[Multichapter] Our life is a Dance with Death - Chapter 5, Hell's Corridor.
Title : Our life is a Dance with Death - Chapter 5, Hell's Corridor.
Author: rainbowdots888
Pairings: Ryo x Ohkura
Rating: PG 15 (swearing, blood)
Length: Multi Chapter ( 5 / ? )
Words: 2812
Genre: AU, angst, romance
Disclaimer: Too bad for me, I don't own these men... just these stories.
Summary: 8UPPERS AU. Expect fights, blood, irreverence, but also romance, I'm a softy. "Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again."
Author's note : If you're not familiar with Japanese, Jigoku (地獄) means 'Hell', or at least refers to a similar concept in Japanese Buddhism.
****************
He had told them. Everything that had to be explained and more. Too much. But they knew now... Knew how he felt torn apart, how without them keeping an eye on him he would have already gone berserk and raided Keisuke's lair all by himself. Ace couldn't believe that Johnny had fled, simply. He was making up reasons in his mind : maybe he had just forgotten his phone and would come back for his shift, maybe he had had an accident on the way back, maybe the henchmen had finally gotten hold of him.
He was in foetal position on the sofa muttering reasons, justifications and sometimes letting a tear escape his contracted eyes. Arsenal had put aside his barbed comments and was talking with Mac about the whole thing. Their whispers buzzed without end on the other side of the room, sometimes interrupted by an angry exclamation coming from the oldest of them all. He clearly felt at loss, suddenly learning what had unfolded under his own roof, without him noticing. Jacky laid a soothing hand on his friend's nape, his concerned face telling more than any words. It was their world falling apart, and they had even lost one of them.
Mac got up and announced with a gloomy voice that they were to close the club that night and wait for Johnny until the next day, at noon. If he did not return, they'd go after him. He looked at Ace, his eyes clouded by the shock, halfway between resentment and comprehension.
“Don't let go. He'll come back... And if it's not by himself, we'll bring him back. Listen to me guys, it's important. I don't want any more secrets that big between us, see where it leads. Fuck with whoever you want but be honest and clear, we can't afford to lose one of us, we're a family. We became this family together and we chose our members. Love is definitely part of the equation and no one will get angry at that... kind of things. We started this at seven, we'll finish it seven.”
At that he left the room, followed by Jacky. The others stayed next to Ace, conscious that he could escape any moment and reduce their number by one again. Gum turned to them with a puzzled expression on his face.
“Wait... He said 'fuck with whoever you want' … Who ??”
Toppo patted his friend's tousled hair and declared with a smirk :
“Ah, Gum, bless your innocence.”
***************
The following day at noon, there were no news of Johnny and Ace was still prostrate in the sofa. He had not moved an inch, as the others kept themselves busy to avoid thinking. When the hour came, they all gathered in the lounge and sat around the table. Ace was in a daze and had to be supported by two of them to sit with the group. Jacky was the first to talk, his slightly croaky voice echoing in the rather empty club.
“So... he's not here. Obviously. Mac and me spent the night looking for a club or a place that could be this other guy's HQ. Arsenal and Ace gave the same name so we're pretty sure it's him. Keisuke Hasegawa... he's the son of Takahiro Hasegawa, the boss of the largest clan around. Unfortunately, Johnny had to approach them several times to find clues or proofs on our own command. Had we known what was really happening, of course, we would have stopped that. His lair is a gloomy bar situated in the depths of Kabukicho, the Jigoku, which says a lot on what to expect in there. The guy is notoriously violent and clever, so if Johnny is in there, we'll have to outsmart him. Which means no aggression, no fighting at first”
Saying that he looked at Ace and Arsenal, both of them boiling and inwardly planning their attack.
“Which means I'm going first.” Said Mac, already tying his black tie. “And I'll take Ace with me. Just because I need protection and he's, hum... the most concerned by this. But if you do one single thing wrong, we leave and I think you can say good bye to your... to Johnny. Is that clear?”
