One Reason

Jeremy hesitated as he went to grab his shirt for today. He had two options, and he wasn’t sure what he was going to do. 

Did he go for his old favourite shirt? The one with the blue and yellow stripes and the funny face in the corner? Or did he follow his current default and just go black and white stripes? It was going to be stripes regardless. He liked his stripes. 

Jeremy took a moment to consider where he was as a person before he made his decision. He grabbed the colourful shirt and grabbed his favourite blue cardigan, with the bi flag and the trans flag messily stitched on, and got dressed. 

Oh wow... this felt so refreshing in a weird way. Jeremy almost skipped downstairs to grab breakfast. Everyone would still be home, so he was expecting a full house. 

“Good morning!” He called, making his usual rounds. “Chrissy, Brooke, Marsh, Hayden, Penelope, Dad.” He went around the table, hugging everyone as he went and kissing their cheeks, before he settled in his own seat and started pouring himself some cereal.

Christine and Brooke broke off from their conversation with Hayden and Penelope (how they were so chill with them being ghosts was insane) and smiled at Jeremy. 

"Hey, Jere-Bear," Brooke said with a smile. "You seem to be in a good mood today, Private. You excited for school?"

“Yup!” Jeremy nodded as he finished his mouthful. “I dunno why, I’m just really feeling awesome.” 

“Love the blue on you, kiddo.” Hayden grinned. Jeremy preened under the compliment, his cheeks turning a little rosy. “Oh and guess what? I’m getting the tattoo done in about a week! The artist was so impressed and he wants to meet you to discuss if you’ll do commissions.” 

“No way!” That was so awesome! Jeremy had been really proud of the watercolour splattered flowers he designed for Hayden’s tattoo, but he had no idea they were that good.

"Yes way. You might be able to kickstart your artist career. If this isn't it, this'll at least beef up any applications you may have for schools," Hayden said with a smile.

“Thank you so much, Hayden!” Jeremy beamed before he continued eating. 

Things had been getting better. Jeremy wasn’t totally recovered, not by a long shot, but after four months of therapy and actually confronting his problems with his support network rather than running away, as well as a strong desire to recover, the number of good days was starting to catch up to the bad. Jeremy was getting better, and that’s what counted. And today, for whatever reason, was a good day.

Hayden nodded before Marshal caught Jeremy's attention. "By the way, I'm not going to be here tonight. I'm going out for dinner, but I'll be cooking dinner tomorrow night."

“Where are you going, Marshal?” Jeremy asked, finishing off his cereal and pouring himself a glass of water so he could take his pills.

"Some restaurant in town," Marshal said as he ate some of his yogurt.

“Who with?” Brooke was clearly getting invested in this too. Jeremy glanced around and noticed that everyone was paying attention while trying, and failing, to not make it obvious. Jeremy had a good idea of who Marshal might be seeing, but that was just going off of what he saw from the other worlds. He hoped it was the same, that guy Dustin always seemed awesome.

Marshal rolled his eyes. "I never said that I was going with anyone." He clearly was though.

“Is it your boyfriend?” Jeremy teased, kicking Marshal under the table. “The guy you keep making goo goo eyes at when you’re at work?”

Marshal kicked Jeremy back under the table. "I do not make goo-goo eyes at anyone while at work."

“You so do.” Jeremy cackled. “You stare at him, and his butt, and I bet you even drool too.” Marshal kicked him again but Jeremy didn’t back down. He could tell Marshal wasn’t too upset, so he was going to ride this high as long as possible. “So? Is it Mr. Tall-Tanned-and-Handsome?”

Marshal gave one last kick. "I do not stare at him, his butt, or 'even drool.' I am going to dinner with Dustin but it isn't a date or anything."

“Marshal’s got a date~ Marshal’s got a date~” Jeremy cackled again. “You’re so into him, dude! Not a date my ass, you’re blushing way too much for it not to be a date!” Jeremy was beyond happy at the moment. Marshal looked so happy and Jeremy was getting to the point of reading him again, and his family felt familiar again at last. 

Everything was finally settling down and Jeremy was living for it.

"Jeremy, if you keep teasing your brother, you're going to be late for your first day," Penelope said with a smile as she glanced to the window. "Didn't you say that Michael was coming to pick you up too? You don't want to keep him waiting."

