As you know, this is not how I wanted this story to end (even though I totally knew from the beginning it would end this way) - but kudos to you for seeing it through to your intended ending. The only bit of happiness I took from this tragic ending is they did admit that they love each other. That was worth it.

I totally get what you were going for, the idea that all of LP and Mike and Chester’s relationship/Bennoda was born from this desire for each other. Deciding to channel those feelings into the band *would* explain their closeness in RL, and I still believe that *something* at some point *had* to have been between them that was more than friendship.

I loved all the kisses, in every form they came in this chapter, and I can imagine that going forward they just wouldn’t be able to help themselves from a kiss now and again. This is the perfect set up for a sequel, though I know you won’t, or at the very least an epilogue, but we all know how it goes… so I guess I’ll just have to make peace with the ending. Congrats on another wonderful story!

BITCH WHEN I SAY I ALMOST SCREAMED WHILE WORKING IN A RESTAURANT FULL OF PEOPLE AT THIS

I did NOT expect that this would be the last chapter! I’m so used to these kinds of stories of Mike and Chester working out and ending up together that it was a genuine shock at how this ended. That’s not to say it wasn’t good, it was! I could feel the love as they put everything they wanted aside for the sake of the band and it ripped my heart out. How dare you lol.

Amazing story as always!

I have put off this review because I knew it would be pathetic. My heart hurts for Mike, he’s so drunk and sad, and I don’t want to admit that Brad is right because I hate that Brad is always right, so I just want to pretend this chapter didn’t happen.

I KNEW Mike would be the one to let out his and Chester’s secret, I just wish it hadn’t been this way. In the depths of drunken sadness. :( It also makes me so sad that drunk MIke is admitting he’s in love without a) realizing he’s said it and b) realizing he hasn’t said it to Chester. Not that it matters, you’re going to break Mike’s poor little Xero era heart in the next chapter, I can feel it.

Also - I hate vomit. So the end of this chapter was just extra ick because you described it so well, and I have to admit to getting sloppy drunk over a man and then crying and barfing and hating to admit that my friend was right about him, so I think this chapter just hit a personal note I wasn’t ready for. *sigh*

Bring on the next chapter, but only because I love you and apparently I love reading things that make my heart hurt.

First I love how much of a lightweight Mike is when even Brad is like “there’s a literal splash of vodka in this how are you this drunk?”

Second, I hate how Brad just shows up and starts making too much sense. How dare you coming in here, call Brad The Lion The Witch, and The Audacity of That Bitch.

But at the end of the day, he’s right. They’re cheating on their wives/girlfriends and who’s to say they won’t to that to each other? That just has too much potential for a messy breakup and ruining everyone’s dreams of making it big.

Goddamnit Brad.

I KNEW as soon as you mentioned that the pager hadn’t gone off in a while exactly what was gonna happen! I hate seeing Mike so distressed! And gotta agree with Mike, that little dip in Chester’s back is *chef’s kiss*

I’m so distraught over this chapter you’re getting a list.

1. I adore first-thing-in-the-morning-post-sex-sleepy-Mike-Shinoda. I think it’s my favorite of all Mikes, and he is particularly adorable in this morning scene. He’s in love. All of his thoughts are just so giddy and happy and I was smiling along with him. <3

2. I have ALWAYS thought of Chester’s Linkin Park tattoo as a symbol of his all-in commitment to the band, but really an all-in commitment to Mike, because that’s how my Bennoda brain works. So I giggled at him imagining his name on Chester’s back. I mean, why not? Maybe someone somewhere will read this and make us some artwork to go with that idea. Or a photoshop! Anyway, I think that’s my favorite part of the chapter.

3. Not a fan of Chester thinking about Sam and how easy it is to get lost in CA with Mike. I don’t think he has any idea how deeply Mike is into him. I think he’s going to hurt Mike in the end

You can't leave me hanging here!! I tried to read this slowly to keep me going but now I've caught up I feel so sad but super happy they actually had the Sex!

I love this character development and the progression of the story and I'm kind of excited to meet Sam, but also don't want too because then the bennoda fluff might end!

Please update soon, please!!!

Jesus I need to stop reading these at work. Amazing as always!

