Chapter Text
It was late into the night, maybe twelve, maybe one. Rome had lost track of it. His mind had been wandering; he tried to stop it, but Thee’s ignorance and Mohk’s coldness kept playing in his mind. He had tried, like always, to bridge the gap, tried to spend time with his brother as they used to, asked him if they could have dinner together, but Thee had said he had plans with Peach, and that was that. Rome wouldn't come between that; his brother had fought hard to have the love he had now, so Rome wouldn't grudge him the time he spent with his lover, even if it meant his brother would never have time for him. Because who would know the importance of sharing romantic moments with the one you loved better than Rome, he had spent his whole life praying for such moments that never happened.
So ya, Rome didn't hate his brother for choosing to spend time with Peach; it had just hurt- no, stung a bit when a few hours later they came back with Plub laughing in between them and whining about how they didn't need to pick her up and take her along with them to their date. Rome wasn't jealous; he understood that this was Thee’s family now. He just couldn't help missing the family he once had, couldn’t help missing his P’Kian. But it was fine, Thee was fine, no better than that he was happy and for now that would be enough. Rome could always try again.
Just as Rome was about to go in, he saw someone sneaking around. Usually, he would have alerted the guards or handled the intruder himself, but as he looked closely, he couldn't help but chuckle in amusement; it was Plub sneaking out of the house. He was almost proud she had evaded the guards, but he also knew they had been told not to unnecessarily interfere with her. Freedom was important to both Plub and Peach; they weren't born into the mafia life like he was. They didn't grow up learning that freedom was a liability. Rome shook off the unnecessary thoughts and went after Plub. He was curious where she was going so late.
If I didn't know any better, I would say you're sneaking off to meet your secret partner, Rome said, startling Plub.
You scared me! And who's to say that's not true? I could have a boyfriend.
No, you don't, because if you did, my brother would have already run a full background check on them.
Plub rolled her eyes. You all are so overprotective.
They just care for you… Where are you going right now?
To get snacks, Rome looked at her in surprise. Snacks? I am sure we have snacks in the house. P’Kian would have made sure there were snacks for you.
Ugh, it’s not just about snacks; it's been a while since I have been able to get my own snacks from a convenience store. I am not used to this. P’Peach was protective, but this is just…different.
It was then that Rome realised Plub wasn’t used to the constant surveillance. Of course, she needed time away, but he couldn't exactly let her go alone; that didn't sit right with him, so he decided to accompany her. Plub refused at first; she was just going to a nearby store, but Rome insisted he wanted some air too, so they left.
It was nice being out like this, no guards, no surveillance, no expectations for once. Rome could just breathe, forget for a second about the weight his name carried and just be. He saw an old lady feeding a cat, someone smoking under the lamplight. The air was damp but cool. It felt nice. He knelt to pat the cat as it rubbed against his feet. It was nice and calm, maybe that's why he didn't notice the men approaching them from behind, and by the time he did, they had moved closer, and everything happened too fast. If Rome was alone he could have fought them off he was trained, but he wasn't alone Plub was with him and he was distracted just has he punched the guy closest to him and turned to check on Plub he felt a sharp pain go through his neck, a man he didn't notice injected him with something, Rome tried to fight, to scream at Plub to run away but his body wouldn’t listen and as he felt the darkness closing in he thought about how P’Kian would never forgive him for this.
When Rome finally came to his throat felt like sandpaper; his head was throbbing, he felt wrong, everything in his body just felt wrong. He coughed and tried to get up to assess the damage, but his hands were tied behind his back, and his legs were chained. Luckily, they hadn't covered his eyes or gagged him, so he could see Plub sitting in the other corner. She didn't look hurt, terrified? Yes, but not hurt. Small mercies. Rome let out a breath and looked around the room. It was small, bare, with no windows, nothing to help him escape, and he could hear anything, so they were probably isolated, but thankfully, there weren't any cameras, so they probably weren't being watched. Rome had to be quick before whoever was after them came. He called out to Plub; his voice was hoarse, but Plub heard him, her cries getting louder.
