Chapter 24: Lessons in Charm

With their serious talk behind them, Alex stretched out on Dorian's bed again, his usual grin returning as he seemed to mull over something in his head. "Alright," Alex said suddenly, sitting up and clapping his hands together. "Time for a little practice."

Dorian raised an eyebrow, immediately suspicious. "Practice? What kind of practice?"

Alex smirked, leaning forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You said you're not sure how Rhys feels, right? Well, part of that is making sure you're sending the right signals. You've got to be confident, man. Assertive, but not too aggressive. You need to show him you're interested without coming on too strong."

Dorian crossed his arms, watching Alex warily. "And how exactly do you suggest I do that?"

In response, Alex slid off the bed and stood in front of Dorian, extending his hand toward him. "For starters, you've got to master the basics. Eye contact, touch, confidence. Here, take my hand."

Dorian blinked, feeling a sudden rush of discomfort as Alex held out his hand. "You're serious?"

Alex grinned. "Dead serious. Come on, it's just practice. You need to get comfortable with the idea of making a move, or you'll never get anywhere."

Reluctantly, Dorian reached out and took Alex's hand, feeling a bit ridiculous as he did so. The gesture felt awkward at first, but Alex's easygoing demeanor made it a little easier to go along with.

"Now," Alex continued, his voice a little more serious, "You've got to be smooth about it. Don't overthink it. Just take his hand like this, look him in the eye, and give him a little smile. Something that says, 'Hey, I'm interested.' Got it?"

Dorian tried to follow Alex's instructions, though the whole situation felt absurd. He locked eyes with Alex, trying his best to give a small, confident smile, though it felt more awkward than anything else.

Alex chuckled softly, clearly amused by the effort. "Not bad. But you've got to work on that smile—it's too stiff. You look like you're trying not to laugh."

"I am trying not to laugh," Dorian muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice now. "This is ridiculous."

Alex shrugged, his grin never fading. "Maybe, but trust me, it works. You've got to loosen up, man. Rhys won't take you seriously if you're too stiff and formal. Be confident. Be yourself."

Dorian huffed softly, though he appreciated the advice more than he let on. He had spent so much of his life being taught to be controlled, composed, and distant—especially when it came to his emotions. Letting his guard down wasn't something that came naturally to him, but if he wanted any chance with Rhys, he knew he'd have to break through those barriers.

"Well," Dorian said after a moment, his voice laced with sarcasm, "How's this?" Without warning, Dorian squeezed Alex's hand a little tighter, giving him a mockingly intense look as he leaned in slightly, his voice low and deliberately cheesy. "Alex, you've captured my heart. How could I ever resist your charm?"

Alex burst into laughter, pulling his hand back and dramatically clutching his chest as if Dorian's words had struck him deep. "Whoa, slow down there, Romeo," Alex teased, grinning. "You're going to sweep me off my feet if you keep looking at me like that."

Dorian rolled his eyes, though there was a small smile on his lips. "Yeah, right. Don't flatter yourself."

Alex raised an eyebrow, his grin turning playful. "Hey, if I wasn't into girls, you might just have a shot at sweeping me away. That intense gaze of yours? Deadly."

Dorian shook his head in disbelief, though he couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the conversation. "You're unbelievable."

"I know," Alex said with a wink, flopping back onto the bed with a satisfied sigh. "But in all seriousness, Dorian, just be yourself around Rhys. He already seems to like you—you just need to show him you're interested too. Don't overthink it."

Dorian nodded, feeling a little more confident now. Alex's playful attitude had helped ease some of the tension, and though he still had a long way to go, he was beginning to understand that maybe pursuing Rhys wasn't as impossible as he had once thought.

As the night grew later, Dorian found himself feeling surprisingly relaxed. He had expected this night with Alex to be awkward and full of tension, but instead, it had turned out to be... fun. Alex, despite his playful teasing, had managed to break through Dorian's defenses in a way that no one else had. And though Dorian wasn't entirely sure where things would go with Rhys, for the first time, he felt like he might actually have a chance.

_

The house was quiet, cloaked in darkness except for the faint moonlight streaming through the large windows of the Vaelis mansion. Dorian stirred in his bed, his throat dry and his mind still fuzzy from sleep. Groaning softly, he rolled over and glanced at the clock on his nightstand—it was well past midnight. Sighing, he pushed the covers off and stood up, his body heavy with sleep but the persistent thirst driving him toward the kitchen.

Rubbing his eyes, Dorian shuffled out of his room and into the grand hallway, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath his feet the only sound in the otherwise silent mansion. He didn't bother turning on any lights; he knew the way to the kitchen well enough. His thoughts were still a blur, and he was focused solely on getting a glass of water and heading back to bed.

As he descended the staircase, his footfalls soft on the steps, Dorian's mind wandered back to the evening's conversation with Alex. It had been a strange night—one filled with unexpected revelations and moments of vulnerability, but also a lot of fun. He found himself smiling slightly at the memory of Alex teasing him, and for a moment, he forgot about everything else.

That is, until he reached the bottom of the stairs and noticed a shadow moving near the hallway leading to the kitchen.

