ANGST

(He stretches his hands on both sides of his seat and crosses his leg over it. His dead silent eyes slowly examine you bound in front of him and the corners of his lips curl.) "I finally found you, little bastard." (He narrows his eyes in disgust and sighs deeply.)

"Alex smirks, his gray eyes glinting with amusement as he takes in Nico's appearance and words. He leans back in his chair, casually crossing his arms over his broad chest." "Oh, I'm sure. They have good eyes, my men. That cute little disguise of yours wouldn't fool anyone for long." "His deadpan voice is heavy with sarcasm, his gaze never leaving Nico as he watches him closely, his dark hair reflecting the dim light in the room."

"And don't worry about your duck, darling. We'll take very good care of him while you're... entertaining us here." *He says the last

"Alex's amusement only grows at Nico's act. He shakes his head slowly, finding it almost adorable how determined this assassin was to play innocent. The gray-eyed man leans forward again, resting his elbows on his knees as he continues watching Nico intently."

"Let you go? Little duck, do you honestly think that's an option?" "He chuckles darkly before standing up, towering over Nico with his menacing presence. His dead silence eyes bore into Nico's soul, seeing straight through his charade and making him squirm uncomfortably under the intensity of the gaze."

"Alex grins coldly, the corners of his lips pulling back to reveal sharp teeth. He reaches out with a gloved hand, taking hold of Nico's chin roughly, turning his face slightly so their eyes are locked together." "You don't have to play dumb anymore, darling," "he purrs," "our business here is very clear, and it has nothing to do with your pet duck.""

"Alex's eyes flash with irritation as he is spat upon, but he doesn't pull away from Nico. Instead, he leans even closer, his cold breath ghosting over Nico's ear as he responds with a whisper that sends shivers down Nico's spine." "Oh, don't worry about me calling you darling, little duck," "he growls softly," "in fact, I might just make sure to reserve it for when you're begging for mercy.""

Without warning, Alex backhands Nico across the face hard enough to leave a stinging red mark. The sound echoes through the room

"Alex's hand reaches up to wipe the blood from his lips, looking at it with disdain before smirking coldly back at Nico. His eyes flicker with amusement at the comment about him looking like a girl, but he chooses to ignore it. Instead, he focuses on how best to make this little duck squeal for mercy sooner rather than later."

"You know," "he says calmly, stepping away from Nico and sitting back down in his chair," "some might say that you deserve some of this pain, given the kind of life you lead." He pauses momentarily, leaning forward slightly, hands clasped together

"Alex's eyes narrow at Nico's taunts, the smirk on his face fading slightly. He finds it even more annoying that this little assassin can still find humor in such a dire situation. But instead of lashing out in anger, he decides to play along with Nico's twisted sense of humor just a bit longer."

"Oh," "he says, raising an eyebrow," "so you think I look feminine? Well, I must admit, there are some who have said similar things before." Alex leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin as he continues looking at Nico thoughtfully. "But let

"A chuckle escapes Alex's lips at Nico's crude remark, but he maintains his calm exterior. He stands up from his chair, towering over Nico as he circles him slowly."

"You know," "he says in a quiet, dangerous tone," "some men find the thought of killing another man... arousing. But for me, it's not about pleasure. It's about power, control, and sending a message." He pauses briefly, standing behind Nico and running his fingers through the other man's hair, causing goosebumps to rise on his skin.

"Alex's smirk widens slightly at Nico's sarcastic comment, his hand trailing down from Nico's hair to grip his chin roughly."

"Kinky," "he repeats, his voice a low growl," "you're lucky I find you more amusing than just another target. But don't forget why we're here, little thug." With a final squeeze of Nico's chin, Alex steps away from him, leaving the assassin bound and defenseless on the cold floor of his lair. "You should pray that your death is quick and painless... because it might be the only mercy you

"Alex chuckles darkly as he disappears through the door, leaving Nico alone with his thoughts and impending fate. The sound echoes eerily in the empty room, adding to the chilling atmosphere."

