deep shadow if the past

Nothing Happened

Kenji woke up to a headache from hell.

His body felt like lead, his mouth dry as sandpaper.

Hangover.

The worst part? He wasn’t in his bed.

He cracked his eyes open and realized he was on the couch, covered in a blanket.

The second worst part?

Alexier was sitting across from him, arms crossed, glaring like he was ready to commit murder.

Kenji groaned. “Damn… I feel like shit.”

“Good.” Alexier’s voice was sharp. “You should.”

Kenji blinked. “Wow. No sympathy? No ‘Oh, Kenji, my beloved savior, are you alright?’”

Alexier’s glare darkened.

Kenji smirked. “Cold.”

“Shut up.”

There was a tense silence.

Kenji stretched his sore muscles, ignoring Alexier’s stare.

“So,” he said lazily. “You broke into my bathroom. Any other crimes you want to confess?”

Alexier gritted his teeth.

“You almost drowned, dumbass.”

Kenji scoffed. “I was just—”

“You were just what?” Alexier snapped. “Just having a fun little moment in the freezing water? Just drinking yourself into unconsciousness? Just—”

He stopped himself, inhaling sharply.

Kenji raised an eyebrow.

Huh.

He’s actually pissed.

Kenji wasn’t used to people giving a damn.

Especially about him.

Alexier looked away, running a hand through his messy hair. “You’re such an idiot.”

Kenji chuckled. “Yeah, I get that a lot.”

Alexier clenched his fists. “This isn’t funny.”

Kenji shrugged. “Maybe not to you.”

Silence.

Kenji could feel Alexier’s frustration.

But what was he supposed to say?

‘Yeah, my past is hell, but I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.’

Yeah.

Not happening.

So instead, Kenji leaned back, stretching his arms over his head. “You’re getting wrinkles, kid. Stress isn’t good for you.”

Alexier exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. “You’re impossible.”

Kenji smirked. “And yet, you still haven’t walked away.”

Alexier didn’t respond.

That silence said more than words ever could.

Kenji stared at him for a moment before sighing dramatically. “Fine. I’ll cut back on the alcohol. Happy?”

Alexier’s eyes narrowed. “You better.”

Kenji smirked. “Wow. Look at you, all concerned. I feel so loved.”

Alexier threw a pillow at his face.

Kenji just laughed.

---

Later That Day

Kenji was back to normal.

Sarcastic. Teasing. Acting like last night never happened.

Alexier wasn’t buying it.

But he didn’t push.

Not yet.

Instead, he just watched.

He watched the way Kenji’s smile never reached his eyes.

He watched the way his fingers twitched when he thought no one was looking.

He watched how exhausted he looked beneath all that bravado.

Kenji thought he could hide it.

But Alexier saw it.

And one day…

He was going to make him talk.

Even if he had to drag the truth out of him.

Episode X+7: Unfinished Business ⁷

Kenji was acting normal again.

Which meant something was wrong.

Alexier had spent enough time with him to recognize the pattern.

When Kenji pretended too hard—when he was louder, cockier, more annoying than usual—it meant something was eating him alive.

And Alexier wasn’t stupid.

He knew it had to do with whatever nightmare Kenji had drowned himself in the night before.

But Kenji wouldn’t talk.

Not yet.

So Alexier didn’t push.

Not yet.

Instead, he just watched.

Kenji dragged Alexier back to the bar.

Because of course he did.

“This time,” Kenji smirked, “try not to be such a boring little shit.”

Alexier rolled his eyes. “I don’t need alcohol to be interesting.”

Kenji scoffed. “That’s what all boring people say.”

Alexier ignored him.

The bar was packed tonight—dim lights, loud music, the scent of alcohol hanging in the air.

Alexier was about to grab a seat when he noticed it.

Someone was watching them.

A man in his late forties, sitting near the counter.

Dressed too well for this kind of place.

And grinning.

At Kenji.

Kenji, who had just frozen in place.

Alexier had never seen that look on his face before.

The usual arrogance? Gone.

Instead, there was something tense. Unreadable.

Alexier followed Kenji’s line of sight.

The man was still watching.

And then, he spoke.

"Well, well. Kenji, my boy… It's been a long time.”

Kenji’s whole body tensed.

His hands curled into fists at his sides.

Alexier felt something dark settle in his gut.

Whoever this guy was…

Kenji hated him.

And that meant he was dangerous.

---

Unspoken Tension

Kenji didn’t say a word.

Not for a long moment.

Then—slowly—he forced a smirk.

“Well, shit. Look who’s still breathing.”

The man chuckled. “You wound me, Kenji. I took such good care of you back then.”

Kenji’s smirk tightened.

Something in Alexier’s chest twisted.

Who the hell was this guy?

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Kenji said.

“Likewise,” the man replied. His eyes flicked toward Alexier. “And who’s this?”

