Den of Thieves (BL)

When they exited the hotel, Teddy was already waiting in the car, engine humming softly, his eyes scanning the street carefully for any signs of trouble. Beau and Stanz slid into the backseat without a word, and Teddy didn't waste a second, pulling away from the curb and into the night.

"God, that was close," Teddy's voice was tight but there was relief in it. He glanced at them through the rearview mirror, his concerned eyes lingering on Beau, whose chest still rose and fell with the adrenaline coursing through him.

The sirens faded as they sped in the opposite direction, but Beau couldn't shake the electric buzz in his veins. Near-misses like that were the moments he lived for, even if his teammates didn't share the sentiment. 

"Ariel should be out of the city by now," Teddy continued calmly, but Beau could tell Teddy was worried about Ariel. "We'll meet her at the rendezvous. Nova's hanging back for a few days to keep an eye on things, just in case..."

Beau leaned back, watching the passing city lights blur into streaks of gold and red. Teddy's voice faded into the background as Beau processed the events of the night. While he thrived on the thrill, the others preferred precision and clean exits—something Beau respected even if he couldn't fully relate. Beneath their bickering and sarcasm, there was an unspoken bond that made them more than just a crew. They were family, even if they'd never admit it aloud.

"We're all good, Teddy," Beau said reassuringly. Teddy caught his gaze in the mirror and returned a small grin, the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease slightly at Beau's reassurance.

Stanz wasted no time shedding her disguise. With a grunt of irritation, she yanked off the glittering dress and tossed it into the footwell. "This crap itches," she complained, pulling off the wig next and throwing it onto the seat. She rubbed her bare scalp with a scowl, her signature look restored.

Teddy chuckled, and Beau couldn't help but join in. Stanz, unbothered by societal norms or appearances, was a constant source of amusement—and admiration. Except for Nova, there was no one quite like Stanz. She had a presence that made people do a double take. Her bald, tattooed head told its own story, a canvas of rebellion and self-expression. She dressed as if the dystopian future everyone feared had already arrived—worn, dull layers and tattered fabrics that seemed beautifully chaotic. People couldn't help but stare, but Stanz didn't care. 

As the city skyline shrank in the rearview mirror, they pulled over to swap vehicles. The sleek getaway car was abandoned in favour of their more inconspicuous ride, a battered sedan that blended seamlessly with where they were headed. 

Their town sign came into view, barely clinging to its rusted post, a fitting metaphor for the place itself. Thick smoke billowed from the factories, casting a permanent grey over the sky where blue should have been. It was the complete opposite of the city's majestic beauty, a reminder of the world's harsh divide.

Here, middle-class families fought to maintain their existence—some drowning in debt to uphold appearances, others clinging to honesty while their assets were taken away by the elite.

"Should I drop you at the market, Beau?" Teddy asked, breaking the silence.

Beau shook his head. The market was their go-to for underground transactions, a place where stolen goods changed hands quickly and without question. If the authorities ever came looking, the Graff Pink would be long gone, traded and scattered beyond recovery.

"No," Beau replied, his gaze still fixed on the town outside the window. "I'll handle it tomorrow. Let's make sure Ariel made it back safe first."

The drive stretched on in relative silence, broken only by the hum of the engine and the faint sounds of the radio. When they finally reached Beau's house, the sight of Ariel's car parked outside brought an immediate sense of relief.

She stood in the doorway, exhausted but with a satisfied look, her young son beside her.

"Took you guys long enough," Ariel teased, but everyone could sense the relief in her words. She was just as worried for them as they were for her.

When Beau stepped up to the door, his nephew, Star, wasted no time running into his arms. His face lit up with the pure joy only a child could radiate. "Uncle Beau, you're back!"

Beau couldn't help but grin as Star tugged him inside. "Come see! Grandpa helped me finish the wheelchair!"

Star led him eagerly to the centre of the living room, where the makeshift wheelchair stood, proudly displayed like a prized invention. It was a little crude but sturdy, with thick tyres that could easily handle the uneven streets.

"Look! Grandpa added these tyres so Mary can run with us again when she gets better," Star beamed.

The mention of Mary's name hit Beau like a punch to the gut. He'd nearly allowed himself to forget why he did what he did—why he stole, why he risked everything. It wasn't just about his family's survival. It was for Mary, for the hospital that barely deserved the name, and for the people of this town who couldn't dream of affording the gleaming healthcare facilities in the city.

"Uncle Beau? What do you think?" Star's small hands shook his arm, pulling Beau out of his thoughts.

"I think I have the smartest, most compassionate nephew anyone could ask for," Beau said with a warm smile, kneeling to ruffle Star's hair.

Star's cheeks warmed as he glanced nervously toward the wheelchair. "And, um… one more thing."

Beau raised a brow. "What is it?"

"Well…" Star hesitated, shuffling his feet before blurting, "Grandpa and I used some parts from your motorbike to finish it."

Beau's jaw dropped. "You what?"

Star looked up with the guiltiest of grins. "It's okay! We're making you a new one. Bigger, faster, and way cooler!"

Beau tried not to burst from anger as he listened to his nephew. "Star, you can't keep dismantling my stuff."

"But Uncle Beau…" Star's proud smile returned, and he puffed out his chest. "It's going to be the best bike ever. You'll see!"

Beau sighed, watching as his nephew, Star, gazed up at him with those all-too-innocent eyes. Maybe if they didn't keep breaking his stuff, they wouldn't have to make him things he didn't ask for. "Okay, look, how about you tell the old ass to stop dismantling my stuff?" he grumbled.

Star's eyes widened, and his face scrunched up. "Mommy, Uncle Beau said a swear word!"

"You..." Beau groaned. Was that seriously all he heard?

Ariel, hearing the commotion, came over with a raised eyebrow. "Swear jar, Beau." She handed him a small jar, and her expression dared him to argue.

"This is daylight robbery," Beau muttered under his breath, tossing a note into the jar.

"You mad about your bike, Uncle Beau?" Star asked, his voice a little too sweet, his eyes pulling that puppy-dog routine Beau knew all too well. His lips puckered into a little pout.

"Well, sort of. It's my third bike in two months."

Star's face fell.

"But he's not mad at you," Teddy said as he stepped in, ruffling Star's hair. "Want to hang out before bed?"

Star's face brightened immediately. "Okay, but can my uncle put me to bed?"

"I will, buddy," Beau promised, ruffling his hair before Teddy lifted him onto his broad shoulders, carrying him up the stairs.

Ariel handed Beau and Stanz cups of hot chocolate, and Beau took a sip, savouring the warmth as he leaned back against the counter.

"Thanks," Stanz murmured as she stood, making her way to the door. "I'm beat. I'm gonna head out."

"Alright, Stanz. Good night." They said their goodbyes to their friend as she left.

"Wooo, what a night," Ariel sighed, dropping onto the couch with a tired groan.

"I'll go to the market early tomorrow morning," Beau said, turning toward her. "And I'll send you all your shares."

Ariel raised an eyebrow, her voice quiet as she asked, "You'll never see him again. How do you feel?"

Beau's heart sank. He didn't want to answer. He didn't want to feel the disappointment that settled in his chest, knowing that his little romance had ended before it even truly began. It wasn't the way he'd hoped things would play out. 

And what if instead of playing fetch like Beau hoped, Lanet actually showed up with a whole squad to ruin him? What would he do then?