The bar was a cacophony of desperation—couples entangled like feral creatures marking territory, music pulsing through the dimly lit space like an erratic heartbeat. Each sound grated against my nerves: ice clinking against glass, hollow laughter, the wet sounds of strangers' mouths connecting. I'd come here seeking temporary oblivion after that exciting dream, hoping the atmosphere might drown out the obsessive thoughts of him. This Luca—this stranger who had invaded my unconscious mind—was becoming an unhealthy fixation. Who was he, really, and why did the mere thought of him awaken that vampiric hunter inside me? God, I longed for the days when my existence felt less... complicated.
I pushed deeper into the bar, my tailored black suit highlighting every angular plane of my body. The fabric—Italian wool that had cost more than most people's monthly rent—now felt constrictive, almost suffocating. With a controlled exhale of frustration, I removed my blazer and loosened my silk tie, the minor adjustments doing little to ease my growing tension. The red barstools—plush and inviting—were signature fixtures of this establishment, a high-end gay bar that catered to those seeking connection without commitment.
Reaching into my jacket pocket, I retrieved a hand-rolled cigarette—none of that mass-produced garbage—and lit it with practiced precision. The smoke curled upward in elegant spirals, momentarily obscuring my view of the crowded room. A curse escaped my lips, deliberate in its volume, drawing the attention of the bartender.
He approached with casual confidence, his smile knowing in a way that suggested familiarity beyond casual service. "Welcome back, Mr. Cain," he said, his voice carrying over the ambient noise with practiced ease. "I assume the same drink as always?"
I released a measured sigh, giving him a curt nod. "Yes, Gin and Tonic, please." I reclined slightly, allowing my senses to absorb the complex bouquet of aromas that defined this place—expensive cologne, subtle pheromones, impure blood, and the faint undercurrent of desire. "Busy night, I see," I observed, the cigarette now balanced between my teeth.
The bartender's hands moved with fluid expertise as he prepared my drink. "Been packed since eight," he confirmed, sliding the crystal tumbler across the polished mahogany. "Tonight's mixed with that small-batch London gin you prefer. Something special we just got in."
I studied the drink—the perfect clarity, the precise wedge of lime, the gentle liveliness of premium tonic. His eyes watched me expectantly, a silent plea for approval evident in their depths. Those expressive eyes were his tell; they always had been. A low chuckle rumbled in my chest as I took my first sip. The botanicals bloomed across my palate—juniper berries dominant but complemented by subtle notes of coriander, angelica root, and a hint of cassia bark. The smoke from my cigarette added complexity, while the lime provided a sharp tangy counterpoint.
"This is exceptional," I acknowledged, my expression carefully neutral despite the genuine praise. His eyes brightened momentarily before professional composure reasserted itself. I sit back, slowly sipping at the cocktail. "Now, I require information, and you've always been my most reliable source." I paused, a small smile formed on my lips as I watched his reaction closely.
A calculating smirk played across his features. "Information carries its own price tag in here," he replied, voice dropping to a confidential tonality.
I extracted a crisp hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and placed it gently on the counter. Leaning forward, I lowered my voice to an intimate whisper that carried predatory undertones. "I'm looking for someone—a young man named Luca. I've heard he lives in the vicinity. Do you know anyone here who might lead me to him?"
The bartender's eyes flicked toward the bill before he gave an almost imperceptible nod, quickly clasping the bill and shoving it onto his person. His gaze shifted to a corner of the bar, where two men were engaged in a display that bordered on public indecency. "Orange-bleached hair by the vintage sofa. That's Cooper Van. Used to be involved with your boy. Quite the reputation around here may I add."
I followed his sight line, suppressing a grimace at the flagrant exhibition of two men getting it on. Has basic etiquette become entirely obsolete? Finishing my drink with deliberate slowness, I took a final, deep drag from my cigarette, allowing the smoke and alcohol to fuse in my system. No actual buzz would follow—that particular human weakness did not affect me—after all, I'm not human.
Rising from the stool, I shrugged back into my blazer and adjusted my tie with meticulous attention. First impressions mattered, even with someone as evidently classless as Cooper Van. A slow, dangerous smile curved my lips as I contemplated the approaching interaction.
