DuffIzzy

Estranged

Izzy stared silently out the window of his home in Lafayette. He was anticipating a visit from the blonde bassist Duff Mckagan. It has been too long since either one of them chatted. Since Duff had told Izzy he was engaged. To a model. A female model.

Axl had not been supportive when he learned his best friend was gay. What aggravated Izzy even more is that Axl is gay himself. Or was.

Riiiiinnnnnnngggg!The phone made Izzy jump a mile. His dog let out a sharp bark.
"Shut it," Izzy ordered. The dog was a puppy still and continued to bark. Izzy ignored her and picked the white phone up from it's cradle. He sat in a chair next to the phone. At once his puppy jumped up into his lap. "Hello?" Izzy said into the phone, gently running his free hand over the pup's head."Hiya Izz," Izzy rolled his eyes."What now Axl?" Izzy heard his friend hmph and imagined a scowl on the face almost no one recognized anymore."Don't talk to me like that!" Axl snapped. For a moment Izzy tried to imagine what his best friend looked like now. He hadn't seen his friend in six years back in '93. Axl seemed to have dropped off the face of the Earth after Duff left Guns or what's left of Guns.
"Sorry," Izzy said, his voice softer."Ah..it's ok..." Axl said softly. "Anyway what's up Izz? I know the last time we chatted I was being a prick...but that's in the past now? Right?" Izzy sighed heavily.
"Yeah I suppose so. But you're still a fucking hypocrite.""I know Izzy and I'm-"

"You fucking screamed at be for being a 'fag' but who is the one gay for Slash?" The moment the words were out of his mouth Izzy would he could yank them back into his mind. He pictured Axl wince at the words fag, gay, and Slash.

"So, what are you up to?" Axl said with faux pleasantness. Izzy sighed heavily.
"Just waiting on Duff. He said he'd visit today..." The phone hissed and it took Izzy a moment to realize Axl was sighing in anger and impatience."You can not be serious Izz. Please tell me you're not still in love with him right?" Before Izzy could answer Axl barreled on. "I mean Duff already broke your heart several times. He never even noticed your obvious hints. Remember that one day when you flat out grabbed his ass? He didn't get the hint then-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Izzy whispered. His cheeks were blotched with red. His knuckles were white from clutching at the phone. A part of him wanted to murder Rose but the prick was safe in California, some 3,000 or so miles away from little Lafayette. A bigger part of Izzy felt like hanging up, curling up in bed, and crying.

