Sweetheart • muke •

Chapter thirty-two

•February•
All I wanted was to tell you I'm sorry

"Mr. Clifford?"
Luke's doctor stood in front of a waiting room chair where Michael was fast asleep.

"Mr Clifford, Luke hemmings is awake"
The doctor said. Michael shot out of his seat, eyes still bloodshot, his face showing his exhaustion.

"Where is he? Is he okay?"
Michael asked.

"We managed to stop
the internal bleeding and his
ribs and ankle should be completely
healed over time. He's asking for you"
The doctor explained with a smiled. Michael sighed in relief, following the doctor into Luke's room. Michaels breath hitched on the sight of the terribly bruised blonde who laid limply on the hospital bed. Michael walked up to Luke's bed and dropped to his knees, gently gripping Luke's hand and laying his head on the bed, kissing the blondes hand softly.

"I'll give you two a moment"
The doctor said as he left the room
and shut the door behind him.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry"
Michael whispered, tears falling from his red rimmed eyes. Luke slowly pulled his hand away from Michaels and ran his fingers through the older boy's disheveled hair.

"I-It wa-wasn't your fault"
Luke croaked. Michael sniffled, standing up and sitting himself in a chair.

"I should have been there. I should have protected you. I should have gotten you out of that fucking complex. I should have-"

"Mikey"
Luke cut the boy off. Michael cursed under his breath, taking a hold of Luke's hand again and kissing the boy's knuckles.

"What if I didn't get there in time?"
Michael croaked. Luke gently stroked Michaels cheek, giving him a weak smile.

"You saved me. You s-s-saved me in- in more ways than one and I c-couldn't be more th-ankful. I-i-if you didn't n-notice me, Br-B-Brian would have killed me — far before now. This wasn't your fault, please stop blaming yourself, it m-makes me sad. I love you so much, Mikey"
Luke stuttered, weakly running his thumb against Michaels cheek bone.

"I love you so much, sweetheart"
Michael sobbed, getting up and carefully hovering over Luke, kissing the blondes head and carding his fingers through his hair.

"I-it feels l-like I cant br-breathe when I'm aw-away from you. You- you make m-me feel safe and w-w-when you h-hold me, I-it feels l-l-li-like e-everything is o-okay"
Luke whispered.

"Everything is okay when you're with me. I'm never letting you out of my sight again"
Michael said, gently pushing his forehead against Luke's.

"I'm never leaving your side again"
Luke retorted as tears fell down his cheeks. Michael sniffled, gently wiping the blondes tears away.

"Marry me"
Michael whispered. Luke's eyes widened as his breath hitched.

"What?"
He asked softly. Michael laughed lightly, his breath softly hitting Luke's face as he pulled away only a few inches.

"Marry me, sweetheart. We can just be engaged for a few years and get married later, in the fall in a small church like you've always wanted, I just- when I
call you mine, I want it to be forever"
Michael explained softly. Luke's tears fallen faster as he nodded, leaning up to kiss Michaels lips softly.

"Yes"