“Yeah. Let me fetch my suit and grab a coffee.”
They left at once, both of them more disturbed than they wanted to admit. Their friend may be dead by now. Or worse, he might have changed camps.
****************
The bar was everything its name described. Ace thought that he couldn't find a more miserable place in Tokyo even if he searched for years. It was dirty everywhere and the clients looked like they had been found under a bridge, to furnish the main room and deceive the regular passer-by. It smelled like turned frying oil and every piece of furniture was covered in several layers of sticky dust where flies died stuck. The only detail that showed it was not the purgatory was the red velvet curtain hanging behind the counter. It looked too clean and new to belong to this world. Mac walked in first and instantly made his way between the filthy tables, taking care of not brushing one of them with the hem of his jacket. Among his despair, Ace found this amusing enough to crack a smile. Even in the worst moments, his friend remained a perfect dandy, terribly attached to their 'gentlemen in a suit' image. He made it behind the counter just when the bartender tried to deny Mac the entrance to the back room.
“I came to see Hasegawa san. We have some questions to ask him.”
“Do you have an appointment ?”
Mac laughed suddenly. A beautiful and energetic laugh that startled everyone present in the room. He sure knew how to unsettle his ennemies.
“Of course not. I'd never make an appointment to go to Hell. I've still my whole life to live. Now move.”
Miraculously, the injunction worked on the stunned little man who let both of them go through. The style changed immediately and they found themselves in a comfortable looking night club which walls had been covered with a dark shade of purple velvet. The lights were faint, alternating red and beige bulbs on gorgeous chandeliers. Ace found it very tacky and certainly not a place where he'd like to drink and have fun with friends. The whole place smelled of fear and danger... and dried blood, if he analyzed long enough.
“Stay next to me Ace. Stay put. I'm doing the talking and you move only if they put their guns to our temples. Okay ?”
“Yes, mom.”
“Tsss. It's not the moment for a joke. Save this for Johnny, later.”
Someone moved on the other side of the room as Ace noticed a small group of men, sitting around their boss. Keisuke was there, smoking elegantly, an eye on a card game. He turned his head towards them and smiled.
“Ah, we have guests ! Come on guys, take a seat !”
They walked up to the henchmen group but refused the armchairs they were offered with a nod. The boxer was terribly nervous and the memory of Johnny's hand clenching his jeans two days ago came back to his mind. He could feel that his lover was somewhere in there. And it wrecked his heart.
“Oooh, but who's this we have here... Isn't that Jo's boyfriend ? Well, he's wearing a suit so he looks way better than last time, but...”
“I'm in front of you, in the room, fucker. Speak to me. Don't act as if I'm not here.”
“Ace !” hissed Mac, placing himself between them.
“I don't know who you are, beautiful porcelain doll, but keep your stray dog away from my property, please. He's obviously feral.” Ace could see how amused Keisuke was with the situation. He was the one in a position of strength and took a great delight in their obvious struggle.
“My friend here won't speak again. I'm the one you'll be talking to, and I'm going to ask straight, as we're both busy entrepreneurs without spare time. Where's Johnny ?”
“Ouch. Straightforward. I have to be honest... Johnny's here. He came to me yesterday and claimed he had been hit and then abused by his boyfriend, the boxer. The mad dog. You know, my heart hurt hearing this... so I took him here, with me. 'Cause I care for him.”
One of the henchmen stiffled a laugh as Mac turned to Ace with angry eyes.
“I did nothing !! How can you doubt me ?” This was worse than any other scenario he had pictured. What if Mac believed this guy ? What if Johnny had said this for real ?
“You did.” The boxer heart sunk when he heard this deep voice he had learned to love. Johnny appeared through a hidden door, limping slightly, his face covered with bruises. Ace moved suddenly, ready to go support his lover, take him in his arms and soothe his pain with kisses. But Mac's powerful hands kept him in place, making him growl from frustration.
