Pairing: EJ × Nicholas
Trope: School AU / Detention Buddies to Flirt Buddies
Vibe: 50% chaos, 50% soft, 100% snacks

*****
"Detention food diplomacy."
*****

It all started with a test.
A math test, to be specific.

EJ finished his in 10 minutes.
Then, with nothing else to do and a pencil full of menace, he corrected the teacher's answer key in red ink.

That got him detention.

Nicholas, on the other hand, got there because he wrote "IDK LOL" as an answer to four questions on the same history quiz.
And doodled a dinosaur in the margins.
Wearing a crown.

So now they sat—side by side—in an empty classroom with flickering lights and two chairs too small for dignity.

Nicholas had snacks.
EJ had regrets.

🕒 4:02 PM – The First Minute of Chaos

EJ slouched back in his seat, arms crossed. "This is ridiculous."

Nicholas leaned forward, rummaging in his backpack. "Do you like gummy worms or chocolate?"

"...What?"

"I'm sharing," Nicholas said, holding up a gummy worm like it was a peace treaty. "Detention food diplomacy."

EJ blinked. "I don't need snacks. I'm not here for a picnic."

Nicholas shrugged, already chewing. "Suit yourself, genius."

🕒 4:12 PM – Boredom Sets In

Nicholas kicked his feet. "So what'd you do?"

EJ sighed. "Corrected the teacher."

Nicholas turned to him slowly. "You got detention for being smart?"

"I was bored. I didn't mean to get caught."

Nicholas grinned. "That's kind of hot."

EJ choked on air. "Excuse me?"

"I said you're dangerous," Nicholas repeated, totally not clarifying anything.

EJ blinked. "You're insufferable."

"You're blushing."

"I'm annoyed."

"Same thing."

🕒 4:21 PM – The Flirting Escalates

Nicholas leaned his head on his hand. "Why don't you ever loosen up?"

EJ raised an eyebrow. "Because loosening up gets you detention for writing 'IDK LOL' on an exam."

Nicholas gasped. "You read my test?"

EJ gave him a flat look. "You literally bragged about it on your Instagram story."

"...I did do that."

EJ turned back to stare at the clock.

Nicholas turned to stare at EJ.

"You've got great eyebrows, by the way."

EJ froze. "Stop."

"Just saying. Sharp. Intimidating. Perfect for scaring teachers and me."

"You're not scared of me."

"I'm scared of how much I might like you."

EJ looked at him like he was trying very hard not to smile.

He failed.

🕒 4:30 PM – Truce (And Gummy Worms)

EJ finally took the gummy worm.

Nicholas smiled in triumph. "I knew you were secretly sweet."

EJ rolled his eyes. "I'm sweet, huh?"

"You're like... caramel. Looks serious but melts when warm."

EJ covered his face. "You need detention permanently."

"Then I'd get to see you every day."

EJ gave him a look.

Nicholas grinned back.

EJ didn't look away.

🕒 4:43 PM – Trouble (Again)

Their supervising teacher came back in to check on them.

Nicholas was lounging across two chairs.
EJ had gummy worm sugar on his sleeve.
The teacher blinked.

Nicholas saluted. "Just reforming ourselves, sir."

EJ muttered, "More like rotting."

Nicholas leaned in and whispered, "But rotting together, right?"

EJ shoved a gummy worm in his mouth to avoid responding.

🕒 4:59 PM – Freedom Nears

EJ stood, stretching. "One more minute."

Nicholas stayed seated, looking up at him. "So... detention again next week?"

EJ narrowed his eyes. "You planning on failing something again?"

Nicholas winked. "If it gets me snacks and you? Absolutely."

EJ laughed.

And in the softest voice, said, "You're ridiculous."

"But you like me."

"...Don't push it."

Nicholas grinned, tucking the last gummy worm into EJ's hand.

"Too late."

The End.
(EJ walked out pretending nothing happened. Nicholas walked out knowing everything did.)