Tea Boy: A Deacury Fic

Chapter 39: Dreaded Month of the Year

Time skip to August 1971

(A/N: I definitely forgot the timeline is 1971 RIP, let's just time skip for the time being)

-John's POV-

The next morning marked the start of a new month, and it was the one I dreaded most: August. The only bright spot was my birthday on the 19th, but after I turned fifteen, I stopped caring about celebrating it. That all changed, though, when I turned eighteen and had my first drink—an espresso martini. Freddie was a bit shocked when I told him, but technically, eighteen is the legal drinking age anyway. His reaction was a mix of amusement and surprise, but he didn’t make a big deal about it. That one small act of rebellion felt oddly liberating, as if I was finally giving myself permission to grow up a little. Looking back, I realize that August, with all its heat and humidity, had never really been the problem. It was my own hesitance that made it feel so heavy. Now, even the stickiest of days seem a little lighter—like the world was opening up just a bit more for me.

Come to realization, that's probably how my addiction started. After my birthday party that day in 1969, I bought a different kind of alcohol which in later would become my favorite alcoholic drink: wine. I remember having a taste of bitterness mixed with fermented fruits burning against my young throat. It tasted incredible still. But being a fresh young adult man, I will admit I did go a little batshit crazy after one drink, to relive that moment would be crazier enough. But I'm currently bonded to Freddie and he wants me to be sober. Said that it'd be healthy for the both of us.

Healthy.

I also realized that I've lost a little more weight than last time. Yes of course I was eating quite a bit, but every time I do, it's off of me weeks later. This detoxification is in my opinion doing more damage to my body than the alcohol did. I need to find something to gain a little more weight, but no, Freddie says I'm fine and don't need to gain any more weight. Oh please, he's just secretly calling me a stick figure.

Another thing could be is just drinking plain water, and not the sparkling water Freddie bought. I enjoy however that everytime I only drink only a little of that fancy tap water, I hand him the rest of it. He probably thinks that I either don't like it or that I get too full from drinking regular water that I no longer need a drink. He assumes the first when I assume the second.

Anyway, Freddie went out again for the same things—sparkling water and herbal tea. I was still in bed, thinking about our upcoming gigs and whether we were good enough to pull off an introductory album. "John, I'm back!" I heard Freddie call. I just hoped he hadn’t brought back anything ridiculous.

"What did you bring this time?" I sighed, getting up to see him. "Oh, just more of that water you liked, and more mocktail ingredients," he replied casually.

"Freddie, I never said I liked the sparkling water. I always end up giving it back to you.", I stated. "Which I find rather wasteful, but I do drink it eventually, so it doesn’t go to waste," Freddie pointed out.

Ha! I knew he'd say that! I'm glad he does drink the rest. Besides, it's "healthy."

"At least you're the one drinking them and that I must appreciate." I sass. "Honey, I'm not a garbage disposal. Either you drink them or I will. If that's the case, then we'll have to find you another substitute for those cravings.", Freddie instructed. "Water will be my only substitute for now! At least don't look like a fat fucking pig!" I cried. Speechless, we both stared in silence.

"I'm sorry I just...", I uttered, humiliated at my behavior, "Lately, I've become more self conscious about my weight. I've been worried about it since that substance has completed dissolved from me." "Deakling, I've told you several times already, you look great as you are.", he comforts. "I know, but—"

He shushed me and pressed a finger against my lips. "I said it once and I'll say it again. Your body is beautiful just the way it is, and you can't take it back because I'm not letting you do that. There's no need to try and gain any of it back.", he soothed, he then pressed a kiss on my cheek, "Is that understood, my dear?" I sighed with a drab, "Yes."

"Good. And I just remembered it is August. Your birthday is on the way, isn't it, lovie?", Fred cooed. "It is, but I'm not really looking forward to it. I stopped caring at fifteen, I told you that, remember?", I complained. "I do, but you also told me at eighteen, your incredibly awful habit began. Gosh you were so rebellious!", chanted my partner. " Your point, being?"

"We still should celebrate, it only comes once a year you know. Not only that, you're getting out of your teens and into the 20s.", he mentioned.

I knew exactly what he was thinking. He wants to make mocktails, invite our neighbors over, and ask me to dance, but I really can’t go along with that. That housewarming party we had was honestly shit. "We can have the other two over this time since Brian told me they made up. You know what, this could be more of a sobriety celebration as well! Yeah, it can definitely work—"

"I'd much rather catch a stage play than throw a bash for my so-called twentieth birthday! If I can't do what truly makes me happy, what's the point of celebrating another year in my life?", I snapped, tears filling my eyes quickly. I couldn't say any further, I was so frustrated that I stormed back into our bedroom and shut the door.

I laid back in bed, hiding under the bedspread and not letting a single tear fall. I knew I still had to calm down eventually.

I think I'm fucking losing it.