“I can’t believe I even finished that paper on time,” Leo groaned as Josh pushed a beer into his hand. “Well, on time when you take the extension into consideration.”

“It doesn’t sound like you’re super-into these classes, you know, man.” Roman spoke lightly, but he frowned. “Even if they are foundation classes.”

Leo hesitated as he glanced around at the guys. For a moment, he wished Dustin were there to deflect, but he and Oscar had gone to grab a round of drinks. Going to the clinic was never fun—he and Dustin had damn well earned them.

“I haven’t really connected with any of them. I’m kind of interested in business, but no other careers are jumping out at me. I just went back to school because they suggested it, really.”

“You like photography.” That was Falcon, his chin propped on his fist as he pushed his empty glass around. “Arts careers are tough.”

“Tell me about it,” Leo snorted. “And I’m not getting back into documentary work. At least, not the kind I did before.”

A few of them exchanged looks, but they didn’t pry, for which Leo was grateful.

“You want to keep using your photography skills, but in a different career field?”

“I’ve thought about going freelance.” Leo nodded. “Not with a newspaper, though.”

“Weddings?”

Leo made a face. “Being responsible for that one big day in people’s lives? What if I screw it up?” He relished the idea of capturing love—the most intangible emotion, incredibly hard to show in a still image, yet the warmest and most intimately physical. It would be the furthest possible thing from what he’d done already.

Uh oh. That sounded like a challenge, and he was starting to get interested.

“You practice first. Engagement photos, proposal photos, photos of boyfriends wandering around meadows being cute…”

“I’m sure we could give you some chances to practice that,” Blane offered with a big grin.

“Oscar would die if you guys got engagement photos,” Roman laughed. “And then he’d want some.”

“Engagement, or photos?”

“Probably both,” Roman said, tapping his nose conspiratorially.

“Are all of you… out to your friends and family? Be a hell of a way to come out, sending them engagement photos.” Leo laughed.

Deen grinned. “Surprise! It’s a boy!”

Leo choked on the last sip of his beer, and Roman slapped his back.

“Sorry,” Deen laughed.

“No, he isn’t.” Josh rolled his eyes. “But yeah, all of us are basically out by now. A couple assorted extended relatives probably don’t know, but parents and friends and coworkers do, for the most part.”

Leo nodded. “I was talking to Dustin about it. It sounds like all you guys figured it out pretty early.”

It felt like everyone was holding their breath, even if they played it casually. “Yeah?”

“Well, what about if you… didn’t?”

“Doesn’t mean you’re any less gay or bi than someone who did acknowledge it earlier,” Blane said, glancing around as the others nodded. “And coming out sucks, but get used to it. It never ends.”

Leo glanced over at the bar to see how much time he had before Dustin got back, and then frowned. It took him a second before he recognized the guy standing near him at the bar.

Victor.

“I’ll be right back, guys.” Leo had to scoot past the rest of them and make his way around the extra chairs they’d dragged to the edge of the booth. When he was finally in the clear, he strode quickly toward the bar, his mood darkening.

If he’s being a dick, I’ll kick his ass.

“Yeah, we were out on Valentine’s. Sorry I stole your date,” he heard Dustin say. His boyfriend sure looked unafraid as he collected beers in one hand.

The disgusted noise from Victor was predictable. “Are you dating him?”

Dustin hesitated for a second, then looked from the bottles he was gathering back to Victor coolly. “Yeah.” His eyes slid to Leo over Victor’s shoulder as he apparently noticed him, and then he tipped his chin up in a defiant gesture. “Why?”

Leo’s chest felt warm. What was that—excitement? Yeah. He was happy that Dustin had said they were dating, even if it wasn’t quite true. Or was it? True enough to tell Victor, anyway.

“I didn’t know he was—”

“Hey.” Leo let his back slap land solidly between Victor’s shoulder blades to knock the wind out of him. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Victor looked at him quickly, then scowled. “Of course you’d be here, with your…” He looked at Dustin.

When Leo followed his gaze, Dustin shook his head slightly at him. Leo hesitated, biting down the words that were about to spill out.

“Nice seeing you. Bye,” Dustin said simply.

