bite me (please?) โ michael x luke
college AU: luke is convinced that the guy he's doing his course project with is a vampire, and he's going to prove it. michael just wants to get through the semester.
warnings: NO SMUT. college AU. fluff. comedy/humour. bad jokes. mentions of supernatural (vampire) elements, but nothing graphic. profanity. getting together. everybody is a little ooc. not proofread.
author's note: this was meant to be a silly 2k fic but then it turned into this. sorry about all my bad jokes and how EXTREMELY ooc everyone is. also suspend ur disbelief at luke's private-dorm-that's-kindof-an-apartment
โSo, this guy Michaelโฆโย
Lukeโs got the tip of his pen between his teeth while he looks across the campus courtyard at the man in question. Michael strums an acoustic under the shade of a tree, all aesthetic and cool and untouchable with the way the breeze catches his dyed hair. Lukeโs been paired up with him for his anthropology project, which would be fine, except.
Ashton, sitting on the wooden picnic table across from Luke, looks up from his notes. Calum stops sipping obnoxiously at his disgustingly sweet iced coffee. They follow the line of Lukeโs vision to Michael.ย
โOh, Michael,โ Ashton says. โHeโs a good lad.โ
โHm,โ Calum says. โGay.โย
Ashton thwacks him in the back of the head with a rolled-up assignment. Calum snickers into his drink.
โYeah, anyway, so. Michael,โ Luke squints at the man on the lawn suspiciously. โHeโs definitely a vampire, right?โย
Calum and Ashton share a look.ย
โA vampire,โ Ashton repeats.ย
โYeah.โย
โRight,โ Ashton nods, like he completely gets it. Then, โAnd Iโm the Queen of England.โย
โListen,โ Luke hisses. โHeโs so fucking pale, mate. Have you ever met an Australian thatโs whiter than white?โย
โYouโre whiter than white,โ Calum says. Heโs gone back to sucking at his straw. The cup is empty. Lukeโs going to throw something at him if that irritating slurping doesnโt stop soon.ย
โThats not the point.โย
โWhat is?โ Calum continues. โDo you sleep with a night light too? Need a cup of milk before bed?โย
โIโm kicking you out of the friendgroup.โย
Calum shrugs. โAshton agrees with me. Donโt you, Ash?โ
โLuke,โ Ashton starts, and heโs making a face like heโs constipated. โVampires arenโt real.โย
โYou donโt know that.โย
โYeah, well. Burden of proof.โย
โIโm gonna drop your textbook on your face while you sleep,โ Luke tells him. He only half means it. Kind of.ย
Thing is, Ashtonโs right. And that sucks, because Ashtonโs always right. He does need to prove it, because otherwise Calum and Ashton will be on his ass about that one time you thought a random classmate was an undead bloodsucking ghoul.ย
He spares a glance at Michael again and watches him shrink away from the sunlight, plastering himself further against the tree trunk.ย
โLook at him,โ Luke insists. โHeโs transparent. Heโs literally white as a ghostโโ
โOh, you believe in those too?โ Calum snarks. Luke ignores him.
โHeโs a vampire. Iโm telling you.โย
โAnd Iโm a fairy! Iโve got a wand in my pants too. Wanna see?โย
Luke makes a face. โKeep your disgusting penis away from me.โย
โNot what your mom said last night,โ Calum leans back on his hands.ย
โQuickly, how much do you like your front teeth?โย
โWhy, wanna lick โem?โย
โCalum,โ Ashton pinches the bridge of his nose. โDonโt be a dick.โย
โIโm just saying!โ Calum throws his hands up. The plastic cup goes flying from his grip and lands in the lap of some poor freshman, who looks up at the sky like this was her last straw. โIf you want to make crazy claims, you gotta commit to it!โ Calum continues.ย
Luke folds his arms. โFine. Iโll justโIโll prove it.โย
โProveโฆthat Michael is a vampire?โ Ashton tilts his head. He somewhat resembles a confused puppy. Luke would kick that puppy, in all honesty.ย
โYes,โ Luke slams his laptop shut and stands up, staring into the distance with what he hopes is heroic determination in his eyes. โAnd then youโll have to eat your words.โ
Ashton drops his head into his hands. Calum grins. โAlright,โ he says, and thereโs something malicious in his eyes. โBe my guest.โย
Luke flips him off, stepping over the bench of the table. He shoves his laptop into his bag and walks off without a word. He tries not to look back at Michael, because he knows his asshole friends are watching him go.ย
โTen bucks says he just wants to date the guy,โ Calum stage-whispers, turning to Ashton.ย
Ashton groans, exasperated. Then puts his hand in Calumโs outstretched one. โYouโre on.โย
Admittedly, Luke doesnโt actually know a whole lot about Michael. Like, sure, theyโre in the same class, but that's frankly the only course they share, and Luke didnโt even see him more than a few sightings around campus before this semester. And now theyโve got this project together.ย
Lukeโs in his 9 a.m. Anthropology class, zoned out despite being only fifteen minutes into the lecture. Who keeps a class this early on a Monday? The ugly white lights are too bright, and the sunlight streaks in awkwardly through the tangled blinds.ย Most of the lecture hall is empty, and those who did show up are either hunched over recovering from hangovers, or dead asleep.ย
Luke himself is somewhere in the middle ground. Laptop open before him, he scrolls up and down idly on a google search result for โVampire Characteristics,โ not really registering anything heโs reading. And what the fuck does preternatural pallor even fucking mean, anyway? Just say โpale skinโ. Jeez.ย
The door slams openโloud enough for the entire class to jump, started.ย
A low hum of discontented murmuring spreads over the room. Luke looks over at the door for the source of the sound, and spots a hunched-over Michael Clifford, hands resting on his knees as he heaves for air. Like heโs just run across the campus.ย ย
โS-sorry Iโm late,โ he gasps.
