bus driver ; muke

forever?

Chapter Four ⇒ Forever?

It was late February and Michael and Luke's relationship couldn't have been going better. Though they both guessed they were dating, Luke had made it official on Christmas Day when Michael had sneaked out with him. No one knew about them and they were doing a surprisingly good job of hiding their relationship.

When school started back up after the Christmas break, Luke had started inviting Michael over to his apartment after school. Michael told his parents he was going out with a friend called Calum. It wasn't a complete lie. Michael did have a friend at school called Calum. He just wasn't the one he'd been hanging out with. 

After school on Wednesday afternoon, Luke was happily waiting in his bus driver seat for the kids to get on. One after the other, Luke watched them file on, waiting for his fluffy haired lover. He smiled when he saw the familiar bush of dyed hair. 

Michael was bundled up in a grey coat and a cute black scarf that he'd brought up to protect his ears and nose from the cold air. Usually when climbing on the bus, he'd give Luke a subtle smile or wink. But today, he avoid eye contact with Luke completely and curled up against the window in his regular seat. 

Luke's smile faltered. He wanted to sit next to Michael and ask him what was wrong, but that would be like shouting to the whole bus "Me and Michael are dating!" He hated that he had to hide his relationship with Michael but if he were to reveal it, he could get in big trouble. So, he had to wait until they reached the ever so popular dirt path. 

When Luke reached the path and everyone except Michael was off the bus, he pulled over on the side of the road and unbuckled his seat belt. 

"Can you just drive me home today?" Michael spoke up and his tone gave Luke chills. His voice was empty and barren, like Michael wasn't even saying it but a robot or some other being had taken over his body and said it for him. He sounded lifeless and dead and it scared Luke. 

Luke didn't obey Michael, instead got out of his seat and sat in the bus seat next to Michael. "What's wrong, baby?" He asked gently, like if he spoke too loud, Michael would shatter into a billion tiny pieces and drift away. 

Michael shook his head, shrinking down into his coat further. "I just want to go home." He repeated firmly, his lips trembling in determination to keep a straight face. Luke could sense how much Michael wanted to cry. 

"You can tell anything, you know." Luke stated softly. He reached out for Michael's hand but retreated his arm when Michael flinched away from him in fear. 

"I said I want to go home." Michael sounded like he was begging now. His hands were clutched together so tightly you'd think that it was holding his body together. Only then did Luke notice Michael was slightly shaking and it didn't seem like a cold shiver. 

Luke didn't move from the seat, he instead just stared at Michael silently. "What's going on, Michael?" He asked seriously and though his voice was dead serious, it still had a soft undertone so he wouldn't scare Michael. 

After a moment of silence because Michael was extremely reluctant to answer Luke's question, Luke reached out for Michael's arm again and Michael once again flinched away from Luke.

"Stop it." Michael spoke under his breath, trying to make it sound like a threat but it came out more as a helpless plea. 

Luke's frown deepened. "Michael, please," He begged softly, setting his hands in his lap. "You mean the world to me and seeing you upset is heartbreaking. Please tell me what's going on, I want to help." 

Michael didn't budge. He didn't move a muscle, he showed no signs of emotions and hardly even showed signs of breathing. Luke was getting quite frustrated. Not frustrated at Michael, really. More frustrated because he couldn't help. 

Silence lingered over the two like it was meant to be there and Luke had enough of it. "Michael, tell me what's going on!" He suddenly snapped. He wasn't going to leave this alone. He wanted his Michael to be happy. 

He reached out and grabbed Michael's arm before he could flinch away, twisting Michael's body to face him. His heart sunk instantly when he saw the pure horror mixed with agony painting Michael's features. 

As soon as he got the the opportunity, Michael yanked his arm out of Luke's grip, clutching it to his chest like it was a newborn baby that needed to be protected from anything and everything. Luke saw the tears coating Michael's eyes and guilt began to overflow his body. 

"I- I didn't mean to hurt you," Luke frantically apologized, the hand used to harm Michael trembling like only it had just been in freezing cold water and was desperately shaking for warmth. "Did I touch a bruise or something? Oh, God. I'm so sorry!"

Michael locked his eyes with Luke in a hard stare and let a single tear slip down his face. He quickly wiped it with his little hands then sat up straight. "You wanna know what's the matter?" He spoke in a sickeningly calm voice. He slid off his coat then tugged up the sleeves of his sweater. Luke's stomach dropped like a ton of bricks when he saw what was in front of him. 

Cuts. Cuts lacing all up and down the undersides of Michael's pale arms. Cuts of all different shapes, sizes, lengths, depths. Some were fresh looking and others were scabbing over. The pattern went past where Michael had pulled his sweater sleeves up to and it made Luke even more heartbroken. 

"You think I'm a freak, right? Or an attention seeker?" Michael asked and without even looking at him, Luke could tell Michael was full out crying now. 

Luke didn't say anything for the longest time and it scared Michael. Michael thought Luke would break up with him then make him walk the rest of the way home. Maybe even worse, Luke would shout at him for doing it and call him ugly for doing it. All the worst possibilities were running through Michael's mind. 

Finally, Luke took a breath. "Why?" He asked simply, tugging gently at his lip ring to prevent himself from crying. He couldn't fathom why such a beautiful human being would do something so morbid; why they would do anything to harm or change their already wonderful body. 

Michael's face crinkled up as he fought to hold in tears. "I get bullied so bad, Luke." He whimpered, his heart beating in his throat. "You should hear the things they call me. 'Cock sucker' or 'shit breath' or 'emo fag'. 'Hey, Michael. Did you gain a few pounds? I thought we said lay off the donuts.'." He imitated miserably and Luke want to cry at his tone of voice, so broken and vulnerable.

As Michael began to choke out little sobs, Luke brought him into his arms, holding him protectively; hiding him from everything bad. 

"Let it out, baby." Luke cooed quietly, kissing Michael's head and rubbing his back as he cried onto Luke's chest. 

When Michael seemed like he was done crying, Luke pulled away just slightly so he was looking Michael in the eyes. "I love you," He whispered tenderly, his blue eyes boring into Michael's green. "Nothing that will ever happen will stop me from loving you." 

Michael's heart pounded faster but this time for other reasons. He lifted his hand, wiping his tears away and sniffling ever so gently. "Forever?" 

Luke smiled. "Forever."