Work Text:
Michael didnt notice his affections at first. It started when his headphones got damaged. He had relied on it for 2 1/2 years both for music and to deal with overstimulation. He felt a pang of despair shoot through his heart at the sight of his beloved being hurt. But it wasnt romantic- thad be crazy! Ofc he loved it but not like that... right? well he found out the damage was only external and he ws relieved, once he patched it up he took it to his bed and began talking to and cuddling it.
"Oh, Im so glad youre okay baby." he cooed "I dont even care that Im talking to myself right now!"
Then he heard a sound. A little whir of happiness coming from his beloved.
"huh?" he sat up. He somehow understood what that sound meant. His headphones were relieved and joyful, grateful for him.
"hah, I guess you can understand me. well I should give you a name... how about beatrice? like a beat? its a little feminine but-" He heard a louder whir. "well im going to go to bed beatrice and if i can still understand you in the morning ill know this is real.."
needless to say when he woke the next morning and put on Beatrice hesitantly. He wondered if it was all in his head until it chirped to greet him. Michael blushed.
now its been 5 years since he first got beatrice. He cant even tell Jeremy about this because he woudnt understand. No one would. Not the way he would gaze at Beatrice while caresing the softness meant to envelop his ear, how he'd wear it without music when we wasnt overstimulated because he'd miss it, how he'd talk to it for hours listening to the hums and whirrs it'd respond with. even cuddling with beatrice sometimes while falling asleep and having his heart filed with adoration for the thing he loved.
he almost mentioned it to Jeremy one time. He had purposefully left Beatrice at home because he didnt know wha he was going to say. He took a deep breath. "Hey Jeremy? Do you ever love someone so much but you cant let anyone know because theyd never get it?" he stared at the ground. "uh,huh? what is this about michael?" Jeremy replied. "well.. its... Im.." he paused "Im gay". he alreay knew he liked boys and had never mentioned it to jeremy not out of shame but because it just never came up. Using that fact now to hide who he really loved felt bad. "Oh for real? Well I dont mind Michael, and you have two moms so im sure you can talk to them about if no one else gets it." "Yea, youre right" And that was that.
When Michael got home that day he decided to clarify his feelings to Beatrice.
"Beatrice I know weve been close for a while, we do things like cuddle and talk for hours. But it occurred to me that i never told you how I really feel. I like you very much Beatrice. I dont want what we have to be platonic. Just say something to tell me Im not crazy here"
And Beatrice buzzed excitedly, that was all Michael needed. Even though they didnt speak the same language they both understood eachother and this meant that Beatrice was fine with Michael liking it.
Beatrice made Michael's heart swell. it would listen in to his friends conversations and give its feedback to Michael. Michael slowly learned to understand it even better- being able to translate those sounds from a feeling to words. Beatrice always had something to say, it loved making jokes and hated serious conversation. Michael started giving it small pecks along the outside of the ear covers. Beatrice would squirm and buzz excitedly when hed do tis but hed always stop if Beatrice said to. Beatrice would have to be charged too and Michal would run his hand along its sides as it 'slept'. Michael was in love.