Unspoken Bonds

Part 3: Cracks in the Ice

Back at the warehouse, the boss was lounging on a crate, puffing a cigar. A few of the crew were scattered around, watching as Kion and AJ stepped in. Kion carried the duffel like it weighed nothing, his face giving away nothing as he approached the boss and dropped the bag at his feet.

The boss grunted, giving the bag a nudge with his foot. "This it?"

Kion nodded, and the boss smirked. "Quick work. As usual." His eyes shifted to AJ, lingering a bit longer. "And you? You held up out there?"

AJ grinned, brushing a hand over his dreads. "Handled my part, no problem."

The boss chuckled, taking a pull on his cigar. "Good. We'll see if you keep that same energy when things get real."

AJ didn't respond, but his smirk said it all—he wasn't worried. Kion stayed silent, his eyes flicking briefly toward AJ before turning to leave.

Outside, the night air hit them like a slap. The quiet hum of the city buzzed in the background as Kion headed toward his car, his steps measured, purposeful. AJ followed behind, his movements looser, like he didn't have a care in the world.

They reached Kion's car, and without waiting for an invite, AJ slid into the passenger seat. Kion paused, staring at him through the window for a moment, then got in without a word.

The car was filled with a tense silence as Kion started the engine and pulled onto the street. AJ leaned back, tapping out a beat on his thigh.

A few blocks passed before AJ broke the quiet. "You mind if I roll somethin' up? All that action got me needin' a lil' somethin' to calm down."

Kion shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road.

AJ pulled a baggie and papers from his pocket, working quickly. The sharp smell of weed filled the car as AJ lit the blunt, taking a long drag before holding it out toward Kion.

Kion glanced at it but didn't take it.

"Suit yourself," AJ muttered, leaning his head back and exhaling slowly. The smoke curled around him, and for a moment, the tension in the car seemed to ease.

They drove for a while, the radio playing low, neither of them speaking. AJ didn't push for conversation; instead, he watched the city lights blur past the window, the faint orange glow of his blunt lighting up his face every few seconds.

Eventually, Kion pulled into the parking lot of a 24-hour diner. AJ raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, flicking the blunt out the window before getting out.

Inside, the place was nearly empty, the hum of a neon sign buzzing faintly in the background. Kion chose a booth in the corner, sitting with his back to the wall. AJ slid in across from him, picking up a menu.

A waitress came by, barely looking at them as she took their orders. AJ ordered enough food for three people, while Kion just asked for coffee.

When the waitress walked off, AJ leaned back in his seat, his eyes scanning the room. "This place mad quiet. You come here a lot?"

Kion shook his head, his gaze fixed on the window beside them.

AJ didn't press further. Instead, he leaned forward, folding his arms on the table. "That was smooth earlier," he said after a beat. "The way you took out that first guy—clean. You move different."

Kion's eyes flicked to him, unreadable.

AJ smirked, sitting back again. "Aight, I'll take the silence as a thank-you."

The food arrived, interrupting the moment. AJ dug in without hesitation, clearly starving. Kion sipped his coffee, his posture relaxed but still guarded, like he was waiting for something to pop off.

"You ain't eatin'?" AJ asked around a mouthful of fries.

Kion shook his head.

"More for me, then." AJ grinned, shoving another fry in his mouth.

The diner stayed quiet, the occasional clatter of dishes or murmur of a customer breaking the silence. AJ kept eating, occasionally making small comments about how good the food was, but he didn't force a conversation.

Kion found himself watching AJ without meaning to. The way he carried himself—so loose, so casual—it was almost irritating how different he was. Yet, there was something about AJ that made Kion's usual annoyance feel... less sharp.

"Why'd you join?" Kion asked suddenly, his voice low, cutting through the quiet.

AJ paused mid-bite, looking up. For a second, he seemed surprised Kion was speaking. He swallowed, wiping his hands on a napkin.

"Why does anybody join?" AJ said, his tone light but with an edge underneath. "Same reason as you, I bet."

Kion's gaze stayed steady, not giving anything away.

AJ leaned back, exhaling. "Ain't no mystery. This life's all I know. Might as well be good at it."

Kion nodded slightly, turning his eyes back to the window. AJ studied him for a moment, then went back to eating.

When they left the diner, the streets were even quieter, the city settling into its late-night lull. Kion walked to his car, AJ falling into step beside him.

As they got in, AJ tapped the dashboard lightly. "You ain't as hard to be around as you think, y'know."

Kion glanced at him, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You talk too much."

AJ laughed, the sound light and easy. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

The car pulled off, the city lights stretching out ahead of them. For the first time that night, the silence didn't feel so heavy.