Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Okay so it might be in this section....”

Micro was on his way to have a reunion with some friends from high school.

The reunion was held by Schpood and Jophiel in their old high school group chat. They came up with the idea of hanging out from time to time again.

It was refreshing to actually take a break from studies – now that he’s in college, things can get a little rough and out of hand. So this was exactly what he needed.

“Look who finally showed up”

Cass smiles as Micro chuckles, lifting his hand to greet them. 

“I hope I’m not too late I presume?”

Panzer shakes his head as he pats Micro’s back. “You’re just in time, we’re talking about things we’ve been doing as of now”

Micro hums, sitting down and listening to everyone share their activities. 

Cass has been working as barista part time while studying in college. Panzer, Jophiel, Saps, Cynikka and Ymi have been focusing on their majors in college, though he already knew this due to them being in the same college as him.

Meanwhile, Schpood was busy debating on being a part time Mechanic. Sidefall is just Sidefall.

The conversation changed every few minutes, which Micro didn’t mind at all. It was interesting hearing from everyone again, it felt like old times.

Ignoring his pile of homework he had yet to finish next week, he was pretty much stress free. He had time to finally relax.

“By any chance, are any of you taken yet?” 

Never mind, he had no time to relax.

This was NOT what he needed.

Micro has suddenly became uptight, sitting up straight from the bench he once felt comfort and relaxation with. The reasoning for this was because of the constant question and debate of, ‘will Micro get a lover in 2026?’.

It was a harmless joke, in fact it was so harmless that Micro made it harmful to himself in the future. 

He decided to place a bet with everyone in the friend group, that if he doesn’t get a lover in a couple of months – he’d have to get a tattoo of their choice.

“I don’t have one” Panzer says, followed with everyone else agreeing, except for Micro. 

They all turned to look at Micro, raising suspicion for not speaking nor agreeing to what Panzer had just stated.

In a moment of silence, everybody watched as Micro struggled to answer.

Jophiel could only shake her head at the poor guy. “I think we’ve traumatized him from the bet we made 2 years ago”.

Schpood grins, putting his hands on his hips while he turns his direction to their friend group, his back facing Micro who was still on the bench in complete silence, “Clearly, I mean look at him- he looks like he’s submitted himself towards defeat-”.

“I- I’m taken..!”

Schpood’s grins falters quickly, his jaw dropping as he turns to look at Micro. 

Sidefall and Ymi exchanging looks. Saps, Jophiel and Cass also had shocked expressions on their faces, and Panzer had a flabbergasted reaction.

“Woah- hold on man you’re- what?” Panzer places his arms on Micro’s shoulders, clearly interested and confused as to what he was saying. “You’re taken?! By who?!” 

Micro never had the intention to say that, in fact, he had no plan whatsoever when he blurted that out.

He scrambles to dig through his brain, to think of any person to use as an excuse to get this stupid claim over with. So his mind travels to high school.

𝟑/𝟏𝟖/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒                               –                                               Citadel High School

Every single day was practical torture because of Saparata.

Maybe that was just Micro over-reacting. Yet every time they hung out, it didn’t matter where. 

Saps would continuously bring up his one classmate, Fluixon.

It all began when the second semester for senior’s rolled in. Micro didn’t hear the end of it during lunchtime. Saps was practically blabbering his mouth out.

”This guy man! I walk into the classroom, and mind you- I sit next to him!”

”I decided that, maybe, just maybe – I could be friendly to someone for once in a class”

”So I did just that, and guess what? Dude practically stared daggers at me! Like I’m some target for him! What is his problem!?”

Micro could only listen as he took a bite of his sandwich. Hearing Saps go insane over a guy who supposedly ‘glared’ at him was a first.

”-and get this? He responds to me like I’m from a ‘mental asylum’, I mean- he looks at me like I’m a crazy person so it would make sense! Dude this- fuc- ugh..!”

Saps finally sits down as he grabs an apple, chewing on it, clearly annoyed.

”Maybe he’s just in a bad mood? I don’t blame him either way, I’m not ready to start this semester” Micro shrugs, as he continues to eat peacefully.

