confession and truths

Aftermath – The Warning

Back at the condo, Alexier winced as Kenji wrapped his knuckles in bandages.

Kenji wasn’t speaking.

Hadn’t said a word since they left.

Alexier sighed.

“Okay, okay. I get it. I messed up.”

Kenji’s hands tightened.

He finally looked up.

His voice was low.

“You could’ve gotten killed.”

Alexier met his gaze.

“So could you.”

Kenji’s jaw clenched.

“Not the same.”

Silence.

Alexier hesitated.

Then—softly:

“I didn’t want you to deal with him alone.”

Kenji exhaled.

Ran a hand through his hair.

For once—he didn’t have a sarcastic remark.

Just exhaustion.

He looked at Alexier.

And for the first time—he let his guard down.

“…Don’t do it again.”

Alexier smirked.

“No promises.”

Kenji groaned.

“…You’re gonna be the death of me, kid.”

But this time—

He didn’t let go.

The Ride Back – Silent Fury

The tension in the car was thick enough to suffocate.

Kenji wasn’t speaking.

Alexier sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the road. The streetlights flickered past, casting brief flashes of light on Kenji’s face. His jaw was clenched so tight it looked like it might crack.

For the first time since they met, Kenji wasn’t joking.

Wasn’t smirking.

Wasn’t throwing sarcastic remarks just to piss him off.

He was just quiet.

Dangerously quiet.

Alexier exhaled. “You’re mad.”

No response.

A muscle twitched in Kenji’s jaw.

Alexier frowned. “Oh, so now you’re giving me the silent treatment? Thought you liked running your mouth.”

Still nothing.

Alexier’s irritation grew.

“Kenji—”

Screech.

Kenji suddenly slammed the brakes, jerking the car to a stop on an empty roadside.

Alexier barely had time to react before Kenji turned on him—eyes burning with fury.

"Do you have a death wish?"

His voice was low, sharp—cutting like a blade.

Alexier tensed.

He had never seen Kenji like this before.

This wasn’t just anger.

This was fear.

Kenji wasn’t mad because Alexier disobeyed him.

He was mad because Alexier almost got himself killed.

Or worse.

Kenji let out a shaky breath. He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers trembling.

Alexier’s stomach twisted.

He’d seen that look before.

In himself.

That look of someone haunted.

Kenji exhaled sharply. “Do you even know who that bastard is?”

Alexier met his gaze. “I know enough.”

Kenji scoffed. “No, you don’t. You don’t know what he’s capable of. What he’s done.”

His voice dropped lower.

“What he did to me.”

The weight in those words hit Alexier hard.

Kenji rarely talked about his past. He always brushed it off with sarcasm, turned every serious moment into a joke.

But now—there were no jokes.

Only raw, unfiltered rage.

And underneath it—fear.

Kenji gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. “…If I had been a second late tonight, do you know what would’ve happened?”

Alexier swallowed.

He did.

He knew exactly what could’ve happened.

And for the first time since this whole thing started—he felt like an idiot.

“…Sorry,” he muttered.

Kenji closed his eyes, taking another slow breath.

Then, he reached out—gripping the back of Alexier’s head.

Before Alexier could react—Kenji pulled him close, resting their foreheads together.

Alexier’s eyes widened.

Kenji’s voice was quiet.

“…Don’t make me go through that again.”

Alexier didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

Kenji’s fingers clenched in his hair—like he was making sure he was still there.

Like if he let go, Alexier would disappear.

For once, Alexier didn’t push him away.

Didn’t smirk.

Didn’t crack a sarcastic remark.

He just… let Kenji hold on.

Because maybe—just maybe—Kenji needed this more than him.

---

Back at the Condo – Old Wounds Open

They barely spoke as they entered the condo.

Kenji threw his jacket onto the couch and ran a hand through his hair. He looked… exhausted.

Alexier hesitated. “You should rest.”

Kenji let out a bitter chuckle. “Rest?” He sat on the couch, rubbing his temples. “Yeah, sure. I’ll just close my eyes and pretend tonight didn’t happen.”

Alexier frowned. “…You never sleep, do you?”

Kenji didn’t answer.

Alexier watched him for a long moment.

The way his hands subtly shook.

The way his shoulders tensed—like he was still bracing for a fight.

Like he was still stuck in the past.

“…It’s not over, is it?” Alexier finally asked.

Kenji let out a slow exhale. “No.”

The old man wasn’t done with them.

And next time—he wouldn’t play games.

Next time, he’d strike first.

Kenji leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling.

“…I’ll handle it,” he muttered.

Alexier crossed his arms. “Not alone.”

Kenji scoffed. “You don’t get a choice, kid.”

Alexier stepped closer. “Neither do you.”

Kenji looked at him.

Really looked at him.

And for the first time in years, he felt something… dangerously close to trust.

Kenji smirked—just a little. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

Alexier rolled his eyes. “And you’re the worst mentor ever.”

Kenji chuckled.

And for the first time that night—some of the weight lifted.

-

Meanwhile – The Old Man’s Next Move

Across the city, the old man sat in his office, watching security footage from the club.

His eyes gleamed as he replayed the scene of Alexier struggling against his men.

A slow, amused grin spread across his face.

“So, Kenji,” he murmured, swirling a glass of whiskey.

“You finally found something to lose.”

He leaned forward, fingers tapping against the desk.

“I wonder how long it’ll take… before I break him, too.”

The screen flickered.

And the hunt began again.

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