For years, Pete Wentz had built up a wall that no one--no one would tear down. Not even his peers. A wall made of cement and shielded with titanium and barbed wire, signs reading "KEEP OUT!" plastered upon its side. 

The wall was impenetrable. It had fooled everyone, including his closest friends.

Which is why he was so shocked when, while at a party before Warped Tour started, he broke down sobbing in Mikey Way's arms. There was something comforting about him--those long, thin arms that were just as awkward as they were bony, the way you could feel his heartbeat when he pulled you close to his chest, and all of the little freckles that decorated his collarbone, connected like a constellation by a bright red sharpie. 

"I don't know what's wrong with me today," Pete had said as Mikey hugged him even tighter. "I'm sorry."

The only sound emitted from Mikey was a quiet, "Sh," as he draped a blanket over Pete. And that was the last thing Pete remembered before he succumbed to sleep.

That was just the first time Pete's wall started to crumble.

It happened again in Wisconsin, behind Hawethorn Hight's empty bus. Pete had broken down, and Mikey accepted it, allowing him to fall asleep and carrying him to Fall Out Boy's bus, then tucking him in. When Pete woke up, he was met with the concerned and confused glances of Andy and Patrick.

And then Pete and Mikey started to bond. Whether it be telling jokes together or trying out meaningless pickup lines on each other, they were always talking whenever the opportunity presented itself. 

"Come on!" Pete had said one day after a show. He grabbed Mikey's wrist and lead him into the woods. 

"Where even are we?"

"California, I think!" Was Pete's only reply as the two went deeper and deeper into the woods, the cool grass shuddering beneath their feet. "Follow me."

"Why? Where are we going?" Mikey had asked.

"I found this place here this morning when we arrived. It's nice."

They walked in silence after that, the roaring breeze prompting the relaxed quiet between them.

"Here," Pete had said finally, spreading his arms proudly at the view in front of them. It was a quiet river, complete with a bridge. "It's just past here. You know how those California trees are supposed to be massive?"

Mikey nodded, just barely being visible in the pale moonlight.

"Yeah, well. This one isn't tall, but it's really wide, and it's fun to climb."

"You brought me all this way to make me climb a tree?" Mikey asked incredulously.

"It's a nice tree," Pete had replied defensively, sporting one of his signature grins.

Once nestled inbetween the tree's many branches, Pete scooted closer to Mikey. Probably a bit too close.

And Mikey understood.

It had started with intertwined hands. And slowly, it evolved into the two of them kissing quietly in a branchy tree in God Knows Where, California.

They were a lot closer after that. Rarely could you see the infamous Pete Wentz not holding Mikey's hand. He was, in Pete's opinion, absolutely irresistible. The only thing that could keep his hands off Mikey was a divine intervention.

There was something addictive about Mikey now. The way he breathed in soft, short pants. How his legs stumbled and shook and screamed out, "Help! I'm an absolute nerd in need of love and affection!" The way Mikey laughed. Loud and melodic. How wonderful his lips felt against Pete's.

"You know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, right?" Pete asked on the last night of Warped Tour. 

"Is that true?" Mikey's lips turned upward into a smile, but not a real, genuine one. A sad, watery smile that quivered and twitched too much for Pete's liking. Mikey had blinked, and suddenly, tears were cascading down his pale face like rain.

"Always, love." Pete ran his thumb along Mikey's knuckled.

"Okay, Pete," Mikey sat up, glancing up at Pete's eyes with bloodshot, puffy ones. "When tomorrow comes, I want you to forget about me."

And the wall separating Pete's head and heart was torn down for good.