“Johnny, come back home, let's discuss that together and see what went wrong. Please.” The older man kept his his voice low, calm and reassuring as he tried to persuade a person he considered his brother to escape a deadly place. But Johnny did not flinch and turned heels.
“Leave me. I'm home now.” he whispered, as the small door closed behind him.
“You heard him ? He's scared by you. Leave my house, you violent bastards, before I get bored with this little game.”
Mac turned silently, grabbed Ace's sleeve and dragged him out, under the amused gaze of Keisuke. The disaster had been greater than anticipated.
****************
Back in the van, Ace cried. Cried loudly and without restrain, like the day he had seen Johnny's scars for the first time. And once again, Mac's soothing hand caressed his shoulder warmly, as if he tried to decipher his friend's emotions.
“Tell me you don't believe him, please” his words were cut by heavy sobs, as he struggled to breathe. “Please, don't believe him. I'd never hurt Johnny, never. I love him. We made love. I didn't touch him this way !”
“Shhhh. I know, I know, don't worry. What gets to me though is that he did. Again. He hit him and hard... This bastard will pay.”
They stayed wordless for a while as Mac drove them back to the club. Ace's cries had stopped, replaced with a cold anger, a determination that was stronger than any of the other's. He would go back that night, he would free his love, and if he had to get killed because of that, so be it. Life wasn't interesting anymore without Johnny.
****************
They made a report to the others, forgetting no details of their conversation. Everyone voted for a concerted action on the following day, when the Jigoku was likely to be almost empty. They prepared their weapons, furbishing their favorite toys thinking about Johnny and what he could be enduring as they waited for the best moment to take a move. But Ace had already prepared another plan. When everyone had gone to bed he left his room and walked silently through Gum's cat-feeding backdoor. His fists would be his weapon and his anger would give them power. As he closed the door softly behind him, a voice rose in the silent street.
“I was sure you'd do that. Y'all think I'm stupid but I can see it when you're having bad ideas.”
Gum was standing in the dark, his beloved stick in hand, barring his way.
“Move aside, please. I'm gonna pass anyway and I don't want to hurt you.” Gum had always beaten him in their children fights but this time was not a game, Ace felt capable of anything.
“Oh I won't fight you. Some asshole is keeping my friend and he's an abuser, he's a seriously bad guy... I'm coming with you. I love Johnny too... hmm well, my feelings are a bit different than yours, if I guessed correctly, but...”
“Thanks !” Ace threw himself in the other's arms and gave him a bear hug. It felt good to hear the simplicity and the boldness of Gum's words. He won't be alone that night, he had the sweetest merciless fighter on his side.
****************
They could enter the Jigoku as customers thanks to the faint lighting and oblivious staff. It was late, they weren't wearing their suits and looked pretty much like every young guy roaming Kabukicho at night. The most difficult part would be to squeeze themselves through the hidden door that Ace had seen earlier. They waited for a while and when a fight started on the opposite side of the room they opened the door swiftly and jumped on the other side. No one was guarding the entrance and the hallway they found looked plain, enlighted by white neon bulbs as if they had landed into a hospital. The sound of screams and music was faint, as the place seemed to have been isolated greatly. Some parts of the walls had been padded, like the cells in psych units, adding a gloomy look at an already scary corridor. A few doors rythmed the side walls, each of them equipped with a small window.
“Okay, let's find him. You take the left side, I'll check the right.” Ace commanded. Gum ran to his side and checked every door quickly. When he arrived before the seventh one he called :
“Ace!! Here!! Quick...”
