hardlydead | (( them gods gonna hurt you son; when you play with a loaded gun ))

[ five more, huh. david purses his lips in a light shrug and gets straight to it, no messing around. the four fingers on that hand go, each with a weak sobbing cry of pain and protest. it's nothing compared to the way he howls when david takes his arm and hand firmly in each hand and snaps his wrist. ]

[ he seems relatively unbothered by the reaction, it's nothing new for him. david just keeps that tight grip on his arm and looks over at evan, waiting for the noise to fade before he speaks. at this point it just seems like drawing this out for no good reason, neither of them are enjoying this. and if this guy's holding on to any information that's worth beating out of him, david would be impressed. ]

You think he's got anything left?

[ he has to have something. he has to make this fucking excursion with david king worthwhile. sure, what he has will help a hell of a lot, but it doesn't feel like enough. maybe it's just because david's here. under other circumstances, evan would have considered it enough a while ago.

but the rage is still seething. he fights with himself over wanting this to keep going, to get those last dregs out even though all he can hear being mumbled over and over is i don't know i don't know, or to just end it.

he should probably keep going. his father would. ]

Doubt it.

[ evan sneers at the bloody wreck in the chair in front of him. even if he walks away now, he's got nowhere to go. he could lie to his bosses about how he got in that condition, but they'd find out, and he'd be dead. evan and david won't take him in. and there's no way out of this shit, once you're in it. he can't just go to the hospital. ]

Get the card out of his phone.

[ evan's not exactly technologically advanced, which is one of the macmillan family's weak points, or at least the weak point of father and son. he knows that the kings probably won't share all the information they can find on it, but that's a risk he has to take. ]

[ that hits david with a combination of deep anger at evan for just issuing orders at him like that, and confusion at the actual order itself. does evan think everything's still stored on sim cards? they're about the same age, aren't they? how does he think this shit works? ]

[ david genuinely doesn't know how to respond for a moment, but like always the anger wins out. david might be playing nice, letting evan take the lead, that doesn't mean he gets to talk to him like he's a subordinate. giving orders like it's all him? fuck off. learn to show a little appreciation, how about that? ]

[ he tilts his head, eyebrows raised when he looks at evan. angry, challenging. ]

You wanna run that one by me again?

[ david's reaction catches evan off-guard. partly because he doesn't understand why he wasn't understood, and partly because david's been accommodating enough so far that he assumed he'd just do whatever he was told until this was over.

but this is over now, isn't it? the look he david is annoyed, just as angry as the one being given to him, and just a little surprised. ]

You don't want what's on it, then I'll take it. Figured you wanted something else out of this.

[ evan can feel the tension between them again. the same way he always does when they meet, when the world lines up to one perfect moment of them beating the shit out of each other. and maybe that's what would happen if the contact didn't see this as his own perfect moment to try and escape, by slipping off the chair and limping godawfully toward the door. he makes it about a foot before he collapses thanks to the damage to his knee.

evan snaps, just enough. and he has a target to take that rage out on that's slightly more acceptable than david right now.

he starts beating the fallen man, delivers a punch to the back of his head that hurts to give as much as it does to take, and then just doesn't stop. there's no screaming this time, partly because evan goes after his skull first, and partly because there's hardly any strength left to scream with. he doesn't stop when the bastard stops moving, either, or at least not until the blood starts seeping across the floor. ]

[ the pathetic little attempt at escape catches david's attention, enough so that he doesn't immediately fire back at evan, the lip curling sneer replaced by something almost amused by the display. he moves to drag the guy up off the floor, but evan's on him first. fucking furious too, by the looks of him. ]

[ david stands aside, simply stands and watches while evan beats the last bit of life out of that guy. and then doesn't stop. he doesn't think he's ever lost it on someone that badly — if he has, he doesn't remember — which makes it oddly fascinating to watch. seeing what that total loss of self-control looks like, just for a few minutes.
]

[ years ago, when there was still the last vestiges of a decent person clinging to him, david would've felt bad about this whole thing. would've thought on how the sorry bastard didn't deserve all this. now though, david's main concern is taking a step back to avoid getting blood on his shoes while he waits for evan to come down from his rage. ]

I'll keep it, ta. [ "get the card out", giving it to evan would be a fucking waste. ] Let you know if I find anything useful.

[ evan loses his temper every day - usually not this badly, but this level of violence isn't uncommon for him. it's why his own people give him a wide berth. why they avoid making comments while he's anywhere near earshot, when otherwise they might try to make sure he overhears.

but with everything he has to deal with right now, beating someone to death is the only way he can feel even a little bit better, and he wasn't going to let this one get away anyway.

when he draws back, blood on his hands and jacket and face, david makes his idle little comment, and evan gives him another poisonous look, but it drops quickly enough. the anger's already bleeding out, just like the bastard on the floor. ]

Good.

