but the fighter still remains.

Chase watched Niko carefully. He didn't expect what he said to make everything better between them, but he at least hoped that Niko would have a better understanding of why he'd done what he did with Nando, that it'd be a step in the right direction towards reconciliation. He was relieved -- and surprised, though he'd be loath to admit it -- when Niko tossed him the beer, but he caught it and used the bottle opener he had on his key ring to pop off the top. "What's that sayin' about a broken clock's right twice a day?" he replied with a snort, sipping his beer. "We okay for now at least?"

"I'm pretty sure it's just 'a broken clock's right twice a day'." He remarked dryly, giving his friend a quick once over. He'd be lying if he said that forgiveness felt entirely good -- sure, the logical part of his mind had assessed the situation, his friend's pleas for forgiveness, for peace, and had decided it was worth it. But the other loud, incredibly paranoid part, the one that had kept Niko safe (yet isolated) all of these years? That was a different story, but at the very least letting this barrier between them fall would allow him to keep a closer eye on him. To make sure he wouldn't be caught off guard again. "Yeah, we're okay." Niko agreed. "For now."

"That wasn't my call." Chase had wanted to loop Niko into things, but Nando had wanted to keep things limited, unsure of who he could trust within the organization that had betrayed him. And then Chase stared at him as silence passed between them, Niko's words lingering in the tension. Chase was known for his temper, and though a part of him wanted to curse the man in front of him for questioning his loyalty and storm out of the room, he could tell there was hurt there beneath everything, the same emotion that fueled most of Chase's anger. "I'm not gonna turn on you," he started, as though the answer were the most obvious thing in the world, "because you've never used me for your own agenda. Never let me take the fall for you without showin' some kind of gratitude or returnin' the favor. You've had my back since day one when I was a stupid kid gettin' into trouble tryna make money to send my brother to school. We ain't always seen eye to eye, but it didn't mean the love wasn't there." At least until now, he left unsaid. "She never hated you the way she did me. You had the family ties, that reputation to back you before you could prove yourself. I only had Matias's word backin' me up, and we know how much good that was worth." Chase scoffed. "You know how much I sacrificed for her, for Los Santos, and then I gave up what should've been the rest of my damn life behind bars 'cause I wouldn't rat her out. And how's she repay that, huh? Tried to kill me like I was just some loose end for her to tie up, somethin' to check off her to do list." He looked away. "I trust you with my life, Nik. Always have, always will."

He stayed silent as Chase made his case, noting the frustration that fueled his words -- and, admittedly, despite Niko's own preconceived notions and trust issues, it was hard for him to argue with anything that he said. The two of them had been thick as thieves for much of their lives, family in everything but blood. Hell, Chase had even seen him through some of the worst, most perilous moments of his life and yet never treated him with any pity, or like he was damaged or broken. Why had it been so easy for Niko to disregard all of that? The answer was simpler than he'd care to admit; he was broken, since his injury had succumbed to the darkest places of his mind that warded off anything -- anyone -- who had the potential to cross him, to hurt him. And it worked, to a degree, but at what cost? Well, that part Niko was still trying to figure out, but at least in that moment there was some twinkle of clarity that caused a simple sigh to fall from his lips.

A smile stayed painted on Mikayla's lips as she listened to him, taking in what was said and what was written between the lines as best she could. Though there were still so many hidden corners and secrets tucked away in the man she loved, she knew it was only a matter of time before they would come to know one another inside and out like their favorite books. He was a mystery she was excited to dive into and watch unravel before her eyes. "I did promise, didn't I? To take whatever parts of you you're willing to give me when you're ready," she remarked, cupping his cheek and running her thumb along the ridge of his cheekbone. She had meant it then, when things were still new and uncertain, and she meant it even more now. "And for what it's worth, I like the idea of getting to wake up next to you most mornings."

"You did." But saying it and actually following through were two entirely different things, and from the beginning Mikki had stuck to her word. Perhaps he didn't have the means, the confidence even, to convey exactly how much it meant to him in that moment, but he could only hope that she understood him enough by now to realize that. "Mmh, you say that now. Just wait 'til you're on the receiving end of one of my cousins' drop-ins -- they can happen at any time, and they never call first." He smirked, tilting his head to lean further into her soft touch, adding then, "I like the idea, too.."

