay."

Romy smiled from the kitchen doorway. "He likes you, Nico. You could see it."

Nico leaned back against the door, a comfortable, giddy feeling spreading through his chest. "Yeah. Maybe."