In the science department there were many hidden away nooks and crevices. The architect purposely included these places for students to get away from the world and study in peace. There was one in particular on the third floor of the building. It was on the right, by the elevator. If you purposely didn’t look for it, you would miss it. It was tucked into a corner that was originally supposed to be a part of the storage rooms bordering it.
There Dex was leaning onto a beanbag as he focused on typing. Fingers flew across the keyboard as he organized his thoughts into words. His weekly report was due in three hours and he still had a bunch of things to add to it. Across from Wesley sat in a similar hunched position, also focused on his computer. He was filling in the other half of the weekly report. This round of experiments had shown some promising results. They wanted to make sure everything was documented properly.
“Dex. Hi.” Sebastian’s hand appeared in his line of sight.
“Who?” Dex looked up and saw the alpha standing next to him.
He had on a lab coat like Dex and a pair of googles hung around his neck. On his shoulder was a half open book bag and he held his laptop. He smiled down at the two omegas. Wesley looked up quickly, rolled his eyes and refocused on the report.
“I see you guys still use this space to bang out reports. It truly is the most productive place.” He laughed a bit, eyes scanning the family sized chips and bottles of soda.
Dex followed his eyes and for a quick second was taken back to their first year of college. They had stumbled upon this place by accident. It was after Sebastain had an argument with the Professor. The two had dragged him out of the office. While they were waiting for the elevator, said Professor stepped out of his office. To avoid further argument Wesley dragged them over to the side. They spent an hour talking until Sebastian had calmed down then another hour just venting. After realizing that this space was marked as a study area they decided to set up shop.
Since then the three of them would spend hours in this place writing lab reports then copying off of each other. They’d eat a lot of snacks that always made their hands greasy after. And after a really long night they’d go to Wesley/Dex’s dorm and pass out. This was their spot. This was where Dex had revealed his crush on Sebastian to Wesley. Where Wesley cried over Mars’s proposal because he thought he didn’t deserve it. Where Sebastian had chosen his boyfriend over his best friends then proceeded to disappear. Where Dex had his first heartbreak. This place was a core piece of their college life.
“Dex? You good babe?” Wesley nudged him with a toe.
“What? Oh! Yes, yes I’m fine.” Dex shook his head.
Wesley gave him a pointed look, eyes flickering to Sebastian. Dex could see the question in his eyes. He would get rid of the annoying alpha if Dex didn’t want to deal with it. Dex gave a small smile and shook his head. Wesley glanced at Sebastian again before nodding slowly and going back to typing. Dex could tell he was still keeping an eye on the situation. Dex gave a real smile this time and finally turned his attention to Sebastian.
“Sebastian. What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to speak with you. But I can never seem to find you after class. Plus I’m blocked.” He shook his phone.
“Well I don’t think we have anything to talk about. So I guess you can stop looking for me.” Dex gave him a tight smile.
“I disagree. Dex, I never got a chance to explain to what happened with Pilar—”
“You can stop right there.” Dex waved a hand to cut him off.
With a sigh he said, “The past is in the past, Sebastian. You made your choice and while I was very hurt by it, it was ultimately your choice. I’ve moved on. So let’s please stop bringing it up. If that’s all you can leave. We have work to do.”
Dex gave him a little smile. He let out a breath and turned back to his computer. His heart was racing a bit but he felt good. Ever since Sebastian brought Aster around to apologize he felt like a weight was removed from his shoulders. He had made some peace with that part of his life. He had even though of finding Sebastian to let out all the thing he wanted to say. But he thought better of it. And now the alpha had brought himself over all on his own. In his peripheral vision he saw Wesley giving him a thumbs up. He muffled a laugh under his breath.
“I haven’t.”
“What?” He hadn’t left?! Dex looked over. And surely Sebastian stood in the same spot looking just as, wrong, more determined than he looked when he first spoke up.
“Moved on, that is. I…” Sebastian cleared his throat.
“Seb—”
“I loved you.”