The door was locked and Ace had to kick it with all his strength to make it open. It was the loudest solution but they had no time left to be discreet. They found Johnny asleep on a very simple bed, his hands tied together in front of him. The light coming from the corridor let them have a glimpse at how awful the beating had been. His bare torso was burned in several places and his plump lips had cracked, leaving blood trails on his chin. Ace had a sudden and violent nausea that sent him on his knees, right in front of his lover's face. Overcoming his weakness he shook Johnny's shoulder to wake him up. The other had not been woken up by the door opening, and the boxer feared that he had already ceased to breathe. But slowly his tired eyes opened, two pools of a luminous hazelnut color that gazed right into Ace's darker ones.
“What are you doing here ? All that I said...”
“I'm bringing you back home. I know how to ignore your nonsense now... You're not spending one more minute in that place.” Relieved to hear the other's voice, the boxer smiled warmly.
“Oh, Ace, why ? You will die... I didn't want you to die... He's dangerous, so dangerous...”
“I don't care. Why did you sacrifice yourself in the first place? Stupid.” He was already helping his lover up when Johnny stopped his movements. Gum was waiting at the door, visibly in a hurry to leave.
“Ace... I must tell you. What I said earlier, he made me do this. He threatened everyone's life and...”
“I know. It's okay...”
“Wait. Do you remember at the park ? The dream ? I've been dreaming of you for years, Ace. I... had to say it.”
Ace stopped walking for a second and looked at his lover's eyes. They were honest and vibrant despite the pain. It felt like a wave of happiness engulfing him as he could feel Johnny's warmth under his palms. Everything was in place, and the future was just before them.
Gum was opening his mouth to urge them when a blow came from behind and sent him on the floor. He laid there, unconscious before his friends, when Keisuke entered the room.
“T-t-t-t. You're so predictable. Coming all the way here to get that piece of shit that serves you as a boyfriend back ? My... You're a hero. I love killing heroes. I'll take my time though. Tomorrow, you three will die. I grew tired of Jo's beautiful ass anyway... He's not as seducing as he was, after what I did to him. I broke an old toy today, but I got two new ones to play with ! I can't wait !”
The man laughed madly and left slowly, closing the door behind him as his servants locked it again with chains. They were trapped in Hell's corridor, waiting for their sentence.
***************************************************************************************
And Chapter five is over !! I hope you liked it ;)
Author: rainbowdots888
Pairings: Ryo x Ohkura
Rating: PG 15 (swearing, blood)
Length: Multi Chapter ( 5 / ? )
Words: 2812
Genre: AU, angst, romance
Disclaimer: Too bad for me, I don't own these men... just these stories.
Summary: 8UPPERS AU. Expect fights, blood, irreverence, but also romance, I'm a softy. "Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again."
Author's note : If you're not familiar with Japanese, Jigoku (地獄) means 'Hell', or at least refers to a similar concept in Japanese Buddhism.
****************
He had told them. Everything that had to be explained and more. Too much. But they knew now... Knew how he felt torn apart, how without them keeping an eye on him he would have already gone berserk and raided Keisuke's lair all by himself. Ace couldn't believe that Johnny had fled, simply. He was making up reasons in his mind : maybe he had just forgotten his phone and would come back for his shift, maybe he had had an accident on the way back, maybe the henchmen had finally gotten hold of him.
He was in foetal position on the sofa muttering reasons, justifications and sometimes letting a tear escape his contracted eyes. Arsenal had put aside his barbed comments and was talking with Mac about the whole thing. Their whispers buzzed without end on the other side of the room, sometimes interrupted by an angry exclamation coming from the oldest of them all. He clearly felt at loss, suddenly learning what had unfolded under his own roof, without him noticing. Jacky laid a soothing hand on his friend's nape, his concerned face telling more than any words. It was their world falling apart, and they had even lost one of them.
Mac got up and announced with a gloomy voice that they were to close the club that night and wait for Johnny until the next day, at noon. If he did not return, they'd go after him. He looked at Ace, his eyes clouded by the shock, halfway between resentment and comprehension.
