FLAMES OF ARES

DANGEROUS GAME

Ares arrived at his apartment complex, following his usual routine. He exchanged brief nods with the security guards and greeted the maintenance staff with a friendly wave before heading to the stairwell. Despite the presence of an elevator, he preferred the steady rhythm of the stairs, enjoying the momentary isolation it provided.

As he ascended to his floor, the familiar echo of his footsteps accompanied him, until he reached his unit. There, standing outside his door, was Jade. The sight made Ares pause. They locked eyes for a brief moment, a silent exchange that held more questions than answers. Ares then resumed his pace, his expression unreadable.

Reaching into the pocket of his worn jeans, he retrieved his keys, the metal clinking softly as he found the right one.

"What are you doing here?" Ares asked, breaking the silence with his voice steady, and almost casual, as he worked on the lock.

"I was waiting for you," Jade replied, his tone carrying an undercurrent of tension.

Ares glanced at him, curiosity piqued but hidden beneath a layer of nonchalance. "Waiting for what?"

"I wanted to talk to you—"

"Talk to me now, then," Ares suggested, a hint of impatience seeping into his voice, and his hand still on the door handle.

Jade's eyes darted briefly down the hallway before meeting Ares' gaze again. "Not here. I need to talk to you privately."

Ares caught the subtle insistence in Jade's voice, understanding what he was asking without the need for more words. So, he pushed the door open, entering first, and followed by Jade. Ares tossed his keys with a casual flick of the wrist into the basket perched atop the shoe cabinet as the door clicked shut behind them. He bent down, slipping off his shoes and neatly placing them alongside the others before padding barefoot toward the kitchen.

"So, you let Nyx ride your bike." Jade's agitation was apparent in the way his footsteps echoed off the walls, and the accusation was clear in his tone. "Even though you have that rule—no one rides it but you."

Ares opened the fridge, the cool air washing over him as he grabbed a chilled bottle of water. He twisted the cap off, taking a long drink as Jade's voice droned on in the background, full of indignation.

"It's just a one-time thing," Ares finally responded, setting the bottle down on the counter. "Nyx needed help. Someone went brutal on him. What was I supposed to do, just leave him there?"

Jade scoffed, disbelief etched on his face. "Why are you being such a bitch about it? Why do you even care about Nyx in the first place?"

Ares met Jade's gaze, his expression unwavering, but before he could respond, Jade's voice turned sharper, more personal.

"And what about me, Ares? Don't I matter anymore? We had sex, for fuck's sake."

Ares scoffed, a sharp sound that carried an edge of disbelief, before letting out a short, humorless laugh. "What are you even trying to imply?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and irritation.

Jade clenched his fists, frustration boiling over as he raised his voice. "I'm saying I love you, Ares!" The words hung heavy in the air, raw and unguarded.