Chapter Text
Something had seemed off from the moment Mikey had accepted help from his older brother. It hadn't been Gerard's eagerness to get Mikey back into the game of dating. Despite the younger Ways' annoyed expression, he was sincerely touched that Gerard was still looking out for him. He knew that he was loved, but ever since Vincent had broken up with him... Things had been rough. There was a odd gap in his life, but no matter how hard Frank and Gerard tried they couldn't fill that spot.
Mikey yearned for the things only his ex had managed to pull off. The way he would adjust Mikey's wardrobe by switching out his basics for adorable cardigans and skinny jeans. The compliments would never stop and in all honesty Mikey needed the confidence boost. The coffee Vincent would always have ready for Mikey in the morning regardless of any grudges held from last nights argument. The thing Mikey missed the most was the mans smile, the contagious playful grin that never ceased to cause a smile to grow on his own face. To Mikey they were the tick of a clock, always present. To not have VincentandMikey, would just be chaos.
But Vincent clearly hadn't been in the same mindset as Mikey, or maybe he had been as in love as Mikey had been but had realized that the younger Way was not as wonderful. Both notions made Mikey's head hurt, made his head throb with pain and misery.
"Mikey, guess what!?" Gerard giggled, refusing to let his baby brother mope about a break up. It had been 3 weeks, more than enough time to move on. "You have a date tonight. Well, a double date with me and Frankie.. Okay?"
"No, not okay Gerard. I don't want to go on a date."
"Suck it up and get dressed. It's one of Frank's super cute punk friends, your so gonna be into him." Mikey didn't have the heart to tell his brother that he didn't want to see anyone that remotely reminded him of Vincent. The only exception to that was Frank, and that was only because he had been leeching off them since the break up.
"Fine," Mikey grumbled, slipping out of bed fully dressed in jeans and a band tee. He couldn't help it, all of his pajamas still reeked of Vincent's signature cigarette and musk scent. "But if I start crying mid meal, it's your fault. Hey!" A large stack of freshly bought clothes had been flung at him, once Mikey was certain the attack was over he bent down to examine the materials.
"Change into that, I swear to god, if you don't Frank and I will come in hear and change you ourselves. I promised Mom I would take care of you!" With one last menacing glare usually reserved for Frank, he was gone. No matter what Gerard said, two months was not enough time to heal the open wound of a 2 year romance.
•••
"Oh Mikey! You look so cute! Doesn't he, Frankie?" Gerard gushed, running over to affectionately fix Mikey's hair. Oh god, Gerard was becoming more motherly by the second. He was just glad he had an older brother rather than an older sister, otherwise he would have at least 2 nephews or nieces already. One of Mikey's greatest misfortunes was the extremely thin walls, every little bump throughout the night could be heard. The walls seemed to magnify the noises, even the quietest ones, that the couple made while going at it all night.
"Oh yes, so cute." Frank replied monotonously, aiming a wink at his best friend. "Mikes you have nothing to worry about. This guys super sweet. Like he'd run into a burning building to save a puppy sweet. Not to mention he's super muscular."
"I just wanna stay here guys."
"C'mon it'll be nice. We're going to your favorite restaurant. Worst case scenario, you eat yummy food and you hate the guy." There was that odd puppy dog look on both of their faces, forcing Mikey to say yes. Whatever, the longest the date could last was two hours.
•••
"Hi, my name is Pete, and today I'll be your waiter." He didn't dare mention that this was his first day on the job, that tended to send people running. He was looking forward to serving this table. The shy tall brunette who was trying to disappear behind the couple in front of him was most definitely Pete's type. That was probably why Patrick, had sat them in Pete's section. "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Two cokes and a lemonade for him." He sighed pointing to Mikey. He was always playing the older brother role whenever they were out in public. "We're still waiting on my brothers date to show up." Pete flashes his smile and leaves, a little more than upset to discover that Mr. Doe Eyes was waiting for someone. Hell, he didn't even know if the cute man was gay.
Mikey anxiously looked over the area, he didn't want to meet this guy. "Hey Frank... What's his name? What does he look like? What did you tell him about me?"
To Gerard this was a good sign, he was glad that Mikey was finally relaxing into the idea. In reality Michael Way was far from being okay.
"Anthony, ah, he's around your height and has the best arm piece. I told showed him a picture of you, he said he was definitely interested." Frank chuckled softly giving his boyfriend a cautious glance. "He said he thought you were pretty."
The older Way snorted as the blush burned red on his brother face. "Aww, Mikey, your such a pretty boy."
"Shut up, Gerard."
•••
"Would you guys like to order?" Pete asked, looking from man to man at the table. His eyes rested on the sad looking brunette, Pete's heart really went out to the man. Gerard was staring murderously at the Frank, and poor Frank was at lost for words staring ashamed at the table. Things at table seven were definitely more than awkward
Finally Mikey spoke softly, looking up to meet Pete's eyes. "I guess," the extra menu was passed back to him. "I'll have a salad." His eyes went back to staring at the finish of the table. He took down the rest of the orders and disappeared behind the kitchen doors.
"Patrick," Pete whispered bringing his friend over to the doors. "Do you see that cute guy on table seven?"
"Yea... What about him...?" Mikey was currently being hugging awkwardly by the man with the shoulder length black hair.
"I think he was stood up." Patrick gasped softly and gave Mikey a sympathetic glance. "Free dessert for him, yah? That always seems to cheer people up."
Pete shook his head, "No... I wanna take him out on a date and yah free dessert too, I guess."
His best friend sighed and gave him a disappointed look. "Pete he was just stood up, I don't think he's going to want to go on a date for a long time."
"Exactly, that's why I have to make a move today before realize what's happening."
"Whatever Pete, just don't be a dick." Patrick pushed past the doors to help the small family on table two, whose small baby girl was flinging her dessert all over the place. He was so glad that Patrick had taken that party of three on, rather than placing them in Pete's section. There's was something so unique about that man... He was just so drawn to him. Like there was some unimaginable force that kept tugging him back, he just wanted to make the poor guy feel better. To help him realize that he was beautiful. Pete didn't even know the mans name, but he wanted to be there to dry the tears. Ugh, there something wrong with Pete. Maybe he was on the verge of a flu.
•••
"Here's the check." Pete smiled, placing the bill on the table and brownie in front of Mikey. "I was wondering, if you wanted to maybe grab a cup of coffee tomorrow...?" He but his lip hopefully. Gerard beamed and nodded encouragingly at Mikey, who was still staring at the brownie in awe.
"Yes! He'd love to." Frank smiles, unable to stand the silence, he was just eager to work his way back into Gerard's good side. A grin started forming on Mikey's lips as he noticed a number printed on the receipt.
"Great, text me your address. I'll pick you up tomorrow then...?" He said as sweetly as possible, trying to get onto his friends good side.
"It's Mikey, and yea! Of course!" Mikey giggled softly, unable to bring his eyes up to the waiters. A soft blush was already resting on his cheeks.
"Well, Mikey. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, Pete walked away wearing a smile reserved his greatest triumphs. He just knew that this day would change his life forever.