the boxer // lrh au

thirty eight ; gay awakening

"what?"

"i'm gay. i like boys." though he was still shaky, michael seemed a lot lighter than he was just a few seconds ago.

"but-" i ponder in confusion. "you were kissing that girl just a few days ago at that party and you liked that one girl..." i trail off, trying to make sense of the situation in my head.

"i tried to not like boys, but no matter how hard i tried, no matter how many girls i kissed, it didn't work." michael says, slouching down and sitting on the floor.

"well, as long as you're still the same michael clifford who loves me endlessly even though i still bother him, i could care less what your sexuality is." i say, getting off the bed and sitting next to michael on the ground.

"really?" michael asks, his eyes lighting up like a little kid.

i wrap my arms around him and sigh in content because michael clifford wasn't hurt, or dying, or sad. he was okay.

"just don't steal the boys from me. not that tyler would let any near me." i say, my voice muffled from being buried so deep into michael's neck.

"don't worry, luke is all yours." michael laughs against me but i can feel a tear hit my shoulder.

"don't you dare cry michael gordon clifford." i say, pulling away. if michael cries, i know i will too.

"i need some water." michael finally says after us sitting on the ground for some time in silence.

"then let's go get some you thirsty bitch," i say, lightly smacking his stomach before getting up and walking towards the kitchen.

"i love you bells," michael says, hugging me from behind while we continue walk.

"you haven't called me bells in a while," i say, smiling.

"oh no, did it accidentally slip? i'm sorry," michael says, frowning.

"it's fine," i go to reach a cup to fill up for michael. "it's starting to grow on me again after-"

i realize what name was about to come out of my mouth and immediately seal my lips shut. no bella. you did so well for so long. you haven't thought about luke in a whole hour. you were making progress.

"luke." michael finished, smiling at me.

"luke." i say in confirmation.

"you know, i don't care what anyone else says, but i think he's a good guy. you do, however, have to tell me where calum dragged you to," michael says, filling up his cup with water.

"that calls for a sleepover," i shout, pumping my fist in the air. once michael was done, i begin to fill up my own cup with water.

"if we do end up having a sleepover, we're going to need to have it at my place." michael mumbles, looking away from me.

"why?" i ask, confused.

"well you see..." michael starts. "there's a certain brother here that i would rather not be near."

i know tyler hurt michael's feeling but was it really bad enough that he couldn't sleep over?

"i'm sure he'll apologize mikey," i say, rolling my eyes. tyler always says things he doesn't mean.

"not exactly why i'm avoiding him..." michael mutters, turning his back to me.

i furrow my eyebrows at michael while drinking my water. what is he on about? why else would michael want to avoid tyler?

oh no.

"TYLER?" i shout, spitting out my water.

"yes?" i hear tyler shout from his room.