I miss you, I'm sorry

Part 24

"Amin I'm worried about Aje," Sharky says as the pair  prepare the chosen lunch. 

"Me too. Why do you think that,"

"He's just, not been acting himself recently. He's kind of like.."

"Old Aj?" 

"Yeah." Sharky nods. 

They were referring to the times of when Aj lived with Chunkz, then Sharky, back when they were 19 years old, and Aj was spiralling down an endless hole. 

"Its like, he's happy, but he's not. There's something he's hiding, and I want to- need to get to the bottom of it," 

"I understand Sharks, but maybe its just the lockdown? Not being able to go out as much as before?"

Sharky puts the butter knife down and gives Chunkz an 'are you serious' look. 

"What?"

"Amin. Aj, mr. anti-social, mr. 'Staying in my room all day is a dream to me', Aj? be affected by the lockdown? Please."

"Yeah, but we also know AJ loves his freedom, and the lockdown has taken some of that away from him."

"I- ugh- I don't know." Sharky says as he begins tearing up, "I just don't want to see him hurt again. I- won't let him go back down that hole Amin."

Chunkz sighs, wrapping an arm around Sharky's shoulders, "Sharks, I promise you we won't let him. I know you're worried about him, I am too, but we also have to remember he's been through a lot, and the pain is inevitable. He's a grown man Sharks. Sooner or later he's going have to face each battle one by one, and its not going to be easy. The best thing we can do is show him how much we love and care for him, and let him know we're here." 

Sharky nods, "Yeah."  and before he can continue, Niko walks back into the kitchen.

Maybe he had over heard some of the conversation, as he was walking in. Okay, he was eaves dropping, but only a little! He had only heard that AJ was hurt? and they were planning to help him by showing him how much they love him?

Yeah, no way was Niko complying to that. He had sworn to never show the man any love after he broke his heart, it was all his fault. and Niko wasn't about to give in. 

"Oh great you're here. I'll go get Ken and we can eat." Sharky says smiling before rushing out the room.

"What were you guys talking about?" Niko asks, taking a chip from the bag on the counter. 

"Nothing too important, just about the uh vid we are gonna film." Chunkz was never a good liar, he could lie and get away with it sure, but when he had to cover something up it was difficult. 

"Ah, okay," 

"I'm back!" AJ screams from the door, slamming it behind him causing the whole house to shake.

"Are you trying to break this house," Niko yells, earning an eye roll from Aj as he prances into the kitchen and flicks the kettle on. 

"Even if I was its none of your fucking business." 

"Uh, yes it is. I live here too, if you didnt remember."

"Unfortunately,"

Chunkz walks out the room for a split second, to call down Sharky and Kenny from the stairs. 

"Remember that next time you want me to fuck you."

AJ chokes for a second before regaining composure, "Your dick's not even that good."