For ricochetingbullets; surprise wedding date

[starless_sky]

 
continued from here

Normally weddings were boring for Noctis. Too many people. Too much attention. He wasn't the target audience for weddings. He was a great dancer but he didn't like to show it in public, he didn't like schmoozing with people he barely knew, didn't like being held hostage by someone's grandma asking when he's getting married. This time he'd have to vehemently insist he may not ever get married. After this whole thing with Mr.Poindexter, Noct was pretty sure he never wanted to marry at all.

He'd told his friends after they noticed his paranoia. It had been horrible explaining it and they tried to support him but it just wasn't adding up. In the eyes of society Dex did nothing wrong. Noct tried to explain that is exactly the point, that Dex was acting in a way that seemed innocent to make him sound crazy. Who breaks into someone's apartment to steal things only to return them later? And not only return them but to talk to him and stay over and fuck him? Noctis couldn't even call it rape out loud. He always submitted. In those moments with Dex he wanted it the same as he wanted it at the hotel. He never went to the police or a doctor after... though he started birth control. 

He started birth control! For the guy raping him! For his stalker! He said it was for himself but... he just... wasn't ready for that and if anything happened. If he got pregnant, Dex would never leave. 

His friends found all this charming. What a dashing guy! What a rogue! 'He must really love you Noct! He must be smitten! We're so jealous!'

No matter how he tried to explain it was messed up to break into someone's house, because he never gave Dex his address let alone a key, his friends didn't see it as weird. It was just how alphas were when they wanted someone. So many omegas would give anything to be pursued like that. Isn't he grateful? Doesn't he see how LUCKY he is?? Noct tried to tell them this wasn't a fairytale but it fell on deaf ears. 

"When are you going to bring him around? When are we gonna meet this guy?"

"My stalker? Never hopefully."

"UGH. Noct. You do NOT have a stalker. You have a boyfriend. Stop being disrespectful."

"Disrespectful??"

"How do you think he'd feel if he knew you were calling him that behind his back? Alphas value respect from their omegas. You're new to this so maybe you don't know but you have to learn how to talk about and around him. It could get you in trouble." 

 

It was concluded that Noct was simply new to dating and given his general aloofness, he was not adapting well to having a partner. So they gave him grace about it. Grace! They gave HIM grace! They gave him advice about 'how to talk to alphas' and how alphas expect a certain deference from their partners and 'how to be an empowered omega while also being a trad wife omega'. It was gross. He felt gross. He needed better friends. 

But his friends were good people... they wouldn't ALL think that, right? 

 

So he was anxious about getting through today without being asked why he didn't bring a plus one. He was here at the venue all dolled up in his suit and his hair gelled just so. He looked good and he was loitering the grounds trying to find a place to be alone. It was gorgeous. This wedding was held at the botanical gardens with the main building rented out for the reception. It had luxurious lounge rooms, a dining hall, a kitchen, and a second floor where the bridal party were cloistered. Outside people were milling about, drinking already. The weather was perfect for a wedding so people were chatty.

Relatives and friends were arriving in greater abundance. More and more people were shuffling about, bored, looking for conversation. Noct ducked around a corner before he could be spotted and pretended to be admiring some climbing roses. He just had to make it to the ceremony and no one would talk to him and then he could feign intoxication until it was polite to leave. 

And hopefully Dex wasn't in his apartment right now re-appropriating his stuff. 

Comments

[ricochetingbullets]

After the amazing night with Noctis, Dex had become completely obsessed with the Omega. After he'd gone along with everything the whole night, he couldn't help but feel he'd found the perfect Omega for him. He couldn't get enough of Noctis, so before he'd left the hotel, Dex had glanced at his wallet and memorized the address on his license. He'd tracked him down after that.

With his abilities, it was easy to break it. Oftentimes, he'd take something with him, particularly objects that held Noctis's scent strongly or that seemed to have a lot of sentimental value to him. He'd keep them for a while until the scent had faded or he grew bored with the object, returning it in exchange for another. He was sure Noctis had noticed beforehand but he could hardly fail to figure out what was going on when Dex physically showed up. Oftentimes it was during Noctis's heat but not always. Still, the presence of an Alpha regularly having sex with him sent Noctis into heat quite often, his body sending him into heat far more often.

Dex knew Noctis was taking birth control the same way he knew everything about him. For now, he didn't protest. He wanted to establish himself as a firm and constant presence in his Omega's life before they got to the point of talking about trying for a kit. Or kits possibly. Noctis was young and fertile enough while Dex was virile enough that he knew it would be quite easy to get his Omega pregnant several times in a row very quickly, maybe even with twins during one of the pregnancies.

This was now the new normal for the both of them and Dex saw no reason to change anything.

Dex had found the wedding invitation while going through Noctis's mail. There was no such thing as secrets between the two of them, not when Dex was inserting himself into every nook and cranny of his Omega's life.

Suddenly now he knew exactly where and when Noctis was going to be on a specific date. Not that he didn't already know that all the time but this was a perfect opportunity that might not come around again anytime soon. Dex's brain started cooking up a plan. After all, what better way to make sure he was firmly inserted into Noctis's life than to show up at an event where there was bound to be a ton of family and friends he could introduce himself to as Noct's new Alpha? With it being such an important day and Noctis someone who tended to be very accommodating, Dex was certain he wouldn't cause a scene if Dex made a visible appearance.

So he'd gone out, found a nice suit, and made sure he looked like a million bucks after he shaved, did his hair, and put on some cologne. He made sure to show up at the wedding venue with plenty of time to spare before the actual ceremony began. It was obvious to everyone there that Dex was a newcomer and everyone was curious as to why. Dex was happy to introduce himself as Noctis's Alpha. Everyone was very happy, congratulating him on snagging such a wonderful Omega. Dex agreed with them. He made sure to turn on the charm and be the perfect wedding guest, making a good impression on everyone around him

Hmmm? What was that? Why hadn't he been seen before now? Dex made some vague excuses about he and Noctis having to work some things out before he wanted to introduce him to anyone he knew. The Alphas laughed and slapped him on the back, talking about Omegas that could get uppity and try to be independent when their Alphas clearly knew best. The Omegas nodded wisely and some of them made mention of either experiencing such difficulties themselves or at least knowing another Omega directly who had gone through the same thing.

'Where is Noctis?' was what quite a number of people asked him. Dex joked he was likely skulking around in a corner moodily, which kept getting laughs. Then he excused himself to go off to find him.

He approached Noctis when his back was to him. "You look good," Dex said by way of a greeting. "I might just have to drag you off into a dark corner tonight to have my way with you." There was a bit of that 'Alpha rumble' in his voice in the second sentence that promised he was going to do just that.

Sorry it's a book. I had fun with it????

[starless_sky]

Noct ought to consider himself lucky an Alpha was into him like that but he was mostly afraid. Or more like filled with dread. All the time. Dex was inevitable and at times he wanted him around. At times his little thefts were annoying and at other times comforting in a fucked up way.

