Current mood:	mischievous
Current music:	Liberate-Slipknot

Title: Hell In A Handbasket
Author: Hybryd
Fandom: A7X/Slipknot...with some Linkin Park
Pairing: Zacky/Syn, Zacky/Syn/Chris
Rating: R
Summary: Mick and Chris's friendship has been falling a part for years, causing tension within the band, and events on the new tour aren't helping things


Slipknot is:
#0 Sid Wilson-DJ
#1 Joey Jordison-Drummer
#2 Paul Gray-Bassist
#3 Chris Fehn-Percussionist
#4 James (Jim) Root-rhythm guitarist
#5 Craig Jones-Sampler
#6 Shawn Crahan-Percussionist
#7 Mick Thomson-
#8 Corey Taylor-Singer


Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight


It's the dejected slump in Chris's shoulders that gets Zacky. That and the way the percussionist is just swirling the alcohol in his glass, not really drinking it. It kinda jerks at his heart just a little and he wonders if it bothers Syn too, but a glance at his partner shows the other guitarist looking out over the bar. With an slightly exasperated sigh, Zacky elbows the taller man in the ribs. He smirks at the glare he receives, then flicks his eyes towards Chris.

Zacky watches as Syn looks in Chris's direction and almost smiles at the way the other guitarist's features just kinda soften. Neither of them wants to see their friend looking so lonely. When Syn looks back at him and they lock eyes he knows that they're on the same page.

They're in for another night of fun.

They move together like two lions hunting prey. Facing away from them Chris doesn't see them coming and Zacky smirks to himself when the older man jerks at Syn's loud voice.

“What's up dude?”

“Just drinking,” Chris says as smoothly as if they hadn't startled him.

Zacky can't help but gasp when Chris turns the barstool around to face them. The percussionist's face is a molted mix of colorful bruises and angry looking scrapes. He's got a bit of a fat lip and both eyes are kind of swollen and black.

“Dude, did you get mauled?”

Zacky watches as Chris's eyes widen in realization and for a moment there's a flash of emotions that he can't place before it's replaced by an easy-going smile. “Nah, just jumped into a fight to bail Sid's ass out.”

“I'd hate to see the other guys,” Syn comments.

“They learned to check out the other person's back-up before starting a fight,” Chris replies with a short laugh.

Zacky doesn't believe it for a second. There were no reports of fights at the show. And the Slipknot guys haven't been at the bar that much longer than them. Plus any bar fights would have resulted in them being thrown out.

Still, this smells distinctly like a Slipknot matter. He knows it's something he's better off leaving well enough alone. Besides, if it doesn't bother Chris then it's not going to bother him.

“Got plans tonight?” Zacky asks, deciding to get back to why they approached him in the first place. He doesn't even care about being subtle right now.

Zacky can't help but smirk as Chris looks first at him and then at Syn. He can see the wheels turning in the percussionist's head. Then does it again as if he's not sure if he's reading too much into that.

“Let me put this another way,” Zacky says. He leans down so that his lips are brushing Chris's ear and says with a hot little flicker of tongue, “wanna fuck?”

Subtle he can do, but straight forward is just so much more fun. Chris's reaction is one of pure amusement. The older man throws his head back and laughs as if he hasn't in years. Zacky beams, because it feels really good to make someone laugh especially someone who looked so down just seconds ago. It's enough to make Zacky laugh too while Syn stands there looking a little lost and wondering what's so funny.

Zacky stops laughing quickly though and fixes Chris with an expectant look, one eyebrow cocked questioningly. He doubts Chris'll say no, because who the hell would say no to Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance? That's not his ego talking either, that's just the truth of the matter.

“You're serious?” Chris asks, sounding surprised.

“As a heart attack,” Syn replies.

Chris laughs again and Zacky thinks the percussionist needs to laugh more often, because it's rich and deep and the kind of laugh that just makes others smile. “I think that's the most direct anyone has ever been to me.”

“I already did the subtle seduction,” Zacky says with a cheeky smile.

“And you did it well,” Chris admits. “If I hadn't already had the hots for you that definitely would have had me in the palm of your hands.”

That's news to Zacky, but before he can comment Chris is sliding off the barstool. The percussionist throws back the rest of the alcohol in the glass, which is a substantial amount, then grabs both their hands and begins to pull them through the bar. Zacky and Syn both laugh at the older man's eagerness.

Oh yes, their night is definitely about to get a lot better.