Transverse Processes, part 1
Transverse Processes
Author: heartsdesire456
Rating: up to NC-17
POV: 3rd
Pairing: Matt/Andy
Summary: The day it all changes, Andy isn't even home.
Author's Note: NO TIME! POSTING JUST A BIT BEFORE I RUN!
The morning everything changed, Matt had woken up early and went for his morning run. Andy was still away visiting some friends in LA until the next day, so he cheated a little and ran less than he would if Andy were running with him.
He came back to the house in time to basically fix everybody breakfast (they tried to help but it only made things worse) and go get a shower after they all headed out. He was cleaning up all the mess his idiot friends had left when the doorbell rang. He frowned and paused. It was rare that anybody visited without prior notice and nobody had called him.
He put all the dishes in the sink to rise before putting in the dishwasher and headed for the door. He frowned when he walked into the foyer and saw a kid standing outside the glass door. He opened it with more confusion. “Hi, can I help you?” he asked.
The kid, a teenage boy with curly black hair and confusingly familiar blue eyes, looked up with a bored expression. “I’m looking for a guy named Andy Hurley… this is the address I found,” he said, and Matt frowned.
“Our address is supposed to be private,” he said and then crossed his arms. “Are you a stalker?” he asked.
The kid snorted. “Why the hell would I be stalking you?” he asked.
Matt raised an eyebrow. “Not me, Andy,” he said.
“Dude, I don’t give two shits about the shitty band he was in, why would I want to stalk him?” he asked, then shook his bangs out of his face. “Here, listen, you’re obviously a friend since you’re in his house, so can you just let me in?” he asked.
Matt shook his head. “Andy’s not back until tomorrow,” he said. “Went to LA to visit some friends,” he said.
The kid just blinked. “Great, where the fuck am I supposed to go for the night? Do you know it’s cold as balls out here?!” he asked in a bitter tone, shrugging down in his jacket.
Matt just frowned. “What is this about? I mean… where would you be if he was here?” he asked.
The kid shrugged. “No clue. Depends on him,” he said, then cringed, putting down the backpack he was carrying. He knelt down and fished around before coming back with a folded piece of paper. “It’s a long story, but I’m sorta at the end of my funds, if you get what I’m saying. This dude’s my only hope,” he said, holding the paper out.
Matt opened the document, only to feel all the blood drain from his face as he realized it was a birth certificate...
With the name Andy Hurley listed under ‘father’.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt finished making the kid a sandwich and set the plate in front of him as he stood on the other side of the counter, watching as the boy dug into the sandwich like a starving man. “When’s the last time you ate?” he asked curiously.
The boy looked up, then shrugged. “I had some food when I had to change busses somewhere in Illinois,” he said between bites.
Once he was mostly finished, Matt cleared his throat. “So… not that I’m fully sure I believe just a piece of paper, you claim Andy’s your dad?” he asked. “Why did you come here now?”
He looked up and Matt cringed inwardly, feeling more inclined to believe the paper since the kid had Andy’s eyes. “My mom died,” he said, and Matt felt his eyes widen.
“Oh wow, I’m sorry dude,” he said.
The kid shrugged. “I- we were alone, sorta,” he said in a small voice. “She worked at a hospital and-“ he snorted, eyes full of anger. “Some help that was, you know? She fell down the stairs at a fucking hospital and died. How the hell does somebody die from a fall when they’re already there, you know?” he said bitterly. “But… it was just us. Me and my mom. I mean, she told me about my father not long ago. Growing up it was avoided but I got really curious a few years ago and like… finally last year she wanted me to know it’s not like I can blame the dude cause he doesn’t know about me either, and she refused to tell me his name or anything,” he said, rolling his eyes. “When she died, my useless aunt was supposed to keep me but she’s never sober enough to even pay her bills. I wasn’t about to take care of some alcoholic so I dropped out of school and left… but I sorta don’t have anywhere to go,” he said.
“What about this? Your mom didn’t tell you, how did you find out?” Matt asked.
“I found my birth certificate,” he said, scratching a blunt nail at the countertop. “When we had to get all mine and mom’s shit out of the apartment after she died I found a lot of papers and stuff in an envelope in her closet. This was one of them,” he said, nudging the birth certificate with his hand. “I mean, I know it doesn’t prove anything, but my mom wouldn’t put a random dude on this thing. She could’ve left it blank. And if she’d decided after he was famous to just have the records changed to say he’s my father, she would’ve done it for money, right?” he asked. “I don’t- I don’t know how, I don’t want to know how, but I know my mom- knew,” he whispered, ducking his head. He shook his head, looking up. “She wouldn’t have faked it or lied or anything.”
