Hey Bartender, Hit Me

Chapter 9

Luke looked in the mirror.

He was nervous about going back to work today. After the...incident with Michael the other day, he let Luke stay home a couple days and relax.

    Michael had been really good to him those couple days, calling him during his breaks, bringing home chocolates and roses for him, asking what he needed and getting it for him so he didn't have to leave the house.

    Luke turned his cheek, running his finger over the fading bruise trying to decide if he was really ready. He picked up the foundation from the bathroom counter and decided to put it on, feeling better once the ugly yellow-purple marks were gone. No one would be able to tell anything was wrong with his face now and that soothed his anxiety.

    "Looking great, baby, very handsome. You ready?" Michael asked, peeking around the corner from the bedroom. He had his work clothes on, but his tie wasn't tied, his shirt was only halfway buttoned and he didn't have socks on.

    "Yeah, are you?" He raised his eyebrows at him, and Michael rolled his eyes.

    "Almost, can you help me?" He asked looking at Luke with fake-innocence shining in his eyes.

    "If I do, will we make it to work on time?" Michael took the tie and looped it around Luke's shoulders, pulling his body closer to him.

    He only winked and led Luke to the bed.

***

    Giggling, Luke and Michael stumbled through the door, having run from their apartment to the bar. Michael had wanted to drive, but Luke grinned and started pulling him down the street.

    "Why?" Michael had asked, not able to say much more through the exertion of running.

    "It'll be fun!" Luke giggled, leading Michael through the busy streets, ignoring the glares they received from angry New Yorkers. Michael shrugged and laughed, going along with his antics.

    "You two are late!" Harry called as they rushed inside and upstairs, still hand in hand. Luke couldn't remember a time when he was this happy, it felt like nothing could bring his mood down.

    Michael helped him take his coat off, kissing his forehead and booping his nose before they both head to check and make sure everything was set up and ready to go.

    "Hey, I was hoping to take you out tonight." Michael said, looking at Luke while he refilled the straw container.

    "Michael, I told you, no more special treatment, it's okay."

    "If I want to take my baby out and treat him like a queen, I'm going to do it," Michael pouted. Luke walked past him to get a towel, but Michael grabbed his waist and crushed him in a hug.

    "Michael,"

    "I love you, Lu." Luke closed his eyes, really remembering this moment. He really, truly believed it. These last few days had been crazy, but he never felt more loved at another moment in his life.

    "I love you, Michael."

    They went about business as normal, hanging out together in the upstairs bar, winking playfully at each other, taking any chance to touch each other, brushing past the others arm, booping a nose, a quick kiss as they passed.

    Luke was taking a break in the office, smiling happily as he played Piano Tiles on his phone when he got a text. He tried to swipe up to get rid of it, but it momentarily distracted him from the game so he lost.

    Groaning, he almost thought about not responding to the message, but curiosity got the best of him and he looked.

    "Hi best friend! Will we see you tomorrow at the audition? Hope you're ready! ~Calum"