Chapter: 7: We R Who We R

Author's Note: So, I don't even care that this is my shortest chapter, I'm pretty sure it's my favorite. It certainly helped that I'm actually used to hearing the song mentioned IN the club, with the low lights and the low bass and everything, so it set the mood perfectly. Even reading back through listening to the track while I read, I felt like it turned out great. Hope you enjoy. =D

Evidentially, Chris has drastically underestimated the effect of this particular breakup on his young friend. Mike had gone from faking happiness prancing around the dance floor, accepting drinks from everyone who offered them, to where he is now, slumped over a table nursing his newest mixed drink. Chris doesn't think he's ever seen Mike quite so sad, even when he and Morrison broke up. He's not sure how, but Alex Riley has apparently managed to worm his way through every single one of Mike's defenses and secure himself a place in the young man's heart.

"I, I just, I don't know if I did the right thing, Chris. I love him so much, yknow?" Mike almost whines.

It's probably the fifth time he's said something of the same nature in the last half hour. It seems the more inebriated he gets, the more upset he gets. Chris has been trying to cut him off for the same amount of time. He's terrible at sad Mike. He never knows what to say. Mike lets out a low whimper and takes another swig of his drink. Chris's eyes widen a bit and he takes it from his hand, setting it just out of arm's reach on the table.

"Hey, come on, now. Don't be so down! Your plan worked, didn't it? He's getting a push. A face push at that!" Chris says excitedly.

Mike slumps forward, resting his chin on arms on the table in front of them. Chris rattles his brain for something, anything else he can say. He reaches out, resting a hand on Mike's shoulder carefully.

"What's that saying? If you love something, let it go, if it comes back to you, it's yours to keep? Something like that? Well, you let him go. And you've seen it yourself, he really, really loves you. Surely he'll come back. And, and on the off chance he doesn't, I'll be here for you. I've always been here for you before, right?" the older rushes out, a desperate attempt.

The younger's face suddenly changes, as if he's realized something, as if some of the pieces of the puzzle that he's been missing all this time have suddenly fallen into place. He sits up a bit, tipsy smile blossoming on his face like a spring morning. Chris smiles back excitedly. Thank God, he thinks.

"You're right, Chris. You are...absolutely right." Mike agrees with his friend.

"See? You'll be fine." the older returns as Mike straightens his back.

"Who cares if he comes back, right?" Mike says, scooting forward a bit.

"Wait, what?"

"You're totally right. You have always been there for me. And you're here right now! Thank you, Chris."

Chris doesn't even get a chance to respond before the younger is leaning in, capturing his lips in a sweet, tender kiss. For the briefest of moments, Chris indulges himself the way he's always wanted to, opening his mouth and giving the younger a chance to explore. He takes over for a breath, swiping his tongue through Mike's mouth, feeling his friend moan just a bit. Then, he's pulling back, bittersweet smile on his face as he meets Mike's eyes.

"Mike, baby? Y'know that thing I keep telling you?" Chris asks tenderly.

"That I'm an idiot?" Mike verifies. At his companion's nod, he sighs. "I'm doing it again, huh?"

"Just a bit." the older informs him. "Look, Mike...it's not that I don't love you. I love you to death, really, I do. You're one of my best friends. But seriously? You love Alex. You love Alex Riley more than you have loved anyone else, ever, in your life. I can see it on your face. I can hear it in your voice. Face it, you're fucking soulmates!"

The smaller scoffs. "Yea, well, a lot of good that does me now."

"Don't say that. He loves you, too. Right now, you're both being stupid. He'll come around." Chris tries again to reassure his friend.

"Whatever you say." Mike murmurs. He lets out a slow breath of air. "Hey Chris? Let's go back to the hotel."

The older nods, helping his friend stand and walk to the car. Halfway to the hotel, Mike passes out, his head on the window, a wet sheen on his cheeks. Chris carries him inside and puts him to bed, stripping down and passing out in the other bed. As he falls asleep to the sound of Mike's hitched breaths, he can only hope that he's right.

XXXXX

Of all the things in the entire world for Alex to see on the way back from the bathroom, of course it would be Mike lip-locked with Chris fucking Jericho. Alex pales instantly, nausea rising in the back of his throat. He can't believe it. It had really only taken two weeks to get over him? After all this time, he'd thought certainly he'd meant more to Mike than that. Evidentially not, he thinks, drinking in through alcohol-hazed eyes the soft smile on Mike's face as they separate. He turns away quickly, bee-lining back to the bar and back to Justin. He can't stand what an idiot he was. This was such a stupid idea, coming out here tonight. As if to add insult to injury, We R Who We R begins blaring across the club. Alex chokes out a bitter laugh. Great, because this was exactly what he needed. He's never wanted to leave a place so badly in his life.

"Justin, can we go?" he asks his friend softly, barely heard over the music.

Justin spins to face him with a wide grin that falls so fast, you'd think he'd been shot. The high flyer grabs Alex by the shoulders, pulling him in closer and examining him with a terribly worried expression.

"Alex! What's wrong? You look so sad!" the older exclaims. The smell of the liquor on Justin's breath drifts over to him, and he feels even worse. Now he's ruining Justin's good time, too. But he cannot stay here, not right now.

"It-it's nothing. I just saw...no, nevermind. It's nothing." Alex manages to stammer, shaking his head. The high flyer isn't even listening, his ear turned toward the music.

Suddenly, Justin looks like he's had a brilliant idea. He grins widely at the younger once more.

"Y'know what you need? You and I should dance." he suggests, taking Alex by the hand and leading him to the dance floor.

"No, Justin, really, I'm tired of dancing. I just really want to go back to the hotel." Alex objects, trying to tug out of Justin's grip. Apparently, the liquor gives him strength, however, for Alex can't break free. Or maybe I don't want to, Alex thinks. He dismisses the thought just as quickly.

"Fuck you, you love this song! You have annoyed the absolute shit out of everyone with it! Now, you and I are going to fucking dance to it, Alex Riley." Justin replies, smile on his face as he spins Alex around to face him.

Alex swallows thickly when Justin takes his hips in smaller hands than he's used to and drags him so close they're touching as he begins to move. The high flyer slings his arms around Alex's wide shoulders, pulling his head down so low their foreheads are touching. Alex finds his hands drawn to Justin's hips, rolling his own hips against his friend's to the beat. When their eyes meet, Alex can feel Justin literally taking his breath away, they're so close. The younger wonders if he's imagining the way Justin's looking at him right now, like he really wants him. It's a look he hasn't seen in a while, a look he fucking misses. Misses like the feel of Mike's skin against his, the sound of Mike's voice hot in his ear, the smell of the sex that lingered in the room for hours afterward. The sheer sensation of being taken.

When Justin unconsciously drags his tongue across his lower lip, Alex zeroes in on it. He knows Justin catches his quick intake of air at the sight, the way he pulls the slighter man in ever closer. If Alex is completely, totally honest with himself, he's wanted Justin for a nice, long time, ever since their feud in FCW, when he'd really had a chance to feel those muscles against his own for the first time. The thought had been buried, however, until recently, where it had begun to linger at the back of his brain, constantly there. Right here, right now, with Mike tonguing Jericho across the club like Alex hadn't even existed, with Justin looking at him with lust blown pupils and a face full of want, Alex thinks, he shouldn't even have to think about it. He takes Justin's face almost roughly in his hands, surprising them both when, with a renewed sense of focus, sense of self, almost, he leans in and captures Justin's lips with his own.