Six Crimson Seeds (A VegasPete Persephone AU)

Chapter 12: Bruised

    "Have you ever handled a gun before?" Tay asked, tucking his silver hair behind his ear.

Porsche hesitated, glancing at Pete. "Once or twice," he said.

"Really?" Pete blurted. "I hadn't before I came here."

Porsche nodded but didn't elaborate.

"Well, we will show you the basics and make sure you know what you are doing, then we can practice if you want."

Porsche nodded, collecting the safety gear as he listened to Tay's detailed instructions. Pete hung back, using the opportunity to watch Porsche carefully. Pete wondered what his mark was. Over the months, Pete had been studying the book Vegas had left him whenever he had a chance, and he had a feeling that Porsche had to be someone big. The energy he gave off, in Pete's limited experience, was similar to that of Kinn, or Vegas even. Though no one made him feel the same way Vegas did, not even remotely. Shaking his head, Pete tried to focus.

More than wondering about Porsche's mark, Pete was curious about what kind of person he was. Pete was already of the opinion that Porsche was someone who could be trusted. Eventually. Porsche was clearly very loyal to those who were important to him, and Pete wondered what it would take to enter Porsche's inner circle.

"Pete?" Tay called, interrupting Pete's thoughts. "You might want your earmuffs on for this."

"Oh," Pete said, smiling as he scrambled to cover his ears so Tay and Porsche could begin target practice. Pete sat, watching Porsche's progress carefully. He was pretty good, Pete had to admit, but a selfish part of him still reveled in the fact that Porsche didn't earn the same high praise from Tay that he had on his first day.

___

Upstairs, Chay was being quizzed rapid-fire by Khun on multiple series. He asked about couples, plot twists, deaths, and more. Chay met him beat-for-beat until finally Khun smiled.

"I like you, Chay. You are approved to hang out with us cool kids."

"Thanks!" Chay chirped. "Do you know where Kim is?"

Khun's smile immediately turned into a frown. "What do you even see in him, anyway?"

Chay's eyes sparkled as he looked off into the distance. "WIK is just so smart and so deep. His lyrics are moving. His music is so soothing and his looks are out of this world..."

"Gross," came a voice from the door. Macau hadn't bothered knocking. As he walked in he looked around everywhere, his eyes narrowing when he didn't find who he was searching for. "You may like WIK, but Kim is a different person, kid."

"We're the same age, aren't we?" Chay bit back, crossing his arms.

Macau stopped his search to approach Chay, bending down until their faces were close. "Maybe, but you still act like a little kid."

Chay sputtered, turning his face away as he protested.

"Where's Pete?" Macau said, standing up straight again to address Khun and Arm.

"Why is everyone in my room if they don't actually want to see me?"

Arm rolled his eyes and answered, "Pete is at the gun range with Tay and Porsche."

Ignoring Khun, Macau nodded and grabbed a pretzel stick off the table as he walked right back out, leaving Khun and Chay to watch him with their mouths open.

"I don't think I like him," Chay said when the door shut again. Khun, without looking, reached a hand out for a high-five and Chay promptly obliged. Arm was left sighing as the other two went right back to gossiping again. Arm could tell it was going to be a long day.