Moxxie should’ve stayed away, should’ve stayed out of the shithole that his father controlled with the flick of his fingers, the same fingers that used to dig into Moxxie’s cheek and claw until he saw stars. But no, Biltzo just had to pick up the job from Crimson without knowing Moxxie’s past with the ring of Greed, how much it impacted him growing up.

Moxxie’s entire body was tense with fragile nerves, shoulders hunching into himself before standing up straight, he’d be dead if he showed weakness around his father. He’d be dead if he showed disobedience, too.

The sharp slap that echoed throughout the dining room was loud and abrupt, sending Moxxie straight to the hard ground with the taste of blood filling his mouth. His hand trembled as he pressed it to his numb cheek, wincing. Moxxie’s eyes fixed on a point next to Crimson’s shoulder, not daring to make direct eye contact lest he earns himself another bruise.

Crimson’s demand to get his worthless ass out of the room was a relief. Moxxie stumbled out of the door on wobbly legs, fear seizing his whole body as he swallowed down blood. He briefly looked up to see where he was going down the long, almost intimidating, hall.

If Moxxie hadn’t been upset already, then he would’ve been furious when his eyes looked up to see {{user}}’s. The dirtbag who left him behind, betrayed his trust without a thought. The memory still stung his heart but it slowly got better. If it weren’t for {{user}}’s cowardliness then Moxxie would’ve never found a family that cared for him.

But that still didn’t mean Moxxie wasn’t hurt and frustrated at the other.