Shush, it's okay, I am okay, everything's going to be okay. The guards will notice we are missing when they do their checks. I still have my tracker on me; they will locate us. Do you have yours?
Plub shakily nodded, good, that means they will find us faster. But Plub, we need to make sure we are okay till they arrive, and for that, I need your help. Promise whatever I tell you to do, you will do it, no questions asked.
Okay Rome.
Good, I need you to close your eyes and not open them no matter what happens, lie down, cover your ears and do not look.
Plub looked confused by the request, but Rome-
No, Plub, I was trained to handle this stuff. I can take care of it, but to do that, I need to make sure that you do not draw their attention. Please, we don’t know when they’ll come. Promise me you'll listen.
Okay, okay, I won't look, I won't draw attention to myself.
Rome could hear footsteps coming now. He looked at Plub right into her eyes. Remember, no matter what happens, you don't react.
Just as Rome said that the door swung open, from the corner of his eyes, Rome could see that Plub had listened, so he turned to the people who had just entered; he didn't recognise them. Which meant either they were ordered through someone else, or they weren't the main guy, and Rome was right because behind them, two more guys entered, and Rome knew those two. Nouveau Rich brats who didn't know what they were dealing with, but that was precisely why they were dangerous, they didn't know the consequences of messing with the Lee family. Rome would have laughed at their vanity any other day, but not today. Today, they had somehow managed to capture him; their pride was great, and they probably thought they were untouchable, which meant they wouldn't shy away from doing anything they wanted due to the fear of repercussions. Rome had to find out what they wanted and keep them occupied till help arrived.
The two guys moved closer to Rome, smirking at him like he was the most pathetic creature they had witnessed. They bent down to his level, and the one with dirty blond hair spoke,
Thought you were untouchable, didn't you, hiding behind your brother and father, but look at you now, squirming at our mercy. We could kill you right now if we wanted.
Rome wasn’t afraid of his empty threats; they almost seemed cute compared to the things he had himself done. He wanted to laugh, but the other guy grabbed him by his hair and twisted his neck at a painful angle. His rancid breath right in Rome’s face as he spoke- you find this funny, huh? Let’s see if you can still keep the smirk when they start beating you.
Before Rome could utter any retort, the guy smacked his head into the wall, and a sharp pain bloomed across his temple. He cursed as the blood dripped into his eyes, but before he could draw in a breath, feet were kicking him in his chest, his ribs everywhere. Rome tried to cover his head and curl up, but his movements were sluggish with whatever drug they had given him. He didn't know when the men stopped; all he recognised was slaps against his cheeks as he felt the same rancid breath over his face, trying to say something. Rome tried to focus to make sense of the words, …are you willing to talk now?
What? Tired already? Rome retorted back, his voice weak, and he could barely see, but he still saw the enraged expression on the man’s face before he kicked Rome hard on his rib. Rome felt like he couldn’t breathe, like there was barely any air to breathe in, as blood came out of his mouth. The man grabbed him by his hair again, looking at Rome pitifully.
You don't have to make it hard on yourself, Rome. Just tell us where your brother is keeping Marcus’s order, and both you and the girl will be safe.
Of course, they were after the Marcus order, inexperienced as they were, everyone knew that the Marcus consignment was important. If anyone were able to stop it from being delivered, it would be a huge blow to the Lee family. But it was also the last order his brother had to fulfil before he could leave the mafia life, and Rome wouldn't let these guys ruin his brother’s chance to live the life that he wanted; no, he couldn’t let them ruin his brother's happiness. Rome stayed silent. Just as the guy was about to hit him again, the blond guy who was hanging at the back intervened.
Stop it. He won’t talk; for all we know, he could have been trained to handle torture, and we can't let him die before getting any useful information.
So what do you suggest we do, dimwit? It's not like this guy is gonna talk if what you say is true. The guy roared, but the other one didn't rise to the bait. He walked closer to Rome; there was something different about him now, something that made a shiver run down Rome’s back.
Well, torture ain’t the only way to break someone; the guy smirked, looking at Rome. Strip him, he ordered the guards.
No…surely Rome heard that wrong. He looked up at the eye only to find his dark eyes staring at him, his sharp white teeth twisting in front of Rome’s eyes.
