“Nah, we tried that shit on me but it didn't fit me quite right. Never was one for crowns. They fit your head better than mine,” Brandon smirked wryly, then hoisted himself up onto a stool.
His attention turned toward Silas and he shrugged a shoulder. “I never said I wouldn't kick your ass if you tried it either, if I recall right.” He rolled his eyes and shrugged a shoulder. “That's pretty much what happens when anyone but blond strippers try to talk to him, I think. It goes in one ear and out the other.” It was a subtle low blow, but Brandon couldn't help it. He'd never been good at letting things go, so he couldn't be expected to in this case. Before he could even see the expressions on his friends' faces, he raised his hands in surrender—it would be the last time he mentioned it that night—he'd said his piece.
Life happened. It was shit, but it did. The one woman he fell for was the one woman who always eluded his grasp, men like Reg lost the love of their life tragically, and good men like Silas got roped in by chicks like Alghren. Life was cruel, but it was what it was.
“None of this should've happened.” The infection, the constant death... life still should've been normal, but normal was a lost, pipe dream now. “But life's a bitch now more than ever. Not saying that makes it okay, but...” he trailed off. He'd always been horrible with words. This, naturally, was no exception. “Leah'll do it right,” he told Regan. His voice was supposed to be somber, but the tone was the same. It was usually the same.
Silas was better at dealing with mopey friends than Brandon was. People always told him he was a pro at military motivation; shouting and punching random objects, scare tactics. This situation... didn't call for that. Silas was better at diverting sadness to humor, even if it wasn't the right way to do it, it always seemed to work. “Really, don't be a mopey drunk. Be a happy drunk.” He leaned over and filled the glass again.
Brandon's attention went to the kids when Silas pointed them out and nodded his head, a grin coming across his face. “I'll toss in a gin bottle from my stash,” he added.