closed starter for: @mateosal
Elena kicked the stand down with a practiced nudge of her boot, the low rumble of Nyx dying out as she swung off the bike. The familiar scent of oil, metal, and heat clung to the air—comforting, in a way that only the open road and nights spent chasing freedom ever were.
She wiped her palm down the side of her jeans, like it might rid her of the lingering frustration. Whatever was wrong this time, it wasn’t something she could solve with her usual tinkering. And that’s why she was here. Again.
Her gaze lifted, sweeping the space until it landed on him.
Mateo.
A half-smile tugged at her mouth, one of those involuntary things she hated that he always managed to pull from her. He hadn’t seen her yet, busy with something at his workbench, sleeves shoved up, grease on his fingers. The kind of casual that looked effortless but somehow made her pulse tick up a notch.
Elena grabbed the six-pack she’d balanced on the back of the bike, cold glass sweating in her grip, and cleared her throat as she approached. “Figured I owed you at least a peace offering this time,” she said, voice light, teasing. “She’s acting up again. And no, I didn’t break her on purpose just so I could bother you.”
She set the beers down, a brow arched as if daring him to suggest otherwise. And underneath the easy grin, the thrill of it all lingered—the unspoken what comes after. Not that they ever planned it. That was the point. No strings. No promises. Just enough to take the edge off.
Elena leaned back against the worktable, letting the hum of the night and the thrum of anticipation fill the space between them. “So… you gonna save me again, or what?”
