If You Can't Handle The Heat...

“I am seriously gonna kick Josh’s ass.”

Frank muttered to himself. He’d managed to show up on time yesterday but today he was late and had just called in at the last possible minute to say he couldn’t make it. Frank groaned before he looked at the schedule to see who was off today.

“Fuck.”

He wandered up to the front and picked up the phone to dial Mikey’s number. He punched it in and waited as the phone rang.

Mikey groaned as he was woken by Metallica blasting from his phone about a foot away from his right ear. He sleepily grabbed at the phone and tapped the fuzzy green circle on the screen without putting on his glasses so he could see who was calling at whatever Godforsaken time in the morning this was.

"Wha?..."

He grunted. He heard a shuffling and grumbling noise behind him and turned to look, squinting and just about making out his brother, fast asleep and drooling on Mikey's spare pillow. He rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the phone, realising someone was talking to him.

"Huh what?...sorry, I missed that."

“Dude, you free today?...”

Frank chuckled at the sound of Mikey’s groggy and half asleep still voice.

“Josh bailed.”

"Frank?..."

Mikey reached blindly for his glasses and put them on, looking quickly at the too bright phone screen and seeing Frank's name and a picture of him sticking his tongue out for the camera.

"Err yeah, sure..."

He looked over at Gerard then climbed out of bed without waking him and headed to the bathroom, continuing to talk quietly.

"But is it ok if my brother comes with me?...mom wasn't too happy to see him and I don't think he'd want to hang here with her all day."

He shut the bathroom door and went to relieve himself, his phone still pressed to his ear.

Frank grinned like an idiot.

“Yes, your brother can hang out here as long as he promises to behave and not frighten the customers.”

Frank chuckled.

Mikey pulled himself out of his pyjama pants and aimed for the toilet.

"Gee couldn't frighten a bunny...fact is he'd probably be the one to run away"

He chuckled, starting his morning piss.

Frank laughed and shook his head.

“Alright well, get your ass down here as soon as you can, I can just tell the morning rush is gonna hit early, just because I’m here by myself.”

He cringed at the thought.

Mikey nodded, then remembered that Frank couldn't see him.

"Will do. We'll be there ASAP."

“Thanks, see you soon.”

Frank hung up the phone and went back to prepping in the kitchen and hoping a customer doesn’t come in until Mikey gets there.

Mikey put his phone down, finished his piss, washed his hands then returned to the bedroom to wake up his brother.

Gerard was laying starfished on the bed, so if Mikey wanted to get back in, he couldn't...instead, he walked over and threw himself on top of his brother, who woke up with a strangled squeak as the air was knocked out of him. Mikey rolled to the side, laughing loudly.

"F-fucktard!"

Gerard choked out. Mikey got back off the bed, laughing as he searched for a clean shirt that was suitable for work.

"Get up fucker, I got work and unless you wanna spend the day shopping for purple wool with mom, you better get your ass in gear cos I'm leaving in five..."

Gerard groaned, rolling over to go back to sleep.

"I'll buy you coffee."

Mikey whispered in his ear.

Four minutes later they were out the door, ten minutes after that they were at the diner. Mikey pushed the door open and slipped inside with Gerard right behind him.

Gerard went straight to the booth furthest from the door and the cold wind that accompanied every person who entered, and sat down to wait for his promised coffee with his sketchbook and pencils out on the table a second after his ass met the plastic covered booth seat.

Mikey headed into the kitchen.

"Hey Frank. You can relax, cavalry's here."

He said, taking off his coat and hanging it up before slipping on an apron.

“THANK YOU! I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see your cute little face!”

Frank ran around the edge of the counter and hugged Mikey.

“There was a whole group of people and they were so mean!”

"Did they want to talk to you and buy stuff?..."

Mikey cooed sarcastically.

"Did they try to give you money for coffee?"

“Do I sense sarcasm from you, Way?”

Frank made a face at him.

Mikey shrugged, fighting off a laugh that was bubbling up.

"You woke me up...what do you expect?"

“Such sass!”

Frank snickered and peaked out into the dining area.

“Where’s your brother?”

He looked back at Mikey.

“I thought you brought him with you.”

Frank swatted at Mikey.

"Alright...OW!...and yes, I did bring him. He's hiding in a booth at the back, waiting for the coffee I had to promise him to get him out of my Goddamn bed this morning."

Frank’s eyes went wide.

“Out of *your* bed…? Well that’s cute.”

