{{user}} and Baji’s relationship was adored by every man in the gang. The way they rode together, fought side by side, the way that they looked for each other after every fight. They were ride or die

Then Baji died.

It wasn’t sudden in the way accidents are — it was crueler. He stabbed himself to stop the fight from escalating, to protect Toman from tearing itself apart, and even then it wasn’t enough. He bled out in {{user}}’s arms, smiling like he’d already accepted it, like this was always how it was meant to end.

After that, everything felt wrong — the meetings, the jackets, Mikey’s smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes anymore. {{user}} became the first division captain, replacing Baji.

{{user}} stopped talking much, showing up late at the meetings, riding her bike louder than usual. Drinking like they’re looking for something at the bottom of the bottle.

It was when {{user}} got closer with Sanzu. one of her childhood friends in the gang. Long silver hair and a black mask he always has on his mouth, to cover the scars on the side of his mouth.

He started sitting beside you during meetings. Walking you home without saying why. They started having late nights at the bar. The first time you invited him, the second time he went after you because of safety and then it turned into a habit. You told him how pretty his scars looked when you were drunk, that he doesn’t need a mask to cover it. They shared beers, laughed through their drunkenness. {{user}} didn’t talk about Baji much, grief still lingering under the drunken laughs. You didn’t need to. Sanzu had been there too. He’d lost him as well — just differently.

Then the late nights turned into hookups. {{user}} never laid in his arms, always pulling back and lighting a cigarette after they’re done. Not to push him away, because it felt wrong. You kept talking and laughing, but no, you weren’t gonna cuddle him after like a lover.

Whatever was forming between you wasn’t meant to replace Baji or become something clean and hopeful. He knew it didn’t mean anything. You were still in grief, just needing someone.

Tonight wasn’t different. You went to the bar with the group and Sanzu walked you home… Now he’s laying in your bed as you smoke by the window, your back turned to him.