Kalmin smiled at the picture Mira sent him. Deimos was watching TV in cute pink boxers and Kalmin’s hockey hoodie. He didn’t even know Mira had taken the picture, his eyes fixed on the screen as his hands grabbed at the hem of his hoodie and brought it to his nose.

The caption she sent him was “Deimos terribly misses you.”

Kalmin texted back saying, “Send Nudes.”

Mira sent a picture of their dirty dishes and texted in response, “Sent you my dirtiest pic.”

God, his girlfriend was great. His boyfriend was great as well. Both of them were just great and something he desperately wanted right now as he’s crammed in his dorm room with a bunch of un-showered jocks studying for finals. Seb was currently on the floor groaning, papers upon papers littered around him. Kalmin clicked off his phone and finished proof-reading his roommate’s ten page essay, sighing as he did it, scribbling down some grammar errors and faulty arguments before poking Seb in the back with his homework.

“Here, you goof, it’s not as bad as you think,” he said. Seb didn’t respond and Kalmin calmly placed his essay on the top of his head. Seb grunted a thanks. Greg snorted at the sight and rolled around on Seb’s bed, sipping on his third Red Bull of the night.

“What matters now is passing,” he pointed out.

“For once, Greg’s right,” Kalmin replied.

“You honestly think I’ll pass with a shit essay like that?” Seb whined.

“Read my notes and go through it again, and yeah, you can and will,” Kalmin said optimistically.

“I’ve done it five times already!”

“Last time, I swear.”

“I agree with Kalmin, you’re almost there dude, man up and get it done,” Greg added on. Kalmin rolled his eyes at the “man up” comment.

Groaning, Seb got up, his complexion a complete mess, and looked over his essay once more. Kalmin smiled at him sympathetically before going back to his notes on his laptop about African history. He only got two lines in until someone interrupted him, again.

“What were you smiling at on your phone, Kalmin?” Greg questioned.

Kalmin didn’t look up from his laptop. “You’re procrastinating, Gregory.”

“C’mon, just tell me.”

“You specifically told me to tell you when you’re procrastinating and you’re doing it.”

“Past me is an asshole,” Greg mumbled. “Just tell me, dude, you keep looking at your phone.”

“Mira sent me a meme, that’s all,” Kalmin said bluntly.

“That’s not fun,” Greg whined. “Thought it was some nice nudes or something.”

Kalmin frowned at him.

“You know what’s not fun, ten-page essays, Greg, shut the fuck up,” Seb groaned.

“You’re the one that invited all of us over for a study session,” Greg pointed out.

“Don’t make us regret it,” Kalmin chided.

Greg rolled his eyes and went back to highlighting in his textbook. Only a minute passed before he spoke up again.

“I feel we should text some of the girls swim team to come up and hang out,” he said nonchalantly.

“We’re not participating in your orgies, Gregory,” Kalmin deadpanned.

“C’mon, dude, we’re all stressed and overtired, the best way to relax is a nice blonde bitch sucking your dick,” he sneered.

Kalmin glared at him and Greg raised his hands up in defeat.

“Chill, dude, we could also call in Theo to suck your dick specifically as well,” he suggested.

Clinton, who was sitting in Kalmin’s desk, snorted. Greg glanced at him and sneered.

“You know he wants to,” Greg egged on. “Nikola hears him cry out your name every night. Oh, baby! Kalmin, oh, Kalmin!” He cried out effeminately. “Fuck me harder, daddy!”

“Ok, that’s it, Greg, get out,” Kalmin said instantly. Some of the other third years that were just snickering looked shocked at how loud Kalmin raised his voice. A pang of regret and embarrassment rang through him, however, Seb backed him up.

“Kalmin’s right, dude, that’s super fucked up,” he replied.

Greg rolled his eyes and slammed his textbook closed. “I’m only joking, dude.”

“Joking about Theo like that isn’t funny,” Kalmin hissed.

“Dude, you’re so fucking stressed though,” Greg cocked an eyebrow. “You’re overthinking it, that guy would love to suck your dick, totally consensual.”

“Gregory, out,” Kalmin snapped. He got up from his bed and immediately Greg stood up as well, squaring him up. Everyone else went quiet. Sighing, Kalmin walked over to the door and opened it up for him.

“I’ll see you in psych tomorrow,” he said evenly.

Greg maintained eye contact with him as he walked out the door.

“Fucking prude,” he said under his breath as he passed him, intentionally bumping his elbow.

Kalmin rolled his eyes and closed the door behind him. When he turned around, Seb and everyone else was staring at him, shocked.

“He was just joking, dude,” Clinton said quietly. Some of the other third years crammed at the desk also nodded. Seb looked at them shocked, groaned and banged his head against the floor.

