Monkees

Stars 1 (Shattered Peace)

"Pete, have you seen Mike?" He looked up from his book at the sound of his name. Peter shook his head and Micky sighed.

"Can you not find him?"

"Nope."

"He's probably just in his room or something," Davy muttered.

"No, he's not. Checked there first."

After a few more theories, it hit Peter.

"He likes to go on walks on the beach." He said quietly. "He's probably just there. And if he's not, he'll come back soon on his own."

The other two looked at him for a moment and he shrugged.

"He likes to wander off when he wants to be alone. He always comes back when he's ready, but I can check the beach if you'd like me to."

Micky nodded with a small "thank you" and Peter set his book down, stepping outside.

It didn't take long before he was able to find Mike, who was lying down on the floor of the balcony, gazing blindly upward. He looked like he was in some sort of catatonic trance.

"Mike, are you okay?" Peter asked, getting on his knees, causing Mike to jolt up and stare at Peter, frightened. After a few seconds, the fear went away. He sighed and looked back down.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Guess I just got a little lost in my own head, I guess."

Peter nodded and Mike laid back down.

"What're you doing here?"

"Watching the stars." He muttered softly. Obviously, this wasn't something he did very often. Or at least, told anyone about. Peter smiled.

"May I join you?"

Mike shrugged and Peter laid beside him, staring up.

"It's nice out." He said softly. Mike agreed with a nod and content sigh.

"Reminds me of home."

Peter was a little startled. Mike had never talked about is home or childhood, ever. He felt proud of his friend for feeling comfortable enough to share and waited to see if he'd say more. To his surprise, he did.

"My aunt Kate, my dad's sister, had this big farm. Not too far from where we were living. Like walking or biking distance. She didn't have any livestock, just a large open field of crops. I used to play there with my baby cousins when we were younger. But as I got older, I used to run out and run all the way to her farm. And I would just lay down in the field and watch the stars come and it would calm me down. Then when I'd go inside, she always had a cup of tea, or a plate of cookies, or something there. Just waiting for me."

He took a deep breath. This clearly wasn't a very easy thing for him to do. Peter knew that. Still, he couldn't help his curiosity.

"Why did you go there? Instead of going home."

He instantly regretted the question the second he was done asking it. It was dark, but he could see the look on Mike's face change. He had said something that hit hard.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean. I shouldn't have asked that. You really don't have to answer that."

He stammered quickly but Mike ignored him, his face twisting into a scowl. He let out a laugh, one that was full of pain and hatred.

"That place was never my home. I may have lived there, but that was never my home." He muttered, practically fuming, "never was. Tried for years to run and get out of there but they'd always come back to claim their precious son."

He scoffed and laughed, but Peter stayed silent, watching his friend worriedly.

"What're you looking at?" Mike turned sharply and Peter jumped.

"You, I'm so sorry you had to go through that but-"

"It's done? It's all over and I don't have to worry about it anymore?!" He laughed again. "Well I don't need your pity!"

Peter was frightened, but he knew he wanted to help.

"No, no, you don't. I'm not giving you my pity. I'm trying to give you care. There's a difference."

"Well, don't! I don't need it!" He jumped up. "Stop sitting here, pretending like you've got me all figured out and know what's going on because you don't! You don't know a thing about me and my life!" He hissed and the words stung, but it didn't stop Peter.

"Michael," he said softly, breathing deeply, "you're right. I don't know what's going on or what you went through. You could tell me everything about every day of your life and I still wouldn't know. But that doesn't mean I don't understand, that doesn't mean I don't care about you either."

Mike turned away and Peter stood, choosing his words carefully before he spoke.

"One thing I do know is that you didn't deserve to be hurt like that. And I'm sorry that you were. Nobody deserves that. I know I said it's in the past and can't hurt you. I know you don't believe me, but it's true. If anyone who did that to you came and found you right now, they'll have to get through Davy, Micky, and me before we let them get to you. Right?"

He smiled but it went away when he saw Mike staring off into the distance, tears filling in his eyes.

"Mike...?"

He broke down, covering his face in his hands and Peter was quick to wrap an arm around him. He flinched on impulse before giving in and burying his face into Peter's chest.

"It's okay, it's okay." He whispered to comfort Mike.

"I'm so sorry!" He chocked out between sobs.

"No, no, no. It's fine, really." It seemed foolish for Mike to be the one apologizing. "You shouldn't be sorry for anything, it's not your fault."

"I'm sorry I snapped at you."

He sighed.

"You didn't snap at me. I didn't know who you snapped at but I could tell it wasn't me. You're okay..." He smiled, and Mike pulled away, wiping his eyes.

"Why are you so good to me?" He asked, causing Peter to frown again.

"Because you deserve that at the very least. Regardless of what anyone else thinks or has told you before."

"No, no, I mean..." he sat down on the ground, Peter joining him, "I don't think I've ever met anyone like you. So...kind and forgiving. I thought it was all an act at first. I thought the 'peace, love, forgiveness'-thing was just a mask to hide some darker intentions."

"Thank you...but I really hope you know that I won't hurt you. Honestly. I don't even think I have it in me to do it. You don't have to believe me, that'll come in time. But for now, are you okay?"

Mike nodded and twitched a smile.

"I think I'm gonna stay out here for a minute."

Peter smiled and nodded but stood.

"I'll join you. Just gonna go inside for a minute or two. I'll be back."