Michelle and a bottle of Jack. Right… More like a bottle of Jack. After the aggravation Zacky put him through, Brian could do with several drinks. After saying good-bye to Matt while ignoring Zacky’s obvious mood, he sped off to his house. Brian ran a hand through his hair as he surveyed the living room.

“Babe?” he called out.

No answer. A frown immediately pulled at the corners of his mouth. She was gone so often lately. He shook his head and made his way to the kitchen. Almost as if in a zombie-like state, he grabbed the bottle, shrugged his jacket off, and let it fall on the floor. The recliner beckoned him. As he made his himself comfortable in the plush leather, he kicked off his sneakers and opened the bottle. The dark amber liquid seared his throat as it made its way down. He leaned over sideways to pick up the remote from the floor and promptly began surfing through the channels. This was going to be a long night…

Half a bottle of Jack and a Star Wars: A New Hope later, the door crashed open. Brian moved his head slowly to the direction of the noise, all bleary-eyed and obviously confused. His dulled senses couldn’t come up with the appropriate response to what might have been a break-in. An easy grin replaced his look of befuddlement as Jimmy tumbled into the room.

“Crazy motherfucker,” he said with a shake of his head, quickly taking another swig.

Jimmy's goofy grin seemed to light up the room. His mere presence always brightened his mood; no matter how shitty he was feeling. He pulled his lanky frame up from the carpeted floor and sprawled out on the couch all the while maintaining that genuine and trademark maniacal Jimmy smile.

“Buh-rian, I loves you,” he crooned.

Brian laughed and shook his head for the second time, taking another generous swig. He leaned over the side of the chair and grinned as he spotted the cap to the bottle. He fumbled with it before finally managing to grasp it and sit straight up in the recliner again. Jimmy looked on at his drunken friend with great interest. He’d overheard Brian’s remark to Zacky earlier and knew better than to think Michelle would be at home. His friend needed company so there he was. Leana had in no way, shape, or form been asked for permission.

Brian gave up trying to put the cap on the bottle and frowned. He looked back up at Jimmy with the same child-like expression. It was amazing how petulant alcohol made him be at times.

“Stupid close won’t bottle,” he slurred.

Jimmy laughed and dropped to the floor, promptly making his way over to his inebriated friend. He crossed his legs underneath him and beamed up at Brian, slapping his cheek a little harder than he would dare to do if he was sober.

“And the rabbit was late to his scheduled acid appointment before he could do the necessary things and change the whole spectrum,” he babbled, nimbly taking the bottle from his hands.

Brian nodded and furrowed his brow, his frown turning into a genuine smile.

“Exactly, Jimmy Jimbob,” he said brightly. “You’re my only bro who likes me.”

Jimmy laughed and reached up to ruffle Brian’s hair while simultaneously taking a swig of his own.

" ’s not true, Junior…”

“Uh-huh,” he protested in between hiccups while flailing one arm in the air.

Jimmy screamed as one of his fingers jabbed him straight in the eye. He lay on the floor, whimpering like a child. The bottle of Jack was now being consumed by the carpet. Brian’s eyes immediately were brimming with tears, the alcohol making him a bit more emotional than usual. He scrambled up off the recliner and unconsciously threw himself on top of Jimmy. He let out a gasp of air as Brian’s full weight rested on him. He still hid his face behind his hands, whimpering all the more loudly. Jimmy hid his smile behind his hands as he peered through his fingers.

Brian frowned and blinked away the tears still resting on top of Jimmy.

" ’m sorry, Jimmy,” he mumbled, shaking his head. “I fuck everything up. No one really gives a fuck about me. Just some slab of meat.”

“’s not true, I said,” Jimmy mumbled, choking back a ‘sob’. “Everyone likes you. You’re my best friend. Nobody likes The Rev. It’s always all ‘Gates, Gates, Shadows, Vengeance, Gates…’”

Brian shook his head and punched him in the chest, rolling off of him and unknowingly into the Jack-soaked carpet. Jimmy frowned and rubbed the sore spot.

“Michelle‘s not here, Jimmy,” he said quietly. “Never is. She—we fight a lot.”

The amber liquid was staining his clothes with every passing second. It took him a moment to realize it, but he did not bother moving. He had tons more clothes anyway. Jimmy frowned and lay on his side, facing Brian. He hated seeing his friend like this.

“That’s okay. Me and Lee fight a lot, too…” he said with a weak smile.

That wasn’t necessarily true, but what Brian didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. Brian turned his head to face Jimmy and sighed.

“No one likes me. Not even my own damn girlfriend.”

Jimmy continued to put on a smile as he tried to search for the right words to say to his friend in this situation. Over the last couple of months, he had pretty much used all the kind and reassuring words he had in his arsenal. It was getting harder to come up with excuses. Brian was a good guy, just a bit—misguided. After a moment, he punched his shoulder and beamed at him. This wasn’t anything he’d remember so he might as well take the chance.

“V likes you,” he said simply.

Maybe a drunken Brian could catch the alternate meaning of those words. Brian took on a blank expression before erupting into a fit of drunken laughter.

“You. Are. Fucking. Insane”

Jimmy frowned and furrowed his brow.

“Baker does like you, Brian.”

It was a couple of moments before Brian collected himself and looked back at Jimmy. Both were too deep in conversation to have noticed the padded footsteps in the other room.

“ ’s right. He’s one of my friends.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. It was official. Brian was as clever as a box of rocks. He propped Brian against him as he helped him up.

"C’mon, idiot, you need a shower,” he huffed as he made is way out of the living room.

Jimmy’s eyes widened at seeing Zacky headed out the door, head cast down. Brian beamed as he tried to focus his drunken gaze on him. He stumbled his way to Zacky and clung to him, one arm draped across his shoulders. He hung heavily onto him as he pecked him on the cheek, dangerously close to the corner of his mouth.

“Zacharee!” he said with a laugh, stumbling as he made his way in front of him. “I love you, man.”

He didn’t know where he’d be without his partner in crime on and off-stage. Without Vengeance there surely wouldn’t be any Syn.

“It’s your turn. If ya still want it…” he said with a smirk, eyes boring straight into his.

Jimmy face-palmed himself and shook his head.

“Goddamned idiot,” he muttered, shooting a look at Brian. “And people think I’m the crazy one…”

Notes

Told you guys I'd update soon. ^__^ I hope you like this chapter. Please leave comments. We would love to know what you think.

Much love, lovelies. x