#bandmates are synonymous with soulmates. i wanna throw up

[bedcorpse]

also the thing is. while obviously they all stayed in touch and mikey is literally their brother ray and gerard were closest physically throughout the breakup era. they both stayed in la. they built a studio together. they started a production team with doug. they recorded music together pre-reunion (again mikey was on millions and played live with g in japan but again. literal blood siblings). and that meaning ray was at least partially privy to whatever happened to gerard emotionally in that time period. and him being the most visibly happy to see him in dresses and costumes and being themself. just. again i find shipping real people morally gray at best but GOD RAYRARD