Chapter Text
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In Belleville, is where our story unfolds.
A feud that had been enforced before birth,
Poisons their bloodlines.
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean,
from these rivaled families.
Two lovers are met with a fate written by the stars.
…
In Belleville, New Jersey, it seemed like the average looking town to any passerby, business owners, schools, its districts and whatnot. However, to its locals, they knew better. The city was run by the most notorious mobster families: Way and Wentz.
The Way's has businesses in lawyers, speakeasies, and guns. Meanwhile the Wentz has businesses through drugs, construction, politics and wineries. No outsider truly knew what caused the feud between these two families. Was it betrayal? Miscommunication? Or just nothing?
For whatever it was, this feud had been apparent since the ‘20s and the generations that followed had to uphold it.
Michael James Way is no exception, neither is his brother Gerard Arthur Way. One destined to be king, the other as a pawn.
Michael is not the first one.
Michael is the youngest child of the Way family, being born of three reasons solely:
- For Gerard to not be lonely
- To carry his family’s legacy
- To be a pawn in his family’s petty game
Gerard is the oldest, meaning he would be their parent’s successor, leading the next generation and accumulating even more power. In this sick game of chess, Gerard was the King. Mikey was the pawn awaiting his slaughter.
Despite their standings within their family, they remained close as can be. They were joint at the hip, up until Gerard was wedded when Mikey was fifteen. Being the future head of the household, he had to carry the responsibilities that came with it. Which includes instilling and keeping alliances by any means possible. Hence why—Gerard was wedded to Frank Iero, the son of the Iero Family. The Iero’s owned Iero Industries, a conglomerate who specialized in producing top of the line security devices. They were family friends and long time allies of the Way’s, so it was only natural to them to propose the idea of a binding marriage alliance. However, Frank and Gerard actually loved each other since they were young. They were secretly dating before their families discussed the idea at all. Such proximity brought them all closer. Though, nothing could compare the friendship Mikey and Gerard found with each other.
The send off was brutal for Mikey, he knew his brother was starting his new life with Frank in their new home as a married couple, so why the fuss? With Gerard being older and operating alongside their father—would he still have time for Mikey? Gerard was the only reason home was bearable, now he was leaving.
That little freedom he would have from being with Gerard was gone.
From the moment Mikey was able to walk, he was sheltered to no end. He was his parent’s precious canary that was put on display, never let free from the watchful eyes of his family. Being trapped in his cage that was his home, captive until they saw fit to release him or bargain him.
That day came sooner than expected, but not for the right reasons to Mikey’s dismay.
He was just sitting at the kitchen table when his fate was sealed in front of him. The cruelest part of it is that he wouldn’t have guessed it would be this early in the morning.
He had awoken in his room, the sunlight was dancing on his face. Mikey was about to fall right back asleep until one of the butlers told him to get up and head downstairs for breakfast. Begrudgingly, he rolled out of bed, put his glasses on and grabbed his copy of Spiderman from his bedside before heading downstairs.
“Good morning, young master Michael,” the maids greeted in unison as he passed them down the hallway.
Mikey just nodded at them back, keeping his vision straight ahead. Passing the portraits and photos of religious imagery and his family that hung against red velvet walls. Carefully, treading alongside the chiseled creme with encrusted gold railing as descended down the stairs. His family home, while glamorous, would never be appreciated by him. He had a grudge towards the chiseled poles, railings, statues, velvet walls and gold embellished trimmings that held him prisoner.
Mikey made his way to the dining room. There he sat in his chair, reading his comic. He was in his black pajamas, sipping his cup of coffee like he would always do each morning. His father was at the head of the dining table, looking at the daily newspaper, smoking his pipe. His mother sat next to him, nagging him to stop smoking the pipe inside the house and to eat his breakfast. Mikey was midway through his comic when his parents dropped the bomb on him.
“Michael, we have something to discuss with you that is vital to the family…” His dad spoke with sudden seriousness, setting aside his newspaper and pipe.
That should’ve been the first sign that by the end of the conversation he would walk out that dining room in despair.
The atmosphere had changed from passive to stale in the matter of seconds. Mikey knew better to stop reading but his inner conscience told him to keep reading, then actually comply.
