BL ONESHOTS No.5

²⁴⁰Vegas x Chay

Requested.

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The neon lights of Las Vegas flickered and pulsed, illuminating the bustling streets littered with laughter and life. But behind the glitz and glamour lay a darker world, one ruled by power and fear, where the name "Vegas" commanded respect and lingering trepidation.

That was how Chay found himself in the underground casino known only as "The Cat's Eye." As a university student majoring in criminology, he was fascinated by organized crime, albeit from a distance. He was there for research—curiosity drew him deeper into the shadows than he had ever anticipated.

"Can you keep it down?" a voice said, cutting through the clamor of chips and laughter. Chay didn't immediately recognize the man standing before him—tall and imposing in a tailored black suit, hair slicked back, deep-set eyes that seemed to penetrate the very soul of those around him.

"Apologies," Chay muttered, feeling an uncharacteristic shyness wave over him like a heat blanket, his voice barely rising above the hum of the crowd.

The man raised an eyebrow, a subtle smirk creeping upon his lips. "You're not from around here, are you, kid?"

Chay fiddled with his glasses, his heart racing. He had expected to see men like this—dangerous, commanding—but up close, he felt utterly captivated. "I'm... just doing a project for school," he admitted, feeling a rush of foolishness.

"Vegas," the man introduced himself, extending a hand that looked powerful enough to crush steel. Chay hesitated before shaking it, feeling a strange spark ignite at the contact.

"Chay," he replied, his voice gaining a modicum of confidence as he looked up to meet Vegas's intense gaze.

In the weeks that followed, Chay could not shake the image of the enigmatic mafia boss from his mind. He started frequenting The Cat's Eye more than he intended, fabricating excuses to continue their conversations. They spoke about life, dreams, and the world they inhabited—Chay's youthful aspirations clashing with Vegas's hardened reality.

One evening, as they shared a secluded booth far from prying eyes, Chay hesitated before asking, "Why do you do this? The crime, the danger... don't you ever want to escape?"

Vegas's laughter rumbled low, a sound that seemed to reverberate throughout Chay's very being. "Kid, you think it's as simple as that? Power comes with a price. My family built this empire, and I run it. It's in my blood."

"But it doesn't have to be..." Chay trailed off, realizing how naive he sounded against the rugged persona of Vegas. "There are other paths..."

"The thing about paths, Chay, is they're not always clear," Vegas said, his expression softening for just a moment. "You've seen the glimmering lights on the Strip, haven't you? Beautiful, yes, but you don't see the darkness under the surface."

Chay leaned in, his heart racing at the intimacy of the moment. "But I see you, Vegas. Underneath all of this, I see someone who could choose differently."

The air thickened with tension as they locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them.

Their relationship grew, a budding romance forged in secrecy. Chay had never expected to fall for someone so deep-rooted in a world of crime, yet Vegas ignited a fire within him. They spent stolen moments together: late-night drives through the desert, quiet dinners where the air buzzed with unspoken words, and passionate kisses hidden in the shadows.

One evening, as they stood on the rooftop of a high-rise, a cool breeze tousling Chay's hair, Vegas turned to him. "You should be careful, you know. This life... it's dangerous," he warned, a flicker of concern crossing his rugged features.