#and i bumped the sock bin. onto the roof

[polymoth]

Oh lads. I've really fucked up. My roommate's socks are in the gutter

[narika-a]

Slipped From My Grasp

[Part 1] [Part 2]

A/N1: It’s been too long but I’m finally back with the next part!! 🙏

Agent!Bang Chan x Gang Leader!Reader

Summary: Getting caught by the police was the last thing on your schedule, yet somehow you always end up in the most unfortunate situations.

Genre: Mafia AU, angst, suggestive

Warnings: Violence, strong language, suggestive content

Word count: 3,971

“He’s pretty brave to dare peep at me while I’m changing,” you thought as your eyes met. But one gaze was all it took for him to get flustered and quickly leave the room. Just what you needed…

You wasted no time coming up to the window again. You had to put a bit more effort than expected but eventually you got it open, a strong gust of wind greeting you. Dark clouds were starting to gather, you reckoned it’s going to rain soon. You looked around outside the window for a possible escape route. It won’t take long for him to notice you missing, so you don’t have much time and you doubt you’re going to get all the way to the ground, so you had to come up with something and fast. And then a brilliant idea came to your head, instead of going down immediately you can go up – on the roof. You will figure out what to do from there.

You felt like teasing Chan though, so you picked up a marker you found in one on the drawers and left a message on the nail you used to escape before.

Then you sat down on the windowsill and reached for the nearest pipe. You didn’t have a fear of heights but right now you were starting to doubt it. Will you be able to hold on with these wounds? You have to try, you can’t just sit here waiting to get locked up. You took your socks off, so your feet would stick better to the metal. You positioned yourself and on the count of three pushed away from the sill. Your palms were sweating like crazy but somehow you managed to attach yourself to the pipe and started going up. You reached the edge of the roof and hoped that your hands won’t let you down now as you pulled up.

“I’m alive!” you thought as you lay down. You heard Chan shouting something from below, but you couldn’t understand what due to the wind. You stared at the clouds as the first drops of rain touched your face. You wiped them off and sat up. It would be nice to rest a little bit longer but at the moment rest is a luxury you can’t afford.

Normally hospitals like these should have an emergency ladder at least a few floors down. You got on your fours, so nobody would notice you from the ground and made your way to the back, searching for it. It seems today was your lucky day as the ladder practically went all the way down. You looked around one last time and started descending. You jumped off the last few steps and quickly hid in the alley between the nearby buildings. You heard the police sirens in the distance and realized you couldn’t stay here much longer. You have to move.

You were lucky this was an urban area with plenty of places to hide. You had a vague idea which part of the city you might be in but nothing concrete. It seems you will have to rely on your instincts once more to get out of here.

It was about fifteen minutes since you got out. You had no idea where you were going but you haven’t stopped since. The rain has gotten stronger and you were drenched. Your hands and feet were freezing, and you regretted your decision not to put on any shoes. You lifted your shirt to look at the wound. It didn’t look good and all this running was not making it better.

You leaned your head on the wall, trying to catch your breath when you heard voices around the corner. You quickly pressed yourself against the building, hoping whoever was talking didn’t notice you. You glanced around the corner and saw two people exchanging a few words before splitting up. The one closer to you turned around and started coming in your direction. You noticed the police badge on his shoulder. So, they caught up with you.

You have no choice but to take him out. You clenched your hand into a fist and noticed that it was trembling. You couldn’t tell if it was because of the cold or the adrenaline rushing through your body. It was too late to search for a weapon, you will have to go for his neck.

As soon as he got close enough you jumped out of your hiding spot, getting him into a chokehold. He reacted immediately, going backwards and slamming you into the wall but you managed to hold on. He started fumbling with his holster with one hand, trying to take his gun out while the other gripped onto yours in an attempt to get some air but you tightened your hold and he finally passed out.

You dropped his body to the ground, resting against the wall, breathing deeply. You had to gather all your strength not to faint yourself. You could feel your body was reaching its limits. Your head spun from the hit and when you looked down at your shirt you noticed some blood stains. You wiped your nose and realized it was bleeding. That’s never a good sign.

After a few more minutes you staggered to the body, you had to hide it before anyone else noticed. You grabbed him by the armpits and dragged him to the alley you were hiding in. You sat him up near some trash bins and checked his pulse. Still alive. Good. You could now see that he was a handsome young guy, probably no older than you.