Dex froze. The words stuck in his throat. Loved him? What the actual fuck? The alpha looked down at him. He cleared his throat and continued,
“That year Mars had agreed to help confess to you. So we were gonna do some elaborate confession together. Even though he and Wesley were already a thing he said he’d do it a second time so I wouldn’t be nervous. But then a couple days before I heard that Gio asked you out and you said yes.
Gio? Giovanni? The alpha who asked him to tutor him in organic chemistry. The one who was freaking married! Dex scowled as Sebastian continued.
“I was so upset and at that time Pilar came to me and he asked me out and I said yes. I thought you were dating Gio. Everytime I asked about him, you and Wesley would start giggling and it just made me think you two were just hiding your relationship. So when Pilar kept appearing in front of me at those low moments, I latched onto him. I didn’t even realize I was being manipulated. And I know that doesn’t make it okay for me to let him and Aster treat you the way they did. I did ask him to stop but then we’d fight and he’d accuse me of choosing you over him. And —”
All the repressed anger from that time period bubbled up. How fucking pathetic. He couldn’t believe that shit he was hearing. He couldn’t believe he cried over such a stupid alpha. Dex pressed his temple as a migraine formed. All he wanted to do was finish up this report then find Kloh for food and cuddles.
“Shut up.” Dex sighed.
“Dex! Let me finish please. I..”
“Shut the fuck up.” Dex snapped.
“Dex!” Sebastian was taken back by his tone. Dex had never snapped at him before.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Qtj…..”
“Qf tjv rbwfatlcu, Vfyjraljc. Tbe oemxfv la eq. Ktf wlceaf sbe qea sbeg fub jcv qglvf jybnf wf sbe oemxfv la eq. Tbe ifa sbeg rtlaas ilaaif ybsoglfcv jcv tlr rtlaas oglfcvr tjgjrr wf ab qgbnf j qblca. Ccv ktfc kf mbcogbcafv sbe jybea la, sbe mtbrf tlw. Ktfc sbe ifoa. Vb sfr, kf tjv rbwfatlcu. Ujra afcrf.”
“Dex.” Sebastian gripped his bag tighter, his heart was thudding in his chest.
“And you know what really sucked. I would have forgiven you for all of it. Because I was in love with you. So, no. You don’t get to show up randomly and be repentant. I frankly no longer give a flying fuck. I have an alpha and I’m smothered by his love everyday. He’s all I could ask for. I don’t want your explanation because I don’t need it. It changes nothing between us. At all.”
Dex saved his work as he finished speaking and packed up his bag. Wesley followed his lead. They got up even as Sebstain stood there processing what Dex said.
“Feel free to work here. We’ll find somewhere else to work. Bye Sebastian and please stop showing up before me. Kloh can be a real scary when he’s jealous, no matter how cute he is. Let’s just be strangers from now on. Okay?” Dex patted his shoulder and walked past him.
Wesley was hot on his heels. As they waited for the elevator, Dex kept expecting Sevastin to run out with some declaration of love or something. But nothing happened. The elevator arrived quickly and they got on. It wasn’t until the elevator doors closed that Wesley let out the squeal he was holding in.
“My word, I think I’m attracted to you now.” Wesley hugged Dex and fanned himself dramatically.
“Wes….” Dex rolled his eyes and removed the hands wrapped around his waist.
“I’m serious, that was so insanely attractive. Dex, feel my head, is it hot? Did you put me in estrus?” Wesley grabbed his right hand and put it on his forehead.
“Wesley please, you’re embarrassing me.” Dex groaned and flicked his head.
Wesley rubbed his head and stuck his tongue out at him. Then he gave Dex a lecherous grin and licked his lip.
“I’m just saying Kloh should keep his eye on you. I might have to steal you away.”
They bursted out into laughter as they stumbled out of the elevator. They went out of the building, down the sidewalk, stopping at the awning by the parking lot. They sat down for a moment.
“You good?” Wesley asked after a moment of silence.
Dex leaned back and took a deep breath of the cold air. “Yeah. I think so.”
