I could feel my heart thundering in my chest as I stared at all three of the boys. An odd sense of deja vu washed over me as I realized we'd been in this situation once before. That was when I noticed a folder full of papers in Alexei's hands, which he was holding in a death grip. I saw Ivan briefly glance at the file in Alexei's hands with an uncertain expression on his face.

"What's in the file," I asked quietly, expecting no reply. After all, these three seemed to enjoy keeping me in the dark. The thought was bitter and I fought to cast it away. 

"It's what we wanted to talk to you about," said Alexei, before handing over the file. Inside were sheets of paper and various documents addressed to people I didn't recognize. My brows furrowed in confusion, wondering if they were just distracting me from the situation at hand.

"What is this," I asked, looking up. I saw with surprise a bit of light enter Ivan's eyes as he began talking. In the most boyish way possible, he began to ramble, the excitement evident. Never had he looked more young or excited than he did now. 

"It's the plans I've made for when I take over the gang when I turn 18. I want to make it better, that world, and shut down all our underworld connections or use them to destroy other gangs we have connections to," he spoke feverishly before abruptly stopping, the light dying out. I think my mouth was gaping open in shock. I hadn't stopped to consider for even a second that Ivan would want to take over the gang, that he might want to change that world. He was just a 17-year-old boy though. Wasn't there a bigger chance that that world would destroy him? My worry for all three of them in that moment was a jarring reminder of just how much I cared. 

"But Ivan you're just a boy. How can you," I started but he cut me off with a wave of his hand. 

"You asked me to stop treating you like a child, and I expect you to do the same for me. I can do this Roe. I was raised in this world. I'm meant to change it, along with these two," he said, gesturing to Alexei and Mikhail who were only looking at me. I couldn't help but think how childish he sounded, like a little boy wanting to be a superhero. But I couldn't change his mind. Were they actually asking for my permission? It was their choice at the end. If they were happy with this then I had no right to stop them, even if it made me sick to think of the three of them in danger.

I looked at all three of them and noticed their fire. This wasn't a matter of just changing their world. This was about revenge, for Alexei's eyes, for whatever hell they'd put Mikhail through, for whatever pain they'd seen and endured all these years and couldn't put an end to. Hell, I couldn't stop them if I tried. It wouldn't be right. 

"If this is what you want, then I won't stop you. Just promise me you won't get yourselves killed," I said, my voice trembling slightly at the thought of their deaths. Alexei stepped forward, his hand reaching out to clasp mine before bringing it up to his lips. He brushed a feather-light kiss across my knuckles. My breathing stopped entirely as he kept his eyes on my face the whole time before whispering a single word in a quiet, husky voice.

"Promise."

There was a light drizzle in the air so I chose to wrap myself in Mikhail's jacket, which he'd left behind at my house during one of his many visits. It had been a week since Ivan had announced his plans of taking over the gang and I'd never seen him as happy as he'd been this past week, along with Mikhail and Alexei as well. They were out most of the day. The past two days they'd dropped by just to sleep and today, they decided to stay at home since they'd only crashed last night at around one. 

As I approached the building, I noticed Violet standing under the banyan tree we usually met at and as usual, I felt the blush make its way across my cheeks. I hadn't told her about the kiss yet and so when I blushed, she only looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I'd been waiting for the proper moment to tell her and to have another conversation as well. I suppose with Troy nowhere in sight, now would be a perfect time.

"Is that a boy's hoodie," she asked as soon as I reached her. Her hand came up to knock down the hood of my hoodie. She always said it made people look like murderers. 

"Yeah, Mikhail's," I said, shivering from the sudden draft of wind.

"How is it going," she asked vaguely but I knew what she meant. How was it going? I could say we were serious, and yet not once had we spoken about what we meant to each other. We were in the gray area between friendship and something more.

"I kissed Ivan," I blurted out without meaning to. Violet looked like I'd told her Christmas was coming early. I'd forgotten that at moments, she had a flair for the dramatic. Then she noticed that I didn't reciprocate her glee and the gleam in her eyes died down.

"Did you not like it," she pressed but before she could finish I was already shaking my head. A knowing smile appeared on her face and I knew she'd want me to spill every detail of our kiss once my confusion was sorted.

"Then what's the problem," she asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I couldn't meet her eyes and instead focused on a spot above her right shoulder. It was different saying it in my mind. I liked all three of them. Out loud, was a completely different case. Would she judge me for liking all of them? Was there even a solution to this? I couldn't bear the thought of her advising me to choose between them. I'd rather walk away from all three and break my own heart, rather than break two of theirs.

"You can tell me anything Roe," she said gently and I turned my gaze to meet hers. There was complete honesty their. This girl had accepted me as her friend, knowing I was her boyfriend's ex. I doubt anything would drive her away.

"I want to be with all three of them," I said quietly, fighting the blush that rose to my cheeks. She didn't even look mildly surprised.

