~Asher’s Place of Madness~

“Will, come on! We got to leave!” Mike had been calling Will’s name for what felt like hours, even though only ten minutes had passed. Mike was starting to grow impatient. What was up with Will? Why hadn’t he woken up yet? Mike contemplated if he should just go upstairs and barge into their room, but he held back the urge. What if Will was changing? Sure, he’s seen his boyfriend naked before. But changing deserves privacy.

“Will!! Seriously, come on! Our reservations are soon!!” Mike shouted a little louder, but still no answer. His throat began to burn from all the yelling. He swallowed the soreness, but it still ached. Like a stinging sensation when you scrape your knee. Mike had this whole date planned. Go out to eat, stargaze, then come back home. Bake cookies, build a lego set, watch a movie, then go to bed. Perfect date. But this date isn’t happening if Will doesn’t wake up.

Will was never like this. He knew Will. Always up hours before their date, getting dressed, trying on twenty different outfits, asking for Mike’s opinion. Honestly, Mike found it cute and endearing. But, Will was sleeping. He wasn’t doing any of those things.

“Will!!” Mike shouted one late time before ascending up the stairs. He stood by their door, hand hovering over the door frame before knocking three times. “Will, are you awake?!”

No answer.

He knocked again, knuckles turning red.

“Will! You in there!”


Still no answer. He sighed as he slowly pushed the door open. There lay Will, still sleeping, still snoring. Mike sighed, but not in an irritated way. More in a disappointed way. He walked over to his sleeping lover, kneeling beside the bed as he shook him lightly. “Will, wake up, sweetheart.”

Will groaned in response, but his eyes stayed closed. Mike smiled, he always did when Will was like this. He brushed a strand of hair from his lover’s forehead. “Come on, you got to get up. We have plans, remember? You promised we’d go out.” Will groaned again in protest, shifting his body around so his back is facing Mike.

Mike stood up and sighed again. “Will…come on, seriously. I didn’t just waste this money for you to just stay in bed. If that were the case, I could’ve saved 200$,” he joked, “but really. Come on.”

“Five more minutes…” Will slurred. Mike rolled his eyes.

“No babe, now! We have to leave or else we’re going to be late.” Mike whisper-yelled.

“I don’t want to go.” Will talked with his eyes closed. Like he was talking to a dream than Mike.

Mike squinted his eyes in confusion. “Why not?”

“I just don’t want to.” Will yawned.

“Will…” Mike sighed, more irritated now, “come on, please? You promised.”

“But I don’t want to leave.” Will shifted his body to the other side, so he was facing towards Mike. “I want to stay in bed. With you. Join me.” Will took Mike’s hand.

“Will, no. We have plans.”

“Please, I don’t want to be alone. Not anymore.” Will gripped Mike’s hand tighter. Mike’s eyes softened at this. Will rarely ever did this, or even stated that he felt alone. Mike felt his chest ache at that, he knew Will was sleepy, and it was most likely the sleep talking. But Mike still felt horrible. He started to reminisce on the things Will went through, but pushed them down as quickly as they came. He smiled at him. “Okay, I’ll come in bed.” Mike climbed into bed, holding Will close to his chest.

The shuffle of covers and sheets was all that was heard for a few moments, before it settled into a deep silence with nothing but the rhythm of their heartbeats. For some time, Will didn’t speak. Neither did Mike. They just enjoyed each other’s company. Until Mike broke the silence. “Will, are we still going?”

“Yeah…just give me a minute to wake up.” He mumbled into Mike’s chest.

“Will, I’ve been calling your name for ten whole minutes straight. I was scared something happened to you.” Mike explained. Not to make him feel bad, just to explain.

Will clicked his tongue. “I’m sorry. I was just… in a really deep sleep I guess.” Will tried to brush it off, but deep down, he felt like shit for making his boyfriend wait for so damn long for him.

Mike pressed a lingering kiss to Will’s hair. “You have nothing to apologize for. I was just scared, that’s all.”

Will felt relieved after hearing that. But he couldn’t move. He wanted to, but he couldn’t. Their bodies were close enough, any movement and it would be obvious. Mike noticed immediately. The way Will was shifting uncomfortably. Like something was bothering him.

“Is everything okay?” He asked him.

Will immediately stopped shifting his body. “Yeah, everything’s fine.” He tried to sound convincing—he failed miserably.

Mike raised a brow. “You’re acting strange.”

Will rolled his eyes playfully. “Well, according to you. I always act strange.”

