Have anutter chapter, folks! Hopefully I won't take that long to update again now that I'm caught up on my work. Thanks for all the feedback and whatnot!

Chapter 9:Golden Years

1999

"Hey, don't change it!" Tripp launched as far into the front of the car as possible, nearly capsizing his Happy Meal, and swatted his father's hand.

"You like that?" Jack asked quizzically, raising an eyebrow. "I thought the kids today were into…Hanson or something?"

"Ew, dad! Those guys are lame!" Tripp scowled, dropping his hands in his lap. "They don't even play instruments or nothing!"

"Sorry. Goes to show how much I know." The older man smiled in a bemused fashion. He watched as Tripp's hand darted out again and nudged the volume up some more. "Do you know who this band is?"

"Iron Weasel!" Tripp grinned, nodding vigorously. "Izzy's gonna be a singer and I'm going to be a guitarist like Bleed! We're gonna be rock stars and be rich 'n famous, hang out with other rock stars and-"

"You really thought this out." Jack chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. He remembered those sort of dreams when he was a kid. Made him wish he never gave away his old acoustic. "So, Iron Weasel, huh?"

"They're my favorite."

"Yeah, they were pretty good. Too bad they broke up."

"Aw, what?" Tripp groaned. "When did that happen?"

"The guitarist left or something a couple years ago." Jack stifled a small laugh. Tripp was still a kid after all and didn't read gossip rags. "Bands break up and get back all the time. I wouldn't worry."

"Oh. That's okay then." Tripp was quiet for a moment. "…I'd like to be a guitarist for them."

"Heh. Maybe you will." Jack shrugged as he stopped the car. "Home, sweet home, kiddo" Tripp unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed out of the vehicle. "Hey. Take care of your mom, Tripp. And tell her I say hi."

"Okay!" Tripp called over his shoulder and ran up the driveway. He didn't mind spending time with his dad. But it annoyed him that it took away from playing with his friends. In his mind, if his dad wanted to hang out with him, they should live in the same house. Tripp barreled into his room and dove onto his bed. The walls were plastered with band posters; Guns 'N Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith-all his favorites.

But Iron Weasel was his favorite. Guitarists like Hendrix and Perry were amazing, but something about Bleed's guitar playing left him in awe. Seeing the Brit play even with the grainy, blurred concert footage in documentaries was awesome in his opinion.

Tripp grabbed a jar with the label 'guitar savings' on it and dumped it on his bed. He frowned as he counted out all the change. Only seventeen dollars. He knew he shouldn't have bought that popsicle from the ice cream truck. After scooping the coins back into the jar, he laid on his back and looked up at the large Iron Weasel poster on his ceiling. "I'll get the guitar soon." He promised to no one in particular.

Even in his youthful, idealistic mind, he knew that playing for a huge band like Iron Weasel was next to impossible. But if he got famous with Izzy or on his own, he'd be able to meet them or hang out with them and stuff. Maybe even play with Bleed when that day came. For now, he was contented with just dreaming.


Tripp paced his room as he tried to think straight. /Okay, so Bleed is a big jerk. The guy I practically worshipped for seven years is a giant jerk./ He was a bundle of tense nerves when he first got home but now he felt a bit lethargic and tired. /And he's out there probably tricking the guys into putting me out./ The loud tinny sound of guitars broke him from his thoughts and Tripp walked over to his desk.

The screen on his phone lit up as it rang loudly and Tripp saw that it was Jared. He mentally kicked himself, remembering his friends. "Jared?"

"Hey, Tripp. What happened?" Jared didn't sound upset or anything. Just curious, which eased Tripp a bit. He didn't want another thing to deal with tonight. "We were turned away at that club. Not that I'm complaining, that stuff isn't really my thing. But listening to Izzy on the way home was not pleasant-"

Oh, no. Izzy. Tripp definitely felt guilty now. His best friend was probably raving mad thinking he tricked her into going to the wrong club or something. "Is she really mad?"

"Izzy was pretty upset." Jared informed him. "You know her though, she'll get over it by tomorrow. But, she thinks it's some kind of conspiracy."