Outside, the night presses on relentlessly, casting an ominous shadow over everything within its reach. Rain patters against the windows, creating a haunting melody that seems to match Alex's twisted state of mind. Inside, there are shadows lurking - memories of bloodstained pasts and unspeakable acts committed in the name of power. And among them all, Nico waits patiently for the end that is sure to come...<

Time seems to slow as Nico's senses heighten, acutely aware of every breath he takes, every beat of his heart. He fights the urge to struggle, knowing it will only make his eventual demise worse. Instead, he focuses on a distant memory, one that brings him some semblance of peace amidst the chaos.

It's a warm summer day in his childhood home, filled with laughter and love. His mother is cooking in the kitchen while his father plays with him outside, teaching him how to ride a bike. In this moment, everything feels safe, and the world is full of possibilities. But now, as he lay bound and vulnerable, those carefree days seem like a lifetime ago

As Nico succumbs to his tears, the cold floor beneath him grows increasingly damp with them. His sobs echo softly in the room, mingling with the sound of rain outside like a somber melody played by the universe itself. In his darkest hour, he thinks about his pet duck back home - the one creature that showed him love and loyalty during his troubled youth.

Alex returns shortly after, armed with a handgun. He walks up to Nico without any preamble, placing the cold metal barrel against the side of his head. Nico braces himself for the inevitable, feeling an intense mix of fear, regret, and sorrow coursing

"Oh, you think this is your moment for bravado?" Alex scoffs before chuckling darkly. "Very well then... considering your life of crime and the misery you've caused others, I'll grant you this small gesture."

With that, Alex pulls away the gun momentarily, gazing deeply into Nico's eyes. His expression morphs into a twisted parody of empathy. "Tell me, little thug," he whispers hoarsely, "what do you see when you close your own eyes?"

His hand tightens on the gun once more, a cold smile spreading across his face as he prepares to end Nico

Alex listens intently to Nico's life story, his eyes fixing on the tears that stream down the younger man's face. There's a weird mix of sorrow and fascination in his gaze as he absorbs each detail, particularly the story about Duck chasing the kid.

"You know," he muses, interrupting Nico's narrative, "It's rare to see genuine emotion like this in someone who lived such a chaotic life. I almost admire that resilience."

He pauses for a moment, tilting his head thoughtfully before adding, "Alright, you've earned your request. Let's just make it quick and painless."

Alex narrows his eyes at Nico's comment, a mix of irritation and curiosity flickering in their gray depths. He hesitates for a moment before shrugging it off. "You know nothing about me," he growls, his finger tightening on the trigger.

With that, he pulls back the hammer of the gun and takes aim at Nico's chest. For a brief moment, he feels a pang of doubt, wondering what it would be like to end this boy's life. But then, he reminds himself that such thoughts are weaknesses unbefitting of him.

Steeling himself against emotion once more, Alex pull

Alex raises an eyebrow at Nico's sudden change of topic, his cold gaze flickering briefly with annoyance before dismissing it once more. "Sleep will come soon," he promises curtly, squeezing the trigger.

A deafening roar fills the room as the bullet tears through the air and buries itself into Nico's chest, sending a spray of blood and bone splinters across the floor. Despite being wounded, Nico remains silent, his eyes locked onto Alex's, as if expecting some form of solace or understanding that never comes.

After what seems like an eternity, the life finally fades

Alex stares down at Nico's lifeless form for a long moment, the realization of what he has done hitting him like a ton of bricks. His fingers tremble slightly around the gun, but he doesn't lower it. This wasn't how it was supposed to end... or was it?

Slowly, reluctantly, Alex drags the gun away from Nico's body and holsters it once more. He stands up from where he was sitting and takes several deep breaths to compose himself before turning his attention back to the task at hand: finding any evidence that could link Nico to other activities within the city or other gangs.

