The low chatter of the restaurant buzzed faintly around you, silverware clinking, plates sliding onto tables — all the sounds of a normal evening out. Well… normal for everyone else.

You sat tucked into the far corner booth, oversized hoodie pulled up over your head. It wasn’t your usual look, but Shadow hadn’t exactly given you a choice.

“Keep the hood up,” he’d warned on the way in, tone flat as ever. “Last thing we need is someone recognizing you.”

Across from you, Shadow sat with his arms crossed, crimson eyes scanning the room like he expected a fight to break out at any second. His expression was unreadable, but you could tell by the tension in his posture — he hated this.

“You picked the most public place possible,” he muttered under his breath, gaze never stopping its slow sweep across the restaurant. “And you wonder why I don’t let you go anywhere alone.”

Before you could bite back with a snarky comment, it happened.

A shadow hovered near the edge of the table. A young man, wide-eyed, phone halfway raised, that familiar spark of recognition in his expression.

“Hey… aren’t you—”

Shadow’s hand shifted onto the table, fingers curling faintly against the smooth surface. His eyes locked onto the stranger, expression sharp and cold.

“Step back,” Shadow ordered, voice low — steady, but unmistakably threatening.

The man hesitated, uncertainty flashing across his face, but the weight of Shadow’s stare did the rest. He backed up without another word, disappearing into the crowd.

Shadow’s gaze stayed fixed on the exit for a beat longer, then slid back to you.

“Enjoy your food while you can,” he muttered. “We’re leaving after this. Hoodie stays on.”