Theory of Attachment [18+] [mxm]

21. I Said DON'T PRESS IT. WHY ARE YOU PRESSING IT-

"Sorry, I couldn't wait," Benny said.

"No," Micah said, immediately, when Benny got to his feet to approach. Micah abandoned the laundry idea to flee down the hall with Benny chasing after him. "I can't talk to you right now."

"You're my best friend! You can't expect me to just ignore you—"

"You are ignoring me!" Micah cried, voice cracking. When he turned, Benny was in his face and flinching away. "Every second you spent thinking about 'Oh, maybe he's different. Maybe it'll work this time. I'll ask him out on a date,' you spent it ignoring me."

"That—That isn't what I meant," Benny said, his eyes already flushing pink. "Micah—"

"I told you what I thought of him," Micah said, voice raising despite himself. He was breathing hard already. "How could you bring someone around me, expecting me to behave, when the very sight of him makes me want to bash his fucking face in."

"D-Don't say that. You know I love him, I—"

A full-body spasm took hold of Micah's spine. He covered his face, shaking with rage.

"And—! And the ring Alistair gave me, don't you think it isn't a coincidence? That I meet him again so soon after? It means something."

"So, what, next you're gonna fall in love with Donald Trump and expect me to be the best man at your wedding?"

"Okay, now you're just being cruel. You know I hate that guy too and I'd never ask you to be the best man in that case."

"Then you can't fucking ask me now," Micah cried. "I'd say no! I can't condone this!"

He realized then that Benny hadn't thought that far ahead, or considered that his best friend wouldn't be a part of his wedding at all.

"Benny," Micah said, slowly, as moisture glistened on Benny's lashes. When he blinked, one fell and streaked his cheek. "When you break up with someone, someone the people close to you hadn't liked or wanted around for so long. Bringing them back? That's the definition of torture for the people you love. It's selfish to expect me to participate in your self-flagellation."

"H-How could you say that?" Benny weeped. "I j-just want you two to get along. It's different this time, really. He's—He's—"

"I don't give a shit what he is," Micah seethed. "Leave me out of it."

"How can I leave you out of it when we live together."

"I'm looking for a new place." He hadn't been until the last two minutes.

Benny's face went ashen, all except for how red his eyes were. "No."

"I'm not expecting you to choose our friendship over him," Micah insisted, "because I know you'd pick him any day. You'd pick him over removing the valid discomfort from your friends' lives. That is why I can't be around you right now. You're a shitty fucking friend for doing this."

The second he backed away, tense and shaking with adrenaline, he was startled by the appearance of Erika from her bedroom door. She was staring at him like he'd just slaughtered an infant in front of her very eyes.

The moment she met his gaze, she exited the room, expression hardening. Her eyes, however, were wide with hurt. "Take it back," she spat at him. "Take it back and apologize."

"No," Micah said. She inhaled sharply. He pointed at Benny, who was now in full, silent tears staring at the floor between them. "He knew what I was going to say. I warned him after the first time they broke up exactly what I was gonna say."