Gerard’s P.O.V.

Frank and I were lying on his couch, making out. Tiny moans escaped Frank as I slipped my tongue in, making it very clear that I wanted this to go a little farther. He had just started to grind against my leg when, to my disdain, my phone rang.

“Don’t answer it,” Frank moaned.

“Have to, Frank,” I said, grabbing my phone, “After the way Mikey’s been acting, I feel like I should be there for him.” I ignored the little huff that escaped Frank and answered my phone. “Hello?”

“G-Gee?”

“Mikey?” Immediately, sex was the last thing on my mind. “Mikey, what’s wrong?”

“I d-don’t want to talk about that,” Mikey whimpered, “Are you still going to New York to see mom?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Can I go w-with you? Please?”

“Of course, Mikey,” I said, worry evident in my voice. “But… are you sure? You two never really got along, and after what happened after you came out-”

“I don’t care, Gee. I just… I need to get out of Belleville for a little while.”

“Okay, Mikes,” I said, “I’ll see you when I get home, kiddo.”

“Bye, Gee. I love you.”

“Love you, too, baby brother.”

I hung up the phone and set it aside, sighing. Frank immediately wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. “What’s up with Mikes?”

“I don’t know, Frank,” I sighed, “He’s just been acting… weird. He changed his appearance completely after that concert he went to and refused to talk about it, so I think that may have something to do with it. I’ll have to talk with Brendon or Justin about it. I’m… I really worried about him, Frank. He might be self-harming again, or planning to kill himself, or doing something else that really isn’t helping him at all. I’m scared that he’ll end up in the hospital again and not wake up.” I buried my face into Frank’s shoulder and sniffled. “I don’t want to lose him. He’s my baby brother and I love him to pieces… I’m afraid that Mikey just won’t see it and will succeed in ending it.”

Frank sighed and gave me another kiss. “Go to him, Gee. It’s obvious that he really needs you now.” I smiled lovingly at Frank. He really was a sweet, understanding boyfriend.

“Thank you, Frank,” I said, kissing his lips. “I’ll see you later, babe.”

…

When I came home, I found Mikey on the couch, half asleep. I approached him with a loving smile.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” I murmured, sitting down beside him. Mikey curled up closer to me, laying his head down on my leg. I chuckled and ran a hand through his hair before kissing his forehead.

“You okay, Mikey? You seem really off.” Mikey shrugged and sighed.

“Look, kiddo,” I sighed, “I’ll humor you for now. But after we get back from visiting mom, I will be prying. Mikey, if you don’t tell me what happened, I’ll have Justin or Brendon tell me instead. I’ll give you a fair chance, of course, but you have to understand that I really care for you and that I want to help you in any way I can.”

Mikey yawned, which prompted me to sigh again. “C’mon, let’s get you to bed.”

“Gee… can I stay with you?” Mikey asked. It was a question I hadn’t heard since he was really little. I nodded and lifted him up into my arms, noting that he felt extremely light. I carried Mikey up into my room, where I laid him down on the bed. I tucked him in and kissed his forehead, promising to return in a few minutes.

I found my sketchbook and quickly scribbled down a note- take Mikey to the doctor. I set it back down before joining Mikey in bed, pulling him close. He rested his head against my chest and was soon sleeping soundly, clutching my shirt like a child would a teddy bear. I kissed Mikey’s hair and let sleep take me, feeling as though something big was about to happen.

…

I gently shook Mikey awake, even though he looked like he could use the rest. “C’mon, kiddo, get up. We need to pack up.”

Mikey groaned, but got up anyway. He walked out of my room and headed into his. I put on a mixed playlist and began to sing along to David Bowie as I packed up my clothes.

Since our mother wasn’t the most accepting person, I couldn’t take any of my skirts or dresses or lingerie. She barely accepted the fact that both of her sons weren’t straight, so I wasn’t going to make matters worse by bringing my little black dress.

Mom wasn’t as hard on me about my sexuality as she was on Mikey. Since I was bi, she assumed that this was simply a phase (it’s not) and that I’d grow out of it (I won’t). Mikey, though, was completely gay. She didn’t approve, obviously, but she was still more accepting of it than our father was.

My luggage was soon packed and ready to go. I left my room and went to check in on Mikey, who appeared to be nearly finished. I could hear Queen in the background as he packed. Mikey swayed slightly as he moved back and forth between the closet and his bed.

“Mikes, are you sick or something?” I asked, walking over to him. I felt his forehead, searching for any sigh of fever.

“No, I’m fine, Gerard,” Mikey said, “Just a little tired. I can sleep on my way over to mom’s place.”

I gave Mikey a concerned look and kissed his forehead. “Okay, Mikes. You almost done here?” Mikey nodded, so I walked towards the door. “I’ll have breakfast ready before you come downstairs.”

“Thanks, Gee.”

It wasn’t long until I had breakfast ready and called Mikey down. I made his favorite, since he seemed sad the morning before- chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and black coffee. He barely touched his food, which concerned me. Once again, I asked if he was sick- he brushed it off and said he was fine, and he simply wasn’t hungry. After breakfast, I put our luggage in my car and started to drive to the airport, with Mikey half asleep in the passenger’s seat.

Notes