Frank laughs.

"You ass..."

Mikey punched Frank's arm.

"Mom turned Gee's room into an arts and crafts room when he left...she sold his bed."

“Well that’s rude...still cute that you share a bed with your big brother.”

Frank grinned.

“Go give him his coffee and ask him if he wants breakfast. It’s on me but don’t tell him that.”

Mikey raised an eyebrow, sizing up Frank and his breakfast based generosity for a moment before shrugging and going to pour Gerard's coffee.

He made it just how his brother likes it; hot, black, and strong enough to wake a coma patient. He carried it over to where Gerard had his head down and his pencil flashing quickly over a page of his sketchbook.

"Coffee fucker."

He said, putting the cup down. Gerard looked up, looking surprised that Mikey exists.

"Coffee?"

"Yes Gerard, coffee. Now, do you want food?"

"Bacon."

"Just bacon?"

"Yes."

"Ok then..."

Mikey turned and went back to the kitchen. He walked up to Frank.

"Bacon!"

“That it?”

Frank raised an eyebrow at the waiter.

"Yep...just bacon and lots of it..."

Mikey laughed fondly.

"Gee thinks best on coffee and bacon."

“Alright…”

Frank shrugged.

“I can do bacon, now get to work kid.”

He chuckled and went about getting Gerard’s breakfast ready. He smiled while he worked in the safe and familiar space of his kitchen.

Mikey headed back out into the diner and saw there was three people at one table, a woman and two small children, an old man sat on his own, nursing a cup of coffee while he read the morning paper...and Gerard, hunched over his sketch pad with his coffee cup empty beside him.

Mikey rolled his eyes and poured Gerard another cup, then walked over and swapped out Gerard's empty drink for the full one.

"Bacon's cooking."

Gerard looked up.

"Huh?"

"Your bacon. It's cooking."

"Oh, right. Ok thanks Mikes."

Gerard picked up his coffee and took a sip before going back to drawing. Mikey was pretty sure his brother wasn't even aware that it was a different cup...he probably thought it was self-filling itself by magic or something. He went back behind the counter and looked through the hatch at Frank.

"My brother's in a world of his own today, I swear."

He chuckled, shaking his head fondly.

“Aren’t artists usually like that though?”

Frank laughed.

“His breakfast is almost ready.”

"Yeah, but he seems particularly spacey today."

“Maybe he’s still bummed out about losing his job.”

Frank shrugged and put up the plate of bacon for Gerard.

"I guess...maybe I should do something nice for him, what do you think?"

Mikey said as he picked up the plate.

“Yeah, you could try that. Cheer him up a bit.”

Frank nodded and turned to clean the flat top up a bit while he talked to Mikey

"Hmm..."

Mikey hummed for a moment.

"I'll give him his bacon then think about it. Could you think of something too?...I'm crap at ideas."

“I mean, yeah I can try and come up with something...”

Frank nodded.

“I can’t guarantee how helpful I’ll be.”

Mikey giggled then walked away. He took the plate of bacon over to Gerard's table and set it down. Gerard looked up.

"Mikes?"

"Yeah Gee?"

"What day is it?"

"Um...Wednesday...why?"

"No reason."

Gerard picked up a piece of bacon with the fingers of his left hand, munched on it and went back to drawing with his right. Mikey shook his head in confusion and returned to the counter, just as the woman with the kids got up to leave. He smiled nodded to her as he took payment then told her to "have a nice day", before turning to talk to Frank again.

"You have any ideas Frank?"

He called through the serving window.

“Well, I don’t know your brother so the best I can give you is lame shit like take him to see a movie he likes or something. Get him out and go do something. If he’s sitting around like that he’s just gonna be sitting there with lots of time to think and dwell on it.”

Frank sighed and shrugged.

"Hmm, yeah I guess that's true. Hey, there's a DC Comics movie marathon on at the cineplex Friday evening...you wanna come with us?...I'll buy the popcorn."

Frank raised an eyebrow at this.

“Uh, yeah sure. That sounds fun.”

"Cool..."

Mikey said. He was just about to say something else when a throat was cleared behind him. He put on his 'how can I help you' smile and turned around...coming face to face with Gerard, and an empty plate and cup.

"Let me guess, more coffee and bacon?"

"Yes please Mikes...you're the best."

Mikey rolled his eyes as he took the empties and shooed his brother back to his booth. He turned back to Frank.

