Never Let Go

Frank, can you tune the guitars before the boys come in?

Frank simply nodded at Greg, thankful for a task he could do with his eyes shut. Sunday had been spent on his couch, curled up with Jamia who was suffering just as much as he was. He didnt remember how he got home, or half the night for that matter. Jamia was just as clueless, and quite happy to remain blissfully ignorant of the small details that could lead to potential embarrassment. They both agreed itd been worth it, though, even if they were all but comatose on Sunday, unfit for anything but ordering pizza and watching Terminator for the short time they were awake. Frank still felt some of the side effects from Saturday night on Monday, and he suspected that was why he had been sent to deal with the equipment. He had showered and scrubbed up before he came into work, but his eyes were still bloodshot and sore, with bags and dark circles that would put an insomniac to shame. Jamia hadnt been much better, but, lucky for her, makeup could cover some of the damage. The shakes she had would be much harder to conceal, though, and Frank could only hope that she would make it through the day. Frank noticed his own hands werent as steady as he would like when he tuned the guitars, making the easy task a little more difficult than normal. He remembered the days when alcohol would have no side effects the next day after a night of partying. He could drink all night, sleep for two hours, and still manage to make it into classes and take some notes with ease. He was alert enough to function well without anyone being any the wiser of his antics the night before. Now, he was still aching and irritable day two after partying, reminding him that he wasnt the young college freshman that he'd used to be.

When youre finished with that, can you go check the other equipment out in the back? Just a quick inventory of what we have, and if its all working properly. Greg asked, though Frank knew it was just an excuse to let him deal with his hangover in peace for a little while. Frank murmured his thanks with a sheepish smile, afraid that his boss would chew him out for coming into work in less than perfect condition. Gregs answering smile put Frank at ease, though.

I hope it was worth it, Iero? Its nice to know you have a life outside of this place.

Greg left him to work in peace after that, and Frank counted down the hours until he could finally leave to get more pizza and sleep. With only two hours to go before he could clock out, his phone vibrated in his pocket. A chuckle escaped his chapped lips when he read the text from Gerard.

Please tell me Im not the only one whos still hungover?

I feel like Ive been run over by a truck and left to die a slow death on the side of the road. I blame you.

Blame your inability to say no.

Thus began the to and fro texting that lasted the rest of Franks shift. Frank couldnt remember ever being happier to leave work like he did that day. His body just wanted to collapse on the couch, where he was at least guaranteed a few hours of laziness in front of the TV. Hed never felt so old in all his life.He wondered when exactly his body went from being able to party every night of the week, hangover free, to not being able to handle one night without suffering for days. He decided to put it down to being out of the habit, rather than old age. Jamia was already home, lying curled up on the couch, when he walked in the door. She looked up when he came in, before going back to her previous position. Frank shrugged his coat off, letting out a loud sigh before easing out of his shoes and throwing them to one side. He nudged Jamia, forcing her to move, to allow him room to lie down on the couch. She cuddled up against his side, her head resting on his chest.

Today was the longest day ever she groaned, her voice filled with pain.

I know. Were getting too old for this shit Frank chuckled, wrapping his arm around Jamia tightly, letting her warmth relax him.

*****************************************

Gerard, have you got those boards done yet?

Owens voice, which was normally not unpleasant to listen to, felt like it was drilling a hole in Gerard's head. Gerard counted to ten in his head, trying not to let the headache get to him. All day, hed been feeling like shit. His jaw still hurt from the weekend, his muscles were tender, and his head was throbbing every few seconds, without reprieve. Gerard knew it was his own fault.He didnt have to take the drugs that Jimmy offered, and he certainly didnt have to drink half the bar either. He could have stopped himself. Of course he could. He just hadnt wanted to. Lindsey had spent all the previous day ignoring him, presumably pissed over his excesses on Saturday night. While Lindsey had been with them when the pills were going around, she refused to partake, and she had kept her drinking to a far more moderate level than he had. He wasnt sure if it was the combination of the two, or just the pills, that got her so angry. It wasnt anything she hadnt done in the past herself, he knewfor a fact. Did she expect him to suddenly follow her lead now, because she wasnt interested in that life anymore? That wasnt Gerards style, it never had been, and she knew it. Gerard was not a pushover, and while he admired Lindseys assertive nature, he certainly was not going to give into her passive aggressive behaviour. He practically invented the term passive aggressive, and anything she could dish out,he was certainly more than able to give it back three fold. The atmosphere in the apartment was tense, which did nothing to help ease Gerards delicate state. If hed been in a better mood, he would have tried to smooth things over already. It didnt normally take too long to win Lindsey over on the rare occasion she was mad at him, and thankfully he never had to apologise either. A few whispered words and a bit of seduction were the weapons he used to break through her anger, without actually saying the words Im sorry.