“What a pretty face,” you thought to yourself, taking his gun out. “Sorry, nothing personal,” you said out loud, standing up. You checked the gun’s magazine. To your surprise it was fully loaded. Jackpot.

Now where did the other guy go? He might be coming back to check on his buddy, so you have to be careful. You went along the wall and peeked around the corner you last saw him. The coast was clear. You examined your surrounding area. It seems you were in some kind of school territory. There was a fence going along the outer edge. You could see trees beyond it. A park? A forest? That mattered little, trees give a good cover, especially when it’s dark and with a terrible weather like this you decided that is your best option.

Problem is, you had to cross a stadium to get to the fence and being in such a big open field made you an easy target, so you couldn’t help but feel nervous.

You glanced around one last time, said ‘fuck it’ and sprinted for it. You jumped up once you were near the fence, grabbing the top with your hands and started pulling yourself up, your feet slipping on the wet wood. Just as you got a good grip a bullet pierced the fence’s board right where you left hand was just a second ago. If you hadn’t moved it then, you would probably be missing a few fingers.

“Stop or I will shoot!” somebody shouted behind you. You recognized that voice.

“Shouldn’t you say that before shooting?” you asked, frozen in your spot, half way up the fence.

“Get down!” he shouted again.

You could barely hold on as it is, so it didn’t take long for your hands to give up on you, you slipped down the fence, your back to him. You looked down at your waist, where you propped the gun you took earlier. You doubt he saw you have it, you could…

“Turn around!”

You would need to be fast but it’s possible.

“I said turn around, hands in the air where I can see them!”

He didn’t need to repeat himself for the third time as you turned around whipping the gun out and pulling the trigger. Chan ducked to the side, but nothing came out. You forgot to pull the damn safety!

“Drop it!” Chan said, standing up straight again. He was soaking wet, his white shirt sticking to his body. He brushed his hair back and you have no idea why, but you noticed they were not curly anymore.

“Now now, Mr Bang, I’m sure we can compromise here,” you said, raising your hands, stumbling backwards. “That’s strange,” you thought as you bumped into the fence. You had trouble keeping your balance.

“I have no time to play, so you either drop your gun or I shoot you.”

“You’re not going to shoot me,” you smirked but he didn’t answer.

“Y/N, I swear to god, drop the damn gun!” he ordered you again, after a brief silence.

“I could say the same thing to you!” somebody said, setting his gun against the back of Chan’s head. “And I won’t be repeating.”

Chan hesitated but then unwillingly threw the gun away and the guy took his hands and tied them behind his back, pushing him forwards so he would kneel down.

“Minho!” you exclaimed once you recognized him. You were more than happy to see him.

“You dumb dumb don’t call me by my real name!”

You chuckled slumping down on the ground. Somehow you were really tired.

“Y/N!” Minho called you. “What did you do to her?!” he shouted, nudging Chan’s head with his gun.

“We didn’t do anything. She was like that when they found her,” he explained calmly, seemingly unphased by the situation he’s in.

“Okay, I’m done with you,” Minho sighed, clicking the safety.

“Wait!” you shouted. “Don’t kill him!”

“Why not? He’s been hot on your heels for years now, what better opportunity to get rid of him than now?”

“But he saved me! I want us to be even!”

Minho stared at you, his teeth clenched. Your eyes wandered to Chan, a small smile playing on his lips, as he looked at you. What an idiot! It’s not like you’re getting soft on him.

“Minho!” you focused back on him, you really are not used to saying stuff like that, but it seems he won’t back off unless you do. “That’s an order,” you said strictly.

He clicked his tongue and lowered the gun and you sighed in relief, but he lifted it again, whacking Chan across his head, knocking him out.

“What? You don’t want him following us, do you?” he asked, coming up to you as you rolled your eyes.

But you couldn’t stay mad at him for long and as soon as he was close enough you pulled him by the hand and hugged him tightly.

“I thought you were dead!” you sniffled as you buried your face in his neck.

“Why would I be dead?” he chuckled, wrapping his hands around you. “People like me don’t die.”

He pulled back after a few seconds and wiped your wet hair away from your face.

