Six months passes before Mikey can completely process it. The summer heat is drowning out the last of his injuries, and he's moved in completely with Ray now. They're dating, and things are going smoothly. Everything is moving incredibly slow, though. The trauma of what happened is seeping through Mikey's guts and through his mind even months after it happened. They haven't come in contact with Patrick or Pete or anyone from their mob in a long while, but Mikey is sure it's inevitable.

Mikey is smoking a cigarette on the porch, Ray's porch, and the wind is breezing through his hair as Ray takes a seat next to him. Gerard's car pulls up. Mikey recognizes the tone of silver and his brother's red hair exiting the vehicle. Mikey swallows back his emotions before standing.

"Hi," he manages. This is the first time in six months he's talked to anybody beside Ray. Gerard smiles at Mikey, approaching him.

"Hey, Mikey," Gerard grins, then pulls him in for a hug.

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too."