Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was another busy Saturday night at the The Rabbit Hole. A high end club where some of the richest, powerful men came to “relieve a little stress”. The reason why it was so popular was because guests were required to hide their identity with masks or face paint for privacy purposes.

“I’ll probably catch a ride from one of the girls tonight okay, baby.” You got off of your boyfriends motorcycle and kissed him on the cheek. He usually always turned his head around to steal a kiss on the lips but this time he was distracted. You noticed that he was staring at the raunchy, neon purple sign that flickered between a topless, busty woman and switched to her holding her leg up in the splits.

Shorter took off his sunglasses and handed you your purse that he had on the handlebars. “I really wish you’d find something else, Cherry-bomb.” He hated the thought of you taking off your clothes for other men to gawk at and fantasize about. You were his girl and nobody else’s. Shorter was super protective and would get extremely jealous when you would come home with hickeys lined around your neck due to taking your clients to the VIP room.

“I’m looking.” You lied. The money you were making here was too good to pass up. You’d rather flaunt your assets and have cash thrown at you every night than working at some office for a lousy paycheck every two weeks. “But this is what I have to do in the mean time.”

“I know. It’s just-“

“Let’s not forget, that this is the place where you met me. You knew what you were getting yourself into.” You understood where Shorter was coming from but you didn’t appreciate the fact that he’d make it seem like it was a surprise that you were a stripper.

Before y’all got together, Shorter would show up in stupid, glow in the dark face paint with some of his boys and he’d always try to get front row for your performances. So for him to look down on your work now was completely unfair when he himself used to love watching you too.

“I’m just trying to say that you’re better than this.” He explained.

“Better?” You scoffed, “What about you, huh? At least what I do won’t get me shot. When are you gonna stop trying to live your stupid Scarface fantasy and find a “real job” too?”

Shorter shook his head and revved up his motorcycle, “Whatever. I got business to do around this side of town so I’ll pick you up when you’re done.” He wasn’t asking if that was okay, he was telling you that was the only option.

“Fine.” You rolled your eyes and entered through the side door where the large usher was standing. “Asshole thinks he could act like he’s better than me.” you muttered to yourself while you got dressed into your costume.

“Cherry baby, you’re up next.” Chuggs, the manager, reminded you so you could speed through the final touch ups of your make up.

“Thanks.”

The curtain opened and the spot light was all on you. Men whistled as you stepped one foot over the other as you teasingly made your way over to the pole that you worked so well.

“Cherry is our golden girl.” Chuggs informed some of the new attendees who were sitting towards the back of the stage. “VIP with her is gonna cost you a lot extra, gentlemen.”

“Will this do?” A blonde man wearing a wolf mask that covered the top half of his face pulled out a stack of cash and shoved it onto the chest of Chuggs.

The mans shaky hands caught the money before it hit the floor. “Y-yes sir!” Chuggs stuttered, “She’s all yours. You’re free to finish the show or have one of our lovely ladies escort you to your room.”

“Let’s go.” He told his crew of men.

“Uh, sir?” Chuggs held his arm out in front of the masked group, “VIP is only one on one. Sometimes two if my girl is okay with it.”

“Awww is that so?” The masked blonde pulled out a gun, pressing the barrel up to Chuggs large gut. “I’m sure you can make an exception for a wolf and his pack.”

After your performance, your money was collected from the stage and was accounted for. During this time, you went back to the dressing room and searched for your phone to text Shorter to see if he was doing alright after your little argument. You waited a few minutes for a response but one never came, so you tried calling him real quick.

“Hey babe, what is it?”

“I just wanted to check-“

“Hold up, some of the guys wanted me to meet them. I think it’s about- Hey hold on.” He put you on mute when he heard chattering coming from around the corner of a shadowy building. “What’s so important that you guys dragged me out here?” Shorter’s feet stopped when he realized that those voices weren’t coming from his crew. “Who are you all?” He whipped out his knife and got into a fighting stance. “Where’s my guys?”

“Nowhere.” One man with brown hair answered, flicking away his cigarette. “We just killed a random one and took his phone to get to you. If you wanna retrieve his body... well...” he snorted, “Good luck picking up all the pieces.”

“Tsk! Bastard! What do you want with me?”

“Ash Lynx. Dino’s getting tired of searching for his missing prize. So what better way to find out his location than getting to his best friend?”

Shorter laughed, “He’s been MIA for a few days, not even I know where he is. But we all know I’d never rat him out.”

“Hm,” the brunette smirked, “Maybe your mind will change with a little convincing.” He tossed Shorter the phone he was sending him those fake messages from.

“Huh?” Shorter then looked down at the picture on the screen with wide, terrified eyes.

“Your little Cherry-Bomb sure knows how to grind on a pole. In fact, she’s about to do a lot more than that right now.”

Shorter quickly checked his phone and saw that you ended the call and sent a text saying. “I’ll call you later. I gotta meet up with a client.”

“Son of a-!” Before being able to take a step back, Shorter was surrounded and terribly outnumbered.

“Fffuck, Cherry.” The blonde placed a gloved hand on the back of your head, “You really know how to suck dick.” You continued to swirl your experienced tongue around your clients cock as he scrunched up your hair in his fist. “Your pretty mouth feels fucking amazing.”

“You like when I do that with my tongue?” You looked up and stared into the ‘wolves’ eyes with your mouth wide open and tapped his throbbing cock onto your tongue. “You’re so hard, sweetie.” The way your hand twisted around his shaft made him groan in pleasure. “If you’re any louder, your buddies outside the door might hear you.”