Why, scared now, sweetheart? He said mockingly, staring at Rome. Are you gonna talk?
…n-no, Rome let out, shaking, hoping with every cell of his body that his brother or Mohk would walk through that door and take him away. The first man who came towards him, Rome used the little movement he had in his legs to trip him and choke him with his legs, he head butted another one and tried to bite the one who came next. He was weak, but he wouldn't let them touch him, not till he could still fight. But as he was fighting them for one small moment, his eyes met Plub, small, terrified Plub, who was looking at him, and Rome froze up. He shook his head, urging Plub to close her eyes again, and she did, but that small opening was enough. The guys pinned him down and twisted him into the ground, the rough concrete digging into his cheek.
Nasty fucker, one of the guys spat out as he wiped blood from his face. Rome had probably broken his nose. But then the blond guy was there again, sitting near Rome’s face, looking at him like he was a child throwing a tantrum. Don’t you realise the situation you are in? Or should I give you another little incentive to get you to talk, he said as his eyes trailed over Plub.
NO! Rome screamed, terrified, desperate and scared, realising the mistake he had made, he had given his enemy the one thing he should never have, a weak point, an advantage. The man smirked and started getting up. Rome twisted himself with all his might and tripped the man and looked in his eyes as he spoke,
Touch her, and I won't care how broken my bones are; I’ll rip apart every single one of you piece by bloody piece.
The man paused not because he thought Rome could really hurt him, no, but the surety in his voice told him that touching the girl won't make Rome cooperate; it might even make him more defiant. He stood up, brushing off the dust from his clothes. They couldn't touch the girl, but they could still make Rome talk, and it was more fun bringing down Lee family’s youngest son than a random girl he was with.
Rome knew, looking at Plub, that his brother would never forgive him for getting her involved in this situation, but he hoped that at least his anger would be abated by the fact that Rome did everything in his power to make sure no one touched her. As Rome felt his clothes being yanked off, he closed his eyes, and unprovoked Mohk’s face flashed in his eyes as a tear rolled down his cheek, unnoticed. He felt hands burning into his skin, digging into it like he was a piece of meat among starved animals. He could hear the chuckles, the whispers, and it all felt like acid being poured over his body. When he felt hands parting his legs, he almost fought back, but he didn't. Plub was doing her part of the deal by not drawing attention to herself, and Rome had to do his by keeping it on him.
The next moment, Rome came to himself. He felt like there was an invisible weight pulling his body down, and for one moment, he wanted to let that weight pull him down into the depths of hell, never to wake up, but he could hear the sounds of bullets being fired outside his gate, he had to get up. Thankfully, he wasn't chained anymore; his body was sore and protested in refusal as he tried to get up.
Rome refused to look at his body to acknowledge the marks and the pain he felt in his body. He grabbed his clothes and dressed up slowly, a bit mechanically, and moved towards Plub, who was shaking in the corner, folding into herself. Rome bent down near her, ignoring the sharp pain he felt.
P-plub…he called out his voice hoarser than he remembered. Her eyes flew open, and she started crying as soon as she looked at Rome, sobbing into his arms as he tried his best to support her. Plub clung onto him, asking if he was okay, crying, saying sorry, explaining how terrified she was, but Rome couldn't hear anything; he felt as if his brain was sitting behind a thick veil and refused to focus. He was working on getting her restraints off when the door opened. Rome tensed up and quickly angled his body to hide Plub. But it was Plub’s scream of P’Kian that made Rome realise who was at the door. His brother was here. As Plub and he both got up, all he could think was that P’Kian had found them; he found Rome, everything would be fine now, his brother was here. Just as Rome was feeling his body relax, the veil over his brain giving way, as he moved towards his brother, he felt a sharp pain across his cheek. Plub screamed in horror as Thee yelled, I am disappointed in you, Rome, how could you let her get involved.
Ah… Rome thought he knew this was coming; he knew Thee would be mad. Yeah, Rome deserved it, deserved his anger. He had put his lover’s sister in danger; he had put his brother’s family in danger. Rome should be glad a slap was all he had received.