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TJ seethes from where he stands. This isn't the first time he's been in a fight, but what angers him more is thinking about the person who orchestrated the whole thing. Motherfucking Jamie. And most irritating of all, the fucking bastard standing right in front of him. Joseph Landi has been a pain in his ass. He has ties to TJ's enemies as well as his closest allies simultaneously. It's laughable, really.
"Ian will be here any minute. Not going to hide?" TJ smirks menacingly at his opponent. They are in a stalemate, bruises scattered across their bodies and bleeding from God knows where.
Jo doesn't say anything, just looks at him with disdain. He tightens his grip on the gun in his hand. Once Ian arrives, he figures he'll just leave and tell Jamie he make a simple mistake. He has no desire to use this gun anyway.
Jo's unwavering form ticked TJ off. How bold of him to stand idly and act like he’s innocent when TJ was the one who was waiting uselessly for backup to arrive. He is relieved that he at least has Ian on his side.
"How much do you know about him… about our relationship?" This makes Jo's ears to perk up, but his mouth remains in a firm line.
"Did he not tell you?" TJ smirks when Jo visibly flinches. "Even ‘close friends’ wouldn't suffice—You see, we've built our whole lives alongside each other as partners in every sense... even when Ian decided to take a small break, he eventually came running back to my side."
"You..." Jo glares. He knows Ian's reasons for leaving the gang. TJ sure likes to speak on Ian’s behalf. Calling it a small break was belittling all of Ian's efforts—all his torment.
"He told me about his motocross career," Jo begins. "Well, it never actually reached that stage 'cause there was an accident that left him crippled. Tell me, who does that to someone they love?"
"It was exactly that. An accident. He needed a wake-up call anyway. People like us don't have it easy."
"How could you?" Jo lunges forward to grab TJ's collar. Anger is an understatement for how he feels in that moment. He feels so many things—anger, confusion, grief. Why would Ian lose so much for this man?
TJ’s face grows grim. "He has done the same things as me. We've both hurt each other; that's why I'm atoning for my wrongdoings. And so is he. Sometimes, you unintentionally hurt those you love..."
"That doesn't mean—"
Bang!
Jo's eyes shoot towards the back of the warehouse behind TJ. It’s time to run. Like a rabbit being chased by a hunter. He cannot let Ian know he is here. Jo cannot face Ian knowing he has been involved in the demise of someone Ian protects so fiercely. Not to mention the man has a foolish sense of guilt over things that aren't his fault.
So he bolts as quickly as he can. Meanwhile, TJ staggers from the force of being let go. That kid could do some real fucking damage. Jo is not exactly spared from damage either. He clumsily flees towards the nearest exit.
Bang!
Almost instantly, a burning, acute pain erupts in his lower back. His face contorts, and he lets out a sound. Ian did not shoot to kill. He has frightening accuracy when it comes to this. Jo doesn’t know whether to be grateful or worried. He forces the door open with his faltering strength. Then, he hears static from his comm: "Stay in the vicinity. Let him come to you."
"Like hell that's gonna happen. Ugh—"
"You wouldn't want him to get hurt, would you?" Jo grinds to a halt. "We have men ready to strike them both down. But we can spare your prize, lover boy."
The line cuts off abruptly; they are confident he will do exactly as he is told. He’ll just hide for a while and maybe do something about the blood gushing out of his body. It's not like he can go much further. And hopefully, Ian continues his hunt. Away from the danger.
Inside the warehouse, Ian anxiously frets over TJ. "You're hurt. Are you okay to move?"
TJ stares at Ian's troubled face. Guilt, with the slightest hint of satisfaction, settles into his heart. "Just a few scratches won't end me." TJ knows Jamie's men will be here any minute, and they'll stop at nothing to destroy everyone here, including Youngwoo. He shuts his eyes tight, a frown forming on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"Go after that guy. He'll lead us to where those cowards are hiding."
"What about you?"
"I'm fine. We have the whole gang here."
Ian's expression is apprehensive, clearly not convinced that TJ is entirely safe.
"Just—be careful," TJ says, defeated. Ian nods.
He makes his way outside into the back alleys, listening for any noises that would compromise the man's whereabouts. He's injured. He couldn't have gone far. Ian strays away from the deserted street and towards the alley between these identical storage houses. It's going to take a while to search this large area.
Jo hears Ian's footsteps and peeks over a steel crate. It's covering him from view—albeit not very well. He leans back and sighs deeply. Ian is going to see him like this, and he's going to know exactly what happened and who did it. So much for his promise not to get hurt. Honestly, it doesn’t even hurt that much. He had cut the fabric of his shirt to stop the bleeding. At least he isn't dying.
The footsteps stop right around the corner. With his weapon pointed vigilantly, Ian calls out, "Come out."
Jo's face scrunches in pain as he tries to move. "I can't." His voice rasps.
Ian takes a step forward.
"Stop. Don't come over here," Jo stops him in his tracks. Ian's brows furrow slightly. "Don't look."
"What—?" Ian strides over in disbelief. What exactly am I not allowed to see? When he turns the corner, he sees blood.
Ian chokes up. "Jo. What are you—?" He rushes over to scan his injuries. Panic rises as he hovers a shaky hand over the large splotch of blood staining Jo's shirt. Jo examines his face closely, heart aching as Ian grows more and more distressed. He just wants to pull him away from the pain.
"Ian. Look at me." He grasps his hand gently. "Listen. Jamie is here—" Skrchh...
"...I applaud you for your hard work. So here's your reward: you're free to leave."
There's someone running towards them.
"And take back your good-for-nothing cousin." A chuckle.
"Oh, and here's a warning ahead of time since I'm feeling nice..." It's Chris who's running.
"There has been a change of plans. You better stay out of our business now."
"Jo! Quick! We’ve got to get out of here!" Chris yells. He stops to catch his breath, panting heavily like he just ran a long distance. "We've been ratted out." He struggles to steady himself, then turns to look from Jo to Ian, who was assisting the other to stand. "They're after Ian—since he's alone with you."
Ian sucks in a breath and looks down at the ground. He speaks in a low voice, "TJ is probably heading over soon."
Suddenly, a familiar voice reveals itself. "Would you look at that? We found you three quicker than expected. Did you really think you could get away with betraying me?" Jamie scoffs.
Jo turns quickly and grips Ian’s shoulders. "Ian. You need to go. Take Chris with you."
“I’m not leaving you. Two is better than one.” Ian grabs Jo’s hand with determination.
“I know,” Jo closes his eyes and sighs. “I know. I’m just stalling.”
Ian looks at him pleadingly. “You’re in no state to stall…”
“But it’s you he’s after. I don’t know what I’m going to do if you get hurt—”
A sharp, resounding clap interrupts their conversation. Jamie looks incredulously at the two of them and laughs. “Hah! If I had known how close you guys were, I would’ve spent more time messing with you. The expressions you’re making are hilarious!”
Jo reaches for the gun in his pocket as more men enter the scene on both sides. TJ walks up to them and stands in front of Ian, partially shielding him from Jamie, and likely from Jo as well.
Ian locks eyes with Jo, guilt painted over his face. This is the first time they’ve seen each other like this. He is angry at Jo for leaving him clueless about Jamie. At the same time, he knew it was going to happen eventually. He was foolish to think it would all be okay if he could manage to keep these two contrasting lives separate.
Alas, it seems everything leads to the same fate in the end.