Souvenir [Complete]

Seven. Chicago

Luke spent Sunday morning focused on anything but singing. He had let Michael spend the night with him that night. Cause Luke was needing some emotional support. And the more outward stimulation, the less time he had to feel guilty.

But once he started singing his song, it was pretty much muscle memory to him, so his mind had time to wander. He later got comments from the church goers asking him if he was alright.

"I'm perfect," Luke nodded with a sweet smile. He told that to everyone who asked. It replaced the "he's been working on that one for a while" speech he normally gave.

They seemed to believe them, because he could control is face when he could concentrate on it.

Michael rescued him almost immediately after he'd finished his meal. Luke was dressed up in his church outfit—it was amazing how many satiny shirts he owned—and Michael was still in his work uniform. So after they'd run back to Michael's place, and changed, they were two bottom boys out on the town.

Luke finally felt pretty. His hair seemed to curl in the right ways. His shirt fit him nicely, the teeny tiny black stripes made him feel equally as dainty. But in the way he liked, not in the sense that he was just one person in a huge universe. He felt spatially small. But his grin felt miles wide.

They'd planned it out the night before, but they were gonna watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and buy popcorn and all the sweets they wanted. Luke was operating like Michael. Following his lead, acting as he would.

It wasn't technically a break up, but the sting on Luke's heart deserved wallowing too. Michael even said so. Even if it's just for a day. Even if Michael didn't approve of Ashton, he was still there, helping Luke get past it. And Luke loved him for that.

If only his life was as simple as a romantic comedy.

Luke decided not to worry about Ashton too much during the movie. Yet he still wondered if he'd found a place to stay in New York. Surely he had friends. Then Luke remembered how stand-off-ish he was to everyone he didn't know.

Luke at the very least hoped Ashton had more friends there than he did here. March was still brutally cold. And since he was still under the impression he was the one causing Ashton all that trouble, he'd feel horrible.

Luke lifted the little arm rest between Michael and he and laid on his shoulder. Michael immediately hugged him to make it more comfortable. That was the thing about Michael. He was always ready for a cuddle. And Luke needed the affection, so it was a win-win.

Michael eventually set the popcorn aside, and tugged Luke into his lap. And Luke felt so safe in his best friend's arms. He felt protected from the whole world. And Michael even pet Luke's hair while they watched.

Luke could hear his heartbeat, and his breathing, and could smell his body spray. It was light and smelled like flowers. Smelled like his bedroom.

Luke dozed off before the movie finished.

The best part about being in a mall—other than the possibility to buy anything on a whim, was the food court. So many possibilities in one place. And like always they got Chinese.

Luke loved orange chicken and fried rice. If there was one thing on the planet he could eat his whole life, it would be a huge plate of that all the time. Which is what made mall trips so special.

Luke loved the way the little plastic fork held the chicken—even if it was slightly uncomfortable to hold, and the tines bent way too easily. The taste made up for any discomfort.

"You know we're getting you things that make you feel good. So you just point to whatever store you wanna go in and we'll go," Michael hummed sipping his Diet Coke.