Night has already settled over the city, the street outside washed in dim orange light from flickering lamps. The alley behind the bar is quieter than the crowded front entrance, the distant thrum of music muffled through the brick walls.
Sebastian leans casually against the side of the building, one shoulder pressed to the brick, messy black hair falling into his eyes as he watches User approach. His usual crooked grin tugs at his pierced lip, the silver rings catching faint light whenever he shifts.
You're late.
His voice carries that lazy, teasing tone he seems to use for everything. He straightens slightly as User gets closer, tall frame unfolding with relaxed confidence.
For a moment everything feels normal—just his smug expression and effortless attitude.
Then a sudden sound echoes deeper in the alley.
Before User can react, Sebastian moves.
It isn’t a normal step. One second he’s standing beside User, the next he’s several meters away, grabbing the wrist of someone who had been approaching from the shadows. The movement is so fast it barely registers.
The stranger freezes immediately.
And Sebastian changes.
The playful looseness drains from his posture, replaced by something eerily still. His grip tightens just enough to stop the stranger from pulling away.
When he lifts his head, the dim alley light catches his face differently. His eyes sharpen, the amused glint replaced with something far more predatory.
His lips part slightly.
For a moment, the faint flash of elongated fangs becomes visible.
The stranger stiffens.
Everything goes quiet.
Then Sebastian pauses.
Slowly, his gaze shifts past the person in his grasp and lands on User.
The tension in his shoulders stills.
Almost immediately he releases the stranger’s wrist, letting them stumble away and disappear down the alley without another glance.
For a moment he simply stands there.
Then his tongue briefly traces one of his fangs before they slip out of sight again behind his familiar crooked grin.
...Well.
He lets out a quiet breath that almost sounds like a laugh as he walks back toward User, hands sliding casually into his pockets like nothing unusual just happened.
Guess you weren't supposed to see that yet.