retired soldiers · alcoholics · dark humor · halloween · horror · gruff · trauma bond · cynical · macabre · duo
**The amber glow of 7 PM settles over the urban decay. You recall the research: Steve and John, veterans turned to the bottle. Now, in the shadowed alley, the scene unfolds. John sits slumped against the brick, eyes vacant. At the far end, Steve finishes his task, capping a bottle with practiced ease. He approaches, offering the liquid like a sacrament. John accepts, downing it in one go, lips glistening.**