Unspoken Bonds

Part 4: Breaking the Walls

It was two days before Kion and AJ got another call from the boss. Those forty-eight hours had passed quietly, at least for Kion. AJ had apparently taken it upon himself to text him random shit—half-done memes, blurry selfies, and occasional updates about what he was doing. Kion never responded. He wasn't the type to entertain foolishness. But for some reason, he never blocked AJ either.

When the call came, it was quick and to the point: another job. The boss wanted them to handle a delivery, but the drop-off was deep in enemy territory. High risk, but also high reward. Kion arrived at the warehouse first, as usual, leaning against his car with his hood up, arms crossed. He didn't even have to look up when AJ pulled up, the sound of his too-loud music giving him away.

AJ hopped out, dreads tied back, his energy already dialed up. He was all grins as he walked over, carrying a bag slung across his shoulder. "What's good, Kion? Ready to get this bread?"

Kion gave him a sidelong glance, not moving. "You late."

AJ snorted, stopping in front of him. "Barely. What, you keepin' a stopwatch on me now?"

Kion didn't answer, just pushed off the car and headed toward the warehouse. AJ followed, still talking. "Man, you really don't let up, huh? Alright, cool. I'll be serious. Game face on."

Inside, the boss was waiting, surrounded by a couple of other gang members, most of whom gave AJ a quick once-over before looking away. The rookie still wasn't fully trusted, but Kion's presence beside him kept the stares from lingering too long.

The boss handed Kion a small package wrapped tight in black plastic. "This one's time-sensitive," he said, his tone low and firm. "Take the side streets. Avoid attention. And don't fuck this up."

Kion nodded once, tucking the package into his jacket. AJ stayed quiet, watching and listening, but his usual laid-back energy didn't waver.

"Y'all know what to do," the boss added, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.

Back in the car, Kion was already running through the route in his head. He preferred moving quietly, unnoticed. AJ, on the other hand, didn't exactly scream subtlety, but so far, he'd proven he could handle himself when it counted.

"You good to drive?" Kion asked, his voice flat.

AJ glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You really gon' trust me behind the wheel of your baby? I mean, I'll do it, but you might cry if I scratch her."

Kion rolled his eyes and got in the driver's seat without another word.

The drive started smoothly, the city dim and quiet as they weaved through backstreets. AJ didn't talk much, only breaking the silence to point out something he thought was funny—a crooked street sign, a stray cat staring at them from a dumpster—but even then, his voice stayed low, like he knew better than to disrupt the focus.

Halfway to the drop, AJ pulled his piece from his waistband and checked it, the soft click of the safety breaking the silence.

Kion glanced at him, one eyebrow raised.

"Just in case," AJ muttered, sliding the gun back into place.

Kion nodded, his grip on the wheel tightening slightly.

They were close to the drop point when AJ spoke again, his voice quieter than usual. "You trust me yet?"

Kion didn't look at him, his eyes scanning the road ahead. "You think this a good time for that conversation?"

AJ let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Fair point."

The drop point was an abandoned building tucked between two crumbling warehouses. Kion parked a block away, killing the engine. He turned to AJ, his expression serious.

"We go in, drop the package, and leave. Quick and clean."

AJ nodded, his usual grin replaced with a more focused look. "Got it."

They moved together, their footsteps silent on the cracked pavement. Inside the building, the air was stale, the faint smell of mold clinging to everything.

Kion spotted the contact first—a short man in a dark hoodie, standing near a broken window. He didn't say anything as they approached, just nodded when Kion handed over the package. The exchange was smooth, but Kion's instincts told him to keep his guard up.

As they turned to leave, the sound of footsteps echoed through the building. AJ stiffened, his hand instinctively going to his waistband.

Kion held up a hand, signaling him to wait.

Voices followed the footsteps, low and sharp. "Told you I saw someone come in here. Spread out."

"Shit," AJ muttered under his breath, his body tensing.

Kion didn't respond, his eyes scanning the room for an exit. The front was blocked, but there was a staircase leading to the upper level. He nodded toward it, and AJ followed without hesitation.

Upstairs, they found themselves in a narrow hallway lined with broken doors. Kion moved quickly, leading them into a room at the end of the hall.

AJ closed the door quietly behind them, pulling his gun out as Kion peered through a crack in the wall. The voices were getting closer.

"How many?" AJ whispered.

"Four," Kion replied, his tone calm.

AJ nodded, checking the clip on his piece. "We takin' 'em or slippin' out?"

Kion considered for a moment before answering. "Slippin' out. Less noise, less attention."

They waited until the voices moved further down the hall, then slipped out of the room, moving quickly but quietly. Kion led the way, his movements smooth and deliberate, while AJ covered the rear, his gun steady in his hand.

They made it back to the car without incident, but neither of them relaxed until they were several blocks away.

AJ let out a breath, leaning back in his seat. "Man, you make it look easy."

Kion didn't respond, but the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

AJ noticed, his grin returning. "Oh, so you do know how to smile. Thought you was allergic or somethin'."

"Shut up," Kion muttered, but there was no bite in his tone.

The rest of the drive was quiet, but it wasn't the heavy, awkward silence Kion usually preferred. It was... lighter, easier. AJ might've been loud and unpredictable, but there was something about him that made Kion's usual walls feel a little less necessary.