The bike roared closer, headlights flaring, sleek and matte black. It pulled up beside their stalled car like something out of a damn movie. The rider killed the engine, and the silence that followed was almost dramatic.

Then the man took off his helmet.

Remi audibly gasped - like, actual dramatic gasp.

The rider swung off his bike with unhurried confidence. He was tall - really tall - with a smooth, deep brown complexion that seemed to soak up the glow of the streetlights. Dreadlocks pulled back in a loose tie, neck covered in fine black ink that crept up to his jawline. His eyes were low and slanted, almost lazy-looking, but sharp beneath long lashes. His lips? Soft-looking. Full. Kissable.

He wore a snug black shirt, damp in spots from the heat, and a navy-blue mechanic jumpsuit tied around his waist, hanging loose with the sleeves bunched at his hips. One arm was fully tatted - intricate, geometric lines, snakes, skulls, something with a crown. Art, not chaos.

Ash stepped out of the car just as the stranger approached, towering over him by a couple of inches. Remi peeked from the window, eyes locked in full awe.

"You two good?" the man asked, voice rich and low like honey poured over gravel.

Ash blinked. "Uh... not really. Car just broke down."

"Figured," the man said, nodding toward the quiet hood. "You mind if I take a look?"

"Please," Ash said, stepping aside.

The man crouched, popped the hood like a pro, and started inspecting the engine with skillful hands. Remi climbed out quietly and leaned against the side of the car, watching way too hard.

Ash noticed and whispered, "Close your mouth. You're drooling."

"Shut up," Remi hissed, cheeks warming. "He's just... nice to look at, okay?"

Ash smirked. "He looks like he eats people."

"Yeah," Remi murmured, eyes still fixed. "And I'd say thank you after."

Ash choked on a laugh.

After a few minutes, the man stood and wiped his hands with a cloth he pulled from his back pocket.

"Fuel pump's busted," he said, looking straight at Ash. "Gonna need a tow. I can call my guy to hook it up, but the garage won't open till morning."

Ash sighed. "Great. Just our luck."

"You guys close by?"

"About fifteen minutes. If the car worked."

The man nodded, then his eyes flicked to Remi. "You alright?"

Remi blinked, then cleared his throat. "Yeah... yeah, I'm good. Just... admiring the universe and all."

Ash rolled his eyes hard.

The man smirked, finally offering a hand. "I'm Théodore."

"Ashley," Ash said, shaking it. "That's Remi."

Remi walked over and shook his hand too - and lingered just a second longer.

"Thanks for stopping," Remi said, giving a sweet, sheepish smile.

Théodore's eyes lingered for a moment too long on Remi's lips before turning back to Ash. "I can give y'all a ride if you're comfortable."

Ash raised a brow. "On that?"

"I got a second helmet. I've ridden with two before."

"I call dibs!" Remi blurted.

"No, you don't!" Ash shot back.

"Bitch, I saw him first!"

Théodore raised a brow, amused. "I don't mind either of y'all ridin' with me. Just say the word."

Ash sighed dramatically. "Fine. You take Remi. He clearly wants to have your babies."

Remi smiled sweetly. "Thank you, boyfriend."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Keep it PG or I'll walk behind y'all and throw rocks."

Théodore laughed - a deep, low, rumbly sound. "Y'all are funny as hell."

He handed Remi a spare helmet. "Hold on tight."

Remi, all too eagerly, climbed onto the back of the bike and wrapped his arms around Théodore's waist, resting his cheek against his back.

Ash just stared. "If I hear you moan, I'm never speaking to you again."

Remi flipped him off, and Théodore just shook his head with a grin.

"Garage isn't far from my place. I'll drop y'all there. You can crash if you want. I've got space."

Ash blinked. "You sure?"

"Yeah." He looked between them. "I've had worse company."

And with that, the engine roared to life again. Théodore took off down the road, Remi hugging his waist with the biggest damn smile.

Ash watched them disappear into the night.

"Great," he muttered.

The garage looked like something pulled straight out of a music video - not the greasy, cluttered kind, but clean, slick, and organized with metallic tool chests and sleek black floors. Neon signs buzzed in the corners, casting a low blue glow over everything.

But what really caught their attention... was the house across it.

Correction: Glass house.

Remi blinked. "Is that... yours?"

Théodore turned to glance over his shoulder, removing his helmet. "Yeah. Bought it last year."

Ash's brows raised. "You live across from your garage?"

"Garage is mine too."

Remi's jaw dropped. "Okay, Mr. Entrepreneur."

Théodore just smirked. "Come on. Y'all can clean up and crash in the guest room."

They followed him past the bike and toward the glass house, which opened with a soft hiss of the automatic door - of course it was automatic. The place inside was sleek: black and grey aesthetics, chrome finishes, low lighting, and a view of the city lights through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. No curtains. No shame.

Remi spun around once. "This isn't a house. This is a lifestyle."

Ash walked in slower, noting the expensive furniture and the smell - cedarwood and clean laundry. The man was clearly put together.

"Y'all can drop your stuff there," Théodore said, pointing to a couch. He tugged his shirt over his head, wiping his face and revealing a full chest covered in tattoos and lean, cut muscles. "You want water? Shower? Food?"

Ash blinked. "Uh... water's good."

Remi, who had absolutely not missed the shirtless reveal, cleared his throat. "Shower sounds... nice."

Théodore raised a brow at him. "You can use mine if you want. It's got a glass wall too, though - hope y'all don't mind mirrors."

Ash raised his brow in warning. "He does."

Remi rolled his eyes and turned to Ash. "You're not about to start acting jealous now."

"I'm not jealous," Ash said, slowly. "I just know your type."

Théodore tilted his head, smirking. "And what is his type?"

"Tattooed trouble."

Remi bit back a smile.

"Well," Théodore said, voice smooth, "I try to behave."

That try had too much heat behind it.

Ash narrowed his eyes while Remi grabbed a towel and headed toward the bathroom.

"You're letting him use your personal shower?" Ash asked.

Théodore shrugged. "Why not? He asked real sweet."

Ash crossed his arms. "You flirt with all your broken-down clients?"

Théodore leaned against the wall, eyes low and unbothered. "Only the ones who stare like they want to bite me."

Ash laughed under his breath. "You're bold."

Théodore's gaze flicked over him slowly. "So are you."

The tension settled heavy and slow.

Ash broke it with a snort. "You're something else, man."

"Is that bad?" Théodore asked, stepping a bit closer. "Or are you into that kind of thing?"

Before Ash could reply, Remi's voice rang from the bathroom. "Ash! Come shower with me, this shower head is insane!"

Ash gave Théodore a dry look. "He has no shame."

"I like that about him."

Ash paused. "You like a lot about him, don't you?"

Théodore just smiled. "Mm. You too, though."

Ash raised a brow.

"Dark skin, pretty face, smart mouth, protective. You two must drive each other crazy in the best way."

Ash tried not to smile - he failed a little.

"Guess you'll find out," Ash said, brushing past him to join Remi in the bathroom.

As he stepped in, Remi grinned, wet curls sticking to his forehead. "What took you so long?"

Ash gave him a look. "Our new mechanic might have a death wish."

Remi gasped. "Was he flirting with you?!"

"I think he flirted with both of us."

Remi's eyes lit up. "This trip just got way more interesting."

Ash pulled him close. "Behave."

Remi kissed him. "No promises."