After everything that had unraveled - Babe's betrayal, the heartbreak, the chaos, Way couldn't stand to remain in the same city. Everywhere he turned reminded him of him. So, without another word, he drove far away - far from the crowded lights of Xhunter.
He pulled up at the quiet, dim-lit corner he'd always considered his emotional escape, ๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฆ'๐ด ๐๐ข๐ณ.
It was close to 10:00 PM now. He had been drinking for over an hour, shot after shot, hoping the burn of liquor might dull the sting in his chest. His eyes were glossy, posture slouched, and speech beginning to blur.
What Way hadn't noticed, though, was that Mr. Pete was observing him the whole time, from the shadows of a booth across the bar. He had been there from the beginning - silent, unreadable, yet unable to take his eyes off the young man slowly unraveling in front of him.
Then came the twentieth shot.
Way lifted the glass with trembling fingers, his gaze vacant, that is, until a hand reached out and firmly clasped his wrist, halting the motion.
Way blinked. Looking annoyed
๐๐๐ฎ : Who is it?! Let me drink!
๐๐ง. ๐๐๐ฉ๐ : Way, that's enough.
Startled by the deep, calm yet familiar timbre, Way turned towards the man. His eyes struggled to focus, swimming with confusion and alcohol.
๐๐๐ฎ : O-ohโฆ Babe (hic) - I'mโฆ so sorry. Please, sitโฆ sit downโฆ
Pete froze for half a second. He realized Way was too drunk to recognize him. And worse he thought Pete was Babe.
Pete's jaw tensed. But instead of correcting him, something in him shifted. Perhaps it was curiosity. Perhaps it was something else.
[ ๐ผ๐. ๐ฟ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ : Oh so this is about Babe Huh? Maybe I should play along and ask him about it...]
He pulled out the chair beside Way and sat.
๐๐ง. ๐๐๐ฉ๐ : Yes, Way. It's me - Babe. Tell meโฆ what happened? Why are you here instead of helping Alan?
But before he could finish, Way reached out.
In one sudden motion, Way cupped Pete's face in his trembling hands. His grip was firm and desperate. His eyes, though clouded by intoxication, were filled with pain and longing.
๐๐๐ฎ : BabeโฆPlease don't leave me for him... I'm better than he is.. Please Babe, Please.
He whispered, his voice cracked and broken.
Pete sat frozen and confused, his breath catching slightly. There was so much emotion in Way's words - anguish, jealousy, raw vulnerability. And all of it, mistakenly directed at him.