Better Left Behind. (Michael Afton AU)

Did you?

(Trigger warning: cussing)

(Michael's POV)

Why does it hurt when he calls me his friend?
Michael had been thinking about this since he tried to fall asleep. They had all ended up staying the night and it was about 1 A.M. Elizabeth and Charlie slept on the couch while Jeremy and Michael made a makeshift bed behind the couch. Michael couldn't sleep. Why does it hurt me when he says that? I'm his friend why would it hurt me? Why does it bother me? He got up and silently went into the backyard.

He sat against the wall of the house. Why am I so fucking bothered? Why do I like him? What? Did I just think that?..I don't like him like that.. He heard the sliding glass door quietly open and Jeremy walked out and sat down next to Michael. "So what are you doing out here?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"I noticed you got up" Jeremy shivered. "Are you cold? Michael said slightly concerned. "Not really..I like being out here." Jeremy scooted closer to Michael and leaned his head on Michael's shoulder.

There was silence for a little while.

Michael put his arm around Jeremy. Jeremy leaned closer. Michael blushed and was grateful Jeremy couldn't see his face in the dark.

"Can I ask you something?"
"Yea."
"I've been wondering this for a while, how do you know Henry?"
"He was my father's old business partner." He felt Jeremy shiver and pulled him closer. Michael looked at Jeremy who was leaning close on him. Jeremy looked up and their eyes locked. Oh my god I wanna kiss him so much right now. He's so beautiful in the moonlight.. The sliding glass door opened and they quickly scooted away from eachother even though they weren't doing anything. Elizabeth's voice broke the silence, "I got up to get water and noticed you two were gone. It's freezing out here you guys should probably come inside."

"Yea." They both got up at the same time and walked inside. Elizabeth returned to the couch and layed down. Michael layed down and Jeremy layed down next to him. After a few minutes he heard Jeremy whisper, "Hey Michael?"
"Yea?"
"I- well when we were out there..I really liked when you put your arm around me? A-and I'm just wondering if you could when were sleeping? I-I'm sorry I'm so stupid.." Michael turned to face Jeremy. Whispering as quiet as he could he responded "Hey it's fine.." And wrapped him arms around him pulling him closer. "Thank you.." Jeremy whispered before falling asleep. Michael fell asleep shortly after with a small smile.

(Henry's POV)

Henry had slowly gotten up and walked out to get his coffee. When he walked in the kitchen he stopped as he saw something in the corner of his eye. Turning and seeing the full scene he chuckled. Michael and Jeremy were basically cuddling in their sleep.

(Michael's POV)

He awoke and remembered the night before. I really shouldn't have told Henry any of that. I hope he doesn't bring it up again. Especially in front of anyone. Jeremy opened his tired eyes and the two sat up. Michael heard Henry in the kitchen with the coffee pot turned on. "Hey..morning." Michael muttered still tired from sleep. " Henry looked up, "Morning,you two look liked you slept well." Michael just replied with "Mhm.." Henry picked up the now full coffee pot and went to set it on the counter. "Oh by the way we're meeting with the police chief today." Henry said trying to make it seem casual. Michael woke up a little more at that, "Which one?" Henry looked confused for a moment. "Which what?"
"Which y'know officer." Henry still looked confused. "The chief, Clay Burke." Michael groaned internally and sighed outwardly. "When? Also is anybody else going with us?"
"Well your friend can come if he wants to, but Liz and Charlie are staying here." Michael walked out of the kitchen and tapped Jeremy on the shoulder to wake him up more and gain his attention. "Hey. Me and Henry might be gone all day. You can come with us,stay here or go home. I'll call you." Jeremy was still sleepy but awake enough to answer. "I'll stay here.." Michael almost smiled. "Ok."

They were outside the police station. Michael felt extremely uncomfortable to be here for three reasons: 1.He ran away when he was 15, He's considered missing. 2.He came here when he accidentally killed his brother. 3. He looks very similar to his father. If he's not careful somebody will recognize him. Why does it have to be Clay? He worked on the Freddie's case for years, he knows every detail about my father, and a lot about me. What if he accuses me of murdering the children? What if I'm only here to be arrested? He was dragged out of his thoughts by Henry opening the door, Michael followed closely behind Henry and kept his head down.

Henry led Michael to an office. The door had the name "Clay Burke" on a metal plague. "Wait out here ok?" Henry said, Michael nodded and stepped off to the side. Henry knocked and a man opened the door. Henry walked in and the door was shut. Michael was tempted to eavesdrop but decided against it.
Michael could hear muffled voices coming from inside. He heard a chair squeak and somebody getting up. Michael tensed up. Henry opened the door. "You can come in, I didn't inform Clay you were going to be here. All he knows is I brought somebody knowledgeable of Freddie's." Michael didn't know what to say before he followed Henry inside.

The office was cold but gave off a warm vibe. Light brown hardwood flooring and a brown desk along with two fold up chairs. Clay looked up from some papers on his desk. When he looked at Michael he became alert and more tense. "What's going on?" He said extremely confused as to how the hell Michael Afton was standing in his office. "You said you needed somebody who knows a lot about Freddie's so I brought an expert." Clay was still tense, "No..I mean how?" Henry and Michael sighed at the same time. "We can talk about this later, But we need to address the issue at hand right now."

The desk chairs were cold and uncomfortable, Michael shifted under Clay's watchful gaze. "So I have been informed you are a former employee of Circus Baby's Pizza World?" Michael nodded stiffly. "Why were you working there? What were you trying to achieve?" Michael tensed. "I thought we were supposed to be discussing Freddie's, not why I worked there." Clay sighed, "Henry it's best if you leave the room." Henry looked like he was about to argue but Clay's intimidating glare made him leave.

When Henry left the room became even more tense. "I'll get straight to the point, did you kill the kids?" Michael gripped the sides of the chair with his hands, "No." Clay didn't look satisfied. "Who else could've? Who else could've lured kids? I don't think a rotting corpse suit could've." Michael looked down,
"I said I didn't kill anybody." Clay wanted to hit where it hurt, try to extract a confession out of him. Clay wanted answers and he would do anything to get them. "Oh? Didn't you kill your br-" Before Clay could finish his sentence the door burst open.

John stood there looking panicked.