The professor crosses her arms and frowns disapprovingly, saying something to him that Luke couldn't be bothered paying attention to, because the sunlight catches Michaelโs hair as he stands up, and the red makes it look like itโs on fire.ย
Michael stands in the doorway, looking bashful, rubbing the back of his neck until the professor is done chastising him. Then, he speaks.ย
โSoโฆcan I come in?โ
Heโs shooed into the room, and he finds his seat somewhere closer to the front, and his head is kind of blocking Lukeโs view of the board, but thatโs not what gets to him.ย
No, what gets to him are Michaelโs words. Can I come in?
Vampires canโt enter a room themselves, right? They need to be invited in. Right?
Lukeโs so ecstatic at finding his first bit of evidence, so determined to rub it in Calum and Ashtonโs faces, that when he reaches for his phone to shoot a text on their groupchat, his grip stutters and the thing lands on the floor by his feet with a loud clatter.ย
The class turns to look. Including Michael. Lukeโs face flares at the attention, even as he murmurs a subdued โsorryโฆโย
But Lukeโs gaze flits to Michael, whoโs smiling to himself. Oh.ย
Lukeโs got a plan. As the class draws to a close, his knee bounces anxiously, because he needs to do this just right. No room for fucking up.ย
Faintly, somewhere in the hallway outside, a tinny bell rings, and thereโs a massive scuffle as everyone stuffs their shit into their carry bags and rushes to get out of the worst lecture on the planet. Luke waits until Michael stands, dusting off his jeans and slinging his leather haversack over his shoulder. Luke shoots up from his seat and rushes to follow, phone in his hand.ย
See, Vampires donโt have reflections. So if Luke can justโฆsee for himself that Michael doesnโt reflect on mirror surfaces, thatโd be proof enough. But he canโt really shove a mirror in the guyโs face. Thatโs weird.ย
So instead his phone front camera will have to do.ย
โMichael!โ Luke calls out. The man in question stops and turns, eyes falling on Luke.ย
โHey, man,โ he replies.ย
Luke waves his phone. โWeโve got that project together, right?โ he says. โWanna give me your number?โย
Michaelโs lashes flutter. Not that Lukeโs looking! Just that heโs got surprisingly pretty eyes andโanyway.ย
โUm,โ Michael says. โYeah, sure.โย
Luke hands his phone over to Michael, front camera open. He rises on his tip-toes to look as Michael takes the thing, but Michael immediately turns the phone to the side when he notices the screen.
โSorry,โ he murmurs, shutting the app. His cheeks are dusted pink. Is that natural? Do vampires blush? โYour camera was on.โย
โOh,โ Luke says. Tries to keep the disappointment out of his voice. He didnโt even get to see.ย
Michael brushes him off and types in his number. He hands the phone back to Luke.ย
โI texted myself, so Iโve got your number now,โ Michael tells him.ย
โCool,โ Luke says, and itโs a little awkward. He fiddles with his phone. โIโllโฆumโIโll text you? We can meet up and work on it together?โย
Michael shoots him a friendly smile. โSounds good,โ he says. โSee you around, Luke.โย
He turns and descends the stairway, never really looking backโwhich is good because Lukeโs stuck in place, playing the way Michael had said his name on loop in his head.ย
Luke texts Michael the address for his dorm. He figures he should test the theory a bit more. Whatโs the harm?ย
Michael knocks at his door a bit hesitantly, just past six in the evening. Heโs on time, which makes sense because the sun has started to dip, so he probably didnโt have to scramble for shade on the way over. Unlike with class that morning, when the sunlight had been bright and fresh.ย
Luke opens the door, leaning all six-foot-three-inches of himself against the doorframe. He tries for casual, but his mother had always called him an elongated spindly deer, so. Do with that what you will.ย
โHi,โ Luke says, smiling a little awkwardly.ย
โYou come here often?โ Michael jokes, taking in the way Lukeโs standing.ย
โAll the time,โ Luke replies. โI practically live here.โย
Michael chuckles, shaking his head like he canโt believe Lukeโs antics. It sends something warm swelling in Lukeโs chest. A silence settles between them. Luke doesnโt move out of the way, because he canโt invite Michael inโMichael needs to ask.ย
Michael shifts on his feet. โSo, umโฆcan I come in, or?โย
Michael blinks. โCan I?โย
โYou can, but can you?โย
โWhat?โ
โWhat?โ
โLuke,โ Michael stresses, and Lukeโs breath hitches. โCan I please come in?โย
Luke blinks. God, itโs justโitโs the way he says Lukeโs name. Something twists in Lukeโs stomach, and he stands upright, making way for Michael to step in. As he does, he shoots Luke an odd look.ย
Whatever, Luke thinks. Iโll get him next time.ย
Michael heads to drop his bag on Lukeโs desk, and all of a sudden Lukeโs aware that heโs very alone, without having informed anyone else, in a room with a vampire.
