The restaurant wasn’t fancy, not the kind Daniel usually belonged in with his sharp suits and polished shoes. It was small, tucked on a quiet street, with warm lights glowing through the windows and the smell of pasta drifting out the door. Luca didn’t mind. To him, it was perfect.
He shifted in his chair, fingers twisting the edge of his napkin. Across from him, Daniel set his glasses on the table for a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Even in the soft light, he looked serious, his expression calm but heavy.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Luca said, his voice careful.
Daniel gave a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I have a lot on my mind.”
Luca tilted his head. “Work?”
“Yes. A new case.” Daniel hesitated, as though weighing the words. Finally, he leaned forward slightly. “I was hired to represent the Arsenyev family.”
Luca blinked. “Who?”
“They’re… an old family. Powerful. They’ve been drawn into conflict with another group. The Volkovs.”
The name meant nothing to Luca at first. He chewed the inside of his lip, trying to sound interested. “So… you’ll be in court a lot?”
Daniel studied him. “Yes. It’s going to be dangerous, Luca. The Volkovs aren’t ordinary businessmen.”
The weight in his tone made it clear this was serious, but Luca just nodded. He didn’t want to ruin the night with something he barely understood. For him, this evening wasn’t about politics or crime families. It was about sitting across from Daniel, sharing food, pretending he was normal for once.
“Well,” Luca said softly, “I’m sure you’ll win. You always seem like the kind of person who does.”
Daniel’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile, but close. “I appreciate your confidence.”
Dinner passed slowly. Luca picked at his pasta more than he ate it, stealing glances at Daniel whenever he thought he wouldn’t notice. Every time Daniel’s gaze met his, Luca’s chest warmed. For a boy who had once eaten scraps under a bridge, this felt unreal. A real date, with someone who saw him as more than a stray.
When they finished, Daniel insisted on paying. Luca tried to argue, but Daniel only raised a brow until he gave up. Outside, the night air was cool, carrying the faint smell of rain from earlier. The streets were quieter now, most shops closed, streetlights casting pale pools of light on the pavement.
They walked side by side. Luca’s hands stayed buried in his pockets, brushing against his lip ring when nerves got the better of him. He wanted to say something, anything but the words tangled inside.
Daniel broke the silence first. “I won’t stop by the bar tonight.”
Luca looked at him quickly. “Why not?”
“I have too many files to review. If I want any chance of winning this case, I need to be ready.” His voice was firm, but his eyes softened when they met Luca’s. “But I’ll walk you there.”
Luca’s chest tightened, a mix of disappointment and gratitude. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” Daniel’s reply came quick, steady.
They reached the corner where the Neon Bar’s lights glowed faintly ahead, red and blue flashing against the wet pavement. The sound of music thumped even from here. Luca slowed his steps, not ready for the night to end.
Daniel stopped with him. For a moment, the noise of the city seemed to fade. He adjusted his glasses, studying Luca the way he always did—quietly, carefully, as if trying to figure him out.
“Thank you,” Luca murmured.
“For what?”
“For tonight. For… everything.” His voice dipped, almost shy. “It was nice.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX4xipArUh
Daniel’s expression softened again, something rare breaking through the walls he usually held. He gave a small nod. “It was.”
The silence stretched, not uncomfortable, but fragile. Luca bit his lip ring, heart racing, wanting to say more but afraid to ruin it.
Finally, Daniel stepped back. “Go on. Don’t keep Aria waiting. I’ll see you soon.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOTGahqJhk
Luca nodded quickly, not trusting his voice. He turned toward the bar lights, but not before glancing back once. Daniel was still standing there, hands in his coat pockets, watching until Luca disappeared inside.
For the rest of the night, the memory of that look followed Luca, warming him more than the neon ever could.
The Neon Bar was already alive by the time Luca stepped inside. The air carried the familiar mix of beer, cheap perfume, and neon haze. Music thumped through the speakers, couples swaying under colored lights, laughter spilling between the tables.
Aria was behind the counter, gum snapping in rhythm with the beat. She spotted Luca slipping on his apron and grinned.
“Finally. Lover boy returns.”
Luca flushed. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb.” She leaned across the counter, eyes sharp and playful. “You came in smiling. That only means one thing. Spill.”
“I’m not smiling.” Luca grabbed a rag and started wiping the counter, determined to avoid her gaze.