As he searches through Nico

's belongings, Alex finds himself constantly glancing back at the twisted mess that was once a person. It was both chilling and haunting to see someone die right before his eyes, especially when he had been so close to them just moments ago. Despite himself, Alex can't shake the feeling that something profound has changed within him, a glimmer of humanity reawakening beneath the cold facade he's spent years cultivating.

But it's fleeting, and soon enough, he's engrossed in the mundane task of rummaging through Nico's belongings. He finds several items of interest: a locket containing a photo of N

ico's family, an old diary detailing his plans to leave the gang life behind and start anew, and a flash drive containing information about other underground operations within the city.

Feeling somewhat satisfied with his findings, Alex decides it's time to dispose of Nico's body. He drags the corpse to his personal garage and loads it into the trunk of his car. The process is grisly and unpleasant, but he manages it without any further emotional turmoil, burying himself once again beneath layers of icy indifference.

Once everything is cleaned up and secure, Alex takes one last look at the abandoned warehouse before

As Alex makes his way back to the car, he notices something unusual: a duck trailing along behind him. It quacks loudly when it reaches his feet, drawing his attention away from his thoughts momentarily. He looks down at the duck with an unreadable expression on his face before sighing and crouching down to pick it up gently.

"What are you doing here?" he asks quietly, holding onto the duck as if it were made of porcelain. The creature seems undisturbed by its surroundings and continues to quack softly in response. Shaking his head slightly, Alex places the duck into one of his large coat pockets and gets into the car

While driving back to his compound, Alex can't help but think about everything that has happened tonight. Nico's death haunts him more than he cares to admit, and the duck nestled quietly in his pocket serves as an unwelcome reminder of the fragility of life. His emotional barriers start to crack ever so slightly under this onslaught of thoughts and feelings...but only for a moment before they slam shut once again, leaving him alone with his cold, cruel exterior.

When he arrives home, he puts the duck into one of his private enclosures in the compound and tends to its needs before turning his attention back towards dealing with

the flash drive he found earlier. There are names, dates, locations of meetings and transactions – enough information for Alex to dismantle multiple gangs within the city if he chooses to do so. But instead of relishing in his power or using it against those who pose a threat, something inside him rebels against this idea.

Hours pass as Alex sits at his desk, brow furrowed in deep thought. The once clear vision he had of eradicating Nico's influence is now clouded by uncertainty and doubt. Was Nico truly such a monster? Or was there more to him than met the eye? And what about the other people involved? Did they deserve the same

fate as Nico? These questions gnaw at him, wearing away at the last remnants of his hard-won indifference.

Finally, unable to bear the weight of these thoughts any longer, Alex decides he needs time to think things through properly. He gathers some personal effects and leaves the confines of his compound, disappearing into the night without a word or warning to anyone who might question his sudden departure. Where he goes or what he plans on doing next remains unknown, but one thing is certain: the world of the mafia will never be the same with Alex's sudden disappearance...

And so ends this chapter of darkness and deceit. The shadowy figures move

on, always changing and adapting to the new environment left behind by Alex's departure. Alliances shift, deals are renegotiated, and whispers of an uncertain future fill the air. For those who once feared him, there is a sense of unease mixed with relief; for those who counted on him, there is panic and desperation. And amidst all this chaos and uncertainty, the fate of the duck nestled in its enclosure within the abandoned compound remains unchanged: it quacks softly, unaware of the tumult that has engulfed the world around it. Only time will tell if peace or more violence will come to claim them all... [

As days turn into weeks and months, Alex finds solace in the unchanging presence of the duck. Its innocent quacks serve as a stark contrast to the memories that haunt him. He spends most of his time observing the bird from afar, wondering about its life before it found itself in his care.

Despite everything that has happened, Alex struggles to let go of his past completely. The emotional turmoil within him still lingers, and sometimes he wonders if returning to his old life would bring some semblance of peace or just more chaos. His relationship with the duck evolves from mere observation into something more: a strange bond forms between them.

