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Vex laid on his back, thumbing through the latest edition of Vogue.
His tongue was wedged between his teeth, brow furrowed in deep concentration as he scrutinized each page. Beside him, Mark was sprawled out on his stomach, his face half-buried in a pillow. One eye peeked out, trained on Vex’s progress and occasionally flicking upward to watch as Vex hummed or tossed out a wry comment.
“Y’know,” Vex drawled, tapping the glossy page before him, “we should fake our deaths and start fresh somewhere warm and scandalous, like these broads. Their tans are stunning.”
Mark let out a puff of air. “Still hung up on what I said earlier?”
“I’m just saying, it’d be far easier business. Think of the possibilities! The skimpy bathing suits!”
“We have to tell them at some point, Vex. They won’t stay in the dark forever.”
With a sigh, Vex closed the magazine and set it on the bedside table. He rolled onto his side, coming face-to-face with Mark. A faint pout tugged at his lips.
“You’re dead-set on this, aren’t you?”
Mark nodded. “I’m tired of hiding. It reminds me too much of before, always running away from mistakes. This… this something good. I shouldn’t be running.”
“You think Dyson’s gonna’ see it that way?”
“Won’t know unless we try,” Mark replied, offering a nervous smile. “But even if he doesn’t, I dunno. I think I’d still feel better just having it all out there, you know?”
Vex reached beneath Mark’s pillow, gently pulling out his hand and lacing their fingers together. He gave it a soft squeeze, eyes fluttering shut with a quiet sigh.
“Oh, the lengths I will go for you, darling.”
“Is that a yes?”
Without opening his eyes, Vex lifted Mark’s hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to each knuckle and lingering on the last in thought.
“Eh, I’ve lived a long life. Why not.”
Mark lit up. “Thank you. I promise, you won’t regret it.”
“You’d better hope not, love,” Vex murmured, finally cracking one eye open. “I’ve grown rather fond of our little arrangement, you and I. Would be a shame to lose it over a bit of chit-chat.”
Mark scooted closer, draping an arm over Vex’s waist. He waited until Vex’s eyes opened, then leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips – the kind that lingered, quiet and full of meaning, like its own little conversation. When they parted, Mark kept close.
“My dad could threaten to kill me, and I’d still take your side. I mean that.”
Vex hummed, studying his face. “That’s rather dark for you. Romeo and Juliet-esqe. Very hot.”
With a crooked smile, Mark gave a weak, playful, “Shut up.”
Vex laughed, all warmth and no bite.
“Alriiiight then,” he said, his usual flair returning as the moment passed. “As much as I’d love to resume our deliciously lazy morning, we do still have one highly pressing matter of business: how and when do we drop this bomb on our beloved friends and family?”
It was a good question. Mark didn’t love the idea of something as impersonal as a call or message, and repeating the news in a string of one-on-one conversations sounded exhausting – not to mention, painfully awkward as well. That left only one real option: a gathering.
“What if we gathered everyone at the Dal?” Mark reached up and tugged a strand of Vex’s hair, drawing out another smile. It had grown out nicely since the battle, and Mark liked it a lot. “I-I could say something like I’m feeling overworked at the station and want a night to hang with friends and family to unwind. Think that’d work?”
Vex chewed thoughtfully at the inside of his cheek. “Hmm. I’d say you run the risk of our nosier, cough Kenzi cough cough , getting a tad suspicious. But, it could work with the proper salesmanship. And lucky you, I just so happen to be an expert in party promotion. Very successful track record, if I may say so.
Mark rolled his eyes. “Oh, how did I ever get so lucky?”
Vex smirked. “Total mystery, darling. Now, before I have to reawaken my extensive skills in the world of PR, can we pretty please return to our regularly scheduled programming?”
“You mean you reading Vogue , or us kissing?”
“I was referring to Vogue , actually, but if you’re offering more of the latter? Ms. Wintour can wait.”
Shaking his head, Mark laughed and leaned in to plant a big, obnoxiously wet kiss to him. Vex let out a squawk of protest, only making Mark laugh harder.
Yeah, he definitely wanted to tell the world about this. No question.
The Dal Riata looked rather handsome in the dim light of the evening’s gathering. As promised, Vex had pulled out quite a few stops to entice their friends to the event. A fully catered steak dinner awaited them on burners. Lively music filled the space, far more modern than the Dal’s typical Celtic tunes. Vex had even hired a bartender to cover for Mark and Dyson’s usual duties, freeing their gang to indulge without worry or work.
Had everyone been some level of suspicious as they stepped inside and saw their elaborate scheme? Yes. Had Dyson given Mark a look as if he were off his rocker more than once since? Absolutely. Without a doubt. But judging by the lively chatter and satisfied faces around the tables, no one seemed to mind too much why it was happening. And that, frankly, was enough for Mark.
Once everyone had settled in with their meals, Mark slipped away to find Vex and tell him as much. He’d eaten earlier to give himself more time to prep the place, and now he was leaned against the bar, deep in conversation with the bartender. Her name was Harper. She was a longtime employee at one of Vex’s downtown venues and, as Mark had learned, fae. She was a perfect fit. The two of them were laughing when Mark walked up.