Kenji’s smirk sharpened. “Nobody you need to worry about.”

The man tilted his head. “That so?”

Kenji’s jaw clenched.

Alexier had never seen him this tense.

And then—before Alexier could speak—the man leaned closer and whispered something.

Something only Kenji could hear.

Alexier saw it.

The way Kenji’s entire body locked up.

The way his knuckles went white.

The way his smirk—his mask—completely shattered.

Alexier had seen Kenji fight assassins without blinking.

He had seen him stare down killers with a grin.

But whatever that man had just said…

Kenji looked like he had just been gutted.

---The Walk Back – Alexier’s Breaking Point

Kenji didn’t say a word the whole walk back.

Neither did Alexier.

Because he was waiting.

Waiting for Kenji to break the silence.

To explain what the hell had just happened.

To talk.

But Kenji just kept walking.

Like nothing had happened.

Like that man didn’t exist.

Like the past wasn’t clawing at his heels.

And Alexier—for once—couldn’t take it anymore.

He grabbed Kenji’s wrist.

Kenji stiffened.

Alexier glared. “You’re not gonna say anything?”

Kenji’s voice was quiet. “Not your problem, kid.”

Alexier’s grip tightened.

“That’s bullshit.”

Kenji sighed. “Let it go.”

“No.”

Kenji turned his head, eyes sharp. “Alexier—”

“I saw your face,” Alexier snapped. “I saw what that guy did to you. And you expect me to just let it go?”

Kenji pulled his arm free.

His voice was low. Dangerous.

“You’re stepping into shit you don’t understand, kid.”

Alexier stepped closer. “Then make me understand.”

Silence.

Kenji didn’t answer.

Didn’t move.

Alexier exhaled sharply. “Kenji, you saved me. You dragged me out of hell. And now you expect me to just stand back while you—”

He swallowed, glaring.

“Whatever this is,” he said quietly, “you’re not dealing with it alone.”

Kenji stared at him.

Something flickered in his eyes.

Then—just like that—he smirked.

“You really don’t know when to quit, huh?”

Alexier’s eyes didn’t waver.

Kenji sighed. “Fine. But not tonight.”

Alexier clenched his fists. “Then when?”

Kenji met his gaze.

And for the first time—he looked tired.

“When I’m ready.”

Alexier exhaled.

It wasn’t enough.

But for now?

It would have to be.

Shadows That Never Fade

Kenji didn’t sleep.

He hadn’t slept properly in years.

But tonight was different.

Tonight, his mind wasn’t haunted by the usual ghosts.

Tonight, he saw him.

The man from the bar.

The one who had ruined him.

The one who had turned his life into a living nightmare.

And just like before—Kenji was trapped.

Trapped in that small, dark room.

With those hands on his throat.

That voice in his ear.

“You’ll never escape, Kenji. Never.”

---

The Nightmare Never Ends

Kenji woke up gasping.

His body was covered in cold sweat.

His chest ached.

His hands were shaking.

He needed air.

He needed a drink.

He needed to forget.

Kenji sat up, rubbing a hand over his face.

It had been years since he last saw that bastard.

Why now?

Why the hell did he have to crawl back now—when things were finally settling down?

Kenji clenched his fists.

He needed to get his head straight.

Because if that bastard was back, that meant unfinished business.

And unfinished business always led to blood.

---

Alexier Notices

Alexier wasn’t stupid.

He noticed immediately.

Kenji was tenser than usual.

Quieter.

Still making jokes, still teasing—but something was off.

And Alexier knew exactly why.

That man.

The one from the bar.

Kenji had been messed up since that night.

And Alexier wasn’t going to ignore it.

He waited until Kenji was distracted.

Then—without warning—he grabbed Kenji’s wrist.

Kenji froze.

“What the hell, kid?”

Alexier’s grip tightened.

“Talk.”

Kenji blinked. “Talk about what?”

Alexier’s eyes narrowed. “You know exactly what.”

Silence.

Kenji tried to pull away.

Alexier didn’t let go.

“You’re not okay.”

Kenji’s smirk twitched. “I’m always okay.”

“Bullshit.”

Kenji laughed—but it was forced.

“You’re really getting bold, kid.”

Alexier didn’t flinch.

“Who was he?”

Kenji’s expression darkened.

“…Drop it, Alexier.”

Alexier’s jaw clenched.

“No.”

Kenji exhaled sharply.

Then—suddenly—he grabbed Alexier’s wrist instead.

Twisted it.

Pinned him against the wall.

Alexier barely had time to react before Kenji’s face was inches from his.

His grip was tight.

His voice was low. Dangerous.

“You wanna know who he is, huh?” Kenji whispered.

Alexier refused to look away.

Kenji smirked—but there was no humor in it.

“Fine. I’ll tell you.”

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