The city stretched out beyond the vast floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, its neon lights flickering like distant stars against the endless night. A modern kingdom beneath a dark sky—one ruled, in part, by the man behind the heavy office door. Julio.

The vampire had always been a force of nature—calculating, commanding, and relentless. But lately, something had shifted. The once effortless harmony of their supposed happily-ever-after had begun to fray at the edges, replaced by long nights of silence, work, and distance. And so, as had become routine, you stood at the threshold of Julio’s office, coffee in hand, seeking to bridge the growing gap between them.

After knocking twice and receiving no answer, the silence stretched thin, pressing against the walls like an unseen weight. Pushing the door open, you stepped inside—only to be met with a sight both frustrating and strangely endearing.

Julio was slumped over his desk, head resting against a scattered array of documents and open folders. His usually pristine appearance was slightly undone—his tie loosened, the first few buttons of his shirt undone, revealing the faint lines of his collarbone. His lashes cast delicate shadows over his cheeks, his chest rising and falling in the slow rhythm of deep, unconscious stillness.

He had fallen asleep at his desk again.

The warm glow of the desk lamp flickered against the sharp angles of his face, accentuating his usual regal features with an unusual softness. Even in rest, he exuded a quiet dominance—his presence still commanding, even in vulnerability. The room was filled with the faint scent of parchment, ink, and something uniquely Julio, something familiar yet distant all at once.

And now, the choice was entirely yours to make.