I love crab cakes. I was thinking about crab cakes the whole first half of this chapter lol. I have to say I admire Mike’s mom for not outright accusing Mike of anything. I feel like she’s going to be more accepting, at least initially, than Brad. Brad’s call was so cold. I wanted to tell him to not be a baby and just tell Mike what he saw, but I guess Brad is still processing. And in fairness, Mrs. Shinoda processed for a week before she saw Mike again. I liked how her thoughts changed as she watched Mike struggle. She clearly loves him and wants him to be happy. I hope that’s with Chester. I have a weird feeling in this story it might not work out. I don’t know why. Just a vibe I have. And of course, I will be super mad.

It’s been obvious from the first chapter there’s an intense physical attraction between Mike and Chester, and I’ve been waiting for this chapter! I love that their afternoon starts with a not-fight fight. I know in the moment that Chester realizes how much effort Mike is putting into *not* fighting, but I hope he also reflects on it later and thinks about how it *could* be if he were with Mike and not Sam. I think that whole exchange is very telling about how they will function in a relationship, as well as within the band. It’s all tangled up for Mike, and it seems like it’s getting tangled for Chester, too. The band and the relationship are going to be all tangled up together, and hopefully it works out.

→ “Do you want to get lost with me?” ← Simultaneously the best and worst line of the chapter. I love it because I knew what was coming next (yay) but also hated it because it’s not reality, at least not for Chester. And I’m not sure if Chester knows how deeply Mike is into him already. It makes me nervous. As always, the way you write them together is so good. I made the mistake of trying to eat dinner while reading this, and once they got in bed I forgot to eat and my food got cold lol. I was all wrapped up in it, and when Chester mentioned Anna I was like WTF stop ruining the vibe lololol. But it was fine. I got my answer to whether Mike had been with guys before, and it’s stupidly romantic that he hasn’t slept with one since because *Chester was just that good.* I love that! I also love the little flashback to the first time, thank you for that even if you refused to write it out in the beginning for me. (I sort of forgive you.)

So now, my questions are: what are the nightmares about, what’s Brad gonna do, and how are M/C going to react afterwards to all of this, and if the lack of condom will be brought up since not using one was specifically mentioned. Because that wasn’t just crazy sex, there was hand holding and kissing and connection and stuff. Questions aside, I wasn’t expecting their second first time in this chapter so it was a good surprise! <3

The title of this chapter lol! My mind was instantly in the gutter. You can’t blame me. I love M/C in the gutter. I also love nosey Brad, and the beginning of this chapter had me giggling. I can just imagine his horrified confusion and it morphing straight into indignation that Mike was making out with Chester on Xero’s time. It’s less about the fact that they’re kissing and more about the band, and it’s funny to me. And also funny that he wants to pawn off the discovery on the other guys.

→ Mike had no idea how that innocent task had turned into Chester straddling his lap. ← Um, I know how it happened. They’re hot for each other, and Sam and Anna suck. That’s it. That’s the whole story.

→ he was ready to have Mike Shinoda for lunch ← same. Ughhh, I love the way you write them kissing. Always. This is no secret. But the idea of them just making out behind the rehearsal space, outside, against the wall, is such a pretty picture in my mind. I love it.

Chester needs to leave Sam, she’s awful. My heart felt sad for him when Mike adjusted his glasses, and he gave Mike that hug… and Mike of course misinterprets the whole thing. Chester’s just not used to being loved like that, and that’s the kind of love he needs. I was glad when Mike wanted to talk about it, and then )I should have known) you interrupted them because you’re evil like that. At least Mike had that epiphany moment of realizing that Chester is what he’s been wanting all along. I hope that means they will end up together, because *sad eyes* if they don’t I will cry. And I HATE the way it ended, with Mike apologizing. I know that’s not what he wants, and he knows that’s not what he wants, and Chester knows that’s not what he wants, so I need for these women to go away.

I’ll say it again: Mike is in way over his head. The way he wakes up is so telling. All the rubbing and happiness, and the way he’s only thinking of taking Chester to breakfast, it all points to the fact that he is falling hard. It just gets me know he doesn’t even know it yet. Like, hello?! If hiding behind the bathroom door and watching Chester wasn’t a sign, I’m not sure what it’s going to take. That moment was almost stalkerish. Though I did feel sorry for him, listening to Chester talk to Sam on the phone. That would really suck, and again, just *screams* feelings. But Mike is oblivious, per usual. I have to say, I love the way you write oblivious Mike, haha. I always love your Mikes, though.