“What’s so funny, you two?”
“Oh dear, just reminiscing on the hi-jinx of years gone by,” Vex sing-songed, reaching around to give Mark a friendly pat on the back. It made him smile. “How’s the rabble enjoying their feast?”
“Well, I’d say very well.” Mark glanced over his shoulder. Everyone looked content, plates full and conversation easy. “You really lived up to your promise.”
Vex let out an exaggerated ahhh and set down his drink, giving his barstool a dramatic little spin. “Yeah, well. Been doing this sort of thing for years, I have. Catered parties like this are child’s play. Can’t call it a total success just yet though, I’m afraid.”
Mark’s stomach twisted. He knew exactly what Vex meant. “When do you think we should tell them?”
“My guess?” Vex tossed his head back in thought. “Right before dessert. No one, except depraved heathens or, possibly, your father, can stay mad when faced with gourmet gelato, apple crumbles, macarons, and cheesecake.”
“Vex, I’m being serious.”
“And so am I,” he retorted, lifting his glass toward Mark with a smirk. “Let them get happy bellies full of a good meal, give it a few, then we hit ’em with the big news. I bet you we’ll be a-ok after. ‘Kay?”
“For what it’s worth Mark,” Harper chimed in as she polished a glass behind the bar, “I think he’s right. And hey, if it doesn’t go well, most of the night would already be over by then anyway. You’d be able to make a quick exit.”
Vex smirked at Mark. “See?”
Mark rolled his eyes, giving Vex a light pat on the back before sliding onto the stool beside him. Without bothering Harper for a fresh drink, he casually swiped Vex’s glass and took a swig.
Vex gasped, scandalized. “Uh, rude.”
Mark didn’t even flinch. They’d shared worse by now than a few germs.
“You’ll live,” he said, handing it back with a cheeky smile. “Anyway, when we finally tell them…do you want me to break the news?”
Snatching the glass back, Vex narrowed his eyes. “Almost tempted to say no to anything right now just to spite you after that little stunt, darling .”
“Vex.”
He sighed, leaning against the bar. “If you’re asking me, it’d probably go over better if you did it. Especially with dear ol’ Dad. He might have a right conniption if he hears it from me first.”
“Cool. I’ll, uh, take it then. No problem.” Mark paused, looking him over. “Hey, um. Just so we’re clear. I like you a lot, okay? You know that, right?”
Vex’s expression softened. “Yeah. ‘Course I do. Repeat it to myself every few minutes just to remind me it’s real.”
Mark nodded. “Good. Whatever happens, no matter how they react, just um. Just know that, okay? I’ve got your back.”
“And I’ve yours,” Vex said, sobering up even more from the look on Mark’s face. He set down his drink and turned to face Mark fully, resting both hands on his shoulders. “We’re on this runaway train together, yeah? I’ve not given us the best of starts, but I’ll be damned if we don’t get to the finish line with flying colors.”
Mark shot Vex a look. “Finish line? You're already proposing to me, Vex?”
Vex flushed. “Wha- no. I said nothing of the sort!”
“You want to marry me.”
“‘Ay! Enough outta’ you, I was trying to be serious and supportive here!”
“You want to marry meeee.”
Groaning, Vex dropped his hands and turned away in exaggerated defeat. Mark burst out laughing. Even Harper, mid-pour, let out a few stifled giggles behind the bar.
“Piss off,” Vex muttered. “I’m officially rescinding my loyalty. May feed myself to the wolf voluntarily at this bloody point to be done with it and your awful chatter.”
Mark grinned. “Alright, alright. I’m sorry. I appreciate you having my back. I really do. I’ll make it up to you the second there’s not a million prying eyes, okay?”
Grumbling, Vex shot him a dramatic glare. “You better. I’m talking the full shebang. If I’m walking tomorrow, it’s over for you, just know.”
Mark patted his knee, grin stretching even wider. “Deal.”
With one last pat, he left Vex’s side, determined to enjoy what little time he had left before the big reveal. He bounced around the room, spending a while with Kenzi, who was locked in a passionate debate with Dagny over the best seasons of Gossip Girl , caught up with Bo and Lauren, and even managed a chat with Dyson. Thankfully, that conversation steered far clear of anything Vex-related. Instead, they talked about Mark’s progress in his officer training.
As much as the “overworked” excuse had just been a cover story, there was a sliver of truth to it. Talking things through with Dyson actually helped more than he expected, lifting weights he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying. They got so into brainstorming ways for him to decompress that Mark lost all sense of time… until a tap on his shoulder jolted him back to reality.
Vex.
“Time for dessert,” he said, voice low.
Mark nearly jumped out of his skin. In fact, he spun so fast he almost smacked Vex in the face, which led to a really embarrassing string of apologies. Vex, ever the picture of composure despite Mark’s flailing, simply turned, offered Dyson a polite smile, cleared his throat, and asked Mark if he could help him with something.
Excusing himself, Mark all but jumped at the opportunity to join him.
