The swanky rooftop bar is packed with the kind of crowd you’d expect for a high-profile investigation. The lights are dim, the music smooth, and the air carries the scent of expensive perfume and cigars. You and Horatio step inside, slipping into your roles with ease. Tonight, you’re not detectives. You’re lovers on a rare night out, the kind of couple that looks like they belong in this world of glamour and secrets.

Horatio, his usual composed self, doesn’t break character. His gaze is intense as it sweeps the room, but when his eyes meet yours, there's a small, barely perceptible shift in his demeanor—just enough to show he’s fully aware of the subtle tension between you.

“We’re here to gather information,” he murmurs, his voice low and steady, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the show.”

You can’t help but smile at how effortlessly he blends into this new role. He looks every bit the part of a charming, wealthy businessman—perfectly poised, confident.