present

BILLY.

"What the fuck is this place?" I mumbled as the six of us gazed around the bar while we stood at the entrance. Strobe lights were flashing me with bright red and blue colors, temporarily blinding me when both colors shone in my eyes. I blocked my eyes for a moment with my hand as I followed Oliver towards wherever he was leading us. As much as I hated to admit it, I was kinda relying on the guy right now considering the fact that he's used to this kinda shit whereas I'm the total opposite. I'd rather go to bars that were similar to the one where we just were, aside from the part where that man had his heart set on killing one of us. Then again, if Oliver hadn't opened his bloody mouth about fucking the guy's wife, we'd probably either still be there OR Oliver wouldn't have red marks on his neck along with a bruise forming on his stomach. And he probably wouldn't be rubbing at his back every few seconds either, then again maybe this is all shit the guy's used to. I know he has a crazy sex life; I know the white haired jackrabbit gets around. I just don't know what he's in to, and I don't necessarily mind not knowing.

Oliver led our group towards a part of the bar, or I should say club, that had dim, purple lights shining throughout the room. The lights weren't strobe lights, thank the heavens, they were simply just shining down upon us in a hazy fashion. I didn't really think that this would be Oliver's style, but hey, this is better than that blinding bullshit.

Oliver led us towards a high top table without seats surrounding it, prompting all of us to shift around the table until we were all comfortable with who we were by. I was stuck between Alice and Chris, which I didn't necessarily mind. Personally, as everyone already knows, I truly care for Alice and I like Chris, but if we're being honest, I'd rather be between Alice and Anthony. I say this because I really don't know whether Anthony likes me or hates me, and I genuinely appreciate the mystery. I mean, him and I worked together to carry Oliver out of the bar, but maybe that's only because he fucking loves Oliver and I just happened to be the other guy helping him. And it's not like Anthony and I started out on the right foot, either. Then again, he's drank a fuck ton of my liquor now from my hotel room's refrigerator and that shit isn't free. I guess if we're not truly friends, I'm sending him the bill sometime soon. But then I'd have to bill everyone else, including Oliver. And I really don't want Oliver Blackheart owing me because God knows what he'd do in return. The snowman would probably throw a goddamn party in my honor.

Like I said before, Alice was on my left with Chris on my right; on Chris' right was Sebastian, Anthony, and then Oliver. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Anthony squeezed his way around the circular table just so he could stand next to Oliver. Actually, that makes perfect sense.

"I take it you've been here before," Anthony murmured with a smirk as he raised an eyebrow at Jack Frost. Yup, that's my new nickname for Oliver. It's either that or Coco Chanel because of all the drugs the fairy does. Speaking of fairies, maybe his nickname should be Tinker Bell. That could also be a reference to cocaine because of all the fairy dust, eh? Alright, now it's seeming like I'm more obsessed with the jackrabbit than Anthony is, and Anthony just smirked at the guy.

Oliver nodded his head rapidly as a wide smile spread across his face. "I most certainly have," Oliver squeaked as he giggled. What fucking man does that?

I did that, Billy. Stop acting like you're new to this kinda shit.

"Stop," I spoke aloud accidentally, causing everyone to turn their heads towards me while wearing a look of confusion.

Oliver tilted his head to the side, causing some of his hair to flop to the wrong side of his head. Now he just looks like a deer in headlights. "Stop what, Billy?" he murmured softly while wearing a look of curiosity on his face.

I shook my head while closing my eyes, desperately trying to rid myself of the thoughts of Johnny floating around my mind. I didn't need to have another episode unlike the other night when I had been so freaked out I had gotten myself drunk and sang, more like yelled, the lyrics to a song that featured Nickelback while waving around a bag of cocaine. I never knew I had any of that in me, but I guess there's a first for everything- especially now that I'm hearing the voice of my first love and seeing him in person even though he's dead. And what's even worse is seeing my dead first love within the eyes of Oliver Blackheart. Yeah, it's worse than the Rotten Tomatoes rating for Paranormal Activity. "Nothing," I murmured as I switched my gaze to Alice's while offering her a small smile. I didn't want to smile at Oliver. I don't know why, I just genuinely fucking didn't.

