The Only Rule

"Ok I'm—SO TIRED!"

BHUG!

"SO—GODDAMN—"

BHUG!

"TIRED!"

BHUG!

Dominic slammed the bar counter again. The people around them turned to stare, but he—obviously—didn't care. The bartender chuckled, clearly used to the Drama Queen.

"She's not picking up!" Dominic groaned, voice cracking with frustration. "I was right in front of her door, man. I knocked—I knocked! And she wouldn't come out! Not even a damn—"

Suddenly straightened himself in his chair, his tone shifting to mock-seductive as he mimicked, "Hi, Dommm~ I'm sorry, I'm not in the mood today~ Can you get out of my goddamn hallway and don't come here again?"

Tyler, however, sat quietly beside him, his expression a mix of irritation and embarrassment as he sipped his vodka—rolling his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't pop out.

"Oh, and once—" Hunt ranted on, ignoring his bro's exasperation, and a flashback played in his mind..

A pigeon, scrappy but determined, fluttered awkwardly toward your window. Its tiny claws clutched a rolled-up scroll, neatly tied with a perfectly placed red ribbon in the middle—a touch of charm Hunt had been irrationally proud of.

The bird pecked once, then again, knocking insistently on the glass as if understanding the gravity of its mission. However—

You, in your usual whirlwind energy, yanked the window open with a little too much force.

Thwack!

The pigeon's head smacked into the windowpane mid-peck, feathers flying as it squawked in indignation, the scroll slipping from its grasp and spiraling downward like some tragic, miniature theater production.

"Yeah, that one didn't work either," Hunt muttered. "That poor bird, man. AND THEN—oh, you know what she did? She slammed the door in my face! Right to my face! But you know what? That could be considered as lucky, usually she doesn't even bother opening it!"

"Life's hard, huh?"

"No shit," Hunt replied while Cavill shook his head, pouring more vodka into his bro's glass. "Thanks.." he wearily slumped over the counter—before downing his drink in one go.

"Wow, slow down, tiger. You don't gotta pull a one shot like that."

Ignoring him, he poured himself another drink. Tyler rolled his eyes and muttered, "You know, they say drinking with me is a bad idea."

"Why? Because you're a bad idea?" Hunt quipped, his tone deadpan.

"Dafuq, dude," Cavill replied, giving him a side-eye.

The two sat in silence for a moment, Tyler signaling the bartender for another round. Finally, the brokenhearted man broke the quiet.

"Sometimes I wonder.."

"What?" Tyler asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hunt hesitated, staring at his drink. "Should I.. you know, just give up?"

Tyler froze mid pour, a glimpse of hesitation flashed on his face.

"It's so tiring," Dominic continued, his voice quieter now. "This fight.. it's draining, man. I'm starting to think maybe—maybe this is pointless." He buried his head in his hand, elbow propped on the counter.