Unspoken Bonds

Part 8: Unexpected

The next few days felt... different. Kion couldn't put his finger on it, but it was like something shifted in the air between him and AJ. Maybe it was the fact that they had hung out outside of gang stuff, or maybe it was the way AJ had started to show up more often at the spots Kion worked.

One afternoon, Kion was hanging out by the warehouse, leaning against his car and scrolling through his phone when AJ pulled up again, his usual cocky grin plastered on his face.

"Yo," AJ called, hopping out of the car. "I got a new speaker for the whip. You gotta hear it."

Kion glanced up from his phone. "You really out here tryna be a DJ, huh?"

AJ didn't miss a beat. "Might as well. Got the skills, you feel me?"

Kion shook his head, but there was that flicker of amusement in his eyes. AJ was, as always, full of energy. Kion, on the other hand, was starting to get used to it-his unpredictable energy, the way he always seemed to pull Kion out of his shell.

AJ walked over to Kion, tossing him the keys to his car. "Hop in, we gon' take a ride. You need to get outta here, man."

Kion raised an eyebrow, the tone of AJ's voice not leaving room for argument.

"You serious right now?" Kion asked, eyes flicking between the keys and AJ's face.

"C'mon, bro. I know you ain't tryin' to just sit around all day. I got some spots in mind. Trust." AJ said, pushing the keys toward him.

For a second, Kion stood there, hesitating. He wasn't used to being pushed into plans like this. He liked his space, his solitude-but the way AJ was looking at him now, all casual and open, made Kion feel like he couldn't say no. Not without looking like a complete ass.

"Fine," Kion muttered, grabbing the keys and tossing his phone in the backseat.

They spent the next few hours cruising around town, AJ blasting music that was way too loud for Kion's taste, but he didn't say anything. It felt easy, the way they just... existed in the car, the city lights flashing past. AJ was doing most of the talking-talking about his family, about some random girl he met at the club, and his thoughts on some street beef that was getting messy. Kion mostly listened, throwing in an occasional "Yeah" or "For real" when needed, but for the first time, it didn't feel forced.

They pulled up to a park near the edge of town when AJ finally killed the engine.

"You ever just chill at a park, Kion?" AJ asked, glancing over at him.

Kion shrugged. "Not really my thing."

"I mean, I get it. You too cool for that." AJ smirked, stepping out of the car and tossing the keys back to Kion. "But trust me, it's good to just get outta your head for a minute."

Kion stayed in the car for a second, his hands resting on the wheel. There was something about the way AJ looked at him, like he genuinely cared. It made Kion feel... weird.

He finally got out, locking the car behind him. They wandered down the park path in silence for a bit before AJ dropped the subject and just started talking about random shit again. Kion didn't mind. It was like AJ could fill any space with noise, and it wasn't annoying.

They ended up sitting on the grass near a quiet fountain, the sounds of the city distant in the background. AJ kicked back, his feet stretched out in front of him, eyes closed.

"Man, this shit is peaceful," AJ said with a sigh.

Kion looked over at him, a frown tugging at the edge of his mouth. "You sure you ain't a therapist?"

AJ let out a soft laugh, his eyes opening. "Nah, I just know how to find some peace when everything's chaotic. I'm all about vibes, bro. You could stand to catch some."

Kion didn't respond, staring out at the fountain, his mind far away. The way AJ always seemed to have an answer for everything started to make Kion uncomfortable. He wasn't used to people being so... open. So easy.

AJ tilted his head, his expression shifting slightly as he studied Kion. "What's up with you, man? You all quiet today. You sure you good?"

For a moment, Kion said nothing. His instinct was to brush it off, shut it down, but there was something in AJ's gaze that made him pause.

"I'm good," Kion muttered, not looking at him. "I'm just... not used to this, that's all."

AJ's face softened, and for once, he didn't joke around. He just nodded. "I get it. But you don't gotta be alone all the time, you know?"

Kion glanced at him, trying to read his face. He wasn't sure what was going on, but something about the way AJ said it hit Kion harder than he expected.

"I'm fine," Kion said, more to himself than to AJ.

AJ didn't push it, thankfully. He just leaned back on the grass, looking up at the stars above.

"I get why you keep your distance," AJ said, his voice quieter now. "But it's okay to let people in. Ain't nobody gonna bite you."

Kion shifted uncomfortably, not sure if he wanted to hear this right now. AJ's words felt too real, too close to something Kion wasn't ready to face.

"Whatever, man," Kion muttered, trying to brush it off. He wasn't ready to unpack all of that. Not yet.

AJ just chuckled, letting the conversation drop. But Kion couldn't shake the feeling that AJ had said exactly what Kion was trying to avoid admitting to himself.

The ride back was quieter. Kion drove, his hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than usual. AJ was still chatting, but it was background noise now-Kion wasn't listening as closely as he had before. His mind kept drifting back to what AJ had said.

When they pulled up to Kion's place, AJ was unusually quiet for a moment, watching him.

"Yo, I know you don't wanna hear this, but... you good, for real?" AJ asked, his voice steady, but there was a vulnerability in it Kion hadn't heard before.

Kion glanced at him, for once unsure of how to answer. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'm good."

AJ stared at him for a long moment, then cracked his usual grin. "Aight. Don't be a stranger, Kion."

Kion gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Yeah. I'll see you."

As AJ got out of the car and walked toward his own ride, Kion sat there for a second longer than usual. He hadn't expected that conversation to leave him with so much on his mind.

It was all starting to feel different.