Season 3 Episode 17 | My Best Friend’s Brother Dylan (Patreon)

All characters depicted in this story are fictional and 18 years of age or older. Everything portrayed is safe, sane, and consensual.

Episode 17: The Honest Conversation

I woke up the next morning still wrapped in Dylan’s arms, the sheets warm and tangled around our bodies. Sunlight poured through the big windows, soft and golden, painting everything in that early morning glow I had come to love. His chest rose and fell steadily against my back, one thick arm draped heavily over my waist, holding me close like he never wanted to let go. I could feel the steady beat of his heart and the faint warmth of his breath on the back of my neck. My body still carried the pleasant ache from last night, a deep reminder of how thoroughly he had loved me.

I smiled against the pillow, heart feeling full in a way that was new and a little overwhelming. Last night Dylan had said it. He had looked me in the eyes and said the words I had waited so long to hear. I turned slowly in his arms so I could face him. His eyes were already open, watching me with that quiet intensity he got sometimes when he thought I was not looking.

“Morning,” I whispered, brushing my fingers along his jaw.

“Morning, noodle” he murmured back, voice still rough with sleep. He leaned in and kissed me softly, slow and lingering, like he was savoring the moment. His hand slid down my back and cupped my ass, squeezing gently, pulling me closer until our bodies pressed together.

I could not help the small grin that spread across my face. “So… about last night.”

Dylan raised an eyebrow, already knowing where this was going. “What about it?”

“You said it,” I teased, voice light but full of affection. “You actually said the words. I love you. Out loud. While you were still inside me. I think I might need to hear it again just to make sure I did not dream it.”

He groaned softly, burying his face in my neck, but I could feel the smile against my skin. “You are never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“Probably not,” I laughed, running my fingers through his hair. “It was kind of a big deal, Dylan. You don’t just drop something like that on a guy and then act like it is nothing the next morning.”

He pulled back enough to look at me, eyes soft but a little shy in that rare way only I got to see. His thumb brushed my cheek as he spoke, voice quieter now. “I meant it. I love you, Troy. It’s not easy for me to say, but I mean it.”

Hearing it again in the daylight, without the heat of sex clouding everything, made my chest tighten. I leaned in and kissed him deeply, pouring everything I felt into it. When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing a little heavier, I rested my forehead against his.

“I love you too,” I whispered. “So much.”

We stayed tangled together for a long time, just kissing and touching, nothing rushed. His hands roamed over my skin, gentle but possessive, like he was memorizing every inch of me. I loved the way he held me, the way his body felt against mine, solid and warm and safe. This was the Dylan I had been falling for all along, the one who was finally letting himself be vulnerable with me.

After a while he rolled us so he was hovering over me, pinning me gently under his weight. His eyes locked on mine, serious now. “Troy… you know what this means, right?”

I nodded slowly, heart beating a little faster. I knew exactly what he was asking. “Yeah. I know. I need to end it with Lucien. I am choosing you, Dylan. All the way. But… I still want to keep the professional side with LifeInParis if that’s okay with you. Jessica and Lucien have real ideas that could help me grow it into something bigger. I don’t want to lose that opportunity just because things got personal.”

Dylan’s hand slid down to squeeze my ass possessively, a small smirk tugging at his lips even as his eyes stayed serious. “I am going to be the jealous boyfriend about it. I am not going to lie and say it’ll be easy watching you work with him. But I’ll not stop you from achieving what you want in life. If this LifeInParis thing makes you happy and it stays professional, then I am in. I trust you.”

I smiled up at him, relief and love washing over me all at once. “Thank you. That means everything. And if it ever feels weird or too much, just say the word and I will pull back. You come first.”

He leaned down and kissed me hard, tongue sliding deep, claiming my mouth like he needed to remind both of us who I belonged to now. When he pulled back, his voice was low and dominant again, but warm. “Good. Because I am not sharing you anymore. Not like that.”

I laughed softly, pulling him back down for another kiss. “I am all yours.”

We stayed wrapped up in each other for a while longer, kissing and touching, the morning light growing brighter around us. Eventually I reached for my phone. My thumb hovered over the screen for a second before I typed the message.

“Hey… We need to talk.”

I sent it to Lucien and set the phone back down. Dylan watched me the whole time, a small proud smile on his face. He pulled me back against his chest and kissed the top of my head.

“You are doing the right thing,” he murmured.

I nodded, feeling a quiet mix of nerves and relief settle in my stomach. Meeting Lucien today to end things properly was going to be hard, but it also felt necessary. I had made my choice, and I was happy with it. Really fucking happy.