I approached with careful steps, discarding my cigarette in a nearby wastebasket. The man grinding atop his companion possessed the resonated features I'd been directed toward—hair bleached an unnatural hideous orange-blonde, styled in an attempt at fashionable dishevelment. His feline brown eyes and tanned skin might have been attractive to someone with better taste or self-awareness, but I guess those who come here only want a good fuck. Everything about him screamed transactional relationships—the type of human, who would pass another if their dick wasn't as big as another.
As I reached the leather couch where their unpleasant display continued, I allowed myself to observe the man trapped beneath Cooper. Something cold and electric shot through my spine. The resemblance was uncanny—the slight frame, dark hair curling just below the ears, and those expressive eyes. For one disorienting moment, I thought it was him—the boy from my dream. But no... something was fundamentally wrong. The coloring was similar, the build nearly identical, but the essence was entirely different. This wasn't Luca. This was merely a shadow, a pale imitation lacking the magnetism that had haunted my subconscious.
The scent confirmed it beyond doubt—this stranger's blood didn't sing to me the way I knew Luca's would. The disappointment was surprisingly acute.
If this imposter so closely resembles Luca, and Cooper knew him intimately enough to seek out a replacement... then Cooper is my key.
The orange-haired man finally noticed my presence, looking up with territorial aggression. "What the fuck do you want?" he snarled, voice ravaged by what sounded like decades of chain-smoking. "Can't you see I've claimed this one?"
The crudeness almost made me recoil, but I maintain my composure, allowing a smirk to surface instead. I knew my refined effect on others—the tailored suit emphasizing my height and build, features that combined classical balance with just enough hardness to suggest danger.
"Careful," I responded, voice rich with amusement. "Your... plaything might decide to upgrade if you keep that tone." I released a soft chuckle, pitched perfectly to carry to nearby tables. Several heads turned, drawn by the sound. Redirecting my attention to Cooper's increasingly hostile expression, I adopted a more businesslike demeanor. "Relax. I simply have a few questions." I settled onto the couch beside them, uninvited but unapologetic.
Wariness and curiosity battled across Cooper's features. "What kind of questions?" he asked, suspicion edging his words.
I extracted another cigarette, lighting it with deliberate showmanship before exhaling in his direction. "Do you know anyone named Luca? I heard he lives in this area?" The question hung between us, weighted with purpose.
Cooper's surprise was evident in the momentary slackening of his jaw, words clearly forming but dying unspoken. I pressed the advantage. "He's not in trouble," I assured him, the lie coming easily. "I have information he'd find valuable. And based on your current companion's appearance, I'd say you know exactly who I'm talking about." My smirk grows bolder and darker.
A resigned sigh escaped Cooper as he extended his hand. "Cooper Van. I am Luca's ex, and yes I can tell you where to find him." A predatory gleam entered his eyes as he appraised me. "I could even show you personally—for the right incentive. A man built like you... bet you've never experienced certain pleasures, especially one in your ass." His insinuation was anything but subtle as he advanced toward me, abandoning his previous conquest without a backward glance. "Someone so imposing has likely never surrendered control, has he?" His voice dropped to a seductive register as he invaded my personal space.
I maintained my smirk, cigarette delicately balanced between my fingers, allowing him the illusion of dominance. If this temporary indignity would lead me to Luca, so be it.
"I accept your terms," I replied coolly, exhaling smoke directly into his face. "However, you take me to Luca immediately, or there's no arrangement."
Cooper leaned closer, only to be interrupted by his forgotten companion. "Cooper, why are you ignoring me for him?" the young man whined, expression crumpling with insecurity.
"Patience, darling," Cooper soothed with practiced ease. "I'll attend to you after fulfilling my obligation here." The dismissal was casual, almost cruel.
The abandoned young man slid from beneath Cooper, his expression a study in wounded pride. Despite his resemblance to the object of my obsession, I found his emotional display repellent rather than sympathetic—like watching a child denied a sweet.
"Come find me later," he insisted, pouting dramatically. "At my place."
