They’d been given a rare night off, the groups store of energy bigger than necessary and Uvarovite had sent out a message that they were all free for the evening. Courtland had a feeling that had something to do with Tourmaline and whatever was going on between the two Generals that he did not want to know about. He had intended to go out for the evening and had been getting dressed when Halston had sent him a message asking if he was free. He’d never really been able to say no to his friend and after a little back and forth they’d decided to go get a few drinks at an upscale bar downtown.

Halston didn’t exactly seem like he wanted talkative company, he was being more quiet than he had been lately, so Courtland had left him in a booth so he could go up to the bar. He was used to going out with his friend and going to mingle while Hals enjoyed his drink so it wasn’t all that odd. Courtland had put on some dark smokey make-up, lightly curled his hair, and dressed in a slinky black dress and a pair of heels he could kill someone with. He looked like he should be expensive arm-candy and, if he was lucky and Hals kept to himself, maybe he could actually be someone’s arm candy for the night.

--------

He’d dressed up himself a bit that night-- more because of the location than anything else. He sported a vibrant, jewel-toned blue button-down shirt tucked in to a pair of nicely fitted black slacks with a matching blazer. His look of mild irritation didn’t seem to keep anyone from approaching him as he leaned back against the booth, rolling his eyes at the sound of the voice prattling on in an attempt to get his attention. He was seconds away from dismissing the young woman, her inane chatter making it almost impossible to concentrate on anything, let alone Court across the bar.

“I’m certain that’s nice, that you’re very sweet-- I’m not interested.” He said flatly, holding his glass up to summon the waiter over for a refresh.

--------

Courtland settled easily at the bar and soon enough found some of the attention he was looking for. Well dressed man, designer shoes and watch, just the right hint of a smirk on his lips as he talked. He hadn’t started off with some cheesy line either and Courtland appreciated someone who could actually play the game properly. It was easy to let the other man buy him a drink, taking a sip once it arrived and leaning a bit more on the bar just to see his catch’s eyes slide down along his side before snapping back up. He would do nicely and the flirting was easy, probably not the first time the man picked someone up in a bar successfully.

--------

The young woman didn’t seem to know how to take ‘no’ for an answer, or maybe it was that the waiter just wasn’t responsive enough. It couldn’t possibly have had anything to do with the way Courtland’s hand rested on the arm of the man who’d approached him at the bar. His eyes narrowed as he stood, glass in hand, making his way over to the bar where he paused on the opposite side of Court. His glass settled on the bar with a soft clink, fingers gathering condensation on the glass as he leaned over, ignoring Court’s companion in favor of talking to his friend. “I think I’ve had enough of a night out. Are you coming home with me?”

--------

Courtland had taken a deep breath when he heard a glass settle on the bar beside him, far too close to be just another customer. It was too much to hope it wasn’t Halston, that small bit dashed when he heard his friends voice. He knew that tone. It wasn’t really a question, not for him at least, more a statement to the other man talking to him. Halston had gotten good at it getting men and women away from Courtland who he didn’t want there but he’d also gotten good at getting rid of the ones Courtland did want as well. His potential date’s eyes settled on Halston for a moment before he politely excused himself.

Courtland’s glass slammed onto the bar as he turned to look at Halston, eyes burning. “I can take care of myself Halston!” He snapped. “I know the concept seems to be lost on you but sometimes, one of these nights, I would like you to not come to my supposed rescue while I am trying to get laid.”

--------

His eyes narrowed as he straightened himself out, gaze drifting over his friend’s face in an attempt to figure out what he had missed. “I just asked you a question, Court. Yes or no would have done just fine.” He could have sent a text to let the other man know he was leaving but the last time he’d just ‘disappeared’ Court hadn’t responded to any of his messages for nearly a day.

“If that’s what you’re looking for I’m sure you’ve still got time to catch up to whoever that guy was-- gave up pretty easily,” he muttered beneath his breath as he pushed away from bar, pulling out his phone to call for an uber.

