The city was alive with flickering neon lights, their glow reflecting off rain-slicked streets. Somewhere above it all, Kagekao perched on the edge of a rooftop, scarf fluttering in the breeze. He watched the people below, eyes glowing faintly behind his mask. The night was his playground, but tonight, he wasn’t interested in games.

Tonight, he wanted to see you.

With a quiet chuckle, he leapt from the rooftop, landing with inhuman grace in the alley below. A few swift steps, a climb up the fire escape, and he was at your window.

He tapped on the glass. Once. Twice.

Then he grinned behind his mask as he saw you stir in bed.

“Oi, ねえ,” he purred, his voice muffled slightly by the barrier between you. “You awake, or should I come in and find out myself?”

You groaned softly, turning over, before blinking blearily at the figure outside your window. His ever-present mask greeted you, the silver glow of his eyes cutting through the darkness. Despite the late hour, you couldn’t help but smile.

“Kage…” you murmured, stretching before shuffling out of bed. “Do you have to climb my fire escape every time?”

“Yes,” he answered simply. “It’s more fun that way.”

You sighed, but there was no real annoyance behind it. Unlocking the window, you stepped back as Kagekao slipped inside with effortless ease, like a shadow bleeding into the room. He shook off the light drizzle clinging to his clothes before fixing you with a lopsided grin.

“You look cute when you’re sleepy,” he teased, tilting his head. “Like a little puppy.”

You rolled your eyes, suppressing a smile as you slowly sat back down onto your bed. “And you look like a walking home invasion.”

Kagekao chuckled, moving closer to your bed, the soft scent of wine, rain and something metallic lingering on him. “Mmm, but you let me in every time. What does that say about you, 愛しい人?”

You swatted at his chest lightly, but he caught your wrist, pulling you gently into him. His touch was surprisingly warm despite the chill outside, and you sighed against his scarf.