"All right, that is time. Don't forget only chapters 16 through 20 are due Saturday because I am a very nice criminal justice professor who wants to see his students succeed, yes?"

About a third of the class responded while the sound of papers shuffling and bags zipping up filled the rest of the room. Dex sighed and crossed his arms.

"You know, It wouldn't kill you guys to just give me little more engagement at the end of class. I could be handing out discussion posts!"

A lot more responded before leaving the lecture hall in a flash. Some thank you's and "we appreciate you"'s, some were laughs and some were groans but that was enough for him. He was packing up his things since his last class on Wednesdays ended at 6:30. He heard the door open and turned around with a smile already on his face. One of his favorite colleagues.

She was so nice and kind. She often brought him leftover baked goods and offered to go out for drinks after a long day. He's turned it down sometimes but whatever she was going to say this evening, he would happily oblige.

"Hey," she said with a little wave like she always did. She stopped halfway down the steps and leaned on one of the chairs. No baked goods today. Huh. "Nelson and Murdock are going out to get drinks and pizza later to celebrate a smooth midterm this year and said I could come. With a plus oneee."

She wiggled her fingers and said the last part of her sentence in a sing-songy tone.

Dex hummed with feigned consideration. Of course he'd like to go!

"I dunno...I still have some leftover exams to give feedback on."

"Benjamin," she narrowed her eyes at him. "You still haven't gotten that done?"

"I've been busy!"

"With what?"

"Making sure my midterm is perfect and on time."

"Oh, boo. You'll be fine, c'monnn. I'll drag you out if I have to."

"Fine, fine, since you're pulling my leg," he said with his hands up in easy defeat and an easy smile. "But they're buying. I still owe mine donuts."

--

Dex came home with a lot less tension in his shoulders. Setting down his briefcase and leftover pizza in a styrofoam box on the dining table, he rolled his neck and wrists to ease his muscles some more. Walking through the well-lit quiet apartment to make sure everything was still in place. Coming back to the kitchen, he unlocked the four locks on the basement door and went down while undoing his shirt cuffs.

"Phew, long day," he mused to himself as he made it to the bottom. The light already on while he glided through the clutter. "But, a nice evening. Kirsten has a higher alcohol tolerance than I thought. Foggy sucks at darts but part of me is convinced Matt would be able to play. I just can't prove it. Oh, by the way, I brought some leftover pizza if you want it."

Silence. He turned around, then chuckled at the realization. "Shit, sorry, easy to forget," he said before removing the tape from your mouth carefully to not leave a mark. He would never intentionally harm his North Star.

"Did you want some?"