Chapter Text
Matt stumbled into the living room, slamming himself into the wall by accident. "Damn thing won't get out of my way." He slurred.
Nick looked at Matt, worried about what was wrong with him. He was just fine hours before he left with Chris and Nate.
He immediately got the idea of what was going on whenever Chris bursts through the door giggling, his eyes squinted and holding a cup full of a strong smelling liquid. He went to hug Matt but Matt quickly pushed him away causing Chris to drop his cup, spilling it onto the floor.
Nick sat up on the couch, his mouth wide open shocked. "What the hell?!" His yell startled both Chris and Matt. Chris only giggled at Nick's expression while Matt rolled his eyes.
"Don't you have anything better to do rather than sit on the couch and yell?"
Nick scoffed, getting up from the couch. "Mom is gonna kick your ass when she gets down here." His hands were placed on his hips as he looked Matt up and down, noticing a stain on his new shirt.
Chris laughed again, this time a little louder.
"Shhh!" Nick panicked, putting his hand over Chris' mouth and his other hand on the back of Chris' neck. "Quiet or she'll hear you." He whispered.
Chris pulled away from Nick's hands, giggling still. "You looked like a Karen about to make a complaint." Chris joked, mocking Nick's stance and voice to Matt who snickers along with Chris.
The door swings open and is quietly shut gaining Nick's attention.
"Nate!" Matt smiled, throwing his arms open for a big hug only to be rejected so Nate could pick up the cup he noticed on the floor.
"How much have they had to drink?" Nick asked, sounding annoyed.
"I swear I didn't have anything to drink." Nate said, putting his hands up in defense mode since he was the one driving Matt and Chris home.
"I didn't ask about you. I asked how much have they had."
"Wouldn't YOU like to know?!" Chris smiled, his arm around Nick now. Nick grimaces at the smell of Chris' breath, wanting to pull away but since Chris' entire body weight is all on Nick, he knows if he moves, Chris would most definitely fall since Nick is what is supporting him right now.
"Okay. I think that's enough. Let's get you some water and straight to bed." Nick sounded like a mother again. This happened a lot which annoyed Chris and Matt. They hated it whenever it sounded like they were being judged or told how to act or behave from someone who isn't their parent or guardian. But Nick doesn't like doing this all that much either.
Nick held Chris' arm around him so he could start walking. Chris was basically dragging his feet which made it harder for Nick to carry him to bed. Nate decided to help by walking Matt upstairs too but half way there..the unfortunate happened.
"No no! Hold it! Hold it!" Nate whispered, hoping they weren't too loud and waking Mary Lou or Jimmy. It was a wonder as to how on Earth they already aren't awake from how loud the boys were being. Nate hurried Matt to the bathroom which caused Nick's eyes to widen. "Oh no. I'll be right there." Nick said in his normal tone as he walked Chris to his bed.
Nick grabbed a plastic trash can that sat by Chris' desk and placed it down by his bed. "I'll be right back." Before Nick could leave the room and help Nate with Matt, Chris grabbed his hand trying to push him closer. "Nuuuu. Don't leave me!" Chris whined.
"It'll be for just a second. Matt's getting sick." Nick tried pulling away again only for Chris' grip to tighten, but he couldn't maintain the hold he had. Nick got the point and stayed for a second longer, looking at Chris with so much sadness in his eyes.
He wishes they never got caught up with the wrong crowd in LA. He thought going back to Boston, surrounding them around all of their childhood friends and their parents would help ground them. Lately all they do is drink. Chris isn't in a bad mood, but Nick still doesn't like how sloppy he gets. Meanwhile, Matt who's been in a bit of a grouchy mood regardless of whether or not he's drinking, is a whole new level of mean whenever he drinks.
It hurts Nick to know there's nothing he can really do to stop them from doing whatever they want.
All of the "wishing they'd up and quit" was useless and he knew that. All of the "bossing them around" did nothing but anger them, which Nick understood completely. He wouldn't like it much either if someone were telling him what to do.
"Chris..I gotta go." Nick said softly, hoping his voice crack wasn't as obvious to Chris than what it really was.
Chris smiled up at Nick, looking like he was one more drink away from passing out. "I love you."
