Archive of Our Own

“Alright guys, I’m going to head out now.”

Flux’s head perked up from his seat at the head of the table as Thomas stood up, swinging his bag over his shoulder. 

Thomas leaving early… again?

“Yeah, same,” Gotoga said, getting up from his seat as well. “‘Bout time for us all to go home anyway, right?”

Flux glanced over to the right, the night lights pulling through the windows. He had been so engrossed in his own story that he hadn’t even realised how late it had become already. Typical. 

“Same time next week?” Snowbird asked as he stood, picking up the rest of his stuff. 

The Conspirators murmured agreements and they each tossed their share of payments onto the table before each leaving the restaurant.

Most of them were all entering their second year of college now with varying majors between them, and not all exactly in the same place. So, they found some solace in this routine, to keep meeting up once a week to mimic some semblance of how they used to be in high school—albeit with less plans and scheming. Maybe they were finally, totally, growing up. 

Thomas tilted his head at Flux when he still didn’t leave. “You coming?”

“Yeah, my bad,” Flux said simply, finally going out the door as well. 

After tired and quick goodbyes, they all parted ways towards whatever directions their homes were at—except Thomas and Flux, who easily fell into step with one another.

They didn’t live together as Flux had the misfortune of being dorm mates with his irritable best friend, Saps, but their dorms were across from each other. Thus, hangouts between them became not infrequent, sleepovers not uncommon, and obviously, walking home together a norm. 

Light conversation easily spurred between them. Flux always found himself more unguarded around Thomas, even more so than with anyone else within or the entire Conspiracy themselves. It’s not like he had anything to hide from them, but words seemed to just slip out more frequently around Thomas. 

He was easygoing, reliable, despite being incredibly teasing. A good friend. 

While he said studying, obviously it was never entirely that. The two of them could be diligent and on task when they needed to be, but Flux enjoyed those small exchanges between them during their small breaks and getting up for a coffee together. Thomas had a steady presence that Flux appreciated, and even that comfortable silence between them seemed to be much preferable to spending it with anyone else. 

Solo hangouts together were quite the norm as well. Flux didn’t have any problems with the rest of the group, but they could be a little much at times, of course. Thomas was much more stable that way and could be laidback when he needed to be. 

“Hey, after classes, you wanna study at the library together tomorrow?” Flux asked just as they were nearing their dormitory.

And Thomas would always say “yes.” It got to the point where sometimes Flux wondered why he even bothered to ask in the first place, they were always going to fall into the same old habit anyway. 

But Flux enjoyed it. The predictability, the consistency, the safety of it all. 

So imagine Flux’s surprise when Thomas answered.

“Ah, sorry Flux, I forgot to tell you,” Thomas said with an apologetic smile. “I’ve got a thing tomorrow. Maybe next time?”

Flux stopped.

Thomas didn’t… say no.

It was very, very unlikely for Thomas to ever refuse Flux—least of all—forget to tell him about something? Thomas doesn’t… forget. Things like that, at least, especially if it was regarding a disruption in his very specifically curated routine. 

“A thing?” Flux echoed.

Thomas only shrugged. “Yeah.”

That was all.

Normally, Flux would have pried more, questioning why or when he’d be available again or what could possibly be more important than studying. But, he was so thrown off guard, so baffled, Flux simply shrugged it off, said it was fine, and pretended not to care. Or tried not to care. Or think about it.

Flux could not stop thinking about it.

As soon as they split off into their separate dorms, he went back to that small tidbit of a moment again. Thomas didn’t even bother explaining what that ‘thing’ was. Which was really unlike him. 

That could have easily split off into a mini tangent where Flux could inquire more about… whatever it was and judge him or whatever. Yet, Thomas seemed to just move on without him, keeping it as vague as it was. 

On top of that, Thomas had always been the one to leave first as of recently…

Flux really, probably, should simply just not care. 

So he told himself he didn’t. Thomas has his own life anyway, Flux doesn’t need to know every single detail about it. And his schedule shouldn’t revolve around Flux anyway, and it doesn’t! 

