Geoff opened the door to their apartment, exhaustion and pure misery written all over his face. His skin looked more lifeless than ever and his eyes were heavy.

Still in his uniform, he dragged his feet across the floor; which felt like he was pulling all of the misery of his day behind him in the form one hundred-pound weights. When he finally reached the couch, he exhaustedly flopped onto to his chest with his legs hanging off the arm rest. 

The bass was terribly off balance, but he couldn't find the strength nor energy to stop himself from tumbling onto the ground.

Eli heard a loud 'thud' from the kitchen and curiously peeked around the corner to seer a pair of long legs stick out from in front of the couch. "Who did Tony kill this time...." Eli mumbled to himself as he went to find out who the victim was.

His blue eyes found Geoff with his arms carelessly spread out around him and his hat shifted over his face. "Wait, Geoff?" Eli asked in surprise, quickly stepping over to his side, "Are you hurt, hungry, or dead?"

What Eli heard was a series of low grumbles and whining moans. Having a bit of sympathy for his friend, Eli sighed and shook his head. "Bad day at work?" he assumed sympathetically.

The bass let out a prolonged whine to emphasize his confirmation.

Just then, Layne came through the door carrying two bags of groceries in his arms. As he slipped his shoes off, he caught sight of what was going on in the living room.

"Hi, Layne." Eli greeted his friend as he watched the taller man set the bags down and eagerly make his way to the living room as well. He sunk to his knees and glanced at Eli with a small grin.

"What're we playing?" Layne asked with a slightly boyish tone.

"Geoff had a bad day." Eli answered as he pouted teasingly and patted Geoff's shoulder.

"Poor baby..." Layne cooed, also teasingly, as he too decided to poke some fun at their friend and lighten the mood.

Geoff only responded with an irritated grumble.

"C'mon, man. You're not a friggin' motor engine, talk to us. What happened?" Eli asked genuinely and seriously.

"I feel like crap." Geoff mumbled groggily. Eli sighed before he reached his hand out to remove the cap from Geoff's face. Pushing it aside, he pressed the back of his hand into his friend's forehead.

"No wonder." Eli realized, removing his hand from the hot, sweat-coated forehead, "You're boiling."

"Does he have a fever?" Layne wondered aloud as he examined Geoff for other signs or symptoms.

"Most likely." Eli agreed as he turned his gaze back to Geoff and pondered his options, "But laying on the floor won't do him any good, so we better get him to his room."

"Can you get up, Geoff?" Layne asked his friend.

"By 'up' do you mean physically moving? Because then no." Geoff murmured.

"Alright, then we'll have to do it the harder way." Eli stated optimistically. "Layne, you grab the top half and I'll get the legs."

Layne grinned and nodded before he slid his arms underneath Geoff and hooked his arms around Geoff's shoulders. Eli took both of the bass' legs and they prepared themselves.

"Alright, one.. Two.. Three!" Eli instructed and the duo then, in unison, hoisted the man off the ground.

Tony was finally back home, and what he was greeted by utterly puzzled him for a moment. Just as he pushed open the door, he heard '..Three!', then took in the sight of his three friends.

Layne and Eli quickly toed their way to Geoff bedroom and tried to ease him on carefully.

Geoff managed to smile slightly as he was brought into his room. "You know I'm just lazy, right?"

Eli nodded with a knowing smile. "Yep." he sighed, patting her shoulder.

"I should text Earl to make Geoffy-Poo some chicken soup." Layne decided as the idea came to him and he pulled out his phone.

"Why is 'Geoffy-Poo' getting all this special attention?" Tony asked as he came into the room and leaned against the doorframe, "Is there something I missed?"

"Geoff has a fever. And a bad one, too." Eli explained with a sigh, "So someone's gonna have to watch him tonight. Unfortunately, I'm working the late shift."

"I have a meeting." Layne added importantly, "A very important meeting."

"Yeah, I'm busy, too." Tony said quickly once he knew that it would he pinned on him. Just as he turned to leave, he heard the question he was dreading the most.

It was Eli, and he said, "What kind of plans?"

"Plans. Y'know, the kind where you go out." Tony mumbled before heading straight for his room. Eli shook his head at his friend's behavior.

"Well then what?" Layne asked Eli as he found that they were out of options. "I - I can't miss that meeting. I really want that job, and this is really my only chance." Layne explained on his behalf.

"I understand." Eli assured him. "Well, when is Earl coming home?"

"Dunno, but I'm pretty sure it's late." Layne sighed.

Eli took a deep breath before he peered down at his feet. "It's alright, I'll stay home tonight and taken care of Geoff. You go to your meeting."

"Thanks, Eli!" Layne smiled, clearly showing his gratitude for the tenor's selflessness. Eli just nodded, pulled up a chair, and took out his phone to call in to work.

Once Layne had left, Eli sighed and scrolled through his phone. "This was my one shot at getting that interview, too." he mumbled under his breath with disappointment. 

Meanwhile, Layne met Tony in the washroom. "You look fancy." Layne commented as he noticed Tony had changed into different apparel, slightly more formal than before.

