Deep breath, tight grip, one eye closed.

Tyler swiftly pulled his gun out of his belt and aimed it straight at Dallon.

He didn't follow any of the guidelines he taught his Clique members during training.

Josh's life was on the line. There was no time for that shit.

The wicked smirk Tyler usually wore was gone. He was straight-faced, jaw set, red eyes dull and focused.

He clicked a bullet into place and pulled the trigger.

Dallon cried out in pain when the bullet pierced his skin, right where his wrist meets his hand. He dropped his gun and grabbed his wrist with his other hand. He winced as he watched blood spill through his fingers and onto his feet.

Tyler quickly shoved his gun in his belt and sprinted down the catwalk, his shoes echoing on the metal grating.

He pounced on Dallon and straddled him to keep him pinned to the ground. Even though Dallon was much taller than him, Tyler was experienced. He easily took him down. He grabbed the front of Dallon's shirt and slammed his head back on the metal catwalk.

"Dallon Weekes," Tyler mused, smiling wickedly. "Finally, I get to meet you."

Dallon didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything. Tyler was on top of him, his weight pressing down on his chest. Immense pain engulfed his body. He couldn't breathe. Blood was still gushing out of his wrist.

As far as Tyler was concerned, Dallon was going to die.

Tyler's smile grew as Dallon squirmed underneath him, desperately trying to escape.

But escape was futile. Pointless.

Tyler slowly pulled his favorite knife out of his belt. His other hand wrapped tightly around Dallon's throat.

Tyler closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

"I haven't killed someone in so long..." he hummed, his chest rising and falling heavily.

He missed this feeling. He missed it so, so much. Almost as much as he missed Josh.

The feeling of taking someone's life.

Tyler tilted his head to the side and inspected the knife, holding it up to the light. Dallon's eyes widened, and he screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Oh no, don't you go and do that now," Tyler sing-songed, like a mother scolding her child. He simply covered Dallon's mouth with his free hand, muffling his screams. "It's too late for that."

Tyler broke out into a wide smile, threw his head back, and laughed.

"It's too late for anything now," Tyler said darkly, his sparkling red eyes staring right into Dallon's.

Dallon began to cry, kicking his feet and screaming even more against Tyler's hand.

Tyler leaned closer to Dallon, so close that their foreheads almost touched.

"You thought you could lay a finger on Missile Kid," he growled, pressing the flat side of his knife against Dallon's throat. "My Missile Kid. And that—"

Tyler smirked and turned his wrist in one swift motion, the sharp side of his blade against Dallon's skin. He quickly slid the knife across his throat, and all the kicking and screaming came to a sudden stop.

"—deserves punishment."

✗✗✗✗✗

Deep breath, tight grip, one eye closed.

Josh followed every single rule Tyler had taught him when he first entered the Clique. That's what he was trained to do.

His left hand held on to the ladder.

His right hand held on to the gun.

After Josh clicked a bullet into place, he closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath. He opened one eye and kept the other closed. He straightened his arm, tightened his grip, and steadied his aim.

Josh pulled the trigger.

The entire warehouse went silent almost immediately. The fighting stopped. The chaos. Everyone froze in their place and slowly turned their gaze to the wall.

Four figures climbed the ladder, but now, only three remained.

Josh's kill count was one.

✗✗✗✗✗

As soon as Tyler heard the shot, he broke out into a wide, happy smile. It wasn't maniacal, it wasn't insane. It was pure happiness. The desire to kill and adrenaline drained out of his veins.

Pure happiness.

He shoved his bloody knife in his belt before standing up and rushing over to the rail of the catwalk.

"JOSH!" Tyler called, he voice echoing throughout the silent warehouse.

Every head turned from looking at the ladder to up at the catwalks where Tyler was standing.

Josh, too, glanced up at the catwalks above, trying his best to turn in his awkward position on the ladder to see.

When he saw Tyler, he smiled.

Then his body finally gave out, his hand slipped off the ladder, and he fell.

✗✗✗✗✗

"Josh?"

"Josh!"

"Come on, Kid, we've made it this far. Don't die on me yet."

"Josh, please."

Josh groaned as his eyelids slowly pried open. His blurry vision became clearer as he continued to stare at the grey ceiling above him. Wherever he was, the lights were dim. It took Josh at least a minute before his eyes adjusted and he could actually see.

His mind was cloudy. He couldn't seem to remember what had happened or where he was.

Josh grit his teeth and propped himself up on his elbows.

About a dozen people stood in a small circle around him, their concerned eyes staring down at him. Thousands of more people surrounded them.

