Chapter Text
Michael had been spending more time with Rich lately, bonding over video games and their shared love of obscure horror movies. There was a subtle awkwardness in the way Michael spoke to Jeremy now, and he couldn’t help but notice how Michael seemed more at ease around Rich. How his laughter flowed effortlessly when they talked.
Jeremy walked into the school cafeteria to find Michael and Rich sitting together, laughing over something on Rich’s phone.
"Hey, guys." Jeremy gave a small, awkward wave as he approached the table. "What is it?" he gestured at the phone.
“Oh, hey Jeremy,” Michael smiled, holding up Rich’s phone. “It’s nothing, just a stupid meme.”
“Oh,” Jeremy said as he slid into the seat across from them. He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “You still up for video games later?” His question was directed at Michael, but he glanced at Rich too, out of politeness.
Michael nodded, but there was a pause before he spoke. “Actually, uh, Rich was thinking of coming over too. He’s got this crazy two-player horror game we started playing, and I figured you’d like it too.”
Jeremy forced a smile. “Yeah, cool. Sounds fun.” He paused “You sure I should come though? if it's a two-player?”
“Of course,” Michael said with a serious tone. "We’ll take turns or something”
Rich smirked. "Yeah, unless you’re too chicken to play, Jeremy"
Jeremy narrowed his eyes but didn't reply.
***
Jeremy descended the stairs, the sound of Rich’s playful laughter reaching him before he entered the room.
As he stepped into the basement, he froze for a moment, taking in the sight of Michael and Rich wrestling on the couch, their bodies pressed together in a way that felt a little too close for Jeremy’s comfort.
“Uh, hey,” Jeremy coughed exaggeratedly, trying to announce his presence. They turned to look at him.
"Jeremy!” Michael quickly untangled himself from Rich his face a little flushed, but he laughed it off. “Sorry, Rich was just being an idiot, as usual."
"Hey!" Rich protested, grinning as he adjusted his shirt. "You started it. Dude can’t handle losing at Rock-Paper-Scissors."
Jeremy raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Right. Looks intense for a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors."
Michael gave him an easy smile, clearly unfazed. "You should’ve been here earlier; it was a whole tournament."
Jeremy forced a laugh, stepping further into the room. "Sounds... fun. So, are we gaming or what?"
“Maybe we’ll start so you can see how it works,” Rich offered.
“It’s a video game. How complicated can it be?” Jeremy shot back, raising an eyebrow.
Michael hesitated for a moment before handing one of the controllers to Rich, glancing at Jeremy with an apologetic smile.
He leaned forward, booting up the game. Jeremy noticed how close Michael sat to Rich, and it made his chest tighten in a way he couldn’t quite ignore.
Jeremy hated to admit it, but the game was more complicated than he’d expected, and Michael and Rich were completely in sync. He couldn’t help but feel like he’d never be able to reach their level.
After about half an hour of nonstop playing with no end in sight, Jeremy finally broke the silence. “How long is this?”
Rich glanced over his shoulder at Jeremy, a small grin on his face. "Oh, it’s kind of one of those endless survival modes. We’re just seeing how far we can go."
“Oh, I see.” Jeremy nodded, trying to mask his frustration.
"Come on, Rich," Michael said, nudging him. "We’ve been hogging it long enough. Let’s give Jeremy a turn."
“You know what? I think I’m gonna head out,” Jeremy said, turning down the pity offer. “Have fun.”
He stood up and made his way toward the basement stairs, not daring to look back at Michael’s worried expression.
He was almost at the top of the staircase when a hand landed lightly on his shoulder.
“Hey, man, are you okay?” Michael’s voice was softer now, concern clear in his tone.
Jeremy froze, gripping the railing tightly before turning to face Michael.
"Yeah, I’m fine," Jeremy muttered, avoiding eye contact. "I just... remembered I have stuff to do."
Michael frowned, not letting go of his shoulder. "Jeremy, come on"
Jeremy hesitated "I just... I don’t know if I fit in with... this." He gestured vaguely toward the basement.
Michael’s brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? Of course you fit in. You’re my best friend, Jeremy."
"Am I?" Jeremy's voice wavered, frustration bubbling up and threatening to spill over in the form of tears. "Because it feels like..." The words caught in his throat. "I mean, obviously Rich is a better friend, a better gamer, and he's bi, so... yeah, he’s the full package."