“We were so worried about you though! We should have found you sooner. If anything happened to you I…”

“Why would anything happen to me?” you giggled, repeating what he said before. “People like me don’t die.”

“I don’t think you can say that in this condition,” he chuckled, eyeing you up. He cupped your cheeks and kissed you on the forehead and before you could comment anything lifted you up from the ground. “Let’s get out of here.”

You leaned your head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. He really is alive, huh? You smiled to yourself, you could finally relax.

▲▼▲▼▲

Bang Chan’s POV

“Chan! Bang Chan!” somebody shook me. “I said wake up!” he slapped me across my face.

“Huh?! What?” I jumped up immediately. “Where am I?” I frantically looked around, still not fully awake.

“Relax,” Jisung laughed. “You’re back in the HQ. We found you snoozing in the rain. Did you had a good nap?” he teased me.

I put my hand on my stinging cheek.

“Did you just slap me?” I asked, ignoring his previous remarks.

“Sorry, but I always wanted to do that,” he chuckled and immediately took a few steps back. Wise move. “You better get moving, the assistant director is waiting for you in his office.”

“Which one?”

Jisung just gave me an understanding look and sat down at his desk.

“Changbin…” I sighed, throwing the blanket away and standing up. “How long was I out?”

“Not sure…” he looked at the clock. “You body temperature was pretty low when they found you, so you were probably out there for at least one to two hours, so hmm, maybe six hours in total?”

“Six hours!!” I shouted. “Why didn’t anyone wake me up sooner?”

“Well they tried but I,” he said, setting his hand on his chest near his heart. “As a very professionally trained doctor convinced them to let you rest.”

“Oh my god!” I couldn’t believe this kid. Six hours? It will be practically impossible to find her now.

“Hey! You will thank me later! You really needed that rest. How is your head, by the way?”

“It’s fine!” I replied, storming out. I stretched my wrists on the way to the office, I could still see marks from when I was tied up. I only now realized that I was wearing a sweater. Jisung… Maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh on him.

I turned the corner and stopped in front of the office. I’m really not in the mood to hear how I screwed up but it’s all part of my work. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“Sorry,” I said, coming in. “Did you call for me?”

Changbin glanced at me from his paperwork and gestured for me to take a seat. I’m not going to lie, I hated this guy’s guts, he was younger than me, yet already had the position of an assistant director. And he got it quicker than anyone else before him!

He continued to write for a few more minutes and I just sat there in silence, not knowing where to begin. Just as I managed to create a coherent sentence in my head, he closed the file loudly and pushed it away.

“You lost her,” he folded his hands in front of him and leaned in closer. “Twice!” he spoke more loudly now. “In one fucking day!” he shouted.

“Let me explain!.. Sir,” I added after a brief pause.

“Explain! There is nothing to be explained! I don’t need your excuses! You were appointed to her case because you asked so yourself and so far, I have seen no progress!”

“That’s because-“

“Don’t interrupt me! The board expected better from you, there has been a lot of close calls and they all ended up exactly the same, with her fucking escaping! And…” he stopped, as if a thought just popped in his head. “How come you’re still alive? She tied you up but didn’t kill you? Are you working with her?!”

“What!?” I almost chocked. “How the hell should I know why!”

“Right…” he sighed and closed his eyes. An uncomfortable silence stood between us. “Bang Chan, one more major screw up like this and you will be dismissed from the case,” he said looking straight at me.

“But I-“

“No buts! Now get out of my face! I expect a full report on what happened by tomorrow morning!”

I opened my mouth to protest but decided to shut up and not make him even more angry. I turned around and left the room without saying a word.

“Fuck!” I hissed through gritted teeth. I had her in my grasp and she managed to slip yet again. I wanted to shout and punch somebody but had to control myself. I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts.

I have no leads on her. Not anymore. She could be anywhere and with that condition I doubt she will make her move any time soon. Which sucks for me! I had to work fast if I want to keep my position. Anyhow, first things first, I have to get back to my office.

I went around the corner and bumped into someone.

“Ah sorry-“

“Watch where you’re going, you idiot!” Juyeon brushed me off.

What a prick. I hated his division the most. They thought they are all high and mighty just because they had more qualified members.

Now that I think about it. I did find him knocked out in that alleyway, so she got to both of us, huh? I laughed at this realization, I wonder why she didn’t kill him either.

