Broken Arrow

The morning sunlight beamed through the small gap between the curtains on the window, sending the back of my eyelids bright red. I squeezed them shut, grumbling; I didn't want to wake up just yet. I could hear the cries of seagulls outside and the distant crash of the ocean as I tried to fall back to sleep, but it wasn't happening. I yawned and stretched, rolling over onto my side as I opened my eyes.

Brian was still asleep, his hair a tousled mess, falling in front of his face. I reached out and brushed it back, tucking it behind his ear. He grunted in his sleep as I did so, and I smiled to myself. I glanced to the end of the bed, to find Jimmy had already gone.

Shifting where I lay, I propped myself up on my elbows, before pushing myself upright and making to crawl off the bed. A large hand clamped around my arm and pulled me back down, and I found myself in my best friend's arms again.

"Good morning." He chuckled.
"Good morning, Brian." I smiled.
"Have a good sleep?" He asked, pulling me a little closer, tightening his arms around me.
"Yeah, I did."
"Glad to hear it." He smiled.
"We gotta get up."
"Not yet." He shook his head. "Just a few more minutes, my body's not fully awake yet."
"Brian." I pressed.
"Don't act like you don't like this." He smirked. "My big, strong arms around you."
I rolled my eyes. "You never disappoint with the cockiness." I teased. "Even this early in the morning."
He pulled me even closer, causing my hands to rest against his firm chest. "You love it." He teased.
"No, you're just full of it."
"Don't lie." He smirked.
"I'm not."
"Sure." He teased, giving me a flirtatious wink.
"Keep up with this shit, and I won't let you crawl into bed with me anymore." I warned him.
He rolled his eyes. "Oh please, Ruby, I've already told you, twice now." He let go of me and got up off the bed. "I wouldn't fuck you anyway." He shook his head. "I'm just fucking with you." He said.
I let out a breathy chuckle. "I know." I smiled up at him, pushing myself up into a sitting position. "Shithead."
"Cuntbag." He smirked, pushing his hair out of his face.

I bit my lip, throwing one of the pillows at him. He dodged it, immediately pouncing on me and pinning me down. He straddled me and began tickling me to death, I flailed and writhed and cried out underneath him. The damn bastard knew I was ridiculously ticklish.

"Brian!" I whimpered. "Stop!"
"Apologize." He smirked down at me.
"For what?"
"For throwing the pillow." He laughed.
"I'm sorry!"

He chuckled and crawled off of me, heading out of the room. I sat up again, pushing my hair out of my face and laughing to myself. I'd missed just being stupid with him like that; Having him tickle me to death and all our little joking insults back and forth with each other. It was great to have my best friend back.

I walked into the bathroom to take a shower, sighing with relief as the hot water washed over me. I washed my hair and my body, deciding while I was in there that I would wear my black and pink Hell Bunny dress today, and so shaved my legs also. I stepped out when I was done, heading back into my room to dry myself off.

I got dressed and dried my hair, dragging my straightener through my bangs, hating the way they'd curl up at stupid angles otherwise. I honestly couldn't be bothered with eyeliner today, and so just applied some mascara and grey eyeshadow after doing my foundation. I dug through my suitcase; which I still hadn't quite finished unpacking, and found my black flats. I left my bedroom, having finally finished getting ready, and went downstairs.

Brian was sitting on the couch with his signature black Syn Schecter with the white Pimp Stripes in his hands, plucking at the strings, seemingly working on a new solo. He looked up as I passed, his eyes widening as he took in my appearance, not used to seeing me wear dresses so often. Back in the day; I had covered almost every inch of skin I possibly could. Nowadays; I'd become more confident in my own skin. I smiled shyly, looking down as I pushed my hair behind my ear; flattered by his reaction.

Mini Gates was in the kitchen, slaving over the stove, and I caught the scent of Pancakes in the air. Julia was sitting at the bar, digging into her breakfast, Jimmy sat beside her, eating his own pancakes. I took the seat next to Julia, just as Mini Gates turned around.

"Good morning, Ruby!" She smiled. "Breakfast?"
"Yes please." I smiled. "And Good Morning to you, too."
"Sleep well?" Jimmy smirked over at me.
"Yes, I did." I replied.
I heard Brian snigger from behind me, and the stool beside me was pulled out as he sat down. "Hey, squirt?" He addressed McKenna.
"Yeah?"
"Where's my Breakfast?" He teased.
"One at a fucking time, Brian." She laughed. "Ruby's the guest, she eats first."
"But I'm hungry!" He mock-whined.
"You can wait." She smirked, turning back to the stove.
"She looks like you when she does that." Julia laughed.
"Does what?" Brian asked.
"Smirks." Julia grinned, popping another forkful of pancakes into her mouth.
"It's the world-famous Haner smirk." Jimmy laughed.
"Here, Ruby." Mac smiled, placing the steaming plate of pancakes in front of me.
"Thanks, kiddo." I said, digging into my Breakfast.
"Mac-"
"Yes, Brian, it's coming, fuck!" She laughed, silencing her older brother. "You're so fucking impatient."
"I got shit to do today, I ain't got time to wait around!"
Julia and I ducked as Jimmy's arm swooped over the top of our heads, smacking upside the back of Brian's head. "Hold your fuckin' Horses!" He snapped. "She's cooking as fast as she can!"
"Fuck you." Brian scowled, rubbing the back of his head.
"Don't make me come over there." Jimmy warned him.
"Why? What're you gonna do?" Brian teased.

