Hooded Figures

Jeremy walked around the corner away from school, after the dismissal bell had rung, allowing the students to leave the campus, he was with Michael of course, this time they held each others' hands proudly, fingers intertwined and shoulders pressed together. This satisfied Michael, being able to be proud with his boyfriend. His boyfriend. The term still seemed so new and exciting even though they'd been together for several months, but because they got to share this with every new person they came upon, it was new all over again. Jeremy liked it too, it had actually resulted in a closed bond and relation to Rich and Jake, or as Rich liked them to be called, 'We're your gay duo' Rich was able to be as proud as he pleased with the school eating out of the palm of his hand. Michael and Jeremy were able to be proud but decided to keep it low on the radar in fear of the bullies that had previously beat up Jeremy- more than twice now. Michael would barely leave Jeremy's side now- well, more like he finally had an excuse for not leaving his side now. Though, even after school Michael would walk him home, even though they lived a block apart he didn't mind, and this also allowed him to spend extra time with Jeremy and subtly protect him. Though every now and then he'd notice a new bruise or cut on Jeremy, this upset him as Jeremy would blow off or completely ignore his questioning about the wounds as often as possible. It seemed that he'd get this wounds after Michael left him, though did that mean they were jumping him at his own house...? The thought made Michael shutter. He had to come up with an idea to get rid of these goons before they did some critical damage to Jeremy, so he quickly devised a plan.

Michael walked in step with Jeremy, quietly listening to him ramble on about how much homework he was given and how it wasn't fair since final were due soon and he already had enough studying to do without an extra load of homework.

Michael nodded absent mindedly.

They were slowly reaching Michael's house and Michael felt his heart beat excitedly with nervous energy, he stopped once they reached his house, "Well...like you said- finals, homework, ...yeah...so I better get that done." He squeezed Jeremy's hand tightly and let go, heading for the door, "See you tomorrow!"

Jeremy frowned, "A-alright." He waved and continued on his way.

Michael jiggled the knob for a little until Jeremy was a good distance away. He sprinted back towards the sidewalk, following Jeremy at the edge of it, watching curiously. They were slowly nearing Jeremy's house and Michael started to feel a little bit- well, more than a little bit, annoyed that the bullies hadn't shown up, he really wanted to deal a blow to their face. However, the bullies didn't come- that day, or the day after that. Michael started wondering if the bullies even existed or if Jeremy was hurting himself...he wouldn't do that...would he? He shook his head at the thought, He might do that but he knew Jeremy would never...or...maybe he would? Michael groaned in confusion, why was this boy so difficult?

***

The next week Michael pulled the same shtick, he complained about homework, studying, chores, that he was grounded- which was true most of the time, but he could see Jeremy starting to get upset that he no longer got to walk with Michael.

Jeremy stopped Michael, "W-why don't you just walk me to my house...it'll only take a few minutes?"

Michael shook his head, "No...It's fine."

"Please?" Jeremy frowned.

"I promise I will tomorrow okay?" Michael touched his nose to Jeremy's.

Jeremy's face turned red, "A-alright...fine."

Michael did as usual and jiggled the knob on his front door until Jeremy left, then he followed him. Everything seemed normal, there had been no new bruises, that Michael could see or tell at least, but that was about to change.

Jeremy suddenly fell to the ground.

Michael was about to run forward when he heard him start speaking.

"P-please!" Jeremy punched himself in the face, "S-stop! It hurts..." He cried, his voice went down by a few octaves, "He doesn't like you anymore. Go back to Christine. You'll be popular with a girlfriend like Christine, not a loser boyfriend like Michael." Jeremy's voice went semi back to normal as he let out a scream, "Michael loves me!" Down an octave, "Pft? Do you really think that's true?" He swung another punch at himself, "Honestly, the only reason you'd have a motive to hang out with that guy is incase you need his Mountain Dew, right?" Jeremy looked at Michael, "Isn't that right Michael?"

