Shadows and Revelations
Sky hadn't planned on drinking.
But somewhere between the silence in Muri's texts and the look she'd given Lex that morning, something inside him had started to crack.
He found himself at Halo, a sleek rooftop bar overlooking the city—dim lights, expensive whiskey, and just enough noise to drown out the ache in his chest.
He drank. Then drank again.
That's when he saw them.
Across the room.
Muri. Lex.
Seated close, voices low. Too close.
Too familiar.
Lex leaned in. Muri didn't pull away.
Sky's stomach twisted.
He stood to leave—but someone stopped him.
"Rough night?" a voice said, smooth as velvet.
Sky turned. The man was tall, striking, all cool confidence and mystery. Black button-down, rings on both hands, a silver earring that caught the light.
"Muse," he said, offering a hand. "You look like you could use a distraction."
Sky hesitated... then took it.
---
Later That Night
The bar blurred around them. Laughter. Dancing. A blur of spinning lights and neon. Muse kept pace with Sky's drinks and matched every flirty line with one of his own—effortless, magnetic.
Sky found himself relaxing. Smiling. Feeling something he hadn't in weeks—wanted.
"You ever wonder," Muse murmured near his ear as they danced, "why the ones we love the most make us feel the smallest?"
Sky didn't answer. He just leaned in.
At midnight, they left the bar. Together.
---
At the Hotel
The room was high-end and hushed, city lights painting silver streaks across the sheets.
Sky stood at the window, jacket off, tie loose. Muse poured them both a drink, voice calm and unreadable.
"You don't have to say anything," Muse said. "Some nights are meant to stay off the record."
Sky looked at him. Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"Maybe I want this night to mean something," he said quietly.
Muse stepped forward. "Then let it."
And that night, Sky didn't think about Muri. Or Lex.
Just silence, warmth, and a stranger who saw through the cracks.