FIC - LoveSick

[xrockoutx116.livejournal.com]

New chapters! I have a bunch coming up because they were pre-written! So comment! A lot!

title: LoveSick
author: me
pairing: brad/chip
rating: 17+
summary: greg feels its time to move on; jeff starts to feel awkward; the boys go out for a night!

authors note- in chapter eight, ryan finally makes an appearance. just to warn you, he's a bit of a meanie.

 

Chapter 7

Greg walked into the house, feeling a tad worse than he did before he left this morning. He switched the light on and shook his shoulders a bit, trying to get as much rain off of him as possible.

As he walked to the fridge, a thought crossed his mind suddenly.

 

His life was utterly and completely pathetic. With no meaning. And no happiness.

 

He got up. He went to work. He went home. And he drank. A lot.

Pulling a beer out and walking over to the kitchen counter, he realized that maybe the others were right. Maybe he did need to move on with his life, it was starting to get sad. He was so stuck on this thought of Ryan and his preemptive strike to make his own life miserable that maybe it was his own fault. Maybe he actually had to put some effort into it.

This wasn’t like him, and he knew it. He always was the one to stand his ground, no matter what other people did or what they said. He was a confident person and it usually showed. Except around Ryan.

Ryan just had this hold over him. He made it so Greg’s exterior crumbled. All bearings Greg had simply shattered. And after two or so years, he was finally realizing he needed to move on. Maybe it had to do with the fact that the tapings had to stop every twenty minutes or so because Greg would be intimidated by Ryan. Or maybe he was finally getting things into perspective. It didn’t matter. He had to get over it, plain and simple.

A figure shuffled into the room, which Greg later realized was Jeff. Jeff, who still had not noticed Greg, walked to the garbage can and dropped a bag into it. He turned around and was about to continue to the den when he jumped and yelped a bit. “Holy shit.”

Greg gave him a wave. Jeff took a deep breath. “I didn’t know you were here.” He stumbled slightly over to the table, grabbing the edge as he went. He slid into the chair. “So, how was work today?”

Greg laughed loudly. “Honestly? I don’t remember. I was a bit out of it. You know, I remember some dirty stuff said by Drew, and maybe there were some bald jokes, but then again, what else changes?”

Jeff nodded, smiling along. He had to. What else could he do? He wanted to confront Greg, ask him all about what happened between him and Tony. But he wasn’t rude and nosy like that. Plus, Brad would kill him with his bare hands.

It just hurt Jeff so much to see Greg like this and to think of him in the position. Greg didn’t deserve to be thrown aside for someone else. Who the fuck did Tony Slattery think he was? Jeff could see that Greg was still in pain over what had happened all those years ago. Even though Greg had tried so hard to portray himself as an unaffected, unemotional person, it didn’t work. Jeff saw right through it and he wanted to change it.

“So. Jeffery. How are you?” Greg asked, popping his lips as he swallowed his beer, desperately trying to get the attention in the room off of him.

Jeff shrugged. “Sick. Pretty much that explains all of it. Sick. And fucking sick of it. I’ve never been this sick. Ever. I’m actually telling the truth this time to. Believe me.”

Greg laughed. “Listening to you complain never gets old.”

“I’m serious Greg. I hate being sick. It’s like – it’s like having a leg chopped off or something like that,” Jeff groaned, placing his chin into his palm.

 

Snorting with amusement, Greg replied. “Right. Because having the flu makes you the equivalent of a peg-leg.”

 

Jeff glared at him, but couldn’t contain the laughter that was building up inside of him. “I hate you, you do know that?” he said once the two of them had finally stopped laughing hysterically.

 

“The feeling’s mutual, my dear. Why else would we torment each other so much? Face it, Jeff. You love me and you know it. Why else would you spend so much time around me?” Greg said, a devious grin on his face.

 

Suddenly feeling uneasy, Jeff plastered a fake grin on his face. Was that a simple joke, or was Greg being honest? Because he was right. Jeff was finding himself more and more in love with Greg, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

---

The next afternoon, Jeff was beginning to go a bit stir crazy. He hadn’t left the house in three days, and it was starting to get to him. Brad and Chip were getting on his nerves with all of their kissy faces, and if he had to stay in the same house with Greg for another minute, he was going to explode.

 

But as he was getting dressed and preparing to leave, he realized this wasn’t going to be very easy. He was already sweating – a lot – and his head was pounding. He walked to the bathroom to wash his face. Clutching onto the marble countertop, he steadied himself. He began to chastise himself. He needed to get out. NOW.

“Well, doesn’t someone look a lot less…dead.”

Jeff whipped around to find Chip standing in the door of their bathroom, a grin on his face. Jeff smiled uneasily, following him out of the bathroom.

“So where are you heading to?” Chip chuckled, grabbing some stuff off of his bed.

“Actually, I really don’t know. I just have to get out of the house. After being stuck here for three days…” Jeff started to explain.

Chip nodded. “No, I totally understand. Are you going with Greg?”

Jeff froze. His throat suddenly tightening, he tried to act as relaxed as possible. “What? I mean – Why - why would you think that?”

