Waking up in Luca’s apartment felt a little different this time. Mainly, he was actually lying next to him, but it was also tough not to think about last night.

"Luca… I'm going."

The man's eyes opened halfway, and at first, all he did was grunt.

"I appreciate all your help… But it's best if I confront him alone."

"Hold on. Listen… There's no way that's going to go well. Can I at least walk around near his house or something? I'll be able to help if anything goes wrong."

Scooting to the edge of the bed, Theo picked a meowing Briar up from the floor and placed him on his lap.

"That's… fine."

He ruffled its fur, earning a soft purr as Briar leaned against him.

"Theo…"

Fingertips traced Theo’s spine. He clutched the cat closer to himself.

"Mmh, yeah?"

"It's a nice thing you're doing for Devin. Ah, and yourself. But… I hope you know what you're getting into." His voice came from beside Theo's ear, close to a whisper.

"Yes."

Theo took a deep breath and made eye contact with the two yellow beads in front of him.

"I do.”

They had found a parking lot far from Marco's house but still within walking distance.

Theo was already on his way, glancing back as the car grew smaller. He could no longer see Luca's shadow in the window.

He planned on following from afar.

The closer Theo got, the quicker excuses to run piled up in his head. His footsteps slowed down, and sweat gathered in his palms.

Knowing everything, the house's size felt more intimidating than ever.

Theo stood before the door for at least five minutes until his fist landed on it. A weak knock, if it could even be considered that. His hand opened as his fingers hesitantly tapped on the wood.

It was still possible to leave… He could just head back.

His body reacted negatively to that thought, curling his aggression into another fist. He slammed it so hard against the door that it creaked.

It didn't take long until a tall figure stood before him. 

The eerie stare turned into a much less comforting smile.

"Would you like something to drink?”

A chill shot down his spine. Unfortunately, that was a reminder of why he was even here in the first place—his best friend.

"I'll make it myself. Thank you."

Marco’s eye twitched, but he stepped to the side, letting Theo walk past him.

He heard the door close but not lock. That should mean easy access for Luca.

As Theo made it to the kitchen, his gaze landed on the knife lying on the counter.

He searched through every cupboard, finding the instant coffee he was looking for. This shouldn't take long.

"I have a machine. Use it. That stuff is just for emergency situations."

When he turned his head, he saw Marco standing in the doorway.

"I don't mind. You can keep your capsules or grounds or whatever."

Marco's eyebrows drew together.

"Your lip. The wound is almost gone."

Mug.

"Mhm. Good observation."

Powder.

"No need to be so cold, Theo. You're here of your own accord, aren’t you?"

Water and a kettle.

"Yes. You get that it's not because I’m forgiving you, right?”

"Awh, really? I was hoping for a loving reconciliation."

"If that wasn't sarcasm, you're more delusional than I thought."

A ding. The water was done heating.

"You can't judge me for thinking there might be a chance to fix this."

As he poured water into the mug, Theo could hear the floorboards creak, echoing Marco's footsteps.

His heart dropped.

"Marco…"

The other man's hands shot out, his fingers wrapping around Theo’s throat with a vice-like grip.

"Yes, love?"

Panic surged as he raked at Marco's hands, trying to free himself.

Theo’s vision blurred, wheezing gasps struggling to escape him.

"You know, I prefer this. It would be much better if you just stayed quiet.”

Recalling the first thing he noticed upon entering Marco's kitchen, he let go with one hand and reached for the counter. His fingers stretched and trembled, straining for the lifeline.

Theo's flicker of hope ignited as his fingertips brushed against the cold metal.

"Wait—"

His hand closed around the large knife's handle. Summoning his remaining strength, he swung the blade upward. Marco's grip loosened for a split second, a startled grunt escaping him.

Gasping for breath, Theo held the blade to his chest, forcing him to step back.

"I wish… I knew what to say to you. But… This is just too insane."

"Please. Calm down." Marco traced his hand up Theo's arm, surprisingly unbothered by the sharp edge slicing into his shirt.

"Stop touching me."

He didn't move, making Theo tighten his grip on the knife.

"Theo… You can't just give up. We could… be something. Something good."

He shoved the blade forward, feeling the tip connect with soft flesh. Marco's breath hitched, and he finally let go.

"With me as some kind of silent puppet or something? Who loves you unconditionally?"

"Okay, I'm sorry about that. It… won't happen again."

