To the end

25

Kim hung up the phone, the weight of the conversation still lingering in his mind. He walked back into the living room, where Vegas sat, flipping through a photo album. Vegas's focus was on the pictures, but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

“There's some good news,” Kim said, his voice steady, yet there was something ominous behind the words.

Vegas looked up from the album, his eyes meeting Kim's, expectant but wary. "What is it?"

Kim let the words hang for a moment before he spoke, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Thargen's dead. He was killed by an assassin."

Vegas froze, his heart suddenly skipping a beat. He blinked, not sure if he had heard Kim correctly. His mind raced. “Is that you?”

Kim's smirk widened, but there was no amusement in it. "You think I’d let him live happy after everything he’s done?" He stepped closer to Vegas, his eyes intense. "No, Vegas. I made sure he wouldn't hurt you—or anyone else again."

Vegas didn’t know how to respond. His emotions swirled—shock, confusion, and fear all blending into one. His hands trembled slightly as he closed the album, his gaze dropping to the floor.

Kim noticed the shift in Vegas’s demeanor immediately. He knew Vegas was processing the weight of the news, the heavy reality of it all. Vegas's mind was undoubtedly running through a thousand scenarios, none of them good.

"Hey," Kim's voice softened, stepping closer, his hand resting gently on Vegas’s arm. "It’s over now. You’ll be okay. Everyone will be okay. Thant will take care of things. You don’t have to worry about it."

Vegas didn't look up immediately, but Kim could feel the tension in his body. Kim squeezed his arm, offering comfort, silently reminding him that he wasn’t alone. Vegas finally met his gaze, but there was a lingering doubt in his eyes.

“Are you sure?” Vegas’s voice was barely a whisper.

Kim nodded. “I promise. It’s over. You’ve been through enough.” He gave him a reassuring smile, though he knew Vegas’s heart was still heavy.

“Just trust me,” Kim added softly. “You don’t have to carry this weight. Not anymore.”

Vegas stayed silent for a moment, his mind still trying to process everything. The weight of the past few years—the pain, the betrayals—seemed to crash down on him all over again. He glanced at Kim, searching for something in his eyes, something to hold onto.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "What now, Kim? What do we do now?"

Kim looked at him with understanding, the corners of his mouth curving into a small, reassuring smile. "Now, we move forward. Together. No more looking back, Vegas. We get to decide what comes next."

Vegas felt a shift in his chest, a sense of relief mingled with uncertainty. It wasn’t going to be easy. There would still be scars, still be moments of doubt. But with Kim beside him, he realized, maybe—just maybe—it would be worth it.

Kim reached out, lifting his chin with a finger, gently guiding Vegas to meet his gaze. "You don’t have to face this alone anymore."

Vegas nodded, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. It wasn’t just about the the chaos they’d lived through. It was about trust—trust that Kim wouldn’t let go, that he wouldn’t abandon him like the others.

The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a pause, a shared moment of understanding. Then, Kim leaned in, pressing his forehead against Vegas's, the warmth of his presence a silent promise.