Jeremy and Michael would always hold hands in the high school hallways. They weren't dating or anything, but it was undeniable that the boys had feelings for each other. The only thing in between them was Jeremy's boyfriend, Dean. Dean seemed sweet and caring at the start, looking like he treated Jeremy well. But everyday Jeremy would come in with deep welts and huge bruises notable on his body, everyday more than the previous. Michael knew it was coming from Dean because whenever he went over to Jeremy's house, he would always be texting Dean or if Dean were around them, Jeremy full of anxiety. He knew he needed to help him, but it wasn't safe for him to reach out directly to Jeremy.

     "Christine! Your dad's a police officer, right?" Michael had managed to catch up to Christine, one of Jeremy's close friends, after school on a Friday.

     "Yeah, why?" Christine had some idea, it wasn't hard to notice her friends colorful bruises appearing more and more. As Michael bit his lip, she just nodded in understanding.

     "You... Want to come over? You... We can talk to him. Jeremy should come too... Go find him and meet me there." He smiled to Christine, giving her a quick hug before running off to find Jeremy. A new sense of hope enlighten in him when he saw the familiar patch covered backpack walking down the hallway with slouched shoulders.

     "Jer! Wanna come over to Christine's place with me?" Jeremy turned around to reveal a new bruise developing on his jaw, trying to offer a small smile to Michael.

     "Dean wants me to go over to his place so... I don't know..."

     "It's her birthday. We gotta go. Dean can wait."

     "N-No! He'll hi- He gets sad when he's alone?"

     "Please, trust me. We haven't hung out with Christine in ages... Let's go." Michael grabbed Jeremy's hand, noticing Jeremy look around him frightened. Eventually as they made their way to Christine's house, Jeremy's grip on Michael's hand tightened. They both blushed, hurrying along the side walk to her house. Approaching the door, Michael could hear Christine belting out tunes, knocking on the door slowly.

     "Happy birthday!" Jeremy exclaimed, a smile appearing on his tired face. Christine raised an eyebrow to Michael, Michael giving her a look explaining the situation. 

     "Thanks... My dad is here." She looked directly to Jeremy, seeing his face light up.

     "Can we... talk for a minute? Just the three of us." The trio nodded, heading up to Christine's room while waving a hello to her father. Jeremy had thrown his phone on the table downstairs, turning it off completely. The door slammed behind them as they entered Christine's room which was adorned in musical posters.

     "So the math homework..." Jeremy started, second thinking his decision.

     "Spit it out Jeremy." 

     "C-Can you really tell the bruises are there? Since... I keep falling down the stairs..."

     "Everyday?" Silence fell on the three and tears spiked in Jeremy's eyes. He just wanted to feel safe again, and taking a deep breath and reminding himself that there was police in the house, he began to speak.

     "I think you both... Know. He, Dean, beats me. I-I mean I love him... I think... And he loves me... But sometimes he needs to beat me, y'know?"

     "No, Jeremy that's abuse. You need to break up with-"

     "No! We love each other! He... He'll kill me!" Michael took Jeremy's hand in his own, gripping it as he tried not to cry. Christine offered her support through putting her hand on Jeremy's shoulder, nodding a little to Michael.

     "That's the problem. Relationships don't work when someone is scared of the other person... If he loved you, he'd let you go." Michael's voice cracked a little as he moved closer to Jeremy on the floor, the boy eventually falling into his arms sobbing.

     "Y-You're so fucking right..." His voice paused as a loud knocking sound came from downstairs. Jeremy jumped further into Michael's arms, yelling out silently into his sweatshirt. Michael gripped him tight while Christine looked at the two concerned.

     "Is that-"

     "Him. He has a tracker... On my phone... I-I don't want to go!" 

     "My dad. Are you willing to tell him what's going on? He can really help."

     "Y-Yes! Please... Anything. I'll tell him the whole story..." Christine had pulled out her phone and seemed to have been working on something important the time Jeremy was talking.

     "I texted it to him. Safer approach in our situation, we're gonna go downstairs and talk to him... He's going to talk to Dean, okay?"

     "M-Michael?"

      "Hm?"

     "Please protect me..." He whispered, quickly feeling Michael hold him tighter. Michael kissed his forehead, both boys blushing before getting up and heading bravely down the stairs.

     "Hello, Jeremy, Michael, I'm only going to open the door when you want me to." The knocking grew louder, shouts being able to be heard now.

     "I don't feel safe being around him... But I'd like to see if you could talk to him... If that's okay."

     "As of now, I'm on duty for this case. I'm able to restrain him if I need to, I'm going to open the door, okay?"

     "Okay." Jeremy reached out his hand to grab Michael's, but as soon as Dean entered he took it away.

     "Jeremy. We had plans... Let's go. So sorry for interrupting, sir." He spoke with a growl, looking Jeremy directly in the eyes with a frown. Jeremy almost nodded and stepped towards him, soon becoming aware of Christine's dad and walking back to Michael.

     "N-No! You're just going.... You're just going to hurt me!" Dean looked outraged, raising his fist but seeing the man raise an eyebrow at him made him step back.

     "Why would I do that? We're dating. I love you, Jer bear."

     "I'm not going to cower from you anymore! I have bruises and scars... From you!"

     "Dean... I'm Officer Mark. Why don't you sit down, let's just have a chat." Dean walked over to Jeremy, a grim look upon his face.

     "Jeremy. Let's just leave..."

     "I'm not going with you!" He raised his fist at Jeremy, watching him cower into Michael's arms. Mark got up to hold Dean back, Christine looking in horror at the whole situation. She had doubted Dean would try anything around her dad.

     "You just tried to hurt him, and he cowered which is an obvious sign this has happened before. We're going to go down to the station before anything else can happen. We're gonna go in my car right outside, okay? Christine, stay here... Michael and Jeremy should follow me."

     "I've done nothing wrong!"

     "You beat me every time we're alone!"

     "That's enough evidence to have a trial, Dean. I could handcuff you now or we can just go to the police station." Dean tried to break loose from Mark, prompting him to hold him tighter. Michael held Jeremy around his shoulders, whispering reassurance to him as they stood scared.

     "Fuck you, Jeremy. You loved me, or I thought you did. Don't think you can get away from me this easily..."

     "Let's get going son..." Mark managed to get Dean out the door with the help of Christine, leaving the boys alone in the house. Both were in tears as the door slammed shut, Jeremy collapsing into Michael.

     "I-I'm so sorry Jeremy... I had no idea it had got that bad... You could've told me sooner."

     "I was so scared. I was so fucking scared... I didn't love him. I wanted to leave him for someone else and he just... Yelled and beat me more..."

     "I don't think I've ever hated anyone more than Dean. I'm always here for you, Jeremy. Please, whenever something happens don't be afraid to tell me. This could have happened months ago... I care about you. I love you..." Michael added the last part quietly, but by the look on Jeremy's face it was clear he heard him. Jeremy moved even closer to Michael, dipping him down and kissing him a little. It was wet from their tears but both boys managed to smile through it.

      "I love you too... N-Now let's go get Dean in trouble."

      "I'm right behind you."

       "Mich?"

       "Yea?"

      "W-Would you hold my hand?" And hand in hand, the couple made their way to the police station.

//

a.n: requested by @TheChillSpider  but i swapped the idea of michael being abused and made it jeremy,, hope you enjoy?