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Chapter Text

It was yet another night of escaping from mobs of screaming fans, FoxSzn and 3Drinkz trying their best to lose them and enjoy their night but struggling to do so, but, what the two didnt know was that one of the people in that crowd...they weren't a fan, not of 3Drinkz at least...hiding in the mob was a man in a trench coat, hands buried in his pockets and a pistol in one. The man was patient, slowly waiting as even the most passionate fans gave up the chase, but not him, he wasnt going to give up...

"L-Look man, please, just let us get a drink"

Ned said exhausted

"Were super happy that you're a fan, ok? but this is too much"

the man scowled, tightening the grip on the pistol inside his pocket

"N-Ned- I- I think hes got a gun..."

3Drinkz whispered, his body tensing

"W-What-? oh s-shit..."

Ned mumbled back

All of a sudden, two gunshots were heard, Ned's eyes going wide and 3Drinkz freezing in horror as the bullets sped towards him. Thinking fast, Ned pulled 3Drinkz to the ground, but it was too late. He heard a loud scream. Disoriented, Ned looked around him, trying to find 3Drinkz, who was curled in a ball, cupping his knees in his hands, two bullets lodged in each of them as he whined in pain. Ned rushed towards him, tearing apart his scarf and wrapping the pieces tightly around 3Drinkz bleeding knees as the criminal swore under his breath, quickly shoving the pistol back into his pocket and fleeing the scene.

"Y-Youre gonna be o-ok 3Drinkz-!"

Ned told him in a shaky voice, fumbling with his phone as his hands shook, managing to steady himself and take a deep breath, he dialled 911, staying by 3Drinkz side to the hospital where the two received some of the most awful news they could...

"...I...Im sorry but, 3Drinkz may never walk again, the area the bullets hit are extremely sensitive...its going to be alot of work and money if it even works...im so sorry...I- I'll let you think"

The doctor said, backing out of the room and closing the door, leaving the two in silence...what a horrific truth to face...but, they can get through this together like always, right? 

"H-Hey- 3Drinkz? I-"

"We never should have done this"

"H-Huh-? What do you mean...?"

"What the hell do you THINK I mean?! I just got fucking shot Ned-!"

"I-I- I know, im sorry- its just- im just stressed... alot is on my mind..."

"And you think im NOT?! Youre not the one who got shot!"

"N-No no-! Its not like that 3Drinkz...I- (sigh) im sorry..."

for a few moments, the two sat together in silence, not sure what to say...but, when Ned attempted to restart the conversation, all he was met with was a finger pointing toward the door. Ned could feel his heart slowly break as he followed the direction of where 3Drinkz was pointing, his legs shook as he stood, his sunglasses covering the tears in his eyes, quietly mumbling an "im sorry" before exiting the room, desperately trying to hide his distraught nature, closing the door behind him as he left.   

Meanwhile, 3Drinkz blankly stared down at his lap...feeling a pain in his chest and small tears roll down his cheeks as it dawned on him what he did, and that, unless Ned came back, he could never reverse it...never tell Ned that he was sorry...

Chapter Text

"...Is everything ok sir-? Why were you at the hospital?"

Neds chauffeur asked as the car pulled onto the road

"I- I-Its a long story Gideon...my night has been pretty shit...I don't think im really in the mood to talk about it..."

He told Gideon with a sigh, taking a flask of alcohol from the mini fridge 

"Not like it would take too long for you to find out anyway..."

Ned mumbled, taking a sip of the flask before melting into his chair

"I-I...I understand sir, is there...anything I could do to make you feel better?"

"...I just- talk about anything...I don't want to think about tonight..."

Ned asked his driver, slouching over his knees and looking out the window

"Well then, I can do that...any preferences?"

"Just, nothing about my career..."

"Got it"

Slowly but surely over the course of the drive, Neds mood slowly improved, even feeling good enough to smile as they entered the gates of his mansion

"Here we are, do you need anything else sir?"

"No, but, thank you..."

"Don't mention it, i'm happy to help"

Ned climbed out of the limo, waving as Gideon drove away before walking inside his home and making his way to his room and getting himself ready for bed before lying down and falling asleep, but, unbeknownst to Ned, everything was about to crumble into pieces yet again 

"Famous musician 3Drinkz hospitalized! According to sources, 3Drinkz was hospitalized late last due to gunshot wounds to both of his knees!"

