Chapter Text
"Fuck." Johnny mumbled as his fingers cramped on the chord he was supposed to be playing. That was the forth time that morning.
Being stood the closest to him, Andy noticed. He let his bass playing fade out, as he eyed the other man worriedly. "Are y'alright, mate?" He asked. Mike ceased his drumming as he heard this.
"Yeah, yeah." Johnny said quietly. He let his guitar hang limp from his shoulders and shook his left hand in the air. He didn't know why it was such a struggle to play properly today. It was like his brain was in tune with the music, but his body was refusing to cooperate.
"Were yer playin' late last night?" Andy picked up on the slight grimace that flashed across Johnny's face. Mike fiddled with his drumsticks, always unsure what to say in situations such as these.
Johnny watched as he clenched and unclenched his hand. He knew what Andy was insinuating, but he never liked to admit he was tired. He was known for being the hard worker, the one who rarely slept, and then spending the whole day and most of the night working on and perfecting songs. He was the machine.
"I might'ave been." Johnny glanced at Andy, offering him a small smirk. "I'm used to it, mate. No need ter worry." He went to hold his guitar again, but a sudden wave of fatigue made him hesitate. Andy reached a hand out, as if he expected him to stumble. "I am worryin' though." Andy mumbled. "Y'look like yer gonna collapse."
Johnny bit his lip. How late had he stayed up playing guitar last night? Three or four in the morning? He never usually considered this unhealthy; it was normal for him. He knew that Morrissey wasn't fond of him staying up past one o'clock. He always tried to educate him on the importance of a good kip.
As if on cue, Morrissey slipped into the studio. He came in late on Tuesday's, spending the morning hanging out with his sister on her day off from work. Almost instantly he noticed the tension in the room. "What's going on?" He murmured, glancing between Johnny, Andy and Mike.
"Nothing." Johnny said quickly. He flashed a smile at him while Andy looked on sceptically. Morrissey nodded slowly, though the look on his face indicated he didn't believe Johnny. He searched his expression carefully.
Johnny felt guilty for lying to his face, and it showed as he averted his gaze to the ground. "I'm gonna 'ave a quick smoke." He mumbled. He slid his guitar strap off his shoulders, and hurried out of the room.
As soon as he stepped out of the building, he leaned against the wall and breathed out slowly. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Exhaustion seemed to drag at his arms. He let them fall to his sides. The feeling then shifted to his legs, and as he began to crouch to aleviate it once more, he realised that his entire body was riddled with it. He blinked slowly.
Johnny fumbled for his pack of cigarettes. He would be fine - he was Johnny effin' Marr. Tiredness meant nothing to him. Unsteadily he lighted his fag, and brought it to his lips. The long drag he took calmed him. He breathed out slowly, letting the smoke curl up the side of his face as he closed his eyes.
"Johnny." Morrissey's gentle voice came from behind him. He tensed slightly. Oh fuck, he was still crouching against the wall. He probably looked a right knob.
"Mozza, hey." He braced his hand on the wall and, with a bit of effort, he pushed himself back to his feet. He was embarrassed by how much his body protested to that simple movement. Johnny turned to meet Morrissey's gaze, holding his cigarette between his fingers.
Morrissey never missed a trick. He could see the fatigue behind his eyes. "Andy and Mike told me what happened his morning." He began, his tone tinged with concern. Johnny sighed and took another drag of his fag. He knew he wanted to feel irritated, but as he was held in the other man's gaze he found he couldn't bring himself to be.
"I think you're pushing yourself too much." Morrissey continued. At Johnny's lack of a response, he shuffled closer and reached for his hand. Johnny let him take it. He relaxed a bit more as he felt him give a soft squeeze.
"I can handle it." He mumbled, which sounded as weak to himself as it did to Morrissey. His hand had dropped to his side once more, the cigarette resting loosely in his fingers. Left unattended it exuded a thin slither of smoke.
"I know you can." Morrissey squeezed his hand again, then brought it to his face and pressed a few kisses to the back of his palm. Johnny let his eyes slide shut. "But one can't go on when one has no fuel left in the tank."
Johnny hummed in passive amusment at his choice of words. He knew there was some sense to it, even if it was difficult for him to admit such a thing.
Morrissey could imagine Johnny's thought process. He lowered their hands and focused instead on his face, and when Johnny peeked open his eyes he was met with a gentle expression. "Maybe you need a break." Morrissey whispered, leaning a little closer.
Johnny parted his lips slightly. A break. He had never considered anything like that before. "With you?" He asked softly, squeezing their clasped hands as he searched his gaze.
Affection danced across Morrissey's face. "Yes, with me." He affirmed. He closed the distance and kissed him, only lightly and only for a mere moment, before parting and bringing a hand to rest upon his cheek. "What do you think?"
Johnny held his gaze, the sensation of the kiss lingering on his lips. To have a break of some sort with Morrissey - it honestly sounded lovely. He never would have thought that parting from his work would be so easy, but now Johnny almost felt lighter, both physically and mentally, at the idea of leaving it to rest for a little while.
"Yeah." He spoke lowly, a tired smile curling at his lip. "Think I'd like that." Morrissey's expression brightened, and he stroked a thumb across his cheek reverently. "We can go anywhere you'd like." He added. He was just about to kiss him again, when a whistle from behind stopped him in his tracks.
It was Mike. He and Andy were leaning in the doorway, apparently evesdropping. Mike chuckled as the two of them turned to look. Morrissey blushed slightly, but Johnny shared Mike's laugh in good humour. "Is this where yer sneak off to together?" He purred. Andy hid a smile.
Johnny patted Morrissey on the shoulder with his cigarette hand, as they parted and stood to face the other two. "Yeah, all the time mate. Can't keep off each other." He said with a smirk, and as he nudged Morrissey's side playfully even he couldn't abstain from a smile.
Morrissey cleared his throat. "Actually, we were discussing something." An eye roll was evident from Mike. "Believe it or not." Johnny slipped in, amused.
"Yes, well. Johnny and I are having a break. A holiday of sorts. Maybe for a few weeks?" He glanced at Johnny to confirm this, who simply nodded and shrugged. "That sounds good." Andy chipped in, clearly relieved Johnny had chosen to put his health first. Mike hummed.
"Where are yer goin'?" Andy asked. Morrissey looked questioningly at Johnny once more. He pondered this. Where did he want to go? Or, maybe, where did he not really get the chance to go often? "The beach." Johnny answered himself and Morrissey. He met the other's gaze, and was greeted with a tender smile. "The beach, then. Someplace nice on the coast, or not far from." Morrissey agreed.
Johnny leaned against his side, pleased at this. Andy exchanged a glance with Mike, perhaps realising that their presence may not be wanted right now. "Alright. Well, call us from whar'ever posh place yer end up at!" He smiled, and with a small wave he departed alongside Mike.
"We will." Johnny promised, amused at Andy's belief they'd be going somewhere 'posh'. Morrissey watched them leave, then looked back at Johnny fondly. "I don't mean to be impatient, but would you like to leave as early as tomorrow?"
Johnny smiled tiredly at him, no longer feeling that he had to conceal it. "Yeah, alright then." He reached up to touch his face, guiding him closer again. Morrissey went willingly, and it wasn't long before their lips met once more, renewed with the excitement and relief at the thought of their holiday that would begin the next day.