"Have you told them," she asked and I fought my surprise. She hadn't even questioned me, hadn't asked me to choose. If I weren't so confused, I'd be hugging the life out of her for being so accepting.

"No. I think they like me, but I don't know if they'd be open to," I said, trailing off at the end. Violet nodded in understanding before her eyes suddenly widened like a light bulb had switched on in her head.

"I'm coming over to your house tonight, with Troy. Invite them as well," she practically commanded. I neglected to mention the fact that they practically lived in my house at this point.

"For what," I asked and a devilish smile appeared on her face.

"To see how they act around you. Girls are usually the more complex one's Roe. Boys are an open book," she said with a wink just as the school bell rang. It effectively ended our conversation as we hurried to our first class of the day.

The boys were late. I'd texted them to come at around 8 so I could officially introduce them to Violet and Troy, and we could all have dinner together. It was around 8:30 already and there was still no sign of them. Troy, Violet and I had put on a movie a while ago to entertain ourselves.

"You just had to put on a horror movie, didn't you? You know I don't like clowns Roe," Troy whined. He was sitting between both of us with an arm around us. To the outsider, it would have looked like he was protecting us. In reality, it was the other way around.

"I'm sorry Troy but Violet insisted," I said for the hundredth time as I watched him squirm uncomfortably. Violet sat next to him with an evil smile on her face.

"Is this payback for yesterday? Sweetheart I'm sorry, I didn't realize that man was flirting with you," he said, looking at her with doe eyes. She didn't even turn away from the TV. 

"I know. I forgive you but that doesn't mean I'm letting you off the hook that easily," she said and Troy groaned before slumping against the couch. Just as he was beginning to try to fall asleep, the doorbell rang and startled him. He fell off the couch with a thud before looking around in sleepy confusion.

I laughed at his situation before making my way to the door. All three of them had arrived and they were close to a half hour late. As soon as I opened the door, I was assaulted with an array of voices that I could barely understand in bits and pieces. 

"It was all Ivan's fault Roe," said Alexei, glaring in Ivan's direction. Ivan shoved him lightly, scowling. I noticed with surprise that he was wearing my purple scarf. It brought a beautiful sparkle to his green eyes. 

"No it wasn't. You were the one driving under the speed limit," Ivan shot right back and the two proceeded to glare at each other, well Alexei more specifically glaring at Ivan's nose. Mikhail looked like he'd rather be anywhere else as he let out a huge groan. 

"Will you guys cut it out. Roe, I'm sorry we're late. Ivan's father kept him back to talk and it went over time. I hope this is a good enough apology though," he said with a smile before producing a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. It was a bouquet of roses to be specific. I blushed scarlet as I took the flowers from him and he dropped me a wink that had my heart skittering. He was always the gentleman of the three. He was dressed like one as well, in a pure white shirt tucked into faded blue jeans. Alexei, who was dressed in all black except for a deep red scarf, looked like absolute sin next to him. 

"They are beautiful. Thank you, Mikhail," I said, and on instinct, I leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. A blush appeared on the tops of his cheekbones, as he gave me a shy, cute smile. He had dimples I realized, something I'd failed to notice before. Could this boy be any more beautiful?

"When did you even get the flowers," asked Ivan grudgingly and I slowly turned my eyes from the glowing boy to him. He had stopped glaring at Alexei long enough to glance at Mikhail. A small smile of amusement briefly crossed his face as he saw the blush on Mikhail's cheeks but surprisingly, he didn't comment.

"That doesn't matter. You two should be thanking me for buying them," he said and Alexei rolled his eyes as he looked to Mikhail.

"Yes Mikhail, thank you so much for making the two of us look like horrible boyfr," he cut himself off their when Ivan thumped him on the back hard enough for him to skid forward a couple of inches. Mikhail and Ivan glared at Alexei who, feeling the heat of their glares, looked to the floor. To save them all further embarrassment, I gestured for them to head into the house. As I headed back to reclaim my spot on the couch, Violet caught my eye with a knowing smile. I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a tide of happiness assault my heart. I placed the bouquet of roses into a vase before caressing a single bud with a huge smile on my face. 

I guess I finally knew the answer to all my confusion. Now it was only about telling them how I felt.

Ready for the next stage in their relationship? Cause I sure am. I guess it was bound to slip out soon enough. Next chapter's going to be something you've been waiting for for a long time but don't get too excited just yet. I'm warning you right now that their talk won't go exactly as planned. 

Since I gave a bit of a description on the guys' outfits, which one do you like the best? I'm personally a lover of the all black with a splash of color, like Alexei but let me know in the comments what you guys think. 

Also, do you guys want to see more Troy, Violet and Roe scenes? I feel like there just isn't enough. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. 

Until the next chapter....

Love

-ASH

P.S. Don't forget to click on the little star if you liked this chapter <3