One Shots

Broken soul

Luke was a man shaped by the streets, a figure whose name echoed through the underworld like a bullet ricocheting off cold concrete.

Luke childhood was a far cry from the innocence that typically mark those early years, born into a broken home in the heart of decaying city, he learned quickly that survival was a game with no rules.

His father a small-time hustler with a penchant for violence left when Luke was just six years old, abandoning him to a life of poverty and neglect. His mother was burdened by addiction, she could barely keep herself afloat, let alone provide for her son.

The streets became Luke's real family, teaching him lessons in brutality and betrayal that would forge the man he would become.

By the age of twelve, Luke joined a local gang, eager to find the power and respect he lacked at home. It was here that he honed his skills, learning the art of intimidation, the value of loyalty, and the cold comfort of money.

But he also learned the harsh reality of gangs life, his initiation involved robbing a corner store, but things... went wrong, a gun went off and a man died, Luke innocence was lost forever, the look of that mans eyes as life drained from him haunted Luke's dreams.

As the years passed by, Luke climbed in the ranks, each rung soaked with blood and betrayal, he built a reputation as a man who get things done, no matter what the cost.

but with the power came enemies, and Luke had more than his share, rivals sought to undermine him, police pressure intensified, it was a world where he could barely trust anyone, at least for Luke, he kept his circle small, his emotions buried deep, and his gun always close.

Yet, despite the power, despite the respect, something gnawed at Luke, the emptiness that had filled his life as a child persisted, an insatiable void that no amount of wealth or violence could ever fill.

He was haunted by the faces of those who he had wronged, by the ghosts of his past that never ceased to remind him of the boy he once was, the boy who had dreams, the boy who wanted nothing more than a chance to live a normal life.

After reaching the age of 28, Luke had long since he accepted the cold isolation of his life, the underworld was no place for warmth or softness, and he had wrapped himself in a shell of steel, but everything seemed to change the day he met Rui.

Rui was a 22-year old college student, full of life and untouched by the darkness that surrounded Luke, they met by chance; Luke was visiting a quiet café near the university, a rare moment of calm in his chaotic life.

the café buzzed with the quiet murmur of students chatting, the soft clink of cups, and the faint hum of jazz music playing in the background.

It was heaven for Rui, a place where he could escape the stress of his studies and lose himself in a good book. He was seated in his usual spot by the window, sunlight spilling across the page of his novel.

Luke walked in, followed by one of his men only, he didn't want to attract attention, but his presence commanding attention even in the most mundane of settings.

He wasn't dressed like the other patrons, no casual jeans or university hoodies, he wore a long black leather jacket, underneath it was a classic suit. His eyes scanned the café with a careful, practiced ease, as if he was always on guard, always ready.

Rui looked up from his book just as Luke entered, and for a moment, he forgot to breath, there was something about the man, something magnetic and dangerous that drew Rui immediately, He watched as Luke ordered a black coffee. And then, as if sensing the gaze on him, Luke's eyes locked with Rui's.