The Nightmare Angel

Trust to Dust

  Michael sat next to Luke, nervously playing with his hands as they sat in the studio of their first interview of the day. The only live interview they had... the one that was going to spread like wildfire.

"So, Michael," Robin asked. "We received footage from last night at your Salt Lake concert. You ran off stage. What was going on? "

"Yeah, uh, I was just really feeling sick yesterday and so I figured it was probably just better if I got off before I couldn't handle it," he said, quietly.

"Well we're glad you're feeling better," she smiled, looking down at her notes. "So, Luke. You told me back stage you wanted to make a big announcement, and I just know that we've all been dying to know." The fans standing outside all screamed loudly and Luke shifted in his seat and smiled.

"Yeah, uh, Michael and I both actually." He looked at his boyfriend and gave him a reassuring smile. Everyone seemed to know it was serious and went silent, Calum and Ashton just smiled at them softly. "We're uh. We're actually in a relationship," Luke said, grabbing Michael's shaking hand. "We've been dating now for about 5 years."

"Seriously? You two have been a couple since before the band even made it big?"

"Yeah."

"I mean, we were always like best friends and then in high school we both just realized that it was more," Michael said. The fans outside looked completely shocked. They weren't saying anything.

"Wow this is wonderful, so then Ashton and Calum, you two obviously knew?"

"We've known longer than they even started dating. It was just obvious how in love with eachother they were, and still are," Ashton said.

"It's funny though, I mean, when I first introduced them, they absolutely hated eachother, and now its almost impossible to separate them," Calum said. The girls outside were starting to break out of their shock. Some of them were sobbing, some were yelling that they shipped it, others were shouting about how awful it was saying "Luke is mine!" The different sides were starting to fight.

"Well this has all been wonderful news, boys thank you so much for joining us. Helen, back to you..." the camera's went dead and Michael and Luke sighed in relief, taking their mics off. Security was trying to pull the girls apart outside.

"Michael Clifford! I hate you! Why do you have to ruin someone so wonderful? He doesn't love you! No one could ever love you!" One girl shouted as she was pulled away by security. Luke pulled Michael into a hug.

"Don't listen to her... I do love you. More than anything. So do a lot of people..." Michael didn't argue, but he knew that what the girl said was mostly true. So many people hated him. He couldnt handle it much longer.

"I know... Let's just go," he whispered, pulling away and walking out without waiting for him. Their security team led them out to the car as girls screamed and tried to get to them. One grabbed Michael by the arm, snapping off one of his bracelets and trying to pull him into the mob. Luke grabbed his hand from behind and took the black cuff out of the girls hand as Michael pulled his arm free. They got inside of the car and a tear slipped down Michael's cheek as he hid his exposed wrist from the other boys.

"Can I have my cuff?" He whispered, holding out his other hand.

"Sure... show me your arm first."

"W-why?" He asked quietly. "You already know about my scars..."

"Michael. Let me see it. Please," Luke said softly. Michael sighed and shakily held his arm out without looking at the boy. Luke let out a sad sigh and traced the fresh scab gently, before slipping the cuff over it and intertwining their fingers. "Baby, look at me, please?" He glanced over and bit his lip.

"I'm sorry..." he choked out, looking back down. Luke wrapped his arms around the smaller boy and sighed. Calum and Ashton sat silently, sad expressions written in their features.

"When did you do it?" He whispered, resting his chin on Michael's shoulder.

"Last night in the hotel... I just couldn't help it... don't hate me..."

"Hey. I could never hate you. I just hate seeing you hurt yourself..." more tears slipped down his face.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry, baby. I'm going to help you, alright. I hate when you're depressed."

"You hate most of the time then, I guess..." he whispered.

"Don't talk like that. Please," Luke begged.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered.

"Babe, stop apologizing."

"Sorry... I mean, shit, sorry." Luke let out a soft laugh and kissed Michael's cheek.

"The only thing I care about is you. All I want is for you to be okay... I love you."

"I love you too," Michael said quietly as they pulled up to the next studio. Luke intertwined their fingers as they got out of the car, protected by the wall of body guards standing inbetween the wild fans and themselves. The girls were all shouting different things either about shipping Muke, or hating them. It was ridiculous how easily people hated... the rest of the day only got worse.