"Well, it is!" Tripp's voice colored with anger. He sat heavily on his bed and sighed. "Bleed's trying to get rid of me…"

"What? Why?"

"Because he's a jerk!" exclaimed Tripp, "He wants to go back to being lead guitarist all of the sudden!"

"It'll be okay, Tripp. Knowing the guys, they won't replace you." Jared tried, attempting to alleviate Tripp's anxiety. "They like you a lot!"

"Yeah, but…Bleed was there first." Tripp rubbed his neck uncomfortably. Technically, he was the replacement and Bleed was the original. "What if the guys choose him over me?"

The voice on the other line was quiet for a moment. "I don't know…Sorry, Tripp. But just tell the guys about him. How could they not believe you?"

"I will when they get back. They were right when they told me he was a backstabber." Tripp muttered bitterly. He was just so taken by Bleed that he didn't listen. Now the guys were all buddy-buddy again with him. "I gotta go, Jared. See you."

When Jared hung up, Tripp wandered out to the front room and turned on the TV to try and take his mind off everything. It was almost midnight. The guys should've been back by now. "Where the heck are they?"


"Chug! Chug! Chug-chug-chug-" Half of the crowd at the bar chanted as Burger had his mouth attached to the nozzle of a beer tap. A roar broke out as Burger straightened, bowing and stumbling back to his seat.

"That was awesome!" The bassist grinned widely. He belched loudly and pounded his chest. "Mm, yep."

"Dude, I forgot you could drink that much!" Ash petted Burger's back, bringing out another huge burp. "Hey, bartender-bro! Four more shots!"

They were going to leave right after the gig, the guys worried about Tripp. But Bleed convinced them to sit down for a quick drink for old times sake. One drink turned into two. Then three. Then Burger ordered food. That made the other guys hungry. And they all had more booze to wash down the greasy bar food. And of course, dessert shots sounded pretty good afterwards which led up to this moment.

Bleed was pleased. One, he was certain the guys hadn't partied like this in awhile which would help his case to boot the kid. And two, it was fun as hell. He glanced over at Derek who was chatting with a pair of very pretty ladies prompting him to sidled up next to the singer. "Hey."

The girls seemed delighted when Bleed came over. "My boyfriend is going to freak! He says that an Iron Weasel show isn't worth coming to since you guys broke up. He's going to regret not coming out tonight!"

"So, are you guys all back together?" The brunette leaned forward and ghosted her hand over Bleed's forearm.

"Yeah-"

"Oh! Can we have a picture?" They squeezed close to the musicians and attempted to aim a camera at themselves. Bleed noted Derek's loopy signature on both sets of cleavage and stifled a laugh. The brunette caught his staring and smiled coyly. "I need your autograph too."

/…Niiiice./ Bleed smirked and took the proffered marker and uncapped it. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Derek flirting with the blonde and being his usual charming self. Back when they were in their heyday and going through girls left and right, these two would definitely be going back home with them. Bleed simply handed the marker back to the girl and excused himself. Even if they did have their own place at the moment, he wasn't in the mood for a foursome.

"I gotta take a leak." Bleed announced before pushing his way through the crowd. He managed to get backstage and muttered something about peeing to the bouncer (who seemed to have a perpetual glare on his face) as he slipped outside into the alley. The night air felt good and Bleed sighed as he found a spot by the wall and began to relieve himself. The door creaking open jolted him from the mild trance he was in. Bleed glanced over his shoulder to see Derek standing by the door. "Hey. What happened to the girls?"

"I passed them on to Burger." Derek shrugged as he hopped down the stairs. "He seemed pretty happy."

"They were pretty hot." Bleed commented as he zipped up his fly. "Sucks we don't have our own place to take them back to."

"That brings back memories." Derek laughed, his footsteps stopping behind Bleed. "Those were fun times."

"Yeah." Bleed turned to look at Derek, smirking. "I'm not too heart-broken though. I want you all to myself for now."

"I'm flattered."

"I'm serious. Groupies come and go." Bleed watched as Derek staggered over to him and long arms hugged his neck.

"Hey, dance with me?" Derek held tighter when Bleed tried to scoot away. "Come on-"

"I'm not dancing." Bleed grumbled, his face feeling warm. "You know I'm horrible at dancing."

