MUKE short stories

094798 ≛

age: 18-19

trigger warning: suicide (in the past, of a side character)

≛≛≛

Luke was returning from his walk with Molly. He was repeating his Biology reading in his head, in preparation for the test tomorrow.

That was why he wasn't prepared for the sudden pull when Molly started running and barking in the direction of their house.

He quickly calmed down when he realized it was Michael and not an intruder sitting in front of his house. Luke let Molly go so she could get all the cuddles and kisses Michael liked to give her.

"Hi," Michael said quietly, not letting go of the door. It was nothing like the Michael Luke knew but it was three weeks since their fight so things were different between them.

"I came to talk if you'd like to listen."

Luke looked him directly in his eyes. "That depends on what you have to say if you want to shout at me some more-"

Quickly, Michael shook his head. "I'm sorry. I know I've always been a jackass when it came to tattoos and soulmates. And even if I have my reasons I shouldn't have to try and influence what you think about them."

"Do you want to come inside?"

"No," He tilted his head towards his training bag. "Calum is picking me up in a few minutes for a training session. The captain said I've sucked recently."

Luke hasn't been to the game but he heard about Michael's form from Tyler. He sat down next to Michael but kept his gaze on the ground.

"My grandfather killed himself because he couldn't live without my grandmother."

Luke's head quickly snapped to Michael's direction. Calum told him Michael's soulmate-hatred was family-related but he never expected that.

"He told me love was the best and the worst thing that had happened to him and when he died... I was so angry because she wasn't the only one who loved him. I loved him. And I thought he loved me...

"I just think it's stupid that people are slaves to the idea of love and soulmates. We spend too much time searching for our soulmates when we could have spent that time loving more people."

Luke was quiet for a while, he wasn't sure if it was something Michael wanted to discuss but he knew his best friend. Michael was strong-minded so he wasn't one to accept arguments.

"I understand," He looked at the older boy. "But not everyone loves as your father did. And not everyone looks at their soulmate relentlessly, I think without soulmates some people would be just as eager, if not more, to find love. Because there would be no reassurance, they'd find the one."

Michael shrugged his shoulders and stood up.

"Do you want to come over tomorrow? I have some new video games."

Luke hopefully looked at Michael, he had missed his best friend.

"Would Tyler be okay with that?"

He frowned at the reply. "He doesn't have a reason not to be okay with it." Then he realized Michael probably didn't know about their connection. "Me, Tyler and another girl from school named Sarah, all have the same four digits. The chance of any of us getting together is small, but Sarah's mum had kinda like a club with people with a similar number and their still friends. So we just occasionally hang out."

Michael nodded. They both saw Calum pull up and Luke waved at him.

Halfway towards the car, Michael turned around, "I think another reason I hate soulmates is because I know I'll never end up with someone I actually like. Someone like you."

≛

Luke looked at his suitcases. He thought it was ironic he was moving across the country a day before his birthday but it was the last possible flight before he was due at school.

It would be weird, he thought as he looked down at the five tattooed numbers on his wrist. Tomorrow there will be the sixth one and there would be only four left before he would know for sure who his soulmate was.

09479

Calum was guessing it would be another four only because his sixth digit also happened to be four. It will also be weird because he won't be able to run to Calum's house first thing on the morning of his birthday and show him the tattoo.

He was leaving behind not only his best friend but his boyfriend. Or whatever Michael was at this point. A friend with benefits.

Luke knew it was coming but it wasn't any less painful. They talked about it before, the fewer strings that are attached between them, the easier it would be for both of them to find people. For Luke, his possible soulmate, for Michael, someone who might feel the same way about love as he does.

Love.

It was strange.

Michael never said it out loud but Luke knew the older boy was in love with him.

And Luke loved him too, but maybe not in the same way. He was still saving a part of the love he had to give for someone who will have those same numbers inked on their skin.

As guilty as he felt when he kissed Michael goodbye, Luke felt a sense of relief knowing he could look for his soulmate without eye-rolls and judgment.

≛≛≛

thoughts?

Michael waiting for Luke?

Why Michael doesn't believe in soulmates?

Luke's friend group with Tyler?

Luke leaving Michael behind?

Love, Lucija ♡