Luke being arrested for the possession of drugs made Michael believe that he would never be surprised by his boyfriend's secrets ever again.
But the reality of it was, was that it was only the beginning of all the secrets and lies. Everything soon...
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49 - Unwilling To Let Go
Slightly starting to stir in his sleep, Michael rolled over to his side. He accepted the body that was there, smiling into whoever's chest it was that wrapped him into a cuddling hug.
He opened his eyes, seeing Calum laying to his right. He seemed wide awake, laying on his back and looking up at the ceiling in thought.
"When did you get home?" Michael asked tiredly, moving up slightly so he was facing Calum.
Calum didn't look at Michael. He kept looking up at the ceiling while he spoke, "About an hour ago. I sent Luke to his room to get some sleep."
"Where's Ashton?"
"He's sleeping with Luke."
"You have to get your sleep too."
"No, I don't. I'm not tired."
Michael frowned from this. He didn't like seeing Calum so stressed out, pretending like everything was his responsibility and that he needed to take care of everything.
"Do you want me to make you some breakfast?" Michael asked.
"No."
"What can I do to help?"
"I just need you to stay here and be safe. That's all I need."
"I'm serious, Calum. If there's anything I can do to help I want to."
"I know, princess." Calum pulled him more into his side just wanting to hold the innocent man as close as he could.
They then fell into a comfortable silence with each other. No words had to be spoken. They just needed to be there together and accept each other's company and soft touches.
Neither wanted to leave this moment. Quietly laying in bed together was an innocent comfort that proved to be intimate for the couple.
Within the comfortable silence, Michael fell back asleep. At least he assumed he must have, since when he opened his eyes again both Luke and Ashton were in the room with them.
Calum and Michael were still in each other's arms, wrapped around each other and unwilling to let go.
Luke was holding Michael from his other side while Ashton was holding onto Luke. Ashton was asleep, but Luke and Calum were awake. They were softly talking amongst each other unaware that Michael had just woken up.
"Was Michael okay last night?"
"He was fine. He just wanted you and Ashton to be home with us."
"I saw what happened last night between you two...with his hands."
"I feel so bad, Calum. He shouldn't of ever had to go through that. And he'll always be reminded of it."
"Ashton told me I need to stop blaming myself for it. You have to try to stop feeling guilty too."
"It's just hard." Luke admitted, "He's a our innocent little princess. He shouldn't have to worry about a thing."
"We'll always take care of him. And I won't let him, Ashton, or you get hurt. Understand?"
"Yeah..."
—•••—
Michael was nervous as he followed the others into the warehouse.
He had never been there before and he could only imagine how many dangerous people and things were there...
But a squeeze to his hand interrupted his worried thoughts. He looked up, seeing Ashton already looking down at his as they walked side-by-side.
Ashton always could read Michael so well. He always knew when his princess was upset or worried.
Ashton gave him a small smile, making Michael feel just a little bit better about this situation.
Suddenly being pushed into this world was a new, intimidating thing. Michael wasn't as tough as the other three.
While Calum knew how to scare any man, while Ashton knew how to torture any man, and while Luke knew how to manipulate any man, Michael only knew how to stay by their sides.
But what Michael didn't know was that, that's all the three wanted and needed from him.
"This is our office. Only us four are allowed in here." Calum said when he opened the door for the three, looking at Michael while he spoke, "Meaning you're always safe in here, even if we're not with you."
Michael silently nodded, feeling embarrassed.
He was embarrassed that he couldn't help them at all. That he wasn't as strong, smart, or strategic as them.
He felt like an outsider when it came to all of this...
So he just slowly sat down on the leather couch placed on the side of the room, picking at his fingers while the three stayed in the front by the desk to discuss business.
"...they all know what's going on. They were given the orders to be on the lookout for any of the OS men and women. And to instantly kill them." Calum said.
"I sent a group to go searching for wherever it is they're hiding and to find out what they're planning." Ashton added.
"Do you want me to start getting all the guns ready?" Luke asked.
"Just organize it for me and have them start it. I don't want you to have to do it all." Calum answered.
Luke nodded, looking back to peer at Michael before he slowly looked back at the other two men, "Do you think he's okay?"
The other two took their turns to peer at the man sat in the couch, noticing his unusual silence and his dissociation from reality.
Michael didn't realize they were looking at him, so he missed their pained expressions when he looked at the OS on his hands.
He hasn't brought it up or talked to them about it because he simply knew how they were. They blamed themselves for Michael getting hurt, even though Michael knew the only one responsible was Sykes.
But the scars haunted Michael. He'd never been so afraid or in so much pain before. It was both a physical and mental tragedy, one that he was afraid would never leave his clouded mind.
