Little language (swearing) warning, lots and lots in this chapter! xD thanks to Mormar1 and andypandy123

Another cigarette was pulled out, and the two had begun their journey. Espio didn't know particularly where they were going, but from past experiences at Westopolis they were heading central and probably going through the town to get North, that's what Espio presumed anyway, as no one here could afford living central. He'd already learnt a lot about the man he was putting his trust in: The male was a heavy smoker, had a hatred for Brian and-from looking at his clothing- was involved in some sort of group or gang. A dark red hoodie worn with a logo sewn on at the top right corner of a skull of a bird?…With a gun? Espio couldn't really tell. Maybe thats why Shadow hated Brian. Maybe Brian and Shadow's gangs were rivals? Espio wasn't planning on changing that, he understood that in a city like this survival is a big key in life, so maybe being in a gang was a way of protection.

"Espio," Shadow started, puffing out smoke while eyeing the bare chameleon next to him. "You don't mind pubs right? I need to speak to someone and they are too fucking lazy to answer their phone." His head then gestured itself in the direction of a pub nearby. Espio also looked at the pub, not feeling a tad bit shocked by the worn down look the building had. Paint peeling off the sides and half of the lights on the name of the pub either dimming or dead. The pubs name itself also caused Espio to inner cringe: The Crows Nest. It was tacky, but also creepy. Espio would never go in such a pub in such a place on his own, but he had Shadow with him and he felt like he wasn't really being given a choice anyway, so he just shook his head and let Shadow lead the way to the pub.

For such a terrible quality on the outside, the inside was…Decent. Good quality tables, walls and music. The bartender in a outfit which consisted of a shirt, trousers and a black waistcoat. A red echidna was wearing the outfit; Busy cleaning some glasses. A mellow jazz was playing in the background of all the chatter of the drunk, and sober, people, which Espio was doing his best to focus on because he wasn't particularly fond of busyness and pubs which were dimly lit. He followed Shadow along to the bar, doing his best not to step in spilt alcohol or gum as he strided over. He was the only one in the bar who wasn't wearing clothes and he began to feel extremely exposed despite it being normal for him to walk around like this.

"Knuckles!" Shadow shouted over to the bartender as he took a seat at the empty bar stool. "Get your ass over here!" Espio just stay silent, lips pressed together as he gingerly took a seat next to Shadow and tried not to eavesdrop, he decided to focus his mind on the advertisements spread across the room: Some on alcohol, some on sports…And one ringing a bell to him. What was that advertisement doing here? He tried to not think about that, he couldn't just go and rip up that advertisement, it'd make things a bit too obvious about who he was and where he came from. Hopefully Shadow hadn't seen that, or even been interested in…Hiring, that would just make things very very awkward between them. He needed to destroy that advertisement. The echidna walked over to the two of them with a lack of emotion and a hand on his hip. "Take your time why don't you?!" Shadow then teased, leaning forward from the bar and kissing the echidna's lips very gently and for some reason Espio wasn't bothered at all at the homosexual actions he did in public so carelessly. "Hey."

"Ugh you reek of cigarettes" Knuckles replied, wiping his mouth and not returning the kiss. Espio now realised he also knew this guy too, they met around the end of that mission…A blue hedgehog was with him, right? And a yellow fox, but Espio couldn't be sure, not with so many other memories haunting his mind instead. The purple eyes focused on Espio's topaz ones and raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you from that detective agency with that fat crocodile? Why the crap did you bring him here, Shadow?"

Espio immediately felt very, very disliked by the echidna, and what worried him was the fact that Knuckles knew he was in the agency, he probably knew Vector too and that means Vector might find him. Espio, again, just stayed silent, not wanting to answer the question and not wanting to bring up his past. He instead let the black hedgehog sitting next to him do that talking. "Always welcoming aren't we? He's just helping me with some stuff so he's staying at mine the night at mine and…Oh yeah I remember that fat croc."