Although, as he said goodnight to Saps and he laid in his bed, it was still on his mind. Just, the curiosity of it all.

Since when was Thomas so vague? So… mysterious?

He turned onto his back, lifting his head and staring up at the ceiling. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness of the room to where he could just make out the chips of paint starting to peel off. Since when had that started to change as well?

Flux huffed, pulling the sheets over his head. He had to get over himself. Sometimes things simply were not that deep. He needn’t give it much more thought. 

Yet, if it wasn’t that deep, a simple answer to his nagging question wouldn’t hurt. 

Disregarding the ungodly hour, beneath the covers, Flux pulled out his phone and began texting each of the members of the conspiracy individually. All except Thomas obviously, hoping that at least one of them would respond with some clear cut answers.

Only to ease that burning curiously in his mind, of course, is what he told himself. 

None of them seemed to really know, however. Except one.

gotoga: he’s prolly with micro

Fluixon paused for a moment, staring at the name, searching the vast depths of his mind, a single crinkle forming between his brows (at least he assumed there was). Not a single bell rang. 

Micro?

Micro…

Who the fuck is Micro?

Flux kept his response casual.

fluixon: who’s that lol

He stared at the dots on the screen, watching them bounce up and down in anticipation.

gotoga: idk i just see him with thomas a lot

Flux stared at the message.

How had Gotoga noticed that before him?

Worse, actually… Why didn’t Thomas mention him to Flux? Or, any of the Conspiracy, he means. Surely, there was time to squeeze a mention of this new guy in their gathering today?

Or maybe it just slipped Thomas’ mind. But clearly, if it’s enough to take Thomas out of their not quite established routine, this Micro guy must be important enough to at least bring up maybe once… 

Okay, what was the big deal anyway? Thomas doesn’t need to share every detail of his life with them. It was just… peculiar. That’s all. 

Flux’s phone buzzed again and he immediately picked it up once more.

gotoga: why do u ask

He sighed. Tried to think of a reasonable excuse—well—reason. 

fluixon: we were supposed to hang

fluixon: that’s all

A second later. 

gotoga: k LMAO

On that note, Flux instantly turned off his phone, put it on silent, and willed himself to sleep, his curiosity satiated. That’s all he really wanted to know anyway, he thought as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep to the faraway sounds of Saps’ snoring.

And yet, taking his place in the back corner of the library, everything felt all-too wrong. 

The seat beside him where Thomas would usually be lounging in, the dim light reflecting in his eyes just barely, highlighting them in a way only those bright brown eyes could be, was vacant. There was only the quiet hum of the library’s AC and the distant soft sounds of others turning pages of lengthy books, instead of where Thomas’ quiet snicker should be when he’d point out how Flux looked too angry when focussed.

Now, it was just Flux. Studying. Like he was supposed to be doing. Like what Thomas should be doing, rather than whatever he was doing right now.

With Micro, maybe. Probably. Since he’s around Thomas enough to be noticeable to Gotoga but dull enough to be omitted from conversation, and yet interesting enough to leave Flux for. 

Well, Flux didn’t know for sure Thomas was with Micro currently, but where else could he be? It would only make sense if it was someone else interrupting their schedule and trying to take Thomas away from Flux. Well again, not really away from Flux directly but he could understand why someone would want to demand Thomas’ presence as well. It just so happened to be at the same time that Thomas was supposed to be with him.

Micro, the name meaning describing something extremely small. 

Basically, insignificant. Irrelevant. Fitting for how Flux should be treating him, perhaps. 

Although, it wouldn’t hurt to just search Micro up and see what all the fuss was about (not that there really was any besides the fuss in Flux’s own head). 

Before he knew it, the book in front of Flux was closed and his phone was in his hands and the name ‘Micro’ was typed on the search bar of Instagram. 

Flux didn’t particularly use social media—he merely used it to show off to the public on the rare occasion with awards or Conspiracy gatherings. But, having it was useful for when he needed to look things up and… be aware of certain people. Like now. 