“I know, but it was a dumb joke and he was getting on my nerves,” Kalmin muttered hotly. It didn’t help that Clinton and the others were genuinely amused with Greg’s antics. Kalmin felt a little sick to his stomach knowing that the team might not say the disgusting stuff that Greg says proudly, but they tolerated it.

“Kalmin, I think you’re actually stressed,” Seb whined from the floorboards.

“Well, yeah,” he sighed, flopping onto his bed again. “I’ve got two exams in one week in the beginning of Finals Month and three essays.”

“You’ll do fine, dude, you always do,” Clinton urged. “And then you’re done for the rest of the month, yeah?”

“In-class Essay in English five days after that, last two are due at the end of the month.” Kalmin sighed. “Still haven’t planned that out yet.”

“You’ve got time,” Seb said. “You’re in a better position than most of us, honestly.”

“Still doesn’t make me feel better,” Kalmin muttered sourly. “It’s just…A lot.”

Seb groaned and sat up. “Ok, we’re going on a walk. Maybe if we stop talking Clinton and Eugene can actually get something done.”

“Hey! I’m trying my best here!” Eugene whined.

Seb sneered and flipped him off. Reluctantly, Kalmin got up and followed Seb out the door. They headed for the kitchen first to snag some Powerades before going up to the fourth level where there were more tables, couches, and TVs. Because it was one in the morning and no one was around, they snagged the most comfortable couches near the biggest window that overlooked the shining campus, and cracked open their drinks.

“You miss them, don’t you?” Seb said instantly. Kalmin blinked at looked at him bizarrely.

“What?” He stuttered.

“You’ve always been cool with your studies, you’re just stressed because you haven’t been with Deimos or Mira in weeks,” Seb explained. “I felt like you just couldn’t say that in front of everyone.”

Kalmin blinked. “I-It’s only been eighteen days without them, I’m fine.”

“Holy shit, Kalmin, you’re counting the days?”

“Sebastian, I’m fine,” Kalmin urged. “I see them at dinner and between classes, we’re ok.”

“We all know that’s not enough for you, you crave affection,” Seb teased.

“Seb, I’m good,” Kalmin whined leaning back into the couch. He blushed thinking his friends could notice his change of attitude. He thought he could hide his affection and yearning pretty well. “Just a few more weeks…”

Oh god, it was going to be weeks until he sees them again. It was going to be weeks till he sleeps in their bed and goes on with the routine they’ve kept up with for about four months. Maybe he was so stressed and out of it because of the routine he’s made. He missed waking up in the morning to kiss a sleepy Deimos and sleeping Mira before he left. He missed their company, their cuddles, their kisses, and…and the sex. God, what’s wrong with him, it’s only been about three weeks since the last time they banged. He’s lived twenty years without sex, he should be able to manage a month of abstinence.

“You’re a fucking open book, Kalmin, I’m amazed no one has picked up on your rampant lust for Deimos and Mira,” Seb said bluntly.

Kalmin blushed hard and sputtered. “I-I didn’t say anything!”

“Your face said everything. It’s kind of cute, no homo.”

“Sebastian.”

Seb laughed. “It’s ok to be lovesick, dude,” he said softly. “You can talk to me about this stuff. I’m the only one on the team that knows your big secret.”

Kalmin studied him for a moment before sighing and smiling shyly. “Thank you, Seb. I…I don’t know, it still seems embarrassing admitting that I have a girlfriend and a boyfriend.”

“It’s ok,” Seb laughed. “New relationship jitters. I can’t blame you. I mean, I thought it was kind of weird, but everything is consensual and you all are adults and no one is getting hurt so, it’s all good. And you guys are good to each other.”

Kalmin smiled a little wider. “You’re really nice, dude.”

“Wow, you just realized that now?”

“You know what I mean, dickhead.”

Seb laughed. “The Deimos in you is showing.”

“Is there an actual Deimos in me?”

“You never used to swear, now you seem to do it a lot more. I mean, yeah, you’re stressed, but the loveable assholery is new.”

“It’s not a bad thing?”

“Absolutely not. It’s a good look on you. Everyone needs a little fire in them. I especially like the Deimos on you on ice, you’ve gotten more aggressive for the better recently.”

“Really?”

“There’s a reason why Greg’s so at your throat, and it’s because you’re slowly becoming more offensive than defensive. Doesn’t want his spot taken.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, dude. Greg’s definitely threatened by you.”

“We’re all on the same team,” Kalmin sighed.

Seb sighed and sipped at his blue Powerade. “Some assholes never learn.”

“Some assholes do, though,” Kalmin pointed out. “I talked to Nikola the other day, he’s not as bad as he seems. Kind of a sweet kid.”