Michael gets to work setting up his study material. Luke reaches for his phone and types a quick text in his groupchat with Calum and Ashton.ย
i invited Michael over to studyย ย
if i disappear you have permission to press chargesย
Are you alone in your dorm with Michael right now
luke are u alone with michaelย
The study session goes fine. Just fine. They end up going through the entire outline of their project and divide the work among themselves. Luke also learns that he has a lot in common with Michael. They both play guitar, and plan to get into music later on. They end up losing track of time talking about all their favourite bands. Conversation is comfortable, like theyโve been friends for years.ย
And Michael doesnโt try to bite Luke once. A fact that Luke is completely okay with. And not disappointed at all. Not that he has any reason to be. Disappointed, that is.ย
Calum and Ashton are extremely smug about all this information when Luke tells them about his study date with Michaelโ
โStudy date, huh?โ Calum smirks. Ashton snorts into his hand.ย
โYes,โ Luke frowns. โLikeโtwo people. Studying. On a date on the calendar. A study date.โย
โIโm gonna start a rumour,โ Ashton says decisively. Luke kicks him in the shin. He hunches over in pain immediately.ย
โFuck you guys,โ Luke says, walking backwards and away because heโs going to be late for class. โYouโre both useless. Iโm selling Calumโs bass.โย
He doesnโt stay long enough to hear Calumโs squeaked โhey, what the hell!โ before heโs turning and jogging towards the Sociology Department block.ย
When he gets to class, Michaelโs already there, settled into one of the rows further behind. He catches Lukeโs eye and immediately lights up in a smile, so Luke takes that as an invitation to go over and sit beside him.ย
Michaelโs got one leg folded over the other, his laptop propped open in his lap and a travel mug of coffee set on the writing tablet desk. Condensation drips from it.ย
Luke basically ran to class in the middle of summer, so he canโt really be blamed for what he says next.ย
โHey,โ Luke pants, because he hates cardio so heโs still catching his breath from his sprint. โMind if I have a sip of your drink?โย
Michael looks between Luke and his cup. He makes a face like heโs in pain.ย
โUh,โ Michael says. โI donโtโฆthink youโd like it much.โย
Luke gulps. The cup sits ominously on the desk between them.ย
Heโs got blood in there, hasnโt he?ย
Luke tries not to make a face. His hands itch to snatch the thing up and screw open the lid to confirm his conclusion. It sends a shiver down his spineโsitting next to a vampire that casually brings cupfulls of blood to class as a little snack. No matter how cute the vampire may be.ย
โSorry, mate,โ Michael says, and he sounds genuinely apologetic, and Lukeโs train of thought is derailed.ย
โโS alright,โ Luke tells him on autopilot. And really, isnโt this a small kindness? Michael saved Luke from drinking blood. Or something like that. He even apologized. So doesnโt that make Michael a pretty cool vampire?ย
Lukeโs prepared to mull over his reasoning, but then the professor walks in, and heโs distracted when Michaelโs knee nudges his own as he leans over to grab a notebook from his bag, and thatโs that.ย
Friday finds Luke, Calum, and Ashton occupying one of the many tables in the library hall. Thereโs a pretty pile of books stacked up beside Lukeโs laptop, but heโs too busy squinting over the edge of his screen, through the space between Calum and Ashtonโs heads, towards Michael.ย
Michaelโs seated two tables away, and Lukeโs got a pretty clear view of the guy as he rolls up his sleevesโthose tattoos, good lordโand throws his head back in silent laughter at something his friend says to him. Lukeโs eyes zero in on his teeth.
More aptly, his fangs. His incisors are sharp. Sharper still than anything Lukeโs ever seen before. Thatโs clear proof, right? And maybe theyโre even longer, maybe theyโre retracted into his gums, so when he feeds they drop down andโ
โHello? Earth to Luke Hemmings?โ Ashton waves a hand in front of Lukeโs face and he snaps out of his daydream ย rumination of Michaelโs vampire activities.ย
Calum follows the direction of Lukeโs gaze before he can snap his eyes away from Michael. When Calum spots the guy, his face spreads into the biggest shit-eating grin.ย
โLike what you see?โ he waggles his eyebrows at Luke. Luke goes to kick him under the table, but misses terribly. His toe slams against the leg of the table. He grunts in pain. The kids from the table adjacent to them shoot him a dirty look.ย
โSh-shut the fuck up,โ Luke tells Calum. โIโmโฆobserving.โย
โYeah? Draw any bloodsucker conclusions yet?โ Ashton arches a brow.ย
โOr sucking of any other kind,โ Calum pipes in.ย
โCalum,โ Luke shoots him a pointed look, because the table over seems suddenly super invested in their conversation. โIโm gathering evidence. Like, look at his teeth.โย
Both Calum and Ashton go to turn around, being extremely conspicuous about it, so Luke has to rush to hiss, โNot now!โย
Luke leans in, and as do the others, so now theyโre gathered like theyโre sharing some kind of secret. Which is technically true. The students on the table over have given up pretending theyโre studying and are now straining to listen in.ย
โHis teeth,โ Luke whispers. โSharp. Theyโve got points. Theyโre pointy, guys.โย
โYeah,โ Ashton nods. โTeeth tend to be that way.โ
โNot his teeth,โ Luke shakes his head. โTheyโre fangs. Theyโre for drinking blood.โ
โThink about his teeth a lot, do you, Hemmings?โ Calum smirks.ย
โYou donโt know what youโre talking about.โย
Calum only rolls his eyes. He nudges Ashton, who sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
โLuke, do you want to maybe think about why youโreโโย
โMate, he was drinking blood.โย
Calum blinks. โWhat?โย
โI saw it,โ Luke says. โI mean, I didnโt see it, but he had this tumbler full of something and when I asked for a sip he said I wouldnโt like what he was drinking. So, obviously, it was blood, right?โย
Ashton looks at Luke like Lukeโs hit his head on something. โWhy was your first thought blood and not, like, vodka or something?โย
โWho drinks vodka at a 10 a.m. class?โย
At that, Calum slides his water bottle off the table and into his bag. The liquid sloshes, and Luke now notices how it moves like itโs thicker than water. Oh, okay.ย
Calum clears his throat. โUm, I wouldnโt know.โย
โHey, can I have a sip?โ Ashton nudges his shoulder.ย
Luke shakes his head, trying to draw back to the very pressing issue at hand. โIt doesnโt worry you guys that weโre classmates with a vampire?โย
โWhy would it?โ Calum says, passing his vodka-water-bottle to Ashton, who uncaps it and sniffs. โConsidering vampires arenโt real.โย
โCalum, youโre my worst friend,โ Luke tells him.ย
โOkay, well,โ Luke says, and heโs kind of jealous now that Ashton gets a sip and he doesnโt. โHe also asked for permission before comingโโย
โโcoming into my room.โ Luke glares at Calum, who looks far too smug for a guy thatโs about to permanently lose a mate. โAnd heโs so pale. Heโs soโโ
โWhoโs pale?โ The question comes directly into Lukeโs ear, and Luke does not shriek like a teenager. His brain goes offline for a moment as he jumps, whipping around so fast that his neck cracks.ย
Michael stands over him. Heโs got his bag slung over his shoulder again. He looks past Luke and waves at Calum and Ashton. โHey, guys. What are we talking about?โย
โLukeโs new set of kinks,โ Calum offers, and this time when Luke kicks him under the table, he nails him right in the knee. He yelps in pain.ย
Michael blinks. โOkay.โย
โHeโs kidding,โ Luke says, even as his cheeks flare a hot red.ย
โWait, donโt tell me,โ Michael says. โYouโre into feet.โย
Luke splutters. โIโmโฆno, whโโย
Ashtonโs laughing, open mouthed and loud, and theyโre drawing the attention of the entire library now. Michaelโs eyes light up.ย
โChill, Blondie,โ he grins, and the hot embarrassment in his stomach melts into something fluttery and urgent as Luke watches Michaelโs lips part in a smile. โI wanted to let you know Iโm nearly done with my part of the project. Iโll send it over later tonight?โย
Luke canโt do much more than nod, biting his lip to keep from saying something stupid, like โhey, if you need any spare blood sometimeโโ but then Michaelโs tipping an imaginary hat in their direction, and slipping out of the library.