“Good.” Wesley rubbed his head.
Dex rotated his head to face Wesley. The smaller man was grinning at him. An undoubtable aura of pride radiated from him. Dex couldn’t help but smile back.
“It wasn’t too much?” Dex laughed softly.
“Too much? If anything you should’ve kept going. Tag me in next time.” Wesley patted his chest and winked at him.
Dex laughed louder. “No no. I gotta leave him some semblance of dignity.”
Wesley rolled his eyes. Clearly he didn’t care for leaving Sebastian any dignity.
“Thanks for holding back. I could tell you wanted to scold him without mercy.”
Wesley leg had been vibrating with anger next to him the whole time Sebastin was speaking. But he kept himself from saying anything.
“I did promise to stop interfering with your life so much. I know I can be overwhelming sometimes. Plus you totally had that in the bag. Man his face was priceless. I never really realized how self centered he was before.” Wesley sighed.
“I guess we ignore red flags for friends because we don’t want to see the bad in them. You noticed how he blamed everyone else? And you know what? I don’t think he’s ever apologized?”
“That tracks. Alphas are egotistical bastards. They can never be wrong.”
“Except Kloh.” Dex smiled as he thought of his little alpha.
“And Mars. Since we’re factoring out our lovers.” Wesley giggled.
“Speaking of alphas.” Dex pulled out the vibrating phone and saw Beau calling.
“Brother mine, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Dex… ”
“Olive?” Dex recognized the voice. Why was she with Beau? Wasn’t she with Kloh?
There was some static and muffled voices before it got quiet again.
“Dex, Your alpha’s been a naughty boy.” Beau’s voice filtered through the background noise.
“What?” Dex sat up.
There was some more noises before Beau spoke into the phone again.
“Olive will explain.”
~~~
“He’s really mad isn’t he?”
Kloh stood in the living room with Lee. They were both peeking into the kitchen where Dex and Dahlen were cooking. Well Dahlen was cooking and Dex was watching him as they spoke quietly. Dex had his brows furrowed as he spoke to his father. He look frustrated.
“If he’s talking to Pa about it then he’s mad. If it was Dad, then It’d just be at the level of upset. But your weekly dinner invite wasn’t revoked so you’re not in hot water with the rents. Theoretically you should be okay in the long run. However, you should apologize again.”
“I tried but he just says he’s not mad and there’s no need for an apology. But he’s clearly upset. I don’t understand it. What should I do?” Kloh groaned and fell back against the wall.
“Relationships are too complex for us single folk to understand. Hence why I’m still single. I got nothing for you.” Lee shrugged and patted his shoulder.
“Done snooping?”
They both jumped. Dahlen was leaning against the door frame looking down at the two.
“Pa!” “Mr. Cantore!”
“If you’re going to snoop then you might as well come in and help.” Dahlen turned and went back in.
Lee and Kloh gave each other a look before getting up. They walked in behind him like little ducklings following the mother duck. Dex, at the island, was now chopping vegetables. Dahlen directed them to the counter. He had Lee washing vegetables while Kloh was on stirring duty.
They quietly worked. Occasionally Dahlen would direct them to a different task when they were done with the current one. Time passed quickly. Eventually Lee had found an excuse to escape. He never did like to cook. Which was fine because there was always someone to cook for him. At some point after that, Dahlen had also left the kitchen. That left Dex sitting at the island picking at the small desert Dahlen had made for him. Kloh was left in charge taking the roast out of the oven.
After unnecessarily checking the roast for the fifth time, Kloh decided to go for broke and spoke up.
“I was wrong.”
“About?” Dex responded without looking up.
“I let my emotions get the best of me. I could’ve handled the situation differently. Instead I acted like a boneheaded alpha and acted without consideration. I was wrong to not consider the consequences. Not just immediate but future ones.” Kloh explained as he walked around the island and stopped a foot away from Dex.
Dex turned to face him. He gave the alpha a once over before speaking.