As they walked toward the bar, Vex leaned in, voice quiet. “Hey, you okay? You looked like you saw a ghost. Not that I’m not flattered I can still startle people, but I’d rather not spook you into becoming one just yet.”
Mark let out a breath. “No, I’m good. I’m good. Just didn’t realize it was already time.”
“There’s still time to back out, if you want,” Vex offered gently. “I won’t be offended. You know where I stand. I’m happy to keep being your secret.”
“I know.”
Vex gave him a quick once-over, then sighed. “But you wouldn’t be happy with that. You still want to do this.”
“Yup.”
“Well then,” Vex said with finality, tapping the bar once as they reached it. “Shall I alert our friends to perk their pretty little ears up for a very special announcement?”
Mark glanced back toward the group. Then, turning forward again, he shut his eyes and gave a quick nod – not exactly convincing, but enough for Vex to go on.
Heart breaking a little for him, Vex turned at Mark’s side and cleared his throat.
“Oi! You lot! Pause your freeloading offa’ me for one moment, the man of the hour here’s got something he’d like to say.”
Mark’s heart kicked up a notch as every head in the room turned toward him. One by one, their friends gave him their attention. He caught Dyson’s eyes last, watched the skeptical frown he’d worn at Vex shift into something softer, more expectant. Maybe even proud.
The twist in Mark’s stomach tightened.
It was wild really, how the approval of someone who’d only recently entered his life could matter so much in one moment.
Taking a breath, Mark gave Vex one last glance. Vex met his eyes, calm and steady.
Okay. Here goes nothing.
“I-I just wanted to say a quick thanks to you all for coming tonight. It’s uh, still pretty new to me having a group of people around who care about me, so it’s cool that you guys would show up just to give me a break from work.”
Kenzi let out a little whoop. Mark caught Vex’s grin at it from the corner of his eye and couldn’t help smiling too, albeit briefly.
“I um…I didn’t just invite you all here to blow off steam, though,” he went on. “You see, I sort of have some news I wanted to share.”
“I knew all this fancy catering wasn’t for nothing,” Dagny quipped, earning a quick shush from Kenzi.
Mark chuckled softly, nervously. “Not wrong,” he admitted.
Then, he took one last breath. No more ramping up. No more circling the runway. Time to rip off the band-aid, to be a man.
Planting his feet, he spoke, “My news is…I’m dating someone. And that someone, er, is Vex.”
The room reacted instantly.
“ SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! ” Kenzi shrieked, full drama as usual.
Beside her, Dagny burst into laughter. “Oh, I so called that!”
Lauren looked like she was searching for the right words and coming up short. Bo looked just as stunned, though Mark wasn’t sure if it was from surprise or just being caught off-guard with the implications of it all.
And Dyson?
Well, he hadn’t moved an inch.
“Wait, wait,” Bo said, finally blinking herself back to life. “You two are like, together together?”
Mark nodded, eyes flicking between her and Vex, who was subtly inching away from the still-silent Dyson. “Yeah. Have been, actually. For, uh… a few weeks now?”
“Oh my god, this is the best day of my life,” Dagny said, completely in her own world. Kenzi elbowed her in the side before springing up from her seat and marching straight over to Vex.
His eyes widened as she approached, clearly unsure what was about to hit him. “H-Hi there, Kenz.”
“You two have been together for weeks?”
He gulped. “Yes?”
“And not once in all that time did you think to spill even a hint of deetz to me?”
A slow, almost sheepish smile crept across Vex’s face, her reaction sinking in as one of approval, not rage. “Didn’t think you and I were back on good enough terms for that kind of hot goss, love. But, I’d be more than happy to catch you up, if desired.”
Kenzi shoved at his shoulder, sending him slightly back into one of the support beams. “Oh, it is SO desired. There’s no world in which it wouldn’t be desired, actually. I have so many questions.”
“I do too!” Dagny called from her seat.
Kenzi shot her a pointed not your moment look. Vex laughed nervously, and Mark chuckled too – though, he was pretty sure he’d regret hearing whatever Vex ended up sharing, depending on how honest he got.
Vex shot the young Valkyrie a wink. “Maybe I’ll share ‘em once you can legally down a beer, yeah?”
“Deal.”
“Mark, can I talk to you?”
All eyes snapped to Dyson. Still seated, still unmoved, he looked up at Mark, quiet, unreadable, contemplative. Even his voice had sucked the air right out of the room, erasing whatever bit of lightness Kenzi and Dagny had brought. Mark’s instincts flared on reflex. He could feel his panther coiled beneath the surface, ready to leap, to protect, to defend.
Judging by the steadiness in Dyson’s posture and the measured way he held Mark’s gaze, he could probably sense as much, too.
Mark clenched his jaw and gave the tightest nod of his life, jerking his head toward the back room. Dyson rose without a word, his steps swift as he moved down the stairs. Mark took a shaky breath and turned to follow-
-but a hand caught his wrist.
“Hey,” Vex said, voice soft and low, somehow both right there and a thousand miles away in Mark’s buzzing mind. “Don’t let him catch you spiraling, darling. He’s all bark and no bite. It’ll be alright.”
Mark bit the inside of his cheek. He glanced toward the stairs, then back to Vex, eyes searching his.
