Golden Days

Gerard Arthur Way was fond of the finer things. The champagne, the wine, the drugs, the parties... everything being in New York meant. He had run in the big leagues since his brother, Michael, and him had moved there to escape. At first no one knew their names, it was bliss, they had escaped from something worse than being unknown in New Jersey, just over the river to somewhere full of possibilities.

Of course, the two were brought up indulged, and for only so long could the lavish lifestyle they both craved be supported.

It was the Autumn of 1978 when they both fell in with the dealers of New York, both more than happy to earn their money somewhat illegally. And buy the January of the next year they had worked their way up the ladder in great leaps, controlling half the city. Perhaps it was Gerard's willingness to put everything on the line that got them there, although more than likely it was the calculated planning of Mikey that made them so great. Whispers in the ear of influential dealers said that the younger Way was the one making the death toll rise and the power imbalance, however, many rather believed it was the impulsive Gerard whose hands were dyed in the blood of power. In reality, it was a careful measure of both of them that got them to where they were, both of them and a man with irreplaceable talent at making sure no one talked.

Gerard attended the biggest events, trailing Mikey behind him in his wake. He caused the waves and often splashed his cash in the faces of those who shouldn't have been challenged. Michael was damage control, left to fix whatever his brother broke and upset in the world, and could take hell in his stride. Mikey's smooth talking had ironed out wrinkles in Gerard's façade and had moved immovable mountains of men, often in more ways than one. However, in Summer of 1979, there came the hardest smoothing out job of his life.

The sun was setting, the warmth in the winding New York streets was suffocating as the two watched the city bustle through tinted windows from the inside of a private car. They were on their way to their first joint social event in weeks, and Gerard was already pining after the buzz. Mikey however, was a beacon of reflection as he rested his face on the cool window glass of the car, but even so, his leg was jumping, the boy, however unmovable was nervous.
“I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I didn’t feel good about this one Mikey” Gerard sighed, looking over his newly acquired sunglasses at his usually unshakeable little brother who was just a month off 20. It had been rough for the kid, no doubt, but he had handled it well at the time for a 19-year-old, taking control of his wild 22 year old brother and keeping everything under wraps “I promise little bro, we got something good”

“There better be Gerard” Mikey warned, his usual monotone abandoned for his brother. His voice wavered on the edge of emotion and Mikey caught himself, leaning back into the leather seats in self-restraint. Gerard simply sighed and turned his attention to the people on the sidewalks, his mind wandering to the hustle and bustle of the last people on the street. Soon it’d be filled to the bursting with the night life, the debonair and upper class, and of course people like him and his brother.

“You got it Michael” Gerard said with a eyeroll in his brother’s general direction. Soon his brother was back up at his full height, relaxed but alert… like the Mikey he had become since last August. Even In his mind’s eye Gerard could still see the young Mikey with a smile and a witty remark. Even in his mind’s eye Mikey could still see young Gerard, the aspiring artist who was forever grinning and covered in ink. Perhaps the brother’s thought too much alike, although these days they thought too differently. Besides, the young pair of brothers were long gone, what remained was one irresponsible and over emotional 23-year-old and a respected but controlling close to 20-year-old.

The car came to a stop and their mophaired driver looked back with an ever present smile, his youthful face tinged with excitement “Gentlemen, your stop. I’ll be around back when you’re prepared to leave, no doing ” Both brothers nodded and brushed their jacket off almost in sync. The hands on opposite sides of the car groped for the handle, and pushed the door open, and out into the night that was growing colder. They both stepped out, shoes clicking onto the street, and Mikey turned with a smile back to the car. Gerard however, concerned himself with fixing his dratted tie.

“Thanks Brendon” Mikey said tapping the roof of the car as he closed the door. Gerard offered a small smile to the boy in the front seat driving. They both moved away from the car and Brendon pulled away. Mikey straightened up, reverting back into the force to be reckoned with that everyone but Gerard had become used to. Gerard hopped up on to the sidewalk beside his brother. The two gazed up at the large building where the party was already in swing, surprisingly early for a New York party.

There was an obvious tensing in Michael’s jaw as he set off at a brisk pace. Gerard however, shoved his hands deep into his pockets of his suit jacket as he followed at a relaxed pace. The two were a vision of opposites as they approached the doors that were manned by two rough looking bouncers. As Gerard and Mikey approached the doors there was a sudden movement and 2 people moved in front of them headed to the door.

“Stay here baby” Said the taller of the two in a familiar voice to both Mikey and Gerard. The two brothers frowned at each other as the smaller one peeled off towards the wall, and the taller one continued outside. Mikey shrugged at Gerard in a ‘Some escort probably’ way. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence In the party scene to either of them, they’d seen it all before. Gerard however turned to stare at the smaller one that was now leaning against the wall, head down, his simple black suit slightly wrinkled.

Gerard was on the edge of stopping, the kid was obviously an unwilling escort to the party and his date had even dumped him. Mikey wrapped his fingers around his brother’s pale wrist, urging him forward.

“Arm candy” came the hiss of Mikey’s voice, an explanation to his brother. Gerard nodded and took a deep breath, moving forward slightly but his eyes remained of the small form. Then, the kid looked up and Gerard’s resolve disappeared. He was young, maybe Mikey’s age judging by his youthful face. He was short with long black hair that had obviously been swept back by hands other than his own, and hazel eyes inset into pale skin. Gerard’s eyes connected with the kids and Gerard felt his brother’s fingers dig into his wrist.

“Mikey….” He started, tugging his arm away.

“Gerard.” Came the angry hiss straight back from Michael’s mouth. Gerard fixed him with the harshest older brother stare he could muster. The fingers fell away from his wrist and Mikey’s set jaw waivered “Your funeral Gee” He sighed, shoving his hands in his pocket quickly and stepped away from his brother.

Gerard quickly trotted along the sidewalk up to the small figure “Hey, kid!” He called and the young man visibly shrunk back. There was a sharp intake of breath from behind Gerard, Mikey was obviously keeping step with him. Gerard quickly changed his tone as he moved closer to the boy “Sorry, just… hey, sorry, you looked kinda cold” That was certainly true, the kid shivered. He was certainly around Mikey’s age anyway, there was the innate naivety that Gerard was sure that if Mikey hadn’t become the mask of emotions, he was sure his brother could reflect.

“yeah… doesn’t matter, he’ll be back soon” The kid muttered, shivering. Yeah, he was certainly exactly what Mikey had muttered under his breath. Arm Candy. He was probably getting a high price off of whatever old guy was using him.

“Who are you here with kid?” Mikey said, looking over Gerard’s shoulder, earning an approving glance from Gerard, who practically glowed with pride
.
“He’s with me Way, so back the hell off my boy” Came an angry voice, and the boy shrunk even further back if possible. The voice immediately clicked with both the brothers and they turned in sync.
Hell itself stood in front of him, and boy was Hell ugly.

Notes