He wrapped his hand around your throat and pulled you onto his lap with your legs curled around his waist, “So what? Let them hear.”

You licked your glossy red lips before crashing them into his and grinding your soaked pussy on his exposed cock. You felt him start to position you differently and try to push your thong to the side so he could find your entrance. “Whoa.” You sat up, “You paid for a bj and a lap dance. That’s all you’re getting, okay.” You reminded, still trying your best to be sexy so that way your client would pay to see you again in the future.

“Awww, can’t make one exception for me?” He snaked his arm around you and brought his hand under your ass, slipping a finger inside your cunt, making you gasp. Your mouth fell open and you held tighter onto his broad shoulders. “You like that huh?” He purred in your ear, sending chills through your body as he slipped in a second finger and began pumping in and out. The man brought his other hand up and aggressively cupped your jaw, forcing you to look into his blue eyes, “You’re getting close. I can feel it.” He used his gloved thumb to smear the now faded red lipstick on your mouth. “You want your cum to explode all over my fingers, baby?”

You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to ride out your orgasm, “Mhm.” You moaned.

He smirked, “That’s what I like to hear. Show daddy why Shorter calls you his sweet little Cherry-Bomb.”

Your eyes shot open, “What did you... who the fuck?”

“What’s with that face?” He tilted his head, chuckling at your expression.

With his teeth, he took off his black leather glove, revealing scars on his fingers. You looked down in horror and then snatched off his mask. “A-Arthur...”

“Surprise.” You fell back onto the floor and crawled backwards as he zipped his pants back up.

All of the sudden the door was kicked open and a beaten up Shorter was being dragged into the room by Arthur’s men who were also wearing wolf masks. “Ch-Cherry...” he coughed up blood. “Are you o-okay?”

“Shorter...”

Arthur stood above you both as his gang circled around. He licked his long, cum soaked fingers. “Damn, never thought I’d say this but I’m kinda jealous of you, Shorter. Your girl tastes fucking amazing.”

“Fuck you!” Shorter screamed, trying to attack only for him to receive a harsh kick to the gut.

“Stop!” You shrieked, throwing yourself over your boyfriend to protect him. “What the fuck do you want with us, Arthur?”

“I already told your boyfriend that all I need is the location of Ash Lynx. Tell me that and everyone walks outta here alive.”

“This is bullshit!” Shorter growled through clenched teeth. “I’m not fucking lying to you! I have no idea where he is.”

Arthur snapped his fingers for one of his men to drag you up off the floor. “She’s got nothing to do with this!”

“I know.” Arthur smirked, “Which is why I’m not asking her anything. Y’see, I don’t fully believe you just yet.” He flicked out his butterfly knife and held it to your throat.

“Son of a bitch! Get away from her!” Arthur dragged the tip of the blade down your neck, across your stomach and stopped at the band of your red sequence thong. You were sure blood was dripping but you were too afraid to look down. You tensed up when the blonde tucked the tip of the knife under the thin material. “Arthur I swear to god, I’m going to rip your fucking head off!” All Shorter’s threat did was make Arthur laugh. You both looked so helpless and pathetic. The tears from both of y’all’s eyes began to make him hard. “You sick bastard...”

Arthur licked his lips and flicked the blade up and just like that, your panties were cut in half and fell around your feet. Arthur roughly turned you around and showed you off to his crew, spreading your ass cheeks in the process. “She looks tasty. Doesn’t she, boys?”

You wanted to fight back but you were so scared. One wrong move and this guy will cut you into pieces. Torture you so slowly but not allowing you to die. “Help me.” Was all you were able to croak.

“Listen to the lady, Wong. If you don’t want anything to happen... squeal.” Arthur cut your bra off next, leaving you completely nude for everyone to see. Sure you took your clothes off for a living but there was a difference between that and what was happening to you right now. You were just a piece of meat. Live bait.

Shorter clenched his jaw, trying to hold in his tears from seeing you like this. “I told you already... I don’t fucking k-“

“Just tell him!” You cried.

“Yeah, Shorter. Just tell me.” Arthur held your wrists behind your back with one large hand. He breathed down your neck and licked at your exposed skin. “Gah damn. You taste like a Cherry slushy.”

You could see the rage in Shorter’s face. You’ve only seen that look a few times since being with him. Murder was the only thing on his mind. The last time you saw Shorter like this was when Ash told him that he was ambushed and raped. You could never forget it. Shorter smashed everything around him, damning the fact that he wasn’t there to protect his best friend like how he would do in the detention center. But now it was time for him to protect you instead of Ash.

Shorter’s body fell limp underneath the weight of the 4 men holding him down. “It’s the truth...”

“I swear to god! Just fucking help me instead of protecting Ash! You always put him first!”

“Cherry...” hearing those words escape your mouth felt like a stab to the chest.

“Oh ho ho, did we just dig up some shit?” One of the men asked, clearly amused with the events taking place.

“Tell them where he is.” You demanded coldly as you were still being shown around like some new toy.

Shorter’s head hung low, “Cherry-Bomb... it’s the truth.”

You couldn’t believe he was doing it again. Why was he making you endure this? Ash could take care of himself but you weren’t able to defend yourself like him. You needed Shorter to be your shield. Why wasn’t he protecting you from the enemies blade?

Mascara filled tears streamed down your face. “I can’t believe you.” He went against everything he’s ever promised. Protecting you until the very end no matter what. It was all a lie.

