Night came quickly, and Jonas and Hugh snuck into the coffee shop. The cafe was quite large but had a cozy atmosphere, with dark wood floors and tables and walls lined with books. The mismatched chairs somehow worked well with the decor, giving the place a charming, eclectic vibe. In the back was a small stage with an upright piano, often used for open mic nights and jazz performances.

As they walked in, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods enveloped them. The soft murmur of conversations, the clinking of cups, and the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar from a performer on stage added to the welcoming ambiance.

They found a loveseat in a corner with a good view of the stage but hidden enough to conceal their identities. The spot was perfect, tucked away from prying eyes yet giving them a clear view of the cafe. Their faces were well-known among St. Vincent's students, and the cafe was on the edge of what they considered their territory. It was a risk, but the thrill of being somewhere they shouldn't be added to the excitement of the evening.

Hugh wore a loose-fitting sweater that hung casually on his lean frame, with a beanie hiding his distinctive silver hair. His fingers absentmindedly tapped against his thigh in rhythm to the music playing softly in the background. Jonas sported a loose, long-sleeve shirt, a baseball cap pulled low over his forehead, and his old glasses perched on his nose. Both had covered their tattoos representing their status as Kings, blending in as much as possible in the dimly lit cafe.

Jonas looked around, taking in the crowd. Most of the patrons were engrossed in their own worlds—typing on laptops, chatting with friends, or lost in the pages of a book. It felt oddly normal.

Hugh leaned back, letting his body relax into the cushions of the loveseat. "This place isn't bad. We should come here more often," he said, sipping his latte.

"You do realize we're not in the best area for Hawkings," Jonas said quietly, his eyes flicking from table to table, scanning for any signs of trouble. His voice carried a note of caution, tinged with a hint of tension. This wasn't their turf, and the risk of running into unfriendly faces was high.

Hugh shrugged, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Yeah, but do you see anyone here who can actually take us in a fight? Where's your sense of fun?"

Jonas took a sip of his coffee and shook his head, amused that they both had already scanned the room for potential threats. As the best fighters at Hawkings, not many could compete with them.

"True," Jonas admitted. "So, are you telling me you want another date?"

"Only if you ask nicely," Hugh teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Jonas brought his head closer to Hugh, lowering his voice. "But do you really want our next date to be in the same place, babe?"

Hugh grinned. "You have a point. How about you join me for a family dinner tomorrow?"

Jonas raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Meeting the parents? Already?"

Hugh groaned, his playful demeanor slipping for a moment. "It's going to be terrible and they're probably going to nag me! You have to save me!"

Jonas couldn't help but laugh at Hugh's exaggerated distress. "I feel like I've been tricked... I don't really get along with parents." Seeing Hugh's distressed face, Jonas sighed. "I suppose I can join."

Hugh's grin returned, and he leaned over to kiss Jonas' cheek. "Thanks, sweetheart."

Jonas froze at the sensation like it burned his cheek, but he also couldn't help but think that those lips were incredibly soft.

Jonas took a moment to process what had just happened and for his heart to stop pounding. He was about to make a smartass remark when his attention was drawn to a younger kid in a St. Vincent's sweater who had just entered the cafe, laughing and flanked by a couple of friends. The kid's cheerful demeanor and familiar appearance stood out, momentarily shifting Jonas' focus.

"Holy shit, he looks just like you. Just nerdier and not as pissed off," Hugh whispered, getting a chuckle from Jonas.

"Actually, that's exactly what I used to look like in my sophomore year. Except my hair was longer, and I had a bit more muscle."

"That's adorable," Hugh said, trying to imagine it. "But I like how you are now."

They both leaned back, and Jonas draped his arm around Hugh's shoulders while continuing to drink his coffee. His eyes never left his younger brother. He tried to keep a straight face while his heart raced uncontrollably, especially when Hugh nestled his head in the crook of Jonas' arm. They stayed in this position, watching his brother play jazz piano for about an hour.

When his brother finished playing, they joined the rest of the cafe in loud applause, Jonas' face glowing with pride. Throughout the performance, Jonas leaned over to Hugh during breaks, sharing stories about him and his brother, revealing their closeness.

Hugh grinned and leaned close to Jonas. "Go to the front, and I'll give your brother a message." He knew they didn't talk often, not even through text, but the bond between them was still strong.

Jonas hesitated, but Hugh wouldn't budge. Jonas sighed. "Tell him, 'It was the best performance yet, baby brother.' But Hugh, be careful. We don't want to start too much shit here."

Hugh had a history of taking bold risks. Hugh, noticing the hesitation, gave him a reassuring push. "I am the most careful person you'll ever know." This statement made Jonas wince.

The last time Hugh claimed to be careful, he ended up breaking the basketball hoop at school, leading to a chaotic chase by the teachers. There was also that time Hugh insisted on sneaking into the abandoned factory for a "quiet exploration," which resulted in them narrowly escaping a very angry security guard. Jonas couldn't help but remember all the other times Hugh's "careful" plans had spiraled into unexpected adventures. Still, he trusted Hugh's heart, if not his sense of caution.

