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When Luke was in first grade, he cried on the last day of school. He just loved school so much, that he couldn't imagine going an entire summer without it.

Now, as he packed up his locker at the end of tenth grade, he has never felt happier. Well, he has felt plenty happier lots of times. Ignore the first statement.

Michael dumped two bags of nonsense next to Luke's locker as he leant against the brick wall next to him. "Fuck this place."

"Fuck me," Luke joked. He looked up from trying to fit his binders into his bag to see a smirking Michael looking down at him. "I'm kidding. Come help me pack this, though."

Michael leant over him, pulling out pens and highlighters floating around the top shelf. He shoved them into the paper grocery bag laying at Luke's feet. "What're you doing later today?"

"I think Mom and Dad want to go out to dinner. My brothers are home from college, so they're royalty until they leave again. Do you wanna join?" Luke groaned as he couldn't zip up his leather satchel. There were too many supplies in the small space and he wished he sectioned out and started taking home shit weeks before.

"I work late shift again tonight. You know Mom and that DVR." Michael took out a binder from the overflowing satchel in Luke's hand, placing it in the paper bag instead. On instinct, he continued to help his boyfriend.

Luke stood up, looking at all the corners of the rusting locker to make sure he wasn't leaving anything behind. "That sucks. If dinner doesn't end late, I'll stop by and keep you company."

Michael wrapped an arm around Luke's waist as the blonde put one over Mike's shoulder. Michael leant his head on the blonde's shoulder, just enjoying their embrace. "So, this is it. This is my last five minutes in this shit hole."

Luke wasn't sure if West Hills was planning on letting him back in, he was sure his mother would try to fight it if they didn't. "Yeah," he said, unsure of his own future in public school, "I guess so."

Michael let go, grabbing the lighter of the two bags. He lifted it up, making sure Luke got the other before walking towards the front entrance.
Mike helped him to his parent's car, putting the bags in the trunk. Luke was trying not to shake nor embarrass himself as he knew his parents were watching them.
Michael leant in—something Luke was hoping he wouldn't do. Luke placed his hands on his chest, whispering a quick, "They don't know."

Mike raised his eyebrows as he took a step back. He could feel the blood boiling in his veins, but he chose not to react. He took another step back, saying quick goodbyes to the Hemmings parents.

Michael turned his back, grabbing his own backpack and heading for his car. He was not going to deal with Luke right now.

Luke watching him walk off, guilt flying in his head. He knew that of all the times to come out to his parents, right now was definitely not one of them.
With a few minutes of quick begging, the two blonde parents let their son come home late, taking a ride home with Michael.

The almost-sixteen-year old ran across the parking lot, catching Michael's car about to pull out. He opened the passenger door, climbing into the seat and onto Mike's lap.

The dirty blonde put the car back into park, trying not to laugh at the boy in his lap. "Really?"

"Mikey, I'm sorry," he cooed, his lower lip pouted out.

He took a deep breath, clutching his jaw. "Okay."

"Say something more."

Michael shrugged his shoulders. He put his hands on Luke's hips, his index fingers rubbing the smooth skin. "I don't know, Luke. I'm just kind of hurt, if I'm being honest."

Luke didn't know why he was so scared, he's never been scared of much. "I love you, Michael."

Mike looked up at him, light behind his eyes shining. "Yeah?"

The blonde leant in, his sharp nose leaning against Michael's round nose. "Yeah." He put his hands on the back of Mike's neck, pulling at the short, thin hairs. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm just not ready to talk to them about it."

There was something about Luke that enchanted Michael's every though. It was like the younger boy could ask Mike to put a gun to his head, and Michael would do it. It'll end self-destructive, but for now, it was alright.

"I guess I understand," he said before adding, "I'm trying to understand at least."

Luke leant in, kissing Michael's forehead and making a loud "Mwah" sound with each kiss. He kissed under the tail of his eyebrow, then the highest point of his cheekbones. He kissed the bridge of his nose, then down to the tip of his nose. He made it to his lips, continuing the loud, unnecessary sound effects.

Michael giggled. Once again, Luke seemed to take the pain and worry away.

"I promise, I'll tell them soon. Just give me a little bit of time."

Mike sat back in his seat, he wasn't able to move much due to the fact there was a blonde boy on his lap. His fingers went up and down Luke's body, tracing over the seam of his tee-shirt. "I love you, too. By the way."

Luke smiled as his thumbs wiped over Michael's cheeks. He was at a loss for words, but in a good way.