death professor

kai costello. twenty-nine. the cleaner. ❝ your shocks are fine my struts are better. ❞

[winterswake]

[chewbacca]

[kaicostello]

Kai kept the punching bag steady between his gloved hands, the black cushion always creating an odd sensation of having something in your grasp but being unable to really feel it. Nothing much was felt when he wore these unless he sent that hand at a target, the shock dully vibrating through the fabric from the force of one’s hit. He locked eyes with his workout partner, a mild grin playing on his features as it did most of the time.

Sometimes it seemed as if life in general was humorous to Kai Costello. Mundane tasks like going to the gym elicited a display of amusement. Ever subtle. Always just a whisper of an emotion. A hint of what might be lurking underneath. And most of the time, he kept it at just that. An ellipsis.

“You’re distracted,” he spoke up, point blank, daring to lean in close to the bag so he could peer around the mass of it, letting his forearms circle around the front. “This is supposed to be for workin’ out all the distractions. If you’re gonna be lazy about it, might as well switch roles here.” While he meant it, the same humor that danced across his features added a lightness to his tone.

They hadn’t been there long, only gotten a run in before they’d went over to the punching bags. He had the same equipment in his home, where he usually exercised, but there were those occasions when he’d head out with friends or family, the stench of foreign sweat and the sight of others wiping it from the public equipment reminded him exactly why he didn’t frequent these establishments. Disgust took over, wrinkling his nose and twisting the smirk from his lips.

[kaicostello]

SOFIA COSTELLO.

“My point exactly.” How a grown man could go through his life with such little professional clothing boggled the mind, it really did, especially considering her family’s position in society. She made a mental note to buy him many ties for Christmas. 

The fact that Kai admitted even so much to her made her raise her eyebrows. Not that people kept things from her, exactly … or maybe they did, she didn’t really know what they all got up to. She was hardly going to rat them out, so it didn’t matter either way, but even that much felt like she now knew too much and not enough at the same time. “I just wish it would all stop. The stupidity. Why can’t we all just be smart about it? Donald Trump breaks the law all the time and he’s the President.” She’d never really articulated her fears around her family before. She hadn’t really had them before. Her life had never seemed more scary than Anouk’s, who also had bodyguards and various dangers, until now. 

The road was insane, and Sofia was glad she had Kai to drive. Though she would never admit to it, she was afraid of this chaos outside. It was nice to have a big strong man around to deal with it for her. Her feminism was so weak. She vowed internally to book defensive driving lessons. “Yeah, cuz you’re too busy with all those friends and admirers of yours. I’m lucky you can find time to fit me into your busy schedule.”

Leaning across the gear shift, she kissed his cheek. “Love you, too.”

“Not all of it is stupidity.” Yes, there was certainly a fair share. Their business could, at times, be boiled down to the whims of angry men. Men who had hate in their hearts, wrapped up in greed. Kai knew the reality of their business — but he also enjoyed it. He knew that if they weren’t the ones doing it, someone else would, and not have nearly half the talent their family did, let alone some of their loyalists. “It’s never gonna stop though. And it’s paid for your rather cushy lifestyle. So, I mean, it’s not all bad, is it?” Kai knew better than to assume money could solve all their problems. It’d have been a straight lie for any of them to admit they didn’t like the type of life their work provided. Malachi certainly couldn’t imagine living in some one bedroom, let alone having to maintain a normal job with normal, boring duties. He’d never been cut out for that life. Either had Marcel, Leon, Abel… even Mia. Violence wasn’t a necessity; just the simple desire and wherewithal to prosper in a world that didn’t conform.

He couldn’t even imagine Sofia living a different life. Who would she have been? Who would any of them have been? Malachi didn’t think it’d have been better by any means. Just more mundane. Not a single Costello fit into that category.

