Chapter Text
“Mike!”
Mike’s head shot up, his silence disturbed. The Pad had been quiet for most of the morning, Peter sitting on the balcony with his guitar and Micky and Davy down on the beach. Mike was using the much-needed downtime to do a bit of reading. But of course, he couldn’t have peace for too long.
“What’s wrong, Davy?” Mike asked slowly, not bothering to close his book until he had heard and assessed whatever mischief the younger boy had gotten into.
Davy huffed, trying to catch his breath before speaking. He had run all the way from the sand, to the Pad, and up the spiral staircase as fast as he could. He carded a hand through his still-damp hair before speaking.
“I need you to go on a date for me.”
Mike frowned. He had gone back to reading in Davy’s short lapse of silence but now he snapped his head around to face him.
“Date? What do you mean date?” He tutted.
“I met this girl on the beach and- oh Mike,” Davy spun and fell onto Mike’s bed, the back of his hand draped over his forehead as his voice got wistful. He stared at the ceiling unseeingly, his eyes glittering. Mike rolled his eyes and shifted his position to allow for the younger boy's limbs.
“She’s wonderful, beautiful, divoon. She’s everything I want in a woman.” Davy suddenly sat back up, back ramrod straight and his face serious. “I need you to take her out.”
Mike spluttered and shut his book with a snap. There was no way he could go back to reading now that Davy had decided he wanted something. Mike knew he’d pester until he got it.
“I need more context, babe.” Mike sighed, setting his book on his nightstand defeatedly.
“Her name is Valleri and she’s breathtaking, marvellous, show-stopping-“
“Davy.” Mike cut across him sternly. He crossed his arms over his chest, starting to get impatient with the boy.
“Sorry,” Davy mumbled. “But her father is strict and says that she’s only allowed to go for guys who are more mature, responsible, tall, like you! So if you take her out then her father will let her go and then she can bump into me and then- bam! She’ll go with me!”
Mike’s face was blank once Davy had finished his speech. He stared at the younger boy with no more than a raised eyebrow before realising Davy was completely serious.
“Let me get this straight.” Mike cleared his throat. He leaned closer to Davy, hoping he would hear how silly his plan was. “You want me to go on a date just so you can steal my date?”
“Yes!” Davy exclaimed, not seeing any faults. “C’mon, Mike. Please.” Davy batted his eyelashes at the guitarist, even going as far as to clasp his hands together in a begging motion.
“Oh really, Davy.” Mike tutted again, sitting back exasperatedly. “You won’t even like her anymore by the time the date rolls around.”
“That’s not true! I love her!” Davy frowned indignantly, puffing out his chest as though it would prove his point.
“How long did you talk to her?” Mike countered.
“Long enough to know she can’t go with me,” Davy answered quickly.
“Davy, you could go get any girl on that beach.” Mike stood up, stretching and shaking his head. “You have terrible taste, ya know?”
Davy stood quickly and faced Mike head-on. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Mike took one look at Davy’s offended expression and sighed. “It means, Tiny, that no matter what girl you go with, someone ends up trying to kill you or at least maim you a little. What happens if she does go with you and her dad finds out?”
Davy followed Mike down the spiral staircase, listening intently as he spoke.
“Well, then it’ll be too late. He can’t get rid of me if his daughter loves me.”
“And what about that princess that loved you and her uncle that tried to kill you or that other princess whose suitor tried to kill you, or-“
“Okay!” Davy cut him off, his tone annoyed. He huffed and stomped over to the chaise lounge like a scolded child. “I get it.” He folded his arms and looked up at Mike with the most woeful expression he could manage. “It’s just… I really think she’s the one this time.”
Mike pinched his nose with his hand and sunk onto the seat next to the Brit.
“I really mean it.” Davy quickly uttered, knowing Mike would continue to talk him out of his feelings. “Please, all you have to do is ask her out, pick her up, and drive her to the Vincent Van Go-Go. Then you can come home and do whatever you like, or even pick up your own girl!” Davy wiggled up on the seat and sat on his knees. His hands moved to grip Mike’s shirt desperately.
“And what’ll I get out of this, huh?” Mike asked, resigned. He wrapped his arm around Davy when the boy leapt on him for a hug, knowing he’d broken him.
“I’ll do all your chores for a week!”
Mike tutted and smoothed down Davy’s hair. “You don't even do your own.”’
“Then I’ll do my own chores for a week.”
Mike once again pursed his lips but one more look at Davy’s wide puppy eyes had him cracking completely.
“Fine.”
“Really?!” Davy lit up, a smile growing wide on his face.
“I’ll ask her out. If she says no, that’s it.” Mike reasoned, giving him a look the other Monkees had adorned the ‘Papa Nez Look’.
Davy fist-pumped and jumped up. He grabbed Mike’s hand and started tugging him towards the back door. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Woah!” Mike pulled his hand back, stopping them both in their tracks. “Right now?”
“Yes! She could disappear if not!” Davy whined, continuing to tug at him.
“Maybe that wouldn't be so bad a thing.” Mike mumbled under his breath.
He allowed Davy to pull him outside before he stopped at the top of their staircase that led down to the beach. “Alright, what does she look like?”
Davy opened his mouth to respond.
“Don’t!” Mike lifted a finger. “Hair colour, eye colour, bathing suit colour.” He specified.
Davy huffed, swallowing back the romantic words that had been on the tip of his tongue. “Black hair, uh… I think her eyes were brown,” Davy frowned and looked down as if it would help him focus. “And her swimsuit was pink!” He snapped his fingers triumphantly.
“Oh brother,” Mike whispered to himself, turning to walk down the stairs without another word. He got halfway down before stopping and turning back around. Surely enough, he bumped noses with Davy.
“Back you go, Tiny. I ain’t doing this with you holding my hand.”
Davy pouted but dutifully turned and ran back up the stairs. Mike continued downwards, passing Micky on the way who gave him an amused look.
“He got you, huh?” Was all he said and Mike had to keep his groan internal.
Sure Micky wasn't exactly mature but he was a good actor. Not to mention he loved schemes. Mike half wanted to call him back and make the drummer do it but he could see Davy peering over the balcony expectantly. He waved his hand at Mike, a gesture for him to go on.
Mike fixed his hat and marched onto the beach, kicking up sand as he went. Maybe if he was hostile enough the girl would say no. He wondered how many minutes it would take Davy to get over her if she did.
Valleri was easy to spot. Most of the beach-goers had left or were packing up their things. There were only a few groups of people left and Valleri’s bright pink bathing suit stuck out amongst them. Mike felt his eyes widen, she was beautiful.
Davy watched him apprehensively. He gripped the binoculars tighter in his hands. Flinching at the sudden breathing on his neck, he turned to glare at Micky.
“What’s he doing?” Micky whined, squinting down to the beach.
“He’s stopped.” Davy grumbled, looking back out the scene. “Oh! He’s moving! They’re talking… oh my god she touched his arm,” Davy’s voice took on a jealous lilt. “Shit, Mike’s seen us. Dammit, he’s taking her somewhere we won’t see. Does he always have to be so secluded? They’re back! Shush, Micky!” Davy hissed.
Micky, silent for once in his life, frowned at the boy before shaking his head.
“Mike’s coming this way. He’s getting closer, closer, closer-“
“Davy, get those things out of my face.” Mike huffed, pushing the small boy back a little so they weren’t chest-to-chest anymore.
“Well?!” Davy chirped, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“We got a date.”