He caught himself feeling relieved when he heard about some prowler targeting single omegas living alone. The story was circulating about a guy who broke in and murdered single omegas in their homes. Noct was shocked as anyone else but he had a strange comfort. He knew he was safe because Dex would never allow that to happen to him. So he'd been nice and invited all his single omega neighbors to sleep in his place for a few nights until they felt comfortable sleeping in their own apartments. Because Dex wouldn't let him die, right? Even if there are strangers with him at home? So they were all safe.

He'd been close to his heat at the time and left an apologetic note for Dex explaining his motives. That he worried for his neighbors' lives. Then later he came home and tore it up because fuck Dex. Fuck this asshole who owns his life now. He doesn't owe him any explanations! And return his fucking clothes! Seriously, Dex made off with his favorite blankets and sweatshirts. They came back eventually but it was annoying. At least they came back smelling like him... No. No, he wasn't happy about that. It made him mad. Depending on the time of his heat it made him horny but mostly mad.

He was hot and cold. Sometimes he was pissed and would fight Dex and sometimes he could be drawn to his scent and cuddle with him. He could make out with him, he could fuck him with reckless abandon. He was relieved for his heats now. He was riding the train home one day and remembered his heat was soon and normally he'd be dreading the pain and loneliness but he thought 'Dex will come, I won't have to suffer' and he cringed at himself. So he's looking forward to fucking him now? What the hell!

But he did look forward to it. He fantasized about riding his dick as his heat approached and then after it was over he was angry again and he cursed Dex's name.

And don't even get him started on the birth control. Sure. Noct loved babies. He tried to be cool and not show much emotion, certainly not his love of children but his eyes lit up around babies and even baby stores. Baby clothes? Toys? Mom bags? His gaze lingered on these things while he was out and he just... refused to comment on it if Dex ever dared speak of it. He can't get pregnant with him. He just can't!

Yet they have sex regularly and birth control is enough until it's not... He already knew in his heart he'd keep the baby. In that way he was planning it without wanting to plan it. He already thought of it as 'the baby'. The inevitable baby because this nightmare with Dex was never going to end. He'd get knocked up and they'd be together forever or he'd be a runaway with a baby trying to flee him. The courts didn't smile on an omega who ran away with a baby when they had no proof of abuse. Noct had a case so thin it was transparent. He'd be labeled a horrible mother, be charged with parental kidnapping and custodial interference. HE may lose rights to his baby if he left. So... he just can't get pregnant...

But he can't stop sleeping with Dex either it seemed. His birth control had better not fail him.

In the meantime he was going to have a palate cleanser experience. Sort of. This wedding was for his cousin. A lot of his friends were here or at least people he grew up with, plus his family. If he could dodge the 'when are you settling down???' questions he'd honestly have a nice day without his shadow.

Except Dex can't let him even have that one fucking thing, can he? Of course not. Noct knew he should have shredded that invite when he got it. Here he was, an idiot worrying about Dex being at his place. Hah! If only!

He should have realized that it was suspiciously easy to avoid attention while people were milling about. Usually his cousins came to find him or at least the kids would but nobody did today annnd he soon found out why.

He startled when Dex's voice sounded. He jumped, turning to him with wide eyes. "You!" he was too shocked to be angry and then looking him up and down... he was furious. At Dex. At himself. At his whole fucking life. How dare he look hot in that suit.

"This is my cousin's wedding! Don't do this here." he hissed. "This isn't my apartment, what the fuck is wrong with you!? You are not-- I am not gonna fuck you here..." that rumble got to him, his cheeks grew rosy "...It's not even time yet." his heat wasn't for at least another week. But that rumble had the ability to weaken his knees and make him wet. He knew it was going to happen. He would argue it wasn't but he knew. Dex would have his way.

It was then that he heard a shrill voice.

"Noooooctiiiiis~ How long were you going to hide this fine young man from us?" Noct's eyebrows rose. That was his aunt's voice. He looked over, she had found them and was sauntering over, martini in hand. She's toasted already.

"Uh.. hide?" he looked at Dex, then to his aunt. It slowly dawned on him that Dex didn't come to him first thing when he arrived. His shoulders sagged. His mouth curled up in a grin, not of joy but of anger, of contempt. 'You motherfucker...' he whispered.

"Oh Noctis~ look at that smile! Dex, Noct never smiles. You've had such an affect on him! He was hiding here alone until you got here. Shy thing. Maybe he'll come out of his shell more with you around. He needs a nice alpha to look after him." she winked and hooked her arm around Noct's and held him closer.

"Aunt Julia we need a moment to ourselves."

"Noctis." Julia's voice was suddenly sober. "Your grandparents have just arrived. They'd like to meet Dex." Noct swallowed. Grandma... he loved her but she was traditional and she was serious. The woman held a grudge and had no mercy on a social faux pas, especially at a family event.

"I... how do they even know about Dex-"

"Noctis. My nephew. You left your Alpha to fend for himself out there with the family. Granted, your grandparents hadn't arrived yet and your date, he's more than capable, he did brilliantly, you should have seen him. Yet you and I know that won't fly with grandmother, will it?"

Noct swallowed, unable to speak.

"You brought a boyfriend to a family wedding and that is serious business in our family, it indicates you two are serious. Now, all will be forgiven for this being the first time anyone has ever met him if you go introduce him to your grandparents promptly. If you send him alone you'll never get their blessing."

Noct withered. He looked at Dex, he looked into the distance. Could he just run? Could he just dive into his car and leave? How was this all his fault? How was he...

"I didn't think he'd come today..."

"...You two are going to have to work on communication dear. But go on. Grandma is eager to meet him. Put on a happy face. Hurry before we start taking our seats or it will look like you're trying to steal your cousin's spotlight." aunt Julie left them alone.

Noct sighed and looked at Dex.

"...Are you happy?" he growled. "...My grandparents are good people. Don't be a psycho okay? Let me do the talking." he took a moment trying to get his scowl off his face. Smile. A smile.... how could he smile when he wanted to scream.

They're going to think he's dating with intent to marry. They are all thinking this is his serious boyfriend, that they will have another wedding before long for him and Dex. That's what they are all talking about in there, that's what Dex wanted. How... how did he know? He could cry but. No. No... fuck it he is not going to feel this sorry for himself at this wedding.

"...My grandmother's name is Eleanor and she is very traditional so don't... please don't embarrass me, okay?"

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex kept up the 'perfect Alpha' mask around Noctis's aunt. He could already tell that he'd made the exact impression on them all he'd been hoping for. Soon, he'd have the whole lot of them eating out of the palm of his hand, that manipulative streak that all psychopaths possess helping him out a great deal here.

"Psycho? Psycho?" Dex sounded absolutely affronted at being accused of being crazy, as if his behavior over the last few months had entirely been, in fact, psychotic behavior that would have gotten him carted off to a psych ward if he had been an Omega doing it to an Alpha. But since he was an Alpha doing it to an Omega, everyone just saw how romantic and Byron-esque his actions were, like some dark brooding antihero from a 19th century novel. "I will have you know I have been on my best behavior here. Your family already loves me." Which was just another link Dex was building in the chain to trap Noctis with. If he tried to tell them now what Dex was really like, they'd just accuse him of being dramatic or not wanting to fall in line with 'traditional Alpha and Omega values.' Rejecting Dex now would just make it look like he was throwing away a good thing for no reason.