“Friends and admirers, huh? You know somethin’ I don’t? Cause I’m pretty sure I can count all of those on one hand.” He chuckled, levity weaving between his syllables. Kai didn’t have the social “difficulties” he’d had as a child. Not anymore. He’d learned how to navigate those seas during high school, honing his skills as he got older. He was capable of being charismatic, polite, even kind (by appearance). It earned him a decent enough standing with his peers, and he hadn’t struggled finding partners when the mood struck. Only Kai never had any real desire to spend time around many people, even less so if they weren’t family. It was easier to accept annoyances when they were blood, when they had his unconditional love. Anyone outside of the Costello bloodline had a much harder time catching and keeping Kai’s attention. So much so, that when someone did — such as Zoey Everett — the family took notice. He wasn’t a man who invested his time frivolously.

Finally, they arrived at the Roma, Malachi snaking his way around back and pulling right up to the door, “You go get settled. I have to take care of a few more things and then I’m staying at my place tonight. Leon should be here. Luca too. If you hear from Mia or Ezra, you let me know, okay? And tell Abel whenever he shows up that he owes me a pizza.” He peered past her, eyeing the back door as he fished his phone from the center console. His finger tapped against the screen and a ringer could be heard over the speaker. After a few seconds, someone answered. “I got Sofia out back. Walk her in and make sure this shit is locked up, alright?”

[bob-belcher]

[kaicostello]

Text Message ✉️ Livia & Kai

Livia: Shit's been crazy. My phone's been dead since Halloween. I just got it to charge a few minutes ago.

Livia: My apartment building is fucked. ☹️ But I managed to get some stuff out, so I'm good. What about you? You need anything?

Kai: You got somewhere to stay? I know we'll put you up at the Roma if you need it.

Kai: I'm alright. Taking care of a few things.

[kaicostello]

SOFIA COSTELLO.

“Ha. That explains your taste in ties.” Not that Kai’s taste in ties was that offensive, but it would be breaking the solemn rules of their relationship for her to not snipe at his wardrobe. It was their roles. 

Sofia rolled her eyes and stared out the window. “Yeah, but like, didn’t we do those things? Seems like a better argument for why no one would fuck with me. My dad has a thing for trying to kill redheads.” She wasn’t sure if she believed that her father had actually had Paisley killed, or tried to kill Paityn, but that’s what everyone said had happened. “And I don’t have a substance problem. I just … made a mistake. It’s hardly the same thing.” 

Laughing a little, Sofia turned back and smiled at Kai. “You’re worse than my brothers. Leon doesn’t care and Ezra doesn’t know. Are you sure you’re not secretly one of us? This whole cousin thing isn’t just a way to not have to show up for family dinners?” 

Cranking her seat back so she could relax and close her eyes, Sofia snorted. “You love to be a buzzkill, don’t lie.”

“I don’t wear ties.” He responded, his tone matter-of-fact, eyes still focused on the road. There were a few occasions, black tie events where he wore, well, a black tie. Or some other solid color. He owned about three.

“We did do some of those things. Kinda. You’re right. It’s sound logic. It’d be stupid for them to try to hurt you. Sometimes, people are really fucking stupid. Sometimes we’re really fucking stupid.” His mind jumped topics as soon as she mentioned not having a substance problem, and he internally scolded himself for getting his point across poorly. He finally looked away from the road, offering a soft smile, “I know you don’t, Sof. Sorry.”

He didn’t want to look away for too long, the sound of another car zooming past the drivers side yanking his attention back. People were parked in the middle of the street in some areas, leaving him to wind between them like he was practicing for a drivers test. “Aw, c’mon, you know even if I was one of your brothers, I still wouldn’t show up to family dinners.” He joked, though he wouldn’t trade his own parents for the world. They understood him; he didn’t resent them. It was a good pairing.

Reaching over, he swiped a hand over her head, attempting to muss her hair like he did to Luca so many times before, “Love you.”

