Beginning of Truths

The note fell out of your hands as you stared at the dagger. You could hear Ashton's laughter ring throughout throughout your mind. Things were about to get a lot darker.

Michael looked at you with concern and waited for you to speak. Instead, you shoved the box and the note towards him. He read the note and looked in the eerie box. "Damn it. I thought we had more time." He muttered. He shut the box and ran a hand through his hair. "H-How long do we have? And what's going on?" You asked softly. Michael sighed and reached for your hand and kissed it. "I'll be right back Y/N. Then I'll explain what I can." He stood up from the table and left you to the palladium dagger with the stones as red as Ashton's eyes.

Michael

I found my way back to the shared room with Luke and pounded on the door. No answer. "Luke it's important!" I knocked again. Still no answer. I tried the doorknob and the door sprang loose. I stepped inside and cursed. Luke was sprawled across the floor with blood on his lips and shirt. "Oh god Luke." I said kneeling next to him. "Wake up. Wake up Luke!" I yelled supporting his head and pulling out the serum and spreading it on his forearm. "C'mon Luke. Stay with me buddy." His pulse was faint, but still gave me reassurance that he wasn't dead yet. The gold liquid dissolved into his skin and his eyes fluttered open. He sat up quickly and began coughing. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. "Don't ever scare me like that again!" I said trying not to let my voice crack. He breathed lightly and hugged me back, his grip weaker than ever. When I pulled away, his eyes were silver and he had half a smile on his lips. "Why don't you tell me how you really feel?" He joked. I laughed and let the tears roll down my face. "I don't know what I'd do without you Luke. Please don't go dying on me. I need you." I spilled and he nudged me with his arm. "I'm not going anywhere Michael. I'm going to help you figure this whole thing out." He smiled and I helped him off the ground. "Besides, you do stupid things without me." He added. I chuckled and he coughed again and leaned against me for support. "Do you have more of the Avdcal  serum Luke? The vial in your pocket is almost empty." He tensed and nodded. "Yeah. I'm good." I didn't believe him, but I knew not to question him. "What happened Luke? I thought you had it under control?" I asked. He sighed and stopped walking. "I'm still rejecting it Mike. I don't know what's going to happen." He said softly. I nodded and dreaded what would happen to him if he was rejected. I couldn't bear the thought of the world without my best friend.

I helped Luke down to the dining room, pausing every few feet for Luke to catch his breath. "Are you sure you're well enough to come with me?" I asked hearing his breath rattle in his lungs. He nodded and continued onwards. "Y/N needs all the help she can get. So I'm coming." He said stubbornly. If Luke wanted to do something, there was no stopping him. "Eventually you're going to have to tell her what's going on." I told him. He sighed and blinked. "I will. But not today. Not now. When the time comes I will. She doesn't need to worry about me." He always thought of others before himself. But sometimes I wanted to slap him and make him take care of himself first. He never listened. I admired him for that. That's why I look after him. He has no one else to do it and he doesn't even look after himself. He's my best friend. It's the least I could do. "You really love her don't you?" He asked breaking the silence. "Yeah. I really do." I admitted. He smiled. "Did you tell her?" I bit my lip and shook my head. "Well you better. She deserves it Mike. And I see the way she looks at you. She loves you. So you need to tell her before it's too late." He nagged. I chuckled and gently punched his arm. "Do you ever stay out of anyone's business?" I asked with a smirk. He shrugged. "If I don't get involved, no one ever does anything!"

Y/N's face lit up as she saw Luke and I walk through the doors to the dining room. Luke gave her a shy smile and sat down next to her and I sat across from them. Luke started making small talk as my mind wandered. How would I ever explain to her what was coming? Would she ignore me for the rest of our lives? Every little concern popped up in my mind. "Michael? You said you'd tell me everything." Her voice snapped me out of my inner bickering. Luke sipped a glass of Angel Sugar* and waited for me to come up with the words to say. Y/N was waiting patiently and looking at me through her beautiful eyes. She deserved to know the truth. Especially after all she's been through. "I was sent to your school because I was supposed to lure you to Ashton. But when you found me and Calum, there wasn't anything to do but bring you back sooner than expected. At first I was glad that my plan had gone swiftly and quickly. Then Luke shared his fears and they passed on to me. He made me realize what was going to happen to you and I cursed myself for bringing you here. Y/N, Ashton is planning to make you choose between living and becoming his...his dark companion, and dying. He said you had a special quality about you that he'd take advantage of to become even darker and more powerful. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I thought I could convince Ashton to rethink this and he...well you remember the night I came in with bruises and cuts. I'm so sorry Y/N."

Y/N

You stared at Michael trying to process what he just told you. Once he stopped talking, you noticed the small patch of white on his wings grew larger. "What special quality do I have?" You asked quietly. Michael sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "He didn't tell me. No one knows but him." He answered, your heart sinking even further. "W-Why didn't you tell me this before?" You questioned, your voice growing louder. You were both interrupted by Luke who placed his hand on your shoulder. Your mind was filled of images of you and Michael smiling and laughing and accidentally impaling Luke with a fork. Each one filled your heart with warmth. When Luke removed his hand you silently thanked him. He nodded and gestured for you to continue talking. "I didn't tell you because I thought there was a way to get you out of here. I tried everything Y/N. I'm sorry. You must despise me now." His face fell and you reached for his hand. "Michael. I don't despise you. I'm just a little confused as to why you didn't tell me all of this sooner." You spoke. His eyes turned green and he pecked your wrist. "I know. And I'm sorry. I should've. Will you forgive me?" He asked with a smile. You took a deep breath. "As long as you help me take Ashton down." You smirked. Luke and Michael chuckled. "Of course Y/N. That's a given!" Michael laughed. Luke confirmed that he'd help too. You didn't ask about Calum, and quite frankly you really didn't want to know.

"Michael? Would you stay with me tonight?" You asked sitting on the bed. He wrung his hands and looked at you. "You sure? I don't want you to be scared or uncomfortable." He said like a nervous teenage boy. You rolled your eyes and yanked on his hand making him lay next to you. "I feel better when you're around." You admitted. He smiled, his eyes gleaming green. "In that case, I'll stay as long as you need." He whispered. You grinned and pecked his cheek before turning off the lamp and staying on your side of the bed. Just as you fell into a deep sleep, you swear you heard Michael say, "I'll stay forever for you aziazor."

Michael

I could see easily through the dark and what I saw brought a smile to my face. She said she needed me. I made her feel safe. Her hair was spread across the pillow and her lips looked so tempting even while she slept. Her light breathing was like a drug. Everything about her was so enticing and delicate, but I knew better. She was stronger than she looked. A lot stronger. I reached over and lightly touched her cheek. She smiled and nuzzled closer. I will do anything to protect her. I made a vow that I would. Y/N. Y/N. That's all I could think about. Y/N. She moved closer to me and I wrapped an arm around her and kept her against my beating heart. I felt her relax and take a deep breath as if she were breathing me in. I felt my wings vibrate and I looked back at them as the white spread about a third down my wings. She was making me good. I loved her. God I loved her. "I'll stay forever for you aziazor."

*Angel Sugar tastes kind of like rock candy and can only be drunk by angels