FAMILY STUFF IN DETROIT (IT'S A BREACH?)

[inthesaferoom]

Look, shit happens while they're trying to move and getting used to MISTER CHRISTOPHER REED! (not Mike Munroe Jr or whatever, thank you very much evil Mike)

That stuff happens here. Okay? Okay!

Comments

🍼GAVIN, MIKE, CHRIS

[inthesaferoom]

[ Chris is exactly one month old today, and Mike's not exactly letting that pass by. It's not like this is happening again, at least not for Chris - whenever Mary Angela is born, it'll happen again, and then that's it. Because no way is he having more kids, no way is he letting either of them get pregnant again, no way no how. If some other guy gets pregnant, like evil Mike? That's their fucking problem, not his, thanks.

Anyway, he's up at 3 am because of those early AM feedings, so he just decides to wander around the place setting shit up while the kid is sleeping in a baby sling on his chest. Yeah, a lot of the apartment is getting packed up, but that doesn't mean he can't do something. Wolfie's girlfriend is sleeping on the kitchen floor, in that cat bed she co-opted long ago, getting more and more swollen in the belly. Her own looming birth is ever present, but he's not thinking about that. He's thinking about how he needs to prepare a cake or prepare some food or whatever, nothing Chris can eat but they can? But he's just tired.

So he means to prepare celebration stuff. Instead he's just kind of leaning against the kitchen counter and thinking about how he wants to sleep, but the second he puts this kid down, Chris is going to start yelling about it. He doesn't want Gavin to wake up when he's so damn pregnant himself.

Doesn't want to cause him to wake up at all, even if company would be nice. ]

[ratmanreed]

[ Gavin wakes up: eyelids fluttering when he reaches out and realizes Mike isn’t in bed. It’s a familiar feeling — this worry, this concern — because Gavin’s awoken to Mike’s side of the bed empty before, hasn’t he?

That jolts him awake: not that he distrusts Mike, but the pain is still there. Lingering, from back when Mike would disappear in the night.

And things aren’t like that anymore — they aren’t — but that doesn’t make him any less afraid.

So he shuffles off to the bathroom, then around the apartment afterward. Hair disheveled; shirt pushed up over his stomach; a lone sock on his foot.

Now he stumbles on Mike. Gazing at him with what might look like a deep scowl when, really, Gavin is just half asleep. He lazily waves a hand, squinting at him. Expecting this to come across as proper communication. ]

[inthesaferoom]

[ Mike looks at him as he stumbles into the area. He tries to be very normal about what he's seeing, but that venture is something he immediately fails. He doesn't understand what the guy is trying to communicate, he just knows that Gavin's very attractive now, thanks? He pats Chris on the head in an attempt to make him stay asleep then meanders towards the guy.

He's exhausted and kind of moving in a not-exactly straight line, but he makes it over there, and leans right in. Presses a kiss to his cheek, right near the lips. ]

Go back to sleep, bozo.

[ratmanreed]

Don’t you bozo me, bozo.

[ When Mike kisses him, Gavin turns his head to try and meet his lips. Greedy bastard. ]

Wha...?

[ Again he tries to gesture with his hand, but said hand ends up slipping over Mike’s shoulder. This is better; much better. ]

[inthesaferoom]

You're the bozo, it's like freakishly early. I have to be up but what about you?

[ Mike gives him that kiss on the lips, even lingers for a moment or two. But he pulls back soon enough, squinting his eyes at him. He tries to look stern but the crinkle next to his lips shows the fondness he feels. Betrays the fact he's always going to do whatever the fuck he wants. ]

You feeling good? Bad? Hungry?

[ratmanreed]

Maybe I wanna be. Up.

[ Gavin’s not sure he could fall back asleep now, anyway.

Pointedly ignoring Mike’s question: ]

What can I do? Help?

[ He starts puttering around the kitchen, although he’s not exactly sure what to do. Trying to be quiet, at least. ]

[inthesaferoom]

I'm trying to figure out what we can do for this kid's one month birthday. But we have so much packed, you know?

[ He doesn't argue with him more and he doesn't press, he just tucks it all away for later. He follows along and pats the tuft of hair sticking out of the sling. It used to worry him that the kid would suffocate with how deep into the sling he likes to go but it hasn't happened yet? ]

Can't think. Hungry.

[ The logical solution is to eat. He's not thinking of it. ]

😒BAD MIKE, EVIL MIKE, POSSIBLY CHRIS?

