Chapter 44 - Rafael
Wrap. Fold. Seal.
Rafael’s hands move on autopilot as he prepares his final order of the day. He could automate the last step with the kitchen station like most vendors, but doing it by hand is half the joy of opening up.
Sliding the steaming empanadas into the bag, his gaze lifts to the elderly woman waiting under the orange glow of his “Crunch and Fold” sign—something Pixie created in her spare time.
“That’ll be fifteen credits,” he says, motioning to the scanner.
During rush hour, a drone handles payments, but it’s moments like this that remind him why he wanted a stand in the first place.
She shakes her head and raises her hand, letting the device scan her worn wristlink. “You really should charge more, young man.”
He lets out a chuckle. “I already feel guilty charging this much.”
The prices from Echo’s supplier are less than half of what VitaCorp Grocery charged. Maybe the bulk orders help, or this is the trade-off of working with the black market.
Either way, Kane was clear that his business stays separate from the crew’s.
“And that’s why I keep telling my friends about you,” she teases, clutching her bag. “That, and the delicious food.”
A swell of pride fills him. “Thank you…I really appreciate it.”
She turns away, immediately waving at an older man near a neighboring stall. Rafael follows her gaze until the cook there catches his eye and nods. He returns the gesture with a wave.
A month in, the easy camaraderie still surprises him.
When he opened “Crunch and Fold,” the other shopkeepers welcomed him without hesitation. A few stepped in when his station glitched. Most call him by name—not Kane’s boyfriend, not the empanada guy. Rafael.
But this is Shreveport. Not Midtown.
His wristlink flashes 7:30 p.m.
Around him, vendors are already pulling shutters and packing up before the street shifts. Rafael does the same. In Shreveport, you know when to close.
He swipes the controls beneath the counter, activating the mini cleaning drone—a housewarming gift from Coda. It whirs to life and floats toward the register as Rafael moves back to the kitchen station. He starts the refresh cycle, fingers hovering over the sign’s shutdown switch—
“Too late to put in an order?”
His smile breaks before he turns around.
Kane waits before his shop, eyes crinkling at the corners and lips curled gently. His armor and weaponry are gone, but the tactical vest remains with his usual visor pushed up.
A few vendors glance his way, but most are used to seeing the “Chrome Baron” stop by these days.
“Never too late for you,” Rafael answers, circling his stand.
By the time he draws close, Kane’s arms are wide open. Rafael melts into them, his heart skipping as he’s wrapped in the familiar scent of cooling liquid and synthetic leather.
They hold each other tight until Rafael finally steps away to peer up at Kane.
“Just have to turn off the lights and lock up. Then you can walk me home,” he says, releasing Kane and hurrying back to his shop.
A chuckle rumbles from Kane. “Home. That’s something I’ll never get tired of hearing from you.”
Heat creeps up Rafael’s neck, but he pretends not to notice as he powers down his stand. Once everything’s locked, he returns to Kane’s side and intertwines their fingers.
“All set.”
“Let’s go.” Kane’s grip tightens as he guides Rafael through the dimming stalls to the market’s exit. “So, tell me—how was business today? Drowning in credits yet?”
Rafael laughs. “Not quite.” He gives Kane’s hand a playful squeeze.
“I did okay. Hopefully, I can upgrade the kitchen station pretty soon.” His tone softens.
“What about you? How was the lieutenant’s briefing?
I feel a little bad. I haven’t seen Wren, Echo—any of them in a minute. Been buried under prep for ShreveFest.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Kane says as they step onto the quieter streets of Shreveport.
“They’ve been busy—tightening security for the fest, cleaning up the mess Natural Order left of District Four.
” His shoulders stiffen. “It’s quiet without Athena in charge, but I’m not holding my breath. Word is they replaced her.”
Rafael’s brow furrows until a cool thumb brushes along his palm.
“That doesn’t change anything here,” Kane declares. “Echo handles the deals, Pixie keeps the enforcers in line, Wren runs patrol, and Coda’s our lead techie.”
He raises their joined hands, pressing a kiss to his knuckles that sends affection to Rafael’s chest. “Which means I get to keep this extra time—like walking you back. Unless you’ve had enough of me…”
“No way!” Rafael blurts, about to protest—until he catches Kane’s smirk and rolls his eyes.
Kane tugs him closer with a laugh. “Only teasing you.”
They fall into their usual rhythm, side by side.
Rafael talks about the latest changes at the marketplace while Kane fills him in on Echo and Wren’s newest antics involving super-charged HOV bikes.
When the conversation shifts to what they’ll eat before Kane leaves for patrols, a familiar comfort washes over Rafael.
Their evening walks had become one of his favorite parts of the day. With Rafael running the shop by day and Kane leading the crew by night, these walks were among the few stolen moments—outside of sleep—when they could be together, without any distractions.
As they round the corner, a row of houses stretches before them. Laughter drifts across the street where crew members head out for patrol, weapons tucked beneath their jackets. A few recruits spot them and wave. Rafael lifts a hand in return. Kane answers with a nod.
They pass more houses, porch lights flickering on as a patrol drone hums overhead and slips into the next alley. Rafael scans for familiar faces until his wristlink chimes, pulsing against his skin.
