Dmitri arrived in the small coastal town, his heart pounding in his chest. He found the bar where Elías had been photographed and walked inside, his eyes scanning the room.
And then he saw him.
Elías was behind the bar, mixing drinks, his face etched with a newfound serenity. Dmitri's breath caught in his throat. He had imagined this moment countless times, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality of seeing Elías again.
Elías looked up, his eyes widening in surprise as he recognized Dmitri. A flicker of pain crossed his face before he quickly masked it with a neutral expression.
"Dmitri," he said, his voice cool and distant. "What are you doing here?"
The air crackled with unspoken emotions, the weight of their past hanging heavy between them.