Dex was the traditional Alpha every bit of societal expectation had said an Omega should want: tall, strong, handsome, a good provider, firm in what he wanted from his Omega, and possessive in that way that would ward all other Alphas away from Noctis.

When he was led over to a pair of little old people, he smiled graciously. "It's wonderful to finally meet you both. I'm Noctis's Alpha, Dex." He shook the man's hand firmly and Noctis's grandfather gave him an approving nod. Then he brought up the woman's hand to plant a courtly, old-fashioned kiss to the back of it. The esture was so dramatic and over the top that it worked out perfectly: she giggled like a little schoolgirl.

"Now I hope you've got nothing but good intentions for my grandson. If you're coming to one of the family weddings, that means it must be getting serious." She peered upwards at Dex with a solemn look on her face. "Is it serious?"

"Of course. Noctis is the one I want to be with for the rest of my life." He looped an arm around Noctis's waist and pulled him in close. To anyone else, it looked like a loving gesture. Only Noctis would be able to feel the insane possessiveness in the movement and what his words truly meant. Dex was never going to leave Noctis alone. The Omega was stuck with Dex as his Alpha permanently. "Besides, when the time comes, can you imagine how cute our kids will be?"

Those were the magic words. Both grandparents lit up at the thought of being great-grandparents and having new babies around. Dex smiled, though the expression never reached his eyes. This was too easy.

[starless_sky]

That sonuvabitch planned this. He can't say how Dex knew but he knew. Somehow. It didn't sound very sane but somehow Noct knew he was right. This was a conspiracy.

"Yes. Psycho. They love you because they don't know you like I do." he hissed. Damn it all he had to make nice with this guy and Dex was right. It was all over, they loved him and if the family loved him they'd never stop asking about him. "Is Dex coming to Christmas? Is Dex coming to our barbecue? Is Dex coming????" To Everything???"

He took Dex's arm, approached his grandparents and forced a smile. "Grandma, Grandpa, this is..." but Dex was already doing his thing. Noct watched as his grandparents fell under the spell, thoroughly charmed by his surprise Alpha. He felt like he was out to sea, alone with no paddle. Nobody supported him or even saw what he saw and Dex snaked his arm around his waist while speaking the words of his death. Noctis is the one I want to be with for the rest of my life

The rest of my life.

They were romantic words but to him they were the slam of a prison cell door. He wanted to cry. It really was over, he was never getting away. He felt himself hollowing out as his grandparents looked so elated. Of course, he'd be their new favorite grandchild if he got pregnant first. God, the way Dex was going that might happen. His birth control was the only thing keeping him from conceiving during his heats.

"Aha... kids aren't on the radar right now." Noct chuckled. It sounded like someone else talking. Someone who sounded pleased.

"Of course not, you need to be married first!" Grandpa looked pointedly at Dex.

Grandma soothed. "Whenever you two are ready, there's no rush... but come talk to us when you're ready, Noctis dear. We'll handle everything." they paid for their grandkids' weddings. All of them. Noct felt like he wanted to vomit. His family would sanction his imprisonment, hell they'd build the cell with Dex.

"Haha... oh wow. I'm dizzy just thinking about that. Hah... I'm gonna go sit." he stepped away. He has to actually sit and try not to hyperventilate. "I can't believe you fucking said that. Kids? KIDS? What the hell, Dex. You know I'm on the pill. You want it to fail?" he was trembling. "Of course you do... I'm not... ready for that." Gods, he needed to sit or curl up and bawl. Or be held.

"You're welcome for only using your nickname by the way." why hadn't he mentioned who Dex was? Saying his name out loud... it was the best card he had to play. The only card, really. He didn't know why he never used it against Dex. Except he did. Dex could break out again and murder him.

"...I guess you wanna go sign the card on my wedding gift too? So it can be from 'us'?" he sighed and went to go sit on the bride's side. He may as well make room for Dex too. They were spending the day together.

"...Will you at least get me a drink while you do that?" he needed one. Or twelve.

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex was pleased he'd won over the grandparents the way he had Noctis's aunts, uncles, and cousins. They'd been the wildcard here. If he couldn't impress or charm them, then that might be a spanner in the works. As they went over to their seats, he kept one hand on Noctis at all time. It looked sweet from the outside and only Noctis would be able to feel how much control there was in the simple gesture.

When Noctis sat down in one of the rows, Dex noticed he was trembling. His eyes softened for a moment and he put his arms around him, pulling him in so that Dex could hold him. He spoke quietly to his Omega, his tone surprisingly soothing. "Don't worry. You'll get pregnant when I want you to and not a moment before." He brushed a stray lock of hair out of Noctis's face, the tender gesture at odds with the obsessive, controlling, and deeply disturbing words. The scary thing was is that Dex could have made that happen whenever he wanted. There was plenty of ways to make sure birth control failed even if Noctis attempted to stay on it.

The one saving grace is that Dex could see Noctis's family was a bit old-fashioned and clearly wanted them to be wed before Noctis got pregnant. That was a small detail and could easily be taken care of. Already, he was onto the next step of his plan in how to make that happen.

When Noctis mentioned putting his name on the gift, he got up. "Don't worry about a thing. I'll get your favorite drink." Because by now of course Dex knew what that was. He leaned in and kissed Noctis briefly before he went off to do both of those things. He deliberately made sure to have the bartender make it double strength so there would be more alcohol overall in it. He planned on getting Noctis drunk fast so he'd be more easy to control when Dex wanted to have sex with him.

[starless_sky]

Noct was shocked how easily it had happened. His entire family fell like a house of cards. Here he was looking the part of a beloved boyfriend while that hand on him was like a brand. The reminder he was never free. Even if for an instant Dex looked almost humane. That softened look reminded him of Dex during his heats when he was nice to him. Or. At least he liked him better when he was in heat.

Yet Noct's blood turned to ice at his words. Dex was going to control his fertility. He ran through a lot of ideas then; about changing drugs, changing doctors, stocking up on Plan B, even getting an abortion but he knew it was never going to work. He'd run himself ragged and still end up right where Dex wanted him. God he was so tired.

At least their babies would be cute. Dex wasn't wrong there.

"Hopefully our kid won't inherit their father's black heart." he growled and then he was alone for a moment. He should have run away then, just run for his car but it would make a bigger scene.

Dex was a good man for getting a double, and thank goodness for an open bar at the wedding. Grandpa would pay for an open bar at theirs too. Noct could already imagine himself drinking all day just to get through it.

Noct's favorite was a maple bacon old fashioned, with a slice of candied bacon as a garnish! Noct would sigh in relief when he got it and then look at Dex suspiciously.

