— it's me and you against the world, isn't it? —

— 4 years ago —

"What did you do?" Earth had to ask again because he really hoped that Narong was just joking. Really sick and twisted joke but still better than the problems the real thing would bring.

"I think I killed a secret agent."

"You think you killed a secret agent? Narong, what the fuck? How? When? How do you even know that it was a secret agent?"

With a deep sigh, Narong plopped down on his chair in his office and started massaging his temples. "You know how in the past two weeks mafia was here almost every night. It's disturbing our clientele—"

"By our clientele you mean guys that want to punch each other almost to death and people who like to watch that—which also includes mafia? Those people are disturbed by random mob guys showing up and... watching with them? As far as I know, no incident happened in—well, a couple of months already."

"Well, it disturbs me, okay?" Narong snapped.

Earth clicked his tongue and sat down as well, "so what happened?"

"I went to talk to the mafia and it didn't go exactly how I imagined. They got offended, straight up furious, some threats were thrown into the conversion as well. Honestly, when I stepped out of that place I was glad I was still alive."

"That's what you get for thinking that you can order the mafia around," Earth scoffed. "But... how does you killing a secret agent enters the picture here?"

"You can imagine that I was pretty shaken up and on the edge after that."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I thought that standing outside of that place I was safe, but then a man walked out of there and he looked exactly like any other mafia guy, Earth, you have to trust me. He did! And he walked out of their fucking place, what else was I supposed to think? And as he was walking towards me I could see a gun under his jacket. I wasn't about to risk that, so I decided to run."

"Run?"

"Yeah, fucking run, okay?" Narong groaned. "Point is, he ran after me. So at that point, I knew he wanted to hurt me because why else would he run after me, right? There was a bridge over the river nearby. Once I got there I was getting tired and that fucker was still after me and I didn't know what to do so I just turned around and the moment he was close to me I shoved him with all my strength and—"

"You pushed him off the bridge," Earth finished Narong's words, shaking his head.

"And I pushed him off the bridge," Narong nodded,

"Still doesn't explain how you know that he is dead and who he was."

"I watched the news this morning. They found his body last night. Apparently, he was a cop. So, if he was a cop but I saw him at the mafia compound without anyone blinking an eye—that has to mean that he was undercover, right?"

"And he most likely didn't want to kill you but talk to you. Fucking hell, Narong!" Earth groaned in frustration, glaring at the man twice his age.

"Look, I know that I fucked up!" Narong chuckled nervously. "But... but I have a plan. It all should be okay... if you help me."

Earth cocked his eyebrow, "me? Why do you need my help? You think cops will be able to find out that it was you?"

"There were cameras," Narong whispered.

"Cameras?"

"Yes. There were some at the mafia compound and at least one or two near the bridge—they are monitoring the parking lot of a shopping mall across the street."

"There's a shopping mall nearby, but you are concerned only about cameras? You know how many people could see you?"

"There's a way higher chance of cops checking the cameras that some random person deciding to go to cops because of something they might or might have not seen."

Earth nodded, not exactly convinced but so be it! "So, you want me to hack the cameras?"

"Yes! Please do it, Earth!"

"You know that I didn't learn hacking to cover up a murder, right? I was just bored."

"And I will forever be glad that you were bored. So, please, will you do it?" Narong looked tired and scared, almost paranoid. And Earth wasn't surprised. Killing a cop—that wouldn't be easy to get out of if other cops would find out.

"Fine, I'll do it, but you'll owe me a favour... not now, but one day I might want something."

— PRESENT —

Mix came out of the shower twenty minutes later. He had decided—he was going to leave the Fire Dragon. Watching Earth still on the sofa deeply in his thoughts, Mix didn't want to upset him, but it was better to tell him now than just one day suddenly not show up even... Mix frowned, he didn't want to break up with Earth, but what if his presence not only in the club but around Earth as well was putting Earth in danger? God, it was much more complicated than he ever wanted it to be.

When Earth finally looked up at him, Mix gave him a small smile but didn't go to sit next to Earth again. Instead, he just stood in the middle of the room, his clothes suddenly so itchy all over his skin and the air too suffocating. He took a deep breath, "I'm leaving the Fire Dragon."

"What?" the worried frown appeared on Earth's face. "Sweetheart, stop! This is bullshit. You are not leaving."

"Things... bad things are happening because of me. I have to leave so everything will get back to normal."

"You think it ever will?!" Earth scoffed. "You think that you can just come here make me fall for you, make me question everything I have ever known about the club and about uncle K. and then just disappear when things get a little rough?" Earth stood up and cut the distance between them, "you leaving the club... does it involve you leaving me?"

Mix looked at Earth, feeling like one word could crumble everything down, but he didn't know. Didn't know what to say or do. It felt like he didn't understand even himself anymore. "I... no. Yes. No... I don't know."

For a second, Earth looked hurt but then it turned into determination. He took Mix's hand in his, fingers tight around Mix's skin, and asked, "Mix, do you want to break up with me?"

Mix shook his head before Earth even finished the question, "no! Of course not!"

"Then, what is this all about?" a relieved smile took over Earth's face. "If you think that leaving the club is the best option then fine... I won't stop you. Do it. But that doesn't mean you have to leave me as well. I called Narong. He owes me a favour. I asked him to tell me everything he knows about uncle K's murder, or his relations with the mafia or anything else that could have been potentially life-threatening to him. Narong doesn't really talk much about uncle K. ever. But I know that he knows something. More than he has been saying. Mix, I promised you that I would help you to find out what happened no matter what. And that's exactly what I'm gonna do. So stop trying to run away and instead try to trust in us. Me and you... okay?"

"Me and you," Mix whispered. And when Earth kissed him, he finally felt a genuine smile spreading on his lips. "I'm staying with you," Mix whispered into their kiss. "I just don't know about the club."

Earth pressed a kiss on Mix's forehead, "that's okay. You can think about it tomorrow. You should sleep now—it's been a lot on you today."

Mix nodded, tugging on Earth's hand, "come with me?"

"I will," Earth gave Mix a soft smile, "I'll just check on dad first."

"Okay," Mix bit his lip and left for Earth's bedroom.

When Mix disappeared behind the corner, Earth had to sit down again. His injury still hurt and his heart was threatening to jump out of his ribcage. There was no way that he would let Mix just leave. To think that Mix would want to leave, want to break up... it was starting to haunt his thoughts. He had to let it go. Mix didn't want to break up. It was good. Everything was good. Maybe he would leave the club, but as long as he would stay by Earth's side—everything was good.

Earth wasn't sure at first, but now after Mix brought up the idea of breaking up... it was clear. The love was involved. Earth was in love with Mix. Mix was so easy to fall for. Earth didn't even know how it happened but it did. If only he had any idea how to confess his feelings to Mix. The fact that they were in a relationship maybe should have been helpful, but Earth didn't feel like it at all.

He would think about it later.

Now he glanced at his phone—almost midnight. Earth stood up and made his way to his father's room. His father wasn't asleep yet.

"Hey dad, not tired yet?"

Two blinks... that was a no.

"Hmm, can't sleep?"

One blink... yes.

"I'm sorry," Earth smiled sympathetically. "I have one question for you before I go to sleep. I'm sorry to be asking this now but, Dad, was uncle K. killed by the mafia?"

Earth's father looked right at him and blinked... once.

To be continued...

P.S. Hmm, the person who would maybe want to talk... can't. And those people who can talk... don't want to 🤧