“Oh right.” He finished off his water and stood, putting his dirty dishes into the dishwasher. After a quick glance out the window confirmed that Michael wasn’t here just yet, Jeremy raced back upstairs to clean his teeth and grab his bags. 

Before he left the house, Jeremy did another round around the table, kissing and hugging everyone goodbye as quickly as possible before he dashed outside, skidding to a halt just as Michael pulled up.

Baby, Michael's pitbull and service dog, barked at him from the backseat. "Baby, it's Remy," Michael cheered as Jeremy opened the door and hopped into the passenger seat. "Hi. Happy second first day of junior year."

Jeremy grinned. “Happy second first day of junior year!” He cried, throwing his backpack into the back seat. It landed on the opposite side to Baby, and Jeremy’s hand was subjected to puppy kisses. He giggled and stroked her. “I love you too, Baby.” He cooed.

Michael let out a surprised noise, and Jeremy looked back at his best friend. "Remy, you're wearing color again."

Jeremy nodded. “I-... yeah. It felt right to wear this today.” He offered Michael a smile, knowing he’d understand the implications. “Today has been a good day so far.”

"I'd hope so. It's barely begun and we planned for it to be good. Isn't that right, Baby?" The pitbull barked happily from the backseat.

The drive to school was full of music and laughter and Jeremy had never been more excited to go to school before. 

Still, when they pulled in and climbed out the car, Jeremy couldn’t help but feel his stomach drop a little. There were a lot of people here. He didn’t do well in crowds, and he didn’t have a support animal like Michael did (his therapist was still deciding if he’d actually benefit from one, but she was starting to lean towards yes).

There was a nudge to his side, and Jeremy looked up at Michael. He was smiling at Jeremy, holding out his free hand. "Hey. Everything's going to be okay. If you're overwhelmed, your therapist put that note in with the school that you can step out for a few minutes."

Jeremy nodded and took Michael’s hand. He couldn’t help but curl up a little as they walked through the busy halls, but he did note that it was easier than before this time. 

“It’s kinda nice here. This place isn’t as big as-!” Jeremy almost fell over as he crashed into someone. “Oh god, I’m so sorry!”

"It's fi-" The girl suddenly stopped, and Jeremy could guess why. It was that nice Girl Scout, Madeline. She stared at Jeremy before quickly running off, pulling out her phone as she turned the corner. 

"What was her deal?"

Jeremy whined slightly before making his choice. “Can we go after her please? That’s the person I had to scare... Madeline... I want to apologise, even if I texted her and stuff.” He was already walking in her general direction.

"Oh, okay." Michael didn't leave his side, and the tippy-tappies of Baby echoed somehow through everyone talking and walking in the halls.

Madeline was hiding around the corner, tucked into the gap between two sets of lockers. Jeremy felt his anxiety rise to meet him as he got closer, as well as the guilt for what he put her through. Still, he pushed on. He was recovering now. He was doing better. And she seemed really nice and he wanted to be her friend. 

Jeremy didn’t let go of Michael’s hand as he approached. “Hello? It’s...Madeline, right?” He asked as soon as he was close enough to be heard properly. “It’s, er... I’m Jeremy.” He pressed himself a little closer to Michael in an attempt to calm down. “I just wanted to apologise for what happened before... it’s... complicated but I wasn’t myself and I’m really, really sorry for scaring you.” He ducked his head and closed his eyes, unable to keep his gaze focused on her.

"You... You don't live with that creepy man thing, right? Not anymore?" Madeline asked after a tense beat of silence.

Jeremy shook his head quickly. “I live with my dad and my brother and sometimes my dad’s boyfriend and girlfriend.” He shuddered even thinking about Squip. “That creep is gone for good. He’s the reason I was acting so weird before, I didn’t want to and I’m not normally like that.” He really hoped she would forgive him. “Did, er, did you manage to sell enough cookies for your date?”

"Yeah, I managed to. We went in early June," Madeline said, her voice starting to relax. "Unfortunately, since cookie season is over, I can't get you any cookies until next year, so sorry about that."

“I... I placed an order. It was last minute, but it said everything went through with you as the saleswoman...” Jeremy admitted. He had bought some cookies as an apology already. He squeezed Michael’s hand, who squeezed back.

