Cleanup, Cars, and Chaos

The sun was beginning to rise, casting a dim glow over the city as the four hitmen pulled up to their safehouse. The black getaway car screeched to a halt, smoke rising from the hood. Crimson stepped out first, stretching his arms with a satisfied grin.

"Not bad, not bad," he said, patting the side of the car. "Only three near-death experiences tonight. That's gotta be a record."

MJ yawned, hopping out of the passenger seat. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get inside before I pass out on the sidewalk."

Kai sighed, rubbing his temples. "We wouldn't have to run half the time if you actually followed the plan."

Kazuki, still in the backseat, groaned. "Less talking, more sleeping."

As they headed inside, a sleek, black car pulled up in front of their house, engine purring like a well-fed predator. The driver's side door opened, and out stepped Leon—their designated getaway driver. Dressed in a black jacket, sunglasses still on despite the early morning light, he had the air of a man who had seen too much and cared too little.

"Looks like you idiots broke another one of my cars," Leon said, inspecting the damaged vehicle.

Crimson shrugged. "Technically, it broke itself."

Leon snorted. "Yeah, because bullets magically fly into engines on their own."

Kai crossed his arms. "You're late."

Leon smirked. "Traffic."

MJ laughed. "You? Stuck in traffic? The same guy who once got us out of a city-wide lockdown in five minutes?"

Leon pulled off his sunglasses and gestured to the back of his car. "Fine, I was picking up someone. You'll wanna meet him."

The back door opened, and Bleaf stepped out. A towering figure with messy brown hair and a trench coat that had definitely seen better days, Bleaf stretched like he had been asleep for hours. His boots hit the pavement with a heavy thud.

Kazuki frowned. "You look half dead."

Bleaf smirked, pulling out a cigarette. "I feel half dead."

Crimson raised an eyebrow. "Since when do we pick up strays?"

Leon leaned against the car. "Since this one has information we need. Bleaf's got connections in places we don't, and he's useful when things get messy."

Bleaf exhaled a cloud of smoke. "I prefer the term problem solver—not mess maker."

"Same thing," Kai muttered.

Crimson eyed him. "Fine. But if you eat the last slice of pizza, you're out."

Bleaf smirked. "No promises."

As they headed inside, Kai shot Crimson a look. "Are we gonna talk about the fact that he smells like gunpowder and regret?"

Leon just grinned. "Welcome to the team."

Burgers, Banter, and Bad Decisions

Inside the safehouse, the atmosphere shifted from post-mission exhaustion to their usual brand of chaotic relaxation. The place was a mess—bulletproof vests thrown over the couch, empty snack wrappers on the coffee table, and a pile of weapons that nobody had bothered to clean yet.

Crimson kicked off his boots and flopped onto the couch, stretching out like a king on his throne. Whiskey, his black cat, immediately jumped onto his chest and curled up. "Alright, fellas. We survived another mission. That means one thing—burgers."

MJ shot up from where he was lying on the floor. "Yes! Finally, a good idea."

Kai, already making a list on his phone, sighed. "You know, we could eat something that doesn't clog our arteries."

"That sounds like quitter talk," Kazuki said, grabbing his laptop. "I'll order. Same spot?"

Leon tossed his jacket over a chair. "If you're ordering from that place with the garlic fries, count me in."

Bleaf, who had made himself at home in an armchair, grinned. "You guys eat like you're trying to speedrun a heart attack."

Crimson grinned back. "We live fast, eat fast, and—"

"—make terrible decisions," Kai finished for him.

As they waited for the food, the group naturally fell into their usual antics. MJ and Kazuki were arguing over a stupid meme on Kazuki's laptop. Leon was sitting at the table, casually taking apart a pistol while sipping a soda. Kai was stress-checking their finances, muttering about how they couldn't afford to keep wrecking cars.

Meanwhile, Crimson was on the balcony, chatting with vi. She had shown up, as she often did, just to hang out. She leaned against the railing, sipping a fancy iced coffee that Crimson had no idea where she got.

"So," Vi smirked, "what's the damage this time?"

Crimson grinned. "Two explosions, a car chase, and Kai yelling at me for most of it."

"Sounds about right," she laughed. "You ever consider doing something… normal?"

Crimson thought about it for half a second. "Nope."

Vi rolled her eyes but smiled. "One day, you're gonna have to slow down."

Crimson shrugged. "Maybe. But today is not that day."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Kazuki opened it and let the delivery guy in. The table was soon covered in greasy burgers, fries, and drinks.

MJ grabbed his food and declared, "I propose a toast—to another day of not dying!"

Crimson raised his drink. "To living like idiots and surviving anyway."

Everyone clinked their drinks together, and for the first time that night, they weren't hitmen, getaway drivers, or informants. Just friends.

After dinner kai and leon went off alone