“Really? That’s a surprise. He seems like a brick wall to me.”

“Do you think the rumours about him are honestly true? I don’t like the idea of Theo roomed with him if he’s bullying him.”

Seb shrugged. “They seem fine to me. Nikola is a little bit too angsty for my taste, but I’ve never outright seen him being hostile to Theo. A few times on ice, though, y’know, Nikola shouts a lot.”

“Yeah, I noticed that. But…I don’t know, the more I watch them at practice, the more I think Nikola’s toughening him up. Theo’s kind of guarded and shy with his checks, he needs to be more assertive.”

“Thought about that too, Ajax is seriously thinking about mentoring the kid.”

“I like that,” Kalmin chuckled. “I feel Nikola needs a mentor as well. Riley said he’s looking after him.”

“That’ll definitely make him enemies.”

Kalmin paused. “Riley said the same thing.”

“About what?”

“Well, a hotshot rich boy is bound to make enemies within the team. Riley wondered if the rumours about Nikola bullying Theo were fake and the real victim here was Nikola.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time. Greg was a fucking dick to you first year.”

“That was because I was bi, not because I was good.”

“You are now, and he’s being a complete dick.”

Kalmin shrugged. “Ok, so if Nikola’s the actual victim here, who’s spreading the rumours?”

Seb frowned. “All the other freshmen are pretty chill. Maybe some of the kids that hang around Gregory? Or maybe I’m just making assumptions and I’m still pissed at him for making fun of Theo.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Kalmin sighed. “I guess we just need to look out for Theo and Nikola.”

Seb nodded. The two of them went quiet for a moment before Seb turned to him again.

“After Finals are over, we should go to Hayden and Charles’ banger.” He suggested.

Kalmin blinked at him. “What?” He laughed.

“Hayden and Charles, rich kids from the west side? They always hold an annual After Finals party. It’s open invitation. Most of the team is going. I feel like if I convince you to go, maybe some of the first years like our famed Nikola and Theo will go. We could get them drunk, get the real truths out of them, and solve this dumb drama.”

Kalmin winced. “Have about we don’t get them drunk to manipulate them and actually have a genuinely good time with them? Y’know, bond with the kids?”

Sarcastically, Seb shrugged and sighed. “I guess that’s also a good option.”

“That’s the only option if you want me to tag along.”

“Great, so you’re in?”

Kalmin sighed and peered down at his drink. “Mira and Deimos can come, yeah?”

“That was going to be my second excuse for you to come,” Seb joked. “Spend quality time with them, get drunk, have fun, maybe make out?”

“Sounds amazing except for the fact that our relationship is a secret,” Kalmin pointed out.

Seb waved him off. “You’re all drunk and best friends, making out with your best bro is normal.”

“Sebastian, you’re impossible,” Kalmin whined.

“Dude, you made out with Deimos at that one party this summer,” he argued.

Kalmin went quiet and blushed. “That was a one-time only thing.”

“And the grinding and making out with them in the street was too,” he deadpanned.

Kalmin blinked. “Wait, you saw that?”

Seb snorted. “Yeah, I did. Don’t worry, no one else did, and I feel like if any of the team did, they probably assumed you were way too drunk.”

Kalmin hummed, remembering dancing under red lights, the hot summer air filling his lungs and sweat dripping down his chin. He remembered Mira’s playful eyes and light fingers, and Deimos’ rumbling laugh and smooth hips. Then he remembered seeing black, seeing the pavement, eyes, shouts, and feeling dread fill his entire being. He remembered being torn from them, a pale hand shaking at him, ready to hurt him, and a mouth that spewed vile hatred.

“What happened after that won’t happen again,” Seb said suddenly.

Kalmin blinked and realized he was sweating. He looked at him, dazed and confused for a moment. “W-What?” He stuttered.

“Those rich kid assholes that you got in a fight with? Not going to happen again. This party is only for the students that go to our university, and that’s it. None of that prejudiced bullshit is coming through Hayden and Charles’ doors.” Seb smiled at him sympathetically. “We’re going to have fun. You’re going to have fun. You deserve it.”

Kalmin smiled back, a little shy. “Thanks, Seb.”

Yeah, Seb’s right. That party was an exception to all others. Not all parties are going to end up with Kalmin on the ground while his girlfriend and boyfriend beat the shit out of bigoted assholes.

He’ll be ok. He’ll be ok.

Sebastian smiled at him, wide. It was genuine and sickeningly sweet. But somewhat… naive. He didn’t know what truly happened that night. He didn’t know what words those men spat at Deimos and Mira. He didn’t know that it still scares him on bad nights.

“You’re welcome, dude.”

He’ll be ok.