“Arthur... it’s the truth. Please... stop this.” Shorter pleaded, “I’m fucking begging you, man.”

Arthur shrugged uncaringly, “Y’know what’s funny? I actually believe you.” Even though he spoke those words, it was too soon to sigh in relief. “But.” Arthur squeezed the back of your neck and slammed your entire body onto the floor. Your face being only a few inches away from Shorter. “That doesn’t mean I gotta stop. Once Ash hears about this, he’s bound to come out of hiding.” Arthur undid his belt and zipped his pants down, positioning you to where your body arched and he had full access to ‘what you had to offer’.

“No!” Shorter tried with all his might to fight off the men who were pinning his arms and legs down. Even with the rage and aggression taking over his body, he simply didn’t have the strength to save you.

You winced, feeling Arthur push himself further and further inside you. He was so rough. So careless. He ignored your cries of pain and kept on going. No matter how much you screamed, nobody could hear you over the music of the club and the applause from the attendees watching the other performers. Your strength and will to live slipped away like the last grains of sand in an hour glass. You prayed for it to be over. Having Arthur inside of you felt like an eternity but only a few seconds had gone by. You tried focusing your mind on something else. Anything.

Sex and Candy started playing through out the club. That was your friend, Candi’s performance starting. It was slow and erotic. She got people off so well with a leisurely tease. It made you jealous sometimes. You closed your eyes and pretended that you were watching from behind the curtain like you always did to show your support.

Soon the song finished and the pain began to course through you once again. “Sss...stop.” You breathed so quietly that not even Shorter could hear you over the loud clapping of the crowd.

You could hear Chuggs shoes clicking against the stage since he always walked up with the mic pointed at the floor. He began to get everyone gathered to introduce the next performers.

Before he announced who was up next, you felt something hot and sticky shoot onto your back. It was finally over. There was a new pain of a hand slapping your bare ass. It wasn’t compared to what you felt before but damn it hurt. “Alright boys...” Arthur stood up, “Who’s next?”

Your watery eyes slowly shifted to see two men walking towards your limp body. “No need to do things one at a time. I’m sure she could handle both.”

“I’m going to kill you.” Shorter threatened through tears. “I’ll burn you alive and piss on your fucking ashes.”

Arthur stood behind Shorter and held his face forward, cupping underneath his chin. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. But for now, watch your little Cherry-Bomb do what she does best.”

No matter how much you wanted to run away, your body was stuck in the same position Arthur left you in. You were their’s for the taking. You felt one man position himself behind you and watched the other pull his cock out and hold it in front of you, “If you bite me,” he held a knife up to your jugular as a warning. Before even getting a chance to breath, he pulled you up by the hair to where you were now on your hands and knees. It was almost simultaneously that you were being filled up by these men.

Shorter tried so hard to look away but they didn’t let him. They threw his sunglasses off and held his eyes open as you were taking two men at once.

It hurt so much. Your face turned beat red as you were trying to gasp for air. Once again you tried to go to another place in your mind until it was over.

Pour Some Sugar on Me started playing. “The Twins” Pixie and Styx were up next. They weren’t actually sisters, but they looked a lot alike. Could have been because they both went to the same plastic surgeon and were going for the same bimbo look. They were super nice though, but my god. Those two shared half a brain. But hey, at least they could work a crowd. Their performance was super popular because they’d swing around on the poles that went all the way up to the ceiling. You could never do that since you had a fear of heights.

There was an explosion of saltiness that shot down your throat and you choked, gagging on the taste. The one taking you from the back wasn’t finished yet, so another man came up and invaded your mouth. They all took turns with you until they came. Some even going for a round two.

Unskinny Bop

Wild Child

Talk Dirty To Me

Welcome to the Jungle

All those songs played in the background as you were being raped in the VIP room. You listened to those classic rock songs all the time and knew this had been going on for half an hour. Maybe a little more than that, counting the introductions of which performers were up next.

When the last guy pulled out, you felt something sticky dripping down the back of your thighs. You knew it wasn’t cum. “Awww would you look at that. She’s dripping red.” Arthur finally let Shorter’s head go. His voice had gone hoarse halfway through due to all of his screaming and pleading for them to leave you alone. You couldn’t hold yourself up anymore and collapsed under your own weight. “Oh no no no.” Arthur tsk’ed, pouring a bottle of champagne on your face that was provided with the purchase of the VIP room. “We can’t have you passing out just yet. I still haven’t gotten my round 2.”

“I...c-ca...” you were so exhausted to where you couldn’t even finish your sentence. Your body didn’t even tense up when you felt Arthur’s familiar fingers slip inside of you so easily because of all the blood.

“So red and sticky.” He spread his fingers out and gazed at how your sugary juices pulled apart. “Like sweet cherry pie.” Arthur threw your lifeless body over his shoulder and placed you on the couch. “Shit, least you could do is make a little noise. Makin me think you’re dead or somethin. I ain’t into fucking corpses. Well, I guess I’d make an exception for you.”

You tried sitting up but with every movement, all you felt was pain. Everything hurt. Almost everything. That was up until...