"Thanks." Tony replied shortly, fixing his shirt in the mirror. He glanced at Layne in the mirror just in time to see the taller man bite his bottom lip as if unsure. Tony raised an eyebrow, "... What?"

"Um, can you do my hair, please ..?" Layne asked and he played with his fingers in his hands.

Tony sighed, "Sure. Whatever I can do in fifteen minutes." he agreed, then got a stool for Layne. Layne smiled and took a seat in the chair that was supplied for him.

"So, where're you going tonight?" Layne asked as he referred to his clothing.

"Uhhm, out. With friends." Tony answered slowly and he began to comb through Layne's dark hair.

"Wait... you have more friends?" Layne asked in a baffled tone.

"I'm not exactly shy, Layne. There's people I work with and there's new people I meet." Tony explained dryly.

"You mean like, that Niko guy you work with? He's cool. And he had really nice hair." Layne mentioned.

"Uh, yeah, sure." Tony answered shortly to stop the conversation before it even started.

Eli came into the room soon after and took one look at Tony before instantly saying, "Okay, who's 'she'?"

Tony blinked at the sudden comment, but then answered with the typical, "I don't know what you're talking about." Tony averted his eyes and continued to fix up Layne's hair.

Layne laughed, "Tony's a guy, Eli." Layne mused obliviously and shook his head.

"I mean 'she' as in who he's dressed up so nicely to impress, Layne." Eli stated firmly and matter-of-factly to ease his inner feeling of awkwardness.

Tony facepalmed before shaking his head and drawing in a deep breath. "Okay, so I'm going out. There is a woman involved. But who ever said it was, y'know, a thing?"

"And.." Eli dragged on, "How come we have never heard of this girl?"

"I think he's embarrassed of us." Layne mentioned quietly to Eli.

"I'll make you a deal," Eli began in a more hushed tone, "You tell me and Layne now, and we won't tell Geoff." Eli reasoned as he jerked a thumb in the direction of Geoff's room. Tony pondered this since they all knew how many questions he would be bombarded with if Geoff knew right now.

Tony sighed and shook his head. "And all these years I thought you were too nice a person to blackmail."

Eli grinned, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning up against the doorframe.

"How about," Tony continued, "I tell you guys when I'm comfortable telling you."

"Fine." Eli gave in, "But can you please tell us where you're going so I can at least have that peace of mind?" Eli asked hopefully.

Tony sighed, "It's a dinner date." he said, "But that's it, that's all I'm telling you."

Eli put up his hands in defense. "That's all I ask." he answered before heading to go get Geoff some water from the kitchen. 

Tony finished up Layne's hair, spraying it with hairspray before checking it in the mirror once more. "Well, you're done." Tony said.

Layne smiled, satisfied. "Thanks, Tony." he thanked warmly as he stood from the stool and moved it aside. "Have fun on your dinner date."

"Mhm.." Tony mumbled quietly as Layne left. He drew in a deep breath as the guilt began to weigh him down. He knew he could go on the dinner date and try to have a good time, but his conscience would be eating at him if he went. He let out a long sigh before shaking his head. 

With that, he headed to the kitchen to see Eli preparing some medication for Geoff. "Um, Eli?" Tony asked.

"Yeah?" Eli asked, giving his friend a short glance before turning it back to the bottle of pills in his hands.

"I, uh, I changed my mind." Tony bit his lip and averted his green-eyed gaze elsewhere for his confession, "I may have been a bit selfish, so.. Go to your job, it's more important than my date." he sighed.

Eli blinked as he glanced Tony's way. He knew it was hard for Tony to say things like that, it's just the way is, so he smiled slightly, "... Really?"

Tony nodded, then said quietly, "Yep."

"Thanks, man." Eli said genuinely and, against the baritone's will, wrapped his arms around the taller of the two. Tony stiffened and his eyes grew wide.

"Yeah, no problem... uh, aren't you gonna be late?" Tony asked.

Eli stepped back to glance at the clock. "You know what, I might just make it now!" Eli exclaimed excitedly, making Tony smile a little at his friend's happiness. "Thanks, man! Oh, uh, Geoff's medications are on the counter and he's gonna need water and a lot of sleep!" Eli informed him quickly before he was out the door.

Tony smiled and shook his head. He grabbed the pills and the glass of water off the counter before he headed out the kitchen, watching the water in the cup and balancing it as he pushed the door open with his back.

Layne had put on the final pieces to his suit before he headed for the door as well. "See you, Tony." Layne said with a short wave of his hand.

"Lookin' sharp." Tony grinned as he caught a glimpse of his 'tidied-up' friend. "Try not to bring too many girls home, you fox."

Layne rolled his eyes and couldn't help but smile at the compliment anyway. "Thanks!"

Tony headed into Geoff's room and set the glass of water on the beside table. "Hey, man. Looks like I'm your babysitter tonight."

"I thought you had plans." Geoff  commented with a raspy voice.

Tony sighed before texting his friends. "Well, not anymore." he looked up, "Scoot over."

"Do I look capable of doing that?" Geoff asked weakly.

Tony laughed knowingly, "Don't try to pull that sh*t with me, 'Geoffy-Poo'." he said. Geoff groaned loudly, then rolled onto his stomach to make room for the baritone.

