(Untitled)

[patriotqueen]

- It's just a drink. Alcohol clears the mind, sets one up for the day, or for the next one, until evening falls and a nightcap gently eases one to sleep again. Alcohol cleans the mind, like medication, keeps it preserved, keeps it all in working order, up and running. Alcohol numbs the mind, what hurt will be less painful, what worried will be

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[song_n_dance]

Cole had never been one to pay much attention to his surroundings; whether it was self absorption or an excess of imagination likely depended on who you asked. But he nearly didn't notice Guy at all as he approached on the path to the Compound--but did, finally, catch sight of the brim of his hat out of the corner of his eye.

His face brightened, as it tended to do in Guy's presence, and crouched down in front of Guy. It didn't take him long to smell the alcohol, though he didn't comment, just whipped off the orchid pinned to his lapel and handed it to Guy with a flourish.

[song_n_dance]

"Here." Cole took the bottle from him. "Why don't you let me take you home."

[patriotqueen]

Guy grinned drunkenly. "Always the gentleman," he said, barely noticing the bottle being taken from him.

[song_n_dance]

Cole got to his feet, tucking the bottle underneath one arm, and offering the other hand to Guy. "I have a lot of experience being put drunkenly into bed myself."

[patriotqueen]

"I have no doubt," Guy grinned, as he took the hand, leaning heavily on it as he stood up. It proved to be a lot harder to stand on his feet than it had before his unforseen break.

[song_n_dance]

"All right, here we go," Cole said cheerfully as they started on the way towards Guy's home. He kept one arm firmly around the other man to keep him upright as they stumbled on their way.

[patriotqueen]

Someone else might have felt shame in being dragged home by an older man, or been too proud to accept help. Guy did not suffer from such prejudices. He was smashed, and this was the fastest way out of the nauseating air. He had forgotten what he had gone out for, and 'out' had lost its appeal all-together.

To lighten the mood he started humming. Cole should know the song. It was one of his, after all.

[song_n_dance]

Cole laughed, and started to sing. "Well, have you ever, what a swell party this is..."

He almost commented that he'd played this song the night he met Linda. But for some reason he got the impression that Guy didn't like hearing about his wife. Or that at the very least it made him roll his eyes.

[patriotqueen]

Wives. No, Guy did not particularly like them. Especially not the picture-perfect red-lipsticked type. Kim knew this better than anyone. Kim's wife knew it even better.

"And have you heard the story of, a boy, a girl unrequited love," Guy continued.

[song_n_dance]

"I may cry... what a swell party is this is... have you heard, it's in the stars, next July we collide with Mars?" Cole stopped singing and added, "There look, we're almost there. Think you'll make it?"

[patriotqueen]

"With a song to warm my heart? Of course," Guy said, in such a manner that it sounded cheerful and deeply cynic at the same time.

[song_n_dance]

"All right then, here we go," Cole said as they approached the entrance. "Time to get out of this fresh air!"

[patriotqueen]

Out of the fresh air and into the hut, it sounded so simple, but the entrance was narrow and Guy was still leaning on Cole more than he should.

"Anthony?" He called in, but then realised that he wasn't in and that had been the whole reason Guy had gone out. "Oh, of course, the fucker's not in," he commented dryly.

[song_n_dance]

Cole lifted an eyebrow at that. "Are the two of you having a spat?" he asked as he carefully maneuvered Guy through the doorway. "Let's get you into bed where you can lie down."

[patriotqueen]

"He's a lying bastard; nothing new," he said and huffed disdainfully. Perhaps it was the state he was in, but those words hurt more than he thought they would. He looked away and concentrated on getting to the bed.

[song_n_dance]

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Cole said, which was really more of a way of offering to talk about it.