For: OCDdegrassi's Controversial Challenge.

Issues: Drug addiction, murder/suicide.

Pairing: James/Rory.

Warnings: Strong violence, strong language, scenes of a sexual nature, alcohol abuse, drub abuse, slash.

A/N: Hey, guys. Welcome to a very controversial story, dealing with the issues of drug addiction and death. It's a very serious topic and, as it's my first time writing something like this, I hope I do justice to the damage they can cause.

I feel suffocated. Everyone around my closes in, taking what air I have left to myself. I can't breathe, I can't think straight. I try to get out, pushing past, through any available space. I stumble; they think I've had too much to drink and laugh, saying I'll be fine again in the morning. I don't care. It's too hot in here. My palms sweat; I feel it dripping down my forehead too, and my heart is racing so much hard, I swear it's ready to explode from my chest.

But I see it; the light. I run to it, closing that last gap. I push open one side of the double glass doors and stop when I'm leaning against the balcony, my head buried in my folded arms. The air comes back, my breathing slows to a normal pace and I can think clearly again. "Much better."

"Are you alright?"

I look up quickly. There is another guy out here with me; I didn't see him before. He's watching me, his light brown hair long enough to blow in the breeze, wearing a simple black tux he doesn't feel comfortable in. I take in his features, smiling lightly because there is someone here who actually gets that I'm not drunk. The look in his eyes tells me he's concerned, but the smirk on his face says my run out here amused him. "I'm okay now, I just get really claustrophobic." I point behind me to the party.

"Ah. I just hate them," he says before tipping the rest of his whiskey back, finishing the glass.

"Oh, I hate them, too," I laugh. "But they make me stay for longer than should be allowed."

He laughs with me and moves forward, leaning against the bars a little away from me, for which I'm grateful; I'm still a little shaky from before… Not that I'll tell him that. "That's because you're their star, Mr Seeker," he grins and winks.

So, you do know who I am," I reply, nodding.

"I've seen you around, James." He holds out his hand, though he looks sceptical about me actually taking it. "I'm Rory Gilbert; Danny's younger brother."

My eyes widen at the name; Danny is Puddlemere's best chaser and a good friend of mine. I can't believe he's never said anything about having a brother. I never would have guessed, even if he did; this man is brunet with tanned skin and brown eyes, whereas his brother is paler with blond hair and blue eyes. His smirk is back; I take it he's figured out what I'm thinking. "I am the result of our mother's second marriage. As you can tell, we both look more like our dads than we do our mum."

"Yeah," I agree softly. He still has his hand out and a take it quickly. "James Potter, it's nice to meet you. Forgive me, I hope this doesn't get Dan in trouble, but how come he's never mentioned you?"

He replies with a harsh laugh and lets go. "To say Danny and I don't get along would be an understatement; he would do almost anything for me because I'm his little brother, but that doesn't mean he has to like me. I'm only here because mum made him invite me, then she made me come. I wouldn't have listened, but I like my car and I dread to think what that witch would do. He only listened because he needs his broom."

"Families can be tough, even if they do mean well," I sigh. "I should know; my family is huge."

"Oh, I know," he says, rolling his eyes. "I'm honestly undecided on whether your claustrophobia should make sense or if it's irrational because I figure you'd be used to crowds and compact spaces by now."

"I'm claustrophobic because I got locked in a cupboard and had a panic attack when I was four," I explain.

"So, it has nothing to do with your family?"

I disagree. "It has everything to do with my family; it was my cousin who locked me in."

He doesn't know what to do at first, like laughing would be a terrible thing to do considering what the experience did to me, but once I start he joins in quickly. His expression only causes me to laugh more and it takes us ages to stop. Once we do, he turns to the door, before facing me again and smiling. "I'll be back in a minute." I let him leave, wondering why he had to go, only for him to come back a few minutes later with two glasses of Champaign, passing one to me. He holds his up for a toast and waits for me to do the same. "To you and me, our crazy families and our bad experiences, all of which brought us out onto this balcony; it's nice to finally have someone who understands to talk to."