So yeah, he’s oblivious to everything, it seems. It surprised me that he was surprised he hasn’t talked to his mom, and I know it’s probably because he’s been so wrapped up in Chester, but I also feel that bit of insecurity Chester was feeling, wondering if it was him. I hope not. That would just be one more complicating factor. If Mike’s mom was really freaking out about the kisses she saw, wouldn’t she confront Mike about it and not wait? That’s what I’m telling myself… (and honestly… I hadn’t noticed he hadn’t talked to her, either!)

Anyway, Anna. Like, for as clueless as Mike is, she’s equally clueless. I want to shake her and say *he’s just not into you* but I know she’s going to have to figure it out on her own. It’s depressing that Chester knows exactly how to “fix” things, and even gives Mike space to do so. Mike is right when he realizes she’s treating him like he’s in trouble, that’s not how a relationship is supposed to be. So I guess there is hope for him after all, when he sends Anna on her way. She doesn’t seem to get it yet, though. She’s right - Mike is in love with Chester - but she’s making every excuse not to believe it.

They are just too sweet together not to end up together, so I hope this doesn’t turn into a huge mess. Their breakfast convo (pre-Anna) was adorable, I want more of that. Just not in front of Brad, he already knows too much! And, Mike needs to call his mama!

I KNEW from the title where this chapter was going and I instantly celebrated, lol. I’ve been ready since the first chapter, so I’m glad we finally got to read a little about their chemistry in the bedroom.

But before that, let’s talk about Anna. She’s annoying. Like, I get it. Mike’s her boyfriend and he’s being less than attentive. But come on, get a clue. He’s not into her at all, and they both need to admit it and move on before the whole situation gets ugly. I don’t think Mike is oblivious to the fact that he’s into Chester, but I think he is a little oblivious to the fact that he’s not into Anna. This whole nipple piercing/touching thing is the biggest red flag, I can’t see how 1) Anna isn’t seeing it and 2) how the guys are not figuring it out. Mike is the literal worst at keeping things a secret.

Chester coming home and their conversation is so real. It’s like Chester has relationships and chicks figure out, and Mike is just bumbling along and looking for advice. I like Chester’s way of making Mike feel better a lot more than giving him real relationship advice ;) You write them so well together. It was such a natural progression from Chester scratching Mike’s back to more, so I thought it was perfect. When they’re alone, everything IS perfect… but this secret is going to come out, I know it is. And I am dreading when Sam shows up, because I know she will and you know how much I hate her. So - I’ll enjoy this little bubble as long as I can. I know there’s drama ahead, especially because Mike is so *obsessed* just like Anna said. I know it’s going to get crazy!

I love how you set up this chapter. I really thought in the beginning when Mike’s mom saw Chester smoking through the window, she’d see something else - a touch or a kiss - and the whole evening would be a mess. Saving that for the end was perfect, because SOMEHOW I didn’t see it coming. The ending was great! I gasped!

Mike is so head over heels with Chester’s voice. The way you describe that is so obsessive and possessive. I worry about him a little bit in this, to be honest. He doesn’t seem to recognize how hard he’s fallen for Chester.

Anyway, back to Mike’s parents - they seem like a typical set of worrying parents. Donna fretting over every little thing, and Muto ignoring most of it because in his head, Mike will figure out all of this music stuff in nonsense anyway. The whole parent meeting/house tour felt like a whirlwind, which I’m sure is how Chester felt, and it’s always sad when he discusses his childhood. It IS so crazy that in RL, Chester grew up so differently from the others. I know it caused problems early on, and the way you’ve written Mike here makes me think it wasn’t anything more than the other guys being a little oblivious to how good they had it.

You know I always love Jason in a story, and this was no different. You had me laughing out loud with his flirting and all the stuff that was said at the table. Love me some Jason Shinoda! But the winner in that convo was Donna asking about the lip ring. I just about cried from laughter. I can’t even imagine how mortifying it would be to have your MOM ask your crush about kissing. And then Mike stumbling all over himself afterwards. It was cute and funny. :)

Now. This rain. I ADORE how Mike is just so over the moon about Chester. → “It’s like you made it rain,” he said, smiling away from the clouds and over at Chester. “You wished for it, and it happened.” ← That is just the most smitten, sweetest comment ever. And of COURSE they have to kiss after that. Who could resist kissing Chester in the rain? Their intimate moments are so sweet. But now Mike’s going to have some explaining to do, and I wonder if it’s going to be now, or if his mom will hold on to this info for a while. I feel like she’s not going to say anything just yet, so that will give me anxiety, waiting for it to happen. (That, and them finally having sex again, you know they want to.)

