Desolation Row [MxM]

In December, I got to help Charlie decorate for Christmas. I was too strung out the previous year to really remember it, so I was determined to make sure we did everything we could this time.

Joel and I stopped talking, after he left the apartment last month. We don't see each other in the hall, we don't see each other in the building. It was almost like he dropped off the face of the earth, minus the occasional updates from Brielle. Several times I thought about texting him, or calling, but I kept myself from doing it.

“Attention space cadet Halcomb.” Charlie said suddenly, holding up a box of ornaments for the Christmas tree. “I do remember you mentioning to do this whole 'decorating' thing.”

“I've done more decorating than you have,” I retorted, taking the box from Charlie with a snort and setting in on the table.

“I'm old, I've earned a break.”

“You've had like, ten. In the past hour.”

“Lots of breaks then.”

I rolled my eyes, sorting through the box of ornaments for good ones to decorate with. Since Charlie lived alone, his Christmas decorations were severely lacking. I'd forced him to go out and buy more over one weekend.

Christmas break was filled with either decorating, eating, or sleeping. Since I didn't go out with Joel and Brielle anymore, it gave me pretty limited options on how to spend my free time. So usually it was in front of the TV with snacks, and literally feeling my brain rotting. But, halfway through the year and pulling straight 'A's, so I figured I deserved it.

Charlie was home on Christmas eve, which was going to involve multiple reruns of “It's a Wonderful Life” and probably way too much popcorn to be healthy. We had just settled in for the evening when my phone buzzed, an unknown number coming up on screen before I answered. “Hello?”

“Vic, it's Bri. Just wanted to let you know Joel's in the hospital for another overdose.”

I paused, frowning. “What? When?”

“Today. He's been here for a couple hours. He's awake, but...yeah. He's pretty much ignoring everyone's existence.”

Another overdose. Why did he keep doing this? I quickly thanked Brielle for the information before she hung up, then looked over to Charlie, who glared a little. “Uh-uh, no way. I'm not taking you over there tonight. Not happening.”

“But Charlie!”

“No, Victor.”

“Well, what about the uh, the Christmas spirit! Where's your Christmas spirit?”

“It's between runs of my movie,” he answered. I pouted at him, giving him the largest sad eyes I could manage. It took a few seconds, but eventually he sighed heavily, narrowing his eyes at me. “Fine. If you want to see him that bad, we'll go tomorrow. Happy?”

“No, but I'll take it.”

“Smart kid.”

The following day felt almost like we couldn't get there early enough. I even forewent opening my presents just to try and get to the hospital faster. Charlie sighed the whole way, but I tried to ignore how unhappy he was with doing this. I needed to see Joel, and know if he was okay.

It wasn't too hard to find his room at the hospital, but I was a little surprised to see Brielle there already, occupying one of the chairs by the bed. Joel was awake, like she said, but kept his eyes on the window across the room, pointedly ignoring any attempts to try and talk got him. I smiled a little to Brielle, and she gave me a small one back as I pulled up a chair beside her.