RP with nothingunderit | Big brothers on tap

[kicksbigballs]

Callum realised that the only reason Braden probably answered the phone to him was because he wasn't in London. He was a safe distance away for sticking his nose in to try and talk him around with all the positives of the situation. What Braden forgot to deduce was that London was actually just around an hour's flight from Edinburgh, and with a

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[nothingunderit]

Bollocks to nearly knocking the pint over; Braden almost wet his pants in shock. For a moment, he just stared, trying to figure out if he was imagining Callum there, but the minute the penny dropped that his big brother number two really was there just a few hours after talking to him on the phone, Braden welled up, nearly crying. "What are you doing here?" he asked, choked up as he gave Callum a hug, maybe even clinging to him just a little.

[kicksbigballs]

Callum hugged Braden in return, giving his back a small pat and then rubbing it reassuringly. "What does it look like? I had to come and make sure you werenae going to droon yourself in the bottom of a pint glass. Gussy and Ino are both worried aboot you. I know you like to run away for a wee while, Bradie, but nay this time, buddy. It's time to have a wee talk, aye? You need to tell me what's going on in that head of yours so you dinnae just keep flounder aroond and miss some important boats. How pished are you? Am I going to get any coherence oot of you?"

[nothingunderit]

Braden sunk back down onto the bar stool with a sigh. "I'm nay. Havenae had any. I thought I wanted to, but I dinnae know if I have the energy to deal with a hangover. I've just... been sitting here, I guess. Dinnae even ask me what I've been thinking, because I dinnae really know anymore. I'm tired. Nothing feels the same anymore."

[kicksbigballs]

After peering at the pint in front of Braden, it wasn't hard for Callum to deduce that it was, indeed, flat and untouched. He flagged the barman down from where he was standing at the other end of the bar restocking glasses. It was a slow night at this hour, so it probably was as good a place as any to try and get Braden to open up. "Two Irn Brus, cheers," he ordered and waited for the barman to be out of hearing distance before he said anything further.

"Are you going to be able to sleep if I take you back to Iain's?" he asked pointedly. "Nay, you'll just toss and turn with everything swirling 'roond in your mind, and wake up tomorrow feeling even worse. Do you want to start by telling me what happened?"

[zinatiy]