"I don't care!"

"You laughed at me before, remember? I don't dance."

"You better dance with me," insisted Derek, already forcing the shorter man to sway with him, "Or I'll punch you."

"You're drunk. How can we even dance to a just bass thumping?" Bleed grumbled as he reluctantly let Derek lead him. He softened a little when Derek took his hand and pressed it against his lips. It was kind of enjoyable just being pressed together like this and holding each other. Even if he was stumbling every so often. When Derek suddenly laughed, he bristled a little. "See? You're laughing-"

"I'm not laughing at you!" Derek hugged Bleed tighter. "I mean, it was funny the first couple times. I'm just happy right now. That's all."

"Whatever." Bleed grumbled. "I just keep having these horrible flashbacks of me flat on my arse and you mocking me-"

Derek suddenly had Bleed pinned against the wall and leaned against him heavily. "Speaking of memories, remember when we were kids? And we were behind that one club…"

"Refresh my memory," Bleed teased, recovering from his embarrassment. He grabbed Derek's waist and forced their bodies against each other firmly. This was more like it. Music, drinking, getting laid in an alley; and most of all, no kid to ruin it. Bleed hungrily attached his mouth to Derek's neck, sucking and nipping the smooth skin. Derek's hands rubbed his sides and he made needy, little sounds that shot sparks to Bleed's groin.

"I love you-" Derek moaned before pressing his lips against Bleed's.

As much as Bleed enjoyed the tongue probing his mouth, he raised a brow and tried to pull his head back a little. It was difficult to speak when a set of teeth was pulling on his bottom lip. "You love me?"

"I'm bloody ducking funk!" Derek giggled and continued kissing Bleed's jaw.

Bleed pouted until his ear was bitten a bit too sharply. "Ow!"

"Stop sulking, you baby, I'm not that sloshed. I was kidding." Derek made a face at him and lightly smacked his cheek. "You know I love you, so stop your pouting."

"I wasn't pouting!" Bleed protested. He growled playfully and lifted Derek slightly to force him against the wall, reversing their positions. "You're a tease."

Derek widened his eyes slightly and he smirked. "I'm hurt." He hugged Bleed around the neck and kissed his temple. A sigh escaped him as Bleed worked his mouth on the base of his neck, hard enough to bruise. Derek pushed his hips against Bleed's and ground against him, making the other man moan and laugh breathlessly.

"I feel like a kid again." Bleed chuckled as he slid his hands up Derek's shirt and over the bare skin. He leaned down and kissed the smooth, taut chest all over, causing Derek to shiver. Long legs wrapped around Bleed's waist one at a time until Bleed was holding him up against the wall.

"Feel young enough to still carry me?" Derek smirked as Bleed shifted his grip on his thighs.

"Of course." Bleed scoffed and lifted Derek a bit higher. But he nearly dropped Derek when a sudden vibration startled him. "What the hell? Is your butt vibrating?"

Loud music played and Derek fumbled in his pocket to pull out a cell phone. "Text from Burger. He says those girls are looking for us." He grinned and kissed Bleed again. "Think we should let them find us like this?"

"…Judging from past groupies, I'm not sure if they'd be into it or not." Bleed shrugged. He let the singer back onto his feet, letting his hands linger at Derek's hips.

"Hm. Let's not risk it." Derek fiddled with his phone for a moment before snapping it shut and taking Bleed's arm. "Let's go. I told Burger to have him and Ash meet us at the van."

"You want to leave?"

"I want to be somewhere private with you. The sooner, the better."

Bleed grinned and grabbed Derek from behind, nearly sending them to the concrete. He kissed the side of the singer's face as they stumbled to the van and managed to get themselves inside. They were unable to keep from pawing at each other like a couple of hormonal teenagers, leading to Burger and Ash intruding on them.

"…You guys need to get your own place." Burger grumbled his pale skin a bit pink.

"I think Burger's right." Bleed agreed as he pulled his shirt back down.

"I think I'm hungry." Ash complained, which generated some agreement.

They drove home, only swerving once or twice thankfully. Burger and Ash were discussing food options while Bleed and Derek merely contented themselves with listening.