“Correct. You are wrong. And you were also wrong for apologizing just because I was upset. I don’t want you to apologize for how I feel but for your own recklessness.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize I was….. I am sorry. Truly.”
Kloh sincerely apologized. Dex stared at him. Kloh stared back. Dex carefully eyed him. When he was sure that the apology was genuine, he huffed and went back to poking his dessert.
“Fine. But don’t pull that shit again. I won’t be as forgiving.” He mumbled.
“Never again. I swear. My baby is always right and I live only for your pleasure.” Kloh immediately agreed and closed the distance to hug Dex from behind.
“Oh you just realized.” Dex rolled his eyes.
“I apologize for the negligence. This alpha will make it up to you however you want.” Kloh nuzzled the back of his neck, then kissed the base of his neck.
A tingle went across his neck. Dex licked his lips. He could imagine the different ways Kloh planned to make it up to him. Fighting (if you could call it that) was frustrating but the makeup sex (as he heard from Wesley) would be worth it. But that was for later tonight. For now he decided to tell him about the whole Sebastian thing as he wanted before.
“He’s still bothering you? Is he masochistic or something? Let me know if you want me to do something.” Kloh rested his head on Dex’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to do anything. I just wanted to tell you. He should leave me alone after that talk. I really rattled him.” Dex said smugly.
Kloh grinned and kissed his cheek. “Okay badass. Have I told you how attractive you are today?”
“Not yet.”
“Well you’re gonna make me ruin these pants if you keep looking this attractive. And I really like these pants.” Kloh kissed his neck softly.
“Kloh..”
“How about we go to the guest room and get these pants off of me before that happens? I’ll even strip you as well. So that you won’t ruin your clothes as well of course.” Kloh kissed his shoulder and gently bit his ear.
“How considerate.” Dex let out a breathless laugh.
“A true gentleman I am.”
“I’ll be holding you to those words.” The two jumped apart as Lane came in holding a bottle of wine.
“Dad!” “Lane!”
“Dex! Kloh!” Lane mimicked their surprise with a laugh.
“Hey Dad…hi… how much of that did you hear?” Dex blinked rapidly as his ears grew hot.
“Hmmmm not much….” Lane rummaged through the cupboards, pulling out several wine glasses. “Something about a guest room and stripping”
He shot them a look. The little twinkle in his eyes let them know he knew exactly what they were referring to.
“Dad…..” Dex groaned. Kloh blushed and cleared his throat.
“Okay okay. I’ll stop.” Lane snickered as he opened the bottle.
“How embarrassing.” Dex whispered and covered his face.
Kloh smiled a little. Dex’s ears had turned a bright red. His baby was too cute. He reached out and pinched the red ear. Dex smacked his hand away and gave him a look. Lane pretended to not see the couple’s interaction.
“Table is set. Dahlen will come back soon to set up the food so wrap up whatever is happening here.” He kindly informed them as he picked up the glasses.
“Dad please.”
“That was the last one I swear.” Lane laughed and turned to leave.
“Oh and Kloh.”
“Yes.” Kloh perked up.
“I like the pants too. Don’t ruin them too much.” He winked and ran out with a boisterous cackle.
“DAD!”
***
Author’s Note
Happy New Year 🎉🎉🎉 the resolution this year is to finish this book!!!
Thank you all for reading!
P.s. did anyone else have a similar place in college? We had this place called the SAB. We did all kinds of stuff there. It was such a central part of my college experience. I still miss it some days 🤧😩
Happy NY! Thanks for the chapter! TBH I love such places for hiding, my productivity is max and anxiety low 😉
In my college, there’s a place we call the “bridge to Terabitia” We get together to cry and study while we cry
thanks for the update 🥺
Hahaha I love Dex’s warning about Kloh! He sounds so casual while pointing out that Kloh is scarier and cuter 😂. I am still dying of curiosity about why Kloh is sooo much more dominant! But I love it.
Ahhhhh I really love this novel😭 I’m always waiting for the next chapter 😇, and I really love all the characters in here author san🥰