Unspoken Bonds

Part 20: A Step Closer

A few days had passed since that moment on the couch. Things had shifted. Slowly, quietly. But it felt right. Kion couldn't remember the last time he felt so... at ease with someone. With AJ. The touch, the kisses, the way they shared the same space-it wasn't just a phase. It was becoming something real.

Tonight, Kion's apartment was dim, the soft glow of the lamp by the couch casting a warm light over the two of them. AJ was sitting there, as usual, his legs stretched out, his hands loosely clasped behind his head. Kion, on the other hand, was pacing around the living room, trying to figure out whether to bother with another round of whatever TV show they were half-watching or just call it a night. The reality of their lives outside the apartment was always looming. Work for the gang never stopped. But for now? This, right here, felt good. It felt like everything else could wait.

"Man, you really just gonna ignore me like that?" AJ's voice broke Kion out of his thoughts, making him pause and look over.

Kion smirked, shaking his head. "What you mean ignore you? I just got a lot on my mind, that's all."

AJ rolled his eyes, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You always say that." He pushed himself up from the couch, stretching his arms out, before walking over to Kion, his steps slow but confident. Without saying another word, AJ slipped his arms around Kion's waist, pulling him into a tight hug.

Kion stiffened for a moment, but it wasn't the same feeling as before. There was no discomfort. It just felt... normal. This was their routine now. AJ's body pressed against his, their faces close as AJ buried his face in Kion's neck for a moment. The warmth of his touch was familiar, and as much as Kion wanted to push back, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed it.

"You good, Pa?" AJ murmured, his voice soft, low.

Kion took a deep breath, letting the tension in his shoulders ease. He wasn't used to talking about his feelings, but AJ made it easy. Made it feel like it wasn't a big deal.

"Yeah," Kion replied quietly, his hands moving up to AJ's back, his fingers tracing the fabric of his shirt. "I'm good."

It wasn't until they were standing there, wrapped up in each other, that Kion realized how much he had gotten used to this. How much he had gotten used to AJ. The weight of his body, the steady rhythm of his breathing, the way his presence just filled up the space in the room.

AJ pulled back just enough to look Kion in the eyes, the playfulness gone, replaced by something softer. "You know," he started, his thumb brushing lightly against Kion's jaw, "I think I'm startin' to like this... whatever this is."

Kion chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Ain't no 'whatever this is,' bro. This is what it is."

AJ's lips curved into a grin. "Right. You right." He leaned in again, his lips brushing Kion's in a soft kiss that felt more natural this time. No hesitation. Just... them.

As they pulled away, AJ leaned his forehead against Kion's, his arms still wrapped around him. "What we doin' later? You got work?"

Kion shrugged, resting his chin on AJ's shoulder. "Yeah, but I'm not worried about that right now. We can hang out. I'm cool."

AJ pulled back just enough to look Kion in the eye, and the soft smile that stretched across his face was enough to make Kion's chest tighten. It wasn't the cocky grin AJ wore around everyone else. This was different. This was just for him.

"Alright then," AJ said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm good with that."

For the next few hours, the two of them just hung out. The TV was still on, but neither of them was paying attention. They were too comfortable just being together, the conversations flowing between silences, like they didn't need to fill the space with anything else. They were just... existing together. And that was more than enough.

Around midnight, Kion felt the pull of exhaustion. He leaned back against the couch, his body relaxing into the cushions. AJ, still beside him, didn't hesitate. He moved closer, his hand gently resting on Kion's thigh, and before Kion could even think about it, AJ had shifted, leaning his head on Kion's shoulder.

The movement was natural, easy. Kion let out a deep breath, looking down at AJ, who was already half-asleep, his breath soft and steady.

"You fallin' asleep on me?" Kion asked, his voice low and teasing.

AJ groaned softly, but there was no aggression behind it. "Ain't nobody fallin' asleep, I'm just... chillin'."

Kion chuckled, running his fingers through AJ's hair. It wasn't anything major. But somehow, it felt like the most important thing in the world. He hadn't realized how much he'd gotten used to having AJ around-how much he liked it, how much he liked him.

It wasn't long before Kion's own eyelids started to feel heavy. He shifted, getting more comfortable. AJ shifted with him, never pulling away. It was easy. Just like everything else about them now.

They stayed like that for a while, the night growing later. Eventually, Kion's phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the silence. He groaned, pulling away from AJ just enough to grab it. It was a text from his cousin.

Yo, where you at? Big Boss needs you for the run tonight.

Kion sighed, his fingers brushing through his hair as he glanced over at AJ, who was still half-asleep, eyes fluttering open for a second before he closed them again. Kion's thoughts drifted for a moment, the weight of their lives outside this apartment creeping back in. It had always been like this-work first, everything else second.

But tonight... Tonight was different.

Kion put the phone back down, turning to AJ. He knew they had work to do, but for now? They were good. They were fine. And that was enough.

AJ stirred, blinking his eyes open. He looked at Kion, his face still soft, relaxed. "What's up? What's wrong?"

"Big Boss needs me for a run," Kion said, rubbing his neck. "Guess I gotta get goin' soon."

AJ nodded, still half-dazed. "Aight, just don't be too long."

Kion smiled, leaning down to kiss him gently on the forehead. "I won't. I'm just... gonna be a minute."

He stood up, stretching as he made his way toward the door. AJ stayed behind, still lounging on the couch, but Kion could tell he was getting used to this. Getting used to them. To being close.

"Take care of yourself, Pa," AJ said softly, his voice a little raspy from sleep.

Kion didn't say anything else. He just nodded, stepping out the door, his heart a little lighter than it had been when he walked in.