Queer ➸ OT4

ii

(thAT GIF I CAN'T! LUCAS YOU ARE FEEDING THE QUEERSOS HEADCANONS!)

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The tense feeling hadn't really let up throughout the day, so that evening when the group was getting ready for the show they were a lot quieter than normal.

The quiet made Michael nervous. These boys (and Ash) were some of the loudest people he knew. "Guys." He whined quietly. Ashton looked up immediately, but they didn't say anything. Maybe they didn't like the not gender-neutral term, but Michael couldn't see their face long enough to find out. "We can't just not talk before we go on stage. Everyone will notice we're acting weird."

Ashton sighed, "Michael's right." They said, turning around to face the boys, "We need to talk about this or our performance is going to suffer."

Luke looked up, but he didn't say anything. Calum, on the other hand, continued to rummage through his things even though it was obvious he wasn't looking for anything.

"Calum," The red haired boy said quietly, moving to stand near him, "What's wrong? You know none of us are judging you and we're not going to tell anyone."

He rested his head gently on the other boy's shoulder, only to be pushed off. Michael moved back, hurt. "Mikey," Calum sighed, finally looking in the other boy's eyes. He looked sad. "I'm not worried, okay? I'll be fine. I just need time to process." He paused, noticing Michael's hurt expression, "I'm sorry." He said quietly. Calum went back to rummaging, sniffing once.

Michael nodded, only half accepting his apology. He went to get his much needed hug from Ashton, only to find them talking quietly to Luke. Michael just sighed and went back to getting ready.

The atmosphere had lightened up a little, but Calum still wasn't talking, and Michael felt left out of the Lashton thing, whatever those two were doing. He made his way over to them, leaning into Ashton's side to alert them of his presence.

Ash looked over, "Oh hey Michael." They said with a smile, "Are you holding up okay?"

Michael thought for a moment and shrugged, "Calum pushed me off." He said quietly.

Luke nodded, "He's upset, but I don't know why." He shrugged and went off to find something across the room.

"He didn't mean to hurt you, babe." Ashton said, wrapping an arm around him, "He just needs time to cool off from whatever upset him."

There was a loud groan from the other side of the room, "I can hear you guys talking about me." Calum nearly shouted.

Michael flinched, but Calum's words reminded him of what he wanted to ask Ashton, "Ashy," He said quietly, "Does us saying guys referring to everyone bother you?"

Ashton looked confused for a moment, then they laughed, "No it's fine. I like it. Being agender, I personally am okay with any nicknames, feminine or masculine."

"Does that mean I could call you princess?" Asked Michael, eyes wide.

Ashton doubled over, laughing so hard. Michael liked watching them laugh, they seemed so happy and carefree with their hair falling in their face as their whole body shook. They were just... beautiful.

Ash wiped their eyes of the tears they had from laughing so hard, "I mean," They stopped to giggle, "You could if you wanted to. Makes it sound like we're dating though."

Michael nodded. They could be dating. They already acted like it, what with the cuddles and pet names and looking out for each other. The red haired boy blushed at the thought. He was definitely asexual, but aromantic? Not in a million years. He then realized he was thinking about his best friend in a romantic way and that's kinda weird so he just tossed away the thought, leaning into Ash and hugging them.