Alfie and Ryan sit at a reserved booth in Bar Marmont having a catch up and a few social drinks. It's a rather crisp and relaxed November evening. Despite the venue being practically filled to the brim, all the patrons carry themselves with some sense of decorum and grace, with only the murmurs of pleasant chatter and the occasional clinking of wine glasses filling the air. Even Alfie is trying to reflect the classy ambience, wearing a perfectly fitted light grey suit, crisp white button up shirt and brown loafers. It's not of the same calibre of fibres that reside in Ryan's wardrobes but they're good enough dupes and he's looking very handsome and sharp. The usual smell of weed has also been replaced by a refreshing waft of cologne. The suited and booted look is all really in aid of his secret boyfriend Ethan who shall be making an appearance later. Of course, with Alfie, the refined aesthetic is just that. A look. He still has the same strong accent and mouth of a sailor. "Yoooo one wrong move and that lady's titties are gonna be on the bar!" Alfie sips on his Jack and Coke as he observes a woman in an extremely plunging dress approach the bar.

The guys have been physically apart for a little while as Alfie finally went back home to Nashville with his tail in between his legs. He knew that he couldn't avoid his father forever. Alfie also missed his mother greatly and was aware that Ellie and Ryan wanted to get multiple musical projects underway. He didn't want to get under any feet for much longer. Alfie's really only in the area again to spend a couple days with Ethan who's out here working. He couldn't stop in L.A. and NOT pester his buddy Ryan though. "Damn, I've missed this place." Alfie winks and continues to leer over towards the bar. "Remember, if you ever come across a place on the market here that's like...$25 a month, you give me a shout."

"Well, I am very tempted by Hollywood right about now." Alfie lets out a dirty chuckle before finally dropping his gaze away from the scantily-clad woman and focusing on Ryan again. Even though he's now in a relationship, his first ever real one, Alfie still has his signature filthy mind. Some of the things he's said to Ryan in the past would probably even make Billy Khan blush a little. "I could totally see myself settling down here...if I didn't have to sell a kidney to make rent." Alfie joins Ryan in relaxing against the comfy seating. He's experiencing what Ryan used to in Los Angeles. To Alfie, this place is ever so enthralling and filled with possibilities. While Nashville itself has its own pockets of excitement, it pales in comparison to LA. The hustle and bustle of this place definitely fits Alfie's personality way better than the humble Nashville ever will. The fact that his favourite people also spend a lot of time out here now is also aiding Alfie's growing love for the city.

"Probably staying above the fray as usual and just letting my dad rant until he runs out of breath." Alfie rolls his eyes and goes in for another drink when his parents are brought up. "Nah, she's good. Getting back into her painting again which is nice to see. Though I think it's only because I kinda broke her pottery wheel." Alfie screws up his face and takes another sip of his Jack and Coke. Mrs. Summers has always been very artsy and into home crafts. Most mugs in the house have been made by her. She's also gifted Ellie a few handmade throw pillows over the years. "Ugh, Thanksgiving. I'm still hungover from last year." Alfie winces and jokingly rubs his temples. It was certainly a holiday to remember, for better or worse.

Alfie pauses for a moment and collects his thoughts, looking down at a random spot on the table as he tries to focus and become a little more serious. "You think...you think it'll be as bad as last year, bro? I don't wanna sit through another shit show. Kinda tempted to just go spend time with Ethan. I don't wanna upset mom but..." Alfie shrugs and has a facial expression that says it all. He REALLY doesn't want to sit and listen to Gregory's condescending shit while Jeanette scowls at everyone from behind the tray of yams yet again.

Alfie gives the woman at the bar one final look before she almost literally bounces away to her party across the venue. Although Alfie's in a relationship with another man, it doesn't diminish the fact that he also loves the girls - something Ryan is all too familiar with. Even though things are never usually so black and white, Alfie feels like a true 50/50 bisexual. "You think hookers have such a thing as a discount?" Alfie giggles against the rim of his glass, jokingly nodding towards his sticky financial situation. Ellie was the one who flew him out here and staying with Ethan splits the cost of accommodation. He may have issues with holding done work but Alfie still has pride. Despite many previous offers from Ellie, this is the first opportunity he has accepted in many months. Alfie doesn't expect anything from anyone and will be seldom seen with his hand out unless it's dire circumstances.

At the mention of raising a family, Alfie scrunches his nose and looks a little concerned. "That's cute but are you up to the task, sailor? I know things can be difficult at your age. It ain't so much sperm you're firing out more like...dust." Alfie mischievously grins and pats Ryan on the shoulder, taking any opportunity to tease. Even from a very young age, Alfie treated Ryan like a brother, which comes with the luxury of taunting and teasing. He was never scared of superstar Ryan and the fame never once altered the way he perceived him.