Ashton and Calum look overjoyed when Luke turns back to face them. Calumโs heaving giggles into his hand, and Luke hopes he chokes on his own laughter and dies.ย
โSo, feet, huh?โ Ashtonโs voice is high-pitched with mirth.ย
โIโm gonna switch out your shampoo for hair-dye,โ Luke says. See if he finds it funny then.ย
โHeโs gonnaโheโs gonna text you tonight,โ Calum sniggers.
โShut up,โ Luke says, and he slips further down in his seat and shoves his earphones into his ears.ย
How the fuck did Michael sneak up on him like that? And did he hear any of their conversation? Oh, god. Vampires have superhuman hearing, donโt they? Andโฆtheyโre really fast, and light on their feet.ย
That mustโve been what happened. He mustโve used his powers to take Luke by surprise. Lower his defenses. Like hunting prey. Does he use these tactics when heโs out looking for someone to feed on? Heโs got long limbsโlike, just look at those legs. It must be so easy.ย
And ifโif the warmth of his voice, the whisper of his breath as he spoke dangerously close to Lukeโs earโif any of that lingers for longer than it should thenโฆthatโs just what vampires do, right? They have an allure. A dangerous pull.ย
Luke canโt be blamed for being drawn in.ย
Itโs 3:08 a.m. when Luke gets Michaelโs text. Heโs distinctly aware that itโs the Witching Hour.
Luke flushes violently at that one. He knows Michaelโs joking but still. A vague image flashes through his head and he has to blink hard to get it out. Michaelโs just soโvulgar. Luke tugs his blanket up to his chin, cheeks burning.ย
u get riled up so easilyย
will email u my work tmr mornย
gonna head out to blood bank rnย
โBlood bankโ as in the place where bags of blood are stored? Does this count as Michael coming out to Luke? Wait, is it still called โcoming outโ if youโre revealing yourself to be a vampire?ย
you arenโt going to sleep??ย
also, blood bank? what are you, a vampire?ย
wouldnโt u like to know ;)ย
itโs an overnight cafeย
Oh. Okay, that makes sense.ย
And then Luke has a strong urge to facepalm, because why would a vampire go to a bloodbank? It's not like you can walk into a dispensary and say, โhey, can I get a bag of blood?โ
Lukeโs eyes are falling shut already. Heโs dozing off over his phone screen. Enough studying for today, he thinks. He shuts his laptop and slips further into his sheets. His vision kind of goes blurry around the edges, and his eyes are burning so bad that even though he fights to stay awake, his phone ultimately slips out of his grip.ย
He doesnโt stay awake long enough to see Michaelโs next text come through.ย
By the time Luke wakes up the next morning and checks his phone, the message is gone.ย
[This message was deleted by the sender.]
Luke has had a revelation. An epiphany, even. A pioneering idea.
He digs through his closet for his lowest cut shirt. Heโs talking like white V-neck, dipping down to the middle of his chest, falling over his shoulders like heโs trying to bring attention to his neckโwhich he is. Luke has pretty wide shoulders, so the shirt only serves to highlight his width. As he stands in the mirror, he takes note of how the fabric stretches over his chest, draws the eye up from his chest, up along his collarbones, up, up, up the line of his neck.ย
โWoah,โ Calum says, as Luke meets them in the main block foyer that morning. โNo bra today?โย
Luke frowns. Ashton tilts his head.ย
โWhy are you dressed like a slut?โ he asks.ย
Luke looks down at his shirt. Frankly, he didnโt really think of how he would look to anyone else. He wore it for Michael.ย
Wait, like. Not for Michael, but more likeโฆbait. To get Michael to look at Lukeโs neck. If he can catch the man leering over Luke basically inviting him to bite, thatโs as good as evidence could possibly ever get. Lukeโs a genius.ย ย
When he explains all this to Ashton and Calum, they share a pointed look.ย
โYouโre a whore,โ Calum tells him seriously.ย
โIโm a strategic mastermind,โ Luke corrects.ย
โI can basically see your nipples through the shirt, mate,โ Ashton says.ย
Luke strikes a shitty pose. โDo they look good?โย
Ashton makes a gagging sound, and Luke will decidedly take that as a compliment, thank you very much.ย
Then he catches a flash of dyed hair somewhere behind Ashton, and looks to see Michael crossing the foyer, in conversation with a friend. Without thinking, Luke calls out to him. Ashton and Calum turn to look just as Michael locks eyes with Luke.ย
โMichael!โ Luke smiles at him, straightening his back.ย
Michael raises his hand to wave, eyes flitting between him, Ashton and Calum.ย
Luke watches with nothing short of glee as he then freezes in place, gaze travelling down the length of Lukeโs frame, then up, snagging at the dip of his shirt. Even from a few metres away, Luke can see his eyes widen as they go straight to Lukeโs chest, across his shoulders, then painfully slow up the line of his neck.ย
He gulps audibly, cheeks flaring an almost concerning shade of red. Lukeโs grin grows. Gotcha.ย
โUm, Iโโ Michael squeaks, face beet red. He meets Lukeโs delighted expression, then immediately struggles to make eye-contact whatsoever, eyes flitting everywhere but towards Luke. โIโuh! I have toโฆbe somewhere! Nice t-to see you guys. Bye!โย
He curls into himself, looking straight down at his shoes as he briskly walks out of the foyer, leaving his friend behind to splutter confusedly as he looks between Lukeโs friendgroup and Michaelโs retreating back.ย
Luke looks pointedly at Ashton and Calum as they snicker into their hands. โSee?โย
Ashton sighs, bemused. โYouโre so fuckinโ stupid.โย
Luke blinks. โI think you mean intellectually gifted.โย
โNo,โ Calum shakes his head, still chuckling. โYouโre the biggest idiot Iโve ever met.โย
โWerenโt you guys looking?โ Luke pouts. โHe basically just went full vampire in the middle of the hall.โย
