Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Pete's head hung low as he sat on the edge of the couch. He hadn't had the nicest of disagreements with mikey before he left for work. Tension was high at the moment, with his going for a higher promotional position in work and Mikey being swamped with patients at the hospital. Valentines seemed to be successful this year as he couldn't recall a single day in September where the wards weren't at full capacity.

Pete admired Mikey and his successful career, feeling a little insignificant being a car salesman and all, but it's not like he hasn't tried, his boyfriend just went for a more socially recognised role, regarding status.
He knew that he was just stressed out. He knew they were fine all around, they loved each other after all and wouldn't have been together already 10 months now if they weren't fine. Pete just needed to give him space for the moment while the hospital gradually made their way through the plethora of new mothers.

Their argument had been particularly nasty this morning as one of the new mothers on the ward was Mikey's brothers boyfriend, Frank. They met before a couple of times when the family got together and pete was brought along as a plus 1. Obviously knowing him before the pregnancy, it was a shock to pete when they announced it as there aren't many cases of male pregnancy happening in the world let alone Jersey.
Pete is still in disbelief about the whole ordeal but if this was some sort of sick inside joke then they were dedicated to it. 9 months later and her we are.

Gerard had specifically asked Mikey to assist Frank with his pregnancy because he trusted him to handle Frank with care.
So when Mikey had to explain that he couldn't make any exceptions to see pete during work because this delivery was one of his most crucial, Pete erupted into hysterics.

"9 months of lies you've been telling me just so you can convince me to not bother you on your day off? Mikey you're unbelievable.. if you wanted peace you could've just asked" Pete spat from across the living room.

Mikey just stood unmoving, "I've told you a thousand times. Today is Gerard big day and I have to be there for it Pete" he frowned, unimpressed and hurt. They've talked this over many times and he still won't believe him.

"Just go" Pete shook his head in disbelief and turned on his heel, he couldn't bear to look at him. When he came back into the living room, Mikey was gone from the doorway, he sat back down and held his head in him hands.

Pete's temples throbbed with worry about Mikey. What if he hates him? What if doesn't talk to him when he comes home? What if the delivery goes wrong? Pete can't believe he's even considering it.

His phone buzzed.

Pete turned his head to be met with the flickering screen of his phone. Mikeys contact name and picture flashed on the screen while the phone vibrated subtly again the leather couch. He sighed and picked it up preparing a wallowing speech about how he's sorry about their fight this morning and just wishes he'd come home, it now being 5pm.

He slid the answer button and brought it to his ear. "Hey Mike's" Pete started lowley, unsure of the mood yet.

A more gravely voice returned his greeting, catching him off guard. "Pete I need you to come to the hospital."

"Gerard? Why do you have Mikey's phone? Is he alright?" He blurted out not even giving his boyfriend's brother the chance to finish.

He heard Gerard suck in a breath on the other line. "They gave it to me- just get over here Pete." Click.

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Pete wasted no time in scrambling to find his keys and head straight for the hospital. 

Upon arrival, there was already a commotion and he hadn't even made it inside the building. Police had been called and there was a crowed of very unhappy people who weren't being let inside. 

Gerard was stood by the entrance behind police tape, tapping his foot anxiously. He frantically started to wave his arms when he saw Pete getting closer to him. 

Gerard has to reassure the officer barricading the entrance that we was allowed in as he was "related to the victim" and it had only just hit Pete. 

Gerard yanked Pete inside by his wrist and started towards the wing that Mikey worked on. Pete snatched his wrist back and stopped in his tracks, a flurry of panicked nurses and doctors havjbg to swerve around him in the corridor. 

"Pete c'mon we need to go now" Gerard ushered, eyebrows furrowed in frustration. He was drenched with sweat and dread and Pete swears he could see a few tear stains, although he sounded composed. 

"Is Mikey hurt? What did you mean by 'victim'?" Pete gritted his teeth as he spoke, he was still in the dark about the situation but he new something must've been up if Gerard went out of his way to talk to him.  

The black haired man rolled his eyes and reached for Pete again, "I can't explain it- its easier to take you there.." he mumbled the last bit, almost like he was thinking out loud. Pete's sleeve was pulled again but he didn't move.

"I want to know what's going on, I'm never told anything, Gee, and you're scaring me." 

He instantly dropped Pete's arm and glared at him, "you don't get to call me that." 

Gerard scowled at him before turning away and heading further down the corridor, leaving Pete no choice but to follow his lead. 

They reached a busy set of double doors to one of the operating rooms. A collection of staff and patients were gathered along the sides of the corridor, exchanging 'what's happening' 'I'm not quite sure.'

Gerard stopped before entering, spinning around to face Pete. "Just.. take my hand." Gerard offered his hand to Pete, who took it with a reluctant glance. Pete wondered if it was more for his own or Gerard's comfort but I didn't matter. He squeezed it as Gerard opened one of the doors. 

The blindly white light of the operating room was the first thing to fill his vision 

And then is was the soft beep of the heart the monitor in the corner of the room and slow breaths coming from the patient in the bed. And then it was the smell of blood. 

Metallic and poisonous to his nose. Pete' hands instantly flew to cover his face, a wave of nausea flooding over him. Gerard turned to him to check if he was alright. "Hey look at me, this is as bad as its going to get so just hang on." 