Matt bit his lip. “I’m not trying to say shit about your dead mom, I promise, but… you’re kinda old to be his kid, you know? He’s in his early thirties and you’re a teenager,” he said.
The boy made a face. “My mom had me when she was sixteen,” he said and Matt hummed curiously. “I’m fifteen,” he supplied.
“Andy would’ve been… sixteen or seventeen then,” he supplied. “So… well I guess it’s not impossible, I just… don’t know,” he said, shrugging. He frowned suddenly. “Hey, I didn’t look at your name,” he said, and the boy rolled his eyes.
“Christian,” he said. “Christian Smith, if that’s what you were looking for,” he added.
Matt chuckled. “Well, Smith, that’s not very helpful in the ‘last name’ mental search,” he said, and the kid smiled.
“Yeah, my mom’s name is- was Alice,” he supplied.
Matt thought but shook his head. “I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t know him then. I didn’t meet him too much later, but he never mentioned anybody named Alice that I remember. But… well if your mom didn’t ever tell him, chances are they didn’t like… go to school together or anything,” he said, shrugging.
Christian nodded. “See, I don’t get it either. As far as I remember, and as far as my grandparents ever mentioned when I was younger, my mom’s only ever lived in Miami. I googled this dude and he’s always been up here. I mean, if I were like… a little kid someone could say my mom was a groupie- and she wasn’t-,” he added. “But I mean… I don’t get it.”
Matt just thought, trying to remember if he’d ever heard Andy mention anything about Miami. “Look… I need to call Andy. He sorta has to know there’s a kid here with his name on his birth certificate,” he said, and Christian nodded.
“Yeah, sure,” he said, standing to go wander around while Matt pulled out his phone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt wasn’t able to get Andy on the phone and he didn’t want to leave a voicemail with ‘hi, you may be a father, call me later!’ as the message. He walked out into the living room, only to raise an eyebrow when he saw Christian looking at the VMAs on the shelf. “Dude, this clown won a VMA?” he asked as soon as he noticed Matt standing there.
Matt snorted. “You know, the whole ‘desperate search’ thing isn’t helped if you insult the guy you’re hoping to help you out,” he said, walking over. “And yeah, he’s got a bunch, if you didn’t notice,” he said.
Christian just made a face. “Meh,” he said, turning around. “I’m not sure how I feel about the situation. On one side, the dude seems to be loaded, so chances of him offering a little help seem better, but to be honest, I’d really have preferred to discover my father wasn’t in a shitty pop band in the past,” he said. “I mean, you have heard that shit right?” he asked, making a face.
Matt rolled his eyes. “They aren’t shit. They were good, dude. I mean, even if it isn’t Andy’s usual game, deep down he’ll always be Fall Out Boy first, all his other musical endeavors second, you know?” He smiled. “Those dudes are like one of his families.”
Christian hummed. “Families, huh? That sounds pretty fucked up,” he said.
Matt chuckled. “Nah, I mean… Andy’s like that, you know? This house? He may own it but it’s the family home. All of us, we have just as much right, in his mind, to call it home as he does. I’m one of the only ones that lives here all the time, but I’m also the only one not touring a lot of the time.”
Christian nodded. “So, I hear this dude is a hippy,” he said, and Matt snickered. “I haven’t ran from an alcoholic to a stoner, have I?” he asked apprehensively. “I mean, the dude’s business is his business, but I sorta don’t want to have to go searching for a cardboard box somewhere.”
Matt laughed. “No, Andy’s strictly edge, dude. Hasn’t touched anything slightly intoxicating in years.” He smiled. “He’s not really a hippy though. People call him one but he’s really not sissy enough to be a hippy. He’s a total badass little dude. He’s a radical vegan, a total jock, a metal head at heart, and at the same time, he’s one of the biggest geeks ever,” he said fondly.
Christian just stared. “Well… maybe my mom did lie,” he said and Matt burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry, it’s not nice of me to laugh, really, it’s just… that’s hilarious,” he said simply. “I don’t know, don’t freak out, okay?” he said, already feeling a bit worried for the kid. “I mean, I won’t let him kick you out on your ass, you know? He wouldn’t anyways, I don’t think, but if he turns out to not be your father, we’ll help you find out your next move,” he said.
Christian raised an eyebrow. “Who are you exactly? I mean, you told me your name’s Matt, but even if you guys are all freaky frat brothers around here the way you describe it, I doubt you can make this guy help me out,” he said skeptically.
Matt ducked his head, biting his lip. “Well…” He could feel his cheeks coloring and suddenly hated that, no matter how dark his skin was, he couldn’t stop from blushing. “Andy… we’re sorta…” he coughed. “Okay, I’m not sure how comfortable you might be with it, cause teenagers are usually pretty harsh, but the thing about Andy-“
Christian suddenly burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you two are fucking?!” he cried, doubling over as he laughed nearly as hard as Matt had ever seen anybody laugh.
