He'd been stood up... Again.
He didn't know why women never seemed to find him attractive. His last relationship didn't exactly end well either.
"We should see other people."
The only words he could remember in his now drunken state. What was it? His accent? His green hair? We're these things just turned as a joke in America?
Oh how he wished he could just fly on back to Ireland and be with his friends and family again. Everything would be okay then.
Well, at least he wouldn't be sitting at a bar by himself on another stood up tinder date downing his tenth drink in an hour. He should probably slow down but, oh well...
Who cares anyway right?
"Can I get another please?" Jack asked the barman as he watched him cleen out some glasses and place them on a tray.
"You driving tonight?"
"Nah, I'll get a cab."
The barman nodded and pulled back the tap to let another glass full of forgetfulness fill its edges.
"Cheers."
Another glass downed and he lifted himself from his stool, paid and walked for the exit.
Until he bumped into someone and caused them to spill their drink.
"What the fuck! What do you think you're doing pipsqueek??" the man roared at him as beedlets of bitter dripped down his graying beard.
"M' sorry, I didn't mean ta'" Jack slurred as he tried to step past, but to no advance.
"Where do you think you're going?? Foreign bitch. Back to you're own country I hope!"
"So do I."
"Don't you talk back to me!"
Jack felt himself being lifted from the ground as the man with the meaty fist lifted himself from his chair, a nice fistfull of Jack's shirt imbedded in his hand.
The first thing he felt was a fist collide with his stomach, and then another but if he was being honest, he could barely feel it at all. The numbing of the alcohol doing its job but not as well as it could be because Jack could definitely feel the blood slipping carelessly from the corner of his lips.
"Fuck off back home you Irish fuck!"
"Max put him the fuck down!"
Who was that? Jack thought to himself as the punches stopped and he heard another, but this one was not directed at him, it was going straight for the tan man with the bright red hair.
"Fuck off Mark. You've got no business here!"
"I do when you're beating my friend."
Friend?
"You know this piece of shit?"
*snap* that had to be a nose going crunch, that and Jack falling to the floor shortly after.
The man that had held him above the sea of drunken eyes was now lying on the floor next to him, blood falling from his disfigured nose and against the dirty tile.
The room span a little before Jack noticed he was being hauled back to his feet. He looked to the bright haired man who was walking him over to a booth and now sitting him down dashing off behind the bar and coming back shortly after with a towel looking thing.
"You alright buddy?"
"Well Merk I~'ve beeen better, but tank' ya for that."
Mark smiled at Jack as he handed him the cold ice wrapped in the small towel and helped him place it against his ribs and sitting down in the booth opposite him.
"Wanna drink?"
"Love one."
"Coming right up!"
Mark pulled his mobile from His pocket and dialed in a number before putting it to his ear.
"Had Bob it's Mark, can you bring a couple beers out for me and my friend please?"
Silence.
"What do you want man?" Mark asked, placing his hand over the receiver.
"Bourbon will be fine."
"Four Jim will do fine, and bring the shot glasses and bottle."
He hung up.
"Does this place do home delivery now?" Jack asked him new friend giggling along to what he has said.
"Nah, I just know the guys, so the drinks are on me." He replied laughing along with Jack.
A few moments later their drinks arrived and Jack popped the ring-pull on his can, putting it to his lips and taking in a decent mouthful. Its gorgeous stuff, great fun to drink and has a sweet taste to it. It was one of his favourites.
"What are you doing here ahhh, what was you're name?"
Jack giggled again, not that he'd admit to it being a giggle.
"M' names Sean, but just call me Jack. N' another tinder date gone wrong."
Mark laughed, "Another? Why? What's the problem?"
"I wish I knew! There must just be something very unlikeable about me."
"Well I don't find you unlikeable."
"Thats because you don't know me."
"Well let me get to know you." There was a smooth smile plasered against Marks lips as he asked to know Jack better.
"Wanna go back t' me apartment so you ca~n get ta know me there?"
A dangerous smile found its way across Jack's face, and Mark chuckled to himslef before downing his last can, throwing back a shot and nodding as Jack did the same.
"You better not be a serial killer."
"Only in bed."
Marks cheeks heated up and he had no idea if it was the alcohol of Jack's statement but either way, he had no idea how someone could stand up such a nice guy. There was nothing wrong with him in Mark's eyes, and he was tempted to take him up on his offer.
"Alright, let's go Jackaboy."
Mark pulled Jack upright, as Jack's downed a final shot before stumbling away with an also lightweight drunken Mark holding him up.
But Jack being Jack, he was dizzying with every step and he tripped over his own two feet.
Mark laughed at the Irish man lying in the middle of the pub, a smile and giggle erupting from him as he tried to help him up.
"What's so funny?" Mark giggled.
"Be careful Merk, because I think I've just fallen fer you~"
Mark lent down and planted a kiss on the Irish man's lips befor pulling him back up and stumbling out the door to find themselves a taxi, or walk.
Either way, Jack wasn't going home alone tonight.
