What if? [TTRPG bluebooking]
"Don't even dare to do that. They don't need any new workers, and the boss is a busy man. Besides, I went for this job so you didn't have to."
"But why? I know how you feel about this. I know that you feel weak and incapable. You did so much for me, and I sincerely want to repay you for that!"
"You are my flesh and blood. I did what any decent brother would do."
"Not at all. I don't understand why you are so stubborn. Why you don't care about yourself. You will die sooner than you get the money you need for this chip!"
Wolf sighed and kicked the bench in frustration. Unfortunately, he couldn't contact Ditto in secret, even though he wanted to. Max refused to give any private contacts, so the only one who could do that was Minz. And he predictably refused, too.
Each gym time they shared together proved that Minz is in dire need of advanced medical help. Wolf could see that Minz's condition had worsened. Minz was always crazy good at goju ryu, but today he missed nearly every hit and wasn't able to evade any of Wolf's hits. It was obvious that Minz was sincerely proud. However, for Wolf, it was not a victory; instead, it raised significant concerns. Now, when Minz and his crew gain some formidable reputation, gigs are going to become much more difficult. What if he isn't able to keep up? What if…
"Wolle, you have to learn to live with what you have. I understand your worries. I know that I don't do well with that old injury. That's why I changed tactics and picked up my old hobby. It pays off. And it keeps me relatively safe, because I can kill the enemy before they approach me. I think that gigs will pay better from now on, and I will do my best to get the money I need as soon as possible. Please, do not do anything stupid. Ditto is a good man, but he will ask for disproportionate favors. Believe me on that; I worked with him for 8 years. He gives much, but he asks twice as much. Now finish your push-ups, and let's go home."
Minz headed to the locker room, leaving Wolf alone in the empty gym. This wasn't the answer Wolf wanted. This wasn't the solution he wanted. He will never agree to let his brother suffer more. But what can he do to help? Minz is too proud to ask Orion. He is too overprotective to let Wolf help. Always the same, always alone, always doing everything by himself. Wolf ended his relationship with Vlad far too soon; he could have asked him to help get the chip. Nothing is impossible for the ripperdoc, right?
Regrets are just that—regrets. He still needs to act and be fast about it.
For the first time in many years, he was close to crying.