The Other Woman

[notjustaface]

Charissa...

They met the officer's club, where else would he find a woman like her? She was passionate - intense, everything he wanted in a woman. It was easy to forget everything around her, everything about the man he was. She made it easy to turn a deaf ear on Hannibal's warnings about playing dangerous games and to turn a blind eye to the fact that Murdock was pulling away from him.

And it was all gone in an instant, the months together - the plans, the future.

They'd been lying in bed and he teased; "We're going to make such beautiful babies."

She laughed, at first. "How many of those beers have you had?"

"I mean it," and he really did, maybe it was time to settle down... do the family thing. "I'm being serious here."

Apparently she didn't feel the same. At least it sure as hell seemed that way when she walked out and stopped answering his calls and messages.

The second night alone he got a single text reply; "Don't call me again."

Well, that settles that. With a bottle of scotch alone in a dark room.

Comments

[notjustaface]

The sympathy almost hurts as bad as pity would, so he forces a smile and huffs; "No big deal, it wouldn't have lasted anyway. I mean, me? Settled down?"

He sighs and sips his drink again, brain fuzzy and not exactly in a good place. "You know what? We should go pick up girls. Girls would be really nice right now."

[notthatcrazy]

"Gotta get back on that horse? So to speak."

He carefully wraps an arm around the other man's shoulder, knowing it's just as likely to get him punched in the face with the mood his friend is in. He just... needs him to know he's there.

"Tell you what, you still feel that way in an hour, we'll go out and you can chase all the girls you want. Just stay here with me a while first."

[notjustaface]

Hey, if not being enough of a player is what got him in this mess, what better way to celebrate his newfound singleness?

Still, after a moment of resistance, he relaxes against Murdock's shoulder and sets aside his drink. "I'm done with it, man. No more relationships."

[notthatcrazy]

"I hear ya, buddy."

His hand moves lower, rubbing gentle circles on Face's back.

"Brought some stuff to take your mind off things, if you want."

[notjustaface]

The touch conflicts his drunken mind, leaving him equal parts comforted and curious for more.

He tilts his chin to brush his lips against Murdock's cheek - feeling the missed sensation of skin against stubble.

"What kind of stuff?" He purrs.

[notthatcrazy]

He doesn't shy away from the kisses, letting Face take what he needs for the moment.

"Oh, you know.. games, music, movies."

He's prepared for other activities as well, though he'd rather not with Face in this condition.

"Anything you want."

[notjustaface]

Let it never be said he was one to turn down an offer...

"Anything?" He asks, letting an unsteady palm slide just inside Murdock's shirt.

If he's against the idea, it'll clearly have to be voiced given Face's state of mind.

[notthatcrazy]

"Mmhmm." He shivers at the hand on his side.

"But if you're lookin' for something physical, it'll have to wait 'til you're sober."

[notjustaface]

"Damn."

Managing open heavy eyes, he leaves his palm settled and attempts to negotiate; "I'm not that drunk..."

He probably is, because the room hasn't always been so warm and fuzzy.

[notthatcrazy]

"You kinda are," he replies quietly. And you're hurtin' and I'm not gonna take advantage of you like that, he thinks but doesn't say.

He knows he'll still be hurting in the morning. and probably for a good while after, even if he won't admit it, but he at least wants him to have a clear head before they go there again.

[notjustaface]

Even if they did, in the sober light of day he'd know that he wasn't the one who was taken advantage of.

He sighs, but there's no vitriol in it, and then pats Murdock's belly and pushes closer. "Yeah, I guess I kinda am."

He does want to think about it any more, doesn't want to think about her.

"Distract me?"

[notthatcrazy]

He holds him tighter, humming a soft tune as he rifles through his bag.

"Movie? We got Predator, Terminator 2, Point Break..."

Because making fun of Keanu Reeves is always good for a laugh.

[notjustaface]

"Anything you want," he murmurs with a soft smile.

And then; "Just stay a while, okay?"

He can't yet bring himself to say he doesn't want to be alone, but when his abandonment issues rear their ugly head all he really wants is to be wanted.

Even if it comes in the form of 'please fuck me.'

[notthatcrazy]

"Of course," he replies, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm not goin' anywhere."

He makes that a silent promise to himself. Whatever else happens down the road, he's not going to be the one who walks away.

He slips away just long enough to get the movie started, quickly returning to his side.

[notjustaface]

Maybe it's just the scotch talking, but the reassurance warms him and he's content to wait while he's up and putting on something to watch. "I think there's some leftovers in the fridge that haven't gone medicinal."

It's more to put another wall between them than hunger, food meant something to do with his hands that wasn't wandering.

[notthatcrazy]

He'd rather stay right where they are, but it's impossible to ignore the way his stomach growls at the mention of food.

"Ah. Right. Guess I forgot to eat today."

He disentangles himself from Face with a small sigh, heading off to the kitchen.

"You want anything? I brought snacks too."

[notjustaface]

"Mm..." He groans, propping himself up against the pillows to watch through half-lidded eyes.

"Something sweet?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Sure thing."

Peering into the fridge, he manages to find some leftover Chinese takeout that's just the right side of ancient. That plus a can of cola will do quite nicely for him.

"You had anything today other than the scotch?"

If Face isn't careful, he's about to be mother-henned to within an inch of his life.

[notjustaface]

He'd never admit it, but it's what he needs.

Thinking hard, with visible effort, the last thing he can actually remember eating was chex mix at the bar the night before.

"I'm not really hungry."

[notthatcrazy]

"Just lemme know if you change your mind." There's an unspoken or else on the end of that sentence.

The opening credits of Point Break are still going when he returns with his makeshift meal. Reaching for his supplies, he pulls out a large bag of Skittles and another of M&Ms.

For a little while, he can let himself pretend that this is just another one of their movie nights instead of the emotional rescue mission it really is.

[notjustaface]

"Yes, mom..." He rolls his eyes, snatching away the bag of Skittles to funnel a few into his hand.

Finding a comfortable spot at Murdock's side was deceptively easy; a few gentle shifts and an arm around his shoulders that would probably look odd to anyone who might see them.

[notthatcrazy]

Leaning back against him, he makes an exaggerated face at him through a mouthful of lo mein.

"Sure you don't want some real food?" he presses after he swallows. "Not that I'm sure you could call this stuff real food anymore, if it was to begin with."

[notjustaface]

The exaggerated face is almost enough to do him in, it's not fair. Murdock had to be a good friend - a nice guy, the kind of person that you can't just be angry around.

He leans in and barely brushes a drunken kiss against greasy lips, tasting the sauce just enough to make his stomach roll.

"Let me soak up a little more before I try."

[notthatcrazy]

For a moment he gives in, kissing him lovingly, but eventually he pulls back, knowing they can't go any further tonight.

"Easy there..."

[notjustaface]

"What?" He replies innocently enough, "I'm not allowed to kiss my best friend?"

He knows the boundaries - he's the one that put down the boundaries - and under the combination of bad decision making and alcohol he really doesn't see that what he's doing is going far beyond them.