Arthur sat down, readying himself for his second round. “Keep looking Shorter. I bet you’ll love the view.” Arthur pulled you on top of his lap, and had you facing your boyfriend. You were so small compared to the vicious blonde. A little broken doll that had been played with too much. Arthur interlaced his fingers underneath your thighs to where you were being bent in half and your legs were held up over your head. His arms were so strong and forced your bloody self onto his throbbing cock, making you bounce up and down. He wanted to hear you scream and cry more. But you wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Still not broken.” He held his dick in one hand, and you in his other arm. You were so light to where he could use you in whatever way he wanted. Arthur spit in his hand and lubed up, stroking up and down to get every inch of himself. “Let’s see if this will do the trick.” He forcefully pulled you down, forcing you to take it up the ass. You couldn’t help the scream escaping your mouth at the feeling of nearly being torn in half. You didn’t even let Shorter do that to you, no matter how gentle he promised to be. “Oh! Listen to that! Damn! Make that noise for daddy one more time.” Arthur wouldn’t let up on how hard he was fucking you. He wanted to hear how much pain you were in. Those hypnotic cries and Shorter’s pained expression made Arthur feel like the absolute king of mayhem. “This feels... so... fucking... good!” He growled between every ferocious pump until he came inside of you. The second he was done, he pushed you off and left your body there on the floor. So used and abused. Absolutely filthy. “Hope you didn’t mind sharing her with us, Wong.” Arthur left the room along with the rest of his satisfied men.

The door opened and you could hear your song playing.

Cherry Pie

It was time for your closing performance.

“Get me outta here...” you shivered.

Shorter’s hands shook so viciously like he had just woken up from the worst nightmare imaginable. His body felt so heavy. More heavy than when the guys were holding him down.

“I’m so s-“

“Don’t fucking say it.” Shorter took off his oversized grey hoodie and wrapped it around you. The sleeves went way past your hands and the hem went well below your knees. He zipped it up to your collarbone and was about to carry you bridal style. “I can walk on my own.” You informed, not even looking him in the eyes.

“You were just-“ he didn’t want to say it. Oh god he couldn’t bring himself to say it. “Let me-“

“Just make sure I don’t fall.” Shorter held you up by the arm, allowing you to briskly move your feet. The moment he opened the door, a few of the girls were prepared to knock and see why you missed your performance.

“Cherry, what the hell?” Pixie asked, obviously upset. Her expression immediately changed when she noticed that you looked like you came from war and back. “Jeezus Christ, sweetie are you okay?”

“What happened?” Styx carefully lifted up your chin to examine the injuries on your face due to being slapped around.

“I fell. My stiletto broke and... yeah.” You weren’t in the right state of mind to think of a more convincing lie.

Candi studied your demeanor then glared at Shorter. “I’ll take you to my place.” She offered, “We can talk on the ride there.”

Shorter interrupted, “I’m already taking her.”

Candi carefully took you by the hand and lead your body that seemed to be moving in auto pilot, towards the group of girls who were worried for your safety. “I’m not letting you take her anywhere.” She stood her ground. Candi was probably your closest friend at the club. Even though she was younger than you, she was always so protective of everyone there. “Did he hurt you, Cherry?”

Your eyes looked up at Shorter and all you were able to do was cry. He didn’t hurt you physically, but because he chose the gang life over your safety, you were injured in the process. “Don’t let him take me.” You sobbed into Candi’s arms. “Please just get me outta here.”

“You should go.” Styx demanded. “Before I call security.”

Shorter held back his tears when he realized that you didn’t feel safe with him anymore. He lost all of your trust. Those guys broke you mentally and physically. Shorter didn’t lie at all about knowing Ash’s whereabouts. But you thought deep down that he did.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” Shorter sniffled and escorted himself out, replaying the night over and over in his head. Beating himself up over what he could have done to stop this all from happening to you.

“Shorter, I’m so sorry that this happened.” Ash apologized, “I didn’t think they’d pull your girl into this.”

“Yeah, well they did.” Shorter shot back.

Ash’s eyes went dull, “You hate me... don’t you?” Shorter was the only person he had now. He couldn’t lose him just yet. He wasn’t ready to be alone.

Shorter pressed his lips together and furrowed his brows. He sighed then relaxed his face. “No.” He leaned against the guard rail of the balcony. “I hate myself.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“If I would have known where you were... I still don’t think I would have told them.” Shorter admitted, “Like, I knew they wouldn’t have killed Cherry. That would have gotten them nowhere except a case against a dead stripper.”

“You sayin you would have let her get raped?”

Shorter gritted his teeth and slammed his hand against the steel. “I’m not fucking-!” He made a fist and took a second to get his emotions under control. “I would have tried to find a way to protect both of you, okay?” Shorter clawed a hand through his hair, “Like shit! She was right.” He swung his arms up in the air. “I’m always putting you first. In almost every decision I make, I think about how it would affect you.” He pointed.

“I already feel responsible for this shit. You don’t have to throw it in my face like that, asshole!” Ash shouted back.

“She was raped for over a fucking hour, Ash! By 6 other guys while I was forced to watch!” He screamed and fell to his knees. “I couldn’t do shit to protect her.” He cried, “She was so scared to the point where she couldn’t move. She stayed as quiet as possible until that fucker, Arthur-“ Shorter winced, recalling how the event ended, “I’m going to murder him so slowly that he’s going to be begging for me to end his life!”

“Shorter...” Ash placed a hand on his friends shoulder but it was quickly slapped away.

“Don’t fucking touch me!”

“What do you want me to do!?” Ash stomped, “You want me to apologize to her myself? I’ll fucking do it if that’s what you want!”

“Sorry isn’t going to un-rape her!”

