[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice-Chapter 300: Advice from the Heart

~Nantam’s POV~

"In case you don’t know, I have a girlfriend now, and I’m seriously getting serious with her," Dean announced, sounding incredibly proud of himself.

Nicki, ever the pragmatic one, raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I’m sure," Dean insisted, settling back on the couch. "I’ve been seeing her for a while now."

I genuinely smiled for him. "Congratulations, Dean! That’s great news. When are we meeting her?"

"Soon," Dean replied. "I want it to be when Zayn will be available so everyone can meet her at once. It feels right for the whole group."

"You’re right, that’s a nice idea," I agreed, appreciating his thoughtfulness.

Then, Dean turned his attention to me. "What about you, Nantam? What’s going on?"

"What do you mean, ’what about me’?" I asked, suddenly feeling defensive.

"Are you getting serious with Evans or..." Dean trailed off, gesturing vaguely.

Nicki quickly cut in before I could answer. "Dean, you’re not ’serious’ in a relationship until that person finally chooses you, or both of you formally choose each other. That’s when you get serious about the future."

He gave Dean a pointed look. "But when a relationship is still fresh, all you have to do is just enjoy the flow. So don’t use the word ’serious,’ Dean. Just ask if he’s going to enjoy the flow."

Dean looked utterly confused by Nicki’s philosophy on relationships. "Why?"

"Because it’s safe," Nicki stated simply. "It’s safe for your heart not to get broken. Keep your options open, keep your heart light."

Dean blinked. "Okay, then." He pivoted back to Nicki. "When are you getting into a relationship?"

Nicki just smirked. "I’m always in a relationship, Dean. I never said I was single."

I watched them, Dean completely baffled by Nicki’s cryptic declarations. He was clearly just a bit too traditional for his modern dating rules.

Dean sighed, shaking his head. "Well, just make sure you introduce your boyfriend to us also."

Nicki smiled, a flash of pure mischief.

We talked for a long while longer about everything and nothing. Dean confirmed he would make sure to reach out to Zayn so we could all meet his girlfriend soon. After a while, Dean got a phone call that clearly required his immediate attention, which made him leave earlier than planned.

After he left, it was just Nicki and me. "Will you stop giving everyone your cynical advice?" I asked him playfully. "In case you don’t know, your advice is more scary than the relationship itself or even the breakup part."

Nicki just shrugged. "Whatever. I’m just preparing your mind for the worst, but I’m the bad guy. That’s fine." He stood up, clearly ready to go. "I’m leaving."

I quickly stood up and stopped him, grabbing his arm. "Hey, my darling brother, wait. I understand everything you say."

Nicki let out a heavy sigh and turned fully toward me, the playful teasing gone. His expression shifted into that familiar, protective seriousness he always wore when he was trying to knock sense into me.

"Stop wasting your time trying to ’get to know’ someone you already know, Nantam," he said firmly. "You told me Evans finally made a move. You should have just let it happen and seen where it went. Don’t spend months overthinking it. You’re not a child."

"Okay, bro," I conceded softly.

"You like him, and he likes you. So why are you turning it into a full-blown project?" he pressed, throwing his hands up. "Why waste months? What if, after all that slow, careful effort, you finally sleep with him and realize he’s not even the guy for you? What if the connection you imagined isn’t real? Why not just fast-forward to the truth?"

I interrupted him softly, because I already understood exactly what he meant. "I hear you, Nicki. I’ll follow your advice. And I’ll come back with good news soon." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

No one understood my brother the way I did. I knew he was simply pushing me to seize the moment—now or never. Why drag things out when the outcome could end up the same whether I start early or late? The only real difference is how much emotional energy I waste along the way. I needed to release my fear and just flow with it, exactly the way he told me to.

"Nicki," I said, my voice softer now, earnest. "I know you worry about me more than I worry about you, but trust me this time. I will do exactly as you say."

He looked at me, his eyes shining with love and a hint of desperation. "Just do it, Nantam. Everyone is about to get busy with their own lives. Look at Zayn, he could get married any moment now. Dean just announced he has a girlfriend. And me?" He let out a small, breathy laugh. "I’m trying to finalize everything and move back abroad," he said, "since you chose to stay and not travel with me."

He moved closer, placing his hands on my shoulders with quiet urgency. "Just give Evans the full chance he deserves. If it somehow doesn’t work, which I believe it will... I need to know you won’t be out here alone, okay."

"Okay, okay," I reassured him, nodding quickly.

Nicki immediately pulled me into a tight, comforting hug. "You can do it, Nan. I trust you."

I didn’t know when I started tearing up, but a warm, wet track rolled down my cheek. My brother truly loved me, and I knew it. All his tough talk was just a massive shield he carried for my sensitive heart.

We hugged for a long while before letting go. He wiped the trace of moisture from my face and then declared, "I’m starving."

I smiled, the heaviness lifting instantly. "Then I would be honored to cook for you. What do you want to eat, my favorite brother?"

He grinned, his usual mischievous self returning. "Anything you cook, I will eat it."

The next morning, I woke up with one thought dominant in my mind: making progress on Nicki’s advice. I realized I had never once called Evans myself; all communication was either initiated by him or in person. As soon as I was fully awake, I decided that needed to change. I should call him and tell him I wanted to visit.

I dialed his number. It rang once, twice. I thought, Maybe he’s busy, but then the third ring, and he picked up, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Hello?"

"Did I wake you up?" I asked.

"It’s okay, Nantam," he replied, his voice already getting clearer.

"Are you available today?" I asked, cutting to the chase. "I want to visit you."

Evans’s voice sharpened immediately, the sleepiness gone. "Visit me? When?"

"Later today," I clarified.

"Great," he said, instantly enthusiastic. "I’ll pick you up."

"I have my car, Evans," I retorted "I can drive myself."

Evans chuckled, a warm, knowing sound. "Nantam, try to be romantic for once."

"Whatever," I said, trying to sound indifferent, though the warmth in his voice was doing things to my chest. "I’ll let you know when I’m coming," I finished, hanging up quickly before he could tease me further.

I was smiling, feeling a mix of nervousness and exhilaration from the phone call, when my phone buzzed again. It was a message from Zayn in our friends’ group chat.

Zayn: Hey everyone! I’m happy to announce...