Rune

I tuck myself back into my jeans, buttoning pants as I cross the room over to him before he can make it out.

He rips his arm away from my grasp the second I touch him.

“What?” I joke, “Think I’ll stain your Valentino?”

“More like infect it.”

I roll my eyes, “Listen, you’re way too fucking serious these days. Do you even eat breakfast?”

He starts walking away again.

“Hey-” I reach out.

“Don’t touch me.”

Again, I lift my arms up, showing the damn beast I mean no harm, “Let’s hang out.”

He looks at me like I just threatened to kill him with a water gun.

“What?” I ask, “It’ll be like the good old days. We used to hang out all the time, what’s changed?”

“Not you.”

“Yeah,” I agree, getting in his face, “I’m still sane enough to have a sense of humor and at least one fucking fun bone in my body. You don’t get tired of your goddamn attitude? You gotta loosen up man. Listen, I have just the thing.”

He’s standing there, waiting, but part of me feels like he’s not listening to a word I’ve said. Sighing, I reach into my pockets, pulling out the golden VIP exclusive card. I hold it out to him.

He doesn’t take it.

“Can you please look at it?”

“I’m looking at it.”

God, this asshole. He’s so fucking infuriating.

“Take it.” I say.

“No.”

I shove the small card against his chest. He shoves me away from him, way harder than necessary, grasping the golden rectangle before it drops to the floor, giving it a glance.

His eyes are bored, “A club.”

“To put it lightly, yes.”

He shakes his head, an annoyed breath slipping out of him.

“It’s not just some regular schmuck joint. I think we should check it out, it looks promising.”

“I’m not going to a club.”

“For fucks sake, it’s not a-”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” He hands the card back to me.

I take it, “You’re so fucking infuriating, you know that? You remind me so much of Da-”

He snatches it back, making me pause on the last word. He glances at the card briefly once again, a muscle ticking in his jaw, “Fine.”

“Fine?” I lean into his space, “Fine as in, you’re actually willing to let loose and enjoy yourself, fine? Or fine like-”

“Fine like I’ll change my mind if you don’t stop talking.”

I grin, pressing two fingers to my forehead and flicking them at him, in lieu of a salute. “Roger.”

“This isn’t some bonding activity we’re having. The only reason I’m considering this is because I believe it’s a promising place to scout for future investors.”

I look at him incredulously, “Who the hell goes to a place like this for the sake of work?”

He shoves the card at me. Buttoning up his suit coat before making his exit without saying another word to me.

I let him leave, as far as I’m concerned, a win is a win.

Rune -1, Kane -well, I’m not sure yet.

My fingers tinker with the edge of the metallic card, my attention moving to Blondie one and two making out with each other on the leather sofa.

I hold up the card, my eyes moving over the black letters engraved in bold.

12 STROKES OF MIDNIGHT

This’ll be fun.