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Without You I'm Nothing (Chapter 39 up now!)	By : urbanephoenix Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Placebo Views: 5829 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction! I do not know any members of Placebo or their families, and I do not profit from these writings.

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BRIAN.

Wrapping a towel around his dripping wet body, Brian stepped out of the shower and into the kitchen. “Morning, lovelies.” He smiled, rubbing his eyes.

Michael, who had been kneeling in front of Stef, quickly stood up, blushing. “Afternoon, actually. Batman here is a bit upset about missing school.”

“Are you going to call me Batman forever?” Stefan asked, going to rinse out his coffee cup. “And I don’t care about school.”

Brian laughed. “Oh a rebel now are we? What happened to perfect teacher’s pet Stefan?” he teased. Stef looked terrible, like he hadn’t slept at all but at least he was up. “How are you feeling?”

“Horrible,” the blonde groaned. “everything hurts. Everything.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Brian assured him, squeezing him around the waist. “we should do it again some time.”

“Y- you mean… the three of us?”

Brian frowned. What else could he mean? “Yes, the three of us… if Mikey is up for it.”

“Oh.”

Much to the smaller boy’s surprise, Stef actually sounded disappointed. Hadn’t he enjoyed last night? “Are you going to call the leader of the Kiss Army sometime?” Brian asked, trying to change the subject.

Stef seemed distracted. “Huh? Oh uh maybe…”

“You should, he was cute. And very into you.”

“You think so? Hmm I guess I will later tonight then.”

STEFAN.

Stef only had a hazy memory of who they were talking about, but everything he could remember told him he did want to call him. Sometime. He’d never actively tried to pursue a guy before. Or anyone, for that matter. Was there a protocol? Should he wait three days?

Michael, as if reading his mind, threw a cordless phone in Stef’s direction. “Do it now or you’ll over think it.”

The messy numbers scribbled on Stef’s arm were badly smudged but he could just make them out. Or so he hoped. Slipping into another room for privacy, the phone started ringing. Oh shit, what was he going to say? He didn’t even know this guy’s name? What if someone else picked up? Oh god oh god oh god. Just as he was about to wimp out and hang up, a man answered the phone.

“Y’ello? Courtney speaking.”

Yes! That sounded familiar. “Uh hi, Courtney. It’s Stefan… we uh… met last ni-“

“Batman!” Courtney said excitedly, making Stef blush.

“Yeah, Batman. Um I was wondering if you maybe wanted to, I dunno…”

Stef heard laughing on the end of the line. “Why so nervous? You were far more confident last night.”

“No, I’m ok I just… I don’t like talking on the phone much.” He lied. “It’s just you gave me your number so I thought I’d call and uh… see if you wanted to do something… sometime.”

“Sounds lovely. When did you have in mind?”

Stef couldn’t believe it. He sounded like a massive tool, yet this guy was willing to give him a chance? “Wow um ok, Friday night?”

“Tell you what,” Courtney said. “meet me at Benny’s at 7, we’ll have tea and… figure the rest out later.”

“Ok! Um… see you then.”

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Stef was about to hang up the phone as he heard an urgent voice on the line. “Stef dear, do you know what I look like? All I remember is you’re tall and blonde, that’s not helpful if we’re going to be looking out for each other.”

It was a good point. All Stef could remember was wild black hair and heavy make-up. “Oh um… ok what do you look like then?”

Courtney laughed. “Tall, red hair- but not naturally red, ah you’ll know what I mean on Friday. Tell you what, I’ll be wearing black jeans, white shoes and a uh… Jesus what do my clothes look like? And a green jacket. We’ll manage. See you later.”

“Bye.” Stef hung up, somewhat bewilded. In the past twenty four hours he’d gotten drunk, taken drugs, had a threesome (of sorts), hooked up with a random member of Kiss at a club, skipped school and now had an actual date planned.

He turned to return to the kitchen, letting out a yelp of surprise as he saw Michael standing directly in front of him. “How’d it go?” he asked.

“Uh, fine.” Stef muttered, trying to get past him. “We’re doing something tomorrow night.”

“You know, my offer still stands.” Michael said, blocking his path.

