Tell Me Baby (who do you wanna be?) - Part Five
When Mikey’s next therapy session rolls around he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to go with his brother. He’s speaking to Gerard, but he’s still pissed that he interfered with his and Ray’s relationship. He knows that his brother is was only looking out for him, but he needs space.
He asks Ray as they’re cuddling in bed, noses pressed together as they kiss lazily.
“I want you to come to therapy with me tomorrow,” Mikey states slowly, staring in to Ray’s eyes in the dark to watch for any change on his face.
“Really?” Ray asks as he tightens his grip on Mikey’s hip, holding him close to his body.
“Mm, if you want to?” Mikey asks quickly, but he feels Ray’s lips against his own.
“Of course,” Ray mumbles against his lips and kisses at them, thankful that Mikey feels comfortable enough to ask him to attend his therapy session with him. Ray knows it’s a big step for Mikey, letting Ray inside his head and allowing him to help.
Mikey smiles as they pull back from another lazy kiss and lets his eyes slip closed, now a little less worried about the next morning.
-
They arrive early, and sitting in the waiting room with Ray proves to be an annoying experience. He won’t stop shaking his leg, tapping his foot and he keeps grabbing at Mikey’s hand nervously.
“You do know I’m the one with the therapy session, not you, right?” Mikey asks as Ray looks around the waiting room with a nervous look across his face. Ray half-smiles to Mikey, but continues to tap his foot.
“You sure you want me to come in with you?” Ray asks for the hundredth time, and Mikey groans as he rolls his eyes.
“Yes!” he exclaims, and Ray nods his head.
When Mikey does get called in, they walk in holding hands. Mikey notices Hailey’s face as she sees that Gerard isn’t with him today for the first time in years. She raises her eyebrow but looks down to see them holding hands and nods with a welcoming smile.
The session goes well. Ray sits next to Mikey as he talks about how he’s been feeling, showing Hailey his weekly chart to prove that even though he’s having down days and a manic high or two now and again, he’s doing well and is more stable now than he has ever been before. Hailey seems impressed with his improvements, and even though Mikey knows he’s still going to be in therapy for the foreseeable future, it’s now a little more bearable.
When the session is over Ray lets out a sigh of relief when he wanders from the door and down the staircase to where his car is parked. Mikey follows, watching Ray as he notices his shoulders relax a little as they get to the car, opening the doors and sitting quietly for a moment.
“You alright?” Mikey asks, and Ray snaps out of the daze he’s in to smile.
“Yeah, relieved,” Ray laughs nervously, but Mikey smiles again and reaches out over the handbrake for Ray’s hand and squeezes it softly.
“Was it as bad as you were expecting?”
“No, but even if it was I still would have come. I want to be there for you...” Ray speaks truthfully and Mikey squeezes his hand again.
“Think we should go and see my brother?” Mikey sighs, leaning his head against the headrest and tilts it so he can look at Ray.
“I guess...” Ray shrugs and turns the ignition on.
“He owes us an apology.” Mikey states and drops Ray’s hand to allow him to drive.
-
When they arrive at Frank and Gerard’s they let themselves in with Mikey’s key. As the door opens, Gerard stares from the couch and over to the door because Frank’s already home, and so the only other person it could be is Mikey.
When his brother walks in and is holding hands with Ray, Gerard smiles over at them weakly, knowing that he has an apology for the both of them.
“Hi...” Gerard offers, and Mikey half-smiles back at him, walking in front of Ray and dragging him over to the couch. They sit down together and Ray pulls Mikey’s hand on to his lap, fingers still entwined.
“How was therapy?” Gerard asks and Mikey shrugs.
“Alright. Usual, really...”
Gerard nods and sighs before speaking again. “Look...” He says, before setting down the book he was reading on to the table in the middle of the room and looks back to Mikey and Ray. “I’m sorry. Ray, I should never have said those things to you. I know you love my brother.”
Ray smiles and nods because he knows that Gerard didn’t actually mean any harm, that he was only worried and looking out for his kid brother.
“Mikes, I’m sorry. I was wrong to get involved...” Gerard offers and Mikey nods in the same manner Ray did, smiling at his brother because although he’s mad that Gerard intervened, he knows it was laced with good intentions.
“I forgive you,” Mikey smiles. “But you still have to make me breakfast.” He grins and Gerard groans before hauling himself from the couch and walking in to the kitchen where Mikey assumes Frank already is.
They end up staying for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and for some reason, they end up staying the night on Frank and Gerard’s sofa. It’s comfortable enough and by the time they had finished watching DVDs and talking, it was too late for Ray to drive them home.
