In Sickness and In Health (part 1)
Pairing: Mavin, Joelay, Lunacross
Warning: Mental illness, Mental Hospital AU, the perspectives change periodically between characters.
Summary: Michael had a slip up it was so simple, he could have avoided it. He had stopped taking his medicine, he thought he was fine. Now he was looking at spending a week in the hospitals fourth floor where walking through the doors he learns he’s not the only one dealing with this. (This is for my rock the-queenbiscuit who through all my good and bad days and her own has put me first. She’s supported me when I needed it most and even this is’t thank you enough)
Michael sat there slouching against the back of the gross green leather couch that made too much noise if he moved an inch. He was sick of sitting there; he had been looking at the same walls for over an hour. This was the longest session he’d ever had and he had read and reread the same papers and framed diplomas too many times. Michael had always been in and out of different therapist offices, his first real childhood memories too place in the therapist office back home. It always smelled weird and the walls were stained which freaked him out to think about now. He actually really liked his newest therapist; he found Dr. Pattillo right after he moved from Jersey to Texas with his boyfriend. Dr. Pattillo had been kind to Michael from day one just letting him talk; it didn’t even feel like an evaluation. Plus Michael had a lot in common with Dr. Pattillo, or Jack, they talked about video games and movies. Most times Michael’s sessions felt more like talking to a friend and letting off some steam here or there. Michael leaned his head back running his fingers through his dark brown curls, fucking let off steam, that’s what started it all. Michael’s quick flaring temper became a real problem real fast. Apparently it was above average and he was diagnosed with having anger issues. For a while after working with stress balls and punching pillows he thought he was making a lot of progress; unfortunately he got worse. Sometimes he found himself wrestling with unprovoked random fits of anger and he would erupt for nothing, most times he wasn’t even really angry. Soon he was going to incredibly angry to sluggish and unwilling to move from bed. A few hours later though he would act as if it never happened and could be found hanging out on the couch eating breakfast and watching TV like it wasn’t ten thirty at night and he hadn’t spent the whole day in bed. There were even weeks where Michael would refuse to leave bed and weeks where kids were afraid to be around him because he’d practically bite their heads off for walking near him. When that started to become a regular occurrence Michael was officially diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and was placed on medications to start help with his moods. They worked wonders once Michael got used to them and he could hold down a job, his relationship with Gavin become more steady, he still had his anger flairs but, they were understandable and very much under his control. The door opened and Michael cross his arms looking down at his lap his thick eyebrows knitted together, he didn’t want to get a lecture. “Michael,” Jack spoke carefully and softy. Michael didn’t respond. “Am I getting the silent treatment from a twenty seven year old man?” Jack spoke with more authority. Michel still kept up the quiet act. “You know we can’t just ignore this you’ve officially become a danger to those around and possibly yourself,” Jack’s was stern. Michael looked up at the orange bearded man, “It was an accident.” “Doesn’t matter,” Jack shook his head. “You hurt someone in a fit of rage and that’s an immediate stay on the fourth floor.” Michael’s brown eyes widened slightly, “You’re kidding,” he snapped. “It was an accident,” he was trying to restrain himself from jumping off the couch. “I know but my hands are tied; I have to send you,” Jack sighed. “Jack,” Michael was ready to beg to sweep this under the rug and avoid a stay at the mental hospital down the street. “Michael I don’t understand. You’ve been fine for years, what caused the outburst? Did you stop taking your meds?” Jack asked. Michael went back to looking at his lap shrugging, “Like I said it was an accident.” It really was, Michael had been super late for work a few days ago so he ran out the door forgetting his medication. He got home super late that same day and was too tired to make up for his morning skip. The next day he got up feeling fine, he thought maybe he had it under control without the meds, so he just stopped. He thought he’d just outgrown the anger with age. “When did you stop?” Jack was taking note now. “About four days ago,” Michael sighed wishing he could sink into the gross colored seat. “I’ve already talked to Gavin about you leaving,” Jack paused checking his watch. “You have three hours to go home and pack up a few things again I’ve talked to Gavin about the rules on what you can and cannot take.” Michael could feel his face go scarlet, not with anger, “Why didn’t you just tell me?” “I know how you are,” Jack clicked his pen. “You would try to find loopholes and I get calls about you breaking rules on your first day. Gavin will make sure you follow them to a T. Plus this saves me a late night phone call from Gavin because he doesn’t understand what’s going to be happening to you while you’re in the fourth floor,” Jack looked directly at Michael, “I don’t understand why you shut him out and leave him so in the dark. You guys have been together for two years and he really loves you.” “Yea, the me that’s been under control for two years not the angry me,” Michael snapped. “Gavin understands it’s not your fault,” Jack said. “We’ve talked about this before.” Michael had enough the session had lasted way longer than what he paid for each month. He got up heading towards the door. “Michael,” Jack pleaded. Michael ignored Jacks calls and walked out the door heading down the hallway to the waiting room where he saw Gavin sitting in one of the chairs scrolling through his phone. Michael stood there for half a second looking the tall British man lost in his own little world running a hand through his messy light brown hair. Michael took a few more steps forward and Gavin looked up. Michael looked at the ground; he couldn’t bare to look at Gavin and his own stupid mistake. The only reason Jack had learned about Michael’s melt down was because Dr. Pattillo walked out with Michael saw Gavin’s face and marched Michael right back into his office. “Ready to go?” Gavin had walking up to Michael. Michael just nodded