The Emo Trinity/Quartet Book

Aftereffects (MCR AU)

A few things before I begin:
1 -- Slight angst warning, since this is roughly based off of "Mama" 's lyrics and "The Ghost of You" 's music video... and you know what happens in that :(
2 -- Gerard is in Bullets era, Frank in Black Parade, Ray in Danger Days, and Mikey is in Revenge. Also, Mikey has (or should I say had) asthma (remember his fake inhaler? hehe).
3 -- I write too much about MCR, I REALLY need to focus on the others more...
4 -- some Frerard in here... I also write too much Frerard.  Smh

Heads up: This first part's got a lot of changing around, since it's Gerard's various memories.

The Emo Wars.

They had affected everyone involved, be they of the KYS (Killjoy Youngblood S!nner) Regiment, the Pop Artists, or simply a bystander, but they'd especially taken their toll on the My Chemical Romance members, the Ways in particular.

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"And when you go, don't return to me, my love."

Gerard could still recall the disappointed face of his mother as she'd closed the door.  He'd known she wouldn't be pleased about his going off to fight in the war, but this wasn't the send-off he'd hoped for.  He turned and looked over at Mikey.  "Are you sure you want to accompany me? War is no place for--" he broke off, realizing Mikey wouldn't want to be treated differently because of his asthma.  "I'll be fine," Mikey assured him, adjusting his glasses.  "Okay," Gerard replied.  He and Mikey picked up their suitcases and headed for the train.

TIME LAPSE: AFTER THE EMO WARS

"If he hadn't been so loyal to you, he'd still be alive!" 

The harsh words rang in Gerard's ears even now, years after his mother had said them -- and disowned him.  She'd been reluctant to let Mikey fight in the Emo Wars, and she had seemed to have regretted her agreement even more.  This time, instead of simply closing the (goddang) door, she full on slammed it in Gerard's face.  He flinched back, tears threatening to form.  Why didn't she understand he was grieving as much as she was? Disheartened, Gerard turned and limped away.

PRESENT DAY:

"Hey, you alright?" Ray waved a hand in front of Gerard's face.  He blinked and nodded.  Yeah, he signed.  During the Emo Wars, Gerard's tongue and vocal chords had been badly injured from stray bullets, leaving him mute; he, Ray, and Frank had learned Sign Language to communicate better.  Gerard also had gotten shot in the leg; he'd refused amputation and therforhad a limp.   

(If you're interested in Sign Language, here's a chart:)

"Wanna eat?" Ray asked, offering Gerard a plate of french toast.  Gerard smiled in agreement and sat down, leaning his crutch against the table.  They ate in relative silence, lost in their own thoughts.  Ray tried to spark up a conversation -- "Sooo..." -- but when neither of the others responded, he gave up.

When he was done, Gerard stood, limping away.  Ever since the Wars, Gerard had been uncommunicative.  Frank stood, exchanging a glance with Ray, who nodded.  "Go on."

Frank found Gerard in his room, sitting on the bed.  He was staring at an old photo of them, all of them, before the war.  He hadn't bothered to open the shutters, so most of the light in the room came from the open door.  "Hey," Frank said, standing in the doorway.  Gerard jumped, and started to set the photo back on his nightstand, but Frank shook his head.  "Don't mind me.  Keep reminiscing." With a sly wink, he added, "You get this dreamy, adorable look on your face." Gerard closed his eyes and smiled cheekily.

Frank laughed and walked in, sitting down and leaning his head against Gerard's shoulder.  They sat in silence for a while, and Frank closed his eyes; as he was about to drift off, Gerard tapped him on the shoulder.  I miss him, Gerard signed, still looking at the photo.  "We all do," Frank agreed.

...

I'm stuck on where to take this; it's just supposed to be a short story but I've got a bit of writer's block even so.  Um. . .  enjoy? :)