Pete nodded and took his hand again, still covering his airways with his other palm. Pete blinked a couple times while adjusting to the harsh light. When he came around he saw Frank motionless on the hospital bed, only breathing very shallowly but his heart rate steady. Underneath him was brutal. Pooling around his legs, dripping onto the floor and violently sprayed against 3 of the rooms walls was a glistening red liquid.

Pete's eyes darted all around the room, frantically scanning for any potential drips to fall on him. It really was something out a gruesome movie scene, something comparable to a red room. He noticed that Gerard had caught some on the back of his shoulder, deep clots staining his shirt. Pete grimaced at the thought before his vision focused past his shoulder, and onto the suspiciously clean area on the floor beside the bed. 

Something had clearly been stood there and it obstructed a fair portion of the room from the blood shower. 

The two men came further into the room and stood besides the bed in the clean stripe. A nurse was also sat by the bed but she was there just to monitor Frank's vitals and keep him stable. 

"He had a difficult birth" Gerard said slowly, fining his words. Pete just nodded. 

"And" he turned. 

"An accident happened." Gerard was deadpan with Pete when he faced him, although his hand was shaking in Pete's grip. 

As if in instict Pete's eyes started to well up despite not even being told anything. He squeezed Gerard's hand before speaking. "Mikey?" Gerard just looked away.

He sucked his teeth, the rising feeling of anger becoming more prominent. "What happened, Gerard?" 

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And they announced him?" 

"Dead, Pete, he's dead" Gerard finished bluntly. 

Pete bit his lip and looked away from him. He couldn't look at anyone right now he just wanted to be alone, alone with Mikey. His fist shook at his side before he shook his head. 

"You're seriously telling me that the blunt force trauma was that fatal?" Pete did his best to keep his voice down, it was lucky enough they were allowed in the operating room, he didn't need to get them kicked out. 

"-And later passed second impact syndrome? Yes. The blunt forced just gave him a concussion." Gerard seemed uncomfortably calm for his liking and Pete couldn't held but feel enraged. 

"And you didn't even think to call me right away? I understand that you're his emergency contact but we were going to get engaged soon.. you knew this!" He pleaded, offended that not him or Frank even thought to contact Mikey before his passing, it made him feel sick. 

A tear threatened to fall from his eye but he let it flow effortlessly. Pete was angry but even more so distraught. He felt so incredibly guilt ridden over the last words uttered to him. Their fight delt like a dead weight on his soul. 

Pete sniffed hard, a quite sob escaping him before he brought himself to look at Gerard again. He was frowning and his expression was soft but hey wasn't he crying too? He wasn't weak for crying right? It was normal to feel this hurt over a loved one right? 

Pete dropped his gaze to Frank on the bed behind Gerard. 

"And you" he stood up straight so he could properly look at him over his shoulder. 

Frank remained unmoving as he was still unconscious while his chest rose softly under the thin hospital cover.

"How dare you, Mikey was so nervous about today. He was stressed out of his god damn mind because your husband means so much to him. He loves Gerard and he didn't want to fuck up such a big responsibility" his voice started to rise subconsciously as he pointed an amusing finger at the unconscious man. 

"I mean-" he stifled a laugh "did you even have the kid? Were you even pregnant to begin with?" 

Gerard tensed before standing fully in front of Pete, shielding Frank from view. "Enough, what are you talking about?" He scowled. Pete knew how defensive he got over his husband but was too in his own head to hold back his tongue now. 

"I mean seriously? I can't believe you're still keeping up this joke after he died. Men can't get pregnant dumb ass, is this some sort of sick joke?" Pete squared up to Gerard, only being a couple inches smaller than him didn't matter now. 

He shoved Pete back againt the far wall of the room. "Be carful with your next choice of words" Gerard threatened, his breath hot and uncomfortable in Pete's face. 

"You're the one who's got to be careful." He attempted to knock against his shoulder to create space between them but Gerard didn't move, grabbing his wrist instead. 

"What the fuck man! Mikey's dead and you don't even give a shit!" Pete gasped at the gesture before ripping his hand back and throwing a fist straight at Gerards jaw. 

He staggered back and created that distance. Gerard held his jaw as the dull pain began to spread across his lower face. Wiping his forehead and brushing all long black hair out of his face, Gerard spat on the ground beside them, creating a small clear pool in the ocean of red around the room. Pete suddenly remembered the blood and suddenly became very aware of the wall he was backed against, so he jumped forward. 

Gerard took this opportunity to lunge at Pete, knotting a fistjin his hair tight to his scalp and yanking hard, pulling his head down and making him bend down awkwardly. 

His other first joined in on the other side of the brunette's head, locking him in place. 

Pete felt a sudden moment of calm before his jaw was forcefully clenched together as Gerard's knee came flying up against the corner of his jaw, right under his ear. 

Pete cried out as he was brought to his knees while desperately clutching his face. 

"Get out. This is why I didn't call you, Wentz. Go" Gerard lightly kicked him woth his inner shoe, not in an aggressive sense but a prompt. 

All he could do was whimper, smoothing his aching jaw as he shuffled out of the room, head hung low. Not only had he received the worst news in his entire life, but he'd just had his ass kicked in what he believed in.