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Running a mob was a rough business meaning sometimes you needed to get your hands dirty even if you’re the boss. Crimson prided himself on owning over half of Greed however sometimes rival gangs thought they could sneak into his territory to slowly take it over, a common strategy where in the gang slowly takes over the businesses while moving into the buildings around the area eventually spreading like roaches till by the time the mob boss learns of it, they’ve already basically taken over the area entirely. Unfortunately for the rivals in Greed, Crimson was far too vigilant of his territories for this age-old strategy to work, literally after only three businesses fell to the rival gang Crim was all over them like a dirty shirt. The intention was to either get the rivals to simply leave or perhaps if things went well, they might join Crimson in favor of loosing their lives but on the flip side they may also simply choose to fight which would inevitably lead to their deaths in the boss’ mind. Talking was going well for the first few moments unluckily the group decided they’d rather risk death by Crimson’s hands then going back to their original employer with the news they’d turned tail and lost the territory. Gun fire filled the streets as more low life’s sprung from the alleyways clearly sent to keep an eye on the groups that had already taken over revealing why they’d been reluctant to sell out to Crimson who was eventually forced to flee the field.
Alessio called for a pickup as they crouched behind a brick building, Ale reloading the tommy gun he’d been using. Crimson cursed under his breath at the way this had gone, not only was he loosing manpower but the rival group at this point basically owned this part of town meaning he’d lost the territory. A black armored car pulled up a short distance away prompting Ale to start shooting again as a distraction to get Crimson to the car, backing up slowly with Crimson behind him. Once at the vehicle Alessio opened the door practically shoving Crimson inside causing the imp to yelp in surprise, looking over his shoulder on his hands and knees with an aggravated look on his features that swiftly shifted when the mobster realized his trusted bodyguard wasn’t getting in the vehicle with him. Scrambling around Crimson reached out with a shout that could have been Alessio’s name if it hadn’t been cut off by the shark slamming the door closed followed by a swift kick to the vehicle’s side panel telling the driver to take off. Ale watched as the armored car disappeared through the winding streets of Greed with a relieved expression on his features, taking a deep breath the shark turned around to find five rival gang members rushing towards him with various weapons in hand.
…
Night soon fell causing a grimy green hue to fall over Greed like moss growing on a log, Ale fell to one knee panting heavily, jacket long discarded leaving his torn dirty red button-down clinging to his slender sweat coated form. Alessio’s pants were in no better shape with tares in the regal fabric while dirt and blood stained the shark from head to toe, some was the enemies, but some was his. Weapons were strewn about the ground amongst the bodies of those Alessio had slain unfortunately he was tapped out on stamina and as a set of shadows appeared on the ground from behind him, the shark prepared for the worst when something hit the back of his head followed by a dull aching pain as his vision plunged into blackness right before he met the ground.
Surprise was Alessio’s first reaction when the world slowly started coming back into view as he’d expected to meet his maker right there in that grimy ally. A dull thrumming pain was constantly running through his head like waves on the ocean of Envy causing his blurry vision to take longer to come fully clear however when it did Ale could see he was in some junk covered area, his arms tied to a massive tree behind his back. Lightly shaking his head Alessio tried to move his tail revealing it was also tied to the tree glancing down the shark noted he was sitting on the ground with his ankles tied together. Looking up three figures stepped out from behind some junk piles brandishing a couple guns as well as a knife, moving slowly towards Ale who took in their features with a judgemental eye. The group were hybrids of shark demons and Envy’s serpent like demons giving them a variety of unique features such as fish frills, bluish hues, iridescent markings, and whip like tails.
“Finally, he’s awake,” The middle hybrid crooned holding a knife in his hand.
“What are we gonna do with him?” The right hybrid asked with a wide smirk.
“Easy, we’re gonna make an example of him,” The middle hybrid answered crouching down to press the tip of the knife to Ale’s throat just below his jaw on the right-hand side.
“Ooh, this is gonna be fun!” The Left hybrid giddily exclaimed.
Ale stared coldly at the three only to wince as the middle hybrid swiped the blade’s tip across the shark’s cheek. The hybrid’s hand grasped Ale’s chin harshly forcing the shark to look at him when he felt the
white-hot pain of the blade being slammed into his thigh wrenching a scream from Alessio’s chest that faded to a pained groan.
“Oh yes…so much fun,” The middle hybrid whispered menacingly inches from Alessio’s face.
