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Luke took a deep breath as he stood in front of Ashton and Michaels house. His hands were clammy and his heart was racing. He fixed his top as he walked up the porch and knocked on the front door. Luke has never been so nervous to talk to another human being than he is in this moment.
Luke's breath hitched when the door opened, and Michael was standing before him, deep purple bags around his eyes, his skin paler than usual. Luke smiled small, fiddling with his fingers.
"Luke, what are you doing here?" Michael asked, no heat behind his words as he stepped out onto the porch, eyes wide. Luke looked down at his heels for a moment, licking his lips as he took a deep breath and looked back up at Michael.
"Just listen, okay?" He shook his hands out, finding his courage again. "I've been racking my brain for the past week thinking of how to talk to you, what I would say when I finally did, and honestly, I still don't know what I want to say. Michael, you're a fucking dick sometimes, but somehow, you always seem to be the first person I think of in the morning and the last person I think of at night. Dammit, I'm so in love with you Michael, and you probably don't feel the same way about me and that's okay, I just needed to get it off my chest. You probably think I'm crazy right now, and to be honest I wouldn't blame you. I mean, I have a boyfriend and you have a girlfriend, but that doesn't magically make my feelings go away because I'm fucking in love with you and I can't just turn that off, Michael."
Luke paused, taking a deep breath, analyzing the open, downward pull of Michael's expression. "But, if you don't feel the same way, I'll just leave and we can pretend like I didn't just completely put myself out there. However, If you do feel the same way, we can- we can figure it out." Luke said, his eyes never straying from the older man. Michaels eyes were wide, his mouth ajar as he stared down at Luke with eyes swimming with emotion unclear to Luke. The blonde cleared his throat awkwardly, the silence slowly starting to break him.
"Luke, I," Michael began to say, but was cut off by a familiar female voice.
"Mikey, who's at the door?" A woman pushed her way in front of Michael. The blonde's mouth gaped open, stumbling back as he watched Kina run her hand over a bump beneath her tight tee shirt. Luke looked back up at Michael, his face glazing over with anger, then pain, then a mixture of betrayal and sadness, then all of it fell into something stoic and blank.
"Luke, I can explain," Michael said, his voice tight. The blonde shook his head, holding his hands up.
"Don't fucking bother, next time do me the curiosity of cutting me off before any love confessions. Congratulations daddy," Luke spat, turning on his heels. Michael called his name as he got into his car, the situation too familiar, the sound of Michael's voice ringing in his ear as sped off.
The blonde tapped against the steering wheel harshly as he drove towards his own house, pulling into the driveway and putting the car in park. He got out of the car, slamming the door as his teeth clenched together.
Calum was in the kitchen, his eyebrows furrowing when the front door slammed shut. Luke walked into the kitchen and stood in front of Calum, putting his hands on his hips.
"Did you know?" He seethed, tilting his head up.
"Know what?" Calum swallowed the lump in his throat, his heart dropping when he saw the dry tears around Luke's eyes.
"Don't fucking play dumb with me, Calum! Did you know?" Luke yelled, stepping closer to the boy. Calum breathed out heavily, licking his suddenly dry lips.
"Only for a few days, I-" Calum was cut off when Luke shoved at his chest and Calum went tumbling to the floor with a shout.
"Fuck you!" Luke screamed as he stormed out of the kitchen. Calum whimpered, pain coursing through his left ankle as he wiggled it out from beneath himself. Calum groaned as he pushed himself off of the floor, trying not to put too much pressure on his ankle.
Luke ran back into the room seconds later with tears streaming down his cheeks. He ran over to Calum and helped him stand, instantly curling around the boy as he sobbed.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it," Luke cried, holding Calum tightly. Calum sighed, wrapping his arms around the boy.
"I know, babe. It's okay. You're going to be okay. He loves you, even if you don't see it, he loves you. He was drunk and he barely remembers it. I know that's not the best excuse, but he's been beating himself up over how much it would, and obviously did, hurt you. If you gave him a chance, it could work out, Lu he loves you so much" Calum explained softly.
"Who?" A voice asked. Luke moved away from Calum, his eyes wide as he looked over at Nathan. Calum gave a pat to Luke's back before limping out of the room.
"Is it that guy who always called you when you were at the resort? The guy who always messaged you?" Nathan asked, taking a small step towards Luke. The blonde nodded slowly, tears staining his cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Nathan. You don't deserve this and I never should have led you on without knowing about my past, and I-"
"Luke, Luke stop" Nathan cut him off before he started hyperventilating. He gently gripped Luke's hips, tilting his head to grab his attention. Luke took a shaky breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"I understand," Nathan said. "We lived in two different worlds before we met and I think it's time that we go back to those worlds," he ran his thumb against Luke's cheek, brushing away a few tears. Luke closed his eyes, leaning into his touch for a second. "You obviously love whoever this guy is and I live three hours away. It wouldn't have worked out anyways. You're an amazing person Luke, you're incredible and beautiful, but I think it's time you stop being afraid of what you really want," Nathan explained softly. Luke sobbed as he wrapped himself around the man.
"Why are you so fucking kind? It's not fair, you're supposed to be mad," Luke cried. Nathan chuckled, running his fingers through the boy's hair.
"You can't help who you love. I'm going to go pack up my stuff, want to help me?" Nathan asked. Luke smiled sadly, nodding his head. Nathan led the crying boy upstairs, making small jokes to make the boy laugh.
