The Prodigal Son

The reassurance that he wouldn't be a bother lifted the weight from him just a little. Lately Wren had felt like a burden to everyone, especially his parents, and now that he didn't have any place to go, he was feeling like even more of a nuisance. But, Archie had been someone he saw as a friend, even if they hadn't spent a lot of time together. Their first meeting was raw, and vulnerability tended to bring people closer. Sleeping in a better bed would be nice, even if it was only for a night or two. The cot in the shelter wasn't very comfotable. "All's I need 's... A place to lay down." Wren quickly shook his head at the question. He had been in touch with his psychiatrist about his regular medications that he was supposed to be taking, but not about exactly how much or the fact that he was taking other pills he wasn't supposed to be taking. "They'll probably throw me in the hospital or somethin'. Like, my doctor—she controls my uh, regular meds? But, there's more. And—" Wren sighed, rubbing his head. "If she knows that I'm... Like taking more than I'm supposed to or taking—taking other stuff. I don't know." When he had been previously abusing pills, he hadn't had a psychiatrist. Of course his doctor knew about the past, but she wasn't aware of the fact that he'd been doing it again. Wren wasn't sure what might happen if he confessed that he'd been taking other pills again, and he truly didn't want to find out. "Anything. Maybe somethin' like... Burgers."

Though Archie wasn't usually the type to offer up help, he had grown to see Wren as a little brother type figure. Which of course he'd want to help out; having a good foundation of what brothers were supposed to do because of his own brothers. "No sweat, we've got a guest room with a comfy bed that you can use," he offered a smile as he stood up, wrapping Gatsby's leash around his hand once to get a better grip. As he listened, Archie nodded his head and didn't react, allowing Wren to finish before he responded. "Oh," he finally said, not having much of an opinion as he had used substances in the past during parties, but he did know the consequences. "Um, I mean not necessarily. What about like an out patient kind of thing? And if you need a place during that I'm cool with asking my fiancé about that." He tried to offer up, meaning to talk to Hazal about that. "Burgers? Works for me, I'm sure this guy will happily accept a patty for lunch too." @wrxnxashby

Coughing into the crook of his elbow, he nodded and looked up at her. He could only imagine how puffy and red his eyes were from feeling like shit. As he waited for her to get the vaporub, he closed his eyes, draping his arm across his forehead. Gatsby came over and rested his chin upon the couch by Archie's hand. Hearing her come back down, he opened his eyes and nodded at her, "thanks. If I wasn't too contagious, I'd ask you to rub it on my chest but I don't wanna get you sick." He smiled at her softly before taking off his shirt and unscrewing the little jar and dipping his finger into it and then rubbing it across his chest. "You don't have to sit here with me if you don't want, but I do appreciate it." @hazalxalpman

Seeing and hearing Archie react felt like an arrow in his back. It wasn't a bad reaction, no, but Wren felt like he'd shared too much. He hated opening up to people, but it was times like now where the floodgates opened and there was no stopping whatever came out. He knew he needed a shoulder to cry on, whether that was literally or otherwise. But sharing things about oneself brought people closer together, whether it was in a temporary moment, or a long-term friendship. Wren listened close as Archie spoke again, but he hesitated to accept the offer. He knew that it would be stupid not to take it. "Okay. Yeah. That would be... Nice. I don't want to be a bother, though." Even though Archie offered it, a part of Wren wondered if he only offered because he felt obligated. "Y—yeah. Like, few hours ago. But I can't stop. I need them. I—" Wren didn't want to explain, and he also didn't want Archie to feel like he needed to be keeping track of his meds. "I have my—my antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. Then what—what I've been taking... 'S called Klonopin. It's for... Panic attacks. And uh—other stuff. Dunno what." He hadn't been doing the greatest at taking his necessary meds, because it was difficult to keep track of whether he'd taken them or not when he was taking other things too, but he couldn't just get off of them cold turkey either. "No. I haven't. Not since like... Four in the morning."

Archie was usually the first person to shrug things off, to tell others to get over it, or to just say fuck it. But recently, lately, he had a different perspective. Maybe it was that he was finally growing up, an engaged man who lived with his fiance, whose friends were having kids or getting married. Or maybe it was just him realizing how life wasn't always about just having fun and not giving a shit. And seeing Wren like this felt like he was looking sort of in a mirror, seeing himself in the younger man to a point. "Nah man, you won't be a bother, I've got an extra room and plenty of space hope you like digs though," he lifted a shoulder and gave him a small and friendly smile. It would be his pleasure to give the kid a place to stay temporarily, even if it was just for a night. Nodding when the other explained about the medication, he didnt have much experience with that in any way, "have you spoken to a doctor? Like maybe they could help?" He didn't want to steer him in the wrong direction or anything and make it worse. "Come on, let's grab some food. You want anything specific?" @wrxnxashby

Open starter (cap 0/1) Not for kaila, starr and justin.