"Well you should make it. Any strong leader is well read, or at least makes the attempt," she suggested. At the mention of a contact in common, a warm smile formed on her lips. "Ms. Valdez," she said with a nod. "I have a character in this book based off of her, I forgot to tell her that. Thanks for the reminder," she said and took out her phone to set the reminder before she forgot. "Was I aware that my Dad is a homicidal maniac who kidnapped your girlfriend?" She kept her voice low despite how casually she said it. She took a moment to take Niko in, wondering what would make him feel such a way that he'd come to her directly. She was honestly surprised it had taken so long for anyone to come talk to her. She had always expected the boys on the bikes to pay her a visit one day but it had never happened. She wondered for a moment if that had been their ignorance or her father's sincere protection.

He knew better than to immediately assume that Valentina was suggesting his leadership skills must have been lacking -- or better yet, comment on it -- but considering his stubborn nature it was hard not to let the notion fester. "I'll keep that in mind." He said through gritted teeth, attempting to wash his own ego down with a sip of coffee. The immediate desire to protect his own pride was something he was self-aware enough to know he had to work on, but thankfully he'd never been one to jump the gun. A brow raised in slight surprise at the harsh words chosen for Giovanni, having been told that Valentina was no fan of her father but not necessarily expecting her to come right out with it. "Yes. That." Considering she was the one to turn him in, he'd expected as much -- but, then again, some people would do anything to take the mantle for themselves. Right now he was trying to assess if that was Valentina's play.

@nikodimopoulos

It took everything in him not to crack a smile and enrage Tori further, thankful for all the practice he'd garnered over the years maintaining a stoic demeanor. "I know," he replied, exhaling a plume of smoke as he glanced at his cousin beside him. He could empathize with her anger (for once), having had plenty of run-ins with shit customers over the years while needing to keep his mouth shut. Only difference was that Niko had the patience of a saint when it came to anyone outside of the family -- and Tori? Well, hers ran a bit thin. "Alright, alright. I'll take the table, just lower your fucking voice before they decide to bash us online. The walls ain't that thick from the outside." He warned, tapping the ash off of the end of his cigarette. "How the hell did you handle all the assholes back when you were workin' at the hospital? Couldn't just let 'em die. 'Less you really are that spiteful."

Mikayla was grateful that she didn't have to wait to receive the gift, her curiosity -- and impatience -- getting the best of her. She couldn't recall mentioning anything in particular that she would want as a gift, which meant he must have anticipated something she would need someday, ever the practical one. When he held up the key, even before he explained its purpose, the realization dawned on her what this meant. "It's perfect," she told him, voice soft. She reached out to take it, grasping onto it as though it were a precious gem. In a way, it was; it was clear Niko's solitude was important to him after dealing with people all day, so to know that he not only didn't mind but actually welcomed her presence enough to give her free reign felt like a major show of trust and a big step in their relationship. "I hope you know this means I'll be over here more often than not now."

"That's kind of the point." Niko said with a grin, relieved that she seemed to be taken by the gesture. It was strange, how quickly things could develop and change -- and not always in a negative way like he'd once believed. "There's a lot going on right now, between the restaurant and..." He trailed off, shaking his head. The details weren't important right now, not when his plans had only been a mere discussion with his cousin, "...regardless, it'd be nice not to have to make plans to see you. And to know that you're safe." A shrug pulled at his shoulders. "Not to mention this place is a fucking fortress. I'll have to teach you how to use the security system. It's...extensive." That was putting it lightly. He let out a breath, hands resting at the small of her back before pulling her closer. "Thank you. For being patient with me." Niko remarked softly, gaze flickering away momentarily. Being vulnerable was still something he had to get used to. "I know there's -- there's still a lot I haven't told you, but...I hope that this can help explain that it's not because of you that I haven't."

Chase rose a brow at Niko's response to his joke. He figured Niko wouldn't have totally been out of the game, but it did make him curious what exactly he was doing in that time. He hadn't heard anything about drugs still being moved back and forth in the area, but he hadn't necessarily been keeping his ear to the ground in the same way since Alejandra's death. "So, all the times I've been there and had your back over the years mean nothin' now 'cause I didn't consider how the fall out would affect you? How's that enough to break your trust unless it was flimsy to begin with?" he asked, maintaining an even tone. He was genuinely trying to understand where Niko was coming from and failing. He'd always seen Niko like family, but maybe the feeling had never been mutual. "I'd get it if I'd ratted you or your family out to the feds or somethin'... Look, I know I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but you're gonna have to explain it to me like I'm a kid so I can get where you're comin' from here."