“Don't let go. He'll come back... And if it's not by himself, we'll bring him back. Listen to me guys, it's important. I don't want any more secrets that big between us, see where it leads. Fuck with whoever you want but be honest and clear, we can't afford to lose one of us, we're a family. We became this family together and we chose our members. Love is definitely part of the equation and no one will get angry at that... kind of things. We started this at seven, we'll finish it seven.”
At that he left the room, followed by Jacky. The others stayed next to Ace, conscious that he could escape any moment and reduce their number by one again. Gum turned to them with a puzzled expression on his face.
“Wait... He said 'fuck with whoever you want' … Who ??”
Toppo patted his friend's tousled hair and declared with a smirk :
“Ah, Gum, bless your innocence.”
***************
The following day at noon, there were no news of Johnny and Ace was still prostrate in the sofa. He had not moved an inch, as the others kept themselves busy to avoid thinking. When the hour came, they all gathered in the lounge and sat around the table. Ace was in a daze and had to be supported by two of them to sit with the group. Jacky was the first to talk, his slightly croaky voice echoing in the rather empty club.
“So... he's not here. Obviously. Mac and me spent the night looking for a club or a place that could be this other guy's HQ. Arsenal and Ace gave the same name so we're pretty sure it's him. Keisuke Hasegawa... he's the son of Takahiro Hasegawa, the boss of the largest clan around. Unfortunately, Johnny had to approach them several times to find clues or proofs on our own command. Had we known what was really happening, of course, we would have stopped that. His lair is a gloomy bar situated in the depths of Kabukicho, the Jigoku, which says a lot on what to expect in there. The guy is notoriously violent and clever, so if Johnny is in there, we'll have to outsmart him. Which means no aggression, no fighting at first”
Saying that he looked at Ace and Arsenal, both of them boiling and inwardly planning their attack.
“Which means I'm going first.” Said Mac, already tying his black tie. “And I'll take Ace with me. Just because I need protection and he's, hum... the most concerned by this. But if you do one single thing wrong, we leave and I think you can say good bye to your... to Johnny. Is that clear?”
“Yeah. Let me fetch my suit and grab a coffee.”
They left at once, both of them more disturbed than they wanted to admit. Their friend may be dead by now. Or worse, he might have changed camps.
****************
The bar was everything its name described. Ace thought that he couldn't find a more miserable place in Tokyo even if he searched for years. It was dirty everywhere and the clients looked like they had been found under a bridge, to furnish the main room and deceive the regular passer-by. It smelled like turned frying oil and every piece of furniture was covered in several layers of sticky dust where flies died stuck. The only detail that showed it was not the purgatory was the red velvet curtain hanging behind the counter. It looked too clean and new to belong to this world. Mac walked in first and instantly made his way between the filthy tables, taking care of not brushing one of them with the hem of his jacket. Among his despair, Ace found this amusing enough to crack a smile. Even in the worst moments, his friend remained a perfect dandy, terribly attached to their 'gentlemen in a suit' image. He made it behind the counter just when the bartender tried to deny Mac the entrance to the back room.
“I came to see Hasegawa san. We have some questions to ask him.”
“Do you have an appointment ?”
Mac laughed suddenly. A beautiful and energetic laugh that startled everyone present in the room. He sure knew how to unsettle his ennemies.
“Of course not. I'd never make an appointment to go to Hell. I've still my whole life to live. Now move.”
Miraculously, the injunction worked on the stunned little man who let both of them go through. The style changed immediately and they found themselves in a comfortable looking night club which walls had been covered with a dark shade of purple velvet. The lights were faint, alternating red and beige bulbs on gorgeous chandeliers. Ace found it very tacky and certainly not a place where he'd like to drink and have fun with friends. The whole place smelled of fear and danger... and dried blood, if he analyzed long enough.
“Stay next to me Ace. Stay put. I'm doing the talking and you move only if they put their guns to our temples. Okay ?”
“Yes, mom.”
“Tsss. It's not the moment for a joke. Save this for Johnny, later.”
