lights are flashing, police lights, the instinct is to run or hide. safely hidden inside an alleyway, milo is approached by a stranger. they don't seem to be police, so there's no reason to run. the stranger, though their mask, introduces themselves and claims that they know the other is a gang member. they offer two choices: "work with us and no harm will come to you and two people of your liking, or don't and get arrested with the rest of them." what will he choose?
   ăâ HEâS NEVER ALONE. he detests it. thereâs only so much time in oneâs life, why waste it by yourself? he never regrets a minute spent surrounded by those he loves. even the bad times are worth it to be with someone. the good times even better when shared. he became dependent, addicted to company. he hardly ever spent a minute alone and for good reason. every time he did, something awful happened, as if it were some curse upon him to be struck by tragedy whenever alone. how idiotic heâd been, venturing out on his own.
   he had good reason for his late night stroll. it wasnât everyday you walked in on your two best friends in the world doing the spread eagle. what the fuck? he couldnât make out what he was feeling in that moment and he canât now. shock? hurt? anger? no. he could never be angry at charlie and kaito, not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever. but he was allowed the shock and hurt, so he indulged in it. self pity. a foreign feeling for the normally inflated ego of milo cho. he haunted the deserted streets of the city, torn and unaware - until the lights flashed.Â
   in an instant heâs running, shoes slapping violently against the wet pavement as he struggled for air. his vices had little mercy on his lungs and his endurance, heâd only last so long. he pushes forward nevertheless, adrenaline carrying him further than expected. he thinks he can make it, evade them enough to duck into an alley and slink home safely. heâd done it before. except this time things are different, this time he isnât thinking straight. he makes one wrong turn and finds himself cornered, breathless and afraid.Â
   âwork with us and no harm will come to you and two people of your liking, or donât and get arrested with the rest of them.âÂ
    two choices. simple, right? Â
    he stares down the stranger, hands clenched tightly in fists. â filthy pig. â he spits before attempting to simmer down his fury. insults wouldnât help him. there was no where to run. there was no way to fight. heâd have to choose.Â
    the obvious answer pops into his head, the given number seemed perfect. two: charlie and kaito. except upon further reflection, no matter how desperately he wished there were such a simple, clean exit to it all - there wasnât. the repercussions weighed heavy, heâd leave rowan behind, heâd leave hana, gunhwi⊠it was impossible. the red lions had once been an adolescent game to milo but those days were no longer. given this choice three years ago heâd caved. now? hell no. for his family, heâd risk everything.Â
   he believed in his leader. rowan knew the way, rowan would protect him no matter what -even now. he just had to be brave. just once.Â
    â i donât know what the fuck youâre talking about. i was just taking a walk to clear my head and suddenly iâm being chased by cops. is this even fucking legal. last time i checked thereâs no law against taking a walk for a smoke. â he doesnât miss a beat, maintaining steady eye contact with the stranger. â i canât work with you because i donât have the slightest fucking idea what youâre going on about. you obviously have the wrong guy. now, will you let me go home? or should i call my lawyer and sue your ass off? â
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