Great, Ned knew this would happen...and now, all the news outlets are going to want to reach out to him for information, fuck that. God, 3Drinkz was right, this whole thing was a huge mistake, all this song has brought the two is a shitload of stress and potential paralysis...

3Drinkz had the exact same reaction as he flicked through the channels on the tv in his room, that's just great, now, fans were going to get even more rabid and annoying...maybe it would have been better if Ned didnt save him...

A few minutes later, a doctor entered the room carrying a tray with some toast and water, placing it on a small table next to the bed before taking the clipboard from the end of it and looking over the files

"How are you feeling this morning 3Drinkz?"

"As well as I can, I suppose..."

He awkwardly replied, chuckling 

"Does anything hurt?"

"N-No...not really"

"Good, do you feel sick?"

"No, I just kinda feel...I dunno...shitty I guess?"

"I understand, well, I'll let you have your breakfast, I'll be back in an hour to check your injuries are healing properly"

"R-Right..."

Welp, guess thats going to be the cycle for god knows how long, unless, of course, something interrupts it...

Chapter Text

Ned was walking down the street looking for somewhere to drink when suddenly a small bar at the end of the street caught his eye, it promised a wide variety of cheap drinks and even a live performance, but, Ned just couldn't put his finger on why he was drawn to this bar in particular...Its not like he usually sought out dingy bars, so, what gives? What made this place special? It took some contemplation, but eventually, Ned decided to enter the bar. The pungent smell of alcohol wafted through the air, a crowd packed into the small room, most paying attention to the live performer of the night which is when Neds jaw dropped, the person sitting on the stage was none other than 3Drinkz, hoping he hadn't been noticed, Ned hurried to the bar where he was quickly greeted by the bartender. 

"Good evening sir, what would you like?"

"Uhm...just- just a whiskey, please"

"No worries, I'll be right back"

The bartender promised, leaving Ned to take a quick glance back at 3Drinkz, he was perched on a bar stool gently strumming an acoustic guitar. Ned couldn't help but feel the pain of nostalgia in his heart as he watched 3Drinkz perform, it had been so long since the two had been in a studio together that the idea that they even made a song together felt alien...

"You like the performer?"

The bartender asked, placing a glass in front of Ned

"I- Well, y-yes I suppose I like 3Drinkz..."

He said, turning back to the bench

"Oh? Big fan? Not many here know his name..."

"You could say that"

"Well, why don't you talk to him-?"

That proposal almost made Ned spit his whiskey out

"Wh- Huh- You...You mean that-?"

"Of course-! He always stays an hour after closing for his fans"

"Oh but I dont know-"

"Nonsense-! He'll be thrilled to see someone new!"

There was no weaselling out of this, Ned had to suck it up and face his fears...admittedly, there were a few times that the two attempted to patch things up over the years, but something always ended up happening to prevent that...so, maybe it's a good thing that Ned is being forced into this scenario...perhaps they can finally fix everything.

Nervous, Ned waited in line for his turn, unsure what to expect as the cold bit at his cheeks. Hopefully, this would go smoothly.

"...Ned?"

"H-Hey..."

For a moment, 3Drinkz stared at his former friend, attempting to process the situation...why was he here? 

"I- I should go..."

"N-No wait-"

3Drinkz exclaimed, grabbing Neds wrist.


"We should talk"

---

The two arrived at 3Drinkz house, entering his living room, taking a seat on the couch. The air was stiff with tension and neither really knew what to talk about, it had been four years since they had seen each other face to face after all, and any text conversation crumbled to dust before it could start. 

"...Look, I- Im sorry 3Drinkz, I shoul-"

"No Ned...I should be the one to apologize, I ruined our friendship..."

"What-? No-! 3Drinkz I got you shot! I don't blame you for what you did..."

"Ned, there's no way you could have known that would have happened, ok? Don't blame yourself for it..."

"I- 3Drinkz..."

Suddenly, 3Drinkz removed his sunglasses, clipping them onto his collar as turned to face Ned, gripping his shoulders tightly

"Hey, Ned, listen to me, ok? You...You saved me that night, If you didn't tackle me...I-"

"I don't know if I'd be here now..."