Kenshi's consciousness slowly returned, the haze of drugs dissipating to reveal a pounding headache and the harsh reality of his situation. He opened his eyes, blinking against the dim light of the cellar, only to find himself still bound to the chair. Panic surged within him as he took in the sight of Johnny, unconscious on the ground, blood marring his features and a wheezing sound escaping his lips.
"Johnny!" Kenshi called out, his voice hoarse with emotion and fear. He strained against his restraints, desperation fueling his actions as he tried to reach out to his husband.
To his relief, Johnny stirred, slowly opening his brown eyes. A weak smile tugged at his lips before pain contorted his features. "Kenshi," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kenshi's heart clenched at the sight of Johnny's pain, " My god, Johnny!" He said with a mixture of relief and concern, " You're awake."
" Yeah...I'm getting... kinda tired of... sleeping on... the job Ken-doll..." Johnny whispered, trying to add humor to their dire situation.
The blind swordsman smiled, " I'm just glad you are awake." But Kenshi's smile faded, " After what Haroshi did to you, I thought you wouldn't wake up.
Johnny's smile also began to fade away, " What... d-did they... do to me...?" He asked
"They hit you with a tire iron, Johnny." he explained, " I couldn't get your screams out of my head."
Johnny winced as he recalled the brutality inflicted on him, " That explains it." He rasped out, "I remember feeling every single strike."
Tears welled up in Kenshi's eyes as he listened, his hands curling into fists of frustration. "I'm so sorry, Johnny," he whispered, his voice trembling.
Johnny attempted to sit up, but the pain was too much, and he winced, sinking back onto the cold floor, "It's not your fault, Ken-doll."
Johnny took a deep breath, wincing as he pressed a hand against his abdomen where the tire iron had struck. " While you were out cold, Haroshi visited me," he began, his voice steady despite the discomfort.
Kenshi looked at Johnny; concern etched deep lines into his forehead. "What happened?" he asked, his voice filled with worry as he took in Johnny's pained expression.
"He gave me an ultimatum." The actor answered, trying to steady his voice.
The blind swordsman looked at Johnny momentarily before asking, "What ultimatum?" Kenshi inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.
Johnny's gaze met Kenshi's, and the weight of his decision was evident in his eyes. "He told me he would let me go if I did one thing," Johnny took a deep breath before continuing, "He told me to let you go," he explained, his words heavy with the gravity of the situation.
Kenshi's breath caught in his throat. "To let me go?" he repeated, disbelief coloring his tone.
Johnny nodded, a grim expression settling on his features. "I refused." He stated simply, his voice filled with determination.
The blind swordsman was taken aback, "Why didn't you save yourself?" he asked softly, his voice trembling with emotion.
A small, sad smile played on Johnny's lips as he looked into Kenshi's eyes, the depth of his love shining through. "Because I love you," he confessed, his voice barely a whisper. "More than anything. I couldn't abandon you."
Kenshi gave Johnny a grateful smile, he know that his husband is stubborn. It's part of why he fell in love with the man.
Johnny took a deep breath, steeling himself to share more of the grim truth with Kenshi. "Haroshi told me about the debt you owe the Yakuza," he began, his voice steady despite the pain that radiated through his body.
Kenshi's eyebrows arched in understanding, "Because of my Taira blood," he murmured, the weight of his heritage heavy on his shoulders. The ancient ties of his lineage were not just a matter of pride; they were shackles of obligation that bound him to a fate he had tried to escape.
Johnny nodded solemnly. "Yes," he confirmed, his gaze filled with empathy for Kenshi's plight.
" Fuck!" Kenshi shouted in frustration, " You're suffering because of me."
The actor can sense his husband's frustration, " Look at me, Kenshi." He said, waiting for him to look at him, " It's not your fault. None of this is. You did what you had to do at the time. And I decided to help you not because I had to, it's because I wanted to."
A heavy sigh escaped Kenshi's lips as he leaned back in the chair, the reality of his situation weighing heavily on him. "I never wanted any of this," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret.
" None of us did Kenshi. But we can't dwell on the past. Now it's about how we are going to move past this." Johnny said weakly
Kenshi smiled at Johnny's words. The actor knew how to bring him out from the brink of his emotion. The yin-yang necklace that they both wore around their necks caught the dim light of the cellar. It was a symbol of their bond, of their unity in the face of adversity. At that moment, Kenshi and Johnny were not just partners; they were soulmates, bound together by love, loyalty, and an unbreakable defiance that would carry them through whatever trials lay ahead.
"Kenshi, I need you to promise me something." Johnny weakly said, breaking the brief silence. His voice was strained and low.
Kenshi turned to the actor in curiosity, " What is it, love?"
Taking a deep breath, Johnny closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, " Promise me you will stay strong." he urged, his voice filled with sincerity. "No matter what happens, don't give up."
Kenshi's blindfolded eyes widened in fear of the actor's words, " Johnny. What are you saying?"
" Babe, please." Johnny coughs again, " It's clear The Yakuza will try to use me to break you. They'll do anything to get what they want."
Kenshi looked at Johnny as if he grew a second head on his shoulder, " Johnny, stop."
But the actor continues, " I'm in so much pain, Kenshi." Johnny coughs, "Honestly, I don't know how long I'll last, babe."
" You're giving up on me, Johnny!?" Tears began to fill Kenshi's blindfolded eyes, " After all we've been through, you're just gonna quit!" Kenshi raised his voice.
" Kenshi..." Johnny breathed out, " I'm not giving up. But I'm not going to hide my condition from you. Please, babe... I... must know you'll be okay if something ever happens to me."
" Johnny... I... I..." A tear began to fall behind Kenshi's blindfold.
" Promise me." Johnny could feel his own tears fall down his face.
Kenshi's mouth quivered. Letting out a shaky breath, the blind swordsman nodded his head, " I promise, love." He vowed, " But you better keep fighting, Carlton."
Johnny managed a weak smile. " I will, Ken-doll. It's going to take a lot to take me down. Besides, I have that main character plot armor on," the actor said, lighting up the sour mood.
In that dimly lit cellar, Kenshi and Johnny found strength in each other's unwavering support amidst the pain and uncertainty. Their love was a beacon of hope in the darkness, a reminder that no matter their challenges, they would face them together, united in their defiance and determination to overcome.