Jimmy sprang up from his chair, walking over and grabbing Brian in a headlock, pulling him up off the bar stool. They scuffled about the living room, Brian flailing and punching Jimmy's gut as he tried to escape. It was hilarious to watch.

"Boys." Julia giggled.
"No shit." I sniggered.

The doorbell rang, and Jimmy released Brian as he ran over to answer the door. Brian came back over and sat down beside me once more, panting for breath. McKenna set down a glass of Orange Juice in front of him, alongside his now-ready pancakes.

"Bet you'll think twice before you get impatient again, huh?" She smirked.
He rolled his eyes as he drank from the glass, before digging into his breakfast.

"Morning!" Came Matt's familiar voice.
I turned in my seat to see him, Zacky and Johnny walk into the house.

Moving faster than lightening, Mini Gates rounded the bar and jumped into Johnny's arms. He spun her around and kissed her forehead as he set her back down, before pressing his lips to hers; It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen.

The cuteness was ruined when I felt my stomach sink as I remembered that I didn't have that anymore. Zacky tapped Johnny's shoulder, and Johnny looked at him as he nodded in my direction, shaking his head. Johnny's mouth dropped open a little and he looked over, giving me an apologetic smile. I gave him a brief smile back, letting him know it was okay, and looked down.

"Hey, how are you?" Matt's husky voice sounded in my ear as he hugged me from behind. "Holding up alright?"
"Yeah." I mumbled.
"She'll get better." Brian spoke up. "Tell them, Ruby."
"Hmm?"
"Tell them what you told Jimmy last night." He smiled.
"Oh."
"What's that?" Zacky asked, he and Johnny coming over to the bar and leaning against it.
"I'm... I'm staying." I spoke shyly.
"What?" Johnny's eyes widened. "For real?"
"For real." I nodded.

Matt pulled me off the chair, and he, Johnny and Zacky mobbed me, giving me one big group hug. I smiled and giggled as I stumbled, trying not to lose my balance within the wall of bodies.

"Jeezus guys." I laughed. "Don't squeeze the life out of me."
"Ruby." Zacky smiled. "You're honestly serious, you're staying?"
"Deadset." I replied.
"Fuck yeah, the Troublesome Trio is reunited." Johnny smirked, hi-fiving Zacky and I.
"God help us." Matt rolled his eyes. "No really, that's great, I'm glad you're staying." He said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "I've missed my Little Sister."
"Wait till Demi finds out." Jimmy laughed.
"Yeah." Matt laughed. "Good luck trying to get out of her dragging your ass out to spoil you when she finds out you're staying."
"Exactly what I said last night." Said Brian. "By the way, Jim and I invited Ruby to the studio today, that fine with everyone?"
"Of course it is!" Johnny exclaimed.
"Yeah man!" Zacky agreed. "Ruby's back! She's more than welcome!"
"I can't wait to hear what you guys have been working on." I smiled.
"It's very different from Sounding The Seventh Trumpet and Waking The Fallen." Brian informed me. "Matt's not screaming as much this time around."
"But it's still heavy!" Matt reassured me.
"I'm interested now." I grinned. "You've got such a great voice, it'll be nice to hear you actually sing a little more."
"Did you guys tell her about the video shoot we have coming up?" Matt asked.
"Yeah." Brian replied.
"When is it?" I asked.
"Next week." Jimmy grinned.
"Where?"
"Vegas." Brian grinned.
"Seriously?" I laughed.
"Yeah." He replied. "You've never been there, have you?"
"Nope." I shook my head.
"Then we're taking you out for a night." Matt smiled, ruffling my hair. "A night out would do you some good."
"Might even meet a fella." Jimmy teased.
"Guys." I giggled, rolling my eyes. "I'm not looking to get laid."
"Sure you're not, little Nympho." Brian teased. "We all remember how you were with Dickhead."
"Be nice." I said sternly, discouraging the insult towards my Ex.
"And that's my cue to leave." Julia laughed, sliding off the stool. "Mac, walk me home?"
"Sure thing."
"Take care." Johnny said, pulling McKenna in for a tight hug, kissing her softly before he let her go. "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled.
"Naww." I teased.
Mac rolled her eyes as she and Julia left the house.
"Be careful!" Brian called after them as they closed the door.
"Look at you, being the protective big brother." I teased.
"Shut up." He smirked, lightly punching my arm.
"Maybe you're the one who needs to get laid." Jimmy teased. "You're becoming a massive Soft Cock."
"No, shut the fuck up!" Brian laughed, throwing a punch his way.
"Motherfucker." Jimmy grabbed his arm just time to stop him, bringing his knee up.
Brian scampered away, avoiding getting kneed in the balls.
"Boys!" I spoke sternly. "Behave!"
"Leave 'em be." Matt chuckled. "They're always like that."
"Yeah, I'm sorry!" Jimmy laughed, pulling Brian towards him in a brotherly hug. "I love you man!"
"I love you too, Baby." Brian chuckled.
"Don't let Demi hear you say that to Jim." Matt laughed.
"No it's cool, we have an understanding." Brian smiled as he pulled back. "She knows I get Jimmy when she's not around." He winked suggestively.
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"I'm kidding!" He laughed. "You're really outta the loop with our inside jokes these days, aren't you?"
"We gotta work on that." Zacky smiled, nudging my shoulder.
"That you do." I agreed.
"It's good to have you back." Johnny smiled. "Well," He clapped his hands together. "Should we get going?"
"Sounds good!" Matt said.

The six of us left the house, and all piled into Matt's SUV...

Notes