โAnd youโre sure thereโs no other reason why heโd turn red at the sight of you today?โ Ashton prompts, raising an eyebrow in indication of Lukeโs attire.ย
Luke adjusts the hem of his shirt. โWell, yeah,โ he says. โWhy else would he?โ
Calum rubs the hells of his palms in his eyes, groaning. โLuke.โย
Ashton slaps his palm to Calumโs shoulder, pressing his thumbs into the muscle there to massage the tension out. He begins guiding Calum away towards the stairwell to their morning class, leaving Luke standing there, confused and mildly annoyed.ย
โJust,โ Ashton starts, tone sympathetic. Or condescending. Luke canโt really tell. โJust think about why he reacted that way for a bit, okay?โย
Thatโs stupid, Luke thinks. I know why he reacted that way. Itโs because heโs a vampire.ย
No other reason. Obviously.ย
Luke thinks that the problem really just lies in how he hasnโt properly presented his evidence to Calum and Ashton. Also that they just donโt seem to believe him, so he needs tangible proof. Something that he can point out to Calum and Ashton, something so undoubtable, so obviously evidence of vampiric ghoulishness that it has absolutely no plausible deniability.ย
Sure, Luke feels bad for plotting something that will see Michael in pain. But then he thinks about all those poor souls that Michaelโs probably fed on, and tries not to think about how nice Michael is and how much Luke actually likes himโand then itโs a whole flurry of emotions that Luke canโt quite contextualize.
In retrospect, tangible proof could also just be something like Luke offering himself up for Michael to bite. To sink his teeth into his flesh. To drink from him, fully and sweetly. To mark Lukeโs skin, leave a scar.ย
But that makes Luke's belly flutter in a strange way, so heโs going to file that thought for later and maybe never think about it again!ย
Michael always dresses in long sleeved flannels and sweaters, which is obviously to protect his skin from the sun. In fact, Michael barely shows any skin, ever. So Luke would just have to force it out of him.ย
Theyโre walking across the campus lawn, partly under the shade of the trees lining the path. The sunlight slips through the spaces between the tree branches, pools of gold dancing on the grass as the leaves shift with the breeze. Michaelโs talking about the structure of the conclusion for their project, but Lukeโs barely listening, because heโs looking at Michaelโs exposed hands and wondering if the sunlight makes his skin itch.ย
โMichael,โ Luke says suddenly, curling into himself and rubbing at his arms like heโs trying to warm himself up. โItโs cold.โย
Itโs not cold at all. Itโs actually blazing hot, and Lukeโs sweat is nearly soaking the back of his shirt. Michael knows this too. He looks around, eyes flitting across the grounds, where multiple groups of students fan themselves as they walk.ย
โItโs cold,โ Luke repeats, feigning a shiver for effect.ย
โUm,โ Michael looks confused. โAre you feeling sick?โย
โNo,โ Luke pouts. He rubs at his skin further. His fingers slip over the sweat at the crease of his elbow. โIโm justโIโm cold.โย
Michaelโs stature grows awkward as he walks beside Luke, who exhales harshly like heโs absolutely freezing, visualizing a cloud of his breath before him as though it's winter.ย
Luke sighs, and he hopes he doesnโt sound too dramatic. โI wish I had a sweater or something.โย
Luke watches from his peripheral vision, smiling to himself as Michael looks down at his own cream sweater, biting his lip. All according to plan.ย
Michaelโs hand comes up to rub bashfully at his neck. โI wouldโโ he offers. โUm, I would give you mine but Iโm not reallyโฆwearing anything under it.โย
Luke has a brief image of Michael taking his sweater off, revealing the smooth, pale skin of his chest.ย
His brain flashes an error message. Information processing interrupted. All systems offline.ย
โHng,โ Lukeโs mouth says. โUh.โย
Michael catches his disorientation and leans closer, concerned. Luke picks up on a whiff of his cologne and itโs like being slapped in the face. With a bus.ย
โAre you good?โ Michael asks.ย
Not trusting his voice, Luke nods. He canโt get the fucking image of a shirtless Michael out of his head. His face flushes impossibly red.ย
โIโllโuh,โ Luke manages, voice cracking embarrassingly. โThatโs okay! I wasnโtโwasnโt that cold, anyway.โย
Michael shoots him a puzzled look, brows furrowed. He looks like heโs about to say something, so Luke cuts in and asks something vague about their joint project to get Michaelโs attention off of him. Michael starts rambling about urban gentrification and digitization, and Luke mentally logs out of the conversation completely.ย
Itโs fine. This is justโฆMichaelโs vampire effects. Mind control. Voodoo shit. Obviously.ย
Alright, so. Luke mightโve embarrassed himself immensely and failed catastrophically at making his point back there, but a wise person once said, โwhat doesnโt kill you makes you stronger.โ
Ashton looks up from his notes. โI didnโt know you read Nietzsche."ย
โWhat?โ Luke says. โNo, thatโs Kelly Clarkson.โย
Ashton shakes his head. โShouldโve seen that coming.โย
Luke drapes himself over the table. Theyโre sitting in a deserted study hall, only a few students scattered around the room, hunched over their work and murmuring softly to each other.ย ย
Calumโs got his laptop open, but heโs playing that silly dinosaur game on the browser with his internet turned off. His keyboard clicks loudly as he slams his fingers over it.ย
โSo now what?โ Calum asks, eyes still glued to his screen. โReady to admit your big gay crush?โย
โMy what?โ Luke tilts his head.ย
Calum sighs. โMate, youโve been talking about him for the past month.โย
โWell, yeah. Itโs an ongoing investigation, Cal. Iโm gathering evidence.โย
โYouโre gathering a sexuality crisis.โ
โWhat does that even mean?โย
Calum shrugs. Then jerks. โWait, shut up. Iโm gonna beat my high score.โย
He leans impossibly closer to his laptop screen, tongue sticking out in concentration. Luke rolls his eyes.ย