Stefan scrunched up his face, confused. “I don’t know what you were on about. I don’t believe for a second that Brian would be ok with an ‘open relationship’, that’s not him. Either you’ve got a weird sense of humour or you want me to help you cheat in your boyfriend, MY friend!” pushing Michael aside, Stef returned to the bedroom to finish getting dressed. He had to leave.

“Are you ok?” came Brian’s soft voice from the doorway.

Stefan was throwing clothes all around the place, annoyed he’d have to somehow get home in a Batman outfit. “Yeah just… had a weird conversation with Michael.

Brian laughed. “Yeah, he’s a bit like that. Look, borrow one of his shirts to get home and give it back to me at school tomorrow.”

Stef muttered a word of thanks, but couldn’t bring himself to look Brian in the eye. He wanted to tell him what Michael had said, but what if he was telling the truth? What if it was just a misunderstanding? No, Brian didn’t have to know. Tucking his costume under his arm, the blonde headed for the door when he felt a hand on his arm. Turning around, Stef saw Brian, still only dressed in a bath towel looking up at him. “See you tomorrow.” He smiled and planted a soft kiss on the taller boy’s cheek.

***

How he’d managed to avoid skipping school with nobody noticing, was a mystery to Stef, but as he sat in home group on Friday morning, he couldn’t help but be thankful for it.

“Heeeeeeeeeeey, muffin!” squeaked Mandy’s now very familiar voice. She sat on Stef’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I didn’t hear from you last night.” She pouted.

“Uh yeah I was busy. Anyway look, Mandy,” thankfully it was still early and there were only a couple of other students in the room. Hopefully he could get this over and done with. “we have to break up.”

The colour drained from the perky girl’s face as she leaped off Stef’s lap. “What? But why, I love you, baby!”

Rolling his eyes Stef tried to think of the right words. He didn’t want to create a scene. “I’ve met someone else and I’d really like to try going out with him.”

“HIM? No, we sorted through that, baby. You had a bad day, that’s not your fault.”

“Oh god,” Stefan muttered half to himself. “Mandy, I’m gay. I don’t like girls. Not just you, ALL girls! And nothing you could say could change my mind.”

“I’ll let you fuck me!” she pleaded.

“Especially NOT that…”

The class had started filling up. Stefan only hoped that this could end quickly.

“Fine,” Mandy frowned, crossing her arms. “But just you wait until I tell everyone what you are.”

BRIAN.

Considering he had gym first period, Brian was feeling surprisingly perky. He’d gone a whole week at school without anyone giving him a hard time, he was falling head over heels for the boy of his dreams and for once he was on top of his school work. Scanning the room he noticed Stef sitting alone in the corner. Usually he was surrounded by his idiotic friends, but not today.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked as Stef walked towards the door as the bell rang.

“Well… the good news is they finally believe that I’m gay.”

“That’s great!”

“The bad news is, now I have no friends.”

Brian wished he could feel worse for his friend, but truth be told he was relieved. Why would Stef want anything to do with those jerks anyway? “I’m sorry, Stef. You still have me, though?”

Stef smiled halfheartedly. Brian knew it was little consolation.

“It wasn’t worth it.” The taller boy muttered. “I should have just kept my mouth shut until the end of the year.”

“It’s not the end of the world. You didn’t like them anyway.”

“You don’t get it!” Stef exclaimed, rolling his eyes. “I have been friends with them for… ten years! And now they ditch me because of this?”

“Don’t think about it like that,” Brian wasn’t sure what to say. He wanted Stef to feel better but at the same time he could see far more good than bad coming out of this. “look, you’re seeing that guy tonight aren’t you? That’ll distract you.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Stef shrugged.

“Haha, then you guys can double date with me and Michael!” Brian joked. He knew that would be terrible, he just wanted to see Stefan smile. Instead, it made him look more miserable.

“Uh Brian… I don’t think Michael is all that great. I mean… doesn’t he seem a little weird to you?”

“Weird? I think he’s lovely.” Brian frowned.

Stef stopped. “Brian, wait…”

“We can’t miss another gym class, come on, it can wait!” whatever the blonde’s problem, Brian didn’t want to hear it.

STEFAN.