“Hey,” he said indignantly. “We’re not just fucking… mostly,” he said defensively. “I assume that the laughter is a sign you aren’t a homophobic little asshole, as I’d imagine you’d have ran by now, possibly bitching something about me being a sick fuck-“
“No, dude, I don’t have a problem,” he said, waving a hand. “Sooo, not my alley, but a dude’s business is his business, not my deal,” he said, still laughing. “I just… what are the chances, you know? I leave Miami in search of my father who doesn’t know I exist and find out he may or may not be an enigmatic drummer who is somehow jock, geek, straight edge, hardcore, and into dude’s all at the same time,” he said. “Really, would you believe it if you were me?” he asked, and Matt shrugged.
“I’m friends with Pete Wentz… little is able to shock me anymore,” he said, and Christian rolled his eyes.
“Ew,” he muttered. Matt just laughed, shaking his head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt was woken up the next morning by Stu walking in. “Yo, why is there a kid sleeping on the couch, Mixon?” he asked.
Matt grumbled, whining. “Why are you up?”
Stu raised an eyebrow. “Um, going to pick up the Professor from the airport? Remember? Me and Morgan offered,” he said, shaking his head. “Wake up and have his breakfast ready. You know the princess will be pissy after a night flight,” he said.
Matt sighed, sitting up. “Alright, alright,” he said, grabbing shorts off the floor to pull on before he stood and let the covers slide off fully.
“So, what about the kid?” he asked again, and Matt’s eyes widened.
“Um… look, can you guys not mention that to Andy? And tell him to call me before he gets home,” he said. “It’s… it’s Andy business, sorry,” he said.
“Whatever, wake him up and feed him. That kid is skinnier than is normal,” he said, earning a laugh from Matt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt glared and gestured with a spatula when Andy walked into the kitchen. “You were supposed to call me asshole!” he cried, and Andy snorted.
“Gee, it’s great to see you too,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Why yes, of course I missed you too!” he said sarcastically, only to look confused when Christian walked in.
“Hey Mixon, there’s a naked dude saying I needed to tell you to go get in the shower with him… I really don’t want to know,” he said, shuddering theatrically, only to stop when he saw Andy standing there.
“Hey, um, Mix, who’s your friend?” Andy asked curiously.
Matt looked up at Kyle, who was picking at the food already. “You,” he said, and Kyle snatched his hand back. “Take Rossman and go shower with Morgan for a while, okay?”
Kyle huffed. “You could just tell me to fuck off, dude. Whatever,” he said, turning to leave. “Stu! Shower!”
Once they were all gone, Matt turned to Andy. “Look, this is why I kept calling you, dude,” he said accusingly. “Christian, go get your bag, okay dude?” he asked, and Christian nodded, walking out silently.
“Who’s that?” Andy asked curiously.
Matt sighed. “Look… there’s no way to say this easy, and before you freak out, I think the kid’s legit, okay?” he said, and Andy frowned. “He might be your kid,” he said, and Andy’s jaw dropped.
“He might what!?!” he cried. “Dude, I don’t have a kid-“
“I think you do,” Matt said softly. “I’ll let him tell you all he’s told me, but look…” he cringed. “He has your eyes, Andy,” he said softly, and Andy just paled. “I wouldn’t believe it so easily if it weren’t for the fact I know your eyes and his eyes look identical,” he said.
“How much did you tell this dude on the phone?” Christian asked Matt as he walked back in. He put his bag on the counter and started rooting around for the birth certificate.
Matt cringed. “The asshole didn’t answer or call me back once,” he said, and Christian cringed. “I just told him the basic gist,” he said, and Andy cut in.
“Whoa, how old are you?” he asked in shock as he walked to stand across from the kid, who was at least two inches taller than him.
Christian shrugged. “Fifteen.” He eyed him. “Apparently, if you are my father, the height thing didn’t come from your DNA,” he said. He held out the birth certificate, and Andy eyed it, reading all the information.
“Wait you’re from Miami?” he asked, and Christian nodded. “I don’t see how-“ he paled suddenly. “Um… fuck,” he said, and Matt snorted.
“Yeah, what was all that you’ve said before about ‘I was ugly and geeky in high school’, huh? Obviously somebody didn’t think so,” he said.
Andy cringed. “I went on a cruise with my mom in ninety-five,” he said, looking up at Matt. “She used her vacation time for my school spring break in April. And there was a girl on the boat,” he said bashfully.
Christian cringed. “Ew,” he said, shuddering.
