Rain poured hard under the bridge, dripping from the beams above. The ground was wet and cold. Luca sat against the wall, arms tight around his knees. His hoodie was soaked through, clinging to his skin. He shivered.
The cardboard spots were already taken. Tonight, the concrete was all he had. His stomach growled, but he ignored it. Hunger was normal.
He bit down on the small ring on his lip, a nervous habit. Water slid down his face, into his hair, down his collar. He hated the silence most of all.
Then footsteps came. Heavy, slow. Three men stepped out from the dark.
"Well, look at this," one of them said. "A pretty boy in our place."
Luca's chest tightened. He pressed back against the wall, trying to stay small. His eyes darted around, but there was nowhere to go.
Another man spat near his shoes. "What are you doing here? Think you can just take our spot?"
Luca swallowed hard. His mouth opened, but no sound came. His fingers twisted in his sleeves.
The first shove hit him sideways, knocking him to the wet ground.
A fist came down across Luca's cheek. Pain flashed hot, then cold with the rain. He gasped and tried to push up, but a boot pressed into his chest, pinning him.
"Thought you could steal from us?" one of the men snarled. His breath reeked of alcohol.
"I wasn't—" Luca's voice cracked. The boot shoved harder, cutting him off.
They laughed. Another kick landed in his side. He curled in, arms over his head, as the rain hammered against the pavement.
Then a sharp sound cut through. A car door slammed.
The men froze. Headlights burned against the bridge, throwing long shadows across the concrete.
A tall figure stepped out of the black car. Suit, polished shoes, umbrella in hand. His voice was calm, but it carried.
"That's enough."
The men shifted, glancing at each other. "Mind your own business," one spat, though his tone wavered.
The man didn't move closer, but his gaze was steady. "I said leave him. Now."
Something in his voice made them back off, muttering curses. Within seconds, they melted into the night, footsteps splashing away.
Luca stayed curled on the ground, chest heaving, water running into his eyes. He blinked up at the stranger.
The umbrella tilted, blocking the rain. For the first time, Luca saw his face. Sharp features, steady brown eyes behind thin glasses.
"Can you stand?" the man asked. His tone was softer now.
Luca hesitated, then nodded. He pushed himself up, shaky on his feet.
The man reached out but didn't touch him. "Where are you headed?"
For a moment, Luca almost said nowhere. But the first word that left his lips was quiet, trembling.
"Neon Bar."
The man gave a small nod, as if the answer meant something. "Alright. I'll take you."
He opened the car door, waiting. Luca bit his lip ring, uncertain, but the cold rain decided for him. He climbed inside.
The car was warm, too warm after the rain. Luca sank into the seat, shivering as water dripped from his hair onto the leather. He kept his eyes on his lap, afraid to look at the stranger too long.
The man set the umbrella aside and started the engine. The silence stretched, broken only by the sound of the wipers sliding across the windshield.
"Do you work at the Neon Bar?" he asked after a moment.
Luca nodded, fingers twisting the hem of his damp shirt. "Yeah." His voice was hoarse. "Just… just shifts at night."
The man glanced at him. "It's not safe under the bridge. You should find a place indoors."
"I don't have one," Luca admitted, biting down on his lip ring. The words felt heavier than he expected.
The man didn't comment right away. He kept his eyes on the road, but his jaw tightened slightly. "I'm Daniel," he said finally. "Daniel Ivanov."
Luca shifted in his seat. The name didn't mean anything to him, but the calm way Daniel said it made it sound important.
"I'm Luca," he murmured.
Daniel gave the faintest nod. "Luca," he repeated, as if testing the name.
The car slowed as they turned down the street toward the bar. Neon lights glowed against the wet pavement, buzzing faintly. The music thumped even from outside, spilling into the night.
Daniel stopped in front of the entrance. He looked at Luca again, more carefully this time. "If you need help finding a place, I can ask around. Something cheap, safe enough."
Luca's chest tightened. No one had ever offered that before. He forced a small smile, though it felt shaky. "Thanks."
Daniel's gaze lingered, unreadable behind the rain-specked glasses. Then he unlocked the door.
"Get inside before you catch something worse than a bruise."
Luca stepped out into the glow of the bar lights. When he turned back, Daniel was still watching him. For a moment, it felt like the night had shifted.
Then the car pulled away, leaving Luca staring after it, rain still falling around him.
The bar was packed, the air thick with smoke and the sweet sting of cheap liquor. Neon signs painted the walls in red and blue, and the bass from the speakers made the floor tremble under Luca's feet.
He tied on his apron and pushed through the crowd toward the counter. Aria was already there, leaning against the bar with a tray balanced on her hip. Her red hair was twisted into a messy bun, a pencil stuck through it like an afterthought.
"You're late," she said, though she was smiling. Her gum cracked as she popped a bubble. "Let me guess. Rain ruined your beauty sleep?"
Luca rolled his eyes, grabbing a rag to wipe the counter. "Something like that."
Aria tilted her head, studying him. "Or maybe," she sang, drawing out the words, "you're sulking because lover boy is busy chatting up Sam again."
Luca froze. His eyes flicked across the room almost against his will. Daniel was there, in his usual corner. Tonight, he wasn't alone. Sam, one of the other bartenders, sat across from him, laughing at something Daniel said.
Luca's jaw tightened.
"I'm not sulking," he muttered.
Aria's grin widened. She nudged him with her elbow. "Please. You've been glaring holes in the back of Sam's head for weeks. It's cute."
Heat crept up Luca's neck. "Shut up, Aria."
She winked, unbothered. "Fine, fine. But if you keep pouting like that, people are gonna think you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"Uh-huh." She popped her gum again, loud this time, and spun away with her tray. "Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart."
Luca sighed, dropping the rag. His eyes drifted back to Daniel's corner. Daniel wasn't looking at him—he rarely did anymore.
For reasons he couldn't explain, that hurt more than it should have.