Ash forced himself to relax. After all, he understood what it was like to be taken advantage of like that. Shorter was right to be upset and you were right for feeling betrayed. “And if she sees you 2 days after what happened... she’ll really believe that I knew where you were and that I let her go through that shit.” Shorter leaned back against the wall and Ash took a seat right beside him. “How do I make sure this doesn’t happen again?”

Ash looked up at the sky and watched a group of birds disband from each other and all go their separate ways. It made him think back to one of the hardest decisions he’s ever made. “I made Eiji go back to Japan because he always wound up in danger because of me... I knew forcing him on that plane hurt like hell. But I’d rather leave a scar on him than being the one digging his grave.”

Shorter sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “Guys like us... living in this life.” Ash shook his head, “We’re not meant to have a happy ending. We live for a little bit then we die alone. That’s just how it is.”

“It’s not fair.”

Ash threw his arm around his aching friend to comfort him. “I know, man. I know.”

“You’re saying I gotta leave her, huh?” Shorter asked with a shaky voice.

Ash shook his head, “I’m not telling you to do anything. But listen to me when I say this... I genuinely think you don’t need this shit. You of all people deserve to live a long, happy life without having to constantly look over your shoulder.”

“But-“

“But if this is something you still want to do, then you’re going to have to make a sacrifice. Boss man of Chinatown or being by your girls side when she needs you.”

He sighed, “No matter what, I’m giving up on something I love.”

“It’s up to you. Whatever decision you make, I got your back.” Ash assured confidently.

Shorter pushed himself off the ground and adjusted his sunglasses, then rolled up the sleeves to his hoodie. He didn’t know how, but Ash always knew what to say to him. “Thank you.” To much of Shorter’s surprise, Ash opened up his arms. “Are... Are you serious?” He asked excitedly.

“Bring it in.” Shorter rested his head on Ash’s shoulder as her wrapped his arms around his waist. Everyone was so afraid of Ash. They thought he was just a cold blooded killer, but there was so much more to him than that. Shorter was grateful that he was one of the few people that could see that side of him. It was sacred in a way. Ash held Shorter closer when he felt him begin to tremble again. “You’re gonna go see her, aren’t you?” Shorter nodded as his tears painted small grey spots on his friends white shirt. “Remember what I said... I got your back.”

Shorter and Ash made it to your apartment after they showed up at Candi’s house only for her to say that you weren’t with her anymore. She never  spoke of your location but you didn’t have anywhere else to go.

Shorter’s lungs felt like they were being crushed and that his heart was on overdrive. He was so afraid to face you again. The image of you crying out in pain never left his memory and he didn’t want to witness that for a second time. His heart couldn’t handle it. Before he knew it, they were standing at your door.

Ash glanced between Shorter and the door, once, twice, three times. “Did you forget how to knock?”

“Shut up.”

“Do you want me to knock for you?”

“I don’t need you to knock for me.” They bickered. “I can do this.” Shorter exhaled and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. Bringing his prepared fist up to the door he stepped back slightly when it began to slowly open. “Huh?”

“Don’t worry, Y/N. I’ll handle it.” A fairly large man wearing all black stepped out of the apartment and shut the door behind him.

Ash leered at the man blocking their path. “Who are you?”

“I’m what’s stopping you from entering that apartment.”

“I need to talk to, Cherry.” Shorter tried bumping his way passed the man who looked all too familiar. He got shoved back into Ash who had to hold his friend back from throwing a punch. “Wait a minute. You’re one of the bouncers.” He snapped, “From the club. They call you Freight-Train, right?” Shorter could never forget this guy. One time when Sing tried sneaking into the club, this guy caught the poor kid by the crown of his head and launched him out the doors. If there were bowling pins set up, it would have definitely been a strike.

“That’s me.” He crossed his arms, “Y/N doesn’t feel safe here alone so she asked me to stay with her until things change.”

Shorter unballed his fists. He wasn’t here to fight. “Listen, man. I don’t want any trouble. All I need is to see Cherry and to clear some horrible shit up. That’s all I want. And after I say what I need to, and if she still wants nothing to do with me, then I’ll leave. No trouble.” He promised.

Freight-Train‘s furrowed brows softened. Shorter had never given him any trouble in the club. In fact, he recalled a few times when he took it upon himself to set a few pervs straight after they tried getting a little too handsy with some of the girls. Shorter was a good guy. “Her injuries. I’ve heard a few rumors but Y/N doesn’t want to talk about it. Is it true you did that to her?”

“No.” Shorter denied the false accusations. “I could never do that.”

“You got 5 minutes.” Freight-Train began to turn the knob, “I’ll give you some privacy.” He stepped aside and let the two men in.

Ash nearly bumped into Shorter when he suddenly stopped moving. “What the-“ he stepped to the side and saw you with a loaded gun pointed straight at them.

“What do you want?” You spat.

“Cherry-Bomb...”

“Don’t fucking call me that! I never wanna hear that fucking stupid stripper nickname again!”

Shorter held his hands up, as did Ash. “I’m sorry.” He slowly stepped forward, causing you to straighten out your arm and hold your finger firmly on the trigger. “Y/N... I just want to talk.”

“Why’s he here?” Your aim then drifted over to Ash who dropped his arms to his side. “Hold them back up!” You ordered with a stomp.

“No.” Ash disobeyed. His cold demeanor sent chills through your body. He was so careless. That chaotic behavior would get him killed someday, it already got you brutally attacked in the process. You wanted him to die for what he caused.