“I sorta um… met this girl who was on vacation too, and like…kinda lost my virginity on a cruise… with my mom,” he admitted. He made a face. “The cruise not the losing- oh fuck that sounded so gross,” he said with a horrified look on his face.
“This is traumatizing,” Christian said pointedly.
Andy shook his head. “Wait, how do I know this is even possible? I mean this says November… April to November isn’t really nine months,” he said, and Christian shrugged.
“I was born early. Mom said I nearly died.”
“How do I know you aren’t making that up?” Andy challenged. “I mean, it’s… looking sorta possible, but how can I be sure your mother isn’t just looking for cash? Even if it is that girl, so she can say it’s mathematical, how do I know I’m your father and not just the one that ended up rich? I mean, it’s kinda fishy that this is coming up now, fifteen years later, after I’ve got money,” he pointed out.
Christian sighed. “I won’t say I’m not looking for money at all, cause I need help somehow. I was sorta more hoping I could find a couch to crash on until I can find a job, but I’m not asking for a big pay off or anything,” he said.
Andy shrugged. “How do I know your mom isn’t waiting to convince me with you and then sue me for child support or something?”
Christian’s jaw clenched. “Because she’s dead,” he said flatly. Andy paled and Matt cringed. “Look, I get it’s fishy, but don’t fucking talk about my mom like she’s a lazy slut looking for easy cash,” he spat. He swallowed and Matt could see the pain on the kid’s face. “My mom was a nurse, she worked harder and longer than most people do all day, and she never told me who my father was. I only found this after she was dead,” he said, pointing to the birth certificate. “Call me a liar, but don’t imply shit like that about my mom.” Matt cringed as his voice cracked.
Andy shook his head. “No, hey, I’m sorry,” he said, voice soft. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” he said. “Matt didn’t get to tell me- well, not all that,” he said. He shook his head again. “Why… why didn’t your mother ever… I don’t know, contact me? I mean… holy shit, if this is real, I’ve had a kid half my life!”
Christian shrugged. “She never would talk about my father more than to explain that he didn’t even know I existed. She didn’t like handouts,” he said softly, smiling sadly. “She probably didn’t want to ask for help. She figured it was her life, not anybody else’s problem. Something like that. She was big on responsibilities and shit. She always made me feel bad when I skipped homework or shit because she made a big deal about how it was my responsibility to do good, not anybody else’s,” he said softly, looking down at the countertop.
Andy just sighed. “Look… Christian?” he asked, and he nodded. “Look, you have to know I’m gonna need a DNA test before I believe it,” he said, and Christian nodded.
“Yeah, I figured. I mean, trust me dude, I’m not really thrilled about any of this. I don’t expect you to like… suddenly cover all my shit, I just don’t have anywhere to go. I’m homeless, for all it’s worth, so I just… had to do something,” he said.
Andy smiled. “Thanks for that,” he said, then shrugged. “I sorta… think you might be my son, though,” he said. “The girl on the cruise… her name was Alice,” he said, and then he nodded at the paper. “And that says Alice Smith, right? It all sorta adds up,” he said.
Christian chuckled. “I sorta didn’t want to believe it, but believed it all the same. My mom had no reason to lie. She wasn’t like that.”
Andy just groaned, rubbing a hand over his head. “Holy shit, how is this my life,” he breathed, then stood up. “Look, can I borrow this for a little bit?” he asked, snagging the birth certificate. “I’ve gotta talk to a lawyer and stuff,” he said.
Christian nodded. “Yeah, just… give it back later. It’s sorta one of the few things I’ve got from home,” he said.
Andy just cringed. “Look, Christian… I’m really sorry about your mom,” he said softly. “I barely remember it, but my dad died when I was five,” he said. “So… I sorta know how it feels to lose your parent, and even if I don’t know exactly how it feels, I know what it’s like to have a single mom and I can only imagine how it would feel to lose her,” he said, putting a hand on Christian’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re in this situation.”
Christian smiled sadly. “Thanks, dude,” he said in a hoarse voice. He watched him walk out and then smiled at Matt. “Well, at least he isn’t an asshole,” he said.
Matt smiled. “Nah, I told you, he’s a great guy-“
“I know you didn’t go running, Mixon! Get your ass out there, lazy fucker!” Andy’s voice carried from somewhere else in the house.
Matt whined. “I lied, he’s an asshole,” he muttered, then sighed as he turned to leave. “Just… occupy yourself. If I don’t go running he’ll lecture me about skipping workouts again. It’s a good half-hour lecture by now,” he said. He stopped at the door. “Wanna come with instead?” he asked.
Christian just stared at him pointedly. “Do you really even need my answer verbally?” he asked, and Matt smiled.
“Maybe you are Andy’s kid after all,” he said, grinning as he ran off.