“Wait, you're the one who put me over to get the trip?"

“I did?” Jeremy looked up hopefully. He was still fiddling with the hem of his cardigan but he relaxed a little too. “I... it was a bit excessive, but I bought ten boxes. Everyone’s been enjoying them...”

"Yeah! I did the math, like, an hour before the deadline and I was seven short. No one I called had any money to buy more, but your buy saved me and just- Ah! Thank you!"

Jeremy smiled shyly up at her. “You’re- you’re welcome.” He stammered before taking a breath. “Do you think we could start over? I- I’d really like to be-... to be your friend. If-... if that’s okay, I mean...”

Madeline looked between Michael and Jeremy a few times before looking at Baby. "As long as I can pet the dog." 

Michael quickly added, "She's working, so not right now." 

"That's fine," Madeline said as she shrugged.

Jeremy giggled and glanced up at Michael, who nodded. “She’s off duty at lunch time. We’re planning on heading to the park to let her loose while we eat. We’re allowed to bring a few friends...?”

"Well, when's your lunch period?"

Jeremy fumbled and let go of Michael’s hand as he pulled out his timetable. “We’re... second block, I think.” He nodded.

"Sweet. I need to see if my girlfriend has the same lunch period. Would it be alright if she came along?" Madeline asked as she took out her phone.

Jeremy glanced up at Michael who nodded again. Yay! Michael was trying to get used to more people too! That was awesome progress. “Y-Yeah! That would be great!” He nodded at Madeline. “Um... this is Michael, by the way... he’s my best friend. We grew up together in New Jersey.”

Madeline's eyes lit up and she held out her hand. "Hi there, Michael. How did you two happen to live in the same city again?" Michael took her hand and shook it with a smile. 

"Coincidences, I guess. Nice to meet you, Madeline?" 

"Yeah, I'm Madeline. Hi."

Jeremy pulled out his phone and quickly texted Madeline with the number he had saved. “Umm... this is my number. We can... meet up outside the front of the school at lunch?” He suggested. “But, um... we should get going. We need to check in at the office before classes start so we can get the passes for Baby.” He blinked. “Oh, that’s the name of Michael’s service dog, since she is a baby and we love her.”

Michael whined. "Remy, I wanted to explain the reasoning behind her name."

“Well you haven’t been talking at all.” Jeremy whined back. “Why don’t you explain about her bandanna?” They’d gotten her a special bandanna to wear with her vest which they were going to cover in patches of all the things she liked. So far she had a rainbow one to represent them, but that was it.

"I will. I was trying to be nice and not rude by interrupting," Michael said before he showed her bandana to Madeline and explained it in greater detail than Jeremy would have. "I think she likes peanut butter, so I might try to find a patch for that."

 “That is so cute!” Madeline squealed. “I’ll keep an eye out for any patches for sure!” She glanced at her phone. “Jenna will be joining us for sure. And it’s getting late, so I’ll see you two at lunch?” Jeremy nodded excitedly.

Michael nodded and waved. "See you later, Madeline."

Madeline smiled and headed off, looking much happier and more comfortable than before. Jeremy practically collapsed against Michael as soon as she was gone. “I’m glad I managed that. She seems really nice.”

"She does. Hopefully she and her girlfriend aren't loud in the car though," Michael said as he rested his head against Jeremy's. "Also, we need to go to the office. Where is it? We should've asked her where it was."

“It’s at the end of that other corridor. I already checked...” Jeremy smiled as he relaxed against his friend. This was good. It was helping ground him as much as he was actually enjoying himself.

Michael hummed as he wrapped an arm around Jeremy. "You know, we should head over there."

“We should.” Jeremy agreed, leaning back against Michael a bit more. “We have about fifteen minutes before classes start.” That was loads of time, they just had to pick up their special hall passes for if they needed to calm down from something. Jeremy’s therapist had insisted on it for both of them.

Michael squeezed Jeremy before shifting to hold his hand again. “Then let’s get going.”

Jeremy sighed and smiled up at Michael before nodding. “Let’s go.” 

He was doing so much better now, and so was Michael. Some time soon, he wasn’t sure when, Jeremy was going to ask Michael out. He finally felt like he was living for himself, and he was ready to share that feeling with his best friend in the entire world, and any world honestly.

