VELVET CHAINS REVIVE

The fashion show was just four days away, and the tension in the design suite was thick enough to stitch.

Ayden stood over their almost-finished collection, lips pressed into a hard line. "This seam is off."

Luca, crouched by the hem of the final piece, wiped sweat from his brow. "It's two millimeters, Ayden."

"Two millimeters could ruin the fall."

Luca rose slowly, dark eyes locking with Ayden's. "We haven't slept in 36 hours. Maybe let it go just once?"

Ayden crossed his arms. "No. Not now."

Their argument fizzled into silence as their assistants quietly backed out of the room. It wasn't the first clash they'd had this week, but it was different now — heavier, more personal.

Luca walked to the dress form, ran his hand down the shimmering black fabric. "You know, when I first saw your designs... I thought you were untouchable."

Ayden tilted his head. "And now?"

"I still do," Luca admitted. "But I don't want to fix you. I just want to be close enough to witness you."

Ayden's expression softened.

"I'm not good at this," he said quietly. "Not at letting people in."

"You're doing better than you think." Luca stepped forward, brushing his hand against Ayden's. "But it's okay to let yourself lean."

Ayden leaned.

And for a moment, there were no stitches, no show, no pressure — just skin, quiet, and warmth.

That night, Eden slipped into the back alley behind the hotel. He hated crowds, and Ren had texted him earlier: Need air. Meet me by the loading dock?

Ren sat on an overturned crate, sipping from a plastic bottle of orange soda. He looked up and smiled as Eden approached.

"Took you long enough."

"I was working."

"You live in that black suit. Ever think of wearing something not government-issued?"

Eden didn't reply. He sat beside him.

Ren nudged a second bottle toward him. "Orange soda. No one hates orange soda."

"I do."

"You're a liar, Eden."

They sat in silence, the hum of city life muffled by distance.

Ren glanced sideways. "You ever think about what you'd be if you weren't constantly looking over someone's shoulder?"

Eden's voice was quiet. "No."

"I think you'd own a bookstore. Quiet one. With jazz playing and a cat that bites everyone but you."

Eden allowed a rare smile. "You talk too much."

"You like it."

"I'm still deciding."

Ren bumped his shoulder lightly. "You'll come around."

"Maybe," Eden admitted, softer than he intended.

They didn't kiss. Not yet. But the air between them shifted — an invisible thread pulled taut and trembling.

Back in the Studio

As Ayden packed up for the night, Luca caught his hand.

"Hey... after this show," he said, eyes unreadable. "Come to Italy with me. Just for a week."

Ayden blinked. "Why?"

Luca grinned. "Because I want to show you the world outside these walls. And I want to hold your hand while we do it."

Ayden didn't answer right away. But he didn't pull away either.

That was enough for now.