Why Michael Doesn't Chase

[larenoz]

 Shortest meta ever. 

 

One observation about Michael and Alex’s dance that I interpret differently to a lot of people in fandom is why it is that Michael never chases after Alex or rarely initiates things between them. 

 

It’s consent.

 

Nearly every interaction between them in S1 ends with some form of Alex telling them they aren’t together and that he doesn’t want them to be together. This isn’t an anti-Alex comment, it’s just how their interaction play out. 

 

Michael not chasing after Alex or not initiating contact is then interpreted as him not caring as much. But I think it’s the very opposite. Michael is someone who has had his agency and consent denied for a lot of his life. And he’s seen the same thing happen to Alex. 

 

So when Alex says they’re over, or that he doesn’t want Michael around, Michael respects that. He takes Alex at his word. He respects Alex’s wishes. Because explicit consent is important to both of them. 

 

Pursuing someone who has said they don’t want you to isn’t romantic, it’s dis-empowering and disrespectful. 

 

So I see Michael listening to what Alex wants and respecting that as a sign of strength, because we know how much he wants to be with Alex. But he respects what Alex wants, even when it hurts. And that is strength, not weakness. 

 

OK, not such a short meta after all.


(Comments welcome and encouraged)