Love in the Void

Elian wiped down the bar counter with a cloth, the low hum of the jukebox filling the background. It was past midnight, and the bar was finally starting to empty out. A few stragglers sat by the pool table, nursing their last drinks of the night. Elian didn't mind the late shifts he needed the extra cash, especially since he was paying off his college fees and had little time to spare.

The bartender nodded to him, signaling that his shift was almost done. Elian was already planning his next move: grab a pack of cigarettes from the convenience store on the corner, take a quick smoke break, and head home. A typical night.

He grabbed his jacket from the coat hook, swung the door open, and stepped into the cool air of the night. The neon lights of the convenience store flickered nearby, casting a dull glow over the empty street. Elian lit a cigarette and leaned against the building, his thoughts not focused on anything in particular. He liked the quiet moments no expectations, no one to impress, just him and the city.

As he took a drag from the cigarette, a sleek black car rolled down the street, its engine purring smoothly. Elian didn't think much of it, until the car slowed down just in front of the convenience store. His eyes caught a glimpse of a face through the tinted window.

It was Rei.

For a split second, their eyes met, and Elian's hand froze mid-drag. Rei's face was emotionless as always, his dark eyes just a little too intense for someone who didn't even seem to want to be seen. Elian's brows furrowed, but he quickly shook the thought away.

"him again..." Elian muttered under his breath. But that was all he thought about it. There was no reason to chase after a kid who didn't seem to care about anything.

The car didn't stop, only paused for a moment before it sped off, disappearing around the corner.

Elian flicked the ash from his cigarette and finished the last few puffs. He tossed the butt into the nearby trash can and turned toward his apartment. The night had been uneventful, and that's exactly how he liked it.

But as he walked, the brief sight of Rei's face stayed with him. Rei was nothing but a passing stranger, someone Elian didn't have time to understand.

At least that's what he told himself.

When Elian reached his apartment, he kicked off his shoes and collapsed on the couch. He didn't feel like doing anything. He was too tired, the kind of tired that made him appreciate the quiet of his small space. He closed his eyes, letting the peaceful stillness fill the room.

But the sight of Rei's face lingered for just a moment longer than he expected. It wasn't a feeling that bothered him, more of a quiet curiosity.

What was that kid's deal?

Elian shrugged it off and let his thoughts drift into sleep.

---

The sound of bouncing basketballs echoed through the gymnasium as Elian jogged down the court, his sneakers squeaking against the polished wood floor. The basketball team was in the middle of practice, and despite it being late in the evening, Elian still had the energy to push himself. It was one of the few things that gave him a sense of clarity, a way to focus his restless energy.

He took the ball, dribbling between his legs, then pivoted, slipping past his opponent. With a quick jump, he released the ball swish. The crowd of teammates cheered, and Elian couldn't help but grin. It was moments like this that reminded him why he stuck with basketball: the thrill of victory, the camaraderie, and the release from everything else.

After practice, Elian wiped the sweat from his brow and tossed his jersey into his duffel bag. He didn't have much time to waste before the next set of responsibilities he had a quiz in the morning, and while basketball was a great outlet, his studies were just as important.

--

When he reached the classroom, he settled into his seat, eyes skimming through his notes one last time. The professor walked in, papers in hand, and the familiar shuffle of students filling in their answers began.

The quiz felt like it took an eternity. Elian knew the material better than he'd hoped, but Hydrology had drained him earlier. The questions seemed easy enough, but his mind kept drifting back to the struggles of balancing everything school, basketball, and the fact that his life felt like it was moving in a routine he couldn't break.

By the time the quiz was over, Elian couldn't wait to leave the classroom. He'd given it his best shot, but he couldn't shake the frustration from the day. He walked out of the room, ready to get some air and head home.

However, as he stepped outside, the familiar faces of some local tough guys from his neighborhood greeted him, the same group he'd had run-ins with before. They weren't there for small talk.

"Yo, Elian," the leader of the group called out, a smirk on his face. "Still think you're untouchable after that game?"

Elian didn't slow his pace but met the leader's gaze without hesitation.

"Not interested," he muttered, trying to step around them.

But the guy stepped into his path, grinning wider now. "Come on, man. What's the matter? You scared?" He motioned to the alley behind the building. "We can settle this if you want."