“Save me a piece of cheesecake?”
“Of course,” Vex said without missing a beat, giving his wrist a gentle squeeze. “You call me if you need me, alright?”
Mark gave a nod, slipping free of his grasp. With one last look, quick but heavy, he turned and started down the steps.
He went on to find Dyson waiting in the back room, seated on the edge of the chaise lounge there. Hands folded, brow furrowed, he looked up as Mark entered. The two of them just stared at each other for a long, tense moment – no words, no movement. Just weight.
Finally, Mark broke the silence, voice tight. “Nothing you say is gonna make me stop being with him.”
Dyson blinked. Then, slowly, he dropped his gaze and let out a sigh.
“You’re that certain of what I’m going to say?”
“You’ve never liked him,” Mark shot back, folding his arms. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know you’re not thrilled about this. So, go on. Say what you want to say. Get it out. But just know, my mind’s already made up, and it’s not changing. Not now, not ever. I’ve made my choice, and it’s Vex.”
Dyson’s exhale was long and steady. “I’m still…processing. I’ve not yet said my thoughts here, Mark. You gotta give me a second here.”
“Oh, so you’re telling me there’s a chance you made a big scene of escorting me here all alone just to offer a heartfelt congratulations on my relationship? Hand us a couple’s gift and wish us well, maybe?”
“We could do without the sass, son.”
“And we could do without the fake contemplation on your part, dad , but here we are.”
Letting out a heavy sigh, Dyson braced his hands on his knees.
“Look, this isn’t easy for me,” he said, voice gravelly, rubbing at his forehead. “I’ve seen Vex do things, Mark. Reprehensible things. His actions led to the death of my partner and countless others who didn’t deserve what came to them. There are still dark and light fae alike who’d love to see him dead, even now when we’re trying to hold the peace together and be undivided. Forgive me if I’m not immediately jumping for joy knowing you’ve associated yourself with him.”
Mark’s expression tightened. “ Associated? Is that all you think this is? Just some association? ”
Dyson narrowed his gaze. “You know exactly what I mean. The second word gets out that you’re with him, you will become a target. There are people out there who’d love nothing more than to use you to get to him.”
“I’d like to see them try,” Mark said, the words almost a growl. The air around him shifted, sharp and electric, his panther flashing in his eyes. He saw the flicker in Dyson’s face, the tension that crept into his shoulders.
He didn’t look impressed.
“I just don’t want you getting in too deep before you realize you need a way out,” he said, softer now, more worn. His fingers kneaded at his knee. “And I don’t want you thinking this is the only path for you. There are so many other opportunities you haven’t even explored.”
Mark let out a bitter laugh and leaned against the wall. “And there it is.”
“Mark-”
“No,” Mark cut in, sharper this time. “You listen to me for once. This isn’t about my safety. It’s not about options. You just don’t like him. You think I can do better.”
Dyson stayed silent, jaw set.
Mark pushed forward. “I don’t care if there’s someone out there who’s safer, or neater, or ticks off more of your boxes. I care about him . The guy who, time-and-time again, has gone out of his way to make sure I’m okay and living the life I want to live. Even tonight, before we told anyone, do you know what he did? He gave me an out. Said we could just pretend, keep hiding, if I wanted to back out. He knew you’d be pissed once we told, and he still let me choose. That’s who he is now. He lets me choose .”
His voice cracked, but he kept going.
“So yeah, maybe people will try to kill us. And yeah, maybe you think I’m making a mistake. But I’m not walking away from Vex and how he makes me feel just because it’d be easier. That’s not who I am. And it’s sure as hell not who he is anymore, either.”
A long silence followed. The weight of Mark’s words settled like a storm cloud, thick and unmoving. The only sound left was the rush of his breathing, heavy and uneven, and the distant thump of music and voices from upstairs. The contrast made it feel like the room had dropped out from under him. It made him feel insane.
And still, Dyson said nothing.
Dyson stayed quiet for a long time actually, hands steepled in front of his mouth, elbows on his knees. He just stared at the floor, watching longingly, expectantly, like it had all the answers.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low. Tired.
“I never said Vex didn’t change.”
Mark blinked. “What?”
Dyson didn’t look at him at first. He stared off for a moment, eyes distant like he was recalling a different version of the world, one where shadows still clung to everything. Then, slowly, he glanced up.
“I’ve seen it,” he said, voice murmured. “He’s not the same man he was when we first crossed paths. He’s less callous. Smarter. Not so…selfish. And clearly, he cares about you. You might not think I’ve noticed before today, not with some of the things I’ve said, but I have. And he does. And I’m grateful for it.”
Mark didn’t move. He didn’t know how to move. Dyson’s tone had changed – no longer the stern warning of a protective father, but something more gentle. Unfamiliar, maybe. It made Mark wary, like the air had shifted and he wasn’t sure if a storm had just passed or was still coming.
Soon, Dyson took a breath, steadying himself before continuing.