"I'll pay for his bacon habit this time...do you think there's such a thing as bacon rehab?"

Frank laughed and put more bacon on.

“No, you know, I don’t think there is.”

"Shame."

Mikey turned around and started Gerard's coffee.

“I don’t think anyone has ever needed rehab for bacon before though, to be fair.”

Frank said as he put up another plate of bacon for Mikey’s brother.

Mikey grabbed it with a smirk.

"No, well there's no one quite like my brother..."

He picked up the fresh cup of the strongest coffee he knew how to make and headed over to Gerard. He set the cup and plate down.

"Hey Gee?"

"Hmmm?"

"Movies, Friday night...you in?"

"You paying?"

"Yep."

"Then sure, why not..."

He picked up his coffee and turned back to his drawing of what Mikey thought could possibly be a dragon. Mikey sighed and turned to go.

"Hey Mikes?..."

Mikey looked back.

"Thank you."

Mikey grinned, knowing that that was an all encompassing "thank you", and that was all he needed.

"You're welcome bro...now eat your damn bacon and let me work."

Gerard giggled and smiled at him and Mikey returned to the counter.

Frank was prepping some veggies and minding his own business in the kitchen. It was loud back here so he often couldn’t hear anything outside the kitchen. It was also kind of hot back there but he was used to that, it just meant he had to roll up his sleeves a lot of the time. Realistically most people would wear a t-shirt instead but Tony told him not to and he wasn’t about to challenge the boss. So instead he was constantly pushing up his sleeves and refilling his water glass. He set aside his knife to sneak out to behind the counter to do just that while he was sure Mikey was over with his brother and he wouldn’t be in Mikey’s way.

Mikey raised an eyebrow as he returned to find Frank stood there with a red face and his sleeves pushed up, tattoos on display.

"I knew you had a lot Frank, but woah!...that's a lot!"

Frank jumped at the sound of Mikey’s voice and almost spilled his water.

“Don’t fucking sneak up on me like that you little shit!”

He scrunched up his face in distaste. He relaxed and looked at Mikey and followed his gaze to the exposed ink on Frank’s arms, realising what the hell Mikey was talking about.

“Oh...yeah, I guess so.”

He said and nodded. He had more tattoos than most people ever saw but he hadn’t realised Mikey hadn’t even seen the ones on his arms.

"They're cool...I think Gee would like them..."

Mikey tilted his head to try to see one he couldn't quite make out, then looked back up at Frank's face.

"Actually, I'm positive he would."

“Which one are you trying to see?...”

Frank asked, watching Mikey.

“Gerard likes tattoos does he?”

"That one..."

Mikey pointed to the large tattoo on the back of Frank's left forearm.

"...is that the Virgin Mary?"

“Well, yeah essentially that’s what it is but altered, kind of a darker version.”

Frank turned his arm over so Mikey could see it better.

"Yeah, I see that...it's cool. Yeah Gee would love that one."

Frank smiled and shook his head.

“I’m going back into my kitchen, safer in there.”

He walked past Mikey to go hide back where he’d come from.

"O...k then..."

Mikey wasn't sure why the kitchen was quote-unquote "safer", but he wasn't going to ask and he had work to do anyway. He turned around to face out into the diner again just as the old man walked up to the counter, slammed a handful of coins down, then left.

"Have a nice day..."

Mikey called after him with fake cheerfulness.

"...grumpy bastard."

He finished quietly to himself. He looked around and realised that it was now just him, Frank and Gerard...well, coming in today was worth it...not. He moved out into the diner and started to wipe down the tables, it was that or falling asleep on the counter, and he didn't think the boss would be pleased if he turned up to see him doing that.

Frank finished prepping what he’d need for today and looked at the kitchen. He’d left nothing for himself to do to keep busy. He made a face and sighed.

“Fuck it, I’m going for a smoke..."

He grabbed his pack and lighter from his sweater before heading out past the front counter.

“I’ll be back in in a few minutes.”

He called to Mikey as he passed him.

"Ok..."

Mikey called back, continuing to wipe tables that were already clean. He considered getting Gerard to change booths so he could clean his table too, but didn't get the chance to suggest it as Gerard passed him, heading outside with his coat on but unbuttoned and a pack of cigarettes and a lighter in his hand.

"Ok, so I'll just say in here and talk to myself then will I?...guess so."

