Can't Sleep... Love? (Mavi)

Night Forty-Five

The funeral was hard on Avi. In fact it was hard on the whole family. Even I shed tears when we were standing at the grave and Avi said his final goodbye. It was so heartfelt and sad that I just couldn't stop myself.

After the burial we all get together with a huge part of the Kaplan's family and friends for a small lunch. I talk to a few of them but they only recognise me as a friend and bandmember of Avi. That is something I'm glad for at the moment, because I don't want to deal with all the talk concerning Avi's sexuality. Not at the funeral.

"Babe? I wanna go home" Avi whispers into my ear after we've finished eating. "It's too much. Too many people."

I turn to him and smile compassionately. "Of course" I return. "Why don't you say goodbye and then we head out, huh?"

He nods and gets up, starting to shake hands and exchange hugs. I go with him and say goodbye as well. I then go to Michael and Shelley to explain to them what is going on. Avi has already left because he's clearly too overwhelmed.

"It's okay. He isn't looking too good anyway. Take care of him, okay?" Shelley says. "We won't be staying too long anyway."

I smile slightly and nod. "I'll be there for him" I return and lean into the hug she's offering. Afterwards I exit the restaurant and go over to my car where Avi is waiting. He looks lethargic.

"Come on Babe, I'll take you home" I say softly to pull him out of his thoughts.

He flinches and then gets inside the car, still not saying anything. I don't say anything either, I just let him be for the moment and decide to talk to him once we're in the safety of his bedroom.

Once we arrive there, he wordlessly takes off his suit and stays only in a plain white shirt and his boxer briefs. He lies down on his bed just like that with his back turned towards me.

I watch him while starting to undress myself. Once I'm only wearing my boxer briefs and a shirt, I crawl into the bed next to him and pull the blanket over our bodies. Avi doesn't make a move, yet I know that he's awake. I'd notice his change of breathing and the way he would relax completely.

I don't know what to do, honestly, but decide to not start talking right away. Instead I move closer towards him, spooning him. My moves are slow and thoughtfully planned out. I put an arm around him, let it rest on his stomach and then start to press gentle kisses on his neck. He instantly relaxes a little bit, sighing softly as he melts into my embrace.

"How are you feeling, Avi?" I whisper into his ear.

"Better. Kind of relieved that I went. Thank you for making me" Avi replies, his voice barely audible.

"I didn't make you, I just gave you advice. But it's good to know that you did the right thing in the end." I continue touching him gently.

"Yes. I'm still sad that she's gone now, but saying goodbye once more really helped."

"Nobody expects you to be okay with everything right away. It's a process. But I'll try to help you." I let my hand wander up along his side and over his neck, feeling how tensed his muscles still are.

"Can you just stay with me? Please?"

"Of course! I told you I'd stay with you, Babe."  I kiss his neck again and prop myself up on my free arm. "You're all tensed up. Shall I help you relax?"

Avi falters. "I... I don't know if..."

"Not like that, Avi" I directly return. "I have something else in mind, wait a second." Quickly I jump up and out of the bed. I take my body-lotion out of my toiletries bag and turn back to Avi.

"What about a massage? You could just relax and let me knead those knots thoroughly" I offer to him.

He nods. "Why not?" He props himself up and gets rid of his shirt.

"Great! Lay down on your stomach, Babe" I wait until he does so and straddle him. "Now just get comfortable, close your eyes and unwind. I'll take care of you.

I take some of the lotion and warm it between my hands before rubbing it into his skin, kneading his tensed muscles until everything is soft and relaxed. While Avi made some noise of consent at the beginning, his sighs and groans soon die down and he's breathing rhythmically. He's sleeping. I press another soft kiss on his neck and carefully get up from the bed, place the blanket over him to keep him warm.

I then get dressed again, wanting to get myself something to drink from the kitchen. I don't expect the rest of the family to be home, yet I see Shelley sitting in the living room, talking quietly. My plan is to greet her and then get my drink, but she calls me over.

"How's Avi?" Shelley asks me once I'm sitting on the sofa with them.

"He's sleeping right now, but feeling better. I talked to him, tucked him in and stayed with him until he fell asleep" I tell her honestly.

She smiles at me kindly. "That's good. Thank you for being here, Mitch."

I shake my head. "You're welcome. I'm just doing what I think I need to do for him!"

"And you're doing fine, Mitch" she ensures me. "But I was wondering if you could maybe tell me more. About him and you. Well mainly about his sexuality and how he feels."

I take a deep breath. "Well, Avi doesn't label himself. He claims to fall in love with the person and not with a gender. And that is totally fine and I think we shouldn't force a label on him, either."

Avi's Mum nods. "I like that fact and the way you describe it sounds just beautiful" she agrees.

"I think so, too. But what about you? What do you think about Avi outing himself?" I really want to know this, know how she feels about him.

"Truth to be told, I was shocked at first. There were so many things running through my mind. Negative things as well as positive. Then I took a step back and thought about how his feelings" she starts. "How I think he found love, he found you. And well... you're good for him, you came here within a blink of an eye when he needed you. And the way you talk about him is just full of love. So yeah, I'm glad for him and for you!"

I can't help but beam when I hear her words. She is so honest, and utterly nice. I can truly see that she is related to Avi. They share the same thoughtfulness and eloquence when it comes to talking. "Thank you for these words. It means a lot to me. Truly!"

"It's nothing but the truth, Mitch" she says. "And now go back to him, I can see that you're tired and you have a long drive ahead of you tomorrow."

I feel the need to hug her. "I'm glad that I came here to get to know you. You certainly are a perfect mother to him."

She hugs me back. "I'm just following my instincts, Mitch. Good night!"

"Good night, Shelley."

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and make my way back up to Avi's bedroom to grab my toiletries bag. Avi is still fast asleep and I smile when I see him looking all peaceful and calm. Then I go over to the bathroom and rush through my night-time routine, longing to be in the warm and comfortable bed with him.

"Mmhm, Mitchie..." I hear Avi mumbling when I cuddle up against him a few minutes later.

"It's me... just sleep, Babe" I whisper and turn off the lights.

"Night, Queen" Avi's voice is barely audible, but I get the words either way and smile brightly.

"Good night, Big Daddy" I say fondly and close my eyes, resting comfortably flushed against his body.

~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Well, The Dog Days are Over as they say (or sing). Now we may be looking into a brighter future for Avi. I don't know what's to come right now, to be honest so I might actually continue with fluff and then figure something out ;)

Hope you liked it!!