Ficlet!
Hello, everybody! I wrote a ficlet! It's Mikey/Ray, pre-slash, and it was inspired by ladyfoxxx's recent bit of fun, That Rockstar Shit! Much like its inspiration, this thing was also written while (mildly) under the influence, and it sort of became a prequel to that piece while I wasn't looking.
Title: Break Me Down
Pairing: Mikey/Ray pre-slash
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,378
Summary: Ray's heard about the so-called sex appeal guitarists in bands have. Experience has taught him differently.
Author's Note: Prequel to ladyfoxxx's That Rockstar Shit, written and posted with her permission.
“Excuse me.”
Ray looks up from his position near the floor, snapping his guitar case shut as he sees the beautiful girl standing in front of him. “Uh. Hi.”
She smiles, and his heart picks up. “Hi. You’re the guitarist aren’t you?” she asks. “For the band that was just on?”
He nods. “I’m new. And, uh, also Ray. Is my name.” He stands up, takes an awkward step closer to her. He can’t be this lucky. He knows what people say, about guys in bands having instant sex appeal, but he’s always figured he’d be the exception to the rule.
“Ray,” she says, and he wants to melt from the lilt in her voice. His name has never sounded so good. “Do you know where Jimmy is? I’ve been looking for him since you guys were setting up.”
Oh. His shoulders slump a bit as he deflates. He should have known. “He’s uh. He’s in the back. You want me to get him for you?”
“If you could. Tell him Charlotte is looking for him.”
Ray says, “Sure,” and moves off to do her bidding, to find the singer. It’s not her fault he’s an idiot.
_________
Everybody knows who Mikey Way is. Well, Ray would know him anyway, because of Gerard and stuff, but yeah. The whole scene knows the quiet, sardonic, extremely popular Mikey Way. It isn’t exactly a surprise when Mikey shows up at one of Ray’s shows. The surprise lies in the interest the kid seems to take in Ray’s band. Ray had just kind of figured Mikey was here for one of the other bands.
“You guys are good,” Mikey says with a shrug.
Ray lets a smile set on his lips. “Thanks. You bring Gee?”
Mikey sighs. “He won’t come out of the basement this week.”
“Sorry, man.”
Mikey nods, just a single bob of the head.
_________
“Ray, right?”
Ray looks up from his beer to see a pretty girl standing by the bar, and looking straight at him. “Uh. Yeah?”
She grins. “Good show tonight.”
“Thanks.” By now he knows better than to get his hopes up. She’s probably looking for the singer or the other guitarist, or maybe the drummer. Hell, one time he got passed up for their tech. Not that he could blame the girl. Blake was one seriously hot tech.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she asks, and he has to blink at that. “In gratitude for the show.”
“Um. Thanks?”
She giggles a little, obviously amused at his confusion. She slides onto the stool next to him, her hand on his thigh as she balances there. She orders another beer for him, and a lighter one for herself, and her hand is still on his thigh. Ray doesn’t know quite what to make of it. “I was so happy to hear when you joined them,” she said, leaning in to be heard over the din. “I’m a fan of Crash Course in general, and I was sorry when Steve left. But when I heard you were taking over . . . Well, they deserve the best, right?”
Ray nearly chokes on his beer. “Uh. Yeah. Thanks. Thank you. That’s really sweet.”
She smiles, and it’s a little feral. Ray doesn’t mind at all. He’s not one for bathroom stalls or back alleys though, and it takes a while before they finally settle on the band van. He gets the keys and tacit permission from Kent, who finds him later, after, with a smile.
“You’re really one of us now,” Kent says and Ray, in his post-sex buzz, doesn’t quite understand. “Courtney. You got to ride our very own groupie. Welcome to the band, my friend.”
Ray’s buzz is suddenly gone, replaced by a heavy feeling in his stomach.
_________
Mikey is waiting for Ray in the wings when he gets off stage. Ray is confused for a moment, but chalks it up to Mikey’s long list of contacts. The guy can probably go anywhere he wants in almost any local Jersey club. “Hey, Mikey.”