Mike chuckled. “That is so not true.”

“It is too.” Will punched Mike’s shoulder lightly. More like a love-tap.

Mike smiled widely at the small gesture. Will was so cute when he was coming down from sleepiness. “Okay sleepyhead, time to be honest with me. What’s really going on?” Will’s ears went beat red, his cheeks started to flare up. He wanted to tell Mike, but how on Earth would he? It’s not really something Will says out loud. It’s not even something that happens often to him.

“I don’t know how to tell you.” Will said too quickly. “I mean, I just, I—“ His blush became worse by the minute.

Mike shifted his body so he could pull Will’s body closer. A practice he often did when he knew Will was going to be vulnerable. But, that was an awful thing to do. Mike felt it before Will even noticed he did. The poke. The little poke that told Mike everything he needed to know. “Ohhh,” Mike dragged, a teasing grin plastered on his face, “it’s one of those mornings, huh?”

Will immediately hid his face in Mike’s shirt. “I wasn’t going to say anything!”

“Aww, why?” Mike cooed.

“Isn’t it obvious? I don’t talk about stuff like this…” Will dug his nails into his lover’s shirt. Mike just grinned more.

Mike chuckled fondly, placing another lingering kiss, but to Will’s hand. “You don’t need to be embarrassed, sweetheart. It’s normal. Sometimes it happens,” he reassured, “do you need some help?”

“From you? No.” Will said immediately.

“Oh? So you… don’t like my touch?” Mike trailed his fingertip teasingly around the bulge of Will’s pants. He shuttered, a cold chill running down his spine.

“I do like it… I just—“ Will stammered.

“Don’t know how to ask?” Mike finished. “Yeah I’ve learned that over the years.” He continued to tease Will with his fingertip, slowly dragging it up and down.

“Mike—“ Will said breathlessly, “please. Oh please, I want so much more of you.”

“More? Already? I’m not doing much.” Mike smirked devilishly.

“I don’t care! Please, I need you so badly. You have no clue.” Will whimpered a bit as he pleaded. “Please Mike, please.”

Mike’s face turned completely red, he’d never seen Will like this before. He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t a major turn on for him. He enjoyed seeing his lover beg for him. Beg for more. Beg for his touch. His touch. No one else’s. He enjoyed that feeling a lot more than he’d like to admit.

Mike’s smirk grew wider. “As you wish.” He slowly peeled off Will’s pants. He was completely erect, clearly enjoying the teasing a little too much. “Whoa…” Mike exhaled in awe, “damn. You really are in the mood.”

“Mike please, it’s already embarrassing enough that I’m like this. Don’t make it worse.” Will hid his face in Mike’s shoulder, face still as red as a tomato.

Mike immediately cupped his lover’s face, thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “Hey, what did I say? This is normal. Completely, normal. You don’t have to feel ashamed, okay? We’ll take care of this. Together. We can go slow—your pace.” Will placed his hand on his lovers. It was soft against his palm, the comforting kind of soft. Mike could feel his own erection growing. He slowly peeled off his pants too, letting the heat between them grow even more intense.

Will looked down to see both of them fully erect and leaking. He gasped a bit, chest bobbing up and down a little more rapidly than before.

“What if we… rubbed them together?” Mike suggested.

Will nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Okay, I’ll go slow. You can hold onto me.” And he did. Will wrapped a firm arm on Mike’s forearm as Mike bucked his hips up into him at a steady pace, watching as the both of them felt the heat from the other. Will’s whimpers became uncontrollable as it went on. Mike only grunted and groaned, not really fully moaning, but definitely enjoying the sensation nonetheless. “Fuck—Mike—don’t stop.” Will pleaded against his lover’s chest. That didn’t make Mike stop—no—it only made him speed up.

Will threw his head back a little, then back to Mike’s chest, his whimpers sounding more like cries of pleasure. “Fuck—so good—“ he managed through jagged breaths and gasps. Mike moved faster, the feeling of skin against skin was starting to become too much for Will.

“Mike— Mike I’m— I’m going to come.” Will gasped, the feeling getting too much. “Mike—“

“Hold it.” Mike interrupted.

“Okay— I’ll try…”

“Good.” Mike didn’t slow down, he sped up more. “So good for me.” He lowly growled in his lover’s ear. Will couldn’t stop whimpering, his noises were so loud, that he had to muffle them in Mike’s chest. He kept saying his partner’s name, feeling him buck against him in every good way.

