The Long Night

The glow from Lex's laptop bathed the office in pale light, flickering softly as he scrolled through the script for "Elle Rose."

Mikey's writing had sharpened—more raw, more deliberate than Lex remembered. Every word bled authenticity, the kind that came from living close to the edge of something real.

The main character wasn't just inspired by Rose—she was Rose. The grind, the late nights, the cleaning shifts she still picked up even when the world was starting to notice her voice.

Lex leaned forward, eyes flicking across the lines, the faint hum of the city outside keeping him tethered to the moment.

He wasn't tired.

The second script—Blood Circuit's adaptation—sat in a separate tab, waiting for him. Mikey had stitched world lore into every corner of it, transforming the game into something bigger, more cinematic.

And Phantom Verge?

That one was different. Electric. It felt like Mikey had bled nostalgia straight onto the page—not just fan fiction, but something entirely its own.

Lex rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaling softly. It was almost morning.

He hadn't moved from the chair in hours.

The faint sound of a key turning echoed from the hallway, followed by light footsteps approaching the kitchen. Rose.

Lex barely glanced up as the smell of coffee began to drift through the brownstone.

A few minutes later, Rose leaned against the doorway, arms crossed over a loose sweater, hair tied up casually.

Her eyes narrowed as she took him in—still in last night's shirt, sleeves rolled up, laptop glowing faintly against stacks of papers.

"You look too awake," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Did you even sleep?"

Lex smirked faintly but didn't look away from the screen. "No time for that. Mikey sent scripts."

Rose arched a brow. "Three, right? Benny mentioned it to Jason."

Lex finally met her gaze, shutting the laptop with a soft click. "Yeah. I stayed up reading them."

Rose's eyes flicked toward the empty coffee cup on the desk.

"I'm guessing that's not your first cup."

Lex chuckled lightly, stretching his arms. "It's probably my fourth."

Rose sighed, disappearing back into the kitchen for a moment before returning with a fresh mug and some toast. She set it down in front of him.

"You'll burn out if you keep pulling these all-nighters, Lex."

Lex picked up the coffee, taking a sip. "I've survived worse."

Rose settled onto the edge of the desk, watching him quietly. "So? How are they?"

Lex's gaze softened as he set the mug down.

"Good. Too good."

Her brow lifted. "That's a problem?"

"Only if we're not ready for what comes next." Lex shifted the laptop slightly, tapping his fingers against the lid. "Mikey turned Blood Circuit into a world-builder. It's not just an adaptation—it's big enough to franchise."

Rose crossed her legs, leaning closer. "And the others?"

Lex hesitated, the faintest trace of something unreadable crossing his face.

"One's about you."

Rose blinked. "What?"

Lex opened the laptop, scrolling to the first page of Elle Rose and turning it toward her.

"Read it. You'll see."

Rose skimmed the opening lines, eyes narrowing slightly as recognition flickered across her face.

Her grip on the screen tightened faintly.

"He wrote this about me."

Lex nodded, watching her carefully. "It's good, Rose. Really good. Its real. But if we move forward with it… people are going to see parts of your life you might not want them to."

Rose exhaled slowly, her thumb brushing over the laptop's edge.

She didn't speak for a moment.

"It's honest," she said finally, her voice softer now. "I don't mind that."

Lex's gaze didn't waver. "You sure?"

Rose smiled faintly, setting the laptop down. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

Lex chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. He knew wasn't like her. Being real scared him, think about the truth and trust kept him awake.

In his first life, he had been too naive, too trusting in family. He had let Barnie box him into a corner, take everything from him piece by piece. The fabricated misconduct, the frozen trust funds, the whispered accusations behind doors. He had spent years clawing his way back from nothing only to failed and drag her down with him. His confidence misplaced. This time he would be in control of the board.