Chapter Text
Michael leaned against the side of a brick wall, not caring what it lead to. He just knew it was dark, and hardly anyone was walking on this side of the street. He allowed himself to slide down as his chest heaved and tears stung his eyes. The effects of running hit him hard as well as emotions. "Fucking bitch!" He whispered to himself, furiously wiping tears away as if they were acid.
Stop acting weak Michael, she'd never marry a mess like you. Get. Over. It. His conscience warned. And it was right. But that didn't make it hurt any worse. It hurt like a bitch, per usual. What breakup doesn't? He needed something, or someone, to ease the pain. If just for a little while. He'd be fine in the morning, right? He stood up, just in time to see two guys stagger past the alley he was in. They looked hammered, and leaning on each other for balance wasn’t making them any more stable. Once them, and their giggling, had passed, Michael stepped out of the alley, looking to his left. A bar, a gay bar. "Score!" Michael whispered. Maybe he'd meet the right person this time. Or his next mistake.
Music viciously assaulted his ears the second he walked in, the lyrics barely audible above all of the talking going on. The dance floor was packed, as well as all of the tables. The only thing that was left is the bar, of which didn’t have any available seats. Great. Michael sifted through all the people to get to the bar stood between two people (who hadn't been talking at all,) to try and order. Though, seeing this crowd, it'll be a little while.
"Need a seat, love?" Someone asked. Oh dear god. Michael looked to his right to see a man about his age with sandy blond hair. "Come on, no seat is opening up soon." He offered again, scooting over on the bar stool to leave space for him.
"Really, dude?" Michael asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's either that, one of us sitting on the other's lap, or no seat. Your pick." Michael groaned and sat down. "Good choice." The man responded with a smile. He took a sip of a pink drink that was only half full at this point, but it didn't seem like his first drink of the night.
"So, mystery man, what's your name?" Michael asked, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the bar. "Gavin. What's yours?" Gavin answered. "Michael. Nice to meet ya. And, are you for real British, or is that a sham?" Michael questioned, which made Gavin laugh. "No, I'm British alright. 'm from Oxfordshire, actually." Gavin returned, leaning in close to Michael's ear so he was heard clearly. Though Michael took it a different way. Michael nodded as he saw the bartender coming their way.
"Bring a friend over?" He asked, Gavin smiled. "Nah, just being courteous, what'd you want, love?" He asked Michael. He thought for a moment before answering.
"Give me a shot." Michael told the man. "It's on me." Gavin told the bartender before he went to get the ingredients.
"What the fuck, Gav? I can pay for it." Michael scolded. But Gavin only laughed. "Already got a nickname for me, eh? You fall fast." Michael rolled his eyes. Of course he's a cocky fuck.
"We just fucking met, dick wad. And besides, what makes you think I'd fall for you?" Michael spat out, obviously annoyed. The bartender then slid his drink in front of him. "I don't know, hell, I don't even know why I'm here." Gavin said, changing the subject. Michael looked over to see Gavin with his head in his hand, smiling but yet his eyes reflected pure sadness. The music switched to something more upbeat as Michael wrapped an arm around Gavin. He looked up at the redhead, surprised, but less upset.
"Ya know, I might be a stranger but I am good at listening, if you want to talk that is." Michael said, closer to Gavin's ear. Gav lightly smiled before shaking his head. "Nah. Why tell sad stories when there's bevs around? Besides, why read the book if you already know the ending?" He responded, calling over the bartender. "Give me something strong." He requested, to which Michael shook his head. "I'm gonna have to drag your drunk ass home, aren't I?"
"Probably."
There was no way in hell that Michael wasn't going to have a hangover tomorrow. Or remember anything. Both of those things were perfectly okay with him in this moment though. It was 3 AM, Gavin and himself were on the dance floor jamming out to some song from a game that Michael might have recognized, but didn't care in this moment. They we're drunk off their asses and having a damn good time being together. And to be honest, Michael wouldn't mind more of this. He wouldn’t mind more of these nights.