"Alright," Oliver mumbled, causing my gaze to snap to his. He was wearing a small smile as his eyes searched mine, but I could also notice, if I looked hard enough, that his eyes gave off a sense of understanding. Maybe Elsa has her demons, too. Really, another fucking nickname for that godforsaken frostbite victim? Fuck me, I'm just on a roll tonight.

Anthony cleared his throat while looking between the two of us awkwardly. Sure, Anthony, take your fucking boyfriend back. "So," Anthony spoke awkwardly as he pursed his lips. "How do we get alcohol, since we didn't get any in the last bar?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow at Oliver.

Oliver grinned a seductive smile in response. "Patience," he murmured as his eyes switched to something behind Anthony. His body structure loosened as he became more relaxed with his posture. "Never mind," he cooed as he offered the person walking towards us a wide smile. "Your wait is over, my friend," he murmured with a wink.

And it was in that exact moment that I knew that Anthony could very well be in love with Oliver Blackheart. Anthony offered Oliver a smirk in response, and just as he was about to say something, the waitress walked up to us.

"Oliver," she cooed as she offered him a wide smile.

Oliver grinned widely in response and hugged the waitress. She had black hair that was tied back into a ponytail, skin that was tanned like she constantly hung by the beach, a black t-shirt that hung off her shoulder that showed her bra strap, and black skinny jeans that hugged her figure perfectly. "Hannah," he sighed into the hug before pulling away. "How are you?"

Hannah giggled before sighing. "I've been better," she mumbled with a halfhearted smile. She shrugged before mumbling, "Turns out my girlfriend was fucking some older, rich guy."

Oliver cringed as he screwed up his face in disgust. "She wasn't worth your time anyway," he murmured as he waved his hand through the air. "You deserve better."

Hannah smiled softly while pulling out a notepad. "What can I get you boys, along with the lady, to drink?" she giggled as Oliver flashed her a wide smile. She raised an eyebrow as she glanced between all of us, and I will admit that the girl was ever so slightly intimidating- but in a good way. She dressed like me, kinda. She was like the girl version of me.

Sebastian cleared his throat as he read over the drink menu that was held within a silver clamp in the center of the table. "I'll just have a bottle of beer," he responded as he offered Hannah a wide smile.

"Same for me," Chris jutted in as Hannah wrote down Sebastian's choice of drink.

Oliver rolled his eyes and groaned dramatically while tilting his head back. "Seriously?" he groaned as he lazily tilted his head back to its original position. "That's all you guys are drinking?"

Chris chuckled and shook his head in response. "I need a break from hard liquor," he admitted as he shrugged his shoulders apologetically.

"Boo," Oliver roared as he held his thumb down. "You're officially old now."

Chris rolled his eyes while chuckling as Sebastian patted him reassuringly on the back. Sebastian proclaimed, "I guess we're officially old bastards now, huh?"

Anthony chuckled while turning his head back to face Hannah. "I'll have an apple martini, please," he declared before turning to face both Chris and Sebastian whilst raising an eyebrow at the two.

Oliver laughed airily as he slung his arm around Anthony's shoulders and squeezed the larger man while hugging him. "That's what I'm talkin' about," he exclaimed as he squeezed Anthony slightly harder for a moment. "My kinda guy!"

In that moment, I swear I saw Anthony's cheeks darken as a small smile appeared upon his face. This most definitely confirmed my theory of Anthony's endless love for Oliver. How else would one explain Anthony's reason for blushing?

Alice giggled while gazing between Oliver and Anthony. Her gaze then shifted to meet Hannah's, prompting her to murmur, "I'll just have a Coke and rum."

