Michael stepped into the gas station, looking for something to settle his stomach for the night. It was freezing, and he was starving, but he had nowhere to go tonight.
He walked to one of the isles and saw a blonde boy who was nervously looking down.
Michael fixed the guitar on his back, and watched the kid closely. Michael saw him slip a few candy bars and Pringles cans in his bag.
Michael walked over, and took the bag from the guy, watching as he looked up with fear in his eyes.
"You're pathetic. You know, people work really hard to get their stuff, and you're just taking as you please." Michael spat, and watched as tears filled up the blondes blue eyes.
"P-Please don't tell. Im r-really hungry, and I- I... I'm scared and I don't have any money." He said, nervously biting on his nail, so Michael's face softened, taking the food from the bag.
"Come here, you're okay. You don't have to do that. Let me help you," Michael whispered, giving the boy his bag back.
"What's your name?" Michael asked.
"Luke.." He whispered.
"I'm Michael. Pick out whatever you want. It's on me." He said, so Luke shook his head.
"I can't le-"
"Don't worry about it." Michael said, so Luke grabbed a Pringles can, and a box of granola bars.
Michael got himself a water, and one for Luke too, along with a box of crackers.
Once they got to the checkout, Luke stood behind Michael, feeling safe with him for some reason.
They put the food in Luke's bag, and left together, walking silently down the sidewalk.
"Thank you, Michael." Luke whispered.
"Don't worry about it. Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?" Michael asked.
"No. I ran away from home. My family hated me because I'm gay and my dad always hit me." Luke whispered, so Michael looked down, wondering how someone could hit such a shy and innocent person.
"I ran away too, but not for the same reason. Nobody really supported me wanting to be a musician, so I left, and ended up here. Nashville is a pretty good place to get discovered, but it's hard at first." Michael said, and Luke nodded.
"I found a pretty nice spot if you wanna sleep there tonight." Michael offered, so Luke nodded. Luke got scared being so alone at night, so he's glad Michael asked.
They walked down a bank until they got under a bridge, into a secluded spot.
They sat in silence for a while as they both ate, watching the water move.
Michael glanced over, and looked at Luke. He was so beautiful to him, and Michael felt the need to protect him. He was so frail.
Luke looked over, and his cheeks turned pink noticing Michael was looking at him.
Michael's face turned to concern as he noticed Luke's shaky jaw, and trembling hands. "I'm cold.." Luke whimpered.
Michael got up, and walked back to his guitar case, pulling cotton blanket out of it, along with his extra sweatshirt.
He walked back over to Luke and sat close to him, helping him get the sweatshirt on.
He was surprised when Luke crawled on his lap, but he was completely okay with it. He leaned back against the bridge, and pulled the blankets over Luke's shoulders. Michael pulled both of their hoods up, making sure Luke's ears were covered.
Luke buried his face in Michael's neck, and Michael wrapped his arms around Luke, keeping them under the blanket.
Neither of them knew that night would be the start of something beautiful.