“But if there’s one thing I’ve learned,” he said, voice thinning at the edges, “it’s that change doesn’t erase the past. It doesn’t bring back the people he hurt. It doesn’t untangle the chains he’s wrapped himself in. And it doesn’t mean I’m not still scared out of my goddamn mind that his past will reach out and pull you into something you won’t be able to crawl out of the way he always seems to, or that you’ll do something stupid trying to protect him and get yourself killed.”
The words landed hard, sharper than Mark expected. His chest tightened, a reflexive bristle forming in his throat. But even as he processed them, it was the crack in Dyson’s voice at the end that stuck with him. That didn’t happen out of anger. It wasn’t disappointment. No, it was fear.
Real, raw, unguarded fear.
Mark had never seen Dyson show that side of him. Not truly. Not even in battle. Back then with the elders, he’d carried himself with the pride of a wolf, steeled and sure even in chaos. This, though…this was something else entirely. It was vulnerable. Human in a way Mark hadn’t ever really allowed himself to consider Dyson capable of.
He didn’t know what to do with it.
‘Lucky’ for him, Dyson had more to say, giving him more time to think.
“I’m not trying to keep you from living your life,” Dyson went on, voice firmer now, “but I am asking you to stay aware not just tonight, but every night after this, of what your choice means. For you. For your future. For everyone connected to you. Don’t let your emotions or pride in the strides Vex has made blind you to the reality of what’s still at play here, or of what we all stand to lose if this goes wrong.”
Mark’s jaw tightened. His fists curled briefly at his sides before releasing with a shaky breath.
“Isn’t that a bit hypocritical of you?” he asked, carefully.
Dyson’s eyes narrowed just a touch. “What do you mean?”
“You’re telling me you’ve never done something for someone you cared about that had possible negative consequences? I mean,” he huffed, “you dated Alicia and kept her in the dark so much it nearly got her killed. And I’ve heard stories about you and Bo from Kenzi. Doesn’t sound like those were exactly strategic, emotion-free endeavors.”
Dyson stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then, with a breath that felt more like a burden being exhaled, he said, “I paid the price for that. For both, and for countless others you don’t even know about.”
Mark’s expression softened, if only slightly.
“That’s what I’m trying to spare you, Mark. You don’t have to go through that.”
Mark stepped forward a little, brows furrowed with something caught between frustration and longing to be understood.
“But how am I supposed to live like you said,” he asked, “if I can’t make my own mistakes? If I don’t get to see it through myself?”
He gestured down at himself, voice rising just slightly. “I can shift now. I can defend myself. Yeah, I’ll still need you, but not to bubble wrap me. Not to keep me from everything you’ve ever found dangerous. That’s my job now.”
His voice caught slightly. “Do you think I’m not capable?”
Dyson frowned, but said nothing.
“Do you think I haven’t thought this through?”
“No, but Mark-”
“Then trust me,” Mark said, more quietly now, almost pleading. “Or at least try to. Trust that, I dunno. Maybe some of your stubborn sense of caution rubbed off on me, okay? Maybe I’ve thought about everything you’re worried about more than you realize. Maybe I’ve already made backup plans. Contingencies.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, shoulders drawn in, but firm in his stance. “If things ever do feel off, if Vex ever gives me a reason to doubt him, you’ll be the first person I call. I promise you that.”
A pause.
“But until that happens, I’m not going to let fear dictate how this plays out. I’m not going to live like I owe the world constant apologies for trying to be happy, or like I’m two seconds away from everything blowing up in my face. I want to try for the life I want to live. And, if you are willing to try too, I’d really like to be able to talk about that with you from time to time.”
For a long moment, Dyson didn’t speak again. Then, slowly, he rose from his chair. He crossed the space between them in measured steps before placing a hand on Mark’s shoulder. It was warm, grounding. A father’s weight without the judgment tacked on. Mark looked down at the hand, then up into Dyson’s face, anticipating the worst to blindside him.
Only, the older man gave a firm squeeze instead.
“It won’t be easy for me,” he said quietly, the weight of everything unsaid hovering between them. “But I promise I’ll try.”
Mark’s lips twitched with something that resembled a smile. “That’s all I ask.”
They stood there for a moment, the silence no longer pained but settled, mutual.
Dyson then exhaled and glanced up toward the ceiling.
“I’d advise against testing the limits of my tolerance for Vex, though.”
Mark raised a brow. “You say that like he’s a threat to your well-being.”
“He is, ” Dyson muttered. Then added, dryly, “He used to flirt with me. All the time.”
Mark blinked. “No way.”
“At my precinct,” Dyson nodded solemnly.
Mark snorted. “Oh my god.”
“He once showed up in his version of a uniform. Called me his bitch. Quite loudly, might I add.”
Mark choked on his own laugh. “ Oh my god. Noted, holy shit.”
Finally, finally, Dyson cracked the faintest smile. A small beat passed between them.
“Hey,” Dyson said, his voice quieter now as Mark’s laughter faded. “I love you, Mark. And I’m proud of you. Really.”
That one hit home. Mark’s expression faltered, his throat bobbing. The words settled deep, evident in the faint flush that touched his cheeks and the way he couldn’t meet Dyson’s eyes right away. After a breath or two, he looked up and gave a firmer smile, one that showed every inch of how much it meant to hear such a thing leave Dyson’s lips then.