[ he shakes himself to get rid of the last vestiges of uncontrollable rage before picking up the corpse and hauling it over his shoulder. he doesn't ask david to handle this. he was expecting to it himself, mostly on the grounds that he knows what he's doing, he knows where to go, and that he doesn't think david's ever disposed of a body before. it doesn't seem like something he'd sink to. ]

Cleaners are comin' in to fix this up in an hour. Less. Don't leave anything you don't have to.

[ but he wouldn't trust them with the body. evan gives david another long look, not exactly hateful but frustrated. ]

Let me know what you find.

[ in all the years he's been aware of evan, david's known his reputation — moreso than his father's, even — for brutality. for a rage that even his own bloodlust can't satisfy. david's heard stories, seen photos, but he's never been face-to-face with that particular beast. ]

[ evan hauls the body over his shoulder, and there covered in its blood, he looks every inch the monster people make him sound like. he can see why people are so scared of the guy. ]

[ david, for his part, just watches. notes the way evan seems... calmer now, even if it's not necessarily a surprise. part of him envies it
wishes he could give in to the rage like that, wishes he could just let it take over and guide his hand, but david's spent too long learning to control himself for that. it'd just ruin his reputation now. ]

Yeah-- I'll be in touch.
[ and he will be! or rather a day or two on he'll have a message sent over. names, things in the works, stuff like that. it's not everything, and he doubts that's a surpre, they'd do the same tight shit time. ]

Edited (what) 2024-06-23 15:42 (UTC)

[ evan watches david leave, and only then does he leave himself, heading for one of the back ways out so he can get rid of the body properly. he's still angry, and since he can't quite figure out what's causing it, he just assumes it's david's fault. easy enough to do.

when the information comes he passes it on dutifully. the whole event, having gone mostly under the radar, gets him a reminder that this is his job, now, so get used to it. which is less than the usual yelling-at he'd get, so he considers it a win.

but that's not all there is to the job, and he knows it. he also knows david didn't give him all the information. or at least he's guessing. but there's not much he can do about it, not without proof.

for a while, there's not much. their teams - both of their families, begrudgingly working together - are forming a plan, putting an assault together. once they have it ready, that'll be the distraction part. and that irritates him.

it's why, despite everything in him, he texts david at about 10 at night a week later asking if he wants a drink at a bar outside their territories. ]

[ the text confuses him, he would've assumed it would be radio silence from evan until they were ready to move things along. it also annoys him a lot because he was out somewhere, but he can't think of a reason why evan would contact him that isn't work, so he regretfully apologises to the people he's with (and sets up a hefty tab for them) before he leaves to go meet evan. ]

[ sometime later david shows up, looking more like the guy evan knows and hates. flashy clothes; shirt halfway buttoned up, expensive jeans, just enough jewellery to show off without looking like he's actually trying. there's smudges of lipstick and foundation on the collar and shoulder of his shirt and the general alcohol, cologne, and sweat smell of a club is still lingering on him a little. ]

[ it's been a long week, david feels like he's entitled to a night to cut loose. unfortunately, here he is instead. ]

[ he doesn't see evan when he gets there, so he occupies himself getting a drink. leans against the bar and chats up the bartender a bit while he looks around to try and catch a glimpse of the big bastard. ]

[ evan sees him come in, hidden in a spot not quite in a corner, and grimaces.

the thing is, he doesn't have a particularly good reason to drag him out here. and the obvious fact that he dragged him away from a night out - clothes rumpled, shirt slightly open, makeup smeared in particular places giving that away dead on - make his palms itch. no decorum. no shame. nothing but money and broadcasting that money. it was why david showing up looking like a normal person the last time actually surprised him.

maybe he should just not find him. maybe he should just leave, and text him later, saying something came up, go back to whatever debauchery he was enjoying. but the idea makes him feel like a coward, so he gets up and heads to the bar, slapping down a bill as he gets there. ]

Surprised you managed to pull yourself away from the fun.

[ he sneers as he says it. the bartender, who knows him at least well enough to know what he drinks, pulls one without a word to him. it's why he doesn't pick up his change when it comes shortly afterward. ]

Wasn't easy.

[ david shifts a little on the spot to accommodate evan next to him at the bar, watches the way the bartended pours one for him and notes that even though this is neutral territory, evan's a known element here. well enough to have a regular drink at least. ]

Had an absolute stunner throwin' herself at me and I'm here instead, so I hope it's worth it.

