Coveted [New/Revised Version]

DROWNING THE SORROW

     Halfway to his destination Sky swerved around and slammed down on the brakes. He forced himself to take calming breaths. His hands began shaking so badly that he could barely hold onto the wheel. A prickling sensation assaulted his eyes. Several minutes before he collected himself. Once he had, he made up his mind. He was in no condition to face another person.

Taking another deep breath, he started home.

Leo was already on the porch steps when Sky got there. He sat on the stoop in a plain white tee, jeans, and a tan jacket with his elbows propped on the step behind him. His sandy hair was unkempt from sleep and pointed up in spikes at odd angles. His eyes stayed trained on Sky as he walked from his car to the porch. Sky plopped down beside his cousin with a groan.

"Didn't know you woke up so early."

"I don't." Leo grunted. "Kinda hard to sleep when someone's bangin' on the windows like all Hell's 'bout to break loose."

"Sorry." Sky muttered.

Leo just shrugged and a companionable silence fell between the two. Sky stared up at the stars glittering above them. If he stared up long enough, maybe everything else would disappear. What was it like to be one of those stars? To be an inanimate force free of sentiment. How wonderful it must be to not feel.

"You wanna talk about it?" Leo broke the hush.

"Talk about what?"

"Whatever's got you worked up,"

"Nope."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"All right," Leo nodded. He stared at Sky sideways before standing. "Gimme your keys."

"Like hell!" Sky snorted. "Valentine barely drives Ruby. There's zero chance of you driving her."

"Just gimme the keys." Leo held out his hand impatiently.

Sky raised a defiant eyebrow, still not handing over his car keys. Leo grumbled something under his breath.

"Fine," He walked over to Ruby, "then you drive."

Sky rose to his feet when he realized Leo wasn't going to explain himself straightaway. Actually, he got comfortable in the front seat.

"Where are we going?" Sky asked, getting in too.

"Don't know." Leo shrugged. "Somewhere. Anywhere."

"Sounds like a plan." Sky started the engine.

"Solid." He agreed with a broad grin. "You look like, well... shit—"

"Nice." Sky rolled his eyes upon his intrusion.

"Since you don't wanna talk your problems out," Leo went on as though Sky hadn't uttered a word, "I reckon we gotta settle for the alternative."

"Which is?"

Leo reached into his jacket. When he withdrew his hand, he produced a flask. He unscrewed the top and held it out to Sky.

"Because I'm a man of such esteemed caliber," he winked, "I'm not gonna let you just sit and sulk around. Instead, we're gonna do the sensible thing anyone would do in a situation like this."

"Oh?"

"Yes, cousin." Leo's grin widened. "We're gonna get blasted til you feel better—or nothin' at all."