Recount the Seconds (Muke)

Chapter 5

Present - Calum

Ashton keeps coming in to update me, thank God. No one tells me a fucking thing around here. 

Ash and Luke have been moved to a hotel down the street — I know that. Michael’s parents are here as of yesterday evening. And Michael’s memory has gone to shit. 

I’ve never felt so awful in my life. It’s not even getting my chest smashed in (don’t get me wrong, it’s shit) — I’m honestly fine with hurting myself — but Michael…

Michael’s parents haven’t been to see me once. You know…there was a time in which I would have called Karen my second mother. And Luke. Luke hasn’t been back since he heard about Michael. 

And…And I start to feel mad at them…for abandoning me, right? But really, who could blame them?

This is all my fault.

*****

Present - Ashton

When I get back to the room, Luke is curled up in his bed, and the blinds are closed. It’s 2pm. Family Guy is playing on mute on the television, and when I peel the covers back from his folded form, Luke is wearing sweats and Michael’s Iron Maiden t-shirt. He shudders.

"You need to get up."

He just stares at me, eyes heavy-lidded. 

"Now, Luke." 

"You look ropeable, Ash," he mutters, sluggishly untangling his lanky limbs from the duvet. 

I frown. “Someone told Calum.” 

"Mm?"

"About the accident and Michael and everything."

"So?"

"Luke, he won’t stop kicking himself when —" 

"He deserves to know."

"But now he thinks — stop making that face, Michael was just as drunk as Calu—"

"Look, Michael’s been awake for almost a day, and I haven’t seen him yet because he doesn’t fucking remember me, so I’m sorry if I’m a little mad at Cal—” 

"It’s not his f—"

"Stop saying that! Cal fucked up, Ash. I mean, whatever, they both did, they should have just called a fucking cab, but just because it was an accident doesn’t mean—"

"Stop, now."

"Ash," he groans.

I feel like kicking him. “Just get dressed, asshole. Karen’s waiting for you in the lobby. 

*****

Present - Luke

As soon as Ash slams the door, I clamber out of bed and dig into a plastic shopping bag of clothes. Listening to his footsteps fading down the hallway, my throat tightens. I hate arguing with Ash.

Fighting Ash is different than fighting the others, really. Calum argues to be absurd and Michael argues to be ornery, but Ash and I are both usually right and we both care a lot.

I try to shake my guilty, frustrated mood, but it settles into the set of my shoulders. Resigned to being dressed and not at all ready for the coming interaction, I stalk out of our room and head for the stairs. 

I’ve only seen Michael’s parents in passing since they got here. And it’s weird for me, because Mr. Clifford hasn’t been my biggest fan since Michael came out as bi. Bad influence, you know? At least Karen likes me. 

Now, my heart is pounding in anticipation of seeing Karen. There could be news. God, I hope there’s news. 

*****

Present - Karen Clifford

I twist my wedding ring around and around my finger as I sit in the lobby waiting for Lucas. My stomach churns.

Eventually, I see the tall, blond boy exit the stairwell. Glancing around, he tips his chin up as he notices me and heads in my direction. 

"Luke," I say when he reaches me, wrapping his somewhat stiff figure in a tight embrace. "Luke, honey, I’m so sorry."

And with that, he melts in my arms. 

I let the boy cry for a while. Facing the near death of her only son is hell for a mother, but I grieve for Lucas more than I grieve for myself at this point. And more than anyone, I grieve for Michael. Thanks to the band and the blue-eyed boy sobbing into my shoulder, my son was happier than he’d ever been before. As happy as he deserves to be. And now it’s all gone. 

When Luke’s breathing slows, he looks up at me, wiping tears and snot from his peaked features. “How is he?” he whispers tentatively. 

I try to smile at the broken-hearted boy. “Much better,” I sigh. “His father and I have been talking to him about everything. He uh…he still doesn’t remember much, and the doctors are a bit worried about that. They say the longer it takes, the less likely he is to remember.”

Luke’s face falls. 

"But they’re still hopeful," I add quickly. "And…he wants to see you. He thinks it might help."

Watching Lucas’s eyes brighten, I pray he doesn’t get his hopes too high. God, this is just…unreal. 

Then Luke frowns. “Does he know…who I am?”

"He knows you’re his boyfriend, yes," I sigh. 

"I don’t know if that makes this easier or harder," the young boy worries aloud. 

Me either, I want to tell him, but the words catch in my throat. 

*****

Present - Luke

Karen leads me down a hallway of closed doors, finally stopping at one with light shining from the crack underneath.

Standing outside, I can hear my heartbeat in my ears. I try to swallow, but my throat is too dry. 

"You’re okay?" Karen frowns at me. 

I nod weakly.

With that, she opens the door. 

He’s there, in the bed, talking to his father. Awake. Alive. Almost…well. He looks up, and I search for recognition in those large, achingly familiar eyes. 

"Luke?" he whispers. 

****

Wow, I really suck with these cliff hangers. 

Yeah, um, hi guys! I’m looking at my clock and realizing it’s past midnight, so sorry for being late. Happy Monday :/ 

Your comments and likes make my day, so thank you to all of you who have been encouraging me!! Also, reminder that I update at least once a week, so Chapter 6 will be up by next Sunday. Hope you had a good weekend, and until next week, happy shipping! 

xx,

baconastronaut