Gerard stepped out into the cold, shivering slightly and wrapping his coat tighter around himself before looking around for a spot out of the cold wind to light up. He saw the cook, Frank he thought his name was, leaning against the side wall of the building next door, cigarette already in his mouth. He walked over.

"Mind if I join you?"

He asked, holding up his pack.

“Sure...”

Frank said taking the cigarette out of his mouth to flick the ashes.

“Doesn’t bother me any.”

He shivered slightly, wishing he’d brought his sweater with him and pulling at his sleeves, trying to get them down to cover his arms so he can hide his hands in the fabric.

Gerard was just about to light his own smoke when he spotted the ink on Frank's arms.

"Wow..."

He said, stepping closer with his eyes glued to the colourful skin, his hands reaching out instinctively.

"...they're beautiful. Do you have others?"

He ran his fingertips over Frank's right forearm as his left sleeve was down already.

“Uh….”

Frank watched Gerard’s face and his hand on his arm.

“Yeah, I’m covered in ink.”

He moved his arm a little closer to Gerard so he could look at it better if he wanted to.

Gerard unconsciously licked his lips as he looked closer, turning Frank's arm this way and that to look at the designs.

"What do your knuckles say?"

He asked quietly, still studying them.

Frank stuck his cigarette back in his mouth to hold it between his lips and pulled his arm away from Gerard. He put his hands side by side and held them up so Gerard could read the word ‘Halloween’ written across his knuckles.

Gerard's eyebrows rose.

"Halloween?..."

He looked up, tilting his head slightly.

"Why?"

“I love Halloween stuff, it’s fun...”

Frank took a drag off his smoke before taking it out of his mouth and relaxing against the wall again.

“Plus that’s when I was born.”

He smiled, watching Gerard react to his tattoos was intriguing. People had been curious before but none showed this level of interest.

"Your birthday's on Halloween?...dude that's so cool."

Gerard went back to looking at the ink, unlit cigarette now forgotten in the corner of his mouth.

“Yeah, I guess so. I have fun with it anyway.”

Frank shrugged.

"Yeah I bet..."

Gerard giggled, eyes and fingers running over Frank's arm.

"So what's the weirdest tat you've got?"

“I don’t know…”

Frank hesitated.

“I guess none of them are really weird, but I think the strangest place I’ve gotten a tattoo is the inside of my lip.”

Frank smiled and shook his head.

Gerard's head snapped up, eyes wide and excited.

"Your lip!?...can I see?"

“Sure, it’s nothing crazy.”

Frank chuckled and turned his lip inside out just enough for Gerard to see the ‘NJ’ tattooed on this inside of his lip.

Gerard got real close, peering at Frank's lip.

"NJ...New Jersey?"

He looked up with wide curious eyes, his face about three inches from Frank's.

Frank let go of his lip and looked down at Gerard.

“Yeah…”

"Cool..."

Gerard dropped his eyes to the side then excitedly grabbed Frank's face and turned it to the left to look at Frank's neck.

"Your scorpion...why are it's legs uneven?"

Frank jumped at Gerard’s sudden movement before he clued into what he’d just said.

“Are they?...”

Frank frowned.

“Huh, I don’t actually know, guess that’s just how the artist did it.”

"Oh, well it kinda works...why'd you get it there?"

Gerard looked up, tilting his head a little as he stared expectantly at Frank.

Frank laughed.

“So I couldn’t hide it, it was me protesting the idea of an actual job when I was a kid...”

He smiled at Gerard.

“Didn’t really work though cos I’m working here.”

"What did you want to do if you didn't do an actual job?"

“I had the dumb idea that being in a band was a good way to go...”

Frank shook his head.

“This is better anyway. Once I got through the schooling I was going to work in an actual restaurant but it turns out my tattoo actually does what it’s supposed to. I’m fine with that though because I like the freedom I have here.”

"Well that's cool I guess..."

Gerard glanced back toward the diner door.

"Shouldn't you be working now?"

He looked at Frank as he finally remembered the cigarette in the corner of his mouth and lit it.

“I finished all the prep like an idiot and there are no orders or anything for me to do so no, not really...”

Frank chuckled and put out his now spent cigarette.

“If I go back in I’m just gonna be twiddling my thumbs or helping Mikey with front of house stuff and I prefer to stay out of his way.”

Gerard giggled then blew smoke out of his nose.

"Probably best...I think he's sick of me already, and I've only been back less than a day. Mikey likes his space."

“I doubt he’s sick of you, he seems genuinely worried about you. He cares about you.”

