Archive of Our Own ^beta

The past 6 months have flown by in kind of a blur, Michael would say. Late night phone calls, too much take out, working overtime, writing letters and even eventually some emails after some persuading from Luke. It felt like both a lifetime and moments had passed since their moment in the airport, their final moment together as Luke left for the next stop on his tour and Michael was left alone in the airport, unable to do anything but watch him go.

He kept mostly to himself, as usual, once Luke was gone. But he spent almost every night on the phone with Luke, talking about how things would be once they were together again. How they could be for the two of them. They joked about Michael moving across the country to join Luke enough times that it stopped feeling like a joke and more like a promise. And that was a promise that Michael wanted to make happen.

Which is how he found himself in the airport in the early April morning, all tired eyes with his luggage and Leonardo Dicatprio in tow. He’d sold most of his belongings for some extra money, keeping only his guitar, some clothes, and his cat as he locked up his apartment for the last time. Leaving Kay-Bee Toys was probably the only bittersweet moment about leaving his home state, but Ashton gave him a pat on the back and a knowing look before he left, wishing him well. Ashton was the closest thing Michael had to a friend or family in this town, so leaving him was a little harder than anything else. But he knew the store was in capable hands, and at least no one would tell him “if there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean” anymore.

Luke knew Michael was coming to visit. Well, thought he was coming to visit. He thought he was just going to stay for a week or two and then head home, their time together cut short again. But he didn’t know that Michael had already sent some of the songs he’d written to some labels, had a few offers to come on board as a songwriter. He had everything all lined up.

Everything was going to be perfect when he got there.

It was the getting there that was the most nerve wracking for him, however.

Michael had never actually been on an airplane before. He’d been to the airport so few times he could count it on one hand -- picking up a relative when he was a child, chasing Luke through the terminal. Those were the only airport related instances of his life. Being on an actual airplane terrified him, but he knew it was going to be worth it. The lengthy flight to Los Angeles with multiple layovers would all be worth it in the end.

The most worrying he does is about his cat, honestly, but he has a spacious carrier with food and water for the long trips, so he tucks the thought away, giving him ample scratches and love before they board their first plane.

Michael spends the time on each plane listening to the mixtape Luke had sent him (along with the demo tape of Luke’s debut album which was about to hit shelves. Michael hated to admit it, but the music was better than he’d anticipated for it to be).

Finally, almost 18 hours of layovers later, Michael is on solid ground again, and he knows he won’t have to leave anytime soon. He trails his luggage behind him, his cat carrier in one hand and guitar slung over his shoulder. He thinks he probably looks like he’s here looking for his big break, but luckily for him, he already found him. And he’s waiting for him at home.

Michael sighs with almost relief when he sees Calum waiting for him, grateful to see a friendly and familiar face. Calum was the only one who knew that Michael was here to stay -- they’d discussed it over email. They’d almost cultivated a sort of friendship over them -- Michael was glad he could trust Calum and have someone else to spend his time with in this captivating city. Calum reassured him things would be all set for him -- and Leo, of course -- as soon as they got to Luke’s.

“Thanks for picking me up,” he says with a tired grin, and Calum just shrugs, taking the luggage from Michael easily. “Oh, thanks.” He ruffles a hand through his messy blond locks, and he hears Leo meow from his carrier. “Don’t worry, buddy, we’re almost there. Then you can come out!”

“Car’s parked out front -- shouldn’t take us too long to get there,” Calum says, leading the way. Michael just trails behind easily, yawning a little bit. “Luke hasn’t shut up about you coming to visit all fuckin’ month.” Michael laughs a little to himself.

“Guess he’s in for a surprise, huh,” Michael says with a soft smile, following Calum through the crowded airport before making their way out the doors. Calum chuckles in reply, walking to the car and popping the trunk. Michael puts his guitar in the back with his luggage, holding tight onto Leo as he climbs into the car. His heart is racing in his chest, and he takes a breath, calming himself down a little bit as he buckles himself. Everything is going to be great. He’s going to see Luke soon.

Pulling up to Luke’s home was more of a culture shock than Michael had expected, he had to admit. He knew Luke was popular, growing in fame every day -- rivaling that of Backstreet Boys and the like. But he didn’t know he was big enough to warrant what could only be called a mansion up here in the hills of outer Hollywood. He shakes off the last of his nerves -- he’s tired and overly anxious, unsure of what to expect when he sees Luke again, drained from long layovers and hours on planes from the day.

But he pushes it all aside, taking a breath as he steps out of the car, carrier for Leo held close to his chest. Calum takes the cat carrier from him, grabbing his bag and his guitar as well. Michael opens his mouth to protest, but Calum shushes him, adjusting the bag on his shoulder with ease. “I’ll go in and get everything all set up and your cat all settled for you,” he says with an ease. “You go up and see Luke. He’s been losing his mind about seeing you all week long.”

“Thank you,” Michael says with a tired smile. He follows Calum into the big home, admiring the sight of the foyer as he steps over the threshold. He closes the door behind the two of them, glad to be out of the warm May Californian air. He knew the climate would be the biggest challenge here, with his New England based wardrobe, but he would adjust. He’d do anything for Luke.

“He should be in the living room,” Calum says with a tip of his head, gesturing in the general direction of where the living room must be positioned. Michael shoots him another grateful smile, watching as he climbs up the stairs before heading in the direction that he’d gestured, hoping he could find the living room in this seemingly massive house without too much of a hitch. He leaves his sneakers in the doorway, quietly moving across the clean floor as he hopes to make a somewhat quiet appearance.

