The Family [Finished]

[accalia]

"And i even survived, yeah. with all my teeth even. Think i'm a few ribs short though."

[yamikuronue]

Vic nods. "I'm doubly glad I brought you this," he says, sliding over the box. Inside, he's carefully packed it full of garlic bread, made fresh at 1am while they were discussing Vic's future.

[accalia]

Bear opens the box and smiles "Fancy cooking that is. what was the occasion?"

[yamikuronue]

"Umm.... nothing..." he says, fidgeting a little.

[accalia]

Bear just looks at Vic. Bear's not subtle at the best of times and with the pain from his cracked ribs he's about as subtle as a housefire. He knows something is up.

[yamikuronue]

Vic hangs his head. "I wanted you to be in a good mood before I... talked to you about some stuff."

[accalia]

"Talk" Bear's tone has softened, and it's pretty plain that the word is more a request than an order. He's still pretty grumpy, but at least none of that is aimed at Vic.

[yamikuronue]

Vic shuffles his foot. "Lunch?" he asks, after a minute.

[accalia]

"Alright, but it's your turn to buy. I keep buying for you and your appetite you'll run me straight into the poor house." Bear of course neglects to mention that he eats just as much as Vic does when they have lunch.

[yamikuronue]

Vic nods. "Fair."

Vic takes him to a park, since they're on the day shift at last and normal places are open; he buys them several hot dogs and a large fries to share, and takes him to a bench in the shade of a tree.

[accalia]

"Right, so what do you want to talk about?" bear asks just before shoving about half a fully loaded hotdog into his mouth.

[yamikuronue]

Vic stares down at his hotdog, not eating yet. "So... I quit my second job. Well. Tony's quitting on my behalf today."

[accalia]

"Tony's quitting on your.... right, i think that needs a bit of explanation." Bear manages to get out through a mouth half full of masticated hotdog.

[yamikuronue]

Vic looks down at his lap, silent for a long while. When he finally speaks, his voice is small, his shoulders hunched.

"I've been.... mixed up in something bad. Illegal. Tony's been trying to help me get out for a while now. I... almost died a while back, that's how he took that bullet for me." Dimly, he's aware he's said most of this, but starting to speak seems to have given him the courage to continue. "It's been this way my whole life. My brothers, my dad... my dad died doing this. And we had so much debt. Mom's medical bills, and we didn't want to lose the house. We still have so much debt. I don't know how they're going to get on without my salary, that's for after work. Assuming there's an after work. Assuming they don't shoot Tony. Or track me down. I just. Nobody ever leaves the Family except in a body bag so..."

[accalia]

"Hmph. I suspected you were shady, but that...... not that. You say Tony's getting you out? Well if anyone can pull that off twice he can. I'm glad you decided to go clean."