Jeremike-You're Different than the others

Chapter 24: I Like You, I Love You

No One's POV (I like doing it this way for some reason)

Jeremy felt a rare emotion flood through his body, and it mixed in well with other emotions that he had kept hidden. Anger pulsed through his veins, along with the feeling of someone not understanding and shock towards how Mike was acting at the moment. Thoughts rushed through Jeremy's mind, these thoughts consisted of the same thing. He doesn't understand the fear I have felt and the pain I have endured! This feeling quick consumed Jeremy, his brain commanding his body to put his hands on Mike's chest, pushing forward to break Mike's grip on the night guard's shoulders. Mike felt the force and instinctively took a step back, letting go of Jeremy in the process. The brunette began spitting words out his mouth, making Mike have to quickly process what just happened in order for him to hear. "No I don't Mike, you don't get it! Over the span of almost nine years I've been beaten by t-that monster and you act like I'm fussing over n-nothing!" More tears began to fall down Jeremy's face, making the guard seem less confident in himself about what he was doing. Mike however, felt as if someone froze him to the floor, his icy eyes locked on to Jeremy and his ears perked so he could hear every word spilling from the night guard's mouth.

Jeremy felt even more anger flow through his body as he remembered each and every single painful and bloody memory spill out. The amber-eyed brunette felt everything echo in his head when Mike told him to basically stop talking. It was obvious and Jeremy hadn't noticed; Mike had pitied him. Although his father was terrible, he had taught Jeremy one thing and that was that when someone pitied you it would end in them betraying you. It was a weak emotion in his dad's book and throughout the years he passed that down to his miserable son. "You don't know anything Mike! You have never been beaten, you have never had to deal with being all alone and you never had to go through what I did! So, you can't tell me everything will be fine, you can't tell me to shut up, and you can't make me feel better! You are no different than everyone else in this stupid world!" Betrayal was clearly painted across Mike's face, soaking in each word Jeremy said. Oh how wrong the brunette was. The only sound in the room was Jeremy's weak sobs and his breathing. Mike on the other hand, was totally still. The blue-eyed guard was slowing thinking of a way to handle to situation so that it wouldn't end in him making Jeremy break down crying or ending in Mike hurting him. That was the last thing he wanted.

Taking a deep breath and clearing his mind, Mike slowly moved towards Jeremy. Jeremy didn't notice, staring at the floor and the tears falling from his eyes. Seconds later he noticed the sound of steps and looked up just in time to be face to face with Mike. They were literally a few inches apart and it took no time for color to stain Jeremy's face a bright pink. Icy blue eyes were staring straight in to tear stained amber ones. Time seemed to almost stop as the two guards stared at each other, the brunette one not noticing how the other male had a grip on his wrist that made it possible for him to be pulled forward any second. Mike felt as if he had treaded onto thin ice, noting how 'breakable' Jeremy looked at the moment. Usually the male had put up a front, only breaking down from time to time now that he felt like he had a friend whom he could trust. Before Mike, Jeremy rarely broke down and even if he did, he was alone.

Thoughts of regret began to swarm Jeremy's mind, his full memory and common sense coming back to him. In that moment of blind rage he had forgotten much and the moment was only fueled by Jeremy's rage towards his father and him thinking that Mike only pitied him. Jeremy was very wrong. Mike slowly raised his hand up, placing it across the side of Jeremy's face. Betrayal yet determination flashed in Mike's eyes, making Jeremy's own eyes widen.

"Jere I know I haven't been beaten, but I know how it feels to lose a loved one and I know how it feels to be alone. Hell, I've been alone almost my entire life! I'm not here to sugarcoat things for you, I'm here because you're one of the only people I can't fucking stand and you seem lost in life! I'm here because I want to be here!" A few more tears fell down Jeremy's face and onto Mike's hands. At first Jeremy struggled to get away from Mike, saying something along the lines of, "N-no you're not!" and "You're here just because you pity me! No one would like me!" Mike only frowned and spat words out before thinking, "I'm here because I fucking lo-"Now it was Mike's turn to blush, thankfully catching himself before those words were spoken out loud. The tables had turned on him, now Jeremy was the one who stared at Mike with a look of shock. Mike's face turned a rare shade of pink, turning away so Jeremy couldn't see his face.

"M-mike, you OK? What were you going t-to say?" Mike calmed his nerves and turned back to Jeremy, answering the brunettes question in the process. It was muttered so Jeremy could barely hear it.

"Nothing Jeremy. But can you remember this?" The amber-eyed brunette looked up at his friend, a puzzled look sewn onto his features. Jeremy titled his head, giving a physical sign for 'what'. Mike sighed and began. "I want you to remember that I have felt terrible pain too and that no matter what I'm here for you. Don't you worry Jere-"Mike pulled Jeremy into an awkward hug, it being the only thing Mike could think of to make the atmosphere calmer. An idea popped into his head that may or may not lead to something awkward. "I am here for you." Jeremy felt something wash over him, but he couldn't pinpoint it. Was it relief? Freedom? Worry? Or could it be the feeling of being protected. That was foreign to Jeremy on so many levels. He returned Mike's awkward hug and pulled away, suddenly feeling the weight of guilt as he realized what he said. It stung his heart and made him feel as if he wasn't himself. Jeremy had never snapped like that in front of Mike or anyone for that matter. It made him scared.

"H-hey Jere?" Said guard's ears perked up, looking up at Mike to see worry yet a hint of hope in his eyes and a light pink on his face. The brunette gave a slight title of his head, making his hair bounce a bit. Mike's eyes widened, if that wasn't the definition of adorable then nothing else was. The nervous man took a deep breath, filling his oxygen deprived lungs. To put it simply, Mike was nervous.

"Do you maybe wanna go uh-" Jeremy could sense Mike's nervousness and hugged him a bit tighter, hoping to calm his friend down. "Maybe if you want to uhh I mean you don't have to..."

"Yes Mikey?" Mike cringed at the nickname Jeremy had given him, his heart skipping a beat.

"Do you want to maybe go out for lunch or something?" The last bit was rushed, but Jeremy could still understand. He gave an adorable nod as he replied, "Sure Mike, I-I'd love to hang out with you!" Mike's heart cracked a bit, he hoped Jeremy would think of it as a date. However, Mike wasn't the type of person to admit such a thing, so he only gave a weak smile. Jeremy buried his face in Mike's chest, trying to calm his pounding heart. Jeremy was too naive for his own good. The words echoed in Jeremy's mind, making him question the invitation. Could it be a date? Does Mike like me? Nah, no one would like someone like me, just enjoy it while it lasts Fitzgerald.

A/N: Yeah I'm getting into the habit of AN at the end of each chapter. I just wanna say thank you once again guys, you've been coming up to me and saying that I inspire you and that makes me feel so amazing! You guys are the best. I would like to give a shout out to FlowerWolfy for the idea for Mike asking Jere out and the art above. Her stories are so awesome so please CHECK THEM OUT! They were so nice and made the art above for me and I couldn't be more thankful for you amazing people. I'll give her a shout out in the next chapter because there was more to her idea that I will use. IF YOU READ THE NOTE, YOU GET A COOKIE! (Wattpad is being stupid and won't let me link her page to you guys)