The Nightmare Angel

Take Away My Breath

Luke sat in the waiting room, trying to process the doctor's words.

"When Michael went into shock, his heart started beating rapidly. The section where the bullet grazed it tore, causing him to bleed out. We patched it up and inserted a pump that will allow his heart to function normally for the time being, but it won't work forever. His condition will increase and unless we find him a new heart, he'll be dead by the end of the year."

"I-is he going to wake up soon?" Daryl asked quietly.

"He's heavily drugged right now. He won't be up until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. You may go and sit with him, if you'd like." He stood and walked off.

"Ill uh. I'll be back. I should go check up on Calum and Ash..." Luke said, standing and walking out of the hospital.

He walked into his home and sighed.

"Guys? Are you home?" He asked quietly, headed downstairs. He walked into the living room and froze, seeing his two best friends sitting on the couch together, kissing. He cleared his throat and they quickly pulled away from each other, standing up and stepping away.

"Luke... what are you doing here? We thought you'd be with Mikey..." Calum said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I was. He just got out of surgery... when were you going to tell me you two were together?"

"We didnt really think it was a good time... it literally started the afternoon before Mike left..." Ashton said awkwardly.

"It didn't feel right to be so happy when you were so sad... it especially didn't feel right to rub it in."

"Well I'm happy for you both. Really, I am," Luke said, smiling softly.

"So how's Michael? Is he alright?" Calum asked.

"He's uh... alive, but uh, the doctors are saying if he doesn't get a new heart he won't make it to the new year..." he sighed and plopped down onto the rocking chair, playing with a string on his pants. "I just wish we could go back and change everything that happened. I wish we could have fired that bitch earlier... I wish that kid Shawn never came around... I just wish it wasn't this shitty." Calum sat next to his best friend on the arm of the chair and put his arm around him.

"I know it sucks right now, and don't ask me how I know, but I just. I know everything is going to work out. It's like a feeling." Luke smiled lightly and looked back down, pulling the ring out of his pocket. He never went anywhere without it now.

"I just wish he and I were married by now... I'm so ready to be married to him..."

"Something tells me you'll be married sooner than you think," Ashton said. "I'm going to go make some dinner, I know you haven't eaten in a while. Then you're going to go and sleep."

"Yes mum," Luke laughed as Ashton ran upstairs. Calum stood up and walked over to the couch, sitting down and patting the spot next to him. Luke sighed and stood up, walking over and sitting with his best friend.

"Lukey," he said, putting his arms around the boy. "You're still the toughest guy I've ever met." He scoffed and looked over at Calum.

"I think you mean Michael."

"He's a close second." Luke's smile faded and he sighed.

"Cal, I just want him to come home... I want him to be with me, by my side. I want him to hug me and tell me it's alright..."

"I know buddy. I know. Soon."

"Not soon enough."

~~~~~

Luke walked into the hospital room quietly, seeing Daryl asleep in the chair. He smiled softly before sitting on Michael's other side, brushing a strand of hair from his face and kissing his cheek.

"Wake up my love," he whispered. "I really need you to wake up." He rested his hand on the boy's pale bare arm and sighed.

"He'll be back with us soon," Daryl said, shocking him. "I need to go find that wife of mine... keep my son company, will you?" Luke smiled and nodded as he was pat on the back. Daryl stared at his son for a moment before walking out of the room. Luke sighed and rested his head against the bed letting out a deep breath. He hated seeing the man he loved in so much pain. He hated seeing him with so many tubes connected to him just to keep him alive. It's not how it should be.

He felt a hand gently rest on his head and begin to play with his hair softly. He looked up quickly and saw Michael's soft eyes staring back at him.

"Mikey," he said, a smile spreading on his face. "You're awake." He stood up and hugged the boy. "Don't you ever do anything like that to me ever agian..."

"Which one? Fake cheat or the other thing..." he asked, weakly.

"Either." Luke pulled away and looked him in the eyes, smiling. "I love you. I love you so much." Michael smiled and brushed his cheek softly with his thumb.

"I love you too..." he winced in pain and shifted in bed. "Where's mum and dad?" He asked quietly.

"Your dad just walked out to find your mum... they'll be back soon." He just smiled lightly. "Hopefully you'll be out soon. Able to go home..."

"All of my stuff is stuck in that shit apartment, isn't it..."

"Yeah it's still all there... if you want, I can get it all. Bring it back to uh... wherever you want to stay..." Michael opened his eyes and looked at Luke who was avoiding his gaze. Michael grabbed his hand and sighed.

"I want to go home... with you. These last few months have been hell. I need to be with you, or I'll go insane." Luke smiled and pulled the ring out of his pocket, holding it out.

"Maybe this time we can go through with it." Michael smiled sadly, staring at the ring. "So... let me ask you this again... Michael Gordon Clifford... will you marry me?" Michael looked back at him and nodded his head.

"Of course I will..." Luke slipped it on his finger and smiled, kissing him on the lips. Fireworks exploded in his chest and he smiled against his fiance's lips. He knew he missed him, but he didn't realize he missed him this much.

"I love you so damn much," he said.

"I love you too."