[kaicostello]

Text Message ✉️ Livia & Kai

Livia: Hey! Just wanted to let ya know I've been thinking of you and your fam.

Livia: If you ever need anything, just let me know. You know where I'm at! 😊

Kai: You too. You okay? I tried calling you when the blackout first happened.

[kaicostello]

PAITYN SINCLAIR.

Paityn gladly took the bottle back from Kai and took a swig. “What happened recently is why I drink,” she said, matter of fact. “What happened a year ago is why I drink. Having my wits about me hasn’t exactly proven the best method of staying out of harms way. I figured might as well enjoy myself since death is inevitable.”

Paityn took the lead, walking down the long dim hallway. Various corridors went in differing directions. The brick was aged and cobwebs lined the ceiling. Clearly, it had been awhile since those doors had been opened. 

Picking a path, she hoped luck was on her side and she’d find herself in a prohibition era cellar. If not, she was grateful Kai handed back the champagne. She took another sip and passed off the bottle. She figured she might as well keep him happy and share.

“That doesn’t mean having your wits about you won’t in the future,” he replied, “But by all means, your life, your business.” She wasn’t family. He owed her nothing. He wasn’t even sure why he’d offered the “advice” in the first place.

“Don’t get lost,” he chimed in as they walked, accepting the bottle back from Paityn, “If we get separated I’m not coming back to look for you.” He wasn’t exactly keen on getting drunk with the youngest Sinclair in the basement of the Hawthorne’s — his patience for the entire thing quickly wearing thin. “We better find something in the next few minutes, though, or I’m out. Even if we do… I’m probably still out.” He added, not bothering to take a drink from the bottle that dangled from his grip.

[kaicostello]

ZOEY EVERETT.

Kai steps through the doorway of the gallery; Zoey studies him, under the excuse of looking at his costume, the axe handle situated in his hand. She glances down at the keys, back to Jack Torrance. Back to the axe. There’s a grin, just as big as his own.

“You could have just hacked the door down.”

The uncertainty of their last meeting dissolves. Maybe it was Kai’s smile, and how good it felt to see it again. Maybe it was the dark, the hushed whispers and mischief of Halloween night. Whatever it was, Zoey is eager for this feeling to stay, this warmth and humor between them. It felt like before. It suited them better than doubt or tension.

When Kai speaks next, however, Zoey isn’t ready to grapple with the feelings of her own selfishness or surprise at the offer, the way her heart beats out a discordant rhythm. Staying with him. Staying at his place.

“Kai—” A pause, where Zoey’s nail traces restlessly over her palm. She shakes her head. She has to be stern with her brain— no imagining them together under the soft glow of candles, or flashlights, talking quietly as the night stretched on, the pair of them unaffected by outside’s chaos. It was tempting to say yes. But Zoey wasn’t going to inconvenience Kai like that; he’d already gone out of his way to check on her. “—I would feel bad, taking up your space. I can’t just make you sleep on the couch.”

“I wasn’t staying here very long anyway; I need to go back and check on dad’s stuff.”

Far more precious than the money she’d inherited, Zoey had an almost religious dedication to the artwork she’d been left. It felt like the only tangible connection she had to her real father— a man she’d never met, a man she’d been robbed of a relationship with. She would starve before parting with it. The thought of leaving it overnight in her apartment with looters around didn’t sit well with Zoey either.

It amazed him, the way he could feel so heavy and then, once he was around her, it all lifted, air flowing freely through his lungs. They were no longer basking in their unfinished business, the way their relationship had been yanked from their grip without warning. It’d been his fault, hadn’t it? Yet he felt no remorse. Bruce deserved what he got. Kai would do it again; over and over and over if it meant that Zoey wouldn’t have to suffer by his hand.

He knew the minute she said his name, knew she’d turn him down, knew that she wouldn’t want to impose. He began picking at the handle of his axe, the wood beginning to fray where it curved, little divots dotting the rounded end. He let his nail dig into them, shaved bits of wood collecting underneath. “You wouldn’t be making me do anything. Really.”

