Primrose didn't look back once.
Henry stood there for a moment, jaw tight, fingers flexing at his sides as he watched her stomp out with her friends.
He didn't regret what he said.
He only regretted that she said it first.
The final option.
As if Lance would ever see it that way.
Henry scoffed under his breath, rolling his shoulders before pushing himself off the wall and heading back toward the bar counter.
He needed to calm down before Lance saw him.
His expression had to be normal.
Like he hadn't just threatened a girl outside for daring to like the same boy he did.
He walked in just as Lance was grabbing two hot plates from the kitchen window.
"You're back? What did you tell her?" Lance asked, he had seen Henry follow Primrose out, so he was curious what had gone down between them.
"Nothing much, we just had a brief chat between senior and junior.."
Lance raised a brow, he didn't want to pry into the matter so he just accepted whatever Henry said.
"Whatever you say buddy.."
"Yeah.."
Lance didn't notice the slight edge under it, he was too busy balancing plates and mentally checking orders. His brow was furrowed, hair clips slipping again.
Henry automatically reached over and fixed one.
Lance didn't even react; he was used to it.
Henry's chest tightened stupidly at that tiny trust.
"Thanks," Lance murmured.
"Anytime."
Lance walked off to deliver the plates.
Henry watched him go, watched the line of his back, the apron tied at his waist, the soft strand of hair he kept tucking behind his ear.
He liked Lance so much.
It was pathetic, but he couldn't turn it off.
What was worse was that Lance had no idea.
Henry didn't mind waiting, didn't mind slowly inching closer over time, he was patient. Too patient even.
But Primrose trying to cut ahead?
No.
He wasn't stupid enough to stand by and let that happen.
Mariah passed by him, glancing at his face. "You look stressed. Everything okay?"
Henry snapped out of it. "Yeah, just… long shift."
She accepted it. She always did, as they said…ignorance is bliss.
The shift dragged on, customers floating in and out, the usual noise filling the café. Henry worked like nothing had happened.
But every time Lance walked past him, his eyes followed for a second too long.
And every time Lance laughed at something a customer said, Henry's stomach twisted.
He knew he was being ridiculous.
But he also knew he wasn't going to stop.
When the final rush died down and they started cleaning up, Lance's phone buzzed once on the counter.
A message banner flashed.
It was Primrose.
Henry's blood chilled.
Lance saw the name and his lips tightened faintly. He didn't open it, instead he just put the phone back in his apron pocket.
Henry forced himself to sound casual.
"She texted you?"
"Probably about earlier." Lance didn't look bothered, just tired. "I'll reply later."
Henry's grip tightened around the rag in his hand.
Lance stretched his back a little, glancing at the clock, it was already nearly closing time.
"Anyway… you said we're drinking after this?"
Henry blinked, surprised Lance actually remembered. "Yeah. If you still want to."
Lance gave a weak laugh. "Yeah. I need it."
Henry shouldn't have felt as stupidly happy as he did.
"Alright," he said quietly, "I'll take you."
Lance nodded, unaware of how solid Henry's resolve became in that moment.
Primrose was right about one thing:
Lance wasn't the type to be controlled.
But Henry wasn't planning to control him.
He was planning to stay close enough that no one else ever got the chance.
And tonight?
Tonight was one step closer.
It was finally time to clock out.
Lance washed his hands at the back sink, rubbing the soap in slow circles as the last traces of espresso and pastry sugar slid down the drain.
The warm water felt good, but he kept it quick.
The last time he lingered here and took a shower, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been watching him.
He wasn't repeating that.
He grabbed a paper towel, dried his hands, then headed to the locker room.
He switched out his slides for his sneakers, tugged his jacket over his shoulders, checking each of his pockets by habit.
Wallet?
Keys?
Phone?
All accounted for.
He shut his locker with a soft click and rolled his shoulders, mentally preparing himself for whatever "drinking" meant tonight.
Henry drank for fun. Lance drank because he wanted to get his off the things troubling him.
Henry was already waiting near the hallway, hands tucked into his pockets, expression easy like nothing happened earlier.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yeah," Lance said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's go before I change my mind."
Henry smirked and pushed open the back door. "Like I'd let you."
They waved Mariah goodnight, she told them both to get home safe, but her eyes lingered a bit longer on Lance, as if silently trying to gauge whether he was okay.
He wasn't, but pretending was a talent he'd mastered long ago.
San-Marino Bar.
It wasn't fancy on the outside, just a dim sign and a small doorway tucked between shops but Lance knew the kind of people who liked the place.
Big shots, wealthy regulars, men and women who didn't want to be recognized in the more popular bars.
The ambiance was low lights, strong liquor, and a staff that didn't ask questions.
The buses stopped running around this time, so Henry raised a hand to flag down a taxi.
One pulled up almost instantly.
Henry motioned for Lance to get in first. Lance slid into the back seat, leaning his head against the cool window as Henry joined him and shut the door.
"San-Marino," Henry told the driver.
The car pulled away from the curb, city lights sliding across Lance's face in streaks of gold and blue.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
Then Henry nudged his shoulder lightly. "You sure you're up for this?"
Lance exhaled through his nose. "Yeah. You said drinks, right?"
Henry's lips curved, that soft, knowing smile that always made Lance feel seen and cornered at the same time. "I did."
He turned his head slightly toward the window, but Lance could feel Henry's eyes on him.
Bur Lance didn't know that Henry had zero intention of sharing him with the world tonight or the plan in had in mind.