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Jeremy blankly stared at the clothes in his closet, ruffled shirts and cardigans, all dug up from the box of things the SQUIP had made him remove. There are so many options. He could wear a cardigan, he always wears a cardigan, but there is a fluffy blue one and a fuzzy green one and a sleek black one and it should match the shirt but there are five different shirts with different patterns and stripes and decals and he doesn’t know what to do. There is no one to tell him what to do.
Before he realises what he’s doing, he has his phone in hand, finger hovering over Michael’s contact, named ‘Player One <3’ in his phone. SQUIP made him block this number. It rings for a few minutes before a tired voice crackles to life on the other end “Jere-bear?” Michael mutters, voice laced with sleep “It’s… five in the morning, everything okay?”. Michael sounds so tired. Why is he bothering him so early? Why did he call him just because he can't pick clothes that's so lame and terrible he's terrible why would-
“Jere-”
“I can't pick what I should wear,” Jeremy blurted out. Silence on the other end. “T-theres just a lot t-to pick from” he tries to explain. A mechanical voice buzzes somewhere in his head, making him flinch in response.
Stop stuttering
“I just- I can't pick w-what to wear because there's so many c-clothes a-and I don't- I didn't- I don't know what to do”.
Shuffling on the other end, it sounds like Michael is shifting around in bed “Well it’s a good thing you’ve got a best friend with impeccable fashion sense then yeah?” he asks, his voice sounds cheerful but the phone static doesn't hide the concern bleeding into his tone. “I’ll be over in a few, and then we’ll pick something out, how about that?”.
Relief washes over Jeremy in a tidal wave, but it’s immediately overshadowed by guilt. Guilt for Michael. For abandoning him. For shouting at him at Halloween. For calling him a loser. For punching him at the play. For bothering him at five in the morning just because Jeremy couldn't be a functional human being. Michael didn't deserve a best friend like that. Jeremy isn't good enough for Michael. But, maybe, just maybe-
You know that you’re my favourite person?
The SQUIP was hurting you Jeremy, I care about you too much to watch that happen
I’m not leaving you ever again Michael
I’m sticking around because I want to
“Y-yeah, okay. Thanks Michael”
Maybe Jeremy can be good enough for Michael if he tries to be.