Pompeii ➳ muke

thirteen

"We need you in the studio tonight. I know it is last minute, but we have to get these vocals down. I've had the boys here all day, you're the missing piece," Wilde's voice sounds through the tiny phone speaker.

Michael sighs, audibly annoyed, "Are you sure this can't wait? I'm kind of busy."

He glances around the corner to check on the blond haired boy sat in his lounge. Luke's locks are messy atop his head, a red fleece blanket draped over his shoulders, and his baby blues are glued to the television screen.

"You're busy? Michael, do you realize who you are? Busy is the sole definition of your life. We can't do this any other night. I'll see you in an hour."

Michael ends the call and returns his phone to his back pocket. The last thing he wants to do is upset Luke, but he is left with no other option.

He makes his way back to the lounge and plops down, but Luke's eyes never stray from the screen.

"You seem tense, what's wrong?" Luke questions without even making eye contact.

This makes Michael smile, "I have to go to the studio tonight. Wilde called and he claims I can't do this any other night. I'm sorry."

The blond's brow furrows as he turns to look at the other boy, "Oh, you're sure you have to go?"

Michael simply nods, "I'll make it up to you, okay? At least let me walk you out."

A small smile spreads across Luke's pink lips as he rises to his feet and allows Michael to lead him to the foyer. He slips his canvas shoes onto his feet and meets Michael at the door. They step out and walk side by side down the concrete stairs to the car parked by the gate. Michael pulls the smaller boy into a hug just as the lights begin to flash.

"Michael! Michael! Who is this?"

"Michael, friends don't hug like that!"

"Is this your boyfriend?"

"Michael, is this your official coming out?"

Michael turns quickly on his heel and swears loudly, "Fucking hell, get in the car!"

He tugs the door open and practically shoves Luke inside.

"Just pull straight out of the gate, okay? Don't stop for anyone. They won't go in front of the car, I promise. Keep your head down. I'm so sorry."

Luke's eyes are wide and his heart is beating much too fast for his liking. Overwhelmed would be an understatement as to how he is feeling. Yet, despite the questions coming in the form of shouts and the flashing lights, he maneuvers the car through the gate, attempting to keep his face from direct view. Once onto the street, the car speeds off and Michael hurries back inside.

The encounter with the paparazzi has an obvious effect on his performance at the studio later that day. Wilde and the others members of the band take notice, but Michael refuses to speak of the incident. He doesn't want them knowing anymore about Luke.

He can hardly believe that any of the day's events have actually occurred. After the initial direct message on Twitter, things seemed to take off. It was slow at first, of course, just the two covering the basics, but then things progressively picked up. They spent the next three days messaging one another, it was all strictly platonic. Seemingly hundreds of questions were asked as they took the time to get to know one another more throughly. Almost every imaginable topic was covered - music, television, food, sports, friends, and everything in between.

On the fourth day, Michael asked Luke if he would like to come to his house again. This time for a movie marathon and a plethora of snacks that William had prepared. Luke agreed and arrived to the house in the late afternoon. They spent nearly two hours on the lounge sofa watching some romantic comedy Michael had tucked away in his collection before Michael's phone was ringing and Wilde was calling him into the studio.

It isn't until the following day, when he's called to Wilde's home, which he also works out of, and a news article is placed in front of him that he decides to start talking.

There on the front page is a photo of he and Luke embracing outside of his home with the headline reading Michael Clifford: Coming Out? The article features photos of the two outside of Michael's home as well as photos from after the LA show.

"Care to explain this?" Wilde questions.

And Michael knows he's in for a long day.