Work Text:
Michael Mell was Jeremy’s best friend, he cared and even after the squip they had been able to save their friendship, overcoming his abandonment issues and Jeremy’s self doubts by taking for once, and it felt good. everything’s was going steady and calmly in his life, it was actually enjoyable to go to school and he had more than just Jeremy. of course, Jeremy was always one of his main priorities, they had always had each others back and that wouldn’t change, but now he and Jeremy had other players in their game. Michael was unsure if there was a console that would support 8 players.. maybe Mario party, but that was just taking the little metaphor too far. either way, that was beside the point, everything was going steady so far, and as great as that was, the dread in the back of his mind slowly grew.
it had started around a month ago, Jake, Jeremys boyfriend had come up to Michael with something mixed between worry and disbelief. he had been almost fidgety and didn’t hold that normal ‘Dillinger’ confidence he normally had.
“hey.. you’ve known Jerm the longest right-? does he normally skip meals or eat barely anything..?”
Jake questioned, his gaze resting on the alignment of grey lockers instead of Michael. He had never seen the taller boy this freaked out, this must have been going on for a while.
“depends, i know he doesn’t eat breakfast, that isn’t a concern.. but i’m guessing it’s bigger than that-?”
Michael replied, his face now laced with concern as he kept his cool.
“He—“ Jake took a small moment to compose himself “he didn’t eat lunch today either, or barely anything on our date yesterday.. he passed out in math class earlier as well. he fell out his chair and just looked limp for a moment. it fucked with my head dude, like, seeing him like that, i’m seriously scared man.. he..”
Jake choked on his words and finally made eye contact with Michael, Jake’s eyes reflected his emotions, his blue eyes were filled with worry and even small tears, the end of his mouth went downwards, tugging his expression into a rare frown. Michael hadn’t trusted the relationship at the start, but Jake looked seriously broken by Jeremy’s lack of self care, and he knew that Jake must really care for him. before he could interrupt or give advice, Jake continued.
“he.. he means a lot to me, he’s more than just some.. hook up or fling.. he’s there and real, he’s there to comfort and give hugs to, he’s down to earth and dorky- and i.. i can’t see him hurt man, i desperately need him to be okay.. please just tell me he’s gonna be okay. maybe it’s something different- maybe it’s—-“
Michael cut Jake off quickly, sympathetically looking up at him.
“i care about him as well, Jeremy’s never been big on food.. but maybe we should speak to him..? it seems like the best option before jumping to conclusions like eating disorders..”
Jake blinked and stood in thought for a moment, he carefully used his jacket sleeve to rub the small tears from his eyes before nodding at Michael, at least now he didn’t look so freaked.
“yeah.. let’s talk to him..”
that’s how the two boys found themselves at the heere residents. George Heere, Jeremy’s father was no where to been since. Michael sighed and walked in, it was a mess and it reeked of body oder and gone off pizza boxes. Mr.Heere had tried, he really had. but it all came crumbling down after a few months, and the mess before them was the consequence of this.
Jake scrunched his nose up in disgust, Michael guessed it was his first time here. He lead the oder boy up to Jeremy’s room, where there was the soft sound of music coming from and game sound affects.
Jake opened Jeremy’s door, heading in before Michael and glancing around. despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help but smile. the room was covered in space themed decorations and art, the walls had hand painted stars and planets, there was little planet shaped cushions on his bed and yellow LED’s placed well. he hadn’t expected anything less since his boyfriend had expressed his admiration and enjoyment of space on many occasions.
“Hey Star…”
Jake muttered, a half smile on his face as he stepped further into the room. Jeremy paused his game and got up, stumbling slightly but throwing himself at Jake with a dorky grin, his braces showed, the blue bands obvious on his teeth. He noticed Michael and blushed slightly, throwing him a shy smile and an awkward wave. Michael rolled his eyes half heartedly and smiled back.
“Jake- Michael. i didn’t realise you guys were coming.. is everything okay-?”
he questioned, knowing the combination of the two wouldn’t just barge into his house and room unexpectedly.
“well..” Jake started “Moonlight, we’re only saying those because we love you.. but what’s going on.. are.. you okay?”
Jeremy shot them a confused expression.
“Miah, Look. you haven’t been eating enough. you’re pale and you’re stumbling. your clothes are really baggy now.. what’s.. what’s going on-?”
Michael added, eyeing the boy as Jeremy stepped away from their gaze, pulling his hood up and trying to find a way to escape the questioning. the room went silent..
Michael and Jake shared an awkward look before the silence was broken by a harsh sob. Jeremy was now curled up on the floor, his thin arms covered by thick fabric, disguising the problem from others. his cheeks were red as he tried to silence himself, coughing and choking on his cries in a panicked way.
“woah.. woah.. Jerm..”
Michael crouched down beside the boy, letting out a quiet sigh at the pained look on Jeremy’s face. he took the boys hands in his own and slowly traced his knuckles with his thumbs.
“it’s okay.. take deep breaths.. 4 seconds each remember..”
he reminded, his voice remaining steady as Jake sat on the bed worriedly. Jeremy followed Michael’s instructions and slowly took deep breaths, the hyperventilating like behaviour calming and coming to a stop after a few minutes.
Jeremy rubbed his eyes sleepily with his sweater paws, sighing and finally facing the two boys.
“well..” he started, his face full of fear and determination, mostly to get through this without breaking down again. “it’s my head.. it tells me not to eat, i’ve eaten enough, i’m gonna put on weight, i’m gonna look disgusting..”
he muttered, avoiding eye contact.
“i feel sick at the sight of food, bread makes me want to throw up, a full meal terrifies me.. my comfort food is fruit, and even then it’s shaky on a good day.” he rambled, explaining his thought process. “i didn’t want this to develop, i knew how bad it was.. i read all the warning signs, but i couldn’t stop, my mind wouldn’t let me. it wouldn’t let me eat, it made me check the calories and write down how much i had, if i are to much.. i’d throw it all up and not eat again on that day! it’s sick and twisted! like it’s just a game but i can’t stop it! i look in the mirror and see something awful..”
Jeremy stopped, the tears were back and he took a breath to compose himself.
Jake was the first to speak, getting up and cupping Jeremy’s face. “you were so brave..”
Jeremy looked at him dumbfounded.
“i’m glad you were able to tell us star, it was hard.. but now we’re with you.. and able to get you help..”
Jake had Jeremy’s face cupped in his hands, a weak, sad smile on his face.
“You’re beautiful.. and i would go to the moon and back to prove that to you sweetheart..”
Michael would gag if it was a different situation, but the pet names seemed to help Jeremy, and that was his main priority right now. he sighed in relief and joined the two other boys.
“we can get you help.. but don’t scare us like that again ‘Miah, i still want my best friend here..”
“you’re not loosing me to this.. i promise both of you.. it’s gonna be hard.. but i’ll try-“
Jeremy said, his voice strained but filled with honesty. Michael and Jake both smiled and hugged the boy in question. Jeremy retuned it and the tears came back again, this time he made no effort to stop them, sometimes they were just needed, and that was okay.
a few hours later, Jeremy was pressed close to jakes chest, jakes arms wrapped around him protectively and holding him while he slept. Michael was downstairs, making Jeremy something small for when he woke up. all three knew it would take a lot of work and some professional help, but it would hopefully be okay in the end. that was the aim, and they would do anything they could to reach that..