*mentions of ra pe.
luke walked into the house, feeling numb once again.
he hasn't felt so low in so long.
he hasn't felt so hurt in months.
"michael.." luke said, barely above a whisper. he knows the older boy can't hear him, but it's almost as if he can't raise his voice any more.
michael, however, could hear the door shut, and was on his way down the hall.
"hey, sweetheart. how was the last hearing?" he asked.
luke's face fell, and tears immediately spilled from his eyes.
michael held him and already knew it wasn't good.
luke asked michael to stay home for the last court hearing. he just wanted his mom there this time.
luke was rapėd a few months back, and he has been fighting to get this guy prosecuted. it has been the hardest experience of his life,
and he lost.
"he has probation for a little bit, but he's out, michael. he's not going back to jail. if he plays it right, it might not even show up on his record." luke cried, and michael held him up.
"what the hell do you mean?" michael asked.
"they kept saying 'he's a good guy but he just made a mistake' and 'think about his future'. why didn't they think about mine?"
michael was angry. he was furious, but luke needed sympathy.
"baby-"
"maybe if i had just listened to you, and not gone to that party i-"
"stop it.." michael whispered, rocking luke back and forth. "...this will never be your fault."
"i'm just scared." luke whispered.
michael walked luke over to the couch, and wrapped him up in a blanket before picking him up, setting him on his lap.
"he is not the victim, luke. he is not a 'good guy', he is a rapist. his future does not matter over yours. i do not need someone to try to justify his actions. he is a monster. sexual violence can not be brushed off. you are important, your body belongs to you only, and your rights should be the only topic of discussion. he gave up his rights when he took advantage of you, and i will fight for the rest of my life if i have to get you the justice that you deserve." michael said, holding luke tighter than he ever has.
"michael, we can't win.." luke cried.
"at least we can say we tried. i'm scared for the people who come into contact with him, and don't know what he's done. i'm scared for anyone he has access too. luke, in scared for you. he deserves to rot in a prison cell."
luke gripped onto michael's shirt, and held him close.
"you have every reason to be upset, and you have every reason to cry, but just know that you are so strong. you are beautiful, you are loved, and you are priceless."
-
the real question: WHY aRe wE stiLL aLLowiNg PeOpLe wHo tAkE aDvanTagE oF unConsEntiNg BOdiEs tO waLk aRouNd frEE, soMetiMeS wiThOuT anYthiNg oN thEir reCorDS, bEcaUsE theiR 'a gOod gUy thAt jUsT maDe a miStAkE"