โSo anyway,โ Luke says. โIโve decided to shift my focus.โ
Ashton looks up, brows raised in surprise. โOh?โย
โYeah,โ Luke continues. โSo, vampires are supposed to be undead, rightโโย
Ashton groans exaggeratedly and thunks his head onto the massive book on the table before him.ย
โโso heโll probably be really cold to the touch. You know?โ
Ashton whips up to look at him. Calumโs finger audibly slips on his keyboard. He looks at Luke, eyes wide. They share a panicked look, then lean in furtively towards Luke.ย
โLuke,โ Ashton says, voice barely above an urgent whisper. โAre you going to fuck the guy?โย
Luke reels. โWhat? No.โย
Wait, thatโs actuallyโ
Calum watches the thought process pass through Lukeโs head, apparently visible on his face. He grins, eyes sharp.ย
โDamn,โ he says. โIโm not even mad you interrupted my game. This is gold.โย
Luke folds his arms, frowning. โIโm just going toโฆlike, touch his arm or something.โ
Ashton huffs a laugh. โWhatever you say, man.โย
โYou know what?โ Luke says, standing up suddenly. He points at Calum, and at Ashton. โFuck you, and fuck you too.โ
He slings his bag over his shoulder, ignoring the way theyโre shooting him looks that say theyโre just barely holding back laughter. He storms out of the library in what he hopes looked more like a dramatic exit than a prepubescent tantrum.ย
Luke does not know how to show them.ย
Heโs been racking his brain over it. How can he get a solid assessment of the temperature of Michaelโs skin without doing something extremely creepy? He canโt just grab his forearm out of the blue, or anything along those lines. Heโd freak the guy out. And Michael barely has any other skin exposed anyway.ย
Itโs late evening as he mulls over this conundrum, the sun just barely above the horizon, casting a soft pink light. The shadows on the pathway stretch far, dancing as the evening breeze shifts. The last of the morning birds chirp mournfully as the day closes. Heโs headed back to his dorm, prepared to drop into bed, stick his earphones in, and wrap up the last bits of his semester projects.ย
He walks into the dormitory hall, and stops in his tracks. The hall is empty, all the couches and armchairs and tables vacant, save for Lukeโs favourite loveseat, tucked comfortably against the back wall. The window overhead lets a touch of orange-gold fall upon the inhabitant of the sofa, who looks up when Luke enters.
โMichael,โ Luke smiles, and his breath is suddenly heavy in his lungs because the fading sunlight casts a warm glow over Michaelโs shoulders as he reclines back into the seat, laptop resting on his thighs.ย
โHi,โ Michaelโs lips part upon a smile. He bites his lip, an unfamiliar tension fading from his frame as Luke approaches him.ย
Luke takes in the man. Heโs clearly busy, working on something that has his brows fixed intoย frown, skin underneath his eyes dark with exhaustion. He looks like heโs spent the past two nights awake.ย
โCan Iโฆjoin you?โ Luke asks. Then pauses. Heโs not sure why he asked that, really.ย
But then Michael nods, looks at him like heโs grateful for the company, and then Lukeโs slipping his bag off and settling into the space beside Michael.ย
The thing isโthe couch is small. Itโs meant for two people of regular height, and Luke will graciously admit that both him and Michael are much beyond โregular height.โย
And so their knees touch. So their elbows brush with every shift.ย
Luke grabs a random book from his bag and opens it, barely processing the words becauseโwell, because his theory backfired again.ย
Michael is warm. Luke feels the heat of Michaelโs body seep into his bones. His skin is on fire where it meets Michaelโs. His cheeks burn, but heโs not sure why. Is thisโฆthis canโt be the vampire bit of Michael, can it?ย
No, this is. This is just the Michael bit.ย
Luke zones out over the pages of his book, losing himself to the comfortable silence. The click of Michaelโs laptop keys, the way Michaelโs shoulder grazes his own, the way they seem to angle towards each other like gravity.ย
The light from the window fades. The warm yellow lights of the hall flicker on, and Michael sighs through his nose at something, and then Lukeโs counting Michaelโs breaths without stopping to wonder why.ย
Luke flips mindlessly through the pages. Michaelโs cologne wraps around him, and his eyes flutter at the scent as he tries to burn this moment into memory. Him, Michaelโnot the vampire, just the personโalone together, alone in silence, like a strange shared understanding, an exchange of consolation and comfort.ย
All of a sudden thereโs a warm weight against his shoulder. Luke stiffens. He turns in time to see Michael, pressed up against him, leaning his head on Lukeโs shoulder as he dozes.ย
Michael is so warm. Heโs soโ
Luke tries to hold still, to breathe as little as possible because heโs afraid to wake Michael. He shuts his book and puts it aside, cheeks flaring a vibrant red as he looks down at his hands, fiddling with his fingers to keep from startling Michael awake as he breathesโslow and deep and relaxedโagainst him.ย
Itโs strangely intimate. The room holds still, everything suspended in time, in space, as the world narrows down to just the two of them. Outside, a songbird calls for its mate. Somewhere, a bicycle bell rings. The couch seems to sink under Lukeโs and Michaelโs weight, trying to swallow them whole.ย
Michaelโs hands rest on his thighs, his laptop screen dark. His chest rises and falls rhythmically, and Lukeโs eyes droop. He tilts his head to rest against Michaelโs. His breathing slows, posture relaxing, the world fading into a dream, untilโ
Luke startles at the voice. Michael jerks awake. He looks around, sitting straighter. Luke suddenly feels cold as Michael draws away from him. Michael meets Lukeโs eyes, face growing red immediately as he realizes heโd fallen asleep against him.
