Chapter Text
Gerard ran off of the stage after being booed off again, all he wanted to do was open for a well-known band so his shitty music would actually get recognition, if the bands he considered god could release an album and immediately get praised, why couldn't his? It wasn't fair to anyone. Especially not his brother, Mikey. Gerard had always dragged Mikey along with him, when he reached his peak, when he hit rock bottom, and when he thought a band was the best idea.
That's when he remembered he completely abandoned his band on stage, the boos got so overwhelming he couldn't take it, he just ran, like always. Slowly, his supposed teammates followed in, he immediately stared at them, guilt filling his eyes, "Guys... I-I-"
He was suddenly cut off by his brother, whose tone was ice cold, "Just don't, we understand," Mikey hid his beloved bass back in it's case, being surprisingly more gentle than you'd expect from someone who just got a life-long dream snatched out of his hands. "If you cant handle a few angry people, what are you doing in a band? They have every right to be pissed, they didn't pay to see us."
Gerard could barely hold in his tears, he knew Mikey was right, he was always right, it just hurt hearing it.
"I don't get it-" Frank's voice sliced through the tense silence, "You were up there, giving everything, just to back out the second someone protested. I thought we were cool and you'd work on your breathing every night."
The criticism grew to be too much, "Can you just shut up!? I know I'm a selfish asshole! I don't need to be told every goddamn time I step off a stage! Mikey, I'll be waiting in the car," Gerard immediately gathered every object he brought, stuffing them in the old canvas bag he brought. He then stormed to the beat up van his parents passed down to him, getting in the passenger seat. Gerard knew hiding his emotions in front of Mikey would suck but he simply wouldn't let himself cry in front of his baby brother.
Inside the venue, ray stood silent, still holding his guitar, "Do you think that I could go out and play like one song? I just wish... never mind."
Frank pulled his pick out from between his teeth after putting his guitar in his colorful case, "We all wish, wishing is all we can do. Mikey, can you like talk to Gee or something? I don't know, get him in a different headspace?"
"You know I try to," the boy slung his guitar case over his back, "Try to have a good night, maybe next time we open will be better," Mikey walked out of the building before anyone could stop him. He knew Gerard would make him drive, like always.
"Mikey, I really am-"
"Stop apologizing! I don't care about the goddamn concert, I care that you complain about none of our music being popular and then the second we get a chance to perform you run off!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I roped you into this! I just thought..."
"You wouldn't have had to think about my opinions if you paid attention, success is the only thing that doesn't matter to me, I just want to have fun performing and writing music."
"And, I said I was sorry!"
"Sorry for what? The fact you finally realized that this isn't just your dream? You didn't even see how sad Ray was."
"No! I'm sorry that I'm so fucking scared of rejection! Just drop me off at Lynk's house, you can take the van."
Mikey hated how he always listened to his brother, because he didn't fight him. they could've played Mario Kart or watched shitty horror movies but Mikey let Gerard walk away, "Have fun running away like always, mom said she was making your favorite, but oh well."
Gerard sobbed after hearing that, he didn't deserve his mom, picturing her face fall into that sad, disappointed look made him want to curl up into a ball and sob.
Gerard texted Lynk to let him in, tears streaming down his face, "heyy man, can u let me in?? im having a kinda shitty day:("
Lynk's door immediately opened, "What's up my man!?- Oh shit Gee, what happened? Here, come in, I got pizza."
"I ruined another performance, the crowd didn't want to hear us so I ran. My brothers pissed at me, Frank was clearly angry, Ray was really sad, rehearsals going to suck tomorrow-" Another sob escaped him as he sat on the old beat up couch Lynk swore he'd never get rid of because of the memories.
Lynk passed him a piece of pepperoni pizza, "I'm guessing most of this is your assumption? You know the boys would never abandon you like that. You should probably try to talk it out, and soon. My girlfriends coming over."
"Shit, I'm sorry," he wiped off his tears, "I can go home now, it's just going to be awkward, I can handle it, thanks for the pizza, dude."
"I'm glad you understand, we have a date thing at the movies so... Yeah. Bye man, have a better night."
Gerard walked out, sobbing even more than before. Mikey was his only ride, he had to walk now.
When he got home, Mikey's light was the only light on and faint strumming of his guitar could be heard faintly through the windows. He quietly walked in, he didn't want to be heard, he snuck past his parent's room and into his. His plan was almost successful... until he heard Mikey.
"Gerard. I thought you were staying the night at Lynk's."
"I missed my bed."
"Whatever," Mikey closed his door and continued playing his guitar. now even more aggressive.