The Co-Dependent (Part Two)
Click for Part One
Gerard could get used to sleeping in during the week. He strolled into work at eleven, in an old band t-shirt and jeans. Frank saluted him when he walked past his office, and the blonde receptionist (Melanie? Margaret?) smiled the same smile as the day before. Gerard had only been sitting down for five minutes when Bob stopped by.
“Coping alright?” He asked. Gerard nodded and handed Bob a folder. He’d been up late the night before coming up with concepts for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines marketing. He sat awkwardly whilst Bob flicked through it, making the occasional appreciative noise. “Your friend in Data wasn’t kidding. You’re good.”
“Thanks,” Gerard replied. “Is that the kind of thing you’re looking for, though? I could go in a different direction if -”
“This is perfect,” Bob said, cutting Gerard off. “Present this at the meeting next week and you can get to work on getting it out to the public.”
“Great, ok.” Gerard grinned to himself. It had been a long time since there had been anyone other than Mikey to appreciate his art. It felt good.
“Right so we’re ordering from that expensive steak place today because it’s Meagan’s last day with us. What do you want?”
--
Gerard got home late that night. He’d stayed in the staff room talking to Frank about music for two hours after everyone had left. Mikey was asleep on the couch with Alicia tucked in next to him when he got home; dinner was cold and on the bench. Gerard ate in silence and shook Mikey awake gently. Mikey hated sleeping on the couch - he was just a little too tall for it to be comfortable and his neck always cramped up.
“Go to bed,” Gerard murmured quietly. Mikey nodded and stood up, yawning. He woke Alicia up, who smiled and waved sleepily at Gerard, before stumbling after Mikey into his bedroom.
“How’s the new job?” She asked quietly, standing at the door. Behind her, Mikey was already under the covers and almost asleep again.
“Good,” Gerard replied, smiling. “Really good.”
“Awesome,” Alicia replied. “Goodnight.” Mikey always left his bedroom door open, so Gerard watched as Alicia slid into bed next to Mikey, tucking her head underneath his chin. Mikey pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and wrapped his arms around her. They were kind of disgustingly cute together, and Gerard knew it was only a matter of time before either she moved in with them or Mikey moved in with her. Gerard hoped with unnatural desperation that it was the former.
--
The next morning, Gerard watched as Alicia and Mikey moved around in the kitchen as if doing a choreographed routine. Alicia ducked as Mikey turned around with two steaming mugs of coffee, and moved to the side easily when he opened the fridge door.
“You two are disgusting,” Gerard muttered, grinning over his coffee. Mikey grinned back, and pulled Alicia towards him for a long, showy kiss. Gerard rolled his eyes, drained his coffee, and grabbed his bag off the counter.
“I’ll probably stay at Alicia’s tonight,” Mikey said as Gerard stood up and headed for the door. “Will you be okay?”
Gerard hated being alone in the apartment, especially at night. He wasn’t about to begrudge his brother another night with his girlfriend though. They spent enough time apart as it was.
“Sure,” Gerard said, smiling. “Let me know if you’re coming home, yeah?”
“Okay,” Mikey replied absently. Alicia was leaning against him with her arms wrapped around his waist. Mikey smiled down at her. Gerard rolled his eyes again and left.
--
A temp secretary had replaced the girl who had been on the desk the day Gerard started. She lasted all of two days, before someone else took her place
“She didn’t last long,” Gerard commented to Frank.
“They never do,” Frank replied sadly, shaking his head.
“How long was the other girl here?” Gerard asked.
“Meagan? A year,” Frank muttered. “Shut-up. Whatever. My point is temp receptionists suck. They don’t know anything about the company, so we get filthy looks when we walk in here at 10:30, or when we swear at Bryar for forgetting the extra spring rolls with lunch.”
“I can understand that,” Gerard reasoned, “but I also see your point. Can they not find a permanent replacement?”
“They will eventually.”
