Always Him - OT4

Chapter 17 - Testing Boundaries

- Third Person -

Michael had woken up a few times and took the pills Luke had left out for him. They were great at numbing the pain he was still feeling but when checking under the bandage to see the work Luke had done he was really impressed, it was still a scar but it looked like he had been handled with care like they would at the hospital.

"It's not infected is it?"

Michael looked up at the voice and smiled small when seeing Luke standing there. His hair which he usually let fall however and used his fingers as a comb was now styled enough that it gave an effortless sleek to it. He thought it looked nice and complimented Luke's fitted black blazer, silk black shirt and black pants. It wasn't completely different to Luke's normal attire yet it was at the same time, he just seemed more put together. At least to Michael.

"Oh-uh no. I was just curious about it really." He moved his hands so his bandage continued to protect his abdomen.

"Good." Luke hummed and placed a small amount of food on Michael's bedside table. "I'm not sure if you feel up to it but the lock on this door isn't locked. So feel free to roam around the house. I've got work to do today but Ashton and Calum are here."

"You're leaving?" Obviously, Michael didn't want Luke to stay. Obviously. He just wasn't sure he wanted to be left alone with the other two. Luke had been the nicest to him since the beginning and Michael had taken full advantage of it.

"Someone's gotta work to be able to afford those pretty dresses for you."

Michael felt his smile actually grow at Luke's words because although certainly he hated it here, he also didn't feel one ounce of judgement for who he was or his past from Luke. He also didn't mind being spoilt. Not that he would admit that to Luke. He wasn't into feeding the blonde's ego anymore. That game was more than a bust.

"Also, don't worry about the other two. I'll make sure they know not to lay a single finger on you." Luke hummed, coming over to Michael's side and brushing a few pieces of his hair behind his ear. Not even thinking twice about it. Michael hurt him but he couldn't treat Michael the same as Ashton and Calum, he couldn't bring himself to, he was starting to understand why Michael tried to leave in the first place.

"Oh-Oh thank you." Michael blushed feeling Luke's fingertips brush against his skin, the pale skin of his cheeks tinting pink from such a small action. Something Luke couldn't help but smirk at.

"See you later Michael." Luke said and before Michael could say anything else the blonde had left the room. It felt odd hearing Luke say his real name for the past couple of days, he had gotten so used to kitten that his name felt foreign leaving Luke's lips.

Luke headed back upstairs, seeing the other two sitting in the dining room, eyes quick to move onto him as he entered. A silence fell in the room now, the three hadn't spoken together since the incident in the office. Luke didn't even come up to bed with the other two last night.

"Good morning loves."

Luke chuckled to himself as he saw the evident bruise on Ashton's neck and the caution in both of their eyes as they kept their gaze on their unpredictable partner. Ashton grumbled out a morning in return and Calum offered the same sentiment.

"I'm going out today to look at a couple of properties." Luke continued as he moved to go and stand behind the two, leaning down to grip the backs of their necks, earning grunts from the males from all the manhandling. "While I'm gone I have given Michael permission to roam the home if he wishes. If I find out either of you have given him trouble, you'll be joining him in that infirmary. Am I clear?"