Frank glanced over at him.

Gerard looked at Frank, confused.

"He's worried?...why?"

Frank shrugged.

“You’re his brother.”

"Well yeah, but what's he worried about specifically?"

“I didn’t ask him, he just seems worried...”

Frank shook his head.

“It’s not my place to ask him either.”

Gerard frowned, taking another draw on his smoke and starting to cough, doubling over, the cigarette falling onto the ground.

"Fuck *cough cough*, that was my *cough* last one too."

Frank laughed and shook his head.

“Oh you are a genius aren’t you. You ok?”

Gerard flipped Frank the bird cos he couldn't talk for coughing, after a minute he straightened up and smiled sheepishly at Frank.

"Maybe it's a sign that I should quit."

Frank shook his head.

“Want one of mine? You barely had any of that.”

Gerard shook his head with a smile.

"No thanks, I couldn't pay you back...but I'll hang here and suck up your second-hand smoke if that's ok?"

“Dude, it’s fine, you don’t have to pay me back, it’s one smoke.”

Frank sighed and looked at the guy like he might smack him upside the head for being ridiculous. Not that he actually would though.

"Well, ok then..."

Gerard smiled shyly, accepting the smoke.

"Thank you."

“So...you planning on sticking around this time?”

Frank asked.

“Mikey said you left before.”

Gerard swallowed, looking away.

"Yeah, maybe. It depends on...factors."

Frank raised an eyebrow at this.

“Oh...I was just...I was gonna say if you’re looking for a job while you’re here. We always need more help. We’ve got like four waiters and they don’t get much of a break...I could talk to Tony for you…”

Frank looked at his feet, hoping he wasn't overstepping. They really did need more help but he wasn’t sure how Gerard would feel about the offer.

Gerard looked back, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Actually yeah, that'd be cool...at least I can give mom some rent so she doesn't throw me out on the street aga...I mean..."

He looked down, laughing nervously.

"I mean yeah...thanks."

A worried frown creeped onto Frank’s face but he nodded anyway.

“Ok, I’ll talk to him tonight when I get home. Bring a resumé by tomorrow or something. He’ll probably hire you anyway but formalities are a thing he tries to keep up with at least.”

"Ok, I'll borrow mom's printer later when she goes to her club. Thanks Frank."

“No problem Gerard.”

Frank smiled at him.

“Tony and I are the only cooks so you’ll either be with me or him when you’re in. Linda comes in once in awhile if Tony can convince her to take a shift here and there.”

Gerard nodded and took a drag.

"That's cool..."

He looked back to the diner door, giggling slightly.

"Mikey's probably cursing us right now y' know."

“Probably...”

Frank chuckled.

“I’m not leaving you out here in the cold by yourself though, I’m sure I can handle grumpy Mikey later if I must.”

Gerard shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"I take it you've not known my brother that long."

He muttered, kicking a stone with the toe of his boot.

“Just for as long as he’s been here...”

Frank shook his head.

“He seems alright though."

"You've not pissed him off yet then?"

“No, which is surprising because I do tend to tease him a lot...”

Frank laughed.

“It’s fun to bug him.”

Gerard shivered slightly.

"Maybe it's just me he goes off at then."

Frank frowned.

“Why does he go off at you? He seems to love you and actually care about you, which from what I’ve seen of most siblings, is unusual but nice to see.”

"Oh yeah, he does care, don't get me wrong..."

Gerard sighed, a puff of smoke leaving his lips.

"...Mikey's a great kid and I love him lots, but if I annoy him or do something dumb..."

He chuckled, taking the cigarette from his mouth to tap off the ash before replacing it.

"...he doesn't let me forget it and he holds a grudge like you wouldn't believe. I spilt paint on his favourite shirt one time and he gave me a black eye...but that was just once."

Frank’s frown got deeper. He thought about what he’d seen of Mikey, he seemed sweet and kind. Frank looked at Gerard and could not fathom what could make Mikey want to hurt his big brother. Frank hadn’t seen much of Gerard’s personality but what he had seen was just as sweet and gentle as he thought Mikey was. Maybe even more so. Frank fought the extreme urge to hug Gerard and looked away.

“Seems like a silly thing to get that angry about.”

Was all he said, though he could think of about a dozen other things he wanted to say.

"He apologised after, and it was his favourite shirt..."

Gerard said quietly, staring into space.

"Normally he'd just shout, but I haven't really seen that side of him since I came back...maybe he changed."