Luckily, that name, as small as it was, was unique enough that only a few results showed up anyway. One was already followed by a couple of his own friends, and Thomas’ account specifically (because of course it was, yet no mention was ever made to Flux), making it not so difficult to know exactly who he was meant to be looking for. 

So, this guy is Micro.  

First impression: very, very white. Face and hair both. 

And definitely looked like Saps. Almost too similar, uncannily so. There was even the same darkness to each of his eyes and those same individual moles beneath each one, like they were twins or something. 

Flux briefly scrolled back up to see that Saps was indeed following this guy already. Were they seriously twins and Flux didn’t know? It was starting to feel like everyone under the sun knew who this guy was besides Flux. But perhaps, he could easily ask Saps about Micro then to inquire more…

Anyway, redirecting his attention back to the posts. Micro seemed to have a decent established group of friends (it didn’t make sense that he had to seek Thomas out then?). However, if Flux was being honest, they did seem like a group of druggies. That did not seem particularly like Thomas’ crowd. Unless there was more Thomas was keeping from him?

Why should that even matter? Okay. It doesn’t. 

He had an answer now of who this guy is, and he’s just some guy in their college, who might be related to Saps somehow. Whatever. He’ll ask Saps about it later. Maybe. 

Flux should really get back to studying.

For a whole day after, Flux found himself falling back into his familiar and safe habits. He went to his classes as per usual, got his work done, and even found Thomas waiting in the library at the end of the day. No request needed. 

It was nice, seeing Thomas’ teasing smile light up the way it always did when Flux came near, setting his books down beside him. 

“Hope you didn’t miss me too much for one day,” Thomas said, a light smirk on his face as he handed Flux a cup of coffee—which Flux always forgot to get for himself. 

Flux scoffed as he took it, keeping the cup close to his lips to hide his own smile. 

“Dream on, boy,” Flux replied with a huff, taking his place beside Thomas. 

They kept close, shoulders brushing occasionally, chattering about and studying in appreciative silence at least half the time. Flux liked it like that, the warmth of Thomas’ body radiating off to his own, warming his insides where the outside was too cool. 

That was how it should be, and how it was going to stay. 

“Hey, wanna hang at my dorm tonight since we have shorter lectures tomorrow?” Flux tried asking as they headed back to the dormitories together.

Their hands brushed as Thomas turned around, causing Flux’s own fingers to twitch involuntarily at the touch. Thomas gave him a shy smile. 

“Ah, can’t, sorry,” he said. “Busy tonight.”

Flux winced internally but simply shrugged. “I see.”

That’s fine, Flux guessed. Vague but alright. Flux wasn’t about to let that ruin his nice afternoon. They each said their goodbyes and Flux parted first to his own dorm, Thomas the one right across from it after. 

In the solace of his own dorm room, Flux felt at slightly more ease again. A stupid smile was on his face, reminiscing the funny story Thomas had recounted during their breaks.

Despite the sort of rejection, balance was restored, and Flux chalked up his minor crisis to simply being… prepared (not overdramatic, never overdramatic). There were no mentions of Micro, and Flux started to figure maybe it really was just a minor instance. 

Later, he sat at his desk, studying up a bit on what he couldn’t when he was too busy lecturing Thomas about messing up his stuff or counting the points of contact between them (because the library was weirdly cold that day). 

Saps still wasn’t back yet, out doing whatever activity he usually was with the mass amounts of people he seemed to meet on a daily basis. 

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Which was weird, because Saps didn’t usually knock, unless he forgot his damn keys again. Flux sighed as he begrudgingly got up from the comfort of his seat. 

He swung the door open, a lo and behold,  Saps stood there, a stupid too-joyful smile on his face. 

“Saps, I swear to god, if you forget—”

“Whoa—sorry! I’m not Saps.”

Flux blinked.

The guy standing in the doorway had both hands raised in sheepish surrender. The resemblance was even more striking in person than it had been in the photos. Pale hair, pale face, the same dark moles under each eye.

Uncanny.