"Count on it, baby," Cooper promised with a lascivious wink. "I'll make it worth the wait." The crimson flush that spread across the young man's face preceded his indignant exit.
With the distraction removed, Cooper redirected his attention to me, his arousal evident. "Now, where were we?" he purred, pressing closer. "If you want Luca's location, a small down payment seems fair." His face brightened with calculating amusement. "A kiss should suffice... for now."
His transparent strategy was laughable—clearly believing his skills would make me forget my purpose. This fool will pay for his arrogance eventually. But for now, I needed what he knew.
I nodded my assent, steeling myself for the unpleasant necessity. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I drew him toward me, keeping my eyes open while his scent assaulted my senses. The stench of cheap cologne, stale cigarettes, and too many previous encounters turned my stomach.
Endure it, Cain. Focus on the goal.
His lips met mine with aggressive enthusiasm, his tongue immediately seeking entrance. I permitted it, responding with convincing fervor while fighting revulsion. Cooper clearly mistook my disgust for passion, his excitement mounting as the kiss deepened.
When will this end? Does he not require oxygen?
The assault continued, his tongue exploring with increasing boldness, our saliva mingling in a way that made me long for industrial-strength mouthwash. Though technically skilled, perhaps, the experience held all the appeal of a medical procedure. I manufactured a groan that he interpreted as pleasure, his body heat intensifying with every passing second.
His wandering hands explored my clothed form before he finally broke away, panting heavily. "That was incredible," he gasped, breath ragged. "Let me kiss you again."
I maintained my calculated smirk while sitting upright, taking a long drag from my cigarette before leaning toward him and exhaling slowly. "I'll pass for now. After you deliver me to Luca, we can continue our... arrangement."
Cooper's flustered reaction to my poised confidence was evident in his reddening face. "Right, of course," he stammered, collecting himself before standing and offering his hand.
I ignored the gesture, rising independently and adjusting my attire before taking a final, deep drag from my cigarette. The exhaled smoke formed a momentary barrier between us as I extinguished the butt beneath my shoe.
Cooper's gaze traveled over me with renewed hunger, likely interpreting my disheveled appearance as evidence of desire rather than the consequence of an unpleasant encounter. His self-satisfied smirk grated on my nerves, but I maintained the charade. My singular focus remained finding Luca—everything else was merely an obstacle.
"Ready?" Cooper asked, his expression suggesting he believed himself irresistible.
I nodded, following as he led toward the bar's rear exit. "Don't forget what you promised," he reminded me, his anticipation palpable.
"Wouldn't dream of it, honey," I replied with a wink that made me inwardly cringe. The depths I'm willing to sink for this pursuit... unprecedented. I forced a convincing smile while continuing my casual flirtation. "Tell me about Luca while we walk."
Something shifted in Cooper's demeanor then—a predatory quality I hadn't anticipated, causing internal alarms to sound.
"Certainly," he agreed, his smile suddenly unsettling. "Luca Park. English major at Thornton University. Full scholarship based on his writing. We dated until he discovered my... extracurricular activities with six other men." A callous chuckle accompanied this admission. "Born and raised in Los Angeles. Looks remarkably similar to my companion from earlier—funny coincidence, isn't it? I miss his appearance, I suppose, but his personality was insufferable."
I interrupted the stream of information. "Insufferable how, exactly?"
Cooper's expression soured. "Outwardly, he's this delicate vision—petite frame, those hypnotic sage-green eyes, that soft brown hair, skin like porcelain. But underneath? Pure attitude. Plays the innocent until crossed, then reveals this sharp-tongued, judgmental core. Sure, he smells amazing—like nothing else I've encountered—but no physical attributes justify that level of self-righteousness."
My hands involuntarily clenched as rage surged through me, veins bulging beneath my skin. Cooper's assessment contradicted everything I'd sensed about Luca. The dream—so vivid, so compelling—told a different story. This wasn't about Luca's supposed attitude; this was about Cooper's bruised ego after being caught in his infidelities.
I took several measured breaths, forcing my fury to subside. In a whisper meant only for myself, I renewed my vow: "Don't worry, Luca. I will find you, just as I promised.