For the first time in months I no longer felt torn between two worlds. I no longer had to look for love and validation in other places. With Dylan I finally had both, the sex and the romance, the safety and the spark, all in one person. And that felt incredibly good.The rest of the morning passed in a warm, lazy haze. Dylan and I stayed tangled in bed for another hour, kissing softly and talking about nothing and everything at the same time. Eventually I had to get up for my shift at the patisserie. He kissed me at the door, long and deep, and whispered against my lips that he would see me tonight. I left the apartment with my heart feeling lighter than it had in months.

The day at work dragged in the best way. I kept glancing at my phone, waiting for Lucien to reply. When the message finally came, it was simple and kind. “Of course. I will come by the patisserie this afternoon if that works for you.” I told him it did.

Around four o’clock, I saw him through the window. Lucien looked devastatingly handsome as always, wearing a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up neatly and tailored blue pants that fit him perfectly. He stepped inside, the little bell chiming above the door, and his blue eyes found me immediately. A soft smile touched his lips.

I wiped my hands on my apron and came around the counter. “Hey. Thanks for coming.”

“Of course,” he said, voice warm. “Shall we sit?”

We took the quiet corner table near the back, away from the few customers still lingering. I was still wearing my apron, the familiar scent of fresh croissants and coffee surrounding us. Lucien sat across from me, looking calm and composed as always, but I could see the quiet understanding already in his eyes.

I reached across the table and took his hand gently. The moment our fingers touched, a wave of déjà vu hit me hard. It felt exactly like that afternoon months ago when I had sat across from Elliot in a different café and told him I could not give him what he deserved. My chest tightened at the memory. I had hurt someone kind back then too, and now here I was again, about to do the same thing.

Lucien squeezed my hand lightly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Is this about your date with Dylan?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. It is.”

He smiled, a little sad but genuine. “Looks like it went quite well.”I nodded, my thumb gently brushing over the back of his hand. The touch felt familiar, warm, and it made this moment even harder than I had expected. I took a slow breath, trying to find the right words.

“It did,” I said softly, voice quiet. “It went really well. Dylan told me he loves me last night. And I… I love him too. I have been feeling it for a while now, but hearing it out loud made everything click into place for me.”

Lucien’s blue eyes stayed steady on mine, listening without interrupting. There was a flicker of sadness there, but he kept that gentle smile on his face.

I continued, my voice even softer. “What we had together was really special to me, Lucien. You made me feel desired and seen in a way I had not felt in a long time. You were sweet and generous and you opened doors for me that I did not even know existed. I will always be grateful for that. But I need to give myself completely to my relationship with Dylan now. I cannot keep splitting my heart between two people anymore. It would not be fair to him… or to you.”

Lucien was quiet for a moment, his thumb still lightly stroking my knuckles. He gave a small, understanding nod.

“I saw this coming,” he said gently, voice warm but a touch wistful. “The way you talked about him, the way your face would light up even when you were trying not to. I am happy for you, Troy. Truly. You deserve someone who is ready to love you out in the open. I thought I could be that person for you, but it looks like Dylan has finally decided to step up and be that person himself.”

His kindness made my eyes sting. I squeezed his hand a little tighter.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For understanding. And for being so good to me through all of this.”

He smiled again, softer this time. “Of course. And if you still want to keep working together on LifeInParis, I would like that very much. We can keep things strictly professional. Jessica and I both believe in what you are doing. There is no reason that has to change.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. “I would really like that too. I don’t want to lose the chance to grow something I care about. And I hope we can still be friends. Real friends. Not the kind who say they will stay in touch and then never speak again.”

Lucien chuckled lightly, the sound warm and genuine. “Deal. Real friends it is. And who knows, I might even make a pretty good hot business partner instead of the date.”

I laughed softly, the tension in my chest easing just a little. “I would like that.”

We sat there for a few more moments, hands still linked across the table, the café humming quietly around us. The scent of fresh croissants and coffee filled the air, familiar and comforting. It felt bittersweet, but right. Like closing a beautiful chapter so I could fully open the next one.

Eventually Lucien stood up, still holding my hand for one last second. He leaned down and kissed both my cheeks, soft and respectful, the way he always had.

“Take care of yourself, Troy,” he said quietly. “And tell Dylan I said congratulations. He is a lucky man.”

I nodded, throat tight. “Thank you, Lucien. For everything.”

He gave me one last warm smile, then turned and walked out of the patisserie. The little bell chimed softly behind him as the door closed. I stayed seated at the corner table for a long moment, apron still tied around my waist, watching the afternoon light slant across the wooden floor.

A deep sense of closure settled over me, quiet and peaceful. No more confusion. No more looking for pieces of love and validation in other places. With Dylan I finally had both, the passion and the safety, the sex and the romance, all in one person. I no longer needed to chase the spark somewhere else. I had chosen him, and it felt right. It felt like home.

I smiled to myself, a small, genuine smile, and stood up to get back to work. The future felt clearer than it had in months.

My heart felt completely at peace.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Season 3 Episode 18 | My Best Friend’s Brother Dylan