Jon had been walking on eggshells for weeks. Normally, he was okay with writing controversial articles. Hell, he took them on frequently, when newer reporters were nervous about pursuing certain leads that might get them in the middle of gang traffic. Jon had become more open about taking on these risky, high-profile articles and writing on them, especially since he had started seeing James. He supposed that being with the other had made him feel as if he were invincible.
But, he had gotten his reality check.
A letter, with his address and James’s, and pictures of both of them on their own as well as together. A threat, to out their relationship to a rival media company, as well as a detailed threat to his and James’s lives enclosed inside the envelope. Descriptions of what could be done to him, and picture evidence from previous ‘victims’ of this specific gangster. His reputation would be ruined, every article he’s ever written retroactively tainted, and he’d be left to die alone, afraid and in pain.
Each time he glanced back at the letter, his throat would swell up. But he was not going to let James catch wind of it. He didn’t want the other to be mad for keeping this from him, especially considering it had been about a week since he’d gotten this threat. Despite thinking he was doing an okay job at hiding it, he was far too jumpy. Every time he heard a door slam, anytime he was left alone, he felt as if there was a pair of eyes and a gun fixed on the back of his head. It made his life a living hell, and he refused to head back to his apartment. He stayed glued to James’s side, not even liking when he was in a room adjacent to the other.
Despite the letter, he was determined to see the article through to its completion. Unfortunately, the fear seemed to have sapped all of the ideas he had for the writing of it. He could only manage some title ideas, a few bulleted facts to jog his memory, and the transcription of an interview in a separate document. He seemed to zone out, only able to think of the images seared into his mind. the thought of what this man had done, of what could be done to him rang so clearly in his mind.
He nearly screamed when the other touched him, a sharp look of fear flashing across his face, heartbeat skipping up to astronomical rates. It took him a few beats of silence to realize that it was just James. His heart slowed as he calmed, head moving to rest against the man’s shoulder. A sigh escaped him, the man practically gluing himself to James’s side.
“I’m sorry... for keeping this from you. I got threatened. Well, we got threatened. I’m working on an article about the crimes within the Tres Cruces gang that’s been terrorizing downtown, and got a lovely letter back from someone in their upper ranks. Said they’d torture and kill me, and take you out.”
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