As Shadow spoke, Espio caught a glimpse of some people in the corner of his eye. A group of foxes to be certain. All with dark fur and glowing eyes all starring right into his vulnerable ones. How ironic, the chameleon came here to run away from his past and he's bumped into more people he's known here than he ever did in seaside hill. A knot was forming in his stomach that maybe this is where he was advertised, Seaside hill is too soft and innocent to ever have anyone hire him for that…And everyone here did seem open enough about liking ass. He should leave by morning, thank Shadow for the help before hand though. Luckily the black hedgehog didn't seem to be moving so those people couldn't take advantage of his arrival in Westopolis, he specifically remembers the gangs 'special treatment' and how they payed double to take him to their hotel room for the night. Vector, of course, was too happy about getting double to care that these guys could've killed Espio, all he cared about now was the money. The chameleon felt so unloved and isolated.

"He comes from Seaside hill so-" Shadow then went on to explain, hovering a finger above Knuckles' nose. Before he could continue, a loud shattering of glass could be heard.

"See I told you-it is him!" One of the wolves spoke, standing up and pointing to Espio. "I saw you looking at us, you remember us don't you?!"

Espio's face went pale and pupils slowly shrank, he wasn't going to admit to anything. Not in front of Shadow, anyway. The hedgehog would probably frown on him, call him sick and not let him stay the night…All Espio wanted was to start anew, not be reminded of the horrible deeds he's done. Espio looked at Shadow who was now starring back at him. "What the fuck are they talking abo-"

"I'll go get a towel…" Knuckles said, walking away into a different room and leaving Shadow and Espio alone with the gang of wolves who Espio knew all to well. The smell of the spilt alcohol filled Espio's nostrils and caused him to shiver in more then one way, he remembered that these guys, well at least two of them, got very very drunk and…Released their upchuck on the chameleon. He felt even dirtier that day than usual. The fox standing began strutting over to them and bent his head down so he'd stuck his head in between the two sitting by the bar.

"You know that night on Seaside Hill, it was so good. Are your services still available? Me and my friends would just love to have another round."

"Services?" Shadow repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You sell weed or something?"

Espio felt his head spinning and was going to be sick any moment now without even having the intake of any substance. He wishes the problem was that he sold weed, at least he wouldn't feel so subjected, ugly and battered…And at least getting high meant he could forget about the problems in his life. Not that he wanted to do weed, he'd just rather be doing that than what Shadow will probably soon discover and hate him for. The fox's laugh filled both their ears, clearly shocked that Shadow didn't know, and was probably also shocked that Shadow wasn't socialising with him for that service. Oh thank God Shadow didn't know, not yet anyway…

"What the crap are you talking about Shadow? He's a man of the night, you know…Shagging for dough. A prostitu-"

A slap. A simple, but hard slap Espio gave the fox, slamming his hand into that cheek and leaving a red, swelling mark. "Don't you dare call me that."

"Oh, and just what would you call it then? We paid you to have sex-"

"You're mistaken-You didn't pay me anything. And I'm not doing that anymore, so go away."

Shadow listened for a while, trying to take in what was happening. Espio had been sleeping with people, Shadow assumed from what he overheard an hour ago that Brian had been one of these people. Espio didn't seem to be enjoying it, or confessing that he'd done it, but he wasn't denying it either. So someone may have maybe…Been taking the pay? Maybe the crocodile, or maybe the boss of the detective agency? That's what usually happens in prostitution, it's rubbed all over the newspapers here in Westopolis.

"Nick, mate," Shadow then began, sighing. "He's with me. Alright? Don't you fucking touch him."

The fox frowned, but listened to Shadow with a shrug. "Right, man, sorry Shad." He just said, not wanting to argue and walking back to the others. "He's taken for the night guys!" He shouted, laughing. Espio sighed and gave Shadow a perplexed stare, how did the fox just listen to Shadow…Maybe Shadow's well known? Great, Espio might be walking around with the leader of some dodgy gang, but it's ok. No sex tonight, at least. And taken for the night? Just what did he mean by that?

"Shadow I…" Espio started, feeling his cheeks grow rosy of embarrassment. "You don't have to put up with me, I can go find somewhere else for the night-"

"Yeah, and Brian can probably give you an offer. Espio, fuck no. As well as not letting you get butt raped, I'm not letting Brian get another person he wants." Shadow huffed, "And you said you were over with it, anyway. Even if you did…Want to do that, it's ok, you don't stop me from smoking and shit so I won't stop you from that career path. But, I think my question has been solved. He hired you, right?"

