reanbeanmachine | Mafia AU

Mafia AU

[In a modern world that probably still has magical elements to it, Osborne is a feared name on the black side of society. The leader of a massive crime syndicate that's been expanding by absorbing smaller groups for years, there are many names in the Erebonia group that inspire fear. One of these names is Rean Schwarzer, alternately titled Osborne's demon or simply "the Ogre" he's been a top enforcer in the group for about five years now, despite being incredibly young. Rumor has it he's Osborne's son, other rumors have it he was born in hell and his cold attitude froze the place, and there are more rumors, there always are.

Rean himself defies most expectations. He's not terribly tall, nor short. He's not bulky, he's not covered in scars or chiseled muscles. He's simply a man of average to tall height with a lean frame and black hair. He dresses in a black suit and gloves, and carries a tachi, and his expression is always distant or cold. But as an enforcer, he's efficient and terrifyingly strong and fast.

Since his ascension in the ranks most transitions of power have gone much swifter and more peacefully--minimal casualties between groups and civilian involvement is almost unheard of.

Rean himself is... A bit of a mystery to even the top in the know in the underground. He's said to be a sociopath or a loner, completely uninterested in forming connections with others, not even the friendly criminal camaraderie even the most hardened bosses tend to form now and then.

But here he is, one face among a number of Osborne's upper management, all of them seated or standing around a lavish office in a skyrise in the central city of Osborne's power, all of them regarding the "tribute" offered them by the Jurai group, the latest little family to be absorbed into Osborne's every-growing power net.

The tribute in question is none other than Crow Armbrust, talented criminal and grandson of the late (assassinated) leader of the Jurai group. Instead of succeeding he's been handed over, an underling more willing to follow Osborne taking lead instead. After all, Crow wasn't willing to bow to the inevitable, he was too intent on fighting a useless fight.

The discussion has been what to do with him, and while most of the executives at the meeting are disinterested, the general consensus seems to be to execute him as an example of disobedience. Jurai wasn't a big group, but it was prestigious and strong to last so long outside Osborne's net, Crow's influence as the leader's grandson inspired annoying amounts of rebellious thought, it'd be a fine move for an expendable and useless piece.

And then Rean is stepping forward, silencing the contemplation, walking to Crow and leaning over where he's tied to a chair. Crow was gagged a while ago because his commentary was annoying. Rean is grabbing a fistful of his hair and yanking his head up, looking coldly into his eyes for a while before announcing;]

I'll take him.

[A murmur from the rest of them, silenced by Osborne himself.]

Will you? And what will you do with him?

I like his face, I think I'd like to see how he begs.

[There's a few laughs, and the comment from someone in a corner;]

He's supposed to be feisty. Though I guess if it's you I feel a bit sorry for him.

[Rean shrugs, dropping his hold on Crow's hair and turning to face Osborne, ignoring the rest.]

So. Is he mine?

Mm. Can you show us how you'd handle him?

[Without a word Rean turns, yanks the gag from Crow's lips and kicks the chair over, pressing his boot to Crow's cheek and drawing his sword, the tip of it hovering over Crow's eye with dead steadiness.]

If you want that eye, lick.

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[Does he look sad? He's really let control of his face go in the last few minutes, which is alarming. More alarming than being painfully pinned by a guy who definitely wants to kill him and is yelling at him. Well, the yelling is alarming, it's the first time in years anyone's actually seen Rean as himself even a fraction, and he probably does deserve to get yelled at for it for one reason or another. Being weak, or sad, anyone's anger would be justified at being faced with such a letdown, let alone in an enemy.]

...I hadn't thought that far ahead.

[He admits finally, the truth, and said with quiet tiredness.]

It all happened so fast.

[The Jurai group pledging loyalty and delivering Crow, the meeting to commemorate it and decide what to DO with Crow, it was all quick, rapid changes that left Rean the choice of watch someone die or save them. He didn't have a plan after getting Crow out of that room, that's the whole problem.]

I didn't expect you to be grateful, or anything.

[Honestly even if Crow didn't have every reason to hate Rean, who would be grateful for such a half-assed "plan"? He doesn't want gratitude anyway, he was just acting on his own inability to watch Crow get murdered in front of him.]

I just didn't want to see someone die.

[He's seen it too much, and every time it hurts, it always hurts, it never stops hurting. He's not cut out to be in this line of work at all.]

Why do you care?!

