Unspoken Bonds

Part 21: Making It Work

A week passed since that quiet night on the couch. Things between Kion and AJ had shifted even more-subtle, but noticeable. The touches came naturally now, like second nature. AJ no longer hesitated to pull Kion close, and Kion? He didn't pull away anymore. It felt... normal, and for the first time in a long while, it didn't scare him.

But outside of their bubble, life went on. The gang's demands didn't slow down, and balancing their connection with the chaos wasn't easy. Kion's phone constantly buzzed with updates, plans, and demands from Big Boss. AJ wasn't spared either, sometimes being called out for smaller tasks. Still, they found time to make it work.

Tonight, AJ and Kion were lounging at Kion's place, the faint glow of the TV illuminating the room. AJ was scrolling through his phone while Kion absentmindedly picked at the label on his beer bottle. The night felt calm, like the storm outside their walls didn't exist for the moment.

"You ever think about takin' a break from all this shit?" AJ asked, his voice casual, but the weight behind his words wasn't lost on Kion.

Kion raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. "What you mean? Like... the gang?"

AJ shrugged, not looking up from his phone. "Nah, I mean, like, life in general. You ever think about just... disappearing for a minute? Catchin' a breath?"

Kion huffed a quiet laugh, leaning back on the couch. "Ain't no breathin' in this life, AJ. You know that. We don't get breaks."

AJ finally looked at him, his expression soft but serious. "Yeah, maybe. But if we did... what you think you'd do?"

Kion paused, his lips pressing into a thin line. He didn't know how to answer that. He'd spent so long wrapped up in this life that imagining anything else felt... foreign.

Before he could respond, AJ set his phone down and shifted closer, leaning into Kion's side. His hand rested on Kion's thigh, his touch light but grounding. Kion tensed for a moment, but when he felt AJ's fingers tracing lazy patterns against his leg, he relaxed.

"You always so serious," AJ teased, his lips curving into a smirk. "Chill out for once."

Kion rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Man, I am chillin'. This is me chillin'."

"Nah, this is you thinkin' too much," AJ shot back, sliding his arm around Kion's waist and pulling him closer. "Let me fix that."

Kion raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh yeah? How you gonna do that?"

AJ didn't say anything. He just leaned in, pressing his lips against Kion's in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn't rushed or hesitant like before. It was easy, familiar. When they pulled away, AJ rested his forehead against Kion's, grinning.

"There. Fixed."

Kion shook his head, chuckling under his breath. "You stupid."

"And you love it," AJ quipped, his grin widening.

The sound of kions phone buzzing on the coffee table broke the moment. He sighed, reaching for it, but AJ grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

"Uh-uh," AJ said, shaking his head. "Leave it. Whoever it is can wait."

Kion hesitated, his eyes flicking to the phone, but AJ's grip didn't loosen. He sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Alright, fine. But if Big Boss gets on my ass about it, that's on you."

AJ smirked, resting his head against Kion's shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. Blame me all you want."

For the next hour, they stayed like that-AJ sprawled out against Kion, their legs tangled together. The TV played in the background, but neither of them paid attention.

Eventually, a phone buzzed again, and this time, it was AJ's. He groaned, reaching for it and glancing at the screen. "Shit, it's Laila's mama. Hold up."

Kion nodded, letting AJ sit up to take the call. He watched as AJ's tone shifted, softer and more serious as he talked about picking up Laila the next day. When AJ hung up, he turned back to Kion, his expression apologetic.

"Gotta grab Laila tomorrow. You cool with me bringin' her by?"

Kion nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, of course. She's your kid, AJ. You ain't gotta ask."

AJ's smile was small but genuine. "Aight. Thanks, Pa."

The rest of the night passed in quiet comfort, their bond growing stronger with every shared moment. It wasn't perfect, but it was theirs, and for now, that was enough.