We clink our glasses together and down the alcoholic beverage in one go, giggling when we finish our little competition at the same time. He turns to the door again, but this time he doesn't leave for drinks. He points with his thumb behind him. "You wanna get out of here?"

I glance back to the party and there is no way I want to go back in there. I face him to see that his hand is out for me to take so he can apparate us out of here. I take it. "Let's go."

We land in an alley behind a load of buildings. The bins are filled with cartons and trays and I know they're all fast food places. The thought of food causes my stomach to rumble and he laughs. "My thoughts exactly," he says.

Still holding my hand, Rory pulls me out of the alley and into the street. Its dark and the streets are more or less empty, so no one notices us, and he steps into a chip shop. I haven't had chips or fast food of any kind due to my training and I swear my mouth starts to water. He orders two bags of chips, which are each put into a cone, and we eat them as we walk. It feels good to not have the pressure of fame surrounding me every minute, and I want to enjoy every second of it.

We talk about anything and everything as we walk, from our childhoods to embarrassing moments, we make jokes and I feel like I'm laughing more tonight than I ever have. I really wish Danny had talked about Rory. Maybe we would have met a long time ago.

I force down the feeling in my stomach that tells me I'm attracted to the man at my side and continue to talk. It's not long before we've made it to the centre of town. Rubbish discarded now, we walk past people lining up to get into bars and clubs. He glances my way, trying to mask a hint of worry. I know what he's thinking, but I'm fine. Loud music doesn't bother me, it's the crowds inside. I just shake my head. And he takes my hand, pulling me closer to the next one.

"Are you crazy? You know why I was out on that balcony and you saw the effect. Or some of it, at least!"

"Relax," he reassures me. "We're not going near them." He drags me to the side of the club, opens the door and takes me up the stairs. I don't ask how he knows about this. We end up above the dance floor, to separate VIP booths. He stops at the last one and we go inside.

The people already in there turn as soon as the curtains close. "Rory, you came. And you brought a friend."

Rory points to each of us. "Caleb, this is James Potter. James, this Caleb Turner and Sadie Jones."

We shake hands briefly once Rory and I sit down and the woman at his side, Sadie, passes us a couple of shots each. I turn to Rory wearily. "I know for a fact you have a few days off, considering the season is now over." He puts the shot in my hand. "Live a little."

I ignore the looks they give me as I down the drink; it's what they're waiting for because they cheer when I put the glass back on the table. Caleb passes Rory a cigarette, which he takes, and I shake my head when he asks me, taking the other shot instead. "A non-smoker, eh? Has Rory finally found a guy who will change his wicked ways?"

"Found a guy?" I ask.

He frowns. "Didn't I tell you I was gay?" I shake my head. "Well, that's not a problem is it?"

"No," I grin. "It would be hypocritical of me to say yes."

"I know." It's my turn to frown; I didn't tell him I was gay either. But then I remember that it's public knowledge. "Danny told me," he replies and then I remember that I'm friends with his brother. It's still weird to know they're related. I've only spent an hour with Rory and I'm already noticing the differences between them.

We go into separate conversations; Caleb and Sadie, me and Rory, occasionally bringing each little group in when the guys want to share something. I lose track of the time and the amount of alcohol we've been drinking. My head is a little fuzzy and my speech is slightly slurred. "I think it's time I went," I say at last.

"Do you have to?" Rory whines, pulling me back down when I try to stand up. I fall awkwardly and land on him, sitting on his lap instead of the couch. His friends are too busy making out to notice. "You can stay, you know? Or I could go with you?"

"I don't know," I start, but his lips find mine before I can finish. It takes me longer than necessary to remember Danny. I pull back slightly. "I don't think your brother would like it."

"Danny has no say in our lives, James, especially not mine," he whispers. I think he has a point, but that could be the alcohol talking. "Do you really think he'd care? He hasn't even wondered where we are."

I answer Rory by kissing him again, rougher than last time, and he returns it enthusiastically.

I stand up and lead him out of the club.