I wasn’t staying here very long anyway.

Now it was his turn to wish he wasn’t imposing. Kai wasn’t sure if he was; he hated this uncertainty, how foreign it felt in regard to Zoey. There’d never been many people outside of his family that he’d felt that sort of comfort with. He held on to it, tightly, balled in his fist even after a decade. It was difficult to let that sort of thing go. It was impossible when it was staring you in the face. He hadn’t expected this intensity; he’d assumed after so many years of being buried, kept close but not close enough, would dull his feelings for her. The logical thing to do was move on. Logic said there wasn’t any reason he should still feel this way.

Logic was losing a war with his heart and those were waters Malachi Costello didn’t exactly know how to navigate.

“They aren’t here?” Finally, blues broke away from her trance, scanning the walls for any signs of the works her father had left her. It made sense they wouldn’t be here; they were too precious to leave in a place that wasn’t entirely her own. “I can help you move some of this stuff to the back,“ he added, gesturing to the paintings that hung on the walls, “Give looters less reason to break in here.” Was he asking because he really wanted to help or because he didn’t want to leave her yet? Both.

Just stay with me.

“I can, uh-“ He wet his lips, running a hand through his hair as he turned his attention back to her. This dancing around what he felt was wearing at him, washing away his resolve. It felt too complicated figuring out how to say what he wanted to say. So he gave up. He stopped the dance and said exactly what was on his mind.

“It’s dangerous. I can stay at your place too if you don’t want to leave your stuff. I’m not gonna try anything, I promise. You can still say no. I’d just feel better knowing you weren’t alone.”

“ — I’m a control freak.” He sighed; he hadn’t needed to tell her but he had anyway. “I trust myself the most, which means I want myself to be the person that’s looking out for you -- but I’ll settle for someone else if I have to.”

[kaicostello]

NATALIA CARDOZA.

“I think you’re alright though.”

Nat would let that go to her head later. “I’m sure he’ll be as pleased as he’s capable of being,” she teased, though it was true as ever following the death of his father, not that Leon ever really showed much emotion other than brood. “Considering I finally got him to agree to let me use Aurea’s basement for a little business venture. I’m sure he’d be pissed if I decided to back out after bothering him for weeks on end about it.”

Nat stood up then and made her way to the bar at the other side of the room. Eloise followed, darting in between her legs as she walked. The Costellos knew how to drink and she wasn’t surprised to find bottles of pricey liquor just begging to be consumed. “Pick your poison,” she said, pouring herself a glass of cognac to sip. Nat waited for Kai’s response, filled a tumbler and brought it over to him before sitting down.

“I don’t play waitress often,” Nat said as she passed off the glass. “But I figured some sort of toast to your uncle was called for.”

Kai watched as the kitten clumsily lumbered between Natalia’s legs, completely unaware of exactly how fragile it was. He wondered if Marcel had thought about his own mortality much before his death. He wondered what his last thoughts had been. These ideas, these wonders, stitched together Kai’s features, causing them to lose the buoyancy of moments before.

Her question warranted a monotone “whiskey,” and when she brought him the drink, mentioning a toast to his uncle, Kai simply held his glass up, leaning his head so his index finger pressed against his temple. He took a tiny sip from the drink, because of tradition, before placing it on the table in front of him. He didn’t have any desire to get too fuzzy — not with current conditions and the death on everyone’s tongue.

“Where are you staying?” It was off topic. Kai didn’t exactly excel in heart-to-hearts, and certainly not with anyone outside of his family.

“Here? I assume?”

[oldschoolteenflicks]

[kaicostello]

LEON COSTELLO.

Leon didn’t say much as his cousin filled him in on the status of Walker. The cop had been on Sinclair’s payroll, knew valuable information and had a hand in the kidnapping and torture of one of their own. He would suffer, spill his guts and die like a dog. Malachi and Leon would be sure of it.

