Chapter Text
I woke up to a loud banging noise coming from the bathroom Ryan and I share.
It took me a while to comprehend that… that large bang was a gunshot.
I got out of bed and ran to the bathroom to see Ryan hyperventilating, cupping his hands around his abdomen. Holy shit.
“I didn’t mean to—“
“Ryan what the fuck?!”
“Brendon p-please i can explain.”
Ryan stuttered and stumbled with words—his speech was slurred he probably swallowed his tongue right there in this moment. His hands were shaking and he was on the floor.
I pick Ryan up, wrapping his arm around my neck, rushing towards the car
“Ryan, keep pressing onto your stomach. You can explain later.”
“Bren, I dont feel good.”
“Shit, Ryan! Stay with me god damn it!”
I toss Ryan into the backseat of the car and lay him down; the beige seats now getting dyed by the color of Ryan’s blood. I jump into the driver’s seat and back out of the driveway.
I reach for Ryan’s hand. “Hold on, man!” Ryan squeezes my sweaty palms.
“What do you want to talk about!?” I say, constantly looking back at him to make sure he’s handling the pain.
“Br—brendon— shit! This fucking hurts, god.”
“Try not to think about it Ry!” I huffed. “Think of something you like to do; let’s talk about your lyrics or… your guitar!”
“I have new lyrics. Its—“ Ryan grits his teeth. He curls up into a ball.
“That’s fine! Just keep talking…! We’re almost at the hospital.”
“I don’t want to go to the hospital..”
“No Ry, we have to go to the hospital.”
“I’m… not my… dad.”
My body freezes. I almost stopped the car. I look back at Ryan. There’s tears all over his face, leaving his cheeks all soggy.
“Ryan… keep talking…!”
“How the fuck am I supposed to talk when I just fucking shot myself?!”
“Shit.” the words slipped under my tongue. I’m trying to stay calm but fuck. This is just too much.