“Did you sleep well?” I shouted after him and he just turned around and showed me the middle finger. I chuckled, it’s always nice to tease him.

I watched him push the door of the entrance with more force than needed and leave the building. His appearance from behind reminded me of someone.

Wait…

There is one more lead. Felix!

“Chan!” Jisung called me down the corridor. Waving for me to come back. “There is a call for you.”

“Who’s calling?” I asked, approaching him.

“I don’t know, he insisted on talking to you. He said, he has some information on Stray Kids.”

▲▼▲▼▲

You lay in your bed listening to the sound of the rain. It was pitch black outside. You looked at the clock on the wall in front of you. 2 am. You must have fallen asleep.

You vaguely remember dreaming about something. A funeral? Your father’s? No, he was there right beside you and you were still little. Strange…

You turned to your side and checked out the room. You were pretty sure you were in one of the many hideouts your gang had. The room was dimly lit by a lonely lamp on the desk at the end of it.

You felt cold and dizzy, probably caught a cold but you couldn’t stay still, you had to find out what happened. You brushed the blankets you were practically wrapped in away and sat up. You found some socks laying around and put them on, only now realizing your clothes had been changed. Again.

“Minho…” you sighed in embarrassment. You didn’t want to think who else saw you naked in the last few days.

You found some pain killers on the nightstand and decided to take a few pills. You set the water glass down and picked up the gun laying near it.

“Oh, it’s the one from before,” you spoke to yourself, examining it. It had some beautiful carvings on one of its side you didn’t notice when you took it. You brushed your finger over it. Custom made? Your eyes stopped on one of the signs. It looked oddly familiar. No way!

You jumped up and ran to the window, taking the hoodie off. You pulled your shirt down, revealing your shoulder tattoo. You looked at its reflection carefully. You traced it with your eyes until you found it. One of the signs on the gun matched your tattoo.

“What the hell?..”

You heard somebody talking and immediately turned around. The door to your room was slightly open and the voices could be heard coming from somewhere inside the house. You instinctively hid behind the door and listened.

“What the hell am I doing?” you thought, realizing how stupid you must look right now, hiding in your own house. Well not exactly your house but…

You brushed the thoughts away and stepped outside, following the voices. You don’t know why but you still took the gun with you.

There was a faint light coming from the room down the corridor. You approached it as silently as possible, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.

“And?” you heard Minho ask. “Still nothing?.. I don’t know how we are going to explain everything to her. We fucked up! We should have-”

“Minho! You need to pull yourself together! We got her back, so we should focus on that right now!”

That voice! You pushed the door open and both of them reached for their guns.

“Y/N?!” he stopped midway.

“Felix!” you practically jumped on him, wrapping your hands around his neck, almost making him tumble backwards.

“Whoa whoa, what’s this all about?” he laughed, not knowing where to put his hands. He looked at Minho and he just shrugged.

“I’m so glad, oh my god-“ you sniffled. Tears threatening to spill out as everything that happened finally caught up with you. Seeing him here gave you hope that everyone else is okay too.

“Hey hey hey, don’t start crying now, that’s so not like you,” he said, finally hugging you back.

“I’m not crying you idiot,” you pushed him away, wiping a few tears off. “As if I would cry for somebody like you!”

“Ouch that’s harsh! You hurt my feelings Y/N!”

You stared at him for a few more seconds and then hugged him again.

“Y/N it’s starting to become creepy, since when are you so clingy,” he teased you.

“Shut up and let me enjoy this.”

“No, Y/N he’s right. You’re the idiot here. What are you even doing up? You should stay in bed, you had a really high fever,” Minho pitched in setting his hand on your forehead. “Jesus! You’re burning up!”

“What can I say I’m a hot woman!”

You never saw somebody roll their eyes in perfect synchronization before.

“I hoped you haven’t forgotten who is in charge here! You have no right to tell me what to do and I say I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell happened!” you stomped your foot.

Minho and Felix exchanged glances, but you had no clue what they were thinking.

“What?! Tell me! Where are the others? Are they okay?”

“It’s complicated,” Felix answered.

“Complicated? How can it be complicated! Just give me a damn answer!”

“Y/N you need to calm down!”