”That’s no excuse...oh my god.” Saps says beneath his breath, tugging onto Micro’s sleeve to direct his attention to a black haired guy with purple highlights. Clearly in his own head space as he grabs his food like any other person.

Micro examines him, confused as he looks between Saps and Flux. “What’s the issue?”

Saps scoffs, “maybe it’s just me then, he’s really annoying for earlier, that’s all”

The two white haired boys watched as a person comes from behind Flux, patting his back before greeting one another. “Oh great they’re multiplying...” Saps clearly not fond of any sight that includes Fluixon.

Micro looks at the guy, he was a brown brunette, slightly taller than Flux. Slight freckles that nobody would realize he had, unless somebody paid a huge amount of attention to him. He had an orange bandana around his arm, clearly posing a class president.

Not to mention, both Flux and the guy had completely different personalities.

”Who even is that...” Saps murmured as Micro’s eyes never looked away from the mysterious person for whatever reason. 

Out of nowhere, Cass pops in with her own tray of food. “That’s Thomas” 

She puts her tray down, sitting in front of the two.

”So...are we just going to stare at boys all day or are you guys going to explain...” She asks out of curiosity, opening her milk carton to take a sip.

Micro shakes his head, finally looking away at the supposed ‘Thomas’. 

Turning his full attention to Cass as he explains.

From then on, the rest was history. Saps just wouldn’t shut up about Flux for the rest of the semester.

PRESENT TIME

He had a great idea.

He was going to use Flux as an excuse.

Though before he could open his mouth to reveal who he was ‘dating’, he looked over at Saps who was still just as shocked as everyone else.

Silence.

Micro and Saps just stared at one another, both equally as shocked.

What the fuck did he just say.

Clearly he wasn’t thinking straight, his plan was to say Fluixon, so then why did he say Thomas?

“The class president..!?” Everyone but Saps exclaimed.

Knowing that he’d already dug himself a deeper rabbit hole, he could only nod nervously.

After the reunion, everyone bid their goodbyes. Yet one person never left.

“Yeah so- want to tell me what that was about!?” Saps exclaimed, shaking Micro a bit. Clearly he also remembered Thomas, and well, Fluixon.

He knew he needed to tell someone the truth, there was no way in hell he could go through with this made up plan of his. “Listen- I panicked! I didn’t wanna do that stupid tattoo bet so I lied, I’m not dating Thomas!”

Saps just stood there speechless at what Micro had just said.

“You are aware that you need to go through with this right...?” Micro could only wave his hand to dismiss the other. “Don’t be ridiculous, just cause I said it in front of them doesn’t mean they’ll remember”

“Besides, that bet was made 2 years ago, I was just paranoid they’d remember the bet”

Micro chuckles at himself, now realizing how stupid the situation and assumption was. Though it was only Micro who found it humorous, Saps didn't. “Micro, I hope you know that the point of that reunion was a reminder that we’d hang out more often. We’re meeting up again next month, and- some of them are in the same college you dumb freak!”

“Legit things will be- what did you just say” 

This was going to be a long ride for Micro. In fact, this was going to be part of his weird adventures, he just doesn’t know it yet.

Saps takes out his phone, scrolling through the one message Jophiel had sent in the group chat before shoving it in Micro’s face. “Yet people call me the stupid one in the group..”

He stares at the message before placing his hand on his forehead, dragging it down to his mouth. He was too deep into this unfortunately.

“Do you understand the situation now? Mind you, there’s one person in the friend group who holds you accountable for that bet and has been for months now” He refers to Schpood and possibly Sidefall. 

He hated admitting that Saps was right, one of the rare occurrences. Those two have been dancing around the bet and has constantly brought it up.

Micro sits back down on the bench as he ponders to himself, blanking out with no idea. Especially since Thomas’s whereabouts are no where to be found. “Saps he doesn’t even go to our college, I think”

“No shit man! I say you’re better off finding a dopple....ganger.......” He slowly turns back towards Micro with the most devious grin.

