“I ain’t mad at you, Ray.” She said, forcing her voice to soften for his sake. “You’re just offerin’ to help. I-feels like a hand out. And I used to live off o’ those.” Looking up, her face flickered, mask crumbling for just a moment into something a bit too vulnerable for her tastes. “I can’t take your money, man. I gotta earn what I make.”
"It isn't a hand-out," he said, still not looking up from the floor. "You are the whole reason why I even made it to where I am. I wouldn't have survived high school without you protecting me. I'm just trying to pay you back for it."
She sighed softly, stepping over to him and tapping the counter in between them, before placing her hand palm up on the counter. Offering. “I didn’t protect you t’ earn anythin’. I did it ‘cause you were my friend, Ray. I protect family. Thanks for offerin’ your money, but I really can’t take it.”
Raymond looked up at her offering, hesitating for a moment before putting his hand on top of her's. He could've easily broken her fingers if he pleased, but his touch was as gentle as a fly's.
"But you're gonna take the job, right?" If he wasn't playing basketball, the offer would have never came. He was at least somewhat responsible for that.
She leaned against the counter, keeping her hand where it was as she nodded once. “Yeah. I’ll take the job. It’ll be nice to get away from the city. And to see you more. You ain’t been around, and it’s makin’ life a helluva a lot more dull.”
"I think you might have to travel with me when we go on away games," he admitted, smiling slightly. "And how can I make life more interesting? All I do is follow you around."
“You’re the only person willing to actually talk to me, whenever.” She said, shrugging a shoulder. “And the traveling is a plus. I’ve never been on an airplane though, is that something you have to do?”
"I've been on two trips so far," he said, finally pulling away his hand. "We flew out to Hawaii for the college championship tournament and the first game of the season was an away game. It isn't that scary."
(I'm such a fucking child for laughing at that typo)
“I never said it was scary.” She said, almost wishing she could reach out and hold his hand. In actuality, she was scared. Sort of. The idea of being that high up in the sky, in a hunk of metal that could fall so easily, was minorly terrifying. She didn’t voice that. “I was just curious.”
((I was debating pointing it out but apparently you saw it lmao))
"It's pretty loud, but they typically have these tablets in the back of the seat in front of you with Direct TV and movies and things like that. It's all paid for by the team, too." He glanced out at the bar, wondering if anyone else would be coming in tonight. Maybe she could close down early.
Khione just hummed thoughtfully, taking a step back to slip her apron off. It seemed she had the same idea. There were only a couple patrons left in the bar, and after a quick chat with each, they left willingly, leaving Raymond and Khione alone in the empty bar. “Keys are under the counter, grab ‘em while I clean up?”
Raymond reached under the counter and searched around with his hand for a second before pulling out a key. He bumped against something metal and immediately knew what was under the bar.
"Has it really gotten so bad out here that you need a gun?" he asked frowning as he handed her the key.
“Yeah. Panthers have been kickin’ up a lotta shit lately.” Khione said, glancing over at him as she picked up a few glasses that had been left at a table.
“Reclaimin’ our turf. Somethin’ wrong with that?” A voice called from the door, as two men made their way in, matching Panther jackets showing off exactly who they were.
Raymond looked over from Khione's face over to the two newcomers. The patches on their jackets showed they meant trouble, but he still really hoped she wouldn't use the gun he had felt under the counter.
"Only when ya put bystanders in danger, Jeremy." Khione said simply, cool and collected as ever as she brought the dishes back to the counter, setting them in the bin. Jeremy Costanza hated people using his first name, and she knew that. She always knew what buttons to press.
"That's Costanza to you, Frost." Jeremy said, jaw clenching for a moment as he sneered. His eyes flickered to Raymond, and he raised an eyebrow. "We didn't get no memo about a boy toy. Guess it just spices things up, huh Kieve?"
The anger in Raymond's chest boiled up again, making his teeth clench so hard it could've broken a jawbreaker with one bite. He still didn't speak up, unsure if what he would say would help are make the situation worse.
