Gnosis

CHAPTER 9: CHANGES II

Word Count: 5266
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A few seconds later, Five returned with Hazel trailing behind him. (Y/n)'s eyes widened, her posture straightening.

"Hazel?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and caution.

But her curiosity quickly turned to alarm as she noticed the gun in Hazel's hand, pointed directly at them. Five, who had just settled back into his seat, raised an eyebrow, his gaze cutting to the weapon. "You're here to kill us?" he asked, his voice calm, as if this were just another part of their 'normal' routine.

Hazel blinked, as if he hadn't even realized he was holding the gun. His expression quickly shifted to one of embarrassment, and he muttered under his breath, "Oh shit. Sorry, old habits." He fumbled for a moment before holstering the gun, his massive hands slightly awkward as he did so. "I didn't mean to—"

Five gave him a dry look. "Well, I can understand why you might feel that way," he quipped sarcastically. "After all, you attacked our house, tried to kill my family, kidnapped my brother... and not to mention (Y/n)." His eyes flicked toward his wife.

Hazel shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, about that... I'm really sorry," he said. "That was mostly Cha-Cha's idea, honestly. She always was the violent one."

(Y/n) pursed her lips, managing a curt smile. "It's all good," she said.

Hazel let out a deep sigh, his gaze shifting from Five to (Y/n) as if he were trying to explain himself. "Look, I know I can't change the past. We've all got blood on our hands — I'm not the only killer in this room." His eyes lingered on Five, then on (Y/n). "But, speaking of blood... that job you both pulled off in Calhoun?" He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "That shit's legendary. I can't believe I'm here talking to you two after all—."

"Hazel, why are you here?" Five asked, cutting him off.

"Well, I'm—y'know—"

Before he could finish what he was going to say, he was already flying towards the floor as Diego burst into the room and kicked him squarely in the chest. Hazel hit the ground hard, the impact rattling the furniture as Diego stood over him, his stance defensive, ready for a fight.

"Diego, no! Stop!" (Y/n) yelled, rushing toward the scene, but her words fell on deaf ears. Diego was consumed by rage, his face twisted in fury as he continued to rain down relentless kicks on Hazel. Each blow landed with a sickening thud, the force of Diego's attacks reverberating through the silence of the room. Hazel grunted in pain, barely able to shield himself from the onslaught.

"Oh, God," (Y/n) winced.

Five remained seated, casually sipping his margarita as though this were all part of his day. He raised an eyebrow at the chaotic mess before him, but his demeanor remained unbothered. "You know, before you kill him, you might want to hear what he has to say," Five suggested, his tone dry and detached.

Diego didn't respond. His breaths came out in short, ragged bursts, his focus entirely on Hazel. "I'm going to kill you for what you did to Patch," He growled. His hands hovered over the knives strapped to his waist, fingers twitching with the urge to strike. Hazel shot a desperate glance at Five, silently pleading for help, but Diego went for another attack.

"Or don't," Five muttered under his breath. "See how this goes." He took another sip of his drink, resigned to observing the situation unfold rather than intervene.

(Y/n), still standing near the bar, stared at Five in disbelief. "Aren't you going to stop him?" she asked, her voice laced with frustration as the fight went on.