--
Gerard was glad for the weekend - as relaxed as this new job was, he needed a couple of days off. His plan had been to start thinking about looking at places in the city with Mikey, but he was still at Alicia’s. Gerard’s desire to go to Alicia’s to see them was almost stronger than the rational part of his brain that told him to stop being so fucking stupid. He should be able to handle a few days and nights alone. Mikey needed to spend time with his girlfriend. Gerard wandered around absently for half an hour, before a knock at the door roused him from his…well, nothingness.
“So, that dumbass receptionist we had yesterday wouldn’t pull your file up for me. I told her Bob wouldn’t mind, but she was all ‘no, no I’ll get in trouble’ and shit. So I broke into Bob’s office, got your address and here I am. I’m bored,” Frank said when Gerard opened the door.
“You broke into Bob’s office?”
“He’d gone home for the day, what was I supposed to do?” Frank shrugged, and grinned. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” Gerard replied, standing aside to allow Frank in. He was overwhelmingly grateful for the distraction.
--
Mikey and Gerard went apartment hunting the next weekend, and found a place within two hours. Gerard’s work was two blocks away, and Alicia was one block away in the other direction. Mikey called Alicia and surprised her with the place. Gerard was pretty sure he’d never seen either of them as happy as they were right in that moment. Something in his gut twisted, and he had to look away - sometimes, looking at them and seeing what he didn’t have hurt so bad he wanted to throw up.
Mikey took the bigger bedroom, claiming that with Alicia staying over a lot it made more sense to have more room. Gerard didn’t mind, his room had a bigger window. It didn’t look over much but it let in enough light that Gerard didn’t feel like he was back in his parents’ basement. He was trying to leave that part of his life behind.
“So remember the part where I said Alicia would be here a lot?” Mikey asked, not making eye contact. Gerard felt something clench in his chest, throat seizing up.
“Mmm,” Gerard replied, not trusting his voice with anything else.
“Would it be alright if she moved in with us?” Mikey blurted out. Gerard walked over to wear Mikey was standing and pulled him into a hug.
“You don’t have to ask my permission,” Gerard said. Mikey shook his head, stepping back.
“You live here too,” he said, squeezing Gerard’s shoulders. “You have to be ok with this.”
“I’m ok with this,” Gerard replied, grinning. Alicia living with them meant Mikey would be at home at night. Alicia living with them meant Mikey wasn’t moving out. Alicia moving in with them meant Gerard wouldn’t be alone. He was definitely ok with that.
--
Three months later, Bob still hadn’t managed to find a permanent secretary for the marketing department. The girl who was with them at the moment (Julie? Jennifer?) had been there for two weeks but was leaving on Thursday for a better paying job in Brooklyn.
“Her name’s Jessica,” Frank supplied after Gerard made a total idiot of himself greeting her that morning. “What is it with you?”
“It’s just secretaries, I swear. I have no problem remembering anyone else’s name. I don’t speak to a secretary as often as I speak to you or Bob,” Gerard sighed, exasperated. It wasn’t his fault.
--
Gerard didn’t let himself want much. He’d found that wanting things only led to disappointment, and letting other people down. Frank, though. Frank was different. Gerard let himself want Frank; mostly because he was pretty sure it would never happen. Gerard had done a lot to mess up his life in the past, and as a result was still pretty messed up himself. At thirty three, Gerard couldn’t stand spending the night alone. He was pretty sure this wasn’t normal, wasn’t how a thirty three year old was supposed to feel.
“No-one can tell you how you’re supposed to feel,” Mikey argued vehemently anytime Gerard brought it up. “If we’re still living together when we’re sixty, then that’s fine with me. You’re my brother, I’m not leaving you.”
“What about Alicia? She doesn’t want -”
“She loves you too,” Mikey said, and that was the end of the conversation. So, Frank. Gerard couldn’t remember when it started, just remembered realising that part of the reason he looked forward to work so much was because he was looking forward to seeing Frank.
“Hey, so there’s this guy at my work,” Alicia said one night, sitting next to Gerard on the couch.
“Really? There’s a guy at my work too!” Gerard exclaimed sarcastically, nudging Alicia.
“I meant for you,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“So did I,” Gerard murmured.
