Part 10: Real Talk

The day had been slow, nothing special-just the usual grind. Kion had been moving between spots, picking up cash, making deliveries, keeping his head low. But today, something was different.

AJ had hit him up earlier, talking about a spot to chill for a bit. No business, no bullshit-just to smoke and vibe. Kion wasn't exactly the type to just hang out, but he figured he could use a break.

When Kion pulled up, AJ was already outside, leaning against his car with a blunt in hand. He grinned when he saw Kion's ride pull up, as if the moment was planned, even though it wasn't.

"About time, Pa," AJ called out, his voice playful but not too loud.

Kion stopped for a second, raising an eyebrow. "Pa?" he asked, his tone flat.

AJ just smirked, tossing the blunt in the air and catching it in his hand before taking a drag. "What? I'm tryna see what's good with you, Pa."

Kion rolled his eyes, walking up to him with a slight shake of his head. "Nigga, what? I ain't nobody's damn 'Pa.'"

AJ chuckled, stepping forward and handing Kion the blunt. "Whatever you say, Pa. You feel me though, don't trip."

Kion just took the blunt from him, not really caring. AJ had always been the type to mess with people's heads, and Kion knew better than to take it too seriously. He took a hit, the smoke swirling around his head as he exhaled slowly.

They sat there in silence for a moment, passing the blunt back and forth, the tension between them unspoken but familiar. It was comfortable, in a way. The world felt a little quieter when they were together, like all the extra shit didn't matter.

AJ kept it light, talking about his daughter, Laila, mentioning how he'd been spending more time with her lately, trying to balance his life. Kion listened, giving short responses, but he didn't mind hearing about her. It wasn't like he didn't care-it just wasn't his business, and that was how he liked it.

But then, AJ's tone shifted slightly, getting more serious. "You ever think about what you want, Pa? Like, when all this gang shit don't matter no more?"

Kion looked at him, his gaze narrowing a little. "Why you always tryna get deep, AJ?"

"I'm just sayin', bro," AJ said, taking another hit from the blunt and blowing the smoke out slowly. "I mean, you're out here moving and doing your thing, but what happens when this shit's over? You ever think about what you want after?"

Kion didn't answer at first. He wasn't used to thinking that far ahead. Everything was about the hustle, about surviving the day. It wasn't about tomorrow.

"Shit, I don't know," Kion finally muttered, passing the blunt back. "I ain't worried about tomorrow. I'm just here for today."

AJ studied him for a second, then let out a small sigh. "Aight, Pa. I feel that."

Kion rolled his eyes, not in the mood for the nickname anymore, but he didn't say anything. AJ wasn't gonna stop calling him that, anyway.

They continued smoking, the quiet stretching between them. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was a different vibe than the usual banter. It was almost like they were both thinking about things they didn't want to say out loud, but neither of them was willing to admit it.

After a while, Kion finished his blunt and tossed the roach on the ground, stubbing it out with his boot. "Aight, I'm good," he said, standing up.

AJ looked up at him, still leaning against the car with his arms crossed. "You sure, Pa? I got another one if you're tryna stay out here for a minute."

Kion shook his head with a small smirk. "I'm straight, bro. I got shit to do."

AJ didn't push it. He stood up as well, flicking the rest of his blunt to the ground and putting it out. "Aight, I hear you."

As they got in their cars, the usual awkwardness from earlier had passed. The tension, whatever it was, was still there, but it felt easier. Like they'd reached some unspoken understanding.

Kion wasn't sure how to describe what he was feeling. AJ had a way of making him feel things he didn't really want to feel, but he wasn't mad about it. He didn't know what this was between them, but it was starting to get complicated in ways that Kion couldn't ignore anymore.

AJ pulled off first, glancing in his rearview mirror as Kion followed behind him, the streetlights casting shadows across the pavement. The night was quiet, but for the first time in a while, it felt like things were shifting-like they were moving toward something neither of them could quite name yet.