Elian rolled his eyes, not bothering to reply. He was already mentally checked out, but he knew how these things worked. Turning without a word, he walked toward the alley, signaling them to follow. The tension in the air was palpable as they all made their way to the old building.

Once there, the leader wasted no time. "You better back up all that talk," he sneered before lunging toward Elian.

Elian's lips curled into a sly grin. "Oh, I will," he said with a chuckle, easily sidestepping the leader's first punch. As the guy stumbled past him, Elian kicked his legs out from under him, sending him crashing into the dirt.

"You really thought you could take me down that easily?" Elian teased, crossing his arms. "Come on, you've got to do better than that."

The leader scrambled to his feet, furious now. "You're dead," he growled, charging at Elian again.

This time, Elian was ready. As the leader threw a wild punch, Elian ducked and swept his leg behind him. The guy fell face-first into the dirt, and Elian smirked. "And that's strike two."

"You're a fucking joke," the leader spat, wiping dirt from his mouth as he stood again. His patience was wearing thin.

Elian, still in a playful mood, tossed his jacket aside and cracked his knuckles. "Come on, you're not gonna cry now, are you?" he mocked. "I was expecting a real fight."

Enraged, the leader rushed again, fists swinging in a flurry. But Elian was faster. He weaved and dodged with ease, his movements fluid. Just as the leader threw a wild punch aimed at his jaw, Elian leaned back with a grin, narrowly avoiding it.

"Is that your best?" Elian taunted, voice dripping with sarcasm.

The leader snarled and threw a knee toward Elian's stomach, but Elian blocked it with his forearm, twisting the guy's arm behind his back in one fluid motion.

"You're really making this easy," Elian said, tightening his grip just enough for the leader to hiss in pain. "Ready to quit?"

The guy struggled against his hold, but Elian effortlessly pushed him to the ground, pinning him with a knee on his chest. He looked down at him, the playfulness in his expression replaced with a quiet confidence. "If you can't keep up, maybe you should stick to picking on people who won't fight back," he muttered, then gave him a shove, getting off the leader.

The other guys were silent, unsure whether they should interfere or not. But with their leader defeated so quickly, the fight seemed over. They gave Elian a wide berth, watching him with a mixture of awe and fear.

Elian picked up his jacket and casually tossed it back on. "Don't come around here again," he said with a smirk, ignoring the quiet glares from the rest of the gang. "Otherwise, I might just get bored and make it worse."

He turned and walked away, unbothered. The last thing he heard as he left the alley was the leader shouting angrily, but Elian didn't look back. He had more important things to do.

---

Rei's POV

The soft hum of the machines around him was the first thing Rei noticed as he slowly drifted back to consciousness. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, familiar yet always jarring. His body felt heavy, like the weight of the world had pressed down on him in his sleep, and his head throbbed with a dull, persistent ache.

It was the same routine waking up in a hospital room. He knew this place, knew what it meant, but it always felt like the first time. His eyes fluttered open, blinking against the harsh white light overhead, and he immediately regretted it. The disorientation came fast, creeping in like a fog, the sensation that something wasn't quite right, like the world around him had shifted just enough to unsettle him.

The nurse was standing by his bed, checking his vitals, her footsteps barely audible as she worked. She didn't speak at first, knowing Rei was waking up. Instead, she focused on her task, but Rei couldn't help but notice the quiet concern in her eyes.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice gentle as she finally broke the silence.

"Same as usual," Rei muttered, the words slurring slightly as his throat felt dry. Nothing felt new anymore.

She gave him a small nod, as if she knew exactly what he meant, then stepped aside to check the chart at the end of the bed.

Rei's gaze drifted toward the window, his thoughts wandering. His head was clearer now, though the fog still lingered, but there was something nagging at the edges of his mind a feeling that wouldn't let go, like something out of place.

The guy.

Rei could almost picture the face, the sharpness of his eyes. He hadn't expected it, but the encounter with the guy Elian kept returning to his thoughts. The brief moment they had. It wasn't anything special, really, but Rei couldn't shake the image of him.

He shook his head, trying to brush it off. It didn't matter. It was just some guy from the street.

The nurse checked the time and jotted something down on the chart, then turned to Rei with a soft smile. "You can rest now. I'll check on you later."

Rei nodded absently, his thoughts still distant. It's nothing. He exhaled slowly, shifting his position on the bed and closing his eyes. The memory of Elian faded, replaced by the dull ache in his head.

It didn't matter.