Chasing Shadows

Chapter Seventy-two: Smoke and Stars

Jonah lounged on the couch, Rascal nestled comfortably against his chest. The tiny dog gave a contented yawn, his little body vibrating with the soft rhythm of Jonah's chuckles. He scratched behind Rascal's ears absentmindedly, his gaze drifting toward the balcony where Ethan and Zane stood, silhouetted against the city lights.

"Y'know, Rascal," Jonah murmured, grinning at the pup, "your dad's got some real weird taste in men."

Rascal yipped in response, his ears perking up as if agreeing wholeheartedly.

"Yeah, I know, right? Could've gone for someone less... insane. But what can you do? Love's blind and all that crap."

Jonah shifted slightly, glancing back at the balcony. Ethan was leaning against the railing, his posture relaxed as he watched Zane smoke. There was a softness in his expression that Jonah rarely saw-a quiet kind of admiration mixed with something deeper.

"Hopeless," Jonah muttered under his breath, though a smile tugged at his lips. He adjusted Rascal in his lap, settling back to watch the unfolding scene.

----

Ethan watched them from the balcony, the crisp night air brushing against his skin. Zane leaned against the railing beside him, a cigarette hanging lazily from his lips.

It was rare to get a moment like this-one where there were no expectations, no missions, no disasters looming over them. Just... calm.

"Y'know," Zane murmured, blowing a thin stream of smoke into the air. "If you keep staring at me like that, I might start to think you're obsessed."

Ethan rolled his eyes, leaning against the railing. "And here I was thinking you'd be flattered."

"Flattered?" Zane repeated with a low chuckle. "Please. You staring at me is basically your way of saying, 'Zane, I'm worried you're gonna light yourself on fire.'"

"Not true," Ethan muttered, crossing his arms. "I'm just... admiring the view."

"Oh?" Zane turned his head, his eyes glinting with amusement. "And what view is that, exactly?"

Ethan bit back a smile, his gaze shifting to the skyline. "The city. The stars. Take your pick."

"Bullshit." Zane's lips curved into a smirk, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "You're looking at me, not the stars."

Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but found himself hesitating. The truth was, he had been watching Zane-taking in the way his hair fell messily over his forehead, the way his eyes seemed to soften when he thought no one was looking. It was... comforting, in a strange way.

"Fine, you caught me," Ethan sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "You're the most beautiful thing in the universe, Zane. Happy now?"

Zane's smirk widened, but there was something softer in his eyes as he regarded Ethan. "Ecstatic, darling. But you're still full of shit."

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, most people would just say 'thank you' when they get a compliment."

"Good thing I'm not most people," Zane quipped, taking another drag from his cigarette. He tilted his head back, exhaling smoke into the air. "But... thanks."

The words were quiet, almost lost in the breeze, but they made something warm unfurl in Ethan's chest.

"Anytime," Ethan murmured, his voice softer now. He found himself reaching out, fingers brushing against Zane's wrist. "So... what's with the laughing earlier? I thought I said something stupid."

Zane blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "You always say stupid things, sweetheart."

"Gee, thanks."

"But that's not why I was laughing." Zane turned, leaning his back against the railing so he could face Ethan fully. His expression softened, the usual sharpness in his gaze replaced with something almost vulnerable. "I was just... thinking how weird it is. That we're here. Together. After all this time."