Theo couldn't get the mysterious man out of his head. And after yesterday, it was time he took some initiative for once.

Briar stood beside him in the hallway, his tiny head rubbing against Theo's calf.

"This is a good decision, right?"

Noticing his owner was speaking to him, Briar lifted his head and let out a low, growling meow.

"You're so wise." He unlocked the front door, making the dark creature below him step back and let out another meow.

"I'll be back later. I've given you plenty of food and toys to play with, so no complaining."

Its yellow eyes gleamed at him. No sound came from Briar this time.

Why did it feel like he was worried about Theo? He had been a bit extra clingy ever since the incident with Silas.

"Love you."

The door clicked shut.

Theo surveyed every area of the lobby, keeping an eye out for anyone wearing staff colors.

He found a few, but it took a moment before the guy arrived. Theo took a deep breath.

Once he was ready, he trotted right up to him.

"Uhm. You, uh…"

His head turned slightly, confused but intrigued.

"Hello? Do you need help with anything?"

The air this man exuded was quite striking. Not to mention, he was conventionally attractive. His ruffled, dark-brown hair easily drew Theo's attention, and the facial hair was a nice touch, too.

"Do you know someone named… Marco?"

The polite staff smile Theo had found comfort in immediately vanished from the man's face.

"How do you know about him?"

"We're… friends? Or, uh, something similar…"

"Oh."

"I was here with him yesterday. He saw you, and, well, he seemed pretty interested. Or, at least, he was staring a lot. When I asked him about you, he was very dismissive."

Luca didn't respond; his expression was unreadable.

"So, uh… I just got curious."

"Sorry. I can't discuss this right now. You can tell me your number, though, and I'll get back to you later."

Something about the professional tone made Theo lower his guard. He easily handed those numbers out verbally.

"Great. If you don't have any plans for the next few days, I'll figure something out."

"Ah, sure."

"I'll get back to work then. See you."

A lingering look and he was gone once again.

What was Theo supposed to feel? Even he had no idea.

The man's texts were very brief and to the point.

Before Theo knew it, he was sitting on a couch by the wall of the same bar he always visited with Devin. The place where he first met Marco.

He considered getting a drink while waiting, but instead, he ended up getting more sweat on his phone as he held it tightly in his hands.

He didn't have to worry about it for long as a familiar figure soon entered, slamming the door closed with haste. The noise made him jump, his eyes landing on the man wearing a brown aviator jacket.

His gaze swept over the bar counter, but he found nothing.

Theo considered speaking up but couldn't get himself to do it. The new impression he was getting of the guy made it hard to know how to react.

When he finally noticed Theo, he gave him a quick nod. And as he got closer, Theo could feel his body sink into the couch.

"What drink do you want? I'll pay."

"Oh, I couldn't. You don't have to do that."

The man's eyes narrowed.

"Huh… I see what's happening here." He was mostly muttering to himself, but it wasn't as if Theo couldn't hear him. His hand tightened around the phone.

"Let's just talk."

A smile flashed across the stranger's face.

"Tell me what you want."

Theo's eyebrows drew together, which actually seemed to please him, dragging his smile out further.

"...Buy me whatever you're getting."

Satisfied, he turned and headed to the counter.

This was way too different from the polite guy he expected to meet here. He was working the other time, though.

When he returned and sat on the couch opposite Theo, two small glasses were placed on the table. Putting his phone away, Theo took a tentative sip of the one closest to him. The taste of alcohol hit him immediately; it was hard liquor.

"Whiskey?"

"If you wanted something else, you could have said so."

"Nnh."

"It's Luca, by the way."

"Theo."

"So, about that guy… He…" Luca dragged every word out, finding it hard to continue. He even stopped to take a drink from his glass. His index finger tapped repeatedly against it.

"Ugh…"

Behind him, a certain someone entered the bar. Theo's face lit up, and so did Luca's. He had been saved from following himself up.

"What is it?"

"Ah… A friend."

Devin waved at him but didn't approach them until Theo beckoned him over.

"Interesting. Now you're hanging out with another hot guy. Since when did you get so popular?" Devin chuckled.

Holding the glass close to his face, Theo somehow thought it was even remotely large enough to hide him.

"Oh? Well, you don't look so bad yourself." Luca leaned back.

"I would blush if I was… into anyone. It's appreciated, though."

"Ah, damn. A shame. But I shouldn't say that, should I? How often do you get that?"

Something clicked for Devin. He even sat down on the couch next to Luca.

"Don't even get me started. As if your life isn't worth anything if you don't plan to spend it grotesquely combined with someone else's."

"Of course. That's for each person to decide for themselves."

Theo tugged at his own sleeves.

"Guys? I'm sorry to interrupt. It's just… we didn't get to finish …"

Luca's gaze landed on him.

"Hmm?"

"N-Nevermind."

His hazy expression morphed into a glare. Much easier to interpret, but not exactly ideal.

"Would you be worried about something as simple as knocking a glass off the table? Since it'll slightly inconvenience someone?"

Theo stared silently at him, watching as Luca leaned across the table and picked up his glass. He didn't like where this was going. Luca's glare was soon replaced by a wide grin that grew as the glass slowly slid down his fingers. He was threatening to drop it.

"No, don't."

Nothing.

"Please?"

His plea seemed to do something to Luca. The hand shook a little.

That was the opposite of what Theo wanted.

As a last resort, Theo similarly leaned over the table to try and catch it. But... his actions were in vain.

His elbow connected with the glass beside him, and down went his own drink. Onto the floor—in pieces.

To Theo's surprise, Devin hadn't interfered with them, leaving Theo increasingly panicked and unsure what to think.

A staff member heard the commotion and was ready with tools to help clean up the mess.

"I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."

Luca drank the rest of the whiskey with a much tighter grip, looking more than pleased with his actions.

"No, no, it's alright. It happens… far too often here anyway." With a smile, they removed everything staining the floor. Their calm demeanor made Theo go quiet.

Once the three were alone again, Theo noted the fact that his friend wasn't looking to share any glances with him.

However, Luca's gaze was intense. And, in a serious tone, he uttered a set of words that Theo wouldn't soon forget.

"This can't keep going. Or he'll eat you up."

They might not have cared, but another employee could have been genuinely annoyed.

Everything that happened that day was replaying in Theo's head. He had no hope of paying attention to the man beside him.

"You've been a bit distracted today, Theo. Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry."

"That's not an answer." Marco laughed.

He really wasn't there. It didn't even register for him to return the gesture with at least a smile.

"There's… just a lot going on right now."

"You know, you can always talk to me about it."

Audrey. That's who he needed to talk to. How could he forget?

He'd thank Marco for the reminder but couldn't delay his much-needed conversation with Audrey. After the day at the bar, he felt renewed courage. Somehow. That Luca guy …

"I need to go visit Audrey."

A hint of recognition flashed across Marco's face. Not confusion.

"Uh, my mom."

"Right, of course."

His smile would’ve been a lot less eerie if it made any sense for it to be there.

"I'll see you soon, right?"

"Sure. We'll plan something."

Theo was struck by how much easier it was to cut it off this time.

It may have helped that Marco was okay with it. Uncomfortably so.

Theo gave him one last look before heading back to the parking lot.

As the gray car came into view, Theo put his phone to his ear. Audrey's number was on the line, but no one was picking up.

She shouldn't be busy today, as far as he knew.

As he climbed into his car, determined to see her, a deep, hollow pit formed in his stomach.