[ the kind of woman he'd boast about to his friends, post photos with on his socials, but probably not the "pre-emptively failed attempt at a relationship" type. not that it matters now, he only mentions her to evan to make the point that he would much rather be there than here. ]

[ but he's here now, and they both have drinks, so he gestures for evan to lead the way, assuming he has somewhere to sit already. part of him wants to harp on about how this better be worth his time, but that seems stupid. and like it might start a fight right out the gate, which is also ridiculous. ]

[ anyway-- ]

[ evan's look of disdain at that comment is clear, and one he doesn't hide. it's not that evan doesn't get women; he's not jealous. he just don't show it off. or let it happen in public, at least in the same way david does.

he leads david away once he's got his drink. back to their table, because nobody took it, though that's more luck than his reputation. this isn't his territory. it's not even david's. that has its advantages and disadvantages, but right now, it's david getting the strange looks (and some admiring ones, too) rather than him. he won't be remembered. ]

Is it ever going to be worth if I'm here?

[ that's half a joke. he takes a long sip of the beer, trying to determine if he should be doing this or not. ]

[ despite his ire toward evan, that gets a breath of a laugh out of david as he follows toward evan's table. either unaware or unbothered by the looks he's getting, he's used to it anyway. ]

[ he sits down at the table, curious about why evan called him out here, but he assumes it's going to annoy him whatever it is. ]

Depends on what you wanted to see me for.

[ evan gives his drink a considering look, as if he's agreeing with david there - that it really does depend on why he just dragged david out somewhere neither one of them is really recognized.

it does, actually. but. ]

Don't have a set timeline for our next move, but wanted to try and hash something out so we don't fuck it up day of.

[ their 'distraction', or whatever it's going to be. he's gotten pieces of information about what it might entail, and when, and where, but nothing solid. or at least nothing he's been willing to ask about outright. ]

[ the fact that it is work... doesn't exactly mollify david, but does make him ease up a bit, less immediately ready to fight. he takes a drink, nodding. that's not a stupid idea, he'll grant that. ]

You got somethin' in mind?

[ he assumes evan wouldn't call him out here with no ideas, he's too proud to risk looking foolish that way. david would probably be the same in his position, but that's neither here nor there. ]

[ evan's slow to drink, but he does actually do so this time. this is work, but not - exactly work. preparation. he doesn't feel like he needs to be the professional one, here, in a place where neither of them is strictly recognized. it's not letting down his guard - couldn't be - but it is ... lightening up, just a little.

he's not sure why. he doesn't really think about it that far. ]

Everyone expects us to fight.

[ and that always gets attention. from everybody, even the uninvolved bystanders. ]

[ david tilts his head, thinking. that makes sense. a scuffle draws a lot of attention, especially with them — neither of them goes down easy, both of them are heavy hitters, and everyone loves to watch a fight. people can't help themselves. ]

But you wanna do something different?

[ why else would evan call him out here to talk? both of them are ready to throw down at the drop of a hat, they don't need to discus that. ]

[ evan gives david a sharp look, as if that's an insult - but he's got enough brainpower and focus to think about it, rather than being so angry he just assumes the worst. it's not an insult. david's suggesting it.

the truth is that no, he wasn't thinking of anything different. evan macmillan and david king beating the hell out of each other in front of the to-be-raided headquarters of the new enemy was mostly his plan. but figuring out how to do that without accidentally killing each other, or looking planned, or somehow giving it away early - that might need some arrangement.

but now that david's suggested it, he's not going to argue. ]

Maybe. [ that's not a strong start. ] Somethin' too weird, people'll start to wonder.

We come at eachother like it's Westside Story, people would talk about that too.

[ which is to say he has his concerns about a staged fight. david doesn't even frequent the places that rig their fights anymore — it's good money, but the whole thing leaves an awful taste in his mouth — he's not sure he trusts either of them to make it look real without being real, nor does he trust either of them to back off at the right time. ]

I think if we can come up with somethin' else, might not be an idea. 'Cause if we throw down it's gonna be real, and I know I wanna punch your lights out too much to back off unless something makes me stop.

[ it's a statement of fact, not a threat. he gives evan a look as he takes a drink that says he knows the reverse is true too. they both want to fight and they both want to win. ]

[ problem is, david has no idea what else they could do that wouldn't make people question it. not everybody in there is a hopeless idiot, after all. he shakes off the idea of some kind of explosion pretty much straight away, sure that they'd peg that for a distraction immediately. ]

[ it's not a threat, evan knows. but it still makes his grip tighten around the glass. at least it's mutual. ]

Maybe it should be real.

