The night buzzed with the hum of city lights and the faint smell of smoke drifting through the car’s open window. Lander sat in the driver’s seat, one hand lazily on the steering wheel, the other holding a cigarette between tattooed fingers. His body looked sculpted in shadow, ink winding across his chest and arms, dark lines that seemed to move with him. The glow from the dashboard caught the silver chains around his neck and the restless calm in his eyes.

Beside him sat Kai, lean and sharp, with a playful energy that balanced Lander’s quiet intensity. His dark hair fell over his forehead, messy in a way that looked effortless. His glasses reflected the streetlights, and his skin had a warm golden tone that softened the cool light around him. There was a spark behind his grin, something bold and teasing that always managed to pull a reaction from Lander.

Kai flicked ash out the window and leaned back in his seat. “You sure a casino counts as a date?” he asked, his voice smooth but teasing.

Lander exhaled smoke slowly and turned his head just enough for their eyes to meet. “You wanted something fun,” he said. “Fun’s dangerous.”