"You got me a double?" he narrowed his eyes but still drank. He needed that. The pews were filling up and soon Noct had to lean into Dex to make room for everybody else. They looked cute but he wore a mask of calm.

"Do you even like weddings? They're boring as hell."

As if on cue the thing started and proved him right. All the ceremony, the vows, the prayers, his cousin taking a fortnight to get down the aisle. He just watched, snuggled up to Dex sipping his drink. The groom had a long monologue for his vows and instead of audibly sighing, Noct laid his head on Dex's shoulder.

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex was happy to get all up in Noctis's space as the pew filled in, making sure that he had no personal space to himself. Just another gesture of control as so many others were between them.

For one of the only times in their relationship, Dex looked uncomfortable when Noctis asked about whether he liked weddings or not. "....I've never gotten the chance to go to many before," he said in a sad tone after a pause. People generally went to weddings either because their family or friends were getting married. Dex had no family and no friends, so the very few times he'd gone had been for a coworker who liked him well enough to offer an invite, mainly so they could fill up all the seats.

He watched the ceremony intently, genuinely interested in this part of the proceedings since he hadn't seen many during his life. He encouraged Noctis to keep drinking, making sure he'd downed the entire old fashioned by the time the ceremony was concluding.

As soon as the ceremony was done with the happy bride and groom walking down the aisle, Dex went over and got Noctis another double from the bar. He brought it back to him. "Drink," he told him firmly. It clearly wasn't a request as the not-so-gentle hand on the back of his neck implied. Once Noctis started to obey, Dex was happy to take him around and continue mingling. He paraded Noctis before everyone at the wedding, cementing himself in everyone's minds as the perfect Alpha boyfriend. He excused himself for a moment to go get some hors d'oeuvres for himself and Noctis. He'd made sure Noct had been drinking on an empty stomach, so anything he ate now wasn't going to do any good with that much alcohol already on his stomach. He smiled himself at what he overheard when he was coming back. "You're so lucky to have ended up with an Alpha like him! Dex seems perfect for you. And he's so handsome!" One of Dex's cousins told him in a gushing tone. She sighed. "If only I could find one like that."

[starless_sky]

Boy did he feel like an asshole when Dex looked uncomfortable. He ought to feel righteous. Dex SHOULD feel bad for something. Anything! Yet he looked like a kicked puppy for a second and Noct wanted to hug him and tell him everything was going to be alright.

"If you like this then guess what, there are more cousins where that came from." he sipped his drink, not really needing Dex to push him "This is strong, let me pace myself." he, in fact, did not pace himself and obeyed Dex. The glass was empty before the ceremony ended. "If you're gonna tag along again you can at least pick the gift next time." he huffed.

Aaaand that was a wrap. Another wedding in the bag. Now he just had to linger until it was polite to leave. Dex gave him a break for a moment, he could breathe... oh nevermind, he was back. Hand on his neck and fuck if it wasn't like taking a cat by the scruff. He didn't think, he just obeyed. Glass to lips, booze down throat. Got it.

Noct had never been this social at weddings, he was usually being a wallflower but today he was on the parade route through all the guests who were all too happy to talk to Dex. Including some friends who Noct had confided to about his situation.

"I'm so mad, haha. You were permanently single then you show up with a hottie like that? And he's clearly smitten with you. He's been waiting on you all day, I mean wow. Talk about the princess treatment."

"He owes me that much after everything he's done."

"Are you guys fighting? Was he rough on you during his rut or something? Haha! TMI, don't answer that! Just kidding... but seriously, how did you even find him?"

"He dragged me off the sidewalk and decided I was his."

"Haha! You're hilarious. Fine, keep your secrets."

The friend noticed Dex with hors d'oeuvres and lit up, waving him back over.

"Oh, here he is! Mister Stalker himself!"

Noctis flinched and looked over, saw Dex, saw the food... and snagged a crab cake off his plate with a huff.

"You know, I can tell how paralyzed with fear he is." the friend looked at Dex. "I think he was just trying to hide you and I can see why. We'd have all descended like vultures to take you away from him."

Noct shrugged. "If you've got what it takes, then by all means." he snagged another crab cake off Dex's plate. Fuck him, he doesn't deserve the best hors d'oeuvres.

His friend's eyes went wide. "oooh look at the confidence on this one! Noct's really got faith in you, Dex. Wow, you two are really special. I'm envious."

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex lit up when Noctis mentioned the possibility of more weddings. With him, it was give an inch and he'd take a mile, so he automatically assumed he was now invited to any and all future events as a plus-one until the end of time. "I'd like that a lot," he told Noctis and for once he was being honest. Dex had never known what it was like to have a family before and he felt that he could definitely grow used to this feeling.

"I will," he told Noctis. "I have excellent taste." One of the advantages of being so desperate to be seen as normal is that Dex stayed abreast of all the current trends and traditions. That desire to be perfect would make him go to great lengths to also find just the right gift for someone.

Dex smiled in a winning fashion at Noctis's friend, keeping the tone light and joking. "Of course. I'm one of a kind and I'm sure Noctis was worried at first. But he doesn't have to any longer. I've found my Omega and Noctis has found his Alpha." He placed a hand on the small of Noctis's back with his free hand, pulling him in so that he was flush was Dex's chest. Then he kissed him sweetly, knowing Noct wasn't about to make a fuss with so many people around.

"You two are so lucky to have one another!" came the wistful reply.

Dex grinned when he pulled away from Noctis. "I hope you're able to find someone just as wonderful and special." He knew Noctis was the only one who would know it for the stealth insult it really was, given how he knew the real way Noctis felt about him. "Okay, Noct and I should find our seats. We'll see you later."

He led Noct over to his seat. Word had gotten around that Noctis's boyfriend had come with him. While there was a few tut-tuts over Noctis being so gauche as to not inform the bride that he was going to have a plus-one, the staff had smoothly already set up another seat next to Noctis for Dex. As they waited for the waiters to come around to ask their preference of which of the three options for dinner each of them wanted. Dex took the opportunity to order for Noctis, taking even that small choice away from him. As they waited for the food to arrive, Dex started to get a little more handsy and up in Noctis's personal space, knowing the drinks in his system would start to lower his inhibitions. He leaned in close, whispering in Noctis's ear. "You look really good tonight," he purred, not hiding the lustful tone in his voice. When the rest of those at the table weren't looking, he pulled Noctis's shirt out from where it was tucked into his pants and slipped his hand underneath to rest on the muscular expanse of Noctis's abs, running his fingers slowly across his skin.

He only let up when the food arrived. "Eat something. You'll need some energy for the long night ahead," Dex said, making it clear they would only be leaving the wedding when he wanted them to. He patted Noctis fondly on the shoulder, letting his hand linger in a gesture equal parts sweet and possessive. Then he walked off.

When he returned, he replaced Noctis's water glass with yet another drink. This one was different than the last two with an unusual green color to it. "Signature cocktail to celebrate the bride and groom," he explained. "Drink." Mixing liquors was usually a bad idea but right now Dex wanted Noctis good and drunk. It would make him much more pliable and easy to control.

