A Soul I Cannot Save...

Gerard felt mildly successful after convincing his sad, younger brother to shower while Gerard changed their sheets and vacuumed the room. If he was going to mope around all day, he might as well do it in style.

Gerard hadn't seen Frank around yet and he was a bit relieved. He didn't know what to think of what'd happened the previous night. He did believe that Frank was an angel. He knew that much. But he still wanted more clarification on why he'd been scorched upon their touching. Also, as to why Frank said that he was who Gerard would marry. The thought of that slightly unnerved him.

Why didn't Gerard get a say in that?

He tried to push that though to the back of his mind. Mikey had just come out of the shower.

"Where were you yesterday?" Gerard asked. Mikey went from never leaving the house to never being in the house in a matter of weeks. Mikey pointed out of the window, and across the street. Gerard looked out and saw the liquor store. He couldn't really hide his disappointment.

"Why there? It's dangerous. Loads of intoxicated people and drug dealers. I don't want you out there anymore, okay?" Gerard said, knowing this wouldn't go over well. Though he was quiet, Mikey was equally as strong willed as Gerard could be at time.

Mikey gave Gerard a look. One that told Gerard to mind his damn business. Of course, Gerard didn't believe in giving up that easily.

"You heard what I said Mikey. I'm trying to look out for you." Gerard said.

Mikey couldn't possibly understand how he was trying to do that. Mikey never goes out this and Mikey's such a homebody that. Now he can't even go out? Sure, he was drinking and hanging with a couple of stoners but he could handle himself and he knew what he was doing. He just didn't know why it mattered anyway.

When their parents died, Mikey practically just stopped living. He didn't want to feel dead anymore. And nobody, including Gerard, was going to stop him from moving on.

"Mikey. You aren't alone in the world, you know. I'm still here. You can hang with me."

Mikey rolled his eyes at that. Mikey had always been alone, having a family just made him feel a little less isolated. He'd never felt included, even when he hung around his brother's friends. He'd never had his own.

Mikey got dressed and left again, completely ignoring his brother's pleas.

Gerard chose not to run after Mikey. It wasn't like he couldn't just watch him from the window anyway. That, and the fact that Gerard felt weak. He'd slept all night without interruption, yet he still felt tired. Maybe he was getting a cold. Gerard heard the front door open and close. He assumed it was his brother.

His body felt heavy with this dull aching as if he was feverish. Definitely getting a cold. Gerard pulled out his cellphone and failed Mikey's number.

He smiled a bit, it was funny to watch Mikey fumble around for his phone, through the window. When the dial tone had been replaced by the sound of impatient breathing, Gerard began to speak.

"I'm sick, get me something. Something for fever and pain. And don't tell me you need an ID, cause the beer in your hand says otherwise." Gerard said, then hung up. Mikey wouldn't have responded anyway.

Mikey shuffled into the store. Gerard didn't seem sick when he left. Maybe he just wanted to get high off of cough medicine. He was pissed at Gerard, but he didn't want him to ruin his life. It was in these situations Mikey could almost bring himself to speak. But what to say?

Mikey found the type of pills Gerard wanted and sighed. There was a cheesy warning on the back about drug abuse. Mikey sent Gerard a picture of it. Mikey cringed internally. This was the type of weak shit they'd tell you to do in a high school health class.

Gerard texted back immediately.

Really? I'm fucking sick okay? I'm not trying to get high on Tylenol. Get me my shit before I get you an underage drinking charge.

Mikey quickly purchased the pills. He knew Gerard would do anything to prove a point these days. He walked out of the store with a little box of medicine. He didn't bother with a bag.

His 'friends' made fun of him a little.

"Hey, you think you can get high off that? I can get you some real shit." One of them said. Mikey kept walking.

Mikey threw the medicine at Gerard. He knew Gerard was actually sick because Gerard didn't throw it back. Gerard thanked Mikey, took the suggested two pills, and went back to sleep.

Notes

2 for the wait. ;)