#phoenixonamotorcycle

[phoenixonamotorcycle]

@ihavetohaveyou - continued from here

(The following evening…)

What on earth happened last night??

Michael woke up with eight million thoughts flying through his head. His arm was aching, the handkerchief tied around his wound stained with blood.

But for some inexplicable reason, the boy didn’t regret anything he did the night before.

That, and he wanted more.

How selfish.

It’s no surprise Michael finds himself back on the boardwalk that night, looking for that same blonde punk-rocker that may have very well changed the trajectory of his life the night before.

He doesn’t think the band is performing tonight, but maybe they’re still here? For some reason? Surely they’d-

Bingo.

Michael sees a line of four motorcycles, neatly parked near the edge of the boardwalk next to a cafe. Sure enough, with a quick glance of his surroundings, he finds the object of his interest. David is leaning against the wall on the side of the cafe, smoking.

Alone.

Like he knew Michael would come to him.

So the kid works up any courage he might’ve had and strolls up to the other guy, trying to look equally tough and intrigued. His outfit of a lame navy sweater and ripped jeans certainly don’t help in that department.

“Hey.”

That’s all he says at first. He’s curious. He wants to know what David will say. After all, the two hadn’t really spoken since the…thing that occurred at the end of last night.

[nocturnalpolaroid]

@phoenixonamotorcycle | Continued from here

"Well, this is the Boardwalk. Pretty sure you could do a hell of a lot to burn moonlight here. Roller coaster's open for a few more hours, anyway."

Val looked at the boy for a minute or two, taking in his appearance. Something about the way he dressed was practically screaming that he was trying too hard. But, then again, wasn't she when she first came to the Murder Capital?

"New to Santa Carla or something?"

[phoenixonamotorcycle]

@ihavetohaveyou - continued from here

The ride itself goes by in a blur. Michael doesn’t even know where he is when he looks around. He just sees streetlights and building signs flashing past him like he’s doing a lightspeed jump from Star Wars.

The only constant is the feeling of David’s body in his steady grip.

David, unlike the bike and the world around them, is perfectly still. Like if a statue was driving the motorcycle. Michael can’t see his face, but he’d imagine the blonde would have some kind of stoic expression. Deeply determined, maybe. In some capacity.

Why? Because he promised.

Michael knows he meant it. He just knows.

If he weren’t on the brink of losing consciousness, Michael would be eager to test how far that dedication goes. Is David just here for a momentary interaction, or does he actually care more about Michael than the surface lets on?

Yeah, the latter seems more and more likely by the second. If Michael punched another guy, he’d probably be in the hospital. He punched David, and now the guy is driving him home.

He doesn’t have much time left. he sees the familiar trees near his house coming into view.

He has so many questions but his body doesn’t want to work right now, so he just lets it take over. His head falls against David’s back, like a pillow, and his arms tighten. Screw the implications. No one will be watching at this time of day.

It’s really comfortable like this.

Under his breath, he mutters a quiet, “thanks.”

[phoenixonamotorcycle]

I wonder what I taste like.

He thinks before walking face-first into a pole.

[phoenixonamotorcycle]

@ihavetohaveyou - continued from here

David has him fully figured out. Michael is losing every thread of patience in his soul, and this god-forsaken rockstar guy is taking advantage of that.

Michael doesn't know if he wants to punch David or kiss him.

Well, his mind is conflicted. His body...not so much.

I want to wipe that smile off his fucking face.

And he doesn't really even noticed his left arm winding up before his fist is slammed into the side of the blonde's stupidly perfect face.

His skin is so smooth.

Michael has been in fights before. In high school, he'd take physical action to defend victims of bullying. Especially if they involved his brother.

He rarely attacked unprompted. But David was just asking for it. Messing with Michael's fragile emotions and vulnerability in a way that the kid couldn't just ignore and walk away.

He fully realizes his actions when his knuckles start throbbing from the contact, and he draws his arm back, breathing loud and heavy.

He's not going to apologize.

[phoenixonamotorcycle]

"oh! welcome in!" bea chirped as michael walked into the witches' brew.

"readings are in the back. what can i get you?"

Michael had never really explored a shop like this before. Sure, there’s plenty of odd small businesses in Phoenix, but he never felt any sort of pressure to visit them. Now, however, he’s looking for any sort of substance.

Maybe a psychic reading will tell him what to do with his life.

“How do, uh, the readings work…?”