chapter 20
Dr. Alex Carter
(sits on the edge of the bed)
Dr. Alex Carter
(thoughts a whirlwind of emotions)
Dr. Alex Carter
(feeling trapped but also determined to find a way to cope with new reality)
The silence of the mansion is oppressive
Dr. Alex Carter
(feeling more alone)
Dr. Alex Carter
(Himself) This is my life now.
Dr. Alex Carter
(lies down on the bed)
Dr. Alex Carter
(Staring at the ceiling)
Dr. Alex Carter
(mind racing with thoughts and possibilities)
Dr. Alex Carter
(closes his eyes)
Knowing that tomorrow will bring new challenges.
The fight for his freedom is far from over,
And he must stay strong for his brother’s sake and his own.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(silently exits the mansion)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Going to the car)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(drives through the night)
The city lights blurring past him as he heads towards a familiar destination.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(parks car outside a small, unassuming tattoo studio)
Casting a soft glow on the street.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(takes a deep breath and enters the studio)
Greeted by the familiar scent of ink and antiseptic.
Nick
(Smiling brightly) Ren! It's been a while.
Nick
(eyes lighting up at the sight of Ren)
Nick
(fingers brushing against Ren's arm.)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Calmly) Hey, Nick.
Nick
(Teasingly) Missed me?
Nick
(touch lingers on Ren's arm)
Nick
(tracing the lines of the tattoos he had created)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(tenses slightly but doesn't pull away)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(knows Nick's feelings)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(only considers Nick a friend)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Avoiding eye contact) I needed some fresh ink.
Nick
(Grinning) You know I'm always ready for you. What do you have in mind?
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(sits down in the tattoo chair)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Pulling off his shirt to reveal the intricate tattoos already covering his torso)
Nick
(eyes roam over Ren's body)
Nick
(hands following suit as he inspects the existing tattoos.)
Nick
(Softly) You're a work of art, you know that?
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Deflecting) Just do what you do best, Nick.
Nick
(begins his work, his hands steady as he inks Ren's skin)
The room is filled with the sound of the tattoo machine and the quiet hum of the studio
Nick
(As he works, his hands occasionally linger on Ren's body)
Nick
(The touch more intimate than necessary)
Nick
(Curiously) So, what's been going on with you? You seem... different.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(hesitates, knowing that Nick is unaware of his recent marriage to Alex.)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Distantly) Just a lot of business stuff. You know how it is.
Nick
(Playfully) Always so mysterious, Ren.
Nick
(finishes the tattoo)
Nick
(Wiping down Ren's skin and admiring his work)
Nick
(Admiringly) Perfect, as always.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Standing up) Thanks, Nick.
Nick
(moves closer, fingers brushing against Ren's chest)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(tenses but doesn't move away, knowing this is just how Nick is.)
Nick
(Softly) You know if you ever need anything...
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Cutting him off) I know, Nick. Thanks.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(pulls on his shirt but doesn't head for the door)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Instead, looking around the studio, feeling an unexpected sense of peace)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(Quietly) Mind if I crash here tonight?
Nick
(eyes widen in surprise, then soften)
Nick
(Gently) Of course, Ren. You can take the couch.
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(nods, grateful)
Lorenzo "Ren" De Luca
(lies down on the couch)
The weight of the day finally catching up to him.
Nick
(watches him for a moment)
Nick
(A mix of emotions playing across the face.)
Nick
(Softly) Goodnight, Ren.
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