“How old were you guys when he did that?”

"Err..."

Gerard thought for a moment, his face screwing up a little.

"Well I think I was, what, about 15?...so Mikey would've been 10. So 9 years ago."

Frank stifled a laugh.

“A scrawny 10 year old Mikey gave you a black eye?...”

He shook his head.

“Kids that age are hot headed though, so he probably has changed.”

Gerard giggled.

"Yeah, I guess so."

“Fuck it’s cold out here.”

Frank shivered and rubbed his hands together.

Gerard nodded, taking a last drag on his cigarette before stubbing it out on the wall beside him then flicking the butt into the gutter.

"Yeah, we should go in before Mikey decides to rearrange the furniture or something."

Frank laughed and nodded. He went around Gerard to open the door for him and followed him inside. He shuddered at the temperature difference and looked around till he spotted Mikey.

Mikey was moving a table. He looked up and smiled guiltily.

"What?...I got bored!"

Gerard rolled his eyes and went back to his booth, then frowned when he realised his things weren't there. He looked around and saw his sketchbook and pencils on the next table.

"You moved me?"

He said, raising an eyebrow at his brother.

"Like I said, I got bored fucker."

Mikey huffed as he headed back behind the counter to make Gerard more coffee. Gerard looked down as he sat in his new booth, not wanting to start an argument.

Frank looked at Mikey sternly.

“Dude, put it back before Tony decides to show up and kicks both our asses.”

“You make me sounds frightening, Frank.”

A voice said behind him causing Frank to jump about a foot.

“Uh...hi sir…”

Frank bowed his head and said quietly. He looked over at Mikey, realising that he’d been the one to pass along the message that he was hired, and the one to do the interview. Mikey hadn’t yet even met his boss.

Mikey looked up, halfway through pouring Gerard's coffee and nearly poured it over his own hand before setting it down and swallowing nervously...so this was the legendary Tony. He picked up Gerard's cup and carried it out from behind the counter, nodding a quick greeting to the older man before hurrying off to deliver the drink.

Gerard still had his head down as Mikey approached.

"Enjoy..."

Mikey said brightly as he set the cup down. Gerard looked up through his hair curiously.

"...please don't get me fired Gerard, ok?..."

Mikey hissed quietly before turning with a smile and heading back to the counter where Frank and Tony were stood apparently waiting for him.

"It's nice to meet you sir."

Mikey said with his hand held out to his boss.

Tony laughed and shook Mikey’s hand.

“You must be Mikey, hopefully Frank hasn’t been frightening you about me too much...”

Tony smiled warmly.

“And I’m sorry you had to come in on your day off...I think I’m going to have to have a talk with Josh.”

He shook his head.

“Frank, I asked you to keep an eye out for new waiters...got anything.”

Frank nodded.

“I’m expecting a resume in the next couple days...”

Frank looked over at Gerard.

“He’s here though if you wanted to interview him now.”

Tony followed Frank’s gazed and nodded.

“I think I might do that...”

Tony said.

“Have you talked to him?”

He asked and Frank nodded.

Mikey looked over to where they were looking. His eyebrows rose and his jaw dropped.

"My brother?!"

He said in disbelief.

“Yeah, he’s friendly enough to deal with customers...”

Frank shrugged.

“And a job will get him out of the house.”

“Your brother?...”

Tony asked.

“Do you not believe in his ability to work here?”

"Oh well um..."

Mikey could see Gerard looking over out of the corner of his eye.

"I don't know...I guess he could. I've never actually worked with him before though, so I'm probably not the person to ask."

He saw Gerard hang his head and knew he had some apologising to do later.

Tony nodded.

“Alright, well if Frank think he’s good enough I might trust him on it, he did pick you after all and you’ve been wonderful from what I hear...other than moving my tables around. Do me a favour, Mikey, and put them back while I go speak to your brother...”

Frank grinned slightly.

“Oh, and Frank, your mother said to tell you you left the kettle on the stove from your oatmeal this morning, you’re lucky she came downstairs not long after you left.”

Frank turned a bright shade of red and ducked his head before ducking back into the kitchen.

Mikey raised an eyebrow at the new information about Frank he'd just learned, then went to do as he'd been told.

Tony stood beside Gerard’s table and smiled warmly as he saw the boy drawing.

“Mind if I have a seat here with you?”

Gerard jumped slightly, looking up with wide eyes.

