Mikey’s POV

When Gerard showed up at the door, I’ll admit I was a little shocked. And the fact he had bought his boyfriend too was rather surprising. We both know how homophobic our parents were; they displayed their disgust at things of the sort clear enough. Needless to say, I honestly thought he wasn't ever coming back with the venom our parents had been spitting about this.

I stood in the doorway, pondering for a moment and considering options, and then decided to let them in. My reasoning was that it would be better for him to confront our parents rather than run away from them. Maybe he could talk some sense into them? Or, at least, I had hoped he would be able to. I was wrong.

Gerard leads everyone into the lounge while I go to inform my parents of the advancement. I walk cautiously on my tiptoes to the kitchen. I didn't want to make too much noise for fear that it would anger my father. They hadn't exactly been the nicest people to be around, what with the Gerard situation. That fantastic brother of mine sure knows how to screw things up for himself. I whispered to myself, prayed that all would go well, and stepped boldly into the kitchen.

I walked awkwardly over to the dining table. Mum glanced up from her paper at me, and Dad did the same but with a menacing look in his eye.
“U-um, Gerard has c-come home. H-he, um, he wanted to talk to you both. About his boyfriend. I think it's his boyfriend.” I stuttered. Dad stood up from the table slowly, his coffee mug still clutched between his meaty fists; the menacing look in his eye had been replaced with something far more distressing.
“What?” he growled at me in a voice that was low, rumbling and quiet yet still unnerving.
“I, um, Gerard is...in the living room. He wanted to talk to you about him having a boyfriend.” I squeaked. Though I was sure he had heard what I said, I repeated it anyways.
“Gerard doesn't have a boyfriend, because Gerard is straight.” He hissed through his teeth.
“Well, he is in there waiting to t-talk to you about i-it...His boyfriend's mother is also in there...” I just wanted to get out of this position before I got injured. God knows I would take a hit for Gerard any time, but I wasn't quite feeling up for an unprovoked attack. At the mention of Gerard's boyfriends mother, my own mother had gasped and then narrowed her eyes.
"That insane woman is in my house?" she cursed under her breath.

Father had brought the mug up above his head in a quick swift movement, and then in another cracked the bottom flat against my forehead. I fell to the floor due to the force, aware only of blood trickling down my face and a pounding headache like pain coupled with harsh stinging. He dropped the cracked mug to the ground next to me, kicking my head again before he stormed out of the room, Mum was weeping silently yet followed loyally behind him.

~
I wake groggily, still lying on the floor. Darkness has invaded the kitchen now, so I must have been out for quite a while. What I assume is blood has crusted across my face; when I lift my fingers to touch the dried liquid dark red flakes crumble against my touch. I groan and try to sit upright. Muscles in my stomach automatically resist so instead I let my body slump back to the ground, defeated. My glasses are across the room, the lens clearly cracked over one eye. Yet another thing I will have to fix due to my father's uncontrollable rage.

After a minute or two lying against the chilled tile I realise the deathly silence in the house. I painfully force myself to my feet, because I have to make sure Gerard is alright and not...dead. I ignore the light-headedness I get from standing so suddenly, and stumble across the kitchen, using any object I can to keep myself upright. My head is throbbing but I continue in striving to reach the living room. I love Gerard more than anything, and I want to help him in any way that I can. Even if that means getting knocked about a little by the ignorant, bigoted man we call our father or cursed by our cowardly mother.

Gerard isn't anywhere in the living room. With limited eyesight - due to the loss of my glasses - I search the room but to no avail. All I find is a half-dried pool of blood on the carpet. Against my better judgement and conscience I retain a shred of hope that it is not Gerard's. I make my way up the stairs as quick as possible. I check in his room first, however he isn't there either. I retreat and walk back down the hallway, passing my parent’s room where my father snores loudly. Their door is open a crack, as if they were watching.

I walk on soft feet back to my room, heart racing. I need to calm down, preferably with a hot shower to wash away the crusted blood. I snatch the towel from the end of my bed and reach under my pillow and grab my pajamas. A piece of paper crinkles which I grasp and slide out. It unfolds readily, and I skim it with shaking hands. Gerard’s messy handwriting scrawls over the page, explaining everything. I let out a long breath. Gerard has gone to Frank’s to comfort him, and will be home before morning.

I’m actually surprised he hasn't gotten himself killed yet.

Notes

I meant to update this sooner, but I just wanted to make this chapter as best as I could. *collective groans as I give yet more excuses*
Hope you are all having a lovely day! x

- Run Bunny