"Hey Man..."

"Of course I have," he replied. "...just not with a man, that's not possible."

"So sex without love, is that the sin?" he pressed. "Not even sex with compassion, or caring, or friendship--it must be love?"

"Well, yeah, of course," he replied, frowning. "Not that men can fall in love, anyway, so why does it matter?"

"So all men are sinners now, are they?" he chuckled, sliding his fingers over the uninjured areas of Mars's back.

"No!" He replied, jumping a bit at Priestly's wandering fingers. "I just mean that two men can't fall in love. Or two women. It just...doesn't happen."

"It's okay, I'm sure you'll fall in love some day," he replied tenderly, kissing him on the shoulder. "Thank you for dressing my wounds."

Mars stood up, positive he was just imagining it.

"You can leave now," he replied, awkwardly trying to cross his arms before he remembered his wounds.

"Really? You're sure about that?" he asked, still staring at Mars's wounds. "They look like they hurt like a bitch. I can help."

"You already bandaged them, you can't help more," he replied, frowning. He sat down on the bed. "Shouldn't you just leave?"

He shook his head and pulled a bottle filled with amber liquid out of his bag.

"This'll fix you right up. Always helps in times like this."

"What is it?" He replied, taking the bottle and looking at it.

"Try some, and see if you like it," he suggested. "Just take a swig from the bottle, I don't mind. It's a pain reliever."

"I'm not drinking anything you give me unles you tell me what it is," he insisted, handing the bottle back to Priestly. "For all I know it could be drugs."

"Oh, it's not drugs at all," he replied. "It's the Catholic cure of choice, healing juice produced by the honorable Father Jack and Father Daniels." He smiled and took a sip himself, trying not to frown too much at the taste.

Mars furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why haven't I heard of it then?" He replied, crossing his arms. "You're lying to me."

"No, I swear to you, they're two fine gentleman from Tennessee who make a fine bottle of the Catholic cure. Just try it--I promise it'll soothe the ache. Don't drink to fast, though." He held out the bottle to Mars.

Mars took the bottle, frowning.

"How much?" He asked, though he still wasn't sure he' drink it.

"As much as you need until you feel a little better," he replied. "I'll stop you if you go too far."

Mars took a tiny taste, grimacing immediately.

"This is terrible!" He said, handing Priestly back the bottle. "I'm gonna lay down, augh..."

"You can add things to it, if you don't like the taste," he chuckled. "Do you have anything to drink? Maybe something sweet?"

He shrugged, laying down on his bed.

"Not really," he replied, yawning. He back hurt, so he laid on his stomach instead. "Aren't you gonna leave?"

He poured some water into a glass, and added whiskey.

"Try this," he said, handing it to Mars.

He still grimaced, but it was at least drinkable. He felt warmer, and more relaxed. It was kind of nice.

"Thanks," he replied, setting the glass down next to him. He stretched, but flinched when his arms hurt.

"I'm gonna be holed up here for a while," he realized, sighing.

"I'll keep you company, then," he replied brightly, taking another swig straight form the bottle. "We can help each other heal."

He scoffed at the idea.

"I just need a few long showers and some time to pray, and I'll be at one hundred percent again," he replied confidentially. "I just hate being stuck here with so much time to...think."