Gerard does pull Mikey in to the bedroom just after they eat though, and explains that although he understands, his manic episode when he bought Ray the amp was something he shouldn’t have done. It was expensive, and although a weakness from the bipolar, he needs to calm down.
“It won’t happen again...” Mikey sighs, because he knows he shouldn’t have done it, but seeing how happy Ray is with his new amp and being able to play at home, kinda makes it worth it.
“Don’t worry. Want me to look over your bills in a few weeks?” Gerard asks, because even though his brother is seemingly happier, he knows he’s still prone to episodes beyond his control or Ray’s guidance.
Mikey nods, before pulling his brother in to a tight hug.
For some reason, Mikey doesn’t sleep. He’s fidgeting and Ray stays up with him, watching cartoons all night as they watch the night drift away and morning take its place. He does try to sleep, closing his eyes and pressing his body against Ray’s, but it’s no use. Ray’s rubbing soothing circles around his stomach, his back and thighs but nothing seems to allow Mikey to drop off. He passes it off as one of those nights, because even though he’s feeling happier, there are still chemicals in his brain that sometimes, can’t shut down for the night.
It’s soon morning, though and Frank’s rushing out the door to open up the shop. He grunts as he looks at Mikey and Ray sprawled across his couch and pouts at Gerard who is stood in their kitchen eating.
“Give me some,” Frank whines, trying to reach for Gerard’s toast and butter and he shakes his head and swats Frank’s hands away.
“Get your own,” he mumbles in between mouthfuls of bread. Frank pouts again and dives in, catching Gerard’s lips with his own, the taste of butter hitting him as soon as he extends his tongue to brush against his husband’s lips.
Pulling back, Frank hums. “Better. I have to go to work now,” He says and sighs. Gerard makes a face at him, mocking sympathy.
“Fuck you all! I’m off to work.” Frank throws his hands in the air and turns to walk away, but Gerard catches him by the hips and spins him around, kissing him again before he shoves a piece of cold toast in to his mouth.
“f’koo,” he mumbles through a mouthful and Gerard laughs before pushing him away.
“Go, earn us some money,” Gerard demands and Frank smiles around his food.
“Bye!” Frank grabs his bag and waves at Mikey and Ray who mumble back before settling back down on the couch.
Mikey’s between Ray’s legs on the couch. Ray has his back to the arm of the couch, sat up against it and Mikey is resting his head on his chest.
“Right, guys, I’m going to paint. Call me if you want anything,” Gerard announces, and Mikey doesn’t move. Gerard rolls his eyes and smiles over to Ray, who smiles back before padding down the hallway and to his art room.
“Mmm,” Mikey hums against Ray’s stomach and nuzzles his sharp nose in to his shirt.
One of Ray’s hands is stroking at Mikey’s hair, his fingertips brushing against his scalp and the other hand trailing up and down his arm, gentle touches that he hopes will settle him enough to gain some sleep. They’ve already been up for god knows how long because Mikey couldn’t sleep all night. If Ray’s completely honest, it’s hard having an insomniac for a boyfriend. Not that he minds, though, because he finally has Mikey, in his arms and where he’s wanted him since high school.
“Try and to sleep, baby,” Ray whispers, and Mikey hums again, sighing contentedly as Ray moves his hand from Mikey’s arm and down to the piece of skin that’s peeping out from where his shirt is riding up and his pants are starting to fall down. He lets his fingers run over the smooth skin, brushing over the hipbone before pushing the tips of his fingers under the waistband of Mikey’s boxers. Thankfully, Mikey’s tired enough now to nap for a while, and he hums again before fidgeting a little more and settling back down, and Ray smiles triumphantly when he hears Mikey’s breathing dip and small, gentle snores appear.
-
For the next few weeks, Mikey continues to work in Frank’s shop. He helps out with stock, serving the customers and, of course, most of his lunch breaks are spent either texting Ray or teaching Ray (on his lunch) how to play bass. Frank’s happier, because as much as he loves owning the store, it’s been great for Mikey to take some of the responsibility and allow Frank to go home early some days. He gets to see his husband more, and if it means leaving Mikey to close the shop on his own, that’s fine.
“So you know how to pull the shutters down, right?” Frank asks Mikey for the hundredth time and Mikey rolls his eyes, letting out a sigh as he does.
“Frank. I’m not stupid. I can do this...” Mikey sighs and Frank smiles at him nervously before pulling his brother-in-law in to a hug.
“You’ll do great. If you get stuck, just call me,” Frank offers before letting Mikey from his grip and handing him the keys. “Oh, and no fucking on that couch, that’s for me and your brother only...” Frank grins as he points over to the back room where the old, torn couch sits.