He wouldn't mind more of Gavin.
"Come on, love! Your turn!" Gavin giggled out, holding a hand out to Michael. He took the British man's hand and laughed as he spun him in a circle and dipped him…
And falling with him.
Gavin laughed before meeting Michael's eyes, of whom was so lost in those green orbs he didn't even know where he was currently, and immediately was mesmerized. How can brown eyes be so pretty? His eyes were never this gorgeous. Before Gavin could even move, Michael had pulled his head down and smashed their lips together. If Gavin were able to recall anything from that night, it was that kiss. That magical, amazing moment. The crowd busted in to whoops and hollers accompanied by claps as well. After a minute, (which seemed like hours to them,) they broke apart and lent a hand to help each other stand back up. The dance floor reverted to the normal chaos as the two made their way back over to the bar.
"That was a bloody good time." Gavin spoke, looking over to Michael, who was still lightly smiling to himself. Michael laughed. "Hell yeah it was." Gavin smiled before lightly shaking his drink up.
"I have to get home soon." Gavin finally said, causing Michael to look over at him. He chuckled and scoffed. "Do you even know where home is, dude?" He asked. Gavin looked away before muttering out a "No."
Michael sighed. "Goddammit. Fuck, okay get your shit together." He told the Brit. "What?" Gavin butchered with his accent.
"Get your shit together, we're going home." Michael told him, standing up. Gavin laughed, which in reality sounded more like a bird squawking.
"Since when did you and I turn into a we?" He asked.
"Shut the fuck up, Gav." Michael stated.
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The taxi ride home wasn't as filled with energy as they were 5 minutes ago. Gavin was falling asleep on Michael's shoulder, as Michael ran his fingers through his sandy locks. Though the earlier events in the night creeped into Michael's mind, they almost pulled him out to sea until Gavin stirred, wrapping his arms around Michael.
Michael smiled to himself. He could get used to these nights, without her, without anyone. Michael and Gavin VS. The World. It could work. "It's a work in progress, love." Gavin mumbled out, one eye blinking open. "Fuck, I said that out loud?" Michael asked. Gavin giggled as he nodded. He flopped into Michael's lap, looking up at the other.
"Who was she?" Gavin questioned, raising an eyebrow. Michael scoffed. "No one you need to worry about. She was… She was a mistake." Michael said solemnly, looking out into the dark night.
The tides threatened his mind again, and he looked among them in peace, in wonder.
"I need to know what my competition is though, love." Gavin said jokingly, winking up at Michael. But for the first time all night, Michael was showing his true emotions to Gavin. Gavin sat up at this, trying to be serious. "She might have been a mistake but you're not." He said, trying to reassure the man.
Someone was finally pulling Michael back from the edge of the sand. Where the tide meets land. Where he disappeared so long ago.
"What?" Michael asked. Gavin placed a hand on the others knee. "You're. Not. A. Mistake." Gavin repeated, slowly and calmly.
Michael fell for it, for a moment. Into safety. A warmth the ocean couldn't provide him. But it wasn't safe. "Some would argue otherwise, Gavin." He hissed.
The anger roped around his waist, threatening to drag him into the black waves while Gavin held tightly onto his hands.
Gavin cringed at the way he said his name. "Good thing I'm not some people then. I'm Gavin. And I think you're pretty top, Michael." He told him, slapping his leg twice. Michael smiled lightly at him.
Gavin pulled him back to the shore, and untied that ugly red cord.
Michael's smile grew larger as he leaned into Gavin's ear. "Thank you." He whispered. Before Gavin could ask "For what?" (and absolutely butcher the what in said sentence,) they had arrived at Michael's apartment.
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It wouldn't take a genius to notice Michael hadn't been at his own apartment for a while. But, it would take someone actually paying attention to their surroundings. Michael had pressed his hand into Gavin's hand, and the rest of his body into Gavin's side as well.
