(Yes I’m writing this at 1 AM if you can’t tell I will fix this in the morning 😭) Michael has always been a closed off person. Sure he’s outgoing, always the center of attention, always surrounded by people, but nobody really truly knew him.

You see, his gift wasn’t just a one way street. Yes, he could tell what anyone was feeling by the micro expressions he’s learned to notice over the years, but he’s also learned how to hide his own. It was a skill keen to his survival growing up.

It’s something that Michael has prided himself in. Something that’s made him feel safe. Sure, people can try to hurt him, try to get under his skin, but he will never let them see the damage they cause.

But things changed when you joined the Naturals program.

You somehow managed to weasel his way into his heart, a feeling very much foreign to Michael. He could feel his walls crumbling around you, could see the way you looked at him when he was upset, like you could see through his facade. It scared the hell out of him.

As much as he loved you and trusted you, his habit of keeping his feelings to himself was a hard one to break. It was something so ingrained into him, into the foundations of who he is, that even after countless times you’ve showed him that you’re safe, that you’re not going anywhere, that you’re not going to hurt him, stonewalling was still something he reached for on instinct.

But maybe you could change that.

…

Michael’s upset. You know he is. He can try to hide it all he wants, but you can tell. You always can.

If you’re being honest, you’re pretty fed up at this point. Why won’t he just tell you what’s wrong?

Without a word, you grab his arm and pull him into your room, leaving no room for protest. You shut the door behind you and cross your arms.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” You demand.

He rolls his eyes and scoffs.

“Nothing is wrong.”

But you know better than that.