Just Between Us (Gay!Michael)

Chapter 7: When You're Gone

The cold white ceiling seemed to stare back at Michael. He laid in his bed with his arms stretched out, reaching for someone who wasn't there... And most likely not coming back. Michael let out a weak whimper, memories of sleeping with Oli flashing in his head. It was like rubbing salt on a fresh wound.. One that Oli had made.

* * *

"You have everything, right?" Ashton crossed his arms. Him and Michael stood at the airport, where they were planning to fly home. Only Ash knew of these plans, offering to help out his best friend.

Michael gave him a blank nod, but was shocked when Ashton hugged him tightly. Usually the curly haired hated touching and hugging. "It breaks my heart to see you like this.." He whispered, Michael's face heated up. Ashton looked at Michael, "I want you to be happy again.."

* * *

"Sir..?" A woman's voice broke through Michael's thoughts. A woman who was about 50, stood in front of Michael. "I've been asking if you need anything.. You raised your hand.."

Ashton grabbed Michael's hand, a small smile as he said "He's fine.. A water please!" And the plane waitress handed Ashton a water, and he handed her two dollars. "I hope your boyfriend is okay.." She smiled warmly before making her way down the aisle. Ashton said "W-wait! He's not my boyfriend!" Sending a look to Michael, who was back at it with the blank stare and upset scowl.

* * *

"I like girls.. I like girls.." Ashton mumbled over and over again as him and Michael sat in the back of a cab. He took out his phone and texted Luke "Hey.. Do you have the number of that girl? Her name was Arz-" He was cut off by Michael saying "I like boys.." His eyes dull and wide. His face looked so absent, like a black hole slowly sucking itself away into a pit of despair. Ashton finished the text and hit send. Quickly, Luke replied with "FUCK HER! WHERE THE FUCKING FUCK ARE YOU GUYS!? IT'S BEEN ALMOST A FUCKING DAY! DO YOU SEE MY TEXTS!?" Ashton realized he had over 400 texts. There were from Calum, Luke, his manager, even his mother.

"Michael and I went home.. We didn't want to be there anymore." Ashton said simply. He quickly sent texts to the others, giving them info as well.

"They don't care about how you feel... Nobody in this world does.." Michael said hoarsely. Ashton looked over to see his best friend, his face full of agony. His once smooth skin had many lines from constantly frowning, his lips drawn back in a snarl, his hair wild and unkempt. "Don't trust anyone.. Don't let anyone into your heart.. Because they fucking break it before you know it." He snarled bitterly. Ashton said "M-Michael.. It's okay.. Luke and Cal are our friends! You can trust me too.." But it was too late, Michael was back into his absent stare.

* * *

"You boys are home!" Karen gasped when she saw Ashton on her doorstep. Michael was trudging along, moving like an utter zombie. "What's wrong with my son" Her attitude instantly changed. Ashton went to reply, but what Michael did next broke his heart. His best friend trudged by, not even noticing his mother. Ash could see the tears welling in her eyes, "Mikey.. What's wrong baby?" Holding back a sob. He turned towards his mother and mumbled "He's gone..". Karen was confused, but she pulled her son into a hug, and finally, Michael broke down into uncontrollable sobs. "Baby.. shhhh..." She whispered as her son sobbed into her. "They took Oli away! I couldn't save him from his dad! It's all my fault!" Michael screamed, Karen just held him.

* * *

"I can't move on.." Michael sniffled. Him and Ashton were tangled to each other in the sheets. "I let him down.." He repeated to himself. Ashton just let Michael talk away and sulk, Michael wouldn't even respond to Ashton most of the time.

He texted the girl he texted Luke about, she was actually pretty cute. Even though she was kind of full of herself.. She was again, cute.

"You aren't even responding!" Michael sat up, shocking Ash completely. "You don't know what I'm going through! All you care about is yourself! You said I could trust you, but you don't even CARE!" He climbed out of bed, going to get changed. "Why I opened up to you is beyond me!" He shouted, hot tears welling in his eyes.

Warm lips pressed against his.

Large hands held Michael's jaw.

Arms wrapped around Ashton's waist.

The two kissed each other, but it wasn't out of sexual attraction, it was out of loneliness. Soon the two were shirtless, making out on Michael's bed.

* * *

"Did we REALLY do that last night?" Ashton had his arms stretched above him. Michael laid beside him, the two trying to recover from the rough events that had occurred the previous night. He looked over to see Michael writing in his song book. Ashton scooted over and snuggled into him. "What are you writing?"

"A song.." He hummed a tune that had been stuck in his head. "Everybody's got their demons.. Even wide awake or dreaming." Ashton nodded "That's beautiful.."

"It's for Oli.."

Ashton kissed Michael gently before drifting back into sleep. Calmed down by Michael's soft singing.

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That's the end of this chapter! Sorry for the lack of update, it's been a long week. I know it's a shitty chapter, but I don't feel like myself lately. I'm so sorry.