Pick me up

First never asked for a personal chauffeur service, but Mike keeps sending cars anyway-silent invitations with no explanation, no warning, just the expectation that First will step inside. And somehow, he always does.

Tonight is no different. Or at least, it shouldn't be. Just another late-night drive. Just another night spent at Mike's place, drowning in teasing comments and stubborn deflections.

But the air feels heavier this time. The space between them is smaller. And when the silence stretches too long, when the teasing turns into something quieter, something that lingers-First realizes they've been toeing a line all this time.

The problem is, neither of them seem willing to step back.

And at 2:57 AM, when the silence finally breaks, First stops running.

And Mike stops letting him.