But Izzy ignored the violent part and he ignored his weaker part. He swallowed several times, trying to control his rage. The puppy whined and jumped out of his lap."What was that?" Axl asked."My new puppy. She's never seen me pissed off yet so I sort of terrified her." Izzy said tiredly, rubbing at his pale temples in irritation. All hope that Izzy had about Duff was gone. Axl had been right- he was still head-over-heels in love with the blonde bassist. He was also right about the younger man. Duff never seemed to have noticed the rhythm guitarist's obvious affection. Besides, Duff had a wife."Sorry," Axl said and although Izzy knew he really was he was still uber-pissed."Well whatever. Duff just wanted to hang is all," Izzy said coolly. The doorbell rang and the dog barked. "And now I have to go.""Wait Izzy!""What?" The doorbell rang again."Just get over it." Axl said softly. Izzy pressed the phone against his ear. "It'll save you a shit ton of heartbreak." The redhead hung up then and Izzy hung up as well."I'm coming!" Izzy called as Duff peered through the window. Izzy moved through his messy room and unlocked the door. Duff opened it and gave Izzy a warm smile. Izzy returned it weakly."Hiya Izzy!" Duff sang, stepping into the untidy house and closed the door behind him, shivering lightly. "Christ Izzy you should have stayed in California." The bassist said, unaware of Izzy's eyes studying him almost hungrily. "Or you shoulda' moved to Seattle. Where it rarely snows.""Y-yeah," Izzy mumbled, his face growing pink as he looked up and locked eyes with Duff. He forced himself to look away, not wanting to lose himself in those beautiful blue eyes. "I like it here." He mumbled. Duff made a face."You shouldn't have isolated yourself from us man," Duff chatted on and on. Izzy half listened, half realized he didn't remember the bassist being this gorgeous to look at. "..I mean Axl lost his mind after you left and that was pure hell...." Izzy winced slightly."I'm not in the mood to hear about Axl." The words were harsher than Izzy had intended. Duff looked startled. "We just had a bad conversation over the phone," Izzy added quickly.
"Oh...what about?" Duff asked, easing himself onto Izzy's couch. Izzy hesitated, then joined him, cautious about how close he got to Duff."Just..things. Life. Our separate bands..." Even though Izzy knew Duff would probably be clueless forever the last thing he wanted was for Duff to know Izzy liked him. No, Izzy loved Duff. Of course that made him a 'faggot' for having feelings for a man but that did not bother Izzy in the slightest. Unlike Axl he didn't have too much an ego to worry about being considered gay."Ah...well...shit happens..." Duff said, slightly awkward. Izzy's puppy hopped up into Izzy's lap then, eyeing Duff warily. "Awww! Who is this cutie?" Duff cooed. Izzy smiled."My new puppy. Never realized how lonely life is without a dog until Treader passed on last year. She doesn't have a name yet since I only got her a couple weeks ago...""Mind if I pet her?" Duff asked grinning. Dazzled by his radiant smile Izzy could only nod. Duff reached out his long arm and gently stroked the puppy's head. Izzy sucked in his breath and bit the insides of his cheeks when he saw how close Duff's hand was to his-Stop it, Izzy scolded himself. You're being stupid. He's only stroking the dog's head. Maybe Axl's right....I need to get over this. Or it's going to eat me alive.When Duff pulled his hand away his fingers lightly brushed the inside of Izzy's thigh and Izzy bit down hard on the inside of his cheeks, drawing blood."This is a nice place you have here," Duff commented, looking around. The walls were decorated with the classic line-up, as everybody was already calling it. Random articles that were framed were, of course, about Guns N Roses in their heyday. One that was framed very carefully was an article about Izzy and Duff.Izzy remembered that interview. Duff had had his hand on Izzy's leg and though it meant nothing to the younger man it had left the older man in a painfully loving daze for hours. When Axl had found him the singer had shaken his head at the dazed younger man. He had said something then but it wasn't until now that the raven haired rhythm guitarist remembered his words."'Being gay is a bitch Izzy. It's love bitch.'" Axl had said harshly and....sadly. Longingly. Of course Axl understood. Izzy regretted yelling at him now."Izzy?" Duff asked softly. Izzy looked at him."Y-yeah?" Izzy stammered. For a moment Duff seemed to struggle for words. Izzy waited patiently.Suddenly Duff was leaning in and so was he and their lips met. Izzy's heart pounded in his chest and he wrapped his arms around the bassist's neck. Duff's arms wrapped around his slender waist as their kiss became more intimate. Before either of them could advance further Duff pulled away, leaving Izzy gasping softly, his face bright red."Oh Izzy..." Duff breathed softly against Izzy's pale neck. "I've been wanting to do that for a long time...""W-wha-huh-why-" Izzy was lost for words. Duff smiled loving and brushed some of Izzy's hair out of his face."Izz....I left her. That model-"

"B-but why-" Duff gave Izzy a quick peck on his lips.

"I was in love with you," Duff began softly. "But I thought you were straight so I made myself date women...but then... Slash told me about you....so I had to break up with Susan...." Duff smiled weakly. "I never realized how badly I needed you until you were gone." Izzy never knew how romantic Duff could be. He buried his face in Duff's hair.Duff snaked his arms around Izzy and kisses his head. "I need you Izzy...." He whispered softly.Izzy looked into Duff's eyes and sucked in his breath silently when he saw the serious truth in his crush's eyes."Will you be mine?" Duff asked softly. Izzy pressed his lips together, afraid his voice would crack. He saw the worry in Duff's eyes and forced himself to smile shyly.
"Of course my love," Izzy whispered softly. A grin lit up Duff's face as he leaned in for another passionate kiss. The two felt it in their hearts then that this was the start of a new, loving beginning for the both of them.