Oliver cheered as he held up his hand, prompting Alice to awkwardly high five him while laughing. "Yes," Oliver exclaimed as his eyes blazed while wearing a goofy smile on his face. "Another champion!"

I sighed while rolling my eyes before murmuring to the waitress, "I'll just have a glass of whiskey." Before Oliver could exclaim another dramatic scream of excitement, I shot him a look that hopefully conveyed the emotions I wanted to portray. In conclusion, Oliver tilted his head down in defeat while lowering his eyes to the table. Sometimes you just need to tell Elsa to let it go. For fucks sake, why do I keep making references to Frozen?

"And I'll have a watermelon margarita," Oliver said as he smiled seductively at Hannah. "On the rocks and salted, please." If I was feeling daring today, I'd straight up call Oliver a fairy to his face, but I wasn't, unfortunately. I was just feeling like my normal, laid back self who gives zero fucks about what's going around him while also getting easily annoyed at anything and everything. Hello, I'm Billy Redford, have you heard of me?

"I'll be back with your drinks shortly," Hannah murmured with a smirk before walking towards the bar.

Oliver smirked as his gaze followed her figure, and then he called to her, "Thanks, Hannah! You're always a blessing!"

Hannah turned around while walking backwards towards the bar as she exclaimed, "Stop trying to get in my pants, Blackheart! You know I don't swing for huge assholes with small dicks!"

Anthony whistled as he shook his head slowly. "Feisty motherfucka right there," he murmured as a smile formed on his face.

"If you liked men, then you'd be all over me," Oliver fired back jokingly.

Hannah smirked while shrugging as she exclaimed, "Like I said, I don't like huge assholes with a dick always shoved up them!" Oliver chuckled in response as he shook his head while Hannah turned forwards to face the bar.

Anthony chuckled along with the rest of them while I tuned out everything completely. I shifted my body so that I could look in the section of the bar about twenty feet behind me that consisted of red and blue flashing lights with sweaty bodies gyrating against one another to shitty, overplayed music. If I squinted hard enough, I could see small bags of pills and tabs being passed around while people used them without hesitation. Taking in my scenery made me realize that I wasn't actually surprised that Oliver knew our waitress quite well. This seemed like the ideal place for a wild Oliver prancing around, and God knows how many of the people here he's actually slept with. If he's here that often, I'm guessing he's gotten around to many of the attendees at this bar/club crossover. Hell, I'm guessing he's gotten around to most of the people gyrating their hips against random strangers.

"Yoohoo," I heard Oliver coo as he leaned past Alice while getting closer to me. "Earth to Billy."

My gaze snapped to his as I adjusted my figure to fully face the table while remaining eye contact with him. "Yes?" I murmured slowly with a raised eyebrow.

Oliver giggled as he pointed to something in front of me on the table. "Our drinks arrived, Dreamer," he murmured with a wink before raising his glass to his lips.

I rolled my eyes before taking a sip from my whiskey, almost moaning at the flavor. Jesus Christ, whiskey brought back some fucking memories. From the first time Johnny and I got drunk to the choice of liquor I chose to drown him out from my mind, whiskey was always there. And now it's here solely for the purpose of me drowning out Oliver Blackheart. I love parallels.

ALICE.

Somewhere around twenty minutes after Oliver interrupted Billy from his daydream, the six of us were engaging in conversation with one another prosperously. Some of us had even shifted spots. For example, I had moved to stand next to Sebastian while I spoke with him, Chris had moved to stand between Anthony and Sebastian, and Billy was still beside me but was next to Oliver. Oliver was engaged in conversation with Anthony and Chris while Billy stared off into space, occasionally sipping at his drink as he watched the people dancing in the other section of the club. Sebastian and I were currently talking about ourselves, but in happy terms, of course. He didn't bring up anything he had seen and heard about my past recently, and I deeply appreciated it.