Gym was miserable, just as Stef had expected. He hardly had the coordination to kick a ball, let alone participate in a football game.

Music class could only be an improvement. He and Brian had made such little progress with their project. Every time they got somewhere, something interrupted.

Apart from Stef strumming his guitar, the pair worked in silence for the whole hour and a half. Stefan didn’t really feel like talking but he would like to finish at least one song for their assignment, the due date for which was creeping up on them.

“Ok, what about Michael?” Brian suddenly burst out.

“Huh?” Stef asked, not looking up from his guitar.

“You said before… that there was something weird about him. What?”

Stefan put down his guitar. “Well… do you guys have an uh… open relationship?”

Brian laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Michael pretty much… asked if I wanted to sleep with him again. But… without you.”

“What? No, you must have misunderstood.” Brian shook his head. Michael had a kooky sense of humour. Not everyone got it.

“No Brian. He asked me… twice. He said you would be ok with it.” This wasn’t going well.

Brian stood up. “Wait… do you want in with my boyfriend?!”

Stef was speechless. Where did that come from? “Of course not. I’m just telling you what’s happened.”

“No! You’re making this about him, when it’s really about you! Don’t tell me he came on to you when it’s YOU who is trying to get him into bed.” Brian was almost yelling now. Stef was just thankful they were outside.

“What the fuck are you on about?” Stef stood up, glaring down at his friend. “I’m trying to do you a favour?”

“Yeah, by lying to me? Please, no more favours Stef.” Brian stood up and started walking away.

“Brian, don’t walk away!” Stef called out to him. Brian didn’t stop, raising his hand and giving him the finger, he kept walking.

BRIAN.

Brian was furious. How dare Stef say those things! It had hardly been a week, but he knew Michael adored him. No, fuck him.

Storming out of the school he caught the first bus to the city. He had to go see Michael, hopefully he’d be home.

***

Ten frustrating minutes later the bus arrived around the corner from where Brian needed to be. Jumping onto the street he didn’t know what he was going to say. If anything. No, it was ridiculous. Michael wasn’t like that. He’d been and betrayed before, Michael wasn’t anything like those guys.

Brian knocked on the door of number 6. No reply. He tried again. No reply. Just as he was about to give up, the door opened.

“Oh!” Michael sounded surprised. “Oh, hey baby. What’s up?”

“You’re not going to invite me in?” Brian asked.

“Uhhh now’s not a great time, Bri.”

“Why?”

“Look,” the taller boy was looking uncomfortable, and Brian wanted to know why. “come back later, yeah? It’s… a business thing.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Brian smiled. “Oh! Oh that’s ok. Sorry honey, I just had a… rough morning.”

Michael hugged the smaller boy in tight. “That’s ok. I’ll give you a call later and you can tell me allllll about it.” Winking, and without another word, he closed the door.

STEFAN.

For once, Stef didn’t care he’d pissed off Brian. He was trying to do him a favour and if that wasn’t what he wanted, fine. Sorting through his wardrobe, he was at a complete loss as to what to wear for his big date. How formal was too formal? What were they even going to do after dinner? After a couple hours of deliberation he decided on tight red jeans (which he’d had for ages, but never had an opportunity to wear) and a white shirt. It wasn’t great, but it would do. For tonight at least.

Heading down stairs, Stefan had hoped he’d be able to slip by unnoticed. Alas, no such luck.

“Oi! Where are you going, kid?”

Why did his father even care where he was going? “Out.”

“I can see that, smart arse. Where? With who?”

Rolling his eyes, Stef opened the door. “On a date!”

“With who!?”

“Courtney!”

“Another girl!?”

“Jesus dad, no! I have to go.” Stef slammed the door.

***

Benny’s was a small café in the middle of town and by the time Stef got there, it was almost full. Courtney was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he’d been stood up? His heart sank at the thought. No, he could wait a little while. Large groups of happy, laughing friends arrived, while love-struck couples left. Stef looked at his watch. It was half past seven already, clearly he wasn’t coming.

“Hey!” called a voice from behind Stef.