Flux narrowed his eyes.

“No,” he said slowly. “Are you Saps’ brother?”

The guy laughed nervously. “Yeah—Micro. The resemblance’s kinda funny, right?”

Flux didn’t laugh. “He’s not here.”

“Oh—uh—wasn’t looking for him.” Micro rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a small, awkward chuckle. “Not you either, actually.”

Flux raised an eyebrow. “Then who?”

“Thomas. Thomas ‘5200’?” Micro glanced down the hallway. “Sorry—he told me this was his place.”

Oh.

So this was why Thomas was ‘busy.’ Thomas was inviting Micro over now.

And somehow this guy still hadn’t been worth mentioning once.

Flux tilted his head ever so slightly. 

“This isn’t his place.”

Micro immediately straightened. “Oh—sorry, man. I’ll just call him. Didn’t mean to bother you.”

He was already reaching for his phone when Flux lifted a hand. “No, no. It’s fine.”

Micro paused, turned back around.

“I’ll take you to him,” Flux continued smoothly. “Right now.”

“Oh—really?” Micro laughed softly. “Thanks.”

Flux stepped out of his dorm and walked a few steps down the hall.

“He should be right—” He knocked twice on the door directly across from his. “—here.”

Micro smacked a hand against his forehead, laughing.

“Wow. I’m such an idiot.”

“You’re all good,” Flux said extremely pleasantly. Inside the room, there was the sound of intense shuffling and rushing. 

The door opened.

Thomas stood there with the brightest smile on his face—wide, easy, warm. Flux had never seen that one before. It vanished the second Thomas registered who was standing there.

“Hi, Thomas.” Flux grinned. 

Thomas looked like he’d seen a ghost. And Flux.

“You seem to have given our friend Micro the wrong dorm number.”

Thomas paused, then laughed nervously.

“Ah. Sorry,” he said. “Bad habit.”

Flux tilted his head.

“Yeah,” he said lightly. “You’ve been full of those lately.”

Micro stepped forward quickly.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “Totally my fault. I probably typed it wrong.”

Thomas shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I told you the wrong number.”

Flux crossed his arms. “So this is the mysterious ‘thing’ you were busy with yesterday. And today, right?”

Thomas stiffened. “Flux.”

“What?” Flux shrugged. “Just making conversation.”

Micro glanced between them. “I can come back later if—”

“No,” Thomas said quickly. “You’re fine.”

Something twisted sharply in Flux’s chest.

What was he doing? Thomas could invite whoever he wanted over. Could be friends with whoever. It wasn’t any of Flux’s business. 

They weren’t dating.

They weren’t anything. 

And Flux was starting to feel a little too much like some kind of jealous, possessive girlfriend.

“Anyway,” Flux said lightly, “just returning lost property.”

Micro laughed weakly. Thomas didn’t.

Flux stepped back toward his own door.

“Have fun.”

It seemed that Thomas didn’t even bother introducing him.

Flux didn’t see Thomas much in the library the few weeks following that. 

He’d still show up sometimes, obviously, as the reliable and loyal person he was. Yet, a different air had seemed to spur between them. One less familiar, one slightly more frigid. 

Even on the days Thomas would show up, he seemed to always end up leaving earlier than he usually did with some vague reason or half-assed excuse. Another busy ‘thing’ he had to get to. Or something as plain as being too tired. Missing out on the extra bit of time Flux used to cherish, what he supposed he took for granted now—that simple, quiet, mundane walk back to their dorms together. 

Was Thomas calculatedly avoiding him or just hanging out with Micro again? 

He wasn’t too sure. 

All he knew is that it left a barren feeling in his chest, and a brewing, burning, unequivocal but unexplainable anger. 

As he sat once again in the library by himself, he tried to focus on the text book in front of his face, but the words only continued to blur together. The empty chair beside him only seemed to demand his attention more, its coldness a cruel reminder of who was meant to be there. 

Flux shut the book with a quiet snap.

Studying clearly wasn’t happening today. 

And sooner rather than later, Flux had Saps meet him at a nearby café. To rant. 