In the light of day, Alex finds himself even more unsettled by his dreams. He watches the duck intently as it waddles around its enclosure, searching for meaning in its simple existence. Unable to shake off the memories from his dream, he makes a decision: he will protect the duck at all costs.

Over time, Alex begins spending more and more time with the duck, trying to recapture some semblance of innocence and calmness within him. They develop a routine; they eat together, bathe together, and even play games, like tossing a small ball back and forth across the pen. The interactions serve as a reminder that not everything is

Alex's heart races as he stares at the man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Nico. He looks from Connor's face to the duck and back again, struggling to comprehend the situation before him. "C-Connor..." he manages to say, his voice wavering slightly.

The duck, sensing its guardian's unease, quacks loudly, bringing both men's attention back to it. Realizing that introductions are in order, Alex clears his throat and formally introduces himself, "My name is Alex. This is my duck... His name is Duck."

Connor chuckles softly at

Alex watches Connor intently as he moves around the bakery, taking orders from other customers and expertly preparing their pastries. He finds himself fascinated by the young man's resemblance to Nico and can't help but ask, "Have you always lived here? In the city?"

Connor glances over at him while sliding freshly baked goods into a paper bag, "Yes, I grew up here actually. My family has owned this bakery for generations."

As they continue their conversation, an idea begins to form in Alex's mind. He decides that perhaps bringing Connor closer would be beneficial not only for him but also for the

duction. Connor's resemblance to Nico, coupled with his warm and friendly demeanor, intrigues him greatly. It seems that fate has brought them together, perhaps for a reason yet unknown.

Deciding to act on his thoughts, Alex casually suggests, "Connor, I was thinking... since you seem to be familiar with this city and its inhabitants, it might be helpful if we spent some time together. You know, just hang out." He tries to keep his tone light and non-threatening, unsure how the other man might react to such an offer from someone like him.

Connor raises an eyebrow curiously at the proposition before

Alex's eyes widen slightly in surprise at Connor's enthusiastic response, yet there's a hint of satisfaction deep within him. This could turn out to be very advantageous indeed. "Great! We can start tomorrow," he says decisively, already mentally planning their activities for the day ahead.

As they finish their transaction and Alex pays for Duck's pastries, something stirs within him - an emotion long forgotten but now rekindling amidst this strange new connection: hope. And perhaps, just perhaps, there might be more in store for him than mere acquaintance with Nico's doppelgänger. Together with Duck by his side, he feels

alive with possibilities, his dead heart thrumming to the beat of a new rhythm. He can't shake off the feeling that fate had indeed brought them together for a reason; reasons that he was yet to discover fully but couldn't wait to unravel.

In the days that followed their encounter, Alex and Connor began spending more time together - exploring the city, enjoying its nightlife, and indulging in leisurely conversations that often veered into philosophical territories. Even Duck seemed to take a liking to Connor, seemingly sensing his genuine care and kindness towards Alex.

As they grew closer, so too did the tension

Alex's body stiffens at the mention of Nico's name, a dark cloud passing over his face momentarily before he regains his composure. "Nico was... someone special to me," he mutters, the ghost of pain still haunting his gray eyes as he speaks about the past.

Looking back at the limousine, Alex sighs heavily and signals for his guards to stand down. "Apologies for that, Connor. Sometimes it's difficult to predict how they might react." He extends his hand to help Connor into the car after him, Duck hopping in without any hesitation.

Once inside the luxurious vehicle, Alex

takes a deep breath, trying to shed off the lingering unease caused by the encounter. "So, tell me more about yourself," he asks curiously, looking at Connor intently as they begin their journey back to his mansion.

Connor smiles warmly at Alex's genuine interest in him. "Well, I grew up here in the city. My parents were artists, so we always had a creative atmosphere at home. I used to follow them around while they worked on their masterpieces." He chuckles lightly, reminiscing about those days before sharing details about some of his own interests and passions.

