Orphanage AU: Lams

Chapter 33: Breathe Reprise

So this is a pretty random schedule, I know, but I decided to do every 5 days for a while: not down to once a week YET...

WARNING: MORE ABUSE...

---Michael's POV---

Mom made my injuries such a big deal, and I really didn't think I was hurting that much. Huffing, I popped my headphones on and cranked up Bob Marley. I'd just began to reach for my stash of weed when the door opened.

Groaning, I paused my music and slipped off my earphones, covering my stash casually with a pale slip of paper.

"Sorry, you don't have to hide that, it's just me." John chuckled and I gasped. "You didn't hear me knock..."

The world's best brother. "Just you?" I breathed. I jumped up and hugged him tight, and then pulled back immediately out of instinct. "Ah-sorry."

"John let out a breath and sat down on my messy bed. "You forgot I don't have bruises anymore. Much. Or severe ones." He lifted his checkered blue and white shirt. The bruises had faded after only a bit more than a week.

I beamed. The best shape I'd ever seen him in in a fucking long time. Then my smile slipped as I realized- "You're home. Is your job-? Jere said it's a great-"

"No. My job is fine." I breathed a sigh of relief. "I stopped getting bruises." I nodded. "I hear you're getting them now."

I stopped short. "You're here because of me? Go the fuck back!" Now I felt bad.

John's curls bounced loosely around his face as he shook his head. "Nope. I can already see that's not an option."

"Wha-?" I suddenly realized my hood had come off with my headphones and I hunched my shoulders, trying to hide my face even though it was clearly too late. I tried anyway, "I'm fine."

"Michael, can we just be transparent here?" Michael. How the fuck did he know I preferred that now?

Anything to change the subject. I pounced on it. "How'd you know I like Michael? The fu-?"

"Not falling for it."

Shit. Well then. "What the fuck do you want me to do?"

John stared at his pale hands and blinked his green eyes. I had a sinking feeling that I knew what he'd say.

"Father-"

I snorted. "He doesn't deserve that."

John smiled faintly. "He beats you. Because you're gay."

I let out a long ass breath. Breathe. "Because I'm gay." (If you haven't watched Sincerely Gay... WTF are you doing with your life?)

John's face fell, and he continued, "I hate to ask this... but-" He lay back and stared at the ceiling. "Michael, there's nothing wrong with being gay." he told me suddenly. I shook my head. I knew it. "But for your own good- you can act as gay as you want anywhere, and you should never ever be ashamed of it or try to hide it-"

"I won't pretend to be straight."

"Please, Junior-" John's was apologetic, a mess, he looked pathetic.

"Michael."

"Sorry- Michael. Just so you aren't hurt." He tugged a corkscrew curl and it bounced lightly. Fuck no.

"No. I'm not ashamed of it, and I don't give a fuck if he beats the crap out of me everyday. He won't change me."

John's first tear fell, but he brushed it away angrily. "No, he won't but just let him think he-"