Dorian blinked, his sleep-addled brain trying to make sense of what he was seeing. At first, he thought it might be one of the house staff, but as he moved closer, the figure came into clearer view.

Alex.

The Beta was creeping through the hallway, his movements cautious and deliberate, as if he was trying not to make any noise. Dorian frowned, his curiosity piqued. What was Alex doing up at this hour, sneaking around like that?

"Alex?" Dorian called out softly, his voice a little hoarse from sleep.

Alex froze for a split second, then quickly turned around, his expression briefly startled before it morphed into one of sheepish embarrassment. "Oh, hey, Dorian," Alex said, chuckling awkwardly. "Didn't expect to see you up."

Dorian rubbed the back of his neck, still trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. "Yeah, I woke up thirsty. What are you doing out here?"

For a moment, Dorian thought he saw a flicker of hesitation in Alex's eyes, but it was gone so fast he wasn't sure if he had imagined it.

"I, uh, got lost," Alex explained, scratching the back of his head. "I went to the kitchen for a drink, but then I couldn't find my way back to the guest room. This place is a maze."

Dorian stared at him for a moment, his brain still trying to process the situation. Alex, lost in the mansion? It seemed plausible—the Vaelis mansion was enormous, and the hallways did tend to blend together in the dark. And yet... something about the way Alex was acting felt off. But Dorian was too tired to dwell on it.

"Right," Dorian muttered, stifling a yawn. "Your room's down that hall, second door on the left."

Alex's face brightened as he nodded, clearly relieved. "Thanks, man. I was wandering around like an idiot for a while."

Without waiting for any further explanation, Alex turned and made his way down the hall in the direction Dorian had pointed, his steps a little too quick for someone who was supposedly lost. Dorian watched him go, feeling a strange sense of unease settle in the pit of his stomach, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly why.

But in his sleepy daze, he quickly brushed it off.

With a tired sigh, Dorian turned and continued on to the kitchen, still focused on quenching his thirst. The thought of Alex sneaking around was already fading from his mind, replaced by the simple need for water.

When he reached the kitchen, he grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it from the tap, gulping it down in a few quick swallows. The cold water was refreshing, and for a moment, he just stood there, enjoying the quiet stillness of the house.

But as he set the glass down on the counter, Dorian found his thoughts drifting back to Alex's odd behavior. He hadn't thought much of it at the time—after all, it wasn't unusual to get lost in the Vaelis mansion, especially at night. But the way Alex had looked when Dorian first called out to him, the slight flicker of something almost guilty in his eyes... it lingered in Dorian's mind.

Shaking his head, Dorian dismissed the thought. Alex had probably just been embarrassed about getting lost—nothing more. There was no reason to be suspicious, not after the night they'd had.

Still, as Dorian made his way back to his room, he couldn't help but feel a faint unease that settled in the back of his mind. Something about the encounter hadn't felt quite right, but he was too tired to think about it any further.

By the time he reached his room and crawled back into bed, Dorian had already convinced himself that it was nothing.

But Alex, now safely back in the guest room, had a very different expression on his face.

_

The soft morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Vaelis mansion, casting a golden glow over the polished floors and grand hallways. Dorian blinked his eyes open as the sound of his alarm buzzed faintly in the background. He stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep, the events of the previous night still a blur in his mind. He had barely thought about his strange encounter with Alex, brushing it off as a byproduct of his own sleepy daze.

Rubbing his eyes, Dorian got ready for the day, his mind already shifting to the routine ahead. Today would be another day at Haleworth Academy, and despite the usual pressures, part of him felt a little lighter after his conversation with Alex the previous night. He had opened up in ways he hadn't expected, and Alex—despite his playful demeanor—had offered a kind of support that Dorian hadn't realized he needed.

By the time he made his way downstairs, the scent of breakfast filled the air. The dining room was as immaculate as ever, with an elegant spread of food already laid out on the table. Alex was already there, casually munching on a piece of toast, his carefree smile firmly in place.

"Morning, man," Alex greeted, waving a piece of toast in Dorian's direction. "Sleep well?"

Dorian nodded, though he still felt a little groggy. "Yeah, more or less. You?"

Alex grinned. "Like a rock. I'm telling you, that bed of yours is magic. Best sleep I've had in weeks."

Dorian huffed softly, though there was no real annoyance in his tone. He took a seat across from Alex, reaching for a cup of coffee as the early morning routine settled in around them. The tension from the previous night seemed to have vanished completely, replaced by the usual easy banter that had quickly become a hallmark of their dynamic.

As they ate, Dorian found himself watching Alex out of the corner of his eye. There was something about the way Alex carried himself—always so relaxed, so effortlessly confident. It was hard not to feel a little envious of how easily he seemed to navigate life, even here, in the mansion that had always felt more like a gilded cage to Dorian.

"So, ready for another thrilling day at school?" Alex asked, smirking as he popped another piece of toast into his mouth.

Dorian let out a small, resigned sigh. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Alex chuckled. "Hey, at least you've got me around now. We can make things interesting."