“I just don’t get his problem,” Flux complained, throwing his fists onto the glass table. “Why act so secretively about some random guy?”

Saps took a long sip from his drink (something sugary and pink for some reason) as he leaned back into his chair. He was kind of sweaty, having just dropped out of practice for Flux’s stupid meetup. 

“First of all, careful on Micro, bro, he’s my brother,” Saps said, using his straw to point it halfheartedly at Flux. 

Flux’s eyebrows furrowed further. “And you just never mentioned that either?”

“We’re not attached at the hip,” Saps shrugged, stirring his drink. “He just never came up in conversation.” 

Flux scoffed. “Whatever. Why does he need to act secretive about Micro?”

“He’s not necessarily being secretive,” Saps pointed out. “He doesn’t need to tell you everything, man.”

Flux flushed, crossed his arms and turned away. 

“I know that.” He grumbled. “I just mean… why not mention him even once, you know? Especially if they’re such good friends or whatever it seems like.”

“Friends?” Saps snorted. “I’m pretty sure it’s a bit more than that, dude.”

Flux raised an eyebrow and Saps only rolled his eyes.

“Don’t be dense, bro,” Saps said, placing his drink back down on the table. “They’ve obviously been going on dates kinda, or like, testing out the waters?”

“You… you don’t know that for sure,” Flux countered, huffing. “People hang out one-on-one all the time. It’s not inherently romantic.”

“Okay, with the way they’re being so ‘secretive’ the way you’re describing,” Saps said, “it’s definitely romantic.”

Flux frowned. 

Thomas… getting a boyfriend?

Sure. That was fine. Totally fine. 

Except in all the way it didn’t feel fine for some reason. 

If Thomas getting a boyfriend meant that lack of their evening time together, Thomas purposefully avoiding him, and Thomas withhelding information about his life, then Flux… didn’t want that to happen. 

It’s not that Thomas couldn’t ever get a boyfriend, Flux would just… need to talk to Thomas about it first. Which is what he should do soon, probably. He just didn’t want—couldn’t imagine not being a priority in Thomas’ life anymore. 

“Even so, there’s no reason to be ditching me all the time for him,” Flux mumbled, leaning against the table with his elbows. 

Saps frowned, tried patting Flux’s arm awkwardly. “Hey, I’m sure he doesn’t mean it like that.”

Flux rolled his eyes. “Yeah? Well, it sure feels like it.”

“You know how he can be,” Saps laughed lightly. “At least he’s finally getting over his crush on you.”

“I—” Flux paused. Repeated the words in his head. “His… what?”

Saps grimaced, set his drink down on the table. “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice that either.”

“N-no—I… his what?”

“Dude, be so for real right now…” Saps groaned into his palm. “His crush. On you.”

Flux paused. And tried to think about it. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on, dude,” Saps complained. “You can’t seriously be that dumb.”

“Well, that’s rude.”

“Flux. He’s liked you since like… forever.” Saps said. “And it's pretty fucking obvious too. Don’t you think it’s strange the way he always waited around you? Always made time for you? Always taking care of you?”

“I… I don’t know, that’s just Thomas,” Flux stuttered out, feeling heat rush up to his face. “He’s always done that. To everyone.”

“No, Flux,” Saps sighed. “He’s always done that to you.” 

Flux opened his mouth to argue again—yet no words came out. 

Because suddenly he was thinking about it.

Thomas staying in the library hours longer than he needed to just because Flux was there.

Thomas always bringing him coffee during midterms without being asked. 

Thomas always choosing him. Disregarding his own time just to stay by Flux’s side.

Flux had gotten so used to it that it just felt… normal. It was just how it always had been between them. He thought that was just how Thomas was. 

But… he didn’t do those things with anyone else. 

Not until this Micro guy showed up.

“Oh,” Saps said slowly, watching his face. “Oh I see the issue here.”

“What? What issue other than Thomas avoiding me?”

“Not that,” Saps shook his head and sighed. “You’re jealous.”

What.

