The streets were quieter than the festival had left behind. Streetlights illuminated the path, but the cold night wind seemed to cast everything in an eerie calm.
Claws walked steadily, supporting Rafaela by the shoulder. She, slightly wobbly, laughed at anything that crossed her mind.
— "Claws… you smell like smoke, you know?"
He let out a short laugh.
— "Better than smelling like that cheap drink you had."
Lucas, on the other side, held Rafaela's other arm, sighing with concern.
— "She shouldn't have drunk so much. If her parents find out…"
Claws glanced sideways.
— "Relax. The one who'll be upset is her brother, not her parents."
Rafaela lifted her head and whispered, giggling.
— "My brother's gonna kill you two…"
— "Great incentive," muttered Lucas, adjusting his glasses.
The trio continued walking until they reached a more residential street. The simple houses, most lights off, made the environment unnervingly quiet. Before they could even knock, Rafaela's front door opened.
A tall young man appeared, serious expression, intense gaze. It was Ricardo, her older brother. He first looked at Rafaela, leaning between the two, then his eyes shifted to Claws.
— "What happened to her?" — his voice firm, almost accusatory.
Claws held his gaze, unflinching.
— "Festival. She drank too much. We brought her back."
Ricardo frowned but noticed Rafaela smiling, unharmed, just drunk. Then he looked at Lucas, perhaps expecting a more credible explanation.
— "It's true," Lucas confirmed. — "She just overdid it a bit. Claws took care of her the whole time."
Ricardo exhaled deeply, then lifted Rafaela into his arms.
— "You didn't have to get involved."
Claws shrugged, lighting a cigarette and stepping back.
— "She's our friend. We weren't gonna leave her anywhere."
For a moment, Ricardo just stared at Claws. There was tension in the air, as if he knew exactly who Claws was on the streets. But instead of arguing, he said simply:
— "Thanks for bringing her back safe."
Claws nodded silently, while Lucas relaxed slightly beside him. Rafaela, half-asleep, murmured softly:
— "You guys are the best…"
Ricardo closed the door after entering with his sister. Only Claws and Lucas remained on the sidewalk, the cold wind slicing through the silence.
Lucas spoke first:
— "He doesn't trust you."
Claws took a drag from his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke.
— "He doesn't need to. I don't do things to earn his trust."
Lucas looked at him curiously.
— "Then why do you do it?"
Claws smirked slightly, walking forward.
— "Because she's part of the group. And nobody in the group gets left behind."
Lucas stood still for a few seconds, as if those words echoed deeper than he expected. Then, he hurried to catch up with him.
The night was almost over, but the bond between them seemed stronger than ever.