Sitting at Aftertaste Café with Yani, Nico was staring into the cup of coffee he held in his hands.

"And then she said, 'You actually believe that conspiracy theory?’ I nearly fell out of my chair!" Yani said, finishing his story with a dramatic hand gesture.

Nico cracked a smile, despite himself. "People are weird."

The café was humming with the sound of espresso machines and pop music. Yani drew closer, lowering his voice schemingly.

"So, listen," Yani said. "Luke got us free entries to Velvet tonight. Go-go dancer perks. Not that a software engineer like me would know much about it. You, me, Jamie, Romy. Let's go. You need a night out."

Nico groaned, sinking lower in his chair. "I don't know, Yani..."

"Come on." Yani grinned, poking Nico’s arm. "You can't mope forever. Plus, you can watch me embarrass myself on the dance floor."

Nico finally laughed, the heaviness in his chest lifting a fraction. "Fine. But if you start twerking, I'm leaving you there."

"Deal." Yani winked.

Later that afternoon, the group chat lit up.

Yani: Velvet club tonight! Luke got us in for free. Who's coming?

Romy: I was born ready.

Jamie: HELL YES. Nico, you in?

Nico: Yeah. I'm in.

***

Velvet was loud, dark, and smelled expensive. It was packed with bodies moving to a bass line that rattled teeth and inhibitions alike. The NJRY crew squeezed through the crowd.

"This is your night, Nico!" Jamie shouted over the music, grabbing Nico’s shoulders. "No sad faces!"

"I'll try," Nico yelled back, managing a weak attempt at enthusiasm.

They danced for a while, spotting some familiar faces, before the crowd naturally pulled them apart. Luke appeared from the smoke, not working tonight, eye-catching in a mesh shirt.

"Glad you made it," Luke said, his voice smooth. "First drink's on me."

Nico smirked, a reckless energy taking hold. "You trying to get me drunk?"

"Only if you want." Luke grinned, his expression open and inviting. "But seriously, relax. No pressure."

In a quieter corner, Romy and Yani had found a small table. Yani sipped his drink, unimpressed by the spectacle. Romy was quiet, their phone face up on the table.

"Just so I have a baseline for my own misery," Yani said, "are you experiencing a sensation that could be vaguely described as 'fun'?"

Romy didn't look up. "It could be described as 'not actively wanting to leave.' It's close."

Their phone lit up. A photo of Romy laughing with their husband on the lock screen.

"How's David doing?" Yani asked, his voice softer.

Romy met his gaze. "He's good. Busy. I just... hate these loud places without him."

A few steps away, on the dance floor, the vibe shifted.

Luke pulled Nico closer. "Are you doing ok?" Luke murmured against Nico’s ear.

"I'm alright," Nico said, forcing a wry smile.

Luke’s eyes were intense but kind. He seemed to sense Nico's hesitation and didn't push. "Let me help you make this better. I used to be a dance teacher, you know? Just follow my lead."

Meanwhile, Jamie had drifted to the edge of the room and bumped into a sturdy guy with dark curly hair.

"I feel like I'm supposed to know you from somewhere," the guy said.

Jamie laughed, a little flustered. Up close, the stranger had warm brown skin and a beard that had clearly seen a pair of clippers recently. "I have that effect on people. Usually right before they run away."

"Well, I'm not running," the guy said, beaming. "I'd like to remember this. I'm Diego, by the way."

"Jamie. Very nice to meet you."

The night became a blur of motion and touch.

Jamie and Diego moved with an easy, unhurried rhythm. Diego spun Jamie around, laughing when Jamie missed a step, and pulled him back in for a kiss that was all soft lips and lightness.

Only a few steps away, Nico and Luke's rhythm was sharper.

"You look good tonight," Luke shouted over the music.

Nico's gaze lifted. The strobe lights caught the sweat slicking Luke’s collarbone, sliding down the dip of his throat to disappear under the sheer mesh of his shirt. It was distracting in the best possible way, a visual anchor in the spinning room.

"Thanks," Nico shouted back, flushed, letting go. "You too."

