Pretty Boys // cashton + muke \\

24

Chapter 24 (edited May 2021)

Michael sighed heavily as he laid beside Kina, eyes trained on the ceiling fan, following it in mindless circles. His heart felt heavy in his chest, weighed down, his head constantly on the brink of a meltdown. He was so tired yet constantly restless.

Luke had been gone for two months by now, and Calum had been back for over a month. Meanwhile, Michael was slowly driving himself insane with the amount of guilt and anger he felt every time he opened his eyes. His mind tortured him with moments of Luke set on repeat, the night he crashed his car, the night they met, the night Michael realized he loved him, the night he could have sworn Luke loved him back.

He missed Luke far too much when he knew he shouldn't, because he was the one pushing Luke away.

Luke Robert Hemmings

Michael lied.

July 16th 1994.

Michael lied.

Michael carefully rolled out of bed, his eyes rolling when Kina reached out for him then went back to sleep. The man walked to the bathroom and flicked the light on, closing the door and locking it. He shoveled a hand through his hair as he closed his eyes. All he could see was Luke, it was always Luke. Every time he closed his eyes, every time he opened them again; it was always Luke. Of course Michael never did anything about it, he didn't know how. He was terrified of being rejected by Luke, the blonde was everything to him, and how could they possibly pull themselves out of the turmoil they've buried themselves in?

Michael brushed his teeth and fixed up his hair, refusing to look at himself in the mirror, before leaving the bathroom. Kina had gotten out of bed and was standing in front of the bathroom, dressed only in one of Michaels tee shirts.

"Good morning, handsome," She smiled, wrapping her arms around Michaels shoulders. The man gently pushed the girl off of him as he walked to his closet.

"I have work so you should head home," He said distantly as he pulled a button up out of his closet. He slipped it on and left it unbuttoned as he slid on a slightly wrinkled pair of slacks.

"I think I'll just stay here for today. Sleep in a bit," Kina said as she crawled back into Michael's bed, stretching out like a stray cat. The man rolled his eyes again as he buttoned his shirt and stuffed the bottom into his pants.

"No, Kina I think you should go home for a while. No one will be here and I think it's best if you spend the day at your place," Michael said, slipping his belt into the loops of his slacks.

"Why do you always do this, Michael?" Kina said, louder than necessary. Michael sighed, tightening his belt and grabbing a pair of black socks.

"Do what, Kina?" Michael asked tiredly, his eyes drooping slightly as he slid his socks on then slipped into sleek, polished work shoes.

"Push me away like you did to that blonde that you're always sulking about. News flash Michael, you're kind of stuck with me now," Kina smirked as she laid back on the bed. Michaels eyes squeezed shut as he finished tying his laces and stood up.

"Get the fuck out Kina. I'll call you later," Michael huffed as he grabbed his suit jacket and left the bedroom. The man walked downstairs and into the kitchen where Calum was eating a piece of toast and sipping from a cup of coffee.