“I—I’m not jealous.” 

“You so are.”

Flux frowned.

Jealous? That was outrageous. Thomas could date whoever he wanted.

Micro. Anyone.

It shouldn’t change anything.

The thought sat heavily in Flux’s chest. Far too heavily.

He thought of the scene of Thomas in the library once more. 

His hair slightly tousled back with that knowing glint in his eyes. The light reflecting off him too perfectly, the warmth of Thomas’ shoulder pressed against his own, his soft laughter in Flux’s ear. Flux could feel himself blush at the thought of it. 

Could Flux really give that to someone else?

Oh.

Oh fuck. 

He liked Thomas. 

“Oh fuck,” Flux finally hissed out loud. “I like Thomas.”

Saps hummed, then leaned back in his chair.

“Well,” he said. “Yeah.”

“Oh fuck,” Flux repeated again. “Your brother is going to date Thomas.”

“Yeah,” Saps said slowly. “That’s… generally how dating works.”

Flux groaned and dropped his forehead onto the table.

“Oh my god.”

“Yeah,” Saps said calmly. “That’s about the correct reaction.”

Flux lifted his head again.

“You need to call your brother.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Saps.”

“Nope.”

“Saps.”

“My brother finally goes on what might be his first successful date in forever and you want me to sabotage it because you just discovered you have feelings?” Saps gave him a pointed look. “That’s not happening.”

“Fuck.” Flux ran a hand through his hair. “What do I even do?”

“I don’t know, dude.” Saps sighed. “Just don’t be yelling at Micro because you were too slow in the head.”

“Ok. Fine, you’re right. Shit.” Flux got up, quickly gathering his stuff from his chair. 

“Where are you going?”

“To think. To fix things. I don’t know—I’ll figure it out.” Flux said, about a mile away already. “Say hi to Kanukei for me.”

“Okay, fuck off,” Saps called out, but Flux was long gone.

Flux didn’t consider himself an impulsive person.

Sure, he liked spontaneity from time to time, but he was meticulous in his planning and stuck to his routines.

It wasn’t like him to care about whatever random people others became friends with.

It wasn’t like him to call Saps to a café out of the blue with a crisis.

And it certainly wasn’t like him to barge into Thomas’ dorm without texting first.

Which is really what he shouldn’t be doing, yet his hand moved to the doorknob despite himself. 

He knew Thomas' schedule, and by proxy he knew that Gray wouldn’t be here tonight, out with her friends on some sort of ‘girls night’ that Thomas often complained about not being invited to. Gray typically left forgetting to lock up.

While Flux had been in Thomas’ dorm several times before, Flux and Saps dorm was the usual hangout spot so he didn’t have his entire layout and decor memorised or something. But, even Flux could tell clearly that the room was much cleaner than he had seen before. At least on Thomas’ side. 

Another sting to his chest. 

God, he was such an idiot. How could he not have noticed Thomas for so long? The signs were laid out there, clear as day in front of him, and like a brick wall, and Flux blocked it all out. 

And how pathetic was Flux? Someone as self-assured as he was, one so certain in who he was, couldn’t realise his own feelings brewing within him. 

It just happened so slowly, so naturally, it became part of the scenery like grass belongs to a meadow. How could he notice something that had been ever-present, that had always belonged? How could he ever have treated it as if it were something new?

Thomas’ head perked up from his desk as soon as Flux entered, stunned but not unwelcoming. Though, his face dropped upon scanning Flux’s face. Flux could figure what must have looked—sweating, panting slightly, and his heart certainly elevated after running all the way here.

“Flux,” Thomas addressed as he stood up, his face painted with concern. “What’s wrong?”

Flux only felt himself frown even more, trying to slow his breath. 

“Nothing, nothing, just… everything. I don’t know, I—” he gulped. “I don’t know how to talk about this.”

Thomas swiftly made his way over to where Flux was. And Flux hated it.

Hated how gentle he could be when he knew Flux was struggling. Hated the way that Thomas took his hands ever so carefully into his. Hated how he looked at him with those so doleful eyes and how they all made him feel so… jittery. Too… warm.