--------

“They always give up when you appear Hals. You can’t hear the way you sound or see look on your face.” There was no point in going after the other man now. Even if he did find him, and convince him it was okay, there would still be a hesitation there he didn’t want to deal with. No one ever believed him when he tried to explain Halston was just an overly concerned friend. He straightened his dress as he stood up, almost angry he didn’t have something else to throw, no money to slam down since the drink had already been paid for. Trying not to grind his teeth he stalked away from the bar and toward the exit. He could get his car from the valet and Halston could find his own way home.

It wasn’t as if Halston understood. All if seemed to go right over his friends head and it always had. Courtland had come to terms with that a long time ago but Halston’s constant attempts, conscious or unconscious, to keep anyone else from touching him were starting to become too much. He didn’t want to lose what he had but he didn’t know how much more he could take either.

--------

Not one to just leave things that way or let Courtland stalk away angry, Halston tucked his phone back into his pocket and stalked after his friend. He caught up with a few long strides, reaching out to grab the other man by the wrist. “Court, you’re not going home mad-- or at least not without talking this out. Hold on.” His grasp was gentle but firm, even if he knew he’d lead go in a heartbeat if Courtland told him to do so.

--------

His arm tensed in the grip but he managed to resist the urge to rip his wrist out of his friends grasp, some part of him knowing that would make things infinitely worse. “You really want to talk about how possessive you are, in public? You want to talk about how every time someone flirts with me you swoop in to save me and even if I can get them to talk to me again they think we’re playing some game to spice up our sex life?” He turned to look at his friend, angry and upset and trying not to let the extent of it show.

--------

“I wasn’t-- that’s not what I was doing.” His brow furrowed, lips pressing into a stern line of irritation. Nothing about Courtland’s body language with the man at the bar had given off the suggestion that he was in need of a rescue, and yet…

His grip on Courtland’s wrist loosened, fingers falling away with a vague caress, almost apologetic. “You could have told me to stay home if you felt that way.”

--------

“But that's what you do. Whether you mean to or not you always make sure everyone around us knows I'm off limits.” With his arm free he turned to face Halston, arms crossing over his chest.

They didn't stay there long though, not able to really handle the way Hals looked. He hated it when the other man looked like that, worse when he was the cause. “I don't want you to not be around. I enjoy going out with you, I just don't understand why you can't let me leave with someone else. I don't understand why you do this.”

--------

“Right. So next time I’ll just send you a text to let you know I’m heading home, especially if it looks like you’re otherwise occupied.” Courtland kept saying that he was capable of looking out for himself in both aspects of their lives. He could start believing him. It wasn’t like Courtland, or Nitratine, didn’t have a way of getting ahold of him if he needed something.

“Night’s still young. There are a half a dozen other posh bars you can hit without me between now and last call.”

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“I am glad you think I am in any mood to go looking for someone else to spend the night with, like I want it to be anyone but you.” He half snarled the last of his words as he turned back around. Halston had never picked up on how like him most of Courtlands potential partners looked. He ran a hand through his hair as he continued to the door.

He could apologize to Halston tomorrow, after he'd had time to get himself back under control. Things would go back to normal or things would change and Courtland could learn to live with it.

--------

He watched Courtland leave, running his hand back through his hair in favor of making an additional scene or punching a wall. When he figured enough time had passed that he wouldn’t run into the other man outside the door he followed suit, pausing outside to pull out his phone to arrange for a ride. The lift took him to his next destination-- not home, where he should have gone, but to a bar he knew he’d get mostly left alone in.

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Courtland headed home, slamming doors as he went inside and moved about the house. He got undressed, changed into a pair of leggings and a sweater, before going to get a bottle of wine. Shea found him doing so and sat with him a bit as he ranted about the evening before he sent his friend off to bed so he wasn't late for school. The bottle was only half empty but he set it aside for a bit as he curled up on the sofa. He shouldn't have yelled at Halston, he knew his friend didn't mean to do what he did. Hals just didn't think like that. It wasn't his fault.