“No, you don’t understand he… He tried to kill me! He might be after the others too!” you suddenly gasped, realizing something. He couldn’t have pulled off everything on his own, what if they are working together! Why else wouldn’t they tell you?

“Can I even trust you?!” you pulled out your gun, pointing it at Minho and then at Felix. “Well?!” you shouted. Is everyone going to betray you?

“Y/N what the fuck are you babbling about? Of course, you can trust us! We promised your father!” Minho finally said. “Don’t be stupid, put down the fucking gun!”

“And so did he but…” you were interrupted by the doorbell.

Using the opportunity that you got distracted for a split second, Felix snatched the gun away and seized your hands behind your back, pulling you towards him.

You all stood in silence as the doorbell rang again.

“I will go check it out,” Minho said, taking his gun out and leaving the room.

You heard him fumble with the keys and finally unlock the door.

“What are you doing here?”

▲▼▲▼▲

He hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair, putting his feet up on his desk. He took his notebook and crossed one more thing out from the list.

Juyeon who was sitting in front of him, waiting for him to finish, pushed his feet off, clearly annoyed.

“We’re in a public place,” Juyeon hissed. “Could you not draw any more attention?”

He just stared at him, until the waitress walked by.

“I heard you got pretty roughed up. Getting knocked out wasn’t on your schedule, I assume?” he laughed.

“Shut up! I got the job done anyway. She took the gun,” Juyeon explained. “You think this will work?”

“Don’t worry. Sangyeon has everything planned. That gun will lead her right to us.”

“And then?”

“And then we finish what he couldn’t. We get rid of her once and for all.”

[Part 1] [Part 2]

A/N2: That’s right, The Boyz will be joining in on the action starting this chapter! Stray Boyz Rise!!

[kinsale42-blog]

Invitations (part 3)

Jesse just looked at Hanzo for a minute before he replied. “Well, shucks. Don’t you worry about that. Water under the bridge. Didn’t stop me coming to fetch you, did it?” The lump in his throat dissipated, his fears not having been realized. He thought longingly of the cigar in his inside coat pocket, but he had promised himself he wouldn’t smoke around Hanzo so long as there was a possibility they might kiss again. At this point, there was still a slight chance of that.   

The assassin’s expression softened visibly. He’d expected almost any response but the one he’d gotten, and he felt the warmth grow within him as another layer of his defense peeled away. Taking a long swallow of his swiftly cooling chai, he considered his next step.

“Shall we return to my home?” Hanzo asked. “The time for a meal approaches, and I would be honored if you would join me.”

He was rewarded by one of Jesse’s famous smiles, the kind that lit up his whole face. “Please don’t go to any trouble for little ol’ me, but yes, I would love to.”

They began walking, disposing of their empty cups as they passed a waste disposal bin. Hanzo still felt a bit flustered, and tried to diminish the formality of his invitation a little. “It is no trouble. I was merely going to collect our dinner on the way back.”

The gravity of his decision to allow Jesse McCree into the private sanctum of his personal residence didn’t hit Hanzo until they were in the elevator on the way up to the eighth floor. He choked back the fear that he would be exposing his inner world. To him, every piece that decorated his apartment had meaning--things that he had created, or ones that represented memories, brought him peace, gave him inspiration. To Jesse, they would just be furnishings of little significance. He focused on his breathing and composed his face as they approached the door of his apartment.

They entered, and Hanzo indicated a peg where Jesse could leave his coat. He looked down at the cowboy’s boots. His own practice was to follow the tradition of removing outside footwear at the door, but he had no slippers to offer Jesse that would fit those feet. He decided to say nothing. Jesse was a guest, after all, and it would be polite to allow him to follow his own custom. Hanzo removed his own shoes and slid his feet into his slippers.

“Where would you like this?” Jesse asked, holding up the bag of take-out he’d insisted on carrying. (“If you won’t let me pay for it, at least let me carry it,” he’d said.)

“I will take it,” answered Hanzo, taking the bag and unpacking it onto the kitchen counter as Jesse hung up his long coat and hat.

“You don’t have to get all fancy for me. I have eaten out of take-out containers more times than I can count,” Jesse said before Hanzo could get plates down from the cabinet. “Less work to do afterwards, too.”

Hanzo’s mouth twitched at the corners. “Why does that not surprise me?” he asked. “Can I interest you in a fork, or are you comfortable with chopsticks?”