[ it's the only other thing he can think of. if they can get a few of their guys from each side to conveniently come along at the right time to break them up, start a potential gang war in the streets right in front of those assholes' base - that'd keep people's attention. ]

You and me finally having it out. For real. We get people watching to stop us. [ he looks down into the half-finished beer. ] Or the cops.

[ as if the police would lift a finger to stop them. no, they've paid off enough cops to not get involved as physically possible, and threatened the rest. if someone calls they'll wait long enough for either evan or david to be unconscious or dead, and then conveniently show up to clean up whatever's left. it's standard procedure.

still. the idea of really getting to duke it out with david does have an appeal. ]

[ david breathes out something like an amused huff of a laugh, reclines a little in his seat while he thinks about it. ]

[ no way are the cops gonna do anything, not unless they're asked specifically to, and that runs the risk of trickling down to the very people they're trying to bamboozle — those guys have to have at least a few in their pocket. means they're gonna have to rely on their own guys to know when to separate them. means he'll need people strong enough to it, probably while taking some hits themselves. ]

You might be right.

[ which he hates to admit, but the allure of properly having it out is strong enough for him to swallow it. sure, still won't be real enough, not when they're gonna have to back off before one or both of them end up out on the ground, but it's something. a way to vent some frustration over this whole fucking job, that's something.
]

Gonna need a reason for our lads to step in though, cops ain't gonna do shit.

[ evan grimaces as david voices his thoughts. no, cops won't get involved. not that they ever have. as usual, it'll be on their own men to handle things. but can they be trusted not to fuck it up and make it look fake? probably not.

some can, some can't. it'll be a careful thing, making this look deliberate without actually starting a war on the streets. everyone knows that they're in a tentative alliance, and a temporary one. but everyone still wants the other side dead. everyone'll take the opportunity to kill if they have it.

evan understands, but also doesn't want to get the shit kicked out of him twice in close succession - once by david and once by his father. ]

Stop us from killin' each other. [ the obvious solution. ] We get too into it, 'cause I'm sure we will. Your side comes in to keep me from beating your face into a pulp, mine comes in to stop yours ... sounds normal to me.

[ aside from the location. someone will be suspicious, especially since he knows they've been seeing drinking together. he just has to hope that their real, unchecked violence will sell that as just a fluke. ]

[ he hears that little assumption in evan's choice of words, but beyond a quirk of his eyebrow, david forces himself not to get sidetracked. they can trash talk later, this is business, he reminds himself. ]

Gonna be a lot of broken noses to go around.

[ there's a hint of amusement to the way he says it, but david's still going over the logistics in his head. the people he'd usually call on to sell something aren't necessarily who he'd invite to get involved in a fight, but thinking about it he supposes only a couple of people need to know. everyone else just needs to know to follow their lead. ]

[ he's less concerned about the believability after they've been drinking a couple of times though, not with how pissed off evan looks whenever he has to acknowledge david's presence. a tentative alliance with two hotheads who hate eachother on the front lines? peace talks clearly broke down. ]

[ not like it has to last long either, just long enough for their people to get in and do their job. even if people question why they're fighting, how many are gonna think to look at what's going on behind them? ]

You and yours don't pull any fucked shit day of, reckon we're sound.

[ the kings are honourable criminals, after all. they'd never stab someone in the back. (not unless they could get away with it and spin it in their favour anyway.) the macmillans on the other hand... david doesn't exactly hold them in high esteem. ]

[ evan doesn't even notice when david fails to comment on his own dictation of how things are going to go - although he notes the very brief tension, because if he couldn't read angry body language he'd be dead by now. the casual response doesn't lead him to believe david's about to haul off and punch him, though. of course, that might just be not wanting to throw a punch in that suit.

but of course, it all goes bad, because neither one of them thinks before they talk and evan was raised to take offense to everything. ]

'Fucked shit'?

[ it's a question asked with a thin veneer of patience over it, liable to crack and shatter at the slightest blow. fucked shit. he can guess, but he wants to hear what david thinks constitutes fucked shit.

he wants an excuse to get the anger out. even when he isn't supposed to. even when it'll cost him, hard. ]

[ evan's anger is easy to read, even if david didn't have to be primed and ready for any aggression. seems silly to him, to get mad about it, but whatever. it is what it is. ]

[ if he blows this up here, david's gonna have hell to pay when his father hears about it. he makes an attempt to think it through first, choose his words. it might not undo the damage he's already done, but it's worth a go. ]

We're trustin' you lot, most of the cards are in your hands with this. [ which he doesn't think is an unfair statement, there's a reason he's been swallowing his pride and forcing himself to defer to evan after all. ] You might not be a total piece of shit, I dunno. Doesn't mean nobody under you's not gonna get greedy.

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"they'd do the same tight shit time"??????

long days long typos

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