Aria leaned further, her voice dropping into a mock whisper. “Did Daniel kiss you?”
Luca nearly dropped the glass he was holding. “Aria!”
Her laughter rang out, bright and shameless. “God, you’re easy. Don’t worry, I’ll get it out of you sooner or later.”
Luca shook his head, biting back a smile despite himself. He focused on his work, grateful for the excuse to keep his hands busy.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXUjPJ8Eet
The TV mounted above the bar cut through the music suddenly. The channel switched to live news, the anchor’s voice calm but urgent.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7Y7nOdJD2
“Developments continue in the Volkov investigation. The Mexican government confirmed today that a shipment of weapons, allegedly belonging to the Volkov organization, has been intercepted at the border. The confiscated arms are now in government custody. This comes only days after the death of Charles Vale, Minister of Defense and CEO of Vale Cooperative. Legal experts predict the Volkov family will soon be facing multiple international cases—each one threatening to dismantle their empire.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ330myiRBkx
The bar’s noise faltered, curiosity pulling heads toward the screen. For a moment, even the dancers slowed.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfZ2FE17HG
Aria whistled low under her breath. “Shit. Two cases at once? That’s a death sentence. Volkovs are in deep shit now.”
Luca frowned, towel pausing in his hands. “Why? What does that mean?”
Aria shot him a look. “It means no one survives that kind of heat. Murder on one side, weapons trafficking on the other. Even a family like the Volkovs can’t fight two wars in court at the same time.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw0PRHyKGr
Luca nodded slowly, though the names and power struggles slid off him like water. He didn’t understand the weight of empires or governments. His world had been survival—food, shelter, safety. Men like Charles Vale or Raven Volkov might as well have been names in a storybook.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAsxsaSwYi
Still, the way the others whispered, the way the air tightened in the room, made him pay attention. For once, he felt a flicker of interest.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoD3G6eNBc
But it didn’t last long. Aria nudged him with her hip, snapping him back. “Don’t tell me you’re turning into a politics nerd now. Stick to love games, pretty boy. That suits you better.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW303eVv2p
Luca rolled his eyes, but the faint heat in his cheeks gave him away. He bent back to work, the neon lights buzzing overhead.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsbGWktSZ0
For the rest of the shift, the name Volkov lingered in his thoughts, circling in the back of his mind. He didn’t know it yet, but the shadow of that name was already reaching for him.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UJswm5n5A
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMizPEQlUD
The bar wound down near two in the morning. Chairs scraped, lights flickered brighter, and the last of the couples stumbled out into the night. Luca tossed his rag onto the counter, stretching his sore arms.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB1i6ttOy2
“Done,” he muttered.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqikhL4FTiN
Aria pulled off her apron with a sigh of relief. “Finally. My feet are going to sue me one day.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgTHV4YZZI
They stepped outside together. The air was cool, streets glistening faintly under streetlights from an earlier rain. Luca shoved his hands in his pockets, falling into an easy pace beside her.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRvsq0CZPj
“You know,” Aria said, eyeing him sideways, “you didn’t deny it.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDTPjLwtIs
“Deny what?”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5mD77cHIl
“That you’re seeing Daniel.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMIQvQs0mM
Luca groaned. “We’re not—”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2oTOVcFgj
“Not yet,” she cut in, smirking. “Give it a week.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4IZGoYwYD
Before Luca could answer, a car horn beeped. A small sedan pulled up to the curb. Aria’s grin widened.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8BAEzX8Y8
“That’s my ride.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYROrvoMSc
The driver leaned out, waving. “You’re late.”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WalyxyJJ6
“Shut up,” Aria shot back, but she was already sliding into the passenger seat.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoSrAZFj81
Luca whistled low, teasing. “Finally letting me meet him, huh? Should I warn him about you?”
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yFAniEBYZ
Aria stuck her tongue out before the car door shut. The sedan pulled away, leaving Luca standing on the quiet street.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNKr3NTufz
For a moment, he just watched them go, the laughter in the car fading into the night. Strangely, his chest didn’t twist the way it once might have.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYgpYwySU5
He smiled faintly to himself. Maybe it was because Daniel had looked at him differently tonight. Maybe it was because for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel completely alone.
Pulling his hood up against the cool air, Luca turned toward his apartment. The city stretched quiet around him, shadows long under the streetlights.
And for once, the walk home didn’t feel as heavy.
ns216.73.216.54da2
and then Add to home screen.