It's Nice To Have A Friend

15) Always Trust Your Gut

FP was eating breakfast when Fred came into the apartment, looking sleepy and exhausted. Upon seeing him, he sighed immediately. He wasn't in the mood to fight again.

"Still gonna lecture me? Want to tell me that the way I'm living my life is bad?" FP said, immediately going in full defense.

"No, I wanted to apologize." Fred said softly, truly wanting to make up. If FP knew how to live his life, he was going to stay out of it.

"You know that everything I do is to protect you, right?" Fred said, hoping that FP could see that he was only trying to be there for him.

"I don't always need protecting, Fred. It gives me the feeling that you don't trust me." FP said, softening now too.

"That wasn't my intention." Fred looked guilty. He had never wanted for FP to feel that way.

"You've been doing so well lately and seeing that you're drinking again and smoking weed, it made me think that maybe Gladys isn't the right influence on you." Fred told him honestly, revealing where he came from with his concern.

"Are you going to start with this shit again?" FP said annoyed, not wanting to hear it once more.

"No, I'm just saying that I am genuinely concerned." Fred remained calm, knowing that if he pushed his buttons any more things could get ugly. FP relaxed a big more. He knew Fred meant well.

"I appreciate that. I don't always show it but it's nice to have people care about you." FP said softly, having to remember that Fred meant well.

"I hate that we've been fighting so much, it's so unlike us." Fred said emotionally, hating this situation. Usually they were so in sync.

"Yeah, it pretty much sucks." FP sighed, feeling the same.

"Are we good?" Fred questioned, almost a little insecure.

"Yeah, brother. We're good." FP pulled him closer for a hug, one Fred gratefully accepted.

"You know, you'll always come before Gladys." FP smiled, when he pulled back. Fred grinned. He liked to hear that.

"Was Alice pissed at me?" FP questioned, almost too scared to ask.

"We talked last night, she's still just dealing with a lot of stuff. It's not easy for her, no." Fred said, which was all he could tell him without betraying Alice's trust.

"We actually had a great time together. It felt like the way it used to be, you know?" Fred smiled a little, as he grab a mug to get himself some coffee.

"It's like not having seen your sister for years, but then when you do, everything is still the same. We even had an old slumber party." Fred smiled happily.

They hadn't intended to, but the weed had tired them out so much that they had fallen asleep until morning, both of them finding it hilarious when they found out.

"You stayed over at Alice's?" FP said, suspiciously.

"Yeah? So?" Fred shrugged.

"Something happened between you two?" He asked, needing to know.

"Haven't you heard what I just said? She's like a sister to me. Of course not." Fred said, laughing a little.

He couldn't even imagine being with Alice like that. She was beautiful, but she was like family. That would just feel wrong.

"Besides, I don't think you're in the position to be jealous. You're the one that moved on this time, not Alice." Fred pointed out, which is something FP ignored.