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After Chat, and getting shot, Tiger walked away from Duennao for two years to get strong enough to protect him and his family. While the protectiveness never faded, the "in love" feeling did, early on in the two years away.
They missed calls, forgot messages, and stopped reaching out almost entirely, until Duennao realized.
Nao: Suer, I'm sorry for disappearing like that. I won't let it happen again. I just started dating someone, her name is Lea, and she'd love to meet you. Things got a bit crazy while I was finding a healthy balance, but I left you out. Can you forgive me?
Tiger's only feels happiness.
Suer: Don't apologize, I screwed up too. Work has been crazy on top of school, so I completely get it! It sounds like your relationship with Lea is getting serious. That's good. It means you're happy, and I'd love to meet the reason behind it. Talk later!
Tiger's not expecting anything else, so as this new medic continues stitching up the long dagger wound on his stomach, he drops his phone on the side table to grip the edge of the bed instead.
"Almost done, Suer," Singha's voice is apologetic as he winces with every bitten off curse coming from Tiger.
"You've been saying that for five minutes, P'Sing, so shove it," groans Tiger as he tips his head back to avoid jerking as the needle sears through his skin. "Next time I have to be fucking numbed."
Tiger's clenching his jaw so harshly that his gums are aching, but the medic murmurs, "Three more, and we're done."
"Fuck," Tiger hisses as a ringing shatters the tense air. "Who the fuck is calling you, P'Singha?"
"Uh, nobody, Suer," Singha's confusion melts into a chuckle. "It's your phone, so you'd better answer it."
Tiger lifts his head enough to glare at his brother while reaching for his phone.
Nue
…
Nue is video calling him.
"Oh fuck," groans Tiger as he brings his phone up, accepting the call. "Nue, what's wrong? You don't usually call me, let alone a video call."
"Are you really okay with Duen dating someone?" Dannue's voice is soft, furrowed brows barely visible under the flickering light Tiger knows all too well.
"Why are you on the roof this late?" Tiger's clenching his fingers around the edge of the bed enough to hurt as the medic finishes the last stitch.
"Duen is too noisy from everywhere in the house right now. Answer my question, Ger," Dannue narrows his eyes at the phone as the nickname no one uses anymore drops from his lips.
Butterflies settle warmly in Tiger's stomach as he stares at the screen.
"Suer, I'll text the instructions for your wound while I walk the medic out," Singha's speaking quickly while the medic is packing. Then he's heading out the door, calling over his shoulder with a shit-eating grin on his face. "Ben's grabbing dinner, so I'll be back up in fifteen minutes when he gets here."
"Dammit, P'Sing," Tiger grimaces as the door swings shut.
"Ger, were you really hurt that bad?" Nue sounds worried.
"About Nao. I'm happy that he's dating someone," Tiger's voice is soft as he slowly sits up, intending to move to his actual bed. "He's my best friend, Nue, and that's all he is."
"Tiger, how bad were you hurt that a medic was there?" Dannue is not dropping the concern at all. "Don't make me get Mae."
"That's mean," huffs Tiger as he looks down at the stitched wound. With a sigh, he angles the phone down carefully, giving in. "We had bad information, and I had to protect a little girl from a dagger. I'll be okay soon enough."
"You have eight new scars, Ger," Nue whispers his observation, something in his voice making Tiger lift his phone in panic. "You're getting hurt there. Too hurt."
"Nue," The name falls in a whisper because Tiger doesn't know what else to say.
"Ger, I'm worried about you. How long ago did the others happen? Do they relate to bad information or ambushes? Do you know who is screwing everything up?" Dannue systematically drops these question bombs with a look in his eyes that reminds Tiger why it was easy to move on from Duennao. "If your brother is letting these traitors get away with hurting you, then you need to give me five minutes with him."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Nue. Besides, he's not as easily threatened as I am," Tiger's chuckle hurts, but it's so worth it at the visual of Nuea telling off his big brother.
"I will do it, Ger. I will be scary for you if your big brother is being an idiot," Dannue is so serious that Tiger feels too warm. "Now answer my questions."
"Okay, Nue," the fondness curls off Tiger's tongue too easily as he stares at the other man. "I'm not really sure what scars you saw, but a majority have happened this month. I've only had to be stitched up three times since I left two year ago. As for the problem… There's more than one, and I'm the target because I'm officially a member now. P'Singha has handled five of them, but we don't know how far this goes."
"They're working together?" Dannue's tone is critical as his eyes narrow with something dark. "Call a meeting and put one down in front of them. Make a statement that will make them desperate, Ger."
Tiger's lips curve into a dark smirk as he says, "Desperate people make mistakes. You're too smart, Nue."
"I know," Dannue gives him a half-smirk.
"I'm surprised you'd throw out such an idea, Nue," Tiger's voice is soft and curious. "You usually left when Nao and I talked about Mafia things."
"I left view, but I didn't leave the room," Dannue is quieter, eyes hardening through the camera. "Ger, I might not like violence, but they're targeting you. That's the only reason I need."
Tiger feels heat curl across his face as he stares at the camera in surprise, but Nue holds his look.
Tiger knows he's beyond fucked.
He's gone on Nue.
"Dan! It's time for dinner! Hurry up!" Duennao cuts the distanced tension easily.
"Coming!" Dannue hollers as he looks up momentarily, face brightening. Then he looks back at the phone. "I have to go, Ger, but keep me updated. Be safe for me… for us."
"For you," murmurs Tiger before ending the call as his own door swings open with his brother and P'Ben's arrival. "We've gotta talk. I have an idea."
Tiger's going to run Dannue's idea by them, but he already knows they'll get it in place before the weekend is over.
He's going to stay safe for his Nue.