He nodded, agreeing with the timeline provided. A week of starvation and Kai’s careful hand would have even the most loyal soldier begging for mercy. He would get his release eventually. Leon could already feel his skull crack under his fist.

“Good,” he said, his voice flat. “Call me when you’re through and make sure he’s coherent enough to fear what’s coming.”

Leon opened his desk drawer to pull out two tumblers and an aged bottle of scotch. He poured a glass for himself and Kai, downing his in an instant. He poured another, his jaw tight. Leon absentmindedly toyed with the ring on his finger as he thought about the next steps.

Morgan was behind bars but prison wouldn’t be punishment enough. He’d have Gio make his life hell until he came up with a plan to deal with the Sinclair patriarch. His blood boiled, fists aching to pound flesh, spill blood and break bone. Leon’s first instinct was always violence. Though, working under his father taught him better. Impulsive decisions just lead to more consequences. The Sinclairs prove that time and time again.

Malachi’s entire face lit up when he thought about the fear he could instill in one Miles Walker. “Oh, he’s gonna be in a real state.”

“I even have the soundtrack all picked out. Only the greats!” A short chuckle blossomed in his throat, appearing from behind closed lips. He took the glass Leon offered him, toying with it in his hand, rolling it over his palm as he watched his cousin. He toyed with his ring and Kai was reminded of Natalia in his room.

“I ran into Cardoza in your room. She said someone was chummy with Violet.” He wiggled his brows at Leon before finally taking a sip, “Unless you’re fucking Nat. I think Luca already beat you to it though.” Kai shrugged, trying to lighten the conversation. Leon’s wife wasn’t necessarily the easiest topic, but it had to be better than talking about his father being dead. “Which would suck, actually. Nat’s kinda fun. Violet would definitely kill her.” He pointed at Leon with the index finger of the hand that held his glass, “You shouldn’t have taught her how to fuck people up so well.”

“I think she said she’s taking care of funeral shit, though, so I guess she doesn’t want to kill you.” 

“ -- Yet.”

[kaicostello]

SOFIA COSTELLO.

“They’re not disgusting, you just don’t love yourself.” It was easy to debate the same topics they always debated, even when the world seemed to have been put on pause. 

Kai’s arm tightened around her and she glanced up at him, seeing him look angry, though not at her. She’d grown up surrounded by angry men, and she was seemingly related to all of them, so it was comforting, in an odd way. She wondered, off-handedly, what it was like to not know men who seemed quite so comfortable with violence. 

“Don’t victim-blame, Kai, it’s so tacky. And I handled myself, I always do. Things just happen sometimes.” The offer of murder made her laugh. “That’s what you said about Kyle back in high school.” Kyle had been an older boy who’d assumed Sofia was easy, and had had to be educated otherwise. But after Kai had talked to him, Kyle had left her alone. 

“Not really. I mean, it’s hard enough walking around Mom and Dad’s in the dark when I’m sneaking in, I don’t wanna try right now when everyone’s on DEFCON three or whatever. Let’s just … figure shit out.”

“I can assure you, Sof, I am my biggest fan.” He flashed her a wide smile, starting up the vehicle. Driving probably wasn’t the best idea, but Kai wouldn’t have let himself get behind the wheel if he wasn’t confident. The Roma wasn’t far and there was no way he was leaving his car out in the open.

Kai grit his teeth, rolling his eyes as he carefully pulled out of his parking spot, “I’m sayin’ you’re Marcel Costello’s daughter, running around getting fucked up, not knowing where you are, alone. Paisley was shot. Paityn got blown the fuck up. Do I need to remind you of more? The fact that you almost got assaulted just gives me extra reason to tell you to be careful. It sucks, but it’s still reality. And if you think I’d say anything different to Luca, Ezra, or Mia, you’re sorely mistaken. Especially given the fact that they have their own substance problems.” He exhaled loudly, glancing down at his phone to see if any of her other siblings had returned his texts or calls.

