Radioactive 6 ( Motorcity, Mike X Chuck)

Chuck heard laughter and smelled the syrupy scent of sausage.

Julie's head was tipped back as she chuckled at something Mike said.

Chuck knew how Mike made him laugh last night. It was a relief to know Mike seemed to be genuinely funny. It made Chuck's reactions to his jokes natural, and not something Chuck forced himself to do in order to make the bar tender to believe they shared similar senses of humor, and ostensibly think better of him.

His house guest spotted him first.

"There he is. The man of the hour," Mike's smile was a bright as his voice.

"Morning," he greeted with a weak wave and tried not to feel if he had just interrupted something. He noticed Julie completely forgotten her half of the deal, there was no tea in sight. He started to make his way towards the counter for his tea when Mike shooed at him to take a seat at the kitchen table while he prepared the tea for him.

Chuck didn't need to be told twice. He sat heavily with a grunt. He placed his elbows on the table and then rested his cheek on his palm as he fought off sleep as it crawled up on him again. It would be so easy to give in and just go over to the living room only twenty feet away and curl up on the couch and go back to sleep, but he knew Julie wouldn't let him get away with that; even if he wasn't feeling well. He could imagine what she would say if he announced he was going back to bed. She would glower at him and state how it was his fault for being so stupid and drinking so much the night before and this was his punishment.

At least I don't have to work today, he thought dryly.

Mike returned with a streaming mug of tea, two packets of sugar and a spoon. Chuck looked up to thank Mike but the brunet had gone back into the kitchen.

"Isn't he so sweet?" Julie asked with a little shake of her head. Chuck isn't sure if she is being sarcastic or not.

"Sweeter than you," Chuck grumbled, but his insult lacked any bite and they both knew it.

There was a scape that grated his teeth as Julie finished her breakfast. "Enjoy the rest of your morning," Julie's smirk turned into a satisfied grin. Gathering her dishes she got up from the table. She nodded and said something to Mike when they crossed paths.

Chuck looked away and placed his fingers over the rim of the mug. He turned the cup around so he could read the tea bag's label. He felt his mouth curve up in an appreciative smirk. Green tea. Nice.

He scooped the bag out and was stirring in the sugar packets when Mike returned. Wordlessly he set a tall glass of water, two tablets of ibuprofen and a plate of plain toast. Chuck looked up at Mike a question on his lips.

"I could tell that you aren't used to having nights like the one you had last night," Mike answered before he could say anything.

Chuck rubbed his hand nervously through his hair. Great, he groaned mentally. "I hope you don't hold that against me."

"Never even crossed my mind," Mike shook his head as he reclaimed the seat across from Chuck. "Besides, it's not necessarily a bad thing," he added though he didn't elaborate as he hid his smile behind his coffee mug.

There was the soft sound of rushing water from the bathroom as Julie took a shower. The idea of a shower sounded great to Chuck, but it looks like he would have to wait. He hoped Julie would leave him some hot water.

"Great," Chuck mumbled under his breath. "You don't suppose you could tell me what happened. I didn't do anything too embarrassing, did I?" Chuck asked and popped two of the pills, dreading the brunet's answer.

"Not unless you count falling asleep in your booth as embarrassing."

He nearly choked on his water. "No, Jesus, really? Well that's just great! Did Jacob see that?"

"It was him who suggested we call your sister and help take you home, so you tell me," Mike smirked.

"Um, was it also his idea that you stay over?"

Mike eyes flickered up to Chuck's as he lowered his mug. "Actually, it was yours," he corrected.

"Oh," Chuck managed feeling his embarrassment kicking into overdrive. "I hope I didn't keep you from anything."

Mike batted his comment away with a wave of his hand. "Nah, it was nothing. I learned long ago not to argue with someone when they were under the influence. Besides, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Chuck lowered his head and blushed genuinely touched by his concern. "Th-thanks, Mike."

Mike arched an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing." Mike said lifting the mug to his lips. "I was just wondering what happened to Mikey?" he asked before taking a long draft of coffee.

Chuck felt his face twist with confusion. Mikey? "Oh no." Chuck leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees as he buried his face with his hands in complete terror. "Please don't tell me I gave you a nickname."

"Several actually, but I like Mikey."

Chuck lifted his head and stared in wonder at Mike. This guy was unreal. No one liked it when Chuck drunkenly gave them nick names. No one liked it when he did when he was sober. "You do?"

"Yeah, why not? It has a nice ring to it. Sounds like an eighties underground crime fighter."

Chuck laughed. "Yeah, I guess it does. Fine, Mikey it is."

Mike raised his mug in agreement. "Good, now make sure you eat that before you take the meds," he said and downed the rest of the coffee.