Chapter Text
It was two in the afternoon. Jimmy sighed, glaring back at Trev. The bartender had been staying with him for the past few weeks since his hospital visit. Jimmy assumed it'd be better if he looked after him because Trev didn't always take the best care of himself. It was going well for a while. Until now. They'd just fought over something stupid, and Trev was giving him the silent treatment. Childish..He thought, pinching the bridge of his nose with frustration. Of course, he'd be the first to speak up. "Trev, you're acting like a baby! Get over it. I don't wanna look after your stupid lizard, nor do I want to apologize for somethin' like this! All I did was pinch you!"
Trev snarled back, his voice dripping acid. "Oh, cause you can never apologize! Yeah, I get it, Jimmy. Never there when I need ya. Also, you wouldn't quit when I told to! I'm the one acting like a baby?" They glared daggers at each other. Just a minute ago, they were playing around—that's what Jimmy believed, anyway. For Trevor, it was more like a "oh-this-guy-is-trying-to-kill-me-better-fight-back" situation. Jimmy backed Trev into a wall, yelling back equally as loud—if not louder. "...'Cause you were whinin'! I'm not gonna apologize just 'cause you're throwin' a tantrum, Trevor!" Silence hung in the air. Every breath taken felt uncomfortable.
"What did you just call me?" Trev grumbled, pushing Jimmy away from him, onto his bed. He bounced onto the soft mattress, cushioning his fall. He laughed at Trevor's weak attempt of hurting him. "That's the best ya got?" Jimmy teased, but Trev looked dead serious. He began to pack up everything he brought over. "Trev, pal, what are you doin'? Are you seriously thinkin' of leavin'? Who's gonna take care of your stitches, huh? You still need me," He grinned, his voice low as he said the last words. "You baby."
That was it. He grabbed his lizard, his duffel filled to the brim with clothing, and some antiseptic Jimmy bought him. "I bet Bob wouldn't be such a jerk. Actually, I bet he'd nurse me back to full health so that I wouldn't have to constantly play patient! Haa! Take that, Jimmy! Zoom!" Trev yelled before he walked out of the apartment.
Unbelievable. He couldn't be gone, could he? Not for good, at least. That idiot had to still rely on him. He was out of his mind if he thought he could just leave. Jimmy slammed his fist against the bed frame, grunting. What would the kids think? Him and Trev were so close lately. Would they assume it's like the fights him and his ex-wife had? It wasn't like that, right? Trev would miss him and come barreling back. He always did, after all. The man was a coward. Jimmy knew that Trev cared deeply for him, and he always used that to his advantage when possible. Did that make him an awful human being? Of course not!
Meanwhile, Trev gripped his duffel bag tightly, making sure it wouldn't fall. Yes, he was weaker from what he'd endured, but that didn't mean he couldn't carry heavy material. Jimmy always poked fun at him and made it abundantly clear that he thought of Trev as lesser than him. He wiped his nose on his arm, sniffling. His eyes were bloodshot from crying. Luckily, he left before Jimmy could see him burst into tears. Oh, god, what am I doing? Jimmy's gonna kill me! Trev thought. He pushed those thoughts away, walking to his apartment complex. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out.. nothing. He'd given his last pair of keys to Jimmy. "Great.. Just- Just great." He mumbled, sliding down the door to sit in front of the building. He'd ask to stay with his uncle, but the man was out overseas for a fishing trip. There was only one last place he could think to go.
The door to the restaurant swung open, chiming to signal a new customer's arrival. "Hello! Welcome to Bob's Burgers! What can I- Trev?" Linda greeted, her voice getting caught in her throat. It'd been a while since it was just him in the restaurant. Last time he was there, it was because Jimmy was away on a trip; Trev had to man the restaurant alone, so when he got a break, he came to the restaurant across the street. Trev sat on a stool next to Teddy, not looking up at the family's watching eyes. "Um.. Trev? Did Jimmy make you run the restaurant again? Why are you.. here alone? Is he coming?" Bob questioned, his eyebrows raised. Trev let his arms cross against his chest before he spoke. "Nah, it's just me. I'm really hungry—been walkin' everywhere." Linda furrowed her brow; this did worry her a bit. "You look awfully pale, Trev. Are you.. okay?" Her eyes lingered on him for a bit before they travelled to the window. "Wait, wha- what? You walked here? In this weather?" She frowns, concern clear in her tone. The bartender nodded slowly.
"What's in the cage?" Louise perked up behind Trev, examining his reptile. "My lizard. I took him with me because Jimmy never tries to take care of him. He refuses to call him his son!" He replied with a grimace when he mentioned Jimmy. Tina raised a brow. "But.. He's not his dad?" Gene chimed in, taking a peek at the aforementioned creature. "Hey, you do you. If Jimmy wants to have lizard sex with a lizard lady, that's his business!" He seemed proud—not like he didn't always act that way. The boy was confident in himself. "Little guy thinks of him as a daddy. He can be real caring sometimes.. Just not today." The bartender groaned while rubbing his hands on his face. Bob, still in the kitchen, peered through the open space at Trevor. He spoke again, voice monotone as ever. "So.. You're mad at Jimmy? I can't imagine that. You two are.. um.. I don't know." It wasn't clear to anyone what Bob meant—everyone but Linda, that is.
