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They started the annual boys trip tradition the summer after Corroded Coffin disbanded.
It was too hard to make a name when Gareth was still in high school and Jeff’s parents insisted he go to college for a “real” job. Bear decided to take over his dad’s tire shop and Eddie pursued a solo career.
He’s actually been pretty successful. But even as they went down different paths, the four boys swore to remain friends.
The first trip was Chicago. Then New York, Miami, Houston, San Francisco; this year they’re in Nashville.
It wouldn’t be Gareth’s first choice; but, Eddie talked it up a lot when he performed here a few months ago. So, of course the others wanted to check it out.
One thing he didn’t mention was how fucking hot it is; the humidity is making his already frizzy hair even worse. Even in their air conditioned hotel room, Gareth feels like he’s drinking every breath. Sharing the room for the next week is going to be miserable, but that’s all part of the fun.
“Do you think Eddie has a spare hair tie?” He asks Jeff, who’s laying splayed out on the floor. He’d ask Eddie, but he’s in the shower.
“Probably. His bag is the gray one,” Jeff replies, pointing across the room.
Groaning, Gareth shuffles to the bag, unzips it, and digs around until he finds Eddie’s toiletry bag. Excited to get his hair off his neck, Gareth up ends the small bag. He expects the toothpaste, curl cream, and sunscreen. What he doesn’t expect is the handful of plastic tubes on the bottom.
Furrowing his brows, Gareth picks one up curiously. Why the hell did Eddie bring these?
Steam follows Eddie out of the bathroom as he opens the door. Refreshed, he’s ready to show his friends the best restaurant in Nashville.
Bear’s asleep on one of the beds, Jeff lays starfish style in the middle of the floor, and Gareth… is digging through Eddie’s stuff.
“Whatcha doing there Gare-bear?” Eddie asks, raising an eyebrow.
“I was looking for a hair tie, but I found these,” Gareth turns around, holding a handful of tampons. Eddie’s eyes widen and his cheeks heat.
“Oh,” he squeaks, voice cracking.
“Dude what the hell! Why would you bring these on a boys trip?” Gareth asks, incredulously. Why is he mad about this?
“Why were you in my bag?” Eddie throws back. Trying not to panic, he wraps his arms around himself protectively.
“Dude, what’s your problem?” Jeff groans from the floor. “It’s not like Eddie can control it, stop being a douche.”
Eddie sighs, grateful that at least one of his friends isn’t suddenly a huge asshole. He bumps Jeff with his foot in thanks.
“Oh he totally can. None of us ever try to get lucky on these trips. Why can’t Eddie keep it in his pants?” Gareth replies, crossing his arms.
Huh? Now Eddie’s really confused. Before he can ask what he means, Bear sits up obviously woken up by the argument.
“Oh gross!” He shouts. “That’s disgusting, no offense Eddie.”
“None taken, very few want to earn their red wings,” he wiggles his eyebrows, making Bear groan.
“What are red wings?” Now it’s Gareth’s turn to be confused.
“Sex and head while someone’s on their period. No kink shame, but it’s not a thing for me. I’m not one to turn it down, but I’m not seeking it out, you know?” Eddie says no longer embarrassed. “Plus I probably won’t start this trip, I just like being prepared.” He shrugs, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Start what?” Gareth asks, putting everything back in Eddie’s bag.
“Gare, honey. What do you think those are?” Eddie finally asks, fully convinced there’s a huge misunderstanding.
“They’re tubes of lube, right?” He replies.
A snort escapes Eddie that he tries to smother even as Jeff and Bear burst out in loud laughter. “What? What’s so funny?!” Gareth stomps his foot.
“Those are tampons, Gare. Kind of the exact opposite of lube,” Eddie explains once he’s not choking on his own spit.
“Wait why do you need…” Gareth trails off, his face turning an alarming shade of red. “Shit, I forgot that you…” he buries his head in his hands.
There’s no way Eddie can hold back this time. Tears run down his face as he laughs until his stomach aches, unable to breath through it.
Once he calms down a little, he pats his friend’s shoulder reassuringly.
“I’m flattered that you forgot I have a uterus; and, I’m also pretty concerned that you don’t know what a tampon looks like. But rest assured, no matter what, the boys trip is still a sacred ‘don’t get laid’ zone.”
“Not that it’ll be hard for you if you think that’s what lube looks like,” Bear chimes in, tossing a pillow at Gareth. With a groan, Gareth relents, laughing at his own expense.
“Now that Gareth proved he’s never looked under a girlfriend’s sink, can we go eat?” Jeff asks.
“Hell yeah! There’s this awesome barbecue place that has crazy good mac and cheese,” Eddie grins, jumping to his feet and pulling on his shoes.
“I still need a hair tie,” Gareth says. Eddie yanks one off his wrist and flings it, nailing him on the nose.