Chapter Text
Chapter 25 - Brave
The next day Mike stood in the kitchen, eyes half open, sipping on his coffee. ’Gosh Shinoda, you’ve really gotten too used to him next to you.’ He thought before he yawned. As the singer had spent the night in his own bed, the MC hadn’t a peaceful sleep at all. The fact that the other one had already used his favor with Brad did the rest to his rolling around the whole night and waking up every other hour, if he had fallen asleep at all. He wasn’t mad at Chester for using his favor for his present. No, he was flattered, that the other one had done that, knowing, that he too would have also loved to spend it for something the guitarist wouldn’t have enjoyed at all.
After a few more sips of coffee, he made his way to the fridge. There were some leftovers from the Chinese food the evening before and he really could use some energy right now.
As he took some of the containers out of the fridge, he heard how a key got turned in the lock of the front door. A few seconds later Chester stepped into the apartment.
Mike reached for the plate he had taken out of the cupboard before and watched the singer as he took off his jacket and shoes. Then their eyes met. The petite one smiled softly, walking into the kitchen. “Hi love.” He said and placed some papers on the counter.
“Hi, how was it?” Mike asked while putting the noodles on his plate.
“As expected, he wasted the small amount of money he had on booze instead of paying bills and so technically I need to pay his debts.” The singer answered with a weak smile. He now leaned against the right side of the MC who smiled sadly. Even though his friend acted like this whole heritage thing wasn’t a big deal, he could tell that it still bothered him more than he’d admit.
“Do you want some leftovers too?” Mike asked, holding up the small container full of noodles in front of the other one’s face.
The singer nodded. “But first some coffee.” He grinned and made his way over to the coffee maker.
“So, um, how much do you need to pay now?” The MC looked at his friend questioning after putting both plates into the microwave and turning it on.
“I hope nothing at all.” Chester replied, shrugging his shoulders. “As he isn’t my biological father and he had never adopted me, I don’t need to pay anything technically. Unfortunately, he did mention me in his will somehow and now my lawyer needs to make some calls and write some letters to clear this.” He took a sip of his coffee and sat down on one bar stool.
“Oh okay, well, I hope this will all be settled soon.” Mike smiled softly and after thirty seconds he took the food, sat down next to his friend and they started eating.
“What do you think about Sam’s brother?” The singer suddenly asked, after taking a sip of his coffee again.
“He seems nice.” The MC replied with a soft smile, taking a bite.
“And he’s hot.” His counterpart added with a straight face, making his friend laugh.
“Well, yeah.” The half-Japanese replied with a grin. “Can’t deny that.”
They continued eating in silence for a few more seconds.
“Would you like to go out again?” Chester suddenly asked, smiling softly at his friend.
“Sure, we can go out for a beer on the weekend.” Mike smiled.
“That’s not what I meant.” The singer giggled. “I mean a real date.”
The MC looked at him confused, stopping the movement of his hand with the fork midair. “A date? You and me?” His hear started beating faster.
Suddenly Chester looked somehow disappointed. “Um, yeah but it’s fine. I’m sorry, I just thought, um, I don’t know. I love spending time with you, we get along well, and I, um I thought you’d feel the same. But we can leave things just the way they are, that’s fine with me too.” He shot a weak smile.
The other one’s eyes widened. “What? No! I didn’t mean it like that.” Mike put his fork away and grabbed the singer’s hand, squeezing it. “I’m just surprised that someone like you would like to go on a date with me.” He smiled weakly.
Chester rose an eyebrow. “Why do you always think about yourself like that?” He stroked the hand of his friend. “Love, you are perfect.”
His counterpart blushed.
There was silence for a few seconds.
“So, um, what’d you say?”
Mike smiled. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
“Yes!” The singer squeaked. “But I’m not good at planning stuff like that so be prepared for chaos or at least nothing too fancy.” He laughed.
“As you know, I don’t have much experience so I wouldn’t notice anyway.” The MC said with a grin.
“Right, well, that takes a lot of pressure off of me.” Chester giggled.
“But we don’t tell Brad anything, right?” Mike asked with a smirk. It would be a great opportunity to get payback on the guitarist.
“Of course not.” The other one replied, and they laughed out loud.
After a few seconds they focused back on their food, both smiling softly.
The next day they had met in Rob’s cellar again. They had already practiced for two and a half hours and were now lounging around, talking over this and that.
“I’d like to call it a day.” Rob said and stretched. “What about a new jam session this Friday?” He asked, looking around.
“I’m in.” Dave replied before he yawned.
“Me too.” Joe said and got up.
Mike and Chester exchange an inconspicuous look before the MC rose to speak, getting up too.
“I can’t, I have a date. Maybe on Saturday?” He asked.
Right as the bassist wanted to say something, the guitarist spoke: “You have what?” He looked at the half-Japanese in disbelief.
“A date.” Mike repeated, keeping a straight face.
Brad rose an eyebrow, now looking at the singer.
Chester acted confused. “Why are you looking at me like that?” He asked. It was hard not to grin. “I have time on Friday and Saturday, whatever suits the rest of you.” He stated, looking around, ignoring the other one’s stare.
The curly haired man focused back on the MC. “Who?” Was all he was able to say. The rest of the band didn’t seem to be as curious as him.
“None of your business Brad.” Mike laughed while taking his jacket from the back rest.
“I can’t on Saturday, but Sunday would be possible for me.” Dave interfered, reaching for his own jacket next to him as well.
“That’s fine with me too.” Rob said.
“Yep.” Joe agreed.
As the guitarist still was speechless, they all turned their attention to him. He hadn’t told them when he was available yet.
“Brad?” Chester asked.
“Um, yeah, Sunday is fine with me too.” He answered and got up as well. You could see that he still was curious.
Mike and the singer exchanged another inconspicuous look and a small smile while they all made their way upstairs. First, they had thought about making up a story, but knowing Brad it was worse for him not getting any more details and making things up in his head.