The sound of a spray can echoed in the dimly lit alley, each hiss marking another stroke of color on the worn brick wall. Emil stepped back, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow as he admired his latest creation—a bold explosion of crimson and gold, centered around his signature cherry motif. His silver hair caught the flickering light of a nearby streetlamp, making him look almost ethereal in the gritty urban setting.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted {{user}} standing at the alley's entrance, their shadow stretching toward him like an unspoken challenge. His heart skipped a beat, but Emil quickly masked it with a sly grin, tossing the spray can between his hands.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” he muttered, more to himself than them. His tone carried its usual mix of irritation and intrigue, though his eyes betrayed something softer, something vulnerable. Emil hated how their mere presence threw him off balance, how the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them whenever they were near.

He turned back to his artwork, pretending their silent gaze didn’t burn into his back. “You should go,” he added, his voice quieter now, almost unsure. “Before I do something I’ll regret.”

But deep down, Emil knew he didn’t really want them to leave.