Mike kept going and going to the point where it really became too much for Will to hold in. “Mike— I can’t— I’m going to come.”

“Yes you can.”

“No I can’t. I’m— fuck—“ Will couldn’t control his release, ropes of his essence spilling onto Mike’s shirt and stomach. He couldn’t catch his breath, chest now rapidly going up and down, almost hyperventilating.

Mike immediately pulled him close, shushing him. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”

Will squeezed Mike’s shirt, then gasped, because Mike was still going. “Ah— Mike no! I just came…”

“And I didn’t.” Mike smirked at his lover, moving faster.

Will there his head back again, eyes rolling. “Fuck— Mike.” He was seeing stars. Literally.

“You’re so fucking good for me.” Mike teased, nibbling Will’s earlobe. Will started to feel another climax coming.

“Mike I’m—“ he squeezed Mike’s shirt tighter, knuckles turning white.

“Hold it, I’m almost there.” Mike kept going until his breath became jagged and uneven. “Okay fuck— come with me!”

At the same time, they both climaxed, leaving a puddle of a sticky substance. Will couldn’t catch his breath, while Mike was just heavy breathing.

Mike placed a warm hand to Will’s chest, in an attempt to try and calm his lover down. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”

Will immediately chuckled. “Damn, that never happens.”

“Unless something triggers it. And I triggered it.”

“Yeah, bad boyfriend.” Will commented while rubbing his eyes.

“Oh hush, you liked it.” Mike pinched Will’s cheeks.

“I did.” Will smirked, kissing his lover on the cheek.

Mike stared at Will—really stared at him—then became overwhelmed with the thought about Hawkins. About all the bad things that happened there. They came to New York to start a new life. To start fresh. No superpowers. No Upside Down. Nothing. But he always thought about that from time to time, how Will must’ve felt being stuck in the Upside Down for over a week. The fear he must’ve had. The fear of never knowing if you’re going to die or make it home. The one time that Mike was in there, it was absolute hell. It was cold, unlike any place that Mike has ever been to. It was like his creations came to life. Though it happened some years ago, he still felt bad, like he could’ve done something else to prevent it. Like he could’ve protected Will better. “I’m sorry, Will,” he blurted out, ”I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.” Mike cupped Will’s face. “All those years, all that time, all those moments you spent crying, begging to be normal. I felt so helpless—useless—like I wasn’t doing enough as a friend. As someone you could turn to when you felt lost.”

Will immediately gave into Mike’s touch, cupping his face too. “Mike—“

Mike’s eyes started to well with tears. “I love you, Will. I love you so much, and I’m so sorry you had to go through so much alone. I wish I wasn’t so stupid. I wish I opened my eyes more to fully understand what you were going through. I’m here. Forever. No matter what.” Mike finally let the tears fall one by one, until he softly sobbed.

Will pressed his forehead against his lover’s. “Oh Mike, baby, listen. It’s okay, I’m fine, we’re fine. We’re okay. We’re not there anymore. We’re in New York, in our apartment, and our cat is yelling at us to feed her.” That got Mike to laugh, a real one. Will smiled. “You don’t have to carry that weight anymore, Mike Wheeler. Not now, not ever.” He pressed a kiss to Mike’s cheek, tasting his salty tears. “I love you too. I always have, always will.”

Mike let out a breathy laugh. “God, sometimes I feel like I really don’t deserve you.”

“Likewise.” Will replied.

Mike hummed as he pressed a tender kiss to Will’s lips. It was quick, but it was filled with emotion. Passion. Built up emotions from years of holding in feelings for one another.

Mike then started to get up to get cleaned up for their date. “Okay, let’s get ready.”

“Wait,” Will stopped him, grabbing his wrist gently, “just five more minutes.”

Mike just smiled at him. “Okay, five more minutes.”

You didn’t fit in the crowd at school. Everyone bullied you, all because you were the “nerd” and liked things like science and chemistry. You even enjoyed reading, like Pony does. Thats one of the main reasons you guys got along so well. He read ‘Gone With The Wind’ to you, and you read some of the pages to him as well.

School started like any other day, you walked through the halls with your head down, not daring to look up. You wanted to make yourself as small as possible, and pray that nobody will see you. But of course, it didn’t work. Darren, one of the biggest bullies there is, (of course he is, his name is Darren for crying out loud), nudged you into a wall. You let out a yelp in pain as your shoulder impacted the hard wall. You winched and rubbed your shoulder a bit, while Darren and his gang of lackeys laughed and high five each other. You watched as they did so, which landed you to become angry, but you couldn’t do anything about it. You were weak and you knew it.