Mikey scrunches his face up and shakes his head. “Please never speak to me again,” Mikey pleads and Frank grins before exiting the shop, leaving Mikey on his own.
Coming to help me close the shop? ;)
Mikey taps out the text to Ray on his cell and sends it quickly, looking around the store what he can do to fill the time before Ray arrives.
Sure, be there in 10 x
Mikey grins as Ray replies and busies himself with sorting through the old magazines on the shelves before moving over to the stand next to the counter, sorting all the plectrums in to their different colours and sizes.
It’s not long before Mikey hears the chimes above the door as it opens and in walks Ray, suit and tie still on and a smile across his face.
He walks over to Mikey and snakes his arms around him from behind, kissing at the side of his neck gently.
“Hey, you.” Mikey smiles and relaxes in to the feel of Ray’s arms wrapping around his middle, lips against his neck.
“Mm, you alright?” Ray asks between kisses and Mikey squeals a little, batting Ray away until he can turn around in his arms. Ray moves his hands to Mikey’s ass and slides his hands in to the jean pockets.
“Yeah, good day at work?” Mikey asks as he fingers Ray’s tie, using both hands to loosen the knot at the top.
Ray nods. “It was alright. Ready to close up?”
Mikey grins and licks his lips. “Yeah, we going back to yours?” he asks as he presses himself against Ray, jutting his hips forward a little more.
Ray laughs breathlessly. “Yeah, sounds good.”
Mikey licks his lips again as he moves his hands down to Ray’s hips, pulling them forward as he pushes his hips out, causing their bodies to rub together. Ray moans quietly and Mikey grins.
“What’s up with you?” Ray asks as he smiles at Mikey, leaning forward to kiss at his lips, but before he can pull back, Mikey has his bottom lip between his teeth, gently biting down and tugging a little. He licks across the skin before dropping it, pecking at Ray’s lips again.
“I’m just happy to see you...” Mikey muses hums and Ray rolls his eyes.
The past few weeks have seemed to unlock something within Mikey. He always read that when he’s happy, there’s this thing called bipolar hypo-sexuality and before now, he had never really bothered with the thought of sex. He’d masturbated now and again, but it was never anything special. Now though, being happy means that Mikey suddenly wants to be close to Ray, all of the time. In the past week or so, Ray’s lost count of the times they’ve had sex. They’ve not gone so far as to penetrative sex but a whole lot of grinding and lazy hand jobs have had Mikey satisfied.
Ray’s not about to complain, of course he isn’t, because although this is probably the most tired he’s ever been in a week, he loves Mikey and being so close to him is something that is worth being sleep-deprived for.
“You want to head back?” Ray asks as he kisses Mikey again, this time pressing his tongue against Mikey’s lips in order to pry them open, quickly sliding his tongue inside when he does. It’s a short kiss, but it’s enough for Mikey to run around the counter as Ray pulls back and turns the cash register off, running to the back room to make sure the back door is locked before coming back out and standing in the middle of the store, making sure he’s not missed anything.
“Alright, set!” Mikey grins and Ray walks over to the door, holding it open for Mikey.
He manages to set the alarm, lock the door and pull the shutters down fine (with Ray’s help) and texts Frank quickly to let him know that his shop is safe and still in one piece.
As Ray is driving them back to his, Frank texts back.
Good job! You can close up more often... and take more hours... please?
Mikey laughs a little and re-reads the text.
I’ll think about it ;)
He grins before locking his cell keypad and turning to Ray. “So Frank wants me to take more hours at the store.”
Ray glances over with a smile on his face before looking back at the busy road. “That’s great, right?”
Mikey bites at his lip before nodding and smiling. “Yeah, it’s really great. I’m doing well,” he admits and he’s amazed he can say that, because until a few months ago, he could never have complimented himself like he just did.
“You are, baby. You’re doing really well...” Ray agrees, because even though he still has a lot to learn about bipolar and being with somebody with the illness, he knows that Mikey has really been trying to improve, taking his medication without fail, attending his therapy classes (with Ray) and talking to him if he feels like he’s about to crash or if he feels a little too hyper -and judging by the last few weeks, he’s handling Mikey pretty well. He knows that there are going to be times where the past comes up again, times where he will feel guilty for leaving and adding to a bad situation. But he’s back now, and as he reaches for Mikey’s hand across the car seat, he presses his fingers between Mikey’s, holding his hand and gently squeezing he knows that he’s not only back for good, but he’s going to stick with Mikey for the long haul.
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