Victor snorted. “Really? This is a small fucking town, dude. You can’t just bye, Felicia me.”

“He can if he wants to,” Leo said firmly.

Dustin cast him a glare. “Leo.”

Leo shook his head slightly and looked away. It was impossible not to defend Dustin when Victor was deliberately winding them up, being as much of a dick as he could.

“You tell him, Dustin,” Victor laughed.

“Leave us alone,” Leo said, his voice harsher than he meant it to be. “We haven’t done a thing to harm you. So you head on home now and leave us be.”

Victor tipped his head left and right, but after he rolled his shoulders, he just strode off silently.

Dustin glared at him and shoved the beers back onto the counter. “I said, no.”

“What?” Leo blinked at Dustin. “He’s gone. That’s what matters.”

“It’s not all that matters,” Dustin muttered, running a hand over his hair. “It—no. You know what? Let’s not do this. Let Oscar know I’m gone.”

“Wh-What? I didn’t mean—hold on,” Leo said quickly, but Dustin was already pushing through the crowd for the door. He glanced between Dustin and the dozen beers on the counter. “Ah, shit.”

Oscar joined him a minute later and frowned. “What did I miss?”

“Uh. I’m not sure,” Leo admitted. He hadn’t seen Dustin try anything this dramatic… well, ever. “He said to say he’s gone.”

“What did you say?” Oscar laughed, though his smile was cautious.

“It wasn’t… well, it might have been me.” Leo didn’t understand yet. He grabbed half the beers and jerked his head toward the table.

They were all staring at him.

Someone asked, “What was that about?”

“Not sure.” Leo grabbed his jacket. He didn’t think it would look good to sit and drink with them while Dustin was upset. “I’ll be back, maybe. See you around. Thanks for having me.”

“Are you going after him?” Oscar asked.

“Of course I am,” Leo snorted.

“Good. Let us know if we can do anything.”

Leo took a moment to cast him an appreciative smile. “A translation sometime, maybe.”

“Did he just pull an Oscar?” Falcon’s brows rose. “Dramatics,” he added for Leo’s benefit.

“I… think so?” Leo zipped up his jacket and waved. “Anyway, see you next time. Hopefully.” If he doesn’t dump me before we even really get together for saying something stupid.

The goodbyes were swift, under the circumstances, but even so, by the time he got to the sidewalk, Dustin wasn’t there.

“Goddamn it.” He paced back and forth for a minute, but Dustin was nowhere within sight.

There was nothing else for it. He’d have to call him. Or maybe text—give him a chance to respond at his own pace, on his own terms. Given that all of this seemed to be about Leo storming in, calling might not be very sensitive.

Right. A text it was, then.

Leo called himself a cab first. If need be, he could ask them to change directions en route and head for Dustin’s house. Then, once he was settled in the back seat, he pecked out a careful message.

Sorry I hurt you. Can we talk? I want to know what I screwed up. And your brothers will kill me if I don’t make sure you’re OK :)

Then, he followed up with another.

I’m on my way home but I can come over if you want. Just let me know.

The seconds ticked by. The road noise and the soft music playing in the background grew almost maddening as he waited for an answer, fidgeting and bouncing one foot over his crossed knee.

It felt like an eternity, even though it was only three minutes before he got a response.

We can talk but not tonight. Have to visit parents tomorrow. Sorry I left so fast. Are they mad?

“Oh, hon,” Leo murmured and shook his head.

Of course they aren’t, just worried like me. You’re OK?

Dustin’s response was much quicker now.

Yeah I’m OK. Thank you. xox.

Can we talk tomorrow? Leo asked.

If you come over before stupid family shit.

Do you want moral support during stupid family shit?

Dustin hesitated before answering. Are you sure?

Of course. It’s stressing you the fuck out isn’t it?

Yeah :( I’ll explain more tomorrow if there’s time.

I’ll be over first thing, Leo promised.

Just… thank you.

Leo finally relaxed enough to breathe deeply. Of course babe. Sleep well. xox.

You too. Dustin included a kissing emoji at the end of the message, which, as far as Leo was concerned, meant he was forgiven.

With that much settled, though his heart was heavy, enough hope had crept back to let him sleep.

Eventually.