He had gotten one for himself but was pacing himself much more leisurely in drinking it, seeing as how he was only on his first while telling Noctis to start working on his third. His entire attention was focused on Noctis, though anytime someone engaged Dex is conversation he immediately switched on his 'perfect Alpha' persona.

[starless_sky]

He was going to show up with or without an invitation, wasn't he? So what did it matter? Not may as well pretend this was on his terms. While he was at it he could pretend he didn't like that happy look on Dex's face.

"Is that why you invade my apartment at your leisure? Because you have good taste?" yet he knew Dex was going to win everyone over by getting the hot new item next time. He couldn't be bothered with trends so Dex putting in the effort to shop for the 'it' thing would likely put him overtop of Noct in gift-giving in the family. They'd love Dex. They'd want him to come to everything.

Noct was quietly grumpy having to listen to Dex win all his friends over. He wasn't ready for the kiss. He was trying to bite into his crab cake when he was pulled in and suddenly they were kissing. He froze. He blushed. Then he glowered. Oh wonderful and special didn't even begin to cover it, fucker.

Not to mention Dex made him look like an ass for bringing a plus-one. He was happy to excuse himself given the faux pas and just go home but sadly the staff was all too happy to fix it. Crisis averted! Dammit.

Dex ordered for him and he shouldn't be surprised yet he scoffed at him. "That's not what I wanted. Aren't you supposed to be nice to me? Wait... wait, Dex. Stop. Not here." the purr in his ear did things to him. It woke his inner omega, called to that part of his heat-brain that wanted Dex. It also sent shivers down his spine and not the good kind. He knew they'd have sex and he knew Dex would fuck him until he was finished. No matter how long that took or what appointment he missed because of it.

"Dex. Please... no, not here." he tried to bat his hands away but the alcohol made him less than graceful. Dex's hand was up his shirt and he hissed at the intrusion. "Not here. Dammit, Dex, my family is here." Nobody noticed or if they did they wrote it off as love being in the air and Dex feeling amorous.

He shoved his shirt back in his pants while he was gone and then the drink came. He reached for his water glass as it went away. "Hey no... I don't want any more. What even is this? I'm not drinking it." he sniffed it and winced. Gross.

But then again, did he want to be sober while Dex raped him later? He sighed and took a healthy swig of his drink while Dex was glowing as the favorite guest. He was unreal. It was like Noctis wasn't even worthy of this guy!

Noct couldn't take another minute. He scooted his chair back and stood up. "I'm gonna go dance." he was loose now, feeling like he didn't care what people thought of him. He headed to the dance floor and started moving with the music. People cheered, he smiled, he sighed in relief. He was alone, away from Dex, in his own world. Fuck this wedding. Fuck this day.

The alcohol hadn't fully hit yet so he was still good on his feet. He has moves too. The guy is smooth.

[ricochetingbullets]

"That's a no spelled Y-E-S," Dex purred in Noctis's ear as he continued to move his hand, moving it upwards towards Noctis's chest. He could feel the heat coming off of Noctis's skin and knew his mate was responding in just the way Dex wanted him to. In some situations, he wouldn't have been nearly so blatant with his possessive affection. He's not a barbarian and knows how to follow societal norms. But at a wedding it was a given love was going to be in the air for every happy couple there, so he could get away with a lot more.

Dex let Noctis go off to the dance floor, curious since he'd never seen his Omega dance before. He kept his eyes on him for a few minutes and liked what he saw. His Omega was so very pretty and graceful as he was out there dancing. Most guys, Dex included, didn't have much in the way of dance moves. He'd never really seen the need for any. The only reason he would have was to attract Omegas his way to fuck and Dex already found it easy enough to do that. He found his lust rising as he watched Noctis out there moving. Suddenly, he understood why some birds did mating dances to attract another, because hot damn this was making him want Noctis all the more.

He ate his dinner and drank down part of the cocktail, just enough to give him a bit of a buzz. Several people asked him why he wasn't out there with Noctis. He demurred at first, saying without having to fake any of the awkwardness in his voice that he wasn't very good at dancing. Then the DJ finally switched it to a slower song, one clearly designed for couples. Now this was something that Dex could actually dance to without looking like a complete goober.

He got up, catching Noctis before he could exit the dance floor. "Can I have this dance?" He asked, but as with most things when it came to Noctis, he'd already made the decision for both of us. He wrapped a hand around Noctis's waist, pulling him in close while holding his hand in his other.

[starless_sky]

Somehow the admission made Dex more likeable. He was relatable. Honestly he'd been a bit too perfect so far but the people at the table all smiled. Finally, Mr. Perfect had at least one flaw!

"You should take a dance class with Noctis! He'd love that!"

Noct was trying to leave the dance floor as Dex showed up. Lucky for them both he's an excellent follow. He can translate Dex's gestures into dance moves and really make Dex look good. The subtle communication through bodies is what made dance intimate. It's how people could fall in love without words.

Of course, Noct's furious at having to pretend.

"Do I have a choice?" as Dex put his arm around him like a chain.

The rhythm was slow, the song was romantic. He tried not to let it become a hug but all these songs ended up with couples hugging and swaying. Or talking.

"Did you get what you wanted out of today? You met my family. You saw a wedding, was it everything you hoped and dreamed?" he's being sarcastic but from the guest tables it looked like two lovers chatting while dancing.

He could feel his family's approving gaze as they danced together. This was supposed to be a brief respite. How was Dex twisting every single moment to be in his favor?

He sighed, resting his head on Dex's chest. He was done with today. The alcohol is creeping in. He's tired. He's ready to get it over with and go to sleep.

He barely heard the "awww" from the crowd. He looked like he was blissful, not worn out.

They still had to send the bride and groom off and they had to get home. Noct couldn't drive himself at this point. He was under no illusions who he'd be going home with.

The bride. The bride who was making the rounds and wanted to see them. To hug Noct and kiss his cheek and to look at Dex. "Is this him??? Omg hiiii! Thank you for cominggg, I'm so glad you could make it!" she hugged too hard but she whispered in Dex's ear.

"You're coming to the family vacation, aren't you? Don't let Noct skip."

[ricochetingbullets]

"Yes, actually, this has been a great day," Dex told him. He sounded completely sincere. When Noctis laid his head on his chest, he let go of his hand and rested it on the back of his head, planting a kiss on top of it. "Ours will have to be even better," he told Noctis. Dex had never really had many concrete ideas on what kind of wedding he wanted but now he certainly did.

Dex let go of Noctis and hugged the bride back when she came over. "Of course we'll both come." Dex told her soothingly. "I..." He deliberately hesitated, adding just the right amount of wistfulness to his voice that spoke of a sad story without having to go into any real details about his life. "...I never had a family to do all of this with before." Despite all his lies and manipulations, that part was genuine. Dex had long since given up dream of having a big family to celebrate with. This was all he'd ever wanted and he was never going to give it up now.