Gavin, trying to not attack the man beside him with his mouth, instead chose to follow him to wherever he was being led. Michael, on the other hand, only cared about going the fuck to sleep and snuggling the man next to him. Worries behind him, and the man who could save him beside him, he felt hopeful. Hopeful for the first time in a while.
He smiled, and led Gavin into his bedroom, nearly knocking into the door frame in the process. Gavin almost laughed at him until Michael pulled the both of them onto the bed, fully clothed. Gavin DID giggle at this, and went to stand up, before Michael pulled him back down.
"I can't sleep in my clothes, love." Gavin told the man, holding his hand once again. Michael sighed, knowing he was right, but upset to have to let him go. He never wanted to let him go.
Gavin smiled when his hand was released and they both stood up to undress. Shoes flew, shirts drifted along the air, and jeans fell, until they were just in their boxers. Gavin smirked as Michael flung himself onto the bed. "Didn't even buy me dinner first and we're already sleeping together? Naughty little Michael." Gavin spoke, making Michael giggle. He picked up a pillow and hit the Brit with it.
"Shut up and snuggle me, asshole." Michael grumbled into his own pillow, keeping one eye open to watch as Gavin climbed on the bed and pulled the covers over them. Michael almost gravitated to Gavin's warmth, wrapping his arms and a leg around him almost protectively. Gavin smiled and buried his face into the man's neck, wrapping an arm around him and playing with some of the hairs at the nape of his neck. He liked this. But he couldn't have this. It would end badly, just like he did. But for tonight, Gavin let himself free fall into a mess named Michael and forget about the pain.
If just for a little while.
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Michael woke up with a headache and a man in his bed. A man, of which, he seemed to be very close too, judging by how he was nearly wrapped around him. The man also happened to be in just his boxers. He didn't dare open his eyes for 20 seconds, scared to see what asshole he dragged home from a bar this time. But then he did.
And it was the most handsome man he's ever seen.
He was asleep against Michael chest, his head at an awkward angle, but yet perfectly placed to where Michael could see him. His nose was bigger than average, but yet seemed to suit his face. His hair was a beautiful shade of brown and Michael almost ran his fingers through it before realizing it would wake him. And he didn't want that yet. He wanted this man to stay a mystery as long as possible, before he could wreck his life like all his other lovers did. For now, he wanted nothing more than to simply admire the man.
But that dream was short lived. Gavin yawned into Michael's chest, wrapping his arm tighter around the man. His eyes fluttered open and he was met with a man staring down at him.
"'Ello love." He croaked, his voice weak from grogginess. "Hi." Michael nearly whispered to the man. They stayed quiet, tranquil in each other's warmth for a minute. Then Gavin jumped up. "Bollocks, what time is it?!" He shouted, quickly turning around in the covers, and out of Michael's grip.
Gavin frantically felt around for his phone on the nightstand, and nearly knocked his phone off the nightstand trying to grab it. He pressed the circle button on the bottom on his phone to reveal the time.
10:30 AM. He was late.
Gavin abruptly sat up as Michael looked at him, worried. "I'm late for work, my first day too!" Gavin spoke, placing a hand on Michael's.
Oh, so this is how close you got to him, Jones. Great.
"What time is it?" Michael asked, poking his thumb out from under Gavin's hand to lightly rub his hand in an attempt to calm him. Gavin only sighed. "10:30 AM. Probably 10:32 by now." Gavin told him. "Fuck! I'm fucking late too, where do you work? I'll drop you off." Michael questioned the man, jumping out of bed and rummaging through his drawers for clothes.
"Uh, Rooster Teeth? I don't know if you'd kno-" "What did you just say?" Michael interrupted, wide eyed and shocked. He couldn't work there. He just couldn't.
"Rooster Teeth, well, Achievement Hunter more specifically. Why?" Gavin responded, hopping out of the bed and walking over to the man. Michael sighed. "Because I fucking work there too."