Our Place || Muke ✔️

32

Luke and Michael's tender moment was interrupted as the door opened. The porch light felt like it was casting a spotlight on the two young men. Jack, Luke's older brother, stood in the doorway, a mixture of shock and concern etched across his face as he observed the scene before him. His knuckles were white as he stared at his little brother who looked like he was suddenly on the verge of tears.

Luke pulled away from Michael, a mixture of fear and apprehension in his eyes. He knew this moment would eventually come but he hadn't expected it right now, on this cold December evening. The night before Christmas was usually filled with love and happy emotions. This isn't what Luke wanted.

He couldn't breathe.

Jack's gaze shifted between his brother and Michael, and the unspoken tension hung heavily in the air. "Luke," Jack finally spoke again, his voice trembling slightly. "What the hell is going on here?"

Luke couldn't speak, his shimmering blue eyes searching for the right words. Michael stood beside him, a mix of support and uncertainty in his expression. He didn't know what to do either. Jack had obviously seen and heard their intimate moment. He knew they were more than friends now. There was no way they could have brushed this under the carpet. The emotions that were dripping from the two boys only a few moments ago were too real to shove inside again. Michael didn't want that. He wanted to come clean to Luke's brother about it but he wasn't sure the blonde felt the same way because he was practically hyperventilating where he stood.

"Jack," he began, his voice shaky and filled with vulnerability, "I... I... Please. I don't know."

"Well figure it out!" Jack snapped, his voice dark as he stared at Michael who tried not to shrink back. Michael wasn't scared of anyone or anything. In fact, he was hoping he didn't have to start yelling at Luke's brother but if he did have to, he would be fine with it.

Luke struggled to find the right words, his blue eyes darting around in search of the right explanation. Michael stood beside him, a mix of support and dread in his expression. He knew this confrontation was inevitable but he hadn't anticipated the harshness of Jack's reaction.

"I..." Luke trailed off pathetically. Then, a single tear trickled out of his eye and down his face. His hands were shaking at his sides.

Jack's face went through a series of emotions, from surprise to concern, and then a flash of realization. He took a step closer to Luke. "Is... I mean, are you..?"

He couldn't even say the word.

"No!" Luke said quickly, swallowing hard, eyes flickering to the black haired boy that was silent besides him. Michael tried not to flinch at Luke's words and held his tongue. "No, i'm not like that. I'm not... I'm not gay. This is..."

"Luke," Jack said in a firm voice, "tell me the truth. What's going on?"

"It was just a misunderstanding." Michael eventually said when Luke didn't speak up. Both of their blue eyes snapped towards Michael and the black haired boy sighed softly, looking to the ground. "Sorry." He murmured.

"A misunderstanding? How was that a misunderstanding?" Jack asked, his voice cold.

"It was me." Michael said quickly. "I... I came onto him. It was a mistake. Like I said, i'm sorry. He tried to push me away but... Yeah."

Luke's heart pounded in chest as he watched Michael take the blame for all of it, a mixture of guilt and relief washing over him in an instant. His chest felt tight. Michael wasn't even looking at him. Luke didn't know what to think. Jack's expression softened but confusion still lingered.

Michael continued, his voice shaky but determined. "I shouldn't have put Luke in that position. It was wrong of me and I regret it. I wasn't thinking clearly. I never meant to cause any trouble."