The Music Box

Curiosity.

Micky rolled over slightly, eyes fluttering open in the dark. He blinked a few times for his eyes to adjust and took a few seconds to place himself. He licked his lips as he stretched a bit to see the clock on the wall, getting that bad taste from being asleep for too long. When he realized that it was five in the morning, Micky was just going to settle back into sleep, no one should be awake this early.

But as he shifted a bit, he realized the reason he was extra comfortable was because Mike was next to him with his arm wrapped around his middle. He slowly dragged his eyes up Mike's arm and to his sleeping face. He smiled to himself. He sank down farther into the blanket, doing his best to keep quiet but sadly, Mike flinched awake.

He shifted, rubbing his eyes and sitting up slightly, moving his arm off of Micky who then rolled under him. "What time is it?"

"Five." Micky said with a small frown. Mike's eyes widened a bit and he quickly glanced up at the door. "It's locked, don't worry."

Mike shook his head. "We shouldn't fall asleep with the door locked. It's a hazard and I gotta get back to my bed." He started to shuffle like he was getting out of the bed, Micky clasped his hand over his wrist. Mike sighed and looked at the boy laying under him.

"I don't do this to hurt your feelings, y'know?" Mike stroked the side of Micky's face.

"I know." Micky shrugged.

"It's just- we can't sleep with the door locked and I don't want no one walking in on..." Mike gestured between them awkwardly and Micky tilted his head with slight amusement. "Especially after yesterday with Davy."

Micky's face fell a bit, having nearly forgotten that. Mike took the opportunity to get up, unlock the door and go to his bed. Micky watched him and tried to settle back in himself but he just wasn't as comfortable. So he waited until Mike was asleep and threw his legs over the side of his bed and got up.

He strolled a little sluggishly down the stairs to the kitchen for a glass of water or something. His eyes were still sort of bleary, so he rubbed his fists into them. When he pulled away and saw Davy at the table, he must've jumped because he was startled too.

"Hey, Davy....wasn't expecting to have company this early." Micky chuckled awkwardly and moved to their fridge. Davy watched him with his eyes.

"Well if you stay, it's what you're getting." He replied, sounding annoyed as he went to sip at his own drink. Micky sighed to himself, electing to ignore his tone in the hopes that it wouldn't turn into anything. He poured his glass and glanced back at Davy from over his shoulder.

"Why aren't you in bed?" He asked, a little concerned despite the fact that he was also up at the same hour. Davy pursed his lips.

"Why aren't you?" He countered and Micky opened his mouth to respond. "I thought Mike was tight on the whole 'getting enough sleep for our gigs the next day'...." He had a flicker of something Micky didn't like in his eyes.

"Don't, Davy." Micky held up his hand, not willing to fight right now. He almost wished he had a little white surrender flag.

"Don't have time for this? What, is he missing you up there?" Davy asked with annoyance and Micky slammed his glass back down on the water ring on the counter.

"We're not breaking it off Davy, so you're just gonna have to accept it." Micky glared and Davy looked troubled at the comment. He bit into his cheek and tapped his fingers onto the table. "Davy, you're my best friend and...I really hope you can get past this." Micky said softer as he took the seat across from him.

Davy looked up from the table and stared Micky in the eyes. "So tell me then, you guys are gay?"

Micky rocked on his chair a bit and toyed with his hands. "Well, I can't speak for Mike but ughh..." He looked back up to meet Davy's eyes. "I would say that I am, yes."

Davy felt like he was hit by a tidal wave. He couldn't believe that Micky was just able to say it...just like that. He swallowed and furrowed his brows. He looked up again and Micky was sitting there, nervously bouncing his leg. Davy felt a bit guilty. "You are?" He asked dumbly.

Micky smiled a bit and picked at the table. "Well Yeah." He shrugged and ran his hand through his hair.

"How'd you know?" Davy lets the question slip and almost regrets it when Micky considers it.

"Well, it started with Mike....and then I thought that It was just Mike I was attracted to that way." Micky shook his head with a little laugh at himself. "So I kept it up with the...women." He gestured awkwardly.

Davy nodded, growing a little weary.

"And it just wasn't....fun?...it felt like something was missing." Micky's cheeks were starting to flush and Davy wanted to stop him, boy did he not want to hear anything he shouldn't, but he needed to know.

"I don't know. And...and then Mike-"

"And how did that happen-?" Davy asked but Micky shook his head.

"It's a long story. But when Mike and I...you know-"

"Yeah, I got it." Davy waved his hand, to let him know not to go on. Micky's smile grew a bit.

"Well, it was like everything fell into place. And when you know, you know." Micky shrugged, suddenly shy. But he continued to have that smile on his face as he explained. Davy could only describe it as sweet.

"Anyway...I'm gonna go to sleep now. And pretend that discussing that with you didn't make me uncomfortable" Micky stood up and chuckled. He then downed the water before putting the glass in the sink. Davy wanted to ask him a question but he held it back.

He let out a sigh when he heard Micky retreat into his room. 'And when you know, you know.'

Davy frowned. 'What the hell did that mean?'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Davy sat on the edge of his bed the next morning while the others ate breakfast. He toyed with the music box for a few seconds as he thought about what Micky had told him last night.

'So I kept it up with the...women.... And it just wasn't....fun?...it felt like something was missing.'

Davy wasn't sure what to do with the information running through his mind. He spent almost his whole life thus far chasing skirt. He liked birds. He knew he did. But...yet Micky's explanation resonated with him.

He scowled to himself and went to turn the little handle on the side. Instantly, it started to softly chime it's song. Davy focused on it like he had many times before. But this time, as the tune went on, the words just popped into his mind. He sang them in his head to the tune just to make sure it was correct. "Oooh!"

He grinned, proud of himself. So naturally, when Peter walked in looking for his jacket, Davy burst off the bed. "I've got it!"

Peter tilted his head and went to open his mouth.

"It's 'You Are My Sunshine'! I can't believe I didn't figure that out sooner." Davy looked down at the music box that sat in his palm and poked it happily. "Innit that something?"

Peter smiled with interest and looked down at Davy's proud face. "That's groovy." He couldn't help but let himself be a little giddy that Davy was so suddenly fascinated with his gift.

Peter reached over and twirled the handle as it laid in Davy's open palm and the music started softly. They stood their, both smiling down at the box.

Peter reminded himself not to get his hopes up.