"I think my dad's getting her one of those huge, big ass canvases to paint on. Don't upstage him." Alfie speaks in a tone that suggests the total opposite. He'd relish any opportunity to see Mr. High and Mighty's nose get knocked out of joint. As much as he dislikes his father, however, Alfie still listens carefully to what Ryan has to say about Thanksgiving. "Maybe it won't be so bad now that the awkward first Thanksgiving is out of the way? I really don't want to be away from my mom at the holidays. I guess if my dad starts asking why I don't have a career like my sisters then you're gonna have to interrupt by faking a heart attack or something. Take the attention off me." Alfie laughs softly and throws back the remainder of his drink. Although Alfie has quite a short fuse and was drinking way more than is considered appropriate or polite for an intimate setting last year, it was clear that Gregory made a point of publicly ridiculing and speaking down to Alfie in front of the whole family.

At the mention of Ethan, Alfie visibly perks up after talking about his horrid father, smiling and sitting a little more upright. "Yooooo things are great, bro! We're going slower than a lot of relationships for obvious reasons but we kinda like that. It's chill. We got a good thing and there's no pressure with it." Alfie clears his throat and shuffles around, fixing his shirt's collar and brushing himself down. "How do I look, by the way? I haven't seen him in person for a while. I wanna look irresistible." Alfie gives Ryan a knowing wink. The guy hasn't physically seen his partner in quite some time. He's hoping to get dicked down good tonight! Of course, Alfie looks very handsome and smart. He's always been a good looking guy but it's clear that he's really making an effort for Ethan, ditching his usual weed-scented hoodies and having no visible cuts or bruises due to clumsy accidents.

"Yo, you may think you got plenty of years left to make them but have you got plenty years left to raise them? You know Ellie wants the entire cast of Eight Is Enough running around the place." Alfie knows fine well that his sister wants a big family and that there's also slight pressure for grandchildren coming from Patti. There's no way in Hell that Jeanette's ever having a child as she hates living things and there's no real faith in Alfie ever settling down and becoming a father. While he may surprise people, he still doesn't have that spotlight on him. It's practically expected of Ellie to become a mother sometime soon. "It'd be like having me stay over times eight. Good luck with that!" Alfie laughs and gives Ryan a playful nudge, knowing that his pristine homes won't be that way for much longer once kids start to arrive.

Alfie shrugs when Ryan apologises for not stepping in during the arguments last year. "It's alright, bro. Wasn't expecting you to anyway. I understand and it's nothing new to me. He is how he is." Alfie lets out a defeated sigh as he talks about his father's harsh ways. He knows it's pointless dwelling on it or wishing for his dad to change. Gregory Summers will always suffer from short man syndrome. "I think he's slowly warming to the idea of you and Ellie. OK, he ain't singing your praises around your house but your name is followed with less swear words these days." Alfie lets out a small chuckle and gently rotates his empty glass with his fingertips.

"I'll be sure to come see you both and I'm real sorry about spilling that wine last time." Alfie grins and sheepishly looks over at Ryan as he recalls his last stay. He wasn't the tidiest houseguest to ever grace those hallways. In typical Alfie fashion, he goes from zero to one hundred and jumps to a totally new conversation with a very different tone. "Bro, when do you think it's ok to stop using condoms? Like, I've known Ethan for over a year now, we're boyfriends and stuff. This will be the first time we've had sex in ages. I was thinking that tonight I'd let him skip it and...you know." Alfie grins and gives Ryan a wink. Even though he thankfully didn't go into great detail for once, it's still clear that Alfie would be the one receiving Ethan bare. Despite a lot of his bravado, Alfie is still rather naïve and brand new to the world. He's never had unprotected sex before. Even sweet Ellie has that experience under her belt.

Alfie pauses for a moment when Ryan tells him that he has to be sure Ethan isn't sleeping around with other people unprotected as well. It had never crossed his mind that his partner may not be entirely faithful let alone without protection. Alfie just assumes that once you're in a relationship, you're committed. His family may be a tad dysfunctional but he grew up with a strong set of morals and a sense of loyalty. "Huh. I hadn't thought of that. I guess...I guess we do spend a lot of time apart from each other. I don't always know what he's doing." Alfie shrugs and takes hold of his empty glass. "Maybe it's not as hot as I thought it was." He laughs and shuffles out of the booth, getting to his feet and picking up his glass before delivering a very classy parting shot. "Besides, don't know if I wanna be farting that out all night, bro. I'm gonna go get us another." Alfie chuckles and makes his way towards the busy bar, walking with his usual swag despite his more refined outfit.

As Alfie waits to be served, a text message comes through on Ryan's phone. In a surprise turn of events, it's not a well-wishing message from Ellie. It's from none other than Joshua and it appears to be a lengthy one. The first real communication in about 18 months.

Hello Ryan.