“How could you stand there with that smug look on your face after what you did! What both of you did!”

“It wasn’t Shorter’s fault.” Ash defended, “He had nothing to do with it.”

“Bullshit.”

“I don’t need you speaking for me, Ash.” Shorter appreciated what his friend was doing, but this was his mess to clear up. “Please just hear me out, Y/N.”

Your quivering lips parted as the weight of the gun brought down your arm. “Hurry up.” Your voice had no sense of lingering rancor anymore. You simply felt empty, knowing this talk was going to make you relive the worst night of your life.

You all sat on the couches. Shorter and Ash took a seat together, you on the chair adjacent from them.

“Have I ever lied to you?” Shorter asked.

You looked down at the gun and sighed. “No.”

“Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?” You shook your head ‘no’ as a response. “Do you really think I’d willingly put you in harms way? Make you suffer instead of trying to take that pain away and enduring it myself?”

“What happened... happened. There’s no going back and there’s no making it better.”

Ash glanced between the two of you when you both had nothing else to say. “I hate to be the one to say this,” he butt in causing you and Shorter to both look up. “What happened was inevitable, Y/N.”

“How could you-“

“Ash.” Shorter tried to stop him from speaking.

“No.” He retorted. “She needs to hear this.” Ash leaned forward and made sure to make eye contact with yours that began to fill up with hate once again. “Arthur is a bad bad man. Even if Shorter did know where I was, which he didn’t.” He reminded, “Arthur and his guys would have done that to you regardless just to send a message. He’s skinned people alive for that sole reason. He wants to make as many people as he can feel pain cuz that’s how he gets his sick kicks. That’s how he keeps a hand in all the chaos.”

Shorter knew Ash was right. Arthur was a venomous snake and when he saw opportunity, he’d strike.

“I know that’s not what you wanted to hear. But it’s the truth.” Ash never lost eye contact with you, “I’m sorry this happened.” He apologized.

You didn’t know what to say. Your rape was something that was unavoidable. For some fucked up reason, the universe chose you to be caught up in the mayhem. The gun you were holding dropped to the floor and you sobbed in your hands. “Why me?” You cried, “Why did this have to happen to me?”

Shorter rushed to your side and brought you into his chest. He ran his fingers through your hair to calm you down. “I’m here baby. It’s okay.” His shirt became soaked with tears but he still didn’t let you leave his arms. Shorter wanted to protect you until his last breath and didn’t want to leave your side ever again.

“I was so scared, Shorter!” Your screams were muffled but he heard you loud and clear. He figuratively felt your pain and suffering. He wished he could somehow take it all away with the snap of his fingers. But this wasn’t some story with a happy ending filled with magic and hope. This was real. This was a tragedy. All he could do is try his best to help you through it. That is if you still wanted him around which he wasn’t even sure you did. Not that he’d blame you.

“You were right, Y/N.” Shorter’s tears began to slowly slip down his cheeks. “I gave you shit for what you did and not once did I consider how my life would effect you. Please, please forgive me. I want to make it right. I want to keep you safe. I want to be with you forever.”

“You can’t do that when-“

Shorter cut you off with the most tender kiss he’s ever given. He caressed your head in his hands, those comforting hands that never caused you any pain. For a moment it felt like he took your soul from your body and all your hurting faded away. “I’ll leave it all behind. I’ll give it all up for you, Y/N. Chinatown. My gang. None of that’s as important to me as you are.”

You slowly reached your trembling fingers towards Shorter’s sunglasses. You needed to see his eyes. They always spoke the truth. You had to make sure. In those dark brown orbs, you searched for a sense of regret, shame, and lies. None were discovered by the light of doubt that you shined through him. Shorter really meant all those things. You were his number one. He was finally starting to make you feel like the most important person in his life.

This made you happy. It was all you ever wanted. His full attention. A happy life with the boy you loved.

“What’s gonna happen when you leave?” You worried about the state of the gangs when Chinatown’s prestigious  leader would step down. It made you feel guilty if things would go to shit because you “got in the way”.

“That’s why I got Sing. He’s my right hand. And I know my guys will be in good care.”

“I thought you said he still sleeps with a night light.” Ash interrupted as he made himself comfortable by laying down on your couch. “Plus he’s like 5’3.”

“Size doesn’t matter!” Shorter protested.

“That’s what small guys always say.” The blonde continued to tease your boyfriend which drew out a small giggle from you.

“For your information, 6.5 inches is above average!”

You decided to join in on the light hearted fun. “Babe there’s no need to round up. Be happy with who you are.”

Shorter quickly turned to you with a dropped jaw. “Not you too!” He gripped onto his belt buckle, “I’ll prove it, get the measuring tape.”

You watched as the two best friends continued their immature argument. For a second it made you forget that they’re both bosses of a street gang. Looking at them now, you just saw a pair of boys who were forced to grow up so fast. Shorter had barely turned 21 and Ash was going to turn 18 in a week or two. You wished that they both had a chance to enjoy their youth and be kids. No more drugs, guns and killing. Just live life happily. Shorter was now on that new path and you wanted his best friend to join him.

-2 weeks later-

You were in your apartment worried sick. Shorter texted you that he’d spend the night and be there by 10. It was now past midnight and he hadn’t been answering his phone. He promised he’d stop the gang business and you didn’t want believe he was still up to no good, but that was the only explanation.

You grabbed your phone off the charger and you were about to call him again, praying that it didn’t go straight to voicemail.

