*LISTEN TO NEVER BE FOR THIS CHAPTER JUST TRUST ME OKAY*
Michael's with Luke yet again, as he has been every available moment for the last three months. They've been inseparable ever since that perfect day at the park. Of course, they've hit their rough patches, like any couple, but they've always been quick to mend things with sweet words and occasional flowers.
Their fights that they've encountered have been something just short of humorous. They tend to turn to the silent treatment during them, ranging anywhere from an hour to a day without speaking. Never more than 24 hours. The two are such complete suckers for each other that any fight lasting longer than that would drive them to insanity. And so, they always show up at each other's houses with apologies falling from their lips and eyes screaming for forgiveness. A few kisses normally follow.
Those arguments are quite rare, though. The boys are entirely lost in the honeymoon state of love that it's a miracle they can even see straight. Calum sometimes makes jokes about them seeing only in pink filters with heart frames.
Things have been going far better than either of them ever imagined they would. Even Michael's introduction to Luke's father went smoothly. The mayor seemed skeptical at first, but by the end of the night, he simply adored Michael, telling him he was glad his son found him. It was such a relief to Michael to have that acceptance.
What was the most surreal to him, was about a month into their relationship, Luke had casually suggested they go to a party. Michael was hesitant to say yes, but did so anyways. Upon entering the party, Michael had wanted nothing more than to melt into the floorboards. Luke kept him steady, though, showing him off proudly to the crowd full of teenagers. Never once did Luke look ashamed or try to hide him. On the contrary, when a considerable number of shots had been taken, Luke got quite handsy and put on a show of PDA. Their alcohol flavored kisses were the talk of the town for a while after. Neither of them could find it in them to care.
Now, as Michael's head is resting against Luke's chest, he can't help but smile fondly at the memory. Luke's heartbeat surrounds him and for a second, he swears he can hear the pounding bass again.
That night remains significant to him for a far greater reason, though.
Whether it be the liquor consumed or their heated touches that continued all night or even the way Luke's eyes seemed to be shining, Michael didn't want it to end when they left the party. So they had stumbled into Luke's room, dizzy with lust. It was the first time for both of them, and there was no shortage of giggling. Overall, it had been gentle yet clumsy, and neither of them would change a second of that.
It was all perfect. Luke was perfect.
Michael sighs into Luke's shirt, inhaling the scent that he had become so familiar with.
"You okay?" Luke asks.
"I'm more than okay," Michael replies honestly.
Without even having to look up, Michael knows the exact grin that's graced Luke's lips. It's a smile that he sees in his sleep.
After a few more heartbeats, Luke asks, "have you written anything recently?"
"No, I haven't needed to. I mean, I used to write when I had no other way of expressing my feelings.. But now I have you." Michael glances over at the notebook that has sat by his bed untouched for the last few months. Inside are his deepest secrets and some of his darkest moments. There are a few happy poems scattered throughout, but nowadays Michael expresses his happiness in "I love you"s.
"Oh," is all Luke can think to say.
"What made you think of that?" Michael asks in return.
"Well I was just thinking about how we met and I realized I hadn't seen any new poems for a while," Luke explains.
Flashes from that time run through Michael's head. There had been so many ups and downs back then that it almost gives him a headache to think about. Things had been unnecessarily complicated and dramatic. He's hit yet again with just how far they've come.
"And to think you almost ended up with Ashton.." Michael mutters.
Luke can't hold back his laugh. "Don't remind me." As an afterthought, he adds, "I have a feeling that wouldn't have gotten very far anyways."
"What do you mean?"
"Well he's Ashton. I don't know, he's just not my type."
"And what is your type?"
"Purple haired idiots."
Michael's laughing now, too. Their laughter fills the room and it's truly a beautiful sound.
"You have to admit, though, he's gotten a lot better," Michael says once his breathing evens out.
"Yeah we can thank Calum for that."
"Too bad Calum's magic won't work on my stepmother," Michael sighs. The laughter instantly disappears from his face and he's left looking weary.
"I'm sorry," Luke whispers, taking Michael's hand in his. He soothingly rubs his thumb across the skin of Michael's hand. "I don't understand why she's so horrible to you."
"I don't either."
"I know I've said it a million times, but it's just not fair. You deserve so much better than her as a family."
Michael doesn't respond to that; there's nothing to say.
"I just wish there was something I could do.." Luke mumbles.
This conversation has come up countless times before. It has been suggested almost every time that Michael move out, but that's where they get stuck. Michael could never afford to live on his own, that's for sure. The only other place he'd have to go is Calum's, but he'd hate to inconvenience his family in such a huge way.
"Are you hungry?" Michael asks suddenly.
Luke shrugs so Michael takes that as a yes. He pulls Luke up from his bed and drags him downstairs. They agree easily on cereal to eat and pour overflowing bowls of cheerios.
Michael's in the middle of taking a bite when Luke says something that causes him to spit out a mouth full of half-chewed cereal.
"Move in with me."
"What?!" Michael sputters.
"Move in with me," Luke repeats. Michael searches his face for any sign of a joke, but discovers that he's dead serious.
"I- I can't- Luke.." Michael tries for words and fails. His head is spinning out of control and yet still can't catch up.
"I mean it. You need some place to go and I have that place."
"It's not that easy.."
"Yes it is. You're 18. She can't keep you here," Luke replies. From his tone of voice, Michael should know that it's pointless to argue. He knows what he wants and he is determined to get it.
There's an uneasy feeling in the pit of Michael's stomach. There's no way this will work out.
"I can't do that to you, though," Michael tries weakly.
They both push aside their cereal; it seems so unimportant now. They stare intently at each other from across the table.
"It honest to god wouldn't be a problem. We have plenty of guest rooms available and we can obviously afford feeding one more person. My dad wouldn't mind either I swear," Luke reasons. The way he lays it out leaves Michael no room to argue any more.
"Are- are you sure?"
"I've never been this sure about anything in my life. Michael, she's hit you before and I can't let that happen again. If I can protect you from her, I'm going to do everything in my power to do so. So please let me.." Luke trails off. He's pleading with him now and Michael doesn't understand. He's never had someone so insistent on protecting him. He's never had someone care like this for him.
"Michael, please, I can't stand to see you this miserable," Luke whispers when he doesn't reply right away.
Michael remains deep in thoughts for a few more seconds before slowly nodding. "Okay."
Luke's face immediately lights up. The brilliant smile that follows is enough to assure Michael that he has made the right decision. "Really?" Luke squeaks.
"Really."
Before Michael is aware of what's happening, Luke is on his feet and barreling towards him. He envelops Michael in a hug that almost knocks him out of his chair.
"You don't think we're taking this too fast?" Michael asks a minute later.
"No. I love you more than anything and this is what I want," Luke replies without hesitation.
And right then and there, Michael knows that he will do anything Luke wants. If that means moving in with him, then so be it.
There are tears welling in the corners of Michael's eyes- he's not exactly sure where they came from. He's practically bursting at the seams with happiness. He's warm and fuzzy and intoxicated by the idea of a happy ending.
A happy ending with Luke.
He's about to escape from this hell; he's about to get out and never return. He won't ever have to be told that he's not good enough again. He'll be with Luke and no one will ever hurt him again.
These thoughts are maybe a little too hopeful, and he knows that, but he lets them take over for now.
"I love you so much," Michael whispers, pulling away from their hug to look his boyfriend in the eyes.
Right there, set in the irises of Luke's eyes, he can finally see that happy ending.