Chapter 25 - Rafael
Rafael stands outside the Smile Services administrative building, staring up at the pale blue glow spilling from its entrance.
Everything about this place screams Midtown, from its polished glass windows to the hovering security drones and holo billboards cycling above the door.
It’s the kind of place he walks past every day without thinking twice.
Except not with Kane.
But now it’s seven-thirty, and Midtown is still wide awake.
Smiles Services enforcers linger on every corner while HOV trains flash between buildings overhead. Workers in uniform blue suits rush past him in all directions, either zoned in on their wristlink or staring at the door ahead.
Rafael’s stomach twists.
What if someone recognizes Kane? Or worse, what if someone he knows sees him here?
He adjusts the small box in his arms—a surprise for Kane—and moves forward. Everyone he knows is either at work or catching up on sleep before their next shift.
At the entrance, sensors sweep over his face and wristlink. Kane’s code flashes green, and the doors slide open. Rafael exhales as he steps inside.
A few people glance his way as he passes through the checkpoint. None seem to pay enough attention to slow Rafael, heart pounding at the thought of seeing Kane again.
They’ve met twice in the past few weeks, but even during work or out with his friends, his mind keeps drifting back to Kane, wondering what he’s doing or how things are in Shreveport.
Inside the elevator, he enters Kane’s code again—still unsure how he even got them access—and swipes for the top floor.
A beep sounds, followed by a monotone voice. “Floor 20, security access required.”
Rafael’s heart skips. He’s reaching for his wristlink when the doors hiss open, revealing a long-haired man with a brimmed hat and strange tattoos along his neck.
The stranger steps in and holds his wristlink to the panel. The top-floor light blinks on.
“Have a great night.” The man winks, stepping back out. “Tell Kane we’re square.”
Before Rafael can respond, the doors seal.
Who was that? What did he mean? The elevator dings before he can untangle the questions, and whatever confusion lingers slips away as the doors part.
The bare corporate rooftop he expected is nowhere to be found. Instead, green grass stretches out before him, decorated with pulsing flora and miniature trees in unnatural shades. Somewhere above, birds chirp, a sound he’s only heard in V-link sessions.
But there’s no one else up here. No marching S.S. enforcers. No people in crisp suits. Just Rafael and this garden, too beautiful to be real.
Then Rafael sees him.
Kane, reclining on a blanket underneath a purple willow tree.
He’s moving before his mind can even catch up, rushing over while his heart pounds.
“Hey.” Kane peers up with a smile, pushing his visor atop his head.
Rafael doesn’t answer. He drops to his knees and throws his arms around him. The gift box tumbles onto the blanket. Kane returns his embrace, pulling Rafael close until he’s practically in his lap.
“Thank you.” Rafael’s voice comes out muffled against Kane’s jacket. “I love this.”
A chrome hand cups the back of his head. “You’re welcome.” Kane presses a kiss to his neck, then leans back.
“I brought something too…” He slips off Kane’s lap and opens the present he brought. “Red velvet cupcakes with vanilla icing. Not as impressive as your baking, but—”
“No more of that.” Kane chuckles. “If you made it, I already know it’s good.” He swipes a finger across the frosting of one before sliding the digit between his lips. “Damn…” A satisfied hum escapes him. “I was right. Perfect—exactly what I expected from you.”
Pride blooms in Rafael’s chest. He leans in over the blanket, and Kane meets him halfway. The kiss tastes of vanilla with a hint of chocolate. When they part, Rafael’s pulse stutters.
Kane opens the picnic basket, pulling out a pair of wrapped sandwiches. No Terra Inc. logo in sight. He made these himself. “This one’s havarti and gouda with red onions, peppers, and zucchini on sourdough. And this—”
“Wait.” Rafael cuts him off. “You made all of this? For me?”
Cooking at his apartment makes sense. They had time and the latest kitchen console. But how did Kane manage all this, especially with everything going on in Shreveport?
Green eyes crinkle. “All me.” He chuckles, arranging the food onto two plates. “Well—most of it. I didn’t grow the vegetables or catch the fish, but I made time for the rest.
Rafael’s chest tightens as he accepts a sandwich.
“Wow, Kane, I…” No one’s ever gone to such lengths for him.
“I don’t even know what to say. This is…
incredible. I still can’t believe we’re here…
How did you pull this off? And that guy in the elevator who let me up.
Do you know him? He called you by name. Said—”
“Jun.” Kane rolls his eyes. “He’s a bounty hunter. Credit chaser.” His tone hardens. “Not someone you want close. But…” A smirk tugs at his mouth. “He finds a way to get the impossible.”