Part Three
Gerard could get used to sleeping in during the week. He strolled into work at eleven, in an old band t-shirt and jeans. Frank saluted him when he walked past his office, and the blonde receptionist (Melanie? Margaret?) smiled the same smile as the day before. Gerard had only been sitting down for five minutes when Bob stopped by.
“Coping alright?” He asked. Gerard nodded and handed Bob a folder. He’d been up late the night before coming up with concepts for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines marketing. He sat awkwardly whilst Bob flicked through it, making the occasional appreciative noise. “Your friend in Data wasn’t kidding. You’re good.”
“Thanks,” Gerard replied. “Is that the kind of thing you’re looking for, though? I could go in a different direction if -”
“This is perfect,” Bob said, cutting Gerard off. “Present this at the meeting next week and you can get to work on getting it out to the public.”
“Great, ok.” Gerard grinned to himself. It had been a long time since there had been anyone other than Mikey to appreciate his art. It felt good.
“Right so we’re ordering from that expensive steak place today because it’s Meagan’s last day with us. What do you want?”
--
Gerard got home late that night. He’d stayed in the staff room talking to Frank about music for two hours after everyone had left. Mikey was asleep on the couch with Alicia tucked in next to him when he got home; dinner was cold and on the bench. Gerard ate in silence and shook Mikey awake gently. Mikey hated sleeping on the couch - he was just a little too tall for it to be comfortable and his neck always cramped up.
“Go to bed,” Gerard murmured quietly. Mikey nodded and stood up, yawning. He woke Alicia up, who smiled and waved sleepily at Gerard, before stumbling after Mikey into his bedroom.
“How’s the new job?” She asked quietly, standing at the door. Behind her, Mikey was already under the covers and almost asleep again.
“Good,” Gerard replied, smiling. “Really good.”
“Awesome,” Alicia replied. “Goodnight.” Mikey always left his bedroom door open, so Gerard watched as Alicia slid into bed next to Mikey, tucking her head underneath his chin. Mikey pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and wrapped his arms around her. They were kind of disgustingly cute together, and Gerard knew it was only a matter of time before either she moved in with them or Mikey moved in with her. Gerard hoped with unnatural desperation that it was the former.
--
The next morning, Gerard watched as Alicia and Mikey moved around in the kitchen as if doing a choreographed routine. Alicia ducked as Mikey turned around with two steaming mugs of coffee, and moved to the side easily when he opened the fridge door.
“You two are disgusting,” Gerard muttered, grinning over his coffee. Mikey grinned back, and pulled Alicia towards him for a long, showy kiss. Gerard rolled his eyes, drained his coffee, and grabbed his bag off the counter.
“I’ll probably stay at Alicia’s tonight,” Mikey said as Gerard stood up and headed for the door. “Will you be okay?”
Gerard hated being alone in the apartment, especially at night. He wasn’t about to begrudge his brother another night with his girlfriend though. They spent enough time apart as it was.
“Sure,” Gerard said, smiling. “Let me know if you’re coming home, yeah?”
“Okay,” Mikey replied absently. Alicia was leaning against him with her arms wrapped around his waist. Mikey smiled down at her. Gerard rolled his eyes again and left.
--
A temp secretary had replaced the girl who had been on the desk the day Gerard started. She lasted all of two days, before someone else took her place
“She didn’t last long,” Gerard commented to Frank.
“They never do,” Frank replied sadly, shaking his head.
“How long was the other girl here?” Gerard asked.
“Meagan? A year,” Frank muttered. “Shut-up. Whatever. My point is temp receptionists suck. They don’t know anything about the company, so we get filthy looks when we walk in here at 10:30, or when we swear at Bryar for forgetting the extra spring rolls with lunch.”
“I can understand that,” Gerard reasoned, “but I also see your point. Can they not find a permanent replacement?”
“They will eventually.”