Art was something Archie knew he liked, especially those fine art pieces found in the catalogs of high end auction houses. The next best thing would be art found in a museum, though not modern art where the viewer didn't understand what they were looking at. Finding himself perusing the halls along side Noah, Archie took in all the fine art surrounding both men. "Are you going to say that after every room?" He teased with a smile before leaning forward and reading the description of the portrait in front of them. "Never heard of this guy but I like his styles, though the kid doesn't look too happy." @noahsinclaxr

There was a reason Wren didn't share much. 'Sorry' would have been his own response to something like this, but he knew it never would be truly helpful. "Twenty-two. But it's not... It's not just like—it isn't just like I picked the wrong job or something simple." If it were so simple, he wouldn't be spiralling so hard. He pulled his knees to his chest and rested his head against them, the sick feeling travelling up his throat. "I didn't kill anyone. I guess." His mouth twisted into a frown, his eyes never meeting Archie's. 'From the start' sounded like a good place. He took a moment to think where exactly the start was. "Well, I moved here to get away from—from my dad. Y'know, he was the reason I had money. But I came here because he—he was an alcoholic, or, is an alcoholic. I'm not sure. Supposedly he stopped drinking." He shook his head, thinking of where to go from there. He didn't want to be too long winded, but there was just so much to explain. "My mom is like, losing her mind, or insane. I don't know what to call her. My dad he uh, hit me. Like, a lot. All the time. My mom she—she was there and she saw it, but she has somehow convinced herself that she didn't, and so she tried to convince me that my dad never hurt me. But I like—" He inhaled, biting down on his lip. "I started going to therapy. Long list of diagnoses or whatever, and she still refuses to acknowledge what he did. I started on medications and—okay let me take a few steps back. Because I don't want to talk to my father, because well obviously, my mother basically told me that I no longer am getting money. Which sounds so spoiled but, I've never not had money. They're going through a divorce right now. My credit card got cut off. I uh... I can't pay rent anymore so my landlord made me leave. So I have no house. My mom won't talk to me, and I don't think I want to talk to her. I'm staying in the homeless shelter. I started taking pills—" Okay, now he felt like he was sharing too much. He knew he probably seemed totally screwed up by now, and this wasn't even the half of it. "I used to abuse pills. This all went down and I um... I started taking pills again, but ones that aren't prescribed, so I guess I relapsed or whatever they call it. I've been so fucked up. Right now is probably the most sober I've been and my mind is a mess." Rubbing the back of his hand, he looked down at the sand. "I'm sorry. I told you there's just so much."

"Twenty two," he echoed the other, his face plain as he nodded, "nah I get what you mean. And like even in life in general to not know." He slightly turned to face the other, his eyes shielded from the sun with his hand as he had taken off his sunglasses. He nodded along as Wren explained his past and history, trying not to react even though his eyes got wide. Despite his own history of his parents being rich and turning him into an entitled asshole, he was thankfully never hit or abused. And for the first time, he felt something inside him he didn't understand. It was almost anger towards Wren's parents, as he oddly felt like he should take him under his wing somehow. "Fuck," he whispered in the midst of the conversation, "shit man. Hey no need to apologize. I'm as fucked up as they come. And was spoiled rotten my entire life so I get it. I uh..." He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck before running a hand over his head and through his hair. "First, I have a guest room you can stay in. I think my fiance would be okay with that. Staying with us for a few days," as for the other aspect, he paused and thought for a moment. "Have you taken today? Because if not that's good, if so that's okay too, tomorrow is another day to stop." He took in a breath, "have you eaten today also? Because I was going to grab lunch. My treat." @wrxnxashby

His mind seemed to be all over the place, feeling like he was talking and blabbing all about. Could be the fever he figures, his mind also feeling like it weighed like a ton of bricks. He closed his eyes while he heard her making the tea in the kitchen, the sound of her working about it made him smile. Hearing her voice as she got closer, he opened his eyes and saw the mug upon a coaster. "Thanks," he leaned to take it gently, his hand holding the handle so he wouldn't burn himself. He took in a breath, smelling the hot liquid or at least he tried to as his nose was stuffed. "Do you know if we have any vaporub?" He asked and took a small sip before setting the mug back down. "No, I just came right down here after waking up and bringing in Gatsby." @hazalxalpman

