Just Between Us (Gay!Michael)

Chapter Two: Goodnight Moon

Michael's POV

"Michael! Wake up!" Luke said in Michael's ear, but Michael was enjoying a dream.

In the dream, Michael was with Oli. The two were talking under the bridge, content with each other. Oli has his curly hair and large sweater.. that Michael wanted to snuggle into more than anything.

Michael rolled over, facing Luke. His lips inches from Luke's, causing a blush to spread over the blond's face. "MICHAEL!" Luke shouted and jumped away.

Michael shot up in his bunk, panting wildly. Did I really just dream about Oli? Wait, I actually just slept soundly... This is new!

Michael looked over at Luke and rubbed his eyes "What do you want?" Seeing that his friend was a blushing mess, but he shrugged it off. "It's-" He checked the time "4PM!?!". Michael jumped out of the bunk and started frantically searching for the backpack.

"Are you looking for this?" Calum's voice sounded from behind Michael as he tore apart the front section of the bus. "We found it when we were leaving to go sight seeing.. Who's Oli?" Ashton peered over Calum's shoulder and started digging around. Michael darted over and snatched the bag from Calum and Ashton. "He's nobody!" Michael shouted, his face bright red.

Calum snickered while Ashton whistled "Woooo, somebody's got a crush! Who's the lucky girl?" Causing Michael to rub the back of his neck, "It's a boy.. and it's not short for Olivia... its OLI".

Instantly, the bus became silent.

"Hey guys, did you find out who Olivia was?" Luke strolled into the room, his cheerful expression wiping off when he saw the other boys. "What did I-"

"So you're gay!?!" Calum shouted at Michael, grabbing the bag back with anger. "And you never thought of telling us? We're you're best friends, you should be able to fucking trust us with this!"

Michael felt sick, backing up into the table that was covered in papers. "Y-you guys don't understand! I didn't think so either!" His heart racing as he saw the angry and hurt expressions of his friends. "We met this morning when I was having an insomnia adventure.. He was really cold towards me, but he left his backpack! I need to give it back to him! I don't have a crush and that's that! We aren't even staying here for long, a few days at most!"

Ashton spoke up, looking at Michael with soft eyes. "It's okay Michael! We're just upset that you didn't tell u-" Michael cut him off with slamming his hands on the table. "No! I didn't tell you guys because I didn't know! Stop pretending like you know what's going through my mind, because you don't! Fuck off!" Michael grabbed the bag and headed for the door.

"Michael wait, we have a meeting in 30 minu-" Luke was cut off by Michael slamming the door in utter anger.

He wondered the city for a few hours, trying to clear his head. the constantly question circulating his mind like a toilet. What do I feel for Oli? Was it in a normal guy and guy friendship way? Or a romantic way? Michael wasn't sure about this new feeling, it was sudden and new. He had never thought about boys like this before meeting Oli! He was the first boy who had said that Michael was attractive..

Soon, he found himself back at the bridge where he had found Oli before. He walked to the side, where he scaled a small rock fall to the under the old cement bridge. After sliding around on rocks and tripping, he found himself by the river where he had met Oli previously. Michael could actually see what was under the bridge. There was graffiti, names, gum, cigarettes, broken beer bottles, and all that typical junk. Michael spotted Oli in the corner, sitting on a flat rock while smoking. Michael felt his heart race as he saw his new friend.

"Hey! I brought your backpack!" Michael called out. Oli looked up in shock, his face turning red before he let out a huff. "Serves you right! I was ready to call the cops for stealing.." Taking a a puff from his cigarette.

Michael handed him the backpack, proceeding to lift up his sleeves to reveal fresh burn marks. "Look, Oli.. Self-harm like this is extreme, if you want to-" Oli ripped himself free, "I don't self-harm you idiot!" Throwing his cigarette on the ground and stomping on it. "Do you think I want to burn myself? Mind your own fucking busin-" He was cut off by Michael hugging him.

Michael held him close, digging his face into Oli's shoulder. The boy stood probably at 5'7, a few inches shorter than the towering 6'0 Michael.

"W-what are you doing?" Completely shocked and taken aback that someone was actually showing affection to him.. Why did Michael even care?

Michael whispered in Oli's ear "Because it's okay to not be okay.." His lips dangerously close to his ear.. and his neck..

Oli pushed Michael away, having an upset expression on his face. "I don't do cuddles with strangers!" Grabbing his backpack, giving Michael one last angry look before hitting him hard in the chest. Mad that Michael made him feel a way nobody else ever has.

Michael watched as Oli stormed away, his heart softening in pain as he watched Oli climb the rocks. Sighing in sadness, giving up and sitting down in defeat.

- - - - - -

Oli took a shaky deep breath as he slowly opened up the back door of his house. He slid inside carefully and shut the door without making a sound. Turning around, Oli let out a gasp when he saw his step-father sitting in the kitchen. He looked cleaned up and sober for once, a sinking feeling hitting his stomach and exploding like a nuke.

"Well, well, well! I was planning on making us dinner and being nice! But you broke my rules of no sneaking out!" His step-father snarled. Oli looked around the kitchen in pure terror. The kitchen was spotless... Did his father clean up?

"I-I was trying to get a job.." Oli lied, and before he could say anything, his father walked over. After taking a deep inhale, he grunted "Why do you smell like another man? Are you a homo?"

Oli felt tears rush into his eyes as he let out a whimper. "N-no! I-I'm n-n-not! It was because I was getting interviewed by a ma-" He received a hard left hook to the nose.

"I will not accept homo's in this house!" His step-father snarled as Oli collapsed to the floor, clutching his gushing nose. "You are the reason your mother is gone! If you weren't born, she'd still be in America! You useless, stupid, lazy, homo!" Kicking Oli right in the mouth, causing his teeth to go into his lip.

Oli laid there on the floor in a bleeding and shaking mess, hot tears running down his face. He watched his father walk out in blurred vision. In his current state, he wanted nothing more than to be in Michael's arms.

---------------------------------------------------

WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST WRITE!?!? Susy and I treat Oli like our lil baby.. So this scene was pretty fucking hard to write..

Susy and I are so thankful for you guys and your reactions! We are so glad you love the story that I worked so hard on. I would also like to thank Susy for being my number one fan and supporter.