"Trev, I think what he means is.. You two are always together. Like two peas in a pod! We kinda thought you were hookin' up." She chuckled, her eyes bright. Trev's face flushed when he heard her. Suddenly, he felt the need to clarify things, or this could get bad. He knew Jimmy hated being linked to anything he deemed "gay." "No, no.. That's not it. He said we were aqquaintances He's usually the best. Well, not right now.. Y'know what I mean." He stumbled through his words as if his mouth had run a marathon. Louise responded, her voice dry with sarcasm. "Oh, yeah, totally. Super platonic, huh? Rubbing each other's backs.. Other friendly things." Of course, Trev was oblivious to her joking, so he nodded enthusiastically. Louise just face-palmed. There was no use in trying to tell him what she meant. The guy was fragile, after all.
Taking a look at the Burger of the Day board, Trev decided he'd just order that. He really wasn't too picky right now. Anything would do. "Can I get a.. The.. The More Thyme You Have, the Feta Burger?" He'd ask, cocking an eyebrow to show his confusion. Bob snickered; he got to work on the food for Trev. "So, Trev," Poking the man, Louise began to speak. "Why choose to eat here? I mean, there has to be another place. I think even that potato place would be better. Are your standards that low?" Bob cut her off before she could scare Trev further. "Louise."
Some time later, Linda brought out the burger for him, setting it in front of him. "Hah. I get it. Time. There's thyme on this.. and feta.. More time to eat this thyme burger. That's funny, Bob." Trev laughed, but Teddy stared at him with distaste. "It's hilarious. I don't really get it, but it's so funny! Appreciate it, Trev! Appreciate it!" He slammed his hands down onto the counter, his voice booming. "Thanks, Trev. Teddy, calm down. I think he was being nice." Bob called back from inside the kitchen.
Trev finished his burger, but his mind still seemed to be in a distant place. Linda waved a hand in front of his face, cooing for him to snap out of it. "Trev? Trev? Trev!" By the third time she repeated his name, he finally looked at her. "Huh? What's happenin'? What?" For a while after his meal, he blanked out. His mind was preoccupied with other thoughts. The woman sighed. "I'll cut straight to the point, okay? Bob and I are a little worried about you. Are you doin' okay?"
He froze, his eyes locked onto his empty plate. It would take a while until he actually responded. "I just got stitches a while ago. I think it was a week ago. Well, yeah. Jimmy visited me in the hospital, and he brought me back to his place. I left after a.. fight.. and I don't think I could be welcomed back now. I'd stay with my uncle, but he's away for somethin'. Think I'm outta options." Trev rambled whilst fiddling with his thumbs nervously. That was a habit he picked up when he was anxious. He tried not to do it in front of Jimmy too much because of how he'd poke fun at him.
Suddenly, Linda's eyes widened; they sparkled with something all too familiar to Bob. He knew that she loved to be a hostess. Not as much now as years ago, maybe, because of the whole ordeal Louise caused, but it was still something she adored. She just hoped her youngest wouldn't traumatize one of the guests with mascots again. Bob shook his head to clear his thoughts; his voice came out a little strained. "Linda, please don't tell me you're thinking of letting him—" Of course, she piped up and interrupted her husband. "You could stay with us! I'm sure we could find you an extra room if you wouldn't want to sleep in the basement! Bobby knows how cold it gets down there.. Isn't that right?" She looked to Bob who was now standing beside her. "Lin, can I talk to you?" He sighed and pulled Linda into the kitchen with him. "There is no way we are taking in Jimmy's bartender. He would never shut up if he found out. Also, um.. I just don't want him here?" Bob whispered not-so-silently.
"Oh, come on, Bobby! He needs us!" She pleaded. "Or he needs a hotel? Can't he go back to Jimmy's?" The cook responded. Linda looked like Bob had just personally attacked her. "No! He's a big meanie weenie! He's the whole reason that Trev is here! Please, Bobby? Just for a little while?" There was no use in trying to argue with that woman, for she was stubborn. "Okay, fine. He can stay, but I'm not letting him sleep in our room. He can sleep in the basement" Bob sighed, shaking his head. Linda jumped up and down, hugging her husband. She repeated "thank you" over and over before coming back out into the restaurant. "You can stay with us, Trev! Go put your stuff in the basement! Gogogogogo! Before Bob changes his mind!"
Trevor was delighted to hear this. Well, truthfully, he was the first time, too, when he heard Bob and Linda talking about it through loud whispers, but he'd still act just as stoked. "Oh, ah, okay!" He called back whilst rushing to the basement. It was chilly down there, to say the least. It was the best he had, though, since he couldn't bring himself to see Jimmy again. He began to unpack carefully, making sure as to not break anything.
Back at his apartment, Jimmy chugged down another cold one from the bar in his living room. It was bad enough that the kids would be with him that week—only because he was sure they'd pester him about his disheveled appearance. No matter, for he could clean up just fine. The worst thing, though? He wasn't sure he'd have his bartender at work the next day. He seemed pretty upset. "Stupid.. Trevor." Jimmy muttered drunkenly through slurred syllables. God, did he miss him; he wouldn't admit that to him, though. He couldn't be weak. Wiping his lip, the man whipped out his phone from his back pocket and decided to send Trev a text.. or more.