After a few weeks of school, Michael was getting the hang of learning again. It was still weird after having an unintentional gap year in his high school career, but everyone worked well with him. Well, most. He had an asshole Physics teacher, and one of his PE coaches was a dick about Baby because of her breed, but everything was great otherwise. He really felt alive again.

Jeremy was also doing well. So far his grades were already looking better, and he seemed happier than he’d been in years. He still had bad days, quite a few, but they were becoming less and less common. He was already thriving with what little help he’d been getting so far. Michael couldn’t be prouder. 

He had just arrived at the Heere household, just pulled up that long driveway up the hill. It was Saturday and Jeremy had invited him over to hang out and just relax. It wasn’t an offer Michael was going to refuse.

Michael helped Baby out of the car before he walked up to the door with her. He knocked and smiled at his dog as she sat and waited. “Good girl.”

Mr. Heere opened the door. “Hey Michael!” He beamed. “Jeremy‘s up in the attic. He said he had something to sort out with Brooke and Chrissy before you got here.” He stepped aside to let Michael in. “Hey Baby! Who’s a good girl?”

 Baby softly barked before she walked in with Michael. “She definitely is.” He unhooked her from her leash and let her sniff around. “How are you doing, Mr. Heere?”

Good! I’m out for the night, so it’s just a quick hello and goodbye from me.” He looked like he might be blushing a little. “Hayden and Penelope are having me round for dinner. Marshal’s here, though... how are you?”

“I’m good. Coach Hanson and Mr. Becker are assholes, but I’m good otherwise. Oh, I also got Baby new patches.” He called for his dog and she came over. “I got her a peanut butter jar one and a popcorn one since those are her favorite snacks.”

“Oh perfect!” Mr. Heere grinned. “Lucky for her, we have lots of both.” He stroked her and she huffed happily. “Yeah, you’re a good girl, Baby. You’re lucky your dad loves you enough to not let us get you fat, you’d be spoiled in an instant if Jeremy had his way.”

Michael couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I’m not letting Jeremy do that to her. I spoil her in non-food ways.”

“I know, but you know how Jeremy is.” Mr. Heere gave Michael a quick hug before heading to the door. “Anyway, I gotta run. Have fun, Michael, see you tomorrow!”

“Thanks, Mr. Heere. Tell them I say hi.”

“Will do! Bye!” With a bright grin that reminded Michael of a giddy teenager (did he look like when he came to visit Jeremy, he wondered) Mr. Heere was gone. 

Well, time to see what Jeremy was up to. Michael made his way up to the attic, knocking on the door and going in after Christine called him. Jeremy was standing in the middle of the room, eyes closed and his hand resting on his vitiligo patch. He was focused on whatever he was seeing, and Brooke was hovering nearby, watching on with confusion and hope. 

“Hey Michael.” Christine whispered as she floated over. “Jeremy said he should be done soon. I don’t know what he’s doing, but apparently it’s important.”

Michael nodded as Baby went and hopped into the bean bag. “It sure seems that way,” he whispered back to her as he glanced between Brooke and Jeremy a few times.

Suddenly, a silver shimmer of light seemed to pass over Jeremy. His whole appearance shifted, the vitiligo spreading all over his body. When he opened his eyes, they were a dark green. He held out both hands. What seemed to be an orb of pure shadow appeared in front of him and he reached in, no hesitation. When he pulled back, he was holding a hand. 

Slowly but surely, he pulled a vaguely familiar figure from inside the orb, until a girl who looked barely older than Michael was standing in the attic too. Or rather, floating. She was a ghost too. 

Jeremy shimmered once more and his appearance turned back to normal. He fell onto his butt, panting hard, but he grinned up at the new ghost. 

“I’ve tied you here now, Chloe, I think. You should be able to come and go as you please.” He huffed with a grin.

“Chlo?” Brooke stared at this new ghost with wide, wet eyes. “Is it... really you?” She went to hold a hand out to this Chloe, and she hesitated, keeping her hand hovering between the two.

Chloe seemed to be tearing up too. “Brookie...” She half whined, half sobbed. “You’re all grown up. Look at you. You’re beautiful.” She reached out and took Brooke’s hand, tugging her close and holding her just as tightly and desperately as Michael had held Jeremy when they had been reunited. 

