Hi fam.

So yes, I'm back...

Au

-J

[Author note: I'm sorry for not posting for a longer time.

Don't really want to get into detail but my mental is on an all time low and I'm jogging between school, job interviews and mental institutions.

So it could be that my update schedule will stay so I apologize in advance.]

~~~~

Luke regretted his whole life decisions in those few seconds and steps it took him to realise.

He should've listened to his mom, to his brother, to his best friend.

Self-hatred.

A few streets from his current location to his cozy and warm room with cozy and warm blankets.

But if he would go home right now, he would have a stalker instead of someone following him at night.

So Luke did the only thing that made sense as he walked around the corner in the wrong direction: he took the hem of his skirt and ran.

As fast and quite as possible.

He ended up on his local pre school play ground, crawling into one of the bushes.

Dialling 911.

“911, what's your emergency?“ a young woman answered his call.

“There's someone following me?“

Luke talked quiet, not even a whisper anymore, so scared to be found.

“Someone following you, is there any way you can go home?“

“No, I'm trapped.“

“I need you to tell me your name Sir.“

“I'm Luke. Luke Hemmings.“

“Okay Luke, I need you to tell me where you are so I can send someone over, can you do that?“

Luke told the lady the name of the school, peaking through the bush, seeing the silhouette of a man entering the playground.

“I think he's back. Oh god, he's back.“

“Please stay calm Luke, help is on the way. Just a little bit longer.“

He just nodded, not being able to talk anymore.

Feeling like he forgot how to form words.

The man stood in the middle of the playground, checking his phone before he looked up, starting to search the playground.

Luke nearly shitted his pants...or better hiss skirt as the man came closer to his hiding spot, completely forgetting the 911 lady.

As he was about to be discovered, flashlights hit the playground, the stranger just starting to run, rrun faster than Luke did earlier.

~~

Luke couldn't really remember the time between how he got found and how he sat in his mom's car, on their way back home...with another police officer on the back seat

According to the police there were a lot of missing people lately, all from about the same area- so Luke got a bodyguard.

The 17 years old boy tried to sneak a look at the man through the side mirrors.

He couldn't lie, the officer, Michael Clifford, was hot- 6 years older but hot hot.

~~~~

Luke was exempt from school for the rest of the week and he used that on full extent to stay in his bed under his fuzzy blanket, drinking tea while binge watching BoJack horseman.

Michael, who was stationed in the guests room, checked in on him every now and then.

At some point he even stood in the room for almost a full episode and after that refilled Luke's tea cup.

“You're welcome to watch the show with me every time, okay?“

“I'll come back to that offer later on but right now I have some paperwork to do.“

Luke nodded with a smile as he watched his guard leave the room, gently closing the door behind him.

And Michael actually showed up, sitting down onto the little couch opposite of Luke's bed.

It made both of them feel better.

Michael because he knew the boy was save...so he wouldn't get fired.
And Luke cause he tried to push the last day out of his head but still he felt better with not being alone.

Or better, having someone in the room, he knew could protect him.

Cause last night Luke barely slept, the flashbacks keeping him awake.

But with Michael in the room, knowing, he was safe and protected, it took two and a half episodes of BoJack before Luke dozed off.

As Michael noticed ity he got up and carefully took the tea cup out of the boys hand...just to have his own in the grip now.

“Oh well.“ he sighed to himself, sitting down next to the bed, his right arm stuck in a desperate hold.

~~~~

Michael was at the Hemmings household for 4 days now.

And it's a understatement to say that things didn't turn out to be odd.

Like Michael would just randomly take Microsleep naps or just in general being overtired.

And it took Luke till the end of day 4, Saturday, to figure out why.

The teenager always assumed that Michael would sleep at night.

But instead he sat on a chair in the hallway, trying his hardest to not fall asleep.

Luke crouched down, putting a hand on the others shoulder. “Hey you should go to sleep, okay?“

Michael shook his hand. “I can't risk that anything happens to you. Couldn't forgive myself if...“

“It's fine. Between me and the world are at least 3 locked doors and 7 floors worth of flats. Please go to sleep “

“Promise you'll be save?“

Luke nodded “Pinkie promise.“

They hooked up their pinkies before Luke helped the taller one of em to get up.

“If you want to, you can sleep in my bed and I can sleep on my couch...if it makes you feel better.“

Michael was surprised by that offer. “Isn't that...off limits?“

“I don't know nor do I care. I need you to stay healthy and if that means you get proper sleep...in my bed or so...well who's here to judge?“

It was more of an accident but when Michael crashed down onto the bed, already sleeping, he buried Luke underneath him.

“Why meeee.“ he whined before trying his best to adjust himself and pulling the blanket over them.

Luke was awake far before Michael.

Which turned out to be a good thing cause Michael blushed badly, like...REALLY BAD when he woke up and realised that he slept on the person he's supposed to protect.

“I'm so sorry, oh my... That was inappropriate.“ he goshed, quick to get up.

Luke just giggled because of it. “Don't worry, I'm not mad at all.“

“I am so sorry. I will go now.“

“Okay.“

Michael left and Luke was alone again.

He rewrapped himself into the blanket, taking a little swift note of the stained scent of his protector.

Smiling.

~~~~

The next day Luke had to go to school- with Michael always two steps behind him.

It was weird to explain to Ashton why some grown ass adult following him everywhere, standing gate at the bathroom, having an extra chair in class, watchful eyes all around.

At lunch Ashton complained about Michael being a litteral stalker.

Luke on the other side was okay with it cause of the night before, the memory of the 23 years old sleeping on him still bringing a smile on his face.

“Oh god, what does that grin mean?“

Luke's smile actually turned into a mischievous grin.

He lowered his voice, they sticked their heads together and he told his best friend about why his bed is stained with a new scent now.

Ashton smiled like a schoolgirl and threw a look at Michael, who was sitting a few tables back.

To Luke's suprise Michael really enjoyed the art classes after Lunch break.

He was sitting at the side with the teacher, scribbling into the college block he borrowed from the teenager.

At the end of the classes Luke got his college block back, closed, and at home he opened it up, finding a full page with sketches of cats, final fantasy symbols and ghosts.

Luke couldn't suppress a gentle smile as he put his stuff back onto his desk, wrapping himself into a blanket again to take a nap before his mom yelled him for dinner.

It smelled like homemade pasta and tomatoes-which made the teenager smile.

His mom didn't shy away from trying everything to impress the temporary guest in their house.

Named guest stepped into the kitchen as well, stopping behind Luke, who was still standing a few steps out of the doorframe.

“It smells delicious ma'am.“

“Oh, that's amazing to hear. I hope it tastes as well as it smells. But take a seat boys. You can't eat while you're standing.“

Both of the boys laughed and took their regular seats. Or... Luke took his regular seat and Michael just made the one next to him his own.

~~~~

A week later on the weekend there was this call.

The call that made the fairy tale end.

They caught the dude that followed Luke...which meant Michael would have to move out again.

Both tried to smile while Michael packed his bags but they kinda failed as the first one started to cry.

Which one was questionable.

When Michael stood in the front door with just Luke -Liz was at work- he smiled down at the teenager.

“Was nice to meet you.“

Luke smiled as well, still crying tho but smiling.

“Thank you.“

“So.“ Michael paused for a second. “Since I'm not here cause of work...can I?“

The younger boy looked confused but slowly nodded.

“Good.“

Michael put his stuff down before placing one of his hands on Luke's cheek and leaning down.

Luke was on his tiptoes faster than ever, their lips crashed onto each other.