Nick nodded slowly, not saying it back. When he turned away, Chris grabbed his hand again. Nick made eye contact with him again, this time his vision blurry as he tried holding back the tears.
"No really. I do love you..and I appreciate everything you do to me. It took me a month to realize that all you're trying to do is help me." Chris saw the sadness in Nick's eyes, the tears he tried fighting back. But Nick has heard this too many times. Meaning, he knows exactly where this is headed and he's not going to believe it this time. He swore he'd never believe a word a drunk person ever promised or said.
"I'm gonna stop."
Nick sighed, blinking lightly, a tear rolling down his cheek. That was his cue to look away, his back now facing Chris.
"I'm serious Nick. I don't wanna drink ever again. I see what it does to us. You and me, we're not as close as we used to be. It's all my fault.." Chris' tone in his voice sounded a bit sad. Nick wouldn't dare believe Chris until he saw the effort first.
He sniffled.
"I'll bring you some water." Nick whispered before heading out of the room, bringing his sleeve up to his cheek to wipe any of the tears.
Nick didn't want to look back and see whatever mood Chris was now in. He didn't even want to think about it. Once he got to the bathroom, he saw Matt's head down on the side of the toilet, taking a small break from throwing up. Nick sniffles, taking a quick breath before grabbing a plastic cup to fill up with water.
"You okay?" Nate asked, curious once he sees Nick's red puffy eyes.
Nick glanced at Nate, quickly looking away. "Yeah." He knew he wasn't convincing but didn't care. He had bigger problems to deal with right now.
"Matt, drink this." He got down on his knees, super close to Matt, ignoring the gross smell. Matt groaned in response. "Matt.." Nick said again, bringing the cup up to Matt's lips. "Try to drink this." Matt groaned again this time slapping the cup out of Nick's hand. Nick flinched as the water splattered onto the floor and the plastic cup hit the tiled floor in the bathroom. He hoped it wasn't enough for his Mom to get curious about all the noise and check on them.
Nick tried to find the confidence to say something. He was all choked up though, not able to push through the lump in his throat to speak. He looked down at the water that was spilled, frowning as he tried to ignore Nathan's stare.
Matt mumbled something, his palm now rubbing his forehead.
Nate noticed Matt was trying to hold back something, as if he was going to throw up again.
"Let it out, Matt. You need it out of your system."
"Shut up." Matt grumbled.
Nate glanced at Nick's expression. He felt bad for Nick. He was starting to see exactly why Nick didn't want them going anywhere with Nathan or anyone without him. At first, it confused Nate as to why Nick seemed to not like the idea of them going out so much. But now he realizes and understands completely.
Matt sniffled and mumbled something else. This time, it made Nick raise his eyebrows. Nick almost couldn't make out any of what Matt was saying, with how groggy and broken up his voice sounded. Until restarted his sentence after clearing his throat.
"I don't know why you put up with me...or how." Matt sniffled again, backing away from the toilet this time. He tried laying back against the wall which was no where near him, so he nearly busted his head on the floor until Nick saved him from the possible injury that could've happened. "I'm starting to hate myself more and more." Matt sounded almost like he could cry but that could be because his voice was so hoarse and kept cracking.
Nick didn't know what to say to that.
There was so much he could say but didn't want to embarrass himself by crying in front of Nate or Matt who is so easily irritated lately. Anything he could say could potentially start something he doesn't want started.
"You're just drunk." Nick said softly. "You're gonna be fine in the morning."
That sounds a little insensitive. But knows Matt doesn't care right now. No matter what, whether or not he's being sensitive or insensitive, it never matters.
"I hate myself. Why aren't you tired of me yet?" Matt says with a shaky voice.
Nick purses his lips together as he tries holding back more tears. This was Nate's cue to send Nick out of the room and take care of the rest from here.
Nick wanted to argue but decided it was useless. He was only hurting himself more by sticking around. As soon as he left the bathroom to catch some air, he looked down the hall to see Chris' door was still open. He was going to regret doing this but he told Chris he'd be back. He took two more deep breaths before walking toward the room. He wiped his tears away, stepping into the room.
"Sorry Chris.." He noticed Chris was dead asleep, completely passed out. He frowned at how quick that was, walking toward Chris' bed so he could cover him up. "I love you too." He whispered.