Guns N Roses: A Second Chance

Chapter Eleven: Pain

Duff looked to his son.

"What do you think's up with your Uncle Izzy?" Duff asked. Little Duff shrugged his shoulders and drank the milk Duff had just given him. "Do you think he's road gay?" Little Duff tilted his head in confusion. "Do you even know what that means?" Duff said more to himself than his son. Little Duff gurgled happily.

"Jack Daniels!"

"No." Duff groaned. His son's favorite (And only) two words just had to be about alcohol. Duff didn't really mind so much but it was on his conscious. "Come here," Little Duff stood on shaky legs. He took one small step and fell forwards. Thankfully he fell into Duff's arms. "Are you ok?" Duff asked as he held his son close to his chest.

"Yesh." Little Duff chirped. Duff chuckled softly. He headed up the stairs and stopped at the Master Bedroom door. He gently sat Little Duff down and knocked.

"What?" Axl's voice demanded. Duff opened the door slightly and poked his head in. Erin was perched on the bed, talking softly to Axi, who was dozing off. Axl was standing next to Erin. He was only in his boxers.

"Ax what are you doing?" Duff asked quietly as to not alert Axi.

"Well I was soaked from the run/walk so I'm getting dressed," Axl remarked. "Now what is it?" Duff hesitated. Izzy's business was his own. Informing Axl probably wouldn't do anything other than make the homophobic ginger mad.

"Is Izzy road gay?" Axl froze. Duff regretted asking. Then Axl let out a forced laugh.

"Of course he's not! He knows better!"

"What do you mean he knows better?!" Duff exclaimed but Axl ignored him. Duff stared at Axl's back as Axl pulled on a shirt. He turned to Duff.

"Get out man," The ginger ordered. Duff sighed and closed the door. Axl pulled on a pair of white shorts and grinned at Erin. Erin rolled her eyes. Axi was fast asleep.

Duff glanced at his son with a shake of his head.

"You're living in a crazy world Little Duff," he remarked. Little Duff didn't respond. Duff frowned. Something was really wrong with the toddler. He was whining and looking around. "What is it son?" Little Duff's lips formed the problem but he couldn't say it. He looked around more. He started to crawl towards the steps.

"Woah now," Duff said, quickly grabbing Little Duff. He squirmed though, trying almost desperately to get out of Duff's arms. The action earned a frown from the bassist. "What's wrong?" Little Duff whimpered. "Does it have to do with Izzy?" Duff questioned. Little Duff hesitated, then nodded slightly. Duff's frown deepened. He was worried about Izzy now. What was wrong with Izzy that Little Duff seemed to understand?

Meanwhile...

Just give him the toy and leave just give him the toy and leave Izzy told himself over and over again as he walked back to the orphanage. He held the toy guitar to his chest. Just give him the toy and leave just give him the toy and leave.

Izzy forced the doors open with one hand. The woman at the desk looked slightly surprised to see him. She smiled at him. He returned it hesitantly.

"He's in the toddler ward to your right," She said warmly. Izzy was slightly startled but he was in too much of a hurry to comment. He walked briskly down the right hallway. Just give him the toy and leave just give him the toy and leave. Izzy told himself over and over as he walked. He didn't want to give into his heart. He couldn't raise a child; he wasn't fit or sane enough to do so.

Izzy walked into the toddler ward. He saw Izzy Jr all right. Izzy Jr was looking up in terror at a man who was holding him. The man had slicked back balding blonde hair that was bleached. It looked terrible. He wore no shirt and looked like he had tried to tan but failed at it and had a very noticeable beer belly. He had an ugly plaid jacket on him that made him look really fat. He wore shorts that exposed chalk white legs. His arms were badly sunburned and his blonde mustache had black in it, making Izzy wonder if he had tried to dye it black.