Terror Twin [Def Leppard] #Wattys2016

XXIV: Love Bites

The man sat with his two best friends at his side.

The guitar Phil had gotten him in his lap, a bottle of the finest whiskey he could buy next to his knee.

He took another swig and placed it back down, strumming a few chords on his unplugged guitar.

A few more strums, a few more power chords, he found himself playing one of his favorites off their soon-to-be-released album.

"Love bites, love bleeds, it's bringin' me to my knees."

The blonde bit his lip, reminding himself that no one was around to hear him sing.

He sung a little louder.

"Love lives, love dies, it's no surprise."

He sighed softly, letting his grown out hair land over his eyes. He didn't need to see his guitar to play it flawlessly.

"Love begs, love pleads, it's what I need."

The man realized he was hunched over his guitar, sniffling. He accepted this, though, and sobbed until his eyes burned.

"Steve?"

He glanced up, his golden mane falling out of his face.

"Yes, beautiful?"

Phi crouched down beside him, wiping tears away with his thumb.

"Sweetheart, why are you crying?"

Phil sat down, purposely moving the bottle away from his boyfriend, who laid down with his head in Phil's lap.

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Steph'. Are you done packing?"

"Yeah."

"Just three shows, baby boy. Then the album's out. And then it's really showtime." Phil pressed a kiss to Steve's forehead, running his fingers through his hair.

"Okay."

Steve closed his eyes, nuzzling into Phil's body.

"Would it be okay if I was addicted to you instead of my bottles?" Steve asked, staring up at Phil with large, puppyish-eyes.

"That would be wonderful." Phil chuckled, enjoying the short period of bonding they had.

"Good, because right now I like both, but I think I like you more." Steve grinned, reaching up and caressing Phil's face.

"You're so sweet." Phil whispered, biting his lip. Steve had fallen asleep on his lap. He must've been up late packing.

"Just three shows."

•

"Elliott, count to ten."

"One, two, three-"

"Alright, the mic should be fine. Sing somethin' high. We don't want interference."

Joe went ahead and did so, obeying the man testing the microphones.

"That's good. You can turn it off now."

Joe flicked the mic off, stepping back to where his boyfriend was tuning his shiny white bass.

"You ready for tonight?" Joe smiled, ruffling his lover's hair. Sav growled, fluffing back up the spot Joe had flattened.

"Yeah, I just hope Steve isn't gonna be as fuckin' smashed as he is now when we go on."

"He's going to be fine, excuse you." Phil's sweetly sarcastic voice carried over to the couple, a scowl crossing his lips.