Lunch eventually rolled around. You were relived. Finally, a moment away from those morons, or so you thought. As you walking to your locker to grab your lunch bag, a girl tapped your shoulder. You flinched and turned around sharply, she jolted back at your reaction, and you immediately caught yourself, straightening up right away

“Whoa hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She said with a smile. She was a blonde, and not your typical blonde, her blonde was light, almost a white color, her eyes were hazel and she had these precious cheek bones, and a beautiful smile. Oh yeah, she was pretty alright.

“It’s fine.” You said while looking down, holding your books to your chest.

“I heard you eat lunch alone.”

“Yeah, I don’t like the cafeteria. Too much noise.” That was only half true. While yes, you didn’t like the cafeteria because it was too loud for you likely. But the main reason was because Darren was there. And he sat at the same table, every day, no matter what. And you didn’t want him to see you.

“I get that. Would you maybe want to have lunch with me outside?” She gestured towards the doors that lead to some benches by the cafe. You couldn’t deny her, her smile mixed with her tone was enough to convince anyone. You betted that she could get a free drink from the bar when she gets older. You both walked to your locker to get your lunch bag, then you made your way outside to the benches. The sun was out, but it wasn’t hot, it was the right temperature. Partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon showers. Perfect. You opened your bag and began to take out your sandwich and digging in.

“So, what’s your story?” She asked with a tilt of her head.

“Hm?” You hummed, your mouth full of your sandwich.

“Oh, where are my manners. I completely forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ava.” She said, placing a hand on her heart.

“And you’re the “nerd” everyone talks about, right?” She did air quotes with her fingers as she said, “nerd.”

You didn’t like the word “nerd.” Although it did suit you, you felt off about being called that. You weren’t that smart, you practically had the same IQ as everyone else. You just took a liking to different things and that’s okay.

“I guess…” You trailed off while swallowing the last few bites of your sandwich. She sighed and got closer to you, placing her hands on yours.

“Listen, I know how Darren treats you, and it’s not fair! You don’t deserve it.” Her eyes met yours, and they stayed there. She wanted you know that she meant every word she just said. You nodded and smiled.

“Yeah…I don’t know. Darren’s been bullying me for like a year now. I’m kind of used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be,” she said sharply, “you should stick up for yourself. Put him in his place.” Ava didn’t move, she didn’t want to. Her hands stayed on yours, her eyes still staring into yours, and she smiled again.

“You have really pretty eyes, by the way.” The way she said it sounded like she was trying to seduce you, but in a more friendly way.

After lunch, the last class periods resumed. The bell rung and school let out for the day. Kids flooded the halls to get to their lockers and to the buses and such. You went to yours and packed the stuff you needed for homework and closed it. You walked outside, now the sun was out and hotter than before. You squinted your eyes due to the bright light and began to walk down the path to the student parking where your car was. Then, you heard a shout from across the parking lot.

“Hey nerd!” Darren. Of course it was Darren. Do I make a run for it? You thought. Will I have time to get to my car? You kept thinking. But it was too late. Darren was already striding towards you and he looked mad. Really mad.

“Hey fucker,” he shoved you against a car and pinned you there, “you were with my girl a lunch time, huh? Trying to take her from me? Well guess what, she ain’t going with a grease like you. So you best stay away, or things won’t be pretty.” You felt Darren’s hot breath on yours. Girl? Who? Then it clicked. Ava. Ava is Darren’s girlfriend. No wonder she was so nice to you.

“Listen man, I didn’t know she was your girlfriend, okay? She came up to me first.”

“You’re a fucking liar. Why would my girl walk up to a grease like you?”

“I don’t know man, ask her.”

“Fine. I will.” He let you go and stormed off.

“Ava!” He shouted across the parking lot. You didn’t want to stay anymore. You ran to your car, got in, started it, and drove off.

You arrived shortly after to the Curtis household, since that’s where you mostly stayed after school and in general. You parked your car in the driveway and got out. You could hear distinct chatter coming from inside. They must be watching a movie or something, you thought. You pushed open the door and saw Pony, Darrel, and Soda all watching a movie, with blankets and popcorn everywhere.

“Y/N!” Ponyboy squealed, he practically jumped up and hugged you tightly.

“Hey Y/N.” Said Soda casually.

“Hey Y/N, how was school.” You dropped your head a little at the word ‘school.’ You didn’t want to think about that horrible place.

