littleorphanalien | (no subject)

Alex's name is all over posters for this music festival, something that Michael had seen once or twice. When Alex had arranged it, Michael just figured that it was some casual thing, like a gig at the bar. Then, real flyers came out, posters, and Alex had a spot on a stage at a festival. He'd seen them on the way back from dropping Luke off at school, needing to do a double-take before he was overwhelmed with the sight of them.

To say that he's proud is a wild understatement.

He's grabbed about three of them, taking off for the Ocean View apartment, grateful that they're still in the process of moving so it won't take too long, hurrying inside. "Alex!" he calls, bouncing with excitement. "Alex, you're never gonna believe what I..."

He trails off, because when he glances up from the flyers, he gets his first good look at Alex.

"...uhhhh..."

Alex still has the coffee cup in hand, wearing a pair of sweatpants tied on the one end, and he's shirtless. Michael's seen him shirtless a thousand times before, but the tanned skin against these particular sweatpants, the way his hair is falling over his forehead, and his sleepy mussed just woke up look is...well, it's doing a lot to him.

"I found your music flyers," he manages, babbling out nonsense.

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Michael watches the way he's moving with it. He thinks he'll probably watch that movement for weeks, if not months, just to make sure that it's not hurting him. There's an element of ego and pride, too, because if he's figured it out, then he's made Alex's life better.

That really is all he wants.

"I'm sorry I got myself locked up when you were leaving and acted like a dick all summer," he says, because the blame goes both ways on this one. "It's not all on you, and it's not all on me either." He squeezes Alex's knee. "That's what the therapy is for, right? Fixing this stuff."

Alex still blames himself. Could he blame Michael for acting out after all he had been through and then Alex just left him? He leans in, kissing Michael's cheek though before settling in.

"I'm glad we're seeing someone. We both need it, but I'm so glad we even got the chance to fix it all. I love you," he whispers softly.

Michael's eyes fall shut for the kiss, because it's exactly what he needs, breathing out softly as he leans into the warmth of that kiss, turning the engine on. "And I love you too," he says, driving towards the clothing stores, keeping himself at a slow pace.

"Let me know if you see anywhere you wanna stop, okay?" he suggests. "Not sure where you get kilts."

It's not just the therapy though. Part of it is the things they're willing to do for one another. They've both taken a turn, trying to change how they do things, and what they do for one another. It's how hard they're working on it.

He laughs at that, shaking his head. "I have no idea but there's some shops further down this road I've wanted to check out. He's seen a few places that might carry something he'd wear for a concert. "I think they have some biker shop type places. Hoping they have some punk places."

Michael leans forward to peer out the windshield, trying to look for clues or signs, reaching over to rub his palm over Alex's thigh as they drive, maybe a little teasingly, but not to the point that he intends to start anything.

After all, he's not stupid.

"Like that one there?" he asks, parking in front of one. "You gonna try and buy a bike too?" he teases. "I knew I should've bought the second truck to stop you longing."

Alex laughs as he picks one, taking Michael's hand and lifting it to his lips, kissing it tenderly.

"Maybe, but if I do that I need you to fix it for me and why do I think you won't do that?"

He's not sure it's even safe, but now he can't help but think about it.

"If you really, really wanted it, I would," Michael says, even if there's the edge of a grimace because the thought of Alex in a motorcycle wreck scares the shit out of him. He parks, heading out to meet Alex on the opposite side of the truck.

They do need to think about a second vehicle. "You want to get a SUV? Or another truck?"

He sees that look and moves to press into Michael, taking his hand. "I might tease you about the bike, but that doesn't mean I want one. I won't take that chance," he admits. "Not with either of us and our future."

They have this future now, and that's what matters to them.

"Uhmm, probably an SUV? So we have something that's enclosed to transport gear and such, maybe?"

"What about normal bikes? I mean, that's what families do, go for bike rides and the prosthetic could definitely handle that," Michael insists, threading his arm into Alex's as he kisses his cheek, leading him towards the stores (and hoping that he can text some inspiration to Rapunzel to see if she can make it for him).

"I can look for an SUV," he confirms. "Definitely intend to buy used, since I'll be gutting it anyway."

Alex glances at Michael because the important part of that question comes with what families do He loves how that sounds.

"I think we should try them,' he admits. "For all of us," he adds. "We're living at the beach. We should have bikes," he says, believing that now that they truly should. "We can look into them later."

But now that they've discussed it, he means it.

"You know you don't have to rush. I don't want to be a pain," he says softly. "And I can help with what I can."

"You're not a pain," Michael insists, kissing his temple as he tugs Alex towards the store. He grins, looking at it, and then nudges him towards it. "Come on," he says. "Let's go inside and find you a look to wow every last person at that festival."

"And the car can come later."