"…I don't want to admit it." Espio replied in a quiet, low tone, making sure no one could hear him."I didn't realise he came here to advertise."

"I wouldn't worry about it" Another voice piped in, that voice being Knuckles who had flung a towel in the bin. "My boy seems to like you, and we don't like shit happening to people we like."

"Mmm that's my Knuckles…" Shadow then teased, turning his attention to the echidna. "Ah that reminds me! That's why I came here, I came to check if this weekend was still on at the hut? I got the tickets." Shadow asked. Espio watched as he eyed Knuckles with adoration, the way his cheeks flushed when he spoke his…Boyfriend? He seemed in love with the bartender at this pub, but he didn't seem as In love with Shadow. Eyes slightly unamused and annoyed by the husky tone Shadow was giving him.

"Yeah, about that, theres a party on." Knuckles hesitated to reply, grabbing by a lever and placing a cup underneath. "Erm, yeah, sorry." He watched the cup carefully to make sure the drink didn't overflow before passing it to the hedgehog, who had a very disappointed look on his face. "Oh, come on I love to party, you know that right?" His attention then turned to Espio.

By attention, it was a very occupied piece of attention, eyes scanning the chameleons peach coloured chest up and down and his pink tattered scales. "You want anything?" Knuckles then asked, sending Espio a…Flirtatious smile. "It's on the house."

"No I'm fine thanks." Espio quickly said, closing off conversation. He could tell he had just been 'checked out' by the bartender, and he really didn't want to get involved with any of that, especially not when Shadow was his boyfriend. His eyes also turned to Shadow's, his disappointed look changing to anger and annoyance.

"Again?! But this was our fucking weekend! You went out partying last weekend and the week before and the fucking week before that! and we planned this so far in advance because you always get annoyed that I plan things too late!" He grumbled and crossed his arms, sucking his teeth. "I really wanted to go see crushing crusaders live as well and they was the only day they were willing to be in Westopolis so I could actually dance to their fucking awesome music. You're so fucking selfish."

Espio couldn't help but feel bad for Shadow, if he had bought the tickets previously and if Knuckles was always partying then couldn't Knuckles spend one night with Shadow? He'd heard one song of the crushing crusaders, it was a depressing one about deceiving and suicide,but it was a damn good song. "Well, this parties big." Knuckles stated with an even bigger frown "I'm not stopping you from going." He then pointed out, shaking his head. "Why don't you take ex-prostitute with you?"

"Haha you're so funny you cunt." Shadow muttered "Not that I have anything against Espio, but you promised you'd come you little fucktard…."

"Oh fuck off Shadow! I'm going to that party and I don't fucking care what you want!"

"Okay…" Shadow finally said, giving in and biting his lip. "Can I come then? Guests are usually allowed to invite one friend right?"

"No."

"What?! Fucking hell why?"

"Because I don't want you there!" Knuckles harshly spoke. It was actually the first time Espio felt shocked the whole day: Weren't they dating? How can the bartender so carelessly say something so hurtful about his own boyfriend? He didn't realise relationships in westopolis were that bad. "That's why! Why the fuck do you think I go to parties?! To get away from your fucking ass! All you wanna do is dance! No one likes you there, you're so fucking annoying at parties! and Brian will be there anyway it's his party!"

"Brian? You're going to his party instead of being with me!?" Shadow yelled, getting up and slamming his glass down. "Why the fuck are you doing that?!"

"He's cool man, I really don't know why you don't like him…" Knuckles murmured, with a shrug. His eyes then turned to Espio with a cocky smile. "I'm sure you could come if you wanted tho-"

"No." Espio quickly replied "Don't you fucking dare ask me. I'd rather spend time with Shadow, anyway." He then sent a smile in Shadow's direction "He's a nice guy and has a decent taste in music."