"Oh, Bleed!" Derek sudden exclamation jolted Bleed. Arms wrapped around his own arm and Derek nuzzled his shoulder. "I meant to tell you. Out in the alley. The lads and I were talking backstage. Then we talked some more and took a vote while you were peeing-"

"That's where you guys were?" Ash interrupted, twisting around in his seat. "You made a lot of pee."

"Moving on…" Bleed prompted, ignoring Ash.

"We decided we want you back in the band!" Derek gave him a rather sloppy kiss on the cheek and petted his head.

"Seriously? You guys are being for real?" Bleed looked into Derek's eyes which twinkled as he nodded vigorously. "You have know idea what that means to me-"

"Our new co-lead guitarist!" Derek sighed happily and rested his head on Bleed's shoulder. He didn't feel how the man next to him stiffened.

"T-that's great!" Bleed urged his irritation to stay away. It was expected, so it shouldn't be upsetting. Instead he pressed his face into Derek's soft hair and calmed himself gradually. It was fine. Soon he'd be the lead guitarist, Bleed thought, smirking to himself.


It was past two when Tripp heard the van screech into the driveway and the slamming of doors. /Finally!/ He walked out into the front room, greeted with the loud voices of his band mates. They filed in, all grins and mirth which fueled the anger and hurt in Tripp. "Good, you guys are back-"

"It is good we're back!" Derek stood next to Trip, grinning down at him.

Tripp blinked but shook his head. He needed to focus. "I need to talk to you about Bleed-"

"I need to talk to you about Bleed!"

Derek was weaving around the couch and was more…loud than usual. Tripp felt agitated and followed the singer, trying to get his attention. "You're an idiot-let me talk!"

"I am an idiot! Let me talk! So, alright, listen." Derek took Tripp by the shoulders and looked at him as if he had big news. His face seemed serious for a split second before another silly grin spread across his face. "Bleed is rejoining the band!"

They all grinned and waited like Tripp was going to react with nothing but sheer glee. Tripp felt his insides go cold and stared up at Derek. "What? How could you let him back in the band? I'm the lead guitarist!"

"Relax, little man!" Burger said in a reassuring tone. "He's not replacing you! We decided to make the two of you, co-lead guitarists!"

Seeing the shark-like smile on Bleed's face made Tripp want to punch the smugness right off him. Instead he clenched his jaw and looked at the guys. "You don't understand! Bleed told me he was trying to replace me as the lead guitarist!"

Tripp felt relief when Derek's face grew serious and his light-hearted tone disappeared. The Brit walked over to Bleed to face him. "Bleed, is this true?"

"I was messing with him!" Bleed insisted, still smiling and his expression reading mild exasperation and amusement. His voice changed to that rough one Tripp heard earlier in the alley. "Just like when I was using my stupid, American accent."

Derek's severity vanished and the guys appeared greatly entertained by this as if it was huge in-joke with them. Tripp felt himself on the losing side of this discussion and tried to gain their attention again. "Guys, you don't understand-"

"I know! Let's have a pancake party!" Bleed cut in. He shot a smarmy look at Tripp when the guys enthusiastically agreed. Tripp groaned inwardly, knowing the short attention spans of his band mates. Pancakes and Bleed won. Bleed's face turned a bit hard and his eyes were narrowed as he leaned towards Tripp in an intimidating manner, growling in a low tone. "I mean, let's have a Tripp's out of the band party."

Fortunately, Ash popped in (not quick enough to catch Bleed, Tripp groaned to himself) and got Bleed to leave. But not before he gave Tripp one more taunting look over his shoulder.

Tripp clenched his jaw as Bleed sauntered into the kitchen. Through his anger, he couldn't help but feel a surge of hurt and betrayal. It wasn't only from the fact that his lifelong hero turned out to be a hateful creep, but that the three men he grew to consider close friends and family didn't believe him.

After rewatching the episode, nothing cannot convince me that those guys weren't drunk or something. Anyway, in my head, I think that Tripp's dad is just a sort of yuppie drag who means well but just doesn't know how to communicate with his family. We'll see if that close or not when the last episode airs.