Chapter four:
The next day Gavin approaches Michael in the achievement hunter office as it currently is just Gavin, Michael, Ray and Jack.
"Micool." Gavin says and the other turns to him. "I need to talk to you."
Michael puts his headphones on his desk then turns his attention to the other. He crosses his arms over his chest trying to seem causal. "What is it?"
"Can you come with me?" Gavin asks.
Michael gets up and follows Gavin to the others office.
Once they are in there Gavin closes the door only to stand there looking at it with a hand on the door knob.
"Micool..."
"Yes Gavin?" Michael tilts his head.
Gavin brings his arm to his side releasing the door handle. He then turns enough to turn his head to look to Michael as his side faces the other. "I wanted to talk... About what happened..."
Michael gets tense but tries to hide it with a shrug. "I told you it's ok."
Gavin turns to fully face him. "Listen..." He rubs the back of his neck. "I... I just want to keep our friendship. Like how we had it before... That... happened..." He begins. "Please don't let our friendship be ruined because of a stupid mistake."
Michael barely holds back a wince and flashes a quick smile at Gavin. "Hey come on. I told you it was ok."
"Really?" Gavin takes a step towards him. "Is it really just ok?"
Michael nods and Gavin seems relieved.
"Oh thank you Micool!" He hugs the red head. "I'm so glad that our friendship wasn't ruined." He releases him then happily leaves the office to head back to the achievement hunter office.
Michael stays in Gavins office and looks down. "Was it really... Just... A mistake...?" He wonders to himself then leaves the office with a deep breath carrying his head high. He pulls out his phone and stares at it for a few moments before putting it away again. He doesn't want to text anyone at the moment. He'll do his best to still be the best friend that Gavin knew and he won't show his weakness.
Things went smoothly... Then a week went by...
Michael is finding that it is getting hard to be like how he used to be when around Gavin. He is reminded that Dan makes Gavin happy while what he and Gavin did was seen as 'a stupid mistake' every time he so much as looks at the other. He isn't sure how much more he can handle until he cracks.
Then... Everything came crashing down too soon for him...
He was playing some solo Minecraft when his phone goes off. He leaves his character in the home he built and checks his phone.
A text from Gavin.
He opens his phone wondering what it could be.
It's Friday evening and Gavin went with Dan out of town from today until the Friday coming up.
He reads the text and almost drops his phone.
This is awesome. Michael! Dan and I have been discussing living together! He might be close to proposal!
Michael stares at the text for a few minutes before forcing his hands to move to reply.
That's great. I'm happy that you're happy. I'm heading to bed. It's getting late and I'm exhausted.
After sending that he contemplates whether to wait for a reply or not. Only to blink when a reply comes back.
Yeah. Being with him forever would be great. Ok goodnight Michael.
Michael throws his phone across the couch meaning to throw it across the room.
His phone hits the arm rest then falls face down onto the couch cushion.
Minecraft forgotten he curls up burying his face into his knees as his arms are around his bent legs that are pressed to his chest.
Gavin should have just gone ahead and said that there is no one else he could think of to spend his life with.
Surely it would have made it easier on him.
Michael stays there for a bit then shuts everything off before heading to bed not even bothering to even touch his phone again. He lays there curled up under the blankets and can no longer hold back as sobs wrack through his body. He lays there crying until he cries himself to sleep.
...
"So..." Gavin thinks over everything they discussed. "Do you really think it'll work?"
"If it is meant to be." Dan assures him with a smile. "Your happiness is enough for me so don't fret."
Gavin turns to him staring into his eyes. "You're not lying right?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Dan asks raising an eyebrow.
Gavin smiles. "You wouldn't."
Dan grins in return.
...…...
Throughout the weekend Michael stayed at his place through most of it until on Sunday he decided on something.
He begins putting some stuff into a bag then heads to the living room where his cell lays. He had only touched it once on Saturday but saw no new texts so he left it alone again. He picks it up and goes to Lindsay's contact only to type a message.
I don't know how much more I can handle right now. Gavins going to be with Dan probably for forever at this point. He said he and Dan had been talking of moving in and thinks it might be close to proposal. I need some time off. I'll be heading out today. Just give me some time.
He sends the text then texts Geoff that he's taking time off because he feels too stressed though he isn't sure Geoff will believe him. He stuffs his phone into his pocket then gathers his stuff and leaves his place locking his home behind himself. He heads off walking since the car is hidden in the garage and it'll be easier to just walk to where he is going.
It takes him a little bit but he finally reaches the area he needs to be in.
He pauses and looks to the forest glancing around but sees no signs of life right away. He continues along his way after that since its not much farther. He walks up to a home and raises a hand knocking on the door.
It opens not long after the knocks and his eyes meet with another persons eyes.
"What an unexpected surprise." The other says as if in greeting to Michael.
"Can I stay with you? I need to be away for a bit." Michael says.
There is a pause then a sigh of giving in. "Alright. But don't make yourself a nuisance."
Michael enters the home. "You know I try not to." He assures the other as the door is closed behind him.
Friday rolls around and Gavin is getting a ride from Dan to work.
Once they arrive Dan places a hand over Gavins getting his attention.
"Good luck." Dan says with a genuine smile.
Gavin smiles back. "Thanks." He gathers his stuff then heads into the building jogging with a big grin on his face. He arrives and finds that everyone but Michael and Geoff are here. He looks and feels disappointed then settles at his desk even though he keeps glancing to the door.
When it eventually opens Gavin turns hopeful but seems disappointed to see Geoff.
Ray turns to the older man as he heads towards his desk. "No Michael again?" He asks.
Geoff stops just behind Gavin and nods. "Yeah. No Michael today. Again."
"Do you know when he'll be back?" Ray asks as Gavin listens intently.
"Honestly I don't know." Geoff then finishes heading to his desk and sits down.
Gavin looks down to the keyboard on his desk wondering what is going on. He takes out his phone and tries texting Michael.
Hey. Did you leave the country for a bit?
He waits half an hour but doesn't receive anything so he tries another text.
Do you mind if I ask where you went? I wanted to talk to you. It's really important.
He waits another half an hour but still nothing. He tries to rationalize that maybe Michael is just busy and waits for another hour before checking his phone.
No response.
He sighs softly to himself placing his elbow on his desk and the bottom of his chin onto his hand. He wonders just what Michael is doing. He couldn't be more happier for work to end. He heads out taking the bus to Michaels place having to walk five minutes since that's how far the nearest bus stop is. He arrives and heads to the front door. He knocks but no answer. He is about to ring the doorbell but glances down noticing the fact that it appears Michael has not touched his mail in at least days. He looks up to the house yet sees no movement or lights on. "Where are you?" He wonders to himself.