Oh, I completely understand what you're doing, believe me. I share many of David's qualities (both in the "faith of human goodness" regard, and in the "fancying something that's not necessarily in your best interests" regard), and to have him forgive Michael that easily is something that would ring completely false. David needs to be angry, ITA, but hopefully there's not all that much directed at himself...

As I see it, at this point, Michael has to prove that he's worthy of David's trust -- if David even still has it within him to give Michael that trust. Redemption should and must be earned... but poor Michael may have to find it within himself, using (for lack of a better verb) David as the catalyst; instead of receiving it from David with no fundamental changes of character within Michael himself...do you know what I'm getting at? I'm not making much sense, I fear. :-\

Anyway, you do write brilliantly, and I'm looking forward to the next chappie.