There was a loud, frantic banging at your door which made you jump and drop your phone. “Y/N! Open up it’s me!” Shorter called out.

You were prepared to yell at him for worrying you so much. When you swung the door open ready to shout, Shorter had pushed his way in, nearly knocking you down. “Ow, what the hell?” You rubbed your arm. Shorter turned around covered in blood. In a panic you quickly went over asking where he was shot or stabbed. Tears built up in your eyes when you thought he had broken his promise to you. “Dammit Shorter! You said you wouldn’t do this shit anymore!”

“I know! And I’m sorry, I just- I fucking had to!” Shorter tried catching his breath. He was bleeding badly from a knife wound on his left side. “I’ll be okay. It’s just a scratch.” You hated how he’d always downplay his injuries to keep you from worrying.

Shorter was applying pressure to his wound with the towels you had brought over to him as you helped to stop the bleeding. “I can’t keep doing this.”

“You gotta let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain! You lied to me!” Suddenly the door was kicked open and in ran Ash who was also covered in blood. Much more than Shorter was. This was unacceptable. All you wanted was for the three of you to live better lives. Ash and Shorter’s safety meant everything to you. Why didn’t they understand that? Or maybe they did and just didn’t care. Your anger began to bubble over. You were not going to put up with being lied to and settle for second place again. “So this is what you were doing?!” You knocked over the alcohol peroxide off the table with your swinging arm. “Getting into shit again with Ash!? What the hell was it this time, huh!?”

“It’s not what you think!” Shorter tried to explain but you weren’t having it.

“I want you both out!” You angrily demanded, “You can bleed to death in the streets for all I care!”

“Y/N...” Ash stumbled over.

“Don’t come near me! Here I was worried sick. Just wanting the best for all of us but you keep pulling Shorter right back into the chaos with you!” You shoved Ash with all your might, only moving him a few inches. “Why did he ever have to meet someone like-“

Ash growled, becoming very irritated with your constant yelling and quickly slapped a bloody hand over your mouth. “We killed Arthur.” Your eyes slowly grew in shock wondering if your ears had deceived you. Arthur... the man who inflicted so much damage on your body. The reason that you avoided your reflection so you wouldn’t have to see the cigarette burns on your skin, or the scars left behind by threatening knives that were pressed so harshly into your flesh.

“I’m sorry.” Shorter apologized. “I know we promised to leave this shit behind us but... this was something we needed to handle.”

“We found out who the other guys were too.” Ash explained as he removed his hand from your mouth and lead you to the couch to sit next to Shorter. “We couldn’t let them get away with what they did to you.”

The anger that had consumed you faded into nothing. You just wanted to forget about that night but you couldn’t help the sudden night terrors that would rush to your brain when sleep was beginning to cradle you. Walking down the street became terrifying. Closing your eyes to shampoo your hair in the shower made you feel like someone was going to pull the curtain open and attack you. That night changed your life forever. They never pointed it out, but it pained both of the guys to see you in that state.

Taking a moment to think about how Shorter and Ash wanted to ease your anxieties by getting rid of the source cause brought tears to your eyes. Yes you wanted justice but who the hell would care about “some stripper who screamed rape”? Nobody would take your case seriously. Shorter and Ash knew that and they decided to take matters into their own hands to make sure you felt safe walking out your door again.

“You did that for me?” You asked just above a whisper.

“Yeah. Black Sabbath and Arthur’s gang were currently at war for shit I’m not gonna get into.” Ash vaguely explained. “Cain asked for our help in finding Arthur and let us join him when he found out we wanted him dead too.”

Your body stiffened, “C-Cain knows what they did?” You didn’t want anybody knowing about the rape. The last thing you wanted was for everyone to see you as that one stripper who got gang raped in the VIP room. That’s not who you wanted to be known as.

“No.” Shorter assured and placed his hand on your bouncing knee. “There was no need to tell him. All he cared about was that we had a common enemy that needed to pay.”

“You guys should have told me.”

“We didn’t want to worry you.” Shorter noticed how your body trembled and brought you into his chest. Here he was again, protecting you like indestructible armor. You felt safe in his embrace and didn’t want him to let go. You needed him to stay beside you. “It’s done now. I know it won’t make you forget but- god I wish it would.” he cried while still keeping you locked tight in his arms.

There was a reason why you wanted to be left in the dark about everything going on with the street gangs around the city that your boyfriend partook in. You knew it would be too much to handle. When you looked at Shorter, you refused to see a gangster. That wasn’t the part of him that you fell in love with. In your eyes he wasn’t a killer.

Death wasn’t something you wanted to be around or accept as proper revenge. You were afraid it would cause you to lose your humanity. So, you pushed all that gangster shit about Shorter to the back of your mind and would pretend and ask to know nothing.

When he’d come home with stab wounds or when you’d notice new bruises and scars, you wouldn’t even think about the many ways he could have gotten them. Tending and nursing him back to health was your main focus. You needed him to be strong.

“You killed for me...”

Ash could understand your shock and guilt. This wasn’t something you were used to. He remembered how shocked Eiji looked when he saw Ash kill a man for the first time. How he was afraid that he’d be thought of as a monster. To him, it made sense that you decided to live in ignorance and see Shorter as nothing more than your protective, goofy boyfriend. Hopefully now, that’s all he will be.