"Hilarious." Khione deadpanned, hand tapping her thigh at her side. C-A-L-M. Repeated, over and over again. "You've got thirty seconds to get out of my bar. And I ain't playin' around with that."
"Aw, don't be like that." Jeremy cooed condescendingly, taking another step closer to her. She didn't move, just kept her eyes coldly on his. "I thought we were gonna have some fun-"
"Go call a hooker instead." Khione said, leaning back against the counter. It was no coincidence she was near where the gun was hidden.
Raymond watched the two with eyes that shone with rage. The fact that they even insinuated about touching Khione made his hands tremble. He didn't know what he would do if the guy took one step closer, but it wouldn't be pretty.
"Leave," he growled in a voice that didn't even sound like his.
Kieve stepped in then, the large man looking fairly unimpressed with the situation in front of him. "We're here to offer you a deal to take straight to your boss. This is supposed to be a business meeting of sorts. Costanza, I suggest standing down."
He was ignored. Jeremy moved closer to Khione, all but trapping her where she was against the counter, though his eyes flickered almost warily to Raymond. "Somethin' wrong buddy? Last I checked, this was a public space-" He was cut off, or rather cut himself off, when Khione's hand inched up his chest seductively. Right before she spat on his shoes.
"Take your business elsewhere, before I make you." For the love of god, Raymond, cool it.
Raymond watched the entire situation with wide eyes, almost rooted to the spot by his anger.
"Back," he snarled in a very slow voice, "away. Now."
"You bitch." Jeremy spat, sending a sharp glare to a very unconcerned Khione, before turning to Raymond. "And what're you gonna do if I don't, huh?" "Costanza-" "Oh, shut up. C'mon pretty boy, your move. Once I deal with you, she's next."
Raymond did, indeed, move. He reached one of his long arms out and grabbed the much smaller man by the face. His hand was big enough that he was able to get a good grip on the top of his skull and the side of the jaw. As Jeremy squirmed around like an animal snared in a trap, Raymond dragged him over to a wall and slammed the man against it, his face twisted in anger.
"Oh dear. You really should have watched your mouth." Kieve, it seemed, wasn't too attached to his companion, and was perfectly fine just watching the events transpire. Khione, however, couldn't really afford to. Before she could speak, however, Jeremy decided to dig his grave a little deeper.
"Would ya look at that. Dog's got some bite to his bark. Too bad you're on her side instead of ours. Fuckin' wh-"
It is always an impressive sight to see a man fly through the air. It is even more impressive knowing that another man had thrown him. Raymond had literally picked the guy up by his neck and tossed him over the bar, the entire bar shaking when Jeremy had landed.
There was a deadly calm to Khione as she stepped inbetween Raymond and the now barely-conscious Jeremy, her ice-blue eyes not on either of them, but on Kieve. "Take your friend, and get the fuck outta my bar. The Panthers don' seem t' know what business talk means, but I hope you can learn from this as a 'what not to do'. Now. Get out."
"Of course. My apologies. Though, I'd suggest both of you watch yourselves in the future. You're still on our list, Khione Frost, and this just bumps you up." Kieve's voice was almost amiable, even as his words grew more and more ominous as he scooped up Jeremy not-so-gently. "Good night to both of you." He was smarter than his companion, leaving quickly and without making eye contact with Raymond.
Raymond's breathing was ragged and heavy as he watched them leave, his eyes wide and his jaw slacked. He'd never done anything like that before. Never even gotten that angry. It made his sick to his stomach.
"W…..what just happened?" he asked in a quiet voice, looking down at Khione.
Khione closed her eyes, breathing deeply for a moment. Another surprising show of emotion. "You ain't used to these things. Ya weren't supposed t' ever end up a part of 'em. Fucking Panthers." She shook her head, stepping towards Raymond. "They think I'm the weak link, still. Even after all these years o' me bein' the furthest thing. You good?"
"I….think so," he said, checking his hand. There wasn't even a bruise. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do any of that."