"No way," I laughed as I covered my mouth to keep the liquid from spilling from my lips. "That's a fucking joke, Seb!"

Sebastian laughed while tilting his head back. "I'm not kidding," he exclaimed as his eyes blazed, slightly glazed from laughing so hard. "I really flirted with Taylor Swift when I was drunk while completely thinking that she was one of my exes!"

I burst out laughing again as he retold the summary of his story, my eyes watering as they crinkled from laughter. "That's so embarrassing," I exclaimed while he doubled over in laughter.

Sebastian sighed dreamily as he wiped the tears away that were spilling down his cheeks. "That's not even the worst part," he sighed while an even wider grin spread across his face.

I covered my mouth while I gasped, my eyes bugging out completely. "Oh no," I whimpered while trying to contain my laughter. "What'd you do, Seb?"

Sebastian rubbed a hand over his face as his cheeks reddened from embarrassment. "I may or may not have thrown up all over her shoes," he murmured as he peeked at me through one eye.

I gasped once again before I busted out laughing, causing Sebastian's cheeks to redden even more as he giggled along with me. "Oh my god," I sighed as I calmed myself down. I giggled for a few moments as I studied him while he giggled along with me in embarrassment, and I'm not lying when I say this- Sebastian genuinely looked adorable. His facial expression made him seem like a puppy while his body portrayed him to be a burly bear, and let's also not forget that this man had every opportunity of being a playboy (no offense Oliver) but wasn't one. At least, he didn't seem like one. He seemed like the kind of guy who would treat his girl like a princess and do anything and everything he could to please her, then again maybe I'm looking a little too far into things. Maybe I'm just making stupid assumptions.

Sebastian sighed a laugh while running a hand through his hair. "It was so embarrassing," he cooed while looking above me and to the left at open air. "My friend, Chace, had to tell me that I was flirting with Taylor Swift and not my ex, Dianna."

I giggled for a few more minutes while I tried to take sips from my glass. "Such an amazing story," I sighed as I raised my glass to my lips. "You should make a movie of your life."

Sebastian's eyebrows raised as he laughed, "Ha!" He then shook his head while giggling as his eyes closed. "How about no," he murmured while chuckling. "I'd be sniped by Taylor herself if that ever got out, Alice," he laughed.

I giggled while rolling my eyes before taking another sip from my glass. "I'm sure she'd leave you alone," I murmured with a smirk.

Sebastian's eyebrow raised while a small, goofy grin spread across his face. "And how do you know?" he asked as he raised his bottle to his lips.

I motioned my hand to the two men on my left. "You're friends with billionaires now, Seb," I said while drawing my mouth in a straight line. "Very well known billionaires I might add."

Sebastian chuckled while taking another swig from his bottle. "That I am," he murmured before throwing me a wink. "How ever will I repay you for a gesture such as that?" he mumbled sarcastically while smirking at me.

Deciding to play along, I raised an eyebrow at him while a smirk spread across my face as well. I rested my arm on the table while leaning slightly closer to him as I murmured, "I can think of a few things."

Sebastian's eyes darkened as he smiled like the Cheshire Cat. "I'm listening," he murmured seductively while leaning the slightest bit closer to me. Wow. Just... Wow. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly thankful that I had the table to lean on for support.

I cleared my throat nervously while raising my glass to my lips, preparing myself for whatever  was about to spew out of my mouth on demand. Just as I made eye contact with Sebastian once again, he began chuckling while turning himself to lean his back against the table.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion while Sebastian took another swig from his bottle. "What?"

Sebastian glanced at me for a moment, his eyes twinkling in the dim, purple lights as he gazed upon me. "Nothing," he murmured lightly as his wide grin became smaller- kinder. But I knew it wasn't nothing... I knew he had something he was holding back. Then again, if you're friends with the world's three wealthiest, most fucked up people in the world, you'd probably hide things, too. One's past doesn't stay hidden for long if you're friends with Billy, Oliver, or I; it'd only take Sebastian some time to realize that.

