Chapter 90 Gratitude
Thinking about how far he and the rest of those he had recruited to the Outlaw Gang had come in such a short amount of time, Xavier couldn't help but be in awe of the system that he had.
And there was still that lingering thought in the back of his mind about what exactly the system's limits were.
'It might even be possible for me to fly...' he thought to himself as he imagined himself soaring over the city, but that idea was quickly shut down.
[That's a bit far-fetched. The system is merely here to produce the greatest gangster and can't enhance what is already there.]
'Hmph. Can't one imagine?'
[One can do as they please, but just don't go jumping off any buildings and trying to fly. Finding a new host would be a bother.]
'That's a shame. I thought it might work if I jumped off a building, but I guess not,' Xavier responded sarcastically, but the system didn't continue any further.
And from that exchange, it didn't seem to be an emotionally intelligent system like he had come across in some novels that he had read, but he was by no means complaining.
He was yet to take the time to actually consider the system's origin and whether other systems might exist, but that was something for another day, with Xavier being a very tunnel-visioned individual.
-
Getting up to leave, Xavier was ready to get on with his day and already knew how he was going to get started, but Connor had some things he wanted to tell him first.
"Nutrition is very important, especially for a fighter like yourself, and your natural frame isn't a particularly bulky one, but I can see the potential for you to put on more muscle and maintain a similar overall shape. Weight can always be useful in a fight, as you know, of course, but against anyone with basic combat experience, fat merely becomes a hindrance."
"So, although you burn a lot of calories and can eat almost whatever you want, I don't want to catch you eating rubbish. You also don't only need protein, but should eat a good amount of fruit and vegetables. This is just basic knowledge and I'll be making your breakfast every morning. As for the rest of the day, I'll just have to trust you don't eat like an idiot," Connor continued.
"And be sure to drink a lot of water," he added.
Xavier knew most of what he had said already, but coming from Connor made it more apparent, and although he had always eaten pretty well, it wasn't something he paid great attention to.
As long as he got a satisfying amount of protein, he was good, and he couldn't say he drank a large amount of water.
"You're right. It'd be good if you could help the others out with their diets, and I'll be here every morning for that free breakfast."
"Free? You better start paying. I am a semi-qualified nutritionist," Connor joked.
"You don't look it," Xavier retorted.
Their back and forth continued, and it didn't take long for them to start wrestling with each other.
But their tussle ended not long after starting.
"I tapped man, get off me you hippo!" Xavier yelled, struggling to breathe under Connor's weight.
He had easily been pinned to the ground in their play around, and without playing dirty, Xavier couldn't think of any other way of getting out of Connor's clutches.
Of course, he didn't want to hurt his giant friend by going for his joints, eyes and neck, so all he could do was struggle against his absurd weight and strength.
"You really should learn how to wrestle properly or some sort of grappling martial art. And if you match that with your striking..." Xavier was worried just thinking about it.
But he wasn't worried for himself.
He was worried that their enemies would be taken down too easily.
"Yeah, I'll learn from all the fighters you recruited. And before you set off, give me that bag of yours."
Xavier was confused as to what he wanted, but still handed the small side bag that he always had with him to Connor, who walked over to the kitchen with it and stuffed it with a bunch of things.
"There are 2 protein bars in there, a banana, an apple and a bottle of water that I put some electrolytes into. Be sure to finish them all by the end of the day and I'll give you a refill tomorrow," Connor said as he handed the bag back over.
He was barely able to close it from how filled it was, but Xavier appreciated it and had one last favour to shamelessly ask Connor.
-
"My dirty clothes...?"
"Yeah, don't worry. I'll drop them off with your mother when I head there now."
"Great, thanks. And be sure to tell her that I'm busy with work today and I'll be back at night, and you know how she is. If..."
"Yeah, don't worry, bro, I got you. I'll make sure she's good before I leave with my sisters. It's only right that I treat her well after how long she has looked after those little demons for me."
"But why don't you at least call her?" Connor couldn't help but ask.
"I want to remain focused and when I speak to her, I'll lose control of myself and want to spend as much time with her as I can. For now, providing her with the life she deserves is more important," Xavier answered honestly, with a look a melancholy.
He never really showed that side of him to others, but seeing it, Connor understood how he was feeling and resonated with it.
"I understand. Don't worry, I'll treat her as if she is my own mother."
And with that reassurance, Xavier threw the keys to his home to Connor and set off.
He had thanked Connor enough and knew words didn't do much, so didn't bother with repeating the same old words of gratitude.
Instead, he gave Connor a nod of appreciation before leaving, knowing that his big friend would catch his appreciation.
And it was definitely reciprocated.
Connor was grateful for all Xavier had done for him and, because of him, he was finally finding himself and becoming more confident and open for the first time.
But more than that, Xavier had treated him well from the start and was the first to ever treat him and his sisters with such kindness.
To add to that, it seemed as though he had underestimated just how much his sisters needed a mother figure in their life, and Xavier's mother appeared to be becoming that person for them.
The one that could give them the love and attention that the young girls sought.
And all that just made Connor want to work even harder when it came to the Outlaw Gang to prove to Xavier that he wasn't wrong about choosing him, and also for himself.
To be able to give his sisters all they could ever want and make sure he never allowed himself to be looked down upon and give up on himself like he had done in the past.
"I'll make sure the Outlaw Gang becomes the greatest gang ever and I may not be the smartest, but I won't stop until our and Xavier's dream comes to fruition," Connor said to himself as he clenched his fists tightly.
Time waited for nobody and, knowing that his actions spoke louder than words, Connor set off not soon after Xavier.
But before he could get to work, he had to make sure he fulfilled his duty to Xavier's mother and his sisters.