luke opened the door slowly, and stepped into the small apartment. michael was sliding on a maroon sweatshirt when he walked in.
"so this is it. the famous clifford condo."
"its not that much." michael shrugged, his body illuminated by the fluorescent street lights outside and the bright fairy lights strung up around the room.
"ya know, streetlights are excellent lighting. holy shit. is that the bruise?" luke strode across the room to michael, grabbing his head lightly in his hands and tilting it up slightly. luke winced when he brushed his fingers over the purpleish mark.
"its nothing really. it's not that bad. i've had worse. it doesn't hurt anymore, don't feel bad for touching it."
"mike, no, i'm worried. who did this to you?" michael's eyes widened at the question.
"no one luke. i don't know them. its fine." he stepped out from luke's grasp. hurt crossed luke's face.
"mikey, was it someone from school?" luke's outstretched hand brushed lightly over michael's arm and michael flinched.
"no! god no!" michael shook his head and continued, "its fine. i didn't know them. you don't know them. it was just some random dickhead on the street. it doesn't matter."
"michael, yes it does. was it your dad?"
"no! luke, that's crazy! i'm telling you, i don't know them. it's fine." michael glared at the blond.
"then why don't i believe you." luke stumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"luke, you came over. you wanted to sleep. please, go to sleep, you're drunk and tired. god, you reek of alcohol."
"we'll talk about this in the morning. its a very serious matter."
michael rolled his eyes and sighed, "fine."
the barely shorter boy grabbed luke's arm and brought him into his bedroom. luke stumbled over his feet and had to push his free hand against the wall to keep his intoxicated body upright. more fairy lights illuminated michaels surprisingly large bedroom: light gray walls with band posters, a few sketches and paintings here and there taped to the walls, a large bed with dark blue blankets falling off of it, a white dresser with a full length mirror next to it, and two windows. the one to the fire escape was open and the other was closed and covered by blinds. the open window let in the sounds of the city and the warm breeze of the summer night.
"nice place. didn't think it would be this big." luke's blue eyes went wide, taking in the room.
michael pulled a dresser drawer open and tossed luke a soft, black t-shirt and blue plaid pajama pants, "yeah, i was surprised too. get changed and get to bed."
the tall blond caught the change of clothes and stripped to his tight black boxers, forgetting there was someone else in the room with him. he pulled the t-shirt on and it came to his mid thigh. luke stumbled over to the bed, pants still off, and pulled the inky blue blanket over himself. the other boy watched as he settled into bed and a quiet, "c'mon, we're gonna cuddle", snapped michael out of his thoughts. michael walked over to the open window and closed it, then carefully laid down next to luke, leaving room between the two, and grabbed some of the blanket. luke pulled michael to him and wrapped his body around the shorter boy.
several minutes passed and when michael thought luke was asleep he whispered, "y'know i don't actually hate you. you're just kinda infuriating sometimes. i get lonely a lot and i'm sorry for bothering you a lot. so i don't hate you, i just- you're something else hemmings. you're something entirely else."
luke heard every word.