"Uh, sure?"

He squeaked nervously.

“What are you working on there?”

Tony asked as he slid into the seat across from Gerard.

"A dragon?..."

Gerard said unsurely.

"I'm trying to be an artist, but...I don't know."

“May I have a look at it?”

Tony asked him with a friendly smile.

Gerard bit his lip and nodded.

"Sure. It's not that good...I usually do comics."

“It’s actually very good.”

Tony looked at the drawing for a bit before turning it back to Gerard.

“So Frank tells me he talked to you about working here as a waiter, what do you think of the idea?”

Gerard swallowed, licking his lips right after.

"Well I would like to Sir. I have a little experience waiting tables, but not a lot. But I'm a hard worker and if you'd give me a chance, I wouldn't let you down."

Tony chuckled.

“Well...hold on...”

He looked toward the kitchen.

“Frank!...”

He hollered and Frank peeked his head out to look at the man.

“Who is in tomorrow?”

“Mikey is supposed to be.”

Frank raised an eyebrow only to be shooed away.

“Good, you can come in tomorrow and your brother can show you how everything here works. If he doesn’t know Frank likely will. It’s not real complicated in such a little diner.”

Tony smiled widely.

"Really?..."

Gerard smiled brightly, practically bouncing in his seat.

"You're giving me a job?"

He couldn't believe this, his luck was not this good.

Tony chuckled at the excitement in the boy’s face.

“We’ll see how you do tomorrow, alright? Frank will keep an eye on you and let me know what he thinks. I don’t think I caught your name by the way.”

"Oh err..."

Gerard blushed, extending a trembling hand and looking down slightly.

"I'm Gerard, Gerard Way sir."

“You can just call me Tony, Gerard. Only Frank ever calls me sir.”

Tony shook Gerard’s hand and got up from his seat.

“Alright...I look forward to hearing about how it goes tomorrow. Mikey?”

"Yes sir?"

Mikey said, looking up from where he was shifting the last table back into it's proper place.

"You're going to be teaching Gerard how things work tomorrow and Frank will be keeping an eye on everything to let me know how it goes, alright?..."

Tony asked.

"And I just finished telling Gerard, call me Tony...the nut in the kitchen is the only one that calls me sir."

Tony laughed and Frank poked his head out long enough to stick his tongue out at him.

Mikey giggled and nodded.

"Ok Tony, I'll try to remember."

Tony smiled.

“Frank...”

He called and the boy came around the corner with his sleeves pushed up again. Tony rolled his eyes.

“I’m heading back home. I think your mother might stop by today with something she made for you guys. I’ll tell her to bring extra so Gerard can have some...”

He looked at each of them.

“And mind your sleeves boy.”

He gave Frank that look. Frank pushed his sleeves back down, grumbling internally.

“Alright, we’ll be around here somewhere. And I’ll try to keep Mikey from rearranging the furniture again.”

He looked at Mikey. Tony nodded and waved on his way out the door. Once he was out of sight Frank pushed his sleeves right back up to where they were.

"Naughty."

Mikey smirked, nodding toward Frank's sleeves as he poured Gerard another cup of coffee.

“I’d like to see you work back here in a long sleeve.”

Frank shook his head.

Mikey giggled.

"No you wouldn't...I'd probably burn the place down. Ask Gee."

Frank’s eyes went wide and he shook his head in disapproval.

“Gee, is he really that bad?”

He looked over towards Gerard.

Gerard nodded, a sad look on his face.

"He tried to make waffles once...mum had to buy a new kitchen."

Frank frowned at the look on Gerard’s face and then turned back to Mikey, pointing at him.

“You stay the hell you of my kitchen then, that’s just not alright….how do you even?...nevermind I don’t wanna know.”

Mikey frowned.

"Like I said...you wouldn't want me back there."

"I think mom still misses those drapes."

Gerard said quietly, almost to himself.

Frank looked from Gerard to Mikey with a look of mixed concern and curiosity, before he shook his head and turned to go back into the kitchen.

Mikey rolled his eyes, handed Gerard his coffee then got back to doing...nothing, because there were no other customers and nothing to do.

Gerard returned to his drawing that he now thought was maybe a little bit more ok than he thought it was before, and sipped at his coffee...maybe being back home wasn't going to be so bad after all.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how's you?

So here we go, the next chapter of what I think is going to turn into somewhat of a comedy... hope you enjoy.

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT, and peace out babies!
<3