⌞ the chain ⌝

*⌞ four : visits ⌝*

(drunk mc , alcohol abuse )

_

"You and that need to learn everything."

_

I fumbled with my keys, trying to get my vision to clear. Phoenix was whispering about letting me help but I kept shaking my head. I wanted to do it myself. After a few more minutes, I got it and unlocked the door.

"You're home late."

I looked up from the floor, where I had been watching to make sure I didn't trip over myself. The voice had made me pause. I knew it but the alcohol was clouding my mind, I couldn't place it. And it took a second for my mind to register the face but when it did, my heart dropped.

"Lewis... hi."

I looked back at Phoenix and he was beyond star-stuck. I rolled my eyes and pushed him towards the door. He could meet them later. Right now, I was about to get in so much trouble and I didn't exactly feel like having a show for that. Once he was out the door, I took slow steps over to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. I chugged it down before sitting on one of the barstools, waving to Lewis.

"Go for it. Get your lecture out."

"I'm not going to lecture you, Lu. I just want an explanation."

I looked up to watch him sit down next to me. My brain hurt, trying to figure out why he wasn't yelling at me. I had fucked up. I mean, I was only sixteen and here I was, drunk, in front of a man I had started to consider my father and he wasn't yelling. I tried to drink more of my water but it made me nauseous, gagging.

"Slow down there, champ."

Lewis took the glass from me and stood up, wetting a cloth. He put it over my forehead and I hummed my gratitude. He sighed, taking his seat back.

"Is it just drinking?"

"What do you mean?"

"No drugs?"

I laughed and it caused me to gag again. I took a few breaths, slapping Lewis's hand away. "No, just alcohol."

He nodded and I could feel the disappointment coming off of him in waves. I wondered if I was just imagining it. I could feel the tears start to come down my face and then Lewis helped me off the chair and to my room. He was gentle, helping me to get out of my racing clothes and into something comfortable. It was soft words and slow hands as he helped with my makeup as well. The softness of it all made me cry harder and the guilt started to build.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Lu. We can talk in the morning. Get some sleep."

I sniffled as I laid down. I wanted him to know that I was sorry. I didn't want to continue to be a disappointment or someone that he had to come to check on because I couldn't take care of myself in my grief.

_

The morning came with a headache, worse than any I had before. It was probably due to the crying. I couldn't exactly remember when I fell asleep but I do remember Lewis sitting with me, whispering things I didn't remember to help me calm down. I had fallen asleep crying, as I had done multiple nights before. But this had felt different. I hadn't been this broken in front of Lewis since the hospital. I was supposed to be getting better.

I sighed and rolled over to see water with some headache medicine. I chuckled at how much of a dad he was. Not that I would admit it, but I had started to rely on him more than I should have. If anything, he was always going to be the one I responded to.

I got out of bed, padding my way to the kitchen. Lewis was leaning against the counter, sipping at what I assumed to be a cup of tea. He must have heard me come in because he turned to look at me, a soft smile on his face. He looked tired. There were bags under his eyes and his smile didn't reach his eyes. I had hoped that I wasn't the cause. Lewis wouldn't tell me that I was, he was too nice for that but I could tell that having to deal with a teenager was starting to drain him.

"How's your headache, love?"

I shrugged. "Awful, but not the worst I've had. Thank you for the medicine."

He nodded, sliding a mug at me. "Lemon tea."

I walked over and took it. The liquid felt like heaven as it went through my body. I could feel the heat spreading and I could almost make myself believe that it was healing my awful hangover. Lewis chuckled at me and patted the spot next to him. I leaned against the counter, shoving myself up to sit down.

He was looking at me and I wished in that moment I could read minds. I wanted to make sure he wasn't disappointed or that he hated me. There was only so much people could take before they left. And it would only be a matter of time before Lewis hit that point.

"Lewis-"

"I'm not mad."

I blinked, turning to fully look at him. "I can home beyond drunk after having you sit here for god knows how long, and then you had to take care of me."

"Teenagers make stupid decisions."

"I'm illegally street racing."

Lewis blinked. "You got back in a car?"

"What- That's what you're focused on?"

"You got back in a car? You're driving a car?"

I nodded, starting to become confused. Lewis laughed, pulling me into a hug. I froze for a second, setting my cup down to make sure I didn't spill it on either of us. After a second, I hugged him back when he didn't hug me back.

"What- what is this for?"

"You are driving!" He pulled back, kissing my forehead. "Lu, do you realize how big of a step that is?"

"No...?"

He laughed again. "You are driving! After the hospital, you refused to even get in a car. But here you are, driving. And Jesus, you're racing!"

"I'm confused."

Lewis rolled his eyes. "You have beat a fear I don't think you realized you did."

I sat down for a second and thought about what he said. I was driving and I was racing. It might not have been the racing that Lewis exactly wanted but I was doing it. And I was winning. I wondered what Jules would think of this. Racing his cars on a similar version of the Monaco track and winning. I hoped he would be proud of me.

"Yeah, I guess. But it's illegal."

"We've all done illegal stuff, Lu."

"The drinking?"

"That we will need to talk about. Because you are still underage you should not be coming home drunk every night. I would really like it if you didn't drink at all."

I nodded, knowing that the lecture was coming.

"But, that talk can happen later. Right now, you are going to show me these driving skills of yours."

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a/n: shes backkkk and lewis too. the angsty shit is coming, do not worry. but i think we need a win for a second. also, george russell win in austria??? i will be celebrating that ALL DAY. as always, love it or don't :p