[INCOMING CALL: MARIA.]
“It’s Maria,” He beams, angling his wrist toward Kane. “Mind if I take it? I’ve been waiting to hear from her.”
“Go ahead.” Kane’s arm slips around his waist while Rafael accepts the call.
Maria’s image shimmers above his wristlink, smiling beneath a lone blue light. Behind her, abstract holograms twist against brick. Probably the back of a club.
“Rafael!” she greets. “I got some good news. I had a talk with Mom and Dad. They’re willing to get dinner with Kane this weekend. Some Terra’s in Midtown. Your pick!”
Already grinning, he glances at Kane, who gives a reassuring squeeze.
“That’s amazing,” Rafael says, turning to Maria’s feed. “How’d you convince them? When I broke the news, Mom was…” He trails off as the echo of his mother’s shout rings in his ears. Even without all the details, his parents were far from thrilled about his decision.
She snorts. “I sort of hinted that if they didn’t at least give you two a chance, I’d disappear for good.” Her tone darkens. “Here’s hoping your dinner goes better than mine did with them and Idris…”
Rafael only heard about the fight between Maria and their parents. He couldn’t join them then. The threat from Athena and Natural Order was too high at the time.
“You didn’t have to say all that, but I’m glad they agreed.” His hand slides down to rest on Kane’s arm. “Friday should work for us if Mom and Dad are free.” He peers over at Kane, brows raised. “Right?”
Kane hums. “If not, I’ll make it happen.”
“You better—after I stuck my neck out for you when we haven’t even met yet,” Maria warns squarely at Kane. But before he can reply, her expression softens. “That said, I trust my brother’s judgment. So I’ll be there to support you both on Friday.”
“Thanks, Maria.” Rafael exhales. “Really. I love you.”
Maria’s gaze softens. “Anything for you, Rafa. Love you too. See you Friday.” Her tone sharpens for a second. “And Kane, keep him safe. You hear me? All that armor and firepower doesn’t scare me.”
He tenses, ready to step in, only to discover the man nodding.
As the call ends and her image fades, he releases a slow breath.
Kane’s calm voice cuts through the quiet. “You all right?”
Rafael shrugs. “I—I’m not sure. I’m excited…for you to meet my family, but I’m worried too. About how they’ll react. Or what they’ll say and how it’ll affect you. They can be…blunt. Especially my mom. And I’m glad Maria will be there, but she has a way of escalating things sometimes. It’s…a lot.”
A soft snort escapes Kane. “Don’t waste energy worrying about me. I’ve taken worse than a few sharp remarks.” His hand on Rafael’s back rubs gently. “Whatever they throw at us, we’ll handle it. I’ll be here. No matter what. All right?”
The knot in Rafael’s stomach loosens. “I know. That means a lot, Kane…You’ve always been there for me—leaving VitaCorp, opening my shop.” He tilts his head to look at Kane. “Now with my family.”
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for,” Kane tells him. “All I did was stand beside you. You’re the one who made the call and followed through.”
Rafael’s mouth curves before he realizes it. He pulls Kane in for a tight hug, and Kane folds into him without hesitation.
They stand together like this, the world thinning to his breath and Kane’s heartbeat.
When they part, the warmth lingers with Rafael’s hands still wrapped in his.
“Ready?” Kane’s eyes search his face.
Rafael nods, letting himself be led down the street. Lost in their moment, he only notices they’ve strayed from their usual route when familiar buildings come into sight. His steps slow.
This is Kane’s old block.
“Are we visiting Cipher?” he asks, eyeing the battered red house.
Kane’s smirk gives nothing away. “Not quite.” He guides them past Cipher’s lot to the grey row house next door with a rusted porch swing and cracked flower pots on the stairs.
The realization knocks the breath out of Rafael. “Kane?” He drops into a whisper. “This is your old place, isn’t it? Are we…”
“I talked with Cipher a few days ago,” Kane says quietly, pushing through an iron gate. “About the crew, the shifts I’ve made…their projects with the Veil press.”
As they reach the front steps, Kane turns to face Rafael, his expression softening. “It made me realize something. I didn’t just need to come here for closure—I wanted to.” His voice softens. “I want you here. With me.”
The words steal his breath.
Home. Not Kane’s safe house above the bar or a random apartment, but their home.
He swallows hard. “Kane…You’re serious?”
Kane’s voice is steady. “Yes. I am.”
A grin breaks across Rafael’s face, and his body moves before his brain can catch up, pulling Kane into a tight embrace. “I love it!” His voice is muffled against Kane’s jacket. “Thank you, Kane.”
“You’re welcome,” Kane rumbles, his chest vibrating under Rafael’s cheek.
As their embrace lingers, Rafael thinks of the man he used to be. The one who stayed quiet, who let life decide for him. That version feels so distant now.
He pulls away slightly, catching Kane’s gaze. “I love you,” Rafael murmurs.
Kane’s smile spreads. “I love you too.” He leans in, closing the distance. Rafael meets him halfway, kissing him without hesitation.
There’s still so much waiting for them.
But in Kane’s arms, the future no longer feels like something to simply survive.