Since I Don't Have You (Guns N' Roses - Duff McKagan)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Waking up in the morning to being completely sandwiched between two men, I looked on either side of me. Duff was to my left, his arm draped over my body as he laid on his stomach, his blonde hair messily hung around his face and the pillow we seemed to be sharing. Izzy was to my right, he was laying on his side with his back facing me, but he was snuggled in close to me. It wasn't a bad way to wake up, my best friend beside me and also the man I loved. It probably wasn't the best look to be in between two men, but it wasn't the first time it has happened.

There was no chance of me getting up without waking either of them, so I thought I would just lay there for a while, listening to them both quietly snore. It was peaceful, I could definitely say that. As I continued laying there, I found my mind wondering about Duff. Last night he was miserable. Not over any fights between us, but his own mental fight with himself. The craving of wanting drugs, the itch he was getting because he hadn't taken, snorted or injected anything. He wanted to stay clean, he was fighting it off to the point that he was crying out for help, for a distraction. That was something I had never witnessed before on Duff. Years ago, he wouldn't have even admitted anything to me, so by him coming to my door like he did, it meant something. Duff wanted to change, he wanted to drop his addictions, but it was a lot harder than what either of us thought. It was going to be hard, I could see that. But Duff was willing to battle it out and I couldn't have been more proud.

Feeling the bed jolt, I looked over to my left to see that Duff had woken up with a startle. Taking a deep breath, Duff let out a cute sigh as he rolled off of his stomach and onto his back, retracting his arm from me. With his eyes shut for a little while longer, I decided to roll onto my side, facing Duff. This seemed to have alerted Duff and his eyes opened tiredly. His brown eyes focused on the ceiling for a few seconds until he turned his face towards me.

Duff's eyes traced over my face and a small smile played on his lips. "Mornin' Shell." He quietly murmured.

"Morning Duff." I whisper back, watching as he did a big stretch and yawned.

Duff rubbed his face and eyes and then he suddenly jolted up, as if he just remembered something. "Ah shit." Duff ran a hand through his hair and allowed his eyes to land on Izzy. "You and Izz sleepin' together while he's staying here?" Duff asked, a glimmer of jealousy flashing through his eyes.

"Well my spare bedroom isn't exactly empty." I nodded. "And what's wrong?"

Duff's attention seemed to smash back towards whatever thought had crossed his mind. "I forgot to feed Harley last night and I bet he'll be bustin' for a piss."

Izzy let out a groan and rolled over, running right into me. "Sorry Shelia." Izzy grunts, rolling back the other way and sitting up. "Heya Duff, how you feeling?" Izzy yawned, obviously seeing that Duff was also awake and sitting up.

"Better." Duff replied back with a small nod.

"I need a coffee." Izzy slowly climbed out of bed and stretched. "Want one, Duff?"

"Thanks, but no. I really gotta get back to the apartment. Harley is going to eat me alive." Duff rolled out of bed and did the same as Izzy. "I gotta take a leak." He then shrugs and walks into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

"Morning, Izzy." I flashed him a small smile.

Izzy held a smile as he bent down closer to the bed. "Go with him." Izzy encouraged. "I think Duff would appreciate it, especially after how he was last night."

"We'll see." I continued laying in bed.

"Harley would love to see his Mommy." Izzy stood back upright and left the bedroom soon after.