And hated, simply hated the thought of that look, that touch, being handed to anyone else. 

“Hey. It’s okay,” he said softly. “Just tell me.”

Flux opened his mouth. The words sat heavy on his tongue, weighing it down unwaveringly like a stone tipping a scale. 

I like you. 

He couldn’t say it.

“You know I’m always here for you.” Thomas tried, giving his hands a light squeeze. 

“No.” Flux shook his head vigorously, but didn’t let go.“No, I don’t know that. I don’t know that at all.”

Because it simply wasn’t going to be the case anymore.

Not if Micro got his claws on him. 

“Flux, what’s going on with you lately?” Thomas asked, pulling gently on Flux’s hands to bring his eyes back on Thomas. 

It was utterly infuriating. 

Infuriating how Thomas could continue to treat him like this, so kindly as if he were so special, when Thomas was about to ditch him for someone else. 

“Me?” Flux snapped. “What’s going on with you lately?”

Thomas was startled. “What are you talking about?”

“The disappearing, the busyness, Micro.” Thomas flushed at the mention of the name. “Yeah. It’s getting pretty hard to miss you two lately.”

Thomas tsked at the comment, dropping Flux’s hands, and he felt that cold rush immediately—hated that he noticed it so fast. 

“What about it?” Thomas bit back. “Am I not allowed to spend time with someone else now?”

“I didn’t say that,” Flux amended, his face feeling hot. “It’s when it’s at the cost of ditching me.”

“I’m not ditching you,” Thomas crossed his arm, his brows furrowed. “I’m simply making time for others.”

“Since when did ‘others’ mean just Micro?”

“What’s wrong with Micro?”

“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong with Micro.” Flux said, waving him off with his hand. “Just being replaced by him.”

“I’m not replacing anyone.” Thomas huffed. “Since when did you have a problem with me changing plans?”

“Since it became excessive.” Flux replied. “Since it involved Micro.”

“What is your obsession with Micro?” Thomas asked, exasperated. “I’m just… seeing him.”

“Yeah? Well, stop.”

“Stop? Are you being serious?”

“Dead serious. Thomas, please.” Flux was not a beggar. “Don’t see Micro tomorrow.”

“Why not?”

“Because you like me!”

Thomas froze. 

Flux swore even Thomas’s chest stopped for a moment, as if every function of his body had been shut off.

Flux found his mouth dry, even he couldn’t entirely believe he said it himself. 

Thomas’ face paled, and Flux could see his fingers just barely twitch at his sides. 

“No, I don’t.”

Flux wasn’t prepared for the look he received after that.

Something cold and brittle—yet raw and fragile all the same.

“You don’t get to do this to me.”

Flux paused. “Do what?”

“You don’t get to throw that in my face now,” Thomas said sharply. “Not after all this time.”

“Well how the hell was I supposed to know?” Flux shot back. “You never said anything.”

Thomas let out a humorless laugh. “That’s the point, Flux.”

“What point?”

“The point is you never cared enough to notice.” Thomas ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “You liked things exactly how they were. Me making time for you whenever you wanted it.”

Flux scoffed. “That’s not—”

“You don’t want me,” Thomas cut in. “You just like the idea of me chasing you for eternity.”

Flux’s jaw tightened.

“That’s not what this is.”

Thomas laughed under his breath. “Then what is it?”

Flux didn’t answer.

Instead, he only took a single step closer, looked up at him from beneath his lashes, cold and hard. Thomas’ breath stuttered, but he didn’t back away.  

“Kiss me.” Flux said. 

“What?”

“Kiss me,” he repeated, completely serious. “Just once.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“If you’re so sure you don’t like me,” Flux continued, his voice steady, “then it shouldn’t change anything, right?”

Thomas’ jaw tightened.

“So go ahead,” Flux said. “Kiss me. And see how you feel after that.”

For a moment, Thomas just looked at him. His eyes widened and utterly bewildered, although somehow still unshaken, standing his ground. 