"Of course I fucking trusted you -- you and Hernando, I trusted with my goddamn life. You know how many people outside of my family I can say that about?" The question was a rhetorical one, but Chase knew him well enough to know that there were very few people he'd put his life in the hands of. Jaw set, he finished off the rest of his beer as the other male continued on, turning his back brief moment so that he could place the now-empty glass by the sink. "You want to talk about trust? You left me in the fucking dark, McCoy," Niko explained, brows arching as he leaned back against the counter. "Regardless of how well you and Valdez managed to pull that shit off, it was stupid. It was reckless. This isn't just about your little joyride imploding everything my family has built for the past thirty years -- I'm a grown man, I've come back from much fucking worse." He shook head. "How the hell can I trust that you ain't gonna stab me in the back if I piss you off the wrong way? Or that you'll take matters into your own hands again and leave me to deal with the fucking fall out?"

Chase bit his tongue to not snap back at the lapdog comment, knowing full well that Niko was doing it purposefully to get under his skin. "He and his girl rode outta town into the sunset to live happily ever after somewhere, otherwise he'd be here himself," Chase explained, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stepped inside, toeing the door closed behind him. Chase hummed low at Niko's comment about Giovanni's goons, though, knowing full well there had been plenty of people who had gotten hurt because of the men the CEO had hired. "Guess your time off hasn't made you soft yet." It was a light joke, one he realized he probably shouldn't make seeing as he was one of the reasons for Los Santos skipping town. He paused, debating if he should continue. "M'glad you're good. I would've had your back if you'd asked."

Niko simply let out grunt, knowing that whatever he had to say about Hernando getting off scot-free, riding into the sunset with his girlfriend or whatever would not be productive in the grand scheme of things. Chase knew how he felt about the male, the entire situation -- there was nothing more to say. Jaw clenched slightly in response to the other male's quip, but he kept it hidden with his back turned as he moved to grab the beer he'd been nursing. "Who says I'm taking time off?" He tossed back, something he probably should have kept close to his chest -- alas, perhaps pride had gotten the better of him. Taking a sip from the bottle, Niko considered the sentiment, and a part of him knew that Chase was being honest -- that he would have been there if he'd asked. "Maybe." He said after a moment, turning to face the other male. "It's not about what you could've done, McCoy. It's about the fact that I can't trust you." Niko shook his head. "It's not personal. It goes beyond that for me. You know that."

"She didn't, but I think I finally understand why you're always so exasperated with your cousins," she admitted with a laugh, threading her fingers through the hair on the back of his head before settling them onto either side of his neck. At the mention of a gift, she squinted suspiciously. "Setting up that whole dinner wasn't my gift?" The surprise was evident in her tone, especially because she hadn't expected to get anything more. "So I shouldn't be expecting a portrait of you is what you're saying," she replied with a wry grin, referring to one of the gifts she'd gotten him for his birthday earlier that year. "Will I get it now or do I have to wait for it?"

"Believe me, you have no idea." He assured with a soft smirk. His cousins had all been on their best behavior, something he'd had to practically beg for (with extra cash, no less), so really this could be seen as a light introduction. His head tilted back slightly, leaning into the feeling of her fingers cascading through the short, dark locks on the back of his head. "No, that was dinner. I can do that any day of the week." Brows knit together, expression twisted into one of mock disbelief before removing his hands from her waist and reaching into his pocket. "Unfortunately nothing as good as that. You set the bar kinda high with that one." Never before did he think he'd be so in love with someone that he'd even consider hanging a giant portrait of them in his home for all who came through to see, but alas -- sometimes things had a way of working themselves out differently than even someone as prepared as Niko could prepare for. "It's for now." He cleared his throat, pulling a single key from his pocket and offering it in her direction. "I, uh, thought wrapping it would be a little much." A bit presumptuous, even. "But -- I was thinking, with everything that's happened, it might be nice for you to be able to go somewhere that you know will always be...safe. Whenever you want."

"Well, Helen has great taste, that is without a doubt." She took the copy of the book before looking up at him. She hadn't seen him walk into the bookstore but had spotted him once they were a few people in front of him in line. If he had wanted to catch her off guard, he had definitely succeeded. But at least there had been three people ahead of him that allowed her to ground herself quite quickly. "And how sweet of you to come all of this way just to get her a book." She signed the book before taking a glance at how many people were left in line. "Janet will find a table for us to have coffee," she told him as she handed back the book before motioning to her assistant who was standing by the table. "Fifteen minutes tops. Janet loves your family's restaurant, by the way." Valentina pointed at Janet again before calling the next person forward.

Niko stayed silent, allowing Valentina to say her pleasantries and sign the book. He wasn't lying; he was probably going to head to the post office and ship the novel to her figuring he would get a couple of brownie points for the 'just because' gift (and a couple weeks of peace without her guilt tripping him about why he hadn't dropped everything and visited), but he was glad that his firsthand reason for being there was obvious to both of them. "Fifteen." He repeated, glancing over at Janet. "That's kind. Next meal's on me." It was the very least he could do to make a good impression, even if he wasn't sure he fully trusted Valentina enough to do anything more than exchange pleasantries.