Archie just shook his head at both of his best friends, "dude we ain't in middle school anymore. Axe is for kids, and deal. I'm sure it ain't that bad. Just rub some Vicks up on your lip. It'll be fine." He sounded more confident than he actually was, having never changed any sort of diaper before. "Okay fine no weed smelling around the babies, it's not like we'd be smoking by them," he rolled his eyes before playfully flipping off Cohen, "you know you love me dude. And fuck yourself right back because I ask myself that every day. How I got such an amazing woman to fall in love with me. I still can't believe it." He couldn't and he'd forever try to make sure he was the man she did fall in love with. "Just go with the flow with Alli, don't dig in your heels you know? Hey even if you never get married and you both are happy together that's all that matters," that was all that ever mattered. As he inhaled the smoke around them he shrugged, "you tell me. I don't mind supplying the goods every time, we can save the other two or we can smoke 'em all. You guys tell me." He had a good supplier, a good contact that offered up premium weed with a good price. "Good point," he pointed at Nolan, "though I don't think a big city one would be good. That could make national news and we'd all be banned from every aquarium in the country." Was that true? He had no clue, plus the weed was clouding his thoughts ever so slightly. Pressing a hand to his chest, Archie wiped a fake tear with his other, "well Clara and Jordan definitely have Uncle Archie's heart. And I promise I'll try not to spoil them but no guarantees." He grinned then laughed, "Okay fine. Or we could figure out some design and the three of us get matching tattoos, that way no one gets a divorce or a portrait on their ass." @nolanxmurray @cohenblake

He laughed, "Maybe so, but Axe will cover up any smell, dude, you have no idea how bad baby shit can be." It was wild how smelly and messy it could be. "I have used Ali's location and Vicks, Jordan can beat it." It was a wild thing. "You two are wild with the married and long-time thing... "He didn't understand it yet, yes, he loved Alli, but he knew they were not at that step yet. It was a wild thing that he and a friend had a baby, and all were like in comment on dating or were married. He needed this outing to relax, even though he didnt really have much to do. "We need to do this more, but I also have no time for that" he laughed at the next thought. "Eh," he waved his hand. "Also, I don't need another mark on my record, so let's not do it anywhere." It was better for all of them not to get into trouble. But he was doing his best to work hard and keep in line to do better for Alli and Jordan. He passed off the joint then laughed . "the girl are gonna be spoiled for sure" but each other uncles, "and the girls will be... like..." he paused, "ugh sister, cousins or something." he knew none of them were dating any family of each other, so every uncle wasn't just a title and not real. "Yeah, Alli would not like that... no faces," he put up his hand to show no way. "I already have Jordan's name...well, sort of." It was from his friend, but Jordan was named after his friend, so it counted. @archiemorgan @cohenblake

Archie took in a long deep breath before exhaling it through pursed lips, "this is how I spend my free time. Smoking j's and goofing off. Though probably for not much longer as I'll be a husband soon." Heooked between his best friends, "though belly laughs from a kid does sound fun.... Eventually I mean. I don't think I want kids right away to be honest. I mean yeah I love Hazal so much it hurts but I like it just being us. And Gatbsy." as he took a hit off the joint, he let the smoke fill his lungs for exhaling, tilting his head up and blowing the smoke upwards. "Anytime, I have a really good contact for this stuff," he held up the joint, "so just say the word and we'll have it. But yeah no floating on home, gotta stay alert for that wife and kid of yours." He was against impaired driving, taking that seriously for once. "Aw Coco, you're gonna make me cry," he wiped away a fake tear, "you and Noley here are the two greatest friends a guy could ask for." He draped an arm across each of their shoulders. "But yeah I'm down, get everyone's fams together sounds perfect to me." @nolanxmurray

Now that he didn't really have money, he was no longer able to see his therapist. But, Wren felt like he'd been talking about every feeling he had for too long, to too many people who didn't actually care about how he was feeling and he wasn't sure he wanted to talk to Archie about his feelings either. There had been so much going on, and he knew if he started, he wouldn't be able to keep everything down. The last thing he wanted was to have another breakdown in front of the other. "Yeah, that's good." When the other patted the ground, Wren hesitated before taking a seat next to Archie. "I don't know how true that is right now," he mumbled. It seemed like every time things were looking up for Wren, they just crashed back down harder than before. "I feel like it's... The end for me. I don't—don't know where 'm supposed to go in life." He didn't mean a literal end, at least not in the way it sounded, but he didn't know what was in store for his future. He knew he could work hard, save up, and get to a better spot, but he didn't know if he wanted to do that. Wren thought that he had escaped the entitled attitude, and for the most part, he had. Now that he didn't have the security of his family's money though, it made him realize just how privileged he still had been. "I fucked up, man. There's just... So much fucked up. I—" He stopped, his head falling as he held back the tears. "I don't even know where to begin."

