Chapter 19 - Rafael
Rafael slices synthetic potatoes at the counter while pre-fab steak hisses in the pan behind him, bubbling in a homemade au jus. With Lian at work and a full day before his next shift, he should be enjoying this.
Except he’s not. Something’s off.
His favorite Terra’s ingredients look washed out under the kitchen lights. Even their scent falls flat. Swiping across the console’s display, he adjusts the temperature and spice ratios until the sensors confirm a balance.
Still nothing.
Breakfast was hours ago. He should be starving, yet his stomach stays silent.
The security panel chimes, and the knife slips from his hand. Rafael isn’t expecting anyone. Maybe his sister, Maria. She’s left him three V-link messages this week, all still unanswered. He was too caught up in resuming his normal life.
He rushes to the door, pulse already picking up. In the security panel, a hologram appears of the visitor. Rafael sucks in a breath.
In the pristine lobby of his VitaCorp complex stands Kane.
His usual armor is gone, replaced by a sweater and slacks, though the heavy boots, long coat, and visor remain.
But why is he in Midtown? Has something happened? Is he here to take Rafael back?
“Rafael.” The familiar deep voice sends a shiver down his spine.
“Y…yes?” he answers automatically.
Kane crosses his arms. “If you’re alone…let me up.” His tone softens. “Please.”
Without thinking, Rafael swipes to grant Kane entry to the elevator. An alarm chimes, and a smile flickers across Kane’s lips before the hologram fades.
Rafael steps back from the door.
Kane is coming here—to his apartment. The gang leader from Shreveport. His stomach drops.
What if someone recognizes Kane? Or VitaCorp enforcer spots him in the hallway? Could him being here expose Rafael’s connection?
It’s not too late to reconsider. His fingers hover over the security panel, only for a knock to sound first.
Kane is on his doorstep.
He unlocks the door, and the metal panels slide open.
The man here at all is enough to make Rafael’s heart race, but a flutter stirs alongside, something he hasn’t felt since their goodbye.
“K-Kane, what are you—why are you—” Rafael glances down the hallway—thankfully empty—before catching his gaze. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” Kane’s brow arches. “Will you let me in?”
“Of course.” Rafael steps to the right, letting him inside.
The door seals behind them. A dozen questions race through his mind, but none make it to his mouth.
Silence lingers between them until Kane looks away and says, “Something’s burning…”
Horror floods through Rafael. He spins toward the kitchen. “Shit!” He rushes over and yanks the pan off the console’s burner. The food is surprisingly salvageable, but as he turns around, his heart stops.
Kane steps closer, visor lifted to reveal green eyes. “I came to make something clear.” His tone is calm, not threatening. “I’m interested in you, Rafael.”
Air catches in Rafael’s throat. He can’t mean that. “I…I don’t think I’m the right person for this,” he mumbles, gaze falling to the counter.
Footsteps pull his focus up to Kane looming over him with a faint curve at his mouth. “You’re exactly who I’m looking for, Rafael. I’m interested in you…romantically.”
Did Rafael hear that right? Kane…is interested in him?
Their goodbye flashes through his mind. Kane, close enough for his breath to gust across his face, eyes on Rafael’s lips.
His heart stutters. Maybe it wasn’t just wishful thinking after all.
“And I think you feel the same.” Kane leans in farther. “Am I right?”
Rafael’s fingers twitch, unsure what to say. In the end, he dips his head. “Yes…”
A chrome hand reaches out to cup Rafael’s face. “Good.” Kane’s voice drops low, unlike anything Rafael’s heard before. “So…you’re open to seeing more of each other?”
“Yes.” The word escapes Rafael’s lips before he can think. “Wait. I…” How much should he say?
A crease deepens on Kane’s forehead, his thumb tracing Rafael’s cheek. “What’s wrong?”
Nothing would make Rafael happier than seeing where this could lead. But he can’t pretend that all the obstacles don’t exist. “How can we…how would this even work? Your crew’s in Shreveport, I’m here in Midtown. And the police, VitaCorp—what if they find out?”
“Is that all?” Kane chuckles
Heat rises under Rafael’s collar as he nods.
“I’ve been…changing my approach,” he continues as his hand slides to cup the back of Rafael’s neck. “My crew relied too heavily on me. I’m giving them a chance to prove themselves, to lead.”
Kane has free time, stepped away from the crew—and chose Rafael. No one’s chosen him before.
“But we barely know each other…” Rafael mutters.
This earns him a smirk. “That’s what ‘seeing more of each other’ is for.” Kane’s grip tightens. “But make no mistake, I don’t expect you to be ‘getting to know’ anyone else. I’m not a fan of sharing anything, and I’m not going to start with you.”
His words ease some of the tension in his chest, even the fear of Kane being with others. But more questions slip out. “Are you going to tell anyone? And would you come here, or…”
Tension settles in Kane’s jaw. “You’re not going to Shreveport. I’ll come here, to Midtown,” he declares. “As for the rest, what happens between us stays between us. I don’t share my personal life with anyone.”
Dating in secret…The idea twists something in Rafael’s gut. He’s never hidden a relationship before, and being with someone like Kane comes with risks. VitaCorp could fire him, evict Rafael from his apartment, potentially cost him his friends and family.
Yet with Kane standing here, those fears feel far away. For once, the voice in his head isn’t asking who he’s supposed to be for everyone else. It’s quiet enough that he can hear what he actually wants and choose it.
His shoulders loosen. “Okay.” He meets Kane’s gaze. “I want to get to know you…too.”
The hand at Rafael’s neck draws him forward. “Good.” Kane’s gaze sharpens, pupils growing wider. “Then let’s finish what we started the night you left.”
Heat surges through Rafael. Their lips hover inches apart for one breathless moment. Then Kane closes the distance.
A startled gasp rips from Rafael’s throat, but the sound quickly transforms into a moan as his worries melt away. When he responds, leaning into the embrace, a pleased rumble vibrates from Kane’s chest.
Pressing into his mouth, Kane deepens the kiss, tilting Rafael’s head while pressing them together. Rafael encircles his arms around Kane’s broad shoulders, fingers clutching at his jacket.
Around them, the world fades. No setting sun, kitchen console hum, or neon glow outside his window. All that remains is Kane’s warmth and the caress of lips.
This is what he was missing.
Not the comfort of Midtown or the routine of work and Terra’s meals. This real connection with Kane.
When Kane finally pulls back, their gazes meet. Rafael can’t restrain his grin.
“See?” A gleam enters Kane’s eyes. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Rafael laughs at the callback. “No,” he admits, more to himself than anyone. “Not bad at all.” With a chuckle, Kane leans in for another kiss, only to pause when Rafael’s stomach grumbles.
A burn spreads across his face. Kane’s laughter fills the space before he adds, “You know, I’d love to try your cooking again.”
That strange but welcome peace settles in Rafael’s chest again. Perhaps this could work between them after all.