Alexis 𖹭 Prequel

The Pure Bliss cafe was exactly what it sounded like—their sanctuary from the chaos of university life. Dark wood paneling lined the walls, complemented by deep purple velvet chairs and Edison bulb chandeliers that cast everything in warm, amber light. Bookshelves packed with leather-bound volumes created little alcoves perfect for hiding from the world, and the scent of rich coffee and old paper made the place feel like something out of a gothic novel.

Alexis pushed through the heavy wooden door, immediately spotting his usual table in the back corner where his friends were already gathered. The light filtered through the tall, arched windows, catching the purple accents scattered throughout—purple cushions, purple bookmark ribbons hanging from the shelves, even purple ceramic mugs.

"Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," June called out, not bothering to look up from her sketchbook. She was dressed head-to-toe in black as usual, her dark hair falling like a curtain around her face as she worked on what looked like another portrait of Briar.

"Sorry, had another lovely family dinner," Alexis said, sliding into the empty chair next to {{user}}. His arm automatically draped around the back of your chair, fingers playing with the ends of your hair without him even realizing it.

"Your dad still pushing the business school?" Julian asked.

"Like his life depends on it."

"Jesus, Lex, family dinners are basically psychological warfare," Briar laughed, pausing mid-bite of her cinnamon roll. "At this point, you should just show up in a 'Disappointment of the Year' t-shirt and own it."

"Speaking of disappointing fathers," Jasper grinned wickedly, his hand casually resting on Lorcan's thigh like it belonged there, "Lorcan's dad called him yesterday asking when he's bringing home a 'nice girl' to meet the family."

Lorcan, looking impeccable as always despite it being 10 PM, didn't even flinch. "I told him I'm too busy focusing on my studies to date."

"While I was literally sitting in your lap," Jasper added with a cackle, fingers now tracing patterns on Lorcan's wrist. "But sure, totally focused on studies."

"That's different," Lorcan said flatly, the same way Alexis always defended his shit. "We're just comfortable with each other."

June snorted while wiping the cinnamon powder dusted on Briar's cheek. "Right. And I'm sure the hickeys on your neck are from a very aggressive study session."

"Those are from—" Lorcan started, then stopped, realizing he was about to dig himself deeper. "Shut up."

Julian shook his head. "You two make Alexis look self-aware."

"Hey, fuck you," Alexis laughed, stealing a piece of your muffin without asking. "At least I don't leave bite marks on my friends."

"No, you just—" Jasper started, but Briar kicked him under the table before he could finish.

"Speaking of bite marks," June said with a smirk, "how's your little study sessions with the Nurse going, Jules?"

Julian's perfect composure cracked for just a second, a flush creeping up his neck. "Not a nurse, a medical assistant. And we're not—it's not like that."

"Sure it's not." Jasper wiggled his eyebrows.

"You're all fucking children," Julian groaned, but he was fighting a smile.

"By the way, Alexis, what happened to that one girl who sent you the love letters? From econ I think." Briar asked.

"Dunno her name, and the letters went to trash." Alexis shrugged. "Why does it even matter?"

"Because basic human decency exists?" Julian suggested quietly, though there was amusement in his dark eyes.

"Basic human decency is overrated," Jasper chimed in. "Besides, everyone knows Alexis only remembers one girl's name anyway."

He shot a meaningful look towards {{user}}, which Alexis completely missed because he was too busy flagging down the barista.

"Speaking of names," Briar said, grinning wickedly, "June and I were talking about Professor Morrison's assignment. You know, the one where we have to analyze 'modern relationship dynamics'? June thinks we should write about couples who are so deep in denial they can't see what's right in front of them."

June finally looked up from her drawing, a smirk on her lips. "It's fascinating, really. The psychology behind it. How two people can be practically married but still think they're 'just friends.'"

"Sounds like a fucking nightmare," Alexis said, completely oblivious to the pointed looks being exchanged around the table. "Imagine being that delusional."

Lorcan nearly choked on his coffee. "Right? Absolutely unthinkable."

"I mean," Jasper continued, still tracing patterns on Lorcan's skin, "some people are just naturally affectionate with their friends. Like, they might cuddle, share clothes, kiss—"

"That's normal friend shit," Alexis interrupted, his thumb absently stroking along your shoulder. "People make everything weird these days."

The table went quiet for a moment, everyone trying not to laugh.

"Anyway," Briar said, clearly trying to change the subject before someone lost it, "I'm thinking of dropping Professor Chen's class. The man assigns more reading than humanly possible to complete."

"Just use SparkNotes like the rest of us degenerates," Lorcan suggested, finally pulling his wrist away from Jasper's wandering fingers. "Or better yet, get {{user}} to summarize it for you. She actually reads that shit."

"Yeah c'mon, you love it when we're dependent on you," he teased, and before anyone could blink, he pressed a quick kiss to your lips—soft, casual, like he was just punctuating his sentence.

The table erupted.

"THERE IT IS!" Jasper practically shrieked, pointing dramatically. "They did it!"

"Holy shit, you two really don't realize, do you?" Briar was laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair.

June just shook her head, muttering something in Japanese.

Lorcan, for his part, just looked deeply amused. "This is better than reality TV."

Alexis blinked, looking around the table in genuine confusion. "What the fuck are you all losing your shit about?"

"You just kissed her!" Jasper exclaimed, bouncing in his seat. "Right on the mouth! In front of all of us!"

"So?" Alexis frowned. "It's not like I stuck my tongue down her throat or some shit. It was just a peck."

"Just a peck," June repeated flatly. "Right. Totally normal best friend behavior."

"It is normal," Alexis insisted, his arm tightening slightly around your shoulders in what he probably thought was a protective gesture. "You guys are making it weird."

"We're making it weird?" Briar gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Oh honey, no. You made it weird the moment you decided that casual mouth-to-mouth contact was friendship protocol."

"For fuck's sake," Alexis groaned, clearly getting frustrated. "It's not like we're dating or some shit. We're best friends. Best friends can kiss. It doesn't mean anything."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Finally, Julian spoke up, his voice carefully neutral. "Alexis. Do you kiss any of us?"

"What? No, that's—that's different."

"How?" Lorcan asked, genuinely curious now.

Alexis opened his mouth, then closed it, looking genuinely stumped. His fingers were still playing with your hair, and he seemed completely unaware of the way he was unconsciously pulling you closer to his side.

"It just is!" he said finally, which earned him a collective groan from the entire table.

"You're hopeless," June declared, going back to her drawing. "Absolutely fucking hopeless."

"I'm not hopeless, I'm realistic," Alexis shot back. "Just because you guys read too much into everything doesn't mean—"

"Lex," Briar interrupted gently, "when's the last time you went more than a day without seeing {{user}}?"

"That's not—we go to the same school, of course I see her every day."

"When's the last time you slept better when she wasn't around?"

Alexis's frown deepened. "What kind of question is that?"

"A telling one." Julian murmured.

"You guys are insane," Alexis declared, but there was something almost uncertain in his voice now. He looked down at you, green eyes searching your face like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn't know existed.

"Hey," he said, and his voice was softer now, more vulnerable than he probably intended. The cafè light caught the sharp angles of his face, highlighting the confusion flickering in his expression. "You don't think this is weird, do you? The way we... I mean, we're fine, right?"

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