Someone moved on the other side of the room as Ace noticed a small group of men, sitting around their boss. Keisuke was there, smoking elegantly, an eye on a card game. He turned his head towards them and smiled.
“Ah, we have guests ! Come on guys, take a seat !”
They walked up to the henchmen group but refused the armchairs they were offered with a nod. The boxer was terribly nervous and the memory of Johnny's hand clenching his jeans two days ago came back to his mind. He could feel that his lover was somewhere in there. And it wrecked his heart.
“Oooh, but who's this we have here... Isn't that Jo's boyfriend ? Well, he's wearing a suit so he looks way better than last time, but...”
“I'm in front of you, in the room, fucker. Speak to me. Don't act as if I'm not here.”
“Ace !” hissed Mac, placing himself between them.
“I don't know who you are, beautiful porcelain doll, but keep your stray dog away from my property, please. He's obviously feral.” Ace could see how amused Keisuke was with the situation. He was the one in a position of strength and took a great delight in their obvious struggle.
“My friend here won't speak again. I'm the one you'll be talking to, and I'm going to ask straight, as we're both busy entrepreneurs without spare time. Where's Johnny ?”
“Ouch. Straightforward. I have to be honest... Johnny's here. He came to me yesterday and claimed he had been hit and then abused by his boyfriend, the boxer. The mad dog. You know, my heart hurt hearing this... so I took him here, with me. 'Cause I care for him.”
One of the henchmen stiffled a laugh as Mac turned to Ace with angry eyes.
“I did nothing !! How can you doubt me ?” This was worse than any other scenario he had pictured. What if Mac believed this guy ? What if Johnny had said this for real ?
“You did.” The boxer heart sunk when he heard this deep voice he had learned to love. Johnny appeared through a hidden door, limping slightly, his face covered with bruises. Ace moved suddenly, ready to go support his lover, take him in his arms and soothe his pain with kisses. But Mac's powerful hands kept him in place, making him growl from frustration.
“Johnny, come back home, let's discuss that together and see what went wrong. Please.” The older man kept his his voice low, calm and reassuring as he tried to persuade a person he considered his brother to escape a deadly place. But Johnny did not flinch and turned heels.
“Leave me. I'm home now.” he whispered, as the small door closed behind him.
“You heard him ? He's scared by you. Leave my house, you violent bastards, before I get bored with this little game.”
Mac turned silently, grabbed Ace's sleeve and dragged him out, under the amused gaze of Keisuke. The disaster had been greater than anticipated.
****************
Back in the van, Ace cried. Cried loudly and without restrain, like the day he had seen Johnny's scars for the first time. And once again, Mac's soothing hand caressed his shoulder warmly, as if he tried to decipher his friend's emotions.
“Tell me you don't believe him, please” his words were cut by heavy sobs, as he struggled to breathe. “Please, don't believe him. I'd never hurt Johnny, never. I love him. We made love. I didn't touch him this way !”
“Shhhh. I know, I know, don't worry. What gets to me though is that he did. Again. He hit him and hard... This bastard will pay.”
They stayed wordless for a while as Mac drove them back to the club. Ace's cries had stopped, replaced with a cold anger, a determination that was stronger than any of the other's. He would go back that night, he would free his love, and if he had to get killed because of that, so be it. Life wasn't interesting anymore without Johnny.
****************
They made a report to the others, forgetting no details of their conversation. Everyone voted for a concerted action on the following day, when the Jigoku was likely to be almost empty. They prepared their weapons, furbishing their favorite toys thinking about Johnny and what he could be enduring as they waited for the best moment to take a move. But Ace had already prepared another plan. When everyone had gone to bed he left his room and walked silently through Gum's cat-feeding backdoor. His fists would be his weapon and his anger would give them power. As he closed the door softly behind him, a voice rose in the silent street.
“I was sure you'd do that. Y'all think I'm stupid but I can see it when you're having bad ideas.”