Luke looks for the source of the disturbance, finds Calum standing at the hall entryway, looking smug. He looks at Calumโs stupid self-satisfied smirk and tries to explode him with his mind.ย
Michaelโs already gathering his things. Luke tries to offer him a smile, but Michaelโs in a rush and he wonโt look at him.ย
โMichael, Iโโ Luke tries, not even knowing what heโd say.ย
โI have toโฆum,โ Michael gestures vaguely at the stairwell up to the dorms, gripping his bag and laptop to his chest. โYeah. See you around.โ
โSee you around,โ Luke replies automatically, but Michael doesnโt stay long enough to hear it. Heโs already halfway up the stairs by the time Luke registers heโs gone.ย
He looks back at Calum, and if looks could kill.
ย Calum holds his hands up. โI didnโt know he was asleep.โย
โDelete my number,โ Luke tells him.ย
Itโs astounding how Calumโs still alive and breathing, considering just how many times Lukeโs tried to kill him over the past week.ย
Calum looks at Luke with the most shit-eating grin every time they pass Michael on campus. Ashtonโs been let into The Couch Incident, as Lukeโs been calling it, and now heโs also taken to grinning at Luke whenever Michael is around. Luke is seriously considering buying rat poison for his traitorous friends.ย
As for how things are with MichaelโฆLuke canโt really put it into perspective for himself. Itโs a bit oddโboth good and bad.ย
Good because Luke and Michael will occasionally catch each othersโ eye from across a room, and both of them will blush bright red. Luke seems to almost gravitate towards that spot on the loveseat in their dormitory hall. His heart races each time his phone dings a notification alert, because he keeps expecting to see a message from Michael.ย
On the downside, itโs weird because despite all this, Lukeโs barely spoken two words to Michael for the past week, because each time he tries, he thinks of The Couch Incident, and how his breath had fluttered in his lungs from Michaelโs weight, his warmth. He knows, looking in Michaelโs eyes, that heโs thinking of it too, and so their conversations consist of awkward stuttering and clumsy small talk. Theyโre too flustered to talk about The Incident altogether. Or about what it means.ย
Lukeโs conflicted. He canโtโฆbe feeling this way around a vampire. Heโs falling for Michaelโs mind-control tricks, even though he knows it. Some part of him maybe even wants to fall deeper still, and despite all his hesitation, that part is beginning to win out over everything else.ย
Calum and Ashton notice, obviously. And thatโs how theyโre here: on the same picnic table on the campus lawn where it all began. Lukeโs eyes flit to that spot under the tree, where heโd seen Michael strumming his guitar. Itโs unoccupied this time around, and the emptiness tugs strangely at Lukeโs heartstrings.ย
โLuke,โ Ashton guides Lukeโs attention towards him. โMate, whatโs the plan now?โ
Luke knows heโs referring to Michael. Calum leans on his elbows against the table, and Luke childishly frowns at him.ย
โI donโt know,โ Luke says. โI havenโt finished my investigation yet.โย
Ashton sighs, but Calum clears his throat, a little awkwardly.ย
โSo, um,โ he says conversationally, tracing the cracks on the wooden table with his fingertip. โWhy donโt you just finish it?โย
Ashton opens his mouth to say something, but Calum nudges him, and some kind of understanding seems to dawn in his eyes.ย
โYouโฆuhโฆyou got any more vampire tests left to run through?โ Ashton prompts.ย
Luke looks between them. He thinks of Michael.
Pale, pretty, tall Michael, with the lovely green eyes and the fresh pink lips and the calloused fingertips and the sharp fangsโฆand maybe Luke does have another test to run through. Something better. Something bigger.ย
He steels his resolve and looks between his friends.ย
โIโve gotโฆIโve got one last card left to play.โย
He catches up to Michael after one of the classes they have in common. Michaelโs shoulders are tense, even as he turns to meet Luke with a smile. Lukeโs brain kind of melts out of his ears.ย
โWhatโs up?โ Michael asks.
Just spit it out, Luke tells himself.ย
โYou should come over to my dorm tonight!โ Luke says, and it comes out high-pitched and loud. A small group of girls walking past them pause and look over, giggling.ย
Michaelโs cheeks take on a soft pink tint. โUh.โย
โI mean,โ Luke flails. God, he should've really thought this through. Rehearsed in front of the mirror or something. โI mean. I was thinking, like, pasta?โย
โWait, I donโtโโ
โI can cook! I want toโฆI want to cook for you.โย
Michael smiles, cheeks flushing further. โRight, but, are youโโย
โIf youโre busy, we could justโโ
โNo, Luke, Iโm not busy, butโโ
โGreat!โ Luke says. โSo, like, seven tonight? My dorm?โย
Luke begins walking backwards, away from Michael before he says something stupid, or before Michael can change his mind or something. And heโs looking at Michaelโs flushed cheeks, the way his eyebrows furrow in confusion, how he bites his lip, and all of a sudden Luke realizes he forgot to actually ask the pivotal question.ย
โOh my god,โ he manages, thankfully still in earshot of Michael. โI was asking you out. I forgot to ask you out.โ
His cheeks flare hot as Michael laughs, and Lukeโs eyes snag on his canines.ย
โI did this all wrong,โ Luke says, blinking fast. โOh, this is horrifying.โย
Michael draws closer. โIโll go out with you, blondie,โ he says, grinning. โBut you gotta ask me the right way.โ
Luke knows heโs just teasing, but butterflies erupt in his stomach nonetheless.ย
โMichael,โ Luke says, drawing in a breath. โCan I take you out on a date?โย
Michaelโs eyes are alight with amusement. With something like fondness.ย
โYeah,โ he says. โIโd like that.โย
When Luke lets Michael into his place that evening, heโs buzzing with anxiety and apprehension. Heโs got a little kitchen island, where he serves Michael his best wine, and flits around the kitchen preparing what he hopes is his best pasta recipe to date.ย