“Ray. Looking good out there.”
“Thanks.” Ray goes down on his haunches to put his guitar away, the fabric of his jeans pulling tight across his skin as his thighs flex. “Are you looking for someone?”
Mikey shrugs. “Just thought I’d say hey. Gee came, so we’ll be at the bar later, if you want to say hi.”
Ray nods. It’s been awhile since he’s gotten to see Gerard. “Definitely. I’ll be there soon, okay?”
Mikey nods, hesitates for a moment, then turns and walks away. Ray goes back out to finish breaking down the equipment.
_________
The guy leaning against the wall looks Ray up and down, a slow smile creeping across his lips. Ray’s steps falter, but he doesn’t exactly stop.
“You’re the guitarist right? For that band that was on earlier?”
“Red Light Conspiracy,” Ray supplies, finally stopping.
“Right. You guys were good.”
“Thanks.”
The guy pushes himself off the wall, and Ray watches, aware of the body language as the guy slinks forward, all tight jeans on long legs and bangs straightened over lined eyes. It’s not a new thought for him, not at all, but the experience . . . that’s something he’s never actually had before. Due to lack of both nerve and opportunity.
“I’m not . . . Are you maybe looking for Logan or someone?” Ray asks, and the guy laughs.
“Logan? Dude looks like a total bottom, you know what I’m saying? And that’s my position. But you . . . You’re all top, aren’t you?”
Ray flushes. “I . . . don’t know.”
The guy hums. “What do you say we find out?”
Ray stops the hand about to slide up his chest. “Is this because you think I’m hot, or because I play guitar?”
Laughter. “It can’t be both?”
Ray falters, but eventually follows the guy into the bathroom. He’s curious, okay?
_________
Ray orders two beers, but ends up drinking them both when he sees Mikey already has one. Anyway, the kid is engrossed in conversation with some guy. Who is leaning in and whispering something into Mikey’s ear. Mikey grins, but shakes his head. Still, the guy stays, and it’s ten minutes later when Mikey finally joins Ray.
“Not tonight?” Ray asks with a nod to the retreating figure.
Mikey shrugs. “Maybe later. Didn’t feel like it right now.”
Ray watches the long, trim man with beautiful hair as he walks further away. Mikey probably will find him later. He’s just Mikey’s type, Ray thinks.
_________
Ray stretches in the bed, content. It had been an hour well spent, in his opinion. He rolls to the edge of the bed, the purple sheets tugging around him at the movement. He knows the drill. He’s not meant to stay.
“So, um. Thanks, or whatever,” he says as he pulls on his jeans.
Her bright smile flashes at him from between the bedding. “It was fun,” she says, and he can’t help but smile. It really had been a good time.
“Next time we’re in town . . .”
“Hey, yeah, maybe. Though, I was wondering.”
He looks down at her, curious. Is she planning on coming to Jersey soon?
“Do you think you could maybe introduce me to Logan? I’d love to get my hands on him.”
Ray’s smile dies. “Uh. Yeah, maybe. Not now though. We have to pull out in an hour.”
_________
Ray can see him, in the crowd. It’s a small venue, and the lights aren’t that bright, nor is the crowd all that voluminous. Tall, lanky Mikey Way sticks out easily.
Ray doesn’t know why he’s here. Surely by now he’s seen enough of them. He appreciates the support, but he doesn’t get it. Mikey Way must have better things to do with his time.
He sees Mikey nodding along, sees Mikey’s eyes focused somewhere around his place on the stage, and he ducks his head, looking at his strings, letting his hair swing forward to hide him. He just doesn’t understand. He knows Mikey isn’t doing it on purpose because Mikey isn’t mean. He’s sarcastic and sardonic and occasionally cutting, but he’s never just out and out cruel.
But Ray feels tortured and teased anyway, and it’s not fair.
