Archive of Our Own

His breath came out in ragged huffs as he ran through a back alley. He could still hear the running feet of the rival gang, and he had a feeling he wouldn't be getting away as easily as he'd thought.

"Jones!"

A smirk appeared on his face, hidden under a star spangled bandana. His converse pounded against cracked pavement and exposed brick as he dipped through the dark streets. He was close to his territory, nearly home free, but one stupid slip up had him falling onto his face. A loud curse escaped his lips as he tripped over a large trash bag and collapsed on top of it.

"Ow, fuck!" he hissed, his chest aching from the impact.

As he started to pick himself up he could hear the footsteps getting closer, and he cursed once more as he found himself surrounded.

"Alfred Jones, so nice of you to finally stop. We only want a civilized conversation."

A series of cackling laughs broke out at the sarcastic statement. Alfred got up from the ground.

"So, what brings you here Jones? You know this is my territory."

Alfred swallowed thickly as he caught his breath and looked at the leader of the gang, Ivan Braginsky. With the colors of purple, black, and blood red, Ivan ruled the northern part of the city with his General Winter gang. He was also the biggest asshole in Central High School. The Russian glared at Alfred as he stood silent before him.

"Uh, you got the wrong guy," Alfred said, trying—and failing—to disguise his voice.

Ivan smirked, knowing full well that the teen behind the bandana, baseball cap, and hoodie was none other than his archrival.

"You really want to play around, don't you, Jones?" Ivan asked, amused. "Though I admit it's not surprising, since you are the ringleader of that pathetic circus you call a gang."

Alfred gave a light laugh and shrugged his shoulders.

"The Heroes are no more a circus than you are a whore, Braginsky—but then again I don't know what you do in your spare time," Alfred said tauntingly as he looked Ivan up and down.

Ivan was dressed in a black trench coat that had a blood red snowflake patch. The coat hugged his form and made him look even taller than what he was. A cream colored scarf, which Alfred he wanted to use to chock Ivan with, was wrapped snugly around his neck.

"Always with the jokes," Ivan muttered, annoyed, as he started to walk around Alfred.

Alfred watched Ivan circle him, and his usual band of thugs smirked at him. They knew what Ivan was about to do, and so did Alfred, having been in this situation numerous times. He couldn't help that he wanted to fuck with Ivan. The guy was just asking to be fucked with, with how he managed his gang.

"I'm feeling merciful today, so how about you tell me what you was doing here and I won't break your teeth in. I know you have to give your speech tomorrow in class, and it'd be a shame to damage that pretty face," Ivan said with a leer as he adjusted his coat and pulled out a long pipe, no doubt swiped from a construction site.

"Fine," Alfred stated then reached up to pull his star spangled bandana down off his mouth, "I was here returning the gift your idiots gave to me. You tag me and I tag back. It could have been worse, but I felt merciful too." Alfred looked directly at Ivan, not backing down from his intimidation act.

Ivan frowned as he heard this, and tapped his pipe against his shoe. He looked at his gang carefully, and before the one he had signaled out with his eyes could even react, the pipe was connecting to his face. The force of the impact sent the teen to the ground as he howled in pain, his cap flying off his head as it whipped to the side.

"Ah, damn it! What the fuck was that for?!" the teen shouted, holding his face in pain.

"Gilbert, I know it was you that did it," Ivan growled at the albino. "I didn't order you to tag Alfred, yet you did anyway. I know you think you're being "awesome", but you're truly an annoyance. If you don't stop, I can promise you the next thing I hit won't be so easy to heal."

Gilbert snarled at Ivan, but the Russian just scoffed at him then looked back at Alfred.

"Looks like you're guys aren't very loyal," Alfred said, and Ivan was instantly in his face, his expression dark with distaste.

"Like your gang of kindergarteners are any better," he spat.

"At least my kindergarteners know how to act," Alfred retorted, then glanced down at his watch to see it was already past midnight. "Look, it's getting late, so how about we kiss and make up, then beat each other up later?" Alfred suggested as he gave Ivan a smile, completely unfazed as Ivan rested his pipe on his shoulder.

"You are too cocky, but I'll agree. I will hold you to that beating," Ivan said coolly as he trailed his pipe along Alfred's cheek.

Alfred looked at Ivan oddly, but nodded his head and shoved the pipe away.

"You are the creepiest asshole ever," Alfred said. "You know that?"

Ivan laughed at this, then moved to punch Alfred square in the face, but stopped his hand just before it collided with his nose.

"Get the hell out, Jones."

Alfred moved to the side to see Ivan's face, rather than his fist, and gave an over exaggerated love-struck sigh.

"Alright babe, see you later then," Alfred said teasingly, then blew a kiss to the other teen before turning to his gang. "Nice to see you assholes as well."

Ivan shook his head, and Alfred waved goodbye as he started to back away.

"I look forward to bashing in your pretty face, Jones!" Ivan called out.

"I'm touched!" Alfred shouted back, then turned away and took off to his territory.

Once Alfred was out of sight, Ivan's smile stayed firmly in place and he looked back to his gang.

"Well, let's head back," Ivan said. His tone made it clear that it was a command, not a request. "I believe some of you need an attitude adjustment, da?"

He stepped toward Gilbert, who was still sitting on the ground. He grabbed the albino by the collar of his jacket and shirt, and proceeded to drag the older teen behind him as he headed off to their hangout.