Afterlife

Zacky sighed, sitting downtairs in the basement, taking a drink from his beer before he set it aside and picked his guitar back up, running his fingers lightly over the frets.

Brian groaned some in his sleep, having passed out halfway through the second movie.

Zacky bit his lip slightly as he started to play an old song he'd written a few years back with his...with Matt. He closed his eyes as he played, letting the lyrics run like a movie behind his eyelids. He sighed, blinking his eyes open and stopped playing a minute later, some tears coming to his eyes.

"What,s wrong angel?" came the soft familiar voice.

Zacky jumped and looked at the figure kneeling in front of him. "...M-matt?" He whispered shakily.

"Of course," Matt replied quietly, watching him. "Are you okay love?" He asked.

Zacky inhaled shakily, staring at him, a tear falling down his cheek.

Matt reached up and gently wiped the tear away.

Zacky flinched slightly at the touch, closing his eyes then blinked them open again. "...what's going on..." He whispered.

"What do you mean, baby?"

Zacky shook his head, closing his eyes again, the guitar falling from his grasp.

Upstairs, Brian jerked awake at the sound and looked around quickly. "Zack?!" He called when he didn't see his friend.

Zacky blinked his eyes open and watched his lover's figure fade away. "Down..." He choked then shook his head. "Downstairs!" He called shakily.

Brian jumped up and ran downstairs, looking to Zacky worriedly. "Are you okay? What happened?" He asked worriedly.

Zacky looked over to Brian then nodded. "Y-yeah...I'm fine," He replied, wiping his eyes.

"Sure?" Brian asked, walking over and sat next to him.

Zacky nodded, sighing heavily. "Yeah...don't worry," He murmured, leaning down to pick up the guitar.

Brian sighed, reaching over and took the guitar from him, setting it aside. "Dude...I know you're going through a lot...if you need, or want, to talk, I'm here," He murmured.

Zacky sighed again, staring down a moment then looked to Brian. "I don't have anything to say...you already know what's in my head.." He replied, sitting up.

Brian nodded, watching him. "I know, but...you need to talk about things...it'll help, I promise," He murmured.

Zacky shook his head, looking down. "...don't make a promise..you can't keep.." He whispered, mostly to himself.

"What do you mean, Zee?" Brian asked softly, looking him over.

Zacky shook his head again then stood. "I'm going to bed," He sighed.

Brian nodded, watching him. "Okay..." He murmured.

Zacky walked upstairs and headed for his bedroom, chewing on his lip.