The Angels were drinking tonight, just as they did every night.

However,Johnny sat in a booth at the far end of bar all on his own. A single light illuminating the top of his head,shadows dancing along the table as he moved his arms. It was his favorite spot. He could see every single person in the bar. Having been sidelined for awhile due to an injury it was the perfect job.

All he had to do was sit on his ass and watch.

He was never called for any jobs in the back. He'd wait until the bar was completely closed, watching his buddies pass by to wish him a hell of a night. He didn't feel bitter about it but always seemed to work himself up over the prospect of being called upon.

They're just watching out for me.

That's what he tells himself so he won't sulk over his temporary job placement.

I'll be back. Swinging.

Johnny was always a wild one. His temper wasn't too good either. His favorite pastime was beating the shit out of any guys that got too hands on, so it was for a good cause. He'd been a bit peeved by his obsession with watching out for any bullies in the area. It wasn't his business. That's what he'd thought for a long time but for some reason he always raised his hand when others stood by.

It wasn't until one night when he'd bitten off more than he could chew that he'd found his way to this very bar. He was sober that night but had taken on about five guys. Johnny knew their type. They were ones who couldn't give two fucks about the world, even if it was ending. All they desired was an endless supply of beer, prime-time television and a piece of ass willing or not.

He didn't even want to think if they shared with each other; that would be sick.

The guys had this look,predatory one, as they tried to strong arm a younger man, boy really, at a club. It had been Johnny's first time there. He had a habit of jumping clubs once the club owner started looking out for him. Apparently, his crusades were bad for business.

Johnny had watched from afar. He'd been watching the boy,out of curiosity, himself for a while and felt innately worried for him, like always.

No one knew his name. He lurked by the walls, surprisingly comfortable, in all the heat of the crowded space, ignoring all the messy sex. Not at all entertained by the display of those dancing around him. The music soothed him put him in a pleasant state. One time he noticed that he'd beaten a guy to a pulp to the beat of the music.

He'd pushed his way through the crowd easily, ignoring all the curses.Glaring at anyone that dared to get in his way. They were by the exit, the guys had usurped the bar, drink after drink after drink. They were relentless. Sometimes Johnny wished guys like that could just fall asleep but no, they became more vigorous, loose, unpredictable. The alcohol only fueled their pride, fueled their lust. At least Johnny had finally found a job he liked.

He worked in construction during the day. Laying tiles on roofs in the hot sun, pouring out cement, hammering wood. Boring,monotonous work. Using his hands in that manner wasn't exciting. There was no bite, no thrill. He couldn't experience the adrenaline rush or witness how easily his skin broke when he smashed his knuckle into a jaw.

His day job, chore, was so clean, so straightforward. He knew what to expect, safety precautions were precise. There was a protocol but there was no leg room.

Unlike at night, when Johnny was the master. It was a free for all.Johnny knew bad apples, knew what kind of seeds they had, that they wanted to sow. He'd snatch them right up before they had a chance. Johnny knew mercy and the only mercy he could afford these bad apples was life. He wouldn't kill but he wouldn't leave them pretty enough to deceive someone else again. No.He'd rip that ugly soul right out into the open.

What about his soul? Johnny didn't know but he believed what he was doing was right. How many times had he seen his mother get beaten down but with no chance to call the cops? Cops?

He didn't hate them but he sure did feel sorry for them.

His childhood wasn't pretty but he didn't have it as bad as the others around him or that's what he tried to believe. The others just wanted somebody to be there for them, no matter where they came from. That's what Johnny was the silent guardian, the lines of justice blurred but not obscured. Retribution was key.The bully had no rights as far as Johnny was concerned, those flew out the window the minute they made the first move.

As the group came into view, Johnny could see one of them too terribly close to the boy, his hood covering his face. Johnny didn't need to know what he looked like specifically, just not scared. He couldn't bare seeing the boy look scared. Was it stupid for the boy to be here? Sure, but he didn't ask for any attention especially not from these guys. Was every person that Johnny tried to save innocent in his eyes? Yes, they were.

Johnny had barged into the circle of drunken men. He'd grabbed a bottle, not sure whether it was empty and not particularly caring, and knocked it over the head of the one closest to him. He tripped the second, kicking hard at the guy's shin before pushing him away. The third tried a cheap shot, swinging hard and lying face first on the ground.

They were by the exit and Johnny could see the boy shaking now, desperately trying to wrench his wrist from the grip of his aggressor.He could now see blonde hair poking out from the hood of his sweater. Johnny elbowed the fourth guy in the gut and not wanting to waste anytime moved on to the fifth. He needed to leave quickly, he'd drawn enough attention to himself now.

He finally reached the last guy, grabbing his collar and shoving him back. He slammed the guy on the nearest wall. He was a big guy, not particularly fit but if he landed a good punch Johnny needed to be worried for himself. As he struggled to put the guy down, the boy revealed himself. His hood fell revealing striking features. Johnny almost wet himself at the sight. He couldn't get attached.

Johnny had looked away, worried maybe that he'd become a predator himself. It would have been easy for him to swoop in, be a hero, but only for one night, like always. But this time he wanted something in return. He wasn't sure what it was he wanted from the blonde bombshell but it was more than he'd ever thought to ask.

This blonde boy had full pink lips, nice creamy skin and stark blue eyes. He'd been so stunned by his attraction that he'd even forgotten to look out for himself. Before he could register his surroundings Johnny was taking a hit to the jaw. His face went numb immediately, his own jacket was grabbed as more hits reigned down him but he was too stunned.

Would the boy know his name if he told him? Keep it, maybe? Would that dampen Johnny's need to know this boy?; leave him something to remember him by. Johnny didn't know but he'd at least try. He had been sure he was better company than those men.

He'd seen the angel but then he'd disappeared. The boy was gone, swiftly taking the exit. Disappointment was the first thing that Johnny had registered and the second, subdued rage. Maybe this fight would be worth it, he thought, this scum had tried to destroy the beauty he'd just witnessed.

As he stood from the ground, blood dripping from his lips, left eye swollen, he was still revved up, weakened but revved up. The image of the boy's face still seared in his mind. He'd never seen something so vivid. He wasn't supposed to memorize those he saved but this one would go away. He wasn't generic, he was special.

And there Johnny was thinking when he should have been acting. Distracted he got beat down again and his body gave out. He couldn't remember how many more punches he'd taken and hadn't quite taken into account when the hits had stopped.

He'd met Tomas, President of Angels MC, that night.

Tomas had given him a good dressing down but it hadn't felt overbearing. Tomas was proud of him and for some ungodly reason Johnny had been happy about that. Happy about the fact that he now owed this man his life. He showed him a new way, a way to take the law into his own hands for the community he now was a part of. He wasn't an outsider looking on the inside. He was on the inside finally working for the type of people he'd known all his life.He didn't need to slave around all day, he could bust his knuckles and get paid for it all day, sporting a sleek leather jacket with the patch of club stitched in on the back of it and ride his bike. Life was good.

It got even better when he spotted the angel, in the flesh, and spat his drink all over himself.

・

theo james as johnny