The bride's face twisted in sympathy. "Ohhhh..." She said as it clicked in her head what he meant by that. Then she brightened up. "Well, we'll all be more than happy to be your new family!" Dex knew she'd spread the word about Noctis's poor sweet Alpha who had been all alone for so long. "Alright, I gotta greet the rest of the guests. You both have fun now, okay?"

"Oh I can assure you we both will," Dex said with a wink that made her laugh. Once she'd gone off, he turned back towards Noctis and went back to dancing with him. He leaned in, nuzzling him gently. "I really like your family." That was true enough. "I'm gonna come with you now to all the family gatherings." One more thing Noctis couldn't keep solely to himself any longer. As if to seal that promise, he leaned in and kissed Noctis passionately. He knew the alcohol had to be hitting him by now, for he could taste it on his breath. It wouldn't be long now before he took Noctis off to fuck him.

Thread 2, post-wedding, Identifying Noct's father's killer.

[starless_sky]

A shower and some food did Noct a world of good. He was less irritable, less hangry, and the medicine was kicking in now so he was in less pain. He even put up with Dex getting handsy in the bathroom. This was just his life now and he didn't have it in him to get angry about it today.

So he laid around mostly. He let Dex wait on him and play Alpha of the Year. He re-hydrated and ate some snacks laying on the couch. He looked online to see wedding photos on his family's social media. Scrolling got him a good look at the party outside his bubble with Mr. Perfect. Blegh. He can remember the taste of that Bride's Choice cocktail and he wanted to gag.

The photos were nice. His cousins had a nice time, his little cousin was an adorable flower girl. He didn't remember saying hi to her. There were cute shots of his grandparents, of his cousins, and then of him and Dex. There were plenty of comments, hashtags, and... even a video. Of him and Dex. On the dancefloor.

He remembered this conversation, he was so mad at that moment but it didn't show up on camera. He felt drunk and sick and that didn't show up either. He saw it, his stomach dropping as he watched the video time and time again. He looked like a smitten Omega in the arms of an equally smitten Alpha. His family believed they were in love. This wasn't a surprise but... fuck he hoped even one person might take him seriously but not at this rate.

He sighed. Yesterday seemed far away now that he saw Dex's real self. He was still psychopathic and did things to hurt him but he felt different to Noct now. Maybe it was the exhaustion from the hangover that made him too apathetic to drump up any resentment.

"Hey Dex, look, someone got shots of us." he held his phone over. "There's a video too. You got what you wanted, they love you." there were many comments on their video about how cute they were and how happy for Noctis they were. Several cousins said they'd be having another wedding soon which just made Noct want to cringe.

"...Can you even get married, Dex? You're a fugitive. I mean, they don't do background checks I guess but how did you plan on that working?"

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex was pleased to see Noctis revive and come back to life as he relaxed throughout the day and allowed Dex to care of him. Whatever Noctis wanted of him, even if it was to stop hovering and just go watch TV or read a book, he was happy to do as he was every inch the doting Alpha right now.

Dex was busy scrubbing the inside of Dex's oven when he heard his name called, that need for everything in his sight organized and clean in sight rising up within him, and making him twitchy until he indulged it. Noctis's apartment was already very neat and tidy due to his regular presence over here but there was always something else for him to do.

He came over and scrolled through the photos, noting how convincing they looked as an Alpha/Omega couple that was deeply in love. He certainly knew how to put on a performance, though it was always easier when there was a little grain of truth beneath the surface to help sell the act. He was all the more pleased when he read all the comments from Noctis's family and friends, all of them approving quite strongly of the couple. His plan was going off without a hitch. "I'm glad they approve of me," he told Noctis as he handed the phone over to him.

"That's what fake IDs are for," Dex told him. "I could get every piece of documentation I'll ever need to prove a version of me who isn't a criminal and just a normal person exists."

[starless_sky]

It hadn't been a bad day. He wondered what it would be like if Dex married him like he'd threatened. It couldn't be like this every day, could it? Dex would be angry and violent far more often than he was kind.

Noct twisted his head, trying to look behind him. The kitchen was that way and did he hear... "Are you cleaning?" again? He ought to just be grateful for it since he didn't have to do it. Dex was way cleaner than he was anyway. Noct was a slob after his dad died. He got depressed and just. Left his trash around and didn't bother taking it out until there was no square inch of table left. He liked clean spaces but he was easily distressed into squalor. Dex didn't make it easier other than cleaning the place himself. Noct slowly returned to cleaning his place like a normal person but Dex was always more detail oriented than him.

What reward was Dex expecting for this cleaning job anyway?

"Yeah, me too I guess." he sighed, disappointed in his people. "They're easy to fool. That's a relief for you, I guess. They take less energy."

"Yeah. That was obvious. I'm not a criminal, I don't come up with these things. So, we pretend it's an inconvenience you have the same name as a wanted criminal? No one's gonna compare your face to your mug shot?" honestly they won't and they won't believe the truth even if they see it. They won't want to understand the truth.

"So much for a JoP wedding. You're gonna want a big ceremony. Something like yesterday only better. Wait. I think you said that." he was drinking by then, he can't remember. "Did you say that?"

He looked over at Dex. "...Are you still cleaning?" he had plaintive eyes. "If you're finished, will you lay with me?" he hated that he loved it but Dex was really comfy to snuggle with. Noct fit into his body just so. He liked it when Dex spooned him for the same reason, or when they hugged. He'd been told that was a sign of true love or soulmates or something but he rejected it. Dex was just. Comfy.

Noct got anxiety spells as he recovered today and the fastest most potent cure? Was cuddling with an Alpha.

[ricochetingbullets]

"Of course," Dex said, his voice a ringing hollow sound since he'd stuck his head back into the oven. "Your oven looks like it hasn't been cleaned out since the Dark Ages." The ritual and routine of getting something back in order soothed Dex in a way he couldn't really articulate.

"It's not a common name but there's more than one person who has it according to Google. I'm sure we can get away with it," he said confidently. Social media would be a slightly bigger hassle in terms of trying to corral what was put out there but that was a risk Dex was willing to take in order to get what he wanted, which was Noctis as his mate and a family down the line.

Dex's eyes lit up, one of his more genuine expressions coming across his face. "Yes! I want a big wedding. I only plan on doing this once so I want it to be perfect." Looked like there was a future groomzilla in the making right here, given Dex's attention to detail and obsession with making everything was perfect and to his standards.

Dex had always thought Noctis had beautiful eyes, much more expressive than his own dead ones could ever be. With the way he was looking at him, he couldn't deny him anything. "I'll be right there." So he quickly finished scrubbing the oven and washed his hands clean. Then he was over and immediately cuddling up with his Omega. Dex hummed in the back of his throat for a moment, a sign of contentment. "You feel warm."

[starless_sky]

Uh. Was Dex voicing his discontent with the state of the apartment? Well, whatever, it was his preference so he could fix it if it bothered him. Never bothered Noct. "It hasn't." he twisted around to look back from the arm of the couch again. "How do you even clean ovens?" yeah, these two were not on the same level of cleanliness but Noct could be led slowly to cleantok like a horse to water.