Author: heartsdesire456
Rating: up to NC-17
POV: 3rd
Pairing: Matt/Andy
Summary: The day it all changes, Andy isn't even home.
Author's Note: NO TIME! POSTING JUST A BIT BEFORE I RUN!
The morning everything changed, Matt had woken up early and went for his morning run. Andy was still away visiting some friends in LA until the next day, so he cheated a little and ran less than he would if Andy were running with him.
He came back to the house in time to basically fix everybody breakfast (they tried to help but it only made things worse) and go get a shower after they all headed out. He was cleaning up all the mess his idiot friends had left when the doorbell rang. He frowned and paused. It was rare that anybody visited without prior notice and nobody had called him.
He put all the dishes in the sink to rise before putting in the dishwasher and headed for the door. He frowned when he walked into the foyer and saw a kid standing outside the glass door. He opened it with more confusion. “Hi, can I help you?” he asked.
The kid, a teenage boy with curly black hair and confusingly familiar blue eyes, looked up with a bored expression. “I’m looking for a guy named Andy Hurley… this is the address I found,” he said, and Matt frowned.
“Our address is supposed to be private,” he said and then crossed his arms. “Are you a stalker?” he asked.
The kid snorted. “Why the hell would I be stalking you?” he asked.
Matt raised an eyebrow. “Not me, Andy,” he said.
“Dude, I don’t give two shits about the shitty band he was in, why would I want to stalk him?” he asked, then shook his bangs out of his face. “Here, listen, you’re obviously a friend since you’re in his house, so can you just let me in?” he asked.
Matt shook his head. “Andy’s not back until tomorrow,” he said. “Went to LA to visit some friends,” he said.
The kid just blinked. “Great, where the fuck am I supposed to go for the night? Do you know it’s cold as balls out here?!” he asked in a bitter tone, shrugging down in his jacket.
Matt just frowned. “What is this about? I mean… where would you be if he was here?” he asked.
The kid shrugged. “No clue. Depends on him,” he said, then cringed, putting down the backpack he was carrying. He knelt down and fished around before coming back with a folded piece of paper. “It’s a long story, but I’m sorta at the end of my funds, if you get what I’m saying. This dude’s my only hope,” he said, holding the paper out.
Matt opened the document, only to feel all the blood drain from his face as he realized it was a birth certificate...
With the name Andy Hurley listed under ‘father’.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt finished making the kid a sandwich and set the plate in front of him as he stood on the other side of the counter, watching as the boy dug into the sandwich like a starving man. “When’s the last time you ate?” he asked curiously.
The boy looked up, then shrugged. “I had some food when I had to change busses somewhere in Illinois,” he said between bites.
Once he was mostly finished, Matt cleared his throat. “So… not that I’m fully sure I believe just a piece of paper, you claim Andy’s your dad?” he asked. “Why did you come here now?”
He looked up and Matt cringed inwardly, feeling more inclined to believe the paper since the kid had Andy’s eyes. “My mom died,” he said, and Matt felt his eyes widen.
“Oh wow, I’m sorry dude,” he said.
The kid shrugged. “I- we were alone, sorta,” he said in a small voice. “She worked at a hospital and-“ he snorted, eyes full of anger. “Some help that was, you know? She fell down the stairs at a fucking hospital and died. How the hell does somebody die from a fall when they’re already there, you know?” he said bitterly. “But… it was just us. Me and my mom. I mean, she told me about my father not long ago. Growing up it was avoided but I got really curious a few years ago and like… finally last year she wanted me to know it’s not like I can blame the dude cause he doesn’t know about me either, and she refused to tell me his name or anything,” he said, rolling his eyes. “When she died, my useless aunt was supposed to keep me but she’s never sober enough to even pay her bills. I wasn’t about to take care of some alcoholic so I dropped out of school and left… but I sorta don’t have anywhere to go,” he said.
“What about this? Your mom didn’t tell you, how did you find out?” Matt asked.
“I found my birth certificate,” he said, scratching a blunt nail at the countertop. “When we had to get all mine and mom’s shit out of the apartment after she died I found a lot of papers and stuff in an envelope in her closet. This was one of them,” he said, nudging the birth certificate with his hand. “I mean, I know it doesn’t prove anything, but my mom wouldn’t put a random dude on this thing. She could’ve left it blank. And if she’d decided after he was famous to just have the records changed to say he’s my father, she would’ve done it for money, right?” he asked. “I don’t- I don’t know how, I don’t want to know how, but I know my mom- knew,” he whispered, ducking his head. He shook his head, looking up. “She wouldn’t have faked it or lied or anything.”