"Interesting how?" Dorian raised an eyebrow, sipping his coffee. "You're not planning to get us in trouble again, are you?"

Alex grinned, leaning back in his chair with a casual shrug. "No promises. But I've been thinking—maybe we need to shake things up a little. You know, keep things exciting."

Dorian gave him a skeptical look, though there was a small smile playing on his lips. "Exciting how?"

Before Alex could answer, the sound of footsteps echoed from down the hall, and both of them turned to see Eryx and Cassandra entering the dining room. Eryx, as always, carried an air of quiet authority, his sharp blue eyes glancing over them as he gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Cassandra, with her poised elegance, followed closely behind, her dark amber eyes briefly assessing the two boys at the table.

"Good morning," Cassandra said smoothly as she took her seat, her tone polite but distant. Eryx followed suit, though neither of them seemed particularly interested in engaging in conversation.

The atmosphere at the table shifted slightly, becoming more formal as Dorian's parents settled in. Breakfast with the Vaelis family was never exactly relaxed—it was more of a ritual, a way to maintain the strict order and decorum that defined their household.

Alex, however, seemed completely unfazed by the shift. He greeted Eryx and Cassandra with his usual charm, making polite conversation as if he hadn't spent the previous night sneaking around their mansion. Dorian, for his part, remained quiet, though he couldn't help but admire how easily Alex fit into the world of the Vaelis family, even if he didn't fully belong.

After a few minutes of strained conversation, breakfast finally came to an end, and Dorian and Alex excused themselves from the table, heading out toward the waiting car that would take them to school.

As they stepped outside, the crisp morning air hit Dorian, waking him up fully. He glanced over at Alex, who was still smiling as if he hadn't a care in the world.

"You're way too relaxed for someone who spent half the night wandering around a mansion," Dorian muttered, raising an eyebrow at him.

Alex shrugged, his grin widening. "What can I say? I'm adaptable."

Dorian shook his head in disbelief. Alex was impossible to read—always so carefree, so confident. And yet, something about him still felt... off. But whatever it was, Dorian didn't have time to dwell on it. School was waiting, and with it, all the usual responsibilities that came with being a Vaelis.

As they climbed into the car, Dorian couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the day would bring. With Alex around, things were never quite what they seemed.

_

The ride to Haleworth Academy was calm, the gentle hum of the car's engine creating a quiet lull in the air. Dorian leaned back against the seat, his mind drifting as the car cut through the early morning traffic. Alex sat beside him, one leg crossed over the other, as if he had no care in the world.

It had been a strange morning so far, and despite the usual routine of breakfast and the formal interaction with his parents, Dorian couldn't shake the nagging sense that something was different. Maybe it was just the lingering aftershocks of their conversation from the previous night. Or maybe it was the quiet unease that came with being around Alex, who seemed to carry secrets behind his ever-present grin.

As they approached the school, the familiar sight of Haleworth's grand gates looming ahead, Dorian felt the weight of the day begin to settle on his shoulders. Another day of responsibilities, expectations, and the ever-present tension of being the Vaelis heir.

But just as the car pulled to a stop, Alex—always one to break the silence—leaned over with a playful glint in his eyes.

"So," Alex began, flashing a grin that was just a little too knowing, "Don't forget our little talk from last night. You know, about Rhys?"

Dorian let out a small groan, already regretting giving Alex the satisfaction of knowing about his feelings. "Seriously? You're still on that?"

Alex chuckled, unbothered by Dorian's irritation. "Oh, come on. You know I'm right. If you want him to notice you, you've got to step up your game. And by that, I mean you need to stop acting like he's some kind of untouchable idol and just... I don't know, be yourself."

Dorian raised an eyebrow, giving Alex a sidelong glance. "Be myself? And you think that's enough?"

Alex smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Hey, if I thought it wasn't, I wouldn't bother giving you advice. Trust me, Dorian. The sooner you stop overthinking everything, the sooner you'll realize that Rhys probably already knows something's going on between you two."

Dorian frowned, the weight of Alex's words settling uncomfortably in his chest. He wanted to believe it—that Rhys might already be aware of his feelings—but the doubt still lingered, like a shadow he couldn't quite shake.

"Anyway," Alex continued, shrugging as if the entire thing was no big deal, "Just remember what I told you: eye contact, a little confidence, and stop acting like you're going to break if you show any interest."

Dorian sighed, but there was no use in arguing with Alex. The Beta always seemed to have an answer for everything, and despite his teasing nature, there was a truth behind his advice that Dorian couldn't ignore.

As they stepped out of the car and began walking toward the school's entrance, Alex nudged Dorian lightly, his voice low but playful. "You've got this, man. Just... don't freeze up when you see him. You'll be fine."

Dorian huffed, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I'll try."

Alex grinned, his hand slapping Dorian on the back in a friendly gesture. "That's the spirit! Now let's get through another exciting day at Haleworth."

As they made their way into the school, Dorian couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and anticipation creeping into his chest. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Alex's words had gotten to him. Today, he'd have to face Rhys again—only this time, with Alex's advice lingering in the back of his mind.