Someone in particular stood out to Josh. He was the one and only person kneeling on the ground next to Josh. Blood covered his neck, arms, and hands. His shirt stuck to his chest, drenched in the blood as well. His eyes were just as red as that liquid covering his body.

Josh's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open slightly. It wasn't real. It couldn't be.

Maybe he was dead. Maybe he had died when he had fallen, and he was in heaven now. That was the only logical explanation.

Josh slowly reached out and brushed his fingers gently across the man's lips.

"T-Tyler?" He squeaked.

The red-eyed man smiled a small, sad smile and nodded.

"Josh," he said, simply because he didn't know what else to say. "Josh."

Josh stared at Tyler a moment longer before leaning up and wrapping his arms around his neck. He hugged him so tightly he pulled Tyler back onto the floor with him.

Tyler laughed as he fell forward onto Josh's chest. He closed his eyes and smiled so wide his cheeks hurt.

After what felt like an eternity of just holding each other, Tyler pulled away and looked at Josh, straight in the eye. His hand reached up and cupped his cheek.

"It's over, Josh," he whispered, small tears forming in the corner of his eyes. "I've got you."

Josh laughed and smashed his lips against Tyler's, smiling into the kiss.

Around them, the Clique cheered. The Sinner slowly scooted back and disappeared into the crowd, not having the slightest idea of what to do after the deaths of their two leaders.

Tyler simply held Josh in his arms and kissed him. He couldn't stop. There was so much crying and smiling and laughing and kissing that neither of them could stop.

It was over.

Josh was home.

✗✗✗✗✗

The Clique went happily back to their headquarters, taking most of the Sinners along with them.

Everyone who aided in the escape was raised in rank. Alex (along with Jack), Youngblood, Mr. Benzedrine, Horseshoe, Donnie, everyone. Everyone that had brought Missile Kid home.

Now, Missile Kid and Mad Gear were walking briskly down the second floor hallway, Youngblood struggling to keep up with them.

But there was no stopping the two. It's been months and months since Josh and Tyler were together. There was something that had to be done.

Youngblood adjusted his glasses and struggled to keep up as Tyler and Josh picked up their pace.

"S-Sir," he started, rushing up to Tyler's side. "I think it would be best if Missile Kid stayed in the infirmary for at least a week. He's very—"

"Thank you Youngblood, but no," Tyler replied over his shoulder. He continued walking toward his room. Josh silently followed. "Missile Kid's been tortured. There's a very specific process for his recovery."

"I know the process, sir," Youngblood argued. "I'm a medic."

"Well I have another process!" Tyler snapped, biting his lip and looking up at the ceiling.

Josh glared back at Youngblood, but he ignored him.

"Sir, I really think it's best for Missile Kid to—"

When they finally reached Tyler's room, Tyler yanked open the door and walked briskly inside, not even bothering to turn on the lights.

"Sir!" Youngblood called. He tried to step into Tyler's room, but Josh stopped him.

"Listen, Youngblood," Josh turned around in the doorway and faced him. As he spoke, he reached for the doorknob behind him. "We really appreciate the help, but I think Mad Gear's got it under control, okay?"

As soon as the last words escaped Josh's lips, he stepped back into Tyler's room and slammed the door closed.

✗✗✗✗✗

"He just doesn't shut up, does he?" Tyler growled, taking the front of Josh's shirt and slamming him back against the wall.

Tyler immediately took control, slamming his lips against Josh's. He took Josh's hands and pinned them above his head by his wrists.

"T-Tyler—" Josh stuttered, squirming underneath Tyler. "Come on, I-I have to—"

"Here's what we're gonna do," Tyler licked his lips and looked at Josh with nothing but lust in his glowing red eyes. "You're gonna stay there, shut up, and let me do what I want, got it?"

Josh could only hum a "Mhm" in response before Tyler had his lips on his again.

Josh melted into Tyler's touch. He leaned against the wall and let out a low, throaty moan as Tyler's lips trailed down to his jaw, then his neck.

"T-Tyler...ahh—" Josh squeezed his eyes shut as Tyler bit down and sucked on the sweet spot on his neck, right under his ear.

"It's been so long, Josh," Tyler murmured against his skin. He smirked as he bit down again, and another moan escaped Josh's lips. He closed his eyes and kissed further and further down. "So long."

Tyler's lips moved up to Josh's again, his hands tugging at the waist of his jeans. He slipped his hand underneath the waistband and palmed Josh through the thin fabric of his boxers.

Josh's breath hitched in his throat. "Ty," he lightly pushed Tyler back and took a gasp for air. "L-Let me—"

Tyler's free hand slowly ran up Josh's neck, his fingers lightly wrapping around his throat.