Sorry that this comes out of the blue. I've been debating with myself all week in regards to sending this. You've always been on my mind but I've been too anxious and afraid to reach out. Seeing you in the news lately as you gear up to release new music has only made me think about you even more. I seem to see your face every time I open my phone and I'm taking that as a sign to finally man up and do this. I hope a text message doesn't come across as too impersonal but I sort of sense that a phone call or face to face encounter may be a step too far. We're both intelligent men. We're both aware of the distance between us and that there's an elephant in the room. I want to close that gap and talk things out some day so here I am reaching out.

I know we can't solve this over a bunch of messages. I know there's a lot going on in your head and your heart that I don't understand and that I'm just simply not even aware of. I have my own story and scars too, all accumulated over the past year and a bit. I really don't wish for the divide to grow bigger or the lack of communication to mount even higher. We have a lot to discuss and a lot to salvage, my dear friend.

If you wish to meet up at some point then feel free to get back in touch and let me know. I understand if it's too much for you, however. This is a rather weighty subject after all.

Hope you're doing well and I'm wishing you the best of luck with your new project.

Love, Joshua

Alfie makes his way back to the table, clutching a drink in each hand with his eyebrows furrowed, clearly bothered by something. "Yo, I'm gonna end up clocking that little fat dude at the bar." Alfie hands Ryan his fresh drink, accompanied by a waft of his lovely cologne as he leans across the table. As he sits down in the booth, he nods towards a very short, rounded, unattractive but sharply dressed middle-aged man who is surrounded by a small group of much younger, far prettier women. He's rather loud, overbearing and clearly only being tolerated because he has money. "Fucker tried to cut in front of me. Almost took me out at the ankles." Alfie laughs softly and takes a small sip from his new glass. As he swallows, he notices a slight change in Ryan's demeanour. "You OK, bro? You look like you've seen a ghost. Yooooo, you don't know that little dude, do you? Sorry if that's like a buddy or something." Alfie has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth so it'd be no surprise to find out that the plump little man is a pal of Ryan's.

Alfie knows a good chunk of the situation but having had only reconnected with Ryan after the incident, he can't fully grasp or understand the full extent of all the intense feelings involved. He's only ever hung around Joshua and Ryan separately. Alfie also has a very different relationship with Joshua as it's not a very close bond on account of the big crush he had on him. Interactions were always friendly but kept to a minimum for the sake of Alfie's pride. Not many people make him turn red in the face and have him scrambling for words. "Shit, bro. That's...that's heavy."

Taking a gulp of his Jack and Coke, Alfie sits quietly for a moment and listens to Ryan's words. He's known for being a joker but can be serious when it counts and this is evidently a weighty subject for Ryan. Despite being a rather honest songwriter, Ryan's not one for expressing deep feelings in his everyday life. Alfie's aware of this and just lets him speak, picking up on his choice of words such as "hate" and "dark place". He thinks it's best to just let Ryan say how he feels and not try to coax any further information out of him. "Don't apologise, bro. I know this is a big thing for you and it's come from way out the blue. Also, I don't even think the announcement of World War 3 would spoil my night. Not with what I've got planned." Alfie lets out a soft chuckle and gives Ryan a very gentle nudge with his shoulder.

"Oh, it stays between us, for sure." Alfie looks around to make sure that nobody else is in earshot or at least looks like they're coming over this way before leaning in and lowering his voice. "Bro, can I be real with you and get a little gloomy for just a minute?"

"Sometimes I think God looks down on us and sees a twisted opportunity." Alfie quips with another gulp of his beverage. He knows all too well that things rarely go smoothly in life for the good people. Those who deserve bad things always seem to skate by while those undeserving of drama and upset receive it in truckloads. Alfie doesn't have much life experience but from what he's already witnessed and endured, he knows that you can't plan for anything. While he's aware that it's a complex and delicate issue for Ryan, Alfie's mentally boiling it down to its simplest form. There's a friendship there to be saved and he wants Ryan to take that opportunity.

"Look, now I ain't ever spoken about this. Even when all the shit went down, I cried myself to sleep for ages but still never said a word. Was too rough." Alfie takes a very pause and exhales through his nose, trying his best to centre himself before continuing. "You remember my best friend when I was growing up? Thomas? Sometimes he'd come over to game or we'd go out an skateboard. Well, about four years ago he...uh...he was killed. Was on his bike and some jacked up fucker in a Buick hit him. Died instantly." Alfie keeps his head and voice low, obviously still a very tender topic for him. Of course, it was something Ellie already had a quiet word with Ryan about but this is the first time Alfie's ever spoken about it of his own accord. "I know shit's different for you guys. Nobody died but someone could have. You have a chance to save a relationship and have your best friend again. I know it's not that simple and Joshua probably has to put a lot of work in to be that friend again but...I think you should at least allow him to try. Make an effort to talk. I can't even remember the last thing I said to Thomas. I wish I at least had the opportunity to squabble with him."

Alfie takes a large gulp of his Jack and Coke and looks off into the crowd as he speaks lowly once more. "Real friends are few and far between, bro. You want my advice? Try and save this."