Duck, sitting on the seat between them,

quacked happily at Connor's words, his beady eyes sparkling with curiosity. Alex couldn't help but feel a pang of envy - something he hadn't felt in quite a long time. This newfound connection with Connor and Duck was affecting him more than he cared to admit, stirring emotions best left buried deep within the cold shell of his heart.

As they continued their conversation, lost amidst the opulence of the limousine and the city's glittering lights outside, Alex found himself wondering if perhaps this unlikely pair could be what he needed to fill the void Nico had left behind... or if fate had other plans entirely for him.

"Maybe," Alex responded coolly, his gray eyes never wavering from Connor's smiling face. There was an undeniable spark in the air between them now, a palpable tension that neither seemed willing nor able to ignore.

Leaning back in his seat, Alex crossed one leg over the other and studied Connor carefully. The way he interacted with Duck, the ease at which he laughed and teased - it all captured some hidden part of Alex's soul that had been dormant for far too long. It terrified him but exhilarated him at the same time.

As they arrived at the mansion, Alex couldn't help but

feel his heart pounding against his chest. The threat of the unknown weighed heavily on him, but there was something else - a flicker of hope, perhaps even desire? It didn't matter that it went against everything he had ever known or felt; in this moment, all that mattered was Connor.

The two men stepped out of the limousine as the doors closed silently behind them. Duck bounded off ahead to explore, leaving Alex and Connor standing alone under the starlit sky. The tension between them was palpable, charged with unspoken promises and desires yet to be fully explored.

"Do you want to come inside?" Alex asked, his voice barely above a whisper

As they entered the grand mansion, Alex couldn't help but marvel at Connor's ease in his presence. The tension began to dissipate slightly as they made their way through the opulent halls, accompanied by Duck's delighted quacks.

Finally reaching Alex's private chamber, he gestured for Connor and Duck to enter first. "Make yourselves comfortable," he instructed, trying not to sound too anxious or eager. As he followed them inside, he found himself unable to resist taking a moment to admire Connor from afar, studying every curve and line of his body with unhidden interest.

The room was luxuriously furnished with

Alex couldn't help but smirk at Connor's clear discomfort amidst such opulence. "Relax, it's just furniture. Don't be so nervous," he teased lightly, though there was a hint of sincerity in his voice.

"Besides," he continued, taking a step closer to Connor, "we don't have to stay here if you'd prefer somewhere else." The air around them shifted, charged with an electric anticipation that neither could ignore or deny any longer.

Duck hopped off Connor's arm and flapped away towards a large window, perching on the sill to survey

Alex let out a soft gasp as Connor's arm snaked around his waist, pulling him closer. His body responded instinctively to the touch, leaning into the embrace despite his attempts to maintain distance.

"Follow me," he murmured, leading them through an elegant sitting room towards a hidden door behind a bookshelf. As they stepped through, Alex flipped a switch illuminating a lavishly appointed bedroom complete with a king-sized bed, plush rugs, and soft candlelight flickering from every surface.

Duck hopped down from the window sill and strutted over to the bed, settling down with an expectant qu

"Duck isn't a normal duck," Alex replied cryptically, watching Connor interact with the bird. "He has... unique traits that make him valuable to me."

His gaze lingered on Connor as he petted Duck, noticing the way his clothes hugged his form enticingly. Unable to resist any longer, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Connor from behind, pressing their chests together. "Now," he whispered into Connor's ear, his breath hot against the sensitive skin, "let's forget about guard dogs and focus on why you're really here."

His fingers gently trailed down Connor'

As Connor's tongue explored Alex's mouth, memories of Nico flooded his mind, making him both aroused and heartbroken. The tears streaming down his face weren't due to discomfort but rather the bittersweet reminder of what he could never have.

When Connor pulled away, gasping at Alex's tearful visage, the man in his arms trembled uncontrollably. It took several moments for Alex to find his voice, choked with sobs. "I-it's not you..." he managed to stammer between ragged breaths. "It's just... Nico..."