He finds the living room with ease, and the sight of seeing Luke after all of this time causes his heart to skip a beat. It’s almost akin to the first time he saw him, the feeling almost like a death wish. At least now he knew it wasn’t a hopeless, one sided crush. At least now, it was something that he could hold onto and keep.

He quietly makes his way around to the couch, Luke sitting on one side of it, face concentrated on the TV where he’s playing Super Mario 64, in the middle of one of the challenges. He sits on the other side of the couch, Luke not even stirring from where he’s sitting, full concentration on the game. He curses under his breath as he misses the platform he’s jumping for and lands in lava, effectively killing Mario and sending him back to the castle.

“Need some help?” Michael asks, and Luke turns to him, realizing in slow motion what exactly was happening. The look of pure joy that overtakes his face was infectious, and Michael finds himself grinning also as Luke leans across the couch and throws his arms around him. The pullover sweatshirt he’s wearing is soft, and he smells good, exactly as he remembers him from those fated days back home.

“You’re here,” Luke breathes against his neck, arms still tight against him, as if he doesn’t want to let him go. In case it’s all a dream. Michael would know, he’d had quite a few times he’d woken up to an empty bed and a heavy heart. His own arms draw around Luke, pulling him impossibly closer and laughing a little bit, heart feeling lighter in his chest than it has in a very long time.

“I’m here,” he replies. He almost feels like he might cry, but he promised himself he wouldn’t, not today. He was too happy to cry, even if the tears were positive ones. Luke pulls back a little bit, golden curls falling in his oceanic eyes as he smiles at him, all bright teeth and pink lips as he leans in and presses their mouths together. Michael softens against him more, his hand sliding into those golden curls with ease. He was here. He had Luke. Everything was good.

They stay there for a moment, making up for their lost time with soft kisses and gentle touches, laughing softly like they’re sharing a secret meant only for the two of them. Luke’s the one to pull back first, hair tousled from the grip Michael had left on him. Luke’s hands are still on his waist, almost like he’s afraid to let go in case he disappears from his life again.

“You’re really here,” he says with a soft laugh, blush creeping over his cheeks as he continues to grin down at Michael. Michael can’t help but grin back, the very presence of Luke filling him with so much joy that he’s afraid he might just explode. (That would be very messy. And very unfortunate for them both.)

“I’m really here,” he says with a soft laugh, hand coming back up to brush the messy curls out of Luke’s face. Luke leans into the gentle touch, his skin soft against Michael’s calloused fingers from years of guitar playing, turning to press a soft kiss to the underside of Michael’s wrist.

“I don’t ever want to go that long without seeing you again,” Luke says softly, face pulling into a little bit of a pout as he looks down at him. Michael lets out a soft laugh, looking up at him with mischief in his eyes. He leans up and kisses him again, softer and slower than before before pulling back.

“Don’t worry, you won’t,” he says with a smile. “I mean, until you decide to go on a world tour and leave me behind.” Luke rolls his eyes a little bit, shoving him gently before moving to sit next to him, arms and thighs pressed against each other as he looks over at him.

“Nah, I’ll just take you with me around the world,” he says with a shrug, leaning his chin on Michael’s shoulder. “You can bring Leonardo DiCatprio with you too if you want, we can probably make room for a cat on a tour bus. If not, I’ll get you the best cat sitter money can buy back home.” Michael just smiles softly at him, almost knowingly, and Calum makes his way into the living room, leaning over the back of the couch.

“All your stuff is put away up in Luke’s room,” he says with a little bit of a shrug, giving Michael a little grin. Michael returns it, and Luke looks between them, like he’s missing out on an inside joke. Michael takes Luke’s hand into his, squeezing it a little bit.

“I’m exhausted from flying all the way across the country, do you wanna come upstairs and nap with me?” He grins a little bit at Luke again, and Luke just squeezes back in return, nodding a little bit. It’s only 2pm in the afternoon, so napping is entirely appropriate, and Michael truly is exhausted. Luke’s the first one to get up from his spot on the couch, tugging lightly on Michael’s hand as he peels himself up off of the comfortable couch and makes his way up the stairs, following closely to Luke.

Luke’s bedroom is gigantic, to say the least, but also looks like it hasn’t been truly lived in much. Already, Leo has found his favorite spot, which seems to be the middle of Luke’s plush bed, where he’s already curled up and sleeping. Luke’s brow furrows at the sight of the orange tabby cat, looking over to Michael. “You brought Leo with you?” Michael smiles softly at him, nodding a little bit.

“Of course I did,” he says with a little bit of a shrug. “I couldn’t leave him behind. He had to come with me, otherwise he’d have nowhere to live anymore.” Luke’s brow furrows a little further, the point missing him completely.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, tilting his head a little bit. Michael laughs softly, pulling him along as he sits on the edge of the bed and looks up at him, pressing a kiss to Luke’s knuckles as he smiles.

“Luke,” he laughs with a shake of his head, “I’m not leaving. We’re here to stay.” Luke’s eyes widen a little bit, with both surprise and excitement. “I have a couple of meetings with studios to write songs for them, they liked what I sent them. So, you’re stuck with me.”

Luke thinks for a moment, pursing his lips a little bit before leaning down and kissing Michael again, all smiles as his hands come up to cup his face gently. He pulls back after a moment, sitting down next to him on the edge of the bed, leaning against him. “You’re really not leaving me?” he asks, looking at him with excited, big eyes. He could be likened to a kid in a candy store, honestly, and Michael will remember this look for the rest of his life as he nods, pressing their foreheads together.

“I’m here to stay.”