“Stefan right?” It was a tall, well built, good looking guy, probably in his early 20s. He had shoulder length red hair. Not naturally red, deep, almost blood red and beautiful green eyes hiding behind thick rimmed, rectangle glasses. He had small rings piercing each side of his bottom lip, and was wearing black nail polish. Stef had struck the jack pot.

“Yeah, that’s me. I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”

“Sorry, mate, I missed my bus so I kinda… ran here.” Courtney laughed.

Stef’s eyes widened. “You ran? From where?”

“Oh, not far… just… Mellwood.” He puffed, clearly out of breath. Mellwood was easily half an hour walking.

“Well, that’s fine. Um, but we should get you something to drink.” Stef laughed.

***

The night went perfectly. Stef was amazed at how easy it was to talk to Courtney, someone he hardly knew. He was funny, very smart, and was genuinely interested in what the blonde had to say. The clock quickly ticked over to eleven when the café closed. Standing out on the street, hands in his pockets Stef didn’t know what to do. He was having such a good time, he didn’t want it to end.

“Wanna come back to my place?” Courtney offered.

Stefan smiled. He’d planned for this, he would go, but no funny business. He was very attracted to Courtney, but that just made him want to hold off even more. He didn’t want to blow everything… again.

***

The red head’s apartment was almost as nice as Michael’s, except this one had doors. Comic books and books on space filled the half a dozen book shelves; the walls were papered with various drawings, sketches, photos. Everywhere Stef looked there was something pinned to the wall. “What is it… you do?” he asked, not wanting to take his eyes off all the beautiful colours.

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

Stef smiled. “Why would I laugh? I’m a student, can’t get much lower than that.”

“Well… I’m an astrophysicist.” Courtney told him, blushing.

“An astro… wait what?”

The red head laughed. “I’m a scientist. I study space.”

“Holy shit… a scientist… so you’re like… a doctor? Wow, you must be the youngest doctor I’ve ever met.”

Courtney shrugged. “I finished school early... very early… and knew exactly what I wanted to do. And I got it. Youngest PhD Melbourne University has ever seen.”

Stef smiled. Courtney was clearly proud of his achievements, but he wasn’t boasting.

“You lived in Australia?”

“I’ll tell you all about it sometime. Now, coffee?”

Becoming nervous Stef followed him to the kitchen. “Courtney?”

“Mhmm?”

“I don’t want to sleep with you.” The blond blurted out. Not what he’d planned.

Courtney looked up from the coffee cups on the counter. “Huh?”

“I….” oh shit, you’ve done it now. “I like you, a lot. But I don’t want to sleep with you. Not… right now.”

“Stef,” Courtney joined him on the other side of the kitchen bench and wrapped his arms around his neck, smiling. “as long as I get a good night kiss, that’s fine with me.”

That was refreshing. Had this been Brian, Stef was sure he would have talked him into it. But this was different. Courtney leaned in, gently pressing his lips against Stef’s. He was warm, and so soft, sending a chill rippling throughout the blonde’s body. The metal in Courtney’s mouth was something Stef hadn’t felt before, it was new and exciting.

“That… doesn’t mean I have to go now, does it?” he asked.

Courtney laughed. “Drink your coffee, kiddo.”

“Hey, I’m no kid! I’m 18!”

“Ooh, big boy, are we?” Courtney smirked. “I feel like such a dirty old man.”

“You’re not that much older than me!” he laughed. “You couldn’t be more than 23.”

“Good guess, 23 on Tuesday, actually.”

Stef smiled. “Good, that gives me an excuse to see you.”

Putting down his coffee, Courtney took Stef in his arms again, looking up into his eyes. “Like you need an excuse.”

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A/N: Another bridging chapter for the one I'm going to write tomorrow (which I'm excited to write, BTW =D). I'd like to point out (since someone asked me on another site), most of these chapters are in a mixture of British and American English. I'm Australian so write in British English but sometimes Microsoft Word auto-corrects to American English and I don't realise. So, that's why there's a mixture.

I'd reeeeeeeeeeally like to hear thoughts on this one. Yes it's just a filler/bridge but well... I dunno, character development plus a new character. Opinions are good (even if you hate everything I just wrote lol).
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Without You I'm Nothing (Chapter 39 up now!)