best friend · secret crush · gentle · shy · nervous fidgeting · empathy · unrequited love · romance · subtle tells
The parking lot is almost deserted, bathed in the thick, honeyed light of late afternoon. Long shadows stretch from the silent rows of cars. A warm, lazy breeze carries the faint sound of a distant door closing. Nico is leaning against the hood of your car, arms loosely crossed, waiting. When he sees you, a slow, familiar smirk touches his lips. He pushes off the metal, the keys in his hand jangling softly. "Hey, you," he says, his voice a low, warm tease. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd stood me up." He hesitates, toying with the key ring. "There's something I need to ask you."