The evening sky bled orange as Lucien stepped off the bus and walked the familiar route home. The tiredness from work clung to his shoulders, but the thought of home-cooked food was enough to lift it slightly.
As he opened the door to their small apartment, the smell of peppered stew and fried plantain filled the air.
"Lucien?" his mother called from the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom," he replied, kicking off his shoes.
He stepped into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Her apron was stained, her hair tied back, and her warm smile was all he needed.
"You're late," she said with mock seriousness.
"Work, again," he mumbled.
She handed him a plate, already filled. "Sit and eat. You're too thin."
Lucien chuckled and walked into the small dining room, where his 18-year-old sister, Mira, sat cross-legged on the chair, her tablet glowing.
"Big bro!" she beamed, looking up.
He grinned and patted her head. "Hey, shortcake."
"I am not short!" she snapped playfully. "Also, guess what?"
"What?"
"I'm in love."
Lucien nearly dropped his fork. "You what?"
She giggled. "With Prince Rion from *The Sky Kingdom. He's soooo cute. He has white hair and a sword that talks."
Lucien rolled his eyes, laughing. "Great. I've been replaced by a fictional swordsman."
"He's cooler than you. No offense," she said with a smirk.
Lucien smirked. "None taken… traitor."
They ate, they joked, and for a while, the world outside didn't matter.
Later, in his room, Lucien lay on his bed, fingers tapping rapidly over the keyboard as his character stormed through a dungeon in an online RPG. The glow of the laptop lit his focused face.
Then his phone buzzed.
Ryo.
"Yo," Lucien said, still clicking keys.
"You free?" Ryo's voice crackled. "Come over. Got a bottle, and I ain't drinking alone."
Lucien hesitated, glanced at the time. "Alright. Be there in 20."
He grabbed his hoodie and wallet, told his mom he'd be out for a bit, and left.
The bus ride was uneventful — until she got on.
*Amara.*
She stepped in, earphones on, her eyes scanning for a seat. Lucien's heart launched into a sprint.
She noticed him.
He panicked.
"H-hi," he stuttered.
She gave a soft smile, nodded, and walked past. They sat apart, in silence, separated by more than just distance.
Lucien stared out the window, hand in pocket, heart still racing.