“Are you trying to smile? I think you’re trying to smile.” Jesse grinned, then turned slightly sheepish. “Yeah, I uh, probably should use a fork. Last time I tried chopsticks I got a little too much leverage and launched a prawn across the room.” He held out a sealed white envelope. “Your invitation to the party.”

A fork went on to the tray with the food, next to the chopsticks and the pile of napkins. Hanzo reached into the small refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of beer. He traded them for the envelope Jesse was holding. With the envelope between two fingers, he picked up the tray and led the way from the kitchen to the living room, bumping light switches with his elbows along the way to turn off and on lights.

“Well ain’t this nice,” said Jesse as he took in the details of the room. The walls were a pale dove gray except for the wall with the holo-fireplace, which was a muted blue around the stone fireplace. The furniture was all of a graceful Scandinavian style, primarily in walnut and birch. A folding bamboo screen separated the living area from the kitchen, something he hadn’t noticed from the kitchen side.  Soft, indirect lighting gave the area a sense of warmth and illuminated a grouping of woodblock prints over the sofa. “I wouldn’t have expected your place to be quite like this, Hanzo.”

Hanzo set the tray down on the coffee table and turned on the electric holo-fire. “What did you expect? Tatami mats and rice paper screens?” He fished a cushion out from behind a chair and positioned it carefully next to the table before sitting cross-legged upon it.

Jesse found spots for the beer bottles on the tray, and sat down on the edge of the very rectangular charcoal gray sofa. “I suppose I thought you’d either be pretty traditionally Japanese or, I don’t know, very utilitarian.” He thought of all the bachelor crash pads he’d inhabited since he’d left home as a kid: the mattresses on the floor, milk crates and folding chairs, and only the hardwired overhead lighting to keep him from darkness. “This is very comfortable though. It suits you.” He reached for a beer and twisted the top off before settling in to eat from the box Hanzo had opened and placed in front of him.

Hanzo tore open the envelope and unfolded the sheet of paper enclosed within. He read it quickly, then read it once more before refolding it and laying it down on the table. As he picked up his chopsticks and reached for his box of yakisoba, he said, trying to sound casual, “The letter is dated a week ago. And the flight to HQ is booked for tomorrow. Did you come by bus?”

Jesse coughed and sputtered mid-mouthful. Hanzo handed him a napkin and waited for him to regain control. “Ahem. Yes, well, I...uh, I had to locate your address.” Hanzo continued eat his noodles, his eyes fixed on Jesse’s face and his expression revealing nothing. “And, uh, I had to decide on a good method to contact you.” And I was nervous as hell, he finished silently. He looked around the room, trying to think of a good way to divert attention from himself. His gaze landed on the single decorative object on the mantelpiece.

“Is that a cherry branch? Where did you find one of those blooming this time of year?”

Automatically, Hanzo looked back over his shoulder, even though he knew without thinking what Jesse referred to. “It is artificial. I made it.”

“It looks real. You really made it?”

“Yes, I did. I do not just sit and stare at the wall when I am not working.” Hanzo’s mouth twitched again. He was amused at a flustered Jesse, amused at his transparent attempt at redirection, and just a trifle flattered that a little bit of his hobby-work had made an impression.

“What else do you get up to between gigs?” Jesse asked, genuinely curious. In his surprise at Hanzo’s artistry, he forgot to be embarrassed about his own failings of confidence.

Hanzo swallowed some beer before answering. “I train, I read, I have a few other hobbies.” He left out the part about standing at the edge of the Strait of Georgia and staring westwards towards his old home and the life he had lost, the life he had himself destroyed. But even though he didn’t say the words, Jesse sensed the underlying sadness. It was something he struggled with, too, the regrets, the unfinished mourning of what had happened in the past.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, and then Hanzo said, “I have everything I need here, but I wish I could have some living things with which to share it. A pet, some plants. But this life we lead does not permit such a luxury. Too much time away.”

“I know what you mean,” Jesse answered. “It can be a lonely sort of life in a way, even when you’re part of a team.” He fished the last piece of katsu out of his box and ate it. “So, are you going to join us in Gibraltar?”

“Yes, I will.” Hanzo began gathering up the empty food containers.