heading for the door. Gavin didn’t even have to be there, it’s not like he drove. Gavin just liked to come for some reason whenever Michael had a session. As they got in the car Michael noticed the unnatural silence right away. “I tried to tell him it was an accident Michael,” Gavin said silently. “I really did.” “I know,” Michael sighed. “I shouldn’t have come today huh?” Gavin was tapping his foot. “You didn’t know Jack was going to come out and give a report on how I was doing,” Michael was gripping the steering wheel tightly. “He had no right to everything is supposed to be confidential.” “I like to know what’s going on,” Gavin said. “He doesn’t tell me anything personal.” “Can’t you fucking wait for me to be ready to tell you?” Michael was slowing at a red light. “I’m impatient,” Gavin snickered. Michael couldn’t stop the smirk on his lips, “Don’t I know it,” he looked over at Gavin in the passenger seat and a stone formed in his stomach. While Gavin smiled he closed his stupid green eyes and the dark purple ring around it was so visible it seemed to consume his face. It ranged from his brow bleeding down into his cheek. Michael was aiming for a wall, instead he found flesh. Michael had punched Gavin when the meds really started to wear off. Michael had a bad day at work or maybe it was just the bad feelings coming back making his day shitty. He honestly couldn’t recall what made him so angry by the time he got home. He barged in ignored Gavin asking if he was in the mood for takeout and went up to their room. Michael wanted to tear his hair out and he slammed the door three times feeling like a spring that needed to uncoil; more accurately like a bomb building up tension ready to explode. It had all happened so fast Michael couldn’t even properly replay it in his head. The door was there in front of him he kicked the wood and noticed how it helped relieve some of the anger. The next logical step in his mind was to try and put a hole in it. Michael had swung forward putting all the anger he could into the assault. The only thing that changed was instead of the door he had almost punched a hole through his boyfriends head. Michael wanted to jump out the bedroom window when he heard the pathetic cry that came from Gavin’s lips and he realized what he’d done. Gavin had landed on the ground in the hallway holding his face looking away from Michael. Michael had to apologize a thousand times bending down begging Gavin to let him look. When Gavin finally moved his hand the first thing Michael noticed were the tears lingering in Gavin’s grassy eyes. While getting an ice pack and setting Gavin on the couch to rest Michael learned Gavin was coming up to ask him about the extra medicine he shouldn’t have had in his week container. Gavin got his answer to his question the hard way. “Michael? Michael!” Michael jumped. “The lights green,” Gavin pointed. Michael hit the gas. --- Gavin watched Michael’s jaw set under his pale skin. The signature look of Mr. Jones when his blood was boiling. Gavin didn’t know who the red head was fooling. Gavin was blaming himself, as usual, for Michael’s rage. He didn’t think the bruise was that big of a deal, Gavin thought he could get away with telling Jack he fell or hit his head on something. Gavin was clumsy enough that the story would have been believable. Gavin switched on the radio to calm his own nerves. His foot began tapping as he looked out the window counting the seconds to home. Michael was right, Gavin shouldn’t have come today, he should have sat at home for an hour instead of hanging out in the waiting room. He could have done something more productive or helpful, hell he could have just slept and even that would have been better for Michael. Gavin didn’t know how else to show Michael he was there for him every step of the way. Michael never wanted to talk about it when Gavin asked, he never even wanted to acknowledge it and it drove Gavin crazy. He didn’t know how to help but, he wanted Michael to know he could trust him. Gavin wanted to be the supportive boyfriend. He buggered that up somehow. When they pulled into the driveway and Michael cut the ignition Gavin still sat in the car for a beat. He was quickly going over all the Rules Jack had told him about packing in his head. Walking in the house Gavin frowned when he saw Michael sitting on the floor setting up his Xbox one. “Michael you don’t have time for that.” Michael ignored him. “Michael!” Gavin snapped. “What?” “We have to start packing.” Michael frowned, “I’ll start packing when I’m good and ready.” “Jack said you only have a few hours before he’ll be over here to pick us up and if you’re not ready he said he’ll have to take you out by force.” Michael silently continued to click on his controller. Gavin migrated back into the kitchen pacing. He could always pack for Michael but, that would piss him off more. Michael would just complain that Gavin didn’t pack the right clothes, or clothes that Michael liked. The last thing he could do was nothing, if Jack came in here and tried to force Michael into the car taking whatever he could grab and tossing it into a suitcase things would go from bad to worse. Gavin would never forgive himself if those two got into some sort of brawl showdown in the living room. Gavin wanted the move to be as smooth as possible; he just wanted it to be over. He decided to let Michael play for five minutes before he walked back into the living room sitting on the couch behind Michael. He watched Michael go berserk on a group of virtual cops in Saints Row 3. The Brit wrapped his arms around Michael’s neck feeling the man’s muscles tens up. Gavin waited for a second before nuzzling against Michael feeling his warmth. He always teased that Michael was so warm all the time was because of the anger he kept balled up. Michael tilted his head back so Gavin could rub his fingers through his curly hair, “I don’t want to leave.” “I know love,” Gavin whispered, “I don’t want you to leave either.” Gavin continued to card through Michael’s hair, “Jack said it’ll only be a week.” “It’ll feel like a year,” Michael sighed heavily. Gavin felt Michaels shoulders sag underneath him, “We’ll pack quickly and you can play some more before Jack shows up.” Gavin moved back sitting against the couch as Michael rolled his eyes silently agreeing with Gavin pushing himself up from off the floor and dragging his feet across the floor to his Xbox one shutting it off. Gavin smiled glad Michael was taking the high route, course he knew Michael would. Gavin got up ready to help Michael pack going over the list again in his head when he was stopped short by a kiss.