[inthesaferoom]

[ It's yet another packing day and it's yet another day Chris is getting pissed. This kid proooobably has colic and he deeeeefinitely needs to see someone about it, but Mike doesn't want to leave this stupid apartment. Or rather? He'd like to, but he can't, not even for this. He makes it as far as the threshold and has to hover there before backing off. It's great, he can't beat his fucking fears for his own kid.

Gavin's at work, probably? It's not like it was much of a problem before today, more like something building up. But it's hit the brim and is threatening to boil over, and Mike definitely doesn't want to bother him right now. So he hesitates before doing something incredibly stupid.

He texts the guy who's probably the biological dad of this kid. ]

i see you out there

[ Because he does, you know? He knows he's out there, even though Gavin doesn't, and the guy is definitely a detective so it shouldn't be that way. He shrugs and rocks the kid a little more, tries not to think about how his anxiety is hitting what feels like it should be the maximum possible levels - except how it always seems to find a way to become more after that. ]

you fit every stereotype? not sending you a pic.

[ He just wants to ignore this guy? But he can't. Can't stop thinking about him, can't stop wondering if he could actually solve this stupid problem now. Fuck him and fuck everything inside his own damn head, thanks. ]

get in here. don't care if this is mixed signals. i need your help and now.

[ He can kick him out the second there's a problem right? Yeah. Definitely. He's never had problems with that before. For sure.

Fuck. ]

He’s normal

[xmascake]

definitely not out here

I mean there. Not in there bush

[ Absolutely out here behind a bush, head peeking over. ]

what stereotypes you mean, babe. Baby

[ The second Mike tells him to get in, though? He’s sneaking toward the nearest window, trying to crawl inside. ]

Icon is the look he's giving through the window thanks

[inthesaferoom]

that. THAT.

[ He just walks to that window, locks it firmly and also places a stick in the frame that happens to keep it from opening. Just making extra sure here, and then takes a picture of his stupid other self trying to get in. Sends it right along through the texting. ]

how is that not a fucking stereotype? you better not have been doing that while we're sleeping.

Come in the front door, bitch

LOLLLL

[xmascake]

[ He gives a sheepish wave. Offering a toothy grin as he shrugs. ]

how was I supposed to know your rat wasn’t home

come on do you really think you wouldn’t hear me opening the window while you’re asleep. None of you??

[ There’s always been some weird cat on the sill to hiss at him, though. Why do they have so many damn cats??

He starts heading for the front door, taking a short detour to snatch up some flowers from a neighbor’s flowerbed: an array of purple orchids. A respectful offering, yes? He thinks briefly of knocking, but no, he’ll just head right on in if the door’s unlocked. ]

[inthesaferoom]

and if he was home? how would sneaking in through the fucking window help things.

[ He's not even asking how it works, he's just stating that it wouldn't. He doesn't want to know what weird shit is going through that other self's head thanks, Mike's already overexposed to enough of it. He steps to the door in an attempt to unlock it right after his other self tries to come in, because he knows he's going to try rather than knock. But he's slow and sluggish and Chris is yelling from the sling on his chest, so he doesn't make it there so fast.

It takes maybe three minutes, but he gets there, and then unlocks it. He just goes ahead and swings it open, but he's obviously shaking. Not from the effort, but from the stress it causes him. He casts a glare through the doorway, not exactly at that Mike but also kind of at him too, then takes heavy and quick steps away towards the kitchen. Works on calming his own damn breath. ]

Tag, you're it. You want to be a dad? Now's the fucking time. Hope you're prepared because none of it involves feeling me or my dick up.

[xmascake]

You’ve got a whole ass menagerie going here, you know? That’s how it’d work. Not as if your rat’s even noticed me around.

[ Stubbornly insisting that it all would work, in fact.

Then he’s looking down at Chris, a smile curling on his lips. ]

Sure, yeah. Ready to be a dad. What do you need me to do?

[ He follows Mike inside, setting the flowers on the counter as if he owns the place. Which, really: he does, doesn’t he? It’s as much his place as it is Gavin’s. ]

🔪🩸 MIKE, 'EVIL' MIKE, HOW COULD YOU BE SO... VICIOUS?