Luke leaned in. He kissed Nico. It was confident, but he wasn't taking anything Nico wasn't giving. Nico tried to let himself melt into it.

Let it happen, Nico. Don't think.

When they broke apart, Nico didn't feel fireworks in his heart, but the rush of blood elsewhere was impossible to ignore.

"Let's get out of here?" Luke asked softly, his thumb brushing Nico's cheek. "My place or yours? Or just fresh air?"

Nico imagined Yani's sarcastic expression if he met him in the kitchen the following morning. "My place."

Diego looked towards the exit door. "I live two minutes away. Want to keep the night going?" he asked Jamie.

"Yeah," Jamie replied, nervous but excited. "Lead the way."

In Diego’s apartment, the lights were low. Jamie and Diego tumbled onto the couch, a tangle of limbs and suppressed laughter. Diego was solid and reassuring, his hands on Jamie's waist as he pulled him closer. Every touch was deliberate but gentle, hands caressing necks, lips finding the sensitive spot behind an ear.

In Nico’s bedroom, clothes were discarded in a hurry, the urgency of the club following him and Luke home. Luke lifted Nico up and put him onto the mattress, his movements fluid and sure. He dipped down to kiss the hollow of Nico's throat, hands sliding over his bare chest. Nico’s back arched off the mattress instinctively, a sharp gasp escaping his lips as Luke’s touch moved lower.

Diego took his time with Jamie, his weight settling over him like a heavy, comforting blanket. Jamie wrapped his legs around him, as Diego kissed him, deep and slow.

Nico focused entirely on the sensation, on Luke’s glistening chest, on the physical proof that he was here, he was wanted. And for a few minutes, he didn't have to think about anything else.

***

The morning light hit Nico’s bedroom. Luke was asleep spread in the middle of the bed, half-covered by sheets. Nico sat on the edge of the bed, glancing back. The sun caught the definition of Luke’s abs and the messy sprawl of his limbs.

Damn. He got dressed quietly.

As Nico pulled on his shirt, Luke stirred. "Morning," he said, stretching with a lazy grin. "You making coffee?"

"Yeah," Nico said, a little awkward. "Want some?"

"Sure. Unless you want me to clear out."

"It's fine. Whatever you want."

In the kitchen, Nico poured two coffees. Luke, putting his tank top on, leaned against the counter. There was a short silence. Luke sensed Nico's mood and kept it light.

"I really gotta go but..." Luke said, sipping his cup. "Last night was fun."

"Yeah," Nico said, sounding less sure than he was trying to. "It was."

Luke kissed him on the cheek. "Have a good day."

"You too."

At that exact moment, the front door opened. Jamie stood there, keys in hand, freezing when he saw Luke standing in the hallway putting on his shoes.

There was a brief, awkward silence. A nod from Luke. A mumbled "hey" from Jamie. A silent, mutual acknowledgment of the morning-after timing.

"Should I come back later?" Jamie asked, raising an eyebrow at Luke before shooting a wicked grin past him to Nico, who was hovering in the kitchen doorway.

"No, please," Nico whispered, mouthing the words over Luke's shoulder. Save me.

Luke finished tying his laces and stood up. "See you, Nico. Nice meeting you, Jamie."

"You too," Jamie said, stepping aside to let him pass.

As the door clicked shut behind Luke, Jamie burst into the apartment, practically vibrating.

"Nico, it was perfect," Jamie gushed, throwing himself onto the sofa. "He’s so hot, and funny, he’s got an actual job at the Verel city council. Damn. I know it’s early, but… I think I'm in love. Or lust. Either way, it's real, this could be something."

Nico listened, forcing a smile, but his eyes remained sad.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jamie asked, finally noticing. "You just spent the night with the hottest guy in our gym, you should be happy."

"Yeah," Nico said softly. "Just tired."

"Long night, I see."

Jamie headed to the bathroom to shower, humming an off-key tune. Left alone in the sudden quiet, Nico sat at his desk.

He stared at his sketchbook, at the drawing of Prunya he made at the shelter when he was there with Ben. His hand hovered over the paper.

Ben... I have to make this right. Somehow.