"Wow, more lies. You'd do better with a therapist for a lover."

Hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance, growing louder once they reached the kitchen floorboards. He was here.

"Theo, you can relax. I'll help you deal with this monster."

Marco only briefly glanced at him, scorn in his eyes.

"Stay with me. Come… here." He held his arms out, inviting Theo closer.

An overwhelming cluster of thoughts flooded his mind, containing scarring imagery of what could have gone down between Marco and Devin.

The last reminder to finally make him snap.

"Go to hell, Marco."

He thrust his blade forward, plunging it deep into Marco's chest.

The impact was swift, causing a flash of searing pain that stole Marco's breath as he stumbled back against the wall.

And yet, much to Theo’s dismay, he smiled.

"Ugh, yes… There’s no better way to go…"

Gritting his teeth, Theo twisted the knife, making himself shudder from the grotesque sound of his skin tearing open.

It didn't work.

After every cough and choke, every drop, and every line of blood that leaked out of his mouth or stained his shirt, Marco's lips stretched further. One could even confuse his grunts for moans if they were twisted enough.

"Don't look at me like that."

He knew what to do. Yanking the weapon back out, Theo turned his eyes to Luca, who was staring wide-eyed at them.

He threw the thing to the other end of the room so a staggering Marco couldn't possibly attain it. Theo then headed toward Luca as his victim slumped to the floor.

"You didn't… have to go that far." His back bumped against the wooden doorway as Theo forced himself inside the narrow entrance.

Theo noted his flushed cheeks with interest.

"Are you getting hard?"

Luca had a tough time looking him in the eyes.

"It's… nice to see someone finally fight back against him. But…"

"And?" Theo cut in.

"No, not—"

"And?"

Luca sighed.

"How you're acting right now is kind of… hot."

Pressing their bodies closer together, Theo kneaded his knee into the growing shape in Luca's pants.

"You're sick, you know that?" Theo's smile widened as the man before him writhed and whimpered.

"Nngh…"

Directing his smile at Marco, he saw the opposite: a frown and a struggle for breath.

It worked.

"Why are you scowling at me?"

"Stop. Get away from him. That's not… Gh—how it's meant to be." Marco's voice was hoarse. His body collapsed onto the floor as he dragged himself by the arms towards them.

But he didn't get far. Blood pooled out under him, and all he could do was let out a weak grunt.

"What have I done…?" Luca barely managed a whisper. His body meekly arched, grinding against Theo's steady leg.

Theo found it amusing that even after such a brutal display, Luca was still somewhere else entirely.

His question, however, Theo was keen on dismissing.

"Nothing." Theo leaned his face down to the man's neck, tracing his tongue in a long, wet line up his skin. With a needy sigh, Luca trembled as he grabbed his arm.

"Can we… do this somewhere else? I can't look at him anymore."

"Mmh… Sure."

It felt wrong being in Marco's bedroom after all that. There were so many reasons Theo couldn't possibly count them all. Some of which he didn't even understand himself. Only Luca could.

Luca… The handsome man splayed out naked on the linen bed sheets below.

Theo ran his hand through Luca’s hair, scratching the back of his head. The overtly pleased groan and closed eyes seemed to Theo like a desperate need to hide from what he had witnessed. He was more than willing to offer Luca as much.

As Theo leaned closer, Luca’s lips parted before him.

“Want it, huh?” Theo spoke under his breath, closing the gap between their mouths. Luca responded in kind with a soft whimper.

Their tongues connected as Theo’s fingers dug deeper into his hair.

He trailed his free hand down Luca’s stomach, coming to a stop just below the navel.

Luca sucked in a sharp breath, which halted his tongue. Theo’s hand, however, advanced again, slowly wrapping around the part of him that was still begging for attention. Theo teased him, pressing his thumb against the sensitive head of Luca’s cock.

Luca gasped and broke away from the kiss. He pushed his face into the pillow, trying to muffle his moans.

“Look at me.” Theo got a firmer grip on Luca’s whole length but only moved in slow strokes.

It gave Luca the space to compose himself, but that wasn't necessarily what he wanted.

“Please… Nnh—Just… fuck me.”

Theo's face heated up as he hurried to get his fingers out of Luca’s hair and into the nightstand drawer. He’d been here before; he knew where the lube was.

“You're… more submissive than I thought.”

Taking the bottle out, he let go of Luca to slather himself in it, eliciting a soft whine from him.