…
Ale wasn’t sure how much time had passed nor how many times he’d blacked out only to wake up again from agonizing pain. This time Ale awoke from the cooling breeze that carried the scent of rain, moaning slightly his eyes struggled to focus as sharp pain returned to the forefront of his mind, he choked on something filling his mouth, spitting it onto the ground revealing the blackish blue familiar fluid that was his blood. Alessio tried to sit up a little only to yelp as pain shot through his torso forcing him to remain hunched over, yet he managed to look up just enough to see the three hybrids sitting nearby clearly taking a breather from torturing him. Now Ale may have accepted death as his fate after all he did serve in a mafia but that didn’t mean he was just going to give up, glancing around he spotted a glass shard nearby, he also noted the roughness of the bark on the tree behind him. Watching the group carefully Ale started rubbing his wrists against the tree’s rough surface, wincing at the pain that started piercing through them as the bark started cutting into the shark’s skin, yet he kept going because not only was it cutting his skin…it was also slicing through the ropes.
Eventually the group finished their break much to Ale’s dismay as he’d not yet managed to cut through the ropes on his wrists, but he could feel the warmth of blood against his back where they were. The group were delighted to see Alessio awake again, excited to continue torturing him when gunfire caught everyone including Alessio by surprise. A group of sharks came running into the clearing firing at the group of three managing to hit two of the hybrids while the middle one recoiled with a series of curses, scrambling to hide behind the tree Ale was tied to. In an instant Ale managed to finish freeing his hands, heaving himself to the side with an outstretched hand that he wrapped around the hybrid’s ankle causing him to trip sending him face first into the ground. Ale gritted his teeth against the agonizing pain that lashed through his body to grab the glass shard from nearby, cutting the ropes around his ankles as well as the one that held his tail to the tree promptly freeing himself. Alessio tried to stand up only to fall again from the agony he felt, he didn’t know what injuries he’d incurred from these assholes however it was clear they’d done some serious damage, the feeling of warm blood starting to coat numerous parts of his body confirming this fact. The hybrid growled angrily at Alessio for having tripped him, crawling towards the shark with his blade in hand ready to end Ale’s miserable life, the shark slashed at the hybrid using the piece of glass he’d picked up only to have it knocked away. Light glinted off the hybrid’s blade upon him raising it over his head when a gunshot rang out and it was like time froze, the hybrid’s mouth fell open in a silent scream as a trickle of blood flowed from a fresh bullet wound in his forehead while the back of his head had a gaping wound that had spewed blood like a fountain. Slowly the hybrid’s body slumped to the side, rain beginning to fall causing mud to form on the ground creating a wet plopping sound when the hybrid’s body finally hit it. Ale shoved the body off himself as he flopped onto his side with a pained groan, glancing up to see none other then Crimson standing a short distance away still holding the pistol he’d just used to shoot the hybrid with.
Ale thought he was dreaming for a moment after all why would Crimson be here? Why would Crimson have risked his life to come get him? These were questions Ale desperately wanted to ask unfortunately the agonizing pain returned with vengeance as his adrenaline wore off causing a pained cry to escape the shark unintentionally while darkness started swiftly seeping around his vision like the way his blood was quickly seeping onto the ground guided by the rain. The world sounded like when he was under water, muddled and dull as flashes of Crimson running towards him clearly shouting something that he couldn’t make out played between blinks till finally everything faded into that peaceful darkness once again.
Things were unclear from the moment Ale succumbed to the peace of unconsciousness, occasionally waking slightly to the feeling of painful movement, one moment he was vaguely aware of being in a vehicle, was his head on someone’s lap? Either way he couldn’t remain conscious for long during any of these moments. Ale’s next memories were of pain so terrible it defied explanation, blurry figures silhouette by a bright light that he could vaguely recognize as the one in the dining room of the Nolastname mansion. The shark was also vaguely aware that he was screaming however he wasn’t entirely certain on that as everything still sounded as if he were underwater and yet at one point during the chaos his gaze fell on a figure in a doorway off to the right that looked oddly like crimson reigniting Ale’s confusion from previous, why was he here? Why would Crimson save him? Once more these questions would need to wait as the world plunged back into the ebony abyss.