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Sometime after last call and a a fair amount of whiskey, Halston was lingering outside of a bar waiting for his ride while formulating a text for Courtland. He typed and deleted several times, just as he had while sitting at the bar with amber liquid over rocks. He could just leave it, but that didn’t seem right either.

[Text to Killer Queen:] You deserve better. You always deserve better than what you settle for.

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He was surprised to hear his phone chime with the sound he had plugged in for Halston and after staring at it for a moment he picked it up. “No s**t, why did you think I haven't settled?” He huffed at his phone, setting it in his lap for a few minutes before responding.

[Text to Styx] Honey, where are you? You only send me that sort of text when you're drunk.

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He pondered whether or not he wanted to respond versus just leaving things at that. There was no reason to drag it on when it was what it was. Of course, his hands moved on their own and another text chimed through.

[Text to Killer Queen:] Outside Afterlife. Hitching a ride.

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Courtland sighed, pulling himself up of the sofa, knowing he shouldn't but knowing he couldn't just leave Hals alone and drunk.

[Text to Styx] I'll come get you, cancel the ride.

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[Text to Killer Queen:] Already inconvenienced you enough tonight, love. Ride’ll be here soon.

If he knew Courtland like he did the other man had gone home to some drink of his own. The other man shouldn’t be out and driving any more than he should have been himself. It wasn’t worth the risk, especially not if he was still heated.

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He really hated Halston sometimes, the way he had to be drunk or half asleep or pissed to actually say what he meant. It was unfair on so many levels and yet he fell for it every time. He also knew Hals well enough to know that if he was at Afterlife he had most likely had a few too many glasses of whiskey.

[Text to Styx] You know you don't do well when you're drunk and alone. I know you don't. Come here and I'll make sure you actually get into bed and take care of your hangover in the morning.

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[Text to Killer Queen:] Don’t think I’ve earned the misery of it?

[Text to Killer Queen:] You’ve put up with me enough. I just wanted to say goodnight.

Cut off had come with last call and he still had a bottle at home he could get one more pour out of. Courtland didn’t need him around, giving him one more reason amongst many to be irritated with him.

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[Text to Styx] yes you deserve it but I don't want you to deal with it.

He didn't know if Halston would actually listen to him but he didn't know if he could argue with him either. He just wanted Hals to come home and go to bed, not keep drinking himself stupid.

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He pondered telling the drive to take him to Courtland’s flat, a part of him enjoying the idea of burying his head in Court’s pillows and drowning out the light of morning with his expensive curtains. He didn’t deserve that comfort or any of the reassurance that came along with it. When the driver finally arrived he told them to take him home.

About twenty minutes after receiving the last text from Court he sent a response.

[Text to Killer Queen:] Made it home.Don’t stay up all night.

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When Court got the text, rather than a knock on his door, he threw the phone toward the other end of the sofa and spit a few curses at the room. Hals not listening to him wasn't unexpected but it didn't make it any better or make him like it any more. He was tempted to go get the other man but he also knew he was too upset to really be driving.

Halston didn't want to be near him anyway. He apparently wanted to wallow in drink. He had told Halston to leave him alone as well so he deserved it.

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He tossed his coat over the back of his sofa, snagging a glass that he tossed a few ice cubes in before topping it off with a bit of bourbon. He brought the glass with him to the bathroom where he finished stripping down, taking one more small sip before stepping into the shower. He’d let the bourbon water itself down as the ice shifted in the glass while he drowned himself under the steaming spray.

The shower wasn’t enough to wash the evening away, just enough to remind him of everything that had gone wrong about it. He didn’t linger in it for long, snagging a towel to wrap around his middle once he was out. Glass in hand, he returned to the living room where he collapsed into his favorite chair, knocking the recliner back for a bit of comfort that he didn’t deserve.

“********.” he muttered, tossing back the last bit of liquid before eventually falling asleep in his living room.