“Ever going to join us Overwatchers full time?” Jesse asked.

The assassin looked up into the cowboy’s dark grey eyes. “I will decide that when I receive the offer to do so.” He paused. “Do you experience no difficulty working for them, even after your history with the organization?”

“Well, now, I would say there are good days and bad days.” Jesse made eye contact with Hanzo. “More good days lately than bad.”

Hanzo did not look away. “Are you trying to flatter me?” he asked. His eyebrow lifted.

“Let me ask you one thing before I answer that...Is it working?” Jesse grinned.

Hanzo laughed, a short bark of a laugh, and got up with the tray. “Another beer?” he asked as he began towards the kitchen.

“Please and thank you!” Jesse answered. Part of him wanted to dive headlong into trying to woo this man, and the other part was completely terrified of doing so. It had been so long since he’d been involved with anyone, and that last time had been no good from start to finish. This seemed like it might be a lot better, but then, he wasn’t sure he could handle something so fine, or that he even deserved it. Damn, he needed a smoke.

“Would you be interested in going up to the roof?” Hanzo asked as he handed Jesse a bottle. “The view is impressive on a clear evening like tonight. And, you can smoke there, if you would like to.”

“You read my mind, friend. Lead the way.” Jesse hadn’t given up on his idea of kissing, but he would just have to figure something else out. He stood up and took a quick swig of his beer before heading for the entryway to grab his coat.

It was then that Hanzo noticed Jesse was in his sock feet. He’d removed his boots at the door without a word. Hanzo was touched by the thoughtfulness of the gesture.

In just a few minutes, they were out on the rooftop terrace under the stars, bundled up against the cold of the January darkness. The city glowed around them, the streets still busy in the late evening, the buildings lit from within, full of life. At twelve stories, the breeze off the water was brisk, but Jesse got his cigar lit with only a little extra effort. He’d had lots of practice.

“Ahhh that’s nice. I needed that.” He tried to stand downwind of Hanzo to keep him out of the smoke.

“I would suggest sitting,” said Hanzo, indicating the cedar benches around the terrace, “but it is colder than I expected.”

“It’s fine,” replied Jesse. “You were right, very nice view from up here. I can even see those cranes you’re so fond of.” He gestured to the north. Then he looked back at his friend. “D’you come up here to satisfy your sniper nature?”

“Heh, it is not quite my style of perch, but I do come here when I feel the need to keep an eye on things.” Hanzo took a drink from his bottle. He switched it to his left hand and stuck the colder right hand in his pocket to warm it up.

“How do you do it? Live a normal life when you’re a sniper, I mean. Don’t you see assassins in every shadow? Constantly scan the skyline for that rifle that’s going to remove you as a threat?” Jesse dropped the ash off the end of his stogie into a receptacle apparently designed for the purpose, then returned to watching Hanzo’s face.

“I could ask you the same.”

“I tend to meet my adversaries face to face, though, toe to toe. And admittedly, I try to talk my way out of every situation I possibly can.” Jesse smiled wryly and looked away. “I talk too damn much for my own good sometimes. Anyway, I know what it’s like. To a hammer, everything looks like a nail, right? I guess I just assumed your hypervigilance would be more developed than mine.”

Hanzo nodded slightly as he gazed at the city lights. “It is possible that it is. I still expect that there are elements that wish to ensure I never return to reclaim the Shimada empire, and those that would seek revenge for losses incurred in the empire’s fall. Perhaps they exist, perhaps they do not. So, yes, I do look for assassins around every corner and atop every building, but it has become so much a part of my nature that I do not always notice it.” He turned his head back towards his companion. “And I assume you already have a plan in mind to extricate yourself from this situation if it does not proceed the way you intend.”

“I, uh…” Jesse was startled to realize Hanzo was right. He hadn’t even been consciously aware of it, but he’d been marking exits and thinking of excuses the entire afternoon and evening in case things went sideways. “I guess we both have work to do, if we want any sort of peace, eh?” He took a pull on his cigar.

“I am beginning to believe that to find peace, one must accept what one is, and choose to live anyway. A considerable challenge.”

part 1 http://kinsale42-blog.tumblr.com/post/169254960082/invitations-part-1

part 2 http://kinsale42-blog.tumblr.com/post/169413810732/invitations-part-2