"I'm sure you can too." Noct sighed wearily. Dex could get away with whatever he wanted in Noct's eyes. He had so far, his one incarceration was a fluke.

Social media at the wedding, they could have a no phones policy. Or make them upload photos to a family-only album. God, he was thinking about it too much. But... it was going to happen. Dex got away with whatever he wanted. If Dex wanted to marry him, he'd marry him.

As if to emphasize the thought Dex looked so vibrant at the mention of a wedding. Noct sighed, clicked his tongue, looking to the side. He was not a big ceremony kind of guy. He'd much prefer a low-key thing or even to elope. "What about what I want?" he knew the answer. "Tell me what you want." said in a put-upon tone.

"We could just go on one of those day cruises and get married by the captain, it'll be peaceful." he knew he was talking to a wall when he started that sentence, there was no point. Just... all the attention and the spectacle of it. No thanks.

Good thing Dex came to snuggle with him so he could forget that for a bit. He rested his cheek against Dex's chest. "Am I? I feel kinda cold. You're warm, you've been working." he laid still for a while.

"I like your scent." he let that hang in the air for a bit. "Not the cleaner or soap but you." he knew that meant they were a good match. He'd read once that liking an Alpha's scent was a sign you were genetically different from them and thus would make favorable offspring. It was Noct's body saying Dex was a prime choice to make babies with. Damn it all.

He hugged Dex like a body pillow for a while and went quiet, almost like he meant to nap but he was wide awake.

[ricochetingbullets]

"The same way you clean anything else. Get some cleaning products that can cut through all the built-up grime and go to work. Just gotta make sure to clean it all up with water afterwards so that your oven doesn't explode or reek of chemicals the next time you turn it one," Dex said patiently. He doubted he'd ever get Noctis up to his standards of cleanliness but he could turn him down the right path.

"Something big and flashy and full of spectacle. Maybe something done on the beach?" Dex said, spitballing ideas out loud. He'd never thought much about his own wedding up until now but all sorts of ideas were starting to filter into his brain. "Maybe a destination wedding? Somewhere warm and tropical? That might mean less guests come but it also means we could splurge more on what the actual event will look like."

Dex wrapped his arms around Noctis, holding him close. "You do?" Dex said, sounding pleased. He'd heard the same thing, that the natural smell of an Alpha/Omega pairing smelling good was a good sign for any future kits they might have. One of his hands came up, stroking through Noctis's hair slowly and rhythmically for a while, feeling his body relax into his.

[starless_sky]

Dex is certainly wise in that regard. Noct's never gonna be at his level but the fact he cleans at all again and he even has a dedicated storage for different cleaners now... he's improving?

"Ah... yeah. Right." he can't respond other than to sound like a dope. He feels like a dope. He is one. He should be a real adult who cleans but alas, he has his psychopath stalker cleaning his oven for him. What the fuck even is his life right now?

"The beach? Why not The Foundry or Le Chateau or something? Or St. Patrick's Cathedral?" of course not. He sighed. This is new to Dex, it was fun for him for some damn reason. Weren't Alphas supposed to not care about this?

"You want it to be the wedding no one can top, you're gonna have to rent out some building here and it'll make us look like assholes." and for one of them that was true!

"If you want a destination wedding why not Paris? You want to go to France, right?" he may as well play along both for his safety and he didn't know how he would get out of this yet. He would. Probably. Somehow. He went back and forth.

"Mmhmm." Noct murmured as they snuggled. Dex smelled good and he even slept with the linens Dex had touched when he left. On nights Dex didn't come by, Noct was liable to curl up with a sheet or the pillow he had laid on.

Noct's own scent was mostly citrus; orange and bergamot, a bit of floral, notes of rose and lily of the valley, underlined with musk. Only because he was male or he'd be fruit and floral all the way down like female Omegas.

Noct sighed in stress relief as Dex pet him. This was the key to soothing him. That and anytime Dex put his hand on the back of his neck.

"I might have gotten over you stealing my clothes because when you return them they smell like you. So we just trade now." he thought about Dex, about what he wanted. "But if you marry me you won't have to do that anymore, you'll be here all the time." every day... forever... oh god...

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex immediately latched onto the subject of weddings with a shocking amount of enthusiasm. That single-minded thinking that had led Dex to stalk Noctis to begin with was now leading him to obsess over his wedding day. "I haven't decided on a single idea yet. But I am open to suggestions." Which meant he was already thinking quite a bit about the ones that Noctis was throwing out, seeing if he liked the way he pictured things going in his head if they were at one of the various locations.

"Paris? You're right, I have always wanted to go..." He pictured that location in his mind. He liked what he saw. "The city of love. Sounds like the perfect place to get married." He sighed in a happy fashion. "I think I'd like a wedding there a lot." Pinning down Dex's emotional state was always difficult given half the time even he didn't know how he truly felt about things but he thought planning their wedding destination as France was a wonderful idea.

Dex leaned in, sniffing Noct heavily, loving that natural scent that wafted off of him. He could never get enough of it, which was one of the main reasons he'd become a kleptomaniac when it came to Noctis's clothes.

As for Dex's Alpha scent, he smelled like old books, leather, gunpowder, fresh grass, and oddly something calming in the mix there like lavender. The lavender scent was most prominent when he was in rut as a sort of natural relaxant when Omegas smelled it to calm them down and get them ready for mating.

He nudged Noct gently as he continued to pet him. "It's cute you somehow think marrying you will somehow lessen my desire to have your scent around me all the time."

[starless_sky]

How bizarre. They were going to have a wedding Pinterest board or its equivalent soon weren't they? Here he was asking himself what happened to the Noctis who promised to get out of this yesterday? Who threatened Dex with a blade the night they met? Or.... no he had to be honest with himself. Dex was a predator and he was in control the moment he grabbed Noct.

How was he going to get out of this? Especially given he liked Dex's scent and they'd had enough heat sex that it endeared him to it. Thank you Oxytocin. It was harder for him to say no when his body said yes. Plus he didn't have any faith in fighting anymore, it hadn't gotten him anywhere so far.

"You'll get tired of me eventually, Dex. What then? Abandonment?" he doubted it. Dex didn't like to lose. If he got tired of Noctis would he kill him? Hopefully. The alternatives were beyond his imagination but they'd be horrible. Torture in some basement until he died?

He liked being pet, he closed his eyes wanting to disappear into a nap. It was not meant to be. His phone rang and he groaned, looking at it he sighed. Grandma. He looked up to Dex, holding one finger over his lip before he answered. Of course, at this distance Dex would hear Eleanor on the other line.

"Hey, Grandma."

Hi, Sweetie. Is this a bad time?

Noct and his grandma exchanged pleasantries and Noct looked bored. He started doodling with his finger on Dex's chest. Grandma got to the point eventually.

Sweetheart. I was thinking about you this morning. You looked very nice yesterday. Your aunt mentioned something to me, and I didn’t much care for the way it sounded. It didn't sound like the grandson I know but I thought I’d hear it from you, just the same.