[It's so annoying. Rean's supposed to be the enemy, so why is he being so soft? How does he even manage it when he's out there enforcing his father's rule? It makes Crow sick, not least because it makes him question his own violence. How stupid.]

People die in this business every day. You've killed them yourself, and so have I. Hell if I were you I'd have let me die. Now you're just-- If you're really that soft-hearted, then if you don't kill me tonight, I could out you at any time. You made a big mistake.

[There is no argument with any of that because it's all correct, facts. People die. Rean's killed a lot of them. But not as many as could have died otherwise. Though to Rean it hardly matters, sure, one life lost is objectively better than ten or twenty or more but it still kills him inside. And on the flip side, one life vs many is a choice he makes all the time, consciously, hating himself and still following through.

Today, the choice was a stranger's life versus his own. Now that Crow's seen he's weak, he could undermine Rean's reputation. If Rean lets him out of this suite of rooms he could ally himself with anyone who might like the idea of taking Rean down. A stranger's life over your own, compassion over practicality, idealism over pragmatism, it's never the right choice in this world. It's also the choice he'll always make.]

I know that.

[He says it with quiet resignation.]

I knew that was a risk at the time. I know it's one now.

[Vaguely. He hadn't thought it through but he knew the risks.]

You don't have any reason to like or trust me or want to work with me or anything, I'm not asking you to repay me for your life either, it was my choice, and I didn't have a plan.

Even so, I'd like to hope you'd be willing to work with me.

[Because, well, it seems they're both in a tough situation now, and while killing Crow would solve Rean's problems... He's just not going to. He realized at some point that even if Crow declares he's going to ruin Rean he's pretty sure he can't kill him. He barely knows him but he already admires the fire in his eyes and the passion of his anger, wishes he could have half that conviction and emotion.]

...Work with you?

[God Rean is just a bundle of surprises. Crow's grip on his wrist loosens though, and he sits back a little, running a hand through his own hair and telling himself to breathe a little.

Okay. So Rean doesn't want to kill him, and he can't seem to make himself kill Rean. That kind of leaves "working with him" as the top option here, depending on what that means. Crow's sure no one else here will be that soft, at least. If he ditches Rean... Well. He'll either end up scrambling on his own or actually having to kiss someone's boots.

He's not trusting it that quickly, though. He looks down at Rean with disdain, but at least he doesn't try to throttle him.]

What does that even mean? Do you have a goal or are you just asking me to play nice?

[He lifts his hands, rubbing his wrists in turn without wincing. It's painful but aside from the emotional attacks he's been suffering he's very used to just showing a blank face about things, actual physical pain included.]

...

[A goal... His goal has always been one thing, limit casualties. He's always been very alone in it, though. And he doubts Crow really cares about a goal like that. But it's the goal he has. It's barely even a half-formed thought but wouldn't it be nice to not be alone in his actual agenda?

No, he can't expect Crow to have any interest in actually supporting his aims but even still, if Crow works with him towards that... If more lives can be saved...]

It's not really... [How does he say this. He exhales tiredly.] I only want to keep as many people from dying as possible. That's all I've been doing.

[Where could Crow fit in, as a partner? They'd have to sell that transformation and change of loyalties. And Crow still hates his father... Not that Rean is fond of the man either, but...

Well even if the whole thought is pointless Crow did ask.]

I don't really care who dies.

[He just doesn't. He's not going to go kill people for fun, but if it'll progress his goals, Crow would do a lot more than shoot one guy in the face.]

All I want is to kill Giliath Osborne. If you're not with me on that, then you're just another enemy I need to get rid of.

[He's still not afraid for himself. Even if Crow decides to kill him right now Rean's confident in his ability not to let that happen.

Instead he's thinking about it. Could he save more people with Crow's help? If so, would the destabilization caused by his father's death cause more bloodshed? Is the balance worth it? How many lives... How many can he save, for the cost of one? The calculation he makes every day. How many? How many might he doom for the cost of one?]

I'll help you get to him on two conditions.

I'm listening.

[Rean's a better option for an ally than anyone else, he supposes. If the conditions are favorable... Better a softie than someone who's going to use Crow like a toy.]

Kill him in private. No public fuss. The less chaos around the power transition the better.

And until I can get you an opportunity... You help me keep civilians safe and out of harm.

[He's not saying explicitly but he figures it's a given that he's not helping Crow assassinate Osborne, but he will find him an opening to try, somehow, if Crow helps him save more people.]

...

