Culmination

Silent Plea

He couldn't exactly recall how it really started. Nor could he tell you what brought him over the edge. But the feeling, that all too breif experience, like a drug Michael was instantly hooked.

Much to his dismay.
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"Gavin! You fucking moron!" Mr. Rage Quit himself shrieked. Glaring daggers into the flustered brit, who had scrambled to duck behind Jeremy in a vain attempt at using the man as a human shield. Though it didn't seem Jeremy would offer any protection as giggles wracked his body. Pulling away from the video he'd been editing to observe the turmoil between the two besties.

"T'was an accident, I swear on it!" Gavin gave a womanish squeal upon the realization that Michael had stood and was now stalking toward his hiding spot.

This particular day Michael had been teetering farther on the edge of irritable than the guys had seen him for some time. Hell, Ryan had caught him throwing an absolute fit over his missing beer, only to realize he'd been  holding the bev throughout his entire rant. It was concerning really, though none of the Achievement Hunters dared to disturb the redhead while he was trying to push through the work day. Well.. all except an oblivious Gavin of course;

The British lad had been whining for attention from his boi practically all day long, which was infuriating enough on its own, but Michael really lost it when gavin, in his inevitable boredom between recordings, had dropped his head on his desk with a 'thawp'. Causing a pen that had been resting on the spot to flip up and nail Michael in the forehead.

Hints the promise of death in his eyes as he stalked toward a cowering Gavin now.

"You mother-" before he could finish his threat however, Michael found himself being yanked back by strong arms. Letting out an undignified squeak as he was twirled, face smushed into his attacker's chest.

Of course Michael's shock didn't last for long. And the moment he'd gathered his thoughts the angry lad began to thrash and surge against the foreign body that held him prone against their chest. "Hey. Chill Jones." Michael growled eyes narrowing into a deep glare as he finally lifted his head to stare up at his human shackles.

Whether he should have been surprised or not Michael didn't exactly care about anything but escaping the mad king's iron grip. A slew of curses leaving the redhead's mouth, Michael shoved and twisted awkwardly. "Ryan! I swear to fucking god! If you dont fucking let me the fuck go right fucking NOW I'm going to murder you in your god damn sleep!!" The lad spat. Earning himself an amused smirk from the blond. Only serving to enrage the lad further.

"Michael, boi, what's gotten into you today?" Gavin braved the question upon the realization that he wasn't going to be flayed as long as Ryan gripped the enraged redhead. The inquiry proved effective as the other achievement Hunter's began to pipe up and finally acknowledge the clear elephant in the office.

He felt sick.

Jack was the first to second Gav, "I've gotta agree Michael. We haven't seen you this agitated in a long while."

His skin was crawling.

"Seriously, are you feeling alright man?" Jeremy was quick to add.

His lungs shriveled, aching with each sharp inhale.

It wasn't long before Michael was bombarded with pointed questions by his boyfriends that made the pit in his stomach swell. At this rate he really was going to throw up.

Without thinking Michael was sinking his teeth into Ryan's forearm. Not enough to break skin, but certainly enough to jar the gent into loosening his death grip on the redhead. And with a dagger sharp curse Ryan stumbled. Leaving Michael just enough leeway to shove away from the taller and take off for the door.

The door fell shut with a blunt 'wumpth', leaving the already concerned hunters to stare on in shock.

----

Stop
Stop
Stop

Michael grit his teeth, so hard he could have sworn he heard his jaw pop.

Luckily he'd been able to lock himself into the closest bathroom he could reach, palms pressed flush to the countertop. Michael hated the agonizing trembles that reverberated though his body as he pulled away from the sinks to stare up into the mirror, his heart dropping to his ankles;

Before him stood not himself, but a hollow shell. A crude copy, that to anyone else seemed just as pristine as the original, but to Michael.. The subtle changes glared him in the face, practically screaming their obviousness for all to hear.

The rush of blood in his ears was deafening, dwarfed only by the 'lub-dub-lub-dub-lub-dub' of his racing heart.

Disgusting.

Michael could see the sharp line of patchy concealer that fought so desperately to mask the bags that hung under his eyes.

Could see just how thin he'd become, what with his lack of appetite, and how the color in his face had muted. Almost to a stark white in comparison to before.

He felt sick just looking at the thing that bored into him with those pathetically tired eyes.

Absolutely disgusting...

----

"D'yah think he's still miffed..?" Gavin whined, he hadn't been able to focus on any real work ever since Michael left, the hopeful look in his eyes dashed upon meeting the dejected eyes of his lovers. "I thought so.." was all the brit could manage. The guilt that loomed over him making itself painfully clear to the others.

After an uncomfortably long bout of silence the hunters were met with the clatter of headphones against a desk and squeak of a chair as Geoff stood, fire in those eyes. "You know what, fuck this." He let out, irritation lacing every word. "I love Michael, and I know you all love him too, but right now he's acting like a selfish brat! If he's so fucking upset he could just come out with it and let us help, but instead he chooses to sulk and the moment anyone gets in his way he goes off on them! Well I'm sick of it." With that, the gent stormed for the door. "I'm going to find him." He pulled the door shut on his way out, letting it slam behind him.

Today was going to be a long day.