Itโs good. Itโs really good, in fact. Luke and Michael fit together like puzzle pieces, like stars orbiting each other. Lukeโs heart is in his throat the whole time, because thereโs a glowing warmth in his chest and he canโt stop looking at Michael, taking in the way his hands move as he speaks, the way he licks his lips, the way he throws his head back and laughs fully.ย
Ultimately, Luke puts a plate of pasta before Michael, and sits opposite him with his own serving. It turned out wonderful, creamy and perfectly supple. Lukeโs really proud of himself.ย
โIt smells amazing,โ Michael says. โWhatโs in it?โย
Luke rests his chin on his knuckles, smiling. โTry it.โย
Michael arches an eyebrow. โIโm putting a lot of trust in you not to poison me,โ he jokes.ย
โOh, I would never,โ Luke plays along.ย
Michael chuckles to himself, picking up a fork. He goes to take a bite, when Luke suddenly sits up straighter. He gathers his resolve, then decides: no better time than now.ย
โWait!โ Luke exclaims, and Michaelโs fork stops in the space between his plate and his mouth. โBefore you eat, I have a few things I want toโฆum.โย
Michael shifts in his seat, setting the fork down and giving Luke all his attention. Luke wonders if he can tell how Lukeโs heart is racing, how his pulse flutters when he meets Michaelโs eyes.ย
โIfโฆโ Luke starts. โIf you ever need a helping hand with yourโฆum. Yโknow. I wonโt tell anyone.โ
Michael flushes. โLuke, Iโฆโ he seems to struggle with his words. Then:ย ย
โThank you, really, but Iโm openly gay.โย
โOh,โ Luke says. โI knew that.โย
โI was just saying,โ Luke continues. โLikeโฆifyouwanttobitemeyoucandothat.โย
Thereโs a stretch of quiet as Michael processes the words. And Lukeโs sure now that Michael can hear his heart beating. They stare at each other, and the silence is almost suffocating in its awkwardness, especially because Michaelโs gone a little red.ย
Luke says,โYou can bite me if you want.โย
Michael says, โWhat.โย
Lukeโs tongue suddenly feels really heavy.ย
โI justโI was just saying that I can keep your secret!โ he goes on, even as his brain is telling his mouth to shut up shut up shut up. โI know youโre a vampire andโlike! I respect it! Itโs totally cool!โย
Michael is quiet for a moment, his eyes flitting between Lukeโs own.ย
โWhyโฆโ he starts carefully. โWhy do you think that?โย
Luke blinks. โWell, theโฆyouโre really pale. Andโฆyour teethโโ
โMy teeth?โย
โ โtheyโre really sharp! And howโฆwhen you came to my dorm the last time, you asked for permission. Andโฆyour tumbler, how you said I wouldnโt like what you were drinkingโฆlikeโblood.โย
Michael makes a face like heโs in pain. Even as Luke speaks, he can hear just how silly he sounds, but his brain isnโt sending the right signals to his mouth because he canโt stop speaking. โAnd when I wore thoseโฆlow cut shirts. Youโฆmy neckโฆโ
Michaelโs cheeks flare a vibrant red.ย
โLuke,โ he says, and his voice is strangely high-pitched. โThat day, I wasโI was drinking vodka mixed with redbull.โย
Luke gulps. Oh, fuck you, Ashton Irwin.ย
โAnd your shirtโฆโ Michael clears his throat, fingers coming up to fiddle uncomfortably with his earlobe. โUmโฆyou justโyou looked really good in it. Thatโsโฆthatโs why.โ
Luke looks down at his plate, blushing so hard his cheeks kind of burn from it. He kind of dies right there on the spot and then revives himself in under two seconds, which is a new record for him.ย
Michael sits back a little and looks at Luke through knitted brows.ย
โSo,โ he says. โWhen you did all that, you werenโtโฆflirting?โย
โUm, no, I was,โ Luke bites his lip. โI was collecting evidence.โย
Michael exhales, and his eyes flash a mixture of confusion and amusement andโฆsomething else. Luke canโt breathe. Reality hits him like a truck. Michael isnโt a vampire. Luke just wanted him to be because he couldnโt explain his sudden intrigue in the man.ย
โLuke,โ Michael says, voice strained as he leans forward and squints into his plate of pasta. โThereโs garlic in this, isnโt there?โย
Luke shrinks under the weight of Michaelโs gaze, under his words, under the veil of his own stupidity. โYes,โ he manages, voice small.ย
Michael huffs a laugh. โWouldnโt that technically be poisoning me?โย
โWell, are you a vampire?โ
He canโt keep the bite out of his voice, but Michael takes it in stride. He stands up and crosses over to sit near Luke, so close that his knees brush Lukeโs, and thereโs that radiating warmth again.ย
โNo,โ he says, sly grin parting his pretty lips. โBut I can bite if you ask real nice.โย
Oh, this is it. Iโve died. Iโve died and gone to hell.ย
He flushes all the way down to his toes. โDonโtโdonโt make fun of me.โย
โWhy would I do that?โย
Luke inhales sharply, turning fully to face Michael. โBecause I really, really liked you for months and I looked for you in every room and I waited up for your textsโand I thought it was because you were an evil supernatural bloodsucking soul-eating ghoul.โย
Michael lets the words hang between them. His hand comes to rest on Lukeโs knee, warm and grounding. โWell, youโre not wrong about the ghoul part.โย
Michael laughs, throwing his head back, bursting at the seams, and itโs such a gorgeous sight that Luke canโt help meeting him where heโs at, mirth spilling from his lips like honey.ย
โYouโre so fucking annoying,โ Luke says. โCan you kiss me now?โย
โMind the fangs, will you?โ Michael mocks.ย
Luke rolls his eyes and drags Michael in by the neck, pressing their lips together. Michael smiles against him, leaning in, pulling Luke closer with a hand on his waist. Luke runs his tongue along the line of Michaelโs teeth, swallows his melodic gasp, and thinks:ย
Thank fucking god for vampires.ย
so Michael is not a vampireย
i just really wanted to kiss himย
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