Gum was standing in the dark, his beloved stick in hand, barring his way.
“Move aside, please. I'm gonna pass anyway and I don't want to hurt you.” Gum had always beaten him in their children fights but this time was not a game, Ace felt capable of anything.
“Oh I won't fight you. Some asshole is keeping my friend and he's an abuser, he's a seriously bad guy... I'm coming with you. I love Johnny too... hmm well, my feelings are a bit different than yours, if I guessed correctly, but...”
“Thanks !” Ace threw himself in the other's arms and gave him a bear hug. It felt good to hear the simplicity and the boldness of Gum's words. He won't be alone that night, he had the sweetest merciless fighter on his side.
****************
They could enter the Jigoku as customers thanks to the faint lighting and oblivious staff. It was late, they weren't wearing their suits and looked pretty much like every young guy roaming Kabukicho at night. The most difficult part would be to squeeze themselves through the hidden door that Ace had seen earlier. They waited for a while and when a fight started on the opposite side of the room they opened the door swiftly and jumped on the other side. No one was guarding the entrance and the hallway they found looked plain, enlighted by white neon bulbs as if they had landed into a hospital. The sound of screams and music was faint, as the place seemed to have been isolated greatly. Some parts of the walls had been padded, like the cells in psych units, adding a gloomy look at an already scary corridor. A few doors rythmed the side walls, each of them equipped with a small window.
“Okay, let's find him. You take the left side, I'll check the right.” Ace commanded. Gum ran to his side and checked every door quickly. When he arrived before the seventh one he called :
“Ace!! Here!! Quick...”
The door was locked and Ace had to kick it with all his strength to make it open. It was the loudest solution but they had no time left to be discreet. They found Johnny asleep on a very simple bed, his hands tied together in front of him. The light coming from the corridor let them have a glimpse at how awful the beating had been. His bare torso was burned in several places and his plump lips had cracked, leaving blood trails on his chin. Ace had a sudden and violent nausea that sent him on his knees, right in front of his lover's face. Overcoming his weakness he shook Johnny's shoulder to wake him up. The other had not been woken up by the door opening, and the boxer feared that he had already ceased to breathe. But slowly his tired eyes opened, two pools of a luminous hazelnut color that gazed right into Ace's darker ones.
“What are you doing here ? All that I said...”
“I'm bringing you back home. I know how to ignore your nonsense now... You're not spending one more minute in that place.” Relieved to hear the other's voice, the boxer smiled warmly.
“Oh, Ace, why ? You will die... I didn't want you to die... He's dangerous, so dangerous...”
“I don't care. Why did you sacrifice yourself in the first place? Stupid.” He was already helping his lover up when Johnny stopped his movements. Gum was waiting at the door, visibly in a hurry to leave.
“Ace... I must tell you. What I said earlier, he made me do this. He threatened everyone's life and...”
“I know. It's okay...”
“Wait. Do you remember at the park ? The dream ? I've been dreaming of you for years, Ace. I... had to say it.”
Ace stopped walking for a second and looked at his lover's eyes. They were honest and vibrant despite the pain. It felt like a wave of happiness engulfing him as he could feel Johnny's warmth under his palms. Everything was in place, and the future was just before them.
Gum was opening his mouth to urge them when a blow came from behind and sent him on the floor. He laid there, unconscious before his friends, when Keisuke entered the room.
“T-t-t-t. You're so predictable. Coming all the way here to get that piece of shit that serves you as a boyfriend back ? My... You're a hero. I love killing heroes. I'll take my time though. Tomorrow, you three will die. I grew tired of Jo's beautiful ass anyway... He's not as seducing as he was, after what I did to him. I broke an old toy today, but I got two new ones to play with ! I can't wait !”
The man laughed madly and left slowly, closing the door behind him as his servants locked it again with chains. They were trapped in Hell's corridor, waiting for their sentence.
***************************************************************************************
And Chapter five is over !! I hope you liked it ;)