I flopped on the sofa, Frank giggling as he climbed into my lap. I let him curl up, hugging him tightly. Angelo wandered in, running a hand through his hair. “So, I uh. I kicked my roommate out today, so now I have some extra space. If y’know, you guys wanted it, you're more than welcome.”
I glanced at Frank and sighed. “It's such a nice offer, Ange, but I think we need to be moving again soon. I don't like being in one place for so long.”
He nodded and cracked his knuckles. “I get it. The offer will be open for a while. I don't really need a roommate anymore for the rent, so it's just a question of filling empty space.”
“Thanks man.”

---

Frank groaned as he climbed into the car. “Where’re we going now?”
I shrugged and leaned over, giving him a quick kiss. “I dunno yet, baby boy. How about we go get some breakfast first?”
He nodded and folded his arms over his chest sleepily, blinking at the road as I pulled out of the driveway. I hummed to myself as I drove, Frank leaning his head on my shoulder. After about ten minutes, I parked the car and smiled at him. “Will IHOP do?”
Frank grinned. “Fuck yes.”

---

I chuckled and got out of the car, opening his door for him and holding his hand as he got out. I glanced around, hurrying into the restaurant with Frank jogging to keep up.
I tapped the menu. “What do you want, hon?”
He shrugged and suddenly yawned, rubbing the side of his face. “Pancakes.”
“That's a good start, but what kind?” I teased, getting flipped off in return.
I looked up when I heard footsteps, expecting the waitress. Instead, Chris Motionless was standing over us, his arms folded. I froze up, glancing around the room. Men in black were sitting all around the restaurant, glaring at me.
“You have something of mine,” Chris spoke up, making a grab for Frank, who cried out and jerked away. I gritted my teeth. “He's not yours, he's a person.”
“It is an asset that you stole,” Chris snapped, successfully grabbing a handful of Frank's hair and dragging him out of the booth. I jumped up, but one of Chris's men shoved my shoulders, forcing me down. Frank hid his face from me, trembling all over. I could tell he was crying.
“I didn't mean to steal him,” I managed, my voice shaky and pathetic. “I didn't want him to get shot.”
Chris handed Frank over to another man nearby.
“Hm. How about we settle this? That man you shot? He was one of mine. I want you out of this fucking city, out of the county. Or I will kill you myself. Do you understand?”
I choked up, my eyes still fixed on Frank, who had fallen to his knees, sobbing softly.
“I understand,” I mumbled miserably. “I'm sorry, Frankie.”
Chris laughed. “You shouldn't have come in the first place, fucktard. Now get out of my sight.”
The bulky man let go of me and I lunged for Frank without thinking. A gunshot sounded and everything went black.

---

I woke up in the alley at the back of IHOP, a bullet in my leg. I laid there for a while, staring up at the sky. All I wanted was to feel Frank next to me, or his light touch on my cheek. I fumbled for my phone, punching in Angelo’s number and staring at it. My eyes flooded with tears and I turned my phone off, shoving it back in my pocket.
It took me some time to get up, but I managed it, limping back to the car slowly.

Later on, in the motel room, I dug the bullet out of my thigh and wrapped my leg, then fell onto the bed. I stared at the wall, my throat tight. I was barely breathing.
I let my eyes close up and sighed, wondering if I might die in my sleep.

Notes

whoops fluff over