_________
______
___
~
You guys, seriously! How did I get to play in a world with the magnificent ladyfoxxx's creations, only a few months after having "officially" entered bandom?! I love her writing, and this is such an honor, you have no idea.
Title: Break Me Down
Pairing: Mikey/Ray pre-slash
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1,378
Summary: Ray's heard about the so-called sex appeal guitarists in bands have. Experience has taught him differently.
Author's Note: Prequel to ladyfoxxx's That Rockstar Shit, written and posted with her permission.
“Excuse me.”
Ray looks up from his position near the floor, snapping his guitar case shut as he sees the beautiful girl standing in front of him. “Uh. Hi.”
She smiles, and his heart picks up. “Hi. You’re the guitarist aren’t you?” she asks. “For the band that was just on?”
He nods. “I’m new. And, uh, also Ray. Is my name.” He stands up, takes an awkward step closer to her. He can’t be this lucky. He knows what people say, about guys in bands having instant sex appeal, but he’s always figured he’d be the exception to the rule.
“Ray,” she says, and he wants to melt from the lilt in her voice. His name has never sounded so good. “Do you know where Jimmy is? I’ve been looking for him since you guys were setting up.”
Oh. His shoulders slump a bit as he deflates. He should have known. “He’s uh. He’s in the back. You want me to get him for you?”
“If you could. Tell him Charlotte is looking for him.”
Ray says, “Sure,” and moves off to do her bidding, to find the singer. It’s not her fault he’s an idiot.
_________
Everybody knows who Mikey Way is. Well, Ray would know him anyway, because of Gerard and stuff, but yeah. The whole scene knows the quiet, sardonic, extremely popular Mikey Way. It isn’t exactly a surprise when Mikey shows up at one of Ray’s shows. The surprise lies in the interest the kid seems to take in Ray’s band. Ray had just kind of figured Mikey was here for one of the other bands.
“You guys are good,” Mikey says with a shrug.
Ray lets a smile set on his lips. “Thanks. You bring Gee?”
Mikey sighs. “He won’t come out of the basement this week.”
“Sorry, man.”
Mikey nods, just a single bob of the head.
_________
“Ray, right?”
Ray looks up from his beer to see a pretty girl standing by the bar, and looking straight at him. “Uh. Yeah?”
She grins. “Good show tonight.”
“Thanks.” By now he knows better than to get his hopes up. She’s probably looking for the singer or the other guitarist, or maybe the drummer. Hell, one time he got passed up for their tech. Not that he could blame the girl. Blake was one seriously hot tech.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she asks, and he has to blink at that. “In gratitude for the show.”
“Um. Thanks?”
She giggles a little, obviously amused at his confusion. She slides onto the stool next to him, her hand on his thigh as she balances there. She orders another beer for him, and a lighter one for herself, and her hand is still on his thigh. Ray doesn’t know quite what to make of it. “I was so happy to hear when you joined them,” she said, leaning in to be heard over the din. “I’m a fan of Crash Course in general, and I was sorry when Steve left. But when I heard you were taking over . . . Well, they deserve the best, right?”
Ray nearly chokes on his beer. “Uh. Yeah. Thanks. Thank you. That’s really sweet.”
She smiles, and it’s a little feral. Ray doesn’t mind at all. He’s not one for bathroom stalls or back alleys though, and it takes a while before they finally settle on the band van. He gets the keys and tacit permission from Kent, who finds him later, after, with a smile.
“You’re really one of us now,” Kent says and Ray, in his post-sex buzz, doesn’t quite understand. “Courtney. You got to ride our very own groupie. Welcome to the band, my friend.”
Ray’s buzz is suddenly gone, replaced by a heavy feeling in his stomach.
_________
Mikey is waiting for Ray in the wings when he gets off stage. Ray is confused for a moment, but chalks it up to Mikey’s long list of contacts. The guy can probably go anywhere he wants in almost any local Jersey club. “Hey, Mikey.”
“Ray. Looking good out there.”
