He's just not that into you ♡ muke

- 17 - pizza, sex or aromantic cuddles - 17 -

- 17 -

"Don't you think he had a bit too much to drink?" Luke whispered to Michael.

Michael laughed and nodded. "I've watered down the last five drinks he chugged down."

Luke only joined the gathering slash Michael's pre-birthday party for his employees an hour ago and Shawn was already dead drunk.

He kept asking Calum private questions and flirting with all his male and female coworkers.

Michael who decided to be reasonably sober that evening and mix the drinks dragged Shawn away as soon as he noticed the interrogation going on. Calum was drunk and angry enough to start an argument with him and Michael was happier than ever when Luke came around with pizza that occupied people from talking or arguing for a while.

Sitting on a kitchen bar stool Shawn was trying to drink his cocktail at the same time as chewing pizza.

"So.. Calum told me you're anti-romantic."

Luke and Michael who were cleaning the dished on the other side of the counter turned back towards the boy who was trying to make conversation with them.

"Aromantic." Luke fixed him.

Shawn rolled his eyes. "Same thing."

Michael grabbed Luke's hand to pull him back. He loved Luke's overprotectiveness but this was not the time to fuss about it.

"It's not. I have nothing against love, I actually adore romantic comedies and all that jazz, I just don't want any."

"But you two fuck."

"So?" Luke was tired, he wanted to drag Michael into a bed and cry a bit because his schedule got so busy when Ashton decided to visit hospitals and raise money through the entire December.

"I don't get it."

Michael ran his hand up and down Luke's back to calm the man.

"I like sex, love it actually. I find male bodies beautiful and aesthetically pleasing and some of them turn me on."

He gently squeezed Luke's bum making the blond blush. Luckily for him, Shawn was too drunk to notice. He seemed to be eating up whatever information he got. Michael didn't care, there was a seventy percent chance he won't remember it in the morning and even if he does it's not something Michael was ashamed of.

At least not anymore.

"My sister's friend or cousin or something. I think she's anti.. aromantic as well but she doesn't like holding hands and cuddling or even hugging."

"Yes, some things vary from person to person. I love cuddles and hugs since I was brought up in a very close family. I'm actually used to sleeping next to another person so I prefer it that way."

"I don't understand."

Shawn's expression was priceless and their conversation attracted a few more people in the kitchen.

Michael sighed. "I don't expect you to. But that's because you romanticize love. It's not your fault it's society's. Sex, holding hands and touching became romanticized and I don't see it like that. It might sound cold and chemical but I like the warmth and pleasure that gives me, I seek for care and companionship from people so I'm not alone. Caring and being taken care of is love for me. I love being intimate with people, it's like sharing a secret."

Years and years of being ashamed because he was different gave Michael a lot of time to think about how he felt. He took his time to understand himself and what and why he felt as he did.

"Explained like this I don't think you're anymore different than most people."

Calum, Michael, Luke, Jon, Serena and Eva who were gathered in the kitchen all laughed and Luke finally let go of his hand.

Luke was his rock.

"I like to think like that too."

Getting all confused from the number of people who listened to his stupid questions Shawn blushed and finished his drink.

"I guess that you're one of those people who even though they never dated anyone has the best dating advice?"

"Yes." Calum, Luke and possibly Eva all said at the same time, making the group laugh again.

Calum opened another two beer bottles, one for Michael and one for himself and also passed a water bottle to Shawn.

"I want to make a toast."

It took a minute, but they all ended around the table with their raised glasses filled with adult beverages, water or, in Luke's case, tea.

"To Michael," Calum said. "The best boss, person, and relationship advisor."

Everyone laughed and Michael was grinning widely as Calum put his free hand over his shoulders.

"To love." Luke continued. "In the shape of pizza, sex or aromantic cuddles."

The room was filled with the sound of clinking glasses and laughter. Michael was happy.

★★★

Thoughts?

Any comments or questions about aromantic sexuality?

It's chapter 17 and we're still getting to know the characters. I really hope you don't mind that I'm slowly filling the blanks. (:

Where are you guys from? [I'm from Slovenia, Europe, planet Earth]

Who'd bring pizzas to a party?

Love, Lucija ♡