Matt bit his lip. “I’m not trying to say shit about your dead mom, I promise, but… you’re kinda old to be his kid, you know? He’s in his early thirties and you’re a teenager,” he said.
The boy made a face. “My mom had me when she was sixteen,” he said and Matt hummed curiously. “I’m fifteen,” he supplied.
“Andy would’ve been… sixteen or seventeen then,” he supplied. “So… well I guess it’s not impossible, I just… don’t know,” he said, shrugging. He frowned suddenly. “Hey, I didn’t look at your name,” he said, and the boy rolled his eyes.
“Christian,” he said. “Christian Smith, if that’s what you were looking for,” he added.
Matt chuckled. “Well, Smith, that’s not very helpful in the ‘last name’ mental search,” he said, and the kid smiled.
“Yeah, my mom’s name is- was Alice,” he supplied.
Matt thought but shook his head. “I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t know him then. I didn’t meet him too much later, but he never mentioned anybody named Alice that I remember. But… well if your mom didn’t ever tell him, chances are they didn’t like… go to school together or anything,” he said, shrugging.
Christian nodded. “See, I don’t get it either. As far as I remember, and as far as my grandparents ever mentioned when I was younger, my mom’s only ever lived in Miami. I googled this dude and he’s always been up here. I mean, if I were like… a little kid someone could say my mom was a groupie- and she wasn’t-,” he added. “But I mean… I don’t get it.”
Matt just thought, trying to remember if he’d ever heard Andy mention anything about Miami. “Look… I need to call Andy. He sorta has to know there’s a kid here with his name on his birth certificate,” he said, and Christian nodded.
“Yeah, sure,” he said, standing to go wander around while Matt pulled out his phone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt wasn’t able to get Andy on the phone and he didn’t want to leave a voicemail with ‘hi, you may be a father, call me later!’ as the message. He walked out into the living room, only to raise an eyebrow when he saw Christian looking at the VMAs on the shelf. “Dude, this clown won a VMA?” he asked as soon as he noticed Matt standing there.
Matt snorted. “You know, the whole ‘desperate search’ thing isn’t helped if you insult the guy you’re hoping to help you out,” he said, walking over. “And yeah, he’s got a bunch, if you didn’t notice,” he said.
Christian just made a face. “Meh,” he said, turning around. “I’m not sure how I feel about the situation. On one side, the dude seems to be loaded, so chances of him offering a little help seem better, but to be honest, I’d really have preferred to discover my father wasn’t in a shitty pop band in the past,” he said. “I mean, you have heard that shit right?” he asked, making a face.
Matt rolled his eyes. “They aren’t shit. They were good, dude. I mean, even if it isn’t Andy’s usual game, deep down he’ll always be Fall Out Boy first, all his other musical endeavors second, you know?” He smiled. “Those dudes are like one of his families.”
Christian hummed. “Families, huh? That sounds pretty fucked up,” he said.
Matt chuckled. “Nah, I mean… Andy’s like that, you know? This house? He may own it but it’s the family home. All of us, we have just as much right, in his mind, to call it home as he does. I’m one of the only ones that lives here all the time, but I’m also the only one not touring a lot of the time.”
Christian nodded. “So, I hear this dude is a hippy,” he said, and Matt snickered. “I haven’t ran from an alcoholic to a stoner, have I?” he asked apprehensively. “I mean, the dude’s business is his business, but I sorta don’t want to have to go searching for a cardboard box somewhere.”
Matt laughed. “No, Andy’s strictly edge, dude. Hasn’t touched anything slightly intoxicating in years.” He smiled. “He’s not really a hippy though. People call him one but he’s really not sissy enough to be a hippy. He’s a total badass little dude. He’s a radical vegan, a total jock, a metal head at heart, and at the same time, he’s one of the biggest geeks ever,” he said fondly.
Christian just stared. “Well… maybe my mom did lie,” he said and Matt burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry, it’s not nice of me to laugh, really, it’s just… that’s hilarious,” he said simply. “I don’t know, don’t freak out, okay?” he said, already feeling a bit worried for the kid. “I mean, I won’t let him kick you out on your ass, you know? He wouldn’t anyways, I don’t think, but if he turns out to not be your father, we’ll help you find out your next move,” he said.
Christian raised an eyebrow. “Who are you exactly? I mean, you told me your name’s Matt, but even if you guys are all freaky frat brothers around here the way you describe it, I doubt you can make this guy help me out,” he said skeptically.
Matt ducked his head, biting his lip. “Well…” He could feel his cheeks coloring and suddenly hated that, no matter how dark his skin was, he couldn’t stop from blushing. “Andy… we’re sorta…” he coughed. “Okay, I’m not sure how comfortable you might be with it, cause teenagers are usually pretty harsh, but the thing about Andy-“
Christian suddenly burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you two are fucking?!” he cried, doubling over as he laughed nearly as hard as Matt had ever seen anybody laugh.
