Chapter Text
Chapter Five
Michael didn’t see nor hear a single word from Gavin Free for the entirety of the next three weeks.
Not that he was mad or anything. He wasn’t at all- not even the tiniest bit. He was completely fine with the whole situation. Sure, he and Gavin had kissed and sure Gavin spent his first night over sleeping in the recently spare bedroom- but whatever, right?
That’s what Michael told Ray at least. Ray sat opposite him over ice-cream sundae’s before the first soccer game since Gavin’s ankle had healed with the most disingenuous, disbelieving expression Michael had seen him pull since they’d both become self-aware two years ago of their worrying My Little Pony habit.
“Not bothered at all.” Michael repeated for the third time, long after the conversation had ended and they were walking towards the stadium among the flock of fellow fans. Ray scoffed, again for the third time.
“Dude. Say it one more time and I might believe you.”
Michael frowned and muttered, “Shut up.”, before the two made their way together to their uncomfortable plastic seat and the game slowly rolled its way into beginning.
Due to his injury Gavin was only on the pitch for a half hour, before reluctantly the game took a brief pause and Geoff waved him over, Gavin tagging out with another player as the crowd cheered him on for his courageous antics. Michael looked longing down into the pitch but Gavin didn’t so much as look up from the bright green grass before disappearing down into the changing rooms.
“You okay?” Ray asked. Michael rolled his eyes.
“Yeah. It’s whatever.” He lied.
“If you’re sure-”
“-I’m sure Ray! For fuck’s sake, leave it alone!” Michael snapped. Ray said nothing, but the look in his eyes was enough. He knew- of course he knew, he and Michael had been best friends since they knew what best friends were. He could tell within a second just how much Michael had fallen for Gavin.
And just how heartbroken he was that the stupid asshole hadn’t even bothered to look up.
Michael wasn’t hurt. Michael didn’t get hurt- period. This wasn't a movie, he wasn't going to sit at home and silently stew until Gavin appeared at his window with flowers and a boombox. Michael was not, under any circumstances, hurt. It was no emotion other than pure rage that had led him to Gavin’s door with his fists clenched as he banged on the door and yelled Gavin’s name repeatedly until he finally heard from the other side-
“Alright, alright- I’m coming!”
Gavin opened the door, but only by a fraction. Half of his face was hidden, but the look in his eye was as afraid as a rabbit in front of a truck, full headlight beam.
He was quiet for a few tense seconds, and then swallowed thickly.
“Uh. Hi Michael.”
Michael gritted his teeth. “Let me in.”
Gavin nodded. “Right-o.”
He stepped backwards and Michael walked into the apartment. His first step was filled with anger- he was ready to turn around to Gavin and hit him with every flash of anger he held- but once he turned around and saw Gavin’s face again, he softened instantly.
“For fuck’s sake Gavin.” He sighed. “Why’d you fucking do this to me?”
Gavin looked to the floor. “Sorry” he said.
“Sorry?” Michael asked incredulously. “Sorry? That’s it- you fucking kiss me, leave, avoid me for nearly a month and then what? You’re sorry? Cool. Fucking excellent Gavin- you’re fucking sorry.”
“Well I am!” Gavin shouted. “And if you hate me or whatever- fine. I completely understand-”
“-But I don’t fucking hate you, do I?” Michael all but growled at the shrinking athlete in front of him. Somehow, Gavin had managed to almost curl himself up completely where he stood, hunched at the shoulders and cowering in front of the door. “Because for some stupid fucking reason- I fucking like you.” Michael continued, the confession lurching from his mouth before he had a chance to hold it back. Suddenly, he couldn’t bear to look at Gavin- who was slowly straightening again- and stared away to the corner of the room. “I fucking like you.” He repeated quietly.
“Really?” Gavin asked, surprised. Michael looked back at him and frowned.
“Well duh.” He said. “Why else would I try to kiss you?”
“I-I dunno.” Gavin stammered, looking sheepish. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I guess I just thought that… I don’t know- it was dumb, and… yeah-”
“Spit it out already!” Michael snapped. Gavin blushed.
“I guess I thought that you just… wanted me because you were lonely. Ray left and when he came over with Ryan it… reminded you that you felt lonely. So you kissed me and I freaked out because I didn’t want to just… be used, I suppose. I thought that you were just… putting me in that gap. Others have.”
“Gavin.” Michael softened instantly. “Did you really think I’d be that much of an asshole?”
He blushed. “I dunno. Maybe.” Michael couldn’t help but smile as Gavin sheepishly shrugged before him. “Just… I thought you’d get lonely all alone inside that big apartment.” He looked around his own home, and Michael began to wonder if all those nights he worried about Gavin being lonely were for something after all. “I know what it’s like to feel that way.” Gavin finished.
Michael couldn’t stop himself. He walked forwards quickly and pulled Gavin into a tight hug, which was thankfully received. “I’m sorry.” He said. “I shouldn’t have avoided you and stopped speaking to you. I should’ve just asked, and-”
“-It’s fine Gav.” Michael interrupted. “It’s done now. We’re cool.”
The two backed away from each other, Gavin’s flushed expression and measly grin mirrored on Michael’s own face. “And by the way,” Michael added. “I don’t get lonely now that Ray’s gone. Cause I got you- you’re my boi, right?”
“I am.” Gavin nodded. “We’re bois. Always.”
“Good.” Michael nodded, and a few seconds of awkward, yet comfortable silence passed between them until Michael found the strength in his limbs to reach out and take Gavin’s hand in his own. “Only… would it be cool for two bois to go out on a date together sometime, maybe?” he asked. Gavin grinned.
“Only if it’s alright to do this too-” he started, but it was too late to finish. Michael was done with being cheesy, and he certainly didn’t need Gavin to give him a movie moment. He was already with the new hot soccer player on the team. It couldn’t get much more cliché than that- so without much thought at all, he tugged Gavin by the hand towards him and pressed their lips together for the long awaited kiss he’d been so cruelly robbed of that night in his apartment.
Afterwards, Gavin grinned- before hiccuping loudly in his face.
“Perfect.” Michael laughed. “Fucking hell. Way to set the mood, Gav.”
“I’m sorry!” Gavin doubled over, releasing Michael’s hand and breaking into hysterics. “I bloody get hiccups when I’m nervous!”
“Is this the shit I’m going to have to deal with?”
Another hiccup. “Yes, love. All the time, actually. That and my terrible gag-reflex.”
“Fuck you.” Michael said, but with the width of the smile across his face and the way he reached out and grabbed Gavin’s hand again, they both knew for certain, exactly what he really meant.