the calm before the break

The evening settled like a velvet curtain over the city, warm lights flickering in windows as the buzz of the outside world dimmed. Inside Vinny's apartment, the world felt oddly still—too still, almost like it was holding its breath. There were no texts from Tom. No cryptic voicemails. No news of drama or twisted surprises. Just… calm.

Vinny leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Matthew who sat on the couch with a book in hand—though it was clear he wasn't reading it. His eyes kept flicking up, locking onto Vinny every few seconds like he couldn't help himself.

"You're not turning the pages," Vinny teased, swirling his juice in its glass. "What are you doing? Staring at me like that."

Matthew didn't look away. "I'm thinking."

"Dangerous," Vinny smirked. "What about?"

Matthew shut the book and tossed it gently onto the coffee table. "About how quiet things have been. And how much I don't trust it."

Vinny walked toward him slowly, almost like a predator stalking prey. "You think Tom's planning something?"

"I know he is," Matthew murmured. "That guy doesn't go silent unless he's plotting."

Vinny sat on the armrest of the couch, one leg crossed, his fingers brushing Matthew's shoulder lightly. "Let him plot. You've survived worse, haven't you?"

Matthew looked up at him, his eyes trailing from Vinny's mouth to his neck and back. "That's not what worries me."

"Oh?"

Matthew's voice was low, gravel-edged. "It's what he might do to you to get to me."

Vinny's teasing smile faltered, just for a moment, and he slid down into Matthew's lap without thinking, straddling him as easily as breathing. "Then it's a good thing I can defend myself."

Matthew's hands instinctively found Vinny's waist. "I'd rather not take chances."

Vinny leaned forward, brushing his lips against Matthew's jaw without pressing in fully. "You're getting soft on me."

"I've never been soft," Matthew said, his grip tightening ever so slightly.

The air between them simmered with tension—unresolved, magnetic, addictive. Vinny dragged his fingers down Matthew's chest, playful, testing him.

"Are you trying to get a reaction?" Matthew asked, voice rough.

Vinny grinned. "Maybe."

Matthew pulled him closer with one fluid movement, their foreheads touching. "You drive me insane."

"You love it," Vinny whispered, brushing his lips against Matthew's in a ghost of a kiss.

Matthew didn't respond—not with words. Instead, he kissed Vinny with a hunger that stole the breath from the room. It wasn't rushed, but it wasn't gentle either. It was like claiming territory—like he'd waited too long to have this moment and he wasn't letting it go.

Vinny's fingers slid into Matthew's hair, tugging slightly as he deepened the kiss, and Matthew groaned against his mouth. He could taste the desperation between them, feel the way Matthew's body trembled—not from weakness, but from restraint.

They broke apart only when oxygen forced them to, their chests heaving.

Vinny chuckled softly, breathless. "You always win, don't you?"

Matthew pressed his forehead to Vinny's, eyes closed. "Not always. Only with you."

The way he said it—it wasn't just flirtation. There was something raw in his voice, something vulnerable that made Vinny pause.

"…You mean that?" Vinny asked quietly.

Matthew nodded, his fingers curling around Vinny's hips. "I don't know what the hell this is between us… but it's the only thing keeping me from burning everything down."

Vinny swallowed, the laughter fading from his eyes. "You're not allowed to say things like that while I'm on your lap."

Matthew's lips curved. "Why not?"

"Because it makes me want to do something stupid."

Matthew kissed the corner of his mouth. "Do it."

Vinny shoved him lightly, laughing again, but the weight in the room didn't vanish. It just simmered under the surface, like an ember refusing to die out.

They stayed like that for a while—close, quiet, tangled up in limbs and tension. Until Matthew finally whispered, "We should be careful."

Vinny looked down at him. "Why?"

"Because Tom's silence isn't peace. It's a prelude."

Just then, Vinny's phone buzzed.

Both of them froze.

Vinny slowly reached for it, reading the text on the screen. It wasn't from Tom. It was from Kieran.

"He's vanished. Tom's not at school. He's not home. His parents don't know where he is. Be careful."

Vinny showed it to Matthew.

Matthew's jaw clenched. "So it begins."

Vinny slid off his lap and paced. "What do we do?"

"We stay together. Keep eyes open. And wait for him to make the first move."

"You're okay with waiting?" Vinny raised a brow.

Matthew got up, wrapping an arm around Vinny's waist. "For now. But if he lays one finger on you…"

"You'll burn it all down?"

"I'll start with his fingers."

Vinny snorted. "God, you're insane."

"You like it."

"Unfortunately," Vinny muttered.

They both turned when the front door knocked. Three rapid knocks.

Vinny tensed. "You expecting anyone?"

"No."

Matthew moved fast, motioning for Vinny to stay back. He walked to the door, peered through the peephole, and relaxed only slightly. "It's Kieran."

He opened the door, and Kieran slipped inside quickly, eyes darting.

"You got my text?" he asked.

"We did," Matthew said. "What do you know?"

Kieran pulled out his phone. "I traced Tom's recent movements. Nothing consistent—he's moving weird. Random stops, abandoned places. But there's a pattern. He's circling. Around here."

Vinny's blood ran cold. "You think he's watching us?"

Kieran nodded. "Either that or preparing for something big. He's not alone either. He's got a few guys with him. New faces. Probably hired muscle."

Matthew's jaw worked. "I knew it."

Kieran hesitated. "There's more."

Vinny and Matthew looked at him.

"I overheard a call—Tom's talking about using someone close. He didn't say who. But he sounded excited. Like he'd found a crack in the armor."

Matthew's eyes darkened.

Vinny felt the chill slide down his spine. "You think he's planning to use me?"

"Maybe. Or someone else. But whoever it is, he's planning to break you apart."

Matthew stepped forward. "He won't. Not again."

Kieran sighed. "Just… stay alert. I'm digging deeper."

As Kieran left, the room fell into silence again.

Matthew pulled Vinny into his arms. "I'm not letting anyone take this from me."

Vinny leaned into him. "Then don't."