Like a Koala

“You guys have only been on the road for, what, two weeks, and already he’s sick?”

“Uh… yeah,” Justin replied, glancing over at Mikey, who was currently passed out in his bunk. “I mean, he’s been fighting a cold for the past week or so, anyway, and we’ve been far too busy for our liking, so it was only a matter of time until he did get really sick. Gerard, you should’ve seen him last night. He went backstage, like, three times to throw up, but he kept performing.”

“He’s never really made the smartest decisions,” Gerard sighed. Justin could detect the fondness in the older Way’s voice. “I assumed you called to ask what you’re supposed to do when he’s sick.”

“Exactly. I figure that, y’know, since you’re his older brother, you’d know what to do.”

“Well, he’s really particular about the medicine he takes. Do not give him anything cherry flavored- he hates it. He’ll spit it right back up. He’ll take grape flavored medicine, but it’s not his favorite. He can’t take Tylenol, and if he takes Advil, it has to be those Liqui-Gel things- don’t ask me why. If all else fails, Nyquil’s the answer- he’ll be out like a light.”

“Anything other than his medicinal preferences?”

“Um… he’s a bit childish when he gets sick. It’s kind of adorable, really. He likes to cling to the nearest person like a koala, so don’t freak out if he does that. If Bob Bryar could stand it, I’m sure you and Dave can, too. He likes to watch “Scooby-Doo,” and I’m sure he has a couple DVDs in his bag that he reserved for times like these. And, as with anyone that gets sick, make sure he gets lots of rest and drinks plenty of fluids. I think that’s it…”

“Okay… uh, talk to you later, I guess,” Justin said. He hung up and glanced back over to Mikey, who was wrapped in three or four thick comforters, his breathing audible. Their next show was in two days, so there was time for Mikey to at least get some rest before they had to do get a tech to substitute for him. Dave had left a few minutes ago to get some medicine (apparently he already knew Mikey’s medicinal preferences), so it was just the two of them.

A tiny groan escaped Mikey as he finally woke up. He looked miserable, at best.

“Hey, man,” Justin murmured quietly, “How are you feeling?”

“Feel like there’s a fuckin’ mosh pit in my head,” Mikey grunted, rubbing at his eyes. Justin could detect the grogginess in his friend’s features.

“Well, then, I’m glad I’m not in your position, Mikes,” Justin replied, giving Mikey a small smile. “You need anything?”

“…This is going to sound really childish,” Mikey mumbled sheepishly, “But I, uh, I have a few Scooby-Doo DVDs in my luggage-”

“Gerard told me that you like to watch Scooby-Doo when you’re sick,” Justin laughed, “Yeah. I’ll go find ‘em, man. You go to the couch and get comfortable.”

It wasn’t too difficult for Justin to find the DVDs. Mikey’s luggage had been very well-organized, to his surprise, so he had the DVDs within minutes. When he came back into what was dubbed the living room of the somewhat cramped bus, Justin found that Mikey had made himself comfortable on the couch. Justin put one of the DVDs into the player and sat down beside Mikey.

“There a reason why you watch Scooby-Doo when you’re sick?” Justin asked, genuinely curious. He didn’t protest when Mikey laid his head down on his shoulder. Instead, he draped an arm over the older male’s shoulder, remembering what Gerard said.

“I don’t know… I guess it just distracts you from the fact that you can’t breathe through your nose and makes you forget that your head is pounding,” Mikey replied, “Speaking of headaches… where’s Dave? It’s way too quiet in here.”