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

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

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. ]

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

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

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.

Edited 2025-12-08 04:28 (UTC)

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. ]

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. ]

God. Foiled by my want to give him whatever he fucking wants, I guess. Too many animals, not enough situational awareness.

[ It's funny in a way, he was looking back at old texts like a freak. This other him was so reluctant to say rat but now he wielded it like an insult, as if Mike himself hadn't come up with it. As if it would ever be anything but his way of showing affection that nobody else could ever possibly use or take.

He reaches out for his other self now, the one standing in front of him and tries to firmly guide him to sit in a nearby chair. Holding him by the forearms, if he can get away with it. ]

You're going to hold him but you're going to be safe about it. Would wrap you both in bubblewrap if I could.

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?

When you put it like that? Keep bringing all manner of beast home. Keep the rat occupied. And distracted.

[ He’s pursing his lips, albeit following Mike’s lead. Would sit on the floor, if it were asked of him. Demanded. Et cetera.

As he’s easing himself down onto the chair: ]

You’re gonna let me hold him?

[ Said incredulously, in part because he tells himself this is something not even Gavin has been allowed to do. ]

Go ahead and wrap me up. I won’t bite. Much.

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. ]

[ Except how Gavin was allowed all the fucking time? It's anyone else who's not allowed. Five for a few seconds now and then probably, enough to match his damn name. Let's see if 'evil' Mike can beat that record.

He lets go of him and works on unwrapping Chris from the sling. The kid is not happy at all but not being wrapped up makes it worse and he screams even more now, his cherub face so red and blotchy. ]

Yeah yeah, I hear you. See if you like this change of pace.

[ And he's just being handed over. Mike has to do it quick or he won't do it at all. Fuck, this is the worst idea in the world. ]

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. ]

[ He accepts Chris in his arms: carefully, gingerly. ]

Wow.

[ The screaming will probably bother him... eventually. For now, he’s just staring down at the marvel that Chris is. His son. ]

Not hungry, I assume. Probably haven’t shit yourself. Daddy Mike would’ve fixed you all up, yeah?

[ He’s not sure what Mike expects of him here, but he’s cooing at Chris all the same. Keeping his head supported as he rubs his back: maybe needs a nice fart? Burp? Hell if he knows.

Regardless, he’s focused on rocking Chris in his arms, ever so slightly. ]

Hungry? You’re hungry?

[ Gavin says this as if the answer is the most obvious thing in the world: to eat. Surely? ]

What d’you...? Want. Food.

[ Asking Mike what he wants to eat as he goes to open the fridge. Peering over the door at Mike, to say: ]

What haven’t we done? Yet. With Chris.

...something incredibly fucking unhealthy.

[ You know what? Why the fuck not? He's been killing it by keeping healthy no matter his cravings while pregnant, once he knew what was going on. Now that he's got to take care of this kid, he's been stressing himself trying to get into shape at the same damn time.

Why can't he indulge once? Just once. Just fucking once. ]

I don't know. I don't even know if he knows what's happening. But I do.

Could be hungry. Tried to feed him and he started yelling about it. Thought it might be the food but he just doesn't stop.

[ He reaches out to tossle the hair on his son's head and then pauses in what's literally shock? He's stunned thanks, because the second that guy starts rubbing Chris' back? The shrieking and crying stops, so immediately and abruptly. As if he was just waiting for this. ]

... what.

...What what?

[ He looks up at Mike, still smiling as he holds Chris against him. ]

You surprised he hasn’t tried to kill me, or what?

He can't kill you, he's an infant. He can't even lift his own fucking head for more than two seconds.

[ Oh, why is this cute? He shouldn't have been afraid of Chris getting hurt, he should have been afraid of being happy about the kid being calm and that damn charming smile. Mike resists the stupid urge to record it with a photo and sits in a nearby chair instead, covering his face with a groan, mostly at himself. ]

He's not supposed to like you. Or only calm down because you're here. Great.

Oh, come on. This guy? Not a killer? You’ll see.

So you... what? Gave him to me to prove that I couldn’t handle him, or what?

[ Mike says this as he rubs Chris’ back. Unbothered, for once. For now. ]

[ Gavin closes the fridge door slowly, so as not to disturb the baby or their herd of slumbering animals.

Blinking lazily at Mike: ]

You. Tell me. What. Food.

And that’s what I mean. We know. We’ll remember. Can do something new, for his birthday. One month... birthday. Show pictures later.

He'll kill with those eyes is what he's going to do. Way prettier than ours.

[ He's just casually pointing out the fact this kid has Gavin's eyes, without actually directly stating it. Considering how everything is, it doesn't actually say anything about biological parentage, but he hopes. Fuck, he hopes.

But he just shakes his head, even though he's confused about the fact Mike² is so unbothered. What magic is going on here? He doesn't get any of it. ]

No, I'm not petty like that. Petty, but not like that.

I was desperate. What is it, noon? He's been screaming for hours.

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

🍼GAVIN, MIKE, CHRIS

😒BAD MIKE, EVIL MIKE, POSSIBLY CHRIS?

He’s normal

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

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LOLLLL

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Me like did evil Mike just not notice the screaming before because he's too simp over his other self

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Definitely a simp

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Mentally pointing a gun at CRIME like he's Connor

😂😂😂😂

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