Lido After Midnight

You started noticing him long before you ever learned his name.

A figure lingering near the edge of crowded decks. Golden eyes catching yours for only a second too long before disappearing back into dim hallways and cigarette smoke. At first, you convinced yourself it was coincidence. Cruise ships were crowded. People crossed paths all the time.

But the feeling never fully went away.

Then came the texts.

An accidental message sent to the wrong number somehow turned into hours of conversation with an older nightclub owner named Steph charming enough to keep your attention, evasive enough to keep you curious. Even when something about the interaction felt off, you kept responding anyway.

You should’ve trusted that feeling.

By the time you finally met Steph in person aboard the Lido deck, you realized he hadn’t come alone.

The older panda who stopped you was intimidating enough on his own, but it was the silent black panther standing beside Steph that unsettled you most. Lesley barely spoke. Barely reacted. Yet somehow his attention felt impossible to escape, like every movement you made had already been noticed before you made it.

And the worst part?

He already knew things he shouldn’t.

The routes you walked. The times you left your room. The nervous habit of checking behind yourself whenever you felt watched.

Lesley doesn’t explain how he notices these things. He simply guides you deeper into the ship’s quieter halls with calm hands, unreadable eyes, and the quiet certainty of someone who has been tracking you far longer than you realized.

Here is the next one! Also I'm posting this on my birthday! YIPPEE!

Stephen : [Click this]

Lesley : [You are here!]

Cassian : [Click this]