Sebastian wrapped his hands around the pull-up bar and lifted himself with effortless strength, his muscles flexing as he pushed up and down.
Sweat beaded along his temples, sliding down the sharp line of his jaw. His shoulder-length black curls were tied back in a loose man-bun, a few strands sticking to his forehead.
The campus was alive outside. Cold night air, music thumping from distant dorms, students wandering around for yet another party night. But inside the gym, it was nearly empty. Just Sebastian, Zion, and Niko.
Niko was across the room, pretending to focus on his reps but stealing glances at Sebastian every few seconds. He hadn't spoken to him properly since that night. Niko had tried, texts, calls, catching him between classes, but Sebastian shut him out completely. Hard enough that even the others had noticed his mood.
Sebastian had been avoiding the dorm too, staying at his penthouse and driving in every morning without saying a word to his stepbrother. Quinn didn't even remember half of what happened, or what he'd confessed, or how he'd thrown up all over Sebastian.
The moment Sebastian landed back on his feet, Niko exhaled and walked toward them, wiping his palms on his gym shorts.
Zion noticed him first. "Yo."
"Hey." Niko tried for a smile, but his eyes were glued to Sebastian, who was drinking from his bottle with a blank, stony expression.
Niko swallowed. "Seb… please. Just talk to me, okay? I get it. I was wrong."
Sebastian pulled the bottle from his lips, jaw tightening.
"You were wrong?" he echoed. "You were trying to get him drunk on purpose. Then fuck him."
Niko's face was drained of color. "I.."
Sebastian ran a hand down his face, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you not remember high school? Carmen's birthday? Quinn got pressured into drinking and didn't even remember breaking Carmen's nose or kissing her twin brother."
Zion winced. "Oh shit. The pretty boy is crazy."
Sebastian continued, voice low with anger. "Dude, I know you have issues with Kenji, but dragging Quinn into it? Like that?" His eyes sharpened, emotion ripping through the calm façade. "Especially when you know he likes you so damn much."
Niko's lips parted. His voice trembled, almost whisper-soft, "I wasn't trying to hurt him."
Sebastian scoffed. "Intent doesn't erase damage. And you don't get to play clueless about Quinn's feelings. You knew. You always knew."
Niko's eyes dropped to the floor, guilt written all over him. "I..."
"You what?!" Sebastian snapped.
Niko looked pale. "I… I'm sorry, okay? I didn't know you'd be this mad. I thought you didn't give a fuck about him."
Sebastian's jaw flexed. He grabbed Niko by the chest and shoved him back. "Are you being fucking serious right now?"
Niko raised both hands, laughing nervously. "I'm sorry! Really. It won't happen again, I promise. But you're my best friend, Seb. I don't want us doing this silent treatment shit. Please."
Sebastian exhaled hard, dragging a hand through his hair and undoing the man bun. His tattoos and muscles shifted as his shoulders loosened. "Fine."
Niko brightened instantly and stepped forward to hug him only to stop when Sebastian shot him a cold glare. He laughed awkwardly and backed away. "Okay, okay. No hugs. Can I at least stay friends with him? God, he doesn't even know how possessive you are."
Sebastian only rolled his eyes and grabbed his towel. Zion watched them both with a grin.
"So, Mr. Silvers said the test drive is on Saturday?" Zion asked, eager to change the mood.
"Yeah," Niko said. "I already dropped the announcement in the group chat since the rain screwed up today."
His phone buzzed, and something in his expression shifted enough for Sebastian to notice.
"What?" Sebastian asked.
Niko forced a smile. "It's Kenji. We haven't talked in a week and he's suddenly calling."
He let the call ring out.
Sebastian sighed and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Break up with that asshole. He's making you toxic."
Niko let out a humorless chuckle. "Yeah. I've thought about it."
The phone started ringing again. Niko stared at it, tense.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," he murmured, grabbing his bag and leaving quickly.
Zion shook his head. "That guy is a walking soap opera."
"Soap opera?" Sebastian repeated with a short laugh.
"Yeah," Zion said, slinging a towel over his shoulders. "He's got a whole boyfriend but he's trying to get into your brother's virgin ass."
Sebastian's smile died instantly. "He's not my brother."
Zion gave him a slow, knowing look. "Of course."
Sebastian scoffed and looked away.
They continued lifting for another few minutes before finally going their separate ways.
This time, instead of heading to his penthouse, Sebastian walked to the dorm.
He pushed the door open to find Quinn fast asleep in his gaming chair, laptop on his thighs, screen dimmed but still on. Quinn's head was tilted, his hair falling over his eyes, hoodie slipping off one shoulder showing off his pale freckled shoulder.
Sebastian stood there, duffel bag in hand, jaw clenching.
He swallowed hard, dropped the bag, and headed straight to the bathroom.
He showered for twenty minutes. Not because he needed it, but because he couldn't face him yet.
Quinn's voice echoed in Sebastian's head.
"…so hot, so sexy… so damn lickable. I'm losing it, golden boy…. fuck me."
Sebastian exhaled sharply and shut off the water.
He wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out only to find Quinn awake now, sitting on his bed, staring at him.
His freckled face was pulled into a small, unimpressed frown.
"Well, well, well," Quinn said dryly. "The prodigal brother returns."
Sebastian's lips twitched. Here we go.