Micro knew where this was headed, but before he could protest, Saps was already looking at a certain brunette in the far back of the field. 

“What do you think about that-” “No.”

For the past few weeks, it’s been like this:

Saps, being the ‘good friend’ he is tries to find Micro a Thomas replica after school to save his sorry bum from making a fool out of himself in the next friend hangout.

Micro was grateful, best believe it – though his best friend’s motives were concerning. 

Nonetheless they spent countless of days trying to find a guy who was closest to the real Thomas. Unfortunately for them, there was only one that could have similar features to the original.

“This is ridiculous..” Micro groans. The two boys and one fake Thomas were in a empty classroom, trying to figure things out since they decided to settle for this one.

“Micro this is for your own good, thank me later, I know, I’m such a good friend” He smiles innocently before turning his back to gather some of his paper flyers.

Saps was supposed to be on flyer duty. Except he wasn’t doing his job and took the time to help Micro out.

“You should really be passing those flyers out...I appreciate the help Saps, really but, you’ve been behind on your studies lately” Micro takes one of the flyers, looking at it before having it snatched by the other.

“I’m not behind! I’m just- waiting for the right time to do them..” It’s no secret that Saps hasn’t exactly been in the right state to do school work, he’s always struggled in linear algebra and that brings him down on all his other classes.

Micro was always worried for Saps, especially when it came to obvious struggling. “Have you thought about getting a tutor? I texted you the college’s website for tutoring in case it was that bad”

He speaks about the link he sent a few days ago and Saps nods. “Yeah, I saw it...look I’ll think about it but right now I feel like doing my own thing”

This didn’t ease Micro at all, “Saps, all I’m trying to do is make sure you get the proper education you said you’d sign up for-”

Before this situation could escalate, the classroom door slides open, interrupting the two of them.

Saps jolts, “Fuck- that actually scared me-”

They all look over to the person who had opened the door, frustrated. Except that frustration melted once they realized who had opened slid the door open.

There stood Thomas, the man himself. Hand still on the door with his other gripping onto his backpack strap. Wondering what he just walked into.

Thomas’s eyes look between the three, before looking at the other brunette with the tag of his own name placed upon the guy. 

“What the hell...” 

There was no form of negativity in his voice, just confusion and curiosity. Saps could only smile awkwardly while Micro just stood there, wanting to dig his own grave further and hide underneath soil forever in embarrassment. 

The silence was disrupted by Saps clearing his throat, with the now gathered flyers in his hands, he swiftly takes a hold of the random brunette they claimed and smiles brightly. “You know what Micro? You’re right, I’m going to get that tutor you were talking about now”

With that, Saps left the empty classroom with the random look alike, escaping the second hand embarrassment they’ve laid upon them. Yet to be fair, they didn’t expect to see Thomas in the same campus as them.

The air between Thomas and Micro was slightly thick. Micro felt uneasy and sick yet he couldn’t bring himself to run away as well. 

“...um..care to explain?”

So that’s exactly what Micro did.

“So let me get this straight..” 

Thomas had pulled a chair out from one of the desks, sitting near Micro.

“You lied about dating me, to...avoid getting a tattoo of your friends choice?” He says, leaning back in his seat, his arms crossed. 

“And you and your friend decided to find replica’s of me around campus for weeks cause you both thought I didn’t attend this college..?” Micro avoids eye contact, knowing how it all sounds. “Now if you put it that way...”

Thomas could only think of the situation as strange, but also a bit silly at the same time. “Reminder to never drag people into your own situations please” He warns Micro as Micro knew he was right.

“Right..” Just what exactly was Micro going to do now? It’s not like he could continue this now, definitely not when the ‘real’ Thomas had just found out about the issue. Seems like he’lll be getting that tattoo after all.

“Though, I don’t have anything else interesting going on next week” Thomas gets up from his seat, putting it back to the desk he took it from. “So if you promise to never do something concerning like this ever again, then I won’t mind being your fake lover”

“I-I’m sorry..?” Micro almost chokes as he covers his mouth, looking up at Thomas. Not expecting him to agree into it, in fact, Micro didn’t even have to ask.