Michael’s face softened, and he stepped closer, his hand gently squeezing Jeremy’s shoulder. "Dude, it’s not a competition. None of this changes the fact that you’re still my best friend." He let the words hang in the air for a moment, giving them space to sink in. "You don’t have to be anything you’re not."
Jeremy ran a hand through his hair, the frustration still simmering beneath the surface. "But it’s hard, Michael. You and him, it just feels like... I'm the third wheel."
Michael shook his head. "It’s not— we aren’t dating, Jeremy."
"Wait, you're not?" Jeremy's voice cracked, disbelief clear in his tone.
"Well, it’s like…” Michael shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Jeremy's eyes. “With Rich, it’s more about sexual stuff. It’s nothing romantic."
Jeremy's mouth fell open in shock. "Wait, you slept with him?!"
Michael’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, nothing like that. We’ve just talked about stuff, you know? Like, we made out a bunch, but that's it."
Jeremy’s heart sank, a deep knot of confusion and hurt forming in his chest. "You should’ve told me, man. That’s a big deal."
"It really isn’t," Michael said, his voice small. "I was just... I don’t know. I was trying to move on, and I didn’t want to make things weird."
"So you just went with the first person available?" Jeremy’s voice grew sharp, the anger creeping into his words.
"No! I– why are you attacking me? I’m just trying to make things easier!" Michael’s voice broke a little.
"Well, good luck with Rich," Jeremy spat, storming toward the door.
"Jeremy, wait!" Michael’s voice was desperate now.
Jeremy paused but didn’t turn around.
“Just... talk to me!” He felt Michael’s hand hover over his shoulder but not touch him, the hesitation stinging.
"What is there to talk about?” Jeremy turned “You wanted to move on. I’m making it easier for you." The bitterness was undeniable.
"Oh my god," Michael huffed in frustration. "You are unbelievable!" He stepped forward, his voice sharp. "You wanted me to stay hung up on you, didn’t you?"
Jeremy opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out.
Michael continued, "You wanted me to feed your little ego while you get to... what? Fuck around with Christine?"
"You know she dumped me, dude," Jeremy shot back coldly.
Michael sneered, a sharp bitterness seeping into his words. "Oh, my bad. Go screw Brook or Chloe, you can get anyone, right? Mister Squip’d-up, fuckboy."
"That’s not fair," Jeremy muttered, hurt and disbelief settling over him.
"Fuck you, man," Michael shot back. "If you’re so jealous of Rich, why didn’t you say something when you had a chance?"
“you barely gave me a chance!” Jeremy’s voice rose.
"WHAT?" Michael's eyes widened in disbelief. "You told me you were STRAIGHT!"
Jeremy’s voice cracked, raw with emotion. "I was afraid!" He yelled, tears threatening to spill.
"I was stupid and afraid, okay? I wasn’t– I’m not– I just, needed time to figure it out” Jeremy covered his face “I’m a fucking loser."
Michael’s expression softened, all traces of frustration slipping away as he saw the tears in Jeremy’s eyes. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Jeremy, you’re not a loser.”
"Umm, guys?" Rich’s voice came from behind Michael. "I heard yelling. What’s going on?"
Michael let out a sigh and turned. "Sorry, Rich. Maybe it's best if you head out for now."
"Oh," Rich glanced between them, sensing the tension. "Yeah, sure." He quickly checked his pockets, then stepped past Jeremy, heading for the door. "See ya."
There was a heavy pause before either of them spoke again.
"I'm really sorry," Jeremy muttered quietly, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Michael sighed, offering a half-hearted smile. "Hey, it’s fine. Let’s just... get back down."
They sat on the couch, the silence between them thick and suffocating. Jeremy could feel the weight of his words still hanging in the air
Michael shifted uncomfortably, his eyes lingering on the TV screen. "You know," he began slowly, his voice quieter now, "I never meant for things to get this complicated."
Jeremy nodded, his gaze fixed on his hands in his lap. “I get it,” he whispered, his throat tight. “I never wanted to hurt you, Mike. I just… I guess I was scared.”
“Scared of what?” Michael asked, finally turning to look at him.
Jeremy took a deep breath “Scared of... admitting that something was going on between us.” He raised his head, his eyes meeting Michael’s. “Scared of facing the fact that maybe... I’m not as straight as I thought.”
Michael’s expression softened, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. “I know how it feels.”
Jeremy returned the smile.
They sat there for a while, breathing in sync, the weight of everything slowly lifting. It felt like things were finally falling into place.
There were still so many words left unsaid, but in that moment, no answers were needed.