[He has to think about that. He'd sure like a big public assassination, but that's not essential. It's just petty. What matters is that he's dead, and after a minute's thought Crow has to admit that this is probably the best chance he's ever going to get.

Besides. It's not like he's against protecting people. It's not a priority, but Rean's desire to do so is probably admirable. Probably. Crow doesn't trust Rean enough yet to have decided.]

Okay. That's good enough for me. But if you betray me I'll take you down and this whole place with you.

[Rean looks a little puzzled at the threat because it seems somewhat ridiculous. He could still kill Crow tonight, if he had that kind of intention. Making a deal to help assassinate his own father seems odd, in light of that. But he shrugs in answer, if that makes Crow feel better about all this. Rean's the one who should be scared of betrayal, there's no reason Crow shouldn't play along and then kill Rean after he gets what he wants for good measure.

But he's in this deep, he'll trust Crow to keep his word with no evidence or knowledge of Crow to back it up.]

We have to find a way to convince everyone I've turned your loyalty...

[Look Crow's pretty fluffed about betrayal right now. He can posture all he wants! He knows it's posturing, though, so he's glad Rean doesn't call him on it.]

We can fake it.

[He was prepared to debase himself, so it shouldn't really be a problem to pretend it. Whether he can be convincing, though...]

I'll do whatever I have to. Don't be too nice to hit me.

[He's grimacing at the thought, but pretending is all he does all day. It shouldn't be so hard to keep it up.]

I suppose that's the only real option.

[Faking it, making a show of taming Crow, like some Shakespearean play. Except more gross. But none of it will be real and Crow will even be in on it, so it... It should be okay.]

You've done worse than kick a guy around, dude.

[Don't look so miserable! Crow sighs, rolling off of Rean and sprawling on the floor. He's tired. What a horrible day.]

I'm sturdy. I'll be fine.

[He hasn't actually had to keep up a sustained fiction of gross abuse though, Crow!! He doesn't protest this, just rubbing his palm over his face and taking a breath before getting up slowly.

The "dude" should make him laugh, but he's tired, drained. He doesn't know what to feel because he hasn't been forced to acknowledge having feelings in a long, long time. He isn't sure he remembers how to laugh.]

If you say so. There's a spare bed you can sleep in and takeout in the fridge.

[He's going to pick up his sword. He wants to retreat and sleep, he figures Crow probably wants to be around him as little as possible as well. Just because they're allies now... Well Crow's made disliking him clear, and for every perfectly good reason.]

Sure.

[He's not wrong. Crow needs a lot of time to think about this, and a long time to be comfortable with Rean. He's hated the idea of him for long enough that he doesn't know how to reconcile this new information with his image of Rean. It's confusing, honestly. All he knows is that this is literally saving his life, and he can at least pay his debts.

So he'll leave Rean alone, eat his food and laze around his rooms until he feels like sleeping. Tomorrow... who knows what tomorrow will bring. For now Crow's just going to pass out hard -- he needs some sleep to make up for one of the most stressful days in his life.]

[Tomorrow brings the smell of burnt toast and strong coffee, and the day starts late. Well, they are in the night business, after all.]

[Gross!! Crow rolls out of bed with a groan, and in his grogginess he fails to stay on edge. Almost like he belongs there he wanders into the kitchen, yawning, to complain.]

If you're going to be that bad at breakfast why don't you get takeout?

[Rean is, in fact, scraping the toast into the garbage.]

I thought toast couldn't be too hard...

[Responding like he's used to Crow there, already. It's the first day, he stiffens and turns his back.]

There's coffee.

Toast isn't hard.

[He can't believe the famous Rean Schwarzer is so hopeless. Crow wants not to trust him, but it's kind of hard to hate him like this, so he's coming over and gently pushing Rean away from the counters.]

Go sit down or something. Jeez.

[He's always just eaten convenient store food or take out or ready made things... He goes and sits.]

...I guess you're used to making breakfast?

[He doesn't know how to small talk. Is this how you small talk?]

I learned from my grandfather.

[Y'know. The one you helped assassinate. Crow grumbles, puttering about Rean's kitchen, looking for anything he can make into something edible. He's far from a kitchen expert, but at least he doesn't burn toast.]

[Oh. He grimaces. And his kitchen is pretty barren. He doesn't cook so not only are there hardly utensils to use, there's almost nothing in the form of ingredients.]

Maybe I should buy more food then.

Yeah, probably.

[Alas, all he can do is make decent toast. And melt some sad slices of sandwich cheese on it.]

Give me a shopping list, I guess.

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