"Uhh... okay. What did she say?" he looked at Dex. This was his fault. People knew.

Nothing that needs to be repeated in polite conversation. Just the sort of thing people say when they think they've seen more than they have. I would rather hear the truth from you.

Ice bled through his veins. They knew. Somehow Julia knew and now everyone was getting inundated with rumors he fucked his boyfriend at the wedding. This was bad, Julia was like a dog with a bone when it came to juicy gossip. Yet. Grandma was the matriarch of this family and if she believed it was a lie she would silence the entire family and re-write the truth. Noctis had this one chance to change things in his favor. In Dex's favor too. He had to help Dex get away with rape this time.

"She said that?" Noctis gasped, genuinely horrified.

Oh, sweetheart. Don't be upset. You know your aunt has a way of... coloring things. I didn't give it any weight, I know you.

And yet she is calling to prove or disprove the rumor. Noct steeled himself. Grandma wanted to believe he was her precious innocent boy. She wanted to believe and she may be willing to swallow a good lie for this.

"It's embarrassing. All that dancing got me nauseous and Dex took me to the bathroom and I got sick. I made a mess, it's why I took so long. It's why we left after that, I felt terrible."

Grandma's voice changed from nervous to relaxed and bright.

Darling, you poor thing. No wonder you looked pale. Well, that is quite different from what was implied. I am glad you had someone looking out for you.

"Is everybody... talking about this? Do they believe her?"

...They know you, Noctis. As I know you. I will have a talk with your aunt this afternoon about this.

"Grandma, don't punish her, please." this was going to have the reverse effect.

Noctis, I know you. I know how you were raised. Nothing she said was going to change my mind. I wish she would keep such ideas to herself.

And he knew his grandma was on the war path now. She cared about her family's propriety above most things.

I've got to go, dear. Do bring your young man over to the house some time. I didn't get much chance to talk to him at the wedding. Love you!

"Sure, bye Grandma." he sighed. Well. Snuggling is ruined. "Don't take that as a sign that it's okay to force yourself on me." as if it mattered to Dex?

[ricochetingbullets]

Dex twitched a little when Noctis asked him what would happen when and if Dex got tired with him. He was a little worried about that truth be told. It had happened with other people before in Dex's life. Once they stopped making him curious or were no longer interesting to him, he simply dropped them from his life and moved on. But Noctis was different. "You don't know that. Maybe I never will. He'd never been this way with an Omega before, particularly one that he now wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He couldn't imagine a day coming where he suddenly tired of Noctis and just cut him loose to go back to his old life.

Dex squinted a little in curiosity when Noctis silently told him to remain quiet while he spoke on the phone with his grandma. For a while, he just listened, feeling as bored as Noctis did. He focused on Noct's fingers on his chest. Then his grandmother got to the point of the conversation. Suddenly, Dex was trying very hard not to laugh, certain that Noctis would be able to feel the vibrations going through his body that he refused to let escape his mouth. If Noctis's grandmother was alerted to his presence on the other end of the line, he could lose all the goodwill he'd built up with his family the night before. The best laid plans could end up being waylaid by one simple mistake.

He listened as Noctis spun a lie so smooth that even Dex wouldn't have been able to tell it wasn't the truth if he hadn't already known it himself. Once Noct hung up, Dex finally let out a burst of laughter. It was far more genuine then the controlled laughs that Dex had in public interacting with other people as the 'perfect Alpha.' This was much louder and messy than that. Finally, he stopped.

He reached over and pet Noctis gently again before kissing him on the top of the head. "We both know I'll do what I want and when I want to." Unfortunately, in this one area, Dex had absolutely no regards for what Noctis wanted.

[starless_sky]

It may be that Dex sets him free when he gets bored. Noct would have to figure out what sort of lie to tell when that day came and his family asked about Dex. Aunt Julia would be so happy if his marriage failed. Little does she know.

"Maybe but maybe we should talk about it." and maybe it would happen sooner than he thought if he was boring enough. Somehow he knew Dex wouldn't leave until it was too late and too early. If he left.

He didn't expect the laughter and he narrowed his eyes at Dex as he was on the phone. Oh. Oh he finds it funny Noct's covering for him? Wow. Motherfucker. He had a lovely laugh but it was so annoying.

"Go ahead, laugh it up. Next time I'll tell her the truth." he frowned. This felt gross. It was disgusting and he can't even take pride in standing up for himself. He'd helped Dex and he thought it was so funny. It was. Dex deserved to laugh at him, he was enabling this miserable life.

Dex's scent was doing things to him so his gross emotions weren't as sharp as they ought to be. Being pet helped soothe him and even the kiss, it ought to make him mad but today he was so tired. So hung over. Far too wrung out to really fight it. He just took it. The kiss, the reminder that Dex acted with impunity.

He sighed and twisted around so his back was to Dex. He fished for his TV remote. He needs to get out of this mindset and out of that awkward call.

"I can't believe she called to ask me that." he huffed. He is watching TV now and dissociating into the numbing commercials for spray cleaners, pet vaccines, trucks, online university, denim at Macy's. It was slop he'd normally mute but he was unresponsive for a while until the ads stopped and the news came on. It was a spot about the police and the AVTF. Something about Daredevil and the latest tragic deaths in New York.

Plenty of talking heads came on and Noct wanted to change the channel. He held his remote out but paused as a certain face appeared on screen. A rather plain looking middle-aged man. Brown hair, dead eyes, but all professional. Noct froze.

"Why is he there?" his voice was soft, his heart vulnerable. "It's... that's him." he swallowed. "Dex. That's... he killed my father." he watched until Titus Drautos was off-screen and then turned the TV off. He twisted around again and buried his face in Dex's chest. Abusive or no, he needed to not be alone right now and this Alpha would do nicely.

[ricochetingbullets]

"I don't want to talk about it," Dex said childishly and in a very stubborn tone. He made it clear that the idea of leaving Noctis someday was no longer up for discussion. Dex didn't like talking about someone leaving his life in any sense, always afraid that this would end up turning into some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

"No, you won't." Dex said the words confidently, certain that Noctis wouldn't want to end up being the family embarrassment and having to reveal just exactly what the relationship between he and Dex was truly like. Besides, deep down, he liked to think that he was growing on Noctis. If nothing else, his body kept reacting positively to Dex, making him think that this was all working out just the way that he wanted.

Dex noticed Noct checked out for a bit when he turned on the TV. He continued to pet Noctis, curling his body up around his mate like he could help fix whatever Noctis felt was going wrong with him. Of course, it never occurred to Dex that he was the reason for Noctis's miseries to begin with.

Dex suddenly sat up straight, his arms tightening around Noctis in an instinctual desire to protect him as Noct turned to him for comfort. "What?!" He said with something close to a snarl in his voice. Then his eyes darkened. "I'm going to kill him," he said in a tone burning with pure fury. That was a definitive statement, not a promise. Water was wet, the sky was blue, and Dex was going to kill the man who had murdered Noctis's father.