Chip stopped what he was doing and looked at Jeff. “Jeff, I’m not stupid. Just because Greg and Brad happen to have the emotional sensors of a boulder doesn’t mean that everyone in the house does. It’s okay.”

Sighing, Jeff leaned up against the bureau. “It isn’t that obvious, is it?”

 

Chip shook his head. “No. You’re in the clear – for now, though.”

Jeff perked up. He hated when Chip was like this. He thought he was being so clever and funny by being mysterious. Jeff just thought it was annoying. “What do you mean by ‘for now’?’

He walked up to Jeff and grabbed his hands in his. “Between you and me of course, Jeff…You really like him, and I know it. Greg needs someone like you in his life. What’ you’ve managed to do in the past three days is amazing. You can’t get all freaked out or start avoiding him or anything. He’ll know something’s up and go back to what he was like before. He might not be the sharpest crayon in the box, but he’s not an idiot. Honestly, I think you two would be good together. So just act like everything’s cool. Nothing’s changed.”

Jeff remained motionless. He didn’t know what to say. It was all a lot to absorb at the moment.

“Can – can I go now?”

Chip, going and grabbing what was on the bed he had before. “I don’t think it’s such a good idea for you to go out alone being how sick you are. Why don’t the four of us all go out tonight? It’ll do us all some good.”

Jeff bit his tongue, first upset that he wasn’t going to be able to do what he wanted to, but then again, he really had nothing planned to do. As he thought about it more, he’d like to go out with the others. It might actually be somewhat enjoyable.

 

Jeff laughed. Might.

 

Jeff stood in front of the mirror, almost unable to contain himself. He was leaving the house for the first time in three days. He, with a bit of a push from Chip, managed to convince Brad and Greg that he was indeed feeling quite better, despite the disapproving looks they’d given him.

 

If Jeff had another talent besides making people laugh, it was lying. He hadn’t felt better at any point in these past days; he knew he was getting worse. But if he had to stay in this room one more night, he’d kill himself.

 

He gave himself one more glance in the mirror before walking down the hall to the den. Chip was sitting on the couch. He gave Jeff a once over before teasing “Oh, look who escaped from a punk rock band.”

Jeff grimaced. He was looking a bit like an emo kid. His dark hair had the usual messy bedhead look. He wore a long-sleeved black t-shirt with a red print and destroyed jeans with his black combat boot.

“All you need is the guyliner and you’re ready to wreak some havoc on society,” Chip snorted, amused.

Jeff glared back at Chip, who was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a green sweater. “I wouldn’t be so happy. If I ever need a Jim Carey impersonator, I know exactly who to call.”

Chip laughed uncomfortably. He’d always heard that he looked an awful lot like Jim Carey.

“As long as you don’t look like Drew Carey, I’m fine with that,” Brad said, walking into the room, followed by Greg. Chip’s face brightened immediately. He laid a kiss on Brad’s cheek after Brad wrapped his arm around his waist. Brad, dressed in one of trademark print button-down shirts and a pair of khakis, smiled at Chip.

Greg had walked over to where Jeff was standing, and immediately noticed he was sweating.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Greg asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

Jeff nodded, suddenly feeling a bit woozy. He bit on his tongue to try and restore his equilibrium, but also to try and stop him from saying anything to Greg about his nice choice of clothes in his black vest, purple shirt and black slacks.

Keeping his arm around Chip, Brad made his way to the door. “If you two lovebirds would like to join us anytime today, we’d appreciate it.”

Greg rolled his eyes. “Brad, how many times do I have to tell you to shut up?”

But Jeff simply stood there, staring at Greg’s back as he walked out the door. Pursing his lips, he thought, ‘If only…’

Their walk to the bar had been slow and casual. Chip and Brad chatted about funny things that had happened on the show, as well as the prospects of Drew’s new show. Jeff meanwhile, was walking slower with Greg.

At one point, his vision doubled, but he just kinda shook his head, and it returned to normal. Of course, when it did, he was receiving a glare from behind thick black glasses.

“What?” Jeff asked playing stupid, placing his hands on Greg’s shoulders to steady himself. “Hi, how are you?” he played, patting him on the shoulders.

Greg sighed. “You aren’t any better, are you?” he asked.

 

Jeff blinked, looking at Greg. He tore away from the smoldering brown eyes. “No.”

“Then why…” Greg began to ask him, placing his hands over Jeff’s as he saw the younger man begin to sway on his feet.

 

“Greg, if I had to stay in that fucking room for one more night, I would’ve hung myself. Please, please don’t tell Brad. You know him! He’ll make me go back home. You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?” Jeff pleaded.

 

Greg was silent for a moment before he shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t. Just realize I expect you to do the same thing for me when I get a cold or whatever disgusting thing you have…” Greg took hold of Jeff’s arm and linked his through, hoping to keep him in balance. With that, Greg began to walk with him.

When they entered the dimly lit bar a while after Chip and Brad, Brad was standing at the door, steam coming out of his ears. “Where were you two? Why did it take you so long? Why –” Brad began, before receiving a harsh smile from Greg. Greg subtly pointed to their linked arms, then gave Brad an ‘I’ll explain later look’.

