A New Normal || ClarksonHammondMay

Chapter 4

Sitting out on the grass in the yard with James and Jeremy, a glass of gin and tonic in his hand, Blea lying asleep right by his side, as they just stare up at the night sky wasn't what Richard entirely had in mind when he wanted to drink with two of his closest friends, but he'll take it. It's not something they usually do while drinking together, but seeing as it's a nice night out, James had suggested they move things to outside instead of inside.

And he's got to admit, Richard rather likes it. They need to drink outside like this more often. It feels good to drink outside in the fresh air instead of cooped up inside. Even if it's nighttime and starting to get a little cold out, causing them to put on a jacket.

Although, sitting out on the grass instead of on chairs admittedly might've been a bit of a bad idea, considering their old achy bones and the fact they might struggle to get back up afterwards (James in particular with his bad back, and himself with his gammy knee), but that hasn't seemed to bother them just yet. No doubt it will later, but the three of them just can't be arsed getting up and going to find three chairs. They're quite content to stay right where they are for the time being.

Thankfully, both James and Jeremy haven't brought up Mindy or the divorce yet, which Richard is grateful for. He doesn't want to talk about it anymore than he already has with them just yet, and they both understand. They understand that he'll talk more about it to them when he's ready. They're both more than happy to just sit and get drunk with him.

Unfortunately, they've not been getting as drunk as Richard would've liked, at least to begin with. But they don't have much alcohol on them to begin with, since he stupidly didn't stop off to buy more on the way home. Although, as he sits with James and Jeremy, he finds that he's pretty content just like this. More alcohol would be nice, but he's quite happy with what they've got, and is just happy to sit with them as they are now.

Actually, he finds himself happier right now than he's ever been in... a while.

He's not sure when he last felt as happy and content as he does now with James and Jeremy. Certainly not since the divorce, but strangely, he has a weird feeling that the last time he was this happy was also when he was with James and Jeremy. He's not sure when the last time he had felt this happy and content with Mindy was, and if he's being honest, he thinks it may have been a long time since he felt this way with Mindy.

A thought that doesn't quite sit right with him. As much as he loved Mindy, and still does because he'll never stop loving her, it seems as though he might not have been as happy with her as he once thought. At least not nearly as happy as he is when he's with James and Jeremy, even when they annoy and piss each other off.

Falling back onto the grass with a sigh, he closes his eyes. He doesn't want to be thinking about any of this right now. Not about Mindy, or the divorce. He just wants to erase it from his memory for tonight, and just enjoy this night drinking with his two best mates, not wallow in self pity.

Reasons why he wanted to get shitfaced tonight and forget everything at first until his wants had changed. Partly due to the lack of alcohol, but also because of how happy being around James and Jeremy makes him feel.

"You good, Hammond?" Jeremy asks, distracting Richard from his train of thought.

"I think I need more alcohol..." Richard sighs, turning to look up and over at Jeremy as the older man watches him carefully.

"You should've bought more on the way home then, you idiot." James says, voice surprisingly fond as he fixes up himself another gin and tonic - shockingly able to make one without spilling a drop even in the semi-darkness, and with his slight shakiness and poor vision. Not to mention the not entirely flat surface he's working with....