I love, love, love this waking up scene. It’s so sweet and tender. I love the idea of them laying there together sleeping, and Mike memorizing every part of Chester’s face. It’s very intimate, without either of them saying a word. They already feel very close to each other. I love Chester waking up and their teasing and banter, it’s just perfect.

Why does Mike feel the need to introduce Chester to his parents already? I feel like subconsciously, Mike already knows he wants Chester, not just for the band, but for life. Why else would Chester need to meet his family so soon? I hope it goes well. But that’s for later… more immediate is how much I love them laying in bed and kissing. I know I say it all the time, but I adore how you write kisses. And the way that Mike physically and emotionally reacts to Chester, I just know that Chester will have Mike at his mercy in every way. In the studio and in bed. I’m so ready for that.

I was NOT ready for the phone to ring, and the way real life just sucked the joy out of the morning. You wrote that really well, I could feel the total let down and shift in how they were feeling. Everything was going so awesome (even though I knew you wouldn’t let them have sex this early on) and then stupid Sam and Mike’s mom, and thoughts of Anna… forget all those people. I just want LP and Mike and Chester, no regrets. ;)

Thank you for updating this. I will always, always want more. <3

OMG MIKE. I swear, I cannot with him. Pretty much the whole chapter, lol. I am honestly just waiting for him to really mess up in front of the guys, because I know it’s going to happen. He is such a mess! I can’t blame him, but still… he’s not doing a great job holding his cover.

It’s so interesting to me that he is so single-minded when it comes to Chester. I’m used to Mike being portrayed as single-minded when it comes to the band. But this far exceeds that. Even though he’s having breakfast with the band and Chester, all of Mike’s thoughts are about him and Chester as a couple, even though it’s within the confines of the band. Even when they’re rehearsing, Mike is singularly focused on Chester to the point of not *really* hearing the things Brad pointed out as needing work. Mike’s got tunnel-vision big time, and I really think he just needs to get laid. Haha! Obviously, if he’s fantasizing about lip-ring blow jobs with Brad right there!!

He’s even still thinking *you and me* when he’s talking to Chester before they kiss under the tree - which, by the way, is such a great kiss.

→ “Mike had stopped thinking about the future of Xero hours ago.” ← You mean, as soon as Chester got off the plane.

Ok, I hate feet, so I had a hard time with the foot massages, but I know it’s meant to be intimate and romantic. It’s just not for me, but I know people like that, and it’s well written, so I forgive you for writing about feet.

I legit about fell off my bed when Mike invited Chester to bed. Like, fuck. I wanted that, and I KNEW you weren’t going to give it to me. But imagining Mike Shinoda asking for bedroom company - hot. Lol. →“Lay with me, Chaz. Please. I want you. Like last time.” ← I need you to let them have some sexy time. Damn, you’re killing me. I don’t want Chester to do what he should do, I want him to do Mike hahah!

I hope you update soon... I miss this fic! Stay safe out there! ❤

I really feel like Mike will be the one messing up here.  How in the world did he dare to bring Anna to the airport to pick Chester up and then not only totally forgets about her (when he saw Chester) but also allowed for that airport kiss to happen? Can you imagine if Anna would have seen them?

"He is perfect,” Mike agreed immediately. Maybe too quickly. He didn’t miss the wide eyed look from Anna at his insistent tone, and Mike took a deep breath. “For the band. He’s perfect for what we’re looking for. His voice, his stage presence, his look, his whole…being,”.... Mike just stop it!! Stop it or you will have Anna trying to see what's going on between you and your brand new bandmate!

Oh and the way Anna perceived Chester when she saw for the first time. Surely,  Chester did look scrawny and was kinda weird looking way back then.. of course not in a bad way, he was just unique and different.  But when you are expecting something and you get something else,  that's a little shocking lol. "she was imagining an Axl Rose, or David Bowie type character to come walking up to them - someone bright and flashy with a rock star flair"... this was just hilarious,  she didn't get none of that, she got a nerdy looking guy instead.. if only she knew that weird looking guy already had sex with her boyfriend...

I'm glad Anna disappeared for the rest of the chapter and they got to be home alone for the rest of the night.  I'm just sad they couldn't get to have the great amazing sex again.  Of course,  Sam at the back of Chester's head is making him feel guilty.  Have I told you before how much I hate Sam? And also  how I know you have a guilty pleasure of including Sam in your fics just so she can make Chester's life  miserable? Please let's just have her disappear and never come back?

