Rivals: The Killjoys vs. The Youngbloods

19. You Definitely Did Not See That One Coming

Pete huffed as he stared out the window. "I can't believe that everyone gets to go outside, but I have to stay in here on babysitting duty."

Mikey spread his body out across the bed. "It's not so bad, think of it as taking a break." He watched Pete sigh and drop the curtain.

"Yes, because when I think of taking a break, I think of chasing a toddler around a warehouse to make sure she doesn't kill herself or get high on your stash."

Mikey grinned. "My stash is on high ground, trust me Artemis can't reach it."

"That's not the point!" Pete plopped down on the bed beside Mikey. "I was the one who found Elton and Louisa, I helped get the information about Courtney." He rested his head on Mikey's shoulder. "I should be out there."

Mikey wrapped an arm around Pete's waist. "Courtney's going to be looking for you. If you're out there then she has a better chance of finding you."

Pete's body seemed to deflate. "That blows, but at least I get to be here with you."

"About that..." Mikey said quietly. "I told Ray that I'd help him with a lead he found on Dr. Death."

Pete rolled off of Mikey. "So, you're leaving too," he said disappointed.

"I'm sorry, but I have too. I'm a leader, you can't expect me to just sit around all day and do nothing," Mikey put his hands behind his head.

"Right, but that's exactly what's expected from me," Pete snapped, a little hurt. "To just stay at home and watch a baby while you and Ray steal my lead."

Mikey rolled his eyes. "I need you here where you can be safe. I can't be responsible for keeping you out of trouble all the time."

"So you're saying I don't know how to take care of myself?" Pete raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not the one who showed up on an assassin's door with a plan to say 'Hello!,'" Mikey said. "You don't think about consequences, you just act. You're like a child."

"And you're an asshole." Pete stood. "What's wrong with you?"

Mikey shrugged nochalantly. "I'm telling you the truth, you're just too immature to accept it."

Pete stared at Mikey, a hurt expression on his face. "Mikey-"

Mikey swallowed back the guilt. "I'll see you in a couple hours," he said bitterly. "Try not to lose the baby."

Pete watched Mikey leave, trying not to show the pain he was feeling.

Mikey slammed the door behind him. He took a shuddering breath and pressed his forehead to the cool door.

He had never acted this way towards Pete. Even when Mikey was being an asshole, he was always joking about it. This was unknown territory for both of them.

Mikey had just hoped his new attitude was enough to distance himself and make Pete leave him.

Mikey sighed and headed down the hall. He entered the kitchen, muttering to himself as he ran a hand through his hair.

Mikey forgot he was not alone.

Patrick and Ray sat at the kitchen table. Ray made eye contact with Mikey, begging him to stay calm.

Patrick looked up at him, hiding a smirk. "Couple troubles?"

"What are you doing here?" Mikey hissed.

"Making sure you don't skip out on our deal," Patrick sipped from a mug- Gerard's mug. "Seems like your methods are working."

"Fuck you." Mikey snapped. "Don't you have something better to do?"