He understood then. 

Chloe was Brooke’s best friend who had died young. He saw the marks still lingering on her wrists with a heavy heart. Oh. So she had been like Jeremy was. Well... at least she and Brooke were together now, after however many years it had been.

Brooke broke down in tears as she clung to Chloe. “I’ve missed you so much. There- there’s so much I need t’tell you and show you and- and-“ She rested her head against Chloe’s shoulders as she just couldn’t stop sobbing.

“Hey, hey. I’ve got you.” Chloe murmured. “We’ve got all the time in the world now, Cookie. I’m not leaving you again.” She promised. “I’m so sorry, Brooke. It was selfish of me to leave, and I regretted it the moment I woke up dead. Can you forgive me for leaving and missing your wedding?”

 Brooke just somehow wrapped her arms further around Chloe. Christine smiled at Michael, her eyes wet herself, before whispering, 

“I’ll help Jeremy go. You can call Baby and wait for him in his room.” Michael nodded, softly whistling for his dog. She looked away from the ghosts and looked at Michael before following him out of the attic and to Jeremy’s room.

He settled on Jeremy’s bed, just considering what he’d seen. Jeremy’s whole appearance had changed. He’d done magic using one of his other selves. That was... a lot more intense than anything he’d shown Michael thus far. Michael huffed as he processed it all. 

A moment later, Jeremy came in and flopped on the bed next to Michael. “Hey Mikey.” He mumbled into his sheets. “Hey Baby. I’ll be good to talk in a second. I’m pooped after that... just need a second.”

Michael couldn’t help but laugh as he ran his fingers through Jeremy’s hair. “I think you need more than a second, my dude. You just did a lot,” he said before Baby hopped up onto Jeremy’s bed. With his free hand, he pet her head.

Jeremy hummed happily at the touch. “But it was cool though.” He pointed out. “And it got Brooke her friend back.”

“I never said it wasn’t either of those things. Don’t put words into my mouth, Remy.”

“I didn’t.” Jeremy whined, flipping himself over and lying across Michael’s lap. Baby shifted to rest her face against his cheek and Jeremy giggled. “Hey Baby. Yes, you’re a beautiful girl. I love you so much.” He cooed, his previous mood clearly forgotten.

 Baby barked softly and rested her head then on Jeremy’s stomach. Michael couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “She’s amazing.”

“She is. The best doggo.” Jeremy agreed, looking up at Michael with what seemed to be a smitten grin. “How are you, Mikey?”

“I’m good. I’m here now, so I’m better than I was before. How are you, you know, besides being exhausted from what you just did?”

 “I’m feeling really, really good.” Jeremy beamed. “Even better now you’re here.” He paused, as if considering something, before nodding to himself. “Can you lean down here please?”

Michael had an idea why, but he couldn’t help but tease. “Why should I? What are you going to do?”

“Because you are really gorgeous and I want to kiss you before asking you to be my boyfriend.” Jeremy replied bluntly, with a flirtatious smirk teasing at his lips.

Well, Michael only expected half of that. His cheeks warmed up as he stared down at Jeremy. “Wha?”

 “I want to kiss you. And then I want to ask you out properly.” Jeremy repeated, his smirk growing in size and confidence.

“Okay, so you said what I thought you said.” Michael took about half a minute to properly process what he was told before he bent down, close to Jeremy’s face. “Is this good?”

Jeremy grinned and surged upwards, connecting their lips surprisingly smoothly. The kiss was brief, but filled with more emotion than Michael thought possible. When Jeremy pulled back, he was panting and grinning mischievously. “I think that was pretty good. What do you think?”

It took Michael a few seconds to come up with a reply. “It was amazing, but that was my first kiss, so I don’t really have anything else to go off of.”

“Not your first, actually.” Jeremy hummed. “But I’d say it was amazing. It was pretty amazing for me too.”

Michael narrowed his eyes at Jeremy. “Did I forget our first kiss or something? I really hope I didn’t.”

“I guess you did.” Jeremy frowned. “It was what revived you after all, and you did say that part is kinda fuzzy...” He hummed before taking Michael’s hand and putting it against his head, against his white patch. “If you wanted, I could try showing you...”