“You heard me once, you’re not hearing it from me again” He chuckles, grabbing his bag to head out. “I trust you can find me on Insta, just shoot me a message of what happens next week with your friend hangout”

Thomas gives Micro a little smile, almost as if he was grinning to himself, before leaving the classroom.

So the situation got better?

Micro didn’t know what to make of this, it was all too sudden in the span of a week or so. Just how exactly did things escalate so quickly?

The next day, he was completely zoned out, wondering what had just happened yesterday.

He was supposed to be studying for a test, which was the reason why he was in the library.

He flips through books, looking back at his laptop, switching through tabs as if he was trying to gain confirmation of reality at the moment.

Just why did Thomas agree so quickly, if you’d even call that an agreement. It was messing with his brain, even if he should have just been grateful that things were finally going his way.

Just why did he feel so, excited?

“Hey” 

Micro looks up to see Saps, staring down at him. Yet it looked like he was also not in his right head space. He seemed like he was anticipating something. 

“Oh, hey saps” He replies, sliding the chair beside him for Saps to sit next to him.

The two just sat in silence before the younger breaks the silence. “So..how was it with Thomas..?” Micro bites the inside of his cheek as the words hit him as a reminder.

Sighing a bit before laying his head on the desk, looking at the others direction. “I...I didn’t even get to ask him...yet he tells me he would be willing to be my fake lover..?”

Saps blinks, the conversation turning the gears in his head as he whisper yells to Micro, “I’m sorry- what..!?” None of them thought Micro would have a chance, let alone by the real Thomas.

Yet lord and behold, they were mistaken.

“I-Okay I don’t even know how it got to this point..”  Micro was spiraling through the head, clearly not understanding anything at the moment. He didn’t even get to text Thomas from the amount of times he hesitated.

He looks back at Saps as he remembered that his friend mentioned finding a tutor yesterday before disappearing. “How was finding a tutor?” He asks.

“...Most of them were booked so I went to a councilor about it, and they just matched me with a random tutor...” Micro hums against the table as he listens. 

“That’s good for you Saps, honestly” Except, Saps didn’t think so. He silently curses to himself as he puts his hands in on his face, groaning slightly. It looks like Micro wasn’t gonna hear the end of it with this one either.

“I went to check in with the tutor today, went up the stairs, ready and all that shit- tell me why, when I opened the door, I get met face to face with fucking Fluixon” 

Micro did not expect that either. “Flux is your tutor?!” He whispers yells.

Saps peaked through his hands to look at Micro, biting his lip back as he nods slightly. “-and tell me why this dumb ass is suddenly good looking!” 

No yeah, Micro didn’t expect that.

“You cannot be serious Saps...” Perhaps it didn’t matter what input Micro said. Saps was already crashing out internally and externally about Flux.

It was settled; they are both so done for.

Micro could see pictures of his pets, his friends and him, and pictures of just himself. He snaps out of it as he realized he was practically stalking his page. 

“Shit- What’s wrong with me man...” Micro groans as he presses on Thomas’s message box to finally text and contact him.

The entire fake dating was completely abnormal, sure. Except he was struggling to text Thomas for whatever reason it was.

Maybe he was having second thoughts? Or perhaps, the thought of fake dating Thomas was getting through his head and in the stupidest way possible? He still couldn’t believe Thomas would agree to be his fake lover.

“Delusion’s a drug and I’m definitely on it...” He mutters to himself as he continuously deletes the messages he never plans on sending. 

Maybe things were just not meant to happen.

He stared at the empty message box, giving up completely on reaching out to Thomas.

Then, almost on cue – the texting speech bubble on Thomas’s end pops up, and his icon goes green, indicating he was online.

Micro panics as he looks around the room. As if anything was going to help him physically.

-” Care to explain as to why you haven’t tried texting me till now?”

He stares at the message, completely embarrassed at the fact Thomas probably saw him struggle on reaching out to him.