“Hey,” he said indignantly. “We’re not just fucking… mostly,” he said defensively. “I assume that the laughter is a sign you aren’t a homophobic little asshole, as I’d imagine you’d have ran by now, possibly bitching something about me being a sick fuck-“
“No, dude, I don’t have a problem,” he said, waving a hand. “Sooo, not my alley, but a dude’s business is his business, not my deal,” he said, still laughing. “I just… what are the chances, you know? I leave Miami in search of my father who doesn’t know I exist and find out he may or may not be an enigmatic drummer who is somehow jock, geek, straight edge, hardcore, and into dude’s all at the same time,” he said. “Really, would you believe it if you were me?” he asked, and Matt shrugged.
“I’m friends with Pete Wentz… little is able to shock me anymore,” he said, and Christian rolled his eyes.
“Ew,” he muttered. Matt just laughed, shaking his head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt was woken up the next morning by Stu walking in. “Yo, why is there a kid sleeping on the couch, Mixon?” he asked.
Matt grumbled, whining. “Why are you up?”
Stu raised an eyebrow. “Um, going to pick up the Professor from the airport? Remember? Me and Morgan offered,” he said, shaking his head. “Wake up and have his breakfast ready. You know the princess will be pissy after a night flight,” he said.
Matt sighed, sitting up. “Alright, alright,” he said, grabbing shorts off the floor to pull on before he stood and let the covers slide off fully.
“So, what about the kid?” he asked again, and Matt’s eyes widened.
“Um… look, can you guys not mention that to Andy? And tell him to call me before he gets home,” he said. “It’s… it’s Andy business, sorry,” he said.
“Whatever, wake him up and feed him. That kid is skinnier than is normal,” he said, earning a laugh from Matt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matt glared and gestured with a spatula when Andy walked into the kitchen. “You were supposed to call me asshole!” he cried, and Andy snorted.
“Gee, it’s great to see you too,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Why yes, of course I missed you too!” he said sarcastically, only to look confused when Christian walked in.
“Hey Mixon, there’s a naked dude saying I needed to tell you to go get in the shower with him… I really don’t want to know,” he said, shuddering theatrically, only to stop when he saw Andy standing there.
“Hey, um, Mix, who’s your friend?” Andy asked curiously.
Matt looked up at Kyle, who was picking at the food already. “You,” he said, and Kyle snatched his hand back. “Take Rossman and go shower with Morgan for a while, okay?”
Kyle huffed. “You could just tell me to fuck off, dude. Whatever,” he said, turning to leave. “Stu! Shower!”
Once they were all gone, Matt turned to Andy. “Look, this is why I kept calling you, dude,” he said accusingly. “Christian, go get your bag, okay dude?” he asked, and Christian nodded, walking out silently.
“Who’s that?” Andy asked curiously.
Matt sighed. “Look… there’s no way to say this easy, and before you freak out, I think the kid’s legit, okay?” he said, and Andy frowned. “He might be your kid,” he said, and Andy’s jaw dropped.
“He might what!?!” he cried. “Dude, I don’t have a kid-“
“I think you do,” Matt said softly. “I’ll let him tell you all he’s told me, but look…” he cringed. “He has your eyes, Andy,” he said softly, and Andy just paled. “I wouldn’t believe it so easily if it weren’t for the fact I know your eyes and his eyes look identical,” he said.
“How much did you tell this dude on the phone?” Christian asked Matt as he walked back in. He put his bag on the counter and started rooting around for the birth certificate.
Matt cringed. “The asshole didn’t answer or call me back once,” he said, and Christian cringed. “I just told him the basic gist,” he said, and Andy cut in.
“Whoa, how old are you?” he asked in shock as he walked to stand across from the kid, who was at least two inches taller than him.
Christian shrugged. “Fifteen.” He eyed him. “Apparently, if you are my father, the height thing didn’t come from your DNA,” he said. He held out the birth certificate, and Andy eyed it, reading all the information.
“Wait you’re from Miami?” he asked, and Christian nodded. “I don’t see how-“ he paled suddenly. “Um… fuck,” he said, and Matt snorted.
“Yeah, what was all that you’ve said before about ‘I was ugly and geeky in high school’, huh? Obviously somebody didn’t think so,” he said.
Andy cringed. “I went on a cruise with my mom in ninety-five,” he said, looking up at Matt. “She used her vacation time for my school spring break in April. And there was a girl on the boat,” he said bashfully.
Christian cringed. “Ew,” he said, shuddering.