He merely scoffed, turning his head away momentarily. “You are unbelievable.”

“Yeah,” Flux let out a breath shakier than intended. “Probably.”

Flux winced with pain as his back was suddenly slammed into the door of the dorm room and Thomas’ mouth was on his own.

He pushed back immediately, kissing Thomas back just as fervently. It was the most aggressive Flux had ever seen him—cornered between his arms, passion and anger blurring into one painful bite. 

Regardless of it all, Flux only felt his excitement spike with it, letting Thomas press him up against the wall. Thomas easily slipped his tongue between Flux’s lips, prying Flux’s mouth open, his teeth catching him on the bottom of Flux’s lip as if it were punishment. Flux could taste the bitterness of it all. 

Flux only reciprocated the same ferocity, wrenching one hand free to grip onto the back of Thomas’s hair and drag him back into the kiss. It was hardly savory, but Flux savoured it nonetheless. Thomas practically breathed into Flux’s mouth, sometimes accidentally knocking Flux’s head back into the frame of the door and causing him to wince again. 

When Flux really felt like he was literally about to lose oxygen, he suddenly yanked Thomas’ head back away. 

They both panted for a second, Flux still holding onto his hair and leaning back against the wall, trying to catch their breaths.

Thomas now looked at him with a different kind of intensity, sweat running down his temple. Not quite angry like before, but like want. 

Flux couldn’t help the smirk on his face.

“You sure you still don’t like me?”

Like that, Thomas’ annoyance flared again.

“Shut up,” he grumbled.

And then Thomas seemed to answer the question himself, shoving Flux right back into the door. Flux tried to laugh, but Thomas captured his mouth again before the sound could escape, his hands finding their way to grab onto Flux’s hips and tug him closer. 

And Flux was almost surprised he let him, let Thomas push and pull him around with his force and his tongue. They were so close he could still smell the lingering coffee on Thomas’s breath and clothes from earlier. If this was how Thomas released his anger, Flux didn’t mind—so long as he was the one Thomas chose to unleash it on.

When they finally pulled apart to breathe again, Thomas leaned his forehead against his, letting Flux’s hands slowly slide down his back to his sides.

“You’re infuriating.” Thomas almost laughed, but it was cut short by another breath. 

Flux hummed, saying quietly, “I missed you.”

Thomas didn’t answer immediately, merely looking back at Flux with those bright eyes that seemed to mesmerise him. The anger seemed to have dissipated now, lost somewhere between breath and spit. His touch was replaced by something gentler again, sliding down to Flux’s waist and lingering there. 

“So,” Thomas said after a moment, “what exactly was that meant to prove?”

Flux squinted at him. “Do you really want me to spell it out?”

“Some clarity would be nice.”

“Fine,” Flux said, shrugging lightly. “I’ve come to the realisation I like you too much to let you go. How’s that?”

Now, it was Thomas’ turn to grin. 

“Could use another kiss to be sure.”

Flux huffed, nudging his forehead lightly against Thomas’. “You’re not going to see him tomorrow, right?”

“No, I won’t,” Thomas said easily. Then he added, almost teasing, “Though I do feel bad for him. He’s cute, you know.”

“I don’t,” Flux muttered. He shoved Thomas back against the wall this time, crowding into his space. “You’re mine to keep.”

Thomas only laughed softly before turning the tables, grabbing Flux by the front of his shirt and pinning him back again.

“Only if you’re mine in return.”

Before Flux could answer, Thomas’s mouth was at his neck, kissing along the skin there.

“Of course I am,” Flux breathed, fingers curling into Thomas’s shirt. “I’ve only ever been yours.”

Thomas laughed against his neck. “If only you weren’t so dense.”

Flux rolled his eyes, though he shivered slightly. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Better late than never,” Thomas murmured, nipping lightly at his neck.

Flux smirked. “I think I make a better groom than the best man.”

Thomas pulled back just enough to look at him.

“You cannot already be thinking about marriage.”

Flux only shrugged.

“Just staking my claim.”