That's What You Get

Chapter Ten: The Return of Tension

The door slammed open with a rush of cold air, and Mikey jumped, startled by the sudden intrusion. He'd been sitting alone on the couch, his mind tangled in the remnants of his encounter with Pete. He hadn't realized how badly he needed the distance from the man, but now that the house was filled with movement again, he couldn't shake the unease still clinging to him.

"Mikey?" Donna's voice was sharp with worry as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of trouble. Gerard followed close behind, his face drawn and tense.

Mikey stood slowly, his body stiff, and he forced a smile. "Mom, Gerard... you're back early."

"Don't play it off like nothing happened," Donna said, her voice trembling slightly. She rushed toward him, placing a hand on his arm, her fingers tight. "I was so worried about you. Leaving you alone with him..."

Mikey pulled back slightly, unsure of how to react. He hated the pity in her eyes, the concern that only reminded him of how trapped he was in the situation with Pete. "I'm fine, Mom. Pete left."

"You're sure?" Donna's gaze narrowed. "He didn't-"

"I'm fine," Mikey repeated, more forcefully this time. He met his mother's eyes, trying to convince both her and himself. "Nothing happened."

Gerard stayed quiet for a moment, observing the exchange with a tense frown. He was still processing everything, the unease swirling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't trust Pete, and he wasn't sure what had gone down when they'd been alone together. But he had seen the way Mikey looked when they had first arrived. The guarded expression. The distance between him and his mother. Gerard could tell that something was off, even if Mikey wasn't saying it.

"We should talk about this," Gerard finally said, his voice low but firm. "You're not alone in this, Mikey."

Mikey hesitated. He didn't want to relive any of it, not now, not in front of them. He just wanted the tension to go away, for things to feel normal again. But the weight of the silence that followed was heavier than any words.

"Do you want to tell us what happened?" Donna asked softly, her voice edged with concern. She was looking at him, really looking, as though she could somehow see through the walls he had built up over the years.

Mikey clenched his fists, the urge to pull away almost overwhelming. "There's nothing to tell."

Donna didn't let it go. "Mikey," she said quietly, her voice thick with worry. "Please... if something happened, you can tell me. You don't have to carry this alone."

He didn't want to, didn't know how to explain the twisted emotions that churned inside him. There was the anger, the confusion, and something else, something darker, that he didn't want to face. The pull toward Pete, even after everything, felt like a betrayal of himself, yet it was undeniable. But how could he say that to his mother? To Gerard?

Mikey shook his head. "He just... he came by. Said some things. Tried to get in my head again." He couldn't bring himself to say anything more. He didn't need them to know how deeply Pete's words had gotten under his skin, how each moment alone with him had left a mark.

Gerard crossed his arms, his gaze still locked on Mikey. "Did he hurt you, Mikey?" There was a flicker of anger, protectiveness, in his voice, but it was controlled, like he was trying not to let it take over. "Tell me, and I'll take care of it. You don't have to deal with him anymore."

Mikey looked away, biting his lip. "No. He didn't hurt me."

Donna's expression softened, but there was still fear in her eyes. "I just don't want you to think you're alone in this anymore. We're your family, Mikey. You don't have to hide anything from us."