“It was fine.” You replied as Ponyboy backed away to look at you.

“You don’t seem fine. Are you sick?”

“What? No. I’m not sick.”

“Then why are you fidgeting?” You hadn’t realized your hand shaking. Fuck.

You excused yourself to the bathroom and splashed cold water on your face. Calm down, Y/N. You’re home, you’re fine. You thought to yourself. You kept splashing your face in cold water. It actually helped with your nerves. You left the bathroom and sat in the armchair with the rest of them.

“You sure you’re okay?” Asked Darry.

“I’m fine, I just…I rather not talk about school when I first get home, okay?” You were seventeen, so school was a lot more stressful for you. But you knew that wasn’t why you didn’t want to talk about your day. You knew exactly why. Your eyes darted to Ponyboy who look really worried about you. You got up from your chair and sat down next to him on the floor.

“I’m alright, kid. Don’t worry about me.” You said soothingly as you ruffled his hair.

You looked up and saw Soda eyeing you. He had always been one to know when someone’s lying or concealing their feelings. There was no point in hiding how you felt when it came to Soda, but you didn’t know how to tell him. You didn’t know how to tell him that you get jumped by the same Soc almost every single day. You didn’t know how to tell him that you felt like a failure. You didn’t know how to tell him that you couldn’t stand up for yourself. You felt weak, dumb, wrong. So you looked away and tried to focus your attention on something else that wasn’t school or your bottled up feelings. Until finally, Soda spoke,

“What really happened at school, Y/N? You don’t have to hide it from us. We’re here for you.”

“Nothing happened, okay?”

“Y/N…we care for you. We just want to make sure everything’s okay.” You started to cry. They cracked right through you. Of course they did. The gang always knew how to get you crack. Soda was the first to reach you. He gave you a hug, a tight and caring hug that you so desperately needed.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Y/N.” He said softly against your shoulder. Soda was always there for you, he wanted you to know that he was. One time, you were skateboarding, and you slammed right into a pole. You passed out, but later everyone told you that Soda was there first and he practically begged the medics if he could come to the hospital with you. He loved you in more ways than one.

Soda led you into his and Ponyboy’s room, he sat you down on the bed and wipes the tears from your eyes.

“Hey, you too pretty to be crying.” He smiled and you did the same.

“Soda…”

“Hm?”

“How do I fit in?”

“Why would you want to?”

“Everyone calls me a nerd…and says things about me.”

“Everyone will have their opinions of ya, you just gotta be better than them, you know? So what if they call you names? I say they admire you from afar if they are calling you names.” He stroked your hair, he knew exactly what to say to make you feel better. You smiled and playfully punched his chest.

“I guess so.”

“I know so.”

His face was extremely close to yours. You could even smell the faint scent of his cologne, and the warm feeling of his breath hit your face. You blushed from the closeness.

“Can I ask you a question?” He said.

“Sure.” You replied.

“What do you think the purpose of life is?” You jerked back a little, but not too much as to where he noticed. Soda never talked like that, it was strange for you to hear him say that. You gave him a look that said: ‘Are you okay?’ He smiled and dropped his head a little then met your eyes again.

“I’m fine, it’s just a question.”

“Well…” You started, “I think the purpose of life to find what you love most, and maybe have a partner or spouse down the road.”

“Do you think that path suits me?”

“I think it suits everyone, Soda.” You pulled a piece of strand of hair from his bangs, which effortlessly fell right back to his forehead. He moved in closer and said,

“What if…” He interlaced your hands together, “what if our paths collide? And we become partners?” Your heart raced. What was going on with Soda? He never acted like this before.

“Soda…” Was all you could say, before he leaned in and kissed you right on the lips. Shocked, your eyes stayed wide for a moment, then closed, and you melted into the kiss.

He kept kissing you, letting you know that he’s desired this moment from the start. From the very moment you moved in with them. He only backed away when you placed your hands on his hips. He looked at you, face red and flushed. He was happy. Really happy.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-“

“No, it’s okay! I just- I don’t want Ponyboy to walk in.” Half true. Yes, you didn’t want Pony to walk in and see you two kissing on the bed, you also didn’t know what Soda’s intentions were. You know that Soda wouldn’t do anything without your consent, he wouldn’t you, never. But you could never be too sure.

“Did you like it?” He asked with a half smile.

My march continues until I reach my boss’ office. This time, I don’t huff, or second guess, I go straight in. Because now, I have something to back it up with.