Dude, are you listening? Owen hissed.

Yeah, Ive got them. Here Gerard grumbled,eager to get rid of him. His supervisor was a dick, and the only thing he hated about this job. He was inept and lazy.He passed his work on to everybody else, particularly the interns. Gerard was one of the senior members of the illustration team in Dark Horse, solely because of Owens attitude to new recruits, meant they would leave after their six month probation. The interns would do their time and get out as soon as possible once Owens true nature showed through. Gerard had stuck it out, purely because he loved the work itself, and comics were what he lived and breathed, and also he was getting paid big money to stay. Gerard had thought about going to the Boss over the impossible work situation, but since Owen was firmly wedged up the Bosss ass, it was a void idea. The boss was close to retirement, and Gerard dreaded to think what would happen to the company if Owen got the job. What pissed Gerard off the most was the fact that Owen wasnt even good at his job. He dithered when it came to making any decisions, and if something went wrong it was never his fault. He couldnt take control or responsibility, and yet, on the other hand, he tried to be everyones best friend when a deadline wasnt due. He would give people time off when it wasnt practical, and if one more intern rang in sick, Gerard swore, he was going to crack up. Sick days were only appropriate when you were on deaths bed. He took punctuality and attendance seriously, unlike Owen, who didnt give a shit if an intern missed a Monday morning because they were hung over from the weekend. Gerard was nice to the interns, and did everything he could to help them, as long as they werent fucking around.

Owen left Gerard to his own devices, sensing his bad mood, and rightly deciding to piss off back to his desk, checking over the story board he had forced Gerard to finish for him. Gerard sighed, and decided hed done enough work for the day. He picked up his phone, about to text Lindsey, when he remembered how pissed she was at him. It was on a whim when he scrolled through his contact list and saw Franks name came up. He wondered if Frank was suffering half as much as he was.

Please tell me Im not the only one whos still hungover?

Gerard didnt necessarily expect a response, at least not straight away. His phone vibrated way too loudly on his desk seconds later, though.

I feel like Ive been run over by a truck and left to die a slow death on the side of the road. I blame you.

Gerard actually chuckled. Frank was right; it was totally Gerards fault. Gerard wouldnt admit that, though.

Blame your inability to say no.

The banter went on for the rest of his shift, and it lifted his mood a little. He had pretty much forgotten about Lindseys pissy mood until he walked in the door and saw her sitting on the couch, arms wrapped around her legs and eyes focused on the TV. She threw him a glare, and proceeded to ignore him when he sat down beside her. He attempted to pull her into a hug, but she shrugged him off.

Can you at least tell me why youre so pissed off? Gerard asked, exasperated.

Oh, I dunno. Maybe it has something to do with you gloating about sleeping with other woman in front of my friends.

Gerard visibly winced, the memory coming back to him. Lindsey finally faced him, and the anger in her eyes almost made Gerard shrink away.

I was high, Lindsey. I didnt mean to. Shit, you know I wouldnt do that on purpose. He tried to calm her down, unsuccessfully.

It doesnt matter if it was on purpose or not. You fucking..ugh, you humiliated me in front of my friends and band mates. I had to sit there and pretend like it didnt bother me, while you fucking bragged about how awesome it was to fuck other people.

So what if they know? Its not a big deal Gerard reasoned.

God, why cant you ever just say fucking sorry for once. You know what, just forget it. Enjoy sleeping on the couch tonight.

Gerard knew better than to follow her when she jumped off the couch with alarming speed and stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her with all the strength she could muster, to emphasise her point.

At least I get the TV to myself tonight Gerard groaned, wondering how he was going to get out of this one.

Notes

Hey guys,

This chapter is for anyone who's ever suffered a nasty hangover. I, along with Frank and Gerard, know the pain all too well.

I hope you guys enjoyed,

Lyra