“Thanks.” Ray goes down on his haunches to put his guitar away, the fabric of his jeans pulling tight across his skin as his thighs flex. “Are you looking for someone?”
Mikey shrugs. “Just thought I’d say hey. Gee came, so we’ll be at the bar later, if you want to say hi.”
Ray nods. It’s been awhile since he’s gotten to see Gerard. “Definitely. I’ll be there soon, okay?”
Mikey nods, hesitates for a moment, then turns and walks away. Ray goes back out to finish breaking down the equipment.
_________
The guy leaning against the wall looks Ray up and down, a slow smile creeping across his lips. Ray’s steps falter, but he doesn’t exactly stop.
“You’re the guitarist right? For that band that was on earlier?”
“Red Light Conspiracy,” Ray supplies, finally stopping.
“Right. You guys were good.”
“Thanks.”
The guy pushes himself off the wall, and Ray watches, aware of the body language as the guy slinks forward, all tight jeans on long legs and bangs straightened over lined eyes. It’s not a new thought for him, not at all, but the experience . . . that’s something he’s never actually had before. Due to lack of both nerve and opportunity.
“I’m not . . . Are you maybe looking for Logan or someone?” Ray asks, and the guy laughs.
“Logan? Dude looks like a total bottom, you know what I’m saying? And that’s my position. But you . . . You’re all top, aren’t you?”
Ray flushes. “I . . . don’t know.”
The guy hums. “What do you say we find out?”
Ray stops the hand about to slide up his chest. “Is this because you think I’m hot, or because I play guitar?”
Laughter. “It can’t be both?”
Ray falters, but eventually follows the guy into the bathroom. He’s curious, okay?
_________
Ray orders two beers, but ends up drinking them both when he sees Mikey already has one. Anyway, the kid is engrossed in conversation with some guy. Who is leaning in and whispering something into Mikey’s ear. Mikey grins, but shakes his head. Still, the guy stays, and it’s ten minutes later when Mikey finally joins Ray.
“Not tonight?” Ray asks with a nod to the retreating figure.
Mikey shrugs. “Maybe later. Didn’t feel like it right now.”
Ray watches the long, trim man with beautiful hair as he walks further away. Mikey probably will find him later. He’s just Mikey’s type, Ray thinks.
_________
Ray stretches in the bed, content. It had been an hour well spent, in his opinion. He rolls to the edge of the bed, the purple sheets tugging around him at the movement. He knows the drill. He’s not meant to stay.
“So, um. Thanks, or whatever,” he says as he pulls on his jeans.
Her bright smile flashes at him from between the bedding. “It was fun,” she says, and he can’t help but smile. It really had been a good time.
“Next time we’re in town . . .”
“Hey, yeah, maybe. Though, I was wondering.”
He looks down at her, curious. Is she planning on coming to Jersey soon?
“Do you think you could maybe introduce me to Logan? I’d love to get my hands on him.”
Ray’s smile dies. “Uh. Yeah, maybe. Not now though. We have to pull out in an hour.”
_________
Ray can see him, in the crowd. It’s a small venue, and the lights aren’t that bright, nor is the crowd all that voluminous. Tall, lanky Mikey Way sticks out easily.
Ray doesn’t know why he’s here. Surely by now he’s seen enough of them. He appreciates the support, but he doesn’t get it. Mikey Way must have better things to do with his time.
He sees Mikey nodding along, sees Mikey’s eyes focused somewhere around his place on the stage, and he ducks his head, looking at his strings, letting his hair swing forward to hide him. He just doesn’t understand. He knows Mikey isn’t doing it on purpose because Mikey isn’t mean. He’s sarcastic and sardonic and occasionally cutting, but he’s never just out and out cruel.
But Ray feels tortured and teased anyway, and it’s not fair.
_________
______
___
~
You guys, seriously! How did I get to play in a world with the magnificent ladyfoxxx's creations, only a few months after having "officially" entered bandom?! I love her writing, and this is such an honor, you have no idea.