AN: Another chapter where the POV jumps around a little. Enjoy!
Last night's dream was playing on Liam's mind. Maybe a coastal town had been a dumb idea, maybe he should head inland, make a clean break. Liam walked by the water, going nowhere in particular. He passed a woman with a child, the boy reminded him of Ash, and Liam realised with a pang that Ash would be bigger now, it'd been a while since he'd seen him. Liam missed his son, though he doubted Ash missed him. He hadn't exactly been the most attentive father, and maybe that's why Heath's words stung so much; deep down Liam feared they were true. Liam hated feeling like this, Heath had a way of dragging him down and making him question himself. But there was more to his relationship with Heath than that, because as unlikely as it sounded, Heath had a way of chasing the darkness away too. There were moments when he was with Heath and he felt as if they were the only two people in the world. Liam had thought he was miserable when Heath was around, but being away from him was even worse. He realised now that he missed Heath, that Heath added a spark to his life that it needed.
xxx
The thought of Murphy was consuming Heath. No one should be allowed to make him think this much, let alone think about them this much. Damn Murphy. Heath was gonna find him and fix this once and for all.
"Hey Brax, where's Murphy?" If anyone knew, Brax would, he was Murphy's boss after all.
"He took a few days off," Brax said unconcernedly, turning back to his work. They were in the storeroom, and apparently Brax was more interested in ticking stuff off a list than helping his own brother. It frustrated Heath, didn't Brax know how important this was?
"Obviously. Where'd he go?"
"I dunno, up the coast I think..." Brax answered without looking up from his clipboard.
"Did he mention anywhere specific?" Heath was gonna snap any second now if Brax couldn't bring himself to be a little more helpful.
"Maybe, what d' you care so much for anyway?" Half a smile was on Brax's face, but this so wasn't funny.
"I don't, I just wanna make sure he won't be back anytime soon," Heath huffed and started to walk away.
"Hey Heath," Brax said, calling his attention back, "he mighta said something about Palm Cove."
xxx
Heath jumped in his piggin' rig and headed off up the coast. She was built more for bush bashin' then cruising up the freeway, but she'd do the job. On the drive, Heath had plenty of time to think, but serious thinking wasn't really his forte. However, Heath did know this; he would not be able to think anything near a rational thought until he found Murphy and sorted this out. Frustratingly, his one-track-mind was completely fixated on that annoying idiot with the ridiculously blue eyes, who may or may not be a great kisser, who had a pretty mean right hook, who he wanted to strangle and snog at the same time, but who was ignoring him at the moment. Heath was determined to get a reaction from Murphy, however he had to go about it. Murphy not paying attention to him was maddening, but underneath the anger and frustration a feeling of lacking was settling on him and Heath knew Murphy was the answer to chasing it away. So he would track Murphy down and make something happen. Anything to push this one way or the other, so that at least he wouldn't have to wonder any more.
xxx
Liam was walking down the street, minding his own business when it happened. It helped lift his depressed mood.
"Oh my God, it's Liam Murphy!" was the cry he heard before four over-excited girls surrounded him. They loved his music, they'd been to his shows, could they get photos, could they get autographs, it'd be sooo awesome if they could. Of course they could, it was nice to know someone liked him. Liam posed with them for photos, which they took on their phones, and he signed whatever they could find, an old aquarium ticket, a shopping docket, a notepad, an arm. He used a Sharpie one of the girls produced from her bag. She always carried a Sharpie, just in case, you never knew who you might run into.
xxx
Heath's plan was half baked at best. He drove to the main street of town, parked and walked up the street hoping he'd run into Murphy. Only now did it occur to him that it mighta been a good idea to get Murphy's number off Brax, but then again, he couldn't really imagine asking Brax that question. Up ahead was a flock of giggling girls, a bloke was with them and the girls were clearly gaga over him. And then Heath realised who it was; it was Murphy. It took Heath a moment to register what he was doing; Murphy was signing autographs. It had never really occurred to Heath that Murphy was famous, so Heath stayed back and watched. Murphy had a smile on his face, a genuine one, Heath had never seen Murphy like this and he was intrigued to see this side of him. As Heath watched, all his anger drained away. It was a feeling of relief that flooded through him, making him realise he hadn't really expected to find Murphy, but he was so glad that he had. And there was something else too, something of a decidedly warm and fluffy persuasion that was welling up inside him. It was a little scary, but mostly it was nice. And in this moment at least, he knew it wasn't a question of pushing this one way or the other, there was only one way Heath wanted this to go. He waited until the adoring fans wandered off, chatting excitedly among themselves, before he approached the rock star.
"Sign me too?" Heath said, holding out his arm, he couldn't keep the smile off his face.
"Heath?" Murphy asked with disbelief, his smile vanishing as colour flooded his cheeks. Liam had been surprisingly relaxed only moments ago but now Heath was standing in front of him, a grin plastered across his face. How? Why? Oh God, he would have to show up when Liam was playing the part of adored celebrity. This would give Heath ammunition for who knew how long.
"I didn't come here to fight," Heath said quickly, taking in the wary look on Murphy's face. Liam welcomed Heath's words, he was glad they didn't have to fight, he didn't have the energy for that today. But it did present the problem that now neither of them knew what to do, all they ever did was fight. For the first time ever in their relationship, they were completely lost for words.