"What did I tell you, Josh?" He growled, his red eyes flickering in the darkness.

Josh breathed heavily and tilted his head back, closing his eyes and taking in all of Tyler—his hands, his lips, his everything.

"Y-You said—" Josh stuttered between kisses. Tyler's hand was still in his jeans, making his legs quiver. "—t-to s-s-shut up and—"

Josh was interrupted when Tyler's hand in his jeans suddenly wrapped around his already hard member. Josh threw his head back and shut his eyes, letting out a deep, throaty moan.

"That's right," Tyler smirked. He leaned in for another kiss, but his lips stopped centimeters away from Josh's, who groaned from the teasing. "Got you right where I want you, don't I Josh?"

"Y-Yes—" Josh stuttered, his breathing heavy and uneven. He struggled to speak as Tyler flicked his wrist and began pumping his hand up and down his shaft. Josh's legs quivered, and he leaned heavily against the wall to keep from falling into Tyler altogether.

"Yes what?" Tyler snapped. His blood red eyes sparked behind his pupils.

"Yes sir."

Tyler slammed his lips against Josh's, his fingernails digging into his shoulders. Josh gasped lightly when he felt Tyler drag his nails down his back, giving Tyler the chance to slip his tongue in and deepen the kiss.

Josh moaned against Tyler's lips, his body writhing from pleasure under his touch. He leaned his head back, and Tyler practically attacked his neck, leaving even more love bites along the way.

The only support Josh had was leaning against the wall as Tyler completely took him over. Tyler kissed him with such passion and hunger he practically devoured him, grinding his body against Josh's with every kiss.

Tyler smirked as he grabbed the front of Josh's shirt and walked backwards, towards his bed. In one quick motion, he spun Josh around and pushed his chest, shoving him back onto the mattress.

Tyler wasted no time in pulling off his shirt and jeans before climbing on the bed after him.

Tyler got on his knees and straddled Josh, putting his hands on Josh's toned chest and lowering himself onto his waist.

Josh's breath hitched as Tyler lightly sat on top of him, his body brushing against the growing bulge in his jeans.

The corner of Josh's lips tugged up into a smirk as he stared up at Tyler, heart beating fast and chest rising and falling heavily.

"You don't expect me to believe you're a top, do you?" Josh's smirk grew as he quoted Tyler from their first time.

Tyler let out a low, throaty laugh and leaned down to connect his lips to Josh's. His red eyes glowed brighter.

"I've got to make up for lost time," he hummed against Josh's lips. As he kissed him, his hand traveled up to Josh's neck again. His fingers wrapped around his throat and squeezed, causing another moan to escape Josh's lips.

Tyler sat up straighter and tugged at the buckle of Josh's tight skinny jeans.

"Off, Josh," he instructed, groaning in frustration as he struggled to remove Josh's jeans. "Off."

Josh chuckled hoarsely and unbuckled and unzipped his skinny jeans, allowing Tyler too quickly yank them off and throw them on the floor.

Tyler leaned forward and kissed Josh passionately one more time before starting on his shirt. He grabbed the hem and swiftly pulled it over his head.

After both Tyler and Josh were wearing nothing but their boxers, Tyler connected his lips to Josh's again, grinding against him and resting his hands on his bare chest.

When Tyler leaned back from the kiss and opened his eyes, he suddenly slowed to a stop.

Josh's chest was covered in thick, raised red lines. A few of them were faded and healing, but most were fresh and bright red. There were so many slashes across his chest, you couldn't even see the original pale color of his skin.

Tyler gently traced his fingers along the raised lines, his red eyes wide. He knew exactly what Josh's chest was covered in.

They were lashes from a whip.

"Did they..." Tyler whispered softly, glancing up at Josh's eyes. "Did they do this to you?"

Josh set his jaw and nodded.

Tyler leaned down and gently kissed each and every lash. His lips trailed from Josh's chest to his neck, then back up to his lips.

"Tell me if I hurt you, okay?" Tyler asked. His flaming eyes were locked with Josh's, but, his rough fingertips still feeling the raised lashes on his wounded chest.

"No," Josh leaned back and shook his head. His hands tightly gripped Tyler's thighs, leaving fingerprint-shaped bruises and tightening Tyler's straddle around him.

"Hurt me, Tyler."

✗✗✗✗✗
✗✗✗✗✗

Well.

Chapter 19.

That happened.

Um.

Yep.

Chapter 20 up soon.

Hope you enjoyed.

I know I did.

- Liz.