Michael looked in horror realizing what was going on, "I-I'll go get some-"

"Hehe..." Jeremy sat up, the Squip talking through him, "I have to give you boyfriend points my friend. You've treated Jeremy quite well- but you can drop the act."

Michael clenched his fists, "It's not an act!"

"Oh, no I do understand that you like him, drop the act as hero. You can't save him from his own skin- go ahead, try and punch me, I know you want to!" Squip Jeremy grinned.

Michael advanced forward, holding up a fist, but when he looked at the Squip he knew he'd be hurting Jeremy as well, and he lowered his fist, "I-I can't..." He muttered.

Squip Jeremy laughed, "You were so prepared to fight for Jeremy when it was him the whole time." He grinned.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Michael glared.

"It was Jeremy's own insecurities that's been weakening him, enough to let me take control with what power I had left- and now look how far I've gone! I'm able to broadcast things that aren't there, like two...let's say, bullies? It intimidates him, giving me more fuel. I make it look like someone, or someone's' are attacking him but really he's just hitting at himself the whole time."

Michael looked in horror.

"You've actually been quite a big help Michael! You've caused nearly ninety-three percent of his insecurities~" "He bases everything he does around your opinion, what he wears, where he walks, when he walks, how he talks, how he acts, you're basically his main frame!" Squip Jeremy laughed, "So thank you for that."

"What the hell is wrong with you..." Michael growled.

"Nothing wrong with me- but with Jeremy, yes, tons of things, you truly bring out the worst of him, Michael."

"That's not true!" Michael gripped Jeremy by the shoulders, gently.

"Oh but isn't it? Remember when he stopped hanging out with you? Yeah, he was popular."

Michael felt his heart snap, he shook his head, "You're just trying to get inside my head!" Michael released him.

"Quite a funny analogy to use considering that that's my specialty."

"Red Mountain Dew deactivates you- I can get some and get rid of you-!"

"And I can kill Jeremy by the time you get back."

Michael froze in horror, "...You wouldn't."

"Oh but I would! My soul purpose is to improve his life, and that's being away from 'you' no matter what the stakes."

"And my soul purpose is to be his boyfriend!" Michael yelled.

"What are you going to do?" Squip Jeremy smirked.

Michael took in a deep breath, "The truth."

"Meaning-?"

"Jeremy, I haven't been walking with you because I was following you- after you left that is,  I wanted to make sure you were safe, and yes, maybe I did want to beat somebody up but I want to be able to help in any way and or form I can." He took another shaky breath, saying this quickly, "And I think you're really cute with your curly hair an tiny nose and nervous, soft eyes that always get me whenever I look at you- and I want to kiss you every day, I want to love you every day, and I want to be your boyfriend every day. You've got my heart in your jean pocket and that's where it belongs. That's where it's always belonged and I'd never hate you for anything- we've both screwed up but who cares!" He smiled, "Right here, right now, I love you and that's that and no amount of guilt or insecurities can change that, at all, ever, I'll always care for you- even if we're arguing I swear. I'll always be your Player One, alright?" He now held Jeremy's chin and cheeks in his palms, pressing a kiss to his lips. Immediately, Jeremy collapsed in his arms, forcing both of them to the ground. He held Jeremy closely to him in his lap, running his fingers through his hair.

Jeremy let out a Groan, a groan, muttering to himself, looking up to see Michael with his swollen, blackening eye from where the Squip made him hit himself. Jeremy's face turned a brilliant shade of red once he regained his focus, "I...I could hear that..." He whispered, "Did you really mean it?" He couldn't help but smile.

"Every word and more." Michael smiled warmly back.

"You're my favorite person, you know that right?"

Michael nodded, "Yeah, I'm your favowit person." He blew a kiss to Jeremy's face.

Jeremy let out a squeak as they sat there on the sidewalk. Michael figured this wouldn't be the last of the squip, but at this particular moment, time stood still, and Jeremy lay still, all seemed right once again, as right as it could be.