Hudson looked between Dex and Sloane. "Two stag nights during which both of you will be without the other. This should be interesting."
Sloane sat up suddenly. "Shit, that's right." He stared at Dex. "I won't be there for your bachelor party."
"That's sort of how it works, babe," Dex said, laughing softly.
"You'll be at a bachelor party, where there's lots of alcohol, and then let loose on the city. All night. Without me." Sloane looked like he was on the verge of hyperventilating. "Please don't blow anything up."
Dex arched an eyebrow. "Being a tad dramatic, aren't we?"
"Who's going to keep an eye on you?"
Hudson pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. Poor Sloane.
"Babe, it's fine," Dex cooed, running his hand through Sloane's hair to soothe him. "I won't be alone. Lots of people will be there."
Sloane scoffed. "Yeah, none of whom are equipped to handle a Threat Level Fuchsia." He gasped and clamped a hand over his mouth.
"A code what?" Dex peered at him, and Sloane groaned. He let his head fall into his hands.
"What's a Threat Level Fuchsia?" Hudson asked. Whatever it was, clearly Dex didn't know either.
Dex crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowed. "I'm waiting, oh love of my life. Husband-to-be. Holder of the sexy pants. Snuggle muffin who is five seconds away from sleeping on the couch tonight."
"All right. It's a code Ash and I came up with when you first joined." He put his hands up, his expression pleading. "It was before we were dating. I'm so sorry. It was immature."
"And when was this code used?" Dex asked, his expression unreadable.
"When w
e came across a situation that might possibly lead to you going a little, um, nuts, and where maybe it would be necessary to keep the situation contained."
Dex studied him. "So, let me get this straight. You and Ash came up with a threat level code for me and my crazy, and when said threat level code was used, it meant you and/or Ash would need to contain the situation."
Sloane winced. "Yeah, something like that."
"And who would be the one in charge of containing my crazy?"
"Well, me obviously. You're my partner. Ash helped. Sometimes. Not often."
Hudson had no idea what to think of that, other than it was genius. Not that he was about to mention it.
"Sloane," Dex growled, and Sloane pouted before Dex threw himself into Sloane's arms. "That's the sweetest thing I ever heard! You were crazy about me from the start even if you didn't know it." He trailed kisses all over Sloane's face.
"You're not mad?" Sloane asked, laughing at Dex's enthusiasm.
"Mad? Even if I was your partner and nothing more, you didn't have to care. You could have just looked the other way, or reported me, but you didn't. You cared, and you kept an eye on me, and you and Simba cared enough to give me my own code. Whatever he says, I know Ash loves me too. This confirms it."
"Yeah, I think maybe we should keep this between us. You're really not mad?"
Dex chuckled. "Are you kidding? I have my own threat level. How awesome is that? Let me guess, Ash picked the color."
Sloane nodded.
"Of course he did. The big dork."
"So we're good?" Sloane eyed him.
"Yes," Dex promised. "And don't worry about my bachelor party. Hudson will keep an eye on me." Dex turned his 1,000-watt smile at Hudson. "Right, Hudson?"