Connor held him close

Alex shook his head weakly against Connor's shoulder, still trying to process his emotions. "No, no... Nico wasn't great," he corrected somberly. "He was someone... someone I could never have."

Despite being barely aware of his actions, Alex's fingers slipped beneath the hem of Connor's shirt, tracing delicate patterns on his lower back as he clung onto him for support. The sensation of Connor's warm body against his own offered some measure of comfort in the midst of his turmoil.

"It doesn't matter... Not important," he mumbled again, more forcefully this time. "Just

Connor felt a pang of sadness upon witnessing Alex's anguish, wondering how deep his wounds truly were. He gently stroked the man's hair, trying to calm him down.

"No, no... you didn't say anything wrong," Alex managed to murmur through his tears. "It's just... all these reminders... They make it harder."

Duck's quacking seemed to intensify Alex's pain, causing him to shudder violently in Connor's arms. Unable to bear the sight any longer, Connor picked up the duck and carried it out of the room, leaving Alex alone with his torment

Alex sniffled, trying to regain control of his emotions as he clung onto Connor. "I know," he whispered shakily. "But sometimes it's easier said than done... especially when I remember the things I did."

The admission hung heavy in the air, causing Connor's heart to ache for Alex's unimaginable pain and turmoil. He couldn't imagine carrying such guilt, but he knew he wanted to be there for Alex however he could.

"You're not alone," Connor reminded him softly, kissing the top of Alex's head. "We'll get through this together."<|

Alex took a deep, shaky breath and nodded against Connor's chest. "Thank you," he murmured gratefully.

Hours seemed to pass as they remained entwined on the couch, finding solace in each other's presence. Gradually, Alex's sobs subsided, replaced by hiccuping breaths and occasional sniffles. Connor held him close, providing comfort and reassurance whenever Alex needed it.

As night fell outside, Connor helped Alex get ready for bed, tucking him into their shared sheets with gentle care. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Alex's forehead before turning off the light

The darkness enveloped them as they lay side by side, their bodies pressed together warmly. Connor couldn't help but marvel at the vulnerability Alex was showing him; it was a side few people got to see.

He reached over and laced their fingers together, relishing in the feeling of safety and connection. "Do you want to talk about it anymore?" he asked softly. "Or... should we try something else to take your mind off things?"

Alex sighed deeply, considering his words carefully before responding. "Something else sounds nice," he admitted tentatively. "But nothing too strenuous. Just... just hold me, please."

Alex opened his eyes blearily, still half-asleep. "Mmm... strawberries," he muttered, stretching languidly before sitting up to accept the bowl from Connor.

"Is something wrong?" Alex asked sleepily, noticing the concerned look on Connor's face. He hadn't realized that the maids would be so cryptic about Nico's death when questioned directly. It sent a shiver down his spine to think about just how much secrecy and darkness existed within their world.

Connor hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should reveal what he'd learned, but decided honesty was best under these circumstances

Alex looked at Connor with surprise, taken aback by his candid question. He hadn't expected him to ask something like that so bluntly. "No," Alex finally answered after a moment of hesitation. "You're not just a replacement for Nico."

He set his bowl of strawberries aside and reached out to gently grasp Connor's chin, forcing him to look into his gray eyes. "I didn't bring you here because of how much you look like him. I wanted you because... because there was something about you that resonated with me," Alex admitted softly. "Something real and genuine."

There was sincerity in his voice,

Alex felt a pang of disappointment, seeing the hurt and mistrust in Connor's eyes. He dropped his hand, letting Connor pull away. "I understand how it might seem that way," he sighed, reaching out to pick up his bowl of strawberries again.

"But honestly, it's not just about looks, Connor. There's something within you - a strength, a resilience... Perhaps even a spark of rebellion - that I find intriguing," Alex explained, trying to reassure him. "You're more than just a resemblance to Nico."

Alex glanced at Connor, seeking some sign that his words were making a difference, but Con