Impossible is one way to describe a private rooftop garden date atop a Smile Services building. Rafael glances around, scanning for security cameras, patrol drones, anything. “Kane, aren’t you worried S.S. enforcers might find us?”
A hand settles on Rafael’s shoulders. “Listen. I’ve got this handled.” Kane releases him to retrieve a bottle of synthwine from the picnic basket. “Jun knows better than to miss any details. He owed me, and I made damn sure he delivered.”
After pouring two glasses, Kane hands one over with a grin. “Nobody’s getting up here tonight.”
Kane’s right. He always keeps him safe. Rafael takes a slow sip. The wine washes away what little tension he has left.
They start eating, trading stories about their day.
Rafael tells him about baking cupcakes with his mother on V-link, then meeting up with Lian before coming here.
Kane talks about back-to-back meetings with his lieutenants, smoothing over crew drama, and the few curious looks he got in the lobby downstairs.
When Kane mentions dropping off his leftover sandwich supplies at a local shop, Rafael perks up. “Frank’s Burgers? I love that place! Had one right before I left.”
“Wouldn’t know.” Kane snorts. “I’m allergic to sesame.”
Rafael’s jaw slacks. “Really?”
“Yeah. And Frank refuses to use any other bun.” Kane folds his arms. “Found out the hard way three years ago. Wren talked Coda into digging up my birthday and threw me a surprise party. Guess whose burgers they ordered?”
It takes Rafael a second to connect the dots. “Oh my God—were you okay?”
Kane chuckles, taking a sip of wine. “Yeah. Thank God for Pulaski.” His tone stays light, but the line between his brows doesn’t disappear.
Rafael’s chest tightens. He sets his hand on Kane’s leg. “He sounds like he was a good man. A good doctor.”
“He was.” Kane’s gaze drifts over his shoulder to the pond.
Rafael lets the silence sit for a moment before a nervous laugh escapes him. “Guess I owe him then. For saving you before I ever got the chance to meet you.”
The corner of Kane’s mouth lifts. He looks back at Rafael. “Then I guess he saved us both.” His hand settles over Rafael’s on his thigh, squeezes once, then releases to return to eating.
A beep from Rafael’s wristlink breaks the moment. He glances down at the message and instantly laughs. Kane raises a brow when he glances up.
“Sorry, it’s my dad,” Rafael explains. “He tried pranking my mom—changed all the light controls in their house.” Another laugh bubbles up. “She was not happy.”
“Your dad’s a prankster?” Kane asks with a chuckle. He nods. “Can I expect that from you?”
“Nope.” Rafael shakes his head. “That gene went straight to my sister.” A memory surfaces, and he laughs. “Last summer, Maria found out her boyfriend was cheating, so she sent all their cutesy V-link sessions to his coworkers. I guess that’s not really a prank—but it proves my point!”
Kane snorts. “Yeah, that tracks. You two are definitely opposites.” He finishes the glass in a long swig. “Reminds me of when Viper finally had enough of Echo. Gave her a taste of her own medicine. Took years, but he made it count.”
He launches into the story about Echo’s sabotaged synthcoffee and Viper’s perfectly timed revenge. Rafael listens, grinning at every detail while he finishes his sandwich and wine.
The rest of the meal drifts by in easy conversation. Kane shares his favorite stands in the Shreveport marketplace. Rafael admits his worst kitchen disasters. The more they talk, the more it feels like they’ve known each other for years instead of a little over a month.
Rafael is deep in the middle of his burnt pizza tale when he catches the time. His eyes widen, then flick up. The sky’s gone dark, any nearby stars drowned out by surrounding neon.
“Kane, it’s past eight already!” The words burst from him as a distant siren wails. “Don’t you have to get back—”
Cool fingers press against Rafael’s lips.
“It’s fine.” Kane pulls back and grabs a cupcake. “The lieutenants are handling things tonight. Natural Order’s tied up with one of their monthly ceremonies.” He peels away the wrapper. “Streets should be quiet. As much as they ever are.”
How can Kane be so sure? Part of Rafael wants to push, to ask what happens if something goes wrong. But he bites it back. Kane’s never led him astray before. And he doesn’t want to ruin their night.
“Alright.” His gaze follows Kane, who lifts the cupcake to his lips. Rafael barely lets him chew before the words spill out. “So? How does it taste?”
A grin splits Kane’s face. His voice drops. “Delicious.”
Rafael reaches for his own cupcake. A hand clamps down on his wrist. He meets Kane’s gaze.
The playful glint in those green eyes has vanished, replaced by something dark. Rafael’s breath catches.
“Wait,” Kane murmurs. He releases Rafael’s wrist but inches the cupcake toward his mouth. “Open up.”