Do my job well and I'll have nothing to worry about.

Ray's words danced in my head as I laid on my bead, hearing the shower run. His words repeated over and over Once the shower turned off, it made me jump. Maybe I should've checked his bag to see if he had a gun on him. Wait...he's yakuza...he could probably kill me with his bare hands. I looked around my room looking for an object, honestly anything. I didn't have much to my name, but there was a reading lamp next to me. That was the only thing I could use if he tried to threaten me.

I sighed, holding my head in my hand. It definitely couldn't come to that. All I had to do was what I've been doing since I was a boy. Draw.

The door suddenly opened as Ray stepped out of the bathroom. He rubbed his hair with a towel that draped over his shoulders. He was wearing a black fitting t-shirt, but it seemed comfortable, and a pair of grey joggers. He looked...awfully normal in them, but the more I stared, the more my heart skipped a beat. I don't know why, but...but he...

Ray looked over at me, as I shied away from anymore thoughts. I'm going insane! He is a gangster, can kill me at any moment, and I still think he's good looking?!

Ray came over toward me, still drying himself off. "Mind if I take the couch?"

"Uh..." I thought, thinking that his body weight alone would break the antique, "you can just lay down here. Just stay on your side, ok."

Ray smiled at that, almost as if he was a little kid. "That's awfully generous."

It's shit like that that's unlike a gangster...or any I've met in the streets or seen on TV. Sometimes he's just cute and nice, other times...

Ray placed the towel on the couch and made his way to the bed. I laid back down, staring at the ceiling so I didn't make eye contact with him anymore. Instead, I felt the bed shake as he got situated under the covers. He let out a sigh, which I suppose meant that he was comfortable.

We both sat in silence for a while. I had a lot I wanted to ask...especially about his business...even about himself. Now that his brother wasn't around, I was honestly hoping he'd be a bit more receptive. Or at least try and ease some of my fears...or make things clear. Either way, I wanted something concrete.

"Are you going to kill me?" I asked, hearing the bed shuffle. "...if I don't deliver on time."

Ray didn't respond and I was worried by the silence, so I turned my head to look at him. His head was tilted toward the ceiling, his arms behind his head. His eyes were closed but I knew he was awake.

"You're my responsibility now, so that won't even be an option. I'll make sure you get done what needs to be done."

Ray paused, his eyes opening, "But no, you won't be killed and I'll do my best to make sure you're not hurt."

I don't know if that was what I wanted to hear, but it at least made me feel better.

"But, I really can't know what you're using my paintings for."

I was halfway hoping that he wouldn't be bullied into telling me...

"No."

Shit.

He looked over at me then, his face was calm and his eyes were glinting in the darkness. "You're not one of us, Niko."

Ray turned back to the ceiling, sighing as if he was in deep thought. "It's nothing personal, it's just our rules. Plus, the less you know the less danger you'll be in."

I understood that...it didn't curve my curiosity in any way though. The gangster life style was something new to me, but I had heard about yakuza being like family. This whole "what happens in the family stays in the family" thing. It was kind of insane to hear that in real life.

"So...if I was one of you guys, then I'd know."

Ray laughed at that, turning on his side to meet my eyes. "You don't want that."

"How would you know?" 

He seemed amused by my statement, so I was hoping I could learn more about him and his dealings if I kept prodding.

"You're not the type."

I raised a curious eyebrow at him, as he placed his head on his hand. "Look, I was born into the VG. My brother, Yahiko, and I were bred for this. We can see the blood thirsty animal in people's eyes. The demon that's willing to show no mercy and fight for our family until the deed is done."

Ray pointed his hand at my nose, gawking. "And you're not one of those people."

I looked past his finger at into his eyes, watching him retract his touch. He wasn't wrong. I never would or could kill someone. I just wasn't the type to do something like that, nor have I ever had something I had to protect to the point that I'd go to such lengths. His world was very different from mine, but it didn't make it any less interesting. The more he talked about it, the more I wished I could be a part of something like that. Have people to lean on...rely on...but that just wasn't a part of my story.

"Well...sure, you're right. That's not me, but...I've always wanted a tattoo. Yet, most people associate that..."

"...with yakuza." He finished for me.

I sighed, "Yea."

He smirked at that. "So, what? Get what you want, just don't make it visible."

He was right, but the thought still was a step I was unsure if I should take. "Did it hurt?"

The more Ray looked at me, the more I wanted to look away. Every time I looked at him, I was reminded of our kiss and it made me oddly shy. I wasn't sure if it was because I wished it would happen again...or if I was afraid it was not going to.

"No, I have a high pain tolerance. You, though, may need someone to hold your hand."

"Fuck off!" I yelled, angrily, which made him laugh.

Everything in my mind disappeared after that, as I turned away from him: folding my arms in agitation. This prick, I can handle pain. I just didn't want to be ostracized any more than I already was.

"And with that, good night Niko."  

I could hear him smirking through my agitation.

"Night." 

Ray

My eyes opened as the bed began to shake. Initially I thought we were having an earthquake, it wouldn't have been the first time, only to realize it was Niko. He was shaking wildly in his sleep...there goes my quiet nap.

"Niko-" I started, grasping his shoulder to wake him up.

"No...no dad...stop!"

His eyes were shut and he wasn't responding to my nudges. Is he still having night terrors?

"Hey," I said calmly, pulling his body close to mine, "it's ok."

"No!" He started twisting away, almost elbowing me in the ribs.

"Shh," I said, putting a calming hand on his forehead and running my fingers through his hair, "your father's not here anymore. You're safe now."

Niko's body began to quiet, his breathing regulating itself. This technique worked before, but it was some time ago. The fact that I even still remembered...I sighed, thinking it was a job well-done, until Niko twisted his body, grasping onto my middle and snuggling his head into my chest.

"Ryu..."

My eyes darted open in shock at that name.

"Ryu I missed you so much."

It took me a minute to gather myself. I was unsure if he was awake...or even conscience.

"Niko?"

No response, just his quiet breathing, but the surprise still lingered. Why...why did he call out that name...

I exhaled roughly, wrapping my arms around his back. I looked up at a painting Niko had on the wall. My eyes zeroing into the N&R signature that was so bold that it perferated the darkness. 

I shouldn't be here...I shouldn't be doing this.

I slowly moved away from Niko's embrace. He seemed fine now and that was good enough for me. I glanced over at his alarm clock. It was 0230.

Rubbing my hand through my hair, I sat on the edge of Niko's bed. Ryu. I looked back at him then, half hoping he'd wake up so I could make up some excuse for leaving. Hell...I didn't even need to be here. I guess I just stayed because...

"Fuck." I spat.

I stood up, hearing the bed creak in my absence. I dug through some loose paper on Niko's floor, finding a piece of paper and grabbed a pen out of my backpack. I scribbled something down, placing it on Niko's nightstand and gave him one last look. My heart was telling me to stay, telling me to give him an explanation...maybe even come clean about the mess I had once again made of his life. Instead, my mind got the better of me and I picked up my backpack, put on my shoes, and left.

Niko

I squinted, rubbing my eyes and yawning, only to wake up to an emptiness beside me. I looked over, not seeing Ray anywhere, but there was a note. I picked it up and opened it.

Niko,

Thanks for the shower. I appreciate you lending me your bed to catch some z's. Catch ya later!

- Ray