“As long as it doesn’t make you super tired,” Michael said.

 “Sharing doesn’t make me tired.” Jeremy assured him. “Just remember, you’re alive now, even if in the vision you might not be... I wonder if this would work...” He closed his eyes and suddenly Michael was reliving that moment. Saying goodbye to Jeremy. Kissing him once and having Jeremy turn into the Moon. The strange knowledge and trust that filled him as the Moon Jeremy spoke. And then, the kiss that reformed his body and restated his heart.

Michael pulled his hand back after he relieved it all. Baby was leaning against him, and he had to catch his breath. “I... Oh wow. I didn’t remember that,” he admitted.

“It was intense.” Jeremy nodded, sounding a little winded. “Are you alright?”

Michael nodded as he pet Baby. “Yeah, it just... I need a sec. Are you alright?”

Jeremy nodded. “Yeah, just a little overwhelmed. That was even more intense than my side was. Can’t say I’m surprised though...” He closed his eyes and nuzzled against Michael’s stomach, cuddling close and wrapping his arms around him.

That took a second to process. “Did you experience what I just remembered in some way?”

Jeremy nodded again, which just resulted in him rubbing his cheek against Michael’s stomach. “Didn’t know that would happen... but it was interesting. Everything I assume you just saw, I just saw.”

“Wow. Yeah, it was a lot.” Michael nuzzled against Baby and slowly moved to lie down with her.

Jeremy whined playfully as Michael shifted, wiggling his way up to lie against Michael’s side instead with his head on Michael’s shoulder. 

They were silent for a few minutes while Michael calmed down before Jeremy spoke up. “So... would you want to... actually date? Be my boyfriend?” He asked softly, his voice tinged with hope and nerves.

“Of course I would,” Michael said before turning to try to look at Jeremy. It was hard with how they were lying. “I can only say ‘yes’ if you actually ask me though.”

“Mikey, will you be my boyfriend?” Jeremy half repeated, looking up at Michael with wide, excited eyes.

Michael smiled as he shifted a little to be able to look Jeremy in the eyes. “As long as you’ll be my boyfriend too, yes.”

“I will.” Jeremy nodded. “I... I can’t promise I’ll always be... good. I’m not fully better, but I’m doing much better than I was. And I promise to do my best to love you and treat you like you deserve.”

“The same goes for me to you. We’re both doing our best for ourselves, and we’ll both do the best we can for each other,” Michael offered with a smile.

“Exactly.” Jeremy nodded again, beaming. “I love you, and I promise to be the best person I can. For both of us.” He scooted closer. “Can I kiss you again?”

Michael smiled as he nodded. “You gotta say ‘please’ first.”

“Please, Michael.” Jeremy sounded almost desperate, even if his eyes were bright and adoring. “Please can I kiss you again?”

It took all Michael had not to laugh. “Alright, but only because you were so nice and polite.”

“Thank you.” Jeremy murmured, and it almost sounded like he was receiving a great honour to get to kiss Michael. He leaned up and pressed their lips together, the touch sweet and gentle.

Michael shifted his hands so he could cup Jeremy’s cheeks. The kiss didn’t last long, but Michael wouldn’t forget this one. It made him feel giddy and happy and like a dork in the best of ways as he pulled back.

Jeremy looked utterly dazed in the best ways. He grinned at Michael, eyes hazy and unfocused and very, very happy. “Wow.”

“Wow, I didn’t think I was that good of a kisser yet.”

 “You so are.” Jeremy grinned. “And I’m excited because you’re just gonna get better...” He flopped back, closing his eyes happily.

“I was joking about that, by the way, but I will improve with practice,” Michael said before he lied down properly. Baby rested her head on Michael and he pet her again. “Hi.”

Jeremy giggled and pressed a kiss to Baby’s muzzle, receiving a lick on his nose in return. “Hey Baby. I love you too.” He cooed. Then he looked back up at Michael. “And I love you too.” A pause. “No matter what comes our way, I know we can deal with it.”

They had dealt with Michael dying and making a deal with basically the Devil and come back. They made it through the impossible. There was no way they weren’t going to make it through whatever life threw at them. “We will. We’re always going to be a team, Jeremy.”