“And Kyle deserved what he got.” He drove slower than usual, eyes glued to the road as he manuevered between panicked drivers and people who were clearly in a rush. Once they got to the Roma, Kai didn’t plan on moving for a bit, certainly not on wheels.

“Sorry to go asshole mode, but we don’t need Paisley 2.0 going on. You can ignore what we do all you want, Sof -- doesn’t change that we still do it. Trust me, this remind people of the harsh reality thing is just as much of a buzzkill for me.”

[kaicostello]

[kaicostello]

PAITYN SINCLAIR.

Paityn held her ground as Kai approached her, feet anchored by alcohol blinding her inhibitions. She shrugged at his comment, “I think I’m just drunk.”

Paityn dug into her hair, tangled and teased, set with hairspray for one of the pins that held it together. She held it out to Kai adding, “I have more if you need ‘em.”

She toyed with her dress, leaning against the cold concrete wall of the stairwell. Paityn watched Kai maneuver the pin as she’d done time and time again with her brother. Though, she was never so on edge around Shiloh. Paityn brought the bottle to her lips once more, finishing the last bit of liquid in the bottle.

She hoped she’d find another bottle to replace it soon.

“Good. Cause I do. One more please,” he requested, bending the one she’d already given him. Once she handed him the other, he bent it in more places than the other, then went about picking the lock.  He’d done this countless times, making him able to watch the youngest Sinclair in his peripheral. She seemed tense, keeping enough distance between the two of them so he couldn’t just reach out and touch her, grab her, stab her. After all, he was capable of murder.

The lock clicked as it gave way and Kai handed her back the pins, now useless as a beauty accessory, and opened the gate, “Ladies first.” He noticed her bottle was empty, a faint look of disappointment flashing over delicate features. Taking one more swig for himself, he handed her the bottle of champagne she’d given him earlier.

“You really should keep your wits about you.” Don’t drink so much. It makes you an easy target. “I don’t think I need to remind you about what happened recently.” 

[kaicostello]

SOFIA COSTELLO.

Sofia rested her head on his chest for a moment, relieved to have found him and to be safe again. She wasn’t sure what was going on, she was probably still half in the bag and coming off whatever she’d taken the night before, but all she really wanted was to go home and see her family. At least she’d found one of them. 

“Okay. That’s good. It’s always good to have a plan.” Following him and listening for the approach of other people, unable to not feel vulnerable when trapped in the dark, she made a slight noise at the mention of her twin. “I have no idea. I don’t remember most of last night. If I didn’t still have all my clothes on, I’d have thought … it doesn’t matter. My phone is dead. Once I can charge it again, I’ll find him. He only goes to like, four places anyway.” Provided someone hadn’t kidnapped him or something. She needed to not panic and remain calm for her brother. Everything else was secondary. “Do you know what’s happening?”

“Even if we didn’t have one — it’s me. I’m the plan fuckin’ master. It’s why I keep pancake mix and those disgusting puddings you like at my place.”

On their walk to his car, Kai hesitated, a slight misstep as Sofia mentioned something about her clothes still being on and some sort of suspicion that’d already began to make his blood boil. His muscles tensed around her, an arm still coiled about her shoulders, expression hardening with that bloodlust that only reared its ugly head when it came to the safety of his family.

“You need to watch yourself, Sofia.” He used her full name, a rarity for any family member. “And call me so I can kill someone if you’re ever worried about some prick.”

“I tried calling him but he isn’t answering. The two of you are gonna make us all gray before we even hit forty.” Kai pressed a button on his fob to unlock his vehicle, nodding for Sof to get in the passenger side as he finally let go of her to get in the driver’s seat.

“Just said some shit about a blackout. I don’t know how long it’s gonna last. You need anything from your place?”