FIC: What happens in Thailand (5/7)
Title: What happens in Thailand (5/7)
Pairing(s)/character(s): Nate, Brad, Ray, Encino Man, Walt, Griego
Rated: M
Disclaimer: I do not own, etc
Summery: Ray takes pictures and gets punched.
A/N: A HUGE thank you to lauren_dearest, for being an awesome beta!!
What happens in Thailand
Chapter Four
Bust up
Brad opened his eyes, blinking in the morning light and smiling as he felt the weight move against his arms. He was cradling Nate to his chest, Nate’s hands sleepily tracing circles on his back, their legs entwined.
‘Say cheese, fuckers!’
There was a flash and the two were temporarily blinded. ‘What the-?’ Brad muttered, groggily as the two looked up. Ray was sat, cross-legged at the bottom of the bed, a camera in his hands. ‘What’re you doing, you trailer trash, burger-chomping dickfuck?’
‘Holiday memories, homes. I’m scrapbooking this shit.’
‘Go away, you rancid animal.’ Brad sunk his head back into the pillows. Ray merely grinned, rolling off the bed and straightening up.
‘Well, dude, I’m off to buy cheap Ripped Fuel. The prices here still fucking amaze me.’ He went to take a step towards the door, but stopped and turned back. There was an awkward look on his face. Brad and Nate looked back at him. He opened his mouth, but shut it, shaking his head. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Ray, come back here,’ Brad said to his retreating back, as you would to a teenager trying to sneak out. Ray sighed, then turned back to look at them. His shoulders were sagged, an uncomfortable expression on his face.
‘I fucked a guy,’ he admitted bluntly. ‘I went back again yesterday. And I want to go back today.’ For once, Ray looked pathetically vulnerable and unsure as he glanced between them. ‘Is that bad?’
‘It’s not bad,’ Nate replied, sitting up.
‘I’m not gay,’ he said, his tone defensive.
‘We didn’t say you were,’ grinned Brad, raising himself on his elbows. Ray frowned at the floor, fiddling with the camera as he thought things over.
‘I still like pussy, homes.’ Ray’s tone had not changed.
‘I know.’ It was uncomfortably silent for a few moments. Then there was a thunderous knocking on the door. Happy at any excuse to leave, Ray moved into the hotel room and pulled the door open.
He was met with a fist.
Ray reeled backwards, clutching his face as Encino Man came forward, fist raised again. ‘Fuck! Man, what the fuck?’ Ray staggered back into the coffee table, almost falling over it as Encino Man grabbed him. He swung his arm out, smashing a vase.
Brad frowned; both he and Nate clambered out of bed. They hurriedly pulled on shorts and ran out of the room.
Craig had Ray pinned on the coffee table, Ray punching back at him. Nate stormed forward, grabbing the bigger man and managing to pull him off.
‘Jesus fucking Christ, you psycho bastard!’ Ray yelled as Brad pulled him to his feet.
‘Stay away from Walt!’ Craig snapped back, but his voice broke and Nate saw tears in his eyes. ‘Stay away from him! It’s not fair.’
‘You almost took my fucking eye out!’ Ray hissed, one hand over his right eye.
‘Come on...’ muttered Nate, pushing him back out the hotel room. Encino Man leaned back against the wall, wiping away the tears. ‘What’s going on, Craig?’
‘They take everything,’ he replied, looking straight at him. ‘I had you first and... and now he’s trying to take Walt. It’s not fair.’ Nate watched him as Craig paced, shaking his head. ‘I just want something.’
‘It’s between them,’ Nate said. ‘Look, if Walt loves you, he’ll stay.’
‘He doesn’t.’
‘What?’
‘Walt doesn’t love me.’ There was silence at his words before Encino Man turned to him. ‘I know what’s going on. I’m just... there. It’s not fair.’ The two stared at each other, Nate unsure on how to comfort him.
The two looked across as Griego made his way towards him, an annoyed look on his face. ‘What’s all this noise?!’ he demanded. ‘My room is directly below yours. I heard a smash. If you break it, you pay for it.’
Nate sighed. ‘We’ll clean up.’ Griego peered inside.
‘Smashing up the rooms! Fighting! I bet you’re all high as well, aren’t you? And drunk! What are you on?’
Nate sighed, running a hand through his hair. He just wanted to take Brad and go home.
Another person appeared at the end of the hallway. Walt stood there, hesitating as he listened to the dumpy man rant with eyes on Craig, who was wiping away tears.
‘Are you Walt?’ Nate asked. He nodded as Brad and Ray came out the hotel room.
‘What’s going on?’ the blond ask uncertainly, moving forward.
‘Your fucking psycho boyfriend just tried to kill me,’ spat Ray, glancing at Encino Man.
‘He’s trying to take you away,’ he protested weakly.
‘No one’s taking me away,’ Walt frowned, his boyish look swapped for an irritated one. ‘Craig, this is stupid. You can’t just...’ he paused, gathering the right words. ‘...fight over me.’
‘Yeah, asshole. Fucking coming up here with fists flying.’
‘Ray, shut the fuck up,’ muttered Brad, looking between Encino Man and Walt. ‘I think we should all go inside and talk about this.’
‘I need payment!’ demanded Griego.
‘Ray, pay him.’
‘Why me?’ he scowled. Brad looked at him.
‘Because you broke it.’
Ray muttered something under his breath, before turning and stalking back into the hotel room, followed by Griego. Walt sighed.
‘Craig, go home.’
‘But-’
‘You’ve done enough.’ The words left Craig trembling. His clenched his shaking fists and nodded. He thought he’d been doing right by coming up here and showing Ray not to get between them. But, he’d just seemed to make things worse.
Moving past Walt, he glanced behind him, but the blond had already disappeared into the hotel room. Only Nate was watching him.
He’d lost them both.
--
‘How’s the eye?’ Nate asked, later that day. Ray had been sulking ever since he got punched. Walt had apologised, decided they shouldn’t see each other anymore and left. And Ray was now slumped on the sofa, his right eye bruised.
‘Fucking hurts.’
‘Keep some ice on it,’ Nate told him. ‘The swelling should go down in a couple of hours. Brad and I are going out,’ he said as Brad came into the room. ‘Are you coming?’ Ray paused, before looking up at them.
‘No. You go and have fun.’ He forced a smile. ‘I have things to do, homes.’
‘Ray, if you’re thinking of going back there-’
‘Leave me alone, Brad,’ Ray sighed, looking away. ‘Go and have fun. I’m not going to commit suicide or anything. Fuck; isn’t a bad idea though.’
Brad and Nate glanced at each other.
‘We’ll be back in a couple of hours,’ Nate told him.
‘Stay away from sharp objects,’ Brad said dryly and Ray looked up, this time with a genuine, if small smile.
‘I’ll be fine. I promise. Don’t talk to strangers or get into strange cars, no matter what they offer you, alright, dudes?’