Beta Complex

Chapter 78: Get to the Hard Stuff

Ethan’s life mostly consists of organizing, accounting, and studying. However after graduating college, it’s mostly surrounded by things at the restaurant.

The most fun he’ll let himself have is a few beers after closing, and binge watching his favorite shows on whatever streaming platform he decides to use that night, and stuff his face with a meat sandwhich.

Actual meat and not the innuendo Leo would surely think it is.

The last time he left for a night out was a couple years ago, and Ethan doesn’t like to think about it because it only reminds him of Chris. Ethan doesn’t like to think about Chris for obvious reasons.

So it’s not odd that his anxiety is now getting the best of him. The amount of times he’s reached for his phone to cancel his plans is more times than he can count on both his hands.

"Is that really what you’re going to wear?" Leo purses his lips as he takes Ethan in from head to toe. Where the beta wears a navy T-shirt and blue jeans, which he thought was perfectly suitable to wear, Leo is in a light pink button up and suspender shorts.

Ethan glances down at himself with furrowed brows, "It’s not that bad." He mumbles as he pulls at the hem of his shirt. There’s a small bleach stain along the stitching.

Leo arches a pale eyebrow at him, strands of his blonde hair framing his delicate face. "Not bad? You look homeless."

Ethan glares at him before the omega pushes his way inside of the house.

"Did your mom go out too?" Leo asks when he notices she’s not home.

Ethan rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah with some of her new friends."

"How is it that your mom has made friends but you haven’t?" Leo mumbles as he looks over his shoulder to arch an eyebrow at him.

"I don’t need friends." Ethan mutters as he walks back to his room, the omega following behind. "Besides, you’re plenty to handle by yourself."

Leo crosses his arms over his chest and pouts, the chapstick on his lips almost shimmering beneath the light overhead, "Max says the same thing. I’m not that bad."

Ethan scoffs as he waves to his closet, "Go on. Doll me up to your satisfaction." Leo’s blue eyes sparkle, and Ethan quickly adds, "Okay, there’s obvious restrictions, but go ahead and make me look. . ."

"Not homeless?" Leo smirks, "Yeah, I get it."

In the end, Leo makes Ethan change into a set of black slacks, leather shoes, and a white button up shirt. He leaves the first few buttons undone, showing off Ethan’s sharp collar bones, and leaving the hem untucked.

"Much better." Leo nods as he takes him in. He stands with his hips tilted to one side, his arm crossing over his chest. "Not too stuffy, right?"

When Ethan agrees, the two friends head out.

The bar Leo takes him too is calm and mellow. There’s no blaring music like there would be in a club, but a nice soft beat that accompanies the background noise. The lighting is low, and there’s the scent of malt liquor and car freshener.

"Good choice, right? Go pick a table, I’ll get us some drinks." Leo walks away without waiting for a reply and Ethan scans the rest of the large room. There’s a few people occupying a round table near a far corner, and an older gentleman at a booth nearby.

Trying to act like he’s not out of place, he heads for a table booth near the back. There’s a laminated menu leaning against the wall, and he sees that they also sell burgers and fries.

When Leo comes back he has a tray in his hand, loaded with two glass bottles of beer, a large bottle of whiskey, and two shot glasses. Ethan raises his eyebrows at it all as his friend sits across from him.

"You bought the bottle?" Ethan asks skeptically. Leo sets a beer in front of him and smiles, his white teeth gleaming beneath the low light of the room.

"Yup. Don’t worry, I won’t make you drink all of it." He smiles. "I just want you to loosen up a little. You’re still way too tense."

Ethan frowns as he pops the cap off and takes a sip. The bubbly taste is gross, but it’s mild compared to what the whiskey will be like.

"How was dinner with Max’s parents?" Ethan asks, if just to have something to talk about. He fiddles with the label along the glass bottle, his brown eyes stuck on the crooked crown above the brand name.

"Okay, no." Leo snorts, opening his own bottle of beer. "We didn’t come here to talk about me or my relationship with Max. In fact, I ban significant others for the rest of the night. It’s just me and you."

Ethan glances up and raises an eyebrow at him, "Why does it feel like I’m being punished?"

Leo narrows his eyes at him, "I can just go-" the omega moves to stand up but Ethan grabs his wrist and chuckles.

"I’m joking, sit down."

Leo blows out a puff of air and drops back down onto the seat. "How do you expect to get laid when you’re so gloomy?" He murmurs.

Ethan pokes his inner cheek with his tongue before taking a drink. "That’s what the alcohol is for, right?" He smirks and finishes the bottle, setting it aside. "Let’s get to the hard stuff."

Leo leans forward and grins, "That is more like it." He eagerly grabs the bottle, opens it, and pours two shots. He slides one over to Ethan before taking his own.

"To new -" Before Leo could finish his small toast, Ethan is already tipping the glass back.

The beta winces, his throat burning at the foul taste. Definitely worse than the beer. He can feel it settling into his empty stomach and reaches for the small menu against the wall.

"Alright then." Leo mutters. "Just getting straight to it."