Addicted

11

The minutes passed by so much slower than Nico remembered. When he used to visit, hoping for a just glimpse of Will's soft blue eyes, or his easy-going smile, time would fly by. But today, today, as he perched on his stool in the corner behind the bar, the time just would not pass. He felt like he had been there for hours, days, even. He had had to dodge every question that Will shot him, and was now sitting in a puddle of guilt, unable to face even the most random of strangers. His stomach turned. "I'm going out." He muttered, just loud enough for Will to hear him without turning to face him. 

"Out? Where? When will you be back?" The questions were so innocent, so well-meaning, and it made Nico angry. I can't stay here. He huffed in response and shoved his way out the back door, not looking back until the cool night air hit his face in a rush and ruffled his hair. He started walking. This is stupid. Why did I think this would ever be a good idea? God, I need a drink. The thought stopped him in his tracks. He had never seriously considered drinking before, but now, it didn't seem like such a bad option. He didn't intend to have more than he could handle, anyway, and certainly didn't want to become addicted, so one drink couldn't hurt. Two drinks couldn't hurt. Maybe three. Maybe later. I just stormed out on Will, who still thinks I'm trying to get better and probably wouldn't give me a drink if I asked him to. I'll wait till he's off his shift, or maybe he keeps some alcohol at home. The amount of thought he was putting into the idea concerned even him, but for some reason, he couldn't put the idea away. For now, though, he had to get back to the bar. 

Will leaned his head into his arms for a second before sitting up straight again, still at the counter. "God," he mumbled. "What's his problem? I didn't do anything. At least, I don't think I did anything." He stood, ran a hand through his hair, and turned to Kayla, who had just missed Nico's exit. "Kayla, I'm going out for a second, okay? I'm just going to take a quick walk."

"Fine," she hummed, sensing the tension in her friend's eyebrows. "Take your time. It's not too busy, I can handle it." Will thanked her mentally before grabbing his coat and opening the door. It was cold, which he hated. The sun had long since gone down, and the evening was just illuminated by the lamps on the streets and the glow of his phone. He wasn't going to look for Nico. He didn't want to have to face him so soon without knowing what to say, or what was wrong. It wouldn't be fair, he thought. I don't want to make him uncomfortable. He'll come back. If not to the nightclub, then he'll come home for sure. The thought made Will sigh, and he closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the drifting scent of mint and roses. We'll be fine.

Will wasn't at the counter when Nico walked back in. It was hot and stuffy, and he pulled at his sweater a little bit, trying to blow a bit of cool air back in his face. He flicked his hood over his eyes, something he hadn't done in a while, and sat down on the opposite side of the bar. I haven't been on this side in a while. Not since Will took me in. The thought lingered for a moment before Nico was flooded with guilt again, and he drummed his fingers on the countertop. Kayla turned towards him, not recognizing the boy with his hood up. He didn't blame her, since they hadn't really met. In fact, he was almost grateful. "I don't really care. Anything." He muttered, and she shrugged. "How's a vodka?"

"Fine." His heart raced a little, knowing this time he was actually going to go through with it. He'd done the easy bit, the bit he'd done so many times before- he'd ordered it. Kayla slid the glass over to him, and he glared at it for a minute. Will might come back at any moment. Now was his only chance. 

Nico picked up the glass in one hand and chugged it, not bothering to take it slow for fear of chickening out. It stung his throat and left a spicy aftertaste in his mouth, but it wasn't awful. He rolled the glass in his hands before making up his mind. "Can I have another one?"

-

The black-haired boy flopped onto the couch, the house still empty except for him. He was having trouble keeping his vision steady, so he closed his eyes altogether, even though he wasn't tired in the slightest. Huhh... this is a funny feeling. He laughed quietly to himself for a minute, his snickers turning to loud cackles at his own situation. Eventually, he quieted down, still letting out the occasional puff of laughter through his nose. I'm gonna escape. Esc-a-pe. Awayyyyy. Nico opened his eyes as the front door opened. "Mmm-mmm, someone's in trouble," he sang to himself. "Shh! Will's gonna see you all drunk and he'll be mad. Shhh."

"Nico?" Will's voice rang through the house, and one by one, the lights flickered on. Will stood over Nico, worry etched into his face and hands on his hips. "Jesus Christ, Nico, you can't disappear like that. I was worried." Nico didn't respond. He didn't trust himself to speak. Will crouched down to his level. "Are you okay?"

"'M fine." Nico attempted to turn his head away, but Will caught it. "Your breath smells like ethanol, Nico, what the hell?" He stood. "You've been drinking, haven't you?" He let out a heavy sigh and buried his face in his hands, turning away from the couch. "God, I thought you were getting better."

"I was never bad," Nico announced, the words jumbling as he tried to sit up straight. "I... am the best. Go to bed, you." Will tugged at his curls, frustrated. "What happened?! You were doing so well! What went wrong, did I do something?" Nico stood and stumbled. "So pretty, so nice, Will, it's such a shame."

Will blinked. "What's such a shame? Why aren't you being straight with me? What are you hiding?!" Question after question spilled from his mouth, rushing out like water in a brook, and his head pounded from thinking and tugging his hair. Nico put a hand on Will's cheek, ignoring the questions. "I won't see these eyes again," he hummed wistfully, then turned around and stretched his arms as though he hadn't spoken.  Will burned with rage. Not a single of his questions had been answered, and now he was only getting half responses. He gripped Nico's wrist tightly and yanked him back, forcing him to face the blonde boy. "Tell me, right now. Why did you start drinking again?" He growled lowly. Nico squinted, finally registering the question. "It's none of your business."

"Please!! I need to know if I did something wrong!" 

"Shut up! This isn't about you." Nico snapped, trying to yank his arm back. Will held tight. "Please! Just tell me what's wrong! Tell me what you mean when you say you won't see me again-" 

"Why?! It doesn't matter! Nothing matters!! I'm leaving, and I won't have to deal with any of the goddamn guilt, the lying, the pain that you give me! Stay away!" He successfully pulled his arm away this time, head pounding and body swaying a little. Any noise that he should've heard was muffled now, and his eyes fluttered, trying to focus. A curse slipped through his lips before his legs gave out and he hit the floor.