Unspoken Bonds

Part 9: Layers

The next few days felt like they were dragging for Kion. Work was the same-handling business, keeping his head low, doing what needed to be done. But his mind? It wouldn't stop replaying the conversation with AJ.

It was like everything about their interactions had shifted, like he was seeing AJ in a new light. The man didn't stop talking, always joking around, but there was something deeper in the way he looked at Kion now. Something that made Kion feel like there were parts of him that AJ had already figured out, even without him saying a word.

Kion tried to shake it off. He wasn't about to get caught up in whatever this was. AJ was just another dude from the gang, right? But still, it felt like every time they were together, Kion was... off balance.

It had been a week since that night at the park, and Kion was standing outside a corner store, checking his phone when he heard the familiar rumble of AJ's car pulling up.

"You're becoming predictable, bro," Kion muttered under his breath as AJ stepped out.

AJ laughed, slapping Kion on the shoulder as he approached. "Nah, you just starting to catch on. Ain't nothin' wrong with that."

"Yeah, whatever," Kion said, trying not to smile.

They were heading to a meeting spot for some small business deal, but AJ was being his usual self-chatting, asking Kion about his day, making random jokes.

Kion didn't respond much, but he couldn't help but notice how AJ's presence made things feel less... heavy. Normally, Kion would be focused, all business, but with AJ, it was like the tension he usually carried around was slipping away. He hated to admit it, but it was starting to make him feel a little lighter.

After the deal was done, they ended up at one of their usual spots, sitting in AJ's car, cooling off. The conversation was light, but something about the air felt... different.

"You ever think about what comes after this shit?" AJ asked, breaking the silence. He was sitting back, one arm hanging out the window.

Kion looked at him, unsure of where this was going. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, this whole gang shit. You ever think about how long we gon' be in this life? What happens when it's over?" AJ's voice was quieter than usual, the playful edge gone for once.

Kion stared out the window, his grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly. He wasn't sure how to answer that. He'd never allowed himself to think that far ahead. He lived in the moment, in the now-the hustle, the grind, the constant state of alertness.

"I don't know," Kion said, finally breaking the silence. "I don't think about it. Don't got time to."

AJ nodded slowly, but there was something in the way he was looking at Kion that made him uncomfortable. Almost like AJ saw more in him than he was letting on.

"Maybe you should," AJ said, his voice gentle now. "You ever wonder what you want when it's all over? What you really want?"

Kion shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm not sure what you mean."

AJ raised an eyebrow, but instead of pressing, he just shrugged. "I mean, we both know this life isn't forever. It ain't always gonna be about making money, hustling, and staying alive. Eventually, you gotta figure out what else there is."

Kion didn't answer, his eyes scanning the streets outside. It felt like AJ was digging too deep.

"You asking me to get all introspective and shit?" Kion finally said, his voice a little rougher than usual.

AJ just chuckled. "I'm asking you to stop running from shit, Kion."

The words hit Kion harder than expected. He glanced over at AJ, his face hardening. "I'm not running from shit."

"Are you sure about that?" AJ pressed, his voice soft but firm.

Kion felt the heat of frustration rise in his chest, but he didn't let it show. He wasn't about to get into some emotional conversation, especially not with AJ. He didn't know why it felt like he was starting to give a damn, but it irritated him.

"Stop talking like you know me, man," Kion muttered, slamming the car door as he stepped out.

AJ didn't follow immediately, but Kion heard him sigh, almost like he was giving him space.

"Look, Kion..." AJ's voice trailed off as he caught up to him, still keeping a distance, but not letting Kion walk away completely. "I know I push a lot, but I'm just trying to make sure you're not stuck, you feel me? Ain't no shame in wanting something more."

Kion turned to face him, his jaw clenched, but he didn't say anything for a long while.

Finally, he exhaled a deep breath. "I'm good, AJ."

There was a long pause before AJ nodded, his grin reappearing. "Aight, my bad. I'll lay off."

Kion looked away, but a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that AJ wasn't just talking about the gang life. He was talking about Kion, about whatever walls Kion had built up around himself.

The night passed, and Kion tried to let it go. But something had shifted. He could feel it in the air every time AJ was around now-an underlying tension that wasn't there before. AJ had crossed a line, and yet Kion couldn't quite bring himself to push him away completely.

He didn't know what it was-maybe it was the way AJ seemed to understand him without needing Kion to say anything, maybe it was the way he made Kion feel like he didn't have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone.

Either way, Kion knew one thing for sure: things between them were starting to get complicated. And that was the last thing Kion wanted to admit.