ONE SHOT COLLECTION #2

Under the City Lights #42

The kind of night made the city feel alive—almost as if it were pulsing with a rhythm all its own. The streets of Montreal, with their quiet charm, were bathed in the glow of streetlights, and the cool Canadian breeze carried a certain crispness in the air. Laurent had always felt a strange affinity for this hour, when the world around him slowed, leaving behind a sense of stillness that resonated deep within his chest. At twenty-nine, he had come to accept that some nights were simply meant for wandering, searching for something elusive, something undefined.

Laurent walked slowly down Rue Saint-Denis, the familiar hum of the city now softened to a whisper. His mind wandered as he tried to shake the weight of the past few weeks—breakups, missed opportunities, and the emptiness that had come to define his life lately. Despite his best efforts to ignore it, the loneliness had crept in, like a shadow that never quite left. He wasn't sure what he was looking for tonight, but something inside him told him it was important.

The usual buzz of late-night traffic had diminished, leaving a tranquil stillness. Laurent's footsteps echoed on the pavement as he turned a corner, finding himself on a quieter street. The lampposts cast pools of soft light on the cobblestone, and the night felt almost cinematic in its quiet beauty. And then, just as if the universe had conspired to bring them together, Laurent saw him.

Standing under the flickering light of a nearby streetlamp was a man Laurent had never seen before. Tall and striking, with dark, tousled hair and a broad, muscular frame, he seemed to almost glow against the backdrop of the city. His intense blue eyes caught Laurent's, and in that brief exchange, something unspoken passed between them.

"Bonsoir," the man greeted, his voice deep and warm, with a trace of amusement.

"Bonsoir," Laurent replied, his curiosity piqued. "You're up late too, I see."

The man chuckled, the sound rich and comforting. "It seems we share the same habit. I'm Édouard."

"Laurent," he introduced himself, offering a half-smile. "I wasn't expecting to meet anyone at this hour."

Édouard's grin widened, a knowing smile that made Laurent's heart skip a beat. "Isn't that the charm of the night? It always brings unexpected surprises."

Laurent nodded, his gaze lingering on Édouard for a moment longer than he intended. "I suppose you're right. I've been... out here for a while, just thinking."

Édouard stepped closer, his presence magnetic. "Sometimes a walk is all it takes to clear your mind," he said, eyes locking with Laurent's. "Would you mind if I joined you?"

Laurent hesitated for a second, then nodded. "I'd like that."

They began walking side by side, the city now a blur as their conversation unfolded easily. They talked about Montreal—the quiet spots, the best cafés, and the magic of the city at night. Édouard spoke with such ease, his words flowing like a song, and Laurent couldn't help but feel drawn to him. The more Édouard talked, the more Laurent realized just how comfortable he felt in his presence, as though they were no strangers at all.

The silence between them grew more comfortable, yet there was an undeniable tension that neither of them spoke about. It wasn't uncomfortable—no, far from it—but something electric lingered in the air between them, thick with the promise of what might come next.

They found themselves near the Old Port, the moonlight reflecting off the river, casting a silver glow on the cobbled streets. Laurent leaned against the stone railing, looking out over the water, while Édouard stood beside him, his presence both reassuring and alluring.

"I've always loved this view," Laurent said softly, gazing at the shimmering water. "It's as if time slows down here."

Édouard's voice was barely above a whisper. "I know exactly what you mean. It feels like everything else fades away, doesn't it? Just the moment and you."

Laurent turned to meet Édouard's gaze. His blue eyes were intense, and for a moment, Laurent could have sworn the world had stopped. The pull between them was undeniable. With each passing second, the space between them seemed to shrink.

Without a word, Édouard reached out, his fingers brushing against Laurent's hand. The contact sent a thrill through Laurent's body, igniting something deep within him.

"Laurent," Édouard murmured, his voice soft but filled with intent, "this night feels... like something more than a chance encounter, don't you think?"

Laurent swallowed, his heart racing. "I was thinking the same thing."

The world around them blurred as Édouard stepped closer. Their eyes locked, and before Laurent could even process it, Édouard's lips found his in a kiss—slow, tentative, but filled with so much raw emotion it took Laurent's breath away. It wasn't rushed, but it was intense, as though everything that had led them to this point had been building to this very moment.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they shared a quiet laugh, the electricity between them lingering in the air.

"Do you want to continue this... at my place?" Laurent asked, his voice barely more than a whisper, the question carrying more weight than he expected.

Édouard smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Lead the way."

The walk to Laurent's apartment was filled with anticipation, the silence between them now comfortable and expectant. When they arrived, Laurent fumbled with the keys, his hands shaky with excitement. Édouard placed a reassuring hand on his back, steadying him.

Once inside, Laurent wasted no time. The cozy, dimly lit apartment felt like a haven, and the moment the door closed behind them, it was as if the outside world no longer mattered. They were lost in each other now.

Their lips met again, this time with a hunger that matched the intensity of their connection. Édouard's hands roamed over Laurent's body with a mixture of urgency and tenderness. Laurent responded in kind, their bodies moving in perfect synchrony as they shed the layers of clothing that had once kept them apart.

The night unfolded in a blur of passion and intimacy, each touch a confirmation of the bond they had forged in mere hours. It was as though time had stopped, the city and everything outside their apartment forgotten in the wake of their connection.

As dawn crept in, they lay together, their bodies entangled beneath the soft sheets. Laurent couldn't help but smile, the warmth of Édouard's body beside him feeling like the most natural thing in the world. They hadn't expected this, not in a million years, but somehow it had happened.

Édouard stirred beside him, his eyes fluttering open as the first light of morning painted the room in golden hues.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep but filled with affection.

Laurent smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Édouard's face. "Good morning. Last night... it felt like a dream."

Édouard's grin widened. "It was. But I'm glad it happened."

As they spent the morning together, talking, laughing, and slowly getting to know each other better, Laurent realized that this night, this serendipitous encounter had changed everything. He didn't know what the future would hold, but for the first time in a long while, he was willing to find out.