“I was expecting you.” He says with his usual accent. He doesn’t meet my gaze due to him doing paperwork. I watch as his pen flicks off and on the paper, the way his other hand is pressed firmly against the bottom left side of the paper. I can even see the look in his eyes through his glasses. I always thought he looked nerdy with them on.

“Any info?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“Here.” He throws a yellow folder on his desk. I walk over and pick it up, opening it and looking it over,

“Dwayne Franco?”

“He’s been known to steal valuables from us. I bet you he’s the mastermind behind the whole cargo crisis, which I’m still trying to figure out by the way.” He says, as if loading all of this onto me will make me understand how stressful his job is.

“Yeah, I get it, you’re a busy man.” I say with a hint of sarcasm. He raises a brow at me, not out of sternness, but shock. I can tell.

“Well, I’m going to go now.” I turn on my heel, folded in hand, and leave the office.

I find my “partner” again on the rooftop. I tap his shoulder, and instead of him being reluctant, he spins around immediately, practically snatching the folder from my hands. He feels the texture of it first before opening it and analyzing the photo. I turn my head and look at the city lights, admiring them. They’ve always brought me a sort of comfort and security. I look back at my “partner”, seeing he’s still looking at the photo. Without thinking, I decide to speak.

“What? You recognize him?”

“We can’t go after him.” He states, his voice is shaking and unusual.

“What? Why?”

“Because he doesn’t work alone.”

“Well duh, what kind of dude who steals valuables from a Mafia would work alone?”

“No. You don’t get it. He doesn’t just do this business with a team. He works with the Rival Mafia.” The mention of the Rival Mafia makes chills crawl up my spine.

“What?” I say in a whisper, he nods along, his face looks different. He doesn’t look so infuriated, instead he looks…scared. And so do I.

“So…what can we do?”

“I highly doubt boss knows that the guy we are suppose to kill, is also part of the Rival Mafia. We should tell him and get some feedback. After all, Boss is the best person to go to for this kind of stuff.”

“Do you WANT to give him a heart attack? He will FAINT at the mention of the them.”

“Is it in your nature to underestimate everyone?” I take a moment to pause, to

pretend think to feed his ego.

“Maybe.”

“It shows. Come on.”

Shadow leads me to the Boss’ office (again). At this point, I know how many bricks and slabs are on the walls the amount of times I’ve been in here.

“Boss, we have a problem.” Shadow leads.

“Oh? And that is?”

“This guy…is part of the Rival Mafia.” Boss’ expression falter in seconds. His eyes become dark and filled with nothing but anger and rage. He slowly rises from his seat and walks over to me and Shadow, his expression more intense of close.

“I really hope what you’re saying is not a joke, because I do not take kindly to jokes.” Boss cocks his head at me, as if referencing towards me. I plead the fifth.

“No. Not a joke. I-“ Shadow stops himself, “we know for a fact.”

“How?” Good question. I didn’t even think to ask Shadow how he knew.

“Because…I used to work for them.” Wow. Did not expect that one. Well, maybe I sort of kind of did. But not like this.

“You…”

“I don’t have any ties with them, I swear!”

“I will trust your words…for now. But if I have any sort of reason to suspect you, you will be placed on high surveillance. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now, tell me more about the Rival Mafia.”

“Well…they like to steal, for one. They also have a new weapon they are still making. It’s called, “The Prototype” it’s suppose to immediately kill enemies upon contact.”

“A weapon that could kill immediately…” Boss clicks his tongue, as if praising the idea.

“They have the best forces in the entire country. But they have a weakness.”

“Oh?”

“They lack tactical and stealth training. If we attack them from this standpoint, we could have an advantage over them.” Shadow stops himself, I can almost hear the tears brewing inside him just from his words.

“You’ve said enough. I will have time to ponder on this, you two may leave.”

As we leave, I can see Shadow shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face as he tries to calm down. I can’t help but feel guilt and worry.

“Hey, come here, take my hands.” I place his hands in mine and begin to do some breathing exercises. His sobs become more uncontrollable, I can tell he’s trying.

“Shh, it’s alright. I’m here. Just breathe.” He gives me a half smile in between his sobs, I can tell it’s been a long time since someone has said that. Furthermore, it’s probably been a while since someone was even there for him. Poor guy. And I thought he was emo. He’s just misunderstood. Soon, he calms down enough to say a quick thank you, before hugging me. I return the hug and slowly begin to rub his back up and down. That place must’ve really fucked with him. I can’t imagine what he went through.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now. You will always be safe around me. Always.”