…
Confused surprise enveloped Ale’s mind for a second time as he slowly felt himself returning to the physical world. Taking a moment to focus on the sensations bombarding his not yet fully conscious mind Ale kept his eyes closed also his head was pounding and even the small dim light seeping through his eyelids was causing discomfort. Alessio could feel the familiar softness of a bed beneath his body, a pillow under his head as well as blankets lightly draped over him then the pain started to rip through every sense he had although it had subsided it was still sharp, coming in waves that faded into dull agony before reigniting all over again. Groaning Ale finally blinked open his eyes to the very familiar ceiling of his bedroom in the Nolastname mansion, there was a distinct water mark that left no doubt about it, was he dreaming? Shifting his head to the right just a little he saw the bedside light he kept on the side table casting a soft yellow glow over the room…his room. A tube laying on the bed caught Alessio’s attention causing him to follow to his right hand then back the other way revealing an IV bag hung on a pole that sat just behind the bedside table which had been moved slightly farther away from the bed to accommodate it. Mind clearing slowly Ale was going to look around a little more when the sound of the bedroom door creaking open interrupted his train of thought immediately snapping his attention in that direction. Another familiar sight greeted Ale, Crimson’s short form stood in the doorway silhouetted by the light from the hallway behind him, carrying a glass of water in one hand.
“Ale?” Crimson’s voice quietly questioned.
“S-Sir…ugh!” Alessio’s voice cracked, throat dry as the pain amped up from him barely moving.
“Ale! Don’t fuckin’ move you dumbass!” Crimson’s tone was so foreign to Alessio, he’d heard concern in Crimson’s tone before just not to this degree and certainly not for him.
“Sir…I-I…don’t understand…” Ale managed to croak out, Crimson’s one hand resting on the shark’s arm as he placed the glass of water on the nightstand.
“You nearly died! That’s all you need to understand. Now here, try to drink some water,” Crimson stated gesturing to the glass.
“Alright,” Ale quietly agreed, reaching out to grab the glass with a shaking hand.
“Sheesh, let me,” Crimson groused, swatting Ale’s hand away from the glass before trotting over to grab a stool that Ale was positive wasn’t in the room last, he left. Climbing onto the stool Crimson grabbed the glass off the nightstand, passing it to his opposite hand so he could slide his arm behind Ale’s shoulders to gently ease him forwards. Alessio grunted in pain, lips pressing to the glass allowing him to sip the water inside till the pain overwhelmed his ability to stay in that position any longer. Crimson settled Ale back down then placed the glass back on the side table, a soft expression of concern settling on his features.
“Nearly died, huh. I should have died,” Alessio commented, staring at the ceiling to distract himself from the pain ravaging his body. Originally Ale thought he was wearing clothing however he was now aware that what he was feeling were bandages wrapped around his body in various locations.
“What are you talking about? I’m pissed at you for just shoving me in that car then playing some fucking hero bullshit! And you can’t die when I’m pissed at you because I need to be able to tell you off,”
Crimson nonchalantly explained not looking at Alessio as he did so instead busily making certain things were in order.
Ale wasn’t certain how to respond to that, staring for a few minutes in disbelief at Crimson before starting to look around the room awkwardly. Another IV was set up on the left side of the bed containing blood that led to Ale’s left hand, finally he glanced down at his battered body mostly wrapped in bloody bandages however the little bits of skin that were showing had a sickly pale hue to them. Curling his lip up in a silent snarl Ale averted his eyes from the sight, irritation rising in his gut at taking such a beating from those low life thugs.
“I need ta change your bandages, I’ll be back,” Crimson commented after a long string of silence between them.
Alessio watched as Crimson left the room, mind swimming with confused questions not to mention feelings that weren’t unwelcomed just he didn’t understand them. A short time later Crimson returned carrying a bag on one arm and a tray in his hands with a variety of objects on its surface mostly consisting of jars. Crimson set the tray on the bedside table allowing him to put the bag on the table next to it revealing it was full of bandages, the imp rolled up the sleeves of his red long-sleeved shirt having not had his jacket on since entering Ale’s room. Alessio remained silent as Crimson grabbed a pair of scissors from the tray then climbed on the stool beside the bed once more, pulling down the blankets to expose Ale’s torso allowing Crimson to start cutting off the bandages wrapped around it. Turning his head to the left Ale winced with a soft groan as his wounds panged from being fiddled with, Crimson looking up at the shark with what could have been a small amount of sympathy hidden behind his flat expression as he tended the ugly wounds that were being revealed bit by bit. By the time Crimson had finished rewrapping Ale’s bandages on his legs the shark was panting softly with his eyes squeezed tightly shut and his hands fisted into the sheets to either side of his body. Seeing the state Ale was in Crimson released a sigh, covering the shark back up before heading back out of the room briefly then returning with a cloth in hand. Climbing back up on the stool he gently pressed the cool cloth to Ale’s face drawing his gaze towards the imp as he tried to compose himself, uncomfortable with Crimson seeing him in such a weakened, sorry state.
