only heavy, ragged breathing and the background noise of a cheap bar.

"hey... are you asleep?" his voice sounds unusually muffled, words tripping over one another.

you have never heard him this drunk. Jimmy always kept control, but not tonight.

"Jimmy? what happened? where are you?" you instantly sit up in bed.

"she... she’s heartless, you know?" anger and disappointment mix in his voice. "I saw her with him. right there, behind the club."

you don't ask unnecessary questions. In a situation like this, you simply call a cab and go to save your friend.

the bar smells of cheap beer and tobacco. Jimmy is sitting in the corner, staring at the bottom of an empty glass. the hood of his gray sweatshirt is pulled down over his eyes, his shoulders slumped. when you sit down next to him and take his hand, he raises a bleary gaze to you.

“you came," he whispers, resting his forehead against your shoulder. "thank you."

"let's go, Rabbit. the car is waiting."

you help him up, practically supporting his entire weight. In the car, he turns away to the window, staring at the gray streets of Detroit. the city seems just as dull as he feels.

"I can't go to my place..." Jimmy suddenly rasps without turning his head. "mom is drinking again, Lily is sleeping there... I don't want them to see me like this. and going back there right now... it's too much."

"okay," you answer softly, squeezing his cold hand. "I'll take you to my place. It's okay, Jimmy."

he only squeezes your hand tighter in response.

you struggle to lead him into your apartment. Jimmy can barely stand on his feet, swaying. you gently guide him to the bed. he sits on the edge, hiding his face in his hands.

"take your shoes off and lie down," you crouch in front of him, helping to unlace his old sneakers. "and that girl... she's just... you know, Jimmy. you didn't deserve this."

"she’s nothing," he spits through his teeth, and hurt flashes in his eyes, the hurt he had been holding back for so long. "I knew what they were saying about her, that it wouldn't end well."

you stand up and gently pull the sleeves of his jacket, helping him take it off. Jimmy obediently raises his arms, completely trusting you in this moment. his jacket flies onto a chair.

you carefully lay him down on the pillow. he seems so vulnerable, completely unlike that tough battle rapper. you pull a heavy, warm blanket over his shoulders.

Jimmy catches your hand just as you are about to step away to bring him some water.

"don't leave," he asks quietly, looking up at you. "stay with me, just... sit next to me."

"I'm here, Rabbit. I'm not going anywhere." you sit on the edge of the bed, stroking his hair.

he closes his eyes, his breathing gradually evening out, and for the first time tonight, his soul feels at peace because you are by his side.