- “I was busy”

- “Only got around to finding your account today”

-”I see”

-”I’m assuming you’re here to tell me about tomorrow?”

-” *the party “ 

Right, he completely forgot it was already tomorrow. He wasn’t even sure how they’d act around his friends. So he decided to talk to Thomas about expectations. 

Then he talked to Thomas about school.

Then they talked about what they wanted to do in life.

They surely talked a whole lot off topic. To the point Micro actually got to know Thomas.

Maybe it was the fact he was so admirable.

Maybe it was because Thomas was a good listener.

Maybe it was because he enjoyed talking to Thomas.

This was getting out of hand, holding onto maybes was useless. Micro lied in bed, awake and aware while he falls into pieces, hoping somebody would come solve them.

God, he didn’t want to go tomorrow.

Yet he had no choice. Here he was, waiting for Thomas to show up as if they were an actual couple, lover, whatever label should be slapped on this situation.

“You sure your lover’s coming?” Sidefall asks, actually curious ever since the reveal from a couple weeks ago. 

Micro and Saps share an exchanged look, probably a bit worried whether or not Thomas would actually show up. “He’s coming, just arriving late as usual..”

He laughs it off a bit, pretending like he knew Thomas in a romantic way. Yet the thought is clawing at him.

After all, he realized his feelings for Thomas were, real, and rapidly growing at such an unfortunate rate.

“Sorry for taking so long, traffic” 

A familiar voice emerges into their conversation. Micro quickly looks, and to his surprise, Thomas actually arrived, and he was dressed pretty well for an occasion like this.

Thomas walks next to Micro, suddenly but gently taking his hand before bringing it up to his lips, kissing the back of Micro’s hand with a small gentle smile. “Did I make you wait, love?”

Jesus he was good at this.

Micro was stunned for a bit before remembering the audience they had. His cheeks clearly dusted in pink as he chuckles, “no, no you didn’t”.

In the audience, Saps had completely reached shock point, not believing a single thing he was witnessing at the moment. As if this was some fever dream.

“Holy shit Micro, you sly dog” Cynikka nudges with a proud smirk. 

His hand still holding Thomas’s, he rolls his eyes. “Yet you people doubted me and my love life”. Thomas couldn’t help but laugh at the bluntness Micro released.

They all went inside to order their meals, waiting for the food to arrive as they all bonded.

Micro couldn’t help but stare at Thomas. Clearly in a daze. The way he was so friendly with his friends, as if he was a natural at communicating. Anyone would be lucky to have a guy like him.

Ymi on the otherhand was a bit skeptical, not exactly sure if they truly were dating. She adds herself into the conversation, “Micro over there looks like he wants a kiss”.

Micro blinks, looking at Ymi, then back at Thomas. What?

Thomas looks over at Micro before humming. “Really now?”

“Do you want a kiss? Micro?” 

He doesn’t respond as he panics internally. Cursing out Ymi telepathically from the hell she’s about to unleash.

Saps joins the conversation as well, snickering at the situation. “I think he does, just too shy to say it, right Micro?”. Now cursing out Saps in his head telepathically.

Thomas pauses, looking at Micro and his friends. Before turning his full attention to Micro. With his right hand, he holds onto the edges of the table. Before leaning close towards Micro, tilting his head, just close enough to hover against Micro’s lips.

Thomas smiles, but Micro didn’t.

He completely forgot that this was all for show.

He pulls away from Micro as he acted satisfied. Micro on the other hand only looked away. At the same time, for outsiders' point of view, it looked like Micro was embarrassed. Yet in reality, Micro didn’t know whether to stop all this or to let the show go on.

For the rest of the hangout, Micro ate his food a little too silently. Saps noticed this, and in a sense, Thomas did too. 

In the end, Micro got what he wanted, right? He doesn’t have to go through with any more stupid bets involving tattoos. 

In a way, Micro knew this wasn’t healthy, it was killing him to stay and continue this, but it hurt more if he got to lose this delusional interaction with Thomas.

Maybe, he’ll just play pretend.