"Uh yeah, I'm very aware of that. Doesn't mean I can't care. Get used to it," she told him and peeked her head around the corner to see Mikki on the couch. Her heart ached and she yearned for the days where her Uncle was just there to handle it all. But he had trusted her to be his eyes and ears, the person who would hold it down and she wasn't going to drop the ball on that. "I'm always working. But I've worked my ass off enough to make my own schedule." That and see would be at work thinking about her cousin anyway so she just wanted to be around for a little longer. "I know you're fine, Niko but people caring just to care about you is a thing, okay? It's kind of our thing," she said and motioned between herself and Mikki. She took the seat across from him and sat back with her own coffee. "Plus, you're not the only one trying to find the details. Have you ever talked to his daughter? She's like, ridiculously gorgeous. And also a little intimidating. Totally my type. Anyway, you should just go talk to her. Not that you're asking my advice but I tend to give it freely. A gift and a curse."

Niko let out a simple grunt in response, taking a sip of his drink instead of arguing. It wasn't like he wasn't used to being fussed over -- the Dimopoulos women were particularly good at that -- he had just never been the type of person to be entirely comfortable with it. He had always strived for self-sufficiency, for independence, even at the expense of allowing others to show that they cared. Perhaps that was because Niko had been helpless once, pitied, and he never wanted that to happen again. "Talk to his daughter?" Niko repeated incredulously, his normally stoic expression instead twisting into one of disbelief. "Why the hell would I do that? What, she have some sorta family 'tiff with the bastard and decided she wasn't a daddy's girl anymore?" A scoff. "Sounds like a bad idea waiting to happen, Lupe."

He followed his cousin out wordlessly, claiming the seat next to his. "Yeah, from what I've heard. Dad still likes to say his piece so I assume it's all fine." Even family wasn't immune from his taciturn nature, both parents having learnt to keep phone calls brief. Well, brief by their standards. Huff of laughter was given to the idea of Titan getting certified, the notion of him accompanying them one he privately knew would never happen. He was far too protective over him for that. "Maybe. Not sure how much you'd like being shown up by a dog though." Lip curled up into a brief smirk, teasing with the idea that his bond with his dog could rival the bond that they shared. He nodded, a mumbled "I'm glad" given in response to the news. Niko's next words caused his brow to arch slightly, wry words leaving his lips. "Scared feels like a reasonable reaction." At least for someone unfamiliar to their way of life he figured it'd be overwhelming. Lighter was picked up and he lit up his own cigar as thoughtful silence hovered between them for a few moments.

"Must be business as usual then." Considering that everything seemed normal from their end, that was. The Dimopoulos' weren't exactly great at hiding news from each other, good or bad, so he was glad to hear things were hammering on business as usual -- or, rather, with a lack of business, with the elders now enjoying retirement. A simple shrug lifted at his shoulders, keeping the cigar at his lips for a few curt puffs of smoke. With everything going on, it was becoming hard for him to reconcile the fact that he'd need to keep Mikayla safe -- not simply from external threats. That part he'd vowed from the very beginning, ever since he'd been put on her detail when she'd first become a Los Santos asset. No; now he had to take great care to protect her psyche, to ensure that he wasn't piling onto her existing trauma, all while continuing on with the type of life that had afforded him everything he'd worked to hard to maintain over the years. The kind of life his father had dreamed about giving his kids over forty years ago.

Penny turned to look at the door of the room Niko had indicated, taking in a deep breath to prepare herself. Although he described the injuries as superficial, she could only assume that seeing her baby hurt at all would be hard to swallow. "Thank you for getting her here," she spoke before looking over at him again. "Knowing she's got someone who will be there in emergencies... it's reassuring."

A shrug pulled at his shoulders, never one to be particularly good at receiving praise. Besides, considering what he'd had to do to get her home, it felt strange. "That's alright." He responded. "You're still number one on the emergency contact list." The male remarked lightly, nodding towards the door. "Go on, I'll wait out here so you can have some time to yourselves."

WHO: @nikodimopoulos LOCATION: Niko's place

It had been a very calculated risk, involving his family in the celebration of his girlfriend's birthday, but ultimately one that had paid off. The male was no stranger to organizing private events for customers, often times the point person for the catering side of the business, but this was different -- this was personal. Considering the events of the last few weeks, Niko just wanted to ensure that Mikki had a nice, carefree time, even if it meant he'd have to make small talk throughout the night. Still, it'd gone better than expected, and his cousins had behaved themselves (mostly), but when all was said and done he was just glad to end the evening with her.