Mike just needs to go ahead and break up with Anna. Seriously. He couldn’t even be bothered to remember she was there in the airport, and she absolutely noticed! I don’t care for her in the story, not because she’s not likable, but because she’s in the way. Chester doesn’t give a damn about Sam, and it appears he’d cheat on her with Mike in a heartbeat, but it’s the thought of Anna causes him to pause. I don’t like that because I’m ready for them to get it on, and (as usual) you’re going to make us wait FOREVER.

The whole airport scene struck me, because right now in the story, Mike and Chester are nobody. LP isn’t a thing yet, and they are totally average and unrecognizable, just chilling in LAX. I guess it really used to be like that for them, a long time ago. But lord, that first kiss in the airport… it’s a good thing nobody knew them. And that Anna couldn’t see him, though I kinda wish she would have so they could just break up and get it over with. Mike is a *mess* of emotions, and I am so impatient to see how that all turns out. I know he’ll be the one to give up their secret, I just don’t know to who, yet.

→ “For a split second Mike’s mind filled in that blank…” all the way to “... all for a brief, fluttery moment.” ← Best paragraph ever, omg. *Please* can they *please* just have sex again?

→ “He needed a drink.” ← For some reason, I was NOT expecting the return of the cherry koolaid lol. This Mike seems so innocent compared to so many other Mikes you’ve written. His mama’s boy, koolaid drinking, art school, bad liar self is just too cute. I’m with Mike, by the way. I don’t understand why Chester is with Sam, he doesn’t seem to like her much, and he recognizes how miserable she’s making him. He also already made a comparison about the difference in coming home to her and to Mike, so he’s very clearly unhappy, in my opinion. And as far as Mike goes, he seems totally willing to forget about Anna, so I’m thinking he’s not totally happy there either. Their kisses are SO HOT and I’m frustrated with the stopping. They’re also frustrated with the stopping, so you need to let them do more. They want more. *I* want more. I demand more. I feel like I can make demands, so that’s my demand, even though you will not cave to it at all.

I loved this chapter :)

Mike waiting for Chester to call all this time is really sweet, even though he isn't the best at hiding his feelings towards him. I'm hesitating whether I like Anna or not, because she seems nice and understanding, but at the same time I feel like she's going to be another obstacle (right next to Sam) to our boys being together in the future.

I still hate Sam as much as I did before, just saying. She's the worst! I'm so curious about what the guys will do when they find out the truth that Mike and Chester indeed knew each other before and had sex on top of that. I guess Brad will be the first one to know, he already is more cautious about this situation. I hope the rest of the band will be okay with it, though.

I probably forgot what I wanted to say, but I'm waiting for the next chapter impatiently! Can't wait for our Bennoda boys to meet again :)

God bless, it is just a matter of time before Mike manages to accidentally tell everyone around him that he and Chester had a one night stand years ago. I’m not sure who will take it harder, Brad or Sam! Brad KNOWS something is up, that sneaky mfer.

Anyway. This Easy Cheese. I hate that stuff passionately. But I can so see young Mike binge eating that crap. I LOVE the line from Anna’s POV, btw → “She’d been with Mike long enough to know when he was in his head, when he was trying to sort things out, and this was what it looked like - locking himself up and wallowing in his artistic misery and eating unhealthy things.” ← I really love that description. Maybe because that’s me, lol. Either way, I just love the picture it brings to my mind. Good word choices.

I HATE tomatoes. I did like the sprinkle in there of Anna thinking Mike was a mama’s boy. (He SO is, IRL.) That was nicely done. But Anna can go. I’m already tired of her, lol.

All through the chapter, when Mike has these private thoughts of Chester, he’s smiling like a loon, and I think that’s super cute. He just goes off into these private thoughts and it doesn’t matter who he’s with! I think Brad will be the one to flat out ask what’s up between Mike and Chester. He’s seeing Mike acting weird, and seems to be intuitive enough about it all to inquire. I really can’t wait.

Kind of like waiting on Chester to call in the chapter. Damn, it took FOREVER. And then they hardly got to talk! You’re such a damn tease. I wanted more conversation, but noooooo, Sam had to be in the way. Until Chester gets back to Mike, and then it’s on, I swear. I always want your M/C to jump in bed together, but this seems extra unfair because we know they’ve already had sex and yet you REFUSED to show it, and I am extra impatient, just like Mike. I know things are slow and I know we get wrapped up in our other stuff, but I hope you don’t make me wait too long for the next chapter. I need them to be reunited. You know, so they can get things with the band going. ;)