A Mutual Love

The Boys

Amsterdam. Red Light District. 6:45 p.m. Friday night.

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"If I sink this next shot, you owe me twenty bucks, Fallon."

Another guy snorted from the corner. "Like he even HAS that much."

Jimmy was leaning on his cue stick; a hop, skip, and a tequila shot away from being totally wasted. Despite that, he had a determined and slightly concerned look on his face, desperately wanting his buddy, Gerard, to fuck up so badly that he would owe HIM money.

The air was tense as Gerard lined up the shot; tongue sticking out slightly and cue stick reflecting the shitty light of the bar. It was almost as if everyone collectively held their breaths as he took the shot; not letting it out until the white ball bounced off the corner of the table and hit the orange one, sending it hook, line, and sinker into the other corner pocket.

Cue a victory dance from Gerard and a loud groan from Jimmy, fishing his wallet out of his pocket. He delays it some; taking time to draw out the twenty from his pocket, hesitantly holding it out towards his friend. Gerard snatches it up and grins, stuffing it into his jeans pocket and clapping Jimmy on the shoulder. "Thanks, Jimbo. You're a pal."

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Amsterdam. 7:00 p.m. That same Friday night.

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"Josh, I swear to God...." Seth mutters under his breath, finding that his gel bottle was completely empty. "You owe me a bottle of this!" He yells then, out to his brother in the living room.

"You're the one who used up my shampoo the other day!" Josh yells back, his gaze not leaving the book he was reading. "Now we're even!"

Seth rolled his eyes as he rinsed out the bottle and set it on the counter to be recycled later. "---Still owe me one," he mutters again; wiping his hands on his jeans and retreating to where his brother was. "'Ey. Feet off the coffee table."

Josh gives him a pointed look; eyebrows raised and head tilted downward, before sighing and removing his legs from the table. "You're such a woman."

"No, I'm just neat. My house, my rules, Poshy." Seth motioned for Josh to scoot over, and when he didn't, shoved him and squeezed in; settling into the couch before Josh could push him out. "So....you up for going out tonight?"

"Eh....Kinda just wanna finish my book." Josh didn't look up, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips; he enjoyed teasing his older brother. "Don't know if I can handle another night of booze, sin, and debauchery."

Seth rolls his eyes and shoves him again; this time staying there so that Josh was leaned over the arm.

"Seriously? You're such a child."

"Am not."

"Are too."

He relents; letting his brother straighten. "So do you wanna go out or not?"

"I said yes, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. In your usual sarcastic way."

"Okay then. That settles it."

"I guess it does."