Though he was usually the cynic and wasn't one to talk about feelings or even really care about others, save for maybe four people at most, he seemed to have a soft spot for the other. As he looked at Wren, he raised an eyebrow as if to say to give some more detail but he didn't say it out loud. "Oh," he just said and let the silence hang in the air and left it at that unless Wren wanted to elaborate. "I'm sorry," he softened and shrugged a shoulder, "how old are you? I mean it's okay not to know. Shit sometimes I don't even know if I'm on the right path. Sometimes I feel like I should pivot and like just start over some how and some place else." Though now he was engaged and he'd include his fiance in those plans, and if that meant moving somewhere else he couldn't do so without her. Taking in a breath, he blinked a few times as he looked at Wren, "I'm sure you didn't fuck up that bad. Come on, it's not like you killed anyone. Or like attacked anyone." He paused and asked, "unless you did? I mean I feel like you didn't, though hey if you did that's okay too." He put up his hands. "Why not from the start?" @wrxnxashby

Since losing the place Wren had called home since he'd moved to Kismet, he was visiting areas he had never really been interested in; not because he was suddenly interested in them now, but because he didn't really have anything better to do. Besides work, Wren didn't do a whole lot anymore. He took what he could carry in a bag—as many changes of clothes that would fit, his laptop, a couple of books, and the last little necessities that he could wiggle into empty spaces—and left his house, got into his car, and drove it down the street. For the first few nights, he slept in the car, but that quickly became uncomfortable, so he searched up places he could stay. Since then, he'd been living mostly in the homeless shelter, and sometimes still sleeping in his car when being surrounded by people became too overwhelming. Today, he didn't work, and he didn't have anywhere to be, so Wren decided to take a venture down to the beach. He had his head down when he heard Archie call for him, hands tucked away in his pockets. He remembered the last time they spoke, Wren had been doing pretty well. He was scared to see the man again, now that he was in a much worse state. Looking up with bloodshot eyes, Wren gave the man a small wave, his mouth placed in a thin, straight line. There wasn't a smile, nor a frown. There was nothing. No emotion on his face. "Yeah. Too long," he said plainly, his hands fidgeting inside of his pockets. "I'm—" The words didn't come to him. He wasn't sure how he was. Over the last however many months, there had been an array of emotions, but right now, he couldn't place his finger on the exact ones he was feeling. "Life is life. I'm... Here, I guess. Alive." Wren sighed quietly. "How are you, though? You good?"

The sound of the ocean had always been the soundtrack for Archie when he needed to think or relax. The beach having always been his safe haven for him when life got out of control. But now it was merely a place to chill and relax on a day off. Seeing Wren, he noticed the shift in the other man's demeanor from the last time they spoke. Nodding, his eyes took in the younger one, and he arched an eyebrow ever so slightly in curiosity. "I'm good," he replied, his hand scratching behind Gatsby's ear as the dog laid out beside him. "Alive is good, and yeah life is life," he patted the sand next to him, "life can be fucking shitty as hell sometimes, but being alive is good, means better days are ahead." @wrxnxashby

"You've always been really beautiful too. Wise and beautiful, man am I lucky." A hint of a smile crept upon his lips before hacking another cough into his elbow. "Okay," he agreed and shuffled over to the couch, grabbing one of the throw blankets they had. "I'll sleep here tonight so I don't get you sick," he added, able to project his voice from the living to the kitchen, especially in the open concept of their home. He didn't want to get her sick and figured sleeping side by side wouldnt help the situation. @hazalxalpman

Vincent chuckled at the male's question. "You are kinda right about that for sure. At least I lucky Quinn is someone who listens well but he is his fathers son and when I was a kid I had moments when I did not listen," he replied back shaking his head. "Yes, they always keep you on your toes for sure. Just the other say we were out in our garden and the little one can up with his hand muddy, he had caught a frog which was a surprise and wanted to keep it as a pet," the male laughed shaking his head.

Archie shrugged his shoulders and smirked, his dig being someone who did listen thankfully. Gatsby was well trained even if he had some doggy tantrums so to speak. "Yeah, and don't we all? I sure as shit didn't. I probably still wouldn't listen to my folks," especially now as an adult, as things were very different from when he was a kid. "Damn, okay yeah I wasn't that kind of bad," he mused to himself, "I probably didn't start not listening to my folks in high school. And by then I was too far gone."