Shadow blushed slightly, but also felt slightly saddened. Shadow had repeatedly told his boyfriend why he didn't like Brian, and Knuckles threw that off as a stupid reason to dislike someone. How could someone who took his ex-girlfriend, slept with her while she was dating Shadow, then humiliate her to the brink of suicide not be a decent reason? Brian was a bully, and Shadow was the only one who didn't decide to befriend him out of fear. He wasn't scared of the bastard. And then Knuckles goes and invites the chameleon next to him, the one both of them barely knew. He saw Knuckles' eyes scanning him every now and again ever since he found out about the…night worker role Espio use to play. Did Knuckles want Espio? That would sicken Shadow to the bone, but it wasn't the chameleons fault. "Thanks." Shadow muttered, pushing himself up. "I'm going to go make a call to cancel the reservation for the tickets then in the bathroom, I'll be back."

He gave Knuckles a quick peck on the cheek. "Alright Shadow." He said, letting out a sigh of relief when Shadow walked into the bathroom. "Fina-fucking-ly I thought he'd be here irritating my ass forever." Knuckles mumbled to Espio, putting the glass in the sink and leaning close to Espio. "You know, you're kinda cute, I can see why people would want a second round."

"I can't see why Shadow would continue being with a flirtatious insensitive boyfriend like you." Espio pointed out, "If your boyfriend doesn't like someone, you shouldn't go near them. It's clear Shadow hates them and you're clearly picking Brian over Shadow even though Shadow is your boyfriend."

"Ouch my unhurt feelings." Knuckles said, rolling his eyes. "Shadow is a clingy ass bitch who wants to be with me all the time."

"And that's a bad thing?" The chameleon grumbled. "I don't blame him for wanting to be with you when all you do is go places without him. Maybe he just wants some time with you?"

"Why are you sticking up for him? Take him if you want him." Knuckles then muttered. His face slowly went close to Espio's, breath smelling of alcohol. Espio wanted to move away but currently he just felt safer with Knuckles so close to him than being able to be pinned down by the group of foxes, despite their lack of interest in him now he was still nervous. The echidna grabbed one of Espio's hands slowly and pressed his head to the side of Espio's letting out a loud, seductive moan, "But you can do so much better than that clingy ass rat-bag…"

Espio looked away shyly. "I don't want to get involved in a relationship dickhead. And are you asking for a fucking slap from me? You, you think you're better than him? Quit flirting with me, you're the rat-bag of a skank who is the crappest boyfriend ever to Shadow, why the fuck would I ever want to do shit with you-"

"Clingy ass rat-bag?!" Knuckles jerked his head away from Espio to see Shadow looking at them. "You little fucktard! Get your hands off Espio! Did you not hear him, he doesn't want jack shit to do with you! Can't you just be a good boyfriend?"

"Erm, yeah, you're fucking clingy." Knuckles admitted "Sorry, Espio is fucking hot. Have you seen that face?"

"…What?" Espio repeated "…hot?" He wasn't liking the flirting a bit, mainly because it was a lie, he knew he wasn't hot and now that Shadow had stopped to see if he really was only made Espio want to pick up Shadow's glass and throw it in Knuckles' face.

"…Um" Shadow started, trying to make a comment. "...Does that fucking matter? I'm your boyfriend. Look it doesn't matter I forgive you," Shadow said, giving up and turning to Espio. "We should head back, I'll phone you tomorrow Knuckles. Love you." After that, Shadow planted another kiss on Knuckles' lips. Espio felt slightly saddened for Shadow that Knuckles didn't kiss back. Ever. Knuckles hadn't said anything particularly nice to Shadow actually today, was he always this jerky? "Bye. Have fun at the party."

"Bye Shadow, Bye…Espio. I'll pop by when my shift is over."

Espio refused to respond to Knuckles, instead he marched over to the advertisement he saw earlier and ripped it to pieces: Throwing the bits of paper all over the floor. "I'm no ones fucking bitch." Espio harshly said, making his way back to Shadow. "And I never fucking will be, not anymore."

"Heh, I think it's too late for that" Knuckles responded. "We both know you would willingly be his bitch."

All Espio could do is giving him, what he hoped was, a very dirty menacing glare. "Very funny." Espio finished with, walking out after Shadow. He was not being anyones bitch, not even Shadow's bitch.

Or, that was what he thought, at least.