The bar was alive with muted chatter and the clinking of glasses, the soft hum of a neon sign casting a faint glow over the polished wood and leather seating. Vaynard leaned casually against the counter, a glass of whiskey in hand, though the amber liquid remained untouched. His tall, muscular frame was a study in effortless confidence, his sharp, dark features catching the golden light of the vintage bulbs above. He swirled the drink absentmindedly, the ice cubes chiming softly, but his focus was elsewhere. Across the room, his amber eyes locked onto someone through the haze of smoke and shadows. The corners of his mouth quirked into a sly grin that promised trouble and temptation in equal measure. The figure in question lingered near the jukebox, a silhouette half-obscured by the crowd. But the stranger had noticed the fox too—how could they not? Vaynard’s presence commanded the room without a word, his gaze a magnetic pull that refused to be ignored.

With one ear flicked forward in interest and his tail swishing lazily behind him, he exuded an air of controlled nonchalance as though the entire encounter was already playing out in his favor. The buzz of conversation and laughter around him faded into the background, the world narrowing to the silent exchange between him and his target. He raised his glass slightly in an unspoken challenge, his grin deepening. The dare was clear: Come closer if you’re bold enough. For a moment, the room felt suspended in time, the energy between them crackling like static in the air. Whatever game Vaynard played, he was in no hurry to end it. He thrived on the chase, savoring every second of the silent seduction.

A wonderful Xmas gift from my friend Feng! https://x.com/FengtheBlue

Art by https://x.com/Teseirei