Jonas shook his head and stealthily made his way to the front. Hugh walked casually towards the stage near Eli. Jonas sighed; you just couldn't hide the confidence and air of a long-term King like Hugh. He had already drawn the attention of most of the cafe, his presence commanding and impossible to ignore.

Eli's eyes widened as the intimidating figure approached him. He tried to step back, but Hugh's long strides brought him to Eli before he could retreat.

Hugh bent down to reach Eli's ear and lowered his voice. "A friend of mine said, 'This is the best performance yet, baby brother.'" A gasp escaped Eli, and he started to smile. He gave Hugh an appreciative nod.

Jonas watched the interaction, and the corner of his lips curled up slightly. As Hugh made his way towards him, Jonas pushed off the wall he was leaning on, ready to meet him. Just then, a dozen St. Vincent's students entered the cafe. Jonas raised an eyebrow, recognizing some but not all of them. It seemed half of the group were new transfer students.

Jonas' eyes narrowed slightly, his instincts kicking in. The newcomers were sizing up the place, assessing the atmosphere just as he and Hugh had. The presence of so many unfamiliar faces from St. Vincent's added a layer of tension to the cafe's cozy ambiance.

Jonas tensed as Hugh and the group crossed paths. Predictably, a large St. Vincent's student shoulder-checked Hugh, only to be the one pushed back.

Hugh grinned. "Excuse me."

The large kid grabbed Hugh's collar. "Watch where you're going, asshole."

Hugh shrugged and kept smiling. "That's why I said, 'Excuse me.' Manners and shit like that."

Jonas sighed and began making his way over, cursing under his breath when the kid ripped off Hugh's beanie, revealing his unique silver hair.

Half the cafe gasped and backed away, knowing exactly who he was. Mad Dog was a King you ran from.

"You sure you want to start this?" Hugh asked.

"You shouldn't have gotten in my way, fuckboy," the kid snarled.

Hugh chuckled at the insult. He pulled up his sleeves, running his hands through his hair, exposing his crown tattoo.

One of the other kids tried pulling the instigator away. "Eric, he's Mad Dog. He's the worst King in Hawkings."

Eric laughed, his grip around Hugh's shirt tightened. "I don't give a shit who he is. He's by himself right now."

Jonas pulled his hat down low, letting the dim lighting in the cafe help conceal his face. He then rolled up his sleeves, revealing his crown tattoo. Stepping forward, he casually draped his arm around Eric's shoulders, his presence known.

"You sure about that?" His voice was cold and deep.

Eli's eyes widened with a wave of happiness as he recognized the figure approaching. Though the newcomer hid his face, Eli knew precisely who he was. Masking his emotions, Eli's eyes danced with excitement at seeing his big brother. Not only was he here, but he had come to one of Eli's performances.

Jonas looked up and caught Eli's eyes, giving him a subtle wink.

While the brothers shared this brief connection, Eric trembled with anger at being touched so casually. He glared at the hand on his shoulder, but his breath hitched when he saw the crown tattoo on the wrist.

Seizing the moment, Hugh grabbed Eric's arm and twisted it sharply, forcing him to release his grip on Hugh's shirt. Hugh stepped away, laughing. The sound echoed in the now-silent cafe, a chilling reminder of his reputation.

Eli cautiously called out. "Eric, how about we just leave it."

Eric rounded on Eli. "How about you shut up and just put on your gay show, piano boy."

Hugh gave an exasperated sigh. "Shit. Murder was not part of the plan tonight, but I guess we're improvising."

Jonas tightened his grip around Eric's shoulders, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Eric shrank back, sensing the menace radiating from him.

"You like shows?" Jonas asked with a cold smile. "How about a magic trick? I'll make the lights go out without moving from this spot."

Eric barely had time to register the words before Jonas grabbed a fistful of hair from the back of his head. "Abracadabra, motherfucker."

With a swift, brutal motion, Jonas slammed Eric's head onto the table. The sickening thud echoed through the cafe, and Eric crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The cafe fell into stunned silence, and people tried to pull back, blending into the walls.

Hugh looked around with a wide grin. "Tada!"

Jonas stifled a laugh at how ridiculous it sounded in the silent cafe.

Turning towards Eli, he said, "I liked the piano but hate the sweater." He pointed to the St. Vincent's emblem, then grabbed Hugh and quickly made his way out the door.

Eli held back his smile as he watched his brother and friend walk away, exchanging banter. Awe filled him, knowing his brother was now one of the legendary Kings of Hawkings and friends with Mad Dog.

"You seriously said 'Tada.' Ta—fucking—da."

"You started it with the abracadabra shit."

Hugh and Jonas were both laughing as they walked out the door. They quickly hopped on the motorcycle, taking off before anyone could follow them.