“S-Stop teasing me…”

Theo merely smiled, placing one hand on Luca's thigh and the other on his own cock.

Easier able to direct himself like this, he entered the other man with a satisfied sigh.

Luca arched, his groan shifting from ragged and painful to one of bliss as Theo reached the deepest part of him.

“Nnh… So beautiful…” He drove his fingers through Luca’s hair once again. This time, he grasped it roughly and yanked his head back.

Luca’s reactions to every thrust heightened. He writhed against the bedsheets, struggling to figure out which parts of the fabric to grab onto.

Theo couldn't remember the last time he had felt a man wrapped around his cock. All he recalled was that he didn't have close to as much control back then as he did now.

Now, he was the one taking charge. And it was the best goddamn feeling, especially after securing revenge for the most important person in his life.

Theo’s hand came up, joining the other one by Luca’s neck, as he gently wrapped his fingers around him.

“Gh—Theo… H-Harder...”

He avoided pressing down on anything that would cause real damage but strengthened his grip on Luca's throat.

Luca tightened around Theo’s cock, which only made him hasten his thrusts, desperate for more of that eager response.

“Yes… Good…”

The man whimpered and gasped below him, the friction between their bodies getting increasingly intense. Theo felt an overwhelming pressure building up inside him. He was reaching the edge. And considering the precum coating Luca’s cock, so was he.

He enjoyed so immensely the sight of Luca convulsing in his grip, but wanting to gain more control over where they were headed, his hands returned to Luca’s thighs.

In his heated rhythm, Theo went as deep as he could, noting the aftermath of the choking. Luca’s eyes were blurred by tears, and his moans came out more raspy.

“I-I—Fuck…”

As if on cue, and with every nerve on fire, the tension in Theo was released. He groaned, painting the other man’s insides white.

At that moment, the same opaque liquid dribbled down Luca’s cock while his body lurched, and a soundless gasp escaped him.

Theo dragged himself out of the disheveled mess of a person, looking him over carefully. A perfect sight, Theo would easily consider art. But then again, his mind wasn't all there right now.

He collapsed onto the bed next to Luca. With a faint smile, Theo nestled against his body, curling up to him.

Two exhausted people entangled in each other’s arms. So, very exhausted.

It was over. It was all over. Especially, for the man known as Theodore.

She looked so frail standing there. Even more than usual. Audrey’s head was held low to the ground as she waited for her son to break the silence.

“You look shaken up. Did something happen?”

Her lips stayed in a thin line. When she finally looked back at him, her gentle eyes were filled with an uncomfortable level of suspicion.

“Come in. I'll explain.” She turned around, fiddled with the rim of her shirt, and disappeared through the first door on her right.

Theo stared at the entrance hall’s many photographs. Every family member had their own frame, except for him and Silas. They hung there twice, with both a young and an old version.

He'd like to say he felt… anything. But, no.

Audrey almost never sat in the chair opposite her living room table. She usually joined him on the couch, but not this time.

“Someone… came to my house. A while back. He didn't want to tell me his name. My life—Theo—was threatened because of you. I want to hope it wasn't your fault, but… I don't know anymore.” Tears welled up in her eyes.

Theo still felt nothing. Except for a knot in his stomach.

“I'm… sorry.” An underwhelming response. But he didn't know what else to say.

Audrey gulped, glancing off to the side.

“Silas. He… had to get treated for a cat bite.” She paused, somehow giving herself whiplash from the topic shift.

“He thought he was a bit too cool at first and let it go untreated for too long. I had to help get him to the doctor.”

Silas was in a weaker state than usual. Interesting.

“Oh.”

“It wasn't… Briar, was it?”

“I'm… so sorry.” Lifelessly, Theo pulled his phone out.

Audrey watched, clutching the arm of the chair as he put it to his ear.

“Silas?”

"What the fuck do you want? I said it's over."

"I just want to meet up one more time."

Silence.

"You can accept that, can't you? It won't be long, I promise."

He knew. He knew something was different. Theo never talked like this. In this manner. This tone.

Audrey knew. Her face contorted. However, she didn't say or do anything. She didn't even try to stop him.

"Damn. Still being polite, I see. To be honest, there might be some courage in that."

A low, throaty laugh came from Theo.

"So?"

"Why not. Come over. Show me what you learned."

Theo smiled.

"I can't wait."