Victim Of Love

I Wanna Be Free

Micky had always been aware that he sometimes made odd fashion choices but Mike's stare made him feel as if he was David Bowie's closet on crack. He cocked his head with a smile "ready to work?"

Mike shook his head but was glad the library was always deserted. "Sure Mick, 'long as I don't look directly at you." He chuckled and pulled his chair out. Micky let out a small laugh and threw his laptop open.

And time seemed to go by pretty fast. In a whirl of jokes and laughter. The good thing about Mike was that he was a listener. So Micky could read his papers to him and he'd breathe it all in before providing his feedback. Micky was chewing wearily at the end of his brightly colored sleeve in concentration, eyes burning but he didn't blink until the last period.

-"Mick?!"

"Huh? Oh sorry." Micky chuckled, turning to Mike who'd been trying to get his attention.

"We've gone through about half of your work." He said gesturing to the two even paper stacks. Micky brightened instantly. For the first time, he felt relieved and actually proud of what he'd done rather than stressed about what was left. He beamed at Mike.

"This calls for a break! Food preferably."

Mike laughed but stood up to follow him anyway. But as they started walking, Mike slowed his pace. "What?" Micky raised his brow.

"I can't walk around campus with you dressed like that?" Mike looked the boy up and down with an amused but weary smirk. Micky followed his stare.

"And why not?" He teasingly fluttered his eyelashes. The tall Texan rolled his eyes and started to shimmy out of his denim jacket. Micky eyed him curiously. Mike held the jacket on the top of his long index finger.

"Here."

Micky glanced at the jacket and Mike urged him to take it. So Micky I hooked it and covered himself in it. "Better?"

"Much." Mike laughed and they started walking again. Micky noticed the slight chill outside and smiled as he curled up in the jacket.

At some point,  it was decided that the diner was the best place to go so Micky could figure out his job details. Though Mike didn't necessarily want to be around Phyllis and the idea that he recognized that as a fact made him sick with guilt.

They shuffled inside and Phyllis was standing at the counter with a huge grin taking over her face. Mike's stomach dropped. "Hey, you're here often for someone who's had the week off." She teased, leaning her forearms on the counter. Mike sauntered over, leaning over and gliding his fingertips down her arms. He was about to reply when he caught Micky in the corner of his eye. He tried not to make it looked as if he'd been burned when he retracted.

"Micky thought he should come and discuss his job." Mike stumbled on his words. Phyllis glanced over his shoulder at Micky.

As she stared, her eyes focused on his jacket. It was familiar and-oh it was Mike's jacket...she'd worn it a couple of times. "Perfect! Why don't you come round and I'll give you some tips and such."

Micky galloped over and Mike just started walking around the diner, hands shoved in his pockets. He dragged his eyes over the decorations as he strolled. Suddenly, a small hand fell on the small of his back, he pulled away instantly.

It was nothing Phyllis wasn't use to, her Texan boyfriend was never really comfortable with public displays of affection. "You're acting like you've never seen this place before."

Mike shrugged. There was a small crash, they turned around and Micky popped up from behind the counter with the platter he'd dropped. "Sorry! Butter fingers." Micky laughed wildly.