“That doesn’t make me a bad person for wanting them all dead?” Yes, what those devils did was beyond horrid but wishing for their lives to be cut short made you feel guilty on the inside. Especially now since it came true. You couldn’t understand why. They deserved it. You hoped that they were killed slowly and made to experience the anguish and embarrassment that you went through. Yet there was that small voice in your head saying that you didn’t have the right to want to claim a life.

“Don’t say that shit.” Ash cursed. “Don’t you dare feel empathy for those animals. They took something from you so we stole it back in blood. Y/N, I know this isn’t how you’re used to things being done, but this... this needed to happen.” The last thing they wanted was for you to think that this somehow made you a criminal. You were a victim in all of this. They decided to get their hands bloody and make things right so you could feel safe again.

“Who killed him?” You asked while still clutching onto Shorter.

“I did.” He confessed. Shorter pulled away just enough to look you in the eyes. “I made him pay.”

“Was it quick?”

“Do you really want to know?”

You didn’t. Oh god you didn’t. What was Shorter really capable of? How far would he go in the seek for revenge? No matter how much you wanted to leave it at that, the words “Tell me.” escaped through your lips.

Shorter sighed and cupped your hands in his. You looked down and tried your best not to be freaked out by the dried blood on them that you knew wasn’t his that was flaking off onto your fingers. “He screamed. Begged me to stop.” His teeth gritted and his body tensed up. “All I could hear was your voice and how he didn’t care about your tears and ignored your pain. So you know what I did? I ignored him and kept on going.” Shorter pulled out a bloody switch blade from his pocket and tossed it on the table in front of you. “That.” He pointed, “That is what I used to torture and take his life with.”

“As for everyone else,” Ash intervened, “I wish I had more time to do to them what they deserved, but... things don’t always work out as planned. Bleeding out is a painful way to go out though. It’s safe to say that they suffered until their last breath.”

Your body felt so numb to where you had to make sure Shorter was still holding onto you. “Saying thank you would feel so weird.”

“You don’t have to say anything.” Shorter tucked strands of hair behind your ear. “It’s in the past. We’ll be able to move on from this.”

“Starting now.” Ash clapped loudly to divert the conversation. “You two can begin a new life together. It’ll be great.”

“Ash, I want a new life for you too.” You admitted. A shocked expression is what you got in return.

Ash shook his head and chuckled softly at your naive statement. “That’s really sweet, Y/N. Thank you, but uhhhhh I’m too far gone and lost in the deep end.”

“That’s not true.” You protested.

“Y/N...” Shorter knew there was no changing Ash’s mind. There was no point in arguing.

“I’m serious! Don’t you want something more? Something that isn’t this?”

Ash sighed, “You don’t get it. Killing is all I’ve ever known.”

“That was before, Eiji.” Ash’s next argument got trapped in his throat. “Don’t you want to see him again?”

“Of course I want to-!”

“You can do it, Ash...” you tried your very best to motivate him into joining you and Shorter. “Just imagine starting over and being able to visit Japan.”

Ash looked down at his clenched hands then slowly relaxed them. A soft smile vaguely pulled at his lips. Visiting Japan and being with Eiji sounded like a dream come true. “Okay.” He sighed and slicked his hair back, “If I do this then you guys can’t go back to the old days either.”

“Deal.”

“And when you two get married, I’m the best man and Eiji is the ring bearer.”

“It’s like you read my mind.” you joked.

“Then let’s do this.”

Eventually, Ash did find his way to Japan to see Eniji once again. It had been about 3 months since he’d left and you barely even heard a word from him. You assumed he was just enjoying his new life. Which turned out to be true. What went from utter silence turned into constantly being spammed with pictures of the two on countless adventures in Japan. You’d never seen Ash smile that widely before. It was just so pure.

You and Shorter also lived happily together as you both became co owners of Chang Dai. Sometimes you’d see little Sing come in seeking advice from Shorter, who you could tell kind of missed running Chinatown, but he would ultimately think about how amazing his life is now with you and could never even think about going back.

He proposed to you one day while having a random movie night by saying, “Hey this movie sucks. You know what would make this night more exciting? If you said yes to marrying me.” Shorter then nonchalantly pulled out a ring from the pocket of his dinosaur pj’s. The words were stolen from your mouth and all you could do is hold out your shaky hand for your now fiancé to slide on the sparkly diamond ring.

It was really happening. Your new life was being solidified with the man you loved. As promised, Ash was the best man and Eiji was the adorable ring bearer. Your guests consisted of current and former strippers and gang members but hey, they were loved none the less and were so proud to see you and Shorter happy too.

The scars that you bore were no longer something you were ashamed to look at. Those scars didn’t represent weakness, they symbolized survival and the strength to keep moving forward. You were so strong and determined to grow as a person with Shorter, and now all the pieces had finally fallen perfectly into place.

You even had 2 little boys together. A happy family that neither you or Shorter ever thought would happen. It was a miracle.

You gazed up at your loving husband as he watched your boys play in the grass with their Uncles Ash and Eiji. He looked as handsome as ever, still sporting that purple Mohawk. “Hey... Shorter?”

“Hm?” He brought his lips down to the side of your head.

“I’m really happy to be with you.”

Shorter chuckled, “I’d definitely hope so. We’ve been married for 7 years now.”

You laughed and playfully slapped his chest. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah I do.” Shorter pulled you in closer with his arm draped around your shoulders. “The best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

After so many years of being together, this big lug still managed to make you blush. “I love you.”

Shorter hooked his finger under your chin and placed a tender kiss on your lips and nuzzled your nose. “I love you too, Y/N.”

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Fin~