--
Gerard was glad for the weekend - as relaxed as this new job was, he needed a couple of days off. His plan had been to start thinking about looking at places in the city with Mikey, but he was still at Alicia’s. Gerard’s desire to go to Alicia’s to see them was almost stronger than the rational part of his brain that told him to stop being so fucking stupid. He should be able to handle a few days and nights alone. Mikey needed to spend time with his girlfriend. Gerard wandered around absently for half an hour, before a knock at the door roused him from his…well, nothingness.
“So, that dumbass receptionist we had yesterday wouldn’t pull your file up for me. I told her Bob wouldn’t mind, but she was all ‘no, no I’ll get in trouble’ and shit. So I broke into Bob’s office, got your address and here I am. I’m bored,” Frank said when Gerard opened the door.
“You broke into Bob’s office?”
“He’d gone home for the day, what was I supposed to do?” Frank shrugged, and grinned. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” Gerard replied, standing aside to allow Frank in. He was overwhelmingly grateful for the distraction.
--
Mikey and Gerard went apartment hunting the next weekend, and found a place within two hours. Gerard’s work was two blocks away, and Alicia was one block away in the other direction. Mikey called Alicia and surprised her with the place. Gerard was pretty sure he’d never seen either of them as happy as they were right in that moment. Something in his gut twisted, and he had to look away - sometimes, looking at them and seeing what he didn’t have hurt so bad he wanted to throw up.
Mikey took the bigger bedroom, claiming that with Alicia staying over a lot it made more sense to have more room. Gerard didn’t mind, his room had a bigger window. It didn’t look over much but it let in enough light that Gerard didn’t feel like he was back in his parents’ basement. He was trying to leave that part of his life behind.
“So remember the part where I said Alicia would be here a lot?” Mikey asked, not making eye contact. Gerard felt something clench in his chest, throat seizing up.
“Mmm,” Gerard replied, not trusting his voice with anything else.
“Would it be alright if she moved in with us?” Mikey blurted out. Gerard walked over to wear Mikey was standing and pulled him into a hug.
“You don’t have to ask my permission,” Gerard said. Mikey shook his head, stepping back.
“You live here too,” he said, squeezing Gerard’s shoulders. “You have to be ok with this.”
“I’m ok with this,” Gerard replied, grinning. Alicia living with them meant Mikey would be at home at night. Alicia living with them meant Mikey wasn’t moving out. Alicia moving in with them meant Gerard wouldn’t be alone. He was definitely ok with that.
--
Three months later, Bob still hadn’t managed to find a permanent secretary for the marketing department. The girl who was with them at the moment (Julie? Jennifer?) had been there for two weeks but was leaving on Thursday for a better paying job in Brooklyn.
“Her name’s Jessica,” Frank supplied after Gerard made a total idiot of himself greeting her that morning. “What is it with you?”
“It’s just secretaries, I swear. I have no problem remembering anyone else’s name. I don’t speak to a secretary as often as I speak to you or Bob,” Gerard sighed, exasperated. It wasn’t his fault.
--
Gerard didn’t let himself want much. He’d found that wanting things only led to disappointment, and letting other people down. Frank, though. Frank was different. Gerard let himself want Frank; mostly because he was pretty sure it would never happen. Gerard had done a lot to mess up his life in the past, and as a result was still pretty messed up himself. At thirty three, Gerard couldn’t stand spending the night alone. He was pretty sure this wasn’t normal, wasn’t how a thirty three year old was supposed to feel.
“No-one can tell you how you’re supposed to feel,” Mikey argued vehemently anytime Gerard brought it up. “If we’re still living together when we’re sixty, then that’s fine with me. You’re my brother, I’m not leaving you.”
“What about Alicia? She doesn’t want -”
“She loves you too,” Mikey said, and that was the end of the conversation. So, Frank. Gerard couldn’t remember when it started, just remembered realising that part of the reason he looked forward to work so much was because he was looking forward to seeing Frank.
“Hey, so there’s this guy at my work,” Alicia said one night, sitting next to Gerard on the couch.
“Really? There’s a guy at my work too!” Gerard exclaimed sarcastically, nudging Alicia.
“I meant for you,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“So did I,” Gerard murmured.
Part Three