[inthesaferoom]

[ What the fuck. What the fuck! Mike's been freaking out all day over what he did. He's signed the death warrant for his doppleganger, signed sealed and DELIVERED - but neglecting the fucking kiss. Or something? He doesn't know when Five is going to do it, but he needs to get some closure here. Say goodbye to that guy, and considering how efficient his brother is? It doesn't matter if he tips him off or not.

So he waits until he knows that Gavin is going to be out of the house, he's not going to force himself to leave for this. Not when he has to handle so much bullshit in his head about this already. And just - sends a text. Doesn't bother to look outside, he doesn't need to know. Because he does know, that that guy is lurking outside. Always is. What a fucking freak.

But maybe Mike is the freak too, considering he can't just rid himself of the dirt of this disaster and move on after dusting off his hands. Fuck. Who has to say goodbye to someone who killed them? Apparently him. Because he's a freak. ]

get inside

do not use the window

DO NOT USE IT I WILL IGNORE YOU. USE THE FUCKING DOOR.

[ Chris is in the nursery for once, not in the sling. The baby monitor is set up - a little seperation is good, right? He has to pay attention to this, sitting in the living room, looking like he's the dead man walking. Fuck. ]

He’s not normal

[xmascake]

[ He considers using the window, just to be a dick. Once upon a time, he would have done just that.

But sure. He’ll play ball here for now. So he turns round, heading back to Mike’s place — after snooping in the neighbor’s windows. Looking for somewhere uninhabited that’s closer than where he’s staying now. Watching Mike from across the street is appealing to all parties, obviously.

Rat not included. Rat is rat.

Again, he’ll go for the front door without knocking. Assuming it’s either unlocked for him already or will be shortly. ]

[inthesaferoom]

[ He really did fully expect the guy to use the window anyway. Are things changing here? Or did this second rate kinkos copy decide that he can play nice to try to live? Somehow found out the plan? Whatever, Mike's not going to dwell on it.

Besides, the lack of knock means things haven't really changed. But yeah, it's unlocked for him, he knew that was inevitable to happen. Mike is sitting in the living room and is the picture of flat affect. Because he really doesn't fucking like what he himself arranged. Or the fact he has to actually say goodbye.

Even if this asshole's a fucking freak. ]

Get in here. Or else I'll do it for you.

[ That means nothing? Whatever, he's not thinking straight. ]

[xmascake]

Don’t worry, babe. I’m here.

[ He meanders around the entryway once he’s inside. Not exactly looking for a rat, knowing he’s fucked off for now, but… looking for signs of him. Wishing there would be nothing despite knowing the truth of it. ]

Oh, yeah? I can go back outside.

[ Jerking a thumb back as he grins. ]

You gonna drag me in, or what?

keywords applicable. probably.

[inthesaferoom]

[ Mike just gives him a dead stare from where he's loitering near the door. He's about five seconds from rolling his eyes, and it would be savage, but instead he just grabs the other him by the elbow and starts pulling. Because if he's going to play around, then he'll get what he wants, and maybe regret it?

They're on different wavelengths here. But he knows what's coming up and this guy doesn't. That's all there is to it. ]

Stop wasting our time. You going to be serious?

heheehehheeh

[xmascake]

Deadly serious.

[ Omitting another “babe” there, but he trails off ever so slightly. The implication is there: always.

He follows Mike’s lead, though. Dopey smile on his face now, despite the little signs of the rat — shoes by the door. Ugly shoes. One of Gavin’s jackets tossed over the back of the couch. Gross. ]

Getting handsy already, huh? I’m into it.

💒GAVIN, MIKE, ??? TEXTING AT FIRST

[inthesaferoom]

Babe

This is very, very important

If I get a haircut, and get rid of all this damn curly mess. Maybe clean shave my face too

would you be pissed. would you. be pissed.

[ratmanreed]

YES AND NO

yes because you know I love all that about you and no because jhjhhhnnnmhn

Keywords applicable

[inthesaferoom]

I see

(I don't???)

Undercut, I'm thinking undercut

👀👀

[ratmanreed]

are you going to explain your hairpocalypse to me or is this a wait and find out thing TYOU KNOW I’M NOT A PATIENT MAN, MICHAEL

[inthesaferoom]

'explain' like

Look I got the bravery to go out to a place and I'm getting a REAL HAIRCUT???? this shit doesn't happen???

But I have to choose?

you can choose. i sure can't.

[ratmanreed]

you’ve always been brave. Just misplaced it for a while maybe. If you want to put it like that

always been brave to me