“I sorta um… met this girl who was on vacation too, and like…kinda lost my virginity on a cruise… with my mom,” he admitted. He made a face. “The cruise not the losing- oh fuck that sounded so gross,” he said with a horrified look on his face.
“This is traumatizing,” Christian said pointedly.
Andy shook his head. “Wait, how do I know this is even possible? I mean this says November… April to November isn’t really nine months,” he said, and Christian shrugged.
“I was born early. Mom said I nearly died.”
“How do I know you aren’t making that up?” Andy challenged. “I mean, it’s… looking sorta possible, but how can I be sure your mother isn’t just looking for cash? Even if it is that girl, so she can say it’s mathematical, how do I know I’m your father and not just the one that ended up rich? I mean, it’s kinda fishy that this is coming up now, fifteen years later, after I’ve got money,” he pointed out.
Christian sighed. “I won’t say I’m not looking for money at all, cause I need help somehow. I was sorta more hoping I could find a couch to crash on until I can find a job, but I’m not asking for a big pay off or anything,” he said.
Andy shrugged. “How do I know your mom isn’t waiting to convince me with you and then sue me for child support or something?”
Christian’s jaw clenched. “Because she’s dead,” he said flatly. Andy paled and Matt cringed. “Look, I get it’s fishy, but don’t fucking talk about my mom like she’s a lazy slut looking for easy cash,” he spat. He swallowed and Matt could see the pain on the kid’s face. “My mom was a nurse, she worked harder and longer than most people do all day, and she never told me who my father was. I only found this after she was dead,” he said, pointing to the birth certificate. “Call me a liar, but don’t imply shit like that about my mom.” Matt cringed as his voice cracked.
Andy shook his head. “No, hey, I’m sorry,” he said, voice soft. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” he said. “Matt didn’t get to tell me- well, not all that,” he said. He shook his head again. “Why… why didn’t your mother ever… I don’t know, contact me? I mean… holy shit, if this is real, I’ve had a kid half my life!”
Christian shrugged. “She never would talk about my father more than to explain that he didn’t even know I existed. She didn’t like handouts,” he said softly, smiling sadly. “She probably didn’t want to ask for help. She figured it was her life, not anybody else’s problem. Something like that. She was big on responsibilities and shit. She always made me feel bad when I skipped homework or shit because she made a big deal about how it was my responsibility to do good, not anybody else’s,” he said softly, looking down at the countertop.
Andy just sighed. “Look… Christian?” he asked, and he nodded. “Look, you have to know I’m gonna need a DNA test before I believe it,” he said, and Christian nodded.
“Yeah, I figured. I mean, trust me dude, I’m not really thrilled about any of this. I don’t expect you to like… suddenly cover all my shit, I just don’t have anywhere to go. I’m homeless, for all it’s worth, so I just… had to do something,” he said.
Andy smiled. “Thanks for that,” he said, then shrugged. “I sorta… think you might be my son, though,” he said. “The girl on the cruise… her name was Alice,” he said, and then he nodded at the paper. “And that says Alice Smith, right? It all sorta adds up,” he said.
Christian chuckled. “I sorta didn’t want to believe it, but believed it all the same. My mom had no reason to lie. She wasn’t like that.”
Andy just groaned, rubbing a hand over his head. “Holy shit, how is this my life,” he breathed, then stood up. “Look, can I borrow this for a little bit?” he asked, snagging the birth certificate. “I’ve gotta talk to a lawyer and stuff,” he said.
Christian nodded. “Yeah, just… give it back later. It’s sorta one of the few things I’ve got from home,” he said.
Andy just cringed. “Look, Christian… I’m really sorry about your mom,” he said softly. “I barely remember it, but my dad died when I was five,” he said. “So… I sorta know how it feels to lose your parent, and even if I don’t know exactly how it feels, I know what it’s like to have a single mom and I can only imagine how it would feel to lose her,” he said, putting a hand on Christian’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re in this situation.”
Christian smiled sadly. “Thanks, dude,” he said in a hoarse voice. He watched him walk out and then smiled at Matt. “Well, at least he isn’t an asshole,” he said.
Matt smiled. “Nah, I told you, he’s a great guy-“
“I know you didn’t go running, Mixon! Get your ass out there, lazy fucker!” Andy’s voice carried from somewhere else in the house.
Matt whined. “I lied, he’s an asshole,” he muttered, then sighed as he turned to leave. “Just… occupy yourself. If I don’t go running he’ll lecture me about skipping workouts again. It’s a good half-hour lecture by now,” he said. He stopped at the door. “Wanna come with instead?” he asked.
Christian just stared at him pointedly. “Do you really even need my answer verbally?” he asked, and Matt smiled.
“Maybe you are Andy’s kid after all,” he said, grinning as he ran off.