“Let’s, uh…get back outside,” he said, voice a little shaky.
Dyson nodded once, a little more at peace. “After you.”
Back upstairs, while Dyson and Mark hashed it out behind closed doors, Vex had all but anchored himself at the bar.
His untouched drink sat sweating in front of him, a quiet testament to how far gone his mind was from the present. His fingers drummed out an erratic rhythm against the polished wood – too fast, too uneven – like his nerves were playing a tune only he could hear. His eyes didn’t track the crowd or the soft flicker of the hanging lights. They were locked somewhere far beyond the room, glazed and distant, as if he were staring through the walls, chasing some version of the future where things didn’t end in disaster.
The bar buzzed around him with idle chatter and clinking glasses, a low hum of life that barely registered. Harper passed by now and then, offering him concerned glances from behind the bar and quick, wordless check-ins to make sure he hadn’t stopped breathing.
Across the room, however, Kenzi had been having the complete opposite reaction to Mark’s disappearance. The moment she realized where he’d gone and who he’d gone with, her eyes had gone wide like it was Christmas morning. She practically vibrated in her seat, gushing theories like a fan at a finale watch party without fear of Dyson biting back, ranting about how obviously she should’ve seen the Mark/Vex connection weeks ago. She was on a roll, listing signs so increasingly unhinged that Lauren had gone beet red, and Dagny was absolutely reveling in every word like it was gossip gold.
But then Bo, ever perceptive, nudged her softly, tilting Kenzi’s chin with two fingers toward the bar.
Vex’s face said everything Kenzi’s flurry of excitement had missed.
This wasn’t celebration mode. Not yet. Maybe not ever, depending on what happened downstairs.
Kenzi blinked, instantly sobering as her ‘friend-in-dire-need’ instincts kicked in. She muttered, “...Okay, time-out,” to Dagny and slid off her stool, weaving past tables until she was beside Vex. With a practiced hop, she landed on the seat next to him and gave him a good, hard look.
“You gonna drink that,” she asked, nodding to his untouched glass, “or just babysit it ‘til it evaporates?”
Vex startled slightly, as if her voice had pulled him from a long way off. His eyes flicked to her, then down at the drink like he was seeing it for the first time. “Hm? Oh. No, it’s- it’s yours, if you want it.” His lips curled faintly at the edges, though there was little mirth in it. “I’m off duty for now.”
“Duty?” Kenzi echoed, squinting at him and then at the drink like it might offer clarification. “Vex, you’re not in the army.”
He actually laughed – a small, hollow sound, but genuine all the same. “Tell that to my stress levels, love.”
Bo arrived quietly on his other side, easing into the stool with the same grace she used in a fight, all calculated, careful, and full of intent. She leaned in slightly, her voice low but warm.
“They’ve been gone a while,” she murmured, nodding toward the door. “You okay?”
Vex hesitated for a long moment. Then, with the kind of casual shrug that screamed anything but casual, he said, “I’m fine. Mark can handle himself.”
Bo tilted her head, watching him like a puzzle she’d nearly solved. “You sure about that?” Her voice was soft, not accusatory. Just the gentle prod of someone who cared.
Vex turned his head, his eyes locking onto hers. There, for a flicker of a second, his usual bravado melted. “Yeah,” he said, quieter this time. “It’s not him I don’t trust. It’s…everyone else. Dyson, mainly.”
Bo nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. “Well, the good news is, if Dyson hasn’t come storming back in here looking like he wants to set something on fire, it probably isn’t going too catastrophically bad in there.”
“Unless they’re both dead,” Kenzi chimed in helpfully, deadpan. Bo shot her a harrowing look.
“Thanks, darling,” Vex added in with a groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Very comforting.”
Bo patted his back in sympathy, her expression softening. “Look, I know Dyson. He’s stubborn as hell, but when it comes to the people he loves, he’s got a soft spot a mile wide. He really cares about Mark. If you and Mark are a thing now… I don’t think he’d let the past ruin what you’ve got.”
“I want to believe you, dearie. Believe me, I do.” Vex ran a hand through his hair, sighing as he slumped forward until his forehead nearly touched the bar. “But Dyson and I, our history’s beyond your typical mess. I’ve lost count of how many times he’s said he wanted to kill me. Goodness knows he’s thought about doin’ it even more.. Knowing I’m… well, involved with his kid? I can’t imagine that goes down smoothly.”
“Kinky,” Kenzi muttered with a smirk.
Bo threw her another glare. “Not the time.”
“I just…” Vex exhaled, eyes still on the bar as if he could will the anxiety away. “I hate that Mark’s the one stuck in the middle of this. If someone’s getting interrogated, it should be me, not him.”
“Who says he’s getting interrogated?” Kenzi offered, rubbing his back gently. “Maybe Dyson just didn’t want to ask personal questions in front of an audience. I mean, come on. We would’ve made jokes. You know we would’ve made it weird.”
Vex closed his eyes. “One can hope, Kenz. Still, I’m not banking on it. Not until I see him. Not until I know he’s okay.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long for that.”
