𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘺, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙨

𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣

SAMUEL WATCHED THE TV CONTINUE, FEELING M.M. MOVE PAST HIM TO CELEBRATE. "Hughie, oh my God." He let out, the two men laughing as Billy heard the noise. Generous payments to parents... Been around for decades... Given to children... Samuel felt a little lightheaded. Hughie smiled at M.M. obliviously, Samuel tilting his head at the screen. The noise dumbed out, and he felt that same rush again, the culprit being the same drug they were exposing on the news ahead of him.

Did his Mom get payment? Was she hoping for one? What about his Dad? Did they try giving him any? Were they both paid generously for him alone? Was he a catalyst for his parents' economic benefit? Hughie caught sight of the boy's gaze at the screen, and his brows furrowed as M.M. hugged him tightly. "You lads touchin' yer tips?" A voice spoke, Billy and Frenchie joining towards the group. "Look at what the kid just did." M.M. spoke, a large smile on his face as the group watched the TV. Frenchie glanced back at Samuel, nudging the boy's shoulder lightly. His expression was unreadable to anyone else but him, and Billy ignored Samuel's antics.

Hughie smiled, Frenchie smiling too as he reached over to kiss Hughie on the lips. Giggling, Hughie watched Frenchie hug M.M., the two men laughing with one another as Billy's brows furrowed. "Nice one." Was all he said, turning to leave. "That's all you got?" M.M. and Frenchie separated, the group watching Billy turn around. "We've been trying to do this shit for years. Vought's finally fucking going down, and the kid did it, and 'nice one?'" M.M. continued, arm leading towards the TV. "All right, real nice one." Billy mocked, Hughie's smile falling slowly.

Samuel rolled his eyes, Frenchie watching the TV go on. "You can't even give me this, can you?" Hughie spoke up, stepping forward. "Not one goddamn win." He spat, Billy huffing. "I'll tell you what. When we're all done here, I'll buy you a nice, big, family-size bottle of top-shelf lube and I'll tickle your balls till you beg me to stop," Samuel grimaced at the sentence, eyes on the TV. "and even then I won't. I just won't do it. But right now, we got a Supe terrorist below deck and shot could go sideways just like-" Billy snapped his fingers, Hughie's jaw clenching at the man as he continued. "So all of ya, keep your fucking eyes on the ball, yeah?" Billy glanced at everyone, double-taking Samuel's expression before walking away.

Hughie watched him leave, feeling a pat on his arm. "Don't worry about him." Frenchie assured, M.M. agreeing. "Yeah, fuck him." Samuel raised his brows as he turned back to Hughie. "Good going." He nodded, watching Hughie's smile at the three of them.

∞

"WHAT THE FUCK?" FRENCHIE SPOKE UP FIRST, THE GROUP WATCHING A HELICOPTER APPROACH THEIR BOAT. "This is NYPD. This boat's been reported stolen, and you're all under arrest." Samuel scoffed from his spot beside Hughie. "Fuck sake." He squinted towards the helicopter. "I repeat. This is the NYPD. This boat's been reported stolen-" "I thought you said this boat belongs to a friend." Frenchie spoke up, looking at Billy. "Gather on deck and get your hands in the air now-" "Well, a stranger is just a friend you ain't met yet." Billy smiled, M.M. groaning. "Don't fuck this up." He warned, Billy huffing.

"I ain't gonna fuck it up." He replied, M.M. keeping his eyes on the man. "Vought's almost toast, we're almost home free-" "I said I ain't gonna fuck it up, all right." Billy interrupted, holding a radio. "Ahoy, gents. I am the captain of My Big Wet Dream. I'm holding papers, signed by the owner, for the lease of this vessel." He spoke up, Hughie's brows furrowing. Samuel had his hands in his pockets, awaiting the interaction to be over. "So there must be some kind of understanding..." M.M. looked behind them, Samuel watching his face fall gently.