Part 12: Chill Vibes

Kion's place wasn't the type of spot you'd expect from someone in the game. It wasn't a mansion, but it was comfortable-clean, with some money spent on the essentials, and a place that gave off that quiet confidence. The living room was lowkey: a couple of couches, some sneakers in the corner, a few framed pictures, and a table that usually had papers or old bills scattered around. It was real, no need for any frontin'.

When AJ pulled up, it wasn't anything unusual. He knocked and Kion let him in, giving him a nod as he closed the door behind him. AJ was wearing a loose hoodie and some grey sweats, as usual. His energy was calm tonight, like he wasn't about to run the streets or handle business. He was just there to vibe.

"You good, Pa?" AJ asked, flopping down on the couch, kicking his sneakers off and making himself comfortable.

Kion gave him a side-eye, but didn't respond right away. He wasn't exactly used to the nickname yet, but he wasn't mad at it either. It was like AJ was claiming a certain kind of space in his life without trying too hard. Kion was starting to realize that maybe it wasn't just about being close-it was about not trying to run from whatever the hell was happening between them.

"Nothin' much," Kion said, leaning against the kitchen counter as he rolled a blunt. "What's up with you?"

AJ shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just chillin', man. Had my daughter earlier, but she with her moms tonight."

Kion didn't ask for too many details. AJ had mentioned his daughter, Laila, before. He wasn't the type to talk about her all the time, but when he did, it was clear he was proud. The way he'd talk about her, you could tell she was his world, even if he didn't have much time to be around.

Kion lit the blunt, took a hit, and passed it to AJ, watching as the smoke drifted up. "Yeah? That's cool, man. You been good though?"

"Yeah," AJ said, taking a hit and letting the smoke fill the air. "Been grindin', you know how it is. Gotta make sure I handle my business." He exhaled slowly. "But yeah, tonight's just for me. Ain't gotta rush back for her or none of that."

Kion nodded, watching AJ a little longer than usual. He didn't say much, but there was something about AJ's calm that Kion didn't expect. He was getting to know him without asking for any extra details.

The conversation shifted to something else-talking about the streets, business, and random stuff that always seemed to come up when they were together. They both had a way of talking without saying too much, letting the silence hang between them without it being awkward.

AJ stretched out on the couch, looking more at ease than usual. "I don't know why you always front like you don't like bein' around me," he teased, glancing over at Kion. "You ain't gotta act tough, Pa. You know you mess with me."

Kion looked over, raising an eyebrow. "I ain't frontin'. Just ain't got time to be hanging with a lot of people like that."

AJ smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Mmm, I don't know. Every time I'm around, you ain't tryna get rid of me."

Kion let out a short laugh, sitting back on the chair with his arms folded. He wasn't gonna argue, because he knew AJ was right. There was a reason he didn't mind the company. They weren't just kicking it because they were both from the same world-there was something else about AJ that Kion didn't quite understand yet.

"I'm just sayin', you keep pullin' up, and I keep lettin' you," Kion replied, his tone low but with a slight edge of humor.

"Yeah, keep actin' like you don't care," AJ shot back, grinning. "You don't fool me."

The tension between them shifted again, this time not in a joking way. It was subtle-just the way they held eye contact for a few seconds longer than necessary.

AJ passed the blunt back to Kion, leaning forward slightly. "You know, I ain't gonna lie. You starting to grow on me, Pa."

Kion took the blunt, not saying anything for a moment. It wasn't a surprise, but it hit differently hearing it out loud. He wasn't used to people getting close, let alone sticking around after they did. AJ, though, he wasn't just sticking around. He was making it clear he wasn't going anywhere.

"I'm just tryna chill, man," Kion said finally, his voice quieter than usual. "Ain't gotta make this more than it is."

AJ raised his hands in mock surrender. "I ain't sayin' it's more than what it is. Just keep it real."

The conversation drifted again, no pressure in the air. It was easy. Too easy. For once, Kion didn't feel like he had to be the tough guy, the one who had everything under control. With AJ, it wasn't about that. It was about something else entirely, and even though Kion wasn't ready to admit it, it was starting to feel like AJ was the only one who saw him for who he really was-no walls, no act.

Kion looked over at him, taking in the relaxed way AJ was lounging on the couch, the way the lights in the room gave him a soft glow. It was stupid, but for the first time in a while, Kion didn't mind the company.

"Don't be here too long though," Kion said after a while, the words slipping out almost too naturally.

AJ smirked, leaning back on the couch and closing his eyes for a second. "Aight, Pa. But you know where to find me."

Kion didn't answer. He just looked out the window, feeling the weight of the silence between them. It was comfortable, like everything was just... falling into place.

And for once, Kion didn't feel the need to force it. Whatever it was between them, he wasn't about to run from it. Not tonight.