“As you know, persevering in our family’s name and power takes responsibilities and sacrifices. That being said, a fine gentleman has asked for your hand…” His father spoke.
Mikey’s world was in slow motion but also crashing at the same time. His stomach tied into knots, he felt like throwing up.
“Now we know you’re only seventeen and we wouldn’t want to give our canary to any sleazy man, now. He’s the son of one of your father’s associates, his name is Christopher Gutierrez. He’s a year older than you. We think that this union will bring us more prosperity—” His mother tried reasoning.
Mikey couldn’t hear his mother’s voice anymore, all he could hear was a muffled buzz. He could feel the tremors in his body, shaking uncontrollably. His throat felt so dry and his eyes were watery.
‘This can’t be happening…?’ He thought.
“Michael, you understand your duty, yes?” His father spoke in a low and stern voice.
“Honey, he’s a real catch! You really should accept his offer—what is there to lose?” his mother encouraged.
He had everything to lose—his free will, life and himself. Mikey knew he didn’t have an option. From the way it was, his father had the final say in everything. Mikey was going to marry Christopher whether he consented or not.
“I’m not so sure–how do I know if this man is acquitted enough to be my husband?” Mikey softly spoke, setting down his comic against the table cloth.
“Michael—” his father warned.
“You will get to see for yourself at our costume ball on Halloween!” His mother cheered.
Mikey tried by all means to suppress his tears to bargain his way out, “Mother, Father, please—I promise I can be useful to the family! I can work alongside Frankie and Gee! I can be a hitman! I can—”
He was cut off by his father shaking his head, “Oh no—no, no, no.”
“Canary, you aren’t made for dirty work. Your beauty and poise is meant for the house, not the battlefield. You’ve had your fun, but now it's time to grow up…” his father laid it simply.
Mikey’s parents were selling their precious canary to the highest bidder. Fated to be bound by a new shiny cage that he would live in forever. They might as well clip his wings, lock the door and throw away the key.
That day, Michael James Way mourned himself and his memories.
Mikey, who loved his family unconditionally when he was young and unaware of his role in his family. Mikey, who would sing along in the car with Gerard on the way to Church. Mikey, who would fight with Gerard over whose turn it was to play with the toy they both wanted. Mikey, who would sneakily watch movies after curfew with Gerard in their shared bedroom. Mikey, who was too excited to sleep, talked about his ideas all night long with Gerard. Mikey, who got picked up and piggy back rides from Gerard and Frank. Mikey, who was his brother’s and Frankie’s practice child that got driven to get ice cream every time they hung out because they knew those moments were the closest thing to freedom away from that damned house. Mikey, who found a love of rock music through his brother’s CD collection at twelve. Mikey, who would play with Gerard all day long in their garden, engrossing themselves in nature. Mikey, who wished at times that Gerard and Frankie were his parents instead. Mikey, who kept a photo of the three of them in his bedroom that had “My family :)” written on the back of it. Mikey, who gave Gerard away at his wedding reception with the biggest smile and tears in his eyes.
Mikey, who…
“Gee!! Wait up!” Five year old Mikey huffed as he followed an eight year old Gerard to the stone platform in their backyard.
When Mikey finally caught up to him, he shot his gaze upward to meet his brother’s, who had a daring look in them.
Gerard was standing on top of the platform, standing tall and proud. A fist raised up to the air, “When we grow up, I’ll take over the family business, fight bad guys and be a strong hero!”
Mikey smiled at him in awe, his older brother was so cool.
“But, I can’t do it on my own…” Gerard’s face softened.
Gerard looked down and offered his free hand up to Mikey with a smile and a shine in his eyes, “I need you too, Mikey! Think about it! We can be heroes, just for one day!”
Mikey with a smile and awe in his eyes, nodded as he took Gerard’s hand. Gerard pulled him up to the stone platform, with the toothy grin.
“For ever and ever!” Mikey yelled, jumping for joy.
Gerard and Mikey hugged each other as they spun around until they both fell from the dizziness. Laughing as their backs touched the floor.
Mikey, who wholeheartedly believed that they could be heroes.
just for one day
For ever and ever…
❦︎