SEBASTIAN.

My God was she beautiful... From her hair to her eyes to her lips to just..her. Everything about her screamed out to me in ways I hadn't felt in a long time. Alice made me feel things- emotions, feelings, physical insecurities- that I hadn't felt around a woman in what seemed like forever. Of course I, um, acted throughout our encounters like I was a normal, happy-go-lucky guy, but in reality... Oh my god. Being around women now, and even around women I've dated and/or hooked up with in the past, I always felt some sort of confidence surging through me like I knew what I was doing. As a teenager, I was completely and utterly different, like, no confidence whatsoever. But now, I'd like to think I'm a pretty confident, dorky guy. Yes, I owe it to the loads and loads of fans I have who boost my confidence about every single day, and I owe it, as well, to all of my work and modeling opportunities, but I also owe it solely to myself, too. Waking up every morning and knowing what you truly have just gives you some sort of wake up call, y'know? That kind of shit gives me confidence...but now... Fuck me. I'm glad I can, at minimum, act at an amateur level, or at least a level that Alice hopefully hasn't seen past yet, because oh my fucking god was this woman making me weak in the knees. How can someone do that to you when you've hardly spoken to one another? How the hell can someone do that to you when they've slept with two of the other men at the table that you're...standing at, too.... Deep breaths, Sebastian, you don't need to kill anyone today. They're your friends, remember? Chill. Think about dogs or something. Yeah, puppies are making you happier right now, aren't they? Who doesn't love puppies? An even more important question: who doesn't love Alice? I'm sure Billy and Oliver have a fast answer. I'm sure they loved being in betwee-

"Sebastian?" Alice asked cautiously, causing me to snap out of my daydream while coincidentally staring at her like a creep. "Are you, uh, okay? You seem kinda mad..."

I raised an eyebrow while my tongue slid between my lips momentarily. "Hmm?"

Alice raised an eyebrow at me hesitantly while glancing between my face and her glass of liquor. "You were just..." She shook her head quickly before raising her glass to her lips. "Nevermind."

Now you've somehow managed to fuck this one up, too, haven't you?

"I'm sorry," I murmured while smiling apologetically at her. "Sometimes I get too carried away with my own thoughts." Nice lie, Stan. Smooth. That'll surely make the record books.

Alice giggled while swallowing a swig from her glass. "Do your thoughts contain slaughtering people by the dozen or something?"

I let out an involuntary burst of laughter in reaction to her question. "What?" I laughed as both of my eyebrows raised. "Where'd that come from?"

Alice smirked at me jokingly as she set her glass down on the table. "You just looked like you wanted to kill me," she murmured with a sarcastic pout. "Or maybe you wanted to kill someone else?"

I rolled my eyes while taking another swig from my beer. "Oh, definitely," I responded sarcastically. "Just call me Bucky Barnes."

"If I knew what Bucky was like, I'd definitely call you that more often," she responded immediately. A hint of a smile played across her lips, almost taunting me to kiss it away. Jesus Christ, Dude, control your hormones. You're how old, now?

I smiled devilishly in response as I leaned a bit closer to her. "I guess you'll have to find out one of these days," I murmured lowly.

Alice smirked at me as she responded, "Only if Bucky himself joins me." Is she...flirting with me? ....No...no, of course she's not. Then again, there's only one way to find out.

"I couldn't imagine it any other way," I murmured in response while a small smirk spread across my face.

And, of course, right as I was about to receive her response... Billy blurted out the most useless thing ever.

"I'm going over there."

hello! this has taken so long to update and i'm so sorry!! i've been slacking off lately-- my bad!! anyway, today is sebastian's 36th birthday and i just had to update something! i was going to include way more in this chapter, but it's just going to have to be in the next one :D anyway, i love you all, and happy birthday to the reason my account exists (and i guess he could lowkey be the father of my account) sebastian stan! <3