 

Brad watched the other two enter the bar, strangely pleased by the prospects of what had arisen. “Whatever.”

 

The two walked over to the plush booth where Chip was seated with two pitchers of beer. He took a sip from his mug, and waved at Greg and Jeff. Jeff slowly slid in between Chip and Greg.

He poured a mug and handed it to Greg. As he did, he whispered “I owe you big time.”

Greg took a sip. “You bet your fucking ass you do.”

Jeff smiled. “It was all worth it though. We got to get nice and close,” he joked, laying an arm casually around Greg’s shoulder.

 

Greg smiled, shaking his head. He picked his head up to talk to the others. “So, Brad…okay, never mind,” Greg ended, placing his forehead in his palm. Jeff began to choke on his beer.  Across the table, Brad and Chip were whispering things into each others ears and giggling in return.

 

“So much for escaping me,” Jeff sang.

Greg mimicked him. That was the only thing he wanted to do right now. Everything that had happened in the past hour, how close they had gotten, it was starting to scare him.

“Greg?” a voice said from behind them.

 

“Oh no,” Greg whispered.

 

Brad broke away from Chip for a minute. Jeff perked up to try and see who it was. Greg leaned in to Jeff. “You have to hide me. Now.”

 

Jeff leaned back. “Who is it?”

”Oh, hi Ryan. Long time no see,” Brad lied, his eyes wide, flickering between the tall, slender man standing at the table, and the cowering, bespectacled man leaning on Jeff.

 

“Funny seeing you guys here. How are you?” Ryan asked. He stood a good six foot five, towering above the others. Wearing a navy button down shirt and black pants, he seemed to go on forever. Greg wanted to die.

 

When no one answered, Jeff immediately sensed Greg’s distressed. He coolly responded, “We’re good, we’re all doing excellent. Never better, actually.”

Ryan slowly turned to him. Smirking a bit, his eyes scanned him up and down. Jeff just started back at him, slightly creeped out. “That’s excellent to hear, Jeff.” The other three watched this, stunned. Ryan’s eyes slowly left Jeff and turned onto Greg. “Greg, how are you? You aren’t still mad, are you?” Ryan asked, a smile creeping onto his face.

 

Greg looked up at him, eyes wide. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He tried again, but nothing happened. Jeff looked over at him, then back at Ryan, who had a look of enjoyment on his face.

 

Jeff gently placed his arm on Greg’s forearm. “Greg, could you be a dear and go get me a drink from the bar?”

 

Greg nodded at got up, stumbling around. Jeff gave a look to Chip and Brad, who nodded and immediately got up.

 

Jeff turned back to Ryan, beginning to see red. He’d only worked with Ryan a few times, but he’d never seen this side of him. Ryan was usually very laid back and carefree. This one…this one was manipulative and mean, not to mention a bit pervy. “Don’t you have a boyfriend?” he snarled, a look of anger on his face.

 

Ryan shrugged, sliding into the booth. “Boyfriend is such a heavy term. Like going swimming with ankle weight. Makes it impossible to move. Besides, Colin is in Canada visiting with family.”

 

Jeff remained silent, just wanting him to go away. They’d never interacted, so Jeff really didn’t know how to read him.

“So…are you and Greg…?” Ryan asked, a sly smile dancing on his face. He traced circles on the table.

 

Jeff shook his head. “Nah. We’re just friends. Why does it matter to you?”

Shrugging again, Ryan stated, “You’re a nice kid. You seem like you’d be with someone by now.”

Jeff opened his mouth to say something but he began to cough, and he couldn’t stop. Ryan pushed his mug towards him. Reluctantly, Jeff took a sip. He ended up downing the whole thing.

Ryan raised an eyebrow. “My, my, my…aren’t we thirsty?”

 

Jeff looked at the mug, a bit confused. For some reason, his mouth felt like sandpaper. He couldn’t quench his thirst with beer, though. He wasn’t that stupid.

 

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go to the bar to get a water,” Jeff said to Ryan as he began to get up.

 

Ryan stifled a laugh, laying back against the booth. “You really want to be known as the 23 year old guy who goes to a bar an orders a water?”

 

Jeff became flushed with embarrassment. “Thanks for the compliment, but I’m twenty-eight, not twenty-three.”

 

Ryan shook his head. “My mistake. But seriously? You’re going to drink water at a bar? How thirsty are you?”

 

Jeff hesitated. He couldn’t be that thirsty…could he? It didn’t matter. The reason why he sent Greg to the bar was to keep Ryan occupied so Ryan couldn’t upset Greg anymore. If Jeff showed up at the bar, that meant Ryan would be free to do whatever he wanted, and Greg would be upset. Whatever had gone on between the two of them was strange, and not in Greg’s liking. With a heavy heart, Jeff grabbed the pitcher of beer.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Yey! Updates! I love this story! Ryan is rather bitchy in this story...... yey! Bitchy Ryan!

I have got to stop saying 'yey', lol.

Pleeeeease update soon!