As Bo’s words settled, the familiar creak of the downstairs door cut through the soft thrum of music and murmured conversation. All three of them froze, ears straining. Footsteps echoed, slow, steady, and deliberate, up the wooden stairs.
Vex’s head snapped up, his gaze locking on the stairwell like a compass needle finding true north.
Mark.
A beat later, he stepped into view, eyes sweeping the room, searching, until they landed on Vex.
And then he smiled. Just a small one. Nothing showy, nothing grand, but very real. Warm. Reassuring.
Vex didn’t think, didn’t care who saw. For once, he didn’t care about being subtle or guarded or clever.
He crossed the room in a flash, arms wrapping around Mark in a bone-crushing hug that nearly lifted him off his feet.
“What’s the damage, darling?” he murmured into the curve of Mark’s neck, squeezing his eyes shut so nothing else could leak out. Not here. Not yet.
Mark chuckled softly, still catching his balance from the sudden impact. “Still breathing. I think I’ve got the promise of cheesecake to thank for that, though.”
Vex pulled back just enough to search his face. “Dyson?”
Mark nodded, his expression tired but relieved. He leaned in slightly, the motion subtle but intimate. “We’re good. Ish. He’s not going to murder you tonight, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Vex snorted, something in his chest unclenching for the first time in hours. “Low bar, but I’ll take it.”
They stood there a second longer than necessary, arms wrapped tight, breath mingling, the world around them temporarily muted. It was the kind of silence that spoke volumes, where neither dared to move for fear of breaking the fragile peace they’d just earned.
Then came the creak of another set of footsteps on the stairs.
Mark felt it before he saw it, his arms loosening from around Vex as he turned slightly, eyes narrowing at the sound. Dyson appeared, descending with the deliberate caution of someone walking into uncertain terrain. His posture was measured, shoulders squared, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his gaze. Like a man trying not to spook a wild animal.
Without thinking, Vex instinctively stepped back, half-sheltering behind Mark like muscle memory had taken over. Mark, noticing the move, reached back and tugged him gently forward with an arm around his waist – a subtle, grounding gesture that made Vex’s heart stutter against his ribs.
Dyson’s eyes flicked to the movement, and to Vex. He offered a strained smile, something tentative and stiff but unmistakably earnest.
“At ease,” he said, raising his hands slightly. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
Vex arched a brow, not quite convinced. “Call it force of habit, then.”
Mark’s grip tightened briefly at his waist, a silent reassurance.
Vex shifted, stepping out more fully into view. He wet his lips, readying himself. “Look, Dyson, about this-”
Dyson cut him off with a raised hand, palm out like a stop sign.
“Keep it relatively PG around me,” he said plainly, “leave me far out of the details, and protect my son at all costs. Can you do that?”
The weight of the moment pressed down like a boulder. Vex swallowed so hard, he swore his gulp was louder than the music. “Fine by me, Copper.”
Dyson nodded once. “Good. Then it’s fine by me, too.”
Vex blinked. “...That’s it? No additional strings? No poetic threats to keep me in line?”
Mark gave a playful squeeze to his hip. “Nope. Right, Dad?”
Dyson’s face didn’t crack, but his nod came without delay. “Right. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
With that, he brushed past them – not even a shoulder check, not a muttered warning disguised as a joke, not a lingering glare. Just…walked away. Civil.
Vex stared after him, genuinely stunned, watching as Dyson made his way back to the table and sat near Lauren as if the evening were just any other.
He turned to Mark, still wide-eyed. “What the bloody hell did you say to him to make him act like that? Like he’s been…domesticated or something?”
Mark gave him a cheeky grin. “Mmm… if I gave away all my secrets that easily, what fun would there be in it for me?”
Vex groaned, rolling his eyes. “Oh, piss off. Remind me again why I put up with you?”
“Because you like me,” Mark said smoothly, voice dipping into a tease. Then, without warning, he leaned in and bit the edge of Vex’s ear, playful and sharp. Vex twitched, a startled breath leaving his lungs, but Mark caught the flicker in his eyes of something dark, glinting. Maybe even a little dangerous. That look right there was why he put up with Vex.
He smirked, proud of himself. Proud of this.
Before he could lean in again or say something that would definitely have made Dyson regret sticking around, Kenzi cleared her throat with an obnoxious, deliberate sound.
“Alright,” she announced, clapping her hands like a gameshow host, “since no one’s dying, dessert’s on the table, and the tension’s only at a low simmer, I demand answers. Cute ones. Messy ones. Gimme all the juicy, forbidden, behind-the-scenes content or I swear I’ll implode. Pretty please.”
Vex turned to Mark, a wicked smile blooming. “Want me to take this one?”
Mark tugged a strand of his hair with exaggerated thoughtfulness. “Keep it quiet around Dyson, but yeah. Go wild. You saved me that cheesecake, right?”
“Harper’s keeping it behind the bar where it’s cooler,” Vex said, trying and mostly failing not to smile too wide. A faint pink bloomed at the edges of his cheeks. “Come find me once you’ve had your share. Might want a bite of it myself.”
Mark winked. “Don’t miss me too much.”