“W-why didn’t you just let the doctors treat me?” Alessio wondered, voice shuddering slightly.
"Humph, those fools are barely competent. I only let them patch you up because I didn’t have enough knowledge to do it myself,” Crimson huffed once again giving a nonchalant explanation as he patted the cool cloth around Alessio’s face.
“Oh, I see…” Alessio commented feeling himself getting tired.
“Get some rest you idiot, I’ll keep checking on you,” Crimson instructed with another huff, climbing off his stool to gather the items he’d been using and leaving the room just as Alessio was falling asleep.
…
Alessio felt as though his suffering would never end as days bled into weeks with little in the way of progress as far as his injuries were concerned. Frustrated with his inability to do anything Alessio decided to get up even if he could simply get to the chair across the room that would be something. Gingerly the shark managed to get himself into a sitting position even got his legs over the edge of the bed with relative ease, using the bedside table Ale started to push up from the bed feeling his legs shake underneath him as pain quickly shot through them at lightning speed. Luckily the IV with the blood transfusion in it had been disconnected a couple days ago because the moment Alessio tried to stand on his own the shark’s legs gave out sending him straight to the floor. Apparently Crimson had been making his way to Alessio’s room because a few moments later the imp opened the door to find Ale struggling to get back up, kneeling with his arms on the bed’s edge as he groaned in pain and fresh blood stained some of his bandages.
“Shit! Ale! What the fuck do you think your doing?” Crimson demanded hurrying to Ale’s side, swiftly discovering that he couldn’t help the shark back up. Crimson ran out of the room shouting for one of the doctors that were employed by the mob, a tall slender shark who hurried past the imp into the room straight to Alessio. Ale yelped as the other shark helped him back into bed, Ale’s body shaking from the waves of intense pain washing over him as he panted.
“Why did you try that?” Crimson demanded, getting up next to Ale on the opposite side the doctor was on, currently trying to treat the freshly opened wounds on Ale’s body.
“I-I’m sorry…sir…I’m just tired…of being useless…” Alessio admitted in a moment of weakness brought on by his pain filled state of mind.
“You fucking dumbass! You’re not useless, you’re injured. You need to rest,” Crimson irritably barked, brow furrowed in concern.
“B-but…sir…” Ale began.
“Enough with the sir shit, you know my name,” Crimson insisted catching Alessio off guard.
Silence fell over the room as the doctor managed to get Alessio patched back up after a few minutes and had given the shark an extra dose of Morphine to help ease his pain. Ale was a little surprised at how
much Crimson fussed over him once the doctor had left more so when the imp took a seat across the room in the high-back chair to make certain he stayed put this time around.
…
Three long months later Alessio was finally healed or mostly healed, he stood in front of the standing mirror in his bedroom in a pair of cotton pajama pants staring at his exposed torso. Gingerly Ale’s fingers ghosted over his new scars with a firm frown seated on his features when Crimson entered the room.
“Here’s your new suit, hopefully it fits because that guy I ordered it from was a complete idiot,” Crimson stated carrying a large garment bag over to the bed.
“That’s great, thank you Crimson,” Ale acknowledged, turning around.
“At least your able to stand up again,” Crimson scoffed a laugh as he placed the garment bag on the bed.
“Yeah, I don’t feel completely useless anymore,” Alessio agreed.
“How many fucking times I gotta tell you that you’re not useless, Ale,” Crimson insisted with an eyeroll.
“I’m sorry Crimson, I can’t help it. My job is to protect you and get you everything you need on daily basis,” Alessio explained.
“Humph, you make it sound like I can’t take care of myself,” Crimson scoffed with a dismissive wave.
“Not at all, but it is why you keep me around,” Ale added, running his hands along the garment bag on the bed.
“Huh? That’s not the only reason…” Crimson trailed off with a confused look on his features.
“Oh? Then why else?” Alessio wondered taking his turn to look confused.
“Well…unlike the other mooks I actually enjoy your company,” Crimson retorted with a smirk.
Ale inhaled sharply as heat rose in his cheeks causing him to look away to avoid Crimson seeing the obvious blush creeping across his face.
“Um, that’s good to know…anyways would you mind giving me a moment to change,” Ale coughed slightly.
“Ha-ha, always such a prude. Alright, get changed then meet me downstairs, we’ve got a lot of work ta do if we’re going to get that stolen territory back,” Crimson heartily laughed as he headed out the
bedroom door promptly allowing Alessio to change with a smirk on his face.