Tony then occupied the other half of the bed while texting on his phone.

"Hey, buddy?" Geoff asked in a muffled voice with his brown puppy-eyes glancing up at the baritone next to him. 

"Hm?" Tony asked, clicking his phone off and setting it down.

Geoff had his arms wrapped around his pillows and part of his face buried snugly into it. "You know what sounds good right about now?"

"What's that?"

"Whiskey." Geoff asked hopefully as he bit his bottom lip. Tony rolled his eyes and playfully smacked Geoff's thigh.

"You can't be serious." Tony shook his head and sat up. "Take your medication, Geoff."

"But whiskey always helps.."

"Sure, only if you either want to get wasted or laid." Tony answered dryly. "Sit up, take your pills."

Geoff groaned and reluctantly sat up, propping himself up against the backboard of his bed. Tony handed him the pills and Geoff popped them into his mouth before downing them with water.

After that, the bass began to unbutton the top of his uniform. He slid the shirt off his shoulders once reaching the bottom and tossed it over the arm of a seat. Next came his belt. He unbuckled it and pulled it out from around his waist. The leather item was hung over the same arm rest.

Being left with a plain, slightly crinkled white t-shirt and jeans, Geoff snuggled back into the blankets and sheets.

Tony had put the cup back and now stood up from the bed. "Now get some sleep."

"Is it too late to ask for a bedtime story...?" Geoff asked in a small voice.

"Yes." Tony answered flatly.

"Pleeeassee?" Geoff asked just before Tony turned off his bedroom light.

"Will it make you go to bed?" Tony sighed with a dry tone as he glanced back at Geoff.

"Mhm. Promise." Geoff answered surely. Tony rolled his eyes at his friend's boyish behaviour.

Tony reluctantly came back to Geoff's beside and took a seat back down next to him. "Uhhhh well..." his eyes roamed the ceiling as his fingers tapped his thigh. "Once there was this incredibly sexy guy... his name was Tony. He had this friend, Geoffy-Poo..."

"I love this story.." Geoff whispered intensely.

"Then, one day, Geoffy-Poo got sick and all his friends were busy with a stupid thing called work. Except Tony, who had a day off and a hot date." Tony went on.

"Who's the hot date..."

"Ah ah ah, hush, little one." Tony interrupted. "Anyway, so things were going great for Tony. Until he caught something from his friends..." he began in disgust.

Geoff listened intensely.

"Something called 'emotions'. Unable to bear the weight of guilt, he decided to take the high-and-noble-road and stay home to babysit his friend. No matter how stupid the decision was. So, instead of being out with some really hot girl, he's telling bedtime stories to Geoffy-Poo. The end."

"No offense, but you're not really good at this..."

"There, now will you go to bed?" Tony asked.

"There's one more thing you can do for me." Geoff mentioned quickly before Tony had a chance to leave.

Tony groaned, "What?"

"Can you call Chance and tell him I might not be at work tomorrow?" Geoff asked his friend. Tony sighed, taking his phone from the beside table.

"Fine. What's his number?" Tony asked before Geoff told him Chance's phone number. Tony dialed it in and lifted it to his ear before letting it ring.

"Hello?" Chance asked on the other end of the line.

"Hi, it's nice to finally talk to you, Mr. Chance! I've heard so much about you. I'm calling to inform you that Geoffy-Poo's feeling sick and might not be at work tomorrow." Tony said in a very fake and exaggerated mother-like voice. He switched his menacing green-eyed gaze to meet Geoff's wide eyes.

"Umm, okay... Who's this..?" Chance asked slowly.

"Geoff's favorite babysitter." Tony answered. "Geoffrey talks about you all the time, Mr. Chance, and I'm sure you've heard a ton about me, too."

"Ummmm, no, not really..."

"Have a nice evening, Mr. Chance."

"Uh huh..." Chance said slowly, "... Tell Geoffy-Poo that I hope he feels better soon..."

"Will do. Goodnight."

"Goodnight..."

With that, Tony hung up the phone. Geoff was staring at him with wide, horrified eyes. "Chance said he hopes you feel better soon, Geoffy-Poo." Tony mentioned with a menacing grin on his lips.

"You're pure evil.." Geoff said slowly before buried his face in the pillow. "Whyyyyy? I thought we were friends! We we're brothers, man!"

"Yeah, we're like brothers, that's probably why I did it." Tony said doubtlessly.

"Ouch. That hurt. A lot." Geoff mumbled.

"Do you want a goodnight kiss, Geoffie?" Tony asked sweetly.

"You don't want to kiss me I'm sick and no thanks I don't want to be kissed by all things evil anyway so goodnight Tony." Geoff said quickly.

"Your choice," Tony shrugged. "Goodnight, Geoff." Tony said with a slightly evil grin before heading for the door and flicking the light-switch off.

~•~

There's so much fluff in here, it hurts. This is actually the fluffiest chapter I've ever written. Huh. So that's what it feels like.

Almost 2900 words, not bad. 😏 *cracks knuckles*

If you enjoyed it, please vote and comment!

Love you all,

TwinkieFry out.