“I’ll try my best.”
With a lingering glance, Vex pivoted on his heel and turned toward Kenzi and Dagny, who were already leaning forward like kids at story time.
“Alright, gather ‘round before I change my mind,” he declared, sauntering over like he owned the place.
For the first time in a long time, he actually felt like he kind of did.
Later, after the cheesecake was long gone and the drinks had come to a stop, the night finally looked to be reaching its end. One by one, their party dwindled down, each friend stopping to give their heartfelt goodbye. Bo gave Vex a surprisingly heartfelt hug, and Lauren, ever the quietly perceptive one, clasped his hand in both of hers and earnestly told him, “He makes you softer. That’s a good thing.” That one had lingered with him, making him strangely emotional in the immediate time after. It was a wonder he’d ever almost threatened to rid her from this world. Darn humans, creating attachments.
Dyson had left shortly after as well. His goodbye with Mark was warm, but things still were rather awkward between him and Vex as he approached. They settled on exchanging nods with one another. Mark took it as a small win, remembering what Dyson had said before about this not being so easy for him. He could appreciate the small nod so long as it meant he was trying to get through this the best he could. Even if Vex looked a little on edge, it came from the best intentions. Plenty could still grow from best intentions.
Unlike that trio, Kenzi and Dagny had not really been keen on letting the night come to its fitting end. They managed to squirrel Mark and Vex into a whole hour more of questioning, of details far too scandalous to ever tell with Dyson in earshot. It turned into plenty of fun, but it definitely had been shared on borrowed time. By the time the hour was up, Dagny was nearly passed out in her seat and Kenzi, who’d tried to stifle her tiredness with one last sugary drink, looked seconds from sputtering into collapse.
Mark and Vex soon found themselves playing a bit of babysitter for the two. After getting Kenzi water and Dagny a pillow from downstairs, they watched over the girls until the Dal’s closing time came. Then, they snagged Harper and had her safely transport the two home.
With the Dal finally closed for the night and the last of the laughter echoing behind them, Vex and Mark stepped out into the cool embrace of early morning air free of charge. The street was still, painted silver by streetlights, the chaos and warmth of the evening fading behind them like the end of a dream.
They didn’t say much as they crossed the lot, their steps naturally syncing up. The air between them was charged – not with tension, but something more hopeful. Steady, like a pulse shared between hearts finally at rest.
The van was cold when they climbed in, the seats worn and familiar. As the engine rumbled to life, Vex reached over and turned the heater knob up a little higher, casting a glance at Mark as he did so. Mark didn’t say anything, just leaned his head back and watched the stars fade behind the roof as they pulled away from the curb.
The city blurred past in quiet streaks of neon and shadow. Silence stretched comfortably between them like a shared blanket, unspoken but understood. That kind of peace only came when everything had already been said.
Still, Vex’s fingers tapped the steering wheel with idle restlessness. At the third red light, he glanced sideways, watching Mark bathed in the soft glow of the dashboard lights.
“So,” he said finally, his voice a low hum over the quiet. A hint of a smile curved the corner of his mouth. “That could’ve gone worse.”
Mark exhaled a laugh through his nose, not quite turning his head yet. “Yeah. It could’ve. Glad it didn’t.”
Vex tilted his head, his voice dipping a little lower, tinged with concern. “You alright? I mean...really alright? Dyson didn’t ruffle you up bad?”
That made Mark turn, one brow raised as if Vex had just asked whether he’d been tackled by a butterfly. “You kidding? He tried,” he said with a crooked grin. “Got all stoic and dramatic like it was the final scene of a play or something, but once I told him I wasn’t backing down…I think he saw that I meant it.”
Vex kept his eyes on the road but nodded slowly, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “Still…’m sorry you had to be the one to face the music, love. Should’ve been me.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Mark said, leaning an arm against the window and turning to face him more fully. “But it wouldn’t have meant the same coming from you. He needed to hear it from me. That this, us…it matters. That I’m not just some kid chasing a thrill. I chose you.”
That got Vex’s attention. He turned to look at him, really look, and something behind his eyes softened. “You’re ridiculous, you know that? Sticking out your hide for me, knowing who I am? Bloody death wish, you have.”
Mark smirked, pleased with himself. “Maybe so. But, you love it about me.”
Vex rolled his eyes but didn’t deny it. His lips twitched upward in that telltale way of his, the one that meant he was touched and trying very hard not to show it. He drummed his fingers on the wheel again, this time more playfully. “You’re lucky you’re pretty.”
“And charming. And brave. And amazing in bed.”
“Alright, alright, don’t push it,” Vex muttered, but he was smiling now, the kind one only wears around someone who saw you whole.
The light turned green, and the van rolled forward then, slicing quietly through the sleeping city.
They didn’t talk much more on the way home. Somewhere between the soft hum of the heater and the gentle rhythm of the road beneath them though, something unspoken settled between them. A deeper kind of understanding, or perhaps a quiet triumph. A shared promise that they’d made it through something big, and that this was only the beginning for them of making it out of many, many more.
On the sixth light before home, they sealed the promise of more off with a kiss.